Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 14-12-2022

–– as milestone contract signed for

‘Enormous’ opportunities to be unlocked

GUYANA, on Tuesday, moved one step closer to significantly lowering electricity costs, following the signing of a contract which will result in the construction of the 300-megawatt power plant in an integrated facility with a Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant.

“This is the largest project that we would have embarked on as a country, and that brings with it its own challenges, but it also gives us an opportunity to build capacity,” President, Dr. Irfaan Ali said at the significant signing ceremony at the Office of the President, on Tuesday.

The project, the Head of State said, goes beyond power generation to unlocking Guyana’s enormous potential.

“This project is not only about the generation of power and liquids…I’m sure understanding the opportunities that this project will unlock for us as a country is just enormous, from the liquids perspective from energy and building our competitiveness on the energy side,” Dr. Ali said.

The Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for the Wales, West Bank Demerara Gas-to-Shore project, was signed between the Government of Guyana and the US-based partnership CH4/Lindsayca.

The EPC Contract will be supervised by a global super-

vision firm, Engineers India Limited.

ENERGY MASTER PLAN

President Ali acknowledged that while the US$759 million project is a major accomplishment, his administration is not allowed much time to celebrate given the multitude of transformative projects underway, particularly now with a growing revenue base.

On this note, he assured persons that the gas-to-shore project will not reduce the government’s commitment to hydropower and the pursuit of a diversified portfolio of energy generation to be unparalleled and unmatched in the region.

“It also is linked to our strategic approach on energy that involves beyond our borders, and all of these things will be rolled out as we move forward with unlocking our energy master plan that is national and regional in nature,” Dr. Ali affirmed

The government, he added: “[Is] very proud that we have done everything within international norms and beyond to bring this project to the end.”

Dr. Ali said this was no simple process from the tendering aspect to the technicality of the project, among other things. So, it could have only been realised through a collaborative effort.

“One of the important things is that on the task force and on the ministry, the process we had many young Guyanese… many, many young Guyanese who were part of this learning process, who were part of this transformative process,” he said.

Dr. Ali also commended Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, for the role he played in ensuring that the project got to its current stage.

Dr. Jagdeo, in his remarks, said that two years is a relatively short period to put together such a complex project of this nature, and added that it was only possible as a result of the resoluteness that they have been working with.

According to the Vice-President, the government during the entire process, was committed along the entire path to seeing that the project was developed in accordance with the highest international standards.

He said the process of procurement was a transparent one which was open to everyone, and the government even went above and beyond what is normally done.

He said: “Given the importance of this project, its size and its transformative nature, we had to get this right and we believe with this contractor that they will deliver on the project. Timelines are important for us, the quality of the work is important and staying within budget, these are three things that we will look for and monitor carefully.”

United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch

said that the companies within the consortium CH4/Lindsayca have remarkable track records of delivering projects in other countries.

She said: “My hope is that lowering the cost of electricity and improving its reliability will enable growth and manufacturing, add value to agricultural products and allow for serious advances in every sector and every region in Guyana.”

The power and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) plant will be owned by the Government of Guyana. ExxonMobil is expected to deliver the completed pipeline to the power plant by the fourth quarter of 2024 in order to have commissioning and testing of the plant by the end of 2024.

The project is expected to deliver power at less than half of the current costs, as it was highlighted as a significant step forward for Guyana to achieve energy security and a reduction in energy costs for the expansion of the manufacturing and industrial sectors.

transformational Wales gas-to-shore project

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali speaking at the contract signing ceremony (Delano Williams photo)

Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo delivering remarks at the contract signing ceremony (Delano Williams photo)

Representatives of CH4/Lindsayca, Nelson Drake and Hector Fuentes (right) and Permanent Secretary within the Office of the Prime Minister, Derrick Cummings along with representative of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Michael Munroe (far left) following the signing of the contracts (Delano Williams photo)

Salary increases key to retaining ‘critical’ Guyanese talent

UNITED States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, on Tuesday, praised the government for its recent increases in salaries for public sector workers.

During her remarks at the signing ceremony for the 300-megawatt Wales gas-to-power plant, the ambassador expressed congratulations to the Government of Guyana for increasing wages for the health sector workers and public servants recently, noting that such a move is key to preventing brain drain.

She added: “We know very well that Guyanese are smart, capable professionals who need to be paid fairly for their work and steps like the one you took… are key to retaining critical talent to aid with this rapid economic transformation.”

On Monday, President Ali announced massive salary increases for healthcare workers amounting to more than $1.5 billion in annualised disposable income for over 5,000 workers. As part of the salary scale adjustment, several categories of doctors, nurses and allied health staff received increases.

Meanwhile, in late November, the President announced some $1 billion more in salaries for over 8,000 workers in the disciplined services. These increases in

the salary scales will benefit ranks at various levels in the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Fire Service and the Guyana Defence Force.

Additionally, in November, as part of the government’s commitment and dedication to public sector workers, it was announced that there will be an across-the-board eight per cent retroactive salary increase.

–– US Ambassador says in commending the government’s recent initiatives to improve income of public sector workers

United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lunch (Delano Williams photo)

‘Mayor Narine must go’

— protesters, civil society and private sector groups call for resignation of City

over ‘reckless’ outbursts — Deputy Mayor distances self from colleague’s comments

PROTESTORS chanted loudly, “the mayor must go,” during an expression of dissatisfaction and disgust with the Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine’s attempts to promote racial and religious hostility among citizens.

The protesters who conducted a peaceful demonstration in front of City Hall on Tuesday, held placards with strong messages such as “vile and insensitive comments”, which were directed at Narine, who made his “reckless” comments while also influencing efforts to obstruct the removal of carts, stalls and other encumbrances belonging to vendors who illegal ply their trade along New Market Street, opposite the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The mayor, who is a practicing Hindu Pandit, baselessly accused President, Dr. Irfaan Ali of attempting to cause a “religious fight” and attempting to create a “Muslim state,” among other things.

Citizens, civil society and private sector groups have, however, rejected the Mayor’s comments and accused him of attempting to cause a “race and religion” war.

“Last night, the mayor made some very nasty utterances and tried to create religious strife because he said that the President was trying to create a Muslim state. That is race hate and religious hate.

“The Mayor has to resign now. Our country is growing exponentially. Why seek to divide us? Racism has no place in this society,” social activist Don Singh said.

Singh also called upon the Ethnic Relations Commission to investigate the Mayor’s race and religious comments.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC), in condemning the Mayor’s

remarks and actions, said:

“Narine, in the course of protesting against the removal of vendors on New Market Street, descended into making a number of wholly unacceptable, vile, obnoxious, religiously offensive and highly provocative personal statements publicly directed at the President of our country.”

The PSC said it was appalled at those statements and condemned them in the strongest possible manner.

“Narine, having realised that his statements were immediately rejected out of hand as offensive and dangerously divisive by the Christian, Muslim and Hindu organisations of our country, belatedly, attempted an apology.

“The Private Sector Commission is of the view that, given the high office and responsibility of the Mayorship of our capital city, Mr. Ubraj Narine has proved himself to be unfit for this office and is left

with no alternative but to immediately resign,” the commission said.

The Region Three Private Sector Inc. (R3PSInc) also joined in the calls for Mayor Narine to resign.

“Guyana will remain a blessed country with its rich cultural and religious diversities, Mayor Narine seems to be living in a bubble with his remarks

Mayor

Concerned citizens protested for the resignation of Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine (Adrian Narine photo)

Some protesters with their placards (Adrian Narine photo)

Unwavering Commitment

PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali recently announced substantial salary increases to several categories of health sector workers. This, he said, is in keeping with a PPP/C Manifesto promise to upgrade the living and working conditions of the nation’s workers. Only recently, the President announced an eight per cent, across-the-board salary increase to all public sector employees retroactive to January 1, 2022.

Significantly, the increases to the salaries of healthcare workers which will take effect from January 2023, will build on the increases paid to public sector employees, which will be a significant boost to the income levels of health sector workers.

