“I went through Hell and came back” – UG graduate overcomes illiteracy at 15 to earn accountancy degree
BV-Triumph youths, women to benefit from training in smart agriculture techniques $239.8M Magistrate’s Court, living quarters commissioned at Port Kaituma An experience of a lifetime –A Trinidadian’s 1st visit to the breathtaking Rupununi Suriname summons Guyana’s Ambassador in spat over New River Triangle
Far from walking away due to differences with the Government over carbon capture, United States (US) oil giant ExxonMobil and its partners remain interested in talks on the S8 (shallow water) oil block off the shore of Guyana, which they won in the 2023 bid round auction.
This was confirmed by Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, during his most recent press conference. According to Jagdeo, the company reached out to the Government to indicate its continued interest in the block.
“I was notified by Vickram Bharrat, the Minister, that they had indicated that they would walk away from it because the conditions were not right. Since my public statement, Exxon has written to us that that might not be the full story, that they still have some interest in it,’ Jagdeo said.
“So, from my (previous) press conference to now, and I verified it with Vickram Bharrat, that that was said in a meeting, they said that there might have been a misunderstanding. That they have not walked away from it. So, let’s see how it goes.”
In October 2024, it was announced that four of six bidders from the 2023 oil bid round had accepted the new model Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) and were either processing the agreement or conducting final reviews.
According to a list released by the Government, Total Energies EP Guyana BV, in consortium with Qatar Energy International E&P LLC and Petronas E&P Overseas Ventures SDN BHD (Malaysia) –which bid for block S4 – have already accepted the PSA. Currently, their agreement is in the final stages of review.
Delcorp Inc Guyana, comprising Watad Energy and Communications Limited and Arabian Drilling Company of Saudi Arabia, which bid for block D1; and Ghana-based Cybele Energy Limited, which bid for block S7, have also accepted their PSA, which is in the final stages of review.
International Group Investment Inc of Nigeria, which bid for blocks S5 and
S10, have accepted the PSAs for both blocks, which are being processed. However, the Ministry of Natural Resources had explained, that Stabroek Block partners ExxonMobil Guyana Ltd, Hess Guyana Lt & CNOOC, which had bid for block S8, were reviewing the PSA.
Unlike the 2016 oil contract signed between the ExxonMobil-led co-venturers and the then A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Coalition, the new agreement outlines an increase in royalty from two per cent to 10 per cent, a 65 per cent cost recovery as opposed to the previous 75 per cent, and the retention of the 50-50 profit-sharing. Each company is also required to pay a signing bonus of US$10 million for shallow water projects and US$20 million for deepwater projects.
The companies –some of which are consortiums –were selected following an auction which was launched in December 2022 and closed off in September 2023. In total, there were 14 offers
made on those blocks – two deep-sea blocks and six shallow-area blocks.
Among those awarded oil blocks during the bid round was a Guyanese female-led company, Sispro Inc, which received a shallow block (S3) and a deep-water block (D2). Other shallow blocks were awarded to Total Energies EP Guyana BV in consortium with Qatar Energy International E&P LLC and Petronas E&P Overseas Ventures SDN BHD (Malaysia), which got Block S4; Liberty Petroleum Corporation of the US and Ghana-based Cybele Energy
Limited, which got Block S7, and International Group Investment Inc of Nigeria, which got two blocks – S5 and S10.
Another shallow block, S8, was awarded to the Stabroek Block partners – ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Hess New Ventures Exploration Limited, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited. The second deep-water block – D1 – was awarded to Delcorp Inc Guyana, which comprises Watad Energy and Communications Limited and Arabian Drilling Company of Saudi Arabia.
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From the moment the APNU/AFC coalition had to bow to international condemnation - five months after their outrageous attempt to rig the March 2, 2020 elections – and accept their electoral defeat, they launched a desperate two-pronged campaign that fundamentally worked to undermine our democratic system of governance. The first prong was to try delegitimizing the PPP government by claiming it was “illegally installed” through “regime change” imposed by the US. They ignored that the condemnation was loudest from our Caricom sisters and brothers, led by one of the champions of the developing world, PM Mia Mottley of Barbados. International observation of elections is now an accepted component of democratic governance.
The second prong is to claim the PPP had rigged the elections while they were in Opposition, by manipulating what they insisted were “weaknesses” in the electoral system. While not stressing the “illegally installed regime” trope – and have been assiduously courting members of the US Administration to intervene on their behalf – they have ratcheted up their rhetoric on the electoral system, honing in on the voters list, which they dub as “inflated with dead people”. For years, they have been protesting every Tuesday during lunch hours in front of GECOM Headquarters for the voters list to be “sanitized”.
Their main objection is that for a country with a population of 786,000, the 2020 voters’ list was out of whack at 661,378 or 84 per cent. They exploit the seemingly plausible claim that 84% of our populace cannot satisfy our requirement that voters be Guyanese over 18 years of age. What they ignore is that the law declares that once a Guyanese is on the National Register of Registrants (NRR) – from which the OLE is extracted - he or she cannot be removed merely because of not being resident in Guyana, but only if they are deceased or declared mentally incompetent. As the Chief Justice ruled in 2019, “residency is not an additional qualifying requirement for registration under Article 159 (2) (c) of the Constitution of Guyana.” This decision was reaffirmed unanimously by the Court of Appeal the following year.
This requirement, of course, can be inserted by suitably amending the Constitution, which would necessitate the Opposition voting along with the Government on such a measure. The Opposition, however, does not want to alienate overseas Guyanese, who are their main funders, and want to retain their full rights as Guyanese.
But in the Caribbean, Guyana is not unique in allowing citizens who are foreign residents the right to vote; and consequently, along with high migration rates, have a high ratio of registered voters compared with their resident population. For Barbados and St Vincent, the percentage is 89%; and for St Lucia, it is 95%. Preliminary figures suggest that our ratio might also rise with the release of the 2022 census and the new official list of electors, which as of last April, had risen to 718,715, with some 1018 deceased to be removed. The recent announcement that the OLE would be one of the databases for citizens to qualify for the $100,000 grant has encouraged many unregistered citizens to get registered, and that will increase the number on the OLE.
The Opposition studiously and disingenuously ignored the many safeguards that were built into the electoral system to prevent voter fraud after free and fair elections were returned following 28 years of PNC rigging. For instance, each party contesting elections can nominate “party scrutineers” at each polling booth to verify from the photograph on the National ID Cards presented that a voter is who he or she claims to be, because they have a separate photograph of the person available to them. The Opposition is also now demanding other “biometric” identification, including fingerprints for voters, and while the Government accepts these may improve reliability, they are not electoral panaceas, and time is against their adoption for the 2025 elections.
But based on the history of the PNC and elections rigging, their demands for “reform” are the occasion for the war to arrogate power, not the cause.
Dear Editor,
No one would disagree with Nigel Bacchus that “We must reject the demons of racism”, as published in another media (Nov 28) in his response to human rights activist Dr. Vishnu Bisram (Nov 27), a reply to Hamilton Green on funding the cost of Burnham’s National Cultural Centre.
Poor editing hampers the clarity of the letter.
Bacchus's missive lacks substance, content, and evidence to conclude that Dr. Bisram introduced the demon of racism by posing a query to Green. Bacchus makes an allegation without merit, and he should have been ignored. Freedom of expression does not include that of uninformed and unjustified accusation without evidence and taken out of context.
Anyone would be saddened to read something lacking content and context, and that is an egregious misrepresentation of what was penned by Dr. Bisram.
On what basis did Bacchus form his allegation? He said he formed the conclusion after speaking with Hamilton Green, whom Bacchus also revealed was his history teacher's only subject that the former PNC honcho passed at GCE. I know Green quite well; I
was a victim of his misgovernance and abuse.
Bacchus should ask Green about the victimization of critics and those who pushed back against PNC racism, forced National Service, violence against opponents, beatings at Eve Leary and Brickdam, disappearances, rape, and murders.
Bacchus should also ask Green about the X-13 Plan; racial violence against Indians; the 1960s race riots; the Wismar Genocide of Indians; the murders of Shirley Field-Ridley, Vincent Teekah, Father Darke, and Walter Rodney; the shooting of Prof Josh Ramsammy; the beating (every bone destroyed) of boxer Lennox Blackmore; planned kidnapping of Dr Clive Thomas, among other atrocities.
Anything Green says or writes must be taken (not with a grain, but with a pound, of salt).
If Bacchus wishes to learn recent history from an African source, then he should speak with those who have credibility and integrity, like Eusi Kwayana, a true Elder, and Prof Clive Thomas, himself a victim of Green and the PNC.
Bacchus would also learn a lot from Indian stalwarts like Moses Bhagwan and Prof Rupert Roopnarine.
Bacchus writes that it “is the demon of racism” for Dr. Bisram to merely ask Green how he would feel if funds of his ancestors were used to build a cultural centre in an Indian community like Port Mourant. How is that question dividing the country? What intellectual skill was used to reach that conclusion?
Is it not racism to confiscate the Indian Immigrant Fund? Does Bacchus not find it racist when Green questioned the amount of the Indian Fund that contributed to the building of the Cultural Centre? Doesn’t Bacchus find it racist to use the Indian Fund to construct a Cultural Centre in an area surrounded only by non-Indians, and which was not accessible to Indians? Why not confiscate the funds of others and use them to build the centre? Is it not racist to decorate the same Cultural Centre without Indian cultural symbols, not even a plaque with the words “built by Indian Immigrants Fund”?
Is it not racism to confiscate land that was used by Indian farmers to build the Cultural Centre?
Contrary to what Bacchus said he learned from Green, the PPP was split into two racial camps when Burnham made a play
for the leadership while Dr. Jagan was jailed. Green backed Burnham. His move failed.
Initially, the split was not completely along racial lines, but eventually everyone took a side based on racial solidarity with the two aspiring leaders. The 1955 split was largely by race, and the 1957 elections were fought along racial lines (apan jaat) — vote for ‘your Mattie’. Burnham lost the election, and he proceeded to rename his faction PNC. Dr. Bisram’s letters on the Indian Fund are devoid of elements of racism, and it is pertinent to ask what amount of the Repatriation Fund amounted to 5%. On the other hand, Hamilton Green’s missives and Bacchus's conclusion are biased and have the elements of racism.
We all must raise our voices against the types of racial bias and racism penned by Bacchus and Green, and the whitewashing of history being promoted by both Bacchus and Green.
I won’t be surprised if the editor of the other media house does publish this response.
Sincerely, Leyland Chitlall Roopnarine PNC victim
Dear Editor,
It was refreshing to hear the Hon. Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips’s statement in the National Assembly on the advancement of a Government of Guyana Policy (providing low-cost and reliable energy supply to the population).
Every single Guyanese family craves the success of this Government Policy, since a power outage is not a normal thing in countries that are moving forward (Singapore, Netherlands, Belgium, etc.).
