Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 15-10-2022

Shun divisive rhetoric

Berbice Expo returns

THE government is transitioning the coun try in a transformational direction that em bodies the aspirations of the people, with an aggressive, dynamic agenda that the entire country can be proud.

This was conveyed by President, Dr. Ir

faan Ali, on Friday evening as he delivered the feature address at the 16th Berbice Expo and Trade Fair.

The event, which has not been held since 2019, is being held this year under the theme “Advancing Food Security Through Agricul

tural Sustainability and Innovation.”

The President, in his address, noted that key aspects of the event’s theme fit into the government’s overall development agenda for the country, and highlighted the need for the support from the entire country.

“The development agenda of this coun try must take place with aggression and with the support of every Guyanese,” the President said.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali, members of Cabinet, the private sector and other senior government officials with the top performers of the National Grade Six Assess ment (NGSA) at the opening of the Berbice Expo at the Albion Community Centre Ground on Friday (Office of the President photo)

Two beautification projects for Region Six

–– as New Amsterdam, No. 79 Village identified for family-friendly spaces

By Shamar Meusa

IN keeping with the gov ernment’s push to create more green spaces for families across the coun try, First Lady Arya Ali has added two more sites to her national beautifi cation project.

This time, the project will extend to the ancient county, Berbice, where Number 79 village and New Amsterdam have been identified.

The signs for the re spective beautification projects were unveiled by Mrs Ali and Minister with in the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, at a ceremony on Friday.

The First Lady who was elated to support yet another project said the goal is to promote the re vitalisation of public safe spaces and green parks across the country.

“This project aims to promote scenic revitalisa tion, safe public spaces and green parks. It is my aim to have one in every adminis trative region throughout Guyana,” Mrs Ali said.

Thus far, she said that one project has been start ed in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), one which is almost complete at La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara (WCD), a third is at the Kingston seawall which is soon to be com

missioned.

According to Mrs Ali, these projects also aim to promote family time, and recreation and also to create a space where small cultural activities can be hosted.

Further, she noted that a management committee has been set up to ensure that there’ s proper man agement of the facilities placed at the sites.

“It is your space. It is your park and I urge all of you to come out and maxi mise the use of the parks… it is for your benefit, so please ensure you take care of it,” she told residents who were present.

The park at Number 79

Village will feature paved walkways, a play park for children, recreational gazebos, benches, water fountains and more.

Meanwhile, delivering remarks was Minister In dar who stated that, since entering office, the govern ment has sought to trans form Guyana and has been building out infrastructure across the country.

With this, he added that President, Dr Irfaan Ali wanted to ensure that the country had safe spaces.

This mantle was picked up by the First Lady and her office. Indar revealed that the First Lady iden tified a number of spots across the country to create these types of spaces.

According to Minister

Indar, the public works ministry will continue to work with the Office of the First Lady to ensure that her vision for the beauti fication projects becomes a reality.

“The sites that we have identified are within major population sets where peo ple can easily access to and from,” Indar said.

As it relates to the safe space at New Amsterdam, it was revealed that it, too, will have a walkway, ame nities for children to play and more.

Further, he mentioned that both projects will be executed by Berbicians as he noted that all contrac tors are from Berbice.

The projects are to be completed before Christ

mas, Minister Indar said.

He urged contractors to take advantage of good weather and push in as much work as possible on the projects.

Linden utility co-op better off now

– Minister Hamilton

LABOUR Minister Joseph Hamilton has come out swinging against naysay ers who have called the usefulness of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) for the Linden Util ity Services Co-operative Society Limited (LUSCSL) into question.

In a recent interview, Minister Hamilton was asked to respond to claims that the co-operative society in ques tion has not been functioning properly and is also not mak ing a profit.

“In six months” Minister Hamilton said, “the IMC has rescued the Co-op Society from nearly bankruptcy [and brought it] to profitability.” He said the evidence of that

progress is present. He ac cused the previous leadership of the entity of mismanage ment for close to a decade.

Hamilton said he makes no apologies for any one of the interventions to save the utility company, and under scored that there is no way that either he or the Govern ment of Guyana will allow the community to be plunged into darkness.

He bemoaned that there is a current $11 million judgement against the com pany which could not have been honoured by previous management.

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton

Additionally, the La bour Minister said the util ity company could not even honour rates and taxes owed to the Linden Town Council.

First Lady Arya Ali

Shun divisive rhetoric

–– gov’t focussed on building inclusive, stronger, better Guyana — President tells Belladrum, Cotton Tree residents

By Tamica Garnett

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Friday, emphasised that continuous dialogue and connection with the people is a critical part of good governance when he paid follow up visits at Bel ladrum and Cotton Tree, Region Five.

“We are together build ing a Guyana that is strong and better, a Guyana that is delivering for all the people,” the President emphasised as he urged members of the political opposition to stop their nonsensical narrative that only one set of people are benefitting from govern ment’s programmes.

“You make no sense any more, and guess what, your narrative will not derail us because we will continue to work with all of Guyana, all of the communities, we will work with them. I intend to go to every single commu nity and deliver the truth, deliver the truth, deliver the platform on which this coun try is developing so that they don’t have to listen to the false prophets that continue to spread hate and division but that they will see us for who we are, they will see Guyana for what Guyana is and will see the community for what the community is, because the rising tide will lift every single community, every single Guyanese, all of us up, together,” he said

The President was ac companied by several min isters and other regional and local government officials, including Agriculture Min ister, Zulfikar Mustapha and Public Service Minister, So nia Parag.

They met with residents from the respective com munities, listened to their concerns, and observed the progress that has been made in the communities since pre vious community concerns were raised.

At Belladrum, which the President had visited in a

community outreach in 2020, the President noted that he always looks forward to stop ping in to continue conversa tions on how the government and the people can work together to continue build a relationship in which they all collaborate for the en hancement of communities and the lives of people who reside in the communities.

The President noted that on his last visit, there were three main concerns in the Belladrum commu nity, namely assistance for the agriculture through better drainage and irriga tion, the rehabilitation of the community centre, and the creation of opportuni ties for residents, particu larly through the women improvement livelihood movement.

DELIVERING

“Those three funda mental issues were raised from them… in just about a year or more we’ve had development in all three areas in the community,” President Dr. Ali pointed out.

According to the Presi dent, since his last visit, more than 10.5 miles of drainage and irrigation works have been done in the community. A shade house project also got off the ground.

“I’m not going to go over all that we did and the different initiatives that we pursued but what I am here to do is continue the con versation, to listen to you on how we can further en hance the development of the community. To listen to what are the ideas you have and how we can move those ideas forward,” the President underscored.

He added: “My only rea son here is to work with you the people to uplift the lives of you the people and all the concerns that you have that we could work on together as a community, as a people united in one cause and that

cause is the development of our community and devel opment of our country. You have a President willing to listen to you and work with you and get the job done with you.”

Members of the Bel ladrum community have also benefit from the Guy ana Online Learning Acad emy (GOAL) scholarships; every single individual who applied was accepted.

NOT ENOUGH

However, with only 10 persons having applied, the President noted that this is not enough.

“We want more young people to be involved … we’re investing in the skill development programme that will train young people directly in certain areas. Like heavy machine opera tors, mechanics. These are persons who may not have the qualification but we will train them technically to participate in the different sectors of the economy. We will be coming back in this community as soon as that programme is launched,” the President said.

The President also noted that members of the Cabinet will be directly attached to some of communities, and in the case of Belladrum, Minister Parag has been assigned.

“She will be coming to

you, door-by-door working with members of the com munity and I want you to take her in as a member of your community. That is the only way we can take our country forward. There’s only one way I know and that is the way with people. I want this conversation on development to continue to evolve because

we care about every person in this country— we care about every single community— that is why I will visit every community, I will go to every community,” he said.

He elaborated: “To listen to your perspective, listen to your ideas and then the craft policies and programmes to address your problems.

That address the situations that might be facing your community that might be of a smaller nature but very im pactful in the lives of people in your community.

So for us continuous dialogue and connection with the people is a critical part of the living good gov ernance to all our people.”

President Dr. Irfaan Ali speaking with residents at Belladrum

Minister Edghill receives report on harbour bridge collision

THE Board of Inquiry (BoI) investigating the collision of the fuel tanker Tradewind Passion into the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) on Friday handed over its completed report to Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill.

The report was handed over by Captain Joseph Lewis, a Marine Officer and Surveyor of Ships, who led the seven-member team that carried out the investi gation. The report was sub mitted within the seven-day timeline given to the BoI.

According to a state ment from the Public Works Ministry, Lewis assured Minister Edghill that ev ery check was made, and all necessary interviews were conducted to gather information to compile the report.

