Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 03-11-2022

Jobs, housing, improved drainage for Tucville

By Tamica Garnett

CONTINUING his mis sion to address all issues of residents in commu nities across Guyana, President, Dr Irfaan Ali visited Tucville, George town on Wednesday where, among other things, he addressed the infrastructural, recre ational, and econom ic needs of the South Georgetown community.

Walking the streets of Tucville, the President was exposed to the drain age and irrigation con cerns raised by residents.

With Sports Minis ter Charles Ramson Jr and several other offi cials accompanying, the President also engaged the community on their rec reational needs including upgrades to the Tucville Football Ground.

Treating the issues one by one and skilfully di recting his team to action in the process, President Ali committed to residents that an Information and Communications Tech nology (ICT) hub will be established in the com munity to assist youths who are interested but unable to join the Guyana Online Learning Academy (GOAL) due to not having the means.

The residents were in high praise of the vis it, which shocked some members of the commu nity. Some said they have never seen a President of Guyana visit the area.

“I live in this area 53 years, and I appreci ate this. This is history!” commented a vendor at Nicky’s Food Court.

Region 10 tourism committee welcomes infrastructural developments by gov’t

THE Region 10 Tourism Committee has welcomed some ma jor developmental projects slated for the region, which will boost its tourism po

tential.

Chairman of the Region 10 Tour ism Committee and APNU+AFC Member of Parliament, Devin Sears, speaking during

the launch of Tour ism Awareness Month activities on Mon day, said the region is a ‘front runner’, es pecially for domestic tourism.

He said there will be endless potential for the township once the Linden to Lethem Road is completed.

“The Region 10 Tourism Committee is welcoming the Linden to Lethem Road be cause it believes that it will bring significant investment and de velopment to not only Linden but the entire region. The potential is endless when it comes to the road because we know that we would have tourists coming from Brazil and even creating a line with tourists coming from Suriname to Guyana and then to Brazil,” Sears said.

The committee also welcomes the US$120 million resurfacing of the Soesdyke /Linden Highway.

The government has

also set aside $1 bil lion for road works in communities across the region.

Apart from major highways, the gov ernment is also work ing on several other projects including the Linden Waterfront Pro ject which costs $30 million. The Linden Synthetic Track is also being developed, while the Mackenzie Sports club is slated for major improvements, along with a major housing drive in the region.

Tourism Awareness Month 2022 will see the region hosting 37 events. These include the Linden expo, sa vannah safari, kayak ing competition, motor bikers’ pilgrimage, aer ial tours, and debating competitions, among others.

The committee is

also working on estab lishing an eco-lodge at Rockstone and cabins at Great Falls, Calcuni, and Kwakwani, among other plans to further boost the tourism po tential.

“We believe that the tourism industry will create over 20, 000 jobs over the next five years and this will stem from particularly, ho tels, tour operations, eco-lodges conserva tions, and other invest ments. Employment is key in our town and the development of our region,” Sears said.

He said the region welcomes between 500 to 1,000 tourists every weekend, visit ing the various sites like the blue lakes, and the historical sites, fishing, hiking, and taking part in other activities. (DPI)

Jet Skiing in the Demerara River at Linden

Jobs, housing, improved drainage for Tucville

By Tamica Garnett

CONTINUING his mis sion to address all issues of residents in communi ties across Guyana, Presi dent, Dr Irfaan Ali visited Tucville, Georgetown on Wednesday where, among other things, he addressed the infrastructural, recrea tional, and economic needs of the South Georgetown community.

Walking the streets of Tucville, the President was exposed to the drainage and irrigation concerns raised by residents.

With Sports Minister Charles Ramson Jr and sev eral other officials accom

panying, the President also engaged the community on their recreational needs including upgrades to the Tucville Football Ground.

Treating the issues one by one and skilfully direct ing his team to action in the process, President Ali committed to residents that an Information and Commu nications Technology (ICT) hub will be established in the community to assist youths who are interested but un able to join the Guyana Online Learning Academy (GOAL) due to not having the means.

The residents were in high praise of the visit, which shocked some mem

bers of the community. Some said they have never seen a President of Guyana visit the area.

“I live in this area 53 years, and I appreciate this. This is history!” commented a vendor at Nicky’s Food Court.

Another resident com mented: “We’re glad to see you, just yesterday we were saying nobody isn’t coming into our area. We’re glad to have you.”

Thanking the President for coming, several residents shared that their main con cern for the community was the need for more initiatives for young people.

“We have a lot of delin

quents,” one resident said, noting: “after COVID, a lot of children didn’t go back to school, so we want these guys doing work.”

Hearing of school leav ers in the area, President Ali said the Ministry of Education will examine the situation.

Turning attention to a squatting area referred to as the East La Penitence Hous ing Compound, the Presi dent told the occupants that the arrangement was always a temporary one.

He committed to con necting them with more permanent housing solutions since continued investment into squatting would see

residents losing their money, while being unable to secure bank loans since they do not legally own an asset.

Most residents there were relocated from Tiger Bay following a major fire there decades ago. Minis ter of Housing and Water, Collin Croal and Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar were also part of the President’s team. There will be followup visits to the community.

During the walkabout, the President continuously emphasized that Guyana has a labour shortage for carpen try and masonry. He noted that young men who are interested would be trained through a short programme to take up jobs in the rapidly growing construction sector.

“For housing, all the contractors are complaining now that they are short for labour and short for con struction workers, so nobody has an excuse now. Youths must take the responsibility of making use of the oppor tunity to be part of a positive change and positive direc tion,” the President said.

The President’s engage ment started out with a visit to the Tucville Foot ball Ground, where he met with a coach from the Fruta Conquerors Football Club, and other sports persons. Enhancements that are expected to take place at the facility in clude works on the ground, fence, access road, creation of hard tarmac, and the installation of lighting.

Korean investors express interest to develop new ‘Silica City’

By Shamar Meusa

A TRADE delegation of some Korean and United States Officials on Wednes day met with the Govern ment and Private sector representatives, where they expressed their interest in the development of the new Silica City.

The engagement was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Greater Georgetown, where President Dr. Irfaan Ali and several government minis ters listened to presentations made by various businesses on their intention to invest in Guyana.

As these presentations were being made, President Ali urged those local pri vate sector representatives present to take advantage of the opportunity, and part ner or work along with the visiting representatives of

companies.

He noted that several of the companies have come prepared with their propos als, and already have financ ing ready for the projects that they are interested in carrying out in Guyana.

Delivering remarks at the event was Senior Min ister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, who said that the govern ment is pleased to have a number of the largest Korean companies showing an inter est in Guyana.

He said that he is aware that some of these compa nies have come to Guyana with specific proposals for investments.

“You’ve come to Guyana at an incredibly exciting time for our country, economi cally. As you know, Guyana is now one of the fastest

growing economies in the world,” he told the visitors, while noting Guyana’s im mense economic growth potential.

Highlighting that growth can be seen in both the oil and non-oil sectors, due to the direct policy measures adopted by the government, Dr. Singh said that an invest ment in Guyana represents an investment in the market that potentially leads to not

just the entire Caribbean, but all of northern Brazil as well.

Meanwhile, it was re vealed that there are two aspects to the delegation’s visit here, these being in vestments on the public side as well as possible private investments.

On the public side, the Korean delegation showed significant interest in devel oping Silica City, President Ali’s vision of a new city

along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

One company, Yeachon Architects and Urban Plan ners, said it could develop Silica City in six phases, with a January 2030 comple tion date.

The new city, which will be located some 35km from the capital, Georgetown, is set to be a compact ‘smart’ city with transport and in frastructure, alternative en ergy, and ‘smart’ system facilities.

While some sections of the delegation made pres entations on how they can play a part in the realisation of Silica City by developing renewable energy, housing and more, others presented their intended investments in other sectors of the econ omy.

Some of the notable pres entations included bringing

stem-cell treatment to Guy ana through a partnership, along with the increased use of technology in the agri culture sector, and improve ments in hydroponics.

