Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 13-05-2022

friday 13th may, 2022

No.106721

Several regional leaders confirmed for Agri-Investment Forum PAGE

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Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne

Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley

Prime Minister of Belize, Prime Minister of Dominica, Johnny Briceño Roosevelt Skerrit

Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Philip J. Pierre

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley

Oil revenues increase 03 PAGE

–– with receipt of $4.3B in royalties

Blended training for 04 nurses being explored PAGE

Acting CEO of the GPHC, Robbie Rambarran, presenting flowers to nurses as a show of appreciation for their hard work and in commemoration of National Nurses Week (Elvin Croker photo)

Arrivals top 51,000

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Another 05 magistrate recuses self from Winston Principal Magistrate, Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus Jordan case PAGE

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guyana CHRONICLE friday, may 13, 2022

Arrivals top 51,000 –– at end of first quarter 2022

AS Guyana continues to make its mark as one of the major tourist destinations in the world, some 51,398 persons have already visited the country in the first quarter of this year.

Based on information from the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), the arrival rates are exceptional and by the end of this year, it is expected to be 10 per cent more than the 158,347 arrivals recorded in 2021.

Although the figure is expected to be significantly higher, the performance in 2021 was still acknowledged, since it was a significant increase from 2020 when the country was facing the full force of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, Guyana’s main ports of entry were closed for seven months, from March 18, 2020, to October 05, 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ports were closed as part of an effort to reduce the spread of the disease.

This closure had a drastic impact on the local tourism industry, but it was quickly addressed with the implementation of several systems by the government to promote safe travel throughout 2021.

At the end of September 2021, the GTA said that Guyana earned approximately $24 billion based on the average expenditure per

visitor per type at US$1,060.

In 2021, most visitors travelled to destination Guyana for holiday (64 per cent); business (12 per cent), and visiting friends and relatives (10 per cent), among other reasons (14 per cent).

The GTA noted that a consistent level of support is needed by tourism businesses to ensure that the sector continues to recover safely.

To this end through support from the GTA, there has been a marked increase in tourism businesses being licensed.

As of April 2022, 14 tourism businesses, one new tourism accommodation establishment (hotels, interior lodges/resorts) and one new tourist guide have been licensed by the GTA. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT To decentralise tourism and expand other tourism hotspots areas within Guyana, seven new experiential tourism products were officially launched in 2021, with 12 new experiences expected to be added in 2022.

More specifically, the GTA’s product development team has initiated various projects with key stakeholders.

These include the Kopinang Waterfall ex-

perience with licensed operator Azure Experiences; Yoga, Breakfast & Nature Walk with licensed operator Azure Experiences; Nappi Mountain Trekking with Bushcow EcoTrails; and a nature retreat experience with licensed operator Wanderlust Adventures.

It includes the Linden day-tour experience with Destination Tours; Wayne’s World Apartments & Oasis; community-led and owned tourism development with Quarrie Village; Tri-Island experience with licensed tour operator Trail Masters, and Mahaica River birding tour.

TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING The GTA said it continues to work towards strengthening resilience and improving the product offering of the industry and has executed key training sessions in areas of delivering quality service, first aid & CPR, culinary arts, green events/ event planning, successful taxi driver and more importantly hygiene and sanitation protocols.

“As of April 2022, the GTA has trained 355 persons across the country in the areas of Delivering Quality Service, Hygiene & Sanitation, First Aid & CPR and Digital Marketing Essentials. At the end of 2022, GTA is expected to train at least 2,000 candidates.

An additional 1,000 are expected to be trained as part of the collaborative Barbados training initiative,” the release said.

This Hygiene and Sanitation Protocols training, as part of the Safe Lodges, Safe Guests & Safe Communities project was updated to reflect CARPHA guidelines, US CDC guidelines, Adventure Travel Trade Association guidelines as well as best practices that the GTA has seen in the Rupununi.

GTA SUPPORT According to a GTA release, the organisation in collaboration with I-Net Communications Inc., facilitated the installation of an internet system at Warapoka Guest House, Region One. This is one of the priority projects that was successfully completed to ensure that guests have a comfortable stay during their visit to the community.

In 2019, the GTA facilitated the electrical rewiring of the entire guest house and installed a complete photovoltaic solar system.

The GTA also donated a number of items to Quarrie Guest House as the village commenced its tourism development journey.

These items included bedroom furnishings as well as kitchen and washroom utensils.

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guyana CHRONICLE friday, may 13, 2022

Oil revenues increase with receipt of $4.3B in royalties

THE revenue-generating potential of Guyana’s oil and gas sector continues to be displayed, with the latest indication of this being the receipt of $4.3B in oil-andgas royalties.

Specifically, according to the Bank of Guyana, some $4,390,903,000 was, in April, deposited into the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) an account at the US Federal Reserve Bank which stores direct returns from the oil and gas sector.

Based on the report from the Central Bank, this payment increased the balance of the fund to US$741,047,527.69.

Article 15.6 of the Petroleum Agreement says

royalties are estimated every month, and must be transferred to the government 30 days after each quarter.

Under the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), Guyana receives two per cent royalty and 50 per cent profit oil, which is what remains after the producer recovers their production cost.

It was reported recently that the government made its first withdrawal from the NRF. Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, said that pursuant to Section 16 of the NRF Act 2021, US$200 million equivalent to G$41.7 billion has been transferred from the NRF to the Consol-

idated Fund to finance national development priorities.

This transfer, according to a statement from the Ministry of Finance, was made in accordance with the strengthened legal architecture of the NRF Act 2021 and follows the publication in the Official Gazette of all petroleum revenues paid into the fund during the period 1 January to 31 March 2022.

The NRF Act 2021 which came into operation on January 1, 2022, represents a significant improvement in transparency and accountability and the overall management of the natural resource wealth of Guyana for present and future generations.

It would be recalled, that as part of the Budget 2022 process, parliamentary approval was granted for a total of US$607.6 million to be transferred during the fiscal year 2022.

Oil and gas revenues are being generated from the ExxonMobil operations, offshore Guyana.

As it is now, the company has four sanctioned projects offshore Guyana.

Of those, Liza Phase One is producing approximately 130,000 barrels per day, using the Liza Destiny floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, while the Liza Phase Two, which started production in February, is steadily ramping

Several regional leaders confirmed for Agri-Investment Forum

SIX Heads of Government from the Caribbean and Central America have confirmed that they will be participating in the Agri-Investment Forum and Expo, which is scheduled for next week at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) at Liliendaal.

This information was confirmed during a meeting between President Dr. Irfaan Ali and senior officials of the Ministries of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Thursday at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive.

The leaders set to travel for the May 19-21 event are from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.

Ministers responsible for agriculture from The Bahamas, Belize, Domini-

ca, Jamaica, St. Vincent, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago are also expected for the three-day event.

The opening ceremony is billed for next Thursday, and will feature remarks from all of the visiting Heads of Government. President Ali, in his capacity as Lead Head with responsibility for Agriculture in the CARICOM Quasi-Cabinet, will deliver his address on the theme, “Vision 25 by 2025”.

This event is being hosted by the Government of Guyana, in collaboration with the CARICOM Secretariat, and is intended to provide stimulating investments in the sector to transform the CARICOM agri-food system to one that is resilient, provides attractive and sustainable economic opportunities for investors, while contributing to food and nutrition security.

The specific objectives of the event are: * Promoting the regional food system agenda and 25 by 2025 programme; * Facilitating dialogue among stakeholders in the CARICOM agri-food system, with a view to identifying specific areas in which investment is needed to overcome existing structural and operational challenges; * Making potential investors and other stakeholders aware of new and emerging opportunities in CARICOM agriculture, including technological and logistical solutions; * Matching bankable agricultural projects with available private and public financing; and * Forging a coordination mechanism for strategic partners to follow up on implementation issues surrounding financing for the sector.

Aside from regional leaders and dignitaries, over 300 persons from across the region have registered to participate in the event, inclusive of investors, proponents of bankable projects seeking financing, financing institutions, as well as development agencies.

The event will feature a number of key investment-related activities, inclusive of a country-specific investment platform that will see investors presenting bankable projects for investment consideration in specific CARICOM Member States.

