Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 04-11-2023

SATURDAY 4th November, 2023

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUSIVE

No. 107254

‘We can’t wait on City Council’

- President Ali says to Georgetown residents; announces imminent commencement of drainage, road works - vows to continue aggressive development agenda

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(Japheth Savory photos)

Ahead of Venezuelan referendum

ICJ to hear Guyana’s request for provisional measures on Nov. 14

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First EU trade mission to visit Guyana from Nov. 20

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- eyes new investments in health, energy, climate change

Work moving apace on new Diamond Regional Hospital SEE PAGE

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(Adrian Narine photo)

EU maintains support for ICJ ruling on Guyana, Venezuela border controversy

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

Ahead of Venezuelan referendum...

ICJ to hear Guyana’s request for provisional measures on Nov. 14 THE International Court of Justice (ICJ) has set November 14, to consider Guyana's request for provision-

purpose of this referendum is “to obtain responses that would support Venezuela’s decision to abandon [the current pro-

bly is expected to convene on Monday for extraordinary session to consider a motion on the ongoing Guyana-Venezuela border

al measures to prevent Venezuela from proceeding with its planned referendum on the unlawful territorial claim of the Essequibo region.

In a statement on Friday, the World Court said that the hearing at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, will be devoted to the request for the indication of provisional measures submitted

by Guyana on October 30, 2023.

In its request, Guyana states that “[o]n 23 October 2023, the Government of Venezuela, through its National Electoral Council, published a list of five questions that it plans to put before the Venezuelan people in a . . . ‘Consultative Referendum’ on 3 December 2023”.

According to the request before the court, the

ceedings before the court], and to resort instead to unilateral measures to ‘resolve’ the controversy with Guyana by formally annexing and integrating into Venezuela all of the territory at issue in these proceedings, which comprises more than twothirds of Guyana.”

Guyana is seeking from the court an order preventing Venezuela from taking any action to seize, acquire or encroach upon, or assert or exercise sovereignty over the Essequibo region or any other part of Guyana’s national territory, pending the court’s final determination of the validity of the Arbitral Award that established the land boundary between the two states, and the final and binding nature of that boundary.

The National Assem-

controversy.

This special sitting takes place prior to Venezuela’s planned referendum, which seeks to create a new state which will include the portion of the Guyana’s territory that they have laid claim to.

While the specific agenda for the session remains undisclosed, it follows a recent meeting between delegations led

by President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton. Their discussions were centred on Venezuela’s upcoming referendum.

According to a recent joint statement from the opposition and government, both parties have agreed that Guyana’s sovereignty is paramount, and is a matter on which the Guyanese people are all completely united.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

‘We can’t wait on City Council’ - President Ali says to Georgetown residents; announces imminent commencement of drainage, road works - vows to continue aggressive development agenda

By Trina Williams TAKING the bull by the horns, President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Friday said that no effort will be spared to develop Georgetown communities that have been neglected

by City Hall.

He made this remark

President Dr. Irfaan Ali during his visit to Alberttown and Queenstown

Armas and Don Singh, to name a few.

“We can’t wait on the City Council no more,” President Ali said as he heard numerous complaints about the poor drainage and irrigation in the communities that he visited.

“I’m coming to see what the priorities are,

A d d i t i o n a l l y, a s President Ali expounded on the scope of works to be done within the area, he pressed for youth involvement in these projects.

As residents continued to flock the president to highlight the issues that were bothering them and the lack

An alleyway in Georgetown (Japheth Savory photos)

during impromptu visits to the Kingston community and the Alberttown/Queenstown area with People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP) Councillors Alfonso De

and we are going to do some work,” the president told a Kingston resident who complained that his community is being placed on the back burner.

of attention from City Hall, Dr. Ali expressed immense disappointment with the state of the communities.

“I wish City Council could listen to you;

right now, Central Government has to take all [of] the responsibilities from City Council,” he said, adding that almost all of the works currently being carried out within the capital city are being done by Central Government.

Dr. Ali related to the citizens that the alleyways will be cleaned, and drainage works will commence by next week Friday.

Also accompanying the Head of State were Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Kwame McCoy and Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar. “ We ’ r e g o i n g t o work with the community. The ministry and [PPP/C] councillors will work on putting together a group… to clear all the alleyways, drains, ensure the drains and alleyways are functional,” he said.

President Ali also stated that roads with minor defects will be patched by the end of this month.

During his visit to

Alberttown/Queenstown, residents raised issues concerning security, especially with street lights.

On the subject of security, Dr. Ali called for police officers to be more active and to construct outposts in key areas within the community, in order to crack down on crime. “ We ’ r e g o i n g t o work with you guys on a number of things,” the president said as he outlined the extensive work that needs to be done.

With regard to drainage and irrigation, road works and security, the Head of State gave his undying commitment that the community will see brighter days. He told the residents that works will commence in the next 12 days.

“We got to work with the community.

I want the community involved in the supervision and doing the works. This must be community-driven,” he asserted.

PPP/C Councillor Don Singh lauded the

president’s engagement with Georgetown residents.

“I’m so happy that the President came into our constituency; I mean, we will sit around the council and we will bring up all these issues of clogged drains, garbage issues, alleyways [being] distended with the wet season, and they will just simply tell you, ‘Well, we have no money; we are looking at it,’” Singh underscored as he expressed excitement that President Ali is taking matters into his own hands.

For over 27 years now, the City Council has been dominated by the People’s National Congress ( P N C ) . H o w e v e r, notwithstanding the PNC’s dominance, the PPP has been incrementally making significant inroads in Georgetown, as well as a number of other traditional PNC strongholds.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

ICJ to hear Guyana’s request for...

FROM PAGE 2

As such, they have condemned Venezuela’s flagrant violation of the Rule of Law, and agreed that no effort should be spared to resist its persistent endeavours to undermine Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The officials further agreed that the preservation and protection of the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty must be subserved by

a vigorous and comprehensive public relations programme, and a proactive and robust diplomatic effort aimed at blunting Venezuelan propaganda and misinformation as they relate to the territorial controversy, generally, and the Geneva Agreement in particular.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has also taken note of and has publicly rejected Venezuela’s latest claims and its

upcoming referendum.

In a statement, CARICOM said that two of the questions approved to be posed in the referendum, if answered in the affirmative, would authorise the government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to embark on the annexation of territory which constitutes part of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, and to create a state within Venezuela known as Guyana Essequibo.

The regional body reaffirmed that international law strictly prohibits the government of one state from unilaterally seizing, annexing or incorporating

the territory of another state. An affirmative vote as aforesaid opens the door to the possible violation of this fundamental tenet of international law, its statement said before adding that “It is to be emphasised that the land and water in question — the Essequibo Region of Guyana — comprises more than two-thirds of the whole of Guyana itself.

FAVOURABLE RULING Meanwhile, in April of this year, the World Court ruled that the case Guyana brought before it seeking to affirm the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award

settling the boundaries between it and Venezuela was admissible.

This meant that the court could move forward with hearing the substantive case on its merits, of whether the1899 Arbitral Award settling the boundaries of the two countries is valid and binding.

The ruling marked the second time that the international court has rejected jurisdictional objections raised by Venezuela.

Guyana moved to the ICJ with its case in March 2018, challenging the non-participating Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela over its disagreement on the legal validity and binding effect of the 1899 Award.

Venezuela maintained that the ICJ was without jurisdiction to hear the case and refused to participate in the court proceedings.

The Spanish-speaking country had claimed that it is the “sole indisputable inheritor” of the Essequibo region and the Monetary Gold Principle.

Although Venezuela had claimed that the ICJ did not have jurisdiction to hear the substantive case, it made a U-turn following the court’s December 2020 ruling on that aspect of the case. Venezuela, on that occasion, contended that Guyana had no standing in the matter. The court unanimously rejected Venezuela’s objection.

Guyana is seeking a final and binding judgement that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid, and that the Essequibo Region belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.

25 bids secured for marketing - Dr. Jagdeo says of Guyana’s crude oil 5

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

GENERAL Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has announced that Guyana has secured 25 bids for the marketing of its crude oil and that discussions are ongoing with the top three bidders.

During a press conference on Thursday at Freedom House, he stated that the awarding of the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO), will be based on credibility and price.

Dr. Jagdeo also stated that he is very pleased with this bidding since it is an

accomplishment when compared to the earlier periods under the previous coalition government when Guyana was paying a marketing commission.

