Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 16-03-2023

Page 1

$100

No. 107022

GUYANA will be receiving €5 million (G$1.1 billion) to support alternative, sustainable, income-generating activities in forest-dependent

communities and reduce pressure on forest resources with the launch of the “Sustainable Forest Livelihoods for communities of Guyana and Suriname” between Guyana and the European

$1.1B

Union (EU).

The initiative was launched on Wednesday during a brief ceremony at State House, where the contract for the project was handed over to President, Dr Irfaan Ali, by Deputy

Secretary-General of the European External Action Service of the European Union, Helena Konig.

The project aims to protect the Amazon rainforest and increase the resilience of local populations

PG 03

secured to protect forests, empower Indigenous communities

against external pressures.

The Guiana Shield targeted by the project has a large amount of intact forest cover.

The forest covers about 90 per cent of the surface of Guyana and Suriname.

However, the area is environmentally, socially and culturally challenged, and is under pressure from illegal logging and increasing extractive projects.

(See full story on page 3)

Works progressing rapidly on new Schoonord-Crane four-lane highway

PG 02

Over $100M refunded to various consumers in 2022 PG 11

— Prime Minister Phillips urges Guyanese; says absence of certain political leaders, organisations voices on WPA’s incendiary remarks is ‘most disturbing’

— Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission Director reports, says over 400 cases were resolved over the past year

16th MARCH, 2023 THURSDAY
Contract for ‘E-ID’ awarded in full conformity with laws ‘Come forward and condemn racially divisive commentary’ PG 05 PG 02 — Ministry of Finance affirms in response to ‘false assertion’ by ‘one-man’ GHRA
(Adrian Narine photos)

‘Come forward and condemn racially divisive commentary’

— Prime Minister Phillips urges Guyanese; says absence of certain political leaders, organisations

PRIME Minister, Brigadier

(Ret’d)

Mark Phillips has registered his concern over the deafening silence from some political leaders and organisations on the recent racist and incendiary comments from Working People’s Alliance (WPA) executive member Tacuma Ogunseye at a public meeting.

“The lack of condemnation by “political leaders” of the racist and inciting remarks made by WPA member Tacuma Ogunseye at a public meeting held in Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara last week, is most disturbing,” the Prime Minister said in a statement on Wednesday.

At a recent public meeting, Ogunseye continued the PNC’s political rhetoric of unsubstantiated claims of oppression being faced by Afro-Guyanese under the current government.

He took it a step further, insinuating that members of the Joint Services, which is predominantly made up of Afro-Guyanese, should “turn those guns in the right direction.”

“I don’t understand how people complain that they are oppressed and they are holding guns in their hands. They are

the majority in the army, in the police, and they still say they are oppressed. And they still say our problem is our own making. Anytime we turn those guns in the right direction it is over,” Ogunseye asserted.

In response to such comments, Prime Minister Phillips said: “I would like to take this opportunity to call on all political parties to come forward and strongly condemn this racially divisive commentary, which has the underpinnings of terrorism and hostility.

“As a nation, we are progressing rapidly, not only at the economic level but as a united front. There are however a few bitter persons fighting for power who are willing to use any means necessary—even if it means destroying the very fabric of this great country.”

According to the Prime Minister, not only were those statements inflammatory, but they were also in complete contrast to the principles of what the WPA represented under Walter Rodney.

“These outdated, obstinate, and devious individuals who operate under the guise of WPA membership are as unpatriotic

as they come. Rodney must be turning in his grave over the degeneration of his party,” Phillips lamented.

He went on to say: “The reality is that in today’s Guyana, the WPA is no longer the ‘Walter Rodney’ WPA of the 1970s. In fact, the current members are not only duplicitous but delusional.”

In the Prime Minister’s

view, the WPA’s tailored attempts to conduct a series of rallies in Afro-Guyanese communities prove that they are clutching at straws. Those rallies, he related, were poorly attended and further demonstrate their lack of relevance to the Guyanese population.

“Their hope of political redemption has failed at every corner. Mr Ogunseye did not

stand alone. “The inflammatory statements made by Dr David Hinds and his associates must also be condemned to the highest degree.

“Hinds’ cynical and racehate commentary on his programme ‘Politics 101’ is an affront to the collective effort of the government and the wider Guyanese society to promote racial harmony and to focus our people on the ever-expanding developmental path,” Phillips said.

The deafening silence of organisations such as the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly - Guyana (IDPADA-G), and the recently launched Institute for Action against Discrimination is particularly noteworthy in this instance, he maintained.

“I condemn the racism and racist statements, as well as calls for terrorism and any intentional actions aimed at fostering violent behaviours in Guyana. We must prioritise Guyana’s development and improve the lives and livelihoods of all Guyanese. This negativity and this attempt to rile the Afro-Guyanese for self-serving

reasons must end.

“Afro-Guyanese are smart people, they are kind people and as an afro-centric individual, I can tell you that we want to progress in the right way, in a law-abiding way. We thrive on respect, we are protectors and God-fearing individuals,” the Prime Minister said.

Those statements, in his view, are honestly in contrast to “who we are as a people.” Guyana is a melting pot of togetherness and the cultures are all amalgamated.

“Show me a Guyanese who does not like cook-up or roti and curry. So all of Guyana should join in the condemnation. No developed or developing country would allow this insanity, so why should we?” Prime Minister Phillips said, adding: “Our democratically-elected government is committed to the rule of law in Guyana and the enhancement of the democratic process, which remains fundamental to good governance and a key pillar of the administration, and we will not stand idly by and allow anyone to fuel the flames of hatred, racism, and violence in our society.”

Works progressing rapidly on new Schoonord-Crane four-lane highway

CONSTRUCTION of the Schoonord-Crane fourlane highway is progressing rapidly despite various challenges being experienced along the way, one contractor has said.

Project manager attached to L’Heureuse Construction & Services Inc., Stephon Cheong, said lot three of the 15-month project entails the construction of a six-lane reinforced concrete pavement with two driving lanes and one parking lane.

The company is also responsible for the construction of three additional structures, the roundabout, road signage, and markings as well as two bridges connecting to the other lots where other companies were

awarded contracts.

Cheong told the Guyana Chronicle that the company is a little behind schedule because of a material shortage, but they are trying to get back on track by adding more resources.

They are doing additional work at night but materials such as sand and aggregate are still hard to source.

“Sand is a big issue in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), so, that is one of the factors and throughout the whole country… material get problem,” Cheong said.

The company began work on September 26, 2022, and is expected to meet its December 26, 2023 deadline despite the challenges.

Contracts valuing $11.8 billion were awarded in September 2022, to several contractors by the Ministry of Housing and Water for the construction of a four-lane highway from Schoonord to Crane.

The contractors are VR Construction Inc., Avinash Contracting & Scrap Metal Inc., L’Heureuse Construction and Services Inc., GuyAmerica Construction Inc., AJM Enterprise, Vals Construction, Puran Bros Disposal Inc., and JS Guyana Inc.

The project will see the construction of 4.1 kilometers (km) of a dual carriageway reinforced concrete road with an emergency lane as well as 2.4 km of road rehabilitation and upgrade.

2 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 16, 2023
voices on WPA’s incendiary remarks is ‘most disturbing’
Continued on page 3
Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips

$1.1B secured to protect forests, empower Indigenous communities

GUYANA will be receiving

€5 million (G$1.1 billion) to support alternative, sustainable, income-generating activities in forest-dependent communities and reduce pressure on forest resources with the launch of the “Sustainable Forest Livelihoods for communities of Guyana and Suriname” between Guyana and the European Union (EU).

The initiative was launched on Wednesday during a brief ceremony at State House, where the contract for the project was handed over to President, Dr Irfaan Ali, by Deputy Secretary-General of the European External Action Service of the European Union, Helena Konig.

The project aims to protect the Amazon rainforest and increase the resilience of local populations against external pressures. The Guiana Shield targeted by the project has a large amount of intact forest cover.

The forest covers about 90 per cent of the surface of Guyana and Suriname. However, the area is environmentally, socially and culturally challenged, and is under pressure from illegal logging and increasing extractive projects.

“We have to develop new ways of incentivizing the global fight to safeguard forests. The main actions identified to be advanced by this cooperation will look to strengthen sustainable livelihoods in forest communities, and enhance knowledge capacity for sustainable use and supply of nature-based goods and services,” President Ali

commented.