This agriculture pro ject will see the transfer of knowledge and use of technology from the Korean Government and the United States. As such, President Ali committed to having the Guyana School of Agricul ture (GSA) sign an agree ment in this regard.

As presentations con tinued, the Head of State continuously urged those from the private sector that were present to take advantage of the oppor tunities present, noting that the government will continue opening doors for private sector investments in various areas.

- President Ali commits to residents during walkabout

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali meeting with residents in Tucville during a walkabout in the community (Delano Williams photo)

Works currently ongoing to rehabilitate the Tucville Football Ground (Delano Williams photo)

Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh

‘Men on Mission is what boys needed’

- women in civil society commend President Ali’s initiative

By Tamica Garnett

SOME women are of the opinion that some men have not done their part to be responsible members of the family and society.

Quite a few women are, in fact, breathing a sigh of relief at the launching after the launch of President, Dr Irfaan Ali’s “Men on Mis sion (MOM): 1000 Men Ini tiative”, seeing it as muchneeded and long-awaited support in carrying the ball of social development in com munities.

“Women would be taking on responsibility, but that is not what we want. A society can’t build with only women, there has to be gender bal ance.

“When I go to communi ties, I always try to get a gen der balance in terms of roles and responsibilities,” com mented Regional Chairperson of Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), Vilma De Silva.

A mother of six children, five of which are boys, De

Silva is the only female Re gional Chairperson of the ten administrative regions.

“Building a society is not a man’s initiative or a woman’s, it has to be both and it has to be equal,” De Silva said. For De Silva, the MoM is timely, and she remains excited to see how it will be implemented in her community.

The brainchild of Presi dent, Dr. Irfaan Ali, MoM

aims to bring together at least 1,000 men from across Guy ana to mentor young men and boys to address the unique issues facing them. At least 3,000 men had registered to be mentors in the programme after the recent launch.

“It’s a massive task that the President has taken on and I’m really happy to see that he himself is champi oning such an initiative,” commented Omattie Madray, Managing Director of Child Link.

ChildLink is a nongovernmental organisation, which works on the protec tion of children against abuse and exploitation, empowering families and communities.

“I hope that we can see this as a long-term initiative and the men being engaged are taking it on, owning it, understanding the President’s vision and making that vision a bigger one, and a safer one for their family and com munity.

“This initiative is really one that is going to strengthen

family life, and create safer communities for men and women,” Madray said.

It is particularly hoped that the programme will take a different angle in addressing the current scourge of vio lence against women facing the country. The way Madray sees it, the more Guyana is able to help men, the more women will stand to benefit.

“We need to recognise that men are a large part of solutions in terms of reduc ing violence and stopping violence against women and girls, and even boys,” she said.

“A lot of times we see men as the aggressor, but men too can be victims too. And if they want to reach out for help, it needs to be easily accessible.

“There aren’t a lot of ser vices for men to access, if they are dealing with anger or loss, but we know that boys, too, are experiencing violence, and boys too need care,” Madray continued.

Former Director of the

ChildLink Managing Director, Omattie Madray

Child Care and Protection Agency (CPA), Ann Greene could not agree more about the need for more men to play their part in helping to positively mould the young boys in society.

“Children need to see be haviour modelled for them, and they have to get persons of the same sex as them, persons like themselves, to show them this model behaviour.

“You could tell boys this is how they have to do it, but they have to see it. I have more than 35 years in this work and I am saying there are not enough adequate role models for boys. So, this Men on Mission thing, it is what the boys need,” Greene posited.

Region Two Regional Chair, Vilma De Silva

According to Greene, from her experience dealing with vulnerable children, while society has a tendency to place more focus on the vulnerability of women and girls, boys are at just as much risk, if not more.

“Boys are more in trouble, definitely more. Boys are more at risk, more vulnerable. It might look like the girls but boys are more vulnerable, es pecially because it is so hard to get a boy to talk about it.

“Boys are extremely vulnerable and there’s not enough developmental pro grammes for them to keep them from offending. So, this initiative will help to deal with the vulnerabilities of the boys.”

Former CPA Director, Ann Greene

Norton’s ‘chicken coop’ comment condemned as ‘derogatory’

SOCIAL media can be used in a positive or negative way depending on the indi vidual and what he or she chooses to share on their platforms.

The Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, on Wednesday, cautioned the Guyanese people through her programme “Making the Case” to be mindful of the opposition leader, Aubrey Norton, and the false nar rative that he and his par ty members are spreading through social media.

According to the Minis ter, the picture that the op position is painting about Guyana “does not exist.”

Minister Rodrigues reas sured the public that they are living in a country that has the fastest-growing economy in the world and that brighter days are ahead for all Guya nese, regardless of colour or race.

She also asked the peo ple of Guyana to recognise the progress that the Peo ple’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has made over the past two years, and

will continue to make com pared to what the opposition, APNU+AFC, has done.

The Minister spoke ex tensively on the inability of the opposition leader and his party to effectively carry out their mandate both in govern ment and opposition.

Turning her attention to his recent “chicken coop” remarks, Minister Rodrigues slammed Norton for his de rogatory remarks towards the owners of the low-income houses.

She went on to note that those houses were also built

during the APNU+AFC gov ernment which ended in Au gust 2020.

The minister explained that the PPP/C has never built a one-bedroom house for any family and encouraged Norton to keep a track record of his party and what they did when they were in office.

Minister Rodrigues quoted the Vice President as saying, “Every day, we have to fight for the souls of this country,” noting that that is what the People’s Progres sive Party / Civic is doing and will continue to do.

Homeowners call Norton’s ‘chicken coop’ comment ‘crazy’

praise gov’t’s housing drive

SOME of the beneficiaries of the government’s hous ing drive have said that recent criticisms of the lowincome homes by Opposi tion Leader Aubrey Norton can be described as ‘crazy’, as they hailed the housing drive a success.

Earlier this week, Norton labelled the houses as part of the Ministry of Housing and

Water’s low-income houses as inadequate for families.

He failed to realise, how ever, that it was the A Part nership for National Uni ty + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government which had built and distrib uted a number of those lowincome homes in 2019.

When the Guyana Chron icle contacted persons who

have benefitted from govern ment’s housing drive, they said the initiative ought to be praised and not criticised.

Surujdai Sanchan, a ben eficiary, was thankful for the support she received. She lauded the allocation of low-income homes, noting that some persons earn under a specific income bracket in the country, and this category of homeownership caters to their specific needs.

“I think that’s crazy; this is not something to criticise,” she said, while Colin Wilson, who was the recipient of his house lot, described the housing drive as a “boom”, as there have been a lot of changes in the system, and many persons benefitted faster.

When asked about the low-income houses, he said, “In terms of the low-income houses, I think they doing a

fine job. I personally went in a couple, and I don’t see a problem.”

Wilson stated that claims that the houses are inadequate for families are not true.

“Persons probably got a problem with it, because they got their own agenda, or got their own problem with the government,” he said.

Speaking at his weekly press conference on Tuesday, the Opposition Leader called

the houses similar to those built under the APNU+AFC’s administration “chicken coops”, saying they are only appropriate for bachelors and single women.

He went on to say that with these homes, an en vironment will be created whereby “Children will be exposed to adult activities, which they should not be exposed to.”

- Minister Rodrigues calls on Guyanese to be wary of ‘false narratives’

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues

Unfounded conclusion

THERE is a great sense of fulfilment that ac companies the acquisi tion of land or property, especially a house which will eventually be trans formed into a home by a family that occupies the space, creates lasting memories and uses it as a foundation for further development and ad vancement.

A house is far more than just a roof over some one’s head. In the eco nomic sense, regardless of the size, it is a physical asset that could be used in many ways for personal development, and on the social side, it is a space where children are nur tured, families are built, and norms and values are taught.

And while access to adequate housing is a basic human right and is con sidered essential for the attainment of other eco nomic, cultural and social benefits, it is no secret that governments worldwide have encountered chal lenges in trying to house its people.

