“We don’t want to see a repeat
Texila American University expands to Region 2
Essequibo Coast teen stabbed by 27-year-old taxi driver EPA probing substance seepage reported at Crane village Traffic Chief raises safety concerns over lack of signage on new Georgetown roads
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Wednesday, October 16 –03:30h-05:00h and Thursday, October 17 – 03:45h-05:15h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Wednesday, October 16 –15:20h-16:50h and Thursday, October 17 – 15:55h-17:25h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Sunshine is expected during the day, with clear skies at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.
Winds: North North-Easterly to East NorthEasterly between 0.89 metre and 3.58 metres.
High Tide: 15:45h reaching a maximum height of 2.88 metres.
Low Tide: 09:19h and 21:42h reaching minimum heights of 0.42 metre and 0.29 metre.
“We don’t want to see a repeat of 2020 elections” – British diplomat …expresses UK’s readiness to provide any support Guyana requires for 2025 polls
Having played a major role in ensuring Guyana’s democracy was upheld during the contentious five months following the March 2020 General and Regional Elections, the United Kingdom (UK) is willing to work with Guyana to avoid a recurrence of those events at the 2025 polls.
This is according to British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller. During an interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday, the British diplomat, who only took up her posting in
be doing. So, we would do a needs assessment mission where we’ll work with the Government to look at where their needs are and see where they would really like our assistance. So, at this stage, I have not defined precisely the things that we’ll work on. We’ve seen the recommendations from previous observer missions and that provides a useful starting point but it will be up to GECOM and others to come to us and say this is where they would like support,” High Commissioner Miller asserted.
Guyana in 2021, explained that the UK Government is keen on ensuring, as it has in the past, free and fair elections in Guyana.
“The UK Government doesn’t want to see a repeat of 2020 and throughout the world, we’ve worked with countries on free and fair elections. And we’re doing the same here,” she stressed.
In preparation for next year’s polls, the UK diplomat has been engaging local stakeholders including the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to offer support for the upcoming elections. While the British High Commission in Guyana, as customary, will field an Election Observer Mission that will be on the ground, Miller contended that the events and preparations leading up to Polling Day is important.
“We’ve offered support and technical assistance to GECOM. We haven’t defined exactly what we’ll do yet but we’re certainly in discussions. The UK is very keen to see what we can do to prevent what happened back in 2020. So, we continue to have discussions and we’re certainly here to support the country,” she stated.
Asked what that support and technical assistance could look like, the British envoy posited that it will be what Guyana indicates it requires. In fact, she disclosed that there will be a needs assessment with the Guyana Government to ascertain the country’s needs.
“I’m keen that that support responds to Guyana’s needs. I don’t think it’s for me to say this is what they should
Only earlier this month, the ABCE diplomatic missions in Guyana – United States, Britain, Canada and the European Union – engaged GECOM on support for the upcoming polls, which is likely to be held in November 2025.
GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj told Guyana Times last week that those discussions aim to explore various forms of electoral assistance, including the potential deployment of observer delegations.
“At this point, it’s a mat-
ter of considering what format the support [from the ABCE missions] will take. Traditionally, we have received assistance from them… At this point, the discussion is to determine what format the support will take. So, after having this discussion with them, the next step for [the Elections Commission] to discuss is what we want and then we will make a formal request to them,” Gunraj had stated.
On Tuesday, High Commissioner Miller declared that she is hoping that GECOM is able to make that determination of the support it would require “very soon”.
After a nearly smooth polling day on March 2, 2020, Guyana was embroiled in a prolonged electoral impasse for five months following blatant attempts by senior GECOM officials and the then People's National Congress (PNC)-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government, which refused to concede defeat and demit office.
The ABCE diplomatic
missions in Guyana, at the time, were vocal in their calls for democracy to prevail and for the will of the Guyanese people be respected. In fact, even after a Caricom-led national recount confirmed the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) electoral victory, the David Granger-led coalition regime continued with its delay tactics by moving to the courts.
The Western diplomats had deemed the tabulation process for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) –Guyana’s largest voting district – as lacking transparency and credibility. This was after attempts were made by embattled Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, along with others to inflate the votes in favour of the then coalition Administration.
As the electoral impasse continued months after the March 2020 polls, the ABCE diplomatic community continued mounting pressure on the APNU/AFC to concede defeat, warning of Guyana facing isolation and consequences.
British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller
Editor: Tusika Martin
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Turning the right to food into reality
As World Food Day is commemorated today under the theme, “Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future”, the global community is reminded of a fundamental truth: everyone has the right to adequate, diverse, and nutritious foods. Yet, while this is acknowledged as a right, turning it into a reality remains one of humanity’s greatest challenges.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), over 730 million people globally face hunger due to a mix of natural disasters, conflicts and economic downturns. More concerning, however, is that over 2.8 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet, resulting in widespread malnutrition. FAO Director-General Dr. QU Dongyu has emphasized the need to go beyond ensuring food availability to focus on food diversity, accessibility, and affordability. This need for “foods,” in the plural, highlights the importance of nourishing not just bellies, but lives, by providing healthy, nutrient-rich diets.
In the Caribbean, the vulnerability of the region to food insecurity, exacerbated by climate change and global economic shocks, has made initiatives like Caricom’s “25 by 2025” crucial. The 25 by 2025 initiative aims to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25% by the year 2025, placing a strong emphasis on sustainable agriculture, regional food production, and trade within Caricom. This effort is not only about reducing dependency on external food sources, but also about enhancing the region’s ability to produce diverse and nutritious foods, ensuring that local populations have access to healthier diets.
The synergy between the FAO’s global push for resilient agrifood systems and Caricom’s 25 by 2025 shows that food security solutions must be both global and regional. In Caribbean countries, where the impacts of climate change are already acutely felt, this initiative is a lifeline for securing food sovereignty while fostering economic growth.
The paradox of modern food systems is that even as millions suffer from hunger, millions more struggle with obesity and dietrelated diseases. Globalized food markets have often introduced unhealthy dietary changes, replacing traditional nutrient-rich foods with highly processed, calorie-dense options. In many places, including the Caribbean, this shift has contributed to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases.
FAO-supported initiatives such as school feeding programmes have proven to be a practical solution in addressing these issues. By sourcing food from local farmers and ensuring children receive nutritious meals, these programmes not only improve health outcomes, but also support local economies.
Climate change poses a significant threat to global food security. The increasingly erratic weather patterns, from prolonged droughts to devastating floods, threaten agricultural production in vulnerable regions. In response, the FAO has championed climate-smart agricultural practices which help farmers adapt to changing environmental conditions while ensuring sustainable food production.
In countries heavily impacted by the climate crisis, including those in the Caribbean and Asia, these practices have allowed farmers to improve crop resilience and reduce losses, ensuring that more food reaches the table.
As Dr. QU Dongyu aptly noted, the right to food alone will not fill stomachs or ensure diverse diets. Achieving this goal requires the concerted efforts of governments, private sector actors, civil society, and individuals. Governments must create legal frameworks that prioritize food security as Caricom has done with its regional initiatives. Businesses have a critical role in making nutritious foods more affordable and accessible. Farmers especially can be agents of change by adopting sustainable practices that safeguard biodiversity and ensure long-term food availability.
And individuals, including youths, must take ownership of their future. Whether by reducing food waste, supporting local farmers, or advocating for policies that prioritize food diversity and nutrition, every consumer has a role to play.
World Food Day is a timely reminder that collective action can bring countries closer to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. The FAO’s commitment to “Four Betters” — better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life — echoes the aspirations of many around the world who envision a future where no one is left behind.
In the Caribbean, the success of Caricom’s 25 by 2025 initiative will depend on continued collaboration, innovation, and support from all sectors. By enhancing local food production and ensuring that the region’s agrifood systems are resilient and inclusive, the region can turn the right to food into a reality for all.
Dear Editor,
A section of the local media reported that the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Aubrey Norton, “vouched that if his party was returned to government, he would ensure that public servants receive a minimum of 35% increase…”
On October 7, 2024, another section of the media reported that the AFC, not to be outdone, promised to give teachers a 45% increase if they are ever returned to government.
Workers should by now recognise that those two parties always make grand promises whenever they are in opposition, but promptly renege on them once in office. Recall that, in the 2011 and
Dear Editor,
The highly anticipated $200,000 cash grant per household was announced, and soon there will be disbursement of same.
Now, before we get into the disbursement part of it, we first have to define what a household means. A household is defined as a family or group of people living together; it is a social unit under one roof, comprising all the people living in your house, including servants and others who live in your house.
Now, that explanation was not helpful, especially when it comes to the disbursement of money. Persons become edgy when money is to be given out, and the question is asked: In whose hands should that money go? Should it go into the hands of the husband, or the wife, or
2015 elections, those parties promised sugar workers 20% increase in pay. They also promised that they would not close any sugar estate if elected.
