Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 14-02-2023

President, Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday met with vendors who were affected by last Friday’s fire which destroyed the Parika Market Centre (Office of the President

Energy Conference to showcase investment opportunities across all sectors

THE International Energy Conference and Expo Guyana 2023 is an opportunity to showcase Guyana, not only its vast offshore resources but investment opportunities across all sectors, according to Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat.

Minister Bharrat appeared on Grenada’s WPG10 on Monday night to discuss the International Energy Conference and Expo, which commences today.

The Natural Resource Minister said that over the next few days, Guyana is the place to be.

“We have a number of experts in the oil-and-gas sector; a number of potential investors and a number of international companies that are making their way to Guyana right now as we

speak,” Minister Bharrat said.

He added that there will be several Caribbean leaders for the opening ceremony today.

“I must say, it (International Energy Conference

and Expo Guyana 2022) was a major success, and we are aiming to make 2023 even bigger,” Minister Bharrat said.

He related that they have been incentivising and working to ensure

that the non-oil economy grows at the same time as the oil economy does.

“If you look at those stats in 2022, Guyana has been reported as the fastest-growing economy in the world, with a 62.5 per

cent growth rate. And, significant to that is our nonoil growth rates recorded at 11.5 per cent. It is actually the second highest in the world,” Minister Bharrat said.

He added that they are proud of this, so they are promoting Guyana, as well as showcasing its non-oil resources.

“We are bringing opportunities to potential investors, both local, regional, and even to the international investors, as well as those who may be coming to our shores. The idea is to showcase Guyana, I must say,” Minister Bharrat said.

The International Energy Conference and Expo Guyana 2023 is in its second year, under the theme, “Harnessing Energy for Development”, and will run until Friday, Feb-

ruary 17, 2023.

According to a press release, the ‘expo’ will assemble Heads of State, government officials, policymakers, academics, industry professionals, and global energy thought leaders.

Some of the onboard partners of the International Energy Conference are CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited (CPGL), Hess Corporation, as Diamond Sponsors for the second edition of the event, and GTT as a Platinum Sponsor for the second edition of the event.

It was added that Mobile Money Guyana (MMG+), GTT’s sister company, will also be the official payment partner for local transactions for the Conference and Expo.

The International Energy Conference and Expo gets underway today at the Marriott Hotel (Adrian Narine photo)

International Energy Expo opens today

— with almost 200 exhibitors, over 800 delegates

By Tamica Garnett

ALMOST 200 exhibitors

and over 800 delegates are scheduled to be part of the second edition of Guyana’s annual International Energy Conference and Expo, which opens at the Marriott Hotel on Tuesday, and runs until Friday.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali will deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony, which will also include remarks by at least two other heads of state: Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, and Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves.

President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, is also scheduled to speak; however, he is likely to present virtually. Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, is also likely to present virtually.

This was according to the Director of Communications, Alex Graham and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the conference and expo, Kurt Baboolall, during a press briefing on Monday.

The event has 30 confirmed sponsors, while the expo will have some 188 booths, comprising 70 inter-

national entities and 83 local businesses.

According to Baboolall, preparations for the event are on schedule, and thus far there have been no challenges except the weather.

Graham related that based on three critical benchmarks, this year’s conference has seen marked improvement, and that is in the areas of commercial performance, having content that drives individuals to want to come and participate in the conference,

and making the necessary organisational improvements that drive the conference.

“We are rolling out for example a number of new technologies to help with access, movement, security, and overall efficiency. Those are not the only three, but if we took those three metrics, I believe we are doing better than we did last year,” Graham said.

However, Graham acknowledged that the conference is not at optimum

performance in all of the areas it needs to be, and the company is working on further improvements as the years continue.

“We still have space to keep improving how we are doing this. And we have people who are dedicated to working at this all the time,” Graham said. However, Baboolall related that the value for the client has increased, notwithstanding the cost remaining the same.

“In a way, they’re getting more. Last year, we had 120 booths, this year we have close to 200; our sponsorship has increased, we are seeing exhibitors going into sponsorship and that is a key indicator that they see value in doing business, they see value in presenting themselves here,” Baboolall said.

Last year at the inaugural hosting, the event landed 32 sponsors and saw 822 conference attendees, which included members of the diaspora and had 153 exhibitors.

Some 47 speakers also delivered presentations. This year, the event has 60 speakers and is being held under the theme, “Harnessing Energy for Development.”

Following the opening ceremony, business on the first day gets underway with a presentation by Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on “Guyana’s Energy Policy” and he will be followed by a presentation from ExxonMobil Upstream Oil and Gas Company President, and remarks from Hess Corporation CEO, John Hess on the “Macro Oil and Gas Industry and An Outlook for Guyana.”

The day will also see two panel discussions, on “Skills Development and the Future of Work” and “Regional Col-

laboration.”

Day Two delves into a number of issues and projects surrounding oil and gas, energy, and climate sustainability in Guyana, including a presentation on the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), the gas-to-energy project, the Vreed-en-Hoop Shore base project, and several discussions on local content.

Director of the Centre for Local Business Development, Dr Natasha Gaskin, will take part in a panel discussion on Women in Energy.

Day Three opens with remarks from Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, whose portfolio includes responsibility for energy in Guyana.

The day closes with a panel discussion on the key themes that would have emerged throughout the conference and the way forward involving Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat and Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh.

The event is organised, and entirely privately funded by the newly formed company, International Energy Conference and Expo Inc., which is headed by Chairman, Anthony Whyte.

$413M Leguan stelling to be completed in June

THE $413 million Leguan stelling is expected to be completed by the end of June, according to Project Manager at the Public Works Ministry, Jermaine Braithwaite, during a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI).

“The projected completion date is the 30th of June, 2023. That is our target date…The works are progressing satisfactorily so far and we projected that the contractor, at the rate at which he’s progressing will be able to meet the target deadline that has been set. And we will be able to monitor and manage the facility so we can have an efficient implementation,” he said.

Rehabilitation of the stelling is being undertaken by S Maraj Contracting Services which signed the contract in September 2018.

The project consists of two components geared at achieving complete rehabilitation of the timber structure, and the expansion of the stelling platform through the construction of the reinforced concrete stelling that will be adjacent and adjoining to the existing structure.

The new reinforced concrete section of the stelling will be constructed on 228 pre-stressed concrete piles and will measure some 160 ft. by 130 ft.

A new link-span bridge will be incorporated into the structure. It will also

facilitate the mooring of the ferry, the off-loading of commodities and the ingress and egress of passengers and vehicles.

Safety elements will be incorporated such as light -

ing, and safety rails on both the rehabilitated intersection and the reinforced concrete northern extension of the stelling.

The project also caters for the construction of an

admin building which will be utilised by staff of the Transport and Harbours Department to essentially undertake and oversee the operation.

So, this will be a significant improvement in terms of their operation.

All of the rehabilitation works on the existing timber carriageway have been completed and that work involved the replacement of deteriorated foundation piles.

Deteriorated timber members on the carriageway were replaced that include capping beams, bed planks, running strips and more.

All of the works on the southern existing timber extension of the facility have been completed.

The works that are ongo-

ing focus on completion of the reinforced concrete deck at the northern section, after which the link-span bridge and unit-float pontoon will be installed.

With the introduction of the link-span bridge system, the vehicles going and coming from Leguan will be able to embark and disembark the vessel with greater ease.

Similarly, on the pontoon with the low tide or high tide, the vehicles will embark and disembark with greater ease as well.

The online booking system will also complement modernisation of the stelling and provide greater transparency with the booking system. (DPI)

Director of Communications Alex Graham and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the conference and expo, Kurt Baboolall

Some of the work done on the Leguan stelling

Jagdeo blasts naysayers for attempting to discredit gas-to-energy project

— says gov’t will fight for country’s future well-being

VICE-PRESIDENT

Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has called on Guyanese to reject those naysayers who have a prejudicial agenda to kill the Wales Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project.

This call comes following the circulation of more misinformation in the media about the project.

Despite the government continually being thoroughly transparent about every stage of the project, the Vice-President noted that the main political opposition, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and certain sections of the media continue to peddle misinformation.

“We are fed up of people who want to destroy the future well-being of this country. Many of them have lived their life; they don’t think of the young people. We are never going to tolerate that; that is not what the PPP/C is about. We’re not into that; we’re going to fight them every single day,” Dr. Jagdeo declared during a recent interview broadcasted on his official Facebook page.

The VP was at the time addressing an article in another section of the media that attempted to contradict announcements by the government that the natural gas that will be supplied to the project by ExxonMobil subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), will not be free of cost.

EEPGL has guaranteed the government that a minimum of 50 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscfd) will be transported through the

pipeline from the Liza Phase One and Liza Phase Two Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessels, to a power plant and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility that will be built in Wales, on the West Bank Demerara.

The conversion of natural gas from ExxonMobil’s offshore operations to electricity is a key component of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s objective to lower energy costs by at least 50 per cent, through an energy mix which incorporates gas, solar, wind, and hydro power.