“We are very pleased now with this bid because we have moved from the early period under APNU where we were paying a marketing commission to a zero-marketing commission, and now we're going to get a premium in these bids,” he related.

In September, the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Natural Resources, issued an Invitation

for Bids (IFB) for the provision of marketing services for the country’s oil entitlement from ExxonMobil’s Stabroek Block production.

According to a statement from the Natural Resources Ministry, “The objective of the assignment is to competitively market and maximise the value of the government’s crude-oil entitlement from developments in the Stabroek Block and create a competitive market for the Liza, Unity Gold, and Payara Gold Blends.”

Bids were to be submitted no later than 09:00 hours on Tuesday, October

17, 2023, to the Chairman of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board at the Ministry of Finance, Main & Urquhart Streets, Georgetown.

Last year, BP Interna-

tional Limited was selected to market Guyana’s share of petroleum from the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels.

Guyana’s third FPSO, Prosperity, arrived at the offshore Stabroek Block in April and joins the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity, which are currently producing over 380,000 barrels per day.

It is expected to operate on the Payara project and designed to produce 220,000 barrels of oil per day and has an overall storage volume of two million barrels.

Daily oil production is expected to increase to almost 600,000 barrels a day in 2024, with production from the Prosperity vessel boosting Guyana’s annual revenue.

First EU trade mission to visit Guyana from Nov. 20

- eyes new investments in health, energy, climate change

NEW Investments will come into focus when officials representing several large companies based in the European Union visit Guyana as part of a threeday trade mission from November 20.

This is according to EU Ambassador to Guyana Rene Van Nes, who was at the time addressing a press conference at his Brickdam, Georgetown office.

The ambassador disclosed that the mission will include several large companies.

“It's all about enhancing smart, secure connections.

Connections between people, connections in the digital

EU Ambassador to Guyana Rene Van Nes (Delano Williams photo) domain, energy connection, health and education and strong sports connections, research facilities globally, it is all about strengthening in a sustainable way,” the

Ambassador told reporters.

Invesments in several areas, such has health, energy and climate change will be explored.

“All of these investments are, of course, tremendously relevant and interesting for European companies,” he said, adding: “We have advertised Guyana and made it clear that this is the country to do business and …over 20 European companies have indicated an interest to come,” he said.

Represnetatives from the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Finland, Spain, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Ireland and France are expected to be part of the trade mission.

Reconstruction of bridge at Robb St. and Avenue of the Republic to begin today THE Ministry of Public Works on Friday informed the public that reconstruction work on the bridge at Robb Street and Avenue of the Republic will commence today.

As a result of the

work, the normal flow of traffic will be disrupted, the ministry said in a public notice.

“Motorists and pedestrians are advised to use caution in the area, and to pay at-

tention to all caution and directional signs.

The work is being executed by Pantheon Construction, and is expected to last for three weeks,” it said, adding: “The Ministry of

Public Works regrets any inconvenience caused, and will work diligently to ensure that the road returns to normal function as quickly as possible.”

There will also be some financial instituations such as the French Development Bank and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean.

“The focus of that mission will be to go into a number of sectors to explore areas of development; to look for partners, to look for investment opportunities,” the Ambassador added.

Meanwhile, local partners such as GO-Invest (Guyana Office for Investment), Georgetown Chamber of Commerce (GCCI), Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association (GMSA) and the Private Sector Commission (PSC) have assited with

matchmaking and identifying interested Guyanese companies.

“We hope that indeed it will lead to a number of very concrete relations; investment opportunities that will materalialise in the periods after that.”

He noted that guyana has had a tremendous growth trajectory and he believes that the opportunities here are endless.

“I tell them Guyana is only starting; what you see now is the beginning.

Guyana is only starting its phenomenal growth trajectory,” the Ambassador added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

Modern politics

IN the dynamic world of Guyanese politics, a simple gesture – the handshake – has become a symbolic representation of the complexities and challenges that shape the nation's democratic landscape.

Recent exchanges between the People's Progressive Party (PPP) and the People's National Congress/ Reform (PNC/R) have shed light on contrasting ideologies, deep-seated historical legacies, and the struggle for collaborative efforts to push Guyana further into the future.

The PPP, led by General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has maintained that its developmental plans are rooted in realism and thorough analyses.

Furthermore, Dr. Jagdeo

expressed his long-standing frustration with the opposition's economic proposals, claiming not to have seen a “workable, sensible, economic idea from the Opposition in decades.”

He pointed to the PNC/ R’s tenure in office through the APNU+AFC coalition, stressing that the opposition had a five-year opportunity to implement their ideas, an opportunity he believes they squandered.

The PPP's commitment to its development plans was reiterated by Dr. Jagdeo, who emphasised the alignment of the government's initiatives with the party's 2020 manifesto.

He also disclosed that the government had already begun planning for Budget 2024 and had initiated con-

sultations with various trade unions across the country.

Notably, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions (FITUG) proposed several ideas during these consultations, reflecting the shared commitment to improving the welfare of Guyanese workers.

In contrast to this collaborative approach, the refusal of the PNC/R leader to accept the President's outstretched hand is a stark reflection of deeper issues within Guyana's political landscape.

It is not merely a matter of personal pride but signifies a missed opportunity for dialogue, compromise, and productive cooperation.

The refusal to acknowledge electoral defeat, the attempts to undermine the

legitimacy of the electoral process, and the recent behavior of the PNC/R have raised doubts about the party’s commitment to democratic principles.

The refusal to accept defeat not only threatens the party's credibility but also reveals a stubborn attachment to an outdated political playbook.

In a political climate where slim majorities have become the norm since 2011, the conduct of the PNCR in the 2020 elections is seen as a self-inflicted wound, tarnishing the party's reputation and weakening its position.

This irony is palpable – a party that re-entered the political stage through free and fair elections is now jeopardizing its future by

rejecting democratic principles.

The refusal to extend a handshake is emblematic of a larger failure to adapt to post-1989 democratic politics.

In a time when citizens worldwide are demanding transparency, accountability, and respect for the sanctity of elections, the PNCR's actions stand in stark contrast to the ideals that underpin modern democratic societies.

The question that arises is whether the PNC/R can regain credibility and embrace democratic values.

As long as the party has leaders who continue to promote the narrative of being cheated out of an election victory, the embrace of democratic values

remains uncertain. In the competitive realm of politics, a party that does not adhere to such values may find itself with no place in the National Assembly and no future in modern-day politics.

The handshake that never happened serves as a stark reminder that true democratic progress requires a willingness to leave behind the baggage of the past and confidently stride into the future.

Unfortunately, the PNCR appears to be stuck in the past, resisting the transformation and adaptation demanded by the 21st century. As such, their political future may well hinge on whether such transformation becomes a reality.

President Ali, Minister Mustapha commended for rebuilding Rose Hall Estate

Dear Editor, Six years after, the David Granger-led coalition government closed four of the country’s sugar estates— Enmore, Rose Hall, Skeldon, and Wales; the Rose Hall Estate has officially returned to production, thus bringing a great sense of relief to the residents of Canje and life back to the Canje-Sheet Anchor community and the county of Berbice.

Following the closure of the estates in 2017, over seven thousand sugar workers and their relatives were placed on the breadline, and many faced immense economic hardship. The APNU+AFC government did not implement a feasibility

plan to cushion the impact of unemployment that followed, and they also refused to follow the normal tradition and offered the workers severance pay. The residents of Canje and surrounding areas were exceedingly delighted and they thank President Dr. Irfaan Ali and the PPP/C government for fulfilling their campaign promise to reopen the estate which currently employs more than 1,200 persons. In return, President Dr. Ali applauded the management and staff of GuySuCo, as well as the union, for the role they played in refurbishing the sugar estate.

Since taking office on August 2, 2020, President Dr. Ali has asserted that one

of his government’s objectives was to reopen the sugar estates because, as he puts it, the proper functioning of the sugar estates is integral to Guyana’s economic and social development and that sugar in intertwined with the Guyanese culture. Insisting that “King Sugar” is here to stay, President Ali, on a visit to Rose Hall sugar estate on September 24, 2023 opined that the once dormant sugar factory, which was shuttered by the coalition government, is now grinding and producing sugar.

According to His Excellency, the Rose Hall Estate is deemed the most productive sugar factory in the country, and with its grinding engines functioning at an efficient

capacity, it is expected to increase production by more than 12,000 tons.

