Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 04-08-2022

THURSDAY 4th AUGUST, 2022

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No. 106804

1.5M barrels of oil daily possible by 2035

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Solar energy plans moving apace – PM Phillips

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SEE STORY ON PAGE 15

Janette Patterson showcases craft made by herself and the Santa Mission women (Mya Hall photo)

Guyana officials to engage Suriname on return of confiscated fishing vessels, equipment SEE PAGE

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Region Six Education Grant Parents praise timeliness Over $700M to be disbursed

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 4, 2022

‘Our children’s future is bright’ - Contented parents praise timely education cash grants

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha addressing parents at the Tain Primary School on Wednesday

By Nafeeza Yahya AS day two of the Government of Guyana ‘Because We Care’ cash grant disbursement continued in Region Six, (East BerbiceCorentyne), parents expressed gratitude for the assistance given by the President, Dr Irfaan Ali administration.

They contended that the future of education for their children is not only bright, but promising.

Swarsattie Gobin, 44, of Fifth Street, Tain, arrived at the Tain Primary School on Wednesday with a beaming smile as she collected her two envelopes with $30,000 each.

Like many other parents, she believes that the resources government is providing and the investment made towards education will ensure that their children have access to quality education, and ultimately a successful future.

“I must thank the President and the Minister of Education [Priya Manickchand]; they right fuh name it ‘Because We Care,’ ‘cause only a caring government will do this for the people.

“As a parent, I can’t afford to buy textbooks and for them provide that to children and for them to provide money to buy uniform and school stuff, it will help a lot.

“I feel is a good time to be growing up; all the opportunities are here. And this will make it so much easier on parents, and in years to come we will see a generation of successful children.

“I believe [that] because of what the government is doing, I see my children having a bright future,” Gobin explained.

She added: “In our time, we didn’t get opportunities like this. We had to struggle and get stuff, but now, it’s available and it will go a long way”.

For Chitranie BakshRamsanol, being a single parent and having two children, ages 12 and eight, and sending both to school is challenging. She said, however, that the annual cash support being provided by the government has helped her tremendously.

She explained that the money will purchase the most important items needed for the school term.

“I will go next week and buy the main things like bags, shoes, and uniform, and whatever is left, I will save it to use when school open.

“I don’t have a job, so my mother would [help] me with the children; and with whatever I get from public assistance, we make use. So, I am very thankful for the extra support. I don’t know how I would get money to buy the children things if it wasn’t for this,” BakshRamsanol expressed.

Meanwhile, Kevin Anthony Darlington, of Glasgow Housing Scheme, collected his cash grant on Tuesday. He commended the initiative by the government while noting it comes at a good time and will provide much-needed assistance to purchase school supplies for his children.

Jagdeo Ramotar is a father of four children, ages three to seven, who lost his home to a fire in December 2020.

The disaster rendered him and his family of six homeless. Since then, the situation has been a major challenge for his family.

A parent collecting the education cash grant on Wednesday at the Tain Primary School

Ramotar, who currently resides at Port Mourant and works as a chef, related that the money collected will provide each of his children with their school uniforms and additional resources needed.

For him, it is one fewer thing to worry about. As such, Ramotar is grateful for the assistance, and is eagerly looking forward to be able to access the grant when it increases to $50,000.

He added: “This will be of good, good help for the family; things been very

Swarsattie Gobin

hard since the fire. We lost everything for them [sic] children….”

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha was present at the Corentyne Comprehensive High School in Port Mourant and at the Tain Primary School, where he urged parents to utilize the money for its intended purpose.

He posited that government would continue to invest in citizens, while urging that education is pivotal to the society’s growth as it remains the foundation for a successful future.

He added that there are many other opportunities provided by the government in the education sector, including the scholarship programme.

Minister Mustapha urged persons to utilize the opportunities available. He noted that with a sound educational background and the right qualification, persons are at an advantage to get better jobs.

“Within the next five years, 20,000 scholarships will be made available for Guyanese; take full use of these,” he urged.

“Government is making that possible free-of-charge.

The way the world is changing, without a proper education, it will be difficult to survive in a modern and developed world.

“Even the minimal jobs will be mechanized… [so] government is working to ensure that students have access to resources necessary and are trained and equipped; investment will continue into the human resources for the development of the country,” Minister

Kevin Anthony Darlington

Mustapha asserted.

Additionally, the Agriculture Minister, who is a former student of Corentyne Comprehensive High, made a commitment towards the school’s agriculture department. A shade house, farming tools, and poultry will be donated by the ministry.

Regional Chairman David Armogan also addressed the gathering during the distribution.

In Region Six, some 23,600 schoolchildren will receive the cash grant, while approximately $718M will be injected into the region’s economy.

REGION TWO DISTRIBUTION Over in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), more than $394 million will be disbursed to parents in that region, according to Regional Education Officer (ag) Shondelle Hercules at the opening of the distribution of the cash grant at Cotton Field Nursery School.

Meanwhile at Fisher Primary School, parents gathered to uplift their cash grant. One parent Denieram Parsram said that he is very

happy to receive the grant.

He said that it will be used in his children’s education.

“This is a good initiative,” said a parent, Denieram Parsram. “I am glad to receive the same for my children. The government is helping parents to send their children to school,” Parsram said.

Somawattie Persaud, a mother, expressed gratitude to the Government of Guyana for continuing the cash grant, noting the increase in the cost of living.

“This money came at the

Chitranie Baksh-Ramsanol

right time; it will certainly be put into the right use for my children. I am thankful,” Persaud said.

The Education Cash Grant is part of the Ministry of Education’s $74.4 billion budget for this year.

The “Because We Care” cash grant and uniform voucher are part of welfare measures being implemented by the government to put more disposable income into the hands of parents and increase school attendance of learners, particularly those disadvantaged because their parents could not always afford the necessities.

The PPP, in its manifesto, had promised that by 2025, each child will receive $50,000.

T h e “ B e c a u s e We Care” project started in 2014 under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government and saw parents receiving cash grants of $10,000 per child in the public school system.

The programme has now been extended to private schools. (Additional reporting provided by Indra Natram)

Solar energy push moving apace, PM Phillips says 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 4, 2022

- Guyana opens 4th Regional Meeting of global Solar Alliance

By Shamar Meusa THE Government of Guyana is committed to achieving a lowcarbon economy and advancing Guyana’s energy transition.

This is according to Prime Minister Brigadier Ret’d Mark Phillips

national Solar Alliance (ISA)’s 4th regional meeting of the Latin America and Caribbean region.

During his remarks at the dinner, he noted that Guyana recognizes the substantial contribution of the International Solar Alliance to its mem-

Director-General of the ISA Dr Ajay Mathur (Elvin Carl Croker photo)

who made these remarks at the welcome dinner which was hosted at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Kingston, for the Inter-

bers through the increasing deployment of solar energy technologies in order to drive the energy transition in those coun-

tries, while also enhancing energy access and energy security.

As such, the Prime Minister, who holds responsibility for electrification, noted that Guyana has benefitted from support in the areas of technical cooperation and grant assistance.

These projects, he added, include training in the area of solar technology along with the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) demonstration project at the Orealla Health Centre, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

“The Government of Guyana is committed to achieving a low-carbon economy and advancing the nation’s transition away from conventional energy sources,” he noted.

The support received from the ISA, the Prime Minister remarked, coincides with the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) which promotes the development of solar farms, solar grids, and solar home systems as part of the energy transformation.

The Prime Minister told the gathering that he was happy that Guyana is hosting the regional meeting as Guyana currently serves as VicePresident on the committee.

The hosting of the meeting, he revealed, will see Latin America and the Caribbean region reviewing and aligning national strategic priorities and regional initiatives as they relate to solar power generation, in keeping with the goals of the ISA. Meanwhile, DirectorGeneral of the ISA, Dr Ajay Mathur, said that the leadership the region has shown in the transition to green energy should be applauded.

Dr Mathur added that the transition to green and renewable energy comes with many benefits, as it reduces pollution, reduces the cost of energy, and can also aid in providing jobs for people.

To this end, he emphasized the ISA’s commitment to stand with Guyana and support its

Prime Minister Mark Phillips (second from left) along with Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Energy Industries, Stuart Young (first from left), Senior Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister of Barbados, Dr William Duguid, and Director-General of the ISA Dr Ajay Mathur (first from right) (Elvin Carl Croker photo)

Prime Minister Brigadier Ret’d Mark Phillips (Elvin Carl Croker photo)

projects including the Low Carbon Development Strategy, and even providing assistance to grow solar projects here.

Further, the Director-General mentioned that he was excited to be here for the meeting and to also be present to inaugurate the onemegawatt solar plant here in Guyana.

“This is the first step in creating this kind of large amounts of energy… it forces us to think of the kinds of challenges that exist, it forces us to think of the kinds of changes that you can make,” Dr Mathur expressed.

Also present at the dinner was Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, who noted that a lot of the projects that were being pushed by the ISA member states in the region are renewable energy related.

He specifically mentioned Guyana and Barbados as he noted that the two countries have been on a serious regime of advancing the transition to clean energy, based on the mounting global threat of climate change.

“We, in this region,

are working with ISA to make sure we can learn; we can benefit from the skill within the ISA secretariat, and we continue to work with Dr Ajay Mathur and his team,” Indar said.

