Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 07-02-2023

Construction progressing on 100 lowincome houses at Great Diamond

— new innovative and environmentally friendly construction methods being adopted, Housing Minister says

By Naomi Parris

CONSTRUCTION works are progressing rapidly on 100 new low-income homes at Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, on Monday, during a walkabout exercise at the construction site, said that a number of projects will be rolled out to meet the growing demands of the housing market.

“During our budget speech and even announcements by our President, we would have alluded to a number of houses being constructed and that is to respond to the market,” Croal said.

Further, he said there will a renewed focus on targeted home constructions rather than just allocating house lots.

The first 50 homes will be constructed using dovetail

metal and concrete, while the remaining 50 will be constructed using recyclable materials. These are both methods that were introduced during the hosting of ‘Building Expo’ last year.

Dovetail sheets are coldrolled metal steel sheets used for reinforcing thin light -

weight concrete floors on wooden, steel, or other bearing constructions.

“This project here is a collaboration from local investors, they are a Surinamese company. They are constructing 50 low-income houses, the exact size to our type of model houses which is 600

square feet, similar with two bedrooms with the bathroom or the washroom area and the kitchen for dining,” Croal related.

He added that the first 26 houses will be completed by this month end while the remaining 24 will be completed in March.

“Immediately, we will start putting this through our beneficiaries that we have. We have a pool of persons who have already prequalified for low-income funding houses,” the Housing Minister related. He added: “We will see the response from the market and then see if we will have a phase two.”

Meanwhile Raj Persaud of Visionary Builders explained that the houses built with the dovetail materials are usually built in the hinterland regions, as they can withstand heavy weather conditions as well as natural disasters such hurricanes.

According to Croal, once

completed, those houses will cost $5.5 million.

Meanwhile, as it relates to the houses that are being built with the blocks made from recyclable materials, Croal said: “I know there was some stigma when persons heard about the use of recyclable material for making block, but you would have seen on that demonstration at the Building Expo that those houses were very cool on the inside.”

He said that the government will be adopting new methods of construction, with the use of sustainable practices and technology.

“You will find innovative construction, new technology and no doubt when we have our next Building Expo later this year, we will find similarly persons who come to Guyana want to explore,” Croal said.

He added: “We are excited about this project because you know as part of governments responsibility too is

to ensure that we are able to respond to an eco-friendly environment and so these types of houses satisfy the criteria.”

Once completed, those will be sold at the cost of $5.9 million.

“While the size of the house is similar 600 square feet, the materials are different and that is why the price is a little a more than the regular low income that we normally have,” Croal said.

Speaking briefly with reporters, Alphonso De Armas of South Atlantic’s, the construction company undertaking the project, said that the hardest phase of the project, which is building the foundation and curb walls, have been completed.

The recyclable blocks have already been imported and the second phase, which entails the assembling of the blocks, will begin shortly and will be completed by April of this year.

Additionally, Croal that the East Bank corridor has become a front-runner for development, with the many ongoing housing projects as well as the ongoing construction of road networks.

He added: “This is a prime location and that is what happens as a part of development too, even when this area was conceptualised, the four lane wasn’t built at that point in time, so [this location] has become like a front [spot].”

An artist impression of the house built using recyclable blocks

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal in discussion with Raj Persaud of Visionary Builders, one of contractors undertaking the construction project (Adrian Narine photo)

Guyana leads region’s ambitious food security charge

— as CARICOM inches 57% closer to its ‘25 by 2025’ goal

CARICOM Ministerial Taskforce (MTF) on Food Production and Food Security has announced it has collectively achieved 57 per cent of its ‘Vision 25 by 2025’ target to date.

The announcement last Friday comes after countries submitted reports detailing their production data for 2022 for targeted commodities, as CARICOM moves towards lowering the regional import bill by 25 per cent by the year 2025.

It was reported that products such as cocoa, dairy, meat, root crops, fruits, and poultry have already reached 96.13%, 84.36%, 72.28%, 70.91%, 70.77%, and 70.19%, respectively, for the targeted production volume set for the year 2025.

Moreover, countries such as Guyana, Belize Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago,

Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Dominica, and Jamaica have made significant advances in the production of commodities such as ginger, turmeric, corn, soya bean, root crops, fruits, cocoa, poultry, meat, fish, table eggs, and dairy.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali recently noted that the Guyana government continues to open up tens of thousands of acres of new land in its bid to expand production in the country.

The report also indicated that for 2022, Guyana produced some 20,195 tonnes of ginger and turmeric, 144,289 tonnes of root crops, 21,870 tonnes of fish, and 40,749 tonnes of coconut.

In addition to the updates on member states’ production targets, attendees were also brought up to speed on several other notable achieve-

ments.

During the 104th Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), Trade Policies for Animal and animal Products, a Regional Agricultural Health and Food Safety Policy, Special Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) guidelines for 19 commodities, and alternative SPS settlement

mechanisms were approved.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has noted that the foregoing achievements are commendable, as with the mechanisms at reference in place, a level playing field is being created, thereby making way for a more straightforward trade in agricultural products intra-regionally.

State-of-the-art $201M police headquarters commissioned in Region Five

FORT Wellington now boasts a brand-new, $201 million state-of-the-art police station that will also act as the headquarters for Regional Division Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

Acting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, in his remarks at the commissioning ceremony on Monday, said that the facility is intended to be “more user-friendly”.

According to the ‘Top Cop’, the divisional headquarters includes a Domestic Violence Office, Witness Protection Room, a Case Management Room, an Automated Case Management System, and an Integrated Criminal Information System.

The new building was built in line with the Guyana Police Force’s objectives for decentralisation, Commissioner Hicken noted.

“I am seeing here members of the public; I am seeing here representatives of the Joint Services. I am seeing here members of the faith-based organisations, and this gives me comfort to see that the Guyana Police Force is no longer working in isolation,” he said.

On this note, he congrat-

ulated the Division’s Commander, Assistant Commissioner Kurleigh Simon for a job well done.

“Commander, this is the posture of the leadership of the Guyana Police Force, and this partnership effort must be maintained,” the ‘Top Cop’ urged Commander Simon.

He further indicated that the Police Force is working assiduously to meet the needs of the public, and as such, the Force is moving towards contemporary policing.

The newly-constructed Divisional Headquarters at Fort Wellington, which was cost in the vicinity of $201 million, is fully equipped

with a Child-Friendly Interview Room, a Child-Friendly Waiting Room, Listening Room, Sexual Offence Interview Room, Sexual Offence/Domestic Violence Office and Waiting Room, Domestic Violence Interview Room, Case Management Room, Witness Room, Juvenile Female Holding Cell, Female Holding Cell, Juvenile Male Holding Cell, Male Holding Cell, along with the other amenities that a station should be equipped with.

Minister of Home Affairs

Robeson Benn, in his feature address, said it is anticipated that these additional characteristics of the police station will significantly enhance

“These four achievements are testimony to the hard work of the MTF. If we are allowed to increase intra-regional trade, we will be well on the way to reducing the regional food import bill, which is the ultimate goal of CARICOM, in keeping with its food security agenda. In just one year, collaborative efforts among member states have yielded much success,” Minister Mustapha noted. Minister Mustapha, who chairs the CARICOM MTF, indicated that several priority areas have been identified for 2023, among them agriculture insurance and financing, trade and E-agriculture, resource mobilisation, and trade support. These, he explained, will help to advance the efforts of the MTF and CARICOM as together they work towards achieving ‘Vision 25 by 2025’.

Monday’s meeting, which was held virtually, saw attendance from Ministers of Agriculture from across the region, along with representatives of the CARICOM Member States, the CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and other regional officials and stakeholders. Today’s meeting was also the ninth convened since the establishment of the MTF. The next CARICOM MTF meeting will be held sometime in March. Research has shown that the region imports, from out of the region, approximately 80 per cent of the food that it consumes, which amounts to approximately US$4 billion.

the Guyana Police Force’s capacity to combat crime effectively.

He said that the police would be in a better position to protect and assist citizens with this new structure. Minister Benn also pointed out that the facility was constructed to ensure efficient policing in the community.

He also alluded to the government’s unwavering commitment, tangibly represented through budgetary allocations, to ensure the best environment is created with cutting-edge technology and SMART Police stations, as well as additional vehicles for the GPF to efficiently carry out its important mandate to ‘serve and protect’.

Minister Benn pointed out that the government has thus far taken the necessary steps to improve the resources of the Force.

“Members of the Guyana Police Force are the peacekeepers in Guyana, and I would like everyone to remind themselves that they are the peacekeepers. We must have peace in Guyana. We must have a reduction in crimes and murder as well,” Minister Benn charged.

CJIA records 32 per cent increase in passenger arrivals

— 45 per cent increase in cargo movement for January

THE Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has recorded a 32 per cent increase in passenger arrivals for January 2023 compared to the corresponding period last year.

