Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 01-03-2023

Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, has arrived in Guyana for a four-day Official Visit.

Dr. Gonsalves and President Dr. Irfaan Ali returned on the same flight from Brazil, on Tuesday afternoon. The two leaders were in Brasilia for Monday’s inauguration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (Office of the President photos)

Congratulations!

President Ali and top world leaders attend Lula’s inauguration

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Sunday, joined more than 60 regional and global leaders in Brasilia

the inauguration of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as the 39th President of the Federative Republic of Brazil.

President Lula previously served as President of Brazil between 2003 and 2011.

Guyana and Brazil established diplomatic relations in August 1968, and enjoy strong ties of friendship and co-operation.

President Ali, in early 2022, had listed several areas that are critical for both countries to move their relationship forward, including energy and food security, telecommunication, infrastructure integration and trade.

He also pointed out that due to their geographical locations, the two nations must make strong statements in linking their territories.

The Guyanese Head of State had said that in addition to oil and gas, expanding opportunities in the other non-oil natural resources sectors such as bauxite will create an opportunity for a direct link to northern Brazil and further afield that can “create an excellent platform for us to develop an integrated project.” (Office of the President photos)

Guyana’s First Family is growing! First Lady Arya Ali is pictured here with President Dr. Irfaan Ali and their first-born, Zayd. The First Lady, in a stunning Randy Madray design, showed off her baby bump in this New Year photoshoot. (Ameer Ali Sattaur photo)

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Guyana’s prosperity inevitable

GUYANA is poised for exciting times ahead, as the massive transformation of the country is set to continue in 2023, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) and the country’s Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, said in his New Year’s message.

The Vice-President related that the new year offers an opportune moment for reflection and recalibration to complete unfinished business, and also for a fresh start to launch new initiatives to further foster prosperity.

Reflecting on 2022, he related that, while there were many challenges like the Russia-Ukraine war and the COVID- 19 pandemic, the government was able to keep the country moving forward in line with the manifesto promises.

Among the successes achieved in 2022 on the infrastructure side, he said works have commenced on the new Demerara River Bridge while the Mandela Avenue to Diamond Highway is almost complete.

He added, too, that the Ogle to Eccles and Linden to Mabura highways have commenced, and funding for the new Soesdyke-Linden Highway has been secured.

Also well underway was the national energy master plan that is expected to cut costs in half, as the contract had already been signed for the Wales Gas to Shore project.

Along with that, the Vice-President highlighted that the country also achieved the

milestone of becoming the first country to have been issued carbon credits for successfully preventing forest loss and degradation.

He added: “Thousands of jobs have been created in every region, salary scales have been adjusted upwards and small business

loans and grants have benefitted thousands.”

Additionally, the government had embarked on a wide-ranging citizens’ empowerment programme through state-sponsored academic and professional scholarships and youth participation in governance. There was ICT and other skills training, socio-cultural investments and community-based enhancement drives.

Dr. Jagdeo related that all of that and more had been achieved under the competent leadership of President Dr. Irfaan Ali.

“With these overwhelming successes over the past year, our management of the new and emerging multi-dimensional economy, and the resolute positioning of our country among the global community of contemporary democracies, Guyana is poised for exciting times ahead,” he said.

To continue the transformation this year, the President announced that his government plans to step on the accelerator to complete its national transformative agenda.

He also said that the government will work towards completing major road transport works and even intensifying the country’s digital transformation, among many other things.

Norton facing allegations of racism, corrupt practices within PNCR

–– dodges the Guyana Chronicle

THE popular quote, “something is rotten in the Kingdom of Denmark” is a stark reminder of the state of affairs within the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).

Party Leader, Aubrey Norton, who oftentimes talks about inclusion at the national level, is facing strong accusations of turning a blind eye to the constant racial hostility faced by Indo-Guyanese within the party, among other things.

This was reflected in a letter written to the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) by former Treasurer, Faaiz Mursa -

line— an Indo-Guyanese.

Last December, Mursaline put the party on notice of his resignation which took effect on December 23. His announcement was made on the heels of the resignation of the party’s General Secretary, Geeta Chandan-Edmond— another Indo-Guyanese.

Mursaline recently penned a letter proffering the main reasons for his resignation. He stressed that his move had nothing to do with the dislike for his party which is predominantly made up of, and draws the bulk of its support from, Afro-Guyanese.

Despite the damning allegations, Norton, when

presented with an opportunity by the Guyana Chronicle to address the accusa-

tions, refused to engage our reporter.

In the letter seen by this newspaper, the former treasurer said that he was made to endure constant racial hostility at the hand of a party official whom he identified.

He wrote: “…the constant racial hostility from [name withheld] is just too much for me to handle and the Leader seems to not care.”

Further, Mursaline decried: “My friends, I am sorry to drop all of this but the pressure was just too much. I continue to love the PNCR with all my heart, but I cannot continue to serve under the

current circumstance. My apologies to all.”

Mursaline, in a tele -

phone interview with the Guyana Chronicle, confirmed that he wrote the letter, and corroborated the contents of the letter.

This publication understands that Mursaline is not the only one with deep concerns of racial disharmony in the party.

Another member of the CEC told Guyana Chronicle that “anyone who looks like me has to endure the wrath of [name withheld] while Norton turns a blind eye.”

Mursaline was elected as treasurer, at the party’s last election during the Biennial Congress in

Former PNCR Treasurer, Faaiz Mursaline

PNCR Leader and Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton

–– Vice-President Jagdeo says foundation set, new initiatives to be launched this year to advance development

Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo

Massive ‘infrastructural overhaul’ progresses rapidly

THE PPP/C Government built and maintained more than 180 bridges, and some 1,651 kilometres of roads along the coast and across the hinterland in 2022, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali.

In a recent virtual message, the President said this is part of the infrastructural overhaul which started when the government assumed office in August 2020. So far, a total of 351 bridges have been built in communities across Guyana, and from 2020 to the end of 2022, the government

has built and maintained more than 3,670 kilometres of roads in communities across the country.

“This gives you an idea of the magnitude of work that we have done at a national level,

at the community level, at the regional level, notwithstanding severe challenges with shortages of construction material, shortage of labour, and imported inflation,” President Ali said.