“Being a marine sur

veyor that deals with inter national ship, I have very high standards and with this report here I am very impressed, it has met my standard and we hope it will also meet your standard, minister,” Lewis was quot ed as saying.

Captain Lewis also ex pressed the team’s gratitude of being entrusted with such a mandate by the minister.

The report was handed over in the presence of the other BoI members -- Mar itime Administration (MA RAD) Director of Legal

Affairs, Thandi McAllister; Member of the Board and a Staff of Transport and Har bours Department, Yolanda Hughes; Inspector Carlos Ross of the Marine Division of the Guyana Police Force; Lieutenant Colonel, Da vid Shamsudeen from the

Coast Guard; MoPW Chief Transport and Planning Officer, Patrick Thompson and member of the Board of Directors of the Guyana National Shipping Corpora tion, Dimitri Ali.

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

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

This resulted in the two spans of the bridge shifting some 45 degrees out of alignment. The ship was the fifth vessel to pass through the bridge for the morning.

Following the collision,

the vessel has since been impounded and the pilot and crew were confined to the vessel.

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

Following assiduous work by the DHB staff and support from the private sector, the bridge was re opened to vehicles weigh ing up to 12 tonnes on Mon day night.

It was later announced that vehicles weighting up to 18 tonnes would be able to cross the bridge under special conditions.

Captain Joseph Lewis (left) hands over the report to Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill

The future looks ‘brighter’ for Guyanese

to provide free eye care

THE Lions Club Internation al Foundation of Guyana has partnered with the Volunteer Optometric Services to Hu manity (VOSH), to provide a week of free eye screening services to members of the public at several locations.

The Guyana Chronicle spoke with some of the bene ficiaries at the Project Dawn Health Centre, Liliendaal, on Thursday, which was World Sight Day. Many were thank ful for the initiative which they said would help them avoid the high cost that is usually asso ciated with the purchasing of spectacles.

Donovan (the only name given) accompanied his wife to get her eyes tested.

“Due to spectacles carrying such a high price, I am thankful that I don’t have to spend a lot of money to get this for her. I am also happy to see so many people and schoolchildren here, “ he said.

Fredrick Henry, a father accompanying his 16-year-old son, said, “The turnout has exceeded what I think it would have been. We were here early but haven’ t gotten through as yet. It is a great initiative because spectacles these days cause a lot of trouble and we are thankful that we can come and get them for free. I know it will help out a lot of parents too.”

was planned several years ago after the District Coordi

nator of the Lions Club Inter national Foundation Guyana, Maxine Cummings, while at a seminar in Boston, USA, ex pressed the need for VOSH to visit Guyana.

VOSH’s head, Dr. Barbara Plaugher, made the decision to travel to Guyana with her 16-member team of doctors, nurses, and technicians. How ever, she was forced to delay the trip for about two years ow ing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Members of the VOSH team would travel to under served areas around the world “to provide the gift of vision and quality eye health,” to adults and children.

On Thursday, the Guy ana Chronicle spoke with Dr. Plaugher at the Project Dawn

Health Centre.

She said that she was de lighted to see the “great” turn out and was looking forward with great anticipation to the planned visits to West Coast Berbice and New Amsterdam the following day.

She also expressed grati tude to the Lions and the people of Guyana for the hospitality that was extended to her and her team, ensuring that they received food and water on time, and whatever was needed to make their stay comfortable.

“The people are very nice here in Guyana. They are pleas ant and appreciative of the service that they are getting and that is quite nice to see,” said Dr. Plaugher.

She said that she wants

Guyana to know that they are willing to come back if they are invited and if there is a need for them. It is not uncommon for them to revisit countries.

Meanwhile, Cummings, who is also the coordinator for the initiative, explained that Guyanese are fortunate to be benefitting from one-week of services from the VOSH team.

“Even though we are ac commodating adults, we are focusing a lot more on chil dren. Some children may not be learning in the classroom because of their poor eyesight, but we don’t always consider that. We just think that they don’t understand the work and, in some cases, we found that they may not be able to see properly,” she related.

Lions and VOSH are ca tering for 2,000 patients, but according to Cummings that number from all indications will be exceeded.

“Our goal is to save sight and one of the goals for the Lions Club in the coming years is to extend drives such as these to other parts of Guyana,” she added.

The District Coordinator

found that a number of them had developed pterygium (a fleshy overgrowth in one or both eyes), which is due to excessive sunlight.

Cummings used the op portunity to express gratitude to the Ministry of Health, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and the Govern ment of Guyana for playing an instrumental role in making the

took the opportunity to remind the public that the Lions Club does similar projects annually for children during the month of October when more attention is given to the importance of eye health and the need for quality eye care services for all.

While many schoolchildren were given eyeglasses, it was

initiative a success.

She also thanked Dr. Plaugher and her team for the successful and excellent service that they have provided thus far to the people of Guyana, espe cially the children.

This year, World Sight Day was celebrated under the theme, “Love Your Eyes”.

Hits and Jams: Norton’s degrading of Spice and Skillibeng unfair

CHIEF Executive officer of Hits and Jams Enter tainment, Rawle Ferguson has refuted claims made by Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton that the Spice and Skillibeng performances at the recently concluded Cricket Carnival Super Con certs were damaging to the moral fiber of Guyana.

Ferguson in a release stat ed that the Dancehall culture is widely followed and loved by many, including Guyanese. He noted too that the patrons at

these concerts are well aware of the style of entertainment these artistes provide and con tended that it is unfair to blame the artistes for the overall immoral behaviour in society.

Norton reportedly made the statements on Saturday, that the two artistes are creat ing conditions for men to be abusive to women with the derogatory content of their music.

The CEO said he is of the opinion that social media and the Internet are probably

the biggest influencers of be haviour in society and that is accessed by all.

Ferguson noted that both Spice and Skillibeng have a combined Instagram following of almost five million, which he believes is a clear indication that their music is liked and accepted by many.

Spice is a Grammy-nomi nated artiste and Skillibeng is also a chart-topping performer who has received numerous accolades from the music industry.

Additionally, both artistes have travelled the world per forming their hits for numer ous fans and have also per formed in Guyana before the recently held Cricket Carnival activities, the CEO said, point ing out that he is unsure why only now these statements are coming to the fore.

The Cricket Carnival was a partnership with CPL, the government of Guyana and the Carnival committee which comprises of corpo rate and other stakeholders.

Hits and Jams CEO, Rawle Ferguson

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton

Head of VOSH, Dr. Barbara Plaugher, and some members of her team (Carl Croker photos)

Pupil get his eyes tested

The missteps of IDPADA-G

THE organisation known as the Inter national Decade for People of African Descent – Guyana (IDPADA-G) has come out with an even more bizarre series of revelations at its most recent press conference on Thursday.

In a previous editorial, this newspa per noted from their own disclosure that: “… the organisation’s [IDPADA-G’s] salary-to-overall-budget ratio is more in line with the salary-to-current-expen diture ratio utilised in Guyana’s public sector.

“Interestingly, one would think that IDPADA-G operates within the third sector, civil society, and would budget internally based on the idea that its funding sources are never guaranteed as compared to the public sector which is guaranteed funding through the national budget.”

This newspaper went on to caution that “if the organisation has based its budget lines on the public sector model,

it ran the risk of being unsustainable if not guaranteed a funding source. That funding source, however, cannot be the public purse.”

The most recent disclosures detail the extent of that unsustainability. In an effort to strong-arm the government to continue its largess financing, IDPA DA-G’s leaders on Thursday signalled an intention to take the government to court. There seems to also be some frustration that the President, Dr Irfaan Ali-led People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has been engaging with commu nities directly as opposed to consistently using special-interest groups as middle persons. Are governments not supposed to engage citizens directly in the spirit of Article 13 of the Constitution?

Bizarrely, the organisation’s leaders have now demanded that government release all of the monies which were initially-budgeted for it in 2022 as though there is an absolute claim to

public funds, which the government is duty-bound to protect. As was previously editorialised, it still remains to see what exactly IDPADA-G’s mandate is outside of operating as a quasi- public sector agency as all references to its work in communities still required technical ex pertise from public and private entities.

The organisation announced Thurs day that it had not only removed 10 staff as a result of its inability to pay them for the month of September, but also that it had other debts which were accrued. The debt was squared to somewhere be tween $6 million to $10 million for one month. As far as its work is concerned, the organisation will now scale-down its operation and function fully as a volun tary and advocacy group.

Journalists repeatedly questioned what were the salary scales for employ ees including the top position, but the response from the head table, which in cluded IDPADA-G’s Chairman Vincent

Alexander and Chief Executive Officer Olive Sampson, was that the salaries were similar to those paid in the public sector. The CEO segued from the direct question asked but highlighting she had relinquished her salary in part, and later in full.