He added: “This is a partnership based on solving problems between parties who will not shy away from taking on difficult challenges. Partnerships are absolutely essential to addressing global challenges and also attending to local development. We are very pleased to join the European Union in creating this important partnership to safeguard forests, while sustaining forest livelihoods.”

The project falls under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a Forest Partnership that Guyana signed with the EU last November on the sidelines of COP 27

in Egypt.

“I’m very pleased that we are advancing this process to implementation so quickly… and I think that we should all congratulate all the stakeholders for advancing this process very efficiently and [in a] very timely fashion,” Dr Ali said.

The project is fully in line with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, which strives to preserve and enhance the sustainable development role of forests as a key asset.

According to Dr Ali, this initiative fits well into Guyana’s plan to provide a prac-

Works progressing rapidly...

From page 2

It will also feature two roundabouts, 11 reinforced concrete box culverts, 36 pre-stressed bridges, and road signage and markings.

A new roundabout will connect the West Coast Demerara Highway to the new Schoonord to Crane highway.

To ease traffic congestion along the West Bank and West Coast of Demerara and with the speed of development in Region Three, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, in 2022, acknowledged the

necessity of a new four-lane highway.

Owing to the rapid pace of development, this highway will precede the planned construction of a four-lane highway from Schoonord to Parika on the East Bank of Essequibo (EBE).

This potential road link, President Ali said, will open thousands of acres of land for housing, massive agriculture and agro-related projects, and tourism and other related activities.

The construction of this particular road, however, is merely a component of a

broader plan to modernise the country’s infrastructure and create myriad alternative and more convenient linkages.

At the centre of those plans is the intended construction of a new ‘fly-over’ Demerara Harbour Bridge, which will stretch from Nandy Park on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) to La Grange, WBD.

The new four-lane, high-span bridge, once completed, will replace the existing structure which was built in 1976, over four decades ago.

tical example to the world on how the environment, forests, freshwater and biodiversity must be safeguarded to sustain mankind and life as we know it.

In Guyana, this initiative will primarily focus on communities in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice). The project will be implemented over the next four years. Implementing partners for the project will be the French Development Agency (AFD) with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Guianas.

This project is a flagship project of the EU’s Global

Gateway strategy, through which the EU is investing in smart, clean and sustainable connections across the globe.

“This project will provide support to local forest communities to increase knowledge and capacity for the use and supply of nature-based goods and services, and provide support to improve skills, working practices, equipment, as well as market links and access to finance,” Konig said.

Konig described Guyana as a priority country for the EU in terms of forest conservation and sustainable management.

“It shows the EU’s com-

mitment towards a coherent partnership with Guyana on forest preservation and the sustainable use or forest resources,” Konig said.

President Dr Ali thanked the EU for its longstanding support to Guyana and its environmental preservation efforts.

“Guyana and the European Union have been lasting partners working together to advance to enhance the role of Guyana’s forests in sustainable and inclusive national development, and I want to thank the European Union for this relentless support for us and forested countries,” Dr Ali said.

Activities financed by the project could include: conducting studies on suitable models of the mechanism; developing a funding strategy; establishing working groups with stakeholders and financial partners, as well as piloting and providing targeted operational support.

During an inception phase of nine months complementary studies, assessments and analyses, including environmental and social safeguards will be conducted. There will also be the fine- tuning and reviewing of indicative activities based on in-depth engagements with beneficiary communities.

Activities carried out under the project will be done in close coordination with national institutions and local partners to maximise the benefits of significant resources already invested in the communities, particularly as it relates to money invested in indigenous communities under Guyana’s carbon-credit deal with Hess Corporation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 16, 2023 3 Works ongoing at the Schoonord Public Road
Guyana will be receiving €5 million (G$1.1 billion) to support alternative, sustainable, income-generating activities in forestdependent communities, and reduce pressure on forest resources, with the launch of the “Sustainable Forest Livelihoods for communities of Guyana and Suriname” between Guyana and European Union (Office of the President)

Literacy, robotics programme launched at Region Three schools

THREE more primary schools in the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara region (Region Three) will now benefit from the Ministry of Education’s Literacy

and Robotics Programme.

Those are the Kawall Primary School, La Retraite Primary School and the Blankenburg Primary School.

The Literacy and Ro -

botics programme is being facilitated through the National Literacy Department and the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD). It is

in keeping with the Ministry of Education’s mandate to ensure that every child is a fluent reader by Grade Four, while also advancing the use of technology.

Giving an overview of the programme, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Literacy) Samantha Williams, said that the programme has a threetiered approach and provides an intensive, fast paced remedial intervention to fast-track learners’ literacy skills.

It will begin at the basic level, move on to the intermediate level and culminate at the advanced level. Assessments will also be done to track pupils’ progress.

During the launch, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand said that following an assessment, it was highlighted that a significant number of pupils at each school were not reading at their grade level. Minister Manickchand said that the children will be engaged in a strict six-week literacy programme.

The Education Minister related that it is important that the programme be conducted effectively and further urged parents to play their roles in providing support for their children.

She advised parents that for the programme to work, their children need to attend school consistently.

Kim Spencer, Curriculum Subject Specialist – Information Technology, related that the robotics component of the programme will not only see the learners getting a chance to work in groups with their friends to assemble robots, but also the literacy aspect will play a big role in the robotics component as the children will have to read and comprehend the instructions to build the robots correctly while still having fun.

Regional Chairman of Region Three, Inshan Ayube, told the parents that Minister Manickchand is committed to providing equal and equitable educational opportunities.

In February, the programme was officially launched at the Den Amstel Primary School. These four schools form part of the programme’s pilot.

4 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 16, 2023 J 3 13 15 19 21 22 24 1 6 8 12 16 4 0 2 2 5 7 6 12 13 16 17 18 19 Wednesday, March 15, 2023 Wednesday, March 15, 2023 Wednesday, March 15, 2023 Wednesday, March 15, 2023 Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Minister of Education Priya Manickchand launches the Literacy and Robotics Programme at La Retraite Primary School Pupils at Kawall Primary School are excited to see one of the robots in action

Contract for ‘E-ID’ awarded in full conformity with laws

— Ministry of Finance affirms in response to ‘false assertion’ by ‘one-man’ GHRA

THE Ministry of Finance has underscored that the contract signed for the production of electronic identification cards (EID) was awarded in accordance with Guyana’s procurement laws, contrary to the false assertions being made by the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ministry said the statements made by the GHRA have no basis in fact whatsoever and are further undermined by virtue of having been made by an entity devoid of any credibility and any legitimacy whatsoever.

“The unfortunate but stark reality is that the GHRA is a sham organisation, comprising a oneman show, conducted by an individual who is highly partisan and who is incapable and unprepared to display any modicum of independence or objectivity in the public postures he takes,” the statement read.

The Finance Ministry went on to state: “Contrary to the false assertion made by the GHRA, the contract in question was awarded in full conformity with the Laws of Guyana including the procurement laws. Additionally, the company which will be developing the solution for Guyana is a highly regarded supplier of items of this nature internationally, and its shareholding comprises two major entities operating in the secure printing industry worldwide, Giesecke and Devri-

ent and Bundesdruckerei GmbH, both of whom have unchallengeable longstanding reputations globally.”

Last Friday, Guyana signed a US$35.4 million contract with Germany-based company, Veridos, for the provision of a Single Electronic Identification System and cards that will be issued to Guyanese.

“The contract with Veridos was lawfully executed, with an internationally reputable group, and is intended to deliver a product that will transform citizen experience in Guyana with the introduction of the integrated electronic national identification card.

“Once introduced, the card will enable citizens to interact with all government agencies and many private sector entities using this single unique and secure identifier, and will vastly improve the efficiency of service delivery to citizens,” the Ministry of Finance said.

The new electronic identification system is expected to revolutionise how business is done in Guyana and, with its ad-

vanced security system, is expected to eliminate the need for certain documents.

The card is expected to not only enhance the ease of transactions, but also be one of the most technologically advanced systems, being compliant with 18013-5 of the ISO standard and will be accepted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for international travel.

The card’s capabilities are also in keeping with the government’s commitment to promote e-governance to improve the productivity of businesses and the delivery of government services through the introduction of e-health, e-education, e-security, e-agriculture, electronic permit, and licence processing among other areas.

On Monday, the GHRA issued a press release calling for a pause of the e-governance programme

and for it to be submitted to Parliament.

The Ministry of Finance believes that the GHRA’s contention is another show of the association’s politically partisan advocacy, and selective inflections.

