Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 20-02-2023

HUNDREDS of Guyanese on Sunday came out to the Kingston Beachfront for the Mashramani Panorama Steel Band Competition hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. There were five bands in the youth section and three bands in the adult section. Two of the youth bands, the Region Six Orchestra and North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary School performed Jumo Primo’s Living My Life vibrantly. The event was sponsored for the 15th year by Republic Bank (Adrian Narine photos)

Students laud opportunities presented by Youth Forum at 2023 energy conference

THE four-day International Energy Conference and Expo 2023 concluded on Friday last with the hosting of a Youth Engagement Forum.

As the name suggests, the forum saw a number of Guyana’s youth being edified on the opportunities and developments, as well as career prospects that exist in the expanding energy sector.

The forum served to highlight that while government and investors play a major role in growth of the economy, it is also necessary for youth to be aware of the developmental opportunities that await them.

Students of Queen’s College who attended the forum expressed similar thoughts.

“I love when they talk about Guyana having an opportunity for everyone. Not only those who attend Queen’s College, Bishop’s, or those who intend to follow in the techni -

cal streams, but everyone. They have opportunities for nurses, doctors, and teachers,”Athea Allicock, a fifth form student, expressed.

Theresa Nascimento, another Queen’s College fifth-former, told the DPI, “The part that most stood out to me was when the second speaker, Ms Hudson, was talking about the opportunities that the energy sector really provided for us, and it’s in different sectors. It’s not only in terms of the technical aspect, it’s also in maritime law, which I am hoping to practise one day.”

The forum featured several keynote speakers who provided valuable insights and perspectives on Guyana’s booming energy industry. It allowed students a chance to learn about the country’s economic growth, challenges in the energy sector, and steps that could be taken to solve these issues. (DPI)

Major city roads to undergo significant upgrades

THE government has advanced plans to upgrade several major roads across Georgetown as part of the overarching objective to significantly transform Guyana’s infrastructural landscape.

According to an advertisement from the Ministry of Public Works, there are invitation for bids for upgrades and rehabilitation of Carifesta Avenue, Homestretch Avenue and Thomas Lands.

There are also plans to enhance Vlissengen Road and the GuySuCo Bulk Terminal Wharf at Ruimveldt.

Over $150 billion has been set aside in Budget 2023 for the advancement of major infrastructural projects across the country.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh had said recently that the government has been reorie nting the focus of the national budget to invest heavily in the things that matter for long-term economic growth, particularly as it pertains to addressing the country’s infrastructural gap.

“We recognise the importance of seizing the moment to lay the foundation for investment; we see this as the

moment to ensure that we address historic infrastructure impediments to long-term economic growth. Notwithstanding emphasis on infrastructure, we are doing all of this in the context where we maintain a disciplined fiscal stance,” Dr Singh related.

The government has done this through a conscious decision to shift expenditure from being heavy on govern-

public consumption.

Conversely, the 2023 budget saw a marked shift from consumption towards public investment, with almost half of the $781.9 billion budget, or 49.6 per cent of it, being devoted to public investment.

The budget saw massive increases in key infrastructural sectors such as roads and bridges, housing, and

ment consumption of goods and services to a greater focus on government investment in infrastructure.

Putting the foregoing into a statistical context, in 2019, the previous government spent less than a quarter of public expenditure, the equivalent of some 22.7 per cent of it, on public investment, and the remainder on

power generation.

In 2019, total investment on roads and bridges through the budget amounted to $11.8 billion, while in 2023, some $131.5 billion was allocated to this area. In the area of housing development, less than $1 billion was spent in 2019, but in the 2023 budget, that area received $53.1 billion.

Queen’s College students who attended the youth forum (DPI photos)

Greater oil output from Guyana ––

By Clestine Juan

GUYANA will be playing a crucial role in the delivery of “secure” and dependable” lower-emission energy, as international oil giant ExxonMobil expects to increase production to 400,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) from its two production vessels, ExxonMobil’s President (Upstream) Liam Mallon said recently.

The company also eyes increasing production to 600,000 bpd by the end of the year, Mallon said during the International Energy Conference and Expo Guyana 2023, which was held at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.

ExxonMobil, the operator in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, currently has two state-of-the-art Floating, Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels- the Liza Destiny and the Liza Unity- producing 380,000 bpd.

That amount is greater than was expected from the two vessels which are operating in the Liza Phase I and Liza Phase II developments in the Stabroek Block. Mallon highlighted that the company believes those two vessels can produce 400,000 bpd with debottlenecking offshore.

“This is just the beginning” Mallon said as he predicted even greater success expected in the coming years through its partnerships.

Even as production at these two developments is

Top Exxon official hails ‘unprecedented’ pace of development

UNPRECEDENTED

And in an interview with local energy resource centre, OilNow, Mallon described the activities in Guyana as unprecedented.

“The pace at which this is going on is unprecedented and just as importantly, we are doing it in a very responsible way.

“It’s just the most impressive thing I’ve worked on in my career,” Mallon said during the interview that aired on Sunday.

Mallon has over 40 years of experience in the oil and gas field and worked on numerous mega projects around the world.

set to increase, a third development offshore will start-up soon. At the Payara development, the third project in the Stabroek Block, Guyana will be producing an additional 220,000 bpd using the Liza Prosperity FPSO.

By the end of this year, production in the Block should increase to 600,000 bpd. ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) alongside Hess and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) are the coventurers in this Block.

The Stabroek Block, where production started since 2019, has brought much attention to Guyana.

Mallon boasted about the 30 profitable oil discoveries offshore Guyana since 2015.

He said ExxonMobil and

its partners continue to play a fundamental role in oil and natural gas in meeting the basic human need for energy and helping to drive economic growth and social progress in Guyana.

Mallon explained disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic or Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have provided a powerful and tragic reminder of how quickly energy markets can be disrupted and the inherent risks of underinvestment and insufficient supply.

“When others were scaling back, Exxon Mobil, and its co-ventures here in Guyana leaned in and continued investing in development, not only here in Guyana, but globally and helped Guyana become an oil exporter by 2020. And today, a major new energy player.

“As we look to the future on this transition… oil and gas will continue to be a significant part of the energy mix for decades. Of course, we must balance new production with responsible development, safeguarding our environment and ecosystems and to contribute to the social and economic progress of the communities where we operate,” he said.

He said Guyana and its partnership with ExxonMobil is evidence that it’s possible to grow production, create value for society and shareholders while at the same time, lower harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

“We’re (ExxonMobil) demonstrating that commitment right now. We are playing a leading role in Guyana economic transformation,

creating employment and local content and responsibly developing oil and gas resources.

“It’s really clear that Guyana will play an extremely important role in the energy transition. What we’ve achieved together here in Guyana is absolutely unique,” he said.

He had disclosed that Exxon anticipated having six projects online with a capacity of more than 1.2 million barrels a day by the end of 2027.

Mallon further explained that by 2027, Exxon development in Guyana is expected to generate about 30 per cent lower greenhouse gas emissions than Exxon Mobil’s upstream portfolio average.

Meanwhile, at the conference, ExxonMobil Guyana President, Alistair Routledge also talked up Guyana’s output and its position in ExxonMobil’s global portfolio.

“Guyana is playing in delivering another secure, dependable source of lower emission supply than some of the existing suppliers of oil and gas today in the world,” he said.

With Guyana poised to make the switch from fuel oil to natural gas, and the government has been committed to a low-carbon development trajectory which sees a reduced demand for fossil-based fuel to power its developmental needs.

Routledge explains that this is “critical to the global economy” while also delivering “tremendous” transformational opportunities to Guyana.

Alleged verbal, physical abuse of students at Woodley Park being investigated

THE Department of Public Information (DPI) has been made aware of allegations of verbal and physical abuse accompanied by the alleged use of racist language against students attending the

Woodley Park Secondary School.

“We have been advised that the Ministry of Education, through the Regional Education Department and the Guyana Police Force are working

together to thoroughly investigate these reports,” DPI reported.

A joint investigative team has been launched into those allegations and to determine the facts surrounding this situation. All

findings will be made public as soon as it is available, DPI related.

“Parents, students, and the general public are being assured that the ministry is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all

students. The ministry will continue to monitor this situation closely and provide updates as necessary. Be assured that appropriate actions will be taken in accordance with the law,” the release stated.

The Department of Public Information added: “In the meantime, every action will be taken to keep the students safe and anyone who attempts to interfere with that will be dealt with condignly.”

ExxonMobil’s President (Upstream) Liam Mallon at the recent International Energy Conference and Expo (DPI photo)

ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge at the recent International Energy Conference and Expo (DPI photo)

Big promises without clear plans

as APNU engages small gathering at East Ruimveldt

MEMBERS of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on Sunday evening promised a small gathering at East Ruimveldt that the party would deliver a “better life” to Guyanese, but failed to outline specifically how they intend to achieve this goal.

