Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 13-03-2023

ONCE completed, these three 3,000-tonne silos and one 80-tonne-per-hour drying tower at Tacama Landing, along the Berbice River, will significantly boost the production of corn and soya bean in Guyana (Photo courtesy of President Ali’s Facebook page)

More specialised care, outreaches to improve patient care at GPHC

By Naomi Parris

SEVERAL specialised services in general surgery and much-needed outreach programmes will be rolled out at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) as part of efforts to improve patient care within the public health sector.

In a recent exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, General Surgeon Dr Sandy Solomon, who is also a member of the country’s all-female surgical team, shared that the hospital will soon begin conducting Hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgeries.

Hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery consists of the general surgical treatment for benign and malignant diseases of the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts.

These are among the most challenging and complex surgical procedures performed in general surgery and require a high degree of expertise and skill.

According to Dr Solomon, the GPHC will be collaborating with a Chinese Medical Brigade to oversee roll out of the programme.

“In my little domain we are starting to do the hepato-pancreato-biliary, pancreatic surgery in collaboration with the Chinese Medical Brigade. And we are trying to develop that service here at the Georgetown Hospital, so previously or prior to this time those surgeries were done by general surgeons,” Dr Solomon said.

She explained that once this service becomes available, the hospital will be able to not only expand its

services, but also record more satisfying outcomes.

“So having that area or that specialty available here, we would be able to increase the outcome or better the outcome for patients with those pathologies, predominantly liver and pancreatic cancers, and persons that might have

Post-retirement, teacher turns to agro-processing

By Naomi Parris

FOR many, retirement presents an opportunity to seek enlightenment and reflect on one’s life.

While some choose to just relax and reminisce on their vibrant younger days, some choose to pursue new adventures. One such retiree is Faye Gilgious Greaves, the founder of Jofa Products,

a local agro-processing business that has been making waves across the Caribbean, with its flavoured pepper stew and sweet-pepper jelly.

Greaves, 58, was a vocational and child care management teacher, who lived and taught in her home community Sophia. Recently, Greaves closed the doors to the classroom and opened her very own business with the

help of her husband.

“While I was in my working years, I would normally do part-time craft and African foods and so forth. But after retirement, which was July 2021, I started to turning my mind, what can I do to still earn an income… I would also make things like fruit drinks and mauby

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had injuries after a cystectomy.

“It’s an ongoing service that we are trying to start and the thought of it is that we will get formal training, with maybe some advancement in a year or two in that area,” she added.

Additionally, the hospital

has also restarted its outreach programme which will see surgical residents along with other health professionals conducting routine visits to hinterland communities across the country.

Head of the residency programme, Dr Andrea Kissoon, who also spoke to the Guyana Chronicle said this will see tremendous improvements in the delivery of healthcare to the far-flung areas in the country.

“On every trip we will have a resident that will accompany that group along with somebody from anaesthesia, so that way we can reach those villages where persons don’t really have access to care or more so, surgery,” Dr Kissoon said.

With the Georgetown Public Hospital being Guyana’s premier public health

institution, the facility often sees patients travelling from across the country to receive treatment. This, Dr Kissoon said, puts a strain on the health care sector as well as the patients.

“When you have patients coming from very far they are very sick by the time they get to you and sometimes that can be very challenging and sometimes that can lead to a very bad outcome,” she said.

She added, “We have been seeing a lot of patients from the hinterland areas that [sic] come to GPHC for care and it can be a bit of an inconvenience, not just for the health care system, but also for the families as well.

It’s a new year and they are many other projects that are in the pipeline and the residents will surely be involved in all of those.”

General Surgeon Sandy Solomon

Surgical Resident Dr Andrea Kissoon

Faye Gilgious Greaves at the recent Agro-fest held in Barbados

Massive boost to corn and soya bean production –– as silos,

drying

tower to be completed by May 2023

WITH much focus being placed on reducing the Caribbean’s hefty food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025, Guyana will soon ramp up production of corn and soya bean as the construction of three 3,000-tonne silos and one 80-tonne-per hour drying tower at Tacama Landing, along the Berbice River, are set to be completed in May of this year.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, told the Guyana Chronicle, on Sunday, that once those facilities are completed, more livestock feed production is expected.

“Once that is completed, we will have more time to take it to the feed mill so that we can make it into feed. We have a consortium that we are working with to make the feed for the livestock for the country,” the Agriculture Minister said.

With Guyana expending close to US$25 million annually on proteins for the poultry sector, the government, since being elected to office in 2020, has taken steps to promote domestic cultivation of grains such as corn and soya bean.

The country will not only become a supplier to the regional market,

but it also expects to become self-sufficient in producing its own feed for livestock.

“From the next crop we will have the silos, soon we will be reaping 1,200 acres; hopefully by next crop we can increase that to 3,000 acres and with another three years we are hoping to expand and become self- sufficient by 2025. This is in line with the President’s initiative in helping to reduce the food import bill in Guyana and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM),” Mustapha said.

In a past interview with the Guyana Chronicle,

Mustapha had said that the aim is to extend the farm in the Tacama Savannah to some 4,000 acres over a five-year period.

“In 2021, we would have started the trial of 125 acres and it was very successful and we harvested three tonnes per hectare, and that is aligned in getting the kind of production we want. Because of that, we said we will expand to 3,000-4,000 acres this year and we will continuously increase, so the next three years we can expand to 25,000,” Mustapha said.

In 2021, six local companies and a regional firm

joined together to under-

take the massive project that could see Guyana becoming self-sufficient in corn and soya bean over the next few years.

The owners of Guyana Stock Feed Ltd., Royal Chicken, Edun Farms, SBM Wood, Dubulay Ranch, and Bounty Farm Ltd., along with the Brazilian-owned N F Agriculture, have partnered to produce soya bean and corn for both the local and regional markets.

Meanwhile, works on the Ituni to Tacama road in Region 10 were recently completed, further opening up over thousands of acres of farmlands for cultivation.

In July 2022, a $251.4

million contract was signed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Associated Construction Services for the rehabilitation of this road.

The project, which fell under the purview of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), promised improved access to thousands of acres of farmlands, including those lands used in the cultivation of corn, soya and sorghum, among other produce.

More infrastructural improvements are expected to be made in the Tacama area to facilitate the further expansion of the corn and soya bean production.

Opposition MPs ordered to pay monies owed in suspension case

THE eight Opposition

Members of Parliament (MPs), who were suspended for their disruptive behaviour in the National Assembly and the removal of the Parliamentary Mace in December 2021, are required to pay the monies owed to the State in the suspension case, in seven days from March 10, 2023

This was highlighted in a letter penned by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, to Opposition member and attorney, Roysdale Forde, on March 10, 2023.

AG Nandlall empha

sised that to date, no payment has been made by the MPs in breach of the order of the court in a ruling rendered by Justice Damone Younge.

Failure to complete the payment of costs awarded in the case, the letter stated, “would result in enforcement of the aforesaid Order of Court without further notice.”

The MPs were mandated to pay $350,000 in costs to the state by February 6, according to the decision rendered by Justice Younge in the High Court. The case concluded on January 16, 2023.

Annette Ferguson, Christopher Jones, Ganesh Mahipaul, Vinceroy Jordan, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Sherod Duncan, Maureen Philadelphia, and Natasha Singh-Lewis are the opposition MPs who were suspended.

The court determined that Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, had the authority to impose the suspension and that the Parliamentary Privileges Committee had every right to recommend it.

On July 21, 2022, during the 48th sitting of the National Assembly, the House officially approved the re-

port of the Committee of Privileges, which recommended that the eight parliamentarians be suspended for their involvement in desecrating the Speaker’s Mace on December 29, 2021.

The disgraceful incident occurred during the debate on the Natural Resources Fund Bill. Chaos broke out at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) at Liliendaal, Georgetown, when the Opposition MPs attempted to prevent Senior Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh from speaking during a sitting of the National Assembly.

During the commotion,

MP Ferguson attempted to steal the Speaker’s Mace, and was joined by some of her colleagues.

Following the mayhem, a Motion tabled by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, was passed in the National Assembly in January 2022 for the eight elected officials to be referred to the Privileges Committee for their actions.

The Privileges Committee later presented a report that recommended that MPs Ferguson, Philadelphia and Jordan be suspended for six consecutive sittings for committing serious viola -

tions in removing the Parliamentary Mace from its rightful position.

