




TELEMEDICINE, which was implemented in December 2022 by the Ministry of Health, has managed to save two lives in Masakenari (Gunns Village), South Rupununi, Region Nine, according to President, Dr Irfaan Ali.
This was disclosed during his address at the launch of stem cell and immunotherapy services at the Woodlands Hospital on Saturday.
He related that upon returning from India, a group of persons came to him to thank the Ministry of Health and the Government of Guyana for the implementation of telemedicine.
“I was very pleased when a group of persons came to me just as I returned from India and
said Mr President, I want to thank the Ministry of Health and the government for implementing that telemedicine operation…since the implementation two lives were already saved,” he stated.
He noted that there was a medex connected to specialists in Georgetown who were listening to everything as if that patient was present at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation
In 2022, a Rural TeleMedicine Clinic was launched in Gunns Village. Through this initiative which is a collaborative effort with US company 19Labs, community health workers have gained access to expertise from doctors and specialists in Georgetown via tablets and other electronic devices.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said this
forms part of the government’s commitment to bringing access to health care closer to residents in rural communities.
Gunns Village is one of four communities in Region Nine benefitting from the initiative.
During the recently concluded 2023 budget debate, Minister Anthony had disclosed that as part of the telemedicine programme, the MoH will be expanding the tele-diagnostics programme, while expanding the existing teleophthalmology and teleradiology programmes. Teleophthalmology is now available at several sites across Guyana.
A massive $84.8 billion budget for further advancement of the health sector was allocated in Budget 2023, and some $1.8 billion will go towards the rehabilitation, expansion and reconstruction of the Georgetown, New Amsterdam and Linden Hospitals, as well as four telemedicine centres in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine.
WITH the final works to be completed in February, GAICO Construction Inc., which is now offering oil and gas support services, will soon begin operations at its port facility and laydown yard at Nismes in Region Three.
In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday, GAICO’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Komal Singh, explained that, once completed, the port facility will generate a host of economic opportunities for the region.
With the dry season fast approaching, Singh said works are progressing rapidly and if the weather permits, all construction works could be completed by the end of this month.
“We are just doing some surfacing at this point in time. The wharf itself is
and we will also put in some fencing, some lights and security cameras by the end of February.”
The US$25 million investment will include a wharf, dry dock, and laydown yard where construction material will be stored.
“This is one of the largest projects that is currently being undertaken in region Three,” he added.
Currently, the region is undergoing an infrastructural and modernisation transformation with the ongoing construction of a new four-lane
(FPSO) vessels offshore, to the power plant and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility which is being constructed at Wales.
Singh noted that the port will not only be a new addition to the region but will play an important role in the massive development slated for the region by complimenting the numerous ongoing projects.
of an oil spill. In addition to civil works, the company also provides services to the marine sector.
In August 2021, the Guyanese-owned company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two United States-based companies, Myer Marine Services and Hargrove EPC, at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas.
The objective of the
for the development of the Guyanese workforce in the growing oil and gas sector.
Additionally, in 2022, GAICO Construction Inc. and Corena Group, which operates as GAICO Corena Environmental Services, and the Guyana Shore Base Incorporated (GYSBI) pooled their resources to launch a US$10 million firm, Sustainable Environmental Solutions Guyana Inc. (SES), to manage “oil waste.”
completed and we have already started the discharging of construction material.
On the wharf side we just have to place all the surface material and we are actually waiting on the weather to subside a little. By the end of February, we expect to have the surface area completed, fully allowing the facility to pretty much open to vessels and other activities,” he said.
Meanwhile, as it relates to the laydown area, Singh said: “that area is pretty much in the same stage. We just need to put on the finish layer of material right now
It is intended to supplement the region’s development, including the US$900 million gas-to-energy project at Wales, and will create significant opportunities for businesses and Guyanese.
“We have advertisements out; we are looking for at least 50 persons at this point in time. The facility will obviously be running on a 24-hour basis so we will be looking to have two shifts,” he said.
Singh has taken note of the magnitude of the project and the impact such a facility will have on the region.
highway from Schoonord to Crane.
Meanwhile, at the centre of the modernisation plans for the region are the construction of a new ‘fly-over’ Demerara Harbour Bridge, which will stretch from Nandy Park on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) to La Grange, and the construction of the gas-to-energy project.
A 12-inch pipeline, which will stretch some 200km from offshore, will be used to transport natural gas from the Liza Phase One and Liza Phase Two Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading
Singh noted that his company has plans to become involved in the agriculture sector.
“At a later stage we hope to start supporting, the agriculture sector to allow agriculture produce to be loaded from our facility,” he added.
According to Singh, many rice farmers in the region pay a hefty fee to transport their produce from their farms to Georgetown for export.
“Our intention is to review that and look at the economy to see if it makes economic sense to have those produce transported and to help farmers reduce the amount of transportation costs they have, currently, moving their produce to Georgetown and the East Bank.”
GAICO Construction Inc., is perfectly positioned to offer oil spill response, waste management services and equipment, in the event
MoU was to foster a deeper relationship and to work in close collaboration for the development of projects in Guyana.
This strategic partnership will enable the transfer of skills and technology
SES is a materialisation of a joint venture partnership signed in February 2019, by the two companies to provide oil spill response and waste management services to the country’s oil and gas industry.
SOME 100 residents of Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara, on Sunday attended a meeting with a team of Men on Mission members, which was led by Chairman of the Region Four Men on Mission Committee, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall.
According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), Minister Dharamlall; Regional Commander Regional Division 4C, Assistant Commissioner Khali Paresh-
ram, and resident of Vryheid’s Lust South, Major Dwayne Carter, visited the Vryheid’s Lust South Community Centre which is presently being upgraded and conducted a meeting with residents as part of a continued engagement with the community.
During the two-hour meeting residents raised a number of issues which included the regularisation and difficulties in the granting of transports; the need for better drainage and irrigation in the community; the need for better road main-
tenance and paving of roads; cleaning of the burial ground which is currently infested with bees; removal of the house currently occupying space on the community centre ground; the need for speed humps along the community roads; the establishing of a community library and IT Hub; the identification of lands to be used for the grazing of cattle; the need for scholarships for youths in the community; identifying and developing a community development centre for the youths and the completion of the Community Centre project.
According to the DPI, the minister, addressing the residents assured them that he will work with other ministers to ensure that their concerns are adequately addressed.
Through his ministry, he pledged that residents will be given contracts for the cleaning
and maintaining of roads and drains in the community.
He also pledged that 30 unemployed residents will be given part-time employment through a government initiative, and that the community ground’s development will be completed.
The assistance being sought for farmers will be addressed by the Agriculture Ministry. It was also announced that in the coming week, engineers from the ministry will be visiting the community to assess the roads and drainage situation. An update was also given on the current situation of the work being done on the community ground.
The residents expressed their satisfaction at the work done so far within the community and encouraged Minister Dharamlall to return in the future, DPI added.
craft will provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability to bolster efforts to establish and maintain peace and will remain in the region “for a number of days,” the Canadian government said.
In October, the United Nations suggested a “rapid action force” be sent to Haiti to combat escalating violence from armed gangs whose turf battles have left hundreds dead and thousands displaced.
THOUSANDS of computer servers around the world have been targeted by a ransomware hacking attack, Italy’s National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) said on Sunday, warning organisations to take action to protect their systems.
incidents.
