Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 03-11-2023

FRIDAY 3rd November, 2023

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUSIVE

No. 107253

Power generation to improve by mid-December SEE PAGE

3

- as GPL announces additional generation sets to arrive in Guyana soon

40,000+ persons to benefit from new $120M Diamond Health Centre

SEE PAGE

2

A new $120 million health centre was, on Thursday, officially commissioned at Diamond, East Bank Demerara to provide access to primary healthcare services to more than 40,000 persons there and neighbouring areas (DPI photos)

‘You have to treat ‘Our mission to defend this NIS to conduct outreach in people with dignity’ nation is non-negotiable’ New York this weekend

- Dr. Jagdeo says gov’t will not be SEE part of any movement to promote PAGE 5 xenophobia in Guyana

- Army Chief-of-Staff affirms 11

SEE PAGE

- as gov’t continues to resolve outstanding matters

Approximately 250 Laing Avenue families to benefit from $50M Home Improvement Programme

SEE PAGE

3

SEE PAGE

4

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

40,000+ persons to benefit from new $120M Diamond Health Centre

A new $120 million health centre was, on Thursday, officially commissioned at Diamond, East Bank Demerara to provide access to primary healthcare services to more than 40,000 persons there and neighbouring areas.

The commissioning

construct the centre but it was never completed.

Upon assuming office in August 2020, the government invested some $40 million to ensure the facility can be completed to improve the delivery of health services to persons. “ We w e r e a n x i o u s l y

comprehensive initiatives to further boost the health sector, including the construction of regional hospitals and health centres, better primary and specialised health services, and training programmes for healthcare workers, among others.

“This country is going to

Staff of the new Diamond Health Centre was attended by Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony; Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud; Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr Gavinash Persaud, and other officials.

During the simple ceremony, Minister Anthony highlighted that a $78 million contract was awarded under the previous administration to

awaiting the opening of this facility…Now that it is all fixed up, we want to make sure that it is used properly.

It is a health centre like any other health centre. So, the services that will be provided would support mothers and children…general services…

They must be able to come here and get that level of

be very prosperous. You are already seeing the prosperity.

And if we want to enjoy that prosperity, then, we have to live a long and healthy life to enjoy that prosperity,” Dr Anthony noted.

Meanwhile, Minister Persaud noted that the facility is one of the many commitments that the PPP/C presented in its

A new $120 million health centre was officially commissioned on Thursday at Diamond, East Bank Demerara to provide access to primary healthcare services to more than 40,000 persons there and neighbouring areas (DPI photo) care…” the health minister said.

Over the years, Dr Anthony underscored that the government has made critical investments in the health sector towards the delivery of enhanced access to healthcare services countrywide.

Between 2022 and 2023 the administration expended some $300 million to assist with the general upgrading of infrastructure in the region.

Dr Anthony also provided a detailed overview of several transformative and

manifesto to Guyanese.

“This facility has been long overdue…This is one of the commitments that we made when we were campaigning in 2020…There are many facilities like this and many hospitals that are going to be built throughout the length and breadth of Guyana…” Minister Persaud emphasised.

He also encouraged community members to maintain the facility and to fully utilise the services being offered.

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

Power generation to improve by mid-December

- as GPL announces additional generation sets to arrive in Guyana soon

By Shamar Meusa ADDITIONAL generation sets, which were procured by the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) to increase power generation, will arrive in Guyana soon, just time for the Christmas season.

This was according to the Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, during his remarks at a press conference, on Thursday.

He said that customers could rest assured that power generation issues will subside after December 15.

Indar related that the issue of power supply began just around the same time as the Caribbean Premier League.

However, Minister Indar said that in 2022 when there was a realisation that the demand for power would increase significantly in 2023, GPL began the procurement process to be able to add additional power to the grid.

At the beginning of this process, Indar said that companies that submitted offers when the expressions of interest were put out were not feasible, as many vendors presented high costs and were interested in contracts of around five years, which goes beyond the time that the Gas-to-Energy plant’s gener-

ation would come on stream.

“So, you can’t contract a company to sell you power between 17 to 23 cents per kilowatt hour beyond five years when you're going to generate power when the gas to energy comes in 2025 at five cents. So, that is the decision we have to make as a government, nobody would want to do that,” Indar said.

After this tender process with the receipt of “uneconomical” bids, the minister said that they went to tender again.

The GPL, however, has been able to procure some 28.9 megawatts of additional generation from Apan Energy Services to the tune of US$27.5 million, and the apparatus will arrive in Guyana soon.

Indar went on to add: “They have indicated to us that the engines that we bought are already serviced and prepared; they are being shipped to the port so that that charter vessel can bring it to Guyana… the expected arrival date in Guyana for those engines is around the 22nd of November.”

Further, six step-up transformers that have been ordered will be arriving in Guyana within the first week of December and this will add to the generation capacity.

SITE BEING PREPARED The site for this equip-

Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo ment is being prepared at Columbia, Mahaicony, and significant progress has been made as part of this preparation.

He mentioned that when the engines arrive, there should be no issues in having them set up and commissioned. The target date for this to be done is December 15.

From now to December, the spate of load shedding will have to be managed and a massive coordinating team is on board to handle same.

Indar added that this issue is not one that occurred overnight, but increased demand has been placed on the system with a significant increase in both residential and commercial customers being added to the system.

In the interim, to reduce

the demand, the Public Works Minister said that they have been targeting those customers who have self-generating capacity which amounts to over 500 customers to generate their own electricity during the peak demand hours.

On Thursday, Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo during his press conference, said that the government is just as concerned as ordinary citizens about this spate of blackouts that has been happening for some time.

However, Dr Jagdeo noted that while they are concerned just like citizens, it does not mean that the explanations given are not valid, those explanations are quite clear that this is as a result of several things.

Among the root causes of this issue was the lack of investments by the former APNU+AFC administration after they did not go ahead with the hydropower project.

“165 megawatts should have come into the power grid, new power in 2017 through that hydro was killed… they did not put in place any new power plant,” Dr. Jagdeo said.

Added to this, he reiterated that the country is still being powered by plants that were bought by Previous PPP/C Administrations over 20 years ago.

Another issue, Dr. Jagdeo added, was the subsidisation of power when oil prices went up and as a result, most consumers that were self-generating, as it was economically feasible at that time, transferred over to GPL’s grid system to benefit from that lower cost.

The third issue he highlighted as a cause of power outages is the growth in demand. While several steps are currently being taken in the interim to ensure that there is sufficient capacity, Dr. Jagdeo said that the government hopes to definitively fix the issue with the gas-to-power plant which is expected to come on stream in 2025.

“We’re looking for additional power now, but we are trying to fix the issue definitively with the gas-to-energy power plant, it’s simple as that,” the Vice-President added.

Meanwhile GPL, in a press statement early Thursday, said that in order to prevent a total system shutdown resulting from insufficient generation, the company has been temporarily de-energising some distribution feeders daily during peak demand hours to maintain grid stability.

To this end, it was stated that at the end of September, GPL announced that the company had reached a historic

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar peak in electricity demand recorded at an unprecedented 182 megawatts, “This situation is not unique to GPL, as countries around the Caribbean have recorded significant increases in demand due to rising temperatures in the region,” GPL said.

Against this backdrop, the company related that as part of its development and expansion plan for 20232027, demand was projected at 186.6 megawatts in 2023.

While the company acknowledged the inconvenience that the service interruptions are causing, GPL reassured its customers that they remain committed to resolving the situation in mid-December with the supplementary generation.

NIS to conduct outreach in New York this weekend - as gov’t continues to resolve outstanding matters

IN fulfilment of the commitment made by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) will be conducting a three-day outreach in New York, United States of America, from November 4 to 6, 2023.

According to a press release, the outreach forms part of the government’s proactive efforts to resolve pending cases within the NIS, and provides an opportunity for the Guyanese diaspora to interact directly with the scheme to have their issues addressed and questions answered.

The details for the out-

reaches are as follows: Day 1 – Saturday 04 November, 2023 Location: Brooklyn, New York St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church 331 Hawthorne St., NY 11225 Time: 9:00 hours – 17:00 hours Day 2 – Sunday 05 November, 2023 Location: Schenectady, New York Guyanese Community Centre (Hindu Temple) 1052 Pleasant St., NY 12303 Time: 9:00 hours – 17:00 hours

Day 3 – Monday 06 November 2023 Location: Queens, New York Liberty Palace and Banquet Hall 130-11 Liberty Ave., South Richmond Hill, NY 11419 Time: 9:00 hours – 17:00 hours Only recently, President Ali announced the establishment of a specialised secretariat and a projectized format within the NIS, to expedite the resolution process of pending claims.

“I wanted to address this issue. This is an issue that we want to fix and we want

to make every effort in a specialised, projectized manner to get this fixed before the end of the year,” the Head of State emphasised.

Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, while delivering remarks recently at the Scheme’s 54th Anniversary ceremony, appealed to the scheme to raise the standards of their operation, and to deliver efficient services to ensure that all NIS matters are dealt with in a timely and professional manner.

Dr. Singh also urged the NIS to recommit themselves to ensuring a more efficient and respected entity going forward.

The minister further said that the government is firmly committed to the scheme and to ensuring its viability.

A priority of the government when it assumed office in 2020 was to address the complaints received from contributors to the scheme with pending claims at the time amounting to 14,000 as at November 2020.

In support of this effort, the government at Cabinet level, undertook a series of nationwide outreach sessions that took the services of NIS to the citizens, with 12 sessions held in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10.

Over 1,300 persons across the country have benefitted from these sessions, many of whom are in receipt of Old Age Pension after waiting for a number of years. Additionally, all inherited 14,000 pending claims have been resolved.

The three-day outreach to the US will be led by the General Manager of the NIS, Mrs. Holly Greeves.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

Approximately 250 Laing Avenue families to benefit from $50M Home Improvement Programme

Approximately 250 Laing Avenue, Georgetown families are set to benefit from a $50 million Home Improvement Programme APPROXIMATELY 250 Laing Avenue, Georgetown families are set to benefit from a $50 million Home Improvement Programme.

Residents will receive building materials to carry out rehabilitation works on their homes through this initiative, which will be rolled out through the Ministry of

Housing and Water's Central Housing and Planning Authority in the coming days.

Vi c e - P r e s i d e n t , D r.

Bharrat Jagdeo provided this update during his meeting with residents at the St. Pius Primary School on Wednesday.

In July it was reported that several infrastructural and

social welfare development programmes are on the cards for the residents of Laing Avenue and Yarrow Dam, including the $50 million Home Improvement Programme.

Dr. Jagdeo, during a meeting with residents in July, had said that the visit was part of a promise made during the campaign for the Local Government Elections (LGEs).

“Prior to the elections, I promised a group of people who came to see me at

Freedom House that I will return here after the elections.

I promised them that I wanted to start a home improvement programme.

“We have set aside $50 million for the Home Improvement Programme. So, we’re here to fulfil that promise,” Dr. Jagdeo said.

He said that the meetings were just the beginning of the government’s plan to do its part to ensure development in those communities.

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

‘You have to treat people with dignity’ - Dr. Jagdeo says gov’t will not be part of any movement to promote xenophobia in Guyana

GENERAL Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has condemned the inhumane treatment of Venezuelan refugees who are coming to Guyana for betterment.