Leader of the Opposition,

Aubrey Norton, and other members were vocal about increasing disposable income, improving education and safeguarding the lives of Guyanese, but there was no mention of what specific policies would be instituted to deliver on such promises.

Adamant that the party wants to tackle the “monster

of poverty,” one member, Elson Low, said: “[This is] not a party that will bluff you and not bring policies and ideas as to how to deal with things.”

Low, however, concluded his speech shortly after this without addressing those policies and ideas.

Norton also spoke generally about increasing public servants’ salaries and implementing anti-inflationary measures to counter any possible inflation, but failed to delve into what those measures could be and how im-

ported inflation, for instance, would be addressed.

He also addressed the issue of taxation and made reference to the former APNU+AFC’s move to decrease value added tax (VAT) from 16 per cent to 14 per cent.

Existing information, however, shows that while this was done, the coalition added VAT to utilities and there were several other forms of direct taxation and increases in licensing fees to generate revenues.

The People’s Progressive

Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has since removed those taxes and implemented measures that increased the disposable income of Guyanese without the imposition of new taxes.

It was reported last month that some $50 billion will be placed in the pockets of citizens through increases in oldage pension, public assistance and adjustment of the income tax threshold, along with other cost-of-living measures that form part of the government’s $781.9 billion budget for 2023. Those measures are also supplemented by the increase in the education cash grant.

Released under the theme, “Improving lives today, building prosperity for tomorrow,” this year’s budget is the largest budget ever and despite being 41.4 per cent larger than Budget 2022, it is fully financed with no

new taxes.

Aside from the increased income tax threshold, the first phase of salary adjustments announced last year by President, Dr Irfaan Ali will take effect from this month, benefitting over 5,000 healthcare workers and almost 9,000 members of the Disciplined Services, resulting in an additional $3 billion in disposable income in the hands of these workers. Provision for these are all made out in Budget 2023.

Another $10 billion has also been allocated to the part-time job programme which was started in 2022. The beneficiaries of this programme are encouraged to upskill themselves so they can eventually take up full-time employment as the labour market is confronted with a shortage of skills in certain areas.

Members of APNU on Sunday evening addressed a small gathering of persons at East Ruimveldt

Argentina reports new cases of bird flu in its territory

ARGENTINA confirmed on Saturday two new cases of bird flu detected in wild birds, three days after reporting the first findings of the disease in the South American region.

“We have detected a second case in two wild ducks found dead in the province of Cordoba,” the Argentine National Service of Health and Agrifood Quality (SENASA) of the southern country said on Twitter.

Argentina, along with Uruguay -- two important international agricultural producers -- this week declared a state of sanitary emergency due to the first cases reported last Wednesday.

Officials in both coun-

tries said they reinforced controls at borders and internally as a result of the ongoing problem.

Avian flu, which has

reached new corners of the globe, has become endemic for the first time in some wild birds that transmit the virus to poultry, experts

said.

The virus has spurred import bans in some countries and pushed egg prices to record highs in some parts of the world.

Several countries in South America, including Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela, have already found cases of bird flu in their territories.

Brazil, the world’s biggest chicken exporter, has never reported a case but is on alert.

(REUTERS)

Elections on the Horizon

GUYANESE are expected to go to the polls in June 2023 for the first time since the APNU+AFC’s attempt to steal the general elections of March, 2020. Thankfully, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has been restructured and reformed since that infamous act and seems prepared to deliver an election of the highest standard and credibility.

Voters will elect councillors for 70 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) or rural bodies and 10 municipalities (towns).

It is important for every elector to participate in this process, as it is said that when people vote, they’re not just electing government officials, they are also expressing their preferences, satisfaction, and or dissatisfaction as

an electorate for candidates and parties.

Typically, local elections in Guyana and any country rarely receive much attention, although turnout of about 40 per cent at Guyana’s most recent LGEs is substantially higher than in most other countries, including in the USA.

But LGEs are very important, and there has been a lot of attention on GECOM’s preparation for the elections, encouraging people to become involved in the process — as candidates and or volunteers on behalf of candidates or parties --- and come out to cast votes.

Guyana operates a mixed-member electoral system for LGEs — half the seats on the NDCs and townships are chosen through a single-member constituency-

based system, so that individual candidates who receive the most votes in their constituencies or wards gain the seat — and half of the seats are proportional representation — whereby the parties receive seats in proportion to the share of votes they receive. The newly elected councillors then choose a Chair and Deputy Chair or a Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

They can be changed if the body is not pleased with an individual’s performance. Compared with a system of direct elections for Mayor or Chair by voters, which is also used for the presidency in the national election, this indirect approach in electing the executive in local entities encourages upward accountability and rewards performance with upward mobility.

This allows the LGEs to

strongly reflect individual popularity, capability, capacity, and competence in positions.

In the 2016 and 2018 LGEs, the then opposition People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) experienced gains in seats, more in the latter polls. For LGEs 2023, recent opinion polls conducted projected bigger gains for the now ruling PPP/C, including in what historically has been opposition PNC strongholds.

If the poll’s findings are borne out, it will be a watershed moment in the political landscape of the country. The projected gains for the PPP/C, the poll states, are largely attributed to the popularity of President, Dr Irfaan Ali; Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo, and Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and the government,

and the unpopularity of the Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton and his PNC.

The poll’s findings state that the PPP/C administration has performed exceptionally over the last 28 months since assuming office and will be deservingly rewarded with control of most of the 80 local governments. The PNC, on the other hand, has performed dismally as an opposition since August 2020.

The opposition has been engaged in race baiting and rabble rousing, and they have also been oppositionist to every progressive move of the government. The incumbent PPP, on the other hand, has been promoting ethnic inclusivity in its “One Guyana” policy and availing resources and government to all, irrespective of neighbourhood, race, and age.

While an election generally is a referendum on the incumbent, LGEs 2023 will be a referendum on Aubrey Norton and the PNC — whether they can hold on to their traditional base. It will also be a referendum on the PPP/C and President Ali.

It will not be surprising if voters reward President Ali with a huge win because he and the PPP/C administration have performed exceedingly well since being elected to the seat of government in August 2020.

In contrast, the projected decline in electoral support for the PNC/R can be interpreted as a degeneration of the party because of its attempt to rig the 2020 elections and disillusionment with its performance in government between May 2015 and July 2020.

All of Guyana must adjust to a vigilant elections mode!

Dear Editor, THE Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, has written to Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), appointing Monday, June 12, 2023, as the date for Local Government Elections.

This significant undertaking follows a notification from the Chairperson of the institution’s readiness to host the Local Government Elections by May 22, this year. It will be a major step and point of measure for GECOM since the organisation’s image had, perhaps, denigrated to its lowest ebb following the epoch of approximately 28 years of oppressive PNC manipulation, which was significantly reduced when they lost power in 1992.

Associated in this respect is the flagrant involvement of

GECOM staff in the abhorrent and scandalous attempts to falsify the true results of the March 2020 General and Regional Elections. These have been drivers for sweeping remedial changes, some of which have been undertaken, but which still leave key stakeholders and observers poised to maintain purposeful diligence and almost unrestrictive caution.

After much uncertainty linked to frequent delays and the shifting of commitments to complete these overdue elections resulting largely, from opposition tactics, the situation realizes a sense of relief. For some Guyanese citizens, there is some level of apprehension, given an expectation that the PNC may come up with some other suppressive strategy or problem. Consequently, the entire country must adjust and get into the elections mood, and be objective to the realities of

what is required, while being aware of the deception opposition forces are attempting to camouflage.

There is no doubt that the PPP/C government has moved with appropriate speed to significantly bolster the development benefits to all Guyanese through meaningful and accelerated initiatives, and strengthen our democracy at the national level. The fact is that local governance and the local government systems are essential parts of Guyana’s governance. Our local democracy must be strengthened to ensure that at the community and village levels, the necessary cycles of the democratic movement are in synchrony and parallels these advancements.

GECOM moved in the right direction and has since undertaken several necessary and complementary activities. The ongoing continu -

ous registration along with the Claims and Objections process will give rise to a proper Register of Voters. The Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) is fully accessible to all the stakeholders in the country and timely public notices and information guidelines were provided to advance public awareness of the adjusted timelines for the facilitation of amendments to the register as required.

Hence, anyone who will be 18 years or over by May 22, 2023, and is a Guyanese citizen by birth, descent, or naturalisation or is a citizen from a Commonwealth country living in Guyana for one year or more, is eligible for inclusion in the registers, providing he/she is living in a Local Authority Area. Every citizen now has an opportunity to make sure that their name is on the PLE where they are living, so that they can be part of local

democracy.

