Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 05-09-2023.pdf

Easier commute, comfort for Matthews Ridge residents —

with commissioning of new $244M road

RESIDENTS of Matthews Ridge, Region One (Barima-Waini), are now able to enjoy easier commute, following the commissioning of a new $244 million road.

The road, which was commissioned by Minister

of Housing and Water Collin Croal, aligns with President, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s commitment to enhance the region’s infrastructure, as part of efforts to address the challenges residents had encountered.

The new concrete road

spans 1,150 meters in length and 16 feet in width, significantly enhancing transportation in the area. It marks a major achievement within the hinterland road programme, the Housing and Water Ministry said in a press release.

“It's important to note that the Ministry of Public Works will oversee the completion of another section of the road, with plans for further kilometers of road development in progress,” the ministry said.

President Ali remains dedicated to improving the region's road infrastructure, acknowledging the hardships faced by residents prior to the project's completion.

With the commissioning of this road, residents no

longer need to contend with muddy conditions, greatly improving their daily lives. The residents of the community expressed immense gratitude for this vital enhancement, which was done by GV Construction.

The following is the full statement from the Minister of Public Works, Juan

Edghill on the increase in road accidents:

“THE Ministry of Public

Works has noticed an increasingly alarming trend of

excessive speeding and reckless driving on the nation’s roadways. A practice that must never be condoned in a civilised society.

Speed racing belongs on the circuit.

In the last few weeks, persons younger and older, males and females, have lost their lives on the roads due to accidents reportedly caused by speeding, coupled with alcohol consumption in some instances.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has revealed that from January 1 to August 28, 2023, a total of 109 persons lost their lives in 91 accidents. For the same period in 2022, there were 62 fatal accidents, which resulted in 68 deaths.

There is a level of irresponsibility that is practiced by many drivers today, and one has to wonder if this is the cost of development.

The government, through the Ministry of Public Works, wishes to make clear that while the country’s road infrastructural programme is extensive, you, the citizens, are the country’s greatest assets. Therefore, all of us have a responsibility to ensure the roadways are safe through correct and lawful use. We must practice safety first.

The government’s transformative agenda includes expanding main roads and other essential infrastructure

to accommodate growth in population and vehicle traffic. This is to accommodate the economic advancement of the country and equally ensure the safety of every citizen and visitor.

I plead with you to avoid the temptation of speed chasing and drag racing on the roads.

Yes, laws will be enforced, but the responsibility of practicing what is lawful lies with all of us.

Additionally, with these accidents, the ministry has taken note of the increased

destruction of public property and warns that stricter fines and penalties will be introduced to curb this. In the case of reckless driving, these drivers will be held responsible and made to pay the cost of replacement and or repairs.

As the Minister of Public Works, I join with President Irfaan Ali and Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, in urging the police to launch an expansive road safety campaign throughout the country to tackle the root causes of this problem.”

Residents of Matthews Ridge are now able to enjoy easier commute, following the commissioning of a new $244 million road

‘All of us have a responsibility to ensure roadways are safe’

— Public Works Minister says

Education, dialogue paramount to countering Islamophobia

–– President Ali says Islam has to survive in the multiculturalism of the Caribbean

–– suggests study on the religion and multiculturalism in the region

By Cassandra Khan

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan

Ali has said that Islamophobia is increasing, and opined that this could be countered through education and dialogue.

He believes that Islamophobia, which is a social malice that fosters hatred, prejudice, bias and discrimination against persons based on their identification as Muslims, is one of the vices of the times

In his address during the opening ceremony of the two - day International Symposium on the History and Legacy of Muslims in the Caribbean, Dr Ali said Islamophobia is historic and can be traced back centuries

He related that combatting it would, therefore, require uprooting its source and the recognition of its ill effects

“ I remain wedded to the view that studies of the history of Islam can help to identify the root cause of Islamophobia and help to uproot them,” President Ali said

Further, given the misleading view that the practice of Islam cannot survive in a multicultural environment, President Ali said that religion must stay alive, and called for an academic paper to be designed on Islam and multiculturalism in the Caribbean

“ We have to design a paper on Islam and multiculturalism in the Caribbean because there is a mistaken view that somehow Islam and the practice of Islam cannot survive or is different from a multicultural environment,” he said, adding: “Islam has to survive and stay alive in this multiculturalism that I am speaking of.”

The symposium at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre aims to cover the fields of culture, history, political affairs, sociology, re-

ligion, tradition and a range of disciplines and interests present in the Caribbean today because of the Islamic presence and influence

President Ali said that the history of Muslims in the Caribbean is one of resilience and resistance because, despite facing daunting challenges , Muslims managed to preserve their faith, culture and traditions while simultaneously becoming an integral part of the Caribbean societies.

“ Within the historical narrative of Islam ’ s presence in this region , there exists valuable lessons of resilience and resistance that warrant attention,” he said

The Head of State said that Guyana has the greatest example in the way its people live, collaborate, cooperate, and in the way they come together , respecting each other when it comes to religious tolerance and religious integration

“ Guyana can be that case study for the rest of the world where persons of different faith, make up the cabinet , the parliament and the seamless integration through which each supports the other is one that not only warrants attention, but warrants a case study,” he said

The President said that he anticipates that the symposium will help pinpoint the factors contributing to the dynamic relationship and interrelationship

SPARKING A NEW DIALOGUE

“This conference must be able to produce that academic paper that must spark a new dialogue . An academic paper that comes from a multicultural , multi - ethnic community in the Western hemisphere can become a very important piece of document,” he said

Noting that Islam promotes existence in a multicultural environment , President Ali said that he believes the symposium will help bring greater awareness of Islam in the multi-ethnic Caribbean

Considering that Islamic history is very strongly cemented in the Caribbean region through slavery and indentureship, he said that the event is significant, as it provides a unique opportunity to delve into the rich and diverse history of Muslims in the region, and to add to the experience of the ongoing series about Islam and civilization

“I want us to recognize that this region is multi-ethnic and multicultural in nature So our deliberation must take into consideration the makeup of this region. Through the introduction of the institution of African enslavement and Indian indenturedship it was under these systems that Muslims

Further , Dr Abdullah Hakim Quick, Special Envoy of the IRCICA, related that the symposium has brought together a number of experts to produce new narratives for the Caribbean region

“

We will look at the waves of Muslims who came into the Caribbean and study their impact We are bringing forward documented evidence that shows that Muslims came to this region before Columbus,” he said Dr Quick further explained: “From Spain, West Africa , written records , eye witness reports, maps, sculptures and much more We will also look at the waves of the Muslims who came during the Atlantic slave trade bringing forward written documents , eyewitness reports, autobiographies that confirm that somewhere between 15 to 30 per cent of the enslaved African people who came into this region were Muslims.”

were introduced to the Caribbean,” President Ali said

Dr Mahmud Erol Kilic, Director General of the Research Centre for Islamic History , Art and Culture ( IRCICA ), said that the symposium represents a multilateral initiative that carries information about the cultural heritage of Muslims in the Caribbean

“It builds a bridge between cultural audiences from the Caribbean and those in the other OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) member states,” he said

Dr Kilic explained that IRCICA is the OIC’s cultural subsidiary and is entrusted with the mission to strengthen the common cultural grounds to study, preserve and promote correct understandings about the history , art , sciences , philosophy , scholarships , cultural and social traditions of Muslims across the world

They will also look at the 19th century and the indentured labour period in detail, the struggle to maintain identity, preservation of religious practices and culture from Suriname to Guyana to Trinidad to the islands of the Caribbean, not only from the Indian experience but the Javanese experience

“We will look at what was the impact of Muslims in the economy of the region , in sports and recreation, in arts culture and storytelling We will shift also to the wave that came into the region in the 20th century bringing economic migration, Arabic speaking people , coming into this part of the world,” he said.

The International Symposium on the History and Legacy of Muslims in the Caribbean is being hosted by Guyana, in collaboration with IRCICA and the General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali; Minster of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd; Dr Mahmud Erol Kilic, Director General of the IRCICA; Dr Abdullah Hakim Quick, Special Envoy of the IRCICA and others at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, where the two-day International Symposium on the History and Legacy of Muslims in the Caribbean is being conducted (Delano Williams photo)

Construction progressing on paediatric hospital

vealed that contractors have gone a long way in developing the new pae-

–– Health Minister says diatric hospital

Dr Anthony made this disclosure while delivering remarks at the twoday neonatal conference which was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre

At the time, the Health Minister was speaking on the challenges that the health system is currently experiencing in relation to conducting paediatric cardiac surgery

While he noted that as

it is now they are not able to do some of the surgeries immediately, the new facilities will cater for this “ The new facilities will be able to do that because we will have a specialised suite set aside for paediatric cardiac surgery,” he said Added to this, he said that they would have to train a team of persons to be able to manage these patients Against this backdrop , he said that there are many other things that will be in that hospital including the first MRI for the public sector

To this end, he went on to add: “And we have got a far way in developing that hospital you will see that construction has started ; we just started doing the piling and as I said by 2025 this should be completed.”