As if its mandate wasn’t already blurry, one representative said IDPA DA-G had recently disbursed grants of $100,000 to 24 of its partner organisa tions. Another member of the head table at the closing of the press conference reminded that IDPADA-G was not a grant-giving organisation. It begs the question of what rules truly governs ex penditure within the organisation.

A question which surely increases confusion as the organisation effec tively swallowed up close to half a billion dollars of public money within five years but continues to scrape for answers of how Afro-Guyanese ben efitted.

Response to Chris Ram (Part I)

Dear Editor,

REFERENCE is made to Christopher Ram’s letter to the Editor of Stabroek News dated October 12, 2022, where he sardonically referred to me as a self-de scribed adjunct professor.

If one were to check my professional profile on LinkedIn and my curriculum vitae (CV) which is also on the Internet, I have never used that title to describe my self. I’ve been writing consistently for the past five years, I presented at many public forums, sat on many panel discussions, including with Chris Ram, appeared on tele vision programmes, etc., and I have never used that title to describe myself. The title of associate professor was assigned to me at Texila American University, an accredited university in Guyana, where I served as a former faculty member (part-time) within the business college. During this time, I taught the BBA and MBA programmes from 2019 through 2021. Prior to this, I also worked as a PhD (Management) research assistant at the said university. Despite this, I never carried this title anywhere as part of my professional and academic credentials except for one time, in June 2021, where I used my teaching credentials in a letter I

wrote to the media. The only reason I did this was out of an abundance of caution to avoid the contents therein, from being mis construed as a representation of the views of my primary employer at that time.

That being said, on the very day Christo pher Ram’s letter was published, I received a call from him where he furtively sought to enquire about my background, after he did his mischief. Out of some respect for him though, I will not divulge the other aspects of our discussion.

Notwithstanding, I wish to make anoth er startling revelation which your readers might find interesting, a personal story when I first met Chris Ram that he per haps doesn’t seem to recall. Back in 2016 under the previous government, I was on the verge of completing my first master’s degree in banking and finance when I came across an advert for CEO of NICIL in the newspapers by Ram and McRae. At that time, I was second-in-charge of the GBTI Port Kaituma branch. I applied for the position because I felt I met the minimum qualifications and experience set out for the job by Christopher Ram and company. Truth be told, I was not expecting to get the job and I knew I wouldn’t. My primary objective, however, was to merely test my

CV to ascertain what its worth in the job market. Surprisingly, I was shortlisted for an interview for the position. This, I cel ebrated as an accomplishment because at the age of 26, being shortlisted for a CEO position of an organisation such as NICIL, by none other than a man of Christopher Ram’s stature, was a big deal for me. More so when I found out that I was among the shortlisted top five candidates out of about 20 applicants.

On the day of the interview, the candi date who was interviewed just before me was none other than Dr. Yog Mahadeo.

As I was waiting my turn, I saw when he came out of the office. So, again, validating the point that I was among some top-level candidates indeed. To end this story, I would like to leave with your readers Chris topher Ram’s final words to me as he closed the interview (it was a great interview for me, by the way). I never forgot this day and in his final words (of rejection), Ram said to me, “Joel, this country needs you, but the people of Port Kaituma need you more”.

Christopher Ram is a man of impeccable integrity and so if he checked his records, he would find my CV on file and confirm the story I just divulged.

Editor, the reason I shared this very

personal story, is because anyone would find it to be very ironic that a man of Chris topher Ram’s caliber sought to ridicule the professional credentials of a young professional. Worthy of note, by virtue of him shortlisting my CV for an interview for this top-level position, and which he conducted himself, it therefore means that my credentials have already been deemed to be credible and worthy enough by none other than Christopher Ram’s own standard, since six years ago.

Editor, this is just the background of my response to Christopher Ram’s letter, which is deemed necessary, and most fitting given that Christopher Ram is a different kettle of fish altogether. Suffice it to state, I have been waiting a long time, for the appropriate time to come, to engage Chris Ram in a public debate, in particular, on oil and gas relat ed issues. This first letter, henceforth, is the beginning of a series of forthcoming letters and articles in response to some of Chris Ram’s positions and contentions on the subject matter and by extension, Article 13.

Ramnaresh Sarwan calls for disciplined conduct

Dear Editor,

I WATCHED, with great interest, the interview with Sarwan on the Gildha rie-Freddie show (September 9, 2022).

It was refreshing to see someone truly from, and of, civil society talking about Guyana. The basic qualification for civil society as used here is that Sarwan did not go to that interview with a hidden political agenda. His answers were direct and constitute ample proof that freedom of expression in Guyana is alive and well.

Sarwan was asked what he would tell young people to focus on to realise both their personal objectives, as well moving the country towards economic and so

cial progress. He answered the question with one word – discipline. A follow-up question concerned the driving culture in Guyana. With great ease, the world-class batsman reiterated that for Guyana to move forward, people need to take more personal responsibility for their actions.

Nowhere do we need more discipline than in the quality of our political dis course and the conduct of political lead ers. Two current instances come to mind.

The first one concerns the bewildering behaviour of Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton’s handshake performances. The refusal to shake President Ali’s hand, apart from being a display of bad man ners, is also an indication that Mr. Norton

The old politics of total opposition to your opponent no longer works

Dear Editor,

REFERENCE your news story (Oc tober 9, 2022), the PNC Member of Parliament for Region 10, Jermaine Figueria, acted maturely, profes sionally, smartly and should be ap plauded and emulated for meeting, shaking hand with, and welcoming President Irfaan Ali to Linden.

The President came bearing gifts. He should not be rebuffed by Linden or any opposition politician. That is not smart politics. Linden needs resources. Figueria wants resources for his con stituency. He can only get resources if he meets the President, makes a case, and lobbies for it. Politicians have to canvass for and champion the needs of their communities. The old politics of total opposition to your opponent no longer works.

In the US, whenever the President visits a city or state or territory, poli ticians from the ruling and opposing party usually show up to welcome the President. Sometimes the President travels with elected representatives of both parties. He wants to come across as non-partisan and be seen with pol iticians of competing parties in order to bolster his ratings. That is sensibly politics. The President may bring hand

outs to benefit the community – what is called pork barrel politics in America. The politicians of competing parties want to be on hand to claim credit for the handouts. Politicians in Guyana should emulate that American tradition of embracing their President.

Ali is President of all of Guy ana, those who supported PPP, PNC (APNU), ANUG, LJP, and other par ties. He makes policies for all of Guyana. He decides on investments and development in an area. It would be unwise to reject the President and alienate Linden from the President’s plan for the area and any development goodies he brought. Figueria’s action is in sharp contrast with PNC and opposi tion leader Aubrey Norton, who refused to shake hands with Ali in several faceto-face encounters. Norton is on record as saying he will not shake hands with his oppressor. Ali is no oppressor of Guyanese. The country is a democracy.

In order for the country to make progress, politicians of opposing par ties must work together in the best interests of community development regardless of which party controls the reins of government.

does not intend to play by the established rules, norms, and expectations of civil and political society. Does this kind of behaviour indicate a new modus operandi by the PNC?

The conduct of the Opposition Leader is of utmost importance. It partially sets the tone of political engagement both in and out of Parliament. But perhaps most importantly, his conduct is a significant mechanism for socialising younger mem bers of his party. The Opposition Leader has a great opportunity at this early stage of being on the big stage, to lead in ways conducive to order, stability, and eco nomic prosperity.

The second point relates to how a dis

ciplined politician conducts himself, and the difference it makes in the quality of governance. As Vishnu Bisram observed in Stabroek News (October 14, 2022) “… PNC Member of Parliament for Region 10, Jermaine Figueira, acted maturely and professionally and should be applauded and emulated for meeting, shaking hands with, and welcoming President Irfaan Ali to Linden.”

I feel certain that though Ramna resh Sarwan does not comment on politics, he would very much approve of what transpired in Linden.

Yours sincerely, Dr. Randy Persaud

Petro Dollars and Sense!

Part 3: CARICOM’s PetroCaribe Conundrum

This series examines Guyana’s Oil & Gas options globally on the eve of the Final Quarter of the 21st Year of Century 21, as the world’s richest nations pay higher costs to fight inflation and try to avoid pending recession, while also scurrying to secure adequate alternative energy supplies to replace Russian gas.

By Earl Bousquet

WHEN Presidents Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro dreamed up the PetroCari be agreement in just short of two decades ago, not one barrel of oil had been extracted in Guyana.

ExxonMobil’s initial dis cussions with the PPP/Civic administration, (circa 1996) were originally fruitless, but fructified less than a decade later following deals signed up under the APNU+ AFC alliance after 2015.