President Dr. Ali who took a leading role in the rebuilding of the Rose Hall Estate, emphasised that its revival is a sound testimony of the difference between a PPPC government that builds and an APNU+AFC government that destroys. He reassured the workers that his government would not fail them and that he would make sure that no effort would be speared in making the sugar industry viable, sustainable, and resilient.

The rebuilding of the Rose Hall Sugar Estate and the rehiring of 1,200 fulltime and 35 part-time workers could not have been ac-

complished without its most talented and adept Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Sasenarine Singh, a chartered public accountant who spent more than seven years researching and studying the sugar industry in Guyana.

Since his appointment

by President Dr. Ali in 2020 as the CEO of GUYSUCO, Singh has worked tirelessly and unselfishly to rebuild the Rose Hall Sugar Estate which was demolished.

According to Singh, when he visited the Rose Hall Estate in late 2020, the factory was completely gutted, marred by neglect and decay, its engines dismantled, and its buildings destroyed. Of the 17 functioning tractors owned by

the estate prior to its closure, only two of the tractors had existed, but they were unworkable. The CEO revealed that their wheels were missing, batteries, alternators, starters, and radiators had all disappeared. He further stated that more than half of the two hundred punts were rotten, and the fields and drainage network, once the lifeblood of the estate, were overrun by weeds.

Singh concluded that, basically, he discovered a “scrap yard’ at the Rose Hall Estate when he took over operations. He made it clear that the closing of the sugar estates by the APNU+AFC government was painful, unconscionable, and a great TURN TO PAGE 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

Satire to desire

Dear Editor, How’s everything? Plenty talk going on about problems, people, policies, parties, politics, and principles, and, some only parroting others. Is a busy week for everybody, from Pressy to politicians, police, patients, pharmacists, pickney, parents, principals, pastors, pandits, preachers, players, public and private sectors, dem pros, planters, pick-pockets, de propogandists, and not to forget, dem who peeping into other people’s privacy. Is a pretty, long list but is a good point to peruse who performing and who ain’t producing.

The PPP/C Govment and the PNC Opposition partnering in partisanship to protect de people and prevent any pugnacity from Venezuela.

We Western neigha planning to do a lot of things and dey promising dem people plenty things too at de price of provocation and prohibit

peace from prevailing. But dey overlooking de ICJ has the final say and plenty powerful people in de international community backing we. Plenty Venezuelans don’t like what President Maduro doing, dat’s why millions of dem run and scattered all over de world.

We got over thirty-five thousand in we own land and we accept dem because we heart big, we feel sarry for dem. All eighty-three thousand square miles make up we country and we are not de warrior type people. We country known for we hospitality and we does share what little we have because we care. We don’t like to see other people suffer, besides, Venezuela was nice to plenty of we who during the hard days, Burnham mek we run and live over there.

Dis country belong to you and me and all a we got to work as wan family so we can stand together as “One Guyana.” We ain’t taking no eye pass from

nobody and no one gon take away not an inch of land that belongs to we. No body gon wake up one morning to find out that who living in Essequibo now living in Venezuela overnight. No sir, dat ain’t gon happen, not as long as all a we 65 MP’s see eye to eye and hold hands together singing Dave Martin’s “Not a blade of grass,” as we National Anthem and pledge we loyalty to defend we Muda land. Dem who burping acidity will remain asinine because dey don’t know dat de GDF is “all for one Guyana and one Guyana for all.” Tell dem me Loo say dat in bold black and white. I man is no Brooklynite and a know me Guyanese brothers and sisters.

Things does change when we change the way we look at things and when we become the change we want to see. We see nuff wrong in de past and we have to stop the blame game. Plenty a we say nuff nuff wrong things to satisfy we own agenda

ing of the Rose Hall Sugar Estate was callous, reckless, heartless, and insensitive to the needs of the more than 7,000 laid-off workers, their families and the community at large. It was the greatest mistake made by the previous government.

Minister Mustapha acknowledged that due to the closure of the Rose Hall Estate, the once bustling Canje-Sheet Anchor area, where the estate is located, was reduced to a ghost town, but once the estate is reopened, it will return to its former glory days. He pointed out that the coalition government that made the decisions to close the estates did not look at how it would affect the livelihood of workers and the role of GuySuCo beyond sugar or focused on the vast impact that the industry has on the wider society and economy.

The Minister of Agriculture reiterated that

GuySuCo is the largest single employer in the country after the government, and it has contrib-

but the days are here when we get ketch out. Plenty of dem overseas telling we how to do things and how to run de country but dey don’t want to come and live here and experience we lifestyle. If de foreign land has all de big buildings and bright lights and de money to trap you like magnate, noting wrong. We also have everything here and we happy with we dhal and rice, bagee and fry fish and yes, we black cake and black out too.

Watch na, outside people telling we, how we got discrimination. Now dey leff wid dem mouth open with them 4 local women opening a company call Sispro Inc. We govment awarded dem not one but two oil blocks for dem to explore and produce oil.

Awe govment didn’t stop there. Dem went one more step and award another Guyanese firm two more oil blocks. Dem company name International Group Inc. and is led by two lawyers, Dr. Wilson Ode and Dr. Esther Odoe. Guess what? None of dem two companies got any linkage to de Govment and de Govment don’t know dem fada. We own Guya-

nese boy Floyd Haynes who own NewHayven Merchant Bank, supporting local business with US$15 M. Dis equal opportunity spreading like wild fya.

A tell yu, who come up wid de idea dat dis Govment prejudice, dem need to see de doctor fo more than dem eyes. Imagine, de AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum decide to hold dem conference right here in Guyana and some 1500 people come from 33 countries to attend. If dis govment was bias, yu think dey would a choose we country to hold dis big meeting? And on top of dat, de African Export-Import (Afrexim) Bank will provide a loan of US$500 M to cover infrastructure in we country. Remember all of dem who use to criticize the govment dat dey wasting de oil money by spending too much on infrastructure drive? Well, let dem put dis in dem pipe and smoke on dat. Dis macroeconomics too macho fo dem! Africa supporting de PPP/C Govment man, yu hear dat? If not, yu ears got wax.

Since we gain independence, all dem river is we wata and no bady gon

charge we to fish in we own wata or ban we from growing “ban carila” on we land. No bady gon tell we, we can’t sell what belongs to we or pump and dig out we own resources. No bady gon stand in we way to deprive we Indigenous sisters, brothers and children from implementing dem 500 projects in de hinterland which de carbon credits financing.

Pressy want everybody must travel in comfort from Lethem to Linden on highway road. Yu see how much he doing fo Linden? De Ranger who is a stranger, never do so much.

As fo me, the less I watch, de more I see and is better for Linden. But I still can’t carry dis empty bowl fo Linden to full.

Dem gon ask me if I can’t see peace, progress and prosperity fo dem Lindeners since Pressy tek over? Dem Senators didn’t come on no “fact finding” trip. Dem come to find no fact exist on de tour. So when dem two Goliaths in de US talk about apartheid again, I gon tell dem, “gwan da side.” We gon talk.

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall

President Ali, Minister Mustapha...

FROM PAGE 6 injustice to the workers and the nation. He insisted that the cruelty that was inflicted on the sugar workers and the damage that was done to individual households and the community may be lasting and should never happen again.

Like President Dr. Ali who led in the rebuilding of the Rose Hall Estate, and the CEO who steered the operations, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha, must be commended for spearheading the restoration of the sugar factory. The agriculture minister was overly optimistic that the rebuilding of the estate, even though it was a very ambitious goal, would enhance the livelihoods of the people of Canje and boost the socio-economic impact of the community as well as employment in Berbice. However, he was blunt when he said that the clos-

uted significantly to the various sports facilities and provided drainage and irrigation services to

several communities. For him, GuySuCo is a way of life for the people of Guyana and everything will

be done to maintain the industry.

Sincerely, Dr. Asquith Rose

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

A crime against two Venezuelan refugees

THE most race-based and xenophobic comment I ever read in this country was contained in a commentary in the April 7, 2019 issue of the Kaieteur News

by General-Secretary of the Trade Union Congress, Mr. Lincoln Lewis. With 55 years of social and political activism and 35 years in journalism, I never saw anything like that in Guyana.

It was a brutal rejection of the influx of Venezuelans in Guyana in which they were treated to a rejectionist condemnatory insult involving culture, race and language. At the time I shared a good relation with Lewis but my reply two days after

put an end to our relationship.