The ministry related that it is surprising that the GHRA has found its voice to comment on the e-ID programme, after having “maintained a stoic and stony silence” for several years as multiple instances of abuse of power and liberties were exercised under the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change coalition, which was in government from 2015 to 2020.

Instances directly named by the Ministry of Finance, for which the GHRA remained silent under the APNU+AFC, included the unconscionable firing of over 2,000 Amerindian Community Support Officers and over 7,000 sugar work -

ers, which placed workers and their families on the breadline, and stifled whole communities.

Other examples included the saga with the single sourced procurement of the services of the rental of the controversial Sussex Street Bond, and the single-sourced procurement of vehicle scales that were paid for in full but never delivered. There was also the use of public money to purchase personal gifts for ministers, the Ministry of Finance said.

“On all of these atrocities and more, the GHRA maintained a stoic and stony silence, turning a blind eye to the lawlessness and excesses of the APNU+AFC dictatorship. Now, suddenly, the GHRA has awaken from its slumber and found its voice,” Ministry of Finance said.

The ministry further

questioned the validity of the GHRA’s own structure, for which most Guyanese remain unaware about despite the association being in existence for over 40 years, being indefinitely headed by Mike McCormack.

“The GHRA itself is a questionable entity, with a president who is apparently serving for life, and with a membership and an executive who are largely unknown if they exist. It is unclear when the GHRA last held an annual general meeting for its membership, submitted audited financial statements and annual reports on the stewardship of its executive, and submitted its executive to a competitive election by the general membership,” the Ministry of Finance said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 16, 2023 5

Unholy Alliance!

WALTER Rodney would have turned in his grave every time his former colleagues in the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) kick and spit on the legacy he built with them before being assassinated by their then common enemy.

The illustrious Guyanese son of the global soil worked with his brothers and sisters of all classes and races to build a genuine working people’s alliance against a dictatorship stifling the working class.

But that alliance also went way beyond the WPA’s ranks to include working with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and others in opposition during the 1980s, to agitate for and build a Patriotic

Coalition for Democracy (PCD) launched in 1986, comprising five opposition parties and supported by trade unions and other mass organizations interested in bringing an end to the Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham-led People’s National Congress (PNC) dictatorship.

Burnham’s birth centenary also bears the bloodstains of Rodney’s murder on June 19, 1980 and the fact that today’s PNC/R and the WPA are like peas in the same pod, together colluding (for years) with the socalled Alliance For Change (AFC) under the umbrella of APNU, collaborating and conniving to reverse the forward march by Guyanese, under the leadership of the

PPP/C.

The prudent management of the republic’s oil revenues and the success of its continuing efforts to ensure benefits are spread across all boundaries, has won the administration and President, Dr Irfaan Ali overwhelming praise and support.

The PPP/C administration is not only properly harnessing the nation’s new oil-and-gas wealth, but also building a sustainable future that will see gas added to current oil reserves over the next two-and-a-half years.

The PPP/C is in the best position to win the upcoming June Local Government Elections (LGEs) that the PNC/R, WPA, AFC and APNU all tried to derail

into eternity, as what had happened under the PNC for decades until after democracy returned in 1992.

Rodney’s assassination helped change many minds that voted to oust the PNC dictatorship a dozen years later in 1992, but turnings in his grave would have increased from the day his former WPA colleagues entered into an unholy alliance with the PNC/R, campaigned against the progressive PPP/C and joined the APNU+AFC coalition government in 2015.

Rodney’s quiet soul would have raged with thunder every time he heard men (and women) who joined him in ‘groundings’ with brothers and sisters across Guyana, exposing the bru-

tal dictatorship and agitating against it, defending its gruesome legacy and joining its Cabinet of ministers.

But to hear what was said recently by one of his fellow WPA disciples in Buxton in 2023, would surely have blistered what’s left of Walter’s soul nearly beyond repair.

After hearing the loud silence of the PNC and seeing the WPA’s sorry statement endorsing race-based violence (and also possibly) sedition, seditious libel and public disorder that the fateful preacher preached to the Buxton audience, Walter would also have found some hope in the way Guyana has responded to those very combustible remarks by a WPA spokesman.

The Joint Services, private and public bodies and all who’ve spoken – except the WPA, PNC/R and APNU – have roundly condemned the inflammatory race-baiting statement and supported the President and the government’s resolve to continue to heal national wounds and build the One Guyana that the authors of the republic’s constitution had to have had in mind when that supreme document was drafted.

Surely, this national alliance against the latest WPA-backed effort to incite race-based violence may have pleased Rodney’s soul, and might have allowed him to return to graceful solace, while continuing to rest in peace.

Burnham’s negative impact is hard to erase

Dear Editor,

I write with reference to Annette Ferguson’s missive: “Burnham’s positive impact cannot be erased” (SN 15/3/2023). It is clear from Ms. Ferguson’s letter that she is still under the mistaken impression that Mr. Burnham was a positive force in Guyana.

Allow me to get to elaborate on Burnham and the PNC’s penchant for electoral banditry and economic mayhem.

For the former, I draw on Professor J.E. - Greene’s “Race vs Politics in Guyana” published by ISER, Jamaica 1974. In this important book, Greene provides evidence for early developments in what would become the signature of PNC politics – election rigging.

Greene demonstrates how the Representation of the People’s Act (1968) was used to help rig the elections of that year. One aspect of the Act was to allow overseas registration and voting. The Opinion Research Cen-

tre (in England) found that only 10,000 of the 43,000 voters registered were credible. A particularly egregious case of overseas voter fraud occurred in Wolverhampton.

The (PNC) registration man there, a Mr. Joe Hughes, could only account for 41 of the 200 persons on the voters list (Greene, 1974, p. 28).

A second technique of Burnham for voter fraud was padding of the voters’ list. Between 1961 and 1964, the number of voters moved from 246,120 to 247, 604, a mere increase of 1,484. Yet, between 1964 (when Burnham took power) and 1968, the voters list moved from 247, 604 to 297, 404, an increase of over 50,000 new voters in four years!

Rigging the proxy vote was another of LFS Burnham’s “brilliant” technique of electoral banditry. In 1961, there were 300 proxies; in 1964 - 7,000, but by 1968 that number jumped to 19,297. The Americans were terribly worried about the extent of rigging Burnham had planned

for the December 1968 elections.

One inside report stated the following – “The United States government will continue to exert all possible influence to persuade Burnham to pursue a moderate and statesmanlike course toward the PPP and the UF with regard to the registration problem and to the objections of these parties to the electoral law. To date, however, Burnham has not responded in the manner desired to U.S. advice to avoid an overly large false registration and to U.S. urging to plan for the formation of another coalition government after the elections . . . . Racial considerations are most likely a significant ingredient in Burnham’s attitude. Thus we have no assurance that he will accept our guidance in this regard.”

On the economic front, Burnham’s legacy is worse, even though that is hard to believe. Let me remind MP Ferguson of some basic, undeniable facts. Guyana was the only country in the world that had

a lower per capita GDP at the end of the 1980s compared to the beginning of that decade. I challenge the Honorable MP to prove otherwise. Ms. Ferguson likes evidence, and this despite her tendency to dismiss hard evidence as “anger.”

Here is Burnham admonishing his own supporters, telling them that Guyana is bankrupt –“… [A]fter informing the Trades Union Congress, our government explained why the $14.00 minimum per day could not be paid. Production had not increased and there were no resources.” (LFS Burnham, Speech to 3rd Biennial Congress of the PNC, August 22-26, 1979)

Burnham was basically on a warpath in August 1979. At that time, the WPA was still under Rodney, and was conducting a mighty battle, alongside the PPP, against the PNC; against all his rhetoric like the “little man is the real man”, (later revised to “the small man is the real man”), the Cde.

The leader declared war

against workers. Burnham barked: “We shall match steel with more highly tempered steel.”

He was not referring to Venezuela and their claims to Guyanese territory. He was referring to striking workers. Father Bernard Darke had been murdered less than a month before this speech, and in less than a year of the “tempered steel” speech, Walter Rodney was assassinated.

Since data does not seem to mean anything to MP Ferguson, allow me to quote from Professor Kemp Hope, who noted: “Guyana is a plural society but with an administrative machinery that ethnically mirrors the ruling PNC government” (Hope 1985, 31).

Hope was clear and decisive in describing the PNC economic model. He wrote that Burnham’s self-reliance socialism was based on self-help, but that PNC comrades took “self-help” to be a personal invitation to help themselves.

