Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 01-12-2022

More roads, keeping electricity cost low among $44.44B in funds requested

- Linden, Lethem, Kwakwani, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma, Matthew’s Ridge, Mahdia to benefit

By Tamica Garnett

ANOTHER $6.6 billion to provide additional resourc es for electricity arrears to the Guyana Power & Light (GPL), $1 billion for op

erational expenses at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and $18 billion for the upgrading of roads and bridges are among the expenditures in a $44.44 bil lion supplementary budget

request made by government.

Financial Paper 3 of 2022 was laid before the National Assembly on Wednesday by Senior Minister with respon sibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh at the Arthur Chung

Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal.

Financial Paper 2 of 2022, a schedule of contingency fund advances on current and capital expenditures totalling $2.904 billion for the period 15

August to 29 November, was also tabled.

SEE PAGES 5,7&15 SEE PAGE 12

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar and contractors from Albouystown and West La Penitence (DPI photo)

SEE PAGE 8

the “sole authority” to release monies from the Contingency Fund which should not be larger than two per cent of the annual budget from the last fiscal year. Hire purchase law passed to protect consumers, sellers - creates a level playing field for all Birth certificates bought under APNU+AFC gov’t still unaccounted for

FULL STORY ON PAGE 3 Community Development SEE PAGE 12

Works progress on business centre for people living with disabilities

AFTER the sod was turned in August for the state-of-the-art Business Centre for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) at

Palmyra, Region Six (East Berbice-Coren tyne), construction is quickly progressing.

First Lady Arya Ali

on Thursday, through her of ficial Facebook page shared snapshots of the ongoing works. The business centre is an initiative of Mrs Ali.

The centre will feature five workstations for the production of goods, a retail space, a boardroom, a ther apy room, a cafeteria and washroom facilities.

The aim of the commer cial space is to provide per sons living with disabilities with a space to market goods produced by them. In August, the First Lady had said that the Guyana National Bu reau of Standards (GNBS) was approached to monitor and regulate the production coming from the facility, so that the “Made in Guyana” certification could be applied.

That seal of standard would open the products to be marketed locally, regionally, and interna tionally.

Works ongoing at the Palmyra-based centre (First Lady’s Office photo)

More roads, keeping electricity cost low among

$44.44B in funds requested

By Tamica Garnett

ANOTHER $6.6 billion to provide additional resources for electricity arrears to the Guyana Power & Light (GPL), $1 billion for operational expenses at the Guy ana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and $18 bil lion for the upgrading of roads and bridges are among the expenditures in a $44.44 billion sup plementary budget re quest made by govern ment.

Financial Paper 3 of 2022 was laid before the National Assembly on Wednesday by Senior Minister with respon sibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal.

Financial Paper 2 of 2022, a schedule of con tingency fund advances on current and capital ex penditures totalling $2.904 billion for the period 15 August to 29 November, was also tabled.

Section 220 of the Constitution and Section 41 of the Fiscal Manage ment and Accountability Act (FMAA) gives the minister of finance the “sole authority” to release monies from the Contin gency Fund which should not be larger than two per

cent of the annual budget from the last fiscal year.

Improving lives of Guyanese

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on the sidelines at the ACCC, Dr Singh explained that the monies requested are part of the ongoing aggressive push to upgrade the coun try’s infrastructure.

“These supplementa ry provisions represent an important part of our government's strong com mitment to continue to improve the lives of all Guyanese people, through our various sectoral in terventions whether it be roads, other infrastructure, electricity, or any other sector development,” Dr Singh expressed.

The $6.6 billion for GPL comes after the gov ernment has already re quested an additional $4 billion earlier this year. Dr Singh explained that pro visions for GPL represent funding from the govern ment to absorb the impact of increased fuel prices on GPL’s operations.

“This has presented a tremendous cash-flow challenge and we are seeking to cushion the impact on private con sumers by not passing on the increased fuel prices through increased electric ity tariff[s].

“We’ve given that commitment to the peo ple of Guyana. So, GPL has come under severe li quidity pressure, so we’re providing an additional allocation to GPL,” Dr Singh explained.

In addition to the $6.6 billion for GPL, a total of $1.393 billion in current expenditure and $85.8 million in capital expen diture is being requested by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) for the Power Utility Upgrade Programme (PUUP) and additional resources to support several electric ity companies across the country.

Provisions for elec tricity include $927.527 million for Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Up per Berbice); $110.707 million for Lethem, Re gion Nine (Upper Taku tu-Upper Essequibo); $106.016 million for Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini); $103.238 million for Kwakwani, Region 10; $76.809 mil lion for Port Kaituma, Re gion One; $49.020 million for Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); and $20 million for Matthew’s Ridge, Region One.

“In none of those com munities have the elec tricity companies passed on increased fuel prices

to their customer base, so this support is also need ed to ensure that citizens can continue to receive the benefit of electricity without having to bear the additional cost as a result of escalating fuel pric es worldwide,” Dr Singh noted.

Provision to the PUUP includes additional inflows under the Inter-Ameri can Development Bank’s loan operation to facilitate project closure.

The largest component of the provision was allo cated to the Ministry of Public Works (MoPW), which is requesting $630.4 million in current expendi ture and $28.45 billion in capital expenditure.

Drainage, roads

Aside from the $18 billion for the roads and drains in communities, there is $2 billion to ad vance works to support road linkages, $7 billion for the reconstruction of roads from Sheriff Street to the railway embank ment, and $938.22 million to facilitate civil works on the Linden to Mabura Road project.

“The largest allocation is in relation to infrastruc ture, in particular roads. There’s a lot of demand for improved roads, in par ticular community roads.

“In many communities

after five years of com plete neglect, roads have been left in a severely dilapidated state, commu nities are understandably and justifiably concerned about the need for their road infrastructure to be upgraded,” Dr Singh not ed.

“We are rolling out a very aggressive agenda to improve roads, and build out new roads to improve connectivity across com munities. We are pushing it aggressively, we are rolling out our housing programme and we’re building up the public infrastructure.”

Other provisions

Due to the expand ed work programme of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and other security agencies, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) is requesting $2.338 billion in current expenditure and $427.51 million in capital expenditure.

The ministry’s alloca tion also includes $226 million for drugs, medical supplies and other re sources to cater for Guy ana’s increased prison population

For the provision of additional resources to offset expenses for the ex panded work programme of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), the Office of the President is requesting $11.755 in current expenditure.

Due to the growing population at the Night Shelter, Hugo Chavez Shelter, and children’s

homes, the Ministry of Human Services and So cial Security is requesting an additional $53 million to meet dietary needs, and to provide additional resources for increase in security charges.

To complete water sup ply interventions in the hinterland areas, and the procure a new drilling rig, the Ministry of Housing and Water is looking for another $275.98 million.

In terms of provisions for the regions, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) required $53 million to cater for increased se curity charges; Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Region Nine required $99.8 million and $53 mil lion, respectively, to cater for additional resources to meet the needs of the student dorms due to an increase in enrolment in both regions.

Region One (Bari ma-Waini) requested $130.61 million, and Re gion Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) sought $16 million.

“These relate to a num ber of absolute critical interventions in many ar eas that affect the lives of Guyanese people.

“These are very im portant interventions and we certainly hope we will get support from the opposition [A Partner ship for National Unity + Alliance For Change] when we consider and vote on these supple mentary provisions,” Dr. Singh noted.

Roundabout at the Mandela Avenue to Eccles four-lane highway (DPI photo)

- Linden, Lethem, Kwakwani, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma, Matthew’s Ridge, Mahdia to benefit

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips (blue mask), inspects equipment at GPL’s Garden of Eden Power Station in 2020 (DPI photo)

RSV and flu surge in US ahead of holidays – what to know

(BBC) - With the holiday season approaching in the US, doctors are urging people to exercise caution to avoid a surge in com mon and potentially dan gerous winter viruses.

The US is facing a rise in cases of respiratory syncyt ial virus (RSV), with some hospitals opening extra beds to treat patients, while there are concerns about other ill nesses such as flu.

Winnie Chow, a parent to 10-month-old Cooper, took her son to hospital earlier this month after he had been vomiting and coughing for several days. He spent four days there recovering from RSV.

“I was in tears,” said Ms Chow, who lives in Hacken sack, New Jersey. “For him to be there for more than a day was very scary.”

Ms Chow is one of many parents who have had to seek care for an unwell child as winter viruses arrive earlier

and with more severity than in recent years - a trend experts say could persist as people gather indoors for the winter holidays.

“We do worry when peo ple start gathering,” said Richard Malley, a senior physician with the Divi sion of Infectious Disease at Boston Children’s Hospital in Massachusetts.

“When you have mul tiple generations mingling together, you have an in creased risk of transmission from someone who is han dling the virus pretty well to someone who may not handle it well at all.”

What is RSV and what are the symptoms?

RSV can manifest like a common cold in adults, but can prove dangerous for some young children.

Symptoms include a cough, congestion, runny nose and fever as well as wheezing in young infants, according to Rachel Or

scheln, the director of ambu latory paediatric infectious diseases at St Louis Chil dren’s Hospital.

For the most vulnerable, RSV can lead to bronchioli tis, a condition that includes a build-up of inflammation in the lungs and difficulty breathing. There is no vac cine for RSV but scientists are working on developing one.

It can be difficult to distinguish between RSV, coronavirus and the flu be cause the respiratory viruses include many of the same symptoms and usually peak in winter.

But physicians can use tests to diagnose patients to determine the best course of treatment.

Parents should reach out to their child’s healthcare provider if they begin to have concerns, especially if they are experiencing wors ening symptoms, difficulty breathing or are struggling to

Cemetery workouts help Zimbabwe township residents feel alive

drink fluids, said Sonali Ad vani, an assistant professor of medicine at Duke Univer sity’s Division of Infectious Diseases.

Why are RSV and flu cases rising?

Experts say protective measures like social distanc ing, mask wearing and other hygiene practices from the coronavirus pandemic likely shielded some children from exposure to the flu and their first RSV infection, which most children normally ex perience by age two.

This means they may now be more vulnerable to infection.

An earlier RSV season followed by more severe flu infections has created a “per fect storm” that is “flooding our paediatric capacity”, said Daniel Rauch, the chief of Paediatric Hospital Medicine at Tufts Medicine in Mas sachusetts.

He told the BBC a re duction in hospital beds for children during the corona virus pandemic, which was intended to make space for adults who are more vulner able to severe illness from Covid, had worsened the current problem.

Some experts said they were not optimistic the is sues would resolve soon, as close contact during the winter holiday season could offer more opportunities for viral transmission.

How to stay safe Getting vaccinated against Covid and the flu offers one of the best forms of protection against some of the respiratory illnesses that are circulating, experts told the BBC.

US infectious disease chief Dr Anthony Fauci said the flu jab was “well matched” to the circulating strain, while White House Covid co-ordinator Dr Ash ish Jha urged Americans to “make protecting our loved ones an important part of the conversation we have around the Thanksgiving table”.

