Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 08-10-2023

are building ahead of our time’

- state-of-the-art

By Trina Williams

NO longer will Guyana be falling behind when it comes to adapting to the digital age, as President Dr. Irfaan Ali is working assiduously to birth a new era filled with opportunities in each sector.

While delivering his feature address at the Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce Maple Leaf Ball and Awards Presentation on Friday evening, the President enlightened the audience about the important role that digitisation plays in producing a vibrant and sustainable economy.

“So, what we’re doing for the next few years is building ahead of our time; we’re going to build Guyana…We are not going to play second-team anymore,” the President said as he went into great detail about how his administration is planning to employ state-of-the-art technologies in order to usher in a new dawn filled with opportunities.

After receiving the Visionary Leadership Award, Dr. Ali revealed plans that will set Guyana at the forefront of development. With the clear goal of having a viable and competitive future, he told the audience that digitisation is pivotal for both Government services and the private sector.

“No company can survive in a business world 2030 and beyond if we don’t understand the role of digitization, and what it means for business and transaction,” he

said, adding that it is the sole responsibility of the government to drive this change.

In order to bridge the digital gap, certain steps must be taken, and according to the President, changing one’s mindset and behaviour, along with enacting legislation to support the new environment are essential to achieving this.

“Digitisation is going to be one platform through which 2030 will be built… We want to set up a country that is known for innovation, not only the production of food, but how innovative can we do it.

“But in 2030, the businesses must be supported by a strong technological platform; a platform that is driven and supported by technology that is ahead of our time, our educational services, our health services,

food production,” the President related.

However, Guyana’s future is not limited to these areas alone, as Dr. Ali said that with the support of technology, this nation will be able to move into pharmaceutical production, developing our stem cell industry, and utilising robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“That is the innovative platform that will drive Guyana,” the Head-of-State firmly asserted.

Furthermore, the President urged Canadian investors to get on board, as Guyana will be advancing at an unimaginable pace.

“Every company must be looking for international partners, and that is the usefulness of these chambers; it allows that smooth connection at networking between companies here and compa-

nies in Canada,” Dr. Ali said.

The President also encouraged those persons and companies to take a look at Guyana’s blossoming eco-tourism industry, and act on the vast number of opportunities.

Speaking more on his administration’s plans to transform Guyana in the upcoming years, the Headof- State said: “It is a country that will offer to the world the best eco-tourism product; none will be able to compete with us,” adding that infrastructure will be put in place coupled with heavy investments to train citizens in fields such as hospitality.

“We’re going to position our tourism product second to none,” the President remarked.

Moreover, he also revealed that seven new hotels are expected to be “up and

running” by next year.

Some of the hotels that are expected to come on board are: Lakeside Hotel (Essequibo); Courtyard by Marriott (Timehri); Four Points Marriott (Houston); Aiden Hotel (Robb & Oronoque Streets); Pasha Global Hotel (Liliendaal); AC Hotels Marriott (Ogle); and the Sherriff Hotel (Palmyra, Berbice).

With the intention of becoming a leader in food, climate and energy security, he said that Guyana will be reaching new levels, and more so its development is already evident.

“…I assure you if each of you take a journey to the new

areas at the back of Diamond and just look around, you’ll be blown away with the pace this country is changing,” the President said as he noted that no longer persons are asking where is Guyana, because the country is making a name for itself.

He also stated: “The next seven years will be dedicated to building the support mechanism, or the bouncing board that will speak to the next 50 years of Guyana’s development. The next seven years is hard work, to creating and enabling platform through which Guyana 2030 and beyond will be built.”

‘We

technologies to be employed to create new opportunities, President Ali says

President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Anand Beharry, Chairman of the Guyana-Canada Chamber of Commerce

President Dr. Irfaan Ali receiving his Visionary Leadership Award

Vlogger’s account of Guyana’s Moleson Creek Ferry Terminal inaccurate – Gov’t

THE Ministry of Public Works has clarified erroneous information circulating about its Moleson Creek Ferry Terminal.

In a video uploaded to his TikTok account on Thursday last, a known vlogger shared his experience crossing from Suriname to Guyana via the Moleson Creek Ferry; however, there were inaccuracies in the vlog, the Ministry noted.

“The vlogger’s negative account of having to run to avoid the sun is also misconstrued as it has been a long-standing tradition among passengers to do this to avoid being the last in the lines of Immigration or Customs,”

the statement added.

According to the ministry, this practice has become unnecessary altogether since there is a proper assembly space in the terminal where passengers are tendered to, both arriving and departing Moleson Creek.

Upon arrival, passengers are greeted by two booths that house four immigration officers, as well as another stand-by booth in case of heavy traffic, where another officer can operate if necessary. At least eight to 10 immigration officers work on rotation for quick and effective processing of passengers.

Meanwhile, to ensure greater passenger satis -

faction, there is in place a supplementary system to facilitate passengers in getting to their destination on any given day. This system is an on-demand operation based on the volume of travellers.

“Basically, more than the standard number of trips are made between the two countries if necessary.

“Passengers also have a second Duty Free Shop at Moleson Creek to explore as they await the ferry’s arrival. And for those who need a break, the waiting area has been outfitted to comfortably accommodate passengers,” the statement noted.

According to the ministry, the daily operations at the Moleson Creek terminal start promptly at 06:30 hrs for the smooth processing of passengers; vehicles are also processed promptly by mem-

bers of the Guyana Police Force and Port Security.

“While flying between Guyana and Suriname remains a viable option, many people still prefer the less costly and fun experience of the ferry service, hence the government’s continued in -

vestment and upgrade to the facility.

“Just last year Customs operations at the border crossing were boosted with the installation of a new baggage scanner, the NUCTECH X-Ray Computed Tomography (CT) inspection device, which improves monitoring and promotes seamless processing of passengers’ baggage and cargo.”

The ferry service is also slated to join the online ticket booking system currently used by the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD); this will mitigate difficulties encountered by passengers in securing

places on the vessel.

“The People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government, led by H.E President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has budgeted billions for the upgrade of Stellings and ferry terminals throughout the country aimed at creating multi-purpose facilities for hassle-free travel of passengers. The government’s overall commitment to the nation is the development of the country’s transport infrastructure-- over land, water, and air,” the Public Works Ministry noted.

‘Despite dealt a bad hand, bright future still being created’

- President Ali says in response to relentless efforts to misconstrue the reality of existing contract with ExxonMobil - explains that changing contract would have legal repercussions

By Trina Williams

BLASTING nay-sayers for ignoring the reality, and turning a blind eye to basic contractual obligations, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has said that despite being dealt a bad hand in the form of an APNU+AFC-negotiated contract with ExxonMobil, his administration is working to ensure that Guyana’s future is bright.

Dr. Ali, in his feature address at the Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce Maple Leaf Ball Awards Presentation on Friday evening, said: “I don’t want to spend my time on negative energy, but it’s tiring to listen to some of these guys... You think that is how the world operates? That you can just walk in one day and decide I have this contract with you, I’m changing it now? One lawsuit!”

Puzzled by the claims being put forth by former policy-makers and their failing to understand how the terms and conditions of a contract works, President Ali said that it is easy to join the crusade and shout for renegotiation.

“This is not a play -

thing,” Dr. Ali firmly asserted.

He then went on to say: “…[It] is very popular to say we can change the contract, that is why we’re careful to say that we have to learn from the mistake, and ensure that future contracts do not make the same mistake. And that is what we’ve done; that is what we’re doing.”

Apart from the legal repercussions, the President also went into detail about what other negative effects can emerge from breaching a contract.

He said that investors are drawn to a country by how the system operates, and not by the way it looks.

“You think sophisticated investors look at you and say, ‘Oh, you guys look good! We’re coming to invest.’ They look at your systems; that is why the IMF report so extensively talks about the reform, and the system. But everybody wants a front-page now,” President Ali said.

Conceding that the nation was indeed dealt a bad hand, and that he, too, wishes it were not so, President Ali was adamant that the nation must strive

to ensure that this does not reoccur in the future.

“I wish it was a better contract; all of us wish that. We’ve been given a bad hand; we have to correct it now. We have to ensure that the future hands are not that bad, and we are in a better position to call the shots,” he said, adding: “You got to be realistic sometimes; not opportunistic!”

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)

government’s focus to get the most out of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) for the Stabroek Block was deemed a matter of “fixing the mess” that the previous coalition government left the country in when it signed the deal with ExxonMobil and its co-venturers, Hess and CNOOC.

This has been said by the Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who also addressed continuous

calls for the renegotiation of the PSA.

The Vice-President described the call for renegotiation as opportunistic, highlighting that the APNU+AFC was responsible for drafting and signing Guyana onto the PSA.

Guyana signed a PSA with ExxonMobil and its partners for the production of oil in the Stabroek Block, during the APNU+AFC’s time in government from 2015-2020.

Under the PSA, Guyana will be receiving, at a minimum, two per cent royalty on all oil produced in the block, plus 12.5 per cent profit oil. As the capital and operating costs are liquidated, Guyana’s share of profit oil will increase, rising up to a 52 per cent return on every barrel of oil sold.

However, Guyanese have continually contended that the country did not receive a fair agreement. According to Dr. Jagdeo, while the current government has maintained that

it will not be renegotiating the contract, it continues to try to get the best deal through other means.

The PPP/C government has also created new fiscal terms for future PSAs, ensuring that no future deals are lopsided.

Under the new fiscal terms, future companies exploring for oil and gas offshore Guyana will be subject to 50 per cent profit sharing, in addition to a royalty rate of 10 per cent, and corporate tax of 10 per cent among other things.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali

Participatory Democracy

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has repeatedly said that the approach to governance is based on the concept of inclusivity and participatory democracy. Consistent with this approach, the government has embarked on engagements with a number of key stakeholders, including organised labour, private sector representatives, religious organisations and civil society.

In keeping with the PPP/ Cs consultative approach to governance, a high-level team of senior government officials, which included Prime Minister, Brigadier Mark Phillips and Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, led a series of budget consultations with several trade unions. The consultations allowed for the administration to listen to the concerns of workers and garner inputs which

could inform policies in the crafting of the 2024 Budget Estimates.

And as pointed out by Dr. Singh, the government is committed to sustained improvements in the lives of the working people of Guyana. Several policy initiatives were already implemented since the government assumed office in August 2020 aimed at enhancing the working and living conditions of the Guyanese people. These continuing engagements will no doubt build on the economic and social gains made by the current PPP/C administration.

Only recently, President Ali met with senior teachers from schools across the country. The interaction with the teachers proved useful in terms of bringing to the fore issues of concern to teachers and finding practical solutions. A num-

ber of decisions were taken by President Ali emanating from the engagement with the teachers which would have far-reaching impact not only in terms of enhancing their working and living conditions but also in terms of an improved quality of education delivery.

This approach to governance, however, goes beyond that of representative groups and organisations. It is also about taking actions at the level of the Executive to correct long standing bottlenecks that interfere with the quality of life of the Guyanese people. In this regard, President Ali has announced the establishment of a special secretariat to address festering issues such as National Insurance and the issuance of passports.

Roughly 10,000 cases of pending NIS matters are expected to be resolved by

the end of this current year. According to President Ali, “files that deal with appeals, claims, queries, investigations, tribunal matters... we are going to develop a special secretariat and a projectized format to bring an end or to bring closure, these 10, 000 file before the end of the year, so that we will be back in real time.”

It is common knowledge that two of the most problematic issues affecting a significant number of Guyanese revolve around the National Insurance Scheme and passports, and the decision taken by President Ali is a timely and welcomed intervention.

As the modernisation process gains momentum, the need for stakeholders’ inputs in the decision-making processes becomes all the more necessary. Development is all about people and the satisfying of their

material and cultural needs. This is why the bottom-up approach to policy-making is so important and President Ali and the PPP/C administration must be commended for their ability to connect directly with the masses.

As the country observes 31 years since the restoration of democratic rule, the words of the late former President Dr. Cheddi Jagan during his inauguration ceremony as Executive President continues to have relevance. “We the people have won,” he said. It is a style of governance in which government is taken to the people, and the people to government.

In this regard, the participation of trade union representatives in discussions with policymakers is indeed a welcome development and certainly augers well for the collaborative role

between labour and the Executive in terms of crafting a budget that caters for the wellbeing of the working people. It also serves to debunk a false narrative peddled by the political opposition that the current PPP/C administration is anti-union and bypassing labour representatives in the decision-making process especially on matter of relevance to labour.

President Ali must be given full credit of continuing, indeed intensifying, a governance approach in which people are placed at the centre of development. Putting people first has always been one of the hallmarks of all successive PPP/C administrations. This is indeed how it should be as the country moves forward in the direction of One Guyana as envisaged by President Ali.

Don’t insult the intelligence of Guyanese Mr. Forde

Dear Editor, Even for those who do not support the current government, it would seem that PPP General Secretary, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, on October 5, 2023 was correct to question “what else” would the PNC/APNU/AFC lie about.

In less than 24 hours, Mr. Roysdale Forde, on October 6, 2023, released a statement alleging that Mr. Jagdeo claimed that the US Congresspeople never met with the PNC/ APNU/AFC.

As an attorney, Mr. Forde’s ability to play with words is a given, but his attack on Mr. Jagdeo failed, and what was left exposed was his belief that Guyanese are gullible.

The PNC/APNU/AFC had two events in the US in September 2023 – a Diaspora Conference and a meeting with US officials.

For those who followed the press conference on October 5, 2023, at no point did Mr. Jagdeo say the second event did not take place.

Mr. Jagdeo did, how-

ever, say that the “much vaunted” attendance of US Congresspeople at the Diaspora Conference did not take place. Everyone who watched the live stream by Sherod Duncan knows this. In fact, Rickford Burke on day one of the conference apologized for the absence of the US Congresspeople, who included Mr. Hakeen Jefferies.

Finally, Mr. Forde opened his October 6, 2023, statement by saying:

“‘If you lie about that, what else would you lie

about?’ A most pertinent question posed by Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, during his October 5, 2023, Press Conference.”

Guyanese are no fools Mr. Roysdale Forde. For those who tuned into the press conference, we heard Mr. Jagdeo talking about the PNC/APNU/ AFC claims about the 2020 Elections.

It was in that context that he said: “Imagine APNU going to Washington to say the PPP tried to steal, or stole, the 2020 Elections. How divorced,

it’s not how divorced they are from reality, but how shameless could you be? And how could you do that with a clear conscience, when everything points to the contrary, including the State Department that was part of the charge – the United States’ State Department and the staff there they don’t change with Administration, except for the political leadership, they have stability in government.

They know of the attempts to steal the election, because they helped to fight

it off, the US Government. Therefore, people have to think, if you lie about that, what else wouldn’t you lie about. What else would you not lie about.”

Mr. Forde would be well advised to not follow the path of his leader, Aubrey Norton, and try to distinguish himself as a politician who, unlike his peers, does not insult the intelligence of the Guyanese people.

Yours truly,

Anson Paul

President Ali’s announcement of fixing NIS and passport backlogs most commendable

Dear Editor,

The announcement by President Ali to fix problems at NIS (National Insurance Scheme) and fix slow processing of passports are to be highly commended. We need the same for Birth Certificates, TIN, other Government documents and approvals. High fives for the President. It means people will get NIS benefits before they die.

It shows the President understands these ongoing issues that are vexations to the working class. When government agencies fail to do their jobs or operate in a persistent inefficient mode, that brings much embarrassment to the President’s administration. It also means ministers are not on top of things at their ministries. The ministers themselves are problems when they don’t return your calls, texts, or you can’t meet with them. Ministers being arrogant and inaccessible is not good leadership. They are supposed to be servants of the people. The Public Service Ministry should lead in this area. Maybe find better ministers or train the current ones what good customer service looks like. I can do for free.

The NIS has forever been a poster child for governmental inefficiency in Guyana. After dealing with the NIS of my 88-year-old cousin being given the royal run around for 28 years, I have concluded that the NIS is like Hump-

ty Dumpty – all the King’s horses and all the King’s men cannot put Humpty Dumpty together again. (See Haji Roshan Khan’s “An Open Letter to President Ali: The NIS is sadistically murdering Guyanese, please do something,” SN, Aug. 26, 2023. See M. Singh’s “The NIS: a scheme of Darwinian proportions, meaning, that Ministers are failing,” SN, Sep 04, 2023).

The NIS was supposed to be a safety net for retired people at a time when they are most vulnerable and in need of support. When you call the NIS and can’t reach anyone, when you call until you are blue and they will not return your calls, when they deal with you in callous ways devoid of any empathy or sympathy, this agency needs a makeover with a new crew.

President Ali is doing the right thing to jack them up. With 10,000 angry, upset, frustrated people, the NIS can cause the Government to suffer electorally. Ten thousand working class people given the run around is almost two seats! In my cousin’s case, the Minister’s Office arranged meetings for us to meet the General Manager but she cancelled twice and never responded to many emails.

The NIS keeps saying my cousin is missing contributions, when in fact he did work. Not because NIS does not have all your contributions means you did not work. It means the NIS did not do its statutory duty

in monitoring employers and making sure all records are up to date. They bully people.

So when you reach 60 and you apply for NIS, it is then you find out they had not been doing their jobs and your contribution record is incomplete. So why is NIS punishing poor people when missing contributions record is not their fault? The Courts had already ruled that if employers had deducted money from your paycheck for NIS but did not turn the money in, you still have to give the employee credit. It was not the employee’s fault.

There needs to be a similar court ruling or policy change for cases where employers did not submit complete records of employees’ contributions. Mr. President, there needs to be a more worker-friendly, humane approach when contribution records are missing and incomplete.

Punish the NIS for doing a bad job, don’t punish the employee. Since incomplete records are not the fault of the employees, how will the NIS resolve that issue? They simply cannot tell people we don’t have your records, you do not qualify for monthly

benefits, go away. That’s what they said to my cousin and many others. As for the current NIS Board, it is useless because they go along with the NIS story and don’t listen to the employee’s story. It’s not an honest broker. Regarding the Passport Office, not too long ago, you could get a passport in one week. Then it moved to one month. Now they tell you come back in 10 weeks. The reason why people come to Georgetown for passports is because it takes longer in the regions. If the regions can process as quickly as the Georgetown Office, we can

eliminate the daily long lines in the Georgetown Office. Can we stop this inequity in treatment, and reduce the sloth of Government in the regions? Let’s end this culture of inefficiency which seems calculated to fuel the bribery industry.

On the brighter side in the Government, the Drivers’ Licence Section needs to be commended as you can get a licence renewed the same day at the Georgetown Office. Congratulations to the GRA.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jerry Jailall

That hasty statement from the Opposition

Attorney-at-law and APNU Parliamentarian, Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde ‘dispatched’ a statement on Friday afternoon following the press conference of General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday.

Forde said he and other MPs were seemingly subjected to the “verbal onslaught of attacks” by Jagdeo. He said this against the backdrop of Congressman Hakeem Jefferies’ earlier public statement late Thursday evening that he had met with Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton and other MPs to discuss issues relating to Guyana and Guyanese in the US.

According to the Senior Counsel, that statement proved Jagdeo to be a “pathological liar” and “corroborated” the oppo-

sition’s reports following the Washington Conference about Guyana. He seemed to suggest Jagdeo was cunning the public when he said “…I don't know, I may be wrong because I did not follow it…”

He then regurgitated parts of what the Congressman said already, adding little political merit or juice to it.

Firstly, the opposition MP wasted 997 words to say nothing about this ‘big lie’ that Jagdeo was allegedly caught spreading. After all, Jagdeo boldly declared that he did not know in fact and he did not pay too much attention to the conference.

Using the journalistic lens, he never said it was a statement in fact or the truth but rather sought to give his analysis of the conference and what took place.

So, it is a shame and

more than just convenient that Congressman Jefferies chose to issue that belated statement in the wee hours of Thursday to add to the opposition rhetoric that they did in fact have some meeting with someone of consequence.

It is also a shame that the APNU and AFC could not use the pen or words of Forde to state clearly where the winning SOPs are, or when the public will be able to see them. It is even more than alarming that Forde chose to write about Jagdeo as opposed to the administration of justice and the slothfulness of the judiciary in hearing the cases before it in a timely manner that have to do with the APNU+AFC attempt to steal Guyana’s election or democracy in 2020.

This is not a statement that a Senior Counsel should be issuing or a future leader of the PNC. This is not a statement any politician should write because it is laughable, desperate and sad. There is nothing intellectual about it or legally groundbreaking.

Leave the discoveries to the journalists and PR gurus in PNC, APNU and AFC. Forde will be better off, sitting in an office planning his ascension to the top job in the PNC.

Secondly, Jeffries

made no mention of Norton’s calls for a clean or new voters list and the biometric verification systems at polling stations. He just glossed over that? Or is everyone to take it that that never was important to him?

Jefferies must know that Guyanese are intelligent and know when ‘something’ is not right. The statement that he issued is not ‘right’. It seems forced and seeks to give undue credence to a conference that their own opposition personalities said was a talk-shop and nothing would come from it.

Maybe Jefferies wants to drop his game and get intertwined in local and Guyanese politics. This is conflicting and hard to believe especially with how he has changed his tone and rhetoric about Guyana after meeting President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and other officials this year.

It is unbelievable that he would allow himself to be used by Rickford Burke, Norton and others here when he has ambitions of climbing the ladder in US politics. After all, they can not help him get to the top so why muddy the waters?

If he wants to temper his language towards the Government of Guyana, that is welcome but he must mind his associations with Norton’s opposition and Burke who the Vice President Jagdeo refers to as a criminal.

Jefferies knows he is not fooling anyone with his statement in which he carefully attributes certain political and other statements to the opposition, and nothing except the diplomatically correct things to himself.

Jefferies is on record in 2021 saying certain things and now in 2023, he is presenting a clean and refined image in the statement. The public here, at least, has never forgotten.

Thirdly, this statement coming from Forde is nothing but the opposition clutching at straws. Forde should answer the most pertinent questions about the conference as opposed to seeking to take issue with the tongue-beating and thrashing they got on Thursday from Jagdeo.

Can the Senior Counsel deny that Burke has done questionable things in the past? Why did the Granger Administration and the PNC keep him at a distance? Who paid for the opposition’s trip since PNC/R said it does not have money for even the

holding of a Congress?

What about the claim of one of the attendees and others who paid to attend the Conference?

How has the opposition benefitted in Guyana by being party to this conference and charade?

What did they get from the conference apart from a listening ear from those Congressmen in Washington? What is the real motive behind the participation in the Conference? Who is the real pathological liar, if not Norton, Forde, and the opposition? Who is living in a fairytale? Was Jagdeo ‘vituperative’, or speaking the truth that doesn’t wear clothes?

The Senior Counsel must know that we are not impressed by his use of elaborate lexicons to confuse or kerfuffle the public’s mind.

Finally, someone apart from Jagdeo has to boldly say it. The conference has resulted in nothing for the state of opposition politics in Guyana. It produced no scientific, materialistic, or emphatical evidence against the government to show that it discriminates against its citizens on the basis of politics or race regardless of what the APNU+AFC party says. It will not have a long-term or short-term effect on this government or the next election come 2025. It will not change the public’s view of the opposition. It is still politically uninspiring, reactive, manipulative, and untrustworthy.

I must be saying interesting things to attract interest

I HAVE four reactions to negative criticisms of me in the past 35 years of my presence in the newspapers. One - I must be of interest and influence for others to want to denigrate me. Two `- I assume people look for me in the newspaper apart from their choice of the particular newspaper because over those 35 years I have written for all the major newspapers in this country, changing from one to the other. Three – this is a spinoff from number two; I am assisting in the marketability of the newspaper I write for.

Four – it is important to reply to select castigations because they provide an opportunity to educate people; bring things to them that they did not know about; help to raise their awareness level and provide them with research material that they may find useful someday and it exposes the infantile, depraved or non-existent minds of some people.

A signature appeared below a letter carried in the

Friday last edition of the Stabroek News attacking me for a recent article of mine in the Chronicle; yes in the Chronicle. I would not even offer a glimpse of what that letter is about because as I stated several times in the past - I will not reply to people who hide under their mother’s dress. This is a type of human I hate with all the mental energy I can conjure up.

The anonymous letter-writer was joined by someone who was in journalism many moons ago in this country and has left this country many, many moons ago. With racial orientations and anti-PPP hate permeating his letters over the past years, Mr. Emile Mervin chose me to make his subject. As soon as I read his comments, I went to my keyboard immediately because his anti-Kissoon ranting offers a huge opportunity for me to address readers so they can be familiar with the kind of minds the press puts on display.

Nothing about me from Mr. Mervin offered a logi-

cal, reasonable assessment. In fact, the gentleman opens himself to ridicule with his hateful description of me. He juxtaposes his take on the waste of my writing with the positive role of two private newspapers. This is the kind of stuff that those who live and see things unfolding in Guyana would find both irritating and comical.

Let’s expose Mervin’s merulius. He argues that the fact that I have written for all the major newspapers proves that I just want to vent (his word). I thank him for assigning the colossal capacity of mine to influence every newspaper to just provide me with the ability to vent and allowed me to do that for 35 years.

I am not going to lecture Mervin on what marketability means, suffice it to say that if he was marketable in his journalistic days he would not have worked at one media house only and had to migrate. Next, Mervin describes me as a person of no national consequence in Guyana. Does that warrant a rejoinder? I

leave it to people to decide that. When you go on to read what he pens then you see the valuable avenue he presents to me to address Guyanese on the hate that people write.

He praises other writers who he says have dedicated columns (I don’t know what a dedicated column is but for Mervin it is when the content is anti-government) and goes on to thank the two private newspapers for helping to educate and inform readers. Someone by the name of Surujpaul Rampersaud offered a devastating reply to this part of Mervin’s

derogation of me. I quote part of his rebuttal: “Help to educate and inform only if they are non-partisan. Most of those who are attempting to do so have their own agenda and axe to grind.”

It has to be bordering on asininity for someone to say that two private newspapers in Guyana are educating and informing people in the context that we have always used that term. In Guyana, you have to ask - educating and informing the people of what? A good example is an anonymous letter-writer in Stabroek News that wrote that after addressing the na-

tion, the President went back to his bake and salt fish. For Mervin, that is the private newspapers educating the nation.

I close with a beat of my own drum. If you don’t beat your drum in this country, no one will do it for you. So forgive my immodesty. But if I was not marketable in my own country then I would have to migrate and become a tenth rate citizen with no national consequence that would have had to live and die in obscurity in a foreign land.

Gas-to-Energy project can be instrumental in addressing Guyana’s ‘blackout’ woes

THE recent daily protracted power outages being experienced across the country have been linked to a deficit in electricity generation, and the consequences of these blackouts and rate at which they occur is testimony to the importance of the Gas-to-Energy Project for Guyana.

Over the past weeks, Guyanese have been experiencing a significant increase in power outages and load shedding across the country. Citizens have encountered prolonged daily blackouts in various areas along the East and West Coast of Demerara, the East and West Bank of Demerara, Georgetown and Bartica.

The recent public outcry on social media about

the negative impacts of the blackouts prompted Government officials, including the President of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, as well as Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, to come forward to assure citizens that there is a plan in place to address the blackout woes—including the Gas-to-Energy project, which will add a capacity of 300 megawatts to the system and meet the grid’s demand.

In a live broadcast, the President raised several key points relating to the contributing factors of the frequent outages. It was highlighted that there has been a marked increase in demand for power and electricity over the past three years, which cannot be satisfied by the coun-

try’s electricity supplier, the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL).

Dating back to 2020, the President revealed that prior to the introduction of subsidies on the cost of electricity, the company was comfortably generating 120 megawatts (MW) of electricity to meet the demand of 115(MW). However, with the introduction of subsidised electricity, a number of large companies that were off of GPL’s grid, and producing their own power, decided to return as it was more cost-effective for them. As a result, there was a major disruption in the generation-to-demand ratio. At present, the country has a generating capacity of 174 MW while the demand has increased to 185MW.

As a short-term solution, the President implored commercial users with their own generation capacity to stay off the grid and self-generate during the peak hours between 13:00hrs and 15:00hrs and then 18:00hrs to 22:00hrs daily. Government will be imposing a ‘punitive tax’ on these companies who remain on the grid during peak hours. However, the ripple effect of this measure could mean that these companies may incur additional production or operational costs which may then lead to a rise in cost for their goods and services.

Taking these factors into consideration, the Gas-to-Energy project now sits on the pedestal of vast importance since it is clear

that it is the long-term solution. The project is moving apace to come online in 2024 and promises to be a major change for Guyana’s power generation capabilities, which will see the country moving from a heavy fuel plant to a natural gas fuel plant. On this basis, the project will decrease emissions and the impact on air quality, and reduce wholesale power costs by as much as 50 per cent.

A sum of GY $43.3 billion was approved by the National Assembly earlier this year to commence transmission and distribution works. In August, an additional GY$5 billion was approved to be used mainly for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract.

The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) also announced that, on October 1, pipe laying activities were scheduled to commence from the West Coast of Demerara to offshore, within Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone. While various individuals and bodies have come forward calling for the Gas-to-Energy project to be halted on their whims that the project has negative implications, it is clear that this project will be both transformative and a breakthrough for Guyana. The project will help households and businesses enormously by cutting the present high costs of electricity and it will play an integral role in reducing the plague of blackouts in the country.

Pres. Ali featured in Caribbean Business Publication

GUYANA’S President, Dr Irfaan Ali and the country’s manufacturing and tourism sectors, are featured in the 2023 edition of Caribbean Business & Travel (CBT).

The business publication, produced by Florida-based Carigold Signature, a consulting, communications and professional development group, is distributed to business organisations and leaders, business conferences, travel agents and Diaspora leaders in New York, Florida and Toronto,

“We are happy to throw the spotlight on Guyana, one of the fastest growing economies in the world. We invited President Ali to outline his administration’s track record, policies and strategies to sustain economic growth and attract investment,” said the publication’s Publisher and Editor, Sandra Ann Baptiste, who was the first head of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest),

President Ali spoke about the level of recent Foreign Direct Investment inflows into Guyana, including from the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, and new investment projects being pursued.

The Guyanese leader highlighted initiatives to improve the business climate and infrastructure projects in

the pipeline as well as plans to bolster the tourism and hospitality sector.

He also provided an update on the CARICOM programme to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25 percent by 2025. He also identified projects on his priority list to be completed before the next general election in 2025.

Meanwhile, the President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), Ramsay Ali, identified a wide range of investment opportunities in the manufacturing sector and encouraged Caribbean and global entrepreneurs to take advantage of the emerging and rapidly growing business opportunities and investment incentives available.

The publication profiles the work of the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA) and highlights some of its initiatives to spur more Foreign Direct Investment to the region, including tapping new sources of capital, while addressing issues such as logistics and supply chain challenges.

Caribbean Business & Travel also features investment opportunities in Barbados, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada and the USVI.

The Caribbean Invest -

ment Forum to be held later this month in The Bahamas and the annual Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference and Operations Summit (CHICOS), scheduled for November in the USVI, are also highlighted.

“We are committed to educating and informing the business community in North America about the myriad business ventures available for investment throughout the Caribbean, projects identified by investment agencies and promoting business events with a focus on the region,” said Baptiste, a business and communications consultant who has held the Canadian Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation for over ten years and is a specialist in Caribbean affairs.

The President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Dee George, who is also featured in the publication, outlined why her association was upbeat about the future of Guyana’s tourism industry and identifies her priorities as the head of the national association while the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) provides an overview of recent initiatives to grow the sector and new projects being pursued.

“CBT has also, for many years, thrown the spotlight

on the diverse and spectacular Caribbean tourism destinations and products as we feel our business audience with high disposable income can also contribute to tourism growth in the region,” Baptiste said.

The Barbados Minister of Tourism and Interna-

Simone Biles... better after mental health break

TWO years ago, she and three fellow gymnasts gave gut-wrenching testimony before the US Congress on what they suffered at the hands of Larry Nassar – a doctor charged with their physical well-being.

And at times, barely able to hold back her tears, Simone Biles, who blamed the USA Gymnastics, the US Olympic Committee and the FBI for the prolonged abuse, also linked it to the mental health difficulties which caused her to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics in the summer of 2021.

In a damning statement, this young athlete, hailed as the world’s greatest gymnast, said: “To be clear I blame Larry Nassar, and I also blame an entire system that enabled and perpetrated his abuse.”

She was speaking on behalf of upwards of 70 young women who suffered abuse at the hands of Nas-

sar, adding, “The scars of this horrific abuse continue to live with us all.”

While the doctor has since been charged and currently serving the equivalent of a life term in federal prison, the victims of his abuse have been largely left to cope with the trauma of it on their own.

Simone Biles took two years off to address her mental health issues and has now returned to the world of gymnastics with a ‘bang’.

She took a record-breaking eighth national title at the US Gymnastics Championship in San Jose, California in August. Her victory smashed a previous record, which has stood since 1933, and marks a decade after she first won it.

She received a standing ovation after her ‘breathtaking’ floor exercise, stunning the audience with a new ‘triple double’ routine. She also netted the highest

points on the beam then continued to defy gravity by being the first woman to do the Yuchenko double Pike on the vault, which is now known as the Biles11.

It is a tribute to both the mental and physical resilience of this young woman that she was able to return to the highly competitive world of gymnastics and continue her record-breaking streak.

Her dominance in the sport is unparalleled and her triumphant return took many by surprise, especially the naysayers who decried her below par performance at the Tokyo Olympics.

According to the record books, Biles now has 26 world championship medals, 20 of them gold, to go with seven Olympic medals, including the 2016 Olympic title. Her 33 combined medals at the sport’s two biggest events are one more than what Larisa Latynina of

the Soviet Union achieved. And to top it all off she was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden.

The enormity of what this 26-year-old super athlete has had to overcome is best understood from the words of Verywellhealth who say “Sexual assaults can be some of the most damaging forms of trauma and can significantly harm mental well-being.”

Further, figures have shown that 17-25% of women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime and by someone who they know. In addition, women are more likely than men to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their symptoms are likely to last much longer than men, who rarely suffer this form of abuse and have difficulty understanding the trauma involved.

The fact that Ms. Biles openly spoke of her mental health challenges follow-

tional Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, highlighted strategies to significantly increase tourism arrivals while the President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), Nicola Madden-Greig laid out the Association’s plans and initiatives to increase hotel

occupancy and revenue. Caribbean Business & Travel also introduced the new Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organizaiton (CTO) Dona Regis-Prosper. (Press release from Caribbean Business & Travel)

ing her trauma and sought to address it by withdrawing from the scene and seeking treatment is truly commendable and a lesson to us all. For overcome she did and her recent performances underscore this.

As she told reporters two months ago in Chicago, “I’m still continuing to work on myself and go to therapy…I think I’m in better shape than I was in 2021. I think that goes mentally and physically.”

And I leave you with these haunting words from American novelist,

Sarah Dessen, describing a victim in her book, ‘Just Listen’, “She knew I could tell with one glance, one look, one simple instant. It was in her eyes. Despite the thick makeup, they were still darkrimmed, haunted and sad. Most of all though, they were familiar. The fact that we were in front of hundreds of strangers changed nothing at all.

I’d spent a summer with those same eyes – scared, lost, confused – staring back at me. I would have known them anywhere.”

President Dr Irfaan Ali and business consultant, Sandra Ann Baptiste who is the Editor of “Caribbean Business & Travel” display copies of the 2023 edition at State House. The President is featured in a four-page “Signature” Interview

Guyanese now able to see a brighter future under PPP/C Gov’t - Party stalwarts say

OCTOBER 5, 1992

marked the day that democracy was restored to Guyana; a day widely regarded as the advent of free and fair elections in post-Independence Guyana.

On that day, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) ended the 28-yearlong stranglehold the People’s National Congress (PNC) had on the country, by winning 53.5% of the votes cast, which at the time equated to 28 of the 53 seats in the National Assembly, and providing in the process the platform for them to win five successive governments.

As Attorney-General and Senior Counsel Anil Nandlall recalled, with the absence of freedom and the feeling of being stifled by economic hardships, Guyana was a dim place to live in under the undemocratic rule that prevailed before 1992.

“As a young man, I didn’t see a future [and] for every young person,” he stated.

He made these remarks while speaking on a special programme aired on Thursday last to commemorate the return of democracy in 1992, when the PPP was

voted into office.

Without the fight for freedom, according to Nandlall, today, Guyana would have been ostracised like it was prior to 1992.

“By 1992, we were completely bankrupt; Guyana, by that time, had become a basket case. We were the second poorest country in the world in this hemisphere; the medical system had collapsed, the infrastructural system had collapsed, the educational system had collapsed,” he said.

Describing the period at reference as “miserable and dismal”, another PPP/C executive member and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Gail Teixeira, also recalled the extreme levels of poverty, and the abnormal health conditions that plagued children.

While addressing the collapse of key sectors and the inheritance of a crumbling economy, she stated:

“…When you look at 1992, I was the Minister of Health and I showed in Parliament, the theatres and the public hospital that had broken equipment…you can imagine what was going on with operation [and the] infections.”

As she relived the dark era, she spoke extensively

on the rapid migration in Guyana at that time because of the economic constraints.

“…People were really punishing and [they] were also migrating because they were looking for anywhere to go…Looking back, it was dark.”

With the PPP/C continuously fighting to restore the rule of law, it is now sunny skies and beaming smiles, according to Teixeira.

“…It is colours and progress and you know, the differences are so stark and so palpable,” she related.

Urging Guyanese not to dismiss the threats to democracy that occurred in 2020, Teixeira said: “The whole entire architecture of Guyana has been constructed and developed [by] the PPP/C government and [it] has been undermined in the 2015-2020 period when they [APNU+AFC] were in government.”

With a democratic country being defined as a system of government in which the people have the power to participate in decision-making, Teixeira emphasized that democracy must always be safeguarded not just by the PPP/C but by all Guyanese, regardless of race, political affiliation or any other difference.

Cancer Survivor Symposium 2023

FREEDOM

Teixeira also spoke about the 2020 General and Regional Elections, where Guyana almost suffered the same fate prior to 1992 – a period of rigged elections.

Snap elections were held back in 2020 after the government of President David Granger lost a vote of no confidence by a margin of 33–32 on 21 December, 2018.

Although Election Day and the initial count were deemed to be free, fair and credible, the process of tabulating the votes was widely seen to have been fraudulent.

Leaders had later agreed to a recount of ballots, which was completed in June of that year. The

recount showed that the PPP/C party won the most votes, with a bare majority of one seat.

However, representatives of the then A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (APF) government had sought to thwart the results of the recount through a number of court cases.

Despite this, the Court of Appeal ruled that the results of the recount be utilised as the official results of the election. And six months later, Dr Irfaan Ali was sworn in as the 10th President of Guyana.

Further reflecting on the struggles Guyana faced, Clement Rohee who was at the time the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs

Minister, explained that Guyana was riddled with foreign debt and these were categorized.

“The government worked very hard to address and seek debt relief in respective to bilateral debt, the multilateral debts, however, an extremely important type because this is where the multilateral lending agency would have lent money to the government,” Rohee explained.

In the subsequent years, under the PPP stewardship, Guyana moved from a low-income country drowning in debt to a country on the rise, with one of the lowest debt-toGDP ratios in the world.

The journey, life after, and the way to move forward

By Shaniya Harding

The month of October is dedicated to observing a disease that is daunting to most and becomes a frightening reality for some - cancer. As part of this year’s Pinktober celebration, there was the annual cancer survivor symposium.

The event was hosted by Recover Guyana in collaboration with the Giving Hope Foundation at the National Library in Georgetown on Saturday. The symposium saw a multitude of doctors, specialists and more importantly, cancer survivors and focused mostly on the parts of the cancer journey that are often overlooked; this includes prevention that could be taken before cancer, and the care that should be taken after.

“The objectives of today’s symposium are to increase awareness among cancer survivors, their families and healthcare providers about the importance of sustainable living and green thinking in post cancer life,” President and Co-founder of Recovery Guyana, Dave Lalltoo told the gathering.

Another major player in cancer awareness is the Giving Hope Foundation, which was founded in 2016 by Dr Latoya Gooding. This foundation is an organisation that is dedicated to raising awareness as well as promoting cancer screening and the

importance of early detection.

Dr Gooding was first to deliver her piece on ‘Life after cancer.’ She began by explaining exactly what this well-known disease does to the body.

“Cancer is a word that carries tremendous weight. It is a group of diseases that is characterised by uncontrollable growth and spread of cells in the body.”

“Life after cancer is about embracing a newfound appreciation for the ordinary moments. Watching a sunset, sharing a meal with loved ones or simply feeling the warmth of the sun on our skin,” Dr Gooding stated.

She added, “It is about tak-

ing our experiences and deviating for better cancer care, increased awareness and support for those in this tremendous battle.”

Next to take the podium was Mrs. Naudya Hoosein-Majeed, environmental advocate. She touched on the topic of healthy dieting, both post and pre-cancer. Some of the foods Mrs. Majeed suggested are Berries or as she referred to them as ‘little power houses containing antioxidants’.”

Vegetables rich in sulforaphane and lefty greens like spinach and kale where also present on her list. Tomatoes and green

tea along with nuts and seeds and the surprising addition, od ark chocolate and soursop. Turmeric was mentioned for its anti-inflammatory properties. She stated, “Remember, there is no magic potion when it comes to cancer prevention. But a balanced diet can certainly contribute to your overall wellbeing.”

Offering a psychological point of view was Will Campbell, a phycologist who had an interesting take on the emotional aspect of dealing with cancer.

“I learned about thing called toxic positivity. And toxic positivity is where people tell you act like it didn’t happen. And that

does not work,” Campbell said.

The way to heal, he explained, is to acknowledge but not indulge or give power to the thoughts of struggles associated with battling cancer.

“A big part of healing is learning to sit with your thoughts, feelings and emotions about what you have actually experienced, about what has happened to you. But it is important not to live there.”

Nutritionist, Mrs. Angela Appl ewhite-Hercules, spoke about the often-overlooked topic of the financial side of healthy eating. She did an exercise with the people present where she asked them to craft a shopping list for a family of four for one week. This proved to be a bit troublesome and Applewhite-Hercules then explained the importance of balance, planning and utilizing what is in season.

Meanwhile, the physical side of the disease was dealt with by Dr. Prasanth Mani, a physiotherapist, who emphasized the importance of exercise pre cancer, but even more importantly, in the recovery stage. He cited that people can either partake in aerobics, strength training or both. A wide array of things Dr. Mani says can be running, jumping or simply playing a game with family.

Anju Vivekanandaraj is another psychologist who walked the audience through a mind -

fulness exercise. She explained that mindfulness deals with two things, intentionality and consistency. Mindfulness, she stated is paying attention to what is happening in the present moment without any judgement. Practicing mindfulness, she stated is focusing on everything that you can hear, feel, smell and touch; and noticing the thoughts, whether simple, pleasant or unpleasant.

The last speaker of the event was Dr. Omesh Balmacoon, a cancer and environmental advocate, who is also the secretary of Recover Guyana. He spoke on the little-known topic of green therapy, which he described as ‘becoming one with nature’. Green therapy, he stated, is all about treating your body right through the things that you eat. This involves more than eating plants and vegetables, but also finding the time to spend outdoor and with nature.

The event came to an end with the presentation and acknowledgment of the different cancer survivors present. The symposium is just one part of the long list of activities planned for the month of October, including a walk to a sip and paint event. There is much that is being done to raise awareness, support others and living a better life after recovering from the dreaded disease.

The audience present at this year’s cancer survivor symposium (Delano Williams photo)

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Gail Teixeira; Minister of Legal Affairs and AttorneyGeneral Anil Nandlall, SC; and Former Foreign Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

Infrastructural upgrades moving apace in Region Six

THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), under the Ministry of Housing and Water, last Wednesday noted that several persons will receive house lots equipped with necessary amenities to make their lives easier.

This housing development project consists of current infrastructural works in village Number 75 and Number 76 in Region Six, East Berbice, Corentyne. According to Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, these developmental works include the clearing of the land, construction of access roads and bridges, culverts and drainage systems.

This will be a major relief to residents during heavy rain periods, and more importantly, for the farmers whose crops and livestock can be lost during flooding.

The work at Number 75 Housing Development have been divided into four lots and is being developed by Annirude Ramcharitar Construction, Unice Contracting and Engineering, H. Nauth and Sons and Dennis Tahal Engineering, while at Number 76, a total of seven lots are being developed by Strategy Construction, Dennis Tahal Engineering, Reliance Inc., Feroz Construction, One Call Construction, and Rajendra Ramcharitar Construction.

In July of this year, Minister Croal indicated that $1.2 billion was being invested in the Number 75 scheme programme for infrastructural upgrades, while at the Number 76 scheme, several would benefit from approximately $2 billion in continued infrastructural investments.

Land clearing in progress at Number 75 and 76 villages in Region Six (Photo: CH&PA)

‘Orange the Runway’ returns

IN observance of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in Guyana, the country’s only Fashion and Awards showcase titled, Orange the Runway (OTR): Volume 3, has returned under the theme “CONCRETE ROSE. A story of resilience.”

Orange the Runway’s creator, Jamicia Mc Calman-Nelson, told a press conference on Thursday last that the event aims to brings awareness to gender-based violence and mental health. She said that this year’s theme celebrates the men, women, and young boys and girls who would have experienced, endured or continue to endure hardships but are

resilient in their fight.

“Orange the Runway celebrates that. But to commemorate OTR volume three, what we have done, we have curated a weekend of activities dubbed as the ‘Orange Weekend’, where over 1,000 patrons will experience impact and excitement,” Mc Calman-Nelson noted.

The calendar of activities includes a welcome reception and auction which is scheduled for December 01, (this is by invitation only); on December 02, there will be a business expo and arts fest; on December 03 the main event, the Fashion and Awards show.

The welcome reception and auction will allow special invitees to immerse

themselves in an evening of art, culture, and networking. The business expo and arts fest are intended to give support to, and provide a platform for business owners to showcase their businesses, and goods and services.

Meanwhile, Sidney Nelson, one of Orange the Runway’s partners, noted that the event caters to small, medium and large-scale businesses, so persons can rent a booth.

These booths can be selected from three categories for rental: a 6 x 3 tent at a retail price of $20,000; a 10 x 10 for $150,000; and for the large businesses, there’s the 15 x 15 tent for $250,000.

The art expo, he said, gives patrons and vendors a

chance to network and display products and services and to learn from each other. Children are also catered for, as a play area for them will also be set up.

To bring the weekend to a close is the fashion and awards showcase that will be held at the Ramada Princess Hotel, East Bank Demerara. Patrons can look forward to walking on OTR’s orange carpet, and valet parking for both the VIP welcome reception and the awards and fashion show.

Mc Calman-Nelson stat-

ed that government officials and members of the diplomatic core will be treated to an evening of fashion, awards and ‘show stopping’ performances as several creatives from Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago will showcase their talent and design that depict their interpretation of, ‘Concrete Rose; A Story of Resilience’.

In the past year, domestic and gender-based violence cases have increased drastically; most of the victims are women. Advocate organisations, like OTR, have

continuously taken steps to bring awareness to the ongoing scourge. Tickets for the fashion show cost VIP $20,000all inclusive of wine and hors d'oeuvres, and front row seating, and general $10,000 which includes a complimentary glass of wine. Tickets are available at Nutrition Crave, Dahlia L'artista, Glow Aesthetics, Sachs, Odessa’s Beauty Salon and CaMeg’s Fashion House.

Creator of Orange the Runway, Jamicia Mc Calman-Nelson (centre) and OTR’s VOL3 Business Liasson, Sidney Nelson (second from right), with fashion designers

A glimpse of what is to come at OTR’s fashion and awards show (Delano Williams photos)

Contractors to pay for damaging water infrastructure - GWI

CONTRACTORS

who damage water infrastructure will have to foot the repairs bill, said GWI Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shaik Baksh, as he appealed to residents to promptly report these incidents.

“We also have the issue where contractors are damaging our infrastructure in many areas where roads are being built and drainage and irrigation works are being done. These have affected our water

supply, and in many instances, the contractors cannot be found. We are taking a very strong view on this matter, and all necessary action will be taken to ensure these incidents are minimised,” he said.

Speaking at a press briefing at GWI’s headquarters at Shelterbelt, Georgetown, Mr Baksh said the utility is working closely with the Ministry of Public Works, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and

the Central Housing and Planning Authority (NDIA) to minimise, if not eliminate, the above-stated problem which has been causing hardship to residents.

Major damage to water infrastructure, aside from disruption and putting residents at grave inconveniences, requires time and money to fix and places undue strain on GWI’s resources.

In cases where damage has occurred, reports should be made

promptly to GWI’s Call Centre on telephone number 227-8701 to minimise on wastage and reduced level of service at the earliest.

GWI has already commenced billing contractors for damaging public water infrastructure.

Prompt reporting of damage to public water infrastructure cannot be overemphasized, in light of the current El Nino condition being felt on the coastland, and more particularly

the hinterland regions.

“We want to appeal to residents to be more prudent and cautious in the use of water during this period so that everyone enjoys an adequate level of service,” Mr Baksh said.

GWI is working closely with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and other agencies in monitoring the extreme dry weather and visits have been made to all the re-

gions to get a firsthand look at the situation on the ground.

The utility has also been working to improve the response time to residents’ complaints.

“We have also read the riot act to managers, supervisors, and staff to ensure they respond promptly to complaints from residents, not only with regards to water supply but other areas of concern,” Baksh noted.

Woman, lying in centre of road, run over by GDF bus - driver escapes but later caught

A WOMAN who decided to lie down in the middle of the Foulis Public Road, West Coast Berbice in the wee hours of Saturday, died, after she was run over by a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) motorbus.

Dead is 38-year-old

Lavie Long. The incident occurred around 01:05 hrs. The driver of the bus (DFB 1661) was identified as a 46-year-old Staff Sergeant of Timehri North, East Bank Demerara, who is attached to Base Camp Stephenson.

He has since been placed into custody at

the Vigilance Police Station, assisting with the investigation.

Police Headquarters, in a statement, noted that the bus was speeding West on the southern side of the road when it ran over Long of El Dorado Vilage, West Coast Berbice. Police said

the woman was lying “in the centre of the public road.”

She sustained injuries to her head and died on the spot.

Police ranks were alerted of the accident and subsequently visited the scene at about 01:40 hrs, and the body of Long was picked up

and taken to the Bailey's Funeral Parlour awaiting a post mortem examination.

Police ranks intercepted the driver and the vehicle at Vigilance Public Road, East Coast Demerara, where a breathalyzer test was conducted on the driver but no trace of alcohol

was detected.

The scene was photographed and CCTV footage of the accident showed when the woman walked to the middle of the road and laid down. Several vehicles stopped and swerved to avoid hitting her but no one rendered assistance.

GWI CEO, Shaik Baksh

GWI workers, one week ago, had to work ‘around the clock’ to fix a main in Aubrey Barker Road that was damaged by a contractor

T&T manufacturers confident in Guyana’s investment climate

SEVERAL members of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) on trade mission to Guyana have expressed confidence in Guyana’s investment climate.

At a recent engagement organised by ActionInvest at Rayne Inn, East Bank Demerara, the visiting mission was briefed on Guyana’s investment opportunities and incentives, taxation, audit advisory, and the regulations and guidelines that are in place.

Sanjhiv Sinanan of Trinidad Label Company stressed that there are numerous opportunities for investors locally, emphasising his observation of the growth in the nation’s economy. “Guyana’s investment climate is ac -

tually ripe I would say at this point in time. There seems to be a lot of op-

portunities for investors [and] I would certainly urge investors to invest

in Guyana. It’s a huge opportunity for growth and, for me, it’s the fast-

est-growing economy in the world. I would say invest and just make sure you follow all the regulations,” Sinanan told the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Wednesday last.

Chief Executive Officer of DSB Marketing Limited, Sharmilla Boodlal, said, “I have heard directly from the auditors, I have heard directly from the minister, I have heard from other key players in the market and it seems that the climate is perfect for investment. Trinidad market really is saturated somewhat and people who are in business are looking to expand their reach, and Guyana has the resources, they have the space and we have the expertise.”

Director of KAIS

Manufacturing Limited, Melissa Edwards, said there is a lot of focus on Guyana from all over the world and she too is excited to be part of its investment drive.

“Come to Guyana that’s the first thing you have to do… Guyana is ever-growing; I see constant growth and development and every business, every company, every individual has an opportunity here no matter how small,” Edwards told DPI.

The event saw presentations from various agencies like the Guyana Office for Investment, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, and the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department. (DPI)

Music Producer Incubator Programme launched

THE Ministry of Education’s Allied Arts Unit, in collaboration with Kross Kolor Records, on Saturday, launched the Music Producer Incubator Programme in Secondary Schools.

Over the next six months, 13 students from several secondary schools will undergo training in music production and recording engineering, to become independent emerging producers capable of creating professional-sounding rhythm tracks.

During the launch, Head of the Unit of the Allied Arts, Mr Nicholas Fraser, said that it was in keeping with the Ministry of Education’s vision of ensuring students are exposed to some aspect of music before graduating secondary school. He explained that the Unit’s Music Coordinator, Mr Joel Gonasalves, was part of the team which is spearheading the pro-

gramme.

Every Saturday, the students will be trained at the Unit of Allied Arts located in the Queen’s College compound.

the programme. He stated that the Music Producer Incubator Programme was made possible through UNESCO and CARICOM, and was being

tracks within standard music creation/audio software. It will also feature audio engineering basics for sound recording, music marketing basics, and

Mr Simon explained that the selection process for the students started earlier this year and thirteen of the best students were selected to participate in the programme.

students, many of them expressed their enthusiasm to be a part of the programme. Sixteen-yearold Justin Whyte from St Rose’s High School expressed his passion for

Over the next six months, 13 students from several secondary schools will undergo training in music production and recording engineering

The Chief Executive Officer of Kross Kolor, Mr Burchmore Simon, who is a local music teacher and producer, will be the lead instructor on

administered by the University of the West Indies.

The course will cover basic music theory, and the use of keyboard controllers to make rhythm

understanding the functions of music industry specialists like producers, arrangers, publishers, road managers and music managers.

Upon the successful completion of the Music Producer Incubator Programme, five of the best students will be presented with music production equipment. These students will also be registered with a regional performing rights organisation.

Speaking to several

music and noted that a programme such as this will help propel his career.

Rehaicia Romain, a Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination student at The Bishops’ High School excitedly said she was grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the programme.

An aerial view of a section of Georgetown (Photo: Shaz Ally)

Over 5,000 Passport backlog to be eliminated by next Friday

IN an effort to address the persisting passport backlog issue, the government has announced plans to clear the buildup of about 5,700 passports and ensure the swift issuance of passports to citizens.

During a live update on Friday, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali revealed that all efforts are being made to resolve the problem by next Friday. President Ali said a dedicated team has been assembled and is currently working 24-hour shifts to tackle the existing backlog, including the 400 passports for the diaspora.

“So, all things being equal, that is we don’t have any challenges with the machines and so on by next Friday we are hoping to bring this backlog to nil position,” he assured the nation.

The Head of State acknowledged the frustration expressed by citizens regarding the prolonged wait times

for passport issuance and clarified that the backlog issue was exacerbated by a global shortage of passports, a challenge faced by numerous countries worldwide.

However, the president assured the public that significant measures have been taken to rectify the situation.

“Now, we have purchased a lot of passports back into the system. But what I’ve seen is that people are not utilising regional offices,” he highlighted.

For instance, at the Central Immigration and Passport Office in Georgetown, there are about 4,048 passports in the backlog; in Berbice, 900; Linden, 102; Anna Regina 103, Parika 54 and Bartica, five.

With these concerted efforts, the government remains steadfast in its commitment to resolving these and other issues that continue to affect citizens. (DPI)

Mehidy, Shakib and Shanto take

Bangladesh past Afghanistan

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Shakib

Al Hasan's three-wicket haul and Mehidy Hasan Miraz's allround show helped Bangladesh kick off their 2023 ODI World Cup campaign with a thumping six-wicket win over Afghanistan in Dharamsala. For Afghanistan, it was their 13th successive defeat at the World Cup, a streak stretching back all the way to 2015.

After being sent in, Afghanistan got off to a solid start before Shakib changed the momentum with the wickets of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah. Afghanistan could never recover from there, slipping from 83 for 1 to 156 all out.

Mehidy, who had contributed to that collapse with a three-wicket haul of his own, then struck a half-century, albeit a chancy one, from No. 3. Najmul Hossain Shanto, too, continued his excellent form with an unbeaten 59 as Bangladesh wrapped up the game with more than 15 overs to spare.

The scenic backdrop makes Dharamsala one of the most picturesque venues in world cricket, but the sand-based outfield didn't make for pleasant viewing. Fielders had their knees sticking in when they put in slides, and puffs of dust could be seen when fast bowlers ran in to bowl. Luckily, both sides seemed to have escaped without any injury.

In the morning, Shakib won the toss and opted to bowl. There was movement on offer with the new ball, but the Bangladesh seamers switched to a short length too soon. At times, they strayed in their lines, too. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim took full advantage of that, hitting a boundary in every over from the second to the eighth.

Shakib broke the 47-run stand when Ibrahim tried to sweep one from well outside off and ended up top-edging to deep square-leg. A few overs later, the Bangladesh captain had Rahmat, too, in a similar manner - the only difference being that this one was a catch near short extra cover.

Rahmat's wicket put the brakes on the scoring rate: in overs 16 to 19, Afghanistan managed just five runs. Captain

Hashmatullah Shahidi, in particular, struggled to rotate the strike against Mehidy. In the 22 balls he faced from the offspinner, Shahidi scored just three runs. He tried to break the shackles by pulling Mahmudullah for a four and then charging down the track to Mustafizur Rahman to smash him through the covers. But when he tried to take on Mehidy, he ended up skying one miles into the air and was caught at mid-on.

At the other end, Gurbaz became the fastest Afghanistan player to reach 1000 ODI runs. He got there in 27 innings, bettering Rahmat's Afghanistan record by four innings. But Shahidi's struggles had had an impact on him as well. In an attempt to increase the scoring rate, he gave charge to Mustafizur, only to find out the seamer had slipped in a slower ball, and his miscued swing was taken by Tanzid Hasan charging in from deep cover.

Shakib then returned to pick up his third wicket as Najibullah Zadran played down the wrong line and was bowled. In the next over, Mohammad Nabi chopped one from Taskin Ahmed on to his stumps to leave Afghanistan 126 for 6.

Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan took the side to 150 before Rashid, too, fell victim to the slowness of the surface and played on Mehidy. The innings didn't last long after that.

Defending 156, Afghanistan had a wayward start with the ball, with both Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman struggling with their lines. Despite that, Bangladesh found themselves at 27 for 2. Tanzid Hasan was run out after a mix-up with Litton Das. Two overs later, Litton himself got an inside edge on to his stumps against Farooqi.

All of a sudden, Afghanistan had a chance to come back into the game. That they couldn't was down to their own mistakes.

Najibullah put down Mehidy at backward point off Farooqi when the total was 38. Mehidy got another life soon after when Mujeeb dropped him at deep third off Naveen-ul-Haq. He was on 16 and 23, respectively, at the time of those reprieves.

Mehidy and Shanto largely played percentage cricket after that, and were happy to pick up ones and twos. Still, it took only 58 balls for Mehidy to bring up his half-century. By the time Afghanistan broke the 97-run stand, Bangladesh were only 33 away from the target - just enough for Shanto to complete his half-century.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz rode his luck to score an important half-century (ICC via Getty Images)

South Africa demolish Sri Lanka

A trio of centuries, including the fastest ever in a World Cup, saw South Africa lay down a commanding marker as they kicked off their World Cup campaign with an authoritative 102run win over Sri Lanka in Delhi.

Progressively more emphatic centuries from Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram would, in the end, prove to be the decisive contributions as a valiant Sri Lankan outfit fell foul of a scary good South African outfit flexing their batting might.

On the whole though it was a day for the bowlers to forget, with the game largely decided as a straight shootout between the batters. And in that sense, while the end result may show a pretty decisive loss for Sri Lanka, this is a game that they will feel they could garner more positives than what might have seemed possible at the halfway mark.

Sure, five of their bowlers went at over eight an overthree at nineth or more - but a side that had major question marks over their ability to score quick runs gave a good account of themselves in what was always going to be an unlikely chase.

Kusal Mendis set the tone in the chase blitzing his way to a 42-ball 76. His fifty came off just 25 deliveries, and before a single other batter had scored a single run - Pathum Nissanka was out castled for a duck, while Kusal Perera remained scoreless as Mendis cut loose.

Mendis would reach his

fifty at the team total of 54 - the lowest team total at which any batter completed his fifty in men's ODIs (where known). He would also plunder eight sixes, as Sri Lanka struck nine in total inside the first 10 overs - the second-most in a men's ODI innings (where we have ballby-ball data), one behind the West Indies who hit ten sixes in their first ten overs vs England in 2019.

But once he fell, Sri Lanka's slim chances became even more faint. Fifties from Charith Asalanka (79 off 65) and Dasun Shanaka (68 off 62) kept the flame of hope briefly alive, but the task by that point was always well out of reach. Some late unexpected hitting from Kasun Rajitha then brought the margin of defeat even closer, which could be key if net run rate comes into play during the latter stages of the tournament.

This though was a day that belonged to the South African batters, namely Markram, whose 54-ball 106 was as an innings of equal parts belligerence and control. How else would

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Sunday, October 08, 2023)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD

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

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

Australia

Pakistan

you describe an innings that quite preposterously paired a control percentage of 90% at a strike rate of 196.29?

Such was his dominance, that it quite honestly overshadowed the two other tons

in the innings. Which is quite the statement considering de Kock's came off 83 deliveries, and van der Dussen's off just 103. Not to mention the pair put on 204 for the second wicket, a stand that set the platform for the destruction that followed.

It's arguable that Sri Lanka's only moment of relief in the innings came as early as the second over, when Dilshan Madushanka trapped Temba Bavuma in front of middle and leg with one that ducked in off a good length.

In that sense the opening 10 overs would have pleased the Lankans, who kept a lid on proceedings in that period giving away just 48 runs. But

even as Sri Lanka sought to keep their lines and lengths tight, the pair of de Kock and van der Dussen accumulated.

During their 174-ball stand, boundaries were never too difficult to find with loose deliveries dealt with efficiently and even the good balls more often than not turned away for singles. It was a partnership that burgeoned with minimal risk taking.

In terms of breakthrough opportunities, all that came Sri Lanka's way were half chances at best - a missed sharp chance at backward point, a hair's breadth margin on direct hit, and a mistimed chip falling just short of the

fielder, were pretty much the extent of it.

As for South Africa, to say they progressed smoothly through the gears would only suffice if the gears available were four, five and Super Saiyan.

After that relatively subdued opening 10, overs 11-20 would see them tick away at seven an over; overs 21-30 would see a further 88 runs scored; 85 would follow in the next tranche of 10; and then would come the final blow, as a further 137 runs were pillaged in the final 10, to put the most emphatic of exclamation points on an exquisitely paced innings.

Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen were two of South Africa's three centurions (ICC via Getty Images)

Cooley says Williams’ killing leaves ‘hole’ in regional cricket

CMC – West Indies Test

Head Coach Andre Coley says the tragic killing of Gibbs Williams has left “a big hole” in the regional cricket fraternity.

The Jamaica and West Indies Under-19s squad manager was gunned down in the parking lot of a medical facility in his native Jamaica on Friday, after wrapping up an appointment.

Police have ruled out robbery as a motive, and are continuing investigations.

“He had such a huge impact across a wide cross-section of Jamaica in

sports, with youths as well as male and female athletes, and he made a tremendous contribution in the cricket arena,” said Coley, a fellow Jamaican who worked alongside Williams at various levels.

“He was always energetic and positive in everything he did; he definitely enjoyed his work, and he impacted the lives of so many persons in a positive way.

“He leaves a big hole that will be difficult to fill, but we thank him for his tremendous contribution.”

Williams, 55, was part of the management unit

which oversaw Jamaica’s capture of the double in the Cricket West Indies Under-19 Championship in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

last August.

He also toured Sri Lanka last month with the West Indies Under-19 squad, which faced the hosts in a red and

white-ball series.

West Indies Under-19s lead selector Robert Haynes labelled Williams “a dedicated servant of cricket” who had a love for young people.

“The entire cricket family is in mourning. Gibbs Williams was a dedicated servant of cricket; he had a passion for the game, and gave all he had to see its growth and development,” said Haynes, a former Jamaica captain and West Indies all-rounder.

“He loved to see young people achieve great things and improve their lives and livelihood. He earned the respect of everyone he came into contact with, because he showed respect to everyone.”

West Indies Under-19s head coach Rohan Nurse, who toured Sri Lanka with Williams, also underscored the depth of the administrator’s contribution to the regional landscape.

“Gibbs had the ability to bring people together. He commanded respect with his demeanor and his approach,” Nurse said, adding:

“We have lost someone who had a vision for the game in the West Indies, and someone who was al-

ways willing to put the players first.

“It was a joy to work with him on the recent tour of Sri Lanka; he ensured he created an environment where the players could blossom and improve.”

Former Jamaica and West Indies left-arm spinner Nikita Miller, now an assistant coach with Jamaica Scorpions, called Williams “a great human being”.

“I’m saddened; I’m actually blown away. He was a nice person; a nice human being; always there to help you,” the Jamaica Observer quoted Miller as saying.

“I send my condolence to all, including his family. He was a great human being; he was a great cricket lover. Cricket will definitely miss Gibbs Williams.

“I remember when we used to play; he was the trainer for the national team. And ‘Gibbo’ was that individual who would always lead by example. He believed in fitness, and he believed in a healthy lifestyle.”

Williams was also the vice-principal of the GC Foster College of Physical Education & Sport in Jamaica.

West Indies Test head coach Andre Coley

Guyana gains two additional Archery Continental Judges

Nicholas Hing and Robert Singh have been officially welcomed into the Continental Judges fraternity by World Archery Americas after having successfully completed the World Archery Americas Continental Judges Seminar hosted

in Tobago in early October 2023.

This Seminar is the first ever WAA Judges seminar held in the region. This initiative is part of the World Archery Americas’ strategic development plan to train more Continental Judges in more coun -

tries. This will result in more regional Continental Judges being available for events at the Central American and Caribbean Games and Pan Am games.

The seminar was held in Scarborough, Tobago, and was conducted by International Judge Liz

Del Carmen Perez Ortiz (Mex) and Continental Judge, Kristy Wapniarski (USA), Participants were National Judges, with over 2 years’ experience, from the host country and Guyana. The seminar included classroom and field sessions and closed with

a written exam that required an 85 percent pass mark. The National Judges were also given international exposure by being part of the judges team, led by International Judge Liz Perez, that officiated at the recently held 5th Caribbean Development

Championships. Nicholas Hing’s and Robert Singh’s achievements bring the number of Guyanese Continental Judges to three (3) as Mohamed Gamal Khan was certified in May 2022 after attending a seminar held in Nova Scotia, Canada.

GCB writes CWI over election of Vice President

Cricket West Indies (CWI) acknowledges the receipt of a letter from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) dated October 04, 2023, expressing concerns about the validity of the election for the post of Vice President held during the Annual General Meeting on March 25, 2023.

The Board is confident that the election process was fair and transparent, and was conducted with due regard for the rights, views and opinions of all shareholders of CWI Inc. Such was the case, that at the conclusion of the election process the elected Vice President

received congratulations and commitment of full support from ALL shareholder members.

The Board of Cricket (West Indies) has thoroughly examined the matters raised by the Guyana Cricket Board and wishes to assure all stakeholders that the election for the post of

Vice President was conducted in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the organisation.

CWI recognizes the importance of transparency and fairness in all its operations, including elections, and is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity.

Notwithstanding, the Board continues to engage with the GCB, seeking an amicable resolution to the matter. CWI values its relationship with all member boards and emphasizes the need for unity among the shareholders and by extension the cricketing community.

The Board implores the members of the GCB to put the interests of cricket above all else. CWI remains focused on its mission to promote and develop the sport in the region, and it is in the best interest of all parties to resolve this matter amicably and expediently.

Robert Singh

Nicholas Hing

The judges pose for a photo

Namilco 'Flour Power' U-17 National Playoffs…

'Linden' and East Coast equally emphatic on Opening Day

Lights green for GMR&SC Essequibo drag race

All roads in Essequibo will lead to the mainstay airstrip as the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club prepares for its inaugural drag race meet today. Cars were seen on the Parika ferry stelling en route to the Cinderella County ahead of what will be considered one of the most anticipated events there.

The event is expected to be even larger with Team Mohamed’s confirming their participation in the event as well as a team from Suriname.

Meanwhile, GMR&SC Vice President, Mohamed Shairaz Roshandin, confirmed that everything is on stream for today’s event, citing that all the cars that confirmed entry have entered the county.

Demerara to a boastful victory over West Demerara. West Side's lone goal was from Shekeel King in the 53rd minute. (Calvin Chapman)

He added that all the pre-requiste medical and other services have been put in place ahead of what he anticipates to be a good day of racing, Race time is 11:00hrs and tickets are $2000 for adults and 1000 for kids.

UPPER Demerara and East Coast academy both recorded 4-1 victories in their opening matches of yesterday's opening round of play in the National Milling Company (Namilco)

Thunderbolt 'Flour Power' under-17 National Academy Playoffs.

This tournament is serving as the culmination of the intra-association tournaments that were hosted earlier in the year, and teams are anxious to prove that they are the Best of the Best.

East Coast clashed with

East Bank in the first match of the Playoffs, but after fulltime, Herbert McPherson prevailed over Coach Devnon Winter in an eventually comfortable come-from-behind win, thanks to goals from Isiah Alphonso in the 28th minute, Kobie Benjamin (42nd minute), Byron Wharton (46th minute), and Travis Williams in the 71st minute.

Ian Daniels gave East Bank the early after just 11 minutes of play.

In brief remarks with Chronicle Sport, McPherson gave thanks to his support

staff, and credited his players for staying calm and sticking to the game-plan despite falling behind early. He hinted that like their under-13 team that were massively successful in the Tiger Rental competition, East Coast is here again to dominate everyone. Meanwhile, in the feature game of the day, Keishan Leacock's brace (70th & 85th), along with Kamar McClaren’s opener in the 36th minute and Kymani Sealey's equaliser in the 61st minute, helped Upper

GHB 1st division hockey league hits off today at National Stadium

The Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) has announced the first round of their iconic Farfan & Mendes men’s and Woodpecker Products women’s First Division leagues beginning today at the Providence National Stadium, with the action set to kick off at 16:00hrs.

Originally scheduled for August, the leagues had to be repeatedly postponed due to inclement weather conditions rendering the grass fields of traditional clubs unplayable. However, thanks to the intervention of the Minister of Sport, and with unwavering support from Director of Sports, Steve Ninvalle, the GHB has received the green light to utilise the Guyana National Stadium.

To add to the grandeur, the opening ceremony

and the final two evening games will be conducted under floodlights, an exciting spectacle that underscores the significance of this event. The GHB has extended its heartfelt gratitude to Minister Ramson and his team for their invaluable assistance.

Throughout the competition, which will run every Sunday from October 8 to November 12, fans can expect to witness four of the country's premier clubs in action: GCC, Hikers, Old Fort, and Saints Hockey Club.

It is noteworthy that the Farfan & Mendes men's first division league is currently the longest-running hockey competition, spanning over four decades since its inception in the 1980s. Furthermore, Woodpecker Products

tournament

has been a steadfast sponsor of the women's First Division league for over a decade, demonstrating its commitment to the hockey community.

The opening ceremony, scheduled for 19:00hrs, will feature the participation of both male and female teams, creating a memorable kickoff for the league. However, it is important to note that the games themselves will commence at 16:00hrs, and all are invited to attend.

The President of the GHB, Phillip Fernandes, has expressed great anticipation, stating, "This league has been eagerly awaited, and we are thrilled to finally be able to launch this exciting competition."

Play between GCC women (attack) and Hikers during a previous

East Coast Coach Herbert McPherson

East Coast's Byron Wharton (7) caused much trouble for East Bank's defence

East Coast scorers from left: Isiah Alphonso, Kobie Benjamin, Byron Wharton and Travis Williams (Yohan Savory photos)

GCB Inter County 50 overs final Looknauth’s fifty, Ali Mohamed’s 4-29 & Imlach’s glovework spur Demerara to title

By Sean Devers

Watched by a raucous crowd at Bourda, Demerara beat a star-studded Berbice line-up yesterday in another low-scoring encounter to regain the GCB 50-over Senior Inter-County title with a 63-run victory over the defending champions.

This tournament was used to select the Guyana team for the Regional Super50 which is scheduled to commence in Trinidad on October 16 and will hope to win its first 50-over title since beating Barbados at Bourda in 2005.

On a day of scorching heat, Demerara, led by an unbeaten 52 from Ritchie Looknauth (five fours and two sixes) and 39 from skipper Tevin Imlach, who reached the boundary five times, were bowled out for 194 in 39.5 overs.

The only other batsmen to reach 20 were Chanderpaul Hemraj, who had three fours and two sixes in 29 and Sherfane Rutherford who made 21 with three fours.

Off-spinner Kevin Sinclair, who had the best bowling figures in the tournament when he captured a career-best 7-15 against Demerara at Blairmont, took 4-31 to move to 13 wickets while Romario Shepherd supported with 2-18.

Berbice, who played unbeaten up to yesterday’s grand finale, were bowled out for 131 in 28.3 overs.

Kevlon Anderson followed up his fifty in the previous game with a composed 40 from 52 balls with three fours, but, like most of the other batters, threw away his wicket when he failed to control a ‘cut-shot’ and sliced a ball that bounced from Rutherford (2-36) to point.

Shimron Hetmyer hit five fours in a 23-ball 25 before failing once again to convert his ‘starts’ into fifties as he edged Man-of-the-Match Renaldo Ali Mohamed (4-29) to wicket-keeper Imlach, who set a new inter-county 50-overs record of six dismissals including five catches.

Sinclair, again used by Berbice to open the batting, was the only other batter to reach double figures with 10 on a track with good pace and carry and a lightning-fast outfield.

Berbice lost Nigel Deodat (7) and Sinclair (10) to catches by Imlach, leaving them on 20-2 in the third over while Shimron Hetmyer’s demise, at 50-3 had them on the ropes.

Clinton Pestano (6) was taken by the impressive Imlach off leg-spinner Steven Sankar at 79-4 while Seon Hetmyer and Shepherd posted the 100 before

the former fell to Rutherford for eight at 107-5.

Shepherd (4) hooked a bouncer from Ali Mohamed to deep square leg and at 112-6, the fat lady was clearing her lungs.

Anderson was Berbice's last hope as he and Gudakesh Motie, who has a first-class ton, joined forces but after Anderson gifted his wicket, the remaining four wickets catapulted for 16 runs.

Earlier, Demerara were invited to bat in streaming heat, Test batter Tagenarine Chanderpaul (5) gloved a quick short ball from the lively Nial Smith to the keeper at 5-1 before Shepherd uprooted the off-stump of Mahendra Dindyal (2) at 28-2.

Shepherd also removed Hemraj who again failed to convert a promising start into something substantial when he fell for 29 with three-fours and two sixes with Demerara on 38-3.

However, on the fast and mostly parched outfield, Akshaya Persaud joined Imlach, who square-drove a half-volley for four and when Pestano bowled short hooked disdainfully behind square for consecutive boundaries as the 50 was posted in the 11th over.

The partnership flourished with the elegant Persaud cover driving Shamar Joseph, who again bowled with pace, for a glorious boundary while Imlach cut and drove well as the pair staged a recovery before Sinclair bowled Persaud (19) at 89-4. He then produced a perfect arm-ball to induce the well-set Imlach to edge a catch to slip at 112-5.

The 23-year-old Sinclair, who has 11 wickets from seven ODIs for the West Indies, bowled Rutherford and Bernard Bailey (3) as the home team slumped 148-1.

This was after Ali Mohamed wandered out of his crease and was run out for a duck as he showed very little match awareness.

Demerara’s 150 was posted in the 34th over while Looknauth, who has looked good during this tournament, played some handsome shots but soon lost Sankar (4) who fell to Joseph at 167-9.

Watched by a large and colourful crowd which included a sizable contingent of Berbicians and GCB president, Bissoon Singh, Looknauth reached his 50 from 51 balls with seven fours and three sixes and took the score to 194 when Quinton Torrington, who faced 16 balls for his two runs, was bowled by Gudakesh Motie.

Looknauth’s fifty, Ali Mohamed’s 4-29 & Imlach’s glovework spur Demerara to title

Lights green for GMR&SC Essequibo drag race

Champions Demerara (GCB President Bissoon Singh is standing 2nd from right) defeated Berbice in the final of the GCB 50 overs Inter-County tournament at Bourda, (Sean Devers photo)

Some of the cars for today’s Essequibo drag race meet (Sudhir Deokie photo)