Previously, it was stated that the facility would have 256 beds , cover 24,000 square meters and have an imaging suite that will include CT scans and rays along with a modern laboratory

The paediatric and maternal hospital is expected to cost $12.4 billion.

MINISTER of Health , Dr . Frank Anthony , over the weekend , re -

An artist impression of the $12.4 billion paediatric and maternal hospital

Dominica to get first female and Indigenous Head of State

DOMINICA is set to elect its first female head of state when Parliament meets on September 12 to elect a replacement for President Charles Savarin, whose 10-year term in office ends in October.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said the Dominica Constitution provides for consultation between the head of Government and the Opposition Leader on the selection of a candidate

He told a news conference that Sylvanie Burton, a member of the island’s indigenous population , will be his government nominee to become the 11th head of state since the island attained political independence from Britain on November 3, 1978

He said he has also in-

formed Opposition Leader, Jesma Paul Victor of his nominee, and “we have set a tentative date for Parliament to meet on the 12th of September.”

“ So , I am hoping to hear from her before this date so that the Speaker can be appropriately informed of whether it is a joint nominee or there is not a joint nominee So I will allow for some time for her to form her position on the Government’s nominee and, as I have said to her, whether it is yes or no then either one is fine.”

Skerrit’s Dominica Labour Party ( DLP ) Government has a significant majority in the 21-member Parliament, and the Government’s nominee is expected to be elected when the Parliament meets.

“It is always better to

get a joint nominee presented, but that would not hold back the process,” he told reporters, adding: “I look forward to hearing from her soon and, very importantly, for her to say, ‘ Prime Minister I agree with the nominee and I am prepared to sign the joint letter to the Speaker.’

Skerrit told reporters that the 58 - year - old Burton is from Kalinago Territory , where the descendants of the country’s indigenous people — the Caribs — still reside

She has been a senior public servant since 2014 and is currently the permanent secretary in the Ministry of the Environment , Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment.

She has been a justice

of the peace for 25 years and holds a master’s degree in project management and a bachelor’s degree in rural development

She is married and has two children

“ She is the first female president and first indigenous president in Dominica,” Skerrit said (CMC)

Sylvanie Burton (Photo sourced from Dominica News Online)

Guyana’s call to action

IN recent times, our beautiful nation has been grappling with a growing concern that affects us all – the alarming increase in road accidents.

These incidents have not only left countless families shattered, but have also cast a somber shadow over the overall safety of our roadways. The time has come for us to come together as a community and address this issue head-on, making our roads safer for everyone.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has aptly identified two major culprits behind these accidents: Drunk driving and speeding.

These reckless behaviours have cost us dearly in terms of lives lost and the emotional trauma endured by survivors and their families. However, it's heartening to see that the government is taking active steps to curb these issues.

One of the commendable measures taken by the government is the stricter enforcement of laws against drunk driving. This includes increased police patrols and roadside checkpoints, coupled with harsher penalties for offenders.

We must applaud these efforts, as they send a clear message that such irresponsible be -

haviour will not be tolerated. However, let us also remember that our individual choices matter immensely. Before we get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol, we should think not only about the legal consequences but also about the potential harm we could cause to ourselves and others.

Speeding, another major factor contributing to accidents, has not been overlooked either. Various initiatives, such as the promotion of safe driving campaigns, are being put in place to address this issue.

While these measures are important, we, as re-

sponsible citizens, must also play our part. Adhering to speed limits, respecting road signs, and maintaining our vehicles in proper working condition are simple yet effective ways we can contribute to road safety.

However, it's crucial to understand that addressing the surge in road accidents requires a multi-stakeholder effort. Government actions alone cannot solve this problem entirely. We need a collective commitment from all sectors of society, including law enforcement, the judiciary, healthcare providers, insurance companies, and, most importantly, us – the everyday

road users.

To succeed in our mission to make Guyana's roads safer, we must: Understand the consequences of reckless driving and the importance of adhering to traffic laws; be responsible drivers, setting a positive precedent for others to follow; co-operate with traffic police and report dangerous drivers when necessary; engage with local authorities and advocate for better road infrastructure, signage, and public transportation options; organise or participate in awareness campaigns and events to promote road safety, and instill safe driving habits in our children and peers.

We have the power to change the narrative, to reduce the pain and suffering caused by road accidents, and to make our roads safer for all. Let's unite as a nation, standing shoulder to shoulder, to confront this issue headon.

Remember, our choices on the road impact not only our lives but also the lives of our fellow Guyanese. By working together, we can turn the tide and ensure safer journeys for everyone. Let's make the pledge today to prioritise road safety and transform our nation into a model of responsible driving.

Tourists, visiting migrant natives help local agriculture, fisherfolk

Dear Editor, THE diaspora is very important to the economy. In travelling throughout Guyana, it is observed that Guyanese in the disapora and tourists patronise local markets and stores (plus groceries). Vendors are pleased to serve foreigners from whom they earn significant revenues.

Markets are also tourist attractions. Visitors and Guyanese from the diaspora make it their duty to visit the local

markets where they expend a large amount of foreign currency on domestic products. People come to eat, to drink, and to be entertained. They spend money on local delicacies and snacks and on our local drinks and even on a full meal (baigan choka, roti, dhal puri, fish, and meats, among others).

The local farmers also supply domestic foods to hotels and to ExxonMobil and other oil companies operating offshore Guyana.

Local folk are also im-

portant as consumers and purchasers of local produce sustaining vendors since the end of slavery in the 1830s.

The Ministry of Agriculture, through Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and his team, encourage consumption of local produce, meat and fish.

Farmers and fisherfolk, as well as hotels are reaping relatively good incomes from the expenditures of foreign visitors (from the diaspora and tourists) who enjoy local foods and hospitality.

Visiting members of Guy-

anese families, guests, and tourists love Guyanese cuisine, enabling the locals to make money from the agriculture industry. The amount of earnings is sizeable from the fruits and vegetables, rice and other grains, and fish and meat that are sold to foreigners.

The diaspora also creates a huge market for cooked produce and frozen fish; Guyanese meat is not allowed in North America. Frozen and/or cooked fish and cooked vegetables are taken

in luggage to North America and the UK and to Caribbean destinations, thereby boosting local production and small cottage industries that prepare cooked foods for visiting Guyanese for overseas travel.

Farmers are encouraged by the Ministry of Agriculture to produce a wide range of food crops, fruits, and vegetables, meat, and fish to meet growing the demand of an increased number of visitors.

And fishermen have been making a good catch over the

last couple of months; price of fish, apart from Gilbaka, have gone down. Gilbaka is a prized fish that is in demand in the diaspora.

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (and Forestry) have been encouraging and providing assistance to help farmers, especially small and medium-sized farmers. Farmers appreciate the assistance as they revealed to me.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Guyanese here need to hear from the diaspora

I BELIEVE social analysts who follow international news can do a plausible job of assessing political trends in a country they do not live in. But at the end of the day, it is the home-based analyst that will give you angles and dimensions that you who live outside the territory will not get.

For example, I think I can do an analysis of American society because there is so much stuff on American sociology that it is impossible to digest all of it. But academics that live in the US and study American society will see aspects to the nature of people and places and politics in the US that we who live outside cannot grasp.

Politicians keep close relationship with journalists because it is the commonsensical thing to do. A journalist can break a juicy story of a rising business star, the details of which were given by a competitor who wants to see the guy exposed for his double standards. Home-based analysts get little bits of secrets that make them do more in -

sightful commentaries. One example from me should suffice. I know from the little bits I get directly that there are PNC leaders who think Aubrey Norton should be replaced.

What we have in Guyana is the opposite of commonsense. The newspapers’ letter sections and social media commentaries are filled with foreign based Guyanese who write on Guyana informing Guyanese who live here about things that happen here when they don’t live here.

It should be the other way around. We who live here should present Guyanese who reside outside with interpretations of Guyanese development.

Diaspora Guyanese should tell about Sunak in the UK; Trump versus Biden in American politics; how strong is Trudeau in Canada; and what is happening in Europe.

But this is not the reality and the largest caricature in this context is a weekly column in the Stabroek News titled, “In The Diaspora”

(ITD) edited by a Canada-based woman, Dr. Alissa

Trotz. ITD is the most ironic absurdity in journalism anywhere in the world. Here is what the strap-line of ITD informs us.

