NAACIE rejects GPL’s 7% salary increase offer – General Secretary
…demands 10%; says union will not compromise
The National Association of Agricultural, Commercial, and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) on Friday met with the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) Management team to discuss increased wages for workers.
In light of public servants including teachers and sugar workers receiving a 10 per cent across the board salary increase for this year, workers attached to GPL were expecting the same increase, the union said.
However, at the meeting on Friday, the company told NAACIE that they will be
offering a seven per cent increase for workers hired under the company. This offer sparked outrage among workers who were expecting a 10 per cent across the board salary increase.
Speaking with the press after the meeting on Friday was the Union’s General Secretary, Dawchan Nagasar, who said that the power company and the union were engaged in discussion on salary hikes for workers earlier in September.
However, he noted that the power company said that it was low on financing which delayed pay increas-
es for works. He explained that GPL was awaiting the pronouncement of the Government to award workers the 10 per cent salary increase.
“Initially, GPL said that they are awaiting the pronouncement of the Government, which was done on Tuesday. We came to the meeting hoping that we would agree to the 10 per cent that was announced to the Government, but that is not to be. The Government pronounced a 10 per cent increase for 2024, eight per cent increase for 2025, also with some in-scale movements, additional increases. We at are willing to accept a 10 per cent increase for 2024 across the board. However, GPL is say-
ing seven per cent across the board.”
The NAACIE’s General Secretary said the power company has highlighted that earlier this year, some workers received a three per cent salary increase, and therefore they only need an added seven per cent to take the total amount of increases for this year to 10 per cent.
Nagasar said the three per cent increase that was given to some workers this year was not across the board, and therefore many workers were left without that increase.
“The GPL is claiming that there is a three per cent automatic increment that was paid in January. That is an in-scale movement. That has nothing to do with a crisis re-
ward. The President also announced in-scale movements for public sectors. That has nothing to do with a crisis reward.”
He added “Our understanding is that the Government will provide the money for the 10 per cent. So even if they have other reasons, the point is the Government is giving you the money to pay the 10 per cent.”
In this regard the General Secretary noted that workers are not willing to compromise and accept the seven per cent pay hike. He noted that the union will take the necessary actions to ensure that workers receive a 10 per cent pay increase just like all other public servants.
“They are not going to back down and accept the seven per cent. They are demanding that they get the 10 per cent and they will go all
lengths out to do it. Whatever action we need to take after this, the workers will do that.”
Whilst no deadline was given for GPL to award workers with their salary increase, the General Secretary told the media that the union will deicide what steps will be taken next. In the interim, Nagasar called for the Government to chime in on the matter.
“When we break from here, then we will decide the next move forward. But in the meantime, we would like the authorities, which is the Government, the president, the Vice President, to intervene and ensure that we get the 10 per cent that they offered to the people of Guyana.”
Additionally, the General Secretary told the media that the Union is currently discussing other finical benefits such as performance appraisal.
“Okay, meal allowance, which they increased by $100 to $1,700, right? We haven’t totally agreed on this, but there is also the performance appraisal, which we haven’t been finalised for the past couple of years, two, three years.”
NAACIE General Secretary Dawchan Nagasar
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Saturday, December 14 – 03:30h05:00h and Sunday, December 15 – 04:15h- 05:45h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Saturday, December 14 –15:10h- 16:40h and Sunday, December 15 – 15:55h- 17:25h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Thundery showers are expected during the day and at night, interrupted by sunshine in the mid-afternoon and partly-cloudy skies at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.02 metres.
High Tide: 15:35h reaching a maximum height of 2.73 metres.
Low Tide: 09:08h and 21:40h reaching minimum heights of 0.68 metre and 0.47 metre.
Moco Moco Hydropower Station commissioned …to
power Lethem, surrounding villages
Several communities in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) are slated to benefit from enhanced electricity supply with the commissioning of the 0.7-megawatt (MW) Moco Moco Hydropower Station on Friday.
In addition to Moco Moco, this hydro plant is expected to power surrounding villages such as St Ignatius, Kumu, and the Township of Lethem – providing clean and reliable energy.
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, along with several key Government officials including Local and Regional Development, Sonia Parag, Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai, and representatives from the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) joined Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock, Lethem Mayor John Macedo, Toshao of Moco Moco James George, and officials from Lethem Power Company Inc. (LPCI) as well as residents to commission the hydro plant.
In his address, Prime Minister Phillips emphasised the promising potential of renewable energy to stimulate innovation and improve the longevity of villages’ electrical systems. He highlighted that strategic partnerships with companies could open doors for significant investments, utilising the generation of the 0.7 megawatts of power from Moco Moco Creek.
Meanwhile, Sukhai spoke of the importance of a green economy, stressing its cost-effectiveness for local communities and the positive impact on the region.
Originally commissioned in 1999, the Moco Moco Hydropower Plant was rendered inoperative following a landslide that damaged its infrastructure. The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration undertook to have the hydro plant rehabilitated and upgraded to a capacity of 0.7 MW.
In 2022, Sri Lankan firm – Vidullanka PLC – was awarded an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract valued at around US$12.85 million to develop both the Moco Moco Hydropower Plant and the 1.5MW Kumu Hydropower Plant.
The Moco Moco Hydropower Plant Station, which was co-funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), is expected to generate approximately 4,565 MWh annually.
According to a statement from the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, this project supports the Guyana Government’s vision for Sustainable Development. It aims to harness local energy resources, promoting a cleaner and greener environment through hydroelectric power.
Friday’s commission-
ing of the hydro plant aligns with the PPP/C Administration’s 2020 Manifesto plan and is a key component of the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which ensures the efficient use of resources while advancing environmental sustainability.
Moreover, the hydropower plant is expected to significantly boost the region’s economy while reinforcing
Guyana’s commitment to a greener and more sustainable future. The initiative highlights the Government’s focus on renewable energy as a crucial part of the nation’s longterm development goals.
Meanwhile, key to the success of the hydro plant station were several young women from Moco Moco Village, who had played key roles in bringing this project to fruition.
Karen Milliano, who obtained a Certificate in Engineering in the Operation Room, along with her assistants – Arian Milliano, Lucy and Joycelyn, worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that the hydro plant is operating effectively, efficiently, and sustainably
“As we continue to make strides toward a more sustainable, innovative, and inclusive future, we must recognise the significant contributions of [these] women who are shaping the energy landscape, particularly in sectors like hydro power,” the Village said in a post on its Facebook page.
Hydropower, often referred to as the backbone of renewable energy, has been a cornerstone of the global push for clean energy solutions. With its ability to provide reliable, low-carbon electricity, hydropower plants play a crucial role in addressing the challenges of climate change and energy security. (G8)
Prime Minister Mark Phillips and officials and children of Moco Moco Village commissioned the 0.7
MW Hydropower Station on Friday
Inside the new Moco-Moco Hydropower Station
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Moco Moco Hydropower Station
The commissioning of the 0.7-megawatt Moco Moco Hydropower Station marks a major milestone for Guyana’s energy sector and Guyana’s continued pursuit of a greener, more sustainable future. This new hydro station, which will power surrounding communities such as St Ignatius, Kumu, and Lethem in Region Nine, underscores the commitment to harnessing renewable energy sources to meet the country’s growing electricity demands.
As the Moco Moco station begins its operation, it is poised to provide not just reliable electricity, but also a cleaner, greener energy source for these communities. In a region that has historically struggled with inconsistent power supply, this development represents a new era of energy access that could transform its economic and social landscape.
The Moco Moco Hydropower Station is not only a major step toward renewable energy, but it also reflects Guyana’s broader objectives laid out in its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). By using the natural resources available locally, the station aligns with the country’s broader environmental goals, ensuring that energy generation does not come at the expense of the environment. As Prime Minister Phillips rightly pointed out, renewable energy has the potential to stimulate innovation; providing long-term, cost-effective solutions for energy needs.
The role of renewable energy in this context extends far beyond just the provision of power. It is an opportunity to drive forward economic resilience in the face of global climate challenges. The Moco Moco Hydropower Station, co-funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), is a prime example of how strategic partnerships can bring about tangible benefits to local communities while advancing national objectives. This initiative not only supports Guyana’s green economy, but also serves as a catalyst for further investment in the energy sector.
Moreover, it is inspiring to note the involvement of young women from Moco Moco Village in bringing this project to fruition. Karen Milliano, along with her team of assistants, demonstrated the critical role of women in shaping the future of renewable energy. Their dedication to ensuring the station operates effectively highlights the importance of inclusive development and the need for more opportunities for women in engineering and energy sectors.
As Guyana continues to progress toward a sustainable and resilient future, the Moco Moco Hydropower Station serves as both a model for renewable energy development and a testament to the country’s determination to mitigate the impacts of climate change. With such initiatives, Guyana is not only addressing its energy needs, but also strengthening its commitment to global climate goals, offering a path for other nations to follow.
The commissioning of the Moco Moco Hydropower Station is a step in the right direction for Guyana, as it continues to build its energy infrastructure while safeguarding the environment. This project exemplifies how renewable energy can play a pivotal role in advancing a greener economy and improving the livelihoods of communities, all while reinforcing Guyana’s commitment to sustainable development.
The Moco Moco Hydropower Station is also poised to have a positive impact on the local economy. By providing a reliable and clean energy source, it opens the door for new businesses and industries to thrive in the region. Reliable electricity will be a catalyst for local economic growth, improving opportunities for small and medium enterprises, enhancing education, and supporting healthcare facilities. The long-term benefits of this project extend beyond electricity access; it will enable the community to invest in better infrastructure and development, fostering overall well-being.
Additionally, the commissioning of this plant is a strong reminder of the importance of collaboration between Government, international financial institutions, and local communities. The partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) is a significant step in ensuring that resources are directed toward initiatives that have lasting positive impacts.
It’s time the world understands a nuclear war cannot be won
By Melissa Parke
hen United States
WPresident Ronald Reagan and his Soviet counterpart Mikhail Gorbachev met in Geneva in 1985 they agreed “A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.” It was the prelude to the beginning of the end of the Cold War nuclear arms race and subsequent deep cuts in American and Soviet – later Russian – arsenals.
Since then, the original five nuclear weapons states have reaffirmed this statement, most recently in 2022.
But some disagree and hark back to the military strategies of the 1950s that envisaged the use of nuclear weapons by troops on the battlefield to win wars. A recent example is former Trump administration official, David Lasseter, who argued “the Department of Defense (DoD) is not doing nearly enough to ensure the American warfighter is able to fight, survive, and win on a nuclear battlefield”.
The timing of such comments could not be more inopportune: as the Nobel Peace Prize is about to be awarded to Nihon Hidankyo – an organisation of hibakusha, the survivors of the US bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki –for their lifelong campaigning for the elimination of nuclear weapons.
The 1945 atomic bombs that killed more than 200,000 people in Japan would today be called “tactical” nuclear weapons. The survivors of
those “tactical” nuclear weapons are the real experts on what nuclear war means. They crawled through the rubble of the world’s first, and thankfully only, nuclear war. It is cynical indeed for armchair warriors, particularly those with ties to the companies building nuclear weapons, to advocate strategies based on unproven theories, not real-life experience.
The hibakusha alive today were children when their cities were devastated by American atomic bombs 80 years ago. Their average age is now 86.
Sumiteru Taniguchi, who died in 2017, was 16 years old when Nagasaki was attacked. At the time of the explosion, he was riding his bicycle. “In the flash of the explosion,” he recounted, “I was blown off the bicycle from behind and slapped down against the ground.” When he lifted his head, he saw that the children who had been playing all around him just moments before were dead.
He suffered severe burns and his wounds quickly became infected. He spent almost four years in hospital recovering from his injuries, including 21 months lying on his stomach. He had to have 10 surgeries later in life to remove growths from the scarred areas of his body. The pain and discomfort from the injuries never went away.
It is estimated that 38,000 children were killed in the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The fact that so many children were killed, maimed and harmed in oth-
er lingering ways in the attacks motivated the survivors, like Taniguchi, who served as chair of the Nagasaki Council of A-Bomb Sufferers for many years, to devote their lives to working to ensure no one ever again has to suffer as they did.
The testimony of the survivors graphically shows that the idea that nuclear war can be fought and won on the battlefield is dangerous, grotesque nonsense that makes nuclear war more likely. As Annie Jocobsen’s recent book Nuclear War: A Scenario made clear, the use of a nuclear weapon would quickly escalate and result in a major exchange that would not just kill tens or hundreds of thousands near the explosions, but would end the world as we know it in a matter of minutes. It would cause a nuclear winter that would lead to the collapse of food production, famine and the deaths of billions of people. The impact on global biodiversity and the economy is nearly impossible to imagine.