In the face of rising sea level, 1.8 kilometres of sea and river defences were maintained, while 5.4 kilometres of new sea defences were construct-

ed this year.

Additionally, works were contracted for four hinterland airstrips at Eteringbang, Ekereku and Kaieteur.

As a result of the investment in tourism, and the positioning of Guyana as an eco-tourism destination, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) alone has processed close to 658,000 passengers, which represents a 78 per cent increase in passenger movement.

At the Eugene F. Correira International Airport at Ogle, 26,928 passangers were processed.

This remarkable trend was also recorded at the Guyana-Suriname ferry service, as some 32,894 passengers were processed, a 338 increase when compared to 2021.

“This tells you of a country that is attractive; a country that people want to go to, and it tells you about a set of policies and measures that are bringing the results that are delivering the results for our country,” President Ali said.

Since assuming office, in just two years, three new carriers were added to the market, with two more expected to be added in 2023, President Ali revealed.

Similarly, President Ali spoke of the invest-

ment in the security sector, which has resulted in a decline, by 19.5 per cent, in serious crimes, and a detection rate for murder at an all-time high of 80 per cent.

“This is as a direct result of our investment in strong policies and good policing, and I must commend our men and women in uniform,” Dr. Ali said.

Similarly, significant investments have been made in the health and education sectors.

Last year, more than 196,000 children across the country benefitted from the $30,000 cash grant. All primary school children received textbooks, and the breakfast programme was expanded for all grade six students.

The largest cohort of trainee teachers admitted to the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) was also recorded.

In keeping with its campaign promise of distributing 50,000 house lots to Guyanese by 2025, the government allotted more than 20,000 lots by the end of 2022. (DPI)

The Mandela to Eccles Highway

President Dr. Irfaan Ali

Prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman

Award to be bestowed upon President Ali

PRESIDENT Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali will be bestowed, this month, with the highest honour conferred on Indians within the diaspora and has been invited as the Chief Guest at the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) for the year 2023.

The 17th PBSA will be conferred by the Honourable President of India as part of the upcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention (Indian Diaspora Day) to be held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, from 8-10 January 2023.

President Ali joins 26 other persons of Indian origin, non-resident Indians who the Government of India has recognised for their outstanding achievements both in India and abroad.

The Award will be con-

ferred during the valedictory session of the Convention on January 10, 2023.

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has been invited as the Chief Guest for the upcoming PBD Convention and will be travelling to India with a high-level delegation comprising both official and private sector representatives.

A Jury-cum-Awards Committee, with Hon’ble Vice-President of India as the Chairman, Hon’ble External Affairs Minister of India as the Vice-Chair and other distinguished members from various walks of life considered the nominations for the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards, 2023 and unanimously selected the awardees. The awardees represent the excellence achieved by the Indian Dias- pora

-

mittee for conferment of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2023.

High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr. K J Srinivasa, has officially congratulated President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, on being the recipient of the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, calling it a recognition of the outstanding contributions of President Ali to Guyana and his efforts to bring about the rapid and equitable development of Guyana.

High Commissioner also expressed hope that the upcoming visit of President Ali to India for the PBD 2023 and subsequent interactions with the top political hierarchy, including H.E. President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu, Hon. Prime Minister of

India, Shri Narendra Modi, Hon. External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar and other dignitaries, along with high-level interactions with the business/private sector of India especially pertaining to Agriculture, Agro-processing, Health, Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Information Technology and Energy sectors will provide the necessary impetus for further strengthening bilateral partnership between India and Guyana.

In his New Year’s message for 2023, High Commissioner, Dr. K J Srinivasa, called upon the Guyanese to work for the growth and success of Guyana and to play an active role in fulfilling “Guyana’s unique destiny”.

Opinion polls show PPP/C on towering path with increased support

THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has closed 2022 on a towering path with growing support, particularly in non-traditional bases, according to the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA).

According to a release from NACTA, general elections are not due until another two and a half years, but if those elections were to be held soon, the incumbent PPP/C is projected to gain a least an additional two seats in parliament.

“PPP is picking up support in urban and hinterland areas resulting in gain of a minimum additional two seats in next election. This is one finding of an ongoing tracking poll conducted by political scientist, Dr. Vishnu Bisram, for NACTA,” the association said.

The latest electoral projections were obtained from interviews in surveys conducted in December, November, October, and September of 2022, involving some 2,500 respondents who reflect the general demographics

of the population.

Earlier surveys conducted (under a similar confidence level of 95 per cent) in August, April, March, and January revealed similar trends in national findings – an increase in support for the PPP/C with loss of support for the opposition PNC/APNU+AFC.

According to NACTA: “Nobody should be surprised by this finding: The PPP is united and its ministers, MPs, and grassroots activists have gone all over the country, taking the government to the people, doling out handouts, while the coalition and the PNC itself seem divided over leadership and political strategies.

“The PPP/C’s gain is attributed primarily to the performance of the government and popularity of its three main political figures – President, Dr. Irfaan Ali; Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, and Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips -- and the unpopularity of the opposition and its political leader, Aubrey Norton.”

NACTA reported that PNC/ APNU+AFC base is not excited about its leader and by extension the electoral prospect of the party under his leadership; Norton has completed just one year as leader.

“The opposition is languishing under his leadership. Norton has virtually no support among certain sections of the population… Norton has gained no traction among the middle and upper-class traditional party supporters while on the job and is projected to take the party down to its worst defeat in local elections expected by this year,” the association reported.

Unlike for Norton, NACTA said PPP/C’s leader, Dr. Jagdeo, is highly popular in his party’s traditional base.

“Unlike Norton, Jagdeo,

Ali, and Phillips travelled all over the country to interact with the public. Jagdeo’s overall net satisfactory rate on likeability is hugely positive as compared with high negatives for Norton. Irfaan and Phillips also have high positive net ratings as President and PM respectively,” the association reported.

The survey’s findings show the PPP/C making in-roads among Amerindians and Afro-Guyanese who traditionally vote PNC.

“Many Africans, who normally vote PNC, say President Ali has been doing a good or satisfactory job… the findings also reveal that Amerindians are abandoning other parties and gravitating towards the PPP because of the enormous resources committed to their communi -

ties,” NACTA said.