“We are not going to be part of any movement to promote xenophobia in our country,” he said during a press conference at Freedom House on Thursday.

Reflecting on the period when Guyanese fled the nation in droves because of economic constraints, the PPP General Secretary

referenced the xenophobia Guyanese faced even from Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states and his fight to condemn it.

“We have always insisted that people treat our people with dignity and respect,” Dr. Jagdeo related, adding: “You have to treat people with dignity,” as refugees too are entitled to protection of the state.

Deeming the cruel treatment as “totally reprehensible,” Dr. Jagdeo remarked that he saw a video that “made his stomach turn.”

For context, Dr. Jagdeo was referring to the widely-circulated video of two Venezuelans being forced to take off all of their clothes on a street at Peters Hall.

According to the police, 37-year-old Ahmad Ally, from Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara, is presently in police custody assisting detectives with the ongoing investigation regarding the video.

It was said that Ally turned himself in to the Providence Police Station around 13:30hrs, accompanied by his lawyer.

He was arrested and escorted to the Golden Grove Police Station, where he was video-interviewed in the presence of his lawyer.

Ally admitted during the interview that he indeed had a cutlass in his hands, instructed the victims to say that they were

thieves and ordered them to take off all of their clothing and walk naked down the street.

The suspect claimed that he never assaulted the victims, nor was he aware of who made the video.

He was confronted with the victims, and they maintained he made

the video with a red phone. The suspect had a red phone on his person, which was checked, but no video of the incident was in it. The phone was lodged and will be sent to CID headquarters to check for deleted videos.

Ally is still in custody.

Guyana’s rich cultural history to take spotlight during Tourism Awareness Month

By Faith Greene

THE Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), on Wednesday launched Tourism Awareness Month under the theme, “Cultural Tapestry: Investing in Our People. Enriching Our Heritage.”

This year’s theme seeks to bring together Guyanese from every cultural, racial and economic background.

Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond in her brief remarks highlighted that the focus for Tourism Awareness Month 2023 will be the recognition of the enormous value of our rich cultural history.

She stated that embedded in our diversity is a kaleidoscope of cultures, religion and food and she later noted that each ethnic group has left distinct marks in the country’s cultural history.

With this in mind, the

minister said that a “working group” has begun their research, which will focus on developing a way to preserve our heritage.

She has also charged the head of the GTA with the responsibility of submitting a list of sites in Guyana, which will be recognised as a World Heritage Site, to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Referring to the influence of the British, Dutch, French and Spanish on Guyanese culture, the minister said that collectively, they left rich deposits that embodies our uniqueness as a nation. “ We m u s t n o t e a n d boast that Guyana is blessed with phenomenal beauty.

We are home to the largest single-drop waterfall in the world, some of the most majestic waterfalls, rapids, creeks, mountains, pristine rivers and breathtaking landscape, which make Guyana a truly remarkable destination,” she added.

Minister Walrond noted

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond (Adrian Narine photo)

that her outline is the framework for what makes Guyana potentially one of the most powerful tourism destinations globally.

She explained that Guyana must position its culture and religious festivals as essential elements of its tourism offerings.

Meanwhile, Director of the GTA, Kamrul Baksh, said that it is by design that they are embracing and promoting culture for Tourism Awareness Month, 2023.

He remarked that culture is one of the core pillars of

tourism in Guyana.

“Guyana is well known for its multicultural society, and in its many forms -- whether it is food or music -- is manifested in a lot of the events and festivals. We truly appreciate all of the cultures in all of its facets,” he said.

This year, over 40 events geared at bringing cultural representation to the forefront will be held throughout the month.

One of these events is the ‘Adopt-an-attraction’ initiative which will span the entire month.

Baksh explained that through this initiative, members of civil society groups will adopt a particular space or attraction.

The Discover Guyana Passport by the Tourism Authority displays discounted tourism experiences. Persons are encouraged to be a part of at least two experiences from any licensed participating tour operator. Twenty persons will then be randomly selected and will win experiences valued at $100,000.

President of THAG, Omadele George, shared briefly that her organisation remains resolute in its mission to promote sustainable tourism and development.

She said that while they are raising their advocacy efforts when bringing awareness to culturally sensitive issues, emphasis is being placed on the importance of respecting the various cultures.

Further, she remarked that together we can make Guyana a leading destination in the Americas.

“Not only for its natural

beauty, but also for its rich cultural heritage,” she said.

George charged Guyanese to embrace the theme, noting that we can today create a tapestry of success, prosperity, and pride in Guyana’s tourism industry.

Meanwhile, Vice-Chairman of the National Toshaos Council, Sonia Latchman, applauded Amerindian villages for their role in positively contributing to the tourism sector.

She said that the Amerindian culture in Guyana is a vibrant display of tradition, customs and beliefs that have been preserved and enriched for generations.

She concluded that Guyana’s focus on cultural tourism during this month, underlines the importance of investing in its people and enriching our heritage.

“By promoting responsible and sustainable tourism that benefits Amerindian communities, the nation can ensure the preservation of this invaluable cultural tapestry for years to come,” Latchman added.

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

Living Healthy

FROM as early as 05:00hrs on any given day, Guyanese from all walks of life can be seen running, walking or doing other forms of physical activity in the National Park.

As expected, this green space gets its largest turnout towards dusk when the work day ends and schoolchildren have completed their classes and other daily activities.

In the afternoons, the National Park is transformed into a massive fitness space where a host of physical activities are held. These include yoga, ruby, lawn

tennis, athletics, football, the usual running and walking and one-on-one fitness sessions. Others can be seen relaxing under one of the shady trees or benabs or feeding manatees.

Under this administration, ensuring that the population is healthy has been made a priority. Lots of emphasis has been placed on opening green spaces and installing the necessary infrastructure to accommodate regular physical activities in a safe and comfortable environment and of course, ensuring that the population

has access to fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and other products that are essential for maintaining good health.

Access to regular physical activity is about to increase 10-fold as two areas in the National Park will soon be transformed into outdoor gyms. In one of these areas, equipment such as exercise bicycles and benches have already been installed. The masons are currently working on the final touches and it is expected that in another two to three weeks it will be ready for use.

Given that there are mil-

lions around the world suffering from heart-related complications, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), regular exercise should be made a key part of our daily routine.

Just 30 minutes of walking a day can improve our overall health dramatically.

The burden of NCDs on any healthcare system is tremendous. Guyana has not been spared. As government works to modernise the health care system and ensure that there is equal access to services across the coun-

try, we all have an individual responsibility to ensure that we live health lives.

According to PAHO, in the Region of the Americas, in 2019, NCDs accounted for 5.8 million deaths, equivalent to 81 per cent of total deaths in the Region. They also accounted for the loss of 226 million disability-adjusted life years, 121 million years of life due to premature death, and 105 million years of life lived with disability or ill-health. These are alarming numbers. More recent data has revealed that things have gotten worse.

Guyana has one of the highest NCD death rates in the Region and it is encouraging to see that many are opting to make lifestyle changes to improve their overall health with the hope of prolonging their time on Planet Earth.

Exercise is a good first step. It not only boosts your physical well-being but it does wonders for your mental health which has declined tremendously for many since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The stress associated with work and family, is often times too much for us to bear. Exercise is a natural stress buster.

Projects such as the one being executed in the National Park should be replicated throughout the country. This is a step in the right direction as it gives the population access to resources that will be beneficial to them and ensures that Guyana is on track to achieving Goal Three of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – Good health and well-being.

Guyana remains a peaceful nation

Dear Editor, VENEZUELA is brewing a storm in a tea cup while Guyana briefs the international community about the actions taken by Nicolas Maduro, President of Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

The brazen, bold and bullish behaviour of a barefaced braggart, behooves diplomacy’s last bastion of public bureaucracy.

Reports of increased Venezuelan military activities close to Guyana’s borders has raised eyebrows and is viewed as having “the potential to incite violence and to threaten the peace of Guyana and by extension the Caribbean Region.”

Essequibo, known as the “Cinderella County,” is home to some 290,000 people stretching across 700 villages and communities, making a living involved in mainly agriculture industries and mining for gold and other precious minerals.

The rich Rupununi Savannahs unfolds its virgin plains and fishes of various species, including the largest sweet water fish, the Arapaima. The prestigious rain-

forests are pristine for their carbon credits and lumber values. Guyana’s hinterland is the scenery of towering mountains unfolding her majesty to boast the likes of Mount Roraima.

Kaieteur Falls bedazzles visitors as the world’s largest single-drop waterfall. Domiciling in the interior are the indigenous people, Guyana’s first born original inhabitants of this land of many waters.

The response from the Venezuela’s representative as “curbing illegal mining,” with their equipment movement, is an affront for their military exercises at Eteringbang, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and should be taken with a grain of salt and perceived as premeditated maneuvering with the ultimate intention to claim untitled land belonging to Guyana.

Guyana remains steadfast to the validity of the Arbitral Award of 1899. Venezuela pursues a claim of void and refuses to recognise that the ICJ has jurisdiction to hear this case.

Guyana’s massive oil finds and selling of the recent oil blocks found in

sovereign territory, only inflamed an already infuriated Venezuela to instigate a communique protesting the sales which threaten Guyana as an independent nation.

Venezuela’s National Electoral Council has further undermined the security of Guyana, threatening peace and inciting violence with a planned National Consultative Referendum, slated for December 3, 2023. It purports to seek the permission of the people to simply “annexed” Essequibo by creation of a state comprising the Cinderella County.

In October 1966, the Venezuelan army seized the Eastern half of Ankoko Island situated at the confluence of the Cuyuni and Wenamu Rivers, which forms part of the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela. A couple of days prior to Guyana becoming a Republic State on February 23, 1970, Venezuelan soldiers on Ankoko opened fire with guns and mortars on the Guyanese military outpost at Eteringbang.

The firing continued intermittently throughout the next day, but there were

no reports of injuries even though buildings were damaged. Despite these military aggressions, Guyana has remained calm and sought diplomatic channels to resolve her border issue.

Harry Innis Perkins and Charles Wilgress Anderson of Great Britain and Abraham Tirado and Elias Zoro of Venezuela made up the Mixed Venezuelan-British Boundary Commissioners.

The Commission drew a line passing through the island and dividing it from north to south in roughly equal parts.

The eastern part of about three-square miles falling on the British Guiana (Guyana) side of the boundary and the western part falling on the Venezuelan side.

A boundary map showing these details was signed on January 7, 1905 by the Boundary Commissioners.

The 1905 map was reissued in 1911and 1917 and published under the authority of General Gomez, then President of Venezuela, and signed by F. Alicantara, the Venezuelan Minister of Internal Affairs.

Despite the border dis-

pute, both nations have co-operated on trade, health and other sectors. For example, the Guyanese government had signed a rice compensation agreement with Venezuela in 2009 wherein Guyanese rice exports were accepted in partial payment for imports of Venezuelan oil. During the days of dictatorship under the Kabaka, many Guyanese sought refuge for greener pastures in foreign countries, including in the land of Venezuela.

There was also brisk trading for foreign banned food stuff and other items.