In Guyana, regardless of the hurdles that exist, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Gov ernment must be com mended for its massive housing initiatives and supportive systems that make access to financing for construction easier.

With the country’s economy set to quadruple in the coming years, the government has started creating the conditions

for Guyanese, particularly those persons within the low- and middle-income brackets, to have access to the necessity, which is adequate housing.

Since being elected to office in 2020, the Dr. Irfaan Ali’s government increased the low-income mortgage ceiling from $8 million to $15 mil lion, increased the New Building Society Lim ited (NBS) loan ceiling from $12 million to $15 million, raised the ceil ing on mortgage interest relief for housing loans from $15 million to $30 million, created a spe cial facility to support landowners with getting their home construction going, removed the Value Added Tax (VAT) from a

number of construction material, assisted home owners with construction of septic tanks, and built a number of core homes.

The government has also introduced a steel and cement subsidy that allows Guyanese constructing homes to the tune of $6 million and below to ben efit from 80 lengths of ½ inch steel rods, 60 lengths 3/8-inch steel rods, and one sling of cement, while builders with estimates of above $6 million-$25 mil lion will benefit from two slings of cement.

Evidently, those meas ures make it simpler for persons in the low-income bracket to build a house that easily and adequately accommodates a nuclear family. Also, most of the

pre-made houses have two bedrooms and are con structed on a sizeable land with ample yard space and room for further extension.

Although no engineer ing or economic skills are required to notice the potential that exists when someone owns a low-in come home, Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton, instead of offer ing constructive criticisms and identifying gaps in the government’s develop mental agenda, made an unfounded conclusion that those houses, which per sons find great fulfilment in owning, are inadequate.

Norton even went as far as to say that the houses that are similar to the ones built under the APNU+AFC administra

tion, are “chicken coops” and would expose children to “adult activities.”

This claim is not only miniscule in the context of national development, but it is also frivolous and demonstrates, in the words of Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, that Norton is indeed not ready for the big league.

The reality is that the PPP/C Government, which has allocated more housing solutions in two years than the APNU+AFC did in five, has afforded persons the opportunity to own their own homes, regardless of their income bracket, and have a foundation upon which they grow and advance in more ways than one.

Churchill will be remembered for this generosity to farmers

Dear Editor,

I hereby sincerely, on be half of myself and family, commensurate with the children and family of the late Krishendat Persaud, known as Churchill; the loving father of the Hon ourable Minister Priya Manickchand, Jaya Man ickchand and Anil Man ickchand.

Churchill is related to us in that -- his father’s sister was married to my mother’s brother (my Mamoo) and she was known to us as Hen (our Mammy). Uncle Man ickchand -- his father, as we know him -- was a pioneer farmer in the Mahaicony Creek in the area of Gover nor Lite, where he possessed about 700 acres of land on lease for cattle and rice.

There were several other farmers who ventured forth in the Mahaicony Creek seeking a livelihood.

Uncle Manickchand cleared the land for cultiva tion of rice and grazing of cattle.

The means of transporta tion at that time was by river, by boats and launch. This was during the period in the 1950s. The government at that time purchased the milk of the farmers which were brought down by milk wag ons to the milk plant located at Kingston, Georgetown.

Uncle Manickchand will wake up at 3:00am to com mence milking his cows to reach the launch at 5:30am. Several farmers followed suit. He would then return home after taking his river bath and breakfast to return

to his pen to release his cows to graze and then to the rice field to plough.

Some farmers had trac tors and ploughs. He com menced with oxen and plough and as he developed, later purchased a tractor.

Mr. Manickchand will herd his cattle by means of his horse that he loves to ride. He progressed to that state successfully where he had the means to buy his motor car, the one I remem ber; a Holden Motor Car from Sanbach Parker, Wa ter Street, Georgetown, the same commercial institution from which he purchased his plough and Ferguson tractor.

Mr. Manickchand was conscious that his children must take an education, so one of his children, who be came Dr. Manickchand, had

to travel from the Mahaicony Railway Station at 5:30am to Georgetown to attend sec ondary school, together with children of the Beni family that also nurtured the doctor.

As Uncle Manickchand advanced in age, Churchill took over the management of the estate and successfully did so in its expansion and intensive farming, but he re alised that his children must attend high school, but not suffering as his brother did. So after marriage, he thought it fit that his children may find residence in Georgetown in order to attend school and pursue higher education, with their darling mother who nurtured them and did fulfill their ambition in be coming Attorneys-at-Law and the son, the manager of his estate.

It is little known to the people of the city and else where of the struggles, the pain and suffering of farmers in this land, muddy environ ment, slushy dams, early morning toil and frequent loss of crops.

With little aid, patience and contentment, together with energy and enthusiasm, they will never give up as they would take loans with high interest rates and take further risks in the fields in order to eke out a living.

The farmers’ family be come their club and their farming neighbours become companions, sometimes en emy.

One famous farmer known to the country, Mr. Karamath, now deceased, who was a benevolent gen tleman, is well known by the

Equally, Churchill is known for his generosity, his charity, his aid to other farm ers, his sharing of fertilisers and other inputs for the rice lands. Churchill was also known as a fine hunter as he loved to hunt.

The suffering of farmers make them very simple and humble and they realise that out of suffering they find God.

The name of Manick chand will continue to be sound along Mahaicony and elsewhere as his children are committed to serving the country.

May the soul of my dear friend rest in eternal peace and perpetual light.

Respectfully, Jailall Kissoon

Karamath school where he donated that land.

Elections are in the air and yielding results, pleasing and displeasing, everywhere

FROM the exclusively-se lective elections in the UK that changed three prime ministers in less months, to the exquisitely-divisive Brazil poll that revealed how deep the divisions are in the largest and mostpopulous South American and Caribbean nation, the past month has seen a succession of national polls that unveiled countless vis ible and invisible facets of how electoral democracy is practised differently across the world.

The world has seen how national ballots can be le gally bypassed, parliamen tarians can simply decide to pull the plug on the demo cratic process by not doing what they were elected to; and no matter who’s the rider, after the ‘first past the post’ winner is announced, the post-election horse-trad ing is who gets the prize – and with no second place.

Take the following:

The Iraqi, Lebanese and Northern Ireland parlia ments are in logjams be cause the main parties can not or refuse to find ways and means to agree and disagree, far less to agree to disagree; and General Elections are again on the cards in each case, with lit tle chance that just another vote will resolve the issues causing the crises.

In Pakistan, ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan has started a seven-day Long March on the capital to press for fresh general elec tions after he was ousted through a parliamentary No Confidence Motion that he insists was part of an external plot. He’s put all on the line, taking-on the all-powerful and politicallysacrosanct military along

side the current administra tion and insisting he’ll lead his long line of supporters from across the nation into Islamabad, where the gov ernment insists they won’t be allowed to enter.

Norway held a general national poll on Tuesday that did not result in regime change, as wrongly predict ed by many pollsters.

Israel held its election on Monday as well, with the results pointing to the possi bility of a return to office by veteran Prime Minister Ben jamin Netanyahu, ousted less than two years ago after 12 long years in office, in Israel’s fifth election in less than four years.

But apart from the re spective royal and consti tutional successions and successive regime changes at Buckingham Palace and Downing Street in London, the focus of world attention was definitely on the Brazil election on the last day of last month, where the choic es of voters were treated like between yesterday and tomorrow, day and night.

Where the press focused in all the elections earlier mentioned was on the sala cious sauciness of parlia ments rendered dysfunction al by the actions of members elected to serve constituen cies and nations, the focus in Brazil was squarely on the two presidential candidates -- ‘Lula’ da Silva and Jair Bolsonaro – almost head-tohead after the first run-off.

Bolsonaro did better than the press predicted in a vote counted by machines he made it clear he didn’t trust; and, like his friend, ex-US President Donald Trump, he said he would not accept losing -- and the only way he would leave the

presidential palace would be “by force, or under arrest…”

Lula won, but by the slightest of margins (50.9 per cent to 49.1 per cent), much to the joy of those who prayed for regime change and to the eternal chagrin of those who voted to preserve the status quo.