Every Guyanese has been benefitting tremendously from soft loans, jobs, grants, housing, potable water, solar electricity, salary increases, subsidies, bonuses, scholarships, among other things.

The PPP/C’s gains among non-traditional bases are attributed to the rejection of Norton

as leader of the opposition, the association said.

“The support of the PNC or APNU or the coalition lies in leadership. If the official opposition were to have an excited leader, it could hold its base and make gains among non-traditional supporters to put up a strong fight against the PPP,” NACTA related.

in various fields.

President Ali leads a list

of 27 awardees recommended by Jury-cum-Awards Com

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali

A New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all Guyanese. As we embrace 2023, let us also reflect on the past year.

Many of us have had a lot going on in 2022 and we survived. We pushed through and made it into a new year, in good health and strength.

The number of accidents and deaths we’ve had in the last year was enough to make anyone grateful for everything they have, whether it be a lot or a little.

Our new year’s resolutions should be about making ourselves better, yes, but we can make our society better as well.

We have a strong bond as Guyanese to rally together for things that may not be important at that point in time, so imagine what we can do when we form/ join groups to build, encourage others, and spread peace and prosperity throughout our land.

The year 2023 should be the year we get rid of the old habits of ignoring signs of domestic and gender-based violence, mental health issues, and drug use, and start a new trend where we

empathise and encourage victims and users to seek help and get out as soon as possible.

No more should victims of violence roam around unsure of who they can call on for advice or assistance. Drug use shouldn’t be a norm. And mental health issues shouldn’t go unnoticed or untreated.

We need to build communities of strong young people who will look forward to living in a country that is safe to be in, where employment opportunities are available to everyone, and where good education and healthcare services can be accessed with ease.

This year will bring its own set of challenges for us all and we will need to take steps to ensure we survive and make it through this year.

The beginning of a new year always inspires a fresh sense of optimism and hope. Given how quickly our economic and social lives are changing, this optimism is not without foundation.

Never in the course of our history has there been such a tidal wave of rev-

olutionary changes that have the ability to propel Guyana from a position of dependence and underdevelopment to one of lasting prosperity.

On the national and international level, Guyana is currently a significant player. Thanks to the diligent work of Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, it is the first nation in the world to benefit from carbon credits. The economy of Guyana is currently one of the fastest growing in the world.

This booming economy, fueled by increasing public sector spending, has had a good effect on the business community. According to their most recent financial reports, two of the major banking and beverage corporations in the nation have produced record profits for 2022. No matter how big or what kind of products they sell, other business firms generally operate in the same way.

These achievements point to a new paradigm for development that will propel the nation’s economic growth

to unprecedented heights in the subsequent years.

Despite the severe difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the protracted election impasse, the recent floods, and the war in Ukraine, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has praised Guyana for its strong economic progress.

The key component for improving quality of life is a robust and expanding economy. An expanding economy translates into greater per capita development. And this is specifically the case with Guyana’s economy, which is currently not only expanding, but is also regarded as one of the economies in the world with the quickest growth rates.

Oil’s impact on the economy has been significant and this has been supplemented by non-oil sectors, which have also been expanding rapidly.

There is a lot of optimism for long-term economic growth in this mix of the oil and non-oil sectors as we progress in this new year.

Norton facing allegations

December, 2021.

His resignation took effect on December 23, 2022. However, notwithstanding stepping down from the post, Mursaline remains an executive member of the party, according to an earlier statement released.

However, Mursaline said that he does not plan to continue with the party under Norton.

“No, no I wouldn’t be continuing [with the party] under [Norton’s] leadership. Only if I am called to continue under another leader,” he affirmed.

BLANK CHEQUES

From the time he assumed the position of elected treasurer, Mursaline said he was made to sign blank cheques with no supporting documents.

“I am always called to sign cheques and, whenever I share an opinion of dislike towards this, I am met with hostility. In the month of November it got

worse,” the letter said.

In November, 2022 he signed as much as 20 blank cheques.

“I do not know what are the amounts of money written on any of those cheques and I don’t know for what reasons the money, if any, was spent on,” Mursaline related.

Mursaline is one of only three signatories to the cheques, the other being the party’s General Secretary, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, and Norton.

However, Chandan-Edmond was on leave from early August, before also resigning earlier this month. Hence during Chandan-Edmond’s absence only Mursaline and Norton were signing the cheques.

He said he will await to see how the CEC addresses the various situations outlined in his letter.

“To save my integrity I had to. It’s really an emotional moment for me.

It saddens me to say this, but to save my integrity I had to,” Mursaline related over the telephone about

his resignation.

NO AUDITS

In his request for an audit of the party’s finances, Mursaline said that he had even suggested that it be done by current party executive and Member of Parliament, Volda Lawrence. However, this was shut down by Norton.

“I requested of the Leader for us to do a financial audit of the finances of Congress Place for our own benefit and for us to ensure proper accountability and transparency. The intention was solely to do what is right for our party and to build trust among our membership. The Leader told me that is a conflict of interest and that he will take care of it. To date nothing has been done,” Mursaline wrote.

According to Mursaline, the party’s finances has not been audited since July, 2020.

“The fiscal management year was June 2019 - July 2020; that was the last

audit done for the party. As treasurer people raise up the topic to the Leader and how it reflects to me that the party hasn’t had a financial report, the party hasn’t had an audit, and these things need to be done. So, I requested it,” Mursaline said.

When contacted for a comment on the issue, Norton asked a reporter of the Guyana Chronicle to call back in an hour. However, further calls to the number went unanswered.

However, in another section of the media, Norton is on record as having denied all of the allegations made by Mursaline. Asked what he has to say now that Norton has denied the allegations, Mursaline said he was not surprised.

“When you are in a situation to defend your not so good integrity, you will try to defend it at all cost.

He knows very well and the CEC will determine their next move on how he will be handled within the party,” Mursaline said.

Editor Navendra Seoraj

Woman to get new house after years of occupying dilapidated structure

— as Region Five MoM members start construction

THE Region Five members of the President’s Men on Mission (MoM) have started constructing a new house for Lowawatty Ramroop, who, because of financial

constraints, has occupied a dilapidated structure at Cotton Tree for several years.

