Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 04-05-2023

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No. 107071

President Ali: All avenues will be explored to boost human capital Guyana becomes China’s largest trading partner in the Caribbean

- bilateral trade moves from US$265M in 2018 to US$1.8B in 2022

Guyana, China celebrate 50 years of friendship with $15M pavilion

President Ali off to UK for King Charles III’s coronation

Dialysis service expanded to more regions through private sector collaboration

16,268 pupils write NGSA at 517 centres countrywide

Man found dead at Quamina Street hotel suffered a heart attack

All avenues will be explored to boost human capital

— President Ali affirms; highlights steps taken to empower Guyanese, enhance their lives

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan

Ali has said that investments in quality healthcare and education for citizens are crucial for economic growth and prosperity.

He was at the time speaking at the sod-turning ceremony for the $6.6 billion regional hospital at Plantation Bath, West Coast Berbice, on Tuesday.

In his speech, he highlighted the correlation between investments in health and advancement in education.

“To address healthcare, we first have to address education, because a lot of the primary healthcare revolves around the life choices we make. And those life choices must come through a system of education that allows us to understand the impact and implication of the choices we make in life.

“So, our investment in this country is a full understanding of the infrastructure landscape that is required to provide a supportive mechanism to foster holistic national development,” he said.

The President related that outside of the physical-infrastructure landscape, there is what is termed “human capital.”

He said that investing in good healthcare leads to longer life, which leads to longer pension periods which the economy must support.

To further explain his point, Dr Ali compared this to the history of the country, where life expectancy was below the old-age pension age. Today, Guyana is surpassing the old-age pension age due to improvements in lifestyles and healthcare.

He then announced that the Bath Hospital is part of a larger project in Guyana comprising six different hospitals, with a complete investment of more than $40 billion.

Bath Hospital, he said, is an investment of about $6.6 billion, which means that every resident and prospective resident in Region Five will be investing $132,000 on their behalf, individually.

President Ali said that the investment would benefit every single resident and prospective resident in the region, as well as increase their net-asset value.

He added that the infrastructural improvements would redound to the net value of the family and individual, resulting in a better market value for their properties.

"We have spent on

roads alone more than $18 billion since we came into office in 2020. That is almost $300,000 for every single resident living in this area," President Ali said.

He also highlighted the government's goal of making Region Five a regional food hub, with over $7.5 billion invested in agriculture, capital, and recurrent expenditure. Additionally, the government has invested in education, providing almost $50 million in textbooks for 28 schools and ensuring that children have access to breakfast programmes.

"In these 28 schools

that we have the breakfast programme, we have spent almost $84 million," President Ali said.

The President also highlighted the government's commitment to social programmes, including old-age pension, water subsidies, public assistance, and COVID-19 cash grants.

Dr Ali, however, highlighted Guyana's need to advance its technology to compete with other countries in the global market.

“...We don't have the luxury of a large population, neither do we have the luxury of the type of human assets, like China, for example. They can deploy human assets and technology together to build a hospital in 10 days or five days. That is why we are trying to advance our technology to give us that competitive edge.

“We have to be able to build a system on the highest form of technological platform to support the growth and development and advancement that we want to achieve,” the Head of State said,

The President also expressed his satisfaction with the progress made by the technical team in deploying advanced technology to deliver various

projects in the country. He also referenced the importance of delivering projects in a timely and efficient manner, noting that the government is keen on ensuring that people enjoy the benefits of new facilities ahead of schedule.

Dr Ali expressed confidence in the ability of the technical team to deploy technology to achieve this goal.

"This is key for us because we want the people to enjoy the benefits of the facilities in advance of time," he said.

The President's remarks come at a time when the government is seeking to attract foreign investment and bolster its economy.

The government has been actively pursuing various infrastructural projects, including the construction of a new airport and seaport, as well as development of the country's oil-and-gas sector.

The deployment of advanced technology to deliver these projects ahead of schedule is seen as a key factor in attracting investment and boosting the country's economic prospects.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali

Guyana becomes China’s largest trading partner in the Caribbean

bilateral trade moves from US$265M in 2018 to US$1.8B in 2022

affirmed that China is willing to further enhance bilateral co-operation in various fields in order to foster growth in both nations. China and Guyana officially established diplomatic relations in 1972.

Government has offered a number of scholarships and training courses to Guyanese at leading universities in China.

cluding the one in Plantation Bath.

By Trina Williams

BILATERAL trade between Guyana and China has increased from US$265 million in 2018 to US$1.88 billion in 2022, a strong indication of how the two nations’ historic relationship has grown tremendously over the past years.

This was according to China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan, during her remarks at the sod-turning ceremony for the $6.6 billion region -

al hospital at Plantation Bath, West Coast Berbice, on Wednesday.

“In recent years, China-Guyana trade and economic co-operation has been steadily advancing...”

she said, adding, that the impact will enhance the well-being of both Guyanese and Chinese.

She then went on to say: “Guyana has become China’s largest trading partner among [Caribbean] CARICOM countries.”

The Ambassador then

Under political relations there have been interactions between leaders of the two countries at different times. China has assisted Guyana with a number of infrastructural projects, including the construction of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

Under healthcare, Guyana has benefited from being the first Caribbean country to receive COVID-19 vaccines donated by the Chinese Government, while the Chinese Medical Brigade has been coming to Guyana since 1993, following the establishment of a Medical Cooperation Agreement between the two countries on May 26, 1993.

In the area of capacity building, the Chinese

Moreover, the government has signed contracts with China’s Sinopharm International for the construction of six new regional hospitals in various parts of the country, in -

The new facilities will be built at Anna Regina, Region Two; De Kinderen, Region Three; Diamond and Enmore, Region Four; Bath, Region Five, and Skeldon, Region Six. Each of the new regional hospitals will be 65,000 square feet.

Over the next few years, according to President Ali at the sod turning ceremony, the government wants to train and attract a significant number of healthcare professionals to provide not just health care, but also the best, world-class medical services to the people of Guyana.

Bilateral trade between Guyana and China has increased from US$265 million in 2018 to US$1.88 billion in 2022, a strong indication of how the two nations’ historic relationship has grown tremendously over the past years

Republic Bank’s parent company records US$117.8M half-year profit

THE Chairman of Republic Financial Holdings

Limited (RFHL), Vincent Pereira, on Wednesday, announced that the

Group recorded profits attributable to shareholders of US$117.8 million for the half year ended March 31, 2023.

This, according to the Group, represents an increase of US$8.7 million or 7.96 per cent when compared to the profit recorded in the corresponding period of the last financial year. Total assets stood at US$17.1 billion at March 31, 2023, an increase of US$113.8 million or 0.67 per cent over the total assets recorded at the end of March 2022.

In announcing the results, Pereira said: “The half year ended March 31, 2023 was a solid period for the Republic Financial Holdings Limited Group (the Group). Throughout the six months, all Group subsidiaries recorded improved growth in their

loans and investment portfolios fuelled by increases in customer deposits.

“As a result of this growth, our subsidiaries recorded increases in net interest income, enhanced, in part, by the impact of the rising interest rate environment on US dollar

denominated securities in our Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands (BVI) operations.

“Non-interest income has also been boosted by increased activity in our tourism-based subsidiaries, following the ongoing recovery of tourism activity

in those islands. Our Ghana subsidiary has stabilised and has not suffered any further impact from the Debt Exchange since the first quarter.”

Based on these results, the Board of Directors has declared an interim dividend of US$0.16 (2022:

US$0.16) per share payable on May 31, 2023.

Pereira said: “I would like to acknowledge the efforts of all staff of the Group for their continued commitment to providing outstanding service to our clients and communities.”

China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan (Adrian Narine Photo)

Chairman of Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL), Vincent Pereira

President Ali off to UK for King Charles III’s coronation

PRESIDENT , Dr . Irfaan

Ali is leading a delegation to the United Kingdom to attend the coronation of His Majesty, The King, to be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023

President Ali left Guyana

Wednesday morning The ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey , London, and will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury

At the event , His Majesty King Charles III will be crowned alongside The Queen Consort.

