Kaieteur News
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Tuesday February 13, 2024
Guyana’s GDP highest in Caribbean but teachers’ salaries the lowest As the strike by teachers enters its second week, educators across Guyana, particularly in the Essequibo Coast, Region Two, remain resolute in their pursuit of economic justice, urging the Government of Guyana (GoG) to prioritise the wellbeing of its workforce. Day six of the strike saw the teachers highlighting the stark contrast between Guyana’s booming GrossDomestic Product (GDP) and the abysmally low wages for educators. Guyana’s global GDP position is owed to the burgeoning oil sector. The point the educators made is that Guyana has been dubbed the fastest growing economy in the world, while they are still struggling ‘to make ends meet’ because of the meagre salaries teachers are being paid in 2024. “The sap ain’t sapping,” the teachers chanted. Last year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that in 2022
– Protesting teachers say
Scenes from day six teachers’ protest action on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two Guyana recorded a GDP growth of 62.3%, the highest in the world. Also, the country’s GDP is expected to grow by more than 100% by 2028. However, the country’s educators are calling on the Irfaan Ali-led administration to meet with the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) to come to a solution to ensure teachers live a comfortable life, particularly with the rising cost-of-living. Yesterday, despite enduring
adverse weather conditions, including rain, the teachers remained steadfast in their demand for better remuneration, congregating on the popularly known “high-bridge” in Anna Regina, brandishing placards highlighting their grievances. Sir Martin Samaroo, a prominent figure among the protesting teachers, highlighted the glaring disparity between Guyana’s economic output and teacher salaries when compared to
neighbouring Caribbean nations. Speaking at the protest yesterday, he lamented, “Guyana’s GDP surpassed all of the economies of the countries in the Caribbean and the wider region and yet their salaries are higher, yet they are being paid more, we are last on the list but we’re producing more than all of them, we’re producing more than all of them and our salaries are last on the list. Can you believe that?”
Expressing disbelief, Samaroo continued, “can you believe that in 2024, in the oil republic of Guyana, with the highest GDP in the region we are being paid the least, we are being paid the least of the statists I presented can you believe that, can you believe something like that…is that how they care? “ Drawing comparisons with neighboring countries, Samaroo revealed startling statistics of salaries for the average teachers in the following countries: Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o US$1,500, Grenada US$1,890, Dominica US$1,670, St. Vincent US$813, Antigua US$1110, St. Martin US$2,714 and Jamaica US$623. “And Guyana the oil republic of the Caribbean $600 US a month,” Sir Samaroo said.
He continued, “we are at the bottom of the pay chart even though our GDP is at the top we are at the bottom of the salary scale…” The educator stated that approximately 65% of G u y a n a ’s t e a c h e r s ’ workforce receives US$600 a month. “Tell the people that you are producing more than any other country, your GDP is higher than any other country, yet the salaries, your teachers are being paid the least in the region, the least,” Sir Samaroo added. The ongoing protest, initiated by the GTU, commenced on February 5, 2024, gaining momentum with each passing day. The protest in Essequibo is emblematic of a nationwide outcry for fair wages, with teachers vowing to escalate their demonstration until their demands are met.
The stolen vehicle.
Magistrate sends car stripper to jail A man, who stole and stripped his employer’s car on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), was on Monday sentenced to 36 months in prison when he appeared at the Vigilance Magistrates’ Court. Twentynine-year-old Kevin Bhagwandin, a mason, of Lot 52 Annandale, ECD appeared before Her Worship Fabayo Azore to a n s w e r t h e c h a rg e o f Larceny. He pleaded guilty. Kaieteur News reported that on Friday evening, residents of Buxton, ECD saw several men surrounding a
Toyota motorcar aback the village. The men were confronted by the residents but made good their escape in the car bearing registration number PNN 5023. Later that night, the residents, who saw the car being stripped, posted it on Facebook with the hope that the owner would see it. The owner of the car had already reported the vehicle stolen but the Facebook post made it easier for the police to track the car. The car was found abandoned in a trench at Enmore, ECD and Bhagwandin was subsequently arrested.
Tuesday February 13, 2024
Kaieteur News
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Omai gold finds increase to 2M ounces C
anadian mining company, Omai Gold Mines has unveiled an enhanced mineral resource estimate for its gold project located in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) Guyana. Omai holds a 100% interest in the gold project, which encompasses two gold deposits: the shearhosted Wenot Deposit and the adjacent intrusivehosted Gilt Creek Deposit. The latest assessment incorporates expansions to the Wenot and incorporates the previously disclosed Gilt Creek deposit, solidifying the project’s potential for substantial gold production. The combined Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) from the Wenot and Gilt Creek deposits now stands at 2.0 million ounces of gold grading at 2.15 g/t gold in the indicated category and 2.3 million ounces of gold grading at 2.26 g/t in the inferred category. This represents a notable increase compared to the previous resource estimate conducted in October 2022, with indicated ounces seeing a 4% uptick and inferred ounces experiencing a substantial 28% surge. Of particular
Wenot gold deposit in Guyana. (Omai Gold Mines photo)
significance is the expansion of the Wenot deposit, with indicated resources rising by 10% to 834,000 ounces and inferred resources skyrocketing by 45% to 1.6 million ounces, attributed to heightened gold grades in both categories. Notably,
approximately 39% of the Wenot resource now lies west of the historical pit, presenting an area ripe for initial mining operations, according to Omai Gold Mines. Situated 500 meters north of the Wenot deposit and beneath the past-
producing Fennel pit, the Gilt Creek deposit boasts 1.2 million ounces of gold in the indicated category and 665,000 ounces of gold inferred. Elaine Ellingham, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Omai Gold Mines, expressed
Despite promises of ‘no victimisation’ Govt. deducting pay of striking teachers Despite promises last week that government will not victimise teachers who are protesting poor wages, the Ministries of Education and Local Government and Regional Development on Monday issued a joint public advisory stating, there will be salary deductions for teachers who did not report for duty or who had no approval for leave for the week ending February 9th 2024. They also said they have in their
possession lists of names f r o m e a c h o f t h e 11 Education Districts. This advisory comes despite the Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo saying that there will be no victimization of anyone. The advisory states: “This unauthorised absence constitutes a breach of their conditions of service and their statutory duties and it constitutes legal sanctions. In consequence thereof, the Ministry of Education and
the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development wish to advise that these teachers will not be paid for the days which they were unauthorisedly absent. This will reflect in the March 2024 salaries in accordance with law.” Speaking at his press conference last Thursday Jagdeo, in responding to a question as to whether he was concerned that there has been large turnout of t e a c h e r s i n P P P ’s
strongholds, said that: “we are not victimising anyone because you go on the strike but I want them to understand that this is a political strike.” Saying that some persons have been misled by the union, he added, “many don’t see it (the strike) as political and that’s their right too and I know that many of them will go there but they will vote PPP at the end of the day so I’m not too worried about that.”
satisfaction with the substantial increase in the mineral resource estimate, highlighting the noteworthy rise in gold grades. Ellingham highlighted that the project’s contained ounces now surpass the total gold production from the former mine, achieved at comparable grades. “The Omai Gold Mine produced approximately 3.8 million ounces at an average grade of 1.5 g/t Au between 1993 and 2005, when the gold price was less than US$400/oz.,” the CEO noted, adding, “We believe that with the current Mineral Resource Estimate combined with the many benefits of a brownfields project, that Omai is proving the potential to rival its historical status.” During its operational peak, Omai was renowned as the largest primary gold producer in South America, boasting an average annual output of over 300,000 ounces of gold. The 2024 mineral
resource estimate will serve as the foundation for the p r o j e c t ’s P r e l i m i n a r y Economic Assessment (PEA), currently underway and slated for release in the first quarter. It was stated too that baseline studies have been completed, paving the way for subsequent environmental permit applications and mining license acquisitions upon PEA completion. In 2020, Omai re-entered Guyana’s mining industry. The company had said that their work completed thus far, has put them on track to become the next large-scale gold mine to open in Guyana. Notably, by 2026, Omai and three other Canadian mining companies are expected to start gold production in their respective mining projects in Guyana. This was revealed by Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh during his 2024 budget estimates presentation.
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Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: NIGEL WILLIAMS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
New discoveries any oil found Excited announcements about new oil discoveries have come from ExxonMobil. When there is a discovery, it means that oil in some quantity has been found and, under normal circumstances the owners should be updated on the new amounts. Like most things in Guyana, with this massive oil wealth in front, nothing is normal anymore. There have been no new figures, not about one barrel of new oil, or a billion. Reports are that ExxonMobil is more focused on making money. It will get around to informing Guyanese when it feels like, about how many billions of barrels more (probably) have been found to boost that 11 billion frozen in place. There have been seven such discoveries as coming from ExxonMobil itself since April 2022. They have been hailed as ‘significant’, and after that not a syllable more. It is all that Guyanese are allowed to know. This has become the new norm in Guyanese life: another long day, another material oil development, and one more secret held close to the chest, and away from the batlike ears and prying eyes of Guyanese. Locals are treated like children, as if there are some things that must be kept from them for their own good. That is, until they grow up, and are able to understand adult matters. This is how the slaves were treated on the plantations of America: keep them ignorant, deny them the knowledge that comes from access to education, and then take further advantage of them. When they know they are sure to get ideas: about rights and freedom and what goes with those. In a Guyana environment increasingly parallel to that of slavery, the masters of ExxonMobil decide what is to be shared, if only to maintain their stranglehold on the minds of the Guyanese people. The American masters are astute enough to surround themselves with local house workers (politicians, conspirators, helpers) to peddle their tricks and deceptions to their brothers, or to betray them. Recall how the favored slaves used to defend their masters in the days of slavery, and that precedent is now alive and flourishing in Guyana. Guyanese who speak out, and stand up, against the practices and rapes of the new enslavers and colonizers are singled out and attacked. It is how betrayers stay in the favor of Guyana’s foreign masters. Who would believe that the government is standing firmly on the side of ExxonMobil, and coming up with all manner of flimsy excuses? Excuses for the company not providing the nation with updates on how much more oil has been found in those seven new discoveries. What kind of government, or leader, would not want the people to know how many rich new deposits have been discovered, and where that pushes the new balance in the oil bank? We believe that if the details of the number of barrels found were to be fully disclosed to Guyanese, they would want more. The fear of ExxonMobil and the PPPC Government is that there would be renewed clamor and pressure for the 2016 ExxonMobil oil contract (that capital crime) to be renegotiated. Foreign observers and commentators, as well as local ones, would ratchet up interest and the drive to get more for this country. The passions unleashed, and the calls generated, would be relentless. Seven new oil discoveries of some significance should add several billion barrels to the standing 11 billion total. Significant discoveries in Guyana’s offshore oilfields have not meant a couple hundred thousand barrels more, but much more. The current 11 billion figure must have been swallowed up in a hurry, hence this game played by ExxonMobil. Hence, this silence blanketing how much new oil has been found, and with the Government of Guyana part of the scheming. The PPPC Government says that it is for the people, yet its oil gurus work tirelessly against the best interests of the same people. It is a given that ExxonMobil would be focused exclusively on its own profitability at the expense of Guyanese. The company has every confidence that the PPPC Government is right by its side in its profit pursuits. The contortions of government leaders on new discovery numbers stand as evidence.