Over 5,000 healthcare workers will benefit from

the increases, which will boost their annualised disposable income by over $1.5 billion.

According to President Ali, the increases represent a further instalment of the government’s unwavering commitment to continue the improvement of the working conditions of our employees in the public sector and indeed all Guyanese.

The fact is that public sector employees, and for that matter workers on the whole, can expect to see an overall improvement in their standard of living under the PPP/C administration, which philosophically and ideologically is working-class oriented.

Salary increases for public servants are, therefore, embedded in the working-class DNA of the PPP/C administration, unlike that of the PNC, which was responsible for the pauperisation of

public sector employees over its nearly three decades of dictatorial and authoritarian rule.

One consequence of such undemocratic rule was the prolonged economic decline which characterised the greater part of PNC dictatorial rule. As the economy declined, wages and salaries became increasingly low with soaring levels of inflation which severely eroded the purchasing power of the Guyanese working people.

It was not until the return of democratic rule on October 5, 1992 and the return of the PPP/C to the seat of power that the purchasing power of the Guyanese people began to incrementally improve.

However, decades of economic mismanagement and retrogression continue to be felt despite the best efforts of the PPP/C to improve

the economic and social well-being of the Guyanese people. It is a fact that wages and salaries in Guyana still lag behind several countries in the Anglo-phone Caribbean, an indication of the extent of the economic devastation inflicted on the Guyanese economy and by extension on the working and living conditions of the working people.

President Ali and the PPP/C administration is committed to bridging the income gap between Guyanese and their regional counterparts, and to a significant degree this is already showing tangible results.

The brain drain of Guyanese skilled workers to the Caribbean and North America over the years has declined significantly as the Guyana economy becomes increasingly consolidated. And, with increasing rev-

enues from the emerging petroleum sector, things will only get better and better with each passing day.

The health sector workers are the most recent beneficiaries of this economic dynamism but it will certainly not end there. Considering the growth of the economy, projected to be among the fastest in the world thanks to our emerging will, all Guyanese can expect to see steady improvements in their quality of life.

Only recently, Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo announced across-the-board increases to sugar workers comparable to that given to public sector employees.

The decision by President Ali to substantially increase the emoluments of health sector employees is a welcome development which will most

likely impact positively on the professionalism of the sector, while at the same time serve to minimise the loss of doctors and nurses to “greener pastures.”

It is a fact that a significant number of our trained professionals in the health sector have, over the years, been migrating to North America and other countries.

This most recent initiative will hopefully serve as an incentive for our health professionals to remain and serve, and contribute to an enhanced quality of health care delivery to the Guyanese people.

The health of the nation is our most precious national asset and the PPP/C administration must be given full credit for making the health of the nation a top national priority.

Religious intolerance has no part in

Guyana’s future, Mayor Narine should resign

Dear Editor

AS a religious leader, I must join the voices of all other leaders in calling for the resignation of Mayor of Georgetown, Pandit Ubraj Narine, who spewed religiously offensive and highly provocative personal statements publicly directed at

Advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence will always be condemned in a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society such as Guyana. It is an act of insanity.

These acts represent potential triggers that result in

the repression of a rapidly evolving State and society.

As an Imaam, I would not favour a Muslim state as we are one people, one nation and with one destiny, and our President is a leader for all religions and citizens.

All sensible stakeholders, including the Leader of the Opposition, should condemn

the offensive statements made by the Georgetown Mayor.

His expression of degrading the President as a racist and Muslim leader who wants to create Guyana into a Muslim state has no relevance in protesting against the removal of vendors on New Market Street.

The Mayor, in an effort

to discover opportunities for the vendors, has allowed his emotional bias to erupt against the President. As a religious leader, something he also claims to be, I denounce such expressions and call on the mayor to tender his resignation immediately, as he is unfit and not proper for a Chief Citizen of Georgetown.

He could have resolved the issue in a more dignified manner. But first, one must possess the knowledge to achieve such, and it is clear that Mayor Narine does not possess such, based on his words and actions.

President Irfaan Ali.

Yours Truly Imaam Halim Khan

‘Race, religion baiters must be called out’

so, go back to every single religious text and it will tell you that they are misfits,” Dr. Ali said.

Narine and his APNU+AFC colleagues, on Monday evening, influenced efforts to obstruct the removal of carts, stalls

and other encumbrances belonging to vendors who ply their trade illegally along New Market Street, opposite the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

“While we are for law and order, development

and safety and security of citizens, persons must be able to call out those who are wrong,” Dr. Ali said in his address at the Police Commissioner’s Christmas Breakfast.

PERSONS who perpetuate racism, division in society must be called out, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has said in response to Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine’s “reckless” outbursts and attempts to promote racial and religious hostility among citizens.

“I have zero tolerance for race baiters and religious baiters in this country. They must be called out and shamed. The time

for this nonsense has come to an end and we must start from here,” President Ali said during his address at the Police Commissioner’s Christmas Breakfast, on Tuesday.

Mayor Narine, during a live broadcast on his Facebook page on Monday night, accused the current government of “bullying poor people because they are Afro-Guyanese.”

He later started claiming that the President is

discriminating against him due to his religion, as well as expressing “concerns” that Guyana was becoming a “Muslim state.”

“We must not allow these irrelevant misfits in a modern society to have their way. And I’m very careful in my definition of them… they are misfits.

Anyone who tolerates disorder and baits people using racism or religious affiliation are misfits in a modern society. And I didn’t say

— President Ali says in emphasising ‘zero tolerance’ for persons who seek to perpetuate racism, division — religious community strongly condemns Mayor Narine’s attempts to promote racial, religious hostility among citizens

President Dr Irfaan Ali (Office of the President photo)

600 house lots issued in final ‘Dream Realised’ 2022 housing drive

SIX hundred low-, moderate- and middle-income persons residing on the East Coast of Demerara, Region Four, received house lots at “Block D Pln.” De Endragt, as the Housing Ministry and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) closed the curtains on its ‘Dream Realised’ Housing Drive for 2022.

The housing drive was

held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Tuesday.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, stated that the final exercise pushed the Ministry over its 10,000 goal for the year and pushed overall allocations from August 2020 to December 2022 to more than 20,000.

That, the Minister said, was another example of the

–– pushes Housing Ministry over its goal of 10,000 lots in 2022

government delivering on its promise to reduce applications backlog and provide affordable housing options.

Nearly 5,000 persons from the East Coast of Demerara benefitted from the total allocations.

Additionally, on the East Coast of Demerara, some $10 billion has been invested in first-phase infrastructure at La Bonne Intention (LBI),

La Reconnaissance, Mon Repos, Annandale, Vigilance, Strathspey, Bladen Hall, Foulis and Cummings Lodge.

“In 2023, we are projected to spend at least another $10 billion to be invested in new areas such as Hope, Hope Lowlands, Hope Estate, Good Hope and inclusive of where you are going, De Endragt,” Minister Croal affirmed during his address.

He also underscored that in 2022 & 2023, some $13 billion would be invested in the Region Four water sector to provide a reliable supply of treated water for the benefit of over 300,000 citizens.

Meanwhile, the Minister within the Ministry of

Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, noted that home-ownership was one of the largest and most important investments that most individuals will make in their lives.

She said that the government’s housing programme was designed to make the journey easier through infrastructural development and programmes that cater to every income bracket.

“The way that we approach our housing programme is to enrich lives and to ensure that people increase their equity [and] ensuring that people increase their net worth through our housing programme,” stated Minister Rodrigues.

She also pointed out that government’ s housing programme ensured that Guyanese benefitted regardless of their ethnicity, religious background and geographic location. Housing for youths and vulnerable populations and creating job opportunities with the many spin-offs of the programme were also of key focus.

Additionally, Chief Executive Officer of CH&PA, Sherwyn Greaves, stated that the lands allocated at Pln. De Endragt will be outfitted with the necessary infrastructure for sustainable housing development.

“The area will house close to one thousand residential lots, it will also have areas put aside for worship, areas put aside for schools, commercial and industrial lots so businesses will be in the area,” the CEO outlined.