The report also recommended that Sarabo-Halley be suspended for six consecutive sittings. It was recommended that Jones, Duncan, Singh-Lewis and Mahipaul be suspended from four consecutive sittings.

The suspended MPs later approached the court.

In addition to the Attorney General, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir and the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, were named as defendants.

An aerial view of the three 3,000-tonne silos and one 80-tonne-per hour drying tower at Tacama Landing, along the Berbice River (Office of the President photo)

The corn and soya bean farm in the Tacama Savannah (Office of the President photo)

Outrage against WPA’s divisive statement continues

THE Guyana Pandit’s Council, Guyana Central Arya Samaj and the Region Three Private Sector Inc. have joined the government and other stakeholders in denouncing the recent racist and divisive comments made by

Working People’s Alliance (WPA) member, Tacuma Ogunseye.

The three bodies have issued statements condemning the use of hate, terrorism and racism to incite their supporters against a sitting government.

The Pandit’s Council and affiliates urged Guyanese to join in denouncing the statements made by the WPA member. The body, in a release, stated that as endeavours are made to unify the people as one nation, there should be no place for any

public speech that threatens to fuel racial incitement, civil unrest and instability. Adding to this, the Berbice Central Arya Samaj and the Guyana Central Arya Samaj, in a statement, also called on Guyanese to condemn the statements that

–– Hindu organisations, Region 3 Private Sector condemn utterances

can be interpreted as a call to violence in Guyana.

“The call to violence, and identifying one ethnic group to turn against another, at this time in Guyana’s history must be condemned. These persons belong to the past, let’s leave them there. History will not be kind to them,” the statement said.

They added that ancestors of all ethnicities were brought to Guyana and contributed to the building of the country. As such, the country belongs to all Guyanese equally.

Meanwhile, the Region Three Private Sector Inc (R3PSI) stated that the use of hate, terrorism and racism by politicians has several consequences for the political process.

The R3PSI added, “Political activist and academic Walter Anthony Rodney must be turning in his grave to see the levels the party he founded has gone to.”

It was stated that the comments made by Ogunseye to incite violence and encourage members of the Joint Services to engage in public disorder in rejection of a democratically elected government are not without consequence.

This, the body said, can only create a climate of polarisation and division and lead to violence and civil unrest that can further polarise the society.

“It is clear that President Irfaan Ali’s “One Guyana” vision is affecting certain sections of society striving for political power, and it is therefore important for politicians to refrain from using these tactics and instead focus on promoting democratic values and building a more inclusive and tolerant society

since many of the persons propagating such a despotic narrative will not be around to see the consequences of their senility,” the statement said.

All three groups noted that all right-thinking members of society must condemn these actions.

Earlier, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, in his capacity as Secretary of the Defence Board issued a statement also denouncing the, “racist incendiary call for public disorder and resistance, positioned as an alternative to the democratic process of Local Government Elections lawfully due.”

The AG said such a statement is capable of amounting to several criminal offences, including but not limited to, sedition, seditious libel, inciting riotous behaviour and exciting racial hostility in order to create a breakdown of law and order within the State of Guyana, if not treason.

He noted that such inflammatory publications cannot be justified under the rubric of freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Constitution, since Article 146 which guarantees such freedom, expressly excepts “…hate speeches or other expressions, in whatever form, capable of exciting hostility or ill will against any person or class of persons.”

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali in a video message on Saturday, while denouncing the ‘racist, opportunistic dismantlers’ on the opposition side, called on all Guyanese to reject and condemn the WPA’s hate speech.

Post-retirement, teacher...

From page 2

because I have fruit trees in the yard, so I utilise them to do that,” she told the Guyana Chronicle.

At that time, agro-processing was not a venture she initially thought of.

“I started to think internally what else can I add to what I have, and something said peppers and seasonings, so in February in 2022 I went to another pop-up shop, so I had my craft, my bags, tie-dye and so on.”

In what was described as a spur-ofthe-moment decision, Greaves along

your toast, or even your fresh bread, it can use on salads, it can be used on icecreams… I used It on my porridge, I used it on my cereal, you can even marinate your meat with it,” she said.

Jofa Products are also made bearing in mind persons who have specific dietary needs.

In fact, Greaves noted, “The sweet-pepper jelly is mildly sweet and that is deliberate to cater for persons who are diabetic and so forth, so I work around it.”

NETWORKING

Voter education campaign launched ahead of upcoming local gov’t polls

THE International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), in collaboration with other local youth organisations, on Saturday launched its voter education campaign activities at the Giftland Mall, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown.

IFES, in collaboration with the Guyana National Youth Council, Guyana Council for Persons with Disabilities and Youth Challenge Guyana, launched its ‘Voter Education Campaign’ with the aim of educating first-time voters and persons interested in the electoral process on what to expect in the upcoming Local Government Elections in June.

with her husband began cooking up recipes and soon came up with the Jofa Products, Pepper Stew and Sweet Pepper Jelly.

They offered samples of their products at various pop-up shops that were held across the country.

“When we gave people the little samples, they were coming back with their bottles, saying that they want more, or they want us to make for them,” she recounted.

GRANNY’S JELLIES

While the pepper stew was solely her husband’s idea, Greaves noted that the inspiration to create the sweet pepper jelly stemmed from the childhood days she spent watching her grandmother in the kitchen.

“I grew up with my grandmother and she made a lot of jellies, but it never occurred to me to make jellies, because the time I saw her put into it, I didn’t think I have the same patience.”

She noted that the product is often quite a shocker for many. Its sweet yet tangy taste often confuses consumers who are first-time buyers, as it is usually mistaken for the regular citrus-flavoured jellies that are known on the market.

“For the sweet-pepper jelly, it’s always been like a question, sweet-pepper jelly? They are always alarmed and curious,” she said.

The product is also versatile and can be used to satisfy both the sweet and savoury palettes.

“After I outline all the things that can be used, using this product that is even more amazing to them. So, the sweet pepper as jelly can go on your crackers,

Jofa Products are currently being offered in two supermarkets in Guyana and discussions are underway to have the product distributed in many others locally, as well as regionally.

“I am growing, I’m now in two supermarkets, the Guyana Shop and Survival. I also have documents in Massy, Bounty and Food Max and I just returned from Barbados Agro-fest,” the woman said. Greaves was among several other agro-processors who recently participated in the annual, Barbados Agrofest; there, she said, she was able to network and market her products to persons who were interested.

While reflecting on that experience, she said, “At the Agro-fest I can say it was a great exposure, so in deed I earned experience from that activity, the product in Barbados was just like Guyana, it was totally new. Nobody is doing pepper stew, nobody is doing pepper jelly that is publicly known.”

With fruitful connections made, Greaves was advised to tap into the local tourism market, a venture she has no objection of exploring, once guidance is provided.

“I got guidance from the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) and I started to put my labels in order. I had labels before but there was some missing information, so with their guidance I got my labels done and then I went on to food and drug and I got my certificate and the road just continued,” the businesswoman said.

In the near future, Greaves intends to expand her product line and to explore every avenue of opportunity that may come her way.

President of the Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC), Dr Quacy Grant, said the purpose of the campaign is to sensitize youth, first-time voters and other persons on the process of voting and to bring awareness to all they need to know about the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGEs).

The campaign launch was held in the lobby of the Giftland Mall, where the organisers and their volunteers set up a booth to attract a wide audience, who came in their numbers to view all they had to offer. The booth was complete with its voter’s box mascot, that aided in grabbing the attention of the public.

Programme Coordinator for the GNYC, Rondell Nedd, said as part of the Youth ALLIES project they had a mock polling station set up as one of the main components of the voter education campaign.

“This [voting process demonstration] is basically what we’re going to be

demonstrating through out Guyana. Mostly targeting first-time voters and young people... We are the next

generation and if we don’t exercise our right we cannot

A few of the Jofa Products

A mock polling station set up as one of the main components of the voter education campaign (Delano Williams photo)

UNITY

SINCE being elected to office in 2020, the government has been investing in initiatives to foster unity amidst continuous attempts by persons locally and overseas to sow discord by peddling racism and discrimination.

However, President, Dr Irfaan Ali has repeatedly rebuffed those attempts and has pledged to continue working on dismantling every single chord of discrimination against Guyanese and to promote unity. It was out of this desire that his “One Guyana” initiative was born.

President Ali, leading from the front, is on a mission to create a pathway for peace and harmony that will unite all Guyanese and advance the growth and development of the country.

Many have embraced the President’s vision and have applauded him for taking this bold step.

