Guyana Times - Saturday, October 26, 2024

Pres Ali pushes biodiversity protection agenda

Over 1500 teachers complete studies

Opposition wants to oversee $100K cash grant distribution

Govt to support those whose NIS contributions were unremitted – VP Jagdeo announces ...says $10B earmarked to undertake initiative

PM Phillips calls for global peace, cooperation at UN Day observance Xen Aviation acquires BrittenNorman BN2T4S Islander First Lady commissions $95M kids park

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, October 26 – No retraction.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, October 26 –13:00h-14:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunshine is expected during the day, with thundery showers in the morning and early afternoon hours. Clear to partly cloudy skies, with thundery showers, are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 3.13 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 11:10h and 23:35h reaching maximum heights of 1.96 metres and 2.02 metres.

Low Tide: 17:02h reaching a minimum height of 1.30 metres.

Pres Ali pushes biodiversity protection agenda

– during engagements with UK Prime Minister, head of Conservation Int’l

President Dr Irfaan Ali continues to have a series of high-level engagements with global leaders in Samoa, where he is advancing his biodiversity conservation agenda.

The Guyanese Head of State is currently in Apia, Samoa for the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) being held from October 25-26.

On Friday, President Ali met with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), Sir Keir Starmer, on the sidelines of the CHOGM in the Polynesian island nation. During that meeting, the two leaders reflected on Guyana and the UK’s long-shared history and their commitment to a growing economic and trade relationship.

President Ali updated the Prime Minister on Guyana’s new Global Biodiversity Alliance, and they discussed the work the two countries have undertaken on the Forest and Climate Leaders Partnership.

Earlier in September, the Guyanese Head of State was in Scotland, where he met with His Majesty King Charles III and had discussions to advance Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030. The visit follows the King’s Foundation's recent engagements in Guyana and the President’s announcement that the Foundation would support the next phase of the LCDS, with a particular fo-

The two leaders further agreed to continue seeking opportunities to deepen ties on trade, climate finance, and biodiversity.

In that meeting were Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, and the UK’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy.

Only last month, President Ali and Foreign Secretary Lammy held discussions in London on the two countries having stronger collaboration in commerce, biodiversity, and Haiti, among other areas.

Lammy had assured of the UK’s commitment to working together to protect the climate, grow economic ties and uphold Guyana’s territorial integrity.

cus on sustainable urban development.

During that engagement, President Ali and the King discussed their shared commitment to climate resilience, sustainable development, agriculture, and community-driven initiatives supporting vulnerable populations.

“I am optimistic that we will work together as partners in the years ahead, especially with the new LCDS priorities—including sustainable urban development, biodiversity, and water management,” the Guyanese Leader had stated following the meeting.

Meanwhile, President Ali also engaged the President of Conservation International, Dr M. Sanjaya, in Samoa recently. The two officials exchanged views on increasing global ambition on environmental matters, particularly in the areas of climate change, forest conservation, and biodiversity protection.

During the meeting, President Ali provided an update on Guyana’s plans to lead the establishment of the Global Biodiversity Alliance, a significant initiative aimed at fostering international cooperation to tackle biodiversity loss. He also discussed Guyana's intention to host a landmark Biodiversity Summit in 2025, which will serve as a platform for advancing global efforts in conservation and biodiversity management.

Both leaders highlighted the critical role that Global South countries play in addressing these global environmental challenges. They agreed that there is an urgent need to elevate the leadership of these nations, which are often home to the world’s most crucial ecosystems and are disproportionately affected by climate change and environmental degradation.

Guyana’s pioneering role in forest conservation, sustainable development, and climate finance, as demonstrated through its LCDS and the issuance of the first carbon credits under the

ART-TREES standard, was a focal point of the discussion.

President Ali reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that Guyana remains at the forefront of global conservation efforts while advancing economic development through sustainable practices. He emphasised that Guyana’s approach serves as a model for how Global South countries can lead in providing solutions to pressing global environmental issues.

Dr Sanjayan applauded Guyana’s leadership and reiterated Conservation International’s support in building on these achievements.

After the meeting, President Ali expressed his appreciation for the exceptional work of the local team at Conservation International in Guyana. He praised their deep engagement with local communities and institutions, acknowledging their vital role in supporting the success of the LCDS and conservation efforts in the country.

Already, President Ali held bilateral talks with the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lawrence Wong, in Samoa. Their discussions focused on four key areas that highlight the shared priorities and leadership of both nations in economic development and global sustainability, including Carbon Markets, Low Carbon Development (LCD), Biodiversity and Private Sector Development. (G-8)

President Dr Irfaan Ali engaging Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, on the sidelines of the CHOGM in Samoa

President Dr Irfaan Ali with President of Conservation International, Dr M Sanjaya, in Samoa

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Simplifying wills and estate access for families

The pending amendments to Guyana's Wills Act of 1902 and the Deceased Persons Estates’ Administration Act represent vital reforms, with real and measurable benefits for everyday citizens. These changes are poised to address longstanding issues with probating wills and accessing deceased persons' funds -- issues that have often created unnecessary hardships for grieving families. This effort, spearheaded by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, exemplifies socially conscious lawmaking that puts people’s needs at the forefront. By reducing bureaucratic barriers, simplifying procedures, and expanding access to crucial resources, these amendments stand as a testament to the Government’s commitment to modernizing Guyana’s legal system with the people’s welfare at heart.

At present, probating a will in Guyana is a challenging process, due to outdated requirements under the Wills Act. One such requirement is that at least one witness who signed the will must provide an affidavit attesting to the document’s authenticity. This stipulation may sound practical on the surface, but it becomes a significant obstacle over time. Wills are often written many years before they are executed, meaning that locating witnesses after a person’s death can be extremely difficult. In some cases, witnesses may have moved away, become unreachable, or even passed on themselves, leaving families unable to access and manage their loved ones’ estates. As a result, probate cases can drag on for years, during which time properties may decay and legal costs mount.

The proposed amendment tackles this issue head-on by introducing a simple but effective solution: witnesses will now sign the affidavit of validity at the time the will is created, and this document would then be attached to the will as a permanent document. This straightforward adjustment eliminates the need to locate witnesses years later, expediting the probate process and significantly reducing legal expenses.

Simplifying the process in this way not only demonstrates respect for the time and resources of grieving families, but also encourages individuals to make wills with the knowledge that their instructions can be carried out efficiently after they pass. By removing unnecessary legal roadblocks, this reform underscores the Government’s commitment to reducing burdens on its citizens in times of need.

In parallel, amendments to the Deceased Persons Estates’ Administration Act address another crucial concern: providing families with timely access to the deceased person’s financial resources. Currently, Guyanese families may only withdraw up to $750,000 from a deceased person's bank account; but other types of assets, such as funds held in trusts, credit unions, or cooperative societies, remain inaccessible. Many families struggle to cover funeral expenses, debts, or other immediate costs, because they cannot access funds that rightfully belong to them. By expanding access to include money kept in trust funds, cooperative societies, or employerheld gratuities, the proposed changes reflect a compassionate approach to legal reform.

This expansion would bring particular relief to families in rural areas, or those involved in cooperative societies and trusts. In these cases, financial assets are often stored in less traditional forms, reflecting communal or collective ownership models that may not align neatly with conventional banking. Extending the legal right to access these resources is in essence an acknowledgement of the diverse financial landscapes within Guyanese society. Such recognition by the Government showcases an inclusive approach that values all segments of the population. Further, the amendments demonstrate a recognition of the immediacy of financial needs after a loved one’s passing. Funeral expenses, mortgage payments, and ongoing family support cannot wait for long probate processes, and giving families access to these funds promptly is not only logical, but also humane.

Minister Nandlall has described these amendments as “law reform with a social conscience”, a sentiment that captures the essence of this initiative. Often, legal reforms are seen as dry and procedural changes that, while necessary, do not have a direct impact on people's day-to-day lives. This initiative defies that notion, and focuses instead on ensuring that the law works for the people it is designed to protect. In fact, the impact of these changes goes beyond just saving court fees or cutting legal red tape; it represents a shift towards a more compassionate and responsive legal system.

In sum, these reforms should be commended and supported for the way they bring Guyana’s legal system into alignment with contemporary social realities. By making it easier for families to manage estates and access essential resources, the amendments would alleviate a significant source of stress for families dealing with loss. In a broader sense, they reinforce the Government's role as a supportive presence in times of need, adapting the law to meet the evolving needs of its citizens.

At its core, this legislation reflects a forward-thinking government that is committed to fostering a society in which the law serves as an instrument of compassion and practicality. The amendments to the Wills Act and the Deceased Persons Estates’ Administration Act symbolize a people-centred approach to lawmaking, balancing the necessity for legal rigour with an understanding of human needs. In pushing forward these changes, the Government is sending a clear message: the legal system exists to support citizens, not hinder them.

These reforms would resonate deeply with many families, affirming the Government’s dedication to a justice system that, as Minister Nandlall rightly said, has a “social conscience.”

PPP/C should be commended for its reasoned, many-sided approach to alleviating the problem of poverty

Dear Editor

Poverty is an enigma that haunts the psyche of conscientious national leaders the world over.

And while millions of people globally view poverty as a social disease, not every national leader today has focused attention on tackling this societal problem.

To validate this statement, Guyanese can take a cursory glance at their neighbour Venezuela, from which Guyana has experienced an influx of immigrants. There, Maduro has not only failed to grapple with the problem of poverty, but has further contributed to increased impoverishment of a vast number of Venezuelans, millions of whom have fled the country.

Unlike Maduro, the PPP/C Administration has utilized various approaches to nation building, including addressing problems that gave rise to, and contributed to, the perpetuation of poverty. For example, the Government has distributed house lots and backed financing for home construction; constructed, and continues to construct and modernize, schools and hospitals; granted free university education; and increased the pensions of senior citizens, among other things -- all

of which are designed and focused on the alleviation of poverty and enhancing the lives and livelihoods of Guyanese.

Continuing its efforts at poverty alleviation within the country, the PPP/C Administration announced, in recent weeks, its intention to award a $100,000 cash grant to citizens 18 years and older. Immediately after the announcement, Opposition politicians and their acolytes, along with critics of the Government, began to agitate for substantial increases in the $100,000 slated to be disbursed to eligible individuals. This some did, citing revenue generated from oil, which they claim is a substantial accumulation of capital (profits).