De Endragt is located less than nine miles away from the capital city and will also have basic utilities such as electricity and water, as part of the works.

CEO Greaves further stated that the scheme will have great transportation access, as it will be connected to an incoming road link from Aubrey Barker Road, Georgetown to Enmore/Foulis.

At the housing drive, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Water, Andre Ally, also addressed the allottees during the opening ceremony.

Also at the opening ceremony was the Chairman of the Mon Repos – La Reconnaissance NDC, Ayube Mohamed.

Allottees pull their lot numbers during the final ‘Dream Realised’ Housing Drive for 2022

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, interacts with one of the many applicants at the final ‘Dream Realised’ Housing Drive for the year 2022, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre

‘The increases are encouraging to us and the many others to come’

–– health workers overjoyed for major salary increases announced by President Ali

By Tamica Garnett

OVER 5,000 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses and medex, are set to benefit from increased disposable income with the salary increases that were announced by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali on Monday, and persons have already expressed how encouraging this development is to them and what it means for those who are considering a career in the health sector.

“It means a lot in all honesty. I appreciate the well-deserved increase and I’m sure I speak on behalf of many when I say the government has done us well. I do wish they continue their good work and be a blessing to all Guyanese,” commented young Dr. Yulous Allicock, a Medical officer in the neurosurgery department at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Allicock has been working in the public healthcare system for the past three years, with two of those years being dedicated to the neurosurgery department.

Medical officers, like Allicock, are set to gain various percentage increases in the salary adjustments , which will take effect from January 1, 2023.

Based on the salary adjustments, medical interns will see their minimum salary adjusted from $151,347 to $200,000, which represents an additional 32.1 per cent increase on the current minimum salary, while medical officers employed at GPHC, and other facilities, will see their current minimum salary adjusted from $219,878 to $300,000, which represents an additional 36.4 per cent increase.

Medical officers who have completed one-year post-employment experience will see their current minimum salary adjusted to $351,204, while those

with two years of post-employment experience will see their minimum salaries adjusted to $414,032. Additionally, those with three years of post-employment experience will see their minimum salary adjusted to $446,160 in line with current practices at the GPHC.

Specialist doctors, such as neurosurgeons, obstetricians, gynaecologists, will have their minimum salaries adjusted upwards from $276,536 to $450,000, which represents an additional increase of 62.7 per cent.

But doctors are not the only ones benefitting. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Coordinator of Medex Training Programme, Sarah Daniels, was overjoyed that in consideration for the various healthcare professions, the medex profession was not left out.

Medex will now have their current minimum salary adjusted upwards from $152,420 to $200,000, representing a 31.2 per cent increase.

“This is like a dream for all the Medex. It’s something that they have been waiting for a long time, and just like that it happened,” Daniels expressed

She added: “With this increase of 31.2 per cent, which is a very big jump, it

looks even more promising for those in training and those who are considering to be Medex. It gives them something to look forward to.”

Given the extent to which medex, who function mostly in remote locations, have to work, Daniels believes this category of medical workers are especially deserving of the salary increase.

“The medex profession isn’t always highlighted, so I am so happy that it has been put in the spotlight this time around. They wear many hats and supervisory management is one of them.

They work very hard and oftentimes, beyond the call of duty,” she relate.

RETAINING PERSONS

Medex are Medical Extension Officers, who function more in the hinterland and riverine areas.

Daniels believes too that this salary increase will reduce the brain drain which Guyana’s medical profession often experiences.

“Some of our medex have left with the nurses for the international countries, but with this initiative, it seems a bit more promising and hopefully they will be encouraged to work and to serve the country as a whole with great pride,” she said.

Aside from the doctors and the medex, increases were also considered for nurses, technicians and allied health professionals.

“It’s a good start, and all in all I’m very grateful for the increase! It will really help us” said a nurse stationed at the West Demerara Regional Hospital, in Region Three.

Sharing that she got involved in the nursing profession because of her love for helping persons and making a difference, she noted that it feels great to see the salary in the profession being increased so that nurses can be better compensated.

“It makes you feel good, helping someone knowing

that they can’t do something for themselves.

It’s just an amazing feeling, because most times patients feel so helpless and hopeless when they can’t do everyday stuff, so it makes you feel good about yourself knowing that I can reassure them, help them in any possible way even talking to them makes a difference in their life,” she shared.

In the category of nurses, persons will have their current salary adjusted from $111,628 to $169,438, which represents an additional 51.8 per cent increase. Staff nurses and midwives will have their current salary adjusted upwards from $127,963 to $195,000, which represents an additional 52.4 per cent increase.

Midwives will see their current minimum salary being adjusted from $96,974 to $169,438, which represents an additional 74.4 per cent increase

Nurse aides and Patient Care Assistants salaries have been adjusted from $80,892 to $100,000, which represents a 23.6 per cent increase, while nursing assistants will have their salaries adjusted from $88,525 to $115,000, which represents a 29.9 per cent increase.

Safety among issues discussed at tourism stakeholder consultation

IN light of two tragic incidents involving tourists, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), on Tuesday, held a tourism stakeholder consultation at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, in her address, highlighted the importance of safety, especially in the tourism sector which is growing at a rapid rate.

The minister emphasised that security and safety were the top pillars of any tourism sector and thus, should be handled with priority.

Tourism is Guyana’s third largest export earner sector after oil and natural resources. It is the driving

force behind communal and sustainable development, an essential component of rural and national development, and a main source of income for many locals.

GTA officials listened attentively to several stakeholders as they related their experiences. Those in attendance were urged to suggest ways in which the concerns raised could be addressed.

One stakeholder raised the issue of people not wearing life jackets when travelling in boats, before pointing out the dangers of such a practice.

This particular issue is a longstanding one. The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and various

ministries have stressed on the importance of wearing life jackets. MARAD began distributing life jackets after many complained about how

costly they were to procure.

Certified boat captains not knowing how to swim was a focal point during the discussion. A stakeholder

shared his experience with being in a near-death situation where the captain could not swim and thus was unable to assist his passengers which resulted in a death.

In commenting on this, GTA Director, Kamrul Baksh, informed the gathering that his organisation has partnered with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to implement search and rescue programmes.

Meanwhile, stakeholders were presented with a GTA Business Toolkit. This manual consists of helpful information such as general operational policies, along with safety procedures and risk management policies.

In cases of crises and disasters, the toolkit contains several thorough plans and protocols to use in dangerous scenarios.

The work being done by the GTA to make Guyana the ideal tourism destination is finally paying off.

Recently, Guyana was listed among the 16 Latin American Bucketlist Trips for 2023 by Wanderlust.

Popular US lifestyle magazine, Essence, in its most recent issue, listed Guyana as one of 12 places to visit in 2023. The National Geographic, United Kingdom (UK) and Lonely Planet have also identified Guyana as a must visit tourism destination.

Medical officer in the neurosurgery department at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Dr. Yulous Allicock

Coordinator of Medex Training Programme, Sarah Daniels

Stakeholders who attended the consultation on Tuesday (DPI photo)

Labourer allegedly drowns in Essequibo River

NYRON Parke, a 20-year-old labourer of Lot 31 Section ‘B’ Hyde Park, East Bank Essequibo, allegedly drowned and police are investigating the circumstance, which occurred on Sunday at about 08:30 hours.

Enquiries disclosed that Parke is employed with Achie’s and Son Stone and Supplies located at Parika, East Bank Essequibo.

Police said that on Saturday last at about 11:00 hours, Parke, his employer, and other co-workers left their work location to visit another location located at Manaka, Essequibo River, where they spent the night.

The following morning at around 08:30 hours, Parke boarded a speed boat at Manaka via the route to Parika, East Bank

Essequibo.

However, before moving off, he returned to the Barge to collect his bag and did not return.

As a result, a search party went into action in the river and Parke’s body was fished out of the river in the vicinity of the Barge.

The motionless body was transported to Parika by his coworkers, and was ex-

amined by a Police Rank for marks of violence and none was seen.

