Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 19-01-2024

FRIDAY 19th January, 2024

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUSIVE

No. 107328

Gas-to-Energy Project…

Guyanese could pay US$1B less in electricity bills over 10 years

- owing to reduction in cost of electricity as a result of critical project, Vice-President Jagdeo affirms - says persons campaigning against transformational initiative have no regard for its potential benefits

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Over 160 allottees take crucial step towards home ownership - identify lots at Enterprise, Hope, La Reconnaissance

VP Jagdeo: Opposition’s race-card tactics evident in criticisms of GuySuCo’s budgetary allocation

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Upskilling of staff, Helicopters among technology-based training assets being acquired programmes among 2024 to boost security capability plans for Labour Ministry SEE PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

Over 160 allottees take crucial step towards home ownership - identify lots at Enterprise, Hope, La Reconnaissance

OVER 160 moderate-income allottees were able to identify their house lots at Enterprise, Hope, and La Reconnaissance Housing Schemes on the East Coast of Demerara on Thursday, marking a crucial step towards homeownership.

According to information from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), a number of allottees were accompanied by family members as they

proudly marked their identified land boundaries with their name posts during a lot-identification exercise led by the Authority’s surveys unit. These exercises are part of the agency’s ongoing efforts in schemes across the country.

Various housing schemes are undergoing infrastructural development to ensure that Guyanese families are able to build homes in sustainable environments.

Over 160 moderate-income allottees were able to identify their house lots at Enterprise, Hope, and La Reconnaissance Housing Schemes on the East Coast of Demerara on Thursday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

Gas-to-Energy Project…

Guyanese could pay US$1B less in electricity bills over 10 years — owing to reduction in cost of electricity as a result of critical project, Vice-President Jagdeo affirms — says persons campaigning against transformational initiative have no regard for its potential benefits

By Trina Williams GUYANESE stand to save over US$100 million per annum as a result of the reduction in electricity prices after the Gas-to-Energy Project comes on stream, according to Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo during a press conference at Office of the President, on Thursday.

“Over a 10-year period, Guyanese would pay US$1 billion less in electricity bills,” the Vice-President emphasised during his response to efforts by a group of Guyanese trying to stop

the project.

International Lawyer Melinda Janki wrote to the United States Export Import (US-EXIM) Bank to with-

hold funding for the project.

Janki on behalf of public-interest litigants, Elizabeth Deane-Hughes and Vanda Radzik, wrote to the

Bank on January 12, 2024.

“Well they’re hopelessly misguided. [They’re] people who have done nothing for this country… their bread is well buttered,” the Vice-President said.

He then went on to remark: “They don’t care that this project will deliver cheaper electricity to our business community and to all our citizens.”

The Gas-to-Energy Project will see a 200km 12-inch diameter pipeline channelling natural gas from the Liza Phase One and Liza Phase Two Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessels to a power

plant and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility that will be built in Wales.

ExxonMobil’s local affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), the operator in the Stabroek Block, and its co-venturers are constructing the pipeline.

That pipeline will be landing on the West Coast Demerara shore, and continue approximately 25 kilometres to the NGL and power-plant facilities. It has an estimated cost of US$1 billion and is cost-recoverable.

In December 2022, the Government of Guyana and US-based integrated energy

solutions group, LINDSAYCA, in partnership with a local firm – CH4 Group – signed a US$759 million contract for the construction of the power plant and NGL facilities.

The conversion of natural gas from ExxonMobil’s offshore operations to electricity is a key component of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government’s objective to lower energy costs by at least 50 per cent through an energy mix, which incorporates gas, solar, wind, and “hydro” power.

Guyanese to benefit significantly from enhancement of productive capacity in non-oil sectors

— Vice-President Jagdeo says

By Trina Williams

THE government is focused on making long-term investments that are aimed at bettering the life of every Guyanese, according to Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo.

During a press conference at the Office of the President on Thursday, he said that the hallmark of every government should be how sustainably they could manage the financial resources of a country.

He related: “We’ve made it clear that sustained management and careful management of the financial resources of Guyana must be a hallmark of every government, particularly in this era, especially when we started to receive the windfall revenue from the oil and gas sector.”

Notably, there has been significant growth in capital expenditure as opposed to the tamer growth in recurrent spending.

In explaining why this is the case, the Vice-President said: “The capital expenditure is focused on building productive capacity for future growth in the non-oil sector and to also bring greater comfort to people, and so then you’d see significant investments in roads, bridges and other economic infrastructure like the power plant.”

This path that the government is taking, according to him, will have a huge impact on the citizens. Using the gas-to-energy project as an example, he said the government has budgeted $80 billion to advance this critical project.

The conversion of natural gas from ExxonMobil’s offshore operations to electricity is a

Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo (Delano Williams photo)

key component of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government’s objective to lower energy costs by at least 50 per cent through an energy mix, which incorporates gas, solar, wind, and ‘hydro’ power.

Additionally, targeted policies and careful planning have resulted in citizens being able to access and explore a plethora of new entrepreneurial opportunities that exist, according to Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh.

Creating new avenues for Guyanese to have the ability to build and accumulate household income has been a focus of the PPP/C since being elected to office in 2020.

The high demand for goods and services is a result of the fusion of the rapid expansion of both private and public investments, job creation and the increases in disposable income.

Dr Singh explained: “Increased demand for goods and services means more business opportunities for both current

and potential producers and suppliers.”

Despite the narrow understanding in some circles, of how the massive infrastructural projects being undertaken could significantly create a better life for Guyanese, the senior minister said the enhancement of one’s asset value and household

wealth will increase because of this. “…All of these investments translate immediately to increased asset value and balance-sheet enhancement for all householders in the communities concerned. Put simply, these public investments enhance private wealth “…We are building a Guyana where every single Guyanese family will be in a position

to meet their most basic needs relative to a minimum threshold required to enjoy a decent life,”

Dr Singh remarked.

He related, however, that one cannot function properly in the business world without adhering to and adopting the international manner in which businesses operate.

“If we wish to be part of that system, we must adhere to those norms and practices too. This takes on even greater significance, if we wish to enter joint ventures and strategic partnerships with international counterparts to take advantage of local-content opportunities or, indeed, to do business with anybody else in the world,” Dr Singh said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

China widens South America trade highway with Silk Road mega port

(Reuters) - In September, a group of Brazilian farmers and officials arrived in the Peruvian fishing town of Chancay. The draw: a new Chinese mega port rising on the Pacific coast, promising to turbo charge South America's trade ties with China.

The $3.5 billion deep water port, set to start operations late this year, will provide China with a direct gateway to the resource-rich region.

Over the last ten years, Beijing has unseated the United States as the largest trade partner for South America, devouring its soy, corn and copper.

The port, majority-owned

by Chinese state-owned firm Cosco Shipping (1199.HK), opens new tab, will be the first controlled by China in South America. It will able to accommodate the largest cargo ships, which can head directly to Asia, cutting the journey time by two weeks for some exporters.

Beijing and Lima hope Chancay will become a re-

gional hub, both for copper exports from the Andean nation as well as soy from western Brazil, which currently travels through the Panama Canal or skirts the Atlantic before steaming to China.

"The Chancay mega port aims to turn Peru into a strategic commercial and port hub between South America and Asia," Peru's trade minister Juan Mathews Salazar told Reuters.

Part of China's decade-old 'Belt and Road' drive, the new port embodies the challenge facing the United States and Europe as they look to counter Beijing's rising influence in Latin America. China's trade muscle has helped it win allies and gain leverage in political forums, finance and technology.

Full construction started in 2018 at Chancay, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Lima. Workers are now laying thousands of piles and breakwaters; work signs are written in white-on-red Chinese characters.

The first phase of Chan-

cay is set be completed in November 2024. Chinese President Xi Jinping, expected in Peru for an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit that month, could inaugurate the port, a diplomatic source in Lima said.

China's embassy in Lima did not respond to Reuters queries.

"It's part of China's new Silk Road," said Mario de las Casas, corporate affairs manager for Cosco Shipping, which holds a 60% stake in the port. The remainder is controlled by local miner Volcan, in which Glencore (GLEN.L), opens new tab owns a stake.

Jose Adriano da Silva, a farming entrepreneur from Brazil's western Acre state who visited the port, said the project would accelerate regional development. He said talks between Peruvian and Brazilian officials were underway to resolve overland transport challenges.

Peru's government is planning an exclusive economic zone near the port and Cosco wants to build an industrial hub near Chancay to process raw materials that could include grains and meat

from Brazil before shipping them to Asia.

Brazil's ambassador in Peru, Clemente Baena Soares, said there were plans for meetings between officials early this year to seek to resolve logistical, sanitary and bureaucratic hurdles at the border so Brazilian trucks can more easily reach the port.

"It's an opportunity for grain and meat production - especially from Rondonia, Acre, Mato Grosso and Amazonas - to go to Asia through the port of Chancay," said Soares, who also visited Chancay in September, naming four states in western Brazil. "(Brazilian businesses) are delighted with the possibility of not using the Panama Canal to take their goods to Asia."

He added there would need to be investment in an existing road known as the Interoceanic Highway - which runs from further south in Peru across the Andes to Brazil - to improve transport routes. A long-discussed rail link remained in the study phase, he said.

Dog owner in custody after pit bulls reportedly maul man to death

LATCHMANEN Permaul called 'Blackboy', a 64-year-old unemployed man of Hampshire, Corentyne, Berbice, was reportedly mauled to death by three mixed-breed dogs (Pit Bulls) around 04:00hrs at Topoo Village, Corentyne, Berbice, on Tuesday.

According to the Guyana Police Force, the man's 61-year-old wife Sandra Permaul related that on Monday afternoon her husband left home and went to a liquor shop in Topoo where he was imbibing alcohol.

He became intoxicated, had difficulty making his way home, and instead stopped at the street corner where he was seen sleeping on the ground.

Around 05:00hrs on Thursday, whilst at home, Sandra said she received information that her husband was lying at the street corner and three Pit Bulls “bore out of a fence” near where the man was lying. The dogs then viciously attacked him.

The body was examined by the police and what appeared to be dog bites were seen on both legs and the neck. There were also bites on the right hip and right hand. Permaul's body was picked up and escorted to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by a doctor on duty.

A post-mortem with dissection was done on the body of Permaul by Dr. Brijmohan at the Skeldon Public Hospital Mortuary, and the cause of death was identified as shock and haemorrhage, and multiple lacerations The owner of the three dogs, a 35-year-old resident of Topoo Village, was arrested and escorted to the Albion Police Station where he was placed into custody, pending further investigations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

Opposition’s race-card tactics evident in criticisms of GuySuCo’s budgetary allocation

VICE-PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo has described the opposition’s criticisms of the 2024 budgetary allocation for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) as another demonstration of the playing of the usual race card.