While in the United Kingdom , President Ali will also engage in several meetings with global leaders

OTC 2023: GOGEC signs MoU with CBMEX Energy Guyana

THE Guyana Oil & Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC ) participated in the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2023, under the theme, “Delivering the Future of Offshore Energy.”

GOGEC’s aim at OTC is to promote its members’ marketing materials and meet potential members

The Offshore Technology Conference ( OTC ) brings together offshore energy game - changers ’

technical and scientific knowledge as they share best practices, technological innovations, energy transitions, and emerging trends The conference has a strong reputation for a world - class technical programme

GOGEC met with scientists , engineers , researchers , and executive - level professionals to discuss their progress in revolutionizing the ever - changing environment of offshore and on-

shore projects GOGEC has current MoUs with Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), the Petroleum Commission of Ghana , and exhibitors at OTC

In addition, the President of the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber, Manniram Prashad, signed an MoU with CBMEX Energy Guyana intending to work closely to encourage and facilitate the dissemination and application of new

knowledge and expertise, especially in the area of oil-and-gas development and management

GOGEC plays a significant role in linking oil and gas and energy companies to Guyanese businesses

The chamber is excited to bring such a large delegation to the oil - and - gas capital of the world and expects to see tremendous results in the form of MoUs and contract signings.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali

16,268 pupils write NGSA at 517 centres countrywide

Minister Manickchand says children well equipped to excel

MINISTER of Education , Priya Manickchand , said the 16,268 pupils writing the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) this year are well-equipped and prepared.

The NGSA commenced on Wednesday and will continue today at 517 examination centres countrywide The pupils will be tested in four subject areas; English Language, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science

Speaking with media operatives at the Peter ’ s Hall Primary School Wednesday morning , Minister Manickchand said her ministry has been working diligently to ensure all children have easy access to learning materials

“We have placed all our materials online, everything is public, and all our past papers

are there for anyone to print

All of our topics for Grade Six are done in videos, and placed on the learning channel and YouTube

“ We gave each student all the textbooks they need, that ’ s not something that usually happens All of the children you see here were

Words of encouragement from the parents, siblings and teachers for the pupils of the La Grange Primary School who are writing the NGSA

offered breakfast this morning, that’s a first in Guyana

All the children were also given materials; pencils, rulers , erasers , sharpeners , all the materials they need for common entrance,” the minister pointed out

She stated that due to the impact COVID - 19 had on the education system over the past three years, the primary curriculum was altered for children to better manage the examinations

“We’ve also brought the curriculum down because we know of COVID and the learning loss we had. We’re not testing to a grade six level, but we’re testing to a grade five level I know that these children are going to manage this exam,” Minister Manickchand emphasised

The keen interventions made by the government have since helped the education system to recover from the effects of COVID , ensuring

that children are versatile for any upcoming exams

“We were able to adjust, we were able to not be static. And so, we are developing our people, our children, so that they can actively participate in this striving country that we are building.”

The minister also had one-on-one discussions with several of the candidates and wished the children writing the examinations the best of luck.

NGSA 2023: Pupils express mixed emotions

PUPILS writing the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) this year displayed a range of emotion, Wednesday morning , as they prepared to enter the examination room.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) visited several primary schools across Georgetown and spoke with the children about their expectations

Dequan Layne of F E Pollard Primary said he was making a special effort with hopes of attending Queen’s College or St Stanislaus College

“I feel nervous, but I have confidence that I will pass this exam by pulling off Queen’s College or St Stanislaus,” an enthusiastic Layne said

Over at J E Burnham Primary, DPI spoke with Kataillya King, who expressed how ready she was for the exams

“ I ’ m very excited since it is going to be a new beginning when I ’ m finished writing I really did prepare I worked very hard so I’m very much ready for this.”

King noted that she aims to achieve The Bishops’ High School or St Rose’ s High, and is confident that she will excel in English and Science since they are her favourite subjects

Meanwhile, little Kirdacia Goddard of Stella Maris Primary said, “I’m nervous to write the exams because I’m scared I might second guess myself and choose the wrong answer I started studying when the year started When I go home from school I would study before my bedtime.”

Goddard is aiming for a place at The Bishops’ High School , noting that many opportunities await her there DPI also caught up with

Giselle Shells of Stella Maris

“ For the past three weeks , I ’ ve been doing more and more studies and so I ’ m catching up on the topics and getting familiar,” she shared Meanwhile, several parents also expressed confidence in their children as they dropped them off

“This morning I’m feeling very much excited to see my baby girl is now big and bold I’m really proud of her I want her to focus a bit more as she

goes into the exam room ,” Paul King expressed, as he watched his daughter enter the school compound

Another parent, Randolph Perriera said, “We the parents are out here to encourage our children. We know that there will be signs of nervousness and cramp in the stomach , and all kinds of feelings, but we’re here to eliminate that so that our children can move forward We are here to motivate them.”

He also expressed gratitude to the teachers , who worked long hours with the pupils Minister of Education , Priya Manickchand, also ex-

tended well wishes to the pupils

“Across Guyana, I want to say good luck to all our students You are ready for this assessment

We have done everything we could have possibly, humanly done, to make you ready ,” the minister said during a visit at the Peter’s Hall Primary. (DPI)

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, engaging pupils at Peter’s Hall Primary School

Prioritising the Working Class

GUYANESE turned out in their numbers to celebrate Labour Day, which was observed on May 1, or the first Monday in May. It is a celebration of the working class which was first promoted by the International Labour Movement.

The first day in May was chosen by the American Federation of Labour to commemorate a general strike in the United States which had begun on 1st May 1886 and culminated in the Haymarket affair four days later. The day is a public holiday in many countries including Guy-

ana.

In Guyana, Labour Day celebrations began in the 1930s under the leadership of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow and the British Guiana Labour Union (BGLU). It was not, however, until the PPP administration came into power that May Day was declared a national holiday by the then Minister of Labour, Janet Jagan in 1958.

Since then, all May Day have been celebrated with marches and rallies addressed by Labour leaders and politicians.

Guyanese workers are

fortunate to have a friend in the PPP/C administration which, from its very inception, has adopted a working class approach to governance. In fact, the PPP emerged out of the bowels of the labour movement.

This year’s celebrations coincided with the 75th anniversary of the passing of the Labour Relations Bill during the first PPP term in office in the short-lived 1953 administration which saw the suspension of the Constitution by the British Government.

The PPP was seen as

pro-working class which did not find favour with the planter class but it was the passage of the Labour Relations Bill which, as it were, brought down the clouds.

The fact is that a conductive political environment is in the best interest of the workers and their representatives. Unfortunately the trade union movement is divided along party lines with the umbrella Guyana Trade Union Congress seemingly under the influence of the political opposition.

Never in the country’s history has the condition

of the workers been better as under the current PPP/C administration. This is due in part to the confluence of economics and politics which have resulted in a surge in national development. The main beneficiaries of this development trajectory are the Guyanese people of which the working people are a major component.

As pointed out by President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali during his recent engagement with labour leaders, there is a dialectical relationship between politics and economics. In fact, development has

to be seen holistically in which the economic, social and cultural needs of the individual are addressed simultaneously.

The working people have come a long way over the decades, especially since the restoration of democracy to the country on October 5.

The Labour Relations Bill, which led to the downfall of the PPP in 1953 has now become law and trade union democracy has now become entrenched for which the PPP/C must be given full credit.

A big-tent vision for Guyana

Dear Editor,

A FEW days after Muslims celebrated the festival of Eid marking the end of Ramadan -- the lunar month of fasting, prayers and charity -- His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali observed the occasion under a tent at State House.

The President’s guests included Hindus, Christians, Muslims, civil servants and foreign diplomats. In short, it was a multi-faith gathering and perhaps there were many in attendance who may not necessarily adhere to any faith in particular.

