Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 15-11-2023

WEDNESDAY 15th November, 2023

No. 107265

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUSIVE

Venezuelan referendum poses ‘existential’ threat

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- ‘incalculable and irreparable injury’ to Guyana’s rights - World Court hears in passionate plea for urgent granting of provisional measures

Guyana’s team at Tuesday’s hearing at the International Court of Justice, in the Netherlands, where the country presented its arguments. The hearing continues today when the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is expected to respond (News Room photo)

President Dr. Irfaan Ali presented the President’s Medal to the University of Guyana’s 2023 Valedictorian Khushal Singh at the Office of the President on Tuesday.

Singh, who read for a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Management, secured a perfect 4.0 GPA. (Office of the President photo)

Guyana to Over 6,000 witness further Guyanese actively economic boost involved in oil- as ExxonMobil’s third FPSO and-gas sector commences oil production SEE PAGE

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Stricter requirements for local content 10 certificate to curb issues of ‘fronting’

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- Minister Bharrat says there will be public consultations before Local Content Act is revised

Guyana to witness further economic boost

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

— as ExxonMobil’s third FPSO commences oil production

THE government, on Tuesday, welcomed the production of oil on the Prosperity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel operating in the prolific Stabroek Block offshore Guyana.

The project, approved in September 2020, is poised to yield over 600 million barrels of oil from the Payara field, with the Prosperity FPSO expected to achieve an average production of 220,000 barrels of oil daily as all 45 wells come online.

“Commencement of production at the Payara development is a signif-

icant milestone for our country, as it ushers in additional revenue in support of our nation’s economic development while it augments meeting global energy demand,” the Ministry of Natural Resources said in a statement.

The Prosperity FPSO follows the successful operations of the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity production vessels, marking the third project on the Stabroek Block.

The combined operation of these vessels is set to elevate total oil production to an estimated 620,000 barrels per day.

The ongoing Yellowtail

The Prosperity, ExxonMobil’s third Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO)

and Uaru developments, each projecting 250,000 barrels of oil per day upon start-up, are poised to contribute significantly to this capacity.

The Natural Resources Ministry said it is committed to utilising the revenues provided by this resource to further improve public infrastructure, the educational and healthcare systems, and various social programmes.

“Sustainable development and responsible environmental stewardship remain a priority of this government, as we continue to manage these resources towards the prosperity of the Guyanese people and this great nation,” the Natural Resources Ministry said.

ExxonMobil’s local s u b s i d i a r y, E s s o E x ploration & Production Guyana Limited, the Stabroek Block operator, and co-venturers have submitted an application for the Whiptail Project, which is currently under government review.

Once approved, this project is expected to play a pivotal role in propelling Guyana's oil production to

just over 1.2 million barrels per day by 2027.

President of ExxonMobil Upstream Company, Liam Mallon, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with the Guyana government, emphasising the positive impact on economic development and global energy demands.

“Each new project supports economic development and access to resources that will benefit Guyanese communities while also helping to meet the world’s energy demand…we’re pleased to work in partnership with the Guyanese government to make reliable energy accessible and sustainable,” Mallon said in a release from ExxonMobil.

According to the oil giant, the Prosperity FPSO and the previously commissioned Liza Unity FPSO hold the distinction of being among the world’s first FPSOs awarded the SUSTAIN-1 notation by the American Bureau of Shipping.

This recognition underscores the sustainability of their design, documentation, and operational

procedures.

Notably, ExxonMobil’s Guyana developments exhibit an impressive 30 per cent lower greenhouse gas intensity compared to the average of the company’s global upstream portfolio, positioning them among the top performers worldwide in emissions intensity, outpacing 75 per cent of global oil and gas producing assets, according to independent research firm, Rystad Energy.

The oil company said that this endeavour has not only been a technological and operational success but also a boon for local employment and businesses.

Approximately 6,000 Guyanese are actively engaged in supporting ExxonMobil Guyana’s operations, constituting over two-thirds of the local oil and gas workforce.

ExxonMobil and its direct contractors have contributed more than US$1.2 billion to over 1,500 Guyanese suppliers since the commencement of operations in 2015.

Production started in December 2019.

Venezuelan referendum poses ‘existential’ threat, ‘incalculable and irreparable injury’ to Guyana’s rights

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

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- World Court hears in passionate plea for urgent granting of provisional measures

By Clestine Juan GUYANA’S representatives, on Tuesday, urgently appealed for provisional measures to address the “imminent threat” occasioned by Venezuela's upcoming referendum and called for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to act now to prevent “incalculable and irreparable injury” to Guyana's rights.

Renowned international legal counsel Paul Reichler, during his submissions at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, explained that the referendum, as outlined

by President Nicolas Maduro, aims to solidify Venezuela's rejection of the 1899 Arbitral Award.

Additionally, it also challenges the ICJ's jurisdiction in a move that could have profound consequences on

According to Reichler, the impending referendum is not merely a gauge of public opinion but a strategic move

by Spanish-speaking nation to gain popular support for decisions that have already been made at the highest levels of its government.

“Venezuela has made clear that the purpose of this referendum is not merely to assess public opinion. It is to obtain popular support for decisions that the government has already made and a licence to act on those decisions,” he said.

Reichler pointed to the deliberate crafting of referendum questions, designed to leave no outcome other than an overwhelming mandate for the Venezuelan government's predetermined actions.

The questions, as analysed by Reichler, not only

Professor Emeritus, Alain Pellet

The legal counsel raised concerns about the impact of the referendum on Guyana's rights, particularly in the event of the rejection of the 1899 Arbitral Award and the court's jurisdiction.

Reichler further questioned the viability of the ICJ’s role after a popular mandate to reject the award,

The Agent of Guyana, Carl Greenidge, at the opening of the hearings (UN Photo/ICJ-CIJ/Frank van Beek)

the ongoing territorial controversy between the two nations.

As such, Reichler stressed the urgency of seeking the court's assistance to prevent “incalculable and irreparable injury” to Guyana's rights, particularly concerning the Essequibo region.

The territory, awarded to British Guiana in the 1899 Arbitral Award, is now at the centre of a revived territorial claim by Venezuela.

reject the Arbitral Award but also challenge the ICJ's jurisdiction, paving the way for the annexation of Guyana’s territory and its incorporation into Venezuela as a new state.

“These questions have been deliberately crafted, so as to leave no possible outcome other than an overwhelming mandate for the government to take actions that it has already decided upon,” Reichler said.

leaving Guyana's rights in jeopardy.

“Will there be any role left for you to decide upon the validity of the award?

After the referendum produces an overwhelming popular mandate to reject it, and the boundary is fraudulently imposed so that Venezuela can take back the territory that was stripped from it,” he said.

Reichler also highlighted Venezuela's intentions to

reject the court itself, as indicated by President Maduro's explicit statement that Venezuela “will never recognise the International Court of Justice as an instance for the attention or resolution of this matter.”

“How can the President of Venezuela declare a month before the referendum is held that the outcome will be a rejection of the court as a means for the resolution of the territorial controversy with Guyana?” Reichler later questioned.

URGENT ACTION Drawing attention to Venezuela's military preparations, including the construction of a military airfield near the international boundary, Reichler underscored the urgency of the situation.

He warned that the impending annexation of Guyana’s territory by Venezuela, coupled with its rejection of the court's jurisdiction, could result in irreparable damage to Guyana's rights.

“As the court has explained on various occasions, the condition of urgency is met when the acts susceptible of causing irreparable prejudice can occur at any moment before the court makes a final decision on the case,” he said.

Reichler concluded by asserting that Guyana has taken no actions that would disrespect the court or prejudice Venezuela's claims.

He called for the court to consider provisional measures urgently to prevent irreversible harm to Guyana's rights until a final judgement on the merits is reached.

“In contrast to Venezuela,

Renowned international legal counsel, Paul Reichler

Guyana has taken no action nor does it intend to take any action that would disrespect the court or prejudice the rights claimed by Venezuela to the territory at issue in this case. There is nothing that Guyana or British Guiana has done before in the 124 years, it has been administering the territory following the 1899 Arbitral Award that would prevent it from ceding the territory to Venezuela if the court were to set aside the award and establish a new boundary along the line that Venezuela now claim...” “... nor is there a scintilla of evidence that Guyana would adopt measures irreparably prejudicial to vent this claim during [this] time until the court issues its final judgement on the merits. The evidence is all to the contrary. It establishes that only one party to these proceedings is acting to the irreparable prejudice of the other’s rights and that the transgressive party is Venezuela,” he said.

Meanwhile, Professor Emeritus Alain Pellet, former Chairman of the International Law Commission, echoed concerns expressed

by Reichler over Venezuela's attempts to evade the court's jurisdiction.

POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES The urgency of the matter was also underscored as Pellet delved into the potential ramifications of Venezuela's impending referendum.

“One can hardly ignore the idea that Venezuela is attempting, by all means, to evade the court's jurisdiction.

If not too intimidated, as if ladies and gentlemen mem-

bers of the court, you could be intimidated,” he said.

Reichler had painted a stark picture of the immediate threat, emphasising that Venezuela's actions were far from mere rhetoric.

The prospect of military action loomed large, especially given the expected affirmative response to the questions posed in the December 3 referendum.

“He (Reichler) has amply demonstrated that the threat is immediate. This is not a paper tiger. And given the almost certain affirmative answer to the questions posed in the referendum, Venezuela was effectively preparing to engage in military action,” Pellet said.

He explained that Guyana's request is designed to prevent Venezuela from relying on supposed popular support to legitimise actions that have been indoctrinated for generations.