Tuesday February 13, 2024
Jagdeo’s contempt for teachers in PPP stronghold DEAR EDITOR Kaieteur News Article captioned CXC waits for no one …., Dated Feb, 10th 2024 states, “Teachers of Region 5 are appealing to the Minister of Education to meet with them” because the regional CXC body, “waits on no one” They expressed disappointment that the Minister has not agreed to meet with them and that it seems the Minister does not care for the teachers nor the students. On the other hand, President Alli appealed to teachers to be patient and wait for Guyana to receive more oil money and that their welfare would be taken care
of but it would take time. From statements emanating from officials of the union,it would seem that the teachers are saying their demand is not strike until we get what we want re: increases but strike until the government meets with them to begin dialogue. So, considering CXC is around the corner and the students would suffer the idea of trying to suggest that the teachers are uncaring is ridiculous. All the government has to do, is meet with the union’s leadership. I want to believe that it is the government that is uncaring of the welfare of our students. VP Bharat Jagdeo said
that the strike is political, because he claims that some union leaders consulted with the Opposition. So, what is wrong with that. He says he is not worried that teachers from PPP stronghold have joined the strike and that they would not be victimised, that they do not realise that the strike is political. I guess he has a poor assessment of teachers’ intelligence. I recall the bauxite and sugar workers were involved in a strike in1979 when the IMF conditionalities were imposed and our dollar was devalued. One of the conditions was fiscal austerity. This translated into
wage freeze. The PPP and its cadres were up to their neck advising and supporting the strike. Was it Political? I, as a teacher and a member of the PPP went out every morning with the GAWU Field Secretary at 4:AM encouraging the workers etc. I held meetings with them. It was so effective that the PNC transferred me from a secondary school, BEI, to teach Prep A at the Cumberland Primary School. The PPP followed up on Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow in fighting for workers’ right to trade unions. The PPP passed laws to enshrine the right of workers (Continued on page 06)
Allegations of discrimination must be based on evidence DEAR EDITOR It has become fashionable for Opposition forces to level allegations of discrimination against the PPPC government on every sector of the economy. Thus, it was not surprising that the Ministry of Health also came under their scrutiny. They stated, for example, that $(G) 19.1 billion of capital funds in 2022 had been allocated for the purchase of medical supplies and medications. Wrong! The amount allocated instead was $(G) 17.7 billion. This is just one case in a pattern of incorrect information being pedaled to the public. While political rhetoric and platitudes would sensationalize allegations and create uneasiness among people, these should not excuse government officials and supporters from not responding to these allegations and to produce also evidence to prove otherwise. The critics must likewise produce evidence to support their claims. It is in this context that I found it necessary to conduct research into aspects of procurement at one Government agency, the Ministry of Health (MoH) for the year 2022 to determine if there has been any evidence to support a l l e g a t i o n s o f discrimination. (When data become available for 2023, this research will be updated accordingly).
Critics referred to the New GPC (NGPC) and Western Scientific (WSC) contracts that were awarded for the procurement of drugs, supplies and equipment for the MoH as a “classic case” of discrimination. They stated, for example, that the drugs, supplies, and equipment had been sourced from only two vendors, NGPC and WSC and that these were awarded on a Sole Source basis. However they failed to produce any evidence to support their allegation. Let us examine the evidence. In respect of the contract awards that were won by New GPC and Western Scientific, 16 awards were made through Public tendering; 2 were through the Restrictive tender method; and 3 were through the Sole Source method. In addition, contracts totaling $(G)1.433 billion were awarded to other contractors for which NGPC and WSC did not participate. A further amount of $(G) 4.5 billion covered contracts awarded by Local Government authorities for purchase of medical supplies and equipment. NGPC and WSC were not involved in these procurements. I recall similar charges of discrimination were made against the PPPC government in the awards of contracts for road construction projects: (i)
Schoonard to Crane Road project (worth $(G) 11 billion; (ii) the Mandela to Eccles Road Project at $(G) 2.3 billion); and (iii) Eccles to Diamond Road Project ( (G) 3.9 billion). Critics indicated that Afro-Guyanese, for example, benefitted by only 17% from these combined contracts (total value of $(G) 33.2 billion). If one goes down this track, then the argument can be made that if annual wages payable to 54,000 government workers are combined, these would amount to $(G) 110 billion, of which Afro-Guyanese would receive over $(G) 72.0 billion (or 65.5% of total wage bill). The point is: “Why would the award of contracts to Indo-Guyanese be likened onto a transfer of state resources to them (Indo-Guyanese), and why the transfer of state resources to pay wages to Afro-Guyanese and others be viewed differently and not as cash transfers too?” Back to MoH! Another misconception is that medical supplies and equipment were purchased from capital funds. This is misleading. Capital funds are used to purchase only equipment; while the purchase of drugs and medical supplies are bought from expense budget. Of the total contract award of $(G) 11.767 billion to NGPC and WSC, for
example, only 7.3% were funded from capital expense; while the remainder (92.7%) were from expense budget. Lacking evidence or distorting social reality and using this to claim corruption or discrimination is not the path smart people would traverse. The Ministry of Health assures us that the process for awarding these contracts was transparent and in accordance with the procurement rules. The bids were evaluated by NPTAB and no complaint about discrimination was lodged at either the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) or the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC). Furthermore, critics have failed to show if there was any contractor who submitted a responsive bid that was lower in price than that of the awardees and was bypassed, or whether the procurement process was tainted. Finally, I want to make it pellucid; I do not support any form of c o r r u p t i o n o r discrimination. And yes. people have the right to ask questions or to seek clarification on policies and actions of any government. However, what they should not embrace or produce in their quest to seek the truth, are statements unsupported by evidence/facts. Sincerely Dr.Tara Singh
Tuesday February 13, 2024
Kaieteur News
‘The Vice President took teachers to Times Square’ DEAR EDITOR As we are about to embark on another round of constitutional reforms, the behaviour of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) towards the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GLU) is a ‘God Send’. One could have spoken ad infinitum about this government being authoritatively classified as an autocracy without ordinary people having had the opportunity to understand the actual implications of this condition for their daily lives. In its amoral and foolhardy determination to dominate Guyana’s political space, the PPP has brought the autocratic reality into almost every home in Guyana. After all manner of union-and organizationalbusting activities- going directly to the teachers, local authorities, etc.- have failed, President Irfaan now asks the teachers to be patient and in so doing clearly demonstrates that he has still not or does not want to understand the problem. Trade unionism led to significant improvements in the living conditions of working people until about the late 1960s, when for all kinds of reasons having to do with changes in the nature of work, etc., union numbers began to decline. Worldwide today, the level of inequality has reached such alarming proportions that once again trade unionism is on the rise to help determine how work relations are managed and profits are equitably divided. The constitutions and laws of most liberal democracies countries and in a democratically aspiring Guyana allow for the establishment of free independent trade unions in the public and private sectors. Constitutional, legal, and other formal and non-formal rules exist to see that teachers and workers in general can get a fair deal. The rules of engagement allow for mutual negotiations, agreed upon methods of conciliation and rules for independent arbitration about almost any issue upon which the employer and the union cannot reach agreement. Dr. President, at the end of the day, it is not for teachers and their union to have patience with you if they feel cheated or for the unions to
determine what the teachers are to be paid: the Constitution and rules establish an independent arbitration process (which fortunately/unfortunately in the Guyana teachers’ case gives the government of the day an advantage) to make such a determination. Only an autocratic regime such as the one at present headed by Dr. Ali would think it legitimate to frustrate and then totally ditch these constitutional and legal requirements and when you find yourself on the ropes to resort to notions of patience. The immediate quantity of teachers’ salaries is of importance, but what must rank above it is the national good, which is intricately tied with their and their families’ long-term standard of working and living. Democratic government, to which you claim to aspire, has its role to play, but as indicated above, independent unions also have their place as the industrial guardians of the economic conditions of present and future working generations. But this is precisely what the machinations of the leadership of the PPP over the years have been trying to destroy: to place the unions and the lives of teachers, other workers and their families in the hands of the oligarchy at Freedom House. Since 2020, notwithstanding the various delaying tactics of the government, the unions have been trying to reach some kind of rapprochement with the regime, only to have the
chief labour officer, who is required to be independent in disputes between employer and employee and who should have been facilitating this process, tell them that ‘the grievance procedure’ that should not have taken more than a few months ‘has not been exhausted’! It is as if he has never heard that ‘justice delayed is justice denied’. However, as Guyana goes to constitutional reform, it must not be blindsided by this temporary PPP/GLU standoff and forget the historical context that constitutional reform is required to fix. Last week, Anand Goolsarran captioned his Accountability Watch ‘Despite strong constitutional, legislative and regulatory systems to fight corruption, meaningful progress continues to elude us’ (SN: 05/02/2024). What the present teachers dispute also teaches is that democratic, open, and transparent government requires more than rules: it requires a substantial body of citizens willing to stand up in the protection of the rules. Given his location, the General Secretary of the PPP, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, responding to a question about the large number of teachers in PPP strongholds who have joined the strike, in a Donald Trumpian ‘Times Square’ moment (‘I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose any voters, OK?’) contextualized (Continued on page 06)
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How Guyana holds the Presidency of the UN Security Council DEAR EDITOR, Guyana currently holds the Presidency of the UN Security Council (SC) for the month of February. France held the Presidency in January and may have another shot next year. Guyana was elected to the 15 members body last June. The Security Council membership rotates every two years among the ten non-permanent members. UN member nations (193) lobby for votes to get elected to that and other bodies that rotate at agreed periodic intervals. The globe is divided into four areas with the ten SC seats divided up based on the number of members coming from the area — five to Asia and Africa, one Eastern Europe, two to Western Europe, two to Latin America and the Caribbean. The four areas are divided into regions or sub-regions and member states have an unwritten understanding and gentleman agreement to rotate the position like South Asia gets one, East Asia gets another, North Africa gets one, etc. India and Japan served the most two year periods for their area. Brazil served the most for LA. Guyana and Jamaica served two terms each and Guyana is in its third. Canada also served several periods. It will be another twenty year before Guyana gets to serve in the SC again. Five members of the Council are elected annually replacing five members whose two year terms will end on December 31 this