The power plant in the GTE project is expected to see electricity costs in Guyana being reduced by 50 per cent.

Meanwhile, aside from

the natural gas being used to fuel the power plant, Guyana could generate somewhere between $70 –$100 million from the sale of cooking gas produced by the NGL facility.

The pipeline to transport the gas will be funded from ‘cost oil’, and the government would later retain ownership of the pipeline, through amortisation, which is the process of gradually writing off the initial cost of an asset.

In recent remarks, ExxonMobil Guyana Country Manager Alistair Routledge noted that there will be a cost associated with the GTE that the government will have to repay.

Media houses took this to mean that the gas will not be free. However, Dr. Jagdeo, during his interview, clarified that the

cost that Routledge in fact referred to is the amortisation of the pipeline.

“We said that we are developing the pipeline jointly with Exxon; we’re financing it out of cost oil. So, because it’s coming from cost oil, we have to pay it back; it’s not free. They’re putting in some money, and we have to put in some money. So, we decided that over the 20 years that Exxon has to put a 52 per cent of that cost [and] we have to come up with 48 per cent of it,” Dr. Jagdeo explained.

Cost oil is the money deducted from the oil revenue for production costs. Cost oil is deducted before either EEPGL or the government can collect profit from the oil production.

The amortisation is being done so that Guyanese

can own the entire GTE structure, and derive full benefit.

“We explained many times that the gas-to-energy project, we are going to own 100 per cent of it. The power plant and the NGL facility to

process the gas, the People of Guyana will own that,” Dr. Jagdeo noted.

To come up with a calculation of Guyana’s 48 per cent of the cost oil, Dr. Jagdeo explained that it was calculated based on the amount of gas being piped in.

“We have to pay yearly to amortise our share of the pipeline over 20 years to pay back for it; so we took the figure to pay back for the pipeline, and we divided that figure by the 50 million cubic, and said this is the commercial agreement. It’s not like you’re paying for the gas, but we’re just for convenience taking that figure to amortise. It’s reflected as a gas payment, but we’re paying zero for the gas. We are paying to amortise the pipeline; it is easier commercially for us to do that, so it’s that simple. We’re paying back over 20 years for 48 per cent of the pipeline,” Dr. Jagdeo added.

‘Energy’ Preliminary artist’s impression of the Natural Gas Plant (Source: EEPGL)

CSME, food security, climate finance top agenda of 44th CARICOM Heads summit

THE CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), food security, climate change, climate finance, health, and security will be among the major topics under discussion when CARICOM Heads of Government meet in The Bahamas from February15-17.

The three-day meeting will be held under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister of The Bahamas Philip Davis, and opens at the Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island tomorrow. It will also see Plenary sessions begin the following day at Baha Mar in New Providence, and, according to CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett commence with Heads of Government placing emphasis on the progress the Community is making on the CSME, long regarded as the Region’s flagship programme.

CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General, CARICOM Single Market and Trade, Ambassador Wayne McCook emphasised that the Single Market and Single Economy are import -

ant aspects of the regional integration architecture, and as such must be given constant attention.

The Heads of Government are expected to take action on an amendment to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to cater for mergers and acquisitions in the Community. They will also be updated on work that is being done on the two core CARICOM trade instruments, these being the Common External Tariff (CET) and the Rules of Origin (ROO).

That work is expected to be completed by the middle of the year.

FOOD SECURITY

And, given the importance the Community attaches to agriculture, Heads of Government will discuss the progress being made to achieve regional food and nutrition security.

Those discussions will be held against the backdrop of the latest report of the CARICOM Ministerial Task Force on Food Production and Food Security which

signalled that collectively, Member States had achieved 57 per cent of the target to reduce the region’s high food-import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

SPECIAL GUESTS

Heads will have engagements with special guests, including the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, and the heads of international financial and trade organisations.

In announcing his attendance at the Summit Prime Minister Trudeau said: “Canada and the Caribbean Community share strong ties between our peoples, common values, and a strong commitment to fighting climate change. I look forward to meeting with the leaders of CARICOM to discuss how we can continue to work together to support the people of Haiti, strengthen the Caribbean region, and build a better future for people and businesses in Canada, the Caribbean, and around the world.”

In The Bahamas, which

is celebrating its 50th Independence Anniversary this year, Heads of Government will be briefed on CARICOM’s own Golden Jubilee observances this year. The Caribbean Community was established on July 4, 1973, with the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas. (CARICOM Today)

Transformational Project

THE modernisation process in Guyana is picking up momentum. This is manifested in the establishment of several new mega-projects which included the oil-and-gas project at Wales on the West Bank of Demerara, which, when completed, will see a drastic reduction in the cost of energy, not only to Guyanese consumers, but also to the business or commercial sector.

One immediate impact of development apart from a steep reduction in energy bills to consumers, will be the enhancement of the country’s competitiveness on the international market.

Only recently, the Government of Guyana budgeted $43.3 billion for commencement of the

300-megawatt combined cycle power plant and natural gas liquids (NGL).

According to President, DrMohamed Irfaan Ali, this is a significant move forward which will allow not only for energy security, but will also see the reduction of energy costs. The cost of manufacturing and industrial development will be significantly lowered and consumers will see a substantial reduction in the cost of electricity.

This is indeed transformative and exactly what the country needs at this stage of its development. Only recently, Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo announced that the government has commenced the process of inviting interested bidders to submit proposals to finance and build the country’s first

oil refinery.

The decision, according to Dr Jagdeo, was taken in order to enhance the country’s energy security, especially against the background of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict which has taken a severe toll on the supply of oil on the world market and, as a consequence, the cost of energy.

Energy cost is an important element in production cost and any hike in energy cost is bound to impact negatively on the overall cost of living, as the current war in Ukraine has demonstrated.

As noted by the Vice-President, the emergence of Guyana’s oil industry has attracted considerable interest from across the world to build a refinery. This, he pointed out, will be

done in a measured and calibrated manner as the country has no interest in becoming the “refining capital” of the region.

The administration, according to Dr Jagdeo, is intent on avoiding a large refinery, since that would involve signing an agreement with the company for continued supply.

The PPP/C administration is fully cognisant of the fact that the window for exploiting our oil-and-gas resources is limited, but it does not follow that such exploitation will be done in a hasty and irresponsible manner, having regard to our embrace of a Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

Indeed, Guyana is ahead of most countries in terms of

its carbon footprint and its net zero carbon emissions status.

The above, notwithstanding, it would be equally irresponsible for the country not to optimise the proceeds from its new-found petroleum resources, especially given the historical underdevelopment of the country and the concomitant need to enhance the quality of life of the Guyanese people.

These are indeed transformative projects which will change the economic and social landscape of the country in deeply profound ways. For one, it will result in the creation of thousands of new jobs, in particular, high-paying jobs.

The fact is that Guyana still lags behind several countries in the region when

it comes to high-paying jobs and the establishment of petroleum and petroleum-related jobs will most likely bridge the income gap between Guyana and other countries in the region.

Guyana is on a clear path to prosperity, based on the principles of social and economic justice and equity. But in the final analysis, it is the creation of wealth and the manner in which that wealth is distributed that is the defining characteristic of a socially just society.

President Ali and the PPP/C administration are committed to the building of such a society, one in which, in the words of the President, no Guyanese, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation will be left behind.

Local democracy must be strengthened through LGEs

Dear Editor,

OUR people must live a good life, and the contributors to a worrisome environment every five years when election time comes around must soon be far removed.

Guyana welcomes the press release from retired Justice Claudette Singh, Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), indicating the readiness of the institution to host Local Government Elections by May 22, this year.

The position became evident following a recent heartening report which confirms that the Chairman and Commissioners approved the work plan recommended by the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) towards the run-off of this seriously overdue constitutional obligation.

The confirmation of the election date as notified, therefore, is likely with the approval of the Minister of Local Government, Nigel Dharamlall. Following the precedent of the minister’s

previous swift approval before legal challenges were advanced as an affront by opposition forces, one should expect no delay.

Now that GECOM has made the necessary adjustments to remove the possibly challengeable concerns, the expectations are that these elections will be held on the newly approved date. Emerging from the foregoing is a sense of keen apprehension among our citizens and interested stakeholders worthy of discussion.

One suspects that the previous signal of withdrawal from the AFC arm of the opposition would stand for fear of citizens’ rejection, given their wicked role in the March 2020 elections plot.

Concerning Aubrey Norton’s PNC/R, his participation becomes almost a ‘Force Majeure’ measure, since pulling out is likely to create a greater internal threat to his leadership position.

The likely anxieties can be attributed to many factors, including fear of failure on the opposition’s part, as

a consequence of the deep scars on the psyche of most Guyanese people caused by their dirty contributions in the March 2020 debacle.

Further, the possibility of existing remnants still in the GECOM setup is a cause for concern, in addition to unfinished matters still in the courts related to those charged for the flagrant abuse of our electoral laws.