The reality is that those people did the very opposite. They never gave the sugar workers a single dollar in pay increase. They began the process of shutting factories: Skeldon, Rose Hall, Enmore and Wales were closed! This was done even though a commission which the regime set up, headed by Dr. Clive Thomas, did not recommend any closure. During the five years they occupied the seat of power, they did not give a cent increase to workers. Up to today, the fate of the industry remains uncertain
to all the adult members of that household?
Now, these are some of the questions persons are tempted to ask. Mark you well, every adult wants to get a grab of the dough, that is why some ask: Why didn’t Government grant every adult that cash grant? Or, greater still, why didn’t Government give the cash to every child, who should be the real beneficiaries of a cash grant? they need it more than any other.
However, it still comes back to the point: Who actually handles the cash when the disbursement is made? Who should be “the coordinator” of the cash grant?
Then there are those who make up a number in a household; that is, several adults who, in the local vernacular, “cook their own pot”.
became of what the PNCAPNU/AFC did.
Recall also their opposition to the value-added tax (VAT). They argued while in opposition that the 16% was too high, and promised to cut it to 8% immediately should they get into office.
Lo and behold, when they got into office, they kept the VAT at the same rate. It took them more than three years to reduce it by 2% to 14%.
However, they applied it on all the basic food items, education items, and medicines that the PPP/C had zero rated. In fact, by putting VAT (14%) on the items mentioned above, the PNC/ APNU/AFC extracted millions of dollars from the pockets of workers in this
These are persons who cook for themselves, but who also share expenses in the house, such as the rent (if they are renters), food costs, utility payments, among other things. Should these be given a separate individual grant?
In my book, for those who “cook their own pot”, if they find themselves in a household, I say continue in the same vein as is customary: “share the proceeds equitably.” Government cannot get into those squabbles; that is a matter for those who live in a household. It is a cash grant to one of the members of that household, and not to every individual in the household. These are some of the miscellaneous factors that have to be ironed out before the cash is disbursed to a household.
country. Workers and farmers of today must further recall the promise those parties made to rice farmers in that same period. They proclaimed that they would give famers $9,000 per bag of paddy. Needless to say, that was another promise honoured in the breach!
These are but the most recent examples of them reneging on promises and agreements reached. Their history is replete with broken agreements and promises. So, workers, beware of those scammers and tricksters (three-card conmen).
Sincerely,
Donald Ramotar Former President
What I do know is that there would always be those who would grumble and complain. They would hit the media to tell their sad story that they were sidelined, and it is all the Government’s fault. This cuts across party, race and religion; all are involved. I love to stick to the Biblical account of Jesus when He was here on earth. That Divine Man did not fulfill all the needs of the world; He did try His best to address the needs of the people, but His best was not good enough for His followers, they wanted more. To think of it, they finally killed Him. Those very same people killed Him, yes, one week after He fed them with loaves and fishes. I rest my case!
Respectfully, Neil Adams
Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, along with Foreign Minister Hugh Todd and Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, engaged Suriname’s Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin and other officials in a bilateral meeting on Monday. The discussions focused on key issues related to the oil and gas sector, with technical support from officers of the Natural Resources Ministry (Office of the Vice President photo)
Essequibo Coast teen stabbed by
A27-year-old taxi driver
16-year-old girl is currently a patient at the Suddie Public Hospital following an attacked that occurred on Monday evening, along the Abrams Zuil Public Road, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).
The teenager a fifth form student of Johanna Cecelia, was attack by a 27-year-old taxi driver from Queenstown, Essequibo Coast.
According to police reports, the teen, and the suspect are known to each other. Additional information revealed that the man was previously charged for raping the teen in 2023.
On Monday, the teen and her 14-year-old sister were walking along Queenstown Public Road when they spotted the man driving his car in a threatening manner towards them causing them to jump to safety.
The sisters later boarded a motorcar to head to the Suddie Police Station to make a report, however; as they were near the Abrams Zuil Secondary School, the suspect, who had been following them, swerved his car in front of the one in which they were travelling then exited his vehicle with a knife in hand, and grabbed the teen out of the car.
Bloodstains beside the car after the stabbing incident
He then fled the scene on foot abandoning his car. The teen was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital
by public-spirited citizens where she was treated for seven stab wounds to her left chest, left arm, shoulders, and left hand.
An investigation has been launched.
“We don’t want to see...
In fact, the United States had gone ahead to impose visa sanctions against several Government and electoral officials, and their immediate family members, for their role in undermining democracy in Guyana. The UK and Canada as well as the EU had also indicated that they were also considering following suit.
The heightened pressure from the West led to the APNU/AFC eventually conceding and allowed the Dr Irfaan Ali-led Administration to finally take office on August 2, 2020.
Following those events, several senior GECOM officials and political activists have been charged and placed before the courts on a series of electoral fraud charges including misconduct while holding public office, presenting falsified documentation, and planning to manipulate Guyana’s voters by presenting an inaccurate vote total.
Those charged include former Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield; Deputy CEO, Roxanne Myers; former Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, and GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Denise BabbCummings, and Michelle Miller. Former People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Chairperson Volda Lawrence and PNCR activist Carol Smith-Joseph are also before the court on election fraud-related charges.
However, years after
those charges were instituted in 2021, these cases continue to languish in the Magistrates’ Courts, marred with constant and prolonged delays. Meanwhile, following the 2020 elections fiasco, steps have been taken by the current PPP/C
FROM PAGE 3
Administration to strengthen Guyana’s electoral system with needed amendments to the Representation of the People Act (ROPA) – the country’s main electoral law. The National Registration Act, another electoral law, has also been amended. (G8)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2024
06:00 (Sign on) Inspiration Time
06:30 Cartoons
07:00 Evening News (RB)
08:00 Stop Suffering
09:00 Food Network
10:00 Grand Designs
11:00 Paternity Court
11:30 Divorce Court
12:00 News Break
12:05 Movie - The Magic of Lemon Drops (2024)
13:35 Wheel of Fortune
14:00 The Loud House S6 E21
14:30 Spongebob Squarepants
15:00 Indian Soaps
16:00 Young Sheldon S4 E14
16:30 When Calls the Heart
17:00 The Young & The Restless
18:00 Aljazeera
19:00 The Evening News
20:00 Stop Suffering
20:30 Stand-up Comedy
21:00 Good Trouble S2 E15
22:00 The Witcher S2 E8
23:00 The Office S6 E20
23:30 The Last Man on Earth S1 E7
00:00 Sign off
Page Foundation
Dividing Whole Numbers
When you divide, you have to know which number is the dividend and which number is the divisor. The dividend is the number to be divided. The divisor is the number that goes into the dividend. The answer, called the quotient, is the number of times the divisor can go into the dividend. If there is something left over when you are finished, you call that the remainder.
Begin by looking at the highest place value in the dividend, the digit on the left side. Can that number be divided by the divisor? In this case, the answer is yes, 3 ÷ 3 = 1. Put the 1 above the line as the beginning of the quotient. Since 1 x 3 = 3, place this 3 under the 3 in the dividend. Next, subtract 3 – 3 = 0. Now carry down from the dividend the digit in the next place value, 4. Can 4 be evenly divided by 3. This time the answer is no, but there is one 3 in 4. So write 1 in the quotient, and subtract again. Keep repeating these steps until you get to the last digit in the dividend. How many times can 17 be divided by 3? 17 ÷ 3 = 5, with 2 left over. The 2 is the remainder.
Remember: When dividing, always begin on the left side of the dividend.
Maths as art
Paper patchwork patterns
Source: (www.artfulmaths.com)
by Jack Prelutsky
Last night I dreamed of chickens, there were chickens everywhere, they were standing on my stomach, they were nesting in my hair, they were pecking at my pillow, they were hopping on my head, they were ruffling up their feathers as they raced about my bed. They were on the chairs and tables, they were on the chandeliers, they were roosting in the corners, they were clucking in my ears, there were chickens, chickens, chickens for as far as I could see... when I woke today, I noticed there were eggs on top of me.
Linden-to-Lethem Road project
Guyana could tap into UK Export Finance to fund Phase 2 – British envoy
With the United Kingdom already partially funding the Linden-to-Mabura Hill Road Expansion Project, there are opportunities for Guyana to tap into other UK financing mechanisms to continue the second phase of the all-weather road to Lethem.
Earlier this year, the UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK’s export credit agency, almost tripled its risk appetite for Guyana from £750 million to a whopping £2.1 billion, allowing for both the Government and the local Private Sector to access funding. UKEF aids overseas buyers across the world in accessing the financial support they need to procure from the UK, unlocking the potential of the UK supply chain by making their bids more competitive.
During an interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday, British High Commissioner Jane Miller said Guyana could access the UKEF to finance the Mabura Hill to
Lethem section of the critical road project.
“Through UK Export Finance, there are opportunities for funding to be used for the rest of the road,” High Commissioner Miller stated.