GECOM must be commended for putting Assistant Electoral Registers (AERs) in each LAA. This proactive mechanism will allow every citizen to make the relevant changes that they may need to make to facilitate their full participation in the process. Further, This Claims and Objections process will allow every citizen to peruse the PLE and make their observations to the AER so that the necessary adjustments can be made, so that GECOM can produce the best possible Register of Voters.

I wish to applaud and congratulate the efforts of the Chief Elections Officer Mr Vishnu Persaud, who has certainly demonstrated that he is knowledgeable of the operational work of the elections commission. Hence, the commission must put all systems in place to hold Local Government Elections

following the approved work plan.

Our people are deserving of increased benefits from the PPP/C government’s tremendous transformation and development that is taking place in Guyana. Local democracy must be strengthened through the LGEs to facilitate a smoother transition of gains at the local authority levels.

Many persons are looking out for the known ‘naysays’ who will be making their usual objections to frustrate and delay the holding of LGEs. The Guyanese people should no longer condone these naysayers and join to reject their burdensome attempts to slow the path of progress.

Sincerely, Neil

Kumar

The 21st Century Goldrush for Oil Dorado

Part 4: A Rear View of Guyana’s Economic and Energy Security Progress

FOLLOWING the February 14-17, 2023 Guyana Energy Conference and Expo, this final in the four-part series about the endless search for El Dorado five centuries ago and the current transformation to a future fuelled by oil & gas, looks at the new national energy landscape and highlights some regional cooperation possibilities.

ANY review of Guyana’s four-day International Energy Conference and Expo (February 14-17) cannot but conclude that it was more successful than might have been planned -- or even imagined.

It wasn’t only about bringing oil & gas stakeholders together to discuss plans and exchange views, but more about examining where the global energy sector is now and what to do to harness available energy for development, in a world where sustainability and transitions combine to make forward planning not only necessary, but vital.

Conference presentations generally indicated brimming optimism about Guyana’s future and a general sentiment of common agreement that the country is on the right track.

Same with discussions on prospects for Caribbean energy cooperation, from the open offer by Trinidad & Tobago to share its decades-old experience in natural gas development to help neighbouring newcomer Guyana develop that sector, to Suriname’s willingness to develop crossborder energy cooperation with its continental Caribbean neighbour and St Vincent & The Grenadines’ encouragement to embrace all opportunities to collaborate for the region’s common good.

Ditto the many examples of Guyana being serious about learning from the mistakes of other oil and gas producers to ensure that it takes the right decisions to use energy revenues to develop other sectors

and avoid over-dependence on oil & gas.

The conference also demonstrated the innovative thinking driving Guyana’s thrust to ensure that new earnings are shared across its vast land, as demonstrated by the sale of carbon credits and designating 15% (US $22 million) to the nation’s First Peoples -- to buttress that already budgeted by government for 241 Amerindian villages that’ll receive the money and decide (on their own) how it’ll be used.

The conference also heard of plans to encourage the nation’s youth to tap into the lucrative energy sector; and the Expo displayed just how quickly the local, regional and international private sectors were able to enter and integrate to provide goods and services to the ever-expanding energy sector.

Thousands of ordinary Guyanese, including students, toured the hundreds of booths featuring products and services of providers from Africa, Arab states, Barbados, Britain, Canada, China, India, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and the USA (among others), including scores based in Guyana.

There’s also the overwhelming international attention brought by world news coverage, with major oil & gas publications reporting on the positive highlights that have made Guyana the fastestgrowing oil-based economy today and the place where, with reserves estimated by ever-increasing billions of barrels and trillions of dollars, more energy companies are looking to invest.

The international financial institutions are advising caution and engagement of early steps to reduce dependence on oil & gas and to keep corruption at bay, while the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is ever ready to work with Guyana to improve the region’s energy security, which Caribbean leaders attending

the conference twinned with Guyana’s lead responsibility for CARICOM food security.

The major companies involved in the Stabroek Block have together committed to increase their investments by expanding existing ones and continuing to support Guyana’s efforts to use its successful model to internationalize the carbon-credit sales mechanism.

All this happened while the world continues to adjust to the new realities that followed the armed conflict in Ukraine a year ago, which resulted in sanctions and other actions that seriously upstaged and radically changed how the world turns, from the effects on increased food and fuel prices to the interruption of delivery of emergency food aid to starving populations facing famine, mainly in Af-

rica and Asia.

But the global economic blowback from Ukraine also seriously affected the poor in the richest countries in Europe, North America, Asia and The Pacific, where prices also rose way beyond wages and eroded people’s ability to pay bills. Many were forced to choose between paying for food or fuel, also with Europe and North America facing their worst ‘Winter of Discontent’ in 2022, which has snowed into a 2023 that promises continuing inflation and recession for as long as the war continues.

Guyana hasn’t failed to note the inconsistencies that saw the very nations that preached ‘Zero Emissions’ waste no time to return quickly to the use of coal and fossil fuels and reactivation of nuclear plants.

But as President, Dr Irfaan Ali, Vice-President Bharrat

Jagdeo and Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat all made clear in their many conference interventions, Guyana is planning on the basis of existing realities and not wishes or dreams, with clear short, medium and long-term plans in place for having the gasto-energy project on line by December, production of 1.2 billion barrels-per-day (bpd) by December 2027 and 100% renewable energy by 2050.

Guyana’s increasing energy demands are being addressed through several sustainable oil & gas and renewable energy projects, side by side; and the country is on course for the amazing transformation predicted (and already being felt), with cumulative oil funds estimated to reach G$2.2 trillion by

2026, with annual transfers of US $1.2 billion.

Fast forward to tomorrow – and projections are that economic growth will hover above 25% annually over the next four years, by which time the billion-bpd target will likely have been reached, with electricity bills halved and much more available for more public expenditure on everything that can help ensure the nation’s ever-growing oil wealth is ever increasingly shared with wider sections of the population through more projects and mechanisms that will eventually rank Guyanese (sooner than later) high-up on the global index of the World’s Happiest People. The Energy Conference and Expo indeed went a long way to convince the world that Guyana’s future is being well mapped out.

Understanding Energy: Guyana’s partnerships yielding results

THE past week marked the second annual International Energy Conference and Expo in Guyana, which was held from February 14 to 17 in Georgetown. With over 200 exhibitors from the global oil industry participating and over 800 delegates and sponsors, this was an event to highlight achievements, discuss the concerns affecting the energy sector and maximise the benefits of local content development in Guyana and the region.

This conference signifies the growing geopolitical and regional influence of Guyana, which can be attributed to its rapidly developing oil and gas sector. The growing industry in the country has been funding the development of its non-oil sectors and boosting the overall economy of the country. Just in the last year Guyana has made US$1.24 billion from oil revenues and royalties. More than 30 discoveries have been

made offshore Guyana, with 10 new discoveries in 2022, thus leading the world in offshore discoveries since 2015. All of the projects are located in the Stabroek Block, which ExxonMobil is active participant in with a 45 per cent operating stake.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo clearly recognises the unleashed power of Guyana’s energy sector. At the conference, speaking to attendees, he said, “we want multiple numbers of investment groups coming in here because then you can start the exploration activities simultaneously.”

Early this month it was announced that the Payara project from ExxonMobil will be utilising a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, Prosperity, which will be the second FPSO to operate offshore Guyana with a unique sustainable design. The FPSO will have an initial production capacity of 220,000 barrels of

oil per day and will be able to store two million barrels of crude oil. As Guyana balances a diversifying energy mix, it remains crucial that it continues to develop its oil and gas resources as the window to reap the benefits of production narrows.

Moreover, as Guyana’s oil and gas sector continues to develop, there will be a clear need for investments from partners like ExxonMobil, Hess Corp. and CNOOC, which have played an instrumental role in helping Guyana recognise its potential as a producer. By 2027, Guyana’s oil production is expected to reach 1.2 million barrels per day which would make it the second largest producer in South America, further cementing the country’s regional presence as a producer. At the international energy conference, Liam Mallon, ExxonMobil’s Upstream President, confirmed plans to ramp up production saying “[it’s] an

exciting place to wake up in the morning and think about what’s possible. Where will we be in five years? What else can we do to innovate, to create, to drive, for Guyana and the world?”

From the Liza Phase 1 development to the fourth FPSO underway, Mallon and ExxonMobil are already thinking about what’s next for this small country as projects continue to come online and estimated production numbers continue to rise, “[we’re] also executing an extensive exploration and appraisal program in the area around the Fangtooth Discovery to define a potential 7th development, underpinned by the recent success of the Fangtooth-SE-1 well.”