According to information from the Regional Democrat-

ic Council (RDC) of Region Five, Ramroop lives with her son, who is suffering from a prolonged period of illness, and her granddaughter.

“Her home collapsed sev-

eral years ago, but due to lack of financial resources she had no other choice but to find comfort in the same structure which is leaning dangerously,” the regional

administration said.

The entire structure was demolished on Monday and construction was scheduled to begin yesterday. All works are expected to be

completed with one week. The team is headed by Member of Parliament, Faizal Jaffarally, with funding from several stakeholders in Region Five.

The Region Five members of the President’s Men on Mission (MoM) have started constructing a new house for Lowawatty Ramroop, who, because of financial constraints, has occupied a dilapidated structure at Cotton Tree for several years (Regional Information Department – Region Five photos)

President Ali’s One Guyana ‘Cut Rose’ Project makes major progress

–– 400 roses being produced weekly; 800 to be produced weekly by next month

PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s One Guyana “Cut Rose” project, which is designed to create employment and generate income for single parents, is picking up momentum, as some 400 roses are being produced weekly.

The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, is executing the project, which was assigned to the Ministry of Agriculture for implementation and supervision.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, said last Friday that this figure is expected to increase to 800 roses being produced weekly by the end of February.

The minister related that President Ali’s Cut Rose Project is extremely successful and significantly progressive after thorough execution. This, he said, is a tremendous achievement for Guyana.

“It’s the first for Guyana here. We have seen here in Guyana that

many persons who want to purchase roses are importing roses. Now, we are producing 400 roses on a weekly basis,” Minister Mustapha added.

This will be a continuous process as it relates to producing more roses and supplying the market.

Minister Mustapha related that another year from now, Guyana should be able to satisfy the entire domestic market across the region, “where we can supply all of the roses that are needed. This will be a tremendous boost.”

Since its implementation, the project has made great progress with roses being har -

vested and sold.

Already, a number of single parents have been benefitting from the project. The Agriculture Minister said persons could purchase roses from NAREI for as low as $500 each.

“And when they take that back to the market, they are selling it [rose] between $2,000 and $2,500. So, you are seeing how much money that person can make. We have seen a number of single parents coming to purchase roses and rose proprietors coming to purchase roses,” Minister Mustapha said.

By the end of 2023, through the project, it is anticipated that rose imports will be reduced by 30 per cent, while also giving single parents in particular, career and training opportunities.

Some 2,600 rose slips were imported from the neighbouring Brazil and planted in shade houses. There were 600 slips in each shade house, each in 25 different colour combinations. (DPI)

Some of the fresh roses produced under President Ali’s project

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

A section of the rose garden at NAREI

Special models being examined to increase diaspora investments locally

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has maintained that the involvement of the Guyanese diaspora will be critical to Guyana’s development, so the government will be investing in a number of special models to get overseas-based Guyanese more involved in investing in Guyana.

The President made this announcement during a live broadcast on his Facebook page on Saturday, when he reminded that the diaspora is important to Guyana’s massive expansion

“ In the new year , we want the diaspora to be more critically involved in the developmental aspect and project of our country.

Soon we will be pursuing special models through which they can invest their resources into different projects in Guyana , through which we can build consortium so that the private sector can grow, and the diaspora can be part of this growth and development,” the President related

The Head of State went on to highlight a number of ongoing, as well as imminent projects which will create massive opportunities for Guyanese to invest in their country

“ As a result of the investments we’ve made over the last two years, Guyana has now entered a new era we want to position Guyana, making the investment to deliver a Guyana 2030 and beyond that will be a lead-

er in food security, energy security , climate services , ecological services, biological services, environmental services, technological services, health services, education services, health services, manufacturing “ That is what we ’ re building -- an economy that stands on a very wide base and not only competitive internally , but an economy 2030 and beyond that is sustainable, resilient and competitive in a global environment,” President Ali said According to the Head of State , the government is focused on this path that will completely transform Guyana for 2030 and beyond Using revenues from the oil and gas sector, the government intends to create an

economy that will be broadbased and built to make Guyana competitive and to make other sectors competitive

“ Building it in such a way that the country will be diversified and sitting on a very broad platform The major infrastructure transformation in our country , many major infrastructure is going on in our country Our environment is changing , our landscape is changing , our skyline is changing,” the President said

He went on to say: “To members in the diaspora , we love you, we want you to be part of it, and you must invest.

We are going to set up special vehicles, special projects that you can invest in in the new year.”

President, Dr Irfaan Ali poses for a ‘selfie’ with an attendee at the diaspora engagement event last July (Office of the President photo)

Almost 1,500 persons gain employment in sugar industry

IN further fulfilling the government’s commitment to “breathe life” back into Guyana’s sugar industry, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) hired some 1,479 persons from 2020 to 2022, the Agriculture Ministry said.

The ministry, in a press release over the weekend, said that with the reopening of the Rose Hall, Enmore, and Skeldon estates, 1,091 previously severed persons and 388 new persons were hired by GuySuCo between

the period August 2020 and September 2022.

Meanwhile, the release said that mechanisation is progressing at the Blairmont Estate, where the first phase of expansion of the packaging plant is ongoing. This will facilitate more employment opportunities in 2023.

In December 2022, Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had announced that employees of GuySuCo will also receive the eight per cent retroactive salary increase for 2022.

In 2021, the government began reinstating salary increases for GuySuCo workers who had laboured in the fields and factories in Guyana’s sugar industry for five years prior without any increase in remuneration, or other incentives to acknowledge their hard work.

The workers had not received any incentive from 2015 to 2020, while the APNU+AFC was in government. Last year, the workers received a seven per cent retroactive pay under the current government.

The increase came as a welcome reward for sugar workers, whose relentless efforts to get a salary increase under the APNU+AFC administration were futile.

In 2017, the APNU+AFC closed four sugar estates, leaving some 7,000 persons without jobs or sources of income.