Additionally, there will be a Donor Roundtable Discussion where development financing agencies, bilateral and multilateral donors will focus on finding and supporting novel ideas and solutions within the context of the “25 by 2025 programme.”

President Dr. Irfaan Ali meeting with senior officials of the Ministries of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Office of the President photo)

up to its capacity of 220,000 barrels per day, using the Liza Unity FPSO vessel.

The third project, Payara, is expected to produce 220,000 barrels per day; construction on its production vessel, the Prosperity FPSO, is running approximately five months ahead of schedule, with start-up likely before year-end 2023.

The fourth project, Yellowtail, is expected to produce 250,000 barrels per day when the One Guyana FPSO comes on stream in 2025.

ExxonMobil is also moving ahead with plans for its fifth development project in the Stabroek Block, Uaru,

which is expected to produce up to 250,000 barrels of oil per day.

“These projects will bring huge benefits to Guyana,” President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, said during a brief interview released by ExxonMobil.

It was reported that returns from the sector are expected to catapult Guyana to the ranks of wealthiest countries in the Western Hemisphere, thereby increasing the government’s fiscal space to invest in initiatives geared at expanding the economy, and improving the overall welfare of citizens.

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guyana CHRONICLE friday, may 13, 2022

Blended training for nurses being explored –– Health Minister says at programme for National Nurses Week

THE limitations created by the existence of only three public nursing schools, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, on Thursday, said that blended training is currently being explored, as each school only facilitates 100 students every year.

The minister made this announcement while addressing persons gathered at a ceremony held at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation to commemorate National Nurses Week.

“I think it’s important that we look at how we train our nurses, and, right now, with three public schools with a capacity of probably 100 nurses per year, we are not going to be able to train enough nurses for the services that we require,” the Health Minister said.

Minister Anthony noted that if progress is to be made in the sector and in the nursing profession itself, a lot of work still has to be done.

Blended training would consist of online training, practical, and examinations.

“So, you enroll, you will have your theoretical parts of the training be done online, and then you come to the hospital for practical… and then you have exams and so forth,” Dr. Anthony said.

The Health Minister said that they are working on a system and they are confident that once it is in place, training will be more accessible.

“We can also have persons joining the profession; I think this is extremely important and we will be able to do so without compromising quality,” Minister Anthony said.

He added: “We have a team coming in from York University and they will be here working with us to look at our curriculum, to see how we can improve it… to see how we can better improve training for nurses in Guyana.”

Dr. Anthony said that nurses are not only going to confine themselves to the Registered Nursing Programme or midwifery pro-

May 11, 2022

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gramme, but also areas of specialisation. He noted that an upgrade for the nursing profession is needed to have specialist nurses.

“So, we have done well in medicine to be able to have a lot of doctors specialising, but I don’t think we have been able to do the same thing with nurses,” he said.

Further, the Health Minister said that the Nurses and Midwives Bill will be debated next Tuesday.

“On Tuesday next, we are going to have the debate on the nurses’ act and I’m sure it would be passed so that we can have a nursing council established after Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony and CEO of GPHC, Robbie Rambarran that so that we can bring ev- with nurses at the programme (Elvin Croker photo) erything back to some level “I appreciate nursing, the empowerment, in terms of So, we are working on a of normalcy,” the Health contribution you’re making the restructuring of a more comprehensive restructuring Minister said.

Also speaking at the to this institution,” CEO conducive and friendly en- for nurses because we do vironment. recognise and accept all the programme, acting Chief Rambarran said.

He added that as their “For example, where challenges and what needs Executive Officer (CEO) of the Georgetown Public Hos- acting CEO, he knows the we started leadership pro- to be done,” Rambarran pital Incorporated (GPHC), management of the hospital, grammes, there is a plan to related.

The CEO thanked the Robbie Rambarran, said that at every level, and every even have our nurses get the pervasive COVID-19 engagement has been ad- scholarships that you can go nurses for their service pandemic has taught us the vocating for better overall on for this study in the PSE and said that he will connursing facilities in terms of and University of Guyana. tinue to work with them. value of nursing.

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12/05/22 - 3 9 8

12/05/22 - 7 1 1

12/05/22- 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 20

guyana CHRONICLE friday, may 13, 2022

Another magistrate recuses self from Winston Jordan case

PRINCIPAL MAGISTRATE, Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, on Thursday, recused herself from presiding over the trial of former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan,

Two men arrested for ‘ganja’ at B.V. TWO men, ages 22 and 29, were arrested on Wednesday during a narcotics operation at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD), a statement from the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) said.

The operation was conducted based on information shared with the agency about the narcotics, CANU said.

The anti-drug agency said an ECD shop was searched, and several Ziploc packs, containing what was suspected to be cannabis, were discovered.

The two occupants of the shop were escorted to CANU headquarters with the suspected narcotics, which tested positive as cannabis.

The 33 small Ziploc bags weighed a total of 28 grams.

This is an active investigation.

The cannabis

who is accused of misconduct in public office.

The Magistrate made this announcement during a case hearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Jordan is currently on $3 million bail.

On April 29, Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan had recused herself from the case since she knew some of the lawyers involved in the matter.

The case was then transferred to Principal Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus who made a similar position.

On Thursday, when the matter was called at court, Principal Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus informed the parties that she will also

be recusing herself from presiding over the case.

She then transferred the case back to the Chief Magistrate for reassignment. The case will be brought up again on June 2.

The former Finance Minister is represented by fellow coalition party members, attorneys-at-law, Roysdale Forde S.C., Khemraj Ramjattan, Dawn Cush, Joseph Harmon, and Darren Wade.

Previously, Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) prosecutor, Tuanna Hardy, requested the accused be tried summarily in the Magistrates’ Court.

However, Jordan’s lawyers raised strong objections, emphasising their preference for a trial by jury in the High Court.

If this were to happen, the matter heard in the Magistrates’ Court would be the subject of a Preliminary Inquiry (PI).

Once the magistrate finds that a case has been made, it would then be referred to the High Court for trial by a judge and jury.

Jordan’s lawyers have not made their submissions as yet.

Winston Jordan first appeared in court to respond to this matter on December 28, 2021. He was not required to plead.

It was alleged then that while he served as Finance Minister under the APNU+AFC coalition government, Jordan wilfully misconducted himself by acting recklessly when he signed NICIL (Transfer of Property) Order, No. 50 of 2020.

NICIL, the government’s privatisation unit, fell under Jordan’s ministerial portfolio.

The substantive matter was Jordan’s transferring to and vesting to BK Marine Inc., all buildings, erections, stellings, platforms and further appurtenances, at Mud Lots One and Two, F of Mud Lot Three, A, B & D, being over 2.553 acres.

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Former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan

In that transaction, it was reported that $20,260,276 was paid for a property initially valued at over $5,000,000,000.

The selling price was reportedly grossly below the actual value of the assets sold.

This, the court heard from the prosecution, amounted to an abuse of the public’s trust without reasonable excuse or justification.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 13, 2022

Serving the people faithfully

ARE Guyanese allowing influencers to imprison their minds? Maya Angelou knew why the caged bird sang. Or, will the campaigners be the change they want to see? Winston Churchill was being practical when he suggested, “To improve is to change, to be perfect is to change often.”

Each day reflects new dialects scripting blasphemy for the government, attempting to taunt the leaders of governance and drilling holes with each project suggested and/or executed. This trend patterns a programmed and systematic schedule to guarantee that there is no peaceful day designated for the “One Guyana” theme as initiated

by President, Dr Mohammed Irfaan Ali. The government has al-

ways welcomed criticism to build and better the growth of this nation, but, it must be constructive so that ideas must translate productively and not destructively, which may harm Guyana. The PPP/C has always promoted peace, not conflict, realising that peace comes within and one cannot seek it without, as taught by the Buddha.

The country’s current administration is paying heed to Harry S Truman’s advice, “Our goal must be not peace in our time, but peace for all time.”

N o w o n d e r, C h e d d i Jagan’s slogan of “Peace, Progress and Prosperity” remains the untouched, unmoved and unfathomable foundation which nurtures the PPP/C party to build the future of Guyana in a

safe, friendly and rewarding environment. Only a limited few can claim to preach and practise non-violence and to adhere to Albert Einstein’s dogma, “Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.”