The ISA’s 4th Regional Meeting of the Latin America and Caribbean Region is expected to begin today and continues to Thursday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

Guyana has made significant strides to push its energy transition forward with the implementation of several projects. Most recently, Guyana and Norway entered into a landmark partnership for financing Guyana’s largest solar power projects.

This partnership will see some 27,000 homes benefitting from the solar power projects. Also, late last year, the government secured some US$75 million in funding to establish solar farms in eight grids as part of the updated and expanded Low Carbon Development Strategy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 4, 2022

Burkina Faso army admits killing civilians in counter-terrorist strike (Reuters) - BURKINA Faso’s army said, on Wednesday, that it had accidentally killed civilians during a counter-terrorist operation in the country’s southeast earlier this week, without saying how many.

Residents of the area told Reuters that as many as 37 people were killed in the strike on Monday near the village of Pognoa, about 10 kilometres (6 miles) from the border with Togo, where some fled afterwards.

The West African country has been battling an insurgency by Islamist militant groups, some linked to al

Qaeda and Islamic State, which control large swathes of territory and wage frequent attacks.

“During operations which made it possible to neutralize several dozen terrorists, the strikes unfortunately caused collateral victims within the civilian population,” the army said in a statement.

It did not say how many civilians were killed. The victims were hit by projectiles in the zone between Kompienga and Pognoa, it said.

One man from Pognoa said he had attended the burial of 37 people following the strike. A woman from

the same town said about 30 people were killed, including women and children. Both sources requested anonymity out of fear of repercussions.

Nine people with injuries were admitted to the regional hospital in Dapaong, Togo, after the incident, a medical source said.

“According to the victims and those accompanying them, it was drone strikes.

Some spoke of two strikes and others, three,” said the medical source, who also requested anonymity.

Togo, which has been contending with the spill over of militancy from Burkina

Soldiers from Burkina Faso patrol on the road of Gorgadji in the Sahel area, Burkina Faso March 3, 2019. Picture taken March 3, 2019. REUTERS/Luc Gnago/File Photo/File Photo

Faso, accidentally killed seven civilians in an air strike last month in the same border zone.

Burkina Faso, in June,

ordered civilians to evacuate two large areas in its northern and south eastern regions ahead of anticipated operations against Islamist

militants The strikes that hit civilians on Monday were near but outside one of those zones.

(Reuters) - PERUVIAN Prime Minister, Anibal Torres suddenly resigned on Wednesday morning, amid widening criminal probes centred on President Pedro Castillo, who has grown increasingly isolated after one year in office.

often comes with other government reshuffles.

He is also the target of five criminal investigations, including two that are probing whether he is part of a “criminal organization.”

Peruvian Presidents can be investigated while in of-

Peru PM resigns as investigations target President Castillo

Peru’s Prime Minister, Anibal Torres, arrives at Congress to seek a confirmation vote, on the same day as lawmakers introduced an impeachment motion to try to oust President Pedro Castillo, in Lima, Peru March 8, 2022. REUTERS/Sebastian Castaneda

Torres said on Twitter his resignation was due to “personal reasons.” A lawyer, Torres was seen as one of Castillo’s most loyal allies.

Castillo has overseen unprecedented turnover in senior government posts during his administration. He will now have to name his fifth Prime Minister since taking office last July, a move that

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fice, but cannot be charged.

Castillo came to power last year with a Marxist-Leninist party, spooking investors, but has since taken a pragmatic moderate turn, keeping the key economy ministry in the hands of a technocrat.

He has yet to address the resignation or say when he will name a replacement.

3/8/2022: 1 3 12 13 14 18 19

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 4, 2022

Two police officers charged with misbehaviour in public office granted $3.6M bail (T&T Guardian) TWO police officers charged with misbehaviour in public office have been granted $1,800,000 bail each by Justices of the Peace, Ms. Marilyn Martin and Abrahim Ali respectively, at the St Joseph Police Station.

They are expected to appear before the Tunapuna and Arima Magistrates’ Court later next month to answer seven charges of Misbehaviour in Public Office, Unlawfully and Dishonestly Agreeing to Accept and Receiving Monies.

According to police reports, PC Ronald Ransome, 27, and PC Rishi Mohan, 36, met a man in April at a location in North Trinidad where the police officers allegedly solicited TT$700,000 from him to forego prosecution in the investigation of a criminal matter.

According to the man, he allegedly made five payments totalling TT$201,100 to two police officers.

A report was made to the police and an exercise was conducted by officers of the Professional Standards Bureau.

An investigation was spearheaded by Senior Superintendent of Police (Ag.), Suzette Martin, supervised by Superintendent Montrichard and included Insp. Narine, Sgt (Ag.) Mohammed, Cpl (Ag.) Joefield and Cpl (Ag.) Sampson and both PCs Mohan and Ransome were arrested on July 26, 2022.

The men were subsequently charged by PC Horsford on August 1, 2022, following the advice received from the Director of Public Prosecutions, Roger Gaspard, SC.

Blood feuds: Family disputes driving murder increase, say police

(Jamaica Observer) - MURDERS committed in the course of family disputes, clandestine killings in which victims are dismembered then buried, and gang-related slayings are the push factors for the four per cent increase in homicides between January and July this year, compared to the same period in 2021, the police have reported.

Police Commissioner, Major General Antony Anderson, gave the data during a digital press briefing on Tuesday at which he disclosed that gang conflicts account for 70 per cent of the murders; interpersonal conflicts account 14 per cent, six per cent occurred in furtherance of criminal acts; mob killings accounted for one per cent; and nine per cent of the homicides are still under investigation.

At the end of July last

Police Commissioner, Major General Antony (Photo credit: Jamaica Observer)

year, the police recorded 819 murders compared to 850 at the end of July this year.

General Anderson, in making reference to the recent “series of interpersonal murders” which have rocked the island — such as the slaying of a Clarendon mother and her four children by a family member in June —

urged people to “report disputes before they escalate”.

“Although suspects may be charged, families and communities are still left to grieve,” the police commissioner said.

“We are also seeing a number of cases where persons are being killed and their bodies buried or disposed of, as was the case in Kingston Western where the dismembered bodies of four persons were removed from shallow graves.

“These are just some of the cases that have influenced the four per cent increase we are now seeing, and these are the matters we will continue to deal with over the next few weeks,” he told the briefing.

In the meantime, the police say shootings continue to trend downward with eight per cent fewer incidents so far this year compared to the

same period in 2021. Rape is also down 16 per cent.

Robberies, however, are up 10.5 per cent and break-ins up three per cent.

In that respect, the police commissioner said, “The increase in robberies and break-ins are of particular concern as life gets back to pre-COVID normalcy”.

He said in response to the trends the constabulary made adjustments to personnel in several divisions and will be acquiring additional mobility assets which will be deployed over the next few weeks.

He also said another team of quick response motorcyclists will be deployed by the end of August.

Anderson further said divisional commanders have been instructed to review their anti-robbery strategies in light of the changes.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 4, 2022

Immaturity and false hope

OPPOSITION Leader, Aubrey Norton appears to be in campaign mood and this cannot be more evident at his recent rally held at the Burnham Basket Ball Court, Middle Street, Georgetown.

The Opposition Leader, addressing a sizable gathering, many of whom were bussed in from various parts of the country, used his speaking time to make a number of claims, some of which would be dismissed even by school boys, as bizarre.

From all that he said, two things stood out. The first was his defence of his refusal to shake the President’s hand and second, the claim that the Coalition would win the next regional and general elections with a clean voters’ list.

His refusal to shake the President’s hand is a first from an Opposition Leader in Guyana. Even during

the period of rigged elections in Guyana, then Opposition Leader, Dr Cheddi Jagan, never shied away from shaking the hands of Forbes Burnham and Desmond Hoyte, both of whom whose party, the People’s National Congress (PNC) had illegitimately occupied the seat of power for close to three decades. In fact, Dr Jagan had embraced Burnham when Guyana became an Independent nation on the night of May 26, 1966.

It is in this light that the current public posture exhibited by the Opposition Leader comes across as immature and portrays him as a person who lacks diplomacy and the wherewithal to skillfully deal with issues that he perceives as grievances or matters of concerns to his party.

Naturally, many expect better from the Opposition Leader but his behaviours

should not come as a great surprise to all. Norton, before becoming Opposition Leader, as a leading player in the PNC, gained a formidable reputation as a grassroots organiser. The role of the PNC during post-election unrest and other unsavoury events is well known. His refusal to engage in a basic exchange of pleasantry with the President strongly indicates that he has not graduated from the politics of organising the grassroots to carving out a character befitting of a national leader.

His explanation that he will not shake the hand of his ‘oppressor’ is also both outlandish and out of place and from all appearances is an upgrade of his initial claim that the President had ‘bullied’ him into a handshake at a recent function held at the British High Commission.

It would be instructive for Norton to look more in-

wards to see who the ‘oppressors’ are. It was during the Coalition’s tenure in government that more than 70,000 Guyanese lost their jobs, some of whom were supporters of the Coalition.

In fact, the situation was so dire that even a member of the Coalition compelled by his conscience, broke ranks and voted in support of the 2018 no-confidence motion that eventually saw its removal from power.

The word ‘eventually’ is used because the Coalition used every crooked trick it conceived or conjured up to cling to power for over two years after the no-confidence motion was legitimately passed against them.

What Norton should realise is that the Coalition lost the 2020 general and regional elections with a clean list in an elections that was certified by the international community as free and fair.