I quote: “This is a series of weekly columns from Guyanese in the diaspora with an interest in issues relating to Guyana.”

Whoever thought of ITD had energy to waste and end up channelling that energy into something without logic. Why would Guyanese diaspora folks write a weekly column on issues relating to Guyana? It is for us, here in Guyana to write commentaries for the diaspora of places, people and events in Guyana that the

diaspora needs and wants to know about.

I read ITD and these foreign-based folks know more about the so-called threat to Red Thread than Guyanese do.

The ITD columns tell us what is wrong and negative in Guyana and when you look around, you don’t see what they are talking about.

Dr. Nigel Westmaas informs us that social decay characterises Guyanese society.

Dr. Desmond Thomas, another diaspora gentleman, saw it fit to repeat what Westmaas noted. Since Westmaas and Thomas discovered social decay, I have been looking for it and can’t

find it. I go Sunday driving with my wife and I am about to conclude this column to go on that routine and I will look once more for the social decay.

ITD columnist, Dr. Percy Hitnzen laments our reliance on fossil fuel industry. He has been living in California for the past 40 years. A German Guyanese, Dr. Andre Brandli (sound like Bruce Lee) gave us an account of the 2020 general election here and he wasn’t a day in Guyana from March 2 to August 2 when the process concluded.

We in Guyana would like to hear from Brandli of why Germany is taking

the lead after the US to participate in the Ukraine war rather than seeking a peace deal. Guyanese would like to know about the degenerate capitalism in Silicon Valley in California where Silicon Valley’s superrich is building a surreal city.

Maybe Hintzen can do a piece on that. Trotz lives in Canada. Can she tell us if the minority government of Justin Trudeau may lose the support of the NDP and Canada may have fresh elections?

So why are they not informing us about these things? They are not stupid. They know just as how China and Russia monitor every critical comment and your name goes into a file, the democracies of the West do the same.

There is no good guy versus bad guy when it comes to monitoring citizens. Remember what Edward Snowden revealed. The US was storing billions of private conversations of its citizens without them knowing Big Brother was listening to what they were saying.

Learners eager as schools reopen

THE atmosphere was filled with excitement on Monday, as teachers and learners alike eagerly stepped into their new classrooms, marking the grand reopening of schools and the thrilling start of a brand-new academic adventure.

The school corridors were filled with students chatting and embracing each other after the long summer break.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) visited several schools within Georgetown, where students and teachers shared their anticipations for the first week.

Vasanna Persaud of Queen’s College is pleased that the July – August break is finally over.

“I’m very happy to be back and to see all my friends but I’m actually kind of nervous, starting a new form, especially the CSEC year,” Persaud said.

Over at North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary School, Tafariah Harris happily strolled into the school compound. She told DPI that she missed school badly and was anticipating

the return date.

“It’s a nice experience at least for us to come back to school instead of being home all summer doing nothing…I’m happy to be back,” Harris said.

Embarking on her new secondary school life at St Joseph High School, Sarah Singh pledged to improve in every area of

her studies.

“I feel a little bit excited and at the same time nervous. I’m looking to learn about computers and do more in English A and B. I’m very excited to meet new people but I also have three friends that are coming here with me,” an elated Singh said.

DPI also caught up with the Headmistress of

the North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary School, Rasulan Khan who also expressed eagerness as she saw happy faces boring through the school gate.

“I am very excited to return to school. We’re looking forward to once again improved performance, taking the school back to its glorious days,” the headmistress said.

Meanwhile, Colleen DeJounge was quite emotional as she watched her daughter make her first step into the Tutorial High School.

“I am happy and a bit nervous as well because this is her first time coming to the city area to attend school. She even got up early to come to school this morning. We prepared a long time for this,” the woman relayed.

Additionally, Dwane Leacock told DPI that her two sons are wellequipped to start the new secondary school journey. “The cash grant helped a great lot. I was able to get the majority of the stuff for them early,” Leacock said.

The People Who Help

THE last time I saw or spoke to Colleen Harewood, before a few nights after my son’s death, she was in her early 20s and living in Kitty.

I saw and spoke to her again shortly after his funeral via video call on the messenger app and she is in her mid-60s, hair totally grey and as beautiful as I always remembered her to be

I was responding to several missed calls from Colleen , who was one of so many people I know seeking to reach out and offer condolences following the news of my son, Ishmael’s death in a car crash.

Like so many people , Colleen too freely admitted to not really knowing to say beyond offering her sympathy, particularly as she had

never lost a child and could hardly imagine what I was going through

She had, however, lost her second husband and knew what it was like to lose someone near and dear So we exchanged stories She told me about her husband’s death and the circumstances leading up to it and I told her in graphic detail about my son’s accident and all that we had learned about what took place the night prior to his death

There was no mistaking our shared grief at my son’s passing At one time , as I spoke, she said her skin was ‘ growing ’ and her lovely face clouded with anguish that touched me deeply

She then complimented me on my ability to even talk about Ishmael’s death

telling me that many people cannot do that, adding, “You’re a strong woman”. I nodded, not feeling particularly strong but feeling that what strength I did exhibit came from the spirit of my dead son, who seemed to be helping me even in death.

The goodwill he so easily attracted while alive was clearly evident as strangers, neighbours and friends alike stopped by our house to offer their sympathy – some to later attend the “wake” – each and every one with a positive word to say about my son

It buoyed me up It made me smile and it certainly lightened the visceral pain I felt when the doctor told me the words I times in movies, never thinking that one day I would hear them myself, “I’m sorry to have to tell you

that your son just passed”.

I related all of this to Colleen as we reminisced about our time together here in Guyana, when she would expertly braid my thick, natural hair in the exotic styles she would discover in the “Africa” magazine.

At the time I was married to her cousin, who was abusive and I was actually staying with his father, who rescued me when I was forced to run from home with my baby son and only the clothes on my back

And so Colleen and I talked on – she telling me of some of her marital experiences, how she coped as a single mother of five children, doing two jobs and adding, “I’ve been working two jobs since I’ve been in this country”

Her witty no-nonsense persona came over crisply in the way she described events and people and her responses to them And it was clear , early in our

conversation that we were like-minded

We laughed, joked and shared our memories, eventually forced to bring our chat to a halt when we had been talking – well over two hours – and that she had been in bed when I called, while I had slept early and just woken up and was unable to go back to sleep

After my talk with Collen , subsequent similarly deep conversations with two of my cousins – Jeune and Carmen – and my wonderfully supportive niece , Lauren, all in the UK, I was reminded of something I read: “Finding similarities between your own grief ex-

perience and the experiences of others can help connect you in understanding to both the universality of loss, and uniqueness of your own grief.”

A this point I must mention Margot Boyce -Byass , Shirvington Hannays, Dawn Alexis Braithwaite, my two friends– both named Patricia – neighbours , friends and my remaining eight children, for their unwavering support

A heartfelt thank you to you all, who have helped and are still helping me heal and reminding me of the proverb, “Grief shared is halved . Joy shared is doubled”.

Region Six community grounds to be rehabilitated in phases

–– Minister Singh says over $600M will be needed to execute works

AS government works to provide more recreational spaces across Guyana, Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, on Sunday disclosed the plans for the rehabilitation of community grounds in Region Six

These works are in keeping with the announcement made by Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo in June when he pledged $ 400 million towards the enhancement of community grounds across the East Berbice-Corentyne region

A total of 122 grounds have been earmarked for rehabilitation works

Dr Singh, on Sunday, met with grounds committee chairpersons , the regional chairman and vice - chairman and stakeholders from the 19 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and three municipalities, at the Albion Sports Complex

The minister explained that given the number of grounds in the region and the works identified , it would cost over $600 million which is much more than the amount currently allocated

As such, a decision was taken to commence work on the most critical and essential areas and tackle the works in different phases.

The first phase will include fencing, landfilling, construction, and/or repairs to sanitary facilities as well as regular ground maintenance

Over the past few weeks , the minister has visited the grounds to see firsthand the works that are needed, and to formulate a balanced approach to addressing the various issues

Based on meetings with the local representatives , priorities were outlined for

each ground

The minister explained that given the limited funding available in this phase, the key concern would be to ensure that fences are in place to keep animals out of the facilities so as to avoid further damage

He added that landfilling will include ploughing and leveling as well as some sectional raising to avoid waterlogging Again he noted that given the size of some grounds, it would be difficult to raise the level to a stage where flooding can be entirely avoided in this phase

Moreover , the availability of sanitary facilities was a common issue highlighted Such facilities will be constructed on grounds that regularly host activities for use by players and spectators , while existing sanitary facilities will be rehabilitated

Meanwhile , Dr Singh said that he has noticed that several grounds are in a deplorable state which is due to the unavailability of “slashers.”