Parke’s body was escorted to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body was further escorted to the Ezekiel Funeral Home, awaiting a post mortem examination.

Attorney shot dead in vehicle, husband purportedly kills self

FOUR months after their marriage Peter Charles, 31, a barber, reportedly shot his wife, 31-year-old Attorney-at-Law Asasha Ramzan-Charles, twice, before turning the gun on himself on Tuesday, police confirmed.

The couple reportedly lived two years together before their marriage. She previously lived with her three sisters and parents at Enterprise, East Coast Demerara.

The tragic incident occurred in their Nissan Xtrail vehicle that was parked in front of their Belle West, Canal number two, West Bank Demerara house.

Investigators recovered

a .32 semi-automatic pistol with five spent shells from the vehicle. Reports indicated that Peter Charles was a licensed firearm holder.

Asasha RamzanCharles, who was a State Counsel attached to the Attorney-General’s Chamber, was shot twice in the

head, and her husband had a bullet wound under his chin.

Police removed their bodies which were subsequently transported to the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour. Meanwhile, in a press statement, the Attorney-General’s (AG’s) Chambers and Ministry

of Legal Affairs mourned the passing of Ms Asasha Ramzan-Charles, who was employed as State Counsel from October 2020.

Having completed her Legal Education Certificate at the Hugh Wooding Law School, Ms. Ramzan was called to the Guyana Bar in November 2020.

She joined the Litigation Department of the Attorney- General’s Chambers and distinguished herself as a confident, hardworking, able, and driven attorney-at-law.

“Ms. Ramzan brought the highest levels of professionalism and proficiency to every matter in which she was involved, and was concerned espe-

cially about the plight of the ordinary Guyanese.

Ms. Ramzan-Charles was actively involved in numerous public outreach programmes, including assisting with the land regularisation programme of the Ministry. She often accompanied the Attorney-General, Mohabir Anil Nandlall SC MP, in his public and community outreaches, as part of her demonstrable commitment to assist the ordinary Guyanese. Ms. RamzanCharles also worked closely with the General Register Office (GRO), providing legal advice on a ready basis to the Registrar on a variety of legal matters,” the Attorney General’s

Chambers stated.

Further, the AG’s Chambers noted that her dedication to her work was a hallmark of her tenure at the Chambers, for which she was highly recognised. Those character traits equally applied to the vigour with which she spearheaded cultural activities within the Ministry, including Mashramani, Phagwah, Divali and Eid, Easter and Christmas celebrations.

Ms. Ramzan attended Annandale Secondary School and the University of Guyana. Her colleagues will remember her as energetic, focused and ambitious in all of her professional pursuits.

Dead: State Counsel Asasha Ramzan-Charles

Dead: Peter Charles

‘Race, religion baiters...

He said if persons are blocking the entrance to a hospital where the ambulance has to pass, this amounts to a breakdown of law and order in society.

Narine used the opportunity to sow seeds of discord with his “reckless” outbursts, which were condemned by several religious organisations.

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, in a state-

ment, strongly condemned any attempt to promote racial and religious hostility among citizens, noting that the diverse population of this country has been respectful to each other and practised religious harmony for generations.

“The government through its many programmes is actively pursuing a vision to promote unity and prosperity for all. The promotion of law and order is the cornerstone of

a progressive and peaceful society.

“The irresponsible outburst and the reference to religion by the Mayor to create division among citizens is abominable and should not be tolerated. We call on all Guyanese not to allow ourselves to be divided by persons whose narrow agenda is to create tension and animosity,” the religious organisation said.

Several Islamic organisations including the Cen-

tral Islamic Organisation of Guyana, Muslim Youth Organisation, the Darul Uloom Madrasah Arabia Islamia, Guyana Islamic Trust and the Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman, also unequivocally condemned the reckless outburst from the Mayor Narine, in relation to the removal of vendors along the roadway in the vicinity of the GPHC.

“In a world characterised by epic political, social

and technological transformations, there has never been a greater need for responsive and responsible leaders. Some of today’s dominant models of leadership struggle to reconcile both qualities. The actions and utterances of Mayor of Georgetown, Pandit Ubraj Narine, outside the Georgetown Hospital last night make him the embodiment of what contradicts these principles,” the Islamic organisations said.

They added: “We the Muslim Organisations view these statements as utterly irresponsible, amounting to no more than a pathetic political stunt to incite the emotions of people and garner support for himself. Such outbursts are foolhardy and very dangerous, and feed into the Islamophobic agenda which seeks to incite fear in the hearts of people regarding Islam and Muslims, and they must be condemned in the strongest terms.

“His Excellency is unashamedly Muslim. Yet it is his very being as a Muslim which also teaches him that he is a servant of all the people of Guyana. From his actions and engagements with the various religious groups in our country, it is clear that no single religious denomination can claim to be less favored by His Excellency.”

The Islamic Organisations went on to say: “So far, by the Grace of God, our Guyanese community has been free from religious discord and our people continue to coexist with religious harmony and tolerance.”

The Zadok Ministers Fellowship too also condemned the Mayor’s utterances as highly regrettable, unfounded and unsubstantiated and not reflective of the Guyanese reality.

“Guyana is a multi-ethnic society with three major religions – Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. While most Guyanese identify with Christianity, there is no place for religious supremacy and racism in Guyana,” the religious organisation said, adding: “There is no place in our society for prejudice, racism, discrimination, religious marginalisation, division, and hatred and calls for greater tolerance, appreciation and celebration of our religious, cultural and

ethnic diversity.”

The Christian organisation called for Guyanese to promote ethnic harmony and religious tolerance through brotherhood, sisterhood, friendship and love for our fellow human beings.

The Viraat Sabhaa and the Guyana’s Pandits Council, in separate statements, also condemned Mayor Narine’s actions.

The Sabhaa said: “His expression of degrading the President as a racist and Muslim leader who wants to create Guyana into a Muslim state has no relevance to his subject.

The Sabhaa has confirmed that since President Ali ascended to his position, his agenda of uniting Guyana took precedence over everything else. For he is firm in his conviction that only a united Guyana could accelerate the progressive attitude of our people.”

The religious organisation pointed to the President’s overarching ‘One Guyana’ initiative and ‘Men on Mission’ are testimony to the fact that he is concerned about every gender, that is, men should maximise their support for women and children.

“President Ali has never deliberately absented himself from any Hindu festivals. As a matter of fact, this year he was personally involved in the Diwali celebrations in Georgetown and other parts of the country. His passionate celebration of Phagwah and his personal visits to various Mandirs is a testimony of his support for the Hindu religion. His contribution to the strengthening of the social and religious fabric is being admired by all with whom he would have come into contact,” the Viraat Sabhaa said.

It is for those reasons that the religious body denounced such expressions and called on the Mayor to tender his resignation with immediate effect for making such dangerous statements.

The Guyana’s Pandits Council said: “Guyana is a country in which all religion are treated equally and allowed to practice their ideals and principles freely. Let us spread love, tolerance and unity instead of hate and divisiveness.”

APNU+AFC continues attempts to further delay hosting of LGEs

THE A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) continues to use every opportunity to frustrate the preparatory process and create stumbling blocks to the hosting of the Local Government Elections (LGEs), according to People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C)-nominated GECOM Commissioner, Clement Rohee.

Rohee, in a statement on his Facebook page, said: “The opposition commissioners have, once again, irresponsibly thrown out a revised GECOM work plan presented to a statutory meeting of the Commission held on Tuesday December 13, 2022. The plan concedes the postponement of Local Government Elections by approximately one month with the likelihood of it to be held in April 2023 provided a date is named by the Minister of Local Government [Nigel

Dharamlall].”

The new work plan was created following the submission of a proposal by the Chief Election Officer, Vishnu Persaud, to the Commission, to conduct an exercise to correct the Registers of Voters (ROVs) for Local Government Elections under Section 24A of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act, Chapter 28:03,” the GECOM statement said.

According to Rohee, the postponement of LGEs, which the PPP/C has agreed to, will accommodate a new claims and objections period and the extraction of a voters’ list that will reflect the correct placement of electors at their place of residence in their respective constituencies.