In response to nuclear threats that Russia has made during the Ukraine conflict, the co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo, Terumi Tanaka, who was 13 when Nagasaki was bombed, says the use of nuclear weapons would spell “the end of the human race” and that leaders like President Putin “don’t realise the extent of the damage that can be done”.
The leaders of all the nuclear-armed countries need to ignore the siren voices that tell them nuclear war can be fought and won and instead listen to the hibakusha who
are urging them to eliminate their arsenals before it is too late.
After Nihon Hidankyo was told it had won the Peace Prize, another of its co-chairs, Toshiyuki Mimaki, from Hiroshima, said the award would help bring the end of nuclear weapons closer, saying, “It would be a great force to appeal to the world that the abolition of nuclear weapons can be achieved … Nuclear weapons should absolutely be abolished.”
The hibakusha achieved a major step towards this goal when they played a leading role in the creation of the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the TPNW. The treaty bans nuclear weapons and all activities associated with them outright. It came into force in 2021 and half of all countries have already signed or ratified it.
The TPNW provides the pathway under international law for all nuclear-armed states to get rid of their weapons. This year’s Nobel Peace Prize underlines that the governments of these countries have no more excuses –they should listen to Nihon Hidankyo and the hibakusha, join the treaty and eliminate their arsenals. (Al Jazeera)
(Melissa Parke is Executive Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), winner of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize. She formerly worked for the United Nations in Gaza, Kosovo, New York and Lebanon and served as Australia’s Minister for International Development.)
Tourists visit the Iguazu Falls walkway as it reopens to the public after being temporarily closed due to the high water flow from recent heavy rains, in Foz do Iguacu, Parana state Brazil, Dec 11, 2024 (Reuters)
2nd oil blocks' auction unlikely before 2025 polls – VP Jagdeo
…says better results will be yielded in next round
With General and Regional Elections constitutionally due in 2025, the Guyana Government has ruled out the likelihood of a second bidding round to auction off the country’s remaining offshore oil blocks.
“We’re very conscious that we’re going to be approaching elections next year… I doubt whether we’d go to another auction before the elections,” Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo told reporters at a press conference on Thursday.
In October 2023, Government had announced the award of eight deep and shallow-water blocks, which were auctioned off during the 2022 Licensing Round.
That first bidding round, which was launched in December 2022, closed off in September 2023 with six companies bidding on eight of the 14 blocks offshore that were up for grabs. In total, there were 14 offers made on those blocks – two deep-sea blocks and six shallow-area blocks.
Among those awarded oil blocks during the bid round was a Guyanese female-led company, Sispro Inc, which received a shallow block (S3) and a deep-water block (D2). Other shallow blocks were awarded to Total Energies EP Guyana BV in consortium with Qatar Energy International E&P LLC and Petronas E&P Overseas Ventures SDN BHD (Malaysia), which got Block S4; Liberty Petroleum Corporation of the US and Ghana-based Cybele Energy Limited, which got Block S7, and International Group Investment Inc of Nigeria, which got two blocks – S5 and S10.
Another shallow block, S8, was awarded to the Stabroek Block partners – ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Hess New Ventures Exploration Limited, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited. The second deep-water block – D1 – was awarded to Delcorp Inc Guyana, which comprises Watad Energy and Communications Limited and Arabian Drilling Company of Saudi Arabia.
Since then, Government has been in negotiations with these oil block awardees but no contract has been signed.
New PSA
In October of this year,
the Natural Resources Ministry announced that most of the bidders have accepted the new model Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), and are either processing the agreement or conducting final reviews.
Total Energies EP Guyana BV, in consortium with Qatar Energy International E&P LLC and Petronas E&P Overseas Ventures SDN BHD (Malaysia), is among those bidders that already accepted the PSA and an agreement with the Guyana Government was in the final stages of review.
Delcorp Inc Guyana, comprising Watad Energy and Communications Limited and Arabian Drilling Company of Saudi Arabia, and Ghana-based Cybele Energy Limited have also accepted their PSA along with International Group Investment Inc of Nigeria, which was awarded two blocks offshore.
The Ministry had said in its October missive that it was awaiting a response from the other bidders including the Stabroek Block partners.
Despite the US oil major complaining in the past about the onerous conditions in the new PSA, VP Jagdeo related last month that ExxonMobil has indicated that it is still interest in securing the awarded oil block.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)
Administration last year introduced a series of stringent terms and conditions for new oil deals that the country would sign. These include an increase of the royalty from a mere two per cent to a now 10 per cent fixed rate; the imposition of a 10 per cent corporate tax, and the lowering of the cost recovery ceiling to 65 per cent from the previous 75 per cent, while maintaining the retention of the 50-50 profit-sharing after cost recovery.
The 2016 oil contract for the Stabroek Block, signed
between the ExxonMobil-led co-venturers and the then A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Coalition Government for production in the oil-rich Stabroek Block, had been heavily criticised for low royalty, lack of ring-fencing provisions, and cost oil claims that saw Guyana losing billions, among other issues.
Back in February, VP Jagdeo noted that the Government is willing to consider reviewing the non-fiscal terms in the new PSA. Based on feedback received, it was said that Guyana’s new PSA is one of the toughest oil contracts in the market.
According to the Vice President at a press conference earlier this year, “We got a lot of feedback that the increased fiscal terms might be acceptable, but there were some several other areas where the conditions were too tough. We had too tough a condition globally…If they become too onerous, that is where we may have to make adjustments… [But] we made it clear there will be no changes on the fiscal terms. We’re not changing the fiscal at all.”
Better results
Meanwhile, VP Jagdeo told reporters on Thursday that the first auction could have yielded better results had there been certain things in place. These include the new PSA, which
was only finalised mid-last year; the new Petroleum Activities Act, which approved by the National Assembly in August 2023, and the seismic study of the blocks.
“When we went to auction, we made a commitment that…before we finalise the auction, we will make those available to the companies that were going to participate in the auction. It took us a long time, given their complexities, to finalise those two seminal pieces of policies and resulting in us having to extend the completion of the auction several times. Now, these documents are ready. So, in the next round that we plan to hold sometime in the future, these would be available upfront to the companies that want to participate in the auction,” Jagdeo stated. When it comes to the seismic data, Government has shortlisted four firms to potentially conduct the 3D seismic survey on Guyana’s
oil resources.
Among these contenders are American company TGS Magseis, which in 2023 acquired Magseis Fairfield; the Norwegian company that was shortlisted is PSS-GEO, which provides geophysical services and seismic data processing to the oil industry; British firm Shearwater GeoServices Limited, which partnered with Guyanese firm Latitude Energy Incorporated, and British company, CGG Beritas Services UK Limited.
“And since we’ve gone to the [first] auction with very limited amount of seismic data, we’re hoping now… [that the completed seismic study] would allow us in the future to go to auction with a bank of data that would be available to the companies to make more informed decisions as to the potential offshore. And so, these three conditions, I think, will help future auctions to get better results,” the VP posited. (G8)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2024
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
Page Foundation
The unit of temperature is the degree. It is written as a small circle above the number: 25o = 25 degrees. Customary degrees are measured on the Fahrenheit scale. However, in Guyana, for temperature we normally use the metric scale of degrees Celsius. To make it clear which scale you are using, you must add the letter F for Fahrenheit or the letter C for Celsius. 25o C = 25 degrees Celsius.
On the Celsius scale, the freezing point of water is 0o C. The boiling point of water is 100o C. On the Fahrenheit scale, the freezing point of water is 32o F. The boiling point of water is 212o F.
Exercises: Convert
Paper chain garland
Use wrapping paper, craft paper or tissue paper to create your own paper chain garland. Cut 3 x 6 inch or 3 x 4.5 inch strips (different size loops will add personality to your garland). Continue cutting strips so that you have enough to complete your desired garland length. Loop the paper and staple the ends together to create a circle. Thread the next strip into the loop you just created and staple the ends together to start the chain. Once completed, hang anywhere you want some extra homemade decor. (goodhousekeeping.com)
By Alfred, lord Tennyson
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty light: The year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out the grief that saps the mind For those that here we see no more; Ring out the feud of rich and poor, Ring in redress to all mankind.
Ring out a slowly dying cause, And ancient forms of party strife; Ring in the nobler modes of life, With sweeter manners, purer laws.
Ring out the want, the care, the sin, The faithless coldness of the times; Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes But ring the fuller minstrel in.
Ring out false pride in place and blood, The civic slander and the spite; Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring in the common love of good.
Ring out old shapes of foul disease; Ring out the narrowing lust of gold; Ring out the thousand wars of old, Ring in the thousand years of peace.
Ring in the valiant man and free, The larger heart, the kindlier hand; Ring out the darkness of the land, Ring in the Christ that is to be.
Mother, bedridden daughter perish as Westminster house goes up in flames
An elderly woman and her bedridden daughter tragically perished early Friday morning when their
Westminster, West Bank Demerara (WBD) home was engulfed in flames.
Dead are 76-year-old Phyllis Smith and 45-yearold Venita Smith – a former teacher. The two-bedroom flat wooded home was occupied by the two deceased, Phyllis’ son Vidnauht, 30, her adopted daughter, Chandanie Sookraj, 21, and Sookraj’s four-year-old daughter.
At the time of the blaze - 05:00h - everyone except Vidnauht was at home.
According to information received, at about 21:30h on Thursday evening, the family retired to bed with everything intact.
ted. The blaze was, however, contained after the firefighters went into action.
The scene was later processed during which the bodies of the two women were discovered.
At the scene later that morning, a devasted son and brother could not contain his emotions while speaking with the Guyana Times.
Phone thief gets 2 years, another remanded to prison
Twenty-two-year-old Leon Harris of Meadow Bank Squatting Area and 25-year-old Alkleyon McCollin of Rahaman Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD) were on Friday jointly charged with simple larceny.
(GFS). Smith and her daughter were left behind as fire engulfed the entire wooden building.
Fire tenders and crew
As such, she grabbed her daughter and rushed to safety after which she
from the La Grange and Eccles Fire Service responded to the distress
alerted the neighbours who in turn contacted the Guyana Fire Service
However, at about 5:00h, Chandanie was awakened by a heat emanating from the bed-ridden woman’s bedroom and upon checking, she observed a section of the room was already engulfed in flames.
call. By the time they arrived at the location, the house was completely gut-
“I was not at home when the fire started and when I get the message, I rush home and see my mother done burn up… it was only bone and ash… it really hurt me because she was really strong…she dead on top of my sister,” he cried while pointing to the area where the charred remains were found.
The grieving son believes his mother purposely stayed inside the burning house to rescue his sister.
“My sister cannot walk so my mom must have tried to hold her… meh sister was sick for a couple years now and she (mother) is the one that does look after she, she never left she side.”
The son is now left to deal with more pain after losing his father last year. He added that the house was constructed by him and his father.
“Me and my father built this house brick by brick… my father died last year and this morning my mother gone. I have no words for what transpired here… it’s so sad this had to happen.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Fire Chief, Dwayne Scotland has confirmed that the fire started from an overloading circuit.
The duo is accused of stealing a Samsung Galaxy S24 from Bibi Hussain and an iPhone 6S belonging to Amanda Wiliams on December 11, 2024, along Water and Longden Street, Georgetown.
The men appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where the charge was read to them. McCollin pleaded not guilty to both charges, while Harris admitted to stealing one phone but denied stealing the second.
Harris told the court that he was mentally ill and was not aware of what he was doing. He claimed that he collected Williams’ phone after it fell to the ground.
“I have problems, and I have to go to the ward at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) to get tablets,” he told the Magistrate. Harris further explained that he is going through difficulties with his family and has a three-yearold daughter.
“I work with my uncle, but he doesn’t want me to work because of this mental issue I have,” he said, adding that his actions were a result of not being in his right state of mind.
He admitted to taking the phone but claimed he had intended to return it, stating, “I took it to feed my daughter.”
Meanwhile, Williams, the victim whose phone was stolen, testified that she was standing at the bus park when she felt someone pulling her phone from her hand. As she turned around, she saw Harris running away with the phone. Although she did not pursue him, she confirmed that her phone was not returned. The prosecution later revealed that the phone had been recovered and secured with the police.
On the other hand, McCollin’s attorney, Jermaine Jarvis, argued that his client had no involvement in the theft, claiming that he only came into contact with Harris who asked for a ride to Durban Park.
Jarvis requested reasonable bail for McCollin, asserting his client’s innocence.
The prosecution, however, objected to bail, emphasising the seriousness of the charges and the prevalence of the crime.
Police facts stated that Harris snatched Hussain’s phone, ran in the direction of Demico House, and then proceeded to the 44-route bus park, where he saw and took Williams’ phone. It was also reported by the prosecution that McCollin was reportedly waiting for Harris at the bus park, and the two fled together. This act, according to the prosecution was caught on CCTV cameras.
After considering all the arguments, Magistrate McGusty remanded McCollin to prison, while Harris was sentenced to two years in prison.
