…as Queen’s College celebrates 180th anniversary with packed special assembly
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Tuesday, October 22 –20:30h-22:00h and Wednesday, October 23 – 21:00h-22:30h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Tuesday, October 22 –07:50h-09:20h and Wednesday, October 23 – 09:00h-10:30h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Sunshine is expected during the day, with thundery showers in the early-morning hours. Clear to partly cloudy skies, with light rain showers, are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 3.58 metres and 5.81 metres.
High Tide: 07:31h and 19:40h reaching maximum heights of 2.33 metres and 2.41 metres.
Low Tide: 13:13h reaching a minimum height of 0.95 metre.
British firms win contracts to market Guyana’s crude for 2nd consecutive year
…Guyana
The Government has selected British firms BB Energy Trading Limited and JE Energy to market crude oil from the Liza Unity, Prosperity, and Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels, with contracts lasting 12 months starting in 2024. Both companies had previously marketed Guyana’s oil in 2023-2024. The Natural Resources Ministry highlighted the transparency of the bidding process, with the Government securing a US$1.85 premium per barrel, a 93 per cent increase from the previous year.
Both BB Energy and JE Energy are familiar faces in Guyana, since they are the two companies that previously marketed Guyana’s crude from 2023-2024. In the statement, the Ministry also affirmed the transparent process that underlined the entire process.
“The international firms have been selected, following a competitive pro-
5: Combined Lots One, Two and Three. According to the Ministry, the Government will be receiving a combined US$1.85 premium per barrel for the sale of the crude oil.
“The combined premium per barrel to be received by the Government of Guyana from these two companies
curement process that commenced in September 2024 and saw twenty-seven (27) bids being submitted to NPTAB (National Procurement and Tender Administration Board).
In keeping with the Request for Bids, the evaluation was on a lot’s basis where the most substantially responsive bidder in relation to the combined lots was determined in keeping with the evaluation criteria,” the Ministry said.
The combined lots referred to by the Natural Resources Ministry, were outlined last month when the tender was issued. The bidding process was divided into several lots: Lot 1: Liza Destiny FPSO Vessel; Lot 2: Liza Unity FPSO Vessel; Lot 3: Payara Prosperity FPSO Vessel; Lot 4: Any two (2) Lots combined; Lot
for the crudes from these three FPSOs amounts to US$1.85, reflecting a substantial 93 per cent increase compared to the US$0.96 premium secured in the previous period (2023-2024),” the Ministry said.
Guyana, with US oil giant ExxonMobil as the operator, began producing oil on December 20, 2019, in the Stabroek Block. Guyana’s oil revenues are being held in the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) at the New York Federal Reserve Bank, where it is earning interest.
For the first half of 2024, Guyana produced 113.5 million barrels of oil, and with increased production from the Prosperity FPSO vessel, it is expected that production would cross the 220-million-barrel threshold by year-end.
Exxon, through its local subsidiary Esso Exploration Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), is the operator of the Stabroek Block, and holds 45 per cent interest in the block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.
The Liza Phases One and Two and Payara Projects, all of which combined are producing over 600,000 barrels of oil per day, account for the three FPSO vessels operating in Guyana’s Stabroek Block in waters offshore.
Exxon is also undertaking the Yellowtail Project (where ongoing installation activities are expected to be concluded in September) in the oil-rich Stabroek block. It is estimated that when the Yellowtail development
project comes on stream, production will climb to 810,000 barrels per day (bpd). Exxon has already received approvals for, and is advancing preparatory works on, its fifth and sixth projects, Uaru and Whiptail. The Whiptail project would see Guyana producing just over 1.2 million barrels of oil per day by 2027. In addition to at least these six projects offshore Guyana, which Exxon anticipates would be online by 2027, Exxon is also eyeing the possibility of having 10 FPSOs being operational by 2030.
ExxonMobil’s seventh development in Guyana’s waters, dubbed the Hammerhead development, would feature up to 30 wells. It is targeting a 2029 start-up, according to documents submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where it awaits approval. (G3)
BB Energy Trading Limited, another British company
Georgetown, the capital of Guyana, is on the cusp of an exciting transformation that will propel it onto the global stage as a world-class, family and pedestrianfriendly destination. President Dr Irfaan Ali, during the recent commissioning of the Aiden Hotel by Best Western, outlined an ambitious vision for the city's future – one that blends culture, heritage, sustainability, and modernity in a harmonious and people-centric urban design.
The development of Georgetown into a city that can attract millions of visitors annually is not just a dream; it is a deliberate, well-planned initiative. President Ali's vision, in collaboration with the UK-based King’s Foundation, aims to reshape the city along four major pillars: culture and heritage, green walkways, city parks, and industry and commerce. These interconnected sections will offer a new urban experience that enhances quality of life for both residents and visitors.
The commitment to rebuilding heritage facilities is particularly significant. Georgetown is a city rich in history, with unique colonial architecture and cultural landmarks that reflect Guyana’s diverse heritage. By revitalising these structures and creating cultural circuits where visitors can walk and immerse themselves in the city's history, the Government is ensuring that the past remains a vibrant part of its future. This focus on heritage not only preserves the city’s identity but also serves as a major attraction for tourists who seek authentic cultural experiences.
The green walkways, city parks, and tranquil circuits throughout Georgetown are also crucial to the vision. With modern drainage systems that allow for cycle lanes, greenery, and pedestrian paths, the city will become a haven for wellness, encouraging healthier lifestyles. Families will be able to walk through safe, peaceful circuits, fostering a stronger connection to nature and to each other. This reimagined Georgetown will offer spaces where families can thrive, away from the chaos of traffic and pollution.
Moreover, the plan to reduce the number of vehicles in the city will help address one of Georgetown’s persistent problems – traffic congestion. By encouraging walking, cycling, and other forms of non-motorised transportation, the Government aims to create a more relaxed and sustainable urban environment. This shift to a “walking city” aligns with global trends in urban design, where cities are being redeveloped to prioritise people over cars, enhancing liveability while reducing carbon footprints.
The transformation of Georgetown’s waterfront is another exciting aspect of the rejuvenation plan. Stretching from Kingston in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) to Vreed-enHoop in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), the waterfront holds untapped potential. Once fully developed, it will become a magnet for tourism and commerce, boosting the city’s economy and adding to its allure. Alongside modernised, safer, and customer-friendly markets, the waterfront will be a vibrant hub that celebrates the fusion of tradition and modernity.
The creation of a seamless connection between city parks, including upgrades to the Botanical Gardens, the zoo, the National Park, and the boardwalk, will make Georgetown not just a city of commerce and culture but also a city of leisure and recreation. These green spaces, which will be easy to navigate and enjoy, are vital for the well-being of both residents and visitors. They will provide opportunities for relaxation, exercise, and community engagement, further reinforcing the city's family-oriented nature.
While these plans are ambitious, they are already taking shape. President Ali highlighted the Government’s substantial investment in the capital and its impact on transforming the city’s outlook. With the support of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, this bold transformation will become a reality, and Georgetown will emerge as a city that balances tradition and innovation, culture and commerce, family and business.
Georgetown’s transformation promises to make the capital a city where people, culture, the environment, and economic opportunity are incorporated to create a dynamic and sustainable urban experience.
Economic stagnation under the Opposition: why Guyana can’t afford to go back
Dear Editor,
As we inch closer to the next general elections, it is crucial for the citizens of Guyana to reflect on our economic journey over the past decade. Under the visionary leadership of President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Guyana has witnessed remarkable progress—an era of growth and prosperity that has uplifted the lives of many. This is a sharp contrast to the stagnation and mismanagement experienced under the APNU-AFC Coalition. The difference is clear: Guyana cannot afford to return to the days of economic standstill and missed opportunities.
The APNU-AFC Administration’s time in office was characterised by a lack of strategic planning, fiscal missteps, and an inability to attract meaningful investment. During their tenure, the economy languished under the weight of failed policies that led to high unemployment rates, stagnant wages, and a general sense of despair among businesses and citizens alike. Despite their promises of change and economic revival, their leadership was marred by indecisiveness and short-sightedness.
A Record of Economic Mismanagement
The APNU-AFC Coalition’s governance was marked by economic uncertainty. Businesses were left to navigate a hostile and unpredictable environment, where inconsistent policies discouraged local and foreign investors. Projects that had the potential to create jobs and spur
economic growth were either mishandled or outright neglected. The sugar industry, which has been a backbone of the Guyanese economy for generations, was left in disarray, leading to job losses and economic hardship for countless families. Where was the strategic vision to diversify and strengthen this vital sector? Nowhere to be found.
Instead of taking bold steps to stimulate growth, the opposition oversaw a period of stagnation, where wages remained low and opportunities were scarce. Their fiscal irresponsibility drove away investors, crippled key sectors, and left the nation grappling with economic hardships that took years to undo. The lack of effective planning and the absence of a clear economic strategy meant that businesses struggled to grow, and ordinary Guyanese felt the brunt of the economic slowdown.
A Clear Vision for Progress
In contrast, the current administration has turned the tide, creating an environment that fosters growth, innovation, and investment. President Ali’s Government has made it a priority to ensure economic stability and sustainable development. By introducing strategic measures like the $100,000 minimum wage, tax relief for families, and targeted support for local industries, the administration has not only stabilised the economy but set it on a path to sustained growth.
Economic recovery and development have been achieved through comprehensive policies that address
both immediate needs and long-term goals. Initiatives like the $100,000 one-off grant for citizens aged 18 and over, which injected $60 billion into the economy, reflect a Government that is not only responsive to its people’s needs but also forward-thinking. By investing in the people, the Government has helped stimulate economic activity, increase disposable income, and boost consumer confidence.
Investing in the Future
One of the most striking differences between the two administrations is their approach to investment.
Under President Ali, the Government has attracted $15 billion in private healthcare investments, launched innovative projects like Silica City, and improved housing and education infrastructure across the country. This is a Government that plans for the future, setting up the foundation for long-term prosperity.
The opposition, on the other hand, has shown no signs of a coherent economic plan. Their time in office was marked by a failure to attract investment or capitalise on opportunities that could have transformed the nation’s economic landscape. Even in opposition, their proposals are vague, reactionary, and fail to address the fundamental issues affecting our economy.
Why
Returning to the Opposition’s Rule is a Risk Returning to an administration that has demonstrated a lack of economic
foresight is a risk Guyana cannot afford. The APNUAFC’s inability to deliver on their economic promises has been evident, and their current instability only raises further doubts about their capability to lead. Their weak stance on issues, combined with internal conflicts and a lack of direction, poses a threat to the economic stability that has been carefully rebuilt over the past few years.
President Ali’s Administration has proven that it can deliver results. From job creation and infrastructure projects to healthcare advancements and educational reform, this Government has shown that it has the vision, the will, and the capability to drive Guyana forward. The choice in the upcoming election is simple: progress and prosperity or a return to uncertainty and economic stagnation.
Guyana’s future is bright, but only if we maintain steady, effective leadership that is committed to building on the successes of recent years. Let’s not risk the progress we have made by returning to a past of economic mismanagement and missed opportunities. The current administration has proven itself as the most capable steward of Guyana’s economic future, and it must be given the opportunity to continue its transformative work.
Sincerely, R Razack
The Guyana Police Force Band serenades First Lady Arya Ali with a special birthday rendition in celebration of her special day on Monday (Office of the First Lady photo)
Nawbatt's irrelevancies on constitutional reform
Dear Editor,
This is a retort to one Mr Harry N Nawbatt’s response to my commentary on constitutional reform in Guyana (Oct 21). Nawbatt penned a snide remark and irrelevancies and extraneous comments that have nothing to do with constitutional reform. He engaged in vilification of me, in the very act he accused me of being against PPP leadership without offering any evidence.
I engaged in objective critiques supported with facts. Nawbatt has not offered any facts to buttress his rebuttal.