year so that there is continuity. There are five permanent members — US, Russia, UK, France, and China. The five have veto powers — meaning any one can block resolutions adopted by the Council. India was offered a permanent seat in the Council in the 1950s but then Prime Minister Nehru (unwisely) declined it and recommended China instead. India, Japan, Germany, among others are lobbying for permanent member status. China and a few other states opposed expansion of the SC and permanent members. The entire UN votes to select the ten members of the Council. Members of a subregion tend to have an agreement on which nation will have the slot and there is no competition from other member states from that area or region. Members lobby or trade off to win the votes of other members of the region as well as of the entire UN membership. Guyana won a huge majority when the vote was held last June, replacing Brazil from our region
whose two year term ended December 31. 2023. Also elected were Algeria, Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia. Election is not based on the type of government — democracy versus dictatorship. All member states are equally entitled to be elected. Some opt not for election. The Presidency of the Security Council rotates monthly among the 15 members of the body based on the alphabetical order of names of the fifteen countries. This is the first time that Guyana has been a member of the Security Council under a democratically elected government (PPP) but the third time as a member of the powerful UN body. It previously served in the council in 1975-76 and 1982-83 during the Burnham years. Guyana could get another slot if the Presidency late next year. President Irfaan Ali is hosting a reception on the historic achievement of his administration winning a seat at the Council. Intense (Continued on page 06)
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Tuesday February 13, 2024
‘The Vice President took teachers... Jagdeo’s contempt for teachers... From page 05 Guyana’s predicament better than I ever could have. ‘Many don’t see it (the strike) as political and that’s their right too and I know that many of them will go there but they will vote PPP at the end of the day so I’m not too worried about that (KN: 09/02/2024).’ When it counts, his constituents will do the politically right thing and given Guyana’s ethnic context, herein lies its
dilemma. Ultimately, it does not have a substantial body of citizens willing to stand in protection of the rules and hold governments accountable. Therefore, those who seek to become involved in constitutional reforms will again fail if they do not appreciate this overarching fact and instead proceed with utopian visions and piecemeal excursions. ‘Where justice is denied,
where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe’ (Frederick Douglass, Speech on the twenty-fourth anniversary of emancipation in the District of C o l u m b i a , Wa s h i n g t o n , D.C., Apr. 1886). Sincerely Dr. Henry Jeffrey
How Guyana holds the Presidency... From page 05 lobbying led to the exalted selection last year. The primary role of the SC is to maintain international peace and security. The President of the Council chairs meetings. All member states of UN can appeal to the Council if there is a threat to its territory that
has implications for peace and security.President Irfaan Ali will hold a reception on the achievement on Tuesday evening in NY among invited guests. The achievement is a rarity that should deservedly be celebrated. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
From page 04 to collective agreement. We all know that the Bharat takeover of the PPP resulted in Jagan’s legacy being cast aside. However, even I did not expect the PPP to move so far away. The PPP has long since taken away the workers’ right to Collective Agreement. The workers’ unions are ignored and the government has been imposing what it feels like at the end of the year. Sadly, when the Coalition took power the same obtained. The imposition of an increase at the end of the year continued. I noticed some placard saying that sugar workers are being treated better. This is definitely not the way to go. We do not need this. We need workers unity and solidarity. I recall that the sugar workers were denied increases for a number of years while others got. I recall GAWU having to call strikes and this was regardless of whether it was PPP or PNC in power. I recall the PPP government threatening to derecognise GAWU. Just recently, sugar workers protesting were tear gassed and arrested. On a previous occasion, I recall one sugar worker was
shot and killed. So, let’s not go that way. Let’s try to strengthen workers’ unity and remember a number of children whose parents are sugar workers have joined the strike. What I find interesting if not contemptible is that the VP indicated that he is not worried and that those teachers from PPP stronghold would still vote P P P. Both parties apparently hold the same belief. No matter what, their supporters would remain loyal no matter what we do to them. Workers of Guyana you need to respond adequately to this level of contempt for you, as demonstrated by both parties. We must declare our independence. We must sever our support for these parties as they have proved over and over that they are not interested in the welfare of the workers. In order to properly represent the rights of the working people unity must be the key word. With unity we can hold any government accountable. Workers of Guyana must put their leaders’ feet to the fire and force them to unite the splintered trade union
movement. If they fail to do this then it’s time to vote out these fossilized heads and replace them with a new batch who would stand up for the unification of the trade union movement so that workers constitutional rights would be respected. We have heard that the GTU has not audited its account for a long time now. Well, this makes the teachers victims of their own leaders. They should deal with this at the appropriate time. It’s a shame that the government is now raising this. The Laws of Guyana demands that the Trade Unions have annual audits. My question is why both Government have failed to deal with these breaches in order to protect the membership. They have to answer to this. They have failed the workers in this area also. I call on the government to immediately contact the union, set a meeting date to commence serious discussions in keeping with the collective agreement. Failing to do so would demonstrate an uncaring attitude to the teachers and worse to the children of Guyana. Sincerely Rajendra Nauth Bisessar
T N U L B . . . T B N U T L N T B . U . L . L T B . N . U . N U T L N B . U . T . L N T U N B . N U . L U L LUNT. B . T . . T T N N B U B . U . L . L T B . B . . N . . . T U T L N N T U U L N L B U . B . . L . . . T B T . . N . Teachers vs Priya N T U L N LU B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . NT LUNT...B NT...BLU N U L B . . B . U . . T L . N T B . . U N . L N T B U N . . L . U T L B . . N B . . . T U . L N T B U . . L . UN T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L B U UN .BLUNT. . . L . T B . . N . T U . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B . . L LU ...BLUN . T B . . N . T U L N T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U BBL T...BLUN BLUNT... ...BLU . T . N . N T T U L U N L B U T...BLU U B . L . N . B T . . . N T U N N N L U U U B L . L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Tuesday February 13, 2024
Kaieteur News
Education Minister, Priya Manickchand has failed to represent her teachers- no wonder they have been calling her all kinds of names on the protest line.
The current teachers’ strike is probably the third under her watch in a short space of time. It must be of some concern to the young minister, that her tenure has been punctuated with industrial actions by teachers. Any self-respecting minister in such circumstances would have by now handed in their resignation. But that doesn’t happen in PPP/C Cabinet as even alleged rapists have to be hounded out of office, rather than stepping down.
In the middle of a crisis, where most of the schools are closed, hundreds of teachers are on the streets, the education minister is busy every day on facebook gaslighting the situation, posting pictures of her playing volleyball with school children; fighting with citizens in the comments section; responding to comments on how poorly she has been managing the sector and even making the people she supposed to be leading her enemies. Maybe the chant of the teachers, “Priya must go!” has some truth about it.
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Kaieteur News
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Tuesday February 13, 2024
Rowley weighing foreign help if oil spill worsens ( T R I N I D A D GUARDIAN) - Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says while the Tobago oil spill isn’t completely under control, it remains manageable and the situation should improve with additional resources. During a media conference in Tobago, after he completed tours of the affected areas over the weekend, Rowley said the disaster remains at a tier two level and officials are doing all in their power to identify the owners of the overturned vessel and minimise the spills impact. The vessel, identified as Gulfstream, overturned along the coast off the Cove last Wednesday, leaving miles of coastline along the west of the island blanketed in oil leaking from its hull. On Sunday Rowley admitted that the authorities still don’t know what the vessel contains. “What we do know, it appears to be broken having made contact here and is leaking some kind of hydrocarbon that is fouling the water and the coastline. That vessel could have come to us from any kind of operation, especially if the operation is illicit,” he said. He said the clean-up team is still in the containment stage. And as the Tobago House of Assembly awaits the test results from samples taken earlier this week, Rowley stressed how important it was to move from the containment phase to the emptying of the vessel to
Heritage Petroleum contractors conduct clean-up operations at the site of the oil spill as Rockley Bay, Tobago.(VINDRA GOPAUL-BOODAN/Trinidad and Tobago Guardian photo)
prevent continuous spill into the waters. “This phase will remain as long as the vessel is there and is a threat with the contents that can foul our environment. But then we would want to move from that stage to the stage of emptying the vessel.” He admitted the country may need to seek international assistance if the situation becomes out of control. “We will have to move relatively quickly to determining what we do next, which is to bring the vessel to a position where it does not pose a threat at the national level,” the PM said. “We may require help because once we start talking about salvaging, which is to get the vessel in a situation where we can control what goes on, we have to have
outside help.” He further explained that he was happy the spill started in an isolated area, preventing more extensive damage. However, he couldn’t say if there was a set deadline to have the vessel removed and the situation under complete control. “Had it been a little further west, in the Crown Point area, much of that spill may easily have gone into the marine park and into the river Nylon Pool. That too would have been a major disaster. So we have to thank God for small mercies,” he noted. While the vessel’s origin, ownership and contents remain a mystery, Rowley said the team is doing their best to prevent the situation from worsening. “We are doing all that is possible to
Crying baby abandoned in front of Berbice home A crying baby was on Monday rescued by a neighbour after the infant was abandoned in front of a house at Bush Lot, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six. Security cameras mounted on nearby buildings captured a tinted white Toyota Fielder Wagon pulling up in front of the gate of a two-storey wooden house. The car turned on a wooden bridge and quickly sped off leaving a crying baby sitting in front of the gate. A neighbour rushed over after the car left and picked up the child and took him to his home. Kaieteur News later learnt that the house belongs to the baby’s father and the individual who left him in front of the gate was his mother. The woman and the man have three children together but have parted ways.