Now we are attesting to the vice versa situation as Maduro bankrupts a once prosperous nation, leaving the food shelves empty in the supermarkets, disrupting the peaceful lives of people and impoverishing the nation as he rules by controlling the military forces.

The US has frozen Venezuelan assets in the US and there is an oil embargo.

Millions of Venezuelans have been forced to flee their homeland. Refugees are arriving by the hundreds in Guyana, home to over 30,000 Venezuelans, seek-

ing food, cloth and housing as they scramble for work in order to maintain their families, forced to live together under one roof, bundled by the dozens. Most Guyanese have left Venezuela and have already returned home since Maduro became President.

Venezuela wants to withdraw from the present judicial proceedings, despite the ICJ still processing the case. Guyana enjoys the full support of CARICOM, the Secretaries-General of the United Nations and the Organisation of the American States, the Commonwealth Nations and the entire international community. Venezuela, as it is, stands solitary and risks being accused of criminal aggression, should they invade or seize any land belonging to Guyana.

G u y a n a re m a i n s a peaceful nation but like Dave Martin said, Guyanese “ain't giving up no mountains, no tree, no river that belongs to we, not one blue saki, not one rice grain, not one kuras, not a blade of grass.”

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall.

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

The President’s outreach in Region 10 was highly successful

Dear Editor, OVER the last weekend, October 29 and 30, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali held an outreach in Region 10, in keeping with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s policy and principles of engaging with the people throughout the country to listen to issues that might be affecting their communities, villages, towns and regions.

Those engagements are also used as a medium to update the residents on the government’s programmes and plans for national development.

While the PPP/C always has regular outreaches, ministers and senior officials are mandated by His Excellency to be in contact with the people

at all times.

At the outreach to various communities in Region 10, many development and personal issues were raised by residents, which were documented by the Cabinet and the RDC to be addressed.

The President before going out on his visits, commissioned a brand-new state-of-the-art x-ray machine at the Mackenzie Hospital. He then went on his visits to several communities and made several commitments such as building a new primary school at Malali, which will replace the old school, which is usually flooded when there is heavy rainfall.

The President also committed to build a doctor’s quarters, among other things. Further, a new wharf will also be built

at Linden to accommodate the goods and service for the Upper Demerara riverine communities.

His Excellency also, in keeping with objective of food security, stated that the government through the Ministry of Agriculture will place a vital role on a special project of having 10 acres of land cultivated, of which 35 per cent of the involvement of the agro- project must be women. Further, 77 solar panels were presented to that village.

At 47 & 58 Mile and Great Falls, residents will also receive solar panels, a bus will be given to the communities to take the children to school, free eye care programme and several black water tanks would be delivered to the communities, while GWI

will be digging wells.

Those villages will also benefit from agricultural assistance. Several issues were also raised in the Berbice riverine areas, such as agricultural assistance, request for a secondary school to be built at Wiruni, which will be done, along with many other mega projects such as the G$150 million wharf project at Tacama, black eye peas cultivation at Kimba, and barley and millet production, and the expansion of the corn and soya bean project.

At Kwakwani the recreational facility will be upgraded, GWI will drill a well there, continued agricultural support will be given, and all-weather roads will be done in the village.

The village of Ituni will

also receive a 30-seater bus to take the school children to school in Linden, a new primary school will be built, and black water tanks will be given to the residents; also assistance will be given to agriculture.

At the Coomacka Mines, Three Friends, Siberian and Nottinghamshire villages the upgrading will continue, agricultural assistance will continue, 45 outstanding land issues will be resolved, and work on the other areas land titling.

The 100 black water tanks will be delivered, and the Ministry of Agriculture will work with the residents in developing 20 acres of land for agriculture of which 35 per cent must be women on the project.

Recreational facilities will be upgraded.

At Linden, several issues were raised as to land title, road development, poor waste disposal collection, leasing of agricultural lands, and requests for CDCs to be formed at the back section of Block 22, Prosville and Andy Ville.

New homes will be made for three Moblissa teachers.

There are other small issues that will be addressed.

It must be noted that over G$2 billion is being spent on the road network in Linden and other massive developments ongoing in Region 10 of which I will be highlighting in a subsequent report to people of Region 10 and the nation.

Yours sincerely, Andrew Forsythe Regional coordinator.

Booker Tate, APNU+AFC were responsible for the dire state of the Skeldon project, sugar industry

Dear Editor, FOR more than a decade, many letter writers and the political opposition have cast the blame on the PPP/C Government for failure of the Skeldon factory project and by extension the entire industry.

However, recent research by reputable individuals into the historical facts on this subject, and our findings, show a very different picture. In fact, it was Booker Tate and the APNU+AFC government that were ultimately responsible for the dire situation of the Skeldon project and by extension, the sugar industry.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) was formed in 1976, when the Government of Guyana nationalised and merged the sugar estates operated

by Booker Sugar Estates Limited, Tate and Lyle, and Jessels Holdings.

GuySuCo initially lacked needed experience and the financial capital needed to maintain the sugar plantations and processing mills during eco-

nomically difficult periods.

In the late 1980’s, it was President Desmond Hoyte’s who asked Booker Tate to take over the management of GuySuCo. This eventually manifested into a contract by an Agreement between the Government of Guyana and Booker Tate Limited dated October 12, 1990, renewed March 7, 1994, and March 26, 1996. The new research shows that Booker Tate was delinquent in the performance of its duties. The sequence of events can be summarised as follows: • In 2000, GuySuCo approached Booker Tate for assistance with sugar industry development; Booker Tate then conducted a feasibility study, from which the Skeldon sugar factor project was birthed.

• In 2004, GuySuCo entered into a written agreement with Booker Tate for the provision of project management services in respect of the implementation phase of the Skeldon Modernisation Project.

• In 2005, GuySuCo began construction of a new sugar cane factory and elec-

tricity cogeneration plant at Skeldon Sugar Estate, and in 2008, the factory was commissioned.

The relationship between GuySuCo and Booker Tate deteriorated due to sub-standard performance

by Booker Tate in their oversight role of the Skeldon Project.

To this end, under the Chairmanship of Dr. Nanda Gopaul, GuySuCo withheld payment of Booker Tate’s management fees, which eventually led to Booker Tate taking court action against GuySuCo for same to be settled.

Based on sound legal advice, GuySuCo filed a counterclaim against Booker Tate for alleged contractual breaches in relation to the Skeldon Project. However, the APNU+AFC Government withdrew the appeal in 2015 when they assumed office, thereby allowing Booker Tate to exit without any liability to the State.

Yours respectfully, Joel Bhagwandin & Dr. Randy Persaud

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

Every human in the world should disapprove Lindsey Graham’s comments

MR. LINDSEY Graham is a senior US senator. Because of his seniority he has an input into aspects of government’s decision-making.

Here is how one of the well-known media houses chose to headline its reporting on Graham: “Graham says “no limit” of Palestinian deaths would make him question Israel.” This is contained in an interview Graham

gave to CNN. When asked if there should be a point where the line is crossed by Israel in its attacks in Gaza and Graham should start questioning Israel’s tactics in its war against Hamas, Graham answered, “no”.

I honestly believe that there are Republican lawmakers in both the House and Senate that are psychologically questionable

humans.

The danger is that these people are influential in the policy direction and decision-making machinery in one of the two most powerful countries in the world. When you digest what Graham is saying, it reminds you of the Nazis mentality.

The core of Graham’s attitude is that he accepts whatever casualties come about in Israel’s attack in

the Gaza once Israel wins against Hamas.

I have read unlimited publications and watched unlimited documentaries on how the Nazis approached their goals in the conquest of Europe.

For them, there were no limits to removing opposition to Nazi control in Europe.

This resulted in largescale murder of Europeans, including mass murder of women and children. This is what is happening in Gaza as what happened in Europe under the Nazis from 1933 until the Nazis were defeated in 1945.

A few days ago, the Israelis accepted that there was a Hamas commander in a refugee camp and they destroyed the building, killing over 50 civilians. This kind of tactics is what Graham approves of. It came from his own mouth.

Here now is why the Israeli tactics in Gaza is being described as genocide. If the tanks believe a Hamas figure is in a school, a refugee camp or in a hospital, the tanks will destroy the entire structure.

These are crimes against humanity. Yet today, none of the countries in the world has asked for a warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest from the International Criminal Court. Bolivia broke off diplomatic relations with Israel over the crimes against humanity but has not asked for a warrant.

The test should be applied to the court to see how independent it is.

If the same court could issue a warrant against Putin for transfer of children from Ukraine to Russia why not for the Israeli bombing of the hospital and the slaughter of over 4,000 Palestinian children?

In a previous column of October 21, I wrote the following about Senator Tom Cotton: Speaking in an interview on Fox News, Cotton said that Israel is justified in killing Palestinian women and children because Hamas killed Jewish women and children. This is the identical expression of Nazi killers when partisan fighters from Nazi conquered European countries attacked German soldiers.

The Nazi regimes would line up women and children and kill them in retaliation for the attacks of the partisan resistance guerrillas. Cotton went on to display a perfect Nazi mind when he told the interviewer that Israel should further bomb the places they have already reduced to rubbles so as to make the rubbles bounce.

Do you think that the Russian government isn’t in possession of what Cotton and Graham have said? Putin no doubt is using these Nazi-like expressions to convince the Russian population that the war against the Ukrainians is justified.

The Russian government is saying to its population that the Americans do not care about Palestinian lives in their support of their international strategic interests.

Russian officials are asking their people why should Russia forsake its security interests in Ukraine while the American President, American government and Congress are condoning Nazi-like tactics of Israel in support of what the Americans want.

American support for Israel’s committal of war crimes have handed the Russians the instrument for delivering the coup de grace in Ukraine and it is going to happen. One has to feel for the woman, children and babies of Ukraine. They are going to suffer just as how the Israeli jets are killing the Palestinian population in Gaza.

As Israeli war crimes continue in Gaza, we are not hearing about what the Russians are doing in Ukraine. It would appear that western government and the western media have shifted focus. But just as we feel for the women and children in Gaza, we must show the same empathy for the Ukrainian children and their mothers. Unfortunately, the world will be unmoved if Russia devastates the Ukraine because of the West’s double standards.

‘Norton stuck in the 70s’ 9

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

- Dr. Jagdeo says; laments that the Opposition Leader has outdated economic policies that cannot work in a modern society

MAINTAINING that their developmental plans for Guyana are based on realism and thorough analyses, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, rubbished claims by Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton, that the PPP is taking the opposition’s ideas for Budget 2024.

During his weekly press conference at Freedom House on Thursday, Dr. Jagdeo responded to statements emerging from the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R).

“Norton, we are not stealing your ideas. [The] ideas are dated too. If you listen to him, he is stuck in the 70s,” the PPP General Secretary said, stressing that Norton’s

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo (Adrian Narine Photo) policies cannot be integrated into the current economic framework.

“I have not seen a workable, sensible, economic idea from the Opposition

in decades,” he said, noting that the PNC/R through the APNU+AFC had a five-year run in office to implement their ideas.