Some hold that the Bra zil poll was ‘a good elec tion to lose’, if only be cause the nation is divided down-the-middle and the expected unwillingness of either of the contesting po litical forces and leaders to see eye-to-eye on anything after the poll, respective supporters equally unwill ing to give and inch (far less a percentage point) to ‘the other side’.

Lula won promising to free Brazil from interna tional isolation and with high popular hopes he’ll resume the types of proworking-class policies that saw millions move out of poverty during his first two terms.

But Lula the Victor’s hands are tied.

Even though not in handcuffs, his hands are cuffed by the fact that Bol sonaro has half the sup port of Brazilians, controls

the congress, has military support – and has not ac knowledged defeat, silently demonstrating his power by keeping Brazil and the world waiting for 48 hours after the results were an nounced to deliver a twominute address in which he neither conceded defeat, nor congratulated Lula.

But Bolsonaro will re main president until Janu ary 1, with every indication that while he’s approved the start of transition, he doesn’t plan an exit look ing anything like a walk through a flower garden or a park.

Lula built a wide-rang ing 10-party winning alli ance and keeping it togeth er will be another challenge even between now and January 1, especially in terms of Cabinet appoint ments.

This week ends with Friday’s mid-term US elec tions, President Biden and the Democrats facing an uphill battle against exPresident Trump’s lasting influence over the Repub lican Party as he shapes-up to try to gain the keys to return to the White House in 2024.

Guyana’s Local Gov

ernment Elections are less than five months away and there’s no strong indication (as yet) it‘ll be anything near an election fight or a ballot box battle, but it’s a national election none theless, which results will continue to affect the po litical balance of forces at community levels and the delivery of gubernatorial goods and services to sup porters of all parties.

Local government elec tions are also supposed to be mid-term yardsticks to measure the ruling party’s popularity vis-à-vis- the opposition, as well as how people feel about the gov

ernment’s performance halfway-through its term.

March 13, 2023 will be just over halfway since the last official poll, but subtract the five months of post-election rule denied the winners by the losers, it also makes it a national Guyana mid-term poll.

In Westminster-based democracies diluted with lighter version of national ist input, it’s always the right of parties to decide if to participate in elections – to run, or to cut-and-run.

So it is -- and so it will forever be everywhere parties contest elections, including Guyana.

Guyana’s public debt remains sustainable with low to moderate risk (Part 1)

By Joel Bhagwandin

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

IN a recent press state ment, Chairperson of the Alliance for Change (AFC) Opposition party, Cathy Hughes, argued that the projected increase in public debt by the end of 2022 as reported in the mid-year economic report, 2022, will chain future generations to debt which may leave Guyana impov erished.

This article seeks to weigh in on the debate put forth by the AFC officials by comparing and contrast

ing the level of public debt increases relative to total ex penditure under their tenure in government during the period 2015–2019 versus the incumbent government.

Having examined the composition of public ex penditure under the previ ous government, relative to the level of increase in the public debt in comparison to the same indicators under the incumbent government, hereunder mentioned are the findings, put simply:

> The level of increase in current / recurrent ex penditure under the previous government represented 74 per cent of the level of

increase in total public debt.

Conversely, the level of increase in current expendi ture represents 37 per cent of the level of increase in the total public debt under the incumbent government. This means that the previous government borrowed two times more than the current government to finance re current expenditure, which is unsustainable and a recipe for bankruptcy.

> The total (projected) increase in public debt by the end of 2022 from its 2019 position is an estimat ed $291 billion or 285 per cent. However, it should be noted that the overdraft bal

ance of $147 billion which was racked up by the previ ous government and never reported on, accounts for 51 per cent of the total level of increase in public debt.

The debt-to-GDP ratio stood at an estimated 29 per cent for the first half of FY 2022 and the non-oil debt to GDP ratio an estimated 63 per cent for the period. Both of these ratios indicate that the level of public debt is relatively low to moder ate in terms of the risk of default. This is despite the massive increase in pub lic expenditure, especially towards capital expendi ture which is partly due to about 23 per cent of the 2022 budget being financed through the first drawdown from the Natural Resource Fund (NRF).

Moreover, it is worth while to examine the debtto-GDP ratio from another perspective where another adjustment is perhaps im perative. During the period 2015–2020, the previous administration racked up an overdraft of some $147 billion in the government deposit accounts at the Bank of Guyana. This practice, as

was flagged by the Audi tor-General Report, was in contravention of the Fiscal Management and Account ability Act.

In this regard, section 60 of the Act speaks to “over draft facility” where it states that “the Minister shall re pay in full all advances in the form of an overdraft on all official bank account on or before the end of the fis cal year during which that overdraft was drawn.”

Further to note, the over draft balances were never reported as part of the pub lic stock of debt during the period 2015 – 2020. Hence, should this overdraft amount be excluded from the stock of debt of $147 billion, the non-oil debt to GDP ratio would have been around 54 per cent and over all debt-to-GDP ratio below 29 per cent. This partly explains the reason why the Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh had to seek the National Assembly’s approval to raise the public debt ceiling so as to now regularise the Government Deposit Accounts by clear ing the overdraft balances

Financial Analyst, Joel Bhagwandin

and adding same onto the official stock of public debt. Notwithstanding, with the expansive develop ment trajectory of the economy and the relative ly low debt-to-GDP ratio suggests that the level of public debt is quite sustainable with a low to moderate default risk, and the government of the day must be commended for this type of prudent public debt management by restricting the temp tation to borrow exces sively against future oil revenues.

Mahipaul replaced in public accounts committee?

SEVERAL members of the People’s National Con gress/Reform (PNC/R) have refuted claims that Public Accounts Commit tee (PAC) member, Ga nesh Mahipaul, is set to be replaced by fellow Par liamentarian Volda Law rence.

Mahipaul is currently among eight A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) parliamentarians who were suspended from parliamen tary activities over their be haviour in the House in De cember 2021.

Mahipaul has been sus pended from four consecu tive Sittings of the National Assembly. This affects his participation in the public accounts committee.

However, Chairman of the PAC, Jermaine Figueira confirmed that there was no current plan to have Mahi

paul replaced.

“At this point in time, Mahipaul being replaced is not a position that I am aware of. As it is, he remains a member of the Public Ac counts Committee and at this time I can't say that has changed,” Figueira stated in a telephone interview with this publication.

When contacted Mahi paul also noted that he was unaware of any intention

to replace him and said he would not be commenting any further on the issue.

“I am unaware of such. I have no comments with reference to the Public Ac counts Committee and its membership,” Mahipaul said.

Lawrence, who had pre viously served as a member of the PAC, said she does not know of any arrangement to have her replace Mahipaul on the PAC.

“I have not been notified by my party about such. I'm at a loss, I don’t know any thing about this,” Lawrence said.

The PAC is a standing committee established at the commencement of the life of each Parliament.

The PAC is responsible for examining the audited accounts presented in the Auditor General's Report.

Ganesh Mahipaul

Infrastructure, recreational upgrades for Den Amstel

– President Ali promises during community outreach

PRESIDENT, Dr Mo hamed Irfaan Ali has re stated his government’s commitment to ensur ing the empowerment of Guyanese in every com munity across the coun try.

The President was, on Tuesday, addressing resi dents of Den Amstel and neighbouring communities in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) during an outreach.

The residents were up dated on the government’s agenda which includes plans to improve the infra structure in Den Amstel.

President Ali, follow ing concerns highlighted by residents, noted that a $10 million contract had been awarded for the reha bilitation of the community ground.

“We’ll be doing back the ground, the pavilion, and put in a basketball court. Some work will be done on the bridge,” Presi dent Ali stated.

A basketball court will be constructed along the northern side of the ground and a walk path catering to the elderly.