Today, ExxonMobil is leading Guyana’s oil digs alongside Hess and CNOOC; and PetroCaribe, after being derailed by the Trump Ad ministration between 2018 and 2020, is ready to roll again with CARICOM na tions willing to revive the earlier relationship.

But a former regional science adviser doesn’t sup port reviving PetroCaribe, instead suggesting Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana and Su riname can do a better job of leading the region out

of the fossil fuel zone and achieving a 2050 zero-car bon target.

Dr. Neville Trotz, a former Science Adviser to the Caribbean Communi ty Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), spoke during an oil and gas webinar hosted in July by the Guyana Business Journal and Magazine.

His comments also fol lowed Vincentian Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gon salves saying at the earlier July 4 Caribbean Communi ty (CARICOM) Summit in Suriname that member-states were seeking to resume the ‘favourable’ PetroCaribe ar rangement with Venezuela, under which most were able to purchase oil on generous long-term repayment terms.

About half of Guy ana’s oil was also obtained through PetroCaribe at the time, bartering with paddy and polished rice to com pensate.

But the arrangement re portedly deteriorated from 2015, after Guyana started producing oil and Venezuela

Chronicles of a Chronic Guyana Chronicler

By Earl Bousquet

recalibrated its longstanding claim to Guyana’s Essequi bo region.

Dr Trotz believes Guy ana and Suriname, as new and young boys on the re gion’s oil bloc, should mar ry their new finds ‘with Trinidad and Tobago’s ex perience as an oil and gas player,’ to satisfy the Carib bean’s energy needs.

By his measure, the 2050 net-zero deadline should see CARICOM nations stop using fossil fuels and switch to more environmental ly-friendly renewable energy sources like solar, wind and hydropower, which will pro tect member-states from the climate crisis and its rising sea levels, floods and other catastrophes.

By using regional ener gy, Dr. Trotz reasons [that] Caribbean countries should be able to fund the climate mitigation and adaptation ef

forts needed and support oth er plans such as the region’s Food Security ambitions, which will require fertilisers that can be produced from natural gas.

He also posits that oil and gas resources (fossil fuels) must be harnessed to help transform national energy sectors and the shift to renewable energy.

All the above is quite well and good, but absent are critical elements that es caped the judgement of pro posing a two-decades-long transition from oil and gas to solar, wind and hydro-pow er: How it will affect the people for whom it’s meant.

Back in 2015, then US Vice-President Joe Biden unsuccessfully sought to have CARICOM mem ber-states dump PetroCari be’s ‘dirty Venezuelan oil’ for clean American shale gas.

But he had also clearly underestimated the eventual cost to individual Caribbean households of converting from one type of energy to another.

And then there’s the ed ucation factor.

CARICOM has, for de cades, been preaching ‘Buy Local’ to reduce the ever-ris ing food import bill, but to no avail; and same with better waste management through recycling and less plastic use.

And the majority in most nations is still not vaccinated against COVID.

Another important factor overlooked is that, with few exceptions, most CARICOM states already owed signif icant amounts to Venezu ela when the PetroCaribe agreement fell on sanctions imposed by President Trump after he met five CARICOM leaders in Florida in 2018.

Guyana and Venezuela are no longer dancing the PetroCaribe tango, but it doesn’t mean that either side should automatically seek to undermine the other’s exist ing energy-related bilateral or multilateral agreements or commitments with third parties.

For example, Saint Lucia doesn’t owe Venezuela for PetroCaribe, but the Philip J. Pierre administration has al ready reopened discussions with Caracas about activat ing an agreement to reduce fuel and electricity costs.

Saint Lucia is using its tax earnings on fuel imports to subsidise cooking gas and fuel, to prevent prices rising and discourage private trans port entities from raising minibus fares too highly.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has touted creation of a new regional energy security plan harnessing natural gas re sources in Guyana and Suri

name and using Guyana’s oil and gas resources to support creation of ‘a new energy mix’ that’ll see the country gradually reducing its heavy dependence on fossil fuels.

This approach, separate and distinct from PetroCari be, can certainly run along side the revived Venezuelan initiative, whose extreme ly-generous terms remain very attractive to today’s CARICOM leaders, most of whom were nowhere around when the arrangement was launched in June 2005.

During its first decade, PetroCaribe was helpful to Guyana and all other CARICOM member-states that signed-on – and even Trinidad & Tobago and Bar bados, which hadn’t joined, eventually embraced the ini tiative, neighbouring Trini dad & Tobago sharing bilat eral petroleum production agreements with Venezuela, also forcefully shelved by the Trump sanctions.

Meanwhile, President Biden has more than once indicated his willingness to conclude a deal with Caracas to allow the American oil major, Chevron, to resume production in Venezuela -but only for the US market.

The US president is also prepared to do like he did with Saudi Arabia last month when he visited and swept their political differ ences under the carpet in return for sweet oil deals.

Guyana and Venezu ela’s ongoing territorial troubles notwithstanding, Washington is prepared to make deals with both, in the US national inter est – again underlying the decades-old declaration by Henry Kissinger, Ameri ca’s most effective diplo mat in modern times, that ‘America has no friends, only interests!’

Female WI cricketer, policeman among land title recipients

–– over 400 house lots distributed during Region Six housing drive

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric

GUYANESE cricketer, Shemaine Al tia Campbell, who is part of the West Indies Women team, got the best birth day gift when she received the title to her Lot 171 Bloomfield Village, Coren tyne, Berbice property, on Friday.

Campbell had applied for land more than 14 years ago and in 2015, she was allocated a plot at Bloomfield Village. Years later, on her 30th birthday, she collected her title.

Despite the long wait, she was elated to have finally received the legal docu ment showing ownership of the land on which she built her home.

Campbell, a Berbician by birth, is the first and only woman cricketer to have scored a century during the One Day International (ODI) format while batting at number seven or lower. She also has the highest score for any batswoman in a women’s ODI innings when batting at the number seven position or lower, with 105 not out.

Another recipient was Clive David Hazelwood, a policeman. He described the wait as a “long” one as he received his document after seven years of him occupying the land.

Nevertheless, he expressed gratitude to the Government of Guyana for afford ing him and by extension his family, the opportunity of becoming a homeowner.

In addition to the 262 land titles/trans ports, over 400 house lots were distrib uted during the event which was held at the University of Guyana’s Tain Campus.

In his feature address, Minister of Housing and Water Colin Croal not ed that the current target in the Upper Corentyne area, primarily Number 75 and Number 76 Villages, is 400 house lots.

He said that another 200 lots will be distributed during the Berbice Exposition, which will be held at Albion over the weekend.

“We must recognise that with the commitment of acquiring additional land …we have to gear our minds that we can not get a house lot necessarily very close to where we reside, but it’s based on the availability,” he said.

Friday’s allocation adds to the 339 lots which have been distributed in East Berbice/ Corentyne area since the PPP/C took office. Thousands were previously distributed in other regions. The overall target is 6,000 lots.

Palmyra is expected to become the economic hub of the region and there are plans to construct hotels, a stadium, commercial buildings, a synthetic track at New Amsterdam), and a regional aerodrome.

Meanwhile, Minister Croal pointed out that there are several initiatives aimed at assisting persons to become home owners.

He said that since the launch of the “ Home Construction Assistance” pro gramme, 50 Berbicians have expressed interest. One of the pre-qualifications for the programme is proof of land owner ship.

Home ownership has also been made easier through partnerships with banking institutions, which have lowered the in terest rates for mortgages.

Further, at Fort Ordinance, there is an ongoing construction project where 100 two-bedroom houses are being built. A similar project is ongoing in the Hamp shire/ Williamsburg area.

Minster Croal in his address explained that in addition to providing affordable subsidised housing, the ministry also grants building permits for commercial purposes and executes town plans by zoning.

The ministry is committed to the introduction of the electronic single win dow system, which will provide a more efficient service. This paperless system is expected to reduce the transaction time.

It was also mentioned that the Guyana Water Inc. has invested some $8.6 billion to improve the water supply in the region. Work will be done between Number 45 to 65 Villages. The construction of a water treatment plant at Adventure in 2023, the relocation of transmission and distribution mains between Canje Bridge and Moleson Creek to make way for the widening of the main thoroughfare, are among the plans for the region.

Also speaking at the mid-morning cer emony were Minister Suzan Rodrigues who highlighted government’s manifesto commitments, and Regional Chairman of Region Six, David Armogan, who urged beneficiaries to seek financing so as to construct their homes in the shortest possible time.

Among the other attendees were the ministry’s Permanent Secretary,

Female West Indies cricketer, Shemaine Altia Campbell

Andre Ally; Regional Executive Officer of Region Six, Navindra Persaud, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Au thority (CH&PA), Sherwin Greaves.