The latest person to attempt to disrupt the progress being made by the government was executive member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Tacuma Ogunseye.

At a recent public meeting, Ogunseye continued the PNC’s political

rhetoric of unsubstantiated claims of oppression being faced by Afro-Guyanese under the current government.

He took it a step further, insinuating that members of the Joint Services, which is predominantly made up of Afro-Guyanese, should “turn those guns in the right direction.”

“I don’t understand how people complain that they are oppressed and they are holding guns in their hands. They are the majority in the army, in the police, and they still say they are oppressed. And they still say our problem is our own making. Anytime we turn those guns in the right direction it is over,” Ogunseye asserted.

Reckless, racially charged and maniacal are three words that immediately come to mind when thinking about the WPA executive member and his irresponsible remarks.

Those unsavory remarks only serve to divide a nation that could achieve so much once its people live in harmony and peace.

But it is clear that President Ali will not let Ogunseye or anyone’s irresponsible comments derail efforts to unite Guyanese under the umbrella of “One

Voter education campaign...

have a say at the table.

I often say that young people must be able to follow through with the system so that you can be the change you want to see,” Nedd said.

Additionally, a civic education tool kit, equipped with games for participants to have fun while learning was also put on display at their booth.

Speaking on this was IFES Guyana’s Senior Programme Officer, Danielle Anthony who said, “This tool-kit was designed to accompany our civic education curriculum. So we have a number of activities they were designed to be sort of an edutainment, so playing on trying to educate our participants, as well as entertain them.”

Anthony pointed out their newest games “Who am I and where do I belong” and “Democracy Land”, which is their spin on the candy land and monopoly games, and slides and ladders. The games were

Guyana.”

“No gun or bullet would stop us on this path of unifying our people, on this path of developing our country, on this path of uplifting the lives of our people of this country. This is clear hate, terrorism and racism that came off of that stage. All of Guyana should be upset,” the Head of State emphasised.

With the country currently on a path of unprecedented growth and development, the President called on Guyanese to examine the behaviour of the political opposition.

During a previous meeting, the Head of State had emphasised the importance of his vision for One Guyana and said that its objectives can be achieved if everyone works together.

“What there is, is a great yearning to come together; a great enthusiasm and energy to come together. There is a great opportunity for us to fuse ourselves together; that is what the ordinary people want. There are, however, a select few out there who drive a narrative that is far different from reality,” President Ali said.

He said too: “In my service to Guyana, I will not see a nation divided by

ethnicity; I will see a nation cemented in unity. This land of Guyana is our common homeland; it is our common heritage. And every citizen within it is equal and will be treated equally.”

It is clear that he had thought long and hard about this delicate subject, and had decided from early that he was prepared to fight for the good of his country and his people.

Everything he has done from then to now is in keeping with that promise he made on August 8, 2020.

One can see the President’s genuine attempts to unite Guyanese and give everyone access to a good life, based on all that he has done since taking office.

He has used every opportunity he could to play up the need for a united Guyana and the benefits this would have for all Guyanese.

From the implementation of various economic measures, community visits and engagements with persons from all walks of life, President Ali has shown that he is “the people’s President” and has no interest in disunity, discrimination or racism.

For him, the focus is on promoting unity among citizens, ensuring that everyone benefits from the rich resources of this land and that everyone has the opportunity to live their best life. He is focused on the mission and, based on his approach, he will not rest until the work is done.

The fight for a united Guyana continues.

No place for race-baiting in Guyana

THERE is no place in Guyana for race-baiting.

Anyone who seeks to exploit race as a means of achieving political ends is doing a great disservice to the people of Guyana.

Martin Luther King said, an individual must be judged not by the colour of his skin but by the strength of his character. This is indeed a powerful statement which should be embraced by all Guyanese.

especially the young people, those now coming out. At least they’re heading in the right direction in terms of voting and doing it correctly.”

Members of the public were interested in learning more about the voting process (Delano Williams photo) created for persons in between the ages of 18 to 29, however it was tested in the Anna Regina Multilateral School where students between the ages of 14 and 18 were able to play and have fun while learning.

One of the participants said, “It is a good initiative. It’s something that’s very informative and it’s good for the voting populace,

There are plans to go into the other administrative regions in Guyana as well as to spread awareness and to ensure that the nation is edified on the LGEs.

I have always maintained the view that Guyana is evolving to higher levels of multiculturalism and ethnic tolerance. We only have to look at the recent Mashramani and Phagwah festivals to get a sense of how much we have embraced each other as a people, regardless of our ethnicity or politics.

These manifestations of cultural assimilation must be encouraged. As Dr

Guyana is an ethnically diverse society. Our strength lies in our diversity. Any individual or group that seeks to divide us on the grounds of our diversity must be called out.

It diminishes us as a people and as a society.

Yours respectfully, Hydar Ally

From page 5

Editor Navendra Seoraj

Building resilient agrifood systems in Least Developed Countries in the face of risk and uncertainty: FAO Chief Economist

LEAST Developed Countries (LDCs) are the most vulnerable nations to agrifood systems’ risk and uncertainty brought by climate change, water stresses, pests and diseases, trade and macroeconomic policies and unexpected events, the Chief Economist of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Máximo Torero warned today in Doha.

“We need to build resilience in our agrifood systems,” Torero urged, while speaking at a side event during the 5th UN Conference on the LDCs being held in Qatar this week.

The chief economist explained that LDCs remain hotspots of chronic and acute food insecurity with an average of 22.1 per cent of prevalence of chronic undernourishment — with some countries with more than 50 per cent.

He added that while there has been some progress since 2020, the situation has overall deteriorated over the last decade with many LDCs hurt by conflicts and climate shocks, as well as economic and demographic pressures.

For example, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic have been affected deeply by conflict. Meanwhile, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Guinea- Bissau, Madagascar and Lesotho have had to deal with climate shocks.

“Our agrifood systems operate and will continue to

operate under risk and uncertainty, and LDCs will be the most vulnerable countries to this,” he underscored.

Building Resilience Torero explained that building resilience in agrifood systems has three components: minimizing risks or vulnerabilities, coping with risks when they occur, and having the capacity to recover and build back better.

To minimize risks, he said, it is necessary to increase investment in early warning systems to identify areas where food insecurity is likely to occur, enabling timely interventions to prevent the situation from es-

calating.

He also highlighted the importance of the One Health Approach to face the emergence of new zoonotic reservoirs and emphasized how critical it is to increase access to agricultural insurance and finance.

FAO’s Chief Economist further explained that for LDCs to be able to cope with risks, it is a must to put in place well-targeted social protection to support the most vulnerable, including cash transfers and food- forwork programmes.

Another way to do this, he said, is to prioritize investments in interventions

with the maximum returns and assuring minimizing tradeoffs, a measure that needs accurate and up-todate data and information to take the right decisions. The FAO’s Hand in Hand initiative is currently supporting this.

To build resilience and increase productivity in the face of climate change, smallholder farmers in LDCs also need access to technology, markets, crop diversification, finance and resilient infrastructure, among other measures, Torero underscored.

Finally, to build back better, investments in renew-

able energy, digital solutions and addressing the gender gap are of core importance.

“We need to connect energy, water, technology and human capacity to transform agrifood systems,” the FAO expert underlined, adding that a new social contract is needed to guide our common life on our shared planet.

“This social contract has as pre-condition that we work together to increase resilience to secure for all people, recognition of the universal right to food and provision of the means to attain it,” he concluded.

FAO at the 5th UN Conference on the LDCs

Over the weekend, the FAO and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) launched the Agrifood Systems Transformation Accelerator (ASTA), a global programme designed to help LDCs make their agrifood systems more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable by fostering partnerships and generating public-private investments.

During the Private Sector Forum at the 5th UN Conference on the LDCs, FAO’s Chief Economist highlighted that ASTA will help countries move from broad recommendations and strategies for agrifood systems to concrete implementation and measured impact.

“ASTA brings a fresh new approach,” he said, adding that the initiative brings real impact, catalytic facilitation, partnerships, and technical excellence.

FAO’s Chief Scientist, Ismahane Elouafi, is also in Doha to participate in the conference.

Speaking at a side event dedicated to the importance of investment in research and development in LDCs for smart and innovative societies, Elouafi underscored the importance of investing in science to transform agrifood systems.