Additionally, at the conference under the theme “Harnessing Energy for Development,” Suriname’s President Chandrikapersad Santokhi addressed the delegates, and during his speech urged closer

collaboration with Guyana on developing the oil and energy sector. This is a clear signal that Guyana’s role as a leader in the region is pivotal to supporting other countries and offering lessons learned on the success it has achieved in such a short time. President Santokhi believes a collaboration between the two countries will offer opportunities to “share expertise and resources, save costs, reduce risk, improve our relation, and develop the border areas… to increase production and also promote greater transparency and accountability.”

Moreover, Mallon also referenced Guyana as a “superb example” of what partnership can do as he spoke to ExxonMobil’s longterm investment in Guyana and its relationship with the government. The partnership between Guyana and ExxonMobil has already yielded positive results and

will continue to be highly valuable both for opportunities in the future, and the record achievements already being realised. As an emerging producer, Guyana has a lot of responsibility to prove it can continue to compete at a high level on the global stage. Already the country is on track to be the largest offshore oil producer in the world by 2035, according to a 2022 report by analysts at Norway-based Rystad Energy. Through continued investments and partnerships, the sky is the limit for the country. President Irfaan Ali on Guyana’s energy policy sums it up well, “[what] we have said is oil and gas is not the answer. It will give us much-needed revenue to catalyse the other sectors […] When we speak about development and transformation and the positioning of Guyana, it is not guesswork. It calls for big thinking.”

Bridge upgrades along Lethem trail progress

MINISTER of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, on Saturday, spearheaded several site visits along the Kurupukari to Lethem trail, Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo), where dozens of bridges are being constructed as part of wider efforts to improve this roadway.

The Ministry of Public Works is undertaking the historic upgrade of 45 timber bridges, using a composite design, steel and concrete, that complies with international construction and transpor-

tation standards, as part of the government’s vision to develop and upgrade the Linden-Lethem Corridor. These upgrades will be done in two phases, the first being the 32 bridges from Kurupukari to Lethem Corridor and the second, which includes 13 bridges, from Mabura to Kurupukuri.

A release from the Ministry of Home Affairs noted that Minister Benn inspected the ongoing progress of the bridges along the Kurupakari to Lethem trail.

Officially started on April 11, 2022, the standardised designs were proposed for bridges identified for an upgrade, based

on an initial condition assessment of each location.

Hinterland Engineer of the Ministry of Public Works, Jeffrey Wal-

cott; Deputy Commander of Regional Police Division #9, Mohamed Ally; Inspector E. Winter, SRKN’gineering

Gregory Williams, Civil Engineers and technical staff from the Ministry of Home Affairs were also on the site visits.

Scenes from the site visit by Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn and others (Ministry of Home Affairs photos)

Whim/Bloomfield get $5M tractor to boost garbage-collection efforts

FARMERS and residents from Whim/ Bloomfield on the Corentyne Coast, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), will now benefit from improved services through the provision of a new tractor and trailer.

According to a press release by the Ministry of Agriculture, the new machine was procured by

the ministry’s Agriculture Sector Development Unit under the Rural Agricultural Infrastructure Development (RAID) Project for approximately $5 million.

The machine was handed over to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council’s officials by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Agriculture Minister,

Zulfikar Mustapha, on Sunday, during a farmers’ meeting.

Minister Mustapha said that several requests were made for assistance with a tractor to help farmers and to assist with garbage collection and disposal within the NDC area. The officials were urged to use the machinery to develop the community.

The tractor that was delivered to the Whim/Bloomfield NDC (MOA photos)

Mother serving 98 years for killing children appeals sentence

HOFOSAWA Awena

Rutherford, who is currently serving a total of 98 years in jail for killing her two children, has

moved to the Court of Appeal to challenge her conviction and sentence.

In 2018, Justice Navindra Singh sentenced

Rutherford after a jury found her guilty on two counts of manslaughter for the March 27, 2014 killing of her two small

children at Branch Road, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

On the first count, killing of four-year-old Hodascia Codogan, Rutherford was sentenced to 45 years’ jail; while on the second count, killing of one-year-old Jabari Codogan, she was ordered to serve 53 years’ jail time.

The 98-year sentence will run consecutively.

Dissatisfied with the conviction and sentence, Rutherford moved to the appeal court, arguing that the trial was unfair, the judge erred in law and that the sentence was unduly severe.

The appeal comes up for hearing at the Guyana

Court of Appeal on March 29, 2023.

The children died on March 27th, 2014, moments after Rutherford administered carbon tablets—a pesticide popularly known for killing rats—to them. Her claim was that she thought that she had given them cold medication.

Rutherford was her -

self hospitalised for some time after ingesting the tablets.

According to her caution statement, Rutherford told police about having problems and being frustrated while awaiting word on her application for a job as a traffic warden with the Guyana Police Force.

Hofosawa Awena Rutherford

Guyana aims to reclaim, offer 20% of Exxon oil block

GUYANA’S Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, told Reuters the country plans to take back 20 per cent of the giant Stabroek oil block that has been responsible for a series of massive discoveries from a consortium led by Exxon Mobil Corp., and remarket it by next year.

More than 11 billion barrels of oil and gas found to date in the 6.6 million acre (26,800 sq km) block. The group’s contract allows Guyana to reclaim unexplored portions this year, Jagdeo said in an interview from the country’s capital.

Guyana is pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to lessen the consortium’s grip on the country’s oil resources, Jagdeo said, and spur new oil production.

The U.S.-Chinese group produces 380,000 barrels of oil and gas per day from two projects within the Stabroek block, and expects to increase output to 1.2 million barrels by 2027. The leastdeveloped country in South America expects to collect $1.63 billion in oil royalties

and fees this year.

“We need more competition,” Jagdeo said in an interview during an energy conference in Georgetown.

One year ago, he said Guyana wanted to recruit state-controlled oil companies to develop new fields. The decision to reclaim existing Exxon blocks signals urgency to speed development.

The claw back comes amid continued criticism of the original deal under a previous government as too onesided for the oil companies.

MISSED DEADLINES

The Exxon group has missed investment deadlines for portions of the block not under exploration or development, he said, and under terms of the licence, Exxon must relinquish a minimum of 20 per cent of the contract area not retained under an exploration or production licence.

“Exxon cannot keep it, that would be illegal,” the vice-president said.

Exxon said it and its Stabroek partners are in compliance with the Petroleum

Agreement and the Petroleum Act, including their acreage relinquishment requirements.

“We are in ongoing discussions with the government regarding those requirements, in respect to both timing and area,” spokesperson Meghan Macdonald said.

Separately, Guyana is working on an auction of exploration licences to 14 offshore blocks outside of Exxon’s domains in what would be the country’s first competitive auction. It also has proposed offering blocks to India, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates or national oil companies.

Energy Minister, Vickram Bharrat told Reuters eight companies, including well-known oil producers, have paid to access geological data of the areas set to be auction next quarter. Exxon and QatarEnergy have publicly disclosed their interest.

Parallel to the auction, Guyana has been in direct talks with countries such as Qatar, India and United Arab Emirates over bilateral oil agreements, under different

terms from those granted for private oil producers, he said.

“I believe that some of them will bid on the 14 areas and still explore bilateral discussions,” he said.

Jagdeo also hopes to engage Brazil’s state-run Petroleo Brasileiro and the Brazilian government, where his old political ally, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in January started his third presidential term.

“We want Petrobras to be

involved here,” Jagdeo said, adding integration between the two countries advanced under Lula’s past presidencies. “We are waiting anxiously for Lula to settle in,” he said.

Guyana also has development areas outside the soonto-be-auctioned 14 blocks, and is prepared to offer them to “these countries on a bilateral level.”

Among those are blocks closer to shore than the pro-

ducing fields, two blocks returned to the government by Toronto-traded firms CGX Energy and Frontera Energy and the 20 per cent of undeveloped Stabroek Guyana aims to reclaim, he said.

“If bilateral talks don’t go well, next year we will offer another round,” Jagdeo said. “The deal has to be favorable to Guyana.”

In December, Guyana released new fiscal terms that increased its share of the oil proceeds, between production and royalties, from 14.5 per cent to 27.5 per cent, plus a corporate tax of 10 per cent after profits.

Companies including Exxon are now waiting the government to release a new production sharing agreement (PSA) model that will set terms for the blocks on offer as well as projects yet to start the development phase.

The PSA draft will go through public consultation through March 8 and is expected to be finalised before an April 14 auction, Jagdeo said. (REUTERS)

Indigenous communities benefitting from much-needed creek clearing

THE Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) last week signed off approximately $4 million in contracts for the clearing of creeks in several Amerindian communities in the region.

The signing was done in the RDC boardroom in the presence of the Regional Executive Officer, Susannah Saywack.

Wakapoa and Akawani received $1.1 million each to clean and clear their area. It includes the cutting of overhanging trees, cleaning of floating stuff, and cutting of overgrown bushes that impede the waterways leading to the community.