The news announced by the Hon. Prime Minister: that 58% of the Gas to Shore Project was completed, including the 300MW power plant, is most welcome, and with or without any loans, whatever resources available to the nation should be used to hit the 100% point.
What do we know about this Project?
The Project involves capturing associated gas produced from the crude oil
production operations connected to the Liza Phase 1 (Destiny) and Liza Phase 2 (Unity) wells. To enable this gas to be available to Guyana, the following projects have been conceived and are in various stages of development, to the credit of the policymakers in Guyana under the leadership of His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali:
• An offshore 220-kilometre subsea pipeline extending from subsea tie-ins at the Destiny and Unity FPSOs in the Stabroek Block to a proposed shore landing located approximately 3.5 kilometres west of the mouth of the Demerara River.
• An onshore pipeline, which is a continuation of the offshore pipeline, extending linearly for approximately 25 kilometres from the shore landing to a proposed Gas Plant on former sugar cane lands at the back of the Wales Factory site.
An LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) Plant located approximately 25 kilometres upstream from the mouth of the Demerara River on the West Bank at the back of the Wales Factory site.
A 300MW electricity (power) plant that will use some of the dry gas from the LNG Plant with the primary objective being the generation of low-cost and reliable electricity.
A network of new and upgraded transmission lines and substations that is supported by some 75 highgrade power towers and 300 specialty stainless steel monopoles. This system is designed to transfer all of the bulk power generated by the 300 MW gas-powered electricity Plant, and to allow for its seamless injection into the National Grid.
The consequences of not having this project will be a retardant to our upliftment as a people economically and socially, and any act to stall
this project must be seen by all right-minded and patriotic Guyana as anti-national, anti-patriotic, and even an act of perfidy.
At this point in the Project life, many questions have been asked in and out of Parliament, and all of them have been answered quite competently by many policymakers, in particular the Hon. Vice President Bharat Jagdeo. This is not 2013 / 2014 and whether a loan is secure or not secure, depends on the ability of Guyana to deliver on this project successfully to the people of Guyana.
The fact that 58% of this project has been completed with cash that was generated without borrowing a single cent on loan means that the 42% can be satisfactorily funded with or without the Bank Loan, and that is great news for Guyana.
Sincerely,
Surujdai Lilmohan
Dear Editor, I watched the Thursday November 28 press conference hosted by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo as I do every week, so when I saw a news article making the rounds on social media, I couldn’t help but write this missive to educate my Guyanese people.
The article in question is titled “VP Jagdeo Confirms Not Everyone Will Get Cash Grant Before Christmas”, and though it provides some context, the headline is deliberately negative and fails to reflect the full scope of the Vice President’s explanation.
In the penultimate paragraph of the article, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo is quoted as saying: “We cannot appropriate the balance of the money until you have a budget. So, the budget will hopefully be passed by February of next year and then we can seek to appropriate the balance of the money. We anticipate that it will be about another $30B because we think about
600,000 adults in the country or just over that, but we will appropriate the rest of the sum in that period.”
This is an important recognition that funds cannot be spent without parliamentary approval — a clear demonstration of adherence to proper governance and fiscal responsibility. In my view, the Vice President is underscoring that while the Government has made strides in distributing the first portion of the cash grant, the remainder cannot be done without parliamentary approval. This procedural clarity should be acknowledged as a mark of good governance, rather than be framed negatively.
However, the headline appears crafted to provoke criticism and dissatisfaction --ignoring the Government’s demonstrated commitment to following parliamentary protocols.
Yes, the statement confirms that not every recipient would receive their grant before Christmas, but it also clarifies why: the pro-
cess is bound by the principles of parliamentary approval, not by any lack of intent or effort on the part of Government.
It is disappointing to see such a misleading headline, which detracts from the Vice President’s clear and transparent communication. While constructive criticism of governance is always welcome, it must be rooted in fair reporting: that informs, rather than inflames. I urge
media houses to approach such issues with greater responsibility, ensuring that headlines reflect the facts of the matter, rather than seeking to sensationalize them.
The citizens of this country deserve balanced reporting, which encourages informed discussions rather than mistrust.
Sincerely,
BRIAN AZORE
Dear Editor, Guyana will be voting via the paper-balloting system come Election Day 2025. This is a foregone conclusion.
Paper-balloting is a system that has served us since the introduction of adult suffrage in this country, and there is no need to change it now. The PNC and its fringe elements are acting up the obstructionist role, trying desperately to stop or complicate an official process. Well, this writer is making an official announcement: they are not going to succeed with that deceptive political strategy; it simply will not happen. It is tantamount to fulfilment of the old proverb, “A bad workman quarrels with his tools.”
We have not encountered any problem with paper-balloting, other than a disgruntled party who seeks every available opportunity to compromise the process. Paper-balloting has served us well over the years, and there is no way we are going to change it into something we know nothing of. What we do know is that a complete change to biometrics at this late hour would only complicate a workable system already in place -something the PNC would revel in.
They did it in the 1997 Election, when they strongly agitated that voting should only be done with the use of an ID Card. When they lost
that election, they were the first to mount a legal argument against the very same clause they instituted. It shows clearly the duplicitous nature of that party.
So, we are not going to have a repeat of the 1997 fiasco in the upcoming election. We are not going to accommodate them with that foolishness again. Everything would be done by paper balloting above the board decently and in order. The point is that, all across the Caribbean, paper-ballot is the premier form of voting. It has served the Caribbean well, and for us it will be no different. In Guyana’s case, use of paper ballots is even more authentic and conspicuous in that a photograph bearing the photograph of the voter is affixed to the folio that is checked when he or she turns up to vote. This is not done in other Caribbean jurisdictions, which tells you that Guyana’s voting method ranks among the best in the civilized world.
The fact is that Caribbean nations have conducted credible elections using the very same paper ballots without any problems whatsoever. However, what stands out between us and the rest of the Caribbean is that they do not have a malignant rigging Opposition like the PNC.
Respectfully, Neil Adams
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2024
06:00 (Sign on) Jewanram Gospel Hour 07:00 Cartoons 08:00 Shekinah Ministry
08:30 Evening News (RB) 09:30 Cartoons
10:00 GSL 2024 Game 5 14:00 Movie - Holiday Crashers (2024) 15:25 Movie - The Rookie (2002) 17:30 The Healing Touch 18:00 Stand-up Comedy 18:20 Offshore Diaries Season 3 Episode 5 – Marcelo Durant 18:30 Week-in-Review
19:00 GSL 2024 Game 6 23:00 Stand-up Comedy 00:00 Sign off
Last week’s column dealt with types of medication which pet caregivers administer unnecessarily and incorrectly to their companion animals. We focused specifically on the emergencies that often arise from the misuse of Antihistamines, Antiinflammatory Drugs, Hormones, Vitamins, Minerals, Trace Elements, and Diuretics. We even made comments on the ill-advised use of Herbs and other Folk Medicines which have not been tested and proven to be effective against specific ailments.
Purposefully, we did not lump the discussion on misuse of Antibiotics in dayto-day supposed curative interventions by folk just wanting to be relieved of the stressors associated with ailments. Yet, all of the drugs, mentioned in last
week’s column, put together, do not create the havoc in the doctors’ (vets included) ability to cure their patients. Veterinarians are confronted with the same problem.
Antibiotic misuse occurs
when:
1) Pet caregivers procure “medication” for their companion animals incorrectly- dare I say illegally. And how do the Pet Owners obtain the drug, if they do not get a prescription from a Registered Veterinarian? How does the worker in a Pharmacy (notice I have not mentioned from a qualified and registered Pharmacist) dispense for example, “black and red capsules” to anyone and everyone who wants such medication? Please, professionals, do not deny that this practice occurs daily. There is enough proof of this malpractice.
2) The wrong dosage is
5) The residual (illegally acquired antibiotic) is kept under incorrect conditions and may even have expired.
administered.
3) The dosage is stopped prematurely as soon as the animal feels better (is recovering).
All that I have mentioned above is bad enough. But inappropriate use of Antibiotics could evoke side effects or interactions with other drugs the animal might be officially taking.
Other factors in this
4) The medicine is not the correct one for a specific disease.
discussion must be taken into consideration.
N.B.
• Your pharmacist would not, during his/her training, have been exposed to the specific misuse of antibiotics on pets. Some
• The misuse/overuse of antibiotics may also result in digestive problems, yeast infections, and allergic reactions.
• Please do not believe that any one antibiotic is a cure for all diseases. Such an antibiotic does not exist. Actually, not every antibiotic works the same way. Some antibiotics kill bacteria (bactericidal); others keep bacteria from reproducing and growing (these are defined as bacteriostatic). Finally, it behooves me to mention that since Graduates and Registered Pharmacists would not have been exposed too much (if at all) to Veterinary Pharmacology, the Guyana Pharmacists Association (GPA) should recommence their invitations to veterinarians to give relevant “talks” (more of a discussion) on appropriate aspects of Veterinary Pharmacology. I did several of those annual presentations to them but for some reason the event no longer takes place.
companion animals exhibit a hypersensitivity to certain drugs. Further, if the pet is suffering from kidneyassociated ailments, one must be careful when choosing which antibiotic to administer and under what conditions.
• In passing, I may be allowed to hint that certain Opioids, Narcotics, Pain Relievers, and even certain stimulants (all prescription drugs) are often misused medications by pet caregivers on the wards.
A renewed interaction between veterinarians and pharmacists will certainly foster the delivery of better health care for pets in recognition of the fact that caregivers, despite persistent advisories from veterinarians, will present themselves to pharmacists for medication for their pets. I urge pharmacists to make contact with a veterinarian or refer the caregiver to one and avoid being held accountable for a tragic outcome from the misuse of the drug provided.
– over 30,000 patients received PREP treatment for 2024
Guyana is making significant strides in the global fight against Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) emerging as one of the countries with the lowest rates of new infections among its young population.
This achievement was recently highlighted by the Programme Manager at the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), Dr Tariq Jagnarine, who revealed that stats provided in a report coming out of the United Nations (UN) and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are incorrect.
The report published in September stated that young people who are 15 to 24 years old accounted for 28 per cent of new HIV infections in 2023, while, in the Caribbean, this age cohort
accounted for 27 per cent of the 15,000 new infections.
However, Dr Jagnarine has since indicated that this is not so by stating “So definitely what happened with that report, there was some erroneous information with it. The report said that there was a spike in youths who are having HIV in the Caribbean. But what it did not show is that Guyana and Suriname happen to be the lowest when it comes to the youths. And so, of course, youths are a vulnerable group. We have to keep working with them, and we recognise that as a priority area, and we’ve been working with the youths”.
Meanwhile, with the Health Ministry expanding its services to Guyanese living with HIV/AIDS, some 30,000 plus patients have been able to access pre-ex-
posure prophylaxis (PrEP) treatment in 2024.