There are some who genuinely show smiling faces and remain unperturbed, not to be ruffled by antagonists. “Peace begins with a smile,” Mother Theresa edified. While being disgruntled with no reason to nurture animosity but wanting to extend a greeting, it is worthy to be wary as Mahatma Gandhi perceived in his statement, “You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.”

Those who live in an abstract world and cannot see the tangible metamorphosis Guyana is slowly

but surely unfolding into, should take heed of Leo Tolstoy’s caution, “If you look for perfection, you will never be content.” The pursuit of justice engineered three successive wins by the ruling party at the Caribbean Court of Justice, the country’s apex appeal court.

Achieving one’s right must be processed in a legal manner and that entails showing one’s hand, not refusing to show your cards! That is why the PPP/C was legally and legitimately sworn into government and has the authority to govern this land until the next election. Those who live and rule by cheating, rigging, defrauding, corruption, violence, raping the Treasury, bankrupting an entire nation and refuse to abide by rules and regulations, will never

confess to accountability and transparency.

While many profess to know better by looking into the telescope from outside, those with eyes from the inside are being realistic and practical for fairness and equality. Those who negotiate not to be friends of the government want to hold the nation at ransom by placing their knee on the leadership of the country. Certainly, foes and not friends to Guyanese, those naysayers reclaim their devious nature by resorting to threats, tongue twisting and even treason by using every foul option at their disposal, concocting lies, distorting the truth and not working in the true interest of Guyana, but, deviating to selfishly satisfy their personal needs

and wants.

Luckily, with the eye of a hawk and working assiduously, tirelessly and selflessly, this government remains conscious of any wrong move by enemies of the nation, and, with opened eyes, rightfully strive to correct the shortcomings of their predecessor and work in the best interest of Guyanese. Fittingly, we can be reminded of that icon of peace character, Mahatma Gandhi.

In his wisdom, he attested, “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” We can all work harmoniously to provide, protect and promote a “One Guyana” and still be differently indifferent. Be like a flower, survive the rain but use it to grow.

Commendation for President and VicePresident for establishing gov’t feedback office

Dear Editor, I COMMEND the President and Vice-President for establishing an office (presumably at the Presidential Secretariat) to address complaints or issues facing the public (individuals and communities). Such a feedback office was badly needed. This is a masterstroke of Vice-President Jagdeo. It has shown why he is considered a superior political strategist and tactician than anyone in the opposition. In fact, he is probably the best thinker in the country in conjuring up political strategies to win office and retain power.

The preceding government had a weak connection with the public. Jagdeo beats it at the game plan.

Unlike the opposition when it was in office, Jagdeo is winning the PR race on governance. He would never have closed down government-owned factories or industries where thousands are employed. He would have known he would lose popular support. He is hands on and on the ground pursuing policies that benefit large numbers of people. Unlike his predecessor, he engages the public at the grass roots level.

On the issue of receiving complaints from the public,

for decades going back to the 1980s, I travelled repeatedly at regular intervals throughout Guyana (on my own funding) to conduct opinion surveys and was regularly saddled with complaints of voters or the public about neglect by their elected MPs and or Regional Councillors and or NDC reps. Somehow, people felt/feel that I had (have) clout and can resolve their issues by bringing them to the attention of government (current and previous).

People did not and do not seem to understand that I can’t help them with their issues. I can’t even get my issues resolved as politicians generally don’t pay heed

to the public once they are in office until it is election time. This is political realty everywhere except in developed countries. In the US, politicians fear their constituents – representatives could get voted out if they neglect concerns of constituents. In Guyana, I mingled with the public to solicit their opinions. The government (all governments) needs a similar figure to get (objective, honest) views of the public on how it (or a representative) is performing and how it (he/she) is viewed by the public, as well as an account of complaints and outstanding issues of the public.

In a recent press con-

ference, the VP said some 44 issues (complaints) he received on the Essequibo Coast have been resolved.

The public generally lack confidence in another party or government figures to resolve their issues. They prefer to directly engage the VP, whom they feel immediately attend to their complaints.

Other figures tend to sit on concerns

With the reopening of the Morning Glory Inc. popularly known as the cereal plant in the region, a number of employment opportunities will become available.

The VP is politically savvy unlike those on the

other side. Instead of closing factories as the opposition did when it was in government, Jagdeo opens them.

Instead of firing people, he hires them or keeps them on payroll. He announced the availability of 800 grants for small (self or family businesses in Essequibo and received 2,000 applications.

Inevitably, the VP will use his political astuteness and increase the number of grant applications to accommodate bona fide submissions.

The VP’s approval numbers would only go up with policies that dole out benefits to the deserving public or create jobs for the unemployed.

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guyana CHRONICLE friday, may 13, 2022

Caribbean food insecurity post-COVID and Ukraine (Part III)

Attracting Caribbean youth to agriculture

By Earl Bousquet

AGRICULTURE has no future without youth involvement; and there’s been no time like today to attract tomorrow’s people to the noble job of feeding the world, and keeping populations alive, and healthy.

Young people everywhere won’t just drop their computers and other devices to pick up pickaxes and hoes, cutlasses and shovels to plant dasheen, yam, banana, cabbage, lettuce and tomatoes, grow rice or plant cassava, even if it pays better than playing games Online.

But the past decade has seen the introduction of digitisation to agriculture through ‘Apps’ that help rural farm-

ers in Africa and India to better communicate with purchasers, and market their products.

This has certainly attracted some interest among Caribbean youth with innovative and forward-looking ideas about pursuing new start-ups, but lacking the investment capital to start off.

Today, children across the region plant vegetable and flower gardens, and reap fruit and flowers on their devices, but pre-digital parents still see and treat agriculture like a ‘dirty’ job they wouldn’t want for those same children.

However, Caribbean decision-makers must quickly find innovative ways to connect with the young, energised and digitised minds just

waiting to be harvested.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is nowhere near starting to take advantage of digitising agriculture, but countries elsewhere are already doing just that, and with the full support of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Azerbaijan has been a leader in this field, having introduced an ambitious Electronic Agricultural Information System (EKTIS) that allows the government to support the sector in new and better ways.

Earlier this month, a conference was held there themed, ‘Vision for the Future: Transition to Digital Agriculture’, at which FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu

noted that “Digital agriculture has great potential to foster the transformation of agri-food systems and promote rural development.”

He added that, “Digital innovation can unlock employment opportunities, bridge the rural divide, and empower youth and women” and “support evidence-based

policy, planning and implementation to improve efficiency and reduce negative environmental impacts…”

The Director-General said, “Data, digitalisation and innovation are key accelerators to achieve this transformation,” and pointed out that FAO is “supporting several countries to develop

national digital agriculture strategies, as the first step to ensure delivery of meaningful services and data to people in rural areas, and to promote bottom-up technology-driven innovations.”

According to Qu, “The challenges our agri-food see page 9

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guyana CHRONICLE friday, may 13, 2022

Attracting Caribbean youth...

from page 8

systems face require our collective, efficient, effective and coherent action…”

Pointing to FAO virtual learning centres and targeted digital literacy initiatives to strengthen the capacity of farmers and other actors to respond to the challenges, the Director-General said, “Developing human capital is essential to unleash the potential of digital agriculture.”

He, however, assured his audience that the FAO, “is committed to leveraging the potential of digital technologies” to achieve “better production, nutrition, environment and life for all, leaving no one behind”.

He noted that in rural areas, digital technologies can be leveraged to address multiple market failures,

and facilitate smallholder farmers’ integration into markets.

But, he also underlined that “The acceleration of digitalisation in agriculture must also safeguard basic human rights by ensuring affordable access to digital technologies, digital literacy and digital public goods, for everyone.”

The FAO’s ultimate aim, the Director-General said, is “to massify digital benefits to ensure no one is left behind, through promoting the use and adoption of digital technologies and promoting a policy agenda and public investments”.

The FAO has helped nations develop e-governance tools such as Identification Systems for Animal Health and Farm Accountancy Data Networks, and its International

Platform for Digital Food and Agriculture will soon be fully operational.