It should be noted that the Coalition had repeatedly attacked the list after the no-confidence vote in their bid to delay the elections as long as possible and had employ a similar strategy to derail the recount of votes of the 2020 elections that was supervised by CARICOM. During the recount process, the Coalition made a number of claims, including votes from dead persons and persons who migrated. However, the CARICOM team, which the Coalition had described as the ‘most competent’ interlocutor, had roundly dismissed these claims as a “fishing expedition” and time-wasting exercise.

A few things should be noted about the Coalition after the 2015 general and regional elections. Since those elections, the AFC has been literally swallowed by the PNC, the most dominant party in

the Coalition. The AFC is also contemplating a divorce from the Coalition and given the treatment it received from the PNC while in the Coalition, it is unfathomable that any new and promising political party will want to join the Coalition, at least, in the near future. The PNC has never won a general and regional election legitimately and does not have the numbers to gain political power on its own.

It will therefore be better for Norton to objectively criticise the government but also work with the government in the interest of Guyana. His current behaviour is the wrong approach. He appears to possess the qualities that will destine him to be a long-term Opposition Leader and that is if his party would want him to be there.

Former EPA head has axe to grind

Dear Editor,

AS an avid follower of the news and information on oil and gas, I write to respond to the claims published in the media regarding insurance coverage for the oil-and-gas sector. The latest claim is that Exxon signed on to an agreement guaranteeing “unlimited liability coverage” consisting of insurance plus parent-company guarantee

for coverage of all liabilities above the insurance limit.

To date, these claims have not been substantiated by any document in the public domain, but continue to be irresponsibly echoed by the media.

This misleading narrative, chiefly from the former EPA head whom it seems has an axe to grind, proffers that in the absence of “full-coverage” insurance, Guyana is somehow imperilled and at grave risk in the event of

an operational incident. This could not be any further from the truth. In the Deepwater Horizon spill, British Petroleum paid out nearly US$65 billion—almost none of it covered by outside insurers.

ExxonMobil Guyana and partners maintain the ability to respond to an incident with overwhelming resources, in money, equipment, and manpower and have made it clear that they will pay for all costs related to a spill. This

is a promise we should hold them to.

With billions of dollars in local assets and ongoing negotiation for US$2 billion in additional guarantees for the Yellowtail project, there is ample financial resources at the ready in the event of an incident. This is arguably the best form of “insurance” one can have.

Guyana is one of the most promising developments for Exxon, Hess and

CNOOC and all have billions invested in the continued success and safe operations.

It would be foolhardy to assume that these companies don’t fully understand and have taken steps to protect their investments, but more importantly the livelihoods and safety of the people of Guyana whose continued good graces are needed to ensure ongoing operations.

Significant preparedness efforts including the

training of responders under the National Oil Spill Response Plan of Guyana and partnership with the Caribbean Island Oil Pollution Preparedness Response and Cooperation (OPRC) ensure that Guyana has both the resources and manpower to handle even the most extreme incidents.

Yours sincerely, Romel Khan

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 4, 2022

Norton’s behaviour is appalling and disturbing to say the least Dear Editor,

IT is appalling to me, especially since I have served two of the former leaders of the People’s National Congress (PNC), politically and professionally, to see the level to which the present Leader of the PNC and of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton, has fallen, by comparison, with his predecessors.

I find it not only appalling, but disturbing,

since it is critical for any democracy to function in the interest of its people that there is a strong and respected opposition to hold the elected government of the day accountable both in Parliament and in public as provided for by the Constitution and the rule of law.

The elected President of our country and let me repeat, the elected President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has now, on two very public occa-

sions, attempted to greet Mr Norton in his capacity as Leader of the Opposition and of his party, by the universally accepted means of shaking hands, only to be rudely and crudely rebuffed.

The first was at a reception of the High Commissioner of the UK to Guyana and, most recently and even more offensively, at an event celebrating Emancipation Day. Mr Norton’s public display of churlish,

bad manners by refusing to shake the President’s hand is to say the least childish and immature; but much much worse, he and his colleagues who have behaved in this manner towards the President have displayed a complete ignorance of their duties and responsibilities as leaders of the Parliamentary Opposition to respect and understand the norms of democratic government.

My uncle, Peter

d’Aguiar, once declared in Parliament that the job of the opposition in a democracy is to “oppose, expose and depose” the government of the day, always respecting the rule of law. True, but Mr Norton’s behaviour is akin to a declaration of defiance, is akin to a refusal to communicate with not merely his political opponent, but with the head of state and head of government. How then does Mr Norton expect

the President to be able to meet or consult with him on any matter, whether official or otherwise?

Mr Norton, by his own deliberate action, has effectively shut himself off from consultation by the President, has effectively isolated himself and his party from constitutional recognition.

to protect itself from being cheated on the oil revenues. In this regard, he pointed to the lack of capacity and regulatory framework among other things. However, Mr Jordan failed to acknowledge that five out of the seven years he was in charge, inter alia, the previous government’s term in office. It can be easily verified that there are absolutely no achievements that one can point to in terms of

building capacity, developing and strengthening the regulatory framework for the sector, during this time. Then he went on to argue that Guyana being the fastest-growing economy in the world is “nothing but an illusion.” To support his claims, he pointed to the non-oil growth in 2020 which was negative and again failed to acknowledge the circumstances which in large part, his admin-

istration was responsible for during his tenure as finance minister. This was further compounded by the five-monthlong political impasse with the national elections in 2020, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic. More importantly to note, the non-oil sectors were neglected and virtually destroyed by the bad policies and economic management under his tenure as Finance Minister.

In view of this background, this article is dedicated to highlighting – empirically, the state of the economy and the results of his performance as the finance minister during the period 2015 – 2020.

The true state of the stock of Domestic Public Debt was understated by the former Finance Minister In 2015 the government’s total deposit in the Bank of Guyana stood

at a surplus of $15.3 billion, total public sector deposits in the commercial banks stood at $68.2 billion, giving rise to total government deposit of $84 billion surplus in the banking system. At the end of 2014, total public debt stood at $330 billion, which included external debt; and the overdraft on the Consolidated Fund (CF) at the end of 2014 which stood at $77 billion.

As at February 2020, Continued on page 8

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

Response to former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, who presented a disingenuous assessment of the economy under his stewardship (Part 1) Dear Editor, Background

REFERENCE is made to utterances by the former Finance Minister, Mr Winston Jordan, who appeared on a Globespan programme and wherein excerpts of his remarks were carried in certain sections of the media. Mr Jordan disingenuously lamented that after seven years, the government is yet

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APNU+AFC bankrupt of ideas, solutions for modern Guyana

THE Government of Guyana under the leadership of His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, continues the transformational development agenda for all Guyanese.

This is so despite the continued destructive attempts and open racial manoeuvres of

the APNU+AFC opposition, the accused architects of the corrupt plot to hijack the March 2020 Regional and General Elections.

Two years ago Guyanese via legitimate balloting, rejected the oppressive and corrupt APNU+AFC regime that in four short years plunged the economy into disrepair, eroded investor confidence,

sullied Guyana’s image globally and emptied the treasury in a scheme to enrich their cabal under party paramountcy, supported by burdensome taxation policies on the backs of Guyanese.

Instead of truly representing their constituents through dialogue and consultation as encouraged by the President Ali administration,

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 4, 2022

the APNU+AFC has extended their legacy of lawlessness by resorting to chaos and assaults upon democratic institutions.

Almost daily, the APNU+AFC openly engages in racial hysteria and unpatriotic actions through forces within a coalition that is on the brink of separation, all part of a calculated effort to

mask their cumbersome leadership that is bankrupt of ideas and solutions to build a modern Guyana.

Their rally held on August 2, 2022, in the heart of their traditional stronghold, Georgetown, failed to galvanize their base, based on the numbers in attendance and further demonstrates that Guyanese continue to reject

the coalition’s agenda because they do not wish the return to the dark days of the PNC. There is no plan by the APNU+AFC to present to their constituents and the wider Guyanese public, yet they can spend hours at a rally shamefully defending a decision by the Leader of the Opposition who TURN TO PAGE 9

Response to former Finance Minister, Winston...

From page 7

the government’s deposit accounts at the Central Bank stood at a whopping $82.4 billion as a negative/deficit balance from a surplus of $15 billion in 2015, while bearing in mind that these deposit accounts over the last two decades had always recorded surplus balances as high as $60 plus billion

at one point. The public sector’s total deposits in the commercial banks stood at$55.4 billion which would give rise – when taken together with the balance at the Central Bank-- to a deficit of $26.5 billion or US$127 million, compared to a surplus position in 2015 of $84 billion or US$403 million.

The total public debt stood at $354 billion by the end of 2018, representing an increase of $24 billion from 2014, while the balance on the CF as of 2017 (the most recent publicly available data) stood at $137 billion deficit from a position of $77 billion in 2014, representing an increase of its deficit/overdrawn position by

$60 billion. It is important to note that these huge deficit balances drawn on the Central Bank are in effect the creation of debt which ought to be repaid.

These Central Bank balances should not be used as perpetual financing for government’s spending.

To further understand the gravity of excessive spending of public finances by the previous government during the period 2015 – 2019: total expenditure amounted to over $1.5 trillion compared to total expenditure of $2 trillion spent by the current administration (in their previous term in office) over a period of 23 years. In other words, the current administration expended less than $500 billion within a five-year period during their previous term in office, while the previous administration expended more than twice the amount to reach about $1.5 trillion in five years, or three times more than the current government.

