Guyana Times - Tuesday, December 5, 2023 by Gytimes

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 5574

THE BEACON OF TRUTH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023

Venezuela’s Opposition says 89% abstained from voting in Dec 3 referendum

...referendum was a resounding failure for Maduro Govt – VP Jagdeo

Guyana’s economy tripled since 2019 alongside record-breaking GDP growth – IMF

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Venezuelan charged for beheading P2 missing Berbice man

Tomb of P17 murdered Corentyne man vandalised 1 week after burial

...lauds Govt measures aimed at tackling inflation Page 7

Teen dies after minibus crashes into sand heap along Corentyne P15 roadway – father says son left home for work

"We are not taking Venezuela’s narrative for granted" – President Ali Page 7

Guyana to champion action on sustainable green cover, biodiversity Taxi driver gets $1.6M bail for for Commonwealth causing death See story on page 9

GDF Coast Guard intensifies search for missing fishing – as families remain hopeful vessel, crew for their safe return Page 11

of Kuru Kururu P15 man

– female driver charged for being unlicensed, breaching insurance

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Venezuelan charged for beheading missing Berbice man A Venezuelan national was on Monday remanded for allegedly beheading and dumping the body of a Corentyne labourer last week. Simon Wills, 28, appeared before Magistrate Peter Hugh at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court and was not required to plea to the indictment. The charge states that between November 25 and 30, 2023, at Fyrish Village, Corentyne, Berbice, he murdered Chetram Ramjattan called “Buck Crab”. The foreigner was unrepresented when he appeared in court. Police Prosecutor Vedesh Jattan told the court that the Police had not completed the case file and asked for a further three weeks to have that done. As such, Wills was re-

Murdered, Chetram Ramjattan

manded and will have to return to court on December 27. It had been reported that days after Ramjattan went missing, his headless body was discovered in a drain situated near a house which was occupied by several Venezuelan nationals. Police later found the man’s head inside the house after one of the men confessed to committing the

Murder accused Simon Wills being escorted out of the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court

crime. The discovery was made on Thursday last. The now dead man’s sister had told Guyana Times that she last saw her brother on Saturday, November 25, when he had visited her at her home. She explained that on that day, her brother had left her house to go visit their other sibling and

was going to return, but he never did.

After the discovery of the body was made, she went to

the mortuary, where she was told that the body had several stab wounds. An autopsy performed on the body by Government Pathologist, Dr Vivakeanand Bridgemohan on Friday suggests that Ramjattan was killed before being beheaded. The autopsy report indicated that he died as a result of a fractured skull and blunt trauma to the head. Ramjattan was a 43-year-old labourer who lived alone at Kilcoy Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice.

Annandale man busted with unlicensed gun, ammo

The gun and ammunition found in the suspect’s possession

n Annandale, East Coast Demerara (ECD) man was tak-

en into custody after he was found to have a firearm and several rounds of ammuni-

tion on Sunday evening. Police stated that on the day in question at about 22:30h, ranks on mobile patrol acting on information received went to Annandale Railway Embankment, ECD, where they contacted the 37-year-old suspect who was at the time sitting in the driver’s seat of a motor car. As such, a search was conducted on the man and his vehicle during which one Glock pistol with four live matching rounds of ammunition in a magazine were found in the waist of his pants. Police have since confirmed that he is not the holder of a Firearm Licence, thus resulting in his arrest. He is expected to be charged shortly.

Plaisance teen nabbed with ganja during Police operation

teenager was on Sunday evening arrested after he was busted with a quantity of cannabis in his possession at Britton Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Police stated that ranks were conducting an AntiCrime Mobile Patrol in the area when they observed the 17-year-old carrying a black plastic bag in his right hand. Upon seeing the Police, he reportedly started to act in a suspicious manner after which he placed the bag in a nearby drain. The bag was retrieved and upon inspection, a quantity of cannabis was unearthed. The teenager was told of the offence, arrested and taken to the Sparendaam Police Station where the cannabis was weighed and amounted to 213.3 grams. He remains in custody assisting with investigations.

The cannabis that was found in the bag the teen was carrying

NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

BRIDGE The Demerara OPENINGS Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, Dec 5 – 22:30h – 00:00h and Wednesday, Dec 6 – 23:30h – 01:00h. The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Venezuela’s Opposition says 89% abstained from voting in Dec 3 referendum ...referendum was a resounding failure for Maduro Govt – VP Jagdeo

Tuesday, Dec 5 – 11:00h – 12:30h and Wednesday, Dec 6 – 11:55h – 13:25h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be sunshine and thundery showers during the day. Expect partly cloudy skies and thundery showers at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius. Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres. High Tide: 10:20h and 22:44h reaching maximum heights of 2.09 metres and 2.12 metres. Low Tide: 16:14h reaching a minimum height of 1.16 metres.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023

LOTTERY NUMBERS G

05 10

FREE TICKET

Bonus Ball

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023

DAILY MILLIONS

10 17 20

05 09 LUCKY 3

Afternoon Draw

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

11 13 15

SUPER

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2023

05 06 08 12 17 1

03 09 11 12 16

2 Afternoon Draw

2X Afternoon Draw

8 Evening Draw

FP Evening Draw

955

DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Crude Oil

$78.03/barrel

-1.08

Rough Rice London Sugar

$304.70/ton $709.50/ton

-1.50 +1.82

Live Spot Gold Bid/Ask Low/High Change

Change %

USD Per Ounce $2034.20 $2019.30 +5.10

$2035.20 $2191.00 +0.25

Venezuelan Opposition politician Henrique Capriles

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

n Sunday, the Nicolás Maduro Government held its controversial referendum seeking approval from its citizens to annex Guyana’s Essequibo territory. But despite decades of indoctrination and weeks of rhetoric from the Maduro regime, the actual vote saw a sparse turnout of voters. Venezuelan authorities claimed that 10.5 million votes were counted, but have shied away from giving the number of voters. However, Henrique Capriles, a major figure of the Venezuelan Opposition, has put the actual voter turnout at 2.1 million voters. This, he said, is an abstention of over 89 per cent, compared to the eligible voting population. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Capriles, at one point imprisoned by the Nicolas Maduro regime on what was widely seen as politically instigated charges, lambasted the Venezuelan Government for its resounding failures. Capriles said that Maduro is out of excuses, pointing out that the day after the referendum, the economic and social problems facing Venezuelans remain unchanged. According to him, the time for a regime change is now. “Without a doubt, Maduro once again turned an opportunity to do something good for all Venezuelans into a resounding failure. He has never done anything for Essequibo or the people. He won't do it now. A new Government will have that historic responsibility. Maduro ran out of another excuse,” the Venezuelan politician said in his translated tweet. “I hope that his own people demand that while he has power, he addresses the economic and social problems suffered by the vast majority of Venezuelans. Tomorrow, December 4, all the country's problems are still there. 2024 has to be the year of hope so that Venezuelans can have the change they deserve and recover their quality of life and the reunion of the Venezuelan family.” Meanwhile, Guyana’s Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, has described Venezuela’s December 3 referendum, where they sought approval from the citizens to annex Essequibo but failed to galvanise any significant turnout of voters, as an overwhelming failure for the Maduro regime.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, in an interview with BBC News from the COP28 conference in Dubai, noted that only half of the eligible voters in Venezuela turned up and voted at the referendum. “Everyone in the world expected, once the referendum was held, that they would have a yes vote. But we believe it was a resounding failure for the Maduro Government. Considering only half of the total eligible voters turned out and of the half that turned out, not a 100 per cent voted in favour of a yes vote.” “So less than half of the eligible voters voted in favour of the questions posed here. So, it’s a defeat, we believe, for Maduro. We saw it as a distraction from the problems in Venezuela and now we have concerned all day long, the Latin American news agencies have been pointing out that there was a low voter turnout. Then the electoral council announced a figure that we can’t believe,” Jagdeo said.

Rigged

The Vice President expressed the view that the actual figures released by the Venezuelan electoral author-

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during his BBC interview

ity, may have been rigged… a suggestion that has certainly been echoed by the Venezuelan Opposition. “So, we believe that even with the rigging of the figures, they still didn’t have half of the eligible voters. On an issue that Venezuela has, over the past 50 years, been saying to their people that Essequibo belongs to them. So, it’s a predictable outcome, but the entire world is in support of Guyana on this matter. And the ICJ has made a very definitive ruling,” Jagdeo told the BBC. Under the watchful eyes of the world, Venezuela on Sunday went ahead with its planned referendum containing all five questions as is, including a question asking its citizens for approval to invade Essequibo and create a Venezuelan state out of 2/3 of Guyana’s territory. The National Electoral Council of Venezuela had reported that there were over 28,000 polling stations across Venezuela and the process was even opened to Venezuelans with expired ID cards. At the initially planned close of polls, the voting deadline had to be extended.

And while millions did vote in the referendum, the event was overshadowed not only by the disapproval of the regional and international community but by opposition to the referendum within Venezuela itself. On the day of the vote, videos had circulated online of Venezuelans urging persons not to be brainwashed by the referendum. There have been reports of Government employees and school children in Venezuela being forced to vote in the referendum. In fact, in one video a school teacher can be seen standing on a stage warning that students are being deceived and manipulated with the referendum in high schools. In another video, a woman who identified herself as Rebeca Mora accused the Maduro regime of kidnapping her 14-year-old son. In the video, she claimed that her son was being pressured into voting in the referendum and was being threatened with repeating a school year. Further, it was alleged that these tactics were being used throughout Venezuela to get millions of people to go out and vote. (Jarryl Bryan)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023

Views

Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Support and protect our women

omen and girls the world over face many of the same issues: lack of access to education and employment; unequal pay for equal work; domestic and political violence; issues about reproductive rights; and a general bias and inequality in the workplace and society. In Guyana, with our various ethnic and religious groups, there are even more political, cultural and religious values that have to be considered within the feminist whole. The struggles of rural women, for instance, have different emphases than those of urban or professional women. While there are connections and similarities because of the female commonality, the women’s movement cannot be conveniently packaged into a single unit or programme, since that would overlook our unique and different selves. The propensity for violence against women in our society is very high, and while much is made of domestic violence, no one cares to include the bouts of racial/political violence that are directed at Indian Guyanese by African Guyanese protesters and rioters. The violence is not only men-to-men. Indian Guyanese women are assaulted, robbed, and raped by African Guyanese men, and African Guyanese women play their part in beating and humiliating Indian Guyanese women. No sisterhood provides empathy, support or protection, and the women’s movement continues to be secondary to the overarching issue of the country’s racial/political divide. Recent cases of abuse and murder of partners and wives by mostly their male counterparts are rooted in a culture that also accepts — and even idolises — macho behaviour. The chutney hit “Ramsingh Sharma” promotes a male promiscuity that is, as the lyrics reveal, actually encouraged by women. That the song is very popular points out that the message about respect for women is lost in translation in a culture that views machismo behaviour as sexy, rather than sexist. For this reason, the conversation about women and our place in society must include men and their commitment to the attitudinal changes needed for real progress. There is little point in training women for economic independence, or improving their feelings of self-worth, if they then return to homes where their spouses expect them to be subservient and submissive. Empowering women requires empowering men to recognise that women are their equals, and should be respected as such. But, are parents – mothers and fathers alike — making the shift to bring up their sons to appreciate that they, too, are nurturers and caregivers? Girls often top the country in academic achievement, yet most of the leading executives in the public and private sectors continue to be men. Most often, women still put families before careers, and even if they do hold down a job while bringing up a family, the childcare and household aspects of this responsibility still fall heavily on the mother’s shoulders. In a fast-paced world, women who put family first are often left behind on the career ladder, especially since their years of experience in the home are hardly ever recognised as being relevant or important to the workplace. In developed countries, women have moved on to a post-feminist era and to an environment that is constantly changing to fit new circumstances. Women are world leaders in both the political and corporate spheres and no longer have to prove themselves worthy of these positions. The 1986 conference in Nairobi, to review the UN’s Decade for Women, is often described as the “birth of global feminism”. At that conference, it was declared that all issues are women’s issues. This has a nice ring to it, and the educated and professional women in developed countries enjoy this luxury since they have access to education and opportunities that are still denied women in most underdeveloped countries, where they are still fighting for recognition as equals and for basic human rights. Still, it would be a terrible disservice if women’s issues here are so compartmentalised that women cannot see the world and all its possibilities as being open and relevant to them. In a poor country, it is the women who are the poorest and who are more likely to be denied the opportunities to become educated, employed, and financially independent. This sets the stage for male aggression to thrive, and for the Ramsingh Sharmas to parade their power and prowess. That the conversation on women’s place in society continues is important; and today, when we honour our mothers, that most sacred province of womanhood, it is timely to remember that the respect due to all women should be inbred enough in the national psyche to ensure that every girl and woman is treated with such respect always.