This request aims to counter the creation of a fait accompli (an accomplished fact), a strategy initiated by Venezuela's resolution on October 20.

“This is what we were asking of you… that by affirming this request, you will ensure that your future judgement can be enforced regardless of the position that you will take,” he said.

The request, Pellet explained, is forward-looking, intended to prevent further actions that could render the court's future judgement non-enforceable.

He highlighted the potential consequences if Venezuela were to follow through on its present course and the TURN TO PAGE 4

Venezuelan referendum poses...

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FROM PAGE 3 importance of preventing actions that might prejudice the court's decision.

“There can be no doubt that the government of Venezuela is attempting to forestall the enforcement of any forthcoming judgement…

The court should not tolerate such employ,” he said.

Pellet expanded on the fourth request, stressing the need to prevent force from prevailing over the law and ensuring that Guyana's plausible rights are not irreparably harmed.

He stressed that Venezuela's strategy involves actions that could eviscerate the court's judgement before it is even handed down.

“This case calls for such a decision as a matter of utmost urgency. Venezuela's whole strategy consists precisely in engaging in multi-

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

ple actions with the expected effect of aggravating and extending the [controversy],” he added.

Pellet dismissed the need to bilateralize the non-aggravation measure, asserting that only Venezuela is engaging in actions that could aggravate, extend, or complicate the resolution of the controversy.

He urged the court to recognise Guyana's quest for peace and tension reduction as opposed to Venezuela's attempts to complicate and extend the controversy.

DEEP CONCERNS Guyana's agent, Carl Greenidge, highlighted the existential nature of the conflict and the urgent need for provisional measures to address Venezuela's imminent threat.

Greenidge voiced deep concerns over Venezuela's

scheduled referendum which is designed to reject the ICJ's jurisdiction and challenge the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award, putting the authority of the principal judicial organ of the United Nations at stake.

“The referendum Venezuela scheduled for December 3, 2023, is designed to obtain an overwhelming popular mandate for the government, to reject the jurisdiction of the court, to pre-empt a future judgement of the court, and in so doing,

undermine the authority and effectiveness of the principal judicial organ of the United Nations,” Greenidge said.

He painted a dire picture of Venezuela's intentions to the ICJ, highlighting its goal to create a new state that purportedly annexes Guyana's entire Essequibo region, comprising more than twothirds of Guyana's national territory.

He stressed that the urgency of the situation lies in the potential irreversible loss of Guyana's rights if

Venezuela proceeds with its territorial ambitions.

“As I stand here today, Guyana’s right to over twothirds of its territory is threatened not only by irreparable injury or by permanent loss.”

“I cannot stress the urgency of the situation that brought us here today and the necessity for provisional measures to prevent irreparable and potentially permanent loss of the rights claimed by Guyana in this case,” he said.

Greenidge underscored the crucial role of the ICJ as the only avenue for resolving the controversy in accordance with international law.

He alluded to Guyana's unwavering trust in the court, emphasising its significance in safeguarding international peace and security, particularly for Guyana and the Caribbean region.

“For Guyana, the international rule of law is sacrosanct and respect for it is indispensable for international peace and security. It is the only means for achieving a just, final, and binding solution to the controversy between the two parties in accordance with international law,” he told the World Court.

Greenidge acknowledged the inevitability of an affirmative vote in Venezuela's referendum, given the chosen questions and their formulation.

He stressed that only the ICJ could prevent the imminent annexation of tens of thousands of square kilometres of Guyanese territory and later urged the court to apply international law faithfully, fairly, and impartially.

Today (November 15) representatives for Venezuela will present their addresses.

BACKGROUND The genesis of the controversy traces back to the

1899 Arbitral Award, a landmark decision that delineated the land boundary between British Guiana (now Guyana) and Venezuela.

However, despite the historic arbitration, tensions have persisted, with Venezuela repeatedly challenging the validity of the award.

In 2018, Guyana took a decisive step by approaching the ICJ, seeking affirmation of the 1899 Arbitral Award’s legitimacy.

Venezuela, taking a defiant stance, initially claimed the ICJ lacked jurisdiction, a contention flatly rejected by the international court in a crucial ruling in December 2020. The door was thus opened for the ICJ to delve into the substantive case’s merits.

Recent developments have heightened the geopolitical situation, as Venezuela, through its National Electoral Council, unveiled plans for a “Consultative Referendum” on December 3, 2023.

Guyana contends that this move is a thinly veiled attempt by Venezuela to gather support for abandoning the ongoing ICJ proceedings, and unilaterally assert control over the Essequibo region.

In response, Guyana swiftly approached the ICJ, seeking urgent provisional measures to prevent any actions by Venezuela that could jeopardise the status quo until the court reaches a final verdict on the matter.

Guyana and Venezuela will present their oral arguments after which the ICJ will rule.

The substantive case involving the border controversy is still before the ICJ.Caption Members of the Guyana delegation at the opening of the hearings (UN Photo)

Five of 30 core homes handed over to WBD families

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

One of the core home recipients, Enduko Glenmore and Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal (Shaniece Bamfield photos)

By Cindy Parkinson TO ensure that all Guyanese have the opportunity to acquire their own homes and live a more comfortable life, the Government of Guyana through the Minister of Housing and Water on Tuesday evening delivered five low-income houses to families on the West Bank of Demerara.

The families, all within the Lust-en-Rust and La Parfaite Harmonie, Onderneeming Scheme, each received keys to their two-bedroom, concrete house during a simple handing-over ceremony.

In his remarks, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, said that “these significant events bring upliftment to the families and the citizens of Guyana.

“The core homes that are handed over here today are a continuation of Adequate Housing for the Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP). Ini-

tiatives such as these provide a better environment so that all can be happy," he added.

The minister noted that while the government would like to construct the houses at a faster rate, they are mindful of the cost of them and [want to] ensure that they remain at the designated price.

He added: “Here on the West Bank of Demerara, the Parfait Harmonie stretch is part of the project that goes all the way up to the East Coast of Demerara and all the way up to Grove/Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara."

He also explained that there was a process that the beneficiaries went through and said that the successful applicants have all been identified.

“Over in this region, we have constructed 30 core homes, and we are handing over five of those this afternoon," he said.

The minister also highlighted that the beneficiaries' contri-

bution of $100, 000 was dependent on their location, as well as the area.

The five families shared similar sentiments in thanking Minister Croal and his staff at the Central Housing and Planning Authority, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and President Dr. Irfaan Ali and his government for fulfilling their commitment so that they could have a house that they could call their home.

The five beneficiaries are: Enduko Glenmore who will occupy

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One of Nicola Thompson’s children cuts the ribbon to their new home. Also pictured are Thompson and the housing minister

Lot 2194 Onderneeming; Nicola Thompson Lot 2059 Onderneeming; Condica Eastman Lot 2041 Onderneeming; Tricia DaSliva Lot 4026 Lust-en-Rust and Desmond Cheong Lot 172 Onderneeming.

“I was renting all the time, and I couldn’t afford my own home. I couldn’t afford a mortgage and now I am a home owner. I wouldn’t say that I am a single parent; I am a woman with a job, and two children, and I don’t want to put that stigma to my name. When someone

hear that you are a single parent it’s like they pity you. I have a job and I have life, and I have a government that is working for us for people

like me who can’t afford a mortgage and God bless the government and Guyana,” an emotional Nicola Thompson said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Human Capital Formation

HUMAN capital is an indispensable ingredient for economic growth and social progress. This is why many countries are investing heavily in the development of their human resources or what is sometimes referred to as human capital.

Guyana is no exception in this regard. This is especially so under successive PPP administrations since the early 1960's when the Cheddi Jagan administration established the University of Guyana on October 1963.

Guyana was still a British colony when the University was established. Indeed, Guyana, then British Guiana, had the distinction of being the only country in the world to have estab-

lished its own university while still under colonial rule.

Credit must be given to former President Dr. Cheddi Jagan for his vision in establishing a university when several others, including the PNC, the then political opposition, doubted the wisdom of such a move.

The university was dubbed 'Jagan's Night School' as most of the classes were held in the evenings to facilitate the use of public buildings such as Queen's College and the Ministry of Health.

Today, 60 years later, the University of Guyana is regarded as the Flagship institution in the country. At its recent convocation, over 3,500 students graduated in a variety of disciplines

including law, medicine, engineering and education.

This most recent batch of university graduates is the single largest since the establishment of the University 60 years ago.

A press release from the University noted that this year's convocation ceremonies are extremely special as the University is proudly celebrating its 60th anniversary under the theme 'Consistently We Rise, Changing the World in Infinite Ways.'

According to the release, “As Guyana's state university, which turns 60 on October 2, 2023 preparations are in high gear as the premier educational institution hosts its 57th Convocation ceremonies from November 9 to 11 2023 for the Turkeyen Campus and

November 18, 2023 for the Berbice Campus.”

This is indeed a milestone year for the university which, over the decades, was faced with several challenges in terms of fulfilling its mandate as the premier institution of teaching and research.

This was particularly true during the period of PNC rule when the institution was starved of financial resources and when there were political interference in the management of the university.

The denial of employment of several qualified academics on political grounds is now legendary, the most notable of which was world-renowned academic and historian Dr. Walter Rodney who was

subsequently assassinated by known elements.

All of that is now history. The University of Guyana has come a long way since that sordid past. President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has committed not only to ensure adequate funding to the University of Guyana but to provide free university tuition with the aim of ensuring that the country 'benefits not only from the most vibrant economy, but also from the most vibrant pool of human resources, the most talented, skilled and qualified human resources to take our country forward. The overall objective is to carve Guyana into an economic powerhouse of the region.'