To this end, he committed to purchasing a fleet of slashers which will be attached to tractors that were given to each NDC However , he pointed out that this will take some time as they have to be sure they are compatible with the tractors before they are bought and shipped into the country In the interim, he committed to fixing any existing slashers so that the NDCs can share Minister Singh noted that the investment that is being made signifies a remarkable step towards fostering recreation and providing residents with an opportunity to play sports such as cricket and football

He also emphasised the importance these grounds play in community life

while noting their importance towards physical well-being and community cohesion

“These grounds are very important centres of activity in the community When I visited I was impressed Some days when I visited cricket teams were there, this must be the renewal of activities on these community grounds Berbice has produced many outstanding sports people , some of the country’s finest cricketers We want this to lay the foundation for good quality cricket and good quality sports in Berbice so that this region can once again continue to produce worldclass athletes [and] more importantly , produce competitive community activities These grounds must be a hive of activities,” he added

Towards the end of the engagement, the minster tasked those gathered with ensuring that the various committees are functional and ensuring that the investments are sustained and protected

He further pledged to set up a platform where regular updates and concerns can be shared and addressed.

Minister Singh inspects a community ground in Berbice

‘Condemn opposition’s attempts to trivialise slavery’ — PM Phillips tells Guyanese

PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, has called on members of the public to vehemently condemn the callous attempts by Opposition Member of Parliament Roysdale Forde to trivialise the magnitude of slavery.

In a letter released to the various newspapers, Prime Minister Phillips called out the opposition for yet another blatant representation of racism, while referencing Forde’s comments on the apology offered by the former British Prime Minister, William Gladstone.

Recently, Forde contested that “sadly in the 21st century independent Guyana, the Ali government, in many ways, is not different from the colonial masters and enslavers.”

Identifying these comments as completely devoid of historical awareness, sensitivity, and understanding of the impact of slavery on societies and individuals, Prime Minister Phillips said comparing the freedoms that were fought for and are enjoyed today should never be equated to the regime of slavery that existed hundreds of years ago.

These comments only displayed a vile attempt to trivialise the impact of slavery, while discrediting the atrocities suffered by countless individuals.

“Slavery is undeniably one of the darkest chapters in human history, marked by immense suffering, dehumanisation, and the systematic violation of basic human rights. It is disheartening to witness the extent to which Forde has journeyed to deceive the public in furtherance of his own political agenda, particularly given his own involvement in the orchestrated coup

against the leadership of the PNC,” the PM relayed.

These comments form part of the opposition’s campaign to perpetuate falsehoods and mislead Guyanese, as they seek to undermine the government’s policy of promoting inclusivity and unity.

Additionally, the Prime Minister pointed out that President, Dr. Irfaan Ali re-

Officials

mains a passionate advocate for the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) reparations initiative, and this illustrates a commitment to addressing past wrongs and working towards mutual understanding and reconciliation.

Meanwhile, the government’s plans and policies demonstrate an understanding of the importance of

crafting a diverse, multicultural, and brighter future, while building on the experiences learned from the past.

This, he said, is the approach that should be taken by leaders of a country, as opposed to seeking to cause strife and upset.

“We will not stand idly by while the opposition tarnishes the reputation of our dedicated president and undermines the trust that our citizens have placed in our government. Their persistent propagation of baseless accusations only serves to erode the foundations of our democracy and sow seeds of doubt among our citizens,” he said.

He reassured that the PPP/C Government remains committed to fostering inclusivity and equity while forging a path to upliftment through meaningful collaboration. (DPI)

of key agencies, ministers to be interviewed as part of CFATF evaluation

THE Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) Assessment Team, on Monday, commenced the Fourth Round Mutual Evaluation of Guyana’s Anti-money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism/Countering Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/ CPF) as part of the country’s international compliance obligations under the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) Standards and Methodology.

According to a release from the Attorney-General Chambers, the Assessment Team, which arrived in Guyana over the weekend, is led by Avelon Perry, Financial Adviser of the CFATF. He is being assisted by Sunita Ramsumir, Co-Mission leader Legal Adviser of the CFATF.

The other members of the Assessment Team are regional professionals in the AML/CFT/CPF Framework including Shana Donavan, Financial Assessor, Cayman

Islands; Teron Greenidge, Law Enforcement Assessor, Grenada; Nikala Bazil, Financial Assessor, Dominica and Cassandra Seetahal, Legal Assessor.

The on-site assessment will be conducted from September 4 to September 15, 2023, during which the Assessment Team will interview various ministers, officials and heads of agencies including from the Attorney-General Chambers and the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Judiciary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Office of the Commissioner of Police.

Other agencies which will be engaged during the process include the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Deeds and Commercial Registry, the Central Bank of Guyana, the Guyana Securities Council, the Guyana Police Force, the

Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit, the Guyana Geology and Gold Mines Commission, the Guyana Gold Board, Real Estate Associations, local banks, insurance companies, accountants, cambios, among others.

The Assessment Team held a high-level introductory meeting on Monday at the Marriott Hotel. In attendance were the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall SC.; Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira; Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh; Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn and Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, along with various heads of agencies.

At the end of this onsite evaluation, a Mutual Evaluation Report will be prepared on Guyana and presented at the CFATF Plenary in March 2024.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips

Guyana’s CFATF evaluation commenced on Monday with a high-level introductory meeting between members of the Assessment Team and several ministers and heads of agencies

Efforts to safeguard biodiversity receive welcome boost

— newly launched Global Biodiversity Framework Fund will support sustainable use of natural resources

THE Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed the launch of the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund during the Seventh Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Assembly in Vancouver, Canada.

The newly established fund will facilitate financing for developing countries — which are often the most biodiverse — to enhance their ability to protect, restore and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources, as established through The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted by 196 Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity at COP15 in December 2022.

“The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework places agrifood systems at the forefront of an enormous challenge that will require important financial resources, coordination, and commitment to implement win-win solutions for people and the planet. The new Fund is also an essential part of climate action, and a critical step towards making these solutions a reality,’’ said FAO Deputy Director-General, Maria Helena Semedo.

The Fund, uniquely dedicated to supporting the Framework and its action towards halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 and putting nature on a recovery path by 2050, provides an opportunity to receive funding from all sources. Two countries have announced initial contributions to start its capitalisation: Canada pledged 200 million Canadian dollars and the United Kingdom 10 million pounds.

AGRIFOOD SYSTEMS

Biodiversity is the variety of life at genetic, species and ecosystem levels. It is essential for food and agriculture and indispensable to food security and sustainable development. It includes the domesticated plants and animals that are part of crop, livestock, forest or aquaculture systems, harvested forest and aquatic species, the wild relatives of domesticated species, and other wild species harvested for food and other products.

Over half of the targets of the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework are directly related to agrifood sectors, and FAO is the custodian of four of the Framework’s headline indicators: ecosystem restoration, fish stocks, areas under productive and sustainable agriculture, and sustainable forest management.

The transformation of agrifood systems to make them more sustainable can unlock solutions that generate multiple benefits, including safeguarding biodiversity which can help address the challenges posed by diverse and changing environmental conditions and socio-economic circumstances.

Actions such as diversifying production systems, for example by using multiple species, breeds or varieties, integrating the use of crop, livestock, forest and aquatic biodiversity, or promoting habitat diversity in the local landscape or seascape,

increase resilience, tackle the climate crisis, improve livelihoods and support food security and nutrition.

FAO is a member of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert group on Global Biodiversity Framework Indicators and is also co-leading, with the UN Environment Program (UNEP), the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration which actively contributes to the monitoring and reporting of Target 2 of the Kunming-Montreal GBF related to restoring degraded areas.

FAO AND THE GEF

The GEF serves as a financial mechanism for several environmental conventions, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Minamata Convention and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) which adopted the Global Biodiversity Framework.

Since 2006, FAO and the GEF have partnered to address the most critical issues at the nexus of agrifood systems and the environment. FAO leads various flagship GEF programs, including the Dryland Sustainable Landscapes Impact Program and three Integrated Programs on Food Systems, on Indo-Malaya Critical Forest Biomes and on Clean and Healthy Oceans. These have leveraged FAO's on-the-ground capacity and technical expertise across diverse domains to achieve commitments to environmen-

our seas.

FAO AT THE GEF ASSEMBLY

ly-led conservation.

tal agreements and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Recently, the GEF also approved 26 FAO-led projects with a total of $174.7 million in GEF funding and leverage $1.2 billion in co-financing. These aim to transform agrifood systems into solutions to biodiversity loss, climate change, ecosystem degradation, and pollution on land, in freshwater, and in

From August 22-26, environmental leaders from 185 countries are gathering in Vancouver, Canada for the Seventh Assembly of the Global Environment Facility, a high-level meeting that happens every four years.