–– Agriculture Ministry reports in review of 2022

Sugar workers toiling in the field

31 Guyanese acquire certification to enhance participation in maritime, offshore sector

ATLANTIC ALLIANCE (AA) Maritime and Offshore Training Institute (AAMOTI) recently graduated 31 Guyanese who spent the last few months pursuing certificate courses essential for the maritime and offshore sector.

Of the 31 who were graduated in two batches, 25 were scholarship recipients; 22 were females, and three were males.

Twenty scholarships were awarded through the Women in Maritime Association Caribbean (WiMAC) Guyana Chapter, while the remaining five were publicly advertised.

The ceremony was held at the Institute’s North Road Conference Room, and representatives from WiMAC, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), and AAMOTI were present.

The graduands were addressed by MARAD’s Registrar of Seafarers, Katina Benn, who congratulated them for persevering through some tough and sometimes fearful moments during training, but she assured them that “it will all pay off in the end, and the future is bright.”

Apart from the 25 scholarship recipients, six other students were pursuing short courses at the Institute, through

MARAD. From January, those six students will begin a three-year Cadet (Engineering) programme at AAMOTI.

The graduates completed Basic Safety Training (BST) courses, Advanced Firefighting, Advanced Medical Care, and Ship Security Awareness training.

These courses and programmes are accredited by both MARAD and the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ), thereby allowing those individuals to secure employment in the maritime and offshore industry within the Caribbean and internationally.

“AAMOTI places very strong emphasis on ensuring it meets international, local and regional maritime standards so our students could benefit from opportunities anywhere in the world,” remarked Managing Director, Asif Hamid, in his charge to the graduands.

Recently, Deutsche Welle reported that the European Commission was considering banning ships registered in European Union countries from using crews of sailors from the Philippines.

The ban was being considered after an audit by the European Maritime Safety Agency found that maritime education institutions in

the Philippines didn’t meet standards set by the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.

“This is why we place great importance on accreditation and affording our students the highest level of training. It is important for us that beyond the classroom, our students are able to enter those industries with ease because their qualifications are recognised,” the Managing Director said.

He added that the Institute also continues to develop its workforce to deliver high-quality service to all stakeholders and is committed to attracting the highest calibre of professionals who can make a difference in the institute and the lives of its students.

AAMOTI’s technical team comprises qualified lecturers and trainers from Egypt, Jamaica and Guyana.

AAMOTI is also partnering with the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) to offer three-year marine cadetship programmes. Already, six students are enrolled in the Marine Engineering Cadet programme through MARAD and will begin training this month.

Some of the graduates in the presence of representatives from AAMOTI, MARAD and WiMAC, following the graduation

Baby dies in accident at Unity

POLICE are investigating a fatal accident which occurred around 01:30 hrs on Monday, along the Unity Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Reports are that a sixmonth-old girl lost her life as a result of the tragic incident involving two vehicles.

According to police, the accident involved a motorcar PVV 2649,

driven by Davin Butts, a 31-year-old of Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, and motorcar PNN 8403, driven by Ackeem Jerricks of Sparendaam Housing Scheme, ECD.

The two occupants who were with Ackeem Jerricks in the vehicle at the time were 27-year-old Dequan Khan and sixmonth-old Devine Khan, both of Lot 61 West Road Sparendaam.

Police said motor car PNN 8403 was proceeding west along the southern drive lane of the Unity Public Road, when the driver of motor car PVV 2649 allegedly fell asleep while proceeding east along the northern drive lane, and lost control of his car.

As a result, motorcar PVV 2649 collided with the front portion of motorcar PNN 8403. Both driv-

ers and occupants were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where the six-monthold was pronounced dead on arrival. Butts, who received injuries to his head; Jerricks, who received injuries to his right leg and Khan, who received injuries about his body, are being treated.

Both vehicles were lodged to be examined as investigations continue.

Chinese national critical after allegedly stabbed at LBI

Reports are that the man was reportedly stabbed around 21:15 hrs on Sunday at La Bonne Intention (LBI), East Coast Demerara.

Police ranks, acting on information received from a 911 call, responded to a report at Lot 25 Onion Field, La Bonne Intention, where contact was made with a 66-year-old pensioner of the said address, who claimed that, on January 1, at 21:15 hrs, he was in his living room watching television when he heard his gate rocking.

Upon looking through his window, he saw a Chinese male running into his yard, screaming for help.

The pensioner then went to his back step, which is situated south of his building, and he saw the male Chinese lying on the ground in his yard with blood on his clothes along with stab wounds to the left side of his upper body.

The EMT was summoned, and the injured man was picked up in a conscious state and escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s Emergency Unit, where surgery was performed. His condition is listed as critical. Investigation is ongoing, the police said.

POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding an alleged attack on Xia Jun Zhang, a 36-year-old male Chinese of an unknown address.

Salman, Naseem bring sting to Pakistan bowling attack

(ESPNCRICINFO)Agha Salman struck thrice with his offbreaks, while Naseem Shah's encouraging reverse swing continued to trouble New Zealand, who lost five for 45 in the final session, after dominating play across the morning and afternoon. The visitors had piled up 119 and 107 in the first two sessions for the loss of one wicket. The last one fetched them only 83 runs, with the loss of five more.

Devon Conway hit 122 out of New Zealand's total of 309 on the first day, riding his luck on the way to a fourth Test hundred, and continuing on a fantastic start to his Test career, after becoming the fastest from his country to make 1000 runs in the format during the first Test of the tour. He also made up after falling for 92 in the first match.

Play in the evening began with Abrar Ahmed bowling his 15th over in a row, albeit separated by the tea break. Naseem then beat Kane Williamson's outside edge on the first ball of the second over after resumption, only for replays to show a faint tickle. That was a sign of things to come, as Naseem kept clocking 140kph while reversing

the ball against both Williamson and Conway.

But it was Salman who struck first, getting the ball to dip and turn away from Conway, who went jabbing and edged behind to Sarfaraz Ahmed in the 63rd over. Next over, Naseem pitched one perfectly on the fuller side of a length on fourth stump, with Williamson's outside edge also landing in the gloves of Sarfaraz, who went low and tumbled in front of first slip to complete the grab.