Undoubtedly, every poverty-stricken Guyanese would be elated with any increase in the amount of cash to be granted. However, Government must seriously consider whether the amount of cash disbursed to citizens would (a) serve as a disincentive for gainful employment; (b) create generational dependency on Government’s handouts/subsidies; (c) create or accelerate inflation, which would negatively impact the purchasing power of the poor, and (d) sty -

mie ongoing development projects and improvements in essential governmental services of health, education, recreation, housing, energy, and infrastructure – all of which benefit the people. In failing to consider such consequences, the PPP/C would be negligent in its governing competencies and responsibilities, which then become additional fodder for critics’ anti-government destabilization rhetoric.

Moreover, the Government cannot afford to lose sight of the reality that: (i) the flow of oil is depleted over time, as experienced by Trinidad; (ii) advances in technology (such as hybrid vehicles), and alternative energy sources (such as lithium batteries and solar power) are slowly but surely eroding the dependence on oil; and (iii) the dwindling reliance on oil would, in all likelihood, intensify competition among the rich and well-developed oil-producing countries (a status Guyana is yet to achieve) for markets and revenue.

For Government, then, to exhaust much of its current revenue on cash grants would be tantamount to reckless governance. Why reckless? Because revenue generated from oil is accrued incrementally; and

it is this primary revenue source that funds Guyana’s development projects, ranging from infrastructure: roads, dams, bridges, canals (drainage) etc., to schools, hospitals, recreational facilities, and energy supply (electricity); all of which necessitate major investments both in terms of building and maintenance.

Besides the mentioned areas of expenditure, there is funding for old age pension and for initiatives relative to the safety and security of citizens. Considering the totality of areas that necessitate recurrent public funding, it would not be prudent for the Government to drastically deplete its treasury by disbursing large sums of cash as awards based on expected revenue. Alleviating poverty is of immense importance, and Government should be commended for taking a wholistic approach to redress this societal stigma. An approach that includes the disbursement of $100,000 in cash grants to eligible individuals -- a recent initiative -- warrants further analysis that would yield information for future policy decisions.

Regards, Narayan Persaud

Education Minister Priya Manickchand shared a photo with three pairs of mothers and daughters who graduated from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) on Friday. They are Annie and Anessa Isaacs of Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Janella and Rachel Fernandes of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); and Verlyn and Joanna Krammer of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni)

PM calls on Guyanese to support Salvation Army's Christmas Kettle appeal

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret'd), Mark Phillips called on Guyanese to support the Salvation Army's Annual Christmas Kettle Appeal during the launch of the fundraising event at the Umana Yana on Friday.

The Acting President emphasised that every contribution serves as an investment in the lives of those in need of support. He also made a substantial donation on behalf of President Dr Irfaan Ali, and then on behalf of his family and himself.

During his remarks, the Prime Minister emphasised that the Christmas season, while joyous for many, can be particularly challenging for families struggling

to make ends meet, for individuals battling illnesses or addictions, and for

those without homes. He stressed that the Salvation Army's work becomes even more vital during these times.

"The Salvation Army's continued commitment to humanity is certainly inspiring. Your organisation, with its tireless efforts, has become a symbol of hope for the vulnerable, the hungry, the ill, and the marginalised in our society."

He also made a special appeal to the business community to maintain

Breaking away from a culture of corruption

Dear Editor,

For decades now, Guyana has been plagued by a culture of lawlessness when it comes to public officials in high office. Make no mistake, this is not a new occurrence, it is a phenomenon that has plagued us for a long time.

It is a practice called corruption. In legal terminology, corruption is a transaction done between two or more individuals, one of whom is the state agent who occupies a position of influence to conduct affairs in such a manner as to secure benefits for him/herself, or for his/her friends and associates.

This state of affairs has been ongoing for years, is something that has put a dark cloud on public office in this country, and has reached headline attention only since the present Government has put a legal stop to it.

Government is sending a clear message that it would no longer countenance corruption in any form in this society. We are now in the process of building a modern society, in which past forms of corrupt dealings in public office must be done away

with. The point I am making is that high high-ranking officials can no longer use public office as a leeway to "Making it big"; or public office as a stepping stone to riches.

Well, I am happy to disappoint those so inclined: this foolishness must stop now!

The ongoing probe of the Assistant Police Commissioner is a case in point: in which a public officer is embroiled in the controversy of receiving "gifts" of extravagant monetary value. How this gross violation of the Money Laundering Act could have been overlooked is the burning question. Didn't it cross the minds of bank officials that this might have been a blatant case of money laundering? These are the questions someone is tempted to ask when looking into such cash transactions.

Failure to make checks on high-ranking officials in money is a sure cause for concern, because of the checks and balances imposed on the small man when he conducts his business at the banks, as against the high-ranking officers. It causes you to wonder whether there is one law

for the rich, and another, more stringent and demanding one, reserved for the ordinary man. It is unacceptable behaviour, even in the worst of times, when a disproportionate system is promoted in society.

So, let me ask the question again: is there one law for the ordinary man and a totally different rule for senior public officials? Which is it? I think the bank should be held to account for dereliction of duty.

The Opposition and their minions have come out in their usual role of heaping scorn on the investigation into Brutus's accounts. Their outcry is centred on the theme that he is a PPP and should be precluded from prosecution. Even the decrepit GHRA has come out of hibernation to cast aspersions on Government's handling of the matter. They think that no investigation should be done because the entire PPP/C is corrupt, therefore Brutus should be given a free pass.

If we should go on their word: that Brutus is a PPP and should be shielded from prosecution, then they need to think again. Let me inform Opposition charlatans

that every known PPP/C parliamentarian was arrested and prosecuted when the PNC- led Coalition came to power in 2015. That regime was so vicious and vindictive in the process that ministers were shamed, shackled and led through the court system. Even the wheelchair-bound Dr Luncheon was not spared. So, to come now with their duplicitous plea is hilarious, to say the least.

In closing, let me say that the Government of Guyana is building a modern society in which all backwardness of this sort must be dismantled. Public officials must publicly account to this nation for their actions. Being a public figure, one must exhibit a culture of refinement, where notable qualities are easily recognizable.

I would add that gone are the days when corrupt officials ran the state apparatus. Those avenues cannot be revived as we forge ahead in a new tomorrow; we would not allow our country to go down that Third World road to ruin.

Respectfully,

Neil Adams

their valuable partnership through direct donations and corporate sponsorships and for individuals to contribute not only financially but also by volunteering their time and spreading awareness.

Families were also encouraged to use the opportunity to teach younger generations about the importance of giving back to society. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Phillips commended the Salvation Army on its 25-year commitment to addiction recovery services, which has helped numerous individuals overcome their strug-

gles and return to productive lives.

"The burdens on vulnerable groups have intensified, and as a nation, we are called to respond with compassion and generosity. Whether through financial contributions, volunteering, or spreading kindness, every effort makes a difference."

The event was also attended by the Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar; Divisional Leaders, Major Matignol and Mayor Mareille Saint-Lot, along with other distinguished guests.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2024

Minister Deodat Indar making a donation

A section of the gathering

Prime Minister Mark Phillips at the launch

To multiply a fraction and a whole number, you need to multiply the numerator by the whole number. Then place the product over the denominator.

Maths as art

Instructions

At corner of paper, create a “water bomb” by pressing together previously made folds forming indents in the paper. Add another water bomb next to the first one, etc until one row is done. Proceed onto next row of water bombs, and do water bombs for every row on the paper. Tape opposite sides of the paper together, forming a ball. Follow these instructions and you too can have your very own Origami Magic Ball!. (www. origamiwonderhowto.com)

By RoBeRt J. tiess

What nourishes our verdant world? Why all this humus underfoot? I wondered much before I learned how nature nurtures, purges, stays. The answers would amaze me so: it's nothing short of everything, what weds the living with the dead, erosion, growth, and weathering, then seasons, ages, layered change, the particles of rocks and bones blown wide and far, collecting here in what looks like just clumps of dust, this matter of life's magnitudes, where waters mix with minerals, organics, sand, and clay with silt and microscopic life that feeds, then mulch, the waste of animals, these nutrients reviving dirt -consumption turned to sustenance, as crops supply our harvests reaped. I'm still astonished how these things will yield seeds, then branches, grass, devoured fruits of hungering, these crumbled bits that gather mass for hidden worms in cyclic grounds, accumulations and decay maintaining means from death to birth: what resurrects this urgent earth.

Local content legislation no excuse for poor service – Min Bharrat

While the Local Content Act prioritises Guyanese nationals and companies within the oil and gas sector, it should not be used to justify poor-quality goods and services.

This was emphasised by Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat on Friday, as he addressed the second

Local Content Forum, organised by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.

Bharrat urged Guyanese companies to avoid using local content legislation as a pretext for supplying substandard products at inflated prices.

He emphasised that busi-

nesses must not rely on legislative protection alone, but rather strive to enhance their competitiveness and maintain high-quality standards.

“The local content legislation is in no way protection to provide poor services or poor-quality goods at inflated prices. We should guard against that and we should… ensure that we use it to up the kind of standard and quality that we can produce and to show that we can compete with regional and international companies,” he stressed.

The Minister noted that the Government has worked to establish a favourable business climate for local companies to flourish, primarily through the Local Content Act.

However, this support comes with the expectation that businesses will remain competitive and deliver quality products and services. The Minister highlighted that subpar quality and excessive pricing would undermine Government efforts, deterring

Opposition wants to oversee

While it has no objection to the Government expanding the $100,000 oneoff cash grant to overseas-based Guyanese who are in the country, the PNCled Opposition wants to have oversight during the distribution exercise to ensure transparency and equity.

On Thursday, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo announced that Guyanese living overseas who are here during the distribution of the $100,000 cash grant can also benefit from this initiative once they have the necessary documentation to prove their citizenship.

At a press conference on Friday, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton had shared his views on members of the diaspora being able to access the cash grant.

“The diaspora is very supportive of us as a political party and we will never be against the diaspora… We are not opposed to [overseas-based] Guyanese benefiting from anything in Guyana. Of course, we expect it to be structured, we expect it to be transparent and [that] there is accountability,” the Opposition Leader posited.

Despite supporting the diaspora in getting the cash grant, Norton, in the same breath, however, questioned the motive behind extending the cash grant initiative to persons living overseas.