Taking a rapid test for Covid on the morning of winter holiday celebrations adds another potential layer of protection, Dr Malley said.

He added that parents could also make sure any person serving food during large family gatherings is symptom-free and handling the food in a hygienic man

ner.

Handwashing and avoid ing touching your face and mouth are also advised.

“If you’re sick, maybe skip the family gathering this year,” Dr Rauch said. “Don’t bring it to everybody else.”

Parents and children should also wear masks dur ing travel on planes, trains and other public transporta tion and could do so during gatherings where they are unsure others are vaccinated, Dr Rauch said.

In the meantime, Amy Knight, the president of the Children’s Hospital Associa tion which represents more than 220 hospitals across the US, said paediatric hos pitals were “getting creative” and finding extra space for patients while working to keep conditions as normal as possible.

“No one likes to have a sick child,” she said.

“It’s an incredibly stressful time, but many have also been under standing in recognising that the hospital has a big challenge and a big job, and they’re grateful to be there and grateful to have the care.”

Deadly landslide engulfs motorway in Brazil

(BBC) - A LANDSLIDE on a motorway in south ern Brazil has killed at least two people and left dozens missing.

A torrent of mud fell on to the BR-376 highway in the State of Parana, hit ting at least 16 vehicles, authorities said.

Rescue workers at the scene said bad weather and the remote location were complicating the search effort.

Local authorities told

a news conference that between 30 and 50 people could be missing.

Emergency services have located six survivors, including the mayor of the coastal town of Guara tuba, Roberto Justus.

In a video posted on social media, Mr Justus said he was “alive by the grace of God”, according to AFP news agency.

“It was horrible,” he said. “The mountain just fell on top of us. It swept

away every last car.”

Aerial images, re leased by emergency ser vices, show the damage caused by the landslide on Monday night which swept away a section of the highway and the vehi cles on it.

There are concerns there could be further landslides with national weather service INMET issuing heavy rain warn ings for multiple states in Brazil.

(Reuters) - IT is early morning at a cemetery in Zimbabwe’s War ren Park, a few miles west of central Harare, and 19-year-old Lesly Madubeko is drenched in sweat from an hourlong workout.

He wakes up at 4 a.m. to join dozens of exer cise fanatics jogging and joining aerobics classes in what he admits is an unusual location to try to keep fit.

Many Zimbabweans are taking to working out after being cooped up during the COVID pandemic. But due to

lack of facilities in the townships, residents have had to improvise and the leafy, multi-faith Warren Hills cemetery is prov ing a popular venue for some, if a bit worrying for others.

“People are uncom fortable about the grave yard, but I see nothing wrong with coming here. Our rural folk are always superstitious but we are not afraid,” Madubeko tells Reuters.

A few paces from where Madubeko is train ing, footballer Tichaona Macheka, 19, is holding an aerobics class.

“We have more space and it is peaceful here. Training at home means noise for our neigh bours,” Macheka says.

“The Muslim section of the cemetery was gra cious to let us train here and I am glad more peo ple are joining the class.”

Social work student Agnes Chigunde says the workouts have become part of her daily routine.

“I am not even afraid to walk here alone,” she says. “I realised I was overweight, so I decided to come here so that I can do something about it. I am happy with the

An aerial view of a landslide on the BR-376 federal road after heavy rains in Guaratuba, in Parana State, in Brazil (Credit: REUTERS)

A man runs during an early morning exercise inside Warren Hills cemetery in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 24, 2022 (Credit: REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo)

Over $165M transferred to Albouystown, West La Penitence

THIRTY-FIVE contracts for the rehabilitation of bridges, roads and the desilting of drains were awarded to contractors from Albouystown and West La Penitence, South Georgetown to the tune of over $165 million, on Wednesday.

This is the delivery of a promise made by Presi dent, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali when he visited the two communities back in Oc tober. The contracts were awarded to provide residents with meaningful employ ment, while fostering com munity development.

Contracts for the reha bilitation of concrete roads and bridges totalling $135.6 million and drainage works to the tune of $25.6 million were awarded.

Some 350 residents are expected to benefit from em ployment. This is in addition to the ongoing $1.5 billion Independence Boulevard and Cemetery Road enhance ment works project.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, encouraged contractors to hire residents, especially youths.

“Every single contrac tor that signed here today is required to hire people from Albouystown, it is the peo ple from right in here got to get the work done. There is a lot of youths that met us that need work and this is what this is about.

“It is for us to get the contractors involved so that you make money and you get the work done through people from the commu nity, so that they can make money, so the money is in the community,” the minister stated.

Further, the minister urged contractors to give ‘adequate and reasonable’ pay to the residents being hired. He also urged the residents, who are set to be employed to unite and work diligently to complete the works.

Minister within the Of fice of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy reiterated the PPP/C Administration’s commitment to enhancing the lives of all Guyanese, and Albouystown is not left out.

“Albouystown is not a place that we will forget…. Our interest is about work ing with every community and everyone across this country because you all belong to Guyana and we govern for all the people of this country. We are here to work with you, we want to see your lives enhanced, we want to see your families develop and the community in which you live become as wholesome as possible,” he assured.

Minister McCoy pro ceeded to call on residents to unite to attain ‘Destination Albouystown’ a community that is in line with Guyana’s transformation.

“The quickest way of reaching destination ideal, destination beauty, destina tion Albouystown, top notch is by making sure that we are working together in partner ship with government and communities.”

Meanwhile, works are expected to commence im mediately.

Contractors hailing from Albouystown and West La Penitence in South George town, who were awarded contracts for community works commended the gov ernment for fulfilling the promise of President, Dr Irfaan Ali.

Joy Roberts, contractor of BBS Construction, Min ing and Security Services Inc, said that the initiative will strengthen the relation ship between the govern ment and the community.

“This is a good initia tive as Guyana is stepping forward to being more a country on the broader scale and I believe that giving local representatives the opportunity to work in their communities will not only create avenues for jobs, but will also strengthen the rela tionship with the community and the government,” she expressed.

Contractor of Box Mon ey Enterprise, Satreohan Harriram said, “we feel real great about it because this is a great enhancement the government is doing and I should welcome the govern ment for this great enhance ment. And it’s good to be a part of it. It will benefit me to get an idea of this differ

ent field and I am willing to work with the government on different projects.”

John Dowridge contrac tor of John & Sons’ Con struction noted that, “the community will be upgrad ing and beautifying so you done know that your area go ing up so people mustn’t talk bad about Albouystown.”

Another contractor, Nan kumar Persaud of Jai signs and Auto Designs expressed, “this is a great initiative as it gives residents of the com munity an opportunity to put money in their pockets. I hope that everybody can come together and see what the president is trying to do and collaborate and support it 100 percent. I think with every community it can only get better.”

Lisa Allicock contractor from Regal Construction and Cleaning Company ex pressed excitement for the job.

“I am excited and I think it is betterment for Guyanese and the government is doing a great job. And it benefits the young people, it encour ages them to work so it’s a good thing the government is doing.”

Meanwhile, Fabian Yes sop of Amazon Infrastruc tural Construction said the works will significantly im prove the thoroughfare.

“I am very happy; you know it’s very nice what the government is doing for us ghetto youths. The works being done in Albouystown will benefit our community

by fixing the holes, persons with vehicles will be able to park freely. So, I am very glad for this initiative that the president is doing for us.”

“I feel good about it be cause it’s a good initiative and it’s going to help a lot of people at least we are going to give a lot of youth’s work, who really need the job. The government is doing a great job, I went around and I see a lot of works that they are

doing from the time they’re in they do good,” Anjane Christy, contractor of Angels General Enterprises related.

Dexter Harry contrac tor of Harry Enterprise said the project will give youths the opportunity to gain a skill.

“It putting some extra money in your pockets and got the youths doing some thing proper in the Albouys town area instead of liming around. So, you will have

youths with you showing them a trade and have them doing something proper with the road depending on what ever contract you get. And the initiative is very good because the government got Albouystown developing a great lot.”

The project is in keep ing with the PPP/C Ad ministration’s manifesto commitment of enhancing the lives of all Guyanese. (DPI)

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar and contractors from Albouystown and West La Penitence (DPI photo)

Disrupting Community Development

GUIDED by President, Dr Irfaan Ali’s “One Guyana” initiative and vision, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administra tion, through its unbiased approach to development, has been making signif icant inroads into com munities not commonly supportive of this political party.

Testimony of the govern ment’s progress in known People’s National Congress (PNC) strongholds are the reactions of residents: their warm welcomes, expressions of gratitude and the confi dence they express in the PPP/C, which has a proven track record of governing for the people and getting the job done.

Whether it is through the provision of agricultural materials to the residents of Belladrum or the fulfil

ment of a commitment to address drainage issues in Buxton, the government has no doubt demonstrated its keen interest in building “One Guyana” and ensuring that the benefits of a thriving economy redound to every Guyanese, regardless of their race, creed, religious belief and political affiliation.

Even persons affiliated with the PNC have benefit ted from the government’s direct community develop ment initiatives, albeit some of them accept the provisions of the PPP/C with masks on, to hide their faces so they could continue their efforts to evoke divisiveness by spreading rumours of a false reality of racial discrimina tion in Guyana’s society.

The truth is, behind the untruths and demagoguery, the PNC is scared out of its skin because its relevance

and support base are being reduced because of the gov ernment’s positive efforts.

Already batting on the back foot because the AFC—the minor partner in the APNU+AFC coali tion— has indicated that it will be jumping ship when the Cummingsburg Accord expires in December, the PNC finds itself in a difficult spot and one would expect that its fear of losing more supporters would drive the party to intensify its usual obstructionist efforts.

There are already signs of this, as representatives of the party, in the space of just one month, have sought to obstruct development at the community level, evidently without regard for how the restriction of advancement in those particular areas would impact the residents who, in some cases, have asked for

various interventions.

The most recent attempt to block development was the locking out of a con tractor who was conduct ing rehabilitative works at the Den Amstel Community Centre Ground, West Coast Demerara.

Minister within the Min istry of Public Works, Deo dat Indar, visited the site where he posted a video on his Facebook page and ex plained that the APNU+AFC NDC Chairman together with other councillors, re portedly went to the contrac tor, hurled remarks at him and chased him out of the ground, thereafter placing two padlocks on the gate in an attempt to stop the works.

“The contractors at the Den Amstel Commu nity Centre were doing their work. This is following the visit by the President of

Guyana to this community. I accompanied the President with a number of others. The whole country saw the prom ises made by the President to rehabilitate this ground, put lights in, a basketball court, fix up the roads in the community and so forth,” Minister Indar said.

This incident follows a similar situation in Bel ladrum, Region Five, where APNU+AFC Member of Parliament, Vinceroy Jordan, physically blocked Minister of the Public Service, Sonia Parag, from entering the Community Development Council building.

The minister and a team had ventured into the com munity to also deliver on promises made by President Ali during a visit to the area. Among the opportunities for residents, as outlined by the President, are skills training,

scholarships, and jobs.