PrEP, a once-daily medication that significantly reduces the risk of contracting HIV, has proven to be a game-changer in preventing the spread of the virus.
In addition to this, Dr
Jagnarine disclosed that 6,000 patients benefited from regular refills and 1,400 new patients received self-testing kits.
“Self-testing has also been a good initiative of us, a huge uptake. We’ve actually started many differ-
ent approaches so we can get self-testing out there, including the home delivery of self-testing kits, which is continuous”.
“For the past few years, we’ve had difficulty in accessing persons when it comes to treatment. And this year, we’ve moved our cohort from that of 6,000 to almost 7,400 persons, which is very good. We’re going out there, we’re finding people, we’re bringing them back to the clinic. And not only bringing them back, linking them to quality treatment, free. But treatment, now that is highly effective, giving them good results, and bringing on their viral load,” Dr Jagnarine said.
On Sunday, December 1, the Ministry of Health will join the globe in observing World AIDS Day under the theme “Take the rights path:
My health, my right”. This year’s theme emphasises the importance of healthcare access and the empowerment of individuals in managing their health.
“Our national strategic plan, HIV in 2025 has a whole section that speaks in human rights. And so, we’ve been going to places and speaking about human rights issues, speaking about stigma, speaking about discrimination. The many workplaces, working with the guys in the police force, the guys in the defence force, working with men, working with youths, working with workplaces and this is ongoing. It’s continuing and we’ll continue to do it and to champion that at the end of the day. If you want to end HIV, the social issues like that of human rights needs to be addressed,” he added.
The Public Works Ministry has issued a tender to the tune of $1.5 billion for works to be executed on the administrative building of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
According to the notice, bids will be opened on December 18, 2024, and must be accompanied by certificates of compliance from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has been constructing the CJIA administration building, as well as the commercial centre. In October 2024, it was announced that this building would be completed by year’s end.
According to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill at the time, the commercial centre will have a VIP, business and executive lounge, as well as escalators and elevators. At the time, he had also said that work on the CJIA office complex would soon recommence after Trinidadian company Kalco Guyana Incorporated requested the termination of
its own contract.
“If a contractor is on a site and they are unable to perform, we have to do two things. Work with them to get nominated subcontractors who could assist. You could have several people doing things simultaneously which would expedite the time. In this case, Kalco has asked to be excused from the project because they were not able to do it,” Edghill had said.
“And now we are putting together a list of contractors with capacity who is known to have done work of a similar
nature in a restricted tendering process to be able to get them swiftly engaged,” he had further outlined.
The contract for the airport expansion project was initially signed in 2011, during Dr Bharrat Jagdeo’s tenure as president, with China Harbour and Engineering Corporation (CHEC). The then PPP/C Administration acquired a US$138 million loan from the China Exim Bank and used US$12 million from the Consolidated Fund (taxpayers’ money) for the total project cost of US$150 mil-
lion.
However, upon assuming office in 2015, The project was downsized under the succeeding A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration. However, upon resumption of office in 2020, the PPP/C Government reverted to the old proposal and included some new amenities.
As a matter of fact, after resuming office, the PPP/C Government had inspected the then-ongoing works by CHEC at CJIA. This inspection had shown a deviation from the terms agreed upon in the initial fixed-price US$138 million contract.
In light of this, the Public
Works Ministry entered into a new agreement with the company for the further expansion of the CJIA as well as the completion of existing works. The agreement was pegged at US$9 million and it stated that China Harbour would solely bear the costs for the new works to be executed.
The works would go on to involve an extension of the Airport’s boarding corridor in order to accommodate two more passenger boarding bridges, providing the Airport with a total of six boarding bridges capable of facilitating larger Code D and Code E aircraft. It measures approximately 305 metres long and boarding bridges will arrive in July.
In October 2024, the Government installed new e-gates at the CJIA, which will not only help to streamline the process for passengers traversing the facility but also enhance security checks to international standards.
The key features of these e-gates include autonomous immigration processing that performs security checks on passports worldwide; validation of chip passports according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards coupled with future support for Guyana’s e-ID and facial recognition technology for identity verification using an advanced algorithm.
Suriname Foreign Minister’s summoning of our ambassador should remind us that we still have TWO active border controversies. In addition to Mad Maduro’s claim to our Essequibo, there’s the Suriname claim to our New River Triangle (NRT); and while we’ve been all chummy with Santokhi and Suriname, we should recall that, 55 years ago, on August 19, 1969, some very brave soldiers from our GDF had to repulse the Surinamese from physically seizing and occupying 6000 sq miles of our country!! That’s more than THREE TRINIDADS, buddy!!
Six months after we’d become independent in 1966, Venezuela seized our half of Ankoko Island – which they still occupy! And even as the Suriname Government was jawboning our Govt that they owned NRT, they had sneaked in troops to create military bases to take physical possession of our remote piece of real estate.
What to do?? Well, what followed should remind our present crop of leaders that while they talk softly (or even “skin teeth”), we’d better have a stick ready at all times!! There are no permanent enemies or permanent friends; there are only permanent interests – OUR interests!!
The land and water (river) approach to NRT was treacherous, but the GDF’s air transport of troops went to the drawing board to figure out how to remove the Surinamese. Our intel revealed that the Surinamese troops were creating an airstrip (“Tigri airstrip”) that was almost complete - but they’d blocked it with oil drums. The GDF had two Twin Otters whose notable feature was they were STOL - Short Take Off and Landing – needing less than 300 metres to land! The GDF recruited three civilian pilots to join them, and they practised short landing – and got it down to 100 metres!!! All the while manoeuvring between oil drums until they were satisfied they could pull off the operation. They waited until the runway by the Surinamese army was long enough, and August 19 was designated for “Operation Climax”!!
Captain Martin Nascimento commanded No. 1 company; Captain Asad Ishoof No. 2 company; Lieutenant Harry Hinds the Medium Mortar Platoon, and Lieutenant Marcus Munroe the Reconnaissance Platoon. The aircraft was piloted by captains Roland da Silva, Michael Chan-ASue, Philip Jardim and Anthony Mekdeci.
But what was unique was that, since the Twin Otter has a small 3-foot baggage space in the nose of the aircraft, then Warrant Officer Hartley Liverpool agreed to squeeze himself in - armed with a machine gun!! Guyana had its first “nose-gunner”!!! This had to’ve taken real guts!!
Our troops took off from Apoteri, 90 miles away. The first plane with Liverpool zeroed in on the airstrip with his gun blazing. The Surinamese troops were shocked out of their wits and fled!!
We converted their base into “Camp Jaguar”!! NRT is ours!!
…America??
You, dear readers, might be wondering why your Eyewitness returns so often to Matters USA!! Well, lest we forget, not only are we in America’s backyard; but, as Cheddi found out back in the day, when the Yanks have a beef with somebody their size, minions like us can get squeezed with the blink of an eyelash!! Well, Trump just announced that the US will impose 25% tariffs on goods from its friends and neighbours Canada and Mexico – plus an additional 10% on the already high tariffs on some goods from arch-enemy China!!
Now, the US is by far the largest destination for exports from Mexico (83%) and Canada (75%), so we can just image what will happen in both those countries; and, as importantly, in the States!! Take Mexico, it manufactures and ships in most of the pick-up trucks sold in America, and the tariffs should raise their unit price by US$3000 at least!! The thing is, most of these pick-ups are bought by Trump’s rural redneck blue-collar supporters!!
…from China
The point about tariffs – which raise the prices of the goods entering a country – is whether substitutes can be produced locally or elsewhere. For China - supplying over US$400 BILLION worth of goods to the US - they’re gonna have conniptions substituting!!
The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) is making a transformative leap in Guyana’s agricultural sector with the construction of a state-of-theart tissue culture laboratory at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
Tissue culture, a cutting-edge technique in agriculture, enables the growth of plant cells, tissues, or even entire plants in a controlled, sterile environment. This method facilitates the rapid multiplication of genetically uniform plants, enhances disease resistance, and ensures superior quality.
Set for completion in the first quarter of 2025, the facility is poised to revolutionise the production of high-quality, disease-resistant plantlets, meeting the growing demand for planting materials both locally and internationally.
According to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, this advanced laboratory is a cornerstone of the efforts to modernise Guyana’s agricultural landscape.
“We are now, because of the demands of planting material, we have 11 nurseries across this country. Eleven nurseries cannot produce the
amount of planting material that people are demanding. Farmers need planting material, a couple of seeds that we are giving out, a couple of planting materials that we are giving out, cannot prepare our country to be that food hub that we want it to be”.
“So now we are building a tissue culture lab that will produce millions of planting material. By the end of the first quarter next year, I’m hoping that this tissue culture lab will be complete,” Mustapha said.
The construction of the tissue culture laboratory is part of the Sustainable Agricultural Development Project (SADP), funded through a US$15 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The upgraded facility will include a food-safety laboratory alongside traditional tissue culture rooms, enabling the production of planting materials that comply with international export standards.
Mustapha noted that this dual-purpose setup will significantly enhance Guyana’s ability to compete in regional and global markets.
“We have an international company that will work
with us. We can produce, depends on what the farmers are planting, we can produce all the citrus plants, we can produce every type of planting material that we produce at the tissue culture lab”.
“But the most important thing, when we produce this planting material, we will produce them to be pest resistant and disease resistant. So that the spraying that you have to do, chemicals that you have to use to keep away the pests or the diseases, that will eradicate that part, will eradicate those parts. And what we have been doing also, we have been looking to increase yield, the yield that we are getting now, that we have,” he added.
First signed in 2017, the SADP was designed to drive transformative changes in Guyana’s agricultural sector, focusing on sustainable growth, increased productivity, and climate resilience.
The initiative supports small and medium-sized farmers by increasing productivity while protecting fragile ecosystems. With its multifaceted approach, the SADP seeks to fortify Guyana’s agricultural practices against climate change and improve livelihoods across the sector.
here are several issues
Traised by the extended debate following Hamilton Green’s intervention, “Cultural Centre we see today” (SN 11-2424). He felt it necessary to respond to an item in that newspaper on India PM Modi’s felicitation by the local Indian community at the National Cultural Center (NCC).
Inter alia, the article noted, “The meeting at the cultural centre had a specific resonance as it was controversially built with funds earmarked for the repatriation of indentured Indian immigrants.”
The first issue raised is on historical fidelity. As Green cautioned, “If we are to move forward as One People, it is important that this generation be not encircled with a historical narrative that is destructive and inaccurate…” I could not agree more. But the problem is that Green, who accepted he was a central figure in the PNC regime that expropriated the Indian Repatriation Funds (IRF), considers himself an impartial historian for the edification of “this generation”. One interlocutor in the debate revealed he attends lectures at Green's home.
