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The third match of the Global Super League saw another close encounter between home favourites Guyana Amazon Warriors and Victoria.

With four balls remaining, the Australian side came out on top by four wickets.

Corey Anderson won the toss for the visiting side and he decided to stick the opposition in and field first in Providence.

That looked a brave decision as Moeen Ali set about the bowling to lay the foundations for a sizeable score.

Jackson Smith removed Roston Chase at the end of the third over but that was the only success for the home side before Ali departed for a typically eye-catching half century at the end of the tenth over.

Smith again doing the business and splattering the stumps.

Shai Hope made 40 and Hassan Khan 25 as the Warriors hauled their way to a competitive total of 162/6. It proved not to be enough.

There was tight bowling from Imran Tahir and his side looked to have put the home side in command and at 69/4 after nine overs the match looked to have swung decisively towards the Warriors on home turf and in front of a loyal crowd.

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA – NOVEMBER 29: Moeen Ali of Guyana Amazon Warriors bats during the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League T20 match between Guyana Amazon Warriors and Victoria at Providence Stadium on November 29, 2024 in Georgetown, Guyana. (Photo by Ashley Allen – GSLT20/Global Super League via Getty Images)

A few overs later there was a feeling of disbelief as Victoria rallied with some late order hitting, keeper Scott Edwards and eventual Player of the Match, Karima Gore, showed real composure and no little skill in chasing down the target.

Edwards fell with the job not done entirely, Tanzim Hasan Sakib scudding one past his defences to bowl him, but Gore held his nerve and together with Dominic Drakes they got their side home in the final over.

Indeed, the job was done in some style with both men finding the boundary exactly when they needed to.

With six runs needed off the final six deliveries, Gore sent Dwayne Pretorious to the boundary twice inside the first three balls to seal the win.

All sides have all now got their GLS campaigns underway and Victoria sit at the top of the table after an ice-veined start to their campaign. (GSLT20)

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By Danielle Swain

danielle@newsroom.gy

In the brightly lit corridors of the convention centre in Baku, Azerbaijan, a senior Caribbean climate negotiator paused, coffee in hand, and promised a blunt assessment of this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP29. That candid evaluation would come almost a week later, delivered over Google Meet. “At the end of the day, the decision was not quite what anybody really wanted,” the negotiator said. “But it’s not a surprise, given the circumstances we’re in.”

President-elect Donald Trump gestures to supporters at an election night watch party in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Nov. 6, 2024. The New York Times reported on Nov.8 that Trump’s transition team is preparing executive orders to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

As the dust settles on COP29, Caribbean nations confront a sobering reality: progress on climate finance remains painfully slow, and the ambitious goals many had hoped for seem more distant than ever.

From the hard-won freedom of the Haitian Revolution to Bob Marley’s revolutionary reggae, the Caribbean has long been the ‘lil axe for the big global tree’. Thinkers like Walter Rodney have challenged colonial narratives, while athletes like Bolt, Alfred, Lara and Chanderpaul have captivated the world with record-breaking feats. Even Rihanna has transformed her pop stardom into an international business empire. For a region that comprises just 1 per cent of the world’s population, the Caribbean has consistently shaped global culture and discourse.

Yet despite their outsized influence, Caribbean nations face immense challenges in climate change negotiations. The impacts of global warming are not abstract threats but daily realities: rising sea levels, intensified hurricanes, and the salinisation of freshwater resources.

One of the most contentious issues at COP29 was the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance, a framework intended to mobilise funding to help developing countries mitigate and adapt to climate change. Developing nations had proposed a figure of $1.3 trillion a year, a sum that “still doesn’t really get the job done,” the negotiator, who didn’t want his name published, noted. This amount would only limit global warming to 2.7 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, far from the 1.5-degree target crucial for vulnerable nations like those in the Caribbean.

However, negotiations concluded with a commitment of only $300 billion a year by 2035.