The Opposition’s comment comes ahead of the budget debate which is slated to begin on Monday.

In this year’s budget, $6 billion has been allocated to improve further production and operational efficiency of the sugar industry.

During a press conference at the Office of the President on

Thursday, the senior government official said that this allocation is aimed at reviving and maintaining an industry that had been blatantly neglected by the previous APNU+AFC government.

He reminded the media that the sugar industry took a major dive between 2016 and 2017 with the closure of several estates across the country, leaving thousands of workers without a source of income.

The decision to close down these estates was not sound and went against the report from the Commission of Inquiry that the former Coalition government itself had commissioned.

“They sent home 7,000 sugar workers without a social safety net. No income whatsoever. You would realise that they avoid certain things in the budget because of the racism of the PNC. They complain about $6 billion to support a productive sector of the economy -- sugar, which is vital not only for the employment aspect but for the other services it provides for the people of this country,” he noted.

Upon assuming office in 2020, the PPP/C administration committed to reviving and transforming the industry to ensure that it remains a profitable aspect of the country’s economy.

This commitment bore fruit recently with the reopening of the Rose Hall Sugar Estate, East Berbice-Corentyne, after more than six years out of operation, employing more than 1,000 workers.

TheVice President pointed out that the Opposition has much to say regarding the budgetary allocation for GUYSUCO, but is mum on the allocation for subsidisation of Linden’s electricity.

He said that in the 2024 budget, there is a $4 billion allocation to subsidise electricity at Linden, while $874 million has been set aside for electricity subsidies at Kwakwani, Region

Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo 10.

“In Region 10 alone, we have nearly $5 billion in the budget this year to subsidise electricity in these areas. Those communities pay a fraction of what the people in the rest of the country pay because there is a state subsidy to it. But nobody

speaks about this $5 billion that goes to a subsidy, but they have big concerns about the $6 billion that is going to support a productive activity,” he said.

According to him, this selective concern speaks to the opposition’s divisive agenda.

(DPI)

Helicopters among assets being acquired to boost security capability

GUYANA is currently in discussion with Bell Helicopter, the world’s leading manufacturer of rotary-wings aircraft, for the purchase of four aircraft, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo has said.

The Vice-President during his weekly news conference told reporters that the government has begun engagements with the major supplier for the purchase of four small helicopters to assist with training of its security personnel and boost the country’s capability.

He said that further assessments will be made to identify

what models of aircraft will be needed; however, the purchase will see aircraft with low operating costs and the capacity to facilitate training being acquired.

“We are [in] discussion with Bell for the purchase of four smaller helicopters not just to assist the army, but the police in training and also policing,” the Vice-President said.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, just last week had announced that for the first time the government will be establishing a marine and aviation division within the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

The Head of State, while

addressing members of the Joint Services and other stakeholders, said the government is now in the process of obtaining stateof-the art assets to facilitate the integration of the Guyana Police Force with other security institutions.

“We are building out, for the first time, a marine division that would be capable of utilising our river asset in crime-fighting and proactive intelligence work. So, right now, we are in the process of acquiring state-of-the-art marine assets to support the work of the Guyana Police Force,” the President said.

As it relates to the introduction of the aviation division, the President explained that the aim is to build air capacity and capability for the Guyana Police Force that will be integrated with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

“We are going to move a lot of our air capacity and capability to the new hangar at Ogle that the Guyana Defence Force is constructing and rehabilitating

right now. We hope in that hangar to not only add to the air capability and capacity of the Guyana Defence Force, but to add two modern pieces of equipment to support the air division of the Guyana Police Force,” Dr. Ali said.

According to the President, these include choppers with drone capability. He said that the government is creating a cohesive base for the Joint Services

as it relates to assets.

“In the Guyana Police Force, for example, we will have an integration between the chopper, the sea craft, what I call sea craft capability, the air capability and land capability, of course, in the land capability, we are already investing heavily in bikes, motor vehicles, buses, ATVs,” the Head of State said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

Making Guyana Safer

REDUCING crime and violence and ensuring that the rule of law is upheld are very important in any country, particularly one like Guyana that is growing at a very fast rate and is attracting thousands of foreigners and companies annually.

Because of many factors and complexities, the prevalence of crime is often difficult to control. The PPP/C administration since taking office has been pumping money and other resources into boosting the country’s crime-fighting capabilities.

The “Safe-Country” project is one of the initiatives that was conceptualised by the party to help make Guyana a safer place.

Guyana’s President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Irfaan Ali, in November 2021 announced his government’s plans for the construction of this comprehensive, technology-driven network.

Connected by what is likely to be hundreds of modern and sophisticated CCTV cameras with command centres in each region, the network when

fully online will be a major crime-fighting tool that will not only identify criminals, record criminal activity and aid intelligence gathering, but will also act as a deterrent to those wanting to engage in unlawful activities.

This initiative will boost the efforts of the police who for the past three years has managed to record a reduction in serious crimes.

The government of the day has pumped a large amount of resources into the Guyana Police Force – Guyana’s main crime-fight-

ing agency. Ranks are benefitting from new vehicles, equipment, police stations and outposts that are outfitted with the necessary amenities to boost morale and productivity and continuous training.

In Budget 2024, an allocation of $2 billion has been set aside to further support the expansion of the Safe-Country initiative. This follows the $2.4 billion earmarked for the construction of command centres in 2023 and the $2.5 billion expended in 2022.

Police command centres in Regions Three and six have commenced limited operational activities and these will be expanded gradually. Command centres are currently being constructed in Regions Two, Five, and 10.

To complement these plans, the government will soon be rolling out a comprehensive biometrics project aimed at tracking and locating criminals, using security cameras outfitted with facial recognition software. The installation of the cameras has begun.

The Guyana Prison Service is also doing its part to ensure that the population is safe by equipping convicts with skills that will ensure their proper reintegration into society as productive people, while curbing recidivism.

With all the efforts being made and billions of dollars being spent, Guyana is well on its way to becoming a safer nation while the economy expands and investors flock these shores to grasp all the opportunities that are available.

The coalition must examine its own record on the issue of scholarships

Dear Editor, THE APNU+AFC Coalition's reaction to the government's commendable achievement of providing over 20,000 scholarships, with ongoing efforts to surpass that number, reveals a deep-seated unease.

It is from this point of view its claim that the 2024

budgetary allocation for GOAL is going to someone close to the PPP/C government must be viewed.

Under the PPP/C administration, more than 21,000 Guyanese have benefitted from scholarships through initiatives such as GOAL, with an additional 400+ individuals receiving scholar-

ships via the Public Service Ministry.

In contrast, the APNU+AFC Coalition's record on the issuance of scholarships is appalling.

Examining the track record of the former government, it becomes evident that their scholarship distribution was marred by

favouritism and nepotism.

Demerara Waves reported on December 14, 2016, (https://demerarawaves. com/2016/12/14/millionspent-on-fully-fundedscholarships-for-govt-ministers-others-close-to-apnuafc/) that several ministers and other persons close to the coalition were given

scholarships worth tens of millions of dollars. The list extended to include the children of ministers and government MPs. The stark contrast between the PPP/C's inclusive and merit-based scholarship initiatives and the PNC/ APNU/AFC's questionable practices highlights the need

for a transparent and equitable approach to educational opportunities in Guyana.

The Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton, should answer for the Coalition’s track record on scholarships during the 2015-2020 period.

Sincerely, Brian Azore

Dear Editor, Conrad Plummer was indeed a genuine Sports Personality, and a career Banker. But for many of us, he was a father figure. It is indeed with great sadness that his immediate family and the sports fraternity bid him farewell.

Conrad Plummer was a proud Berbician who eventually came to

Georgetown and blossomed into a senior personality on many fronts.

As a national hockey player, he represented this country for more than a decade. He was a brilliant student and undoubtedly a Queens College stalwart.

As a banker, he was the Managing Director of one of the most powerful banks in this country. At the same time, he

continuously provided un-flinching support by way of influencing sponsorship for the development of sports in this country.

Plummer’s support for hockey was unwavering.

However, this stalwart was balanced and unchauvinistic in his endeavours, devoting his personal time and attention to many young sportsmen

and sportswomen, which served as a tremendous impetus to their development. He was a disciplinarian and gave valuable advice to our people.

As a former pro-active member and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Plummer spent days and nights in serious discussion as we crafted the National Sports Commission Act

# 23 of 1993, for implementation by the National Sports Commission. He also worked vigorously on the preparation of the National Sports Policy.

In recognition of his valuable support to development in this country, he was the recipient of a National Award -- the Medal of Service.

Conrad Plummer ’s loyalty and dedication to

peace and his Lord was most genuine, as he died as the pastor of the Redeemer Parish in Georgetown.

As we celebrate the life and teaching of Conrad Plummer, let us extend our sincere sympathies to his wife, sons and grandsons during this difficult time.

Yours respectfully, Neil Kumar.

Plummer :The master administrator and outstanding sports personality!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

OP-ED: Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

Are they truly challenged by mathematics or are they merely obsessed with lying?

Dr. Cheddi Jagan had the vision to establish secondary schools around the country, to start a movement for universal access from primary to secondary education.

Bharat Jagdeo almost finished the job, but also switched the goalpost from nursery to secondary; now President Irfaan Ali is ensuring that tertiary and technical education are universal for Guyanese children and young adults.

There can be no dispute that the PPP has always been in the forefront of the education revolution in our country. Budget 2024 reinforces this fact.

Budget 2024 includes more than $135B for education, an increase of more than 61 per cent over the allocation from Budget 2023 and a dramatic 111 per cent over Budget 2022.

In fact, Budget 2024 education allocation is 443 times bigger than the education allocation in 1990, 100 times bigger than 1992, the last PNC budget before Cheddi Jagan was sworn in as President. After five PNC/APNU/ AFC budgets, their Budget 2019 was a mere 1.68 of the PPP’s last budget in 2014 before David Granger was sworn in as President.

After five budgets since President Ali was sworn in, Budget 2024 was almost three times the education budget of 2019.

There can be no dispute that successive PPP governments after 1992 made larger allocations for education than the PNC-led governments.

The PPP historically has shown greater commitment to education than the PNC. Yet, the Leader of the Opposition sees a dwindling budget when he compared Budget 2023 to Budget 2022.

I am eagerly awaiting the budget debate to hear what the opposition leader would say about Budget 2024 education allocation. Aubrey Norton’s puzzling analysis concluding that the PPP government is not allocating as much as his party did for education is simply unfathomable.