“CISA is working with our public and private sector partners to assess the impacts of these reported
incidents and providing assistance where needed,” the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said. (Reuters)
THE Canadian government said on Sunday it has deployed a military aircraft over Haiti to address what it called a “dire security situation” and to support efforts to disrupt the activities of Haitian gangs.
Canada said in a statement that it supports the Haitian National Police and deployed a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CP-140 Aurora longrange patrol aircraft in response to Haiti’s request for
support, as violence continues to escalate in the country.
Haitian gangs have expanded their territory since the 2021 assassination of then-President Jovenel Moise. The resulting violence has left much of the country off-limits to the government and led to routine gun battles with police.
Haiti is expected to be on the agenda when U.S. President Joe Biden visits Canada next month.
The Canadian patrol air-
But many have expressed skepticism, citing abuses from past missions and questioning a force backing the administration of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, which has been without democratically elected representatives since early January.
Most countries have been wary of sending troops, though nearby Jamaica has said it would be willing to participate and El Salvador has offered “technical assistance.”
Around seven in 10 people in Haiti back proposed creation of an international force to help the national police fight violence from armed gangs, according to a survey carried out in January. (Reuters)
The hacking attack sought to exploit a software vulnerability, ACN director general Roberto Baldoni told Reuters, adding it was on a massive scale.
Italy’s ANSA news agency, citing the ACN, reported that servers had been compromised in other European countries such as France and Finland, as well as the United States and Canada.
Dozens of Italian organisations were likely to have been affected and many more had been warned to take action to avoid being locked out of their systems.
Telecom Italia (TLIT.MI) customers reported internet problems earlier on Sunday, but the two issues were not believed to be related.
U.S. cybersecurity officials said they were assessing the impact of the reported
THE latest North American Caribbean Teachers survey has revealed that the 2023 Budget has received widespread approval.
This comes as no surprise given that it is a pro-growth and poverty-alleviating budget. There is something for everyone and it will help boost economic growth.
Last Thursday evening, after nearly three weeks of intense debate followed by questioning of each ministry’s planned expenditure by the opposition, the $781 billion plus budget was passed in the National Assembly. This was the largest budget in the history of the governance of the country.
It is a sprawling budget that is development oriented and that is aimed at reducing inequality between the super wealthy and the working class. It budgets for a lot of new infrastructure and the upgrading of the old one. It also has funding for new projects that are energy-related that will create a lot of jobs. It also has money for job creation. The budget is geared towards modernising the economy, with a network of new roads and bridges and the rehabilitation
of existing ones. It lays the basis for continued development. The budget would create many good-paying jobs, which will help to reduce poverty.
The budget includes a laundry list of policy initiatives designed to create jobs, improve working and living conditions, salaries for public workers, tax breaks, child care, access to healthcare, education opportunities, housing, climate change issues, payments of pensioners and children grants and payments for alternative energy, among others. It reduces inequality between the rich and the working class. Government has removed VAT on some items and raised the threshold on taxable income to put more money into the hands of consumers. It makes good fiscal sense for the government to invest in various critical programmes that will yield dividends later.
The budget aids the working and the business class. More money will be put into the hands of government workers and pensioners and many others who will be the recipients of grants. Their spending will help the business community to invest.
The budget is a fiscal blueprint for rapid growth. Increased investment and spending would boost economic growth in an economy that is already growing at some 40 per cent annually. This year’s projected growth may be even higher.
The country has been achieving steady growth rates in the last few years that were never experienced in its history. No country, regionally or even globally, has experienced such growth. Guyana is the focus of media globally as it is seen as a success story owing to its newly found oil wealth. No previous budget has addressed issues or funded as many programmes as this one will. Not surprisingly, the government has received all-round support for the budget. The plan drew praise from across the board, including critics. A recent poll conducted by NACTA finds overwhelming favour (88 per cent) with the budget. From the poll’s findings, it’s fair to say that the public, at least in theory, like the idea of good infrastructure, healthcare, education, jobs, child welfare, a clean environment and the many other
initiatives being promoted by the government.
The country has been in safe hands since August 2020. The oil wealth is being managed and policies that would modernise the economy are being pursued.
The NACTA poll also notes that the population expresses confidence in the government’s handling of the economy. That is great news for President Ali’s administration.
The NACTA poll notes that the public is concerned about inflation. That is a temporary problem that is being addressed. The Ukraine War, supply bottlenecks, shortages of materials and rising international transportation costs are the primary causes of inflation. The government has pursued policies to address rising prices – reducing VAT items, taxes on fuel, and shipping fees. The government has also set aside funds to boost food production that will ultimately lead to lower prices at the market.
Kudos to a very good budget that reflects a strategic vision for modernisation of the economy.
I WRITE with reference to Melinda Janki’s letter to the Editor: “I did not represent Exxon” (KN, February 3, 2023).
The apparent intent of Ms Janki’s letter is to push back against persistent charges of hypocritical conduct related the oil- and-gas industry in Guyana Her effort falls well short of a credible defence Worse yet, her defence is not only weak on its factual aspects, but it descends into a plethora of claims that are petty, irrelevant, diversionary, and at times even comical
Let us begin with an examination of the facts Janki, with her high-end legal training, opens her account with an intended knock-out blow when she pronounces someone “…said
I represented Exxon in the 1999 petroleum agreement I did not .” Fine , but the case against her is not about the “petroleum agreement” per se, but about her past professional connections to BP and Exxon Editor, let us make something clear to our readers Melinda Janki, by her own admission, was professionally associated with law firms that represented oil companies
Here she is on Exxon Referring to the law firm, DeCaires, Fitzpatrick and Karran, she states, “[t]hey were Esso’s lawyers at that time. I was one of the firm’s consultant lawyers Miles Fitzpatrick, put my name because [said] nobody else knew anything about oil.” Janki makes it appear that her name entered into the firm’s roster at the mere whim and fancy of Fitzpatrick But in the same sentence,
the cunning is betrayed when in her own words she confirms that “nobody else knew anything about oil.”
Let us then rephrase Ms Janki was the oil expert at DeCaires, Fitzpatrick and Karran, while the firm represented Exxon Editor, I regret that Ms Janki places the burden of proof on Miles Fitzpatrick, albeit that since he is deceased, no one can prove anything Miles was a good man, and Ms Janki should not disrespect him to save face and reputation
In one fell swoop, Ms Janki moves next to confirm her service to the oil industry, but only to immediately minimise that salient fact Of special importance is the fact that she was given power of attorney privileges in “…1999 which authorised [her] to receive lawful notices, accept service of process …”
while she was the top oil expert at the said law firm representing Esso
Her alibi offered, namely, that the power of attorney was the “standard formula” can only be described as pathetically inadequate The fact that her power of attorney privileges came via standardized process does not alter the most relevant fact, namely, that Melinda Janki was legally empowered to act on behalf of a law firm that represented the same oil company (and others) she is now against The truth is that Ms Janki’s power of attorney was in effect as late as 2017.
This is by her own admission.
Her excuse that is should have been withdrawn since 2007 is not acceptable, not
MY attention was drawn to a letter published in the name of Vincent Alexander in the February 1, 2023 edition of Stabroek News, headlined: ‘GECOM has decided demarcation report meets standard required despite evidence to the contrary.’ Please allow me to provide readers with a fuller picture of the matter raised by Mr Alexander.
At a recent statutory meeting of GECOM, after weeks of hemming and hawing by opposition commissioners, Chairperson Justice Claudette Singh ruled that a report on the conduct of a field exercise for the reconfiguration of constituencies with reference to Order No. 39 of 2022, presented by GECOM CEO Vishnu Persaud and in preparation for local government elections be adopted and implemented.
