Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 14-10-2022

Massive boost to water supply

THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), on Thursday, signed contracts valuing $8.5 billion for the construction of seven new water-treatment plants across Guy ana’s coast.

Three companies were awarded those contracts for the pro ject which will benefit over 100,000 persons.

This project falls under GWI’s Wa ter Treatment In frastructure Pro

gramme, which is part of a bigger vision to provide 90 per cent treated water access to the coast by 2025.

The latest initia tive will see water treatment plants be ing constructed at

Onderneeming in Region Two; Parika, Wales and Lust en Rust in Region Three, and Caledonia, Cum mings Lodge and Bachelor’s Adventure in Region Four.

The Botanical Gardens ‘came alive,’ on Thursday to the sound of the trombone, saxophone, clarinet, drum, flute and other musical instruments played by members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Band (Elvin Croker photo)

Approximately $1B spent so far on Demerara Harbour Bridge repairs

By Naomi Parris

MINISTER of Public Works, Juan Edghill, has said that just around $1 billion has been expended so far on repairs to the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB), which was severely damaged when a marine vessel crashed into the structure that links the East Bank of Demerara to the ‘west side.’

The minister, in an invit ed comment, said that while such a hefty sum has already been expended, there is still “much more” to be done be fore the bridge could be fully operable.

“We are working on it, it is nowhere near finished, but we have significantly ad vanced… great work is being done by the engineers and the contractors,” Edghill related.

With work moving apace, it is expected that bridge re

tractions are likely to resume by Saturday, paving the way for a greater flow of marine traffic.

Minister Edghill said that a much-needed winch was delivered on Thursday morn ing and will be installed by engineers.

“We had to get a winch repaired; it was delivered by the private sector contrac tor by 10:00 o’clock this morning because getting the bridge functional for vehicu lar traffic is only one aspect, we have to get the bridge functional as well for marine traffic,” Edghill said.

The installation of this significant piece of equip ment will allow for the re sumption of retractions along the bridge.

“We are hoping to get our first retraction maybe tomor row or Saturday, that is why it was important for us to get the winch by this morning

so it could be installed and tested so that we may very well be able to have retrac tion in another 24- 36 hours,” Edghill related.

He added: “We have to be able to do the retraction to al low for the passage of boats, we have to be able to keep fuel coming into the country, getting to various silos, [and] places where they have to deposit.”

He noted that while the bridge is opened to light traf fic and vehicles weighing up to 12 tonnes, engineers and contractors have been work ing around the clock to have traffic flow returned to some level of normalcy.

“As of this morning, while everybody is seeing traffic flowing and mov ing, they [engineers] are still working miracles below, changing out pontoons, do ing all kinds of things while still facilitating movement of

people and goods to ensure that commerce keeps mov ing,” Edghill related.

ONGOING INVESTIGATION Meanwhile, the minister

related that the Board of Inquiry (BoI) tasked with

the

of critical part, Minister Edghill says

Workers putting on the finishing touches on the Demerara Harbour Bridge to get it up and running in time for its scheduled reopening on Monday night (Adrian Narine photo)

GWI ‘pumps’ $8.5B into seven new water-treatment plants

facilities to benefit over 100,000 residents

lin Croal, said that while the plan has always been to expand water access and improve level of service, the government had conducted an as sessment and recognised that water treatment was an area that needed en hancement.

To achieve this ob jective, a total of $30 billion is being invested in treatment alone, for which programmes have already been initiated.

Croal said that the support by President, Dr Irfaan Ali, must be recognised, noting that with budgeting and planning, to have the President committing to the provision of resourc es to GWI to ensure that the company delivers on its mandate by 2025, shows that that the com mitment made was no idle promise.

existing plants.

“So, you can see the magnitude of this in vestment and the mag nitude of this project to bring quality water, safe water to the popula

to allocate some 50,000 house lots by 2025.

The contracts for the seven new treat ment plants were awarded to three in ternational compa

TH E Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), on Thursday, signed contracts valuing $8.5 billion for the construction of seven new water-treatment plants across Guy ana’s coast

Three companies were awarded those contracts for the project which will benefit over 100,000 persons.

This project falls un der GWI’s Water Treat ment Infrastructure Pro gramme, which is part

of a bigger vision to pro vide 90 per cent treated water access to the coast by 2025.

The latest initiative will see water treatment plants being construct ed at Onderneeming in Region Two; Parika, Wales and Lust en Rust in Region Three, and Caledonia, Cummings Lodge and Bachelor’s Adventure in Region Four.

At a simple signing ceremony, Minister of Housing and Water, Col

Minister Croal said: “The assessment would have shown that in or der for us to, across the coastland, move to a satisfactory level-- and reference was made to coverage of 52 per cent now on the coast-- to move that to about 90 to 95 per cent, we’re talk ing about an investment of at least close to $30 billion.”

This, he added, is $30 billion in one sector, focused on one aspect of development, which is the improvement of wa ter quality and providing coverage to 90 per cent of the coast by 2025.

The minister further said that while the sign ing of those contracts will see improved water quality in specific areas, Cabinet has also given its approval for the up grade of existing water treatment plants across the country.

Chief Executive Of ficer (CEO) of GWI, Shaik Baksh, said those facilities, upon comple tion of the seven new facilities, will address the existing need for en hanced coverage across the coast.

He added that the ul timate goal is to have 13 major water-treatment plants along with the upgrading of several

tion,” Baksh said.

Croal added that the demand for water will grow and has been growing, as his ministry continues to fulfil the government’s promise

nies: Hi Pro Ecologi cos, Mexico; Sigma Engineers Limited out of Bangladesh and Toshiba Water Solu tions Private Limited of India.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; GWI’s CEO, Shaik Baksh, along with the contractors and members of the GWI Board, following the signing of the contracts for the seven new water-treatment facilities (Elvin Carl Croker photo)

GWI CEO, Shaik Baksh (Elvin Carl Croker photo)

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal (Elvin Carl Croker photo)

Norton reportedly puts ‘handshake restrictions’ on Figueira, others

OPPOSITION Members of Parliament ( MPs ) on the People’s National Con gress/Reform (PNC/R) slate have been reportedly in structed to stop shaking hands with President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and other senior government functionaries

Sources close to the ‘Co alition’ informed the Guyana Chronicle that the instruction came after A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change ( APNU + AFC) MP and PNC/R Region 10 Chair man, Jermaine Figueira was photographed exchanging a warm handshake with Presi dent Ali on Monday

The photograph of the two men greeting each other was widely shared on social

media platforms The President at the time was on an outreach in Lin den, where he listened to the concerns of residents and provided solutions to ad dressing them The President, during the visit, was warmly received by the residents of Linden who were eager to share their concerns with him

The ‘Coalition’ sources who spoke to this publication on condition of anonymity claimed that the photograph of MP Figueira shaking the President’s hand did not go down well with Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, who has refused to shake the Pres ident’s hand.

Speaking at his weekly

press briefing on Tuesday , Norton said if he had to give any advice to MP Figueira, it would have been to protest the President’s visit, a view reinforced by PNC/R activist Norman Brown in a letter published in the Stabroek News on Thursday

Back in June of this year, the Leader of the Opposition had accused the President of bullying him into a hand shake at an event held by the British High Commission

Earlier this year , Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had said, candidly, that Norton is not ready for “the big league”. Not withstanding Norton ’ s ‘hand hiding’ strategy, the President continues to dis

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton

play honourable behaviour towards him and other members of the Opposition camp.

Guyana continues to lead global growth

–– IMF projects 57.8 per cent growth by the end of this year, 25.2 per cent next year

GUYANA continues to rank among the coun tries worldwide with the fastest rate of economic growth, as the country is on course to growing 57.8 per cent this year, according to the Inter national Monetary Fund (IMF).

Driven by continued progress in the oil and gas sector, and enhanced productivity in other produc tive sectors, Guyana is well set to record significant growth this year and beyond.

Specifically, in addition to the massive level of growth projected for this year, the country which sits on the edge of South America, is set to grow 25.2 per cent next year.

The projections mirror those released recently by the World Bank, in its latest report: “New Ap proaches to Closing the Fiscal Gap.”

The nation’s regional counterparts, according to the World Bank and IMF, are also expected to perform well in the near future and recover from the debilitating effects of the COVID-19 and, to some extent, the ongoing war in Ukraine.

“Latin America and the Caribbean economies have recovered to their pre-pandemic levels and the region has regained some sense of normalcy, but economies need to be reignited in order to avoid a new low-growth cycle,” the World Bank said.

The international financial institution said that social and infrastructural investments could be important drivers of growth and shared prosperity.

The report estimates regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow by 3.0 per cent in 2022, a higher than previously expected rate due to rising commodities prices.

Regarding Guyana, the IMF, in a recent report, said increasing oil production could help transform the economy, address development needs, and build substantial buffers to absorb shocks.

Oil production is expected to increase signifi cantly with the coming on stream of two large oilfields during 2023–2026. And, as it is now, Guyana’s commercially recoverable petroleum reserves are the third largest in Latin America and the Caribbean, and one of the highest levels of oil reserves per capita in the world.

The IMF said: “This could help Guyana build up substantial fiscal and external buffers to absorb shocks while addressing infrastruc ture gaps and human development needs.”

Direct flights, increased trade possible

–– with signing of air service agreement between Guyana, China

By Naomi Parris

AN air service agreement signed by Guyana and Chi na, on Thursday, will pave the way for direct flights between the two countries, furthering trade, commerce and tourism opportunities.

The agreement was signed by Public Works Min ister Juan Edghill and Chi na’s Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan, at the ministry’s Wight’s Lane office

Minister Edghill said that the agreement not only strengthens the two nations’ bilateral relations, but also supplements the more than 50 air services agreement Guyana has been able to make with other International Civil Aviation Organisation

(ICAO) states to date

“

Today marks another milestone in the advancement of the bilateral relations be tween Guyana and China, as the signing of this agreement reflects the government ’ s commitment to connecting Guyana to the rest of the world,” Edghill said

The agreement address es matters such as grant of rights , airline designation and authorisation, revocation, suspension of authorisation or imposition of conditions, capacity and frequency pro visions, recognition of certif icates and licences, aviation safety and security, tariffs, among other things

It also puts in place, the legal framework for the two countries to strengthen its

ties in trade and commerce through direct flights, Edghill said.