Policeman Clive David Hazelwood

CNOOC opens new office

PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips has lauded China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) Petroleum Guyana Limited for its commit ment to its Guyana operations, saying that it “under scores that strong partnerships are essential to the overall success of any operation”.

Prime Minister Phillips made this remark at the official opening of CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited new office building on High Street, Kingston, Georgetown.

According to the Senior Government Official, the trans formative oil and gas (O&G) sector require development partners who can collaborate with Guyana to advance its interests and objectives.

“Transformative development opportunities such as our burgeoning oil and gas industry call for reputable partners with the country’s best interest at heart. While we, as a gov ernment, work to protect our resources and our assets, the stakeholders who operate within this industry must equally demonstrate due diligence and commitment regarding our patrimony and the rights of our people.”

He elaborated: “What this means, simply, is that as we look to build our oil and gas industry, our goal is to work with trusted partners with our best interest at heart, and we have welcomed CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited and its operations as part of this fold.”

While the government welcomes investments in the sec tor, the Prime Minister emphasised that its members work tirelessly to establish a positive investment environment while ensuring effective, responsible and transparent moni toring and management of the country’s resources.

“We continue to stay vigilant and work assiduously to ensure that we create an environment where our local and international stakeholders can thrive while ensuring the effective and responsible management of our resources in a transparent and accountable manner that will ultimately benefit our people and Guyana as a whole.”

Prime Minister Phillip stated that while rapid devel opment is taking place and the government welcomes investments in the sector, it has been diligent in ensuring that safeguards are in place to protect the people’s interests.

On that note, he emphasised the importance of holistic development of the petroleum industry through the creation of a diverse, sustainable, and climate-friendly economy.

“With investment in our people as one main goal and our commitment to building on this industry, we must consider other parts of the equation, such as the sustainability of our efforts in a climate-friendly manner. As such, we continue to invest in our committed vision to drive Guyana’s develop ment along a low-carbon pathway through our new and ex panded Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030.”

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiments by emphasising the importance of mutually beneficial partnerships while applauding CNOOC. (Office of the Prime Minister)

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips assisted by Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat in cutting the ceremonial ribbon

New attorney attributes her success to late father

By Clestine Juan

JUST as she was about to start her stud ies at the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad, Ismat Bacchus lost her father, a major pillar in her life, who believed in her dream of becoming an attorney.

On Friday, two days before what would have been her father’s 68th birth anniversary, the young attorney was admitted to the local bar by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George at the Demerara High Court.

During her address to the court for the first time as an attorney, Bacchus was moved to tears as she reflected on the loss of her father, Imtiaz Bacchus.

“My primary supporter throughout my life, my father, Mr. Imtiaz Bacchus, unfor tunately passed away just as I was about to begin my final year of the LLB programme and the impact which that had on me was tremendous. Upon his passing, everything in my life changed abruptly. Simply saying that he and I were close is saying very little. He was the person that stayed up many nights with me whilst I was studying, checking frequently to see if I needed anything…he never questioned what I needed or where he was going to get it. He simply provided,” she said while fighting back tears.

She smiled as she told the court that her late father always boasted proudly about her legal education, and every person that knew him and would meet her would always say “You’re Mr. Bacchus’ daughter, how are your studies going?”

“…. his belief in me allowed me to believe in myself. In the moments of doubt after his passing, particularly through a very rough first year of my LEC, I always kept pushing myself because I wanted to do it not just for me but for him. And I kept that deter mination till the end that now I am proud to

say that I graduated with almost all As in my final year,” the young attorney said.

She told the court that when her father was feeling well, he would ask her “How much longer do you have till you’re fin ished?”, she would always respond, “You don’t worry with that; you will be there.”

Unfortunately, he did not get to see her cross the finish line, but she had a photograph of him in court to ensure that he was with her to celebrate the bittersweet occasion.

“I know my dad would’ve been extreme ly proud today, as I am certain my mother is as well and to this, I say thank you,” she added.

After completing her studies at the Uni

versity of Guyana she proceeded to the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS) in Trinidad where she successfully completed the LEC programme. She was the recipient of a Min istry of Public Service scholarship.

The young attorney said that as long as she could remember, she had two very distinct dreams: becoming an attorney and working in an organisation where she would play a role in the development of Guyana.

While reflecting on her legal journey, Bacchus said a few years ago, when she was at a crossroad over which direction her career should take, she began working with Priya Manickchand at her private practice. Manickchand, who is now the Minister of Education, has always been an advocate for legal and human rights.

“That position allowed me to see the realities not only of the court process but of the impact which the work done here, that which I thought was traditional, has on the life of every individual who passes through these halls…the respect that I have gained for this institution is ten-fold. Significantly, I am also encouraged by the examples of counsel who have come before me and shown that the role of an attorney-at-law is multi-dimension al and can allow me to achieve both of my dreams. So, standing here, I feel great fulfil ment in having managed to align my career in the direction I always dreamed of,” she said.

She also extended special thanks to the minister’s sister, Jaya Manickchand, who is also an attorney.

Bacchus recalled that Jaya not only supported and encouraged her, but provided

Attorney-at-law Ismat Bacchus and Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George (Carl Croker photo)

valuable advice and taught her lessons which she will always carry with her.

The young attorney also thanked attor ney-at-law, Kamal Ramkarran, who present ed her petition to the court.

Bacchus said that during her LLB pro gramme, the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, assisted her with her constitutional law assignments. She now intends to pursue her Masters in Invest ment Law and Foreign Policy.

Hopefully, Bacchus said, she can now work with the Attorney-General at his chambers.

New attorney-at-law, Ismat Bacchus, holding a photograph of her late father (Carl Croker photo)

Seven men remanded to prison over KN armed robbery

DAYS after the multimil lion-dollar armed robbery at Kaieteur News, seven men, were, on Friday, hauled before the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and remanded to prison for their alleged roles in the crime.

The alleged mastermind, Ryan Wharton, 33, a former Research Assistant at Kai eteur News; Joshua Junor, 35, a former Security Guard at Kaieteur News; Lemuel Grant, 23; Harry Stongster; Ivor Belingie called “Wild Life”; 40-year-old Collis Hay wood and 35-year-old Kevin France were all arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Wharton, Junor, Grant, Stongster and Belingie were charged for robbery under arms which alleged that be tween October 9-10, 2022, at lot 24 Saffon Street, George town, while being armed with a gun, they robbed Kaieteur News owned Glenn Lall of $38.8 million, a Republic Bank cheque valued $9.1

million, USD $9,360 (ap proximately G$1,872,000), a .32 Taurus pistol valued $350,000, ammunition valued $480,000, a firearm case val ued $25,000 with two handles valued $10,000 and six maga zines valued $60,000.

It is further alleged that during the robbery, the men also robbed two of the news paper employees, Noel Junior of $ 5000 and Wayne Little

of one cellular phone worth $44,000.

The men pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Police Prosecutor Assis tant Superintendent of Police, Neville Jeffers, objected to the five defendants being released on bail since they allegedly confessed to the crime under caution and provided investi gators with the details of the roles they played during the crime.

Lemuel Grant Harry Stongster

Jeffers further told the court that investigation re vealed that Wharton allegedly began plotting the heist a week before it was commit ted.

During the bail applica tion address, Grant’s attorney, Eusi Anderson told the court that his client has co-operated with the police during the investigation.

According to Anderson, the only role Grant played was innocently lending his motorcar to his cousin, Whar ton, who ended up allegedly using it in the robbery.

Among other things, the attorney said his client has a “ solid alibi” as when the crime was allegedly commit ted, he was at the “Outside” bar at MovieTowne “party ing” with friends.

Anderson told the court that he will get the CCTV footages from the bar to clear his client.

However, the Chief Mag istrate, based on the seri ousness of the crime and in the interest of public safety remanded Grant and his four co-accused, to prison until November 10.

Meanwhile, Haywood and France were separately arraigned for gun and am munition possession charges which stemmed from the alleged robbery.

Haywood was charged for having a .32 ammunition along with 210 matching rounds in his possession on October 10, without being the holder of a firearm licence at the time.

He pleaded not guilty to the two charges.

France was charged for having a 9 mm pistol along with 10 matching rounds in his possession when he was not the holder of a firearm licence. The offence was al legedly committed at East Ruimveldt.

He too denied the two charges.

The Chief Magistrate re manded both men to prison until November 9.

Police said that investi gators managed to crack the case in less than 48 hours, after they arrested Wharton and his alleged accomplicesone of whom is Junor, who was a security guard on duty at the media outlet at the time

of the robbery. The robbery occurred during the wee hours of Monday, October 10.