The Bank of Guyana’s International Reserves stood at US$595 million which represented almost five months’ worth of import-cover in reserves at the end of 2014. By the end of February 2020, the reserves stood at US$548 million, but was equivalent to less than 2.5 months’ worth of import-cover – thus an indicator of a weaker position from almost five months equivalent in 2014.

The non-oil economy shrunk by US$840 million/G$182 billion cu-

mulatively for the period 2015 – 2019 relative to the corresponding period 2010 – 2015, on account of bad economic policies and management of the economy by the former finance minister.

Not only did the former minister of finance, and by extension the previous government, engage in reckless spending; the evidence would show that there was huge misallocation of resources which resulted in the underperformance of the country’s many productive sectors. The former minister’s philosophy in administering fiscal policy was one that was contractionary rather than expansionary and devoid of any transformative developmental trajectory of the country. In this regard, from examining the economic data for the period 2010 – 2014, capital expenditure accounted for more than 30 per cent of government’s total expenditure. During the period 2015–2019 on the other hand, capital expenditure declined from a high of 35 per cent of total expenditure to as low as 23 per cent of total expenditure. Thus, more monies were expended on unproductive activities which resulted in excessive wastage of public funds – many of which are being uncovered almost on a daily basis.

Had it not been for oil discovery in 2015, today the economy would have been in serious trouble, especially since the Bank

of Guyana (BoG) has been struggling to meet its international reserve target or three months of import-cover since the last quarter of 2017. This is in fact the main reason why it has had to sell off its gold reserves and has been buying up foreign exchange (FX) from the private FX market (commercial banks) since 2017. The BoG has had cause to buy up about US$300M to prop up its reserves.

Fortunately, the FX in the commercial banks has not been depleted and that is largely because of oiland-gas-related activities, where there is a continuous inflow of FX coming into the system, and it is helping to maintain some stability. Bearing in mind that the BoG has never had cause over the last 10 years or so, prior to 2017, to buy up FX from the commercial banks. It has in fact always enjoyed a net sales position to the commercial banks.

Overall, the nonoil economy shrunk by $182 billion (US$840 million) cumulatively for the period 2015 – 2020, while the total losses in exports (except gold & other exports), public investments and private consumption combined, amounted to a whopping $647 billion or US$3 billion – when compared to the period 2010 – 2014.

(To be continued) Yours sincerely, Joel Bhagwandin Financial Analyst

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 4, 2022

Guyana must find ‘sweet spot’ in oil block auctions, says energy consultancy official

By Tamica Garnett

HAVING the right fiscal regime will be the most important factor if Guyana is to get the most out of the sale of its remaining oil blocks at the upcoming auction that the country has scheduled for the third quarter of 2022.

This was the opinion shared by Senior Vice President and Head of Latin America for Rystad Energy, Schreiner Parker, during a press conference on Wednesday at the boardroom of Sagacity/OilNOW. Parker explained that even as the country looks to get optimum prices for the blocks, Guyana will have to ensure it does not ask for too high prices on the oil blocks or it could scare away investors.

“It’s going to come down to the fiscal terms…

What is going to be important is that the fiscal regime represents the fact that these are still exploration blocks and that companies do have to come and invest monies,” Parker commented.

Rystad Energy is an independent energy research and business intelligence company providing data, analytics and consultancy services to clients exposed to the energy industry

Senior Vice President and Head of Latin America for Rystad Energy, Schreiner Parker (Carl Elvin Croker photo)

across the globe. Schreiner has been working with Rystad since January 2016.

According to Parker, Guyana stands to gain much out of the auction, given the attractiveness of the basin, due to the success of the Stabroek block; however, that’s not to say that the country could not lose out if conditions are not favourable for investors. He believes that finding the right equilibrium will be crucial.

“The expectation, and what we would probably

see, is that the fiscal regime will be more favourable to Guyana, but it’s a matter of getting that right. What is the sweet spot?

“What’s more favourable but not to such an extent that you scare off potential investors because [they] can’t make the economics work [if] the government takes [them] too high,” Parker noted.

Parker pointed to neighbouring Brazil as an example where such a case played out, noting that despite good prospects, Brazil

eventually scared away investors due to the terms that were offered.

“In recent years, they have had unsuccessful bid rounds. Even though Brazil is an extremely important source of offshore production globally, they were unable to attract the interest that they wanted because the fiscal regimes were too onerous and they were asking for too much,” Parker said.

“So the balance that Guyana is going to have to strike on these new blocks is understanding that we’re no longer going to have the Stabroek [block] fiscal regime that’s done and over, we are a petroleum province,” he remarked.

Guyana currently has an estimated recoverable resource of 11 billion oil equivalent barrels in the Stabroek Block, which is currently the country’s only oil producing block.

The block is owned by ExxonMobil, which has 45 percent stake, in partnership with Hess (30 per cent) and China’s CNOOC (25 per cent).

ExxonMobil is also the operator of the Canje and Kaieteur Blocks offshore Guyana. CGX, together with Frontera Energy Corporation, operates the Corentyne and Demerara

blocks, and also has a share in the Berbice block.

Due to the accelerated development of the Stabroek Block, Guyana has gained massive attention for its oil finds.

Currently, exploring companies have made more than 30 discoveries in the Stabroek Block with two projects, the Liza Phases One and Two, already producing a combined 360,000 barrels per day.

Two other projects, the Payara and Yellowtail are currently scheduled to come on stream in 2023 and 2025, respectively.

However, notwithstanding the massive success of the Stabroek block, and great potential of the other blocks, there has not been much successful commercial discoveries outside of the Stabroek block.

What is important to note, Parker emphasised, is that the oil blocks are exploratory blocks which will require major capital investments, which is why, he believes, government should be cautious with how much it asks for.

“We can’t expect that its guaranteed success that every hole that’s poked into the ground is going to produce oil, so getting that fiscal regime correct is going to be paramount for

construction phase, and upon completion.

Government is ensuring that all Guyanese can participate in the economy. The Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL)— government’s flagship, free online scholarship initiative—is one such avenue available for educational development.

An openness to dialogue with stakeholders at home and with international partners abroad is a hallmark of the PPP/C administration.

There are those who continue to demonstrate a lack of political maturity in this new

dispensation that requires a commitment to democratic governance shaped, in part, by meaningful dialogue and consultation.

These forces remain committed to the failed politics of using race as their platform to divide, instead of offering constructive ideas to develop a future for all Guyanese.

The government would not be distracted by those who have embraced obstructionism to the detriment of Guyanese achieving their full potential.

The PPP/C administration has demonstrated its willingness to work with all Guyanese

9

attracting interests from oil and gas players globally,” Parker related.

Notwithstanding the massive capital intensive exploration work that would have to go into developing the remaining blocks, Parker does not foresee Guyana having any trouble in attracting potential bidders for the remaining blocks.

“If the fiscal terms are right and they incentivise explorers to come and invest capital here then I think that Guyana is one of the hottest stories in international oil and gas right now and there’s a lot of appetite to come here,” Parker said.

As pertains to the government potentially carrying out its own three-dimensional (3D) seismic surveys of the blocks to better evaluate their value, Parker said that would not essentially be necessary taking into account the attention Guyana is already receiving.

“Something like that could be of interest, but, at the same time, the story is so hot here in Guyana and everyone is really interested in this country; you may not have to do that type of pre-work to have interested parties,” he said.

APNU+AFC bankrupt of ideas, solutions for modern...

FROM PAGE 8

refused to shake President’s Ali’s hand during Emancipation Day celebrations in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

The fact remains that President Ali continues to herald the return of democratic rule through an inclusive pathway of prosperity for all Guyanese.

Government has committed to a progressive future that is bolstered by peace, prudent management of our natural resources, economic stability, respect for the rule of law, and where the rights of all citizens are guaranteed.

The PPP/C admin-

istration has repaired Guyana’s image globally as a welcoming destination for investors, strengthened democratic institutions, secured Guyana’s sovereignty while preparing citizens for new opportunities in the economy, and protecting Guyanese businesses in the oiland-gas sector to ensure that locals benefit foremost from the available resources.

Upon the assumption of government, the PPP/C removed over 200 punitive taxes foisted upon Guyanese by the APNU+AFC administration, and instead implemented a range of measures to provide

relief for residents, due to the increase in prices for goods and services globally.

Despite the global challenges, more Guyanese are owning homes and accessing lands for development through an aggressive approach to housing and business development.

This vision is unfolding in changes to the physical landscape of our country, which continues to develop at a rapid pace due to renewed private-sector confidence in our economy.

Several hotels are under construction which will create jobs for Guyanese during the

by engaging with communities and villages across Guyana through Cabinet outreaches.

This is an inclusive government at work.

Feedback from residents at these community meetings is helping to define policies, prioritise projects and is shaping a new participatory approach on how government responds to the needs of its citizen.

P re s i d e n t A l i i s leading the transformational development of Guyana where no Guyanese will be left out, none will be overlooked, and none will be abandoned under the ‘One Guyana’ approach.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 4, 2022

Guyana could produce 1.5M barrels of oil per day by 2035 - Rystad Energy says, determines that the country is recording ‘massive gains’ from the Stabroek Block - nation well positioned to remain strong contender in the supply mix

By Tamica Garnett GUYANA is on course to produce over 1.5

million barrels of oil equivalent per day (BoE) by 2035, according to information re-

leased by Rystad Energy.