Cedric Schuster, Samoa’s Minister and AOSIS Chair, at COP29 Closing Plenary:”We had more hope that the process would protect the most vulnerable.” (AOSIS)

The timeline of the agreement also drew criticism. With a 2035 deadline and no obligations to increase funding between 2025 and 2035, there is fear that developed nations could delay meaningful contributions. “They can just simply meet the goal in 2035 and say, ‘So we met it,’ but there’s no ramping up, which is what I think a lot of people would like,” the negotiator said.

On the topic of expanding the base of contributors, the negotiator cautioned against shifting financial burdens onto developing countries that are beginning to build wealth from industries such as oil and gas. “Depending on the indices you use, countries such as Guyana or Barbados or Trinidad or the Bahamas can very quickly find themselves on a list of countries expected to contribute. And we have to be very careful in that,” they said. The negotiator pointed out that China, though often depicted as a climate villain, is already the largest provider of voluntary climate finance globally.

ExxonMobil Guyana’s Liza Unity FPSO vessel operating in Guyana’s Stabroek Block, where ExxonMobil and its co-venturers Hess and CNOOC announced in November reaching a milestone of 500 million barrels of oil produced from the offshore block. (Exxon Mobil Guyana)

There was, however, a silver lining in the final agreement: recognition of the need to reform the global financial architecture to address barriers such as high capital costs and the unsustainable debt levels of developing countries. While such provisions are a step in the right direction, the negotiator noted a lack of specific measures or timelines. “It references removing these barriers, supporting calls made through initiatives like the Bridgetown Initiative, spearheaded by Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley, to make financing more accessible for developing nations,” they said.

For the Caribbean and other vulnerable nations, this financial reform could be crucial. The consequences of a deal that doesn’t adequately support developing nations are dire. Climate change is not a distant threat in the Caribbean; it is a lived reality. “The cost of every project goes up because you have to put climate resilience into it,” the negotiator said. “Maintenance for the seawall, for instance, is going to go up. Maintenance costs for the roads, the overall construction cost for a road, a bridge, a hospital, a port—any of those things.”

Insurance, once a safety net, has become a luxury many cannot afford. “Every time we’re hit, or given the fact that the U.S. is hit multiple times a year, all of the insurance costs go up for the entire region,” they noted. “When you’re a small, poor country, affording that insurance is a problem.”

BREAKING: Hurricane Beryl upgraded to a category 5 hurricane with 161 mph winds.

This is nearly unheard of this early in the season. pic.twitter.com/s2KxELwaEM

— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) July 2, 2024

Loss and Damage

Loss and Damage, a critical issue for Caribbean nations, was addressed during the “Caribbean Rising” panel at the CARICOM Pavilion in Baku, but with limited optimism. Sasha Jattansingh, a Loss and Damage specialist, called for a human rights-based and climate justice approach to operationalising the fund. She emphasised that access to the Loss and Damage fund must be flexible and timely. “We have to look at access, and also ensuring that the funds have to be climate concessional and grant-based because every time we have any sort of hurricane or major flooding, we have to deal with debt incurred,” Jattansingh said during the panel discussion. “It shouldn’t take three or four years to get the monies. What will happen? Three or four hurricanes hitting us year after year. It has to be responsive to our needs and flexible.”

Despite the difficulties with insurance, regional innovations offer potential solutions. The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) has pioneered parametric insurance, delivering payouts within days of disasters. Yet its scope is limited. With support from the Loss and Damage mechanism, CCRIF could expand, providing a safety net for vulnerable sectors like fisheries and tourism.

No Climate Justice = Climate Migration

“The problem is most developed countries are concerned about a migration issue,” asserted Rochelle Newbold of the Bahamas during the same event. “If you make the situation so egregious for persons to not be able to thrive in the countries that they are in, they are going to move. They are going to go someplace else where they think it’s greener and better. And with all the steps that you’re taking to try to prevent that, you’re gonna find these people on your doorstep whether you like it or not.”