His was a timely, candid and eloquent message that is anchored in both faith and civic duty. President Ali

weaved together the strands of his faith -- Islam in his case -- and his civic duty as guardian of his country into one seamless fabric.

Dr Ali’s speech resonated with me and I believe it should be amplified because it was a clear articulation of an inclusive vision universal in scope and depth, and one that desires prosperity and financial security for all Guyanese.

Vision statements by political leaders have gravitas, particularly when the architects of “doom and gloom” such as Dr Damien King, an economist at the University of the West Indies, whose prediction in March of this year that Guyana will suffer from a “resource curse” due to the weakness of its institu-

tions, made headlines in local newspapers.

Members of the leadership of the WPA and the PNC too have made their vision of a violent and racially divided Guyana abundantly clear.

I imagine that no one from Transparency International was under the President’s tent that evening to take notes or score points when ranking Guyana on its index of countries seeking to curb corruption and injustice.

Still, there is an opportunity for them to join an estimated 25,000 people who registered as having viewed the President’s Eid celebration on social media.

Lest he be accused of double-speak, perhaps even hypocrisy, Dr Ali addressed members of his own faith

community directly, telling them that “if you believe you are a part of the teachings of Islam and you harbour ill-feelings, hate and racism in your heart, unfortunately that does not align itself with the teachings of Islam.”

“We believe strongly in religious values and those values do not allow us to hate each other,” President Ali said.

Addressing all Guyanese, he said, “You can’t build a prosperous nation without unity and unity is impossible without peace, justice and security for all.

“Peace can never be achieved if as individuals, and as a community, as a country, we do not demonstrate our holistic understanding and action in rela-

tion to achieving peace,” Dr Ali said.

“We have a ‘duty’ (there is that word again) in our activism (whether driven by faith or civic duty) to promote what is right, to promote what is just and to ensure that those who seek to instill hate, to use diversity to promote hate, those who seek to exploit the richness of our diversity as a tool to ensure that they become guided, we must pray for them,” the President said.

“Pray for them.” That comment made me smile. There it was in one simple phrase, a remarkable demonstration of his faith.

Stunningly simple and yet profound -- a robust meshing of faith and civic duty.

“We must pray for them,”

President Ali said. He did not say we must fight them, duke it out in the streets, nor did he say antagonize them, or punish them, but rather, “pray for them," i.e. supplicate to God by whichever name we Guyanese call on Him, for their guidance.

"Guyana’s rich diversity," President Ali said, “is not a tool, but an advantage that has been given to us as a country to demonstrate to the rest of the world how we can promote peace, how we can live in peace, how we can advance peace and how we can develop a global model for unity (in diversity)."

Yours sincerely, Nazim Baksh.

Guyana’s energy production is a quiet boon to the West

Dear

Editor, RUSSIA’S war on Ukraine has exposed the cracks in western energy security. Russia’s gas deliveries to Europe have plummeted by 80 per cent from their level before the invasion. One result: the U.S. is dealing with high prices and limited supplies of energy, creating one of the worst energy-supply shortfalls in nearly five decades. But one little-known country in South America might provide the antidote to the West’s energy woes -- Guyana.

Guyana is a small nation on the Atlantic coast of South America, wedged among Brazil, Venezuela, and Suriname. Some Americans might recall the tragic 1978 shooting death there of U.S. Rep. Leo Ryan (D-Calif.). But today, the country is poised to become a major power in the global oil-and-gas market, potentially freeing western countries of their dependence on OPEC and Russian oil.

Guyana has quickly become the fastest-growing crude-oil producer in the world. Commercial oil production in Guyana started in 2019 after major offshore fields were discovered in 2015. Since then, Guyanese oil has made up one-third of the crude oil discovered in the world, with more than 11 billion barrels of recoverable gas and oil found by an Exxon Mobil-led consortium.

Guyana’s future is bright. Just last year, Guyana’s oil exports jumped 164 percent as global powers turned away from Russian energy. The International Energy Agency predicts Guyana’s oil production will reach or surpass 1.4 million barrels a day by 2030.

A study by Rystad Energy, an energy intelligence group, predicts that Guyanese oil production will increase at such a

rapid pace that it will surpass levels in other large offshore basins, including Norway, the U.S., and Mexico by 2035 to become the world’s fourth-largest offshore producer.

To western countries, Guyana offers a friendlier face to turn to than other major oil-exporting countries. Guyana is English-speaking. It is among the top five nonOPEC energy producers in the world. The nation, therefore, is a way for the West to find enough supplies while minimising exports from sometimes problematic countries in the Middle East and, of course, Russia.

Guyana is a parliamentary democracy that has had good relations with the U.S. since the early 1990s. Then, the government embraced a free-market economy and open elections. As Guyana has become an oil-producing powerhouse, trade with the U.S. and Europe has significantly increased.

For years, Guyana was one of the smallest and least developed nations in South America. Now, it is using its oil wealth to industrialise and democratise further. It boasts a gas-fired power plant, new roads, and a slew of solar-energy projects.

Because it has come late to energy production, Guyana has taken advantage of state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure. It also is part of the global shift toward clean-energy production.

According to the Rystad Energy report, “The emissions intensity of Guyanese production is only half the global average.” Those emissions are expected to decline even further in the years to come. This is due in large part to the Exxon Mobil-led consortium’s use of state-ofthe-art floating production, storage and offloading vessels.

As the globe emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic and grapples with

the fallout of Russia’s war in Ukraine, demand for oil and gas is historically high. World oil demand will increase by two million barrels a day in 2023 to a record 101.9 million barrels a day, even as a worldwide push toward renewable energy grows stronger.

At the same time, oil-production cuts by OPEC will push supply down by 400,000 barrels a day by the end of 2023. The global energy supply increasingly must rely on non-OPEC oil-producing countries to keep up with rising energy demand. Guyana offers safe harbour in stormy seas for an oil-and gas-dependent world.

Yours respectfully, Nazar

Mohamed Managing Director of Mohamed’s Enterprise

Guyana prepares for Cricket Carnival and CPL 2023 with construction of new stands

THE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, on Wednesday, officially published its invitation for bids for the construction of stands at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The ministry is inviting suitable contractors to present

sealed bids for the project. According to the advertisement in the May 3 edition of this newspaper, the project is estimated at $350 million and bidding would be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding procedures in accordance with

Guyana’s Procurement Act and is open to all eligible contractors.

It was stated that interested eligible bidders could obtain further information from the Procurement Unit at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the tender doc-

ument can be purchased from the Ministry as well. According to the advertisdement, the tender must be enclosed in a sealed envelope and delivered to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) on or before 09:00 hours on

May 16, 2023. This invitation for bids is part of Guyana’s preparation to host the second iteration of Cricket Carnival and Caribbean Premier League (CPL) cricket matches.

CPL 2023 was launched in late March, when it was

announced that the tournament is set for August 16 to September 24.

Since then, it was announced that eight dates have been set for ten matches to take place in Guyana.

Guyana, China celebrate 50 years of friendship with $15M pavilion

A STRIKING new Chinese pavilion symbolising 50 years of bilateral relations between Guyana and China is the most recent addition to the Lamaha Street beautification project.

Being the first of its kind, the $15M pavilion was officially commissioned on Wednesday at the Parade Street entrance to the Lamaha ‘safe space.’

Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud said the pavilion is a reminder of the importance of the two countries’ collaboration.

He stated that President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has made it clear that the partnership between the two countries must be based on frank discussions and mutual trust.

“This pavilion…is not only symbolic in the sense that it represents our 50th-anniversary observance but also, it reminds us of the place of Chinese culture in being one of our six peoples in our society. And certainly, the thousands of persons passing through, visiting family and friends here, will also be reminded that Chinese culture is part and parcel of the Guyanese culture. And I think that is very important,” he emphasised.

The Foreign Secretary underscored that adding the pavilion will aid in the government’s goal of making Georgetown an international

tourism destination.