I can be equally nasty and vilify Nawbatt, but it has been my nature as per the teachings of Bhagwan to be courteous and respectful to all including those who use disparaging, discourteous and denigrating remarks against my reputation.
Nawbatt states that he did not do a poll and that no one is taking my call for a replacement of the Burnham constitution seriously. If he understood what I penned, the thesis statement was that there would be no con-
stitutional change and that the Burnham constitution will not be replaced because no politician supports its change.
He ridiculed me with, “Bisram self-proclaimed campaign that he is Bhagwan’s (God) gift to be Guyana’s representative in India”. I do not recall penning a letter campaigning to be Guyana’s diplomat in Delhi. On the matter of competence or qualification (Bhagwan’s gift to be a diplomat), I may have written that I earned degrees (emphasis DEGREES) from accredited universities (not bogus degrees like some of his pals) in International Politics and International Relations and studied Diplomacy as well as Foreign Relations; I am also a specialist on India Affairs. I believe those would qualify me to be a diplomat accredited to any country. Offers were made to me to be a diplomat in Delhi, and I politely declined for family and personal reasons. Others were witness to the offers.
Nawbatt referred to Charandas Persaud as “disgraced …”. I would nev-
er vilify or derogate Shri Charandas ji. I am not a neemakharam (ingrate). Without Charrandas, PPP would not have been in office in 2020 till now.
Nawbatt stated that I am involved in a crusade against “the Government, PPP, and its leaders”. On the very day of this accusation in the same paper, a commentary under my name said, Irfaan Ali and the PPP would win the 2025 elections. Ali was praised for his leadership. In my missives in August and September respectively, Jagdeo was described as the best political strategist in the country and Irfaan a populist who is on course for re-election. I organised a centenary on Dr Jagan in 2018 in Richmond Hill and attempted same in Delhi. Nawbatt and Ramkarran were speakers glorifying Jagan in Little Guyana. Are the preceding Nawbatt’s definition or illustrations or understanding of the meaning of vilification? I advise he consults a virtuoso or wizard on word meanings.
Nawbatt made reference to the erudite scholar Prof
Baytoram Ramharack who he describes as “my pal”, and indeed together we fought for free and fair elections in Guyana of which the PPP was the beneficiary. (I will write on Dr Ramharack’s contribution to the PPP and its leadership later). There is no relevance in invoking Dr Ramaharack’s name on the subject matter as he did not write on constitutional reform, not recently anyway, and was never ever consulted in any of my writings. I did not cite “others of my ilk” in calling for constitutional reform”. I cited the respected ex Speaker Ralph Ramkarran (excommunicated from the PPP), Nawbatt’s pal or ex-pal and cousin, who also called for replacing the Burnham constitution. I also cited SN editorial. Nawbatt did not excoriate or vilify Mr Ramkarran or SN. Nawbatt stated that he observed rigging that led to the 1980 constitution and that he has no problems with the constitution that arose from the fraud. He stated that invoking ‘morality’ to oppose the Burnham constitution is ‘hogwash’. Moralistic people would dis-
Desist from making public statements that will cause alarm, create panic among residents
Dear Editor, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken note of an article published in the on October 21, 2024, under the headline, “Former EPA Head calls for independent probe into environmental complaints at Crane, Linden,” and provides the following comments:
1. Firstly, the EPA cannot help but observe that the comments were made during a news conference hosted by a political party. While the Agency would not respond to political statements, it is incumbent upon us to again set the records straight regarding the sequence of events and the role of the EPA in these matters.
2. Executive Director of the EPA, Mr. Kemraj Parsram, has previously spoken with media representatives in several invited comments and the Agency has disseminated information in media statements concerning both the seepage at Crane, West Coast Demerara and the claims of the dust pollution at the Nooitgedacht access road, Linden.
3. The article itself explains that the Agency is currently engaged in collaborative work with other entities, thereby confirming the fact that the EPA is already in the process of validating the claims and making site visits for assessment purposes. This process
would include the EPA carrying out its own testing on samples.
4. It has therefore become public knowledge that the Agency’s investigations have commenced with reviewing the information received from relevant parties, including residents, with a view to understanding the impact on the various communities. These activities of the Agency have been reported in the news.
5. These investigations must be done thoroughly and samples are being sent for further lab testing, as the Agency’s initial tests using field equipment have been inconclusive. At the moment, as the investigations continue, the EPA and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) are awaiting the results of the lab analysis from the Government’s Forensic Lab.
6. However, in the meantime, the EPA instructed ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) to immediately activate their own investigation under the Project Community Grievance Mechanism, which is part of the mandate of the Agency.
7. In turn, the EPA has received confirmation that the EMGL has enacted the Grievance Mechanism process and they are conducting their independent investigation into the incident. These findings will be reported to the Agency, evaluated by the EPA’s Technical Team,
and appropriately disseminated as soon as the information becomes available.
8. To suggest that ExxonMobil Guyana Limited is doing the work of the Agency is not only an inaccurate comment but also suggests that the information being disseminated by the EPA and covered in the media was deliberately ignored at the news conference.
9. As stated before, the Agency is still actively continuing investigations and, when completed, will notify all relevant parties. The Agency will take any action necessary based on the findings from these investigations.
10. The Agency again wishes to invite all residents who notice similar occurrences to contact the Agency at telephone numbers 592-225-5467-68, 592225-6044, 592-225-6048, 592-225-0506, 592-2255471 and 592-225-5472, or via email epa@epaguyana. org.
11. Finally, the EPA wishes to appeal to all concerned parties to desist from making public statements that will only serve to cause alarm and create panic among residents of these areas.
Sincerely, Environmental Protection Agency
agree. He also stated that parliament approved the constitution in 1980, making it legitimate. It does not trouble him that the parliament itself was the creation of a fraud in the July 1973 election in which Dr Jagan and the PPP were denied their rightful place as the legitimate winner. It is a contradictory position – opposing fraud while also simultaneously supporting it.
Nawbatt said he does not need a poll to tell him that “no one will support me” on advocating constitutional reform. That’s Bhagwan’s gift to him. He has ‘vardaan’ (Lord Krishna and Goddess Durga’s blessings) although he probably never prayed to Bhagwan unlike me who worships Bhagwan regularly and routinely. Nawbatt has a special skill gifted to him by God to know the views of the public without engaging them; I lack that skill. Thus, I opted to conduct surveys and or conversed with others to determine public opinions. Bhagwan blesses him with that power to learn of “opinion” that “he conducts in the confines of his mind, in a secluded space of his habitat, somewhere far removed from Guyana”, down south USA where he thrives under capitalism having walked away from advocating communism in his native place.
He stated no one will take me seriously on championing constitutional reform and that I will have to wage
a lonely battle. Yet he found it necessary to pen a long essay slamming my missive. I do agree that Guyanese will not advocate constitutional reform. Most are preoccupied with earning a living; constitutional reform is far removed from their daily experience and that is why politicians don’t care about replacing the constitution. For the record, at a minimum, Ramakrran, Peeping Tom, and Stabroek News are on board. Tony Vieira also penned a letter (Oct 20) calling for constitutional reform. On advice on focused writing, I suggest he emulates Viera and Ramkarran, neither of who introduced extraneous remarks or engaged in personality attacks on constitutional reform. Nawbatt slams ‘White People”. Yet he makes his home in “a white country” and enjoys first world services of what is essentially “a white country”. The examples he cited on struggle for racial equality has no relevance to my argument that Third World rulers have no interests in reducing their powers in contrast with First World White rulers. And for the record, it was White rulers in Rhodesia and South Africa (and by extension Namibia) that agreed to constitutional reform to shift to (nonWhite) majority rule that I supported.
Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
Example: Like
Exercises: Add fractions
Drawing a 3x3 grid
Materials
Instructions
Remember:
(www.artfulmaths.com)
My tail is not impressive
But it’s elegant and neat. In length it’s not excessive — I can’t curl it round my feet — But it’s awfully expressive, And its weight is not excessive, And I don’t think it’s conceit, Or foolishly possessive If I state with some agressive–ness that it’s the final master touch
That makes a pig complete.
New road, modern primary school, advanced poultry facility for Karasabai, other villages
…as Govt makes major development push in Region 9
With the aim of bridging all developmental divides within the administrative regions of Guyana, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Sunday announced plans to construct a new main access road, primary school and state-of-art tunnel house in Karasabai, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo).
According to the Head of State, the road which spans some 1.5 kilometres will connect Karasabai, Tiger Pond and other communities.
In fact, a team of skilled engineers have been tasked by the Guyanese leader with developing the design for the pertinent piece of infrastructure, and upon its completion, a total of 50 persons from Karasabai and surrounding satellite villages will be equipped with the skills needed to build the structure.
“We have used this same model in Whitewater in Region 1, and they have more than 50 persons from the community who are now specialists in building concrete roads. And we want your young people here to be
trained in this also. So, before the end of this year, for a matter of fact, before the end of this month, the engineers will complete the design of this road connection. And early in the new month, I will be back with you. Because I want to come and spend quality time with you... We can break bread together; we can cook together. But more importantly, we will plan the development of this village and the satellite together,” Ali said.
New school
Further, $35 million has been set aside to build a spanking new primary school in the community to increase access to quality education.
The facility will be outfitted with amenities such as a kitchen, library, computer room, an auditorium and smart classrooms.
President Ali plans to break the soil for the school early November as Government continues along the trajectory of shaping of tomorrow’s leaders to tackle global challenges.
“We bring development that will enable you to live
better lives, more productive life. And that is what the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) is about. It’s about investing in people; it’s about investing in communities… I want to assure you too that in the development plans that we have for this region, not only are we looking at infrastructure, but we are looking at giving your young people im-
Investors urged to capitalise as Govt to establish tax-free zones countrywide
…incentives available – GO-Invest chief
Tax-free zones, which will see incentives be-
ing offered at certain areas for investors to encourage economic expansion and the creation of job opportunities, are on the horizon for locations countrywide. Chief Investment Officer Dr Peter Ramsaroop is encouraging potential investors, both local and foreign, to capitalise.
With investors already exploring investment opportunities in Guyana, Guyana Office for Investment (GOInvest) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Peter Ramsaroop used the occasion of the recently held International Business Conference (IBC) to tell them why they should stay and invest.
According to Ramsaroop, the Government has plans to announce tax free zones which will see favorable concessions being built into certain areas. This will encourage targeted development and job opportunities. But as of right now, investors also have tax free concessions available to them too.
“We will announce sectoral or zones, that will be tax free zones. So, there will be certain incentives built into certain places, that will be tax free. Now if you come today, to our office and say you want to go into agro-processing, you want to build a manufacturing component, we will give you every tax concession available.”
“From your building ma-
terials and machineries, to the trucks that is necessary for you to move your goods. We will give you a tax-free concession. So, there are many sectors that drive concessions,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Ramsaroop also dropped some valuable advice for prospective investors, urging them to examine the Government’s budgetary spending to decipher the direction in which investment opportunities are heading.
“If you study our 20212024 budgets and you follow the money, where Government is spending, you will figure out where your next investments should be. So, if we say we’re building an international
airport in Lethem.
“If you go to Lethem, the border town in Brazil and you see how it’s designed. And you go back 50-60 years ago and you look at a picture, you will see what the opportunity looks like for that border town. What that can become in just a few years,” he added.
It was previously revealed by President Dr Irfaan Ali that more on these special areas should be included in the 2025 National Budget. With Guyana’s rapid economic growth and robust policy agenda yielding fruit, President Ali had disclosed that there are plans to establish special investment zones countrywide, which could have tax-free incentives for potential investors.
During a previous interview, the President highlighted that Guyana, through systems put in place by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government when it assumed office in 2020, now has the best incentive and most competitive regime in the Caribbean for investment.
He had said that spaces must now be identified for further development. With this in mind, the administration is moving to create industrial zones or hubs to boost investments for locals, especially those in the manufacturing sector.
mense opportunity to become trained teachers. All the young person’s here with the requirement to do teaching, we’re going to enter them into the teaching programme and train them to become graduate teachers,” the President disclosed.
