Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 15-09-2023

Democracy demands constant vigilance

- President Ali says; urges Guyanese to learn from lessons of the past, to be watchful

The following is the full text of President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s message on the occasion of International Day of Democracy 2023:

“FREE and fair elections have been described as the lifeblood of democracy. It is through the exercise of their franchise that citizens give voice to their aspirations and direct the course of their country’s future.

“Free and fair elections are the mechanisms through which the people exercise their sovereignty and a formidable. Today, as the world commemorates International Day of Democracy, Guyana reaffirms its unwavering commitment to safeguarding this precious right, born

from the struggles and sacrifices of our people.

“Our nation's journey toward democracy has not been without adversity. From 1968 to 1992, Guyana endured a harrowing 24-year period of democratic interruption. The memories of that dark era serve as a stark reminder of the price we paid for liberty.

“It was a time when the voice of the people was stifled, their rights violated, extreme hardships were levied upon them and their dreams of a better future impaled. Had it not been for the stubborn resilience and fortitude of pro-democratic forces, Guyana would never have emerged from those perilous times.

“Yet, hope never dimmed. Our country emerged from those dark times into the brightness of a new era in 1992. Democracy birthed better days and brighter times.

“In recent memory, we faced another ominous challenge when sinister forces attempted to undermine the integrity of our free and fair elections in 2020. It was a moment that tested the very core of our democracy.

“But, through the vigilant efforts of our citizens the international community and our institutions, we thwarted those who sought to steal the votes of our people. It was a triumph of democracy, and it underscored the importance of remaining

eternally vigilant against those who would subvert the democratic will of the people.

“Democracy requires

continuous vigilance. The purveyors of authoritarianism and election manipulation are never far away. Their tactics evolve

with time and become ingenious. We must be ever-watchful, guarding against any attempts to erode the foundations of our democracy.

“The lessons of history teach us that democracy is fragile, and can be easily undermined. It is our collective responsibility to protect and nurture it for ourselves and future generations.

“Today, as we observe the International Day of Democracy, let us remember the sacrifices made by those who came before us to secure our democratic rights. Let us honour their memory by preserving and defending the democratic values we hold dear.

“Happy International Day of Democracy!”

Climate-based defence strategies need to be considered - President Ali says

COMMAND

ER-IN-CHIEF of the Armed Forces of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali has highlighted the importance of considering the effects of climate change when developing defence strategies in the Latin American and Caribbean region.

President Ali, during a presentation at the National Defence University, in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, said leaders cannot afford to ignore the impact of climate change on national security,

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as it is crucial for defence planners to take into account the environmental factors that can affect stability and safety.

He said: “This issue is devastating not only to economies and people, but infrastructure; and included in that infrastructure is the military infrastructure… Defence against natural disasters, against enemies, and your asset that is required to provide that defence.”

Dr. Ali related that in addition to climate security, food and en-

ergy security must also be prioritised when developing defence strategies.

Among the most important aspects of future defence strategies will be research, development and innovation.

Guyana will be participating in the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference/Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, also known as COP 28. The country is expected to host a side event at the major conference.

“AT COP 28, for

example, there should be a paper presented on climate and defence, because it is one of the biggest problems of the world. We cannot divorce defence from the conversation; it is institutions like this that have that capacity and capability to provide analysis, and this research that can lead this conversation,” Dr. Ali said.

The country will be presenting on key issues, which include climate services, climate financing, advancing on development of the

carbon market, and advancing operations in the loss and damage fund.

Meanwhile, at an earlier engagement in Washington, President Ali also said that the government is pursuing a strategic modernisation plan, based on three components.

Dr. Ali said: “One is economic in nature, one is defence diplomacy, and the third is asset; our human resource asset, and our hardware.”

To achieve its target, Guyana is seeking

out partnerships with the United States and India.

He said: “We have perhaps one the broadest collaborations with the US now as any time in our training: An asset acquisition. At the same time, we also have expanded our relationship with India, and we have many other stakeholders who are pursuing us in terms of being a part of the modernisation of our Guyana Defence Force.”

President Dr. Irfaan Ali

Less talk, more action

- President Ali urges leaders to examine structure of COP 28

WORLD leaders need to re-evaluate their approach to climate change and examine the structure in which upcoming global talks will be held. This was according to President, Dr. Irfaan Ali who, on Thursday, engaged in discussion at the Atlantic Council, in Washington DC, where he said many issues remain unresolved in relation to leaders addressing climate change.

Guyana will be participating in the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference/ Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC also known as COP 28. The country is expected to host a side event at the major conference.

“The world is faced with a very complex situ-

ation now where we have the food crisis, the energy crisis and the climate crisis on us at once…there is a lot of talk on what may be the outcome of COP 28, but there’s some fundamental issues that we should sort out even before getting to COP,” Dr. Ali said.

Those issues, he said, include adaptation, for which leaders have not agreed upon a common position; pledges for climate financing; the need for a structured carbon market, and issues related to loss and damages. His overarching belief is that the structure of COP 28 should be examined.

“You go to COP, the leaders speak upfront and they leave and the technical team is there to do negotiations, and then there

is no one to break the deadlock at the end. So, we were arguing that the structure of COP should have changed where the leaders come at the end after the negotiations, to play a more analytical and meaningful role in finding the solutions and not just give the country statement, making more pledges and then head back on the next flight,” the Guyanese Head of State said candidly.

Recently, Guyana was appointed by the Commonwealth secretariat to develop a framework on climate change and forest preservation.

The country will be partnering with the Central African state of Gabon for these efforts. For decades the country has been championing talks of climate change and forestry preservation.

With a rainforest coverage at over 87 per cent forest, Guyana undoubtedly showcases a sus -

tainable model that other nations can emulate.

The country’s forest stores approximately 19.5 gigatonnes of carbon and recently became the first nation to be issued TREES credits— in simpler terms, the country can now earn money from its forest through the sale of carbon credits.

This marked a milestone as it was the first time a country was issued carbon credits specifically designed for the voluntary and compliant carbon markets for successfully preventing forest loss and degradation — a process known as jurisdictional REDD+.

BALANCE TRANSITION

While Dr. Ali intends to lobby for climate financing, he said he is also hoping to champion a more robust conversation on energy balance.

“We need to reshape the conversation and I’m calling on all global lead-

ers. This conversation is for policymakers and leaders to be at the table.

The conversation is driven a lot by NGOs, [non-governmental organisations] and that is good…but the conversation has gone to a position now of where we have lost our balance,” the Head of State said, adding that policies are being made, but actions are lacking.

“We have to agree that oil and gas will play an important role in the transition and in achieving net zero. We cannot block out the oil producers or the gas investors from the conversation because both play an important and key role in the transition,” Dr. Ali said.

If the world is to become net zero within the

coming years, the application of technology, research and development, and financing must be a part of the conversation.

The Head of State said: “How do we get that conversation also on the front burner? How much money are these companies willing to put forward to invest in technology, systems, and research and development that will minimise the impact …that conversation is getting lost.”

“We are going to hear about commitments again, [we] are going to hear about pledges but are we going to hear a report about what we really achieved from the pledges?” he questioned.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

Guyana calls for more global support for Haiti - ahead of UN Security Council tenure

AHEAD of its two-year tenure on the United Nations (UN) Security Council, Guyana has issued calls for more global support for Haiti during its ongoing political and humanitarian crisis.

Addressing persons at an Atlantic Council

its time in the council to garner more support for its Caribbean Community (CARICOM) sister.

to support Haiti. Guyana’s tenure on the UN Security Council is slated to begin in January 2024.

and what percentage is dedicated to other issues we have globally,” Dr. Ali said.

engagement, in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, the Guyanese Head of State, Dr. Irfaan Ali, said Guyana intends to use

“Haiti has been a longer problem than Ukraine… We see tremendous effort globally on getting consensus and we laud that because we are a part of it,” Dr. Ali said.

However, the President candidly stated enough is not being done

“Haiti has not been getting the type of global attention that it deserves in this time of crisis. Look at the news coverage and check what percentage of news is dedicated to Haiti

In 2018, protests began in cities throughout Haiti in response to increased fuel prices. Over time, those protests evolved into demands for the resignation of Jovenel Moïse, the then-president of Haiti.

An interim government was installed after the assassination of Moïse; however, surges of violence continued.

Several Haitians have sense fled the country. The situation remains intense with the latest report showing a surge in violence and more than 3,000 people being displaced.

“All the commentators and all the analysis forget that Haiti exists,” President Ali said during his remarks.

The United States, through the U.S. Agency

for International Development (USAID), is providing $53.7 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the people of Haiti.

Most recently, Kenya had announced its willingness to lead a “multinational force” in Haiti. However, Haitian civil society groups have wide-

ly opposed the offer, citing past issues that arose with foreign intervention. Alfred Mutua, the Kenyan Foreign Minister, announced in August that Kenya is willing to send 1,000 police officers to Haiti to assist with police training and to restore normalcy in the country.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

More than 3,000 Haitians have recently been displaced from their homes (Loving Shepherd Ministries)

Indiscipline On Our Roadways

OVER the last few months, we have witnessed a level of indiscipline on our roadways that is extraordinary and very concerning. High speeds and the increasing number of fatalities are at the top of the list.