He expressed appreciation to the Chinese Government, as well as the Ministry of Public Works, for collaborating to complete the project and encouraged Guyanese to share in the enjoyment of the cultural addition.

In 2022, the two countries marked the 50th anniversary of their friendship and co-operation through multiple ceremonies and activities.

Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan recalled that these included a China-Guyana table tennis tournament, a Chinese film festival, the issuance of a $50 commemorative coin valued at $6,500, an online cultural photo exhibition, and an investment webinar.

“Through these activities, we jointly recorded 50 years of friendship and co-operation featured by mutual respect, benefit, support, and development. So, we know each other better, our trust and confidence are getting stronger, and we have laid a new starting point for our co-operation in the future,” she expressed.

She noted that constructing the pavilion was birthed from the desire to create a physical symbol of the two countries’ valuable friendship that can be publicly visualised and preserved for a long time.

“This Chinese pavilion is

representative of ancient traditional Chinese architecture and culture. A good pavilion can be the crowning touch of a whole garden; just like [the] mutual support to our friendship,” the Chinese Ambassador pointed out.

The pavilion features two couplets written in Chinese alaong the pillars of the east and west entrances, which are expressions of China’s good wishes for its friendship with Guyana.

According to the Chinese Ambassador, the eastern couplet means, ‘Working together assiduously over five decades for mutual benefit, our two nations cherishing the solidarity between our two countries for thousands of years to come.’

Meanwhile, the western couplet reads, ‘Always standing together through thick and thin, pursuing common destiny forever and ever.’

A plaque containing the details of the pavilion was also commissioned at the eastern entrance.

Guyana and China continue to collaborate in areas of sport, infrastructure, health, investment, and several other areas for the mutual improvement of the two countries.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Elisabeth Harper was also present at the commissioning.

Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Guo Haiyan unveil the plaque at the eastern entrance of the pavilion

Guyana's 2030 Low Carbon Development Strategy: Mainstreaming SDG progress

THE Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 and Guyana’s national development policy direct the country’s approach to carry out its international obligations under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The first phase, LCDS 2009, included one of the largest national discussions in Guyana’s history and defined a staged method by which Guyana may profit from the forest climate services and allocate the money to LCDS priorities.

The National Strategy for Guyana is outlined in the LCDS 2030, which builds on the LCDS 2009. LCDS 2030 outlines the approach and actions that Guyana, as a nation, can take to develop and grow for the inclusive benefit of all in a non-polluting, low-carbon way; it also involves utilising the country’s natural resources sustainably while combating climate change and its adverse effects such as floods and droughts.

Further, it also outlines how Guyana can sustain its world-class

ecosystem services for the long term by integrating with the global economy, receiving payments for ecosystem services, and seeking to align with and contribute to global climate goals, which include net zero carbon emissions and keeping global temperatures below 1.5 °C.

Guyana sought a bilateral partner open to collaboration which shared the country’s ambition for developing a global model in Phase One. It was also established that the

forest climate services.

The Amerindian Development Fund project, the rehabilitation of the Cunha Canal, clean energy, low-carbon jobs, land titling for Amerindians, support for small and medium enterprise development in partnership with the local banking sector, and many other investments that were outlined in the LCDS 2009 and a 2013 update, were and continue to be funded with these revenues, as illustrated below.

its forest climate services. The LCDS 2030 also outlines how the nation may begin preparing for pro-

Continued on page 10

Guyana-Norway pact, the second largest forest pact of its sort in the world at the time, was the result of this, and it was signed in 2009.

For 2009–2015, Norway paid Guyana more than US$220 million for

The plan outlined in 2009 has gone on to Phase 2 in Guyana, and the country can begin to supplement or replace its payments to Norway and earn money from international voluntary carbon markets in exchange for

Guyana's 2030 Low Carbon Development ...

From page 9

spective revenue streams from other ecosystem services, such as those based on Guyana's exceptional biodiversity and water resources.

However, ideas for potential investments for these extra earnings were sought during the national consultation on LCDS 2030, with a plan specifying two paths. That is,

the national programmes as outlined in the draft LCDS 2030, including investments in renewable energy, land titling, protection against climate change, and other areas; and the community and village-led programmes for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) as set out in Village Sustainability Plans (VSPs) or equivalent, put together by communities

themselves in accordance with the principles of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) as set out in the LCDS 2030 Chapter Two.

The LCDS 2030 also outlines four interconnected objectives for Guyana, the fourth of which was introduced to consider new local and global circumstances. The first three objectives have been the LCDS' primary

goals since 2009. They are:

Value Ecosystem Services: Over time, Guyana aims to integrate with global mechanisms that value the country’s globally significant ecosystem services, including biodiversity, water management, and ocean or marine resources. In the immediate term, Guyana’s efforts will focus mainly on forest climate services and the value Guyana provides the world in the fight against climate change, continuing with the three-phase approach set out in 2009.

Invest in Clean Energy and Stimulate Low Carbon Growth: Guyana is undergoing one of the world’s most ambitious energy transitions and growing the economy fivefold while keeping greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation at around 2019 levels. This will be done by replacing expensive, polluting, heavy fuel oil with natural gas as a bridge to an energy system built mainly from hydropower, solar, and wind power.

Protect Against Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss: Guyana

has advanced a new set of priority investments in drainage and irrigation, sea defences, mangrove restoration, flood, and drought measures to address the potential harm to households and businesses from climate change.

Align with global climate and biodiversity goals: Implementing the LCDS will advance progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as a series of multilateral, regional, and bilateral agreements. Moreover, since the production of the 2009 LCDS, Guyana has discovered oil and gas, transforming the country’s development prospects. LCDS 2030 outlines that Guyana will act strategically and responsibly as the sector develops, supporting global energy security while diversifying and decarbonising Guyana’s domestic economy and investing in development priorities for all Guyanese, including health, education, and low-carbon opportunities.

In advance of Guyana’s second national review of the SDGs, a

conference hosted by the Ministry of Finance on May 2 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre looked at five key goals. They were Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Industry Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), and Partnership for the Goals (SDG 17). The role of the LCDS in aligning national action to global priorities was underscored.

The strategy for carrying out the LCDS will achieve the international, regional, and bilateral agreements within the subject areas of each programme as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These will then be incorporated into institutional planning at the level of the government and fed into sector-level planning.

Guyana's LCDS 2009 and LCDS 2030 have incorporated national development and reporting on the SDGs.

(This is part of a weekly series on LCDS.) The author can be contacted at cparkinson0206@gmail.com).

National Housing Drive: Leopold Street residents gear up for block-making project

LEOPOLD Street, Georgetown residents will gain employment in block-making as the government enhances the quality of life for citizens, especially those in vulnerable neighbourhoods, and simultaneously expands its national housing drive.

The block-making initiative, which is in keeping with a commitment of President

Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali to residents, is being done through the Ministry of Housing and Water-Central Housing and Planning

Authority’s (CHPA) Community-based Employment Stimulation Project (CESP).

On Tuesday evening, the Minister of

Housing and Water, Collin Croal, and Chief Executive Officer of CHPA, Sherwyn Greaves, engaged the residents.

Deputy Director of Community Development, Mrs. Donell Bess-Bascom, and Deputy Director of Projects, Mr. Intakab

Indarjeet were also a part of the engagement.

Minister Croal stated that the blocks would be supplied to contractors constructing homes under the Ministry’s housing programme, as he emphasised the importance of local labour and materials in the sector. Meanwhile, CEO Greaves stated that the agency will also work with the community to get people involved in home construction.

By the end of the meeting, the residents could identify a site

for the block-making. CHPA is expected to start supplying tools for the project this week, and a follow-up meeting is also slated for the new week.

CESP was conceptualised by President Ali in 2021 to boost economic activity and job creation for people living in vulnerable areas or as part of vulnerable groups. The project scope includes startup support, tools, transportation, block market sourcing, project management, and training, where necessary.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, addressing residents

Man found dead at Quamina Street hotel suffered a heart attack

— autopsy reveals

A POST Mortem Exam-

ination (PME) has confirmed that Umar Ally, the 48-year-old man who was found dead inside the Quamina Guest House, died from a heart attack.