State-of-art tunnel house Moreover, Government
is mulling plans for the development of a state-of-art tunnel house to boost poultry production in the region through the build out of a new system tailored to support agricultural advancement.
Ali explained that Guyana will be partnering with counterparts from Brazil to set up this struc-
ture, which will supply all the community’s chicken needs.
“One of the major challenges you have in relation to the tunnel boards, one of the major challenges you have is the heat. But these modern facilities allow us to build with a future in mind, taking into consideration the environmental issues, the climate issues that you have here, so that we can build a facility and we can build a production system that supports economic development and advancement,” he added.
Since assuming office in 2020, the PPP/C Government has expended billions on advancing the infrastructural landscape of the Region Nine. This includes $1.4 billion dollars in Because We Care Cash Grants and $2.7 billion dollars on potable water. Additionally, $1.2 billion was spent on agriculture, which includes the provision of planting materials, machinery and seedlings. (G1)
GO-Invest CEO, Dr Peter Ramsaroop
President Dr Irfaan Ali on Sunday during an engagement with villagers of Karasabai, Region Nine
Trying to understand…
…Granger’s “Shurian” conspiracy
For most folks, after David “The Sanctimonious Gangster” Granger was forced to accept his 2020 election rigging attempt was blown, he slunk back into his home in Pearl, EBD – and hasn’t been seen in public much. He must’ve thought the Yanks- who’d looked the other way when his mentor Burnham routinely rigged elections – would’ve done the same for him!! He forgot “dis time na lang time” – an especially fatal error for a historian!!
But it appears he makes regular appearances on a social media outfit – run by one of the “political sophisticates” who’d advised the Buxton prison escapees to unleash mayhem on the country after 2000. His talks are dutifully reported as “news” by a virtual newspaper, “The Village Idiot” and regaled your Eyewitness over the past months about a “Shurian Conspiracy” – run by the PPP to disrupt the PNC/APNU!! Now, your Eyewitness might be slow on the uptake, but for the life of him, he can’t figure out where the name “Shurian” comes from!!
According to Granger’s latest rant, it all started in the new millennium when the PPP unleashed terror and blamed it on the PNC!! It resurfaced when “The PPP brazenly financed a dissident faction to overthrow the Constitution and install a new Central Executive Committee in July 2014.” Now what happened at the PNC’s 2014 Congress? Aubrey Norton had challenged the incumbent leader Granger for the post. After a group of Lindeners claimed they were prevented from voting and their delegate cards were missing, Norton dropped out of the race, citing a “flawed accreditation process within the party”. He said, “The problems emerged because of the manipulation of the process to ensure the re-election of the incumbent leader, David Granger.”
Granger, of course, as head of the APNU/AFC coalition became President after the 2015 elections, and had the opportunity to change the political culture of Guyana by accommodating the AFC’s Indian Guyanese supporters they’d convinced to switch from the PPP. Granger blew that opportunity, lost the elections and saw himself and his factotums thrown out of the party. He’s now blaming “factions” – which he sees as the bane of the party and the source of the “Shurian Conspiracy”!! As is his wont, he quoted his mentor, Fat Boy, for authority: At the 1st Biennial Congress in 1975, Burnham warned: “To be sponsoring and joining factions in the Party is to indulge in anti-Party activity calculated to weaken…the Party. [F]actions and factionalists are wittingly, or unwittingly, instruments of our enemies.” Your Eyewitness doubts Granger’s warning of factionalism in the PNC refers to those seeking to unseat Norton. He still sees Leader Norton representing a faction!!
But who the heck is the PPP mole Shury?
…freeness
We Guyanese too love a freeness. Houselots, cash grants, medical vouchers – whatever. Offer it and they’ll scramble for it!! Your Eyewitness is witnessing with wideeyed amazement the frenzy aroused by the Government’s announcement that it will be doling out $100,000 to every Guyanese eighteen years and older. While the earlier announcement of $200,000 to every HOUSEHOLD was altered because of the arguments as to what constituted a “household” there is as much animated arguments as to who is a “Guyanese”!! Do Venezuelan refugees with “ID Cards” qualify??
But even your Eyewitness was taken aback when he read that over a hundred persons in Reg 7 were allowed to live “free” in Government accommodations by the REO!! Reg 7 is one of our remote locations where Government officials and workers have to be housed because you just don’t have guest houses and hotels all over the place. And these individuals have to pay 10% of their salaries as “rent”.
Jeez…and even this we Guyanese don’t want to pay??
…Police corruption
Your Eyewitness is still baffled at the goings on inside the Police Force over allegations of corruption involving an Asst Commissioner of Police. If the accusations are valid, weren’t there all sorts of signs over the years? Who ignored them?? Or is it systemic??
"Guyanese Critic" faces assault charges for nightclub brawl
Popular social media commen-
tator Mikhail Rodrigues, better known as the "Guyanese Critic" and Brian Persaud an electrician of Corentyne, Berbice appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday in connection with assault charges stemming from an altercation on September 30 at Montra Lounge and Bar in Georgetown.
Both men, who pleaded not guilty,
faced Magistrate Fabayo Azore. Rodrigues was released on $100,000 bail, while Persaud was granted $75,000 bail. The two are scheduled to return to court on October 28.
Representing Rodrigues in court were attorneys Bernard DaSilva and Sanjeev Datadin, while Persaud was represented by attorney Damien DaSilva.
The charges arose from an alleged confrontation at the nightclub, during which Persaud claims that Rodrigues assaulted him with a firearm. According to Persaud, the altercation began when a woman started recording Rodrigues inside the club, which escalated into a dispute. Persaud alleges that Rodrigues, mistaking him for someone else, struck him in the face with a firearm, causing visible injuries.
Rodrigues, however, has denied these claims. In his version of events, Persaud was the initial aggressor, hitting him on the head with a glass bottle during the argument. Rodrigues admitted that after the bottle strike, he pursued Persaud and reached for his
licensed firearm, but he denies using it to assault Persaud. Rodrigues claims that Persaud fell during the chase, and while Rodrigues admitted to grabbing him in the confrontation, he denied any assault.
When police intervened, they reportedly found Persaud’s gold chains in Rodrigues’ hands. Both men were taken in for questioning and subsequently placed on station bail. (G9)
Investors urged to capitalise as Govt...
Armed bandit shot twice by businessman during foiled robbery …customer shot by bandit
An armed bandit is undergoing surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after being shot twice by a businessman during a foiled robbery in Georgetown on Monday morning.
Police reports indicate that the incident occurred at around 11:40h at Tech Guy Solutions, located on Middleton Street, Georgetown.
The businessman and owner of the establishment told investigators that he was sitting at his business place when an identifiable male suspect, armed with a .38 revolver, entered the store under the pretense of seeking assistance to repair a phone.
A struggle ensued between the suspect and the 33-year-old customer, during which the bandit discharged his weapon, injuring the man’s left hand.
In response, the store owner, who was armed with his licensed .32 Taurus pistol, drew his firearm and fired two shots, both of which struck the suspect in the abdomen, causing him to fall to the ground.
The businessman then disarmed the suspect and called the police. Upon their arrival, he handed over the suspect’s firearm, a .38 revolver, with the serial number filed off.
The Guyanese Leader had explained that investments in each zone would be governed by an Act that would be tailored to situ-
According to the Head of State, the areas identified would experience high-level growth in the coming years as Government continues to develop the necessary infrastructure. Lethem in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) and Linden in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice) had been identified by the Head of State.
ations and communities within that area, and would be similar to the Special Investment Act for Linden in Region 10.
In this regard, President Ali had revealed that Government aims to spearhead the venture in 2025 through the fiscal package for that year. Guyana’s incentives to foreigners are geared towards encouraging investment and economic development. These include tax holidays, duty-free concessions, and other benefits in sectors like mining. (G3)
As the businessman stood up to attend to the suspect, the bandit pointed his firearm at him, demanding cash. At that moment, a 33-year-old businessman from Industry Crown Dam, East Coast Demerara (ECD), entered the store. The suspect quickly turned his attention to the newcomer, pointing his gun at him as well.
The wounded suspect was rushed to GPHC, where he is currently undergoing surgery. His condition is reported as serious. Meanwhile, the 33-year-old injured customer was taken to the Woodlands Hospital, where he was admitted for treatment. His condition has since been listed as stable. Police are continuing their investigations into the incident.
Charged: Brian Persaud
Charged: Mikhail Rodrigues
Essequibo Coast taxi driver remanded for attempted murder of teen
Navindra Latchman, also known as “Rocky,” a taxi driver of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast, has been remanded to prison on charges of attempted murder. Latchman appeared at the Charity Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where the charge of attempt to commit murder was formally read to him. He was not required to enter a plea and was ordered to remain in custody until his next court appearance on November 7. The charge stems from an incident on October 14, 2024, in which the 28-yearold allegedly attacked and
stabbed a 16-year-old fifthform student at Johanna Cecelia Secondary School. The attack took place along the Abrams Zuil Public Road in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).
According to police reports, on the night of the incident, the teen and her 14-year-old sister were
walking along Queenstown Public Road when the taxi driver attempted to run them over. The sisters managed to escape harm and later boarded another taxi to report the incident at the Suddie Police Station.
While en route to the police station, Latchman allegedly swerved into the path of their vehicle, forcing it to stop. Armed with a knife, he approached the car, causing the driver to
flee, leaving the two sisters behind. Latchman then attacked 16-year-old, stabbing her multiple times before fleeing the scene.
The teen was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital, where she was treated for serious stab wounds to her chest, arm, and shoulders.
Following the incident, Latchman was apprehended by police the following day and subsequently charged. (G9)
2 nabbed at bus park with illegal gun, ammo
Two men were arrested by police at the Timehri bus park in Georgetown on Monday morning after being found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
The arrest was made around 10:30h during an intelligence-led operation.
It was reported that police officers stopped a black Nissan Juke, bearing registration number PZZ 4712, and conducted a search of the vehicle and its occupants. The driver of the vehicle and a 37-year-old
The
gun that was found in the duo’s possession
gold miner from Zeelugt Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) were the only occupants.
During the search, officers discovered a 9mm pistol, one magazine, and ten 9mm rounds of ammunition hidden in the vehicle. Both men were immediately taken into custody and transported to the Brickdam Police Station, where they are currently assisting with the ongoing investigation. (G9)
Charged: Navindra Latchman
The scene of the stabbing incident
Govt urges foreign investment in local airstrips, river transport sector
With countless foreign investors coming to local shores, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill is encouraging them to explore opportunities in the local air and river transport sectors.
During his engagements with global investors, industry experts, and business leaders at the recently concluded International Business Conference (IBC) last week, Minister Edghill invited bids for the advancement of underdeveloped airstrips in hinterland communities.
He explained that enhanced infrastructure in such areas will create employment opportunities for locals, generate trade, boost eco-tourism and create a niche market for lucrative tourism products.
This aligns with the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Administration’s promise to ensure equitable development of all communities across Guyana.
“To move from certain parts of Guyana, you must do so by aircraft. So, we have more than 150 airstrips in Guyana. Some of them are just at the level of what you call, whatever is the soil in that area, that’s what they use as the airstrip. But we have started to develop some of it. So, in hinterland, airstrip development is something that you should be interest-
ed in. If you could develop a hinterland airstrip, and around the airstrip, you’re able to exploit putting in your eco lodges or your glamping facilities, visit to the various falls and waterways. Because apart from the Kaieteur, we have quite a lot of other beautiful falls. Kaieteur is just the one that is well-known… But you might want to match development of hinterland airstrips with your own nock for ecotourism and development in that area,” Edghill shared.
Meanwhile, as it relates to river transportation, Edghill informed the
gathering that Government is open to proposals for the construction of a new terminal at Parika, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and similar interventions across the country.