As it relates to the foot ball facility, the President noted, “I met with the na tional football team and the federation and I told them that we are going to work with them on a national football tournament before the end of the year.”

He said the facility should be completed soon to facilitate the football training sessions.

Further, after listening to concerns raised by farm ers, President Ali noted, “We have some agreements with how we will deal with the sporting facility. We will have agriculture [min istry] come in and have a talk with the farmers be cause we have to see how we can put all of the lands to production.”

Some of the lands be tween Blankenburg and Den Amstel have been out

of production.

In this regard, President Ali tasked Agriculture Min ister, Zulfikar Mustapha, to conduct a meeting with the farmers in the community to address their concerns.

Importantly, he added, “that is what I am asking Minister Mustapha to come in and to see how we can ensure that the lands that are not into production, how we can get them into production, because that is revenue sitting down.”

President Ali said that government will work with the land owners to formu late a mechanism, “through which they [land owners] can go back to the lands or they can rent it, legally, to see how it can go into productivity.”

As it relates to infra structure, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, stat ed that some $86 million will be allocated for the construction of concrete roads along the southern

section of Den Amstel. President Ali, as part of his ‘One Guyana’ vision, continues to visit com munities across Guyana, meeting with residents and

addressing their concerns. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Internation al Co-operation, Hugh Todd; Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief of

Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess; and other senior officials from the Agricul ture Ministry and other agencies also accompa nied the President. (DPI)

President, Dr Irfaan Ali interacts with a resident at Den Amstel (DPI)

Life in prison for man who confessed to raping toddler

JUSTICE Sandil Kissoon, on Tuesday, sentenced a 33-yearold man to serve life in prison, with the pos sibility of parole after 18 years, for raping a

three-year-old child. Troy Chapman, 33, formerly of Canvas City, Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) was sentenced at the Demerara High

Court. In October, Chapman admitted to engaging in sexual pen etration with the child on June 15, 2021.

He was represented by Teriq Mohammed,

Troy Chapman

while the State was rep resented by prosecutors Cicelia Corbin, Caressa Henry, and Paneeta Per saud.

During the sentenc ing hearing on Tuesday, a social worker pre sented Chapman’s pro bation report in court.

The woman said that Chapman was an early school leaver of One Mile Primary School due to him being nearsighted and unable to follow the lessons taught in school.

“This condition, ac cording to his mother, is a family problem since there are other family members with similar experiences. After leav ing school he assisted persons in the commu nity with odd jobs for which he would be paid pittances,” the statutory officer told the court.

According to the probation officer, dur ing an interview, Chap man stated that life growing up was very challenging for him and he did not receive any support from his father nor did they have any relationship.

He claimed that there was no positive male role model in his life and his mother of

ten struggled to support them with her “meagre” salary as a security of ficer.

The social worker said that Chapman was remorseful for his ac tions and begged for a second chance.

“He claimed he has damaged a close rela tionship with the family and cannot understand what got over him, not being fully conscious of what occurred until he was arrested,” the officer said.

The mother of the victim, who was also interviewed by the pro bation officer, said that she was still in shock over the incident and surprised by Chap man’s actions since he had violated their trust.

“They never ex pected that from him, stating that after the in cident her daughter suf fered nightmares and would be awakened from her sleep at nights. However, she received counselling from the hospital social worker and has experienced reduced frequency of such occurrences,” the probation officer said.

Justice Kissoon while delivering his

sentencing remarks said that “…such conduct and behaviour and acts must never be con doned or accepted. You have committed one of the gravest crimes that exist among humans. You have unleashed anguish and nightmares onto the victim.”

He added that the “horrific and disturb ing” offence stands among the “worst of the worst” crimes in society.

Justice Kissoon said that the entire rape in cident has been “docu mented, recorded and captured in video”, which may have in fluenced Chapman’s confession to the crime.

He remarked that the prevalence of sexual crimes within society has escalated beyond the point of what is considered a “crisis”.

In sentencing, the judge considered the prevalence of such of fences, particularly in Guyana. He also con sidered that Chapman abused his position of trust since he was close to the victim and her family.

Finally, the Judge sentenced Chapman to serve life in prison with the possibility of parole after 18 years. He also ordered that Chapman be subjected to coun selling.

Chapman is known to the victim’s fam ily and was a frequent visitor to their home. On the day in question, he went into the child’s bedroom, where she was asleep.

He woke the child and raped her. A passer-by saw the or deal and raised an alarm. The incident was caught on video and Chapman was arrested.

Elections inquiry opens today

witnesses identified; hearings begin tomorrow

THE Presidential Com mission of Inquiry (CoI) into the events surrounding the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections, opens today at its Mid dle Street, Georgetown place of operation.

Justice of Appeal (Ret’d) Stanley John, who is also Chairman of the CoI; former Attor ney General, High Court Judge and acting Justice of Appeal in the Eastern Caribbean, Senior Coun sel Godfrey P. Smith; and former Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Carl Singh will commence hearings tomorrow with witnesses already lined up to take the stand.

The Commissioners will have seven months to complete their work in keeping with the Terms of Reference, which have been published in the Of ficial Gazette.

According to the Terms of Reference, the commissioners will have to probe the relevant cir cumstances and events leading up to the elections and the procedures which were followed thereafter.

The Commissioners will also have to inquire into the counting, ascer tainment and tabulation of votes polled and the pub lic declaration of those results by the former Re gion Four Returning Of ficer, Clairmont Mingo and other elected officers.

Also, the Commission will probe the attempts to “obstruct, frustrate, subvert and prevent a decision of the Guyana Elections Commission made on the 14th day of March 2020, to conduct a national recount of the votes polled…”.

The Commissioners are also tasked with in vestigating the conduct of ex-Chief Elections Of ficer, Keith Lowenfield and other elections of ficers with respect to the discharge and execution

of their statutory duties during the elections.

According to the Terms of Reference, the Commissioners will make recommendations as deemed fit and neces sary to permit GECOM to discharge its statutory functions as prescribed by the Representation of the People Act.

Upon completion of the CoI, the Commission will present “its report, findings and recommen dations” to the President, in writing, within seven months.

Guyanese, after cast ing their votes on March 2, 2020, had to endure a five-month wait for the results of the General and Regional Elections, as they witnessed alleged unlawful acts, and a slew of legal challenges.

During this time, the patience of the electorate

was tested, as electors observed what was de scribed as attempts by the then APNU+AFC admin istration to rip the demo cratic fabric of the nation, with “delay tactics” which were openly criticised by a wide section of society.

It was only after the legal challenges and inter national intervention that a national recount of all votes cast was convened and the figures showed that the People’s Progres sive Party/Civic (PPP/C) received 233,336 votes, while the APNU+AFC Coalition got 217,920 votes.

Mingo, along with the People’s National Congress/Reform’s members, Volda Law rence and Carol SmithJoseph, and four oth ers are currently before the courts for electoral fraud.

From left: Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith; the CoI’s Chairman, Stanley John and former Chancellor, Carl Singh

No permission, commitment given to

DEPCO for development of oil refineries

THE Government of Guyana has noted a press release, purported ly issued by Delta Ener gy and Petroleum Com pany (DEPCO) reported in the Guyana Chronicle of November 02, 2022, headlined “10,000 jobs lined up as funds secured for Berbice-based oil re fineries”.

The Government of Guyana wishes to make

it clear that it has had no discussion with DEPCO, and no permissions or commitments have been given by the Government to the said company in re lation to the development of oil refineries.

Furthermore, it is worthwhile to note that, having received sev eral unsolicited propos als, the Government of Guyana, on October 15,

2022, invited proposals for interested parties for the design, finance, and construction of a 30,000 barrel per day, (b/d) oil refinery to be built in the vicinity of Crab Island in Berbice.

As indicated in the Re quest for Proposal (RFP), in order to be considered, all interested parties must respond to this RFP.

The response to this

RFP will be used to de termine a capable part ner that will be selected to work with the Gov ernment to complete the project based on (i) the

timeframes stipulated, (ii) evidence of financial and technical ability and (iii) response to other require ments of this RFP.