Addressing the coalition

43-member team conducts medical outreaches in Regions Four, Five and Six - hundreds benefit from free services

Story and photos by Michael Khan THE Guyana Medical Mission (GMM) commenced its 16th annual one-week medical outreach in New Amsterdam, Berbice, and simultaneously at the Fyrish Health Centre on the Coren-

visited the Berbice High School (BHS) auditorium, and interacted with some elders and the medical personnel who were present for the formal registration and consultation, free of cost.

Dr. Cort told this publication that the GMM began its annual mission in 2005,

to have their annual medical checkup and the team of doctors to monitor them.

Dr. Cort emphasised that people believe they're sick only when they're in pain.

He said this is very worrying, because a lot of persons are unknowingly walking around with ailments.

Persons waiting their turn at the Berbice High School auditorium to see visiting medical personnel tyne on Sunday.

GMM collaborated with the Ministry of Health, and its 43-member team which was headed by overseas-based Berbician, Dr. James T. Cort examined over 250 Berbicians at the two locations.

The Guyana Chronicle

but paused in 2006 and recommenced in 2007. The initiative was again halted in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

Now that it has resumed, he is hoping that there will be continuous yearly visits, which would allow patients

“I would like to see people focusing more on their well-being by having an annual physical [checkup], which will reveal what complications they have developed within their bodies,” he said.

The GMM offers free eye TURN TO PAGE 13

government’s history, Dr. Jagdeo said: “They [PNC] don't fit their ideas into a consistent framework. They don't look at it from a macro perspective. They don't look at the revenue sources, whether they can accommodate those ideas over long term and [if it is] sustainable...”

He then went on to expound on the transformative agenda that the government is rolling out to develop Guyana.

The PPP General Secretary emphasised that the

government’s initiatives are aligned with and included in the party’s 2020 manifesto. “[Our] promises were based on realism and analyses,” Dr. Jagdeo said, as he went into detail on the administration’s accomplishments.

He also revealed that the PPP/C Government is already planning Budget 2024, and has already engaged in a series of consultations with various trade unions from across the country.

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions (FI-

TUG) for instance, during a consultation in October, proposed a number of proposals which the government welcomed.

The meeting between FITUG and the government highlighted the importance of prioritising the welfare of workers, and taking tangible steps to enhance their economic conditions as the country moves forward. Both parties expressed their commitment to collaborating for the betterment of all Guyanese citizens.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

‘Our mission to defend this nation is non-negotiable’ - Army Chief-of-Staff affirms THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF), on Wednesday, accomplished 58 years of service to the nation.

In commemoration of this milestone, a traditional thanksgiving service was held at the Auditorium, Base Camp Ayanganna, Thomas Lands.

Throughout these 58 years, the GDF has played a crucial role in safeguarding Guyana's sovereignty, accompanying the nation on its journey to independence.

The men and women who initially enlisted have achieved numerous historic feats and, although they have long since retired, they have left a lasting legacy for the current generation of service members.

Pastor Marvyn Smith, the Youth Ministries Di-

GDF Chief-of-Staff (CoS), Brigadier Omar Khan rector, Caribbean Union of Seventh Day Adventists, delivered the sermon which touched on the importance

of mindset in the accomplishment of success in missions despite prevailing circumstances.

Chief-of-Staff (COS), Brigadier Omar Khan, delivered his inaugural anniversary address to a packed auditorium of officers and ranks, inclusive of those from the other services and special invitees.

Brigadier Khan affirmed the GDF's unwavering commitment to its primary function: Deterring any threat to Guyana's territorial integrity.

He emphasised the professionalism with which this duty is carried out and assured that the mission to defend the nation is non-negotiable.

“Our primary function as a defence force is to protect the territorial integrity of Guyana which we have been doing professionally and we will continue to so

do. We will not falter….

Our mission to defend this nation is non-negotiable.

This is a responsibility that cannot be delegated. As Chief of Staff, it is my constitutional responsibility to ensure that the Force is ready for any eventuality,” Brigadier Khan told ranks.

He also told the assemblage that President and Commander in Chief, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has committed to continuing the acquisition of modern assets for land, air, sea, and cyberspace to defend the territorial integrity of Guyana.

Brigadier Khan said: “I must say on this solemn religious occasion and with our religious leaders here to mark our anniversary… I'm not here to beat any drums of combat, but I offer a

prayer of a nation and Force that is peaceful, and the wishes to those who claim what is not theirs to respect the process of international law and commit to its just conclusion, and, I dare say while we pray, we must prepare! A praying Force is a preparing Force.”

“We will continue to expand our awareness, we will consolidate our adaptability, we will improve our agility and we are going to do what is required of us in accordance with our constitutional mandate,” Chief of Staff Khan said.

He then thanked the service members for their dedication and continued service and urged them to continue to emulate the Force’s values and standards at all times.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

Tech training for 2,500 youths by year’s end - President Ali announces

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced a training programme for 2,500 youths to gain high-paying tech jobs, as part of government’s effort to diversify the workforce through innovation and technology.

The president made the announcement at the inaugural Ministerial Forum on

Gender Equality and Empowerment, hosted by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown on Wednesday.

He disclosed that funds will be set aside for the programme which is currently being developed and will be

linked to companies such as Microsoft and Google.

“We’re hoping to do this before the end of the year…

Working with the UN … where they have this youth programme for young people and the young people are trained and then they are matched to tech jobs all across the world,” President Ali highlighted.

Additionally, 1,000 persons in Regions Two (Pomer-

oon-Supenaam) and Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) will gain employment at call centres that are currently under construction.

Some $2 billion was earmarked in the 2023 budget to construct two call centres in Region Two and another two in Region Six. Investors who will be operating these facilities have already signalled their intention to conduct a recruitment

drive before the end of the year and by the first quarter of 2024, these persons will be gainfully employed.

The PPP Administration has already surpassed its manifesto promise of creating 50,000 jobs before

2025 and continues to create more opportunities in several sectors including the oil and gas industry, agriculture, and tourism and hospitality, among others.

(DPI)

Effective system must be developed to improve surveillance of HEARTS Initiative

A three-day trainer of trainers’ workshop on the HEARTS Technical Package commenced at the Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown, on Wednesday, where health professionals will work collectively to develop an effective surveillance and reporting system for the HEARTS programme and its overall improvement.

The HEARTS initiative, which was launched a few years ago, assists primary healthcare professionals in preventing and detecting cardiovascular diseases and hy-

pertension at an early stage.

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony in his address to participants underscored the need for proper surveillance, reporting and data collection, as over 100 health centres are implementing the programme.

“I want the team from the Chronic Disease Unit to work with you to develop that stronger surveillance system, because I would like to see every month the statistics of how this is being implemented and what is happening with our patients,”

the minister stated.

Minister Anthony also urged participants and facilitators to come up with a detailed plan to host training sessions in the various regions, based on the outcome of the programme.

“I think it would be very productive if, in one of the sessions, we get the teams of people who are here from the different regions to sit together and come up with a plan on how they are going to do training and how they are going to extend the implementation,” he underscored.

Additionally, Dr Anthony urged healthcare professionals to implement 117 interventions that have been identified by the health ministry when treating persons living with non-communicable diseases. Also, they were urged to acquaint themselves with the new diabetic guidelines.

“We can integrate the two things (HEARTS and diabetes guidelines) and make sure that it is delivered properly to our patients…That’s the other thing I want us to make sure that we can focus on and get this done,” he added.

The ministry has partnered with the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO), to facilitate the training sessions, as a refresher for doctors and nurses from the 10 administrative regions.

Meanwhile, the Advisor of the Health Systems and Services at PAHO, Guyana Country Office, Daniel Albrecht said the refresher sessions will explore and identify solutions to address challenges in the various regions.

Chief Medical Offi-

cer, Dr Narine Singh also delivered brief remarks, and among those present were the Director of Non-communicable Diseases, Dr Latchmine Lall; Focal Point of High Blood Pressure and the HEARTS Technical Package, Dr Michael Pereira; Coordinator of the Chronic Disease Unit, Dr Daniele DrePaul; and representatives from the Mount Sinai Health Systems, and the MoH Chronic Disease Unit.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

Close to 2,000 persons benefit from hospitality training AS the government continues to implement innovative and essential mechanisms to boost service delivery in Guyana’s tourism sector, almost 2,000 persons have benefitted from hospitality training in 2023.

This is according to the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, while addressing the launch of Tourism Awareness Month 2023, at the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology on Wednesday.

The minister drew attention to a series of training initiatives geared at fostering premier service delivery in the sector.

These training initiatives encompass a wide scope of tourism and hospitality elements, which include

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond mixology, first aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), tour guiding, and birding, among others.

The training is facilitated by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).

Minister Walrond also

pointed to the instrumental role played by the Community Tourism Entrepreneurship programme, as it solicits interest from persons who wish to become tour guides and operators in enhancing tourism capacity.

43-member team conducts medical...

FROM PAGE 9 testing, distribution of eyeglasses, and eye drops, as well as pediatric care. However, the main areas of focus are: Hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol.

“Chronic ailments are our main focus, because we believe that our eating habits and lifestyle play a role in the onset of ill health. We would like to see improvement when our patients return to our clinic next year,” he added.

The GMM team believes that the public response has been overwhelming over the years, and this is what has motivated them to return annually to offer voluntary services.

NO REGRETS Meanwhile, the Guyana Chronicle spoke with a few elderly patients who were elated about the presence of the overseas medical doctors.

“This is the second time I’m coming here, and I feel happy that my ailing aunt and I are able to have our eyes, blood glucose, and pressure

tested in one day at no cost,” said Rosaline Brusch.

Another senior citizen, Glendon Rose said: “I heard about this outreach, and I decided to come. I must say that I don't regret being here; I'm enjoying the process, and I would encourage others to come and have themselves checked.”

The registration and consultation process was smooth, and there was adequate seating accommodation for those attending the clinic.

“Events like these assist in boosting our healthcare, and we are thankful that our local Ministry of Health has allowed the GMM to come onboard with this annual venture,” another resident, Marcia Williams said.

President of the Berbice Pensioners' Association Burchell Archer stated that senior citizens and young people alike should welcome the initiative by the GMM. “Health services are improving with the graduating of new doctors and the establishment of new health fa-

cilities, but this annual clinic allows our citizens to have a second opinion from doctors who were trained at the University of the West Indies, and in the United States. It strengthens the abilities of our local doctors in understanding and treating whatever medical conditions we have,” he added.

The team’s visit to the St. Francis Community Developers Centre in Rose Hall, and the Lan-Liv-Man Health Centre in Lancaster Village concluded their work in Region Six East Berbice-Corentyne). In Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), they addressed various health complaints at the Belladrum Seventh Day Adventist Church, and the Mahaicony Health Centre.

They were also at the Mahaica, Buxton and Beterverwagting Health Centres, which are all located in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

The GMM's week of activities concludes today at the Sophia and East La Penitence Health Centres in Georgetown.

As the ministry through the GTA ramps up the implementation of this programme, more than 230 persons have been trained in this field to date.

“A specific focus of this initiative is the underserved areas, such as Region Six,” the minister stated.

In advancing this intense tourism thrust, the minister reminded that the government is constructing a hospitality institute in Port Mourant, Corentyne to provide high-quality training to meet the demands of the growing sector.