He explained that if brought into fruition, the terminal at Parika will play a crucial role in Guyana achieving food security and by extension ‘Vision 25 by 2025’, given that transport and logistics in the primary area will undergo rapid transformation.
“There’s a lot that is happening there to cut the food import bill of
is on the cards, it’s open for discussion and somewhere along the line, we’ll be coming out with a request of proposals and persons will be able to submit that,” the Minister said.
With Guyana’s rapid economic growth and robust policy agenda yielding fruit, Edghill highlighted that the country now has the best incentive and most competitive regime in the Caribbean for investment.
He added that the comprehensive package coupled with the administration’s non-discriminatory policy creates the perfect atmosphere for investment and business to business partnerships with local entities.
“While we are open for
CARICOM. And we must be able to get facilities. You’re talking about leisure with yachts, a facility of where we could use to transport agricultural products. And at the same time, providing a new gateway in terms of the movement of people from region three, people heading to region two, region one, region seven. All can be connected by waterways from there. So that’s another major development that
business, we’re not pro or anti anyone in our development process. We have a procurement plan, a procurement process that allows for notice to all people to participate. The most responsive bidder gets the job and of course, the same thing will happen with those who are supervising. I’ve said to persons over and over again, there are three ways that you would get involved in Guyana. Number one, coming as a foreign direct investor, which would mean that you would go through Go-Invest (Guyana Office for Investment) which is our one-stop shop. They’ll be able to tell you what the incentives that are available,” he added. (G1)
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill addressing the recently-concluded International Business Conference
OCTOBER 22,
Illegal lane formation on busy roads endangers lives – Traffic Chief
…to use technology to catch violators
Traffic Chief Senior Superintendent
Mahendra Singh has said that there is rising concern of drivers illegally forming second and third lanes on key roads such as Sheriff Street and Mandela Avenue, Georgetown.
During an interview with Guyana Times on Monday, he said that this reckless practice, which has become a frequent sight during peak hours, is putting lives at risk and creating further chaos on already congested streets.
When questioned about how the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is tackling this dangerous trend, Singh firmly labeled the behaviour as both “dangerous and careless driving,” more formally known as “undertaking.”
“It is not a drive lane; it is a pedal cycle lane, if you
were to refer to it,” Singh clarified. He explained that although these improvised lanes may seem to ease traffic flow in the short term, they create serious safety hazards.
“That same little lane that people utilise to drive and to form a second and third lane—though it is unlawful—tends to ease the burden. But is it the right thing, is it the appropriate thing, is it the beneficial thing? No,” he asserted.
Singh emphasised that police officers stationed at key intersections often face a difficult dilemma. He said addressing a single errant driver could lead to even more traffic disruptions, as removing the officer from their post risks allowing the chaotic situation to spiral out of control.
“At that peak moment, if an officer were to leave to ad-
Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent
Mahendra Singh
dress one errant road user, when there are many, that simple removal from the intersection can turn into complete chaos,” Singh explained, adding that many drivers today show little regard for common road cour-
tesy and basic traffic laws.
“Where is the courtesy? None. The common sense, as if we never had it.”
Despite these challenges, Singh made it clear that forming illegal lanes is not only unsafe but also unlawful, and the police are doing their best to address the issue within their capacity.
“When we have the numbers, we address it as far as we can,” he said.
One solution, Singh not-
ed, is the use of technology to catch violators. “The police can do a simple thing: take photographs of the vehicles with the appropriate number as they commit the act, charge them, and send them to court. It might be the only thing that deters the behaviour,” he said.
As traffic volumes continue to rise on roads like Sheriff Street and Mandela Avenue, Senior Superintendent Singh urged
drivers to be more considerate and follow the law.
“When drivers abandon courtesy and common sense, and fail to practice defensive driving, what can the police do if we do not have the numbers at the time?” he asked.
Singh called for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and encouraged drivers to reconsider their actions before contributing to the mayhem on the road. (G9)
Govt’s free tuition initiative Linden Technical Institute preparing for student influx – Principal
As eager students gear up to study for the 2025 new Student Free Year, the Linden Technical Institute (LTI) foresees an influx of students for which they are adequately prepared. This message was revealed in an interview with Principal of LTI.
According to Anthony, the relief by the President, which comes in 2025 for students, is not too far off from what students were initially receiving; however, it will greatly benefit some, as many are unable to pay the initial price, making it easier for them to join.
“So, even prior, you’ll find students paying a registration fee. The registration fee is nothing in comparison to the amount of money you actually have to spend on a student. The money that they used to be able to pay for registration as of
September was like $6,000, Basically, they get a t-shirt, then they get the monogram, the badge, you know, and some fine things.”
He further expounded on practical situations where persons weren’t able to provide for the payment of the
training.
“I think that, it makes it easier for some persons even though sometimes you find that we charge these persons $6,000 to register, when some persons come, do the exam, some parents pay half. And when they get the balance, they bring the next half.”
Meanwhile, he highlighted that with this upcoming influx of students, the Government will adequately supply the LTI with the necessary resources needed.
“Well with the influx, number one, is staff—human resources, which we all know number two is, basically, we call it field materials. Field materials are things they use to do practical work. But the good news is that whatever we need, the Government will provide for our budget.”
TURN TO PAGE 15
Linden Technical Institute Principal Hector Anthony
Fmr coalition Minister’s principled stance against election rigging hailed by Govt
…as Queen’s College celebrates 180th anniversary with packed special assembly
On the occasion of Queen’s College’s 180th anniversary, both students and adults were extolled by President Dr Irfaan Ali, to choose the right paths and to stand up for their principles, in much the same way former coalition Business Minister Dominic Gaskin, stood up for democratic principles when he took his stand against his coalition colleagues.
While addressing hundreds of students, alumni, cabinet Ministers and other dignitaries, at a special General Assembly on Monday, President Ali paid tribute to Gaskin, who was present at the anniversary ceremony, as well as other notable products of Queen’s College who embody the school’s values in their professional endeavors.
“In my humble view, staying true to the traditions of this insti-
“All the members of the judiciary. The cabinet. The legislature. All of you, collectively, must live the values and traditions of this institution. An important measure of whether you’re living the values and traditions of this institution, (is asking) am I a benefit to humanity and society? Very simple question.”
President Ali further noted that persons must question whether they wake up with the intention of being the best version of themselves in the interest of society, or whether they wake up with the intention of bringing down others and creating conflict.
Meanwhile, present at the ceremony was Education Minister,
tution and the value system of this institution is by honoring it. And the only way you can honor it is by living it every day, like Dominic Gaskin taught us to do. Like retired Major General Joe Singh, Paulione Chase. And many others,” the Head of State said.
Priya Manickchand, who also lauded Gaskin for his principled stand and reiterated the meaning of Queen’s College’s motto, Fideles Ubique Utiles ‘Faithful and Useful Everywhere’.
“To the students here, faithful
and useful everywhere. Begin by being kind to your classmates. By being more aware than I was (at your age), about what their needs might be. To the adults, faithful and useful everywhere. Faithful to what? Faithful to the school, to righteous causes, faithful to the laws of Guyana,” Minister Manickchand said.
“Faithful to the constitution, faithful to goodness, faithful to democracy and democratic principles, faithful to your families, faithful to the country. We can’t deny that we’ve produced some menaces, because we have. Choose not to
be a menace to the people around you, to the society, to the country. Choose to be a Dominic Gaskin. When the circumstances demanded it, he did the right thing.” While appearing on The Freddie Kissoon Show last week, Gaskin – the son-in-law of former President David Granger and a former Executive Member of the AFC – had predicted that because of the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Government’s actions at the last elections, the current ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will win next year’s polls.
TURN TO PAGE 16
Education Minister Priya Manickchand (far left) and President Dr Irfaan Ali (centre) pose with QC students (DPI photo)
“Don't depend on self-examination only” –doctor urges more screening for breast cancer
General Surgeon and Consultant at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Dr Ravi Motilall is urging women to visit their healthcare providers to get properly screened for breast cancer, noting that self-examinations alone are not sufficient.
According to the primary physician, women and in some cases, men should not solely depend on self-examinations to detect whether or not they are predisposed to cancer in the breast.
He explained that decades of research clearly show that women who have regular mammograms are more likely to have breast cancer found earlier, are less likely to need aggressive treatments like surgery to remove the entire breast
(mastectomy) and chemotherapy, and are more likely to be cured when compared to women who rely on self-examinations to determine their status.
“The WHO (World Health Organisation) says it’s a good way of empowering a woman and it’s true. You are taking responsibility for your own health so you should do it but it’s not the ideal way of screening for breast cancer. Then there was talk about you seeing a physician and him examining the breast as part of screening. Well, that has also become a little bit, wanting to say, antiquated. Is that, again, even someone who’s seen so many, it’s not an ideal way. What we want to do is capture the cancer at an early stage, so none of those methods allow us to capture it early. Because unfortunately, the only way those methods can help you is if we feel something abnormal. So, the current accept-
ed standard way of doing breast screening is a mammogram, what’s referred to as a screening mammogram,” Dr Motilall said.
In addition to maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly and utilising natural contraceptive methods, getting screened for breast cancer by a certified healthcare provider annually will decrease an individual’s likeliness to be diagnosed with the illness.
In fact, Dr Motilall noted that mammograms also known as an X-ray examination of the breast, has proven to be 75 per cent to 85 per cent effective for diagnosing breast cancer, given that it is easier to see tissue on mammograms.
“Because what that mammogram allows us to do is see the very early subtle changes, minute things that we can’t feel, but can be picked up on an X-ray. And then that gives us an oppor-
In Guyana, breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of death due to cancer in women. (WHO 2020 Report)
In fact, the Health Ministry said last year that it had diagnosed 161 persons with breast cancer. This accounted for 17 per cent of all cancers diagnosed that year.
cal exam, helps doctors to assess patients for breast cancer, after examining the breasts; patients may be referred to breast screening by ultrasound, mammography, or taking a small sample of breast tissue to be examined under a microscope (a biopsy).
Treatment
If cancer is detected at
tunity to now classify it in terms of assessing your risk because not every breast lump means its cancer.
So, let’s not go there. What the screening method allows is for us to now categorise women who may even have a lump and say, well, this lump is not cancer. This lump is benign and there is special skill method that a radiologist or a surgeon may use that we will look at the image and say, it falls into this category. You don’t need to be worried. And see you next year for a new screening” he added.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease.
Symptoms
Breast cancer can have several symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue. Most breast lumps are not cancerous, but it is always best to have them checked by a doctor especially if you notice a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts, discharge from either of the nipples, a lump or swelling in either of the armpits, dimpling on the skin of the breasts and a rash on or around the nipples, among others.
Diagnosis
A thorough clinical history, along with a physi-
an early stage, it can be treated before it spreads to other parts of the body. Breast cancer is treated using a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Surgery is usually the first type of treatment, followed by chemotherapy or radiotherapy or, in some cases, hormone or targeted treatments. The type of surgery and the treatment will depend on the type of breast cancer patients present.
In a small proportion of women, breast cancer is discovered after it has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic breast cancer).
Secondary cancer is not curable, so treatment aims to relieve symptoms. (G1)
General Surgeon and Consultant at the GPHC, Dr Ravi Motilall
Fees by prospective graduates still necessary until January 2025 – UG
rently addressing matters concerning implementation modalities and the payment of fees owed by prospective graduates and continuing students to the University.
These matters, the university said are being addressed by the appropriate offices of the University and the Government.
According to release from UG, it has received a plethora of calls regarding the recent and ongoing high-level public pronouncements in Guyana about the question of free tuition at the institution.
As such the UG’s management said that they are addressing these matters of implementation modalities in hopes of resolving them so that they can grant graduates adequate time for their graduation.
“This is so that all eligible students can graduate on time and the operations of the University, for which fees have always been needed, can continue uninterrupted until January 2025, when this first semester officially ends.”
Over the past days, the
management of UG has come under major criticism as prospective graduates took to social media to object the payment of fees since Government has promised a debt-write off in addition to no tuition from January 2025.