Other related FAO initiatives include: Provision of Digital Public Goods (like the ‘Hand-in-Hand Geospatial Platform’), the ongoing ‘1,000 Digital Villages Initiative’, the ‘e-Agriculture Strategy Guide’ and other contributions to the ‘UN Secretary-General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation’.

In the Caribbean region, like other developing regions globally, the slow transfer of and adjustment to new technologies is itself slowing down, as more young people adopt and adapt, and more public service employees, like everyone else, have had to unwind from the past and upgrade to the present digital means of communication and service delivery.

Thanks to digitisation, people everywhere can learn from the successful examples (and mistakes) of application of digitisation to agriculture, but the CARICOM region will need to quickly find the best ways of encouraging national governments to embrace and attract youth to ‘IT in Agri’.

Qu is absolutely correct that “Digital innovation can unlock employment opportunities, bridge the rural divide and empower youth and women…”

And the Youth Economy, a relatively new concept for national development in this region, is underway in Saint Lucia,

and aimed at encouraging traditional public and private institutions and entities to revisit their policies, and make them more friendly to youth with new and workable ideas, integrate them into the national economy, and turn their hobbies into paychecks.

So important is this approach to the current Saint Lucia government that Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre’s official title is: ‘Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Development and The Youth Economy’.

Pierre’s dream is for Saint Lucia to eventually have “one university graduate per household”, but, unlike Guyana, the island doesn’t have an Online Academy of Learning (GOAL); similarly, 238-square-mile (616 square-kilometers) Saint

Lucia will not have enough land to eventually facilitate all the youth who’ll want to embrace digital agriculture, but Guyana has more land than it’ll be able to develop alone.

Can Guyana, responsible for Food Security within CARICOM, eventually become a regional base for the introduction of digitised agriculture to Caribbean youth, with an emphasis on produce and products that not only have commercial, but most importantly, nutritional and health value?

Of course, it can, but how fast that can happen will depend solely on the speed with which regional leaders, governments, agriculture ministers and ministries can see the need to advance thinking and action beyond metrification.

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guyana CHRONICLE friday, may 13, 2022

Enterprise Florida Inc., World Trade Center Miami eye Guyana MORE partnerships and synergies between Guyanese and American institutions and firms are expected to be created, as the Enterprise Florida Inc. and World Trade Center Miami have turned its attention to Guyana.

This is according to Director of Vitality Accounting, Abbas Hamid, who visited both organisations in Miami, Florida.

According to a release, Hamid met with senior officials from both organisations who signalled their interest in exploring investment opportunities in Guyana.

Hamid, speaking on the engagements, said: “It was a validating moment to witness the genuine interest of the World Trade Center Miami

and Enterprise Florida Inc., to explore the opportunities in Guyana. Guyana has a chance to realise the potential we’ve often talked about. It’s about doing the work and seizing the opportunities.”

He said that as a result of the engagements, his firm has already created a joint venture with Averkamp CPA Group LLC, a financial firm located in Florida.

The Enterprise Florida Inc. is a public-private partnership of business and government leaders, which serves as the state’s primary entity for trade and export development, supporting more than 60,000 Florida exporting businesses, in a bid to boost economic development, international trade, research, and marketing.

The World Trade Center

Miami is a powerful driver for business growth and economic prosperity.

For more than 25 years, it has facilitated international commerce in Miami with a business model based on serving the Western Hemisphere and global trade community, rather than through a regional membership programme.

Business development consultant and owner of ACE Consultancy, Dr. Rosh Khan, who also met with representatives of those organisations, said that those engagements focused on key areas of cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations through increased trade. He also said that webinars and trade missions will be announced in the near future.

He related that his consul-

Business development consultant and owner of ACE Consultancy, Dr. Rosh Khan (second from left) and Director of Vitality Accounting, Abbas Hamid, hand over a token to President and CEO of the World Trade Center Miami, Ivan Barrios, in the presence of Senior Vice President & COO of the World Trade Center Miami, Alice Ancona tancy will be engaging these entities for business matchmaking opportunities.

Dr. Khan plays key leadership roles in local business support organisations such as the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association, and the American Chamber of Commerce (Guyana).

The recent meetings, he said, could not have happened at a more “opportune time,” since Guyana is well on its way to becoming a hub of

investment. Those meetings will also create a foundation for collaboration between the World Trade Center Miami and the soon-to-be-established World Trade Center in Guyana.

Guyana is set to become home to the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM’s) first World Trade Centre, following successful negotiations between the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) and the World Trade Centre Association (WTCA), which is headquartered in New York.

In April 2022 Demerara Distillers Limited, after months of negotiations, secured a licence to establish the WTC in Guyana.

The plan, as outlined by DDL, is to transform its building at High Street, Kingston, into the centre, which will provide a range of opportunities for local businesses and organisations to enhance their networking capabilities globally.

Work on the interior redesign of the building has already begun.

President Ali meets with CARICOM Heads on Summit of the Americas PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali, on Thursday, participated in a Special Emergency Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government which was held virtually.

The meeting discussed the upcoming Ninth Summit of the Americas to be held in June, in Los Angeles, Calif|ornia.

The lone hemispheric meeting, with a theme of “Building a Sustainable, shared challenges and Resilient, and Equitable opportunities.

Minister of Foreign Future,” is expected to address the Americas’ Affairs and Interna-

tional Cooperation, Hugh Todd also attended the CARICOM meeting.

guyana CHRONICLE friday, may 13, 2022

Mahaicony accident: one dead, married couple unconscious, driver in custody

19-YEAR-OLD driver, Kevin Bagot, is currently in police custody for alleged involvement in the death of 25-year-old rice farmer, Eshwar Arjune, who died in a three-vehicle collision, on Thursday (yesterday), on the Bushy Park Public Road at Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.

According to a police release, Arjune was the driver of motorcar #PCC 5219, proceeding east along the public road.

The other vehicles involved in the accident were motorcar #HD 2859, driven by 25-year-old, Kevin Bagot, and a Jeep sport utility vehicle (SUV) #PJJ 8723, driven by 19-year-old, Jhatan Sukhlal.

Police said Sukhlal was proceeding eastward behind

Arjune’s motorcar and collided with the rear of that vehicle.

Arjune, according to the statement, lost control of his vehicle and careened to the southern side of the road, colliding with Bagot’s motorcar. Bagot’s vehicle was proceeding west along the southern direction.

As a result of the collision, the police continued, the vehicles’ occupants all received injuries to their bodies, and were taken to the Mahaicony Public Hospital.

Arjune was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, while Bagot and his wife are currently in an unconscious state receiving medical attention at the hospital.

Sukhlal, police reported, was given a breathalyzer test which recorded zero micro-

Arjune’s vehicle on Bushy Park Public Road

DEAD: Eshwar Arjune grams of alcohol.

He is currently in police custody assisting with the ongoing investigation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 13, 2022

Local doctor to receive prestigious OAS award

— for good practices in women’s leadership THE doctor-in-charge and lead-doctor at the COVID-19/Infectious Diseases Hospital, Tracey Bovell, is set to receive a prestigious award from the Organisation of American States (OAS) for good practices in women’s leadership.

Dr. Bovell, according to the Ministry of Health, will receive the award under the category of women’s leadership in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

She will receive this award during the summit in the presence of almost every Head of State from the Americas, as the ceremony

will be held during the IX Summit of the Americas on June 9, 2022, in Los Angeles, California.

Dr. Bovell was selected from among other local doctors who were nominated by Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony.

“The Minister of Health, on behalf of the Ministry of Health, joins with the GPHC [Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation] to extend congratulations to Dr. Tracey Bovell, a consultant in Emergency Medicine at the GPHC on her being recognised internationally for the distinguished, excellent

and compassionate leadership she provided in the treatment and care of COVID-19 patients in Guyana,” the Health Ministry said.

Dr. Bovell has been among the persons leading the charge in the fight against COVID-19 in her capacity at the Infectious Disease Hospital, which opened its doors for operation in September 2020.

Since then, the hospital has treated more than 3,500 critically ill COVID-19 patients. The facility has often been fully occupied with more than 100 critically-ill patients and often with more

Doctor-in-charge and the lead doctor in the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Tracey Bovell

than 30 patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).