That left New Zealand with virtually two new batters at the crease in Henry Nicholls and

Daryl Mitchell, with the latter happy to take a good stride forward, and getting across off stump to try and negate the movement, Naseem got it. Naseem tried going around the wicket, and with it, wide of the crease to the left-hander Nicholls, as both he and Salman tied the two batters down.

That is when Mitchell fell to a classical off-spinner's dismissal, missing his clip across the line when Salman tossed one up outside off, and got it to turn in through bat and pad, and hit off stump. With the ball having split its seam, the umpires

changed it immediately after.

But Pakistan stuck to Hasan Ali and Salman, as they kept the scoring in check, with the fast bowler preferring to go short, and the off-spinner teasing the batters with loop. Salman got his third just seven deliveries before the second new ball was due, although credit for that would go to Babar Azam.

Standing at slip, Babar was the only one who reacted and half-appealed after Nicholls tried to slash a short ball outside off turning away from him. He opted for the

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review at the last second after umpire Aleem Dar ruled it not out, and UltraEdge showed a little snick behind to Sarfaraz.

That was the fourth of Dar's 12 decisions overturned throughout the two Tests on this tour. And New Zealand slid further when Abrar, expensive throughout the day, hit Michael Bracewell flush in front to get him for the third time in as many occasions in the series. The visitors were six down, as Tom Blundell and Ish Sodhi saw them off to stumps.

Earlier in the day, the visitors were in the driver's seat across the first two sessions, losing only Tom Latham for 71 when Naseem had sharply angled one into the lefthander at high pace to break a strong opening stand of 134 - Latham and Conway's second successive century stand for the first wicket - in the 36th over. Naseem had conceded just six runs in that five-over spell when he bowled three maidens, even as Abrar kept leaking runs at the other end. Having gone for 26 in five overs before lunch, Abrar was taken for another 41 in his first six overs after the break, with Conway confidently driving and whipping the spinner each

time he erred in line or length.

But Conway also had some fortune going his way throughout. Pakistan had reviewed a not-out verdict by Alex Wharf when Conway, on 39, was beaten by one that angled in off a good length, only for the ball projected to be going over the stumps. When he was on 86, an outside edge fell short of the lone slip and two overs later, when Conway was on 89, Hasan induced an edge to gully, where Saud Shakeel spilled it after diving to his right. Conway finally reached his hundred in the 52nd over, when he flicked Mir Hamza between mid-on and midwicket, as New Zealand piled on the misery on Pakistan.

After opting to bat, New Zealand raced to 54 in the first 11 overs before a quiet period slowed them down. Latham also was ruled out lbw by umpire Wharf, before he used the DRS to reverse it, having inside edged it onto his pads.

Eventually though, the day ended in fine balance, as Pakistan hit back in the evening session, with New Zealand losing their way from a dominant 234 for 1 to only a stable 309 for 6.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Tuesday January 03, 2023)

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD -- 83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Today’s Quiz

(1) How many players have represented the WI in Test cricket to date?

(2) How many of them have captained the team? Answers in tomorrow’s

Agha Salman celebrates after having Devon Conway caught behind (Associated Press)

Guyana’s Rebels Tennis Club begins year with success in T&T

By Sean Devers

GUYANA’S Gerald Scotland defeated Trinidad and Tobago’s Deron Dumas in the Boys U16 Final while fellow Guyanese Nathan DeNobrega won the U14 division as the Rebels Tennis Club participated in an Invitational Tournament at the Police Barracks in St Clair, Port-of-Spain from December 28 to January 1.

Christian Younge was runner up in the 14’s division, Navindra Arjune finished third in the 14’s division

from the Rebels Tennis Club of Diamond, East Bank Demerara, opposed players from the Total Tennis Academy of Trinidad & Tobago.

The tournament which climaxed on Sunday Evening with the Finals, included two divisions.

Speaking from the Twin Island Republic on Sunday night, Rebels Tennis Club’s Coach, Andre Erskine, informed that the competition was well organised, thanks to the director and coach of Total Tennis Academy, Jerome Ward.

“I met coach Jerome at

another tournament in Trinidad last August and we have been in talks since then in making this possible.

It is collaborations like this that will help in the overall development of the Sport” said the Head Coach of the East Bank based Club.

The Coach indicated that the club has planned a few regional tournaments starting with Dominican Republic in April, providing that funds are raised.

“I am most pleased with the support of the parents of the club. The parents are the main contributors financially

whenever the players travel.

Raising funds to execute our international competitions have been very challenging and it is our hope that more can be done at the corporate level as well as from the Sports Ministry.

We have competed in several Countries in 2022 and have performed outstandingly. I am proud of what my students did in the last 12 months” Coach Erskine, whose Club uses the Republic Bank Court in Diamond East Bank to practise and hold tournaments.

Berbice Cricket to undergo massive development in 2023 - Foster

THE Berbice Cricket Board is planning to build on the success it enjoyed in 2022 and over the last five years under the leadership of the Hilbert Foster-led administration.

The BCB, in 2022, enjoyed a very successful year with the organising of tournaments, hosting of developmental programmes and assisting clubs across the ancient county.

Among the major achievements were the hosting of numerous tournaments at all levels, the selection of fifty Berbicians on national teams, hosting of several cricketing legends for coaching sessions/ inspiration sessions and obtaining pitch covers at the cost of over $1.5 M dollars.

Other achievements includ-

ed twelve Berbicians on different West Indies teams, assisting clubs with gears, balls and scorebooks, massive investment in school cricket across the county, assisting twenty junior teams with practice nets and obtaining sponsorship for a county wide secondary school coaching project.

With the assistance of Local Government Minister, Nigel Dharmlall, the BCB was able to obtain the services of nineteen coaches in a massive coaching project.

BCB President, Hilbert Foster, has disclosed that the board intends to build on the success of 2022 and among the major plans are the hosting of cricket tournaments at the primary and secondary school levels and

coaching sessions in an historic drive to unearth new talents for clubs.

The BCB would also be hosting inter club limited overs tournaments at the inter club level at the under 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 levels in 2023 but special emphasis would be placed on the hosting of special two-day inter-zones tournaments at the under 15, 19 and 21 levels in an effort to get youths to play the longer version of the game.