The aftermath of the fire
Deceased: Venita Smith
Deceased: Phyllis Smith
A devastated son Vidnauth Smith speaking with Guyana Times
Leon Harris Alkleyon McCollin
Mother of 1 electrocuted at Diamond, EBD worksite
Amother of one was electrocuted on Thursday while operating a machine at her workplace at Plantation Great Diamond East Bank Demerara (EBD)
Dead is 40-year-old Sherly Winter of Rams Cane Field Drive Friendship EBD. According to the information received, the now-dead woman was employed at Flexotech Inc for over five years.
Speaking to the Guyana Times, Camille Ramtahal, the sister-in-law of the deceased woman, stated that she was at home when she received a call from the woman’s workplace informing her of the incident.
Dead: Sherly Winter
failed. She was taken to the Diamond Public Hospital where she was pronounced dead. A post-mortem performed on her body revealed that she died from electric shocks.
When contacted for a comment from the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Unit at the Labour Ministry, an official stated that they are presently investigating the incident. While she could not confirm if Winter was electrocuted, she noted that the matter was being treated as a fatal workplace incident. The woman is mourned by her son.
Courting…
…votes
As he meanders through the “season of goodwill”, your Eyewitness can’t help but notice it appears our politicians have been also bitten by the bonhomie bug!! Over on the Government side, your Eyewitness has already expatiated at length on Prezzie’s performance as Father Christmas!!
Court reduces bail from $20M
to $5.1M
for woman slapped with 68 fraud charges
CPR was administered to resuscitate her, but it
“They called us to let us know that she get shock and that she was at the hospital and they think that she passed away, that’s the news we got. But when I talked to the manager, he said she was working on the machine and they didn’t know what happened. The operator in front of her heard her scream and he rushed to see what was happening… it was then they found her next to where she was working back against the machine.”
Omeca Primo, the owner of Primo’s Imports and Taxi Service who was on $20.4 million bail on 68 fraud charges had that sum reduced to $5.1 million by Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty on Friday.
Primo made another appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday during which her attorney, Everton SinghLammy, requested that bail be reduced to $50,000 per charge, arguing that the previous bail amount was excessive and the court treated Primo as though she had already been found
guilty. Initially, she was granted $300,000 bail on each charge.
However, the attorney appealed for fairness, emphasising that bail conditions should not be punitive.
After considering his arguments, Magistrate McGusty reduced the bail to $75,000 per charge, lowering the total amount to $5.1 million. Nevertheless, she is still required to report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on the second and fourth Monday of each month.
On the other hand, the prosecution presented 20 case jackets during the hearing, detailing evidence tied to the allegations. The case was adjourned to February 21, 2025.
Primo is accused of orchestrating a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme, allegedly collecting over $51.57 million from customers under false pretences. She reportedly promised to deliver vehicles that never materialised, targeting victims across Regions Three, Four, Five, Six, and Ten.
Investigators say Primo actively tried to evade detection by changing her phone number, and business location, and even rebranding her company. Some victims have also reported intimidation, according to the prosecution.
The CID’s Anti-Fraud Unit believes the scale of the alleged fraud could be even larger, urging additional victims to come forward.
So, what has the Opposition been up to?? Not being in government, and not having access to the Consolidated Fund, which has recently been augmented with the formation of the oil-fattened National Resource Fund (NRF) – they’re supposed to show the people who’ll vote in 2025 how much better they could do if they get elected. Now, you gotta feel a wee bit sorry for them, since -- with the PPP subsidising the populace like a pork-knocker just out of the bush, and we don’t have much experience with folks spending “like a drunken sailor”!! – they have the tough task of convincing those same people that this mightn’t be the best way to spend the oil windfall!! One thing voters ain’t is willing to look into the future, and not live in the moment!! So, not getting anything to stick on Prezzie, the Opposition’s been emphasizing some activities of his better half – the First Lady. They’re making a big to-do about the recent fund raising “Diamond Ball”. The main complaint was the extravagance of the dresses of the female guests!! But hey!! Do they want sackcloth and ashes?? Now that we’re a petrostate, the fastest growing economy in the world, and mentioned in newspapers worldwide, don’t we have to signal the change?? Why do they think Chinese men now wear Western suits, and their women wear dresses, rather than the old Changshan and Qipao?? Or are they upset at the “blackballing” by one guest, which hit social media?? Hey, we have a young couple at State House; and yes, girls wanna have fun!!
So, what’s the Opposition to do?? Well, one thing your Eyewitness feels can pay off is to emphasise that whatever programmes the Government sponsors, they’re funded with the people’s money. And the Opposition can mobilize Guyanese to take advantage of such programmes, and get credit for smoothing the path of the recipients!!
Take the ongoing distribution of pension books to the 74,000 old folks out there. That’s a formidable voting block!! Couldn’t the Opposition have mobilized transportation for those pensioners?? That would not only have earned the pensioners’ gratitude, but the gratitude of their children!!
We need a good Opposition in our dear Mudland.
…partners
Well, if the Opposition ain’t courting the voters, they’ve certainly been courting each other!! If you didn’t know better, you’d think this was Valentine's season, rather than Christmas!! But then, after Christmas, we also have that tradition of kissing under the mistletoe at the coming New Year bashes, don’t we??
Your Eyewitness has noticed that the PNC are “working toward a coalition for 2025” with the WPA – again!!
Back in 2015, the WPA had insisted it was they who’d done all the heavy lifting to put together APNU, but were then left out in the cold when it came to making decisions!! They emphasized they weren’t relaunching APNU – from which the PNC had been effectively ejected after they hadn’t shown up for meetings, and the leader of GAP was elected Chairman!!
Well, the AFC - which had parted ways with the PNC and APNU after 2020 - had also “spoken” to GAP, and now to the “Equality and Justice Party”!! These are all fighting for “critical mass” – to explode support in 2025!!
…the Brits
As the Brits descend inexorably into a third-rate state, now that their empire is finally gone, they’re seeking relevance by burnishing the old school ties. So, we have Guyanese-descended Foreign Affairs Minister David Lammy visiting to drum up business!!
Charged: Omeca Primo
South Ruimveldt blackout
Road contractor’s excavation weakens foundations, topples 9 GPL poles
…leaves 2,000 households in darkness
Some 2,000 households in South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, have endured over 18 hours of power outage after several utility poles were uprooted by construction works along Aubrey Barker Road, Georgetown.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Kesh Nandlall, who was in the area during remedial works said that following works done to lengthen the road by a contractor, the foundation of the poles was dug into while excavating drains.
He explained that the digging caused a ripple ef-
fect, knocking down one pole, which then pulled down the others.
Nandlall stated that the goal is to have power restored by 21:00 hours, explaining that a lot of work is involved in rectifying the issue.
“They are digging the drains to extend the road, and they dug into the foundation of the poles, which caused the ripple effect. One pole fell, followed by others, and later on in the night, a few more came
down. About nine poles fell, including 13.8 poles carrying medium voltage, and seven or eight other utility poles, including telecommunication poles,” he said.
Due to this, replanting must be done, and they will be planting some wooden poles.
“We are going to bring wooden poles. We are going to bring new wooden poles, fit them, reconstruct them, and get the network connected again… We have to replant poles and restore
the network so that we can get the 13.8kV medium voltage line up, and get service back to the community. We are asking the community to be patient, and we are working as fast as we can to get the power back up. I know the PM visited last night, and I know this is a matter of urgency.”
On this note, revealing that the poles will be replanted, he pleaded with the residents to continue being patient.
“We are asking the com-
munity to be patient, and we are working as fast as we can to restore power. We are working to restore power tonight, though I’m not sure exactly when, but we’ll get power back tonight.”
Meanwhile, Nandlall also issued a warning to contractors operating near utility poles, urging them to contact GPL whenever they are doing roadworks in the vicinity of utility poles.
“I urge all contractors, and we have been doing so for some time, to contact us when working in the vicinity of our networks so that
we can help and advise them. We can’t be around all the contractors, but specifically, those working with our network, we will dedicate resources to inspect their work and offer guidance.”
This incident has caused significant inconvenience, with internet and telecommunications services also down in the area. “It’s not just GPL that is affected, but also telecommunications. It’s very inconvenient for consumers,” Nandlall told media operatives. (G2)
Prime Minister Mark Phillips and GPL staff at South Ruimveldt as remedial works progress
CEO of Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Kesh Nandlall
“Aviation is a wonderful business” – GCCA head to new 164 Aeronautical Engineers
Atotal of 164 students graduated from the Art Williams and Henry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School during its commencement ceremony on Friday. The graduating cohort included 45 students from the new intake, 41 first-year students, 37 second-year students, 22 third-year students, and 19 students completing the full four-year programme, marking a significant
achievement for the institution and the aviation sector in Guyana.
The Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Egbert Field, delivered an impassioned keynote address, celebrating the graduates’ accomplishments and urging them to embrace their roles in the rapidly evolving aviation industry.
“Congratulations to the
graduates of today and to the parents and guardians whose sacrifices have made this possible,” Lt. Col. Field said. He acknowledged the challenges faced by families in supporting their children through rigorous training, emphasising their pivotal role in the success being celebrated.
“Aviation is a wonderful business,” he continued. “Once you enter, you’re bitten by the bug, and it stays with you for life.”
Field shared personal anecdotes about his own journey into aviation, recounting how, as a five-yearold boy in Meadowbank, he became mesmerised by the sight of a Grumman Goose aircraft landing on the Demerara River. "The pilots, in their crisp white shirts and badges, seemed like gods to me," he said. "That moment defined my passion for aviation, a passion that continues to this day."
In a forward-looking segment of his speech, Lt. Col. Field announced an am-
bitious initiative aimed at attracting and nurturing the next generation of aviation professionals. He revealed plans for a partnership with the UK Air Cadet Programme, which will engage youths as young as 12 years old in structured aviation training.
“This programme will mentor students through secondary school, the University of Guyana (UG), and eventually advanced studies at institutions like Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida,” he explained. "We’re preparing for the future because the aviation industry is growing exponentially, and we must ensure a pipeline of skilled professionals to meet that demand."
Field also highlighted the significant strides made by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in gaining international recognition for Guyana’s aviation training programmes. He announced that the Civil Aviation Training School is on track to receive ICAO
Training Plus accreditation early next year.
“This accreditation will enable us to train not just local but international students, with their certifications recognised worldwide,” Field said. He described this as a transformative step for the school and Guyana’s aviation sector, which has seen rapid growth in recent years.
Referring to the expansion of the industry, he noted, “We’ve gone from having a handful of small aircraft to a growing fleet of larger helicopters and planes. The tsunami of development I predicted years ago is now upon us.”
Addressing the graduates, Field urged them to embrace professionalism and discipline as they step into their new roles. “You are no longer just students; you are now part of a global aviation network,” he said. “Define yourself not by a narrow view but as contributors to the aviation industry on a national and global scale.”
The Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Egbert Field
The graduands who received their licences at the graduation ceremony
Legal fraternity honours late senior counsel Stanley Moore, Rex McKay
The High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature of Guyana has hosted a special sitting to pay tribute to two late dignitaries: Justice Stanley Moore, SC, and Attorney Rex McKay, OR, CCH, SC.
Delivering remarks at this special sitting on Friday, December 13, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, recognized these veterans for their numerous contributions to the legal fraternity, both locally and regionally.
“Rex McKay had nothing short of an illustrious career in the legal profession, and would have impacted the lives of hundreds of lawyers over his marathon 60 years’ span of practice. His contributions will continue to guide lawyers and future generations in many years to come. The void left will certainly take a long time to fill,” the Attorney General has said of the late Attorney Rex McKay.
“I believe I speak for all lawyers in Guyana as titular head of the bar when I say that we have been exceptionally honoured by the life contributions and legacy of the legal luminary Stanley Moore. On behalf of the legal profession, the Government of Guyana, the Attorney General’s Chambers and personally, I wish to thank Stanley Moore for his exceptional work to the legal profession of the country, and indeed the jurisprudence across the Commonwealth,” the Attorney General said of the late Justice
Stanley Moore.
Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George also paid tribute to these deceased stalwarts of the bar. In her tribute, the Chief Justice called for current and future counsel to follow in the footsteps of these late dignitaries.
“It is pellucid that those who had the privilege of interacting with these two learned gentlemen are the richer for having the opportunity to do so. We remember our dear departed seniors as lawyers; lawyers incisive, meticulous and thorough. We would wish that young counsel would follow suit and be just as meticulous in their preparation and presentation of cases; for, as we know, this is most helpful to
the bench, and assist us in the conduct of trials and timely decision-making,” Chief Justice Roxane George has said.
Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, highlighted that these two deceased veterans would have contributed a combination of over a century of service to the local and regional legal fraternities.
“Together, they contributed over 100 years of combined legal service to both Guyana and the wider Caribbean; and indeed, further afield,” the Chancellor has said.