In a press release issued hours after the robbery, the police said that the incident occurred around 01:15 hours, when three men in a gold-co loured Spacio motor car, reg istration number unknown, stormed the building through an eastern door on the bottom flat and held security guards Noel Junior, 63 and Junor, and Wayne Little, a 20-yearold Graphic Designer, at gun point.

The three employees were taken to an office where they were instructed to lie on the ground.

Police said Noel was robbed of $5,000 cash; Ju nor, a Samsung S7 cellphone valued at $40, 000 and Little was robbed of a $44,000 cellphone.

One of the suspects re mained with the victims while his accomplices went straight to the Accounts Department which is located on the upper flat of the building.

“The door was secured with -a Yale padlock which was wrenched off by the sus pects. The lock on one of the desk drawers inside the Ac counts Department was also broken off. Under the said desk there was a small safe with an undisclosed amount of cash which the suspects took. The suspects spent about five minutes in the building, exited through the front door and escaped in the said motor car in a southern direction,” the police release stated.

Police investigators re viewed the company’s CCTV camera footage, but due to the face masks that the suspects

Ivor Belingie called ‘WildLife’

were wearing, it was difficult to identify the bandits.

The next day, the police managed to recover the fire arm, ammunition, and other items were also in the stolen safe.

It was explained that the stolen cash was divided into four and the clothing worn by the gunmen and the fake number plate that was on the Spacio were burnt shortly after the robbery.

One .32 Taurus pistol, 210 live .32 rounds of ammu nition, 71 live 9mm ammu nition, five 9mm magazines, two .32 magazines, one pistol (Glock) case, one holster and three hand grips were placed into a black strap haversack and allegedly given to Hay wood, the police said in a release.

Detectives were later led to Haywood’s home where he allegedly handed over the .32 pistol and 210 matching rounds, which are the proper ty of Lall, the owner of Kai eteur News. France was later arrested with the 9mm pistol and matching rounds.

Wharton allegedly placed his share of the money into a plastic bag, along with his cell- phone, and took it to his “child-mother” for her to keep. He allegedly told her that “he won the money from Superbet.” Police made contact with the womaan who handed over $3.5 million.

Another accused hand ed over $2,667,900 along with US$685 (approximately G$137,000), the release said.

According to the police, ranks were taken to a trench at Cane View Avenue, South Ruimveldt Gardens where the stolen safe was recov ered.

Ryan Wharton Joshua Junor

Collis Haywood Kevin France

Nine-member team selected for technical training in India

PUBLIC Works Min ister, Bishop Juan Edghill, on Thursday, addressed the nine employees of the Pub lic Works Ministry’s Transport and Har bours Department, who were selected to par ticipate in the Major Equipment Training Session on the M.V Ma Lisha in India.

The participants will have the responsibility of manning and conducting repairs on the vessel. They will be travelling to India in two batches.

The employees se lected for the training are Corwin Stephen, Steve Ramsarran, Carlton Shi vdyal, Ryan Cheeks, Orandel Niles, Marlon Levius, Newton Parks, Godfrey Reece and Le andre Nelson.

In his charge to the participants, Minister

Edghill encouraged them to absorb as much infor mation as possible.

“You are leaving for India for training, and practically, you are rep resentatives for Guyana. I expect that all of you

will keep the Guyana flag flying high and that you will make Guyana proud. Your main task is getting there and learning everything that you need to know, which means the MV Ma Lisha must

be your focus,” he said.

Minister Edghill also directed the group on

their specific tasks over seas.

“You are to under

stand your role, work alongside your counter parts in India, engage with the suppliers, make sure that you ask all the questions and you under stand everything.”

The vessel was built by Garden Reach Ship builders and Engineers Limited, as part of the In dian government’s line of credit cum-Grant project.

It will be travelling the Georgetown-North West route.

The ship has a speed of 15 knots propelled by two diesel engines and twin disc gearbox es, with the capacity to carry 250 tonnes of car go. It has a passenger capacity of 294. (DPI)

Minister Edghill addresses employees selected for technical training in India

Berbice Expo returns

THE government is tran sitioning the country in a transformational direction that embodies the aspira tions of the people, with an aggressive, dynamic agen da that the entire country can be proud.

This was conveyed by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Friday evening as he deliv ered the feature address at the 16th Berbice Expo and Trade Fair.

The event, which has not been held since 2019, is being held this year under the theme “Advancing Food Security Through Agricul tural Sustainability and In novation”.

The President, in his ad dress, noted that key aspects of the event’s theme fit into the government’s overall development agenda for the country, and highlighted the need for the support from the entire country.

“The development agen da of this country must take place with aggression and with the support of every Guyanese,” the President said.

He added: “The struc ture of the economy that

we’re building, the dyna mism of the economy that we’re building, the diversity of the economy that we’re building will be so integrated and multi-dimensional that we will be able to compete against the best economies

in the world. We are doing the hard work now to ensure that the economy 2030 and beyond will be the strongest in the world. This is how we want the position our country.”

The President noted that

the government is cognisant that even as they build out medium-and-long term goals for the country, there must be short-term returns for the people while the govern ment works on the long-term agenda.

“Whilst we’re pursuing the long-term initiatives, we have to build programmes that will deliver short-term results as we transition into the long-term economic growth and prosperity path way that we are on,” the President said.

According to the Pres ident, there is not room for failure.

“This agenda with the grace of God must be ful filled. We must put in the hard work now; we must make the sacrifices and com mitment now. The future is undoubtedly bright for us. This government has no intention to make a mess of this opportunity for Guya nese,” the President said.

He listed four pillars upon which the government is piloting the country’s transformation. These are building the healthcare and education systems to attract Guyanese in the diaspora, improving the ICT sector, positioning Guyana to be a leader in food security, and an energy leader in the world.

According to the Presi dent, the country is in a transi

tion state, as it moves towards its imminent transformation through significant invest ments in infrastructure and de velopment of human resource.

However, in the area of infrastructure, the President stressed that the government must focus on ensuring the building of the country is done in a sustainable and resilient way, given the coun try’s susceptibility to the effects of climate change.

“We’re seeking to posi tion Guyana as a leader in environmental and biodi versity services. When we speak about the future; we cannot speak about the future without understanding that environmental services and biodiversity system, eco logical services will be an important part of the modern economy in the world 2030,” the President said.

Speaking directly to the people of Berbice, he outlined a number of ini tiatives on the cards for that region, including the consideration of a new, more modern bridge across the Berbice River and the creation of a stadium at Palmyra.

Full Court refuses to lift suspension of APNU+AFC MPs

THE Full Court on Friday denied an application by Roysdale Forde, S.C., chal lenging the High Court’s refusal to grant an interim conservatory order to allow eight Opposition Members of Parliament who have been suspended, to attend sittings of the National As sembly, and to receive their salaries.

This is according to a press release issued by the Attorney General’s chambers shortly after the conclusion of the matter which was heard by Justices Jo- Ann Barlow and Sandil Kissoon

The release stated that Justice Barlow, in deliver ing the decision of the Full Court, said 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. In the circum stances the Full Court ruled that the Orders requested by Roysdale Forde SC MP are refused.”

It added that the effect of this decision by the Full Court is that the suspension of the Opposition Members of Parliament, along with the suspension of their salaries by the National Assembly, stands until the determina tion of the matter before Justice Damone Younge in the High Court.

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

Forde had sought sever al conservatory orders and injunctions which Justice Younge declined to grant since she had to first deter mine if she had jurisdiction to hear the case.

The substantive case be fore Younge comes up on November 1, for hearing on the issue of jurisdiction. The court will also hear an appli

cation filed by Attorney-Gen eral Anil Nandlall, S.C., for the case to be dismissed.

On December 29, during the debate on the Natural Resources Fund Bill, cha os broke out at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, where the National Assembly was sitting. The Opposition MPs were at the time attempting to prevent Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Fi

nance, Dr. Ashni Singh, from presenting his debate for the Natural Resource Bill.

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

A motion tabled by Min ister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixei ra was passed in the National Assembly in January 2022 for the eight elected officials to be referred to the Privi

leges Committee for their actions.

The Privileges Commit tee later presented a report that recommended that MPs Ferguson, Philadelphia and Jordan be suspended for six consecutive Sittings for com mitting serious violations in removing the Parliamentary Mace from its rightful po sition.

The report also recom mended that Sarabo-Halley be suspended for six consec

utive sittings, while it recom mended that Jones, Duncan, Singh-Lewis and Mahipaul be suspended from four con secutive Sittings.

The suspended MPs later filed a court matter challenging the disciplinary action. In addition to the Attorney General, the Speaker of the National As sembly Manzoor Nadir and the Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs were named as defendants.

Indycar’s Alex Palou to drive in Mclaren test in Texas

(BBC) - IndyCar driver Alex Palou will drive a Mc Laren in first practice at next weekend’s US Grand Prix.