As part of her continued engagement with various stakeholders, US Ambassador Nicole Theriot recently met with executive members of the Guyana Press Association (GPA) to discuss the work of the GPA and future collaboration

President Ali, PM Phillips & VP Jagdeo have displayed patriotism Dear Editor, No one can dispute the fact that the GuyanaVenezuela border controversy is weighing heavily on the minds of most Guyanese, however, the profound and authentic assurances given to them by His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips and Vice President Bharat Jagdeo have helped to relieve their stress and comfort them. Our leaders have told the nation that the Government and the Opposition are fully united in their resolve that the 1899 Arbitral Award is the ‘full, final and perfect’ settlement of the matter and that they are confident that the border controversy will be settled peacefully at the ICJ. They have reassured the citizens that the 1899 Arbitral Award cannot be annulled by the referendum in Venezuela on December 3, 2023, or by the bizarre and baseless claims of Essequibo which is 74 per cent of Guyana’s territory by the Maduro regime. Such assurance is based on the exemplary, outstanding, and diligent work by President Dr Ali and Prime Minister Phillips to inform and gain the unwavering support from several friendly countries including the United States and South America’s economic and military powerhouse, Brazil, and from regional, hemispheric, and global organisations such as Caricom, the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Commonwealth of Nations

and the European Union (EU). As Venezuela intensified its efforts to invalidate the 1899 Arbitral Award, which is contrary to international norm, Vice President Mark Phillips called on the nation to display loyalty, and devotion to country to repel Caracas’ illegitimate and perverted claim. Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has reiterated the call for vigilance, unity, and patriotism in the face of Venezuela’s threat not only to the peace, security, and stability in Guyana but the entire Caribbean Region which has been designated as a zone of peace. In his address to the OAS a few weeks ago, Prime Minister Mark Phillips has made it abundantly clear that Guyana is a peaceful nation, and that the Maduro regime’s unfounded and spurious claim of Essequibo has no validity, bearing, or standing in international law. Similarly, in an extraordinary and important sitting of the National Assembly on Monday November 6, 2023, the Prime Minister in the presence of members of the diplomatic corps, emphatically stated that considering the unfounded claims and bullying tactics from Caracas, the people and Government of Guyana have remained resilient and assertive and will not yield or surrender a square inch of Guyana’s territory to Venezuela much less the largest county of Essequibo. Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark

Phillips has forthrightly told the National Assembly that the time for negotiation is over, and there will be no dialogue or meeting between President Nicolas Maduro and President Dr Ali. He insisted that the Government of Guyana remained committed to the legal process to resolve the border controversy to secure and protect the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and that Essequibo, which is rich in natural resources and minerals, is integral to the development of Guyana. President Dr Ali has so far spared no effort to promote Guyana at international forums and in informing the world of Maduro’s irrational and outrageous threats and sabre-rattling to wage a war against Guyana. At the (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties, COP28 held in Dubai on December 1, 2023, and attended by more than one hundred countries, President Dr Irfaan Ali notified world leaders including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron among others on the Guyana/ Venezuela border controversy and the recent threats issued by Caracas since oil was discovered in the Essequibo region six years ago that Venezuela falsely claimed to be its territory. On the issue of climate change, President Ali accentuated the need for pragmatic solutions and urged a shift from divisive debates to collaborative efforts, recognis-

ing the current realities, especially energy production and demands in developing countries. His Excellency highlighted the necessity of a balanced approach in the growth and demand for energy while advocating for measures such as the reduction of fossil fuel production. It cannot be disputed that President Ali has been working tirelessly and energetically to make sure that Guyana’s interests, including the border controversy are fully recognised and represented at the regional, hemispheric, and international forums. And so far, he has done a superb job. Every Guyanese regardless of their ethnicity, race or party affiliation should commend President Dr Ali, Prime Minister Brigadier Phillips and VP Jagdeo for their spirited, cogent, and strong-willed approach in defence of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity amid the confrontational and military threats by the Maduro regime. Such a grand display of patriotism, courage, dedication, and steadfastness by His Excellency, the Prime Minister and the VP is a testimony of their genuine and devoted leadership never seen before in Guyana. If nothing else, they have succeeded in isolating the Maduro regime at the regional, hemispheric, and international levels. Sincerely, Asquith Rose

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023

News

Offshore Technology Conference

Multiple partnerships formed between local, foreign companies following last OTC – GO-Invest CEO ...Private Sector urged to form more partnerships ahead of next OTC

s the scheduled date for the next Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) draws closer, officials have revealed some of the success stories that came out of previous conferences, including the partnerships formed, and have called on the private sector to establish consortiums in preparation for the next event. The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) held a press conference on Monday, which was attended by Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Peter Ramsaroop, to provide an update on the next OTC, which is expected to be held in May 2024. During the press conference, Ramsaroop highlighted some of the success stories

GO-Invest CEO Peter Ramsaroop (left) and GCCI Vice President Richard Rambarran

from previous OTCs, such as Guysons Engineering Limited, which formed a US$60 million joint venture partnership with United States equipment manufacturer K&B Industries. It was recommended that the private sector form partnerships, especially in non-oil sectors such as agriculture and renewable energy. “As we promote Guyana, Guyana is more than oil.

And last year, at the OTC, we expanded that relationship with the companies. And very successfully. The success stories have been tremendous,” Ramsaroop said. “If you ask Guysons, for example, what and how they met their joint venture partner, which is one of the leading engineering companies in Guyana, they will say at the OTC. If you ask Gaico

and many other companies, Atlantic Ventures, Miranda Deen and many others, we actually helped facilitate that connection. And they were able to ultimately do the joint ventures.” Ramsaroop also challenged the private sector to collaborate to take advantage of the stream of opportunities that will come their way. Further, he touched on the role that the GCCI can play, in steering international companies towards local partners. “What I would challenge the private sector in Guyana, is don’t wait for those things to happen. The Government is very transparent. When you study the budget from his excellency in 2024, you will get a great idea of where the Government is spending money.” “And that is where our lo-

Time for concrete steps to protect the nation's children

Dear Editor, The Ministry of Education must take concrete steps to protect the nation's children. While schools are being renovated, new schools built, smart classrooms created, technology accessed by schools, teacher training upped and curriculum redesigned the most important element of the school system, its students continue to be bullied and killed as violence escalates. For years The Caribbean Voice and other stakeholders have been calling for counsellors in schools. Now that the resources - human and otherwise - are available, can the Ministry say what are the inhibiting factors? A national bullying program must reach all schools and be implemented by an entity or individuals trained in acknowledged and proven? bullying programs, such as the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, which is currently being implemented by several Caribbean nations. There is a designated representative for this program in Barbados and he has already started working with schools in Barbados, Antigua and

Barbuda. Can the Ministry of Education reach out to him and at the minimum implement a train-thetrainer program for teachers in Guyana. As well schools must be mandated not to send students home during the school day unless a verified caregiver picks up that child, especially if the child is ill or injured. While a principal can and should do whatever is possible for an injured child, that cannot be enough unless that principal is a trained nurse at the minimum. This also brings to the fore the issue of school nurses. The Ministry of Education should seriously consider placing nurses in schools. More immediately staff should be trained in first aid, including CPR. Also, the Ministry of Education needs to work with the Police Force to establish a unit for schools so that every school can have a police officer, whose responsibility will include preventing students from walking out of schools and outsiders from walking into schoolyards and gaining entry into schools. Finally, all schools must have an attendance monitoring staff who will call parents to find out about students who are

absent to make sure. The whereabouts of every student is known at all times. Perhaps this same person can also act as a parent co-

cal private sector has to take the lead. And be ready for that next transformation. And as international companies come in, one of the first things our office says is to find a local partner. Don’t try to do this yourself,” Ramsaroop explained. Ramsaroop’s point about the way past conferences paved the way for more partnerships to form, was reinforced by GCCI, which was represented by its Vice President Richard Rambarran. The Vice President noted the good that can come from collaboration, such as the partnerships that formed following the last OTC. “You may recall, for example, the last OTC or perhaps the OTC before. There was a signing with the Houston airport authority, with our CJIA. And from that, we’ve seen partnerships, collaborations, that have really

helped to drive the influx we’re having.” “So, it is a multitude of benefits that occur. And I want to emphasise the point that this is really representative of Guyana. It is a collective effort and we will continue as the private sector, to be a responsible private sector. Responsible stewards of the engine of growth,” Rambarran said. The OTC serves as a vital forum for offshore energy industry stakeholders to exchange ideas and explore innovative technologies, with Guyana participating for its fourth consecutive year. During this year’s conference in May, Guyana participated through a collaboration between GO-Invest and 40 private sector companies, with over 100 participants in the delegation that went up to Houston, Texas for the conference. (G-3)

ordinator and be given other related roles. Sincerely, Annan Boodram

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023 06:00 06:30 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:30 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:05 13:35 14:00 14:30 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00 00:00

(Sign on) Inspiration Time Cartoons Evening News (RB) Stay Woke Guy's Grocery Games BBC Travel Show Stop Suffering Paternity Court Divorce Court News Break Movie - Checkin' It Twice (2023) Wheel of Fortune The Santa Clauses S1 E2 The Tom and Jerry Show S3 E3 Indian Soaps Sydney to the Max S2 E10 Austin & Ally S3 E15 The Young & The Restless CNN Teaching the Truth in Love The Evening News Stop Suffering Stand-up Comedy Dynasty S4 E9 Blacklist S8 E10 Squid Game: The Challenge E2 Sign off

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023

Foundation ◄

Page

Test Questions

Knowing how to read a map is practical skill that everyone should possess. And contrary to popular belief, it isn’t particularly difficult. Once you understand what key markers like scale, longitude and latitude, and topographical lines mean, you’ll be able to travel just about anywhere with a few quick calculations. Choose the right type of map Choose the right type of map. Different kinds of maps exist for different uses. Before you can use a map to help you find your way, you’ll need to make sure you’re equipped with one that’s suitable for the type of travelling you’re doing. Check the map’s orientation Check the map’s orientation. Open up the map and take a moment to double check that you’re examining it from the correct perspective. Most maps feature a “compass rose” in one corner that shows which directions are indicated by the various markers. Unless otherwise specified, the top of the map will always correspond with North.[2] North is considered a “neutral” orientation which provides a reference for the other directions. It can be used to help travellers get their bearings.

Oh I care not that others rave over fair lands afar,

brooks may charm me when I roam,

dale and brave old Neptune’s foam,

Where silvern lakes and placid streams mirror the evening star;

But what of that? No brooks and vales can steal my love of home;

O’er crags and rocks and mossy dells, I still will turn me home;

I care not though their wealth be great, their scenery be grand,

Where I in childhood used to play, and where the old folks rest

For when at length I come to die, I want no gilded tomb,

For none so fair as can compare with my own native land.

Must be to me, where’re I be, the dearest and the best.

Just let me rest within thy breast, where thy sweet flowers bloom,

Their sylvan vales and rippling

And though I rove o’er hill and

Where thy sweet flowers bloom.

Refer to the legend (also called the map key) to make sense of the map. In addition to a compass rose, many maps also contain a legend, or chart that explains the scientific methods used to draw up the map and lists what important symbols mean. Familiarising yourself with the legend is key to comprehending the way the map displays information.[3] Here you’ll find symbols representing roadways, town

and city limits, and prominent landmarks, as well as colorcoded environmental features like mountains, forests, and bodies of water.[4] Make a note... Make a note of the longitude and latitude. A Meridian of Longitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies the east-west position of a point on the Earth's surface, relative to the Prime Meridian. Meridians of Longitude (these "Long" lines) run vertically from the North Pole to the South Pole (or vice-versa, South to North). Parallels of Latitude run parallel to the Equator (the "waist line" of the globe) horizontally, and show distance north or south of the Equator. The numbers at the sides and top or bottom of the map track the degrees of Longitude and Latitude. Each degree represents 60 "minutes" (which describes fractions of distance, not travel time); 1 degree of latitude represents 60 nautical mile or 111.12 Km (roughly 69 land miles). The Equator and the Prime Meridian were chosen as handy reference points because they’re located roughly in the centre of the globe. Step 5 Pay attention to the scale Pay attention to the scale. A map’s scale provides a ratio of map distance to actual distance. This will give you an idea of just how far you have to go. The scale will differ from map to map, but will typically be presented as a number ratio, like “1 : 100,000.” This ratio simply means that 1 unit of distance on the map is equal to 100,000 units in real life. You’ll usually be able to find the scale at the bottom or off to one side of the map. (Excerpt from wikihow.com)

WORD SEARCH

Loving and appreciating your country is a patriotic attitude. It is also about taking that pride a step further with action. A patriotic person feels citizenship is an honor that comes with responsibility. Patriotic people think about how their actions will reflect on their country. They make choices that will make their country look good. Displays of patriotism include: Honoring the flag by flying saluting it. saying the Pledge

NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“We are not taking Venezuela’s narrative for granted” – Pres Ali P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali has once again underscored that Guyana is not taking Venezuela’s rhetoric and narrative relating to the border controversy for granted. President Ali reaffirmed that Guyana’s response will continue to adhere to international law, which respects the dignity of people and leads to the continuation of peace within the Region. The Head of State made the statement during an interview on Monday with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy. “I am concerned that Venezuela can indeed follow up the rhetoric and the narrative and act in a reckless manner. This is concerning because, already we have a dangerous situ-

ation in Venezuela, where the people are suffering as a result of the type of governance…Where the respect for the rule of law, democracy, and all these things are threatened,” President Ali underlined. The President said his country is concerned that reckless and adventurous action can lead to more displacement of the Venezuelan people, which can also create added regional pressures on migration and other issues. He emphasised that Guyana will continue to respect the rule of law, as the nation continues to garner more support from its allies and other countries to uphold Guyana’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. “As a country, we are not taking this for granted. We are not taking the narrative out of Venezuela

for granted. That is why we have been working with our neighbours, friends, Caricom, Commonwealth, the OAS…They have all issued very strong statements and called on Venezuela to respect the rule of law and the order of the ICJ,” stressed President Ali. Last Friday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) unanimously ruled that until the court renders a definitive verdict in the border case, Venezuela shall not take any actions that may impair Guyana’s jurisdiction over the Essequibo area. Five questions were released by Venezuela’s National Electoral Council for the referendum which was held on Sunday. Among other questions, Venezuelan voters were asked whether they sup-

President Ali during the BBC interview

port establishing a state in the disputed Essequibo territory, granting citizenship to current and future area residents and rejecting the jurisdiction of the United

Nations’ top court in settling the disagreement between the South American countries. In October, Guyana requested a court injunction

prohibiting Venezuela from taking any action to seize, acquire, encroach upon, or establish sovereignty over the Essequibo in a Request for Provisional Measures that it sent to the ICJ. With the ICJ ruling, President Ali restated that Venezuela is not to act upon the outcome of the two questions and the outcome of the referendum. “And that Venezuela must respect the status quo as it exists today in Guyana and that is Essequibo belonging to Guyana…I believe that Venezuela has a responsibility to honour the order and respect the 1899 Award,” Dr Ali asserted. In the 1899 Arbitral Award, the boundaries of Guyana and Venezuela were fully settled, which was jointly agreed to by both nations.