Building on recent diplomatic breakthroughs on biodiversity loss, toxic chemicals, and the high seas, the GEF Assembly aims to be a critical stocktaking for the Kunming-Montreal Framework 2030 targets to end pollution and nature loss, combat climate change, and propel inclusive, local-

FAO is engaging across the spectrum of GEF Assembly events, including in three high-level roundtable discussions related to Building Cities for People and Planet, Transforming Food Systems and Managing for Environmental Results and Transformational Change.

The Organisation also leads six side events and has two exhibition spaces displaying products from the FAO-GEF projects, including the Coastal Fisheries Initiative and the Common Oceans programme, and promoted a new publication on nutrition in GEF investments.

Single mother of three receives home under MoM initiative

By Cindy Parkinson

PRESIDENT Irfaan

Ali's objective to improve the lives of every Guyanese, especially the most vulnerable, and provide them with their own homes is being accomplished through his Men on Mission (MoM) programme and the Ministry of Housing.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, the Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha explained that he was honoured to be a part of the opening of “a brand-new home” and delivering the keys to the owner and her family last Saturday.

On one of President Ali's trips to Region Six, Sadna Rambarran, a single mother of three from Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder, approached him.

Minister Mustapha stated that she had recently lost a child and was having trouble making ends meet and surviving.

The single mother explained her situation to the President, who promised to get his team to investigate and build a home for her and her children, according to Minister Mustapha

He said, “when the President was in Region

Six on one of his visits, the mother met him and asked for him to help her get a house. President Ali asked me to find someone who is capable and will be ready to build a house for the family. I spoke with Mr. Shaw, who is also a contractor with the Ministry of Agriculture and he agreed to build the house for the single mother.”

The Agriculture Minister also disclosed that the two-bedroom house

was built and furnished with all amenities, inclusive of light and water, at an approximate cost of eight million dollars.

“I am happy to say that the mother and her children didn’t just receive a structure, but they received a home that is fenced and painted. They also received a home with a fridge, stove, beds, water, electricity, fence, a sofa, and whatever else they may have needed. I am also happy to say that

Ms. Rambarran is a part of the 10-days-per-month work programme,” the minister added.

Additionally, Minister Mustapha said that while the government appreciates the contractor and his workmen for a job that was well done, he would also like to recognise the MoM team for once again delivering a “beautiful” home for a family that is in need.

He also stated that, thus far, eight houses have

been delivered to families across Region Six and in a matter of two months, two more are expected to be delivered in the region.

The minister ended by stressing how such activities enhance individuals' lives and their situations. According to him, President Ali has been leading the country towards a better future for all, with the help of his administration, and measures such as these that benefit the people will improve

the standard of living for every Guyanese.

The Regional Chairman David Armogan, other members of the Ministry of Agriculture and residents of the community joined the minister during the handing-over ceremony.

The Guyana Chronicle contacted the project contractor, Mr. Devanand Sawh, who said that he was approached by the government and, after learning about the mother and her children's circumstances, was happy to contribute to the well-deserved recipient.

According to Mr. Shaw, “I am very happy that I could have done this and been a part of this initiative. What President Ali and his government are doing is remarkable, and having the Men on Mission working towards bettering people’s lives is commendable. From what I heard and what I was told, this mother was facing a lot with her children, and she needed much help. Today, it feels good to know that she and her family are safe, and they are in a better home with all amenities.”

The newly built house for Sadna Rambarran, a single mother and her three children of Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder

Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha (right), single mother Sadna Rambarran, and other officials at a simple ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the home

Mr. Devanand Sawh, contractor (extreme left), Minister Mustapha (centre), with Ms. Rambarran, her three kids, and other officials at the handing over of the house at Black Bush Polder on Saturday

Guyana’s unemployment rate declines further

as gov’t invests in workforce development

UNEMPLOYMENT rates in Guyana have been on a downward trajectory since 2021 , and the People ’ s Progressive Party Civic ( PPP /C ) government ’ s efforts to uplift the workforce are bearing fruit.

This is according to a recent report published by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), titled Regional Overview: Global and regional economies at a crossroads

The report credits the booming oil and gas sector as one of the main drivers of economic development, as well as the decline in unemployment “ The unemployment rate declined from 15.6 per cent in 2021 Q1 to 14.5 per cent in 2021 Q3, driven mostly by declines in the unemployment rate of men, which dropped to 12 per cent in 2021 Q3 compared to 18.4 per cent for women

The International Labor Organisation (ILO) estimates further declines in the unemployment rate in 2022 , falling to 12.4 per cent, (11 per cent for men and 14.4 per cent for women),” the report highlighted. The government has been on an aggressive drive to target the unemployment rate in Guyana, and this has seen rapid implementation

of initiatives , such as the part-time jobs initiative, to assist persons in generating income

According to the manifesto, the PPP/C government has committed itself to creating 50,000 jobs by 2025

Additionally, the implementation of Board of Industrial Training (BIT) programmes and the provision of over 20,000 scholarships for Guyanese have proved highly effective in enhancing the skillsets of Guyanese to increase employability

Meanwhile , Guyana ’ s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow by an additional 37.2 per cent in 2023 , with the arrival of the third Floating, Production , Storage , and Offloading (FPSO) vessel

As the government prioritises the diversification of resources , heavy investments in non-oil and sustainable sectors such as agriculture saw the non-oil economy growing by 11.5 per cent in 2022 The sector is expected to grow by an additional 7.9 per cent in 2023

According to the report, “The main drivers of growth in the non-oil economy in 2022 were agriculture, services , and construction , which grew by 11.9 per cent, 9.0 per cent, and 26.3 per

cent, respectively For 2023, these sectors are projected to grow by 7.2 per cent, 5.6 per cent, and 17 per cent.”

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

As the country counties to grow , the government remains keen on further reducing the employment gap between men and women

Based on official figures more than half of the people benefitting from public sector scholarships ( some 57 per cent) are women, with 69 per cent of the people accessing public sector training being women

In the healthcare system, 60 per cent of Guyana ’ s doctors are women and 98 per cent of nurses are also women In the judicial system , 60 per cent of those

who administer justice are women, while 22 per cent of Guyana’s law enforcement officers are women

In addition to addressing unemployment , President , Dr Irfaan Ali has been making significant investments in vocational schools, technical institutes, and high schools

These initiatives aim to equip the workforce with the skills needed to meet the demands of a changing job market, and create a more resilient and sustainable workforce for the future

He recently announced that the government will be training 500 women in heavy-duty machine operations More women are set to receive skills in the health, agriculture and business sectors

President Ali’s vision for holistic workforce development seeks to place workers’ interests and human resources at the forefront

He recently said: “A holistic upliftment of workers is underway in Guyana ,” emphasising the importance of providing workers with the necessary tools and support to adapt to evolving circumstances and thrive in the long term

One of the government’s key initiatives is the Guyana Online Academy of Learning ( GOAL ) Scholarship Programme , which offers academic training , online scholarships, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training ( TVET ) opportunities

Those programmes aim

to ensure that there is no shortage of skilled workers within the country, catering to the increasing demand for expertise

The Ministry of Labour’s Central Manpower and Recruitment Agency (CRMA) has also played a pivotal role in connecting job seekers with employment opportunities In a recent update , CRMA reported that 252 individuals secured employment in both the public and private sectors through the agency’s efforts

Since the launch of the employment-seeking platform in March 2022, approximately 1,786 persons have been registered, underscoring the demand for employment opportunities in Guyana.

Guyana’s unemployment rate

Guyana’s rice sector flourishes, to increase by 12 per cent

By Naomi Parris

RESEARCH and development of new rice strains are improving productivity, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who stated that rice remains the primary staple in Guyana and other CARICOM countries.

While speaking at the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) launch last Friday, the

Head of State disclosed that the country’s rice production is expected to rise by 12 per cent from about 560,000 metric tonnes (MT) in 2021 to more than 625,000 MT in 2023.

He credited this to the introduction of GRDB 16, a new high-yielding variety of rice that was recently harvested and the ongoing research of a biofortified zinc rice variety.

On Saturday, the bio-forti-

fied rice variety with nutritionally enhanced zinc, which is anticipated to provide farmers and Guyana with enormous relief, was harvested in Region Six.

Trials for this variety had begun back in 2020.

This significant project forms part of an effective partnership between the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), the Inter-American

— country extends support to CARICOM neighbours

Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Fondo Latinoamericano para Arroz de Riego (FLAR), CARICOM, among others.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, said that that variety of rice will provide various opportunities to the farmers, given that the variety’s nutritional value exceeds that of conventional rice.