From Left to Right: Participants from the CARICOM Pavillion Side Event for Enhanced Loss and Damage Response: Rochelle Newbold, Director of Climate Change & Environmental Advisory Unit, Bahamas, Rueanna Haynes, Director, Climate Analytics Caribbean, Kevin Hope, Debt Management Consultant, Climate Analytics Caribbean, Sasha Jattansingh, Loss And Damage Expert, Climate Analytics Caribbean and David Maslo, Chief Risk Management Officer, CCRIF SPC

COP29’s Breakthrough on Article 6

Amid the frustrations, COP29 did see significant progress on Article 6.4, which outlines how international carbon crediting projects will work. Yalchin Rafiyev, COP29’s lead negotiator, announced that consensus was reached on the standards for Article 6.4 and a dynamic mechanism to update them. This development is a “game-changing tool to direct resources to the developing world and help us save up to $250 billion a year when implementing our climate plans,” Rafiyev stated.

Simon Stiell, the United Nations Climate Change Executive Secretary, emphasized the importance of this agreement: “When operational, these carbon markets will help countries implement their climate plans faster and cheaper, driving down emissions.”

What this means for Guyana

With the compliance market closer to becoming a reality, Guyana stands to benefit significantly. “The decision made at COP29 means that Guyana can now move to that Phase 3 of the work we had set out since 2009,” said Pradeepa Bholanath, a climate economist from Guyana, in an interview with the News Room. “From a financial standpoint, this will mean that the market will have a stronger framework, more buyer interest, potentially higher prices, and more expansive demand.”

In practical terms, this could translate into billions of dollars for Guyana. The country has already engaged in the voluntary carbon market, selling a third of its carbon credits for a minimum of $750 million. “Now, it’s no longer the voluntary market but the compliance market,” she said. “It will mean more buyers getting involved, more sellers getting involved, and it will mean that the price level could potentially go up.”

Baku to Belém: What to expect at COP30

Heading into COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the Caribbean faces the daunting task of pushing for more ambitious outcomes in an increasingly polarised space. Article 2.1(c) of the Paris Agreement, is set to be finalised and aims to align financial flows with low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development. This means the battle is far from over.

“For us, it’s not just about mitigation,” the negotiator remarked. “It’s about climate-resilient development—building hospitals, roads, and seawalls that keep us safe. These are critical to our survival, but they also come with high emissions footprints.”

The negotiator expressed scepticism about the “Baku to Belém roadmap,” meant to guide efforts until the next COP in Brazil. “Honestly, from my perspective, it doesn’t have a clear structure and there’s no accountability,” they said. “I’m not very confident that it’s going to provide what it is we really want.”

Belém holds a technical meeting to prepare for COP 30. (Marco Santos / Pará Agency)

Despite the frustrations and seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the negotiator remains committed.

They also highlighted the complexities within climate negotiations. “It’s not just simply a line—all developing countries good and all developed countries bad. We have our own internal wranglings; we don’t always all see eye to eye,” they said, emphasizing the nuance often lost in these discussions.

The urgency of focusing on the most vulnerable was a recurring theme. “A country and a region is only as resilient as its most vulnerable people,” the negotiator concluded. “At the end of the day, it’s about people and it’s about ecosystems. It’s putting people and ecosystems first.”

Hurricane Beryl left devastation in its wake, destroying over 90% of buildings in parts of Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) (Lucanus Ollivierre/AP)

The Caribbean: A fragile but unyielding resolve

Despite the setbacks, there is hope, particularly in the solidarity that exists within the Caribbean. The negotiator praised regional leaders, including Prime Minister Mottley of Barbados and President Irfaan Ali of Guyana, for their determined advocacy. “We may only be 1 percent of the world’s population, but that 1 percent matters,” they said, a reminder of the Caribbean’s fragile yet unyielding resolve in the face of climate uncertainty.

Just as the steelpan rose from industrial waste to become a symbol of ingenuity and unity, Caribbean nations continue to rise from the wreckage of storms and global politics. They are crafting a narrative where the smallest voices demand the biggest changes—and are determined to achieve them.

