Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 14-01-2022

FRIDAY 14th JANUARY, 2022

No. 106604

Fire Chief goes into pre-retirement leave amid corruption allegations

SEE PAGE

8

False sense of entitlement - CPSO’s contention that local content legislation violates regional treaty ‘amusing’ - says local business community, reiterates legislation ensures Guyanese duly benefit from O&G sector

Direct earnings from O&G sector climbs to US$607.8M

SEE PAGE

3

Works ongoing to remove wreckages which encumber travel through the Demerara River. A contract worth $787.6 million for this project was awarded to a Dutch firm, Koole Contractors (Adrian Narine photo)

Bouncing baby girl safely delivered in car SEE PAGE

16

Sherod Duncan charged under APNU+AFC’s cybercrime law SEE PAGE

15

- to appear in court on Monday

DPP recommends charge for cop in Essequibo businessman kil ing SEE PAGE

9

SEE PAGE

2

False sense of entitlement 2

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Friday, January 14, 2022

- CPSO’s contention that local content legislation violates regional treaty ‘amusing’ - says local business community, reiterates legislation ensures Guyanese duly benefit from O&G sector

SEVERAL members of the business community on Thursday took to social media to voice their outrage following a leaked e-mail from CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) Chairman and President/Chief Executive Officer of the MASSY Group of companies, Gervase Warner, on Thursday, which alleges that Guyana’s Local Content Policy violates the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

The email which has been circulated across social media read, “At the Executive Committee today we agreed that the legislation appears to violate several provisions of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. As a result, the CPSO will take on raising these concerns first to the GoG and then ultimately to the Caribbean Community.”

The CPSO, in a release last night, confirmed the authenticity of the email from Warner but explained that he was speaking in his capacity

as CPSO Chairman and not as President and Group CEO of Massy as stated in the said email.

“Despite this error, the communication clearly and irrefutably refers to proposed CPSO actions that are appropriately within its mandate and the various levels at which urgent consultations should be sought to address any possible issues regarding the legislation,” the release said.

It added that the CPSO has been charged with the responsibility to raise issues and seek consultation and possible resolution of such on matters pertaining to the full implementation of the CSME and the concerns raised reflect the views of the CPSO and not that of any specific member company.

Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chambers (GOGEC) President, Maniram Prashad reacting to the CPSO statement, pointed out that the regional private sector

President of the GCCI, Timothy Tucker

Former GCCI President, Lance Hinds

Former PSC Chairman, Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer

Chairman of Edward B. Beharry & Co. Ltd, Suresh Beharry

body is largely unknown to Guyanese and questions the mechanism through which the body was created.

“I’m unaware that the formation of CPSO benefitted from wide consultation of the private sector bodies in the Caribbean,” he said while noting that GOGEC, which represents the oil and gas sector in Guyana, was never consulted.

But that aside, he pointed out that the Local Content legislation was open for consultation for more than a year and there was no input from the so-called CPSO but now that the Local Content Bill has become law, the organisation appears from nowhere, with objections.

Prashad contended that CARICOM made a mistake in granting the CPSO associate institution status and intends to meet soon with CARICOM SecretaryGeneral, Dr. Carla Barnett, to share his concerns.

The Local Content legislation which was presented to the Parliament by Natural Resources, Minister Vickram Bharrat, seeks to ensure that Guyanese and Guyaneseowned businesses are given

preference when it comes to providing goods and services to the major oil companies operating within Guyana’s borders.

It outlines 40 areas that oil companies and sub-contractors procure from Guyanese companies and Guyanese nationals by the end of 2022. For instance, by the end of 2022, oil companies and their sub-contractors must ensure that 100 per cent of their ground transportation needs are satisfied by Guyanese entities.

The same percentage applies to the provision of immigration support services, customs brokerage services, and visa and work permit services. Similarly, Guyanese should provide 90 per cent of office space rental and

accommodation services; 90 per cent for janitorial, laundry, catering services; 95 per cent pest control services; 25 per cent medical services; 20 per cent aviation and support services and 75 per cent local food supply.

President of the GCCI, Timothy Tucker, took to his Facebook page on Thursday to share his views on the email from Warner. He noted that the new legislation was in no way drafted to block out CARICOM states but was created to cater to and provide for the needs of Guyanese as it caters to the needs of all stakeholders in the sector.

Tucker noted that the Local Content legislation provides for 200 plus demand TURN TO PAGE 4

Direct earnings from O&G sector climbs to US$607.8M

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Friday, January 14, 2022

3

- with payment for eighth oil lift

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat

By Rehana Ahamad every two months.

GUYANA’S rapidly growThe Liza Unity vessel, ing Natural Resources twice the size of its sisterFund (NRF) has closed ship, the Liza Destiny, was off 2021 with a balance of built to produce 220,000 US$607.8 million, which barrels of oil per day, with is in excess of G$126.9 an overall storage volume billion. of up to two million barrels.

This was according to MinBut Guyana is not stopister of Natural Resources, ping there. During a preVickram Bharrat, who, in an vious interview, Minister invited comment on Thurs- Bharrat projected that by day, said that this increase is 2026, the oil and gas inowed to payments received dustry will be serviced by a for the country’s eighth oil fleet of four FPSOs, which lift, which took place in would have the capacity to November last. facilitate as much as 50 oil Based on calculations, lifts per year, at one million this means that the country barrels per lift. was paid approximately In the coming years, US$73.8 million or more both the Liza Destiny and than G$15.4 billion for its the Liza Unity will be suplatest oil sale of about one ported by the Prosperity million barrels.

FPSO which is under conAdded to that, Minister struction in Singapore and Bharrat said that stakehold- the Yellowtail FPSO, which ers are already preparing to is slated to come on stream execute the nation’s ninth by 2026. By that time, the oil lift, which is due in the minister estimates that “procoming weeks. ceeds from oil and gas will He said that as all the be mind-blowing.” lifts before, the ninth will Moreover, should the also be drawn from the Liza cost of Brent crude continue Destiny Floating Produc- to hover at more than US$80 tion Storage and Offloading a barrel, Guyana would be (FPSO) vessel. poised to earn at least US$4 The Natural Resources billion or G$836.9 billion Minister further said that by the end of each year. To Guyana’s second oil ship, paint an even clearer picture, the Liza Unity, is already oil proceeds by 2026 will be gearing up to come on about twice the size of the stream, as planned, before 2021 national budget, which the end of the first quarter totalled $383 billion. of 2022.

Ever since Guyana sold Once this happens, Min- its first one million barrels ister Bharrat estimates that of crude in February 2020, Guyana’s oil lifts will be- for nearly US$55 million, come as frequent as once the account, housed in the

US Federal Reserve Bank, has remained untouched.

However, the government’s passage of a new and improved Natural Resources Fund (NRF) legislation paves the way for the government to begin spending.

In the first instance, Guyana will be able to withdraw 100 per cent of the funds contained in the NRF. Thereafter, a cap would be instituted, taking effect at 75 per cent of the second US$500 million deposited into the NRF, followed by 50 per cent, then 25 per cent, five per cent, and finally, at three per cent of any amounts in excess of $2.5 billion.

It is currently unclear as to when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government intends to begin spending from the fund, but what is known is that the administration held off from dipping into the petroleum revenues, pending modifications to the “flawed” NRF 2019 legislation.

Not only was the Bill passed in the absence of the then PPP/C opposition, but it was signed into law by a

government which was practically in “caretaker” mode, since the then A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration had already been toppled with the passage of a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly.

REMEDIED WITH URGENCY When the Dr. Irfaan Aliled administration assumed office in August 2020, following a six-month long elections debacle, it vowed to ensure that critical issues to the legislation were remedied with urgency.

As a result, a new NRF legislation was crafted with the input of key stakeholders including the private sector and civil society.

A few weeks ago, in December, the 2019 NRF law was replaced with the 2021 legislation, amid a massive ruckus created by the now APNU+AFC opposition.

Eventually, even an attempt to steal the Speaker’s Mace and the abuse of Parliament staff were not enough to prevent passage of

The Liza Unity is on track to begin operations before the end of March

the new law, which sought to impose strict and transparent guidelines on how the oil revenues are to be spent.

It also limits the powers of the Minister of Finance, whilst instituting hefty penalties for breaches, especially as it relates to nondisclosures of the country’s petroleum earnings.

Additionally, the new law introduced the aforementioned caps to ensure that withdrawals are done in a fiscally responsible manner, which guarantees savings for the benefit of generations.

The new law also ensures that withdrawals from the NRF benefit from both pre and post parliamentary scrutiny, since all spending has to be clearly outlined in the national budget.

This means that programmes being funded by oil revenues have to first be approved by the National Assembly, after which its implementation is audited by the national Audit Office; any discrepancies detected are then compiled and forwarded to the Opposition-led parliamentary Public Ac-

counts Committee for further scrutiny.

Even further, the new law stipulates that the oil revenues could only be used to finance developmental projects.

More specifically, President Ali had pledged to ensure that Guyana does not become reliant on the oil sector.

On the contrary, he said that the oil earnings will be invested in the development of critical non-oil sectors such as education, agriculture, health and social services, among other things.

With 27 lucrative discoveries, and a massive drilling campaign still to come, Guyana, one of the world’s fastest growing economies, is pegged to have quite a bright future, especially with the implementation of other important pieces of legislation such as the one to govern Local Content.

For the next few years, all eyes will remain on Guyana, looking to see whether the country will be able to fulfil its projection as the “Dubai of South America.”

False sense of entitlement...

4

FROM PAGE 2 areas for work in the oil and gas industry, 40 of which were carved out to particularly benefit Guyanese.

Tucker noted that even as the CPSO takes issues with the new Local Content legislation Guyana has been at the backend of the Trinidad and Tobago local content policy. That policy, he said has affected Guyana’s ability to trade with its sister state. He explained that this in itself breaches the Treaty of Chaguaramas.

The former Chairman of the Trade and Investment Committee of the GCCI noted that one aspect of the policy that “locked” out Guyanese exporters is a 1935 legislation that prohibits export of honey to Trinidad and Tobago.

He noted that the issue was brought before The Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) by Dominica for years, as it closed an entire market off to CARICOM member states.

He noted that Guyana, in particular, has experienced firsthand effects of this legislation, saying, “one of our dear CARICOM sister countries threw a barrier to block the progress of Guyanese business.

One small example is our beekeeping project. GCCI trained 40 persons in api-

GOGEC President, Maniram Prashad culture (beekeeping), this is a nontraditional industry and it was such a successful project it made the Cover of CDB annual report. At the end of the project we had 40 new entrepreneurs ready to grow their trade and export their products, but export they cannot.”

VIOLATIONS Tucker is of the view that Trinidad should be expelled from CARICOM because of all their continued violations of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

“Something as small as Guyanese honey has been blocked from being exported, not just to Trinidad, but to any country that Guyanese have to use Trinidad as a transshipment to get to, years before a shipment of honey that was being transshipped

by Larparkan was seized and destroyed, Larparkan

January 12, 2022

B

9 10 14 18 23 28 19 January 05, 2022

K 4 7 16 17 19 20 24

was fined 5000 USD by Trinidad, this whole case is in VIOLATION of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and Trinidad continues to dismiss, disobey and disregard COTED’s ruling and by extension Caricom,” the Facebook post read.

Tucker contended that based on the legislation governing Trinidad’s Local Content, similar cases exist for workers/ work permits, CSME certificates, opening a business, exporting products, meats, peppers, pineapple, pumpkin, ground provision, plantains, coconut and trading on their stock market.

Former GCCI President, Lance Hinds, echoed similar sentiments, noting that Trinidad and Tobago’s local content policy has for years been an area of contention for sister CARICOM states.

“We have been going to COTED year after year with trade-related issues and getting stonewalled.