The BCB is working hard also to organise a tour to a Caribbean island for an under 21 team as part of its developmental programme. The board is working along with Dr. Frank Denbow on this tour, which would be the first for the county in over forty five years. Foster

disclosed that the main objective is to encourage youths to stay in the game after the crucial under 19 level while exposing them to different conditions.

Among the other plans for the New Year are obtaining a large mobile grass cutter and heavy roller, which would assist clubs to get their venues in order quickly.

The board would also be working to get additional pitch covers to add to the five it currently has to avoid long delays in matches.

One of the special projects that Foster intends to push in 2023 is getting at least four bowling machines for the county and the construction of concrete pitches in each of the four sub zones- West Berbice, New Am-

sterdam/Canje, Lower Corentyne and Upper Corentyne.

The sub zones would also benefit from mini academies and youth development forums.

Clubs would continue to benefit from cricket balls under the Hetmyers Trust Fund along with scorebooks and bicycles from the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club.

Thousands of youth information booklets, along with the BCB historic Coaching Manual, would be published as part of its educational drive for youths, while promising players would receive assistance with gears.

Several special coaching sessions for fast bowling, spinners, wicket keepers and batsmen would be organised under the Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh coaching pro-

gramme.

A number of former West Indies players would conduct these sessions along with the BCB coaches.

Former national wicket keeper Sheik Mohamed would kick off the sessions shortly with a wicket keeping clinic.

The BCB would also be working with the University of Guyana’s Tain Campus to set up a Wall of Fame to honour outstanding Berbice Cricketers and would also update the BCB billboard for test players in front of the historic Port Mourant Cricket Ground.

Foster is urging players, club executives and all cricket related officials to redouble their efforts in 2023 and to always strive for excellence.

while Denzel took the third spot in the 16’s division as the Guyanese team started the

new year on a winning note The five-member Team

From left Christian Younge, Gerald Scotland, Denzel Luthers, Nathan DeNobrega, Navindra Arjune and Coach Andre Erskine of the Rebels Tennis Club

BCB President, Hilbert Foster

The successful Berbice senior male 2022 team

Berbice senior female team-Guyana Champions

A Review of West Indian ‘Red Ball’ cricket in 2022

By Sean Devers

TODAY we look back at the seven Test matches played by the West Indies in 2022, and the shortest domestic First-Class tournament played by any Test-playing Nation.

In December 2022, West Indies, despite showing plenty of spirit, lost the first Test by 164 runs after Marnus Labuschagne scored 204; Steven Smith made 200-notout, and Travis Head fell for 99 as Australia declared at 598-4 in their first innings.

West Indies replied with 283, as Kraigg Brathwaite (64) and debutant Chanderpaul (51) added 79 for the first wicket. Chanderpaul had scores of 119 & 56 against the PM’s X1 in the only First-Class game preceding the Test match.

Australia declared on 182-2, with Labuschagne getting an unbeaten 104 before Braithwaite’s 110, Royston Chase’s 55, Chanderpaul’s 45, and Alzarri Joseph’s 43 took West Indies to 333 in a losing effort.

In the second Test, West Indies lost by 419 runs, which is the ninth heaviest defeat, by runs, for any team in the history of Test Cricket.

West Indies’ largest defeat, by runs, was against England in 1976, when they lost by 425 runs. It is the seventh heaviest defeat of all time, but England’s win by 675 runs against Australia in 1928 still tops the list.

Labuschagne scored his consecutive ton with a masterful 163, and along with Head’s 175, led Australia to 511-7 declared. Joseph had 2-107, and Devon Thomas 2-53.

West Indies fell for 214, with Chanderpaul 47 (runout), Anderson Phillip 43 putting up resistance.

Australia declared at 199-6, with Joseph (3-33), and Chase (2-25) taking the wickets.

West Indies were dismissed 77, their lowest total at this level, with Chanderpaul top scoring with 17.

The series result was a 2-nil loss, but 26-year-old Guyanese Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who has six centuries and 12 fifties in 3,004

runs from 53 First-Class matches, seems the brightest spot in West Indies ‘Red ball’ Cricket.

Brathwaite was the leading runs scorer with 196 runs, at an Average of 49.00, including a ton and a fifty, while the ‘new kid on the block’, Chanderpaul, looked most promising. In four innings, he scored 160, averaging 40.00, and had a half-century.

Joseph, with five wickets, was the leading West Indies bowler.

In June 2022, host West Indies beat Bangladesh 2-nil West Indies won the first Test by seven wickets.

Bangladesh, in their first innings, fell for 103. Despite Shakib Al Hasan’s 51, Kemar Roach 2-21, Jayden Seales 3-33, Joseph 3-33, and Kyle Mayers 2-10, West Indies made 265 in their first innings, with Brathwaite (94) and Jermaine Blackwood (63) batting well.

Bangladesh scored 245 in the second innings, with Al Hasan 63, and Nurul Hasan 64, scoring the bulk of the runs, with Roach 5-53, Joseph 3-55, and Mayers 2-30 doing the damage with the ball.

West Indies reached 88-3 with John Campbell leading the way with 58 not-out.

West Indies won the second Test by 10 wickets after dismissing Bangladesh for

234. Seales captured 3-53, Joseph 3-50, with Philips and Mayers two wickets each as the fast bowlers accounted for all 10 wickets.

West Indies’ first innings 408 was spearheaded by Mayers’ 146 and Braithwaite’s 51 Bangladesh then fell for 186, with Nurul Hasan top-scoring with 60. Roach, Joseph and Seales captured three wickets each, Mayers batted twice and scored 156 runs, Ave 76.50 with one ton, while Braithwaite, who scored two fifties, made 150 runs from four innings. Joseph had 12 wickets while Roach had 10.

In March, West Indies beat England 1-nil in the three-Test Series in the Caribbean.

Jonny Bairstow’s 140 led England to 311 in the opening Test, as Jayden Seales had 4-79, while Roach, Holder and Joseph supported with two wickets each.

West Indies responded with 375, as Nkrumah Bonner scored 123, and Skipper Braithwaite continued his consistency with 55.

England, in their second innings declared at 349-6, with Zak Crawley (121) and Joe Root (109) getting hundreds.