(Published as part of Climate Tracker COP29 Caribbean Reporting Fellowship)

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Leading sprinters Emanuel Archibald and Jasmine Abrams won the respective Senior Sportsman and Sportswoman-of-the-Year for 2023 accolades when the National Sports Commission (NSC) awards were hosted at Castellani House on Thursday evening.

Archibald’s highlight in 2023 was becoming the first Guyanese athlete to secure a gold medal in the 100m event at the Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador. Later, he won bronze at the Pan American Games in Chile.

Fellow Track compatriot Jasmine Abrams won silver in the 100m at the aforementioned Pan-Am Games, one of the standout performances of the 2023 season.

France-based Guyanese powerlifter Dominic Tyrell was the runner-up in the male category, while female chess champion Jessica Callender was the runner-up in the female category.

2023 Junior Sportswoman-of-the-Year Tianna Springer collects her award from Chairman of the National Sports Commission Kashif Muhammad (PHOTO: News Room/Avidesh Narine/November 28, 2024)

On the junior side, the phenomenal sprinter Tianna Springer won the Junior Sportswoman-of-the-Year award after a blistering year. She won gold in the 400M at the CARIFTA Games, South America U-20, and Commonwealth Youth Games.

To little surprise, impressive swimmer Raekwon Noel was the Junior Sportsman-of-the-Year, winning an unprecedented five gold medals at the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships. Some of those gold medal performances also shattered records.

The officials and athletes of the Athletics Association of Guyana won most of the awards, a testament to their outstanding 2023 season.

ENet, Guyana’s industry-defining telecommunications provider, was voted the lead corporate sponsor (large) in the corporate awards. Avenash Ramzan collects the award on behalf of ENet from NSC Commissioner Chateram Ramdihal (PHOTO: News Room/Avidesh Narine/November 28, 2024)

ENet, Guyana’s industry-defining telecommunications provider, was voted the lead corporate sponsor (large) in the corporate awards, while MVP Sports (medium) and Trophy Stall (small) received other sponsor awards.

Additionally, News Room’s Sports Editor, Avenash Ramzan, won the Award for Best  Broadcast Journalist, while  Editor  Akeem Greene got the award for Best Non-Print Journalist.

Jemima Holmes of Times Media Group won the award for Print.

News Room’s Sport Editor Avenash Ramzan won the award for Best Broadcast Journalist for 2023, while Editor Akeem Greene copped the award for Best Non-Print Journalist (PHOTO: News Room/Avidesh Narine/November 28, 2024)

 List of Awardees:

Senior Sportsman-of-the-Year: Emanuel Archibald (Athletics)

Runner-up: Dominic Tyrell (Powerlifting)

Senior Sportswoman-of-the-Year: Jasmine Abrams (Athletics)

Runner-up: Jessica Callender (Chess)

Junior Sportsman-of-the-Year: Raekwon Noel (Swimming)

Runner-up: Malachi Austin (Athletics)

Junior Sportswoman-of-the-Year: Tianna Springer (Athletics)

Runner-up: Kataleya Sam (Chess)

Sportsman (PWD): Uttamkumar Isurdeen (Athletics)

Sportswoman (PWD): Anya Lall (Chess)

Male Coach-of-the-Year: Mark Scott (Athletics)

Female Coach-of-the-Year: Tremayne Smartt (Cricket)

Team-of-the-Year: Youth Commonwealth 4x400m Mixed Relay Team (Athletics).

Association-of-the-Year: Athletics Association of Guyana

Male Sport Official-of-the-Year: Reon King (cricket)

Female Sport Official-of-the-Year: Kenisha Headley (Athletics)

Sport Journalist (Print): Jemima Holmes (Guyana Times)

Sport Journalist (Broadcast): Avenash Ramzan (News Room)

Sport Journalist (Non-Print): Akeem Greene (News Room)

Corporate Sponsor (Small): Trophy Stall

Corporate Sponsor (Medium): MVP Sports

Corporate Sponsor (Large): ENet

Posthumous Award: Terence Poole, M.S.