The University, said that it has made no other determinations subsequent to those already made regarding this year’s graduation planned for November 7 to 9 and November 16, 2024.
However, recent developing conditions surrounding interpretations by students and others about free tuition have produced some issues that must be addressed urgently as well.
Taking the initiative to underscore the unwavering goal of UG, which it has been committed to over the years, UG made it clear that it would have been quite unprecedented on their part to withhold the upcoming graduations.
“In support of the Government of Guyana’s generous promises of free tuition, the University has extended itself for the past four (4) years by allowing thousands of students to attend and successfully com-
plete their studies without fully paying fees. Therefore, there could be no routine reason why the graduations of students already planned would be withheld by the same University that has nurtured them for all this time.”
Amidst this, persons must understand that fee revenue is a significant part of UG’s funding, it stated. However, revenue from fees cover more than 50 per cent of the UG’s operating expenses and is always desperately needed toward the end of the year.
“The University of Guyana, therefore, wish-
Linden Technical Institute...
FROM PAGE 12
He further highlighted that within the budget certain things are already catered for students added that resources will be supplemented by the Government to ensure the influx of students.
“But the number of resources that we decided to use to provide training are covered in our annual budget. For the LTI, the students will get boots, a t-shirt, the ramper, and the ramper safety boots. The students will buy that. When it comes to helmets, gloves, and safety goggles, they get everything they need right in the workshop here at the institution.”
Meanwhile he added that the LTI is already taking strides to ensure they have technical vocational subjects online; however, the cause of
this is not due to the population increase of students.
“We are currently working towards going online in some programmes for distance courses. But I won’t say that that will contribute to us going online, I understand but to me, that will cause your programmes to pull up faster, it gives more persons out there easier access to training.”
Anthony also made it clear that in going forward, if online studying is going to be done frequently, various measures will be needed to put into place.
“As it relates to online tutoring, as I mentioned earlier in my discussion, training requires dealing with human resources primarily. And if you’re talking about online training, you’re talking about another in-
vestment because then we have to train our staff to facilitate online delivery, let’s say you want to do welding, you have to get someone who will be monitoring and doing the different online modes of delivery.”
President Dr Irfaan Ali recently announced the removal of fees from all educational institutions including the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), Carnegie School of Home Economics, Government Technical Institutes and the Board of Industrial Training, among others. This measure will take effect from January 1, 2025.
The President’s announcement follows measures to remove tuition fees from the University of Guyana (UG) and the write off of student loans for that tertiary institution. (G2)
es to assure its stakeholders that all possible avenues are being pursued to ensure the operations and best interests of everyone, most importantly those of our 3,500 prospective graduates, are satisfied in the coming week.”
Free tertiary education
Only recently Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo reiterated the Government’s commitment to providing free tertiary education through a well-structured plan.
Dr Jagdeo emphasised the shift of financial responsibility from students to the treasury, outlining the significant costs involved.
Additionally, he contrasted the current administration’s approach with the APNU/AFC, highlighting the fee increase during their tenure and the unfulfilled promise of free tertiary
education.
“They promise to do it in a couple of weeks when they got into office…(instead) they increased the fees by 35 per cent at UG. We said in five years we’ll do this and that’s why we believe we have the capability. We plan everything,” he underscored.
The Government aims to achieve free tertiary education by 2025, with the first phase benefiting over 13,000 Guyanese students. This initiative began implementation in 2024, with approximately $11 billion in student loans to be disregarded.
However, Dr Jagdeo expressed concerns about potential cost escalation during the transition and emphasised the importance of quality education that is aligned with the country’s needs.
He suggested a strategic approach to tertiary education, including sourcing technical training
programmes from other institutions instead of immediately establishing new programmes at UG. Ultimately, the administration is dedicated to adequately financing the university and enhancing its role in delivering quality tertiary education to all students in Guyana.
“UG will always have a critical role to deliver tertiary education, a prime role in our country. This is our university and we should keep it as such and we need to fund it well and improve it,” Dr Jagdeo asserted, stressing the importance of providing quality education that meets the country’s needs and helps students secure valuable employment after graduation.
President Ali last year said the Government would deliver on its manifesto promise to make university education free.
Linden Technical Institute
GDF ranks return from 106-day hurricane
Beryl response mission in Grenada
Several members from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) were welcomed home in a reception held at Air Station London, Timehri after successfully completing their mission in Grenada. These ranks were
Petite Martinique Affairs. These projects helped restore essential services to a community of 6,000 Grenadians.
commitment to supporting the GDF in future efforts.
“We feel a sense of joy to be part of this collaboration... the Private Sector will continue to offer support in times of need.” Singh stated.
Meanwhile, earlier in July, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Irfaan Ali, had lauded the group of 50 Guyanese soldiers who left local shores to aid in rebuilding efforts in the Caribbean Island of Grenada which was battered by Hurricane Beryl.
even under difficult circumstances and highlighted how the operation aligned with the mandate from His Excellency, President Dr Irfaan Ali, to give hope to the people of Carriacou.
Additionally, Brigadier
Addressing the ranks at the army’s Camp Ayanganna Headquarters in Georgetown, President Ali said their sacrifice is a representation of core values of the GDF, that is, service to nation and people. He told the soldiers that they will be making a difference in the lives of their CARICOM neighbours by helping to re-
deployed to Grenada to assist in restoration efforts following the devastating effects of Hurricane Beryl.
Their mission, which spanned 106 days, involved the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure, including the Revenue Authority Building, Police Station, Post Office, Magistrate’s Court, and the Office of the Minister for Carriacou &
Speaking at a welcoming reception Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan expressed gratitude to the ranks for their unwavering commitment and dedication, which ensured the success of “Operation Beryl.”
He emphasised that not only was the mission accomplished, but the ranks demonstrated outstanding service to the nation, overcoming challenges and safely returning home. Brigadier Khan commended their ability to “make it happen”
Khan also praised the invaluable support of the Private Sector Commission, which played a crucial role in the rebuilding effort.
Also present at the reception was Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Komal Singh, who saluted the work of the ranks and expressed pride in the successful collaboration. He reaffirmed the private sector’s
cover and rebuild.
To aid with these rebuild-
ing efforts, Guyana had dispatched building materials and equipment to the Caribbean nation. These efforts were part of a larger regional mobilisation where CARICOM
Member States were assigned to assist a specific country impacted by Hurricane Beryl. Guyana was allocated Grenada based on request.
Fmr coalition Minister’s...
This was a reiteration of a point he made back in 2020 during the five tumultuous months when the APNU/ AFC Coalition held the country hostage after losing the March 2, 2020 elections and refused to demit office. In fact, even after a CARICOMled national recount confirmed the PPP/C electoral victory, the David Grangerled Coalition regime continued with its delay tactics by moving to the courts.
Days after the March polls, in the height of the electoral deadlock, Gaskin had broken ranks with the Coalition and spoke out against the attempts to rig the elections – something which he continued in the following months before the Granger Administration fi-
nally conceded defeat and the PPP/C was finally declared the winner of those polls on August 2, 2020.
According to Gaskin, during his recent appearance on the televised programme, because of what
took place in
and
people at the next election. (G3)
Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan greeting ranks
Some of the ranks who were part of “Operation Beryl” during the reception
2020, the AFC
the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led APNU, need to demonstrate to the Guyanese public that they are prepared to recognise the will of the
NA Council seeks to enforce street vending ban during market hours
The Mayor and Town Council of New Amsterdam (M&TC) is vowing that street vending will eventually be prohibited during the municipal market’s opening hours.
“The life of the New Amsterdam Market depends heavily on clearing the road shoulders and ensuring that most or all vendors are in the market from 7:00 – 4:30 so as to extend the life of the New Amsterdam Market,” Chairman of the Market Committee Quacy Isaacs said during a recent press conference.
In January, the M&TC vendors operating along the road shoulders in New Amsterdam will be removed before January 10, 2024, stating that roadside vendors were given up to January 2 to remove their structures.
The M&TC intensified its campaign to remove persons illegally vending along the road shoulders of the main roads within the township carrying out its operations in the evening.
Foreman of the Engineering Department, Charles Johnson, said the campaign, which started in January, will run until March, and will first target Strand before moving to Main Street, and then to Republic Road. He noted that the campaign
would also be rolled out in Stanleytown and other parts of the town.
However, within a few weeks of its commencement, the campaign came to an end by fulfilling its mandate.
The vendors who were removed and their structures destroyed have returned.
This is not the first time that the New Amsterdam municipality has planned to make such a move; it has almost become an annual affair, and within weeks, the situation returns to what it has always been. Johnson has promised that this time it will be different.
The Engineering Department Foreman had said that over the years, enforcement was an issue. He told the media that they have put together a team that will deal with the enforcement of the policies of the M&TC.
Addressing the issue of illegal street vending recently, Mayor Wainwright McIntosh agreed that for decades the Municipality has been trying to tackle the issue.
“Since Mayor Errol Alphonso, there have been efforts not to sideline the vendors trying to ply their trade but to work with these vendors,” he told the media during a recent press engagement.
“It is quite unfortunate
that in this fifth council, you have councillors attempting to abuse the staff of the municipality. As Mayor I am torn between my councillors and the staff of the Mayor and Town Council of New Amsterdam,” the Mayor added.
At that press conference, the Mayor was asked whether his words have weight since he had told the media several months ago that people would only be allowed to vend on the streets within the town after the municipal market was closed. However, there is no evidence of that.
“Yes, the Mayor’s words do have a lot of weight. The Mayor’s words when it comes to the affairs of Local Government it is in keeping with the laws of Guyana.
Should I act outside of that, my words of actions could be deemed powerless.”
The Mayor said, while the issue of street vending remains to be solved, he was not responsible for ensuring that the vendors are removed.
“It is the Town Clerk’s duty and responsibility to ensure the biddings of the council is carried out. So my first stop is not at the staff, my first stop is with the Town Clerk. From 2018 to now we have seen that our town is in this state because either the Town Clerk is taking political directives as was evident in the PPP Councillors intercepting the ranks of the Constabulary department from carrying out their bidding. Every person on the road shoulder,
they were served notices more than five times.”
He noted that there are videos on social media where councillors are calling the ranks thieves.
“The staff are humans and they will be demotivated. Hence, therein lies the problem, therein lies the difficulty.”
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Market Committee Quacy Isaacs weighing in on the issue said the council has not gone back on its words nor has its position changed as it relates to the roadside vendors.
“However, we have some pushbacks. We as councillors sit around the horseshoe and make decisions. The Town Clerk is expected to have these duties carried out by the staff. So, after we
leave the chambers and the decisions are made, the actual work has to be done by the staff and the Town Clerk and that is where we have some problems. Sometimes we had a shortage of ranks, but we also had people being empowered by sitting councillors and encouraged not to come off the streets and that the council can’t move but at no point in time has our position been changed, we are still working on getting everybody off of the road shoulders because the life of the New Amsterdam Market depends heavily on clearing of the road shoulders and ensuring that most or all vendors are in the market from 7:00 – 4:30 so as to extend the life of the New Amsterdam Market.”
He said while the removal of all vendors from the shoulders of the streets will eventually be realised adding that there are castrates affecting the municipality as it relates to achieving that goal.
“The council is trying very hard not to use the ‘big stick’ method on vendors, we would have served them letters and had the Town Clerk speak to them on more than one occasion so eventually if that doesn’t work, we will have to go down that road and use the ‘big stick’ method to get them off of the road,” Isaacs lamented. (G4)
Regional
Brazil's Lula says head injury serious, with update from doctors in coming days
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the head injury he suffered from a fall at home over the weekend was "serious" and that doctors expect to have a clear view on its severity in three or four days, according to a phone call published by an ally on Monday.
The President's injury forced him to cancel a trip to Russia for a summit of the BRICS group of major emerging markets being held in Kazan, following medical advice to temporarily avoid long-haul flights.