What is on the historical record of the NCC? Green accepts that “funds earmarked for the repatriation of indentured Indian immigrants” were expropriated for the project. He, however, claims that while he “can’t access the records, the sum from the IRF was no more than five to ten percent of the cost to build the NCC we see today.”
However, we are not talking about “the NCC we see today”, but the one built for the 1972 Carifesta and completed by 1974. Dwarka Nath, in his book “History of the Indians in Guyana”, noted that in 1966, $280,000 remained in the Fund. Using the compounded inflation rate, the equivalent US dollar value between 1972 and 2024, which was much lower than Guyana’s – that sum today would have the purchasing power of at least US$800,000.
I contend that this would have been sufficient for Nabi and Sons to construct the NCC of 1974.
In 1966 the PNC government had appointed a committee “to recommend in what way the amount lying in credit of the Immigration Fund should be used for the benefit of the surviving immigrants and their descendants.” In the National Assembly Debate on Estimates of 20th January 1970, in the presence of Burnham and Green, MP RD Persaud highlighted the Government Committee’s recommendation on "the creation and maintenance of at least one centre in each county of Guyana, of the culture of the country of origin of the East Indians in Guyana, the total cost of construction of the centre not to exceed fifty per cent of the capital sum available to the Trust.” Fifty per cent of the monies in the Fund could build the three proposed Cultural Centers.
The second issue is consultation on the use of the monies in the IRF. Note, as stated above, this was “for the benefit of the surviving immigrants and their descendants.” Nath reiterates that the Commission recommended three Indian Cultural Centres (ICCs) be established in the three counties. The PNC government, however, in 1968, fresh from its “mandate” delivered by the 1968 elections that was massively rigged through horses in England etc voting, declared that all the Indian Immigration Fund money would be used to build a “National Culture Centre” in Georgetown. All Indian organisations in Guyana – Muslim, Hindu and social – protested, and the then Marxist PPP followed suit.
Even the Maha Sabha, which had not yet rigged their internal elections to make PNC supporter Sase Narain supreme leader, said: “While not opposed to a part of the Fund being used for a “national” cause, there should be Cultural Centres in Berbice and Essequibo also.” The Gandhi Youth Organization under the leadership of Dr Balwant Singh mobilized opposition to the government’s decision and demanded the Funds be used only for ICCs, “since the money was contractually and legally owing to the descendants of Indian Immigrants”.
On the matter of consultation: ironically, in 2022, when there was a decision by the Ministry of Culture to raise the fee for use of the NCC, Green protested there was “no consultation”. He fumed, “What madness, what arrogance has descended upon the people of Guyana at this time?”
Referring to his role in building the NCC in 1972, without mentioning the funding from the IRF, he revealed the source of the PNC’s refusal to consider building ICCs with their money: “at the helm of the ship in Guyana, we now have a group of cultural barbarians.”
The Surinamese Government has issued a protest note to Guyana, over the recently announced plans to develop the airstrip at ‘Camp Jaguar’ in a Region Six area known as the New River Triangle… an area that Suriname falsely claims as its own.
As a matter of fact, news from out of Suriname has emerged that Guyana’s Ambassador to Suriname, Virjanand Depoo, was actually summoned for an audience with the Suriname Government.
According to the reports, Surinamese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Albert Ramdin summoned Depoo on Friday, to express concern over the announced plans for the airstrip, as well as a school, which were recently made by President Dr Irfaan Ali.
Ramdin expressed concerns regarding the plans to develop the 'Camp Jaguar' airstrip, even though it is well within Guyana’s territory in Region Six, East Berbice-Corentyne.
Despite this, it is reported that Ramdin claimed the territory is in Suriname territory and the plans would need approval from Suriname. It was further reported that a protest note was sent to the Government of Guyana.
However, efforts by this publication to solicit a comment from Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd and Foreign Secretary Robert
Persaud proved futile.
In the case of the NRT, Suriname, following on the heels of Venezuela’s seizure of Ankoko Island back in 1966, actually attempted to seize the NRT area in 1969 by sneaking troops into the area and proceeding to construct an airstrip at what is now Camp Jaguar.
However, a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) mission into the area had driv-
en the Surinamese troops out of the location, sending them back across the border into Suriname. As a consequence, Guyana had converted the base into ‘Camp Jaguar’, manned by Guyanese troops ever since. Today, Guyana and Suriname share cordial relations and only recently recommitted to strengthening bilateral cooperation in a number of areas ranging from food security, energy security and border security with the aim of fostering economic development in the two countries and prosperity for their peoples. These pledges were made by Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Gail Teixeira, and Suriname’s Ambassador to Guyana, Liselle Blankendal, at a reception last week in Georgetown. The event was held to celebrate both the 49th anniversary of Suriname’s Independence and the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two neighbouring countries.
Having been transported from the ubiquitous asphalt roads of the highly populated urban areas of Guyana, where everything is done in an accustomed rush and hurry, into a place of such solitude as would enable deep personal reflection and appre-
ciation of the mesmerising beauty of nature – where even his toes were transformed into veritable sifters for the scores of beautiful platelets of sand beneath them -- one Trinidadian is now left astonished after making a trip to the far lands of the South Rupununi
region of Guyana in South America, where he encountered countless sight he had never previously experienced.
Twenty-year-old Mishael Henry, a Venezuelan-born male who resided in Trinidad and Tobago for 17 years of his life, had set foot on the
shores of the Republic of Guyana earlier this year. He had always been intrigued by what he had heard about the fascinating sights that Guyana has to offer, and had long desired to experience Guyana’s hinterland areas, but work and other commitments had hitherto made
this desire unachievable.
The situation changed when he was assigned to represent Guyana Times, his place of employment, on a media familiarization trip to the South Rupununi, sponsored by the Guyana
were doing, because it was a lot of fog,” he stated.
Every detail of these vast savannahs unfolding before his incredulous eyes became indelibly etched on the canvas of his memory although he was seeing it for the first
Tourism Authority (GTA).
Even after hearing that the journey would be overland, this enthusiastic young man was undaunted.
The journey by minibus lasted for approximately 12 hours, through the night into the morning, and he spent the entire time with his face glued to the window despite the darkness and fog that enveloped the Lindento-Lethem trail. Reminiscing on the experience, he admitted to being overawed by the thick fog that enveloped the track to Karturuma on the journey to South Rupununi.
“I was a little hesitant whilst on the track, but the drivers knew what they
time. According to Henry, the place reminded him of why Africa is called the “cradle of civilization”, and he wished more Guyanese would explore Guyana’s Rupununi Savannahs instead of travelling to other distant lands to experience a “feeling” they could get right within Guyana.
“When we were in the minibus, the terrain just gradually switched up, and I felt as if I went into a portal to Africa or something… Guyana’s savannahs are of international level, and everyone in Guyana should experience this, and not go elsewhere to experience it,” Henry has said.
Henry confessed that even before he had disembarked the bus to immerse himself in ‘the natural mystic’ of the South Rupununi, he felt as if he were on a spider’s web that was being woven into an array of cultures. Deeply impressed by the sandy roads of the Rupununi, Henry is convinced that de-
welcomed along the way by Guyana’s Indigenous peoples, he has expressed deep appreciation for their hospitality.
Henry has confessed that his gaze was transfixed to the windows of the minibus throughout the journey, and he had eagerly awaited the opportunity to step out into this whole new world
This was his first encounter with residents of the area, and he was taught how to make a real bow and arrows –weapons used by the Amerindian people for hunting.
they are a vital part of Guyana’s peculiar tourism product.
“It adds a greater touch to the experience, that I wouldn’t trade for anything else in the world,” he declared. However, he has humbly requested that more road signs be erected to indicate distances to destinations. Warmly
out of a movie, he likened the stories people had told him about the area to the trailers (shorts) of a movie, and every part of the trip unfolding was likened to scenes from a film. Part one of this cinematic adventure began when he visited Morai Morai Ranch in Katoonarib, where he met Village Leader Nicholas Bakes.
“The leaders there were very tactical in how they were making these arrows; and upon firing, the arrows reached great lengths. I was amazed,” he said.
He also confessed to be
conquered by the aroma and taste of the amazingly seasoned chicken, labba, deer and fish that were prepared by residents of the area.
Part two of this cinematic experience was when Henry visited the South Rupununi Ranch that is operated by the South Rupununi Conservation Society (SRCS) and met an array of environmentalists. Here his knees were tested as he climbed steep hills and huge mountains for the first time in his life. It took a while for the climbing party to reach to the tops of these hills and mountains, he said, but the experience made him forget all of his worries.
Of those persons in his group, Henry was the one particularly eager to encounter a jaguar, an animal he had never seen before. And to his surprise, one of the rangers from SRCS, whose camera was set up deep in the woods, captured footage of a jaguar moving about while Henry and his team were sleeping. The next
tactical gear to venture into the shaded, tree-like lands of the Iwokrama hills. Here he paced upon the 200 steps that allow traverse along the 200-step Canopy. Henry relayed that he would personally encourage his Trinidadian friends to have this experience, because of the safety measures set up in the area.
“People will pay millions to see this sight. I was blown away and shocked at how big Guyana is,” he remarked, adding that he didn’t think this experience could be replicated anywhere else.
Other journalists on the trip were amazed by Henry’s enthusiasm, as they had constantly heard declaring his love for Guyana. “I love you, Guyana! I love you, Guyana!” he kept saying.
act spot where the jaguar had been recorded.
“I don’t know if anyone ever had the blessing to experience this coincidence. I always wanted to see a jaguar, and one passed by not too far from us… Guyana is not only beautiful, but holds a treasure of animals for people to witness as well,” Henry has said.
In Part 3 of this cinematic experience, he had to quickly change into
“The Canopy was so strongly set up and tied to the barks of the stronger trees within the forest (that) it gave all of the journalists a sense of safety. In fact, everything within the South Rupununi was full of safety, and I will encourage even Trinidad friends to come and experience this; because, to my knowledge, there aren’t many activities like this in Trinidad for them to do,” Henry has said.
Henry has described his cinematic experience as deserving a sequel, alluding to his wish to return to the Rupununi soon. Currently on a quest to learn more about Guyana’s other hinterland areas, this Trinidadian enjoys reminiscing on the South Rupununi he has experienced.
“I
From being a 15-yearold teenager who could not read or write to a graduate of the University of Guyana (UG) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy, 45-year-old Rohanie Etwaru has rooted herself deeply in an array of skills, with her achievements now flourishing.
Sitting atop the high throne as a Chief Accountant at the Finance Ministry, a role she worked tirelessly to achieve, her journey to suc-
the bold decision to enroll at the University of Guyana to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy,” she recalled.
“I had so many thoughts— ‘Am I going to manage all of this?’” she admitted. “But the situation pushed me. I wanted a better job and a brighter future for my family, and the only way to get that was with a degree.”
Being away from the academic space for quite some time, she relayed that she had to gradually find her groove
cess was anything but smooth. She shared her inspiring story during a recent interview with this publication.