At the time, I shared a good friendship with Mr. Christopher Ram but that ran into trouble when a video clip of an interview Ram did with Lewis on my reply to Lewis was sent to me.

Ram made me the subject rather than Lewis.

Ram failed to condemn Lewis for one of the most repugnant expressions of xenophobia displayed in Guyana.

Ram with an expansive smile in reference to me told Lewis: “But he is your friend nuh?” Read Lewis’ commentary and see the tape with the interview.

Since that year, I have had confrontations with all sorts of Guy-

anese in my columns and on the Freddie Kissoon-Gildarie Show on their indecent and racist attitude to people seeking a better life from other countries of the world in Guyana, one of the world’s most under-populated lands. In those columns, I have maintained a refrain which I repeat here.

Here it is - the last nationality in the world that should reject economic refugees is Guyanese. One out of every five persons in New York City is a Guyanese. One of every four Antiguans is a Guyanese. Former Barbados Prime Minister, David Thompson, decided to round up illegal Guyanese in Barbados and

to the surprise of Guyanese, the numbers were in the hundreds in a county of 166 square miles. Some of the most famous Guyanese names in its history chose not to live here.

Shiv Chanderpaul, Clive Lloyd, Rohan Kanhai, Sir Shridath

Ramphal, the children of Forbes Burnham, the children of Cheddi Jagan, the children of Yesu Persaud, the children of Hamilton Green, the families of some of the most famous names in Guyana past and present, whether in business,

Circle of life - Elton John Verse 1] From the day we arrive on the planet And blinkin’, step into the sun There’s more to see than can ever be seen More to do than can ever be done Some say, “Eat or be eaten” Some say, “Live and let live” But all are agreed as they join the stampede You should never take more than you give Chorus] In the circle of life It’s the wheel of fortune It’s the leap of faith It’s the band of hope ‘Til we find our place On the path unwinding In the circle, the circle of life [Verse 2] Some of us fall by the wayside And some of us soar to the stars And some of us sail through our troubles And some have to live with the scars There’s far too much to take in here More to find than can ever be found But the sun rollin’ high Through the sapphire sky Keeps great and small on the endless round Chorus In the circle of life It’s the wheel of fortune It’s the leap of faith It’s the band of hope ‘Til we find our place On the path unwinding In the circle, the circle of life

politics and every other conceivable career have settled in foreign lands.

Here is an example that mentally destabilised me at the time. A top politician was on the Freddie-KissoonGildarie Show and was emotional about curtailing the influx of Venezuelans. Gildarie and I escorted him out the studio and chatted next to his car. Now, try not to drop dead when you read the next line. He told us his son don’t like Guyana and has settled in Canada and his daughter migrated to New York.

In my reply to Lewis, I did point out to him that his family lives in the US. What is the point? We, Guyanese should be the last to reject humans in search of a better life. We have gone all over the world in search of a meaningful existence, in pursuit of happiness.

Two Venezuelan refuges were made to strip naked and publicly paraded. I can’t comment further because it is now a court case. But Gildarie and I are willing to be generous to these two souls. My cell is 614-5927. My email is fredkissoon@yahoo. com I leave you as I did with my October 1 column, with Elton John’s philosophical song.

$20.8B more withdrawn from oil fund

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

THE Government of Guyana, in accordance with the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Act 2021, has made its sixth withdrawal from the Natural Resource Fund (NRF), the Ministry of Finance announced on Friday.

“In accordance with the NRF Act 2021 and the approved Budget 2023, the Government of Guyana has made its sixth transfer, totalling US$100 million (equivalent to G$20.8 billion) from the NRF on October 24, 2023, to the Consolidated Fund.

“This transfer brings the accumulated withdrawals to date in 2023 to US$750 million (equivalent to G$156 billion), within the total of US$1.002 billion (equivalent to G$208.9 billion) approved to be withdrawn in 2023,” the ministry said in a

WITH many measures being undertaken to reduce power outages, which have recently increased in frequency, the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) is currently

As the minister spoke on the measures currently being undertaken to increase generation to the company’s grid, he noted that a management team was expected to meet with officials at Giftland

arrangement was made for Giftland Mall to supply power to the national grid.

In November 2020, it was reported that GPL would be receiving a maximum of five mega-

statement.

It was explained that in 2021, the government amended the NRF Act to bring greater transparency and accountability in the management of Guyana’s oil resources, including

the requirement of the government to seek annual Parliamentary approval for withdrawals from the NRF as stated in Section 19 of the NRF Act 2021.

Pursuant to that provision, as part

of its consideration of the Budget Process, Parliament approved US$1.002 billion (equivalent to G$208.9 billion) to be withdrawn from the NRF in 2023.

ity, and was unable to continue its supply to the national grid.

Further to this, he said that Giftland officials subsequently indi-

cated to GPL that power can now be supplied.

GPL mulls sourcing power from Giftland

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar (DPI photo)

considering purchasing power from Giftland Mall.

This is according to the Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar who made this disclosure during a press conference at GPL’s office in Kingston on Thursday.

to discuss the possibility of supplying power to the grid.

“They said they have some generating capacity that they can add to the grid,” he said.

When the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government took office in 2020, an

watts of power from the Giftland Mall, which would form part of the power company’s efforts to provide more reliable energy to Guyanese.

However, Indar explained on Thursday that after some time, Giftland experienced issues with their generating capac-

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

Preparatory works at Cummings Lodge 1767 Development to be completed by Nov. 30

Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal interacting with the contractors and engineers

PREPARATORY works at the Cummings Lodge 1767 Development, which includes land preparation, pipe network, and road works are expected to be completed by November 30.

Minister of Housing

and Water Collin Croal made the announcement Friday when he inspected the progression of works in the prospective housing scheme.

He explained that three of the contractors are behind schedule to complete

the land clearance and other supporting works.

In light of this development, the minister has issued a cautionary reminder, urging them to ensure the ongoing works are promptly finished.

When completed, this

Ongoing works on the water treatment plant at Cummings Lodge

will pave the way for some 800 allottees to participate in the land identification exercise at the ‘1767’ area.

“What we intend to do is to have all the land clearance by the end of this month, and to place all the palls. And by the middle of December, latest, for everyone to start accessing, and to be shown where their lands are,” the housing and water minister disclosed.

The Cummings Lodge Housing Development

scheme starts from Sophia, Greater Georgetown, and ends in the vicinity of Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

Some $1.4 billion is being invested in developing the area, which includes a commercial and medical zone.

Meanwhile, work has already begun on the construction of the water-treatment facility to further improve the community.

“There was an ini-

tial challenge to access this part of Cummings Lodge; that would have been before the dry weather stepped in. There is no reason for a delay; that is why we pushed for the Aubrey Barker access, so they don’t have to drive through Sophia, and then drive all these distances because you are coming from the East Bank of Demerara,” Minister Croal explained. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

EU maintains support for ICJ ruling on Guyana, Venezuela border controversy

NOTING that the European Union (EU) does not support any “unilateral action” that can escalate the Guyana-Venezuela b o r d e r c o n t ro v e rsy, the Union’s Ambassador to Guyana René van Nes has said that the International Court of Justice

will proceed to hear the case which was filed

by Guyana, the Spanish-speaking nation continues to claim over two-thirds of Guyana’s territory.

On September 21, the Venezuelan National Assembly set December 3 for a referendum on the status of

EU Ambassador to Guyana, René van Nes

(ICJ) is the appropriate place to settle the matter.

During a press conference on Friday, the EU Ambassador said: “The position of the EU here is that we strongly feel that international law and multilateral institutions are the appropriate framework for addressing international disputes.”

“We very clearly refer to the ICJ as the agreed mechanism to deal with this situation, and we call on all parties to avoid anything that will escalate the situation,” he said before emphasising that both parties must adhere to international law.

The Guyana-Venezuela border controversy has been ongoing for decades, and despite the ICJ ruling that it

the Essequibo Region, which is part of the sovereign territory of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

Guyana subsequently approached the ICJ requesting provisional measures to challenge Venezuela’s moves, while awaiting a final ruling on the substantive matter that is before the court.

In April of this year, the World Court ruled that the case Guyana brought before it seeking to affirm the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award settling the boundaries between Guyana and Venezuela was admissible.

This meant that the court could move forward with hearing the substantive case on its merits, of whether the arbitral award settling

the boundaries of the two countries is valid and binding.

The ruling marked the second time that the

international court had rejected jurisdictional objections raised by Venezuela.