Importantly, the opposition is aware that most of our civic-minded citizens would not ignore the persistence of blatant opposition efforts to delay the runoff of these polls.

Also worthy of critical mention in this framework is the seemingly subjective and challengeable position adopted by the Court of Appeal concerning Election Petition 88 of 2020 (being addressed at another level) and the abusive, obstructionist role of opposition commissioners at the Guyana Elections Commission that continue to attract far too much attention.

Editor, many leading players in the opposition

ranks must be contemplating at this time, the adage “when it rains it pours.” Now that the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the dangerous and dirty events surrounding the 2020 General and Regional Elections is wrapped up, there obviously will be significant uneasiness for those who played active roles from behind the scenes. Our people should not be sympathetic! If you do a crime, you should spend the time!

The recent amendments to applicable elections legislation were purposed on deterring many of the abuses at our elections. On the occasion of these LGEs, there will be an opportunity to test the efficacy or impact of some of the changes.

More importantly, the recommendations of the CoI are likely to lend the consideration of our lawmakers, critical areas of improvement that should be tackled with alacrity. As we pursue planned electoral reforms this year, the CoI’s contributions through this conditional sit-

uation analysis could not be timelier.

One key national ideal is that General and Regional Elections are compulsory every five years, and this nation must not be put at risk and our people must not allow “riggers” to put their knees on our people’s necks.

It is expected that with all these litigation and “court” issues, rigging will come to an end. However, for us to have free and fair elections, GECOM must cleanse itself and remove all the “rogue” elements.

Critically, the reforms must address an objective approach to evaluating the performance and balance of appointed GECOM commissioners.

While our Constitution regards unstable and mentally-ill conditions as an approach to removal, the specific measure is not definitive.

Consequently, the approach must be reviewed and commissioners who changed over 20 jobs must not be allowed a permanent seat at GECOM.

Commissioners at GECOM must not be allowed to sport for 28 years without any major or meaningful contributions. The Parliament must be one of the few places where our citizens can function, as long as they are elected by the people.

I wish to applaud and congratulate the efforts of the Chief Elections Officer, Mr Vishnu Persaud, who has certainly demonstrated that he is knowledgeable of the operational work of the Election Commission. Hence, the commission must put all systems in place to hold Local Government Elections now.

Our people are deserving of increased benefits from the PPP/C government’s tremendous transformation and development that is taking place in Guyana. Local democracy must be strengthened through the LGEs to facilitate a smoother transition of gains at the local authority levels.

Yours sincerely, Neil Kumar.

Lincoln Lewis seeking new audience for fallacious claims

Dear Editor, REFERENCE is made to a letter from Mr Lincoln Lewis, captioned: “Under Jagdeo’s presidency the bauxite industry self-contributing Pension Fund worth more than $2.5Billion was destroyed” (KN 2023-02-13).

Therein, Mr Lewis not only repeats previously debunked accusations about the PPP/C government’s treatment of workers in the bauxite industry, but also launches into a wide-ranging diatribe, accusing the government of racism and discrimination.

It is no secret that Mr Lewis currently finds common cause with the APNU+AFC and the contrived racialization of issues is consistent with what is evidently the political strategy of the main political opposition.

While almost all of Mr Lewis’s accusations have previously been comprehensively discredited, we are aware that

every year or so, when he revives these claims there may be people who have never noticed them before. It is for this reason that we respond.

Firstly, Mr Lewis asserts that Vice-President Jagdeo is “squatting on the people’s interest” and I think it is incumbent upon him to explain this cryptic assertion.

If he is implying as his associates in the opposition do, that the APNU+AFC “won” the last election, he should have the moral and intellectual courage to forthrightly posit this discredited position, so that we can deal with it. He should not hide behind cryptic innuendoes.

If this is not what he means, he should say what he does mean, so that people can engage him to the extent that what he says merits engagement.

Secondly, it is incumbent upon Mr Lewis to prove (not merely assert) that the Prime Minister does not function as

the Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly.

He should also give us the benefit of his expertise on Constitutional Law and to educate us on the “functions” of the First Vice-President following which he should prove that the Prime Minister does not perform those functions.

Should Mr Lewis be able to prove these two assertions, we can then proceed to treat with the unsubtle race rhetoric that is embodied in his subsequent statement that the Prime Minister “appears content to support the [alleged but unproven] constitutional violation” and all that follows.

Mr Lewis then goes on to make his oft-repeated claims that PPP/C governments have discriminated against bauxite workers, but support sugar workers.

The objective of making this comparison is obvious. Mr

Continued on page 8

Lincoln Lewis seeking new audience for fallacious...

From page 7

Lewis has been making these claims repeatedly for well over two decades. On most occasions, when he makes these accusations typically in vague and sweeping terms, there have been comprehensive, factual, and detailed responses by former Prime Minister and now Ambassador Samuel Hinds, who time and again has proven Mr Lewis to be incorrect.

However, every year or two, Mr Lewis simply re-asserts these claims, probably in the hope that he finds a new audience or that people have forgotten that his claims have been comprehensively and credibly demolished by Ambassador Hinds.

For example, please see let-

ter in the Stabroek News dated February 8, 2016, by Ambassador Hinds (The PPP/C has taken identical positions on bauxite and sugar SN2016-02-08), almost seven years ago, which thoroughly and factually refutes each and every claim repeated by Mr Lewis on bauxite today. Or more recently, the letter dated January 16, 2021, also by Ambassador Hinds (Afro-Guyanese benefited significantly under the PPP/C from 1992 to 2015 – SN2021-010-16) treating with a similar wide-ranging tirade from Mr Lewis.

In those letters former PM Hinds details the decades-long, consistent support to the bauxite industry, including the government’s assumption of responsibility for billions of dollars in debts racked up by the PNC

administration so that Linmine and Bermine, freed of these liabilities became attractive to foreign investors, government’s continued support in keeping the industry alive when certain investors pulled out, and treats with the reason that the worker’s proposal was rejected.

Despite former PM Hinds, calm, rational and detailed refutation of Mr Lewis’s sweeping, generalised accusations, it seems that Mr Lewis intends to repeat these identical claims every few years in the hope that they eventually assume some semblance of credibility merely by repetition.

One new twist in the old saga is Mr Lewis’s implication that the Granger/Nagamootoo administration was prepared to settle the issues between Rusal

and Bauxite Workers just before the 2020 Regional and General Elections.

This is a truly mind-boggling claim given that Mr Lewis on February 8, 2020, a mere three weeks before those elections publicly accused Minister Keith Scott and senior officials of the Ministry of Labour of being “a bunch of incompetent men who are working for [Rusal] against the state…”

see Stabroek News February 8, 2020 “Lewis slams Scott, other labour ministry officials for ‘incompetence’ in handling RUSAL dispute.”

In that story, Mr Lewis is reported as asserting that the PPP/C administration of Mr Donald Ramotar tried seriously to resolve the issue, but that Minister Amna Ally “ran away.”

Mr Lewis should provide proof of the change of heart on the part of the APNU+AFC government between February 8, 2020 and March 2, 2020.

He knows well that he cannot, but it does not suit his

purpose to acknowledge that his political kith did nothing in this regard to advance the interests of their political kin.

He basically is trying to say that the APNU was prepared to resolve these issues in order to say that the PPP/C isn’t, and for an inference of ethnic motivation to follow.

In doing so, Mr Lewis appears to have scant regard for the facts. Instead, his sole motive appears to be to advance a narrative of discrimination by whatever means necessary.

A similar intent is seen whereby Mr Lewis conflates the issues of union dues and collective bargaining. On the one hand, Mr Lewis alleges that support for the sugar industry allows GAWU to collect union dues and stay alive, while the government does not engage in collective bargaining with unions representing predominantly Afro-Guyanese workers.

These issues are distinct from each other. Mr Lewis does not allege that unions

with which he sympathises are not allowed to collect union dues because he cannot so do.

The conflating of these distinct issues appears designed to contrive an example of a different standard in order to advance an accusation of ethnic discrimination.

It is in this vein that the entirety of Mr. Lewis’ letter has to be contextualised and interpreted. His sole intent appears to be to allege racial discrimination and inflame passions of the Guyanese people.

I respond here not because I believe there is the slightest merit to any of his allegations, but because regrettably, fictions, repeated often enough without being countered may eventually assume the status of truth.

Yours respectfully, Hon. Oneidge Walrond, M.P Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce

Fluctuations in electricity cause of deadly Windsor Forest fire

THE Fire Department has confirmed that Sunday’s fire at Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara, which claimed the life of businessman Rajindra Mohabir, was caused by fluctuations in electricity.

According to a press release issued by the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), the fluctuations led to “arcing and sparking” at the breaker panel box which subsequently ignited nearby combustibles.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the building, located at Lot 194 Seventh

Street, Windsor Forest, also housed a grocery store and a small church.

Also affected by the blaze was a one-storey wooden building located at Lot 197 Seventh Street, Windsor Forest.