“In the first case, the Government said that this cash grant was to help Guyanese with the high cost of living. It is unimaginable that they were referring to Guyanese from the diaspora who were at home at the time of the distribution and therefore were not experiencing the high cost of living,”

The Opposition Leader

Opposition Leader

believes that adding members of the diaspora to the group of beneficiaries without any structure is opening up room for corruption.

“This scheme to pay people in the diaspora is just another scheme to facilitate PPP corruption… Let’s assume a Guyanese didn’t come home in 10 years and they happen to be here during the [cash] grant and they have their ID card from 10 years ago, then they will access it. And then there will be Guyanese who have been coming home regularly and contributing [to the local economy] who might not come during the period and they cannot access it. So, there is no structured approach,” he contended.

On this note, Norton pointed out that one way to avoid any corruption in this cash grant initiative is to allow the Opposition oversight of the distribution process.

“The Opposition is calling on the PPP to use a similar system such as in the GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission) registration process. That is, the Opposition must have a Scrutineer when the payment is being made

foreign investors.

He reaffirmed that the Local Content Act is designed to foster the growth of the Guyanese private sector, granting companies the opportunity to expand and meet the demands of regional and global markets.

“I think the private sector owes it to us as a country and as a people to compete and compete well. That is what we want to see,” he said.

The Local Content Act es-

tablishes baseline requirements for foreign and local firms operating in the country’s oil and gas sector, to hire Guyanese and source local materials.

The act defines 40 sub-sectors including transportation, accommodation, legal services, marketing, and public relations. It states that a percentage of these goods and services must be provided by Guyanese.

In the first half of this

year, over 454 new hires were recorded within the 40 specified areas. The act also provides for the establishment of a Local Content Secretariat, which ensures that these local companies are further prioritised in the procurement of goods and services.

Already, a Local Content Mobile App is in its final stages of development, to streamline the employment process in the oil and gas sector.

$100K cash grant distribution

to verify each registered Guyanese receiving the cash grant. This will go a long way in ensuring transparency and accountability and avoid a repeat of the corruption and discrimination that marred the Covid-19 cash transfer, and other cash transfers,” he posited.

Already, Vice President Jagdeo has stated that the distribution of the cash grant would be overseen by the Office of the Auditor General (AG) and there are efforts ongoing by a technical team to establish a robust system that would ensure transparency and accountability in the distribution exercise.

He disclosed that the Finance Ministry, in collaboration with other state agencies, is currently developing a mobile application for persons to register for the much-anticipated $100,000 one-off cash grant so that there is a “seamless” process.

“The App would have some compulsory fields people will have to fill up before the cheque is processed; so, name, address, phone number, passport/ ID number. They’re building a geolocator so you can know where people are,” he noted.

The geolocator will ensure that eligible persons are in Guyana.

The Vice President made it clear that overseas-based Guyanese are eligible for the grant once they possess a National Identification Card or a local passport, and must be in Guyana to uplift the money. He added too that there will be no proxy system for those who are not in the country to cash in on the grant.

“The grant will not be paid overseas. We have no intention of going to New York or Toronto to register people,

they have to be in Guyana to register here and they will be eligible as Guyanese, provided they have the requisite document to prove such,” Jagdeo told reporters at his

press conference. In addition to removing the residency requirement for receipt of the cash grant, the Government also extended the age eligibili-

ty. Initially, that cutoff age was set at January 2024. But now, Guyanese who are 18 years and older by January 2025 are qualified to receive the one-off payment. (G-8)

Aubrey Norton

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat

Some of the attendees at the Local Content Forum at the Marriott Hotel on Friday

ACP Brutus withdraws High Court motion against Govt, police officials

One day after being slapped with several financial crime-related charges, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Calvin Brutus, on Friday withdrew a constitutional motion he had filed in the High Court against several state agencies.

In the legal document that was filed earlier this month, Brutus had claimed victimisation and political interference in the investigation against him, among other things. He had named the Attorney General, the Minister of

Home Affairs, the Police Service Commission, the Commissioner of Police (ag) and the Special Organised Crime Unit as respondents in the legal proceedings.

However, on Friday, Brutus, through his lawyers – Attorneys Earl Daniels, Yuborn Allicock and Domnick Bess – wrote the High Court to indicate his intention to discontinue the matter.

“The Applicant wholly discontinues and withdraws this proceeding against the Respondents…,” the document seen by the Guyana

Times detailed.

The Notice of discontinuance and withdrawal was shared with the various respondents.

The move to withdraw the motion comes on the heels of Brutus threatening to make certain disclosures during the High Court proceedings. The senior cop is at the centre of a major financial crime investigation which stemmed from the alleged discovery

Money…

…for ‘foreign’

Back in the day, the dictator Chavez of Venezuela assisted the poor - some 200,000 of them - in several cities in the States by paying their heating bills. He was further pi55ing off US leaders, who were up in arms against him for squeezing out American oil companies. Well, without any motive against the foreign jurisdictions where Guyanese have migrated, the Govt of Guyana has just announced that Guyanese resident there are also eligible for the $100,000 cash grant payout that has been announced for all Guyanese over 18!!

In this case, the overseas Guyanese don’t have to prove they’re poor and need the money; all they gotta do is show they’re Guyanese by producing a valid Guyanese passport or National ID Card!! The courts have already ruled that overseas Guyanese have the same rights as those at home – when they were asked to strike out their names from the voters’ list. No can do, said the courts!! So, if they have the right to choose a government – the ultimate right of a citizen – they certainly have the right to any goodies being shared out to citizens!!

of over $800 million in assets under his control, both in properties and bank accounts shared with his wife, the former Adonika Aulder.

On Wednesday night, Brutus told reporters outside his home that all the evidence on why he is being targeted would be revealed when the constitutional motion is heard in the High Court.

Brutus had made these remarks on Wednesday evening shortly after members of the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, who had descended on his residence in the Police headquarters compound at Eve Leary, had left.

The police officer had told reporters that he was concerned about the “level of force” displayed.

“I intend to vigorously defend these matters because there’s clear evidence that what is happening is a matter of manipulation of evidence, and fabrication of evidence just to make a case against me. I intend to defend all the evidence that is made,” he indicated.

In response to Brutus, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday challenged Brutus to come forward with whatever secrets and/or evidence he has to expose about those involved. The senior cop had named the Vice President as one of the Government officials who had directed that he be removed from the Deputy Commissioner of Police post he was holding within the GPF – something which Jagdeo denied.

Now the Government has announced that overseas citizens can collect the money only if they return to Guyana and show their passport or ID Card. That sounds fair to your Eyewitness. There have been repeated claims that there are “as many Guyanese living outside as inside Guyana”!! This handout might just test this assertion. The fly in the ointment would be for claimants to produce their passports or National ID Cards. Your Eyewitness can see that, from today, there’s gonna be a tsunami of applications at our foreign embassies in NY, Toronto, and elsewhere for Guyanese passports - even by those who’ve left more than half a century ago!! Your Eyewitness also knows there’s gonna be demands from some old codgers that their old red ID Cards from the seventies be accepted!!

Some might say Guyanese abroad don’t need any US$500 – equivalent to the GY$100,000. But “need” got no relevance to real Guyanese!! Once there’s freeness sharing, Guyanese gonna come out of the woodwork to collect!! And your Eyewitness can just see some slick airline advertising a US$500 return trip ticket with a slogan: “Get a return flight to Guyana without shelling out a penny from your pockets!!” THAT’ll get a ton of folks heading south to their native land!!

That raises the question of how much money the Government would need for this cash grant programme. The adults in Guyana — as per the voters’ list, which contains some overseas Guyanese —probably amount to somewhat more than the 661,000 from 2020. 700,000 with the Guyanese who’ll return for the payout?

So, we’re now talking about some GY$70 billion??

…and cars

News just came out that we’ve just entered PAJ registration plates for motor vehicles. And if you thought it was only yesterday that we entered PAH, you wouldn’t be wrong!! We’ve imported 9,999 cars in the last 4 months; and at this rate, we’ll be importing over 30,000 annually, since the rate keeps accelerating. Your Eyewitness now understands why, with all the roads constructed since 2021, the roadways are still as jammed as ever: we’re importing vehicles faster than we’re building roads!!

And this is even though we have one of the highest tax rates in the world on motor vehicles; and we bitch and moan about it all the time!! So, where’s all this money coming from, if – as the Opposition complains – it ain’t trickling down to the masses?? There was a time – say, around 1992 - when only the rich could afford a car. But now there’s a car in every yard, even in the villages!!

Let the good times roll!!

…on change

The Hungarian Uprising of 1956 had a seismic effect in Guyana. It showed our local idealistic communists that the Ruskies would crush dissent just like the Imperialists would!!

So, Hungarian PM Orban’s complaint, on the Uprising’s 68th anniversary, that the WEST is trying to overthrow him is very ironic.

Assistant Police Commissioner Calvin Brutus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday

Xen Aviation acquires BrittenNorman BN2T-4S Islander

Xen Aviation & Services Limited

(‘Xen Aviation’), a start-up domestic operator based in Georgetown Guyana has acquired its first Britten-Norman turbine-powered Islander to enhance regional connectivity and support its planned commuter services across the country.

The BN2T-4S, an enlarged turboprop variant of the renowned piston version of the Islander aircraft, will be the first operated in Guyana. The BN2T-4S boasts 30 per cent more interior space compared with the piston variant, as well as having a significantly increased Maximum TakeOff Weight of up to 8,925lbs (4,048 kg).

Powered by twin RollsRoyce 250 B17F engines, each generating 460hp (flat rated at 400hp), the BN2T4S offers a range of 1,006 nm (1,863 km) and has an endurance of up to 8 hours. The aircraft retains many of the features of the original Islander including its ability to operate in challenging conditions into short, unprepared landing strips.

Configured with a maximum of 12 seats, the BN2T4S is certified under its United Kingdom (UK) Type Certificate to carry up to 10 passengers with either sin-

gle or dual crew. Note: Local operator regulations may supersede the certified capacity.

All Islanders are capable of being fully Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) certified and are equipped as standard with a full, state-ofthe-art Garmin glass cockpit based on the G600 TXi series. The Garmin suite now includes full electronic engine instrumentation on all Islander variants, providing valuable data for both the operating and engineering crews that will help to reduce operating costs.