Good, let us put everything on the table and trash out. Useful to note that the Trinidad Chamber does not feel the need to take it first to COTED… the very organisation created to deal with these issues,” a Facebook post read.

Former Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer, also took to

social media to weigh in on the email, calling it “quite amusing”.

Deygoo-Boyer noted that the email shows a complete disregard for the people of Guyana and a sense of entitlement on the side of the CPSO. “The email to me shows ignorance of the mood, sentiments, and aspirations of

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Friday, January 14, 2022

shown respect to the Guyanese people and worked with them in the spirit of partnership to grow capacity. The most disrespect I have seen has come from these conglomerates who feel a sense of entitlement,” he said.

FULL SUPPORT Even as the CPSO has signalled disapproval of

Thursday, indicated his support for the local content policy.

The statement discloses that contrary to recently alleged information, the narrative that Beharry had been “tasked” to intercede with the authorities in Guyana on a matter concerning apparent limits to CARICOM nationals doing business in Guyana was ‘false and misleading”.

The release noted that the entirety of Beharry’s advice to unnamed entities was that they seek constructive dialogue and engagement with the government and local stakeholders and to avoid any confrontation or disruptive fallout. In the interest of comity, he was prepared to attempt to facilitate an initial engagement.

“Mr. Beharry supports Guyana’s Local Content legislation; in particular, as it relates to the nascent Oil and Gas Industry.

In fact, like many others, he has contributed to the in-depth discussions on Guyana’s Local content legislation at each of many iterations. Further, Mr. Beharry welcomes the provisions, protections, and incentives that are provided for all businesses to invest and grow in our oil and gas space,” the release read.

“The Private Sector Commission (PSC) questions the legitimacy of the CPSO which constituency consist of some Pan Caribbean companies noting that the organisation does not represent the interest of the local private sector.

The Commission notes that the purpose of Local Content straddles countries, regions and continents and forms an integral part of the Petroleum Sector.

The PSC wishes to note, in fact, that Trinidad and Tobago has had in place for more than 50 years, a regime of local content ‘predicated on maximising citizens’ ownership, control and financing of all activities along the energy resources sector’, thus giving preference to Trinidadians.

The Commission is satisfied that the policies expressed in Guyana’s Local Content Act are not dissimilar to those of Trinidad and Tobago’s and do not violate the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

We therefore stand by and fully endorse the aims and objectives of the Act which are designed to ensure that Guyanese companies and nationals benefit from the Oil and Gas sector,” - Guyana’s Private Sector Commission.

Guyanese people and an arrogance that there is a Godgiven right to have at this new industry in Guyana.

Funny enough, large companies from other countries, far, far larger than these regional conglomerates, have

Guyana’s local content legislation and intends to raise its concerns with the Government and CARICOM, CPSO executive and Chairman of Edward B. Beharry & Co. Ltd., Suresh Beharry, through a statement on

10/01/22 - 5 10 12 13 15 18 20

10/01/22 - 17 19 21 22 24

10/01/22 -

4

4

0

10/01/22 -

6 3 2

11/01/22 - 17 19 20 25 26

11/01/22 -

1

3

0

11/01/22 -

3 2 8 11/01/22 - 1 9 12 14 18 19 20

12/01/22 - 1 6 8 16 23

12/01/22 -

1

3

1

12/01/22 -

3 9 9 12/01/22 - 1 2 3 5 11 14 15

13/01/22 - 5 11 15 20 23

13/01/22 -

3

2 4

13/01/22 -

8 1 7 13/01/22 - 2 3 9 10 11 12 15

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Friday, January 14, 2022

5

Labour Ministry threatens to ‘name, shame’ errant security companies - boosting legal department to challenge non-compliant firms

By Tamica Garnett FOR yet another year, companies within the security sector have accounted for the largest percentage of labour complaints at the Ministry of Labour.

Weary of this situation, the ministry is planning to begin “naming and shaming” errant companies and, where necessary, instituting legal action against companies which take advantage of its employees.

Of the 867 complaints received by the Ministry of Labour in 2021, complaints against security companies accounted for 20.1 per cent of the grievances, being one of only two sectors to account for so many complaints.

Given that the ministry has consistently engaged companies in training and meetings to deal with noncompliance, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, says he has just about had it with non-compliant companies.

“I have done enough talking, I have done enough edifying, informing, training, so now we

will deal with the courts in the regular way,” Minister Hamilton said in a recent telephone interview with this publication.

He said: “First, I will do public shame. I will issue a press release of all the names of the companies and the principal of the companies [that are delinquent]. When that is done I will have my lawyers assigned to take the security companies to court every day if I have to, and let’s see if they have enough money to pay lawyers to represent them every day.”

The minister said that the ministry is currently working on expanding its legal department in order to have the capacity to file court cases against noncompliant companies.

According to Minister Hamilton, he has already put the companies on notice of what he plans to do if they continue their “blatant disregard” for employees’ welfare and missives from the Ministry of Labour.

“I have explained to them what my plans are to deal with the security companies. So, it is not

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton

something that they have not heard. When it is repeated in the press, they will know that I am not just gaffing,” the minister said.

Issues pertaining to the payment of overtime, lack of payment of employees in a timely manner, and issues

with granting employees their mandatory leave, are some of the key problems that continue to plague the welfare of employees in the security sector.

“All the breaches you can think about of the labour laws, security companies are guilty of, all the breaches. And I have not even paid attention yet on the safe work side of the company, this is just the labour side and they are the most delinquent sector in this regard. Just the other day some employees came to me where they are owed because for three months they have not been paid by the company,” Hamilton lamented.

Over the years, security guards who, in many cases, work for minimum wage, continue to decry the treatment meted out to them by their employers, and how it affects their lives.

The issue is believed to be persistent because there is no trade union for this category of employees.

Additionally, many of the employees, at times, are not highly educated, and fear victimisation by employers when they speak up about the treatment they endure.

The non-remittance of employees’ National Insurance Scheme (NIS) deductions is also an area where security companies often default in their obligations.

However, Minister Hamilton said that this

area does not come under the authority of the Ministry of Labour, given that NIS has its own laws that govern its operations.

“It is not a labour relations matter, it’s a matter that has to do with the NIS, employers and employee. The Ministry of Labour and none of the departments have jurisdiction over the NIS contribution. We have intervened from time to time, but we have no legal jurisdiction, the NIS comes under its own act and procedures,” He related.

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Friday, January 14, 2022

Better Days Ahead

AS the economy continues to show higher levels of growth and development, Guyanese can expect to benefit from a much higher standard of living. Already there are some positive indications that people are better off, not only in terms of more money in their pockets but also in terms of the quality of service they obtain from government services.

According to Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, the economy grew in 2021 by 18.5 per cent which is an extraordinary development given current trends where the impact of the pandemic and climate change had resulted in the slowing down or contraction of the growth rates of most economies in

the region and in the world as a whole.

According to a recent report from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Latin America and the Caribbean Region will experience a contraction of growth levels in 2022 by 2.1 per cent compared to the previous year. The economic slowdown, according to ECLAC, takes place against the background of significant asymmetries between developed, emerging and developing countries with regard to the capacity to implement fiscal, social, monetary and health and vaccination policies for sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report highlights the fact that the region is experiencing a difficult situ-

ation which is manifested in growing uncertainty in the COVID-19 pandemic ongoing evolution, a sharp deceleration in growth, continued low investment and productivity, slow employment recovery, reduced fiscal space, inflationary pressures and financial imbalances.

Guyana, unlike most of the other countries in the region, is projected to do well due in large measure to the emerging oil and gas sector.

The country is expected to record an astounding 49.7 per cent growth by the end of this year which would catapult the country as the highest in the world in terms of economic growth.

The oil and gas sector has indeed been a significant player in the changing economic fortunes of the country but it is by no means

the only contributor. A lot of that progress is the result of prudent economic and fiscal management which has resulted from a good and friendly investment climate and good governance. According to Minister Singh, the good economic forecasts are the result of sound policies in terms of economic growth, job creation and income generation for the benefit of all Guyanese. These positive projections are indicative of the continuing confidence and optimism in the Guyanese economy not only locally but also at the international level.

These developments are all the more significant given the continuing negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy and the recent flood disaster the country experienced last

year. Economic development, as the minister pointed out, is all about confidence which was badly shattered during the tenure of the previous APNU+AFC administration when the then government adopted an extremely hostile posture towards the private sector and private investment. The fact that for a significant period of time the country was under unconstitutional rule further eroded confidence levels in the then government and resulted in a slowing down in investment capital to the country and the pace of economic growth.

Guyana today has one of the most welcoming and attractive investment climate in the region for which the PPP/C administration must be commended. The several major investments in the multiple sectors are

already creating new opportunities for Guyanese. And according to President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, these investments have created a string of new opportunities for different layers in society, especially in the areas of job creation and expansion of social services. In the area of public works alone, a total of 39 billion dollars was injected in the economy last year creating hundreds of ancillary jobs such as drivers, operators, mechanics, labourers and a host of other employment opportunities.

The economic wind that is blowing across the country is doing everyone good and as the pace of development picks up momentum, the economic and social benefits to the nation and its people will only get better.

GAWU’s matters are addressed in keeping with agreements and not through any preferential status

Dear Editor, The GAWU finds it necessary to offer a response to Mr Lincoln Lewis’ letter titled “There is no equity in what GAWU describes and that of BCGI by the Ministry of Labour”, published in the January 13, 2022 edition of the Stabroek News.

Mr Lewis begins his letter by again alleging that the GAWU enjoys, in his mind, “preferential treatments” by the Ministry of Labour. He articulates this view against the background that the ministry addresses grievances brought to it through

the grievance procedure outlined in agreement the union has with enterprises where it enjoys bargaining rights. We fail to see how this could be seen as preferential as our union pursues matters through the grievance procedure and would seek, when necessary, the ministry’s assistance to bring about a resolution. The GAWU is at a loss to find a logical connection to this being preferential. Rather, contrary to Lincoln’s seemingly warped views, we are pursuing our responsibilities to our members.

We share the view that the ministry has a role in seeking to resolve disputes between workers/unions and employers. That is a one of the main functions of the ministry. Of course, as Lincoln well knows, the discussion of matters does not begin at the level of the ministry but follows a stalemate at the bilateral level. It is against this background that GAWU addresses grievances with the ministry. We recognised, from media reports, this was the ministry’s position relative to the GPL matter Mr Lewis harps about

in his letter. In that case, we saw, bilateral discussions were not exhausted in that case.

Mr Lewis goes on to speak about Minister Joseph Hamilton relative to the GTU’s recent ‘Isolation Day’ activity. We do not hold any brief from the minister, who certainly is more than capable of offering his own response, should he so choose. It is said that the minister would react differently were it GAWU. Again, Mr Lewis makes such accusation without any shred of evidence but goes on, in our

view, to malign our union in a wild and unsubstantiated fashion. We wonder to what end is the unionist seeking to seeming pursuing a divisive tenor.

We get to the meat of the matter, we believe, when Mr Lewis addresses his union’s issues with the BCGI. Again, we cannot offer a response for the ministry on the matter.

However, we fail to see how our efforts to ensure the rights of our members are respected be contrasted with the situation between the BCGI and

the GB&GWU. Certainly, Lincoln and his union may want to assess what other steps it could take outside of the ministry to address the apparent strong concerns. The GAWU, in the past, utilised other avenues to ensure workers receive justice. We remain proud of our efforts to ensure workers’ rights are upheld, and we do not believe we should be loathed for our work.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine President GAWU

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Friday, January 14, 2022

7

The ERG’s stance is illogical

Dear Editor, THE position of the Electoral Reform Group (ERG) in regards to the proposed amendment of ROPA is not just ridiculous; it is ludicrous. It is contending that “… the proposal to divide Region Four, Guyana’s largest electoral district, into sub-districts is provocative and unjustified.”