“The Department of

Tourism continues to work with regional tourism bodies to develop a more structured and synergised approach to tourism at a regional level, and to boost the respective tourism offerings. As a government, we have already begun to see the fruits of our strategic policy approach and targeted support,” she said.

Additionally, with mega-events being executed nationwide, including the invigorating appeal of Cricket Carnival, visitor arrival is set to surpass pre-pandemic levels, and Minister Walrond said the government anticipates that these numbers

will be further exceeded by year-end.

“All of this is a vivid illustration of how far we have come as a destination with our tourism product and it perfectly sets up the robust sector that we are aiming to achieve. With our current focus, we move forward with greater confidence in the uniqueness and richness of our tourism offerings. If we as a collective can fully embrace this potential, we are all well on our way to establishing ourselves as a world-leading tourism destination,” the minister posited.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

Partnerships essential to solving the challenges of private enterprises

- PSC, US legislators say

THE Private Sector Commission (PSC) and a delegation of legislators from the state of New York recently held fruitful discussions at Duke Lodge Symposium Hall, where they stressed the importance of partnerships as a springboard for growth in both the US and Guyana.

Chairman of the PSC, Komal Singh, in his remarks at the engagement on October 27, provided an overview of Guyana’s economic landscape, highlighting that the country has seen massive transformation in the last three years, primarily due to investments in the oil and gas sector.

He was keen to note that while oil and gas has propelled Guyana’s economy to another level, the non-oil economy has also been performing well, with projected growth of 9.3 per cent for the remainder of 2023, and that numerous opportunities exist to invest in these sectors.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) and a delegation of legislators from the state of New York recently held fruitful discussions at Duke Lodge Symposium Hall, where they stressed the importance of partnerships as a springboard for growth in both the US and Guyana Singh elaborated on the ongoing infrastructural works across the country that are transforming not only the physical landscape of Guyana, but also the

lives of Guyanese.

Vice Chairman of the PSC and the GMSA, Rafeek Khan, encouraged the delegation to concentrate efforts on small and medi-

um-sized businesses which often face difficulties in accessing finance for expansion.

He also encouraged them to sample locally

manufactured products, many of which are organic, a feature which captures an expanding market.

Other members of the private sector delegation

spoke of the need to consider joint ventures as a means of navigating the legislative landscape and addressing the training needs of the labour force.

In responding to queries from private sector members in attendance, Senator Kevin Parker, Chair of the Committee on Energy and Telecommunication, advised members of the private sector to approach investment opportunities with business plans, and, echoing the sentiments of Captain Gerald Gouveia Jr., said that partnerships are essential to solving the challenges of the private enterprise faced in both jurisdictions.

Additionally, members were informed of the numerous avenues for assistance in establishing transnational businesses, including NGOs around the state.

At the conclusion of a fruitful engagement, attendees were informed of pipeline plans to establish a mechanism to engage the wider CARICOM diaspora formally in relation to trade and investment matters.

Massy Stores launches Christmas Jackpot Promotion - new SUV, other prizes up for grabs

MASSY Stores Guyana has announced a promotion that will give one lucky customer the chance to win a brandnew MG ZS motor vehicle.

The MG ZS is a stylish, modern compact SUV that combines cutting-edge technology with comfort and performance.

According to a press release from Massy Stores, with its sleek design, advanced safety features, and spacious interior, the MG ZS offers an exceptional driving experience for the lucky winner.

In addition to the grand prize, customers also have the chance to win weekly prizes at

each Massy Store. Prizes vary from electronics to home goods, local trips and more.

From November 3, 2023, until January 31, 2024, customers will receive one entry for every $5,000 spent at any of the five Massy Stores across Guyana.

More entries increase people’s chances of winning weekly store prizes or the grand prize.

“We are beyond excited to announce the launch of the Massy Stores Christmas Jackpot Promotion! This promotion is our way of expressing our gratitude to our valued customers who have been loyal to us throughout the years.

This year, we’ve taken

our commitment up a notch by introducing the brand-new MG ZS as the grand prize and offering weekly prizes from each Massy Store!” said Chrystel Taylor, Marketing Supervisor of Massy Stores.

She added: “We believe this promotion will bring joy and excitement to our customers while providing them with the opportunity to win amazing prizes to enhance their holiday celebrations.”

Customers could participate by shopping at any Massy Stores location in Guyana and accumulating entries based on their total spent. The winners will be selected through a random draw,

In picture from L-R, Christpen Bobb-Semple, Assistant Vice President of Massy Stores Guyana presents the keys to a new 2022 Nissan X-Trail to Colin Weekes, winner of the 2022 Christmas Jackpot Promotion

ensuring fairness and transparency in the selection process.

The grand prize draw for the MG ZS motor vehicle and the store prizes

will take place in February 2024. Winners will be notified via phone call and announced on our official website and social media channels.

Last year, Colin Weekes won a 2022 Nissan X-Trail which was the grand prize of the Christmas Jackpot Promotion.

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

Citizens support Guyana’s stance in ongoing border controversy with Venezuela

CITIZENS have endorsed Guyana’s commitment to peace and the rule of law amidst the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali recently reaffirmed that the government stands committed and firm to representing the people of Essequibo and all Guyanese amidst the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela.

“The government and opposition recently issued a joint statement in which we made it clear for no one to make a single mistake, this Essequibo is ours; every square inch of it,” President Ali declared during his address at the launch of

and, importantly, it is committed to the safeguarding and defence of every square inch of Guyana.

This message was reiterated on Wednesday by Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips during his update to the Organization of American States (OAS).

Guyanese have also been following the issue closely and shared their views with the Guyana Chronicle.

Lavern (only name given) supports the country’s position but called for greater public awareness efforts on this topic, saying, "What I meant is how we are going to urgently go about educating

Dillon and his colleagues the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s annual Agro and Trade Expo at the Anna Regina Secondary School ground last Friday.

Recently, in discussing the latest actions by the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in pursuit of its spurious claim to the Essequibo region of Guyana, President Ali and Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, from the outset, agreed that Guyana’s sovereignty is paramount, and a matter on which the Guyanese people are all completely united.

In the circumstance, they roundly condemned the flagrant violation of the rule of law by Venezuela, and agreed that no effort should be spared to resist that country’s persistent endeavours to undermine Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Together they reaffirmed their commitment to the current judicial process that is being conducted under the aegis of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and are convinced that this would finally resolve the question raised by Venezuela over the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award.

The Guyanese Head of State maintained that the government is committed to peace and a peaceful world,

the people...? We are not going to leave our Essequibo open up to be invaded like that. We are a loving set of people, but yet still again looking and we are watching; we need to see more sensitization."

Further, Paul offered his views on the intensifying claims over the Essequibo, saying: “I think it’s wrong and I think like once Guyana has all the documents and also the support of the international community, I think we will be fine.”

Dillon (Only name given) hopes for a peaceful resolution, saying "I think the two countries got enough resources to come together and live together in peace."

Another Citizen, Mala (only name given) who operates at the Ashley’s and Anjali’s Boutique, asserted that Essequibo belongs to Guyana, stating: “For me I feel that its not right. Essequibo is our own and that they have no right to right [sic] for it.”

Finally, in response to recent Venezuela’s claim, Isaiah (only name given), stressed that more communication is needed, but Guyana should continue to seek a legally binding end to the issue.

“More dialogue is needed, but Guyana should continue

with the process at the ICJ, where all the bodies governing the issue will bring Guyana and Venezuela together and put an end to the issue.

It [Venezuela’s claim] is not right.”

The international community has also released strong statements condemning Venezuela's aggressive claims over the Essequibo region.

CARICOM, the OAS, and

Isaiah

the Commonwealth have published multiple statements in favour of Guyana's territorial sovereignty.

The government has since filed an urgent appeal with the International Court of Justice for provisional measures to prevent any attempts by Venezuela to annex Guyana’s territory.

(Melissa Gordon)

Mala

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

‘The Last of the Redmen’ to be performed at NCC on Nov. 4 only

THE Guyana Prize for Literature winning play of 2007, “The Last of the Redmen”, will now be shown only on November 4, veteran playwright and producer, Gem Madhoo-Nascimento, has announced.

The play which was written by the late Dr. Michael Gilkes, has been reinterpreted, dramaturged and directed by Henry Muttoo and will now be staged on November 4

at 14:00 hours for senior students and teachers of theatre arts. Tickets for the public cost $2,500.

At 20:00 hours on November 4 will be the previously scheduled gala performance. All tickets purchased for this are still valid. Cocktails are from 19:30 hours to 20:00 hours and Uncle Eddie’s Home will benefit from a portion of the proceeds.

The play will feature Ron Robinson, Mark Luke

Edwards and upcoming young actors Latifa Agard, Akeila David, David Hackett and Stephon Romain.

According to Gem, the play is an “absorbing drama of remembrance, love and patriotism in a forgetting and forgetful society.”

She expressed confidence that it is “a story of nostalgia, love and the necessity for recognition that will rivet you to your seats.”

Ron Robinson (right) and Mark Luke Edwards performing a scene from the play

Annual ‘Rum Fest’ postponed until next year

THE highly-anticipated Guyana Rum Festival which was slated to be held this weekend, has been postponed.

This is according to the organisers who said that several challenges led to this decision.

The Rum Fest was supposed to be held on November 4 and 5, at the Everest Cricket Club as part of the Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority’s tourism month activities. However, according to a social media post, because of several challenges concerning the execution of the event, it had to be postponed to 2024.

This event was proudly supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and

There will be no Rum Fest this year as several challenges have prompted organisers to postpone it (Photo sourced from the Guyana Rum Festival Facebook page)

Sport, Havana Club and 592 Tours, just to name a few.

Ticket holders and vendors are asked to contact the festival organisers for a complete

refund of the monies paid.

Rum Fest was first i n t ro d u c e d t o t h e Guyanese public in February 2020, and was well received.

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

East African artiste Bruce Melodie's love for reggae results in Shaggy collaboration

GROWING up in East Africa, Bruce Melodie was exposed to a variety of music genres, including reggae.

"Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Lucky Dube were some of the reggae acts that resonated with me. Their music not only carried powerful messages but also a rhythmic essence that transcends borders," said Bruce Melodie.

The Afrobeats singer had never worked with a Jamaican artiste until recently when he teamed up with Shaggy for the song When She's Around (Funga Macho).

"This collaboration with Shaggy is my first venture working with a Jamaican reggae artiste, and it's been an enlightening and enjoyable experience. The fusion of our musical worlds has created a sound that I believe many will appreciate," shared Bruce Melodie in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

Produced by AJR, When She's Around (Funga Macho) was released on October 27 via S-Curve Records,

for having supported me tirelessly throughout this journey. And last, but not least, I thank Shaggy and his team."

He added that he has always admired Shaggy's work.

"I have been a fan of Shaggy's music for as long as I can remember. His unique sound caught my ear early on, and his global success is truly inspiring.

His songs have always been popular, and his distinctive voice made a lasting impression on me," said Bruce

Afrobeats artiste Bruce Melody (foreground) teams up with Shaggy on the song When She's Around (Funga Macho).

a label that has had success with American acts such as Andy Grammer and Betty Wright, The Baha Men, and Jamaican deejay Conkarah.