The US$190 million Phase One of the project will see 121 kilometres of asphaltic road being built from Linden to Mabura Hill in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice). This project is being funded through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) via a US$112 million loan, a grant of £50 million (US$66 million) from the United Kingdom’s Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF), and an input of US$12 million from the Guyana Government. That was the largest grant Guyana has ever received from the British Government.
Phase Two of this project will see the all-weather road being extended to Lethem in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). Currently, this road network
is being utilised by an estimated 50,000 travellers who transport goods from the coast to the inland regions of Guyana and even into neighbouring Brazil.
Guyana and Brazil are presently exploring financing options for that section of the road that will also serve as a critical transport link for the two countries.
According to the British High Commissioner to
Auditor General 2023 report
Guyana, “The [Linden-toMabura Hill] Road is making big progress… So, again, this UK Export Finance is available for using on that road and we’re have been talking to Government about particular businesses that could actually provide that technical support, that infrastructure support. So, yes, there are ongoing discussions.”
Maternal Hospital] at Ogle and there many other opportunities we’re discussing at the moment, both with the Private Sector and with Government… Nothing else is being announced, but we have a number of them that we’re discussing at the moment,” the British diplomat related.
Significant progress has been made at the Guyana Paediatric and Maternal Hospital at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, which is expected to revolutionise healthcare in Guyana. This marks Guyana’s first project to be financed by the UK’s export credit agency.
The UK-funded $31.9 billion facility is being built by VAMED Engineering and is on track for completion by the final quarter of 2025.
was referred to SOCU after special audit
Special investigation launched after Health Ministry staff found with 5 boxes of anaesthetic …matter
The Auditor General (AG’s) 2023 report has disclosed that a staffer from the Health Ministry had five boxes of lidocaine, a local anaesthetic commonly used by dentists, in their possession, prompting a special investigation to be launched.
According to the AG report, the discovery of the staffer in possession of the drugs was made during a security check at the Ministry’s Materials Management Unit (MMU), which handles the large quantities of drugs procured by the Ministry for hospitals and clinics.
As a result of the find, the report states that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Malcolm Watkins, requested a special audit into the unit back in August 2022. The AG duly obliged.
“The audit was conducted by the Audit Office and an interim report dated September 16, 2022, was issued to the Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). At the time of this report, the special investigation was ongoing,” AG Deodat Sharma stated in his report.
Meanwhile, the report carried a response from the Health Ministry, which indicated that the Ministry’s MMU is cooperating with the investigation. The au-
dit office meanwhile recommended that once the investigation is concluded, the Ministry should provide the Audit Office with an update.
Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic that works by blocking the signals at the nerve endings in the skin. Unlike general anaesthetics when used in surgery, this medicine does not cause loss of consciousness in patients.
The MMU serves as the central storage bond of the Health Ministry, but was wracked by claims of mismanagement under the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government.
Shortly after the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government
assumed office, hundreds of truckloads of expired medication had to be dumped from the MMU – due to poor management under the former APNU/AFC Coalition.
In fact, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony had said the administration inherited a “crisis” in relation to the quantity of expired medication being stored at MMU. From 2015 to 2021, the Health Ministry had to dump over $10 billion worth of expired drugs and materials.
At one point under the former APNU/AFC Government, there were hospitals that had an availability rate for drugs and medical supplies of less than 35 per cent. This has since been dramatically improved under the current Government. (G3)
The Linden-to-Mabura Hill road, which started last year and is slated for completion in July 2025, is less than 50 per cent completed with weather and procurement challenges causing major setbacks.
Back in August, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill had told this newspaper that the contractor, Brazilian Company Construtora Queiroz Galvao SA, had lost 72 per cent of construction time due to procurement challenges.
UKEF financing
Meanwhile, the increase of the Market Risk Appetite (MRA) to £2.1 billion back in February now paves the way for the Government and the Private Sector to access competitive, long-term financing for national priority projects ranging from infrastructure, healthcare, education and transport.
In August, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Latin America and the Caribbean, Jonathan Knott, led a delegation to Guyana. According to a statement from the British High Commission, during engagements with President Dr Irfaan Ali, they discussed business proposals from British companies that are currently being considered by the Guyana Government.
Moreover, it was noted in the missive that the UK delegation also engaged the British Chamber of Commerce; Private Sector Commission (PSC); Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI); Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association (GMSA) and the Women’s Chamber of Commerce along with several other local business-support organisations to discuss opportunities for improved commercial relations and access to finance through UKEF to support projects in Guyana.
According to High Commissioner Miller, there are several proposals already being considered under the UKEF mechanism.
“We have a number of proposals that we’re looking at, at the moment… We have one major investment, that’s the [Guyana Paediatric and
The Paediatric and Maternal Hospital will be a referral centre for women and children. It will specialise in maternal, neonatal, and paediatric care with a huge imaging suite for services such as CT scans, X-rays, MRI scanning equipment, a modern laboratory, and surgical suites.
The facility will also have 256 beds and high-quality equipment sourced from the United Kingdom.
According to Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, the hospital support systems are being put in place by Government to reduce Guyana’s morbidity rate, have fewer diseases and be able to treat diseases properly.
The Paediatric and Maternal Hospital was birthed from a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Guyana and Austria. While the agreement had catered for another set of works, the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government had amendments for the construction of this facility after entering office.
A section of the completed asphalt road between Linden and Mabura Hill
$60B set aside by Exxon, partners for decommissioning
…says willing to assist Govt to set up independent decommissioning funds
With oil giant
ExxonMobil and its partners in the Stabroek Block having set aside $60 billion for decommissioning purposes, the company has also indicated its willingness to work with the Government to establish independent decommissioning funds of its own.
During a recent press conference, ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge was asked about how much money it has set aside for decommissioning purposes. Decommissioning, the removal of oil producing installations from a development at the end of its life cycle, is catered for in the
Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).
According to Routledge, Exxon and its Stabroek Block partners have as of 2023, put aside $60 billion that will ultimately be used for decommissioning. He also expressed his company’s commitment to aid the Government in setting up
independent decommissioning funds of its own.
“To date, or at least year end 2023, $60 billion have been set aside on an accumulative basis or ultimately for decommissioning. Currently, those funds are held independently by the three Stabroek Block co-venturers. But we’re very much aware that under the Petroleum Activities Act of 2023, the Government would like to establish decommissioning funds that would be separate.”
“In order to have those funds be held independently and have the confidence that those funds would be available when needed and for the intent they were set aside. We’ll be happy to work with the Government on the establishment of those. What are the rules ensuring that international best practices are applied?” he said.
Routledge explained the process behind these funds, as well as the importance of keeping them insulated and ready for their intended purpose when needed. The oil executive noted the benefits of investing these funds wisely, in a secure, low-risk account that would nevertheless ensure returns on investment (ROI).
Blowing… …money?
When he was President, not too long ago, Jagdeo was accused by one Caricom PM of going around with a begging bowl -- after Burnham had destroyed our economy with his cockamamie economic programmes -- and how dare he (Jagdeo) suggest how the region might be able to get its economic mojo back on track!! And the shameless PNC Opposition chortled in derision!! Well, how things have changed with the coming of the dawn of the age of petroleum!! Not only are the Caricom PMs beating a path to our door, but they are seeking our advice on everythingfrom food security to trade policy!
And the Opposition? Well, they’re beside themselves for having lost the opportunity to control the spigot to the oil money pouring into our coffers. But they’ve got only themselves to blame for that, innit??
There they were, safely ensconced in the trappings of office through the ballot box - which they thought would never happen after Burnham’s outlaw rule – and what’d they do?? Kick dust into the faces of the demographic that put them there by shuttering four sugar estates even as the oil money was just about to flow!! So, now they’re on the outside, giving gratuitous advice to the PPP on how to use the oil funds!! Never mind that the PPP had outlined in their manifesto plans for spending the money - which got them elected OVER the Opposition PNC and AFC!!
Now, the plans weren’t even that original; after all, they had the example of dozens of countries that had found themselves in the same situation, and they could follow the path that led to successful outcomes -- which was NOT to follow the example of our pork-knockers of yore, who, after striking gold in the bush, would blow it all on wine, women and song, and be back at square one before you could say “Itanamie hu’t me belly!!”!!
The PPP declared – and started immediately to execute their plans – that they’d be building infrastructure like roads, bridges, power generation, hospitals, schools etc, without which no country could become developed!!
Sure, they knew the country had a lotta poor people, but they were looking ahead, and didn’t want to blow the money to have folks live high off the hog immediately – and then revert into poverty when the money ran out!! They had a welter of schemes, into which some of the money was funnelled into pockets to help out in the short term, and also for some to start businesses to improve their lot. Recently, Pressie proposed transferring $200,000 to every household. Folks were understandably ecstatic!!
One Opposition micro party, however, had floated the suggestion to give everyone $1 MILLION every year!! Harking back to the pork-knocker mentality!!