To add to our worry, the Guyana Police Force has released frightening figures which exposed our indiscipline as a people and the scant regard by errant motorists for the authorities’ efforts to protect.

Those errant motorists have little regard for their own safety and the lives of members of the travelling public and other road users.

Earlier this week, the police said that 1,000 traffic cases were made in three days. On September 10, 377

cases were made; on September 11, 358 cases were made and for September 12,315 cases were made.

The majority of the cases involved speeding, which is not surprising.

Days earlier, a list of drivers who were speeding and operating recklessly on the road was made public.

Speeds as high as 150km were recorded on the new Eccles to Mandela Highway and some of the drivers exceeded 69 violations.

The police revealed that they would summon the drivers, place them before the court and publish their photos.

The 91 accidents which claimed 109 lives from January 1 to August 28, 2023, had at their core the total

disregard for the rules of the road which were learnt prior to the issuance of a driver’s licence.

From then to now, almost two dozen fatalities were recorded and these included four teenagers [they were among eight persons who died in separate accidents in a 12-hour period] in one accident, a 10-month-old in another and an 11-year-old girl and her father in another accident that also claimed the lives of two others.

Despite the horrific nature of many of these accidents, motorists still continue to speed and disobey traffic laws. Truck drivers and those behind the wheel of a minibus are a nuisance to road users. They dodge in and out of traffic and bully their way,

completely disregarding the Five Cs they were taught: caution, consideration, common sense and courtesy.

The police force has indicated that its Traffic Department has intensified efforts to curb motorists’ poor and reckless usage of the road. Traffic ranks across all divisions have been engaging daily in countrywide empowerment sessions and road-safety lectures. Time will tell if these measures along with the naming and shaming and the publication of photographs are helping to change or correct this errant behaviour.

The severity of the accidents is heartbreaking and speaks to the need for the implementation of more intense measures. The majority

of these fatal accidents were avoidable.

The loss of the teenagers and the baby was heartbreaking, but the death of Jamela Rudder, a first former at President’s College was even more upsetting.

Little Rudder had made her parents, school and community proud when she excelled at the 2023 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). She was awarded a place at St. Joseph High but because she lived in Region Six and may not have had anyone to care for her while she attended that school, she had settled for PC.

She did not get an opportunity to enjoy the award that she received from her father’s employer, GUYOIL, hours earlier. Her father will

not have the opportunity to watch or help her accomplish her dreams as he too perished in that horrific smash-up.

The accident that claimed her life was avoidable. A dark road, speed, no headlights and alcohol were the primary factors involved. The driver who caused that accident also died.

Despite these constant reminders of the deadly effects of errant road use, motorists and even pedestrians continue to operate as though they have nine lives.

While the police continue their efforts to implement workable measures, we must all take individual responsibility for our safety and return law and order to our roads soonest.

Similar to the fabled blind men, critics distort reality in their attacks on Dr. Jagdeo

Dear Editor, THE incessant attacks on Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo reminds me of the age-old Indian fable of the blind men and the elephant. As the story goes, six blind men were asked to describe an elephant. Being blind, the only way they could describe the elephant was through their sense of touch.

One touched the elephant’s trunk and described it as a snake, another felt the ear and described it as a fan, another rubbed his hands around the elephant’s trunk and said it’s a tree, touching the side, another said it’s a wall, feeling the tail another said it’s a rope, and then the other having touched the tusk described it as a spear.

All six blind men utilised their narrow conceptual knowledge structures to describe the wholeness of the same elephant. In so doing, their blindness restricted their comprehension of the totality of the elephant.

The above fable clearly illustrates that actualities can easily be distorted, due to one’s own blind, individualised notions of reality. Such is the case of opposition forces’ criticisms directed towards Vice-President Jagdeo.

Opportunistic critics of the Vice-President, in their relentless pursuits of political power, choose to remain blind while their eyes remain widely open, staring at the PPP/C’s extensive and expansive development of Guyana under the leadership

guidance of Dr. Jagdeo.

Contemptuously, these critics, like the six blind men, focus on self-selected bits and pieces of information -- such as oil revenue, contracts, licensing, decision-making, etc…, to formalise their jaundiced certainties which they then utilise in targeting their propagandistic condemnations of the Vice-President.

In their frantic search for political legitimacy, Jagdeo’s critics conveniently ignore the totality of the Vice-President’s remarkable leadership contributions to Guyana’s continuous advancement.

Choosing to remain blind to the totality of Jagdeo’s successful leadership guidance towards a progressive Guyana, critics invent new ways

and approaches in their wanton attacks to discredit and defame the Vice-President.

This is clearly evidenced in opposition politicians and supporters’ blind-men like regurgitated distorted summation of Jagdeo’s leadership role. In search of issues to manufacture rifts between Jagdeo and President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, opposition politicians and critics proclaim that Jagdeo is leading from behind. This they bombastically present, and represent, as if the Vice-President’s behind-the-scenes leadership is an egregious act.

However, in their tumultuous clamour to discredit Jagdeo, opposition politicians and critics, fail to recognize that they are in fact heaping praise on Jagdeo for his

noteworthy leadership performance. This, they would have realised had they paid attention to the political life and times of Nelson Mandela, a remarkable political leader and statesman, whose leadership qualities transcend international boundaries to this day, Mandela proclaimed that:

“A leader …is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realising all along they are directed from behind.”

Mandela’s abiding leadership principle clearly indicates that one of the unique qualities of being a true leader is to guide from behind -- and Jagdeo is doing just that. So, instead of being

criticised, Jagdeo should be credited for remaining in the background while cultivating, mentoring, and nurturing future leaders of Guyana, without monopolising frontstage publicity and notoriety.

Around the world today, political leaderships are complex and varied. Simplistically explained, some heads of state are either considered:

(a) Traditional leaders – those catapulted to leadership positions by virtue of inheritance, or traditional practice;

(b) Charismatic leaders – those with exceptional abilities to attract a following;

(c) Democratic leaders – those legally and duly elected to office, and who seek inputs in decision-making;

(d) Authoritarian or autocratic leaders –

Time for you to answer some key questions, Mr. Lall

Dear Editor, LAST evening (September 13, 2023), I had the opportunity to engage GHK Lall face to face, on a virtual programme hosted by Globespan.

In his discussion, GHK raised the issues of a smear campaign against him by the government and personal attacks.

I quickly countered him

to say that the terms “personal attacks” and “smear campaign” should not be used loosely, and I was alluding to an article I had written on him, exposing mismanagement and financial irregularities during his tenure at the Guyana Gold Board.

GHK even went as far to say that directors in public office should not be held personally accountable for

their decisions.

Public office holders are subject to public scrutiny. While GHK refers to the audit findings as “gutter trash,” it remains credible evidence of his unprincipled conduct and questionable integrity in a public office.

He continues to argue that he breached no law because the cabinet and the board made the decisions.

In response, there is documented evidence that the former government perpetrated many breaches of the procurement law and other laws.

Yet, he has failed to demonstrate which section of the relevant laws he has complied with in relation to the procurement that were cited, and the issuance of gold dealers’ licences.

Then he restated that he re-migrated to Guyana, having left his “Wall Street job”, and that he came in 2007 under the PPP/C government to work with the government at the time, and that it is not only the APNU government he left his Wall Street job to work with.

Editor, can GHK state what exactly he did when he returned in 2007 as he

claimed, and which Wall Street firm he worked with, and doing what?

Yours respectfully, Joel Bhagwandin Director of Financial Advisory | Market Intelligence | Analytics SphereX Professional Services Inc.

Similar to the fabled blind men, critics distort...

FROM PAGE 6

those who seize absolute control and decision-making authority over those under him; and (d) Servant leaders – caring leadership that

involves people and serves in their interests.

In view of the above types of leaderships, Guyanese should take pride in Bharrat Jagdeo’s governing principles and practices

which represent an amalgam of qualities inherent in Democratic and Servant leaderships.

Blinded by their delusions of grandeur, Jagdeo’s critics would continue to

distort and underplay this reality. As the great Tamil poet, Tiruvalluvar enunciated over 10 centuries ago, “The envious need no other foes --. their envy is enough.”

Envious critics and pol-

iticians striving for recognition, power, or legitimacy would more than likely continue their attacks on Jagdeo for their eyes, shut to reality, though widely open, are blind to Guy -

ana’s phenomenal progress under the Vice-President’s leadership and guidance. Regards, Narayan

Persaud, PhD Professor Emeritus

Third World governments have to avoid Western domination

THE Indians of Guyana do not speak Hindi. Almost 100 per cent of Indians do not speak Hindi. The Africans of Guyana do not speak any language coming out of Africa. The mixed-race group of this country speaks only one language and knows one language only.

The Portuguese of Guyana do not speak the language of Portugal. The people of Guyana are all English-speaking folk and they speak perfect English. How do I know this? I taught at UG for 26 years.