Cognisant of those acts, the supporters of the PNC should now ask themselves why the people who claim to care about their well-being are restricting the imple mentation of interventions that would not only enhance the aesthetics of the com munity, but also contribute to the overall development of residents.

The PNC’s tactics, as outlined by the govern ment, would not derail the efforts being undertaken to develop Guyana. In fact, the only stakeholder that stands to lose is the PNC, since persons are now more informed and empowered with the knowledge to make decisions for their own benefit, instead of standing by or supporting efforts to disrupt commu nity development.

APNU’s so-called ‘electoral reform’ is meaningless cry for wolf!

Dear Editor, I WRITE to express my concern over the poten tially incendiary rhetoric about a ‘bloated list,’ the listing of deceased persons; voter impersonation and the unconstitutional and reckless call for the intro duction of restrictive meas ures such as biometrics at polling stations raised time and again by Messrs Norton, Alexander, Lowe and Hughes.

These new-fangled de mands by APNU+AFC spokespersons are noth ing but a smokescreen to obfuscate and to sway the minds of people in an effort to make them forget about the despicable and outra geous behaviour displayed by APNU+AFC operatives at the Ashmin’s building on

March 5, 2020, as well as the abuse of the courts and the ensuing legal battles at taxpayers’ expense begin ning with the High Court, the Appeal Court, ending up with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) between March-August 2020.

It is clear to most Guya nese that these APNU+AFC demands are self-serving and do not arise out of any genuine interest in free and fair elections. The PNC, who calls the shots in the APNU, has a track record that does not attest to that commit ment.

As a matter of fact, what may bring some relief to the nation is for the current lead ers of the APNU+AFC to go before the Commission of In quiry into the 2020 elections, to confess, and apologize

publicly for the irresponsible role operatives belonging to their alliance played in the events following the said elections.

It is hoped that the CoI would expose the spun sto ries of voter fraud, anec dotal accounts, innuendo, falsehoods and accusations that were never subjected to cross examination or rigor ous study.

Pretending to be commit ted to free and fair elections is not only disingenuous on the part of the APNU+AFC, it is cynical and insulting to the intelligence of the Guya nese electorate. This narra tive is not only false, but it is also tantamount to what social psychiatrists would deem a confabulation.

Confabulation is used to describe when a person

or persons make up stories that sound fantastical be cause of memory disorder. In the circumstances, it is the APNU+AFC, not the electorate, who appear to be suffering from memory disorder as regards the dirty tricks that were resorted to at the Ashmin’s building.

The poor piece of chi canery by the APNU+AFC in demanding fulfilment of the measures they cling to not only lacks credibility but they are clearly aimed at poisoning the public’s mind with a view to making us believe that with the imple mentation of their demands they stand a chance at win ning a free and fair election.

By appearing to be fight ing for free and fair elec tions and, by extension, the strengthening of democracy,

the APNU+AFC hopes that the Guyanese people will forget about the authoritar ian tactics they attempted to fiddle with the 2020 election result.

The feigned struggle en gineered by the APNU+AFC for the introduction of bi ometrics would be in viola tion of the constitution and would, in effect, impose an additional restriction on each bona fide voter who is entitled to exercise their constitutional right on Elec tion Day.

Cumulatively and un mistakably, such a restrictive voting rule would slow down voting at polling places and even dissuade voters from showing up to cast their ballots.

As regards the demand for a ‘sanitized voters’ list’,

GECOM in a recent press release emphasized that: “… it is imperative that we reit erate GECOM’s operations continue to be guided by the applicable constitutional and legal provisions.

“In this regard, it is ob ligatory for us to repeat that the eligibility requirement for registration is that one must be a Guyanese citizen by birth, descent, or naturali zation; or a citizen of a Com monwealth country living in Guyana for one year or more.

“Providing persons met those requirements and have been registered, their regis tration in the National Reg ister of Registrants (NRR) is and remains legitimate. Accordingly, any removal of their names from the NRR, without legal basis, would

APNU+AFC desperate, will be exposed by right-thinking Guyanese - President Ali

CONDEMNING the fla grant attempts by the A Partnership for Nation al Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) op eratives to block communi ty development, President, Dr Irfaan Ali has thrown his voice in, calling for the opposition’s disruptive ef forts to be exposed.

The President’s state ment comes just days after the opposition, APNU+AFC ramped up its efforts to dis rupt development for com munities across the country.

Following a visit by the Head of State to Den Am stel, contractors had begun working to rehabilitate the Den Amstel Community Centre ground.

Their efforts, however, were disrupted earlier this week by the Neighbourhood Democratic Council Chair man, Kenton Hilliman, who, reportedly, locked the gate to the facility.

In response to this situ ation, and a statement made by the opposition in support of it, the President said that

the APNU+AFC’s blockade on people and community development will be con tinuously exposed.

“Their incompetence in government and now their self-desire to stymie the development of our com munities will continuously be exposed by right-thinking Guyanese,” President Ali in

his statement said.

The opposition in a statement on Wednesday launched an attack on Min ister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar and stated that the people of Den Amstel should reject the government’s handling of land issues.

As such, President Ali

Chronicle’s former Editor-in-Chief (ag) dies

stated that the attack on Minister Indar can only be seen as an indication of the APNU+AFC’s despera tion as he added that the combined leadership of the “anti-development cabal” cannot match the Minister’s competence and commit ment to the country’s devel opment.

The President said, “Not only are Minister Indar and my Cabinet proactive, com petent, highly skilled and innovative, but we under stand what it is to build One Guyana, unlike the narrow minority of racist elites in the deflated APNU+AFC.”

He went on to add that, as right-thinking Guyanese,

the APNU+AFC should continue to embrace the vi sion and transformation of the country.

Earlier this week, Minis ter Indar visited the site and posted to his Facebook Page explaining that the NDC chairman, along with oth er councillors, went to the contractor, chased him out of the ground, and placed padlocks on the gate in an attempt to stop the works.

Indar had said that the people of the community asked for help during the Head of State’s visit. He not ed that with the NDC chair man negatively responding to the intervention, this nei ther benefits the community nor the country.

Minister Indar had a few words for the NDC chairman: “He should be embarrassed and he should be ashamed of him self… this is for the de velopment of our youths, not for our old washed-up politicians. It is a shame ful thing to say but we will deal with it.”

L-R Cuba’s former Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Julio Cesar Gonsalez Marchante, Guyana Chronicle’s former senior editor, the late Chamanlall Naipaul, and Economic and Commercial Counselor, Ms. Lic. Praxedes Louis Nordet during the courtesy call by the Cuban officials in March 2014 (Adrian Narine photo)

THE Guyana Chronicle is saddened to learn of the death of former Editorin-Chief (ag) Chamanlall Naipaul.

Notice of his death was

shared by the Guyana Press Association (GPA) which confirmed with Mr Nai paul’s relatives.

Mr Naipaul worked with the newspaper from

the early 1990s until 2015. During 2014, he functioned as the Sunday Editor. He also performed the role of Acting Editor-in-Chief in 2015.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali during his visit to Den Amstel

Hire purchase law passed to protect consumers, sellers

By Shamar Meusa

THE amended Hire Pur chase Act of 2020 was, on Wednesday, passed in the National Assembly, seek ing to level the playing field between consumers and sellers in relation to hire purchase, credit and conditional sales agree ments.

The Bill, which was first read in the National As sembly in December 2020, was sent to a special select committee for considera tion. That committee had its first meeting in June 2021 but commenced work in April 2022.

When work commenced on the Bill, there was a wide and inclusive consul tation process held which included stakeholders from the private sector and input from the general public.

As a result of the con sultation process, some 27 clauses of the Act were

amended in the committee following representation from the various stakehold ers. It was noted that only three clauses came back to the House without any form of an amendment.

Presenting the bill was Minister of Tourism, Indus try and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond.

Walrond highlighted that the Bill, while seeking to level the playing field does not seek to distort it as she noted that they were mindful and determined to avoid replacing a regime that substantially disad vantaged the buyer with one that disadvantaged the seller.

She said, “Thus, you will find, Mr Speaker, that when I come to explaining the actual provisions of the Bill that there are some there that also provide pro tection to the seller.”

As she presented the Bill for its second reading,

the Minister noted that it will make a consequen tial contribution to the en vironment for trade and commerce in Guyana and importantly to the lives of everyday people.

Walrond told the House that hire purchase and these kinds of agreements have significant benefits for sell ers and consumers. How ever, she added that there are many pitfalls in these types of arrangements.

A vast majority of these perils, the minister noted, devolve under the relatively powerless consumer un der the current framework

which, she added, is largely governed by the common law of contract.

Meanwhile, adding to the debate on the Bill was Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha who stated that the Bill served as part of the government’s plan to modernise Guyana’s laws in keeping with the positively growing econ omy.

He noted that, as “busi ness booms” in the country, it is necessary that there is updated legislation that protects both businesses and consumers. He also said that, in the line of hire pur chase and credit sales, this represents a large portion of the retail trade in Guyana.

Mr Mustapha indicated that hire purchasing is done by many of the small busi nesses, Agro-processors and farmers in the country.

As such, he added, “This

will allow our farmers to confidently invest in highvalue assets to improve their production as hire pur chase will now be seen by many farmers as a financial solution for expanding the agriculture business.”

Adding to this, the act ing Director of the Compe tition and Consumer Affairs Commission, Anil Sukhdeo, on a televised programme stated that over 100 com plaints were received over the last few years. The com plaints accounted for a cu mulative value exceeding $200 million.

This dollar value, he added, is very significant to the average consumer and these are usually items of high value. Sukhdeo stated that the industry where most of these com plaints come from is the automotive industry and he noted that resolving these

issues has always been a problem.

“Now that we have this Bill here that’s a footing that at least the consum ers can stand on to seek redress via the magistrates’ court,” Sukhdeo said.

The acting director stated that they now fore see that, with the amend ments, consumers will now have an avenue where they can access this redress even as he noted that there may be fewer complaints based on the provisions in the amendments of the Bill.

During the Bill’s sec ond reading, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Su san Rodrigues, Minister of Labour, Joseph Ham ilton and Member of Par liament, Sanjeev Datadin all rose in support of its passage.

APNU’s so-called ‘electoral...

FROM PAGE 6

be unlawful and unconsti tutional.”

GECOM’s press release went on to state: “Existing legislation provides that the removal of names from the NRR can be done only through the established methodology comprising (i) the receipt of monthly death reports from the General Registers Office (GRO) and (ii) through the Objections aspect of any Claims and Objections exercise, which allows for any elector, or suitably accredited Scruti neers of Political Parties, to object to the inclusion of the names in the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) who may not be eligible inclu sion.”

The latest straw the APNU+AFC sought to clutch to is the question of overseas voting. In that re gard, they posed the silliest question ever, suggesting that the PPP/C is consider

ing reintroducing overseas voting.

Suffice it to say it was the Burnham administration which introduced overseas voting in 1968 in order to pad the voters’ list to secure 36,745 votes, the equivalent of nine seats in the National Assembly.