“Guyana and China have excellent trade relations in different fields, but the reality is, there is no direct flights be tween the two countries to date, the signature of this agreement puts the legal framework in place to address this challenge,” the minister related.

He added: “China and Guyana will not only be friendly and distant but near er.”

The agreement will also foster greater direct peo ple to people contact for the advancement of cultural activities between Guyana and China ; this is aligned with President , Dr Irfaan Ali’s vision for the further

advancement of Guyana’s tourism landscape.

“Guyana also anticipates that this agreement will have a positive impact on Guyana’s tourism landscape as well as the wider Caribbean and the Latin American region. Presi dent Ali has been leading from the front in seeking to ensure that the tourism potential of Guyana is fully explored, and that it becomes one of the main sectors that will drive Guyana into the future... air connectivity with countries of all parts of the world is an essential part of that drive,” Edghill said.

He urged the Chinese ambassador to invite airline service providers to explore the Guyanese market

“My challenge to her ex

Rain floods bottom flat of CV Nunes Primary School

MORE than 250 pupils of the CV Nunes Prima ry School had to return home on Thursday after heavy overnight rainfall caused flooding in sever al classrooms.

By afternoon, the water had receded, the headteacher, Cheryl Pe ters-Moore told the Guy ana Chronicle.

Peters-Moore said she was forced to send home a total of 266 Grades One and Two pupils who occu pied the bottom flat of the school when they turned up for classes.

According to the head teacher, the flooding is an issue that has been hap pening for years. She ex plained that whenever it rains, flooding occurs in the bottom fat.

She explained that due to the “steepness” of the classrooms, and poor drainage in the compound, the water accumulates. She said that their only option at the moment is to “bail it out”.

Classes went on as nor mal for the other grades, while teachers and staff of the regional administration assisted with the cleaning.

Peters-Moore is hope ful that the affected pupils will be able to return to school today.

“They would be able to return to school once the rain stops. Every time it rains, those classrooms are flooded; there isn’t much we can do but to bail the water out,” she said.

Meanwhile, some

One of the flood-affected classrooms

maintenance work was recently done at the school by the regional adminis tration.

During this newspa per’ s visit on Thursday, parents were seen collect ing their children. Teach ers were also busy clean ing and disinfecting the flooded area.

The school has a pop ulation of 792 pupils. It is usually among the top performing schools at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

cellency is to invite China, Southern Airlines , China Eastern Airlines and Air China, among the others that you have, to look into flying the Guyana China route ,” Edghill related

Meanwhile , the ambas sador in her remarks, related that the agreement came after years of negotiations

“ The geographical dis tance cannot stand in the way of the deep friendship between Guyana and China

The two sides have been exploring the possibilities of civil aviation co opera tion for years In 2014, civil aviation authorities of the two countries signed MoUs in Indonesia,” Ambassador Haiyan said.

She noted that the bilat eral relations between the two countries have grown significantly throughout the years, and this new initia tive will further strengthen this bond.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and China’s ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan

A bright sign for agriculture

IT was a bit of a surprise but heart-warming to see hundreds of persons, on Tuesday, filling up the Ministry of Agriculture’s Regent and Shiv Chand erpaul Drive compound to collect seedlings which were available in more than a dozen varieties, free of cost, to engage in planting.

The sight was a scene to behold as persons emerged from the streets of George town on foot, some on bi cycles and others in cars, to collect whatever plant ing materials they could lay their hands on as they forced their way through a thick, unexpected crowd.

Within minutes, the seedlings disappeared but not the crowd. A new or der had to be made to sat isfy their demands and they waited patiently to col

lect whatever came. This indeed is a pleasant and deeply encouraging sign that many persons, even in urban areas, are very much interested in agriculture.

While some may be farmers, the vast majority of the crowd on Tuesday appeared to be persons with new-found interest in agriculture. This may be due to the high prices for greens and vegetables at the markets as a result of a number of factors, includ ing inclement weather and the slowdown in the global supply chain occasioned by COVID-19.

Though these factors are beyond the govern ment’s control, the govern ment has not thrown its hand up in the air but has been taking progressive steps to bring relief to both the farmers and consumers.

VAT has been removed on agricultural input and machinery; the excise tax on gasoline and diesel has been slashed to zero; $1B in fertilisers has been given out to farmers; billions of dollars have been invested to improve drainage and irrigation throughout the farming belt and billions more have been provided to farmers affected by flood ing. In addition, farmers throughout the country con tinue to benefit from expert advice through the govern ment’s extension service.

Notwithstanding these worthy interventions by government, the prices for greens and vegetables still remain high and this is also partly due to the fact that prices in Guyana have a tendency of defying grav ity. In other words, when prices for commodities

sold locally go up due to external pressure, there is a challenge to get it down even after the cause for the increase has been nor malised.

Even in these situations, all is, however, not lost to the consumers. Consumers can minimise the cost they pay for greens and vegeta bles by starting and main taining a kitchen garden.

Aside from it providing much-needed greens and vegetables for households and helping families to save monies spent on these purchases, households, es pecially in the low-income bracket, could also earn an income by selling surplus produce.

The crowd at the Min istry of Agriculture was therefore a bright sign for agriculture, and for many reasons. Interestingly,

among the lot were lots of young people. This indi cates that the perception of agriculture as a profession that requires back-breaking work in the hot sun might be changing.

It is a good opening for the Ministry of Agriculture to project a new and even sophisticated image of agri culture and to encourage as much citizens into farming, whether as a profession or as a pastime.

Here, the ministry must do all it can to change the negative perception of ag riculture, especially among young people, who are the future of the profession. It can begin by promoting farmers as entrepreneurs and agriculture as a tool for women empowerment and to escape crime and poverty.

Agriculture is much

more that back-breaking work in the fields. Through technology, agriculture has evolved and, today, it is a complex science. Agricul ture is also a business and involves engineering, and most importantly, it is the profession that enables our existence on earth.

The current govern ment, in the space of two years, has done a great lot to improve agricul ture and maintain food security in Guyana. It has positioned the coun try on the right path by investing heavily in agriculture and diversi fying the economy so as to avoid sole dependence on the oil and gas sector. By doing this, the gov ernment is ensuring that the future of Guyana is secured long after oil is no more.

Grounding with the people and addressing their concerns

Dear Editor,

THEY came in throngs, ex pecting the unexpected but not to be disappointed. They weren’t sure, but more curi ous, anticipating what they were yearning for. The prec edent was already created and so they were hoping the rest would be routine, a matter of mere formality. A jovial crowd, hustling and bustling, cheering as they went along, man, woman, boy, girl, child. They came running, shouting, waving gleefully, hoping to catch his eyes, wanting an acknowl edgement. They wanted to touch him, some shyly shak ing hands while others took delight in proudly pounding fists firmly, but lovingly. It was a bright and sunny day, a holiday, when Guyana wanted to relax and enjoy a nice and quiet day. But it wasn’t to be one of those serene days. He came not to disturb the peace but to provide, promote and pro

tect the policy, principle and philosophy of peace, pro gress and prosperity. Yes, the people’s choice came to meet and greet the community in his walkabout, grounding with the residents of Linden and embracing all the eager ones who could not help hugging their idol, retaining fond memories for eons to come, so that the story will be forever told for genera tions to come. It was ‘Kodak’ moment for many who took pleasure in posing with this iconic figure and having their pictures taken in order for this unforgettable day to be recorded permanently, so that they can beam, boast and brag about this accom plished feat.

Unlike his predecessor who travelled with a large contingency, ensured that his heavily financed visit was well announced upfront so that there will be lavish preparation for food, drinks and entertain ment; hundreds of people will be encouraged and ordered to

line in queues despite the hot sun and long waiting; placards, posters and decorations will be largely displayed; a barrage of police and security officers will be endlessly visible: areas will be cornered off to provide a false sense of security risk; places will be looking spick and span conveniently.

On the contrary, this un expected visitor who walked the streets like the ordinary citizen, he did not come only to pose for pictures, kiss and pat babies, claim votes, stir trouble, fool the people, make false promises and then disap pear. This colossus emblem of trust, hope and faith, chose to allow the people to have their say, listened to their problems, let them air their grievances, complaints, is sues and opinions and then to offer suggestions, ideas and recommendations in order to alleviate their concerns and to provide resolutions, un conditionally and freely. He resolved some of the matters on the spot, redirected some

to the correct source for action and some cases needed more investigation and information. The residents were frank and fair and spoke their minds, happy to be given an op portunity to speak without fear or favour and they asked questions which were gladly answered. They heard what pleased their ears and felt satisfied that this simple visi tation was not in vain, but significantly consequential. They saw the humbleness in a fellow human being who will ingly brought himself down to their level in order to mix and mingle and not as someone aloof or important or official. His smile provided a warmth which made them feel reas sured of his presence and any promise which would be sin cere. As he laughed and joked, they clutched more to him and hung on longer to his company while, unfortunately, prevent ing others to get as close as they did.

Desirous of improving the quality of living, the highly

influential figure stated his reason for visiting: “I’m just here throughout different com munities today to come to you, to listen to you and to see how we can work together, because what we want to do is uplift all of Guyana.” Politics was a foreign language on that day. He continued without being aggressive, but having patience while valuing time by interjecting, “I don’t have time to waste on nonsense, on stupid talk and division and stupidity; that’s not me.”

Being a social worker was closer to home. He clearly came to the point with clarity and related his objective, “All I want to hear about is how we bring this country together, how we can love each other, how we uplift each other, [and] how we uplift the com munities and uplift the coun try.” He showed empathy and understanding by admitting that, “We know every commu nity has different challenges. That is why today, I am here to listen to you.” He wore the cap

of the man in the street.

In the end, it was the residents who were over whelmed with joy and they did express their gratitude without any reservation. One such gatherer conveyed his thanks and appreciation while at the said time, he summed up the feelings of all by blurting out, “I am pleased and happy that you came by foot and not by ve hicle.” Linden residents cer tainly were not ungrateful in any shape or form. They came, they saw, they spoke, they questioned, they asked, they were answered, they heard and eventually, they were conquered with the love, fellowship and affection of the man who simply came to extend a helping hand and asked for nothing in return, the man who preaches and practises the unity of “One Guyana,” the People’s Pro letarian President, Dr Mo hammed Irfaan Ali.