The 25 year old Spaniard -- the 2021 IndyCar cham pion -- will drive Daniel Ricciardo’s car at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas IndyCar driver, Mexican Pato O’Ward, will drive a McLaren at the season ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, also in first practice, in Lando Norris’ car.

Both have previously tested McLarens away from grand prix weekends

Palou was at the heart of a contract controversy ear lier this year when both McLaren and the rival Ganassi team said they had signed him for the 2023 IndyCar season

The dispute has been settled in Ganassi’s favour, but Palou is expected to move to McLaren in IndyCar in 2024

The row echoed that involving McLaren in F1, when they won a dispute with Alpine over the future of Aus tralian Oscar Piastri.

The argument went to F1 ’ s contract recognition board, which ruled only McLaren had a valid contract The 21 year old is joining McLaren next year as Norris’ team mate, after the team paid off Ricciardo’s contract to terminate it a year early at the end of this season

Palou said: “I’m so excited to be making my F1 weekend debut It’s great to be driving in the United States in front of fans that may have seen me race in IndyCar

“Having driven the 2021 McLaren MCL35M in a few tests now, I can’t wait to put the MCL36 through its paces.”

O’Ward said: “I can’t wait to get out on track in Abu Dhabi I’ve developed as a driver and had a lot of fun testing last year’s car with the team, so it will be a great experience to drive the MCL36.”

AMERICAN RACING TIPS

Belmont

Race 1 Hola Gata Race 2 Tekila Race 3 G Munning Race 4 Sareeha Race 5 Shardial Race 6 Evan Harlan Race 7 Blame It On Mary Race 8 Jemography Race 8 Canisy Race10 Miss Tipirado

CANADIAN

RACING TIPS

Woodbine Race 1 Gospel Way Race 2 Taradar Race 3 Livin On Love Race 4 Arra Go Wan Race 5 Buttered Toast Race 6 Be Like Leigh Race 7 Dramatic Fashion Race 8 French Franc

SOUTH AFRICA

RACING TIPS

Turffontein 08:15 hrs Second Base 08:50 hrs Pinky Levine 09:30 hrs Outofthedarkness 10:10 hrs Whispers Of War 10:45 hrs Vivacious Spirit

ENGLISH

RACING TIPS

Market Rasen 08:17 hrs Free Handshake

08:52 hrs Ontherouge 09:27 hrs Harbour Lake 10:02 hrs Master Malachy 10:37 hrs Tamaroe Du Mathan 11:14 hrs Isle Of Aron 11:45 hrs Notimeforanother

ASCOT

08:25 hrs Trueshan 09:00 hrs Creative Force 09:40 hrs Mimikyu 10:20 hrs Modern Games 11:00 hrs Raaeed 11:40 hrs Bashkirova

CATTERICK

08:35 hrs Flight Of Angels 09:10 hrs Thewaytothe stars 09:45 hrs It Just Takes Time

10:15 hrs Vintage Clarets 10:50 hrs Admirality 11:25 hrs Sweet Fantasy 11:00 hrs Flamborough

IRISH RACING TIPS Leopardstown

08:30 hrs Sounds Of Heaven 09:05 hrs Peking Opera 09:35 hrs Tea Olive 10:10 hrs Run The Jewels 10:45 hrs Cairo 11:20 hrs Goodie Two Shoes

11:55 hrs Realism 12:30 HRS Safrcracker

Rain saves Australia from whitewash

(ESPNCRICINFO)

– Bat

ting under pressure, Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell fell cheaply , but Austra lia avoided a clean sweep against England after the T20I series finale in Can berra was abandoned due to rain.

After two rain delays in England’s innings, the match was reduced to 12 overs a side Australia were in a ma jor hole at 30 for 3 chasing a revised target of 130 before inclement weather ended pro ceedings with seven deliver ies still needed for a result

England skipper Jos But tler earlier scored his second half century of the series in another confidence booster

An impressive England have started their T20 World Cup preparation in style after winning the opening two games, played in Perth and

Canberra, in mirroring eight run victories, while Australia have unresolved questions ahead of a title defence

Buttler fires again , Stokes’ late cameo

Expected rain caused havoc in England’s innings, totalling 90 minutes , and a truncated match ensued After being sent in for the third straight match, England were 73 for 2 in the 10th over when the second rain delay hit

On resumption, with their innings almost over, Buttler and Ben Stokes knew they had to go on an all out attack Stokes, who had endured two failures in this series since being backed to bat up the order, didn’t waste time with a pulled six off Maxwell’ s first ball back in an indication

of what was ahead

Player of the Series But tler then took over with an assault on quick Josh Ha zlewood in the penultimate over , smashing 22 runs to punctuate his brilliant return from injury

In better signs , Stokes was more fluent with 17 off 10 balls although he had a brain fade on the final ball when he smashed Maxwell down the ground and didn’t run thinking he had hit a boundary But Steve Smith cut it off in the deep forcing a flustered Stokes to scam per for a single amid a near run out in a farcical end to England’s innings Chris Woakes returned to the England XI and made the most of his opportunity before rain intervened again

He had two wickets before you could blink by removing Finch first ball of the innings then Mitchell Marsh next ball with a sharp delivery caught at short third off a leading edge

Woakes was denied a hat trick but picked up Maxwell shortly after to cap his stun ning opening burst of 3 for 4 off 2 overs With competition for England’s quicks fierce, with Sam Curran having starred in the opening two games before being rested, Woakes issued a reminder that he’s arguably England’s best new ball bowler

Australia’s batting con tinues to misfire

With David Warner rest ing after a neck injury sus tained while landing awk wardly in the field in game two , struggling Maxwell joined Finch at the top Both batters failed once again with Maxwell’s rut now extending to 24 runs in his last seven T20I innings

Through his all round tal ents with ball and in the field, which he showed off with a masterful sliding save in the deep late in England ’ s in nings, Maxwell is an almost certain starter for Australia’s opening T20 World Cup clash against New Zealand but pressure is building

Smith , who earned a reprieve and replaced War ner, would have rued the inclement conditions as he tried to push his claim for a place He was on 7 from eight balls when the match was finally abandoned.

Chris Woakes picked up 3 for 4 (Getty Images)

Pakistan win tri-series final

- An audacious assault from Haider Ali and Mo hammad Nawaz blindsid ed New Zealand and gave Pakistan the tri series title in Christchurch

Their stand included smashing 33 in eight balls starting from the 15th over to offset a powerplay slow down and help Pakistan chase down 164 Though Haider and Asif Ali holed out at the death , Nawaz coolly closed out the game for Pakistan for the second day in a row , along with Ifthikar Ahmed

After having hit an un beaten 45 off 20 balls at No 4 against Bangladesh on Thursday, Nawaz stepped up with an unbeaten 38 off 22 balls as a pinch hitting No 4 once again , offer ing Pakistan a great deal of flexibility for the T20 World Cup in Australia to immediately follow

Pakistan were 74 for 3 in the 12th over when Nawaz and Haider got to gether Michael Bracewell had completed another mi serly spell, picking up 2 for 14 in his four overs Haider, however, launched the first ball he faced from Ish Sodhi for six and then combined with Nawaz to take 25 runs off Sodhi in the 15th over From thereon , there was only one result possible , and that was Pakistan win

)

hammad Hasnain , got to work in the powerplay by digging one into the pitch and having Conway chop ping on for 14 off 17 de liveries

He then splintered the toe of Phillips’ bat by crank ing his pace up to 143kph Rauf not only hustled batters for pace at the death but also dared them to manufacture it for themselves by bowling cutters into the pitch His last two overs cost Pakistan just seven runs

At the other end, Na seem Shah backed Rauf up with his slower leg cut ter and on pace yorkers.

ning their last T20I before heading for the World Cup

After New Zealand had been asked to bat, their cap tain Kane Williamson found form with a 33 ball half cen tury However, Haris Rauf, who was featuring in his 50th T20I, handcuffed New Zealand in the end overs with his variations, coming away with 2 for 22 in his four overs New Zealand managed only 33 for 4 in their last five overs, a pas sage of play which eventu ally proved decisive Williamson breaks out of the funk Before Friday, Williamson had last scored a T20 fifty in April, when he opened the batting for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL His niggly elbow has

also disrupted his rhythm in the recent past After be ing rested for the previous match against Bangladesh, Williamson showed signs of his best during an innings of 59 from 38 balls

He dashed out of the blocks with four fours in his first five balls and con tinued to show attacking intent against spin Wil liamson charged at Nawaz and pumped him into the sightscreen for six, and even attempted a reverse sweep off Shadab Khan He struck up a 50 run partnership with Glenn Phillips off 37 balls after New Zealand had lost Finn Allen and Devon Con way in the powerplay

Rauf proves unhittable Rauf , who replaced Mo

Courts Pee Wee Football Tournament

Matches continue this weekend

Action in the 2022 Courts Pee Wee Football tournament continue this weekend with games at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue

In the first of the day’s games at 11:00, Mocha Primary plays St Pius while Den Amstel and St Agnes clash at on the op posing pitch.