The St Monica, Kabakaburi and Bethany Village Councils received $600,000 each to clean and clear their area. The money will be used also to cut the overhanging trees, clean floating stuff, and also provide a clear passage for boats traversing the area.

The Kabakaburi Village Council will be involved in the clearing of the Waiwaroo creek. The Toshoas were tasked to ensure that the monies are spent on improving access to the communities and to allow free flow of water and boats.

The Toshaos extended gratitude to the Region Two administration for the funds. They said that money will be used by the

council to ensure that all entrances leading to the Amerindian community in the Upper Pomeroon River are cleared of excessive floating islands.

Wakapoa Toshao, Lloyd Pereira, said that he was happy that his Council received a larger allocation to clear the creek this year.

Clearing he said will be done in both upper and lower Wakapoa creek areas, especially in the Koria creek. He also said that the Village Council will be involved in removing small islands floating in the water and pinning them down. He also said that the reefs will be removed with more heavy power engines.

Pereira extended grati-

tude to the Regional Administration for finances that will be used to clear the creek in the Wakapoa communities.

Toshao for Bethany community, Sonia Latchman, also extended gratitude to the regional administration. She said her community looks forward to the funds yearly to help in the enhancement.

The clearing of creeks is an ongoing activity by the Village Councils in the various communities. Often, bushes block the entrance areas to most of the riverain communities making it impassable for passengers and residents visiting the communities.

Regional Executive Officer Susannah Saywack witnesses St Monica Toshao Even Samuels signing the contract

Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo at the recently concluded International Energy Conference and Expo- Guyana (DPI photo)

Pomeroon communities to get first-time access to potable water

RESIDENTS of Wakapoa and Akawini (Baracaro) in the Lower Pomeroon and Karawab and Kabakaburi in the Upper Pomeroon, Region Two (Pomeroon- Supenaam) will receive first-time access to potable water with the drilling of new wells in the villages.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, made this announcement

during a two-day outreach in the region on Friday and Saturday.

Regional Vice-chairman, Humace Oudit; Director of Hinterland Services at the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Ramchand Jailal and other technical officials accompanied the minister.

Currently, the villagers, who are predominantly Amerindians, source water

from the river and through rainwater harvesting. Minister Croal stated that the incoming systems are in keeping with a commitment of President, DrIrfaan Ali.

He also said the government is heavily investing to ensure that hinterland and riverine communities receive 100 per cent access to potable water by 2025.

The wells will be drilled through GWI with a new

PAT Rig acquired by the water company. The rig is expected to arrive in March and drilling of two wells will begin at Wakapoa in April, before moving to Baracaro for the drilling of another well. GWI also aims to connect three nearby islands at Akawini to the system. The rig will then be moved to the other areas.

“That well will provide a better quality of life for our people. It will help you

to reduce some of your hardships that you may be faced with in the dry season,” Minister Croal told residents

Additionally, two Community Service Officers (CSOs) will be trained to assist GWI with the operation and maintenance of the systems upon completion.

With the villages also set to benefit from monies earned from the sale of Guyana’s carbon credits,

the minister also urged them to be innovative and embark on projects that will foster sustainable economic growth and job creation.

During the meeting, residents also took the opportunity to highlight issues affecting them in their communities. These issues will be addressed by the relevant subject ministers and agencies. (DPI)

‘Men on Mission’ repairs Region One pensioner’s house

REGION One Police

Commander, Senior Superintendent Himnauth Sawh and a team, on Saturday, rehabilitated a dilapidated stairway of a premises occupied by 70-year-old Allan Caleb as part of countrywide ‘Men on Mission’ initiative.

Earlier in the year, the team visited the home of the pensioner in Mabaruma Township, North West District, Region One (Barima- Waini). The bedridden pensioner had been residing there for a number of years and the dilapidated stairway posed significant risks to the safety of himself and all others visiting to support

him.

Commander Sawh, according to a release from the Guyana Police Force, emphasised that this initiative will continue through the year 2023 and will bring relief to many senior citizens and other vulnerable persons across the region.

Launched in November 2022, the Men on Mission (MoM) initiative aims to uplift young men who are exposed to many societal ills, such as drug abuse, domestic violence, gang violence, and other violent crimes. It is an initiative developed by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali.

The intention is to provide young men with

guidance and counselling, recreational and fitness activities, and create economic empowerment through temporary employment schemes.

Additionally, MoM has been addressing various needs in society ranging from pushing employment ventures to constructing new houses for people. Through this initiative, the President has pledged to build some 150 houses for vulnerable groups.

With support from numerous private sector players, several new houses have been constructed and furnished across the country for vulnerable individuals.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, engages residents of Wakapoa (DPI photo)

Residents of Karawab engage Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal (DPI photo)

The Men on Mission team with 70-year-old Allan Caleb on his rehabilitated stairway (Guyana Police Force photo)

‘Pirates’ to know fate today for 2017 murder of boat captain

JUSTICE Navindra Singh is expected to pass sentence, today, on two fishermen who confessed to killing 57-yearold Corentyne boat captain,

Mahadeo Ramdeholl, also known as ‘Chico,’ during a piracy attack in 2017.

Last month, Doodnauth Singh, 63, and Khemraj Nar-

sayah, 44, both fishermen of Rose Hall, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne), were indicted before the Berbice High Court for

the capital offence of murder but opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

They admitted to unlawfully killing Ramdeholl during

the course or furtherance of piracy on May 16, 2017, in the county of Berbice.

According to reports, on May 16, 2017, around

18:30hrs in the Atlantic Ocean, in the vicinity of Tain Village, Corentyne, Singh and Narsayah, who were armed with cutlasses, pounced on Ramdeholl’s boat. They attacked him and his two crewmen, Arjun Permaul and Parmanand Nandan.

After relieving the victims of their fish and out -

board engine, the men struck Ramdeholl on the head and pushed him overboard. The men also forced Permaul and Parmanand to jump into the water.

Ramdeholl’s body was found near the Rose Hall foreshore the next day and a postmortem examination found that he died by drowning.

Last month, Justice Singh sentenced a Corentyne businessman, Nakool Manohar, called ‘Fyah’ and his accomplice, Permnauth Persaud, called ‘Sanbat’ to death for the murder of several fishermen, who were killed during a pirate attack off the coast of Suriname in 2018.

In December 2022, a 12-member jury found Manohar and Persaud guilty of the charge which read that, between April and June 2018, while in Guyana’s territorial waters, they murdered Mahesh Sarjoo called ‘Kuba’ and Tilaknauth Mohabir called ‘Camion’, on board the vessel, Romina SK 764, while committing the offence of piracy.

It was further alleged that the men, during the same period, murdered Bandara called ‘Spanish man’, Laita Sumair called ‘Bora’ and Lokesh DeCouite, on board the vessel, Joshua SK 1418.

DEAD: Mahadeo Ramdeholl

Doodnauth Singh

Guyana’s shell mound, other marine ecosystems to be studied

By Naomi Parris

GUYANA is home to an overwhelming amount of flora and fauna but researchers believe that there is much more to be discovered in the wetland areas of the country.

It is for this reason the recently established marinefocused research centre at Imbotero, Region One (Barima- Waini), will soon begin an extensive research-based exposition into one of the country’s shell mounds in the region.

Head of the Guyana Marine Conservation Society (GMCS), Annette Arjoon-Martins, recently told the Guyana Chronicle that a team of ma-

never been explored before where this massive amount of shells [came from].

“The ROV, which could reach depths of 1,200 feet, will allow us to go there and explore what is going on with the shell mounds that are washing ashore and are covering the entire beach in shells,” ArjoonMartins explained.

Residents of Waramuri, Moruca, Region One, cannot say for sure just what the story is behind the famous Shell Mound. Nevertheless, many have accepted that there is something unique, even special, about the location.

In a previous interview, one of the oldest residents in the village, 83-year-old Syl-

locating missing vessels that sank during mishaps in the Berbice river.

“It will also be as siting the maritime administration with some reconnaissance work to locate a vessel sunk about 15 miles off the Maha-

ica river mouth as well. So, not only will we be doing marine research, we will also be doing some supporting work for our relevant government agencies with which we collaborate,” Arjoon- Martins said further.

rine biologists will soon begin research on the origins of the shell mound offshore in the Pomeroon river.

“To complement our marine research centre, we have also just acquired a Chasing M2 Pro Max ROV, which is a remote-operated vehicle. It will allow us to go offshore and do marine research on the shell mounds, which are 17 kilometers off the Pomeroon river mouth and these are the shell mounds that are responsible for the shell beach being covered in shells,” she said.

Shell middens, also called shell mounds, are defined as prehistoric refuse heap, or mound, consisting chiefly of the shells intermingled with other artifacts that were left behind by prehistoric people.