The song is about appreciating and celebrating the joy of euphoria that people feel when in the company of a special person.

Bruce Melodie shared how the collaboration with Shaggy came about.

"The collaboration with

Shaggy was a thrilling opportunity that unfolded when a great individual named Steve Greenberg, the head of S-Curve Records, connected Shaggy's team to my team. The creative chemistry was instantaneous, and we both were excited about blending our distinctive musical styles to create something fresh and globally appealing. I personally thank my team

Melodie.

With the explosion of Afrobeats in recent years, Bruce Melodie feels he has what it takes to make a significant contribution to the art form.

"The global recognition of Afrobeats can be attributed to its infectious rhythm, unique beat patterns, and the ability to transcend cultural barriers. The digital era has also played a significant role in its global spread, allowing people from different parts of the world to explore and enjoy

Afrobeats," he said.

"I believe my contribution to the Afrobeats explosion lies in my ability to blend traditional and contemporary sounds to create music that resonates with a global audience. By collaborating with international artistes like Shaggy, I aim to further bridge the cultural divide and showcase the richness and diversity of African music," Bruce Melodie explained. (Jamaica Observer)

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

Jamaica’s inaugural Dancehall Week set for February 2024

MINISTER of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sport, Olivia Grange, has thrown her weight behind plans to stage the inaugural Dancehall Week during the 2024 staging of Reggae Month.

The minister was represented by Lenford Salmon, executive director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), at the media launch at Jamaica Pegasus hotel on October 26, 2023.

She announced that the

event is a welcomed new addition to the slate of events to be staged during Reggae Month each year and comes with the full endorsement of not just the Ministry of Culture itself but also the JCDC, one of its culture agencies.

“Dancehall is quintessentially Jamaican and, in many respects, can be seen as the cradle of Jamaican music.

The music evolved out of the sound systems of the 1960s and has now become a worldwide sensation,” she said.

“I, therefore, see Dance-

hall Week as an exciting addition to an already eclectic Reggae Month, with the potential to pull many visitors to our shores to partake of our captivating culture.

“The Festival Economy, of which this is a part, holds great potential to deliver massive economic gains to our people and to our country, in general. It was, therefore, a very easy decision for us to align ourselves with Dancehall Week,” she said.

Salmon made mention at the launch that though he

has recently been appointed as executive director at the JCDC, he still retains oversight responsibility for Reggae Month and other national commemorative activities, and that the minister asked him to work closely with the team to ensure that the

impact of Dancehall Week is maximised and its potential realised.

The series of events will be produced by the recently incorporated company Dancehall Lifestyle JM. However, the spokesperson for the group and one of its directors, Roxelle McK-

enzie, was quick to point out that though newly incorporated, the team behind the event has many years of experience in successfully producing events.

Dancehall Week is slated to run from February 13 to 19, 2024. (Loop News)

From Spider-Verse to Argentina: Fans aim to break record for biggest Spider-Man gathering

People dressed as Spider-Man point at each other at a Spider-Man cosplayers' gathering, organised in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Spider-Man, in Buenos Aires, Argentina on October 29, 2023 (REUTERS/Cristina Sille)

SOME 1,000 people gathered at a major monument in Argentina's capital on Sunday dressed as Spider-Man, aiming to break a world record for the most people dressed as the famous Marvel superhero at a single public event.

Argentine influencer Uki Deane organised the gathering via Instagram, aiming to outdo an event in June in Malaysia where 685 people were dressed as Spider-Man. Deane said he was confident of obtaining the Guinness World Records title with the turnout in Buenos Aires at the famous obelisk

monument, where the crowd was a sea of skin-tight blue costumes and red masks.

"I wanted to summon 700 people and from our counting, we are many more.

We have more than 1,000 signatures," he told reporters at the event.

"It's crazy what Spider-Man causes; it gives me enormous joy," the 33-yearold added.

Guinness World Records did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The organisers asked participants to provide signatures and have their photo taken as documentation to

provide to the record-keeping group.

The superhero lookalikes dressed as the character created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko clapped and sang with good cheer during the sunny afternoon. One participant complemented the Spider-Man costume with the blue-and-white striped Argentine soccer jersey, while another wore a business suit with a red tie that matched the superhero mask.

Juan Menchon, a 25-year-old soccer coach, said he felt empowered by the Spider-Man outfit.

(Reuters)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

Beenie Man and Popcaan featured on Patoranking's ‘World Best’

African dancehall/reggae artiste, Patoranking

WHILE working on his latest album, ‘World Best’, Nigerian reggae/dancehall singer, Patoranking, decided he wanted the inclusion of two of the best acts out of Jamaica - Beenie Man and Popcaan.

World Best, released on September 6, features Beenie Man on the song Amazing Grace, while Popcaan teams up on Tonight.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, Patoranking spoke about the work that went into the album as well as collaborating with both Jamaican artistes.

"Collaborating with Beenie Man was like a dream come true for me, because I grew up listening to him. For me, particularly, he's my idol, so being on a song with him is an awesome moment for me and for my career. About Popcaan, he's my friend. We have a good relationship so working together on the song Tonight was smooth. Another thing about me, I love making music with my friends," said Patoranking.

Asked whether having both dancehall acts on the album was a strategic move, Patoranking said: "To me, the connection is first and foremost my priority. I want to make music with people I so much connect with, who can also give me the best sonically.

The album is called World Best, so it's only right to put two of Jamaica's best.

And trust me, you can't deny the fact that they're both undisputed."

This was not the first instance that Patoranking has worked with Jamaican acts. Aside from collaborating with Skip Marley on the remixed Bob Marley album Africa Unite, he has collaborated with Buju Banton, Busy Signal, Chi Ching Ching, Konshens, and Elephant Man. Both Konshens and Elephant Man are featured on Patoranking's hit single Daniella Whine, which topped MTV Africa Base Top Ten chart.

World Best also features collaborations with Ludacris, Victony, Gyake, Zion Foster and Diamond Platnumz."

A lot of thought process went into this album. From the production to who was going to be featured on it, you know; I typically work with artistes that I'm a fan of their work, whether established or rising. For production, we worked with different producers as well as my current in-house and yeah, we recorded in different countries. It wasn't intentional but yeah, I guess this is also what makes the album World Best," he said.

"We recorded in Nige-

ria, Ghana, Togo, UK, US, France and so on. For my albums I normally begin recording and the title comes to me after. The sound, the creative direction of World Best became clearer and clearer as we recorded in these different environments and yeah everything came out together to give us a perfect body of work," said Patoranking.

Patoranking's most popular song locally is My Woman, My Everything. The song peaked at number two on the MTV Base Top Ten chart and won the MTV Africa Song of the Year. His other known songs include Particular, which peaked at #11 on Billboard's Reggae Digital Song Sales chart and #42 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart in 2017.

God Over Everything, his debut album, peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart in 2016.

Three years later, Wilmer rose to number five.

His 2020 album Three, won Best Reggae Album at the Headies in 2022. The song Celebrate Me was named Best Recording of the Year.

Patoranking has performed twice in Jamaica.

In 2017 at Reggae Sumfest and again in 2019 at Rebel Salute. (Jamaica Observer)

19

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

21

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

RACING TIPS ENGLISH RACING TIPS NEWCASTLE 08:55 hrs Final Check 09:30 hrs Likeashadow 10:05 hrs Yorkshire 10:40 hrs Bicep 11:15 hrs Maruna 11:45 hrs She’sashambles NEWMARKET 08:25 hrs Hmish 09:00 hrs Mexican Rose 09:35 hrs Blue Kalanski 10:10 hrs Mr Alan 10:45 hrs Kalamunda WETHERBY 08:15 hrs Apple Away 08:50 hrs Matchless 09:25 hrs I Still Have Faith 10:00 hrs Famous Bridge 10:35 hrs Summer Night City 11:10 hrs Astala Pasta South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:15 hrs Coastal Path 08:40 hrs Pomodoro Magic 09:15 hrs Zoomie 09:50 hrs Ellis Island IRISH RACING TIPS DUNDALK 12:00 hrs Sweetest 12:30 hrs Samrogue 13:00 hrs Persian Jewel 14:00 hrs Darkdeserthighway 14:30 hrs Skontonouski 15:00 hrs Pink Socks 15:30 hrs Night Glow AMERICAN RACING TIPS AQUEDUCT Race 1 Backstretch Rose Race 2 King James Race 3 Morning Matcha Race 4 Auterina Race 5 Iced Mocha Race 6 Instamatic Race 7 Art Show Race 8 Me And Mr C Race 9 Tabergauche Race10 Albedo

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

Young fast bowler benefits from Project Cricket Gear

PROMISING 18-yearold fast bowler Nehemiah Hohenkirk is the latest young cricketer to benefit from Project Cricket Gear for Young and Promising Cricketers in Guyana, a joint initiative between Kishan Das of the USA and Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Executive Anil Beharry.

The Transport Sports Club player, who narrowly missed selection to the 2023 National Under-19 team, was the recipient of one pair of cricket shoes.

Hohenkirk represented Demerara at the Unde-19 level and was a reserve player in the Demerara Senior Team that won the recently concluded Senior Inter County Super50 tournament. He attended North Georgetown Secondary School where he attained 11 subjects at the CXC level and is currently a second-year student at the University of Guyana pursuing Mechanical Engineering.

At a simple ceremony held recently, Hohenkirk thanked the project for the support and promised to work hard on his game with the aim of representing Guyana and West Indies. The initiative is happy to be part of his development.

Total cricket-related items received/purchased so far: $370,000 in cash, 13 coloured cricket uniforms, two trophies, 18 pairs of cricket boots, 31 pairs of batting pads, 32 cricket bats, 29 pairs of batting gloves, 24 thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, six arm guards, two boxes, 10 cricket bags, six bat rubbers, six helmets, two chest guards and one softball cricket bat.

In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear was donated by

Nehemiah Hohenkirk (left) receives a pair of cricket shoes from Victor Sunich, brother of Trophy Stall proprietor, Ramesh Sunich

Sheik Mohamed, former National wicket-keeper/ batsman. All cash collected is being used to purchase cricket gear requested and not available at the time.

To date, 69 young players from all three counties of Guyana have benefitted from three junior gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, 27 bats, two boxes, five helmets, 23 pairs of cricket shoes, 15 pairs of batting pads, two thigh pads, one bat rubber, 24 pairs of batting gloves and two pairs of wicket-keeping gloves.

In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area have benefitted from two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each; Cold Fusion Cricket Club 13 coloured uniforms while RHCCCC got three boxes of balls, 15 white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting

pads, one pair of wicket-keeping gloves and a set of stumps and bails.

Other beneficiaries are the Essequibo Cricket Board, the Town of Lethem and youth coach, Travis Persaud, softball teams in the Upper Corentyne area, No.65 Young Titans and Just Try CC, National fast bowler Shemar Joseph and Nehemiah Hohenkirk.

Cricket-related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country and club leaders also assist in identifying talent. Progressive and well-managed cricket clubs with a youth programme will also benefit.

Anyone interested in contributing can contact Anil Beharry on 623 6875 or Kishan Das on 1 718 664 0896.