Responses to this RFP

must be submitted to the National Procurement and Tender Administra tion Board (NPTAB) by December 13, 2022 (clos ing deadline).

- says Minister Edghill Kingston Seawall taking shape to become ‘world-class facility’

By Cindy Parkinson

THE ongoing works at the Kingston Seawall are part of the national beau tification project that is being undertaken by the Ministry of Public Works, in partnership with the Office of the First Lady.

Speaking recently with the Guyana Chronicle, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, ex plained that the seawall is an “important project” as that area is a major rec reational space that attracts thousands of Guyanese, as well as tourists.

According to Minister Edghill, the intent is to make the seawall a “worldclass facility” in terms of its appearance and the amenities it offers.

Minister Edghill also mentioned that a lavatory facility was being con structed to cater for people who have a disability.

Taking into considera tion that the Christmas season is quickly approach ing and lots of tourists and locals are expected to be at the seawall, Minister Edghill is very optimis tic that the beautification works will be “wrapped up in a matter of weeks.”

The minister is antici pating that by 2025, the “shanty town” image of the entire seawall will be regularised and that there

will be small businesses operating in a manner that is presentable and accepted by all.

“Guyana is transform ing not only in terms of do ing big things, but we must also be doing beautiful things and His Excellence is leading from the front in that regard,” said Minister Edghill.

The President of Guy ana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, and his government are working tirelessly to ensure that Guyana looks “clean and beautiful at all times and it is their hope that all Guya nese will play an active role in ensuring that this standard is maintained. The seawalls, as well as similar locations, should be a safe zone for people to relax and enjoy with their fami lies and friends,” he said.

He also used the oppor tunity to remind Guyanese that the country has taken a turn for the better and that “we” should elevate our minds and want to live in a beautiful and serene environment.

The minister empha sised that the disposal of garbage should be done in a proper manner and that “littering and the defac ing of public property is strictly prohibited.”

Minister Edghill in pas sionately sharing his per sonal point of view with this publication said: “It is

rewarding to see people’s lives and their quality of life improve. The feed back from the public has been enormous. Whenever you improve people’s lives and people’s happiness increases, it means that you have a more produc tive society and people are more at ease. Seeing people coming out of poverty and doing better for themselves and their families gives me and all of us in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic a sense of satisfaction. Presi dent Ali’s administration is a people-centred govern ment and whatever we do is for the benefit of the people.”

Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Pub lic Works, Deodat Indar, enthusiastically shared that civil works on the vending outlets in that area have been completed and the fo cus will now be on erecting a “huge” building between those outlets to accom modate at least eight more vendors.

According to Minister Indar, concrete parking between the trees as well as paving of the roadway and the “freshening up” of the entire area, will also be done.

He also pointed out that the ministry is repairing the drain at Rabbit Walk and creating a safe place for children to play.

The minister com mended the contractors for working through the rain at times so as to en sure that the works will be completed in time for the

on her recent graduation from the University of the West Indies (UWI) after completing the Interna tional Masters of Business Administration (Strategy

“I am extremely proud of our First Lady. She is an exceptional hu man being. Her humil ity is unmatched and, as a young woman, she

Christmas season.

He also took the op portunity to congratulate the First Lady, Arya Ali,

& Competitiveness Spe cialisation) programme at the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business.

has created a model for young girls and women around Guyana to look up to,” he added

Sections of the seawall which were targetted as part of the beautification project (Delano Williams photos)

Man gets nine years in jail for raping girl

HIGH Court Judge, Sandil Kissoon, on Tues day, sentenced Andrew Blackman to nine years in prison for raping a 14-year-old girl.

The Mackenzie, Lin den, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) resi dent, last month, admitted to raping the teen between September 10-11, 2021.

Justice Kissoon, during his sentencing remarks on Tuesday, underscored the physical and psychologi cal trauma the victim has had to face, and continued to face.

The judge, after taking into consideration the na

ture and prevalence of the offence, sentenced Black man to nine years.

According to reports, Blackman is a friend of the victim’s parents and would often visit their home.

On the day in question,

Blackman took the child to an abandoned building in Linden and raped her.

The child was found after a search party was launched by her parents. Blackman was arrested at the scene by police.

Judge to sum up evidence in Berbice carpenter’s murder

COME Friday, Justice Navindra Singh is expected to sum up the evidence in the trial of five men who are accused of the 2016 murder of carpenter, Faiyaz Narinedatt.

Orlando Dickie, Radesh Motie, Diodath Datt, Harri Paul Parsram, and Niran Yacoob are on trial at the Berbice High Court.

The men had denied that between October 31 and No vember 1, 2016, at Number 70 Village, Berbice, they murdered Narinedatt.

The state is being repre sented by special prosecutor Latchmie Rahamat and state counsel, Nafeeza Baig.

On Wednesday, the pros

DEAD: Faiyaz Narinedatt

ecution and defence gave their closing statements, following which the judge adjourned the case until No vember 4, for his summation.

Following the summing up, the judge will hand over the case to the 12-member jury, who will then retire to consider the verdict.

Police had initially la belled the case a ‘hit-and-run accident’, but Narinedatt’s relatives had always been adamant that the scene was staged by persons known to them.

Reports are that after beating Narinedatt to death, his assailants placed his body into the trunk of a car, and, when they reached a prear ranged spot, dumped it on the public road.

They then drove the car over the body to make it look like an accident.

From top left: Niran Yacoob, Harri Paul

Parsram, Radesh Motie. Bottom: Diodath Datt, Orlando Dickie (Stabroek News photo)

Andrew Blackman

Four more Guyanese selected for Know India Programme

FOUR Guyanese nationals will be travelling to Ra jasthan, India for the 62nd Edition of the Know India Programme (KIP) for a period of three weeks. Ra jasthan is a state in northern India, known for its histori cal hill forts and palaces.

The selected participants are Karran Singh, Senior Assistant Master from Mon Repos, East Coast Deme rara; Courtney Kalamadeen, Optical Salesperson/Cashier from New Amsterdam, Ber bice; Yeama Singh, Medi cal Technologist from La Penitence, Georgetown and Tanuja Sukhnandan, Medical Technologist from Chateau Margot, East Coast Demerara.

On Friday, 28 October, High Commissioner, Dr. KJ Srinivasa, met and interact ed with the selected partici pants, briefed them on the programme and wished them to make full use of the initia tive to connect to their roots in India— the land of their ancestors, a release said.

The participants, the re lease noted expressed their appreciation and thanked the Government of India for the chance to visit India and con

veyed their excitement to know more and experience the growing economic giant.

Know India Programme is a flagship programme of the Ministry of External Af fairs for engagement with Indian origin youth (between 18 and 30 years) to enhance their awareness about India, its cultural heritage, art and to familiarise them with vari ous aspects of contemporary India.

This programme is open to youth of Indian origin (ex cluding non-resident Indians) from all over the world with preference to those from Mau ritius, Fiji, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, South Af rica and Jamaica, the release said. The programme has been in existence since 2003.

“This edition, the 62nd of KIP, is the last for the year 2022. There will be many opportunities in the coming years to take part in KIP, we urge you to visit our website at https://www. hcigeorgetown.gov.in/ and follow our Social Media handles to be in the loop for our upcoming Know India Programmes (KIPs),” the release said.

NYPD officer’s body recovered following Orinduik Falls mishap

According to a report from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Haynes’ body was discovered on Wednesday at 06:30 hrs.

Haynes allegedly drowned while swimming at Orinduik Falls.

THE body of missing New York Police Depart ment (NYPD) veteran officer, Gladstone Haynes was, on Wednesday, dis covered three days after he went missing while swimming at Orinduik Falls in North Pakarai mas.

Haynes was vacation ing with his wife, 34-yearold United States of Amer ica (USA) citizen, Vanessa Alicia Vassell. The duo was a part of a tour from Ogle Airport to Kaieteur Falls which then proceed ed to Orinduik Falls, on Sunday, when the tragedy struck.