I amused by such a pronouncement.

The claim is that “Singling out Region Four for special treatment is unjustified and provocative, (since) it is an affront not to GECOM officials but to the residents of Region Four.”

This is like an OMG! The ERG must be at least ‘true to facts’ if it wants

any kind of space in this debate. Region Four created problems all because there was a concerted effort by the then ruling regime, (APNU+AFC Coalition) to rig the elections. One glaring crime was that of not sticking to the Statements of Poll (SoPs) as perpetrated by the Coalition. That was the crux of the issue, and that needs

Launch of Caribbean Voice Magazine

By Dr. Vishnu Bisram THE Caribbean Voice has launched a new online magazine on mental health and other psycho-social related subjects. It is a different kind of magazine on social and psychological health never before published on or about the Caribbean with relevance to other societies like the Caribbean diaspora in North America and Europe.

The goal is to publish quarterly. The first issue of this new, colour, super-sized quarterly magazine came out last week. It is powerful.

It is very colourful and beautifully designed with an inspiring style. The front cover is laced with several pictures and an assortment of topics covered inside. There are also two photos of Bajan superstar Rihanna (one when she was abused by a boyfriend and another of the real singing sensation). The magazine is 124 pages divided into several sections. It contains reports, comments, views, and ideas on various matters relating to psycho-social health designed to inform the public of issues as it is to combat social pathologies. The language is easy for readers of all ages and educational background.

The magazine is very comprehensive and informative and packed with information on so many topics. It also has information on problems facing people, including famous personalities.

It is very compact. It is general in purpose, bringing so many topics under one publication.

This magazine would have required a lot of labour and countless hours of work to put it together. I applaud the editor-in-chief and other people who put it together as well as the many contributors. Annan Boodram is the person behind it. He has had a lot of experi-

ence in publication having put out several in New York on Guyana and the Caribbean.

He is also one of the earliest trained Guyanese journalists in America. He served as editorin-chief of several publications. He worked as a reporter for Stabroek News and Mirror in Guyana. And over the last three decades in New York, he penned many articles on varied social subjects.

The editorial gives a perspective on the scope, purpose, and objective of the magazine.

The contents include topics like domestic violence (in Guyana, TT, St. Lucia, etc.), information on domestic violence hotlines in several countries, gender-based violence in several countries, child abuse, sex abuse, substance abuse, alcohol abuse, suicide, mental health training, trauma, mindfulness, PTSD, bullying, cbyer bullying, human trafficking and other pathologies, NGO Spotlight, caring for animals, debunking myths, self-care, quotable quotes, a mental health calendar, and much more. There is a message from Nobel Laureate Malala. And there are letters, viewpoints, global tidbits, latest developments on the mental health landscape and more. All of the topics or the contents have had a tremendous impact on our lives. There are several contributors of new content including from Pandit Deodat Persaud of Guyana, who wrote on youth volunteerism as well as psychologists Anu Bissesar and Samidha Maharaj of Trinidad & Tobago, who wrote on mindfulness; Lancia Isidore of St. Lucia, who presented on the work of the St. Lucia Crisis Centre and Jamerican, Melonie Hall, who reported on Rhianna and mental health.

There are reports, commentaries, what’s happening in various societies relating to

the subject contents.

Readers will find short reports, views, comments, and extracts of well-known personalities including legendary Ramnaresh Sarwan, cricket fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi of South Africa, Nobel Laureate Malala of Pakistan (and UK), Nicki Minaj, Priyanka Chopra of (Bollywood and Hollywood) India, and several other famous figures from the world of entertainment and sports. There are profiles on activism.

The Caribbean Voice magazine brings together writers with differing viewpoints to attract readers of all backgrounds bringing reports on mental health and psychosocial issues. The objective is to educate the public so they can combat social ills and help those afflicted with various psycho-social ailments. It is hoped that the information in the magazine will galvanise people to address mental and psycho-social issues so as to reduce social pathologies.

The editorial advises good mental health practices, noting that “without good mental health there is no optimal health”. It advises: Find time to enjoy nature, mediate, do yoga, practice mindfulness, imbibe humour, read, play games, foster a network of good support relations, listen to music, and practice good deeds.

The magazine can be read on line as a flip book, with no need for a subscription or payment of a fee. It can be read at: https://www.flipsnack. com/caribvoice/the-caribbeanvoice-magazine.html.

Individual or business contributions, as well as sponsorships to sustain t h e m a g a z i n e a re w e l comed. Feedback on stories and responses to published items are welcomed as are new contributors.

addressing, and the best way to ‘fix’ this is by demarcating the region, the largest by far, into sub-divisions, so that an entire country will not have to be held at ransom by any conniving group. Also, it makes the most logistical sense in terms of ballot counting, and ‘number of votes’ per party will not be affected, but only the easier facilitation of the counting and tabulating.

Look how more manageable it will be if all goes according to plan. It means that Region Four will be subdivided administratively into

four clusters, namely East Bank, South Georgetown, North Georgetown and East Coast. This decentralisation will eliminate the possibility of another Clairmont Mingo, as each cluster will be managed by a Supernumerary Returning Officer (SRO), who will report to the substantive Returning Officer (RO).

What will then ensue is that there will be a great reduction of the timeframe for the announcement of Preliminary Declaration of Results, as the four-part division will mean four sets of simultaneous counting. Other great

spin-offs include “Allowing for administrative support before, on and after “E” Day to the RO”; “Facilitating submission of requests for recounts (if necessary)”; and “Removing bottlenecks in the appointment and replacement of agents.”

The thrust of an election is that ‘every vote be counted’ and all that the government is pushing for is that this be done easier and faster. I ask the ERG what can be so wrong about this.

Yours truly, Anson Paul

Fire Chief goes into pre-retirement leave amid corruption allegations

8

AMIDST allegations of financial improprieties and corruption within the Guyana Fire Service, Fire Chief, Kalamadeen Edoo, has been sent on pre-retire-

ment leave.

Officials at the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that the Fire Chief, who reaches the age of retirement in June, is currently under

investigation.

Reports are that an audit into the Guyana Fire Service also unearthed a number of concerning financial issues.

The Fire Chief, earlier

GUYANA CHRONICLE

this week, had met with Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, and Permanent Secretary, Mae Toussaint Jr. Thomas, over the financial issues highlighted in an audit report.

In October, 2021, the Fire Chief was also sent on leave, days after a disastrous fire ravaged the Brickdam Police Station and destroyed over 80 per cent of the property.

One official at the Home Affairs Ministry noted that the Fire Chief’s management of the Fire Service has been under the microscope over

Fire Chief Kalamadeen Edoo

Friday, January 14, 2022

the past few months.

Edoo only took over the reins of the Guyana Fire Service in February 2021, when former Fire Chief, Marlon Gentle, retired after 36 years of service.

Last October, President Dr. Irfaan Ali called for an independent investigation into the action taken by the fire service to control the Brickdam Police Station blaze.

President Ali, during a visit to St. Stanislaus College, where the operations of TURN TO PAGE 9

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Friday, January 14, 2022

9

DPP recommends charge for cop in Essequibo businessman killing at about 04:40 hours, they went to Boston’s house to conduct a search.

During the police operation, Boston was shot to his upper left arm by one of the officers. He was subsequently picked up and rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital, where he was

Orin Boston DIRECTOR of Public Prosecution (DPP), Shalimar Ali Hack, on Thursday, recommended that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) charge one of its own with manslaughter for the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Essequibo businessman, Orin Boston.

Early this month, the GPF submitted its file containing all evidence and statements to the DPP for legal advice.

The DPP has since returned the file with a recommendation for the rank, who fired the fatal shot, to be charged with manslaughter.

The rank is expected to be arraigned before a magistrate in the Essequibo Magisterial District soon.

According to a police report, on September 15, 2021, ranks were conducting an anti-crime operation in the police Regional Division Two, during which,

Fire Chief goes...

FROM PAGE 8 the station were temporarily housed, described the fire service’s response as “poor, at its best.”

He said that a lot more could have been done by the fire service to control the blaze and potentially prevent the destruction of several sections of the police station.

The Head of State, in his comments, said that the government has been making significant investments in the fire service in a bid to equip it to effectively respond to threats of fires across the country. He said those investments were not reflected in the fire service’s actions.

“We have been making tremendous investment in the last year in the fire service and I have made this very clear [that] in this country, people would have to be held accountable for their actions.

“We can’t be making investments in state apparatus

and state institutions and do not get the results from those investments. The response of the fire service was poor at its best yesterday, and as President, I hope the fire service can acknowledge this,” President Ali had said.

The President had instructed Minister Benn to assemble a special team to investigate the performance of the service.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to tackle inadequate and inefficient performance in the public sector.

“This fire, this is less than a three minutes’ walk to our main fire station. We cannot continue as a country and as a people to not address these issues. We cannot continue to make investments and not have the returns on the investments, whether it’s in the public service, in the hospitals, the inefficiency has to be weeded out,” President Ali said.

pronounced dead on arrival.

Boston’s wife, Feona Boston, had claimed that her husband was asleep, in bed, when he was shot.

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, had assured the relatives of Boston that a thorough and impartial investigation into the

incident will be done.

The minister had expressed his disappointment at the tragic event that transpired and assured the family that the government is committed to having an impartial investigation done to get to the bottom of the incident.

Minister Benn assured the family and relatives that all efforts will be made to ensure that this tragedy is thoroughly investigated. He said too that he will ensure that there is a review of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the GPF.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Friday, January 14, 2022

Former coalition gov’t spent US$2M on defective pumps - Agriculture Minister says, affirms outstanding sum will not be paid to supplier until issues are rectified

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha

MINISTER of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, has called out the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For

Change (APNU+AFC) Government for its “poor governing strategy,” as evidence of “wasteful spending” continues to

come to light.

Minister Mustapha, while speaking during a parliamentary Economic Services Committee meeting on Wednesday, said the previous administration expended some US$2 million to procure 12 pumps from an Indian company through a line of credit.

He said the equipment were accepted although they did not meet the required standard and specification.

“Those pumps are still in the defect liability stage,” Minister Mustapha lamented.

The Agriculture Minister said that the government has since made significant strides to rectify the situation, noting that the Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall, S.C., is playing an integral role in the process.

“We are now trying very hard to get the right specifications of those pumps. What I have done is ask the Attorney-General to write the company in India because the specifications of the pumps that were supplied were not correct,” Minister Mustapha said.

Already, several changes have been made to the engines, given the magnitude of work.

“Every time there is heavy rainfall around the country and those pumps come on, you have the gearbox damaging, the drive shaft not working, gear oil throwing out, so they are defective pumps and engines,” he said.

Minister Mustapha related that the onus was on

the coalition government to ensure the items met the requisite standards.

Approximately US$1 million is outstanding before the agreement between the two nations is complete. Minister Mustapha said, however, that no more money will be paid until the defective pumps are fixed.

“The pumps came in, they went and see them but never objected. That is why now we are objecting to those pumps. As a matter of fact, prior to 2015, we had purchased a number of pumps from the same company and we sent technicians there to look at them, to assess the specification and we rejected those engines,” Minister Mustapha said.

Adding: “Although the former government paid US$2 million already, since I assumed the role of Minister of Agriculture, I have withheld all other sums.”

Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture is advancing efforts to retrieve US$17 million worth of breeding animals, which were purchased under the former government but never delivered. “… we are on the verge of receiving it and we are following up very aggressively, and I have had the commitment of my counterpart in Barbados to ensure they are supplied,” the minister said.