No volcano here in Guyana; there is an ‘eruption’ in economic development and modernisation

Dear Editor

ALLOW me to refer to a missive carried by Wireja. com, an online publica tion that recently made shockingly false claims about what is transpiring in Guyana. I refuse to re peat the false claims and so-called warnings about racial antagonism in the ‘Land of Many Waters.’

Yet, the essential false hoods must be confronted by those with actual ex perience in Guyana. The most egregious of these destructive propositions is that Indians and Africans are in some kind of deepseated conflict that cannot be addressed through our political system.

Nothing could be further from the truth, and I have proof, proof that no Jamai

can relying on a false news feed from New York can counter with any credibility.

On July 4, 2022, I spent four to five hours in Buxton, a village with a history of indefatigable resistance to any form of domination. It is also a village of considerable symbolic importance in the milieux of African “Black” Consciousness. ‘Black’ as used here refers to a form of political identity, not a morphological trait. The oc casion was an outreach by Cabinet ministers.

I took careful notes of the entire proceedings. I can report with absolute certain ty that not a single person aired grievances couched in the language of race. Not once, not by anyone. Rather, all the criticisms and re quests were about fixing

roads, bridges, the cricket ground, the basketball court, access to scholarships, con tracts for work done in Bux ton and beyond, and other matters normally discussed at a standard town-hall-type meeting.

Not far away, less than half a mile, in fact, was a picket led by a well-known overseas academic. I count ed about 10 protesters who held up signs about racism. There was a steady stream of people brushing past the little, insignificant noise.

Two weeks before the Buxton engagement with seven Cabinet ministers, Vice-President Jagdeo was in Paradise Village (Region Five), where a majority Af ro-Guyanese audience spent hours discussing things. Jagdeo was there to facili

Approximately $1B...

its side.

The ship, which was sup posed to drive in a southern direction to pass through the opening of the bridge, instead drove in a south-easterly direction and hit Spans Nine and Ten with its front and rear.

This resulted in the two spans of the bridge shifting some 45 degrees out of align ment. The ship was the fifth vessel to pass through the bridge for the morning. The vessel, the minister said, has since been impounded.

tate part-time jobs (10 hours a month for GY $40,000), and to also urge young peo ple (especially) to apply for GOAL scholarships. The vit riol and dooms-day emotion alism evident in Wireja.com and its code-source, Village Voice, were notably absent.

Update. Only days ago, top PNC black nationalists (in the regressive sense of

that term, not as used by Walter Rodney), the princi pal issue of concern is that people in Linden are begin ning to embrace the PPP. Guyana is not at war. The warning and so-called predictions about a vol canic eruption here are ac tually calls to do the same. Advocacy for violence is taking the form of analysis

and predication, an old tactic of a key WPA figure. Several of these activists of doom live outside of Guyana. In fact, I would go as far as to say that the diaspora is posing more of a threat to national secu rity and to nation-building than anyone else.

Yours sincerely, Dr Randy Persaud

investigating all the details surrounding what transpired in the accident, will soon provide a report.

“The board of inquiry went to work as of Sunday and my understanding is that they were taking statements at six in the morning, they were taking statements at 11 in the night,” he said, add ing: “I think they have taken statements and spoken to

more than 35 individuals… they had seven days to com pile their report and, as of today, they are on schedule and I think I shall be receiv ing that report soon.”

At approximately 02:00hrs on Saturday, the MV Tradewind Passion, a ship consigned by GuyOil to transport fuel, which also carries a Panamanian flag, crashed into the bridge with

The collision sent several DHB workers, who were on the bridge at the time, liter ally running for their lives. One staff, Andrew Duke, who was communicating with the vessel via radio up until the point of collision, sustained a fractured leg, and has been released from the hospital and expected to make a full recovery.

“Yesterday, I visited Mr. Andrew Duke, his sur gery was successful and he has been discharged to go home… we are lending full support , it might be a cou ple of months, a couple of weeks before he is back on his feet but he will heal with God’s help,” Edghill said.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, on Wednesday, visited Andrew Duke, the Shift Supervisor on duty at the Demerara Harbour Bridge on Saturday when the MV Tradewind Passion crashed into the bridge (Ministry of Public Works photo)

Guyana, Petro Dollars and Sense!

This series examines Guy ana’s Oil & Gas options globally on the eve of the Final Quarter of the 21st Year of Century 21, as the world’s richest nations pay higher costs to fight inflation and try to avoid pending recession, while

also scurrying to secure adequate alternative en ergy supplies to replace Russian gas.

IT used to be that by this time every year, there’d already be signs of prepara tions for the Christmas Sea

son, businesses advertising holiday deals and Caribbean people abroad packing suit cases for their annual return home as visiting nationals for the warm holidays lead ing into the New year, while their adopted countries in Europe and North America start freezing into the Win ter Wonderlands described in Christmas carols.

But the new norm since 2020 (when COVID-19 changed everything for eve ryone everywhere) has been to be extra cautious, first about Social Distancing, now about being extra care ful about spending.

In the over seven months since the February 24 Rus sian military intervention in Ukraine, major non-oil-

producing nations have been scrambling to secure reliable sources of muchneeded alternative supplies to address the imbalances created by Europe’s deci sion to wean itself off Rus sian gas.

Some former Soviet East European states agreed, some also reluctantly, to the costly European Union (EU) proposal to cut their ages-old energy agreements with Moscow, many dating back to when they existed separately within the Union of Soviet Socialist Repub lics (USSR).

The economic costs and effects of the Russia sanc tions have also hit poorest citizens the hardest across the continent, who’d be come accustomed to rela tively cheaper gas from Russia for quite some time, but now have to pay much more – 80 per cent more on energy bills in the UK, as of October 1, 2022.

Without salary increases and despite government promises to help ease their squeeze, European house holds affected have seen food and fuel prices rise as tronomically, forcing many middle-class families into relative poverty -- and the poor into destitution.

Not that governments don’t want to help, but they simply can’t.

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are predicting inflation, already at a 40year high in the UK and USA, will lead to global recession in 2023; and both have also drastically low ered their global growth projections, while warning the UK against spending without taxing.

The implications of cur rent conditions are simply blistering cold for Europe.

Russia is turning up the heat ahead of what promises to be Europe’s coldest win ter in five decades and on Wednesday President Putin invited European nations that turned the taps off to start talking with Moscow about turning them back on.

But the EU is accusing Moscow of ‘weaponizing energy’, while Europe’s governments are busily try ing to assure citizens, with out any clear assurance, that their winter will not be as harsh as the weather reports and met services predict, or that (in the UK’s case) households may, ‘in a worse-case scenario’ have to face ‘up to three hours of blackouts daily’.

But the cost of keeping Europe warm without Rus sian gas and in the absence of any reliable alternative sources except for tradi tional OPEC members –and at their price -- most government affected eve rywhere are in a tight fit, if not a combined economic and political straightjacket, with all the attendant social consequences.

Replacing Russian gas is such a nightmare that European governments are still quietly but effective ly divided over just how fast the transition period should be, Brussels press ing the less-willing East European states, resulting in new political problems for them at home, as more citizens say their gov ernments should spend less on military support for Ukraine and more on lowering food and energy prices at home.

G7 nations – the world’s seven richest – are spending more to stay afloat, but also more on arming Ukraine, the USA alone having com mitted US $70 billion in the past seven months; but their debts are also skyrocket ing, the US now owing over $31 trillion, while the UK’s recent controversial and apparently costly mini budget will cost 53 billion Pounds (Sterling) to imple ment without taxes.

Ukraine aid fatigue is starting to take its toll as winter approaches and gov ernments seek to avoid the political costs of allowing citizens to freeze on account of their policies.

The EU is also now be ing accused of promising

more than delivering, hav ing only coughed-up one billion of the nine billion Euros promised to Ukraine to help avoid a definite win ter wipeout.

The EU, G7 and NATO all met this week and prom ised to support Ukraine ‘all the way and for as long it takes’, providing ‘every thing it will need to win the war…’ -- except en ergy, underlined by Russia knocking-off 30 per cent of Ukraine’s energy and util ity supplies after its bridge to Crimea was bombed on President Vladimir Putin’s birthday.

Putin is still saying to Europe: ‘If you want heat for winter, let’s talk!’

But Brussels isn’t likely to take the bait, memberstates most likely to be en couraged to shop anywhere else than Russia for new energy deals.

Non-OPEC and newlyemerging oil and gas na tions worldwide will be quite interested in bidding or being approached to pro vide alternative supplies, but Guyana’s government won’t necessarily have to join the line, as its oil and gas is already in high de mand.

Then UK Prime Minis ter Boris Johnson opened related talks with President Dr Irfaan Ali during his last visit to London, while India, Qatar and many others have shown recent interest in filling-up their reserves with Guyana oil and gas.

Besides, the companies actually digging and ex tracting are always in the business of finding and servicing new markets.

Guyana’s energy products therefore have a bright future on the global market; and it’s only a matter of time before El Dorado’s black gold starts crossing the Atlantic and flowing through Europe’s pipelines – maybe not in time to guarantee the con tinent a wonderful winter wonderland in 2022, but probably in 2023 – and beyond.

Former St Rose’s ‘top student’ admitted to the bar

By Clestine Juan

FOR the past sev en years, 23-yearold Shawn Shewram worked tirelessly to pursue his dream of be coming an attorney. On Thursday, that dream came true when he was admitted to the local bar by Acting Chief Justice Roxane George.

“I stand before you on what can only be con sidered to be the single most anticipated day of my life…It is a day that I have eagerly dreamt of, yearned for and worked towards for the past seven years. It is a day that my family and friends can revel [in] after finally be ing able to see the fruits of their tremendous la bour. It is the day that one chapter of my life thank fully ends and another one so graciously begins,” Shewram said in his ad dress at the Demerara High Court.

His petition was pre sented by prominent attorney-at-law and his mentor, Nigel Hughes, a managing partner of Hughes, Fields and Stoby.

The young attorney is a former student of the St Rose’s High School, who had topped Guyana at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) in 2017, and had gained the 10th spot na tionally at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Ex aminations in 2015.

