Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 15-11-2021

MONDAY 15th November, 2021

' No.106546

Attorney-General: Draft electoral amendments not final, recommendations welcome

US$75M secured for solar farms

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–– expected to be up and running by 2023, to supply eight grids

Region 10 to unlock 13 full tourism potential PAGE

From serving the oil and gas 03 industry to providing insurance PAGE

Fallen but not forgotten PAGE

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Beneficiary of CIOG Orphans Programme 17 excels at CSEC

Two detained for allegedly killing man, torturing son

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 15, 2021

World food-import bill to reach record high –– increase driven by higher price levels of internationally traded food commodities, threefold increase in freight costs

GLOBAL food trade has accelerated and is poised to hit an all-time record in both volume and value terms, according to a new report released by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

While the global food trade has shown “remarkable resilience to disruptions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” rapidly rising prices of food commodities and energy pose significant challenges for poorer countries and consumers, who spend large shares of their incomes on these basic necessities, the FAO said in its new Food Outlook.

FAO expects the global food-import bill to reach an all-time high in 2021 and surpass US$1.75 trillion, marking a 14 per cent increase from the previous year and 12 per cent higher than earlier forecast in June 2021. The increase is driven by higher price levels of internationally traded food commodities

and a threefold increase in freight costs.

Developing regions account for 40 per cent of the total and their aggregate food-import bill is expected to rise by 20 per cent compared to 2020. Even faster growth is expected for Low-Income Food Deficit Countries, due to higher costs and more than higher food-import volumes.

Developing regions are facing sharp increases in the prices of basic staples such as cereals, animal fats, vegetable oils and oilseeds, while high-value foods such as fruits and vegetables, fishery products and beverages are driving the bulk of increases for developed regions.

Issued twice a year, Food Outlook offers FAO’s reviews market supply and demand trends for the world’s major foodstuffs, including cereals, vegetable oils, sugar, meat and dairy and fish.

It also looks at trends in futures markets and

shipping costs for food commodities.

TAKEAWAYS World output prospects for major cereals remain robust, with record harvests expected in 2021 for maize and rice, although cereals utilisation for human consumption and animal feed is forecast to grow faster.

Following a tight balance in 2020/21, preliminary forecasts for the 2021/22 season point to some improvements in the overall supply situation for oilseeds and derived products, but their respective end-season stocks could remain below average.

World sugar output in 2021/22 is forecast to rebound after three years of contraction, but will still fall short of global consumption. World sugar trade is foreseen to decline slightly, because of reduced availabilities in key exporting countries and rising prices.

World meat production in 2021 is forecast to expand, principally triggered by a swift output rebound in China, especially pig meat. Notable demand-led output

Photo credit: FAO image expansions are expected and options related to in all major producing re- major agri-food comgions, except Oceania. A modities have failed “to growth slowdown in glob- attract the speculative al meat trade is likely due fervour marked by othto anticipated declines in er high-priced years”, imports by leading im- the report observes. porting regions, especialSPECIAL CHAPTER ly Asia and Europe.

Global milk produc- ON AGRICULTURAL INPUT PRICES tion in 2021 is forecast FAO experts conto expand, with anticipated increases in all major structed a Global Input producing regions, led by Price Index (GIPI) to Asia and North Ameri- help examine the imca. Global trade in dairy pacts of rapidly rising products is also forecast input prices, especially to expand, amid the on- those of energy derived going economic recovery from fossil fuels, on food from COVID-19 market prices, future price dedisruptions. However, in velopments and their recent months, the import likely consequences for growth rate has slowed global food security.

The exercise reveals down due to rising domestic production and that the GIPI – comprissluggish consumer de- ing energy, fertilisers, pesticides, feed and seed mand.

Fisheries and aqua- prices – and the FAO culture output in 2021 is Food Price Index (FFPI) forecast to grow by 2.0 – which tracks the interper cent from the 2020 nationally traded prices level, signalling that new of major agricultural food market dynamics result- commodities and reached ing from the pandemic a 10-year high in August – which exacted a heavy 2021 – have moved in toll on this sector – ap- a synchronous manner pear likely to endure in since 2005, indicating that the long term. Fish trade higher input costs readily is bouncing back despite translate into higher food high freight costs and prices.

In the year to August logistical delays.

F i n a n c i a l i n s t r u - 2021, the FFPI rose by ments such as futures 34 per cent and the GIPI

increased overall by 25 per cent, compared to the same period in 2020.

It was noted that aggregate global measures mask large regional and sector-specific differences within agriculture.

Soybean producers, for example, face lower needs of currently expensive nitrogen fertiliser, so they should benefit from higher product prices. Pig producers, by contrast, face high feed costs and low meat prices, crimping margins.

The analysis offers insight into potential strains. Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, depends on imports of nitrogen – the price of which is driven by those of fossil fuels -- for around 70 per cent of supply.

It also points to a growing number of countries – now 53 - where households spend more than 60 per cent of their incomes on necessities such as food, fuel, water and housing.

FAO warns that rising food and fuel prices can have a highly regressive impact on poor consumers and urges particular “vigilance” in this regard. (FAO)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 15, 2021

From serving the oil and gas industry to providing insurance –– Zarc Group says it is keeping up with Guyana’s growth

“THERE is an increase in demand in the market,” said Guyanese entrepreneur Ryan Pereira, as he gave reasons for his company’s decision to merge with a Trinidad company to enter the insurance market.

Pereira is the Chairman of Zarc Group of Companies, which operates in the gold, oil and gas, real estate, and business development sectors. Pereira is also the architect of numerous partnerships with international companies, including that with Israeli oil and gas company, Ratio Oil, which has won an exploration licence for the Kaieteur Block offshore Guyana.

The businessman believes that Guyana’s development trajectory calls for the creation of new businesses and services that can meet the needs of the market, across all sectors. “… and our team has the business development experience and was confident that we could help to meet that demand,” Pereira said.

To this end, he has partnered with CIC Insurance Brokers Limited, said to be Trinidad and Tobago’s first insurance brokerage firm, to create CIC Insurance Brokers (Guyana) Incorporated.

Zarc Group of Companies Chairman Ryan Pereira “CIC and I saw an opportunity and we went after it.

We are committed to playing our part in Guyana’s continuous development,” Pereira said.

He noted that already he and his partners have completed the construction of a multimillion-dollar facility to house the new business. CIC Guyana, according to a statement issued by the company, is a full-service insurance brokerage company that will offer risk advisory services, risk transfer via insurance products, and claims advo-

cacy. “Those products will include employee health, life and pension benefits; home, motor, travel and general insurance for citizens; as well as commercial insurance for companies and businesses in the oil and gas, financial, manufacturing, hospitality and retail sectors,” the statement noted.

It outlined too that the company will also offer indemnity cover for professionals and professional services, directors’ and officers’ liability for both public and private sector entities, employer’s liability and other casualty insurance in Guyana. “CIC Insurance Brokers (Guyana) Inc. also offers claims management and risk-management services for its clients, at no cost to them,” the statement noted.

In an invited comment, Pereira said he is proud of this new venture. “It checks all of the boxes. CIC Guyana meets the standard of integrity and service that our Group of Companies is built on, [and] draws on the expertise of an established and experienced insurance broker,” the businessman shared.

Although merged with a foreign company, Pereira said that CIC Guyana In-

Trinidad’s CIC Insurance Brokers Limited Managing-Director, Mark Henderson corporated “has Guyanese at the heart of its formation and will keep Guyanese at the heart of its operations.”

ADDITIONAL INSURANCE OPTIONS Asked for specifics on how Guyanese will benefit from this new venture, Pereira said CIC Guyana will provide Guyanese with additional insurance options, facilitate knowledge and skill transfers, and prioritise the development of local professionals in the

sector.

“This is something that’s important to me and that CIC is known for. CIC places tremendous emphasis on training and developing its people. That’s a big part of how they’ve driven innovation to provide quality service, at an affordable price and with a focus on the customer for the past 52 years. That will continue in Guyana,” Pereira assured.

During a ceremony to mark the expansion of another regional insurance company here in Guyana, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, pointed to the importance of being insured and the need for more Guyanese to get insurance.

“You might not appreciate the importance of insurance until you consider, perhaps, at a household level, what happens to your family if you suffer a calamity,” Minister Singh reasoned.

He continued: “I feel very strongly that insurance is not discretionary or optional expenditure. Insurance is an indispensable staple in any company’s and any household’s risk management toolkit.”

Nonetheless, Managing Director of CIC Insurance, Mark Henderson, said he is excited about this new joint venture, pointing to the fact that his company operates within the largest economic sectors of the twin-island republic, including finance, real estate, aviation, marine, as well as power and energy sectors.

“We’ve provided services for employees and employers, individual professionals and businesses, local companies and international multinationals alike. New vistas of opportunity and growth are about to open in Guyana,” Henderson noted.

He said that once CIC Guyana is up and running, the company would have the capacity to help Guyana meet the insurance requirements that generally come with that type of growth that the country is currently experiencing. “[We can] help Guyana’s entrepreneurs and companies better protect their investment.

We’re excited about what we will achieve by marrying Ryan’s business experience and knowledge of the local economy with our industry expertise,” Henderson said.

Minister McCoy commits to resolving Silver Hill challenges MINISTER within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, has committed to ensuring that the challenges in Silver Hill, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway, are resolved.

The minister made this commitment during a meeting with residents on Sunday.

At that engagement, residents raised a number of concerns, including the lack of reliable electricity and potable water, as well as land regularisation.

Minister McCoy remind-

ed residents that technical staff from the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) recently conducted an assessment and intends to drill four wells on the highway before the year is out. The minister said the government will decide how the community could be connected to the new wells.

As it relates to the regularisation of land in the area, the Public Affairs Minister said government will be establishing a multi-sectoral committee that will comprise himself; the Attorney- General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy

Nandlall S.C; Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal and other government officials to see a ‘one-stop shop’ where residents could raise their concerns about land use in the area. That committee, he indicated, will be launched in a few weeks’ time.