Regarding constituencies, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, had announced that several local authorities have officially

been reverted to their 2016 constituency boundaries to foster better representation in those areas.

He related that the government has been steadfastly working over the last two years to prepare for LGEs.

According to the minister, with the LGE initially set for March 13, 2023, changes were made, and those are expected to contribute to the maintenance of democracy at the local government level.

“Notwithstanding convincing evidence presented by PPP/C sponsored commissioners and the dismissal by the Court in November 2018 in a matter questioning the minister’s authority in respect to the demarcation of constituency boundaries, opposition commissioners have consistently and shamelessly questioned the powers of the Minister of Local Government to demarcate/establish boundaries of constituencies within local authority areas. (LAAS).

“Moreover, with the establishment of new constituencies, it is to be recalled that the Minister of Local Government held consultations with residents in the

newly established LAA’s,” Rohee said.

Further, Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, had said that the claim of the political opposition that Dharamlall cannot demarcate boundaries of local authority areas, is untrue, and goes against a similar action taken by Ronald Bulkan when he was

administration.

Dr. Jagdeo maintained that Minister Dharamlall legally has the power to set boundaries of the local authority areas, which include neighbourhood democratic councils (NDCs), towns and cities.

‘irresponsibly’ ‘throws out’ revised work plan which seeks to postpone elections to April 2023 to facilitate preparatory work, Rohee says

Communities Minister under the former APNU+AFC

PPP/C-nominated GECOM Commissioner, Clement Rohee

Mayor Narine...

and assertions while holding the position of First Citizen,” the private sector organisation said.

The President’s personal intervention and involvement in ‘Men on Mission’ speaks volumes

and is testimony to the fact that he is concerned about every facet of society and all religions and gender.

President Ali has also participated in all major religious festivals in Guyana and should be commended

for being behind and pushing for “One Guyana,” the R3PSInc said.

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) also said: “GCCI strongly condemns any hate speech or actions, that attempt to

incite racial and religious tension and by extension division in our nation.

GCCI is firmly persuaded that at this juncture of Guyana’s economic transformation, unity in diversity should pervade the nation’s landscape and airwaves.”

It went on to state: “The GCCI wishes to

make it known that we assiduously disapprove of all forms of marginalisation, bigotry and discrimination perpetrated against any group of people. Within this context, the Chamber is also gravely concerned with the frequent trend of politicians making statements with the potency to incite unrest through racism.”

The Association for Democracy and Human Rights (Guyana) Inc. also said that the opposition officials in municipalities and democratic organs, continue to engage in “vulgar obstructionist behaviour” in an unpatriotic campaign to undermine national governance and the transformation of Guyana.

“The mayor who has abandoned his duties to maintain good order and functional efficiencies across the municipality he controls, is now seeking to prevent the central government from doing what he is failing to do.

“Not only did the mayor become one of the obstructionists in Georgetown on Monday night, but he also chose to engage

openly in a vile attack on President, Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali and the State, with unfounded accusations of racism in the handling of the illegal structures removal exercise, coupled with the most irresponsible religious hate utterances heard in this country since independence,” the release said.

Deputy Mayor, Alfred Mentore has since distanced himself from his colleague’s ludicrous comments.

“… the comments made by Mayor Narine does not reflect my own views and that of some other councillors,” Mentore said, noting that there needs to be more collaboration between Central Government and City Hall.

Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine

Barakat Timbers donates security huts to Region Two police

TO help boost security particularly during the festive season, Barakat Timbers and Trading Company (BTTC), on Saturday, donated four huts to the police in Region Two.

During a simple cer -

emony at the company’s Charity location, BTTC’s secretary, Julie Dass, handed over the huts to Region Two Commander, Superintendent Khemraj Shivbaran.

Commander Shivbaran, in brief remarks, thanked the company’s director Imtiaz Barakat on behalf of the Commissioner of Police

(ag), Clifton Hicken and the Guyana Police Force.

He said that the huts will help to boost security in the region during and after the Christmas season.

Commander Shivbaran added that the huts will be placed at Anna Regina and the Charity water front.

One of the donated security huts

Vending opposite GPHC a ‘life-threatening situation’

THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has said that the obstruction that vending on New Market Street between Thomas and East Streets causes has become a life-threatening situation.

In setting the record straight, the management of the hospital said the dialogue to remove the vendors originated from multiple requests by the management

of the GPHC to resolve this issue by relocating the vendors away from the main thoroughfare to the hospital in-patient and emergency entrances.

“Our records show that the relevant authorities were written to in 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2022 regarding this issue, sighting the threat posed by the obstruction of the traffic, particularly for ambulant vehicles and patients who are seeking

care at the GPHC,” the hospital said in a release, adding: “While the requests for relocation of these vendors predate the current discourse, the situation has worsened over the years and now requires urgent and tactical action.”

In May 2015, then Chief Executive Officer, Michael Khan cited the need for an immediate intervention to mitigate any “unfortunate incidents as a result of the

cluttering at the gates.”

In February 2016, then CEO (ag), Allan Johnson, wrote to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) requesting the relocation of the eight vendors who “impede the smooth flow of pedestrians…” followed by another correspondence from CEO Khan in October 2016, noting that “ambulances encounter difficulty maneuvering their way in and out of the hospital.”

More recently, former CEO, Brigadier (ret’d) George Lewis wrote to the M&CC in September 2019, requesting an audience to discuss solutions to the blocking of the hospital’s access roads, followed by another letter to the Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine, in November 2022 from CEO (ag), Robbie Rambarran, requesting a meeting to discuss “vending in the vicinity of the GPHC.”

“For the GPHC, this has always been a matter of access to care – the presence of vendors along these streets has often delayed, particularly ambulant patients, from accessing the services they need in a timely manner.

“As the primary trauma care provider in the city, we cannot underscore enough the importance of having unencumbered access to our facility for our patients and their relatives. The risk that this obstruction poses is too great to ignore; for ambulant, pregnant and trauma patients, time is a critical determinant in their medical management and any imminent delays should be abated,” GPHC said.

The inundation of unauthorised street vending along the New Market and East Street pavements not only congests the pathways for ambulances and ambulant patients, but it also poses a challenge for keeping the hospital’s environs clean and impacts noise nuisance for patients in the hospital, as persons who stop in their vehicles to purchase from the vendors aggravate drivers who resort to excessively shouting and blowing their horns.

“The life-threatening situation is further compounded because the obstruction also delay staff from accessing the hospital compound.

“These conditions are not conducive to the effective functioning of any medical facility, particularly the GPHC. We understand that the vendors must make a living, but the presence of vendors on New Market Street between Thomas and East Streets now constitute a real life-threatening situation. The uncontrolled vending on New Market Street is a real detriment to our staff, patients, and their relatives. The GPHC looks forward to a swift solution by removing the obstruction that presently affects easy access to the hospital,”

GPHC said.

Tangible efforts, on Monday evening, to remove the illegal stalls, carts and other encumbrances were obstructed by persons influenced by APNU+AFC representatives, who were also among the aggravated persons.

“I have noticed that a matter of ensuring the free flow of access to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Guyana’s premier national medical institution has now gone into deep politics, bordering on racism and a diatribe loaded with religious bigotry.

“The Mayor of Georgetown and other APNU+AFC activists seem to have forgotten that health and access to health care, when required, is not something that should be determined by political action,” Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill said in a statement on Tuesday.

The government, through the Ministry of Public Works in collaboration with many public and private sector stakeholders, has embarked on a mission to promote environmental health and safety and to prepare the country for its next level of development.

“That being said, for our continual growth and progress, we simply cannot keep practicing that which we have becomes accustomed to, especially when it is the wrong thing. The removal of encumbrances along New Market Street needed to be done, it was only a matter of when, and this action will serve in the best interest of every Guyanese who must use our premier health facility, even those who seem to want to politicise this matter,” Edghill said.

He added: “Whenever persons need to get to the hospital, they must be able to get there without hindrances, to access needed treatment, and to fully recover and continue living a meaningful life.”