As far as Khemraj Ramjattan from the AFC is concerned, we will deal with his demand that subsidies allocated for GuySuCo should be given to the University of Guyana at another time; except to say that the PPP will

never cripple the economies in the sugar estate communities to impoverish thousands of families as APNU+AFC did between 2015 and 2020.

The Leader of the Opposition and his opposition colleagues, most particularly those in the PNC and the AFC, appeared to have made up their minds that in the absence of the capacity to challenge Budget 2024 on substance, the best strategy is to lie. They not merely misrepresent the facts; they simply, shamelessly fabricate lies.

Take the latest allegation from the Leader of the Opposition (LOO), Aubrey Norton, on TV, telling people that the Education budget for 2023 was reduced over the budget for 2022. Budget 2022 allocation for education amounted to over $64 billion.

Budget 2023 allocation for education amounted to over $84 billion, over 31 per cent higher than the 2022 allocation, not including amounts to pay salary adjustments, which took place in 2023 and the 6.5 per cent salary increase. Clearly, not even voodoo mathematics can claim that $84 billion is less than $64 billion.

Hopefully, the LOO will not compound his mathematics shame by insisting that 135 is less than 84.

Norton’s allegation that the 2023 budgetary allocation for education showed a reduction over past budgets raises the question whether he and his colleagues are truly, genuinely mathematically challenged.

These same people who are today alleging that 84 is less than 64 also claimed after the No-Confidence motion in 2018 that 32 is larger than 33.

I, for one, refuse to accept that people who have completed high school, even completed university, some of whom are professionals, such as accountants, lawyers and doctors, can look people in the eyes and claim 32 is more than 33 and now 64 is more than 84.

They must know, they have to know, that they are absolutely taking people to be fools. Since this is basic mathematics that little children know, what could be the reason for these people to barefacedly fabricate a new form of mathematics that not only make 32 greater than 33, but also now make 64 more than 84.

Given that they are al-

ready giddy with the 61 per cent increase for education in Budget 2024, raising the allocation from $84 billion to $135 billion, I wonder how they will make the argument of reduced allocation for education or that 84 is greater than 135.

The fact is that successive PPP governments have steadfastly increased education budgets. In US dollars amount, the education budget was US$3.3 million in 1991, the last full year under the PNC before they were defeated in the October 5, 1992 election.

By 2014, the last full year of the PPP government before APNU+AFC took over, the education budget was $135 billion, or US$675 million, a more than 200 times increase over 1991, averaging a doubling of the

budget annually.

Between 2019 and 2024, education allocations increased from $46 billion (2019) to $135 billion (2024), 2.93 times the 2019 allocation, representing a 0.60 times annual increase. The evidence shows clearly that the PNC reduced the annual increase of education allocations.

Between Budget 2014, the last PPP budget, and Budget 2019, the last PNC-led budget, the budget increased from $28 billion to $46 billion, 1.7 times, averaging 0.35 times annual increase.

For every five-year period, the annual increases in education budgets average above 0.5 times versus the PNC record of annual increases over five-year periods of under 0.3 times.

Strengthening the educa-

tion sector, promoting equity, and creating more appropriate learning environments with adequate technology means investing in the infrastructure. Budget 2024, allocates 24.4 per cent for capital, indicating a strong commitment to construction, rehabilitation and equipping schools.

This is not new for the PPP. In 2010, it was almost 11 per cent. A sampling of the PPP’s education allocation over the years shows that the PPP consistently allocated more than 10 per cent of its education budget for infrastructural and technological development. The PNC, on the other hand, always neglected the infrastructure, building no new schools.

Budget 1992, its last budget before democracy was restored, allocated a measly

2.7 per cent of the education budget for capital, meaning schools were left dilapidated across the country. After the PPP allocated 11 per cent allocation of the education budget for capital expenditure, in 2014, the PNC in 2015 allocated 4.9 per cent for capital investment in the education budget.

The story of which government consistently invests in education is a stark difference between the two major political parties of Guyana.

It is why today children have books and technology in schools in modern buildings. It is why the disgraceful practice of parents having to provide desks and chairs for their children in schools are over. That is the legacy of the PNC. It is the albatross that is weighing down Aubrey Norton.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

Oil, Eximbank and publicity seekers

A FOREIGN-BASED Guyanese, Dr. Janet Bulkan, living in British Columbia in Canada, has appealed to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to intervene to stop oil production in Guyana. I am not aware when she made her appearance, Ms. Bulkan had any status in Guyana in relation to the following: 1-There was no evidence that Ms. Bulkan had official university training in petroleum science.

2- Accumulated vast knowledge, through

work experience, in the oil industry in any OPEC-or non-OPEC country.

3- Actually worked in the oil industry in Guyana.

4-Belonged to an NGO with substantial numbers of members consisting of people in various careers such as human rights, journalism, academia, etc.

5-Had consulted a cross-section of the Guyanese nation and thus was armed with a petition.

Ms. Bulkan never reported on the outcome of her pleadings but she got widespread

publicity in the Kaieteur News (KN) and Stabroek News (SN).

It doesn’t appear that she was taken seriously because Guyana is becoming a middle-income country because of its petroleum industry. Commonsense would tell anyone why would an important inter-governmental body like the IACHR take Ms. Bulkan seriously?

Was it a publicity-seeking venture?

Since Guyana discovered oil, a plethora of “oil experts” have emerged in this country, critical of Guyana’s reliance on the indus-

try but they have not swayed the Guyanese nation nor any other government or global organisation in the entire world. In the meantime, oil revenues as Professor Clive Thomas, a heavy critic of the PPP government, has asserted should make a substantial contribution to the reduction of poverty.

As 2024 was born, the same two newspapers that gave colossal publicity to Ms. Bulkan have now gone down the identical road, this time the body is the Export-Import Bank of the Government of the United States. The Eximbank is a huge lender of money to projects in the Third World.

A lawyer by the name of Melinda Janki has written to the bank on behalf of her two clients, Vanda Radzik and Elizabeth DeanHughes. These three persons want the bank to stop its consideration of the loan of US$464 million for the gas-toshore project.

Now let us envisage a situation when the lawyer’s letter is placed in front of the bank’s board of directors.

The first action of the bank is to do due diligence on Ms. Radzik and Ms. Hughes. So the following questions will have to be asked. Do these two ladies really think that the bank would

just grasp at their suggestion?

1-What is the scientific training of these two ladies in the area of the petroleum industry?

Have they written published papers or books and attended international conferences?

2-What experience these two ladies have in the area of the petroleum industry in their own country and other countries?

3-What is the work experience of these two ladies? Have they been employed for long periods with countries in their region or around the world? Have they worked with internationally recognised international organisations?

4-Do they have the backing of engineers, economists, academics, journalists, business investors, former judges, former security officers and the opposition parties in their own country?

5-Are they in possession of a petition signed by substantial numbers in the Guyanese community?

Commonsense should tell anyone that a powerful American agency would never even pay scant regard to the lawyer’s request if those questions are not answered by the two ladies and their lawyer. And is the bank going to listen to them without consulting the

Government of Guyana and local investors such as the business NGOs? Is this a repetition of the Bulkan comicality just to achieve publicity? The point is the publicity objective has been achieved because the two newspapers mentioned above have given these three ladies prominent coverage. I end with some personal knowledge of Guyana.

I have lived all my life in Guyana and my job is to study it both as an academic and media operative. I met Ms. Radzik in the early 1970s. I have no knowledge that she has ever been an employee in either the public realm or the private sector.

I am saying since I know Ms. Radzik from the 1970s, I have never known her to be working professionally in Guyana. I extend an apology if she can correct me and I implore for the sake of accountability if she can clear the air.

I never knew there was a social activist named Elizabeth Deane-Hughes until last year when she appeared in the KN and SN with her anti-oil crusade. I have never known Ms. Janki to have excelled in Guyana in the area of law and I have been around a long, long, long time in Guyana.

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Fatal accidents spiked by 76.8% in 2023

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

— Minister Benn calls for collective action to curb accidents, with males leading in fatalities

FOR 2023, Guyana has witnessed a shocking 76.8 per cent spike in fatal accidents, with male drivers bearing a disproportionate 79.2per cent increase in fatalities, sparking urgent calls for targeted interventions to address this pressing road-safety crisis.

This alarming revelation was made by Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn during his ministry’s end-ofyear review on Wednesday, as he stressed the critical need for collective efforts to prevent accidents and fatalities “We don’t want persons run over or getting into accidents. We want to engage with you in respect to these matters in totality. We don’t mind your critique, but it has to be, as I said, fact-based,” stated Minister Benn, urging a collective effort to improve road safety.

Addressing specific concerns, the minister pointed out the challenges posed by construction materials hindering traffic flow on roadways, highlighting ongoing infrastructural development efforts.

He urged people to leave early, emphasising the importance of arriving safely without the stress of potential accidents.

Benn acknowledged the collaborative role of law enforcement in addressing traffic management and overall crime-related issues.

“While the infrastructure comes in place and while the police and others are responding to the overall questions, we need your help,” he urged.

The minister shed light on plans to increase fines for road-traffic violations, especially speeding, and underlined the alarming trend of young men losing their lives in avoidable situations.

“There is a particular cohort of young men who are dying on our roads, and we have to work with those in our Information Management outreaches to make an improvement in that situation,” Benn stated.

The statistics for 2023 paint a troubling picture, showing a 76.8 per cent increase in fatal accidents compared to the previous year, with the total number of fatalities soaring from 99 to 175.

Speeding emerged as the primary culprit, showing a staggering 110 per cent increase and accounting for

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn

128 fatalities.

What captures attention is the gender disparity, as male drivers faced a disproportionate increase of 79.2 per cent in fatalities, compared to a 64.7per cent rise among female drivers.

This stark contrast underlines the urgency to address specific challenges faced by male drivers on the roads.

The age-based analysis paints a worrisome picture, with the 25–42 age group accounting for 43.4 per cent of all fatalities. Shockingly, the 16–24 age group witnessed a staggering 153.8 per cent increase in fatalities, highlighting the vulnerability of young drivers.

Motorcyclists encountered an extremely concerning circumstance, as there was a 166.7 per cent surge in fatalities, increasing from 21 in 2022 to 56 in 2023.

In addition to the increase in motorcyclist fatalities, there was a 109.1 per cent increase in fatal accidents overall in 2023, compared to 2022.

Most of these accidents occurred between 18:00hrs and 23:59hrs. Private cars were the most common vehicles involved in these fatal accidents, with an increase of 65 per cent in 2023 compared to 2022.