It was the PPP/C who, having been cheated out of office, demanded and suc ceeded with other national and international stakehold ers in getting overseas vot ing scrapped.

It is to be recalled that in May 1973, Forbes Burn ham, then Prime Minister, admitted in the National Assembly that “there were irregularities in the compi lation of the 1968 Overseas Register”. Another PNC ‘big wig’ put the blame on registration officials who he claimed “were dishonest”.

The APNU+AFC has shied away from utiliz ing the embarrassing and

haunting terminology of a ‘padded voters’ list’ which was used and abused during 1968 to 1992 period. Today, they are drumming up noise about “a bloated voters’ list” which is nothing but a caricature of their past repugnant electoral rigging practices.

The electoral reform Bills laid recently in the National Assembly will go a far way to strengthen the electoral system, help the public reject irresponsible claims of stolen or rigged future elections, and put a stop to dangerous election crimes.

So, for APNU+AFC to be harping on the false narrative about reintro duction of overseas voting it is but a meaningless cry for “wolf! wolf!” Suffice it to say that that cry is more like the ‘woof! woof!’ of a toothless poodle.

Sincerely, Clement J. Rohee

- creates a level playing field for all

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond (Elvin Carl Croker photo)

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha (DPI photo)

Police blocked Ramson as Mingo dodged recount request letter - CoI hears

AS part of the twisted plan to steal the 2020 General and Regional Elections, corrupt staff of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) used the police to thwart any challenges to the plan.

This became clear to Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., from the very first time he tried serv ing Clairmont Mingo, the District Four Return ing Officer, with a letter requesting a recount of votes.

Ramson testified to this effect when he ap peared, on Wednesday, before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the events sur rounding the 2020 Gener al and Regional Elections.

For those elections, Ramson had been ap pointed a People’s Pro gressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) counting agent for District Four. There fore, when Mingo went

ahead, on March 5, and declared APNU+AFC as the winner for District Four after a truncated and inefficient verification and tabulation process, the onus was upon Ramson to request a recount on behalf of his party.

Shortly after Mingo made his announcement, Ramson had a letter pre pared requesting a re count. Ramson testified that he was relentless in his efforts to serve the letter to Mingo, who was on the top floor of the Ashmin’s building. But in the first instance, when he tried to get to Mingo, Ramson was blocked by police ranks who manned the stairway.

Ramson recalled that it was the late Bibi Shadick, a GECOM Commissioner at the time, who secured his passage beyond the police barricade on the stairway. Ramson said that by the time he even tually got to the top floor of the Ashmin building,

Mingo had disappeared from his sight.

The Minister recount ed that there were several rooms with steel doors that were shut tight with the outer handles miss ing, making it difficult to enter. Ramson said that he knocked for 10 minutes on each of the doors; but his banging fell on deaf ears.

The Member of Parlia ment told Commissioners that he remained on the top floor for about an hour, give or take, until he eventually left that area but remained in the building.

Ramson said that while he was on the ground floor, he spotted Mingo who had emerged from one of the rooms on the top floor. At this point, Mingo was under heavy police protection. In the words of Ramson, “he was circled by police.”

Those ranks escorted Mingo through a back door.

But before that, Ram son made yet another at tempt to get to Mingo.

Ramson testified that he managed to get as near as somewhere around 30 to 40ft. But alas, Mingo slipped away as Ramson needed to get past a hu man barricade of police ranks who stood a short distance away from the several other police ranks who moved in tandem with Mingo.

Ultimately, Mingo got away.

Ramson testified he took a photo of the letter which he then sent, via Whatsapp, to Mingo, the then Chief Elections Of ficer Keith Lowenfield and to GECOM Chair man, Claudette Singh.

Ramson told the CoI that none of the officials ever acknowledged re

ceipt of the message, which, to this day, remains on his cellular phone.

Ramson knew that he had a particular time frame within which he needed to make his re quest for a recount in or der for it to be valid.

The law says, until 12:00hrs the next day. Ramson said that he had roughly 20 hours from the time Mingo made his an nouncement to the cut-off point. He made those 20 hours count.

On March 6, Ramson continued his efforts to serve the letter. He said that, on that day, no one had access to the Ashmin Building. The area was cordoned off, and the steel shutters on the Ashmin building were activated.

Essentially, the office of the District Four RO was

shut down.

While attempting to move beyond the barri cade, Ramson was threat ened by an angry “mob”.

Majority of the people in that mob were clad in green jerseys that carried APNU+AFC symbols and name.

Ramson presented the CoI with a video that cap tured a fraction of the ordeal. Commissioners noted that threats were made on Ramson’s life. That, and other videos, were taken into evidence.

Ramson told the Com mission that about sev en minutes before the 12:00hrs cut-off point, he was allowed into the Ashmin building. He gave the letter to Mingo’s clerk who identified herself as Ms. Miller. Ramson said

TURN TO PAGE 10

No evidence of a bomb planted at

Ashmin’s building – probe finds

MORE evidence has emerged that the bomb threat to the Ashmin build ing that housed the Guy ana Elections Commission (GECOM) command cen tre for the March 2020 Re gional and General Elec tions was a hoax designed to allow corrupt elections officials to carry out a plan to alter the results in favour of the incumbent APNU+AFC administra tion.

Deputy Superintendent Elston Baird has said that there was no evidence of an actual bomb planted at the building

Baird, who is the Head of the Office of Profession al Responsibility (OPR), testified yesterday on day eight of hearings before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the 2020 elections, particularly the

events at the Hadfield and High Streets in Georgetown building which was the main administrative centre for the overall elections and also housed District Four opera tions.

The witness said on No vember 25, 2022, he re ceived a request to produce police records and entries made during March 2020 at the command centre.

He was tasked with con ducting an investigation on the records and producing the report to the CoI.

Baird explained that some of the records he was asked to produce were lodged at the Brickdam Po lice Station. He disclosed that he was unable to locate some of these records due to the massive fire which destroyed the building on October 2, 2021.

However, Baird said he

visited the Criminal Inves tigation Department, Head quarters at Eve Leary where he found some entries made by a police Corporal Doris.

These entries were pre sented to the CoI and admit ted into evidence, which Baird read in court.

The entries detailed how several senior officers, in cluding then-acting crime chief, Senior Superinten dent Michael Kingston went to the command centre on March 5, 2020, where As sistant Commissioner of Police, Edgar Thomas in formed the occupants of the building that there was a report of a bomb threat.

However, the building could not be searched since persons refused to leave.

In the next entry, on March 6, 2020, at about 15:15hrs, the senior officers returned to the location and

Police blocked Ramson as...

FROM PAGE 9

that he was notified that Miller was authorised to accept the letter on Mingo’s behalf.

The commission heard that Mingo even tually responded to that letter saying that he did not recognise Ramson as a counting agent.

This is despite the fact that PPP/C’s election agent, Zulfikar Mustapha, followed all the neces sary and usual procedures for appointing Ramson a counting agent. Further, the Commission heard

that Ramson and Mingo interacted before in Ram son’s capacity as a count ing agent and Mingo’s capacity as an RO.

Ramson recalled that, on March 13, Mingo made a second decla ration that was not in keeping with the figures reflected on the State ments of Poll in the pos session of the PPP/C. Again, Mingo announced APNU+AFC as the win ner of District Four.

Again, Ramson tried to serve another “Request for General Final count.”

As if he was stuck in a loop, Ramson said that similar shenanigans pre vailed. Mingo avoided him like the metaphoric plague.

Ram son said that he was eventually able to serve his letter to a Depu ty Returning Officer iden tified as Ms. Cummings. This was on March 14, again, just a few minutes before the legal time frame had expired.

Ramson told com missioners that he never laid eyes on Mingo until some months after when Mingo was arrested.

met with then-Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers, who then took them into the building and showed them a white foam cup which had a sus pected video recorder inside.

The witness explained that during the course of his investigation he collected statements from Corporal Doris and two other offic ers, who were at the scene of the alleged ‘bomb threat ‘on March 5, 2020.

The officers were also present on March 6, 2020, and were shown the foam cup which had the alleged recording device inside.

Senior Counsel Sophia Chote, of Trinidad and To bago, asked the witness if based upon his investigation, if there was any actual bomb at the building on March 5, 2020, based upon the police reports.

Blair disclosed that based on the records, there was no evidence of a bomb at the Command Centre.

During one of the CoI’s hearings, GECOM’s Chief Security, Ronald Stuart, provided intimate details of how the now infamous bomb threat was designed to remove party agents from witnessing the tabulation process for Region Four.

Stuart had testified that he was summoned to Ash min’s building by Myers to get everyone out of the tabulation room because they were interfering with Mingo’s work.

The witness had said he saw no proof of the alleged interference and, therefore, refused to carry out the task

assigned.

However, 15 minutes later two male ranks entered the building and identified themselves as being from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force. They informed him that a bomb was planted in the building. This was later proven to be a hoax.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Detective Inspec tor Junior Blair told the CoI that on March 6, 2020, he received an “object” from Police Corporal Doris. He explained that the object appeared to be a black desk clock.

Blair explained that Do ris asked for his formal opinion because he had his suspicion of it being a video recording device. The de vice, he said, was about three inches and did not have a power cord.

“Through the glass, it appeared as what looked like a camera lens. But I wasn’t sure what it was,” he said.

However, when ques tioned by Chote about any record of the observation, Blair said that it was just a formal request, so none was made.

Commissioner Godfrey Smith questioned Blair as to why he did not open the device, to inspect it properly to confirm if it was a record ing device.

“The thing is, I have never seen a device like that before. So, I didn’t want to venture too much. I don’t know exactly what it was because it didn’t look like

a regular video recorder. It wasn’t coming on and it wasn’t powering up” In spector Blair said

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ronald Ali testi fied about going to the com mand centre on March 5, 2020, to assist with getting GECOM Chairman, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh out of the building to safety.

The chairman was locked in a room which was guarded by heavily armed police officers. The chair man had complained of feeling unwell, but the ranks barred the EMTs from enter ing the room.

According to Ali, he along with other ranks went up the stairway to the room and saw a crowd trying to gain entry into the room.

The witness recalled how the ranks successful ly entered the room and were able to safely escort the chairman to her vehi cle, where she was quickly whisked away.

According to Ali, they were later instructed to “clear” the building and “lock it down.” He recalled that Myers was present and was telling everyone to exit the building.

Upon further probing by Chote, Ali said he did not know what was the reason for the clearing of the build ing but he aided in executing the orders.

CoI Chairman, Stanley John and commissioner, former Chancellor, Carl Singh are also presiding over the hearings.

The CoI hearings con tinue today.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ronald Ali

Deputy Superintendent Elston Baird Detective Inspector Junior Blair

Birth certificates bought under

APNU+AFC gov’t still unaccounted for

THERE were many flaws with birth cer tificates which were procured by the David Granger-led A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration, with many of them still un accounted for.