The Norwegian research company was

able to arrive at this projection after assessing statistics from the ongoing operations at the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana.

The full findings of the report were outlined on Wednesday by Senior Vice-President and Head of Latin America for Rystad Energy, Schreiner Parker, during a press briefing in the boardroom of Sagacity/ OilNOW. According to Parker, daily production could increase even further by 2040 should there be additional discoveries by operators within Guyana’s oil-and-gas sector.

He went on to say that increased production also means increased revenues, so Guyana is well positioned to receive at least US$3.6 billion per annum by 2030 and US$12.4 billion annually by 2040.

“Things are moving so quickly here,” Parker commented, noting that the projections included in the report do not cater for ExxonMobil’s recent discoveries at the Seabob-1 and Kiru-Kiru wells.

Guyana’s Stabroek Block currently boasts estimated recoverable resources of approxi-

mately 11 billion barrels of oil. ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator of the block and holds 45 per cent interest. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 per cent interest.

The Rystad Report examines oil-and-gas operations and Guyana’s rise from a frontier exploration player to being one of the top five offshore producers in the world; this is a title which the country could hold over the next decade.

Parker said Guyana presents material value and growth for both the government and international oil companies.

The report also focuses on the advantaged n a t u r e o f G u y a n a ’s deep-water production due to its lower emissions intensity and lowcost resources. It also establishes that Guyana is taking steps to implement best governance practices in order to harness oil-and-gas revenues to promote broader economic development According to the Rystad report, while Guyana currently ranks 20th

among the top oil producers in 2022, by 2035 Guyana is expected to place as the number four offshore oil-producing country in the world.

BIG JUMP “[This is] ahead of more historic provinces like Norway and the United States, United Kingdom and Mexico.

So, this is quite the big jump in a small amount of time. You wouldn’t have necessarily thought that in the span of 12 to 14 years you could have made that big of a jump, but from what we’ve seen that picture is very realistic,” Parker commented.

The report also presented a comparative analysis of the government’s take if the Stabroek Block were developed in other territories.

This showed that Guyana rakes in a 59 per cent profit or US$41 billion, and places the country with a higher percentage and total value when compared to countries such as the US. “If we run the Stabroek Block in the country like the United States, we see that the fiscal regime in the US TURN TO PAGE 11

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 4, 2022

Young accounting scholar meets President Ali

GUYANESE scholar, Chirag Chadwani, who placed number 11 globally and is the top performer in the Caribbean in the Audit and Assurance examination from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), met President, Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday.

Chadwani’s father, Devidas, was also present for the meeting at the President’s Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown office.

President Ali praised Chadwani for his accomplishment and encouraged him to ensure he has a balanced life, a Facebook post from the official page of the President’s Office confirmed.

In April, the Guyana Chronicle reported Chadwani’s success. The young

scholar had also landed a Grade I in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certification’s (CSEC) Principles of Accounts examination when he was only 12 years old.

The former student of Mae’s Schools, was the top performer for the Caribbean in that particular examination paper, the ACCA confirmed on its Facebook page.

“119,688 entered for the December sitting, which saw 145,692 exams completed. A total of 4,288 students completed their final exams to become ACCA affiliates. In the face of the continued pandemic, ACCA also offered remotely invigilated exams to 9,809 students across numerous jurisdictions,” the professional body said on its website.

FROM PAGE 10 for offshore would yield a 40 per cent take for the US government and total government take is $27 billion,” Parker noted.

Wi t h n e w b l o c k s coming on stream in Guyana, it is expected that this government’s share will change.

Parker pointed out that Guyana falls in the median range on the scale of what differing governments would’ve gotten out of the oil block if it were developed in their territory.

This shows that Guyana is still making massive gains off of the block.

“The fact that Guyana sits right in the middle is something of interest, because the Stabroek Block could have different take in different regions,” he said, adding: “The prolific discoveries will create significant values for both the government and the companies.

“Again these numbers are subject to change with more discoveries and we know that Exxon has a rather rigorous exploration plan still yet to be done for Guyana, so these numbers could and should only go up with more commercial discoveries.”

Parker commended the government for its mechanisms and institu-

tions implemented in recent years to decentralise oversight of various areas of management of the oil-and-gas industry.

INSTITUTIONS ARE IMPORTANT “The institutions are extremely important because institutions are designed to outlive administrations and institutions are what provide an anchor to avoid problems that administrations can have,” Parker explained.

He said the Sovereign Wealth Fund, the local content legislation, and the country joining the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) are some of the areas where the country is “getting it right” in terms of governance.

According to the report, Guyana has ranked higher than most other non-OECD countries in the World Bank governance dimensions; however, more work is required, as shown by its low EITI ranking in 2022.

The report also looked at the longterm sustainability of Guyana’s deep-water resources, given the impending energy transition. The report predicts that energy demand will peak around 2026 at 106 million BoE before drastically declining to as little as 30 to 50 mil-

Guyana could produce... lion BEE by 2050.

As this decline occurs, it will be a case of survival of the fittest oil resources. But even as demand for oil resources peter out, Parker believes, that the quality of the resources produced in Guyana will strategically position the country to still be a massive contender despite declines.

According to Parker, the future of the reduced demand will favour supplies coming from resources that have a low break-even cost, meaning the point where profits being to generate, while the second factor being that the resource has low emissions intensity when compared to other resource suppliers.

In both of these regards, Guyana’s resources are well positioned to remain a strong contender in the supply mix.

“If we look at the offshore production globally and the costsupply curve, Guyana fits very nicely,” Parker said, adding: “When we look at the break even to Guyana, it’s around averaging $28 per barrel and this includes future developments as well. This really positions Guyana well in terms of being an attractive source of supply in the future.”

President, Dr Irfaan Ali flanked by Chirag Chadwani (right) and his father, Devidas (Office of the President photo)

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Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh hands over essential cleaning and sanitising supplies to health officials in Region Six

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 4, 2022

Region Six health department gets timely boost - with receipt of essential cleaning, sanitising supplies

SENIOR Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, while in Region Six on Tuesday, handed over a quantity of essential cleaning and sanitation supplies to the health department of Region Six. The exercise was conducted by the minister on behalf of the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), a sub agency of the Ministry of Finance which receives financial support from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

Prior to handing over the supplies, Dr. Singh also took the opportunity to remind health officials that they all play an important role in ensuring that quality healthcare is provided to Guyanese.

He highlighted government’s investment in the area of health by referencing the recent sod-turning ceremony for a new maternal and paediatric care hospital.

The government, he said, wants to ensure that all mothers, expectant mothers and newborn infants enjoy quality and modern health care.

Dr. Singh added that the government is also committed to constructing six new modern regional hospitals with one to be constructed in Region Six, as well

as more health centres countrywide including a new one soon to be completed at Fort Ordinance.

“In addition to this, recognising the unique geography of Guyana, we want to make sure also that we deliver quality health care even to remote communities, including hinterland communities and small Amerindian village, and we are going to be developing four telemedicine centres so that we can use the expertise that is located at the major centres like Georgetown, New Amsterdam and elsewhere and deploy that expertise to the benefit of remote communities as well,” the minister said.

“Whatever job you do, you are providing a critical service to a large population base and you are providing that service to people at a time when they are most vulnerable,” Dr. Singh said, noting that health officials in the region must ensure that they deliver quality care to patients in a “sensitive, attentive and compassionate manner,” and the government is committed to supporting this process by providing each stakeholder with the infrastructure and all essential health supplies to carry out this service.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 4, 2022

Over $700M to be disbursed - through education across Region Six cash grant initiative SENIOR Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, has said that $700 million will be disbursed across Region Six through the education cash grant initiative, which was rolled out countrywide on Tuesday.

During a distribution exercise at the J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School, Dr Singh, said: “I don’t want you to view this cash grant as an isolated initiative… it represents a much larger policy initiative being implemented by the government.

“We will ensure adequate access and we are building out enough infrastructure. I know that you have a high level of trained teachers already in Region Six, but you are not at 100 per cent. Our objective is to achieve 100 per cent trained teacher status. Thirdly, we are committed to ensuring that all schools are

equipped to deliver quality education.”

Dr Singh said this is the agenda at a time when Guyana’s economy is undergoing dramatic changes and is now ranked among the fastest-growing economies in the world.

He told parents that with all the opportunities being made available, their children face the brightest prospects over prior generations in the history of Guyana.

“Every parent wants their children to enjoy a life that is better than the life they [the parents] had. We all have an interest in ensuring that our children have a good education. It will not only have an impact on the children, but also your entire families, the community in which you live and the country as a whole,” Dr. Singh said.

The senior minister during his visit to Region Six, was accompanied by Regional

Chairman, David Armogan, and acting Regional Executive Officer, Mary Samaroo.

While in the region, Minister Singh also visited the Port Mourant and Cropper Primary Schools, where he checked on the status of the education cash grant distribution and interacted with teachers and parents at those schools.

More than 23,000 students across Region Six are expected to benefit from the education cash grant initiative.

The Ministry of Education, on Tuesday, began the distribution of the education cash grant across the country, as parents of school-aged children turned up at schools to uplift their vouchers in the sum of $30,000.

This initiative will result in the direct injection of $6 billion into the local economy, according to the Ministry of Finance.

The PPP, in its mani-

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh travelled to Region Six to continue disbursement of the education cash grants

festo, had promised that by 2025, each schoolage child will receive $50,000.