“It is unfortunate that many young lawyers do not attend these sittings, to hear of the contribution of legal stalwarts and emulate the nota-
Counsel in 2020. At the time of his passing, he was a partner at the well-known law firm of McKay and Moore of Lot 1 Croal Street, Georgetown, and had practised criminal and civil law.
Moore has left an indelible mark on the jurisprudence of Guyana, Grenada, Montserrat, The Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, Botswana, and Swaziland.
Appointed an acting High Court Judge in 1979, Moore served as Guyana’s Home Affairs Minister under the Linden Forbes Burnham Administration, and as a Member of Parliament from 1981 to 1982.
ble traits of these legal icons in the legal profession. But we take heart that the senior counsel who were present will continue to make indelible contributions, rich contributions, to the legal profession; and assist young counsel coming up, so that they, too, can play a part in this noble profession,” the Chancellor added.
Senior Counsel Stanley Alfred Moore was born on July 1, 1935 to Olive Isabella Walcott-Moore and Llewellyn Cornett Moore.
This legal luminary was called to the Bar on July 26, 1970. He was awarded Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws from the University of London, and was admitted to Guyana’s Inner Bar as a Senior
Moore also served as an acting magistrate in Guyana; as Attorney General in Montserrat, and as a Judge in several Caribbean states.
Following his retirement, he was appointed a Judge in Botswana and in Swaziland, before returning home in 2016 to continue his private practice.
Moore had achieved many notable successes in his career, and despite his age, he still attended court to remain active.
This distinguished jurist, father of Senior Magistrate Alex Moore, leaves to mourn his wife Cheryl Moore, an airline pilot, as well as his children, relatives, colleagues and friends. He died in April 2023.
During his illustrious career, Senior Counsel Rex Mc Kay, who had been appointed Senior Counsel in October 1975, had appeared in many high-pro-
file cases in this country. Conferred in 2016 with the Order of Roraima – Guyana’s second highest national award – for his long, dedicated and outstanding service as a legal practitioner in the country, McKay had also been awarded the Cacique Crown of Honour – the second highest award in the Order of Service of Guyana.
Founder of the law firm Mc Kay and Moore, McKay had also owned WRHM TV Channel 7. Back in October of 2023, in the third instalment of its Eminent Caribbean Jurists series, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Academy of Law had honoured eight Guyanese among 48 outstanding Caribbean lawyers. McKay had been among those honoured.
He was considered a giant of the legal profession, representing historical, transitional and contemporary epochs of law and development in the region during his distinguished and sterling career which spanned approximately six decades. He was admitted to practice law in British Guiana in the year 1956, having completed his legal education at the University of London and at Lincoln’s Inn, from where he graduated as a Barrister-atLaw. Almost immediately upon his return to British Guiana, McKay, through his industry, his ability to do research, and his impeccable style of writing, began to make an impact in the legal profession. He died in December 2023.
Attorney Rex Mc Kay, OR, CCH, SC
Justice Stanley Moore, SC
GCCI bemoans impact of foreign currency shortage, trade barriers on local businesses
Foreign currency shortage and trade barriers are among some of the major challenges that the local private sector continues to grapple with and calls are being made for interventions to be made so as to avoid serious consequences, not only for businesses here but also the Guyana economy.
Speaking at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Annual Awards Dinner and Gala on Thursday evening, GCCI President, Kester Hutson, reiterated the private sector’s concerns about
the apparent shortage of foreign currency in the local market.
“Whether or not officials fully acknowledge the severity of this problem, the reality remains that businesses are struggling due to difficulties in accessing foreign exchange promptly. Time is money and delays in payments to overseas suppliers caused by these shortages carries serious consequences for businesses and the wider economy by fueling inflation. I strongly urge the Government to address this issue at its core,” he stated.
According to the GCCI
Head, operating under uncertainty about whether they can meet payment obligations to suppliers threatens the very survival of businesses here.
On this note, Hutson posited that the Chamber has been actively advocating for targeted interventions from the Bank of Guyana, the Government and the Guyana Association for Bankers Incorporated (GABI) – something which they will continue to do.
“We remain committed to pushing for a resolution to this critical issue until tangible progress is achieved,” the GCCI President stated.
Despite these cries from the private sector and other stakeholders about sourcing United States (US) dollars, the Guyana Government has been adamant that there is no shortage in foreign currency locally, blaming deliberate actions by some institutions that create such a situation.
Intervene
In fact, only last week, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo repeated this position when he addressed the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association
(GMSA) Annual Awards ceremony. He explained that Government would only intervene and inject foreign currency into the local market when the need is there.
“We don’t intervene often… When we saw a misalignment with aggregate demand and aggregate supply, then we intervened [earlier this year] – maybe sold US$100 million into the market or US$50 million like [we did] the last two times.”
“But what I want the business community to know is that a lot of the banks use foreign currency to poach on each other’s customers sometimes, and they have… When we look at the availability of resources, [the banks] can cover their needs. So, as a monetary function, we don’t intervene but we have a capability of intervening. So, there is no shortage of foreign currency at least [not] at the national level in terms of aggregate supply and demand,” the Vice President stated.
But while the Central Bank can inject as much as US$300 million into the market at any time now, Jagdeo pointed out that Government is wary of leakages; for example, Trinidadian companies using the Guyana market to make payments for goods and services back home given the Twin Island Republic’s restrictions on foreign exchanges, which can take as much as six months to be released there.
“So, we’re monitoring this carefully and we’re not gonna allow [the local foreign exchange market] to get to a stage where it will harm the wellbeing of our businesses. So, anytime there is a necessity to intervene, and we study the market carefully, we’ll do so,” the VP assured.
In its 2024 Mid-Year Report, the Bank of Guyana said the total foreign exchange transactions for the first half of this year in-
creased by 39.0 per cent to US$9.89 billion, compared to the same period in 2023.
According to the report, this is mainly due to the 75.4 per cent or US$1.87 billion increase in transactions through foreign currency accounts. Bank and non-bank cambios and hard and soft currency turnover were also higher with the former recording a net purchase of US$19.2 million.
Transactions through foreign currency accounts and cambios accounted for 84.2 per cent of the total volume.
Trade barriers
Another issue that the private sector says negatively impacts its ability to do business in Guyana is the regional trade barriers. Consequently, Hutson calls for this matter to be addressed frontally so that Guyanese companies can have equal opportunity as their regional trading partners.
“We have recognised time and time again that Guyanese manufacturers are operating on unequal footing in the region. We continue to allow the free flow of goods from other Caribbean States into the country while our products are being barred from entry into some countries for negligible reasons, stymying our progress and development. This cannot be allowed to continue,” the local private sector official contended.
On this note, the GCCI President echoed previous calls by the Chamber for the strong enforcement of common external tariffs and rules of origin.
“We, like our sister PSO (private sector organisations), the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) and by extension the Private Sector Commission (PSC), need to ensure that our competitiveness improves by protecting and supporting domestic manufacturing. As a coun-
try, we cannot comfortably subscribe to the selective application of a free-trade framework in the region in a manner where our businesses do not benefit,” Hutson asserted.
Own restrictions
Already, VP Jagdeo told business stakeholders last week that Guyana may have to impose its own restrictions in response to the continued regional trade barriers.
“I’m not very popular in some circles or in these countries but I said it’s time for reciprocity in many areas. If you don’t take our stuff, we’re not gonna allow free access [for] your products,” he noted, adding that “They liberally used the CCJ (Caribbean Court of Justice) to interpret the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. Why can’t we do that? What can’t our business community say that they’re unfairly using phytosanitary restrictions and do the same.”
Moreover, the Vice President called on the private sector to ensure they raise these issues at regional forums so that more attention is brought to it.
“The GMSA has to elevate these issues into a public spat. Let’s fight it in the public domain, raise it there so then public pressure forces resolution of these matters… You gotta advocate the organisations… You can’t just be making speeches here and asking me to nudge the Government along to do some manufacturing processing facility –I can do that easily but this is where the service is to your membership. You have to raise it with other chambers in those countries… We have to work. We’re not going to take this nonsense. They do this a lot and so this is something that should happen routinely [because] they use phytosanitary restrictions as a trade barrier,” Jagdeo pointed out at the GMSA’s event last week.
GCCI President Kester Hutson
Female employees to get menstrual leave as GAWU, Gold Board sign pact
Negotiations between the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) have resulted in a consensus on various enhancements for the employees represented within the Union’s bargaining unit.
“We are excited to announce a groundbreaking new benefit: menstrual leave for female employees. Under this agreement, women will
receive one day’s leave each month during their menstrual cycle. While this practice is common in several countries around the world, we are proud to be the first in our country to implement such a progressive benefit.
This initiative aims to alleviate some of the challenges women face during this time,” a release from Union on Friday stated. It added, “we are confident that this new policy will enhance the overall
welfare of our employees at the Gold Board, and the Union is actively working to extend this benefit to workers in other bargaining units where we hold negotiation rights.”
The agreement embraces vital improvements in allowances, such as meals, burning, and cashiers, paving the way for a brighter future. The Union and the Board have also reached an agreement on a 10 per cent pay hike for workers in
Small business cash grants to be distributed in Region Six on Sunday
Persons, who had applied for the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) Programme cash grants and could not uplift theirs because of an error in the spelling of their name, will have the opportunity to uplift those cheques on Sunday.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for finance, Dr Ashni Singh will be at Berbice High School in New Amsterdam, Region Six on Sunday morning to deliver the SLED cash grant to those persons whose names were misspelled on cheques issued to them.
Additionally, those persons who did not uplift their cheques when the distribution was done in early October, will also have a second opportunity to uplift them.
About 4000 in Region Six were listed to benefit from the programme.
Scores of persons could not uplift their cheques because in an error with the spelling of their name.
Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who was in New Amsterdam on October 8, when the distribution was done, acknowledged that there were corrections to some of the cheques and had promised that they would be rectified and returned to the beneficiary within a month.
The SLED Programme was redesigned to allow for smaller business grants to be issued to a larger pool of people. Under the programme in 2024 persons received $100,000 to expand their businesses.
Jagdeo had said the objective is to assist small businesses even as he advised beneficiaries not to spend the
grant on shoes or hair but rather make good use of the grant.
“Now it’s not a lot of money. But when you think about the guy selling water in Georgetown, who approaches us and says, can I get something to expand the amount of water I sell. Or something of that nature. Then it makes a big difference to that person. So, I know that many people will not use it for business purposes. And you don’t have to worry that the Government will come looking for you... But that was the idea behind it.”
The vice president pointed out that not everyone can get the SLED cash grant at the same time.
“Every year, different groups of people get it. But this grant was dedicated as part of our election promise in 2020,” the VP explained.
workers are happy with the
tween the parties, expressing their delight at the positive changes that have been achieved. “GAWU is particularly proud to have reached an agreement at the bilateral level, viewing it as a strong reflection of the friendly and respectful relationship shared between the Union and the Gold Board. This collaboration not only brings about improvements but also reinforces the importance of partnership in achieving common goals,” the release said.
“Aviation is a wonderful...
He expressed hope that some of the graduates would eventually ascend to leadership roles, inspiring future generations.
“One day, I hope to see some of you standing where I am, addressing graduates as Director General,” he said.
Field concluded his address by honouring the parents and guardians, acknowledging the sacrifices they made to support their children’s journey.
“Your decisions—whether to forgo vacations, buy that new shirt instead of a car, or stay up late to help
with homework—were not in vain,” he said. He invited the graduates to applaud their families, who beamed with pride at the recognition.
Additionally, during the ceremony, it was announced that the Art Williams & Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School had received approval from the National Accreditation Council of Guyana (NAC-G) for its Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Programme. This new degree builds on the school’s AbInitio Programme, aligning
with international and national standards for Aircraft Maintenance Engineer licensing.
Graduates with the Associate Degree from the AbInitio Programme can now further their qualifications with the BSc degree, opening pathways to advanced roles in aviation and related industries, including the growing oil and gas sector.
The ceremony not only celebrated the achievements of the graduates but also underscored the institution's pivotal role in shaping the future of aviation in Guyana.
2024. The union said that the
recent agreement forged be-
Guyana leads region with Climate Resilient Debt Clause Agreement
Dr Ashni Singh, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, has signed a Climate Resilient Debt Clause (CRDC) Agreement with the World Bank at the Ministry of Finance, along with an agreement for the activation of the World Bank’s Rapid Response Option (RRO).
A release from the Finance Ministry has said the CRDC is a debt management tool that allows for the deferral of debt payments for up to two years, should Guyana experience a natural disaster, such as flooding.
Guyana is the first country in the Caribbean Region to sign the updated CRDC, and this has taken place following intense lobbying by Government for the bank to include appropriate climate change phenomena, such as floods, droughts, and public health emergencies that are unique to this country’s circumstances.