The woman reportedly won full custody of the children. However, the husband has been failing to provide her with child support for their children and it led to even more tension between them. The woman allegedly resorted to dropping the baby in front of his gate as a means of getting him to take responsibility for his children. He was not home at the time but was reportedly informed that she had dropped the baby there. The man left where he was and sped home but by time he arrived, his neighbour had already picked up the child. The Child Care and Protection Agency (CPA) was called in to deal with the matter and the baby is back in custody with the mother.
answer these questions from mobilising the contingency plan. Everything that needs to be done has been, to this point, done and is being done and will be done to ameliorate and minimise and eventually eliminate the threat,” he said. “What we have to do now is to do what is required to bring some control to the situation, cleaning the beaches was good. But if stuff is being poured out on a continuous basis, that is just speeding up in bird cleaning and
restoration can only seriously begin after we have brought the situation under control. Right now, the situation is not under control. But it appears to be under sufficient control that we think that we can manage.” Lamenting the financial constraints and the unplanned nature of the incident, he said there is a need to improve the country’s fleet capabilities, announcing plans for major vessel refurbishments and the establishment of a new
Coast Guard facility in To b a g o , p o s s i b l y a t Charlotteville. THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine meanwhile said the divers had not been able to cap the leak. As a result, he said the team is working to find a way to extract all the oil from the vessel. Minister of Energy and Energy Industries Stuart Young, as well as Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan, were present during the tour. Meanwhile, the Institute of marine Affairs, responding to information in a Sunday Guardian article yesterday, said it does not have specialist industrial or commercial divers on staff. This, it said, meant it could not have, nor was it asked to have its divers plug the spill to the capsized vessel off the Tobago shoreline. The institute said it is a marine research organisation of which, for this event, its work is primarily to conduct research, conservation, restoration and rehabilitation where possible. Heritage Petroleum contractors conduct clean-up operations at the site of the oil spill at Rockley Bay, Tobago
State House shooter sentenced …placed on 3 years to 3 months in prison supervised probation Bethel Chimezie, the Nigerian man who in December 2022 opened fire on a member of the Presidential Guard at State House, was on Monday sentenced to three months in prison with three years of supervised probation for discharging a Loaded Firearm with Intent. Chimezie remains before the court for the attempted murder of a Quincy Cummings, a member of the Presidential Guard and causing public terror among other charges that he was slapped with following his attack at the President’s home Located on Carmichael, Main and New Market Streets. Police said that the man appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to Discharging a Loaded Firearm with Intent charge. “The Court started the maximum sentencing guideline at fifteen months and took into consideration the time Chimeze spent on remand,” police stated. On December 15, 2022 at about 07:30h Chimezie visited State House, at the eastern entrance which faces Carmichael Street. While there, he approached police Constable Telon Perreira, who was stationed there and informed him that he was there to meet the President. Perreira reportedly asked him if he had an appointment and he allegedly responded “yes”. The Presidential Guard offered him a seat in the waiting area of the security room while he sought to verify the appointment. Chimezie obeyed but reportedly became agitated while waiting and attempted to force
State House Shooter, Bethel Chimezie his way through the guard hut. Perreira blocked him from entering the premises and Chimezie allegedly responded by pulling out a black and silver knife from his shoulder bag and stabbing the Presidential Guard. Chimezie and Perreira were involved in a scuffle and a female rank of the Presidential Guard unit, who was present at the time, pulled out her Service Weapon but Chimezie allegedly disarmed her. Another member of the Presidential Guard Unit, Cummings, rushed over from his post closer to the southern gate and discharged three rounds at the accused. Chimezie returned fire at him and then ran out of the security room. Cummings gave chase and fired another round hitting Chimezie in the leg. The accused was hospitalised and he later underwent a psychiatric evaluation which deemed him fit for trial.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday February 13, 2024
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The bureaucracy needs to be trimmed In one swoop, the PPPC government has corrected the historic imbalance within the country’s national Budget. In 2024, the government is spending almost 60% of its Budget on capital expenditure and the almost other 40% on current revenues, thereby inverting what has been occurring within the economy for decades. Guyana’s Budget had been imbalanced for a long, long time. The financial gurus were faced with this imbalance and have not done anything to correct it because to do so requires courageous and controversial action. The Budget has two sets of expenditure – capital and current expenditure. Capital expenditure is the monies which are used to build and upgrade physical assets such as roads, schools, bridges and airports, hospitals, police stations, power plants, vehicles, machinery, etc. It is comparable to the money a person would spend on a car or a house. Yo u r c u r r e n t expenditure, on the other hand, is your day-to-day operating expenses. It refers to the monies you have to spend on things such as wages, rentals, supplies, fuel and water, electricity, security and janitorial services. It would equate for a household for the monies you would spend on food, electricity, water bill, gasoline for the vehicles and paying your domestic help. The ratio between your current and capital expenditure is a good idea of how well you are managing
your finances. If you are building a house and the labour cost is equal to the material costs, then something is wrong. It makes no sense building that house because you are overpaying for labour. And it is the same with the country’s Budget. If your current expenditure – which amounts to the cost of running the government – is higher than your capital expenses, it means that you do not have the resources to invest on long-term and long-lasting infrastructure which will allow you to expand the economy. P r o f e s s o r , Ta r r o n Khemraj, did an analysis of this ratio in the country’s Budgets over the period 2008 to 2020. What he found was disturbing. Guyana was spending 66 percent on current expenditure and 34 percent on capital expenditure. What this meant was that the country is carrying an over-bloated bureaucracy which is absorbing monies which should be used for increasing the physical assets of the country to grow the economy even more and to make it more efficient. In comparison, Khemraj found that over the same period 2008-2020, Jamaica spent on average 34 percent on current expenditure, Barbados 23 percent and Trinidad and Tobago 17 percent. Guyana had been spending on average 66 percent, leaving only 34 percent for capital works. And guess what? A great deal of the expenditure on major infrastructural works was borrowed adding to the
country’s public debt. The country is saddled with an unwieldy bureaucracy with the result that there are limited resources for longterm and long-lasting capital investments. This imbalance is unsustainable; the country will go nowhere so long as it exists. One of the main contributors to this problem is the size of government. I n s t e a d , h o w e v e r, o f trimming government, the APNU+AFC had been expanding it. The expansion of government had been costly to the economy. Professor, Tarron Khemraj, did an analysis of the government’s overdraft. He found that the PPP/C government inherited in August 2020 an overdraft at the Bank of Guyana of G$92.8B as opposed to G$9.3B in 2014 just prior to demitting office. In his analysis he sought to examine the link between this overdraft and employment levels in central government. What he found was that when the PPP/C left office there were 14,905 workers in central government. But within a mere three years of the APNU+AFC taking office, this had ballooned to 26,354 or an increase of 76.8 percent, while non-central government employment such as at GuySuCo declined by more than 40 percent. Today, in 2024, the current expenditure remains high at over 40% of total expenditure. And one of the disturbing features of the PPPC since it resumed office has been the absence of public sector reforms. The
DEM BOYS SEH
De teachers are in fine form There is nothing mo flamboyant as the artistry of Guyanese strikers. Like Renaissance painters wielding brushes, dem strikers craft their dissent with the finesse of a masterful satire. However, instead of adorning canvas, dem does splash their disdain across the public sphere with flourish, fanfare and fun. Plenty of fun! The only problem is dat de fun is at somebody’s expense. De Guyanese teachers, not content with merely airing grievances. Dem elevate them the game to a virtuosic level. Their modus operandi? Mockery so
audacious, it could beat the acts of plenty stand-up comedians. Forget picket signs; the real weapons of choice are cutting remarks and sly innuendos. In dem arsenal of verbal acrobatics, nothing is offlimits. Ministerial handbags become the subject of ridicule, transforming mundane accessories into symbols of personal folly. And leh we not forget de pièce de résistance: invoking the dreaded “wuk pun she,” a phrase dripping with superstition and dark humor, aimed squarely at the powers that be.
But amidst the raucous laughter and clever wordplay, one can’t help but wonder: at what cost does this theater of the absurd come? While the audience may enjoy the spectacle, the substance often gets lost in the fun. Respectability, it seems, is but a casualty ridicule and personal attacks. Yet, for all its frivolity, there’s a certain catharsis in this brand of protest. Guyanese strikers use humour as a hammer, striking blows against the pompous and the privileged. Perhaps, laughter truly is de best medicine. Talk half. Leff halg
President of Guyana had promised that there would be a job evaluation exercise but this is more in relation to salaries than to size. The PPPC needs to set a threshold as to the ratio between current and capital expenditure. That ratio should ideally not be more than 20%, if the government is to be considered efficient. Since spending on maintenance is already low, there is only one way in which the PPPC can trim recurrent expenditure: through retrenchment. But that is the bullet it has to bite if it is to make the
country’s future Budget more balanced. The public bureaucracy must be trimmed. Based on the numbers that Jagdeo churned out at his press conference last Thursday, there is overstaffing within the education sector. And we know that there are far too many insecure appointments within the public service. There are many areas in which cuts can be made. But the matter is best approached through public sector reform, something that the Public Service Ministry has been strangely silent on for the past four years. But these
reforms will have to come sooner rather than later if public sector wages and recurrent expen diture are to be sustainable. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaper and its affiliates.)
Kaieteur News
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S
UTH
D TR
HAR
HK
BY G
L
LAL
Tuesday February 2024 Monday May 02,13, 2022
H@RD TRUTHS
BY GHK LALL
The GCCI lends a hand
The Guyana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) took the leap and made a call on the Wales Gas-to-Energy (GTE)
project. Whether voluntary or given a nudge, the GCCI is well within its rights to lend its voice to the land end of the GTE now waiting for a loan
from the US Export Import Bank (EXIM). Regarding the basis on which the GCCI communicated to EXIM, it
stands on rather slippery ground. In addition, hauling off and firing a salvo in a contemptuous manner at conscientious citizens daring to press for turning down the loan, was taking things too far, twisting things to suit its own unknown objectives, hopefully on righteousness’s side. For just as the GCCI is free to exercise its rights, as to how it sees this GTE project, so it applies also to those who see it differently. It is the way that the democratic process works, isn’t it? There is no doubt that the loan greenlight from EXIM could mean more than passing business opportunities for people associated with the GCCI. It is part of how the capitalist system works, how commerce flourishes. Still, I refrain from concluding that the GCCI’s letter to EXIM pressing for approval of the loan had anything to do with the self-serving. Or the political, as in kowtowing to the expectations (or hints) of relationships that have power oozing from pores. A good word to EXIM by the GCCI has the highest probability of paying rich dividends, as a matter of routine. Still, I am taken aback by the GCCI’s epistle, what looked like throwing prudent business caution to the winds. Here is the local highflying umbrella organization in its own words, “The GCCI sees this project as having immense potential to drive economic growth, enhance energy security, and promote sustainable development in the Western Hemisphere.”It is a given that many Guyanese would also do, but
only on the basis of evidence that is from an independent source that could be trusted, hence credible. Guyanese want this Wales GTE like yesterday. But only when they have something in their hands on which they can focus their minds. It would be that which powers them to conclude that, indeed, there is something here that is good for Guyana, as represented by the PPP Government, through the good offices of the honorable vice president, Bharrat Jagdeo. The handicap to this state of mind is that there is a bit of a hiccup. There is nothing with which to work. What perplexes is that the GCCI knows this, but still barreled ahead in penning its epistle to US EXIM, and then pelt a lash at those who curdle the GTE cream with their objections. The question is whether the GGCI is taking a calculated gamble. Or it is privy to what no other Guyanese outside of Bharrat Jagdeo’s charmed circle knows. If the latter is on the money, then the Vice President should be confident enough to share, and let all Guyanese make up their own minds that the GTE has substance, is worth the money, is worth the effort. If, on the other hand, the GCCI’s letter is driven by the former (calculated gamble), then it is on its own, and no Guyanese should want to be a part of such a scheme. Not for US$2B, or the US$769M component that now sits on the desk of EXIM’s President, Reta Jo Lewis. The pages of that loan
application are getting a tad curled at the edges, and that musty smell long associated with mildew, or what has gathered cobwebs. I think the Yankee bankers are there because of their conservative nature. Take it from me, stodgy Washington is not rambunctious and reckless Wall Street. Something is bothering those people over there in DC and, all things being regular, it is what should have caused some degree of unease with the lovely folks at the GCCI. Their enthusiasm for the costly project is fully understood. By the same token, they, in turn, should understand full well why there are Guyanese who do not see eye to eye with them (the GCCI), or the rumormonger man, Dr. Jagdeo, on this mysterious project, and the haziness surrounding its components. I think that it was a step too far, one uncalled for, when the GCCI saw it fit to pad its boxing gloves with horseshoes, and let loose on those standing in the way of the project. The GCCI came out swinging from the hip by condemning “certain attempts by a small minority of individuals to discredit the project and discourage the US Bank from providing the financial support to complete the project.” I cast no stone at the good people in the GCCI. But something still has to be said. Everyone wants cheap, reliable electricity. I do. Safety is another priority concern. It is so here. But only as all of these are backed up by a feasibility study worth its name. Being in business, the GCCI should know this better than most. Potential exposures and risks have as much standing as opportunity and profits. To the GCCI I say this: give us something so that we can all get going. Give us what is in hand. If not, this is more than going the extra mile for the flawed. It is the GCCI making a fool of itself when it should know better. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaper and its affiliates.)