As part of the ongoing development of the Islander, and in line with BrittenNorman’s ‘Green Futures’ programme, the aircraft will soon have the option to op-

erate using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

In preparation for delivery, Britten-Norman has recently gained Type Acceptance for the BN2T4S from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The aircraft is already type certified in the UK, EU and USA as well as a number of other countries around the world.

“We believe this variant of the Islander is a perfect fit for our mission to introduce superior safety, comfort and choice to the Guyana aviation market, targeting everyday commuters, Government and international business operators, all at a competitive price,” Xen Aviation representative, Ronaldo Alphonso stat-

ACP Brutus withdraws...

“Anything that he has and he wants to let out, let him let it out… I think it’s a form of blackmail. He thinks maybe there will be fear in some quarters of the Government that he could say something that is compromising to us and [the Police] would relent on ensuring that justice is served. He gotta be thinking again, if that’s the case.

“Whatever he has to let out, he could let out. He could say whatever he wants. We have no fear of whatever he wants to say, so let him say it. I will deal with it later. I will deal with it at the appropriate time,”

VP Jagdeo declared.

ed.

On the other hand, Chief Executive at BrittenNorman, William Hynett added “We are delighted to confirm this order with Xen Aviation & Services Inc, marking a significant milestone as the first BN2T-4S Islander to be used for commuter services in Guyana. The BN2T-4S is the largest and most powerful variant in the Islander range, offering exceptional load-carrying capacity while maintaining our well-renowned STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) performance. I am excited to see this aircraft thrive in its new role with Xen Aviation, providing essential services to the people of Guyana.”

Several months of investigations by the SOCU – the white-collar arm of the Police Force – culminated on Wednesday when the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) advised that the Police go ahead and institute the 240 charges of fraud and money laundering against Brutus.

On Thursday, Brutus appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where he was slapped with 30 charges and placed on $6.2 million bail.

The charges are related to money laundering, and misconduct in public office, among others. He is expected to face additional charges when he returns to court next month.

Brutus, who was not allowed to plea, to the charges

read to him, is mandated by the court to post bail at $500,000 each for two money laundering charges, $500,000 each for two larceny by public officer charges and $500,000 each for two charges relating to Obtaining money by false pretense.

Additionally, Brutus is mandated to pay $1.2 million for four charges relating to misconduct in public office and $2 million for 20 charges of liability of official. Brutus’ wife Adonika Aulder and his driver Sergeant Kevin George were also charged. Also charged was businessman Asif Zafarally. The trio were granted $500,000 bail each.

Brutus and the others are expected to make their next court appearance on November 18, 2024.

The Britten-Norman BN2T-4S Islander

First Lady commissions $95M kids park in GT

Guyana’s First Lady Mrs Arya Ali on Thursday commissioned a kids’ facility at the National Park at Thomas Lands in Georgetown.

That facility, a kids’ park constructed to the tune of $95 million, is intended to be a fresh, modern design tailored to meet the needs and cater to everyone, while also creating memorable bonds.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony for this facility, the First Lady said, “I am sure you may have encountered hundreds of children playing and interacting with each other. That is because parks provide a sense of identity and belonging to our people. Parks are a focal point in communities with

nities such as swings and slides, game boards for chess and draughts, a hopscotch area, washroom facilities, benches and lights, free Wi-Fi and security systems, concession shops, and my personal favourite: a splash pad,” the First Lady detailed as she also urged parents to be vigilant with their kids, especially at the splash pad area.

“I want to emphasize, though, that while splash pads are fun and provide a safe environment for kids, it’s still important for us as parents to stay vigilant and ensure our children adhere to the rules outlined on a signboard near the splash pad,” she cautioned.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, who played

gather in the shaded gazebo; and visitors have access to vending kiosks, a reinforced concrete walkway, seating, and much more.

He highlighted that the park can be available for adults as well. Not only did he focus on how it can benefit locals, but he also explained that it can be beneficial for foreigners, as it meets the standards for an international audience.

“Our National Park is now better equipped to serve the community as a destination that invites families, tourists, and anyone who seeks a safe and pleasant environment to spend time outdoors. The success of this project is a testament to the ongoing efforts of the

people of different ethnic groups and religious backgrounds.”

An integral role that many people may overlook is that the park also caters to the overall development of children, thus the First Lady is encouraging parents to bring their children to the park.

“I must mention that parks like this one play an important role in the development of our children. I ask that we take this time to applaud the exceptional work done…to provide a safe recreational space for our children,” she has said.

This park, with its wide range of amenities, would facilitate numerous activities that would benefit children.

“This children’s park has been outfitted with play ame-

a key role in this initiative, mentioned that this multi-million-dollar park has resulted from a collaboration of small contractors.

“This effort represents a $95 million investment in our people, made even more meaningful because it was carried out by small and medium-sized contractors, supporting local businesses and workers as they bring this vision to life. The enhancements we are introducing today represent a fresh and modern design tailored to the needs of our community,” Minister Edghill revealed.

Further, he detailed the transformational architectural and landscaping advancements that have created an environment catering to everyone: children have a designated play park; families can

National Park Service,” he said.

“These elements are thoughtfully designed for everyone, including differently-able persons, reinforcing our dedication to inclusivity. This transformation of the National Park isn’t just about creating a physical space, it is an effort to improve the recreational and tourism experience here in the heart of the capital by providing well-maintained, vibrant, and safe spaces for relaxation and enjoyment,” Minister Edghill detailed.

“This children's park was developed under the National Beautification Project, through which we have since commissioned five parks and public spaces, which are enjoyed by thousands of families across Guyana.”

First Lady Arya Ali standing alongside Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, other officials, and kids present at the event

A section of the play park

‘To gain entry into GTI, students will need to reach eligibility criteria’ – Principal

In light of the recent announcement by President Dr Irfaan Ali to allow Guyanese students to study free at all state-owned technical institutes, the Principal of the Government Technical Institute (GTI), Tiffanie Persaud stated that while that is the case, there is still an eligibility criterion to gain entry into the educational facility.

must have at least four subjects at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) or Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).

In addition, applicants who have gained qualifications other than those stated will be reviewed by the National Accreditation Council (NAC) to verify the equivalency. The GTI also offers a six-week virtual preparatory course and a qualifying examination for those interested in applying to the institution.

ments even with this announcement, so determining the eligibility of applicants to pursue courses at the institution is essential.”

However, she highlighted that due to the announcement of free studying opportunities, she doesn’t think this will make it difficult for people to join, as the institute will be readily available to uphold their standards.

Persaud emphasised that for applicants to join the technical institute, they must be at least 15 years old for day courses and 18 years old for evening or day-release courses.

Applicants must have completed Part 11 of the Secondary Competency Certificate Programme (SCCP) or have a strong foundation in general education up to Grade 11. Applicants

On this note, Persaud relayed that the GTI will not refuse to uphold its eligibility standards.

“We will continue to use our standard entry require-

“I wouldn’t say that because of the education being free, it would make it difficult for persons to join. Our standard entry requirements will continue to be the basis for determining the eligibility of applicants to pursue various courses.”

TURN TO PAGE 16

Government Technical Institute Principal, Tiffanie Persaud

The Government Technical Institute

Over 1500 teachers complete studies at CPCE

...learning experience for students should be significantly enhanced – Min Manickchand

Some 1502 pre-service and in-service teachers graduated from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) on Friday which represents the second largest group of teachers to graduate from the institution throughout its 96 years in existence.

The 90th graduation exercise was held at the Guyana National Stadium and saw over 1500 educators receiving certificates and awards in several educational disciplines. Of this year’s graduating batch, 86 per cent were females and 14 per cent were males.

Some 447 teachers graduated from Early childhood education, 602 from Primary Education, 169 from Secondary Education, 251 from Secondary PreVocational, and 33 from General Teacher Education (GTE) and Technical Teacher Education (TTE).

Speaking at the ceremony, Education Minister Priya Manickchand explained that once the graduates are dispatched across the country, the learning experience for students should be significantly enhanced.

“In Region 9, we have

5,924 learners at the primary level. We had 176 trained teachers. We’re adding 83 trained teachers this year.

ministrative regions as more and more teachers become trained. In fact, across the majority of the regions, there has been an increase in the number of teachers being trained. For instance, in Region Ten during the period 2015 to 2020, there were 182 trained teachers but from 2020 to 2024, that figure stood at 377.

SEND (Special Education Needs/Disabilities), and health and family life education as major options in the

That will bring down our class size or our ratio of 33 students to one pupil to one trained teacher to 22 pupils to one trained teacher. Do you see how we’re moving closer and closer to our ideal numbers and ratio?”

This scenario, the Minister explained, will be replicated across all ad-

“So, I’m trying to say to you that the whole idea of training was not to say as a big headline we’re training many. It was to reduce the class sizes. So that is adding numerically more teachers and it was to make sure we have a higher quality in the classroom through your bodies and your minds and your delivery.”

In addition, Vice Principal of Development at CPCE Tamsin Henry highlighted some of the academic achievements the institution has earned over the years.

“CPCE for the first time in the college’s history, is now offering music, literacy,

Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) secondary programmes. Additionally, golf has been included in the physical education programmes being offered at all of our coastal centres, an initiative which will soon be extended to our hinterland centres.”

Moreover, delivering re-

Duo wanted for ex-cop who disappeared 6 months ago

Alleged kidnapped victim,

Six months after the disappearance of 35-year-old Delon Alexander, also called “Portmore,” of Lot 584 East Ruimveldt, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has issued wanted bulletins for

two men for questioning about the alleged abduction.

Wanted are Kevral Hatton also called “Smokey”, 28, of Lot 36 Vigilance, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and 42-year-old Mark Cromwell also called “Diamond/Demon” of Lot 40 Vigilance ECD and Lot 10 Buxton, ECD.

It was reported that Alexander, a gold miner left home on May 7, 2024, in a taxi and went to Strathspey, ECD to purchase building materials for their home which is currently under construction. He reportedly made arrangements for the materials to be dropped off at the construction site.

After completing his business, he reportedly boarded a minibus and came off at Benjamin’s Bakery in Buxton, ECD but was not seen or heard from since.

Back in 2018, Alexander

Wanted: Kevral Hatton, also called “Smokey”

who was then, a Police Constable attached to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), Force Headquarters, was arrested with more than 45lbs of marijuana along the Cove and John Public Road. He was charged and was lat-

Wanted: Mark Cromwell, also called “Diamond/Demon”

er dismissed from the force. Nevertheless, anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the two wanted men is asked to contact the police at 227-1149, 225-8196, 226-3405, 911 or the nearest Police Station.

marks was acting President, Mark Phillips who highlighted how Government interventions have transformed the education sector over the years.