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

Softball cricket is unique to Guyanese heritage and sports culture – OSCL President

FOLLOWING an absence of indoor presentations over the past few years, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year saw a welcome return when the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) staged its 2023 awards ceremony and dinner recently at the Windies Restaurant in Scarborough, Toronto, Canada.

Unlike last year, when Mercenary completely dominated Division A, their supremacy was dented somewhat in 2023 as Better Hope emerged winners of the Norman Sue sponsored T-10 tournament while Berbice Vipers took top honours in the T20 playoffs, both defeating the defending champions.

Mercenary had to settle for the Regular season crown and the T-15 title, beating Canadian Legends in the final.

Division B saw Leguan Warriors making ash of the opposition, completing a clean sweep

Better Hope skipper Davendra Ramkissoon receives the winners’ Norman Sue Bakery- sponsored T-10 trophy from Kim Sue in the presence of other members of the team

of all the titles: Regular season, Playoffs, T-10 and T-15.

OSCL President, Guyana-born Shiv Persaud, addressing the awardees and special invitees, reminded them that “softball cricket is unique to our

Guyanese heritage and sports culture. We have seen the ability of the sport to unite and bring people together. We encourage our members to introduce the sport to Canada-born players or second generation as many

Division B “giant killers” Leguan Warriors pose with their winnings

of those who introduced and developed the game in Canada is now playing at the Over 40, 50 and 60 Divisions.”

According to Persaud, “the OSCL will continue to work diligently to preserve, grow and promote softball cricket in Canada. However, we need all the support we can get from our members to ensure more participation.”

Persaud pointed out that the OSCL is grateful for the support from sponsors who make it possible to continue to operate and welcomes the opportunity to

partner with new sponsors who are looking to play a vital role in the preservation, growth and promotion of softball cricket and by extension our rich Guyanese heritage and sporting culture.

The OSCL President said the successful event was beyond expectation and he looks forward to building on this positive momentum going forward.

The T-20 tournament was held in honour of past President, Kenny Girdharry, likewise the T-15 for another past President, Albert Ramcharran and the T-10 for the late stalwart executive

Vish Jadunauth. Apart from Norman Sue Bakery, the other sponsors included Trophy Stall and the Girdharry family.

The top run scorer in Division A was Ravain Yusuf of Berbice Vipers (275 runs) while the bowler with the most wickets (14) was Davendra Ramkissoon of Better Hope. Krishna Deosarran of Leguan Warriors led Division B with 317 runs while the top bowlers in Division B were Monty Dass of Ramblers and Kenny Ramsawak of Essequibo who took 19 wickets each. “ M a k i n g a d i ff e r e n c e awards,”compliments of the OSCL, in recognition and appreciation for supporting and sponsoring the organization went to Norman Sue Bakery, Trophy Stall and the Girdharry family.

Among those in attendance were representatives from the Canada Cricket Umpires Association (CCUA), Albert Ramcharran and Terry Mathura; Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Kim Sue, Orin O'Neill, Amit Bacchus and Azeem Khan; Trophy Stall - Victor Sunich; Norman Sue Bakery - Kim Sue, Natasha Sue, Nadia Sue, Nashenka Sue and their family. (Frederick Halley)

Rugby World Cup final referee Wayne Barnes announces retirement

Wayne Barnes became the first referee to send off a player in a World Cup final, after guidance from a bunker review

WAYNE Barnes was the first referee to send off a player in a World Cup final, after guidance from a bunker review England's Wayne Barnes has announced his retirement from refereeing following his appearance in last Saturday's Rugby World Cup final.

Barnes become the second Englishman to officiate a final after Ed Morrison who took charge in 1995.

The 44-year-old sent off New Zealand captain Sam Cane for a first-half high tackle, before South Africa won 12-11.

Barnes will continue to "advocate for referees" following reports he received death threats In a statement, he added:

"I will work closely with the International Rugby Match Officials' association to ensure match officials across the globe not only have a collective voice but also the appropriate support network for them and their families, particularly as online abuse and threats have become far too regular for all of those involved in the game."

Barnes made his Test debut refereeing Fiji against Samoa in June 2006 and went on to take charge of a record 111 Tests, which included officiating at five World Cups.

"Over the past 20 years, I have been in the middle of some of the greatest rugby matches in history. I have seen some of the

world's best players and worked with some of the finest coaches the game has ever produced," he added.

"My children have missed out on time with their dad for far too long and I am now looking forward to family weekends, sports matches, school assemblies and birthday parties.

"My wife, Polly, has sacrificed more than anyone so that I have been able to achieve some of my personal goals."

Barnes refereed in 17 Six Nations tournaments, three European Champions Cup finals and 10 Premiership finals.

He was also named World Rugby's referee of the year in 2019.

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

Cricket World Cup 2023:

India crush Sri Lanka to reach semi-finals and remain unbeaten

A sensational bowling performance saw India dismiss Sri Lanka for just 55 to secure a World Cup semi-final spot.

Sri Lanka were set a World Cup record 358 to win in Mumbai but dismally slumped to 14-6 inside 10 overs.

They managed to avoid the lowest one-day international total of 35, but Mohammed Shami claimed 5-18 to wrap up a crushing 302-run win in 19.4 overs.

India had posted an imposing 357-8 after Shubman Gill made 92, Virat Kohli added 88 and Shreyas Iyer smacked 82.

While many of Sri Lanka's batting woes were the result of outstanding bowling from India, they were also left to rue a sloppy fielding performance that saw Gill dropped on eight and Kohli on 10.

After India captain Rohit Sharma fell second ball, Gill and Kohli put on 189 to take control as the Sri Lankan bowling attack wilted in the heat, making Kusal Mendis' curious decision to bowl first even more questionable.

Shreyas added to the

punishment late on, entertaining the raucous crowd with a brutal 56-ball knock that contained six sixes, including the longest of the tournament so far at 106 metres.

The noise only increased with every Sri Lankan wicket that tumbled, Shami becoming India's leading World Cup wicket-taker in the process, with 45 scalps in just 14 matches.

For Sri Lanka, seamer Dilshan Madushanka's 5-80 was their only positive, taking him top of the World Cup wicket-taking charts on 18.

India have cruised into the semi-finals unbeaten, returning to the top of the table before an intriguing clash against in-form South Africa on Sunday.

Sri Lanka's qualification hopes are not mathematically over but they need to win their remaining two games and rely on other results going their way.

Statement win reinforces India's favourites tag Few would have bet against India cruising into the semi-finals, with their

India seamer Mohammed Shami claimed 5-18 to wrap up Sri Lanka’s innings

home advantage and stellar form leading into the tournament.

But this demolition was their most astonishing result yet, a thoroughly one-sided encounter that saw Sri Lanka on top for only one ball all day - the second delivery, when Madushanka splattered Rohit's stumps.

In truth, the result felt inevitable before that when Mendis chose to bowl first, but India will be delighted at how ruthlessly they secured a seventh victory in a row and their biggest World Cup win.

After scoring 357, their largest World Cup total on home soil, despite a rare failure from the in-form

Rohit, they had the game essentially won inside four overs of the chase when Sri Lanka slumped to 3-4 - and that was before Shami had even come on to bowl.

Jasprit Bumrah's ferocious opening spell kickstarted the carnage, pinning Pathum Nissanka lbw with the first ball as Sri Lanka's chase started horrendously.

Mohammed Siraj's hostile pace, bounce and swing saw Dimuth Karunaratne and Sadeera Samarawickrama depart in a scarcely-believable second over of the innings, before Mendis was bowled in Siraj's next.

India's bowlers have starred throughout this tournament but two batters due

some runs - Gill and Shreyas - also stepped up here.

Gill capitalised when Charith Asalanka could not hang on to a catch at point, and looked back to his free-flowing, elegant best with impeccably-timed cover drives and lofted sixes down the ground.

Shreyas was more destructive, making the most of the platform set by the top order to punish a tiring Sri Lanka, whose heads dropped further with every six that sailed into the stands.

India's day could only have been better had Kohli made 12 more runs to equal the ODI record of 49 centuries held by Sachin Tendulkar, who was watching in the stands.

With each game, India look increasingly formidable and have very few holes in their line-up to expose.

Their adoring fans will just be hoping that those cracks do not appear when it matters most.

'India have got every base covered' - reaction Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis: "I'm very disappointed. We had reasons for wanting to bowl first, the

wicket was a bit slow. Unfortunately, there was then a little bit of seam and swing which made it difficult to play at night.

"The Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli chances are very difficult but if you take them maybe the game is changed."

India captain Rohit Sharma: "We're very happy knowing we have officially qualified.

"It's been a good effort from the entire squad, it has been clinical, we've wanted individuals to put their hands up.

"If there is something in the conditions, they [my seamers] are quite lethal with the ball. They are very pleasing to watch."

Former England spinner Alex Hartley on BBC Test Match Special: "India look like a well-rounded team, they've got every base covered.

"They are by far and away the strongest team in this competition and they've got the advantage of playing at home as well - the crowd are behind every single movement they make."(BBC Sport)

Cricket World Cup 2023:

Mitchell Marsh to return to Australia for personal reasons A u s t r a l i a a l l - ro u n d e r Mitchell Marsh has flown home from the World Cup in India for personal reasons and will miss Saturday's match against England.

No further details or timeframe for Marsh's return have been given.

It comes a day after Australia batter Glenn Maxwell was ruled out of the match with a concussion, having fallen off the back of a golf buggy on Monday.

Marsh, 32, has played in all six of Australia's matches so far, scoring 225 runs and taking two wickets.

He scored a fine 121 against Pakistan as opener

Mitchell Marsh has scored 225 runs at an average of 37.50 so far in India

earlier in the competition but had dropped down to number three following the return of

Travis Head.

"He's got a family issue going on and, like we all

know, family is very important," team-mate Marcus Stoinis said on Thursday.

"He's doing the right thing, he's getting home and he's seeing the people he needs to see. I don't think there's a timeline on when he's coming back but I'm sure he'll do what he needs to do at home and then get back.

"He sent me a message last night saying, 'I'll be home for a little bit and then I'm coming back to win this World Cup' so that makes me smile."

The injuries to Marsh and Maxwell mean Australia are picking from just 13 players for the meeting with England in Ahmedabad.

The most likely result is both Stoinis and fellow all-rounder Cameron Green

being recalled. Bowling all-rounder Sean Abbott and wicketkeeper Alex Carey are the alternatives.

England are effectively out of contention for the semi-finals after five defeats in six games but a resurgent Australia, who lost their opening two matches, are third in the table after four straight wins.

Both sides have three games remaining and the top four will qualify for the semi-finals.

England will be mathematically out if they lose but their fate could be sealed earlier if other results go against them.(BBC Sport)

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

Batting woes continue as Guyana aim to break title drought Time to rest Hetmyer

By Sean Devers While Regional 50-over cricket began in 1976, Guyana’s first title in this format was achieved in Antigua when Roy Fredericks scored the second 50-over century by a Guyanese in the 1980 final against the Leeward Islands after Timur Mohammed had scored 104 against Jamaica in that same tournament.