Tuesday February 13, 2024
STEMGuyana equips future leaders with STEM Club Certification Training In an effort to foster innovation and prepare youths for the demands of a technology-driven world, STEMGuyana hosted its inaugural quarterly training programme for prospective STEM club leaders on Sunday, February 11. This milestone event saw the participation of 25 individuals from five regions across Guyana, all eager to undergo the rigorous STEM club certification training programme, STEMGuyana said in a press release. According to the organisation the comprehensive programme encompasses various components, including an online segment, Scratch coding sessions, hands-on practical exercises, navigating software tutorials, and a commitment to volunteering for 10 hours at one of STEMGuyana’s numerous clubs or pods scattered throughout the country. “The primary objective of this initiative is to equip club coaches with the necessary skills not only to efficiently manage the operations of a STEM club but also to immerse t h e m s e l v e s i n STEMGuyana’s culture of collaboration, critical thinking, conflict resolution and youth leadership,” the organization said. By doing so, STEMGuyana said these leaders will be better prepared to motivate, prepare, and inspire youths nationwide who harbor an interest in STEM fields,
whether for future careers or leadership roles in any industry. The organisation said in today’s fast-paced and technology-centric landscape, the importance of preparing students for the future cannot be overstated. Introducing technology education to young learners at an early age can significantly enhance their ability to think creatively, innovate, and become valuable contributors to society. STEMGuyana said it stands as a beacon of support for aspiring STEM enthusiasts, offering a plethora of resources and opportunities to aid in their journey. From providing technical support and lesson plans to supplying robot kits and spares, finding sponsors, organizing national competitions, facilitating international trips, and offering scholarship opportunities for specialized programs, STEMGuyana leaves no stone unturned in its mission to nurture budding talent. Moreover, the organisation said it has expanded its course offerings to cater to diverse interests and aptitudes. These include introductory and advanced courses in Scratch and robot programming, artificial intelligence, drone technology (including soccer applications), Arduino and Raspberry Pi, Python programming, app development, and 3D printing and modeling. (Continued on page 15)
Future leaders undergoing training by STEMGuyana
Kaieteur News Students during the STEMGuyana training
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Another group of participants of the STEMGuyana training programme
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Tuesday February 13, 2024
‘We are not children, we are educators, speak to us properly’ - Essequibo teacher tells Pres. Ali A
mid the ongoing nationwide strike calling for better salaries and working conditions for teachers in Guyana, Sir Martin Samaroo, a teacher from the Essequibo Coast, Region Two, has criticised President Irfaan Ali for his recent remarks. The strike, initiated by the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) on February 5, 2024, has entered its second week, with educators seeking collective bargaining with the Union and the Government of Guyana (GoG). President Ali’s attempt to address the situation via a Facebook live session on Sunday has drawn sharp criticism from some teachers, including Sir Samaroo. In his address, President Ali on Sunday called on teachers to be fair and “have a conscience” even as he urged the educators to reflect on the myriad of efforts his government has employed to make their work simpler. However, it was the tone and manner of his communication that sparked discontent among educators. During a Facebook Live session, Sir Samaroo expressed his disappointment, stating, “I was hurt last night, when someone shared that live to me I was hurt.” He continued, “While in Opposition, President always asked what about the teachers? What about the
Sir Martin Samaroo nurses? with vigor and vim while speaking in Parliament. You are now turning that against us in the interview, speaking to us as if we are your children.” He further emphasised the need for respectful dialogue, asserting, “he’s not talking to children; he’s talking to the working class; he’s talking to the educators of this country, and he should do so with respect.” “Myself in particular, I am very disturbed by what I heard from the President and the way in which he spoke it. He should calm himself down, someone need to give our dearly beloved President a nice glass of juice, cold swank to calm him down,” the teacher noted.
Samaroo’s sentiments echoed the frustration felt by many teachers who perceive the President’s tone as dismissive and lacking in empathy. He called for an end to what he described as “bullyism,” of teachers. Referring to colleagues who also found the President’s tone demotivating, Samaroo underscored the need for respectful and dignified communication. Speaking via a live stream on his official Facebook page, President Ali urged teachers to consider how his government has been working to address their concerns within the education sector. The President noted that several efforts were made to improve the system for teachers. “We have been getting more teachers trained…All trainees in pre-service training at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), are now paid $90,000 instead of a $10,000 stipend,” Ali ranted. An upset Ali continued, “Teachers are also being provided with a termly grant to purchase school supplies and head teachers are no longer required to teach so they can focus on administrative work…We have been offering other incentives such as increased duty-free concessions” “You are telling me, that none of this matters… Teachers have to have a responsibility too. We have
President Irfaan Ali during the Facebook live session on Sunday
to be fair, we have to have a conscience, we can’t allow ourselves to become political pawns.,” President Ali further said. As such, Ali again urged teachers to be patient with the government as it works gradually to improve the lives of all workers. “This is all I ask, for us to be fair, for us to look at all we have done, for us to understand the commitments that I have made and for us to put the children first,” Ali continued by saying. Sir Samaroo responded, “If you’re going to be passionate and
loud about anything come out and tell us what the package is. Let us know that at the end of the year that we will get a 50% increase and everybody gon clear here from today…” Last Friday, the President made similar remarks, telling teachers protesting for better salaries, that there is no need for them to down tools; as he urged them to be patient. He noted that some interventions and measures will be coming by the end of this year because his government will be conducting a total evaluation for all categories of workers.
‘You are the bully, not the union’ T
eachers on the protest line on Monday of the nationwide teachers strike accused the Government of bullying and intimidation moments after the Ministry of Education issued a statement informing them that their salaries will be deducted for unauthorised absence from the classroom. For the past six working days, teachers across the country have been on strike calling the government to engage the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) in negotiations for higher salaries. Parbattie Ramjohn told Kaieteur News “Since the strike started, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour have been threatening teachers …We said it before and we will say it again. The Union has not forced and intimidated any of us to join the strike or protest. As you can see not everyone is on strike and the union is not threatening and forcing anyone.”
The teacher said that she decided to join the crowd in front the Region Three Education Office on M o n d a y, a f t e r t h e Education Ministry issued a statement informing striking teachers that their salaries will be deducted for unauthorised absence from the classroom. “We can’t afford to give in to what the Government is saying and doing because at the end of the day, this is about our bread and butter not politics. Many teachers just want a proper pay package,” she stated. Another teacher noted that the Ministry of Education (MOE) has been calling around and collecting the names of the teachers who are absent from work s i n c e M o n d a y. “ T h e Ministry of Education has been using this as an intimidatory tactic as a means of scaring teachers into going work. They say that the strike is illegal when the GTU has attempted to
- striking teachers tell Govt.