“Over the last four years, as a Government, we’ve allocated over $200 billion under various educational initiatives to improve the delivery of education in Guyana. We’ve launched e-education, reaching some 91 per cent of Guyana communities. Our goal is to build an inclusive education system that leaves no child behind, no matter where they live. This includes increasing access to information and communication technology in education, enhancing technical and vocational training and building new schools, particularly in remote areas.”

In this regard, the acting president reaffirmed the Government’s commitment towards investing in the sector, particularly in human resources. He added that teachers play a crucial role in guiding the country’s development trajectory.

“I wish to assure you that the Government of Guyana that I represent here today remains committed to sup-

porting this vital role that you, our teachers, play in our society. We recognise that our nation’s progress is tied to the strength of our education system and the dedication of you, our teachers. To the graduating class of 2024, as you leave here today, you carry with you the hopes and dreams of a nation. You are the ones who will nurture and guide the next generation of Guyanese, helping them to reach their full potential.”

Meanwhile, Fiona Sharma was the recipient of this year’s President’s Award for Excellence from the CPCE as the Best Overall Graduating Student in the Associate Degree in General Education Programme.

Sharma hails from Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Region Three and currently resides at Recht-Door-Zee, West Bank Demerara (WBD). She teaches at the Mc Gillivray Primary School at Canal No.1, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

CPCE offers a wide variety of courses and programmes for every level of teaching, including early childhood programmes for both pre-service and in-service students, the primary programme, and the secondary academic and pre-vocational programmes. In total, there are four programmes for the Associate Degree in Education (ADE), along with a Trained Teacher Certificate (TTC) Programme for in-service teachers who are not eligible for the ADE Programme. This year, for the first time in education history, CPCE students received Diplomas and Degrees in Special Education Needs.

‘To gain entry into...

Lending her perspective on the high chances of a grand influx of students come 2025, she mentioned that they are ready for it, as all measures will be put in place to ensure everything goes smoothly.

“We anticipate that there will be a high influx of students as a result of this new announcement by the Government. However, we stand ready and willing to ensure that all measures are in place to have a smooth and seamless integration of these applicants into the institution.”

“This is an excellent initiative by the Government of Guyana; it will give many individuals an opportunity to attend institutions like the GTI and enhance their academic qualifications.”

Preparations are set to begin this year for the rollout of free University education from 2025, according to President Irfaan Ali. He noted that this year’s budget will see funding set aside for major develop-

ment in the nation’s education sector.

Ali has also announced the abolition of tuition fees not only for the University of Guyana (UG) but also for all Government and technical institutions, including the Carnegie School of Home Economics and the Guyana School of Agriculture.

The Head of State has also revealed that, the tuition fees at these institutions will be eliminated starting in January 2025. According to him, this is part of a broader initiative aimed at making education free for all students in technical and vocational programmes, in addition to university-level education. This new measure is expected to benefit over 3,000 additional students, expanding the reach of the Government’s free education initiative. The President emphasised that this move is part of a broader effort to provide equitable access to education for all Guyanese citizens.

The graduands at this year’s graduation exercise

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

Prime Minister Mark Phillips

Delon Alexander

‘Cyber Road Show’ empowers over 300 students in Reg 7

The National Data Management Authority (NDMA) recently hosted a Cyber Road Show at Three Miles Secondary and Bartica Secondary School in Bartica Region Seven (Cuyuni Mazaruni), reaching over 300 students across the region.

This outreach forms part of the NDMA’s ongoing efforts to enhance digital literacy and cybersecurity awareness across the country, ensuring that students are equipped to navigate the digital landscape safely.

Led by a team from NDMA’s Cybersecurity Division, the aim was to raise awareness about cyber safety and responsible online behaviour. The training sessions covered essential cyber hygiene topics such as cyberbullying, cyber-grooming, and recognising the consequences of inappropriate online behaviour.

Head Teacher of Three Miles Secondary School, Daniel Williams expressed his appreciation for the initiative noting its timeliness.

“We have been looking forward to something like this

for a long time. One major issue among students is that conflicts often begin on social media, escalating into physical altercations. By educating them on cyber awareness and the consequences of their online actions, we can prevent many of these incidents.”

He further reminded that despite being a remote area, students in Bartica are not immune to cyber threats, as students have access to, and utilise the internet daily for various reasons.

In addition, Headmistress of Bartica

Senior citizens opting for pension payments through banks increased

by 59%

There has been a 59 per cent increase in the number of pensioners opting to have their old age pensions paid to them through the bank, according to findings from the Office of the Auditor General.

This was revealed in its 2023 report recently tabled in the National Assembly. “…comparison of the December 2022 and 2023 Electronic Distribution Listing revealed that 850 and 1,436 pensioners respectively were paid through the bank system, which indicated an increase of 586 or 59 per cent bank paid pensioners for 2023,” the report stated.

“The December 2023 Electronic Distribution Listing also revealed that old age pension totalling $47.388 million was paid to 1,436 pensioners through the banking system,” it added.

In 2021, the Government made it possible for senior citizens to access their old age pension through the bank, making the process more efficient and stressfree for beneficiaries.

It was previously explained by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security that the application process requires a form to be filled out with the pensioners’ name, identification card or passport number, home address and telephone contact, as well as their

banking information; which includes the name of their bank where the account was opened, the name on the bank account, the bank account number, and the type of bank account (whether chequing or savings).

After signing the form, the applicant must return it to the staff of the probation and social services department within their region to be processed. The process will take approximately two weeks to be completed.

Additionally, the Ministry has implemented a biannual payment plan for pensioners who are considered “shut-ins”, and those who live in remote areas.

The option of redeeming vouchers at MoneyGram/ Surepay and BillExpress locations countrywide was also introduced for pensioners.

Last year, the Ministry further enhanced its delivery of old age pensions by offering beneficiaries this service through Mobile Money Guyana (MMG). In June 2023, it was reported that some 1200 pensioners were already registered with MMG accounts.

Old Age Pension is available to every citizen after the age of 65. This is currently valued at $36,000 and will be increased to $41,000 next year.

Secondary School, Teerani Gamell echoed the need for the training, noting that it comes at a critical time, as more students actively engage in social media use, and may not know how to practice safe cyber hygiene.

“This workshop is timely; it helps build self-awareness and encourages students to use social media to influence others positively. The training benefits not only students but also teachers and the wider community, fostering better communication and stronger relationships.”

Over the past five years, these sentiments have been shared by many participants of NDMA’s annual outreaches. All of them have reiterated the need for such training and expressed their appreciation of NDMA’s efforts. This has reinforced NDMA’s commitment to continuing its cybersecurity training initiatives.

The NDMA Cyber Road Show is part of a larger series of activities repeated annually in recognition of Cybersecurity Month. Through these interventions, NDMA hopes to foster

a culture of safe internet usage and promote digital responsibility among young people. This initiative is an important step towards creating a more cyber-aware society where everyone can reap the benefits of the internet while being vigilant against online threats. NDMA remains committed to empowering all citizens, including those in hinterland, remote and riverain regions like Bartica, with both access to the internet and the knowledge to use the technology safely.

Caricom launches report on biodiversity, chemicals & waste management agreements

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat launched the CARICOM State of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) Implementation and Achievement Report, on Thursday, 24 October at the 16th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) underway in Cali, Colombia.

While incremental progress, influenced mainly by national circumstances, has been observed by individual countries, the report reveals many persistent challenges facing Member States as they implement biodiversity-related MEAs. Several of the challenges identified are general issues which confront developing countries, while others are Regionspecific problems that require focused attention.

“The launch of this report highlights the progress which could be realised only through a broad alliance of people, Governments, civil society, and the private sector. We hope that, the information can help to generate solutions that will integrate cross-sectoral activities to achieve the future we want for the Caribbean Community, and contribute to a world living in harmony with nature,” Programme Manager,

Sustainable Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, Amrikha Singh stated.

As the Caribbean Hub of the Capacity Building relating to Multilateral Environmental Agreements in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Countries Project (ACP MEAs), the Secretariat, along with partner organisations - the European Union (EU), the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) - have been promoting urgent action at the highest levels. Such initiatives directly support strengthening environmental governance and MEAs that will help to safeguard the Community’s natural resources.

The review’s analytical approach will also help to provide a status update on the achievements and assessment of reporting by MEAs in Member States, as well as a framework for ongoing capacity development

assessments. The expectation is that this information will be used to generate the necessary ongoing discussion and support at the international level on safeguarding biodiversity resources at the national and regional levels. The publication of this report is a critical step in effective environmental monitoring via data acquisition, processing, and reporting on key criteria. Its global relevance is reflected in its alignment with the goals, targets and indicators of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

COP16, which is being held under the theme ‘Peace with Nature’, is the first meeting of the Conference of Parties following the adoption of the KMGBF in 2022. As the focus now turns to implementation, Governments will review the progress made in translating the global framework into national strategies and plans.

Facilitators engaging the students during the initiative

PM Phillips calls for global peace, cooperation at UN Day observance

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips, has called for global peace, stronger cooperation, and a renewed focus on sustainable development.

These were the sentiments of the Prime Minister who is currently performing the functions of President, during his address to the United Nations (UN) Day event held at Parc Rayne on Thursday.

He reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to the UN Charter, stressing that multilateralism must prevail to address pressing global challenges.

“Guyana remains dedicated to contributing to the important work of the Organisation across its major pillars: international peace and security, sustainable development, human rights, and international law.”

innovation, including AI, in the best interest of humanity.

Phillips commended the UN’s recent Pact for the Future, along with its associated Declaration on Future Generations and Global Digital Compact, noting that it is a symbol of collective global will. He emphasised that the Pact signifies the wish and the capacity of the community of nations to cooperate, despite acute differences, to forge a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world.

He added that the Government will continue to work to create an enabling environment for sustainable development, the eradication of poverty, and combat climate change, as well as to harness technology and

“Guyana remains dedicated to contributing to the important work of the Organisation across its major pillars: international peace and security, sustainable development, human rights, and international law.”

He noted, too, that as a member of the UN Security Council, Guyana will prioritise critical global issues, including climate change, food insecurity, and conflict; peacebuilding and conflict prevention; women, peace, and security; protection of children in armed conflict; and youth, peace, and security.