Here is Professor Hope

again on the Burnham economic modus operandi – “…the distribution of foodstuffs is handled by the PNC-owned Knowledge Sharing Institute; cooperatives are created for the purposes of acquiring state lands, which once acquired, are promptly sub-divided and exploited on an individual basis by the PNC elite” (Hope, 1985, 36).

The evidence to show that Burnham did more harm than good to Guyana is bottomless. But more than anything else, are the continuing belief in, and practice of election malfeasance by the PNCR, and their associates in the AFC.

I base this on what happened during the 2020 National and Regional elections. The roads and bridges built by Burnham are there, no doubt, but if the Hon. Annette Ferguson were to dig down a little, she will not like what she finds.

Yours sincerely, Dr. Randolph Persaud

6 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 16, 2023

Calls for violence have no place in our society

Dear Editor, HAVING listened to recent presentations made at public meetings by leading members of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), I cannot restrain the compulsion to state how appalled I am at the utterances, and to lend my voice in total condemnation of the calls for violence made by some of the speakers.

I find it extremely worrying that persons, who are expected to be reasonable and responsible, would, in the public space, express sentiments that were glaringly

racist and incited violence, including acts of terrorism.

From what was stated, it appears that the speakers ascribed upon themselves ownership and influence over one segment of the professional Joint Services and can seemingly direct their actions to bring harm to the democratically-elected government of President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali.

Guyana’s political history is an open book. Indisputably, the utterances made at the meetings in question reflect racist overtones and not-sosubtle calls for instability.

Such calls, and again,

given our history, have the potential to shatter the fabric of national cohesion that is being built and strengthened. With our country having experienced the devastating impact of political instability and unsavoury manoeuvres in and out of the courts with regard to national elections in the past, the lessons and pains are relatively fresh.

The vast majority of Guyanese have denounced such actions. There is no desire for the disruption of democratic gains, of the state of peace, and of the overall sense of safety and security we all enjoy.

AFC has about 113,000 reasons to hide from 2023 LGEs

Dear Editor,

FIRST, Guyanese should ignore the call from the Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, to boycott the elections.

People have a reason to go to the polls. Our country is developing rapidly and we play an important role in democracy and in holding leaders accountable; unlike when his APNU+AFC Coalition government was in office and voter turnout had dropped to below 50 per cent.

Stabroek News on November 17, 2018 reported that: “The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) yesterday confirmed that a mere 36.3 per cent or 208,534 of the 573,923 registered electors turned up to cast their ballots when the 2018 Local Government Elections (LGEs) were held across the country on Monday.

“The figure represents a more than 10 per cent decline from the 47.1 per cent recorded for the 2016 LGEs. At the time of those elections, 239,070 of the 507,584 persons eligible to vote cast their ballots.

Based on these figures, this year’s polls saw over 30,000 fewer voters.”

That people did not participate as they should says a lot about the governance of the time. The fact that the PPP/C won significantly at the 2018 LGEs also says that the APNU+AFC Coalition government could not mobilise their own people to go out and vote.

In contrast, by the time that the 2020 General and Regional Elections came around, an opportunity to change the government, voter turnout was 72.58 per cent.

Secondly, Mr Ramjattan claims that his political party (if we can still call his outfit that) has valid reasons for not contesting the elections and the main one is the voters’ list.

But the truth is that: one, the APNU did not go the 2018 LGEs with the AFC and the AFC is likely to be left on its own again; two, the AFC was beat by 113,000 votes by the PPP/C; and three, the AFC is unlikely to make any kind of inroads at the 2023 LGEs.

On the issue of the vot-

There is, therefore, no place in our society for such calls which were made by the speakers in question. Those calls can only be seen as being wantonly irresponsible and a threat to our nation and all of its people. While freedom of speech has been restored, it is not absolute and must not be used to spew hate, racism and to incite public violence.

We must be mindful that those calls also have the potential to sow discord within and to tarnish the image of the hardworking men and women of the Joint Services, as they infer those in uniform

may have some allegiance to and may be at the beckoning call of the agents who stood behind the microphone at the public meetings to spew vitriol. Not surprisingly, the Joint Services’ swift response debunked such inference and reiterated its professionalism.

Any initiative to unify our people in this beautifully diverse nation of ours is most welcomed. At this juncture when the One Guyana initiative is making tremendous gains in precipitating the long desired and seemingly elusive unification of our people, and when rapid unprecedented transformative

national development is unfolding across the country, the timing and motive of the calls made are questionable. There are more constructive ways to handle discontent. Despite different opinions and disagreements on some issues, Guyanese have time and again demonstrated that they can rise above such ill-placed calls for destruction, and instead remain steadfast in building a society where peace and goodwill permeate, and hatred is rejected.

Yours sincerely, Neaz Subhan

ers’ list, as per Guyana’s constitution and a ruling of the High Court, Guyanese who were registered to vote, but have since migrated, cannot be removed from the voters’ list.

The report from Elections Observer Missions (EOMs) in 2020 recognised that this contributed to the total number on the voters’ list.

The final report from the Election Observer Mission sent by the Carter Center, on page 10, said: “The number of registered voters seems disproportionate to Guyana’s estimated population, in part because Guyana allows Guyanese living overseas to remain on the voters list.”

The European Union Election Observer Mission in their final report, on page 16, said: “...Guyana’s high emigration rate may be the most significant factor accounting for an ‘inflated’ list.” The line about a bloated Voters’ List is worn out already. Enough is enough.

Yours truly, Anson Paul

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 16, 2023 7
8 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 16, 2023
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 16, 2023 9

CNOOC donates $4M towards rebuilding of Christ Church Secondary School

THE CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited (CPGL), one of the three joint venture partners in Guyana’s Stabroek offshore petroleum block, has come to the assistance of the Christ Church Secondary School with a cash donation of $4 million.

The A List Georgetown School, which caters to 502 learners and employs 39 teachers, was situated at the corner of Camp and Middle streets before it was destroyed by fire on January 12.

According to a press release, the donation is to be used for the school’s rebuilding efforts. The cheque for $4 million was handed over by Liu Xiaoxiang, the President of CPGL, to Headmistress, Sumanta Alleyne, at a special assembly of the students and staff at the school’s temporary location at the Cyril Potter College of Education, Turkeyen.

Present were representatives of the school’s Parent Teachers Association, the Ministry of Education, and the Embassy of

China.

Headmistress Alleyne expressed her gratitude to CPGL, stating that the donation is timely and is greatly appreciated, especially as efforts are underway to replace and acquire urgently needed equipment and supplies that were lost in the catastrophic fire.

Xiaoxiang recounted that the management and staff of his firm were touched by the tragic outcome of the fire and are delighted to be of assistance to the affected students and staff.

He highlighted that the inspiration for the donation was rooted in the traditional Chinese conviction to come to the assistance of those in need.

Liu recalled that CPGL is highly in favour of contributing to the promotion of education in Guyana. He outlined a number of initiatives his company has made to the education sector, including donating 21 scholarships so far to disadvantaged students for tertiary studies.

In thanking the ad -

ministration of Christ Church Secondary School for its co-operation in accepting the $4 million donation, Liu expressed the hope that the sum would help to relieve the difficult circumstances facing the students and staff.

“We hope that CPGL’s donation today will help in some small way to replace some of your losses and rehabilitate your school. We hope that you will succeed in your studies and be a part of Guyana’s bright future,” he said.

Chen Xilai, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of China in Guyana, said the donation was a good example of Chinese companies in Guyana making contributions to the local community.

CPGL’s contribution also came in for praise and appreciation from the Chairman of the Board of Christ Church Secondary School, Kishanti Ramdular; PTA President, Loknauth and Tiffany Harvey, Deputy Chief Education Officer representing the Ministry of Education.

10 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 16, 2023
CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited (CPGL), one of the three joint venture partners in Guyana’s Stabroek offshore petroleum block, has come to the assistance of the Christ Church Secondary School with a cash donation of $4 million

Over $100M refunded to various consumers in 2022

— Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission Director reports, says over 400 cases were resolved over the past year

OVER $107 million was refunded to various consumers in 2022, Director of Guyana’s Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC), Anil Sukhdeo has said.

Sukhdeo, during a webinar in observance of World Consumer’s Day, said within the last year, the commission has resolved over 400 cases and now has an 87 per cent resolution rate.

“Within four weeks, you come to us and we can have your matter resolved and 90 per cent of the time the consumers are reimbursed one way or the other. Just last year, we would have resolved over 400 plus cases and we would have returned a monetary value of over $107 million to consumers and speaking to the stats of our resolution rates of that 400 complains that we would have seen, we have a resolution rate of 87 per cent,” Sukhdeo said.