It is for this reason that the “irrational and illogical action” on the part of some APNU+AFC activists who assembled at New Market Street on Monday night, to prevent the removal of the caravans and encumbrances, must be seen for what it is: “Anti-progress, anti-patriotic and anti-development.”

— hospital’s management says records prove that complaints were made to City Hall from 2015 through to 2022 — Public Works Minister says efforts underway to promote environmental health and safety, prepare the country for its next level of development

Ruling on jurisdiction in case of suspended MPs set for Jan. 16

COME January 16, 2023, High Court Judge, Damone Younge, is expected to hand down her ruling on whether or not she has the jurisdiction to hear the case filed by eight A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Members of Parliament (MPs), who are challenging their suspension from the National Assembly.

The suspended MPs are Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones, Sherod Duncan, Natasha Singh-Lewis, Annette Ferguson, Vinceroy Jordan, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Ganesh Mahipaul, and Maureen Philadelphia.

On July 21, during the 48th Sitting of the National Assembly, the House officially approved the report of the Committee of Privileges, which recommended that the eight parliamentarians be suspended for their involvement in desecrating the Speaker’s Mace on December 29, 2021.

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

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

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

The Privileges Committee later presented a report that recommended

that MPs Ferguson, Philadelphia and Jordan be suspended for six consecutive sittings for committing serious violations in removing the Parliamentary Mace from its rightful position.

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

The suspended MPs later approached the court. In addition to the Attorney General, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir and the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, were named as defendants.

Justice Younge, had previously heard arguments from Attorney General Anil Nandlall, S.C., and APNU lawyer, Roysdale Forde, S.C., on the preliminary issue of jurisdiction.

Nandlall submitted that the court does not have jurisdiction to hear the matter given that Parliament was empowered by the Constitution to function independently.

Initially, the ruling was set for December 8, but the judge later decided to push back the date to January 16, 2023, due to “recent events of the coronavirus pandemic.”

Last month, the Full Court denied an application by Forde, challenging Justice Younge refusal to grant an interim conservatory order to allow the eight suspended MPs to attend sittings of the National Assembly, and to receive their salaries.

The Full Court ruled that the “appeal was ‘premature’ given that no decision was made by the High Court below that can properly be made the subject of an appeal.”

Messi,

Argentina

By Phil McNulty Chief football writer at Lusail Stadium

A DAZZLING performance from Lionel Messi led Argentina to their sixth World Cup final with victory over Croatia at Lusail Stadium.

Messi now gets one last chance to win the piece of silverware that has eluded him in his trophy-laden career, but Manchester City's 22-year-old striker Julian Alvarez also shone as Argentina ensured they will return here on Sunday to face either

France or Morocco.

Messi looked to be struggling with a hamstring problem early on but Argentina's little genius recovered enough to break the deadlock from the penalty spot after 34 minutes, following Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic's foul on the marauding Alvarez.

Alvarez doubled Argentina's lead five minutes later when he took Messi's header just inside Croatian territory and embarked on a slaloming run, aided by fortunate bounces off Josip Juranovic and Borna Sosa, before beat-

ing Livakovic.

There was no fortune involved in a brilliant third after the break as Messi mesmerised Croatia's excellent defender Josko Gvardiol on the byeline before playing in Alvarez for the finish.

Messi will now have the opportunity to make amends for the bitter disappointment of losing the 2014 World Cup final to Germany in Rio's iconic Maracana.

MESSI'S LAST CRACK AT WORLD CUP GLORY

When Messi stretched and clutched the top of his

left hamstring 19 minutes into this World Cup semi-final, there was a fear the dream for Argentina and their iconic number 10 might have the nightmare ending.

Instead, Messi recovered after a spell at walking pace to inspire Argentina as they go in search of a third triumph in the tournament following victories in 1978 and 1986.

And what a far cry it was from when Argentina were the victims of what is still the biggest shock of this World Cup in Qatar when they lost their opening game 2-1 to Saudi Arabia, despite Messi putting one of the pre-tournament favourites in front.

It was in 1990 that Argentina were stunned in similar fashion by Cameroon in their first game and went on to reach the final, losing 1-0 to West Germany.

Now they have the chance to go one better as the World Cup reaches its climax. And Messi can finally claim the crown in his final tournament.

Argentina used this meeting with the stubborn, re -

silient and talented 2018 finalists Croatia to produce their most convincing performance of this World Cup, suggesting Lionel Scaloni's side are hitting their peak at the perfect time.

Messi, inevitably, was at the heart of it all and involved in every goal, but Alvarez has shown in Qatar that he has, barring accidents, a wonderful career ahead of him.

Much has been made of Manchester City's big spending over the years but what a coup it was to sign Alvarez from River Plate for the bargain price of £14.1M

CROATIA BOW OUT WITH HEADS HELD HIGH

Croatia were undone, like so many before them, by the brilliance of Messi - as well as his young partner Alvarez - after making a confident and composed start to this World Cup semi-final.

Their defence was exposed in uncharacteristic fashion for Argentina's first two goals and there was little, even their outstanding

'Cricket is in denial'...

speak out?

"Unfortunately what it feels like is that cricket is very much in denial. I would

young defender Gvardiol could do about Messi's twisting run that set up the third.

Croatia, however, have had an outstanding tournament once more as the country with a population of only four million followed up their appearance in the final in Russia in 2018 with a place in the last four in Qatar.

If Argentina have Messi, then Croatia have their own master footballer in Luka Modric. and he received warm applause from all parts of Lusail Stadium when he was substituted with nine minutes left. He, like Messi, had his sights set on a World Cup triumph after experiencing the same pain of final defeat, but it was not to be.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic and his players can be proud of their efforts, despite being well beaten here, and in 20-year-old RB Leipzig defender Gvardiol they have unearthed one of the break-out stars of this World Cup who will serve them well for many years and is already a serious target for Europe's elite clubs.

(From page 25)

love to come here and tell you how much cricket has changed.

"But if I was to look at 13

months on from me opening my heart out, all that has changed really is that me and my family have been driven out of the country - and that's a sad element of it.

"I have got a little hope in the new (ECB) leadership, but it is very little at the minute."

Former England man Gary Ballance - who admitted last year to using racist language in reference to Rafiq - was recently released from his contract with Yorkshire.

Rafiq accepted an apology from Ballance earlier this year and called for the batter to be allowed to move on and continue his career.

Ballance has penned a two-year deal to play domestic cricket in Zimbabwe as well as international cricket for his native country starting next year. He could make his senior debut for the team in a redball series with Ireland in January. (Sportsmax)

Who will win the Golden Boot - Mbappe, Messi, Giroud?

AS we look ahead to the upcoming semi-finals of the World Cup, now is the perfect time to take stock and review the events of the past three weeks.

Who's found the back of the net most, who has been Mr Unselfish and set up the most goals, and who's on the naughty step for the most red and yellow cards?

Thirty-two teams started out on the path to hopeful World Cup glory, but that has been whittled down to the four left in the semi-finals: Argentina, who face Croatia in the first of the two semi-finals, and Morocco, who meet France in the second.

That's the most important stat but there are plenty of others and here they are – the Qatar World Cup in numbers (so far).

MOST TEAM GOALS SCORED

England lead the way with the most goals scored with a total of 13, although after bowing out in the quarter-finals, they are likely to be overtaken by France or Argentina who are on 11 and nine respectively. Six of those England goals came in the impressive opening win over Iran.

THE RACE FOR THE GOLDEN BOOT

France's Kylian Mbappé currently tops the table on five goals, with team-mate Olivier Giroud, who became

France's record goalscorer, with his strike against Poland, and Argentina talisman Lionel Messi both on four behind him. There is a pack of seven players on three goals, but none of them is still in the tournament after the quarter-finals so they won't have a chance to add to their tally.

PREVIOUS WINNERS OF THE GOLDEN BOOT Germany and Brazil have produced the most number of players who have won the Golden Boot award. Other countries like Argentina, England and France have also had winners.