Acknowledging the UN’s historical significance in Guyana’s journey to nation-

hood, the Prime Minister noted: “We celebrate the role of the UN in the process of decolonisation through which so many States, including our own, were birthed to nationhood and membership of the Organisation.”

The Acting President also underscored the importance of supporting vulnerable populations and empowering future leaders, noting the importance of bridging the many divides and disparities that exist. He also stated that the vulnerabilities of developing countries, including Small Island Developing States and low-lying coastal States, must be addressed.

He underscored the significance of cultivating leadership skills among young people.

“We will foster conditions to enable children and youth to emerge as leaders of today and tomorrow in helping to shape a future fit for the generations to come.”

Guyana’s call for peace

In addressing global conflicts, the Prime Minister renewed Guyana’s call for peace.

“On this UN Day 2024, we renew our call for peace and an end to the war in Gaza, in Lebanon, in Ukraine, in Sudan, in Haiti, and in every part of the world where the scourge of war and conflict prevails.”

He called for strengthened support for the promotion of human rights, sustainable development, and the rule of international law.

Prime Minister Phillips acknowledged the support of UN agencies in Guyana and said that Guyana welcomes the support for and responsiveness to the “aspirations of our country and people for peace, sustainable development, the consolidation of democracy, and the rule of law.”

In closing, he also paid tribute to UN personnel in Guyana and around the world for their sacrifices in service to humanity.

Gov’t to support those whose NIS contributions were unremitted – VP Jagdeo announces – says $10b earmarked to undertake initiative

Amassive $10 billion is earmarked to support Guyanese who did not meet the criteria relating to

their National Insurance Scheme (NIS) contributions, as part of a series of measures to be rolled out by the

Government this year.

Recently, President Dr Irfaan Ali announced a onetime injection for the insurance company towards persons who face challenges in benefitting from their entitlements.

During a press conference at Freedom House in Georgetown, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo expounded further, revealing that there are thousands of Guyanese who believe they are eligible for pension, but do not meet the 750-contribution mark.

“Some of those people were not to be blamed because many times their employers never deducted or deducted and never transmitted their deductions to the NIS on their behalf…

They were not aware of this until they retired and then sought to collect their pension,” he informed reporters on Thursday.

According to him, a lot of these individuals are pensioners who did not receive a single benefit from the NIS. And so, the $10 billion will provide a one-time lump sum payment, benefitting these thousands of Guyanese.

“Hopefully it would offset the contributions that they have made over the many years to the country and to the NIS itself,” he added, expressing pity on the situation.

At this stage, Dr Jagdeo

said the Government is examining different models to ensure the initiative is implemented in a fair manner.

Once that process is completed, an announcement will be made, and then eligible Guyanese will begin receiving their payments.

Meanwhile, to ensure the insurance scheme is able to pay pensions and benefits in the long run, the Government will be making a big cash injection into the NIS. He recalled that the NIS has been paying benefits while operating on a deficit and the Government is filling the gap to prevent this.

He went on to explain,

“That puts the fund at risk. So… when all of you retire, you would also be able to receive your pension and the NIS will not go bankrupt.”

Addressing requests for NIS pension increases, Jagdeo noted firstly, that efforts are being made to preserve NIS so pensioners can continue to receive their entitlements. Once the deficit is improved, an increase can be facilitated.

Meanwhile, the Government has increased the pension for Government workers, from $20,500 in 2020 to $36,000 in 2024. The Government aims to increase this by $41,000 in 2025.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

National Insurance Scheme

PM Philips, UN Resident Coordinator, HE Jean Njeri Kamau; and Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony share a toast at the event

Prime Minister Mark Phillips addressing the gathering

“Small difference” in the Stabroek block relinquishment – VP Jagdeo

As the Guyana Government and ExxonMobil work to iron out the holdings to be relinquished in the oil-rich Stabroek Block, there has been a difference in the areas that the United States (US) oil major is expected to return to the state.

This is according to Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo during a press conference on Thursday, where he disclosed that ExxonMobil Guyana is on track to relinquish 20 per cent of the Stabroek Block this month as stipulated in the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) it signed with Guyana.

However, the Vice President explained that based on the formula that is outlined in the oil contract, the Ministry of Natural Resources has found a difference in the acreage that the oil company has to give up.

“So, there is a specific amount of [area to be relinquished] because there is a formula on how it's applied... So, the Ministry has applied the formula [and] they have a small difference in the number… We believe they should relinquish ‘x’ amount and then we’d have someone study again whether they have to relinquish additional amounts based on compliance with that formula. But they have to meet the relin-

quishment deadline,” Jagdeo stated.

Only two weeks ago, President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, told reporters at a press conference in Georgetown that the company is currently engaged in discussions with the Natural Resources Ministry and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to finalise which areas it will be giving up.

“We’ve been working very closely with the Ministry of Natural Resources and (with the) GGMC to ensure the proper rules as part of the petroleum agreement are being followed; that we’re clear about what is the accessible acreage within the block, and what areas should be set aside; because they’re already on the production licence of the discovery area, and (they)

define what is the area to be relinquished. I’d say we’re almost complete on that process, and I anticipate it will be completed very soon,” Routledge explained.

At the time, however, Routledge had declined to comment on which areas the company was looking at relinquishing.

Meanwhile, the oil executive also spoke about the Kaieteur block, which the company was supposed to have exited and handed over to Ratio Guyana Limited.

At a press conference last month, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had said the Government was awaiting information from Exxon in order to finalize their departure from Kaieteur. Routledge acknowledged that there is an ongoing exchange of information between Exxon and the

Government, and said the company would look to supply the requested data as soon as possible.

“For the Kaieteur block, we addressed the data requests, the document requests, the Government had for us. Again, as with the work on the renewal of the prospecting licence for Stabroek, there are points where we receive more data requests or document requests, and we go back and forth… And we plan to submit those (answers) as quickly and as timely as we can. Some of it requires us going to the other participants in that block, particularly Ratio, as they are coming in as the operator,” he further explained.

It was announced last year that Exxon and Hess were both withdrawing from the Kaieteur block after years of fruitless exploration, which Exxon said had failed to meet its investment hurdle. The remaining partners: Ratio Guyana Limited, an Israelibased energy company, and Cataleya Energy Limited, are likely to split ownership of the block 50/50, although there had been reports that Ratio was looking for new partners.

At the beginning of 2021, the oil block co-venturers had announced the Tanager-1 discovery in the Kaieteur Block offshore Guyana, with proven reserves of 65 million

barrels of oil. In addition to Tanager-1, it was previously reported that there was the prospect of additional oil mapped across a 5750 square kilometre 3D seismic survey. It is located in the southern part of the Kaieteur Block, where the joint venture partners are grading the next potential targets for drilling.

Even though Exxon is in the process of withdrawing from Kaieteur Block, the company has attested that the block still has potential. Last year, Routledge had said that the company decided to exit the block based on pressing constraints; leaving the block was not a reflection of its value.

The company has said that in leaving Kaieteur, which it said has been derisked, it plans to focus on accelerating development and

production in the Stabroek Block, where Exxon is targeting six floating, production, storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs) by the end of 2027, bringing Guyana’s production capacity to more than one million barrels per day. With ExxonMobil as the operator, Guyana began producing oil on December 20, 2019, in the oil-rich Stabroek Block, which is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). Exxon, through its local subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), holds 45 per cent interest in that block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest. (G-8)

Govt distributes 700 house lots to Reg 5 residents under “Dream Realised” initiative

Under its flagship “Dream Realised” initiative, the Housing and Water Ministry on Friday distributed a whopping 700 house lots in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

Some of the new landowners had applied more than a decade ago. Friday’s distribution of house lots took place at Bath Settlement, Region Five. The 700 beneficiaries have been allocated land at Experiment and Plantation 'A' Bath.

Housing and Water Minister Colin Croal said some of those who received house lots have been waiting for years to benefit from Government land. Nevertheless, explained

that it takes time for the Government to open up new areas since other sectors are competing for land including the agriculture sector.

“For example, here at Bath, as you go further in, there is land that is supposed to be transferred to Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) but you have farmers there. So, there is competition with livestock, cattle, cash crops, so when the land becomes available that is when we make the allocations.”

Even as works continue to clear the backlog of persons in the system waiting on allocations, there are still about 4000 pending applications.

“Of course, many of those 4000 would have been in recent years, the reason being that we have been a victim of our suc -

cess story. There was a period where little or nothing was being done – in some regions, nothing was being done under the housing sector. For example between 2015 and 2020, Region Five had an allocation of just over 800. In three years for Region Five, we have allocated about 1300 and as a result of today, we will be at about 2000 allocations in four years. Now we are trying to fill that gap but a lot of persons are now applying too because they see a success story but they will have to wait because we have to clear our backlog.”

Friday’s allocation catered for applications from 2019, though some 2021 applicants also received their house lots.

One of them is Natasha Michael, a single mother of three who lives in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) but works as a clerk with the private sector in Region Five. She said her application had been processed since 2018.

“I applied in this region because of work. I am excited and overjoyed. It has been long I have been waiting to achieve my own land,” she said.

Another percipient Durbash Hansraj, a lorry

driver of Bath Settlement told the Guyana Times that he also applied in 2018. “I am so excited to get my own land because I have been living with my parents and I am married and I always wanted to get my own land so I can build a house.”

Pranpatie Tirbohan a single mother of seven living at Mahaicony recalled applying for a house lot in 2009 and is happy that she finally got through.

“Tuesday they called me and told me to bring $40,000 and come. I am so happy and glad that I get through... I waited very long for it,” the domestic worker stated.

Meanwhile, some persons said they were not

quite prepared to make the $40,000 payment that was required and had to make arrangements to get the money. Minister Croal has encouraged applicants to utilise the time while they are waiting to make preparations to be able to pay for their house lots when called upon. “If you are a pending applicant just start putting your money aside because there will be situations once the land becomes available, we will issue them immediately. I don’t have the luxury of keeping them and waiting for any special day; we will allocate as the land becomes available,” Croal emphasised. (G-4)

Pranpatie Tirbohan had applied since 2009

A resident selecting her plot of land

A section of the gathering at the Dream Realised initiative

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge

You know what others expect from you and how to make it happen. Don’t mince words or waste time arguing over petty differences. Less fuss will lead to good results and less discord.