Opposition commissioners objected vehemently to the chairperson’s decision.
Consequent upon the completion of the field exercise conducted by senior GECOM staff members, PPP/C scrutineers along with a sprinkling from APNU+AFC, the CEO submitted his report on the exercise to the commission. The CEO subsequently submitted a memo in which he rebuffed attempts by opposition commissioners who, in criticising the report, claimed that the CEO did not use ‘approved criteria’ for the demarcation of constituencies.
In his memo, the CEO stated that he had fact checked the claim about “approved criteria” by perusing minutes of previous GECOM meetings and found no record of the commission approving any such criteria. Furthermore, and much to Mr Alexander’s chagrin, the CEO reported that no commission “approved criteria” were applied in the demarcation of constituen-
cies in preparation for the conduct of Local Government Elections in 2018 under the APNU+AFC.
In another attempt to sway the commission his way, Mr Alexander sought to disparage the CEO’s report, claiming that it did not meet the “standards required.” He continued badgering the commission with his unsubstantiated claim that sometime in 2009, GECOM used criteria for the demarcation of constituency boundaries.
Again, research by the CEO revealed that contrary to Alexander’s claim, there was no evidence in any minutes of previous GECOM meetings, nor any report from the then CEO showed that any exercise, as the one done by the current CEO, was executed for the 2018 elections under the APNU+AFC. It is to be recalled that through the actions of the then Minister of Communities, reconfiguration of constituencies occurred without any reference to criteria or standards. So much for Mr Alexander’s “standards required.”
Notwithstanding several rounds of discussion and convincing arguments advanced by the three Government-sponsored commissioners, opposition commissioners carried on totally oblivious to their seemingly endless and unsatisfying arguments. In the end, the opposition commissioners’ constant harping on criteria, ended up a total waste of our time with us trying to extinguish the negative bias and the clueless nature of opposition commissioners.
The hot pursuit with which the opposition commissioners pursued their flawed but transparent agenda was baffling to say the least. Contrary to their efforts, they were unable to cite authoritative sources, decisions adopted by the commission or to provide systematic data to disapprove the CEO’s report, much less to offer any evidence to prove the chairman wrong.
Mr Alexander sought to have the com-
mission accept his view that since there is mention of ‘approved principles’ in commission records, that this should be interpreted to mean ‘approved criteria.’ The chairperson specifically asked Mr Alexander whether he could point to any record that will confirm that the commission gave its approval to ‘approved criteria.’ He admitted that he could not.
Mr Alexander went so far as to claim that the CEO’s report represents what the Minister of Local Government ‘illicitly’ sought to foist on the commission and that with the chairperson’s ruling, GECOM has now clothed the minister’s ‘illicit act’ with its approval. Another figment of his imagination.
Not satisfied over the rejection of his false claims about ‘approved criteria,’ ‘standards required’ ‘process’ and ‘approved principles,’ Alexander then shifted the goal post to ‘points of reference.’ He proceeded to make the spurious claim that geography, community and population, previously developed and used by GECOM for the demarcation of constituencies were ‘thrown out’ by the chairperson and the government-sponsored commissioners.
Mr Alexander’s claim that ‘the commission threw out collectively determined criteria and procedures and accepted the validity of a report that resulted from a process that was crafted by the CEO, deficient and never approved by the commission,” lacks appreciation of the reality. He failed to take into account that, in the absence of any reference point relative to the application of predetermined criteria, the CEO could not formulate an abstract notion regarding ‘Community Interests’ to which the Registration Officers who ‘walked the ground’, could have taken into consideration.
Following her ruling in support of the CEO’s report and her call for its imple-
mentation, there were emotional outbursts and expressions of outrage by opposition commissioners who, soon after, as if licking their wounds, rushed to the press to air their grievances over the decision.
Recognising that he had reached the nadir of his argument and having rejected the chairperson’ s ruling, Mr Alexander declared that he will provide ‘statistical evidence’ to show that the boundaries proposed by the Minister of Local Government are ‘acts of gerrymandering aimed at giving the PPP an unfair advantage in the upcoming local government elections’. Ironically, Mr Alexander failed to recognise the duplicitous nature of his offer since the gerrymandering allegations he now claims, is precisely what his party did when it ransacked the local government laws and regulations, bending them to their whims and fancies in preparation for the 2018 Local Government Elections.
As regards his promise to provide ‘statistical evidence,’ Mr Alexander should be reminded of what Mark Twain attributed to Benjamin Disraeli about statistics and that they rarely show what they seem.
Correcting a wrong that was done under the APNU+AFC who changed the boundaries of a number of constituencies in 2018 and with the Ali administration now returning them to what they were prior to being changed, can never be deemed as gerrymandering as Mr Alexander so unjustifiably claims.
Consistent with their methodology of engaging in delaying tactics, we know that Mr Alexander and company will use every opportunity to introduce new obstacles aimed at stymieing the successful holding of local government elections in 2023.
Yours faithfully, Clement J Rohee
least because if she had allowed it to “be live,” there are issues of her attention to details, this being a critical component of legal competence.
Janki then tries to be transparent about her work for BP. Here she is: “Lest it generate more speculation, I also worked in BP’s head office as a lawyer.” Too late, I am afraid. There is no transparency here because this information was revealed a long time ago by good investigative journalism. There is no such thing as retroactive transparency.
It should be clear that the factual side of Ms Janki’s defence cannot and will not stand basic scrutiny by the Guyanese public. What about her more far-fetched, artful defence?
On the latter, Ms Janki is more like an Olympian skier on the giant slalom, curving through references to Facebook, “the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline (oil) and the South Caucasus Pipeline,” the conduct of American military personnel, a breakfast buffet, the preferences of recent law school graduates, and, inter alia, generic references to actors such as schoolchildren.
To top it off, she makes claims that can only be considered signs of desperation. Take for instance her supposedly deep insights into the fluctuations in prestige working for oil companies. Here is Janki in her own words: “In those days, working in the oil industry was highly regarded. The top lawyers got the best work. But in the last few years, things have changed significantly. Working for the fossil-fuel sector is not highly regarded. Young people hate oil companies. They think it is a betrayal to work for them.”
What might one make of this attempt at a sociology of legal careers? Not much, except that by her own words, Ms Janki embarked on a legal career in oil when it was “highly regarded.” Now that it is fashionable to be anti-development based on hydrocarbon resources, she is against oil and gas.
Ms Janki then flings herself into the language games of liberal cosmopolitanism, railing against oil and gas without saying a single word about who are the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
Finally, Ms Janki makes herself out to be a victim of freedom of expression. How ironic is that? Her missive, even though based on a compendium of calculated diversions and amusing deviations, is in fact, published. How do we compare that to the firing of the most widely read columnist in the history of
Guyana, Freddie Kissoon, who was fired for his freedom of expression.
Editor, our readers should understand that Guyana has always had locals who connived with outside elements to stifle our development.
No one less that Edward Said, the world-famous scholar on orientalism, once insisted that foreign interference cannot succeed without local collaborators. There is a global anti-Third World development movement housed in the metropolitan capitals.
They are always on the lookout to recruit a handful of elites in poor countries to help their cause.
They are all very well funded.
Sincerely, Dr Randolph Persaud
THE landmark $781.9 billion budget for 2023 has been backed by widespread approval among all sections of society, including those who traditionally support the opposition, says a report by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA).
The ongoing opinion survey is being conducted by well-known pollster and political analyst, Dr Vishnu Bisram.