Special Award for Service in Sport Journalism (over 25 years) – Claude David (Kaieteur News), Donald Duff (Stabroek News), and Leon Horatio (Guyana Chronicle)

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By Isanella Patoir

isanella@newsroom.gy 

Several new adventures and tours for thrill-seekers and nature lovers were launched on Thursday at the Herdmanston Lodge in Georgetown.

These thrilling tour packages, designed to immerse visitors in nature, culture, and history, allow people to embark on unforgettable adventures across Guyana’s pristine landscapes.

From jungle survival expeditions to cultural tours and wildlife safaris, the new tours offer it all.

Survival Adventure in Rockstone by The Wild Tales

This is a 2–4 day jungle expedition in Rockstone, a village located in Region Ten. Persons can dive into survival skills, encounter wildlife in Guyana, and explore the forest while enjoying fascinating storytelling about the Rockstone Poison Dart Frog, a plane wreck, and more.

A similar Essequibo River tour is also being offered by The Wild Tales.

Rupununi Extreme Four-Day Tours by Touring Guyana

This experience takes you into the heart of Guyana’s rainforest with a 4-day adventure featuring outdoor activities, cultural immersion, and breathtaking scenery.

Highlights include visits to Manari Ranch, horseback riding, hiking, camping, stargazing, bonfires, and shopping – all with inclusive meals.

Atta Lodge’s Guyana Biking Adventure Tour

Overnight guests at the Atta Lodge in Region Nine can now enjoy complimentary biking adventures on scenic trails. Day trippers will be charged a small fee, discovering the beauty surrounding Atta Lodge at their own pace.

Wanderlust Adventures GY Jonestown Memorial Tour

This tour combines history, culture, and natural beauty. Persons can explore the haunting legacy of Jonestown, engage with local residents at the Port Kaituma Market, and hear firsthand accounts from a witness of the tragic event.

Patamona Tours Kato Hiking and ATV Experience

This 2–3 night all-inclusive package blends relaxation and adventure. Activities include hikes to waterfalls, river tubing, target practice, birdwatching, sunset views, and campfire dinners.

Adventure Guianas Jaguar Tour

For a period of 3 days and 2 nights, persons can traverse the Essequibo, Rupununi, and Rewa Rivers to discover the traditions of the Machushi Tribe and observe stunning wildlife, including the jaguar and various bird species. The journey spans the South Pakaraima Mountains and Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve.

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Kamrul Baksh lauded the introduction of these products, emphasising the importance of innovation in the growing tourism sector.

“Those will certainly add value to our spectrum of experiences that we now offer at Destination Guyana,” Baksh said as he noted that accessibility to these destinations has improved and encouraged operators to maintain the highest of standards.

“One of the things I want to call and urge operators to do is continue to raise that bar of service,” Baksh said.

He also called for operators to ensure the products are properly marketed and urged operators with potential products to reach out to the GTA.

“Operators if you have any other ideas in any region, let us know and the entire team so that we can continue to co invest with you in assessments, in training and whatever is necessary to bring more solid products for visitors to enjoy.”

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Guyana’s Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday rejected calls for opposition and civil society representation on the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), accusing opposition parties of adopting an obstructionist approach that he said would stall government progress.

Speaking at a press conference, Jagdeo argued that including opposition figures in executive decision-making would undermine the government’s efficiency.

“We live in a democracy,” Jagdeo said. “But do you think President [Donald] Trump would appoint someone to manage his executive functions who has a track record of negativity and delays? A leader must choose individuals who align with their efforts, not those who hinder progress.”

Jagdeo criticised the opposition for what he described as a strategy of consistent blocking and delay. “Their entire approach is focused on obstruction. What seems like a normal decision now takes forever when the opposition is involved,” he said.

Despite criticism over delays in government projects, Jagdeo highlighted progress under the current administration, pointing to the improvement of over 3,000 community roads through smaller contractors as evidence of the government’s achievements.

He dismissed claims that the government was failing to engage experts for key contracts.

“You want us to do in this country what has never been done anywhere in the world, with an opposition that is not even technically capable of contributing meaningfully,” Jagdeo said.