“Statistics shows investment in research and development in agriculture is extremely low,” she warned, adding that nations not only need to increase these investments but also maintain them continuously. (FAO)

FAO Chief Economist, Máximo Torero, addresses a panel during the 5th UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (FAO photo)

Search continues for BOSAI worker trapped in mining pit

MINISTER of Labour

Joseph Hamilton on Sunday said that search-andrescue operations for a Region 10 worker from Bauxite company BOSAI, who was reportedly trapped after the mining area in which he was working collapsed on Saturday.

Providing an update to members of the media about the situation, Minister Hamilton stated that the incident occurred in the wee hours of Saturday. The missing man was identified as 59-yearold Neptrid Hercules, who was slated to retire later this year after dedicating some 40 years to the mining

industry.

As a result of the incident, he noted that the Ministry of Labour’s Occupational Health and Safety Department, along with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) went to the mining site where the incident occurred and has been on site since then.

The teams, Hamilton said, have been in the area since Saturday morning and officers from both entities have been monitoring the situation and interviewing persons about the circumstances surrounding the accident.

“They worked on to

very late last night because of the concern, the safety concerns it was agreed that a suspension of the search and resume this morning,” he said, while adding that the search was still ongoing when he made the address on Sunday afternoon.

Speaking of the area in which the incident occurred, the minister indicated that there are deep valleys and steep hills in the area. Given the topography, he said excavation efforts did not suffice and as such, metal detectors were brought in to improve the search efforts.

Up to the suspension time on Saturday evening

and continuation of the search on Sunday morning, the teams, he said, have been unsuccessful.

While inaccurate information in relation to the suspension of the search on Saturday night has been put into the public domain, Minister Hamilton clarified that safety concerns for the

search- and-rescue teams led to the suspension.

He added, “The last information that came to me via my people that are up there, is that the attempt is being made to see if perhaps GGMC can make a piece of equipment, some high-tech equipment to see if that can help with the search.”

Meanwhile, he noted that the preliminary information suggests that the equipment along with Hercules might be buried more than 100 ft in the mining pit.

“So the search continues for Mr Hercules and the search will continue. The Ministry of Labour, Occupational Safety and Health Department will continue to participate in the exercise,” the minister assured the public.

The operation, he emphasised, remains a searchand-rescue mission and members of the team on the ground will continue the search.

The Labour Minister also said the authorities continue to conduct investigations to be able to have a report as to the circumstances surrounding the incident. Importantly, Hamilton also stated that a review of the location in totality will be done so as to understand how safe or unsafe the area was.

The mining area where the incident occurred

Neptrid Hercules

EPA dismisses KNews’ ‘deliberate, repeated’ misleading publications

See full statement:

THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stresses that its work is guided first and foremost by the Environmental Protection Act and its suite of Regulations. The EPA has noted the repeated and deliberate publication of glaring misconstructions of several facets of its work. Considering their frequency and magnitude, the EPA moves to correct these misconceptions in the public’s interest.

Provisions of the Liza I and Liza 2 Permits and improvements to date

The Permit for the Liza 2 Project is indeed almost a replica of the Liza 1 Permit. Clearly, the EPA saw merit in repeating in the Liza 2 Permit, almost all of the conditions of the Liza 1 Permit.

As an example, the EPA from the onset, prohibited routine flaring in the Liza 1 Permit and this stipulation was retained in all Permits. Subsequently, and after 2020, the EPA has continually improved its regulation of flaring. For instance, the EPA imposed a tax for flaring under non-routine upset conditions. This environmental control instrument is congruent with the Environmental Protection Act Cap 20:05 and is a deterrent commonly used in regions across the world to achieve environmental compliance.

As another example, the Liza 1 Permit stipulated that produced water discharges meet the World Bank/IFC standards for oil in water at 42 mg/L per day and 29 mg/L average per month. This condition was also retained and in all subsequent Permits.

Beyond the examples mentioned, many other conditions stated in the Liza I Permit have been retained in the subsequent Permits. The key point is that the EPA is always learning and improving, and its work is not about any one person within or external to the EPA.

As anyone will appreciate, with new and improved understanding of the oil and gas sector, a modern regulator will make appropriate changes as necessary to improve and ensure robust regulation of the sector. This is clearly demonstrated in the Permits issued subsequent to the Liza 1 and Liza 2 Permits, such as, the Permit for the Yellowtail Project and the Renewed Permit for the Liza 1 Project. The

latter Permits both reflect significant improvement through the inclusion of the following requirements:

? Requirement for a phased reduction of oil content specification of produced water to levels lower than the current international standard of 42 mg/L per day and 29mg/L average per month.

? Requirement for the application of the Oslo and Paris Conventions (OSPAR) Harmonized Mandatory Control System (HMCS) for use and reduction of offshore chemical discharges. This system requires incorporating a Chemical Use and Management Plan and OSPAR’s Harmonised Offshore Chemical Notification Format (HOCNF) among other aspects.

? Requirement for a physical Capping Stack to be available in Guyana and the maintenance of subscription for access to another one overseas. This was not a requirement in either the Liza 1 nor Liza 2 Permits. A Capping Stack is a new technology that is used to cap a well in event of a loss of well control, and failure of the blowout preventer (BOP).

? Requirement for mandatory simulations of the entire Oil Spill Response Plan (OSRP) with relevant stakeholders as approved by the Agency.

? The requirement for environmental effects monitoring related to biological, physical, and socio-economic resources within the Area of Influence (AOI) of the project, including targetted and updated environmental baseline studies.

? Requirement for annual independent external compliance audit on all embedded controls, including the Operations Integrity Management System (OIMS), the Oil Spill Response Plan (OSRP), and controls relating to critical drilling and production operations.

? The requirement for submission of safety case information, including a risk assessment prior to drilling and development of wells. Neither the Liza 1 nor 2 Permits provided for this requirement.

? Requirement for a Grievance Mechanism in keeping with the World Bank’s Approach to Grievance Redress, to ensure that environmental complaints from individuals and communities who may be affected by a Project are received and addressed. Neither

the Liza 1 nor Liza 2 Permits provided for this Mechanism.

? A requirement for the Permit Holder to indemnify and keep indemnified the Government of Guyana for liabilities and that Financial Assurance be guided by an estimate of the sum of the reasonably credible costs, expenses, and liabilities for a worst-case oil spill scenario.

Self-insurance

The Liza 1 Permit indeed relied on self-insurance. This was entirely congruent with the terms of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement

(PSA) which was entered into with the Petroleum Contractors. Further to this, it was understood that this form of Financial Assurance was customarily used in the international petroleum industry, and indeed it is. A precursory search of “financial assurance for oil spills” will show that this is a commonly accepted form of assurance.

Further, it is unheard of to this day, to reasonably require “unlimited coverage” insurance. Insurers are disinclined and have never provided this level of coverage. Clarifica-

tion sought from local insurers would confirm that there is nothing like unlimited or full cover insurance where liability is concerned because one cannot put an exact number to future/potential claims. If there is any insurer that provides or there are examples of unlimited Insurance or a Guarantee already given, the EPA is open to receiving this information towards informing its current negotiations.

Further, it must be emphasised that beyond Permit conditions, and the Environmental Protection Act which address the liability of Permit

Holders and ensure that environmental damage will not go unpunished or unremedied, through the vicarious liability principle, a Parent Company can be held liable for unfulfilled obligations (default) of its Subsidiary.

The EPA assures the public that it has not and will not shy away from examining and identifying appropriate and other effective forms of Financial Assurance for oil spill and other environmental liabilities. This work is ongoing and when completed, the public will be duly updated.

Global ambassador hopes to inspire Guyanese women, girls

NIGERIAN-AMERICAN education advocate, global ambassador and American film maker, Zuriel Oduwole, is continuing her advocacy across the globe and is hoping to inspire Guyanese women and girls.

In keeping with International Women’s Day, the Guyana Marriott Hotel hosted a

meet and greet seminar on Saturday with Oduwole, who is best known for meeting with heads of state around the world to discuss policies regarding girls’ education across the continent of Africa and the Caribbean.

At the event, Oduwole met with some of the young girls from the Carnegie School of

Home Economics, the Government Technical Institute (GTI) and some other young girls and women at the hotel.

During her presentation, Oduwole underscored the importance of having dreams and not limiting themselves but said partnerships can help to support the dreams that they have for themselves or others. Ad-

ditionally, she emphasised the key role of parents and other adults because they can provide for young people within their homes and communities.

After listening to the very insightful and informative session, Oduwole encouraged those gathered to share what their dreams and aspirations were.

After her session, Oduwole spoke exclusively with the Guyana Chronicle and explained that her main goal was to show herself as an example.