The hospital has 195 beds with capacity for ventilator-based treatment, surgeries, dialysis, radiological and imaging interventions.

Boasting a staff complement of 250, the facility caters for adults and children and provides complete maternal care for COVID-19affected women.

Although Dr. Bovell took charge of the Infectious Diseases Hospital in September 2020, her leadership in the fight against COVID-19 started before that.

She was part of the clinical team that crafted the COVID-19 response from the time it became a pandemic.

Guyana’s first COVID-19 case and its first COVID-19 mortality was discovered on

March 11, 2020.

Dr. Bovell was appointed, at the time (March 2020), as the Chairperson for the GPHC COVID-19 Taskforce.

She led a team of specialists from various departments of the hospital to craft the first set of protocols and guidelines for COVID-19, including the protocols for diagnosis, treatment and occupational health and safety.

LEADING FROM THE FRONT As part of her responsibilities, Dr. Bovell led sensitisation sessions with healthcare providers and other staff in the health sector and other sectors in all 10 regions of Guyana.

“In the early days, when COVID-19 caused intense illness and had a high mortal-

ity rate, Dr. Bovell fearlessly became the face of the treatment programme. Yet, she found time to communicate with family and friends of those who were critically ill and who could not benefit from families being around them,” the Health Ministry said.

In the face of high mortality among critically ill COVID-19 patients, Dr. Bovell remained resilient, determined and compassionate in her quest to ensure that patients were receiving quality care.

The minister, the Ministry of Health and GPHC recognised that Dr. Bovell could not have succeeded alone.

The support, equal dedication and commitment from many doctors, nurses, technologists, other allied healthcare providers played a significant role in Guyana being able to provide quality and life-saving treatment to thousands of Guyanese who survived the vicious and deadly illnesses that COVID-19 caused.

“In recognising the contributions and the leadership of Tracey Bovell, we also recognise the meritorious service from hundreds of healthcare providers. Dr. Bovell’s recognition is recognition for all of them.

“Dr. Bovell’s leadership in the COVID-19 response has made an indelible mark in the story of public health in Guyana. Dr. Bovell is a woman of worth in our country,” the Health Ministry related.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 13, 2022

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guyana CHRONICLE friday, may 13, 2022

Paul Cheong retains Chairmanship of PSC LOCAL business executive, Paul Cheong, has been

re-elected Chairman of the Private Sector Commission

(PSC).

He was elected during the

commission’s 30th Annual General Meeting (AGM)

held at the Marriott Hotel, on Thursday.

Chairman of the PSC, Paul Cheong “As is customary, the business section of the AGM saw the council electing the Executive Members of the Private Sector Commission who will serve for the period 2022-2023,” the commission said in a release.

Cheong will be supported by other elected members such as Ryan Alexander, Vice Chairman; Ramesh Dookhoo, Honorary Secretary and Komal Singh, Treasurer.

“The Private Sector Commission expresses gratitude to its members for their participation in the process and looks forward to their continued support in the execution of the commission’s mandate,” the PSC related.

The commission added: “The PSC intends to continue being the leading advocate for the private sector on articulated and shared positions on national issues, which will promote socio-economic growth and development through the creation of strategic partnership with the Government and stakeholders.”

It was reported in March, that, as Guyana’s economy continues to grow, the PSC was hoping to build its membership by setting up more of its representative subgroups across the country.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Cheong had said that while the body has membership across Guyana, this will be ramped up by June 2022.

As an example of its growth focus, Cheong said the PSC is looking to set up a chamber of commerce in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) soon.

He said that, as far as membership of the imminent chamber of commerce for Region Five is concerned, businesses will be invited to join and would be required to pay a fee which would give them full membership rights, including an opportunity to serve on the Executive Committee of that body.

Once the Region Five chamber has been established, similar business networks will be set up in Regions One (Barima-Waini) see page 15

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guyana CHRONICLE friday, may 13, 2022

Kitty man nabbed with $300,000 in marijuana

A 39-YEAR-OLD man was, on Wednesday, arrested after he was nabbed with over two pounds of cannabis during a Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) operation at Queen’s Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

CANU, in a statement, said its agents acted on information received and conducted a narcotics operation at the location of the arrest.

During the search, the statement continued, CANU officers intercepted the suspect, who was seen acting in a suspicious manner while carrying a black plastic bag.

The suspect is a resident of Thomas Street, Kitty. CANU said during the search two parcels of suspected cannabis were found in the plastic bag.

The accused man was escorted to CANU Headquarters with the suspected narcotics, which tested positive for cannabis. The find weighed a total of 938 grams.

According to CANU, the cannabis carries a street value of approximately $300,000. The investigation is ongoing.

Paul Cheong retains ... from page 14

and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

The PSC currently has membership in Lethem, Linden, Berbice, Bartica and in Georgetown, where its headquarters is located.

Those members form part of several associations including the Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association (GMSA), the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana and the Guyana Gold & Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA).

In 2021, the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and the Women’s Chamber of Commerce were added.

“So, we have membership throughout the country, geographically, and throughout the different sectors too, so we will continue to look at places that we don’t have contact in those areas and try to establish or re-establish in those areas,” Cheong told this publication.

The narcotics seized by CANU officers

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 13, 2022

Over $5.5M up for grabs in the Miss World Guyana 2022 Pageant

— Registration ends May 26, Screenings in Linden, Berbice, Georgetown and Bartica

WHOEVER is the lucky young lady that secures the win at the 2022 Miss World Guyana pageant on August 21 at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) is set to walk away with an estimated prize package of $5.5 Million.

A number of number of prizes are also expected for those who support contestants in the application process.

With the hope of attracting a larger pool of candidates now that the pageant is returning, Majesty International, the official franchise holder of the “Miss World Guyana” license, is calling on Guyanese at home and abroad to help find the next beauty queen through application referral.

Persons who make referrals have a chance of winning a US$1000 gift card if one of

their referrals wins the Miss World Guyana 2022 competition.

Persons can also receive a US$50 gift card if their referral becomes a finalist in the pageant.

With screenings set for Linden, Berbice, Georgetown, and Bartica, the Miss World Guyana franchise holder has extended the deadline date for applications to May 26, Independence Day. “We want a larger pool to choose from and an opportunity to educate on what a great program the Miss World journey is.

“I believe the pandemic impacted that confidence gene we look for in our winning candidate, and this is our opportunity to revive, restore and awaken that critContinued on page 18

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 13, 2022

‘Fashion in Paradise’ set for Independence Day in the countryside LOCAL fashion designer Nelsion Nurse is expected to make his return to the fashion industry with a new show called, “Fashion in Paradise.”

The designer, who took a four-year hiatus from the industry, is ready to ‘hit the scene’ and showcase new designs which he said will not be limited to any specific theme.

In a recent interview, the 34-year-old said that he be-

lieved it was time to get back into his passion for fashion and spark his creativity again while revamping his brand, “Nandre’s Designer Wear & Kreations.”

Nurse said it is the right time as there are no more lockdowns nor restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Guyana.

“My ‘Reflections’ fashion show was usually done yearly, but I took a break from fashion about four years

ago, so this is kind of like a relaunch of the brand,” he said.

After being on lockdown, he said, it also serves as an opportunity to put other local designers in the spotlight and have them market their pieces.

He intimated some 13 local designers’ work will be put on display in various categories including jewellery, leather wear designs, and swimwear designs.

The enlisted designers include Sonia Noel, Raphael October, Carol Fraser, Mwanza Glenn, Maxi Williams and others.

The idea for “Fashion in Paradise,” he continued, was birthed as he thought it fit to have a fashion event out of town as most events of this nature are held in Georgetown. The event will be hosted at Nurse’s Paradise, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home, dubbed “Neil’s

Cabin.”

“When we have these activities in town, lots of persons out of town come down for it. So, let’s just switch sides and have persons from Georgetown come to a classy fashion show on the countryside,” the designer said.

He hopes that this will spark a new idea in relation to tourism marketing in Guyana.

The show will include live performances by Guya-

nese artistes Vanilla, Niketa, OKC and others. Tickets for the show, which starts at 14:00hrs, cost $2,000.