Guyana’s economy tripled since 2019 alongside record-breaking GDP growth – IMF …lauds Govt’s measures aimed at tackling inflation

uyana’s rapid economic growth since the start up of oil production in 2019 was highlighted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with the Fund revealing in its 2023 Article IV consultation staff report that Guyana’s economy has tripled in that time. According to the IMF, Guyana’s rapid economic growth owes much to oil production, which started with the <<<Liza Destiny>>> Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel in the Stabroek Block. According to the IMF, Guyana has per capita the largest oil reserves in the world and a higher real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth than any other country. “The Guyanese economy has tripled in size since the start of oil extraction (end2019), from one of the lowest GDP per capita in Latin America and the Caribbean in the early nineties. Oil production is ramping up rapidly, supporting the highest real GDP growth in the world in 2022 (62.3 per cent).” “Going forward, oil production will continue to expand rapidly as four new fields will come on stream by end-2028. Sustained real non-oil GDP growth is also expected, as the Government continues to invest in human capital, lower energy costs, and build infrastructure, in-

cluding for climate change adaptation. Real GDP is expected to continue to grow extremely fast in 2023 (38.4 per cent) and on average of 20 per cent per year during 2024-28,” the IMF said in the report. According to the Fund, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has already started to invest heavily in Guyana’s overwhelming development needs, with the help of oil revenues that were first transferred to the budget in 2022. The IMF further related that the Government’s fundamentals have been strong and there were no signs of inflationary pressures or overheating, associated with the government pumping a great deal of oil money into the economy. Another observation

made by the IMF was the Government’s efforts to stave off inflation. The IMF noted that given the medium-term risks of inflation as the economy expands, a continued focus on maintaining macroeconomic stability by sound policies was recommended. Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry released a statement of its own in which it lauded the findings of the IMF, and noted that the Government was commended, not only for its fiscally-sound policies aimed at diversifying the economy but also for its management of inflation. “Meanwhile, about inflationary pressures, the IMF noted that the Government introduced a suite of measures in 2022 and 2023, which has contributed to a decline in the inflation rate

in 2023,” the Ministry said. “The external current account recorded a large surplus in 2022, of 23.8 per cent of GDP, and another large surplus is expected in 2023. The IMF reported too that banks in Guyana are well capitalised and continue to improve their loan portfolios.” Moreover, the Ministry noted that Guyana has been projected to achieve a zero overall fiscal balance by 2028, which would allow the economy to expand even more without macroeconomic imbalances. Meanwhile, mention was made of a meeting that Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh had attended between the IMF and the

World Bank in Marrakesh, Morocco. According to the Government’s statement, Dr Singh had informed the Bank of the Government’s priorities, including ensuring that Guyana avoids dependence on oil. “We want to make sure that we have a growing, globally-competitive nonoil economy so we are using this period to invest in things like infrastructure to improve connectivity with our neighbours, increase the economic space in which we are operating, and therefore lay the foundation for more trade,” the Finance Minister had informed. Further, Dr Singh had explained to the institu-

tions the long road Guyana travelled, coming from a place where Guyana was once one of the most heavily-indebted poor countries, to a place where Guyana’s debt-to-GDP ratio was now 60 per cent. “There was a time when Guyana’s debt-to-GDP ratio was more than 600 per cent and it took hard work to get us from where we were as a Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) with debt to GDP exceeding 600 per cent and debt service to revenue exceeding 100 per cent to bring us to a point where our debt-to-GDP ratio was about 60 per cent and that is before we started producing oil,” Singh further said. (Jarryl Bryan)

8 NEWS Security officer slapped with 2 counts of armed robbery F TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

orty-year-old Devon Holder also called “Day and Night”, a security officer of Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara (WBD), was on Monday slapped with two counts of armed robbery when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The first allegation read to him by Magistrate Rhondell Weever stated that, on November 27, 2023, at Cornhill Street, Georgetown, he robbed Shania De Freitas of a gold chain valued at $216,000 and a Samsung Galaxy S21 valued at $98,000. That charge further stat-

Taxi driver jailed for 3 years for causing teen’s death

Jailed: Vishram Singh

axi driver, Vishram Singh was on Monday sentenced to three years’ imprisonment after he was found guilty of causing the death of a motorcyclist by driving dangerously. Singh, 39, of Somerset and Berks, Essequibo Coast, had been arraigned on a charge that he drove motor car PMM 7156 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of 18-year-old Vickash Kevin Fredericks of New Road, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaan). The accident occurred on December 26, 2021. Magistrate Esther Sam found Singh guilty as charged following the conclusion of a trial at the Charity

Dead: Vickash Kevin Fredericks

Magistrate’s Court. The now-convicted man had been out on $300,000 bail pending the hearing of his trial. Fredericks tragically lost his life while making his way home on a motorcycle (CK 5158) after he was struck down by a car that was driven by Singh on New Road Public Road, Essequibo Coast. Reports are that residents heard the loud impact of the accident and rushed to the scene. Fredericks was picked up in a bloody and unconscious state and rushed to the Oscar Joseph Hospital. He was then transferred to the Suddie Public Hospital, where he later died.

Robbery accused: Devon Holder

ed that immediately before or after the robbery, he made use of personal violence towards the woman. It is further alleged that on November 28, 2023, at Stabroek, Georgetown, while armed with a knife, he robbed Sylwattie Sukhoo of a gold chain worth $80,000. Holder told the court that he works at Hoosein Security. He was not represented by a lawyer. In her address to the court, the Police prosecutor said that Holder committed both crimes while wearing the company’s uniform for security officers. The prosecutor alluded to the seriousness and gravity of the offences in addition to the value of the stolen items to argue against the defendant being admitted to bail.

Noting that the virtual complainants are fearful for their lives, the prosecutor requested that Holder be kept on remand. Holder told the presiding Magistrate during his court appearance that he could not have committed the robberies because he was at work when the Police alleged the offences happened. He stated that the Police picked him up at his home. He claimed that Police officers forced him to sign a statement and prevented him from making contact with his family members while he was detained in the Police lock-ups. According to the prosecutor, De Freitas gave investigating ranks a description of the man who robbed her, telling them that he was a tall, slim-built, African descent man with plaited hair. The virtual complainant, according to the prosecutor, told detectives that the perpetrator was dressed in a Hoosein Security uniform. In the end, Holder was granted $60,000 bail on each of the two charges, totalling $120,000. Starting on December 15, 2023, he will have to report to the Brickdam Police Station every two weeks in keeping with the conditions of his bail. This matter will come up again on January 15, 2024, for report.

Labourer charged for obtaining credit by false pretence

Satrajeet Ramdahar

atrajeet Ramdahar, a 48-year-old labourer of Long Creek, SoesdykeLinden Highway, was arrested on Friday last for the offence of obtaining credit by false pretence. This accused appeared at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts on Monday where he pleaded not guilty to the charge read to him by Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce. The charge was laid contrary to Section 194 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01. The crime was allegedly committed on August 15, at Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Ramdahar was placed on $75,000 bail. The matter was adjourned to February 2, 2024.

Lessons…

…from Burnham and Maduro

hey say sometimes you can learn from the unlikeliest source – even from “bad guys”. Learning what to AVOID is learning, innit?? In fact, that might be the most valuable lesson of all!! And that’s as true for leaders of countries as for individuals!! So, if you think our leaders can’t learn anything from Burnham and Mad Maduro – let them ponder over the mistakes of these two dictators. The first thing you’d notice is that they – along with Mad Maduro’s predecessor Chavez – made practically the identical mistakes – even though Burnham had messed up since the seventies and could’ve been used as an object lesson and what NOT to do in running a country!!! So, how come this state of affairs came about?? Their failures come from their holding on to an IDEOLOGY – a set of ideas that not only supposedly EXPLAINS the world – but tells them EXACTLY what to do in that world!! In their case, that ideology was socialism, but the lesson applies to ALL ideologies – when the true believers are so dogmatic they refuse to accept that no EXPLANATION can be so complete that it’ll be executed without problems. Even God messed up with his creation, didn’t HE?? And it’s said he has COMPLETE information!! Now what socialists of the extreme kind believe is that the rich EXPLOITS the poor, so therefore the poor have to get rid of the rich who run things – violently if necessary – and run the said things themselves. In our cases, the countries!! That’s it!! Burnham was installed by the big powers that figured his opponent, Jagan was an even more dogmatic socialist. Burnham was the better of two evils, so to speak. And once in, he promptly took over – socialists call it “nationalisation! – the “commanding heights” of the economy and handed it to his followers!! And they – even more promptly – ran them into the ground and half the country fled with their rags by the time Burnham passed in 1985. Fast forward to Venezuela in 1990 and Chavez attempts two coups to take over the Venezuelan Government to share Venezuela’s “commanding heights of their economy” – oil – with the poor. He then won the 1998 elections and since it was oil which was already nationalized – but run by foreign oil companies that invested big time and took 60% of the profits – he unilaterally RENEGOTIATED the contract to reduce that percentage!! The companies left with their expertise, and Chavez's appointees ran their oil industry into the ground. Mad Maduro is “mad” because he continued Burnham’s and Chavez’s folly!! A quarter of Venezuela has fled and he still thought they’d vote for his referendum!! Watch him rig next year’s elections – like Burnham!! …in genocide The world’s all aghast at the genocide of Palestinians being committed by the Israelis in Gaza. How could a people who experienced the genocide of six million of their fellow Jews in gas chambers, now turn around and bomb into smithereens Palestinians who they’ve herded into a 25 square-mile concentration camp?? Well, they had a lesson from Kissinger – who just passed at 100. He’d fled Hitler’s Germany before their Holocaust, but yet did the same thing to Cambodians in 1969-70! Receiving intelligence that some Viet Congs would take refuge over the border in Cambodia, Kissinger expanded the carpet bombing of Hanoi into Cambodia – with which it wasn’t even at war!! Altogether, the US dropped over two million tons of bombs on Cambodia the same amount the Allies dropped during the ENTIRE WWII!! About 150,000 Cambodians were killed!! Asked years later whether he was guilty of war crimes, Kissinger arrogantly responded, “Why is it a war crime to bomb people who’re killing your military units?” Netanyahu learnt well from him!! …referendum When your Eyewitness discovered that Maduro didn’t permit official observers of his referendum, he knew Mad Maduro would be cocking the work. Even though he extended voting hours by 2 hours, it took threats to “motivate” those who came out!! The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana to champion action on sustainable green cover, biodiversity for Commonwealth

Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela during his presentation

uyana will champion the Commonwealth Living Lands Action Group on sustainable green cover and biodiversity, committing itself to lead coordinated efforts across the 56 Commonwealth member countries. The announcement comes after a Commonwealth event in Dubai on December 3, 2023, during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). During the event, the Commonwealth Secretariat launched a new implementation framework to facilitate coordinated action among the 56 Commonwealth countries on land, biodiversity and climate challenges, directly impacting a quarter of the world’s land area. The launch comes after extensive consultations with Commonwealth countries since the adoption of the Living Lands Charter last year. Prime Minister of Malta, Robert Abela, and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Ibrahim Thiaw expressed their support for the framework during the event.

Urgent priority

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Abela said, “The world is experiencing a planetary crisis, addressing climate change, protecting biodiversity, and nurturing ecological restoration of our land has become an urgent priority for all Commonwealth members.

“We are here to renew our commitment to work together towards the same through the Living Lands Charter. We hope that our experience inspires Commonwealth countries facing similar tough challenges.” In addition, the Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland, related, “Our Commonwealth encompasses a quarter of the world’s land area and is home to a third of the world’s mega-biodiverse countries. More than 400 endemic species are found in our small island states. “The impact of climate change is increasingly severe across our countries. Food insecurity is increasing. Soil is depleting. The sheer scale of these challenges compels us to lead with bold action.” She added, “With this implementation framework, we are taking a giant leap forward. It will leverage the combined strength of the Commonwealth through thematic action working groups – learning from each other and spurring one another on towards systems change and a better future for all.” The framework takes a system-wide approach towards implementing the Living Lands Charter through five thematic action areas: climate-resilient agriculture for food security; soil and water conservation; sustainable green cover and biodiversity; carbon neutral and climate-resilient livestock rearing and animal husbandry; and Indigenous and local people

for climate-resilient development.

Champion countries

However, several countries have stepped forward to lead on priority areas of action. These include Guyana, which will champion action on sustainable green cover and biodiversity; Kenya will lead action on climate-resilient agriculture for food security and Malta will spearhead the conservation of soil and water. Within each thematic area, the Commonwealth will offer extensive support to countries to achieve their commitments. This support entails mobilising resources for implementation, conducting analyses for policymaking, facilitating institutional governance, offering capacity-building assistance, and generating knowledge for member countries. The implementation framework has been developed in response to a mandate from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in June 2022. The Secretariat for the three Rio Conventions welcomed the framework and expressed confidence in its ability to help countries achieve targets set out in the Paris Agreement, the Global Biodiversity Framework and the UNCCD Strategic Plan for Land Degradation Neutrality. The framework’s launch coincides with the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action.