According to Oduwole, she does a lot of work in education advocacy by trying to get more out of schoolchildren. She is especially trying to get girls around the world back in school and help them understand that they have more opportunities in life when they have a solid education.

“I was allowed to go to school and so I try to use myself as an example to not only talk to girls but to show them what they can do with their lives too. I want girls to see that they are allowed to go to school and get an education and also be supported by their families and communities. I get to speak to children in schools and encourage them to complete their education, let them know the importance of having dreams and help them understand through seeing me that their dreams will not only impact them alone but other people within their families, their communities and possibly the world,” Oduwole said.

The young advocate also related that she wants to ensure that the young people understand the importance of supporting each other. That is why, as part of her mission, she engages world how they can

help keep children, especially girls, in school.

She also expressed how pleased she was with the welcome and hospitality that she was shown by the people of Guyana as well as the First Lady of Guyana, Mrs. Arya Ali. She expects to return to Guyana and work alongside Mrs. Ali.

To date, Oduwole has met with 36 world leaders and has lent her voice to the passage of a bill that seeks to end child marriage in Mozambique.

Also speaking with the Sunday Chronicle, the General Manager of the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Eduardo Reple, said, “I am very proud to be in Guyana and influence our staff through the initiative of having Zuriel with us. It is an opportunity for them and young people to see that they have a bright future ahead of them if they want it and believe it. Sometimes society is very tough because it does not provide enough for you, but with these types of initiatives, we are hoping that it will help our younger generation.”

Meanwhile, the Human Resources Director at the Guyana Marriot Hotel, Lalbahadur Singh, said Oduwole was chosen because of what she stands for and what she has been doing for young people, especially young girls around the world.

Nigerian-American education advocate, global ambassador and American film maker, Zuriel Oduwole, engaging young women and girls at the Guyana Marriott Hotel on Saturday (Delano Willams photo)

Food and energy security in focus as US VP’s Special Advisor visits Guyana

FOOD and energy security are among the key issues to be discussed this week during the official visit of Joseph Salazar, the Special Advisor for the Western Hemisphere to the Vice President of the United States of America (USA), Kamala Harris.

According to a press release from the US Embassy in Georgetown, Salazar is joined by Deputy Director for the Western Hemisphere Affairs, Office of Caribbean Affairs, Michael Taylor. They are both visiting Guyana from March 12 to 14.

“During their visit, the delegation will meet with government officials, business leaders and nongovernmental organisations leading on issues of governance, security and prosperity. Discussions will include topics of mutual interest including food security, energy security, and the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030),” the release noted.

In June 2022, at the sidelines of the IX Summit of the Americas, Vice President Harris launched PACC 2030 and since then the United States has been working with Caribbean nations to develop wideranging, long-term energy security and climate resilience solutions.

Through the partnership, the US hopes to partner with Caribbean countries to strengthen energy security and promote climate adaptation and resilience. The country also hopes to improve the Caribbean’s access to development financing that is needed to fund developmental goals.

Since the Summit of the Americas, the re -

lease noted, Vice President Harris has met with six Caribbean Heads of State, including Guyana’s President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, building on the United States partnership with Caribbean governments in defence of shared values, and to improve Caribbean resilience in all aspects –economic, security, and democracy.

Salazar: Joseph Salazar, the Special Advisor for the Western Hemisphere to the Vice President of the United States of America (USA), Kamala Harris

Moruca-born former Guyanese Foreign Minister honoured for outstanding achievements

GUYANA’S Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn RodriguesBirkett, was, on Friday, honoured on the occasion of International Women’s Day by the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York, at its Annual Award Ceremony.

According to a release from the Consulate General of Guyana in New York, the special ceremony was hosted at the Consulate General of India in New York.

At this year’s event, fifteen women were awarded with a Certificate of Recognition by the Society for their outstanding achievements and contribution to community empowerment in the United States. The honourees were from Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Brazil,

Bulgaria, Chile, El Salvador, Guyana, India, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Peru, Serbia, and Türkiye.

Guyana’s awardee, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett, was born in Moruca and she

has reportedly accumulated over 20 years of experience in the public sector, working with some of the most vulnerable communities in Guyana, and in the international arena.

In 2001, Ambassador

Rodrigues-Birkett became the youngest Minister in the Guyana’s Cabinet, having been appointed by then President Bharrat Jagdeo as the Minister of Amerindian Affairs.

It was noted that she created history as the first female and the youngest person to hold this office. She was later appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs in April 2008, and her elevation to

this office made her the highest-ranking Guyanese of Indigenous descent in the governmental hierarchy. Then, in 2009, Foreign Trade and International Cooperation was added to her portfolio.

The release explained that since its founding in 1925, the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York has represented the world’s largest diplomatic community. This unique organisation, whose members are gathered from the 113 NYC-based Consulates General, is steered by the Executive Committee made up of elected members representing all countries via regional groupings. The Society strives to promote good relations between the NYC Consular Corps and our hosts, New York and the United States of America.

Group photo of the honourees and Consuls General for the International Women’s Day Reception (DPI photo)

‘Men on Mission’ celebrates women across Guyana

AS part of an ongoing series of activities organised in celebration of International Women’s Day 2023, several senior and junior ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), members of Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and various stakeholders of the ‘Men on Mission’ (MoM) initiative hosted several luncheons for women across the country on Sunday.

Meals were also distributed to a number of shelters of the elderly as well. This initiative is the brainchild

of President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, and is meant to uplift the younger generation of men who face many societal ills, such as drug abuse, domestic violence, gang violence, and other violent crimes. The intention is to provide men with guidance and counselling, recreational and fitness activities, and create economic empowerment through temporary employment schemes.

Under the MoM umbrella, several projects, which include the construction of homes for the vulnerable and

elderly have been rolled out.

The initiative was launched back in October 2022 by the Head-of-State, who, at the time, noted that men in Guyana must become more conscious of the areas where they are falling behind in society.

The programme initially targetted getting 1,000 men to sign up as mentors. On its opening day, however, approximately 3,000 men registered to be mentors.

Meals were also distributed to scores of women and girls in shelters across the country

A few of the women who were treated to lunch on Sunday (GPF photos)

Pressure mounts on Norton to distance himself from racially inflammatory comments --At WPA public meeting

condemned the remarks as racist and insightful. However, opposition leader, Aubrey Norton has remained silent on the matter.

SEVERAL opposition members have publicly condemned the racially inflam-

matory remarks made by a member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA)

even as Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton, is yet to distance himself from those

problematic remarks. WPA executive member, Tacuma Ogunseye, voiced

unsubstantiated claims of oppression faced by Afro-Guyanese under the current government at a public meeting at Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Thursday.

During the meeting, Ogunseye told the gathering, “I don’t understand how people complain that they are oppressed and they are holding guns in their hands. They are the majority in the army, in the police, and they say they are oppressed. And they still say our problem is our own making. Anytime we turn those guns in the right direction it is over.”

Coming out publicly to condemn these statements was Geeta Chandan- Edmond, the former General Secretary of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR). The PNCR is the largest constituent of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) party.

Chandan-Edmond, in a press statement, said some speakers at this public meeting made sentiments which must be strongly condemned as they can lead to public disorder and anarchy. And she posited that Guyanese must move swiftly to initiate mature dialogue aimed at promoting harmony, tolerance and trust.

In her statement, she said, “I wish to publicly disassociate myself from the inflammatory statements and call for responsible actions and commentaries from politicians, civil society and activists alike.”

She went on to add that there must be a stronger national effort to build a unified nation.

Since these statements were uttered by the WPA executive member, numerous persons have called out and

In a separate statement, Opposition members, Ganesh Mahipaul, Natasha SinghLewis, Daniel Seeram and Ubraj Narine stated that they found the remarks made to be derogatory and distasteful. Mahipaul and Singh- Lewis are Parliamentarians, Seeram is the Regional Chairman #4 and Narine is the Georgetown Mayor.

“We wish to condemn the speaker’s remarks where it referred to East Indians coming from the slums of India and living in deplorable places like pipes. These remarks further insinuated that the alleged conditions under which East Indians lived in India made them undeserving of lands in Guyana,” the statement read.

The opposition members, through their statement, added that they wished to condemn and distance themselves from any attack on any race in Guyana including Afro-Guyanese.

And they said it is disappointing that none of the other speakers at that public meeting sought to address or even clarify Ogunseye’s statements and as such called on all political leaders and representatives to speak out against forms of bigotry and discrimination.