On April 28, Ally’s nude body was found on the ground in the toilet area of his hotel room, with blood oozing from his head. His lover and neighbour, Kenisha Thomas, managed to escape by jumping from a hotel’s second-storey window before police arrived at the scene.

On Wednesday, May 3, Government Pathologist

Dr. Nehaul Singh gave Ally’s cause of death as a heart attack with a ruptured blood vessel. The body was handed over to relatives for burial.

During an interview on Tuesday, Ally’s lover said

that the man was consuming Guinness while they were at the hotel.

When asked about the cause of Ally’s death, Thomas suggested that it could be due to a combination of factors, including the medication he was taking.

“We never had a problem. So why would I have to kill him? I think maybe the medication that he’s using; his body couldn’t have taken the Guinness.

Essequibo driver slapped with three charges over fatal accident

PARASRAM Wellington, the driver involved in a hit-and-run accident on the Land of Plenty Public Road, Essequibo Coast, was on Wednesday released on $240,000 bail for three traffic offences.

Wellington, 56, of Zorg Public Road, Essequibo Coast, appeared before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Maybe that made his heart give out,” Thomas said.

When questioned as to why she chose to run away, Thomas said that she didn’t want Ally’s wife and family to find out about their relationship.

Thomas revealed that she was involved in a romantic relationship with the 48-year-old for the last four years, and they would frequently visit the hotel.

The accident occurred on Saturday, April 29, 2023, on the Land of Plenty Public Road, Essequibo Coast. The victim was identified as 46-year-old Mahendra Kissoon.

Wellington was charged with the offences of driving whilst breath alcohol exceeded the prescribed limit, failing to stop after an accident and failing to render assistance to an injured person.

He was released on a

total bail of $240,000 and the matter was adjourned to May 24. The investigation into Kissoon’s death is still ongoing.

According to reports, around 19:10 hrs on the day in question, Wellington was the driver of motor truck GLL 5654 and was allegedly speeding along the Land of Plenty Public Road.

At the time, Kissoon was walking along the

road with his eight-yearold niece after purchasing hot dogs. It is alleged that Wellington struck down Kissoon and sped away.

The niece did not sustain any injuries and immediately returned home and told relatives about the accident.

Kissoon was picked up by relatives and rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Joshua Meredith gets life sentence for Avocado Square killing

SELF-CONFESSED killer Joshua Meredith, was on Wednesday sentenced to life in prison for fatally shooting Paul Rodney in 2016 during an altercation.

The sentence was handed down by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the Georgetown High Court.

Last month, Meredith was arraigned on the indictment of murder but in the midst of his trial, he opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

The 29-year-old admitted that on November 21, 2016, at Avocado Square, East Ruimveldt, he unlawfully killed Rodney.

Rodney was riddled with bullets by Meredith while returning from a dance in his community. The attacker admitted to having a confrontation with Rodney during the party.

During the hearing, a probation report was read in court before the judge handed down the sentence.

According to the report, Meredith is the product of a single-parent home and was also a school dropout.

At the tender age of

15, Meredith dropped out of school and became involved in criminal activities, which led him to his first court appearance for robbery under arms.

He was placed on a two-year bond for that offence since he was a juvenile at the time. The report further detailed that persons from his community described him as a “notorious criminal.”

Additionally, prison officials described Meredith as disrespectful and disorderly, which caused him to be placed in solitary confinement and eventually causing his transfer to the Mazaruni Prison.

In his plea of mitigation, Attorney Adrian Thompson had asked the

court to consider Meredith’s situation, especially since he did not have a good childhood and was influenced by the neighbourhood in which he lived.

The State prosecutor submitted the victim impact statement of Rodney’s uncle which said that Rodney was the sole breadwinner for his family and his elderly father.

The prosecutor told the court that two weeks after Rodney’s death, his father passed away after mourning for his son.

In the end, the judge sentenced Meredith to life in prison with the possibility of parole after serving 30 years.

Dead: Omar Ally

Parasram Wellington

Dead: Paul Rodney

Kenisha Thomas

Mahendra Kissoon Joshua Meredith

Data Protection Bill: No submissions from APNU+AFC

- AG says, as May 6 deadline for submissions approaches

ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs

Mohabir Anil Nandlall has expressed frustration with the APNU+AFC Coalition Opposition, which he said is constantly criticising the government’s aggressive legislative agenda.

Tuesday evening, during his weekly programme ‘Issues in the News,’ the Attorney General relayed that the government’s Data Protection Bill was out for consultation since April 15, 2023. He said no submission was received from the opposition on the bill, although the deadline is May 6, and three weeks have passed.

The Data Protection Bill 2023 aims to safeguard the privacy and personal data of individuals, including their right to control the use of their personal information.

The proposed legislation

is expected to bring Guyana in line with international best practices on data protection and privacy and regulate the implementation of the electronic identification card (e-ID) system in Guyana.

“The bill is online, an email address is there to which submissions are to be sent and I check it regularly and as of this afternoon, we did not receive any submissions.

“The opposition in the Parliament who are paid by taxpayers’ monies have not yet read the bill…it’s their general approach; they don’t read anything; they piggyback upon criticisms made by civil society and they adopt [them] as their own. No original thought, no intellectual effort upon their part,” the Attorney General stated.

Minister Nandlall described the opposition’s actions as a gross dereliction of duty and an abuse and misuse of public funds.

“They are paid a salary; they are granted all types of facilities to do the work of the people. I don’t want them to agree with the bill, but they have a role, unfortunately, to play,” he stated.

The AG noted that as Guyana experiences rapid development, it requires an aggressive legislative framework to support and advance economic, infrastructural, and social ventures.

“Many of these ventures cannot be accomplished unless we have a robust and legal and regulatory framework to govern the implementation and operationalisation of these projects. So, naturally to accompany our aggressive

central government agenda is an aggressive legislative agenda, but our legislative agenda is constantly being slowed down and stymied because of our incompetent and inefficient opposition.”

Interested parties can access the draft Data Protection Bill on the Ministry of Legal Affairs website www. mola.gov.gy.

Submissions and recommendations are invited within 21 days from the date of the announcement via email at agchambersmola@ gmail.com.

Meanwhile, the AG reminded that it was the same opposition with its one-seat majority during the period 2014–2015, that refused to support amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act 2009, which was needed for Guyana to

meet its international obligations and resulted in the nation being blacklisted.

“They nearly caused a collapse of this economy. We are now in a good place and we have to pass these bills to meet the deadline for our mutual assessment for September. So, two bills are out there for public consultation,” he relayed.

The Attorney General’s Chambers invites submissions and recommendations from essential stakeholders on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2023 and the Guyana Compliance Commission Bill 2023.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall

Dialysis service expanded to more regions through private sector collaboration

OVER the next few days, 105 hemodialysis patients will receive cheques valued at $600,000 each to help subsidise their treatment expenses, as the Government rolls out the third dialysis treatment initiative payout for 2023. Of the 105 beneficiaries, 51

are new patients. The third payout exercise of $63 million, commenced Wednesday at the Ministry of Health on Brickdam, Stabroek. The first payout for this year was executed in February, when 84 patients benefitted, while the second was done in April, when 62

- third payout for dialysis assistance rolls out

persons benefitted.

The administration has allocated $863 million in Budget 2023 to support those needing medical treatment.

During Wednesday’s exercise, Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of Health, spent time interacting with some of the beneficia -

ries and lending words of support to those suffering from kidney failure who require dialysis, a much-needed treatment for managing their condition.

“Today we are giving 105 persons a cheque of $600,000 each to help them with their dialysis session; so for this year already, 297 persons have benefited from this annual subvention,” the minister said.

While appealing to the general public to get registered if they require dialysis support, the Minister indicated that the process is very simple but requires verification and assessment of the patient’s condition at the Nephrology Department at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

“Once the doctor determines you have end-stage renal failure, he issues a letter to that effect which is verified by our physicians at the GPHC. A request is then prepared and the necessary documentation is prepared and presented to the Ministry of Health to get the pro-

dialysis were forced to travel to the city to seek care and treatment.