The “Because We Care” project was started in 2014 under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, and saw parents receiving cash

Over $700 million will be disbursed across Region Six as part of the education cash grant initiative

grants of $10,000 per child in the public school system.

H o w e v e r, w h e n the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) assumed office in 2015, they discontinued the initiative, which was

not only restored when the PPP/C returned to office in 2020, but was significantly increased.

Noting that the restoration of the cash grant initiative is the fulfilment of a promise that it made, Education Minister Priya Manickchand had said that the government wants to ensure that parents are given a helping hand that will go towards the education and success of all Guyanese children.

“You will see that nobody is going to ask you how you voted; nobody is going to ask you to take off your mask or take off your hat, so that we can see the colour of your skin or the texture of your hair,” Minister Manickchand said, adding: “Nobody is going to ask you whether you are male or female; nobody is going to ask you how you prayed last Sunday or last Friday; nobody is going to ask you which street you come from.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 4, 2022

Shadehouse for Corentyne Comprehensive High School — other inputs to boost Agri Science Dept, Minister Mustapha announces

S T U D E N T S f ro m t h e Corentyne Comprehensive High School’s Agricultural Science Department will soon benefit from improved facilities for the practical aspect of their studies.

This follows a commitment made by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Wednesday to assist the school with a shadehouse and other agriculture-related items.

The minister was at the time spearheading the government’s ‘Because We Care’ Cash Grant distribution exercise in Region Six. Minister Mustapha, who is also a past student of the school, said the ministry was in the process of implementing several transformative projects to get more young

people involved in agriculture.

“I attended this school from 1980 to 1985 and I am proud to be back here today.

I’ve been going around the country because the ministry has a lot of initiatives that we’ve been rolling out.

Guyana is now leading the agriculture sector in the Caribbean. Our President is leading the food drive in CARICOM to reduce the import bill by 25 per cent by the year 2025. I want to make this commitment. The Ministry of Agriculture will be donating a shadehouse to the school along with a set of agricultural tools. We’ll also work along with them to develop their poultry- rearing activities. GLDA will help them with building the pens and supplying the birds, so

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

that the school can benefit from an all-around agriculture operation,” the minister disclosed.

As it relates to the grant, Minister Mustapha said the government was keen on developing the country’s human-resource capacity

so that the other sectors can also develop.

Noting the importance of the grant, the minister said that the government was going to continue to offer assistance to Guyanese to further their education.

“This grant is intended

to aid parents because we know many parents find it hard to get critical supplies like books, stationery, and even school uniforms for their children to attend school. I want to urge you, the parents, to use the monies to purchase the necessary school supplies for your children. The government is already providing free textbooks for public school students. The best foundation for a child’s future is a sound education. We can have all the natural resources and wealth in the world but if we do not develop our human resources, we’ll continue to remain poor. That is why, as a government, we are making the largest budgetary allocation to the education sector because we recognise the importance of

education,” Minister Mustapha said.

In addition to the cash grant, Minister Mustapha also said that the government recently awarded thousands of fully-funded scholarships for persons to study at a number of prestigious education institutions across the world. This, he said, was also in keeping with the government’s commitment to ensure the country’s human resource is developed in addition to making more academic opportunities available to Guyanese.

Minister Mustapha also participated in the distribution exercise at the Tain Primary School. At the end of the exercise, approximately $37,620,000 was distributed at the two centres.

(Ministry of Agriculture)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 4, 2022

‘It’s more than craft’

By Naomi Parris

A BIG part of Guyana’s culture and that of its first people, the Amerindians, is art and craft.

On the consumer end, it may just seem like another unique ornament or a fine of piece of jewellery, however, for Janette Patterson and many other Amerindian women, it is a way of life and a means of getting by.

The 65-year-old woman hails from Santa Mission, an Amerindian village located in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

Patterson, a frequent visitor to the capital city, Georgetown, makes her gruelling journey to Guyana’s only city via Kamuni Creek and the Demerara River.

The Guyana Chronicle recently met her at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, where she was displaying an array of ornaments, accessories and finely woven

products during the five-day National Toshaos Conference in July.

In a brief ‘gyaff’ with this newspaper, the woman disclosed that she had been lobbying for greater support and recognition for the Amerindian talents.

She explained that while it is very costly for her to travel, she makes the regular sacrifice for herself, her family and the many other craftswomen she partners with in the village.

“Where we live, its expensive for us to travel. Where transportation is concerned, it is very expensive. We are always saying this is our need,” she said.

However, Patterson is concerned that as she gets older, she may not be able to make the regular journey to the city to market the Santa Mission crafts.

She explained that while it may just be craft for some, it is a tradition that holds a significance in the lives of many Amerindians.

“It’s a sustainable way of life…in helping our ladies and

helping myself where we would send our children to school after selling the items.

“Our children come to school in Georgetown and we need money to pay the guardian, transportation and all different things,” Patterson intimated.

She further added that while she makes as many trips as she can and takes advantage of every opportunity she gets to showcase Amerindian craft, she’s also working to preserve the tradition of craft-making.

Patterson believes that while technology is a booming factor in most young people’s lives, nurturing a new generation of brilliance and talent is essential for the proliferation of craft.

As such, while her children have varying jobs, they each support their mother however they can with her craft.

This, she believes, makes it all the more important to advance the work of the Santa Mission women.

“Well, I started like over 30 years [ago], and because now

- Santa Mission women market their work to sustain families

I’m getting to [old] age… I may not be able to do as before. So, they (the Santa Mission women) do it too and I try to encourage them to keep it up,” Patterson

said.

“It’s important to pass it on to my younger generation, because this here is our culture and it’s not good for them to

forget about it because this is the one thing that has been helping us financially,” she explained.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 4, 2022

Guyana officials to engage Suriname on return of confiscated fishing vessels, equipment

FOLLOWING the release of the three boat captains who were detained in Suriname as a result of lacking requisite documentation, the Government of Guyana is hoping to soon engage Surinamese authorities to have the confiscated vessels and equipment returned to

Guyana shores.

This was, on Wednesday, disclosed by Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, who, during a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle, said the three men were released on Tuesday; however their vessels and shipping equipment remained

in the custody of Surinamese authorities.

The men were identified as Ramesh Ramchand and Mahendra Bissessar of Annandale, East Coast Demerara (ECD); and Troy Tyrell of Lusignan, ECD. “I had a meeting with them yesterday. They told me

that they were in Suriname waters and they had licence but it was a fake licence somebody gave them,” Minister Mustapha said in the interview.

This newspaper understands that the licences were rented to the Guyanese fishermen by a Surinamese local.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha

The men, who had been in Surinamese custody since last week, were fined a hefty sum of 100,000 SRD (Approximately GY$851,000).

According to Mustapha, the nine crew members, who were already deported to Guyana, were not penalised as it was only the boat captains who were found with the inauthentic licences.

Mustapha said he has engaged Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, on potentially connecting with officials in Suriname to see the return of the confiscated vessels and equipment to Guyana.

“Their equipment and vessels were confiscated by the Surinamese authority. I raised it with our Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minster Todd. Hopefully, we can get

back their vessels and fishing equipment,” the Agriculture Minister said.

Minister Mustapha noted that, while his ministry was able to give the men some support in the form of hampers, he was hopeful that, with the return of their vessels and equipment, they can return to Guyanese waters to ply their trade once again.

According to Surinamese law, fishing licences are only granted to citizens of that country; however, there has been an unsanctioned arrangement where Guyanese fisher folk have been fishing in Surinamese waters with rented licences from Surinamese nationals, the Agriculture Minister said. The same is also true for Surinamese fisher folk fishing in Guyanese waters.

(Naomi Parris)

Boats moored at the Number 66 Fishery Complex in Corentyne, Berbice (Nafeeza Yahya photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 4, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 4, 2022

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday August 04, 2022) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) WI won by 5 wickets (2) Obed Mc Koy (WI) Today’s Quiz: (1) What was the result of the third T20 Int’l of the current WI/IND series?

(2) Who was voted Man of the Match?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue ……………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………… …………………………………………….

American Racing Tips Saratoga

South Africa Racing Tips

Race 1 Lady Quinn

Vaal

Race 2 Cowichan

08:35 hrs Ipso Facto

Race 3 Poston Post Road

09:05 hrs Godswood

Race 4 Exfilration

09:35 hrs Pinda Mzala

Race 5 Mistical Curlin

10:05 hrs Romeo’s Magic

Race 6 New York Panther

10:35 hrs Legislate’s Dance

Race 7 Sacred Time Irish Racing Tips English Racing Tips

Leopardstown

Nottingham

11:45 hrs Plankton

08:30 hrs Zara’s Return

12:15 hrs Bantry

09:00 hrs Holocene

12:45 hrs Tauran Shaman

09:30 hrs Nigwa

13:15 hrs Layfayette

10:00 hrs Rodolfo

13:45 hrs Middlemarch

10:30 hrs Chichen Itza

14:20 hrs Supposedtobe

11:00 hrs Little Muddy

14:50 hrs Stormy Jen 15:25 hrs Rich Belief

Sandown 12:36 hrs Bruno’s Gold

Canadian Racing Tips

13:06 hrs Bonny Angel

Woodbine

13:36 hrs Desert Order

Race 1 Image Run

14:15 hrs Frantastic

Race 2 Spinel

14:45 hrs Marlay Park

Race 3 All The Diamonds

15:18 hrs Fulfilled

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 4, 2022

Albon re-signs for Williams Alex Albon finished 10th in Australia and ninth in Miami this season

(BBC) - Williams have retained Alex Albon as their driver in Formula 1 for what they say is

next season "and beyond".