In the area of youth training, Minister McCoy told residents that the government has not forgotten about them.

“Within the next two weeks, you will see a team from the Office of the Prime Minister’s Innovation Department that will be do-

ing some training with the youths to teach them the basic use and techniques of technology and how to build websites. It gives a boost to the youngsters to acquire these skills,” the minister explained.

Notably, Minister McCoy also encouraged residents to up their agriculture production, noting that there will be massive food demand in the coming years. To this end, he emphasised that government is ready to support farmers in the area who want to invest and/or expand.

Regarding the pandemic and the education system,

the minister called on teachers to get vaccinated, and to encourage parents to get their children inoculated against the deadly disease.

“We do not want to develop a population where the children are kept back from learning. It is fundamental to all that you make sure that we are on target to achieve herd immunity with the vaccination drive.”

Going forward, the Public Affairs Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the prosperity of the community of Silver Hill and Guyana. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 15, 2021

UK Prime Minister: COP deal sounds death knell for coal power THE Glasgow climate deal is a “game-changing agreement” which sounds “the death knell for coal power”, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.

Although countries only agreed to “phase down” rather than “phase out” coal, the Prime Minister said this was a fantastic achievement.

The wording change was made after a late intervention by China and India.

But it remains the first time plans to reduce coal have been mentioned in

such a climate deal.

The agreement was reached after the two-week Glasgow COP26 summit went into overtime on Saturday.

Critics have said the deal does not go far enough and will not meet the key summit goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C by the end of the century.

Scientists say this would limit the worst impacts of climate change.

During a Downing Street news conference, Johnson said despite the achievements of the

Monday, 15 November 13:30hrs - 15:00hrs

summit, his reaction was “tinged with disappointment”.

He said there had been a high level of ambition, especially from countries where climate change was already “a matter of life and death”.

And “while many of us were willing to go there, that wasn’t true of everybody”, he admitted.

But he added the UK could not compel nations to act. “It’s ultimately their decision to make and they must stand by it.”

Johnson also said he thought the watered-down language on coal did not “make that much of a dif-

ference”, adding that the direction of travel was “pretty much the same”.

He said most of Western Europe and North America had been persuaded to pull the plug on financial support for overseas fossil fuel projects by this time next year.

“And when you add all that together, it is beyond question, Glasgow has sounded the death knell for coal power,” he said.

Speaking alongside the PM, COP26 President Alok Sharma revealed that at one point during the final negotiations, he had feared the agreement was in jeopardy.

“There was an hour where really we weren’t going to get a deal,” he said.

Sharma, who fought back tears as he closed the summit following the late intervention, said: “I can tell you there was one really tense hour where I did feel the weight of the world on my shoulders... this deal was absolutely in jeopardy. We got it over the line.”

Earlier he said that “China and India will have to explain themselves” to climate-vulnerable nations.

One of the main goals set out by COP26 was to ensure global warming does not go above 1.5C by 2100 - but a report by the Climate Action Tracker group has calculated that at the current rate, the world is heading for 2.4C warming by that date.

As part of the agreement struck in Glasgow, countries will meet next year to pledge further major carbon cuts with the

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson aim of reaching the 1.5C goal.

The UN’s climate change chief Patricia Espinosa described the mention of fossil fuels as a “huge step forward” but added there was a need to “balance out the social consequences” for people of cutting coal power particularly in poor countries.

She said that the 1.5C target was “definitely alive” but, earlier, Labour’s shadow business and energy secretary Ed Miliband said the goal was “in intensive care”.

(BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 15, 2021

Draft electoral amendments not final, recommendations welcome –– says Attorney-General

By Richard Bhain

THE draft proposed amendments of the Representation of the People Act (RoPA), one of the pieces of legislation which governs elections in Guyana, which is currently out for consultation, is not final, and recommendations from every sector of society is welcomed to shape the law.

This was highlighted by Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., while appearing on the radio programme, News Talk Radio Guyana 103.1FM, with journalist, Denis Chabrol, on Friday when he responded to several issues raised in relation to the way the amendments are being executed.

“The way legislation largely is drafted is that they emanate from the Executive government and they go to stakeholder organisations for their input in a consultative process. This legislation is travelling that conventional route,” Nandlall said.

“We don’t pretend to have a monopoly of what is right.

We have put forward our version, these are our recommendations. The other side, and civil society and political parties have been given copies; we are engaged in a consultative exercise,” he added.

Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, while appearing on News Talk Radio Guyana with Chabrol at an earlier date, disclosed that his “main concern” is that there was no consultation prior to the drafting of the proposed amendments. For him, the recently commissioned Law Reform Commission should be spread heading the electoral reforms.

Further, he believes that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the body responsible for carrying out elections in Guyana, should have been involved in drafting the proposed amendments.

He is also critical of the offences contained within the draft amendments and sub-dividing Region Four, saying that it is unnecessary to explicitly place the divisions in law against the backdrop that GECOM usually divides Region Four during elections to facilitate same.

However, Ramjattan is satisfied with the electronic posting of the Statements of Poll on the GECOM website as they are available on voting day, and placing a cap on the number of voters who vote at a specific polling station.

Chairman of A New and United Guyana (ANUG) Timothy Jonas, S.C, who also appeared on the show, agreed with Ramjattan that

wide consultation is important, however, he recognised that “a consultative process starts somewhere” and it is “hard” for him to criticise how the consultative process has started.

He highlighted that ANUG has received a letter from Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, with an attached copy of the draft amendments inviting them to offer feedback and recommendations on the draft legislation – which he believes is the start of a consultative process.

“I believe and I hope that there will be some level of discussion across the spectrum in Guyana, and if that happens, the start that has been made to say here’s the draft, let’s talk, is the beginning of a consultative process that may go fairly, so I don’t want to pre-empt to say that there is no consultation,” Jonas said.

He also disagreed that the Law Reform Commission should take a lead role in the electoral reform process but rather should only be consulted for feedback.

He highlighted that there is nothing wrong with the governing political party spearheading the process as the government also has the capacity to do so.

WILL NOT ACCEPT In terms of whether GECOM should have been involved in the drafting of the proposed amendments, Jonas noted that “where the expertise lies is where the distrust lies” and that the Guyanese populace will not accept reforms from GECOM due to a series of past events.

He is supportive of uploading the Statements of Poll onto the website as they are made available so that everyone can tally the results as they are available, noting “who is going to try to undermine that? It would take a brave man … to come with a different number than what’s on the website.”

However, Jonas criticised the offences proposed by the draft amendment, contending that they are of strict liability, meaning the defendant is liable for committing an action regardless of their mental state, and described the offences as “draconian”. He also thinks the sub-dividing of region four is “unnecessary”.

He also opined that the piecemeal manner in which the electoral reforms are being executed adds to making the process more difficult to understand and recommended that, going forward, problematic areas are identified and

dealt with “rather than making changes that create more problems”.

“The golden tread that runs through these reforms is to ensure that the ballot that enter the box is the ballot that is reflected in the final results,” Nandlall said while responding to Ramjattan and Jonas, noting that the amendments were designed to create a chain which facilitates this.

Touching on the issue of the Law Reform Commission spearheading the amendments, Nandlall reminded that the Commission is still in its “embryonic” stage and does not have the capacity to execute the undertaking. He noted that proposed laws are usually put forward by the government and then debated before they are enacted.

Speaking on the proposed offences, Nandlall reminded of the magnitude of the attempt to rig the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. He reasoned that attempting to prevent a democratically-elected government from assuming office is akin to treason, an offence which carries a sentence of death.

Nandlall opined that life imprisonment is the appropriate sentence for attempting to tamper with an election due to the repercussions which can stem from such but reminded that the offences can be changed by consultations which are ongoing.

Responding to Jonas, he explained that there is no-objection to amending the proposed draft to include that intention be proven before one is found guilty of committing the proposed offence.

He also reminded that one of the most pertinent issues which arose following polling day on March 2, 2020 was the tabulation of results which saw a number of irregularities, particularly with District Four, and that is why it is imperative to address the issue which is being done by sub-dividing

the district.

DISTRICT FOUR REMAINS ONE SEAT Against allegations that by sub-dividing the region, the government is creating more electoral constituencies which will result is more seats being created in the National Assembly, Nandlall clarified that this is not the case and District Four remains as one seat.

The Attorney-General emphasised that great care and circumspection were employed when drafting the proposed amendments to ensure that the amended sections are not intended or designed to give any political party an electoral advantage, but only to make the electoral machinery stronger.

“One may have disagreements with certain aspects of the amendments and that is understandable, that is accept-

ments to peruse and offer criticism and advice to further bridge existing gaps in the electoral process.

When reached out for a comment by the Guyana Chronicle on the draft amendments, Ralph Ramkarran, S.C., said that he is supportive of the amendments, especially the division of District Four into the four sub-districts, the Statements of Poll must

Chairman of A New and United Guyana (ANUG) Timothy Jonas, S.C be published online and the offences.

“I don’t know if these would be sufficient having regard to Guyana’s history, but at least it’s a step forward and it will give people who have bad intentions second Attorney-at-Law, Ralph Ramkarran, S.C. able, that is how a democracy functions and that is the reason why we have consultation,” Nandlall said.

He reminded that the process of strengthening the electoral machinery is a national one and urged civil society and citizens at large to get copies of the draft amend-

Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall, S.C thoughts about the consequences of any efforts to rig elections,” Ramkarran said.

He proposed that a “political solution” is the best way moving forward, namely shared governance; however, in the absence of such, he noted that the sentences proposed for the electoral offences are proportionate.

These draft proposed amendments are in keeping with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) commitment to electoral reform against the backdrop of the five-month long shenanigans which followed the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections and saw a number of allegations of electoral fraud.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 15, 2021

COP 26: Mixed Reactions

THE Conference of Parties (COP) 26 has now come to an end after over two weeks of intense discussions and some tough negotiations.

And while many will be disappointed with some of the agreements reached, especially in terms of reducing carbon emissions to desired levels, there are encouraging indications that some progress, even though measured, were made in terms of deforestation, financial assistance for developing countries to help then transition to greener energy and an end to subsidies for fossil fuel.

One contentious issue was the call by developing countries to create a financial mechanism for wealthy countries to pay for loss and damage caused by climate change, especially for vulnerable countries. This had, in the past, been resisted by the richer nations -- a situation that did not go unnoticed in the final communique of the COP. It noted ‘with deep regret’, the failure to deliver on an earlier promise to fully disburse US$100 billion by 2020 through to 2025.

Of significance to many oil-producing country, including Guyana, is that even

though the vast majority of countries have agreed to speed up the end of fossil-fuel subsidies, there was no consensus on an exact timeframe for a complete transition to non-fossil fuel consumption, which could possibly drag on well into the second half of this century. There is still a window of opportunity for Guyana to take advantage of its huge oil reserves amounting to billions of barrels and have these harvested well in advance of any unspecified drop-dead timeline.

Guyana, unlike other oil-producing nations that

have become super-rich because of the drilling of their oil and gas, must be given that opportunity to benefit from its carbon resources.

This does not in any way imply any irresponsible exploitation of such resources, especially in the context of possible environmental risks. To now insist, as some ‘experts’ seem to be doing, to cease all further drilling operations with respect to oil and gas is at best disingenuous, if not anti-national.

Guyana is an integral part of the global community of nations, which means that it cannot isolate itself from

what happens at the international market place. We live in a competitive world, one in which every country is looking out for opportunities to advance the cause of their respective populations.

Guyana is no different, and as pointed out by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the country cannot reasonably be expected to leave its oil in the ground while the bigger and wealthier oil-producing nations are given free rein to maximise their incomes from oil and gas.

The fact that many of the pledges made by the industrialised world to

mitigate the impact of climate change and financial assistance to facilitate an easier transition to non-fossil fuel have not materialized, only adds to the imperative of Guyana to maximise its returns from oil and gas and as the saying goes, ‘Make hay while the sun shines.’

The Government of Guyana is committed to pursuing policies to ensure that its oil and gas sector operates to international standards and are fully aligned to its overarching goal of a low- carbon development strategy.

Study needed on Guyanese role in U.S. armed forces

Dear Editor,

LAST Thursday, the U.S. observed Veterans Day, the day set aside to pay tribute to those who served in the U.S. armed forces, in particular those who were sent to war. It had not dawned on me that many, many Guyanese and other West Indians served in the American armed forces and were sent overseas -some seeing military action -- until Wednesday evening when I went to a ‘viewing wake’ for a Guyanese in Queens. He was given a military funeral inside the funeral home. The U.S. army gave a fitting military send-off to Prahalad R Sewgobind -- formerly of Whim, Corentyne – full honours with the blowing of the bugle amidst utter silence, the salute and the folding of the U.S. flag by members of the armed forces. Sewgobind, like so many other Guyanese, served in Vietnam and he was also sent to guard the border in South Korea.

Sewgobind and other born Guyanese became patriotic Americans defending the U.S. flag.

Sewgobind -- popularly known as “Golo” in the

greater Whim area -- would have been so proud to know that the U.S. army honoured him with such a grand sendoff for his contributions in protecting the U.S. as so many other Guyanese have done; many were not given proper recognition for their contributions. Guyanese were small in percentage of the U.S. population during the 1960s and 1970s and later decades. But their numbers in the armed forces, especially during the Vietnam war, was large and their percentage in the armed forces would have been larger than their number in the U,S. population. Minorities or people of colour were over-represented in the armed forces.

Guyanese, like other West Indians, started coming to the U.S. in late 1960s in the thousands as foreign students or visitors. Almost all of them were males, except some females who came to do nursing. Almost all of them overstayed and or violated the conditions (such as working illegally) of their visas — as, for example, working illegally -- and were subject to deportation; some were deported. They could have regularised their status if they got married to an American or someone

with legal residency or citizenship. As some narrated to me, because of racial prejudice, their options were limited to a Black American or a Puerto Rican, as there were no Guyanese American to whom they could have got married to regularise their papers (obtain green card). Some got married and obtained spousal green card sponsorship. The cultural taboo on exogamous relations restricted Indo-Guyanese marriages, and as such, spousal sponsorships. Some engaged in ‘business relationship’ marriages for green card sponsorship. Illegal immigrants and foreign students were offered a kind of amnesty and green card if they joined the armed forces, which meant military action in the raging war in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos (Indochina). The latter offer led to many Guyanese joining the U.S. army. After a quick period of training, they were deployed to Vietnam. Indian-Guyanese and Indo-Trinis made up an outsized number of troops in Vietnam –- multiple times their number of the American population. An Indo-Trinidadian informed me that when he arrived in Vietnam in 1970, he was shocked at the number of

Indo-Guyanese in his battalion and platoon and in the artillery section. When the war was over in 1975, they were brought back to the U.S.; some were redeployed to Europe or Korea to guard borders against communist forces.

The families of those who served in the armed forces received cheques as tokens of appreciation. I recall some family members boasting on the Corentyne of getting money from the U.S. government for their sons serving in the U.S. army.

The family of those who died in action received financial compensation. It was a $100K during the second Iraq war. Families received support while members were in the forces.

It is not known how many Guyanese joined the armed forces in the late 1960s and 1970s during the height of the Vietnam war. Guyanese also saw military action in other wars such as against Serbia, Iraq invasions (1990 and 2002), Afghanistan, etc.

It is not known how many Guyanese died in action in Vietnam or elsewhere and or how many were injured or suffered PTSD (PostTraumatic Stress Disorder).

Guyanese were known to

have died serving the American nation. There were news reports of several killed in Iraq (second invasion) and Afghanistan from New York and New Jersey. This writer went to a couple of funerals of Indo-Guyanese Americans killed in the Middle East.

Several cousins and family members served in the U.S. armed forces as soldiers and Air Force pilots.

Although they served with honour and fought to protect all Americans, Guyanese were treated with dishonour because of their colour and ethnicity. Racism has been rife in the U.S. since the birth of the nation in 1776 and every group of Americans who came to the country have had to fight for equality, respect and dignity.

Indians, in particular, were prohibited from settlement in the U.S. because of their race, with laws specifically excluding them from settlement in the U.S., even though Indian soldiers defended U.S. forces and the American nation in WWI, WWII. The barriers against Indians and other non-White immigrants were removed in 1965, when, because of the Vietnam war, the U.S. experienced a shortage of skilled labourers and opened

the border to them, resulting in a flood of professionals from India in various fields (medicine and engineering in particular) to help build America.

Guyanese, like other immigrants, have made enormous contributions to the U.S., protecting it as well as providing labour in so many areas. But their contributions are left out of the classrooms and history books because of their colour and ethnicity. They are overlooked in academia and from the doling out of resources. In a demographic way, it’s sort of a hidden history.

It’s hard to quantify how many Guyanese (by national origin and race) served in the military during the Vietnam war and later years, because the Pentagon didn’t officially keep count by country of origin or even by race. A proper study is needed on the Guyanese role in the U.S. armed forces and economic contributions to the nation. The oral histories of those who served should be recorded for posterity.

Yours sincerely, Vishnu Bisram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 15, 2021

Texila awards scholarship to Anna Regina Secondary’s top CSEC performer

ANNA Regina Secondary’s top Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) student, Kelly Sankar, has been awarded a full-tuition, pre-medical scholarship by the Texila American University (TAU).

According to a release issued by the university on

Saturday, the scholarship is in keeping with its vision of positively impacting the local education sector.

At the CSEC 2021 exams, Sankar attained 16 Grade Ones and four Grade Twos.

During a recent interview with this publication, the teen described preparation for the exams an “intense” period,

stating, “It was a rough path.

Lots of sleepless nights; a lot of studying and a lot of preparation, but you could always make it through.”

The teen is an aspiring gynaecologist and she has applied to the TAU College of Medicine to pursue studies for the Doctor of Medicine programme.

According to the release, Founder and President Mr. Saju Bhaskar noted, “Texila has always been about diversity and inclusion and one way we can ensure that everyone has access to university is by offering financial support to those who may have unique personal circumstances.”

He further added, “We

are proud to welcome Ms. Sankar to the TAU family and we must also commend the Ministry of Education for preparing students to excel in academia.”

According to Texila, the official handing over of the scholarship award will happen on November 15, 2021, at the university’s

Kelly Sankar Providence Campus by the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand.

Include mental health in the fight against COVID-19 Dear Editor, MENTAL health problems are a lot more common than you would think. Amongst them, anxiety and depression are most common.

Both of these conditions can be detrimental to a person’s everyday life and affect their well-being. People often try and disguise their feelings and problems as they are afraid of other people’s reactions.

This can often make the condition worse. Mental illness is like any other medical illness and should be treated accordingly be-

cause it has a biological basis just like other medical illnesses and should be treated in the public’s eye in a similar manner.

Mental health problems are extremely individual and can have many different causes and effects on a person and can be either mild or severe. There are many different reasons for someone developing a mental illness. It could be genetic, through lifestyle choices or through past experiences. It could be a combination of these factors or through all of the above. In a lot of cases, mental health problems

occur over a period of time and happen after a series of events in someone’s life leading to a breakdown or development of mental illness.

Taking care of your mental health is always important,, but even more so during these unprecedented times. Anytime we feel a loss of control, it is completely normal to have feelings of fear and anxiety. Other common feelings may include sadness, anger, confusion, hypersensitivity, and grief.

During these times of social distancing and uncertainty, individuals

with pre-existing anxiety, depression and other mental health illnesses are at an increased risk for symptoms to worsen. The COVID-19 pandemic marks a turning point, moving mental health up the list of global health priorities. As Guyana struggles to rebuild its damaged economy, we must accept the reality of the financial toll of mental ill-health and invest wisely now to benefit and support our people.

With the clustering of multiple social determinants of mental health; fear and anxiety about

COVID-19, emotional distress resulting from illness, bereavement, unemployment, income loss, and loneliness due to social isolation. Although the psychological toll of COVID-19 is already apparent, the effects will be far-reaching.

Hence, sooner or later, our health systems will be faced with widespread demand to address these COVID-19-related mental health needs. It is time that we start campaigns on mental health and help to erase that stigma attached to as being “mad” and should be equally balanced

with our physical health.

I call for the inclusion of mental health and psychosocial support in the COVID-19 response.

There has been an historic underinvestment in mental health needs in Guyana and it needs to be readdressed without delay to reduce immense suffering among hundreds of our people and mitigate long-term social and economic costs to society.

Yours sincerely, Shameena Haniff General Manager, CIOG

Teacher not delivering in classroom

Dear Editor,

INEQUALITY in delivery of the curriculum continues in a public secondary school, despite many attempts made to curb this

situation. Skeldon Line Path Secondary School is one of two secondary schools in Corriverton, Region Six. Over the past few years, students’ academic performance at this school

has been remarkable.

However, an insight into unscrupulous activities must be provided, because nothing is being done by the administration of the school, nor the Department

Correction Dear Editor,

I WRITE with reference to an article published in the Sunday Chronicle on November 14, 2021 and titled, “Camex looks to expand with $200M poultry-processing plant”. The article was based on a project

summary submitted to the EPA which is now part of a public notice on the EPA’s website.

Please note that Camex Broiler Breeders Inc is not a subsidiary of Camex Restaurants Inc and there is nothing in the project summary that connects the proj-

ect to Camex Restaurants Inc., where I am a minority shareholder.

I would be grateful for a publication of this corrective note.

Yours sincerely, Terrence Campbell

of Education, Region Six. A mathematics teacher of a senior class for this entire academic year covered these topics: Measurement and Algebra. The following are topics which are supposed to be completed in Grade 10: Measurement, Geometry 1, Statistics, Algebra, Consumer Arithmetic, Trigonometry, Transformation Geometry and Relations, Functions and Graphs.

This teacher, however, covered those topics at private lessons. Students are forced to attend lessons if they wish to pass CSEC mathematics. In 2020, I made contact with the head-

teacher who said she would have investigated what was going on. Nothing was done.

Students are presently in Grade 11, now starting their SBAs. In October, 2021, I contacted the current headteacher who said she was not knowledgeable about the situation, and the SBA was not lengthy. However, she also said she would try to resolve this problem.

After nothing was done and the teacher was frequently absent from school or not going to class, I contacted the Department of Education; I spoke with a Secondary School Educa-

tion Officer, who said he would make contact with the school to be au fait with the situation. You will be surprised that this teacher is privileged enough to continue being absent from school and is not delivering the curriculum.

I feel absolutely distraught and overwhelmed with this level of dissatisfaction I am receiving and having to borrow money to pay for extra lessons for which the government is already paying this teacher.

Yours faithfully, Concerned Parent

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 15, 2021

$127M in flood-relief grants distributed in Region One

A P P R O X I M AT E LY $127 million in flood-relief grants have been distributed to farmers from several villages in Region One who were affected by flooding earlier in the year.

Ministers of Agriculture, Local Government and Regional Development, and Housing and Water, Zulfikar Mustapha, Nigel Dharamlall and Collin Croal are currently on a two-day

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, along with some of the farmers from Region One who benefited from the flood-relief grant

visit to the region to wrap up distribution in the remaining villages that were affected by flooding during the extended May-June rainy season.

It is expected that close to 1,500 farme r s f r o m Ya r a k i ta, Kamwata, White Wa t e r, H o b o d e i a , Hotoquai, Wanakai, Arauau, Sacred Heart, St. Dominics, Three Brothers, Imbotero, Morawhanna, Smith Creek, Barima, Koriabo, Black Water Savannah, Red Hill, Barascina, Waikarebi, Kinchee Creek, Hosororo Hill, Kumaka, Koberimo, Wanaina, Bumbry, Aruka Mouth, Lower Koriabo, Arukamai, Mabaruma Central, Wauna, Tobago, St. Anslems, Lower Kaituma River, Powaikuru, Barima Blackwater, and Unity Square will benefit from the distribution exercise over the weekend.

Minister Mustapha, who spearheaded distribution in the villages of Yarakita, Kamwatta, and White Water, urged farmers to use the monies to go back to the land as soon as possible.

“We are here today to deliver on a promise made by His Excellency, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. During the flood, the President and other members of his Cabinet visited all of the

flooded areas and saw firsthand the devastation that was taking place. The agriculture sector was one of the most affected sectors.

The President made a commitment that, after the flood, the government would give some form of assistance to those who were affected. When we make commitments, we work tirelessly to deliver on those commitments,” Minister Mustapha said.

Farmers from Arakaka, Matthew’s Ridge, and Baramita have already benefited from the ongoing exercise when distribution commenced in the region earlier this month.

At the end of the exercise, livestock and cash-crop farmers will each benefit from at least $50,000 in relief grants as the government moves ahead with the exercise.

Farmers who benefited from the exercise expressed heartfelt thanks to the government for the relief and committed to using the monies to return to the land.

Rosalinda Joseph, a cash-crop farmer from White Water Village, while reflecting on her losses, said that she will use the money to return to the land.

“I lost a lot of cassava, ginger and other cash crops like tomatoes and so on. I will use the money to buy seeds and fertilisers to put back on my farm. I want to thank the President and the government for this help because the flood really affect us,” the farmer said.

To date, farmers and other persons from Regions One, Tw o , T h re e , F o u r, Five, Six, Nine, and 10 who suffered losses as a result of the flood have benefited from relief from the government. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 15, 2021

Therapist/counsellor Aliyah Cort making an impact

By Vanessa Cort

ANOTHER welcome and much-needed initiative taken by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) recently is the appointment of a therapist/counsellor.

Armed with a Diploma and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, attractive and dynamic, Aliyah Cort has taken up this mantle with vigour and determination.

Although she has only held the position for six months, Aliyah has had no ‘breathing space’. She had been juggling a busy schedule while studying online for her Master’s Degree in Psychology, which she has just successfully completed.

At the time of my writing this article, Aliyah was in a four-day conference

on ‘Guyana Mental Health and Well-Being’.

Presenters included Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony; Director of Global Epidemiology Group, Dr Christina Hoven and Dr Lakshmi Vijayakumar, Honorary Associate Professor, University of Melbourne.

At the conference, Cort gave presentations on ‘Mental health among Guyana’s health providers during the pandemic’ and ‘The Importance of Mental Health and Wellness in Guyana’.

She was enthusiastic and supportive of the conference -- the first such to be held in Guyana – commenting: “I think it was a great initiative and holding it in Guyana was good because of the stigma attached to mental

illness here.”

Acknowledging the stress that many have felt as a result of COVID-19, she lauded the scheduling of the event: “I think it was perfect timing because of the pandemic and it (the conference) helped to show that anyone can be affected by mental health problems.”

She disclosed that the organisers hoped to make it an annual event.

Shortly after her appointment, the therapist/ counsellor was responsible for mounting a ‘Trainer-Trainer’ course (where trainees subsequently become trainers) on a variety of topics including mental well-being, empathy, and emotional intelligence for a cross-section of GPF staff.

The four-day course,

Private sector on board energy conference and expo THE International Energy Conference and Expo Guyana 2022 (IECEG2022) has announced the endorsement of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) for the event scheduled for February 15-18, 2022.

This comes mere weeks after Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat and the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) pledged their support for the event as well, a release said.

Paul Cheong, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, said “The PSC is pleased to be partnering with the organisers of the energy expo. It’s a good opportunity for local businesses to connect and explore partnerships with foreign investors/businesses. Also, we are urging all local businesses to come on board, as this is a good initiative that will benefit Guyana greatly as it develops capacity in the energy sector.”

The Private Sector Commission of Guyana is committed to the promotion of a vibrant and dynamic private sector as the engine of growth in Guyana, the achievement of a welfare standard for citizens, and the

address of pertinent issues in the national interest.

The PSC has a broad membership base ranging from the agriculture to mining sector and now companies involved in Guyana’s energy sector.

“The PSC will be represented by our regional business chambers, GMSA and GCCI along with the Arts and Crafts Association will be involved in the many panel discussions that are to be held come February 2022 at the event,” Cheong said.

The conference, the release noted, is being held under the theme, ‘Charting a Sustainable Energy Future’, continues to receive tremendous support from the local, regional and international business communities, regional government leaders, and industry experts.

Angenie Abel, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the IECEG2022 said “This endorsement by the PSC shows that we are building momentum as we draw closer to the conference and expo. The PSC, along with its partner agencies and organisations will benefit tremendously by being linked directly to energy experts and industry leaders, who are willing to work on developing the sector here in Guyana.”

He added: “As we have seen in the past few weeks endorsements by GOGEC and the Minister of Natural Resources and in coming weeks leading up to the event we will be making major announcements from sponsors to partners.” Registration has commenced for sponsors, exhibitors, in-person attendees, virtual attendees, workshop participants, and members of the media, all being done online at www.guyanaenergy.gy.

Companies interested in sponsoring or exhibiting can contact the team at conference@guyanaenergy. gy to request sponsorship documents and to find out about booth availability.

held at the Officers’ Training Centre, involved two officers from each of the country’s 10 regions.

In a follow-up exercise, she is scheduled to visit each region, along with the trainees, and conduct training, which she has already completed in Regions Three, Four, Five, Six and Seven.

Amidst all of this activity, she has still found the time to do some oneon-one counselling with individual officers and has nothing but praise for the GPF and her treatment in this male-dominated profession.

“I feel appreciated and I know that they recognise that what I am doing is important because they have to be (mentally) prepared to act in impromptu situations.”

Prior to taking up this position, Cort worked for seven years with Roraima Airways, moving up to shift leader and ground security co-ordinator, responsible for all Dynamic and Eastern Airways flights.

She is accustomed to working under pressure and ‘keeping several balls in the air’. She also found time to attend classes and study for her diploma and degree at the Guyana branch of the American University of Peace Studies.

A firm believer in broadening her knowledge base, Aliyah is currently enrolled in a University of Guyana course on ‘Inclusivity, Equity and Diversity’ and is committed to both her job and her country, saying, “I like

9

Therapist/counsellor, Aliyah Cort the fact that I can make a positive contribution to my country.”

She plans to begin studying for her PhD in Psychology and wants to break the trend of persons studying in this country only to live, work and share their knowledge abroad.

“I want to make a positive impact here,” she stated emphatically.

And no doubt this young woman will do just that and prove to be an invaluable contributor to the GPF in its drive to both improve the mental wellness of its staff and educate them on matters of mental health.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 15, 2021

For the sake of the child

WHENEVER you see someone begging with a child, think about the impact on the child’s development. Children learn what they live and where an adult or mother uses a child to evoke sympathy from passers-by, the child is at risk. Adults put children in vulnerable situations by exposing their desperation to the public. And those who give donations are not helping but enabling the problem to continue.

People who beg at regular spots do so because they are assured an income. Familiar faces give what they do and new faces, when they see the child, take pity and dig deep to donate or buy drink or food for person or child.

Some people give to ease their conscience. They are relatively well off, so they hand over 20 dollars, and some give because they believe the beggar has fallen on hard times and needs financial assistance.

Though the latter may be true, there is no guarantee

that the guardian would use the ill-earned bounty to enhance the child’s well-being, living standards or education.

The child is a victim of the parent’s negativity. The role of the public is to protect the child, not to sustain his guardian’s lifestyle, which could be one of substance abuse or alcoholism. Domestic violence, poverty, and mental health issues are other reasons adults resort to begging, but nothing can justify children’s use in this scenario.

When children are given a negative start in life, it is harder to learn positive and meaningful skills as they grow. They perceive the adverse way of life to be just and natural, but it is learnt behaviour from the folks around them and children do not know better.

The Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has a Children and Family Centre where vulnerable parents or children are assessed, assist-

ed and supported to seek a better life. The centre was created for those in need to benefit from this service. The public should direct adults who beg with children to seek viable assistance from this entity instead of using the short term solution of begging.

There is a chance that beggars could change their lives, and the child receives some needed care and attention. The CPA hotline is available 24 hours and will give relevant information on the centre to anyone who needs help.

Some adults are intellectually disabled. They have inadequate mental and communication skills, and yet they function in society and get by relatively well. At some point, a person may comment on them and say, ‘Wait! That man head good?’ or ‘Like you head bore or something?’ due to the person’s choices and way of thinking.

Parents who are intellectually disabled do not make good choices for their chil-

dren. They lack the mental capacity to understand the needs of a child. They cannot create positive experiences or a memorable childhood as their mental state negatively affects their parenting skills. Due to strain, tension or anxiety, they may end up putting their children at risk by neglecting, physically abusing them or impoverishment. Using a child as a prop for begging is a pretty good example.

Children should be loved and cherished by parents, not used as a means to an end.

The CPA works to keep families together - it works tirelessly to teach parenting skills and keep children off the streets. Some stories are more successful than others.

A pregnant mother became a regular in the marketplace with her two small children. She was known to the traders who saw her sleeping rough each night in a shop doorway.

The CPA located the woman and took her children into care. Child protec-

tion officers investigated her circumstances, and it transpired that she had two older children staying with family members. Although she was allowed to visit and contact her children, she seldom did.

Officers, however, were still hopeful for a reunion between mother and children.

Sometime later, a small home was made available for the family.

The mother, who half-heartedly attended parenting skills classes, moved into the property awaiting the return of her children.

Reports were written and signed; officers filed completed documents, and the children were officially allowed to go to their new home to live with their mother. It must have felt like a dream come true and a new chapter in their young lives for the children. However, it wasn’t long before the mother neglected them and was back on the streets.

When the CPA located her, she had no apology; this is the life she’s accustomed

to; she needs to be on the streets. The case had to be revisited and revived.

Some people have children but no clue how to raise them in a conducive environment. Regardless of social standing, parents can seek an appropriate setting, using as much or as little as a person has available.

While some parents can learn from trial and error, others do not understand what children need or how they should be treated. If you see an abused, vulnerable or neglected child, do the child a favour and make a report to the CPA. Officers will investigate and take steps in the child’s best interest. Make children your concern.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 15, 2021

US$75M secured for solar farms to supply eight grids

AS part of its mission to implement a comprehensive energy mix, the Government of Guyana has already secured US$75 million in funding to establish solar farms in eight grids.

This, according to the updated and expanded Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), is being done with the intention of producing some 27.8 megawatts-peak (MWp) of solar power to the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS).

The farms are expected to be up and running by 2023, paving the way for solar-generated power to replace 30 per cent of the electricity being supplied to areas along the Essequibo coast, Linden, Bartica, Lethem, Mabaruma, Mahdia, Leguan and Wakenaam.

“Solar Photovoltaic (PV)– DBIS and Isolated Grids Solar photovoltaic (PV) is close to being established as a mature technology in the country. Local prices are in-line with developed countries and local technology providers have the capacity to supply, install and operate on-grid and off-grid,” LCDS 2030 noted.

It outlined too that within the next two years, the Guyana Power and Light

(GPL) will have its first solar on-grid PV farm in Berbice, boasting of a total capacity of 10 megawatts-peak, and generating at least one per cent of the total energy demand in DBIS. In addition to the government-funded solar projects, LCDS 2030 also encouraged “self-generation,” which it says is allowed as per Guyana’s legislation.

“Any consumer who wishes to interconnect their solar PV system into the public grids to eliminate the need for battery storage (solar PV on-grid) must submit an interconnection request and comply with the Interim Interconnection Requirements set by GPL,” the document noted.

Meanwhile, it specified that as part of the “roof-top solar PV for government buildings programme, about five megawatts was [sic] installed at 291 buildings across the 10 administrative regions during the period 2012-2020”.

In a second phase of the programme for the hinterland grids, there is a planned increase of the renewable energy share to an average of 50 per cent. Via this particular project, an estimated 30,000 households in several hinterland communities

The government is also committed to using wind as a feasible source of renewable energy. This wind turbine was photographed at Corriverton, Berbice,

by Adrian Narine

across the country are set to benefit from a solar lighting programme which is being funded by a US$7.2 million line of credit from the Government of India via the India Exim Bank.

The installation of these 150-watt systems are expected to be completed in 2022.

ICT Additionally, efforts are afoot to install Information and Communications Technology (ICT) hubs in all of Guyana’s 200 hinterland villages.

Slated to be completed between 2021 and 2022, the project includes the installation of an average of four-kWp solar PV system to power each ICT hub. This is being done under a project called “ICT Access and E-Services For Hinterland, Poor and Remote Communities,” which is being funded by the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF).

Further, as part of the 2021 national budget, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic has approved the installation of 10 more solar PV mini-grid systems in villages such as Sebai, Waramadong, Paruima, Kurukabaru, Whyaka, Mission Capoey, Lake Top Capoey, Annai, St. Monica and Karaburi, totalling 1.472 MWp (an average of 147kWp/village).

Those systems, according to the LCDS, are expected to be in operation by 2022.

Also in 2021, Guyana signed a grant agreement with the International Solar Alliance for the establishment of a solar demonstration project in Orealla, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), which will see the installation of a 9kWp grid-tie solar photovoltaic system, accompanied by a battery energy storage system of 37kWh. “Solar PV with battery storage will be the main renewable energy resource on the regional grids,” the updated LCDS noted.

PLEDGE Only recently, President Dr. Irfaan Ali pledged Guyana’s intention to have 70 per cent renewable energy by 2030, owing to the implementation of a comprehensive energy mix using solar, wind, hydro and natural gas.

The Guyanese Head of State had even expressed

Several new solar farms are expected to be up and running by 2023 confidence that once the projects put forth by his government are realised, Guyana would be able to reduce the overall cost of energy by 50 per cent.

Moreover, Dr. Ali believes that these projects could also position the country as an emerging energy capital of the Region, and perhaps even a net energy exporter. A net exporter is a country or territory whose

value of exported goods is higher than its value of imported goods over a given period of time.

Dr. Ali had previously announced that already, Guyana has commenced discussions with its territorial neighbours Brazil and Suriname, for the establishment of an “energy corridor.” International experts have said that energy corridors may accommodate multiple pipelines for oil, gas, or hydro-

gen, electricity transmission lines, and related infrastructure, such as access and maintenance roads, compressors, pumping stations and other structures.

Even as it looks to build a thriving oil and gas industry, the government has repeatedly said that it will continue to pursue Guyana’s development in a manner that supports the global fight against climate change.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 15, 2021

A 60-year-old man was beaten to death on Saturday night after he came to son’s rescue.

Dead is Bheim Evans called “Lailo” of Woodley Park, West Coast Berbice.

The perpetrators mercilessly beat and stomped him about his body while accusing him of stealing jewellery from them.

The incident occurred at around 20:00 hrs.

According to the man’s son, Tishon Persaud, he was on his way home through a street when he was attacked by five men who were armed with cutlasses, a rope and

real bad, them stomp he in face, bruk he nose and ribs. Put he in a rice bag and put him on bicycle and took him several houses away,” Persaud said.

As if the beating was not enough, he added the men sprayed pepper spray into his father eyes and private parts as well as lit cigarettes and burnt his forehead. The seriously injured man was then dumped at the corner of a trench.

Persaud added that he managed to reach a relative to whom he related what had happened. They then made their way to the

Two detained for allegedly killing man, torturing son Bheim Evans chains.

Persaud said the men accused his father of breaking into the home of a suspect and, allegedly, stealing silver and gold chains and eight silver rings.

While beating him,

they demanded he state what his father did; in reply, he said he don’t know anything.

“They snatch meh off meh bike and tie meh hand and foot with chain and beat meh and seh talk wha meh father do, that me know everything wha he does do. I say me ain’t know nothing and them beat meh fuh talk,” the son related.

He noted that for about an hour, he was tortured to talk while being dealt lashes with the rope and cutlasses.