Supported by a new legislation, the body now has the authority to seek redress through the courts; however, this is done when all other options of resolution are exhausted.

“We do have the legislation behind us that will empower us to seek redress through the courts, which can lead to imprisonments and/or fines. It’s not necessarily a route that we want to take but we will take it when it’s needed,” Sukhdeo related.

He disclosed that there are three cases before the courts. Once taken to the courts, persons can face a hefty fine or prison time varying from six months to a year.

Further, to level the playing field, he said that the commission has embarked on several behavioural incentive programmes to promote consumer rights.

“What we current -

costly,” Sukhdeo said.

The CCAC was established under the Competition and Fair-Trading Act (CFTA) of 2006. The body

is mandated to investigate complaints by agencies and consumers, and determine if there has been any contravention of the CFTA

and to take prescribed action.

Additionally, the body eliminates anti-competitive agreements and

provides information to consumers on their rights to enable them to make informed choices.

ly have is a certification-based programme to say if you are a supplier and you are compliant with the local legislation, you are provided with a certificate and you should have that displayed in your place of business, [if] a consumer should enter they can know that they can get redress from you,” Sukhdeo said.

Additionally, the commission has an awards programme which encourages suppliers to advance and maintain their standards in compliance with the rights of consumers.

Sukhdeo related: “We have an awards programme, so we have a number of categories where we invite service providers to compete to maybe have the best policy, the best warranty, so they compete on the basis of those categories and they are rewarded.”

Further, to widen the public’s awareness about consumer rights, the commission, he said, is constantly engaging its stakeholders and members of the public.

“We do work at the consumer’s level; we want to address that information [and] knowledge gap. So, if we can provide information to consumers that can prevent complaints, that’s wonderful for us because administration burden of cases, it’s lengthy and it’s

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 16, 2023 11
CCAC Director Anil Sukhdeo

Guyana among countries in FAO’s fisheries, aquaculture value chain analysis

A KEY fisheries and aquaculture development programme implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has highlighted significant potential to boost these sectors in Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Tanzania, Guyana and the Marshall Islands, making them more self-sufficient, creating jobs and preserving biological stock levels.

The countries are the first five of 12 African, Caribbean

and Pacific states analysed by the global fish value chain development programme, FISH4ACP.

Implemented by FAO, this initiative of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) focuses on making fisheries and aquaculture value chains more productive and sustainable, with an emphasis on supporting women, given their crucial role in fish value chains - the whole process of adding value to the product.

“This initiative marks an important step towards a blue transformation of fisheries and aquaculture in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, benefitting not just fishers and their communities but ensuring that growth goes hand in hand with environmental sustainability and social inclusiveness,” FAO’s Gilles Van De Walle, Chief Technical Adviser, FISH4ACP.

“We are thrilled to see FISH4ACP moving into action to unlock the potential of fish-

eries and aquaculture in ACP countries. There is an urgency to boost our fisheries and aquaculture sectors because they greatly contribute to economic growth, decent jobs, and food and nutrition security,” Cristelle Pratt, Assistant Secretary-General, OACPS said.

EU AND GERMANY FUNDING

The FISH4ACP is being implemented with €47 million in funding from the European

Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

“The focus on all three aspects of sustainability - the economic, the environmental and the social - sets this programme apart. Now that FISH4ACP is entering a new phase, it will be able to strike a balance between production and protection, to contribute towards fair income distribution and decent working conditions and to champion sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific,” Leonard Mizzi, the EU’s Head of Unit in Directorate General for International Partnerships said.

“We are delighted to see that FISH4ACP is now ready to put its comprehensive value chain approach at work in support of fisheries and aquaculture development. It is key that it takes all players into account, at all stages - from net to plate. FISH4ACP’s innovative approach will boost the supply of aquatic foods, economic returns and social equity, and reduce negative impacts on the marine environment,” Hendrik Denker, deputy head of the BMZ Division for Food and Nutrition Security, Global Food Policy and Fisheries said.

The publication of its first five reports provides a baseline for supporting the countries in strengthening their fish value chains, increasing self-sufficiency in fish production, creating local jobs and maintaining sustainable stock levels.

AMONG THE REPORT’S FINDINGS:

Potential to make Côte d’Ivoire self-sufficient in fish production through a 10-year strategy to boost tilapia production from the current 6,0008,300 tonnes per year to 68,000 tonnes by 2031 without extra burden on the environment.

This would meet the entire national demand, through a more structured, local, and sustainable value chain that will generate jobs, respect good environmental practices and increase resilience.

A need to tackle declining catches of a variety of prawns, known as sea bob, in Guyana, while promoting artisanal fisheries, particularly strengthening the position of women.

Key opportunities include strong demand from the US and European markets for more high-value sea bob if biological stock issues can be addressed and bigger shrimps can be caught; and strong domestic demand for fresh sea bob that can be sold to restaurants and supermarkets.

How the Marshall Islands

generate more value and local jobs from the multi-million dollar tuna trade, boosting it to $55 million by 2031 using one type of vessel alone and strengthening its position as a leading hub for tuna through transshipment and containerization, with Marshall Islands-based companies incentivized to shift to new and more efficient load-

Continued on page

12 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 16, 2023
can
13
A key fisheries and aquaculture development programme implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has highlighted significant potential to boost these sectors in Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Tanzania, Guyana and the Marshall Islands, making them more self-sufficient, creating jobs and preserving biological stock levels

Minister Todd highlights Guyana’s prioritisation of democracy, human rights

at Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ meeting

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Hilton

Todd, recently participated in the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM2023) at Marlborough House, London.

The meeting focused on several areas of priority including building resilience for peaceful, just, and stable societies; financing for climate resilience and environmental sustainability and leveraging Intra-Commonwealth trade and digital connectivity.

Minister Todd, during his presentation said the Government of Guyana is prioritising democracy, good governance, human rights, and the rule of law as fundamental

elements in its developmental approach.

He said too that the government recognises that development would not be sustainable if it does not occur in a framework where these elements are given primacy.

The minister also took the opportunity to update Foreign ministers of the Commonwealth on Guyana’s case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and reiterated the appreciation of the Government of Guyana for the Commonwealth’s steadfast and consistent support for Guyana’s efforts in the maintenance and preservation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Guyana among...

ing machines for filling containers with tuna.

From page 12

This will reduce the cost of packing and shipping tuna in containers and allow the fish to be sorted, fetching a higher price.

By tapping into Senegal’s oyster production and boosting the number of oyster farms, the study found great potential to meet local demand and support the development of modern oyster farming.

By 2031, the country aims to boost national production by 30 per cent to 21,000 tones to cover more than 80 per cent of domestic demand, with added value nearly tripling to $12.6 million, and full-time jobs nearly doubling from 6,500 to 11,000.

Potential to leverage increasing consumer demand and market opportunities in Tanzania to improve sustainability of Lake Tanganyika’s sardine, sprat and perch fisheries and bridge the gender gap.

Using better processing and cold chain techniques, improved business models with more participation by women and better compliance with fisheries legislation can help to boost value added in the sector by 12 per cent and increase fish processors’ incomes by an average of 42 per cent.

The FISH4ACP value chain analysis is based on 5,200 interviewees, with more than 100 focus groups and 50 stakeholder workshops organised to validate findings. The five value chain assessment reports published (Côte d’Ivoire, Guyana, Marshall Islands, Senegal, Tanzania) helped to field test FAO’s value chain analysis method, which will be published in the coming months.

The FAO’s work in fisheries and aquaculture promotes the effective management of aquatic living resources and the development of capacities to ensure equitable outcomes for all. It is geared towards bringing about a Blue Transformation, a vision committed to building sustainability and resilience. Much of FISH4ACP’s work addresses the needs of artisanal fishers, fish farmers and fish workers. The value of small-scale fisheries and aquaculture for our food systems, our livelihoods and our environment has been celebrated through the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA), which draws to a close on 31 March. (FAO)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 16, 2023 13
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Hilton Todd, recently participated in the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM2023) at Marlborough House, London

Father of four dies in accident at La Belle Alliance

A FATHER of four is now dead after he lost control of the vehicle he was driving and careened into a concrete culvert at La Belle Alliance, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), around 22:30 hrs, on Tuesday.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that Amos Christopher Li, a taxi driver of Lot 26 La Belle Alliance, was proceeding north along the western carriage of the

public road, allegedly at a fast rate of speed, when he lost control of the motorcar, HD 252, which crashed into the culvert and ended up in a nearby trench.