Etwaru, who grew up in a small rural community, revealed that she was unable to read or write at the age of 15.
“I started my life way behind where most people were. Back then, I didn’t think I could accomplish much because I didn’t even have the basic foundation,” she shared. In 2018, with a growing family coupled with a mounting desire to improve her life, Etwaru decided to take a bold academic step.
At the time, her youngest child was just one year old, and her two sons were aged four and eleven. Balancing a full-time job as a Chief Accountant, a bustling household, and the demands of university seemed impossible.
Amid her initial excitement, self-doubt loomed.
“It was here when I made
– UG graduate overcomes illiteracy at 15 to earn accountancy degree
so hungry, my belly made sounds unknown to the natural ear,” she shared. “Thankfully, friends stepped in to help, sometimes buying food for me.”
Amid her struggles, a close friend encouraged her not to give up—this changed the course of her entire story.
“She told me, ‘Why do you want to quit? There are people out there facing the same challenges and pushing through—you can do it too.’ Those words stayed with me.” Taking her friend’s advice to heart, she resumed her studies, this time with a more manageable course load.
Instead of five subjects per semester, she did two or three. It took longer at times but she stayed focused, and eventually, she started making progress.
Despite the slower pace, new challenges arose, including the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which shifted classes and exams online.
She’d rush from work, blow into the house like a hurricane, pound on the computer, and just try to keep up. It was a struggle, but she didn’t stop. As her final semester approached, Rohanie relied on faith to see her through.
“I prayed to God, ‘Please, let me finish and graduate in 2024.’ And He answered my prayer. I finished my last semester without any interruptions.” But as soon as she completed her exams, her health took another hit.
within the UG. “It was like stepping into a new world. I had to find my comfort zone, but I eventually settled in and started doing well,” she said.
However, 2019 brought immense challenges. Her youngest daughter’s health demanded more of her attention.
“The strain took a toll on my health, forcing me to pause my studies for a year and a half…I fell sick, and the university told me I needed to take a break. It was the hardest decision, but I had to fix myself and be there for my family.”
This also panned out to be of great distress to her as she also had to take time off as depression loomed across her mind—having to juggle all these responsibilities.
She also recalled the struggle of managing necessities while attending university.
“There were times I was
“I fell sick again, but I was determined to make it to graduation. On the day of the ceremony, I was strong enough to attend, and the very next day, my stomach gave out again. But I had made it—I was a graduate!”
Etwaru’s story is one of perseverance and triumph, and she has a powerful message for others facing obstacles in their education. “To women out there: education is so important. Yes, there will be challenges, but don’t give up. When we’re independent, we don’t have to depend on others or tolerate nonsense. We can stand tall and demand respect.”
She also advised young people to prioritise education over early commitments like marriage.
“Get your education first. When you’re independent, you’re strong, and you have alternatives. Don’t wait until later to try to fix what could have been done earlier.”
Looking ahead
Now holding her degree, Etwaru is already planning her next steps. “I’m starting my master’s degree next September. I’ve been through so much, but my journey has made me strong. I know I can
handle whatever comes my way.”
Reflecting on her achievement, she expressed profound gratitude to her family, her children, her professors, and God.
“This journey wasn’t easy,
but it taught me resilience and gave me something no one can take away—my education.”
“I went through hell and came back,” she said with a smile, “but now, I have my degree, and I’m ready for whatever comes next.”
Anew $239.8 million Magistrate’s Court and living quarter were commissioned at Port Kaituma, Region One.
This forms part of the Government’s continued effort to support and improve the administration of Justice in Guyana. The unveiling and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday was led by Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall and Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill.
This landmark facility, the first of its kind in the area, will serve approximately 800 residents of Port Kaituma and a broader population of 18,000 across the region. It replaces the arrangement where court sessions were held in Matthews Ridge
Government’s commitment to the rule of law and the constitutional rights of every Guyanese, regardless of their geological location.
Underscoring the importance of this achievement in improving the judicial infrastructure, he noted that years ago, such a facility would have been deemed impossible.
“Today you are here to see it as a reality and that is our commitment as a Government. To work with every sector of our country and work in every sector of our country to ensure that the highest quality of services is delivered to the people or country where so ever, they are located,” the AG stated.
It will also host services for domestic violence cases, probation, and social work, further demonstrating the judiciary’s responsiveness to public needs.
In addition, Minister Edghill noted that the court will reduce bottlenecks in the judicial system, leading to greater efficiency.
“The opening of this Magistrate’s Court marks a meaningful fulfilment of a promise made to the people within this catchment area. It represents a critical expansion within the Judicial network of Guyana by addressing the growing needs of our citizens,” the Minister stated.
Similar facilities are set to be opened in Mabaruma
and most recently, the police station.
This development addresses longstanding challenges, including the burden of travel for legal services, which often strained resources, posing barriers for those who needed justice most.
The court serves as a statement that justice should be close to home by ensuring access for all.
Nandlall during his address reiterated the
Further demonstrating the importance of the justice system, the Minister said a people without justice will never advance, as he highlighted the clear connection between a functional justice system and the social and economic well-being of a nation.
The building includes modern amenities, a spacious courtroom, and three living quarters for the Magistrate, court clerk, and staff.
and Mahdia shortly to ensure the judiciary’s mission remains to uphold the rule of law and provide fair, transparent, and efficient access to justice is being executed, while fostering public trust and confidence.
Meanwhile, presentations were made by ViceChairperson Anasha Peters, and the Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Hon. Mme. Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards.
Youth and women from the Beterverwagting/ Triumph area on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) will soon benefit from training in the area of smart agricultural techniques.
This was disclosed by Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha during a community meeting on Saturday at the Beterverwagting/Triumph Community Centre. The meeting was a follow-up to a community outreach recently hosted by Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.
During the meeting, the Secretary for the Beterverwagting/Triumph Community Development Council (CDC), Jason October, told the Minister that there were a number of persons who are farmers and potential farmers who need training in areas such as hydroponics and shadehouse cultivation.
“Mr Minister, I see myself as a potential farmer and envision Beterverwagting becoming a farming hub that contributes to your vision. I can see the young people of Beterverwagting getting involved in agriculture more, so in hydroponics and also shadehouse farming. I am one of the beneficiaries of the RAID (The Rural Agricultural
Infrastructure Development) Project and I must say thank you for that initiative. What we would like is for some new training programmes and workshops to be initiated in the community so that we can build that motivation and get young people to get more involved in farming and agriculture,” he said.
Responding to the request for training, Mustapha said that the Ministry through the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) will commence the training immediately.
“We can start that immediately. I am tasking you with organising the young people
in the area. You should also get the women on board. We will work along with the CDC that is already in place. As soon as the group is ready, we can commence the training. This can begin as early as next week and will be done through NAREI. So, we’ll train you in a number of smart agriculture techniques such as hydroponics and shadehouse cultivation,” he explained.
As it relates to maintaining lands that were cleared for cultivation, Mustapha said that the Ministry was open to engaging the CDC on this as it usually engages CDCs in other areas to carry out maintenance on critical
infrastructure such as dams, and canals.
Furthermore, he told farmers that the Ministry will continue to work with farmers to execute projects aimed at stimulating production in the backlands of the Beterverwagting/Triumph area.
Several youths and single mothers will also benefit from
the Ministry’s ongoing Black Giant Chicken programme, with an initial 20 individuals set to receive them in the new week.
To assist farmers with accessing lands, Mustapha committed to carrying out infrastructural upgrades to the access dam as well as clearing the drainage and irrigation channels in the cultivation
area. He told farmers that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has already commenced works to clear critical drainage canals in the area.
A team from the Ministry is scheduled to meet with farmers in the new week to develop a comprehensive agricultural programme for the area.
A27-year-old resident of Maria’s Lodge, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) was taken into custody for breaking into and stealing from the E-network Cellphone and Electronic Store on Thursday evening.
Police stated that the incident took place at Block C, Suddie, Essequibo Coast at about 23:40h. Detectives have since recovered one Samsung Z fold 6, one Samsung
Galaxy S24 Ultra and one Samsung Galaxy S24+.
Based on reports received, a manager attached to the store opened for business at 8:00h and closed at 17:00h. However, at about 23:40h, a resident who occupied the upper level of the building heard the sound of breaking glass emanating from the lower level of the building.
Upon checking his Closed-circuit Television (CCTV) camera, he saw the eastern glass door broken and an unidentifiable male dressed in short pants, a white hat, and a pair of long boots, running away from the scene.
The manager was informed, after which the Police were summoned. Checks were made by the manager and the three cellphones mentioned above were discovered missing from the display table.
Acting on the information received, detectives went to the home of Keon Davis, a labourer and con -
The clothes that the suspect was wearing at the time of the robbery
ducted a search on his premises during which the three cellphones were found inside his bedroom.
He was told of the allegation, cautioned, arrested and taken to the Aurora Police Station. The clothing the suspect was wearing at the time of the crime was also found. Investigations are continuing.
The three phones that were recovered
The Corentyne River Bridge was one of the first projects agreed on between Presidents Ali and Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi. These Heads of States had previously underscored the critical role the bridge would play in advancing cooperation and creating more opportunities for development for both countries.
The Corentyne River
Bridge, which would connect Moleson Creek in Guyana with South Drain in Suriname, would be approximately 3.1 kilometres in length and would have a landing on Long Island in the Corentyne River, where a commercial hub and tourist destination would be established. That duty-free zone would see major infrastructural development: such as hotels, recreational parks, enter -
tainment spots, tourist attractions, malls, and farmers’ markets.
Additionally, President Ali has for some time touted a regional energy corridor as Guyana moves to monetise its gas resources, which will be an independent project from the model Gas-to-Energy (GtE) initiative that is currently under construction at Wales, West Bank Demerara.
Community Service Officers (CSOs) in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) participated in a two-day shade house technology training to boost agricultural production in the region.
The CSOs are representing areas such as Deep South Rupununi, South Central Rupununi, South Pakaraima, Central Pakaraima and North Pakaraima.
This training is being hosted by the Amerindian Affairs Ministry in collaboration with the Agriculture Ministry’s National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI).
The sessions, which began on Friday included both practical and theoretical components.
Permanent Secretary of the Amerindian Affairs
Ministry, Ryan Toolsiram stated that the Ministry has been focusing primarily on capacity building and the entrepreneurial development of Community Service Officers (CSOs).
He made these remarks during the opening ceremony of the training at the Ariwa Village Benab in St Ignatius.
The training is being conducted through the Youth Entrepreneurial and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP), which was conceptualised by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali to engage youths in the country’s agricultural production.
The programme aims to enhance the management skills and agricultural capacity of the CSOs.
“So, all the shade houses that we are setting up in your community, we expect
you to manage them upon completion of this training. It will help you to make money for yourself in addition to the stipend that we are paying you,” He stated.