During the month of January, the airport processed 25,005 arriving passengers compared to 18,874 in 2022.

The country’s main port of entry continues to experience significant increases in passenger arrivals since the Cricket Carnival in September 2022.

Meanwhile, there was a 45 per cent increase in cargo being processed during January 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.

The 738 tonnes of cargo processed in January 2023 comprised mostly agricultural products, perishable goods, industrial supplies and personal effects.

Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill said these increases reflect the transformational work being undertaken by the PPP/C Government under the visionary leadership of President Dr. Irfaan Ali.

The influx of visitors and investors coming to Guyana is attributed to the massive growth in the housing, tourism, transportation and agricultural sectors.

The Minister further noted that Guyana is well on its way to achieving one million arrivals by 2025, as predicted by President Ali.

In anticipation of continued growth, the government is looking to expand and further increase the capacity at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo recently announced that the government plans to modernise and strengthen security measures at the airports by introducing a new electronic passport system.

The spanking new police station at Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice

Huge ‘quake’ kills 2,400 in Turkey, Syria

— bad weather worsens situation

A HUGE earthquake killed more than 2,400 people across a swathe of Turkey and northwest Syria on Monday, with freezing winter weather adding to the plight of the many thousands left injured or homeless, and hampering efforts to find survivors.

The magnitude 7.8 ‘quake’ brought down whole apartment blocks in Turkish cities, and piled more devastation on millions of Syrians displaced

by years of war.

Regarded as the worst tremor to have struck Turkey this century, it came before sunrise in harsh weather, and was followed in the early afternoon by another large ‘quake’ of magnitude 7.7.

“It was like the apocalypse,” said Abdul Salam al-Mahmoud, a Syrian in the northern town of Atareb. “It’s bitterly cold, and there’s heavy rain, and people need saving.”

The second ‘quake’ was

big enough to bring down more buildings, and, like the first, was felt across the region, endangering rescuers struggling to pull casualties from the rubble.

In Diyarbakir in southeast Turkey, a woman speaking next to the wreckage of the seven-storey block where she lived said: “We were shaken like a cradle; there were nine of us at home. Two sons of mine are still in the rubble; I’m waiting for them.”

She was nursing a broken arm, and had injuries to her face.

The earthquake was the biggest ‘quake’ recorded worldwide by the U.S. Geological survey since a tremor in the remote South Atlantic in August 2021.

In Turkey, the death toll stood at 1,541, Vice-President Fuat Oktay said. At least 928 people were killed in Syria,

according to figures from the Damascus government, and rescue workers in the northwestern region controlled by insurgents.

Poor Internet connections and damaged roads between some of the worst-hit cities in Turkey’s south, home to millions of people, hindered efforts to assess and address the impact.

Temperatures in some areas

were expected to fall to near freezing overnight, worsening conditions for people trapped under rubble or left homeless.

Rain was falling on Monday after snowstorms swept the country at the weekend.

It is already the highest death toll from an earthquake in Turkey since 1999, when a tremor of similar magnitude devastated the

heavily-populated eastern Marmara Sea region near Istanbul, killing more than 17,000.

President Tayyip Erdogan, who is preparing for a tough election in May, called it a historic disaster, and the worst earthquake to hit Turkey since 1939, but said authorities were doing all they could.

“Everyone is putting their heart and soul into efforts, although the winter season, cold weather and the earthquake happening during the night make things more difficult,” he said.

Turkish State broadcaster TRT showed a building collapse in the southern province of Adana after the second ‘quake’. It was not immediately clear if it was evacuated.

In Syria, already wrecked by more than 11 years of civil war, the health ministry said 538 people had been killed, and more than 1,326 injured. In the Syrian rebel-held northwest, emergency workers said 390 people had died.

The Norwegian Refugee Council said the earthquake would only add to the suffering of millions of Syrians already enduring a humanitarian crisis due to the civil war.

In the Turkish city of Diyarbakir, Reuters’ journalists saw dozens of rescue workers searching through a mound of debris, all that was left of a big building, and hauling off bits of wreckage as they looked for survivors. Occasionally, they raised their hands and called for quiet, listening for sounds of life.

Men carried a girl wrapped in blankets from a collapsed building in the city. In Izmir, drone footage showed rescue workers standing atop a hill of rubble where a building once stood, as they worked to lift slabs of masonry.

Footage circulated on Twitter showed two neighbouring buildings collapsing one after the other in Syria’s Aleppo, filling the streets with billowing dust.

Two residents of the city, which has been heavily damaged in the war, said the buildings had fallen in the hours after the ‘quake’, which was also felt in Cyprus and Lebanon.

‘NO ONE CAME OUT’

In the Syrian rebel-held town of Jandaris in Aleppo province, a mound of concrete, steel rods

Continued on page 10

People searching for survivors under the rubble following an earthquake in Diyarbakir, Turkey (REUTERS/Sertac Kayar)

Children’s Mashramani Competition returns to Georgetown

THE atmosphere at the National Cultural Centre was electrifying on Monday, as students from schools across the Georgetown Education District showed support for their peers who were a part

of the Children’s Mashramani Competition 2023, after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a release from the Education Ministry, Principal Chief Education

Officer, Emmanuel Bridgewater, in his remarks at the launch expressed satisfaction at being able to host the event. He encouraged the children to have fun and do their best as they display their talents.

Pupils from primary schools across the city dazzled the audience with their brightly coloured costumes and well-choreographed routines as they competed in seven categories. Mashramani 2023 is being celebrated under the theme: “Mixing and Mashing as One Guyana.”

Scenes from the launch of Children’s Mash Competition

Housing Authority engages over 200 Berbicians in outreach

AS Monday’s outreach concluded, Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) CEO, Sherwyn Greaves and his team engaged more than 200 people at the regional housing office in New Amsterdam, Region Six

Of this, some 24 Berbicians were allocated house lots at Shieldstown, Region Five and Number 76 Village, Region Six

Twenty-two residents were also allocated housing units constructed by Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) at Fort Ordnance and Hampshire, Region Six

Meanwhile, 42 persons, previously allocated homes in Hampshire, signed up for their Agreement of Sale

The CEO stated that this aims to ensure the allottees occupy their homes as soon as possible Close to 25 residents were also able to register for their Certificate of Title

Scores of other persons also took the opportunity to meet with the CEO, apply for house lots, and make queries

Following several queries from informal settlers, a team from the agency is expected to conduct field visits this week

Monday’s exercise is a follow-up to a visit by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali to Region Six last week.

2023

A New Revolution?

GRENADA observes its 49th Independence Anniversary today (February 7), against the background of many changes at home in the past six months, starting with the ground-shaking 2022 regime change that saw the defeat of longstanding Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell and his replacement by a younger namesake.

Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique – the actual formal name of the three-island state – became independent in 1973 under Eric Gairy, a popular trade unionist and political leader who later became a notorious dictator whose barbaric hostility to any opposition resulted in his overthrow by the New Jewel Movement (NJM), led by Maurice Bishop and Bernard Coard, on March 13, 1979.

Gairy’s Mongoose Gang, modelled on Haitian dictator ‘Papa Doc’ Duvalier’s patently barbaric ‘Tontons Macoutes,’ was earlier held responsible for the brutal death of Maurice Bishop’s father, Rupert, a fearless opponent no-less verballypotent and publicly defiant than his radical lawyer son.

The young nation almost fully supported ‘The Revo’ -- the first genuine and armed popular revolution in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) -- that came alongside those in Iran and Nicaragua that year and would radically transform people’s lives, generally for the better.

Unfortunately, the revolution would last only four-and-ahalf years, committing suicide in 1983, only to be buried by the occupying US-led multinational forces bent on erasing and burying the past and dictating the young nation’s future.

Approaching 40 years later, the country has been through several stages of political misfortune.

After Bishop’s death (October 17, 1983) and the invasion one week later (October 25, 1983), several US-backed ‘interim’ governments served under occupation, followed by a return to general elections -- and a period that saw Dr Mitchell’s New National Party (NNP) three times win all the seats contested, until its uprooting last year by the younger Mitchell’s National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Current Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, like Bishop, has been widely embraced by cross-sections of the population, both for his informal gaiety (playing ‘Jab Jab’ days after taking office) and his early moves to clean up the financial mess inherited from an outgoing administration that threw everything at staying in -- from promising post-election salary increases and pension payments, to the many efforts to attract more votes than available for victory, at a time when the tide and climate had both radically changed and it was time (again) for yet another change.

With 49 years of independence and 43 years of memory and experiences from the revolutionary era, the current administration largely represents a sizeable and decisive postrevolution citizenry and electorate that, unfortunately, grew up without the access to most the (hidden and denied) truths about the revolutionary achievements.