On February 2, 2023, the National Assembly approved the country’s largest budget to date. It was the fourth budget to be presented by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration since taking office in August 2020.
Since January 23 when it was first read in the National Assembly, both sides of the House participated in five days of debate, followed by four days of consideration of estimates in the Committee of Supply.
The NACTA survey polled 550 individuals –40 per cent were Indians, 30 per cent were Africans, 19 per cent were of mixed race, 10 per cent were Amerindians, and 1 per cent were described as others – reflecting the demographic composition of the population. The data was analysed at a 95 per cent confidence level.
The survey found that there was “strong support” for Budget 2023 and there “... was virtually no opposition to the budget among the public, although almost everyone polled did express concerns about price increases and inflationary impact of the proposed huge spending.”
The budget, based on the latest opinion poll, found widespread approval among all sections of so-
ciety including those who traditionally support the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and who voted for A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC).
The budget found disfavour with only five per cent of the respondents (representing the demographics of the population); seven per cent did not give an opinion on the budget. The high approval rating (88 per cent) of the latest budget, bolsters public confidence in the government’s handling of the economy, the report said.
Survey respondents reported that a strong approval rating of the budget may well have the effect of boosting the popularity rating of the government, President, Prime Minister, Vice President, and other officeholders and increas-
ing the electoral prospects of the incumbent party (PPP/C) in local government elections to be held later this year.
“Every respondent in the poll expressed support for increases for pensioners, various child and adult grants, poverty alleviation, salaries for public servants, educational scholarships, part-time employment, healthcare, infrastructure and other public works, among other programmes.
They praised the planned investment in community projects and services, expansion of housing, tertiary education access, developmental projects, and safety programmes.
“They are hopeful that the budget will lead to a more affordable and livable environment, but they complain about neighbourhood security from criminal elements. Almost ev-
“In spite of their concerns about inflation and poverty reduction, the public feels very good and optimistic about the future of the country. Overall, the public feels that the budget and planned policies are very good for the economy, describing it as progressive, that will lead to stronger economic growth in the coming years,” the association said in its report.
Budget 2023 was presented this year under the theme: “Improving Lives today; Building Prosperity for Tomorrow.”
Despite being 41.4 per cent bigger than Budget 2022, it is fully financed and has no new taxes.
holds and individuals.”
The sum of $84.9 billion is for the health sector, and $94.4 billion for the education sector, so as to ensure that the country’s young people are prepared for the future.
More importantly, within these, there is an allocation of $13.1 billion to advance work on the paediatric and maternal hospitals, and six regional hospitals at Lima, De Kinderen, Diamond, Enmore, Bath and No. 75 Village, as well as $12.4 billion to improve education infrastructure countrywide, among many other things.
eryone said not enough is being done by the security forces to combat crime,” a release from NACTA said.
However, while praising the government for all the positives in the budget and welcoming the increases in spending and the various handouts, half of the respondents said these may not be enough to raise the standard of living because of rising prices.
Almost all of the respondents complained about rising prices (inflation) on almost every item, triggering concerns about the potential inflationary impact of the budget.
The respondents appealed to the government to find means and ways to address inflation (rising prices) to shield those who are living at or below the poverty line and those on a fixed income, who can barely make ends meet.
It is the second budget that will benefit from financing from the proceeds of Guyana’s new and emerging oil-and-gas sector, following the historic passage of the Natural Resources Fund (NRF) Act, which addressed the most “offensive deficiencies” of the old Act.
Budget 2023 also benefits from continued financing through projected withdrawals from the NRF of US$1 billion this year, the equivalent of G$208.9 billion, to finance developmental priorities.
Dr Ashni Singh, during his presentation last month, said: “Budget 2023 strikes a balance between addressing the pressing needs of today and the critical investments needed for tomorrow, ensuring that both are attended to.”
As he went on to say: “Budget 2023 also reflects a number of measures that are geared towards providing further stimulus to economic activity and the productive sectors, as well as to bring relief to house-
This year’s budget also caters for a number of large projects that will transform the country’s energy supply, including provisions for the construction of an integrated natural gas liquids plant, and a 300 MW combined cycle gas turbine power plant within the Wales Development Zone. The people-centred budget also places a sum of $50 billion back into the pockets of citizens through the proposed increases in old-age pension, public assistance and the income-tax threshold, along with other cost-of-living measures.
The income-tax threshold has been increased by another $10,000, taking it from $75,000 to $85,000.
As a result of the adjustment in the tax threshold, over 12,000 persons will be removed from paying income taxes, while every single taxpayer will benefit in one way or another.
Public assistance has also been increased from $14,000 to $16,000. Over 29,000 persons are set to benefit from this initiative, which will provide over $700 million in additional disposable incomes to these individuals.
SOME $353 million will be used this year to construct day and night care centres for children, a care facility for the elderly and a juvenile-processing centre at Brickdam, among other initiatives.
This provision is part of the $40.4 billion allocation which was recently approved by the National Assembly for the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MoHSSS).
Last year, the government had indicated its strong intention to begin establishing day and night care centres for parents in need.
With more and more women entering the workforce, and many of them being single parents, the need for day and night care centres are deemed critical to ensuring that parents in the workforce have a trusted facility for child care. This is particularly needed in the case of low-income earners.
Moreover, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had included the
construction of such facilities in its 2020-2025 manifesto under the heading, “Empowering women and taking care of children and vulnerable groups.” The party gave its commitment that it will encourage and assist in the establishment of day -centres for working women in the social sector.
A strong case for the need for night-care centres was established last year when three young children perished in a fire at their 10th Field Barnwell, Moch- Arcadia, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home, while their mother was at work.
Employed as a security officer, the mother was struggling to make ends meet and did not have readily available child-care options at her disposal. At the time of the incident, the family lived in a one-level ‘shack.’
The day/night care centres programme is being rolled out through a collaborative effort with the MoHSSS’ Women Innovation and Investment Network
(WIIN) training programme, and the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA).
Women participating in the WIIN child-care course will undergo comprehensive training that caters to all the needs of the child, while the CCPA’s role in the pro-
gramme is geared towards having trained and licensed child-care providers registered with the agency.
This will satisfy the standards required by the agency. By having this done, the ministry will be able to provide a list of approved day- and
night-care providers.
Additionally, persons interested in establishing care centres will be supported by the ministry with small financial provisions to ensure that the facility is running efficiently.
Also, as part of expendi-
ture under child care and protection services is the building of the juvenile-processing centre that will provide the necessary services for young persons, who have come into conflict with the law, to help develop themselves.
The dormitory at the Mahaica Children’s Hospital, rehabilitation of the Sophia Care Centre, and completion of the Mahaica Child Care Centre are also all catered for in this year’s allocation.
In terms of care for the elderly and other vulnerable groups, aside from the provision for a care centre for senior citizens, the budget caters for a physical therapy room at the Palms Geriatric Home, and rehabilitation of the kitchen at the Night Shelter.
According to the Minister of Human Services, Dr Vindhya Persaud, the programmes and policies of the government in the area of social services have positioned the country as a pacesetter.
FOLLOWING Randy
Madray’s recent launch of the Miss Guyana Culture Queen 2023 pageant, Guyanese women ages 18-26 can now apply to participate in the contest which is slated for June.
The winner will represent Guyana in the Miss Caribbean Culture Queen pageant to be held in St Kitts and Nevis in August.