…friendship
A lot of folks are confused about what’s behind the latest diplomatic brouhaha between India and Canada. Yes, Canada, which has traditionally played the role in international relations of the “good cop”, in contrast with the “bad cop” role in which its neighbour to the south – the US – revels!! But as is often the case in these matters, it’s all about domestic politics. Canada’s home to the largest Sikh population outside of India – 700,000 with VOTES – but is also the hotbed of Sikh separatism, working to carve out an independent Khalistan!!
This had been attempted before, back in the 1980s, and had ended badly, with thousands of casualties in the Sikh community and the Indian army. PM Indira Gandhi was assassinated, and brutal reprisals followed. These separatist tendencies are spouting again – from Canada, where the Trudeau Govt has given the Sikhs cover. The Indian Government’s accused of assassinating a Sikh separatist last year – which they deny – hence these diplomatic expulsions. India just can’t afford another bloody Sikh uprising.
…global cricket
For some reason unknown to your Eyewitness, while Bollywood movie star Shakrukh Khan’s ownership of the TT Knight Riders is trumpeted, Bollywood’s Preity Zinta’s ownership of the champion team, St Lucia Kings, seems to be a secret!! Sexism??
ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge
PAC grills Region 7 admin over missing millions
…as revenue from public projects stashed in region’s revolving fund
During Monday’s sit ting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the committee probed the Region Seven Administration’s retention of money it raised from spe cial projects, in a special ac count rather than the mon ey being turned over to the Consolidated Fund.
The committee interro gated Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) Regional Executive Officer Kerwin Ward and team, on the findings in the 2019 Auditor General (AG) Report. This included findings that pertained to its operation of a special fund.
erally go.
For instance, the AG had found that the region operated a special project account for money it made from public assets, with almost $10 million being received that year. PAC member Ganesh Mahipaul questioned where the money was kept and why it was not paid over to the Consolidated Fund, where Government revenues gen-
“All the revenues gained, what happens to that? Is it with the region and stays with the region? Or was it supposed to be deposited in the Consolidated Fund as revenue? There are revenues in there the region raised. The region made money out of the guest houses, the Amerindian Hostel, rental of land and perhaps years coming forward, they made money out of the pavilion.”
“All of these economic
ventures that allow the region to gain a profit, where is that money? Is it in an account managed by the REO or region or was the sum supposed to have been deposited into the Consolidated Fund?” Mahipaul questioned.
Both AG Deodat Sharma and Accountant General Jennifer Chapman clarified that the fund in question was intended as a revolving fund and is audited by the AG. As a matter of fact, Sharma said that a circular may have been sent out on the fund.
“They are not deposited into the Consolidated Fund. I think there was a circular, how to treat the economic venture. And they could retain it (after December 31),” the Auditor General explained to the PAC.
Whether this is catered for in the law was another matter, however, as Mahipaul questioned how a circular providing guidance on the use of the fund, over-
rides the law which states that all revenue must go into the Consolidated Fund.
“Our job here is to stick to what the law facilitates. And we can’t be guided by information to say a circular tells us X and we’re doing that X, when the law is Y and Y provides for something else. How can we have a circular overriding the law?”
It was then that the Accountant General explained that there are funds which exist outside the pa-
rameters of the Consolidated Fund, though she admitted that she would have to verify if the Region Seven fund is one of those.
“Just to clarify, not all revenues that are garnered are paid into the Consolidated Fund. There are some subvention agencies which are authorised to retain their revenue and spend it. But I’ll have to do some research regarding the economic fund, to guide the PAC,” Chapman said.
Mahipaul meanwhile noted that if the need arises, the PAC could make a recommendation to the National Assembly to make amendments that would address any legal conflict. PAC
member and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira meanwhile requested that the circular authorising the Region Seven fund to operate as it does, be made available to the committee.
The Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMA) states that “all public moneys raised or received by the Government shall be credited fully and promptly to the Consolidated Fund, except - (a) moneys credited to an Extra-budgetary Fund as stipulated in the enabling legislation establishing that fund; (b) moneys credited to a Deposit Fund; and (c) as stipulated in the Constitution.” (G3)
“It’s for projects which are in production. So, the way the funds are accumulated, is on a unit basis, based on production. So, we take the estimated decommissioning cost, which is also a moving target based on technology and the latest expectation, when that (decommissioning) will happen. Costs in the market. And then it's divided by the remaining oil to be produced. And then becomes a unit of production amount that is set aside.”
“So generally, what happens with these funds, they’re set up in some independent way. Because one of the things we’ve seen in some countries, is sometimes the funds are pulled early for other purposes. So, for the security of the nation, to know the funds are available, you want to set it up independently. With Government oversight of course,” Routledge added.
ExxonMobil Guyana is the operator of the Stabroek Block and holds 45 per cent interest. Meanwhile, its other partners are Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd, which holds 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC, which holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.
ExxonMobil Guyana Vice President and Business Services Manager, Phillip Rietema had previously explained that even in the unlikely event that his company, a subsidiary of US oil giant ExxonMobil, does not profit from its Guyana projects, there would still be no liability or debt to Guyana as Exxon would bear the full cost of decommissioning.
As Rietema explained,
decommissioning costs (estimated to be about $17 billion in 2022) were a very important part of ESSO Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)’s business and take place between 20 and 30 years into the project cycle. It is therefore important that EEPGL plan for those. This planning includes the oil companies putting aside an amount each year, as well as the drafting and signing of a decommissioning security agreement.
When it comes to decommissioning at the international level, the main legal international principles not covering decommissioning within the States’ territorial waters, where it is entirely regulated by national laws, are contained in the 1958 Geneva Convention on the Continental Shelf and the 1982 United Nations (UN) Convention on the Law of the Sea, among others. There is also a human rights aspect to the decommissioning, especially since there is consideration of the dangerous nature of these activities on the environment and human life. And if decommissioning is not done to standard, it represents a huge risk to life and the environment.
One of the provisions in the Petroleum Activities Act 2023 that repealed the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act 1986, is for the licensee to be solely responsible for decommissioning, with the Minister of Natural Resources tasked with approving the decommissioning plan and budget from the licensee. (G3)
The Stabroek Block
Region Seven REO Kerwin Ward
PAC member Ganesh Mahipaul
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2024 |
Texila American University expands to Region 2
Texila American University (TAU) has officially expanded its presence in Guyana with the establishment of a new study centre at Suddie, Region Two, (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
The launch of the centre aligns with the Government’s ongoing efforts to increase access to education through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme, which currently supports over 2,700 students from the region.
Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, who attended the launch, praised the initiative, noting that it fits seamlessly into the Government’s commitment to provide 20,000 scholarships by 2025.
“This centre is a reflection of our mission to transform the education sector and improve lives. It creates new opportunities for residents to advance their education without leaving their region, reinforcing our goal of making learn
ing accessible to all Guyanese,” the Minister stated.
Manickchand also expressed
gratitude to TAU for spearheading the initiative, highlighting that the Government remains committed to investing in the necessary infrastructure to support the growth of educational institutions across the country.
She emphasised that efforts are underway to build 26 new schools, with many more undergoing rehabilitations, as part of the broader strategy to modernise Guyana’s education system.
Meanwhile, Director of GOAL, Professor Jacob Opadeyi, underscored the importance of the partnership with TAU in enabling students to continue their academic journeys. He noted that the GOAL programme, launched in 2021, has exceeded its original target of 20,000 scholarships, with thousands of students benefiting from a range of academic and vocational programmes.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand; Director of GOAL, Professor Jacob Opadeyi; Dean of TAU’s College of Medicine, Dr Dheeraj Bansal along with Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva and other officials at the opening of the Texila American University at Suddie, Essequibo Coast on Tuesday
“The opening of this study centre is another step forward in equipping Guyanese with the knowledge and skills necessary for the country’s rapidly growing economy,” Opadeyi remarked. Additionally, Dean of TAU’s College of Medicine, Dr Dheeraj Bansal reflected on the universi-
ty’s commitment to educational excellence and innovation.
“This study centre symbolises our dedication to providing ac-
cessible, world-class education in Guyana...It will serve as a hub for learning, mentorship, and professional growth, fostering an environment where students can thrive,” he stated. Meanwhile, Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva welcomed the initiative, noting that the services offered by TAU will greatly benefit the residents of Essequibo. She congratulated the university for its efforts in expanding educational opportunities and ensuring that more Guyanese can achieve their academic goals without the need to relocate. TAU, which was founded in 2010 has campuses at Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
TAU’s continued partnership with GOAL ensures that residents of Region Two now have an accessible platform to advance their education, aligning with the nation’s vision of a more educated and empowered population.
Ramsammy’s Ruminations
In midst of a global cost-ofliving crisis, Irfaan Ali-led Government takes bold action
Outside of the cost-of-living measures announced recently, the Irfaan Ali-led PPP Government has, since August 2020, had cash-transfer programmes amounting to an unprecedented sum of more than $200B; and the more recent measures would add almost $100B to this considerable sum.