Meanwhile, 42-yearold Antonio Lall was pleased to have received his cheque from the Ministry on Wednesday morning.

“I’ve been on dialysis for two years now and it’s not easy especially when you require this treatment and it’s so expensive. I would like to thank the Government of Guyana for providing this assistance to the dialysis patients; it’s a great help”, Lall said.

it’s a great help and I’m very glad for the assistance. This is my second time receiving the grant”, she said.

For Eaiseaiedayal Ramsarak, a 57-year-old of Berbice, “The help is needed because the cost of taking dialysis is very expensive and she does not have a partner to help support her financially”. This initiative, she said will ease the burden on her only daughter and other relatives, whom she would usually solicit financial assistance to meet her dialysis needs.

If a person has Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), the kidneys are unable to filter the blood to remove harmful waste products and excess fluids which are turned into urine to be passed out of the body. Dialysis treatment then becomes an alternative procedure to remove waste products and excess fluids from the blood when the kidneys stop working properly. It is a process that involves diverting blood to a machine to be cleaned.

cess started”, Dr Anthony explained.

The Health Minister highlighted that through close collaboration with private sector agencies, dialysis services have been expanded to Regions Two, Three, Four, and 10, compared to previous years, when patients requiring

Another dialysis patie nt, Jane Chichester, 70, who is a second-time beneficiary, applauded the kind gesture from the Government of Guyana.

“Thank you to the Government of Guyana for providing this service;

For the year 2022, some 327 patients benefitted from the annual $600,000 payout. Persons requiring support for dialysis treatment can contact the Ministry’s Medical Treatment Department at 225-0113 for more information on how they can receive financial assistance.

Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony hands over a cheque valued at $600,000 to Jane Chichester for dialysis assistance

Antonio Lall, a dialysis patient, receives his cheque from Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Health

WEConnect International to boost women-owned businesses in Guyana

- Conducts study to help businesses in Guyana access banking services, products

By Cindy Parkinson

THE Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Guyana held a WEConnect international study press conference recently to implement the Strengthening Women Entrepreneurs in Value Chains (WE3A) project, which was launched in August 2022.

According to Project Co-ordinator Tashi Browne, the project is being funded by the Inter-Caribbean Development Bank (IDB) Lab and the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (WeFi).

According to a recent report by WEConnect International, women-owned businesses in Guyana have limited access to banking services and products. The WE3A Project, presently being implemented nationally, included Guyana among the six nations where the study was carried out.

The project’s partner, WEConnect International, aims to link women-owned companies with potential customers worldwide. The study demonstrated that despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s severe consequences for medium-sized firms, it has also created new prospects for growth and expansion into new business sectors and commercialisation formats.

The Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University, the project's implementing institution, commissioned WeConnect International to carry out ecosystem mapping studies and surveys among various stakeholders to comprehend the influence the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Woman Owned Business (WOB). The studies concentrated on the obstacles and requirements that women-owned firms in Guyana, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica,

Honduras, and Ecuador confront to participate in international supply chains.

It also showed the ecosystem mapping research's different phases, including documentation, stakeholder mapping (including WOBs, sizable for-profit firms, and Business Support Organisations), stakeholder consultations, and roundtables. The amount of data that could be gathered and verified was maximized in this way.

The President of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Guyana, Rowena Elliot, told the Guyana Chronicle that this initiative is very important for women globally but more so for "our" Guyanese women, especially at this moment.

According to Elliot, it is important since it is an opportunity to show diversity and inclusion in Guyana’s growing economy.

Elliot said: "Currently, there is a shortage of labour, and there are businesses that can't do certain things on their own, so it is our aim to get women involved by building their business confidence and capacity and training them. The economy is growing, and we are making sure that everyone has a chance at having an equal scale of opportunity. We cannot have one set of jobs, businesses, or business owners; there are

in annual purchase power. They have committed to having more diverse and inclusive supply chains, allowing women-owned businesses from over 130 countries to bid.

WEConnect International identifies, trains, and

registers in a global database of more than 16,000 businesses owned by women and provides the Women-Owned Business Certification to those companies that fulfill the international standard of at least 51

per cent ownership by one or more women. WEConnect International has certified WOBs in more than 50 countries. These countries encompass more than 70 per cent of the world's population.

many opportunities and new ideas out there."

Elliot further explained that equipping women with the right tools enables them to function in the world of business and work, which also makes them feel secure and confident as women in what they are trying to accomplish. She is also encouraging women who are hesitant to work to "stop thinking and just do it.” With this programme, she said the Chambers plans to go into all the regions across Guyana to reach out to the different types of women and pass the message on.

“You can do it; just stop overthinking and just do it,” she said.

Even though the Chambers would be in specific regions, no one is limited to attending. Elliot said, "If we are in Region Five, for example, and anyone from Region One or any other region wants to fill out a form and get themselves equipped and ready for the working world, we will be happy to help guide you through the process.”

WEConnect International is a nonprofit global organisation that facilitates networking between large corporations, multilateral organisations, and public institutions with qualified women-owned businesses worldwide. It works with over 180 organizations representing more than USD $3 billion

Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Guyana President, Rowena Elliot

Mumbai Indians chase mammoth total to beat Punjab kings

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Punjab Kings have a deep batting line-up, which allows them to approach their innings in a fearless manner. They duly posted 200-plus for the fourth time in a row - an IPL record – courtesy of an unbroken stand of 119 in 8.4 overs from Liam Livingstone and Jitesh Sharma. Yet, they ended up on the losing side. And that was down to a masterclass in T20 batting from Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan, who helped Mumbai Indians hunt down 215 with plenty to spare just three days after they had also successfully chased 213.

Livingstone and Jitesh had swung, slapped and sliced Mumbai's bowlers all around during their century stand, to lift Kings from 95 for 3 in the 12th to 214. Livingstone cracked 82 off 42, while Jitesh missed his half-century by one run, getting to 49 from 27. But then Suryakumar hammered 66 at more than two runs a ball and Kishan slammed 75 to further clog the points table, where four sides - including

both these teams - sit on ten points each.

Suryakumar, Kishan bat fearlessly

Mumbai were 54 for 2 after the powerplay, as Rohit Sharma's inconsistent run continued - out for a threeball duck today - and Cameron Green fell after a cameo. Another 161 were required at 11.50 an over when Impact Player Suryakumar joined Kishan. By then, Kishan had settled in, having raced to 26 off 15 with two fours and two sixes. Three overs later, the required rate had risen further to 12.54. And that is when the carnage began.

Kishan went after Harpreet Brar to pick up 14 from the tenth over, and then combined with Suryakumar to slam 14 more off Rahul Chahar the next. PBKS were still very much in it, though, when MI were 100 away with eight overs remaining, but then the turning point of the chase truly arrived.

Suryakumar helped thrash 23 off a Sam Curran over - 6, 6, 4, 4 came off consecutive legal deliveries and this final boundary got him to his fifty from 23 deliveries.

Soon after, Kishan targeted Arshdeep Singh: 6, 4, 4, and the game was almost done. Mumbai needed just 45 from 30 from that point on. Livingstone and Jitesh merciless on Mumbai

The match had seemed in the balance earlier in the day, when Matthew Short's struggle ended. Jitesh came in at No. 5, with Livingstone already set at the other end. By the time the pair was done, they had slammed the last eight overs of Kings' innings for 115. Jofra Archer had given away only five runs in his first over, but in the 13th, the two Kings batters belted 21, including four leg-byes, off him.

Some luck went Jitesh's way when a top edge flew over the short-third fielder and a heave fell short of deep midwicket, but no such close calls could stop him from going hard at the bowlers.