The team announced on Tuesday that they

had signed a "multi-year agreement" with the British-born Thai driver.

Albon said: "The team are pushing hard to progress, and I am really motivated to continue on this journey."

Williams team principal Jost Capito added: "Alex brings a great blend of skill and insightful learnings that will help bring greater success."

Albon joined Williams for this season after a year on the sidelines as Red Bull reserve after the drinks company dropped him following two years

with their junior and then senior teams in 2019 and 2020.

The 26-year-old has impressed on his return to F1 and has scored three points for Williams, who are struggling towards the back of the grid this season.

Albon said: "I look forward to seeing what we can achieve as a team in the remainder of this season and next year."

Capito said that Albon is a "tremendous driver and valued member" of Williams Racing.

"We're thrilled to be

able to confirm we will be working with him on a long-term basis," he added.

"He's a fierce competitor, has proved a popular and loyal team member and we are delighted that he will provide a stable base for us to continue to develop in this new F1 car era."

Williams did not reveal the length of the contract or name Albon's team-mate for 2023.

Current driver Nicholas Latifi is believed to have been told he will not be retained, and is expect-

ed to lose his seat.

The favourite for the second seat is Dutchman Nyck de Vries, the reigning Formula E champion and a test and reserve driver for the Mercedes F1 team.

Reacting to the announcement on social media later yesterday, Albon poked fun at the ongoing trouble at rival F1 team Alpine, who on Tuesday announced Oscar Piastri as one of their drivers for 2023 only to be contradicted

by Australian on social media hours later.

India thrash Barbados in CWG 2022

(ESPNCRICINFO) Ruthlessness underlined India’s dismantling of Barbados in a must-win as they waltzed into the semi-finals of Commonwealth Game (CWG) 2022 yesterday evening.

In what should count as one of the biggest positives, India’s batting depth was on display after the prolific pair of Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur contributed all of five runs in a total of 162.

Then, their young bowling, led by the ever-improving Renuka Singh snuffed out any fight Barbados may have put up well inside the power-play to reduce the contest to one-way traffic.

A DREAM BEGINNING Playing in just her third T20I, medium pacer Shanika Bruce struck in her first over when she removed Mandhana with the new ball. Looking to whip a full toss, Mandhana missed a full delivery to be hit flush on the heel as Barbados benefited from a prudent DRS call to leave India 5 for 1.

But the early loss was

offset quickly as Shafali Verma counter-punched immediately to hoist India’s fifty inside the power-play with no further loss, even as Barbados contributed generously to it with some ordinary fielding.

RODRIGUES STANDS TALL Yastika Bhatia’s absence meant an opportunity for Jemimah Rodrigues to make a statement at No. 3, and she didn’t disappoint. She opened her account with a thick edge for four in the third over and didn’t hit another boundary till the 15th over. Yet, in-between, she kept turning strike over by nurdling balls into gaps and running hard between the wickets.

When Shafali went on an all-out attack - slapping short balls over mid-off and flat-batting pulls into the leg side, Rodrigues slipped into the role of a second fiddle; her contribution being all of 12 runs when the half-century stand was raised. Then when India lost 3 for 16 in the space of four overs to slip from a comfortable 76 for 1 to 92 for 4, she

showed calmness as India kept chugging along.

This passage included a terrible mix-up with Shafali, which Rodrigues more than made up for by batting through to make an unbeaten 46-ball 56.

It was only her seventh in T20Is in 49 innings.

THE FINAL FLOURISH Rodrigues turned the screws in the 16th over when she went after Shakera Selman. Making room to access the offside, Rodrigues displayed her strong bottom-handed stroke-play. as she walloped a full-length delivery down the ground for six and followed that with a slap over cover to a perfectly acceptable length delivery two balls later.

Deepti Sharma, another player who has profited immensely from time in overseas leagues, was an able ally. She used the long handle from time to time, finishing with an unbeaten 28-ball 34, as India smashed 58 off the last five overs.

RENUKA’S RAMPAGE Four nights after she announced herself with

Radha Yadav and Deepti Sharma celebrate a wicket with Renuka Singh Thakur ( Getty Images)

a new-ball burst for the ages against Australia, she was at it again. Off her third ball of the innings, she sent back a charging Deandra Dottin for a duck. Two balls into her second over, she had Hayley Matthews who picked out mid-on.

Then captain persisted with her for a third straight over in what was an excellent bit of cap-

taincy from Harmanpreet, and Renuka all but sealed it with the wickets of Kycia Knight - played on - and Aaliyah Alleyne, who was done in by a devious in-swinger that she left on a length to find her stumps flattened.

At 19 for 4 in five overs, Barbados were starting at the inevitable.

India’s spinners then got into the game and

made merry, the returning Pooja Vastrakar got some game-time ahead of bigger battles and their fielders took catches that had coach Ramesh Powar very excited.

The ghosts of Australia, where they let it slip from a winning position, weren’t going to have another field day. This was as emphatic as it could get.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 4, 2022

Massy Group becomes Women’s Caribbean Premier League title sponsor

MASSY Group has confirmed that the company will be the title sponsor for the inaugural Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) which gets underway on August 31 in St Kitts.

The Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) will feature three teams: Barbados Royals, Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders.

Teams will play each other in four exciting Twenty20 matches at Warner Park, one of the fastest scoring grounds in world cricket.

The teams will be captained

by Hayley Matthews (Barbados Royals), Stafanie Taylor (Guyana Amazon Warriors) and Deandra Dottin (Trinbago Knight Riders).

Each of the three Massy WCPL teams will have the best players from the region as well as exciting overseas players to round out their squads as women’s cricket is given huge exposure across the Caribbean

and around the world.

“As one of the largest employers in the region, a significant percentage of our workforce is comprised of women.”

Massy, which operates from 59 locations across the English-speaking Caribbean, has a workforce which averages 70% female.

“Creating opportunities for women to grow and develop is integral to our business and inherent to our purpose.

“With sponsorship support which we hope will continue to grow for years to come, we believe that CPL will continue to develop this tournament to create opportunities for professional, Caribbean, female athletes,” commented Marc Rostant, Senior Vice-President, Massy Motors, who spoke on behalf of the Massy Group to announce the sponsorship.

Jamie Stewart, CPL’s Commercial Director, said: “When we set out to create the Women’s CPL, it was important to find a partner that would help

Marc Rostant, Anisa Mohammed, Canisha Isaac, Reniece Boyce, Karishma Ramharack and Jean Pierre Du Coudray celebrate the Massy WCPL partnership

build the profile and stature of the game and players around the region, with the ultimate goal of making them household faces.

“In Massy, one of the region’s great companies, we feel the WCPL has the perfect partner. - Massy Group - via their stores spanning the east-

ern Caribbean, to touch more people each day than any other company in the region.

“We thank the Group and the Stores and Auto divisions

for believing in the vision, and look forward to working with them to give the region’s female stars the support and exposure they deserve.”

South Africa stand strong to hold off Ireland

(ESPNCRICINFO) Ireland have run India, New Zealand and now South Africa close, but

closer than that margin would suggest for much of their innings.

On a ground with short

Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks put up 112 runs for the third wicket (AFP/Getty Images)

not close enough, as they slumped to their seventh successive defeat in T20Is. This time, they were asked to complete their highest successful chase and fell 21 runs short, though they were

straight and square boundaries, bowlers across both sides had expensive outings. South Africa posted their highest score against Ireland, though they may have wanted it to be higher still. After slipping

to 45 for 2, a 112-run third-wicket stand between Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram put them in a position to push for a score of 220-plus.

Gareth Delany removed the pair in successive deliveries, and Ireland had the chance to pull South Africa back.

But Tristan Stubbs’ 24 off 11 balls and Dwaine Pretorius’ 21 off seven deliveries helped South Africa post 53 runs off the last four overs.

South Africa were helped by an undisciplined effort from Ireland with the ball. They bowled 13 wides - and more than two extra overs as a result - and only three of their seven-bowler attack conceded less than ten runs an over.

South Africa’s spinners were the only ones who did not travel, and in the absence of the injured

Kagiso Rabada and the rested Anrich Nortje, will be reasonably pleased with their effort. Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi took 4 for 66 in their combined eight overs and were complemented by clever use of slower balls from Lungi Ngidi, and yorkers by Dwaine Pretorius and Wayne Parnell.

Ireland were in the chase until the 17th over when Lorcan Tucker was dismissed. He put on 86 runs with George Dockrell for the sixth wicket and built on a strong power-play while brushing aside the loss of 3 for 12 between the eighth and the tenth over.

de Kock’s curious run Apart from a blazing undefeated 92 in the washed-out third ODI against England in Leeds, it has been a quiet tour for

Quinton de Kock, especially in T20Is. He has scored just 24 runs in four innings, and hasn’t looked like his usual destructive self. He had a busy but unremarkable start against Ireland too, with ones or twos scored mostly on the leg side.

That is when he tried to force things, and set off for a quick single after bunting Mark Adair down the ground. Harry Tector sensed an opportunity for an intervention, ran in from mid-off, and his direct hit found the stumps at the non-striker’s end, with de Kock short of his crease. The decision was confirmed on review, and South Africa were in early trouble on 23 for 1.