“Due to radiated heat from the building of origin, a GPL meter and two meters of PVC piping were destroyed, while a staircase and western wall were damaged. Additionally, a wooden and galvanized shed was slightly damaged, while a wooden fence located at Lot 208 Sev-

says

enth Street, Windsor Forest, was destroyed,” the release added.

Four working jets were deployed to the scene where an open water supply was used to extinguish the fire.

It was reported that the man’s wife and two sons were at home at the time of the blaze.

They managed to exit the burning building and were later rushed to the West Demerara Hospital where they received treatment for the injuries they sustained.

What was left of Rajindra Mohabir’s home after the fire

Aishalton District Hospital theatre operationalised

— 20 surgeries completed

THE Aishalton District Hospital’s theatre in Region Nine (Upper Takutu–Upper Essequibo) has been operationalised after being non-functional for several years.

Twenty surgeries have been successfully conducted to date, of which 14

were major surgeries. They were conducted by a team from the Georgetown Public Hospital during a four-day medical outreach by the Health Ministry led by Director-General, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo.

Dr Mahadeo, speaking

with the Department of Public Information (DPI), said Aishalton residents would no longer be required to travel to Lethem or Georgetown to have their surgeries done.

The director general said, “From 2021, the current PPP/C government took the decision that we will rebuild the theatre, we will get it back functioning so that persons, citizens living in this sub-region, they can benefit.

“The hospital has been renovated, is providing more services, a more modern lab with all the services that are necessary for surgeries, have a blood bank, so they have blood available, have more medicines available.” Dr Mahadeo said in 2023, mini theatres are expected to be developed at the Annai, Karasabai, and Sand Creek health facilities.

DPI spoke with a few patients who benefitted from surgeries during the outreach.

Katherine James, a resident of Aishalton expressed her gratitude to the government for bringing this service into her community.

She said, “I went under surgery for my gallstone and I am very happy that

I had it right here in my own village. I did not have to travel to Lethem or to Georgetown. I am very thankful for that… I am right here; I could go nearby to my house.”

Clerita Peters, a Crowdar resident, added, “Tonight I had two surgeries being done on me … I would like to thank the Government of Guyana so much for bringing this service this far and I would also like to see this happening in the future, because I know there are a lot of persons who need this service.”

Aishalton was not the only community that benefitted from the medical outreach as the team visited Shulinab and Shea among other areas. Services that were taken to the people included obstetrics, gynaecology, internal medicine, ophthalmology, audiology, speech therapy, and dental services.

This is the first major medical outreach by the health ministry for 2023.

Over the past year, similar outreaches were conducted in other regions as part of President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s initiative of carrying services to the people. (DPI)

Director-General at the Ministry of Health, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo Katherine James, an Aishalton resident who benefitted from the surgical outreach Surgeons performing surgery on a patient at the Aishalton District Hospital

VP Jagdeo calls out TIGI over bias, lack of credibility in reporting —

TRANSPARENCY International Guyana (TIGI) was the subject of much criticism by Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo for its lack of credibility and biased nature, particularly in the generation of its corruption reports.

The Vice-President, during an interview aired last Friday, questioned, “Does it [the report] go to their board… not just the head of the agency sends it off. Does it go to their board for discussion and if so, did that report go to their board and then shouldn’t the citizens of the country see the report that they send up secretly to Transparency International to falsely influence them?

“So, these local organisations that are biased can influence an international body that believes that they have credibility to put you to either score you higher or lower on an index. So, the indices themselves become suspect,” Dr Jagdeo said.

The report in question is the 2019 report published by TIGI during the period of the APNU+AFC government.

Dr Jagdeo said: “If TIGI has any credibility because they may want to distance, they would first of all, distance themselves from that [2019] report.”

For context, TIGI is an affiliate of the Transparency International organisation, which is dedicated to promoting transparency and accountability in government and business practices and fighting corruption.

According to research, the organisation generates its reports through a combination of research, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement.

The organisation may use various methods to gather information, including surveys, interviews with experts and stakeholders, and the examination of publicly available data and documents.

The information is then analysed to identify trends, patterns, and potential in-

questions how reports are generated

stances of corruption or lack of transparency.

Once the analysis is complete, TIGI may publish its findings in the form of reports, which outline the key issues and recommendations for improvement. The reports are meant to provide an independent and objective assessment of the situation and to inform public debate and decision-making.

However, Dr. Jagdeo, who shared his belief that the organisation is anti-PPP, pointed to instances where TIGI seems to have overlooked major corruption under the previous APNU+AFC government.

“So, we [Guyana] got scored higher on track in the APNU period on the Transparency Corruption Perception Index, because the report said they did a survey, that’s where citizens in the APNU period said there is less corruption in the government… In that period, you had at the tender board, procedures were violated, and that was the norm. That was not the exception, every tender procedure, we have tons of the sale of land.

“We now have people charged for the sale of land without any evaluation, without collecting the money that was transferred, like what Jordan did. We had the Patterson scandal with the bridge, we had a ton, and I can go on and on,” Dr Jagdeo said.

The Vice-President went on to say: “I can list 30 issues where ministers were involved in giving contracts to themselves in the ministry. [Some] $600 million missing from that, the D’Urban Park fiasco, you know, that stadium or whatever they built there. It was the norm, more citizens felt there was greater corruption in that period, yet the local TIGI office sent up a report saying that people felt the new government, the PNC government, was not corrupt, less corrupt.”

TIGI had noted that the APNU+AFC administra -

tion had released the oiland-gas contract, but on the contrary, the Vice-President noted that neither the contract nor environmental permit was made public.

The PPP/C government, on the other hand, since assuming office in August 2020 has publicly made available all the environmental permits it has issued, as well as those issued under the coalition government.

In addition, the licensing of the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels have now been made public.

“But Troy Thomas [former TIGI president] and the local TIGI report said APNU should be lauded because they released oiland-gas contracts. A lie, it’s a big lie that he told in that report. Secondly, he said about a parking meter that they reversed the parking meter. Now they were the ones you will remember, [Ronald] Bulkan approved the process moving forward.

“It was a PNC cabal in the City Council that organised this parking meter fiasco and it was approved by the minister… So, just imagine they’re taking credit for a corrupt transaction, taking credit for transparency on a corrupt transaction and this is aided and abetted by TIGI,” Dr Jagdeo said.

He also noted that under the previous administration, the secretariat of the Integrity Commission

mission, every year. I became President in 1999 from 2000, we started, the law was passed and we pushed it in place.

continue to target current government officials, exposing its biased nature.

was dismantled, thereby removing the process of public officials presenting financial statements.

“Every year we have had to submit our statements to the Integrity Com-

“Guess which years we have the gaps in, under the five years of APNU, there were three years where nobody had to submit because APNU refused to submit…. The worst period in terms of non-submission to the Integrity Commission was under the five years of APNU and the Troy Thomas and the TIGI, they said they give them credit,” Dr Jagdeo said.

Other instances of corruption during the coalition’s tenure were highlighted by the Vice- President, who noted that TIGI has failed to include such things in its report, but

“You’ll recall when Harmon was seen in a plane somewhere in China, right, flying around and people were raised, would you put that in your report with TIGI, they wanted to meet Harmon to get his explanation.

“You have one issue with a PPP minister now, and you want to bet it’s in our report. I’ve never seen Cathy Hughes who was giving contracts to herself or the Housing Minister [under APNU] was giving her husband contracts any part of our report. It’s selective, transparency,” Dr Jagdeo asserted.

Farfan & Mendes secures US$5M IDB loan

IDB Invest has signed a revolving credit facility with Guyanese firm, Farfan and Mendes (FMCG Inc.) to develop and expand its commercial and utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) energy-generation capacity.

The US$5 million loan, which has a five-year tenor, will be used finance the company’s working capital needs to advance the use of renewable energy here in Guyana.

IDB Invest’s revolving working capital facility will allow FMCG Inc. to optimise its cash-conversion cycle, strengthen the relationships within its value chain and mitigate

foreign-exchange risk by bridging the cash-flow gap between payments made to suppliers and payments received from clients.

The financing deal is aligned with Guyana’s Low-Carbon Development

Strategy 2030, which calls for the generation and usage of clean-energy resources.

It also strengthens IDB Invest’s commitment to working with the private sector to increase invest-

— to help boost capacity to generate solar power

able Development Goals, namely: No Poverty (SDG 1), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9) and Climate Action (SDG 13).

ments in renewable energy iin Guyana and across Latin America and the Caribbean, driving action on climate change.

The project is expected to contribute to five of the United Nations’ Sustain-

Farfan and Mendes is an industry leader in providing equipment and services to various sectors, including agriculture, forestry, renewable energy, oil and gas, and mining. Since its establishment in 1967, the company has been at the forefront of technology adoption, and has successfully adapted to market changes through diversification as a busi-

ness model. Its partnerships with leading companies such as Crosbie Group, Soventix Caribbean and Concrete Canvas etc. have enabled it to offer a wide range of products and services to clients. Through the company’s Sustainability Strategy, and a proven track record of success, Farfan and Mendes is helping to realise the Low-Carbon Development Strategy ambition that renewables will account for over 70 per cent of installed generation capacity by 2040 in Guyana.