Teachers braved the heat to join the call for collective bargaining for higher salaries (Travis Chase photo) engage them on the issue of salary negotiations for four years now to no avail,” the teacher added. The teacher said that teachers are being told things like “the Ministry is looking into you.” “They are only making matters worse by making us the enemy. All teachers want
is to be paid properly many of the other changes in the system are good but what we need more than that is higher salaries.” “Many of us give our lives to this profession and all we are asking is to be paid decent enough salaries to live on,” Ms. Gillian Anderson told this
publication. President of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Mark Lyte said that the Government’s response has only served to provoke teachers to engage in further industrial action. “We have seen the list before and that list that they put out does not
address the salary concerns of teachers so to repeat the list wasn’t making any point,” Lyte said in response to claims by the Ministry of Education that the government has been working to incrementally address issues that teachers face. Further, Lyte said it was highly offensive for President Irfaan Ali to call on teachers to have a conscience and reflect on all the good that his government has done to improve their working conditions over the weekend. “To give the impression that the teachers are unconscionable, that’s an unreasonable position to actually say that to our teachers in this country because they are the ones who are feeling it in the market place and we don’t believe to make such a statement is really helping the cause. It is only further aggravating teachers to come out and demonstrate,” he said.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday February 13, 2024
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GTU to fight Govt. in court over salary deductions President of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Mark Lyte has said that union is prepared to extend the industrial action beyond the two week time frame until their concerns are addressed. Speaking to reporters on the impact of strike on Monday, Lyte said the union is prepared to extend the industrial action until their
- says strike will extend beyond two weeks
Teachers continue their protest in Mabaruma in Region One
GTU President, Mark Lyte demands are met. He said too that the GTU is looking into its legal options to defend teachers against some of the measures taken against them by the Ministry of Education. Lyte reminded that industrial action can take various forms, if the ministry and by extension the government fails
Teachers on the protest line in various parts of the country
Teachers protesting in Mabaruma, Region One
Teachers on the protest line in various parts of the country
to address the concerns of teachers. “Even if teachers return to the classroom, we can actually do a lot of things to show our dissatisfaction with the manner in which we have been treated.” Teachers on Monday continued their protest outside the Ministry of Education at Brickdam, Georgetown as well as the various Regional Education offices across the regions. On the sixth day of the strike and protest, Lyte noted that teachers are active on the streets; minimal teaching was ongoing in schools across the country. Lyte noted that the whole country is at a standstill. He said, “We are seeing schools are not operating as they should, you drive down the road and you are not even seeing children and the entire country is affected and if the government does care about the future of our generation they will address the concerns of our teachers.” In response to the statement by the Ministry of Education informing striking teachers that their salaries will be deducted for unauthorised absence from the classroom, Lyte said the union plans to challenge the government’s decision to make deductions. The GTU head also rubbished (Continued on page 16)
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Tuesday February 13, 2024
PNC still wants more info on benefits of ‘fencing’ oil projects
E
conomic Advisor of the Leader of the PNCR, Elson Low on Monday stated that the party still requires more information on ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) offshore operations in the Stabroek Block, before a position is taken on ring-fencing the oil projects. During a news conference Low reiterated that the party would not only
require well data but also expert’s advice to ensure that they do not harm the overall development of Stabroek Block through ring-fencing. Ring-fencing, in the realm of oil and gas, is a financial safeguard to segregate the economic activities of distinct projects. This strategy prevents the mix of funds from different ventures, ensuring that profits generated by a particular project are solely
utilised to cover its associated costs. Low said that he is aware of the current distribution of the earnings in the Stabroek Block, which is profit oil to cost oil ratio of 25 - 75%. The 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed by the previous Coalition government, stipulates that a whopping 75% of the monthly revenues are to be deducted as costs to repay the companies’
shareholders, while the remaining 25% proceeds are split as profits equally with Guyana – the country also receives 2% royalty making the total monthly earning 14.5%. However, in the absence of a ring-fencing provision, the companies have the leeway to use the profits from producing oil projects to pay for others that are yet to commence production. Low said that he is cognizant that the oil
PNC Economic Advisor, Elson Low companies have already recouped their US$4 billion for developing the Liza Phase One offshore project, adding that the profits from the producing developments (Liza One, Liza Two and Payara) are being used to develop future oil projects – which is the cause for the profits oil and cost oil ratio remaining the same. Low stated too that the party welcomes the recent statements made by Vice President (VP), Bharrat Jagdeo and President of EMGL, Alistair Routledge, in relation to Guyana’s share of oil revenues projecting to increase substantially in the next two years. It should be noted that Exxon’s boss recently stated that Guyana’s profit will increase as the company will not be cost recovering at the same level. “We welcome this news but wish to strongly advise as follows. The PPP government, in its remaining time in office during this tenure, must ensure this projection materialises to the fullest extent possible,” Low noted. However, when asked that in order for Guyana to see increased profits if that does not justify the call for ring-fencing, Low responded, “I see where you are coming from but, we need a bit more information on the impact of ring-fencing on future developments.” It should be noted that the benefit of a ring-fencing
provision would prevent oil companies from using revenue generated from a production field to offset costs in another project. It would also mean that when that project cost is repaid, Guyana would enjoy 50 percent of the revenue generated there. However, the PNC is adamant that a position on ring-fencing the projects in the Stabroek Block cannot be taken, until they receive the relevant information and advice on the offshore operations. “So we want to ensure that the developments across the field are all viewed in a competitive light by investors and that we don’t dissuade investment by ringfencing but in order for us to come to that determination we would need to see he data from the wells themselves and we will have to seek appropriate expertise to be able to ensure that we’re not harming the overall development of Stabroek Field through ring-fencing,” the PNC economist said. Low continued, “So they are benefits to ring-fencing, it is something that we are looking at but in order to come to a clear position on that, in order to have I think give the investors the type of clarity that we want to (see) as Guyanese, we need additional information of course which the government is unwilling to share with the Guyanese people.”
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After 4 years, only 12% of work done Magistrate hopes threeon Reg. 10 RDC building - PAC hears time convict will change The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday learned that four years after the construction of a Regional Administration building for Region 10 was initiated; only 12 percent of the work was been completed when the project was terminated in 2021. This was revealed when PAC members examined the records related to the overpayments of 14 contracts under the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 10 that was highlighted in the Auditor’s General Report (AG) for 2019. In the AG’s 2019 report, it was stated that,”The Regional Administration is still to recover overpayments totalling $56.274M made on fourteen contracts in 2017 and 2018.” Among these contracts was the project for the Regional Administration Building which had an overpayment of $39 million and yet to be recovered. At the PAC meeting, the region was represented by Former Regional Executive Officer (REO), Orrin Gordon, and current REO, Dwight John among other technical staff. PA C m e m b e r a n d Opposition Member of Parliament (MP),Ganesh Mahipaul questioned whether the region was able to recover the overpaid sum. In response, the Former REO had said yes. It was explained that in December 2017, the region awarded a contract valued $256 million to Chungs Global for the construction of the Regional Administration building. The project was given 24 months completion time which should have seen the project being completed in December 2019. However, the project was delayed and given a temporary cease order in March 2018. The project recommenced in January
Former Regional Executive Officer of Region 10, Orrin Gordon (left) and current REO, Dwight John during the PAC meeting on Monday. 2019. The Former REO went on to explain that when he took up the position of REO, no work was started by March 2018. “When I got in there, immediately I wrote a letter to the contractor asking what is the status of the admin. building, and the sum of $39 million was received as the mobilization payment. And immediately I got a response from the contractor indicating that they did not receive documents relating to designs, and plans in adequate fashion for them to do the work,” Gordon said. After learning of this, Gordon mentioned that this was related to the Ministries of Communities and Finance as well as the project team at the time, and a decision was made to contract the services of a consultancy to have designs in place. The contracted consultancy was SRKN’gineering. The entity produced designs and plans for the new building. The Former REO explained that the consultant informed that the construction would involve the driving of piles. According to Gordon, “the problem is that when that consultancy started the consultant decided that the work that needed to be done was a piling job instead of basic foundation and so the whole thing switch into piling, so now we had to get piling done and so now constructing the building was pushed because piling
STEMGuyana equips future... From page 11 Founded eight years ago, STEMGuyana is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to providing holistic support to students and educators alike. Through its online learning platform, K12ed, the organization offers detailed tutoring in Math, English, and Science for grades one through ten, along with technology classes, competitions, community events, a television show, and international exchange programmes. With a steadfast commitment to parental and student satisfaction, cultural transformation, and fostering global connectivity, STEMGuyana continues to pave the way for a future where Guyanese youths emerge as leaders in the dynamic realm of STEM. As the organization embarks on this groundbreaking journey, the possibilities for innovation and progress are boundless, setting the stage for a brighter, more technologically empowered tomorrow.
was an issue.” The switch to piling would have prompted the temporary cease work order of the project back in March 2018. An engineer from the RDC, Gavin Clarke had clarified at the meeting that when they had ordered the temporary cease work order in 2018, a recommencement order was given to the contractor for the project to be restarted. This occurred on January 31, 2019. Having been given a new commencement date, Clarke said the revised completion date was set for January 18, 2021. Clarke went onto to state that with January 31, 2021 being the revised completion date, the letter of termination was issued to the contractor in April 2021. He explained that in April 2021, upon examination of the works, only 12 percent of the works were done. The current REO, Dwight John, in his remarks on Monday said that the contract was terminated due to poor performance and the percentage of works completed at the time. Kaieteur News understands that after the termination of the contract in 2021, no other contract was awarded to complete the building. John told the PAC that he made proposals for funds to be set aside to complete the building in the 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 budgets but the government did not approve the proposals. It is unclear when this building would be completed. The need for a new administration building emerged from the lack of space to properly accommodate the staff, all the departments that fall within the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the deplorable state of the building. The current Regional Administration building a c c o m m o d a t e s approximately 85 staff as well as several RDC departments.
City Magistrate Rhondell Weever on Monday expressed hope that a three-time convict would change his life after he was spared by a virtual complainant. Magistrate Weever told 20-year-old Akeem Ali, known as ‘Beef Stew’, “I hope indeed you have changed”. Ali was before the court to answer an alleged robbery charge. He pleaded not guilty to the charge that alleged that he along with others robbed Shawn Adams on January 13, 2024 at Sussex Street, Albouystown of a pedal cycle valued $30,000 and $70,000 in cash. The charge also alleged that Ali, immediately after robbing Adams of his valuables, inflicted violence on him. However, the prosecutor told the court that Adams wished not to proceed with the matter and opted to settle the matter because Ali compensated him for the stolen items. During Monday’s hearing, it was disclosed that Ali was convicted trice for similar offences. Ali told the court that he was released from prison last September after serving time for Robbery Under Arms (RUA). He also told the court that he is trying to change his life and has a job as a
construction worker. “You son [referring to himself] come off everything, because you son want change right,” Ali said in court. In response, the Magistrate warned him sternly. She told him that not because he paid the victim for the stolen items means he would get off easily should he commit the crime again. “I hope indeed you have changed, and this is not a case where you would have committed the offence and you’re getting off scot-free because you can repay the virtual complainant for the items lost,” Magistrate Weever told Ali. She asked rhetorically, “You want to be a visitor to the court and a resident at the prison?” The matter was then dismissed.
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Solar light thief gets three months for not saying anything to Magistrate A 36-year-old man who stole a solar light from Merundoi Incorporated on January 19, 2024 was on Monday sentenced to three WANTED
VACANCY
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months imprisonment when he appeared before City Magistrate Rhondell Weever. Rackesh Arjune, who is no stranger to the law, was charged with Simple Larceny. Reports are that on the day in question he stole one solar light valued $18,000 from Lot 109 ‘E’ Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown. Arjune entered a guilty plea and when asked to respond to the charge he told the Magistrate, “I ain’t saying nothing.” On December 13, 2024 Arjune appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates Court, before Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus, who placed him on community service after he stole solar lights from Merundoi Incorporated on November 23, 2023. At that time, Arjune told the court that he stole the lights because he smokes drugs. Magistrate IsaacsMarcus placed him on community service from December to 15, 2023 to February 21, 2024. Magistrate Weever took Arjune’s community service into consideration along with the previous offence in determining his sentence.
Jailed: Rackesh Arjune
‘Hell rain-ing down’: Peo-ple in Rafah re-count hor-ror of Is-raeli raids (ALJAZEERA) At least 67 Palestinians were killed in Israeli air and sea attacks on Rafah early on Monday, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza. The Israeli army on the other hand says it rescued two captives from a house in Rafah’s Shaboura neighbourhood overnight. Meanwhile, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has stressed in a recent “situation report” that increased air raids in Rafah “have heightened fears which would further hamper overstretched humanitarian operations”.“Nearly 1.5 million people are in Rafah, six times the population in com-
parison with before 7 October,” the report said. In a social media post, Philippe Lazzarini, the agency’s commissioner-general, said that
each time Palestinians in Gaza are moved, “being told it will be a safer place, it has been proven the place was n o t s a f e ” .