“We are launching a variety of rice that will shortly become an official variety for farmers in our country, so that they can cultivate it. This variety of rice will attract preferential prices around the Region and different parts of the world.” Minister Mustapha added that this undertaking was made possible because of the investments made to equip the GRDB’s rice research facility with the relevant facilities over time.

Guyana was chosen to conduct this trial due to the research station’s excellent performance and the government’s obvious desire to revive the agricultural industry.

Minister Mustapha further revealed that this candidate type has a stronger tolerance to climatic conditions seen in the country, noting the effects that climate change continues

to have on the agricultural industry internationally.

Over the years, there has been unparalleled growth in the agricultural sector, due to the implementation of transformative projects.

Back in 2022, the country’s rice topped over US$100M. Despite the inclement weather and reports of flooding that year, Guyana’s rice exports amounted to approximately US$185,000,000.

The ministry had stated that a new export market was opened in Lebanon, with more than 24 tonnes of packaged white rice shipped to the country in 2022.

During that year (January-December), Guyana exported rice and rice products to 40 countries.

The major importing countries were Jamaica, Trinidad, Belgium, Holland, France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, Columbia, Haiti, Honduras and Venezuela.

In Guyana, rice is an essential source of livelihood. Approximately 6,020 farmers produce rice in several regions throughout Guyana. There are 43 licensed rice millers and 22 registered exporters of rice. Rice accounts for 3.3 per

cent of Guyana’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and 20.5 per cent of agriculture GDP.

This industry is currently the largest agricultural sub-sector in Guyana; it is by far the most significant user of arable lands, and several thousands of families are directly and indirectly associated with it.

According to the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), rice is cultivated primarily along the coastal belt in Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo. Rice-growing areas also include Leguan and Wakenaam.

There are two rice crops annually: The first (spring) and second (autumn) crops. The second (autumn) crop is planted around April-June and reaped in September-October.

In contrast, the first (spring) crop is grown in November-December and harvested in March-April.

The country is now also providing technical support to neighbouring CARICOM states such as Trinidad and Tobago.

Just last month, Guyana provided seed paddies and technical personnel to help the Twin Island Republic.

73-year-old dies after accident at Harlem

ABDOOL Mohamed, a 73-year-old, died on Sunday, after he was struck down by a car while riding an electric cycle on the Harlem Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

According to a police report, the accident involved motorcar PAE 4134 owned and driven by a 26-year-old male resident of Belle West, Canal #2, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Reports are that the car

was proceeding west along the southern side of the road when the driver alleged that the cyclist rode across the road from north to south. The left front portion of the car collided with the left centre portion of the electric cycle.

As a result of the collision, the 73-year-old cyclist fell onto the road surface and sustained injuries on his body.

He was picked up in an unconscious state and taken

to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was seen and examined by a doctor and pronounced dead on arrival.

The driver of the car was arrested, a breath alcohol test was conducted on him and no trace of alcohol was detected. The victim’s body is at the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination and investigations are ongoing.

Public development banks could support in mobilisation of resources for SDGs, climate change —

as IDB calls for greater collaboration

how Latin America's unique challenges have prompted the Region to seek innovative financial instruments and solutions hand in hand with MDBs that can be scalable and replicated in other

parts of the world.

This year's edition of FiCS is organised by Colombia's business development bank (Bancóldex), the IDB, the Latin American Association of

Development Finance Institutions (ALIDE) and CAF - the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. It is also supported by the FiCS General Secretariat,

the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the World Federation of Development Financing Institutions (WFDFI). (IDB)

INTER-AMERICAN Development Bank President Ilan Goldfajn called for greater collaboration between multilateral and public development banks to mobilise more resources towards achievement of the sustainable development goals and addressing climate change, during the Finance in Common Summit (FiCS).

Goldfajn highlighted that partnerships between these institutions are key to improving the global development financing architecture, because they hold immense financial power.

Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) can help Public Development Banks (PDBs) align their activities with sustainable development objectives and promote financial innovation, which could drive positive change on an unprecedented scale. One of the main advantages of the PDBs is their capillarity –the last-mile reach and local expertise needed for tailored results.

“The great strengths of public development banks include filling market gaps by financing projects that may have great economic and social impact, but do not meet the criteria of private investors.

“They also have the power to attract those investors with instruments to mitigate risks. Now, we must further develop our institutional strengths and come together more than ever to mobilise and channel resources to the areas that need it most,” Goldfajn said.

For the fourth consecutive year, over 500 Public Development Banks (PDBs) are gathered for FiCS to strengthen coordination and

cooperation among them and with governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society to promote sustainable development and align financial flows with the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement.

During the three-day summit that started today, leaders of PDBs and MDBs will discuss their role in the international financial system and how to advance in constructing a common development financing agenda and strategy at a juncture of development challenges that call for urgent action.

Goldfajn said that innovative financial mechanisms will be essential for addressing complex challenges such as climate change, poverty, and inequality, stressing that a great part of such innovation will come from the combination of instruments offered by MDBs and other development finance institutions and new partnerships to gain scale and effectiveness through a better use of synergies and know-how.

According to Goldfajn, FiCS has become a unique platform for the development finance community to build new alliances and find new ways to align on the major challenges and coordinate their work together to increase the scalability and effectiveness of their interventions.

For the first time, the summit takes place in Latin America and the Caribbean, drawing attention to the significant financing gaps that the Region faces in areas such as SMEs and vulnerable populations’ financial inclusion, climate and biodiversity and sustainable infrastructure.

It also draws attention to

U.S. Army, GDF conduct training exercise

THE Guyana Defence Force and US Army's 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade are collaborating in Guyana to increase readiness by integrating at the tactical and operational levels.

The 1st SFAB is a specialised unit of the U.S. Army established to advise and assist partner nations. It is renowned for its proficiency in training, advising, assisting, and enabling foreign security forces.

According to the US Embassy, the exercise will involve strategic planning sessions and processes to enhance both countries’ military readiness and capabilities to respond to various security threats.

Both the U.S. and Guyana’s defence forces will share expertise, tactics, and strategies - ensuring that lessons learned are mutually beneficial.

“The 1st SFAB’s rotation in Guyana shows our commitment to our regional partners,” said Maj. Gabriela S. Thompson, U.S. Army South spokesperson. “The U.S. and Guyana have a longstanding, transparent history of supporting each other in response to common security challenges and threats in the hemisphere.”

Joint readiness allows regional partners to respond to contingencies and conduct security cooperation operations to strengthen regional security and counter transnational threats.

The United States has an enduring promise and commitment to the strengthening of partnerships, training of security and defence forces, and respect for human and fundamental rights.

Former Zimbabwe captain & coach Heath Streak dies aged 49

Former Zimbabwe captain and coach Heath Streak, who had been suffering from colon cancer, has died at the age of 49.

Streak is Zimbabwe's alltime leading wicket-taker and once took 6-87 in a Test against England to earn a place on the Lord's honours board.

He was serving an eightyear ban from cricket, issued in 2021, for corruption offences.

"He was carried to be with the angels," his wife Nadine wrote on social media.

"In the early hours of this morning, Sunday 3 September, the greatest love of my life and the father of my beautiful children, was carried to be with the angels from his home where he wished to spend his last days

surrounded by his family and closest loved ones.

"He was covered in love and peace and did not walk off the park alone."

Streak, born in Bulawayo, had three children.

He played in 65 Tests for Zimbabwe, taking 216 wickets, and 189 one-day internationals, in which he took 239 wickets.

to fix any matches, but disclosed information likely to be used for betting on matches in the 2018 tri-series involving Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the 2018 Indian Premier League and 2018 Afghanistan Premier League.

Cornwall 100...

From page 24

it’s remarkable. It was a fantastic knock, one of the best I have ever seen.”

Patriots appeared out of sight after they posted an impressive 220 for four from their 20 overs, as they continued their bid for their opening win of the campaign.

They were propelled by a 27-ball 65 from captain Sherfane Rutherford and a hasty 63 off 36 deliveries from opener Will Smeed, while Andre Fletcher lashed 56 off 37 balls and Jyd Goolie, a 16-ball 22.

As a county cricketer, he had spells with Warwickshire and Hampshire.

He was named Zimbabwe's head coach in 2016 but left when the side failed to qualify for the 2019 World Cup.

His ban came after he admitted five breaches of the ICC's anti-corruption code. He said he did not attempt

Luis Rubiales: Spain's

He had engaged with an Indian man known as 'Mr X' and facilitated introductions to four players, failed to disclose the gifts and payments he received, and the approaches.

In a statement, Zimbabwe Cricket said: "Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends, and fans of former captain Heath Streak. His contributions to cricket will always be remembered, and he will be dearly missed. Rest in peace."(BBC Sport).

men team call behaviour of federation president 'unacceptable'

SPAIN's men's players have condemned the "unacceptable behaviour" of federation president Luis Rubiales.