To support this venture, the Ministry is in the process of establishing 23 shade houses.
The permanent secretary committed to ensuring the market is secured once production begins, through the school dormitories and the hot meal programme.
To add to the entrepreneurial capabilities of the CSOs, Toolsiram disclosed that in 2025 the Ministry will allocate funds to support business ventures for the CSOs.
“We will be setting up four mechanical workshops in Region Nine. These workshops will be as modern as those in Georgetown, and we in -
The Guyana Police Force (GPF), in association with the Ministry of Health (MoH), held an HIV Conference and Health Fair at the Officers’ Training Centre on Saturday under the theme Take the right paths: My health, my right.’
The event offered health education, medical examinations, and information dissemination. A screening service (including blood sugar and pressure testing) was provided to the general public free of cost.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) demonstrations and burn management
education were also offered, with medical personnel conducting demonstrations on
recognition of burn severity and the early provision of care to avoid complications.
Throughout the health fair, dental check-ups and health education were provided by the team from Cheddi Jagan Dental Services. People learnt about the practice of oral hygiene to maintain good dental health and prevent certain common oral conditions.
Adolescent health units held interesting sessions on family planning, where teenagers were informed about
administering CPR and the management of burns. There was also a major focus on the
reproductive health, good decision-making, and available healthcare resources.
tend for the workshops to be managed by CSOs. You will use this workshop as a business so that you can generate funds for yourself,” Toolsiram explained to the CSOs.
Also present was Regional Chairman, Brian Allicock who emphasised the importance of the region contributing to the country’s food security goal.
“The main thing is food security, and our Government is concentrating on that specific practice in this region. The president told us that we must be the leading region to ensure that food security is achieved,” the chairman said.
Permanent Secretary of the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, Ryan
Meanwhile, NAREI’s Hinterland Coordinator, Aaron Ramroop stated that the Agriculture Ministry is committed to rolling out training programmes in far-flung areas in the region to promote modern-day farming. The Government has been actively promoting agricultural practices to ensure the country’s sustainability and to reduce CARICOM’s food security bill by 25 per cent by 2025.
Three persons are now dead following a two-vehicle collision along the St. Cuthbert’s mission trial, Linden/Soesdyke Highway on Saturday evening.
Dead are 63-year-old Olive Andrews her 29-yearold daughter, Atinna Andrews and 6-year-old granddaughter, Emma Andrews of St. Cuthbert’s Mission. Josh and Evan Simon were also injured in the accident.
According to reports received, the accident occurred at about 18:30h and
involved motor car, PXX 4949, owned and driven at the time by Josh Simon, of St Cuthbert's Mission, and motor car, PAE 5140, driven by Fidell Junor of St Cuthbert's Mission.
Based on reports received PAE 5140 was heading into the mission when it collided with the other vehicle which was travelling in the opposite direction. As a result of the collision, the
members of the Andrews family sustained injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.
The others were taken to the Diamond Hospital where they were treated for minor injuries.
The Labour Ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department and the Department of Labour conducted its final offshore Inspection for 2024 bringing the number of inspections done as planned to a total of nine.
This is in keeping with the three pillars of the Ministry, in particular, the Protection of the Rights of Workers
These inspections were aligned with the respective Department’s work programmes and the Government’s commitment to OSH and Labour Rights. They were conducted onboard the Stena Drill Max, Stena Carron, Noble Tom Madden, Noble Sam Croft, Noble Don Taylor and Noble Bob Douglas.
In addition, the Floating Production and Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Vessels: Liza Destiny, Liza Unity and Liza Prosperity were also inspected.
The core objectives include monitoring and evaluating compliance with the OSH Act and Labour Laws of Guyana and addressing related concerns of the offshore activities on Drill Ships and FPSOs through Inspections and interactive interviews; to foster cooperation and collaboration among the Ministry, Exxon Mobil, Noble Corporation and Stena Drilling Limited; to encourage the adoption of best practices and to share ideas for improvements; to make recommendations and to ensure that all breaches if any are corrected and to reduce the possible number of workplace incidents.
On Thursday, the department conducted the final inspection for the year
on board the FPSO Liza Prosperity. The inspection aimed to assess compliance with Guyana's OSH Act 99:06, International Safety Standards, and National Labour laws.
The team comprised Occupational Safety and Health Officer Nazmoon Jafarally Prittipaul and Labour Officer, Denise Duncan. They reviewed the FPSO Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) policies, training and competence of personnel, emergency response systems, risk assessments, waste management, and record-keeping practice.
Key topics such as the National Minimum Wage Order, working conditions, overtime regulations, termination protocols, probationary periods, notice periods, leave with pay and information on the Labour Advice App were also discussed with crew members.
The visit continued to provide an opportunity for the
Ministry’s representatives to engage directly with both management and employees on board, ensuring that all parties are well-informed of their roles and responsibilities under Guyana's OSH Act, Chapter 99:06, and the Labour Legislation as well as of the various services available through the Labour Ministry.
It should be noted that these inspections are part of a broader initiative by the Ministry’s OSH and Labour Departments to enhance safety standards and protect workers' rights in key sectors, with a particular focus on the Oil and Gas industry.
The Ministry remains dedicated to ongoing collaboration with industry stakeholders to foster safe and compliant workplaces for all employees.
There was a level of satisfaction with the compliance under the OSH Act and Labour Legislation. Followup inspections will be conducted in 2025 and onwards.
The charity World
Central Kitchen (WCK)
has said it is pausing its operations in Gaza after a vehicle carrying its staff members was hit by an Israeli air strike.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the target of the strike had taken part in the 7 October attacks on Israel, and was currently employed by the WCK.
WCK said it was “heartbroken to share” that a vehicle carrying staff had been hit and it was seeking more details, though added it had “no knowledge” that anyone in the car had ties to the 7 October attacks.
Palestinian state-run news agency Wafa reported that five people were killed in the strike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on Saturday, with three of them WCK employees.
They included the director of WCK’s kitchens in Gaza, the agency added.
Separately, British aid agency Save the Children said
one of its staff members was also killed on Saturday afternoon in Khan Younis.
Ahmad Faisal Isleem AlQadi, 39, had been returning home to his wife and threeyear-old daughter from a mosque when he was killed, the charity added.
“Ahmad, who was deaf, will be remembered for his determination to help others, for his pride in his daughter, and for his ability to brighten others’ days”, Save the Children said in a statement.
It is unclear whether he was killed in the same strike as the WCK employees. Save the Children said there were two strikes in Khan Younis
on Saturday, but the BBC has not been able to verify this.
Following reports of the WCK strike, pictures circulating on social media showed a white saloon car by the side of a road, partially burned-out and with its roof caved in.
Video filmed inside a mortuary also showed several charred possessions - including a laptop, clothing, and an ID badge - bearing the WCK logo.
In a statement, the IDF said it had “struck a vehicle [carrying] a terrorist that took part in the murderous 7 October massacre”.
It said the man had taken part in an attack on the kibbutz of Nir Oz, though added that it was “not possible to link the terrorist to a specific abduction attempt”.
“The terrorist was monitored for a while by IDF intelligence and was struck following credible information regarding his real time location,” it said.
It said the strike was on a “civilian unmarked vehicle” whose movement had “not been coordinated for transporting aid”.
It went on to demand “clarifications and an urgent inves-
tigation” from WCK and the international community “regarding the hiring of workers who took part in... terrorist activity against Israel”.
The statement from WCK said it was “heartbroken to share that a vehicle carrying World Central Kitchen colleagues was hit by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza”.
“At this time, we are working with incomplete information and are urgently seeking more details,” it said.
“World Central Kitchen had no knowledge that any individual in the vehicle had alleged ties to the October 7th Hamas attack”. It added that it would be pausing its work in Gaza.
“Our hearts are with our colleagues and their families in this unimaginable moment,” it said.
In April, seven WCK workers, including three British security staff, were killed in an Israeli strike on an aid convoy, prompting widespread condemnation and a temporary halt to the charity’s operations.
The IDF later admitted “grave mistakes” had been made and sacked two senior officers. (BBC)
Donald Trump said he had a “productive” meeting with Justin Trudeau after the Canadian prime minister paid a surprise trip to his Mar-a-Lago estate amid fears about Trump’s promised tariffs.
Trudeau became the first G7 leader to meet with Trump before his second term amid widespread fears in Canada and many other parts of the world that Trump’s trade policy will cause widespread economic chaos.
But Trump also seemed to double down on the threat, which he has frequently linked to trying to encourage other countries to combat drug smuggling into the US.
“I just had a very productive meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, where we discussed many important topics that will require both Countries to work together to address, like
the Fentanyl and Drug Crisis that has decimated so many lives as a result of Illegal Immigration, Fair Trade Deals that do not jeopardize American Workers, and the massive Trade Deficit the US has with Canada,” Trump said in a statement posted to Truth Social, his social media platform.
Trudeau and a handful of top advisers flew to Florida amid expectations that Trump will impose a 25% surcharge on Canadian products that could have a devastating impact on Canadian energy, auto and manufacturing exports.
The meeting over dinner between Trudeau and Trump, their wives, US cabinet nominees and Canadian officials, lasted over three hours and was described by a senior Canadian official to the Toronto Star as a positive, wide-ranging discussion.
Within one week, residents from Parika, Greenwich Park and surrounding areas in Region Three will receive an enhanced level of service and quality of treated water.
This assurance was provided by the Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, on Friday while inspecting the water quality, following recent complaints by the residents.
completion by December and will serve roughly 5,000 households.
The macro plan for the community involves the construction of a $830 million water treatment plan at Parika. This project is on track for
Minister Croal, “We are near the testing phase for the treatment plant at Parika. As a result, there is increased pressure, and the flushing out is ongoing. So, there is a
certain quality of water that is coming through the tap. Within a week and a half, we should be fully onto the treatment plant.”
A new well was recently drilled to complement the existing well at the treatment plant.
Meanwhile, the Vergenoegen treatment plant, valued at over $630 million, was recently upgraded to provide enhanced service and treated water to 24,000 residents from Zeelugt to Vergenoegen. He was joined by Guyana Water Incorporated’s (GWI) Regional Manager, Aggrey Anderson, Director of the Community Development Department at the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), Gladwin Charles, and other technical staff from the Ministry.
Dr Tariq Jagnarine
Family meDicine/ enDocrinology/DiabeTes
On the 1st of December
- World AIDS Day
- the Ministry of Health, through the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), is reaching out to all Guyanese to spread knowledge, promote awareness, and encour-
how to play a role in building a society free of HIV-related stigma and discrimination.
What is HIV?
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If left untreated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), a condition where the body can no longer fight infections. However, with advancements in medicine, people living with HIV (PLHIV) can lead long, healthy lives with proper treatment and care.