"It was serious, but did not affect any particularly sensitive area," Lula told ally Luiz Caetano in a phone call.
Caetano, who is running for Mayor of the northeast-
ern city of Camacari in the runoff of Brazilian municipal elections next weekend, shared a video with clips of the call with Lula on social media.
These were the first publicly-shared remarks from Lula since his injury.
A source from Brazil's Government told Reuters Lula was not aware the conversation about his injury would be released on social media. The presidential palace declined to comment on the video.
Lula's fall at home on Saturday caused "great" trauma to the back of his head, requiring stitches for the injury and resulting in a "small brain haemorrhage" in the temporal-frontal region, his doctor Roberto Kalil previously said.
Earlier on Monday, Institutional Relations Minister Alexandre Padilha told reporters Lula was doing "super well."
Lula also shared on social media a picture of himself smiling next to Padilha and his top foreign policy adviser, Celso Amorim, during a meeting on Monday to "discuss the national and international agenda for the coming days."
Padilha said Lula was in "close contact" with Foreign Relations Minister Mauro Vieira, who is now representing him at the BRICS summit.
Lula is expected to speak by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin this morning, according to Lula's official agenda. (Reuters)
9 dead as van carrying rowing team collides with truck
Nine persons died when the van they were travelling in collided with a truck in southern Brazil late on Sunday, local authorities said.
Seven of the victims were teenage members of a rowing team from Pelotas, in Rio Grande do Sul state, who were travelling back from a competition in São Paulo when the crash happened in Guaratuba, Parana state.
According to Brazil's federal highway police, only one of the van's 10 occupants – a 17-yearold rower – survived. The truck driver, a 30-year-oldman, had minor injuries, they added.
Police said the truck failed to brake and collided with the rear of the van, which was thrown forward and crashed into the rear of
a car driven by a man, who was not injured. The van then spun and the truck dragged it off the road, falling on top of it, Police added.
President Luiz Inácio
Lula da Silva expressed his condolences on social media. "There are no words that can describe the pain of losing a child or grandchild. The pain is irreparable," Lula wrote. (Reuters)
Ex-Peruvian President Toledo convicted of bribe-taking, sentenced to 20 years in prison
Peruvian former President Alejandro Toledo was convicted of taking bribes from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht and sentenced to 20 years and six months in prison on Monday.
The verdict marks Peru's first high-profile conviction related to Brazil's continent-spanning Lava Jato corruption scandal.
Toledo, a 78-year-old economist who holds a doctorate from Stanford University, governed the Andean nation between 2001 and 2006.
He was convicted of taking US$35 million in bribes from the company formerly known as Odebrecht, according to prosecutors, in exchange for letting it win a contract to build the road that now connects Peru's southern coast with an Amazonian area in western Brazil.
During the year-long trial, Toledo denied the money-laundering and collusion charges.
Odebrecht, now known
as Novonor, was at the centre of Latin America's largest graft scandal, after admitting in 2016 that it bribed officials in a dozen countries to secure public works contracts.
Last week, Toledo asked the court to let him serve his sentence at home as he battles cancer.
"Please let me heal or die at home," he said.
The sentence was announced in a room set up in
a small Lima prison where Toledo has been detained since last year.
Former President Pedro Castillo is also being held there as he faces allegations of "rebellion" after trying to dissolve Congress in 2022.
Two other ex-Presidents, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski and Ollanta Humala, are also being investigated in the Odebrecht case. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Venezuela’s ex-Oil Minister arrested for alleged ties to US
Aformer Venezuelan Oil Minister with alleged ties to a United States intelligence-run firm has been arrested, days after he resigned.
Pedro Tellechea, Venezuela’s onetime petroleum minister and a former state oil executive, was taken into custody on Sunday, the AFP news agency reported. Details of his arrest were announced on Monday.
Tellechea and his co-conspirators are accused of fa-
cilitating the illegal “delivery of an automated control system” to a company controlled by the US intelligence services” through Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA), the Statecontrolled oil company he operated, Attorney General Tarek William Saab said in a statement.
Saab stated that Telelchea had violated “national sovereignty” by handing “the brain of PDVSA” over to the unnamed firm.
Tellechea’s “closest collaborators” were also seized by authorities. They were not named by prosecutors.
The arrest of Tellechea, a former Army Colonel who served as Oil Minister for a few months, comes fresh on the heels of his abrupt resignation last week. On Friday, in a post on social media, he relinquished his post, citing “health problems that require my immediate attention”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
CCJ to rule on British American policyholders' discrimination
claim against T&T
The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is today expected to deliver its ruling on a claim by a group of regional policyholders that the Trinidad and Tobago Government’s bailout of local subsidiaries of the CL Financial (CLF) conglomerate was discriminatory.
The CCJ’s decision will be delivered on October 22 at 1 pm.
The group of British American Insurance Company (BAICO) policyholders from several Eastern Caribbean countries claimed the move by
the T&T Government to bail out only local financial subsidiaries of CLF was discriminatory.
The court – comprising CCJ President Adrian Saunders and Judges Winston Anderson, Maureen Rajnauth-Lee, Andrew Burgess, and Peter Jamadar – reserved its judgment in May.
In the lawsuit, the group contended the Government breached the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC), which established the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), by bailing out certain local
CLF subsidiaries such as Clico and British American (Trinidad) and not regional subsidiaries such as BAICO.
The group comprising policyholders Ellis Richards, Spencer Thomas and Medical Benefits Board, took action against the T&T government in the regional court.
The group contended while TT policyholders were protected, the Eastern Caribbean policyholders were only able to recover some 14 per cent of their investments in liquidation.
(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva meets with Institutional Relations Minister Alexandre Padilha and top foreign policy adviser Celso Amorim, after he suffered a head injury at home that caused a minor brain haemorrhage in Brasilia, Brazil, October 21, 2024, in this handout image (Brazilian Presidency/Handout via Reuters)
Former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo appears in court for sentencing during his trial on charges of corruption related to the Brazilian company Odebrecht, in Lima, Peru, October 21, 2024 (Poder Judicial del Peru/Handout via Reuters)
Relatives of victims of the accident that killed nine members of the rowing team of the social project Remar Para o Futuro hug each other at the club's headquarters, in the city of Pelotas, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, October 21, 2024 (Reuters/ Diego Vara photo)
Around the World
Oil prices regain some ground after 7% loss last week
Oil prices rose on Monday, recouping some of last week's more-than-seven-per-cent decline on worries about demand in China, the world's top oil importer, and easing concerns about potential supply disruptions in the Middle East.
Brent crude futures were up US$1.05, or 1.4 per cent, at US$74.11 a barrel at 1233 GMT. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were US$1.21, or 1.8 per cent, higher at US$70.43 a barrel.
Brent settled more than seven per cent lower last week, while WTI lost around eight per cent. Those were the contracts' biggest weekly declines since September 2, due to slowing economic growth in China and falling risk premiums in the Middle East.
China on Monday cut benchmark lending rates as anticipated, part of a broader package of stimulus measures to revive the economy.
Data on Friday showed China's economy grew at the slowest pace since early 2023 in the third quarter, fuelling growing concerns about oil demand.
Saudi Aramco's Chief Executive Officer told an energy conference in Singapore on Monday that he was still "fairly bullish" on China's oil demand in light of stepped-up policy support aimed at boosting growth, and on rising demand for jet fuel and liquid-to-chemicals.
"Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the positive oil demand comments from the CEO of Aramco are likely supporting oil prices," UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.
The US Energy Information Administration said on Friday weekly oilfield production rose by 100,000 barrels per day to a record 13.5 million bpd during the week ended October 11. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Moldova's Sandu secures
knife-edge EU vote win after 'unfair fight'
President Maia Sandu said on Monday Moldovans had won a "first battle in a difficult fight" for their future, a day after a slim majority of 50.46 per cent backed EU accession in a referendum that was clouded by allegations of Russia-backed meddling. The knife-edge finish was a shock for supporters of Sandu, who had hoped the vote would deliver a firm message of intent to bring the ex-Soviet agricultural economy into the European Union by 2030 and leave Moscow's orbit for good.
Hospitals under fire as Israeli forces deepen operations in northern Gaza, Blinken heads to Middle East
Israeli military forces
besieged hospitals and shelters for displaced people in the northern Gaza Strip on Monday as they stepped up their operations, preventing critical aid from reaching civilians, residents and medics said.
Troops rounded up men and ordered women to leave the Jabalia historic refugee camp, they said. An Israeli airstrike on a house in Jabalia killed five persons and wounded several others, medics said.
The United Nations Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA said Israeli authorities were preventing humanitarian missions from reaching areas in the north of the Palestinian enclave with critical supplies, including medicine and food.
"People attempting to flee are getting killed, their bodies left on the street," UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said on X.
Medics at the Indonesian
gion is his 11th since the attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023, that triggered the Gaza war. It comes as Israel intensifies its military campaign against Iran-backed militants – Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Hospital told Reuters that Israeli troops stormed a school and detained the men before setting it ablaze. The fire reached hospital generators and caused a power outage, they added.
Health officials said they had refused orders by the Israeli army, which started a new incursion into the territory's north over two weeks ago, to evacuate the
three hospitals in the area or leave the patients unattended.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed to the Middle East on Monday to launch another push for an elusive ceasefire, seeking to revive negotiations to end the Gaza war and defuse the spillover conflict in Lebanon.
Blinken's trip to the re-
Israel carried out several strikes in Beirut's southern suburbs on Monday, including one near the Rafik Hariri University Hospital, the capital's main government hospital. Four persons were killed, including a child, and 24 others were wounded, the Health Ministry said.
The Israeli military said it struck a "Hezbollah terrorist target" near the hospital and the facility was not hit, adding that the armed group "systematically embeds its terrorist assets into the civilian population." (Excerpt from Reuters)
Russia hosts BRICS summit in Kazan under shadow of war in Ukraine
Russia wants the BRICS summit to showcase the rising clout of the non-Western world, but Moscow's partners from China, India, Brazil and the Arab world are urging President Vladimir Putin to find a way to end the war in Ukraine.
The BRICS group now accounts for 45 per cent of the world's population and 35 per cent of its economy,
based on purchasing power parity, though China accounts for over half of its economic might.
Putin, who is cast by the West as a war criminal, told reporters from BRICS nations that "BRICS does not put itself into opposition to anyone", and that the shift in the drivers of global growth was simply a fact.
"This is an association of states that work togeth-
Harris, Trump pick up the pace 2 weeks to Election Day
Democratic presidential candidate
er based on common values, a common vision of development and, most importantly, the principle of taking into account each other's interests," he said
The BRICS summit takes place as global finance chiefs gather in Washington amid war in the Middle East as well as Ukraine, a flagging Chinese economy and worries that the US presidential election could ignite new trade battles.
Putin, who ordered troops into Ukraine in 2022
after eight years of fighting in eastern Ukraine, was peppered with questions by BRICS reporters about the prospects for a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Putin's answer was, in short, that Moscow would not trade away the four regions of eastern Ukraine that it says are now part of Russia, even though parts of them remain outside its control, and that it wanted its longterm security interests taken into account in Europe.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
King Charles heckled by Australian Senator on visit to Canberra
The result means a clause will be added to the constitution defining EU accession as a goal. Moldova began the long process of formal accession talks in June.
In a presidential election held alongside the referendum, Sandu won 42.45 per cent, short of the 50 per cent needed to win outright and paving the way for a November 3 runoff against former Prosecutor General Alexandr Stoianoglo, who won 25.98 per cent. (Excerpt from Reuters)
"The people of Moldova have spoken: Our EU future will now be anchored in the constitution. We fought fairly in an unfair fight — and we won," Sandu wrote on X.
Kamala Harris and her Republican rival, Donald Trump, delivered radically different messages on the U. campaign trail on Monday as they sought to win over undecided voters in the two weeks before Election Day.
Vice President Harris, campaigning alongside former Republican lawmaker Liz Cheney in the three midwestern battleground states, argued that Trump, the former president, was a threat to democracy.