He said the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) and the Barbadian authority are making arrangements for the animals to come to Guyana. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Friday, January 14, 2022

Equipment for digitisation of vaccination cards to arrive soon

- Health Minister says, as over 3,700 persons take COVID-19 ‘jab’ in 24 hours

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony MINISTER of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, has said that his ministry is expecting the delivery of some special equipment by the end of the first quarter of this year, to begin the process of digitising COVID-19 vaccination cards.

“Since last year, we have been working with UNDP [United Nations Development Programme] to buy some of the equipment that is necessary, the computers, the specialised printers and so forth, so we expect that we will get delivery of those special equipment to print the new cards within the first quarter of this year,” Minister Anthony said during Thursday’s edition of the daily COVID-9 update.

Dr. Anthony said most of the physical registers have already been procured

from across the country and a team has begun working on transforming them into the digital format.

“We have a special team within the ministry that is working on the digitisation.

We have got most of the physical registers, and we are now putting that in a digital format. A lot of the work has already been completed,” the minister related.

This initiative will allow easier access to information about a person’s vaccination status and also address the concern of illegal purchases of vaccination cards.

Meanwhile, it appears as though more persons are recognising the importance of the COVID-19 vaccines, as the ministry recorded its highest number of vaccinations per day, with over 3,000 persons taking the ‘jab,’ on Wednesday.

“So, yesterday I think we broke a record in terms of vaccination, we were able to administer 3,706 vaccines and that then gradually increased some of our totals,” he said.

In terms of booster doses, 22,747 doses have been administered. Of this number 16,291 persons received the Pfizer vaccine; 4,564 persons received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine while 1,892 persons took Sinopharm as their booster dose. (DPI)

A COVID-19 vaccination card

11

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Friday, January 14, 2022

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Friday, January 14, 2022

13

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Friday, January 14, 2022

Ambassador Hinds disappointed with media report on Guyana

GUYANA expects and welcomes the attention it has been receiving ever since the discovery of oil offshore, mid-2015, by a subsidiary of Exxon with its non-operating partners from Hess and CNOOC. We consider all the attention to be well intended, concerned that we Guyanese should receive our fair share and even a bit more, and warning of the many dangers ahead – the resource curse. However, some reports might unwittingly be having a negative effect, adding to the contentious turmoil in our country, and intensifying our impatience with our stillto-be-developed condition.

Fashionable, glib reporting should be shunned - a dangerous thing that might self-fulfill all the dire things anticipated.

It is with such considerations that I express great disappointment in your (The Pulitzer Centre, Executive Director, Mr John Sawyer; Canadian Broadcasting Commission, Editor in Chief, Mr Brodie Fenlon; Kaieteur News Editor in Chief, Mr. Chris Arsenault of (chris. arsenault@cbc.gov) report entitled, “How ex-President Ramotar and Robert Persaud ‘enriched friends’ with Guyana’s Canje Oil Block”, which was recently reproduced in the Kaieteur News of Guyana. Whilst the body of the report is somewhat

tempered in presenting some balance, that strident, sensational, attention-grabbing headline thoughtlessly and recklessly bandwagons on and repeats a malicious distortion of the facts, and negatively colours all that is in the report.

I go directly to the facts.

Yes, ex-President Ramotar shortly before Guyana’s elections of May 2015, did grant a Petroleum Exploration Licence to a Joint-Venture of Mid Atlantic Oil & Gas (Dookie) and JHI (Cullen) for off-shore acreage which they had termed the Canje Block. That grant came at the end of proper processing following the application in 2013. At the time of signing, even though there was rising speculation and optimism that the Exxon drilling was being successful (there was similar optimism in drilling the Repsol and CGX wells in 2011/12) there was not yet a declaration of a commercial oil discovery. Of note too, Shell in 2013 had walked away from its partnership with Exxon in the Stabroek Block. In the above circumstances, even if Exxon had by then declared the discovery it would have been highly improper and certainly legally challengeable to deny the application. It was the responsible thing to do – no question of friends, no graft nor corruption.

Although Mid Atlantic O & G and JHI were recently

registered and unknown and with no other assets, their Principals, Dookie and Cullen, had demonstrated the ability to raise funds, find partners and satisfy the development schedule committed to in a licence. Dookie and Cullen had been interested in the minerals and petroleum sector in Guyana since the late 1980s, which led to their founding of CGX in 1997. They had kept interest in oil exploration in Guyana alive, were able to raise financing, find partners and eventually drilling four wells on shore, and two wells offshore over 2011/2. Those wells did not encounter any economic oil and as happens, Dookie and Cullen lost control of CGX. They however, soon restarted with their separate founding of Mid Atlantic O & G and JHI which would have had all the benefit of their knowledge, experience and expertise.

The procedure of “Application” was the standard procedure. After a failed “bidding round” in the late 1980s the Government of Guyana adopted the “application process” in which capable persons would identify and apply for acreage of their interest, on a “first come, first served” basis.

The government has announced recently, that now, and in the future, after the many “discoveries”, defined parcels of acreage will be offered at advertised and

Samuel AA Hinds, Guyana’s Ambassador to the USA and OAS scheduled “bidding rounds”.

This would be a natural and expected change in policy.

Guyana has been utilising hitherto, a model Petroleum Sharing Agreement provided in the late 1980s by a UN Transnational Studies Group and the Commonwealth Secretariat which emplaced two per cent royalty together with a profit share of 50 per cent or more, and chargeable “cost of oil” in any year at no more than 75 per cent of sales. This essentially gives a minimum of about 14.5 per cent of sales to Guyana. One needs to look at the total share Guyana receives not just the stated fixed royalty. In its first

year of production, it has been estimated that Guyana received a total of about 19 per cent of the selling price of the oil produced which compares well with other physically similar locations.

Nonetheless, there has been consideration that now that operating experience has been gained, Guyana should change to one with a large set royalty, foregoing any profit share and so avoid the potential contentions and large costs of closely auditing all expenses for accuracy and value.

There is a recognised fundamental challenge in our country, Guyana, in bringing together the descendants of the six founding peoples of Guyana, who were thrown together here in the pursuit of sugar production, into One Guyanese People - “One Guyana” as our President is advocating. More thought and reflection should have been put in your report, into addressing the racial tensions and sensitivities. True, “the need for more money in government coffers are on sharp display in Buxton a primarily black settlement”, and so too in primarily Indian settlement areas, Amerindian areas and just plain Guyanese areas all across Guyana – as exemplified in “[Ramotar] rolling past cows chewing grass on the side of cracked streets in Georgetown”.

In another section of the report reference is made to “taxi driver, Sunil Prahad” presented as typifying the working class, but he is also an Indian Guyanese and he “needs a bone marrow transplant for his daughter” and “his family has been crushed by debt and sadness

as she suffers”. It would have been a sobering reflection to have indicated that nearly all Guyanese can complain of suffering and of feeling that they are being left out.

All Guyanese across all Guyana have various large, urgent, unmet needs.

So great is the anticipation of our “breathtaking new wealth”, the government has been having a job reminding Guyanese and several foreign commentators and well-wishers too, that our “breathtaking new wealth” is not yet with us – we are still a poor people and country: the wealth will start flowing slowly and for many years we will have much catching-up to do in making ourselves as capable and productive as people in already developed countries, and thus provide ourselves levels of prosperity approaching theirs. We will need to be frugal and diligent for many years still.

To ensure great opportunities for every Guyanese to participate in creating and sharing in our great potential, the government is continuing and intensifying its broad programmes improving education and skills training, improving health services and infrastructure across our country, so that we, the Guyanese people can better develop ourselves and our country. It is in pursuit of these ideals, ever held dearly, that the government has been hurrying in putting in place earlier this month (January 2022), the laws for “Local Content” and the “Natural Resources Fund”.

We Guyanese need to avoid becoming intoxicated with our and other peoples’ dreams of our wealth and remain watchful, careful and cautious learning much on the way as our recently discovered oilfields are utilised in a world that we will become evermore a part of. We have been conscious of climate change and the roles we would be looked-to to play; and realise that even as we begin to learn to live with oil, we must prepare with the rest of the world to live without oil. We can do well with sober, thoughtful, empathising counselling.

With my very best regards, Sincerely, Samuel AA Hinds Ambassador of Guyana to the USA and OAS

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Friday, January 14, 2022

15

Sherod Duncan charged under APNU+AFC’s cybercrime law

A PARTNERSHIP for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Parliamentarian, Sherod Duncan, is slated to appear in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday, after he was arrested, on Thursday, over allegations of cyberbullying.

Duncan, who has since been released on $100,000 bail, was once again called out for allegedly degrading a local professional.

According to a police statement, it is alleged that on Tuesday at around 20:00 hours, during an airing of his Facebook programme called “In the Ring,” Duncan made derogatory statements against Aneal Giddings, the Information Technology Manager at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Duncan is accused of

- to appear in court on Monday

Opposition Member of Parliament, Sherod Duncan referring to Giddings by a number of “disrespectful” names.

The GECOM staff, in his police report, said that Duncan’s actions caused him significant emotional stress and humiliation. The police have since identified and downloaded the video as investigations into the

matter continue.

Following the complain, Officers of the Guyana Police Force acted in accordance with the highly criticised Cybercrime Act, which was introduced by the former APNU+AFC government in July 2018.

The alleged attack on Giddings would not be the

first time that Duncan has been accused of using his programme to denigrate and humiliate another person.

In September last, Duncan was called out by a host of persons and agencies, including the Women and Gender Equality Commission for his “reprehensible and sexist attack” on Education Minister, Priya Manickchand.

Even Duncan’s own colleagues, including Georgetown Mayor, Pandit Ubraj Narine had come out to express disgust at Duncan’s utterances, describing it as “vile and repugnant.”

Duncan even made a regional name for himself by launching similar attacks on leaders of the Caribbean

Community (CARICOM) as well. Earlier, in July 2021, he accused Heads of Government of the region of being “gangsters and hustlers,” having not found favour with a statement issued condemning the assassination of Haiti’s President, Jovenel Moïse.

Responding to the statement, Duncan accused the regional leaders of being “hypocrites.”

“The whole flipping Heads of Government for the region are hypocrites,” Duncan said, adding: “All of the Caribbean leaders, y’all are hypocrites and y’all are wasting our time and taxpayers’ monies funding CARICOM.” Prior to this, Duncan, along with some of his col-

leagues in the APNU+AFC were quite critical of CARICOM for having helped to restore democracy in Guyana, following purported attempts to rig the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections in favour of the APNU+AFC. Aside from his services being terminated for mismanaging the finances of the Guyana Chronicle newspaper while he held the position of General Manager, Duncan has also developed a reputation of being quite defiant of those in higher positions.

He has even taken jabs at the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir.

Investigations into Duncan’s latest ramblings are ongoing.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Friday, January 14, 2022

Bouncing baby girl safely delivered in car - thanks to prompt response from GPHC doctors, attendant

Kherysha Pompey with her baby A BOUNCING baby girl was, on Thursday, delivered in the back seat of a hire car in front of the entrance of the Accident and Emergency Ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), with the help of a female attendant and a team of five doctors.

Single mom, Kherysha

Pompey, who lives at 57, Craig St, Campbellville, Georgetown, had travelled to another medical institution seeking admission for delivery but was refused and told that she was not ready to deliver.

She was then advised that she should go to the GPHC. Accompanied by her neighbour and writhing

in pain, she took a taxi and went to the GPHC, straight to the Emergency Ward.

The GPHC in a release, said the mother, on realising that her water bag broke and the baby was already on its way out, shouted for help as the car pulled up in front of the entrance of the hospital.

Immediately, the release said, a young female attendant, Sophia Clarke, only five months on the job, on hearing the plea for help, sprung into action, opened the car door and saw the baby’s head was already out.