Together with the Guyana Online Academy of

Learning (GOAL) scholarships and others investments in the education sector, Guyana is well positioned for rapid economic take-off, thanks to its critical mass approach to human capital formation so critical for economic and social development. This is indeed an important prerequisite in the developmental matrix of the country as it currently embarks along the path of modernisation and sustainable development.

The PPP/C administration must be commended for its visionary and forward-looking leadership in placing education as a national priority and human resources development at the top of its developmental agenda.

Foreign group imposing itself on Guyana’s internal affairs?

Dear Editor,

A NON-GOVERNMENT US team that was seemingly put together by the Brooklyn-aligned anti-PPP/C agitator, was scheduled to arrive in Guyana from the United States on November 13, 2023, on a so-called fact-finding mission.

Apparently, the agitator and APNU elements have convinced the US team with emotional pleas that there is rampant discrimination, marginalisation, extra-judicial killings, lack of inclusivity, and discrimination in the award of contracts.

The team cited presentations (that were not based on evidence but rather on rhetoric and platitudes) from David Patterson, Roysdale Forde SC, Cathy Hughes, and Dawn Hastings-Williams, as providing the basis for their mission.

An immediate concern pops up! Is ‘fact-finding’ a code word for the surreptitious launch of an Opposition Commission of

Inquiry (CoI)? Doesn’t such an act violate the Guyana constitution and undermine the state’s sovereignty?

Where was this team when its sponsors made an unthinkable assault on democracy by staging a 2020 electoral coup d’état that failed? Is the team aware of the leader of the OAS Election Observer Mission, Bruce Golding’s famous quote?

“I have never seen a more transparent attempt to alter the result of an election.”

The fundamental right in any democracy is the right of citizens to elect a government of their choice. The aborted attempt by the coalition to steal that right in 2020 was not only despicable and startling, but it also represented a combination of super-indulgence in discrimination, corruption, and constitutional aberration.

The APNU’s ousting from state power at the 2020 polls has caused them to embrace the Desmond Hoyte-style tactics of making the country ungovern-

able. Additionally, they have failed in their high-profile conference in Washington to impress the Congressional Black Caucus with their exaggerated and misleading allegations.

They turned quickly to map out a new strategy by mobilising the US team to seek validation of what they already know, but also to subtly shake the foundation of the PPP/C government at this critical time in Guyana’s history, when Venezuela has threatened to annex two-thirds of Guyana and when the need for the country’s social cohesion is pre-eminent. Why would the opposition invite this team now?

What relief this team might bring to APNU that they could not get from the Washington engagement, is uncertain. They must contend with the formidable record of a performance-driven PPP/C government, which is led by a charismatic leader, who has shown a remarkable ability to transcend barriers of race, gender, region, and religion.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali leads the most successful government in the history of Guyana. Taking government to the people has not only been innovative and highly productive for individuals/families, but also for neighbourhood revitalisation.

The “One Guyana” philosophy is leading towards ethnic tolerance and equity, while these measures have forced the opposition to alter their strategy of street mayhem and incendiary rhetoric and replace those for now with extra-territorial engagement.

G u y a n a ’s g o v e r n m e n t notes: “It is clear that Burke has not only determined the Terms of Reference of this fact-finding mission, but has also essayed the findings of this mission even before it has commenced.... The Government of Guyana will not be engaging this delegation....it is a clear interference in Guyana’s domestic politics with a bias towards the political Opposition in Guyana.”

The government said that

any delegation that is interested in “fact finding,” must examine the problems that Guyana faced, enquire into the rigging of the 1968, 1973, 1980 and 1985 elections and into the economic mismanagement (the GDP had plummetted by 24.5% from 1975 to 1992) and for making the country the second poorest in the Western hemisphere after Haiti.

What about the notorious Jonestown mass murder-suicide that resulted in over 900 deaths of predominantly Black Americans? That tragedy “represented the largest number of American civilian casualties in a single non-natural event.”

Would the team investigate the adventures of House of Israel Leader, Rabbi Washington, and his rapacious “gang of thugs,” as well as the notorious X13 Plan to exterminate a certain ethnic group in the population?

Would they investigate the vulgar 1978 referendum (in which the PNC claimed

they received 97.9 per cent (or 419,936) of the votes cast? The referendum was designed to abolish any future referenda to change the entrenched provisions (such as the powers of the President) of the Guyana constitution and allowed these to be changed instead by a 2/3 majority of Parliament.

The US team should learn from the official NY State delegation (NYSD) that visited Guyana last month. NYSD was very cognisant that they must not seem to be interfering in the internal affairs of the country.

Thus, they made it clear that they went to Guyana to listen and learn but not to investigate or fact-find. The US team is doing the opposite.

The US team is setting a dangerous precedent. Would the US team go to Trinbago that has almost similar challenges like Guyana? And would they go to Haiti to help solve their intractable problems?

Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

I support president, government’s decision not to meet with ‘fact-finding’ crew

Dear Editor,

THE PPP Government’s decision not to meet with that motley crew here for what they called “fact finding” on discrimination, is a good call.

I noticed that the Afro-American group consists of individual legislators from Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas, and my state of North Carolina.

These are state-level legislators, not federal, national-level US administrators. Usually, governments do not deal with state-level folk. There are diplomatic structures and channels at the federal level established to deal with any concerns a country may have.

The US Government has an embassy here. So, this group of legislators cannot be here in any official capacity. I hope they are not charging this excursion to official business. They are accountable to their own small, county constituencies they represent in their own states in the USA. Therefore, to have the audacity to say they are here for “fact finding” on Guyanese issues, seems so inappropriate and arrogant. This group has no standing to be entertained by our sovereign government.

We will be polite, but this group cannot have the gall to assume powers they do not have to summon our leaders to give explanations. This group is out of order. This group is simply a “meddling” group, sticking their noses in the internal affairs of our nation.

Who would be next to come ask us questions? – local state, county commissioners and town council members? Can a group of Indo-Guyanese go to these legislators’ states to investigate bad treatment of minorities?

The government is right to draw the line. These people eyes pass our country! Every Tom, Dick and Harry cannot come here and act as if they have power over our national affairs.

The group leader is one Dee Dawkins-Haigler, a former Georgia legislator, who is apparently close to a senior PNC member.

One article states: “The Honourable Roysdale A. Forde, Member of Parliament in Guyana and one of her nominators for the Peace Prize, states “Dr. Dee Dawkins-Haigler has been instrumental in the fight for Afro Guyanese gaining full access to government and global resources. She has been an ally in trying to ensure that equitable, sustainable economic development is achieved for all

Guyanese, which would level the playing field and get many Afro Guyanese people back to work and out of poverty.” (See “Honourable Dee Dawkins-Haigler Receives Nobel Peace Prize Nomination For Her Global Leadership, Savannah Tribune, May 18, 2022; https://www. ocgnews.com/georgia-leaderdee-dawkins-haigler-nominatedfor-nobel-peace-prize).

When did Ms. Dee “fight for Afro Guyanese gaining full access to government and global resources?” Afro Guyanese control the government ministries!

Can they explain what they mean by this?

An article also states: “In addition to the above work, Dee is the Organizer of the Minority Cannabis Coalition (MCC), an organization dedicated to promoting equity and access in the cannabis industry.” Is this what Afro-Guyanese need to make progress in their lives?

In an interview with a treason accused pardoned by the Guyana Government, Ms. Dee spent much time saying she never met Mr. Burke, does not know Mr. Burke, and that her motley group is independent, and not here at Mr. Burke’s urging.

She never said she was connected to the PNC’s Mr. Forde and nominated by Mr. Forde for a prize, as reported in the US news media. So, it would be nice if in the interest of full disclosure, Ms. Dee can clear the air whether she is doing this perhaps activity out of loyalty to Mr. Forde.

Maybe Mr. Forde can comment whether those articles were true. Therefore, there is a question mark whether this group can be an honest broker, or whether they are driven by partisan causes based on race.

This group of legislators should know the PNC whose bidding they seem to be doing does not have clean hands. That party has rigged elections in their long reign from 1964-1992, and they attempted to steal the 2020 election in full view of international observers and the whole watching world.

If this group had done its homework, they would have been smarter than to associate with people whose only mission is to invoke racism. The PNC’s reign from 1964-1992 was the closest we came to apartheid in Guyana during their “paramountcy of the party.”

As they are here, this motley crew should go to the Mon Repos market and talk to the vendors about marauding bands of persons, predominantly Afro-Guyanese, who terrorised Indian vendors last year.

We are still waiting for the

court to try those cases of the few who were charged. Why were more terrorists not charged, although there is ample video footage to identify the terrorists?

They may also want to ask the police about how Indians were pulled out of vehicles and beaten and the police failed to charge those perpetrators who were Afro Guyanese during the West Coast Berbice riots in 2020.

This group may also want to ask the PNC why they signed a bad contract that gave away our oil and gas resources to Exxon, whom President Biden described as “making more money than God.” While they are at it, the group may want to find out why the Public Service and state agencies such as the Ethnic Relations Commission are ma-

jority Afro Guyanese, and the government has done nothing to create balance.

To my own legislator from North Carolina, it would be nice if you can sponsor a bill to bring about collective bargaining for all state workers, as this is currently prohibited by state laws.

In NC, public service workers and teachers are not allowed to have unions, so there is no

collective bargaining for them.

Rep. Baker, please focus on all the inequities and low pay raises in North Carolina.

That’s what the people of Forsyth County elected you to do!

Thanks to our government for standing up to this motley crew of masqueraders!

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

The police, squibs and the Marriott

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I AM reporting on events in the order that they occurred last week. First, the anti-crime police on motorcycles: it is customary for Georgetowners to see pairs of anti-crime police ranks on motorcycles. I see them often on the seawall road when I am with my dog.

I have had several heated discussions with those ranks over the years. I have witnessed first-hand how they harass innocent citizens. My last encounter with them was on the Kingston Seawall beach a year ago. They stopped an Amerindian family and instructed the driver to the station because, according to them, he refused an order to move his car and when confronted, one of his papers was missing.

I thought that was a petty matter. I suggested the issue be solved immediately by a simple apology because it was a simple misunderstanding. The man was on the beach with his family. The missing document is one you are

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

allowed to produce within 48 hours. They refused to accept that procedure. I had to call Stan Gouveia, the police PR person, to inform them of the 48 hours requirement.

From all I have seen from these motorcycle officers is that they are more into making traffic stops than intercepting criminals. Last week on Sheriff Street a pair of motorcycle ranks stopped my 18-year-old nephew. They looked into the car trunk and wanted to know about 13 boxes of snacks. I was livid when he rang me.

How can 13 boxes of snacks in a car trunk at-

tract the police? Each day, all over the world, people fill their trunks with legitimate stuff. The examples are in the billions. If you are going to an outdoor sporting event, your trunk will have dozens of cartons of water.

If you are going to a children’s party, your trunk will have dozens of cartons of snacks. I bought 32 boxes of pineapple juice from DSL supermarket on Sherriff Street two weeks ago. It was a sale. The items were reduced to $160 a box from $940. I bought all.

Last Friday, I did a column on the anticipated use

of firecrackers two days before Diwali. My concern was the life-threatening injuries to animals.

I mentioned how over the years, I have seen squibs (a banned item) being sold openly on Bourda and Robb Streets outside Bourda Market. Guess what?

On the morning of Diwali, right at the identical junction, I saw a man selling squibs.

Here were his words: “Last box left, last box left.” I do not have a smart phone or else I would have taken the video. This seller was openly selling a banned item and there were no police around or

maybe they were around but couldn’t be bothered.

They were around alright and they would have turned up if someone was smoking a marijuana joint.

My home sits right across the road from MovieTowne at Turkeyen, and on Saturday night, people were using loud fireworks, coming from that area and all the dogs in Turkeyen were hollering. I saw a police vehicle turn into the road leading to MovieTowne. It came out back and the fireworks continued. I think the police went to Massy supermarket and just ignored the fireworks.

Finally, last Thursday, for the first time, I went to the Marriott Hotel. A visiting Guyanese since last year wanted to take me, Leonard Gildarie and Charrandas for lunch.

This year he insisted. I thought we should oblige him. Gildarie agreed but Charran could not make it because he said he is laid up in bed with injuries after an accident in which a minibus destroyed his car.

Our host chose the Marriott. Unfortunately you will not be able to verify what I saw. And what I saw was incredible.

It does not happen and will not happen at another international hotel. The service was buffet. I have never seen a serving plate at a hotel so small. That plate cannot hold a buffet lunch. At a buffet lunch, the offerings are sumptuous and you can take as much as you want As I was eating, my food kept falling out of the plate. I swear on my parents’ grave this is the truth. The serving plates were absurdly small. I could not believe what I was seeing. I have a preference for sweet things. Marriott had no cake, no ice-cream, no coconut water, and no local juice. Now I may be wrong. They do have those things, but I know they didn’t have them last Thursday. Next time, I am going to settle for German’s split peas soup.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

ILO hosts symposium on labour performance in Latin America, Caribbean

IN a landmark event, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), in collaboration with the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and the ILO Office for the South Cone of Latin America, will convene a Regional Symposium titled "Three Decades of Labour Performance in Latin America and the Caribbean: Advances and Prospects." The symposium, scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2023, in Santiago, Chile, will bring together over 20 speakers from various countries in the region to engage in a technical dialogue on pivotal themes shaping the present and future of work.

Commemorating the 30th anniversary of its flagship annual publication, Labour Overview, the ILO aims to reflect on the significant changes witnessed in Latin America and the Caribbean over the past three decades. The Labour Overview report has meticulously documented shifts in demographic, economic, and social landscapes, revealing persisting challenges such as high informality, insufficient productivity, and distinct economic cycles impacting businesses, labour conditions, and the well-being of workers and their families.

Against this backdrop, the symposium intends to explore the primary challenges presented by the fu-

ture of work in the region.

Discussions will focus on the necessary adaptations in labour institutions and policies to address transformations brought about by digitalisation, automation, the gig economy, and just transitions.

The inaugural session of the event will feature high-profile participants, including Claudia Coenjaerts, Regional Director of the ILO for Latin America and the Caribbean; Ricar-

do Lagos Escobar, former President of the Republic of Chile; and Jeannete Jara, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare of Chile.

Keynote addresses on the first day will be delivered by José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, Executive Secretary of ECLAC, who will delve into new productive paradigms and technological changes in the region. Manuela Tomei, Deputy Director-General of the ILO, Governance,

Rights, and Dialogue Cluster in Geneva, will address the promotion of decent work and social justice in a global context marked by various crises.

A panel discussion featuring David Acuña, President of the Central Workers’ Union (CUT) of Chile, and Fernando Alvear, General Manager of the Confederation of Production and Commerce (CPC), will further enrich the discourse on the symposium's first day.

Over the two-day symposium, more than 20 speakers from diverse regional backgrounds will contribute to four discussion panels. Topics include economic, productive, and social opportunities in a

transforming world of work; labour protection in the context of technological changes; the impact of climate change and environmental degradation on the world of work; and the transformation from an informal to a formal economy. The symposium will also address the challenges of measuring employment and its implications for the adaptation of labour institutions and policies in this context.

The Regional Symposium presents a unique opportunity to analyse the challenges of the labour world and foster dialogue among key actors in the Latin American and Caribbean region.

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Stricter requirements for local content certificate to curb issues of ‘fronting’

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

— Minister Bharrat says there will be public consultations before Local Content Act is revised

By Shamar Meusa STRICTER requirements for the application of a Local Content Certificate are expected soon to curb the issue of “fronting” in the sector.

This is according to Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat, and Di-

rector of the Local Content Secretariat Dr, Martin Pertab during the ministry’s endof-year press conference on Tuesday.

According to Bharrat, fronting, or what he called, “rent a citizen”, has been one of the major issues the Local Content Secretariat is confronting.

He said: “We have seen many Guyanese, who I know personally, who you know personally, many companies advocating to have a local content legislation in place so that Guyanese can benefit from the oil-and- gas sector.

Today, sadly, we are seeing some of those same individuals fronting for international

Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat

companies; setting up shell companies.”

This, Dr. Pertab said, has caused the secretariat to move towards having more

in-depth due diligence done prior to issuing certificates to companies.

Against this backdrop, he said many persons have

reached out to the ministry, and some even to the media, complaining about the long process to get their certifiContinued on page 11

Stricter requirements for local content certificate to curb ...

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

wide sensitisation, he said that they will be venturing into various regions across the country, and through this process, an assessment of the capacity to service the industry will be conducted.

Bharrat added: “We have started with the 40 services, and people have asked why aren’t we extending it or when we will extend it, but

Director of the Local Content Secretariat Dr. Martin Pertab (Delano Williams photos)

From page 10 cates.

H o w e v e r, M i n i s t e r Bharrat said that they need to ensure that enough due diligence is done to eradicate the issue of fronting, and move away from that.

Further to this, he appealed to Guyanese to not be engaged in these activities, and noted that if they want to truly be involved in the sector and provide goods and services, it must be done the right way.

“Of course, there are penalties in the legislation, and if people continue to do so, we will move towards instituting serious penalties for fronting,” Bharrat added.

Meanwhile, Dr. Pertab told the conference that while over 800 companies have been registered at this stage, they have observed that some

Guyanese are registering for the purpose of having a certificate.

The local private sector, he added, has been very vocal against fronting, and together they have discussed ways of addressing this. The main approach, Dr. Pertab added, would be to add more requirements to the list for companies interested in registration.

As of now, Pertab said that companies will have to submit additional documents and information like audited financial statements, which would allow the entity to ascertain the companies’ performance.

To this end, he added that the secretariat is also working closely with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), and providing the it with instances where Guyanese claim to own 51 per cent of

companies for the purpose of tax compliance.

REVAMPING THE ACT Meanwhile, as it relates to revamping the Local Content Act, more specifically Schedule One of the Act, Bharrat said that feedback is needed in relation to those already operating in the industry, so as to ascertain the effectiveness of the legislation.

He said that prior to changes being made to the Act, the ministry will endeavour to commence sensitisation workshops across the country before the end of the year. This, he said, is part of the requirements under the local content legislation.

“The idea of the sensitisation workshop is to ensure that more Guyanese understand what really is local content, and how they can truly benefit from it,” Bharrat said.

As part of the country-

the reality is that we really need to do a deep assessment of our capacity; of our capabilities before we venture into any changes to the Schedule One, and that is how we would have drafted or crafted the legislation.”

Against this backdrop, he said that it would not be beneficial to increase targets, or to increase services when

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the capacity does not exist in-house.

As a result, the minister added that these workshops would give the secretariat and the ministry at large a fair understanding of what capacity exists locally, and what has changed from the time the Act was enacted to now.

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Canadian parliamentarians reassure of support for Guyana

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

THE Canadian Chapter of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association has reassured support for Guyana on a number critical global issues.

Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud was, on Tuesday, paid a courtesy call by Ms Alexandra Mendes, M.P. Chair of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

She was accompanied

by Salma Ataullahjan, Senator and Executive Committee Member;

of the Regular Session of the OAS General Assembly and, recently, the Canada-CARICOM Summit held from October 17-19, 2023, in Canada.

He also mentioned that the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is of added value to Guyana and Canada in promoting parliamentary representative democracy in the Commonwealth countries.

Foreign Secretary Persaud also outlined foreign policy priorities

liamentary Association, agreed with the priorities outlined by the Foreign Secretary regarding climate change, food insecurity, and the situation in Haiti.

As it pertained to the Guyana vs Venezuela Controversy, she added that international law is on Guyana’s side, and the Government of Canada follows the case closely before the International Court of Justice.

Senator Salma Ataullahjan mentioned Guyana’s diaspora population

Mr. Rheal Fortin, M.P.; Mr. Robert Kitchen M.P. Executive Committee Member; and Mr. Remi Bourgault, Secretary to the Delegation. Speaker, Manzoor Nadir, accompanied the delegation.

The Foreign Secretary welcomed and thanked the visiting delegation and noted that the visit enhanced the bilateral relationship between Guyana and Canada.

Moreover, Foreign Secretary Persaud noted regional engagement via the third annual Canada-CARICOM Foreign Minister’s Group meeting held in the margins

of Guyana such as the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2023, food insecurity, the situation in Haiti, energy security, Guyana’s Non-Permanent UN Security Council seat for 2024-2025, Venezuela’s illegal territorial claims.

As pertained to the controversy, the Foreign Secretary thanked Canada for its historical stands and active role in the Commonwealth in defending Guyana’s territorial integrity.

Ms Alexandra Mendes, M.P. Chair of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Par-

and their active role in Canada’s cultural enrichment.

Foreign Secretary Persaud mentioned that the oil and gas sector is transforming Guyana and aiding its rapid, inclusive development for all Guyanese.

The High Commission of Canada and the National Assembly of Guyana have facilitated the visit as part of engagements through the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). The delegation will meet with a cross-section of Guyanese society.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

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Over 6,000 Guyanese actively involved in oil and gas sector

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat

GUYANESE continue to enjoy boundless opportunities within the oil and gas sector, as almost 6,000 locals are actively involved in the various operations, both onshore and offshore.

At a press conference held at the Guyana Forestry Commission on Tuesday, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, said that this amount represents approximately 70 per cent of the total workforce in the oil and gas sector.

The minister noted that the government intends to implement systems to expand this amount, so focus is being placed on building capacity to meet the growing demand.

“Oil and gas is new to us. There aren’t many oil-andgas-trained professionals around in our country. Most who are trained and qualified are already employed.

So, this means that we as government and private sector have a responsibility to ensure that we build capacity locally,” he asserted.

The Guyana Technical Training College is currently being constructed at Port Mourant, Berbice, to advance this vision. Once completed, the facility is expected to provide industry-level training equivalent to that of the rest of the Caribbean, to meet the demand for skilled professionals.

The Natural Resources Minister added that the government is also engaging several companies in offering technical scholarships to Guyanese to pursue their studies in specialised fields. CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited (CPGL) has responded to this call, and currently, four Guyanese students are pursuing studies in Petroleum Sciences in China for the academic year 2023-2024.

“There is a commitment by the company to send six more in a two-year period. So, we will have 10 students studying petroleum engineering in China, and that is just one example in what we’re doing in order to build capacity, both in and out of the country,” Minister Bharrat said.

Importantly, the minister underscored the challenge of individuals possessing technical skills without the requisite certifications, hindering their employment prospects. The Guyana Technical Training College will play a pivotal role in addressing this gap by providing quality training programmes aligned with industry standards.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Food-Import Bill Cut: MP Seeraj emphasises technology use essential to achieve goal

Member of Parliament, Dharamkumar Seeraj

IN a recent interview on the Dr. Randy Persaud Show, Member of Parliament, Dharamkumar Seeraj, commended the ambitious yet realistic target set by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to reduce its food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

Aired on the National Communications Network (NCN), Seeraj expressed support for President Dr. Irfaan Ali's bold initiative, emphasising the importance of collective efforts in achieving this significant reduction, currently estimated around US$5 million.

“The President made this bold move by saying we are going to reduce our food import bill by 25 per cent by the year 2025. It’s a short period of time… it’s an ambitious programme but also realistic,” stated Seeraj during the interview.

Highlighting Guyana's pivotal role in spearheading the challenge, Seeraj outlined the key factors necessary for success, including technology, strategic approaches, training, and investments.

He underscored the importance of not only investing in physical infrastructure but also

in developing human resources, stating that, without skilled personnel, the agricultural sector would struggle to leverage technology effectively.

Seeraj expressed confidence in the achievability of the goal, citing the government's commitment to supporting farmers in adopting modern technologies such as shade house farming and hydroponics. He emphasised the role of technology as a fundamental pillar in realising the 25% reduction target by 2025.

“This process is catching on, and I think fortunately so because this process is one of the pillars that we have to stand on to achieve the reduction by 25% of our food import bill by 2025.

We will not be able to do it without this type of technology,” Seeraj reiterated.

As CARICOM nations work collectively towards this ambitious goal, the interview shed light on the importance of innovation, investment, and collaboration in reshaping the region's agricultural landscape and reducing dependency on food imports.

Strategies being implemented to enhance elderly care locally

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

IN an effort to elevate the quality of life for older adults, the Ministry of Health has outlined a comprehensive plan to improve elderly care in Guyana.

This plan encompasses a wide range of strategies, as detailed by the unit’s Coordinator, Dr. Melissa Dehaarte, during an episode of the ‘Health Matters’ programme.

Dr. Dehaarte emphasised the crucial role of public communication in enhancing elderly care. She proposes developing a robust communication strategy to educate the public about the specific needs of older adults and the proper methods of car-

ing for them.

Public awareness campaigns are essential to raise understanding of the challenges faced by older individuals and the potential changes they may experience due to various circumstances, she pointed out.

Dr. Dehaarte believes that by fostering a deeper understanding of the aging process and the unique needs of older adults, a more supportive and caring environment can be created for this vulnerable population.

“We are working on an extensive communication strategy where we will be in-house with our own health promotion team and

involving our stakeholders such as radios, televisions, newspapers etc., to better educate the public,” she explained.

Dr. Dehaarte further outlined plans to establish elderly clinics in all regions, ensuring that older adults have access to regular and comprehensive healthcare services. This initiative aims to address the unmet medical needs of the elderly population, promoting preventive care and early detection of health issues.

Additionally, the unit intends to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security to provide adequate support and re-

The Ministry of Health’s Elderly Health Unit Coordinator, Dr. Melissa Dehaarte

sources for elderly care homes.

“We have also developed and are working in tandem with the Ministry of Human Services and their safety-net programmes to ensure that we moni-

tor and support longterm care facilities or what we call old people homes,” the health professional stated.

The unit has also partnered with faithbased and non-governmental organisations

to provide community-based elderly care services. These organisations conduct home visits, organise recreational activities, and provide other forms of support to the elderly in their communities. “ We a l s o w o r k closely with our healthcare workers to build their capacity through training.

And this is ongoing throughout the year to ensure that they are equipped to provide the right services to our elderly persons, especially those that are within the primary healthcare settings such as the clinics and hospitals,” the coordinator highlighted.

(DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Gov’t acquires software device to monitor offshore activities

NATURAL Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat has announced the acquisition of an advanced software system specifically designed to monitor offshore activities.

The minister made the disclosure during a press conference hosted at the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) complex on Tuesday.

“It has the capability to detect any oil residue in the water… The software is supported by the company in the US, so even if they detect something immediately they can make contact with us. The software can even quantify the amount of oil in that water, so we have that in place to detect any oil spills

because that has also been an issue,” he said.

The software sourced from IT company, Maxar Technologies with assistance from the US Embassy can provide livestreams of all vessels offshore in Guyana.

This includes Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSOs) vessels, drill ships, supply boats, and other marine vessels traversing the country’s waters.

It can also identify the registration of vessels and fishing boats, determining whether it is a legal or illegal vessel.

Meanwhile, the minister also announced that the government will be obtaining a capping stack through the

Yellowtail licence, which is expected to arrive in country next year.

A capping stack is a device that controls, diverts, and shuts in a well-flow stream during a well containment operation.

The minister underscored that “Not many countries, in fact there is no country in this part of the world that has a capping stack in country.

Most of them are in Houston, Texas, so it makes sense even though it costs a little more to have that capping stack in country.”

To this end, he noted that this is part of the government’s strategic plan “in the eventuality of a spill.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

FAO requires $160M for El Niño anticipatory action and response plan - to support over 4.8 million people through March 2024

AMID the looming threat of El Niño expected to severely affect millions of people, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has launched an updated Anticipatory Action and Response Plan to reduce the projected impacts of this climate phenomenon on agricultural livelihoods and food security of the most at-risk and vulnerable populations.

According to the Plan, FAO urgently requires nearly $160 million to deliver support to over 4.8 million people through March 2024.

The plan currently prioritises actions in 34 countries across Eastern and Southern Africa, Asia and the Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean which were identified based on an assessment of historical impacts of El Niño and other key factors, such as the latest seasonal climate forecasts, agricultural seasonality and current vulnerabilities.

In Eastern Africa, for example, El Niño is associated with above-average rains during the October-December rainy season which may result in heavy rainfall episodes, flooding and landslides especially in eastern Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and southern Uganda. In Southern Africa and parts of South and Central America, El Niño usually brings rainfall deficits that can cause significant negative effects on agricultural production and food security. Whereas across Asia and the Pacific, El Niño has contrasting impacts: it can bring too much or too little rain depending on the location.

DIRE CONSEQUENCES The world enters this El Niño cycle with a record 258 million people experiencing acute hunger in 2022 and only 20 per cent of the total funds required to cope with the high levels of acute food insecurity. Many countries facing humanitarian crises also risk being affected by El Niño impacts in the coming weeks and months.

By disrupting rainfall and temperature patterns, the impact of the upcoming El Niño events on agriculture and food security can be severe and cause significant human suffering and economic loss. For example, the 2015-2016

El Niño episode severely affected over 60 million people worldwide, causing 23 countries to appeal for international humanitarian assistance totalling $5 billion.

SCALING UP ANTICIPATORY ACTIONS Farmers, pastoralists, fishers and other smallscale producers bear the most direct and immediate impacts of climate shocks.

Effective anticipatory action must therefore concentrate on preventing damage and loss to crops, livestock, productive lands, water and infrastructure to protect food at its source.

This not only safeguards local food supply but also mitigates wider effects on communities, local economies and humanitarian aid requirements. FAO studies show that every $1 invested in anticipatory action can create a return for farming families of more than $7 in avoided losses and added benefits.

FAO started implementing anticipatory actions for this El Niño episode in the first half of 2023. In Somalia, for example, repairing around 4,600 metres of riverbank breakage points along the Shabelle River will protect almost 40,000 hectares of cropland from expected floods.

Likewise, timely distribution of drought-tolerant and short-cycle crop seeds in Central America has helped each family receiving assistance to produce about 60 kg of vegetables every two months, to mitigate the impact of El Niño-induced drought on local food production. This will reduce the likelihood of families resorting to negative coping mechanisms, such as selling assets or skipping meals.

KEY OBJECTIVES FAO’s updated Plan covers two critical time windows: (i) acting ahead of El Niño shocks to prevent their impacts and (ii) delivering first responses where devastation from El Niño could not be avoided.

It focuses on three key objectives: • Mitigate El Niño disaster impacts through anticipatory actions, such as helping fishers protect their boats ahead of storms, rein-

forcing river embankments ahead of floods, distributing drought-tolerant seeds to rainfed farmers and protecting livestock health.

• Capitalise on the positive spillover effects of El Niño and offset losses, for example by supplying seeds to flood-affected farmers so they can plant and regain a harvest as flood waters recede.

• Deliver early response where El Niño causes devastation, including through prepositioning the most time-sensitive supplies such as veterinary medicines, seeds and water bladders, while providing cash to severely affected families to meet their most immediate needs.

Some of the most urgent activities in this Plan require funding as soon as possible, including to get the right seed varieties to farmers to secure a crop despite the odds of drought or flood conditions.

FUNDING GAPS “Funds are needed most immediately to carry out anticipatory actions at scale and in time,” said Rein Paulsen, Director of the FAO Office of Emergencies and Resilience. “With the latest predictions pointing to a greater than 80 per cent chance of El Niño continuing through March-May 2024, it is paramount to strengthen agrifood systems to be more resilient to the upcoming climate shocks to prevent loss of lives and livelihoods.”

As of 30 October 2023, FAO has mobilised $35 million leaving a gap of $125 million. With that, the UN agency has already initiated anticipatory actions in 19 prioritised countries and reached 700,000 people thanks to flexible funding from resource partners such as Belgium, Canada, the Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection of the European Union, Germany, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

In other countries, FAO has advanced preparations in place, that involve local partners and suppliers of goods, to ensure activities can start quickly once new triggers are reached. (FAO)

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ExxonMobil/New Era Ent. Futsal continues tonight with five matches

FIVE matches will be played tonight, marking the fourth match-day of the ExxonMobil Guyana-sponsored, New Era Entertainment Futsal tournament, at the Retrieve Hard Court.

Wi t h $ 1 M u p f o r grabs, the tournament has produced enough top-quality performance and high-octane futsal action that suggested that the future rounds of the competition will be nothing short of exciting.

In the opening game tonight, Blueberry Hill and Anybody Gets It will play from 6:30 pm, in a game where both sides will be hunting their first win, after picking up back-to-back losses.

Youths United and DC Ballers will meet in the second game, while Genahside, coming off two lopsided defeats, will play a struggling Fearless team.

West Side Ballers and One Side collide in the third game, followed by a clash of the Titans - HH Ballers versus LA Ballers.

Hillside Ballers and Finishers meet in the penultimate game of the night, while Golden Stars and the Money Team will meet in the final contest of night four.

On Sunday, the Young Gunners showcased their offensive prowess in a

Action in the ExxonMobil/New Era Ent. futsal tournament

resounding 13-2 victory over Fearless, maintaining their scorching performance.

R o d e n s i o Tu d o r ' s spectacular helmet-trick, combined with hat-tricks from Ryan Arthur and a pair of goals from Omar Brewley and Devontae Tappin, fueled the Young Gunners' relentless attack.

Kamar McLaren added another goal to the tally, bringing their total to 34 goals in just two matches.

Meanwhile, YMCA exhibited an impressive offensive display as Jonah Simon netted five goals in their 13-goal onslaught against Finishers, who failed to live up to their name by ending the contest without finding the back of the net.

Kevin Gittens (3), Douquan Willson (2), Ryan Noel, Jamal Bentick, and Tyrell Stephen contributed to YMCA's unbeaten streak.

Gold is Money asserted their dominance with a commanding 12-3 victory over Golden Stars Youth United. Colwin Drakes led the charge with five goals, supported

by Lenard Simon (3), Joel Issacs (3), and Marlon McAllister.

T h e M o n e y Te a m continued the trend of high-scoring affairs, securing a 10-3 win against Hillsyde Ballers.

Ojani Whittington and Mark Jahlu each secured hat-tricks, complemented by goals from Tyron Lewis, Kentrel Arthur, Hakeem Haynes, and Jrevon Betthune.

In other matches, HH Ballers prevailed over the Gorillas with a 5-1 scoreline, while DC Ballers won 9-2 against Anybody Gets It. Following tonight’s round of matches, the tournament will continue on Friday.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday November 15, 2023) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD -83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 117 ODIs (2) 9 World Cup matches Today’s Quiz: (1) How many ODIs Australia and South Africa have contested against each other to date?

(2) How many have been World Cup matches?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Regional Super50 was a poor advertisement for West Indies cricket

By Sean Devers

THE Regional Super50 held in Trinidad & Tobago showed the world why West Indies were not part of the International Cricket Council (ICC) 50-over World Cup currently being played in India where the first semi-final is being contested today.

It showed how much the standard of our Regional 50over Cricket tournament has deteriorated since it was first played in 1976.

The tournament, shown live on ESPN and YouTube, was a poor advertisement of West Indies cricket.

Guyana won the last of its nine Regional 50-over titles in 2005 and while Leon Jonhson has won six FirstClass titles making him the Region’s most successful red ball captain, he was never at the helm of a Guyana 50-over side which won a white ball title since being appointed captain in 2015.

This season, Guyana were destroyed by an experienced Trinidad & Tobago side by six wickets in the semi-finals after being bowled out for

105 in 34.3 overs with only Sherfane Rutherford showing any glimpse of form with a top score of 30.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who faced 43 balls for 22 despite hitting three boundaries, was the other Guyanese to reach double figures in a pathetic batting performance.

Such was the destruction of the Guyana batting that Sinclair, who opened the batting with Chanderpaul, made four, Imlach four, Hetmyer three, Savory 0 and Anderson seven. Richie Looknauth got a first-ball on his debut while Motie, Permaul and Smith made eight each.

Trinidad, who beat the Leewards in the final to lift their 14th title, responded with 107-4 in 27.4 overs with the leading runs scorer of the tournament - Daren Bravo, making a classy unbeaten 53. Motie was Guyana’s most successful bowler with 3-20.

After a string of failures, Hetmyer was dropped for Guyana's last preliminary game against Jamaica but Shamar Joseph’s sudden injury saved the “big-name” Hetmyer the embarrassment of being benched.

He responded with an unbeaten 62 after Chanderpaul had made 77 as Guyana made 184-3 to beat Jamaica by three wickets. However, both Test batters flattered to deceive in the important semi-final.

Overall, Guyana’s batting was dismal. Chanderpaul, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Kevlon Anderson and Kevin Sinclair shared the opening spots during Guyana’s eight matches with only Chanderpaul reaching a fifty.

Rutherford scored an unbeaten 105 against the Leewards and was Guyana’s leading run scorer but he only finished with 278 runs despite hitting the most (17) sixes in the tournament.

Tevin Imlach, who controversially replaced Permaul as captain during the tournament, scored Guyana’s only other half-century with 80 against CCC in a no-result, after starting with 41 against the Windwards to help Guyana to a 10-run first-round win.

Looknauth replaced Romario Shepherd, failed to take a wicket on debut.

Sinclair, who batted at

the top and in the middle order, scored 41 against the Windwards and 46 against the West Indies Academy.

The Berbice off-spinner captured two three-wicket hauls and finished with 12 wickets. Sinclair was one of the bright spots for Guyana but he needs to “carry on” when well set.

Guyana’s biggest disappointment was Hetymer. The talented but temperamental and inconsistent left-hander, despite his one half-century (his first since last year’s semi-final), only managed 148 runs from nine innings at an average of 18.5.

Motie was one of six bowlers, all spinners, to capture five-wicket hauls but he failed to be in the “top five” wickets list which was headed by retired International off-spinner Sunil Narine and Leewards’ leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jnr with 20 scalps each. T&T’s leggie Yannick Cariah had two five-wicket hauls.

Rutherford was one of seven batters to score a century but only the 34-year-old Darren Bravo and 29-yearold Justin Greaves reached

400 runs.

Bravo, arguably the best all-formats batter in the West Indies, followed his good showing from last year’s tournament with 416 runs from nine matches with a highest of 139 in the semi-final and three fifties at an average of 83.20.

The experienced Trinidadian left-handed demonstrated excellent shot selection, hitting 12 sixes and more importantly, stroked 38 fours to finish with 50 boundaries, the most in the tournament Greaves scored 403 runs with a ton and three fifties at an average of 80.60. Kjorn Ottley (317) was the only other batter to reach 300 runs.

With West Indies failing to qualify for the 2023 ICC World Cup, all of the international players were available and one of the big disappointments was Shai Hope.

In a low-quality tournament, on pitches that most times assisted spin and exposed West Indian batters’ inadequacies to that form of bowling, no young batter showed Bravo’s consistency.

His bat did the talking as he staked a claim for a West In-

dies recall next month against England.

If Regional Boards continue to neglect three-day first-division matches and CWI does not play more First-Class cricket, which teaches the skills of batsmanship, proper shot selection, technique, the temperament to concentrate for long periods, adapt and adjust to different conditions and develop match awareness, our 50over cricket will not improve.

An overdose of T20 cricket is killing 50-over cricket in the West Indies with many of the batters being “educated sluggers” trying to hit just fours and sixes without trying to “rotate strike” and many are surprised when many of our Regional teams can’t bat 50 overs.

We need a drastic overhaul of our cricket system and those put in charge to run it.

It starts at the school level where more emphasis should be on proper coaching.

Our administrators should focus on what they can do for the cricket rather than what the cricket can do for them.

Sammy urges fans to come out and support Windies Stage set for Vice-president’s three-day softball extravaganza

West Indies Senior Men’s white ball Head Coach Daren Sammy promises West Indian fans that great things are coming while encouraging them to come out and support the team as they host England in three ODIs and five T20Is in December.

Fans of the regional side have had a tough time in the last month, especially having to watch the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup which the West Indies failed to qualify for in June.

The West Indies followed up that disappointment with a 1-2 series loss to India from July 27-August 1.

“Being able to address you as the Head Coach of the West Indies Men’s white ball team is something I’ll always cherish,” Sammy wrote in a letter addressed to the public on Monday.

“Having experienced the joys of playing, I saw how we came together as one when I was your captain. I know and believe we can achieve greater things so I welcome

…Launching to be held at MYO today

West Indies White-ball head coach Darren Sammy

you once again to be part of the Home Team as we face England in the upcoming series,” he continued.

From December 3rd -December 21st, the West Indies will take on England in three ODIs and five T20Is in Antigua, Barbados, Grenada and Trinidad & Tobago.

“It always feels great to see the West Indies flags flying, hearing our music and seeing the dancing in the stands as we celebrate what is truly a unique way of watching the game in this part of the world,” Sammy said.

He continued, “Every match, no matter where we play, no matter who we play against, has the ability to

create history and a lasting legacy. I know the feeling: we saw it in 2012 in Sri Lanka and we witnessed it again in 2016 in India.”

Sammy concluded that he hopes to see the stands filled with maroon as his side hopes to begin the journey to the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

“I want to urge you to join your ‘Home’ team and rally round the West Indies when WI come home to face England in December.

Let’s fill the stands with our pride and joy; let’s paint the town Maroon and have a blessed Christmas season on and off the field,” he said.

SIXTEEN teams will vie for supremacy when the inaugural Vice-president’s threeday softball extravaganza bowls off on Friday at several venues across Georgetown.

The tournament, organised by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc, will climax at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary on Sunday.

According to the organisers, the tournament will see participation from most of the top softball teams throughout Guyana and will be played in the among three categories – Legends Over-50, Masters Over-40 and Open All Stars.

The winning teams in each category are guaranteed $300 000 plus trophies while the runners-up will take home $50 000 and trophies. The players of the match in each final will collect trophies while players of the series in each category will ride away with one Supertronics electrical motorcycle.

Four teams are slated to participate in the Legends Over-50 – Regal Legends, Aash Décor Legends, Savage and Success Legends.

The Over-40 features Regal Masters, Fisherman Masters, East Coast Masters, Ariel Masters, Number One Scorpion Masters, Avengers Masters, Essequibo Masters and Regal B Masters.

The four teams in contention in the Open All Stars are Regal All Stars, Speedboat All Stars, Name Brand All Stars and Hyde Park Sports Club.

The launching for the tournament is set for today at the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) ground, commencing at 16:00 hrs.

GSCL President Ian John had earlier pointed out that his organisation was “endeavouring to achieve the goal of encouraging and fostering a sense of community among all cricket enthusiasts, hence the staging of the annual Prime

Minister’s T20 tournament, which saw the participation of women’s teams the last two years. We also anticipate that the Vice-President T20 tournament will follow suit,” John asserted.

Among the several sponsors are Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Trophy Stall, which will be providing the trophies through the continued generosity of its proprietor Ramesh Sunich, I & S Trading, ARD It’s Our Life Youtuber, Star Party Rentals, Tourism Guyana, Ofimak Office Supplies (Panama), Baifa Office Supplies (Panama), Quick Office Supplies (Panama), HL Latino Furniture (Panama), and FL Sports. It should be noted that Regal Stationery and Computer Centre are the sole distributors for the four Panamanian entities products in Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

GDF, Police and Conquerors are the latest winners

GUYANA Defence Force, Police Football Club and Fruta Conquerors netted an astounding total of 24 goals to secure memorable victories Saturday last in the Women's League Division One. It was an exhilarating day of football at the Georgetown Football Club and in Pakuri Village.

In Georgetown, the Guyana Police Force Football Club outshone with a remarkable 12-0 victory.

Shanic Thornhill delivered a spectacular performance with goals in the 30th, 33rd, 45th, and 48th

minutes, setting the pace for her team.

Akeelah Vancooten displayed remarkable prowess with three goals in the 7th, 13th, and 44th minutes.

Santos Football Club's defence further crumbled, granting Tiandi Smith the opportunity to make her mark with a goal in the 29th minute. Lakeisha Pearson also capitalised on their vulnerability, scoring two goals in the 42nd and 76th minutes.

In the closing minutes of the game, Florice Waldron found the back of the net in the 62nd minute and

Collette Rutherford sealed the victory with a goal in the 76th minute, encapsulating an extraordinary performance by Guyana Police Force Football Club.

Earlier in the afternoon, Fruta Conquerors Football Club kicked off the action with a hard-fought victory over the Potaro Strikers Football Club, securing a 2-1 win in the opening game.

In Pakuri Village, GDF put on a breathtaking performance, securing a commanding 10-0 victory over the home side.

Anastacia Horsham

took centre stage with an incredible five-goal display in the 12th, 23rd, 47th, 65th, and 81st minutes.

The goal-scoring frenzy continued as Glangie Lewis added four more goals to the tally, finding the back of the net in the 31st, 34th, 61st, and 75th minutes.

Abiece Haywood chipped in with another goal in the 24th minute, sealing their resounding victory.

The Guyana Defence Force and the Police Force currently occupy the top spot on the league table.

Action between Fruta Conquerors (left) and Potaro Strikers

Dravid on the special challenge that India gave themselves ahead of CWC23

INDIA coach Rahul Dravid mentioned a very special challenge that the Indian team gave themselves during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 while he assessed his team's run during the tournament.

India have shown exceptional form in the ongoing Cricket World Cup, having won all their nine group stage games and are the only undefeated side in the tournament.

Barring minor hiccups, such as being 2/3 against Australia in Chennai and being reduced to 229/9 against England in Lucknow, which were easily overcome, India have been a vehement force in the event.

Speaking to Star Sports, Dravid referred to a special

India Coach Rahul Dravid

mission that the side gave themselves as a motivating factor behind these wins.

"We set ourselves a little bit of challenge ahead of the World Cup. Thousands of fans in nine

different cities, and passion of our fans. We really wanted to put our best foot forward and give a really good display. And I think the boys have responded and done really well."

India were the only side to feature in nine different venues, a new one for each of their group game, during the World Cup. Dravid was really happy with their latest outing, a tremendous win over Netherlands in Bengaluru.

"We had six days off, so it was really nice to get a game before the semi-finals. Just to get those cobwebs out, it was good we got what we needed. Five of our batsmen getting in there, getting their starts. A couple of boys going on and getting some really good hundreds."

He also opined that the experimentation with the ball benefitted the side.

"And then with the ball as well, just gave us an opportunity

Ram and McRae sponsors National Open Chess Qualifiers

THE National Open Chess Qualifiers, sponsored by Ram and McRae, is underway at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The eight-round tournament commenced last Saturday, November 11th and will take place over four days.

The tourney has attracted 40 chess players of all ages who are vying for the chance to qualify for the National Open Chess Championship to begin soon after.

Candidate Master Taffin Khan, former National Champion, leads the way

with four points, winning all his games against teenager Isa Bremner, veteran chess player Errol Tiwari, Ethan Lee and Justino DaSilva.

Khan’s most challenging game so far was his fourthround match against DaSilva, who had a distinct advantage against Khan with a pawn up.

However, Khan's mastery of the end-game, coupled with DaSilva's time constraints, allowed Khan to create a passed-pawn and secure the win.

Roberto Neto, another seasoned player, also has a

perfect score after defeating teens Kaija Clement, Sahid Bahadur, Alex Benjamin, and long-time player Rashad Hussain. Noteworthy is 13-year-old Sachin Pitamber, currently in the third position with 3.5 points, gaining points after a walk-over in the first round, a draw with National Junior Champion Keron Sandiford, and victories against fellow teens Najeeb Mohamed and longtime player Saeed Ali. On three points are Justino DaSilva, Ethan Lee, Gilbert Williams, Rashad

Hussain, Alex Benjamin, and Errol Tiwari.

Rounds five to eight of the Ram and McRae 2023 National Open Qualifiers continue this weekend (Saturday & Sunday) at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence. Chief Arbiter for the tournament is FIDE Certified Arbiter John Lee, assisted by FIDE Arbiter Anand Raghunauth and former Junior Champion Ricardo Narine. The top 12 boards are being livestreamed on view.livechesscloud.com.

after we got that big score to be able to mix and match a little bit and look at some of the other options that hopefully we don’t need. But we may need."…

Dravid displayed great confidence in his batting unit, and was especially pleased at the work done by his middle-order.

"I think our middle-order has been fantastic. Obviously, the top-order gets to bat all the time and has been scoring a lot of runs for us. When you look at the leaderboard on the numbers, you’ll see the Kohlis and the Sharmas, and rightly so.

"They’ve been batting fantastically and batting really well.

But the middle-order is critical because you’re always playing in pressure situations.

"They don’t always play

every single game, sometimes they get to bat after 30 overs when the ball is soft, when the ball is older. The wicket is getting slower as well, and for them to bat the way they are, whether it is Shreyas [Iyer], whether it is KL [Rahul], you know even Jaddu [Ravindra Jadeja] or even Surya [Suryakumar Yadav] in the knock he got.

"It just gives us the confidence that we’ve got that experience, we’ve got the ability and we’ve also got them in form and playing really well getting into the semi-finals."

India will face-off against New Zealand at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai in the first semi-final of the World Cup today.

CM Taffin Khan at the 44th Chess Olympiad

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

T&T’s Wilson among match officials announced for semi-finals MUMBAI, India, , (CMC) – Trinidad & Tobago and West Indies umpire Joel Wilson will be one of the match officials used for the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s One-day International Cricket World Cup 2023 India.

The 56-year-old, a member of the top-tier elite panel of international umpires, and former Leeward Islands batsman and West Indies captain, Richie Richardson as match referee, have been flying the West Indies flag in their respective roles in the absence of the Caribbean team from the global showpiece tournament.

Wilson, who hails from Siparia, Trinidad, will be the video replays umpire for the first semi-final between hosts

Umpire Joel Wilson

India and 2019 runners-up New Zealand on Wednesday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

This is the third successive World Cup for Wilson, and he has stood in the middle in eight of the preliminary matches in this year’s tournament, performed TV umpire duties in two, and was reserve umpire for two others.

He made his ODI debut 12 years ago at Sabina Park in Jamaica when he answered a late call because of an injury to established hometown umpire Norman Malcolm.

Australian Rod Tucker, who will be standing in his 100th ODI during the match, and Richard Illingworth of England will be the field umpires for the contest, a re-

match of the same semi-final that the Black Caps won four years ago in England.

Illingworth was also a field umpire on that occasion, when New Zealand won by 18 runs in a weather-affected match spread over two days at Old Trafford, while Tucker was the third umpire for the same match.

Tucker stood in his first ODI in January 2009, and the team of match officials for the contest between the Indians and the New Zealanders will be completed by match referee Andy Pycroft of Zimbabwe, and Adrian Holdstock of South Africa.

Englishman Richard Kettleborough, who has also reached 100 ODIs during this tournament, will add to his tally when he stands in the

second semi-final between five-time world champions Australia and first title-hopefuls South Africa on Thursday in Kolkata.

Kettleborough’s milestone arrived when the Netherlands played Sri Lanka on 21 October, and this will be the third consecutive World Cup in which he will officiate a semi-final.

Indian umpire Nitin Menon, officiating in his first World Cup, will join him on the field, while Chris Gaffaney of New Zealand will be the video replays umpire, former India pacer Javagal Srinath will be the match referee, and Englishman Michael Gough will be the reserve umpire.

other goals that will be equally important for the development of the West Indies squad.

“You learn to win over time,” he said. “We want to see our primary batsman scoring loads of runs, as well as the all-rounders and bowlers averaging above 20 or 30 and building lower order partnerships, that will help to expand our batting options,” he said.

“Once we are able to tick the boxes that we have agreed upon, 75 per cent or more of what we have aimed for, that will help to define success.”

Te v i n I m l a c h w a s named the vice -captain of the squad, which in-

clude five players with senior Test experience – Da Silva, left-handers Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kirk McKenzie, and fast bowlers Jayden Seales and Shermon Lewis.

Three players that made their first-class debuts this year were also named in the squad – batsman Kevlon Anderson, fast bowler and fellow Guyanese Shamar Joseph, and spin bowling all-rounder Abhijai Mansingh.

Former Jamaica lefthander and West Indies captain Jimmy Adams, the former Cricket West Indies director of cricket, and former Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait are the assistant coaches.

Important trip to South Africa for Windies ‘A’ team, Coley says

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Head Coach Andre Coley said the West Indies A team tour of South Africa was important to defining and developing the depth of talent in the longer formats of the sport in the Caribbean.

The team, led by wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua Da Silva, departed from Barbados on Tuesday for a trip on which they will play three “Tests” against South Africa A between November 21 and December 8 in Benoni, East London, and Bloemfontein.

“It will give us an opportunity to boost our redball opportunities outside of the Caribbean,” Co-

ley said in an interview with CWI Media. “Earlier this year, we went to Bangladesh, and we did well there, and now we are going to another part of the world – South Africa.

“It will give us an opportunity to explore the brand of cricket that we want to play. Our next international assignment is in Australia, and six months after that we go to England, so this A team is positioned to offer red-ball playing opportunities on the back of the just-concluded Super50 Cup.” Coley is also head coach of the West Indies senior Test side, and he accompanied Kraigg Brathwaite’s squad on

their tour last year to face the Proteas under Temba Bavuma, so this will be his second trip to South Africa in a year.

“The South Africans are a team that want to play a specific way, and they always look to challenge you, but they respect our players,” Coley said. “The pitches have offered pace, have offered bounce, so you will have pitches on which you can trust the bounce.

“Players can, therefore, express themselves, whether they are batting or bowling, but it has never really been a place where the spinners have excelled, so it’s also an opportunity for our spinners to learn to

West Indies A team Head coach Andre Coley

be effective in those conditions, and I am looking forward to being there.”

Coley, a former Jamaica wicketkeeper-batsman, said the main objective was to come away from the trip with wins under the team’s belt, but there were

36

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira to be conferred with Honorary Doctorate — As well as being inducted into the Berbice Cricket Board’s Wall of Fame

Cricket in Guyana and commentary in the Caribbean cannot be discussed without talking about Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira. Although mostly known for his contribution to the field of commentary, Perreira has played many roles and has worn many hats over the decades in various aspects of sports.

And today his hard work, continued passion for sport and his contribution to its development is being recognised with an honorary Doctorate from the University of Guyana.

The handing over of the Doctorate will take place on the 18th of November.

Additionally, on the 16th of November the University of Guyana will be collaborating with the Berbice Cricket Board to exhibit the Berbice Cricket Wall of Fame at the Tain Campus.

The wall which Reds will be inducted into, will display all the names of the

county’s twenty Test cricketers and eleven others who played ODI and 20/20 at the Male and Female levels.

Reds has been active in sport for more than five decades and is still very active as he is set to host a commentator’s workshop from today to Friday 17th at Bourda from 09:00 hours daily.

But receiving an honorary doctorate was, however, not something he expected.

He stated that, “I feel very humble. And when I got the email on Wednesday morning, going to my computer with a cup of coffee, I saw it and I couldn’t believe it. It struck me almost in a frightening way, That I am about to receive an honorary doctorate.”

Although a great honour, Reds said that with all the work he has done, his aim was not to be rewarded or even recognised. Even after his role as successful sports administrator in Guyana and for the seven islands

Veteran Cricket commentator, Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira (Delano Williams Photo)

that form the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), and the many years of broadcasting cricket, Reds explained that all his work and effort was simply as a result of his love for sport.

He shared that, “You do not do a life’s work in sport or any other profession to be recognized. Whether its law or engineering. You do it because, in my case, an early interest in sport took me in that route. And you make sure that whatever you lead, whatever you are a part of was well organised and well ran. Ensuring that there is transparency, and there are reports and it is a success story.”

Reds went on to emphasise that despite being honoured for his successes, there were many other people who played a role in getting him to where he is today.

He stated that “It is important to note that whatever opportunities you get in life,

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its other people who gave you those opportunities.

Without them you would not have made the mark that you have made. You don’t do it alone; it is not a one man show. I did have a sport foundation in Guyana and I invested ten thousand US dollars to do training programmes and I am happy about that.”

Throughout his challenges and successes, Reds said that he will remain the same and as humble as he has ever been, saying that, “I think my work at the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States for twelve years, was a tough twelve years. But I am happy about the results that came out. That to me was the most important thing. The honour, I am very humble about, maybe people may see it as the icing on the cake. But it will not affect me. I will still be the same Reds Perreira born in Essequibo.”

| WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023