Nurse emphasised that hosting the event could not have been possible without the support of sponsors, including the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; Ministry of Natural Resources; Muneshwers Limited, and Canje Media, among others.

Nelsion Nurse’s designs

Model, Arti Cameron dons a Sonia Noel design

A Deborah Mathias design

A Mwanza Glenn design

A Wynette Jones design

Wynette Jones designs

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Over $5.5M up for...

From page 16

ical element in our young women,” Natasha Martindale, National Director at the Miss World Guyana Organisation (MWGO), shared in a conversation.

The screening for Berbice is set for this Saturday at the Sip and Play Poolside and Bar, while the screening in Linden is set for Sunday at the Times Square.

According to Martindale, Majesty is on the hunt for well-rounded, talented and brave young women for the competition.

The application is open to all single, natural-born females who are Guyanese by birth or by parentage, regardless of which part of the world they live. The applicant must be between 17 and 26 years.

Martindale said the Miss World program is designed to be an excellent vehicle for building confidence, advancing careers and personal goals, and, in particular, leaving a lasting positive legacy.

“It truly represents female empowerment and serves as a mechanism for young women interested in sports and fit-

ness, community service and development, public speaking, modelling, and those who are able to express their talents in the performance arts field,” she said.

Applicants must also be of good moral character and possess charm, poise, and personality with backgrounds not likely to bring the local pageant, its affiliates, the national director, or any person connected to or associated with the competition into disrepute.

Guyana has performed well in the past at the international Miss World pageant, with Guyana’s reigning 2019 queen, Joylyn Conway, finishing as a semi-finalist in the

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 13, 2022 top 40.

This is the first time Miss World Guyana pageant will return since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, the Miss World Guyana organisation restructured its “Beauty with A Purpose” project platform to one that is more inclusive and regionally impactful within a central theme.

The Miss World Guyana nationwide campaign will come to life once the competition gets to its semi-finals stage where each candidate will create her own literacy campaign in categories such as cultural, basic, media, or financial literacy, and more.

(TG)

Ms Natasha Martindale

Miss World Guyana 2019, Joylyn Conway

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 13, 2022

Rust: Producers of Alec Baldwin film deny safety failures over shooting

THE producers of Alec Baldwin’s film “Rust” have disputed an official report saying they were indifferent to gun safety before an on-set shooting tragedy.

The film’s cinematographer was killed and its director injured when a gun, held by Baldwin, fired last October.

Last month, the New Mexico Environment Department imposed its maximum fine on Rust Movie Productions for “serious and wilful” failures.But the company has said it “enforced all applicable safety protocols”.

In legal documents filed to contest the authority’s findings, the firm also said it “did not ‘wilfully’ violate any safety protocol”.

Any actors handling guns received sufficient training, and assistant directors were instructed to hold safety meetings on days when firearms were used, it said.

There was such a meeting on the morning of the shooting that killed Halyna Hutchins and wounded Joel Souza, according to the documents. Baldwin, one of the film’s producers as well as its star, has said he believed the gun did not contain live rounds and he did not pull the trigger, but that it fired when he cocked it during rehearsals.

He said the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED)’s report “exonerated” him and made clear that his authority as co-producer “was limited to approving script changes and creativecasting”.

The organisation fined Rust Movie Productions US$136,793 (£105,000) in April after investigating the incident.

Now, the production

company has argued that it was not responsible for supervising the film set, “much less for supervising specific protocols such as the maintenance and loading of weapons”. It said: “The law properly permits producers to delegate such critical functions as firearm safety to experts in that field and does not place such responsibility on producers whose expertise is in arranging financing and contracting for the logistics of filming.”

It also said previous discharges of blank rounds on set had been “properly addressed”, including with safety briefings for cast and crew, and did not violate firearm safety protocols.

The company denied that the movie’s armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, had been “overburdened” by also working as a props assistant.

It said her duties as armourer “always took precedence” and that she had sufficient time to inspect the ammunition, but “didn’t do her job properly”.

Lawyers for Gutierrez Reed said the NMED report showed she was “not provided adequate time or resources to conduct her job effectively, despite her voiced concerns”.

They said the body “also determined that production failed to call Hannah in to perform her armourer duties and inspect the firearm right before its use in the impromptu scene with Baldwin”.

They added: “As we have stated before, had anyone from production called Hannah back into the church before the scene to consult with her, this tragedy would have been prevented.” (BBC)

Alec Baldwin has said he did not pull the trigger but the revolver fired after he cocked it (Credited to GETTY Images)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 13, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 13, 2022

McCullum named new England Test coach

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Brendon McCullum, the former New Zealand captain, has been confirmed by the ECB as England Men’s new Test head coach, on a four-year

Brendon McCullum has never previously coached a red-ball team but earned plaudits for his captaincy of New Zealand’s Test team (Getty Images) deal.

McCullum, who will step down from his role as Kolkata Knight Riders’ head coach at the end of the ongoing IPL, played 101 Tests for New Zealand between 2004 and 2016, scoring 6 453 runs at 38.64 with a highest score of 302 against India in 2014, which remains the only triple-century made by a New Zealander.

Although he has never before taken charge of a red-ball team in his coaching career, McCullum was New Zealand captain for 31 Tests from 2013 until his retirement, earning plaudits for a positive approach which was also instrumental in the white-ball team’s run to the World Cup final in 2015. In 2020, he also coached Trinbago Knight Riders to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title.

His exact arrival date in the UK is dependent on KKR’s qualification for the IPL playoffs, although with two groupstage games remaining - the last of which comes against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 18 - they are an outside bet to reach the competition’s final four.

Work permits permitting, he is expected to link up with the squad - which will be led by England’s newly appointed captain Ben Stokes - ahead of the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s, starting June 2, and will now have an input in next week’s selection meeting too.

Rob Key, England’s director of men’s cricket, acknowledged that McCullum’s appointment was a calculated gamble, adding that it was “time for us all to buckle up and get ready for the

ride”, but praised his proven ability to change team cultures for the better - an attribute sorely needed after a grim 12 months for England’s Test team, in which they have won one of their last 17 Tests and sunk to their lowest ICC ranking since 1995.

“I’d like to say how pleased I am to be given this opportunity to positively contribute to England’s Test cricket set-up and move the team forward into a more successful era,” McCullum said in an ECB press release.

“In taking this role on, I am acutely aware of the significant challenges the team faces at present, and I strongly believe in my ability to help the team emerge as a stronger force once we’ve confronted them head-on.

“I’ve enjoyed several robust conversations with Rob Key about the direction of travel for the team and have found his enthusiasm contagious. I’m no stranger to bringing about change within a team environment, and I can’t wait to get started.

“Ben Stokes is the perfect character to inspire change around him, and I look forward to working closely with him to build a successful unit around us.”

McCullum had initially been earmarked for England’s white-ball coaching role, not least because of his close personal and professional relationship with the captain Eoin Morgan - he was master of ceremonies at Morgan’s wedding in 2018 and last year the pair guided KKR to the IPL final.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 13, 2022

Sams, Meredith lead rout of Chennai Super Kings (ESPNCRICINFO) - The greatest rivalry in IPL history lived down to its improbable basement-battle status, as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) gave Mumbai Indians (MI) an outside chance of leapfrogging them at the bottom of this year’s standings with a scrappy five-wicket defeat at the Wankhede Stadium.

Not for the first time, Su-

per Kings were discombobulated by the early swing that Mumbai seamers were able to extract, as they slumped to 97 all out with four overs left used. It was their second-lowest total in IPL history, behind the 79 they made on this ground in 2013, while they also lost five wickets in the powerplay for the second time - again, Mumbai were responsible for the previous

occasion, at Sharjah in 2020.

At least Super Kings’ own quicks resolved to go down fighting, as Mukesh Choudhary and Simarjeet Singh combined to grab four wickets inside five overs - and very briefly it seemed that MS Dhoni’s partial rally of 36 not out from 33 balls (three times as many as any of his team-mates) might have just given his team a fighting chance.

However, Tilak Varma and Hrithik Shokeen - who between them barely add up to Dhoni’s 40 years - broke the chase with a responsible grind of 48 in 7.5 overs, before Tim David’s typically forceful finish.