Despite English being the language of Guyana, Guyanese and all other

CARICOM nationals have to write an English language test when applying for self-sponsorship to Canada. Applicants from New Zealand, Australia, the UK, US, Ireland and Scotland do not have to meet this language requirement.

The graphic bias in this policy is so shocking that it lacerates one’s mind when one thinks that CARICOM governments have not protested this racially prejudiced policy from the Canadian government.

Why only White countries are exempted from the English test? But what is painful to accept is that Caribbean people when speak-

ing English are clearer in their pronunciation than Irish and Scottish folk.

This policy based on colour will continue unless Third World nations assert themselves in a world of Western domination. There are moments of this assertion and it is expanding, but it needs to be accelerated.

We are seeing this from India and African leaders, but my cup of tea is the man across from my country, President “Lula” of Brazil. “Lula” upheld the dignity of all Brazilians this week to show the world that Brazil is no mediocre country. We will come to that, but first, India.

At the recently concluded G20S Summit in India, Prime Minister Modi refused a Western request for the Ukrainian President to make a special guest appearance. But it was the Speaker of the South African Parliament who weighed in forcefully on the request. Madam Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula asked a piercing question – “Why Ukraine only and not African countries who have similar dilemmas like Ukraine.”?

I think PM Modi made a mistake in denying the Ukrainian request. He should have invited the Ukrainian President but also the Palestinian leaders. Modi could have exposed the double standards of the West.

Had he conceded to the Ukrainians and also allow the Palestinians, the West would have objected to the Palestinian coming and then you would have seen how hypocritical the West is.

Guyana has stopped carrying out the death penalty. I believe this was due to over 15 years of EU pressure. But the EU is extraordinarily close to the US. In another 200 years,

Guyana will never develop the close cultural, trade, political and security ties the EU has with the United States.

Yet the EU has not pressured the US to stop executions. Executions continue unabated in the US. The relentless pressure on Guyana over the past 15 years to stop hanging has succeeded.

But a referendum would show that Guyanese do not want the abolition of state executions. Here is where you would see the bullying mentality of the West that we will not see from other huge global powers.

If Guyana holds a referendum on hanging and it favours the retention of the death penalty, the EU would not accept that democratic result, but would insist that we remove hanging. And EU countries and Switzerland hold referendums all the time.

It was a referendum that resulted in the UK leaving the EU. A recent referendum in Switzerland rejected that country joining the EU. This commentator is saying forcefully that if Guyana resumes hanging, it is very likely that EU aid to Guyana would stop. That

is how the West approaches the essence of democracy –selectively.

This week, Brazil ordered that Americans, Canadians and Australians have to have a visa to enter Brazil. Before this change these three countries could have entered Brazil visa-free, but Brazilians had to get a visa for those three countries.

There are millions of persons in the US who live below the poverty line. So a derelict anyone could pick himself/herself up, beg for ticket money and travel visa-free to Brazil. But well-to-do Brazilians have to line up to visit the US.

Imagine, a great country like Brazil has to observe visa requirements for Australia and Australians can hop on a plane and enter Brazil visa-free. So here is what Brazil did. Japan requested visa abolition for Brazil. Brazil said Japan must reciprocate. Japan did. Finally, why Guyanese have to get a visa for EU countries? Which Guyanese will overstay their time in Italy, Greece, Belgium, and Denmark? Really!

Gov’t to finalise oil auction by year-end - Dr. Jagdeo says

SATISFIED with how the oil auction went, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary

Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday said that the government is expecting the evaluation to be done in early October, and the agreement will be concluded before the end of the year.

During a press conference at Freedom House, he said: “We are anticipating in early October to finish the evaluation, and then to move on to conclude the agreement before the end of the year.”

Dr. Jagdeo said that Guyana received 14 offers from six bidders. Noting that the 14 offers received were for eight of the oil blocks, he said that this shows that some of them are very competitive.

The General Secretary related: “So, let me tell you, we’re very pleased with the offers that we've had from the bid round, which was a few days ago.”

According to Dr. Jagdeo, the blocks that did not get any bids were D3, S1, S2, S6, S9 and S11, while blocks D1, D2, S3, S4, S5, S7, S8 and S10 received bids.

“Given the overwhelm-

ing success here, and the discovery rates, a lot of these bidders are excited about the prospects as we are,” the PPP General Secretary said.

Dr. Jagdeo related that the improved provisions provided by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government have also enhanced the atmosphere and prospects, as opposed to if the auction was conducted under the previous conditions.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali, during a discussion at the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington, D.C., said that given the current climate of the market, he is pleased with the number of bids the country has received.

Six companies: 1. ExxonMobil, which already has the giant Stabroek Block; 2. SISPRO INC (Guyana), headed by Guyanese businesswomen; 3. Total Energies EP Guyana BV; Qatar Energy International E&P LLC; Petronas E&P Overseas Ventures SDN BHD (Malaysia), 4. Delcorp Inc Guyana and Watad Energy and Arabian Drillers of Saudi Arabia, 5. Liberty Petroleum Corporation of the US and Ghana-based Cybele Energy Limited; and 6. International Group

Investment Inc. and Montego Energy SA (London) submitted bids.

Dr. Ali had said that while the country is open to government-to-government partnerships in the sector, it is imperative that the process is done in an open and transparent manner first.

“We have been able, as a newcomer in this business, to demonstrate great transparency and openness in putting out the blocks for public option, and what we have seen is a number of major companies,” the President said.

The country had planned to open its auction in May of this year, however, this was extended to September to allow it to critically examine the regulatory framework, which included a new production-sharing agreement, which sees it benefitting more.

Still, the new contract will ensure Guyana “remains one of the most competitive countries in the world even with these changes.

Guyana’s economy has undergone a radical transformation after ExxonMobil Corp.’s 2015 discovery of massive tranches of offshore oil.

From producing no crude

at all, Guyana produces an average of some 400,000 barrels of oil per day. This is expected to increase to 600,000 barrels per day by

2024.

At present, Guyana’s total recoverable oil reserves stand at more than 11 billion barrels of oil,

with crude oil reserves ranking at number 17 in the world and third in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Oil blocks offshore Guyana

GRA should have final say at technical level on cost-oil audit

— Dr. Jagdeo maintains

PEOPLE’S Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary and Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, pledged his full support for the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA)’s position on the matter of the findings from the cost-oil claims made by ExxonMobil.

The claims were highlighted by British firm IHS Markit in its audit of pre-contract costs.

According to Dr, Jagdeo during a press conference on Thursday at Freedom House: “So, I thought that GRA was dealing with this matter totally…GRA should deal with the issue of audit, they should have a final say at the technical level.”

Addressing how the Ministry of Natural Resources should have stood in unison with GRA’s call to close the audit, Dr. Jagdeo firmly maintained: “I made it clear that I'm accepting the GRA’s position.”

In an invited comment to the Guyana Chronicle, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, echoed the sentiments of Dr. Jagdeo.

He said that staff of the Petroleum Unit within the ministry decided to act on their account, without his knowledge.

“My position is in sync with the Vice-President and I strongly support the positon that GRA should be dealing with all audits of oil company expenses. Unfortunately, staff from the Petroleum Unit without authorization or without my knowledge entered into discussion with Exxon on the audits which was not supposed to happen in the first place,” he firmly remarked.

He added: “This matter has, however, been rectified/ corrected and GRA is the body responsible for auditing.”

In November, 2019, the Government of Guyana entered into a contractual arrangement with IHS Markit (IHSM) for the provision of consultancy services to execute the country’s inaugural Cost Recovery Audit.

— Dr.

Jagdeo

says

can never be the voice of democracy, freedom’

THE testing period in Guyana during the 2020 General and Regional Elections will not be forgotten, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has said.

He called out those persons who threatened Guyana’s democracy, and exposed their current façade of caring for democracy.

During a press conference at Freedom House on Thursday, the PPP General Secretary pointed out the double standards of the A Partnership of National Unity (APNU) and their recent “script change”.

“Today, we're not going to allow them [APNU] to be the voice of democracy; they can never be the voice of freedom or democracy,” Dr. Jagdeo said.

The General Secretary highlighted several occasions on which the former A Partnership of National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government showed no care for the people of Guyana.

In response to former President David Granger's sudden concern for the Indigenous Peoples, Dr. Jagdeo said: “His government (APNU+AFC) stopped the land titling programme; he tried to undermine Amerindian land titling by creating a land commission. He tried to dilute the Indigenous

Peoples’ presence on the IBC; nearly 2,000 Amerindians were fired during his tenure.”

BRAZEN ATTEMPTS

Earlier this year, the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) investigating the 2020 General and Regional Elections concluded that senior officials at GECOM conspired and collaborated to divert votes to the APNU+AFC coalition, instead of upholding the integrity of the electoral system.