Should the country experience such a disaster, the CRDC, once activated, would also reduce the burden on Government’s resources to finance disaster response and recovery efforts.
The second agreement signed with the World Bank is the Rapid Response Option (RRO) which, if activated,
would see existing resources quickly repurposed for emergency response, should there be a crisis such as a natural disaster, health shock, or conflict event. Guyana can, in such a situation, repurpose up to ten percent of its undisbursed balances in its Investment Project Financing and Program for Results (PforR) operations per year for quick disbursement.
During the signing, Dr Singh explained that “notwithstanding Guyana’s improved economic circumstances in recent years, we continue to be a country that
is extremely vulnerable to climate and other potentially catastrophic events,” as he recalled that the country has, over time, experienced multiple episodes of flooding, including in 2005, when floods devastated Guyana’s economy and posed damages in excess of 60 percent of GDP.
Minister Singh added, “The bank has been partnering with us on building our resilience to natural disasters and to catastrophic events; and not least, of course, is the support for the Flood Risk Management Project, amongst others.
well, has recognised the importance of instruments that can respond more effectively to exogenous shocks, extreme climatic events, or other natural disasters and catastrophes.”
Signing on behalf of the Bank was World Bank Group Representative to Guyana, Diletta Doretti, who underscored the significance of the signing as she lauded the Finance Minister for his intense lobbying efforts, and for pointing out, when he perused the agreement months before, that the CRDC needed to include natural disasters relevant to Guyana, as it only catered for hurricanes and earthquakes.
But increasingly too, the international community, as
The Finance Ministry has said it can be recalled that, in July this year as well, Dr Singh presented to
Parliament two amendatory loan agreements, including one which amended the Export Finance Facility Agreement, dated June 14, 2022, between the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, represented by the Ministry of Finance as the Borrower, and UK Export Finance as the Lender, and the UniCredit Bank Austria AG as the Agent and Arranger, for an amount of EUR 161,016,949.15 for the Guyana Paediatric and Maternal Hospital Project. This amendatory agreement facilitated the inclusion of a Climate Resilient Debt Clause into the original agreement, with Guyana being one of the first countries to adopt the CRDCs directly as part of its loan agreement with the UK Export Finance.
Exxon wants to keep option for Hess Guyana assets – CEO
ExxonMobil (XOM.N), wants to preserve its right of first refusal in Hess Corp’s sale of its Guyana oil production assets because of the work it has put into developing the country’s offshore fields, two of its top executives said on Wednesday.
A three-person panel in May is to decide whether Hess’s deal to sell itself to Chevron can go ahead on its original terms. A challenge by Exxon and CNOOC Ltd has stalled the second-largest deal in a recent wave of oil megamergers.
“We developed the value of that asset. We have the right to consider the value of that asset in this transaction, and then the right to take an option on it,” Exxon CEO Darren Woods told
Wall Street analysts in his most significant comments on the arbitration case to date. “We have an opportunity, as does CNOOC, the other partner, to participate in that opportunity to have the right of first refusal.” Representatives for Hess and Chevron declined to comment.
Analysts have put the value of Hess Guyana at between 60% to 80% of Chevron’s (CVX.N), opens new tab proposed $53 billion purchase of Hess (HES.N), opens new tab. The joint venture has discovered more than 11 billion barrels of oil to date.
The proposed sale ignores a joint venture agreement that grants the right of first refusal to any sale of a Guyana partner’s stake,
Exxon and CNOOC maintain. The two companies previously have rejected the claim, arguing the deal is structured as a merger and Hess’s Guyana holdings remain intact. Hess has said if the Chevron deal is not concluded it would not separately sell its Guyana properties to Exxon or anyone else. Woods brushed off Hess’s view of a loss at arbitration souring a sale, saying “that’s their construct, not ours.” Exxon wants the three-person arbitration panel to consider the value of Hess Guyana as part of the deliberations. “We’ll look at the value and see if that value is in the best interest of the company, the corporation and the shareholders,” added Exxon Vice Chairman Neil Chapman. (Reuters)
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh, and World Bank Group Representative to Guyana, Diletta Doretti, displaying the Climate Resilient Debt Clause (CRDC) Agreement
Jamaica tables bill to oust King Charles as head of state and become a republic
The Jamaican government has taken its first step toward removing King Charles as head of state, presenting a bill in parliament to abolish the constitutional monarchy and transition the country to a republic.
Like many former British colonies, Jamaica retained the British monarch as its head of state after achieving independence in 1962. The monarch is represented in the country by a governor general.
Though the arrangement is mostly ceremonial and does not give Britain any say in Jamaica’s governance, it is often seen as a vestige of colonial rule. If the new legislation is passed, a Jamaican president will become the ceremonial head of state.
Jamaica’s minister of legal and constitutional affairs, Marlene Malahoo Forte, who presented the bill on Wednesday, said it was a response to an ongoing call from Jamaicans to change the constitution.
“Every year when we celebrate independence on August 6, the nation is invited to reflect on its achievements since independence and what remains to be done, and every year the question is asked when are we going to abolish the monarchy and have a Jamaican head of state,” she told the Guardian.
The bill will also have implications for the definition of Jamaican citizenship and the country’s political architecture, with the senate expanded “to include senators appointed independently of the political parties”.
The bill still has to go through several stages – including scrutiny by joint committees, a vote in parliament and a national referendum. It is expected to encounter hurdles as opposition parties have already raised con-
cerns, including about its timing just ahead of a national elections next year and the absence of provisions to replace the UK-based privy council with the Caribbean court of justice as Jamaican’s highest court of appeal.
“We do not believe you can say that you’re fully decolonised if you still retain the privy council as your apex court. So you cannot leave the king but still have to petition him when you want justice to be delivered
Ontario Premier suggests stopping US liquor imports over Trump tariff threat
The leader of Canada’s most populous province is looking at fresh ways to ward off US tariffs, including wielding the power of Ontario’s liquor control board – the largest purchaser of alcohol in the world.
Earlier this week, Ontario’s premier, Doug Ford, said he could halt electricity exports to multiple American states in retaliation for tariffs promised by Donald Trump.
But his threat seemed not to dissuade the US president-elect, whose fixation on Canada’s border and an allegation that migrants and drugs are flowing into the United States has resulted in a panicked scramble from Canadian politicians.
“That’s OK if [Ford] does that, that’s fine,” Trump told a CNBC News. “The United States is subsidizing Canada, it’s truly a subsidy and we shouldn’t have to do that.”
Trump said he had “so many friends in Canada” but his country “shouldn’t have to subsidize” Canada for more than US$100bn a year, a figure he didn’t elab-
orate on.
Ford, known for his blunt speaking style, has described the threat by Canada’s closest ally as being “like a family member stabbing you right in the heart”.
Ontario’s liquor control board, established in 1927, is the main alcohol retailer in the province with revenues of more than C$7bn.
The threat to use the province’s liquor control board, which has immense purchasing power in virtue of the province’s population of 15 million, would entail ordering it to halt buying American products.
Ford reiterated that the halt to electricity exports would be a “last resort” for his province, which relies heavily on trade with the United States. “We’re sending a message to the US … you come and attack Ontario, you attack the livelihoods of people in Ontario and Canadians, we are going to use every tool in our toolbox to defend Ontarians and Canadians. Let’s hope it never comes to that.”
In addition to the possi-
bility of cutting off electricity to Michigan, New York state and Minnesota, Ford’s government is now also looking at restricting exports of Canadian critical minerals required for electric vehicle batteries and supply chain.
Ford’s plan has put him at odds with other premiers, including Danielle Smith, the Alberta premier, whose province exports vast amounts of oil and natural gas to the United States.
“Under no circumstances will Alberta agree to cut off oil and gas exports,” she said, adding she preferred a strategy of “diplomacy, not threats” for the current standoff.
Sales of energy products, including oil, gas and electricity from Canada to the United States, hit roughly C$170bn last year.
Other premiers have been tight-lipped about their strategies, but most conceded there could be retaliation if needed.
“We hope it is just bluster,” said Newfoundland and Labrador premier Andrew Furey. “We’re preparing as if it is not.” (The Guardian)
to your people – and the privy council as the apex court is an anachronism in this context,” said the senator Donna Scott-Mottley, spokesperson on justice for the main opposition, the People’s National party.
However, she added the opposition was looking forward to working “across the aisle” on the bill. “At the end of the day, this is not about political parties, it’s about our nation. It’s about our people and it’s about closing the full circle of independence for the people of our country,” she said.
Malahoo Forte said prime minister Andrew Holness’ administration had adopted a “phased reform approach” with “matters relating to the court set for the next phase”. She added: “For many years, a lot of work was done, but we have never progressed to getting the bill in parlia-
ment, and in order for the amendments to be made, a bill has to be tabled to alter the provisions of the constitution relating to the monarchy and those provisions have the deepest level of protection.”
On the streets of Kingston, people had mixed reactions to news about the bill.
“The [British are] really not doing anything substantial for our country, so it makes no sense to have them as head of state. Plus, we have it hard to go to England more than any country … so, by all means, do away with the monarchy,” said Maureen Brammer.
“I think it’s a good move … but I’m still hoping that we can still be in the Commonwealth,” said Marlene Daley.
But others were sceptical. “We have a lot of house
cleaning matters to deal with before we can be a republic. The country is too corrupt,” D Simms said.
Another passerby, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the government is not ready for republicanism. “We got independence in 1962, and the only change is our money. Whether we remove the monarchy or not, the country won’t be better off.”
In the Caribbean, four of the 12 former colonies have transitioned to republicanism: Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica and most recently Barbados. In recent times, the region has seen a shift in public reaction to British monarchs, with royals facing protests and demands for an apology for the horrors of transatlantic slavery when they visit Caribbean countries.
This follows the rise of a reparations movement, which became a hot-button issue during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa in October, with African and Caribbean countries demanding that the 56-country grouping put the Caribbean Community’s 10-point plan for reparatory justice for enslavement on its agenda.
The director of the Centre for Reparation Research, Dr Sonjah Stanley Niaah, said the Jamaican bill was a step in the right direction.
“The tabling of this bill is an important signal that Jamaica is now committed to this process … We want to be able to support the advancement of true sovereignty, and I think this is what this move is about. That Jamaica is taking sovereignty seriously and sovereignty at the level of determining its own form of government,” she said. (The Guardian)
King Charles III speaking with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness in London on 17 September 2022 (Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/ WPA Pool via Getty Image)s
Regional
“Make
people
entrepreneurs,”
says Ravi Shankar during visit to Jamaica
Apeaceful and happy society cannot exist without economic mobility, according to global humanitarian and Art of Living founder Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
“Make people entrepreneurs, if every entrepreneur, every young person on this planet starts contributing to the society, we will have more prosperous society,” the Nobel Peace Prize nominee said, emphasising the importance of stable finances, inner peace and empathy as building blocks for progress during a visit to Jamaica.
Shankar was speaking Thursday at a press conference at the Amber Group of-
fices on Haining Road in St Andrew, having been invited to head the One Love Jamaica Tour by Amber Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dushyant Savadia, a teacher at the Jamaican chapter of Art of Living. Shankar was also scheduled to host two conferences in Kingston and Montego Bay on December 12 and December 14.
Shankar, who has been received by the Pope, Dalai Lama and Emirati royalty among other global leaders, stressed that entrepreneurship was one of two key prongs to countering global division. The other, he said, was changing the mentality of people.
“Mental issues [including] prejudice against races, prejudice against gender, prejudice against culture, these things should be done away with. the conflicts in the name of religion or race or nationality can be dealt with if the mind set of people changes,” he said.
When questioned on how he planned to spread this message of peace and happiness in the Jamaican context, he said: “First is we would like to see a violence-free Jamaica. That can happen if young people are free from addictions. We are committed to doing everything to bring the inner happiness, inner peace to them.”
(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
3 families in grief after 4 children die between Wednesday and Thursday
Three young children and a teenager died between Wednesday and Thursday, plunging three families across Jamaica into deep sorrow.
On Wednesday, 12-yearold Irwin High School student Deanna Solomon was crushed by a Montego Bay Metro bus after she fell under the vehicle on being pushed by fellow students in a scramble to board the unit.
A day later, 17-year-old William Knibb Memorial High School student Rodrique Frank succumbed to injuries he received on Sunday in a motor-vehicle crash in his Deeside community in Trelawny.
Police report that he was thrown from a motorcycle he was riding on the road in his community.
As word of his death started to circulate, residents of Culloden,
Westmoreland, awoke to news that two eight-yearold boys had been burnt to death early Thursday morning in a house fire that residents claimed had its foundation in negligence.
According to residents, the fire that took the lives of New Hope Primary and Junior High School students Jamar Reid and Romaine Powell was sparked by an unattended candle. (Jamaica Observer)
T&T cops detain woman for allegedly locking 2 sons in dog kennel
Police have detained a woman for allegedly locking her two young sons in a dog kennel at their home.