Thanks to over four decades of anti-revolution propaganda shaped by those ideologically opposed to the politics and economics that bore fruits of social and cultural integration through programmes directed at and involving communities— including the introduction of popular democracy at grassroots levels that saw residents discuss budget proposals and new laws being proposed— the Dickon Generation was denied the experiences learning the true history of and lessons from the revolution, at home and abroad, even in academia.

But history cannot be erased and lessons are never too late to learn.

Coard has published a series of review books that included apologies for decisions that went terribly wrong. There is global support for a Grenada government to formally request the return of Bishop’s remains from US custody (so he could be given the Christian burial his mother fought so hard for, but died without attending) and the atmosphere in Grenada today is one that’s offering signs of a very possible national regeneration for positive change and adjustment, with the help of rear-view review and adaptive recalibration for necessary

fast-forward progress into the near and distant future.

Understandably, political hangovers remain from the trauma of four-and-a-half decades ago that will probably never go away.

But the general feeling everywhere is that Grenada has paid too much for too long and it’s again time for more changes that people can see and feel, in ways like never before since 1979, only accelerated by the positive global changes in science and technology and international diplomacy, in the Age of the Internet of Things and with the opportunities that always come with every challenge facing developing nations and small-island states globally, from climate change to inflation.

Take the island’s experience on the issue of reparations, which featured in Buckingham Palace’s decision to call off last year’s planned Royal Visit to Grenada and the upcoming visit of Apology and Penance by representatives of the Trevalyans, an aristocratic British family that owned plantations and hundreds of slaves on the island and has accepted the courageous challenge of agreeing to formally apologise and atone by establishing a US$100,000 fund in Grenada later this month – both events attributable to the work of the Grenada National Reparations Commission (GNRC) chaired by Ambassador Arley Gill, appointed by the previous PM Mitchell and blessed by the current government.

Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique are on the cusp of 21st Century change, with real demographic possibilities for supporting new national democratic and developmental policies that will not only make the three-island state better by far, but also help in the process of accelerating the necessary regional developmental renewals that will continue to alter the geopolitical and attendant directions in the Caribbean and Latin America in the post-pandemic age.

It is enhanced by the successive and hurtful COVID-19 supply chain and sanctions-related measures, triggered by the Russia-Ukraine conflict one year ago.

Prime Minister Phillips’ budget speech was impressive

Dear Editor,

WITH the exception of a few, most of the themes and issues addressed by the Members of Parliament (MPs) from both sides of the aisle during the budget debate were to some extent not too impressive, mainly because most of the MPs focused on political issues and did not deal directly with matters in the budget.

Many in the public were aghast at the MPs whom they elected to represent them. It must be told that the Minister of Education Ms Priya Manickchand made a superb budget presentation in which she outlined policies to expand education across the country to benefit all the children.

Not only did Ms Manickchand highlight the progress made by her ministry, but she also outlined the ministry’s future educational plans which include the hiring of more qualified science teachers, reducing the amount of school drop-outs, construction of modern schools, and a 21st Century curriculum that would make Guyana leader of the Caribbean in all facets of education.

Likewise, both the Ministers of Housing Mr Collin Croal and Ms Susan Rodrigues were on top of their game. In their budget presentations, they wasted no time in telling the nation that in only two and a half years in office the PPP/C government has reduced the length of time one has to wait to acquire a house lot, and has issued three times more house lots to residents than what the previous administration distributed in five years. Their delivery was smooth and to the point.

However, perhaps the most outstanding budget presentation was made by Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips,

who did not mince words.

First, he praised the Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh and his team for presenting a budget that will touch the lives of every Guyanese across the country and further transition Guyana from a developing country to a developed nation.

The Prime Minister characterised the budget as a workingclass budget that will benefit all the people and not only the wealthy or the private sector, as some in the opposition have constantly stated.

According to the Prime Minister, the budget would inspire confidence in the masses and embolden them to use their ability and skills to accomplish anything worthy for them.

He said that the administration has shown its wherewithal in explaining its economic strategies and fiscal policies to the Guyanese people and mobilizing them around its economic development programmes.

The Prime Minister related that the $781.9 billion budget, which is the largest in the history of the country, will lead to a brighter future for all Guyanese, especially our children and grandchildren, as long as the PPP/C government led by President Ali remains in power.

Unlike others, Prime Minister Phillips felt that it was a waste of precious time to mount an attack or spend too much time analyzing and criticizing the views of the opposition MPs because in his words, their agenda is not to develop and advance the country but to tear it apart.

He pointed out that the opposition’s only ability is to criticize the budget and hence the policies of the government for the sake of criticizing.

Instead, he focused on the massive accomplishments of the government in several areas, including the improvement of its energy and communication infrastructure.

He contended that Guyana will pursue an aggressive economic and development policy at home that would improve the lives of the poor and downtrodden, and modernise its communication networks to the highest standard.

In reference to the energy sector, the Prime Minister posited that the government is committed to transform the energy sector from its primary energy source of fossil fuel to a mixture of energy comprising hydropower, natural gas, solar and wind.

He highlighted the government’s commitment to invest in renewable and sustainable energy systems and how to use them in a way that would not destroy or disrupt the ecosystems.

Prime Minister Phillips provided a detailed overview of all aspects of communication and the energy system, as well as the gas-to-shore project.

He was adamant that the nation will prosper with an affordable and reliable energy system and communication network that would extend from the coastal belt to the hinterland communities.

He was very persuasive in his presentation and in concluding, the Brigadier intoned that behind all of the speeches made in Parliament by members of the government about the budget are the decisions that reflect the PPP/C government’s commitments and making good on its promises to the people.

Yours sincerely, Dr Asquith Rose

Probe launched into Hopetown incident Teenage motorcyclist dies after crashing into Taymonth Manor koker

THE Guyana Police Force has launched a thorough investigation into an incident which occurred at Hopetown, West Coast Berbice (WCB), that saw a car being set ablaze on Sunday night.

According to a police press release, the incident began around 17:26hrs on Sunday when a 19-year-old of Bath Settlement, went to the Fort Wellington Police Station and reported that as he was driving motor car PNN 1801 along the Hopetown Public Road, two men on pedal cycles rode in front of him, causing him to collide with one of them.

In the driver’s initial report to the police, he said that subsequently a crowd gathered at the scene and persons robbed him of his phone and gold chain.

It was noted that a rank at the station uplifted a medical certificate and attempted to escort the teen to seek medical attention at the Fort Wellington Public Hospital, where the teen’s father, a 43-year-old businessman began verbally abusing the ranks.

The teen further refused to be escorted to the hospital and instead left in another vehicle.

Ranks at the station later left to visit the scene of the accident at Hopetown and upon arrival, the said motor car was seen stationary on the southern footpath facing south with extensive

damage to the front.

Members of the public pulled the vehicle from that position for it to be escorted to the Fort Wellington Police station.

The police, in its release, then stated that angry residents lifted the vehicle back to the southern side of the road and began to damage the vehicle.

“The police at the scene tried to calm the crowd, but several persons began to vandalise the vehicle, and some chanted, ‘let’s burn the vehicle’,” the release said.

A private tow truck was contacted to take the vehicle to the police station and whilst loading, some persons attempted to prevent the vehicle from being loaded onto the truck.

The police said: “However, the angry residents threw a liquid substance on the motor car and started to throw missiles at the vehicles… the crowd became uncontrollable and damaged the front windshield of the tow truck, the side

glass and other parts of the vehicle and then they set fire to motor car PNN 1801.”

Subsequently, the tow truck left the scene after the Guyana Fire Service was contacted and later arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire.

The information which was later received by the police showed that two cyclists, a 22-year-old serving member of the Guyana Defence Force and a 14-yearold pedal cyclist were taken to Fort Wellington Public Hospital, where they were examined by a doctor.

The 14-year-old was treated and sent away while the 22-year-old was referred to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was further seen and examined by a doctor and was later admitted as a patient to be treated for injuries to his head and body.

The police say that the GDF rank’s condition is regarded as stable, as the probe into the matter continues.

A mother of Adventure Sands in Region

Two is still coming to grips with the sudden death of her 19-year-old son, who lost control of the motorcycle he was riding and crashed into a koker.

Devendra Khan was pronounced dead at the Suddie Public Hospital moments after the tragic accident, which occurred on Sunday night at Taymonth Manor. From all indications he died by drowning as his body was retrieved from the trench located near the koker.

Amidst tears, Veena Ramesh told this publication that she was in bed when she received news of her son’s death.

She said that when she arrived at the hospital he was already dead.

The woman related that the teen took the motorcycle and went out to the lake. She said that he was already in a motorcycle accident and she had warned him not to ride again.

“Ow! Ah don’t know why God didn’t spare his life again. I can’t believe my son is no more. Why God couldn’t give him another chance? My son, I love him so much,” she wailed.