Teen motorcyclist dies after crashing into truck at Little Alliance

A POPULAR Region Two electrician is currently in police custody after the truck he was driving was involved in an accident which claimed the life of an 18-year-old motorcyclist.

Dead is Nylon Gittens of Lot 49, Henrietta, Essequibo Coast, Region Two.

The accident occurred around 11:39hrs on Sunday at Little Alliance and involved motor lorry GTT 4207, which is owned by the electrician.

According to a police report, the driver of the motor lorry was proceeding north along the western driving lane at a normal rate of speed, while the motorcyclist was proceeding in the same direction.

The police statement said that while the teenager was attempting to overtake the lorry, he pulled the motorcycle back onto the western side of the said road to avoid an oncoming vehicle. In the process of doing so, he collided with the rear-side portion of the motor lorry and

fell onto the road side.

As a result, the teen sustained multiple injuries to his body. He was picked up by a passerby and rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where he succumbed around 18:35hrs.

Meanwhile, sister of the deceased, Nadasia Gittens, told this publication that the family received a call around 13:00hrs from the teen’s girlfriend informing them of the

accident.

She said that her brother had just dropped off a cousin at Supenaam and was returning home at the time of the accident.

Gittens said that her brother who worked as a security guard was the sole breadwinner of their family.

Relatives told this publication that they were told that following the accident, the truck driver drove off without rendering any assistance to the injured teen. They said that they are hurt by his actions and are fearful that his alleged police connections would prevent them from getting justice.

Gittens said that relatives visited the scene and found two helmets which were subsequently handed over to the police.

The deceased was described as a hard-working young man. He was the only son for his parents. His father passed away two years ago. His body is currently at the Suddie Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

Nylon Gittens

Barima-Mora Passage findings to be animated for school-aged children

By Naomi Parris

WITH the aim of educating Guyanese youths about the country’s vast ecosystems, the Guyana Marine Conservation Society (GMCS) will be animating its findings from a recent survey conducted in one of Guyana’s mangrove ecosystems, the Barima-Mora Passage in Region One (Barima-Waini).

In a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Annette Arjoon-Martins, who heads the GMCS, highlighted that the Barima-Mora Passage is one of the most intact mangrove ecosystems to be found in the country.

In fact, its population stretches beyond mangroves, as it is home to a number of wildlife species, rich biodiversity and Indigenous culture.

was able to publish 5,000 books on the Barima-Mora, which were distributed to several schools in the Region One.

The book was written by two young marine biologists, Felicia Collins and Sarah Singh.

“The Barima-Mora Passage book was written by these two young female marine biologists, and we printed 5,000 copies, which are the foundational pillar in the environmental education programme, because these are distributed to all the primary schools in the Barima-Mora Passage, and also the two secondary schools in Region One,” Arjoon-Martins said.

She noted that while the book exists, the aim is to create another medium to relate to children.

“While the kids would have had the books, we are

“So, every two months, we will go there with a new animated chapter, so that way the kids could be excited about seeing the animations, and seeing the mangroves and the crabs. Right now, we are shaping the main characters for the animations,” Arjoon-Martins said.

In addition to animation, GMCS will also provide children with the opportunity to explore the Barima-Mora Passage with the use of kid-friendly drones.

“We have purchased some kid-friendly drones, where we will be using them as an incentive to have the kids prepare themselves to answer the most questions correct about the mangrove ecosystems, and then their reward would be how to learn to the fly the drones,” she added.

Meanwhile, to widen its

In 2021, GMCS commenced a study in collaboration with a few environmental allies. The focus was mammalian biodiversity, and involved the monitoring of the medium and large-bodied mammals that live in the area.

The Barima-Mora Passage Mammals Survey (BMPMS) was a historical one, as it covered an area in Guyana that had never before been studied for its biodiversity.

Arjoon-Martins stated that after a successful survey, GMCS, through its environmental awareness programme and several collaborations,

animating every chapter, and the reason we have chosen to animate every chapter is because the Ministry of Education has installed very large television screens in each classroom in these primary schools. We thought that rather than go and share out posters and hand out brochures, let’s just get the animation to make learning fun and interesting for the kids,” the conservationist said.

GMCS is collaborating with Lance Hinds, of Brain Street, to shape the characters for the first animation, which is scheduled to be completed by March.

reach, every animated episode created by GMCS will be shared with the Guyana Learning Channel.

“All of the material that we produce will be shared with Guyana’s learning channel, so all of the kids in Guyana’s other regions that have access to the ‘Learning Channel’ will be seeing and learning from our animated series.

“So, we have partnered with our Ministry of Education to ensure that any content that we produce will be shared with the learning channels which will allow for a wider national audience,” Arjoon-Martin said.

The Barima-Mora Passage mangrove forest

This jaguar was spotted in the Barima-Mora Passage during a biodiversity survey in the area (GMCS Photos)

Over 7, 500 persons used ‘Ferry Pass’ online ticket booking

SINCE the launch of the Transport and Harbours Department’s (T&HD) online ticket-booking service, Ferry Pass, over 7,500 vehicle owners have utilised the service.

The platform, which costs some $6.8 million, was developed by the local technology company V75 Inc, and launched in October 2022.

It aims to mitigate issues encountered by ferry passengers as they relates to securing a place on the vessels.

In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Founding Director and CEO of V75 Inc, Eldon Marks, highlighted how the platform works and how many users were captured utilising the

app.

“On the web interface, we have applied Google Analytics, and it’s been tracking the traffic that comes through the ferrypass.gy since it launched. This shows a live readout of users or usage of the Ferry Pass system. Twenty-six users per minute are interacting with the ferry pass making bookings and looking at future bookings. “I reported on the 5th of October, when it was launched to January 4th and we see that 13,000 users have hit up the site. The Parika to Supenaam route from the 5th of October shows the vehicles that have been booked and recorded that have paid via MMG and we see across the various classes it has been 7500 vehicles,” he said.

Marks noted that the interface of ‘Ferry Pass’ is simple to use and has a system manifest that allows T&HD staff to see all the departures as per the schedule and identify other reports, such as how many individuals were booked per departure, and it gives a great collection of data.

“It also enables workers of T&HD to see future bookings ahead of time and the recorded number of passengers booked versus reserved, the recorded numbers of vehicles booked, and the various classes of vehicles boarded,” he said.

Meanwhile, Marks said the ‘Ferry Pass’ project captures the essence of ‘software with an impact’ as he highlighted the importance of public-private partner-

ship.

“The idea with the public-private partnership in this particular case is that within the private sector, there is a specialist and those specialists are knowledge workers and they are able to exercise the competence that they bring to the trade and that when married with a vision brought forth by the government, can do wondrous things for the population. So, this is why we believe public-private partnerships are crucial to the advancement of any society,” he said.

The online booking platform will soon offer other payment options such as credit and debit payments, for smoother, cash-free transactions. (DPI)

Eldon Marks, founding director and CEO of V75 Inc

Global food prices decline further in January — FAO report shows cereal supplies still likely to tighten in 2023

THE benchmark index of international food commodity prices declined in January for the 10th consecutive month, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reported last Friday.

The FAO Food Price Index averaged 131.2 points in January, 0.8 per cent lower than the previous month and 17.9 per cent below its peak reached in March 2022.

The index tracks monthly changes in the international prices of commonly-traded food commodities. The price indices for vegetable oils, dairy and sugar drove the January decline, while those for cereals and meat remained largely stable.

In January, the FAO Cereal Price Index was essentially unchanged (up a mere 0.1 per cent) from December and stood 4.8 per cent above its level of one year earlier. International wheat prices declined by 2.5 per cent as production in Australia and the Russian Federation outpaced expectations.

World maize prices rose marginally due to strong demand for exports from Brazil and concerns over dry conditions in Argentina. International rice prices, however, jumped by 6.2 per cent from December, influenced by tighter availabilities, strong local demand in some Asian exporting countries and exchange rate movements.

The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index declined by 2.9 per cent in January. World prices of palm and soy oils dropped amid subdued global import demand, while those of sunflowerseed and rapeseed oils declined due to ample export availabilities.

The FAO Dairy Price Index averaged 1.4 per cent lower than in December, with prices trending down for butter and milk powders on lighter demand from leading importers and increased supplies from New Zealand. World cheese prices rose slightly, driven by a recovery in food services and retail sales in Western Europe following the New Year holiday, as well as currency movements.

The FAO Meat Price Index moved fractionally in January (edging down just 0.1 per cent from December), as ample export availabilities weighed on poultry, pig and bovine meat prices , while ovine export prices rose due to stronger import demand.

The FAO Sugar Price Index dropped by 1.1 per cent from December. Strong harvest progress in Thailand and favourable weather conditions in Brazil outweighed the impact on prices due to concerns over lower crop yields in India, higher gasoline prices in Brazil, which support demand for ethanol, as well as the Brazilian real’s appreciation against the United States dollar.