10 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GDF exposes misinformation of Golden Arrowhead replaced at Essequibo border – urges public to be responsible when sharing information stated. Clear distinctions were identified between the two locations and notably, the recently-installed plaque at the authentic site is absent in the video in question. GDF added that the public must understand that the video's content is misleading and does not represent any activity or incident within Guyana. It encouraged Guyanese to verify their information from reliable sources before sharing. “We appreciate the public's vigilance and encourage reliance on verified sources for accurate information and urge the responsible sharing of information. The Guyana Defence Force remains steadfast in its Guyana Defence Force officials stand as the Golden Arrowhead remains hoisted on the Essequibo border

he Golden Arrowhead continues to fly majestically on Guyana’s Essequibo border and has not been replaced with a Venezuelan flag, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has clarified. This misinformation was circulating on social media via a

video, which depicted the hoisting of a Venezuelan flag on the western border and purportedly replacing the Arrowhead. “The video in question is not from Guyana, and we categorically state that the flag being lowered is not the recently hoisted golden arrowhead along our border,” the GDF

duty to serve this nation.” Less than two weeks ago, President Irfaan Ali joined army personnel to hoist the Golden Arrowhead more than 2200 feet above sea level on our border with Venezuela. In light of the heightened tension in the border controversy, the Head of State and members of Cabinet have asked that citizens only rely on information from official channels of the Government, the GDF and the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The President had asserted, “Exciting ourselves through sensational posting, some of it concocted to generate excitement, help to create an environment of uneasiness. I want to assure members of the pub-

lic, every Guyanese, that the tireless work that we’re doing over the last couple of weeks is not only bearing fruit but has enabled us to strengthen our relationships with our partners.” Last week, Prime Minister Mark Phillips also urged the public to rely on official sources for accurate information about national security and public safety. He emphasised the need to verify news before sharing, especially in the face of fake news intended to sow panic and confusion. He was quoted, “Be cautious of misinformation that can harm our unity and stability. The public must remain calm and keep themselves in-

formed through reliable channels, even as we assure you that our Government is working tirelessly to ensure the safety of our people and the victory of our country.” Round the clock, no efforts are being spared to enhance capabilities locally. First and foremost, the Administration is working on a plan to bring awareness to the population, educating about the controversy. The Guyana Defence Force has been utilising intelligence to monitor the borders and establish domain awareness. In annexing the Essequibo, Venezuela seeks to formally capture the Essequibo as part of its territory and incorporate it as a new state.

Army Chief meets with members of Brazilian Armed Forces

Brigadier Omar Khan along with Chief of the Joint General Staff of the Brazilian Armed Forces, Admiral Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire and Chief of Strategic Affairs of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Brigadier Walcyr Josué de Castilho Araujo

n a significant step towards strengthening bilateral ties between Guyana and Brazil, Chief of Staff Brigadier Omar Khan recently met with the Chief

of the Joint General Staff of the Brazilian Armed Forces, Admiral Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire and Chief of Strategic Affairs of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Brigadier

Walcyr Josué de Castilho Araujo. The meeting, held as part of the ongoing efforts to expand strategic relations, underscored the commitment

of both nations to fostering cooperation in various domains, including defence and strategic affairs. This meeting marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing diplomatic efforts between Guyana and Brazil, reflecting a shared vision for a secure and cooperative future. The Guyana Defence Force remains dedicated to advancing regional collaboration and contributing to the broader objectives of peace and stability. Just last week, the Guyanese Army Chief also paid a visit to the Brazilian Ministry of Defence. The purpose of the visit went beyond routine military exchanges and training, focusing instead on a strategic discourse aimed at expanding and solidifying relations between the two nations. The meeting marked a crucial step in diversifying the ties between Guyana and Brazil, reaching beyond conventional military cooperation. Brigadier Khan actively participated in discussions that explored new avenues for collaboration, emphasising the shared interests and mutual benefits of a strengthened partnership. Khan's involvement in that initiative underscores the commitment of the Guyana Defence Force to fostering positive and multifaceted relations with Brazil. His visit serves as a testament to the importance of diplomacy and dialogue in navigating the evolving landscape of international partnerships.

NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GDF Coast Guard intensifies search for missing fishing vessel, crew – as families remain hopeful for their safe return

own with the Coast Guard and it is not enough. We want them to look into the matter more seriously if they could get assistance from the other countries close by or if they could assist with a vessel that we could get our people to go out again.”

Hazrat Razack, called “Denno”

Cicil Persaud, called “Dallas”

Search party

Son of Cicil Persaud, Dhanraj Persaud

Mother of Vickram Joycelyn Harris

Singh,

Daughter of Hazrat Razack, Hazeena Bahadur

t has been an agonising three weeks since the disappearance of the fishing vessel “Aseyah One” along with its crew, leaving families in a state of distress. The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has heightened its daily sea patrols and other search efforts through the Coast Guard in a desperate attempt to locate the missing men. The missing men are Vickram Singh of Longpond, West Bank Demerara (WBD); Worrin Yipsam also called “Powas” of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD); Hazrat Razack called “Denno” of Belle West Canal No 2, WBD, and Cicil Persaud also called “Dallas” of Sisters Village, WBD. They were reported went missing on November 16, 2023. Nevertheless, the GDF stated that in light of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), its highest priority is the safety of the crew aboard the missing vessel. Operations have been concentrated within Guyana’s maritime space, spanning from the Demerara River to the Waini River mouth, covering the maritime boundary in the North West region. Vessel operations have also extended to target the shoreline within our territorial waters. To date, the vessel patrols have covered an extensive area, a little over 9000 square nautical miles. “Concurrently, the Coast Guard has alerted its Caribbean counterparts through the Regional Security System (RSS) to be vigilant for any possible sightings. In a collaborative effort, vessels operating in the region, including the Transport and Harbour Department MV Barima (North West Ferry), have been placed on high alert to keep a watchful eye for the missing vessel,” the GDF stated on Monday. The fishing vessel was

last seen just before it departed to assist a distressed vessel. Notably, the distressed vessel has since safely returned to port. It was reported that the men would have received a distress call on November 16 via radio through Exxon from their colleagues who had gone out to sea since November 5. The men subsequently boarded a small boat with a battery and an alternator which were needed to fix the bigger boat. However, the vessel, “Red Snapper” which had encountered mechanical issues, returned to shore without the four men.

plained that he was the sole breadwinner in the house. “How many days they search and them find nothing? Right now, me study my son night and day. He is the only one that does give me something. I hope and pray that he alive,” Harris told the media on Sunday. For Parbattie Fred, both her brother and son Cecil Persaud and Hazrat Razack are missing. The last she saw her son was when he left with a battery to go out to sea. “Them tell me them search and them can’t find them. Every day them search. Is me alone and me just want them to come home. I can’t live with this,” the elderly woman decried. The daughter of Razack, Hazeena Bahadur is holding out hope that her father will return home along with the other fishermen. Up in arms, she called on authorities to step up and provide support. She expressed, “We’re asking the Government to help right now because we’ve been trying on our

Clinging to hope

In the face of uncertainty, family members of the crew are holding on to hope for the safe return of their loved ones. The passing of eighteen long days has been marked by an anxious wait and bated breath, as they cling to the anticipation of receiving positive news. Joycelyn Harris, the mother of Vickram Singh, was in tears as she ex-

Meanwhile, Dhanraj Persaud is also among those awaiting word since his father is among the missing men. He accompanied the Coast Guard’s search party several times, where both sea and air resources have been utilised. “We ain’t see nothing. We don’t know if them guys drifting in the sea but we’re asking Caribbean countries if they could help we look for them because four lives are out there, my father, my cousin, the captain and a sailor. It’s four lives we’re

Worrin Yipsam, called “Powas”

looking at,” Persaud voiced. He recalled that on the day the men went out to sea, they were contacted at about 20:00h and communicated that everything was ‘okay’.

They were expected to return the following Saturday but this was not the case. The families remain hopeful that the men are still alive. (Rupa Seenaraine)

12 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 20

Scenes from "Night of Patriotic Reflecti

023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

ion" at the Guyana National Stadium

14 NEWS Groundbreaking Bankability Fund for Women in Guyana launched T TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

he Bankability Fund for Women (BF4W) was on Saturday evening launched, aimed at supporting and empowering women entrepreneurs in Guyana. Developed with support from the IDB office, ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc, and the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women (CBFW), the fund stands poised to provide eligible women entrepreneurs with the necessary investment to propel their businesses forward. Following rigorous assessments of their eligibility, women entrepreneurs will be guided on the process of incorporation to shield themselves from personal liability, a crucial shift from the prevalent sole proprietorship model. The fund not only provides financial support but also guides businesses in cultivating an auditable financial history, paving the way for sustained empowerment. The Bankability Fund for Women is more than a financial resource; it's a gateway to sustainable success for women entrepreneurs in Guyana. Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, Cherie Blair expressed her enthusiasm for this collaboration, stating, "We are thrilled to be collaborating with ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc to bring this opportunity to the women entrepreneurs we work with in Guyana. Increasing women entrepreneurs’ access to finance will massively boost that impact." Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc, Davitri Doerga emphasised the significance of this initiative in fostering growth and innova-

The graduates along with IDB, UK High Commission and other officials

tion in the economy. "This initiative is a crucial step in empowering Guyanese women entrepreneurs, driving growth and innovation in our economy. We're committed to transforming the landscape of women-led businesses and fostering a future of strong female leadership in our nation's development." Further, Country Representative of IDB Guyana, Lorena SolórzanoSalazar added that “Strengthening the capacity of women entrepreneurs and creating opportunities for their networking and inclusive access to finance are imperatives for women-led Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to thrive. This partnership of the IDB, ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc and the Cherie Blair Foundation, therefore, sets the momentum for women in Guyana to build their business model with new skills and mindset needed for growth and success.” However, the launch of the fund followed the Road to Finance & Leadership Graduation which saw close to 100 women graduating.

The Road to Finance initiative, spanning four weeks with additional self-paced online learning, has equipped women with invaluable insights and practical guidance to secure financing for their businesses. This comprehensive training empowers women by honing their abilities to identify business situations, understand financing options, develop financial plans, deliver compelling investment pitches, negotiate effectively, and expand professional networks. Similarly, the Road to Leadership programme, designed across multiple sessions, has focused on nurturing leadership qualities, enhancing communication skills, advocating for change, and fostering confidence among women entrepreneurs. This initiative aims to break through gendered structural barriers, empowering women to thrive as leaders and catalysts for change in their respective environments. In a reflective statement after a 3-week journey in the Road to Leadership programme, Roberta Nicolls

highlighted key insights into leadership dynamics. Emphasising the absence of a standardised leadership blueprint due to the uniqueness of individual traits, she underscored the necessity for preparedness, diligence, and equipped tools to enact positive organisational change. Nicolls stressed the pivotal role of self-awareness and ineffective leadership, advocating for the seeking of feedback from colleagues

and those being led to facilitate open dialogue and navigate challenging situations. Addressing the additional challenges faced by female leaders compared to their male counterparts, she reframed these hurdles as opportunities for honing endurance and refining their leadership style. Ullanda Arokium, reflecting on her experience with the Road to Finance and Road to Leadership programmes,

highlighted their transformative impact on her journey as a woman leader. She articulated the pivotal role of these initiatives in equipping her with vital skills and insights crucial for navigating the complex terrain of finance and leadership. Emphasising the significance of female leadership in the contemporary landscape, she underscored its importance in today's world, where diverse perspectives and inclusive leadership are integral for driving meaningful change and fostering a more equitable and empowered society. Arokium's testament echoes the broader impact of these programmes in empowering women to lead with confidence and efficacy in the evolving business landscape. The graduation of these women and the launch of the BF4W mark a significant moment in Guyana's entrepreneurial landscape. With the support of these programmes and resources, women entrepreneurs are poised to thrive, leading to a stronger, more vibrant economy for all.

Guyana’s Embassy in Qatar Holds Evening of Reflection, Prayer, and Patriotism

Circle of Unity formed by attendees

n Sunday, the Embassy of the C o o p e r a t i v e Republic of Guyana in the State of Qatar held an evening of Reflection, Prayer, and Patriotism where the Guyanese diaspora residing in Qatar was updated on the Guyana-Venezuela controversy. The programme consisted of the rendition of the National Anthem and the National Pledge by a Guyanese student studying in Qatar, Ronneil Lord. The Christian prayer was facilitated by Kevin Campbell, the Hindu Prayer was led by Tara Singh and the Muslim prayer was done by Dr Irshaad Shafeeulllah. Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh during his video presentation eruditely articulated and briefed the audience on the Guyana/ Venezuela controversy. Indeed, he advised the audience that Guyana adheres

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh addressing the gathering via video presentation

to the universally acceptable ethos of respect for sovereignty and territorial adherence to international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes. He reiterated that Essequibo belongs to Guyana. In so doing, the Minister invoked nationalistic fervour amongst the audience. Following his feature

presentation, a Circle of Unity was formed amongst the attendees, symbolising our nation’s strength. The audience was then provided with a description of the Guyanese menu, by Julia Kanhai. The programme ended with the vote of thanks being done by Guyana’s Ambassador to the State of Qatar, Safraaz Ahmad Shadood.

NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Taxi driver gets $1.6M Houston man remanded bail for causing death over knifepoint robberies of Kuru Kururu man O – female driver charged for being unlicensed, breaching insurance

wenty-seven-year-old Jonathan Bailey, a taxi driver from Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, was on Monday charged for causing the death of 52-year-old Vishnudat Ramilan, who died following an accident on Saturday evening at Soesdyke. Another driver, Steffy Timmerman, 27, also of Kuru Kururu, was charged for driving without a valid driver’s licence and breach of insurance. They both appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court where Bailey pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of $1.6 million. On the other hand, Timmerman pleaded guilty to the charges read to her and was fined $75,000. The matter was adjourned for December 28. Police had reported that Ramilan also called “Sanko” of Kuru Kururu, SoesdykeLinden Highway, was struck by a motor vehicle bearing registration number PMM 2014 at First Hill, SoesdykeLinden Highway, which was at the time being driven by a 27-year-old unlicensed woman.

Charged: Steffy Timmerman

While proceeding along her journey, she reportedly observed a male in the centre of the roadway and in an attempt to avoid him, she swerved but the right-side wing mirror collided with him. This, however, resulted in the pedestrian falling onto the roadway and into the path of another motor car, PJJ 807, that was travelling at a fast rate. Ramilan reportedly sustained injuries to his head and body. From reports received, he died on the spot. The man’s body was transported to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre by an EMT team who arrived moments later.