According to the release, the attendant assisted by grabbing the head of the baby as a team of five doctors headed by Dr. Balram Doodnauth arrived on the scene to complete the delivery process.

Both the mother and the baby, which weighs 3Kg, 200 grams, are both doing well and have been admitted to the maternity ward.

The happy mother, lov-

ingly holding onto her first born, expressed gratitude to the attendant and team of doctors who came to her rescue and saved her baby.

She is also very appreciative that the Georgetown Public Hospital was able to

render immediate assistance to her in her time of need.

“The GPHC management and staff are happy to have saved the day for both mother and daughter. Georgetown Public Hospital takes the oppor-

tunity of wishing both mother and daughter the very best for a healthy and prosperous future.

Like they say, all’s well that ends well,” the release from the hospital concluded.

The heroes who helped to enable the safe delivery of the baby

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Friday, January 14, 2022

17

A reignited love for cinemas The iconic Astor cinema was demolished in 2017 (Samuel Maughn photo)

By Rehana Ahamad The advent of DVDs (or the digital versatile disc, as the intellectuals might want explained) resulted in a decline of the agedold cinema culture, which spanned decades and featured some of the most iconic films ever made.

Growing up, I have always listened intently as my mother, Nalini and other older relatives reminisce in glee about their nights at Liberty Cinema, standing in long lines to watch mostly blockbuster Indian films such as ‘Sun Sajna’ and others.

My mother would tell stories of when she was a young girl and how well-behaved she would be on the days of new movie releases.

According to her, those were the days that her chores were completed to perfection and she would be on her best, non-mocking behaviour, especially as it relates to my aunt Chandra, who was basically mommy’s ‘bestie’ and financier.

My mother was the youngest of 13 siblings, so it’s safe to say that she was, to a large extent, spoiled.

One of my favourite “cinema stories” had to do with the 1985 release of a

Hindi film named ‘Saheeb’, which starred Anil Kapoor, Raakhee, Amrita Singh and others.

Apparently, my mother was so excited to see the film that she sprinted from the car to join the line to purchase tickets, while my aunty Chandra followed closely behind.

After a lengthy stint in the line, they finally got to the ticket vendor. Mommy said she nudged my aunt to supply the cash, only to realise that she was the one who insisted on holding my aunt’s purse, which was no longer on her person.

As the story is told, my mother dropped the purse in the car which had already left, so neither she nor my aunt had any money to purchase the tickets.

Fortunately, the Grove Housing Scheme was a relatively close-knit community, so mommy and my aunt had many persons looking out for them; one distant relative purchased their ticket, while another ensured they had a ride home.

As they got into the theatre, mommy said she forgot everything about the purse and the costly blunder that she made moments before, but my aunt couldn’t

forget; the purse contained her full salary, which she had worked tirelessly for all month.

“During the movie, every time me laugh or tried to sing, she would `hoonch’ me and seh, ‘shut up’. She bin vex bad,” my mother recalled.

Today, the two reflect on that story and laugh heartily, well at least my mother does. My aunt, as I would have seen, is still a bit scarred from having lost all her money.

When I listen to their cinema stories, it takes me back to one of my very own. As a matter of fact, it’s the only cinema story I recall from my childhood.

SATYA CINEMA AT NOVAR It was either the late 90s or very early 2000s; I was a little girl, less than six years old, and ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ had just reached the big screens in Guyana.

I was living in an extended family with my parents, my grandmother, and a few aunts, uncles and cousins. We shared a lovely home, filled with love and uncontrollable laughter.

On the night that the movie was being screened, we all got dressed up and strolled from our house in

Novar Mahaicony, over to the next village at Good Faith, which was home to the once iconic Satya Cinema. I remember how much we laughed before we even got to the cinema.

More than 20 years later, the mere sight of that building still gives me goosebumps; it was one of the places that makes me crave a return to the 90s – a simpler time when I didn’t have to worry about being taxed and paying bills or being asked when I’ll get married and settle down.

My life revolved around Teletubbies, Barney, the original Power Rangers, and sneaking peeks of mommy watching ‘The Young and the Restless,’ which I was never allowed to watch.

I remember when we got to the venue, it was crowded. We had already purchased our tickets, so we joined the line to go into the theatre. But as the doors to the theatre opened, all hell broke loose, and what was a line turned into a mob of persons pushing and pulling, tugging and shouting to go inside.

My dad immediately whisked me up and gave me a seat on his shoulders.

I’m not sure if I imagined it, or if people really were stomping on each other.

I don’t recall much more, except being in my seat and listening to ‘Kuch Kutch Hota Hai’s title song, while trying my best not to want to pee from all the coke and pholourie that I’d been gobbling down since the movie started.

Today, the Satya Cinema houses an outlet of the Universal Church, and even though I am in full support of religion, I can’t help but yearn for the theatre to return to its former glory.

RETURN OF CINEMA Even though other iconic cinemas such as Astor and others have been torn down, the Cinema culture

has returned with a bang with at least four major locations that boast of multiple screens that show movies simultaneously.

Even with the convenience of Netflix and other streaming sites, Guyanese are still flocking the cinemas every day, and for at least two of those days a week, I am right there with them.

Even if cinemas were to once again become obsolete, I also want my 11-year-old brother to have fond memories of his own, so at least once a week, I try to find some time to take him to the movies.

One Saturday night, a few months ago, we went to see ‘Free Guy’ and the MovieTowne corridors were unusually populated, so to induce some adrenaline, I had my brother stake out when the team finished sanitising the theatre from the previous showing, while I

went to get the snacks.

Once the “ticket-checker-person” gave the go ahead, my brother and I (like some very outta-order-children) ran to ‘screen five’ to ensure we hogged the best seats. If you’re a cinema person, you would know that the best seats are positioned in the middle of the middle row, where your eyes can meet Ryan Reynolds’ own perfectly.

Jokes aside, cinemas, despite its hiatus, form part of generational stories that can last a lifetime.

For as long as this bout of cinema fever last, I will indulge in all that it has to offer; the surround sound system, the big screens, the impeccable lighting, and of course, good company (my little brother mostly) to share the laughs with.

With that, I hope that the cinema culture is here to stay.

Flashback: the once thriving Liberty cinema (Photo by Visit Guyana)

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Friday, January 14, 2022

How music motivated ‘RGK’ to turn his life around

Teen musician, Keeshaun McBean When his teachers would ask, 17-year-old Keeshaun McBean had no answer to the question of what he wanted do after graduating high school.

Soon enough, however, music, which had long been a hobby, blossomed into a passion; one that he is ready to devote every ounce of his efforts

towards nurturing.

Dubbing himself ‘RGK,’ McBean hails from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); more particularly, Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara.

Even though he’s still a high school student, McBean has already been signed as an artiste with AJ Records, one of the

most successful music companies in the country.

Given his age, McBean, who started his professional music career in 2020, was supposed to have already completed his secondary education. In an interview with the Buzz this week, the young man sought to explain why he remains a student. “Before starting to do music, I was known as someone who was always in a fight or some other bad situation. I am finishing school this year because I had to repeat form four due to a fight,” McBean admitted.

He says he has no qualms with opening about his past, as it is the first step to him becoming a better person, and from all indications, the young man has truly grown; to extent where he chuckles when reflecting on his shortcomings, a clear demonstration that he has moved on, having found music to be a constant motivator.

“I started doing music and found it’s something I’m good at. It occupies my time and sees me in a lot less trouble, a candid McBean shared.

He related that prior to immersing himself in music, he would be easily angered and agitated.

“Before, anything someone told me would get me angry instantly, but then I realised that words can’t cut my skin. So music made me cool down,” the teenager reflected.

Listening to McBean sing, you might be inclined to think that he is an internationally-recognised artiste. He has a great voice and has already released a few songs for which he has already gotten positive feedback.

As mentioned, he is no longer the person who doesn’t know what he wants to do with his life.

“I only have one goal at the moment. The same way you hear of Rihanna and think of Barbados,

Music seems to have brought out the best in Keeshaun that’s what I’m pushing for…trying to put Guyana in that same category with Jamaica; even Trinidad has been showing up lately. I want to do the same for Guyana,” said the ambitious young man.

“I used to say I don’t know what I want to do when I leave school. Now I just want to do music because of my passion for it,” he continued.

McBean tries his hand at many genres of music including Dancehall, Afro beats R&B, Rap, and Soul. He continues to write and record with AJ Records on the west side.

McBean spoke about some of the other benefits that music has brought to his life: “Because of music, I am a lot more social.

It gives me a little more confidence; I would never be the person on stage before. And it made me feel like I am now someone people would like to be around.” He has also seen the value of ridding his life of bad influences. “I

dropped a lot of people, except the real ones and we stick together,” he shared.

Being in school, McBean has to ensure that he finds time for his studies, which he said he does when he gets home from school. He says he is willing to put in the sacrifice required to get good grades, because it will only serve as a boost to his musical career.

In addition to McBean’s confidence in his ability to be a great musician, his true friends have also reaffirmed their belief in him. “In the next few years, I see myself up with the stars. My friends literally told me that I have a lot of talent and will make it.”

McBean has so far released ‘Hypnotized,’ ‘Hit by Hit’ featuring ‘Kid Montana’ and ‘Hop in the Wind’ which he has been his most popular song that was even reviewed and listened to

by CKush.

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Friday, January 14, 2022

Euphoria: a daring piece of cinematography

A coming-of-age story detailing the notso-pretty side of being a teenager and young adult, is what you can look forward to in the HBO max drama series, Euphoria.

The show can easily be called a cinematography masterpiece, as it captures a plethora of emotions and tackles the uncomfortable conversations and discussions many of us are afraid to have at that adolescent age.

While the show is, of course has its moments of pure glitz and glamour, it features boundary-pushing content related to sex, substance abuse, sexual violence, domestic abuse, peer pressure and unhealthy relationships altogether.

It forces a much-needed look at the realities of what many of our teenagers are facing today, even right here in Guyana.

The first season of the show is centered on a teen girl, Rue Bennett portrayed by the ever-talented Zendaya. In her story, Rue tries to cope with the loss of her father, coupled with spouts of depression, anxiety and other clinically diagnosed mental illnesses.

Unfortunately, Rue’s coping mechanism is substance abuse, which sees her life turning into somewhat of a rollercoaster. The series also shows how the teen’s single mother struggles to navigate her daughter’s mental health and substance abuse issues, while managing a household which also comprises of Rue’s younger sister.

This story, and several more, are told with a gutsy, explicit flair, forcing the viewers to face the brutal reality of each character's pain, along with their raw emotions.

Without giving too much away, the show takes you on an emotional journey of the brutal honesties of life; it is thrilling, daring, disquieting and compelling, and represents a form of triumph at a time when truly unique storytelling remains unsettlingly rare.

Its raunchy scenes and poignant emotions, however, are more suitable for older audiences, and truth be told, some of it is really not for the weak of heart. I must warn, if you are one who gets uncomfortable with taboo conversations, this may not be the series for you.

Euphoria is an American teen drama television series created and written by Sam Levinson for HBO, which seems to be capitalizing on a number of really good shows lately.

Also, in case you did not know, the show, ‘Euphoria’ is executively produced by iconic singer, songwriter and rapper, Drake.

The ensemble cast includes actor and singer Zendaya, Maude Apatow (Girls), Angus Cloud, Eric Dane, Alexa Demie, Jacob Elordi, Barbie Ferreira, Nika King, Storm Reid, Hunter Schafer, Algee Smith and Sydney Sweeney The first season of the show aired in July 2019 and featured seven episodes with a run time of 40 minutes. The second season premiered on HBO max last Sunday and is anticipated to dive deeper into the lives of old and new characters.

Be sure to tune in this Sunday for season two’s second episode on either HBO, firestick, or those websites that none of us are supposed to be on, or even know about.