“They miss the big picture every time.”

The Vice President signaled that the government remains open to collaboration with the opposition under different circumstances.

“We will work with the opposition in the future if they change their attitude,” he said.

“But this blocking strategy won’t fly with us.”

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Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, at his weekly press conference on Thursday, said opposition leaders, specifically Nigel Hughes of the Alliance for Change (AFC) and Aubrey Norton of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), must answer for repeated false utterances that go unchecked.

“These people are hiding from scrutiny,” Jagdeo said.

“They have been running away from questions, dodging the press.

“While we show up every Thursday, whether the week is tough or easy, and answer questions directly, they have resorted to creating fake links and livestreaming their events after the fact just to avoid being put under pressure,” Jagdeo noted.

He accused them of using these tactics to shield themselves from tough questions that might expose inconsistencies in their narrative.

Jagdeo focused on claims by Hughes that Afro-Guyanese men disappeared during the tenure of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) when Jagdeo held the presidency.

“This is a blatant lie,” Jagdeo declared.

“And yet, he repeats it in 2024, as if it’s some truth.”

He condemned Hughes and his party for continuing to perpetuate such falsehoods, which Jagdeo argued are designed to divide the nation.

Jagdeo who referenced a Stabroek News article said he hopes the media would hold Hughes accountable the next time he faced the press.

“I hope they confront him with the article, because he’s prone to stretch the truth in a very dishonest manner,” Jagdeo asserted.

He didn’t stop there, Jagdeo also criticized Hughes for repeatedly misinterpreting basic democratic principles, particularly the concept of a majority.

The Vice President was quick to point out that the matter had already been settled at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

“The public deserves the truth, and it’s time for these leaders to face the reality of their lies,” Jagdeo added.

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Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has again assured that public servants will receive retroactive salary increases in their December pay.

During a press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo clarified that the salary increases, which will be retroactive to January 1, will be included in the December pay package for public servants.

“Salary increases would be a given to public servants, and it will be before the end of the year, most likely in their December pay,” Jagdeo stated.

In addition to the retroactive salary increases, Jagdeo also confirmed that public servants would receive a one-off cash grant of $100,000 before the end of the year, further easing the financial burden for workers.

This assurance follows last year’s 6.5 percent across-the-board salary increase provided by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government for public servants, teachers, members of the disciplined services, constitutional officeholders, and government pensioners.

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Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday provided further details on the progress of the $100,000 cash grant distribution, reassuring that the process will continue through December and into January/February 2025.

The initiative aims to provide every adult Guyanese with the cash grant.

Jagdeo explained that the new system, developed by the Ministry of Finance, can process up to 10,000 cheques per day. By the close of December, approximately 300,000 checks will be issued.

Efforts are focused on prioritizing public servants and pensioners, with a goal of distributing their cheques before the year’s end.

However, Jagdeo acknowledged that not everyone will receive the grant before Christmas, and some may receive theirs in early 2024.

The government is working to ensure a smooth distribution by using a separate system, scrutinized by the Auditor General, to prevent fraud and ensure that only registered recipients are able to collect cheques.

As of now, a total of $30.5 billion has been allocated for the initiative, with plans to appropriate additional funds for remaining citizens once the national budget is passed in February 2025.

Looking ahead, Jagdeo noted that future cash grants would be distributed more efficiently with the establishment of a comprehensive database during this registration process which simplifies the process of verifying and processing recipients.

Jagdeo also briefly touched on Guyana’s model for managing oil revenue, highlighting its focus on ensuring that citizens directly benefit from the nation’s growing wealth.

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The U.S. Export-Import (EXIM) Bank’s board has approved a loan to support Guyana’s ambitious Gas to Energy project, an initiative expected to bolster the country’s energy infrastructure and economic growth.

This was announced by Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday.

The approval has to go to the U.S. congress and then it will return to the U.S. EXIM Bank for final approval.

“That is where we stand at this point,” the Vice President told reporters.

Although the loan amount approved is less than the full US$660 million requested by Guyana, it is expected to exceed US$500 million, covering exports originating from the United States.