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV can be transmitted in the following ways:
1. Unprotected sexual contact with someone who has HIV.
2. Sharing needles or syringes during drug use.
HIV cannot be transmitted through casual contact such as hugging, shaking hands, sharing food, or mosquito bites.
How can you prevent HIV?
Prevention is key to stopping the spread of HIV. Here’s how you can protect yourself and others:
1. Practice safe sex: Always use condoms during
age action under the theme “Take the Rights Path.”
This year’s focus is on ensuring everyone understands how to protect themselves and others, how to access care and treatment, and
3. From mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding, if not managed properly.
4. Through contaminated blood transfusions or organ transplants.
sexual activity.
2. Use PrEP: PreExposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a daily medication that protects people at high risk of HIV.
3. Avoid sharing nee-
dles: If you use injectable drugs, ensure needles and syringes are never shared.
4. Get tested regularly: Knowing your status helps protect your health and your partner’s health. Testing is quick, free, and confidential.
5. Ensure safe medical procedures: Only go to certified healthcare providers for medical or cosmetic procedures involving needles.
Why should you get tested?
Getting tested for HIV is the first step toward taking control of your health. Early diagnosis allows you to start treatment immediately, protecting your immune system and preventing further transmission. Testing is free and confidential and is available at health centers and mobile units across Guyana.
What happens if you test positive?
If you test positive for HIV, remember that it’s not the end of the road.
• You will have access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), which suppresses the virus and helps you live a long, healthy life.
• ART also prevents
the transmission of HIV to others, making it a critical part of prevention efforts.
• You will receive counseling and support from healthcare professionals and community organizations.
HIV treatment and care in Guyana
Guyana offers free, high-quality treatment and care for all PLHIV. With ART, many individuals achieve an undetectable viral load, meaning the virus is so well controlled that it cannot be transmitted to others during sex (this is called “U=U”: Undetectable = Untransmittable).
Why stigma and discrimination must end Stigma and discrimination remain some of the biggest challenges in the fight against HIV. They discourage people from getting tested, seeking treatment, and talking openly about their experiences.
As a society, we must: Educate ourselves about HIV and how it is transmitted. Support those living with HIV, treating them with respect and dignity. Speak out against
harmful myths and misinformation.
Take the Rights Path: What You Can Do
1. Get tested: Know your status and encourage your loved ones to do the same.
2. Learn and share: Educate yourself about HIV and share accurate information with others.
3. Advocate for rights: Stand up for the rights of PLHIV to live free from stigma and discrimination.
4. Access free services: Take advantage of the free testing, prevention tools, and treatment services available in Guyana.
5. Protect yourself and your partner: Use prevention methods like condoms and PrEP consistently.
Our vision for the future
Together, we can create a future where HIV is no longer a public health threat. By empowering individuals with knowledge and tools, we move closer to ending new infections, ensuring everyone living with HIV has access to care, and eliminating the barriers of stigma and discrimination.
This World AIDS Day, join us in taking the rights path—for yourself, your family, and your community. For more information on HIV testing, treatment, and prevention services, contact the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) at [hotline/website/ email].
“Take the Rights Path” today — together, we can end AIDS by 2030.
TAURUS (April 20May 20)
GEMINI (MAY 21June 20)
VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) (March 21April 19)
Invest in yourself, your health and your emotional well-being. Sign up for something that raises your capabilities and looks good on your resume. Look out for your interests and protect your rights.
Propose or implement changes that spotlight your skills and expertise. Mix business with pleasure, broaden your awareness and stimulate your mind. Positive action will help you exceed your expectations.
Unusual people, places and pastimes will grab your attention. Be careful whom you trust or what you pay for when joint ventures or shared expenses arise. Don’t trust someone’s bravado - it may well be empty.
(June 21July 22)
Take care of your needs and what you want to achieve. Say no to anyone trying to take advantage of you. Set a budget and boundaries and protect yourself from loss.
LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)
SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)
SAGITTARIUS
(Nov. 23Dec. 21)
(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19) LEO (July 23Aug. 22)
PISCES
(Feb. 20Mar. 20)
Plan to have fun with friends or family. Social events will lead to introductions that offer new opportunities. Do your homework before you join forces with anyone.
Trusting others to do what you would do will lead to disappointment. A personal change that gives you a fresh look and boosts your confidence will encourage you to socialize.
Travel, learning and embracing new experiences will take you on a journey of personal growth. A lifestyle change that allows you to ease financial stress will give you room to follow your heart.
Temptation will set in, but before you take the bait, revisit the pros and cons. A change can be good, but how you go about it and what you agree to will make a difference.
Caution will help you avoid being outmaneuvered. Listen, observe and ask questions before agreeing to something or trusting someone to take charge. An offer will be exaggerated, and the cost will escalate.
Revise your space by making it more convenient and comfortable, and your stress will decline. Updating your appearance and strutting your stuff will help you engage in something new and exciting. Revisit your actions and how they influence your reputation, lifestyle and domestic wellness. An opportunity is apparent, but it will be dependent on what’s best for you.
Take a back seat and observe, and you will gain a vantage point that could help you deter someone from scamming or taking advantage of you. Say no to temptation and excessive behavior.
Kemar Roach rocked Bangladesh early, but West Indies' poor catching denied the home team a few more wickets on the truncated first day of the Kingston Test. Bangladesh finished on 69 for 2, with Shadman Islam and Shahadat Hossain unbeaten on 50 and 12 respectively, but it could have been much worse for Bangladesh had the West Indies fielders not dropped three early catches.
The match began at 3pm local time, five hours after the scheduled start of play, due to the wet outfield at Sabina Park. The delayed
(Mominul Haque, 6.4 ov)
Bangladesh 1st Innings
Mahmudul Hasan Joy c †Da Silva
b Roach 3 Shadman Islam not out 50 Mominul Haque c †Da Silva
b Roach 0
Shahadat Hossain not out 12
Extras (lb 3, nb 1) 4
Total 30 Ov (RR: 2.30) 69/2
Yet to bat: Litton Das †, Mehidy
Hasan Miraz (c), Jaker Ali, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana
Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Mahmudul Hasan Joy, 4.6 ov), 2-10
West Indies Playing XI: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Mikyle Louis, Keacy Carty, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Joshua Da Silva †, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph
There was much for the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) to celebrate this week, with three chess players being awarded prizes for their outstanding achievements in the sport for 2023.
The three players received their awards at the National Sports Commission’s (NSC’s) Awards Ceremony held on Thursday, November 28, on the lawns of the Castellani House and Art Gallery.
In a formal event organized by the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC), Guyana’s top athletic performers, coaches, and officials in all disciplines were recognized for outstanding performances in local, regional, and international competitions.
Members of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) were on hand to represent the chess community and celebrate with the 2023 chess athletes who were recognized for their stellar performance and sportsmanship.
Copping the Runnerup award for Senior Sportswoman of the Year was WCM Jessica Callender, currently the reigning National Women's Chess Champion and holder of the 2023 National Women's Chess Championship Title.
Callender started playing chess when she was 11 years old, and now, over a decade later, she has represented her country numerous times, most notably at the recent Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary.
Callender earned her Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title at the 2022 Olympiad in India, and is also a National Arbiter who has completed the FIDE Arbiter training. As a FIDE-certified School Instructor, she uses her free time to train younger chess players and volunteers at the GCF chess club. She is now a chess coach employed by the Ministry of Education.
For Junior Sportswoman of the Year, the Runner-up award went to eleven-year-old Kataleya Sam, who copped the 2023 Under-12 Girls Chess
start forced Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz to bat first on a sunny day when only 30 overs were possible.
The visitors, however, lost two wickets early in the first half of an hour. Mahmudul Hasan Joy was the first to
and taking the edge. It was Mominul's fourth duck in the West Indies, as Roach picked up his 50th wicket against Bangladesh.
burst out of Athanaze's grip and went towards Kavem Hodge at first slip, who spilled the rebound, which then fell out of Athanaze's reach as he tried to collect the ball.
be dismissed, caught behind for two, with wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva taking a fine diving catch. Roach then removed Mominul Haque with a delivery that swung into the left-hander from around the wicket, before leaving
Bangladesh batters looked ripe for the picking, but the West Indies players didn't back their fast bowlers with their fielding. Alick Athanaze dropped Shadman on 15, when he dived in front of first slip but couldn't hold on to the chance. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite then dropped Shadman on 35 at cover. Then came the comical drop, when Jayden Seales drew Shahadat's edge with the batter on eight. The ball
The slow outfield after the rain hampered the run flow as well. Shadman struck three fours and a six in his 100-ball stay. Shahadat edged one boundary. Many of their forceful shots were, however, stuck near the boundary rope.
Bangladesh would not mind the way this batting pair stuck it out for a couple of hours after a poor start.
(ESPNCricinfo)
Championship title and is the current reigning Under-12 Girls Chess Champion.
Sam has been actively playing chess for the last four years, and has represented the country at prestigious events. She made her mark in the junior chess world when she earned her Conditional Women’s Chess title (WCM) for outstanding performance in the Under-10 female division at the XIV CAC Youth Chess Festival held in Trinidad and Tobago in August 2023.
Sam was also part of the contingent of juniors who represented Guyana at the recent Pan American Youth Championships XXXIV in Orlando, Florida. She attends Queen’s College, and assists young and upcoming players in her school’s chess club.
Winner of the Sportswoman Person with Disability (PWD) award is the exceptional Anaya Lall, who holds the 2023 Under-14
and Under-16 Female Chess Championship titles.
Anaya’s amazing career as Guyana’s first national deaf chess player began at a bottom house school for deaf children in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, a village in Region 3. Born on 5th February 2010, she was then 8 years old. Anaya never fal-
Olympiad in India in 2022 as the only deaf player to ever represent Guyana internationally; and, at 12 years of age, the youngest player on the team. Anaya has been the spark that ignited the Special Needs School chess program, now being implemented by the Guyana Chess Federation across Guyana with annual
tered in her love for the game, and over the next decade, she proved herself to be a real champion, gentle and shy, but having a core of steel.
Her consistently excellent performances as a deaf chess player at the national and international levels have made her an icon for inclusivity and a shining example for all youths living with a disability.
Among the high points of her career was her participation at the 44th Chess
inter- school competitions and ongoing teacher training. This has already led to two other young deaf players competing nationally.
The GCF has extended warm congratulations to the ladies on their well-earned awards, and wishes them well in their future Chess journey.
Other players and officials nominated by the GCF were CM Taffin Khan: for Senior Sportsman of the Year; Keron Sandiford: for Junior
Sportsman of the Year; FM Anthony Drayton: for Male Coach; and FIDE Arbiter John Lee: for Male Sports Official.
Corporate sponsors who were nominated by the GCF for 2023 were Gaico Construction (large), De Sinco Trading (medium), and Jade's Wok (small). Avinash Ramzan was nominated for Sports Journalist of the Year.