The opposition members then noted that Guyana belongs to all its people regardless of the country which the fore-parents came from. They, however, levelled unsubstantiated accusations against the government, stating that people’s needs are being neglected.

Meanwhile, President, Dr Irfaan Ali, on Saturday, publicly said the comments made at the gathering were used to promote hate, racism and terrorism against the state and sought to influence people in a direction to create havoc.

He said, “No gun or bullet would stop us on this path of unifying our people, on this path of developing our country, on this path of uplifting the lives of our people of this country. [It] is clear that terrorism and racism came off of that stage.”

Geeta Chandan-Edmond Ubraj Narine

Daniel Seeram

Ganesh Mahipaul

Natasha Singh-Lewis

CRICKET

QUIZ CORNER

(Monday March 13, 2023)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 2256158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Jacques Kallis-45 Test centuries (165 matches)

(2) Dale Steyn-26 five-wicket hauls (93 Tests)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Which SA wicketkeeper has effected most dismissals in Tests to date?

(2) Which SA wicketkeeper has effected most dismissals in a single Test to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Wray beats Kesney in main bout Shoba’s New Chapter Boxing

By Sean Devers

WITH a chilly Atlantic breeze blowing across the Police Sports Club Ground Eve Leary, a good size gathering watched as Policeman Dexter Wray beat Solider Jullius Kesney in the main bout of the Shoba’s New Chapter Boxing Card on Saturday night.

The two pugilists went at each other from the opening bell in the final fight of the night which saw eight bouts being contested, including a disappointing female contest.

With music playing in the pavilion and a food and drinks bar available for those present, Kesney threw the harder punches in the first stanza using his jabs and shots to body of Wray

Wray retaliated with pawing left jabs and Kesney kept coming forward.

Wray found his rhythm in the second round and hit his man with shots to the mid-section and left-right combinations to the head of Kesney, who counter punched with some tell-

ing shots of his own. Wray, urged on by his home fans and coached by Flyweight Dexter ‘the kid’ Marques, went to toe to toe with the soldier but seemed to tire in the final round but kept the aggressive Kesney at bay as many of Kesney’s shots landed on his shoulders or his gloves in the competitive contest.

But at the end of fight, just after 11PM, it was Wray who won and received the Champions’ Belt from Police Sports development officer, Retired Superintendent Colin Boyce.

The contest between the Police pair of Emmanuel Sancho and Clifton Graham was also an entertaining affair with both Boxers going after each other.

The taller Sancho used his left jab to set up some powerful right hooks but Graham counter punched well but it was Sancho who eventually got the judges’ nod.

The female match-up between PPBG gym mates Tofina Barker and Angelina Rogers was a damp squib with Rogers looking terrified of being hit and spent most of the fight at long rage and threw a very small amount

Australia in India: Virat Kohli hits first Test century since 2019 on day four

INDIA’s Virat Kohli ended his long wait for a Test century with a superb 186 which enabled the hosts to build a lead over Australia in the fourth Test.

Kohli, whose last ton came in November 2019, hit 15 fours in a 364-ball innings which saw him spend over eight hours at the crease in India’s 571.

The 34-year- old superstar fell short of the double century when he was caught by Marnus Labuschagne off Todd Murphy.

He received a rapturous reception having put India in a healthy position.

India, who lead the series 2-1, effectively put themselves in an unbeatable position heading into the final day of the contest.

Having started the day on 59, Kohli continued to be the inspiration and provided more evidence that he has recaptured his form in a patient innings.

After a barren spell in 2021 and 2022 with the bat, which led to him losing the captaincy and also open up about his mental health struggles, Kohli has knocked oneday and T20 centuries in recent months.

of punches.

When Barker, the far superior of two, came forward and hit her opponent with at times meek punches, Rogers would turn her back on Barker and ‘run’ from her opponent.

In the other bouts, Keon Briton from VBG defeated Knumdo Alexander of PPBG, VBG’s Shaquan

Marshall beat Ryan Rogers of PPBG, Chance Nils from PPBG got the better of Jerimiah McGarell from VBG while Oshawn Edwards of PPBG beat fellow Gym mate Stephon Allicock. In the other elite fight of the night , Kevin Isaacs from Police beat Compton Lane, also from Police

Now his long wait for a 28th Test hundred has endedand his relief was clear to see.

An emotional Kohli kissed the locket on his gold chain, smiling and looking up to the sky, as the crowd jubilantly celebrated his achievement.

Axar Patel, who hit four sixes and five fours in his 79, worked with Kohli to put on a sixth-wicket partnership of 162 and once he departed, Australia quickly took the wickets of Ravichandran Ashwin and Umesh Yadav.

Kohli played less cautiously when he realised he was running out of partners and became the last Indian wicket to fall when he was caught by Labuschagne at long-on.

Trailing by 91 runs on first innings, Australia finished the day on 3-0.

The tourists decided to send out nightwatchman Matt Kuhnemann to open with Travis Head after Usman Khawaja hurt his knee while fielding.

Kuhnemann survived 18 balls, despite being nearly caught on two occasions, as Australia came through the final six overs without loss.

(BBC Sport)

Champion Dexter Wray is presented with his belt by retired Superintendent of Police Colin Boyce

Nedd’s 5-43 helps Demerara gain a 253-run lead

…but Demerara did not enforce the follow-on and bat again

By Sean Devers

ON the back of 5-43 from leftarm spinner Ashmead Nedd, Demerara were in firm control against the Select X1 when the second day of their four-day Inter-County cricket at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ended yesterday on a day when 16 wickets tumbled.

Demerara, opting not enforce the follow-on after dismissing the Select X1 for 166 in reply to their 419, Demerara had extended their 253 lead to 345 and were 92-4 at stumps yesterday with Chris Barnwell on 36 and Akshaya Persaud on 26.

The pair has so far put on 59 in an unfinished stand with Demitri Cameron and Carlos Larose picking up two wickets each.

In Demerara’s first innings, Shamar Yearwood, 94 overnight, reached 105 while Ashmead Nedd made 46 not out as Jonathan Rampersaud had 3-82 while Kelvin Umroa and Shane Wong took two each.

In the select X1 innings, Umroa (32) and Rajendra Chandrika (28) offered token resistance as Nedd (5-43) and Richie Looknauth (3-51) doing the damage.

The day began in bright sunshine with Demerara, overnight on 360-8 with Yearwood on 94 and Sankar on 11.

Yearwood reached his century from 163 balls 176 minutes with six fours and four sixes before he was

dropped by Wong at cover next ball off Larose.

With the score on 397, Larose had Yearwood caught at first slip for 105 from 174 balls, 197 minutes with six fours and four sixes.

Sankar looked positive and along with last man Qumar Torrington saw the 400 posted.

Rampersaud was introduced and after being struck for six had Torrington (13) caught in the deep as the innings ended at 10:23 AM leaving Nedd unbeaten on 46 from 55 balls with six fours and a six.

The Select X1 who reached 33-1 by Lunch as Oswin Blair (5) was lbw to Richie Looknauth and on the struck of Lunch when he inexplicably played no shot to a ball that would have hit middle stump.

Chandrika who played an imperious on-drive for four of Renaldo Ali Mohammed, was unbeaten on 24

After the interval, Chandrika was lbw to Nedd after hitting five fours in a 38-ball 28 to leave his team on 40-2.

Wong (1) never suggested permanence and was bowled Nedd at 58-3 before Alvin Mohabir was taken at slip after playing a T20 like innings; making 20 from 21 balls with four fours, as Nedd struck at 69-5

Jeremiah Scott (10) stroked Looknauth for consecutive fours before he had a ‘brain freeze’ and slug-swept Looknauth to deep mid-wicket at 69-6. Worse was to come when Nathan Persaud played

no shot to a ball from Looknauth and was bowled at 77-6.

The mediocre batting continued unabated when David Williams (5) played lackadaisical defensive shot to Nedd and was bowled as the Select X1 slumped from 58-2 to 82-7 as five wicket tumbled for 24 runs.

Larose and Rampersaud joined forces and watched by small but raucous crowd, the pair brought up the 100 in 32 overs.

But with partnership on 38 and score on 120, Larose opted to ‘leave alone’ to Torrington and his stump went for a walk after he had face 49 balls, batted for just over an hour and hit three boundaries in 21.

Umroa and Rampersaud took their team to tea at 137-8 and after the break the posted 39 between them before Rampersaud (18)

played across the line was lbw to Stephon Sankar at 159-9 before Nedd had Umroa caught behind for 33.