He was at the time travelling with a passenger, 20-year-old Aliyah Harris of Coffee Grove.

Reports are that public spirited citizens managed to pull the passenger and driver from the vehicle, and rush them to the Suddie

Public Hospital, where Li succumbed to his injuries and Harris was admitted with a fractured arm.

A relative of the deceased told the Guyana Chronicle that it was a tragic time for the family, since Li’s sisterin-law and another relative drowned recently at Feather Beach, Lima Sands.

The relative said the family was beginning to heal from those losses, but the death of Li has left relatives

completely distraught.

The deceased’s wife, Stacy Li, who is pregnant, said that Christopher was a good husband who was “hustling” to make ends meet for the family. The wife said that she was still coming to grips with everything.

“He died and left all of we now. Am so shocked like I can’t think… he did taxi as a living,” the distraught woman said.

Li’s body is at the Suddie Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

USAID, IFES Voter Education Campaign empowers young voters ahead of LGE

THE US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) has launched the Youth ALLIES voter education programme.

Held at the Giftland Mall, the launch saw scores of young Guyanese receiving non-partisan civic and voter education, engaging in educational games, mock ballot exercises, and raffle draws.

The voter-education launch is the first of many activities that will take place across the country in anticipation of Guyana’s Local Government Elections (LGE) on June 12, 2023.

“Informed citizens are the bedrock of democracy, and this programme will help young people understand their rights and responsibilities as voters,” a release stated.

The Youth ALLIES programme is committed to promoting civic and voter education among young voters across all 10 regions of Guyana.

It seeks to empower youth with the skills and knowledge they need to strengthen their participation in problem-solving at the community level and increase their participation in political life.

Over the next three months, Youth ALLIES volunteers will work closely with young people and Guyanese stakeholders across the country to provide this critical knowledge and build a more engaged citizenry.

Youth ALLIES partners, including the Guyana National Youth Council, Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities, and Youth Challenge Guyana, expressed sincere thanks to the public for their enthusiasm and engagement, and to the management of Giftland Mall for facilitating the team event.

“The partners look forward to continuing this important work by taking similar events to communities across Guyana in the coming months,” the release related, adding: “Together, partners are working to ensure that young voters have the information they need to exercise their right and responsibility to participate in Guyana’s democratic process.”

14 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 16, 2023
Dead: Amos Christopher Li The mangled vehicle
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South Africa Racing Tips

Turffontein

08:45 hrs Tulip Trees

09:20 hrs Call The Wild

09:55 hrs Oyster King

10:35 hrs Power Ranger

English Racing Tips

Cheltenham

09:30 hrs Mighty Potter

10:10 hrs Salvador

Ziggy

10:50 hrs Shishkin

11:30 hrs Teahupoo

12:10 hrs Il Ridoto

12:50 hrs Luccia

13:30 hrs Anightinlambourn

Southwell

13:05 hrs Bristol Hill

13:40 hrs Boarhunt

14:10 hrs Daafy

14:40 hrs Sharp Power

15:10 hrS Embla

15:40 hrs Sid’s Annie

16:10 hrs Ustath

Chelmsford

14:00 hrs Lilkian

14:30 hrs Flame Of

Kodiac

15:00 hrs Zealot

15:30 hrs Midnightattheoasis

16:00 hrs Dawn Vega

16:30 hrs Dalby Forest

Irish Racing Tips Dundalk

12:40 hrs Sam’s Xpress

13:15 hrs No Trouble

13:50 hrs Neverfindanother U

14:20 hrs Roman Bull

14:50 hrs Catherine Of Siena

15:20 hrs Dream Today

15:50 hrs Knockmore Prince

16:20 hrs Jazz Dreamers

American Racing Tips

Gulfstream Park Race 1 Victoria’s Chief Race 2 Big And Classy Race 3 Marthamaywhovier Race 4 Yes I’m A Beast Race 5 Meetmeatthebeach Race 6 Calibrator Race 7 She’s Awesome Race 8 Diamond Cool

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Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) SA 2; WI 0

(2) Aiden Markram (SA)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Where and when did the WI & SA first contest an ODI game against each other?

(2) Who were the captains involved?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

22 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 16, 2023

Real Madrid dump Liverpool out of Champions League

( BBC) - Liverpool’s Champions League hopes ended at the hands of Real Madrid for a third consecutive season as they failed to overcome their first-leg Anfield demolition.

The Reds, who lost the first leg 5-2, lined up with four forwards at the Bernabeu as they looked to add another famous comeback to their fabled European history.

But that rarely looked on the cards and legendary Real striker Karim Benzema put the tie beyond doubt when he tucked in from Vinicius Jr’s cutback late on.

Jurgen Klopp’s side would have lost this game by more if not for Alisson.

The Reds goalkeeper denied Vinicius and Eduardo Camavinga with magnificent first-half stops.

If Darwin Nunez had taken a chance in the sixth minute, then it could have been a different story.

Liverpool players walked off to ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ on the Bernabeu speakers as they reflected on their biggest ever aggregate Champions League defeat.

The Reds were beaten finalists against Real last

One

summer but now face a battle to even be in the tournament next season, sitting six points behind the Champions League places.

One downside for Carlo Ancelotti’s Real was Benzema hurting himself while scoring and having to be replaced, four days before their must-win El Clasico with Barcelona.

No miracle of Madrid

This was the 92nd time a team have lost by three or more goals in the first leg at home in a European Cup tie. All 92 have been eliminated.

Data analysts Gracenote gave Liverpool a 3.92% probability of progression and Jurgen Klopp talked about a “1% chance” beforehand.

That was the challenge they faced after Madrid put on an exhibition of taking their chances at Anfield.

But still, this is Liverpool and this is the Champions League.

In 2005 they came from 3-0 down to beat Ancelotti’s Milan in the Champions League final. Three years ago they lost 3-0 to Barcelona and won the second leg 4-0, although crucially that was at home.

Liverpool gave it a go

- they had to - with forwards Diogo Jota, Nunez, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo in their line-up.

Had Nunez scored after six minutes instead of shooting at Thibaut Courtois, who knows what might have happened. The Uruguayan forced another two saves from the goalkeeper, most notably with a fine curling effort after cutting in from the left wing.

But really they were lucky to only lose this leg 1-0. There was no gung-ho, ‘heavy metal’, blockbuster attempt to go and win it.

They did not even have a shot between James Milner’s blocked effort in the 37th minute and Harvey Elliott’s attempt on target after 82 minutes.

It could have got slightly worse in injury time when referee Felix Zwayer went to the monitor to see if Konstantinos Tsimikas had handled the ball, but the decision was no penalty to Real.

So just like in last year’ s final in Paris, and the previous season’s quarter-final, Real were Liverpool’s conquerors.

The Reds will undoubtedly finish this season trophy-less and it will be a huge blow to their

Guyana Futsal...

FROM PAGE 25

mat/knockout format.

Kashif Muhammad, of the Medal Of Service awarded body, revealed that they will be collaborating with the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport. He also mentioned that futsal is an important aspect to the overall development of football, which has been proven by Brazil’s success in the sport globally.

Additionally, fans can look forward to an inter-school and a female futsal competition

soon.

The 32 teams will be split into eight groups of four and each match night will feature five games being played. The round-robin games will feature 15 minutes of running time while the knockout will be 40 minutes.

So far, the K&S has engaged with their traditional sponsors but anticipated much more support in the coming weeks.

future plans if they cannot overtake Newcastle and Tottenham to finish fourth in the Premier League come the end of the season.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday March 16, 2023 23

Hope-ful West Indies start new ODI era

CMC – West Indies start another “new era” in One-day Internationals when Shai Hope leads them into battle for the first time against hosts, South Africa, on Thursday at Buffalo Park.

Hope was named the new ODI captain and Rovman Powell was appointed the new Twenty20 International

captain of the Caribbean side after Nicholas Pooran stepped down from the dual role of white-ball captain last October following an early exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia.

The 30-year-old Barbados Pride wicketkeeper-batsman, easily the most prolific West Indies batsman in the

format over the past three years, will have his hands full trying to infuse a winning culture into a side that has lost 21 of their last 30 ODIs.

Hope said having different captains (Kraigg Brathwaite leads the Test side) for the three formats of the sport on the international stage was not a hindrance –rather it gives the visi-

tors a chance to reboot and sort themselves out at the start of a crucial year that will include qualifying for the World Cup later in the year.