Khan was his parents’ second son.

According to reports, the accident occurred around 19:00 hours while khan was going at fast rate. He reportedly lost control and crashed into the koker before landing in the nearby trench.

Eye witness Patricia Dhanie related that she heard a loud splashing sound and when she went out to investigate, she saw a motorcycle helmet floating in the water.

Subsequently, residents removed Khan’s lifeless body from the trench.

The police were informed of the accident and ranks later transported Khan to the Suddie Public Hospital where he was examined by a doctor and pronounced dead.

His body is currently at the Suddie Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Devendra Khan

$26.5M water supply system commissioned at Taruka

A newly commissioned $26.5M water supply system will benefit over 200 Taruka, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) residents.

The new system was commissioned on Monday by Susan Rodrigues, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water; Village Toshao Felfel Bennette; GWI’s Hinterland Service Director, Ramchand Jailall and villagers.

On the occasion Minister Rodrigues expressed her pleasure at being able to be a

part of such event.

She told a gathering that the government remains committed to ensuring development reaches all Guyanese.

“One Guyana is more than uniting races; it’s also about ensuring that development reaches all Guyanese, ensuring that all the work and resources benefit the people of the country,” she noted.

Speaking to investments in hinterland water projects, the minister pointed out that close to $2B was spent in the past two years to improve

access, while another $1.4B will be expended this year.

The project at Taruka was executed by R. Kissoon Contracting Service and included the drilling of new potable water well to a depth of 150 metres, the installation of 2000 metres of 50mm (2”) PVC pipes and 500 metres of 19mm (3/4”) pipes, and a 40-service connection.

Additionally, rehabilitation works were carried out on an existing 20-foot-high elevated metal trestle, and a photovoltaic pumping sys -

tem, including a submersible pump, controller, solar panels, and accessories, was installed.

The community of Taruka has approximately 200 people, and a village council and Toshao manage the community.

Prior to the implementation of this project, there was no functioning water supply system in Taruka; as such, residents would use water from the creek and practice rainwater harvesting.

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water Susan Rodrigues testing the water supply at the newly commissioned $26.5M water supply system in Taruka, Region Eight

Solid partnerships in ICT investment needed for regional development —

PRIME Minister (PM), Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, who has oversight of the telecommunications sector, is looking forward to the dialogue and solutions that will come from CANTO’s 39th Annual General Meeting (AGM) as he encouraged solid partnerships for investment in Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) in pursuit of regional development.

The Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organisations (CANTO) is a non-profit association comprising operators, organizations, companies and individuals in the ICT (telecommunications) sector.

CANTO, which facilitates regional and international (ICT) projects, discussions, and objectives critical to the Caribbean Region, held its annual general meeting at the Royal Torarica, Paramaribo, Suriname, under the theme, “Fostering a Resilient Datasphere for All.”

The meeting, which started on February 5, will conclude today (February 7).

The Prime Minister said the importance of CANTO’s role and the value created by its annual general meeting is a time for convergence and conversa-

tion, backed by the commitment of regional administrations to foster the long-standing and transformative development of the ICT sector in the Caribbean.

He noted that the confab encourages persons to meet, consult with and hear from industry representatives, government ministers, academics, researchers, technologists and civil society advocates from the Caribbean and Latin America.

Further, he said it also engages in dynamic interactive sessions with exceptional keynote speakers and well-known professionals on topics with a strong focus on cybersecurity and the security of the regional data sphere.

The Prime Minister also added that the meeting facilitates interaction with the region’s telecommunications sector in a small, intimate group, while showcasing state-of-the-art products and services.

CANTO, he said, enables direct access to C-level executives within the telecommunications industry, including operators, regulators, and key industry experts.

In his presentation at the CANTO 39th annual general meeting, conference, and minitrade exhibition, PM Phillips

expressed his appreciation to the Chairman, Secretary-General, and members of CANTO for extending to him the invitation to address the opening of the conference.

“This is, in fact, the third time that I have been afforded this privilege since assuming office, and our government is honoured by this gracious invitation to confer with the representatives of CANTO and sectoral leaders in the regional telecommunications industry,” he said.

The Prime Minister contin-

PM Phillips says at CANTO AGM

such events.”

Further, the Prime Minister said that the Guyana Government is committed to the people’s overall well-being and prosperity, as are other governments of sister Caribbean nations.

ued: “We seek tangible solutions to the issues of development that face us in government in Guyana and, I daresay, across the Caribbean Region. One of the regrettable realities of my job is that I am unfortunately only able to accept some invitations to a number of very worthwhile events, given the pressing functions that confront us all as Cabinet members in the normal course of our duties. “However, there are some events for which one is moved to make special efforts, and the AGM and Annual Conferences of CANTO are two

“Like them, we seek to create transformational opportunities for our people while fostering a flourishing economic environment. We are cognizant that this vision of prosperity calls for the all-round development of our people through capacity-building, access to information and ensuring their safety and security. All of this calls for eliminating inequalities and their adverse effects as we seek to deliver equitable benefits for all of our people,” the Prime Minister said.

Undoubtedly, these development objectives, he said, are shared by telecommunications operators, who, through the provision of ICTs, enable people’s economic and social empowerment.

“Our people are, in fact, your people. They are your employees; they are your strategic partners and they are your customers. We think that you, no less than we, have a vested interest in their social and economic

development. Whereas we face them as the electorate every five years or so, you face that same electorate every day. And in fact, as we implement local number portability, they will be able to retain their number when they exercise that vote on your performance,”

PM Phillips explained.

Among other challenges and obstacles to digital transformation due to limited access to affordable infrastructure, the Prime Minister said expanding access and connectivity is needed to harness the power of digital technologies.

He said this would allow citizens to participate fully in society and the economy and maximize countries’ beneficial participation in regional and international markets.

The Prime Minister also requested that all governments and officials continue to support policy initiatives such as CARICOM Heads of Government-agreed regulatory harmonisation, an examination of the feasibility of regulating Over-the-Top (OTT) providers, and endeavours to incentivize the expansion of broadband access.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips addresses the gathering during his presentation at CANTO’s 39th AGM at the Royal Torarica, Paramaribo, Suriname

Huge ‘quake’ kills...

and bundles of clothes lay where a multi-storey building once stood.

“There were 12 families under there; not a single one came out. Not one,” said a thin young man, his eyes wide open in shock, and his hand bandaged.

Raed al-Saleh of the Syrian White Helmets, a rescue service in rebel-held territory known for pulling people from the ruins of buildings destroyed by air strikes, said they were in “a race against time to save the lives of those under the rubble”.

The casualty toll in northwestern Syria was expected to increase, a spokesperson for

the U.N. office for coordinating humanitarian affairs in northwestern Syria said.

“It just adds on to all the layers of suffering,” said Madevi Sun-Suon, the spokesperson.

In the Syrian government-held city of Hama, a Reuters journalist saw an apparently lifeless child being carried from the ruins of a building.

Syrian State television showed rescue teams searching for survivors in heavy rain and sleet. President Bashar al-Assad held an emergency Cabinet meeting to review the damage and discuss the next steps, his office said.

From page 4

Erdogan said 45 countries had offered to help with search and rescue efforts in Turkey.

In the Turkish city of Malatya, a rescue worker crawled into a collapsed building, trying to identify a survivor trapped under the wreckage, in footage released by Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

“What colour are you wearing? Are you wearing pink? Please take care of yourself for the moment; I cannot see anything else,” the rescue worker could be heard saying.

(Reuters)

Agro processing, manufacturing on investors’ radar for 2023-2024 --says Dr. Ramsaroop

poration (GMC) in July 2022.

The investment saw the commissioning of six water tanks, two forklifts, four pallet jacks, five trolleys, and one sewing machine at the GMC’s

Sophia location.

Additionally, in November 2022, a $15 million agro-processing factory was opened in St Ignatius, Region Nine (Upper Ta-

kutu-Upper Essequibo). Farmers there now have the opportunity to process peanuts and cashew nuts.

Guyana is also seeking assistance from India in

the form of technology and skilled manpower in the agriculture and agro-processing industries, intending to become a leader in the Caribbean Community.

AS Guyana comes closer to the reality of low-cost energy by 2025, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (GoInvest), Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, has said that it is expected that more investors will explore the areas of agro-processing and manufacturing in time between 2023 and 2024.

In a telephone interview, he relate d that there will be more investments in large-scale agriculture in dairy farming and the expansion of the “other crop” sectors such as soybean, and the hemp industry since the Hemp Bill was recently passed.

In addition, he said that close to 100 companies, both foreign and local, were able to apply for and were granted government concess ions in 2021 and 2022.

Guyana’s government continues to support and promote investments in the agro-processing sector.

Two new agricultural processing facilities are anticipated to open in Region Six’s Crabwood Creek and Orealla in 2023, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI).

The administration’s efforts to enhance food security and support broad-based sustainable economic development depend on these initiatives, and by giving agro-based products more value, it raises household incomes and creates new avenues for export revenue.

The government has taken measures in recent years to promote and encourage investments in agro-processing.

Several areas across the country, including Parika, Fort Wellington, St. Ignatius, and Watooka, established agribusiness incubators in 2022.

Progress was also made on the equipment acquisition for agro-processing and packaging factories in Sophia, Parika, and Mabaruma.

Additionally, significant progress was made on the construction of new processing facilities at White Water Creek and Charity, which are expected to be commissioned in the coming quarter.

A new cold storage facility will be constructed in Bartica, and two new refrigerated trucks will be procured to support the transport of inputs and agricultural products.

Agro-processors will also benefit from the establishment of a new Guyana Shop and a marketing information centre in Bartica.

The government is also planning to establish a regional food hub, which will provide a strong boost to agro-processing and value-added food production. This will help to create jobs, increase exports, and improve food security for the country.

Meanwhile, to further commercialise value-added production through agro-processing, a $37 million state-of-the-art food-processing factory was commissioned at Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice.

The investment will see approximately 700 persons including farmers, agro-processors, women, youth, and other stakeholders from Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice Corentyne) benefitting from improved services geared at increasing the value and extending the shelf life of their products.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s agro-processing capacity was enhanced even further, with a $37 million investment in the New Guyana Marketing Cor-

CEO of Go-Invest, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop

Suspect in bomb threat at Ashmin’s building is related to a former deputy PS -elections CoI hears

FORMER Police Division

4 ‘A’ Commander, Edgar Thomas, on Monday disclosed that the suspect in the bomb threat at the building that housed the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) command centre for the March 2020 Regional and General Elections, is the relative of a former Deputy Permanent Secretary (PS).

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the events surrounding the elections was reconvened on Monday, and Thomas was called to give further evidence.

He had previously testified that on March 5, 2020, ranks and officers from at least three sections of the Guyana Police Force converged at Ashmin’s building in the midst of a bomb scare.

Several of those ranks then played a role in the vehement attempts to clear the building, even after concern was expressed about the safety of the Statements of Polls (SoPs).

On Monday, Thomas’ cell-

phone records for the period March 5-6, 2020 were presented to the CoI.

It showed a series of calls from senior police officers, including former Commissioner of Police Leslie James.

Attorney Sophia Chote S.C., of Trinidad and Tobago, who led the proceedings asked Thomas if he had received any calls from another official and he replied yes.

“On the 5th, I received a call from one Miss Van Sluytman…who was at the time the deputy PS…I think was Business (Ministry), requesting bail for her relative who was the suspect with the mischievous phone call, the bomb threat,” Thomas told the CoI.

Thomas said that he informed Van Sluytman that he could not help her since the matter was being dealt with directly by the “Top Cop.”

The Guyana Chronicle was made to understand that investigators had managed to trace the call and the suspect was arrested about an hour

later. However, the investigation remains open and no charges were instituted.

During one of the CoI’s hearings, GECOM’s Chief of Security Ronald Stuart provided details of how the now infamous bomb threat was designed to remove party agents from witnessing the tabulation process for Region Four.

Stuart had testified that he was summoned to the

Ashmin’s building by Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) Roxanne Myers to get everyone out of the tabulation room, because they were interfering with the work of District Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo. The witness had said he saw no proof of the alleged interference, and therefore refused to carry out the task he was assigned.

However, 15 minutes later, two male ranks entered the building and identified themselves as being from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force.

They informed him that a bomb had been planted in the building. This was later proven to be a hoax.

Additionally, Deputy Superintendent Elston Baird had testified before the CoI that there was no evidence of an actual bomb planted in the building.

Baird, who is the Head of the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), had said that based on the records, there was no evidence of a bomb at the command centre.

Last year, Thomas told the

CoI that a number of security decisions were made without his knowledge during the 2020 elections fiasco, and that he was later punished for refusing to carry out instructions.

Thomas was reassigned and was reportedly told that Commissioner James was not pleased with his performance and was not answering his cellphone while on the ground.

Thomas had testified that the reassignment was not one for his rank and noted that he was provided no accommodations to work.

However, it wasn’t until August 2020 that Thomas was promoted and became head of the Presidential Guard when the administration changed. The CoI hearing will continue today.

Mexico a reliable partner for CARICOM

--newly accredited ambassador to the bloc says

THE Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will always have a reliable partner in Mexico, Mexico’s Ambassador Mauricio Vizcaino has said.

Ambassador Vizcaino presented his credentials to CARICOM Secretary-General Carla Barnett at her office here in Georgetown, Guyana on Monday.

According to a press release from CARICOM, their discussions included plans for a Fifth Summit between CARICOM and Mexico, as re-engagement with Caribbean is among his government’s priorities, the ambassador noted.

The Secretary-General pointed out that Mexico was the first country with which the Community had established a Joint Commission, an arrangement that had laid the foundation for a lasting and meaningful relationship.

Head of the Presidential Guard, Edgar Thomas

$250M ‘Parfaite Harmonie’ roadworks progressing well

RESIDENTS of La Parfaite Harmonie could soon expect the completion of many of the community’s internal roads, following the PPP/C government’s

injection of nearly $250 million to construct and rehabilitate a series of derelict roads to concrete rigid pavement. According to informa-

tion from Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar’s Facebook page, transformation of the road network could be seen in the number of

heavily traversed areas that have grocery stores and schools.

“The infrastructural works are underway at the access road from [the] Inde-

pendence Arch to Lust-enRust, Primary and Nursery School Streets, First Avenue (Phase 1), as well as Third and Fifth Streets,” he said.

Those projects were initiated by the Ministry of Public Works, following consultations with residents of the community.

Residents of La Parfaite Harmonie could soon expect the completion of many of the community’s internal roads (Ministry of Public Works photos)

Cop Hicken

warns

Blocking roads, disrupting traffic will not be tolerated — Top

COMMISSIONER

of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken is appealing to members of the public to desist from unlawful acts, such as blocking roads, burning tyres and disrupting traffic flow while simultaneously intimidating and robbing commuters and the travelling public.

The Commissioners’ appeal came in the wake of two recent incidents –one at Buxton, East Coast Demerara, on Wednesday, February 1, and the other Sunday, February 5 at Hopetown, West Coast Berbice.

The two incidents saw persons burning tyres and other debris and setting vehicles alight as they resorted to blocking the roadways and preventing the smooth flow of traffic.

Commissioner Hicken made it clear that this type of behaviour is unlawful and will not be tolerated. He said those held accountable would face the full brunt of the law, and there would be a zero-tolerance approach from the Guyana Police Force to ensure that law and order are maintained throughout the country.

Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken

Chanderpaul stars with double...

interval on 161, and added 37 for the second wicket with Kyle Mayers who blasted two sixes in 20 from 24 balls, before perishing in the penultimate over before the break.

The left-handed Chanderpaul, dropped earlier on 150 off 25-year-old leg-pinner Brandon Mavuta (5-140), was handed another life off the same bowler off the first ball after lunch. He made his chances count, moving into the 180s by punching Mavuta to the mid off boundary and then inching through the 190s, spending 22 balls over nine runs.

However, he reached his double century in style when he advanced to Masakadza and struck him for a straight six, in the first over after the drinks break.

Almost unnoticed, Mavu-

From page 28

ta cleaned up Raymon Reifer (2), Jermaine Blackwood (5), Roston Chase (7) and Jason Holder (11), to claim a first-ever five-wicket haul.

Kaia, who has so far struck nine fours off 115 balls, then partnered with Makoni to take Zimbabwe safely to tea on 21 without loss before pacer Alzarri Joseph got the breakthrough on the stroke of the hour following the resumption, Mayers pouching Makoni at slip.

Left-arm spinner Guadakesh Motie got Chamu Chibhabha to nick a back foot drive to the ’keeper for nine before Brathwaite struck with the penultimate delivery of the day in his first over of off-spin, comprehensively bowling his opposite number Craig Ervine for 13.

GBA award ceremony set for tomorrow

THE Guyana Boxing Association will host it eagerly awaited 2022 presentation ceremony, tomorrow. The ceremony will be held at the Mirage Lounge on Albert and Third Streets, Alberttown.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle disclosed that the gala event will commence at 18:00hrs and will see the best performers in 2022 receiving prizes.

Top of the list is light heavyweight boxer ‘Dynamite’ Desmond Amsterdam who walked away with the Boxerof-the-Year-Award. Amsterdam is a sergeant in the Guyana Defence Force and will be joined by fellow members of the force, Terrence Poole MS (Best Coach) and Jermain Craig (Best Referee/Judge). According to Ninvalle, there will be other awards. The president indicated that it is only fitting that the GBA recognises the sterling performances that have been given during last year and promised that the ceremony will now be an annual affair.