Charged: Jonathan Bailey

During a telephone interview with Guyana Times, the deceased’s niece, Annie Azeez, stated that the man’s sudden passing shocked the family. “It was very shocking, it’s my first, um we as cousins we live like brothers and sisters we do not just speak with our cousins, so it was like quite a shocking blow to us that he passed away… the family is a very coherent unit, we’re there for each other so we’re doing the best we can to support the mother and get the funeral process of out the way.” The now dead man leaves to mourn his two children and other family members.

n Monday, a 2 3 - y e a r - o l d Houston, Greater Georgetown construction worker, who is accused of robbery under arms, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts. When Elijah Inshanally appeared before Magistrate Rhondell Weever, he entered not guilty pleas to both charges. He was not represented by an attorney at law. It is alleged that on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Mc Doom in Greater Georgetown, he robbed Nicholas Christopher of $25,000 in cash and Ronaldo Ramlall of $6420 in cash and US$10 while he was with other people and carrying a knife. The Police prosecutor presented the court with the case's facts, stating that Inshanally and his accomplices had robbed the virtual complainants before he (Inshanally) was apprehended and handed over to the Police by public-spirited citizens. At the time of his arrest, Inshanally was carrying a knife, said the prosecutor. The prosecution expressed concerns about the accused being granted bail, citing the gravity of the crime, its frequency, and the associated penal-

Robbery accused: Elijah Inshanally

ties. Additionally, he told the court that Inshanally's inconsistent addresses provided to the Police made him a flight risk. Although Inshanally said in court that he lived at Lot 3 Houston with his parents, the prosecutor stated that investigations have shown that he resides at Lot 33 Houston. Given that the virtual complainants live just a short distance away from the defendant, the prosecution stated that there is a possibility that Inshanally may potentially harm them. During his court appearance, the robbery accused testified that he saw several men on the day in question, attack and rob the virtual complainants while he was

on a motorcycle. He said the robbers assaulted him when he tried to rescue the virtual complainants. As a result, he claimed that he got on his motorcycle and rode away. He said that residents in the community dealt him a sound thrashing because they thought he was one of the robbers. Inshanally assured the court that he would never rob the virtual complainants because they live close to him. Inshanally had marks of violence on his face at his arraignment. Magistrate Weever, in the end, remanded this robbery accused to prison. He was instructed that his next court hearing will be on December 18, 2023.

Teen dies after minibus crashes into sand heap along Corentyne roadway – father says son left home for work

teenager is now dead after a minibus he was allegedly driving turned turtle along the Borlam Public Road, Corentyne, on Sunday. Police claim that the teenager was the driver at the time of the crash, but reports suggest that someone else was behind the wheel. The dead man has been identified as 19-year-old Marvin Ishmile of Betsy Ground, East Canje. According to the Police, the accident occurred at about 18:50h and involved a minibus owned by Deonauth Moses called

Dead: Marvin Ishmile

The Police say Ishmile was the driver and that

Beer bottles at the scene

“Chinick”, a businessman of Betsy Ground Village.

there was one other person in the vehicle at the time

– 60-year-old Rai Badree, also of Betsy Ground. However, Shalim Ishmile, the deceased’s father, confirmed that it was his son who was driving the minibus at the time of the accident, while adding that two other persons were in the vehicle - one being his son’s cousin and the other his uncle. The Police stated the vehicle was proceeding west along the southern drive lane of the Borlam Public Road, allegedly at a fast rate of speed, when the driver lost control and collided with a heap of sand,

The wrecked minibus

thus causing the vehicle to topple several times before coming to a halt. The Police said both the driver and the other occupant were taken out of the said vehicle by public-spirited citizens. The driver was pulled from the wreckage in an unconscious state and rushed to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The other occupant was treated and later sent away. Guyana Times was told

that the teenager and several other persons were seen at the Number 63 Beach sporting. As the minibus made its way to Canje, there was reportedly loud music emanating from the vehicle. The dead teen’s father could not confirm where his son was. According to the 47-year-old father, his son worked with the businessman, who is also a relative. He said as far as he knows, they were constructing a

road somewhere on the Corentyne and he thought that his son was at work. “He left to go to work and a phone call came stating that he met with an accident. Then I left and went to the New Amsterdam Hospital and when I reached, he was dead; his head crushed up,” the father said. Ishmile leaves to mourn his parents and two siblings. (Andrew Carmichael)

16 NEWS Youths living with disabilities sound calls for leadership opportunities, inclusive legislation TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

he National Youth with Disabilities Conference has concluded with a collective plea from participants, advocating for active participation in leadership positions and a significant push for amended legislation aimed at fostering greater inclusivity. The annual conference was implemented in partnership with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Approximately 54 young persons with disabilities from across Guyana were in attendance and engaged in discussions relating to the current disability landscape in Guyana and the necessary improvements required to positively impact the lives of persons with disabilities. The contents of their declaration highlight the pertinent areas in which young persons with disabilities would like changes to be made. Five core areas make up the declaration in keeping with the objectives of the conference. It outlines that Persons with Disabilities who possess the necessary qualifications should be encouraged to be a part of the legislative, judi-

cial, and executive arms of Government and any barriers that hinder this process be removed. Secondly, it calls for The Local Authority (Elections) Act, Chapter 28:03 to be amended to remove Section 40 (2), which bars persons with disabilities who receive public assistance from running for local government office. Another speaks to the revision of relevant legislation to promote independent accessible voting for persons with disabilities and all administrative measures implemented by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to promote accessible and inclusive voting for persons with disabilities. Youths with disabilities also sounded the need to be represented on the President’s Youth Advisory Council and all other similar bodies and be meaningfully engaged by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. They added that Government Ministries and agencies should have a disability inclusion policy to guide the delivery of service and accommodation of persons with disabilities. “Persons with disabilities should be consulted and their needs incorporated in all disaster preparedness and response policies

Accessibility

Participants of the National Youth with Disabilities Conference

and plans that include disability-specific evacuation measures. There should be more research in the area of climate change and the impact on the population of persons with disabilities,” the participants highlighted.

Food security

Meanwhile, the group lobbied for a special programme to facilitate improved food security among the disabled community through the promotion of sustainable farming and the provision of planting materials, equipment and technical support. “There should be the provision of food vouchers/ stamps to those persons with disabilities who are fi-

nancially challenged to facilitate their food security,” they advised.

Employment

In the area of employment, the declaration mentioned the need to amend the Guyana Disability Act to increase the penalties for employers who discriminate against employees with disabilities and strengthen the reporting mechanism for cases of discrimination; exempt persons with disabilities from paying PAYE or income tax if their income is below $2,400,000 per year; and encourage private sector to employ qualified and skilled persons with disabilities through the granting of tax concessions and

other special concessions. “There should be mandatory disability sensitivity training sessions for employers and staff on disability rights, non-discrimination, and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Ensure all Government agencies budget to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.” In public agencies and Ministries, the group is calling for the employee roster to have a minimum of five per cent of persons with disabilities if they employ more than 20 persons. Another recommendation suggested special job fairs targeting persons with disabilities.

The relevant legislation and policies including the Guyana Disability Act should be amended and strengthened to ensure that all public buildings are fully accessible for all persons with disabilities, with strict enforcement and timelines for implementation, the Council agreed. This should include ramps, elevators, wide doorways, corridors, and accessible washrooms along with the provision of modified infrastructure to ensure accessibility in compliance with the Universal Design. “Traffic signals, pedestrian crossings and other similar systems should be retrofitted or made accessible to accommodate persons with disabilities. There should be a special accessible transportation service to transport persons with disabilities at a subsidised cost in the absence of a structured public transportation provider or system. All information for public dissemination should be accessible to persons who are deaf, persons who are blind and persons with learning disabilities. Additionally, all websites should be accessible in compliance with the international guidelines,” the recommendations stated.

Carpenter gets 18 months for breaking into house, stealing over $1M in items A fter pleading guilty to a break and enter and larceny charge, 32-year-old Vishal Jones also called “Tattoo man” of Zeeburg, West Coast Demerara (WCD), was slapped with an 18-month jail sentence on Monday. Police stated that between November 17 and 20, 2023, at Regent Street, Georgetown, he broke into Hazel Thompson’s home, while accompanied by others, and stole a quantity of clothing and shoes worth a combined $900,000, a TCL television valued at $100,000, and a microwave valued at $50,000. At the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, the Police prosecutor informed Magistrate Rhondell Weever that Jones, a carpenter, and other individuals could be seen on CCTV camera breaking into the woman's house before Jones submitted his guilty plea. The prosecutor also revealed that Jones had ad-

Vishal Jones being led away by a Police rank on Monday to begin serving his sentence

mitted to the offence at the time of his arrest. Reports indicate that Jones was charged on several occasions for similar offences. He was also previously convicted for such offences and served time in prison. According to reports, in December 2019, he was referred to the Adult Drug Treatment Court after he admitted to stealing a pressure washer to buy cocaine

and food. He reportedly sold the pressure washer valued at $160,000 for $4000. Meanwhile, last week Friday, a vagrant who confessed to breaking into Thompson’s residence was also jailed for 18 months by the same Magistrate . He is Mark Birch, 41, a father of one, of Princes Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown. During his court appearance, Birch provided the presiding Magistrate with an explanation for his actions, telling her, “I was really hungry. I just take two things. I tek the microwave, my worship. I apologise for what I have done. Be lenient with me.” Although Birch informed the court that he resided at the Princes Street address with his grandmother, the prosecutor said he is a vagrant who lives in Bourda Market, Georgetown. The prosecution said that on November 17, 2023, after the victim left for the United States of America,

Jailed: Vishal Jones making an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts in December 2019

her son-in-law locked up her Regent Street home, leaving her belongings in-

side. On November 20, 2023, nevertheless, the man went

back to the property and discovered that the house had been broken into, multiple goods were stolen, and several louvre panes had been removed. He informed the Police of the break-in immediately and surveillance footage from the residence showed Birch and two other males breaking into Thompson’s home and carting off the items. The prosecutor said that Brich took Police officers to the location of the television after admitting to the crime. None of the other items were found. Birch’s prior conviction for a comparable offence and the frequency of the house break-ins were taken into account by the Magistrate, who sentenced him to 18 months in jail. Magistrate Weever commenced the sentence at a starting point of 24 months but deducted six months for his early guilty plea. Birch had served six months in prison for the earlier crime.

NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$100M prawn production project to begin soon at Onverwagt – projected to bring in US$2.2M annually

Agricultural minister and a team at Onverwagt on Saturday inspecting the ponds that are being constructed

freshwater prawns project at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice (WCB), Region Five, is expected to come on stream by the end of the year. Presently, 10 ponds are currently being constructed, measuring one acre each. These ponds were expected to be filled with water and larvae on Monday. This was revealed by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Saturday, who added that once production starts, the prawns will attract a very good price while noting that the facility is expected to produce about 50 tonnes per crop. On the international

market, a tonne of prawns is being sold for US$15,000. “That will be about US$750,000 for one crop of prawns.” It is expected that there will be three crops per year, which will net a whopping US$2.2 million annually. According to Mustapha, his Ministry is trying to build an industry which produces huge quantities of freshwater prawns. “These are in demand, especially in North America and the Caribbean. So, I am hoping that we can replicate this across the country. As the President rightly said, we are not only going in the traditional area, we are going into the non-traditional

area now,” he said. Mustapha pointed out that the development of the ponds for freshwater prawns shows a vision in the agriculture sector to reduce the food import bill, which will contribute to the 25 by 2025 goal. The Ministry is also working with Barbados to start a similar project. “They are calling it the ‘brown prawns’ in Barbados and several officers have already gone there to start the project. They are doing the brackish water shrimp where they are bringing in the salt water and mixing it with fresh water like we are doing on the Corentyne.” Further, he stated that

One of the 10 ponds which will be used or the Prawns’ project

the production of brackish water shrimp has increased by 800 per cent since 2020, with an estimated 90 kilograms annually. Before the Agriculture Ministry took an active role and invested in the production of brackish water shrimp on the Corentyne, farmers were involved in subsistence farming. “I am hoping that by the end of that programme, we would see production move from 10,000 which we started with to about 150,000 kilograms. Now people from different parts of the country want to get involved in this activity. This augurs well for us in terms of developing new areas in the agri-

culture sector. Meanwhile, Mustapha said he is hoping that the Onverwagt project will spread across the country. He said the model is still being worked on but noted that there are several options - one is the have it as a public-private partnership. “We can bring in private people and work with them, forming companies and pay a dividend at the end of the year, but we will be working with vulnerable groups; 35 per cent must be women and youth. If you look at what we are doing now, several young people are getting involved in agriculture. Those people who would have gone through

the tertiary institutions got qualified and never went into agriculture practically – just doing clerical work are now getting into agriculture and sharing their knowledge.” This, he pointed out, is good for the agriculture sector to have persons with skills and knowledge actively participating. Nevertheless, as it relates to the freshwater prawns project, the Ministry is planning to have its own hatchery to produce larvae and also to develop a feed mill. “The entire chain we will be doing ourselves from the Ministry of Agriculture. (Andrew Carmicheal)

Fisherman gets Tomb of murdered Corentyne man 18 months for vandalised 1 week after burial break and enter T A nthony Chung, a 26-year-old fisherman of Lot 41 Brickery, East Bank Demerara (EBD), has been sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for break and enter and larceny. The Police said on Monday that he had been arrested for the crime on November 30. When Chung appeared on Monday before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Vigilance Magistrates’

Jailed: Anthony Chung

Courts, he pleaded guilty to the charge. As such, he was sentenced to serve time in jail.