At the other end, Livingstone's knock included deft touches between point and short third, as well as forceful swat-pulls. And when Rohit brought Archer back for the 19th over, Livingstone smacked three sixes in a row

Rain ruins LSG and Chennai showdown

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Rain had the final say in Lucknow, where MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings had taken the upper hand against the Super Giants after 19.2 action-packed overs of the first innings. CSK spinners ran through the home team's line-up, but 23-year-old Ayush Badoni scored a counter-attacking fifty before the game was called off at 6.56 pm local time.

The game had started 15 minutes late due to an afternoon shower, and the surface ended up assisting spin big time. Moeen

Ali dismissed Kyle Mayers for the second time in the season, and Maheesh Theekshana accounted for Manan Vohra and Krunal Pandya off successive deliveries in

the sixth over. Moeen held on to a tough caught-andbowled chance to remove Karan Sharma, but the best wicket was Ravindra Jadeja bowling Marcus Stoinis with one that pitched outside the right-hander's leg stump and spun sharply to hit off, leaving the batter dumbfounded.

At 44 for 5 in the 10th over, the Super Giants were sinking but Badoni and Nicholas Pooran steadied the innings. They added 59 for the sixth wicket, but Pooran's contribution was only 14, with Badoni taking charge. He smashed two sixes off Theekshana and reached fifty with another six off Deepak Chahar in the 19th over to give the Super Giants a fighting chance.

Rain forced the players

off the field in the 20th over of the first innings and did not ease up enough for play to resume, leaving both Super Kings and Super Giants with one point each from the contest. Both teams are on 11 points after ten games.

The fixture was also significant for the return of two fast bowlers. Chahar was fit again for CSK after missing six games because of a hamstring injury and returned figures of 0 for 41 in four overs. Mohsin Khan was named in the Super Giants XI for the first time this season, after spending almost the entire year since the previous IPL recovering from injury, but did not get the chance to bowl because of the bad weather.

before five wides meant the over cost 27. In all, Archer leaked 56 in four overs. Who knew then that Livingstone and Jitesh would eventually finish on the losing side. Some of the credit for that should also go to Piyush Chawla.

Piyush Chawla spins a web

Having gone for 14 off

his first seven balls - including three fours by Shikhar Dhawan - the experienced Chawla hit back in the eighth over of the innings. He tossed the ball up again to invite Dhawan down the track, but this was a wrong'un. Dhawan was beaten and stumped for an attacking 30. Chawla went on to put the lid on Kings' scoring over the next few

overs, finishing with 2 for 29. That spell included subtle changes of pace and constant use of variations; Short was his second victim, misreading a googly to be bowled for 27. Livingstone and Jitesh got together thereafter, but Chawla would still be one up on them come the end of the game.

Ishan Kishan goes aerial in his 75 off 41(BCCI)

Prime Minister ‘One Guyana’ Linden Dominoes Final…

Phantom takes $600,000 first prize

Georgetown’s Phantom sneaked away with the winners’ purse of $600,000 and the huge winner’s trophy of the Prime Ministers ‘One Guyana’ Linden Dominoes tournament on Monday.

The tournament, held

in honor of the Prime Minister Mark Phillips, took place at Shanghai’s Residence in Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

Last year’s winners Executives were knocked out in the first round of the competition when the tournament got started last

Sunday.

Down to the last three teams after twenty-four teams entered, Phantom made their appearance felt at the right time to emerge winners with 80 games, leaving in their wake Corrupt who finished on 69. Hustlers who were not

NSC/GDF two-day Basketball coaching programme for teachers underway

YESTERDAY, the National Sports Commission (NSC) partnered with the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) to launch a two-day coaching programme for teachers at the National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue.

Led by National Coach, Julian Haynes, the training will cover coaching philosophy, rules, basic court markings, footwork and body movement, and other technical aspects of athletes development. The second and final day of the training, which will focus on practical sessions, will take place today at the Burnham Basketball Court.

Melissa Dow-Richardson, Assistant Director of Sport, praised the initiative and noted that it aligns with the goal of developing talent in the 12 core sports in Guyana namely Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Football, Hockey, Rugby, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Table Tennis, Track and Field, and Volleyball.

Dow-Richardson noted that this training will without a doubt result in the emergence of more school teams which will feed into the club system and the national academy.

The former player also posited that this collaboration between the Ministry of Sport, Minis-

try of Education and the GBF demonstrates that the stakeholders are committed to the development of the game. And, recent major budget allocation for sports indicates that the government is serious about taking sports locally to the next level.

Rawle Toney, Vice-President of the GBF, expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport for their support of the programme and commended Haynes for his efforts. However, the journalist by profession, noted his disappointment in the absence of some of the more seasoned coaches.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Thursday May 04, 2023)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-

83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) 76 games

(2) DD & KKR

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who were the 2013 IPL champions?

(2) Who were the losing finalist in IPL 2013?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

up to scratch after mustering just 51 games placed third.

The Prime Minister’s Trophy and winner’s purse were handed over by Mr. Macbeth, President of the World Council Dominoes and Ms. Barbara Marshall, Assistant Organizing Sec-

retary of the Georgetown Dominoes Association in the presence of Tournament Coordinator Collin

‘BL’ Aaron.

The Corrupt team was rewarded with $300,000 and a trophy for taking second position as the Hustlers received $100,000 for their

effort to be third placed.

Phantom’s Lashley George played well to mark 18 games and won the Most Valuable Player of the Final prize while the Best Dressed Team award was jointly shared by Providence and Mix Up. (Joe Chapman)

CWI undertaking bid process for ICC men’s T20 world cup 2024

Cricket West Indies (CWI) is undertaking a thorough bidding process for Caribbean countries wanting to host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which will be held in the West Indies and USA in June next year.

Following the bidding process the venues will be confirmed on 31 July, 2023.

Geoff Allardice, CEO of ICC said: “We are delighted that the next edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will take place in the West Indies and the USA. Of course, the Caribbean is a region rich in cricket culture where fans can enjoy a carnival experience with a fine tradition of producing exciting and flamboyant cricketing stars across all formats of the game. The T20 World Cup is a special event in the calendar and this upcoming edition of the men’s event will expand to 20 teams competing to claim the ultimate prize in T20 international cricket. All host countries play an important role in the provision of world class venues, training facilities and services for players and officials, with the upgrade of any facilities providing a lasting legacy for the game in the West Indies.”

Johnny Grave, CEO of CWI said: “This will be the most significant sports event held in the West Indies for a generation, helping us to unlock new commercial and economic growth opportunities for the ICC, CWI and our region as a whole. This will be the fifth ICC global event that we have proudly

staged, 14 years since we last hosted a Men's World Cup event, and this time it will be bigger than ever. The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 will be co-hosted with the USA and is the largest ICC World Cup in history, with 20 teams playing 55 matches.”

“This tournament will be a major financial boost to the West Indies and all our host countries as it's the perfect opportunity to invite the world to the biggest cricket carnival ever staged. CWI aims to partner once again with our regional governments to ensure that we collectively capitalize on this fantastic platform to promote the region to the world.”

Grave added: “This tournament is also an opportunity for us to rebuild our cricket, re-engage our traditional cricket supporters and attract a new generation of fans. Cricket has always been part of our culture and we will celebrate this tournament by providing memorable experiences for teams and cricket fans on and off the field that will blend the unique Caribbean matchday experience with the very best in American sporting entertainment.”

Countries have been required to demonstrate their ability to deliver a worldclass venue and stage the matches by providing match and training facilities, undergo a venue inspection, provide immigration, customs, medical and security support, as well as other operational and logistical requirements including accommodation for the members

of the teams, match officials and broadcast crew.

Visits to Caribbean venues that are contemplating submitting proposals to host ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 matches started on Wednesday 26 April. A small team will visit each country to look at facilities and discuss the pathway to becoming a host country. A similar process will also be followed to identify venues to host matches in USA.

Countries selected will have the opportunity to promote themselves to a global audience of over one billion people from all over the world. This tournament will also inject significant investment into the economy of each host nation.