Follow your heart, implement your plans and enjoy time with loved ones. Socializing, conversations and expanding your interests will lead to newfound friends, groups and activities.

Be open to suggestions, but don’t allow yourself to be liable for someone’s poor choices. An emotional situation will escalate if you renege on your word or mislead someone about your intentions.

Size up whatever situation you face and evaluate the people involved before you decide to get involved. You have plenty to gain if you are direct in your approach and persistent in getting what you want.

Listen and refrain from making premature choices that could backfire. Find out what’s involved, how much it will cost and how you can benefit before you promise to do something questionable.

Make up your mind before sharing your thoughts. A change may be necessary, but don’t start something you cannot finish. Ask for an expert’s opinion and determine what’s possible before you forge ahead.

A change will prompt you to see things differently and make choices that can liberate you from debt or other hindrances. Choose discipline over procrastinating and get things moving in a positive direction.

Simplify your life, concentrate on what’s important and attaining peace of mind. Restructure your routine to fulfill your needs and take time to enjoy the people and pastimes that make life worth living.

You can be generous and helpful without letting people take advantage of you. Stick close to loved ones and the people who support your beliefs and goals. Make a point to engage in conversations.

Seize any opportunity to incorporate positive changes into your schedule, surroundings or relationships. Let your actions lead the way. Invest in yourself and what makes you happy.

The less you accumulate, the easier it will be to follow your heart. Refuse to let others tempt you with their plans. Live life according to your definition of happiness.

Find ways to expand your mind, interests and income. Invest more time in yourself and what makes you happy, and you’ll find a path that encourages you to offer something you enjoy doing for a price.

ARCHIE

– Through heroics of Santner, Latham

New Zealand have taken massive strides towards doing the unthinkable: not just getting their first Test series win in India, but also handing India their first series defeat at home in 12 years.

Mitchell Santner, who had never taken four wickets in an innings before this Test, and with just one firstclass five-for to his name, tied India to the crease and took seven wickets to bowl India out for 156. Then, led by Tom Latham, the New Zealand batters did some efficient front-running by attacking the Indian spinners to end the day with a lead of 301 runs, and with five wickets in hand.

India have only twice overturned a lead of 100 to win a Test: the great Kolkata Test in 2000/01, and a successful chase of over 400 in Portof-Spain in 1976. For a very long time, this Port-of-Spain chase has been the highest in Test cricket.

India have found themselves in this situation because their legendary spinners were outperformed by two bowlers who came into this match with just two firstclass five-fors between them.

Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner were partners when the two dangerous left-hand batters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant were taken out. Santner, who bowled un changed through the day, pro duced 17.3 overs; and six of

his seven victims were either bowled or taken out by lbw, as he kept attacking the stumps with balls behaving differently from the same spot. This pitch wasn't quite the square turner that India lost their last Pune Test on - against Australia in 2016/17 - but there was enough turn, and enough variation in turn, to not allow India the ultra-aggressive approach they have employed this home season.

From the first three balls of the day, the challenge for India was apparent. From the same spot, the first delivery turned less than ex

Santner again beat Gill with one that went straight on. This time the umpire's call went the bowler's way. As the 15 seconds on the DRS timer lapsed, the crowd broke into a big cheer for the arrival of Virat Kohli; but their joy was short-lived, as Kohli soon missed a full toss which he tried to mow to square leg and was bowled. The ball did drift in from the initial line, but it was still a full toss that Kohli

NEW ZEALAND APPROACH MAIDEN SERIES WIN IN INDIA

Rishabh Pant, who had been kept quiet with in-out fields, then tried to pull one that was only slightly short of a length. The ball stayed low and bowled him, drawing an inaudible invective that might end up hitting Pant in the wallet.

Sarfaraz Khan, who had shown proficiency against spin in Bengaluru, soon found out that the margin for error was little in Pune. If you had to attack, you needed every-

would have dispatched almost every time, had he played with a straighter bat. By now the effect of the roller was wearing off, and batters were shanking even full balls - or those they got close to - by using their feet. The ones that didn't turn created further doubt. As tends to happen at such times, fielders were everywhere: a hard sweep went straight into the shin of short leg; a short ball stopped and turned; and the pressure kept mounting.

With two left-hand batters in the middle, Latham gave the ball to Phillips after the first drinks break, and it took Phillips four deliveries to turn one and take Jaiswal's edge to slip.

thing to go right. He tried to go inside-out to a really full ball, and it still spooned just over cover. His sweep was blocked, and brought him just singles.

Eventually, Khan tried to clear the deepish mid-off without getting to the pitch of the ball, in a reminder of Phillips's dismissal on day one. A shooter then did R Ashwin in, and that was the first time that Santner had taken more than three wickets in a Test innings.

India had by then lost 6 wickets for 53 runs, and New Zealand were so far ahead that they could afford to make a DRS error and have Ajaz bowl to two left-hand batters four overs for 32 runs.

Santner, meanwhile, kept attacking the stumps and pro-

ducing enough chances. Only some hitting from Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar took India past 150. A lead of 103 here was a far worse scenario than the 356 in Bengaluru, because this pitch was only going to get worse, and India would have to bat last. Latham paddle-swept the first ball. A backward short leg came in to block that shot, and he cover-drove a boundary. Rohit Sharma was now just chasing the ball, because you can't react when you trail by so much on a turning pitch. The taking down of two of India's greatest match-winners was clinical. Sweeps, reverse sweeps, and the use of feet were all employed. Ashwin's first spell went for 33 in six overs, and

Jadeja went for 24 in three. Washington, at the other end, kept picking up wickets. Devon Conway edged a sweep on to the pad, but India didn't review the lbw decision, New Zealand being so far ahead. Once they had got off to a start and the field had been spread, Latham pitched his tent for a long innings while the others batted more briskly around him. Washington went on to convert his first-innings seven-for into only his second ten-wicket match haul in first-class cricket, but New Zealand found runs easier to come by at the other end. Latham missed out on a century, but he had brought New Zealand to a great position.

(ESPNCricinfo)

New Zealand are in a comfortable position after 2 days of play

Mitchell Santner derailed India with seven scalps

Washington Sundar gave India the first breakthrough

Tom Latham bringing out the reverse sweep

West Indies tour of Sri Lanka 2024/25:

HOPE SAYS LESSONS LEARNED FROM FAILED ODI SERIES

– as Windies seek consolation win

With the disappointment of back-toback losses hanging heavy in the air, the West Indies will enter today’s (Saturday’s) final One Day International (ODI) against Sri Lanka hoping to avoid a 3-0 sweep at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

West Indies captain Shai Hope has not been shy to admit that this last contest in the three-match series is about more than just pride; it is about learning from mistakes and building resilience for the future.

The West Indies struggled with both bat and ball in the first two encounters, which they lost by five wickets. Hope acknowledges that those matches have exposed key areas that his side must improve upon, particular-

ly their handling of spin and situational awareness under pressure.

“There are several factors we can point out, but I just think (that) not adapting to the conditions fast enough was our main problem,” he said.

“Obviously, we didn't win the crucial stages of the game, and obviously, the spin department has been the only thing we have going right now for us; but yeah, the thing is: there are a lot of lessons that we need to take from the series. We can't change the past right now; we have to learn from it, and it's very important we do so quickly,” Hope said in a pre-game interview.

Hope has emphasized that players need to improve individually and as a whole, in order to support one another and create a solid and

Klay Thompson sets record for Mavericks in debut win

Klay Thompson has had a debut to remember for the Dallas Mavericks: he scored 22 points in a 120-109 win against the San Antonio Spurs. The 34-year-old Thompson moved to Texas last summer after 13 years with the Golden State Warriors in a move that was seen as a signal that the fourtime NBA Championship winner was beyond his best. Thompson, however, underlined his enduring quality with 22 points, seven rebounds and three steals in just 26 minutes.

Eighteen of Thompson's 22 points came from threepoint shots, which is a record for a player on their debut for the Mavericks. "Great debut," Thompson said. "It's only one game in October, but it feels good just to get that

first one out of the way. I had a ton of excitement, really just an awesome feeling. And you only get the first time of something so often."

The game was the first time that Thompson has played competitively with Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic, who said he was "rusty" after missing large parts of pre-season.

Doncic said of Thompson: "It's easy to play with a guy like that. It makes your life easier. You got to find him."

Elsewhere, the Boston Celtics made it two wins from two with a 122-102 victory against the Washington Wizards. The Minnesota Timberwolves narrowly beat the Sacramento Kings 117-115, while the Denver Nuggets lost 102-87 to the Oklahoma City Thunder. (BBC Sport)

cohesive unit. He noted that achieving that level of synergy would take time, but has said he remains optimistic about the direction the team is headed.

“We have to keep trying. We have to keep finding ways to get better. I think it's more mental than anything at this point in time, because skill work is skill work, yes; but we have to make sure we find ways to adapt as quickly as we can. One day of practice is not going to make us into the greatest batter or the greatest bowler ever. So, there's more mental prep that we need to do right now at this stage. And (we need to) plan well,” Hope has argued.

With the series outcome already decided, Saturday’s match would serve as a final test of character for the West Indies team, and fans and players alike are hoping for a redeeming performance. However, to achieve that feat, the top order of the batting

Ancelotti

lineup would need to counter Sri Lanka's challenging spin attack, while the bowling unit would also have to be on point.

“Yeah! For sure! It has not been good enough. We asked the openers and the top-order batters to set the platform for the guys in the middle, and it's clear to see we didn't do that in this series. And we had to depend a lot on the lower order, which they played really

well, in my opinion. But if we get those good starts, or if we get that good start in this last game here, I think it would be a whole change to the context of the game,” he noted.

That said, the skipper has singled out middle-order batsman Sherfane Rutherford, who scored 74 and 80 in the first two games, including sharing in an historic 119-run nine-wicket partnership with

says does not fear Barcelona ahead of Clasico

Carlo Ancelotti has said he has the utmost respect for Barcelona, but he does not fear the LaLiga leaders, whom they meet in today’s (Saturday's) Clasico.

Barcelona currently have a three-point lead at the top of the table, having won all but one of their 10 matches.

Madrid are, however, unbeaten in the league this campaign, and are in fact on the cusp of history, being one game away from matching the longest unbeaten run in the history of LaLiga (43), recorded by Ernesto Valverde's Barca between 2017 and 2018.