(Reviewed by Naomi Parris)

A scene from last week’s episode of Euphoria

19 Euphoria season two is out now

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Friday, January 14, 2022

Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet split Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet have ended their relationship after four years of marriage. The Game of Thrones star, 42, shared a joint statement with Lisa on Jan.

12, announcing their split, and the end of their reign as a couple for more than a decade.

The pair wrote on Instagram, “We have all felt the squeeze and changes

of these transformational times… A revolution is unfolding and our family is of no exception… feeling and growing from the seismic shifts occurring.”

They said they are

Jason Mamoa and Lisa Bonet (E! Online photo) “parting ways in marriage” and sharing the news “not because we think it’s newsworthy” but so that “as we go about our lives we may do so with dignity and honesty.”

Lisa and Jason, who tied the knot in 2017, explained that the “love between us carries on, evolving in ways it wishes to be known and lived.”

They said they wanted to “free each other” in

order to “be who we are learning to become.”

“Our devotion [is] unwavering to this sacred life & our Children,” they said, ending with, “May Love Prevail.”

The High Fidelity actress, 54, met Jason for the first time in 2004 at a jazz club, according to her interview with Porter magazine in 2018.

Lisa recalled their instant chemistry, saying, “I can’t say it was full-on from the moment we saw

each other, but we have been together from the day that we met.” She shared, “In that moment, love came and it came big, and he did not run as I think a lot of men do. He basically picked me up and threw me over his shoulder, caveman style.”

Jason told James Corden in 2017 that he’s had a crush on Lisa since he was 8 years old. (Complements of E!Online)

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Friday, January 14, 2022

21

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Friday, January 14, 2022

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 14, 2022

South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:05 hrs Red Berry 08:45 hrs African Winter 09:25 hrs Cracklin’ Rose 09:55 hrs Carioca 10:25 hrs Diamonds And Toads Arab Emirates Racing Tips Meydan

10:00 hrs RB Rich Lyke Me 10:35 hrs Talking Names 11:10 hrs Passion And Glory 11:45 hrs Mr Professor 12:20 hrs Kimbear 12:55 hrs Soft Whisper 13:30 hrs Roulston Star American Racing Tips Aqueduct Race 1 Becauseofthebrave Race 2 Banyan Breeze Race 3 Khuliq Race 4 Cover Photo Race 5 Papa Smooth Race 6 Feathers Road Race 7 Mexican Wonder Boy Race 8 Water’s Edge Irish Racing Tips Dundalk 11:45 hrs First Blood 12:15 hrs Annexation 12:45 hrs Gold Wing 13:15 hrs Drish Melody 13:45 hrs Spirit And Glory 14:15 hrs Askarabad 14:45 hrs Miss Cunning 15:15 hrs Indiana Grey English Racing Tips Sedgefield 08:20 hrs Mahier Mission 08:50 hrs Dubai Days 09:20 hrs Cailin Dearg 09:50 hrs Annies Prayer 10:20 hrs Galileo Silver 10:50 hrs Don Herbager 11:20 hrs Lime Drop 11:50 hrs Iceman Dennis Huntingdon 09:00 hrs Ace Time 09:30 hrs Lady Jane P 10:30 HRS Kotmask 11:00 hrs Hillfinch 11:30 hrs Loud As Lions 12:00 hrs Batch Lingfield 08:40 hrs Big Time Maybe 09:10 hrs Race Card 09:40 hrs Classy Dame 10;10 hrs Already Gone 12:40 hrs Capla Spirit 11:10 hrs Jastar 11:40 hrs Acrion

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 14, 2022

FROM BACK PAGE

Petersen-Elgar stand puts ICC U19 Men’s South Africa in pole position Cricket World Cup...

IN a game of twists and turns, South Africa put themselves in pole position to clinch the Test series against India after an all-round display on day 3 in Cape Town.

The home side staged a spirited comeback with the ball in the second session to keep the target to 212, despite Rishabh Pant's fine hundred. Dean Elgar and Keegan Petersen then knocked off nearly half the runs before stumps as they ended the day's play at 101-2.

India didn't have the greatest of starts to the day as Cheteshwar Pujara found himself walking back to the pavilion after just two deliveries as Petersen took an outstanding catch at leg gully.

In the very next over, Kagiso Rabada accounted for Ajinkya Rahane with a delivery that just took off after pitching outside off.

The two early wickets once again put the onus on Virat Kohli to resurrect the innings. And this time, he had a determined Pant at the other end as well. While Pant counterattacked, Kohli was content batting out time like he did in the first innings. The pair guided India to a comfortable position by lunch as the lead stretched to 143. However, India lost their grip on the game post lunch as Lungi Ngidi, a silent spectator in the Test until that point, ripped through the middle order.

Kohli, who displayed a lot of restraint until then, finally chased a delivery outside off to edge behind and the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and Shardul Thakur endured the same fate against the pacer. The triple strike pretty much ended India's hopes of setting a target over 260 and Pant was the only recognised batter left.

The 24-year-old looked to farm the strike on most occasions while batting with the tail and also played some extravagant shots in the process to bring up a well-deserved Test century.

Having come under a lot of criticism post the second Test, Pant responded in style with a fighting knock that took the lead past the 200-run mark. Umesh

Rishabh Pant became the first Asian keeper to score a Test century in South Africa

Yadav, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah couldn't last long though as Marco Jansen continued with his impressive showing to mop the tail and finish with a four-wicket haul.

It took South Africa little time to bring the target below 200 as Aiden Markram fetched a few boundaries to begin with.

On a couple of occasions, India's new-ball bowlers did manage to find the outside edge but it evaded the slip cordon and reached the boundary to add to the visitors' frustration.

Eventually, one such edge did find the fielder at slip as Markram was sent back by Shami. But what followed was a period of frustration for the Indians as a dogged Elgar and a free-flowing Petersen put on a big partnership.

To add insult to injury, India thought they had Elgar when Ashwin trapped him leg-before-wicket but the South African skipper managed to overturn

the decision by taking the review, much to India's shock.

Post that incident, the runs also started flowing as Petersen milked the bowling attack finding the boundary seven times. Elgar, on the other hand, continued his defiance but against the run of play, he finally fell to Bumrah.

A poor delivery bowled down the leg side was edged to the keeper by Elgar and India had to take the review to get the decision in their favour - much to Kohli's delight, who wore a frustrated look ever since the lbw call a few overs earlier. But with only 111 more runs to get and with eight wickets in hand, South Africa remain favourites to get the job done today. (Cricbuzz. com)

SCOREBOARD

INDIA 1st innings 223 SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings

Dean Elgar c Cheteshwar Pujara b Jasprit Bumrah 3 Aiden Markram b Jasprit Bumrah 8 Keshav Maharaj b Umesh Yadav 25 Keegan Petersen c Cheteshwar Pujara b Jasprit Bumrah

72 Rassie van der Dussen c Virat Kohli b Umesh Yadav

21 Temba Bavuma c Virat Kohli b Mohammed Shami

28 Kyle Verreynne c Rishabh Pant b Mohammed Shami

0 Marco Jansen b Jasprit Bumrah 7 Kagiso Rabada c Jasprit Bumrah b Shardul Thakur 15 Duanne Olivier not out

10 Lungi Ngidi c Ravichandran Ashwin b Jasprit Bumrah

3 Extras: (b-4, lb-4, nb-4, pen-5, w-1) 18 Total: (all out, 76.3 overs) 210 Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-17, 3-45, 4-112, 5-159, 6-159, 7-176, 8-179, 9-200.

Bowling: Jasprit Bumrah 23.3-8-2-5 (nb-2), Umesh Yadav 16-3-64-2 (w-1 nb-1), Mohammed Shami 16-4-39-2, Shardul Thakur 12-237-1, Ravichandran Ashwin 9-3-15-0 (nb-1).

INDIA 2nd innings Lokesh Rahul c Aiden Markram b Marco Jansen 10 Mayank Agarwal c Dean Elgar b Kagiso Rabada 7 Cheteshwar Pujara c Keegan Petersen b Marco Jansen

9 Virat Kohli c Aiden Markram b Lungi

Ngidi 29 Ajinkya Rahane c Dean Elgar b Kagiso Rabada

1 Rishabh Pant not out 100 Ravichandran Ashwin c Marco Jansen b Lungi Ngidi

7 Shardul Thakur c Kyle Verreynne b Lungi Ngidi

5 Umesh Yadav c Kyle Verreynne b Kagiso Rabada

0 Mohammed Shami c Rassie van der Dussen b Marco Jansen

0 Jasprit Bumrah c Temba Bavuma b Marco Jansen

2 Extras: (b-8, lb-8, nb-9, w-2) 28 Total: (all out, 67.3 overs) 198 Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-24, 3-57, 4-58, 5-152, 6-162, 7-170, 8-180, 9-189.

Bowling: Kagiso Rabada 17-5-53-3 (w-1, nb8), Duanne Olivier 10-1-38-0 (nb-1), Marco Jansen 19.3-6-36-4 (w-1) Lungi Ngidi 14-521-3, Keshav Maharaj 7-1-33-0 SOUTH AFRICA 2nd innings Aiden Markram c Lokesh Rahul b Mohammed Shami Dean Elgar c Rishabh Pant b Jasprit Bumrah Keegan Petersen not out

16 30 48

Extras: (lb-6, nb-1) 7 Total: (two wkts, 29.4 overs) 101-2 Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-101.

Bowling: Jasprit Bumrah 9.4-3-29-1, Mohammed Shami 7-0-22-1, Umesh Yadav 2-0-5-0 (nb-1), Shardul Thakur 5-1-17-0, Ravichandran Ashwin 6-1-22-0.

of the opener at the Guyana National Stadium.

“The confidence of the team is still in a very good place. You use warm-up games to see where you’re at as a team,” Reifer told an online pre-match media conference.

“Obviously before we did a lot of camps and we hadn’t played many games together as a unit, so we used these games to kind of see where the guys are at, to see how they can perform their roles and responsibilities under pressure.

“So I would say the team is very confident still and it’s just a matter now of just putting it together with a good game tomorrow.”

Captain Ackeem Auguste and opener Matthew Nandu were the only batters to manage half-centuries during the warm-ups while the likes of fast bowlers McKenny Clarke and Johann Layne impressed with wickets.

And Auguste said he was not overly fazed either by the lack of results, as the squad remained a quality unit capable of strong performances.

“I think the enthusiasm from the guys has been good.

I think we have been gelling well as a unit and I think moving forward we are very confident as a unit,” he noted.

“I think we’re a very talented bunch so I think everybody in the team can hold his weight. The team is full of quality batters and bowlers and a good fielding unit, so overall we’re very confident.”

West Indies topped their group in the 2020 showpiece in South Africa but then bowed out in the next round in a shock defeat to New Zealand.

The Caribbean side, who won the title in 2016, eventually finished fifth overall after their fifth place playoff against the Australians was rained off.

Australia, whose sixth place finish was a disappointment, said they were aiming for a strong start, despite their heavy loss to India in their warm-up. “(The defeat) was a reality check for us against one of the strongest sides, maybe the favourites. But our team is checking out really well and I feel like we’re in good shape for the first game,” said captain Cooper Connolly.

“We can’t start off really easy, we’ve got to beat the West Indies and come out with a strong mindset. Hopefully we can knock them over.”