Mahaica fisherman remanded on attempted rape charge

hris Gopaul, a 33-yearold fisherman of Riverview, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was arrested on November 30 and charged on Monday with attempted rape. The details of the matter were not available. The accused appeared before Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts, where the allegation was read to

Remanded: Chris Gopaul

him. He was not required to enter a plea to the indictable charge. Gopaul was remanded to prison until January 9, 2024.

he tomb of 29-yearold Ramanand Mingo, who was murdered and recently buried, was discovered vandalised on Monday. Following the discovery, relatives told Guyana Times that they received a telephone call at about 09:30h informing them that the tomb was desecrated. The dead man’s cousin, Jennifer Ramsingh, said when they arrived at the Babu Jaan Cemetery, where Mingo was buried, they discovered that the top of the tomb was forcefully removed and a part of the casket pulled out of it. According to her, the body didn’t seem to have been interfered with. She said nothing was removed from the man’s body or casket. The family was left in a state of shock and disbelief and is yet to ascertain what exactly transpired and more so, the purpose of the invasion. The Police have launched an investigation into the incident. Mingo was killed on November 19, 2023. At the time, he had reportedly gone into a bar to purchase something to drink. Police had detailed that Mingo had left his home earlier in the day to play

The vandalized tomb

cricket, and was imbibing at a supermarket on John’s Public Road when his brother picked him up. While on their way home, they stopped at the bar. According to the Police, Mingo went into the bar while his brother stood outside. He said he then saw his brother and the suspect arguing. He went inside the bar to separate them when he saw the suspect pull out a knife from the waist of his pants and stabbed Mingo to his left side chest. A post-mortem examination performed on the body of Mingo by

Government Pathologist, Dr Vivekanand Bridgemohan on Monday gave the cause of death as shock and haemorrhage due to a stab wound to the heart. Police subsequently

charged Andrew Seegobin, 30, a construction worker of Clifton Settlement for Mingo’s murder. He is expected to make his next court appearance on December 11.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

Latin America must invest Ex-Ambassador charged up to 4.9% of GDP annually over spying for Cuba to meet climate goals – UN A

atin America and the Caribbean need to rapidly boost spending to up to 4.9 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually by 2030 to meet their climate targets, a United Nations agency said in a report on Monday. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) report presented at Dubai's COP28 summit said the region must spend between 3.7 per cent to 4.9 per cent of GDP annually, up from just 0.5 per cent in 2020, amounting to total investments of US$2.1 trillion to US$2.8 trillion by 2030. This implies the "availability of substantial but not unattainable amounts – and the time to act is now", ECLAC Executive Secretary Jose Manuel SalazarXirinachs said. Climate mitigation – mostly projects around transportation as well as energy, infrastructure and deforestation – would take up the lion's share of spending, ECLAC said, while a remaining third would need to

Manuel Flores walks on a dry area that shows the drop in the level of Lake Titicaca, Latin America's largest freshwater basin, as it is edging towards record low levels, on Cojata Island, Bolivia, October 26, 2023 (Reuters/Claudia Morales file photo)

go toward adaptation methods. These include early-warning systems, combating poverty, protecting coasts and sanitising water. Climate change – excluding the impacts of extreme phenomena – could strip 10 per cent off labour productivity in some countries, it added, cutting potential for economic growth. The study pointed to extreme weather already plaguing parts of the region and devastating some agri-

cultural sectors, such as core farmlands across Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina. South America's Parana-La Plata, home to Argentina's key farming sector, suffered its worst dry season since 1944, the report said, while estimating that Chile is experiencing its most prolonged and severe drought in a millennium. "The cost of inaction outweighs the cost of action," Salazar-Xirinachs said. (Reuters)

Canadian entrepreneur and partner found dead in Dominica

anadian entrepreneur Daniel Langlois and his partner have been found dead in the Caribbean island nation of Dominica under suspicious circumstances. The bodies of Langlois and Dominique Marchand were found on Friday, reportedly in a burnt-out vehicle. The couple had been missing for several days from an eco-resort they owned on the island. Langlois founded Softimage, an animation software firm whose product was used in major blockbuster films. Three foreign nationals and one Dominican have been taken into custody over the incident, according

to Dominica News Online, which cited Dominica's National Security and Legal Affairs Minister Rayburn Blackmoore. "This type of terrible crime and the brutality in this crime is something we cannot ignore and we cannot allow those responsible to go unpunished," the minister said, according to Dominican media. The BBC has contacted Dominican national Police for comment. Little information is currently available about the deaths. The Daniel Langlois Foundation, a philanthropic organisation created by the entrepreneur in 1997, said in a statement on Monday that the couple "died in tragic circumstanc-

es" on December 1. "In the coming weeks and months, details of the exact circumstances of their passing will be revealed as the Dominican Police authorities and justice system proceed to the investigation," the statement said. The foundation said Langlois' "stellar career left a profound influence on contemporary cinema". Langlois worked as a director and animator in the Canadian province of Quebec before founding Softimage in the 1980s. Its 3D animation software was used in the production of major film hits including “Jurassic Park”, “The Matrix”, “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” and “Titanic”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

former US diplomat who served as Ambassador to Bolivia has been charged with working as an agent of the Cuban Government for more than 40 years. Victor Manuel Rocha, 73, is accused of helping Cuba gather intelligence against the US since 1981. Rocha referred to the US as "the enemy" and claimed his work as a secret agent "strengthened the Revolution", according to court papers. It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer to comment on his behalf. The former diplomat was arrested last Friday in Miami after an undercover sting operation that lasted more than a year, accord-

"CPR was administered to the victim. However, she suffered serious injuries to the right side of her body, including the right hip region and also her right upper limb," Police said. The woman was pronounced dead on the scene, Police said. While fatal shark attacks are not common in The Bahamas, at least two others have been reported

recently. On Nov. 21, a 47-yearold German woman went missing during a diving excursion in waters off West End, Grand Bahama, after encountering a shark, Police said. In September 2022, a 58-year-old American woman was killed in a shark attack while snorkelling with her family in waters of New Providence. (Reuters)

He worked as US Ambassador to Bolivia from 1999 to 2002, according to Prosecutors, and served in several Government roles – including at the National Security Council – for 25 years. The US and Cuba have had a fraught relationship since Fidel Castro overthrew a USbacked Government over 60 years ago. The US imposed a trade embargo against Cuba in the 1960s. Former President Barack Obama and former Cuban President Raul Castro took steps to normalise relations in 2015, though former US President Donald Trump later reversed many of these actions. (Excerpt from BBC News)

St Lucia PM urges world leaders to help transform the world

t Lucia Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre has called on the international community to transform the world into a safer place for the next generation, insisting also that Taiwan must not be left out. St Lucia is among a handful of Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries with diplomatic relations with Taiwan that China regards as a renegade province and has been urging countries to adopt the One China policy in their foreign relations with Beijing. Addressing the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), Pierre said that the world is in “an uncharted territory” and that the opportunities to secure a liveable plant for all are narrowing. “With the climate crises raging around the world, affecting not only Small Island Developing States, like St Lucia and the mem-

St Lucia Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre

bers of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) but developed countries as well, we are here to join hands together, uniting as a collective, to take ambitious action, with a sense of urgency to course-correct. “We are here to ensure that every party answers our call at this COP, to put us on a pathway that does not further compromise the futures of not only our particularly vulnerable nations, but all of our nations.”

Pierre said that the impacts have been devastating to the Caribbean and that loss and damage have struck at the core of regional economies and societies. “At one extreme, lives and livelihoods have been lost. At the other extreme, our environment is under siege,” he said, adding that St Lucia welcomes the decision to at last make the loss and damage fund functional and look forward to the pledges to make it a reality”. (Excerpt from CMC)

Nicaragua recalls Ambassador to Argentina after Milei criticism

Woman killed in shark attack in Bahamas N n American woman died after she was attacked by a shark while paddle boarding in The Bahamas on Monday, Police said. The woman, who was in her 40s and visiting from Boston, was with a male relative when the attack occurred near a resort in western New Providence, according to Police, who added that the pair were rescued by a lifeguard.

ing to the US Department of Justice. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the case was "one of the highest-reaching and longest-lasting infiltrations" of the US Government by a foreign agent. "For over 40 years, Victor Manuel Rocha served as an agent of the Cuban Government and sought out and obtained positions within the United States Government that would provide him with access to non-public information and the ability to affect US foreign policy," Garland said. Born in Colombia, Rocha was raised in New York City and obtained degrees from Yale, Harvard and Georgetown.

icaragua on Monday recalled its Ambassador to Argentina ahead of the inauguration of radical rightwing libertarian Javier Milei as the South American country's next President following his criticism of the Nicaraguan Government. Milei is set to take office on December 10. In the lead-up to his November election win, Milei said Argentina would not do business with "dictators" or "communists," and that he

would withdraw its ambassador to Nicaragua, among others. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo had initially congratulated Milei on his victory, but Nicaragua's Foreign Ministry said the withdrawal of its ambassador comes "in the face of repeated declarations and comments" from the incoming Argentine Government. Ortega – a former Marxist guerrilla who

ruled Nicaragua from 1979 to 1990 after toppling the right-wing Somoza family dynasty – has been increasingly isolated internationally since he launched a violent crackdown on dissent in 2018. The 78-year-old president, who has remained in office since returning to power in 2007, has said he was forced to act on the 2018 protests, arguing that adversaries were attempting to oust him in a coup. (Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023

Around The World

Israel presses ground offensive in OILNEWS OIL NEWS southern Gaza, air strikes intensify

Oil falls on demand fears and doubts over OPEC+ cuts

il prices extended declines on Monday, pressured by investor scepticism over the latest OPEC+ decision on supply cuts and uncertainty surrounding global fuel demand, though the risk of supply disruptions from the Middle East conflict limited losses. Monday's fall adds to a 2% decline last week after the supply cuts announced on Thursday by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia, together known as OPEC+. Brent crude futures were down 55 cents, or 0.72%, at US$78.33 a barrel by 11:22 CST (1722 GMT). US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 70 cents, or 0.93%, to US$73.34. "They're probably catching their breath after last week's OPEC+ meeting," Andrew Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates, said of crude traders on Monday. "The market has decided (OPEC production plans) are not going to have that much of an impact. It's more style over substance." OPEC+ announced production cuts that are voluntary in nature, raising doubts about whether or not producers would fully implement them. Investors were also unsure about how the cuts would be measured. "Crude seems to be under continued pressure from the OPEC+ decision," said Vandana Hari, founder of oil market analysis provider Vanda Insights. Expectations of lower demand were also pressuring prices. "The OPEC+ 'deal' last week was unconvincing to say the least," said Craig Erlam, analyst at brokerage OANDA. "And with markets seemingly anticipating more of an economic slowdown next year, the announcement simply doesn't go far enough." Surveys on Friday showed global manufacturing activity remained weak in November on soft demand, with euro zone factory activity contracting, while there were mixed signs on the strength of China's economy. Geopolitical considerations were back in focus as fighting resumed in Gaza, lending some support to prices. Three commercial vessels came under attack in international waters in the southern Red Sea, the US military said on Sunday. Elsewhere, Western countries have stepped up efforts to enforce the US$60 a barrel price cap on seaborne shipments of Russian oil imposed to punish Moscow for its war in Ukraine. Washington on Friday imposed additional sanctions on three entities and three oil tankers. (Reuters)

ntense Israeli air strikes hit the south of the Gaza Strip on Monday, killing and wounding dozens of Palestinians, including in areas where Israel had told people to seek shelter, residents and journalists on the ground said. Israeli troops and tanks also pressed the ground campaign against Hamas militants in the south of the enclave after having largely gained control of the now-devastated north. At the United Nations, Secretary General Antonio Guterres appealed to Israel to avoid further action that would make the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza worse, and to spare civilians from more suffering. "For people ordered to evacuate, there is nowhere

There were 49 climbers evacuated from the area earlier on Monday and many were being treated for burns, Jodi said. It took around four to six hours to evacuate one dead body from the volcano, Jodi said, adding: "It's very difficult." The 2891 metre (9485 ft) high volcano spewed ash as high as 3 km into the sky on Sunday. Marapi is one of the most active volcanoes on Sumatra island and its most deadly eruption was in April 1979, when 60 people were killed. This year, it erupted between January and February and was spewing ash around 75 metres-1000 metres from the peak. Authorities raised the alert to the second-highest level and prohibited residents from going within 3 km of the crater. (Excerpt from Reuters)

A Palestinian boy carrying a baby stands at a site of Israeli strikes, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip

belongings and headed towards Rafah. Most were on foot, walking past ruined buildings in a solemn and silent procession. But the head of the

United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees in Gaza (UNRWA), Thomas White, said people in Rafah were themselves being forced to flee. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US nearly out of money to help Ukraine fight Russia, White House warns Congress

hite House budget director Shalanda Young warned in a letter on Monday to Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson and other congressional leaders that the United States was running out of time and money to help Ukraine fight its war with Russia. Democratic President Joe Biden's Administration in October asked Congress for nearly US$106 billion to fund ambitious plans for Ukraine, Israel and US border security.

Republicans control the House with a slim majority, and funding for Ukraine has become politically controversial with some right-leaning lawmakers. Congress has approved more than US$110 billion for Ukraine since Russia's February 2022 invasion. But it has not approved any funds since Republicans took over the House from Democrats in January. The House and Senate last approved US$45 billion in military, financial and humanitarian aid for Ukraine as part of a broader annu-

al spending bill passed in December 2022. Young said in the letter released by the White House that cutting off funding and a flow of weapons to Ukraine would increase the likelihood of Russian victories. Johnson said on social media that Biden's Administration has "failed to substantively address" Republican concerns about Ukraine strategy and said that any national security spending package must include funds for the US border.