CEREAL SUPPLY STILL SEEN TIGHTENING IN 2023

In its new Cereal Supply and Demand Briefy the FAO raised its forecast for world cereal production in 2022; however, global cereal supplies are still forecast to tighten in 2023.

Global cereal output in 2022 is now forecast at 2,765 million tonnes, or 1.7 per cent below the 2021 outturn. Upward revisions for Australia and the Russian Federation now point to a record global output for wheat in 2022, while total coarse grains production is expected to decline by 3.3 per cent from the previous year.

The forecast for world rice production was revised downward as lower-than-expected output in China more than offset upward revisions for Bangladesh and several other countries. As a result, global rice output is now predicted to decline by 2.6 per cent from its all-time high in 2021.

Looking ahead to 2023,

States of America, driven mostly by elevated wheat prices. However, high fertilizer costs may affect application rates with adverse implications for yields.

as standing water from the 2022 floods is causing less hindrance than initially anticipated.

early indications point to likely area expansions for winter wheat cropping in the northern hemisphere, especially in the United

Low domestic prices could result in a small cutback in wheat plantings in the Russian Federation, the world’s largest exporter, while severe war-induced impacts in Ukraine are estimated to reduce winter wheat area plantings by 40 per cent. Record plantings are forecast in India, spurred by high market and support prices, and relatively high plantings are projected in Pakistan

In the southern hemisphere countries, most of the 2023 coarse grain crops have been sown. Brazil may post record maize plantings, while those in Argentina could decrease due to low soil moisture levels. Weather conditions augur well for maize yield prospects in South Africa.

World cereal utilization in 2023 is now forecast to drop by 0.7 per cent from the previous year, to amount to 2,779 million tonnes, with the

total utilization of maize predicted to decline, while wheat use increases and rice utilization changes little year-on-year.

The forecast for world cereal stocks is pegged at 844 million tonnes at the end of the marketing year, pushing down the world stock-to-use ratio for 2022/2 to 29.5 per cent.

In its new brief, FAO predicts international trade in cereals in 2023 to decline by 1.7 per cent from the previous year’s record level to 474 million tonnes. (FAO)

9th Annual Milo...

CONTINUED FROM BACKPAGE

Annandale Secondary, Ann’s Grove Secondary, Golden Grove Secondary and President’s College are the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) teams invited from the East Coast of Demerara, with the East Bank Schools being St. Cuthbert’s Secondary and Dora Secondary.

Region five (Mahaica-Berbice) will see Bush Lot Secondary and Bygeval Secondary in action, with Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) seeing Berbice Educational Institution, Canje Secondary, Berbice

High, New Amsterdam Secondary and Manchester Secondary at play.

Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni)’s ‘invite’ went to Bartica Secondary, with Linden’s Christiansburg/Wismar Secondary and Mackenzie Secondary both representing Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

For Georgetown, the list includes: The Bishops’ High School, Carmel Secondary, Charlestown Secondary, North Ruimveldt Sec-

ondary, Cummings Lodge Secondary, East Ruimveldt Secondary, Chase Academy, Morgan’s Learning Centre, Marian Academy, New Central High School, St. Joseph’s High, Dolphin Secondary, Tucville Secondary, Queen’s College, St. Stanislaus College, Lodge Secondary, West Ruimveldt Secondary, Freeburg Secondary, St. Winefride’s Secondary, St. John’s Secondary and Queenstown Secondary.

Chase anchors Windies to...

CONTINUED FROM BACKPAGE

in a position where I had to come out and look for runs right away.

“That’s out of my game plan and strategy, but this game, I really had the opportunity to go out there and play my natural game, and play to my strengths.”

Chase said he hoped the Windies could extend their lead well past 200, which will put them in a far better position to try to force a win over the remaining three days, weather permitting.

“I am happy with the position that we are in, but it could be better,” he said. “We are still leading the game, and I feel if we can carry the total up to 350 that would give us a significant lead, and it will be enough to bowl out Zimbabwe in the second innings.

“I do not think we will need as much time (to get a result) because the pitch is offering a lot more to the bowlers, and I think it will be in a position where we can prise out the batsmen a little easier, so I think we should still be positioned

ZIMBABWE 1st Innings 115 West Indies 1st Innings

(overnight 133 for four)

*K Brathwaite lbw b Masakadza 7

T Chanderpaul c Tiripano b Mavuta 36

R Reifer run out 53

J Blackwood c Nyauchi b Mavuta 22

K Mayers c Masakadza b Mavuta 30

R Chase b Nyauchi 70

+J Da Silva b Nyauchi 44

J Holder not out 3

for a win in this game.”

Former West Indies captain Jason Holder, not out on three, will carry the bulk of the responsibility for scoring on the third day, but tailender Gudakesh Motie, not out on 11, has proven that he is no mug with the bat when playing for Guyana Harpy Eagles in the West Indies Championship.

Only batting bunny Shannon Gabriel remains after this pair.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(TUESDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2023)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 GARNETT STREET, CAMPBELLVILLE, GEORGETOWN (TEL: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) 49 players

(2) 48 players

Today’s Quiz:

(1) What was the result of the first Test of the current WI/ZIM series?

(2) Who was declared Man of the Match?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

A Joseph c Makoni b Nyauchi 4 G Motie not out 11 Extras (lb3, w2, nb5) 10

TOTAL (8 wkts, 90.4 overs)

290

To bat: S. Gabriel Fall of wickets : 1-13, 2-86, 3-117, 4-124, 5-184, 6-269, 7-270, 8-274.

Bowling: Nyauchi 16.4-1-56-3; Masakadza 20-5-58-1; Chivanga

13-0-57-0 (w1, nb4); Tiripano

13-2-26-0 (w1, nb1); Mavuta

24-3-73-3; Shumba 4-0-17-0

Chase shared 60 with Mayers for the fifth wicket after the visitors stumbled to 133 for four at the close on the previous evening.

But left-hander Mayers, like all before him, paid for careless batting and was caught at mid-wicket from a miscued pull. Chase and da Silva carried West Indies to 236 for five at lunch, and continued from where they left off after the interval to put on 85 for the sixth wicket.

The wicket of Chase signalled the refreshments break and the first interruption for rain that lasted almost 2-1/2 hours.

In the second over after the resumption, the Windies lost two wickets to Nyauchi when Da Silva was bowled playing forward, and Alzarri Joseph was caught at mid-wicket for four from a miscued pull, leaving Holder and Motie to bat out another 25 balls before the adverse weather ended play early.

The two-Test series is level 0-0, after the first Test that ended last Wednesday at the same venue was drawn.

09:05 hrs Silver Mensa

09:40 hrs Duke Of Rain

10:10 hrs Meridius

10:40 hrs Smith And Wesson

American Racing Tips Turf Paradise

Race 1 High Gunner

Race 2 The Ginger Queen

South Africa Racing Tips

Race 3 Catchme At Thelake Race 4 And I Know

IOC president Thomas Bach (REUTERS) - International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said his organisa -

IOC not on wrong side of history over Russia, says Bach

tion is not on the wrong side of history after opening the door for Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in next year’s Summer Games in Paris.

The IOC received a backlash after setting out a

Rodrigues, Ghosh guide India home over Pakistan

Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh have helped India make a winning start to their T20 World Cup push after a tense contest against

neighbours Pakistan in Cape Town.

Needing 41 from the last four overs at Newlands on Sunday, this group B match

between the traditional rivals was on a knife edge until the pair began to profit from some wayward bowling and several fielding mistakes.

Ghosh then clattered three successive fours off Aiman Anwer to swing the pendulum towards India, while Rodrigues went on to seal a seven-wicket win with an over to spare by driving Fatima Sana for her eighth four.

That took Rodrigues past her half-century as she finished unbeaten on 53 from 38 balls, while 19-year-old Ghosh contributed 31 off 20 deliveries in an unbroken 58run stand.

Radha Yadav had earlier taken 2-21 as Pakistan were restricted to 4-149 after winning the toss, with captain Bismah Maroof anchoring the innings as she finished on 68no from 55 balls.

Ayesha Naseem clattered two fours and two sixes in her unbeaten 43 from 25 balls in an unbroken 81-run stand that added some late impetus but their total ultimately proved insufficient.

path last month for athletes of both countries to earn slots for the Olympics through Asian qualifying and to compete as neutrals, with no flags or anthems.

Athletes from Russia and its neighbour Belarus have been banned from many international competitions in the wake of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine a year ago.

In a letter to Bach last week, Ukrainian athletes said the IOC was “on the wrong side of history” after Bach had urged Ukraine to drop threats of a boycott.

When asked if the IOC was on the wrong side of history, Bach told reporters on Sunday: “No, history will

show who is doing more for peace. The ones who try to keep lines open, to communicate, or the ones who want to isolate or divide.

“We’re trying to find a solution that is giving justice to the mission of sport, which is to unify, not to contribute to more confrontation, more escalation.”