“I think it gives us the opportunity to focus on something more specific, something to build towards, because obviously this is a transition phase for us,” Hope told reporters during a news conference on the eve of the match.

“It gives us an opportunity to see how things can work, and for each captain to lean on each other, and hopefully, it can lead to good things, and especially for the ODI team, definitely to the World Cup.”

Neither West Indies nor South Africa are guaranteed a place in the format’s showpiece event because they languish at eighth and ninth respectively in the ICC Men’ s Cricket World Cup (CWC) Super League, and both can be overtaken by Sri Lanka, who play a three-match series against New Zealand later this month.

It is likely both sides will be part of the World Cup qualifying tournament in June and July this year in Zimbabwe in an attempt to secure the final two spots in the 10-team finals.

These three ODIs, however, do not form part of the Super League that started two years ago and in which the top 12 ODI teams and the Netherlands are playing a total of 24 ODIs each,

earning them points towards automatic qualification with hosts India for the World Cup, which takes place in October and November this year.

West Indies have completed their schedules of matches, winning only nine, and with this in mind, Hope said it was a good opportunity for his side to fine tune their way of playing ODIs and get back into the habit of winning.

“It’s a new journey, but we cannot look too far ahead,” he said. “The main focus is this South Africa series, and the key is to start well and finish better. We need to improve in all areas.

“I do not think there is anything specific that we need to highlight right now, but I think we all have to come together and find the right formula and get that going because we definitely need to qualify for that World Cup. Everything we do now is geared towards that.”

Hope was philosophical about the pathway to the World Cup, and the reality that these three ODIs will not help his side’s cause.

“International cricket is international cricket,” he said. “I think whenever you cross that line, your aim is to win games, and I won’t say there is any particular path we want to take to make it to the World Cup. But whenever we cross that line, we are playing for our region,

we are playing for our country, so everything must go out there into the middle.

“I won’t say there is anything specific for which we were hoping because we are playing for international pride and all those people back in the Caribbean, even all around the world who support West Indies, and we have to play our hearts out for them.”

The match will be the first ODI in six years to be played at the ground, where the pitch tends to be slow and the bounce low, and totals in excess 300 have eluded teams in the last five List A matches, which have delivered two centuries and two hauls of four or more wickets.

Squads:

SOUTH AFRICA

(from): Temba Bavuma (captain), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Sisanda Magala, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad Williams, Rassie van der Dussen.

WEST INDIES

(from): Shai Hope (captain), Rovman Powell (vice captain), Shamarh Brooks, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith.

24 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday March 16, 2023

To all National governing bodies for sport in Guyana

Yesterday, 14th March 2023, we gathered at our Olympic House for what was slated to be an Electoral Meeting for the Guyana Olympic Association. I would like to share my thoughts on the actions, views, and thoughts expressed by various members at the pre-meeting before the electoral meeting was quashed.

The absence of the Secretary-General for over two years was never previously expressed to the membership and members of the executive [were] altogether too comfortable with affixing [their] signatures onto documents for my liking.

I would hope any future executive of this (or any other body) would inform

membership if/when any similar situation arises and allow membership input to arrive at a legal and moral solution as was done when membership (by unanimous vote) authorised the Assistant Secretary-General to sign documents to allow a legal electoral meeting on the 21st March 2023.

Mr. Munroe explained that decisions on the eligibility of members to vote at the electoral meeting (contained in the letter of 7th March) arrived after executive discussions via email. Munroe failed to explain why the President of the GOA was excluded from those discussions; given that the thinking that emerged from the ‘executive’ discussions is exclusion -

ary, the exclusion falls in line. The ‘executive’ cherry-picked a Constitution ratified on 28th September 2022, to apply Articles retroactively to exclude six members from voting and used that same late ratification to absolve themselves of any responsibilities to inform members of breaches.

I would ask the membership if this is the thinking we want in the future administration of our National Olympic Committee. My philosophy in matters of breeches by members is that we inform/warn but also work with the members to bring about compliance, seek explanations, open dialogue, and provide support wherever

One Guyana Futsal Championship launched

SEE PAGE 23

YESTERDAY, in the boardroom of the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport, the Kashif & Shanghai Organisation officially launched their second Futsal Championship under the ‘One Guyana’ banner, and they announced that this will be an annual event going forward.

This year’s competition kicks off on April 9th and will conclude in May at the National Park where the champion will be crowned and cashed out with the $1M cash prize.

The runners up will pocket $500,000, third $200,000 and fourth $100,000. In addition, the MVP of the tournament will ride away with a brandnew motorcycle.

Supporters will not be left out, it was announced that six lucky fans will receive one motorcycle each

A total of 32 teams are billed for this competition , which has been approved by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), and they will play in the group round-robin for-

possible.

In closing, I share the following: When I left cricket, the most successful sport (commercially and professionally) to bring Baseball/ Softball opportunities to the children of Guyana, I did so with careful planning, it included a business element to provide self-support for the sport, Baseball filled fields with children for three years( 2013-16)

it did not translate into government support for land for our facility as hoped and we decided to put the time, money and effort into securing a home field upon which we could demonstrate to all the value of our sport to Guyanese. Governance of a new sport and one that is established are completely different challenges and I would assure all that introducing a new

sport is not for the faint of heart, but one that threatens an established king such as cricket requires resolve of steel. I ask for your vote and more importantly, your co-operation in the furtherance of sport; mine, yours, and ours as we go forward, regardless of the outcome of these elections.

Sincerely

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 16, 2023 25

CWI announces separate head coaches for white ball, red ball teams

CRICKET West Indies (CWI), today, announced that the role of head coach for the West Indies Senior Men’s teams will be split into two separate positions.

Recruitment for both head coach roles will start immediately for a Red Ball head coach for Test and ‘A’ Team cricket, as well as a White Ball head coach for One- Day Internationals (ODI) and T20 International (T20I) cricket.

Jimmy Adams, CWI’s Director of Cricket, said: “After recently completing an independent review of our 2022 ICC World Cup per -

formance, which included a closer look at the roles of the current head coach position, we believe it is now necessary to split the role and engage separate coaches for red and white ball formats. The increased frequency of backto-back multi-format tours combined with the specific demands of the respective formats no longer provides enough time for one individual to adequately plan, prepare and review across bilateral series and franchise itineraries that are so condensed.” Adams added: “Separating the roles will also provide the head coaches with more time to oversee

players’ ongoing development away from tours directly, and through increased engagement and planning with suitable high-performance programmes and coaches.”

According to Adams, the decision to separate the head coach roles was made with reference to the recommendation by the independent three-member World Cup Review Group to consider splitting coaching duties as one factor to help improve team preparation.

The World Cup Review Group was appointed by CWI to conduct a comprehensive review of the West Indies

Men’s team’s early exit from at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia last year. The Group was chaired by Justice Patrick Thompson Jr., a High Court Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, and included Brian Lara, the West Indies batting legend, along with for-

mer South African, Pakistan, and Sri Lankan international coach, Mickey Arthur.

The position of West Indies Men’s head coach became vacant when Phil Simmons resigned following the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup, and subsequently relinquished the post following the end of

the West Indies tour of Australia last December.

Andre Coley was appointed Interim head coach for the recent Test series in Zimbabwe and the current multi-format tour of South Africa. Recruitments for both head coach positions are expected to commence shortly.

Pollard, Cottrell put Lahore Qalandars in PSL final

CMC – Former West Indies white-ball captain, Kieron Pollard, and West Indies left-arm pacer, Sheldon Cottrell, combined to throttle Multan Sultans into their third successive Pakistan Super League with an 84-run win over defending champions, Lahore Qalandars, on Wednesday.

Pollard cracked one four and six sixes in an explosive top score of 57 from 34 balls that propelled the Sultans to 160 for five from their allocation of 20 overs after deciding to bat in the qualifier at the Gadaffi Stadium.

Cottrell then destroyed the Qalandars top order inside the Power Play and finished with three for 20 in three overs, and Pollard scalped one for three from one over to be a shoo-in for the Player-of-theMatch award, and the hosts were bowled out for 76 in 14.3 overs.

The Qalandars still have a chance to reach the PSL final when they play in the second elimination final on Friday.

In the final on Sunday, Multan will play the winners of that second eliminator in which the Qalandars will face the winners of Thursday’s match between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United.

After openers Mohammad Rizwan and Usman Khan shared 53 for the first wicket,

Sultans ran into trouble on 90 for three in the 13th over.