He recalled his father subsequently came to his

Tishon Persaud aid, and the men turned on him, saying: “Is you we want.” They demanded that he reveal where the alleged stolen articles were.

“Them was gonna kill me, then my father come.

Them beat meh father

police and reported the incident.

The police patrol subsequently arrived and escorted the injured man to the Fort Wellington Hospital where he succumbed to the injuries received while receiving attention.

Persaud maintained that his father is innocent and his family is seeking justice for his father.

Evans, a father of eight, worked as a farmer.

As investigations continue into the incident, two persons have been arrested as the police intensify work to find the other suspects.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 15, 2021

Region 10 to unlock full tourism potential –– fruitful discussions, proposals underway to boost sector

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond during a brief tour of Wayne’s World Resort at Amelia’s Ward, Linden (Carl Croker photo)

By Naomi Parris BORDERED by the Demerara and Berbice rivers, Region 10 and its central town Linden, is home to vast spaces of nature and exciting adventures.

With the aim of highlighting these nature hotspots and thrilling experiences, a meeting was held with several stakeholders from the Regional Tourism Committee, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and several other tourism bodies on Sunday at the Watooka Guest House to discuss plans and proposals to boost the regional tourism sector.

Head of the region’s tourism committee, Devin Sears, during an invited comment after the meeting, related that the main objective of the meeting was to share and update the relevant tourism bodies of what Linden and the region as a whole has to offer to the country’s tourism sector.

“The whole objective of the meeting is to get a fair understanding of what is happening in terms of the situation in Region 10,” Sears said.

The committee head added that the region has the potential to be listed as one of the best tourism destinations in the country and in the Caribbean.

“We know that there is going to be a ‘big boom’ in the tourism industry, and our

region is [the] best place; we have three rivers running through it, we have blue lakes, we have waterfalls, all kinds of things and we need to be ready for that ‘boom.’”

He further noted that the meeting is a start to developing a relationship with the relevant tourism bodies and private sector parties to realise the region’s full potential.

“I believe the meeting in itself is a part of a good relationship with the Region 10 Tourism Committee and The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).”

Additionally, he stated that members of the committee which also include members from several Amerindian villages and settlements in the region, took the opportunity to raise their concerns during the meeting.

LIMITED RESOURCES Sears further explained that the committee has been running on limited resources and funding to keep afloat.

As such, the need for funding was heavily emphasised during the meeting.

“What we are doing right now is promotion in every capacity and trying to get funding,” he said, adding: “Funding is a major part of what we are doing, and we have worked our way around a lot of red lines. We are going after the greater Guyana initiative supported through

ExxonMobil, so we can be more active.”

Sears noted that the committee received some funding to highlight a number of tourist destinations in the region during the month of November for this year’s tourism awareness month activities.

However, the committee is looking to gain funding

During the visit, Minister Walrond made a quick stop at the Kara Kara blue lake where she got the full kayaking experience at the popular tourist destination (Carl Croker photo) for much wider projects and build its capacity to be more active within the region.

Meanwhile, following a tour of several tourist destinations, which included the Kara Kara Blue Lake and Wayne’s World Resort, subject Minister Oneidge Walrond during brief remarks, noted that there is

much in Region 10 and Linden to be brought to life and highlighted to the rest of Guyana.

Minister Walrond noted the prospects of Linden in terms of tourism development and said people are now beginning to realise its rich and diverse tourism.

“There is capacity to do

sports -- tourism, aqua-tourism and these gem-like resorts.

The idea of this trip is to get to the locations that are yet undiscovered and that are under the radar and to shine a spotlight on this gem that is the tourism product of Region 10,” the minister said.

Fallen war heroes remembered 14

P R E S I D E N T, D r. M ohamed Irfaan Ali, on Sunday recalled the sacrifices of Guyanese who died during World Wars 1 and 11, as they sought peace and freedom.

In keeping with the goal of the fallen soldiers, he pledged: “We the citizens of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, on this solemn occasion, rededicate ourselves to the search for peace and

well-being of our beloved country.”

The President was at the time speaking at the Georgetown Cenotaph, at the memorial service for the hundreds of then British Guianese who fought in the wars.

“We assemble at this war memorial on this Sunday of remembrance to call to mind the sacrifice of all those gallant men and women who gave their lives in two world

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali addressing attendees at the memorial service for Guyana’s fallen heroes (DPI photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 15, 2021

wars. We are forever indebted to them for their supreme sacrifice in the cause of peace and freedom,” he said at the solemn ceremony.

He said Guyana recalls with gratitude those who, through the years, have made similar personal sacrifices in the continuing struggle for human dignity, social justice and freedom from all forms of oppression. He said their example strengthens the

country’s resolve to maintain all efforts for a world at peace with justice and prosperity for all peoples.

The ceremony commenced with a military parade followed by the Presidential Salute, the last post, two minutes of silence, the sounding of the reveille, prayers and the laying of wreaths.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces laid the

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d), Mark Phillips, lays his wreath at the Cenotaph (DPI photo)

President of the Guyana Veterans Legion, George Gomes, about to lay his wreath (DPI photo)

first wreath, followed by Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d), Mark Phillips; Guyana Defence Force, Chiefof-Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess; President of the Guyana Veterans Legion, George Gomes; Commissioner of the Guyana Police Force (ag), Nigel Hoppie, along with United States Ambassador, Sarah Lynch, among other members of the diplomatic corps.

Remembrance Sunday

is commemorated on the second Sunday of November. Remembrance Day, or Poppy Day, is observed on November 11 annually by Commonwealth countries to honour those who died in the wars. British Guianese soldiers served and fought in Egypt, France, Belgium, and East Africa.

Of the hundreds of war heroes who returned, seven veterans remain. (DPI)

Guyana Defence Force Chief-of-staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess, lays his wreath (DPI photo)

GDF ranks after the ceremonial march-past Sunday morning (DPI photo)

Doe Park’s eco-lodge launched

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 15, 2021

AS part of celebrating Tourism Month 2021, the government has embarked on numerous projects, one such being the construction and launch of eco-lodges across the country.

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Kamrul Baksh, while launching Doe Park’s ecolodge in Region Six, said the government’s plan for

investments in the tourism sector does not end there, as other projects are in the pipeline.

“This here is part of a series of lodges that have been launched and we have others in the pipeline and this talks about the investment within the tourism sector.

“This is all a culmination of work, not only by the Guyana Tourism Au-

GTA Director, Kamrul Baksh

thority, but partners who are very interested in coming back to invest in this beautiful country and destination of ours, and that’s what we want to support here at the Guyana Tourism Authority,” he said.

He added that persons willing to invest in the tourism sector, once equipped with the resources can partner with the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and

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Commerce and the GTA to “mold” ideas that will expand and develop the services of a promising tourism sector.

“If you have an idea and you have the resources and you want to transform that, the team at the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, as well as the Guyana Tourism Authority, can help you mold that experience.

“We’re very receptive, we’re very facilitative, we will support the venture such as this because what it represents, one for the region here, is an expansion of services; there’s obviously a deficit in Region Six for lodges and such activities, so this is a welcomed initiative for this region.”

Baksh related that the eco-lodge will be a “robust tourism experience” since it

represents the formal recognition of the tourism sector in Region Six. He also said these investments will facilitate a multitude of options for persons travelling across the region.

Tourism Month 2021 is being celebrated under the theme “Preparing for a New Frontier-Stimulating Innovation and New Businesses within the Tourism Sector”. (DPI)

Inside Doe Park’s eco-lodge in Region Six (DPI photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 15, 2021

‘Determined’ Providence woman admitted to the bar –– had failed HWLS entrance exam twice, endured many other challenges

By Tamica Garnett

IF at first you don’t succeed, you have to try again because failure is just a stepping stone to success. This is exactly why 27-year-old Natesha Moseley refused to let failed attempts to get into law school or naysayers curtail her dream of becoming a lawyer.

On October 29, 2021, she

reaped the rewards of her efforts when she was admitted to the bar in Guyana.

Describing her journey to becoming an attorney as a “rocky” one, the former Brickdam Secondary student shared that she had faced overwhelming psychological and financial challenges that could’ve daunted her pursuit of becoming a lawyer. Through it all, she was determined not to let go of a

dream she has had since she was a little girl.

“Many nights I cried because I felt as though my dreams were starting to fade.

Nothing was working for me, no matter how hard I tried,” Moseley expressed.

Moseley’s petition was presented by attorney-at-law Timothy Jonas, S.C., before Chief Justice (ag), Madam Roxane George.

In her bar call speech, the

From right to left: Attorney Natesha Moseley, Senior Counsel Timothy Jonas and Chief Justice (ag), Madam Roxane George Providence, East Bank Demerara resident credited her strong belief in God, and the support system from her family and friends which she said helped her to push against the pitfalls and cynics.

“A famous Bible quote that stood with me throughout my journey of becoming an attorney-at-law was Philippians 1:6 which states, ‘Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.’ The same God who has started a great work within me, is the same God who completed it to the end,” she said.

Moseley also believes that some of her setbacks were God’s way of preparing her with an even stronger groundwork for her final career.

“I was held back for a reason I did not understand.

This led me into depression and discouragement but today I now understand my many hurdles were God preparing me so I can walk into my season with a strong foundation and an appreciation of all the challenging times,” she related.

Growing up with her parents and siblings at Providence, Moseley had known she wanted to be a lawyer from a very young age and felt that it was part of her divine destiny to pursue the profession.

“Reaching out to younger children in my community and my church group, I would listen to each child’s

problem, and begin to create solutions to make a change that will benefit them in the long run. Many of them were faced with depression, family breakdown, and domestic violence. From there I developed a passion for family law,” she shared.

Armed with her calling, Moseley began taking steps in this direction.

After obtaining 11 subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, she went on to do the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) at The Bishops’ High School, where she obtained eight units, including Law and Sociology.

In 2014, she would then begin her Law Degree at the University of Guyana, which she completed in 2017. However, her seamless academic succession would hit a roadblock when she wrote the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS) entrance exam in 2017 and was short of passing by just four points. She would try again a year later and once again fell short, this time be just two marks.

“I was told by two church members that law was not for me. They both told me to change my career because they do not think that was my calling. I was so ashamed of my performance, but this failure did not stop me,” she expressed.

During this time, as she waited to get into law school, Moseley did her in-service training at the Kings-

ton-based De Caires, Fitzpatrick & Karran Law Firm, an internship programme at the Court of Appeal, and also served as a Legal Assistant at the Court of Appeal under the supervision of the Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards.

Her time serving in these various posts only worked to strengthen her resolve to one day serve as an attorney.

“The more I came into contact with lawyers or judges, or anything pertaining to the law it all made sense.

God was reminding me of His promises and that kept me going,” she said.

And kept going she did, with the third time being the charm for a passionate, determined Moseley. She wrote the entrance exam a year after her second attempt and was successful.

But getting into the Trinidad-based law school was just one step, as the challenges did not stop there.

“I would oftentimes be thinking whether I would have the funds to complete my studies at the Hugh Wooding Law School. I did not have access to a lot of materials for certain courses,” she shared Nonetheless, with each hurdle she continued to persevere and push through, and today having succeeded she hopes that her story could stand as a beacon of encouragement to others.

“Now I can share my story and encourage others who may want to give up on their dreams,” she said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 15, 2021

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Beneficiary of CIOG Orphans and Vulnerable Children Programme excels at CSEC

SAMIRAH Gobin, a beneficiary of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) programme, has been recognised for her outstanding performance at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

The Al-Gazali Islamic Academy (AIA) student excelled in 13 subjects, CIOG said in a press release issued on Friday.

The OVC programme assists children under the age of 16 with financial resources for their educational and social needs, in an effort to ensure their future success and growth. Each child receives school uniforms, textbooks, medical examination, and financial help for extra lessons and examination fees, as well as a monthly stipend.

With its donors and supporters continuing to champion the cause of orphans and vulnerable children, the programme currently provides financial assistance to over 500 children, CIOG General Manager, Shameena Haniff said.

Haniff, in a recent interview with this publication, disclosed that the initiative,

which was launched in 1993, has seen a significant and continued growth in the number of children catered for yearly.

She noted that the initiative was launched with just 13 children as beneficiaries.

CONTINUOUS HELP Haniff said that although children no longer benefit from the programme when they reach the age of 16, the organisation, in most cases, continues to support some of them to ensure that they have access to resources that would enable them to benefit from a university education.

“The programme is up to when they finish writing CXC, so we see them up to CXC but even though there are some of them with potential or even those who don’t have the potential, we still try to work with them after they finish writing CXC. The whole idea of the programme is for them to be self-sufficient, so we take them up to that level, and, in a lot of cases, we end up getting scholarships for them, so they can end up going to university,” Haniff added.

She also noted that CIOG works to ensure that those students who do not

wish to go to a university are sent to other tertiary institutions to learn a trade so that they can earn.

The programme, according to Haniff, has had a major impact and has been ‘churning out’ adults in every profession, including teachers, lawyers, and doctors.

“Seeing how well children in the OVC programme have grown is pretty amazing because some children would have been in this programme as young as six months old and it would have carried them through until they are a good 17 or 18 years old.

We get to help them in a way that was necessary for them to excel and understand that they can achieve whatever they want, it’s pretty amazing.”

Meanwhile, Al-Gazali Islamic Academy, which accommodates more than 40 per cent of students from the OVC initiative, scored 100 per cent pass rates at the CSEC examinations.

Aside from Gobin, the school’s other top performers are Takiyyah Ali, Adbul Jabar and Abdullah Edun with nine subjects each and Natalia Maraj with eight subjects.

Samirah Gobin of the Al-Ghazali Islamic Academy

The Al-Ghazali Islamic Academy

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 15, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 15, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 15, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 15, 2021

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PM T20 Softball Cup

Regal Legends, Fisherman Masters retain honours

By Frederick Halley THE rivalry started in the Masters Over-45 Division and has now spilled over to the Legends Over-50. However, the result has hasn’t changed.

In another emphatic display, Regal Legends completed an emphatic 92-run victory over their fiercest competitor, Mike’s Wellman, in yesterday’s final of the 2021 Prime Minister T20 Softball Cup, which climaxed at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc, fifth annual tournament also saw Fisherman Masters retaining honours with an easy 22-run victory over Ariel Masters in the Masters Over45 Division.

Winning the toss and batting, Regal Legends reached 171 for six in their allotted 20 overs before Wellman succumbed to 79 all out in 17.2 overs in another disappointing performance.

Skipper Wayne Jones was the only shining light with 26, striking three fours in the process. The only other player to reach double figures was Nandran Samlall (15).

The unheralded Eric Thomas, better known for his batting prowess, and who was later named man-of-the-match, finished with the incredible figures of five for 17 from his four overs.

Earlier, Regal Legends innings was built around fine knocks from Ramesh Deonarine who hit 43 with three fours and a six, the consistent Uniss Yusuf, whose 35 included four fours and a six and Rudolph Baker, who spanked two sixes in a quickfire 24. Lloyd Ruplall took two for 26 and Jiantilall two for 32.

The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the Legends Division went to Yusuf who took home a 43-inch Smart Television, compliments of

Regal Stationery and Computer Supplies.

In what was expected to be a hotly-contested affair, Ariel Masters were dismissed for 147 in 18.2 overs, chasing a victory target of 170 after asking their opponents, Fisherman Master, to bat first on a sunlit morning.

Opener Keith Fraser, who batted splendidly in Saturday’s semi-final versus Regal Masters when he smashed a boundary-studded unbeaten 70, was again among the runs with a fine 52. The burly lefthander’s knock included four fours and an equal number of sixes.

Once Fraser, who was later voted MVP in the Masters Division, was dismissed, Arjune DeRoop with an unbeaten 27, was the lone player to offer any further resistance as Stanley Mohabir grabbed three for 16 and Ramo Malone two for 30.

Led by two fine partnerships, the first between openers Troy Ramsawak and Malone, which produced 80 runs and a further 86 between Ramsawak and Jagdesh Persaud, Fisherman Masters reached a formidable 169 for two after being asked to take first strike.

Ramsawak, who batted throughout the innings, struck 11 fours in an unbeaten 74 off 53 balls while Malone’s 38 contained four fours and a six.

Persaud, who went via the run out route, struck a four and three sixes.

Fraser copped the MVP award in this category and, like Yusuf, was also the recipient of a 43-inch Smart television. The man-of-the-match award went to Ramsawak.

Apart from carting off the Trophy Stall-sponsored trophies, both Regal Legends and Fisherman Masters took home $300,000 each while runners-up, Wellman Masters, and Ariel Masters received

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Ramsawak, Thomas and Jones were also presented with wrist watches, compliments of Guyana Committee of Services.

Details of the Open All Star game, featuring Regal All Stars and Ariel All Stars, will be published in a subsequent issue.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday, November 15, 2021) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD -- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) India/New Zealand/England (2) Tillakaratne Dilshan -- 96* (SL vs WI, The Oval, 2009)

Today’s Quiz: (1) Who are the players that won Man-of-the-Match Awards TWICE in the super 12 stage of the recent Men’s T20 World Cup? (2) How many West Indians have now played Men’s T20 World Cup cricket?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue …………………………………………………………………………………………

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 15, 2021

Aussies finally win Men’s T20 World Cup

(BBC) - Australia powered to an eight-wicket victory over New Zealand to win the Men’s T20 World Cup for the first time.

Mitchell Marsh plundered a ferocious 77 not out from 50 balls as Australia overhauled what appeared to be a challenging 173 with seven deliveries to spare in Dubai.

The all-rounder shared a dominant stand of 92 with opener David Warner and

continued to attack after the opener was bowled for 53 from 38 balls.

Marsh was dropped on 68 but at that stage only 15 runs were needed from 19 balls, the highest chase in a Men’s T20 World Cup final a near certainty.

After Glenn Maxwell hit the winning runs, Marsh was mobbed by his teammates and dropped to his knees, overcome with emotion having produced his finest Twenty20 innings on

the biggest stage.

New Zealand, now beaten in three consecutive white-ball finals, were arguably favourites at the halfway stage after Kane Williamson’s 85 from 48 balls in a total of 172-4 on a slow pitch.

But it was Australia unfancied before the tournament - who cantered home to join Australia women as T20 world champions.

From written off to world champions

The Australia celebrations began even before the ball had reached the boundary for the final time, the players rushing on to the field to celebrate with Marsh.

His innings will be remembered as one of the best in a World Cup final, the brutal hitting beginning with an emphatic front-foot pull for six off the first ball he faced.

Player of the tournament Warner, dropped by

his Indian Premier League franchise before this tournament, was key too, while Josh Hazlewood earlier took an immaculate 3-16.

Together they helped sealed a win that few expected three weeks ago.

Australia lost their five T20 series leading up to the World Cup - during which they were bowled out for 62

by Bangladesh - and their struggles continued in the group stage when they were thrashed by England.

Marsh was dropped for that eight-wicket defeat but ended the tournament as an unlikely hero in a side that completed a perfectly timed rise.

Having won five 50over World cups, Australia have now completed the white-ball set and will have home advantage when they defend the title next year.

Worryingly for England supporters, this triumph comes only 24 days before the first Ashes Test.

the Mercedes driver at the three remaining races in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi and still win the title.

Now, the title race is wide open and the two head to the Middle East with everything to play for.

What a performance from

Hamilton It was a remarkable drive from Hamilton, who had spoken on Saturday of being “devastated” when he found out that morning that he had been disqualified from qualifying for a rear wing infringement after Red Bull had complained about the wing and asked the FIA to investigate - and would start from the back of the grid for the short sprint event rather than pole position.

Hamilton and Mercedes felt hard done by, feeling that governing body the FIA had unfairly changed the way they deal with broken parts on cars, and the decision seems to have fuelled Hamilton’s desire.

After a superb performance in the ‘sprint’, in which Hamilton climbed up from 20th and last to finish fifth,

the seven-time champion had to start the grand prix 10th because of a five-place grid penalty for taking a fifth engine, when only three are allowed per season.

The two penalties meant Hamilton effectively had a 25-place grid penalty, but he came through for a spectacular victory.

A win looked unlikely, despite Hamilton’s startling pace in the sprint, but he set off with that clearly in his sights.

Hamilton was up to sixth at the end of the first lap, fourth behind team-mate Valtteri Bottas after three laps, and then third behind the two Red Bulls of Verstappen and Sergio Perez after the Finn was ordered to let him through the next time around.

After a safety car, Hamil-

ton chased Perez and passed for second at Turn One on lap 19 and then set about Verstappen.

Through two sets of pit stops, there was debate over the radio at Mercedes between the drivers and the team as to whether they had made the right strategy choices, but it meant Verstappen and Hamilton had a straight fight over the final 27 laps, the Mercedes driver with a three-lap tyre wear advantage.

Hamilton made his first attempt to pass Verstappen on lap 48, with 23 to go, and the move ended in controversy, Hamilton was ahead on the outside as they entered the corner, but Verstappen launched up the inside and forced the Mercedes wide and both left the track.

Hamilton wins in Brazil; cuts championship lead to Verstappen

(BBC) - Lewis Hamilton passed title rival, Max Verstappen, after an intense battle to take one of his greatest victories and win the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Hamilton took the lead with 12 laps to go after fighting up from 10th place on the grid and cut Verstappen’s advantage in the championship to 14 points.

His move on Verstappen came 11 laps after the Dutchman forced him off track when Hamilton made another attempt.

His victory came after starting 20th and last for Saturday’s ‘sprint’ event.

It was a gripping conclusion to a weekend of bitterness and rancour between the two teams contesting the championship, and controversy both

on and off the track.

The 101st victory of Hamilton’s career sent a powerful message of intent and is a potentially critical moment in the championship.

Had Verstappen held Hamilton off, he would have been able to finish second behind

USA men, women win inaugural FIBA 3X3 AmeriCup title - Brazil men,

By Rawle Toney in Miami (Compliments: National Sports Commission & Guyana Lottery) IT was an exciting climax

women take silver

to the inaugural FIBA AmeriCup 3X3 Tournament in Miami, Florida. However, when the dust settled, it was the men and women representing

The victorious Men’s basketball team

Stars and Stripe who were crowned champions.

The USA defeated Brazil in the Men’s and Women’s final at Bayfront Park last evening, while playing in front of a vociferous crowd.

In the women’s action, Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) player, Brionna Jones, carried the Americans in the game against Brazil, which they won in dominating fashion, 21 – 9.

Jones, who was awarded the WNBA’s Most Improved Player award this season while playing for the Connecticut Sun, topped all scorers with seven points in the finals.

Haley Gorecki, Blake Di-

etrick and Cierra Burdick, the other women on Team USA, also turned in sensational performances in the tournament.

For the Brazilian women – Lays da Silva, Sassa Fausto Goncalves, Vitória Marcelino and Thayná Silva – it was an end to what was an entertaining campaign.

Meanwhile, in the men’s tournament, the match-up lived up to the hype that surrounded the game, the USA and the Brazilian men were the only two undefeated teams in the tournament.

However, the tournament’s eventual MVP, former Phoenix Suns and OKC Thunder shooting guard, Charlie Brown Jr, brought his ‘A Game’ and, along with Trey

The USA also picked up the female trophy Bardsley, Kareem Maddox and Canyon Barry, carried the USA to a 21 – 15 win.

William Weihermann, Jefferson Socas, Leonardo Branquinho and André Ferros of Team Brazil settled for second place.

The FIBA AmeriCup tour-

nament was the first-of-itskind in the Americas.

Guyana’s men’s and women’s team participated with mixed results; the women’s team advanced to the Main Draw while the men’s side were eliminated in the qualification stage.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 15, 2021

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Taylor’s seventh ODI hundred seals West Indies clean sweep of Pakistan CMC – Captain Stafanie Taylor carved out her seventh One-Day International hundred and surpassed 5000 runs in the format as West Indies Women completed a clean sweep of their threematch series against Pakistan Women with a six-wicket victory here Sunday.

Chasing a ticklish target of 226 at the National Stadium, West Indies recovered from a precarious position of 15 for three in the fifth over to get over the line with six overs remaining.

Player-of-the-Match, Taylor, stroked an unbeaten 102 off 117 deliveries with 12 fours to notch her second hundred of the year, following her unbeaten 105, also against Pakistan Women five months ago in the Caribbean.

Chedean Nation hammered a breezy 51 not out off 67 balls with seven fours to record her maiden ODI half-century while vice-captain, Hayley Matthews, lashed

Captain Stafanie Taylor and Chedean Nation embrace following West Indies Women’s victory on Sunday a fluent 49 off 58 deliveries with eight fours, to sustain her excellent form and clinch Player-of-the-Series honours.

“I think this is huge, seeing we were coming off defeat against South Africa [in our last series] and to actually come here and win three-nil,”

Taylor said afterwards.

“I think we haven’t done that in a while and it’s really nice that we get to do that and get ourselves match-ready going into the [World Cup] qualifiers.”

Muneeba Ali had earlier top-scored with 58 off 88 de-

liveries while Aliya Riaz hit an unbeaten 44 from 57 balls as Pakistan Women gathered 225 for seven off their 50 overs after being sent in.

The left-handed Muneeba counted eight fours in her maiden ODI fifty, putting on 49 for the first wicket with

Ayesha Zafar (13) and a further 74 for the second wicket with captain Javeria Khan (13) and then with Omaima Sohail (27).

Javeria retired hurt at the end of the 19th over with the score on 78 but failed to add on her return in the 31st over, facing three more deliveries before being run out in the 33rd over.

Hers was one of three wickets to tumble for eight runs off 15 balls to leave the hosts on 131 for four but Aliya Riaz,who hit three fours and a six, then added 44 for the fifth wicket with Iram Javed (26) and 40 for the seventh with Diana Baig (9) to rally her side past the 200-run mark.

New-ball seamers, Shakera Selman (2-40) and Aaliyah Alleyne (2-41) finished with two wickets apiece West Indies Women endured a nightmare start, losing the in-form Deandra Dottin for four to the fifth ball of the run chase, lbw to left-arm spinner

Anam Amin (2-45) before her partner Rashada Williams followed in the fourth over for six, caught at the wicket off pacer Diana Baig.

And when Shemaine Campbelle perished for one in the fifth over, lbw to Anam Amin, the innings was teetering on the brink.

However, the right-handed Taylor took command of the run chase, posting 83 for the fourth wicket with Matthews before putting on a further 128 in an unbroken fifth wicket stand with Nation.

Taylor ’s knock was a measured one, reaching her half-century off 72 balls with a boundary in the 30th over off seamer Omaima Sohail before raising three figures off 113 deliveries in the 43rd over from left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal, also with a boundary.

West Indies Women will now travel to Zimbabwe to compete in the ICC World Cup qualifers from November 21 to December 5.

BCB hosts second social skills seminar - ten students benefit from Patron Educational Programme.

THE Berbice Cricket Board, on Saturday last, hosted the second of four social skills seminars for youths in the county. The seminar was held at the Fort Wellington Secondary School and attended by thirty-five youths drawn from clubs in the West Berbice area. The event was organised under the board’s Patron Trust Fund, and over the next two weeks would be held for a combined eighty youths in Upper and Lower Corentyne after the first one was held in New Amsterdam last weekend.

BCB president, Hilbert Foster, who was present for the entire six hours of the seminar, urged the attentive youths to take full advantage of the opportunities being presented to them by his board as it was an investment into their future. Youths in West Berbice, he noted, are given the same opportunities as their counterparts in the other sub associations and they must work hard to improve themselves. One of the basic problems in the county, Fos-

The participants of the seminar pose with BCB president, Hilbert Foster; WBCA president, David Black, and their facilitators ter stated, was that the board had observed what it deemed as the lack of basic social skills among players who go on to play for the county or Guyana . These include basic manners, table etiquette, public speaking and how to behave at a public ceremony.

The idea for the seminars was the initiative of Foster

and club patron, Vickram Bharrat -- Minister of Natural Resources-- during one of their regular meetings on the development of Berbice Cricket. The seminar was conducted by four graduates of the Tain Campus of the University of Guyana -- Seeta Dallo, Marissa Foster , Denica Henry and Junior Blair

-- along with veteran sports administrator, Levi Nedd.

Among the topics covered last Saturday were life skills, leadership, basic mannerism, conflict resolution, table etiquette, balancing of sports and education, along with public speaking, among other things. Foster also spoke of the benefits of being a pro-

fessional cricketer and the expectations of the BCB for the next set of county cricketers.

He cautioned them to not only focus on their cricket but also on their education, as only a few of them would go on to play professionally and, as such, having an educational background is very important.

He committed the BCB to

always be a friend of youths and will continue to invest in their future.

West Berbice Cricket Board president, David Black, expressed thanks to Foster for his commitment to the overall development of cricket in West Berbice and urged the youths to go back to their clubs to share the new knowledge with their peers. Each of the participants of the seminar was presented with a Certificate of Participation from the BCB. Ten of the youths also benefitted from an educational grant of ten thousand dollars each from the BCB under its Patron Educational Trust Fund. The funds would be used to purchase much-needed educational materials from Metro Office Supplies. Under the programme, a total of forty youths would benefit from grants during the month of November. The youths were also involved in a one-day cricket academy on Sunday at the Cotton Tree ground under the watchful eyes of a battery of coaches, including Leslie Soloman and Travis Hardcourt.

Aussies finally win Men’s T20 World Cup SEE PAGE 22

The new T20 world champions (Nov 14, 2021)

Regal Legends, Fisherman Masters retain honours SEE PAGE 21

Fisherman Masters picked up an easy 22run victory over Ariel Masters in the Masters Over-45 Division Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2021