Lithuania’s sports minister said on Friday a group of 35 countries, including the United States, Germany and Australia, will demand Russian and Belarusian athletes are banned from the 2024 Olympics.

Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin was quoted

as saying by TASS news agency that the calls were “absolutely unacceptable”.

Bach, speaking at the Alpine skiing world championships in Courchevel, France, said the IOC stood in “solidarity” with Ukraine’s athletes.

“With every Ukrainian athlete, we can from a human point of view understand their reactions, we share their suffering,” he said.

“Every Ukrainian athlete can be rest assured that we are standing in full solidarity with them and that all their comments are taken very, very seriously into consideration.”

Matthews,

WEST Indies Captain Hayley Matthews and former West Indies All-rounder

Deandra Dottin were the only two West Indian players sold at the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) player auction at the JIO Convention Centre in Mumbai on Monday.

The WPL is the Women’s version of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and will run between March 4 and March 26.

The first edition will feature five teams: Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Mumbai

Dottin

selected in inaugural WPL player auction

Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz.

Matthews, currently representing the regional side at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa where she made 44 in their opener against England, was sold to the Mumbai Indians for US$49,000.

Dottin, who retired from international cricket in 2022 after representing the West Indies 143 ODIs and 127 T20Is since her international debut in 2008, went to the Gujarat Giants for US$73,000.

Opener Smriti Mandhana was the most expensive Indian player, going to the Royal Challengers Bangalore for US$415,000.

England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt and Australia’s Ash Gardner both went for US$390,000 to the Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants, respectively, to share the tag of most expensive overseas player.

Leg-spinner Afy Fletcher and pacer Shamilia Connell were the West Indians among the list of unsold players. (Sportsmax)

Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh embrace after sealing victory.

Hosts South Africa boost hopes with thrashing of New Zealand

HOSTS South Africa revived their T20 World Cup hopes with a thumping 65-run victory over New Zealand in Paarl.

Both sides were beaten in their opening match and knew a second successive defeat would realistically end their chances of reaching the semi-finals.

South Africa reached 132-6 from their 20 overs, helped by a gutsy 40 from 34 balls by Chloe Tryon.

The White Ferns batting lineup crumbled in reply as they were bowled out for just 67 in the 19th over.

Nonkululeko Mlaba was the pick of the South Africa bowlers, taking 3-10, with only three New Zealand players making double figures.

A second successive heavy

loss leaves New Zealand bottom of Group 1 with a poor net run-rate, meaning they need to beat Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in their remaining matches by huge margins to have any chance of reaching the last four.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat the hosts made a poor start, losing opener Tazmin Brits for one off the bowling of Eden Carson in the first over.

Lea Tahuhu then took the key wickets of Laura Wolvaardt for 13 and Marizanne Kapp for nine either side of skipper Sane Luus being run out for 22 to leave the Proteas reeling on 55-4.

However, a battling 47-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Tyron and Nadine de Klerk, who scored 28 not out from 26 balls, lifted them up to a competi-

tive score.

New Zealand lost opener Bernadine Bezuidenhout for a duck from the second ball of their reply and never recovered, with wickets falling frequently and cheaply.

Captain Sophie Devine, who usually opens but was dropped down to five, top-scored with 16 and her dismissal ended any faint hopes of a New Zealand victory.

New Zealand are next in action against Bangladesh at Newlands in Cape Town on Friday. South Africa face holders Australia in Gqeberha the following day.

‘It’s embarrassing’ - reaction

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine: “Firstly, credit has to go to South Africa. They completely outplayed us. To be honest, it’s embarrassing.

“We’ve trained hard, put in all the work behind the scenes and then to come out and perform like that two games in a row is simply not good enough in international cricket.

“It was a competitive score but we always have the belief that we can chase down any score. We’re going to have some looks in the

mirror and some harsh discussions.”

South Africa captain Sune Luus: “The spinners did a brilliant job. The seamers supported them as well and finished the job off. It was a brilliant bowling performance by the whole team.

“Chloe Tryon - what a legend.

To come back tonight and show her class was absolutely brilliant.”

Player of the match, South Africa’s Chloe Tryon: “After the first match, we knew what needed to come. We knew it was do or die from here on in. we knew how important this game was.

“We just went back to the basics, worked in partnerships and everything worked well.”(BBC Sport)

Guadeloupe, Haiti lose openers at CONCACAF U17 Championships

COSTA Rica edged Guadeloupe 2-1 and El Salvador beat Haiti 3-1 in CONCACAF U17 Championships in Guatemala on Sunday.

The Ticos jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first half courtesy of Sean Albriton in the fifth minute and Andry Naranjo in the 14th but Les Gwada Boys made things interesting with a Yanis Bienville goal in the 53rd cut the gap to 2-1.

In the end, though, the Costa Rican

defense got the job done to earn the win.

Meanwhile, in Group H, the Estadio Pensativo in Antigua was the site for the games in Group H where El Salvador overcame an early deficit to down Haiti 3-1.

Kaief Tomlison gave Haiti an early 1-0 lead in the 12th minute, but El Salvador stormed back thanks to a Christopher Argueta brace (39’, 63’) before Elder Figueroa tacked on a late insurance goal in the 86.(Sportsmax)

Ex-England captain Eoin Morgan retires from cricket aged 36

FORMER England captain

Eoin Morgan has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The 36-year-old, who was born in Dublin, stepped down from the international game in June.

Under Morgan’s guidance, England won the World Cup in 2019 and reached the top of the one-day and Twenty20 rankings.

Morgan said on Monday that he was retiring from the sport “after much deliberation”.

‘Morgan an immortal of English sport’

“I believe that now is the right time to step away from the game that has given me so much over the years,” he added.

“From moving to England in 2005 to join Middlesex, right up to the very end, playing for Paarl Royals in SA20, I have cherished every moment.

“Thanks to cricket, I have been able to travel the world and meet incredible people, many of whom I have developed lifelong friendships with. Playing for franchise teams across the globe has given me so many memories that I will hold on to forever.”

Morgan, who made 275 appearances for Middlesex across all formats, scoring 8,913 runs, also captained

London Spirit in The Hundred as well as Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.

After starting his international career with Ireland in 2006, he switched allegiance in 2009 in order to play Test cricket.

While he played 16 Tests, Morgan’s strength was in the white-ball game. He was part of England’s 2010 T20 World Cup win before taking charge of that side in 2012 and the one-day team two years later, succeeding Sir Alastair Cook.

His first tournament as ODI captain, the 2015 World Cup, was disappointing, with En -

gland failing to make it to the knock-out stages, but proved the catalyst for a revival which culminated in the super-over success against New Zealand at Lord’s four years later.

Morgan captained England in a record 126 ODIs and 72 T20s and remains their leading run-scorer in one-day cricket with 6,957, while he is second in the T20 standings behind current captain Jos Buttler.

He paid tribute to family and friends for their “unconditional” support over his career and says he will now focus on his broadcasting career at international and franchise tournament.(BBC Sport)

Eoin Morgan led England to the top of the one-day and T20 world rankings

Nagasar edges out Banwarie, 22-19,

for GCUC Presidency

HELD on Sunday at the world-famous Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) pavilion, the Bi-Annual General Meeting and Elections of the Guyana Cricket Umpires Council (GCUC) commenced just after 10:00 hrs, and concluded after 13:00 hrs.

A fairly large gathering of delegates from Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo turned out to cast their votes for a new Executive body of the GCUC, which was formed in 1971.

When the ballots were completed, Essequibian Dawcha Nagasar, who took over as Acting President after Shannon Crawford resigned from the post, edged out President of the Demerara Cricket Umpires Association (DCUA) Ryan Banwarie, 22-19. Nagasar, who will serve as GCUC President for the next two years, thanked all the members for their continued support, and welcomed all

the members who were elected to the executive.

“Although an executive has been elected, I would like all the umpires to be involved in the decision-making process, through their respective Associations, for there is a lot of work to be done,” Nagasar said, adding:

“The GCUC’s interests and business come first, and, as such, we must come together and be prepared to make sacrifices, and be available to serve the GCUC, for this is the only way the Association will move forward.”

A Motion was passed by a majority vote to change the name of the entity to reflect the Council’s responsibility to incorporate Scorers and Match Referees but President Nagasar, who also served as Secretary during the last term, which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, said that the present name will be used until the new one is registered.

The following individuals were elected as officer bearers: Dawcha Nagasar, President; Berbician Zaheer Moakan, Vice-president; and Moses Rampaul, Honorary Secretary. Treasurer Javed Persaud retained his spot, unopposed, and now has the distinction of having served in that position for eight consecutive

years, or four two-year terms. The Asst. Secretary/Treasurer is Ingram Johnson, while the Committee Members are: Chaitnarine Persaud; Trava ValaidumRitney; Zaber Zakhir; and Stephon Joshia. Sean Devers was elected as the Public Relations Officer.

GFF/Blue Water girls’ football ‘tourney’ underway

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) officially launched the Blue Water U15 Girls’ Development League in Linden, Region 10, with two dynamic games between Wisburg Secondary School, Mackenzie High School, and Christianburg-Wismar Secondary School last Friday.