As the election draws closer, Harris has been sharpening her attacks on Trump's fitness for office, often calling him "unstable" or "unhinged" and questioning his temperament.
"In many, many ways Donald Trump is an unserious man, but the con-
sequences of him being President of the United States are brutally serious," Harris, 60, said at an event in Malvern in Pennsylvania, one of seven battleground states expected to decide the winner of the Nov. 5 election.
Trump, 78, frequently rejects any notion he is a threat to democracy, arguing it is Democrats who are the real threat because of the criminal investigations he and his allies have faced for their attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss.
Trump crisscrossed North Carolina on Monday to gin up support in the ultra-competitive state. At one stop in the hurricane-battered mountains, he urged supporters to go to the polls despite the hardships they were facing. (Excerpt from Reuters)
King Charles was accused of "genocide" by an Indigenous senator at Australia's Parliament House on Monday, moments after he delivered a speech in which he paid his "respects to the traditional owners of the lands".
Charles, on his 16th official visit to Australia and his first major foreign trip since being diagnosed with cancer, had finished speaking when independent Senator and Indigenous activist Lidia Thorpe shouted that she did not accept Charles' sovereignty over Australia.
"You committed genocide against our people," she said. "Give us our land back.
Give us what you stole from us – our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people. You destroyed our land. Give us a treaty. We want treaty." Thorpe, who has disrupted previous events protesting over the colonisation of Australia, was stopped from approaching the king, who spoke quietly to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the podium, but was otherwise unfazed. Thorpe was then escorted out of the chamber.
Thorpe has said the incarceration and violence caused by colonisation can only end with a national treaty between the government and Indigenous people to address First Nations' issues. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Drone image shows displaced people in Jabalia, in this picture obtained from social media on October 21, 2024 (Avichay Adraee via X/via Reuters)
Patience will be necessary to complete things correctly and on time. Plan your actions, keep your thoughts to yourself and take a path that offers peace of mind.
Reach out and connect with people who challenge you to think. Let your curiosity lead the way, and allow your questions and ideas to take you in a direction that highlights your desire to do something you love.
Focus on what’s necessary. By eliminating what’s weighing you down, you’ll gain the confidence to pursue something you’ve only dreamed about in the past. Being reasonable and focusing on what you can do will pay off.
Take note of how others respond to your ideas. Doing so will help you figure out what you can expect when you need help. Sincerity and an honest assessment of your expectations will help you summon the right words.
A long shot may tempt you, but before taking a risk, protect yourself from scammers; do your research, work alone if necessary and refuse to buy into someone else’s dream. Rely on yourself.
Participate, network, gather information and set the stage for what you want to pursue. The information you gather and the people you connect with will provide alternatives that can make your journey easier.
Take the plunge, participate and learn something new. Be a good listener and adapt what you hear and experience by adding your unique perspective. Surround yourself with upbeat people who fuel your fire.
Pay attention; you’ll learn valuable information. Your dedication and desire to get things done correctly and on time will put you in a favorable position. Distance yourself from anyone trying to lure you into a debate.
Take better care of your health, well-being and reputation. Refuse to get swept into someone else’s misfortune or drama. Stick to the truth; you will hear about it if you exaggerate.
Don’t hold back. If you want to connect with someone, make your move. Open communication will offer insight into the possibilities, allowing you to pursue to your next adventure.
An optimistic attitude will draw positive attention. Socializing, fitness and a healthy lifestyle will encourage you to expand your interests, knowledge and friendships.
Protect your health and physical well-being. Whether reinventing yourself or updating your skills, qualifications or appearance, a change will prove uplifting.
ARCHIE
1st Test, South Africa tour of Bangladesh
Taijul Islam's 5-for headlines 16-wicket opening day
Sixteen wickets fell on an eventful opening day of the first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa in Dhaka. At stumps, the visitors managed to take a lead of 34 runs despite Taijul Islam return-
Taijul sent him back for a 72ball 30 in the last session to dent South Africa. This was after Taijul induced a top edge of David Bedingham for his second wicket. From a comfortable position of 65 for 2 post tea, South Africa
ing a five-wicket-haul on a surface that has helped spinners to grip and turn the ball.
Kyle Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder's unbeaten knocks took South Africa to 140 for 6 before bad light stopped play six overs short.
South Africa dominated the first two sessions, but Bangladesh came back into the contest in the final session when conditions became difficult for scoring. Tony de Zorzi looked comfortable against spin and consumed the most of balls among the South Africa batters, but
slipped to 108 for 6. Debutant Matthew Breetzke exposed his stumps expecting the ball to turn away, but the ball skidded on to clean him up, and that wicket made Taijul only the second Bangladeshi bowler to reach 200 Test wickets after Shakib Al Hasan, who was forced to miss his farewell Test game due to security reasons.
Earlier, South Africa got into the act quickly with Mulder, Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj ripping through Bangladesh with
Tony de Zorzi c Mahmudul Hasan Joy b Taijul Islam 30
Tristan Stubbs c Shadman Islam
b Taijul Islam 23
David Bedingham c †Litton Das b Taijul Islam 11
Ryan Rickelton c †Litton Das b Taijul Islam 27
Matthew Breetzke
b Taijul Islam 0 Kyle Verreynne † not out 18 Wiaan Mulder not out 17
Extras (b 1, lb 6, nb 1) 8
Total 41 Ov (RR: 3.41) 140/6
Yet to bat: Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Dane Piedt Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Aiden Markram, 0.6 ov), 2-50 (Tristan Stubbs, 11.4 ov), 3-72 (David Bedingham, 19.3 ov), 4-99 (Tony de Zorzi, 27.2 ov), 5-99 (Matthew Breetzke, 27.6 ov), 6-108 (Ryan Rickelton, 31.3 ov) • DRS
Bowling O-M-R-W Hasan Mahmud 8-1-31-1
Mehidy Hasan Miraz 10-0-33-0 Taijul Islam 15-2-49-5 Nayeem Hasan 8-0-20-0
three wickets each to skittle them out for just 106 inside two sessions.
The majority of the damage was done by the two fast bowlers in the morning session when they left Bangladesh six down and hurt them in hazy Mirpur after Najmul Hossain Shanto decided to bat first. Mulder and Rabada utilised the grass cover on the surface for extra movement off the surface while also finding early swing to leave Bangladesh reeling at 60 for 6. Mulder was exceptional in his sixover opening spell, taking three wickets and bowling three maidens. Rabada picked up two in the morning to cross 300 wickets in Tests.
was patient in his 97-ball 30 before offspinner Dane Piedt bowled him to end
ed Shanto going around the wicket after four balls only for the batter to get a tame
Maharaj spun a web around the lower middle order and had Mehidy Hasan Miraz lbw at the stroke of lunch. Mahmudul Hasan Joy
Bangladesh's chances of redemption.
Mulder's third wicket was set up nicely when he removed the left-hand-
leading edge to Maharaj at extra cover when he tried to work through midwicket against the angle.
Rabada, after bowling
four overs in his first spell, came back and dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim straightaway when he got one to zip through the gap between his bat and pad to rattle the stumps. A few overs later, he hit the hard length and forced Litton Das to edge one to a flying Tristan Stubbs at gully.
Taijul and Nayeem Hasan put on 26 runs for the ninth wicket – also the highest stand of the innings – but Rabada came back in the second session to remove Nayeem. Bangladesh added 46 runs and lost four wickets post lunch.
Poor shot selection and good bowling saw Bangladesh being bowled out for a small total. South Africa have also lost half the side on the wicket that's turning and bouncing, but by gaining a small lead, they are slightly ahead at the end of day's play.(ESPNcricinfo)
Dottin, Fletcher included in...
Wolvaardt was remarkably consistent, with four scores of 40 or above including a best of 59 not out in the opener against West Indies helping her to a tournament-high tally of 223 at 44.60. The 25-year-old, who is named as Captain of the Team of the Tournament, struck at 113.19 across her six innings.
Her opening partner Brits also contributed valuable runs throughout the competition, making 187 in total with a best of 57 not out, as the pair played an integral role for South Africa in the powerplay.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge joins them in the top order after scoring 151 runs in four innings. She top-scored with 41 in England’s opening victory against Bangladesh before important knocks of 43 and 51 not out in wins over South Africa and Scotland respec-
tively.
No South African had reached double figures for wickets in a single ICC Women’s T20 World Cup before, but Nonkululeko Mlaba changed that with a string of impressive displays in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
She entered the wickets column in all six matches she played in, taking four for 29 against West Indies and three for 12 against Scotland, while also earning the key scalp of Tahlia McGrath in South Africa’s semi-final win over Australia and two wickets in the final.
Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana takes the gloves following an impressive competition. She led her side to their first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup victory for 10 years against Scotland and impressed with the bat against
both West Indies (39) and South Africa (32 not out).
She is joined in the middle order by Harmanpreet Kaur, who ended the tournament with a remarkable average of 150 after being dismissed just once in four innings. The India star made unbeaten half-centuries against both Sri Lanka and Australia.
Megan Schutt is also selected following a history-making competition which saw her become the highest wicket-taker in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup history.
The Australian took her tally to 48 with eight victims in 2024, including three for three against New Zealand, and went at just 4.07 runs per over across the tournament.
West Indies pair Deandra Dottin and Afy Fletcher complete the line-up. Dottin, who came out of retirement to feature in the competition, made
120 runs and took five wickets. She also struck nine sixes, six more than the next highest by an individual player.
Leg-spinner Fletcher is included after taking 10 wickets at 11.50, including three apiece against England and Scotland. The 37-year-old also took two scalps against both Bangladesh and New Zealand. (Sportsmax)
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 – Team of the Tournament
Laura Wolvaardt (Captain)
Tazmin Brits
Danni Wyatt-Hodge
Amelia Kerr
Harmanpreet Kaur
Deandra Dottin
Nigar Sultana (wk)
Afy Fletcher
Rosemary Mair
Megan Schutt
Nonkululeko Mlaba
12th player – Eden Carson
Taijul Islam's mates are ecstatic after he got David Bedingham out
Mahmudul Hasan Joy was the only frontline batter to provide resistance
Wiaan Mulder ran through Bangladesh's top order
IOM on board with Region 1’s One Guyana Schools’ Tapeball tournament
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has renewed its sponsorship with Sebai Primary School’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA), which is coordinating its second annual Schools’ Under-13 Male T10 Tapeball Cricket Competition, set to run from November 1-15, 2024. Regarding this year’s expansion of the tournament, Coordinator and PTA Chairman Sherlon Rodrigues shared, “This year the competition has been extended to the entire Region One schools and has received the blessings of Hon. Collin Croal, MP, Minister of Housing and Water; REDO Cliva Joseph and the entire Education Department; Regional Chairman
Prashad, Deo victorious in Atlas Security Service Golf Tournament
The Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) hosted the highly-anticipated Atlas Security Service Inc Golf Tournament over the weekend, showcasing a competitive spirit and strong camaraderie among participants. The event, which attracted golfers from various skill levels, concluded with Patrick Prashad and Arnold Deo emerging as the top performers in their respective flights.
In the 0-14 Flight, Prashad, playing with a handicap of 11, claimed first place
with a gross score of 80 and a net score of 69, demonstrating consistency and control throughout the day. Mohanlall Dindanauth followed closely, also posting a gross score of 80, but finishing second given his net score of 74, playing off a handicap of 6. Joaan Deo secured third place, recording a gross score of 90 and a net score of 76 with a handicap of 14.
In the 15-28 Flight, Arnold Deo delivered a stellar performance to secure first place, playing with a handicap of 21. His gross score of 86 and net score of 65 highlighted his exceptional play. Orson Ferguson, with a handicap of 28, placed second with a gross score of 97 and a net score of 69. Mahesh Shivraj finished third, scoring 88 gross and 70
net, playing off a handicap of 18.