Joseph took 3-78, and Roach 2-53 for the home team who reached 147-4 as the game ended in a draw.

The second Test in Barbados was drawn with centuries from Joe Root and Ben Stokes leading England to 507-9, declared. Veerasammy Permaul took 3-126, while Roach had 2-68.

West Indies made 411, with Brathwaite getting 160, and Jermaine Blackwood scoring 102.

England in their 2nd Innings made 185-6, declared, with Permaul and Seales taking two scalps each.

West Indies, led by an unbeaten 56 from Braithwaite reached 135-5.

In the Third Test in Grenada, England were dismissed for 204, as Seales had 3-40, and Roach, Mayers and Joseph supported with two wickets each.

West Indies, led by a maiden unbeaten 100, made 297 before England were bowled out for 120, with Mayers bagging 5-18, and Roach supporting with 2-10.

In the Regional FirstClass tournament, which was played in March in Barbados and T&T, Guyana, playing in the T&T Zone, finished third, as Barbados successfully defended their title.

In the first round, Guyana beat the Windwards by one run, with Vishal Singh (93), Keemo Paul (73), and Chanderpaul Hemraj (60) in the second innings being the leading batter.

Veerasammy Permaul had

eight wickets in the match, including 5-53 in the second innings, while Gudakesh Motie had 4-63 in the first innings, and was backed up by Paul’s 3-84.

Paul made an unbeaten 20, and added 20 for the last wicket, with Nail Smith (4) to see Guyana to a thrilling win.

In Guyana’s second match, Leewards won by an innings & 57 runs, despite second innings fifties from Hemraj (50), and Anthony Bramble (58). Motie showed batting ability with 49 notout.

After a break, the tournament resumed, and Guyana beat defending Champions Barbados by five wickets in Port-of Spain.

Guyana made 490-7, declared, on the back of an unfinished 140 from Chanderpaul, and a maiden century from Motie after Imlach had contributed 53.

Permaul (4-81), Motie (237), and Paul (2-43) shared the bulk of the wickets in the first innings.

Braithwaite (111), followed up Hope’s first innings ton as Barbados reached 291, all out, leaving Guyana to get 71 from 15 overs.

Paul (4-90) and Smith (3-76) bowled with lively pace, while Motie took 2-35.

In a reckless run chase, Guyana slipped 46-5 as

they opened with Hemraj and Paul, since Tagenarine Chanderpaul is usually known to take his time to accumulate his runs.

Akeem Jordon took 4-31 as the Guyanese tried to score quickly, and orchestrated their own demise.

It took Chanderpaul, who batted at number seven, to smash four fours from just 10 balls in a cameo unbeaten 23 not-out to win the match for his team.

In Guyana’s fourth game, they played to a draw against Jamaica, after Chanderpaul made 184; Singh was left undefeated on 100, and Tevin Imlach, Hemraj and Skipper Leon Johnson scored fifties.

Permaul had 3-96, while there were two wickets apiece from Motie, and rookies Kevin Sinclair and Demitri Cameron.

In Guyana’s final game, Paul took 6-50, while Motie supported with 2-35, as host T&T were bowled out for 218.

Imlach (76) and Sinclair (58) got half centuries as Guyana replied with 331. T&T were 25-1 when the game ended in a draw.

Chanderpaul batted eight times, scored 439 runs to Average 73.16. He was second in the runs aggregate to Braithwaite, who scored 584 runs with three tons.

Vishaul Singh (262 runs from six innings, Average 52.40) was second on the list of Guyanese run scorers.

No other Guyanese batter had an average of over 35 while Guyana’s top wicket-takers were Paul (20 wickets), Permaul (19) and Motie (17)

Johnson is Guyana’s most successful Captain; winning five consecutive titles but he averaged 23.8 in last year’s First-Class tournament and since 2020 Guyana has not added to their tally of 12 titles.

Guyana has nine 50 overs titles but none since 2005 and the GCB should start grooming a replacement for Johnson after next month’s Regional FC tournament where there should be an investment in young players.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul looked the brightest prospect for West Indies Cricket in 2022

GCB should start grooming a replacement for Leon Johnson

One Guyana President’s Cup…

Region Four come from behind to take inaugural title

Tournament favourites, Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four), came from trailing Region Three for one hour to eventually lift the One Guyana President’s Cup trophy on Sunday evening following an exhilarating 90 minutes of football at the National Track & Field Centre, Leonora.

Eventually, tournament MVP and captain, Leo Lovell, fired Region Three ahead in the 13th minute of the final and his side seemed to cruising to victory well into the second half before his opposite, Daniel Wilson, skipper of Region Four, levelled the score one hour later in the 73rd minute with a expertly taken free-kick from about 20 yards out.

Kelsey Benjamin, the tournament’s leading goal-scorer (tied with

Ambuchi Benjamin of Region Five), scored his tenth and most important goal of the competition after neatly slotting home from close range a flicked-on pass from Nicholas McArthur in the 75th minute, completing the miraculous comeback for Region Four.

Region Four won all their matches played in the tournament and secured the $2 million top prize and the BACIFmade President’s Cup trophy, while Region Three walked away with the $1 million cash prize for finishing second.

Lovell scored six goals and was a central figure in Region Three making it to the championship game and for his exploits, he received a house-lot along with the MVP trophy.

In the third place playoff, Region Five

defeated Region Seven 6-3 after the teams were locked 2-2 at half-time.

Abumchi Benjamin continued his goal-scoring form, netting a hattrick in the seventh, 30th and 66th minutes, with a solitary strike each from Delroy Fraser (53rd), Marc Galloway (58th) and Olvis Mitchell (88th).

For Region Seven, Andrew Simmons scored a double (11th and 36th) and Whitney Welcome netted in the 90+2.

The nationwide competition, the brainchild of President Irfaan Ali, was a partnership effort of the Guyana Football Federation, the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and corporate Guyana.

Region Four's Omari Joseph (left) battles with eventual tournament MVP, Region Three's Leo Lovell during Sunday night's final

Region Four skipper, Daniel Wilson (left) grips the One Guyana Cup trophy along with Prime Minister (Brig. Rtd.) Mark Phillips following his side's 2-1 win over Region Three