These are usually found in coastal areas and consist mainly of discarded shells along with related cultural materials, such as bones, ceramic pots, and stone tools.

At Region One’s Shell Beach, a large portion of land is said to be covered with shells.

“100 kilometers of beach is covered in sand and it has

vester Abrams, recalls hearing a story about how “something” prevented people from passing in the vicinity of Shell Mound; even capturing their boats.

Archaeologist, Dr. Dennis Williams, reportedly did some excavations back in the 1980s on the shell mounds. Among the items found were pots and pans, and more interestingly, skeletal remains.

It is also believed that there is a cave underneath the shell mound, which was visible in times past but has been covered over the years.

Meanwhile, marine biologist is also expected to venture to ancient county of Berbice, to explore the existence of Fresh water coral in the Berbice River.

“[The ROV] will also allow us to go 35 kilometers off the Berbice river mouth to explore where there are fresh water corals. So, nobody has ever really known that there are fresh water corals offshore of Guyana coastline and this is a huge deal,” Arjoon- Martins further said.

Further, staff of the research centre will assist Guyana’s Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) in

A section of the shell mound in Region One (REEL Guyana photo)

Head of the Guyana Marine Conservation Society (GMCS), Annette Arjoon-Martins

Woman in custody after allegedly fatally stabbing husband

ANTHONY Shivlall, a resident of Lima Sands on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon- Supenaam), died on Sunday, af-

ter he was, allegedly, fatally stabbed by his 18-year-old wife at her grandmother’s house at McNabb, Region Two.

Shivlall was discovered lying motionless by his wife’s grandmother. The alleged murder occurred around 02:00hrs.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the couple was attending the grandmother’s birthday celebrations on Saturday night when an argument ensued. The wife reportedly left the party but returned later.

The young woman reportedly went searching for Shivlall inside the lower flat of the house; she was not seen again for some time. Eventually, when the grandmother went searching for the couple, she saw Shivlall lying on the ground with multiple stab wounds.

His wife reportedly fled the scene and the family called the police as soon as possible. Shivlall was taken to the Suddie Public hospital where he was pronounced dead. He had one stab wound on his left chest area, one

stab wound to his lower right chest area, and one to his left hand.

Meanwhile, the suspect was arrested at a nearby house. She has since admitted to the crime and is in custody.

Rocks Futsal Championship

Final will feature Bent Street and Back Circle

BACK Circle and Bent Street will contest the inaugural final of the Rocks Auto Trans and Spares

Parts ‘Legendary Cup’ Futsal Championship, after commanding semifinal wins on Saturday evening at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.

Back Circle embarrassed Sparta Boss 5-1 in a thoroughly lopsided encounter that was essentially over at the end of the first half, as the East Ruimveldt outfit romped to a 3-0 advantage.

corded a hat-trick in the 18th, 22nd, and 33rd minute to lead the rout of their fierce rival, while Stephon Reynolds and Simeon Moore commenced the thrashing with conversions in the sixth and 10th minute respectively

For the loser, Darron Niles recorded a consolation goal in the 30th minute. Similarly, Bent Street

dismantled Tiger Bay 7-2

Experienced defender Quincy Adams bagged a hat-trick in the 17th, 38th, and 40th minute, whilst fellow rearguard operative Marcus Wilson amassed a quick-fire double to start the carnage in the third and fourth minute.

Assisting with goals in the 12th and 23rd minute apiece were Daniel Wilson

and Trayon Bobb. On the other end, Deon Alfred tallied a brace in the 10th and 20th minutes.

The resulting victors will now face off for the coveted title on Saturday 25th at the same venue. The losers will contest the third-place playoff.

The winner of the tournament will pocket $500,000 and the champi-

onship trophy. On the other hand, the second, third, and fourth-place finishers will receive $250,000, $150,000 , and $100,000 respectively. On the individual side, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) will receive one motorcycle. Similarly, a patron will receive one motorcycle on the night of the final.

Panama to face Paraguay in Women’s World Cup playoffs

(REUTERS) -Panama secured a 2-0 win over Papua New Guinea in the final qualifying playoffs for the Women ’ s World Cup in New Zealand on Sunday and will face Paraguay , who beat Taiwan 4-2 on penalties in a thrilling game With both teams seeking World Cup qualification for the first time, Panama and Paraguay will face off in Hamilton on Thursday Cameroon will face Portugal , and Haiti will take on Chile in the other two playoffs on Wednesday for the World Cup in New Zealand and Australia , which will be the first edition to

feature 32 teams and will take place between July 20 and Aug 20

Marta Cox opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a spectacular bicycle kick as Panama started strongly at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland. Substitute Riley Tanner made it 2-0 in the 63rd minute , dancing her way through the Papua New Guinea defence before finishing off in style Tanner thought she had added a third goal in the 84th minute with an easy tap - in , but the goal was ruled out following a VAR check because she was offside in the build-up

Earlier, Paraguay rallied to a penalty shootout win over Taiwan after the game finished 2-2 following extra time at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton

Taiwan went 1-0 up in the 21st minute after captain Lai Li-Chin volleyed home a brilliant cross and Su Sin - Yun doubled the lead in the 75th minute when she slotted home the ball, which ricocheted off the crossbar following a free kick by Lai.

Paraguay made it 2-1 in the 80th minute as Dulce Quintana finished off a team move with a thumping strike before Lice Chamorro scored an equaliser a minute

later, forcing extra time in the game Paraguay substitute Fatima Acosta had a goal ruled out for offside in the 100th minute, while Taiwan’s Pao Hsin-hsuan skied her penalty kick in the final moments of extra time Paraguay completed a shootout victory when Chamorro scored the winning penalty after Quintana, Fany Gauto and Maria Vecca all found the net for the South Americans. For Taiwan, Zhuo Liping hit the post and Pao had her spot kick saved by goalkeeper Alicia Bobadilla as the team left the field in tears.

Jermaine Beckles re -

India retain Border-Gavaskar Trophy after Australia lose nine wickets in a session

INDIA beat Australia inside three days for the second Test in a row to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy after the tourists capitulated in Delhi.

Resuming on 61-1 - a lead of 62 - Australia crumbled to 113 all out against India's stellar spinners.

Ravindra Jadeja claimed a Test-best 7-42 and Ravichandran Ashwin 3-59 to leave India needing only 115.

They wrapped up a six-wicket win before tea as Cheteshwar Pujara hit the winning runs in his 100th Test.

After victory by an innings and 132 runs in the first Test, India now have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-Test series, with the third match in Indore starting on 1 March.

It means India have secured the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the fourth series in a row.

Australia started Sunday marginally ahead after an engrossing second day when Axar Patel and Ashwin helped India recover from 139-7 to post 262 - a first-innings deficit of one - before the tourists batted well to lose just one wicket by the close.

However, their hopes of building an imposing lead on a tricky, turning pitch quickly unravelled.

Travis Head nicked Ashwin behind after adding four to his overnight 39, while Steve Smith was lbw to the off-spinner, one of several Australia batters to be dismissed attempting sweeps or reverse-sweeps despite the low bounce.

At one stage the tourists lost four wickets for no runs in 11 balls, collapsing from 95-3 to 95-7.

Marnus Labuschagne was bowled by a Jadeja delivery that stayed low, Matt Renshaw missed an expansive sweep to be pinned lbw by Ashwin, and Jadeja removed Peter Handscomb and Pat

Cummins with consecutive deliveries.

Handscomb nicked a fine delivery to slip but Australia captain Cummins' dismissalbowled first ball unfurling an ugly slog-sweep - epitomised the flaws in his side's technique.

Jadeja took the final three wickets to complete Australia's humiliation.

"This one is particularly disappointing, having been ahead of the game for a lot of it," said Cummins.

"Those opportunities don't come often in India, so you've got to grab them. This one hurts a bit."

Asked about how best to counter the pitch's challenges, Pujara said: "The sweep is not an ideal shot to play

because there is low bounce.

"If you can try to get to the pitch of the ball or play on the back foot, it's better on turning tracks.

"It's the initial phases where you find it a little difficult and you need to figure out the way to tackle the spin, but once you face 30 or 40 balls then it is a good pitch to bat on."

India wobbled at points in their chase, falling to 6-1 as KL Rahul's flick looped off Handscomb at short leg to be caught by wicketkeeper Alex Carey, and 39-2 when captain Rohit Sharma was run out following a mix-up with Pujara.

But Pujara's watchful 31 not out anchored the innings, while keeper KS Bharat added a fluent unbeaten 23 off 22 balls.

"I knew if I played through the first few minutes of my innings I would be there at the end," said Pujara.

"My family are here watching the game and hitting the last boundary in a winning cause is a special feeling.