According to a press release, Madray, who is also a well-known designer, said the Miss Guyana Culture Queen should embody the “Queen of Culture” title, and must be ready and equipped with the knowledge and talent to adequately showcase Guyana’s culture on a regional platform.
Madray acquired the franchise in 2019 and had selected Arian Dahlia Richmond to represent Guyana in the regional pageant. She secured the first runner-up spot and won several special prizes despite her short preparation time.
According to the release, Madray said that Richmond’s success demonstrates Guyana’s ability to walk away with the coveted Miss Caribbean Culture Queen title, if the necessary investment and preparation are done with an actual local pageant that is dedicated to training potential queens who can give Guyana
and all that the country possesses, additional exposure on such a massive stage.
“Prior to us sending Dahlia, I have had the opportunity to design for many other countries for Caribbean Culture Queen, which is the regional leg of the pageant and I believe this proves to be a great platform to market Guyana through pageantry, while at the same time, providing an amazing experience for our beauty ambassador that is exciting and safe all together. I would have been afforded the opportunity to attend several of the regional legs and I really believe Guyana needs to be well represented on this stage; hence, my reason for acquiring this franchise,” the designer was quoted as saying.
He highlighted that in order to embody a true “Culture Queen”, young women who are signing up should be poised individuals. They must also be prepared to be an ambassador and role model who is graceful and humble.
The contestants should be confident and have the ability to be leaders. Most of all, they must be genuinely Guyanese.
According to the release, the queen will walk away with a spectacular package inclusive of cash, a fully sponsored designer wardrobe for a year, endorsement deals and much more.
Madray said he is confident that his team will execute a spectacular and transparent production.
“I believe what sets us apart is our amazing team, experience, vision and drive. The Miss Guyana Culture team is a team [full] of young, dynamic professionals who have served in the pageant fraternity for a while, showcasing their unwavering talents. This team is genuinely passionate about Guyana, pageantry and the experience for contestants in pageantry. I believe it is the absolute dream team and if the passion is this consistent across the board, we can definitely achieve 10s across the board as well,” he added.
He explained that his acquisition of the franchise satisfies an even bigger purpose for Guyana and the local pageant industry.
“Pageantry in itself is a
concept that serves to bring people together, creatives together, a country together and even beyond that for the sake of a common cause,” he noted.
“Firstly, the pageant aims
to empower and nurture young women through a programme that will benefit them for a lifetime. The programme involves mentorship, etiquette improvement, cultural adventures and projects, and of course the more direct competition segments.
I believe by making this a reality allows the industry to grow and satisfies our social responsibility to young people as they prepare to lead tomorrow. Apart from benefitting the contestants, I believe, based on the approach birthed by an amazing governing body, many creatives can benefit from being a part of this journey.
I would love to see Guyana showcased in ways never done before, where tourists are encouraged to flood our tourism destinations and our folklore is not forgotten. And of course, we hope to achieve many crowns for Guyana as we build our presence in the Pageant world,” Madray said.
Women who satisfy the requirements are being encouraged to sign up by February 28 using the link: https:// forms.gle/CdKTHwWR4DhNExCn6.
More information can be found on Madray’s Facebook page and Instagram @ Miss Guyana Culture Queen.
THE sum of $5.5 billion has been approved for the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) to improve facilities and training for inmates to ensure their proper reintegration into society as productive people while curbing recidivism.
Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, told the Committee of Supply last Thursday that the allocation targets the rehabilitation of inmates, and not just keeping them locked away.
Inmates’ rehabilitation and their full reintegration into society are priorities for the government, according to Minister Benn.
He asserted that the government continues to make daily efforts to ensure that individuals who end up behind bars find redemption and that they are better people when they rejoin society.
It was further noted that the government is working assiduously to increase institutional capacity each year so that more inmates can take advantage of the various programmes.
“Recently we had what we call a fresh start project which we have …launched where prisoners are being trained, educated and given the tools of the trade for when they exit the prison.
Their reintegration into society would be better,” Minister Benn told the committee.
Some of the capital expenses for the GPS this year include the ongoing upgrades to the Mazaruni, New Amsterdam and Lusignan prisons which amount to $2.1 billion, $15 million for the purchase of vehicles. Additionally, $175 million has been set aside for the provision of furniture, tools and equipment.
Minister Benn said that the Prison Headquarters will be housed at the new prison complex at Lusignan where a “prison school” is being built to facilitate the inmates’ training and edu-
cation.
There would be trade shops at a vocational centre for trade training and various skills such as mechanics, electrical, furniture making, animal husbandry and other craft and trade activities in an effort to reduce recidivism.
“We want them to use the opportunity for getting into planting and other things…This is a new thing for us, but we’re working hard to get our strategic management department to create an introduction format and we’re rolling this out this year,” he said.
Meanwhile, Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot
noted that the 2023 budget represents the government’s and the prison service’s strategic plan, which focuses not only on modernising and expanding the prison infrastructure, but also enhancing human resource management and promoting successful reintegration of inmates into society.
He added that this also helps to rebuild public trust and confidence, while advancing holistic healthcare within the prison service.
The Prison Head also noted that the budget is a clear indication of the government’s commitment to the rehabilitation and re -
demption of incarcerated persons.
“In light of this, some 1,415 inmates completed training courses in various programmes for 2022, so with the support from the government we will continue to expose all prisoners, regardless of their situation, to all forms of retraining programmes within the prisons”, Elliot said.
He further noted that if inmates are given opportunities to develop and build skills, they are more likely to find jobs when they are released, allowing “for a smoother transition as they reintegrate into the commu-
nity”.
He indicated that the innovative and impactful programmes being offered are important as they support the government’s broad policy commitments to improve education, promote lifelong learning and greater economic mobility, as well as provide solutions to improve the well-being of the inmates and help them to achieve their full potential.
The multibillion-dollar rehabilitation of the Lusignan Prison is set to be completed soon and will see a massive reduction in the overcrowding at the East Coast Demerara facility.
With Guyana’s prison population standing at some 30 to 38 per cent over its capacity, the upgrades will allow for some 1,000 prisoners to be accommodated in keeping with international requirements.
Prisoners will be housed in a dormitory-style setting furnished with beds and mattresses, unlike the holding bay facility.
Upgrades will also accommodate a female prison, which will see the relocation of female prisoners from the New Amsterdam facility. Works on the building are 30 per cent complete and are also awaiting a shipment of steel cells from North America.
MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, on Sunday visited Independence Boulevard to view ongoing works for the enhancement project and he used the opportunity to address several issues with residents of the area.
In a post on his official Facebook page, Minister Indar indicated that he engaged the residents of Albouystown and addressed issues ranging from improper use of the newly constructed walkway by truck drivers to occupation of the parapet.
Indar called on drivers to desist from using the walkway as a roadway and even encouraged small-business
Minister within the Ministry of Public Works inspecting works done so far as part of the Independence Boulevard enhancement project (Minister Indar photos)
owners who occupy the parapet to utilise the tarmac that was prepared for them to ply their trades.
Meanwhile, the Public
Works
and Guyana Power and Light (GPL).
It was then revealed that in the coming days, the relocation of utility lines surrounding the project will be done by GWI and GPL to facilitate the continued construction of the walkway and roadway as part of the project.
The enhancement project was announced last August by Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill and stands as part of a $1.4 billion project that includes the transformation of Cemetery Road into a four-lane roadway.
At that time, Minister Edghill stated that the aim of the project was to align the community with moderni-
sation of the capital city and the country.
As part of this project, the erection of a double-lane carriageway on the
northern side and a single lane on the southern side with a recreational promenade for residents and children is expected to be done.