Madrid have won 31 and drawn 11 of the matches in that timeframe, with their last league defeat coming against rivals Atletico Madrid on September 25 last year.

Ancelotti, who pointed out that Madrid are the reigning champions in Spain, has said his team will not be intimidated by the task ahead of them.

"Fortunately, at the moment, nobody keeps me awake at night," Ancelotti told a press conference on Friday.

"[Barcelona] are doing very well, but in a match like the Clasico, it's very difficult to pick a favourite beforehand. It depends on the dynamics of the match; it's a matter of how you are able to handle the pressure to deal with the tempo, and how to identify the moments of the match…,” he said.

"Barca have a very clear

idea of how they play the game: they are performing very well, they are a very brave team, and we need to prepare well for the game and try to play our best version," he explained.

Barca travel to Madrid on the back of a 4-1 Champions League win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday, maintaining Flick's outstanding start with 11 wins from 13 matches in all competitions.

Madrid, however, have come under moderate criticism from pundits about starting their games slowly, raising questions about their motivation after winning both the LaLiga and Champions League titles last season.

The latest example was in their Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, when they had to fight back from two goals down after a dismal first half, only to score five goals after the

break, with Vinicius Junior netting a hat-trick.

Ancelotti is not worried about his players' mindset, though, and believes they will be ready from the start due to the seriousness of their rivalry.

"Usually, in this style of match, you don't have to talk as much beforehand…The idea is to define a very clear, very simple strategy…and nothing else," Ancelotti added. "It's not a type of match where you have to give big speeches. Playing like we did in the second half against Dortmund for 90 minutes is impossible, but that should be our starting point, what we will try to achieve. I think we did a lot of things right.

"We will prepare the game to do the right things with and without the ball. We have to play a complete game to win, and we will try to do that," he said.

(Sportsmax)

Gudakesh Motie in the second contest.

“He's been playing really well. He's been putting a lot of work off the field, and a lot of people won't see that; but the way he's progressed and matured for his career so far I think is tremendous. I think there's a lot that he can take from these few performances that he's had so far,” Hope has said.

“He's shown that he's capable of batting and adapting to those conditions that we speak about in the team room. But yeah, I think he's got a lot more to offer, and it's great to see he's getting those big scores now and all that hard work he's putting in is coming to fruition,” he ended.

(Sportsmax)

of the Guyana Times, a daily newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around the Republic of Guyana and on the worldwide web. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorised agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirty-five) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice. TAKE NOTICE that the Divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Tuesday the 14th day of January, 2025 at 10:00 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Damone Younge via Zoom Meeting ID:

Real Madrid Manager, Carlo Ancelotti

Klay Thompson scored six of his 10 three-point range shots

West Indies ODI Captain, Shai Hope

NBA ROUNDUP…

“I have no apologies to make for investments in cricket” – Sport Minister Ramson Jr

The Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport has recently been under harsh criticism on social media for investing more heavily in cricket and its facilities than in other sporting disciplines. Construction of international stadiums at Palmyra and Anna Regina and renovation of the Mackenzie Sports Club would enable the three venues to hold international cricket matches. That would be ample demonstration of the substantial investments being made. It has also been announced that Region 3 would see the construction of another top-notch facility.

Speaking at the launch of the National T20 League on Thursday, Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr replied to criticisms by expounding that cricket is Guyana’s most successful sport, and it has given youths from rural areas several opportunities to excel.

The Minister said, “And I have no apologies to make for the commitment that I've made towards cricket, because it's our number one sport. It is our most successful sport; it is the sport that has shown everyone around the world that we can be number

one; and it has given (opportunity to) young people from many different circumstances and areas, regardless of how far those areas are located: it can be an island in the Essequibo River; it can be a young Essequibo River; it can be a little bit of Baracara, that

Courts Optical Pee-Wee football tournament… Top four hunt final berth today

As the semifinal round of the Courts Optical Pee-Wee Under-11 Schools’ Football Tournament is staged today, three exhilarating matchups are planned for the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground this afternoon, but the latter two would be the ones to watch.

Following revelations of controversy earlier this week, the previously announced semifinal fixtures have been shifted, now giving defending champions St. Pius Primary a second shot at retaining their title. The first semifinal, slated for 16:00hrs, will see a refreshed St Pius taking on a confident Marian Academy.

While St. Pius previously came up short, there is still no doubt that the defending champions can pack a mean punch, once they show up with their game faces on. Performances from the likes of Roy Cossou, Aleem Younge and Jovaine Wright would be crucial to the defending champions making their way into next week’s final.

And the St Pius goalkeeper, Akeem Quintin, would need to keep his eyes locked

on Marian Academy’s opening tactics, which helped the Carifesta Avenue institution stun Enterprise Primary in their last game.

Not only were Marian able to strike an early goal, but the team were impeccable in their defenses, allowing the immensely talented Dontay Kowlessar a single opportunity to find the back of the net.

The up-front combination of Cristiano La Rose and Joshua Johnson woul be key to Marian’s success today. All in all, the Courts Optical semis would result in a mouthwatering encounter.

Next up, two ‘out-of-town’ schools in Region One’s Santa Rosa Primary and Region Seven’s St. John the Baptist Primary would lock horns at 17:00hrs. St. John the Baptist have been a dominant force in this year’s tournament, putting up big numbers in high-scoring games, with the exception of their last fixture.

Nonetheless, the pair of Kriston Chandler and Kareme Welcome have been prolific scorers for the Bartica outfit, scoring in almost every game the team has played. As

such, they would need to show up big against the quiet snipers of Santa Rosa.

This Region One team have seemingly flown under the radar this tournament with not too much dramatics, but have been able to keep their record clean throughout. While their goalie has not allowed a shot to get past him as yet, Deon Henry has been quietly carrying his team throughout the competition. However, his performance is not the only one that is key to Santa Rosa’s success, with the diminutive forward Taz La Rose making waves upfront. Therefore, another exciting matchup awaits in the second semi.

The semifinals will be preceded by a placement clash between Enterprise Primary and West Ruimveldt, scheduled for kickoff at 15:00hrs.

The Pee-Wee tournament is also sponsored by Stenna Drilling; Sterling Products Limited under their Igloo brand; and by MVP Sports; and is being supported by the Ministries of Education and Culture, and Youth and Sport.

takes two hours to get (there) if you're lucky. And those young people ended up becoming world-class players,” he explained.

“Sometimes arguments can always be presented throughout the country to persuade in any direction; which may not necessarily take you into the most beneficial direction,” he disclosed.

The Minister went on to detail the importance of the stadiums giving players yearround opportunities to develop their skills, due to the challenges with the rainy season and its challenges.

“So, we're currently hold-

ing three. It's five stadiums in total, but three of those can play international cricket. In this country, as you know, we've always had those challenges where, during the rainy season, we don't get an opportunity to play because it's just mud,” he explained.

“It's just too much mud! You lose two months. Now, you lose two months, but what do those two months mean in terms of competing against other people? It means that you are losing anywhere between three, maybe more, hours a day for those two to three months, while the persons whom you're competing against are getting those hours every single day,” he reasoned.

“And you multiply that across every single player as well as every single year for a short career period.

Remember, if you don't make it by about 25, then the chances of you making it (are) very, very slim, unless you're like a Ricky Jacobs or the fast bowler from Australia, Mitchell, who was one of the older stars at that moment. So, unless you make it by that age, the chances of you making it thereafter (are) very, very slim,” he explained.

“Having said that, once

you are on the move, that time that you accumulate, it compounds. The effect of it compounds, because you're building on what you did the day before. Meanwhile, what happens to your skill during the period when you're not playing? It refines, meaning it declines. Some of the things that you were capable of doing very easily if you were doing it the day before you miss a few months, you go back and do it (and) it's not a shot,” Ramson disclosed.

“That's why people lose timing. They might have to learn to play particular shots again, or get certain ball movements again. The inconsistency is where we lose our competitive edge. The inconsistency. That’s why we made those investments,” he explained.

“So now (because of the stadiums), you're going to have three or four areas that you can play 365 days a year 12 months out of the year,” Ramson Jr related.

The recent investment in cricket was the National T20 League which is under the patronage of President Irfaan Ali. It is organized by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), and is set to bowl off today. (Omar McKenzie)

Guyana drawn in Group B as CONCACAF completes U-17 Men’s Qualifiers draw

…Qualifiers set for February 2025

Guyana’s Junior Jaguars have been drawn in Group B, alongside longtime rivals Trinidad and Tobago, for the 2025 CONCACAF Under-17 Men’s Qualifiers. The draw was hosted on Friday, and the younger Golden Jaguars outfit was pulled alongside Costa Rica, T&T, British Virgin Islands, and Sint Maarten.

The region’s FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifying competition will take place from February 7-16, 2025 across six venues, and would include the participation of 35 CONCACAF Member Associations.

The new CONCACAF U-17 Men’s Qualifiers consist of a single round in which the participating Member Associations are split into eight groups. After round-robin play, wherein each team will play against each team in its group once, the eight group winners would qualify to participate in the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

The eight groups are as follows:

Group A: Canada, Bermuda, Curacao, Anguilla, and Turks and Caicos Islands

Group B: Costa Rica, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, British Virgin Islands, and Sint Maarten

Group C: Mexico,

has, for quite some time now, been in steady preparation for this all-important U17 assignment

Nicaragua, Barbados, Belize, and Dominica

Group D: Honduras, Puerto Rico, Bonaire and Saint Martin

Group E: Haiti, Guatemala, Antigua & Barbados, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Group F: United States, Cuba, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and US Virgin Islands

Group G: Panama, Dominican Republic, Aruba, and Grenada

Group H: Jamaica, El Salvador, Cayman Islands, and Saint Lucia.

Matches will be divided across six venues: Bermuda

will host Group A, Costa Rica Groups B and F, Mexico Group C, Honduras Group D, Guatemala Groups E and H, and Panama Group G. According to initial fixtures released by CONCACAF, Guyana would open their account in the Qualifiers on Friday, February 7, against the twin island Republic of T&T at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Costa Rica. Then they will take on Saint Maarten on Tuesday, February 11; Costa Rica on Thursday, February 13; and British Virgin Islands on Sunday, February 16; all at the same Costa Rican venue.

Expect anything in today’s Pee-Wee final

Guyana

An artist’s rendering of the Palmyra Stadium that is expected to be completed in 2025