"We believe both issues can be agreed upon if Senate Democrats and the White House will negotiate reasonably," Johnson wrote on X, formerly called Twitter. The House's failure to consider the White House request has raised concerns that funding for Kyiv might never be approved, especially after it passed a Bill in November with funding for Israel but not Ukraine. The Senate's Democratic leaders rejected that Bill. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Chennai airport runway Britain announces flooded as Cyclone stricter visa measures Michaung nears India to reduce net migration

Indonesia's Marapi volcano erupts, killing 11 climbers; 12 missing A leven climbers were found dead in Indonesia on Monday and 12 were missing after the Marapi volcano erupted in West Sumatra, a rescue official said, as search operations - which were halted temporarily over safety concerns resumed. Three survivors were found on Monday along with the bodies of the 11 climbers, out of 75 who were in the area at the time of Sunday's eruption, said Jodi Haryawan, spokesperson for the search and rescue team, adding they were all local climbers. "We have continued to search for the 12 missing climbers until this evening. We have not decided when we are going to stop the operation," Jodi said in a phone call, adding they would continue evacuating the three survivors and bodies of climbers.

safe to go and very little to survive on," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said. Early on Monday, Israel ordered Palestinians to leave parts of Gaza's main southern city, Khan Younis. But residents said that areas which they had been told to go to were also coming under fire. Israel's military posted a map on social media platform X with around a quarter of Khan Younis marked off in yellow as territory that must be evacuated at once. Three arrows pointed south and west, telling people to head towards the Mediterranean coast and towards Rafah, a major town near the Egyptian border. Desperate Gazans in Khan Younis packed their

t least four people died, factories closed and the runway of one of India's busiest airports lay submerged due to torrential rain, as two southern states were braced on Monday for the impact of a severe cyclone. Cyclone Michaung was expected to make landfall on the coast of the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh around noon today, the country's weather office said, with sustained winds of 90-100 kph (56-62 mph), gusting to 110 kph. Four people had died in rain related incidents in neighbouring Tamil Nadu state, including two killed when a building wall collapsed, the State's Disaster Management Minister and a top official in his department said. In Tamil Nadu capital Chennai, the state's largest city and a major electronics and manufacturing hub, cars were swept away as floodwater flowed through

the streets, while its airport, one of the busiest in India, shut operations until this morning. Media showed pictures of grounded planes with their wheels submerged as the rain pelted down. Taiwan's Foxconn and Pegatron halted Apple iPhone production at their facilities near Chennai due to heavy rains, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Several areas of the city were submerged in kneedeep water and there have been power outages since Monday morning, a Reuters witness said, evoking memories of December 2015 when around 290 people died after catastrophic floods. At least 800 people have been evacuated so far from Bapatla, the coastal town in Andhra Pradesh where the cyclone is expected to make landfall today, P Ranjit Basha, district collector of Bapatla, said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

ritain announced plans to slash the number of migrants arriving by legal routes on Monday, raising the minimum salary they must earn in a skilled job by a third, amid pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to tackle record net migration figures. High levels of legal migration have dominated Britain's political landscape for more than a decade and were a key factor in the 2016 vote to leave the European Union. Sunak has promised to gain more control after lawmakers in his Conservative Party criticised his record ahead of an election expected next year, with the opposition Labour Party far ahead in opinion polls. But businesses and trade unions both attacked the measures as counterproductive and challenging for the private sector and State-run health service, both dogged by labour

shortages. Figures last month showed annual net migration to the United Kingdom hit a record of 745,000 in 2022 and has stayed at high levels since, with many migrants now coming from places like India, Nigeria and China instead of the EU. Home Secretary (Interior Minister) James Cleverly said the new measures could reduce that number by 300,000. "Immigration is too high. Today we’re taking radical action to bring it down," said Sunak, who is also trying to deport migrants who arrive illegally to Rwanda. Cleverly said the Government would raise the minimum salary threshold for foreign skilled workers to 38,700 pounds (US$48,900), from its current level of 26,200 pounds, though health and social workers would be exempt. (Excerpt from Reuters)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023

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Put your money to good use. Update documents, contracts and investments to ensure you don't miss an opportunity. Protect yourself from people offering misleading information.

(March 21-April 19) Live, learn and move forward. Establish whom and what you want to support. An open discussion will clear up any unresolved issues and bring about positive change. Don't act in haste.

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(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

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Don't let the little things get to you. Take care of your responsibilities and head in a more desirable direction. Carry out domestic changes that will make your life easier.

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(Feb. 20-March 20)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023

Hope reveals Dhoni inspiration after finishing chase in style S

hai Hope sealed a dramatic victory for his West Indies side over England with three sixes in four balls off Sam Curran in Antigua on Sunday, then called upon his players to back up their performances next week as they look to clinch a series win. Hope's unbeaten 109 off 83 balls was his 16th OneDay International (ODI) century and the fastest of his career. He brought it up with a flurry of sixes to take West Indies over the line, belting a Curran full toss over wide long-on, pulling a shorter ball over deep midwicket to bring up three figures and repeating the shot to complete a four-wicket win with seven balls to spare. "A very, very famous person, MS Dhoni – we had a chat a while ago, and he was saying, 'You always have a lot more time than you think,'" Hope said at the post-match presentation. "That's one thing that has stuck with me throughout the years I've been playing ODI cricket. Speaking to Cricket West Indies' in-house channels, he added: "The dimensions of the field and then the wind factor there, I thought the best thing to do was to target that particular over. We knew it was a challenge to score from the other end, especially going against the breeze… regardless of what happened, I was going to try and take

and that's all I play for," he said. "The stats will come as a bypass [sic], but my aim and my thing is to win games… It feels good, man. It contributed to a win, so I'm just happy that the guys got over the line." Hope also hailed the contribution of Romario Shepherd, who made 48 off 28 balls during an 89-run stand for the sixth wicket. "He was amazing," Hope said. "He's one of those guys you can de-

some consistency, not just a one-off to show the world you can do something. "Whatever is on the board, we have to chase it. If you want to win games, we can't only win games when we're bowling teams out for 160 or 150: we've got to win from any position. That's the belief that we need to have in the dressing room. I'm going to be pushing that regardless of what's going on." (ESPNcricinfo)

Who will be the next Senior Chess Champion?

West Indies ODI Captain Shai Hope

down that second-to-last over to give us the best chance of winning the game. "After the second [six of the 49th over], I knew we pretty much had the game in the balance. If we had that over to finish the game, I always try to finish the game with one over to spare if I can. I don't want to leave it to anyone else, so the aim was to finish off at the back end." Hope took over as West Indies' full-time ODI Captain earlier this year and while he oversaw an unsuccessful attempt at World Cup qualification in Zimbabwe, he has thrived with the bat since

taking on the role. He has moved down to number four after spending much of his career opening, and there has been a notable improvement in both his average and strike rate compared to his overall record. He also became the 11th West Indies batter to reach 5000 runs in men's ODIs, during what was his 114th innings in the format. Hope was the joint-third-fastest batter of any nationality to reach the landmark, behind Babar Azam (97) and Hashim Amla (101) and level with Viv Richards and Virat Kohli. "It was in a winning cause,

Man City charged over players confronting referee

anchester City have been charged by the Football Association with failing to control their players in Sunday's 3-3 Premier League draw with Tottenham. Players surrounded referee Simon Hooper when he awarded a free-kick to City late in stoppage time after it looked like Jack Grealish was through on goal. Hooper initially indicated City had the advantage and waved play on, but halted the match once the pass was played. City have until Thursday, December 7 to respond to the charge. An FA statement said the defending champions "failed to ensure their players do not behave in a way which is improper”. Striker Erling Haaland

pend on, and he's continued to show his worth at this level… we're starting the series on a high and the aim is to repeat this in the second game [on Wednesday]." West Indies' run chase – their second-highest in men's ODIs – was set up by Alick Athanaze and Brandon King's 104-run opening stand. "They're both quality players," Hope said. "Again, it's about how you can continue from this position. You want

Several Manchester City players approach referee Simon Hooper

was one of several City players to remonstrate with the official, and he continued his protests after the game by reposting a clip of the incident on X, formerly Twitter, with the comment "Wtf", which is offensive slang. However, the FA will not be handing out any further charges relating

to the fixture, so Haaland is not facing an individual punishment. It is the third Premier League game in succession that City have drawn, having also been held by Liverpool and Chelsea, and they sit third in the Premier League with a three-point gap to leaders Arsenal. (BBC Sport)

Khan, Nathoo headed into play-off in GAICO National Chess Championship

enior chess players Loris Nathoo (1703) and Candidate Master (CM) Taffin Khan (2005) are headed into a play-off soon to vie for the 2023 National Open Championship title. The playoff result will determine the new champion. Both players ended their encounters with nine , with the highest scores of 7.5 points each in the just-concluded tournament. The well-experienced players will face each other in an exciting and tense struggle in a three-game match of Speed Chess. A date and venue for the confrontation to finally take place will be announced shortly. The total playing time of the three games is a maximum of one hour and is expected to be a brutal struggle between the two alert minds. Each contender will be allotted 15, 10, and 5 minutes on the clock from the first to the third games, respectively, under the watchful eyes of Tournament Arbiter John Lee. If the scores are still even after three games, the contenders will move to the sudden death stage of the play-off in blitz chess with five minutes each on the clock. The clock will count down the opponents' time as they grapple to score wins over each other. During the fast-paced play-off, Nathoo and Khan will be compelled to employ strategy and tactics with caution and speed to outplay each other. Nathoo has never participated in a play-off in a National Chess Championship. However, Khan participated in a similar play-off in the 2010 Championship, where he confronted former National

CM Taffin Khan and Loris Nathoo in action

Champion Berbician Kriskal Persaud and won that contest over a decade ago. Local chess history will repeat itself with another championship play-off. Again, as in the previous one, this will end with only one Senior National Chess Champion. The players offered their expectations of the upcoming 'blitzkrieg' match. Nathoo remarked that he was eagerly anticipating once again, over the chess board, battling with the "enigmatic strategist, “The Compressor”, CM Taffin Khan. I will be entering the contest as the underdog, and that is what brings out the best in me. “Win or lose, it will be a contest that I relish," Nathoo concluded. "I hope to win" was Khan's terse response. The true result will crystallise soon. Meanwhile, the five junior players who participated in the National Open Championship fought valiantly to improve their performance and made dents in the scores of some seniors. They

were the boldest of the young players who mustered the mental fortitude to compete against the top seniors in the competition. The overall points standings at the end of the nineround GAICO-sponsored Championship are Khan and Nathoo with 7.5 apiece, Junior Champion Keron Sandiford and Jaden Taylor with 5 points each, Senior Justino Da Silva just under the two top juniors with 4.5 points, followed by Saeed Ali and Junior Sachin Pitamber together with 4. Senior Gilbert Williams and Junior Ethan Lee are on a joint score of 3.5, while Junior Rolex Alexander remained with .5 at the end of the competition. The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) wished to thank GAICO for its sponsorship of the 2023 National Chess Championship. GAICO has been a long-term sponsor of chess tournaments over the years. Gratitude was also extended to the National Sports Commission for access to the Resource Centre for the Championship games.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023

Windies Academy seal 4-Day series with 254-run win over Ireland O

n the back of a Kevin Wickham century and a Joshua Bishop four-wicket haul, West Indies Academy wrapped up a 254-run victory over Ireland Emerging inside three days of their second Four-Day match. As a result, the home team have also sealed a series win, 2-0. West Indies Academy began the day at the crease after bowling Ireland out cheaply in their first innings, with 172-4 on the board, as Ackeem Auguste and Teddy Bishop hit 75 from 102 balls and 46 from 72 deliveries respectively. While Kevlon Anderson was unable to repeat his dazzling feat from the first innings, Wickham picked up the momentum. He slammed six fours and five sixes in his 108ball 102 to help the Academy get close to the 300-run mark. Captain Nyeem Young

SCOREBOARD

A look at the action between West Indies Academy and Ireland

added 32 off 50 deliveries, while McKenny Clarke contributed 22 from 27 balls to get the home side to 3218 before declaring, leaving the visitors 576 runs to get for victory. Tom Mayes was the most outstanding of the Irish Emerging bowlers, with fig-

ures of 5-75 from 18.2 overs. Michael Frost claimed 2-136 from 32 overs, while Liam McCarthy took a single wicket. Ireland’s batting was once again a disaster, with the top score coming off the bat of number nine batsman McCarthy. He hit 32

from 35 deliveries, while the next best score came from Stephen Doheny, who contributed 23 from 48 balls. Joshua Bishop was the chief architect of Ireland’s batting meltdown after claiming 4-36 from 11 overs. Clarke had figures of

West Indies Academy 321/8 (Second Innings) Ackeem Auguste c ST Doheny b T Mayes 75 Matthew Nandu c TH Tector b L McCarthy 18 Teddy Bishop b M Frost 46 Kevlon Anderson c M Frost b T Mayes 4 Kevin Wickham not out 105 Carlon Bowen-Tuckett lbw M Frost 6 Nyeem Young c TH Tector b T Mayes 32 Joshua Bishop c M Commins b T Mayes 1 McKenny Clarke c CM Carmichael b T Mayes 22 Extras – 12 b: 5 lb: 4 wd: 1 nb: 2 Total 321/8 declared (71.2 overs) BOWLING O-M-R-W Liam McCarthy 10-0-48-1 Matthew Foster 4-1-20-0 Tom Mayes 18.2-4-75-5 Michael Frost 32-0-136-2 Scott MacBeth 7-1-33-0

Emerging Ireland 143 James McCollum c C Bowen-Tuckett b M Clarke 2 Stephen Doheny lbw JA Bishop 23 Cade Carmichael c M Nandu b M Clarke 14 Tim Tector c AWJ Auguste b K Pittman 0 Fionn Hand run out NRJ Young 4 Morgan Topping c JA Bishop b NRJ Young 11 Tom Mayes lbw JA Bishop 14 Scott MacBeth c JA Bishop b JA Bishop 8 Liam McCarthy not out 35 Michael Frost lbw JA Bishop 8 Matthew Foster lbw I Thorne 2 Extras – 22 b: 14 lb: 4 wd: 0 nb: 4 Total 143 all out (37.5 overs) BOWLING O-M-R-W McKenny Clarke 6-2-16-2 Nyeem Young 7-2-20-1 Kelvin Pittman 7-0-36-1 Isai Thorne 6.5-1-17-1 Joshua Bishop 11-3-36-4

2-16 from six overs, while the likes of Captain Young, Kelvin Pittman, and Isai Thorne had one scalp each. The West Indies

Academy secured a series win in both the One-Day Internationals (ODI) and Four-Day series against the Irish visitors.