GTU to fight Govt. in court over salary... From page 13 claims that the strike action is illegal. “The law requires that unions are engaged in collective bargaining and right there, there is a breach of the constitution by the government,” he said. “We are assured that strike was in keeping with all the protocols after the attempts to hold engagements between the Ministry of Education and the GTU were exhausted.” “In fact, the Ministry of Labour through its
Chief Labour Officer and Minister acted in an unprofessional manner by taking the side of the Ministry of Education rather that a neutral party, a mediator to resolve the issues between the two parties,” he said. As it relates to accusations by the government that the GTU lacks accountability of its finances, Lyte noted that this is an old strategy by the government to muzzle the union. The GTU President nonetheless stated that all its
financial records are audited by a private auditing firm and the reports are tabled at council meetings and conferences of the Union. “So, this will not work to not break us. We will continue to press forward until Government addresses our demands.” Since 2020, the GTU has been pushing for an across-the-board increase in salaries for teachers as part of a multi-year agreement. The proposal covers the years 2020 to 2023.
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Haller seals 2-1 Cup of Nations final win for Ivory Coast over Nigeria Ivory Coast’s Franck Kessie celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
ABIDJAN, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Sebastien Haller scored the winning goal nine minutes from the end as hosts Ivory Coast claimed a thirdAfrica Cup of Nations title with a 21 victory over Nigeria in the final at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Sunday. It was a triumph born from adversity as the Ivorians had scraped out of their group following two defeats, including a humiliating4-0loss to Equatorial Guinea, before finding their form in the knockout rounds with a never-say-die attitude that led them to the title. William Troost-Ekong’s header gave Nigeria a first-half lead as he rose to meet Samuel Chukwueze’s flick-on from a corner, but Franck Kessie equalised just past the hourmark after being left unmarked at the back post from a setpiece. The Ivorians had to come from behind several times in the tournament and did it again when Haller steered Simon Adingra’s cross into the net, much to the delight of his rookie coach Emerse Fae, who had
started the tournament as assistant to Frenchman JeanLouis Gasset, who was sacked after the pool stage. “It’s the power of the group and the mindset that put us through. We had some challenging moments but we rescued ourselves, although it wasn’t easy. The mental fortitude saw us restore our chances and do what we achieved today,” said Ivorian man of the match Adingra. Borussia Dortmund forward Haller was diagnosed with testicular cancer in July 2022 but beat the disease and has been a crucial player for the Ivorians, though he missed the start of the tournament with an ankle injury, playing his first game in the last-16 win over defending champions Senegal. His story epitomises the fight in the Ivorian side, who became the first home nation to lift the Cup of Nations since Egypt in 2006. All four of their previous continental finals had finished 0-0, with them winning on penalties in 1992 and 2015, both times against Ghana, and losing the other two. The home side controlled much
s
of this year’s final as Adingra was denied by a fine save from Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, before the visitors took the lead with their first effort on target on 38 minutes. Troost-Ekong headed into the net when Ademola Lookman’s corner was flicked on by Chukwueze and the Nigerian captain won the second ball
ahead of Serge Aurier. The hosts had an excellent chance to equalise early in the second half when the ball fell to Max Gradel in the box but his fierce shot was blocked by Calvin Bassey. Nwabali had to beat away a superb long-range shot from Adingra but from the resulting corner Ivory
Coast equalised when Kessie was left unmarked at the back post and headed into the net. It was the home side who pushed for the winner and came close when Haller attempted a spectacular overhead kick, but the ball flashed wide of goal. The tall striker did not have to wait long for his goal though as moments later he
steered Adingra’s whipped cross into the net to crown a fantastic story.“Our team had a fantastic tournament but today Ivory Coast was better,” Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro said. “Our team didn’t show our level. That’s the truth. It was not the same job as we did in the previous rounds.”
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‘One Guyana’ Jaguar and Harpy Eagle Conference finale
Colts close 2-1 in Jaguar final, Ravens lead Untouchables 1-0 T
hrilling doubleheader set the tone for an even more exciting end to the penultimate leg of the One Guyana Premier Basketball League contested on Saturday at the National Gymnasium. Fans were treated to solid performances by Bounty Colts and Kitty/Campbellville Ravens as competition moves closer to decide the final two teams to battle for the coveted League title. The first match of the evening saw Bounty Colts narrowly edge out Kobras 77-76 in a nail-biting Jaguar 3-match final. The victory marked a 2-1 series close for Bounty Colts, who took the first playoff game 66-51, only to face a determined Kobras side that fought back with a 78-73 win in game
two. Game three for the Bounty Colts was a mustwin clash, they initially took a 20-15 lead in the first quarter. However, Kobras, led by Travis Burnett and Carlos Edwards, clawed back to tie the scores at 35-35 by halftime. Colts regrouped during the break, gaining momentum in the third quarter and establishing an eight-point lead. The turning point came when Travis Burnett received a technical foul for unsportsmanlike conduct, providing Colts with a crucial advantage. Despite a spirited comeback attempt by Kobras, fueled by Elijah David and Carlos Edwards, Colts, led by Quaky Short and Thomas, managed to maintain a narrow lead. With three minutes left in the contest, David caught fire,
reducing a 10-point deficit to almost topple the conference leaders. However, Colts held on to secure a narrow 77-76 victory. The win propel Bounty Colts into the Jaguar conference finals against the undefeated Eagle’s next Saturday, with the winner advancing to face the best team in the Harpy Eagle Conference final for the coveted One Guyana League title. Meanwhile, the second match of the evening, Ravens faced off against Kwakwani Untouchables in the Harpy Eagle Conference final, emerging victorious with a 70-59 win in the first game of their 3-game series. Ravens’ point guard and captain, Dominic Vincente, along with Jude Corlette, played pivotal roles in their
‘One Guyana’ Premier Basketball League - Ravens, Colts close with wins in latest Jaguar and Harpy Eagle fixtures.
team’s comfortable victory. Despite a slow start, being down 11-9 at the end of the first period, Ravens found their rhythm in the second quarter, leading 32-27 at halftime. Jamal Gilkes was the leading scorer for Kwakwani
Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 to secure spot at Paris Olympics and eliminate archrival CARACAS (AP) — Brazil will not defend its Olympic men’s soccer title in London after losing 1-0 to its regional rival Argentina on Sunday. In the decisive South American Olympic qualifier, Luciano Gondou scored the winner for the Argentina under-23 team coached by Javier Mascherano. He headed a cross from Valentin Barco past goalkeeper Mycael in the 78th minute at the Brigido Iriarte Stadium in Caracas. Brazil won gold at men’s soccer in the Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo Olympics. S o u t h A m e r i c a ’s Olympic qualifying for men’s soccer offered two spots in Paris. Paraguay ended on the top of the table of the final group stage with seven points in three matches after its 2-0 win on Sunday against host Venezuela. The Paraguayan team, which didn’t have star players like its two bigger continental rivals, also beat Brazil to secure its spot for France. Argentina finished the
Argentina’s Luciano Gondou celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Brazil during South America’s under-23 pre-Olympic tournament soccer match at Brigido Iriarte stadium in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) tournament with five points, two more than Brazil, which only managed to beat Venezuela in the final stage. Argentina had the upper hand in the first half but the defensive stance of Brazil, coached by Ramon Menezes, didn’t help bring much emotion to the match. World Cup winner Thiago Almada hit the post in the 16th minute. Argentina’s Leandro
Brey made the best save of the game in the 61st, when substitute Gabriel Pec struck hard from close range. Brazil did not keep up the pressure, with striker Endrick once more playing below par. And then Gondou’s header made the difference between the two teams. “We deserved this. We didn’t lose a single match at the qualifying,” said Gondou, who scored four
goals in the tournament in Venezuela. “We suffered, we waited for this goal, but at the end we got it.” Brazil last failed to make the men’s soccer Olympic tournament in 2004. “It is a very bad feeling, we prepared well for this,” Brazil midfielder Andrey Santos said. “We struggled to keep the ball throughout the tournament. It didn’t go as we expected.” Argentina won the gold at men’s soccer at the games in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, with Lionel Messi leading the team in Beijing. Paraguay’s surprising spot in Paris came after Diego Gómez scored from the spot early in the second half and Marcelo Pérez pushed the ball with his head to an empty goal in the 75th minute after a bizarre mistake of the Venezuelan defense. Paraguay’s men’s soccer team has given the small South American nation one of its few medals in Olympic history; a silver in 2004 after losing the final against Argentina.
with 13 points, supported by Rayon Short with 10 points and Kadeem Dover with 8. N o t a b l y, K w a k w a n i ’s standout performer, Domair Gladstone, had a quieter night with 9 points. Ravens’ Corlette showcased an outstanding
performance, contributing a game-high 20 points. After their secondquarter dominance, Ravens never trailed again, securing an 11-point win to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three Harpy Eagle Conference finals.
Guyana Harpy Eagles fast bowler Ronsford Beaton suspended from bowling Isai Thorne to replace him... ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Ronsford Beaton, the Guyana Harpy Eagles fast bowler, was reported for a suspect bowling action during the ongoing West Indies Championship fourday first-class competition. Beaton’s action was cited by match officials during the first-round match between Guyana Harpy Eagles and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at the Conaree Cricket Centre in St. Kitts, which ended last Saturday. As part of the process, once a player is reported for a suspect bowlingaction,videofootagefrom the match in which the player was reported is provided to CWI. The video footage along with the written report is then sent to the CWI Bowling Review Group (BRG) and Loughborough University for analysis using an Opinion Report. On Sunday, Cricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed that the Opinion Report by the Independent Assessor at Loughborough University, has found Beaton’s bowling action to be illegal and, as such, he has been suspended from bowling in all West Indies international and regional matches with immediate effect. The assessment revealed
that Beaton’s deliveries exceeded the level of tolerance for extension of the elbow permitted under playing regulations. As per the International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations the suspension will also apply to all other domestic leagues worldwide. Beaton will remain suspended until such time as his action is found to be legal, either by an O p i n i o n R e p o r t from Loughborough University or by an independent analysis from an accredited ICC testing centre, in accordance with the CWI Regulations for Dealing with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions. Isai Thorne who returned from competing with the West Indies Men’s Under 19 team at the recently concluded ICC Men’s Under19 World Cup in South Africa, will replace Beaton in the Guyana Harpy Eagles squad. The Round 2 of matches i n t h e We s t I n d i e s Championship start on Wednesday 14 February. Guyana’s first-round match against Trinidad and Tobago was abandoned with no result due to seepage of water onto the pitch from 24 hours of persistent rainfall.