The funding will also include retroactive financing, which will allow the government to recoup costs it has already incurred since the project began.

This development comes on the heels of a September visit to the United States by Dr. Ashni Singh, Senior Minister in the Office of the President. During this visit, Dr. Singh engaged with key officials from the EXIM Bank to discuss the project’s financing and ensure continued support.

The Gas to Energy project, located in Wales on the West Bank Demerara (WBD), is progressing despite some setbacks in securing the full $660 million loan. The government of Guyana has committed to advancing the project, allocating $400 million from its own resources to ensure its momentum.

Guyana’s efforts to secure support from EXIM Bank have been ongoing for some time. This loan is seen as a vital step in realizing the full potential of the Gas to Energy project.

The project is expected to generate a reliable energy source for the country, cutting current costs by half. With the financing now in place, Jagdeo is optimistic about the project’s continued progress and its long-term impact.

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By Sharda Bacchus

Shardabacchus@newsroom.gy 

After overcoming numerous challenges, the newly rehabilitated $688 million Eteringbang airstrip in Region Seven has been completed and officially named in honour of the late Brigadier Gary Beaton.

Now known as the Brigadier Gary Beaton Aerodrome, this state-of-the-art facility is designed to withstand all weather conditions and ensure 24-hour accessibility.

Serving as a critical transportation link between Guyana and Venezuela, the aerodrome is capable of accommodating all local aircraft, except the Beechcraft. This vital project was initially started under the guidance of Brigadier (Ret’d) Beaton, who served as a Government Projects Engineer.

To pay tribute to his unwavering service and dedication, the aerodrome was officially opened and renamed on Thursday by President Dr. Irfaan Ali – Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

Now known as the Brigadier Gary Beaton Aerodrome, this state-of-the-art facility is designed to withstand all weather conditions and ensure 24-hour accessibility (Photo: News Room/ November 28, 2024)

The ceremony was attended by a host of distinguished guests, including the widow of Brigadier (Ret’d) Beaton, Member of Parliament Jennifer Westford.

In his address, President Ali highlighted the importance of the facility in transforming the community’s economic prospects.

“This facility will lead to many other developments in the community,” President Ali assured the gathered crowd.

“For years, this facility held back the community economically and in terms of infrastructure, simply because access was limited. Now, things will change.”

President Ali also urged residents to remember the sacrifices made by Brigadier Beaton and other servicemen who lost their lives on December 6, 2023.

“It is with great pride that we celebrate this commissioning today. We would have loved for Gary to be here physically, but his legacy lives on. The good book tells us that our works endure, and it is the work we do, the contributions we make, and the sacrifices we offer that keep us alive.”

The airstrip, which is constructed of laterite, had faced serious safety concerns over the years. Situated near the Guyana-Venezuela border, soldiers and engineers working on the project were confronted with a range of difficulties, from robberies to challenges in sourcing materials. In September 2022, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) began upgrading the airstrip to concrete pavement, allocating $214.5 million to the project. This upgrade covers approximately 2,100 feet of the runway, significantly enhancing safety and operational capacity.

Now known as the Brigadier Gary Beaton Aerodrome, this state-of-the-art facility is designed to withstand all weather conditions and ensure 24-hour accessibility (Photo: News Room/ November 28, 2024)

Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, emphasized the profound impact the new infrastructure will have on the region’s economy.

“With this upgrade, we are expecting an economic explosion in the region,” he said. “While we aimed to complete this project within a year, the numerous challenges delayed us. But today, we have something to be truly proud of.”

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, echoed similar sentiments, describing the aerodrome as a testament to resilience and vision.

“This is more than just an infrastructure upgrade; it is a reflection of Brigadier Beaton’s values, dedication, and foresight. As we dedicate this aerodrome in his honour, we remember that his legacy will leave an indelible mark on Guyana’s history and future.”

The completion of the Brigadier Gary Beaton Aerodrome marks not just the end of a challenging construction process, but the beginning of a new chapter for the region.

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