Atlas Security Service Inc
Managing Director Andrew Daley was on hand to witness the event and expressed his gratitude to the Lusignan Golf Club for hosting the tournament. In his remarks, Daley said, "I thank Lusignan Golf Club for allowing Atlas Security Service Inc to be a part of this occasion. This is not just about the sponsorship, but it’s about the camaraderie I saw when I visited the course —it was inspirational. Atlas Security Service Inc is proud to be associated with this event, and I hope we can do this again sometime. To those that will be attending the Brava Guyana Open, I wish you all the best."
The tournament rein-
forced the Lusignan Golf Club’s reputation as one of the premier golfing venues in the region, as it continues to foster a spirit of sportsmanship and competitive excellence. As the local golf community looks forward to the upcoming Brava Guyana Open, the success of the Atlas Security Service Inc Golf Tournament stands as a testament to the growing partnership between the corporate sector and the sport. Anticipation is building for the Brava Guyana Open, where golfers will continue to test their mettle on the challenging Lusignan course.
Tournament Results:
0-14 Flight:
1st Place: Patrick Prashad
– Handicap 11, Gross 80, Net
69 2nd Place: Mohanlall
Dindanauth – Handicap 6, Gross 80, Net 74
3rd Place: Joaan Deo –Handicap 14, Gross 90, Net 76
3rd Place: Mahesh Shivraj – Handicap 18, Gross 88, Net
70
Best Gross – Mohanlall
Dindanauth
ficers and Essequibo Cricket Board President Deleep Singh.”
According to the organiser, the objectives of the competition include: developing cricket across the region and keeping youths meaningfully occupied; moulding the minds of young enthusiastic sportsmen and women and assisting in providing the participating schools with sports equipment that will enable them to correctly manage their physical activities.
This year, 26 schools will participate from the three sub-regions namely: Matarkai sub-region: Port Kaituma Secondary, Port Kaituma Primary, Arakaka Primary, Canal Bank Primary, Sebai Primary, Baramita Primary, Falls Top Primary, and Matthews Ridge Primary.
Water Primary, St Peter and Paul Primary, Mabaruma Primary, and Yarakita Primary.
Moruca sub-region: Karaburi Primary, Warapoka Primary, Santa Rosa Secondary, Waramuri Primary, Kamwatta Primary, Haimaracabra Primary, Santa Rosa Primary, Kwebanna Primary, Santa Cruz Primary, and St Nicholas Primary.
“It’s mandatory for schools who have migrants on roll to include the maximum of two on their team,” Rodrigues informed.
Each sub-region will commence their knockout competition on November 1 at the following venues: Kamwatta Recreational Ground, Moruca; Settlement Ground, Mabaruma and Fitzburg Recreational Ground, Matarkai.
The top three sub-regional teams will meet at Fitzburg Recreational Ground on
November 15 to compete for the champion trophy and cash prizes of $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively. Rodrigues further added, “Our greatest satisfaction will be realised when all our efforts and investment become instrumental in producing national and international cricketers. This competition will give our youths an opportunity to harness their cricketing skills and hopefully they can go on from strength to strength.”
The PTA has also extended gratitude to IOM for the following received for the competition: 10 fibreglass bats, 45 medals, firstplace trophy, second-place trophy, third-place trophy, most runs trophy, most wickets trophy and 7 man-of-thematch trophies.
Chandradat Kooldeep, Superintendent of Police based in the Region, has also rendered assistance to the upcoming tapeball tournament.
Kooldeep has sponsored the third-place cash prize of $100,000, trophies, balls and insulation tape for the competition.
Essequibo Cricket Board President and Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Vice President Deleep Singh said he was extremely pleased to see the enthusiasm and excitement generated in the schools in Region One to play tapeball cricket, which is considered an introduction into playing hardball cricket. He wished all schools participating the very best and thanked the organisers for their tremendous efforts to ensure cricket is being played in Region One. He also extended gratitude to the President and members of the Barima-Waini Cricket Committee for their input.
Dottin, Fletcher included in Women’s World Cup Team of the Tournament
Players from seven teams have been included in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Team of the Tournament.
Champions New Zealand and runners-up South Africa are represented by three players apiece (including the 12th player) while stars from England, India, the West Indies, Bangladesh, and Australia are also selected.
Amelia Kerr, who picked up the Player of the Match award in the final as well as the Player of the Tournament trophy, is a natural inclusion following a superb campaign with bat and ball.
The 24-year-old took 15 wickets – the most by any player at a single ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
West Indies Women’s Deandra
– and scored 135 runs, top-scoring with 43 in the final to help the White Ferns lift the trophy for the first time. She is joined in the squad by teammates Rosemary Mair, who took 10 wickets at 11.70 including three in the final, and Eden Carson, list-
ed as 12th in this team after nine wickets of her own. South Africa’s opening pair finished as the two highest run-scorers in the competition and both Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits are selected.
Brentnol Ashley; Culture, Youth and Sport of-
Superintendent of Police Chandradat Kooldeep (second from right) handing over the third-place cash prize to Culture, Youth and Sports Officer for Matarkai, Micquel Perez, in the presence of Sherlon Rodrigues and Rose Benn
National Project Officer for IOM Guyana, Adeti Klien (left) donating trophies, medals, bats and banner to tournament coordinator Sherlon Rodrigues
Dottin and Afy Fletcher
Patrick Prashad (left) won the 0-14 Flight
Arnold Deo (left) was victorious in the 15-28 Flight
Campbell bags Pro Card
…as Guyana reign supreme at 2024 CAC Bodybuilding Championships
It will always be a night to remember for Senior Men’s Mr Physique Emmerson Campbell, who just as he had predicted reigned supreme as the curtains came down on the 2024 Central America & Caribbean (CAC) Body Building & Fitness Championships Sunday night, at the National Cultural Centre.
Campbell, the defending CAC champion, appearing in front of a small but appreciative audience, did not disappoint as he flaunted a ripped and well-defined body to successfully defend his title and, in the process, achieve Pro Card status, an accolade that had eluded him for the past six years.
It was done in front of a partisan but knowledgeable fan base, family and friends. His achievement was described by many as well-deserved for his dedication to the sport and hard work.
7-member junior chess team off to French Guiana alongside IGG contingent
The Guyana Chess Federation's junior chess teams have departed for French Guiana, accompanied by members of other sport disciplines, to participate in the 2024 edition of the Inter Guiana Games (IGG) from October 24 to 26, 2024.
The young female team comprises Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Aditi Joshi, Ciel Clement, Kaija Clement, and Italy Ton-Chung. The young males comprise Candidate Master (CM) Sachin Pitamber, Alexander Zhang, and Omar Shariff. Kyle Couchman and Amara Branche, who were selected to be part of the teams, respectively, opted out at the last minute, leaving the male team
with one member short. Kaija Clement was able to fill in for the females. The team are led by Coach Roberto Nero and officials Tanya Clement and Archana Joshi.
The seven sport disciplines that will contest the IGG are athletics, basketball, beach volleyball, chess, futsal, swimming, and table tennis. Travel arrangements were made by the National Sports Commission (NSC), which provided uniforms for every player and official.
The 140-member contingent met with Culture, Youth, and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr on Monday at the Guyana National Stadium Providence. The Minister declared that the teams
represent the elite athletes in their age group in their respective disciplines and encouraged them to stay safe, compete to win, and enjoy this adventure to French Guiana.
The contingent is expected to arrive in the host city, Cayenne, today, October 22, 2024, to attend the opening ceremony before the competition begins.
The Inter Guiana Games began in Suriname in 1967 to strengthen relationships and forge bonds among the three territories through sports and shared values. French Guiana, Suriname, and Guyana will be represented by the best athletes in their individual categories. Guyana will host the IGG in 2025.
Also, making Guyana proud was Julio Sinclair, who captured gold in the Men’s Body Building Over 90Kgs Class, much to the delight of the local fans.
In the winners’ row for Guyana also were Anthony Bayley, who won the Men’s Physique up to 23 years; Joel Caldeira in Men’s Body Building up to 23 years, Ana Anderico and Remalton Siland, while Melitha Fernandes, Delrae McLean, Kadeem Bowen, Christina Ramsammy, Angelica Barroncas, Orlanzo Valenzuela, Jamal Pollydore, Joshua Alexander, Rawle Greene and Christine Matos
De Brito all produced creditable performances.
Guyana won the overall title ahead of Barbados and El Salvador in that order.
Dominican Republic’s Misaelis Pena won the overall Bikini Fitness; the Men’s Physique title went to Barbados’s Bukkiah Providence; Antigua and Barbuda’s Kayla Latayna Joseph claimed gold in the Wellness Fitness overall, while Suriname’s Anthony Nekrui reigned supreme in the Men’s Body Building overall.
Some of the other individual winners were Mexico’s Lourdes Maza Campos,
Antigua and Barbuda’s Tiffany Gordon, Costa Rica’s Milixa Millon, El Salvador’s Melvin Rivera, Trinidad and Tobago’s Kriston Copilah, Barbados’s Trudi Bovell, El Salvador’s Edgar Pineda, Barbados’s Sanaj Jeffrey, Barbados’s Curtis Kirby, Jamaica’s Rayon Henry, Jamaica’s Sean Taylor, Antigua and Barbuda’s Tony Phillip, Barbados’s Janille Butcher, Suriname’s Gajus Haakat, Antigua and Barbuda’s Travon Giddings, Nicaragua’s Maxwell Vallejos, Barbados’s Danielle Holder, Barbados’s Tyrell Forde; Barbados’s Leanna Carter and El Salvador’s Amalia Araniva.
“Champion of Champions” Futsal…
North Ruimveldt upset Sparta Boss
…as California Square, North East La Penitence, Gold is Money, and Back Circle secure wins
California Square, North East La Penitence, North Ruimveldt, Gold Is Money and Back Circle all achieved victories as the first-ever Bent Street "Champion of Champions" futsal event continued on Saturday last at the National Gymnasium.
Team Cruel once again secured the inaugural win of the night against Back Circle B. Thanks to their passive style of play throughout the game, strikes from Ian Dooker in the seventh minute, Joel Sealy in the eighth, and Teon Stewart in the 20th were just enough to carry their team over the line. Sigmund Cobena netted two goals for Back Circle B.
North East La Penitence asserted their dominance once again, with one goal coming from Dontee McAulay in the third minute and another from
Kelvin Moore as they penetrated the Bent Street B defence, to secure a 2-nil win.
Then, Davin George’s lone goal in the eighth minute was enough to carry California Square over the line, as they annihilated the defence of Laing Avenue and showcased their talent with the ball at their feet.
Mocha and Ztekk Family battled it out on the court, but the end result of the game would see the teams ultimately sharing points. Ztekk Family’s Donald Mckenzie netted the opening goal in the second minute and seconds after, Lloyd Matthews replied with a goal for Mocha in the third minute locking the score at 1-1. With both teams looking to secure three points, Antwon Kelly gave Mocha an advantage as he scored in the 12th minute, but a strike from Ozeal Small in the 16th would see the game level again.
The biggest upset of the night saw North Ruimveldt coming out on top of the renowned Sparta Boss. Tyrese Louis scored the much-needed goal in the 17th minute as their keeper managed to restrict the attacks of Sparta Boss.
Andrew Murray and Shumar Koulen with their magnificent ability to put the ball at the back of the net combined to guide Gold is Money to a 2-nil victory over Linden All-Stars. Murray and Koulen put the ball into the back of the net in the 8th and 13th minutes respectively.
Back Circle continued their winning streak as the A side secured a phenomenal 5-nil win over Street Vybz with a double coming from the feet of Beveny Marks in the 11th and 12th minutes. One goal each came from Amos Ramsey in the 14th, Jamaine Beckles in the 1st and Stephon Mclean in the 8th..
Gold is Money (blue) controlling the ball during the dominance of Linden All-Stars
Guyana’s IGG chess team alongside Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr
CAC Men’s Body Building champion, Guyana’s Julio Sinclair strikes a pose with his accolades