Shewram was also the recipient of the CXC Award for the Most Out standing Business Studies candidate in the region and he was the first-ever recipient of the ACCA – CXC Award for out standing performance in Accounting.

He then attended the University of Guyana to read for his Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB).

After completing his LLB, he attended the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS) in Trin idad and was recently awarded his Legal Educa tion Certificate (LEC).

There, he secured the Book Specialists Prize –Second Outstanding Year Two Student; the Guyana Government Prize – Best Performance by a Student

of Guyana, and the Cam eron and Shepherd Prize – Best Performance in Civil Procedure & Prac tice I and Civil Procedure & Practice II by a Guya nese. He also copped the H Aubrey Fraser Memo rial Prize – Best Perfor mance in Ethics, Rights and Obligations of the Legal Profession, and the Course Director’s Prize in Probate Practice & Proce dure – Best Performance in Probate Practice & Procedure.

It was a bittersweet moment for Shewram when he addressed the court for the first time as an attorney.

Looking back at the years it took to reach this point, he told the court that he is an attorney to day due to the arduous work, sacrifice and per severance of not only himself, but also of his parents and sister.

He gave special thanks to Hughes, who he said provided him with the means to start and finish his legal studies, and for that he is eternally grate ful.

“…. you have pro vided me with the men torship, guidance and wis dom that have allowed me to finish every step of my journey with -forgive the self-praise- a distinct mark of excellence. Mr. Hughes, there are not enough words in my lim ited vocabulary to express my gratitude to you. I deeply hope that one day I can emulate at least one-third of the standard of attorney that you have set in the legal fraternity,” he said.

While chronicling his journey, Shewram said that unlike his classmates at law school, he did not come from a family leg acy of attorneys waiting to welcome him to legal procession. He explained that while growing up, becoming an attorney was never on his cards, but the career “picked him” while in he was in Sixth Form.

He said he was greeted with open arms by the HFS family which in cludes some of the best legal minds in Guyana and he felt right at home.

“Being an AAL [attor ney-at-law] is a duty that I intend to take seriously,

and it is a role that I will execute with the most dedication and discipline. I undertake to utilise all that I have learnt in both my legal studies and my work experience at HFS to contribute, positively, to the jurisprudence of Guyana. I vow to compe tently and properly repre

sent my clients’ interests while at the same time obeying my overarching duty to the Honourable Court,” he added.

Like the motto of his alma mater, St Rose’s High School: “Serviam,” a Latin ex pression which means, ‘I Will Serve,’ Shewram made a promise to live up to the high stand ards of excellence that have been set by the attorneys-at-law who came before him.

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George and attorney-at-law Shawn Shewram

EU to provide funding for regional resilience efforts

The European Union (EU) continues to deepen its relations with CARI FORUM states, making millions available to help build a more resilient re gion in the face of ongoing social, economic, develop mental and climate crisis challenges.

European Commis sion representatives joined CARIFORUM member officials in Bridgetown

this week as they officially launched the Caribbean-EU Partnerships 2021-2027, which consists of three main areas for co-oper ation – Partnership for a Green Deal, Partnership for Economic Resilience and Trade, and Partnership for Governance, Security and Human Development.

The partnerships are based on the new EU-ACP Cotonou Agreement and

form part of the EU’s €300 billion infrastructure in vestment strategy known as the Global Gateway, which was designed to deliver sustainable and high-qual ity projects that take into account the developmental needs of partner countries.

Jutta Urpilainen, Com missioner for International Partnerships with the Eu ropean Commission, also announced that some €36.5

million (BDS$72.1 million) will be made available for the region to help build food security.

At the same time, VicePresident of the European

perspective of a Leader’s Summit next year, the first since 2015. It is why we have negotiated and agreed ON a landmark successor to the Cotonou Agreement

Neighbourhood, Devel opment and International Co-operation Instrument – Global Europe, and this does not include the other actors of Team Europe and

Investment Bank (EIB) Ricardo Mourinho Félix announced the launch of the Green and Inclusive Recovery Programme and the Caribbean Sustainable Water Management and Clean Oceans Programme, for which some €250 mil lion was being made avail able in loans.

This comes as diplo mats and other top govern ment officials from both regions convened the first EU-Caribbean ministerial meeting in five years in what some have described as a renewal of partnership between the Caribbean and the EU.

Addressing a cock tail reception, on Tues day evening, to launch the Caribbean-EU Partnerships 2021-2027, Urpilainen said it laid the foundation “for a greener, more sustainable and more resilient Carib bean region”.

During the opening session of the ministerial meeting, on Wednesday, at the Lloyd Erskine San diford Centre, she said she was eager to deepen ties with the Caribbean, espe cially as the region con tinued to face a number of significant shocks from a range of external sources.

“It is why we are com mitting an additional €36.5 million to alleviate the food crisis in the region,” Urpilainen announced.

“It is why we have start ed to work on rebooting our relationship with the broader Latin America and the Caribbean region in

with the ACP countries,” she said.

Urpilainen said the EUACP Cotonou Agreement “moves away from a purely donor-recipient model to a partnership among equals.”

She explained that under the Partnership for Green Deal, the EU will help the region catalyse resources.

The Partnership for Economic Resilience and Trade will see the EU de ploying innovative finan cial instruments thereby eliminating the risks in volved as they seek to at tract more private sector investment in areas of com mon interest. The EU is also expected to bring the European Development Financing Institutions to the region.

Under the Partnership for Governance, Security and Human Development, Urpilainen said the EU and the Caribbean will work together to boost social cohesion, poverty reduc tion “and ensure that no individual is left behind”.

“With Global Gateway, we foster partnerships with countries around the world on digital, green, health, transport, education and research,” Urpilainen said.

“This means the Carib bean region will have ac cess to the full scope of the EU’s economic, social, and political knowhow . . . To strengthen our partnership, the EU has committed a minimum of €800 million in grants for the Carib bean region from the new

the private sector which will maximise impact,” she announced.

“The Caribbean will also benefit from key initia tives between the EU and the broader Latin Ameri can and Caribbean region which we build towards the [leaders’] summit next year

“In addition, the EULatin America and Carib bean Digital Alliance gives the Caribbean access to a broad range of policy and financial support for digital innovation. It provides free and immediate access to Copernicus satellite data, which can help countries in the region respond to climate change and natural disasters,” Urpilainen said.

“Our new flagship pro gramme, in the vein of EU ROsociAL, will give the Car ibbean access to financing to strengthen education and health systems,” she added.

In his first mission to the Caribbean, Mourinho Félix reaffirmed the EIB’s commitment to support ing the region, telling the ministerial meeting that the financial institution was keen on an inclusive economic recovery in the region that was “just and resilient for all”.

During the ministerial meeting, officials from CARIFORUM were ex pected to outline several priority areas for the re gion as they discuss pos sible opportunities under the new 2021-2027 EUCaribbean Partnerships arrangement. (Barbados

Digicel on board Annual Motorcade

DIGICEL Guyana said it was proud to, once again, be onboard with the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s (GHDS) Annual Motorcade. This grand event is a spec tacle and very important

part of Guyanese culture.

“Digicel has been a proud and long-time supporter of the GHDS over the years and we are happy to see the mo torcade is back,” said Simone Pierre, Head of Commercial.

Rajnarine Singh, ex ecutive member GHDS, expressed thanks to Digicel for supporting the Sabha’s events over the years, and looks forward to its contin ued support.

Agricultural aid: a game changer in tackling hunger crises

(FAO) THE alarming signs of growing acute food insecu rity should make us rethink the way we tackle hunger crises by addressing the root causes rather than just treating ad hoc symptoms of hunger, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, said on Thursday.

He spoke at a special side event looking at how to change the humanitarian game plan to better meet people’s needs and priorities and reverse the march of hunger across the planet. The event was organ ised ahead of the World Food Day which will be officially celebrated on October 14 this year.

Acute food insecurity is spreading and intensifying as multiple global and local shocks overlap, jeopardising achieving the Sustainable De velopment Goals (SDG) with only seven planting seasons left to turn the tide, Qu warned.

According to the latest sur vey, up to 222 million people are experiencing high acute food insecurity this year –one in five of whom have so little to eat that they face an immediate threat of severe malnourishment and death. A further nearly 1 million people will effectively be in faminelike conditions without urgent humanitarian assistance in five countries: Afghanistan, Ethio pia, Somalia, South Sudan and

Yemen.

Although the situation is dire, there is still time to turn it around and bring back from the brink of hunger those who have been left behind, the Director-General said point ing out that investments in agriculture and in resilient agrifood systems can make the difference.

Despite an increase in overall humanitarian response, yet only 8 percent of humani tarian funding is going towards urgent time-sensitive agricul tural assistance in emergencies that is essential for people’s survival, Qu noted stressing that at least two out of every three people experiencing acute food insecurity today are rural people, including farmers, herders, fishers and foresters. And they are particu larly exposed to the impacts of extreme weather or violent conflict.

“Clearly, a new approach is needed to halt and sus tainably reverse these hunger trends. It is time for a rethink and repurpose. Prioritization, programming, advocacy and funding allocations should be evidence-based and guided by people’s needs and priorities,” the Director-General added.

In the middle of crisis, agriculture offers solutions, he said, pointing to the need for channelling more resources and funds to strengthen rural people’s resilience and help them preserve and improve

their agricultural livelihoods to provide for their families.

An efficient response will require a focused and collec tive effort from all partners and stakeholders – the UN system, governments and local organizations, the private sec tor, civil society and academia, Qu underlined.

The event also saw the participation of Rein Paulsen, Director of FAO Office of Emergencies and Resilience; Aryn Baker, Senior Interna tional Correspondent of Time Magazine; Mohanna Eljabaly, Associate Executive Director for Compliance and Develop ment of Yemen Family Care Association (YFCA); Ramesh Rajasingham, Director of Co ordination of UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs; and Danielle MutoneSmith, Managing Director of USAID’s Bureau for Humani tarian Assistance.

The participants agreed that agriculture should be treated as a frontline humani tarian response and one of the most cost-effective long-term solutions.

Supporting people and their livelihoods, responding to their needs and priorities before the peak of a crisis can effectively prevent death and famine. The participants also touched on the need to scale up investments in local food production and farmers’ resilience to future shocks. (FAO)

Early screening ‘saves eyes’

REGULAR eye examina tions at every age and stage of life are important, as this process could aid in one’s vision being strong and ev erlasting.