The Honorable Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, in his address, highlighted the Government's investment in sport, and firm belief that by intelligently building a collaborative environment, a lot can be achieved for Guyanese athletes.
The GCF has congratulated all winners and nominees of the 2023 National Awards, and has said it recognizes the importance of acknowledging outstanding individuals in sport. The GCF has also commended the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the NSC for maintaining and enhancing this 70-year tradition, and wishes to acknowledge the inclusion of the private sector and the media in these awards, and their vital part in the growth of chess in Guyana. Gratitude is likewise extended to the National Sports Commission and the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport for their hard work and dedication to sport in Guyana.
The fourth match of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) took place under blue skies and bright sunshine at Providence, East Bank Demerara with the Lahore Qalandars taking on the Hampshire Hawks, runaway eventual winners by four runs.
Carlos Braithwaite won the coin toss and decided to have first use with the bat, but his side were put under immediate pressure by the English outfit.
Mirza Baig was cleaned up in the second over by the wily left-arm spin of Danny Briggs, while opening partner Adam Rossington hung around to provide some ballast.
Qalandars couldn’t break the shackles though. When Rossington fell for 30 off 29 deliveries, the Pakistani side were struggling at 37-3 off eight overs.
It was the story of their
innings: Hampshire bowling tight lines and denying Qalandars opportunities to
pick up easy runs or find the fence with any regularity.
Some much-needed lower order hitting from Player of the Match, Luke Wells (35* off 24), and from Muhammad Akhlaq (23* off 12) proved crucial though. Akhlaq smote three sixes off James Fuller’s second over with some lusty blows down the ground and over midwicket.
Hampshire struggled with the bat in response, spluttering to 50 off the first ten overs, and leaving themselves with a demanding run rate for the rest of the game. Asif Afridi’s left-arm spin blocked the scoring; just 16 runs came off his set of four
Ava Sanicharan, a 13-year-old tennis player with Guyanese roots, recently participated in the ITF (International Tennis Federation) Junior Tournament in Barbados, and her steady performances stood out on a competitive stage.
In the singles draw, Sanicharan faced Trinidad and Tobago’s Shiloh Walker. Showing composure and focus, she advanced into the quarterfinals by a 6-1,6-0 win.
Sanicharan then teamed up with Canadian Camille Michel, and played a steady game in the doubles draw to again overcome Walker and Colombian Maria Sanchez with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) win in the first round.
Ava’s connection to Guyana is a point of pride for her family and the wider Caribbean community, as her participation in such events highlights the region’s representation in international tennis. Her quiet determination and passion for the sport serve as an example for other aspiring athletes from Guyana and the Caribbean. As Ava continues to grow and develop her skills, she remains grounded, tak-
overs and the Hawks joined up a series of dots with the bat to see their required run rate go into double figures.
With three overs to go, the Hawks needed 36 from 18 deliveries. Ashraf pulled off a fantastic catch in diving forward low to the turf to get rid of the dangerous Howell, and then Liam Dawson committed the cardinal blunder of not running his bat in when attempting a quick single a couple of balls later, Carlos Brathwaite and Shamsi combining to run him out at the non-striker’s end.
Chris Wood hit the final ball of the penultimate over from Ashraf’s over wide longon for six, to leave the Hawks requiring 21 off the final over. Captain Carlos Brathwaite took it upon himself to bowl for the Qalandars, and his opposite number Wood was then run out in a similar manner to Dawson.
There was a sting in the tail and late drama as James Fuller hit two consecutive
a perfect yorker to secure the win for Qalandars. Each side has now won one and lost one as things tighten up in the GSL table.
ing each opportunity as a step forward in her tennis journey. Her achievements reflect not just her talent, but the support of her family and her dedication to the sport.
Benny Howell 4-0-26-1
Hampshire (T: 136 runs from 20 ovs) Tom Prest b Wells 30 Ali Orr st †Rossington b Asif Afridi 1 Shan Masood st †Rossington b Shamsi 10 Joe Weatherley b Brathwaite 22
Toby Albert † c Wells b Shamsi 8
Benny Howell c Faheem Ashraf b Shamsi 25
James Fuller not out 26
Liam Dawson run out (Brathwaite) 0 Chris Wood (c) run out (Shamsi/Brathwaite)
The Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) will have to do a lot of introspection before they head out onto the pitch at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence for their third match in the inaugural ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) T20 tournament.
This is because they suffered a shocking 4-wicket loss to Australia’s Victoria Cricket on Friday night in a match punctuated by a number of slip-ups, dropped catches and misfielding on their part.
Reflecting on Friday’s loss, Captain Imran Tahir rued their performance in the field while defending 162, citing it as a contributing factor to their loss.
“I think there was too many mistakes in the field. We always knew that the dew is going to be a factor, but I think that’s not an excuse. There’s too many soft things that we did in the field, and I think that’s what cost us the game,” Tahir told media operatives during a post- match interview.
The captain added about the loss, “There’s 4, 5 youngsters, I’m sure they’ll remember this game, beating us, and I’m not the kind of guy who needs to look for excuses, but we weren’t great tonight. Simple as that.”
With the need to stay in the top two of the tournament’s points table being of utmost importance, Tair has emphasized the need for the local franchise to win every game from here on out.
The GAW Captain explained, “For me, every game is important. Whenever I play coming here, playing in
front of home crowd, it just hurts really badly; but obviously, only thing we can do is promise to come back strongly. Obviously, it’s a short competition, we need to win every single game from now onwards.”
As such, Tahir mentioned the need for some reflection and introspection as the Amazon Warriors hunt a much- needed victory today.
“If you play like that, there will be slip-ups. So, we don’t want to do that; so, we obviously have to go reflect what we didn’t do right, but
Showstoppers, Pouderoyen Brothers, Ballers Empire and Family advanced to the semifinal round when the inaugural edition of the Rockstone Street-ball Classic commenced on Friday evening at the Pouderoyen Tarmac in West Bank Demerara.
Showstoppers dismantled Jetty Gunners 5-1. Deon Alfred bagged a brace in the first and 21st minute while Stephon Jupiter, Teffon Fraser, and Donte McAulay scored in the second, 11th, and 19th minute respectively. For the loser, Chris Macey scored in the 33rd minute.
They will now battle Pouderoyen Brothers in the semifinal after the aforementioned team bested Westside Ballerz 2-1 on sudden death penalty kicks following a 1-1 score. Prior to the aforesaid conclusion, Dwayne Peters gave Pouderoyen Brothers the initial lead in the first minute while Darrel Abrams equalized in the fifth.
Meanwhile, Ballers Empire downed Agricola 4-2. The quartet of Kevin Padmore, Ravin Naughton, Jaleei Alcindor, and Samuel Garnett scored in the fourth, 27th, 30th, and 40th minute apiece. For the loser, Bilaal Jabbar scored in the sixth and 14th minute respectively.
Their next opponent, Team Family, downed Bagotstown Warriors 2-0 via goals from Teon Stewart and Lloyd Matthews in the sixth
and 25th minute respectively.
The winner of the event will pocket $200,000 and the championship trophy, while the second, third, and fourth-place finishers will receive $100,000, $75,000, and $50,000, respectively.
The event will conclude on December 6th at the same venue.
Complete Results
Game-1
Team Family-2 vs. Bagotstown Warriors-0
Teon Stewart-6th
Lloyd Matthews-25th
Game-2
Agricola-2 vs. Ballers Empire-4
Ballers Empire scorers
Kevin Padmore-4th
Ravin Naughton-27th
Jaleei Alcindor-30th
Samuel Garnett-40th
Agricola scorers
Bilaal Jabbar-6th
Jonathan Andries-14th
Game-3
Pouderoyen Brothers-1 vs Westside Ballers-1
Pouderoyen Brothers won 2-1 on sudden death penalty kicks
Pouderoyen Brothers scorers
Dwayne Peters-1st
West Side Ballers scorer
Darrel Abrams-5th
Game-4
Showstoppers-5 vs. Jetty Gunners-1
Showstoppers scorers
Deon Alfred-1st and 21st
Stephon Jupiter-2nd
Teffon Fraser-11th
Donte McAulay-19th
Jetty scorer
Chris Macey-33rd
there was too many things. If I have to reflect on that, I think next game will come very quickly, So, I just have to give a simple message, you know: we need to look ourself in the mirror and see from there,” Tahir related. The Guyana Amazon Warriors will come up against the Hampshire Hawks from 19:00hrs today at the National Stadium. Both teams will be coming off a loss, setting up what is expected to be an exciting and fiercely contested encounter.
Also at 10:00hrs today, Rangpur Riders will battle Victoria in match five of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) T20.
It’s shaping up to be a fantastic yearend spectacle, that’s the historic One Guyana National Futsal Championship organised by the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation (K&S) and powered by the Government of Guyana.
Corporate partners continue to raise their hands to be a part of this championship, with Jai Signs and Designs, located at Lot 'D' Independence Boulevard, Georgetown, handing over their contribution yesterday.
Managing Director Nankumar ‘Jai’ Rampersaud, in an invited comment, shared that his company, a household name in Guyana, is very thrilled to be supporting this championship, which is already the talk of the town.
“We are happy to be throwing in our lot in an activity that will bring together so many youths from around Guyana, including female players. We see this as one of the many ways of giving back to our community, to say thanks for their support throughout the year. We would like to wish the organisers and the players the very best in this inaugural venture, and assure all of our continued support.”
Accepting the sponsorship on behalf of the K&S Organisation, Co-Director Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major expressed the entity’s gratitude to Mr. Rampersaud. He recalled that they have always been supportive of ventures undertaken by his organisation.
“Whilst we have not come
your way in a few years, we were always confident that you, like many other entities, would relish the opportunity to support us and sports once again. This championship is all about empowering our players and affording them that opportunity to showcase their skills in a competitive setting, where they’ll be rewarded. We must say thanks to you for answering the call once again, Mr. Rampersaud.”
Meanwhile, Kashif Muhammad disclosed that the response from corporate Guyana has been superb so far, to the extent that the organisers had no alternative but to increase the top prize for the male segment of the competition.
“I must say that we are very overwhelmed by the positive responses that we have been receiving so far from the business community for this championship. So, we met as
an executive and collectively decided that we will increase the prize monies for the male competition,” he disclosed. The new prize structure is as follows 1st- $2,000,000 (Two Million), 2nd- $ 1,000,000 3rd- $500,000, and 4th$200,000. For the Female competition, which will see six (6) teams competing, the first-place prize will be 1st$200,000, 2nd- $100,000, 3rd$60,000, and 4th- $40,000. The other two teams will receive $30,000 each. Some 64 male teams from around Guyana will be battling over what is anticipated to be 14 nights of exhilarating action at the National Gymnasium from Tuesday next, when the official March Past will take place, and subsequently at the newly refurbished and fully air-conditioned Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