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Nathan Edward included as ICC announces U-19 World Cup Team of the Tournament SportsMax - Future stars hailing from five different nations including newlycrowned champions Australia comprise the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 Team of the Tournament, announced yesterday by the International Cricket Council. Australia captain Hugh Weibgen is given the honour of leading out the starstudded lineup, chosen by an esteemed panel of media, broadcast and ICC representatives. India enjoyed a resounding campaign leading up to Sunday’s final, and mark their impressive tournament with four names in the team. Champions Australia have three players included, South Africa have two names – including the Player of the Tournament Kwena Maphaka – while the West Indies and Pakistan each have one player feature. The selection panel consisted of commentary representatives Ian Bishop, Melinda Farrell and Abhinav M u k u n d , m e d i a representative Telford Vice, and ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley. T h e Te a m o f t h e Tournament for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup (in batting order): 1. Lhuan-dre Pretorius
(SA) (wk) - 287 runs at 57.40 2. Harry Dixon (AUS) 309 runs at 44.14 3. Musheer Khan (IND) – 360 runs at 60.00 4. Hugh Weibgen (AUS) (captain) - 304 runs at 50.66 5. Uday Saharan (IND) – 397 runs at 56.71 6. Sachin Dhas (IND) – 303 runs at 60.60 7. Nathan Edward (WI) – 101 runs at 50.50 and 11 wickets at 17.81 8. Callum Vidler (AUS) – 14 wickets at 11.71 9. Ubaid Shah (PAK) – 18 wickets at 12.38 10. Kwena Maphaka (SA) – 21 wickets at 9.71 11. Saumy Pandey (IND) – 18 wickets at 10.27 and 12. Jamie Dunk (SCO) – 263 runs at 65.75 South Africa’s Pretorius takes the gloves for this Team of the Tournament, and also heads up the batting order, after a series of impressive and explosive displays in the Proteas surge to the semi-final. The wicketkeeper batter hit three half-centuries towards the back end of the tournament, including an eye-catching 76 in the semifinal against India, and will be remembered for contributing heavily to his side’s fast starts, ending the U19 Men’s CWC with a strike rate of 94.09.
Australia’s Harry Dixon partners him atop the order after a superb tournament and some invaluable contributions in the knockout stages. Dixon remained resolute in the semi-final and final despite the challenges posed by bowling attacks of Pakistan and India, registering important runs atop the order in both, as well as their emphatic win over England in the Super Six stage. India’s Musheer Khan takes the number three spot as the only batter to register two centuries during the competition. Despite a subdued end to the tournament, Musheer displayed plenty of early promise, featuring a wide array of attacking shots, as well as an ability to pick up wickets with his probing left-arm spin. Captain Weibgen was instrumental to Australia’s fourth U19 Men’s CWC title, providing valuable runs and making intelligent on-field decisions that sparked another successful campaign. After a sensational match-winning century against rivals England on a difficult Kimberley pitch in the Super S i x s t a g e , We i b g e n continued to grow as a player and leader, eventually sealing the deal with victory
in Benoni inspired by his decision at the toss and with team selection. Top run-scorer for the event, Uday Saharan played a pivotal role in India’s dominance through to the final. Scoring consistently throughout the event and registering a century against Nepal, Saharan saved his best performance for the thrilling semi-final against South Africa, dragging India back from the brink of elimination with a vital 81 runs to seal their spot in the final. Saharan’s primary ally that day was Sachin Dhas, and the composed righthander also earns a place in the Team of the Tournament for his ability to relieve pressure situations, and the innovative and aggressive strokeplay that charactised India’s wins over Nepal (116 runs) and South Africa (96 runs). The West Indies made a promising start to the tournament, and could have progressed through to the semi-finals had their all-ornothing match against Australia not been washed out. All-rounder Nathan Edward was a standout performer for the side, in particular during their win against England in Potchefstroom, taking three wickets and hitting 49 in a
Nathan Edward of West Indies bowls during the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup South Africa 2024 Super Six match between Sri Lanka and West Indies at Diamond Oval on January 30, 2024 in Kimberley, South Africa. high-pressure chase. The four out and out bowlers in the side all found success in their respective sides. A u s t r a l i a ’s C a l l u m Vidler enjoyed plenty of pace and bounce on the South African surfaces, and posed a constant threat to batters throughout the competition. He starred in wins over England and Sri Lanka before his efforts in the semis and final included prized wickets with the new ball. Ubaid Shah was in scintillating form for Pakistan in the U19 Men’s CWC, spearheading their bowling attack and demonstrating lethal amounts of pace that produced vital wicket taking
spells in his side’s wins over New Zealand (three for 30) and Bangladesh (five for 44) in their run to the semi-final. Player of the Tournament Kwena Maphaka set the World Cup alight from day one. Searing pace and swing handed him his first of three five-wicket hauls in the dramatic win over West Indies on opening day, and the pacer never looked back, with stellar performances in wins over Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. Maphaka almost provided South Africa with another match-winning performance in the semifinal defeat against India, yet his pace, bounce and ability to take important wickets just saw the young Proteas fall short.
Kenyan marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum dies in road accident BBC Sport - The men’s marathon world record holder, Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum, 24, has died in a road accident in his home country. He was killed alongside h i s c o a c h , R w a n d a ’s Gervais Hakizimana, in a car on a road in western Kenya on Sunday. Kiptum made a breakthrough in 2023 as a rival to compatriot Eliud Kipchoge - one of the greatest marathon runners. Kiptum bettered K i p c h o g e ’s r e c o r d , clocking the 26.2 miles (42km) in two hours and 35 seconds in Chicago last October. The two athletes had
been named in Kenya’s provisional marathon team for the Paris Olympics later this year. Kipchoge said on X that the man who broke his record was a rising star who had “a whole life” ahead of him to achieve “incredible greatness”, offering condolences to his family. Also paying tribute, Kenya’s President William Ruto described Kiptum as an extraordinary sportsman who had left a mark on the world. ·Kiptum - the marathon runner destined for greatness ·Kiptum would have had ‘incredible career’ Farah
His father Samson Cheruiyot was distraught. “Kiptum was my only child, now he’s left me,” he told Kenya’s Citizen TV. “I don’t know what to say, I see his children will be looking to me and my child is gone... Now, who will help us raise his kids?” The road accident happened at about 23:00 local time (20:00 GMT) on Sunday. Giving details of the crash, police said Kiptum was driving and had “lost control [of the vehicle] and veered off-road entering into a ditch on his left side”. “He drove in the ditch for about 60 metres before
hitting a big tree,” a police statement said. K i p t u m a n d Hakizimana died at the site of a collision. A third person - a young woman was seriously injured and taken to hospital for treatment. Just last week, Kiptum’s team announced that he would attempt to run the marathon in under two hours in Rotterdam in April - a feat that has never been achieved in open competition. The rise to fame for the father-of-two had been rapid - he only competed in his first full marathon in 2022. He made an instant impact as he ran the then
fourth fastest time on record (2:01:53) t o w i n t h e Va l e n c i a M a r a t h o n before setting a course record of 2:01:25 at the London Marathon in April 2023. Six months later, in just his third marathon, Kiptum took 34 seconds off the world rec o r d t i m e i n Chicago in his final race. He had already honed a distinct tactical approach that saw him run with the pack for 30km before upping the pace and going out on his own for the remainder of the race. Kiptum entered his first major competition in 2018, running in borrowed shoes
because he could not afford a pair of his own. He was among a new crop of Kenyan athletes who began their careers on the road, breaking away from the past tradition of athletes starting on the track before switching to longer distances. Kiptum told the BBC last year that his unusual choice was simply determined by a lack of resources. “I had no money to travel to track sessions,” he explained. People have gathered outside the hospital in the Rift Valley town of Eldoret where his body has been taken.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday February 13, 2024
PAGE 23
GFF host social media mastery workshop for Elite League Clubs Participants at the GFF social media workshop last Saturday.
Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Saturday hosted a social media workshop with representatives of the ten Elite League clubs aimed at bolstering their brand management strategies in readiness for the Season Six set to commence on February 25. The interactive session was held on February 10 at the Guyana Olympic Association, Greater Georgetown Headquarters, and attended by a total of thirteen (13) representatives from reigning league champions Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Police Force, Den Amstel, Fruta Conquerors, Santos, Ann’s Grove, Buxton United, and recently promoted Monedderlust and Slingerz football clubs. Facilitated by Martin Massiah, the one-day training programme
imparted valuable insights into sports marketing with a focus on social media brand m a n a g e m e n t , merchandising, effective use of artificial intelligence and football culture. GFF First Vice President Brigadier General (Ret) Bruce Lovell said the day provided an excellent opportunity for the clubs to learn how to strategically position their brands to attract more followers locally and internationally, as well as potential corporate support. “It was an excellent workshop that we hope will have a significant positive impact on clubs increasing their visibility by understanding and managing their brands better in order to grow their fans and attract more sponsors.” “The information has been disseminated, the onus now lies on each
representative to execute the steps, effect essential changes in their social media strategies, and seize the opportunity to increase visibility by strategically using social media platforms,” Lovell added.
COP Hicken supports Mashramani Street-Style football C/ship Commissioner of Police (COP), Clifton Hicken yesterday trumped up support for the muchanticipated Mashramani Street Football Championship slated for this Sunday from 6:30pm at the National Park as stakeholder backing for the event continues to build. Coordinator of the event, Edison Jefford thanked the Commissioner for his unwavering support for grassroots and communitytype sports. Jefford said that Hicken has a history of supporting such initiatives and is a pioneer of such formats of sports that results in positive community results. “The Commissioner, b e f o r e h e w a s C o m m i s s i o n e r, a s a Commander of ‘A’ Division and even before, conceptualised and supported many community-based sports activities, including Street Football. Mr. Hicken, therefore, is no stranger to positive community-based initiatives like these,” Jefford said, adding that he
COP, Clifton Hicken (right) hands over his support for the Mash Street Football Championships to Edison Jefford yesterday. has worked on these projects with Hicken before and he k n o w s t h a t t h e Commissioner has a vision. The event this Sunday will feature 16 of the best teams facing off in an ultimate showdown and right to be called “the best of the best”. A total of $1 million will be split among the top four teams of the competition, which makes it a historic giveaway in one night. Jefford promised a pulsating night of sports and
entertainment in a fully safe and secured environment. The Mashramani Street Football Championship is one of the most highly anticipated events on the Calendar for this format of the sport. The event was last held in 2022 and easily became one of the biggest street football events the country has ever seen. The showdown among 16 of the best teams in the country this Sunday at the National Park promises to be no different.
Facilitator Massiah noted that there was a significant level of engagement throughout the day with “every single club…actively participating in sharing ideas.”
He added that the workshop also covered both the weaknesses and strengths of the clubs and provided participants with “a clear road map that each club can use for their own unique
marketing strategies. All of these things were tailored for each club.” Diarra Thomas of Fruta Conquerors shared that he now has insightful ideas on (Continued on page 25)
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Isai Thorne (CWI)
Guyana Harpy Eagles fast bowler Ronsford Beaton suspended from bowling
Ronsford Beaton
Isai Thorne to replace him...
Haller seals 2-1 Cup of Nations final win for Ivory Coast over Nigeria
Ivory Coast players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Africa Cup of Nations. (REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko) Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.