“…our inquiry reveals that there were, in fact, shockingly brazen attempts by Chief Election Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, Deputy Chief Election Officer (DCEO) Roxanne Myers, and Returning Officer (RO) Clairmont Mingo to derail and corrupt the statutorily prescribed procedure for the counting, ascertain-

ing, and tabulation of votes of the March 2 election, as well as the true declaration of the results of that election. And that they did so, to put it in unvarnished language of the ordinary man, for the purpose of stealing the election,” the commissioners stated in their report.

The report found that Lowenfield blatantly made decisions, and employed procedures in direct contradiction to the law and the will of the people. The findings also revealed that GECOM staffers ignored specific instructions from the court; used illegal and manipulated materials, and sided with APNU+AFC agents to berate observers whenever objections were raised.

After careful scrutiny, the CoI commissioners concluded that there was a conscious and deliberate, even brazen, effort to violate the

provisions of Section 84(1) of the Representation of the People Act (RoPA). They also found that in so doing, certain “senior GECOM officials” abandoned all need for neutrality and impartiality, and demonstrated a bias for the APNU+AFC, and in the course of events over those days, showed an “open connection” with that party, and by their efforts sought a desired result for the coalition.

As such, the commissioners said that after consideration and analysis of the evidence, Lowenfield, Mingo and Myers “were principally responsible for clear and deliberate attempts to frustrate, obstruct, and subvert the ascertainment of votes in Electoral District No. 4.”

Against this backdrop, the CoI found that the trio undoubtedly made a premature and unlawful declaration of falsified results, which showed that the APNU+AFC was the winner of Electoral District No. 4.

“This, we believe, was the ultimate goal of the CEO, the DCEO, and the RO,” the Commissioners said in their report.

The report also found that the structure of GECOM is, at its core, politicised, thus making it difficult for it to operate with any efficiency or effectiveness.

‘APNU

PPP General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

Persons who fought for democracy to be honoured on October 5 — President Ali announces

rubbish democracy, the will of the people, and the rule of law,” Dr. Ali said.

Owing to the actions of the coalition, the Head of State said for them to pretend to now be advocates of democracy is “open banditry.”

a result of not only his government’s efforts, but also that of the custodians of democracy, Guyana is seeing a new culture emerging.

“Our development in Guyana and the development

path we are pursuing is not ideological. Let me be very clear, it is not ideological, but it is structural, pragmatic, and in service to the people. And we're able to achieve this transformation

and development because of the hard work of the people of our country, and I want to celebrate them for working tirelessly in the ongoing transformation,” the Head of State said.

REFLECTING on the 2020 electoral period when Guyana’s democracy was threatened, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has said that the efforts of those persons who helped to ensure that a great injustice was averted will not go unnoticed.

Dr. Ali, during a press conference last Saturday, said those persons would be honoured for their courage and bravery.

“The Democracy Award will be announced and unveiled in Guyana on October 5. The awards would have come, should have come, earlier this year but we are currently in the production of those awards,” the Head of State said.

Guyanese, after casting their votes on March 2, had to endure a five-month wait for the results of the General and Regional Elections as they witnessed alleged unlawful acts and a slew of legal challenges.

During this time, the patience of the electorate was tested, as electors observed what was described as attempts by the then APNU+AFC admin -

istration to rip the democratic fabric of the nation, with “delay tactics” which were openly criticised by a wide section of society.

It was only after the legal challenges and international intervention that a national recount of all votes cast was convened and the figures showed that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) received 233,336 votes, while the APNU+AFC Coalition got 217,920 votes.

Guyana’s image was severely affected because of what preceded the announcement of those results, but strategic, prudent and committed efforts by the PPP/C government have resulted in the restoration and enhancement of the country’s global image.

“…We sought to redefine the narrative about Guyana, as at that point, our credentials, our democratic credentials, our credentials in relation to the rule of law were completely lost, because of a group of persons who took it upon themselves, at the expense of all of Guyana, to

He further related: “But what defies logic, again, is it’s just like the sugar workers. Can you imagine the APNU+AFC wanting to lecture you on free and fair elections? Imagine the architects of rigging and the custodians of the new numbering system and new mathematical analyses wanting to teach the forces of democracy about democracy. If this is not open banditry, what is it?

“… Our [PPP] credentials and democracy cannot be questioned because we have always been on the right side of democracy, and I owe it to have the custodians of democracy and those who fought for democracy have the award,” Dr. Ali firmly remarked.

He then referenced the Freedom of the World Report and urged persons to look at the strides Guyana is making in terms of its democratic credentials.

“If you look at the Freedom of the World Report, you will see the strides that we're making in terms of our democratic credentials, and you would also see how impactful rigged elections, an attempt to rig and derail elections and democracy is on the credentials of a country and we, since 2020, are fighting to overcome that stigma that was placed on Guyana,” the Head of State said.

Dr. Ali maintained that as

Associate Degree in Special Needs Education being offered at CPCE

By Dillon Goring

AS part of efforts to ensure that persons who have physical or intellectual disabilities or behavioural difficulties that affect their ability to learn are adequately taught, the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) is now offering an Associate Degree in Special Needs Education.

Assistant Chief Education Officer for Special Needs at the Ministry of Education, Keon Cheong, recently told the Guyana Chronicle that the programme was developed given that there are more than a dozen special needs schools and classrooms across the country.

Cheong explained that the programme is intended to give teachers in mainstream

schools and special needs schools, the skills, knowledge, techniques, and best practices to deal with these learners.

“The direction in which this programme will take the ministry and by extension, the country, is a direction in which we are providing every person with a disability to function as best as they possibly can, and with that func-

tioning, they can be included as best as they can,” Cheong told this publication.

He believes that, with the implementation of this programme, leaners with disabilities can now be in a better position to make a greater impact on the development of the nation at large.

Meanwhile, Cheong said that there is a grey area between special needs and a

are talking about learners with significantly greater challenges and when we talk about a disability, we are talking about those with mental and physical impairments.

Cheong pointed out that while there are 13 special needs spaces not all of them are schools. He said that they are trying to make the distinction so that the general public can understand.

He said that there are special needs schools and special needs units.

“There are special needs schools and special needs classrooms. The special units would be the special needs classrooms that are found within the mainstream settings and we have the associate degree that is being offered at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and that is being informed by the work coming out of the Regional Special Needs Diagnostic and Treatment Centre,” Cheong said.

Cheong further explained that, at the level of the diagnostic centre, a comprehensive assessment of an individual is done.

disability.

According to him, special education needs take into consideration the diversity of our society.

“Because persons are diverse, it does not mean that they cannot access the services that are available, and against the backdrop of education being a right and not a privilege, this means that there is a need for supporting persons with disabilities, “Cheong told Guyana Chronicle during the interview.

Cheong further explained that when we talk about special educational needs, we

There is a speech therapist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, and pediatrician, who attend to the needs of this individual to better understand his/her functionality. His/her assessment is done to find ways and means to improve the individual’s academic performance.

“It has always been part of the ministry’s mandate to support learners at all levels. Now we have a department and we have faces to put to the advertised plan and procedure, but it has been part of the ministry’s mandate,” Cheong said.

Keon Cheong

$182M in contracts awarded for infrastructural enhancement at Albouystown, Castello Housing Scheme

SMALL contractors, on Thursday, signed 16 contracts valued $182 million for the construction of several roads and bridges in Albouystown and Castello Housing Scheme, West La Penitence.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, said the contract signing constituted the second phase of the infrastructure upgrade in the area. It encompasses the construction of eight roads and connecting bridges.

He said: “When you build out, you have to build out in phases and we built out eight of the streets and four bridges before and today we are signing another 16 contracts…to build out the remaining roads.”

Streets to be upgraded include Victoria Street, Cooper Street, Non Pariel Street and Castello Street among others, while bridges are in Campbell Street, Callender Street and East of Callender Street.

The minister said that with the eight streets to be upgraded, they were split into two lots so as to ensure that more small contractors benefit and play a role in building out the community.

Against this backdrop, he advised the contractors to plan well before time, and engage the engineers and teams from the ministry.

Indar further encouraged the contractors to ensure that they employ people within their own communities to contribute to the development of their communities while also benefitting.

In August, the Public Works Minister said that the second phase would have begun soon, noting that 1.8 m of road works were completed in phase one and included the revamped Independence Boulevard.

At that time, he debunked the claims made by the political opposition that most of the roads were incomplete. He indicated that all the roads could not be dug up at once as they must cater for medical emergencies, garbage removal and more.

These projects are part of President, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s and the government’s efforts to ensure that all Guyanese have access to a safer and cleaner environment, and a better way of life.

One of the contractors, Angelina Christie, representing Angel’s General Enterprises, said that she was elated to have the opportunity to contribute to her community.

“I feel so good because I know that the government is working, and I’m happy that they called us out, as persons living in the community, and contractors, and they’ve given us this work to do, and I am so happy that I can employ persons who live here too,” she said.