Co-owner and Optom etrist of Da Silva’s Opti cal- South Road branch, Dr. Shannon Da Silva, said many persons may assume their eyesight is “up to par” until a recommended pair of glasses or contact lens show a differ ence in sight, thereby bring ing a clearer vision to the way they see eye-related issues.

On October 13 this year, optometrists and ophthal mologists from around the world celebrated World Sight Day under the theme: “Love Your Eye.”

This annual observance is geared at raising aware ness and promoting good eye health while advocating for regular screening.

Vision impairments are common, but uncorrected vision or lack of treatment could result in cases of even tual blindness and faster progression of other lifethreatening conditions, such as glaucoma.

According to the Centres for Disease Control, glauco ma is a disease that damages the eye’s optic nerve, leading, in some cases, to vision loss and even permanent blind ness.

Open-angle glaucoma is said to be the most common form, which is caused by increased eye pressure; this shows no symptom, so 50 per cent of the people with glau coma do not know they have the disease.

While glaucoma could affect anyone, Da Silva noted that certain groups are high risk, especially those with a

family history.

“People may have 2020 vision, but glaucoma does not affect that aspect; it affects our side vision and many of us don’t realise we are losing our side vision because for day-to-day activities we tend to use mostly our central vi sion,” she said.

It is for this reason that Dr. Da Silva said early screening and diagnoses are important in treating this incurable dis ease.

High-risk patients who visited Da Silva’s Optical on Thursday, were given a comprehensive dilated eye examination free of cost.

This visual field test al lows an optometrist to di agnose glaucoma and refer patients to an ophthalmologist for further treatment.

Further, due to the high incidence of Non- Commu nicable Diseases (NCDs) in Guyana, diabetic retinopathy is also among the most com mon eye-related illnesses also faced by many Guyanese.

This condition could de velop in anyone who has type one or type two diabetes, especially those with uncon trolled sugar levels. Common symptoms of diabetic retin opathy include blurred vision, spots of dark strings floating in one’s vision or what ap pears to be dark or empty areas in a person’s vision.

“With blood sugar levels being beyond the normal rate, bleeding at the back of the eye occurs, thereby causing dam age to blood vessels in the retina, in some cases irrepa rable damage to the human eyes”, Dr. Da Silva cautioned.

She added: “While laser treatments for this disease have over the years brought some amount of relief to

patients’ vision, we need to most importantly manage our blood glucose levels and maintain healthy lifestyles by eating the right kinds of foods, such as fish which is high in omega three and green leafy vegetables.”

GIVING BACK

In addition to the free glaucoma checks and free screening for all patients to commemorate World Sight Day, Da Silva’s optical part nered with two orphanages to offer comprehensive eye examinations and free spec tacles to those in need.

The management of the orphanages applauded the ef forts of the United Kingdomtrained doctor who has not only gifted the children with better sight, but for deciding to re-immigrate to her country of birth some 10 years ago to serve the people of Guyana.

“I wanted to take care of both the young and old this year because eyesight affects everyone and it’s such a pre cious organ for us to look after, especially in the age where technology has ad vanced and everyone spends so much time on devices,” Da Silva said.

Computer vision syn drome, commonly referred to as digital eye strain, is caused by prolonged use of a com puter, tablet or cell phone.

Dr. Da Silva said that ex tensive time on these devices makes the eyes work harder, thereby making users suscep tible to developing visionrelated problems.

“We unknowingly slow down our blink rate when we are on these devices and this encourages the eyes to become dry and then the way the light enters our eye is different because you have

Dr. Shannon Da Silva performs a comprehensive eye examination on a patient on World Sight Day at her South Road office

this blue light coming off the screens that can cause eye strain and even headaches,” she said.

The 20-20-20 rule, how ever, could aid in reducing eye strain she enlightened.

“For every 20 minutes spent using a screen; you should try to look away at an object that’s 20 feet away from you for a total of 20 sec onds,” Da Silva counselled.

The eye specialist who describes herself as an advo cate for good eye health, said she is passionate about patient education and will continue to use her platforms to share tips on how to care for the human eyes.

“Every day, when a pa tient sits in my chair, I always encourage them to eat health ily, stay active, stay informed and be proactive with their

health as eye-related illness can affect anyone regardless of age, sex, or gender,” Dr. Da Silva said.

Eye care professionals advise that people get an eye test done every two years. Persons living with underlying conditions such as diabetes, were advised to visit their optometrist if they experience any changes in their vision.

‘Let’s be proud of our rich cultural tapestry’

PRIME MINISTER, Brig adier (Ret’d), Mark Phil lips, has assured Afro-Guy anese that the government is committed to inclusivity and will continue to respect the values, traditions and customs of all Guyanese.

He made those remarks while paying tribute to Af rican ancestors, as he joined the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) at the Seawall Bandstand for the 29th an nual observance of African Holocaust Day, also known as the MAAFA.

Along with calls for in clusivity, and denounce ments of all forms of hate and prejudice, the Prime Minister was adamant that every Guyanese must benefit from the impending wealth of the country.

“There is no place for racism, marginalisation, and oppression in Guyana. It is all about development, in clusivity and improving all the lives and livelihoods of all Guyanese, inclusive of African Guyanese,” Prime Minister Phillips said.

He highlighted the im portance of promoting tradi tion and culture, noting that ancestors must integrate African cultural identity by ensuring that Afro-Guyanese youths are educated and ex posed to traditional customs.

Prime Minister Phillips said: “We must not be stuck in a mode of victimhood. We are descendants of sur vivors. We are the descend ants of the people who were enslaved and who struggled and overcame slavery. It means that we as a people must now educate our chil dren”.

He further added: “We have to ensure that the op portunities that are presented by the PPP/C Government,

all the opportunities are grasped by the youths of Guyana. When we create employment, whether parttime or full-time employ ment, grasp those oppor tunities; when we provide affordable housing, grasp for those opportunities. We’ve expanded scholarships’ grasp for those opportuni ties.”

WITH THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE

The Prime Minister also

related that the government will continue to work handin-hand with all the people of Guyana to advance eco nomic and social develop ment.

“All the people of Guy ana will benefit from all the revenues of Guyana, including African Guyanese. That is the message of the Government of Guyana. There will be no discrimi nation. This Government is promoting inclusive govern

ance and development for all the people of Guyana. So join us to participate in improving the lives and livelihoods of all Guyanese as we pay homage…during the MAAFA,” he said.

The theme of this year’s commemorative programme is: “Bringing into focus the brutal and destructive rape of the continent of Africa’s people and resources.”

African Holocaust Day, also known as MAAFA in

Kiswahili, is observed an nually on October 12 and commemorates the mass murder and enslavement of Africans.

The Minister of Cul

ture, Youth, and Sport, the Honourable Charles Ramson, along with a number of representatives from African cultural and development organisa tions and other groups, were also in attendance.

(DPI)

GAWU, Credit Union present bursary awards to 24 NGSA pupils

THE Guyana Agricul tural and General Work ers Union (GAWU), on Tuesday, presented 21 bursary awards to chil dren of union members who wrote the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) earlier this year.

According to a release, at two simple activities held on October 11, 2022, in Georgetown and New Amsterdam, the GAWU presented awardees in Demerara and Berbice re spectively.

GAWU’s President, Seepaul Narine, who spoke in Berbice, congratulated the pupils on their achieve ments.

“He shared that the union was proud of their accomplishments as he

recognised the importance of an education. He also lauded the parents and other family members for the support they offered to the new secondary school students,” the release said.

In Georgetown, the un

ion’s General-Secretary, Aslim Singh offered simi lar wishes. He noted that the pupils, despite the chal lenges of COVID-19, per severed, and their efforts were demonstrated in their achievements.

The GAWU GeneralSecretary urged the learn ers to continue to remain diligent in their school work as this new chapter of their educational journey would be equally as chal lenging, but he noted their

hard work would enable them to realise their aspira tions, the release said.

Apart from the union, the GAWU Credit Union also awarded three recipi ents with bursaries.

Members of the credit

union who were quali fied would have benefit ted from a double award. Both the children and the parents expressed appre ciation to the union. The children felt elated that their hard work was rec ognised as they committed to continue to work hard at secondary school, the release said.

The presentation of bursaries is one of the sev eral benefits GAWU offers its members. For the union, education is given signifi cant attention.

“We have long held the importance of educa tion to our members in their own personal and professional advance ment,” the release con cluded.

– PM Phillips tells Afro-Guyanese on African Holocaust Day

reiterates gov’t’s commitment to inclusivity

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips, has assured Afro-Guyanese that the government is committed to inclusivity and will continue to respect the values, traditions and customs of all Guyanese

GAWU’s President, Seepaul Narine and other officials of the union with the bursary awardees

‘Barama’ receives GNBS’ ‘Made in Guyana’ certification

We have always sold our raw material, in the forestry sector. We sold logs and we are still doing so… in the mining sector we do the same thing, we have been exporting bauxite ore for generations, and in almost every sector.”

story of ornaments that were created in Guyana and sold in another Caribbean country carrying the brand of that country at their tourist shops.

“Today, the Government

The Barama Company, the largest plywood factory in the Caribbean, like other companies in the forestry sector, has been doing well in recent times, with major

expand its workforce, which currently boasts 95 per cent locals.

The company fulfilled the criteria set by the Guyana National Bureau

THE Government of Guyana will continue to provide incentives to en courage growth in the lo cal manufacturing sector, Minister of Natural Re sources Vickram Bharrat has said.

He affirmed the govern ment’s position in his re marks at a reception to cele brate the Barama Company’s attainment of the “Made in Guyana” certification.

“Some 20 years ago, probably there weren’t many companies manufacturing local products in Guyana either. So, that is another achievement by our coun try, by our people, and the

persistence and also the in centives that have been cre ated by our government to encourage local manufactur ing, and will continue to do so because it is important in growing our economy, in providing opportunities for our people, in creating jobs for our people,” Minister Bharrat said.

He said the production of value-added commodities would ensure the country benefits from its resources.

According to Minister Bharrat: “We have always focused on primary pro duction, we have never ventured into value-added downstream, processing.