POWER OUTAGE? POWERPLAY OUTAGE Farcical scenes greeted the opening exchanges of the contest, as a local power outage meant that no DRS was available for the start of Super Kings’ innings. What came next was thoroughly inevitable Daniel Sams’ first delivery to Devon Conway nipped back off the seam to thump him on the pad, and umpire C Ravikanthreddy’s

fled his third wicket in the space of 13 balls - Ruturaj Gaikwad had just driven Bumrah for four through the covers in his previous, a rare feat this week, but his follow-up was to feather a slender edge to Ishan Kishan for 7.

Riley Meredith’s arrival for the final over of the powerplay, however, produced a rather more classical fast bowler’s breakthrough, as Ambati Rayudu was sawn in half by a nip-backer from back of a length, for Kishan to gobble the inside edge.

With Shivam Dube emerging at 29 for 5, there might have been a temptation to turn back to Bumrah for his third over out of seven, but

out for Dhoni. He bided his time as Sams completed a superb day’s work with 3 for 16, then tried to take on Meredith’s extra pace with a four and a six in the 16th over.

But Kishan, alert to the likelihood of a final-ball bye, clawed down the bouncer and unleashed his shy with glove still attached. It was unerring, and Choudhary was caught yards short.

Choudhary, Simarjeet go down guns blazing With so few runs to play with, there was no scope for subtlety in Super Kings’ response. For just the fourth time in IPL history, both new-ball bowlers - Choudhary and Simarjeet in this case - rattled

Tilak Varma acknowledges the crowd after taking Mumbai Indians to victory BCCI

response was mercilessly instantaneous.

Conway was nonplussed, to put it mildly - the ball might, at a pinch, have been clipping the outer extremity of his leg stump. But the die was cast, and die Super Kings did.

Moeen Ali, never the most comfortable starter against the quicks, emerged at No. 3 and didn’t hang about. A second-ball bouncer stopped in the pitch as Moeen swung too eagerly across the line and scuffed an ugly hoick to short midwicket, and at 2 for 2 after four legitimate balls, the omens weren’t too promising, even before Jasprit Bumrah had started walking to the top of his mark.

Against Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday, Bumrah had sauntered off with the small matter of 5 for 10 in four overs. Now he made it 6 for 10 in 4.4, as Robin Uthappa was beaten hollow in an undignified stay - three times outside the off stump, and finally pinned plumb in front of that same stump for 1, as he flitted across the line to leave Super Kings utterly beached at 5 for 3.

Before the next ball had been bowled, the DRS issue had been resolved - though fortunately for Uthappa, not in time for him to waste a lifeline.

AUSSIES RULE IN THE MIDDLE OVERS Sams will bowl better balls than the leg-side long-hop that snaf-

Meredith was perfectly capable of giving the new man the hurry-up.

An attempted ramp off the short ball ended up as a muffed top edge, and at 39 for 6, Kishan had suddenly three catches in the space of four overs.

Dhoni has licence to go deep Dhoni is never a man to let a match situation tilt his equilibrium.

Presumably, all he saw as Dwayne Bravo emerged (for a seventh-wicket stand that would exactly double the total without remotely rescuing the cause) was the chance to bed in and drag the innings as deep as was feasible.

An early flurry hinted at what he might yet be capable of, as Kumar Kartikeya was flayed for consecutive fours to bring up the team’s 50, before Dhoni smoked his next ball, from Shokeen, over square leg for six.

But Bravo never quite settled in the same circumstances. He had been living dangerously for 13 balls before clouting Kartikeya over long-on for six, but one ball later, he took on an ambitious drive, and drilled a head-high chance to short cover.

Three balls later, Simarjeet became Kartikeya’s second wicket of the over, and when Maheesh Theekshana responded to a sharp bouncer from Ramandeep Singh with the meekest of prods to cover, time and wickets were running

straight through all four of their overs, and instigated something approaching panic in Mumbai’s ranks too - reducing the chase to 33 for 4 in the first five overs.

Choudhary, in particular, bowled a beautifully sharp line, swinging the ball late to prise out Kishan in his first over before seizing the moment in his third - as first Sams, then the South African debutant Tristan Stubbs, both paid the price for their safety-first reticence. Each was served up a full toss the ball before they fell but neither could capitalise and they were both nailed lbw for a total of 1 from eight balls.

Only Rohit Sharma - inevitably - had the measure of the conditions, as he set himself to counterattack against the attacking length and took some sizeable lumps out of the target with four fours in his 18.

Simarjeet found the nick in his second over, as a total of nine wickets fell across the two powerplays - the joint-most in IPL history - but by the end of the new-ball spells, Varma and Shokeen had ridden out the threat, to ease Mumbai towards their third win in the last four outings.

Ordinarily, you’d say that was a classic example of peaking at the right time. For once, it hasn’t been quite that straightforward.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 13, 2022

Shimron & Nirvani Hetmyer Cricket Trust Fund …

BCB to assist 90 cricket clubs with cricket balls

THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) will this weekend start the distribution of $1M worth of cricket balls to 90 clubs across the county.

The balls would form part of the 2022 edition of the BCB/Shimron and Nirvani Hetmyer Cricket Trust Fund.

The West Indies middle-order batter and his wife have been sponsoring the Trust Fund since 2021 and indicated that they would continue to do so, as long as the current president, Hilbert Foster, remains in office.

Foster stated that Mrs Hetmyer contacted him two weeks ago to inform him that they were interested in not only renewing their support but to increase the funds from $1M to $1.5M.

Last year, the couple had assisted the board to donate $700 000 worth of balls across the county while $200 000 was used for educational grants to students living in the New Amsterdam/Canje area.

The remainder was used for MVP programmes and coaching.

In this year’s edition, $1M would be used for the distribution of red cricket balls while $200 000 would be given out as educational grants.

Foster explained $300 000 would be used for the hosting of a one-day grassroots tournament and a three-team female tournament involving West Berbice, New Amsterdam/Canje and Rose Hall Town Metro.

The grassroots tour-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Friday May 13, 2022)

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(2) What were the best bowling figures in a single game in IPL 2011?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue ……………………………………………………………

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Newmarket 08:10 hrs North Lincoln 08:40 hrs Dashing Dick 09:15 hrs Prydwen 09:50 hrs Going Gone 10:25 hrs Mighty Ulysses 11:00 hrs Artic Emperor 11:35 hrs Brazen Bolt

nament would be played in Canje and would involve four teams including Young Warriors and Rose Hall Canje.

The BCB president also disclosed that under the educational grants, a female national player would receive a grant of $100 000 to assist her to successfully complete her studies at the Guyana School of Agriculture.

Foster hailed the assistance of the couple who have been very supportive of his presidency and noted that it was refreshing that current players are assisting in the development of Berbice Cricket.

The distribution of the balls would start on Sunday in the Upper Corentyne area where 30 clubs would each receive a box of balls.

The next area would be the West Berbice sub-association where 14 clubs are expected to benefit.

BCB since 2018 has assisted clubs with cricket balls and late last year donated $1M worth of white balls to the 11 first division teams and the Berbice River area under its Patron Fund.

Clubs and sub-associations in the county have also benefited from donation of gear, scorebooks,

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stumps, catching cribs, grass cutters, water pitchers, raincoats, uniforms, educational materials, pitch covers, trophies, medals, bicycles among others from the BCB since 2018.

BCB president Hilbert Foster

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 13, 2022

ECCB 50 overs Navin/Hanso cricket competition

Tough clashes anticipated as tournament continues on May 15

THE East Coast Cricket Board 50 overs Navin/Hanso-sponsored competition scheduled for May 8, is now set for May 15 at various venues.

Fairfield Rivals will be at home on their Community Centre ground against Lusignan Sports Club; Enterprise Busta CC will clash with Strathavon CC at Enterprise CC ground; Buxton C.H.C.C will play Better Hope CC at

Buxton Community Centre ground and Ogle CC will face Golden Grove CC at Ogle ground.

So far, several outstanding performances have highlighted the action and cricket fans can anticipate lots more excitement as the tournament continues.