Vassell was celebrating her birth anniversary.

“Enquiries disclosed that Gladstone was swim ming below the Orinduik Falls in the water, which was high and streaming heavily at the time. He reportedly went under the surface of the water and disappeared,” the release stated.

A party of police ranks and other persons went in search of Gladstone but his body was not found until Wednesday.

Haynes was a part of the NYPD 70 Precinct and served the City of New York for nearly 18 years.

“Officer Gladstone Haynes was a good, hum ble man…May he Rest in Peace and may God bless the Haynes family,” the precinct posted on their social media pages.

High Commissioner, Dr. KJ Srinivasa (fourth left) and a senior official at the High Commission (left) with the persons selected for the Know India Programme

Gladstone Haynes

English Racing Tips

Hereford

08:20 hrs Lily Glitters 08:55 hrs Marble Sands 09:25 hrs Frau Georgia 10:00 hrs Aliomaana 10:35 hrs Mackelduff

11:10 hrs Kingston Sun flower 11:45 hrs Eros

Kempton 09:20 hrs Cool Vixen 09:52 hrs Lord Clenagh castle 10:28 hrs Lady Loulou 11:03 hrs Golden Sheen 11:38 hrs Mr Buster 12:13 hrs Warren Point

Irish Racing Tips

Galway

08:40 hrs Boogie Wonder 09:10 hrs Starting Mon day 09:40 hrs Summer Snow 10:15 hrs Vocal Studies 10:50 hrs Purple Gown 11:25 hrs Intend 12:00 hrs Bolero 12:35 hrs Ellaat

American Racing Tips

Finger Lakes

Race 1 Fair Lassie

Race 2 Daredevil Bull

Race 3 Riding On A Win

ner

Race 4 Town Jak

Race 5 Dr Cerfolio

Race 6 True Gold

Race 7 Supply Chain

Race 8 Kingfish

P&P Insurance Brokers on board Prime Minister T20 Softball Tournament

final at the Guyana National Stadium on Sunday, November, 13.

Among the several sponsors is P&P Insur ance Brokers who has once again fulfilled its obligation for the sixth year running and has already committed for 2023.

At a simple ceremo ny, held at its office yesterday, Executive Director of P&P Insur ance Brokers, Vikash Panday, said his com

pany is quite impressed with the running of the tournament, pointing out that it’s a pleasure to be among the several sponsors.

According to Pan day, the tournament serves to keep both the participants’ bodies and minds active.

GSCL president Ian John expressed thanks to P&P Brokers for once again coming on board and assured Pan day of the tournament’s

success.

John also took the opportunity to announce that the draw for the mega softball event will take place at the Demer ara Cricket Club (DCC) pavilion from 13.00hrs on Sunday and urged the participating teams to ensure they are pres ent.

S everal warmup matches are also scheduled to take place at the same ven ue.

THE sixth edition of the Prime Minister T20 Softball Tourna ment, organised by the Georgetown Soft

ball Cricket League (GSCL), in collabo ration with the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Sport,

is set to bowl off on Friday, November 11 at various venues around Georgetown, culminating with the

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Thursday November 03, 2022)

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

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) A B De Villers-9 dismissals (7 catches; 2 stumpings – SA)

(2) 133 for the first wicket – Shane Watson & David Warner (AUST vs IND, Colombo)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Where and when is semi-final 1 of the current T20 World Cup scheduled to be played?

(2) Where and when is semi-final 2 slated to be played?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

P&P Insurance Brokers’ executive director Vikash Panday (left) hands over the sponsorship cheque to GSCL president Ian John

By Joe Chapman

IT WAS a dramatic win for Achievers FC as they rallied past Team R9 by a 10-9 scoreline to face Unknown, who thrashed YMCA 10-4. Both semi-fi nals of the New Era-or ganised ExxonMobil Futsal championship were played last weekend at the Retrieve Hard Court in

Mackenzie, Linden.

In the first semifinal game, Unknown blotted out YMCA 10-4 behind Adrian Aaron's helmet-trick, a brace each from Jermaine Beckles and Rian Hackett and single goals from Daniel George and Donovan Francis.

Shaniel Jordon scored all four goals for the losers, YMCA.

The exciting second

semifinal match went down to the wire.

Achievers, led by a sev en-goal rush from Joel Isaa cs secured that final berth after a 4-1 lead by the end of the first half.

Team R9 showed their resilience throughout the second half, tied the scores at 5, 7 with about two min utes left in regulation play then forced the game into

overtime.

R9 then edged ahead for their lone lead 8-7 before Achievers tied the scores at 8 then ran out winners 10-9 when the final whistle was blown.

Isaacs was supported as Michel Jeffrey who scored twice and Tyric McAllister, who missed a game-winning penalty with 42 seconds left in regulation play, getting the other goal for Achievers.

The scoring for Team R9 was shared by Omar Williams who kept their hopes alive with five goals and Jemain Kingston and Amanique, who each netted two goals.

ExxonMobil will also, through New Era Organisa tion and the winning team, do a community project of the winners' choice.

The grand final is set for Saturday at the Retrieve Hard Court in Mackenzie, Linden.

Sixth edition of Fitness Expo set for Sunday at

Athletes from Guyana and Suriname battle for supremacy for the title of Fittest

Guyana Fitness Games is set to host its 6th Fitness Expo at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) this Sunday, November 6th.

A press release from the organisers states that spec tators can look forward to seeing approximately 50 athletes from Guyana and Suriname participate in three action-packed, phys ically challenging events,

ments, the movements are still very challenging. Some of these movements include heavy front squats, overhead squats, kettlebell box stepovers, and over head lunges.

The three fitness events the athletes will be required to complete will be a form of high-intensity interval training. These are strength and conditioning work outs that are made up of functional movement per formed at a high-intensity level.

THE Guyana Motor Rac ing and Sports Club’s In ternational Race of Cham pions returns to the South Dakota Circuit on Novem ber 12-13, and Torginol Paints Inc., Pioneers of the Paint Industry, is backing Guyana’s very own Kris tian Jeffrey to excel in the season-ending showpiece.

Jeffrey is vying for cham pionship honours in the Rad ical Caribbean Series. He will also be competing in the highly competitive Group Four category on the newly extended 1.6-mile track.

In the Radical Series, Jeffrey is 15 points behind his Trinidad and Tobago’s namesake Kristian Boodoos ingh, but the Guyanese is confident of lifting the ti tle on home soil, and he is encouraging fans to come out and cheer on his Torgi nol-branded Radical.

“We look forward to see ing Kristian paint up the track with flying colours,” Sachin Puri, a representative of Continental Group of Companies, the manufactur

ers of Torginol Paints, said yesterday.

Puri was speaking mo ments after presenting a sponsorship cheque to Jef frey, extending the compa ny’s long-standing partner ship with the two-time Carib bean Group Four champion.

The brief ceremony was held at Continental Group of Companies’ headquarters at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt.

“Kristian has been the motorsport representative of Guyana for almost two decades, and as a Guyanese brand we couldn’t be more proud to have him represent Torginol Paints. He contin ues to prove time and time again why he is one the best drivers, not only here in Guyana but in the entire Caribbean,” Puri declared.

Enthused by the support from Torginol Paints Inc.,, Jeffrey, who will race at South Dakota for the first time since 2019, said: “Well, you have the best paint, the best car, the best team…so we’re in it to win it.”

“Being on home soil and

getting the support from Torginol, we have a big chance of winning it (Radical Series), so I just hope every one comes out and support. I know Torginol has me, so let’s see what we can do.”

In July, Jeffrey won two of the three races in the open ing leg of the Radical Series at Bushy Park, Barbados, copping the champion driver title and taking a 15-point lead over his nearest rival Boodoosingh.

In round two a month after in Barbados, Jeffrey picked up two more victories to move to 125 points, 22 points clear of Boodoosingh in second.