Rubiales, 46, has been widely criticised after he kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain's Women's World Cup final win last month.

Rubiales has repeatedly refused to resign over the kiss, which Hermoso said was not consensual.

The men's side have expressed their "regret and solidarity with the players whose success has been tarnished".

"We want to reject what we consider unacceptable behaviour on the part of Mr Rubiales, who has not lived up to the institution he represents," said forward Alvaro Morata in a statement on behalf of the Spain squad.

"We firmly and unequivocally stand on the side of the values that this sport represents.

"Spanish football must be a driving force for respect,

inspiration, inclusion, and diversity and must set an example with its behaviour both on and off the field."

Luis de la Fuente, head coach of the men's team, last week asked for "forgiveness" after initially applauding a speech in which Rubiales said he would not resign.

De la Fuente added he would not step down from his job.

After Spain's 1-0 victory over England at Sydney's Stadium Australia on 20 August, Rubiales also grabbed his crotch while celebrating in the VIP area, with

Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter standing nearby.

He has been provisionally suspended by world governing body Fifa and Spain's national sports tribunal (TAD) has opened a misconduct case against him.

On 1 September, Rubiales acknowledged he had "made mistakes" but repeated his belief that the kiss was consensual.

He added: "I will continue to defend myself to prove the truth."

After calling a press con-

ference, Morata read out the statement alongside fellow senior players Marco Asensio, Cesar Azpilicueta and Rodri.

"We want to convey, once again, our pride and heartfelt congratulations to the women's national team for winning the World Cup in Sydney," he said.

"It's a historic milestone filled with significance that will mark a before and after in Spanish women's football, inspiring countless women with an invaluable triumph.

"Therefore, we want to express our regret and solidarity with the players whose success has been tarnished."

Spain's squad have gathered for a training camp before Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Georgia on Friday and Cyprus on Tuesday, 12 September.

"We would like to focus on sporting matters from now on, considering the importance of the challenges ahead," added Morata.

Sent in, they enjoyed an exhilarating start, Smeed counting five fours and four sixes and Fletcher pummelling seven fours and a six in putting together a 115-run, first-wicket stand.

When off-spinner Cornwall (2-27) removed both in the space of 13 deliveries, the left-handed Rutherford controlled the remainder of the innings beautifully, posting 31 for the third wicket with Goolie and a further 35 for the fourth with Corbin Bosch (5).

Rutherford struck five fours and five sixes and reached his 50 off 24 deliveries in the final over from seamer Carlos Brathwaite, which leaked 20 runs.

In reply, Cornwall took charge of the chase from the outset, putting on 41 for the first wicket with Kyle Mayers (22) before staging a superb 86-run, second-wicket stand with Laurie Evans (24).

Their enterprise left Royals on 120 for one at the half-way stage superbly poised to easily complete the run chase, and Cornwall ensured there were no hiccups as he continued to plunder the Patriots bowlers in adding another 68 for the third wicket with Powell before retiring.

Cornwall raised his 1oo in style in the 15th over, blasting the first delivery from seamer Benny Howell for a straight six to move to 99 before punching the next ball – a full toss – to long on for a single.

The win was Royals’ third in six games, leaving them fourth on seven points, while Patriots continued at the bottom on two points without a single victory in eight attempts.

The tournament resumes today in Port of Spain.

Beaton, Nanan...

From page 24

after the pair joined forces at 22-2.

This was after Neeran Bani has removed National U-19 Batter Shamar Yearwood and bowled Sachin Singh (4) as he played back to a ball that cut back and kept low to raise hopes of Lusignan of successfully defending their paltry 125 from 34.4 overs.

Earlier, Lusignan started badly when Lawrence Pellew was by Ezekiel Wilson for a duck before National U-17 batter Vikash Wilkson hit four fours and six 34 and Ravindra Samaroo (28) took the score to 73 before Samaroo was bowled by Dainel Mootoo.

Nicholas Shiopersaud looked set on 29 but once he was bowled by Nanan, who extracted prodigious bounce and turn from the spin friendly track, no other batter from the East Coast Champions passed 15.

Nanan bowling with refreshing ‘flight’ at a time when most of spinners bowl flat and fast, ran through the lower order.

The 19-year-old Nanan dismissed Chetram Balgobin (0), Chanderpaul Ramraj (1) and Sasenarine Haricharan (0) as Lusignan lost their last five wickets for six runs.

Heath Streak had been receiving treatment at a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa

Spain Football president Luis Rubiales

GISE, Star Party Rentals & Trophy Stall 1st Division cricket

By Sean Devers

THE GDF and DCC played to an entertaining draw at DCC while the game between Malteenoes and Police was cancelled due to the absence of umpires at the MSC ground as the two-day First Division games resumed in the GISE, Star Party Rentals & Trophy Stall tournament over the weekend.

In a match which DCC’s Sachin Singh (96) and GDF’s Damian Waldron (109) scored centuries on the small ground, the

GDF made 112 & 267, while DCC scored 332 & 48-2 when the contest concluded on Sunday.

On Saturday in sweltering , the soldiers were bowled out for a paltry 112 with multi-talented Joshua Jones, who represented Guyana in cricket and track & field, offered token resistance with three fours and a six in 25.

Another two-sport athlete, National U-17 Captain Jonathon Van Lange, who represents his country in table tennis and cricket, had 5-23 and got support from

Singh, who had 2-26.

Singh’s fantastic 96 lasted 131 balls and included 13 fours and two sixes. He was supported by Inderjeet Nanan who hit seven fours and a six in his 56, while Nkosi Beaton, 55 with 10 fours and a six and Daniel Mootoo (28) all contributed to DCC’s 300 plus total.

Leon Andrews had 3-62, while Keith Simpson and Jones captured two wickets each for the army who made 267 in their second innings.

Damion Waldron made 109 decorated with seven fours and 10 sixes, while

— DCC & GDF game ends in draw despite ton from Waldron

Andrews hit nine fours and a six in 59 as Beaton captured 4-31 and Ricardo Percival took 3-41.

Batting a second time, DCC reached 48-2 after Jones removed Jaden Campbell (2) and Singh (0) to leave the home team on 15-2.

Nanan, who scored an undefeated 20 with three fours and a six and left-handed opener Brandon Jaikarran who hit five boundaries in his 26 not out, featured in an unbroken 33- run partnerships by the close.

US Open tennis…

Jessica Pegula loses to Madison Keys; Marketa Vondrousova wins

THIRD seed Jessica Pegula left the court in tears after a frustrating US Open fourth-round defeat by American compatriot Madison Keys.

Pegula had been one of the favourites for the title but put in a poor performance in a 6-1 6-3 defeat.

Despite her success on the WTA Tour, the 29-yearold has yet to go beyond the quarter-finals at any Grand Slam.

Keys, runner-up in New York in 2017, will face Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova next.

Pegula won the Canadian Open in the build-up to the final major of the year, registering a notable victory over top ranked Iga Swiatek in the process.

However, she has consistently struggled to break through at the majors, having never gone beyond the last eight in six attempts.

Pegula was off-colour from the start, struggling to find her rhythm against the big-hitting Keys.

She hit just three winners in the first set, which she lost in just 28 minutes, and quickly found herself a break down in the second.

Pegula was able to take advantage of a blip from 17th seed Keys to retrieve the break for 3-3, but she lost the next three games as Keys reasserted her dominance.

The two are good friends, having often trained together, and shared a warm hug at the net before a tearful Pegula left the court.

Keys will now face Vondrousova, who had to fight back to see off spirited American Peyton Stearns 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 6-2.

It is the first time the Czech has reached the quarter-finals in New York.

(BBC Sport)

Kane Williamson will be picked in New Zealand's World Cup squad despite knee injury

By Matthew HenryBBC Sport

KANE Williamson will

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Tuesday September 05, 2023)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD

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

be included in New Zealand's squad for the 50over World Cup next month despite his knee injury.

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Jamaica Tallawahs Rayad Emrit (GAW); Chris Gayle (JT)

Today’s Quiz:

Who were the CPL 2017 finalists?

Who were the captains involved in the final?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

The Black Caps' oneday international and T20 captain, 33, has not played since tearing cruciate ligaments at the Indian Premier League in April.

New Zealand say he has

made "sufficient progress" to be picked but there is no guarantee he will be fit for the first game against England on 5 October.

"We are delighted to be in a place to select him," coach Gary Stead said.

"He's left no stone unturned in trying to get back playing cricket at the highest level.

"The World Cup is not a short tournament and we will continue to monitor his progress over the next month ahead of the first tournament match."

When Williamson suffered the injury, New Zealand said "standard rehabilitation timelines" meant he was "unlikely to be fit and available for selection" for

the tournament in India.