This was revealed by Registrar General, Ray mon Cummings, in an interview with the Na tional Communications

Network (NCN), where he stated that, while there was excess, there are is sues with accounting for these certificates procured in bulk under the previous government.

Cummings told NCN that many of the flaws included issues with the security along with being able to trust the informa tion written on the certifi cates.

He said, “There was a lot of excess certifi

cates printed. When we checked back to see what was delivered and so on, there was excess and there were some issues of accounting for all the copies that should have been printed.”

These certificates, he added, even when printed by national printers are af fixed with serial numbers to be able to trace them. However, issues arose with determining where the certificates were and

whose names were docu mented on them.

In early November, a special investigation was launched into the purchase of 100,000 birth certificates by the Minis try of the Presidency un der the last government, according to the 2021 Auditor General’s Report. These certificates were purchased for the sum of $288.098 million under the APNU+AFC coalition government. Included in

Linden landslide

By Cindy Parkinson

RESIDENTS from Poker Street in Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Deme rara-Upper Berbice) are still shocked and in dis belief as they try to com prehend what would have caused the landslide that occurred yesterday morn ing around 10:20hrs.

According to Robin, when she got there, one of the women was on the ground with debris piled on top of her. Jessop explained that while she was trying to lift the things off of the woman, a young man from another yard jumped over the fence and added to the assistance.

Robin Jessop and the young man, whose name was not given, assisted the other two ladies to get to safety.

According to a Lindenbased reporter, the three women were visibly shaken after the ordeal.

It was also initially re ported that Charlie Thakur, an excavator operator, was operating machinery at the time and was suspected to have been trapped under the aggregates.

realised what was happen ing and fled the scene.

Commander Hugh Win ter also mentioned that there are some officials from the regional adminis tration office that up to late yesterday were assessing the damage caused. Two houses were severely dam aged in the incident.

One theory of how the land became unstable was that the excavation work might have been respon sible.

Charlie Thakur who was believed to be trapped under the shifted earth

In an exclusive inter view, Linden resident, Robin Jessop said she was washing clothes when she saw the house behind her move to her fence.

Robin realised that it was going to collide with her house, so she hopped the fence in an effort to as sist the three elderly wom en who were living in the home that was located on top of the moving land.

The Regional Com mander, Superintendent Hugh Winter told the Guy ana Chronicle that he re ceived a call from someone who informed him of the event as it was unfolding.

He said he immediately dispatched members of the local police and the fire fighters, who responded promptly to the emergency call.

After some time, the Regional Commander con firmed with the Guyana Chronicle that the operator, Charlie Thakur, was found alive and well at one of his relatives’ homes in Wismar.

According to Mr. Win ter, Charlie provided a statement and noted in part that he “panicked” after he

Symon Harry, a private contractor, thought he was doing a good deed by as sisting in the relief of the community’s water situ ation. Harry explained to an online source that there were operators who were at the time digging to locate a drain which he believed would have helped the resi dents of the community since they were experienc ing a water situation for some time.

Symon said that, “It was a drain I was trying to find; we were getting water problems in the community for some time, however, like he [Charlie] went too close to a pocket of water and that pushed down the whole thing.”

Regional Chairman Deron Adams told the Guy ana Chronicle via telephone that he was in Georgetown for a meeting at the time of the incident. Upon receiv ing a telephone call, he im mediately left the meeting and proceeded to Wismar, Linden.

According to the re

gional chairman, “when I got back I saw that there was a mudslide, and our councillors were on the ground with other officials assessing the situation.”

Adams believes that they may have to liaise with the central govern ment and relevant agencies to activate the “disaster and preparedness team,” which will bring support to the people.

He also noted that the Regional Executive Of ficer, Mr. Dwight John, the Environmental Protection Agency, and a representa tive of the Prime Minis ter’s Office were on site and collected information about the events that had transpired.

The regional chairman confirmed that no one was seriously injured, but two of the senior citizens’ prop erties were heavily dam

this amount was the sum of some $18.599 million which represented full payments on two con tracts for the procurement of 100,000 birth certifi cates.

The AG’s report noted that the con tracts were awarded by the National Pro curement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) through the single-source method of procurement.

aged.

“Three families are di rectly affected by the slide, and the task right now is to try and get the area cleared up, but I am concerned be cause in the area there are a number of other houses that are in the same vicinity.

“Because of the shift ing of the soil, those other houses could possibly be compromised at some point in time,” said Adams.

With the Prime Min ister’s representative be ing present at the location yesterday, Mr. Adams ex pressed commitment to work with all other au thorities including the Civ il Defence Commission (CDC) to bring relief for the families of those who are affected.

Adams expressed opti mism that the Government of Guyana and regional officials will also work

together to get some “tech nical people” on the ground to give advice on dealing with the matter going for ward.

At the moment, the Re gional Chairman believes that the three pensioners, along with the other occu pants, will be staying with their family members until other arrangements are put in place as the week pro gresses.

He related that there was one person who didn’t seem to have any family members, but the officials would do a follow-up to make sure that the indi vidual was taken care of.

Chairman Adams later issued a statement of concern through his office. Power was also disrupted to the area as a result of the landslide, causing damage to power lines.

- Two homes destroyed Man feared buried later found unharmed Good Samaritan act potentially goes wrong Resident leaps to assist three elderly women

Scenes from the landslide at Wismar, Linden

Registrar General Raymon Cummings

Charity granny autopsy today; suspect admitted to psych ward

amination at the Suddie Public Hospital.

The incident in question occurred around 04:00hrs on Sunday. Police said a neigh bour claimed loud screams, stomping and cries were heard coming from the home; it lasted for approximately 15 minutes.

“Thereafter, the suspect knocked at the door of the said neighbour and asked for it to be opened.

“The neighbour opened her door and saw the suspect with a baby, naked in her hands, who told her that the baby just died and attempted to hand the baby over to her [neighbour] who refused to take the baby.

“The suspect then walked out the yard onto the street with her baby,” the police re port said.

Following an assessment of the crime scene, police reported that “the body was examined and one large wound was seen behind the neck and one to the right side of the temple.

“Also, two large wounds were seen on the back of the elderly woman’s head. All of the elderly woman’s hair was also removed from her head and placed on the kitchen floor.

“A pair of scissors with what appeared to be blood stains were found on top of a gas stove. A broken glass jar was found on the floor next to the body and cooking salt was seen scattered on the floor.”

It is believed that Cindy Gamell might have been a victim of postpartum depres sion. She is currently under police watch pending further assessment.

THE autopsy of 75-year-old Angelica Agatha Gamell who was found dead in her Char

ity Housing Scheme, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) home in a bloodied scene

will be conducted today, the police confirmed on Wednes day

According to a senior of ficial in the communications unit, the woman who is be

lieved to have committed the act, 22-year-old primary school teacher Stephanie Gamell, has

been admitted to the psychi atric ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) following her ex

DEAD: Angelica Agatha Gamell

Leopold Street, Albouystown youths meet officials on skills training

IN keeping with President, Dr Irfaan Ali’s promise to the residents of Leopold Street and other communi ties across Guyana, Labour Minister Joseph Hamil ton, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, and Police Commissioner (ag) Clifton Hicken met with Leopold Street and Albouystown residents on Wednesday.

The meeting was facili tated in the labour minis try’s boardroom and was centred on skills training programmes.

The gathering was ar ranged as a follow-up to Sunday’s outreach, during which President Ali remind ed the Leopold Street locals that they would have access to skills development to aid in their personal develop ment and community im provement.

The President made “onthe-spot” judgments and offered potential remedies based on the requirements of the community.

Wednesday’s discus sion, which took place in the boardroom of the Ministry of Labour, was attended by more than 30 young men from Leopold Street and Albouystown.

Minister Benn reminded the young men that the coun try “is in transition, and if there is any moment when we need to join hands and meet the development re

quirements, that time is now.

“Every week people come to Guyana to do works which Guyanese can do, from mason to construction.”

In light of his statement, the minister urged all Guy anese to take part in the country’s development and tasked the youngsters to take advantage of the chance to learn new skills so that they can get out of any chal lenging situations that they encounter.

He further noted the im portance of a smooth tran sition into the workforce, while cautioning them to always be skilled, punctual, and, most importantly, safe ty-conscious while in their working environment.

Meanwhile, Commis sioner Hicken briefed the youngsters on their readi ness for what lies ahead. He noted that they would be supported during the training as they would be provided with meals, transportation, and a stipend.

To add to the develop ment of the community, he indicated that efforts would be placed on cleaning up the area to create a safe space for block-making. Upon completion, he noted that the young men will be placed in jobs to make their contri butions to society and the development of the country as a whole.

In his remarks, Minister Hamilton said that while the

nation is heading toward cer tification and accreditation, people who are skilled but uncertified can also get on board and become certified.

He noted that by doing this, it would enable the youths to take advantage of the nation’s rapid develop ment.

The young men were given the opportunity to fill out their application forms and choose the course of their choice after the meet ing, which would help with the efficient planning of training.

Additionally, present at the meeting were the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Secretary of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), Richard Maughn; Assistant Su perintendent Jacquelyn Blair-McGregor, and As sistant Commissioner, Mr. Simon McBean. The men will commence training by December 5.

Some of the South Georgetown residents at Wednesday’s meeting (Guyana Police Force photo)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Thursday December 01, 2022)

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

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Collie Smith-104 (Sabina Park, 1955) (2) Gary Cosier-109 (Melbourne, 1975-76)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who are the WI Test debutants in the current Test against Australia?

(2) Who are the AUST Test debutants in the current Test against the West Indies?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

RACING TIPS

English Racing Tips

Leicester

08:15 hrs Houi Cherie

08:47 hrs Apple Rock

09:17 hrs Faitque De L’isle

09:47 hrs Georges Saint

10:17 hrs Somewhat Cloudy

10:47 hrs Obey The Rules

11:17 hrs Colonial Empire

Wincanton

08:25 hrs Hiway One O

Three 08:55 hrs Lime Avenue 09:25 hrs Midnight Glance 09:55 hrs Shutupshirley

10:25 hr Born At Midnight 10:55 hrs Shallow River

11:25 hrs Meatloaf

Chelmsford City

12:30 hrs Pure Motion

13:00 hrs Capital Theory

13:30 hrs Buxted Too

14:00 hrs Jilly Cooper

14:30 hrs Araif Jan

15:00 hrs Admirable Lad

15:30 hrs Reigning Profit

16:00 hrs Miss Belladonna

16:30 hrs Michaela’s Boy

Irish Racing Tips

Thurles

08:32 hrs Highland Charlie 09:02 hrs Filon D’oudairies 09:32 hrs Darasso

10:02 hrs Innatendue 10:32 HRS Foxy Girl

11:02 hrs Allibaba

11:35 hrs Champagne Auc tion

American Racing Tips

Aqueduct

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He says his preference is to open in T20Is, while con tinuing to bat in the middle order in ODIs and Tests

Rishihabh Pant has said that he would prefer to open in T20Is, while continuing to bat in the middle order in ODIs and Tests.