The minister pointed out that the need for targeted measures to improve road safety for motorcyclists becomes evident in the face of this alarming surge.

“We need your help. We want to engage with you in respect to these matters in totality,” he said.

Addressing the crisis head-on, Minister Benn outlined several initiatives, including enhanced driver education, which will see comprehensive programmes to educate drivers on road safety, defensive driving, and sharing road responsibly.

Additionally, in this year’s budget, infrastructural improvements are on

the cards with road- design considerations, including dedicated lanes for motorcyclists, proper signage, and well-maintained surfaces.

A substantial sum of $90.6 billion has been allocated in this year’s budget for the security sector, with a focus on technology and new infrastructure for the Joint Services.

In the 2024 national budget presentation, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, highlighted the implementation of a robust road safety- and traffic-management plan, including the development of a new radar system and new laws and regulations.

In addition, he revealed that the Safe Road Intelligent System (SRIS) will be implemented to enhance safety and decrease accidents. Automatic ticketing for speeding and failure to use seatbelts will be introduced later this year, pending legal changes and proper gazetting of road networks.

Last year, the National Assembly passed a regulatory framework for the use of electric bikes. It will address the alarming increase in road fatalities and incidents involving electric bikes.

Meanwhile, in November 2022, the National Assembly passed the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2022 to promote and enforce safe driving.

The bill introduced the offence of motor manslaughter, whereby a person causes the death of another by driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of a drink or drug to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle.

It also provides penalties for causing grievous bodily harm while driving under the influence of alcohol or a drug.

The bill also imposed

For 2023, Guyana witnessed a shocking 76.8per cent spike in fatal accidents, with male drivers bearing a disproportionate 79.2per cent increase in fatalities

harsher penalties for the offence of driving under the influence.

Currently, the penalty is a fine between $30,000 to $60,000, or 12 years imprisonment.

Also included was an increase in the fine to $200,000 for driving or attempting to

drive while blood-alcohol levels exceed the prescribed limit.

The amendment proposed no less than $200,000 for first-time offenders and no less than $300,000 for repeat offenders. Also, persons convicted under this section will be disqualified from

holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for 12 months.

As part of efforts to improve safety on the country’s roadways, a major overhaul of current laws is presently being conducted, and among the recommendations made thus far is the medical evaluation of drivers’ mental health.

In 2023, the Road Safety Diagnostics and Action Plan was launched, a pivotal component of the Adequate Housing and Urban Transport Programme (AHUTP) funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The objective of the action plan is to ensure that key stakeholders have a comprehensive grasp of the project's scope and expected timelines for its successful implementation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

Prison Service to prioritise human resource assets

Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot with former Superintendent of Prisons Philip Bandoo and other GPS officials (GPS photo) IN a strategic move to prioritise the human resource assets within the prison service, the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), on Monday, engaged the services of former Superintendent of Prisons Philip Bandoo.

According to the GPS, the purpose of the engagement was aimed at enhancing and strengthening the process when facilitating the admission and discharge of prisoners.

Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, said that Ban-

doo’s services were centred on leveraging his expertise to review the prison-intake manual and provide training for staff members in the areas of reception management, including calculation of sentences.

Furthermore, the Strategic Management Department along with the training department of the GPS was tasked with the responsibility of providing the continuous monitoring and evaluation of the procedures to ensure that the quality control sys-

tem within the Prison Service was standardised at all the prison locations and are in keeping with the prison rules.

Bandoo brings with him a wealth of expertise, which he garnered from his extensive career as a correctional officer. He spent 38 years in the GPS. His profound experience and remarkable background include serving as a former reception officer, working over 20 years in the reception department.

CANU seizes shotgun, ‘ammo’ in East Ruimveldt

The shotgun and ammunition seized by CANU In a targeted operation on Tuesday, ranks from the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) seized a 12-gauge shotgun and five matching rounds of ammunition in the East Ruimveldt area.

According to a release from CANU, on the date in question, while conducting an operation in the East Ruimveldt area, ranks observed a male carrying a bulky salt

bag.

“Upon seeing the CANU Officers, the man dropped the said bag and made good his escape,” the release said.

A subsequent search of the abandoned bag uncovered the concealed firearm and ammunition. The seized items were transported to CANU’s Headquarters, as investigation is still ongoing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

Guyana stands to benefit significantly from Hope-like canals — construction of critical drainage infrastructure in Regions Five, Six imminent, Minister Mustapha says

By Cindy Parkinson

MNISTER of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha has outlined the intentions of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government to construct replicas of the Hope Canal. This strategic move aims to bolster the agricultural sector and ensure enhanced coastal safety during the rainy and flood seasons.

In a televised interview, the topic of criticism from the previous government regarding the construction of the Hope Canal prior to 2015 was brought up. Minister Mustapha expressed his satisfaction in informing the interviewer that despite initial skepticism labelling the Hope Canal as a 'white elephant,' it proved to be a valuable asset in assisting the residents of the East Coast and Georgetown during the 2021 flood.

He explained, “Under our government prior to 2015, when the Hope Canal was built, we had a lot of criticism from the opposition then and now, the APNU+AFC. They criticised us, saying that that will be a white elephant...that will be one of Jagdeo’s white elephants, and we live to see when we had the most devastating floods in 2021, when all the regions of our country

were affected, many areas, places like Georgetown, and the East Coast were spared because of that canal.”

Additionally, the agriculture minister noted that upon observing the direct drainage of excess water from the backlands and conservancy into the Atlantic Ocean through the Hope Canal, they recognised the potential benefits of implementing similar canals in the country.

According to him, this realisation was prompted by the extensive flooding in 2021, resulting in the near-total devastation of approximately 85% of the agricultural industry.

“We had seen the loss of crops and livestock, and we have decided that we have to build these massive structures across the country. As a result of that, the President made a commitment that we will start the construction of these Hope-like canals in a phased approach, especially in Regions Five and Six this year. I am happy to say that the allocation is in this year’s budget,” he explained.

Additionally, Minister Mustapha stated the consultants are working on finishing the canals’ designs, and the contractors are being encouraged to submit “expressions of interest” in order to show

The Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha

their interest in the project.

Furthermore, the minister mentioned that the building of the canals will start in a few months.

Minister Mustapha said, “In a matter of months, the construction of these canals will begin. We are at the stage where we are completing the designs. We have the consultants, and they are working to complete the designs for those canals. We have already seen in the daily newspapers the expression of interest where contractors are invited to express their interest in the projects.”

While discussing the importance of drainage across the country, Minister Mustapha alluded to the fact that Region Five is the larg-

At the northern end of the Hope Canal, Guyana’s largest sluice aids in directing excess water towards the Atlantic Ocean. The eight doors that function as a drainage sluice make up the structure

est-producing region in Guyana when it comes to agriculture.

In accordance with his statement, the region holds the responsibility for yielding nearly 70 percent of the agricultural produce in the area, underscoring the imperative need for appropriate drainage infrastructure to shield the farmers from any potential impacts.

“Region Five is the largest agriculture region in our country; we produce close to 70 percent of all agricultural produce coming out of Region Five, and we have to have proper drainage facilities. Also, Region Six is another agricultural region where a lot depends on infrastructure, and we will also build the Hope-like canal in that region,” Minister Mustapha stated.

Minister Mustapha expressed his enthusiasm for the commencement and timely completion of the two canals in their respective regions, aiming to enhance the well-being of farmers and local communities. According to Mustapha, it is crucial to alleviate the stress caused by flooding and to maintain regular land drainage.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

Upskilling of staff, technology-based training programmes among 2024 plans for Labour Ministry

Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton MINISTER of Labour Joseph Hamilton has said that the allocation in Budget 2024 will allow him to do much more at the ministry, including rolling out training programmes to upskill staff.

While no specific amount was shared, the minister in a recent interview noted that the allocation for his ministry is more than it was last year. He said that money for training and other initiatives has increased.

According to Minister Hamilton, some of the plans will be rolled out through the ministry’s training arm, the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and some attention will be given to the upskilling of staff.

He said: “For me, many of the new ideas and thoughts on modernising thinking is that you have to have officers who have the capacity to deliver what we’re talking about. And so, important to me and the ministry, is ensuring the people who work in the different departments are adequately trained.”

He signalled his desire to have the BIT curriculum redefined to allow for innovation to be a part of the training that will be offered.

“I don’t think anymore that we can train people… to just go and work. I think we now have to move to a place where everything they do, the innovation is a part of it,” Minister Hamilton said.

This, according to him, is to ensure that they can make the delivery of services more efficient and effective.

Minister Hamilton added: “We have to also, as a training arm, look out for

how the labour force is shifting… Even at the level of education delivery, we have to pay attention to some of the professions…Streaming in schools needs to be different. It has to be different, it has to be, whereby you pay attention to the emerging sectors. The emerging types of jobs, so that we don’t over train in areas where people will not get jobs,” he said.

Additionally, it was disclosed that information technology will play a major role in training for 2024.

The minister said that they will mostly create concepts that will fuse information technology with the different training programmes.

He pointed out that programmes must speak to efficiency, and how they can take it to their new place of business or work environments.

Minister Hamilton emphasised that this needs to be done to ensure there is rapid production.

“We cannot continue to do it the old way. The young man or woman today who embraces welding and fabrication, they must see it as starting a journey to participate in the oil and gas sector where that skill set is needed,” he explained.

He noted that they have begun conversations with companies to set aside a place for apprentices, so that young Guyanese can be exposed to that industry.

He remarked: “No more can you dangle your certification before people. There are several other things you have to pay attention to, to make yourself employable.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

‘Secure-I’ app in the works to empower citizens to document law-enforcement infractions - Min. Benn says

IN a bid to help Law Enforcement officers maintain their integrity, the government has taken the initiative to develop a revolutionary device called the 'Secure-I' app.

The application at reference, according to Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn, will allow citizens to document and report incidents involving law enforcement officers, thereby promoting professionalism.

Minister Benn made the announcement during his ministry’s annual year-end press conference on Wednesday.

As the minister was at pains to explain, public perception and media portrayal of law enforcement are key to the maintenance of Law and Order, hence the decision to introduce the app, which, besides empowering citizens to report unsavoury occurrences will also help foster a positive and efficient interaction between the public and the police.

“The professionalism we desire in our services relates

‘Secure-I’ aims to provide every individual with a user-friendly app, developed in collaboration with the police, to report instances and incidents swiftly

not only to their training, management, and conduct, but also as to how they are perceived by the public and the media. Each person can take their cellphone and capture the behaviour of a policeman or a prison officer when they are terrorising people or behaving professionally in their engagements, which is what we want,” Minister Benn stated.