THE Guyana Police Force has launched a probe into the death of 54-year-old Paul Daniels of St Cuthbert’s Mission, who was reportedly run over by a car.
According to a police press release, the fatal accident occurred on February
3, 2023, around 21:30hrs involving hire car HC2281 which was being driven by Reaul Daniels, 27, of St Cuthbert’s Mission and the pedestrian, Paul Daniels.
Initial investigations revealed that HC 2281 was proceeding east along St
Cuthbert’s Mission Scheme Road and reportedly drove over Daniels who was lying on the road at the time.
It was revealed that the driver drove away but immediately returned to the scene after passengers in the vehicle informed him of the
incident.
Daniels was picked up by public-spirited citizens, placed into a car and taken to the St Cuthbert’s Mission Health Centre, where he was examined by the doctor on duty. He was treated and later transferred to the Mack-
enzie Public Hospital, where he was further seen and examined and pronounced dead on arrival.
The body is currently at the Mackenzie Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.
Investigators visited the
scene, took statements and measurements and examined the vehicle.
A breathalyser test was conducted on the driver and showed readings of .020 per cent and .021 per cent respectively, the police said.
Mashing as one Guyana”.
On Friday, children, teachers, parents and residents turned up to see the creative costumes that were being displayed by the learners.
De Silva, said that the competition which was organised by the Department of Education gave children an opportunity to show off their talents.
THERE was an impressive costume display, dancing, dramatic poetry, calypso and other activities during this year’s Region Two Children Mashramani competition which concluded on Friday.
Hundreds of children from across the region gathered at the Anna Regina Secondary School from January 30 to participate in the competition, which was held under the theme, “Mixing and
Regional Education Officer, Shondelle Hercules, used the opportunity to thank all the teachers and other education officials who worked hard to ensure the successful conclusion of the competition.
“This year, we saw all the schools participating and we saw the children coming out and representing their schools well. All the children were winners and are happy with the successful completion of the competition,” Hercules told this publication.
Meanwhile, Region Two Chairperson, Vilma
She said that she attended all the competitions and she was very happy with the turnout and the performance of the participants. The competition was on pause for two years owing to COVID-19 restrictions.
The competition kicked off on January 30 with the nursery children. This was followed by dramatic poetry and calypso from the primary and secondary schools.
The competition continued on February 2 with dance and masquerade. This was followed by phys-
ical display, jump rope and costume competition. The winners were rewarded with trophies. The children’s regional road parade will be on February 21 at the Anna Regina Car Park.
THERE has been a significant increase in overseas applications for Guyanese birth certificates recently, raising concerns among Guyanese, according to the General Registrar’s Office (GRO).
As such, Registrar General Raymon Cummings in a recent interview explained that a person who is born overseas to Guyanese parents can apply for a birth certificate.
“These are children who are born to parents who were born in Guyana. So, if one of your parents is born in Guyana, our constitution allows you to be registered as an overseas-born Guyanese. So, you can literally apply and get a Guyanese birth certificate, a Guyanese by descent you call it,” he explained.
Cummings made it clear that information provided by persons applying for the certificate is carefully examined.
“We vet information that persons present to make sure they are presenting authentic information,” the Registrar General assured.
In 2022, GRO processed 2,132 overseas registrations, indicating a significant increase when compared to 2020 and 2021. The majority of applications are coming from the United States of America, the United Kingdom and countries from around the Caribbean.
“It is obvious that the successes that are being achieved in Guyana are resonating around the world People are recognising that there is a benefit to being a Guyanese,” Cummings underscored.
The GRO, an agency under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) is responsible for issuing birth, death and marriage certificates to all Guyanese, including those who migrate.
THE Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations recently launched a new Framework for Environmental and Social Management (FESM) to ensure that both the people and the environment are protected from any potential impacts of FAO programmes and projects.
“This Framework ensures that our projects do both “no harm” and support the transformation to more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable agrifood systems by upholding the highest international standards for risk management,” FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu explained during a virtual event.
The Framework, which includes key elements of a people-centred approach
and establishes environmental and social-performance requirements for FAO programming, is also intended to ensure that all stakeholders, including local and indigenous communities, have ample opportunities to actively participate in project activities and to voice their concerns about them.
The FESM introduces an innovative process of climate change and disaster-risk screening to identify potential risks, mitigation and resilience measures.
It also includes new and updated requirements to conserve and restore renewable natural resources and biodiversity; protect animal welfare; foster resilient livelihoods; manage waste and non-pesticide hazardous materials; promote resource
efficiency; protect community health and promote decent jobs; strengthen requirements for dealing with gender-based violence, including the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse; respect indigenous peoples living in voluntary isolation; and enhance accountability, conflict resolution and grievance mechanisms.
The FAO Director-General highlighted that the new Framework proactively promotes “doing good” in four key areas.
“First, it is a powerful tool for mainstreaming sustainability and resilience across FAO by bringing together people-centred approaches with the core UN principle of leaving no one behind in a single, operational framework,” Qu said.
THE Guyana Police Force on Sunday night was able to return traffic to its normal flow along the West Coast Berbice (WCB) highway following a disruption earlier in the evening.
Reports reaching the Guyana Chronicle stated that on Sunday afternoon, residents of the Hopetown,
WCB set a car on fire following a reported accident in the area.
Meanwhile, in a traffic advisory, the police stated that there was a “disruption” earlier in the evening when residents blocked the roadway at Hopetown. However, the situation was brought under control resulting in the smooth flow
It is also a mechanism to improve the efficiency of FAO operations on the ground by setting out clear guidelines and standards for all projects, and it enhances the efficient response to FAO Members’ priorities and needs, he added.
“The Framework ensures the organisation’s transparency and integrity as an institution, by establishing clear protocols for how possible grievances may be raised and addressed,” Qu said.
As the impacts of the climate crisis, biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation are putting at risk the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, FAO is committed to working together and acting swiftly to overcome these overlapping challenges.
The new Framework for Environmental and Social Management adds to the overall FAO Strategic Framework, the FAO Corporate Environmental Responsibility Strategy, the FAO Strategy on Mainstreaming
of traffic again.
The Guyana Police Force in its statement did not state what led to the disruption along the carriageway.
All motorists and commuters were advised that the road corridor at Hopetown, WCB was open to the free flow of traffic.
Biodiversity across Agricultural Sectors as well as two strategies on Climate Change, and on Science and Innovation.
The FESM also aligns with safeguards policies of International Financial
Institutions and key global funds, such as the Adaptation Fund, the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility, facilitating ongoing and growing partnerships in projects on the ground. (FAO)
SPECIAL programmes developed at the regional level to tackle leprosy will soon be rolled out in Guyana.
This is according to Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony, who made this disclosure during last Thursday’s consideration
of the estimates for the 2023 budget.
Dr Anthony stated that the main services for leprosy are
offered at the Palms and as such, in this year’s budget, sums of money are being invested in upgrading the services that are provided there.
“We have included a special laboratory and other equipment so that we can make more efficient diagnoses,” the health minister said.
Against this backdrop, he noted that Guyana has over the last couple of years achieved elimination at the national level.
To this end, he added that there are a few regions in the country where authorities have seen that there is more than one
person per 10,000 with the disease and as such, the budget caters for programmes to tackle this.
“Therefore, we have targeted those regions with specific programmes so that we can reduce that to the one or less than one per 10,000,” Dr Anthony told the Committee of Supply.