Speaking before the start of the third ODI against New Zealand in Christchurch, Pant said that he is only 25 right now, and pitting white-ball and red-ball numbers against each other should be made only when he is around 3032, because right now there was "no logic" in such com parisons.

"I'd want to open in T20s, No. 4-5 in ODIs and Tests I'm already batting at No. 5," Pant told Harsha Bhogle on Prime Video

Bhogle went on to ask in directly why Pant's Test num bers looked the best when he came across more as a whiteball player.

"Record is just a number, my white-ball record is not bad either," Pant replied. When Bhogle said he was merely comparing Pant's Test

and white-ball records, Pant said, "Comparison is not a part of my life, I'm just 2425 so you can compare once I'm 30-32. There's no logic in comparing before that."

Pant made his India debut in T20Is in February 2017, Test debut in August 2018 and ODI debut two months later in October. While his penchant for pulling off un orthodox shots makes him seem like a natural white-ball batter, especially in T20s, he is more of a certainty in India's Test XI currently, then in ODIs, and in T20Is at last.

In the recent T20 World Cup, Dinesh Karthik started ahead of Pant in the first four games before Pant was brought into the XI in the middle order mainly because India wanted a left-hand bat ter. Pant, however, scored only 3 against Zimbabwe and 6 opposite England in the semi-final. In the following T20Is in New Zealand, Pant opened but again failed to impress with low scores of 6 and 11 after the first game was washed out.

In the ongoing ODIs, in

which he is the vice-captain just like for the T20Is, Pant fell twice to the pull shot, something oppositions have planned for to get him out. He chopped on for 15 off 23 in the opening ODI and failed to keep a short ball down on Wednesday in the third ODI to hand a catch to deep square leg for 10 off 16.

Pant had earlier said that he doesn't premeditate much in ODIs, because it's not required.

"It's mostly in T20s, not in white-ball cricket [that one has to premeditate]," he said. "There's no real need to pre meditate in one-day cricket but you have to in T20s."

Pant averages 43.32 from 31 Tests with the help of five hundreds, four of which have come outside Asia, and only one in India. In ODIs, too, he has been a middle-order mainstay, especially since the 2019 World Cup.

He has averaged nearly 40 while scoring 638 runs from 17 innings while strik ing at 110.76, with one cen tury and five half-centuries.

Lara presents Tagenarine...

From page 24

last week.

This marks the third occasion in West Indies Test history that a father and son have played at the highest level. The first was Ron Headley, son of legendary George Headley who debuted in 1973. Ron’s son Dean also played for England.

The second occasion was David Murray, son of legendary Sir Everton Weekes, who debuted in 1978. Murray’s son Ricky Hoyte played for the West Indies A Team. (CWI)

Banwarie named...

From page 24

and launching the GCUSA’s yearly recruitment and train ing course which is expected to commence in March 2023.

“Our stakeholders are very important and engaging them is very high priority. The association will be en gaging them to find out how we can better serve their needs and vice versa,” added Banwarie.

The hardworking Banwa rie, who in 2016 was selected on the West Indies ‘B’ panel,

spoke of the importance of players understanding the Laws of cricket.

“Players and coaches are the base of the GCUSA tar get group when it comes to our yearly recruitment and training course. This pro gramme offers an in-depth understanding into the 42 Laws of Cricket. To be an effective player or coach, understanding the Laws of Cricket is critical. By sub scribing to the GCUSA train ing programme, players and coaches will be provided

with the requisite knowledge to be effective in their field of work,.” concluded Banwa rie who made his Regional debut in the 2016 Women’s tournament in Guyana.

The GCSA Executives: President Ryan Banwarie, Vice President Deon Feasal, Secretary Karen Weather spoon, Treasurer Stephon Jo siah, Asst/Sec treasurer Mark Scott, PRO Randy Latif Committee Members: Nadir Baksh, Moses Ram narine, Patrick Edwards, Mohamad Nasir.

Rishabah Pant - "Record is just a number, my white-ball record is not bad either

Smartt becomes first female head coach for Berbice all-male team

TREMAYNE Smartt during her cricketing ca reer represented the West Indies in a combined 115 matches at the one-day international and 20/20 levels.

The 37-year-old for mer West Indies player last played for the regional team in 2018 during a tour to New Zealand.

Her successful ca reer included 58 ODI and 58 T20 matches and she claimed a combined 85 international wickets with her impressive medium fast bowling.

Smartt who still repre sented Berbice and Guy ana during the last week, created history when she was appointed the cricket coach of the Berbice Un der-13 team by the Hilbert Foster-led Berbice Cricket Board (BCB).

Her appointment is his toric as she would be the first female coach in the 83-year history of Berbice cricket to be in charge of an all-male cricket team.

She would also be the first female coach to be in charge of a male team in Guyana at the inter-coun ty level. Smartt is one of the 19 cricket coaches at

tached to the BCB with the cooperation of Minister Nigel Dharamlall under the government’s 10- day job programme.

Smartt works with junior females and Un der-13 players at the Area H Ground.

BCB president Hilbert Foster was very impressed with her positive attitude, patience, work ethics and ability to connect with youths.

Foster recommended her for the historic position and the recommendation was approved by the exec utives of the board.

The BCB president stat ed that once people work hard and honestly under his administration, they would be recongised and

promoted.

He expressed confi dence that the former inter national player would be successful in her duties as coach and make her county proud.

Foster also stated that the Level Two coach would go far in her coaching ca reer and BCB was very proud to be part of the journey.

Smartt had earlier in the year coached the Berbice Under-19 female team to success at the inter-county level.

An excited Smartt ex pressed gratitude to the BCB for confidence in her and stated that she felt hum bled to be creating history in Guyana Cricket. She not ed that she was confident that her appointment would open the way to more fe male coaches in Guyana.

She also stated that BCB was working very hard to develop cricket across the entire county and she was very happy to be part of that effort.

Meanwhile, BCB has announced its team for the tournament.

The team would be led by Richard Ramdeholl with Tameshwar Deonandan as

deputy. History was also created when 12-year-old Jade Campbell was named as a standby player in the team.

She is the first female in the history of the coun ty cricket to be named as a standby player in an all-male team. She is the younger sibling of national Under-19 female player Jamie Campbell.

Chairman of selectors, Balram Samaroo, stated that the selection committee was very impressed with Campbell’s medium fast bowling and she claimed a wicket in both trial match es. He stated that she was one for the future and BCB would invest in her career.

The Berbice team: Rich ard Ramdeholl, Tameshwar Deonandan, Mohamed Bal le, Lemuel DeJonge, Balraj Narine, Arif Marimutoo, Nathaniel Ramsammy, Arif Bacchus, Shahid Gajnabi, Denish Singh, Luke Am sterdam, Dave Sewper saud, Leon Reddy, Raffel McKenzie, Arush Hemraj, Donovan Newland

Standby: William Cas tello, Fayad Gaffur, Jade Campbell, Kuamassy Mentore.

Australia stun Denmark to reach World Cup last 16

AUSTRALIA reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in 16 years after shocking Denmark.

The Danes, needing victory to progress, dominated posses sion but were caught out on the break when Australia scored the winner on the hour mark.

Denmark lost the ball in the Australian box and Mathew Leckie finished a brilliant count er attack with a low shot past Kasper Schmeichel.

Australia finish in second place in Group D on six points, only behind world champions France on goal difference.

Denmark meanwhile exited Qatar 2022 in disappointing fashion, with just one point from three games, sitting bottom of the group.

Australia will now play the winners of Group C - with Poland, Argentina and Saudi Arabia all in with a chance of topping the table - on Saturday (19:00hrs GMT).

DARK HORSES BOLT AS DENMARK EXIT

Denmark came into the World Cup tipped by many fans and pundits as 'dark horses' after their impressive run to the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and a strong UEFA Nations League campaign in which they beat France home and away.

tralia with his probing runs but was not adequately supported by those further forward.

They demanded a penalty in the second half when Kasper Dolberg was hauled down in the area. However, he was narrowly offside as the Danish campaign petered out.

Denmark continue their longest winless World Cup run, having failed to earn a victory in any of their past six games in the competition, with four of them draws.

SOLID AUSSIES SHOW SPIRIT OF 2006

Australia, the lowest seeded side in Group D, ran the game at their tempo and the largely uneventful encounter suited their needs perfectly, with a draw potentially enough to see them through having started the day second in the group on three points.

However, just as the news of Tunisia taking a shock lead against France filtered through, which would have eliminated them on goal difference had they drawn here, Leckie sprang into action.

LUKA Doncic delivered his fifth triple-double of the season to lead Dallas Mavericks to a 116-113 win over NBA champions, Golden State Warriors.

In a rematch of last sea son's Western Conference finals, he top-scored with 41 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists.

It is the Slovenian's 51st career triple-double.

"It's getting boring," joked Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd. "I mean, let's see something differ ent. Maybe do it with his

left hand."

Stephen Curry led War riors with 32 points but team-mate Klay Thompson missed a three-pointer that would have tied the game with 2.6 seconds left on the clock.

Elsewhere on Tuesday night, New York Knicks' power forward Julius Ran dle celebrated his 28th birthday with a season-high 36 points as his side cruised to a 140-110 victory against Detroit Pistons.

Los Angeles Clipperswithout their injured star

player

However, they failed to impress in Qatar and go home having scored only once in three Group D games.

Their attacking struggles were acknowledged by manager Kasper Hjulmand, who made three changes from the defeat to France, all in attacking positions.

Martin Braithwaite, Brent ford midfielder Mathias Jensen and Andreas Skov Olsen came in as Mikkel Damsgaard, Victor Nelsson and striker Andreas Cornelius dropped to the bench - but the changes made little difference.

The Danes' best chance came through Jensen in the first half, who forced Australia cap tain Mat Ryan into an impressive acrobatic save after being played through by a Braithwaite flick.

However, it was telling that Denmark's most threatening attacking outlet was left-back Joakim Maehle, who tested Aus

Dolberg lost the ball in the Australian box and his side was caught out on the break. Melbourne City winger Leckie ran confidently at the Danish defence, and struck left-foot ed through Maehle's legs past Schmeichel inside the far post.

It ensured they reach the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time since 2006, when a star-studded side featuring Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer were only stopped by eventual champions Italy.

This team features far fewer big names but marshalled by captain and former Brighton and Arsenal goalkeeper Ryan, they have recovered from a 4-1 loss to France in their opening game - where they were naively open and picked apart by Kylian Mbappe and co - to grind out the results required.

It was Ryan who guided Australia through the nervy final six minutes of added time, claiming corners with aplomb.

A Cornelius header looped onto the roof of the net in stop page time but a historic victory was secured. (BBC Sport)

Damian Lillardcame from behind to beat Portland Trail Blazers 118-112, with Norman

Powell leading the Clip pers with 32 points off the bench. (BBC Sport)

Tremayne Smartt

Luka Doncic now has 51 career triple-doubles

Australia reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in 16 years after shocking Denmark

Tunisia upset France but fail to qualify

FRANCE had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside in the final minute of stoppage-time as Tunisia held on to register a shock victory.