‘Secure-I’ is intended to provide every individual with a user-friendly app,

developed in collaboration with the police, to report instances and incidents swiftly.

The app will not only serve as a reporting tool, but also complement the Services, and enable citizens to provide feedback on specific police stations and ongoing incidents.

“We want to be more approved in a positive way.

We want to reduce the time and cost of services to the public; we want energetic actions, and good supervision,”

Minister Benn asserted, underscoring the government’s commitment to enhancing public services and fostering a positive environment.

In recent times, there have been several occurrences where civilians have engaged in either physical aggression or verbal mistreatment towards police officers.

The incorporation of video footage will offer improved documentation of the events' characteristics, and validate the narratives presented by

both law enforcement personnel and members of the public.

In the past, Minister Benn had encouraged the public to document their interactions with law enforcement, either through video or audio recordings, in order to enhance accountability, transparency, and public confidence.

“When there is any interaction with the Police Force, good or bad, that person should take out their cellphones and make a video and audio recording of the interaction,” he reaffirmed.

Additionally, he clarified that by adopting these straightforward measures, the nation can effectively curb undesirable behaviour, and draw the attention of the police community.

The minister's statement follows closely behind Guyana experiencing a commendable 17 per cent decline in overall serious crimes in the year 2023.

Minister Benn expressed hope for further improvement, stating, “I am hopeful that the decrease will be fur-

ther decreased to 20 per cent in 2024.”

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has been embracing technology to strengthen the bond between Law Enforcement and the public.

The reduction of crimes is in keeping with the PPP/C in their 2020 Elections Manifesto, which had promised the electorate to reduce crime and promote safer communities through provision of more equipment, facilities, training for law-enforcement personnel and improving investigative and forensic capabilities, among other mechanisms.

The security sector is slated to receive a landmark $90.6 billion allocation in the 2024 National Budget, while a significant portion of the budget, $30.3 billion, has been set aside for the Guyana Police Force. The budget emphasises the use of technology in the security sector, which can help improve efficiency, communication, and response times.

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Some of the suspected illegal substances that were found

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

Husband, wife in custody pending narcotics charge POLICE ranks from Regional Division Six conducted an intel-lead raid earlier this week at the home of Jagdeo Ramdass of Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice.

During the raid, ranks reportedly found suspected ecstasy, cocaine, and

marijuana.

According to reports from Police Headquarters, during the search of the premises ranks found a plastic bag with 81 ziplock packets containing tablet-like substances they suspected to be ecstasy.

In addition to this, ranks also found a quantity of suspected cocaine and marijuana.

Ramdas and his wife were both arrested and taken to the Springlands Police Station, where they were placed in custody.

Ramdass reportedly admitted knowledge of

Jagdeo Ramdass (Guyana Police Force photos)

the marijuana; however, he denied knowledge of the other illegal substances that were found in his home.

CANU destroys marijuana farm at St. Cuthbert’s Mission

The marijuana plants before they were destroyed The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) conducted an eradication exercise in the St. Cuthbert's Mission District, Mahaica River, where they destroyed a marijuana farm.

In a release, CANU said

that the exercise was conducted on Tuesday. The ranks discovered approximately 200 small cannabis plants.

The plants were destroyed, as the investigation is still ongoing.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

Gavin performs Guyanese Folk songs at Ireland’s 'Your Roots Are Showing’ tonight

GUYANESE Folk/Rock musician and musical pioneer Gavin Mendonca is at it again – this time in Ireland as an official showcase artiste at the 'Your Roots Are Showing' Folk Conference, where he is taking Guyanese folk music and culture for the very first time to the Emerald Isle.

At the folk conference, the rich tapestry of folk music and traditions from around the world is celebrated. This annual event brings together artists, musicians, scholars, and enthusiasts to explore and share the diverse cultural expressions that make up the folk genre.

Gavin is now the first Guyanese to participate, having been selected by their official jury to perform at the event. Although he is without ‘Chucky’ on this trip, his goal is to network and build

Guyanese Folk/Rock Musician Gavin Mendonca is currently at Ireland's Folk Conference

bridges with new colleagues in the UK, and other parts of the world, so that Gavin and ‘Chucky’ can unlock new paths to travel and perform together around the world.

The duo released their third album together, via

Kross Kolor Records, Folk It Up Vol. 3 which was recorded live in the Iwokrama Rainforest - and is currently receiving great critical review from the folks at 'Your Roots Are Showing', as well as Folk Alliance Internation-

Gavin has been working hard to contribute to the preservation of Guyana’s folk music

al - an annual folk conference in Kansas City which Gavin will be attending next month for the fourth year.

He has managed to build up quite the reputation at this event.

Gavin has been working hard to contribute to the preservation of Guyana’s folk music, as well as exposing the world to the country’s unique songs and culture. Despite the struggles

involved, he is absolutely committed to his mission and continues to pursue his dreams relentlessly.

In 2023, Gavin and Chucky made their international debut at the Bridgetown Arts Festival in Barbados. Gavin also attended Ethno Sweden and also took Guyanese folk music to France and Italy for the very first time as well.

He was also nominated by the US Embassy Guyana to participate in the 'American Music Abroad Academy: Colombia' last May. Gavin and Chucky are aiming to head to England this coming May for the Guyana Folk Festival in London, but some major fundraising needs to be done for this trip to come into fruition.

Gavin takes the stage tonight at 'Your Roots Are Showing', where he'll be showcasing 30 minutes of Guyanese Folk songs and a few original compositions, while also promoting Guyana as a tourism destination.

Visit www.creolerock. com to learn more and to subscribe to his mailing list for constant updates on his musical journeys.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

Vinel Hinds all set to defend Junior Soca Monarch title

Vinel Altalet Hinds

After just three years of doing music professionally, Vinel has won major singing competitions

VINEL Altalet Hinds, reigning Junior Soca Monarch of Guyana, is all set to defend her title when the competition gets underway in February leading up to the highly anticipated ‘Mash’ festivities.

The 20-year-old, who works at GTT, is part of Kross Kolor Records, led by Burchmore Simon, and she credits this company for the guidance so far in reaching where she is just three years after deciding to pursue music professionally.

Vinel has been singing since age five and her mom, a karaoke singer, did much to inspire her career in music.

“She used to sing to me a lot. I actually fell for it and started liking it,” she reflected in an interview with Buzz this week.

Mostly focused on Soca and Calypso, Vinel is grateful

that the experts at Kross Kolor Records liked what they saw in her and took the time to help and groom her.

Having decided to join the competition in 2022, Vinel took away the title of Junior Calypso Monarch, got third place in Soca, and ‘Best Newcomer’ in both categories. Then, in 2023, she captured the title of Junior Soca Monarch. “This year I am here to defend my crown,” she expressed.

The Calypso competition is billed for February 16 in Lethem, while the Soca competition will be held in Linden.

Asked how confident she is at retaining the title this year, Vinel said: “Out of 100, I would say 100. I am so excited for this year, and knowing that this year is going to be my last year in the junior competition, I am extremely

excited and I can’t wait to show more of what I have.”

It’s her last year in these competitions because of her age. “From next year, I am going to transfer [to] the seniors, with the big dogs,” she joked.

As she works hard currently to prepare for the competitions, Vinel revealed that she plans on bringing out new music, being fully booked for Mash, and doing a new video.

Meanwhile, Vinel’s winning song, “Yuh Lie”, encourages women to be independent and not fall for the lies of men who like to take advantage of them, was composed by Burchmore Simon.

She had also served as a back-up singer for Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts in other competitions and Roberts had been a great help in her securing wins in the various singing competitions.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

Future Innovators Expo set for January month-end

STEM Guyana is set to host its highly anticipated Future Innovators Expo on January 27, 2024 at the Georgetown Marriott Hotel.

The event is an opportunity for the youth to learn about STEM Guyana’s programmes, meet STEM youth from each region, build robots, fly drones and win loads of prizes which are up for grabs.

STEM Club Coordinator, Akeelah Andrew said: “The Future Innovators Expo, is all about young people getting

involved in STEM, because STEM careers and STEM is the future of Guyana and the rest of the world.”

“So, we’ll be showcasing what we’ve been doing at the afterschool programmes, as well as our recently launched drone soccer programme, where students will be learning to fly drones, first at a basic level and then competitively to participate in drone soccer.”

The expo is open to anyone who is interested in STEM (that is young people of all ages and their families).

STEM Guyana encourages young people to use their creativity, brilliance, and innovative spirit (STEM Guyana photo)

Akeelah noted that first, those in attendance will witness the prize-giving ceremony which will honour every

youth who has worked hard with the organisation, have shown their commitment and has done well.

“They’ve excelled at various robotics competitions, as well as contributing to our clubs by volunteering,” she remarked.

Persons interested in attending the expo can visit STEM Guyana on Facebook where a link can be found to register for its event. Tickets cost $2,000 per person, and

$5,000 for families.

The expo is sponsored by the International Devel-

opment Bank and ANSA McAL Group of Companies.

Search begins for next Miss Guyana Culture Queen

The reigning Miss Guyana Culture Queen, Shemina Peroune

APPLICATIONS are now open for the 2024 staging of the Miss Guyana Culture Queen pageant.

According to the organisers, this year’s pageant will be held under the theme, "Legends", which is a tribute to the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

“MGCQ 2024 promises

to be a spectacular showcase of beauty, poise, brilliance and patriotism! Do you think you have what it takes to carry the crown and title?

Applications are now open!” a post on the pageant’s Facebook page said.

Applicants must be between the ages of 18-26 years and be at least five feet, six

inches tall. They must also possess a performing talent and be healthy and prepared to compete in swimwear.

More details on the application process and requirements can be found on the Miss Guyana Culture Queen’s Facebook page.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

Filmmaker Tristan Barrocks focuses on mining the black experience

JAMAICAN-CANADIAN filmmaker and commercial photographer Tristan Barrocks wants to zoom in on stories of the West Indian, African and diasporic communities across the world.

“I want to continue to write and direct, but more importantly produce projects that go off the beaten path and challenge audiences to see people, situations, cultures, and ethnicities in a different way,” he explained of

in the culinary arts, and his siblings, professional writers and hairstylists – Barrocks told Loop Entertainment that he was destined to find his craft.

“I think as a filmmaker, as an artist, if you don't see the uniqueness in your voice then why are you doing it? What's the purpose of being in the industry that requires you to have a fresh take on stories, on events, on perspectives, but you don't feel that you have a unique voice?”

production company Mid Career Productions last year, primarily to tell authentic stories of black people from their point of view.