"We knew they would come hard at us but we showed a lot of patienceour bowlers were incredible."

The series will help to

decide who qualifies for the World Test Championship final at The Oval in June, with Australia needing to draw one of the final two Tests to secure a place.

are second in the table and will qualify if they secure a 3-1 victory or better

this series. Australia could be without David Warner for the remainder of the series, after the opener was withdrawn from the second Test because of concussion and also sustained a fractured elbow.(BBC Sport).

England smash Black Caps to win first Test in NZ in 15 years

(REUTERS): England's "Bazball" revolution has continued apace with the tourists wrapping up a thumping 267-run victory over New Zealand in the opening session of the fourth day of the first Test.

Still shellshocked after Stuart Broad's brilliant spell with the pink ball on Saturday evening, only Daryl Mitchell of the Black Caps last five batters offered any real resistance as they folded to 126 all out in their second innings at Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval on Sunday. It was a first Test vic-

tory for England in New Zealand since 2008 and a 10th win in 11 matches since former Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum and Christchurch-born Ben Stokes took over as coach and captain.

Broad laboured in vain to get his 20th five-wicket haul in Tests and finished with figures of 4-49 but his partner James Anderson (4-18) stepped in to lead the mopping up of the New Zealand tail World Test Championship title holders New Zealand had resumed on 5-63 with the mammoth task of chasing down

394 for victory. But England quickly resumed their dominance of the previous evening.

Michael Bracewell lasted less than 10 minutes before he spooned a Jack Leach delivery to Harry Brook at mid-wicket without adding to his overnight tally of 25.

Scott Kuggeleijn came in and made two runs from six balls before being trapped in front by Anderson with skipper Tim Southee departing for a golden duck on the next delivery, prodding the ball to Joe Root in the slips.

Mitchell fended away Anderson's hat-trick ball at the start of the England seamer's next over and proceeded to stall the rout with an unbeaten 57 that got the hosts firmly into three figure.

Neil Wagner (9) at the other end gave Anderson his third wicket with an edge behind and debutant number 11 Blair Tickner scored eight runs, keeping Mitchell company in the final-wicket stand before Anderson took out his off stump. The second Test at Wellington's Basin Reserve will start on Friday.

Jadeja was amused when asked if he thought sweeping was a good option // Fox Cricket.

CONCACAF U17 championship

Jamaica, Dom. Rep., Haiti eliminated after losses on Saturday

JAMAICA’s U17 Reggae Boyz were eliminated from the CONCACAF U17 Championships on Saturday night, going down 2-1 in a hard-fought game against hosts Guatemala.

With the winner to earn a place in the quarter-finals, Guatemala assumed the early advantage when Selvin Sagastume put them 1-0 up in the 32nd minute, a lead that would last until the half-time break. Jamaica would pull lev- el in the 54th minute when

Ronaldo Barrett scored from a free kick.

However, as has been the case in all their previous matches, Jamaica conceded a late goal. That problem cost them three points against Guadeloupe and two points against Costa Rica.

On Saturday night, Gabino Vasquez’s 77th minute strike cost them a place in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, the USA drubbed the Dominican Re-

public 7-0 in their encounter in Antigua.

Christopher Aquino scored in the 22nd and 30th minutes to give his side a 2-0 lead.

Keyrol Figueroa then scored just before the break to give the US a 3-0 lead.

Figueroa added his second and the USA’s fourth in the 57th before Micah Burton added a fifth in the 62nd.

Ezekiel Soto scored the third brace of the day for the

U.S., with goals in the 83’ and 90’ to round out the 7-0 scoreline.

In the nightcap in Antigua, Canada ended Haiti’s hopes of a quarter-final spot by handing them a 3-0 defeat.

Antoine Sedar N Diaye opened the scoring in the fourth-minute of play and Lucas Ozimec netted in the 16th as Canada took a 2-0 lead within the first 20-minutes.

Erik Pop scored in the 88th to complete the victory.

GDA Big Bash tournament set for next Sunday at Providence Stadium

THE Georgetown Dominoes Association (GDA) will stage a fund-raising tournament next Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium tarmac, East Bank Demerara.

The tournament dubbed “GDA Big Bash – The Minister’s Edition”

will attract affiliates of the association as well as teams from corporations, ministries and the private sector.

President of the GDA Hazim Hakh, said Sunday’s tournament will be a first of its kind at the National Stadium and will

serve as a fund raiser for the Association as Guyana prepare to host the World Dominoes championships in August this year.

“We anticipate over 40 teams to take part in the tournament and we have extended invitations to clubs in Linden, Berbice,

East Coast Demerara, Bartica and West Demerara as well as the private sector and government ministries,” he added.

Prizes will be awarded to the top four finishers with the first place team receiving $300,000 dollars and a trophy, second

securing $150,000 plus a trophy, third place $75,000 and a trophy and fourth place $35,000 and a trophy.

The Most Valuable Player in the final will receive $15,000. Association and first division teams will pay

$15,000 to register while ministries and private sector teams will pay $10,000 registration fee. Interested officials can contact the following numbers to register 642-8179, 659-8672 or 600-6200. Double six time is 14:00 hours or 2 p.m.

IPL 2023 to be played from March 31 to May 28

IPL 2023 will begin on March 31, with defending champions Gujarat Titans taking on Chennai Super Kings in Ahmedabad, as the league returns to its traditional home-and-away format in India for the first time since 2019.

The final will also be held in Ahmedabad, on May 28.

The IPL is set to begin five days after the final of the inaugural Women’s Premier League on March 26, and the opening weekend will have all 10 teams in action: after Titans play CSK on Friday, Punjab Kings take on Kolkata Knight Riders in Mohali, and Lucknow Super Giants play Delhi Capitals in Lucknow on Saturday (April 1); and Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Rajas-

than Royals in Hyderabad, and Royal Challengers Bangalore play Mumbai Indians in Bengaluru on Sunday (April 2).

The schedule for the four playoff matches has not been announced yet, apart from Ahmedabad being identified as the venue for the title clash.

The teams have been divided into two groups like last season. Group A has Mumbai, Knight Riders, Royals, Capitals and Super Giants, while Group B has Super Kings, Royal Challengers, Titans, Kings and Sunrisers.

But unlike last season, each team will play the five teams of the other group twice and the other four from their own group once, making it 14 league games per team.

The league phase com-

prises 70 matches across 52 days from March 31 to May 21, spanning 12 cities, and will feature 18 double-headers.

In addition to the ten regular venues – Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Mohali – some matches will be played in Guwahati (Royals’ second home), and Dharamsala (Kings’ second home).

Royals will play their first two home games in Guwahati and the remaining five in Jaipur. Kings, on the other hand, will play their first five home matches in Mohali and their last two home games in Dharamsala.

Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings in 1,000th IPL game

There will be a total of

18 double-headers during the league phase – every Saturday and Sunday. The two most successful teams in the history of the IPL, Mumbai and Super Kings, will meet twice, on April 8 and May 6, with the second of those fixtures the 1,000th match in the IPL since its inception in 2008. Super Kings, meanwhile, would be returning

to their original home at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, or Chepauk, in Chennai.

IPL 2019 was the last time that the league was played across all the traditional venues in India. In 2020, the tournament had to be postponed from the March-May window to September-November and moved to the UAE

because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, there was an attempt to play in the Indian summer but a breach of the bio-secure bubble led to the season being interrupted midway, and the second half of the season resumed in the UAE in September.

In 2022, the tournament was played in the March-May window in India, but the entire league phase was played at venues in Mumbai and Pune, and the playoffs and final in Kolkata and Ahmedabad.

Gujarat Titans won the IPL title in their debut season last year under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya, beating Rajasthan Royals in the final in Ahmedabad. (ESPNcricinfo)’

Part of the action in the matches on Saturday night.

Gujarat Titans won the IPL in their first season (Photo: IPL).

GCA’s Ramchand Auto Spares 50 overs U-19 cricket

DCC, GCC register easy wins

By Sean Devers

THE Georgetown Cricket Association’s Ramchand Auto Spares 50 overs U-19 cricket resumed Sunday with two matches.

In sweltering heat at the world famous Georgetown Cricket Club Bourda the home team, led by a frugal four-wicket haul by left-arm spinner Aryan Persaud and an unbeaten 31 from Zackary Jodah, easily beat Transport Sports Club’s (TSC) ‘B’ team.

In the other game played under blue skies at the Malteenoes Sports Club, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) whipped GNIC by five wickets.

At the former Test venue, TSC were bowled out for 75

in 42.5 overs with only Reyaz Latif (18) and Shamar Apple (10) getting into double figures.

Left-arm spinner Persaud grabbed 4-12 from 8.5 economical overs while off-spinner Krsna Singh, operating with an injured right foot, took 2-18 from his 10 overs.