The afternoon’s games were held on the Wisburg Secondary School’s pitch in Wismar, and attended by students, teachers, parents and residents. A total of eight secondary schools in Linden jumped at the chance to be a part of the Blue Water U15 Girls’ Development League, which was launched in Georgetown in May 2022.

“It’s fantastic to see, on the first day, we have all the schools out here; I am also happy that the spectators came out. The launch

has been a tremendous success; we are happy to see the support from the community, as we seek to ensure football is accessible

Joseph.

He added: “All of the head-teachers we have spoken to liked the idea; they have been

the support of the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport created the league to promote football

with the aim of developing young talent for the national teams, and to give coaches and match officials more opportunities on and off the pitch.

Nikita Wayne, of Wisburg Secondary School, said her team, the Wisburg Epic Stars, “came together in training, and everybody put their best foot forward”. They defeated Mackenzie High School Spaniards Team Two, 4 – 0, in the opening game.

The second match between Mackenzie High School Spaniards Team One and Christianburg- Wismar Secondary School’s team, the Multi Red Dragons, ended in a nil-nil draw.

to girls in Linden,” said GFF Acting Technical Director Bryan

waiting for something like this.”

GFF and Blue Water, with

development amongst girls in communities across Guyana,

Lois Moseley, Christianburg-Wismar Secondary School’s Acting Headmaster praised the league for giving young girls in Linden a platform that promotes health and

discipline.

“I really think it’s a great initiative. One of the things I admire most about it is that it really helps to keep them focused, because, as we all know, an active body keeps an active mind,” she said.

She added that many of the girls have never played football before, but the league is giving them an opportunity to develop a new skill.

“We will try to see how many practice sessions we can put in to try and develop their skills,” Ms. Moseley promised.

GFF President Wayne Forde, and the Council are committed to elevating women’s football through the identification of new talent and creation of strategic developmental programmes, including the Blue Water U15 League.

MVP Sports supports Jefford’s resuscitation of Golden Mile

GUYANA’s leading sports apparel and fitness conglomerate, MVP Sports, has announced that it will be supporting the latest venture of the Jefford Track and Field Classic organisation to rebrand and resuscitate the historic Golden Mile.

The Jefford Classic Mile, as the event is being called, is scheduled to be held around the circuit of the National Park on Sunday, March 12, and promises to be entertaining and competitive, and feature Guyana’s leading middle-distance athletes.

“Jefford has created an impressive list of successful sports events over the years, and we believe that this one will be no different. MVP Sports wants to ensure that we are visible at what will be a great showcase of local athlet-

ics talent,” Managing Director Ian Ramdeo said.

MVP Sports, which is housed at the Giftland and Amazonia Malls, will sponsor the Under-20 Male and Female categories of the race, as well as Gift Vouchers, which will be presented to the Under-14 Male and Female categories of the Jefford Classic Mile.

Founder of the Jefford Track and Field Classic, Edison Jefford said that the venture is largely about resuscitating a prestigious platform for middle-distance athletes, and that each category of athletics should have a signature event.

“There should always be a platform for each category of athletics, where the crème de la crème, or the best athletes in that segment is showcased. The South American 10km

Road Race does that for distance athletes, but there is no signature event for the middle-distance athletes, following the absence of the Golden Mile for some years,” Jefford said.

“The aim is to fill this gap, while resuscitating a prestigious and historic event. We want to bring this back with a lot of hype, which means that the atmosphere and environment must be the best for the athletes, since it’s all about them,” he added.

According to the mastermind behind the venture, all the funding for the event will be given to the athletes, so as to offset marketing and administrative costs. He said that the activity is largely developmental, and as such is asking stakeholders to continue to contribute to its success.

“We have written the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and National Sports Commission (NSC) to jump on board this event to help us. I am confident that they will support this venture, just as the Athletics Association is giving us their full support,” Jefford said.

He thanked MVP Sports for their efforts, stating that the participants will welcome their support. MVP Sports was recently recognised for its Corporate and Social Responsibility at the National Sports Awards 2023 in the category of “Corporate Sponsor (small)”.

The company specialises in providing high- quality fitness and athletic apparel like Nike, Under Armour, Sketchers, Puma and Adidas for men, ladies and children.

Managing Director of MVP Sports, Ian Ramdeo (left) makes his contribution to the resuscitation of the Golden Mile to Edison Jefford at the Giftland Mall Store

Standing, from left, are: President Dawcha Nagasar, Vice-President Zaheer Moakan, and other members of the GCUC Executive

Part of the action last Friday at the Wisburg Secondary School ground

9th Annual Milo Schools Football Tournament launched

--Forty-eight schools across nine districts drafted

Standing from left are: GFF Marketing Officer Keiran Williams; Adviser to the Education Ministry Africo Selman; Nestle Senior Business Unit Manager, MASSY distribution, Teisha Milner; MASSY Group CEO Navin Thakur; COO Troy Beharry; PETRA Co-director Troy Mendonca; and Executive Officer Jacklyn Boodie

By Stephan Sookram

THE ninth edition of the annual Milo Schools U18 Football tournament was launched on Monday with a total of 48 schools across the country invited to participate. Launched at the Massy Group’s Montrose facility, the tournament is set to commence on February 25, and conclude at the end of April.

According to PETRA organisation, the tournament has come a long way from its initial stages of being a ‘Georgetown only’ event.

The organisers’ co-director Troy Mendonca contended that it has always been a dream of the body to expand the reaches of the tournament, hence the inclusion of various

teams across Guyana.

“We think that it has played a part in the development of the sport in this country; we can attest to this by all of the youngsters that have played senior national football in this Country and their camaraderie,” he said.

Keran Williams, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Marketing Officer said, “This tournament has meant a lot to young people across this country, and we have seen the talent coming through this programme.”

He extended thanks to the title sponsor, Milo, and the parent company, the Massy Group, for their support of the tournament.

Adviser to the Education Ministry Africo Selman, in her remarks noted, “To the teams that will be contesting, I

wish to, at this early time, take the opportunity to remind them that both victory and failure can encourage you to do better.”

Meanwhile, Tournament title sponsor, MILO, through Teisha Milner Nestle senior Business Unit Manager MASSY distribution, explained that the company is always happy to support the event.

“Milo is a world-leading chocolate brand beverage; Milo products offer essential vitamins and minerals, and have been associated with sports and sporting activities,” it said.

Meanwhile, only 32 of the invited 48 teams will move on to the main tournament, with an elimination tournament to determine which teams move forward.

Chase anchors Windies to healthy lead on second day of Zimbabwe Test

The winner of the tournament is guaranteed $300,000 to a project of their choice, with $200,000 going to the second place, and $100,000 to the third place school.

From Region one (Barima-Waini), Santa Rosa Secondary is the lone team invited, with Region two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) invitations extended to 8th of May and Cotton Field Secondary Schools.

Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) invitees include Uitvlugt Secondary, Vergenogen Secondary, Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary, Westminster Secondary, Stewartville Secondary, Patentia Secondary and West Demerara Secondary.

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, (CMC) – Roston Chase got some of his groove back with a resolute half-century, but an attempt by West Indies to forge ahead against Zimbabwe in the second Test on Monday was again thwarted by their opponents tenacity and fickle weather.

Chase has top scored so far for the Windies with 70, and when rain stopped play for the second time about 45 minutes before the scheduled close on the second day at the Queens Sports Club, the Caribbean side were 290 for eight, a first innings lead of 165.

The Barbadian slow bowling all-rounder shared successive half-century stands with compatriot Kyle Mayers and wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua da Silva to fortify the Caribbean side’s grip on the match.

Da Silva scored 44 and Mayers made 30, but they were two of four wickets that West Indies conceded during the 49.4 overs of play that were possible on the day.

Pacer Victor Nyauchi ended play with 3-56 from 16.4 overs, and leg-spinner Brandon Mavuta supported with 3-73 from 24 overs, both the personification of the the Zimbabweans displayed with purposeful bowling.

This was the highest of the four half-centuries Chase has scored since his unbeaten 102 in a losing cause against England three years ago at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia.

For a period of time last year, he had lost his place in the Test side, but the selection panel felt anyone with five Test hundreds and the ability to bowl steady off-spin was worth the punt, and he regained his place in recent months.

Chase spent almost four hours at the crease and struck only four fours and one six from 132 balls in an effort to consolidate the hold the visitors have on the match before he drove at a delivery from Nyauchi that moved back and was bowled in the fifth over with the second new ball.

“Obviously, I was looking for a century, but I thought my mindset was still in an old ball mindset, and the new ball tends to do a bit more, so I thought it was a bit disappointing on my end, but it was a good delivery from the bowler and credit must go to him,” he told reporters after play.

“I was a bit disappointed not being able to convert to a hundred, but I was happy that I was still able to get a decent score… It’s always a good feeling to get a good score, I didn’t get much in the last game because I was

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