He said that the aim is to see Guyana being considered as eliminating leprosy from the country at a regional level. However, while the WHO has a standard set to achieve that by 2030, Dr Anthony stated that the government’s goal is to get there by 2025.
CMC – FORMER West Indies white-ball captain Nicholas Pooran was the lead actor among his peers, but unbeaten half-centuries from Dasun Shanaka and Sikandar Raza steered Dubai Capitals to a stunning seven-wicket win against his MI Emirates in the ILT20 on Sunday.
The left-handed Pooran smashed five fours and one six in the top score of 43 from 31 balls and led a recovery effort that enabled Emirates to reach 164 for seven from their 20 overs in front of a large crowd at the Dubai International Stadium.
Discarded West Indies opener Andre
Fletcher hit two consecutive boundaries off Fred Klaassen in the first over of the match, but fell to the first ball of the second over from Jake Ball.
Emirates wobbled to 76 for four in the ninth over before Pooran took charge in a 56-run stand for the fifth wicket with Dan Mousley, not out on
31, that ended when the Trinidadian was caught at deep cover off Australia leg-spinner Adam Zampa in the 17th over.
But Shanaka hit five boundaries and three sixes in 58 not out from 36 balls and Raza counted four fours and four sixes in 56 not out from the same number of balls to carry Capitals
to victory with 11 balls remaining.
Shanaka and Raza shared 122 unbroken for the fourth wicket, after West Indies batsman Rovman Powell was caught at deep mid-wicket for a second-ball duck, and Capitals stumbled to 44 for three in the seventh over.
THE East Bank Football Association (EBFA) had two matches scheduled Saturday last, in its intra-association leg of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/Tiger
Rentals under-13 tournament. Play continued at the National Training Centre (NTC) at Providence where Herstelling Raiders gained a walkover win from
Agricola Red Triangle who failed to show.
In the match that was played, the highflying Swan continued their purple patch with an important 2-1 victory against Friendship Allstars. Swan's goals came off the boots of Shameer Daniels and Kevin De Goias while Friendship's lone goal was scored by Brandon Goocharran.
Meanwhile, the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) had matchday two of their intra-association tournament at the West Demerara Secondary School ground on Saturday where two comprehensive 13-0 victories were recorded. First Eagles FC made light work of Belle West before Pouderoyen also registered a similar
13-0 triumph over Belle West
The inter-ATC/club competition resumes this Saturday at the NTC with four matches, beginning at 10:30hrs. Those fixtures are West Berbice versus East Coast in the opener, followed by East Berbice matching skills with Bartica in the second clash. The other two matchups will
see Upper Demerara being pitted with East Bank in the third match while the fourth and final game, which kicks off at 12:00hrs, will see West Demerara and Georgetown locked in battle.
Tiger Rentals Guyana has invested $10M for this first nationwide developmental under-13 football tournament.
(Monday February 06, 2023)
COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz:
(1) 27 Tests
(2) 1326 runs
Today’s Quiz:
(1) What was Joe Solomon’s highest score in Tests?
(2) How many centuries he scored?
Answers in tomorrow’s issue
‘Brandon’ Chanderpaul scored his first Test Century in only his third Test yesterday against Zimbabwe, he created history with his illustrious father Shivnarine as the only Father/Son West Indian pair to score a Test century.
When the 26-year-old Guyanese made his test debut in Australia on November 30 he joined his father as the 19th Father and Son and third from the West Indies to play Test Cricket.
Shiv joined West Indian fathers George Headley and Sir Everton Weeks with sons who played Test Cricket.
All three of the dads are among the eight West Indian batters with a Test average of over 50 with the late great Headley at top of that list with an average
60.83 with 10 centuries in 22 Tests.
Shiv’s 11,867 runs is only behind Brian Lara’s 11,912 among West Indian batters and it’s unlikely that those stats will be bettered by any other West Indian.
Young Chanderpaul,
with an unbeaten 101 also became the 15th Guyanese batter to score a Test century since Robert Christiani with his 107 against India in 1948 on West Indies’ inaugural tour to sub-continent.
Ironically, ‘Tage’ is
first Guyanese to reach three-figures in a Test match since his father, who took 19 Tests to register his maiden hundred, scored the last of his 30 tons, an unbeaten 101 against Bangladesh in September 2014 in St Lucia.
Tagenarine, who made his First-Class debut against the Leewards in Antigua in 2013, has reached the boundary ropes 10 times and cleared it once from the 290 balls in his unfinished 221-run opening stand with his Captain Kraigg Braithwaite who has 116.
Playing for Guyana in a First-Class game against Jamaica in 2017, the 42-year-old Shiv scored a half-century after his 20-year-old son Tagenarine had reached 50 at Sabina Park. The last time that happened was in 1931 when George Gunn and his son George Vernon scored hundreds in a match for Nottinghamshire.
The only other time a father and his son played together in the history of Regional First-Class cricket, which began in 1865, was when Sir Leary Constantine and his Father
Lebron played in 1922.
The elder Constantine made his final appearance for Trinidad against Barbados in British Guiana at the age of 48 playing alongside his son Learie who had just turned 21.
The following Guyanese who have scored Test centuries; Robert Christiani, Bruce Pairaudeau, Basil Butcher, Rohan Kanhai, Joe Soloman, Roy Fredericks, Alvin Kallicharran, Clive Lloyd, Leonard Baichan, Faoud Bacchus, Clayton Lambert, Carl Hooper, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Tagenarine Chanderpaul.
Bachian, Bacchus, Lambert, Soloman, Christiani and Pairaudeau only managed a century once. Baichan scored his century on debut against Pakistan but only played two more Tests after that.
(ESPNCRICINFO) - AF -
TER a wet outfield claimed the first two sessions on day 2 in Bulawayo, gritty centuries from Kraigg Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul saw West Indies extend their grip on the first Test against Zimbabwe.
Only 51 overs were played on a rain-curtailed opening day, and West Indies - resuming from 112 for 0 - made the most of the 38 overs on offer on the second day. Overnight rain meant that even though covers were off early on Sunday, the outfield was not fit for play and after several inspections, it was decided that the game would begin after tea.
Both batters began the day on 55, and while Chanderpaul began to rotate strike better than on Saturday, it was Brathwaite who got the
first couple of boundaries away. With more than three sessions in the game already lost, the two openers upped the tempo, increasing the run rate from 2.03 on day 1 to 2.86 on day 2.
The Zimbabwe bowlers toiled away again, but for the second day in a row, they had no wickets to show.
Brathwaite brought up his 12th Test century in 226 balls in the 82nd over with a late cut past slip off left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza. His knock was predominantly about strike rotation and showcased excellent communication with Chanderpaul when running between the wickets. He scored just five boundaries while making his century; the lowest boundary count in a Test century since 2002 is four.
Throughout the two days,
Brathwaite and Chanderpaul took risky singles, even after playing the ball to close fielders. This meant Zimbabwe had a few opportunities, but nothing clear cut, as the two openers kept the scoreboard ticking despite not being able to find the boundary with the kind of regularity they would have liked.
And once Zimbabwe took the second new ball, Brathwaite - having just reached his century - was quick to capitalise, using the extra pace on the ball to get a couple of quick boundaries off Richard Ngarava and Victor Nyauchi.
While his father Shivnarine Chanderpaul had taken 52 innings and nearly eight years to score his maiden Test century away from home, Tagenarine needed just five innings and just over two
months.
In the 88th over, Chanderpaul pulled Nyauchi past midwicket to move to 99, and after a few nervy moments, tucked the final delivery of the over behind square to bring up the century off 286 balls. Once his helmet came off in celebration, the relief and joy on his face were palpable.