The format of the tournament will see the 20 teams participating – with four groups of five teams in the first round. Each team will play one match against the other teams in the group. The top two teams from each group will move into the Super8s stage and these eight teams will be split into two groups of four with each team playing one match against the other teams in their group. The top two teams from each group of the Super8s will advance to the Semi-Finals with a chance to make the Final.

This is the second time that the West Indies will be hosting the event, with the first time back in 2010. West Indies have won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on two occasions – in 2012 in Sri Lanka and 2016 in India.

Rovman Powell joins Royals, Hayden Walsh moves to Tallawahs

Rovman Powell, who led Jamaica Tallawahs to the CPL title last season, has been traded to Barbados Royals, ahead of CPL 2023. Powell, who is West Indies' current T20I captain, could be a contender to lead Royals, who had finished runners-up last season.

As part of the trade off, leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr. has joined Tallawahs from Royals. Walsh Jr. had been named Player of the tournament in his first year with the Barbados franchise in 2019 and then had a stint as a net bowler with Royals' franchise in the IPL - Rajasthan.

"It is with a heavy heart

that my time with the Tallawahs has come to an end," Powell posted on Instagram. "I have made life-long friends and memories I will never forget. Not least winning two CPL titles for my home franchise, one of those as CAPTAIN, which I will always cherish.

"I'm looking forward to joining the Royals and beginning a new chapter of my CPL career. I would like to thank all the players and coaches who have been part of my Tallawahs journey these last few years. Most of all, I want to thank the Jamaican fans, for your support."

Powell's exit from Tall-

awahs follows that of other local stars, Chris Gayle and Andre Russell. Gayle's association with Tallawahs ended in April 2020 after an acrimonious fallout with Ramnaresh Sarwan, who was the assistant coach of the franchise at the time.

Gayle had said he had always wanted to end his career in the "uniform" of Jamaica, his home team, but that dream now appears to be over, and Gayle laid the blame primarily on Sarwan, who he called various things, including "snake", "vindictive", "despicable".

Russell then moved from Tallawahs to Trinbago

Knight Riders ahead of CPL 2022, two seasons after he had called the franchise the "weirdest" he has ever played for.

The 2023 season of the CPL will be played across five countries in the Caribbean from August 17 to September 24. But Jamaica will not host any games this season.

For the third consecutive year, the CPL will overlap with the Hundred, the 100-ball-a-side competition in England that runs from August 1 to August 27 this year. At this stage, Sunil Narine is the only West Indian men's player who will

be involved in both competitions; he is expected to play around five games for Oval Invincibles before

More cash support for ‘Project Cricket Gear’ for young and promising cricketers in Guyana

Overseas-based Guyanese, Reshma Mathura, has donated $20,000 dollars to the Project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”.

Mathura, a Guyanese now based in the USA, is the sister of Raj Mathura, another donor to the project.

The cash sum will be used to purchase cricket items that are not in stock but urgently needed by young cricketers.

Total cricket-related items received/purchased

so far are $350,000 in cash, thirteen colored cricket uniforms, two trophies, seventeen pairs of cricket boots, thirty pairs of batting pads, thirty- one cricket bats, twenty-eight pairs of batting gloves, twenty-one thigh pads, three pairs of wicketkeeping pads, four arm guards, two boxes, nine cricket bags, six bat rubbers and six helmets. In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former National wicketkeeper/batsman.

Headley Weekes Tri-Series…

To date, fifty-three young players from all three counties of Guyana have benefitted from three junior gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, twenty-one bats, two boxes, four helmets, twenty pairs of cricket shoes, thirteen pairs of batting pads, two thigh pads, one bat rubber and nineteen pairs of batting gloves.

In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefitted from two used bats.

Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenam Cricket Commit-

Permaul, Drakes dominate day one for Weeks XI

(Sportsmax) - Dominic Drakes and Veerasammy Permaul each took three wickets as Weekes’ XI bowled Headley XI out for 177 on Wednesday’s opening day of the final match in the Headley Weekes Tri-Series at Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua. However, Headley XI’s bowlers have struck back having

Weekes XI at 61-3 at stumps still trailing by 116 runs.

Drakes dismissed three of the five top order batsmen as Headley XI got off to a terrible start and were reduced to 74-6. Only opener Kieran Powell with 23 managed to get into double figures.

Kavem Hodge and Ackeem Jordan held the Weekes’ bowlers at bay with a partner-

ship of 71 but then Jordan became Permaul’s 600th first-class wicket when he was caught behind for 37. Kevin Sinclair soon after ended Hodge’s vigil for 67 and Permaul cleaned up the tail dismissing Chaim-Alexis Holder and Marquino Mindley for three and seven, respectively.

Drakes ended with figures of 3-17 while Permaul took 3-18.

In reply, Weekes’ XI lost Zachary McCaskie to Marquino Mindley for two but Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Raymon Reifer added 48 for the second wicket before Holder struck, dismissing Chanderpaul for 12 and 11 runs later, got Reifer for 34 as Weekes XI slipped to 61-3.

Holder has so far taken 2-2 while Mindley has 1-17.

tees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each, Cold Fusion Cricket Club thirteen color uniforms while RHCCCC received fifteen white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicketkeeping gloves and a set of stumps and bails. The Essequibo Cricket Board also benefitted along with the Town of Lethem and youth coach, Travis Persaud with one box of red balls.

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 to identify talent. Progressive and well managed cricket clubs with a youth programme will also benefit.

Anyone interested in contributing can contact Anil

on 623 6875 or Kishan Das on 1 718 664 0896.

2-35, 3-46, 4-56, 5-62, 6-74, 7-145, 8-167, 9-169, 10-177.

Reifer 13-4-36-1, Smith 6-1-26-0, Drakes 12-5-17-3, McAlister 7-2-23-1, Premaul 14.2-8-16-3, Sinclair 13-0-47-1.

(3 wkts, 22 overs) 61

1-2, 2-50, 3-61.

To bat: K Carty, D Drakes, J McAlister, V Permaul, K Sinclair, N Smith, +D Thomas,

Jordan 6-2-14-0 (nb3), Mindley 4-0-17-1 (nb2), Greaves 5-2-13-0, Phillip 4-0-14-0, Holder 3-1-2-2.

Position: Team Weekes trail by 116 runs with seven wickets intact.

Toss: Team Headley.

Umpires: G Brathwaite, L Reifer.

leaving for the CPL.

Rovman Powell inspired Jamaica Tallawahs to the CPL title last season ( Ashley Allen/ CPL T20/Getty Images)

Headley Weekes Tri-Series… Permaul, Drakes dominate day one for Weeks XI

Namilco Thunderbolt ‘Flour Power’ U-17 football…

East Coast and Berbice kick off intra-association play

Last weekend, the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) and Berbice Football Association (BFA) began intra-association play in the Namilco ‘Flour Power’ sponsored under-17 development football programme.

The EDFA opening day, last Saturday, featured a double-header at the Buxton Community Centre ground with Mahaica FC going down to Victoria Kings FC 3-1 while Melanie FC needled BV Triumph FC thanks to a 31st minute strike from Kelton Croal.

Play continued in the EDFA with another double-header, on Sunday last, featuring Haslington FC versus Ann’s Grove FC and Dynamics FC matching skills with Buxton Stars FC. Goals from Akin Baynes in the 10th minute and Isiah Alphonso in the 29th

was enough to help Has-

lington to a 2-1 win. Meanwhile, Deshawn McPherson’s solitary strike was pivotal in the

win.

Action in Berbice began on Sunday with a double-header at the

The homeside dominated Ithaca in the opening match with a 12-2 drubbing that was spear-

gevine with four goals and Harman Winston who bagged a hat-trick.

In the second match,

Prime Minister ‘One Guyana’ Linden Dominoes Final…

Phantom takes $600,000 first

ed made very light work of the Paradise Invaders with a 5-0 win.

prize

homeside Buxton 1-0

Rosignol ground.

headed by Luke Lan -

New Amsterdam Unit-

The Rosignol team

Veerasammy Permaul