Another recipient, Fibian Jessop, said: “I feel overwhelmed today, and thankful to the government for giving us this chance. I did phase one, and it was approved by the government. They gave me a chance to be a contractor, and it was satisfactory. I’m very much pleased,”

Several of the contractors with Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar and Permanent Secretary, Vladim Persaud, after the signing ceremony, on Thursday (Delano Williams photo)

Lateefah Forde to compete against 20 for Miss Global International crown

GUYANA’S Lateefah

Forde is currently in Jamaica preparing for the Miss Global International Beauty Pageant which will be held on Saturday at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

A fourth-year medical student at the Lincoln American University, School of Medicine (LAU) who has an

interest in Gynaecology and Cardiology, Lateefah will be competing with delegates from countries such as the USA, Pakistan, Haiti, Philippines, Portugal, Nigeria and Serbia.

"Living my dream in Jamaica. I'm so grateful for this amazing experience, meeting the incredible contestants and

Continued on page 17

Lateefah and Reneé Chester shortly before they departed Guyana for Jamaica (Sourced from Lateefah Forde’s Facebook page)

Lateefah Forde (Sourced from the Miss Global International Guyana Facebook page)

Eddy Grant honoured in London

GUYANESE superstar musician Eddy Grant was inducted into the Camden Music Walk of Fame on September 7, another reminder of the contributions he has made to music and culture.

The Plaisance native moved to Camden from Guyana in the 1960s and has enjoyed a successful career which spans several decades.

He began pioneering

multi-racial British group, The Equal, in the 1990s and later found solo success with his hit song, “Electric Avenue”, which was a response to the 1981 Brixton riots.”

Among his notable accomplishments was his role in the freeing of Nelson Mandela with the release of his seminal hit, “Give me Hope Joanna”.

Since the start of his singing career, Eddy Grant

Lateefah Forde to...

has amassed a sizeable following across the globe, released 15 studio albums, 13 compilation albums and 19 singles.

Aside from the aforementioned songs, “Mash in Guyana”, “Living on the Frontline”, “Romancing the Stone” and “Walking on Sunshine” are also popular hits.

His album “Killer on the Rampage” peaked at Number 10 on the Bill -

board 200 chart in the United States of America and was certified as gold. His single “Electric Avenue” received Platinum accreditations and “I don’t wanna dance” topped the charts in five countries including Belgium, Ireland and the United Kingdom. In 2000, his Ring Bang remix of “Electric Avenue” reached Number Five on the UK Singles Chart.

From page 16

experiencing the warm and friendly Jamaican hospitality,” she said, according to a Facebook post.

Accompanying her are the pageant’s national director and award-winning make-up artist, Reneé Chester and Quinton Pearson, whose fashion line, House of Pearson, has gained popularity in Guyana and abroad since it was launched several years ago.

After she was crowned on August 11, Lateefah expressed a sincere determination to make Guyana proud.

“I anticipate dealing with the pressure of being in the spotlight as the biggest challenge I will face. However, with my strong support sys-

tem and confidence, I know I can put my best foot forward, yielding great results and not let any fear or challenge get in the way. God is great, and I am forever thankful.”

For her, the pageant is a unique opportunity to showcase Guyana’s tourism potential.

“…the Miss Global International Pageant is also tourism-focused, which also gives me a chance to be an Ambassador for my beautiful country by showcasing its growing potential as a massive tourism destination,” Lateefah had said in a previous interview.

Melody queen Alaine will provide musical entertainment at the pageant which is slated to start at 20:00 hours sharp.

The 2023 contestants

An elated Eddy Grant stands near his plaque shortly after it was unveiled to officially welcome him into The Music Walk of Fame (Gavin Mills photo)

Antiguan calypso icon to receive honorary degree from UWI Five Islands

ANTIGUAN calypso

icon Sir McClean ‘King Short Shirt’ Emanuel will be the country’s lone recipient of an honorary degree from the UWI Five Islands campus, as part of the wider university’s upcoming Class of 2023 graduation ceremonies which start next month.

The announcement came on Saturday afternoon in a media statement from the UWI, in which it was revealed that King Short Shirt is part of a notable list of recipients from the entertainment sector across the four landed campuses.

Soca star Alison Hinds

is set to be honoured by the Cave Hill campus, Trinidad & Tobago-born R&B singer/actress

Heather Headley by the St Augustine campus and Jamaican reggae legend Beres Hammond by the Mona campus.

The other honourees are Ian Hickling and Trisha Tannis at Cave Hill, Baroness Floella Benjamin and Lawrence Scott at St Augustine, Professor E. Dale Abel, Lascelles Chin (posthumous), Rachel Manley and Ambassador Audrey Marks at Mona, and Dr Patrick Anthony and Dame Janet Gwennett Bostwick at the Global Campus.

The annual tradition of conferring honorary degrees, the statement said, will “commemorate the outstanding contributions made by these individuals to their communities and the wider society”. It also coincides this year with the UWI’s 75th jubilee celebrations.

In the statement, King Short Shirt - who has amassed more than two dozen titles as a fierce competitor - is described as a colossus of calypso, having won the competition 15 times in Antigua and Barbuda, becoming the first to win three successive competitions and also the only one to boast

three separate calypso ‘hat tricks’.

It was noted too that, since entering the calypso arena in 1962, the 81-year-old has copped the Caribbean Calypso competition seven times, as well as winning seven Road March crowns.

For several decades, King Short Shirt has thrilled audiences in Antigua and Barbuda and across the region with hits such as ‘Lamentation’, ‘Tourist Leggo’, ‘Power and Authority’, ‘Nobody Go Run Me’ and the personal favourite of many Antiguans, ‘Vivian Richards’.

He gained so much

popularity over the years that “he has been twice invited by the Prime Ministers of fellow CARICOM countries to their Independence celebrations: Belize in 1981, where he performed ‘A New Beginning’ (a song he wrote especially for the occasion), and Saint Lucia in 2023”.

Born and raised in Antigua’s Point community, King Short Shirt was a champion for social justice, with many of his songs hitting out at oppression, poverty, and politics.

He is held in high regard by a wide cross-section of Antiguan and Barbudan society and can count figures including Prime Minister Gaston Browne and cricket legend Sir Vivian Richards among his fans.

The veteran retired from the competitive calypso scene in 1994 after a more than 30-year career but continues to write and sing, acknowledging the difficulty in leaving the art form altogether.

He received a knight-

hood from his government in 2014 for his contributions to the promotion of calypso, and calls have repeatedly been made - including from the aforementioned PM Browne - for that status to be elevated to National Hero.

If those desires are to be fulfilled in his lifetime, King Short Shirt would join Sir Viv as Antigua and Barbuda’s only living national heroes, while he would become the first entertainer to receive the country’s highest honour.

King Short Shirt, along with the other honourees, will join the hundreds of students across the UWI campuses who are graduating and marking the end of their studies.

The Five Islands Campus kicks off the graduation ceremonies on October 7, followed by Cave Hill on October 21, St Augustine from October 26-28, Mona from November 3-4, and the Global Campus on November 11. (Loop News)

King Short Shirt (Antigua Carnival photo)

Buju gives taste of new album at Mexico debut

BUJU Banton welcomed his new album ‘Born for Greatness’ while performing for the first time in Mexico at Melé Destinations.

The full-length follow-up to 2020’s universally acclaimed ‘Upside Down’, which garnered a Grammy nomination in the category of Best Reggae Album dropped on Saturday morning.

The acclaimed award-winning reggae star, performing in the early hours of Saturday, gave patrons a taste of the title track.

The 17-track album features collaborations with Victoria Monét (Body Touching Body) Stephen Marley (Feel A Way) and Snoop Dogg

(High Life).

In addition to the new single, Buju entertained the Caribbean crowd with evergreen

faves such as "Champion" "Wanna be Loved", "Untold Stories" and "Psalm 23".

He dedicated the song

From 'Hair Love' to 'Young Love': A Black family's animated TV tale

"Sleepless Nights" to a fan who requested it on the occasion of his anniversary.

While acknowledging the revelry taking place over the weekend at the Moon Palace Resort in Cancun, Buju urged patrons to not ignore what is going on in the world.

Always one to touch on world affairs, he spoke about Africa and its awakening, likening the map of Africa to a face and stating that the mouth and eyes are opening.

"Something is happening to the cerebral cortex and the pineal gland and now you see

the mouth of Africa is now open and you see the eyes are also open. South Africa is the mouth, Kenya is the eyes, Mali, Burkina Faso and all those places are right here," he said touching his head.

"So when all those things become activated, what is going to be happening," he said.

Buju backed by his Shiloh band, performed for just over an hour, giving fans a spirited and entertaining performance.

He even returned for an encore with the song "Buried Alive". (Loop News)

WHEN director and writer Matthew A. Cherry started a crowdsourced fund in 2017 for his animated short film "Hair Love," he could not have imagined it would go on to win an Oscar in 2020 and eventually grow into the 2023 Max series "Young Love."

As the series creator, he was keen to continue the story of the family in "Young Love," which premieres on September 21 and runs for 12 episodes.

"The kind of relatability of the world even created in the short with no dialogue is very much a continuation of what we tried to present in the series," Cherry told Reuters.

"Hair Love" unpacks the story of a Black father named Stephen trying to do his seven-year-old daughter Zuri's hair for the

first time while his wife Angela is in the hospital receiving chemotherapy for cancer.

Angela, a professional hairstylist voiced by "Insecure" actor Issa Rae, created hair tutorials for YouTube, which Zuri and her dad, voiced by Cherry, watch.

Eventually, Zuri's dad masters the hairstyles after studying the videos.

"Young Love" picks up after Angela's return home from treatment, exploring the life of the multi-generational family in Chicago, where Cherry grew up.

Besides Rae reprising her role as Angela, other notable names in the voice cast are Loretta Devine, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Kid Cudi.

"We got the multi-generational family too, we added the grandparents

played by Loretta Devine and Henry Lennix. And, you know, obviously Zuri got a voice now, and Stephen is Cudi," Cherry said.

"So, we really hope it's something for everybody, every generation we try to represent."

For him, creating more representation in animation and beyond has always been a defining goal.

"The best art is when you can tie it to a real cause," he said.

"Young Love" is another chapter in the short film's expansion. "Hair Love" has already been adapted into a New York Times bestselling book, the Dove Kids Hair Love collection and used as a pillar in the passing of the CROWN Act, a bill that aims to end hair discrimination in the United States. (Reuters)

Buju Banton

A scene from "Young Love," which premieres on September 21

BCB/Zamal Hussain Cricket Trust Fund…

Twenty-four youth cricketers receive over $1M in cricket gear -

in massive development

“WHEN I was elected President of the Berbice Cricket Board in 2018, I made a commitment to work hard to make sure that every youth is given the equal opportunity to fulfill their talent on the field, in spite of poverty, lack of facilities and the club they play for.

Over the years, my administration has worked very hard to fulfill this promise, and, today, another set of 24 players would benefit.

“We have assisted close to 1000 youths to be better cricketers and students in the classroom; we are very proud of this achievement and we would continue to assist in the future.” Said BCB President Hilbert Foster at the presentation ceremony of the inaugural Zamal Hussain Berbice Cricket Trust Fund.

Twenty-four youth cricketers from clubs across the county received personal gear from the Trust Fund. They are: Isaacs Charles, Nathaniel Amsterdam, Jonathan Daniels, Gautam Dhanraj, Gavin Kesten, Vishal Williams, Suraj Cyril, David Alfred, Christopher Baldeo, Keon Joseph, Adesh Hemraj, Joel Baldeo, Trevor Reynold, Alese Moore, Keshain Narine, Melon Barnwell, Sohail Srikissoon, Rajesh Singh, Khemraj Sewnauth, Delroy Singh, Davindra Capel, and the lone female, Saradha Sewnarine.

They each received a cricket ball, a pair of batting pad and batting gloves. Foster told the gathering of young cricketers to take advantage of the efforts of the BCB, and use the gears for the intended purpose.

The BCB President stated that the Board is determined to uphold the legacy of Rohan Kanhai, Alvin Kallicharran, Basil Butcher and Roy Fredricks, and expressed his gratitude to Hussain, a Vice-Chairman of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), for his support, hailing him as a true friend

programme

of Berbice Cricket.

Foster stated that Hussain has followed in the footsteps of Region Five (Demera-Berbice)’s Vice-Chairman Rion Peters, and Member of Parliament Faizul Jaffarally in setting up trust funds to assist cricketers and clubs in the area.

Foster urged the young cricketers to develop a culture of hard work, dedication, discipline, and devotion to the game. He also disclosed that another 100 youth players will receive about $8M worth of gears by year end, while clubs will receive $1M worth of red cricket balls.

Youth cricketers will also benefit from personal development clinics, coaching manuals, youth information booklets, and coaching sessions involving 20 part-time coaches attached to the BCB/Government of Guyana programme.

Meanwhile, the BCB President fulfilled a promise he’d made to 13-year-old Fardeen Kaleeem of the Cotton Tree Cricket Club. Foster had met

Kaleem on a recent visit to the West Berbice Cricket Academy, and readily agreed to assist the teenager to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional cricketer.

With the support of former national player Sheik Mohamed, Foster presented $100,000 worth of gears to Kaleem. The items received included a bat, batting pad, batting gloves, helmet, and protective gears. A delighted Kaleem expressed gratitude to Foster for his assistance, while his mother, Ya-

sheena Persaud hailed the BCB president as a role model and mentor.

Hussain stated that as a proud Berbician, he is very happy with the work the BCB has been doing under Foster’s leadership, and has always wanted to be part of the organisation’s developmental process. He urged the young aspiring cricketers to take proper care of the items they have been given, and to focus on their education.

Hussain also noted that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government is investing heavily in the development of sports in Berbice, and pledged his continued support of the BCB in the future.

The players were drawn from clubs like Guymine, Mt. Sanai, Edinburg, Rose Hall Canje, Tucber Park, Port Mourant, Cotton Tree, Bath, Bush Lot United, Scottsburg, Upper Corentyne, RHTYSC, Albion and Berbice River.

BCB President Hilbert Foster handing over the cricket gears to Fardeem Kaleem, in the presence of his mother and Region Six Vice-Chairman Zamal Hussain

Youth cricketers with Zamal Hussain and BCB officials after the presentation

Remembering the late Courtney Gonsalves

- Essequibo’s Elder Statesman of Cricket

IT has been ten (10) years since the passing of Essequibo’s Elder Statesman of Cricket, Courtney Gonsalves, who formerly resided in Richmond, on the Essequibo Coast, and thereafter migrated to Canada, where he passed away in 2013 at the age of 63 years old.

He was not only a fitting role model, but he also stood as an institution of infectious knowledge and profound compassion.

Cherished memories will remain that I was privileged to share with the revered Coach, since our bonded relationship began as a toddler, and was formulated from being a rookie youngster, excited to learn my trade like so many others, to a matured player who was always eager to consume his expert advice. Ever since then, our partnership remained unbroken until he was chosen for higher service, and at a venue where he will love the quicker pitches and Angels who will not spill his catches. Instead, a prophetic welcome seems inevitable for a distinguished champion of the game.

In retrospection, Gonsalves would have made a lasting impression on my life; not unexpectedly, though. I knew he would have been disappointed with my cricketing returns, given his dedication and energy, inspiration and courage, which he impartially and skillfully imparted upon me during my apprenticeship. In fact, as I emotionally reflect now, I believe that at some point he was being impatient after I was repaying him with consistently poor results. Yet, he never deserted or relinquished the herculean challenge to keep motivating us until the essence of a sweet victory. It was never a smooth riding for him; from being ruthlessly denied a fairer share as a national fast bowler when he

was on top of his game, to coaching an Essequibo team that lacked the resources and impetus, which invariably would have caused much pain, embarrassment and disappointment, generally.

Then there was the advancement at the time by the powers that be to attempt to debar Essequibo from playing again at the inter-county level, because of the depressing performances.

It would have broken his heart had this happened, and it only propelled him instead to work even harder, and for longer hours, convinced that he could have undone the shackles of the Cinderella syndrome that had poisoned the morale of players, and even the faithful fans of Essequibo. And so, he began instilling within us, the pride, will and passion to chart a new course. Equipped with his vast experience, technical prowess, and compelling authoritative instincts, Essequibo began not to participate anymore but to fiercely compete with the giants from Demerara and Berbice. He was proudly and deservedly voted Coach of the Year by the Guyana Cricket Board in 1998; not in recognition of his already outstanding coaching ability, but for the transformation and tremendous impact that he would have made on the revival of Cricket in Essequibo and its fortunes. North Essequibo was to become the Team of the Year also, in 1998, winning every national competition against teams from the other counties. Essequibo was also to gain a historic and memorable victory against Berbice in a four-day inter-county match during that same period. He would have been proud of those achievements, and the gains made to lift Essequibo’s cricket from the doldrums. He was fond of also holding his charges in

high esteem, and adored us; the likes of such players as Rovendra Mandolall, Lawrence Farnum, Devon Ramnauth, Latchmikant Narine, yours truly, Dinesh Joseph, Beesham Seepersaud, David Wallace, and Clain Williams among others. I must acknowledge, most emphatically, too, that he significantly contributed to shaping the careers of some of our more celebrated cricketers in Guyana, including the great Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who has been conferred with an Honorary Doctors of Law and inducted into ICC Hall of Fame, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lennox Cush, Travis Dowlin, Mahendra Nagamootoo, and Reon King, all of whom he shared a very special relationship with. Such fatherly affection never waned, since he will be remembered as Essequibo’s pride and joy during an era of fast-bowling supremacy, as well as an idealist who conquered mediocrity, and a strategist of immense competence.

He also had a colossal impact on his son, Ian Gonsalves, who had the distinction of representing Guyana at the youth level, while his elder sons, Roy and the late Gary Gonsalves, were also competitive players. His youngest son, Nicholas Gonsalves, can attest to having his father’s rich cricketing blood, if not his skills, while his daughter, Sabrina Gonsalves’ knowledge of the game cannot be understated.