At 11:50, Sophia will play Tucville primary while F E Pollard and Redeemer Primary clash on pitch B

Craig Primary and Grahams Hall pri mary clash from 12:40 with Anns Grove and Enterprise doing battle as well

Timerhi Primary School is also in action against Smith ’ s Memorial from 13:30 with Marian Academy taking on

St Margaret’s Primary Scool on pitch B North Georgetown Primary School and Soesdyke are billed for a 14 hours 20 clash with Colaaco School and West Riumveldt Primary School playing in the same time slot on the second pitch

St Stephens Primary School and Win fer Garden’s Primary School will clash at 15:10 as will Victoria

Den Amstel Primary School, by virtue of missing last weekend’s opening round will have to replay St Pius Primary School at16:00 while Sophia Primary School battles Victoria.

The tournament is organized by the Petra organization with support from the Ministry of Education Ground and Sterling Products.

Pakistan chased down 164 to win the tri series final (Getty Images)

Sammy believes West Indies can produce ‘something special’ Government will continue to invest in sports

CMC – Two time Twen ty20 World Cup winning captain , Daren Sammy , believes West Indies can produce “something spe cial” at the latest edition of the tournament starting later this month.

Writing in his column for the International Cricket Council , Sammy said the Caribbean side possessed talented combinations both in the batting and bowling departments , which could influence the outcome of games

“I just spoke to [cap tain ] Nicholas Pooran and he reckons the guys are shaping up well I have a really good feeling about this squad because we have so much talent,” Sammy indicated.

“ The batters are there as always Kyle Mayers is such a talent and times the ball brilliantly and we know Nicholas is a match winner

“ The good thing this time round is we have bowl ers who can take wickets We didn’t know where our wickets would come from last time but this time we

do

“You can rely on Akeal Hosein, he’s in the top 10 in the world and Odean Smith keeps improving , so it ’ s about fine tuning and get ting the right combinations.”

He added: “I would nev er write off the West Indies and I have a funny feeling that something special is go ing to happen in Australia.”

West Indies have strug

gled in their recent T20 fixtures, their most recent series loss seeing them trounced 2-0 by Australia last week. The defeat came on the heels of series losses to New Zealand and India last August.

They were also uncon vincing in a 17 run win over United Arab Emirates in their opening official T20 World Cup warm up be

fore having their final game against the Netherlands rained off West Indies will now face a tricky qualifying se ries against Scotland, Zim babwe and Ireland in order to reach the main draw of the T20 World Cup Sammy oversaw T20 World Cup triumphs in 2012 and 2016 – the latter success coming in dramatic circumstances in India when Carlos Brathwaite struck consecutive sixes from the first four balls of the final over to stun England in the final

“

I remember Chris ( Gayle ) saying ‘ wow , 19 is a lot’ but I knew if the first ball went for six, the pressure goes back on the bowler,” Sammy said, re calling the final over of the 2016 final.

“

I never thought we would see four sixes! That was divine intervention and we needed that after all we had been through

“It’s the last memory I have in a West Indies shirt That was my last game and it’s a good one to remem ber We created history that day, it was amazing

“ The sad thing is that after 2016 that team was dis mantled They brought the guys back in 2021 but they were way past their best

“

We had a chance to mix the young players in with the experienced guys and we lost a massive opportunity to become stronger.”

–– says Prime Minister Phillips

halls will be built in five regions

PRIME Minister Mark Phillips said that sport is a vehicle for overall development and will be used by the government to produce well rounded Guyanese.

The senior government official, who declared the 2022 Heritage Games opened on Friday, was adamant that all of Guyana would benefit from the investments in sport, including those in indigenous communities

“As you partake in these activities, do so with the confidence that this Government will continue to invest in sport.”

He also listed a number of achievements by the government, including the successful hosting of the Caribbean Premier League final this year and the development of sport infrastructure, including the completion of synthetic tracks in Regions Six and 10; Multi purpose sport facili ties in Regions Two, Six and 10; the erection of stands at the National Track and Field Centre; Rehabilitation works at the National Stadium; and continued maintenance works to sport fa cilities including the McKenzie Sports Club, the Kwakwani Recreational Centre, the National Aquatic Centre and Colgrain Pool.

The Prime Minister also spoke about dozens of community centre grounds that were developed in 2021 and that are being enhanced this year.

Meanwhile, at Friday’s launch, Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, announced that the government in tends to build five sports halls from next year

He said that these facilities will be constructed in Regions One, Three, Seven, Eight and Nine

The idea, he explained, is to replicate the oppor tunities that many city athletes have

“It is about setting a certain standard in the hinterland and making sure that the hinterland is not left out of the development process that is being undertaken by the PPP/C government.”

HERITAGE DAY ONE

Meanwhile, the action in the 2022 Heritage Games got underway on Friday at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

During the day, Laluni and Campbelltown (Re gion Eight) registered wins in male cricket

Last evening, Parima defeated a Region Eight team 3-0 in football

According to information from the organisers, volleyball and archery are expected to start today

The finals of all four events will take place on Sunday at the same venue

Flashback! Darren Sammy celebrates winning the 2016 T20 World Cup

West Indies to face Australia in ‘commemorative Test’

CMC – The touring West Indies team will face the Australia Prime Minister’s XI in a four day pink ball game Down Under (Australia) next month, in com memoration of the 70 year anniversary of the celebrated fixture

The match, which will be played from November 23-26 under lights at Manuka Oval in Canberra, will be part of the tour ing side’s preparations for the two Test series against the hosts

“I am delighted to confirm the return of the Prime Minister’s XI this summer, an Australian tradition that spans 70 years,” said Australia Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese

“Along with Cricket Australia, I am very excited to be welcoming the West Indies I grew up loving watching Viv Richards, Malcolm Marshall and Joel Garner, so I’m thrilled my first PM’s XI as Prime Minister will be against the current West Indies stars here in Canber ra.”

West Indies face the Aussies in the opening Test in Perth starting November 30 before playing their first ever pink ball Test Down Under when they travel to Adelaide for the second Test which bowls off December 8

The series will be contested for the prestigious Frank Worrell Trophy ,

currently held by Australia following their 2-0 triumph in the last series be tween the two teams seven years ago.

Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite said the Prime Minister’s XI fixture and the Test tour were of great importance to West Indies

“We’re looking forward to this tour of Australia and there is great energy and readiness in our camp,” said Brathwaite

“ The match against the Prime Minister’s XI is a major part of the cricket calendar and it will be an honour to lead the West Indies in such a prestigious match

“My preparation has been going well I’ve been home for a while so I have been able to do plenty of drills and fitness work as well as playing club cricket and other tournaments spending time in the middle for what will be a major tour for us.”

He added : “ We have been playing some good Test cricket this year, with very good series wins against England and Bangladesh, and we want to make greater strides in the ICC World Test Championship table.”

West Indies have not beaten Aus tralia in a Test series in almost three decades and have won just one of their last 26 Tests against the powerhouses, while losing 21.

GUYANA 1 and Guyana 2 won against their countrymen in the U 11 first stage battles on day one, session one of the Caribbean Region Table Tennis Federation (CRTTF) Mini and Pre Cadet Championship which served off yesterday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in Georgetown.

The U 13 girls, who are also field ing four teams, proved their might with similar wins In the U 13 Boys division, Grenada Team 1, Grenada Team 2, Ja maica and Trinidad and Tobago Team 1 have registered wins.

With the players now getting accli matised, it was Guyana 1, which, Yester day, brushed aside Guyana Three in the younger age division

That game ended

Guyana 2 started with a similar win over Guyana 4.

Also in first place are Trinidad and Tobago, whose team registered a 3-0 win against Barbados

In the Boys U 13 battle, Guyana 2 lost 0-3 to Trinidad and Tobago 1, while Guyana 1 defeated Trinidad and Tobago 2 by a margin of 3-2

Grenada 1 were able to whip Barba dos 2, 3-0 to finish tied for first in the Group

In Group Two, Grenada 2 defeated Barbados 1, by a 3-0 margin, while Ja maica got the better of Guyana 3 (3-0).

In the Girls U 13 battle, Guyana 2 registered a 3-0 win against Guyana 3, while Guyana 1 brushed aside Guyana 4 by a similar margin

West Indies looking forward to the two Test tour Down Under

Matches continue this weekend

Prime