Demerara batted a second time and Sachin Singh (4) and Navindra Persaud (0) were quickly dismissed to leave Demerara 9-2.

Cameron, who had removed Singh, had Raymond Perez ( 8) caught behind at 20-3 and Larose got rid of Renaldo Ali-Mohammed (8) at 33-4.

Ali-Mohammed who was caught at long-off for 94 in the first innings, fell in identical fashion, only this time it off a pacer as the batter fell to trap set by his GCC mate.

Chris Barnwell, who missed on the runs feast in the first innings, and Akshaya Persaud saw Demerara safely to the close.

SCOREBOARD

GCB’s four-day Inter-County

Demerara 1st inns O/N

360-8

Shamar Yearwood c Chandrika b Larose 105

Stephon Sankar not out

46

Qumar Torrington c Larose

b Rampersaud 13

Extras 22(b-16, 1b-3, nb-3)

Total 101.4 overs

Fow : 7, 58, 58, 80, 169, 246, 300, 342, 397, 419

Bowling

Cameron 19-4-76-2 Larose

19-3-71-1, Williams 4-1-10-0, Rampersaud, 24.4-7-82-3, Umroa 22-4-93-2, Wong

13-0-67-2

Select XI 1st inns

Rajendra Chandrika lbw b

Nedd 28

Oswin Blair lbw b Looknauth 5

Alvin Mohabir c A Persaud

b Nedd 20

Shane Wong b Nedd

1

Jerimiah Scott c Torrington

b Looknauth 10

Carlos Larose b Torringt on 21

Nathan Persaud b Looknauth 4

Jonathan Rampersaud lbw b Sankar 18

Toronto Blizzards, Maple Leaf in hunt for honours at Orlando Cup

By Frederick Halley

IN 2018 Royal Canadian Masters (RCM) created history, becoming the first team from Canada to win a softball tournament out of the country when they captured the Pro Cup (Over-50) title, played as part of the New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) annual Independence Cup.

In 2019, the feat was repeated by the Toronto Blizzards, who in a masterful display defeated New York Hustlers by seven runs in a pulsating final, played at Seaview Park, Canarsie, Brooklyn, New York.

Toronto Blizzards also turned back the challenge of the New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) in last year’s Canada Cup, playing unbeaten in the three-day event, which replaced the Toronto Cup.

Prior to that, Our Own had won back-to-back titles in the Masters Division of the Toronto Cup in 2015 and 2016.

Both RCM and Our Own have since disbanded but many of the players still feature among teams within Canada.

Among the teams featuring in this year’s Orlando Cup, set for March 17-19 in the State of Florida are Toronto Blizzards in the Over-50 category and Maple Leaf in the Over-40 Division. Both teams are confident of emerging victorious in their respective divisions, with

Bizzards manager Azeem Khan excited that his charges will get a chance to redeem themselves following a mauling by Guyana’s Regal Legends in Fort Lauderdale. In an invited comment, Khan was quick to point out that the team will be missing the services of former Guyana and Canadian player Sunil Dhaniram and former

Canadian World Cup player Desmond Chumney. The latter, it will be recalled, was clobbered for six sixes in an over by Regal Legends’ Eric Thomas in last year’s final in Fort Lauderdale. He hasn’t competed in the 2022 season.

Khan also pointed out that the players have been working out indoors due to the current winter season but will be ready for action come Wednesday. Former Guyana player Shiv Seeram will once again be at the helm of Blizzards.

Maple Leaf will be led by former Guyana Under-19 player Troy Gobin, who had the unique distinction of topping the batting aggregate for two consecutive years (2021 and 2022) in the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Over-50 Division, representing Pegasus Storm while his deputy is another former National Under-19 player in Eion Katchay.

An optimistic Gobin also feels Maple Leaf are capable of creating a stir in Orland and like Blizzards they have been training indoors for the past few weeks.

Toronto Blizzards: Shivnauth Seeram (captain),Jaimini Singh, Mohan Harihar, Rabindra (Jesh) Parasnauth, Lall (Dingo) Singh, Roy Britannia, Gerard Austin, Shazam (Strike) Baksh, Wally Bacchus, Fazil Rasool, Ramcho (Tiger) Singh, Sohan Singh, Azeem Khan (Manager), Naseer Baksh (President)

Teams: Maple Leaf - Troy Gobin (captain), Eion

Kelvin Umroa c Wkp Yearwood b Nedd 33

Demitri Cameron not ou t 1

Extras 21 (b-16, w-8)

Total 166 all out 46.4 overs

Fow, 33, 40, 58, 69, 69, 77, 82, 120

Bowling

Torrington 7-0-25-1, Barnwell 6-3-7-0, Ali Mohammed 5-3-10-0, Looknauth 11-2-51-3, Nedd 15.5-4-43-5

Demerara 2nd Inns

Sachin Singh lbw Cameron 4

Navindra Persaud c Wkp

Nathan Persaud b Larose 0

Raymond Perez c Wkp Persaud b Cameron 8

Akshaya Persaud not out 25

Renaldo Ali Mohammed c Rampersaud b Larose 8

Chris Barnwell not out 36

Extras 11 (b-5, lb-2, w-3)

Total 92-4

FoW:7, 9, 20, 33

Bowling

Cameron 7-1-23-2, Larose

8-1-20-2, Williams 2-0-17-0, Umroa 4-0-16-0

Rampersaud 3-0-8-0

Katchay (vice-captain), Imran Ali, Chris Vernon, Yadram Bogh, Parbhu Balkaran, Ian Baldeo, Richard Driffield, Troy Lewis

Bunty Sukhu, Orin Oniel, Terry Mathura, Brian Baldeo, Pradeep Polo Singh, Rambo Punwasse (manager)

Left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd bowls to Jonathan Rampersaud on his to claiming 5-43 at Bourda yesterday (Sean Devers photo)

Maple Leaf captain Troy Gobin

Toronto Blizzards skipper Shiv Seeram

Wilson elected Power Lifting Federation President

-… Constitutional reform, resuscitation of the Caribbean

ships, and local schools competition

Inter-County cricket

VETERAN sports administrator, Franklin Wilson, was on Saturday morning last, elected as the new President of the Guyana Amateur Power Lifting and Fitness Federation (GAPLF) when the body held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue.

Wilson gained the confidence of the electorate ahead of Mark Seymour, who served in the previous executive, as PRO/ Organising Secretary. Outgoing President, Gordon Spencer, did not seek re-election.

Owner of Chase Academic Foundation, Mr. Henry Chase gained the nod for the Vice President position ahead of Keisha Abrigo, while Roger Rogers retained his position as General Secretary from the previous body.

The new Treasurer is Mr. Maxwell Denny, a qualified and experienced accountant, whilst returning to the executive after a few years, is Mr. Denroy Livan who takes on the responsibility as the Public Relations Officer/

Organising Secretary, a position he held before. The Board Members are Keisha Abrigo, Farouk Abdool, and Zanele Chase. Wilson in remarks after the new committee was asked to take its place by Returning Officer, Mrs. Vidishi Persaud-McKinnon, thanked the members for the support and confidence reposed in him and the new executive committee.

He said the new body would serve to the best of its ability whilst expressing gratitude to the immediate past president, Mr. Gordon Spencer, and his team for the work that they have put in, since being elected in 2019.

“ I would like to express gratitude on behalf of this new committee to President Spence and his team for keeping the sport going and would like to let

V. V. Royals rally past Colts 77-70 to cop `Reds’ Perreira Big4 Basketball

By Joe Chapman

LINDEN’s top basketball club Victory Valley Royals led by Yannick Tappin continued their top billing in Guyana when they rallied past Colts of Georgetown, 77-70, to claim the $300,000 winner’s prize and Champions Trophy in the final of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation’s organised ‘Reds’ Perreira Big 4 title Saturday night at Burnham Court in the City. Meeting the teams before the game was the former GBF President and regionally recognised sports commentator Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira, in whose honour the tournament was held. He gave a pep talk and met the players of the two teams

Perreira also donated two sets of whistles and a disc with a collection of pictures from basketball from 1961-63 on a disc, two of his ‘Living

c/

My Dreams’ autobiography books to the GBF president, Michael Singh.

It was the Colts who galloped to take the first quarter 16 -13 as Domitre Ranking

on the radar

cy of Peter Green would be a high-priority agenda item for the committee. Some level of talks would have been initiated by Secretary Rogers with counterparts in Trinidad and Tobago. Suriname, Jamaica, and Barbados amongst other nations would be approached to reactivate the Caribbean Championships.