“We are tired of seeing stories of not only black people but West Indian people that lack nuance, depth, and humanity.

Being a Jamaican is not a trope.

Being Jamaican is beautiful, heart-breaking, truthful, passionate, inspiring, hard, and funny.

“We believe that the stories we are telling will allow our

Filmmaker, producer, writer, and commercial photographer Tristan Barrocks

his abiding creative storyboard.

“That's the end goal [for me]… to tell these stories for the rest of my life and help other filmmakers coming behind me to do the same, without barriers in front of them. If that morphs into being a film studio or a mentor working in a school, however it manifests itself,” Barrocks, a professor of media studies at Seneca Polytechnic Institute told Loop Entertainment in a telephone interview from Toronto.

Here last month for his annual family vacation trip to the island, from where his educator father Albert and motivational speaker mother Marjorie migrated in the late 1970s, Barrocks released his first feature-length film ‘Wallflower’ last year, which debuted on Pluto TV and Fuse TV. It’s a career high point for the 40-year-old, and he’s expectedly upbeat about the coming-of-age drama he directed in 2022. “’Wallflower’ is one of the most important projects that I've done in the last few years, because it has allowed me to be a part of the American Black Film Festival, the Brazilian Webfest Film Festival, as well as the TO Webfest at the Toronto Film Festival. “’Wallflower’ is about an introverted young lady who gets gifted a trinket from her Jamaican grandmother that changes her life radically. I think we all have a little bit of Bell, who was our main character's mentality.

We all want to be seen. We all want to be the charismatic, engaging, bold person in the room, but oftentimes we get in our heads, and we get lost in our thoughts, and this film allows you to think about the what ifs,” he said. “What if I just took the risk; what if I was able to fully walk in my confidence, and bloom into the individual I was meant to be.”

FAMILY OF CREATIVES Raised in a family of creatives – his dad, also a photographer, his mother involved

Barrocks graduated from the Toronto-based Seneca College in 2007 with an associate degree in digital media arts, but, shortly thereafter, he had to find fast footing.

“I was at a place in my life where I needed to make everything work. My love for performing, my studies, and the bills needed to be paid,” he said.

“So, I started capturing my theatrical performances and editing them to post on Facebook and YouTube.

“People started noticing my work and began to hire me to film their lives, businesses, and even their funerals. But I wasn’t just capturing events in people’s lives, I was telling their stories.

That’s when I became known as the digital storyteller,” he added.

“From there, I started directing music videos, and flying all over North America to create documentaries, and tell stories that meant something to me. Years later, I began getting featured in publications like ‘Vogue Italia’ and ‘Munu Luchi Bride’. My commercial journey had begun.

“Since 2018, I’ve been a part of several national and international campaigns for such clients as YouTube, Pinterest, Appleton Estate, and CIBC Bank,” he added.

Barrocks, citing Ava Duvernay, Barry Jenkins, Christopher Nolan, and Steven Spielberg as film directors whose collective output he most admires, said: I look at my relationships with my father, my wife and siblings as some of the biggest points of inspiration. I also look at stories that are universal, whether it's ‘Rocky’ and being the underdog or trying to find your purpose like in ‘Good Will Hunting’. These are stories that pop off the lens and speak to people, no matter what age and what generation they've been a part of.

Barrocks and his former human resource management exec wife of 13 years, Natanya – parents to Zephtan, 11, and Zien, nine – established their own

audiences to gain a new perspective,” he said.

He added that they also created the production company to break the idea that “you must start from the bottom or pay your dues to make it in this industry”.

“My wife and I are both skilled professionals. Although we may not have had commercial success yet, we have accomplished a lot of milestones in the media industry,” he explained.

“So have many others who have pivoted to this industry later in life. That matters to us, and we have made a commitment to develop, highlight, and empower those who have the skills and just need the opportunity.”

PROJECTS IN THE WORKS In the works for Barrocks is a television pilot for a planned sitcom titled ‘Diaries of An Average Black Dad’, which he said originated “from the vantage point of a midlife crisis…

“I'm 40 years old, and a few years ago, I just really started to question my own mortality, and that led me to the idea of what makes an extraordinary life and what kind of life would I want to lead to leave a lasting legacy,” he shared.

Also on the docket is the short film he wrote, ‘Sugar Dumpling’.

“I will be directing that later this year. The story focuses on the journey of a young woman who's trying to reconnect with her estranged father, struggling with dementia in a long-term care facility. The only way that she can connect with him is through cooking his favourite meals from his Jamaican childhood, rice and peas and white dumplings and curry goat. That film will be coming out this fall during film festival season,” Barrocks explained.

Though a proud Canadian, the director’s heart partially resides in the Caribbean.

“The older I get, the more I need to stay connected to Jamaica. Jamaica, to me, is more than sunshine, rolling hills, blunts,

and the beach. It’s my roots. The place where my parents fell in love, the place where a culture of creativity flows through my veins.

“To ask me what Jamaica

means to me is like asking me if I love my children. Being Jamaican, having those roots is everything to me, and the older I get, the more I want my children to know who they

are completely, and I can’t tell their story without them understanding the story of Jamaica,” he said. (Loop News)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

Hasaranga leads rout of Zimbabwe in decider

(ESPNCRICINFO) - The first two matches had tense finishes. This one was a walkover. Zimbabwe had begun with promise, hitting 35 off their first three overs.

But they crumbled rapidly to spin thereafter, losing four wickets to Wanindu Hasaranga, two to Maheesh Theekshana, and one to Dhananjaya de Silva, who was playing his first match of the series.

They lost their last nine wickets for 49 runs, and though this was a slow deck given to turn, Sri Lanka had no problems.

They sped to the target in 10.5 overs, for the loss of only one wicket, thereby sealing the series 2-1.

They had also won the ODIs 2-0.

Six wickets in 27 balls Where Zimbabwe had shown some tenacity with the bat in their previous two matches, their middle and lower orders were especially meek in this match. In this 6 off 27 sequence, Tony Munyonga was first to go, mis-hitting a Hasaranga ball to the

midwicket fielder who had just been installed, in the 10th over.

De Silva then had Sean Williams caught and bowled next over, before Hasaranga had the hero of the last match - Luke Jongwe - caught at deep square leg off a top-edged sweep.

In his next over, Hasaranga struck twice, off his last two balls, both googlies. Wellington Masakadza was hit in front of the stumps. Richard Ngarava was bowled. Theekshana completed the team hat-trick in the first ball of the next over by having Clive Madande caught sweeping.

Mendis and Nissanka smash the powerplay Although Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani have been excellent with the new ball through the tour, Sri Lanka were always going to try and break Zimbabwe's spirits early, given the small chase. The openers hit three fours inside Ngarava's first two overs, and then they really opened their shoulders.

They hit one legside

Wanindu Hasaranga was unplayable in Colombo • AFP/Getty Images

four each off Muzarabani's second over - the fourth of the innings - before Mendis took Wellington Masakadza apart, and sent Ngarava for six off a fortuitous top edge off the sixth over. They were 50 for no loss after the first six.

Mendis would lose his wicket to a terrific delivery from Williams, going for 33 off 27, but Sri Lanka were all but home.

Zimbabwe's fast start Although they batted only 14.1 overs, Zimbabwe had an almost excellent start. Brian Bennett was the source of seven early boundaries - all fours, and almost all of

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday January 19, 2024) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD - 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Jeff Dujon-23 dismissals (19 catches/4 stumpings in 5 Tests), 1992-93 in AUST (2) Rod Marsh-26 catches in 6 Tests, 1975-76 in AUST) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which WI scored a Test century against AUST on his captaincy debut?

(2) Which AUST hit twin tons against the WI on his captaincy debut?

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

them coming from drives of some description. This is partly because Sri Lanka's fast bowlers pitched full, looking for swing.

A nice off-cutter from Mathews ended that 12ball innings though - Bennett's eyes lighting up and looking for the big shot over the bowler's head, but only managing to find mid-on.

It was rapidly downhill for Zimbabwe after that.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

West Indies Academy, CCC in 2024 regional first class season

CRICKET West Indies on Thursday announced the 2024 West Indies Championship schedule, confirming the expansion in the number of participating teams and rounds for the premier four (4)-day competition.

After a winning performance in the Headley-Weekes tournament in 2023, the West Indies

Academy are all set to make their debut in the West Indies first-class season, along with the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) who are making a return, re-joining the tournament after a few years’ absence.

The 2024 West Indies Championship is set to begin in February, with the opening three rounds spanning from 7

to 24 February. In the first block of games, matches will take place in two host countries: St. Kitts and Nevis at two venues, Warner Park and the Conaree Cricket Centre, and in Jamaica, at three venues, Sabina Park, Kensington Cricket Club, and Chedwin Park. The second block of matches resume on 13 March, with the fourth and fifth rounds sched-

uled to be held in Trinidad and Tobago at the Queen’s Park Oval, the Diego Martin Sports Complex and the Sir Frank Worrell Cricket Ground at UWI Spec, and in Antigua and Barbuda at the Coolidge Cricket Ground. The tournament will then restart after Easter with the final two rounds from 10 to 20 April with matches in Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

The competing eight regional teams fighting for the Headley Weekes Trophy over seven (7) rounds of matches are – defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles, Barbados Pride, Combined Campuses and Colleges, Jamaica Scorpions, Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, West Indies Academy and Windward Islands Volcanoes.

The 2024 West Indies Championship will have a significant increase in prize money with the winning team receiving US$250,000, while the second-placed team will receive US$100,000.

Johnny Grave, CWI Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are pleased to announce the schedule for the upcoming West Indies Championship and welcome two new teams and an expansion in the number of matches. With significant upgrades taking place at all the host venues for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June, and additional improvements being made to the National Stadium in Grenada and Windsor Park in Dominica, we are using nine venues across Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda and Trinidad & Tobago. The eight teams will be fighting hard for the Headley Weekes trophy and the new prize money of US$250,000 available to the winning

team. All the games will be shown live on our YouTube channel, with live ball-by-ball scores on our website, so that fans around the region and world can watch and follow the competition unfold over the next three months.”

T h e We s t I n d i e s Championship will run from 7 February to 20 April.