Dhanesh Persaud supported with 2-14 from seven overs for GCC who reached 76-3 from 11.4 overs.

The Bourda lads began their reply badly losing Shaahid Vieira (1) who was removed by Emanuel Lewis at 3-1 in the second over.

Marlon Ramsurace and Jodah added 20 for the second wicket before Ramsurace, who clobbered a boundary in his 11, played back to the first delivery

from 18-year-old female Nyia Latchman, the only woman in the tournament.

Rivaldo Phillips (9) and the stylish Jodah, son of former Guyana U-19 left-hander Richard Jodah, took the score to 46 before Phillips was neatly stumped of left-arm spinner Brandon Henry.

Jodha, who executed some well-timed cover drives in his unbeaten 31 from 31 balls with three boundaries, added 30 in an unfinished partnership with Thaddeus Lovell who struck two sixes off leg-spinner Stephon Sankar in his four-ball 14 to end the contest.

At MSC, DCC hammered GNIC by five wickets after the Woolford Avenue team was dismissed for 55 in 16.2 overs despite 20 with three

Renaldo Granville is about to be given out LBW to left-arm spinner Aryan Persaud, who took impressive figures of 4-42 at Bourda on Sunday (Sean Devers photo)

sixes from Sakanchi Simon. But only Josiah Lim who found the boundary once in

his 13, reached double figures for GNIC.

In a tournament which

showed how much the standard of U-19 cricket in Guyana has dropped in the last 15 years, four GNIC batters failed to score and three others did not pass two.

Jayden Dowlin, son of former West Indies batter Travis Dowlin, had 3-9 while Ezekiel Wilson took 3-3 for DCC who lost five wickets in what should have been a simple run chase.

DCC reached 56-5 in 11.3 overs with only opener Indarjeet Nannan, who faced 33 balls and hit a six and four in his 24 and national table tennis and youth crickete,r Johnathon Van Lange who hit a six in unbeaten nine offered fight.

Four batters made ducks while extras contributed 20.

Rashford scores double as Man United beat Leicester

Marcus Rashford scored twice to continue his hot streak and help Manchester United overcome Leicester in the Premier League.

Rashford is in the form of his career and is leading United's resurgence, taking his tally to 24 goals for the season with strikes in each half at Old Trafford.

Barnes from close range and kept out Kelechi Iheanacho's diving header with another superb stop.

Defeat ended Leicester's three-game unbeaten run and an inconsistent season sees them remain in 14th place in the table.

Red-hot Rashford leads United's charge Manchester United face

with three months still to play.

The 25-year-old took his tally to 17 goals in 18 games since the end of the World Cup, the most by a player in Europe's top five leagues.

His goals had the hallmarks of a player full of confidence, stroking into the net when through on goal and he could have had a hat-trick when he beat two defenders but drilled his shot straight at Ward.

Diogo Dalot missed a glaring chance from six yards out, miscuing the excellent Fer -

nandes' cross, while Lisandro Martinez headed against the crossbar in a second half that was bossed by the home side.

United's aim at the start of the campaign would have been a return to the Champions League and they are well on their way to achieving that, lying third in the table and 10 points clear of Tottenham in fifth.

Looking above them, is a title charge out of the question? United are five points adrift of leaders Arsenal, although the Gunners have played a game fewer.

Foxes rue missed chances

This was a case of what might have been for Leicester.

Brendan Rodgers' side came into the game following a thumping 4-1 victory over Spurs last Saturday but will rue the failure to take their opportunities this time.

De Gea denied Barnes and Iheanacho to claim a 180th clean sheet for the Red Devils, drawing alongside Peter Schmeichel's club record.

Leicester's January signing Tete flashed a shot wide of the

far post and James Maddison dragged an effort off target as the Foxes went home empty-handed.

The hosts could have had a man sent off when Marcel Sabitzer caught defender Wout Faes on the knee with his studs, but neither the referee nor VAR took any action.

Leicester will look to get back to winning ways but face another big test, hosting top of the table Arsenal on Saturday (kick-off 15:00 GMT).(BBC Sport)

Guyana’s McCurdy, Haiti’s Jean among four Caribbean winners at South Carolina Open

THE Caribbean was well represented at Friday’s University of South Carolina Indoor Open in Columbia, South Carolina.

Both efforts were clinical finishes, latching on to passes from Bruno Fernandes and Fred before bearing down on goal and coolly slotting past Danny Ward.

Substitute Jadon Sancho finished off a fine team move to seal all three points for Erik ten Hag's side, but it could have been a very different story.

Leicester created the better chances when it was goalless and their failure to find a way past David de Gea proved costly.

The Spaniard made a stunning reflex save to deny Harvey

the most important week of Ten Hag's short tenure, coming up against Barcelona in their Europa League play-off second leg on Thursday, followed by a trip to Wembley where they face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.

They go into those two huge games bang in form, having lost just three of their 22 league games, and ruthless finishing ended Leicester's challenge on this occasion.

Leading the charge is England international Rashford, who has now secured his most prolific campaign for United

Guyana's Lloyd McCurdy and Jamaican Sadiki Marsh were among the winners on the men’s side.

The 23-year-old McCurdy, competing unattached, jumped a personal best 16.04m to take the win ahead of Jamaicans Shemar Miller, who did 15.27m, and Rajaun Ricketts who did 14.99m. Both Miller and Ricketts attend Benedict College.

Marsh, also a student at Benedict College, won the 800m in 1:55.86 ahead of the Wingate University pair of Ben Aris (1:57.53) and Jakob Rettschlag (1:57.80).

Trinidadian Limestone College senior Che’ Lara ran a

personal best 47.68 for second in the 400m behind South Carolina’s William Spencer Jr who ran 47.38 for the win. South Carolina’s Edward Richardson was third in 48.37 while Jamaican St. Augustine’s sophomore

Sean Kalawan was fifth 48.96.

Lara’s Limestone College teammate, Grenadian Kurt Modeste, ran 21.33 for third in the 200m behind South Carolina’s Evan Miller (20.95) and Lenoir-Rhyne’s Trent Davis

(21.23).

On the women’s side, Haiti’s Mulern Jean sped to 8.27 to win the 60m hurdles. Barbados’ Tia-Adana Belle was second in 8.40 while Jamaican Charleston Southern senior Chaneal Harris was third in 8.55.

Belle also enjoyed a topthree finish in the 200m, finishing third in 24.38 behind 17-year-old American sensation Shawnti Jackson (22.91) and Charleston Southern’s Lauryn James (24.16).

Dominica’s Mariah Toussaint was also a winner on the day, jumping 6.20m to comfortably win the long jump ahead of the University of West Georgia’s Pashience Collier (5.71m) and William Carey’s Zaniyah Wilson (5.68m). (Sportsmax).

Fom left: Lloyd McCurdy jumped a personal best 16.04m to win the triple jump. Mulern Jean won the 60m hurdles in 8.2

Marcus Rashford has scored 24 goals for Manchester United so far this season - his most prolific for the club.

GSA’s Bounty Farm Mash Handicap Squash Tournament

Jason-Ray Khalil beat Arjoon to take title

By Sean Devers

A LARGE gathering turned up at the Georgetown Club yesterday as the curtains came down on the 2023 Guyana Squash Associations (GSA) GSA’s Bounty Farm Mash Handicap Squash Tournament and they were not disappointed.

In an entertaining final, Jason-Ray Khalil and defending Champion, Alex Arjoon engaged in a riveting battle with excellently executed rallies which included several drives, Volleys and accurate drop shot as Khalil took the first game 15-10

Rocks Futsal Championship

Final will feature Bent Street and Back Circle

see story on page 20

The second game ended 15-12 to Khalil as the south paw Arjoon dug deep to take the match in a third game.

Justin Ten Pow beat Demetri Lowe 1512, 9-15, 15-12 to take the Junior Category

A title in a very competitive contest

In the day’s other results: Malia Maikoo beat Noah Rahaman 15-8, 15-12, Jeremy Ten Pow beat Rylee Rodrigues 15-11, 1512,

In the Open Category Javid Rahaman got past Jonathan Antczak 15-13, 15-14 while Daniel Ince defeated Taylor Fernandes 15-10, 15-12

Panama to face Paraguay in Women’s World Cup playoffs

Justin Ten-Pow won the Junior title

Jason-Ray Khalail beat Alex Arjoon to take the Open squash title

The winners display their hardware at the GT Club yesterday (Photos by Sean Devers)

Paraguay players celebrate winning a penalty shootout against Taiwan

Photo by Hagen Hopkins - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

A scene from the Tiger Bay and Bent Street (black) semi-final encounter in the Rocks Auto Trans and Spares Parts ‘Legendary Cup’ Futsal Championship on Saturday evening at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue