Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 09-01-2024

TUESDAY 9th January, 2024

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VAT INCLUSIVE

No.107318

Budget 2024 to be presented Monday following months of extensive consultations

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State-of-the-art assets being acquired 12 to transform police force Sod turned for US$28M Brickdam 03 Police Station

–– specific attention to be placed on marine, aviation components

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(Delano Williams photo)

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–– new facility to be a modern 12-storey, concrete, steel-and-glass building

Official document exposes w Patterson’s misinformation on 14 cost of Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge PAGE

Qatar’s PM to attend 2024 Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo 12 PAGE

US Deputy Assistant Secretary Back to school! As schools reopened on Monday for the Easter term, Minister of for Defense visits Guyana 11 w PAGE

Education, Priya Manickchand visited the Providence Primary School on the East Bank Demerara, where she engaged students (Education Ministry)

–– to advance discussions on defence, security partnership

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Budget 2024 to be presented Monday following months of extensive consultations GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

–– will include mechanisms aimed at further increasing disposable income, developing Guyana’s economic, social infrastructure, Dr. Singh says

SENIOR Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh on Monday announced that Budget 2024 will be presented to the National Assembly on Monday, January 15, 2024.

In keeping with the government’s consultative approach to governance, Dr. Singh has been, over the last several months, meeting and consulting with various stakeholders, including the private sector.

On Monday, during a meeting with the latter, Dr. Singh reiterated the government’s appreciation for the strong collaboration, and the ongoing engagement with the private sector throughout the year. The private sector team was led

by Chairman of the Private Sector Commission Mr.

Komal Singh.

In previous months, the government met and held consultations with various stakeholders, including trade unions, government ministries, other agencies and civil society.

Only last week, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, accompanied by a number of government ministers, led the turning of the sod for a new US$35 million fourlane Mackenzie/Bridge in Linden, Region Ten. While there, the Head of State said the new bridge is not “a stand-alone” project but part of a huge developmental plan for the region and the country.

Last week, as well, as the government continued on its aggressive development thrust, the sod was turned for a new US$161 million Regional Hospital at New Amsterdam, one of

several modern hospitals being constructed around the country as part of the government’s agenda to provide world-class services to citizens.

The Head of State also led a government team in the turning of the sod for the new US$28 million 12-storey Brickdam Police Station. During that event, President Ali indicated that his government is developing a security architecture that will focus on proactive and intelligent policing to create a culture of peace and prosperity in Guyana.

In his New Year’s speech to the nation, the President had indicated: “We have set Guyana on a course of sustained growth and prosperity,” and that this year “will see us advance more rapidly along this path as we shape the destiny of present and fu-

ture generations.”

This budget will detail the government’s expenditure and revenue plans for the coming year. It is also expected to continue the trend of delivering on its promises to continuously improve the lives of every Guyanese.

President Ali, during his New Year speech, had also noted that Guyanese are going to benefit from improved infrastructural and public services, including water, housing and education, and several major road projects that are slated for completion to make commuting easier.

Budget 2024 aligns with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration’s Manifesto of 2020, which laid the foundation for prosperity for all.

It will be shaped upon two primary pillars, which include the implementation of mechanisms aimed at increasing disposable income into the hands of citizens, and the development of Guyana’s economic and social infrastructure.

Last year, on January 16, Dr. Singh presented a $789.1 billion budget in the National Assembly, under the theme, “Improv-

ing Lives Today, Building Prosperity for Tomorrow”.

That budget saw critical development programmes for the government being fast-tracked, and many more expanded to reflect its continued transformational agenda for the country.

This year’s budget will be the fifth to be presented by the current administration since it assumed office in August 2020, and is the fourth by Dr. Singh, who commenced his current tenure as Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance in November 2020.

Two men charged for murder of man at Canal #2

OTTO Pitman called ‘One Dan’ and Oliver Franklyn were on Monday charged with the alleged murder of Natram Persaud which occurred at Canal #2 Polder, West Bank Demerara on December 31, 2023.

Pitman, a 35-year-old of Lot 50 School Street, Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara, and Franklyn, a 49-year-old taxi driver of Lot 276 Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Vreed-en-

Oliver Franklyn

Otto Pitman

Hoop Magistrate’s Court.

They were not required to plead to the

charge and were remanded to prison until February 7, 2024.

Sod turned for US$28M Brickdam Police Station

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

–– new facility to be a modern 12-storey, concrete, steel-and-glass building

By Naomi Parris

TWO years after the Brickdam Police station was gutted by fire, officials on Monday turned the sod for a US$28 million modern 12-storied, concrete, steel and glass building to be constructed.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, joined the top brass of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for the ceremony, where the previous century-old police station once stood, and while addressing ranks, the Head of State highlighted that the construction of the new building will see the further modernisation of the country’s security services.

The new building, which is being constructed by R. Bassoo & Sons Construction Company in partnership with Qingjian Group Guyana Limited, will feature modern fire prevention mecha-

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

nisms and will also be equipped to handle an earthquake of magnitude 5.0.

Construction is expected to be completed in 30 months.

“The government has the responsibility of building institutions, building facilities, and building an economy that gives every single citizen an opportunity to prosper and an opportunity to enjoy a good standard of living under the development of a culture of peace and prosperity, and the security architecture of the country must be able to do this,” said Dr. Ali, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

Addressing the modernisation of the GPF, President Ali said digitisation and automation will be key components as the government seeks to advance its security sector.

“We want to remove the human bias in our security architecture. So, every-

thing will be done through traceability, everything will be done full traceability.

The entire system will be on a digital platform that is fully automated, where people will be held accountable by a system,” the Head of State said.

Once completed, the new building will house the operations of the divisional headquarters four; it will also feature essential departments such as, traffic, finance, and the criminal investigation departments.

“What we want to do is to move as much of the services from Eve Leary into this new facility that we are building here, because we want to free up Eve Leary to be primarily the police academy, to support the work that we are going to do in building out a world class, state-of the-art police academy to See page 4

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, joined by members of Guyana’s Joint Services and the Ministry of Home Affairs, turned the sod for the modern building to house the Brickdam Police station that was destroyed by fire back in 2021 (Delano Williams photos)

Sod turned for US$28M...

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

From page 3

serve all of this region,” President Ali said.

Back in October 2021, a fire, which was later determined to have been set by a prisoner being held at the police station destroyed the then wooden building.

The construction of the new police station will be the single larg-

est infrastructural project to be undertaken by the Ministry of Home Affairs and according to the subject Minister, Robeson Benn improved management will be needed.

Minister Benn lamented the circumstances that led to the 2021 fire and urged stakeholders to learn from the past.

IN keeping with a promise made by President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, to develop the skillset of youths from Kitty, several ministers engaged the young Georgetown residents on various pathways to develop their

careers and acquire new skills.

The overwhelming response from the youths saw many of them signing up for training in heavy-duty machinery, electrical installation, and making of concrete blocks,

“We have to look at this particular issue, and we have to learn from this issue. There were failures and the failures led us to this terrible loss and tragedy,” Benn said.

Police Commissioner (ag), Clifton Hicken said the investments made to improve the infrastructure of the GPF creates an im-

pact as it relates to conduciveness and efficiency.

“This coincides with the transformation we are trying to achieve moving from a Guyana Police Force to a Guyana police service. We cannot do this transition without the right infrastructure in place. And I’m happy to be the Police Commis-

sioner during this period when we are going to create history,” Hicken said.

While the project is scheduled to be completed in two and half years, the contractors have signaled that works could be completed ahead of the timeframe.

Police Commissioner (ag), Clifton Hicken

Scores of youths accept President Ali’s call to take up skills training

In keeping with a promise made by President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, to develop the skillset of youths from Kitty, several ministers engaged the young Georgetown residents on various pathways to develop their careers and acquire new skills (Ministry of Public Works photos) among other skills.

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton; Minister of Culture, Youth and

Sport, Charles Ramson; Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar; and Min-

ister within the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, and technical staff engaged the Kitty youths on those opportunities.

Minister Indar told the youths that once they remain committed, they can be part of the success story seen throughout Guyana where young people have

become successful following Government-led intervention.

The minister identified an area in the community to establish a concrete block making facility and also pledged to donate a ransom mixer to be used for the activities. (Modified information from the Ministry of Public Works)

Electoral fraud case: ‘A travesty for Guyana’ 5

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

–– AG bemoans slow pace as trial yet to commence after three years

MINISTER of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, has voiced deep concern over the sluggish pace of the trial proceedings in the high-profile electoral fraud case, labelling the delay a “travesty” for Guyana.

During a press conference held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, on Monday, the Attorney-General highlighted the gravity of the charges and criticised the prolonged legal process.

The electoral fraud case involves prominent figures, including former District Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, former People’s National Congress/ Reform Chairperson Volda Lawrence, and PNC/R activist Carol Smith-Joseph, along with four others.

The accused, including Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) employees, are facing charges related to allegedly defrauding the electorate by declaring a false account of votes for the 2020 elections.

Nandlall expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of progress in bringing the case to trial, stating, “After three years, those charges have not been able to secure

Caption: Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall (Shaniece Bamfield photo) a trial date. I’m the Minister of Justice, I cannot be pleased with this state, no decent-minded Guyanese can be pleased with this state of affairs.”

The Attorney-General pointed out that the charges were not politically driven but were linked to the alleged misconduct during the electoral process.

He lamented the serious offences pending in the court system, urging a fair and expeditious trial for matters of national importance and international significance.

Nandlall drew attention to the pattern of magistrates finding reasons to recuse themselves, citing reasons that, in his view, could not withstand scrutiny.

He highlighted the intervention of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, who wrote Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Yonette Cummings requesting intervention due to the ongoing recusal issues.

Comparing the current situation to charges faced by himself and other political figures under the previous administration, Nandlall pointed out that not one magistrate recused themselves in those cases.

“Under the previous administration, I was charged.

Dr. Ashni Singh was charged. Winston Brassington was charged. Irfaan Ali was charged. I believe that those are political charges.

“We are politicians and were charged for things that we did as a government, and we were charged but not one magistrate recused

themselves. Not one magistrate recused themselves,” Nandlall said.

In advocating for transparency and scrutiny of public figures paid with public funds, Nandlall emphatically stated, “There is no sacred cow in the state of Guyana.

All of those who are paid with public funds must be subjected to respectful scrutiny.”

The Attorney-General expressed his dismay at the extended timeline of the electoral fraud case, noting that an entire electoral cycle is set to be completed without resolution.

He called for a more open and frank approach to such matters in 2024, emphasising the need for all citizens to be held accountable.

On January 15, 2024, Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, who is presiding over the electoral fraud case at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, is set to schedule a date for a case management conference (CMC), following which a trial date will be established.

This case has remained stagnant for years due to its intricate nature and the extensive amount of evidence involved.

At the last court hear-

Top row, from left: Volda Lawrence, Keith Lowenfield, Denise Babb-Cummings, and Michelle Miller. Bottom row, from left: Enrique Livan, Sheffern February, Clairmont Mingo, and Carol Smith-Joseph

ing in December, the state handed over, again, flash drives containing certified copies of Statements of Polls (SoPs) and Statements of Recount (SoRs) along with video interviews. Several bundles of documents were also submitted.

Special Prosecutor Darshan Ramdhani, KC, is currently awaiting advice from the DPP, who had written to the Chancellor regarding the possibility of appointing a special magistrate or court to adjudicate the case.

It is alleged that the defendants inflated or facilitated the inflation of results for Region Four, the country’s largest voting district, to give the APNU+AFC coalition a majority win at the polls when, in fact, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) had won by 15,000 votes.

Those who rejected the results filed several legal challenges which ended up before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Guyana’s highest appeal court. A lengthy recount of the votes eventually declared victory in favour of the PPP/C, and Dr. Irfaan Ali was sworn in as the President of Guyana on August 2, 2020.

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Editor

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Navendra Seoraj

An incomparable record!

NOTHING pleases voters, taxpayers and other citizens more than a government that delivers on its promises without questioning their politics, and over the past three years and four months, the majority of Guyanese have been enjoying and acknowledging that rare feeling that has often eluded them.

As reported by the Minister of and Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Colin Croal and Susan Rodrigues, respectively, in their ministry’s 2023 year-end report, 30,406 house lots were distributed within the first three years of this administration, since the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) won the March 2020 General and Regional Elections, but took office five months later in August due to efforts by known elements to derail the process.

The numbers reported by the ministers are simply staggering for a nation of 800,000.

In 2023 alone: • 8,578 residential lots were allocated • 53.3% (or 15,119) were allocated to young people up to 35 years old • 43% were allocated to women (up

from 40%) • 90% of allottees were low-to-moder ate income-earners • 7,128 lots were distributed in Region Four • 1,079 lots distributed in Region Three • 125 lots distributed in Region Five • 192 lots distributed in Region Six • Out of the three-year total (30,406), 28,368 lots were residential; and • The Ministry and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) acquired approximately 50 new housing areas.

But that’s not all. As the government continues to pursue the PPP/Civic’s election promise of providing affordable housing for all, the two ministers also reported ongoing works to establish new housing areas in Regions One, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10.

The government has also consistently rolled out policies to make housing affordable for all Guyanese: Banks have reduced interest rates at mortgage institutions, thereby giving people more access to financing and affordable

financing, both of which are important today, especially following COVID-19 and other global economic shocks, including supply chain problems and Ukraine War sanctions.

Among other government incentives announced by Ministers Croal and Rodrigues, the mortgage interest relief ceiling is being raised through the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), paving the way for first-time home owners to benefit from tax reduction on their year-end income tax statements.

By comparison, during the period 20152020, the previous APNU+AFC allocated only 7,534 house lots – barely over half what this administration allocated in Region Four alone in 2023.

In fact, as the ministers also revealed, over the 23 years from 1992 to 2015, successive PPP/Civic administrations - under Presidents Dr and Mrs Cheddi and Janet Jagan, Sam Hinds, Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar - delivered over 100,000 lots Guyanese nationwide, irrespective of party, creed or color.

This three-year performance by this administration, under the leadership of President

Dr Irfaan Ali and accompanied by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Philips and Vice President and PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, is yet another shining example of the difference between a party and alliance that believe in delivering more than promising.

It also highlights the stark difference between how the PPP/C and the PNC treat the nation’s constant need for food and shelter, as also seen in progress in growing more locally and reducing the region’s food import bill by 25% by the end of 2025.

The PPP has delivered constantly for all, every time in office since 1950; and the Civic has shared in this incomparable record all the way since 1992.

Meanwhile, here’s an interesting related recollection: In the controversial 1980 Referendum under the People’s National Congress (PNC) administration, the two symbols were ‘House’ (PNC) and ‘Mouse’ (PPP).

As time and history have shown, however, when it came to delivering, look who’s still helping needier Guyanese build a house – and look who is playing cat and mouse.

A Caribbean’s taste with Guyana’s touch

Dear Editor,

ARGENTINA, known for Che Guevara and Pope Francis and called “Land of Silver,” is not famous for cricket but soccer, having produced such great footballers like Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.

In 1996, Madonna performed and sang “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” starring in the movie “Evita,” which depicts the life of Eva Peron who became Argentina’s First Lady when she married President Juan Peron.

Eva died on July 26, 1952 from cancer at the young age of 33 but not before rising to become a star entertainer after starting from a humble beginning. Argentina’s favourite daughter was revered and loved because in her short life span, she championed workers’ rights and those of the poor, especially women.

Often mistaken for a patriotic song, the song was sung at the beginning and end of the musical drama, “to evoke the generosity of Evita’s spirit in death by asking the public not to mourn her.”

Before she died, she was given the title, “Spiritual leader of the nation” and was honoured with a state funeral, typically reserved for heads of state. PPP stalwarts, former President, Janet Jagan along with the late paternal grandmother of President Ali, were also champions of the poor and women’s rights, being in the vanguard for democracy and independence for Guyana.

Known as “The Land of the Humming Bird,” Trinidad and Tobago will give their fifth Prime Minister (1995-2001) a state funeral on Tuesday January 9, having departed at age 90 on January 1, 2024, for the great beyond.

Being the first Prime Minister of Indian

descent for the carnival island famous for Calypso Rose, Mighty Sparrow, Brian Lara, V.S. Naipaul, curried duck, oil, etc., Basdeo Panday founded the United National Congress and remained a political leader until 2010.

The champion for workers’ rights known for his wits, humor and dramatic skills, the honorary doctor was a lawyer, politician, trade unionist, economist, actor, and civil servant who reached the top of the ladder by climbing from the bottom and registering and relating with the poor.

A watchdog for “religious pluralism,” Panday changed “Arrival Day” to Indian Arrival Day after 1996. In 1996, he was responsible for writing off hundreds of millions of US dollars from Guyana’s debts, racked up by the Burnham’s administration. Trinidad and Tobago have much to celebrate instead of mourning, as they reminisce on the life in the death of a movie, theater and TV actor who started working in the sugar factory as a sugarcane weigher before becoming a school teacher.

Barbados, “The Land of the Flying Fish,” stole the honour of hosting the final of this year’s International Cricket Council Men’s Twenty20 World Cup. Prime Minister Mia Mottley praised her country’s “high level of organisation” for this cricketing feat. The birth place for world famous cricket hero, Sir Garfield Sobers and international superstar entertainer Rihanna, the small island is also known as “Little England,” because of its “strong connection and staunchly British attitude.”

Mottley proudly claimed that cricket is Barbadians’ DNA. The first semifinal will be played at the Guyana National Stadium (Providence Stadium) as the luscious green-

ery of the once famous Bourda Oval was not sustained. Regarded as the oldest cricket ground in the West Indies, Bourda Green came into fruition in 1884. England is the reigning champion.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, found himself in hot water after he was exposed posing with a flag depicting Essequibo as part of Venezuela. Known as “the Jewels of the Caribbean” and once called “Hairouna” by the early Carib settlers, “Kalinas,” this tourist attractive island’s name is translated as “Land of the Blessed,” after Saint Vincent.

The beautiful island for flora and fauna, is home to former CARICOM’s Secretary General (1992-2010) Edwin Carrington, known for his diplomacy. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves was prominent for his proactive role in defending democracy in Guyana’s 2020 General Election and again supportive in hosting the venue for the “Argyle Declaration,” signed

by Venezuela’s President Nicholas Maduro and Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali which binds them to maintaining peace in the Latin/ South America and Caribbean Zone.

The popular tourist resort and bauxite land, Jamaica, was referred to as “Xaymaca” by the Indigenous people, the Taino, meaning “Land of Wood and Water” or “the Land of Springs.” The 2022 CPL Champion, the Jamaica Tallawahs, is no longer owned by Guyanese businessman, Kris Persaud, and will not be featured in this year’s tournament. The island, famous for cricket legend Michael Holding and Chris Gayle; the reggae king, Bob Marley and sprint athlete, Usain Bolt, also helped to sensationalize the island’s fame and fortune.

As can be seen, Guyana’s political, social and economic affairs certainly play an

integral part in the Caribbean’s business.

Guyana’s performance in its developing oil and gas industry, has added an additional interest to attract participation for investment.

Guyana now provides numerous opportunities and Caribbean nationals are hammering on her door for employment.

The country’s administration by the PPP/C Party is also responsible for increasing closer and trustworthy relationship among the Caricom Heads of Government. Guyana now enjoys the Chairmanship under the astute President Irfaan Ali who was recently conferred with Barbados highest honour.

Guyana’s Government, led by a young and vibrant President Ali, is blazing a trail of unprecedented achievements to catapult the nation into the 21st century with innovative ideas secured with modern technology to educate and promote a foundation for economic stability, not only locally but regionally.

President Ali finds himself in a most favourable and formidable position as he is being welcomed with open arms nationally, regionally and globally.

As Guyana prepares for next year’s General Election, CARICOM will again unhesitatingly participate as observers, ensuring that free and fair election takes place in a transparent manner and democracy is sustained and will survive any attacks by insurgents of the State.

As demonstrated by the people of Linden recently, their love and affection for President Ali is untarnished by naysayers and they will not cry over spilled milk by the former administration.

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

GECOM claims and objections exercise must be taken seriously!

Dear Editor,

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is conducting another nationwide Claims and Objections exercise.

This undertaking is consistent with the institution’s compliance with the electoral legal framework, and is important to enabling GECOM to produce an updated Official List of Electors and be at an alltime readiness for holding free and fair elections.

The process of the Claims and Objections is a vital verification follow-up to addressing queries made about the recently concluded continuous registration exercise that enabled GECOM to produce a proper Preliminary List of Electors (PLE).

One, therefore, should note the conduct of related activities being done within a framework of transparency informed by the presence of interested stakeholders represented by witnesses to affirm responses to reported areas of doubt. The critical GECOM must be commended for producing a PLE which was verified by the Political Parties Scrutineers who work during the Continuous Registration National Exercise.

There is rich and valuable precedence in the use of the legally enshrined Continuous Registration foundation. Section 6(1) of the National Registration Act Cap. 19.08 states: “It shall be lawful for the Commission by order from time to time to appoint a date concerning which persons to whom the order applies shall be registered, a day on which the registration of such persons upon their application therefor under the order shall begin and a day on which such registration shall end.”

The Elections Commission has used the Official List of Electors from the 2001 General and Regional elections as the base to commence continuing registration. Since then, our country has been using the accepted process to update the Register of Registrants and prepare the appropriate Voters list.

Presently, all the political parties have the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) for scrutiny. Further, GECOM posted copies of the PLE at prominent locations in all the Registration Divisions, sub-divisions, at all the GECOM Permanent Registration Offices countrywide as well as on the Commission’s website (https://gecom.org.gy/public/home/lists).

During this essential exercise, any person who has attained the age of 18 years and older by December 31, 2023, and is a Guyanese citizen by birth, descent, naturalisation or registration, or is a citizen from a Commonwealth country living in Guyana for one year or more, can claim entry on the Official List of Electors (OLE) on or before January 15, 2024, providing that he/she is not listed in the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE). The relevant source documents, such as original birth certificate, valid passport, adoption certificate, form F, or Naturalisation Certificate of registration must support all Claims. Persons can take the opportunity to verify their particulars on the list.

In the case of objections, the person making the objection must produce the relevant original documents such as a Death Certificate.

The Commission is urging all eligible electors to use this opportunity to get registered for inclusion in the OLE and for existing reg-

istrants to carefully check the PLE to ensure that their particulars as stated in the PLE are accurate. GECOM is also doing continuous registration and taking care of category ‘B’ registrants who are attaining the age of 14 years as of July 31st.

This will enable GECOM to be fully prepared for the next National and Regional Elections.

Because of the massive PPP/C Government massive housing drive and development across the country, many persons are now living in a new local government constituency that is different from where they were first registered.

It is appropriate and necessary for these persons to present their identification cards to the officials at the GECOM office covering their area of residence, in support of their application to be transferred to the constituency where they now reside. This should also make it easier to vote on polling day.

Transfers will be facilitated during this continuous period, providing the applicants the information regarding where they were registered and where they voted in the previous elections. Transfers are recommended as they also allow people the opportunity to play a real role in their immediate community development at the Municipal, Neighbourhood Development, and Village Council levels.

Free and fair elections are a must in Guyana, particularly given our experiences with the PNC political opposition who have historically continuously advanced less than favourable electoral practices.

Their penchant for using situational convenience to create party advantages is characteristic and one

that the nation must guard against.

Hence, it is imperative that the many pending court cases such as the one involving Keith Lowenfield, former Chief Election Officer, who is before the court for forgery and three counts of misconduct in public office must be concluded.

The case involving Roxanne Myers, former Deputy Chief Elections Officer, who is charged with two counts of misconduct in public office and is on $300,000 (three hundred thousand dollars) bail, must be concluded.

While Clairmont Mingo is charged and he is on $600,000 (six hundred thousand dollars) bail, along with Volda Lawerence, Carol Smith-Joseph, Denise Bobb-Cummings, Michelle Miller, Shefern February, and Enrique Livan, who are all before

the courts and these matters must be concluded as early as possible.

It is amazing how the APNU+AFC was able to use the court to perpetuate themselves in office after the passing of the No-Confidence Motion and more seriously, how the APNU+AFC was able to

use the courts to keep their knees on this nation’s neck for five long months.

Guyana must be finished with rigged elections; all culprits must pay for their unpardonable sins.

Respectfully, Neil Kumar.

The judiciary in Guyana in 2023

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I RECEIVED a libel writ from a judge in 2021.

There was no letter requesting a retraction, just a demand for $10 million and an apology. It was over a sentence involving what Guyanese used to refer to in the 1980s as “kick-down-the-door” crime.

The very last hanging in Guyana did relate to “kick-down-the-door” crime and two men were hanged. It was under President Hoyte that hanging was restarted.

We need to resume hang-

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

ing, but I will reserve that for another column where I will offer my suggestions for things I want to see in my country in 2024. The writ was for my rejection of the judge’s decision for a “kick- down-the-door” murderer which I believe was incredibly light.

In my column yesterday, I stressed the need for Guyana to know who the applicants for judicial positions are which were advertised last year.

In that article, I referred to the power of judges.

My theoretical position is that everyone in society must be accountable, not only ruling politicians, but also judges who have enormous power over the society.

If the media and the citizenry can request explanations for what an elected Prime Minister or President does, why can’t society comment on judges who are not elected and not answerable? This country has seen some discrepancies in High Court sentences that are truly unacceptable and truly questionable. Society in Guyana, not the private sector, not foreign government, funds the judiciary from taxpayers’ dollars.

I am still mentally unsettled that Dr. Ramsahoye sued me for libel; I counter sued. Both cases were heard the same time -- Ramsahoye before Justice Gregory-Barnes and my own in front of Justice Cummings-Edwards.

Justice Gregory-Barnes awarded Ramsahoye $2 million. A decision was never given in my case.

After seven years, I am still to receive an apology or get an explanation.

How can members of the judiciary be so unaccountable?

Let us revisit sentence discrepancies in 2023; but before that let’s expose an explanation the society was offered by the judiciary over the past 40 years. The weaknesses of this explanation lies in a decision Justice Sandil Kissoon rendered last year in the Number 63 Beach hotel murder trial. Society has been offered the explanation that the guilty plea for murder is automatically reduced to manslaughter and the guilty plea is met with reduced sentences because the accused threw him/ herself at the mercy of the court and mitigating circumstances determine the shape of the sentence.

You would think that this is a tradition the judiciary studiously adhere to.

But there was a positive break in the tradition last year: Justice Kissoon sentenced five fishermen to death for multiple murders on the high seas. All pleaded guilty, but the manslaughter charge was not substituted, so they were convicted of murder.

Last year, Justice Kissoon also sentenced the convict in the Number 63 beach hotel murder to life imprisonment without parole. The convict too pleaded guilty. So what is the point? It is that there should not be reduced sentences because of a guilty plea, given the nature of the crime. But this did not happen in the Number 63 Beach hotel murder drama.

The act was committed by two persons -- a teenager and an adult. The

owner of the hotel and his security rank were tortured and murdered with their fingers and toes cut off. A part of the foot of the security guard was removed from the ankle. When the trial came up for the teenager, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to time served – four years by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall.

But this was not the whole story. The teenager was charged under the Juvenile Justice Act which prevents his name and picture from being published.

The state has the legal capacity as in most countries to bypass the Act and charge him as an adult. Almost every year in the United States teenage murder accused are tried as adults The youth was the master plotter, but he got four years while his partner in crime has to die in jail. The criterion that should have been used to charge the juvenile was the nature of the crime.

Body parts were found at the murder scene.

I spoke to the daughter of the murdered hotel owner after the youth was sentenced and she was emotionally enraged.

I think she has not recovered mentally from that “time-served” judgement and perhaps should seek counselling. When the youth appeared in court, he was an adult – 19 years.

Why was he awarded “time served” when his sentence could have been longer?

Our courts just defy logic.

Imagine two Court of Appeal judges declared that 34 not 33 is the majority of 65.

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Flawed rice deal under APNU+AFC: Guyana weighs ‘amicable’ repayment proposal from Panama GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

ATTORNEY-GENERAL and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, has disclosed that the government is currently assessing an “amicable” repayment proposal from the Panamanian government which aims to resolve the flawed rice deal that was made under the former APNU+AFC administration.

Nandlall made this announcement during a press conference, on Monday, where he explained that the proposed resolution seeks to address the financial turmoil and legal disputes surrounding the outstanding $US7 million that is owed to the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).

He explained that under the APNU+AFC administration, a trade agreement was established with the Panamanian government, covering the supply of approximately 9,000 tonnes of rice through the GRDB. However, the deal lacked adequate payment terms and safeguards, leading not only to financial challenges but legal battles for the GRDB. Upon assuming office, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, committed to recovering the outstanding monies.

However, various attempts, including diplomatic channels through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, were unsuccessful.

To address the non-payment issue, Nandlall explained that the Guyana Government resorted to legal avenues, instituting proceedings at the International Chamber of Commerce Arbitration Centre in Washington DC. Nandlall revealed that the legal process necessitated substantial financial commitments, with over

US$150,000 expended in legal fees to date. The proceedings aim to compel Panama to honour the supply contract and settle the outstanding debt.

Despite the initiation of legal proceedings, the Attorney General highlighted a positive development in the form of negotiations with the Panamanian government.

He explained that His Excellency, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, intervened, facilitating discussions for an amicable resolution to the matter.

“Fortunately, the Panamanian government through intervention at the level of …the President has agreed to come to the table to discuss an amicable resolution of this matter…Of course, any compromise of legal proceedings requires both sides to give up something,” Nandlall pointed out.

In light of the challenges, the Panamanian government has presented a repayment proposal to the Guyanese government.

“Based upon the proposals we have received, which we are actively considering, Guyana may have to forgo the interest that would have accrued on the debt. The interest is almost the same size or larger than the principal now having regard to the length of time that the monies took to repay,” he said.

Nandlall stated that the proposal is currently under consideration.

“Negotiations are still ongoing as we conclude very shortly, but central to the conclusion will be whether negotiation is taking place.

“Guyana being paid, whatever sum we agree to, even if it’s only the principal that is US$7 million which is due and owing to the rice farmers of our country and has been due and owing for over seven years,” he said.

Nandlall explained that the acceptance of the proposed settlement would potentially bring closure to the protracted issue, offering relief to the rice farmers who have awaited payment for an extended period.

However, he explained that the government remains vigilant in ensuring that any settlement is fair and adequately addresses the financial challenges faced by the GRDB. Rice millers were forced to file legal proceedings in the High Court against the GRDB to have the agency pay monies for the rice sold to the Panamanian government under the coalition government.

In a recent court case, High Court Judge Gino Persaud ordered the GRDB to pay Vilvoorden Investment Inc. $US 77,000 ($16.2 million) for the unpaid rice exports, which had shed light on the flawed deal struck by the APNU+AFC administration in 2018.

In another case, GRDB had to pay US$308,620.03 ($65.2 million) to Golden Fleece Rice Investment over the same issue.

In those cases, the GRDB had cited a “paywhen-paid” clause in the contract as a justification for their non-payment.

However, Justice Gino Persaud, in his ruling on both cases, deemed this clause to be unspecific and ambiguous.

“The respondent cannot rely on the pay-whenpaid clause since the clause is unspecific and ambiguous. Moreover, the applicant completed its obligation under the contract four years ago.

Thus, the applicant is entitled to be paid within a reasonable time for the rice supplied,” the judge said.

The PPP/C government was left to foot the legal bill due to the actions of APNU+AFC.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Impact of cost-of-living interventions, and long-term investments [Part I]

THE growth in the individual deposit portfolio and real estate loans in the commercial banking sector are indicative of increased levels of disposable income, reflecting twice the rate of growth recorded for the period 2020-2023 relative to the corresponding period for 2016-2019.

All in all, the resultant effect (indirect + direct impact) of all of the immediate cost-of-living measures combined―for an average household with a low-income mortgage that would be eligible for the MIR (a

direct benefit), approximates to an annual average additional disposal income of $1.4 million or $117k/ monthly, albeit indirectly.

In other words, in the absence of the requisite government interventions as outlined herein, designed to subside the rising cost of living situation, the average household would have incurred an additional $1.4 million annually or $117k/monthly to cover their household expenses.

This would have been an unnecessary burden on households, which would

have effectively exacerbated the real impact of the cost-of-living condition.

Background: Cost of Living (COL) Interventions. Combating rising cost of living, an established global issue following the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted global supply chains, and compounded by the Russia/ Ukraine war; requires a two-fold approach. First, it requires immediate relief measures to cushion the impact aimed at increasing disposable income.

Second, while in the

case of Guyana rising cost of living is driven, in part, by the external factors globally as previously mentioned, it is also attributed to strong demand for goods and services given the increased level of production in the oil and gas sector, coupled with the aggressive national development agenda vigorously pursued by the government.

As such, rising costs, which is driven by buoyant aggregate demand in the economy, necessitates investments and making incentives available to bolster the supply side (increased production) of goods and services. This, in turn, would help to drive down prices to equilibrium levels in the medium to long term.

Countries with highest inflation rates since the pandemic as at end of 2022 Zimbabwe – 314.5% (2023 est. 193%) Ve n e z u e l a – 3 6 0 % (2023 est. 187%) Lebanon – 171% (2023 est.?)

Sudan – 257% (2023 est. 139%) A rg e n t i n a – 1 2 2 % (2023 est. 72%) Turkey – 51% (2023 est. 72%) Suriname – 53% (2023 est. 52%) Islamic Republic of Iran – 47% (2023 est. 46%) Sri Lanka – 45% (2023 est. 29%) Ethiopia – 29% (2023 est. 34%) Ghana – 43% (2023 est.

32%) Yemen – 15% (2023 est. 30%) Moldova – 13% (2023 est. 29%) Angola – 13% (2023 est. 21%) Estonia – 10% (2023 est. 19%) The Global average inflation rate was 8.7% (2022), estimated to slow to 5.3% in 2023. Guyana’s inflation rate remained in the low single digit range, which is projected to slow below 5% in 2023, thus remaining below the global average. In 2022, many

other countries were still experiencing double digit inflation. The World Economic Forum reported that inflation rates have doubled in 35 of 44 advanced countries over the past two years.

The Government of Guyana immediate relief measures included the following: Through the PPP/C 2020 budget, the immediate reversal of over 200 punitive taxes and fees (VAT included) implemented by the APNU Government during their tenure in 2015-2020, which had increased the tax burden on the population by over $60 billion in additional taxes annually.

This was equivalent to a tax-burden per household of an additional $300,000 annually, thereby eroding the household disposal income. Consequently, the reversal of these tax measures immediately restored $300,000 per household annually in disposable income.

Other measures include: Reducing the excise tax on fuel from 50% to 0% ($20-40 billion annually in foregone revenue), Budgetary provision for COL intervention ($5 billion), Absorbed increased electricity generation cost

by GPL (effectively subsidising electricity cost: $1720 billion annually), Absorbed increased cost by GWI (effectively subsidizing water: $2-4 billion annually), Part-time job programme ($10 billion annually), Increase income tax threshold ($5-10 billion), Education subvention and grants: restoration of and increasing the cash grants for school children ($15 billion annually), Extending the freight charges adjustment to the pre-pandemic formula ($612 billion annually in foregone revenue), Public assistance ($1 billion annually), Increased old age pen-

sion ($365 million more annually), Increased public sector wages and salaries ($33 billion increase for the period 2020-2023 or an average of $11 billion more annually), and Subsidy for first-time low-income homeowners, etc.

The sum total of immediate relief measures including foregone revenue to the treasury, amounts to an estimated $189 billion annually, representing 19% of non-oil GDP (2022), 6.45% of overall GDP (2022), 24% of the national budget (2023), and 63% of the Natural Resources Fund (NRF) balance as at the end of 2022. Altogether, this translates to an additional $945,000 [indirectly] in disposable income per household annually.

Affordable Housing for Low-Income Families: The increase in the low-income mortgage ceiling is essentially to cater for low to moderate income families.

In so doing, low-income families can now access up to $20 million at lower interest rates. More importantly, the low-income housing programme by the Government is designed as a major poverty reduction tool. As such, low-income families are able to own their own home at a cost below the market price for financing, which, in turn, empowers those families, add to their net worth, and is a key pillar upon which they are lifted out of poverty.

For example, they can then leverage the value to raise capital to build micro enterprises and enhance their overall wellbeing over time. If the government did not make this arrangement with the banks for low-cost financing, low-income families would not have been able to afford their own home if they were subject to borrowing at market rates.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Defense visits Guyana –– to advance discussions on defence, security partnership

THE US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for the Western Hemisphere at the US Department of Defense, Daniel P. Erikson will be in Guyana from January 8 – 9.

According to a press release from the US Embassy, DASD Erikson is responsible for US defense and security policy for the

34-nation region that encompasses Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South and Central America.

His visit to Guyana underscores the continued importance the United States places on the US-Guyana bilateral defense and security partnership in support of regional stability.

DASD Erikson is scheduled to meet with the Gov-

ernment of Guyana, Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders to discuss the US defense and security partnership with Guyana and regional partners.

“DASD Erikson’s visit to Guyana is his first trip overseas in 2024, and it signifies the importance of the bilateral defense and security part-

Latest EITI report highlights significant improvements in Guyana’s extractive industries –– GYEITI says data from World Governance Indicators was taken out of context by Kaieteur News

THE 2021 Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) report on Guyana has highlighted significant improvements in the country’s extractive sector, which includes governance, oversight, revenue mobilisation, expansion of production, employment, and other sector activities that Kaieteur News failed to capture in a recent article titled, “Guyana scores low performance on control of corruption, regulatory quality and accountability,” according to Guyana EITI (GYEITI).

“By highlighting a perception survey, which was included to show a contrast between perception and reality, the article has missed the opportunity to provide its readers with key data on the increasing contribution of the extractive sector to Guyana’s economy,” GYEITI said in a press statement on Monday.

The 2021 report, which covers payment and contextual activities in mining, oil and gas, fisheries, and forestry, fulfills the country’s ongoing commitment to implement the EITI standard, which aims to improve transparency in Guyana’s extractive sector.

“EITI Standard sets guidelines to assess the resource value chain for mining and oil and gas.

Notwithstanding, Guyana, which signed on to implement the EITI principles in 2017, agreed to include fisheries and forestry under its EITI scope to strengthen transparency and accountability over key revenue-generating sources in the economy,” GYEITI said.

GYEITI’s 2021 report includes data from World Governance Indicators (WGI), which have been taken out of context by Kaieteur News.

According to GYEITI: “WGI and EITI have separate and incomparable indicators. Firstly, and more importantly, WGI is ‘a perception survey of a country’s business, households, and citizens.

“Conversely, the EITI indicators are empirical and/or fact-based. Secondly, WGI indicators are country-wide, whereas the EITI evaluates the resource value chain for the country’s mining and oil and gas sectors.”

nership, as the GDF continues to grow, in the short-term with robust military-to-military engagements, and in the long-term as the nation continues to modernise its defense institutions,” the US Embassy said.

Further, the embassy said: “The United States continues to work closely with its allies around the world to strengthen alliances and partnerships by improving interoperability, deepening information-sharing and planning, and conducting complex joint and combined exercises.”

Daniel P. Erikson is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere at the US Department of Defense. In this capacity, he serves in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and is responsible for US defense and security policy for the thirty-four nation region that encompasses Canada, Mexico, Central

America, the Caribbean, and South America.

Mr. Erikson served as the Western Hemisphere policy lead for the Biden-Harris Transition. He previously served in the White House as special advisor to thenVice President Joe Biden, where he covered foreign affairs and national security issues in the Americas.

Prior to the White House, he served in the US Department of State as senior advisor for Congressional and Inter-Governmental Affairs and senior advisor for Western Hemisphere Affairs.

In 2017, he received the State Department’s Superior Honor Award for his diplomatic contributions to US-Latin American relations, including the advancement of bipartisan policies to support security and development in Central America and Colombia.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary Defense (DASD) for the Western Hemisphere at the US Department of Defense, Daniel P. Erikson

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

State-of-the-art assets being acquired to transform police force

— specific attention to be placed on marine, aviation components

By Naomi Parris

WITH the aim of integrating the country’s security institutions, the Government of Guyana, for the first time, will be establishing a marine and aviation division within the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

This was according to President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, during a sod-turning event for the modern US$28 million Brickdam Police Station, on Monday.

The Head of State, while addressing members of the Joint Services and other stakeholders, said the government is now in the process of obtaining stateof-the art assets to facilitate the integration of the

Guyana Police Force with other security institutions.

“We are building out, for the first time, a marine

division that would be capable of utilising our river

asset in crime fighting and proactive intelligence work. So, right now, we are in the process of acquiring state-of-the-art marine assets to support the work of the Guyana Police Force,” the President said.

As it relates to the introduction of the aviation division, the President explained that the aim is to build air capacity and capability for the Guyana Police Force that will be integrated with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

“We are going to move a lot of our air capacity and capability to the new hangar at Ogle that the Guyana Defence Force is constructing and rehabilitating right now. We hope in that hangar to not only add to the air capability

and capacity of the Guyana Defence Force, but to add two modern pieces of equipment to support the air division of the Guyana Police Force,” Dr. Ali said.

According to the President, these include choppers with drone capability.

He said that the government is creating a cohesive base for the Joint Services as it relates to assets.

“In the Guyana Police Force, for example, we will have an integration between the chopper, the sea craft, what I call sea craft capability, the air capability and land capability, of course, in the land capability, we are already investing heavily in bikes, motor vehicles, buses, ATV's,” the Head of State said.

Bahamas, Philip Davis; the Minister of Industry, Energy, and Technology of Newfoundland, Canada, Andrew Parsons along with several others to be announced at a later date.

To be held at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, Guyana, the conference is a premier gathering of industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders committed to shaping the future of energy and supply chain sectors.

The Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo is poised to be a landmark event, facilitating discussions that will shape the trajectory of the energy sector in Guyana and beyond. The participation of the Prime Minister of Qatar adds a significant international dimension to the conference, highlighting the global importance of sustainable energy practices.

Sheikh Mohammed was born and raised in Doha, Qatar. He is part of the Qatari royal family as a member of the House of Thani. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics and business administration from the College of Business and Economics at

Qatar University (2003).

On March 7, 2023, in a cabinet reshuffle, through Amiri Decree, he was appointed as the Prime Minister of Qatar.

Sheikh Mohammed's priorities as Prime Minister include advising His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on the formation of ministries in the country and assisting His Highness perform his duties and exercise his roles. Sheikh Mohammed also heads the Council of Ministers sessions, including managing discussions and supervising the coordination of work between ministries to achieve unity between governmental agencies and ensure the integration of their activities.

Sheikh Mohammed's responsibilities as Minister of Foreign Affairs include planning and implementing Qatar's foreign policy, maintaining and extending the country's strategic bilateral and multilateral relations, leading mediation efforts, and consolidating international peace and security.

Qatar’s PM to attend 2024 Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo

SHEIKH Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister of Qatar, is confirmed to be among the growing list of dignitaries and world leaders to attend and make presentations at the region’s largest energy conference and expo in Georgetown, Guyana next month.

The Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo returns for its third installment from February 19 – 22, 2024, with an impressive lineup of industry experts, policymakers and foreign officials who will offer insights as keynote speakers and through their participation in several panel discussions.

The inclusion of the Prime Minister of Qatar as a featured speaker reflects the commitment of both nations to foster international partnerships and share expertise in the crucial field of energy.

Anthony Whyte, Chairman of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo said, “We are honoured to welcome the distinguished Prime Minister of Qatar as a featured speaker. His presence underscores the global

significance of our event, highlighting the shared commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions and fostering international collaboration in the ever-evolving energy landscape.”

Sheikh Mohammed previously served as the country's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2017 and 2016 to 2023, respectively, and Chairman of the Qatar Investment Authority from 2018 to 2023, where he provided leadership to the QIA Board of Directors and ensured QIA's sound governance framework through accountability and sound decision-making.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, a s t h e Chairman of Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), Sheikh Mohammed directs the fund's operations and the expansion of its activities to reach more than 70 countries around the world, notably in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

Sheikh Mohammed brings a wealth of experience and leadership in finance, investment, development and accountability. His participation highlights the international significance of the

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani

Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo as a platform for fostering collaboration and sharing best practices.

Sheikh Mohammed was notably praised for his recent meeting with CIA Director William J. Burns and head of Mossad David Barnea in Qatar where they reached an extension of the ceasefire by

two days and exchange of more than 100 Israeli hostages for 240 Palestinian prisoners in the 2023 Israel–Hamas war.

He will be joined by other world leaders, including the President of Guyana, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali; the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley; the Prime Minister of The

Two persons die after accident at Ruimveldt

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

THE police are probing a vehicular accident involving a motorcar and minibus at the Ruimveldt Public Road in the vicinity of the Ruimveldt Police Station, around 05:23hrs on Monday.

According to a report from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), 51-yearold Sarah Wilson and 54-year-old bus driver, Rawle McKenzie died and several other persons were hospitalised as a result of the accident.

Wilson, at the time of the accident, was a passenger in the front seat of the minibus driven by McKenzie.

The motorcar, PAD 2018, was at the time being driven by 29-year-old Pream Seecharran of Belle

Vue, West Bank Demerara, while the minibus BHH 8451 was being driven by McKenzie of Samatta Point, Grove, East Bank Demerara, along with occupants Wilson of Samatta Point, Grove; 31-year-old Javon Bowen of Samatta Point, Grove; 58-yearold Lennox Clementson of Guyhoc Gardens, and 56-year-old Jones McKenzie of Grove Housing Scheme.

Preliminary investigations revealed that motorcar PAD 2018 was proceeding south on the eastern lane of the Ruimveldt Public Road, allegedly at a fast rate of speed, and while in the vicinity of “Top Point Store,” the driver of the car was negotiating a slight bend and

in the process of doing so, the left side front of the motorcar came into contact with a pile of sand situated on the eastern side of the road, then collided with the bridge.

This caused the motorcar to flip several times onto the western carriageway, subsequently colliding with the front portion of the minibus which was proceeding north along the western carriageway of the Ruimveldt Public Road.

As a result, the drivers of both vehicles and the minibus passengers all received injuries to their bodies.

The 51-year-old woman along with the driver of the car, 29-year-old Pream Seecharran, were both

The police are probing a vehicular accident involving a motorcar and minibus at the Ruimveldt Public Road in the vicinity of the Ruimveldt Police Station, around 05:23 hrs on Monday (GPF photo) picked up by Emergency Medical Technicians and transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where the woman was pronounced dead on arrival by Doctor Kellman. Her body is at the Georgetown

Public Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

Seecharran was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit suffering from head injuries. His condition is regarded as critical.

Meanwhile, it was later

reported that McKenzie passed away.

The other occupants of the minibus were treated for abrasions on their bodies.

Further investigations are in progress.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Official document exposes Patterson’s misinformation on cost of Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge

A DOCUMENT from the Ministry of Public Works has exposed former Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson’s misinformation regarding the cost of Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge.

The Alliance for Change (AFC) Parliamentarian, in a letter posted on his official Facebook page and later published by Stabroek News, boldly states that under his tenure, the construction cost of the two-lane version of the Wismar Bridge was US$23.6 million (inclusive of 10 per cent contingency), while the four-lane version was pegged at US$29.2 million (inclusive of contingency).

However, based on the official bid document received by the former A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) +AFC government from Politecnica, an Italian firm which provides integrated service in architecture, engineering and urban planning, Patterson’s figures did not match what was present by the company under the coalition.

To be specific, a snippet of a supposed break-

down shared by Patterson for Bill No. 01: Preliminaries, showed US$1,187,000.00, but the official bid document revealed that it was estimated to be US$1,877,000.00.

For Bill No.02: Earthworks, Patterson shared that it was estimated to be US$1,345,497.14. However, the official document showed that the Earthworks was estimated to be US$1,398,595.02.

As it relates to Bill No.03: Drainage works, the AFC Parliamentarian’s snippet showed US$2,031,845.50, while the official document, on the other hand, revealed that it was instead US$2,713,187.91.

Bill No.04: New Wismar Bridge, according to him, was US$15,035,815.38.

This was a stark underestimation when compared to the figure within the document shared with the Guyana Chronicle, which showed US$19,052,653.00.

Additionally, for Bill No. 05: Pavement and Surfacing, Patterson wrote it was US$584,703.90. Instead, it was US$837,972.10, according to the document.

He also said that Bill No.06: Traffic Control “Devides,” Road Marking and Road Equipment were US$188,032.58. However, the official document disclosed that Traffic Control “Devices,” Road Marking and Road Equipment was actually US$187,867.13.

For Bill No.07: Miscellaneous Works, according to the AFC Parliamentarian, were US$453,423. 89. It was actually, US$797,837.80, according to the official document.

Finally, he showed that Bill. 08: Dayworks was US$661,450.00. However, the actual document disclosed that it was US$899,550.00.

According to the official document, the overall figure, inclusive of the 10 per cent contingency was US$30,541,129.25, a massive difference compared to the figure shared by Patterson.

Last Friday, a US$35 million contract was signed between the Government of Guyana and the China Railway Construction Corporation Limited for the

The official bid document submitted by Politecnica under the former coalition government construction of the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge in Region 10.

According to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, the new four-lane, concrete,

220-metre-long bridge will make the region a major hub for logistics.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday January 09, 2024) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD - 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (a) Graham McKenzie-8/71 (Melbourne, 1968-69) (b) Curtly Ambrose-7/25 (Perth, 199293) Today’s Quiz: (1) What are the best Test match bowling figures by a WI bowler against AUST to date?

(2) What are the best Test match bowling figures by an AUST bowler against the WI to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Franz Beckenbauer: German football legend dies aged 78

GERMAN legend Franz Beckenbauer, widely regarded as one of football's greatest players, has died aged 78.

He won the World Cup as captain of West Germany in 1974 and lifted the trophy again as manager in 1990.

The former defender played 582 times for Bayern Munich, winning the German top flight as both as a player and a manager.

Nicknamed Der Kaiser, as a player he also won the European Championship in 1972, as well as the Ballon d'Or twice.

A statement from his family to German news agency DPA read: "It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by his family.

"We ask that you allow us to grieve in silence and refrain from asking any questions."

Latest tributes and reaction Playing as a midfielder, Beckenbauer man-marked Sir Bobby Charlton in the 1966 World Cup final, which England won 4-2, before shifting to his iconic position as a defensive sweeper.

He also scored four goals at the 1966 World Cup, aged just 20, and won the award for the tournament's best young player.

He went on to play 103 times for West Germany.

Beckenbauer is one of only three men to have lifted the World Cup as both a player and a manager, along with Brazil's Mario Zagallo and France's Didier Deschamps.

As a player at Bayern, he won four league titles and was captain for the German giants' three European Cup wins in 1974, 1975 and 1976.

He also won the Bundesliga with Hamburg in 1982.

Uli Hoeness, Bayern's honorary president and a former team-mate, described Beckenbauer as the "greatest personality the club has ever had".

"As a player, coach, president, person: unforgettable.

Nobody will ever reach him," Hoeness said.

"People can say they saw football in Franz Beckenbauer's time. He was a friend to me, a unique companion and a gift to all of us."

Current Germany manag-

er Julian Nagelsmann said: "For me, Franz Beckenbauer was the best footballer in German history.

"His interpretation of the role of the libero [sweeper] changed the game, this role and his friendship with the ball made him a free man.

"Franz Beckenbauer was able to float on the lawn. As a footballer, and later also as a coach, he was sublime - he stood above things. When Franz Beckenbauer entered a room, the room lit up."

'A unique footballer and a loveable person' After leaving Bayern, Beckenbauer was lured to play for the New York Cosmos, where he and Pele were the poster boys of the burgeoning North American Soccer League.

He retired in 1983 and less than a year later, with no managerial experience, was named West Germany manager.

Beckenbauer led his country to the 1986 World Cup final in Mexico before winning the trophy four years later, as his team beat England in the semi-final and gaining revenge on holders Argentina in the final.

Former England striker Gary Lineker, who played in the in 1986 and 1990 World Cups, said: "Very sorry to hear that Franz Beckenbauer has died.

"One of the absolute greats of our game. Der Kaiser was the most beautiful of footballers who won it all with grace and charm. RIP." Bayern Munich and Germany forward Thomas Muller said: "One of the greatest footballers in the club's history has unfortunately left us.

"Rest in peace, Emperor Franz. We will never forget what you have done for football in Germany."

Beckenbauer was national team manager from 1984 to 1990 Beckenbauer also managed Marseille briefly in 1990, and then had two stints in charge of Bayern, moving into football administration after leaving the role in 1996.

He became Bayern's president, took over as vice-president of the German Football Association (DFB) in 1998 and led the German committee that won the right to host the 2006 World Cup. He was one of four men investigated over suspected

German legend Franz Beckenbauer dead at 78

corruption linked to the tournament. In 2020, the trial ended without a verdict.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, another of Beckenbauer's team-mates and later Bayern's chief executive, said: "He was my captain at FC Bayern, my coach at the national team, our president at Bayern and in all of these roles he was not only successful but unique.

"As a personality, he impressed with his great respect for all people - because everyone was equal before Franz.

"German football is losing the greatest personality in its history. We will miss him more than painfully."

Bernd Neuendorf, president of the DFB, said Beckenbauer was "one of the best players our sport has ever seen".

"With him, we are losing a unique footballer and a lovable person," he said.

"With his lightness, his elegance and his overview, he set standards on the field.

"Franz Beckenbauer leaves a great legacy for the DFB and football as a whole."

Football world pays tribute Gianni Infantino, president of world football's governing body Fifa, called Beckenbauer "a legend of German and world football".

"Der Kaiser was a really great person, a friend of football a champion and a real legend. We will never forget you, dear Franz," he said.

In a statement, the Premier League said: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, one of football's greatest ever players.

"A World Cup winner as both player and manager, Der Kaiser was as elegant as he was dominant. He will forever be remembered."

Peter Shilton, England's

goalkeeper in the 1990

semi-final penalty shootout defeat by West Germany, said: "Very sad to hear that the great Franz Beckenbauer has sadly passed away.

"He was a fantastic player reaching world class status.

RIP #Legend."

Bayern's Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund said they mourned "the loss of a great German footballer".

"Rest in peace, Franz Beckenbauer. 'The Kaiser' will be remembered forever. Our thoughts are with

his family and all his loved ones."

Liverpool and Scotland legend Kenny Dalglish said: "It fills me with deep sadness to hear about the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, a true icon of the game.

"It was a privilege to share one of my proudest moments with him when he presented my 100th cap for Scotland. My thoughts are with him and his family at this time."(BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

LeBron James leads Los Angeles Lakers to win over Los Angeles Clippers

LeBron James top scored with 25 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat city rivals the Los Angeles Clippers 106-103.

Anthony Davis added 22 points as the Lakers ended a four-game losing streak.

Paul George and Ivica Zubac scored 22 points for the Clippers, who suffered their first defeat in six matches.

"If we could continue to get better with our details we could be a really good team," said James.

"Tonight was a good step in the right direction."

Elsewhere, Kyrie Irving scored 35 points and Luka Doncic added 34 as the Dallas Mavericks beat Western Conference leaders the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-108.

The Timberwolves

The Lakers have won their last two matches against the Clippers, having lost their previous 11 meetings before then

looked on course for the win when an Anthony Edwards basket put them 106-100 ahead with less than four minutes remaining.

But the Mavericks hit

back with 13 unanswered points, including two three-pointers from Irving, to edge into a lead which they never relinquished.

"I was just letting him cook," Doncic said of Ir-

ving. "When he stays aggressive he's an amazing player."

RJ Barrett scored a season-high 37 points as the Toronto Raptors beat the Golden State Warriors

133-118.

Stephen Curry scored just nine points for the Warriors, making only two of his 14 shots from the field and missing all nine of his three-point attempts.

Draymond Green took part in the Warriors' pregame walkthrough as he prepares to return to action following the lifting of his 12-game suspension for striking an opponent.

CJ McCollum topscored with 30 points as the New Orleans Pelicans eased to a 133-100 win over the Sacramento Kings, with seven Pelicans players scoring double figures.

Victor Wembanyama scored 24 points in less than 25 minutes on court but could not prevent the San Antonio Spurs from losing 117-115 to the

Cleveland Cavaliers.

Jarrett Allen scored 29 points and Caris LeVert added 23 off the bench for the Cavaliers as the Spurs suffered a fifth straight defeat.

The Detroit Pistons have now lost 32 of their last 33 games, including their last 18 on the road, after they were beaten 131-114 by the Denver Nuggets.

Mikal Bridges scored 42 points for the Brooklyn Nets but could not prevent a 134-127 overtime defeat by the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Orlando Magic also needed overtime to beat the Atlanta Hawks 117-110 in Florida, while the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Phoenix Suns 121-115. (BBC Sport)

However, Heaven said while he was “disappointed” Jamaicans would be unable to watch CPL cricket live, he questioned the role of CPL in actual cricket development across the region.

“CPL and all these franchises are exceptional, but they speak to an entertainment value, per se,” he continued.

“They do not address the element of development in the way that you want to develop your product called cricket. CPL does not do that, neither do they put back monies into the development of cricket in the territories.”

The absence of CPL action in Jamaica has drawn criticism from global Twenty20 star Andre Russell and West Indies T20 captain Rovman Powell, with both Jamaicans urging talks between government and CWI. In defending government’s actions, Sports

Minister Olivia Grange said it had been necessary to balance investment in the Tallawahs franchise with support for other sporting disciplines.

“We have sought to provide special support to the Tallawahs at the level that our funds may permit,” Grange was quoted as saying at the same event.

“The Tallawahs require more than we can provide, but I’m sure the Tallawahs and their existence was not depending on the Government of Jamaica to bankroll them.

“But in order to give them more, we would have to cut funding to the more than 40 national sports federations such as football, netball, and track and field, which depend on the Government to run their programmes, and have been requesting additional funds which we are challenged to provide.”

Revisit CPL, CWI agreement, urges JCA president

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – Jamaica Cricket Association president, Billy Heaven, believes the agreement between Cricket West Indies and the Caribbean Premier League needs to be revisited, in order to ensure enhanced returns of investment for the region.

Heaven, also a CWI director, said the agreement struck 12 years ago ahead of the inaugural CPL season was “disadvantageous to Jamaica” and other regional countries as it did not provide significant enough value.

The administrator was speaking here recently amid public outcry over the pullout of the Jamaica Tallawahs franchise, which left the country without a CPL presence since the tournament was founded.

“It [agreement] is disadvantageous to Jamaica.

It is prejudicial to cricket in Jamaica and that agree-

Jamaica Tallawahs … captured CPL 2022

ment, in the first instance, spans 30 years,” the Observer newspaper quoted Heaven as saying at an event here.

“It came into being in 2012 and when you look at the return from that – in the first year, the agreement brings US$1.375 million (JA$211.8 million) and at the end of 30 years,

it is US$1.75 million.

“There’s no increase whatsoever, even to keep pace with the inflationary effect.

“So, we have to go back to look at that agreement to make it more workable for the region, including Jamaica.”

Even with the Tallawahs franchise present,

Jamaica endured a strained relation with the tournament in recent years, and had not hosted a single match since 2019.

And in re-selling the franchise to the league, owner Kris Persaud cited lack of government support as one of the major factors behind the decision.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Pollard to lead MI Cape Town as Pooran takes captaincy reins at MI Emirates for upcoming SA20, ILT20

FORMER West Indies captain Kieron Pollard will lead MI Cape Town's hunt for glory in the second edition of South Africa's Premier Twenty20 League, SA20, while in his absence from the International League (ILT20), compatriot Nicholas Pooran will lead MI Emirates.

Pollard's appointment at MI Cape Town comes as Rashid Khan, who led the team last season, has been ruled out of the upcoming season, as he continues to recover from a back surgery.

The ace leg spinner was named in the Afghanistan squad on January 6 for their three-match T20I series in India, but is unlikely to play, according to a statement from his cricket board (ACB).

Khan also missed Afghanistan's most recent T20I series in the UAE and the Big Bash League (BBL).

Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard

As such, the powerfully-built Pollard has not only been drafted to make his debut in the SA20, but will lead from the front, given his experience as a five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) Champion, a two-time Champions League (CLT20) Champion, and a Major League (MLC) Champion, across the Mumbai Indians franchises.

The explosive middle-order batsman was also re-

tained by MI Emirates for the upcoming ILT20 campaign, but with its dates clashing with the SA20's, Pooran has been given the reins of MI Emirates captaincy. It remains to be seen whether Pollard will join MI Emirates for the last leg of the ILT20 in the UAE. Pollard was recently in action for New York Strikers in the Abu Dhabi T10 league, where his side lost the final to

Deccan Gladiators.

Pooran, who also plays with Pollard at Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), recently declined his West Indies central contract to become a free agent.

The left-hand batsman, who is also a former West Indies white-ball captain, Pooran was unveiled as Durban's Super Giants' wildcard pick in September 2023, and is likely to play three matches in the SA20 before linking up with MI Emirates for the second season of the ILT20.

The one-month SA20 will run from January 10 to February 10, and the ILT20 from January 19 to February 17. The two leagues will also clash with New Zealand's Super Smash and the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).(Sportsmax)

Russell says Jamaica not hosting T20 games a ‘sad’ situation

K I N G S TO N , J a m a i c a , (CMC) – West Indies Twenty20 star Andre Russell has expressed disappointment with the lack of Caribbean Premier League and Twenty20 World Cup matches in Jamaica this year.

The country will host no CPL games after Jamaica Tallawahs pulled out citing a lack of government support, while Jamaica was not among Caribbean countries bidding to host matches in the June 1-29 ICC showpiece.

Russell said a proud cricketing nation like Jamaica possessed all the elements required for attracting international cricket.

“With no cricket playing in Jamaica, it’s just sad,” said Jamaican Russell, who has emerged as one of the global icons of the shortest format.

“An historic ground [Sabina Park], such a proper facility, good batting wicket, good for bowling and then CPL won’t be here, I just think it’s very sad for the island.

“I can’t express how disappointed I am to know that

There was also public outcry last year when it was revealed that Jamaica had not bid for any matches in the T20 World Cup, government saying then it had made a responsible decision based on a sound cost-benefit analysis.

Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, St Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad & Tobago will all host matches.

West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell

not even two World Cup games won’t be here. I think the government has to do something about this.”

He continued: “They need to look into certain things.

They can’t support certain sports and just forget about cricket.

“We have produced some of the best players in the world – Test cricket, T20 and all of that, so I’m very disappointed in all these things that are happening.”

Last month it was confirmed that Tallawahs – one of the leading CPL franchises – would not feature in this year’s tournament, after the

owners sold the entity back to the league.

This came against the backdrop of Jamaica failing to stage a single CPL game since 2019.

“I could not continue to operate a franchise cricket team in a country where the government refuses to provide any financial support …” the former Tallawahs owner, Kris Persaud, was quoted as saying last month.

Tallawahs were subsequently replaced in the league

by Antigua Hawksbills, a franchise that featured in the opening two seasons of the CPL.

Russell said the lack of matches in the country posed a threat to cricket development.

“If cricket is not playing here and the exposure is not happening I think it’s going to be difficult,” said the 35-yearold all-rounder.

“A guy would just have to know that he has to work twice as hard to get in that system.”

Only last month, another Jamaican – West Indies T20 captain Rovman Powell – urged talks between the Jamaica government and Cricket West Indies in order to have the situation addressed.

Yorkshire defend process of finding new backers after criticism of Colin Graves' potential return

Yorkshire have defended their process in finding new backers after claims Colin Graves' return would "undermine the progress" made in tackling racism.

Graves was chair between 2012 and 2015, part of the period the club was fined for failing to address the systemic use of racist or discriminatory language.

He is in talks about a takeover, which charity Sporting Equals says would "make a mockery" of victims of racism.

Yorkshire said "no stone has been left unturned" in a "rigorous process". " Yo r k s h i r e C o u n t y Cricket Club and agents acting on our behalf have met with over 350 interested parties to work through the validity of each and every genuine offer to refinance the club," the club said.

"No stone has been left unturned and a thorough and rigorous process has been conducted by the board to ensure the club stays operational for the benefit of its members, creditors and employees.

"We refute any assertion to the contrary."

Graves, who was also chair of the England and Wa l e s C r i c k e t B o a r d (ECB) between 2015 and 2020, said no racism allegations were raised to him during his tenure at Yorkshire.

Last year, five ex-Yorkshire players found to have used racist language were sanctioned with fines and bans by the Cricket Discipline Commission.

Former player Azeem Rafiq has spoken about his experiences of racism at the county. He has called on Yorkshire's sponsors to oppose Graves' return.

Graves, 75, was criticised by the ECB for suggesting incidents of racism at the county were "banter".

He has revealed his ownership offer for the cash-strapped county was accepted and his consortium was in exclusive negotiations until 5 January.

His return could be confirmed if negotiations

Colin Graves originally pulled out of the running to be Yorkshire chair in June 2023

are successful and club members vote for his deal at an extraordinary general meeting.

Last week, Clive Efford, MP, a member of the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) select committee, said Graves' return to the club would be "a disaster".

Sporting Equals, a charity that promotes ethnic diversity in UK Sport, said in an open letter to sports minister Stuart Andrew: "Cricket has been making an effort to combat racism over the past few years.

"Since Azeem Rafiq publicly exposed the deep systemic problems the ECB, among others, has taken action to address these issues.

"However, the potential reinstatement of Colin Graves as chairman of Yorkshire County Cricket Club would undermine the progress made.

"His reinstatement would send a message that emboldens those who perpetuate the myth that racism is simply banter, that it is enough to pay lip service to policies and procedures.

"It would make a mockery of the suffering of ethnically diverse players across the country. It would be a rejection of the ICEC report's thorough investigation and well-considered conclusions. This progress must not be stunted."

Sporting Equals also called for a five-point plan to be introduced into cricket, including bringing in a fit and proper persons test for prospective owners.(BBC Sport).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Fourteen-year-old Hetmyer headlines young brigade for first-class trials

By Sean Devers TAGENARINE Chanderpaul, Gudakesh Motie, Kevin Sinclair, Tevin Imlach and Shamar Joseph have been selected in the West Indies Test squad for their Australia tour.

This has forced the Ramnaresh Sarwan-led national selection panel to invite arguably the youngest group of cricketers to trials preparation for the regional first-class tournament since the Shell Shield days in the mid-1960s.

The unavailability of the region’s most successful firstclass captain due to his retirement last year after leading Guyana to his sixth title as captain, has added to the problem.

Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul, who last year became the only Guyanese with 500 regional firstclass wickets and 600 firstclass wickets overall, is now 34 and the oldest player invited.

Matthew Nandu and Anthony Adams have been appointed captains for trial games and this suggests that Permaul is no longer being

…first four-day game set from today at Bourda

Matthew Nandu

Anthony Adams

Adrian Hetmyer

looked at in a leadership position.

At 14, and with no experience of red-ball first-division cricket, national U-15 batting all-rounder Adrian Hetmyer, whose centuries and double centuries have come against his peers at the U-13 & U-15 levels where some of the bowlers are as young as nine years.

I am a big fan of young Hetmyer, the son of former national U-19 and present senior Berbice inter county batter Seon Hetmyer, and nephew of West Indies batter Shimron Hetmyer, but his name in the list befuddles me.

Despite his obvious talent which suggests that if handled correctly, he could be one for the future, he is yet to play at the regional U-17 or U-19 levels and has never played a two-innings BCB match. The BCB has not held a two-day first-division tournament since 2019.

Another surprise was the selection of national U-19 player Zachary Jodah, who had no outstanding performances in the last regional U-19 tournament and is indicative of how small the pool of high-quality players has become and the drastic decline in local first-di-

vision cricket.

When you look at the names of players called to prepare for the 2024 first-class season, most of them lack the standard of players who could NOT make it to ‘Trials’ two decades ago.

Only the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) staged any ‘red-ball’ first-division cricket in the past two years, and only a handful.

Local cricket boards and associations lament that sponsors are reluctant to support two-day cricket and would rather put their money in ‘white-ball’ cricket, especially

the T20 format.

In the past when I played in the 1990s and 2000s, threeday, first-division cricket was played on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in Demerara and on Saturday, Sunday and the following Saturday in Berbice where I also played for Bermine (now Tucber Park).

Another reason given for a lack of two-day first-division cricket is the players’ inability to get ‘time off’ from their jobs while in the city, cricket grounds are rarely available for two consecutive days on weekends.

Guyana has dominated regional four-day cricket since the franchise system was introduced in 2015 because Guyanese players were not selected for international duty, which made the other teams weaker and most of the national players would play in Trinidad, Barbados and North America where more cricket was played.

If more two-day first-division cricket is not played here, Guyana might still do well in what many cricket pundits say is the shortest and lowest standard of regional first-class

cricket.

It will become even lower with the exodus of our better players to the global T2O leagues and if this is allowed to continue and other Caribbean territories emulate Guyana in their national trials, it won’t be long before the West Indies becomes irrelevant as a Test-playing entity.

Trial match teams: Anthony Adams XI: Adams (Captain), Sachin Singh, Rampertab Ramnauth, Kevlon Anderson, Akshaya Persaud, Zachary Jodah, Zeynul Ramsammy, Joshua Persaud, Aryan Persaud, Junior Sinclair, Quentin Sampson, Rivaldo Phillips, Sylus Tyndall, Malcom Hubbard, Adrian Hetmyer, Bruce Vincent and Clinton Pestano.

Matthew Nandu XI: Nandu (Captain), Raymon Perez, Shamar Yearwood, Kemol Savory, Richie Looknauth, Brandon Jaikaran, Jonathan Rampersaud, Johnathan Van Lange, Gulcharran Chulai, Veerasammy Permaul, Nial Smith, Thaddeus Lovell, Ronsford Beaton, Ashmead Nedd, Ronald Ali-Mohamed, Ushadeva Balgobin and Steven Sankar.

Seales likely to miss Red Force's opening West Indies Championship fixtures through injury

Motie ends 2023 with best match figures in Tests

T&T pacer Jayden Seales

Gudakesh Motie walking off the field after taking 7-37 against Zimbabwe in February

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force fast bowler Jayden Seales seems set to miss the first three matches of the West Indies Championship, as he continues to nurse a shoulder injury.

With the championship scheduled to begin next month, Red Force coach David Furlonge confirmed the news, as he revealed that Shannon Gabriel is also on the mend.

Seales, who sustained a knee injury in December 2022, overcame that setback after a successful surgery, but was again placed on the sidelines by his current injury, which he sustained during the West Indies A team tour of South Africa late last year.

The injury ruled the 22-year-old out of selection for the current West Indies tour of Australia, and he will be out of action a little bit longer.

“They are coming along.

Jayden will most likely be out for the first three games.

They have been training every

day while the three-day game was going on, so they are coming along, but we don’t think Jayden will be ready for the first three games of the season,” Furlonge shared in an interview with Trinidad Express.

Neither Gabriel nor Seales featured in the trial match at Preysal, but both were at the venue going through their paces and rehab work.

“We have a fitness test on Monday and then they will get

ready for the North/South,” Furlonge noted.

On that noted, Furlonge pointed to the positives, as he highlighted a few players that shone during the three-day trial encounter and is anticipating similar efforts in the four-day North/South Classic which bowls off on Thursday at the National Cricket Centre.

“I think the contracted players did well and it shows that they have been putting in the work. We are coming

together well.

“The top order batters [Kamil Pooran and Kjorn Ottley] got some runs but one or two other players didn’t get off.

Hopefully in the next couple of weeks we can see everybody getting runs and big scores as we go into the tournament,” Furlonge said.

“The contracted bowlers did well but we also saw Aamir Ali getting some wickets as well, and Jacen Agard bowling well although he didn’t get wickets. So, it was good to see these young bowlers playing hard and defending a small total in the second innings.

Caption: T&T pacer Jayden Seales “We want to see the game last four days and we want to see some good performances and consistency from the players. We also want to see the guys putting out the effort and playing with passion,” he added. (Sportsamax).

GUYANESE left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie ended 2023 with the best match figures in Test cricket with his 13-99 against Zimbabwe in February in Bulawayo.

The 28-year-old took figures of 7-37 from 14.5 overs in the first innings and 6-62 from 17.3 overs in the second innings to set up an innings and four-run victory for the Windies.

Motie also took six wickets in the first match of the twomatch series to finish with 19 in total, being named ‘Player of the Series’ in the process.

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had the second-best match figures of 2023 with his 12-131 against the West Indies in Dominica in July while Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon was third with his 11-99 against India in Indore in March. (Sportsmax).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

We are helping with Windies’ development, Russell says

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – Chief executive officer Pete Russell said the partnership that the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) enjoys with Cricket West Indies has helped to further develop the sport in the region, pushing back on suggestions it has not.

Russell said the Caribbean’s premier Twenty20 tournament has successfully heightened the interest and enthusiasm of fans towards the sport, especially considering the challenges that the West Indies men’s team has faced on the international stage over the past two decades.

Recently, Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) president, Billy Heaven bemoaned the agreement between CPL and CWI, and he said there was a need for the arrangement to be revisited to ensure enhanced returns on investment for the sport in the Caribbean.

Heaven, also a CWI director, was speaking amid public outcry over the withdrawal of the Jamaica Tallawahs franchise, which has left the country without a CPL presence since the tournament was founded.

He said the agreement struck 12 years ago was “disadvantageous to Jamaica” and other regional countries, as it did not provide significant enough value. But Russell

Caribbean Premier League Chief Executive Pete Russell

disagrees.

“It’s excellent,” Russell told the Jamaica Observer about the relationship with CWI. “I speak to the president, CEO, and a number of other members of staff at CWI on a daily basis.

“At the end of the day, we’re all aiming and striving for the same goal. We want, obviously, [for] West Indies cricket to be top of the tree; we want fans to re-engage with the game across the region, and we want a flood of development players to come through, so the

future of West Indies cricket is secure.

“We’re all singing from the same hymn sheet. It was always a bit tricky in the early days, but I think we’re way past that now, and it’s a case of working together for the betterment of West Indies cricket.”

Russell said CPL had paid close to US$50 million to players since the start of the League, and that this has enabled several players to make a decent living out of the sport.

“That’s very important, and it takes the burden off CWI be-

cause, obviously, we’re paying the salaries, and not CWI,” he said. “People fail to remember that if CWI are going to be able to employ all these cricketers, they have to find funds from somewhere.”

This brought into sharp focus the decision of the ownership of the Tallawahs to repatriate the franchise to CPL after citing a lack of support from the Jamaica government.

Matches have also not been held in the country for the past four years, but Russell said CPL was grateful for the support other Caribbean governments had shown, including Antigua, where a new franchise to replace the Tallawahs is to be located.

“It’s very strong, and we don’t underestimate the strength of those relationships (with governments), and the importance of those relationships,” he said. “Sports tourism is a very big deal around the world; you only have to look at some of the major sports to see how important it is — the Qatar [Fifa] World Cup being an obvious example of that.

“We understand now that CPL is now at a level where we do get fans flying to watch these games and enjoying the games — whether that’s inter-island travel; or fans coming from New York, Miami, other parts of the USA; and Canada as well. We understand

there’s an inherent value that CPL brings.”

He added: “But it’s more than that; it’s the social aspect as well. It’s the fact that local fans can get behind their team and go and support them (local players obviously have a huge role to play in that), and small businesses, when we’re there, obviously make money — and that’s really the key.

“We come into countries like St Lucia, St Kitts, and Barbados, for example — periods in the year when there’s not naturally high-season tourist times — so for those businesses it’s great because we come in with a lot of people and we spend money, so it’s good for the local economy.

“There’s a number of reasons why the governments enjoy having CPL there, and they are important to our ecosystem as well.”

Heaven questioned the role of CPL in actual cricket development across the Caribbean and tends to emphasise the entertainment value of the sport rather than the product.

Russell said the League has sparked interest in the sport among a new group of fans and wants to help with the revival of the sport in the Caribbean.

“I would say until CPL came along, things weren’t looking great in terms of getting fans in stadiums to watch games” he said. “That’s some-

thing we try to reignite, making sure those fans feel passionate about the game, and we’ve done that through making sure there’s that local rivalry between teams; I think that’s important.

“People love to see full stadiums. If you look at the finals that we had in Guyana (last year), it was fantastic. It was a great show of colour, noise, and excitement — and that’s because of cricket.”

He said: “[Our job] is really to support anything that CWI comes up with to get cricket played at schools, at the junior level, and that’s the bit that we need to work on.

How do we get primary school [children] into a system that is going to create the next Brian Lara, Chris Gayle, or whoever it happens to be?

We have plenty of examples of players who do a good job in CPL, but then go to international leagues and do well elsewhere and make a decent living out of it.”

Perennial bridesmaids Guyana Amazon Warriors won the CPL last year for the first time on the sixth attempt when they beat three-time champions Trinbago Knights by nine wickets in a low-scoring Grand Final on home soil at the Guyana National Stadium.

Cedella Marley demits role as Global Ambassador for Jamaica’s women's football

Cedella Marley has resigned from her role as Global Ambassador for Jamaica’s women's football team effective immediately.

Marley, who was highly regarded by the players as the Reggae Girlz’ ‘fairy godmother,’ made the announcement via a release on Thursday.

Marley, in the statement, pointed to the current state of affairs involving the senior Reggae Girlz World Cup representatives and the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) as reasons behind her departure, a decision which comes after 10 years partnering with the country's governing football body, to raise funds for the Reggae Girlz as they qualified for consecutive FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019 and 2023.

"I must express my disappointment and growing concern with the turn things have taken in recent months.

After the World Cup, I was under the impression that we all were committed to working together to build on that success. However, the ever-widening rift between the JFF and the team is very alarming. Numerous overtures to each of you to voice my concern and try to assist with a resolution, continue to be met with noncommittal, generic response," a part of her statement read.

She said she believes the federation is “neither receptive nor interested" in her "current manner of support.”

Marley explained that after sharing a mutual vision with Captain Horace Burrell,

Cedella Marley share a photo opportunity with Jamaica's Reggae Girlz

she joined the team with an understanding that she would bring “help and support.” She further expressed that since coming to that understanding, the Bob and Rita Marley Foundations alongside a host of partners have invested some US $2.7 million into the

growth and development of the country's women’s football team since 2014.

“We have worked diligently with the federation to build a solid women’s programme. The results of this work speak for themselves as the Reggae Girlz have gone

on to literally make history – not once, not twice but repeatedly,” she noted.

Despite her resignation, Marley declared that she would continue to support the Reggae Girlz’ journey via the Football is Freedom initiative.

Meanwhile, JFF Vice-president Raymond Anderson, who will challenge incumbent Michael Ricketts for the presidency next week, believes Marley's resignation speaks clearly to the inability of the current leadership to be trusted.

"This resignation casts a long shadow of mistrust over the current JFF administration. It is now clear that there has been a deliberate effort to discredit our two-time World Cup-qualifying Reggae Girlz.

This squad, a beacon of hope

and pride for our nation, has been let down. In just three months, the JFF has managed to undo what took Cedella Marley and everyone involved a decade to build," a release from Anderson's Real Solid Action (RSA) team stated.

"I utterly condemn the manner in which the Reggae Girlz and Ambassador Marley have been treated.

The lack of communication, unfulfilled promises, and disregard shown are inexcusable. To see such disregard for the team, the handling of coach Lorne Donaldson, and the dismantling of their structure after ascending to the Round of 16 in the World Cup, is not only a betrayal of trust but a tragic misstep," it added.

(Sportsmax)

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Monedderlust beat Slingerz to book Elite League spot Works moving apace at New Amsterdam synthetic track

Part of the ongoing work at the synthetic track at Burnham Park, New Amsterdam

Monedderlust FC collect their trophy from Guyana Football Federation President Wayne Forde, after defeating Slingerz FC

MONEDDERLUST Football Club emerged champions of the Guyana Football Federatiom Elite League Promotional Playoff, defeating Slingerz FC 1-0 in the final on Sunday evening at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.

Brentnol Frank

scored the winner for the Berbice unit in the fourth minute to secure Monedderlust a spot in Season Six of the Elite League, starting in February.

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) aims to have the sixth season return to its original format whereby the 10

teams play each other twice, resulting in 18 matches per team.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, season five of the league had nine matches per team, with the Guyana Defence Force FC winning their second title.

Following the Elite League Promotional

play-off final, the GFF will award a preparation grant of G$1M to the club or clubs promoted to the Elite League.

Slingerz FC will be given a second chance to play in the league when they oppose Victoria Kings, the bottom-placed team from season five.

WORKS are moving apace on the synthetic track at New Amsterdam, Berbice. The FIFA-standard floodlights have been installed, while work is underway on the ground and pavilion.

It is understood that the synthetic materials have also been purchased and are awaiting installation.

In October 2018, BK International Inc. was awarded the contract to the tune of approximately $141 million for the Region Six track to be built at Burnham Park.

This track will complement the recently constructed synthetic track at the Bayroc Community Centre Ground in Wismar, Linden, and the National Track and Field Facility, at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.

The eight-lane 400-metre track, when completed, will benefit hundreds of athletes within the East Berbice-Corentyne region and other parts of Guyana and provide job opportunities.

More so, at the 61st National Cycling, Swimming, and Track and Field Championships, several athletes from districts within Berbice performed credibly in the track and field segment, some even setting new records.

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| TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2024