NAMILCO U-17 National Academy Play-off…

Upper Demerara ATC ease past Berbice in final U pper Demerara Football Academy clinched a thrilling 2-1 victory against Berbice Football Academy on Saturday to emerge champions of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)-NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Under-17 National Academy Playoff. In another amazing encounter on December 2, Bartica Football Academy defeated East Bank Football Academy with a 3-2 scoreline to secure the third position at the Georgetown Football Club on North Road. For two months, passionate fans were treated to highly-competitive matches featuring Guyana's finest youth teams. Saturday's double-header was an exhilarating finale to the action-packed GFF 2023 youth season. The final between Upper Demerara and Berbice produced spectacular football, highlighting the balanced skills and talent of both teams. It was their first clash in a youth football final. Berbice's Tyrone Delph set the tone with a stunning 18th-minute goal, which his team successfully defended throughout the first half, much to the delight of their supporters. But the halftime break and coach's pep talk infused Upper Demerara with renewed vigour and determination. At the 53rd-minute mark, Rodensio Tudor's goal brought the scores level for the teams. The match intensified as both sides created numerous scoring opportunities, fuelling the excitement among the cheering fans.

Ultimately, it was Upper Demerara's Ryan Arthur, who broke the deadlock with an unforgettable 86th-minute goal, securing the coveted winners’ trophy for his team. Upper Demerara Head Coach Orden Nelson said he was happy with the play-off triumph, which is a significant breakthrough for youth football for the region following a dry spell of several years. “It’s great, excellent, a wonderful feeling,” he noted during a post-game interview. “It's been a while we didn't win any Under-13, 17 or 15, so it's a pleasure to take it home to Linden.” He shared that he told his team to have “faith in themselves and confidence, because we come to play football. So, just put it together. It’s great.” A jubilant Team Captain Omarion Ramsammy added that “it feels really great to know that we won the trophy. It was a hard game. Berbice really played hard, but we outplayed them. It wasn't the first time we were down, so in the second half we had one mindset, we knew what was the goal, so we went and got it.” Berbice Football Academy Assistant Coach Travis Moore extended congratulations to the champions, and shared that his team “executed okay, it’s just that we didn’t hold our composure enough, but at the end of the day, the better team won. We must say congratulations to Linden, and we will go back and we will come back again next year.” In the tournament's thirdplace match, Bartica's Ezekiel Basdeo netted a goal at the 36th minute to finish the first half with a lead. An altered East Bank side

all graduated to the Golden Jaguars, along with scores of players still working towards the national team.” The top GFF official also congratulated “the youngsters from the UDFA for putting in a stellar performance. It was a tough game for them. It went right down to the wire, but kudos to them and the Coaches, President Wainwright Bethune, the executive committee, and all the supporters.” Forde added that the NAMILCO Boys tournament, a cornerstone of GFF's youth development programme, was scheduled to return in 2024.

The NAMILCO Under 17 National Academy Playoffs Champions

emerged in the second half, equalising the score with a spectacular goal by Matrim Martin in the 75th minute, eliciting enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. Bartica staged a comeback with another goal from Basdeo at the 83rd minute, followed by Reizer Reid's goal at 90+3 minutes, clinching third place in the tournament. Bartica Captain Reon Hall thanked his fellow players and the Head Coach Curtis Joseph for their devotion throughout the tournament. “It was a very great tournament. I want to thank the Coach for carrying us through the whole competition. Great work from the team. I’m excited we won. It was difficult in group, but still we fought through and came out victorious.” The playoff tournament kicked off on October 7,

with teams divided into two groups. Group A comprised Georgetown, East Coast, East Bank, the National Under-15 Team and Berbice, while Group B included Upper Demerara, Essequibo, Bartica, and West Demerara. After the round-robin phase, the top-performing teams from each group earned a place in the championship round. At the presentation ceremony, NAMILCO Financial Controller Fitzroy McCloud lauded the dedication and commitment displayed by all participating teams throughout the tournament. He also praised the champions for overcoming “everything in front of you, every challenge. The discipline to train, to prepare and the discipline to execute Coach’s orders, to be able to overcome the challenges on the field and

to end up victorious.” GFF President Wayne Forde emphasised the enduring partnership between NAMILCO and GFF, and underscored the tournament's significant impact in nurturing talent for national-level play, with alumni players including Omari Glasglow, Curtez Kellman, and Jermaine Garrett, who are now playing with the Golden Jaguars. “I want to recognise the National Milling Company, who has been an enduring and generous partner of the GFF, investing heavily in youth football. NAMILCO committed 30 million dollars to the GFF U-17 Boys programme back in 2016, and we have seen the impact this investment has had on our football with the likes of Omari Glasglow, Curtez Kellman, Jermaine Garrett, who have

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023

Unbeaten Chase clinch Limacol championship T

he stakes were high at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground on Sunday evening, in the seventh and final round of the Limacol Schools’ Football League, but when the dust settled, it was Chase’s Academy who received their crown after all but sealing a championship win since the sixth round. It was a situation where Santa Rosa Secondary needed an outright victory to secure a spot in the upcoming KFC International Goodwill Series, without which the spot would go to Bartica Secondary. But Santa Rosa found themselves coming up against familiar foes, Chase’s Academy, who they had met in another school football championship match earlier in 2023 and were unbeaten in the Limacol tournament thus far. With one hand already on the Limacol Trophy and revenge on their minds,

NEW GPC’s Elizabeth Ram presents Bryan Wharton with his MVP accolade

Chase’s Academy did not think to spare their opponents a beating, winning the encounter 5-0. After an even first few minutes, Omar Sam was the first to find the back of the net in the 28th minute, while Neeiaz Baksh made it a 2-0 game three minutes later. The scoreline remained

2-0 until the half, but just as play resumed Sam beat the Santa Rosa keeper once again to complete his brace in the 46th minute. Captain Bryan Wharton added his name to the scoresheet in the 54th minute while Manasseh Anderson did the same in the 70th for the victory. Earlier in the day,

Lady Jags punch W Gold Cup prelims ticket …after 3-0 win over Antigua and Barbuda

uyana’s senior women’s football team, after stumbling in their first qualifying match back in September, completed an unbeaten run in five games to finish on top in their Group and seal qualification to next year’s inaugural CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup preliminaries, on the back of a composed 3-0 victory over Antigua and Barbuda on Sunday night. Of course, Antigua were a team to watch carefully, having been the only team to stun the Lady Jags in a 2-1 defeat back in September. Guyana’s starting XI for the all-important game at the Dr IR Franklin Essed Stadium in Suriname read: Captain and goalkeeper Chante Sandiford, Anika Sproxton, Rylee Traicoff, Kristen Bettencourt, Anya Tribune, Brianne Desa, Stefani Kouzas, Shanice Alfred, Jalade Trim, Annalisa Vincent, and Otesha Charles. Unlike their last game, where they thumped Dominica 9-0; the Lady Jags did not get off to a flyer, taking quite a few minutes to get on the scoresheet. When the time came, however, it was Region One’s Annalisa Vincent, who back-heeled the ball into the net, after a cross from Charles and an assist from Alfred in the 38th minute. The Antiguans managed to contain the Guyanese outfit for the remainder of the first 45 minutes, for a 1-0 score at the half. Charles continued her stellar run in this competition, as she extended her personal tally in the 62nd minute. Capitalising on an assist from Desa, Charles leaped and headed the ball into the net for Guyana’s second. The third strike came off the boots of Neema Liverpool in the 84th minute, as she needed to only tap the ball past the keeper, off another Desa assist. By virtue of the win, Guyana topped Group A of League B with 15 points from 6 games. Suriname finished as

Ray Richards (left) picked up his second Best Keeper award this year

Bartica Secondary almost squandered their opportunity to compete in the KFC tournament, after suffering a narrow loss to Ann’s Grove Secondary. Ann’s Grove took the lead first by way of a Naron Jerrick strike in the 25th minute; however, the lead was short-lived as Bartica’s Arvel Singh equalised in the 30th minute. The icebreaker came until the 60th minute off the boots of Ann’s Grove’s Marcus Cole. The East Coast outfit needed only defend thereafter to seal the win. Also on Sunday, Mackenzie High pummelled Christianburg Wismar

Secondary 7-0 in an all-Linden clash. The onslaught began in the 12th minute when Deon Peters got past the keeper and continued in the 23rd when Azizi Grant found the back of the net. Azainneo Benjamin and Aaron Murray netted in 40th and 45th minutes respectively, while Malik McLean joined the party in the 58th. Joshua Fleming made it 6-0 the 62nd and an own goal on the opposition’s part resulted in the final 7-0 score. While Chase’s Academy won the tournament with 19 points in seven rounds, Carmel Secondary were the runner-ups with 16 points,

while Bartica Secondary were third with 12 points. Mackenzie High, by virtue of their victory on Sunday, surpassed Santa Rosa and clinched the fourth-place finish. Chase’s Academy’s Wharton was both the tournament’s highest goal-scorer and Most Valuable Player (MVP), while Carmel’s Ray Richards was the best goalkeeper. The championship team walked away with $300,000 for a school project while second, third and fourth will receive $150,000, $75,000 and $50,000 for the same purpose. “On behalf of NEW GPC INC, through the Limacol brand, I must extend hearty congratulations to Chase’s Academy for dominating this year’s 2023 Limacol football league. Congratulations, you’ve shown excellent sportsmanship, and that has brought you this far,” NEW GPC Marketing Manager Elizabeth Ram shared at the presentation ceremony. She went on to add, “Petra Organisation, on behalf of the Limacol brand and NEW GPC, we want to thank you for including us in this league and allowing us to be part of the youth development programmes you have for our country.”

TTO Masters, GCC Vintage, Antonio’s Hikers, Pepsi Hikers clinch titles

The Lady Jags celebrate their win and Gold Cup prelims qualification

runners-up in the group with 12 points. Both Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica finished the Group stage with 4 points, with the former having a better goal difference, thus assuming the third position in Group A. In a post-game interview, Head Coach Omar Khan, who assumed leadership of the squad at the tournament's onset, emphasised that the team deserved the victory owing to their confident performance right from the outset. “Very happy with the win. We showed our intentions starting from the first minute by attacking, playing on mostly the half of Antigua. I think we created a lot of opportunities and in the end, we deserved the two wins.” Overall, Khan expressed immense satisfaction in the team’s performance throughout the tournament. “I am extra happy with the performances that we did, fantastic group of players to work with,” he said, adding that he was very proud of the “staff and the GFF by giving us a good level to work with, high standards.” “We will have to make a next step as an organisation, as a team and staff to level up to maintain this level we are going to.” Meanwhile, as congratulatory messages rolled in, President Dr Irfaan Ali shared a bit on

the Lady Jags' achievement via his social media page, writing, “Congratulations to the Guyana Lady Jags on their historic qualification to the preliminary round of the very first CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup following their 3-0 win over Antigua and Barbuda.” Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde also extended congratulations to the Lady Jags, highlighting that their advancement to the prelims of the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup brings immense pride to the entire football community. “I would love to congratulate the beloved Lady Jags on their historic qualification for prelims of the very first CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup. Led by Coach Omar Khan, this is a testament to their stellar representation of Guyana throughout the CONCACAF Road To Gold Cup. Finishing atop the group is an incredible achievement, one that fills the entire football fraternity with pride.” “These achievements unequivocally signify that our national team programme is heading in the right direction. Their performances will serve as huge inspiration for generations of young men and women across Guyana and the Diaspora,” he added, in reflecting on the advancement of the senior national men’s and women’s teams.

he Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Festival culminated at the National Gymnasium on Sunday, December 3, 2023 with exhibiting action and jubilant supporters. In the ExxonMobil Women's tourney, the GCC Vintage were presumed to be at the top of female hockey as they defeated TT Police with the scoreline reading 6-2. The puck found its way into the back of the net in the 2’ with a strike from Abosaide Cadogan, which seemed to set the tone for the GCC outfit as Princessa Wilkie netted a double in the 22’ and 37’. The dominance from GCC did not stop as in the 4’, the puck was put into the back of the net by Sonia Jardine and in the 7’ and 9’, Cadogan and Jardine secured their doubles before the former elevated hers to a hat-trick in the 17’. TT’s Police Captain Brittney Hingh managed to give her team hope scoring in the 22’ and 33’, but it was not enough as Jardine secured her hat-trick in the 39’ to seal the victory for her team. The Republic Bank Over35 final came down to the penalty spot, and Antonio’s Hikers came out victorious over the defending GCC ,with the scoreline reading 3-2. The GCC looked forceful in the opening minutes of the game as a strike in the 1’ from Orlando Semple managed to give them the advantage, but Antonio’s Hikers with their young and power-

ExxonMobil Ladies champs GBTI GCC Tigers

ful team then broke down the GCC outfit to equalise with a goal from Akim Toussaint in the 3’. Two minutes later, they went one up with another strike from Toussaint. In the 9’, the GCC equalised the game with a strike from Dwayne Scott, and the Hikers once again showed the importance of youth inclusiveness as they equalised the game with a goal from Captain Devin Hooper in the 12’ and from Alan Fernandes in the 14’. The GCC power force then sent the game into shots from the spot after Semple scored in the 18’ and Peter de Groot in the 25’. In the penalty area, Hikers’ Jason Hoyte managed to secure the win for his team-mates as he managed to keep out the puck on two occasions. In the Value4U Over 45, the TTO Masters came out on top of proceedings as they defeated GCC Vintage with the scoreline reading 2-1.

A strike from Roger Daniels in 6’ seemed to set the tone for the TTO Masters outfit, but GCC did not go out without a fight as they equalised the game in the 15’ with a Dwayne Scott goal. The game was sealed for the TTO Masters outfit by Daniels in the 22’. The Diamond Mineral Water final came down to the penalty spot, and the Pepsi Hikers looked forceful in the opening minutes of the game as a strike in the 4’ from Devin Munroe managed to give them the advantage. The Saints with their mixture of youth and experience then broke down the Hikers outfit to equalise with a goal from Jabari Lovell in the 40’ and four minutes later, they went one up with a strike from Shakeem Fausette. In the 32’ and 49’, the Hikers sent the game into penalty kicks with a strike from Meshach Sargeant, and Captain Robert France in the penalty area.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023

Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business

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clinch Limacol championship Pg 22

TTO Masters, GCC 4-Day series with Vintage, Antonio’s Hikers, 254-run win over Pepsi Hikers clinch titles Ireland Pg 23

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