The contest is one of two in Group D on the opening day, with Sri Lanka Under-19 and Scotland Under-19 clashing at the Everest ground. (CMC) ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup Groups Group A: Bangladesh, Canada, England, UAE Group B: India, Ireland, South Africa, Uganda Group C: Afghanistan, Pakistan, PNG, Zimbabwe Group D: Australia, Scotland, Sri Lanka, West Indies SQUADS: WEST INDIES U19 – Ackeem Auguste (captain), Giovonte Depeiza, Onaje Amory, Teddy Bishop, Carlon Bowen-Tuckett, Jaden Carmichael, McKenny Clarke, Rivaldo Clarke, Jordan Johnson, Johann Layne, Anderson Mahase, Matthew Nandu, Shaqkere Parris, Shiva Sankar, Isai Thorne.

AUSTRALIA U19 – Cooper Connolly (captain), Harkirat Bajwa, Aidan Cahill, Joshua Garner, Isaac Higgins, Campbell Kellaway, Corey Miller, Jack Nisbet, Nivethan Radhakrishnan, William Salzmann, Lachlan Shaw, Jackson Sinfield, Tobias Snell, Tom Whitney, Teague Wyllie.

Under-19 Cricket World Cup fixtures updated THE fixture schedule for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 has been updated after the delayed arrival of Afghanistan into the region.

After successfully obtaining the necessary visas for travel, Afghanistan will arrive in the West Indies and undergo their required quarantine period.

To ensure all fixtures could be completed, four out of the six Group C matches in Trinidad and Tobago have been rescheduled as follows:

15 January - Zimbabwe v PNG – Queens Park Oval. Rescheduled from 20 January.

17 January - Pakistan v Zimbabwe - Diego Martin Sporting Complex. Rescheduled from 22 January.

18 January - Afghanistan v PNG - Diego Martin Sporting Complex. Unchanged.

20 January - Pakistan v Afghanistan - Brian Lara Cricket Ground. Unchanged.

22 January - Pakistan v PNG - Queens Park Oval. Rescheduled from 15 January

22 January - Afghanistan v Zimbabwe Diego Martin Sporting Complex. Rescheduled from 16 January.

All matches will begin at 09h00 local time.

The changes were approved by the Event Technical Committee which comprises Chris Tetley, ICC Head of Events (Chair); Ben Leaver, ICC Senior Event Manager; Fawwaz Baksh, Tournament Director; Roland Holder, WICB Representative; Alan Wilkins and Russel Arnold.

ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley said, “We are delighted that the Afghanistan squad have received the necessary visas and will be able to travel to participate in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022.

“We have reworked the fixtures for group C to ensure that all matches can take place within the allocated timeframe and would like to thank the participating Members for their flexibility in finding a solution.” (ICC Media)

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 14, 2022

Tunisia complain to CAF over match conclusion chaos

By Piers Edwards & Souhail Khmira TUNISIA'S football federation (FTF) has written to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to complain about their game with Mali ending 13 seconds early.

The Tunisians were trailing 1-0 when Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe, said to have suffered sunstroke, blew early.

He had already whistled for full-time after 85 minutes, only to notice his error and continue the match.

"We will do whatever it takes to defend the rights of the national team," FTF official Hussein Jenaieh said later.

"We are not children."

FTF media officer Kais Reguez refused to go into details when asked about the nature of Tunisia's complaint, which he did confirm.

"As long as the file is in the hands of the CAF committees, we cannot speak out," Reguez told BBC Sport Africa.

Match referee Sikazwe reportedly had to go to hospital to recover after the match, which is why the fourth official was set to take charge of a failed attempt to restart the game over 20 minutes later.

While Mali turned up, Tunisia did not, since some of their players were taking ice baths.

"The referee had sunstroke, which affected his decisions in the game," CAF refereeing

official Essam Abdul Fattah told Egyptian media. "After the game, he needed to go hospital because the weather was so hot."

After their unexpected 0-0 draw against Sierra Leone, defending champions Algeria blamed their display on the heat in Cameroon.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said yesterday it was awaiting further details from the various match officials before commentating.

"CAF is forwarding these documents to the competent bodies of CAF," the body said in a statement. "At this stage, CAF is not in a position to make further comment until the responsible bodies indicate the way forward."

HOW A FARCE INVOLVED Tunisia, 2004 champions, came into the tournament knowing that a young and vibrant Mali side were likely to be their main group rivals.

Trailing with just five minutes of regulation time left, they were stunned when referee Sikazwe blew for full-time.

The Zambian later checked his timings and continued the game, sending off a Malian player in the meantime, only to then blow up with the clock showing 89 minutes 47 seconds.

In extraordinary scenes, Mali coach's 'post-match' press conference was interrupted as it was announced the game would have to re-start to conclude, which it

never did.

"They asked us to get back on the pitch, we didn't - we had no idea what was going on," Tunisia defender Bilel Ifa told reporters.

"We hope the match is replayed. The referee had no idea what was going on since the beginning of the game."

Tunisia's assistant coach was left furious by both the incident and its possible reputational damage for the African game.

"Unfortunately, we cannot see things like this at this high level in Africa - African Football cannot move forward like this," Tunisia's assistant coach Jalel Kadri told reporters.

"The referee was "shaken" today. He was even hesitant to check the Video Assistant Referee (VAR); he didn't even know how to get to the VAR." FULL-BLOWN CHAOS Zambian official Sikazwe refereed two group-stage matches at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and took charge of the 2017 Nations Cup final.

His reported sunstroke would explain much of the chaos that followed from the 85th minute onwards.

"We understood nothing in the 85th minute - we were in shock," added Kadri.

"We spoke to the fourth official who said there was miscommunication between him and the main referee who might have misunderstood him. We resumed the match only for him to whistle

Ivory Coast’s Gradel dedicates winner to late father

IVORY Coast's Max Gradel dedicated his match-winner against Equatorial Guinea to his father, who died last week.

Gradel, whose strike settled the Group E tie 1-0, was unable to travel to his father's funeral on January 8 because of COVID-19 related complications.

"It's a mix of emotion and joy at the same time," the Ivorian captain told BBC Sport Africa of his goal.

"I am very happy to have scored for my father, the whole Ivory Coast and all Ivorians."

Gradel gives Ivory Coast opening win "I want to say thank you to them for the support they gave me as well as my team-mates who supported me during these difficult moments."

Former Leeds and Bournemouth forward Gradel had asked Ivorians to represent him at his father's funeral, which he could not attend, given he was in a training camp in Saudi Arabia prior to flying to Cameroon for the Nations Cup. He marked Ivory Coast's opener by scoring a spectacular winner after just five minutes, lashing in from 20 yards with the outside of his right foot, on Wednesday night in Douala.

"I'm sure this goal went direct to the sky to his father," Ivory Coast coach Patrice Beaumelle told BBC Sport Africa.

"I'm very happy for him. He deserves it, he is a

Max Gradel scored one of the best goals ever seen in the Africa Cup of Nations when he scored for Ivory Coast against Equatorial Guinea

fantastic guy, fantastic team-mate, fantastic player.

I'm very glad to have such a player in my squad and I love my players."

Ivory Coast play next on Sunday when they face a Sierra Leone side who held defending champions Algeria to a goalless draw in both sides' opener.

Group E is likely to be won by either the North Africans, who have one point and are currently on a 35-game unbeaten run, or the Ivorians who have three and last won the trophy in 2015.

The Elephants finish their campaign against Algeria themselves in Douala on January 20, in a tie likely to decide the group winner. (BBC Sport)

again in the 89th minute."

"We headed to the fourth official who agreed the game still hadn't ended," FTF official Jenaiah told reporters.

"We complained it was the second time the referee had stopped the game prematurely.

"The fourth official first said the match will resume, but as he headed to the main referee, the latter said 'No, I blew the whistle, the game is over'." (BBC Sport)

Tunisia coach Mondher Kebaier (right) remonstrates with match officials after their match finished early

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 14, 2022

ICC not keen on strict bubble at U-19 World Cup … CEO says they want players to 'enjoy the experience'

DESPITE COVID-19 causing disruptions in international cricket as recently as this week - with the T20I series between West Indies and Ireland in Jamaica being called off and two ODIs being rescheduled - ICC CEO Geoff Allardice has said that the bio-bubble at the Under-19 World Cup starting today in the West Indies will not be a strict one.

Allardice instead used the phrase "managed-event environment" to describe the precautions in place from the ICC for the smooth conduct of the event after considering the young age of the participating players and from lessons learnt from the Men's T20 World Cup in the UAE and Oman last year.

He said that the ICC's main challenge will be to juggle keeping players safe while also providing them with an experience to cherish, which would not have been possible

Geoff Allardice, ICC CEO, speaks during the Under-19 World Cup launch in Benoni (Getty Images)

in stricter environments. Given the lengthy nature of the tournament 23 days of competition in addition to the pre-tournament quarantine requirements and warm-up games Allardice said that it was important

Stephney replaces Christiani on GCB’s senior selection panel

NEWLY elected vice-president of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) and former Essequibo senior Inter-County captain, Elroy Stephney, was appointed as the new Chairman of senior selectors for the ECB following its Biennial General Meeting (BGM) which was held on Sunday, January 9 at the Imam Bacchus Resource Centre in Affiance.

Based on his appointment he will now sit on the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) national panel and will replace Autto Christiani.

Stephney brings a wealth of experience to the

Former Essequibo captain Elroy Stephney

post. The ECB has since offered its congratulations for a successful tenure.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday January 14, 2022)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Shamar Brooks-93 (2) (89 balls; 9 fours; 3 sixes) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who top-scored for Ireland in the recent first ODI against the WI? (2) How many deliveries he faced? How many fours and sixes he struck?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

for ICC to make the tournament "memorable" for players from all 16 countries.

One strategic decision to mitigate the concerns of COVID-19 infections possibly ravaging the tournament is the ICC's choice to host the event across four islands in the West Indies, namely Antigua, Guyana, St Kitts, and Trinidad & Tobago. This strategy is vastly different from the main competition of the T20 World Cup last year, which was held in three cities that were close to each other in the UAE. This plan will allow the ICC to move games to one of the other three venues and complete the tournament in case infection cases rise in any one location.

"It's a balance between the risk of catching and passing on the virus versus the freedom that young people are going to be looking for and allowing them to enjoy the

experience of being involved in an Under-19 World Cup as well," Allardice said yesterday.

"I think the management of that environment over the next few weeks is probably the challenge and being able to react to whatever gets thrown our way."

Another way the ICC has looked to protect their players is to ensure they play their group-stage games in quick succession rather than over a long period.

"We are following a similar model to the Men's T20 World Cup in the way that we manage the type of accommodation that we are using and the (COVID) testing frequency," Allardice said. "They play their matches at a reasonable frequency.

So you go to the cricket ground, you play your match, you go back to the hotel accommodation, recover, and then a day or two later, you are back again."

At the Men's T20 World Cup last year, the ICC had kept a 24x7 mental-health and wellness service around for the players to use to deal with the complications of staying in a strict bio-bubble. As part of ICC's "managed-event environment" plans, the same processes will be in place for the teenagers taking part in the West Indies too.

With the majority of players vaccinated, Allardice said that the risk of illness is going to be low, but said that the ICC remained committed to completing the 14th edition of the Under-19 World Cup while making sure that the players compete in a "positive environment."

The tournament will kick off in Guyana with hosts West Indies taking on Australia in Providence today, with a concurrent second game between Sri Lanka and Scotland taking place in Georgetown.

Umpire Carrington ‘humbled’ by appointment to ICC Under-19 panel BERMUDA-based Barbadian police officer Emmerson Carrington says he is “humbled and honoured” after being chosen to officiate at the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, which gets underway today.

Carrington is one of 19 officials appointed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to the umpire panel for the tournament which is being staged in the Caribbean for the first time and will feature 16 of the world’s top young teams.

The final is set to be staged on February 5 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, with matches also being staged in St Kitts & Nevis and Trinidad & Tobago.

“I am, of course, humbled and honoured to be selected and will do my best,” Carrington, an umpire for more than a decade, told Bermuda’s Royal Gazette newspaper.