Ninvalle said, “This is a humble and custody attempt, a storied tradition by the association to reward the individuals, athletes and officials to be specific, who have performed remarkably and beyond the call of duty in the prior year. While the marquee presentations will include the Best Boxer, the Best Coach and the Best Official awards, several other notable accolades will also be presented at the gala.”

Silva

out 3 Extras (b6, nb3, w1) 10

TOTAL (6 wkts decl, 143 overs) 447

Did not bat: A Joseph, G Motie, K Roach

Fall of wickets: 1-336, 2-373, 3-383, 4-389, 5-413, 6-435

Bowling: Ngarava 20-4-69-0 (nb1), Nyauchi 27-6-73-0, Evans 24-3-74-0 (w1, nb2), Masakadza 31-8-85-1, Mavuta 41-5-140-5

T Makoni c Mayers b Joseph 33

C Chibhabha c wkp Da Silva b Motie 9

*C Ervine b Brathwaite 13a

TOTAL (3 wkts, 41.4 overs) 114

To bat: G Ballance, +T Tsiga, B Mavuta, W Masakadza, B

Evans, V Nyauchi, R Ngarava

Fall of wickets: 1-63, 2-84, 3-114.

Bowling: Roach 7-1-230, Joseph 9-1-25-1, Mayers 4-2-8-0, Motie 13-7-25-1, Holder 5-0-18-0, Chase 3-0-10-0, Brathwaite

0.4-0-5-1

Position: Zimbabwe trail by 333 runs with seven first innings wickets intact,

From page 28

versity student gained a bye to the quarter-finals where he played against Shepherd Dow and won 21-3, 21-6.

In the semi-finals, he came up against Davis Wong and easily won 21-8, 21-12, thereby advancing to the final and once again defeated Sanskar Chopra.

That game ended relatively close at 21-16, 21-18.

When he met Chopra in the Tournament 2 final on January 22, he had won 21-10, 21-17.

In the latest mixed doubles clash, the 24-year-old gained the top spot when he partnered with Abby Ledda, his King’s Eagles teammate.

Meanwhile, an appreciation token was presented to Ramdhani by his Coach Naeem Haque for his contribution to the King’s Badminton team for the past four years.

This is Ramdhani’s last game on home court (King’s University) before he graduates in April with a degree in Business Management.

(vs IND, Delhi, 1958-59

(2) 1 Test century

Today’s Quiz:

(1) What was the most runs scored in a Test series by Joe Solomon?

(2) Where and when did he play his final Test? Answers

issue

Farfan

and

Mendes Ltd renews

sponsorship of RHTYSC Under-15 team for 26th successive year

…Club receives Stihl grass cutter

THE long standing relationship between the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club(MS) and Farfan and Mendes Ltd was renewed for the 26th successive year on Wednesday last during a simple ceremony at the company’s Providence, East Bank Demerara office.

The company and the club first established the highly successful relationship in 1997 and have expanded over the last 25 years.

Club Secretary Hilbert Foster, at the presentation, stated that the company first assisted the club in 1995 when it donated a grass cutter to assist in the preparation of the Area H Ground. It then came on board as the RHTYSC first official sponsor, in 1997, with its support of the Under-15 team. This relationship has resulted in eight major titles including six Berbice championships, 20 national under-15 players and close to 70 under-15 players for the ancient county.

Among the players produced by the club are Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Dominic Rikhi, Abdel Fudadin, Shevon Marks, Mahendra Gopilall, Jermey Sandia, Junior Sinclair, Keith Simpson, Kelvon Anderson, Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneta Gopilall and Shabaki Gajnabi. Campbelle, Gajnabi, Grimmond, Crandon, Fudadin,

and Anderson all went on to represent the West Indies at different levels while Rikhi has represented the United States at the international level.

The team over the last 25 years has undertaken over one thousand community-related activities under the name of the sponsorship as part of the players’ personal development programmes. Among the events/ activities hosted have been medical outreaches, feeding of the poor, senior citizens breakfasts, youth information booklet, television programmes, distribution of food hampers, solar street lamps project, construction of children playfield, construction

Curry ruled out indefinitely with knee injury

…Kyrie Irving reportedly set for Dallas Mavericks trade

academy, Christmas charity programme, annual youth magazine and Christmas Village. Foster described the company as one of the main foundation of its success and growth. The RHTYSC, in its 33-year history has won over 100 titles at all levels and has produced 120 players for Berbice, Guyana and the West Indies combined.

The Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes Under-15 would be led by national player Sohail Mohamed, while long-time club executive Ravindranauth Kissoonlall would serve as team manager. The assistant managers shall be Tyrone Pottaya and Keith Hicks while the coach shall be Ryan Algu.

of charity kitchen, distribution of school bags, sharing out of bicycles and educational scholarships.

The team and the others in the club have also invested a lot of energy and time into a ‘say no’ and ‘say yes’ campaign which is directed to all youths in the county. Under this programme, the teams strives to get youths to say no to drugs, suicide, crime, pre-marital sex and yes to education, life, sports, culture and religion.

Apart from sponsoring the under-15 team, the company also supports a wide range of other events of the club including award ceremony, cricket

Meanwhile, the RHTYSC also received a STIHL grass cutter in a special arrangement with their long-time sponsor. The grass cutter would assist the club members to maintain the Area H ground along with another which was donated by the Berbice Cricket Board two years ago.

Foster expressed gratitude to the company for their continued confidence in the club and for investing into the careers of promising junior players. He reassured the company that the under-15 team would continue to represent their brand with pride, passion and commitment.

Winning in India ‘bigger than the Ashes’- Australian players

A series victory in India is bigger than winning the Ashes, according to Australia players including Steven Smith and David Warner, who are gearing up for the “toughest challenge in Test cricket”.

India and Australia go up against each other in a high-profile four-match Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting in Nagpur on February 9.

“It [India] is a difficult place to win a Test match let alone a series. So if we are able to do that, it would be huge. I think if you win in India, it is bigger than an Ashes series [win],” Smith told cricket.com.au, in a video featuring several Australia players taking about the challenges of playing in India.

Warner said he is looking forward to playing against the best spinners in the world. “Being a part of the last Ashes

was fantastic but to go to India and beat India in India is the toughest challenge in Test cricket for us.

“I’m looking forward to the tour, it’s always a hard graft. One thing that I’m looking forward to is applying myself against the best spinners in the world.”

Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who will miss the Nag-

pur Test due to an Achilles niggle in his left leg, said: “Probably been long since Australia won there or less frequently we have won. In world cricket that’s everyone’s goal – to try and win in India.”

Mitchell Starc, who will also miss the first Test, having not recovered sufficiently as yet from a finger tendon injury, said a series win in India “has

always been a crown jewel for Australian touring teams”.

“Winning a series in India will be really special for our group,” Starc said. “I think it has always been a crown jewel for Australian touring teams. It’s one of, if not the hardest place to play away… Such foreign conditions and how strong the Indian team are as well.

“On one side you’ve got all this history of the Ashes and on the other you have this tour of India, which has been for many Australian teams out of reach.”

Captain Pat Cummins mirrored the sentiments of his team-mates, saying: “Winning a series in India is like an Ashes away series [win] but even more rare. It will be a career highlight, an era-defining series if we win out there,” Cummins said. (ESPNcricinfo.

GOLDEN State Warriors guard Stephen Curry has been ruled out indefinitely with a knee injury.

Curry limped off court during the third quarter of the Warriors' 119-113 win over the Dallas Mavericks after clashing knees with an opponent.

He had an MRI on Sunday which confirmed he had suffered "partial tears" to ligaments in his left knee, as well as bruising to his lower leg.

Curry, 34, will miss Monday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In a statement, the Warriors said "additional clarity on a potential timeline will be established in the coming days".

He could also miss out on a ninth appearance in the NBA All-Star Game on 19 February, for which he had been voted in as a starter.

Four-time NBA champion Curry had already missed 11 games this season with a partially dislocated shoulder.

Irving set for Dallas trade?

Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets have reportedly reached a deal to trade Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks.

The 30-year-old point guard had requested a trade after failing to agree a new contract, according to multiple reports.

Irving, selected as an NBA All-Star for an eighth time, has endured a number of off-court issues during his time in Brooklyn.

His decision not to get the Covid-19 vaccine meant he could not play in the Nets' home games during the 2021-22 season until March because of New York's ban on unvaccinated people in indoor venues.

He would later say his decision not to get vaccinated cost him a four-year contract worth $100m.