Having been one of the few positives from West Indies' tour of Australia, Chanderpaul showed he had the stomach to dig in and stay at the crease for long durations. It had taken him 19 deliveries to get off the mark on the first day and he showed the same kind of patience on Sunday. He was unfazed even as the dot balls built, putting away the bad balls whenever he had a chance.
In the process, he also
became the first West Indies opener apart from Brathwaite to hit a Test century since Chris Gayle in March 2013.
Brathwaite and Chanderpaul have now put on the highest opening partnership for West Indies since July 2012, when Chris Gayle and Kieron Powell put on 254 against New Zealand.
For a long time, the West Indies Test captain has fought a lone battle for them at the top of the order. Finally, he seems to have found a partner who can give him much-needed support. But with more showers expected later tonight, they will have to keep picking up pace if they are to push for a win in this Test.
T. Chanderpaul not out 101 Extras (b1, nb3) 4
TOTAL (without loss, 89 overs) 221
R. Reifer, J. Blackwood, K. Mayers, R. Chase, +J. da Silva, J. Holder, K. Roach,
A. Joseph, G. Motie to bat.
Bowling: Ngarava 15-4-40-0 (nb1); Nyauchi 21-5-53-0; Evans 18-3-44-0 (nb2); Masakadza 16-6-30-0; Mavuta 19-2-53-0.
ZIMBABWE: I. Kaia, T. Makoni, C. Chibhabha, *C. Ervine , G. Ballance, T. Tsiga, B. Mavuta, W. Masakadza, B. Evans, V. Nyauchi, R. Ngarava.
Toss: West Indies.
Umpires: L. Rusere, P. Reiffel (Australia).
TV umpire: I. Chabi.
Match referee: J. Crowe (New Zealand).
WEST INDIES 1st Innings *K.
not out 116
Reserve umpire: F. Mutizwa.
11-1, 11-6 while Tian Edwards beat Vincentian Hazel-Anne Sandy 11-8, 11-8, 11-5 to finished in the third position.
With the smell of BarB-Q chicken, Beef and Pork in the air, BVI’s Winston Findlay, the cousin of former West Indies and Combined Islands’ Wicket-Keeper Mike Findlay, defeated Guyana’s Dennis Dias in a riveting over-65 Final; 9-11, 11-9, 5-11, 11-7, 11-4.
In the Men’s 55-64 age group, World Masters semi-finalist Bajan Mark Sealy defeated T&T’s
By Sean DeversTHE final evening of the BCQS Masters Squash Championships climaxed at the Georgetown Club on Saturday as Guyanese Alex Arjoon extended his winning streak against Bajan Shawn Simpson to three matches, by taking the 30-44 age group title.
Watched by the biggest gathering for Squash since the Junior CASA in Guyana last year July, Arjoon followed up two victories over Simpson last year in Jamaica at the Senior CASA with an 11-5, 11-9, 11-7 victory as the curtain came down on a well organised four-
night tournament which attracted players from five nations
In a battle of the southpaws, Simpson, the tallest player in the PSA at 6ft 6ins, was again outplayed by Arjoon in the feature match of the night to prove that his wins in the Reggae Country were no fluke.
Despite some well-calculated cross-court shots and fairly long rallies from the Bajan, Arjoon, watched by his fans which included the Arjoon clan, raced to a six-point margin of victory in game one.
The lanky Simpson played with increased intensity, hitting a few winners and tested Arjoon in an evenly contest-
ed second game, which the 38-year-old Simpson would eventually lose 9-11 before Arjoon won the next game and the match 3-nil.
In the third-place playoff, the affable Nicolette Fernandes and the talented Daniel Ince went at each other as if it were the final itself.
The 39-year-old Fernandes, whose only loss in the Men’s 30-44 division was in the semi-finals against Simpson, rebounded from a 6-11 loss in the opening game, to win the second (11-5) and third (11-8) before Ince fought back in the fourth.
The pair engaged each other with some audacious shots from all angles and
excellently played backhand drives and drop shots from Ince. However, the Canada-born Guyanese Fernandes earned an 11-8 win to take the match into a fifth game.
Despite showing signs of tiredness in the final game Fernandes prevailed to win 11-7 and take the hard-fought match 3-2 to finish third.
Nicholas Narain beat Regan Pollard 9-11, 1210, 11-6, 11-6, to finish fourth in the other 30-44 match on Saturday night.
In the Men’s 45-54 division, Bajan Don Benn defeated Guyana’s Khalil Alli 11-7,11-4, 11-2
In the Women’s over35 final Kathy Ten Pow beat Lydia Fraser 11-6,
John Holley 11-9, 11-4, 11-6, Bajan Peter Harris beat Guyana’s Narendra Singh 11-8, 11-6, 11-4 while Joe Mekdeci beat Marlon White of Barbados 11-6, 11-8, 12-10 to finish fourth.
At the Presentation Ceremony, Vice-President of the GSA David Fernandes, presented a token of appreciation to BCQS’ CEO Sanjay Amin while it was disclosed that the next BCQS Masters tournament will be held in the 166Sq Mile Island of Barbados.
CMC – Out-of-favour West Indies all-rounder Keemo Paul put the finishing touch on a commanding, bonus-point 151-run win for Durban Super Giants against Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 on Sunday.
His fellow Guyanese Romario Shepherd also played a supporting role for Joburg Super Kings after former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis took centre stage again to power them to a 24run win against Eastern Cape and into the semi-finals.
At SuperSport Park: Paul grabbed the final wicket of Daryn Dupavillon for five in an unsuccessful chase of 255 for the Capitals to formalise the result with 37 balls remaining in the contest.
Paul ended with 1-4 in five balls, after he delivered a short ball outside the offstump, and Dupavillon went for a cut, but he got a thick edge, and the ball flew to third man, where England international David Willey held a smart catch, and the table-leading Capitals were
bowled out for 103.
Junior Dala was the pick of the Super Giants’ bowlers with 3-33, while Dwaine Pretorius took 2-20 and fellow South Africa international pacer Wiaan Mulder claimed 2-17.
Super Giants moved to 19 points on the log, but they were unable to surpass Sunrisers Eastern Cape on net run rate.
Eastern Cape now join the Capitals and Joburg Super Kings in the semi-finals, and Super Giants will await
the result of the final preliminary match on Tuesday at Centurion between Capitals and Paarl Royals, who also have 19 points, for their fate to be decided.
Earlier, South Africa international Heinrich Klaasen produced an innings for the ages to keep the Super Giants hopes of progressing alive.
Klaasen royally entertained the Centurion crowd with a sparkling 104 not out off only 44 balls, peppering the grass banks with 10 four and six sixes.
Klaasen’s pyrotechnics anchored the Super Giants to 254 for four – the highest score of the inaugural tournament – surpassing the previous mark of 216 that they and the Capitals set previously.
At the Wanderers: Du Plessis, captain of the St Lucia Kings in the last year’s Caribbean Premier League T20, followed up the SA20’s maiden hundred in the previous contest with 92 from 61 balls that included seven fours and four sixes and
formed the bedrock of the Super Kings total of 160 for six.
It proved sufficient with the Joburg Super Kings bowling unit that included Shepherd delivering a fine overall performance to restrict Eastern Cape to 136 for nine.
Shepherd scored only two when Super Kings batted, but he bagged a tidy 2-24 from his four overs, and his side took ownership of second in the standings on 22 points.