Additionally, the new VP Chase has a passion to see a national school championship being introduced and the new committee would be working assiduously towards making this a reality in the near future.

him know that we would certainly be calling on him and others to continue contributing to the sport in a tangible way.”

Spencer is the most senior referee in Guyana and is tipped to head the Referees Corp of the GAPLF, Wilson disclosed. Training and retaining referees would be one of the priorities of the new body Wilson further shared.

“We would also be working on reforming our constitution to make it more modern and one of the areas is increasing the term of office to two years, from one. Coaches training is another area that that the new body would pursue.”

Wilson also stated that the reviving of the Caribbean championships that Guyana hosted in 2010 under the presiden -

Hosting of the GAPLF’s calendar competitions will be done apart from athletes being selected for overseas competitions. Intermediates, Raw Nationals, and Senior Nationals are the remaining local competitions that are slated for this year. Novices were held on February 19 at Cornelia Ida on the West Coast of Demerara.

Another aim of the new committee is to host competitions in all three counties engaging and involving gyms from all around Guyana.

netted six of those points for the mining town lads with their transition play and quickness displaying their all round game to take the lead at half time by a bucket, 34-

32, after knotting the scores 30 all with 2:15 left through Vibert Benjamin.

Then two free throws by Marlon Pollydore and a penetration by captain Yannick Tappin kept up the pressure as the Colts were outscored 21-16 in that second quarter period.

While the battle was close throughout in the closing stages of this encounter, the Royals maintained their good ball movement and crashing the boards. When the third quarter ended the Royals were still holding sway with a 56-43 advantage

and with 4:15 remaining in the final stanza the Linden side was leading 73-65 and the combination of Benjamin, Tappin and Glasgow piloted the winners in the end 77-70.

Tappin who was later adjudged the Most Valuable Player netted 20 points but Glasgow led their scoring with 22 points Harold Adams steadied their game with 12 points and Vibert Benjamin added 10 for the winners.

Colts’ experienced captain Shelroy Thomas had 22 points with Shaine Webster getting 18 and Oquacey

Shortt.

Mr. Roy Spooner, CEO of LehWeRide, the IT based transport services, was on hand to present to the Royals’ coach, Andre Rodney and to captain Yannick Tappin the winners and MVP Trophies.

Colts were also presented the runner-up trophy from GBF Vice President, Rawle Toney

In the supporting game Eagles defeated Mambas 63-61 Sherlon Gillis netting 24 points and Denzel Ross 18 as Samuel Thompson had 15 and Cole Winter 11 for the Mambas.

New GAPLF President, Franklin Wilson (centre) flanked by Executive Committee Members from left, Roger Rogers, Keisha Abrigo, Maxwell Denny, Denroy Livan, Zanele Chase, Henry Chase, Farouk Abdool and Returning Officer, Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon

Roy Spooner at left hands over Championship Trophy to Royals’ captain Yannick Tappin

Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira (at left) handing over whistles, disc and his autobiography to GBF president Michael Singh on Saturday night

‘Scooby’ Barrington reigns supreme!Jefford Classic Mile

By Calvin Chapman

MANY pegged Guyana’s National 800m champion, Devaun ‘Scooby’ Barrington, to come out victorious at yesterday’s highly anticipated Jefford Classic Mile track meet, and many were right!

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) athlete emerged the fastest man over a mile in Guyana after winning the open men’s race in a time of 4 minutes 20 seconds, a good few lenghts ahead of his rivals Marlon Nicholson, who finished second in 4 minutes 23 seconds, and Winston Missigher, who was third in 4 minutes 26 seconds.

In a brief comments with Chronicle Sport after the race, Barrington shared that he was very confident coming into this race because he has been preparing since November, 2022 for competition.

“I was spiritually, mentally and physically ready for this race and, I’m grateful that I was able to stick to my plan and execute it well,” he revealed.

This victory comes 11 years after his first win in the Golden Mile in 2012 and looking forward to the future, Barrington shared that this is a good warm up to the season as he looks to extend his nine-year undefeated streak in the 800m nationally come March 25 at the next Athletics Guyana meet.

On the distaff side, multiple Carifta Games medalist, Attoya Harvey was her usual dominant self as she won the open women’s race with an almost 200m lead in

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, (CMC) –West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite has questioned his side’s mentality after they crashed to a heavy 284-run defeat inside four days of the decisive second Test against South Africa.

The Caribbean side dismissed the hosts for 321 in their second innings on Saturday but then crumbled spectacularly for 106, after being set an improbable target of 391 at the Wanderers.

Wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva top-scored with 34 but was the only player to pass 20 and one of only three inside the top eight to reach double

figures.

“It’s only mental,” said a solemn-faced Brathwaite, moments after the batting capitulation.

“I think technically yes, we can work on the flaws. So the thing is, you can work on your weaknesses, you can work on your strengths but your mind has to be in the right place.

“Test cricket is always a grind. You field a lot of overs and then as a batsman you go out and obviously face world-class bowling. It will never be easy but I think that belief has to come within.”

He continued: “We can say it – I can say it, the

a time of 5 minutes 31 seconds. Jelesa Wright was second in a time of 5 minutes 54 seconds, while Delicia Tinnis was third in a time 6 minutes 57 seconds. The other results of the days are as follows.

UNDER-14 males

1st Ebo Mc Neil 5m 08s

2nd Paul Clarence 5m 17

3rd Shaquan Sheperd 5m 20s

Under-14 females

1st Ester McKinnon 5 minutes 41 seconds

2nd Kaymayara Lacon 6 minutes

3rd Joanna Antwon 6 minutes 17 seconds

Under 18 males

1st Javon Roberts 4 minutes 40.4 seconds

2nd Jamol Sullivan 4 minutes 40.9 seconds

3rd Lestron Lovell 4 minutes 47 seconds

Under 20 females

1st Tiana Springer 5 minutes 54 seconds

2nd Teresha Baynes 6 minutes 15 seconds

3rd Rosemond Harvey – 6 minutes 44 seconds

Under 20 males

1st Odida Parkinson 4 minutes 38 seconds

2nd Samuel Henry- 4 minutes 39.1 seconds

3rd Akandy VanMaalson – 4 minutes 39.4 seconds

Mentality under the microscope, laments Brathwaite

coach can say it – but when we get out there on the crease we’ve got to do it.

“We’ve done it before. It’s not to say we haven’t done it. We’ve done well against England at home and in England.

“Against Australia we didn’t get the runs that we would like and coming here again. [Against] Zimbabwe we did well but that’s different opposition. I think when we’re [up] against the top bowlers in the world, we’ve got to show that we’re top batsmen and we haven’t done that.”

Only two batsmen managed over 100 runs in the series – vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood with 126 and all-rounder Jason Holder with 116. They were two of only three batsmen with half-centuries, the other being all-rounder Raymon Reifer.

Kyle Mayers (54), Roston Chase (50) and Brathwaite (46) all struggled throughout the series leaving the backbone of West Indies’ batting missing.

Brathwaite said while it was encouraging to see his bowlers take 20 wickets in each Test, the obvious issue remained the lack of run-scoring.

“Looking back, the bowlers got 40 wickets in

the series,” Brathwaite pointed out.

“That’s a good accomplishment coming back from Australia. [There were] two questionable first innings. We didn’t start as good as we should [have] – we gave them over a hundred runs in the first session both times.

“Batting-wise we weren’t good enough. We didn’t score enough runs – as simple as that. It was obviously a very good attack and once again away from home, we haven’t scored the runs.”

He added: “I still think we’re making some good steps. Looking at the first Test, we were in some good positions. Batting-wise we were 150 for three [in the first innings]. Obviously then we crumbled to just over 200.

“Bowling-wise, as I said, [there were] positives … but I still think that at some crucial times we went too expensive.

“I would say it is improvement from Australia – a big improvement – but batting-wise, we simply weren’t good enough and we’ve got to be good enough. We’ve got to be good enough.”

West Indies lost the opening Test at Centurion by 87 runs inside three days.

Devaun ‘Scooby’ Barrington was captured as he crossed the finish line by Chief Photographer Adrian Narine

Women’s open winner, Attoya Harvey, crossed the line almost 200m ahead of her nearest competitor (Adrian Narine photo)

Left-hander Kyle Mayers managed only 54 runs from four innings in the series.