“To officiate at a World Cup event is indeed remarkable in itself and I do not take it lightly.”

Carrington warmed up for the official start of the tournament by officiating in Monday’s practice match between Scotland and Uganda at Everest Cricket Club ground in Guyana and was reserve umpire for Wednesday’s warm-up game between Ireland and Scotland at the same venue.

“It was a warm-up game (on Monday) so the atmosphere wasn’t there, but the organisation is top-notch with police escorts and personal security.

“At the hotel you have to remain in a bubble due to COVID-19,” Carrington said, describing his experience so far.

Bermuda-based Barbadian umpire Emmerson Carrington

His first official match will be today when Sri Lanka take on Scotland at Everest before he moves to St Kitts for his next two assignments on January 17 and 20.

“I am obviously excited but prepared as we have been involved in quite a few training seminars since being here,” Carrington said.

Carrington said he was thankful for the assistance he has received throughout his career and wants to ensure he contributes to the development of umpires in Bermuda.

“I have a lot of people to thank for my progress and development

as an umpire, namely (fellow Barbadian) Richard Austin for urging me to become a member of the Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association (BCUA), senior (Bermudan) umpires like Roger Dill, Steven Douglas and Oscar Andrade for in-depth training and sharing their knowledge and the Bermuda Police Service for allowing me time off to attend these tournaments,” Carrington, a policeman for more than 18 years, said.

He said his success was an indication of the standard of umpiring in Bermuda and hoped his appointment would create more opportunities for local officials.

“When one of us excels, we all excel and my appointment is clear evidence of the quality of cricket officiating present in Bermuda. Hopefully, this opportunity opens more doors for other umpires to officiate at the highest level,” Carrington added.

Andrade, president of the BCUA, said: “This is a marquee appointment in Emmerson’s umpiring career to date after numerous previous very successful ICC appointments to other tournaments and competitions.

“The ICC continues to show confidence in Emmerson and also that the smaller Associate countries are able to produce high-quality officials who can compete on the world stage with the larger full member countries.”

Bangladesh are the defending champions. Scotland replaced New Zealand after they withdrew because of quarantine restrictions at home. (CMC)

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 14, 2022

Ireland beat Windies by five wickets in rain-hit 2nd ODI IRELAND beat the West Indies by five wickets in a rain-interrupted second oneday international at Sabina Park yesterday.

Ireland were chasing 230 to win and were well ahead of the run rate at 157-4 in the 32nd over when rain stopped play for 90 minutes.

When the match resumed, the Duckworth-Lewis method reduced Ireland’s ask to 168 from 36 overs, or 11 more runs from 28 balls. The Irish knocked them off in seven balls, winning on a pair of noballs at 168-5.

Victory tied the series 1-1, with the deciding ODI on Sunday on the same ground.

This ODI was rescheduled from Tuesday, when Ireland were too depleted to field a side because of five coronavirus cases and two injured players. Four weren't available yesterday, including captain Andy Balbirnie.

The West Indies successfully defended 269 last Saturday but not 229, which was boosted by 30 extras.

William Porterfield and stand-in skipper Paul Stirling gave Ireland a flying start of 37 in the first five overs.

TECTOR ANCHORS THE SHOW

Harry Tector anchored the show with 54 not out off 75 balls, his second straight half-century and fourth in his last five ODIs. Tector featured in stands of 44 with Andy McBrine, who

added 35, and 53 with Curtis Campher.

McBrine also starred with the ball when West Indies were made to bat first.

The West Indies were cautious from the start and medi-

SCOREBOARD

WEST INDIES innings

S. Hope c wkp. Rock b Young J. Greaves b Young N. Pooran lbw b Young S. Brooks lbw b Dockrell R. Chase c Stirling b McBrine K. Pollard c Dockrell b McBrine J. Holder c wkp. Rock b Little A. Hosein c Adair b McBrine R. Shepherd b McBrine O. Smith c Campher b Little A. Joseph not out

17 10 1 43 13 1 3 11 50 46 4

Extras: (lb-2, w-27, nb-1) 30 Total: (all out, 48 overs) 229 Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-42, 3-43, 4-91, 5-93, 6-104, 7-111, 8-143, 9-201.

Bowling: Little 10-1-40-2, Adair 9-2-42-0 (w-9), Young 8-1-42-3 (w-3, nb-1), McBrine 10-2-36-4 (w-3), Campher 8-0-56-0 (w-2), Dockrell 3-0-11-1 (w-1).

IRELAND innings (Target: 168 from 36 overs) W. Porterfield c Pollard b Chase P. Stirling c Holder b Hosein A. McBrine c Joseph b Shepherd H. Tector not out C. Campher b Hosein G. Dockrell c Pooran b Pollard G. Delany not out

26 21 35 54 12 5 1

Extras: (lb-7, w-5, nb-2) 14 Total: (5 wkts, 32.2 overs) 168 Fall of wickets: 1-37, 2-60, 3-104, 4-15, 5-165.

Bowling: Hosein 8-0-51-2 (nb-1), Holder 7-1-35-0 (w-2), Joseph 6-1-32-0 (w-2), Chase 5-0-19-1, Smith 2-0-8-0 (w-1), Shepherd 4-0-12-1, Pollard 0.3-0-4-1.

Series: Three-match series tied 1-1.

Player-of-the-Match: Harry Tector c

All-rounder Romario Shepherd top scored for the West Indies with 50

um-pacer Craig Young took advantage with the first three wickets, all cheap. He took out openers Shai Hope, Justin Greaves and No. 3 Nicholas Pooran to have 3-12 off four overs.

McBrine's off-spin was introduced in the 18th over with West Indies 53-3, and he claimed Roston Chase then Kieron Pollard for 1.

Sharmarh Brooks, who made 93 in the first ODI, held the innings together again until he was out lbw for 43 off 64 balls, attempting to sweep left-

arm spinner George Dockrell.

The West Indies didn't look like reaching 200 at 143-7 in the 40th, but Odean Smith immediately hit two sixes over McBrine's head, hit two more against Campher, and swatted Mark Adair over the long-off fence. Smith made 46 off 19 balls in a partnership of 58 with Romario Shepherd to get West Indies over 200.

Shepherd then hit four boundaries and was the last man out with two overs left while trying to pull McBrine, who took 4-36.

Bramble, Hemraj included for Harpy Cameroon beat Ehtiopia Eagles’ second practice match today 4-1 to reach last sixteen

Chandrapaul Hemraj

ANTHONY Bramble and Chandrapaul Hemraj, two contracted Guyana Harpy Eagles players who missed the first practice match due to fitness issues, have been included for the second match which starts today at the Albion Community Centre ground from 09:30hrs.

In a section of the media, it was reported that both

players would have improved on their fitness tests, which made them available for selection.

According to a release by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) on Wednesday, “this match was initially scheduled to begin on Wednesday, January 12 but was rescheduled due to medical advice on COVID-19 health-related matters.”

A player in the group had returned a positive COVID-19 result.

The first practice match ended in a tame draw at Albion on Saturday. The highlights of the Four-Day match were Shimron Hetmyer (149) and Tevin Imlach (106), while there were fifties for Clinton Pestano (69), Akshaya Persaud (61), Kemol Savory (54) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (52); Antony Adams took 5-60.

The teams will once again be led by Leon Johnson and Keemo Paul, and the final practice match in preparation for next month’s regional Four-Day Championship is scheduled for January 20-23.

Leon Johnson’s Team: Chandrapaul Hemraj, Kevlon Anderson, Sachin Singh, Leon Johnson, Shimron Hetmyer, Kemol Savory, Ronaldo Alimohamed, Kevin Sinclair, Leon Swamy, Chaitram Balgobin, Kelvin Umroa, Sharaz Ramcharran, Trevor Stanislaus, Nial Smith, Ronsford Beaton and Demetri Cameron.

Keemo Paul’s Team: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Trevon Griffith, Tevin Imlach, Vishaul Singh, Akshaya Persaud, Anthony Bramble, Keemo Paul, Aaron Beharry, Junior Sinclair, Clinton Pestano, Anthony Adams, Richie Looknauth, Steven Sankar, Keon Joseph, Qumar Torrington, Sylus Tyndall and Nealand Cadogan.

Vincent Aboubakar leads the Nations Cup scoring charts with four goals from his first two games

HOSTS Cameroon became the first team to qualify for the last 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations with an emphatic 4-1 win over Ethiopia in Group A. Both forwards Vincent Aboubakar and Karl Toko-Ekambi scored twice after Ethiopia took an early lead in Yaounde.

Hotessa Dawa slid home after four minutes but the hosts were level after eight as Toko-Ekambi headed home.

In the second half, Aboubakar struck twice, and Lyon's Toko-Ekambi then added his second after 67 minutes.

Cameroon are certain to qualify for the next stage as one of the best four third-placed sides at the very least, but will advance as one of the top two in their group if Cape Verde avoided defeat in

their match with Burkina Faso later yesterday.

After scoring two penalties as the Burkinabe were beaten 2-1 on the opening day, Cameroon captain Aboubakar is the tournament's top scorer - with his header and tap-in taking him to four goals.

He now has a record of five goals from 10 Nations Cup games, a marked improvement from his first eight games, which produced just one goal - the winner itself in the 2017 final.

The Indomitable Lions, who are seeking a sixth Nations Cup title for Cameroon, have now won six games in a row - and have both feet in the last 16, with six points to their name.

They next meet Cape Verde in their final group game on Monday. (BBC Sport)

ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup bowls off in Guyana today

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 14, 2022

… West Indies face Australia, Sri Lanka clash with Scotland

West Under-19 captain Ackeem Auguste

WEST Indies Rising Stars will hope to turn the page on a spell of indifferent form and start their ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup campaign on a winning note, when they face multiple-time champions Australia Under-19 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence today.

Australia Under-19 captain Cooper Connolly

The hosts have lost four of their last six outings inside the last few weeks, drawing their four-match series with South Africa Under-19, 2-2, and then losing their two warm-up games to India Under-19 and the South Africans this week.

Significantly, the performances have been highlighted

by brittle batting, especially in the South Africa series, leaving several question marks over the side.

However, head coach Floyd Reifer yesterday tried to put those concerns to rest, contending the string of poor results had not negatively impacted the side’s mood ahead TURN TO PAGE 24

IKO Academy receives training gear Ireland from overseas-based member beat 27 PAGE

Sensei Aubrey Mendonca (second from left) hands over the gear to Chairman Sensei Jeffrey Wong in the presence of other executive members and students

THE International Karate-Do Organisation (IKO) Academy of Guyana received a quantity of training gear from its overseas-based executive member Sensei Aubrey Mendonca this week.

Mendonca, who travels home several times per year from the U.S., made the donation to help grow the academy, which has three branches in Guyana.

According to chairman Sensei Jeffrey Wong, the gear would be used to help train the students attached to the branches.

It will be housed at the main dojo, which is at the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) and will be carried to and from the locations in Berbice and in Linden.

Sensei Wong, who is a seventh dan black belt, said that since karate is an international sport it requires practitioners to be more athletic - hence the importance of the training bag, weights, etc.

He pointed out that although some students would look to build a career from Shotokan karate, the academy has an equally important role to play in developing character.

“We are focused on building our youths. We want to concentrate on youth development; we know that karate is a disciplined form and that it can help to transform the lives of many Guyanese youngsters.

“We want to keep our young people on a straight path. We want to keep them away from drugs, we want to keep them disciplined, to help build their character and we feel shotokan karate would help achieve that.”

The Academy, which started two years ago, but was hampered by the pandemic, now has over 120 persons, mostly teens and pre-teens training.

Training takes place thrice per week in the afternoons.

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

Windies by five wickets in rain-hit 2nd ODI

FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2022