The foreign-owned Barama Company has been producing plywood locally for the past 31 years. Now the company will use the “Made in Guyana” certi fied stamp on its “Guyana Tropical Plywood” prod ucts. The certification is valid for one year and can be renewed.

“As a foreign company we do recognise the signifi cance of this certificate and how much it’s transcending into the new national thrust towards promoting local products and services,” said Mohindra Chand, Country General Manager of Barama.

“I recall more than a decade ago, while at the helm of the GMSA, we were calling for a Made in Guy ana branding to distinguish ourselves from the region. I remembered that there was a

of Guyana, with the support of the private sector stake holders, has transformed this dream into a reality,” Chand said.

improvements in produc tion, despite some previous setbacks.

The company plans to make more investments and

of Standards to receive the certification. It is the 15th company to be certi fied to use the Made in Guyana stamp. (DPI)

PROMINENT business

man Anand Sanasie has approached the High Court to recover $9.2 mil lion that he claims the Guyana Elections Com mission (GECOM) owes him for the rental of two of his buildings.

In his fixed-date appli cation (FDA) Sanasie is seeking an order for the pay ment of $5,996,250 in owed rent for the Lot 9 Fort and Barrack Streets, Kingston, Georgetown building.

Sanasie is also seeking an order for payment in the sum of $3,228,750 for rent due for the occupation of his Lot 31 Fort and Barrack Streets building.

Additionally, the busi nessman is asking the court to grant an order direct ing GECOM to pay the monthly rental in the sum of $1,998,750 in respect of the Lot 9 property, until the ten ancy agreement is lawfully terminated.

In his application filed

by C.V. Satram, Sanasie said that GECOM has been occupying the buildings for more than 10 years.

However, on or about November 23, 2021, both parties entered into separate written Agreements of Ten ancy for the rental of both properties for a one-year period.

With respect to Lot 9, it was agreed that GECOM would pay rent to Sanasie in the sum of $1,332,500

per month and $717,500 monthly for Lot 31.

After that agreement ended on December 31, 2021, the tenancies contin ued upon the same terms after the expiration of the agreements, save and except that there was an agreed upon 50 per cent increase in rent in respect of both properties, effective from January 2022 for the period of three years.

Businessman sues GECOM for $9.2M in outstanding rent Businessman Anand Sanasie

“There was also a vari ation of the notice period provided for in the Tenancy Agreements, increasing the notice period to 6 months in re spect of both tenan cies. The variations of the terms of the said Tenancy Agreements were approved by a statutory meeting of the Commission held on the 18th day of January, 2022 and is evidenced by an Agreement executed between the Chief Elec tions Officer and I on the 4th day of February, 2022,” Sanasie said in his legal

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) headquarters in Kingston

documents.

The rate of rent effective from January 1, 2022, for the Lot 9 property was increased to $1,998,750 per month, while Lot 31 was increased to $1,076,250 per month.

The businessman is con tending that the agreement in respect to both properties is still valid and subsisting. He is also arguing that GECOM failed to pay the rentals as agreed, despite him making numerous oral and written

demands for payment.

Despite this, Sanasie said he accepted payment for the period January to June 2022 at the old rate.

“The Respondent and I reached a settlement where by they agreed to pay the new rent from January 2022 for the duration of the ten ancy. Since January 2022 [the commission] contin ued to pay rent at the old rate of rent and has not to date paid the increase pro

vided for in the Agreement of 4th February, 2022. To date, the Respondent has failed to pay rent at the increased rate to me under the said Agreement and is presently indebted to me….” he said.

Against this backdrop, Sanasie said that GECOM does not have a genuine de fence to his claim and that he is entitled to judgment in the circumstances, along with interest and costs.

Country General Manager of the Barama Company, Mohindra Chand with Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat

The “Made in Guyana” sign on Plywood

By Naomi Parris

THEATRE Arts teacher, Tristana Roberts, is anx iously awaiting the moment when she walks on stage with some of the world’s most vivacious and beauti ful full-figured women, to vie for the Miss Plus Size Universe title.

The pageant, which has been promoting plus-size women and healthy living for

about 10 years, will be held on October 31 in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Despite the hiccups which led to the pageant date being pushed back twice, Guyana’s representative is confident that she will do well and can even return home wearing the crown.

In a recent interview with the Buzz, the 35-year-old who is also a model, revealed that while she is familiar with the

Taking pageantry by storm

Tristana Roberts to represent Guyana at Miss Plus Size Universe

stage and is no stranger to the public’s eye, pageantry is new to her. Her experience on stage has given her a boost in confidence and she is certain that she has the ability to shine.

Roberts said that her as cension to pageantry was quite an unorthodox journey.

“Guyana didn’t have a pageant. We were invited to be a part of the pageant. It was initially a friend of mine who called me up and told me they were going to send a couple of your modelling photos up for this plus-size thing. I wasn’t told it was actually to see if I would be chosen to represent the country at a pageant,” she told the BUZZ with a smile as she reflected on how her journey began.

Roberts disclosed that she found out about her selection via Facebook.

“I was at a tea party with my sister [and] my phone was going off with notifications and I opened it and I literally dropped the phone on the ta ble because it was a complete surprise,” she added.

Despite her modelling background, Roberts admitted that the transition has been a challenge. Nevertheless, she is using the experience as a learning opportunity.

“I’ve been learning along the way. It’s a hustle and bustle because I joined the pageant very late. The pageant was supposed to be held in June but it was postponed and then it was supposed to be in August but it [was] postponed again,” she told the Buzz.

“It’s been a lot of running around trying to get sponsors, doing training, getting meas urements, [and doing] a lot of interviews,” she added.

ADVOCACY

Roberts was quick to point out that while the pageant has created a platform to advocate for plus-size persons, for some time now she had been push ing for persons on the “larger” side to love themselves more and to live an active life.

“I am a strong believer that plus-size persons should ensure that they keep them selves active because a lot of people have this belief that ‘oh, I’m fat so I can’t do this and I can’t do that’…,” she said.

Aside from the model ling and teaching, Roberts is a Zumba instructor who has weekly workout sessions for anyone interested, particular ly the plus-size women who she would encourage to be active, healthy and confident.

“You can be a plus-size person but that doesn’t mean you have to be out of shape. You can be plus-size and still be healthy. You can be plus-size and still be able to run and play with children,” she said.

As she puts in her final preparations for the pageant, Roberts is still in need of

Universe pageant was founded by Pearl Williams, a Trinidad ian born to Vincentian parents.

Williams is based in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, where she also has citizenship.

She is the head of Beautex International Group, brand

self-confidence, mentor, pro mote women empowerment and healthy lifestyle world wide.

“Every year we offer the opportunity to plus-size wom en to showcase their talents and beauty representing their

sponsorship.

Nevertheless, she is op timistic that, with her back ground in modelling, theatre and the support garnered thus far, she will make Guyana proud.

According to the pageant’s website, the Miss Plus Size

owner of Miss Plus Universe, publisher of Status Magazine, hosts the Good Morning SVG programme, and is World Sec retary General of the World United Humanity Organisa tion.

Further, the website states that the pageant aims to build

respective countries,” it adds.

The pageant has af forded the organisation an international audience and reputation with outstand ing support from Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves.

Tristana Roberts (Photo courtesy of Oneil’s Photograpy)

Miss Plus Size Universe Guyana, Tristana Roberts (Photo courtesy of Tristana Roberts)

Tristana Roberts performs a dramatic piece (Photo courtesy of Tristana Roberts)

Tristana Roberts (Photo courtesy of Oneil’s Photograpy)

‘Come out of town a little… Have a vibe somewhere else’

event will

urges

of ‘Chutney meet Soca’

the first-ever Chutney/ Soca concert at Soes dyke, East Bank Dem

Soesdyke

erara, on October 29, as he seeks to give fans in that area an opportunity to experience one of his parties without having to travel to Georgetown.

Currently holding the Soca Monarch title which he won earlier this year, Jumo’s 592 Bar and Grill is teaming up with Highway Café, owned by his friend Randy, to pull off the ‘Chutney Meet Soca’ show at Braffman Ground, Grant Sand Road.

“Braffman is the man that sells all the soup on the highway. Everyone knows him. The atmos phere is really nice. It’s a nice clean ground and it’s not congested. It can house vehicles in the ground,” Jumo related in an interview with Buzz earlier this week.

Another aim of the initiative is to give some form support to the com munity and so, some of

the show’s proceeds will be donated to the village.

“There are people who support the event so we think it’s only fair to give back something to the community. It’s like we’re supporting each other,” he shared.

The event will feature performances by Primo, Vicadi Singh, Tony Cuttz, Carlvin Burnett, Vanita Willie and Kady Kish, with music by One Voice Family, One Link, and Silver Star Sound.

“A lot of focus and emphasis goes into town. Everything happens in the vicinity of George town and a lot of times people from these areas don’t like travelling all the way to town, so, why not bring the entertain ment to them?”

The intention is also to take the shows to different parts of the country where there are not many oppor tunities for entertainment.

“This is the first of its kind in this area because they never really had a chutney show here and most of the people have been calling for a chutney show. So, 592 Bar and Grill and Highway Café decided to come together to bring some entertain ment to that side because nothing really happens there.”

He added, “Why not let them feel a part of what’s happening; all the

excitement. That’s why we took the chance to do this event there. We want to start it during the day with bouncy castles for kids and in the night, we have the concert.”

As to the folks in Georgetown, he urged: “Take a trip up the highway. Come out of town for a little bit. Go and have a vibe somewhere else. Expe rience an event in those areas.”

Pliers hails Murder She Wrote actress

(Jamaica Observer)NGELA Lansbury, the British actress whose ‘Murder She Wrote’ se ries provided inspiration for Chaka Demus and Plier’s hit single of the same name, died peace fully at her Los Angeles home on October 11, at the age of 96.

The series was aired on the CBS Network from 1984 through 1996, and saw Lansbury solving murders as crime novelist Jessica Fletcher. Murder She Wrote was a hit glob ally.

“Mi used to watch it when mi was a youth, but that was a long time ago. That was a whole heap ah years ago. Angela Lansbury was a good lit tle actress,” Pliers told the Jamaica Observer on October 12.

“She lived a full life. Let me just offer my con dolences to her family, friends and fans. May her soul rest in peace.”