However, despite victory they failed to qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup.

Substitute Antoine Griezmann volleyed in a dra matic equaliser at the Edu cation City Stadium, but the VAR decision meant Tunisia captain Wahbi Khazi's brilliant first-half goal proved to be the winner.

However, with Australia recording a 1-0 victory over Denmark in the other match in Group D, Tunisia's hopes of progressing had been dashed before Griezmann's goal was ruled out.

"It's mixed feelings be cause we're happy to beat a team like France," said Tunisia manager Jalel Kadri.

"We can be proud and leave with our head high, but it is a bitter victory.

"It would have been beau tiful to beat France and reach the last 16. It is our fault for not doing what we needed to do before."

France are through to the last 16 as group winners hav ing already secured qualifica tion with victory over Den mark in the last game.

Despite their failure to progress, Tunisia captain Khazi produced the moment fans had been waiting for - a

goal at this World Cup - when he drove to the edge of the box and coolly rolled it into the bottom right corner.

There was an outpouring of emotion from a large fol lowing of Tunisia fans at the stadium, while Tunisian sub stitutes sprinted onto the pitch in a moment of pure elation.

But their celebrations were short-lived when news of Aus tralia's lead began to ripple through the stadium, with sup

porters checking their phones for updates from the other match in Group D.

France, who were muchchanged from their 2-1 win over Denmark having already qualified as group winners, lacked quality in a disappoint ing performance.

Paris St-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe and Atletico Madrid's Griezmann were brought on later in the second half to try and find a way back into the game.

They had an impact despite loud jeers and whistling from Tunisia fans keen to put them off and Griezmann almost provided the goal they craved.

Didier Deschamps' side are set to face the runner-up of Group C, currently Argentina, in the last 16 on Sunday, De cember 4.

Tunisia's wait to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time continues as they exit the competition. (BBC SPORT)

Mexico out despite victory over Saudi Arabia

MEXICOdefeated Saudi Arabia 2-1 but agonisingly went out of the World Cup on goal difference on a night of incredible drama in Doha.

With Argentina beating Poland 2-0 in Group C at Stadium 974 and Mexico leading by the same score line at Lusail Stadium in the 94th minute, Gerardo Martino's side needed one more goal to prevent them from going out according to Fifa's fair play rule.

But Salem Al Dawsari's injury-time consolation goal for Saudi Arabia sent the distraught Mexicans home anyway, leaving the Polish players to celebrate across the city.

After a stop-start first half with little rhythm to it, the match burst into life two minutes after the break as Henry Martin reacted quick est to finish Cesar Montes' flick on.

Mexico fans had barely calmed their celebrations before Luis Chavez curled a glorious 30-yard free-kick into the top corner to send their supporters into pande monium.

They thought they had another but Hirving Loza

no's low strike was chalked off for offside and Martin should have had a second but volleyed over from 12 yards out.

It was all Mexico as they pushed for further goals.

Chavez nearly struck an other stunning free-kick but Mohammed Al Owais palmed it out, then Orbelín Pineda curled narrowly wide.

Mexico thought they had sealed progression when Uriel Antuna stroked in late on, but that too was flagged for offside and they went out in the most excruciating manner.

Agony for Mexico

The first half was one to forget, the drama in the

second will live long in the memory.

It was absolute chaos before the game, with thou sands of Saudi fans making the trip across the border for a game in which victory would have secured a place in the knockout stage.

But they never really managed to put Mexico un der pressure and ultimately both sides went out of the competition.

At one stage, Mexico were set to be knocked out because they had collected more yellow cards (seven) than Poland (five), with the two teams level on points and goal difference.

While Al Dawsari's late goal changed little, Mexico

fans were still left deject ed at full-time, with some staying long after the final whistle with their head in their hands.

Martin's opener from close range and Chavez's peach of a free-kick gave them hope, but two disal lowed goals crushed any optimism of advancing out of the group.

The result ends a se quence of progression to the round of 16, having done so at the previous seven World Cups.

For Saudi Arabia, the tournament ends in disap pointment by finishing bot tom of the group despite an opening game victory over Argentina that will go down as one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history.

Mohamed Kanno had his chances, shanking wide from the angle and curling a free-kick narrowly over, while Ali Al Hassan almost headed in on the stroke of half-time.

The stadium was filled mostly with raucous Sau di supporters and they went home with one final cheer as Al Dawsari coolly converted late on.(BBC Sport).

Virus hits England camp, may delay Rawalpindi Test

Captain Ben Stokes is among several England play ers who skipped yesterday's optional training session after being laid low by the bug.

Former captain Joe Root was one of five players who did attend.

"As far as I'm aware, a few guys are not feeling 100%," Root told a news conference.

"I didn't feel great yesterday (Tuesday) and I woke up a lot better today. So, hopefully, it's a 24-hour virus. Don't think it's like food poisoning or COVID or any thing like that.

"We are trying to do absolutely everything right to make sure we are prepared for this game."

England have named their starting 11, giving a Test debut to Liam Livingstone and recalling Ben Duckett to open with Zak Crawley.

Root effectively ruled out leading England again should Stokes miss the match with illness.

"I don't think so ... Hopefully, that's not even a conversation that we need to entertain," added the 31-year-old.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it was in touch with its English counterpart and added late yesterday that the two unanimously agreed to delay the decision on the commencement of the Test until 07.30hrs local time (02:30hrs GMT) today.

"The two boards also agreed, subject to the England players not recovering well enough to take the field today, then the Test will commence tomorrow and will be a five-day match," the PCB said in a statement.

."In this scenario, the schedule of the second Test in Multan and the third Test in Karachi will remain unaffected and will be played as per original schedule - December 9-13 and December 17-21.

England are on their first Test tour of Pakistan since 2005.

They have hired a chef for the tour after receiving feedback from players who visited Pakistan in Septem ber-October for a seven-match T20 series

Pakistan captain Babar Azam wished the English players a speedy recovery.

"I hope they get better soon. We'd like to face a full-strength England tomorrow (today)."

(REUTERS) - England's preparation for the open ing Test against Pakistan has been thrown into disarray by a virus sweeping through the camp, which could delay the start of the match scheduled in Rawalpindi from today.

England captain Ben Stokes

Wahbi Khazri celebrates after scoring against France (Photo: Skysports)

Mexico missed out on reaching the last 16 of the World Cup despite beating Saudi Arabia 2-1

Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey gets underway tonight at CASH

THE 16th edition of the Diamond Mineral Water International Indoor Hock ey Festival gets underway today at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on Homestretch Avenue.

The festival was birthed from the idea of Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira, who, upon visiting Guyana in 2003, met with executives of the Guy ana Hockey Board (GHB) and encouraged them to stage an annual international hock ey festival.

‘Reds’, being a huge pro ponent of Sports Tourism, thought that the Guyanese sporting bodies needed to do more to attract foreign ath letes to these shores.

The GHB took up the challenge and secured the volunteer service of former national hockey player, Troy Hugh Peters, to be the Tour nament Coordinator.

Eighteen years later, the Festival has grown into one of the premier indoor hock ey events in the region and attracts top club teams and players from the Pan Amer ican region.

Over the years the festival has had its challenges and missed years due to renova tions to the Cliff Anderson

Sports Hall in 2012 and then again during the restrictive COVID-19 times.

This year, the mighty Queen’s Park male contin gent returns to compete in the Men’s Veteran Over-35 and the Guinness Masters Over45 divisions.

The Over-35s will be the first foreign side on show as

they take on the Antonio’s Hickers at 19:30hrs on the opening night.

Trinidad Police are set to debut in this edition with a large male and female con tingent. The TT Police men will be on show for the final match of the evening tonight

as they take on the recent GTT National Indoor Cham pions, Bounty GCC.

The Police ladies simi larly will face local national champs, GBTI GCC Tigers, in the TLC Ladies division at 20:10hrs. The tournament will feature 18 teams, includ

ing six from overseas.

In addition, four players from Canada and two from the USA will be on show as guest players among the local sides, adding to the interna tional flair of the festival.

Diamond Mineral Water has been the mainstay of the festival and has been the title sponsor since its inception in 2004.

Local freight-forwarding company, TLC Guyana Inc., which is the sponsor of the women’s division, is new to the sport locally, while Guinness, more popular with football, has been the wel come sponsor of the Masters division.

All matches are being played at Cliff Ander son Sports Hall and be gin at 18:00hrs from to day, 15:00hrs tomorrow, 13:00hrs on Saturday and 11:00hrs on Sunday.

Argentina top Group as Poland through on goal difference

ARGENTINA completed the turnaround from the shock opening World Cup loss to Saudi Arabia by qualifying for the last 16 in impressive style against Poland - who went through on goal difference having finished level on points with Mexico.

Lionel Messi was the catalyst for the crucial win against Mexi co that got Argentina's campaign back on track after their opening defeat to Saudi Arabia, and he was instrumental again as they illustrated why they were re garded as one of the tournament favourites, before a second-round match against Australia.

Poland were set to progress on the FIFA Fair Play rule for having fewer yellow cards than Mexico - until Saudi Arabia pulled one back deep into stop page time in their 2-1 loss to the CONCACAF side - and will now face France after surviving an incredibly dramatic finale where another goal for Argentina or Mexico would have knocked them out.

Argentina ran out comfort able winners with second-half goals from Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister and Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez, but the game still held real drama and jeopardy in the closing stages as Poland knew another goal con ceded, or another goal for Mexico against the Saudis, would send them out on goal difference.

Argentina dominated throughout but had to wait un til after the break to make the

breakthrough as Messi saw a first-half penalty saved by Poland keeper Wojciech Szczesny after the pair had collided in an aerial challenge, a harsh award after a video assistant referee (VAR) consultation.

Mac Allister gave Argentina the lead they deserved when he swept home Nahuel Molina's cross a minute after the break and Alvarez sealed victory with a fine finish into the top corner in the 67th.

IMPRESSIVE ARGENTINA SHOW CLASS

Argentina's improvement continued as they produced their best performance of the World Cup to outclass a disappointing Poland.

The Argentines shook off the shock of that stunning loss to Saudi Arabia to settle their nerves

with a Messi-inspired win against Mexico then stepped up to anoth er level to confirm a last-16 game against Australia.

Messi's first-half penalty miss was a minor interruption on their path to victory as they held complete command of territory and possession against a passive Poland, especially given what was at stake.

Argentina keeper Emi Mar tinez did not have a moment of anxiety and once Mac Allister put them ahead the game was virtually over, Alvarez confirm ing it with a superb strike past the excellent Szczesny that hinted at his own rich potential.

Messi showed flashes of his mercurial best but this was a complete performance from Ar gentina who played with greater intensity and fire than they have so far.

They have taken their time to show why they are so highly regarded but produced plenty of evidence here to illustrate just how dangerous they will be in the knockout stage.