"Through this entire process I have tried to keep an open mind on when I might be able to return to cricket and not get too focused on one date or match," Williamson said.

"Being selected doesn't change that and I know there's still work to do and day by day goals to tick off to get back on the field with the team."

Williamson has been with the Black Caps on their tour of England but is not in the T20 or 50-over squads. He has been batting in the nets and taking part in fielding drills.

Williamson, New Zealand's captain when they lost the 2019 World Cup fi-

nal to England at Lord's, is one of his country's greatest batters across all formats and has played 161 ODIs, scoring 6,554 runs at an average of 47.83.

The format of the World Cup - a five-week round-robin stage featuring 10 teams before semi-finals and a final - means he could enter the tournament partway through.

The rest of New Zealand's squad will be named on Monday, 11 September.

England and New Zealand meet in the fourth T20 at Trent Bridge today before four ODIs, with the hosts leading the series 2-1.

Damion Waldron hit 109 decorated with seven fours and 10 sixes

Jessica Pegula reached the quarter-finals at last year's US Open

Kane Williamson averages 47.83 in ODIs for New Zealand

4R Bearings provides t-shirts for Number 65 Young Titans

4R Bearings, of Duncan Street, Georgetown, owned by Ricky Deonarain, has answered the call of Number 65 Young Titans by contributing 30 t-Shirts for the club’s cricketers, young and old, male and female.

The Corentyne, Berbice team currently participates in softball and tapeball cricket and plans to soon participate in the traditional hardball cricket. The aim of the club is to get the youths off the streets and constructively occupied and at the same time, create an opportunity for them.

At a simple ceremony, held recently, team leader Chandradat Nankooar was thankful for the assistance and promised to work hard with the youths of the area. Project Cricket Gear is happy to be part of the development of young people and will continue to contribute to this process. The entity also expressed thanks to Deonarain, a former resident of Crabwood Creek, Upper Corentyne, Berbice for the kind gesture.

Total cricket related items

received/purchased so far:

$370 000 in cash, 13 coloured cricket uniforms, two trophies, 17 pairs of cricket boots, 31 pairs of batting pads, 32 cricket bats, 29 pairs of batting gloves, 23 thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, five arm guards, two boxes, 10

cricket bags, six bat rubbers, six helmets and one softball cricket bat. In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former National wicket- keeper/batsman. All cash collected is being used to purchase cricket gear requested and not available at

the time.

To date, 67 young players from all three counties of Guyana have benefitted from three junior gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, 27 bats, two boxes, five helmets, 23 pairs of cricket shoes, 15 pairs of batting pads, two thigh pads, one bat rubber,

GCA/NBS second-division 40 overs cricket

GCC beat Diplomats at Bourda

By Sean Devers

GCC, the oldest cricket club in the West Indies, defeated Diplomats by 144 runs in Sunday’s GCA/New Building Society (NBS) 40 overs second-division cricket tournament at the historic Bourda sward.

In very hot conditions on a good track and a lightning fast outfield, GCC piled up 297-6 in 40 overs before dismissing Diplomats for 153 in 32.4 overs.

In front of a fair-size home crowd, GCC were off to a solid start from

Kennard Moonsammy and Rayan Hemraj, who reached the boundary six times in a quick-fire 38 before he was dismissed at 75-1 in the 15th over.

Revaldo Phillips, the younger sibling of talented but temperamental Renaldo Ali Mohammed, joined the set Moonsammy who soon reached his 50.

The 100 came up in the 19th over before Phillips, with three fours and two sixes in 31, fell in the 13th over to make the score on 113-2.

National U-19 batter Zackery Jodha and Moonsammy who played

in entertaining fashion, added 101 runs before Moonsammy was bowled at 214 in the 34th over after hitting eight fours and three sixes in a magnificent knock of 97 Jodha, the son of former Guyana U-19 batter Richard Jodha, reached the boundary four times but was the second GCC batter to fall just short of a landmark when he departed in the 36th over for 47.

Bernard Bailey hit four fours in an unbeaten cameo 31 as GCC scored 61 in their last four overs.

Quincy Cummings had 2-53 for Diplomats who

lost their first two batters for ducks before Shane Roberts top scored with three boundaries in his unbeaten 31.

But only Ryan Gill, who clobbered three sixes and a four in 28 before he was bowled by Josh Charles, and Nigel Simpson who made 25 before he was LBW to Bailey, of the other batters passed 15.

Franchot Duncan-Clarke had 3-33 while Bailey and Joshua Wade took two wickets each for the winners

In the other match at MYO, Sophia got a walk over from Third Class

each, Cold Fusion Cricket Club 13 coloured uniforms, while RHCCCC received three boxes of balls, 15 white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket-keeping gloves and a set of stumps and bails. Other beneficiaries are the Essequibo Cricket Board, the Town of Lethem and youth coach, Travis Persaud, softball teams in the Upper-Corentyne area and No.65 Young Titans.

24 pairs of batting gloves and two pairs of wicketkeeping gloves.

In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area received two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls

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

Anyone interested in making a contribution can contact Anil Beharry on 623 6875 or Kishan Das on +1 718 664 0896.

West Demerara FA's Senior Men's League

Uitvlugt Warriors maintained their unbeaten run to move to the top of the points table while Pouderoyen FC also win to stay in close pursuit after another double-header in the Senior Men's League of the West Demerara FA yesterday (Sunday 3rd) at the Tuschen Community Centre ground.

In the first match, Pouderoyen outclassed Wales FC 4-0 after a goal-less first half. DeAngelo Peters struck a quick brace to break the deadlock in the 60th and 63rd minutes. Also on target were Devin Gaskin in the 70th and Essan Nelson who made a solo run from inside his half 3 minutes from the end. It was the 4th win after 5 outings for Pouderoyen as they hold on to 3rd position on 12 points, while Wales were left in 6th place on 3 points after 4 matches.

Earlier in the first period, Pouderoyen's Nicquan Boyce and Jamal Knights of Wales were given marching orders for fighting in the 24th minute.

The other encounter which was much closer and perhaps the most evenly contested game of the 9-team League so far ended in a 2-1 win for Uitvlugt Warriors over Eagles FC. Kelvin Kujal gave the lead to Eagles after 55 minutes and Kevin Fraser equalised from the Penalty Mark in the 67th minute.

Within 3 minutes Montel Dainty delivered the winner for the Warriors' 4th win and a place at the top on 13 points after 5 matches. Eagles retained 5th position on 3 points after their 3rd loss in 4 games.

Members of Number 65 Young Titans pose with the new t-shirts

Cornwall 100 inspires incredible Royals chase

Barbados, (CMC)

BRIDGETOWN,

Manof-the-Match

–

Rahkeem Cornwall churned out an astonishing hundred as Barbados Royals completed the third highest run chase in Caribbean Premier League history with a remarkable eight-wicket victory over luckless St Kitts and Nevis Patriots here late Sunday.

Asked to overhaul 221 at Kensington Oval, the hosts stormed to their target with 11 balls to spare, with the burly Cornwall smashing 102 off 48 deliveries to notch his maiden Twenty20 100.

The 30-year-old clobbered four fours and a dozen sixes, racing to his half-century off just 23 balls with three fours and half-dozen sixes, before reaching triple figures off another 22 bal

When he retired in the 16th over, Royals were already in sight of victory at 190 for two, and captain Rovman Powell finished off the chase with a 26-ball unbeaten 49, completing a topsy-turvy home leg where the hosts won two and lost two of their four matches.

“I expected the innings [from Cornwall] but the longevity of it is what I didn’t expect,” said Powell.

“For him to go so long,

Continued on page 21

Beaton, Nanan spur DCC to Demerara Final

—

DCC to face West Dem today at Bourda

By Sean Devers

An unbeaten 70 from Nkosi Beaton and a four-wicket from Inderjeet Nanan who grabbed 4-2, spurred DCC to the GCB 50 overs U-23 knock out Demerara Zone final after they beat Lusignan by eight wickets yesterday at DCC in the Demerara semi-final.

DCC will face-off with West Demerara in the Demerara final at Bourda from 9:30hrs today.

Beaton’s entertaining

70 lasted 52 balls and was decorated with six sixes and four fours and along with the elegant lefthander Brandon Jaikarran who reached the boundary three times and it once in undefeated 30 saw their team to victory.

Watched a fair size gathering in steaming heat as Beaton, the more pugnacious of the two, dominated the 104-run third wicket stand with the technically correct Jaikarran

Continued on page 21

Rahkeem Cornwall hits down the ground during his 100 against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

(Photo courtesy CPLT20/Getty Images)

Nkosi Beaton Inderjeet Nanan