T O U R N A MENT SCHEDULE West Indies Championship 2024 7 to 10 February: Jamaica Scorpions vs Windward Islands Volcanoes - Sabina Park, Jamaica CCC vs Barbados Pride - Chedwin Park, Jamaica Leeward Islands Hurricanes vs West Indies Academy - Warner Park, St. Kitts Guyana Harpy Eagles vs Trinidad & Tobago Red Force - Conaree Cricket Centre, St. Kitts 14 to 17 February: Jamaica Scorpions vs CCC - Sabina Park, Jamaica Barbados Pride vs Windward Islands Volcanoes - Kensington Cricket Club, Jamaica Leeward Islands Hurricanes vs Guyana Harpy Eagles - Warner Park, St. Kitts Trinidad &Tobago Red Force vs West Indies Academy - Conaree Cricket Centre, St. Kitts 21 to 24 February: Jamaica Scorpions vs Barbados Pride - Sabina Park, Jamaica Windward Islands Volcanoes vs CCC Chedwin Park, Jamaica Leeward Islands Hurricanes vs Trinidad &Tobago Red Force Warner Park, St. Kitts West Indies Academy vs Guyana Harpy Eagles - Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG), Antigua 13 to 16 March:

Trinidad &Tobago Red Force vs Windward Islands Volcanoes - Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad CCC vs Leeward Islands Hurricanes - Diego Martin Regional Complex, Trinidad Guyana Harpy Eagles vs Barbados Pride Sir Frank Worrell Cricket Ground at UWI Spec (UWI SPEC), Trinidad West Indies Academy vs Jamaica Scorpions CCG, Antigua 20 March to 23 March: Trinidad &Tobago Red Force vs Barbados Pride - Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad Leeward Islands Hurricanes vs Jamaica Scorpions - Diego Martin Regional Complex, Trinidad Guyana Harpy Eagles vs Windward Islands Volcanoes - UWI SPEC, Trinidad West Indies Academy vs CCC - CCG, Antigua 10 to 13 April: Jamaica Scorpions vs Guyana Harpy Eagles - Sabina Park, Jamaica CCC vs Trinidad &Tobago Red Force Chedwin Park, Jamaica Leeward Hurricanes vs Barbados Pride UWI SPEC, Trinidad West Indies Academy vs Windward Islands Volcanoes - CCG, Antigua 17 to 20 April: Jamaica Scorpions vs Trinidad &Tobago Red Force - Sabina Park, Jamaica CCC vs Guyana Harpy Eagles - Kensington Cricket Club, Jamaica Leeward Islands Hurricanes vs Windward Islands Volcanoes - UWI SPEC, Trinidad West Indies Academy vs Barbados Pride - CCG, Antigua.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

West Indies quartet retire from international cricket

WEST Indies Women cricketers Anisa Mohammed, Shakera Selman, Kycia Knight and Kyshona Knight have confirmed their retirement from international cricket.

Mohammed and Selman both served as vice-captains during their 20- and 18-year careers, respectively.

All players recently communicated their decisions to Cricket West Indies (CWI).

Mohammed made her debut for the West Indies Women in 2003 at the age of 15 against Japan’s Women in an ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in the Netherlands.

Her last match was against Australia’s Women in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in March 2022.

She played 141 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 117 T20 Internationals (T20Is). She took 180 ODI wickets, with a career best of 7-14 against Pakistan. She took 125 T20I wickets and in 2016 she became the first cricketer (male or female) to take 100 T20I wickets. She also has the distinction of being the first West Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in a Women’s T20I. ​ She was a member of the West Indies Women’s team which won the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India in 2016.

In her announcement, Mohammed said: “The last 20 years have been truly amazing.

I have enjoyed every single minute of it. The highs and the lows. I believe the time has come for me to step away from the game and allow the young players to live their dreams as I have lived mine. I was privileged enough to step onto the field wearing my maroon 258 times in my career. I have represented West Indies in five (5) ODI World Cups and seven (7) T20 World Cups. To my fellow teammates, thank you for all the love and respect shown to me during my time with you.

You'll have made my journey a memorable experience. I would also like to thank WI, coaches, managers, and medical staff for believing in me and always ensuring I was in the best possible place to represent the

Anisa Mohammed

Shakera Selman

Kycia Knight and Kyshona Knight celebrate West Indies women's dramatic win

West Indies. To my fans, it has been an honor representing you over the last 20 years. The love, support, encouragement, and respect from you gave me the motivation to keep doing what [I] love most.”

Selman started her international career against Ireland Women in Dublin in 2008 and quickly established herself as a key member of the West Indies Women’s team. She played 100 ODIs taking 82 wickets and 96 T20Is taking 51wickets. Selman was also a member of the 2016 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup winning squad.

In a heartfelt statement, Shakera Selman said: "This marks my final bow after 18 incredible years. I am proud of playing with and against legends, and lucky to have dismissed a few. My aim was always to inspire and assist others in their dreams. I owe immense gratitude to God, my supportive family and friends, and to CWI, my teammates, and the medical and management teams for their unwavering guidance. To the fans, your support has been my motivation. As I transition to the next phase of my career, I

look forward to continuing to share my passion for the game in new ways."

The Knight twins Kycia and Kyshona made their debuts for West Indies Women in 2011 and 2013 respectively. Kycia a left-handed wicketkeeper/ batter holds the record for the most dismissals in Women’s T20I innings with five, as well as the most stumpings in an innings of four and tied for most catches in an innings also with four. She played 87 ODIs, amassing 1327 runs and played 70 T20Is, scoring 801 runs. Kyshona played 51 ODIs, scoring 851 runs and played 55 T20Is, scoring 546 runs.

In their announcement, the Knights said: “As this marks the end of an enjoyable and amazing journey, we would like to take this time to thank our family, friends, teammates & supporters for the continued love and support throughout the years. None of this would’ve been possible without the support and love from you guys and for that we are forever grateful. ​ Lastly, thank you to CWI for the opportunities granted and memories that will be forever cherished.”

CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe paid tribute to the four cricketers: “Anisa, Shakera, Kycia and Kyshona have had all made signif-

icant individual impacts on women’s cricket the West Indies and the world. Their dedication, skill, and sportsmanship have not only elevated our team but also captivated cricket fans worldwide. Their legacies, as members of the title-winning ICC Women’s T20 World Cup squad of 2016 and individual milestones, will continue to influence and guide future generations to aspire to wear the maroon.”

Mohammed, Selman, Kycia and Kyshona Knight were all part of the West Indies Women victorious ICC Women’s T20 World Cup winning squad of 2016 in India.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

GFF Elite League to kick off on February 25

WITH football enthusiasts eager to witness the campaigns of newly promoted clubs Monedderlust and Slingerz, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde has confirmed that the Elite League Season Six will kick off on Sunday, February 25, at the National Training Centre at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Gearing up for an action-packed Season Six, the GFF has held comprehensive discussions with representatives from all 10 men’s Elite Clubs on proposed fixtures and potential amendments to the rules governing Season Six. President Forde noted that, “as anticipation mounts for the upcoming season, the collaborative efforts between the GFF and these prominent clubs underscore our commitment to ensuring all participating clubs are knowledgeable of the

GFF Elite League

rules and regulations and contribute to the execution of the tournament by sharing their concerns and ideas.”

Season Six will feature defending champions the Guyana Defence Force, Western Tigers, the Guy-

ana Police Force, Fruta Conquerors, Den Amstel, Buxton United, Ann’s Grove United, Santos, Monedderlust and Slingerz.

The last pair of clubs earned their promotion earlier this month through

the GFF Elite League Promotion Playoff.

Similar to Season Five, the champions of the upcoming season will be awarded a prize of $2,000,000, while second, third, and fourthplace finishers will also receive respective prizes of $1,200,000, $800,000, and $500,000.

In preparation for the tournament, each participating team will receive a participation grant of $500,000 prior to the tournament's commencement.

GFF Technical Director Bryan Joseph further shared that club administrators will participate in several workshops focused on the club-licensing requirements for participation in the league, media management and interaction, match-day management, Laws of the game and technical, related matters.

This initiative is designed to guarantee the

seamless execution of matches during the upcoming season.

“We have built up our capacity over the past months and are prepared to implement measures to enhance the operations of the league. The series of workshops are designed to bring alignment to best practices in the region, including the automation of the competition-management systems and matchday structures. This is another step towards the professionalising of the league and its operations.

“Season six is going to be massive. The partnership with FIFA+ and the availability of a quality surface at the National Training Centre, complete with international standard lighting will surely enhance the quality of the experience for our top competition. I am super excited to experience the product and its potential.”

Season Six will span six months and 90 games

at venues across the coastland. Match days, predominantly featuring double-headers, will be on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Clubs will engage in a two-round format with the club accumulating the most points crowned as the champions, securing an automatic qualifying spot at the CONCACAF/ Caribbean Shield Championships.

Under Forde's leadership, there have been substantial investments in the advancement of club football throughout Guyana.

The GFF Elite League, recognised as the apex of senior men’s competition in the nation, not only represents a prestigious stage for athletes, but also serves as a critical pathway for talent scouting by the national team, as well as by regional and international clubs.

a challenge for us,” he said.

“What we have tried to do in the last maybe six or 12 months is really have more conversations with the players to be able to work out windows where we can have our best players available.

“But I believe this is something that is widespread already and will become more of a challenge. But more so for countries who potentially aren’t financially viable and don’t play a lot of Test cricket.”

Coley said he was generally satisfied with the way the bowlers had executed their plans and hailed newcomer Shamar Joseph for the immediate impact he has had.

“I thought we stuck to the plans as best as we could, and generally, that worked well,” Coley said. “The plan was to bowl out Australia in less than 90 overs.

“We never had a target in mind, but just to do it in 90 overs because we believed that if we were disciplined, we could bowl them out for a manageable total that we could chase down.”

He said: “From what I

have seen, there is not much difficult batting on the pitch.

From both bowling attacks, we have seen if you remain disciplined, your defence will be tested, but whenever the ball is offline, and you are committed to the shot, you see the ball travels well to the boundary.

“There is [sic] runs to be scored on the pitch, but I think both bowling attacks have been really disciplined and have not really served up a lot of loose balls.”

On Joseph, he said: “I believe his performance speaks for itself. The passion he has brought… It’s pretty much what you see is what you get.

“We took him to South Africa last year. We knew he was inexperienced, but he had pace. He had a natural ability to work to a plan and be consistent with discipline around it. And he’s done that.

“On the back of that A-Team tour, he was fantastic. He got the most wickets on that tour, and he showed what he’s capable of in his first Test match.”

Coley cites batters ‘decision-making’ in Australia

CMC – Head coach Andre Coley became the latest in his position to try to explain another West Indies batting disaster that put them on the verge of defeat against Australia in the first Test on Thursday.

The Caribbean side plunged to 73 for six at the close in the final hour-and-ahalf on the second day of the match at the Adelaide Oval after Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood reduced their batting to rubble when he removed the first four in the order cheaply.