Investigators said the 40-year-old woman, who is a secondary school teacher, was arrested at her home by officers of the Southern Division Special Victims Department (SVD) on Wednesday night.
Police sources said her arrest stemmed from a report made by the children’s father at the St Margaret’s Police Station in August this year. The father claimed that his six-year-old son complained about the way his mother was disciplining him and his seven-year-old brother.
The children claimed that sometime last year
their mother locked them in the dog kennel and basement as punishment.
The mother was interviewed by SVD officers at the Gasparillo Police Station and has denied the allegations.
The woman was still detained up to Wednesday evening as investigations continued.
(Trinidad Guardian)
Cuba runs short on fuel at pump as energy crisis festers
Cubans still reeling from months of hours-long blackouts now have a new problem on their hands: fuel shortages.
Many gas stations across the island have been shuttered for days as an unusually-severe shortfall has left the nation nearly devoid of gasoline and diesel, stranding motorists and sprouting seemingly interminable lines at the pump in Havana.
"We have been waiting for a fuel truck to arrive for three days," said Armando Corrales from the driver's seat of his grey Kia SUV at a gas station in the capital. "People have slept here in line so they don't lose their spot."
The latest crisis comes on the heels of three nationwide blackouts in two months that left millions in the dark for days, prompting the communist-run gov-
ernment to temporarily close schools and non-essential industry.
Cuba has yet to provide an explanation for the most recent shortfall.
Only a comparative trickle of fuel has been served in Havana since Wednesday, according to a government app that records deliveries to individual gas stations.
Officials have previously blamed fuel shortages on the decades-old US trade embargo, which complicates Cuba's financial transactions, making it more difficult for the Government to purchase fuel on the spot market.
Cuba's long-time allies have reduced fuel shipments this year. Venezuela has sent 44 per cent less crude and fuel to the Caribbean island during the January to November period, according to tanker monitoring data and documents from Venezuela's State company PDVSA. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Brazil's Lula seen walking for 1st time since surgeries
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva posted an Instagram video on Friday where he can be seen walking for the first time since being rushed to a hospital earlier this week, providing visual evidence of a delicate recovery. The 79-year-old leftist leader, known simply as Lula, underwent two operations in São Paulo's Sirio-Libanes Hospital to relieve and prevent bleeding in his skull.
The latest health scare suffered by the veteran politician, now in his third non-consecutive term as President, has provoked doubts among political analysts, with some arguing
that succession plans within Lula's Workers Party would be cast into disarray if he cannot run again in 2026.
The President's spokesman on Thursday shrugged off any concerns that health or age would thwart Lula's expected re-election bid.
In the Instagram video, Lula appears with bandages on the top of his head and on his arm while casually talking with his wife Rosangela da Silva and doctor Marcos Stavale, who led the surgery.
The video was posted several hours after a medical note from the hospital saying that Lula was in "semi-intensive care," add-
ing that he "remains lucid, is eating normally and walked through the hallways”.
Doctors operated on Lula for about two hours on Tuesday to drain bleeding between his brain and meningeal membrane, which they said was linked to a fall at his home in late October.
The president underwent a second procedure on Thursday, a middle meningeal artery embolisation, aimed at minimising the risk of additional bleeding in the future. He later had a drain removed from his head without complications. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Argentina hits out at Venezuela over security officer's detention
Argentina's Government said on Friday it strongly rejected what it called the arbitrary and unjustified detention of a non-commissioned officer of the country's Gendarmeria, a national security force, in Venezuela.
The Government said that the officer, Nahuel Agustin Gallo, had entered Venezuela from Colombia on December 8 to visit family, including his partner and daughter, but that he was "immediately arrested, without a legitimate motive and in open violation of his fundamental rights." In a statement, the Government said it demanded Gallo's immedi -
ate liberation and that it would not tolerate such actions against its citizens.
"We demand the IMMEDIATE release
of this Argentine citizen. (President Nicolás) Maduro, every minute you hold him will be one more step toward your own end," Defence Minister Patricia Bullrich said on X. Venezuela's Information Ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.
Argentina and Venezuela have tense relations, with far-right libertarian President Javier Milei often clashing with Venezuela's socialist President Nicolás Maduro, who has positioned himself at the opposite end of the political spectrum.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Gurudev Ravi Shankar, Indian spiritual leader, and Dushyant Savadia, founder & CEO of the Amber Group, at the Amber Group on Haining Road (Garfield Robinson photo)
A driver checking the line as he waits for gasoline in Havana, Cuba, December 13, 2024 (Reuters/Alexandre Meneghini photo)
Argentine President Javier Milei (Reuters/Guglielmo Mangiapane photo)
Around the World
OOIL NEWS
Oil up 2%, settles at 3-week high as more sanctions loom on Russia, Iran
il prices climbed about two per cent on Friday to settle at a three-week high, on expectations that additional sanctions on Russia and Iran could tighten supplies and that lower interest rates in Europe and the US could boost fuel demand.
Brent futures rose US$1.08, or 1.5 per cent, to settle at US$74.49 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose US$1.27, or 1.8 per cent, to settle at US$71.29.
That was Brent's highest close since November 22 and put the contract up five per cent for the week. WTI posted a six-percent gain for the week and closed at its highest since November 7.
"This strength is being driven by ... expectations of tighter sanctions against Russia and Iran, more supportive Chinese economic guidance, Mideast political havoc and prospects for a Fed (US Federal Reserve) rate cut next week," analysts at energy advisory firm Ritterbusch and Associates said in a note.
European Union ambassadors agreed to impose a 15th package of sanctions on Russia this week over its war against Ukraine, targeting its shadow tanker fleet. The US is considering similar moves.
Britain, France and Germany told the United Nations Security Council they were ready if necessary to trigger a socalled "snap back" of all international sanctions on Iran to prevent the country from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Chinese data this week showed crude imports in the world's top importer grew annually in November for the first time in seven months. They are set to stay elevated into early 2025 as refiners opt to lift more supply from top exporter Saudi Arabia, drawn by lower prices, while independent refiners rush to use their quota.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) increased its forecast for 2025 global oil demand growth to 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd) from 990,000 bpd last month, citing China's stimulus measures.
New bank lending in China rose by far less than expected in November, highlighting weak credit demand in the world's second-largest economy as policymakers pledge to roll out more stimulus measures.
Oil supply and demand
The IEA forecast an oil surplus for next year, when nonOrganisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+) nations are set to boost supply by about 1.5 million bpd, driven by Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Guyana, and the US.
The United Arab Emirates, an OPEC member, plans to reduce oil shipments early next year as OPEC+ seeks tighter discipline, according to Bloomberg.
The price of crude sold to China from Iran, another OPEC member, rose to the highest in years as US sanctions have tightened shipping capacity and boosted logistics costs. US President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration is expected to ramp up pressure on Iran.
Investors are also betting the Fed will cut US rates next week, with further reductions next year, after data showed weekly claims for unemployment insurance unexpectedly rose.
US import prices barely rose in November as rising food and fuel costs were largely offset by decreases elsewhere, thanks to a strong dollar.
Four European Central Bank policymakers backed further interest rate cuts provided inflation settles at the bank's twopercent goal as expected.
Lower interest rates can boost economic growth and demand for oil. (Reuters)
Blinken, in Turkey, discusses Islamic State in Syria, Gaza ceasefire
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan agreed on Friday on the need for continued efforts to counter any resurgence of Islamic State in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
Washington's top diplomat also said that he discussed the imperative of Palestinian militant group Hamas saying "yes" to a Gaza ceasefire agreement in his talks with Turkey's President and Foreign Minister. A US official said Hamas has softened its position in ceasefire talks.
Blinken is touring the Middle East to establish a united front with Arab and
use this period to re-establish capabilities in Syria, but the United States was determined not to let that happen.
"Our countries worked very hard and gave a lot over many years to ensure the elimination of the territorial caliphate of ISIS, to ensure that threat doesn't rear its head again, and it's imperative that we keep at those efforts," Blinken said alongside Fidan after they met in Ankara.
Turkish allies on the set of principles that Washington hopes will guide Syria's political transition, such as in-
clusivity and respect for minorities.
He said on Monday that Islamic State would try to
Talks also focused on a critical aspect of establishing stability in Syria - clashes in the north of the country between the US-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Turkish-backed rebels.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Islanders spice up ICJ climate hearings
Young people from small island states the driving force behind the climate change hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) have provided a breath of fresh air to proceedings and gut-wrenching testimony from the front-line.
Many were presenting their country s first-ever ICJ submission and did not mince their words in the Great Hall of Justice, normally the scene of weighty legal arguments from austere lawyers in robes and wigs.
The outcome of these proceedings will reverberate across generations, determining the fate of nations like mine and the future of our planet, said Vanuatu s representative Ralph Regenvanu, opening the hearings.
This may well be the most consequential case in the history of humanity. Let us not allow future generations to look back and wonder why the cause of their doom was condoned, added Regenvanu.
Several speakers wore vibrant national dress, and also sported traditional necklaces and headdresses, a marked contrast to the sober suits usually seen in the Peace Palace.
Showing powerful images of devastation to the Judges, many portrayed the battle against the worst ravages of climate change as nothing short of an existential struggle for survival.
Saint Lucians live with a ticking clock at the start of every single hurricane season, which causes cataclys-
mic devastation, said the Caribbean island s representative, Jan Yves Remy.
Our fisherfolk complain already of dwindling catches. Many of our pristine beaches, including the one my father grew up on have been replaced by barren rocks, she added.
Most vulnerable island nations took aim at wealthy large polluting countries for failing to provide sufficient funding to mitigate the effects of climate change.
As seas rise faster than predicted, these States must stop. This court must not permit them to condemn our lands and our people to watery graves, thundered John Silk from the Marshall Islands in Micronesia.
The tiny island nation of Vanuatu spearheaded the drive to bring the case to the ICJ, corralling a group of countries to push the United Nations to ask its top court for its opinion.
(Excerpt from AFP)
Macron's new PM Bayrou faces budget battle with fractious French Parliament
New French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said on Friday he faced a "Himalaya" of a challenge to tackle France's deficit, with opponents' lukewarm reactions to his appointment underlining the difficulty of the job he faces.
President Emmanuel Macron earlier named Bayrou as his fourth Prime Minister of 2024, tasking his centrist ally with steering France out of its second political crisis in six months. He replaces Michel Barnier, who was ousted by lawmakers last week for trying to pass a cost-cutting 2025 budget.
Bayrou, a three-time presidential candidate who has long warned of French fiscal profligacy, inherits the same rowdy Parliament that felled Barnier. His proximity to the deeply unpopular Macron may also hurt him. In a speech alongside Barnier on Friday, Bayrou acknowledged the challenge. "Nobody knows the difficulty of the situation better than I do... I am not unaware of the Himalaya that stands before us," he said. "I believe that this issue, the deficit and debt, is an issue that poses a moral problem, not just a financial one."
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Crown of Thorns returns to Notre-Dame Cathedral after fire
An ancient relic said to have been worn by Jesus Christ at his crucifixion has returned to the Notre-Dame Cathedral, five years after it was saved from a fire that devastated the church.
The Crown of Thorns comprising a circle of rushes encased in a crystal and gold tube was brought back to the cathedral in a ceremony overseen by the Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich.
in 1239 for 135,000 livres nearly half France's annual expenditure at the time.
The crown was acquired by King Louis IX of France in Constantinople
Initially kept at the Sainte-Chapelle, it was moved to Notre-Dame's treasury in 1806 where it remained until a fire ripped through the 850-year-old building in 2019.
Firefighters and Police Officers formed a human chain to rescue the relic and other historic artefacts in the cathedral.
The fire destroyed the cathedral's wooden interiors and its spire.
The crown, which
was kept at the Louvre Museum at one point while the famed cathedral underwent extensive renovation, has been placed in a newly-built reliquary to replace the one from 1806.
The ceremony marking its return was led by a procession attended by members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre a Catholic order of knighthood.
The Crown of Thorns will be displayed for the public from January 10, French media reports. (Excerpt from BBC News)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken shaking the hand of Turkish
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan after a joint press conference at the Ministry headquarters in the Turkish capital Ankara on December 13, 2024 (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via Reuters)
The Peace Palace, which houses the International Court of Justice, or World Court, is seen in The Hague, Netherlands, February 18, 2019 (AP photo)
Avoid overspending. Put a budget in place and avoid hidden costs and point-of-purchase sales at the checkout register. Donate time and items you no longer use.
Embrace change. A different environment or engaging in conversations with people you encounter while out and about will help you envision what you want to pursue next.
Enjoy the festivities and appreciate the glitter throughout your neighborhood. Make a point to contribute to helping those less fortunate. Put travel plans in place or arrange to get together with old friends.
Jot down your ideas. Your imagination will offer vivid renditions of how you can utilize your skills, experience and knowledge in new and exciting ways. Check to ensure you have taken care of time-sensitive issues.
Join the party, engage in activities promoting romance or make plans that help you bring about changes you want to pursue. Personal improvements can be made that will encourage better health.
A change of scenery will bring out the best in you. Getting away from the stress and your daily routine will make you think about life, love and what’s important to you.
Live, learn and listen to what others reveal, and ask direct questions to ensure you know exactly what someone wants or expects of you. Be brave; if you want something, set your plans in motion.
Be aware of what’s happening around you and sidestep any situation that might cost you financially, hurt your reputation or harm you. Look for unique venues that offer hope and spark your imagination.
Being organized, well-informed and prepared will help you stay on track and enjoy the festivities in your neighborhood. Consider updating your skills to enhance your chance to advance.
Prepare for upcoming events. Make changes at home that help to lower your overhead or that add value to your holdings. Keep up with the latest scams, and you’ll avoid being targeted.
Personal opportunities are apparent. Listen to concerns that may encourage you to tweak your plans to fit your budget, and your success rate will increase.
Set a budget to avoid debt. Uncertainty is a sign that you should take a pass. Too much of anything will set you back, and indulgent behavior will jeopardize your reputation.
ARCHIE
Pakistan
Tour of South Africa 2024/25: T20I Series, Game 2 of 3…
South Africa in first T20I series win since August 2022
In his tenth year of being an international cricketer, Reeza Hendricks has scored his first T20I century, and South Africa have recorded their first bilateral T20I series win since August 2022.
They registered the third-highest successful chase at SuperSport Park, to break a T20I trophy drought that has extended for eight seriessince they beat Ireland more than two years ago.
This is also Rob Walter's first T20I series win since taking over the white-ball coaching job in March 2023.
After being asked to field first, South Africa conceded the fifth-highest first-innings total at SuperSport Park, and chased it down with three balls to spare. Hendricks, and Rassie van der Dussen, batting at #4, shared a third wicket partnership of 157 runs off 83 balls to form the spine of the chase. Van der Dussen scored his seventh T20I fifty, and hit the winning runs with stand-in captain Heinrich Klaasen at the other end.
Pakistan were guilty of an overreliance on the slower ball, which they sent down liberally, but that may not be where they lost the game. Although they crossed 200, they could have had many more. They were 103 for 1 after 11 overs, and 136 for 4 after 16. In that five-over period, South Africa took 3 for 33, thanks to debutant Dayyaan Galiem and left-arm spinner George Linde.
Despite those strikes, Pakistan's innings was built on two big partnerships: Babar Azam and Saim Ayub put on 87 off 45 balls
for the second wicket, before Ayub and Irfan Khan posted 73 off 32 balls for the fifth wicket, to propel their score over 200. It was not enough, thanks to Hendricks and van der Dussen, two older hands who took South Africa home.
Dayyaan Galiem's dream (and nightmare) debut
Galiem was planning to be at this match, but not playing in it. He had hospitality suite tickets, and was due to be sitting with his domestic team-mates enjoying the start of the December holidays with some drinks, but on his way home from the gym this week, he got a call he had never expected. Anrich Nortje had broken his left big toe, and he was called up to the national squad.
Galiem was given a debut on his home ground, and was handed the new ball. His first over cost just three runs. Exactly why he didn't bowl another in the powerplay is for Klaasen to answer, but in that period, he dropped Ayub
on 3, and it proved costly. He was brought back on in the seventh over, and erred once in length with a short, wide ball, but was taken off again. In his third spell, he got his first international wicket when Usman Khan top-edged him to Kwena Maphaka at
It was only the second he had bowled in succession, and Tayyab Tahir popped a leading edge back up to him and he took a sharp catch. It would not have made up for his earlier miss, but it gave him good figures of 2 for 21 in four overs, with 12 dot balls in his first international outing.
But that wasn't the end of Galiem. He was at longon when Ayub hit Donovan Ferreira just about straight to him. Galiem got himself into an awkward position and the ball burst out of his hands.
Sensational Saim, but he would have wanted two more Pakistan separated ‘RizBar’ as they continued to experiment with their opening combination, and Ayub made the case to continue in that role. He scored three runs off the first eight balls he faced, before swatting a Ferreira delivery to debutant Galiem at point, but Galiem could not
deep third. However, Galiem’s moment came in his final over.
Charrandas Persaud...
Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent-spotting is being done across the country, and club leaders also assist to identify same. Progressive and well managed cricket clubs with a youth programme would also benefit.
The success of this initiative would never have been possible without the support of the following persons/entities: Javed and Imran of West Indian Sports Complex; Option Group of USA; Hilbert Foster; Bish Panday of P and P Insurance Brokers; Sean Devers; Trevis Simon; Årïêl J. Tïlkú; Aaron Beharry; Leanna Bachan and Imran Saccoor; Devon Ramnauth; Teddy Singh; Romash Munna; Ravi Etwaroo of Cricket
Zone, USA; Kelvin Brijlall; Ravin Harkishun; Surendra Harkishun; Allan Mangru and Dennis Mangru; Vishal Mahabir; Sherman Austin; Huburn Evans; Rajendra Sadeo and Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall; Sheik Mohamed of Star Sports Awards and Trophies; Ajay Gainda of Cricket Equipment Guyana; Gajanand Singh; Peter Ramkissoon; Rabindranath Saywack; Roshan Gaffoor; Ameer Rahaman; Chin Singh; Denesh Chandrapaul; Davo Naraine of UK; Dr Cecil Beharry; Raj Mathura; Raj Bharrat; Latch Mohabir and family; Suresh Dhanai; Vishal Nagamootoo; Moses Nagamootoo Jnr; Regal Sports Store; Omkar Singh; Parmanand Dhaniram; Reshma Mathura; Booman Singh; Krishna Rengensamy;
FROM PAGE 22
Ishwar Singh; Ricky Deonarain of 4R Bearings; Terry Mathura of TDMJ Inc; Kennard Verapen and NY Pioneer CC; Anita and Derek Kallicharran; Subhas Powan Persaud of DX Sports; Ramjit Singh; Vishnu Dudnauth; Johnno Persaud; Bob Harrischan; Kumar Dindial; Shazam Hussain; Ravi Lutchman of JIS&L NY; Muhammad Afzal of Cyber Trading, Georgetown; Kaieteur Cricket Club of Kitchener, Canada; Randolph Soobrian; and now Charrandas Persaud.
Managers of this initiative have said the media’s role cannot be underestimated, “and we thank you for your continued support from the inception.”
Distribution will continue.
hold on to the chance.
The next ball Ayub faced he muscled over deep midwicket for six at the start of a spectacular takedown of Maphaka. The next two balls brought back-to-back boundaries, before three dot balls ended the most expensive over of the Powerplay. The slog sweep proved to be Ayub's favourite shot, as he perfectly complemented Babar. Ayub's career-best, and also his first half-century in the format, came in the 11th over, off 33 balls, so he had the time and opportunity to double up.
After Babar was dismissed, Ayub brought out more classical strokes, like the square drive. He continued to take on Maphaka, and hit him for three sixes in his final over, to stand on the edge of 90 with three overs left. In a cruel twist, Ayub only faced six balls in the last three overs, and none in the last over; and was left unbeaten on 98.
Jahandad's double strike
Brought into the side in place of wristspinner Sufiyan
Muqeem, Jahandad Khan almost immediately showed what he can do. His second delivery moved away from the left-handed Ryan Rickelton, who could not help but play at it with minimal foot movement, and edged to Rizwan to end the opening partnership on 6. In his next over, Jahandad played with his lengths and speeds, delivered a slower ball, and then ended with a short ball which Matthew Breetzke attempted to pull but could only sky to mid-on. Shaheen Shah Afridi took a simple catch to leave South Africa at 28 for 2 after four overs.
A hundred for Hendricks
A day after being dropped from the ODI side to play Pakistan next week, and with questions swirling over his continued presence in national squads, Hendricks silenced his critics by showing he still has what it takes at this level.
He operated at a run-aball 14 off the first 14 balls he faced, and then tucked into a
Pakistan (20 ovs maximum)
Mohammad Rizwan (c)†
c van der Dussen b Baartman 11
Saim Ayub not out 98
Babar Azam c Ferreira b Linde 31
Usman Khan c Maphaka b Galiem 3
Tayyab Tahir
c & b Galiem 6
Irfan Khan c van der Dussen
b Baartman 30
Abbas Afridi not out 11
Extras (nb 1, w 15) 16
Total 20 Ov (RR: 10.30) 206/5
Did not bat: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Mohammad Rizwan, 3.4 ov), 2-103 (Babar Azam, 11.1 ov), 3-114 (Usman Khan, 12.4 ov), 4-122 (Tayyab Tahir, 14.1 ov), 5-195 (Irfan Khan, 19.2 ov)
Bowling O-M-R-W Dayyaan Galiem 4-0-21-2
Kwena Maphaka 3-0-41-0
Donovan Ferreira 3-0-37-0
Ottneil Baartman 4-0-51-2
short Haris Rauf delivery to top-edge him over fine leg for six, before putting a slower ball into the stands over deep square for six more.
A third six saw South Africa finish the powerplay on 52 for 2, seven runs ahead and a wicket more than Pakistan's 45 for 1 at the same stage. Hendricks went on to smash two more sixes, including one off Abbas Afridi which brought up his fifty off 29 deliveries by the halfway stage. South Africa were at 94 for 2 at the same stage that Pakistan were at 90 for 1, and Hendricks dealt in boundaries to leap into the nineties with three more sixes and two fours, before bringing up triple figures when he hit Rauf over midwicket.
Hendricks’s hundred came off 54 balls, and he finished with 117 off 63 balls. His innings included seven fours and 10 sixes, and left South African on the brink of victory. When he was dismissed, they needed 21 runs off 14 balls, and got there off 11. (ESPNCricinfo)
Nqabayomzi
Reeza Hendricks leapt in delight at scoring his maiden T20I century
Dayyaan Galiem took 2 for 21 in his four overs
George Linde ended Babar Azam's 20-ball 31
Olympic Kremlin ready for competitors in Metro Mile
…Ritorna Vincentori set for E Class showdown
he Port Mourant Turf
TClub (PMTC) is the place to be this weekend, when the 2024 Guyana Cup and President’s Cup champion horse Olympic Kremlin faces the field for the Metro Mile.
Owned by the dominant Slingerz Racing Stables, this back-to-back feature race winner will be part of the main event at the PMTC’s Showdown of Champions when the blocks fly this Sunday.
Owner of the Slingerz Stables, Javed Ali, told this publication yesterday that plans are well underway to continue this dominance of the “sport of kings”, and the return of Olympic Kremlin, the 2024 Guyana Cup and President’s Cup champion horse, at this weekend’s meet is another of the steps in that direction.
“Things are coming along nicely. The horses are happy and healthy, and working well in their paces; and it looks like it’s going to be a good run, come Sunday. Brazilian Trainer Lenio Veria and the Jockey [Acedenir] Gulart are here and are on the ground,
and we look forward to a good weekend,” Ali detailed.
The Slingerz Stables would be aiming for two wins on the day, as they would also enter Ritorna Vincentori the event for E Class horses.
“We are not taking it for granted that it’s going to be an easy day. Each race we take seriously, like it’s the first race, and we do our best and go out. We never try to be too overconfident, and we expect good competition. Word around the track is that all the horses are doing well, and we expect a good run from the field,” Ali disclosed.
“We are going out well prepared and ready to run. Come Sunday, it’s going to be a tough race, but we expect the best,” he explained.
Sponsored by Metro Office and Computer Supplies, the Metro Mile will headline the eight-race card of the Showdown of Champions. This race will be contested over 1600 metres for prize money worth GY$4M, of which $2M would be awarded to the winning horse. The event is open to all horses.
Another feature event is the Guyana Star E Class Dash for non-winners in Guyana and F-Class & Lower horses. To be contested over 1300 metres, this race offers total prize money worth $2M, and is sponsored by Jumbo Jet, Rohan Auto Spares and Armo Construction company.
The Shi-Oil Juvenile Stakes for Two-Year-Old Guyana and West Indies-bred horses will be contested over 1200 metres and is sure to be a star attraction; as would the J’s Supermarket-sponsored Three-Year-Old Classic race over 1700 metres.
The OBL stakes for G-Class horses would be contested over 1200 metres, while the Guy America stakes for H-Class Non-Winners of 2024 would be open to Guyanabred horses and be contested over 1300 metres. This race is sponsored by AJM, KP Jagdeo General Contractors, and Permaul Trading. There is another 1600-metre Race set for all K-Class and L-Class horses, and there is a 1300-metre sprint carded for J, K and L class Maidens and
Bowman calls for improvement of sports architecture to ease challenges to facilitate youth development
– As Titan Bowl and Tertiary Knockout tournaments get underway
The National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue was well-occupied as scores of students turned out on Friday to witness action in Youth Basketball Guyana’s 13th edition of Titan Bowl, and the third edition of Tertiary Knockout basketball tournaments which brought the curtains down on 2024 school and youth basketball tournaments.
The Titan Bowl XIII (boys and girls U18), and Tertiary Knockout (boys U21) tournaments are being contested simultaneously until December 15th, and action starts at 3pm daily as seventeen schools showcase their talents in the battle for supremacy.
Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, Youth Basketball Guyana Co-Director Chris Bowman explained the difficulties faced with youth development and the need for improvement of the sports architecture. Bowman said, “This tournament, we are happy that we are able to start today, but we should have started yesterday. And we don't know how it will go tomorrow, and our semi-finals and finals have to be played on Sunday. So that's the kind of difficulties that we have had. So, it's just a reflection, I think, overall, in terms of the larger sports architecture, in terms of development. And
that needs work, you know. So, YBG, we've been here for 17 years. We have done the National School Basketball Festival for 17 years. We are going to be around for many more years, but it should not be this hard.”
He answered the question on the impact the tournament has on new recruits ahead of the new year when he said,
“It's a good question, because the school basketball year sort of starts in September, when the new academic year starts. So, for a lot of teams, they would have had players leaving at the end of June or July, and they would have had new players being promoted in September. So, really, it's the first assessment in terms of what to expect for next year's
regionals and next year's festival. So, it's the first assessment. So, it's really important in that regard, indeed.”
The first game contested was a veritable rerun of the National Basketball Finals, with Kwakwani Secondary taking on President’s College and again reigning supreme in securing a 22-4 victory, led by Malia Samuels. Kwakwani demonstrated superior ability to put the ball through the nets.
This publication has been made to understand that the tournament would not have been possible without sponsorship from Francis-Lau Boyce Construction Co. Ltd., ENET, John Fernandes, and the National Sports Commission. (Omar McKenzie)
is sponsored by Laka Ramrich Rice Farm, Shook Shivmangal and friend of USA, and by Big G Sawmill.
The PMTCT Showdown of Champions race card is sponsored by J’s Supermarket, Jumbo Jet, ShiOil, AJM, GUYAMERICA Construction, Rohan Auto Spares and Armco, OBL, KP Jagdeo General Contractor, Permaul Trading, Laka Rambrich Rice Farm, Big G Sawmill & Lumber Yard, Shook Shivmangal & friends of USA.
Racing begins at noon.
Charrandas Persaud donates bats and balls to Cricket Gear joint Initiative
Guyana’s former High Commissioner to India, Charrandas Persaud, now a businessman, has donated five cricket bats and twelve red balls to the Cricket Gear joint Initiative that is managed by Anil Beharry of Guyana and Kishan Das of the USA. An attorney-at-law by profession, Persaud is a Berbician by birth and a Canadian citizen by nationality.
The managers of this Cricket Gear initiative have said they are very thankful to Persaud for his timely contribution, as they aim to keep young people off the streets and get them actively involved in sports, cricket in particular.
Total cricket-related items received/purchased so far: $460,000 in cash, thirteen coloured cricket uniforms, one set of stumps, two trophies, thirty-one pairs of cricket shoes, thirty-five pairs of batting pads, forty cricket bats, thirty-six pairs of batting gloves, twenty-six thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, six arm guards, two chest pads, two boxes, twelve cricket bags, six bat rubbers, six helmets, one fiberglass bat, one pair of floppy hats, thirteen boxes of white cricket balls, eleven boxes of red cricket balls and twenty-eight footballs.
Besides the above, gear valued at over $600,000 was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former national wicket-keeper /batsman.
All cash collected is being used to purchase cricket gear requested and not available at the time.
To date, eighty-nine young players, males and females from all three counties of Guyana, have benefited directly from the receipt of cash, seven gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, thirty-three bats, four boxes, six helmets, thirty-three pairs of cricket shoes, twenty-one pairs of batting pads, twenty-four thigh pads, one bat grip, thirty-five pairs of batting gloves, one pair of wicketkeeping
pads, and three pairs of wicketkeeping gloves. Many others have benefited indirectly.
In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area have benefited from receipt of two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each, Cold Fusion Cricket Club received thirteen coloured uniforms, while RHCCCC received six boxes of balls, fifteen white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicketkeeping gloves, and two sets of stumps and bails.
Other beneficiaries are: the Essequibo Cricket Board, the Town of Lethem, youth coach Travis Persaud (one box of red cricket balls), male and female teams playing traditional hardball and softball cricket in the Upper Corentyne area; No.65 Young Titans, who have received 30 T-shirts; youths of Just Try Cricket Club, Wakenaam Cricket Academy (one box of white balls), Shamar Joseph, Nehemiah Hohenkirk, Shamar Apple, Leguan Cricket Committee, Tucber Park Cricket Club, Malteenoes Sports Club (nine cricket balls each), Kendall’s Union Cricket Club (two boxes of red balls), Lower Corentyne, Corentyne Comprehensive and JC Chandisingh Secondary schools (twelve red balls each).
Cricket-related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana.
Back-to-back Guyana Cup and President’s Cup winner, Olympic Kremlin, is ready for action
Youth Basketball Guyana Co-Director Chris Bowman
Former Guyana High Commissioner to India, businessman Charrandas Persaud
Commonwealth Games silver medalist Malachi
Austin is LSU-bound
…After receiving full scholarship to American university
The athlete Malachi Austin, Guyana’s 400M National Champion, CARIFTA 400M champion, and Youth Commonwealth Games Silver medalist, is set to commence an expectedly illustrious career on the American Collegiate Athletics circuit after bagging a full scholarship to the prestigious Louisiana State University (LSU).
Renowned for its production of global track and field stars, such as Women’s 100M World Champion Sha’Carri Richardson, the LSU would be having this former Tutorial High School student on its student roster in January 2025.
Austin has described this development as a long-time dream come true, and the teenager has credited his coach Julian Edmonds of Running Brave and his family for his development in the sport.
Though still unconfirmed, it is alleged that Tianna Springer is also considering an offer from the University.
The Guyanese duo met US Ambassador to Guyana, Nichole Theriot, back in August during a U.S. Embassy
Sports Envoy programme, and this eminent personality is said to have played a role in this development.
National Futsal Championships… Paradise Invaders, Touches, Albouystown Ballers make case for Round-of-32 spots
The final spots in the Round- of-32 segment of the National Futsal Championships will be on the line on Monday, December 16, when the exhilarating tournament continues. However, Paradise Invaders, Touches and Albouystown Ballers have been among the most recent group of teams to advance
CNOOC/ GTTA/ MoE Nationwide Table Tennis tournament…
Tournament provides catalyst for resurgence of sport in Region 10
Played at the Mackenzie High School auditorium on Thursday, December 12, 2024, and coordinated under the stewardship of ITTF level one coach, ITTF umpire Candacy Mc Kenzie and ITTF level one Coach and former national junior player Marlon Washington, the CNOOC Petroleum Guyana/Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA)/ Ministry of Education (MoE) Nationwide National Schools Table Tennis Championships provided a catalyst for the resurgence of the sport in Region 10, when the competition got underway in the mining town.
In the key competition to determine the regional winners, National Junior player and Caribbean medalist Ebo Mc Neil of Mackenzie High School reigned supreme in the Boys’ 19 years and under category when he defeated Oiden France. On the distaff side, Ebo’s compatriot Sharqe Ennis of the same secondary institution emerged as champion in the Girls’ 19 years and under category.
The competition was supported by Cheryl Matthews and Dawn Barker of the Department of Education of Region 10, and was sponsored by CNOOC. The competition has now generated great interest among students and school teams, who are registering to participate in training camps that are to be held.
The CNOOC-sponsored
Coordinators:
championships form the catalyst for integrating the sport into the fabric of regional organizations, and coordination is being done with a view to building capacity and developing talent. Among the objectives are: being an incubator for talent development of the sport regionally and nationally; being part of the Ministry of Education priority programme; offering the athletes the opportunity to become regional national champions, and learning a lifelong skill, among other benefits.
CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited (CPGL) has been actively driving human and social development projects in Guyana through its Corporate Social Responsibility programmes. The company strongly be-
lieves that education is a critical component for the realization of sustained human development, and that sports can be an avenue for improved financial wellbeing when persons become professional athletes. Sports also inculcate the discipline that is needed for persons to succeed and contribute to national development. In this regard, CPGL is elated to bring education and sports together in this National Schools’ Table
Tennis Championship
National Schools Table Tennis Championships results from Linden:
Girls 19 Years and under
Sharqe Ennis Champion
Larshil August 2nd Place
Kieona Jordan 3rd Place
Boys 19 Years and Under
EBO Mc Neil Emerge
champion
Oiden France 2nd Place
Karsten Amsterdam Demitry Dash 3rd Place
Boys 19 Years and Under Finals Results
Oiden France def Zion carter 11-8,11-9 margin
Karsten Amsterdam def Stafford Washington
Ebo Mc Neil def Kelvin David 11-4,11-7
Demitry Dash def Akwain Adams 11-4,11-3
Boys 19 Years and Under Semifinals
Ebo Mc Neil def D dash 114,11-6
Oiden France def Karsten Amsterdam 11-8,1-9
Boys 19 Years and Under Finals
Ebo Mc Neil def Oiden France 11,6,11-7
to the next round, with contrasting victories being the route on Thursday night.
Albouystown Ballers got the ball rolling at the National Gymnasium on Thursday night by demolishing Game Changer 5-1. Nicholas Jervis opened the scoring for Albouystown in the 12th minute, but Game Changer’s Tyon Kennedy equalised in the 16th minute. Deandre Linton later separated the sides in the 19th, while his teammates Jequan Cole (23rd), Andrew Carto (25th) and Homey Harris (29th) scored one goal each to hand Albouystown the win.
The following game witnessed a similar result, as Touches prevailed over DJ7. Jaheem Grant in the 8th minute netted the first of Touches’ 5, while Jamal Fyffe made it a 3-0 affair by netting a brace in the 13th and 15th minutes. DJ7 looked to stage a comeback, as Keavaun Grant found the back of the net in the 17th, but another brace, this time off the boots of Jonathan Andries in the 21st and 29th, made the comeback impossible, and Touches prevailed.
The third game on the card saw Paradise Invaders drubbing Sophia ‘A’ 7-2 for the biggest win of the night. Deon Martin stunned Sophia ‘A’ with a goal in the 1st minute, and later followed up with another in the 5th, to put Paradise Invaders 2-0 ahead. Sophia’s Joshua Kamal (11th) and Solomon Austin (14th) hit back to level the scores, but Paradise Invaders pulled ahead in the second half.
sive victory. A brace off the boots of Insford Charles in the 26th and 29th minutes later helped Victoria Eagles ease past Pouderoyen Brothers. While Kerwin Maxwell produced Victoria’s first goal in the 12th minute, D'Angelo Peters opened the scoring in the 2nd minute with what turned out to be Pouderoyen’s consolation.
While a fifth game was scheduled for the night, Team Cruel instead benefitted from a walkover, as they were slated to take on Two Friends.
Qumey Aulder (20th, 26th), Nini Bobb (19th, 24th) and Nial Reynolds (30th) all found the back of the net for Paradise, thereby contributing to the mas-
On Monday, December 16, the curtains will come down on the Round-of-64 stage with the final 6 matches. Back Circle ‘B’ will take on Stevedore in the opening game at 19:30hrs, then Ballers United would battle Gladiators from 20:15hrs. At 21:00hrs, Linden YMCA will lock horns with North Ruimveldt, while California Square and Ithaca Ballers duke it out from 21:45hrs. Slingerz Kings go up against Agricola Ballers at 22:20hrs and the night’s action will conclude with a clash between Foot Steppers and Road Warriors, scheduled to blow off at 22:50hrs. Among the teams who have already secured their places in the next round are: Sparta Boss, Festival City, Bent Street ‘B’, Alexander Village, Unstoppable, Albouystown ‘A’, Team Family, Stabroek Ballers, North East, Buxton, Espanyol, Laing Avenue, Timehri Hustlers, Kitty Hustlers, Vryheid’s Lust, Back Circle, Bent Street, Spaniard, Stabroek ‘B’, Show Stoppers, Gold is Money, Team Cruel, Albouystown Ballers, Paradise Invaders, Touches, Victoria Eagles.
ITTF Coach Marlon Washington (blue and white) and Coach Candacy McKenzie (right) with some of the players (inset) at the Mackenzie High School auditorium
LSU Track and Field confirmed Malachi Austin’s signing on Friday
A scene from the National Futsal Championships (File Photo)