However, in early Octo ber, Boodoosingh rebounded in brilliant fashion on hi s home leg at the Frankie Boodram Raceway in Wal lerfield, Trinidad, winning all three races to take top spot on 178 points.

Jeffrey, with two thirdplace finishes and a sixth, slipped to second spot on 163 points.

“From Trinidad to now,

it is just a short span of time, but I did a lot of work physically, so I’m in the gym a lot and I’m on the simulator at home. So I feel race-ready,” a confi dent Jeffrey said.

“I’ll be going up and do some testing on the new track, and that should put me ahead of everyone, with a bit more practice going into the race week end.”

Jeffrey believes the new and extended track, which now puts Guyana in a prime position to host international standard rac ing, will test the skill level of drivers, a challenge he is looking forward to.

“I love a challenge,” he affirmed.

“We now have a track that I would say is not so boring - it’s a lot of undu lation, elevation changes and stuff - so it’s now a driver’s track. It’s not about what you spend now, but it’s about how the drivers manage their way around the corners.”

to attain the title of 'Fittest' in the categories of Rx Teams male and female and Scaled Individuals male and female.

'Rx' means doing the movements as prescribed, and if a weight is desig nated, you're doing the workout with the specif ic weight. 'Scaled' means modifying the movement or modifying the weight if there is a designated weight for the workout.

The Rx teams will be performing quite a few new synchronised movements such as double barbell overhead lunges, heavy tandem deadlifts, and part ner wall balls. These are in addition to several other synchronised movements.

The organisers also not ed that many of the scaled athletes are new to the sport and while they will be per forming the scaled move

There will be spectator games for members of the audience who would like to participate in a few fitness challenges and win prizes.

“If you love sports, you're a fitness enthusiast, or are interested in get ting into fitness then come out with your family and friends on Sunday 6th No vember at the Cliff Ander son Sports Hall and support these athletes as you get to enjoy the excitement of the competition.”

The sponsors are Lucozade, Icool Water, GTT, Guyoil, TechPro, Trophy Stall, Star Par ty Rental, Liquid En ergy, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, and Genesis Fitness Gym. Admission is $1000, and tickets are available at Gene sis Fitness Gym. Fitness Expo starts promptly at 13:00hrs on

Guyana Fitness Games is set to host its 6th Fitness Expo this sunday

JTECH X Automotive Art, Vibrant Performance launch ‘Road to November’ campaign … unveil Fuel-Tech as new partner

WITH the clock counting down to the much antici pated Guyana Motor Rac ing and Sports Club (GM R&SC) Ignite race meet, the JTECH X Automotive Art/ Vibrant Performance team have launched their ‘Road to November’ campaign.

The product line’s great est advantage is its overall simplicity, from its painless installation to real time tuning in just hours, depending on the application. Our FT series ECU’s built-in interface is a complete set that allows the user to have full control of the

sors connected to the system.

“The custom engine and chassis harness built by Area51RaceCars was designed in a way that both engine and chassis harness were in tegrated into one clean unit. The benefits of this one unit design are quick disconnection (in case of engine damage or having to swap harnesses to a different chassis).

The ECU control of ac tuators and pumps (fans, so lenoids, fuel pumps, water pumps, ect) can connect as many sensors as possible while maintaining a clean and organised look.”

Saturday’s launch at the company’s Croal Street office coincided with the announce ment that JTECH would be come the official dealers of the Fuel-Tech Electronic Control Unit (ECU) locally.

FuelTech is an interna tional company specialised in developing and manufacturing state-of-the-art performance engine management systems.

The company’s elite staff, always keeping a grip on the forefront of technology avail able, guarantees top notch quality and constant innova tion.

engine without the need of a PC, emphasising the on-thespot, do-it-yourself concept.

The Vibrant Performance ‘Unruly’ Honda Civic was unveiled running a new Area51RaceCars/FuelTech FT600 custom road race com plete package system ahead of the group three class of action, with Fuel-Tech representative Omar Crespo firing up the car for a brief show of the unit.

“The complete FT600 road race package system will al low us to control the engine, control the chassis wiring, monitor data and log all sen

JTECH x Automotive Art, through their local arm said, “We’re excited to continually add industry-leading brands to our product offering here at JTECH. Having Fueltech and Omar Crespo come on board with us solidifies that claim with Fueltech being one of the most sought-after performance ECU’s in today’s market. Our team is constantly working to develop the Unruly Civic into a truly state-of-the-art machine built right here on home soil. We hope to see support in the thousands as we take on the rest of the Caribbean”

With just under two weeks remaining for the GMR&SC ignite event, Unruly Civic driver Stefan Jeffrey looked forward to the event, especial ly given that the car made a clean sweep on its last circuit racing outing.

The team picked up three wins from three races on the last outing with an eye to replicating the feat come No vember 12 and 13.

“With FuelTech coming on board for this race meet, we have managed to improve the reliability of the Unruly Civic. Not that it was unre liable but you can never be too sure when it comes to racing and with the complete FT600 road race package, we would be able to pick up any issues we may have at an ear lier time, as Omar explained earlier.”

“We want to repeat the last outing with three wins but at the same time it’s a new track layout which is longer and much more de manding on both driver and car; still we are ready for the challenge when we go testing this weekend.”

Saturday’s launch was done in collaboration with the GT Callout’s group; the team putting together a car show for likeminded enthu siasts and race-fans.

While there, fans were given a brief tour of the JTECH and Automotive Art

product line

Those fans, were also treated to giveaways from the JTECH team including shirts as well as GT-Callouts memorabilia.

Vibrant Performance is an industry leader in fabri cation materials, providing the best in intake, exhaust and fluid delivery compo nents for automotive, marine, exotic, diesel and off-road applications.

The car’s other spon sors are Automotive Art, HAVIN’S Marine Custom Fabrication and Tropics.

Businessman makes donation to Tiger Bay’s female football team

BUSINESSMAN Sha hab Hack who is an ardent supporter of youth development and community relations, donated several foot balls, football gear and personal supplies to the Tiger Bay female foot ball team, on Saturday, October 29, 2022.

The donation was de livered in Queen Street, Tiger Bay in the presence of the team coach Al pha Fletchman, captain Afena Baptiste, family members and supporters of the players.

Mr Hack, who has

always been at the fore front of similar initia tives and usually sup ports the Guyana Police Force community en gagements and youth development, mentioned that after attending the 'Men on Mission Con ference', hosted by the President of Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, he felt a need to fulfil his corporate obligation and as such he decided to start with the Tiger Bay community.

He further added that he intends to have simi lar initiative throughout

the country in vulnerable communities and plans to provide mentorship and guidance to the youths of those communities.

"My wish is to be able to play a meaningful role in their academic lives as well as sports so that each of these youths could realise full poten tial," Mr. Hack said.

Baptiste expressed gratitude to Mr Hack for the timely and much needed supplies and noted that her teammates will surely be appreciative of this kind gesture.

Some of the gear donated by Shahab Hack

The JTECH team poses with their prize winners

Stefan Jeffrey (right) and Omar Crespo

Guyana win last over thriller against Trinidad

The Guyana harpy Eagles won a last over thriller against the Trin idad Red force when the two met in the CG In

surance super 50 cup on Wednesday evening at the Brian Lara Cricket Ground.

Set 270 for victory, it

Torginol Paints Inc. backing Kristian Jeffrey to excel at November race meet

…

came down to needing 12 off the last over, which red force’s Sunil Narine (30 from 17) balls failing to bring it across the line.

In the end, the Guyana Harpy Eagles won by 3 wickets

Earlier, Guyana scram bled back from early wick

ets thanks to a swashbuck ling innings of 74 from Romario Shepherd who scored 74 off 46 balls to take Guyana to a respect

able 269 for 9 off their 50. Sherfane Rutherford assisted with 49 from 63.

Details in Tomorrow’s edition

JTECH X Automotive Art, Vibrant Performance launch ‘Road to November’ campaign

Stefan

Kristian Jeffrey (left)