To be clear: since independence, and in all of Guyana’s history, only one government has implemented cash transfer programmes in Guyana –the PPP government. Others have talked about it, but have never done it when they had multiple opportunities to so do. Actually transferring cash to citizens is a well-established PPP thing.
Dr Leslie Ramsammy
Guyanese must contrast these Irfaan Ali-led measures with the Granger-led instruction to young people to “produce and sell dog food, cook-up and plantain chips”. These measures are far more impactful than Granger’s unkept salary promises to public servants, that “your time will come”; or to UG students, that university will be free; or that jobs will be created.
Those who think Guyana is the only country wherein the cost-of-living has increased are living in a bubble, in fantasyland, or are simply dishonest and mischievous. There is a global cost-of-living crisis, and no country has been spared the increasing cost of food and other livelihood needs. In the Caribbean and throughout Latin America, we hear the refrain: costof-living has risen. In Europe and North America, it has remained the #1 concern among people for the last five years. In Africa, the rise may be even more debilitating than in other places; other than where there are existing violent conflicts, such as in Ukraine and Russia, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, the Sudan, and other places; or in places where nature has displayed its wrath, such as in Nepal, India, Thailand, the Caribbean, and the USA.
Guyana is among the few countries that have succeeded in lessening the impact of the rising cost-of-living. While, for most of 2023, Europe’s food cost rose by an average of more than 7% and the Caribbean’s by more than 80%, Guyana’s food cost has risen by less than 4%. For many countries, including Guyana and those in Caricom, the rise in cost-of-living is caused by exogenous factors. Conflicts in other parts of the world, and natural disasters like Hurricanes Beryl, Helene and Milton that led to rises in cost-of-living everywhere, are not caused by Guyana or the Caricom countries. Rises in international transport costs have not been caused by these countries. The contribution of rising delays at the Panama Canal has nothing to do with our countries. Our countries contribute little, if anything, to climate change, but it is precisely countries like ours that pay the price in the ongoing rise of food and other commodities.
Guyana mostly buffered these impacts, but not entirely, because we produce more than 60% of our food. Some Caricom countries have not been effective in buffering the rising global costs because they import more than 80% of their food.
In keeping with the Government’s continuous intervention to limit the impact of the global rise in food cost, last Thursday, President Irfaan Ali announced a plethora of measures that would help improve lives in Guyana. Every Guyanese family would receive a one-time cash grant of $200,000 with immediate effect. Starting from January 1st, tuition at UG would be free. Before the end of 2025, electricity charges would be reduced by 50%. In 2025, the minimum salary for Government workers would be no less than $100,000 per month. In 2025, one parent per family would be able to increase his or her tax threshold by $10,000 per child per month. In total, just these measures in 2024 and 2025 would cost the treasury more than $100B.
This is another genuine cash transfer programme by a government and a president that continue to make livelihood in Guyana better.
The PNC-led APNU/AFC boycotted the President’s address. They knew the President was going to announce the measures to ease costof-living concerns for families in Guyana. In the coming days, we will hear much from them. Already, the Opposition’s number one criticism is that these measures are not enough. They will claim discrimination, that only family and friends of the ministers and of senior PPP members would benefit. We did not need to hear from them; we already knew the criticism. The Opposition continue to show they have no clue, no vision, and no care.
To make it clear, President Ali at no point claimed that these measures solve entirely the cost-of-living challenges people face. He presented the measures as measures by a government that is determined to provide as much support as it can. The measures would help families in all the regions of Guyana; families from all ethnic groups; families no matter who they voted for before, or who they will vote for in 2025.
The naysayers will say $200,000 is nothing; but the naysayers would have said the same thing even if the grant were $1,000,000. There will be people who would declare they did not get the cash grant, even though they were eligible. The distribution system will not be perfect: some who should not receive will receive, and some who should receive will not; but the vast majority who are eligible would receive. The fact that the system is imperfect must not be the reason not to do it. Throwing out the “baby with the bathwater” is simply stupid.
Think about it: every UG student will benefit; every worker with a child will benefit from the tax waiver; every person who pays electricity will benefit; so, the talk of discrimination is just stupid noise. Rumination commends President Ali and his government. These are meaningful measures, and taken together with measures taken before and the development taking place, Guyana is a better place because of the People’s President and his government.
90 house lots to be developed in Mabaruma within 6 months
Some 85-90 house lots will become available within six months for residents in the township of Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini).
This announcement was made by President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday during a visit to the area.
This initiative came on the heels of an in-depth analysis conducted by the Government in Mabaruma, where it was identified that the community had a lack of house lots.
According to the Head of State, work is expected to commence soon.
“One of the needs that we identified in Mabaruma is the need for housing lots so Minister Collin Croal was tasked with finding lands. In Mabaruma, we have very limited lands in the system but we have found this area, and within six months, we will revisit the site to show you what we have done,” Ali said. Currently, there are some 154 house lots in the system. He also said that another plan of the Ministry is to explore with the community allottees whether they want to come into the building system or solely receive house lots.
“Part of what the Ministry will be doing is exploring with the community whether they want to come into the building system or just receive house lots. The building system, through the economy of scales, allows us to reduce the cost of construction.”
On this note, he stated that the design layout is already completed.
“So we have the preliminary block land, and from the preliminary block lands, the Ministry of Housing would have already completed the design layout. We are hoping to get as many as 90 house lots from this development. This is a great example to show you how we’ve started this; this is how development takes place.”
He noted that throughout this development, there will be a focused effort to protect the ecosystem by preserving the large trees in the area.
“One of the things that we are going to do in this development is try to keep all the big trees. We have big mango trees, fruit trees, and other large trees. It is
a designed layout, so when they come to clear the area, there will be a special effort to keep all the big trees because there is special emphasis on the ecosystem.”
Meanwhile, Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal reiterated that work on the new housing development will commence this year and within other neighboring lands the similar pursuits will be.
He also highlighted that for Government facilities the Government has to constantly rely on gaining items from private persons.
“Land is very much scarce in Mabaruma sub-region, and even for Government facilities, sometimes we have to acquire from private persons. So this land here, we have already done the designs. Immediately, we will start engaging. Additionally, we want to start the work this year. We have already invested a lot, and including similarly in Region One. We will also be moving into the Orinoco for further development. This is a prime location and this is the centre of Mabaruma,” he said. (G2)
President Dr Irfaan Ali and Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal
Traffic Chief raises safety concerns over lack of signage on new Georgetown roads
With new road developments underway in the city of Georgetown, Traffic Chief Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh has raised concerns about the lack of adequate road signage, particularly on Delhi and New Haven Streets, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown.
Speaking during a Police Traffic Advisory Programme on Monday, Singh emphasised that the absence of clear and visible signs is leading to dangerous traffic behavior and increased risk of accidents.
Addressing the issue, Singh noted that while road markings are in place on
Delhi Street, they might not be enough to guide drivers effectively.
“At some critical points where there may be referred to as a conflict point, there isn’t a sign and drivers know that they should yield at a certain point just to observe traffic from the other direction, but they bluntly refuse to do so”, he said.
The ongoing expansion on these streets has been partially completed, yet according to Singh, crucial safety measures like signage are lagging behind. He stressed the importance of installing appropriate signs to help reduce accidents
and ensure that road users adhere to the rules.
“Where there is a need for a stop sign, there should be one…it would be the only
EPA probing substance seepage reported at Crane village
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday said that it has initiated an investigation following a report of an unknown substance seeping from the ground in Crane Village, West Coast Demerara (WCD). According to the EPA, the report, received on October 10, prompted the immediate mobilisation of the EPA’s Emergency Response Unit, which has since been on-site conducting preliminary assessments.
The EPA said that it is working in collaboration with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Sugar
Corporation (GUYSUCO), and the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) to determine the source and nature of the seepage.
In a statement, the EPA assured residents that the investigation is ongoing, and they are urged to remain calm and patient as the authorities work to uncover the cause of the seep-
age. The agency has advised those living in the immediate vicinity to avoid any affected areas within their homes for safety reasons.
As part of the investigation, the EPA has also engaged ExxonMobil Guyana Limited to participate through its grievance mechanism, ensuring a thorough exploration of all potential contributing factors.
way to assist road users to comply with the rules of the road and or cause a reduction of accidents to occur. Where there are persons who are oblivious to what is happening, there are some who bluntly refuse to comply with the rules of the
road or markings... they proceed and with proceeding across a roadway they come into contact with other road users”.
Singh emphasised that the need for signs on these critical stretches of road cannot be overstated. He mentioned that many of the new road segments are still under construction, and in these areas, proper signage is either lacking or completely absent.
“Looking at how it is happening right now, the requirement for more signs to be on the road is necessary, it is much needed. If we take a careful look at what is happening in the street… one would get the impression that people are breaching the rules of the road, but there is no sign to
say stop…”, he explained. He urged drivers and other road users to comply with directions given by police officers and to pay close attention to temporary signs and markings as they navigate these evolving roadways. Recognising that the sensitisation process is ongoing, Singh promised that efforts to educate the public would intensify.