Pollard launched an assault in the last five overs against the Qalandars and put on 65 with Tim David, after they got reprieves with England international Sam Billings and Hussain Talat shelling easy chances.

Pollard smashed Pakistan left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi for three sixes in the penultimate over before he was bowled with the second ball of the last over by Harris Rauf, another Pakistan pacer, who was the most successful Qalandars bowler with three for 34 from four overs.

Cottrell swung the match decisively when he struck twice in his second over and got Mirza Baig caught behind for eight and Abdullah Shafique lbw for a duck, and he added the scalp of Afridi caught at cover in his third over.

In between, new-ball partner Anwar Ali bowled Fakhar Zaman for six, and the Qalandars stumbled to 28 for four at the end of the Power Play.

Billings made the top score of 19, and he was one of the three batsmen to reach double figures, but the Qalandars, who finished with 14 points from seven wins to top the league table, failed to put up a serious challenge.

26 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 16, 2023
Sheldon Cottrell celebrates with his signature salute after a top-order wicket • PCB

Fifties for Johnson, Sinclair & Bramble as Guy dismissed for 324

In a game with not much promotion, the Guyana Harpy Eagles took on Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in the third round of the West Indies Championships yesterday at the Brian Lara Cricket in South Trinidad and a small but vocal gathering saw the host invite Guyana to bat on a track with tinge of green and outfield in steaming hot conditions.

By the end of the opening day, Guyana were dismissed for 324 as 35-year-old Leon Johnson returned to form with a confident 68 from 99 balls with 11 fours.

The Guyana captain who made his First-Class debut in 2014 as a 16-year-old School Boy, shared in a 97-run stand with Kemol Savory who made 44 from 109 balls with four fours after they had joined forces with Guyana 33-3.

When Johnson was lbw to off-spinner Brian Charles, Guyana were 140-5 and Trinis were in the ascendency,

However, Kevin Sinclair, who made 69 from 96 balls with seven boundaries, shared in a 79run stand with Anthony Bramble whose 52 lasted 57 balls and included seven fours and six, and 88 with Keemo Paul who made 46 from 39 balls with six fours and a six.

But from 307-7 the visitors lost last three wickets for 17 runs

as Imran Khan had 4-84, Brian Charles 3-85 and pacer Uthman Muhammad 2-31 did the damage with the ball for Red Force who were 7-0 after one over at close yesterday.

Guyana, who left out Anthony Adams and Shamar Joseph, started badly when Tevin Imlach fell to Muhammad at 7-1 while debutant Kevlon Anderson got going with four off Manick before Skipper Daren Bravo produced an in-ducker to the right handed Anderson (6) to trap him LBW

at 14-2.

Savory joined Matthew Nandu and the pair carried the score to 33 in very windy conditions before Nandu tried to tuck Charles off his legs and was brilliantly caught by Tion Webster at shortleg. Nandu’s 10 lasted 54 balls.

Johnson arrived at the crease with his team again in early trouble and drove Muhammad just over the man at cover before playing a glorious straight drive for four before cutting Charles for four.

Savory pushed the ball into

USA-based ‘Ballin4Peace’ heading to Guyana for Rawle Toney

3x3 Classic

…Surinamese FIBA-accredited referees added to tournament

With just a few more days to go before the Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic tips off, Ballin4Peace, a US-based team, is hoping to leave the Land of Many Waters with all of the accolades and prizes up for grabs in the tournament’s third edition.

Burchell Glenn is the lone Guyanese on the team that is headed by former Sacramento State University point guard and NCAA Division One standout player, Haron Hargrave.

Professional 3x3 ‘ballers’ Anthony Soares and Sony Cabral are the other members of the team heading from New York to compete from March 18-19 at the Burnham Court.

According to Toney, the team is made up of players who have competed on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour and other FIBA 3x3 tournaments both in and out of the USA.

However, Toney said this is the first time the team will be playing in the Caribbean and he’s happy that Guyana was chosen as their first destination.

“It was simple because the tournament is endorsed by FIBA and with Ballin4Peace being an active 3x3 team with one Guyanese, they registered online, and later on they reached out to finalize the details of their participation,” Toney said.

A long-serving member of the sports media, Toney said the US team will raise the profile of the tournament, adding “this is what I initially had set out to do when I launched this tournament in 2019…bring players to Guyana and place basketball in the bracket of sports tourism.”

“It’s now up for our guys to step up and show what Guyana 3x3 is made of because the US team is coming to win, and it’s not a vacation for them,” Toney

the gaps and rotated the strike and along with Johnson, who has two fifties in nine Tests, brought up the 50 in 25 overs as the batters worked hard for their runs in bowler-friendly conditions.

The pair saw their team to 60-3 by lunch with Savory on 20 and Johnson on 17.

After the interval, Johnson hit Manick for a couple of sweetly timed boundaries to move into the 20s while Savory played the supporting role.

Johnson flicked Charles to fine leg for four before pulling Manick for a couple of boundaries before an elegant cut off Charles brought up his 40th fifty from 71 balls, 113 minutes with 10 fours.

Johnson celebrated with a delightful boundary off Khan but when Savory was six short of his fifty and the partnership three short of a 100, Savory was removed by Khan at 130-4 to the delight of the small partisan gathering.

Bramble joined the wellset Johnson, who was looking better and better as his innings progressed but when well set for what would have been his seventh First-Class hundred and first since his unbeaten 189 against the Windwards in Grenada in February 2020, he was lbw to Charles.

Bramble played positive cricket and reached his 13th fifty from 48 balls with seven

fours a six while Sinclair, who is fast developing into a genuine all-rounder, dealt in boundaries as the pair added 75 for sixth wicket before Bramble was LBW to Muhammad for 52 at 215-6.

Sinclair soon reached his third half-century at this level

and along with Paul who also went after the bowlers. Sinclair was removed by Charles at 307-7. Khan then had Paul, Veerasammy Permaul (5) and Nial Smith (6), leaving Ronsford Beaton on six. Today is the second day and play will start at 10:00hrs

noted.

Meanwhile, Toney said to compliment the officiating, two FIBS-accredited referees from Suriname will be part of the tournament.

“Officiating is a sour point in local basketball, and last year the players complained about how our local refs carried their whistle. So, along with a few sponsors, I was able to work through the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) and president Michael Singh to have some of the Surinamese be part of the tournament,” the 3x3 Organiser highlighted.

Thanks to Team Mohamed’s, the 16-team tournament will carry a winner’s purse of $ 400,000 and four Championship rings, compliments of Century Tamara Energy Services Inc and Jacobs Jewellery.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 16, 2023 27
Ballin4Peace 3x3 team
Kevin Sinclair cuts during his fifty (Sean Devers photo)
SCOREBOARD Guy 1st inns Tevin Imlach c Webster b Muhammad 4 Matthew Nandu c Webster b Charles 10 Kevlon Anderson lbw b Bravo 6 Kemol Savory c Charles b Khan 44 Leon Johnson lbw b Charles 62 Anthony Bramble lbw Muhammad 52 Kevin Sinclair c Goolie b Charles 69 Kemo Paul c Muhammad b Khan 46 Veerasammy Permaul lbw b Khan 5 Ronsford Beaton not out 6 Nail Smith lbw b Khan 6 Extras 10 Total 324 in 86.3 overs Fow: 7,14,33, 130, 140, 219, 307, 311, 316, 324 Bowling Manick 7-1-24-0, Muhammad 13-4-31-2, Bravo 7-1-32-1, Webster 11-2-51-0, Charles 26-5-85-3, Khan 20.3-1-86-4, Goolie 2-1-8-0 T&T 1st inns Jeremy Solozano not out 5 Keggan Simmons not out 0 Extras 2 (nb-2) Total 7-0 in 1 over) Bowling Paul 1-0-7-0
28 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 16, 2023 Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limited, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 226-3243-9 (General); Editorial: 227-5204, 227-5216. Fax:227-5208 |THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2023 West Indies Championships… Fifties for Johnson, Sinclair & Bramble as Guy dismissed for 324 Hope-ful West Indies start new ODI era
One Guyana Futsal Championship launched from
PG 27 PG 25 PG 24 West Indies enter this series with a new captain in Shai Hope•Associated Press
Kemol Savory sweeps Brian Charles yesterday (Sean Devers photo) Leon Johnson pulls Justin Manick for four during his 40th fifty at this level (Sean Devers photo) left, English Parris, Kashif Muhammad, Aubrey Major and Colin Aaron

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