Hendricks in the runs again Here is one for your next sports quiz: What do Hendricks, Chris Gay-

le, Brendon McCullum, Gustav McKeon and Rayyankhan Pathan have in common?

They are the only five batters in the game to have scored four T20I fifties in succession, with Hendricks joining the list on the day.

He topped up on his three against England with an easy-as-you-likeit 74 yesterday. Hendricks looked in control from the moment he lofted Josh Little over the covers for six, with what seemed minimal effort.

He showed his power game with the pull and the cut, as also the smooth stroke-play he has built his reputation on with silken cover drives.

Hendricks’ fifty came up off 32 balls, and he went on to equal his career-best of 74 from 53 deliveries.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 4, 2022

Allicock, Amsterdam suffer ‘questionable’ exit at Commonwealth Games

By Rawle Toney in Birmingham, England

GUYANA’S 32-year wait for another boxing medal at the Commonwealth Games was extended yesterday, when Guyana’s Keevin Allicock and Desmond Amsterdam were at the receiving end of questionable decisions in their Featherweight and Middleweight Quarter-Finals respectively.

Spectators at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) Boxing Hall were bemused following the split-decision result in favour of Canada’s Keoma-Ali Al-Ahmadieh against Allicock.

In an entertaining Featherweight quarter-final bout at the Commonwealth Games, Allicock and Al-Ahmadieh entered the third and final round 1-1, after the judges from Scotland, Australia, Hungary, Italy, Germany and Malaysia, scored

round one for the Canadian and the second for the Guyanese.

However, at the end of the third, Allicock, based on his performance, felt he did enough to convince the judges to send him through.

In the end, all five judges handed the Canadian the final round and the fight 10-9 on the scorecards; much to the disappointment of the crowd at the arena that voiced their disapproval of the result.

“I was disappointed because I know I won the fight; not that I thought,” an obviously upset Allicock said following his bout.

“The first round was supposed to be scored unanimously. I went back into my corner with confidence. The second round, it was a draw and the last round he didn’t do much, plus he was getting a lot of warning; he wasn’t hitting me and I showed that I was a better boxer. I know the judges’ deci-

sion is final, but I’m not pleased with it.” Allicock said The 2017 Youth Commonwealth Games silver medallist, who became the first boxer since John Douglas (1996), to qualify for the Olympics, has been at the short end of some questionable results in his amateur career.

Asked about being weary of his results, Allicock said he’s not frustrated, but certainly disappointed. “I really wanted to take it home to my country (Guyana) and show everyone that I’m here, but unfortunately it didn’t happen, so I guess I just have to continue working and come again.”

Allicock’s coach, Sebert Blake said they will have to live with the decision yesterday, but was happy that his boxer was able to showcase his new fighting style at the second-largest multi-sport event (after the Olympic Games).

Aliyah Abrams stands alone on day of Track and Field ….Edghill, Cummings advance in Women’s Singles

A of mixed fortunes for Guyana on day of Track and Field at the Commonwealth Games, but when the dust was settled at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, Aliyah Abrams provided hope for the Land of Many Waters reaching a finals from the day’s preliminary rounds.

A time of 52.23 seconds was not only good enough for second place, but also put Abrams in the semi-finals of the women’s 400 metres.

Abrams is no stranger to the ‘big stage’ but this is her first Commonwealth Games; something she said is no different than the other major competition.

Kenisha Phillips ran 54.08s to finish sixth in Heat One of the Women’s 400m and started her first outing at the games on a disappointing note.

Quamel Prince was way off his best in the men’s 800m, finishing 6th in time of One minute, 50.52s

(1:50.82).

He did not advance to the semis.

Prince’s best time this season is 1:46.35, and his Personal Best time of 1:45.58s is Guyana’s National Record in the 400m.

It was not the Commonwealth Games debut that Arinze Chance wanted, but the National Indoor Record Holder ran 47.63s to finish 5th in the Men’s 400m Qualifiers.

His time was not fast enough to advance to the semi-finals. Chance will now focus on the 200m and 4X100m relay.

Meanwhile, Emanuel Archibald ran one of his slowest times this season, 10.43s, in the first of two semi-finals of the Men’s 100m.

The Finals was eventually won by Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala.

Over in the women’s, Jasmine Abrams ran 11.46s in the women’s semi-finals.

With a Personal Best-time

of 11.07s, which is Guyana’s National Record, Abrams has not ran anywhere close to her times at the Commonwealth Games since 2019, where she trotted to 11.48s.

Olympic Champion and the fastest woman alive in the 100m, won semi-finals that featured Abrams, and would go on to win her first individual Commonwealth Games gold medal with a time of 10.95s.

Phillips will return to the track today in the women’s 200m, along with Aliyah Abrams and Noelex Holder, Akeem Stewart and Arinze Chance will compete in the Men’s 200m Heats.

In table tennis, Chelsea Edghill and Natalie Cummings had superb showing in the women’s singles and were the only Guyanese, male or female, to advance to the Round-of-32.

Tennis will continue today with the Mixed Doubles, Women’s Doubles, Men’s Doubles and Singles Round-of-32.

GDF Sergeant, Desmond Amsterdam exited at the Quarter-finals of the Commonwealth Games

“This is the new Keevin, where he’s using his skills to outclass his opponents and we get it right in terms of the first two bouts, but now in the third, where we’re fighting for a medal, we were not able to convince the judges. But most people in the arena saw what was done in the entire bout, and it was just amazing that the decision was against him,” Blake said.

The Forgotten Youth Foundation coach pointed to patience, noting “you can see Keevin moving from one level, to the next and showing improvement. I think 2024 (Olympics) is and if we keep Keevin and other guys together, and give them the competition and the regular international

Take a bow! Keevin Allicock had a good showing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

exposure, I think things will turn in our favour.”

Meanwhile, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sergeant, Amsterdam, was not happy with his second-round, stoppage defeat to Australian Callum Peters in the Men’s Middleweight quarter-finals.

It was an exciting contest from the first bell, as the two slugged it out throughout. Amsterdam, at the time the fight was stopped, was receiving his second, standing eight-count.

Fighting at his first Commonwealth Games with the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Elite Championship bronze medallist said he felt good in the fight while the two traded punches, “When I got the first eight-count, I

didn’t feel anything. It’s just that I was weak on my defence, so I got an unexpected punch, but the second eight-count, It’s not supposed to go that way because both of us traded punches and both were connecting.”

Nonetheless, Amsterdam said he enjoyed his first games, while being adamant to do better at the next chance given.

Guyana will now have to wait another four years (2026 Australia) to replicate Bantamweight Wesley Christmas’ 1990 bronze medal, or emulate Lightweight Winfield Braithwaite’s 1978 gold medal performance since those were the last two to win boxing medals for the Land of Many Waters at the former British Empire Games.

Fung-A-Fat ends with Singles ‘Plate’ silver at Commonwealth Games … Guyana out of Mixed Doubles at Round-of-32

By Rawle Toney MARY Fung-A-Fat ensured that Guyana’s squash contingent did not leave the Commonwealth Games empty-handed, finishing in the runner-up position in the Women’s Plate competition.

When action resumed at the University of Birmingham’s Squash Courts, Fung-A-Fat faced India’s Sunayna Sara Kuruvilla in the women’s Plate Finals, but the Guyanese fell just short of the title, losing 0-3 (7-11, 13-11, 2-1).

Fung-A-Fat received her medal from legendary Squash player, Jahangir Khan of Pakistan.

Khan is one of International Squash most recognisable figures and is famous for his dominance at the Squash World Championships, where he reigned supreme from 1981 to 1985.

In 1986 he was second. He was also crowned World champion in 1988. Khan was second in 1991 and 1993, and took bronze in 1987 and 1989.

Meanwhile, things didn’t go so well for Guyana when the Mixed Doubles got on the way with the Round-of-32.

Fung-A-Fat partnered with Junior Caribbean Squash champion, Shomari Wiltshire, against the Malaysian pair of Ainaa Amani and Addeen Idrakie.

Fung-A-Fat and Wiltshire lost 0-2 (2-11, 10-11).

The Khalil siblings, Jason-Ray and Ashely, faced Wales’ Petre Creed and Emily Whitlock, also losing 0-2 (3-11, 10-11).

Today, the country’s squash players in Birmingham will go into the doubles competition.

Wiltshire and Jason-Ray Khalil are down to face Sri Lankans Laksiri Ravindu/Wakeel Shamil in Men’s Round-of-32.

Over in the Women’s Round-of-16, Fung-A-Fat and Ashley Khalil will play on the ‘show court’ televised match against New Zealand’s Joelle King and Amanda Landers-Murphy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 4, 2022

Allicock, Amsterdam suffer ‘questionable’ exit at Commonwealth Games SEE PAGE

23

GDF Sergeant, Desmond Amsterdam battling Australian Callum Peters at the Commonwealth Games

Fung-A-Fat ends with Singles ‘Plate’ silver at Commonwealth Games

SEE PAGE

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… Guyana out of Mixed Doubles at Round-of-32

Aliyah Abrams stands alone on day of Track and Field SEE PAGE

23

….Edghill, Cummings advance in Women’s Singles

Guyana’s Mary Fung-AFat and badminton legend Jahangir Khan after receiving her Women’s Plate second-place medal

Aliyah Abrams was all-smiles after advancing to the Semifinals of the women’s 400m

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| THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2022