West Indies enter the final day still 22 adrift of making the Aussies bat again with wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua Da Silva not out on 17 and only the bowlers remaining to try to salvage a bit of pride for the visitors.

It was a stark contrast to the first two sessions of the day when West Indies, led by a five-wicket haul from new fast bowler Shamar Joseph, defied a seventh Test hundred from left-hander Travis Head and bowled out Australia for 283, restricting them to a first innings lead of 95.

“Our intent to score has always been evident, but that has to be matched with decision-making here,” Coley told reporters after the day’s play ended.

“With a lot more bounce potentially, the ability to leave the ball more consistently has to be part of your repertoire and your approach.

Generally, I thought that our intent was pretty good. Our decision-making was questionable on occasions.”

He added: “There were times when our batters played quite well. They played quite well down the ground when we got the ball pretty straight and full, and if there was any width, we capitalised on it as well and that was very rare.

“The ability to maintain the intent, but not necessarily going searching for it (scoring opportunities), I think that was where we were found wanting in the batting so far.”

Coley said part of the challenge for his side was the lack of Test matches, which makes it more difficult to give young players the exposure they need to be able

Andre Coley

to get better in the sport’s longest format.

“The challenge really is the number of Tests that we do play,” Coley said. “Generally, outside of a Test series against England, we generally play two-match series.

And then if you look at how our schedule is set up over the next two years, in some instances Test series are six months apart, and there’s not a lot in between.

“So it’s really about us trying to fill the gap in some instances where we can, maybe with other bilateral tours

or potentially looking to fit in A-Team tours that could help to improve that exposure or increase the exposure that the players have.”

Coley said the situation is not likely to change any time soon if administrators do not act to redress the imbalances in the sport, especially with franchise Twenty20 leagues luring away some of the Caribbean’s best players.

Our situation is that financially we aren’t secure enough to be able to offer substantial central contracts and that is always going to be

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

Olympic Solidarity Archery Coaching Course commences NRC

ARCHERY Guyana’s much-anticipated fiveday Olympic Solidarity Coaching Course began yesterday at the National Resource Centre in Woolford Avenue under the watchful eye of International World Archery Coach Trainer, Ms. Ludys Carina Tejada.

Tejada arrived in Guyana for said course which is being held under the auspices of Olympic Solidarity, the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and Archery Guyana.

At the opening ceremony, President of Archery Guyana Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon declared the session open.

She charged the 21 participants, to complete the course successfully and to return to their various regions and schools to take the sport forward. Some of the schools represented are Kamwatta Primary Top, Santa Rosa Secondary, Sand Creek Secondary, Aishalton Secondary, Nappi Primary Top, Katoka Primary Top, Queen’s Col-

Some of the participants on the opening day of the five-day Olympic Solidarity Coaching Course for archery

lege, Qayyim Academy, ISA Islamic School, Saraswati Vidya Niketan, SVN School and School of the Nations.

Also delivering remarks was former President of Archery Guyana and current National Judge and Competitions Committee Chair, Mr. Ryan McKinnon, who gave participants an overview as to the governing body for Archery in Guyana, the background and wished participants well.

Joseph bags maiden ‘five for’ - But Head keeps Australia in control

CMC – Newcomer Shamar Joseph continued his dream debut, but a seventh Test century from left-hander Travis Head and another batting collapse, triggered

by Josh Hazlewood, put West Indies on the brink of a chastening defeat in the first Test against hosts and world champions Australia on Thursday.

Joseph etched his name on the honours board when he grabbed five for 94 from 20 overs, and the Caribbean side defied an enterprising 119 from Head to bowl out the Australians for 283 in the first hour after tea on the second day and concede a first innings lead of 95.

West Indies joy was soon short-lived when Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood removed the first four batters in the visitors’ batting order in a destructive opening spell, and the Caribbean side slumped to 73 for six in their second innings at the close, still 22 adrift of forcing Australia to bat again.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua Da Silva was not out on 17 and was left to bat with the bowlers on the third day to try to salvage a bit of pride after Justin Greaves, another newcomer in the side, was

lbw for 24 off the penultimate ball of the day from off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Hazlewood finished the day with four for 18 from eight overs, and West Indies head coach Andre Coley became the latest in his position to try to put into words what unfolded in the final hourand-a-half before stumps were drawn for the day at the iconic Adelaide Oval.

“The learning curve has been pretty steep for some of them,” he said. “But if they were to sit back and some of the feedback has been, it hasn’t been tremendously difficult. It has been testing.

“I think the challenge has pretty much been the consistency of the bowlers; obviously a wealth of experience in that Australian bowling attack, so their ability to stay patient, and there were times our batters played quite well.”

West Indies endured an early setback when left-handed opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul was caught behind off Hazlewood for a first-ball duck before captain Kraigg Brathwaite was caught at short square leg in the pacer’s second over for one.

The Caribbean side were seven for three when left-

hander Alick Athanaze was caught behind off Hazlewood for a duck in the pacer’s third over, the ball after Australia unsuccessfully reviewed for a nick behind.

West Indies then plunged to 19 for four when Kavem Hodge, another of the newcomers, was caught at second slip in Hazlewood’s fifth over and had the pacer sporting the flattering figures of four for two, and the spectre of a two-day defeat started to raise its ugly head.

Left-hander Kirk McKenzie, whose 26 has been the top score so far, and Greaves stemmed the fall of wickets for a brief period and the threat of Hazlewood abated with beanpole all-rounder Cameron Green replacing him.

Perhaps thinking this was his get-out-of-jail free card, McKenzie tried an expansive drive and was caught at short cover, and West Indies slid to 40 for five before the late dismissal of Greaves after a period of resistance with Da Silva.

Earlier, Joseph struck in his first over – the second of the day – when he got Green caught behind for 14 after Australia continued from their overnight total of 59

for two.

West Indies had the Australians on 67 for three, but Head proved again he has become the man for all seasons for the home team, bringing up his hundred with a scorching cover drive off left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie for his 12th four.

West Indies vice-captain and strike bowler Alzarri Joseph brought his fun to an end when he got him caught at deep square leg, but the damage he had wrought in the little more than three hours at the crease had already been done, and Australia had seized command.

Justin Greaves got his maiden Test wicket when left-handed opener Usman Khawaja was caught at second slip for 45 after he added only 15 to his overnight score and then held a smart catch at third slip to send Mitchell Marsh packing for five off Kemar Roach, and Australia reached lunch on 144 for five.

After the interval, West Indies kept taking wickets, but they were unable to restrict the Australian scoring, especially with Head in full flow.

Greaves got wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey caught behind for 15 and ended with two for 36 from 15 overs, but a stand of 54

between Head and Mitchell Starc drained the Caribbean side and energised the Aussies.

Newcomer Joseph returned and got Starc caught at short leg for 10 and bowled Nathan Lyon

for 24 either side of Head falling to the other Joseph before Roach brought the innings to a close when he bowled Australia captain Pat Cummins for 12 to finish with two for 48 from 16.1 overs.

Scoreboard

WEST INDIES 1st Innings 188 AUSTRALIA 1st Innings (overnight 59-2) S. Smith c Greaves b S. Joseph 12 U. Khawaja c Athanaze b Greaves 45 M. Labuschagne c Motie b S. Joseph 10 C. Green c wk Da Silva b S. Joseph 14 T. Head c Hodge b A. Joseph 119 M. Marsh c Greaves b Roach 5 †A. Carey c wk Da Silva b Greaves 15 M. Starc c Chanderpaul b S. Joseph 10 *P. Cummins b Roach 12 N. Lyon b S. Joseph 24 J. Hazlewood not out 0 Extras (lb8, nb9) 17 TOTAL (all out, 81.1 overs) 283 Fall of wickets: 1-25 (Smith), 2-45 (Labuschagne), 3-67 (Green), 4-113 (Khawaja), 5-129 (Marsh), 6-168 (Carey), 7-222 (Starc), 8-255 (Head), 9-283 (Lyon).

Bowling: Roach 16.1-5-48-2; A. Joseph 18-2-55-1 (nb4); S. Joseph 20-2-94-5 (nb5); Motie 12-1-42-0; Greaves 15-3-36-2.

WEST INDIES 2nd Innings *K. Brathwaite c Head b Hazlewood 1 T. Chanderpaul c wk Carey b Hazlewood 0 K. McKenzie c Labuschagne b Green 26 A. Athanaze c wk Carey b Hazlewood 0 K. Hodge c Smith b Hazlewood 3 J. Greaves lbw b Lyon 24 †J. Da Silva not out 17 Extras (lb1, nb1) 2 TOTAL (6 wkts, 22.5 overs) 73 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Chanderpaul), 2-1 (Brathwaite), 3-7 (Athanaze), 4-19 (Hodge), 5-40 (McKenzie), 6-73 (Greaves).

Bowling: Starc 4-1-16-0; Hazlewood 8-4-18-4; Cummins 5-1-25-0 (nb1); Green 3-0-9-1; Lyon 2.5-0-4-1.

Position: West Indies trail by 22 with four second innings wickets standing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, January 19, 2024

Joseph bags maiden ‘five for’ - But Head keeps Australia in control

SEE PAGE

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Shamar Joseph leads the team out after his maiden five-for•Jan 18, 2024•Cricket Australia/Getty Images

GLTA lauds 2024 budget

THE Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA) lauds 2024 sport budget

THE Guyana Lawn Tennis Association has welcomed the unprecedented allocation of $4.6B in the 2024 budget to the sport sector.

In recent years the executive of the GLTA has established a close working relationship and camaraderie with the National Sports Commission and the

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. Our frequent interactions have resulted in needs assessment of the tennis fraternity which resulted in the fulfilment of many commitments to our sport.

These commitments include, but are not limited to the Rehabilitation of the

National Racquet Centre tennis courts with the installation of lights and new bleachers and the completion of the National Gymnasium tennis court with the installation of lights and bleachers.

The support for players to compete at the local and international levels and for

coaches to be certified and accredited by the International Tennis Federation, as well as the support for the National Tennis Academy are also initiatives that the MCYS has been lauded for As a result of the above-mentioned positions, our players and coaches can compete within the region

and enhance their game strategies, fitness levels, and coaching knowledge to align with the goals and objectives of the GLTA. In light of the foregoing, the GLTA looks forward to continued synergies with the National Sports Commission, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport,

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and by extension, the Government of Guyana.

The partnerships thus far have allowed players, coaches, and officials to grow in their respective areas of expertise and most importantly, alleviated significant financial burdens from the parents of our players.

| FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2024