Coach Gonsalves will be sorely missed, but his ideals will live on as a guiding principle of someone who would have achieved success over adversity, while defying the odds to place Essequibo on the cricketing map. He will forever remain as Essequibo’s Elder Statesman.

Yours faithfully,

Elroy Stephney

Chris Woakes says ‘superhuman’ Ben Stokes gives England confidence

CHRIS Woakes says Ben Stokes’ record-breaking 182 gave England a timely reminder of what they can achieve with his “superhuman” skills.

Stokes was in rampant form against New Zealand on Wednesday, making the country’s highest ever ODI score in just his third innings since reversing his year-long retirement from the format.

With England’s World Cup defence less than three weeks away, it was a perfect way for the man who carried them to victory in the 2019 final to prove his sense of occasion once again.

Stokes has nothing left to prove on the big stage but watching him bully England’s first World Cup opponents with nine sixes and 15 fours sent a wave of energy through the dressing room.

England went on to wrap up victory by a huge margin of 181 runs, another reminder that when he is in the side, the whole team walks a little taller.

“We obviously see Ben as this superhuman that can do incredible things. We know he can,” said Woakes, who picked up the baton with three early wickets in the field.

“It was great for the group and brilliant for Ben too. He’s an unbelievable cricketer but coming back into the team having retired, it will do his confidence a world of good.

“We always have doubts and performance anxieties at the best of times, so it’s great for his confidence and great for the team’s confidence and belief that we can post huge scores.

“It was amazing to be here and play in the game because that was an incredible knock.

“He struck it cleaner than anyone else out there. It just shows how good a

player he is.”

Since walking away from 50-over cricket last summer citing workload issues, Stokes has poured his energies into his role as Test captain.

Working closely with head coach Brendon McCullum, he has revitalised the red-ball set-up, flipping their fortunes in dramatic fashion and playing out a thrilling drawn Ashes series

that gripped the nation.

Woakes feels that stepping back into the ranks under Jos Buttler’s leadership, and operating as a specialist batter rather than all-action all-rounder, is a good thing for Stokes.

“I think him coming back into this team is probably a refreshing feeling for him, without the captaincy on his shoulders. To run the England Test team is a tough job,” he said.

“He’s probably seen this as a breath of fresh air, to play his natural game and be his natural person, which he always does.

“This group of players who have been around this team for a long time always feel comfortable when we come back together.”

England’s World Cup squad has one more game together before departing for India, wrapping up their clash with the Black Caps at Lords on Friday.

There is hope that Jason Roy and Mark Wood will be fit for selection, with both

sidelined for each of the last three matches. Roy has been laid low twice by back spasms and Wood has been kept in cotton well since ending the Ashes with a heel problem.

Roy, in particular, will be eager to feel bat on ball.

Dawid Malan made 96 at opener on Wednesday to position himself as a viable alternative and Harry Brook continues to linger as a possible replacement should Roy’s fitness continue to raise questions.

“I think he’s hopeful. This close to a World Cup it’s a bit of a risk to throw him into a game when you’re unsure as to how he’s going to go,” said Woakes.

“Fingers crossed he’s alright. I’m sure he’s desperate to get out there and I’m sure he’s frustrated as well.

“Pre-World Cup you want to get a bit of form behind you and play as many games as possible but he’s a resilient character; the lads have got around him and I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

Cricket Australia makes neck protectors on helmets compulsory for batters

CRICKET Australia has made it mandatory for batters to wear neck protectors on their helmets when facing fast or medium-pace bowling.

Australia's Steve Smith and David Warner are not keen on wearing them but will now have to do so from October 1.

Cricket Australia has recommended the use of neck protectors since the death of Phillip Hughes in

November 2014.

Hughes was struck on the top of the neck by a ball during a Sheffield Shield match in Sydney.

He collapsed and died in hospital two days later.

The neck protectors attach to helmets are to provide extra protection at the back of the head and neck.

Smith, who was concussed after being hit by a bouncer from England

bowler Jofra Archer in a Test match at Lord's in 2019, had previously said they made him feel "claustrophobic".

He did not initially wear one when he played for Sussex against Worcestershire in May and, as neck protectors are mandatory in county cricket, play was delayed by 10 minutes so he could fit one.

The ruling by Cricket

Australia to make neck protectors compulsory comes after Australia all-rounder, Cameron Green, had to be substituted after being struck by a Kagiso Rabada bouncer in a one-day international against South Africa earlier this month.

"Protecting the head and neck is extremely important in our sport," said Peter Roach, Cricket Australia's head of cricket

operations and scheduling.

"The neck protector product has come a long way in recent years and the decision to make it mandatory comes off the

back of a lot of advice and consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders."

Australia batter Steve Smith says neck protectors make him feel “claustrophobic’

England’s World Cup defence is less than three weeks away

Johnson named Player of the Series but West Indies U19s lose by seven wickets to Sri Lanka

DESPITE a heroic 157 not out from Jordan Johnson, the West Indies U19s lost by seven wickets to Sri Lanka U19 in the second Youth Test at Dambulla on Thursday.

Resuming from their overnight score of 2518, with Johnson on 133 and Tamarie Redwood yet to score, the West Indies U19s added 26 to their total, bowled out for 277. Johnson added 24 of the runs added, but Redwood was run out for two, and

Deshawn James run out without scoring, leaving Johnson on 157 not out.

Needing just 79 for victory, Sri Lanka made 81-3 from just 18.4 overs to secure victory.

Sineth Jayawardene top-scored with 30, while Rusanda Gamage was not out on 21 at the end, with Ravishan De Silva on 17 at the other end. The pair added 42 runs for the fourth wicket, after the West Indies threatened briefly to have the hosts in a spot of bother at 39-3.

Isai Thorne, 1-29, and Tarrique Edward, 1-16, were the wicket takers for the West Indies in the losing effort.

The West Indies U19 lost, but Johnson did not come away empty-handed. For his scores of 149, 52 and 157 not out, he was named Player of the Series.

SCORES: West Indies U19 127 and 277 v Sri Lanka U19 326 and 81-3. Sri Lanka winning by seven wickets.

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in a last-ball thriller to reach final against India

Charith Asalanka held his nerve as Sri Lanka edged a last-ball thriller against Pakistan to set up a meeting with India in the Asia Cup final.

Chasing a revised Duckworth-Lewis-Stern target of 252 in their final Super Four match, Kusal Mendis made a crucial 91.

With six needed off the final two balls Asalanka edged Zaman Khan for four then calmly worked a couple off his pads.

Pakistan had earlier posted 252-7 thanks to Mohammad Rizwan's unbeaten 86 after the start was delayed by rain.

The win gave Sri Lanka the runners-up spot in the Super Four stage and they will face table-topping India, who play winless Bangladesh on Friday, in Sunday's final.

"We are very happy to come to the final," said Mendis. "Overall everyone played really well.

"A couple of wickets

went down, but I was hoping that Charith would finish the game as he has done it before. And he did it."

Abdullah Shafique (52 off 69 balls) and captain Babar Azam (29 offf 35) laid the foundation for Pakistan's total before Rizwan's impressive knock, off 73 balls, was supported by Iftikhar Ahmed (47 off 40), while Matheesha Pathirana finished with 3-65.

Wicketkeeper Mendis spearheaded Sri Lanka's reply in a century stand for the third wicket with Sadeera Samarawickrama, who made 48 off 51, but fell nine runs short of a third ODI century when he was dismissed by Iftikhar, who took 3-50.

Shaheen Afridi's two wickets in two balls in the penultimate over appeared to swing the momentum Pakistan's way, leaving Sri Lanka needing eight from the final over.

Pramod Madushan was

run out off the fourth ball, but Asalanka kept his cool, finishing unbeaten on 49 to get Sri Lanka over the line

"Sri Lanka played very well, better cricket than us," said Pakistan skipper Babar.

"We have not been up

to

fielding. That is why we lost the match."(BBC Sport)

in front of a raucous home support at the R. Premadasa Stadium as the clock ticked past 01:07 local time.

the mark in the bowling and

Jordan Johnson was named Player of the Series for his scores of 149, 52 and 157 not out against Sri Lanka U19s. He received his trophy from match referee Ranjith Priyantha

Sri Lanka won the 2022 Asia Cup, which was in the T20 format, and are now in the final again

Mandolall spurs Warriors to OMSCC A Division crown

…Defending champs Carr Tec retain B Division title

THE Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) 2023 season climaxed

allotted 20 overs. In reply, Warriors, who are known for their poor records in finals,

player shared useful partnerships of 26 with Aftab Shamsudeen for the fifth wicket and 43 for the sixth with Avinash Singh (18 not out). However, Warriors still needed a further 18 runs when Mandolall, who struck one four and five sixes, went caught and bowled off Richard Driffield.

Singh and skipper Rabindra Diaram held their nerves and ensured their team came out victorious in 19.2 overs. Wickets were shared by Ramo Malone, Bunty Singh, Gavin Glasgow and Driffield, each claiming one.

Mandolall and Malone while the B Division winners were Suresh Ragoonauth (Carr Tec) and Daron Mahase (Ramblers).

Both the winners and runners-up teams were recipient of trophies and medals. The MVPs were also rewarded with trophies.

runs (218) and had the highest ranking (1031 points).

at the Ashtonbee Reservoir ground, Scarborough, Canada, last Sunday with contrasting wins for the A and B Divisions’ winners respectively.

While the A Division, like the Over-50 the previous day, saw Warriors winning in the last over and dethroning defending champions Rebel Masters, the B Division ended with a lopsided victory for defending champions Carr Tec over Ramblers.

Winning the toss and electing to take first strike, Rebel Masters were restricted to 131 for eight in their

reached the target with four balls to spare.

The B Division final, on the other hand, proved a total disappointment for the Sunday afternoon spectators as Ramblers were shut out for 31 in 12 overs after being inserted to take first strike. Carr Tec rushed to the required total in 3.2 overs.

Warriors owe their victory to a fine knock of 46 from former Guyana Under-19 batsman Rovendra Mandolall, who came to the fore with his team in a spot of bother at 45 for four in the eighth over.

The former Essequibo

Earlier, Rebel Masters suffered an early setback with the loss of Eon Katchay who went without scoring. Opener Desmond Chumney, in his usual attacking mode, spanked one four and three sixes in a bright 35 and along with Driffield (14) revived the innings. Other useful contributions came from Malone (19) and Chris Vernon (17) but the eventual total proved inadequate at the end.

Rakesh Dyal had the best figures, two for seven while Rakesh Ramotar ended with two for 14.

The respective Most Valuable Players awards went to

Several players were also rewarded for performances during the regular season. Imran Ali (Hawaiian Sensation) registered the lone hundred in Division A while Rishi Samuel, also of Hawaiian Sensation) scored the most

In the bowling department, there was one five-wicket haul from Looknauth Ramsuchit (Hawaiian Sensation) while Linden Persaud (Hawaiian Sensation), Gavin Glasgow (Rebel Masters) and Bisham Sukhdeo (Reliance Lions) had four. Raja Amit Pooran of Canadian Legends claimed the most wickets (16).

There were four centuries in Division B – Krishna Arjune (Pegasus), Hazari Girdhari (United), Fazil Rasool

(United) and Richard Rosan (United). Arjune also topped the batting aggregate with 414 runs and had the highest ranking (1532 points). Four-wicket hauls were achieved by Patrick Balkaran (United), Girdhari and Devin Shivrattan (Ramblers. Jano Panday (United) and Mark Khan (GT Bannas) were tied for taking the most wickets (10). Meanwhile, a perplexed Ramblers’ captain, Patrick Shivrattan, disclosed that he had no answers to his team’s disappointing performance in the B Division final.

The victorious Warriors team and supporters after their victory

B Division winners Carr Tec pose with their winners trophy

Warriors roar to 6th successive win to remain unbeaten

By Sean Devers

THE Guyana Amazon Warriors bettered the 99 stand between Kemo Paul and Shimron Hetmyer against Jamaica Tallawahs in St Kitts when 20-year-old debutant Canada-born Guyanese Matthew Nandu added 112 in 12. 5 overs with 21-year-old Pakistani Saim Ayub for the first wicket at the Providence Stadium on Wednesday night.

That partnership set the foundation for the Warriors to extend their seven-match unbeaten streak when they defeated the Tallawahs by seven wickets in front of a capacity crowd of their adoring fans.

Ayub’s magnificent 85, his third consecutive fifty, was decorated with five fours and five sixes from 53 balls while Nandu, whose father Arjune Nandu played First-Class cricket for Guyana, played a well-calculated supporting role with 37 from 35 balls and four boundaries.

Shai Hope chipped in with an unbeaten 16 to take the Warriors 155-3 in 18. 3 overs, replying to the Tallawahs’ 1525 in 20 overs.

The Tallawahs’ innings was anchored by a regal exhibition from Brandon King who fashioned a classy 52 from 32

balls decorated with 10 fours and a six.

But only Ramon Reifer whose 20 lasted 14 balls and included three fours and Fabian Allen who also faced 14 balls and cleared the boundary twice reached 20 as the pair featured in an unbroken 41 stand to see their team past the 150 mark.

Dwaine Pretorius had 2-33 from four overs while the captain, 44-year-old leg-spinner, Imran Thair, took 1-19 from four overs

When the Warriors, who have won the most matches in the history of the CPL and have attended five finals without winning a title, began their chase, Nandu got his first boundary in CPL when he tucked Salam Irshad off his hip and the sold-out crowd began to dance in the stands.

The fans who created a fantastic atmosphere under a clear night sky were treated to some wonderful shots, after a careful start, as the Warriors reached 51 without loss in the first six overs.

Ayub ‘caressed’ Shamar Springer past cover for four and after 10 overs the home team was 89 for no loss as the partnership gained momentum to the delight of the many fans who were gyrating all night to

pulsating vibes from the sound System and the rhythms from the Tassa Drummers.

Ayub pivoted and pulled Nicolson Gordon for consecutive sixes and reached his 50 from 34 balls with five fours and three sixes.

Nandu also looked impressive as the young Guns brought up the 100 in 11 overs before the left-handed Nandu was bowled by off-spinner Chris Green who struck at 112 in the 13th over.

Hope, a quality all-formats batter, joined Ayub, who dumped Allen for two sixes to gallop into the 80s but with the score on 141 Ayub fell to Springer before the burly Azam Khan (1) ‘chopped on’ a short delivery from Salam, looking to cut, at 146-3 but by then the fat lady was already clearing her throat. Oden Smith finished the contest with a boundary.

Earlier, Warriors won the toss and elected to field and King got going with a couple of glorious boundaries in the first over bowled by Pretorius before Romario Shepherd struck in the fourth over when Alex Hales (9) inside-edged a length ball at 24-1.

King, another quality all-format batter, stroked Shepherd for an imperious cover

drive for four and followed it up with a back-foot steer to third man for another boundary.

King launched into Smith, who replaced Shepherd and took him to the cleaners with four elegant fours, including an imperious cover-driven boundary off a free-hit in an over which cost 17.

After the six power-play overs, the Tallawahs were 55-1 before Tahir stemmed the run flow, conceding just three runs from the seventh over A misfield on the mid-wicket by Smith brought up the 50

while the left-handed McKenzie sparkled briefly and hit Motie’s first ball over cover for six.

The ageless Tahir had McKenzie (13) caught at longoff at 73 -2 while King reached his fifty from 29 balls with 10 fours and a six before he missed one from Motie that kept low and was bowled four runs later to wake up a large flag-waving crowd which produced a Kaleidoscope of colour in the stands.

The 100 came up in the 13th over as Imam Wasim and Shamarh Brooks looked to forge a partnership on a light-

ning-fast outfield but the pair were kept on a tight rein. Wasim who struggled for 26 balls in his 18, was bowled at 110-4 by Pretorius who trapped Brooks (10) LBW a run later as the fans in the stands erupted in a raucous outburst. Allen deposited Pretorius into the window of the Media Centre breaking the glass, before clobbering Thair onto the roof of the Presidential suite Reifer and Allen joined forces to give their side a challenging total which in the end proved inadequate.

Linden Mayor’s Cup U-21 Schools’ Basketball continues today

LINDEN Technical Institute (LTI) outplayed Wisburg Secondary with a dominant 66-8 victory when the two teams clashed in a lone game in Group A of the Linden Mayor’s Cup Under- 21 Schools’ Basketball competition. The action switched from the opening matches which were played at the Retrieve Hard Court last Friday, to the Silvercity Hard Court in Wismar on Wednesday afternoon.

This afternoon Linden

Foundation Secondary take on Marcia Craig Educational Institute in a Group C game from 14.30hrs and at 16.00hrs New Silvercity Secondary are up against Mackenzie High in a Group B clash.

The first game in Group C was not played as Marcia Craig Education Institute failed to show against Christianburg Wismar Secondary.

In that lone fixture played LTI was spearheaded by Killon Phillips with a game high 22 points with

Kimol Grimmond with 16 and Lerone Joseph eight being the best players. Romani Richards had seven points for the Wisburg side which is out of contention with two losses.

This means that LTI and Kwakwani will battle it out in the final Group A game to see which team advances to the playoffs in this nine-team competition.

Kwakwani and Mackenzie High won their opening matches last Friday at the Retrieve Hard Court with

Kwakwani thrashing Wisburg Secondary 50-3 as Osaiah Conway netted 16 points with Rashane Sampson and Arron Vanlewin each with 10 points.

Mackenzie High defeated New Silvercity Secondary 26-20 with Vladimir DaSilva and Rayhan Bakker each getting seven points and Jamaine McCalmont four. The best shoot for New Silvercity Secondary was Rasheed Hinds with 17 points.

Guyana Amazon Warriors’ openers Saim Ayub (left) and Matthew Nandu (Photos: CPLT20)

Linden Technical Institute players in dominant yellow against Wisburg in red tops