Meanwhile, on April 10, Enterprise Busta Sports Club (ESC) took on Mahaica SC and won in a low-scoring

duel.

Mahaica SC batted first and scored 49 all out in 14.4 overs. M. Singh top-scored with 22.

Bishram Samaroo topped the bowling figures with a 5-wicket haul (22) while Rajendra Chandrika bagged 2 wickets for 27 runs in his 7.4 overs.

In their turn at the crease, Enterprise knocked off the required runs in 5 overs, con-

ceding just 1 wicket. Vivan Albert 18* and Himnauth Dindyal (25)* eventually sealed the victory for Enterprise by 9 wickets.

Lusignan Sports Club (LSC) won the toss and inserted Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCCC) in a game reduced to 45 overs. ECCCC compiled 266 all out in 43.2 overs.

The top scorers were Chaitram Balgobin (70), Amir Khan (63) and Viswanauth Ramlakhan contributed an even 50.

Karamchand Persaud bagged a 5-wicket haul (48 from 9 overs) while Navin Persaud chipped in with 2-48 from 9 overs.

LSC turned in a brave performance but despite a gusty effort from Stephen Ramdass (36), fell short by 4 runs in 27.2 overs.

Balgobin bolstered his batting performance with immaculate bowling that saw him register 4-4 from a similar number of overs.

Yuvraj Dyal supported with 2-5 from 2.2 overs.

In another encounter Ogle took on Better Hope at the Lusignan Community

Centre (LCC) ground, Better Hope won the toss and sent Ogle in to bat on a damp and soft wicket and with the overs reduced to 45 overs, Ogle were bowled out for 41 in 21.1 overs.

Sachin Singh claimed 4 wickets for 15 runs off 9 overs for LSC. Rajendra Singh bagged 3 wickets for 14 runs off 5 overs while Ravi Singh took 3-8 off 6 overs.

In reply, Better Hope reached 48-3 in 11.3 overs with Ryan Singh notching up 12*.

In another truncated 45 overs encounter, Fairfield Rivals took on Strathavon SC with the former team winning the toss and taking first strike.

Fairfield compiled 144 all out in 35 overs with Ramnarine Chatura (50) and Dorain Grenion (22) being the principal scorers. Strathavon SC’s Ajay Persaud (3-20, 9 overs) and Prakash Chowtie (3-26 from 9), were instrumental in restricting Fairfield Rivals but the Strathavon SC batters were unable to complete the job, scoring 131 all out in 31.3 overs. Ramna-

rine Chatura (4-25, 8 overs) and Karpov George (3-16, 5.3 overs) were the leading bowlers.

Over at LBI ground, LBI CC took on Buxton and batted first after calling correctly. Several batters did well including Ariel Tilku (75), Nizam Khan (52), Alex Algoo (34), and Richard Dowlatram (24) to steer LBI CC to 273 for 9 from their allotted 50 overs. Yojeshwar Bishun snared 5-29, Richard Dowlatram 3-19 and Ariel Tilku 2-22.

Buxton in reply fell short, scoring 101 all out from 26 overs.

Their top batter was Owen Andrews (31). In another encounter, Better Hope called correctly and inserted Ogle in another game that saw a 5-over reduction.

Ogle then amassed 41 all out in 21 overs. Better Hope responded with 48-3 in 11.2 overs. Sachin Singh bowled 9 overs and took 4 wickets while conceding 15 runs. Rajendra Singh bowled 5 overs, and took 3-14 while Ravi Singh contributed 6 overs for 3 wickets and 8 runs.

KFC Guyana feeds $2M...

FROM BACK PAGE for their companies is not only measured in sales but also in contributing to sports development, academic development and cultural growth in this great land of ours. That will make the impossible a tangible reality,” Singh said.

Looking at the team’s composition, Singh revealed that “some clubs have opted to exhibit their athletes for selection while some were

reluctant due to unpreparedness. Most coaches and local executives have accepted the need for championship camps for their teams, henceforth, allowing the experienced candidates to be the first choice since Guyana will be on show.

The preparation of athletes is a process that entails individual selection, training mechanisms, coaching apparatuses, and medical and anti-doping training,” the

GYMMAF president said.

A six-member team with athletes from Guyana Police Force, Phoenix Jiu Jitsu and 3-Ryu Karate Club will represent Guyana at the tournament, marking the country’s second outing at an International Mixed Martial Federation (IMMAF) event, following their showing at the World Championships in Abu Dhabi earlier this year.

(Rawle Toney)

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 13, 2022

GFF renews partnership with NAMILCO for Thunderbolt Flour Power U17 League THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the National Milling Company (NAMILCO) will relaunch the intra-association NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U17 League for boys this year, with an agreement to renew the partnership and to ensure continuity in the coming years, in line with NAMILCO’s objective to support the sustainable development of youth in Guyana.

The competition, which is compulsory for all nine GFF regional associations, will have two phases – the intra-association league, which will decide the best teams in each regional association, followed by a championship round to crown the national champions.

It is expected that the regional segment of the tournament will kick off in June, with the championship round scheduled for September. The agreement builds on the highly successful delivery of two NAMILCO-sponsored leaguebased competitions for U17 boys, prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and underlines the company’s strong record as a national leader in corporate social responsibility.

“As a local company with a long history of supporting sport and youth development, we are pleased to continue to support the young men of this country through this impactful tournament with the Guyana Football Federation,” said NAMILCO Managing Director Bert Sukhai.

“We are eager to see this U17 tournament for boys grow in the coming years, so that we can continue to make a lasting positive impact on the future of our nation through the power of football.

“We encourage our customers, bakers, chowmein

manufacturers and consumers of flour and flour products to support NAMILCO, so that we can sustain this major contribution to the development of our youths and the game of football in Guyana,” Mr Sukhai reiterated. “Without you, this would not be possible, and you should be comforted to know we are doing this on your behalf.”

The agreement followed a meeting this week between NAMILCO management and GFF officials, led by president Wayne Forde.

“We are delighted that NAMILCO, as a brand with a long history of service in Guyana, has come on board again to support this tournament, which is a crucial pillar in our longterm strategy to develop young men who will lead positive, productive lives and to discover and nurture talented footballers through age-specific programmes,” Forde said.

“NAMILCO’s corporate values make a great fit for the GFF, and we are humbled by the faith the company’s management, led by Mr Sukhai, has shown in us to establish the U17 ‘Flour Power’ league, and then to continue to build the competition for the future. NAMILCO is an exemplary partner in the national development of our youth through sport,” Forde added.

More than a thousand boys across Guyana beneftted from the first two seasons of the GFF-NAMILCO ‘Flour Power ’ U17 Intra-Association League, with several players progressing to Guyana’s Youth and Senior national teams, including Omari Glasgow, who recently signed a professional contract with Chicago Fire II. Further details on the launch of the competition will be released by GFF in due course.

Managing Director of NAMILCO Mr Bert Sukhai and GFF president Wayne Forde shake hands with NAMILCO and GFF teams

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 13, 2022

GFF renews partnership with NAMILCO for Thunderbolt Flour Power U17 League SEE PAGE

27

Managing Director of NAMILCO Mr Bert Sukhai and GFF president Wayne Forde shake hands

KFC Guyana feeds $2M support to Guyana’s Pan Am MMA team THE Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GYMMAF) received a $2M boost from Beharry Restaurant Holdings behind their KFC brand ahead of their participation at this year’s Pan American Championships, set for June 22-24 in Monterrey, Mexico.

Pamela Manasseh, Marketing Manager at Beharry Restaurant Holdings, pointed to her company’s support of the country’s national teams and athletes from various disciplines, adding they’re happy to once again support the GYMMAF. Gavin Singh, president of the GYMMAF, reflected on KFC’s support for their National team to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

She thanked the Board of Directors, General Manager Maria Yellery-Hoosein, and Manasseh for their efforts invested in MMA locally.

“It will take commitment from companies such as Beharry Restaurant Holdings, who understand that success TURN TO PAGE 26

Pamela Manasseh, Marketing Manager at Beharry Restaurant Holdings presented KFC Guyana’s $2M cheque to members of the Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GYMMAF) (Adrian Narine photo)

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FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022