Pliers recalls how he wrote the hook for the in ternational hit song Mur der She Wrote.

“I was about 18 or 19, and I was at a mechanic shop and heard a breddin of mine deejaying the lines: ‘Murder She Wrote, Murder She Wrote’. I had written my song already but it was not yet record ed, but when I heard the breddin, I said to myself: ‘That would fit my punch line’. So, I changed my song around... instead of deejaying it, I sang it. Mi breddin used to watch Murder She Wrote too,” he told the Observer.

Recently, Pitchfork named Chaka Demus and Pliers’ Murder She Wrote 92 in their list of 250 Best Songs of The 1990s.

Released in 1992, Murder She Wrote, a certified gold record in the United Kingdom, launched the global ca reers of Chaka Demus and Pliers.

The song peaked at number 57 on the Bill board Hot 100 in 1992, number 39 on the publi cation’s R&B table and number five on Hot Rap Songs chart. It rose to 27 on the British charts and opened the floodgates for

five follow-up singles by the duo which made that chart.

“Any country you go, any club the song gets played in it gets a big for ward, even today. I went to Russia about 1995-96 and was surprised at a

concert we were perform ing when I heard every body singing the song word fi word; Dubai, any where, everywhere. It’s not a joke song. The song will help keep Angela Lansbury memory alive,” he said.

Lansbury heard the song for the first time in 2019 in a CBS interview, according to Billboard.

“Oh, reggae! Oh, I’m thrilled to be part of reg gae,” she was reported saying.

In addition to Murder She Wrote, Lansbury — whose career span over seven decades — starred in the Broadway musi cals Mame and Gypsy and sang the theme song for the animated movie Beauty and the Beast.

Lansbury won five Tony Awards for her Broadway performances and a Lifetime Achieve ment Award. She earned Academy Award nomina tions as supporting actress for two of her first three films, Gaslight (1945) and The Picture of Do rian Gray (1946), and was nominated again in 1962 for The Manchurian Candidate.

She is survived by three children

Guyanese entertainer, Jumo ‘Rubber Waist’ Primo

GUYANESE entertain er, Jumo ‘Rubber Waist’ Primo, will be holding

Chaka Demus (left) and Pliers (Jamaica Observer photo)

PULL UP! DJ Yumi Hi-Power to get ‘Queens Of Reggae’ award

(Jamaica Observer)- IT was during the 1980s in her native Japan that DJ Yumi Hi-Power first heard reggae music and was intrigued by the Jamaican music genre.

After being encouraged by a friend in 1987 to visit the island, the female disc jockey finally made the journey in 1991 and has assimilated herself into the culture since. Her move has apparently paid off as, come October 23, she will be one of the 14 women honoured

at the Queens Of Reggae Island Honorary Ceremonies (QORIHC).

“I am so pleased and giving thanks to be getting [an] award. As a female in a music industry, I’m still learning everyday but to be getting [an] award gives me strength,” she told the Jamai ca Observer on October 11, in her thick Japanese accent.

The event is scheduled for the Courtleigh Audito rium in St Andrew.

Born Yumiko Gabe, the

disc jockey is from Saitama, on the outskirts of Tokyo.

She is currently a fixture on SunCity FM on Wednesdays after being employed at the radio station over five years ago.

DJ Yumi Hi-Power added that being a female of Japa nese descent has not been smooth sailing at all. How ever, she has made remark able strides throughout her career, entering several sound clashes with the Yumi HiPower Sound System.

“[There are] not much jobs in Jamaica for Japanese. I had to create the jobs for myself. So, I used to cut dub plates to a Japanese sound system. I know the rhythms; I know how to cut dub plates. One day in 2004, I went to the Mobile Sound Clash, and I thought that was easy and I could kill all the sounds. So, I built my own sound and en tered in 2005. I won the dub plate segment,” she recalled.

“After that, Guinness sponsored many clashes and I entered and won nuff times. I spent the money wisely building a recording studio...I made Notnice use my studio then Alkaline buss from my studio dem time deh hit af ter hit,” DJ Yumi Hi-Power beamed.

She did not pursue ter tiary education after leaving high school. DJ Yumi HiPower instead travelled to various countries to explore their music.

At this point in her ca reer, she’s encouraging other women to be intentional if music is their interest regard less of how intimidating it is or how many other responsi

bilities they have.

“[The] music business is male dominated as eve rybody says and everybody knows. But, stick to what you love. Females might even get pregnant and have to bring up the baby but stick to what you love. I started Mobile Sound Clash when I was 42 years old because I have a daughter and when she got to high school is when I had time by myself so that’s when I started. It is never too late,” she said.

“Stick to what you love. Might be live isn’t easy, and there’s a lot of bias when it comes to females. I am a female and a Japanese so I get nuff bias; but that give

you nuff strength,” DJ Yumi added.

Started in 2016 by Laurell Nurse, the Queens of Reggae Island Honorary Ceremonies recognises persons who were not necessarily upfront as ar tistes, but played a vital role in the entertainment industry.

In addition to DJ Yumi Hi-Power, this year’s other honourees are Lorna Wain wright, Dorothy Smith, Althea Laing, Charmaine Munroe, Audrey Reid, Ch evelle Franklyn, Sherine Scarlett, Monica Jackson, and Yasmine Peru. Other recipients include Juldy Mowatt, Leonie Forbes, Claudette Kemp, and mod el Stacey McKenzie.

Disney pushes back several Marvel movie release dates

release schedule.

A source familiar with the studio’s plans told Reuters that Marvel is using the “Blade” production break to find a replacement for Tariq to work with “Moon Knight” writer Beau DeMayo, who’s the main screenwriter for “Blade.”

An unnamed source with authority on the film starring Oscar winner Mahershala Ali told The Hollywood Re porter that “They want to get it right,” which subsequently means delays.

(Reuters) - WALT Disney Co (DIS.N) announced, on October 11, that it will be pushing back the release dates for numerous upcom ing Marvel films including, “Blade,” “Fantastic Four” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.”

Following “Blade” direc tor Bassam Tariq’s departure from the project in September due to scheduling conflicts, Marvel has decided to tempo rarily shut down production of the film to search for a new director. “Blade” is now slated to premiere on Sept. 6,

2024 instead of Nov. 3, 2023, which has impacted the rest of the studios’ production scheduling.

“Deadpool 3” has moved from September 6, 2024 to November 8, 2024; “Fantastic Four” has been shifted from November 8, 2024 to February 14, 2025; an untitled Marvel project was moved from Feb ruary 14, 2025 to November 7, 2025; “Avengers: Secret Wars” has been pushed from November 7, 2025 to May 1, 2026; and an untitled Marvel movie went from May 1, 2026 to no longer being on Disney’s

The Marvel Blade char acter who first appeared in comic book “The Tomb of Dracula,” written by Marv Wolfman in 1973 eventually had his own storyline that was later adapted into the Wesley Snipes film trilogy which includes, “Blade,” “Blade II” and “Blade Trinity.”

Throughout the Marvel Cinematic Multiverse, sto ries have been intertwined and a significant delay from one film often impacts the slate for others. A similar postponement was made for the film “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” due to the pandemic and led to “Thor: Love and Thun der” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” being pushed back as well.

DJ Yumi Hi-Power (Jamaica Observer photo)

The Avengers logo is projected with the Singapore CBD skyline in the background, at a fan event for Marvel Studio’s Avengers: Infinity War movie, in Singapore April 16, 2018 (REUTERS/ Feline Lim photo)

Skeng jams with Nicki on Billboard

(Jamaica Observer)SKENG’S Likkle Miss (re mix) featuring Nicki Minaj hits three Billboard charts this week. The song, produced by Drop Top Records and Di Truth Records, debuts at 18 on the all-genre Digital Song Sales chart.

On the R&B/Hip-Hop Dig ital Song Sales chart, Likkle Miss (remix) re-enters to score a new peak at six. It also rises to a new peak of four on the Rap Digital Song Sales chart.

The Likkle Miss (remix) was added to Nicki Minaj’s hit compilation Queen Radio: Volume 1 in August.

A new remix of Likkle

Former chart-topper Wis dom by Stick Figure remains at three, Greatest Hits by UB40 inches up to four, and World on Fire by Stick Figure is up to number five.

Sean Paul’s Dutty Rock re-enters at six, Set in Stone by Stick Figure is at seven, while The Trinity by Sean Paul is back at eight.

Gifted by Koffee is nine and Burna Boy’s Outside dips to 10.

On the sales-driven US Current Reggae Albums chart, The Kalling by Kabaka Pyra mid opens at number one while Mood Swing by Hirie debuts at number three with 161 copies.

Miss with Skeng, Nicki, Lady Leshurr, Pamputtae, Dovey Magnum, Spice, Destra, Patrice Roberts, London Hill and Lisa Mercedez was released last week.

On the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, Kabaka Pyr amid debuts at 13 with his sophomore set The Kalling. The album sold 637 in album equivalent units. Of that sum, 284 were pure album sales.

The Kalling was released September 30, via Ghetto Youths International and Beb ble Rock Music. It has 15 songs and features collabora tions with Tifa, Damian Marley (who also produced the album), Buju Banton, Jemere Morgan, Stephen Marley, Protoje, Jesse Royal, and newcomer Answele.

This is Kabaka’s second entry on the Billboard chart. In 2018, Kontraband opened at number three with first-week sales of 551 units.

Bob Marley and the Wail ers’s Legend spends 143 nonconsecutive weeks in the num ber one spot while Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Col lection is steady at number two.

Vybz Kartel’s True Religion starts at number four with 127 copies.

In the Cayman Islands, Hot 104.1 FM is reporting that it’s most requested song for the week on its Hot 5 chart is Rastaman by Kabaka Pyramid and Tifa.

On the New York Reg gae chart, Reverse the Curse by Richie Stephens spends a sixth non-consecutive week at number one.

Loyalty by Mikey General darts from 12 to nine, while Playing Money Games by Terry Linen steps from 20 to 17.

This week’s new entries are Don’t Play Me by Shuga (num ber 27) and Africa by Timmy Love (number 29).

Don’t Do It by Hopeton Lindo, Marcia Griffiths and Freddie McGregor is number one for a second week on the South Florida Reggae chart.

Everyday of My Life by Robert Ffrench is up to 16, while the new entries are Troublemaker by Latty Gu zang (number 20) and Grown Woman by Hopeton Lindo with Peter G (number 25).

Skeng (Jamaica Observer photo)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Friday October 14, 2022)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY

LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

Matthew Hayden – 265 runs (AUST)

(2) Chris Gayle-117 (WI vs SA, Johannesburg)

Today’s Quiz:

Who took most wickets in the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup?

What were the best bowling figures in a single game in the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup?

tomorrow’s issue

English Racing Tips

Fakenham

08:30 hrs Sophosc 09:05 hrs Shetland Bus

09:40 hrs Matata 10:15 hrs Bells Of Stam ford

10:50 hrs Haliphon 11:25 hrs Bobmahey

Haydock 08:40 hrs Lumacho

09:15 hrs Diamond Vega 09:50 hrs Punchbowl

Flyer

10:25 hrs Saxon King 11:00 hrs Ascot Adveb ture

11:33 hrs Zebra Star

12:08 hrs Qoya

Redcar 08:25 hrs Day Member 08:59 hrs Yorkshire

09:34 hrs Ve Day 10:09 hrs Oh So Charm ing 10:44 hrs Camusdarach

11:19 hrs Tar Heel

11:50 hrs Prakasa

12:20 hrs Bearwith

Irish Racing Tips

Dundalk

12:00 hrs Dalvey 12:30 hrs Draco Pul

chrac

13:00 hrs Longbourn 13:30 hrs Skip James

14:00 hrs Toe Bog Bank 14:30 hrs Eglish 15:00 hrs Marsa 15:30 hrs Bua

Canadian Racing Tips Woodbine

Race 1 Anselmo Race 2 Tamana Race 3 A Touch Of Red Race 4 King Ottokar Race 5 Ready For The Lady

Race 6 Chancel Race 7 Poulin In OT Race 8 I’m No Sleepy Joe

American Racing Tips Belmont

Race 1 Signator

Race 2 Alarm Clock

Race 3 Marinara Sauced Race 4 Sinful Dancer Race 5 Space Launch Race 6 Royal Poppy Race 7 Matty’s Maraud

Race 8 Poppy Flower

South Africa Racing Tips Fairview

hrs Waiting For Summer

hrs Scarborough Fair

hrs Saint Anastasia

hrs Princess Of Fire

hrs Paris Rix

Former Windies batsman, Bruce Pairaudeau dies

(ESPNCRICINFO)

- Bruce Pairaudeau, the former West Indies and Northern Districts batter, has died aged 91.

Pairaudeau, who was born in British Guiana in 1931, played 13 Tests for West Indies between 1953 and 1957, along side Frank Worrell, Everton Weekes and Alf Valentine. He fell in love with New Zealand on a tour to the country in 1956. After emigrat ing to New Zealand, he captained Northern Districts to their first Plunket Shield title in

1962-63 before retiring from domestic cricket in 1966-67.

Pairaudeau had made his debut for Guiana in 1947 at the age of 15 and scored his maiden hundred the following season. He then scored a century on Test debut against India in Port of Spain in 1953, but in 20 further innings he only got into double figures six times. He finished with an overall 454 runs in 13 Test matches at an average of 21.61.

More recently, in 2015, Pairaudeau and his friend drove from

Hamilton to Napier to watch the visiting West Indies team train.

"We heard a West Indian voice and when I looked at who it was, I thought it might be Bruce Pairaudeau. We knew he lived in New Zealand but we didn't know he was coming over," Philip Spoon er, West Indies' me dia manager, told ES PNcricinfo at the time "All the guys just loved meeting him."

Pairaudeau is sur vived by son Jeffrey and three grand-chil dren.

File photo: Bruce Pairaudeau tests his drive with Chris Gayle’s bat in 2015 (WICB)

Caribbean Mini and Pre Cadet Table Tennis - Foreign teams arrive ahead of today’s launch

The Jamaica team

THE stage is set as the 2022 edition of the Caribbean Mini and Pre-Cadet Table Ten nis championships get underway today at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

Teams for the tour nament began arriv ing late Wednesday

evening with Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines al ready touching down./ Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Surina me were expected last evening.

Meanwhile, Guy

ana is expected to be defended by a pool of talented table tennis prospects which in cludes Samara Sukhai, Jasmine Billingy and Akira Watson, along with Malachi Moore, Ebo Mc Neil, Darius Daniels and Zion Hick erson.

Billingy, who re cently secured a spot at the Saint Stanislaus College, is the national girls 13 years and un der, 17 years and under and 21 years and under champion.

The St. Lucia Team

Along with Billingy, Watson of St Stanislaus College will lead Guy ana’s charge in the girls 13 years and under cat egory while Sukhai, the national 11 years and under champion, is expected to lead the front in that category.

Moore, the nation al 13 year and under champion, and Ebo Mc Neil, the national 13 years and under and 15 years and under runner up and who hails from region 10, will set the tone in their respective categories.

New developmental talents, Hickerson and Daniels, among others, will seek to make in

roads on their regional counterparts.

The championships are held in collabora tion between the Guy ana Table Tennis Asso ciation and Caribbean Regional Table Tennis Federation Champion ships.

The championship provides Guyana the opportunity, as host, to expose and showcase thirty-two (32) pre-ca det players,

These are split via the following ways: eight boys and eight girls in the 11 years and under Category; eight boys and eight girls in the 13 years and under category

Barbados Royals donate gear to cricket clubs in Georgetown

Barbados Royals, through their phys iotherapist, Guya nese Neil Barry Jr., donated cricket gear to five clubs under the umbrella of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA).

Malteenoes Sports Club, Diplomats, Ace Warriors, Sophia and Positive Foundation of Agricola were the beneficiaries of the be nevolent gesture from the Royals camp.

According to Barry

Jr., the two-time Carib bean Premier League champions, and 2022 finalists, wanted to give support at the grassroot level and they hope the gears will assist the clubs in their various pro grammes.

GCA President, Neil Barry Snr, was present at the simple handing-over cere mony and thanked the Royals team for the effort in assisting Georgetown cricket.

Barbados Royals’ physiotherapist Neil Barry Jr. (far right) along with representatives from the clubs and President of the Georgetown Cricket Association, Neil Barry Snr. (far left)

Big Man Cricket T25 final slated for tomorrow at GCC

tense battle for champion ship honors when Essequ ibo Eagles do battle with the West Bank Warriors. West Bank Warriors had earlier in the year brushed aside Georgetown Roy al Rangers in the first semi-final whilst Esse quibo Eagles made light work of Jai Hind Jaguars in the other semi-final.

The long-term goals are to give retired play ers an avenue towards extending their playing days in meaningful ways and to promote healthier lifestyles among citizens.

The winning team is set to pocket $300,000 while the losing finalist will receive $200,000

Rayburn Gonsalves –(layer/Coach) Manoj Lall, Jainantilall Lall, Balbadar, Ishwar Singh, Raj Ram barack, Deopaul Drepaul, Darshanan Lall, Trevis Simon – (layer/Manager) Kurt Jones, Barry Alphon so, Fazeer Khan and Dha ramdeo Lall

Weather permitting, the long-awaited final of the Big Man Cricket (BMC)

T25 Over-45 Tourna ment will culminate Sat urday at the George town Cricket Club

(GCC) ground, Bourda starting at 11:00hrs.

According to a release from the organisers, the tournament has endured many stops and starts over the past year and a half

due to the prolonged peri ods of unfavorable weath er conditions coupled with the COVID pandemic and its restrictions.

This long-awaited fi nal should witness an in

The inaugural BMC T25 tournament primary purpose is to have mas ters cricket played in a structured manner and to unearth and develop a pool of local players to feed into Cricket West In dies Masters Association (CWIMA) with players vying for international assignments including bi-lateral series, tri-series, quadrilateral and masters Cricket World Cup tour naments.

There are many indi vidual prizes and trophies up for grabs as well, in cluding the player with the most runs, wickets, highest individual score and best bowling figures.

Essequibo Eagles squad: Bhesham Seeper saud (captain), Ramesh Narine (vice-captain), Latchmikant Narine, Davenand Madadeo, Ritchie Bishop, Indar Rampersaud, Dharmendra Lakhan, Linden Daniels (player/Asst. Manager)

West Bank Warriors squad: Seecharran Per saud (captain), Ganesh Persaud (vice-cap tain), Eion Williams, Sohan Bedessee, Steve Haripaul, Seenarine Mathura, Kallicharran, Rahim Hussain, Ravi Persaud, Patrick Khan, Mohamed Abid Han iff, Deoram Persaud, Ramtulsie, Anthony Ifill, Patrice Stuart, Chan derpaul Singh, Andrew Ian Budhan (layer/Man ager)

GCB

Male

Third round, Finals switched to Providence

THE 3rd round and Final of the GCB Senior Male Super50 inter-county has been switched to the Guyana

National Stadium due to heavy rainfall Wednes day night into Thursday morning in Georgetown. The third round fix

ture between Berbice and the GCB President’s XI match originally sched uled for Friday, October 14 at the GCC ground,

Bourda will now be played on Saturday, Oc tober 15 from 09:00 hours while the Demerara ver sus Essequibo match-up,

also scheduled for Friday, will now be played on Sunday, October 16 from 09:00 hours.

The top two (2) teams

after the three rounds of matches will play the fi nal under lights on Tues day, October 18 starting at 14:00 hours.

Nicolette Fernandes extends Guyana’s medal tally at SA Games

Guyana’s medal tally at the ongoing South Amer ican Games in Paraguay has risen to three, com plements of silver from squash player, Nicolette Fernandes.

Boxers Keevin Allicock and Desmond Amsterdam delivered bronze.

In the women’s final, Fernandes lost 2-3 to Laura Perez of Colombia after leading the contest with

success in the first two sets.

The Guyanese, who won gold at the Games in 2010, took a 2-0 lead with an 116, 11-8 scoreline, but Perez rebounded to take the next three sets 11-7, 11-7, 13-11.

At the 2018 Games, Guyana ended with five medals coming from Track and Field (one sil ver, two bronze) and Box ing (two bronze).

Action in this year’s Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) inter-county has been shifted to the Providence National Stadium (Adrian Narine photo)