“Videos will be made available by all means necessary on social media platforms, and it will have far-reaching impacts to enable you,” he added.
Singh’s call to action is part of a broader effort by the police traffic department to ensure that as road infrastructure expands, safety measures keep pace. (G9)
Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh
Linden-Soesdyke Highway
Preliminary works begin for US$161M reconstruction
Preliminary works for the reconstruction of the US$161 million Linden-Soesdyke Highway have commenced, with Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill indicating that progress is being made as it relates to the mapping exercised for highway’s geometric improvements.
The contract was awarded to Namalco Construction Services of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyanese firm Guy-America Construction Incorporated back in August in the presence of President Dr Irfaan Ali, residents of Mighty Enchanter Creek and surrounding communities.
The upgrading of the Linden-Soesdyke highway involves the reconstruction of two lanes, 10 bridges and six culverts with improved design, quality and standards.
The scope of work also entails milling of existing asphalt surface course, application of varying pavement structures above the milled sections of pavement inclusive of asphalt, sand asphalt, and sub-base; fulldepth pavement reconstruc-
tion in certain sections, construction of three roundabouts along the alignment, sidewalks extension to nine multi-span bridges, drainage work, and utility relocation, and installation of roadway lighting. Additionally, it includes ancillary works and road corridor improvements providing essential public administration support, and improved connectivity with communities, roadside and other facilities.
Edghill, who was at the time addressing a recent
stakeholder meeting in Linden Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), disclosed that the preliminary works ongoing will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the highway is built within outlined standards.
“On the LindenSoesdyke Highway to access Linden, some preliminary works have already started and, you know, we had the contract signing and we declared what’s happening there to be able to bring the connectivity all the way into Linden. So, there will be geometric improvements and what do we mean by that? Make the road safer to drive and travel so we can reduce the level of accidents. There will be widening of all the bridges on the Linden- Soesdyke Highway. There will be, in terms of how you access and join and connect, we’re putting in a roundabout at the Linden-Soesdyke Junction and East Bank, one at Millie’s hideout, one at the 5th Corner, and then there will be one that will connect this continuation into the bridge. And, of course, on the Wismer side as well,”
A section of Linden-Soesdyke Highway
Edghill shared. The Minister added that works ongoing will ensure that the highway aligns with Government’s Road connectivity plans for Guyana, which includes expanding the productive capacity of the country, boosting land availability, and opening up new areas for a multifaceted investment portfolio.
“Now, the intent is that with traffic, moving goods, containerised traffic into Brazil, and once you’re into Brazil, you’re basically connected into all of South
America. But we’re particularly focusing on northern Brazil, you’ll have to have rest stops, service stations, trucks, and other vehicles, hotel accommodation. When people get into here off the trail or what we call now, we call it a trail, but it’s coming to be the road, eating and other hospitality services would be required,” he said.
Some 300 individuals from Linden will be employed by the contractor to reconstruct the LindenSoesdyke Highway.
To ensure the proj-
ect stays on track, the Government has acquired the services of an international consultant, Absheek Engineering of Kuwait, to work in collaboration with C.B. & Associates Incorporated. That contract totals some US$1.7 million. President Ali during his address at the sod turning ceremony had assured Lindeners that their region will continue to see massive investments, including the 121 kilometres LindenMabura Hill Road that is being built for US$190 million. (G1)
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill
“Tremendous improvement and increase” in rice production – Agri Minister
The rice farming sector in Guyana over the years has been continuously breaking production records. This steady growth has been attributed to a number of initiatives undertaken by the Agriculture Ministry and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), particularly the implementation of several high yielding varieties.
On Monday, several officials from the Agriculture Ministry and the GRDB among others gathered to launch a new high-yielding rice variety known as ‘GRDB 18,’. Speaking at the launching ceremony was Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who highlighted the steady increase of production the rice industry has seen over the years.
“Prior to 2020 August, we used to get an average, or reap an average around 36 bags. And that was the high end, right? The high end 36 bags per acre. Today, the average is between 40 to 42 bags per acre. That shows that we are increasing and when you look at some other holdings around the country, other farmers holdings, who are doing best practices, and who have high increase in production, some of them are reaping almost 52 bags per acre.”
The Minister further revealed that to date, rice production per hectare has surpassed the 6 tonnes mark. In this regard he challenged stakeholders to continue raising the production bar, as the Government plans to produce some one million tonnes of rice by 2030.
“But when you look at the average, we have seen tremendous improvement and increase in production. We have
moved production from 5.9 tonnes per hectare to between 6.6 to 6.7 tonnes per hectare. I am hoping by the first crop of next year we can move that to 6.9 tonnes per hectare. And I’m challenging the rice resource station that we must work towards this. The Government’s policy is that by 2030, we must be a large producer of rice.”
Also present at the event was General Manager of the GRDB, Badrie Persaud, who echoed similar sentiments. He revealed that the Government’s plan for the rice industry is to increase the current yield to eight tonnes per hectare, currently some regions are already producing a whooping seven tonnes per hectare.
“We’ve made significant progress in improving the rice industry, those of who would’ve listened to the president address to the parliament, he said by 2030 the target is for us to increase our rice yield to eight tonnes per hectare. While our national average production yield is 6.5 tonnes per hectare, there are areas that are doing 7 tonnes per hectare.”
In this regard the General Manager revealed that the new ‘GRDB 18,’ will produce an average of seven to nine tonnes per hectare, which will significantly improve the national average production yield.
“Now today we gather to commission a variety that may take us somewhere along
achieving that target of eight tonnes per hectare because if you look at the data behind me, the potential for this variety is seven to nine tonnes per hectare.”
Meanwhile, earlier in August Guyana Times had reported that Guyana’s rice sector has generated a whopping US$127 million already for the year due to an increase in production. This increase was attributed to the use of several high yielding varieties of rice by commercial farmers.
According to the Agriculture Minister, over the last few years some nine high-yielding rice varieties were released for commercial production boosting productivity and sustainability of the rice industry. The exploration of new rice varieties and export markets aligns with the Government’s commitment to advancing the agricultural sector and ensuring sustainable development.
In 2023, the rice sector recorded an increase of seven per cent with a production of 653,706 tonnes. This signifies an increase of 43,111 tonnes in 2023 as compared to 610,595 in 2022. Guyana earned approximately $45.2 billion in exports in 2023, over $3 billion more than in 2022. This year, $1.3 billion was budgeted to be expended by the GRDB to support increased production and productivity of the rice industry.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Carefully choose whom you allow in your circle. Surround yourself with upbeat, positive individuals, and you’ll find it easier to manifest these traits in yourself. Positive input will attract good results.
Take charge before someone else steps in. Utilize your strengths and diminish your weaknesses to avoid interference. Put your energy where it will have the most significant impact.
Look on the bright side, but don’t let anyone take advantage of you or your good nature. Trust yourself to get things done. Anger and arguments will waste valuable time best spent tending to your agenda.
You have plenty to gain if you promote yourself with confidence and finesse. Refuse to resort to negativity or false accusations. Get the facts, deal with matters quickly and move along.
Proceed with caution; too much too fast will backfire. Gather information, consider your options and leave no room for error. Knowledge and experience will be key as you move forward.
You know the rules and how to play the game, so don’t hesitate now when it’s time to forge ahead with vim and vigor. A change is within reach and will add to your momentum. Turn on the charm and enjoy the ride.
Put your energy into something that will help you get ahead. Raise your qualifications or skills, or share your vision with someone in a position to help promote you. Follow your heart.
You’re in the driver’s seat; formalize your case, ask for what you want and confidently push forward. Set a budget you can live with and refuse to let anyone talk you into spending more than you can handle.
Take time for self-improvement, personal growth and mapping out a path that leads to happiness and peace of mind. Don’t be afraid to do your own thing. Act accordingly.
You know the ropes, so don’t let emotions disrupt your plans. Put a budget in place to accommodate what you want to achieve. Your tenacity and insight will unnerve anyone trying to get in your way.
Participation will lead to discovery and opportunity. Turn your attention to well-thought-out, functional changes. Don’t be a bystander; own the spotlight and make things happen.
Play fair and watch for anyone who displays untrustworthiness. Live within your means and put a greater onus on health, fitness and diet. Nurture what and whom you love, and make romance a priority.
ARCHIE
Sri Lanka draw level
West Indies Tour of Sri Lanka 2024: ODI Series, Game 2 of 3… – as debutant
Sri Lanka's spinners have ripped through the West Indies batting order on a turning Dambulla surface to level the series at one each. They won the second ODI by 73 runs.
Debutant Dunith Wellalage, belatedly making his T20I bow, was the pick of the bowlers, ending with figures of 3 for 9; while Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka each grabbed two wickets. Matheesha Pathirana was the sole seamer to pick up a wicket in the innings.