Guyana moved to

the ICJ with its case in March 2018, challenging the non-participating Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

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over its disagreement on the legal validity and binding effect of that award.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

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Police, Dharmic Sabha finalise arrangements for Nov. 11 Diwali motorcade POLICE officers and a representative of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, on Thursday, visited the LBI Community Centre Ground to finalise security and traffic arrangements for the much-anticipated Diwali motorcade, which is scheduled for November 11.

Assistant Commis sioner, Khali Pareshram and Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh, led the police contingent, the Guyana Police Force said in a press statement.

The motorcade, which leaves the Shri Krishna Mandir on Campbell Av-

enue, Kitty at 18:00 hrs, will continue West along Campbell Avenue, into Vlissengen Road, along Kitty Seawall then East on Rupert Craig Highway, Sparendaam Public Road and La Bonne Intention (LBI) Public Road. It will then move South on LBI Access Road into the Com-

munity Centre Ground.

Persons attending are asked to follow the route and to adhere to the directions of police ranks who will be on the ground, to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted traffic flow for the event.

Officials take a look at a sketch of the route for the upcoming motorcade (GPF photo)

Work moving apace on new Diamond Regional Hospital

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

What the hospital is expected to look like CONSTRUCTION work on the new regional hospital at Diamond, East Bank Demerara is moving apace and is thus far on track to meet the intended completion date.

This hospital is one of six regional hospitals that will be constructed across Guyana as part of a deal with China’s Sinopharm International.

When Guyana Chronicle visited the site on Friday, workers were completing the foundation for the building.

According to one of the engineers on site, the work has been moving at a good pace.

He indicated that the limited number of workers on the site is the only challenge they have faced so far. The engineers explained that this occurred because some of the workers had to be sent to another location where one of the remaining five hospitals is being built.

In August last year, the

government signed contracts with Sinopharm International for the construction of these six new regional hospitals.

The new facilities are set to be built at Anna Regina, Region Two; De Kinderen, Region Three; Diamond and Enmore, Region Four; and Skeldon, Region Six. Each of the new regional hospitals will be 65,000 square feet. The aim of the initiative is to have modern healthcare facilities in five of

Man found dead inside parked car at Promenade Gardens POLICE are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 58-year-old Lloyd Gibson, called 'Johnny', whose lifeless body was found in his parked car inside the Promenade Gardens, Georgetown, on Friday morning.

Gibson was found motionless in the front seat of his white Toyota Runx with registration number PPP 3868 sometime after 09:00 hrs by a security guard on duty.

Lloyd Gibson, called ‘Johnny’

The police were promptly contacted and detectives who arrived on the scene conducted

a thorough investigation. While the circumstances surrounding his death raised initial concerns, this publication understands that detectives have since ruled out foul play.

The body of the deceased is at the Memorial Gardens funeral home awaiting a post-mortem examination which will determine the exact cause of death.

The investigation is ongoing.

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Workers at the site on Friday (Adrian Narine photos) Guyana’s 10 regions.

The government had presented proposals for the health sector and noted that the project is part of a larger $37.2 billion initiative to modernise the country’s

regional healthcare system.

The government over the past three years has been on a mission to improve and modernise Guyana’s healthcare sector with significant invest-

ments being made to boost the human resource capacity and expertise, construct and upgrade healthcare facilities and provide modern pieces of equipment.

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Blueprint Foundation: Bridging gaps, impacting communities

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

By Shaniya Harding

IN 2018, Roxanne Hermanstyne, a certified pharmacist and military spouse, took a bold step towards a brighter future for Guyana by forming the Blueprint Foundation.

Born and raised in Guyana, Roxanne's deep-rooted connection to her homeland led her to establish the foundation with a primary mission of enhancing healthcare, education, and access to resources in the country's remote and underserved areas.

The Blueprint Foundation, formerly known as the Benin Foundation, has been working diligently for the past five years to make a positive impact in communities across Guyana. Their commitment to helping people in need remains unwavering.

On November 5, the Blueprint Founda-

tion is set to host a 5K walk and run event in the village of Victoria, East Coast Demerara.

This initiative serves a dual purpose: raising awareness of the importance of physical activity for health and providing free health screenings to local residents.

Roxanne explained, "On November 5, we will have a walk, run health and wellness fair at the Victoria ground. The purpose of this is to drive home the importance of physical activity and also to provide free screenings for the people of the villages."

This event is just the first of three community outreaches planned by the foundation. The next outreach will be held in the village of Kwakwani, focusing primarily on healthcare worker training.

Roxanne elaborated, "It will not have the 5K walk. It will focus on the healthcare portion of it. But we have an extra piece for the

A team from The Blueprint organisation at their most recent outreach

employees, where we will be teaching them a basic life support course. We have an instructor that will be facilitating that course.

We have also brought in the materials, such as mannequins and portable mouthpieces, to help the employees get hands-on training."

While the Blueprint Foundation is not based in Guyana, its inspiration comes from Roxanne's personal experience of witnessing her aunt's battle to access healthcare after being diagnosed with cancer. This heartfelt concern became the driving force behind the formation of the Blueprint Foundation.

Roxanne explained, "I formed the Blueprint Foundation in November of 2018. The reason why I formed the group is that my aunt had been diagnosed with cancer back in 2018, and I felt as though she did not have access to resources at the time. That's the reason why I formed the group."

Over the past five years, the Blueprint organisation has made a significant impact on various parts of Guyana. The foundation has actively partnered with various organisations and secured sponsorships to support their cause. One of their recent outreaches was at a church on Thomas Street.

Looking ahead, the Blueprint Foundation has ambitious goals that include health sensitisation and increasing digital literacy in remote areas of Guyana. Roxanne emphasised, "My goal is to be able to reach more people and to promote the importance of health as well as physical activity; and also enhancing the education standpoint, the digital literacy in the remote places in Guyana."

Above all, Roxanne's driving force remains rooted in her mission for change.

She noted, "I wanted to be the change, to be able to reach places that are remote and lack access to resources. They should have the same quality of care in those areas. My motivation is just to know that the work I am putting into the organisation someday will eventually be able to reach

Founder of The Blueprint Foundation, Roxanne Hermanstyne the most rural and remote areas where care should not be an obstacle. They should have equality of care and equality of educational resources. My mission behind it is knowing that I am changing a life, even if it is one life at a time."

The Blueprint Foundation's unwavering dedication to improving healthcare, education, and resources in Guyana's underserved communities stands as a testament to the power of individual initiative and the potential for positive change in remote areas.

As they continue their mission, the Blueprint Foundation serves as an inspiring example of grassroots efforts that can bring transformative benefits to those who need it most.

Judge to sum up evidence in murder trial

COME Tuesday, Justice Jo-Ann Barlow is expected to sum up the evidence in the trial of John Caesar, who is accused of killing Linden businessman, Romel Gomes called ‘Eddy’ in 2018.

Caesar, who is currently serving a life sentence for attempted murder, has pleaded not guilty to killing Gomes on March 12, 2018, in the county of Demerara.

Following the summing up, the judge will hand over the case to the

12-member jury, who will then retire to consider the verdict.

Gomes, called “Eddie,” a father of one of Lot 53 Wismar Housing Scheme, Linden, operated a grocery shop in front of his house.

According to reports, on the day in question, Caesar was reportedly one of two persons last seen at Gomes’ home. Gomes was allegedly heard arguing with Caesar and another man prior to his death.

It was reported that

John Caesar

during the argument, a loud explosion was heard,

Romel Gomes called ‘Eddy’

and the suspects fled the scene in Gomes’ motor car

– PVV 2057 – which was parked in front of his shop.

Gomes was discovered in a pool of blood with his hands bound and gagged with a bandana. He was reportedly found with a gunshot wound to his right temple, a small laceration on top of his head and another lacerated wound to the neck.

A post-mortem examination later gave his cause of death as gunshot wound to the head. Following an investigation, Caesar was arrested and charged for the murder.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

UG to hold panel discussion on border controversy on Monday

THE University of Guyana (UG) will be hosting a series of actions in support of Guyana’s security personnel and in solidarity with the national and international calls for peace and respect for international law.

In a press release issued on Friday, the university said that it is quickly producing, “Prepare Rather Than FearVenezuela’s Illegal Claim and Its Possible Effects” – its very successful first “Turkeyen and Tain Talks” series since COVID. The event will be held on November 6 at 16:45 hrs at the Savannah Suite of the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown Guyana.

According to the university, the 5-person panel will speak on historical treaties, international cases, migration, xenophobia, and Latin populations in Guyana and internal safety.

The event is free and open to the public on a firstcome first-served basis. It will also be streamed live to the university’s Facebook

The entrance to UG’s Turkeyen campus page for those who cannot attend in-person.

Additionally, UG said it is about to retool some of the modules in teaching history for teachers and in its Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in history to include a sharper focus on territorial matters going forward.

R3CCI to host job fair tomorrow

THE Executive Committee of the Essequibo Islands -West Demerara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (R3CCI), under the leadership of its President, Premendra Parsan, will be hosting a job fair, on Sunday, at the West Demerara Secondary School in partnership with the Ministry of Labour.

The job fair aims to provide valuable opportunities, not only for job seekers, but also offers support through a series of workshops designed to assist attendees in enhancing their job prospects, a press release from the entity said.

“These workshops will cover essential topics such as resume building, effective job searching techniques, and interview preparation, equipping participants with the knowledge and skills needed for successful employment.”

“Individuals with expertise in various industries, including accounting, marketing, technology, construction trades, sales, and customer

service, will discover a multitude of employment prospects. More than a dozen employers eagerly anticipate connecting with skilled job seekers during the event,” it added.

Employers interested in participating in the job fair are encouraged to contact the Chamber via phone or email. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

According to the R3CCI, its executive committee is actively engaged in organising and executing the job fair.

R3CCI is a business support organisation that advocates for the interests of its members and promotes economic development in Essequibo Islands—West Demerara region of Guyana.

Specifically, it provides several benefits for businesses, including networking opportunities, increased visibility and credibility, advocacy and support, access to exclusive programming, and a direct voice in national and regional policy development.

In its press release, the university also disclosed that it is encouraging its graduates and persons attending its seven graduation ceremonies from November 9 to 18, to

wear ribbons in the colours of the flag of Guyana.

It is also calling for respect and support for Guyana’s men and women in uniform

who are the first responders and protectors in all matters of national safety and security- from civilian skirmishes, and national emergencies such as floods to military matters such as protecting our borders and repelling other illegal activity in the country.

The university related that, in a statement made on November 1, 2023, at the Live to Influence Conference held in Georgetown Guyana, Vice-Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, projected the university’s call for an end to disparaging remarks and abusive comments about Guyana’s combat readiness and personnel, many of whom are UG alumnus and present students.

She said: “We may not have the best in the world, but we have the bravest and really, we cannot expect to heap abuses upon the same people we expect to protect us. We must, in this time,

assist them in their work and help bridge the gaps that may exist in their operations.

Every citizen has to take on the mindset of a defender.

We must replace vengeance with vigilance and prepare rather than fear.”

The university said that these immediate responses to the emerging situation are in addition to research and policy briefs already produced over the years by various departments in the institution.

UG celebrates 60 years this year and its upcoming diamond anniversary graduation ceremonies will put 3,500 graduates into the local and international workforce. Several other special events will mark the occasion during the celebrations.

The public can view the graduation ceremonies live on local and international media and on UG’s Facebook pages, the press release said.

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Loaded revolver found in female washroom at CJIA

A PLUMBER attached to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), on Friday, discovered a loaded gun

in a public washroom located in the Departures Section.

According to a press release issued by the

The firearm and matching ammunition which were found in a female washroom at CJIA (GPF photo)

police, Akeem Algernon, 30, made the discovery at around 09:30 hrs when he went to conduct a routine inspection. The washroom is located at the western side of the airport compound. “… he entered the washroom and observed a firearm on the 'cistern' of the toilet (in the female washroom). He reported the matter to the police. Ranks responded immediately and observed one .38 revolver was on the cistern of the female toilet,” the release added.

The firearm was seized, sealed, marked and lodged in an evidence bag at Timehri Police Station.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

UG investigating ‘inappropriate’ remarks by part-time lecturer THE University of Guyana (UG) has disclosed that it is appalled at the alleged recording of an inappropriate conversation in a class by a part-time lecturer and has since launched an investigation.

“The evidence and the circumstances surrounding the conversation are now being investigated by the Department of Law, Faculty of Social Sciences.

This type of behaviour is unacceptable and is against the university’s policies, principles and culture,” the university said in a statement on Friday.

It also gave its assurance to the public that the matter will be addressed to the full extent of its authority.

“Further, the university finds it deeply regrettable that this matter

first found its way into the public domain rather than through the internal channels which would

have made the investigation and any disciplinary actions much quicker,” the statement added.

GRO facilitates 25 Baramita marriages in four days

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

- documentation challenges had prevented many from legalising their union

IN the heart of Baramita, North West District, Region One, a significant and heartwarming event unfolded as the General Register Office (GRO), led by Deputy Registrar General, Visham Budhoo, orchestrated a remarkable initiative.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, under which this office falls, over the span of four days, from September 27 to 30, 2023, the legal union of 25 Guyanese couples was realised, marking a profound milestone in their lives.

“During registration outreaches, it was found that within the area of Baramita, mainly Cassie Creek, Aranka, and Warapa, there were many couples who had been together for over 25 years without being legally married.”

“For numerous couples in these close-knit communities, the concept of legality in their relationships had remained elusive for an extended period. What made this event particularly distressing was the circumstances which had hindered these unions from obtaining legal recognition,” the ministry said.

Among the most prevalent barriers was the absence of basic documentation such as birth certificates or national identification cards. These barriers, predominantly rooted in language constraints and distance, obstructed access to these fundamental documentations, preventing these ardent couples from legalising their commitment and receiving the recognition they deserved.

“The General Register Office, in a laudable collaboration with community leaders and local churches, embarked on an endeavour to address these barriers.

Working diligently within the community, efforts were made to assist individuals in obtaining the vital documentation needed to formalise their unions. It was a collective effort that ultimately led to the facilitation of these long-awaited marriages.”

“The culmination of these efforts saw not only

the exchange of vows but the issuance of long-awaited marriage certificates, a tangible symbol of their enduring commitment. It was a testament to persever-

and support, affirming that individuals deserve the right to have their love recognised and their unions validated, regardless of administrative hurdles.

overcoming documentation challenges and ensuring that their unions are solemnised.

In the end, the smiles, tears of joy, and the palpable sense of relief among

to ensuring this vital function is not only accessible to all Guyanese but the process of registering for a marriage licence, and the issuing of a marriage

as providing training and awareness sessions to organisations and churches within Guyana,” the ministry restated.

Persons desirous of

Some of the newlyweds (Ministry of Home Affairs photos)

ance, unity, and the power of a community coming together to support and uplift its members,” the ministry added.

It was pointed out that the ministry, through the General Register Office, stands as a beacon of hope

The ministry noted that these efforts can serve as a model for other regions and communities facing similar issues and demonstrated how local authorities and community leaders can work together to support individuals and families in

the newlyweds reflected a long-awaited culmination of love finally bound by legality, a celebration of commitment. It also brings about a new sense of stability in the communities.

“The General Register Office remains committed

certificate are simple and in keeping with the laws of Guyana. In efforts to ensure there are more trained marriage officers, we have also, over the past three months, facilitated the training of over 60 marriage officers across the region, as well

applying for a marriage licence can simply follow the procedure outlined via the website: gro.moha. gov.gy, or send an email to groguyana@gmail.com, or message to WhatsApp number: +592 610 9394.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

AMERICAN RACING TIPS C H U R C H I L L DOWNS Race 1 Beautiful And Bold Race 2 Like A Saltshaker Race 3 Valiant Praise Race 4 Let's BecClear Race 5 Penfire Race 6 Desert Wolf Race 7 Sharp Shop Race 8 Be Mine Sunshine Race 9 Giant Game

10:47 hrs Geautiful Love 11:22 hrs Checkandchallenge 11:57 hrs Marshall Dan

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ENGLISH RACING TIPS NEWMARKET 08:27 hrs Telemark 09:02 hrs Razeyna 09:37 hrs New Chelsea 10:10 hrs Dashing Roger

WETHERBY 08:40 hrs Brook Bay 09:15 hrs Eaton Collina 09:50 hrs Kateira 10:25 hrs Thyme Hill 11:00 hrs Bravemansgame 11:30 hrs Alvaniy 12:08 hrs Snowy Evening

ARAB EMIRATES RACING TIPS JEBEL ALI 08:15 hrs Alhzeem 08:45 hrs Wessall

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday November 04, 2023) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD - 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Mujeeb Ur Rahman (AFG) (2) Adam Zampa (AUST) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who was the Man of the Match in the SA/NED encounter in the ongoing World Cup? (2) Who claimed the Man-of-the-Match Award in the BANG/IND contest?

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

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

Verstappen seals pole in Brazil

(Formula 1) - Max Verstappen has sealed pole position for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with the Red Bull driver coming out on top in a qualifying session that was red-flagged in the final stages due to rain.

The world champion had set provisional pole in the first runs of Q3, having put in a lap of 1m 10.727s. But with the weather rapidly changing as the clock ticked down, the session was brought to an early end,

meaning that there was not the opportunity for drivers to improve on their only flying lap.

Charles Leclerc will join Verstappen on the front row, while Aston Martin benefitted from getting their drivers out on track early, with Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso in P3 and P4 respectively.

The Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell follow in fifth and sixth, and Lando Norris – who had

looked impressively fast in Q2 – had to settle for seventh.

Carlos Sainz ended the session in P8, while Sergio Perez and Oscar Piastri round out the top 10.

Nico Hulkenberg was the lead Haas in 11th, with the Alpine pair of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly following behind in 12th and 13th.

Kevin Magnussen ended the session in 14th and, despite his Williams showing good pace in

Q1, Alex Albon couldn't reach the final segment of qualifying and will start from 15th.

There was a shock in Q1 when Daniel Ricciardo failed to get out of the elimination zone, mark-

ing a dramatic contrast from his P4 qualifying result at the Mexico City Grand Prix. The Australian will start in P17, with his AlphaTauri team mate Yuki Tsunoda one place ahead in P16.

It was also a difficult session for Alfa Romeo. Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu ended up in P18 and P20 respectively, with Logan Sargeant in-between them in P19.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

Afghanistan beat Netherlands in low scoring encounter

(ESPNCRICINFO) Netherlands were undone by four run-outs, a stumping and a spin chokehold in Lucknow, as Afghanistan improved their outside chances of making the semi-finals with a fourth win in seven games, this time also boosting their net run-rate along with it.

Their 111-ball win chasing 180 was swiftly wrapped up courtesy contributions of 52 from Rahmat Shah and 56 from Hashmatullah Shahidi, but the meat of the action took place in the first half where Afghanistan bowled well in parts, but were helped along the way by regular errors

from Netherlands.

Netherlands had begun the day with their best batting start of the World Cup by reaching 72 for 1 in 11 overs, mostly on the back of Max O'Dowd's early assault.

But O'Dowd's search for a second run in the 12th over resulted in his run-out after Azmatullah Omarzai effected a direct hit from fine leg.

The run-outs then inexplicably continued as a well-set Colin Ackermann (29) was slow to react to a single call from Sybrand Engelbrecht. Next ball, Scott Edwards didn't know where the ball went after he mis-hit a reverse sweep, and by the time he realised, wicketkeeper

Colin Ackermann puts in a dive but in vain (ICC via Getty Images)

Ikram Alikhil had broken his stumps. A short squeeze by Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmed and Rashid Khan followed, after which Engelbrecht the man who was holding the innings together - too was run-out after Roelof van der Merwe called him for a single that wasn't there.

Those four dismissals in similar fashion left Netherlands deflated and gave Afghanistan an opening they never let go of. With the Dutch sliding from 72 for 1 to 97 for 5, their spinners held control of the middle overs. It also allowed Afghanistan to recover from a difficult start with the ball, where they conceded 6.6 per over in the powerplay despite taking the first-over wicket of Wesley Barresi.

Fazalhaq Farooqi, one of only two seamers in their XI for this game, conceded eight boundaries in the powerplay, a tournament record for the 2023 edition.

Wicketkeeper Alikhil

had an impressive outing behind the stumps, contributing to three of the four run-outs, taking two difficult catches off spin bowling, and stumping Logan van Beek. He held on to catches offered by Bas de Leede and Saqib Zulfiqar and was swift with his glovework when van Beek gave Nabi a charge. Nabi, for his 3 for 28, was the pick of the bowlers on a day where Afghanistan dropped Naveen-ul-Haq and added Noor to play with four spinners.

Afghanistan's chase of 180 began with a stutter when Rahmanullah Gurbaz was out in the fifth over and Ibrahim Zadran was gone by the 11th.

But they weren't under run-rate pressure with an initial burst of boundaries from No. 3 Rahmat. Rahmat was busy in front of square on the off side, and his partnership of 74 in 77 balls with Shahidi kept Afghanistan far ahead in the chase. Netherlands' seamers weren't penetra-

tive after the shine wore off, and the batters were careful against the spin of Aryan Dutt and Zulfiqar.

Rahmat reached his third fifty in a row at the World Cup and 26th in all ODIs, but was gone caught-and-bowled to the wrong-footed wristspinner Zulfiqar. However, the Dutch celebration was short-lived when Omarzai counterpunched upon entry and Shahidi held fort.

Along the way, Shahidi reached his 19th ODI fifty and victory was completed in the 32nd over with the pair staying unbeaten on a stand of 52. Remarkably, there were no sixes hit in the game.

For Netherlands, a spot at the Champions Trophy in 2025 now looks increasingly difficult with a top-eight finish at risk with games against England and India to follow.

Afghanistan - now on fifth - have Australia and South Africa coming up and are still in contention for a semi-final finish.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

KFC officially hands over funding to GFF for Elite League Cup

Yesterday, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Competitions Director, Troy Peters, received funding from KFC Guyana Marketing Manager, Pamella Manasseh, for the GFF-KFC Elite League Cup which is now in its fourth week of competition.

The hand-over took place on November 3 in the boardroom of the KFC Vlissengen Road Branch in Georgetown.

The six-week tournament kicked off on October 15 with ten top senior men’s clubs vying for glory and more than three million dollars in cash. The competition has been organised to provide teams with valuable match time as they gear up for the upcoming relegation playoff.

GFF Competitions Director, Peters, thanked KFC Guyana for their continued support to the development of football at the club level.

“Once again, KFC has shown their commitment to football development in Guyana. This partnership provides our senior male players with a platform to exhibit their talents and gives fans the chance to enjoy exhilarating matchups between the nation's premier clubs.

We thank you for your support and for embracing our vision and goal to elevate the sport.”

Teams have been split into two groups: Group A consists of the Guyana Defence Force, Santos, Buxton United, Fruta Conquerors and Milerock. On the other

hand, Group B comprises Western Tigers, Guyana Police Force, Den Amstel, Victoria Kings and Ann's Grove.

The champions will be awarded $1.5 million dollars, while the second-place team will receive $1 million. Third place and the fourth-place clubs will receive $500,000 and $250,000, respectively.

On Sunday, November 5, another double header will be held at Police Progressive Youth Club (PPYC) ground in Eve Leary with Victoria Kings Football Club facing off against Den Amstel at 18:00hrs followed by a clash between Fruta Conquerors and the Guyana Defence Force FC at 20:00hrs.

Windies A Women crumble to defeat in Tri-Nations T20 series

CMC – West Indies A Women failed to overcome an unbeaten half-century from wicketkeeper-batter Sidra Nawaz, and Pakistan A Women clinched a 12run win in their Twenty20 Tri-Nations Series match on Friday.

The batting of the Caribbean side imploded on an easy-paced Lahore Country Club pitch, and they were bowled out for exactly 100, replying to the Pakistanis’ total of 112 for five built upon 55 not out from Nawaz in the low-scoring opening match of the series that also features Thailand Women.

West Indies A Women off-spinner Sheneta Grimmond, opening the bowling, ended with two

for 11 from her allotted four overs and triggered a Pakistan A Women top-order meltdown that had the hosts on the ropes on 23 for four in the eighth over.

The visitors then met resistance when Nawaz came to the crease and struck seven fours from 41 balls and shared 78 for the fifth wicket with Omaima Sohail that carried the Pakistanis past the 100 mark and beefed up the home team’s total.

Sohail made 26, but no other batsman in the Pakistan A Women’s lineup reached 20.

West Indies A Women endured an immediate setback when Qiana Joseph was caught at midoff for a duck from an uppish drive at the first

ball of the chase from pacer Humna Bilal, and they slid to 28 for two at the end of the PowerPlay after fellow opener Shabiki Gajnabi was caught in the covers off left-arm pacer Tasmia Rubab.

The Caribbean side continued to bleed wickets with their captain Rashada Williams getting the top score of 21, but no other batter passed 20.

Bilal was the most successful bowler for the hosts, taking three for 17 from three overs, and Sohail supported with two for 15 from three overs.

West Indies A Women play Thailand Women in the second match of the tournament on Saturday at the same venue.

Troy Peters of the GFF receives the cheque from KFC’s Pamella Manasseh

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

Torginol Paints sponsors Stephen Vieira Continental Group of Companies, through Torginol Paints Inc., has been confirmed as the exclusive sponsor of Guyanese biker Stephen Vieira for this weekend’s ENet Caribbean Clash of Champions.

Second in the Super Stock class to his cousin Matthew Vieira, Stephen

is set to light up the track in his Yamaha R6 as he looks to finish the season on a high.

Vieira is confident that with the support of Torginol he can achieve excellence on November 5 at the South Dakota Circuit, and defend home turf against the influx of overseas riders.

On Thursday, Sachin Puri of Torginol Paints Inc., Pioneers of the Paint Industry, confirmed the company’s sponsorship of Vieira during a simple ceremony at Continental Group of Companies’ head office at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt.

Vieira, in expressing gratitude for the support,

highlighted that Torginol has always been in his corner, referring to the company as part of his family.

The Superbiker is confident in his preparation and is eager to throw down the gauntlet to the overseas riders coming to represent Team Mohamed’s.

Meanwhile, Torginol Paints Inc. is also a major corporate partner for the Greatest Race of All Time’, extending an alliance with motorsports that started two decades ago.

Torginol Paints Inc., with its factory at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, and outlets and distribution centres spread across the

country, manufactures a diversified range of paint and paint-related products for every surface.

The products, branded under Torga and Arbo brand names, carry a wide range of quality items, covering decorative, industrial, furniture and other finishes.

West Indies academy, Volcanoes game called off CMC – Players from the West Indies Academy and Windward Islands Volcanoes got a free day when adverse weather forced their West Indies Super50 Cup match to be abandoned early on Friday in Trinidad.

Not a ball was bowled in the contest that was scheduled at the Frank Worrell Field on the St

Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies, where the outfield was waterlogged after being pounded by torrential rain over the previous 24 hours.

It was the final match in the preliminary phase of the tournament for both teams, and the result meant that they earned two points with the Academy ending on 33 and

the Volcanoes finishing on 19.

While the Volcanoes have now been formally eliminated from the tournament, the Academy could still reach the semi-finals, but they will have to wait another day to discover if the washout and the inability to add to their points tally have hurt their chances of finishing in the top four.

With a maximum of 24 points available in each match of the tournament under the new bonus points system, Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners, on 27 points, and Guyana Harpy Eagles, on 25, could still overtake the emerging players’ side and clinch a place in the semi-finals.

Marooners have a

challenging final match against leaders Leeward Islands Hurricanes on Saturday at the Queen’s Park Oval in the Trinidad capital of Port of Spain, while Harpy Eagles have a potentially easier task against bottom-placed Jamaica Scorpions, last year’s champions, at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA) in the south Trinidad district of Tar-

ouba.

The final match in the preliminary phase of the tournament on Sunday between hosts Trinidad & Tobago Red Force and arch-rivals Barbados Pride will also be played at the BLCA, the same venue for the semi-finals this coming Wednesday and Thursday, as well as the final next Saturday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

Mumbai Indians add Shepherd to squad

CMC – Five-time champions Mumbai Indians have added West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd to their roster for the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League after finalising a trade deal with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

Shepherd has only played four IPL matches, representing LSG and Sunrisers Hyderabad, and was traded to MI for his existing fee of U.S. $60,000, but he will be hoping for significant more time on the field, where he has earned a tidy reputation.

The 28-year-old is regarded for his pace bowling skills, boasting a repertoire

Romario Shepherd

of variations that will enable his captain to call upon him in different match situations, and he can transform the innings of the side with his more than capable lower-order batting.

Shepherd was a part of the Guyana Amazon Warriors side that won the Caribbean Premier League tournament for the first time this past September, and he has become an integral member of the West Indies Twenty20 International set-up.

He has scored 301 runs in 31 matches at an average of 37.62 while striking at 153.57, and he has taken 31 wickets at an average of

29.70.

MI finished fourth in this year’s IPL tournament with eight wins in 14 matches.

They went on to defeat LSG in the first elimination final before losing at the hands of Gujarat Titans in the second elimination final.

Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have confirmed that the upcoming IPL auction for the will take place in Dubai, marking the first time that the event will take place outside of the country.

Last year, the auction was scheduled to be hosted in Istanbul, Turkey, before a late move to be hosted in the

One Guyana Basketball Premier League The action gets underway tonight from 17:00hrs at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue with play in the Jaguar Conference league, featuring a showdown between McDoom/Prospect Kobras Basketball Club and Lamaha Springs/Park Pepsi Sonics. Following this, at 19:00hrs, the trending Kwakwani Untouchables will face off against the Wortmanville Pacesetters in a crucial battle for the top seed in the Harpy Eagle Conference. To conclude the evening's excitement, the Stabroek Eagles will go head-to-head with the Meadowbrook Nets in a

highly competitive matchup, showcasing the talents of both teams.

The tournament initially kicked off with 14 teams divided between the Harpy Eagle and Jaguar Conferences, with a projected total of 56 to 63 games. During the tournament, teams from the Jaguar and Harpy Eagle Conferences will play against each other twice, ultimately leading to the top four teams qualifying for the playoffs. The number oneranked team will take on the fourth-ranked team, while the second-ranked team will face the third-ranked team.

The winners of these playoff games will then advance

to their Conference Finals, where they will compete in a best-of-three series to determine who will proceed to the National Finals.

The championship-winning team will be awarded a prize of $1 million, in addition to receiving trophies, while the runners-up will receive $500,000, along with their own trophies. This tournament was made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Culture, Youth, and Sport Ministry, G-Boats Guyana, the National Sports Commission, the Guyana Basketball Federation, and the Georgetown Basketball Federation.

Indian city of Kochi.

Organisers have also extended the deadline for the list of released players from November 15 to November 26.

At the same time, Bloomberg News reported on Friday that Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in buying a multi-billion dollar stake in the IPL. The report indicated that advisers of Saudi Arabian crown prince Mohammad bin Salman have sounded out Indian government officials about moving the IPL into a holding company valued at as much as U.S. $30 billion.

- Another three-matches on today at Gymnasium

Play between Eagles (attack) and Pepsi Sonics earlier in the tournament

Final design of GFF’s National Training Centre revealed

Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President, Wayne Forde, on Thursday, unveiled the final design for the federation's National Training Centre (NTC) in Providence. The architectural firm, SRKN, presented the blueprint for the multi-million-dollar facility to the media then.

The unvealing ceremony was also attended by GFF

First Vice-President, Brigadier General (Ret) Bruce Lovell, representatives of the federation’s Regional Associations and Triston Gomes of SRKN architectural company, among others.

President Forde noted that the long-cherished vision of establishing a cutting-edge football facility in Guyana is coming to fru-

ition thanks to the unwavering commitment of all our valued partners, including FIFA and Concacaf.

"The construction of the Guyana Football Federation first official Home of Football represents the fulfilment of a commitment we made to the Members of the GFF back in 2015. After an extensive and comprehensive design and engineering

undertaking, we now have a well thought out facility, accepted and approved by FIFA. We will now enter a new phase of intensive construction activities to complete this project over the next three years. This is a watershed moment for the entire football fraternity."

The fully operational international standard stadium, encompassing top-

notch football pitch, modern office spaces, accommodation, state-of-the-art media facilities and fan stands, will be completed in three years, according to the GFF. In early October, President Forde and Second Vice-President Rawlston Adams conducted an on-site assessment of the FIFA-approved floodlight installation project at the NTC.

The lighting contract was awarded to Musco Sport Lighting, a United States-based company, which has enlisted the services of Cummings Electrical, a local partner, for specific aspects of the project. The floodlights are expected to be fully operational by early December.

Torginol Paints sponsors Stephen Vieira

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, November 4, 2023

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Sachin Puri (right) of Torginol Paints Inc. presents the company’s sponsorship to biker Stephen Vieira (Photo: News Room/Avidesh Narine/November 2, 2023)

Final design of GFF’s National Training Centre revealed

SEE PAGE

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A 3D render of the finished design

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| SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2023