Harry Kane became only the second Englishman to finish with the Golden Boot, scoring six goals in 2018 putting him two clear of Antonie Griezmann.

History-maker Gary Lineker was the first English player to ever win the accolade in 1986, with a hattrick against Poland, a brace against Uruguay and his sixth in the quarter-final defeat to Argentina. A match which saw Maradona score the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal.

Other notable winners include French player Just Fontaine, who remains the only player in the history of the World Cup with the highest number of goals in a single tournament at thirteen.

Gerd Müller became the first German to win the Golden Boot in 1970 with ten goals and Ronaldo who won the award in 2002 for Brazil, scored eight.

He scored the two goals against Germany, which handed Brazil their fifth FIFA World Cup trophy.

FASTEST GOAL

Alphonso Davies has been the most alert after the ref's whistle, scoring after just one minute and eight seconds in Canada's 4-1 defeat to Croatia.

The next fastest goal comes over two minutes later, a Hakim Ziyech 35-yard chip for Morocco against Canada on three minutes 31 seconds. We've only got three matches to go so it will take some doing to knock the Canadian off the top of the rankings.

MOST ASSISTS

'Cricket is in denial' - Rafiq calls for external ECB regulation

FORMER Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq says the sport needs outside regulation amid the continued fallout from its racism scandal after he returned to England to testify, saying he feels very little has changed.

The 31-year-old, who has moved to Pakistan, was speaking at a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee over a year on from his previous revelations on racial abuse in the game.

Rafiq's comments forced mass resignations at Yorkshire, with several players, executives and coaches leaving their roles amid the fallout of his disclosures, some of whom had been sanctioned.

But he says cricket at large remains "in denial",

and that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is in need of an independent body to rule on such matters.

"(The ECB officials) have a difficult situation where in one sense they're a promoter and need to show the game in a good light, but then you’ve got to regulate on things that don't make the game look so good," he stated yesterday.

"It's become evidently clear that issues of this stature are something that an independent regulator needs to be brought in for.

"Structurally, even if they want to deal with stuff, the structure doesn't allow them to. It always comes across that the victims are pushing and there's always an excuse not to act.

"There is still a group

of people out there that feel like cricket is the victim in this. The way I have been attacked and abused - why would you (as a victim)

England’s Harry Kane, Portugal's Bruno Fernandes and France's Antoine Griezmann all share top-spot with three assists apiece, but with France the only team out of the three left in the tournament, Griezmann is likely to surpass them. Messi is on two assists, his second a jaw-dropping pass that set up Argentina's opening goal against the Netherlands in their quarter-final win.

MOST CLEAN SHEETS

Morocco lead the way here with four clean sheets after five matches played, an own goal against Canada their only one conceded. England are behind them on three, but are now out, and Argentina and Croatia are both on two.

MOST YELLOW AND RED CARDS

South Korea’s Paulo Bento became the first coach ever shown a red card at a World Cup match, during his team’s clash with Uruguay.

Wales' Wayne Hennessey became the first player to be sent off in Qatar, during his side's 2-0 defeat to Iran, while Cameroon's Vincent Aboubakar scored the winner in their shock victory over Brazil, but was sent off after picking up a second yellow card for his celebration.

Morocco's Walid Cheddira got two yellow cards in a matter of minutes in their 1-0 quarter-final victory over Portugal, leaving the north African side defending for their lives in the closing moments of the match.

Spanish referee Antonio

Mateu Lahoz brandished 15 yellow cards (one short of the record) and a red for Denzel Dumfries in Argentina's win over the Netherlands.

MOST PENALTIES CONCEDED

France conceded two penalties in their quarter-final win over England – Kane scored the first, but skied the second.

MOST PENALTIES WON Portugal and Argentina top this table with two. Ronaldo scored the first but had to see team-mate Bruno Fernandes slot home the other after the club-less player was substituted. Lionel Messi missed his first against Poland but buried his second against Netherlands in the quarter-final.

France's Kylian Mbappé currently tops the table for the race for the Golden Boot on five goals

Former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq

South Africa devise plans to combat Steve Smith

SOUTH Africa have identified making Steven Smith play at the ball early as the key to keeping Australia's most prolific batter quiet in their three-Test series this summer.

They are one of the few countries in the world who can claim to have found an answer for Smith through his career ahead of Saturday's first Test at the Gabba.

Smith made a century in his first Test against them in 2014, but has since endured a dry run. Besides Bangladesh, against whom he has played two Tests, Smith's average of 41.53 in nine games against South Africa is his lowest against any nation.

Smith has made changes in his technique since he last faced South Africa, but bowling coach Charl Langeveldt said his team had a clear plan for the right-hander.

"The key to most of the top six is the first 20 balls and to make them play," he said. "Steve has changed. He is not on the move anymore

and he has got a good base now where he is not moving around the crease as much.

"I think it is going to be a good challenge for our boys. The boys are up for the challenge but the key is going to be that first 20 balls where we need to really make him play more.

The fuller approach to Smith marks a change to how teams have attacked him in recent years with shorter-pitched bowling aimed at his body. That had prompted

Smith to alter his technique in a way that would allow him to duck the ball easier and open up the range of his pull shot on the leg side.

South Africa made a point to bowl full in their tour match against a Cricket Australia XI in recent days, with opening bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi picking up seven wickets between them.

Most of their wickets came caught-behind or in the slips with fuller balls, in a similar plan to the one they want to execute on Smith.

"The guys got the fuller lengths that we want. Conditions are different in Brisbane to anywhere else in the world really," Langeveldt said.

Smith is well aware of his history against South Africa, raising it in a press conference on Sunday. But he has stated already this summer that he is back feeling at his best, with unbeaten scores of 200 and 20 in Perth against the West Indies less than a fortnight ago.

"I feel in a good place, I feel like I am batting nicely," Smith said. "I feel in good rhythm and I am looking forward to it."

NBA renames MVP award after Michael Jordan

THIS season's MVP winner in the NBA regular season will be the first recipient of the Michael Jordan Trophy.

The NBA announced yesterday the renaming of the award after the former Chicago Bulls star, widely considered to be the greatest basketball player of all-time, and who won the MVP award himself five times during his career.

The Michael Jordan Trophy is the headline of six newly-designed trophies, including a new award for Clutch Player-of-the-Year, named after Los Angeles Lakers legend Jerry West, the only player to win the Finals MVP award as part of the losing team when he did so in 1969.

The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy will be awarded to the Defensive Player-of-theYear, the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy for Rookie-of-theYear, the John Havlicek Trophy for Sixth Man-of-theYear and the George Mikan

Trophy for Most Improved Player.

"Our new collection of trophies celebrates some of the greatest and most impactful players in the history of the NBA," said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

"As we recognise the league's top performers each season, we also pay tribute to the legends, who embody these prestigious awards."

The announcement comes shortly after the league re-

vealed a new trophy for the 2022-23 campaign to be awarded to the team that finishes with the best regular-season record.

The Maurice Podoloff Trophy – named after the NBA's first commissioner – will be handed out for the first time this season. The MVP trophy had previously been named after Podoloff up until last year when it was retained by Nikola Jokic. (Yahoo Sport)

USA sprinter Randolph Ross banned until 2025 over fake email

RANDOLPH Ross, part of the United States' Olympic gold-winning 4x400m squad, has been banned for three years for faking an email to doping bosses.

After missing three appointments with testers in a year, the 21-year-old said an automatic email from the whereabouts system showed

he had given new details.

However, Ross later admitted to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) that he had doctored the email.

He is banned until June 2025, and his results from June onwards are void.

The two-time American collegiate champion's medal from 2021's Tokyo Olym -

pics, and those of his teammates, are unaffected as they fall outside of the period of his whereabouts failures.

"It is fundamental to the proper administration of the sport that athletes are honest in their dealings with the AIU during any investigation," said AIU head Brett Clothier. (BBC Sport)

Steven Smith has tweaked his technique this year (Getty Images for Cricket Australia)

Michael Jordan won the MVP award himself five times during his glittering career

Randolph Ross, with baton above, ran in the heats of the 4x400m but was not part of the American team of Michael Cherry, Michael Norman, Bryce Deadmon, Rai Benjamin who won gold in the final

Third KFC Goodwill tournament launched

Guyana level series 1-1 with 43-run win against T&T

THE third annual KFC Goodwill schools football tournament kicks off tomorrow at the GFF National Training Centre at Providence, but it was officially launched yesterday at the KFC head office on Vlissengen Road. This year’s tournament is special and will feature six teams inclusive of defending champions Annai Secondary of Region

Nine, former champions Christianburg-Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) of Linden (Region 10), DC Caesar Fox Secondary of Region Seven and Golden Grove Secondary School of Region Four. There will be two overseas schools in this year’s tournament namely St Benedict’s College of Trinidad & Tobago and SVB Academy of Suriname.

Marketing Manager of KFC Guyana Inc., Pamella Manasseh during the simple but significant ceremony noted: “It’s a privilege for us to be part of this tournament and we look forward to bigger and better things from you (Petra). We want the athletes to succeed and we hope that while on the field you lead by example.”

Brathwaite says Simmons’ successor must understand West Indies culture

ADELAIDE, Australia (CMC) – West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite has praised departing head coach Phil Simmons for the work he has done with the team and says whoever is chosen to fill his shoes must be a leader who understands Caribbean culture.

Speaking after the West Indies’ humiliating 419-run loss to Australia in the second Test of their two-match series which was Simmons’ final assignment with the Caribbean side, Brathwaite said the Trinidadian coach had shepherded the side well.

“I think he was stern when he had to be, cause it’s always important to push guys. Also, we don’t all live in the same country, so when we come together it’s important as a group that we really put in that work and he really drove that,” the redball captain told the media.

Following what he described as the West Indies’ “unfathomable” exit from the ICC T20 World Cup in Aus-

tralia in October when they failed to get past the first round, Simmons announced his decision to step down as head coach.

However, he remained in charge for the just-ended two-Test series against Australia.

Although Simmons was hoping to finish his tenure

on a high, the Caribbean side lost the first match before going on to record their worst-ever Test defeat in the second game.

Brathwaite said, however, that Simmons had done “a good job” at the helm.

He spoke about some of the qualities he believed his successor should have to take the West Indies team forward.

“Once we get a leader, I think that’s the main thing; someone understanding the culture of West Indians. And I thought Phil did a good job. I’m sure we’ll find a good coach to replace him and have many years of success and improvement in this Test team,” he said.

Simmons served as head coach for two separate stints, the first of which ended in his sacking by Cricket West Indies (CWI) six months after the Caribbean men won the 2016 T20 World Cup. He was rehired in October 2019.

By Sean Devers

RICHARD Ramdeholl’s MVP performance led Guyana to a comfortable 43-run win against Trinidad & Tobago at Providence, yesterday, to level the four-match Goodwill U-13 series 1-1.

Ramdeholl, Guyana’s vice-captain, took three wickets for no run and got support from skipper and left-arm spinner Brandon Henry (2-17) and pacer Raffel McKenzie (2-29) as Extras top-scored with 21 and no batter reached double figures for the visitors.

Guyana were earlier bowled out in 38 overs for 99 as Mohammed Ballie top-scored with 17 and Arif Marimutoo and Rayad Latiff supported with 13 each, as pacer Tyler Ramroop followed up his two-wicket haul on Sunday, with 3-15 while Ramtahal collected his second three-for. taking 3-16.

On a day blessed with bright sunshine, a small but vocal gathering which included relatives of the players from the visiting team, Guyana elected to on a track with some bounce and a lush green outfield.

Albion’s Ballie, who re-

placed the ultra-cautious Lomar Seecharran at the top of the order, batted with positive intent.

He and Essequibo’s Ravid Fredericks who scored four from 19 balls, took the score to 10 before Mikel Ali held another brilliant catch at slip, to send Fredericks on his way, as the impressive Ramroop made the breakthrough.

Ballie played some nice cuts and demonstrated a good technique but Ramroop, tearing in from the northern end, bowled Seecharran with a perfect yorker before he had scored and Guyana were 14-2

Ballie, who reached the boundary three times from his 19 balls, was bowled by Reyad Jerome at 27-3 to bring to an end a promising innings.

Makai Dowlin, watched by his dad (former Test batter Travis Dowlin), was unfortunately run-out for duck at 285. and when Ramdeholl (9) who was beginning to look good, was bowled by Abdiel Boland, the home team were wobbling at 34-5.

Marimutoo threw his bat around and hit two boundaries in his 13. Henry (9) and Rayaz Latiff, unbeaten on 13 added 15 before McKenzie

(11) rallied Guyana, who were bowled out for 43 on Sunday, to a much better batting performance yesterday setting the visitors a three-figure.

When T&T began their reply, Berbician McKenzie bowled Ramroop for a duck before trapping Mikaeel Ali (6) lbw to leave the lads from Carnival Country on 12-2 to the delight of a small flag-waving and horn-blowing contingent of Guyanese supporters in the Green stand.

Skipper Zakariyya Mohammed (5) was runout, Reyad Jerome (3) was bowled around his legs by Henry before Roberto Badree (9) tried to hit a high full toss from Henry as hard as possible and skied the ball for the bowler to take the catch and leave the Trinis on 47.

Ramtahal (6) was removed by Ramdeholl at 54-6 and the last four batters fell for two runs with Brian Harricharran not being able to bat due to a stomach bug as Ramdeholl picked up three quick wickets.

Tomorrow, the penultimate game in the four-match series is scheduled to be played at the same venue starting at 10:00hrs.

Petra co-Director Troy Mendonca (centre) and Pamella Manasseh (left of him) take a photo-op with the players during yesterday's launch

Goodwill U-13 Cricket 4-match series

Raffel McKenzie bowled with pace yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, to claim 2-29 (Sean Devers photo)

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite

Messi, Alvarez fire Argentina into World Cup final

Linden, Georgetown spring into action tonight at Leonora

ACTION in the inaugural One Guyana President’s Cup football tournament continues tonight at the National Track & Field Centre (NTFC), Leonora, instead of the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) venue as was initially published.

This evening is match-day two and will feature another double-header with perennial powerhouses, Region Four and Region 10, springing into action following Region Nine and Region Three wins on the opening night.

First whistle sounds at 18:00hrs and will see Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region 10) and Mahaica-Berbice (Region 5) match skills in that Group A clash. Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four) will be pitted against CuyuniMazaruni (Region Seven) in the

feature match (Group B) that kicks off at 20:30hrs.

This second-leg of the President’s Cup is being played in the round-robin, knockout format with the best two teams from Group A and Group B advancing to the semifinals that are scheduled to be played on December 28. The grand final and third-place playoff is set for January 1, 2023.

Group A comprises Regions Four, Six, Seven, Eight and Nine, while Group B consists of Regions One, Two, Three, Five and Ten.

Apart from the NTFC tonight, the competition will see action at the Georgetown Football Club ground, Number 5, Albion and Bartica, while the organisers are lobbying for the final to be played at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

This tournament has an incentive budget that exceeds $30M and the MVP is set to be awarded a house lot.

Some of the sponsors of this tournament include Caribbean Airlines, New GPC, Ansa McAl, GTT, Digicel, E-Networks, Edward B. Beharry Group, Sterling Products Ltd, Banks DIH (tentative), Tiger Rentals and Marics & Company Ltd.

Yesterday, at its 186 Charlotte Street office, Marics presented head of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF); Wayne Forde, a brand new Honda motorcycle that will be the prize for the tournament’s highest goalscorer.

Admission to tonight’s matches will be $1 000 for adults while children will enter free of charge.

GFF

Lionel Messi (left) and Julian Alvarez were the difference-makers for Argentina

One Guyana President’s Cup football tournament

The action resumes tonight with another double- header at Leonora

head Wayne Forde (right) receives the keys for the Honda motorcycle from Khemraj Jaikaran of Marics and Company Limited