Pathum Nissanka's 54 off 49 helped set the platform, and Sri Lanka did well to keep a steady run rate throughout their innings, having won the toss and electing to bat first. Runs also came from Kusal Mendis,
Wellalage, Asalanka stun West
Indies
markable aspect about it. What was more astounding
stage of the game. No, the honour of having the best fig-
Kusal Perera, and Kamindu Mendis, but this game was all about Sri Lanka's spinners, who showed total dominance in the West Indies’ chase.
Spinners flex their skills
Hasaranga, Sri Lanka's premier spinner, bowled his first delivery of the game in the 11th over of the chase. That he picked up a wicket with that delivery was perhaps the least re-
was that he was the sixth bowler used by Sri Lanka, and West Indies had collapsed to 39 for 6.
But who needs Hasaranga when you have the world-renowned offspin stylings of, um, Charith Asalanka. Yes, with two left-hand batters at the crease, the Sri Lanka captain opted to introduce himself and a right-arm variant of Kamindu Mendis ahead of Hasaranga. And it worked, too!
ures belonged to Wellalage, who had grabbed three for himself, although he is by no means new to the international stage.
they were prepared for what this surface was set to offer. They replaced pace-bowling allrounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe with Wellalage.
West Indies, however, seemed to have missed the memo, and had only two spinners in their line-up. And those two -- Motie and Roston Chase -- did their part, going for just 37 off their collective eight overs. It would not be a surprise if Fabian Allen gets a go in the final game.
West Indies' batters then seemed at a loss as to how to deal with Sri Lanka's array of spin threats. Sri Lanka expertly utilised the conditions, along with clever variations in pace, line and length. West Indies would need to come up with plans soon if they are to pose a threat in Thursday's decider.
Nissanka shines in hindsight
cricket, it is not too difficult to understand why. This was an innings that saw 42 runs come in boundaries (9 fours and a six), but it also included 27 dot balls.
In fact, it was a microcosm of Sri Lanka's innings as a whole; they played out 58 dots. It means that, in five of the first ten overs, less than five runs were scored, and roughly half of their powerplay total of 52 was plundered in one Shamar Joseph over, where a combination of luck and belligerence saw Nissanka plunder 25 runs.
But if that over was meant to signal the start of Sri Lanka's onslaught, Nissanka and others seemed to have had other ideas. That over ensured that the first three overs, in which Sri Lanka scrounged together eight runs, were quickly in the rearview; by the end of the powerplay Sri Lanka's run rate was at a healthy 8.66; but that was the highest it would reach at any point across their innings.
largely considered obsolete in T20s, but on a wicket such as this, Nissanka, who was named Player of the Match, proved to be invaluable (even if it did not seem so at the time), as he allowed the likes of Perera to take early risks. And then, with wickets in hand for the death overs, the middle and lower order hit out freely. As a result, Sri Lanka struck 85 runs in the last ten overs - just four short of West Indies' final total.
(ESPNCricInfo)
In the lead-up to the game, Asalanka had stated how he had expected more from the spinners in the first T20I, and his wish was granted and then some in the second game.
Asalanka's two overs brought two wickets for just six runs, and those weren't even the best figures at that
Gudakesh Motie, turning the ball square in the first innings, would have set off West Indies' alarm bells, but not even that could have prepared them for a 100kph sharp-turning offbreak from Theekshana.
WI need to go back to drawing board
The first T20I had seen the West Indies batters executing their plans to perfection and putting Sri Lanka's bowlers to the sword. Stepping out, moving around in the crease, using the depth, everything came off, with the last over-finish in reality nowhere close as it looked.
Sri Lanka, though, took their learnings and came back stronger, mainly in that
On the face of it, Nissanka's innings seem to have been more detrimental than anything else; and by the standards of modern T20
The rest of Nissanka's time at the crease was spent punctuating periods of dot deliveries and the odd single with an odd boundary. But the time he spent at the crease ensured he was able to do this consistently, and with it he kept Sri Lanka's scoring rate ticking above seven runs an over.
Anchors are
Mendis b Wellalage 4
Roston Chase c PHKD
Mendis b Wellalage 0
Sherfane Rutherford b Asalanka 14
Gudakesh Motie b Asalanka 4
Rovman Powell (c) c †BKG
Mendis b Pathirana 20
Romario Shepherd lbw b Hasaranga 1
Shamar Springer c Wellalage b Hasaranga 7
Alzarri Joseph b Theekshana 16
Shamar Joseph not out 5
Extras (lb 4, w 2) 6
Total 16.1 Ov (RR: 5.50) 89 of wickets: 1-12
(Brandon King, 2.6 ov), 2-14
(Evin Lewis, 3.4 ov), 3-17
(Roston Chase, 4.4 ov), 4-22
(Andre Fletcher, 6.5 ov), 5-38
(Gudakesh Motie, 9.2 ov), 6-39
(Sherfane Rutherford, 9.5 ov), 7-40
(Romario Shepherd, 10.1 ov), 8-60
(Shamar Springer, 12.5 ov), 9-83
(Rovman Powell, 15.1 ov), 10-89
(Alzarri Joseph, 16.1 ov) • DRS
Bowling O-M-R-W
Maheesh Theekshana 3.1-0-7-2
Nuwan Thushara 1-0-9-0
Dunith Wellalage being congratulated by his team-mates for dismissing Roston Chase
Shamar Joseph celebrating the dismissal of Kusal Perera
Shamar Springer celebrating the dismissal of Kusal Mendis
Maheesh Theekshana appealing unsuccessfully
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2024
Senior Inter-County Championships 2024…
Demerara defeat Berbice by seven wickets
– To take on Essequibo on Thursday 17/10
Demerara have defeated Berbice by seven wickets in their encounter in the Senior InterCounty Championships played on Tuesday at the Georgetown Cricket Club Ground. This win follows yet another heroic performance by batsman Tagenarine Chanderpaul.
Opting to bat first, the Berbicians couldn’t fathom the bowling confronting them, and were skittled
Persaud, Bernard Bailey and Ronaldo AliMohamed each took two wickets in their bowling attack to decimate the Berbicians.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Matthew
Nandu each showed up for Demerara as they led the batting attack. Chanderpaul scored a fabulous 63, while Nandu missed out on a half-century by scoring 44 runs for the victorious Demerara side.
Speaking to Guyana Times Sport afterwards, Tagenerine Chanderpaul described as overwhelming the feeling of success he enjoyed at the result of the
Suriname Golf Invitational 2024…
Roy Dhori in decisive comefrom-behind win in B Category
The recently concluded DSB Suriname Golf Invitational, hosted by Golfclub Paramaribo, was a stunning success for both the host nation and Guyana, as top honours were brought home by Guyanese golfers in several categories.
According to the results provided by Surinamese Captain Sarah Chehin, Guyana took top positions in the A and B Categories, and second place in the Women's Category, despite the absence of defending Women's champion Shanella London.
The Guyanese team was, for the second year, drawn from different clubs; and despite a slow start on Day 1, Roy Dhori stormed back to decisively dominate the B Category and score the highest Stableford points among all Guyanese players.
Sabi Dhori likewise overcame first-day jitters to take second place in the challeng-
ing Ladies Division for the second year in a row, demonstrating her ability to perform under pressure.
In the C Category, Philip Haynes, playing in only his second tournament, was able to shoot his best score of 106 gross/76 net, but it was not enough to overcome his firstday performance.
In the A Category, GGA President Aleem Hussain also delivered a solid second-day performance, by which he improved from 20th place on Day 1 to 12th overall, while also taking home the prize for Nearest to the Pin on Day One.
Monnaf Arjune played well, but was unfortunate on the greens, and couldn't provide Guyana with his usual strong showing.
In collaboration with Golfclub Paramaribo, a night golf chipping contest for juniors and caddies was conducted by Nexgen Golf with
a grand prize contributed by Sheldon Davis. It was won on the final chip by an excited caddie!
Asked about his thoughts on the tournament, Roy Dhori said, "This was an awesome experience, starting from our interaction with the Surinamese school children, police officers, and the performance of myself and Sabi in the tournament. The sheer joy and excitement we saw on the faces of those experiencing golf for the first time in Suriname rivalled our joy at our success."
GGA Vice President Monnaf Arjune has expressed deep gratitude to Golfclub Paramaribo for an awesome event, and in congratulating all winners, said: "Once we play outside of Guyana, it's the flag we represent, and not our individual clubs. So, I am proud to be a part of the golf team representing Guyana in various countries."
match, and said the key to the team’s success was the exceptional performances turned in by everyone.
He said, “We’re just taking it one game at a time. From Thursday, we’ve got to play as a double. Hopefully, we get a good performance in, and
try and get to the final. We’re just sticking to the basics: holding well, putting pressure, and picking up the wickets. It’s starting to work. We’ll get a good start and lay the foundation to carry on.
“The first game, batting first, (the wicket) was a bit tacky. But today it dried up really nicely. If we come on a bit more, we’ll get a few more shots.”
The Senior InterCounty Championships will continue on Thursday with the unbeaten Demerara battling Essequibo at the same venue, while the GCB Select XI would come against Berbice at the Lusignan Ground. The action starts at 9:30h.
Guyana to host West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships
The Guyana National Rifle Association (NRA) is poised to host the 2024 edition of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships: from October 28 to November 4, 2024 at the Timehri Rifle Ranges at Yarrowcabra on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, EBD.
These championships were last hosted in Guyana in 2017, when the Guyana NRA celebrated its 150th anniversary. While the English and Scottish shooters are unable to attend this year’s championships, the countries set to participate are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA.
No strangers to these shores, the Canadians are expected to perform well. The US Rifle Team would be attending their first West Indies Championships, and Team Captain Yvonne Roberts is leading a strong team of experienced shooters who are expected to perform well.
The West Indies shooters are looking forward to the challenge from the visiting US and Canadian teams.
The Guyana NRA Planning Committee has been working collaboratively with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), led
by Brigadier Omar Khan, on preparations for hosting the Championships. Intense work has been done on the Timehri Ranges in preparing the shooting banks to golflike playing surfaces. The height of the safety backstop has been increased, and the twenty-four target mechanisms have all been serviced.
Work which continues on the target frames and faces should be completed by next weekend.
GNRA Vice President Mahendra Persaud and Fullbore Captain Dylan Fields have been spearheading the infrastructural work.
The GDF is expected to complete the area for the flag poles and other works to which it has committed. Guyana NRA projects liaison official Mr Lennox Braithwaite has been ensuring all works are completed.
The Guyana NRA takes this opportunity to thank Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, for his donation of materials to help repair the shooting range.
The Guyana NRA team members have been busy each Saturday and Sunday on the range, undertaking work to complete the preparations.
The Guyana NRA is expected to field a ten-man team comprising Mahendra Persaud,
Peter Persaud, Roberto Tewari, Sherwin Felicien, US-based Sigmond Douglas and John Fraser. The team’s lone female, shooting for the first time, is Althea Alleyne.
Guyana are defending both the Short- and LongRange championships, and much is expected of the team at home in defence of their titles.
The Guyana NRA team last competed in Bisley, England in July, where they won the Junior Kalapore Trophy. At Bisley, outstanding performances were registered from both Peter Persaud and Lennox Braithwaite, who made it to the first and second stages of the King’s Prize respectively. Peter Persaud also shot the highest score in that team match.
The GNRA Patron, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, is in full support of the championships being hosted locally, and is doing everything to ensure the Guyana hospitality and professionalism are showcased. The Paton is expected to fire off the first shot, indicating the start of the competition. His Excellency President Donald Ramotar had fired the opening shot in 2012.
Dylan Fields, Leo Romalho, Lennox Braithwaite, Ryan Sampson,
Several members of Guyana’s Golf Team in Suriname
Tagenarine Chanderpaul
The batting partnership of Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Matthew Nandu secured the victory for Demerara
West Indies knock England out of contention
– Join South Africa in semi-finals
The West Indies have pulled off the so-far-biggest heist of the 2024 T20 World Cup: qualifying for the semi-finals against all expectations by knocking out of contention one of the favourite teams, England.
Having last beaten England in 2018, West Indies have broken a 13-match losing streak and topped Group B to set up a semifinal against New Zealand in Sharjah. The year 2018 was also the last time the West Indies had played in a semifinal of the T20 World Cup.
This is only the second time England have missed out on the knockout stage of a T20 World Cup, having been eliminated in the group stage in 2010. After winning their first three matches, they were confident of making the final four this time. It is instead South Africa who join the West Indies, with England’s net run-rate leaving them third in the group.
West Indies’ win was made all the more remarkable because they were without former captain and veteran batter Stafanie Taylor, who is struggling with a knee injury. In her absence, Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph found form and wiped out the bulk of the 142-run target. Matthews, playing in her 100th T20I, scored her 14th half-century
West Indies were on their way.
This is the sixth time West Indies have successfully chased a total of 140-plus, and the second time since their record chase of 213 against Australia last December.
England may have thought they had had enough after Nat Sciver-Brunt’s half-century, but contributions were lacking from the rest of the order. To add to their worries, Heather Knight retired with a calf injury on 21, when the score was 80 for 3, and that halted the momentum England had regained after slipping to 34 for 3 in the seventh over.
Afy Fletcher and Deandra Dottin, bowling for the first time in the tournament, took four wickets between them and conceded 37 runs in seven overs, which gave West Indies an advantage that they carried through the game.
Whirlwind start West Indies’ youngsters Zaida James and Ashmini Munisar spoke to ESPNcricinfo a few days ago about their commitment to building a new legacy for West Indies cricket, and almost combined to start that today. Having recovered from a blow to the chin, James tossed her second ball up to Maia Bouchier, who tossed it up to Munisar at cover point, but
Matthews brought herself on to bowl. Danni Wyatt-Hodge hit Matthews behind point for four, but when she tried that a second time, Dottin lunged forward to take a low catch, and West Indies had a breakthrough.
In the next over, Alice Capsey was run out for one, chancing Dottin’s arm at her peril; and immediately after the powerplay, Bouchier skied Afy Fletcher to Qiana Joseph at extra cover. England were
Sciver-Brunt watched Amy Jones hand Dottin a catch at backward point, and Charlie Dean pick out Matthews at mid-off as the 17th over started. Sciver-Brunt played an almost lone hand in scoring 14 runs off the 18th over and 13 off the 20th, to register her 14th T20I half-century and take England over 140.
Most runs in an over/ highest powerplay score It took the final group stage match to see some proper aggression upfront, and it came from the team with the reputation of hitting big, although they do not always have the desired results.
Matthews, who has registered scores of 10, 8 and 34 in the tournament so far, and has not been as much of a presence with the bat, hit Lauren Bell over long leg for six off the secand went on to score fours through fine leg and mid-off. The first over cost Bell, being the most expensive of the tournament so far.
Matthew owned the opening over, and she and Joseph rode their luck to take charge of the rest of the powerplay, but this not without some Joseph got off the mark with a thick outside edge between backward point and short third that went for four, then she hit Sciver-Brunt to deep midwicket, where the ball went through Sophia Dunkley’s hands for four more. She settled in the next over and hit Charlie Dean for six, before taking on England’s trump card, Sophie Ecclestone, for back-to-back boundaries.
West Indies were 67 without loss in the powerplay, the highest of the tournament so far.
Dropped catches add up Dunkley dropping a catch was the start of one of England’s worst fielding performances of recent, as five catches were eventually put down.
In the fifth over, Joseph was on 31 when she skied Sciver-Brunt into the night sky, and though Alice Capsey settled herself underneath it at point, she tried to catch it reverse-cup and dropped it.
Then, when Joseph was on 35 in the eighth over, she hit Sarah Glenn to mid-wick-
England Women (20 ovs maximum)
Batting R
Maia Bouchier c Joseph b Fletcher 14
Danni Wyatt-Hodge c Dottin b Matthews 16
Alice Capsey run out
(Dottin/†Campbelle) 1
Nat Sciver-Brunt not out 57
Heather Knight (c) retired hurt 21
Amy Jones † c Dottin b Fletcher 7
Charlie Dean c Matthews b Fletcher 5 Danielle Gibson c Fletcher b Dottin 7
20 Ov (RR: 7.05) 141/7
Did not bat: Lauren Bell
Fall of wickets: 1-29
(Danni Wyatt-Hodge, 3.5 ov), 2-31
(Alice Capsey, 4.4 ov), 3-34
(Maia Bouchier, 6.1 ov), 3-80* (Heather Knight, retired not out), 4-94
(Amy Jones,
Zaida James 2-0-10-0
Hayley Matthews 4-0-35-2
Aaliyah Alleyne 3-0-23-0
Afy Fletcher 4-0-21-3
Deandra Dottin 3-0-16-1
Ashmini Munisar 1-0-11-0
Karishma Ramharack 1-0-9-0
et. Bouchier ran to her left, but let it slip through her fingers. The ball followed Bouchier for a little while after that, and she did not collect cleanly at mid-wicket when Campbelle called Dottin through for a run. Bouchier berated herself, and England were falling apart.
According to ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data, there have been 75 dropped catches in the group stage of the tournament thus far, and England have been responsible for nine, the third most of any side. (ESPNCricinfo)
Chedean Nation, Zaida James, Ashmini Munisar, Afy
Karishma Ramharack Fall of wickets: 1-102 (Qiana Joseph, 12.2 ov), 2-104 (Hayley Matthews, 13.1 ov), 3-136 (Shemaine Campbelle, 16.6 ov), 4-136 (Deandra Dottin, 17.2 ov) •
Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph put on a 102-run opening stand
Nat Sciver-Brunt struck a crucial fifty
West Indies have made it to the T20 World Cup semifinals