In November, Irving was suspended for eight games and had to apologise after posting a social media link to a film with anti-Semitic material. (BBC Sport)

Junior supervisor Joshanna Marcus hands over the sponsorship cheque to Hilbert Foster in the presence of Darius Machado

Australia’s two top playersDavid Warner (left) and Steve Smith

Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 21 points against the Mavericks, despite sitting out the fourth quarter

Matthews says WI women have renewed hunger to lift trophy again

AN ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is the pinnacle trophy of T20 cricket around the world. Perhaps the single most memorable trophy for the West Indies Women as we won it for the first time in 2016, beating Australia by eight wickets in the final.

This was a historic moment for the team, as it was the first time we had won a major ICC Women’s tournament. Nevertheless, we now have a renewed hunger to get our hands on the trophy once again. With many new faces, as well as many of the experienced core making up the squad, everyone is gearing up to get going again in yet another year’s edition.

As a team we have big aspirations of playing a high level of competitive cricket. One of the main objectives we have is to expectantly showcase our improvements upon our first-round exit from the tournament in 2020.

We’ve had time to regroup and make developments to both our individual and team game which can hopefully assist us in creating some upsets, to take us along a path to the finals.

Manchester

THE Premier League has charged Manchester City with more than 100 breaches of its financial rules following a fouryear investigation.

It has referred the club to an independent commission over alleged rule breaches between 2009 and 2018.

It also accused City of not co-operating since the investigation started in December 2018. City said they were “surprised” by the charges and are supported by a “body of irrefutable evidence”.

In a contentious tournament like this, we believe consistent performances are vital to a successful run. As a result, we believe a confident run can also bring about the breakout of budding talent within the squad.

Heading into this tournament, our immediate preparation has been very strategic and calculated. It has given us the opportunity to acclimatize to the conditions in South Africa, an entire month early. This comes through our Tri Nation series against India and the hosts themselves, who are both world class opponents going into a tournament like this.

South Africa has a reputation for having good cricketing conditions and is known for producing fast, bouncy pitches that assist fast bowlers but can

also have a bit in it for the spinners as well. The ball tends to come on to the bat nicely, making it a good place for batters to score runs.

The teams that are able to adapt to the conditions in South Africa and make the most of the pitches will have an advantage. I can tell the fans to expect some high-scoring matches, but also, don't be surprised if there are some low scoring games, due to bowlers liking the conditions here.

Getting back into us, however, when you hear the West Indies, you think of a unique sense of Caribbean energy and vibrancy, which we take pride in bringing with us whilst out on the park.

At the moment, our squad comprises a mixture of experience and youth, providing balance to the

charismatic aura of our team. Our bowling has proven to be our strength over the past year, which when paired with our exciting fielding, can help us to rally close games. With dependable veterans like Shakera Selman, Afy Fletcher and Stafanie Taylor leading the way with the ball, there is always a shot at defending almost any total set.

With that being said, small totals have now become much harder to defend on a regular basis. Women's T20Is have come a long way in recent years and the standard of play has improved significantly. The game has become more competitive, with more teams having the ability to beat any other on a given day, and the gap between the top and bottom has narrowed.

The introduction of more T20 leagues and more opportunities for women to play professional cricket has helped to improve the standard of play. The increasing popularity of the game has also led to more investment in women's cricket, which has helped to improve facilities and provide better support for players.

Joshua to face Franklin in comeback fight

The commission can impose punishments ranging from a fine, points deduction and expulsion from the Premier League.

“Manchester City is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with,” the club said in a statement.

“The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the comprehen-

Joshua, 33, who lost his last two fights to world champion Oleksandr Usyk, will be seeking a first win since beating Kubrat Pulev in 2020.

Franklin was recently defeated by Briton Dillian Whyte, marking a first loss in 22 fights for the 29-year-old American.

Promoting his return to the ring, Joshua tweeted : "A new dawn."

The two-time world champion lost by split decision as he sought to recapture the unified heavyweight titles from Usyk in August.

That was Joshua's third career defeat in 27 fights, following a shock loss to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019 which he later avenged.

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup has also helped to raise the profile of the game and showcase the talents of the best players from around the world. The tournament has been held every two years since 2009 and has grown in popularity and prestige.

With all things considered, my hope is that we, the West Indies Women, can give a good account of ourselves and our talents and make our region and families proud by winning another world title. (ICC Media)

with breaking financial rules by Premier League

sive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.

“As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”

Last season City won their sixth Premier League title since the 2008 takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group.

What have City been charged with?

In a statement the Premier League said City breached rules requiring them to provide “accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view

of the club’s financial position”.

This information covered club revenue, which includes sponsorship income and operating costs.

Further alleged breaches relate to rules requiring full details of manager remuneration – from the 2009-10 to 2012-13 seasons, when Roberto Mancini was in charge – and player remuneration between 2010-11 and 2015-16.

The Premier League said City breached rules related to Uefa regulations, including Financial Fair

Play (FFP), from 2013-14 to 2017-18, as well as Premier League rules on profitability and sustainability from 2015-16 to 2017-18.

In 2020 European football governing body UEFA ruled that City committed “serious breaches” of FFP regulations between 2012 and 2016.

However, a two-year ban from European competitions was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) later that year.

UEFA began its investigation into City after German newspaper Der

Spiegel published leaked documents in November 2018 alleging the club had inflated the value of a sponsorship deal.

The proceedings of the commission – chaired by Murray Rosen KC – will be confidential and heard in private.

When the Premier League investigation began, City said the allegations were “entirely false” and that allegations in Der Spiegel came from “illegal hacking and out of context publication of City emails”. (BBC Sport).

BRITISH heavyweight Anthony Joshua will fight Jermaine Franklin on 1 April at the O2 Arena in London.

Windies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews

Anthony Joshua lost his second bout against Oleksandr Usyk by split decision

City charged

Five of the best: Top opening partnerships for West Indies in Tests

WEST Indies openers Kraigg

Brathwaite and Tagenarine

Chanderpaul added 336 runs for the first wicket during the ongoing Test match against Zimbabwe. This was the highest first-wicket stand for the side. Here’s a look at five of the best first-wicket partnerships for the West Indies in Tests: Kraigg Brathwaite-Tagenarine Chanderpaul vs Zimbabwe 2023 - 336 runs

After a number of valiant stands during the tough tour of Australia, the new West Indies opening pair came to the fore at Bulawayo. The rain breaks did little to disrupt the duo’s concentration as they piled on the misery on Zimbabwe bowlers.

Brathwaite took the lead in run-scoring, adding 182 runs while his partner Chanderpaul contributed 148 to the stand. This effort augurs well for the future of West Indies Test batting.

Gordon Greenidge-Desmond Haynes vs England, 1990 - 298 runs

Before the above-mentioned stand between Brathwaite and Chanderpaul, the West Indies record for the highest opening stand was held by Barbadian legends Greenidge and Haynes. The partnership was the only 100+ stand at St. John’s. West Indies pacers made merry on the bounciest pitch of the series, shooting out England for 260 before Greenidge and Haynes came together to add 298 runs. Greendige made 149

while Haynes scored 167 runs. Other batters weren’t able to match up their effort and added only 148 runs for the last nine wickets.

However, a 186-run lead was more than enough for the West Indies pace attack to secure a win by innings and 32 runs. This also helped West Indies to a 2-1 series win over England.

Gordon Greenidge-Desmond Haynes vs India, 1983 - 296 runs

Seven years prior to their mammoth partnership against England, Greenidge and Haynes had come together to get the better of India bowlers at the same venue.

West Indies had already won the series but India remained competitive in the dead rubber, scoring 457 runs in the first innings. Greenidge and Haynes took advantage of Kapil Dev’s absence on the third day, to add

296 runs for the first wicket. Greenidge hit 14 fours and a solitary six during his 154*, while Haynes hit 10 fours and one six in his 136. West Indies went on to score 550 in their first innings. Though India responded valiantly, the match ended in a draw.

Adrian Griffith-Sherwin Campbell vs New Zealand, 1999 - 276 runs

The Griffith-Campbell stand was West Indies best effort for opening wicket away from home till it was overtaken by Brathwaite and Chanderpaul today.

West Indies elected to bat first at Hamilton after winning the toss and were given a dream start by Griffith and Campbell. The duo batted for almost the entirety of the first day in their stand of 276 runs. Campbell took the lead in attack, scoring 170 runs which were laden with 23 fours and two sixes. Griffith

made 114 runs in the innings, hitting 10 boundaries and a six. However, the dream turned into a nightmare after Campbell fell. West Indies couldn’t take advantage of the stand and made only 365 runs in the first innings. The New Zealand lower-order, led by an aggressive Chris Cairns (72 from 82) took a lead of 28 runs. Cairns returned to torment West Indies with the ball, taking 7-27 as the Men in Maroon were shot out for 97.

New Zealand went on to secure an easy nine-wicket win.