PASSIVE POLAND RIDE THEIR LUCK

It was symbolic of this lack-lustre Poland performance that their greatest show of passion all night came after the game had finished when they punched the air as news of Saudi Arabia's goal against Mexico that confirmed their place in the last 16 filtered down on to the pitch.

Poland's players revelled in the good tidings as they waved red and white flags on the pitch, barely able to believe they were through to face France.

They can consider them selves fortunate to be there after

this poor performance in which they never troubled Argentina and the great striker Robert Le wandowski did not receive any service worthy of the name.

One exception to the me diocre fare from the rest of his colleagues was former Arsenal goalkeeper Szczesny, who was

magnificent throughout, saving Messi's penalty and producing other stops in a faultless display.

Poland are through and enjoyed their celebration but they will have to step up several levels to trouble France. (BBC Sport)

New Zealand win ODI series against India after rain washes out finale

NEW Zealand won their ODI series against India after the sides' third and final match saw no result as rain stopped play once more in Christchurch.

The two teams had been hopeful of ensuring the decider would produce an outcome, with the tourists 219 all out at Hagley Oval as Washington Sundar posted 51 and Daryl Mitchell took 3-25.

But with just two more overs needed for the Black Caps to reach the DLS threshold of 20 overs in response, the heavens opened to ensure yet another washout and a 1-0 series win for Kane Williamson's side.

Finn Allen's 57 had helped New Zealand to 104-1, putting them in a strong position to go on and win the match regardless.

Across six limited-overs matches, it marks the fourth instance of rain significantly impacting pro ceedings, with three no results and a fourth decided by DLS.

India had benefited in the Twenty20 Interna tional series, themselves winning 1-0.(Sportsmax)

Old Fort’s Omar Hopkinson on the attack against Queen’s Park in 2019

Young national midfielder, Sarah Klautky of the GBTI GCC Tigers, being guarded by Amanda George of George United at the last tournament in 2019

Julian Alvarez of Argentina celebrates with team mates after scoring their team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match against Poland at Stadium 974 yesterday in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Clive Brunskill, Image credit: Getty Images)

PERTH, Australia (CMC)

– West Indies’ two-Test campaign Down Under started in chastening fash ion as Marnus Labuscha gne unveiled an eighth Test hundred to spearhead Aus tralia’s domination of the opening day of the first Test here today .

The Caribbean side were harbouring thoughts of a suc cessful day when fast bowler Jayden Seales removed Da vid Warner’s leg stump in the morning’s fourth over, after they were asked to bowl on a green top at Perth Stadium.

But the prolific Labus chagne arrived to stroke a su premely impressive unbeaten 154 to carry Australia to 293 for two at the close.

He was supported by left-handed Usman Khawaja with 65 while former skipper Steve Smith was unbeaten on 59 at stumps.

Fast bowler Jayden Seales (left) celebrates the dismissal of David Warner

with teammate Tagenarine Chanderpaul.

There was a testing peri od for Australia in the final hour before lunch when fast bowlers Alzarri Joseph and Jason Holder, along with medium Kyle Mayers also produced probing spells, but Australia weathered the challenge to take charge in the day’s remaining sessions.

Labuschagne, a 28-yearold right-hander in his 29th Test, faced 270 deliveries and struck 16 fours and a six, without offering so much as a

straightforward chance.

He was at the centre of two large century stands which underpinned the in nings. First, he put on 142 for the second wicket with the left-handed Khawaja whose half-century came from 149 deliveries and included five fours and a six.

Labuschagne then added a further 142 in an unbroken third-wicket stand with Smith who counted seven fours and faced 107 balls in his 37th Test fifty.

Bidding for their first Test

win in nearly two decades in Australia, West Indies made a disciplined start and were then rewarded when the 21-year-old Seales got veteran left-hander Warner (5) to drag on a wide ball, the delivery after he had pulled the right-armer to the square boundary.

But any hopes West In dies had of making further inroads were dashed as La buschagne and Khawaja car ried Australia to lunch on 72 for one.

There were no break throughs afterwards either, the pair keeping West Indies without success until four overs before the tea break when Khawaja succumbed to the persistent Mayers, nicking a beauty behind for wicketkeeper Joshua Da Sil va to complete the catch.

On 162 for two at tea with Labuschagne on 81, Australia dominated the final session as West Indies lost the discipline that had earlier characterised

SCOREBOARD

AUSTRALIA 1st innings

D. Warner b Seales 5 U. Khawaja c wkp. Da Silva b Mayers 65 M. Labuschagne not out 154 S. Smith not out 59

Extras: (b-5, lb-1, w-2, nb-2) 10

Total: (2 wkts, 90 overs) 293

Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-151.

Bowling: Roach 18-3-59-0 (nb-1), Seales 14-3-63-1, Joseph 15-3-46-0 (w-2), Mayers 11-2-24-1, Holder 166-29-0 (nb-1), Chase 15-2-63-2, Brathwaite 1-0-3-0.

WEST INDIES – K. Brathwaite, T. Chanderpaul, N. Bonner, J. Blackwood, K. Mayers, R. Chase, J. Holder, J. Da Silva, A. Joseph, K. Roach, J. Seales.

Umpires: Richard Illingworth, Rod Tucker; TV – Ku mar Dharmasena.

their efforts.

Runs flowed freely, the Aussies gathering 131 runs from 33 overs – more than in any of the two previous sessions – moving past the 200-run mark as West Indies wilted.

Labuschagne was first to his landmark, dispatching a long hop from Seales to the square boundary about three-quarters of an hour after the resumption, while Smith raised his fifty with a single

to deep cover off ineffective off-spinner Roston Chase in the fourth over following the final drinks break.

West Indies came closest to removing Labuschagne on 137 when he cut Seales uppishly to deep point where debutant Tagenarine Chanderpaul just failed to reach the catch, but the Queenslander remained steady to bring up his 150 in the third over before the close.

By Sean Devers

WITH rain pouring on the outside, a much larger gathering than on the first night witnessed competi tive Squash as the action on night two of the Se nior National Open Squash Championships served off on Tuesday night at the Georgetown Club.

When the dust had set tled, Larrissa Wiltshire, Ashley DeGroot, Jason-Ray Khalil and Alex Arjoon were all in winners’ row.

In the opening match, Wiltshire defeated Safirah Summer 11-3, 11-4, 11-4

in a game dominated by Wiltshire, whose father Gar field and siblings Akeila and Shomari have all won Carib bean squash titles.

DeGroot had to fight hard in her 7-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 11-6 victory against Kirsten Gomes in the only match of the night that went to five games.

The first game was won by Gomes, who used her backhand drives and drop shots to good effect before DeGroot bounced back in the second game as she upped her game and demonstrated good use of the court.

In the ‘ding-dong’ battle,

Gomes, showing good inten sity, won the third game be fore DeGroot won the fourth game 11-5 to take the match to a fifth game.

DeGroot raced away to a six-love lead in the penul timate game before Gomes responded with a couple of unanswered points in a com petitive final game which saw plenty of drop shots.

But in the end it was De Groot who prevailed despite some heated squash on a cold night.

Southpaw Alex Arjoon got the better of Louis DaSil va in three straight games, 11-3, 11-3, 11-2.

But DaSilva played spir ited squash and engaged Arjoon in some long rallies and the eventual scores were not a true indication of the quality of squash played by DaSilva.

In the last match of the night, Khalil, the brother of Caribbean Women’s Singles Champion Ashley Khalil, beat Steven Xavier 11-3, 115, 11-7.

The tournament was scheduled to continue last night with a break tonight before concluding tomor row night when the pre sentation ceremony will be held.

BRAZIL legend Pele has been admitted to hospital but his daughter has confirmed there was "no emergency" involved. ESPN Brasil reported earlier yesterday.

Pele had been taken to Sao Paulo's Hospital Albert Ein stein with "general swelling".

But Pele's daughter Kely Nascimento posted on Instagram that there was "no new dire prediction".

Pele had a tumour removed from his colon in September 2021 and has since had regular treatment at the hospital.

"Lots of alarm in the media today concerning my dad's health," Nascimento said.

"He is in the hospital regulating medication.

"There is no emergency or new dire prediction. I will be there for New Year’s and promise to post some pictures."

ESPN Brasil also reported that the 82-year-old was having cardiac issues and there are concerns that his chemotherapy treatment is not having the expected effect.

Pele is Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 games, and the former striker is one of only four players to have scored in four World Cup tournaments. (BBC Sport)

It was Marnus Labuschagne eighth Test hundred

Ashley DeGroot (right) beat Kirsten Gomes at the Georgetown Club on Tuesday night (Sean Devers photos)

Jason-Ray Khalil (left) defeated Steven Xavier in Tuesday night’s action

Brazil legend Pele in hospital but daughter confirms 'no emergency'

Pele is Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 games

National Schools’ Track & Field Championships

Banwarie named new GCUSA president

— talks about plans to improve umpiring in the City

of umpiring in the City.

“Given that the member ship of the GCUSA would have placed their confidence in me to lead the association forward, along with the nu merous opportunities pro vided since first becoming a member in 2012, accepting the position of president of GCUSA was the right thing to do.

Lara presents Tagenarine Chanderpaul with Test cap

By Sean Devers

AT 33, Ryan Banwarie, who made his First-Class debut as an Umpire in Feb ruary 2020 when Barbados battled the Windwards in the sixth round of CWI Regional four-day tourna ment, was elected as pres ident of the Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scor ers Association (GCUSA).

Banwarie, who played a bit of second division crick

et for Police, got involved in Umpiring in 2013 after being encouraged to join the umpiring classes by former international umpire Nichols. He topped the Caribbean at the final written examination of the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association (WIC UA).

Banwarie, a vice-presi dent of GCUSA previously, spoke about why he accepted the presidency and about plans to improve the standard

“The COVID-19 pan demic along with other chal lenges would have resulted in a few setbacks for the association and I strongly felt that bringing myself to the table will result in pro viding dynamic leadership,” explained Banwarie, who will serve for a one-year term which ends in November 2023.

“There are too many to list. However, some of the issues at the forefront of that list are: providing con tinuous training for the cur rent membership, planning

TAGENARINE

Stadium which bowled off yesterday morning (Tues

He was presented with his Test cap by West Indies icon Brian Lara, the former captain who played along side the elder Chanderpaul

to field after Australia won the toss.

The

much of his illustrious career.

West Indies were asked

Chanderpaul came into the match following a century and half-century in the four-day first-class match against the Austra lian Prime Minister’s XI at Manuka Oval in Canberra

The National Track & Field Centre (NTFC), Leonora, was a hive of activity yesterday as preliminary action continued on day two of the National Schools’ Track & Field Championships. Here is a look at photo of the day

President of GCUSA, Ryan Banwarie

A moment he'll never forget! Tagenarine Chanderpaul receiving his Test cap from West Indies batting legend Brian Charles Lara

‘Bran don’ Chanderpaul has made his Test debut for West Indies, 28 years af ter his legendary father, Shivnarine, made his de but for the Caribbean side.

left-hander was named in the starting XI for the opening Test at Perth

day night Caribbean time).

for