Guyana has since won eight more 50-over titles (1983, 1985, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2005) but it has been 18-years since Guyana’ last 50-over title when, in near darkness at Bourda, Neil McGarrel hit Suliman Benn onto Regent Street to give Guyana victory on D/L System.

The preliminary rounds were played in Barbados where Ramnaresh Sarwan scored two centuries while the semis and final were held in Guyana, where Sarwan made a ton in semis and Seenarine Chattergoon registered a hundred in the final.

Since then, Guyana never lifted the title although they have won five consecutive First-Class titles from 2015.

Fast forward to 2023 when the standard of batting in the 50-over inter-county tournament was appallingly poor.

So, it was not surprising for those who follow local cricket that the batting woes continued in Trinidad in the Regional Super50 and that Guyana did not bat out their 50 overs against T&T, CCC,

Barbados and the West Indies Academy in four of the six games they have played so far.

The bowlers, especially the spinners Gudakesh Motie (10 wickets, and one of four bowlers with a 5-wicket haul), Kevin Sinclair, Skipper Veerasammy Permaul and part-time off-spinner Kevlon Anderson have done a fairly good job.

Guyana began with a 10-run win against the Windwards when they defended their 229-9 as only Tevin Imlach and Sinclair, with 41 each, passing 30.

Guyana then lost to T&T by 114 runs after being bowled out for 176 in 33.4 overs as only Sherfane Rutherford (30) reached 30 while in their rain-ruined game against CCC they were dismissed in 48.1 overs for 177 as only Imlach, who scored a carefully constructed 80 from 105 balls, passed 30.

Against the Leewards, Rutherford’s 105 spurred Guyana to a four-wicket win as they reached 248-6, chasing down the Leeward’s 244-6. Kemol Savory (26), Imlach (32) and Anderson (32) all failed to build on starts.

When Guyana beat Barbados by 54 runs it was again Rutherford (the second leading run scorer with 246; only behind Alex Anthanez’s 276) who scored 74 with only Savory (35) managing to reach 16 as the bowlers defended 202 all out in 47 overs.

Guyana’s most shocking defeat was in their last game when they lost by 92 runs to the Academy side who scored 263 before

Shimron Hetmyer

bowling out Guyana for 171 in 35.1 overs. Only Sinclair, who has shown good all-round ability, made 46 while Permaul made 32 to rescue Guyana from 124-7.

The Guyanese, sixth on the points table with 25 points, will play their final preliminary game tomorrow in a day/night game against cellar dwellers Jamaca.

The general standard of the tournament has been low with only Kyle Mayers of the incumbent West Indies players having managed to score a century among the five batters who have done so with Rutherford stacking a strong claim to a ‘white ball’ ball international recall.

Many of the Guyanese batters poor performances have been due to a lack of match awareness and faulty shot selection when well set.

In addition, the new bonus points rules that mandate a team gets a point for scoring 60 runs in the 10 power-play overs, has not worked in Guyana’s favour.

Players like Taigenarine Chanderpaul, Imlach and Anderson score too slowly and face too many dot balls (another bonus point is earned for less than 50% of dot balls faced) to match the rate of scoring in the evolving ODI cricket.

While both Hemraj (who is in the habit of hitting a few boundaries and then getting out) and Chanderpaul (who bats too many dot balls and gets out without going on to big scores) have both been dropped, the same has not been done to Shimon Hetmyer.

The 26-year-old lefthander has struggled in his last 10 innings, going back to his last four in

Sherfane Rutherford

the CPL. The talented but temperamental Hetmyer seems to find new ways of gifting his wicket away and has scores of 5, 19, 10, 4, 24, 21, 0, 31, 0 & 16 in his last 10 innings.

His scores in this tournament are: 24 against T&T, 21 against Windwards, 10 against Leewards, 4 against CCC, 19 against Barbados and 5 against the Academy team.

Hetmyer has scored only 83 runs from his super50 games this season and has an average of 13.8 from six matches and should be given a rest now.

Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Leewards, WI Academy, CCC are all ahead of Guyana on the points table with only the Windwards and Jamaica below them.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday, November 03, 2023) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD - 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Lockie Ferguson (NZ) (2) Jasprit Bumrah (IND) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who was voted Man of the Match in the ENG/AFG game in the current World Cup? (2) Who was the Man of the Match in the SL/AUST duel?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

Lennox Blackmore National Intermediate Championships

Novice Champion Moore looking to maintain form

Police Coach Dexter Marques

THE 2023 Lennox Blackmore National Intermediate Boxing championships hits off this evening at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue & Princes Street where the top gyms will collide from 18:00hrs for top honours.

This competition, which is being organised by the Guyana Boxing Association

Police boxer Julian Moore

(GBA), has been absolutely dominated through the years by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) gym that is headed by GBA's Technical Director, Terrence Poole, but Police Boxing Gym will be entering the competition in a positive mindset.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport last night at the competition's official weigh-in, Po-

Wavell Massiah - GDF

lice's coach, Dexter Marques, conceded that his gym may not be able to dethrone GDF as the best gym but they are looking to dominate in their respective classes. Police has a total of 14 fighters competing, a number that is no match for the GDF that has a strong boxing programme.

However, National Novice Champion, Julian Moore,

Ezekiel Persaud - GDF

who will be competing in the 54kg class for Police, is ready to show that its quality over quantity as he attempts to maintain his perfect record by winning his division in the Intermediate amateur tournament.

In brief comments with Chronicle Sport, Moore exhibited confidence that he will win this weekend, noting

that, “I feel good and I am strong. I believe in myself one hundred percent and I will prove to everyone what I am capable of at the end of this competition.”

Poole has noted that, “The intermediate championship is the stage directly after the novices. It’s a more advanced boxing level because there will be boxers who have

Oswald Jewan - GDF

represented Guyana competing at this level, so there’s a higher quality of competition.

This is the stage where you will see the true potential of the fighters. I anticipate a quality exhibition of the talent due to the fact that the competing pugilists are much more experienced.”

Cricket World Cup 2023:

Joe Root says he would still choose England's XI over Australia's

JOE ROOT says he would still choose England's XI over Australia's "every day" despite their struggles at the World Cup in India.

England are bottom of the table and are effectively out after five defeats in six matches while Australia are third after four wins in a row.

Australia will mathematically end England's title defence with a win on Saturday in Ahmedabad.

"Man for man I'd have this team every day over the Australians," said Root.

"We might not have played as well as we can but when we play our best stuff, the best teams struggle to compete with us.

"We have to remember that and take that into the next couple of days, both in physical practice and mentally to make sure we're in

David Warner has scored two centuries at the World Cup and is averaging 68.83

that frame of mind to take on Australia, which is what it's about for us now."

England came into the World Cup as one of the favourites but have struggled throughout.

They were thrashed in their opening game by New

Zealand, then beat Bangladesh, but have since lost to Afghanistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and India.

Root said it was a "great time" for England to play Australia, as they look to end the competition on a high and qualify for the

2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

They must finish in the top seven to guarantee a spot in that tournament, though eighth will be good enough if Pakistan finish in the top seven.

"It's great opportunity

to get back to what we expect of ourselves, the levels we put on ourselves, the levels that are expected externally as well," said Root.

"We're a far better side than what we've shown."

Australia will be without all-rounders Mitchell Marsh, who has flown home for personal reasons, and Glenn Maxwell, who suffered a concussion after falling off the back of a golf buggy.

Root said England's performance has been "frustrating" but said it was not similar to the disintegration experienced at previous World Cups or Ashes tours.

"This doesn't remind me of any previous experiences," added the former Test captain, who featured in the 5-0 Ashes defeat of 2013-14, and the 2015 World Cup, where England

exited at the pool stage.

"It has been unique in many ways.

"Other tours, previous Ashes, there's been other stuff going on away from the performances that had a massive effect on how we played - this is not comparable to those experiences."

Instead, Root said England's players had "let down" captain Jos Buttler.

"I feel this isn't a reflection of his captaincy," said Root.

"He's a brilliant leader, he's got a great cricket mind on the field, and he'll do a number of wonderful things as an England captain in the future.

"If it's another motivator for us as a group of players, it's to start performing to a level that is respectful to him as a captain."(BBC Sport).

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, November 3, 2023

Archibald places eighth in 200m final …Pan American Games in Chile

Emanuel Archibald (third from right) placed eighth in the Men’s 200m final (PHOTO: Pan Am Sport)

Emanuel Archibald bowed out of the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, with an eightplace finish in the Men’s 200m final on Thursday evening at the Julio Martínez Prádanos

National Stadium.

Though conditions improved from the chilly Wednesday evening, an exhausted Archibald clocked 21.34s, slower than his 21.08s in the semi-final.

Macs Tyre Service and Auto Spares stores Macs has joined the cast of Nyron Maraj’s 2023 BM Soat Starlet Cup quest by supporting the driver.

The business, located in Barr Street Kitty has come in with a timely bit of sponsorship for this weekend’s ENET Caribbean Clash of Champions race meet event, organized by the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club.

Mac’s Tyre shop donated a complete set of rims to the 2023 Starlet Cup competitor at their 182 Barr Street main branch.

In handing over the rims,

Owner Mark Mathura said, “We’ve seen the results that Nyron [Maraj] has been producing and we saw it only right to support him in this way. Being that we sell rims and that he found the perfect pair to give him that performance edge, we thought it only right to continue our sponsorship of him for the future.”

Meanwhile, in receiving the rims, Maraj said “this contribution will go a long way for this weekend’s event. A lot of people see a rim as something for style but the right rim can make a great difference in the way your car handles.”

Brazilian Renan Correa (20.37s) got gold, followed by Alnardo Gonzalez (20.56s) of the Dominican Republic and Janeil Buntin (20.79s) of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Archibald won bronze in the Men’s 100m to follow up his gold in the 100m Central American and Caribbean Games earlier in the year.

The Lindener, currently

based in Jamaica, said he is happy with his performance, noting that he firmly believes that, based on the success this season, he can compete with the rest of the world.

With two medals for Guyana at the Games, attention will shift to Leslain Baird as he seeks glory in the Men’s Javelin on Saturday from 18:59h.

MACs Tyre shop and Auto Spares partners with Nyron Maraj “And the people at MACs Tyre Shop and Auto Spares understand this concept and as such have come forward with this support which I need. They are also the ones mounting the race Tyres and balancing them.”

MAC’S Tyre shop provides several services including wheel balancing, Tyre repair, new Tyres. Their services also extends to vehicle general services as well as specialised work.

The auto spares section stocks popular brands / fluids and brands for a number of vehicles including Toyota, Nissan, Mazda and many others as well

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limited, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 226-3243-9 (General); Editorial: 227-5204, 227-5216. Fax:227-5208

as spare parts and accessories Set for November 4 and 5 at the South Dakota Circuit, the ENET Clash of Champions will feature several groups of racing with the BM Soat Starlet cup attracting huge fan support over the last year.

Maraj, whose car is also sponsored by Team Trini Autoworks, Nedds Bakery, I-Sun Health Conscious Foods and Asif Trucking, as well as Sonrize Engineering, sits third in the championship on 74 points, 26 behind second place Steven Nobrega and a further 18 points behind leader Anand Ramchand.

| FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2023