Chris Gayle-Kieran Powell vs New Zealand, 2012 - 254 runs

The Gayle-Powell stand at North Sound played its role in establishing West Indies dominance during the first Test against New Zealand.

After the Kiwis had scored 351 runs in the first innings, the southpaws dominated the visiting bowlers with their assertive batting. Gayle hit 17 fours and four sixes in his 150, while Powell scored 22 fours and hit a six en route to his 134.

Some good contributions from the middle and lower-order helped West Indies to a healthy lead of 171 runs. Led by Kemar Roach and Sunil Narine, West Indies restricted New Zealand to a lead of 101. Gayle (64* from 49) and Powell (30 from 47) were yet again the stars in the second innings. West Indies won the game by nine wickets. (ICC Media)

Windies Women lose World Cup warm up against New Zealand

West Indies Women lost their ICC Women’s World Cup warm-up match against New Zealand by 32 runs in Cape Town on Monday.

Chasing 123-5 made by the Kiwis, the West Indies limped to 91-7 in their 20 overs.

Maddy Green top scored for New Zealand with 47 from 37 balls after her team had slipped to 32-3 in the seventh over. Suzie Bates and Green added 26 for the

Guyana Harpy Eagles soar to top of points standings

fourth wicket before the former was dismissed for 30.

Green and Brooke Halliday then added 56 for the fifth that took the score to 114 when Halliday was run out for 24 in the 20th over.

Green added the remaining runs before the innings closed.

Captain Hayley Matthews was the best of the West Indies bowlers with 1-6 from her two overs. There was also a wicket

each for Chinelle Henry, Karishman Ramharack and Shakera Selman.

As has become the norm in recent matches, the West Indies lost wickets early and were 25-3 in the eighth over.

Matthews had scored 15 of the West Indies’ 20 runs before she was dismissed.

Shemaine Campbelle top scored with 26 and Chinelle Henry with 23 were the only batters into double figures as they

put on 51 for the fourth wicket.

Amelia Kerr who accounted for Henry’s wicket finished with figures of 3-20 from her four overs as the Caribbean women slumped to defeat.

This was the West Indies Women’s 13th loss in 14 matches since their last win which came against New Zealand in September 2022.

(Sportsmax)

The Guyana Harpy Eagles squad for the first two rounds of the West Indies four-day Championship 2023

THE Guyana Harpy Eagles, by virtue of their massive 183-run win over Barbados Pride on Saturday at the Sir Vivian Richard Stadium, Antigua, now have a healthy lead after the first round of the West Indies four-day Championship. Eagles, who finished third last season, have 20 points. Trinidad and Tobago Red Force are second on 10.2 points and Windward Islands Volcanoes (8.4 points), who Harpy Eagles play next, are in third.

Leeward Islands Hurricanes (7.4 points), Jamaica Scorpions (6.2 points), and defending champions, Pride on 4.8 points, round off the table.

Harpy Eagles are in Grenada for their match against Volcanoes from February 8 while Pride will take on Scorpions at Coolidge Cricket ground, Antigua, and Hurricanes host Red Force at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

The Championship will take a break and resume on March 15 when the remaining rounds are expected to be staged in Trinidad and Tobago.

Guyana Harpy Eagles: Leon Johnson (Captain), Veerasammy Permaul (Vice Captain), Chandrapaul Hemraj, Matthew Nandu, Kemol Savory, Tevin Imlach, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith, Ronsford Beaton, Akshaya Persaud, Ashmead Nedd, Shamar Joseph. Ryan Hercules is head coach).

Windward Islands Volcanoes squad: Alick Athanaze (Captain), Jerlani Robinson, Kavem Hodge, Keron Cottoy, Sunil Ambris, Justin Greaves, Tevyn Walcott, Kenneth Dember, Preston McSween, Teddy Bishop, Daurius Martin, Kimani Melius, Ryan John; Shirley Clarke is head coach).

Barbados Pride: Shane Dowrich (Captain) Camarie Boyce, Shamarh Brooks, Jonathan Drakes, Keon Harding, Chaim Holder, Akeem Jordan, Nicholas Kirton, Jair McAllister, Shayne Moseley, Zachary McCaskie, Shamar Springer, Kevin Wickham; Vasbert Drakes is head coach.

Jamaica Scorpions: Paul Palmer jr. (Captain), Jamie Merchant, Tevin Gilzene, Aldaine Thomas, Leroy Lugg, Kirk McKenzie, Romaine Morris, Abhijai Mansingh, Patrick Harty, Akim Fraser, Marquino Mindley, Gordon Bryan, Ojay Shields; Andrew Richardson is the head coach.

In: Tevin Gilzene; Out: Alwyn Williams

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force: Darren Bravo (Captain), Amir Jangoo, Imran Khan, Jason Mohammed, Terrance Hinds, Jyd Goolie, Jeremy Solozano, Yannic Cariah, Bryan Charles, Keegan Simmons, Uthman Muhammad, Tion Webster, Khary Pierre; David Furlonge is head coach).

In: Keegan Simmons; Out: Vikash Mohan

Leeward Islands Hurricanes: Jahmar Hamilton (Captain), Mikyle Louis, Kieran Powell, Colin Archibald, Terance Warde, Jeremiah Louis, Keacy Carty, Montcin Hodge, Kofi James, Damion Williams, Sheeno Berridge, Hayden Walsh jr., Rahkeem Cornwall; Stuart Williams (Head Coach).

Windies Test openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul added 336 runs for the first wicket. This was the highest ever first-wicket stand for the Windies

GBA award ceremony set for tomorrow

First

Chanderpaul stars with double century as 32-year-old opening record falls

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, (CMC) – Tagenarine Chanderpaul converted his maiden Test hundred into a splendid double, and combined with captain Kraigg Brathwaite to shatter West Indies’ 33-year-old record for the opening partnership, as the Caribbean side took charge of the opening Test against Zimbabwe here Monday.

With the rain which had plagued the first two days of the contest staying away, Chanderpaul and Brathwaite exploited the favourable conditions at Queens Sports Club to propel West Indies to an imposing 447 for six declared in their first innings.

The 26-year-old Chanderpaul, in only his third Test, finished unbeaten on 207 after resuming the morning on 101. He faced 467 balls in just shy of 10 hours at the crease and struck 16 and three sixes, becoming only the 10th West Indies batsman to turn his maiden Test century into a double.

Brathwaite, meanwhile, unbeaten on 116 at the start, made 182 – his second highest Test score and falling just short of a second double hundred in Tests. All told, his knock spanned 312 deliver-

ies, a shade over eight hours and included 18 fours.

Resuming the morning with their side on top at 221 without loss, the pair extended their opening stand to 336 – marching past the West Indies record of 298 set by legends Sir Gordon Greenidge and the Most Honourable Desmond Haynes in 1990 against England.

The partnership was also the ninth highest-ever Test opening stand and the first in excess of 300 in nearly a decade.

When West Indies eventually declared during the second session, Zimbabwe produced a strong fightback courtesy of 30-year-old righthander Innocent Kaia, who stroked an unbeaten 59 in an opening stand 63 with fellow debutant Tanunurwa Makoni, who made 33.

However, once the stand was broken, West Indies picked up three wickets for 51 runs to reduce the hosts to 114 for three at the close –still 333 runs adrift heading into Tuesday’s fourth day.

“The entire team enjoyed seeing Tage, scoring not only his first hundred but converting that into a double. It is something really special not just for him but for the entire

team,” interim head coach Andre Coley said afterwards.

“The fact that we’ve lost so much time in the game, we felt we would still give ourselves a chance to get wickets on a pitch as we have seen is good for batting.

“The fact that we’ve taken three wickets is quite good. Obviously we’re feeling good that we were able to get some early inroads into the batting but it will require lots more discipline from us tomorrow, to ensure that we are able to maintain the pressure.”

Anxious to make up for the time lost to rain, Brathwaite lifted the game’s tempo from the start, lashing three successive fours in the morning’s third over from left-arm seamer Richard Ngarava and taking another two off seamer Richard Ngarava, a few overs later.

He raced to 163 at the first drinks break but became the innings first casualty with lunch on the horizon,lbw missing a sweep at left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza.

Chanderpaul reached his 150 about half-hour before lunch to be unbeaten at the

Continued on page 24

Ramdhani wins another ACAC tournament

GUYANA’S top badminton player, Narayan Ramdhani, surged to his third consecutive victory in the Alberta Colleges’ Athletics Conference (ACAC), when Tournament Three was played on Sunday, at the King’s University, Edmonton Alberta.

After winning the Men’s Singles draw in Tournament One last month and finishing first in the Men’s Singles and Mixed Doubles two weeks ago, the Kings Uni-

Narayan Ramdhani received a token of appreciation from his Coach Naeem Haque for his dominance over the last four years