Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 20-07-2022

WEDNESDAY 20th July, 2022 PRICE

$100

VAT INCLUSIVE

World-class accommodation

No.106789

–– $7.3B Four Points Hotel for new Mandela-Eccles Highway

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President Ali affirms local demand 05 for sugar will be met PAGE

Nandlall insists 02 Court of Appeal has no jurisdiction to hear elections petition case PAGE

President, Dr Irfaan Ali; CEO of the Guyana Office for Investment, Dr Peter Ramsaroop (first from left); Minster of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond (second from left); Caribbean Green Building Inc. and Owen Steel Investor, Andres Botero-Toro (third from left) and project representative, Chamand Basdeo turn the sod for construction of the US$35Million Four Points by Sheraton–Marriott Hotel, on Tuesday (Adrian Narine photo)

Grape cultivation to reach new heights in Region Six PAGE

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Construction at the site for the new Four Points by Sheraton–Marriott Hotel (Office of the President photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Nandlall insists Court of Appeal has no jurisdiction to hear elections petition case

— urges CCJ judges not to be ‘misled’ by opposition lawyers

ATTORNEY-GENERAL and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., on Tuesday told the five-member panel of Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) judges that the Guyana Court of Appeal does not have jurisdiction to hear and determine the appeal of APNU+AFC’s Election Petition 99 of 2020.

Nandlall and Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, as the General-Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), are the applicants in the matter.

In January, at the Guyana Court of Appeal, Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards granted a motion filed by Nandlall and Jagdeo for leave to appeal the court’s December 21, 2021 decision to the CCJ, which is Guyana’s final court of appeal. The Chancellor had also granted a stay of the CoA’s judgement.

By way of a majority rul-

From left : Justice Denys Barrow, Justice Peter Jamadar, Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee, Justice Winston Anderson, and Justice Jacob Wit

ing, the CoA had said it has jurisdiction to entertain an appeal challenging Chief Justice Roxane George’s decision to dismiss the said petition, on the grounds of late service, non-service, or improper service.

The initial appeal was filed in January 2021 by Roys-

dale Forde, S.C., the attorney for the APNU+AFC, and Trinidadian attorney, John Jeremie, S.C. During Tuesday’s arguments at the CCJ, AG Nandlall said that the CoA does not have jurisdiction to hear the case, since the matter was thrown out by the High Court, and no

evidence was heard.

Justices Jacob Wit, Maureen Rajnauth-Lee, Denys Barrow, Winston Anderson and Peter Jamadar are presiding over the case.

Nandlall submitted that the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal to hear an appeal from a decision of the High Court in

Attorney-General Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C.

an election petition must either be found in the Constitution or in a statute.

Additionally, he said there is no statutory or constitutional instrument granting jurisdiction to the Court of Appeal to hear an appeal of an election petition for procedural impropriety, or any other reason not

stated in Article 163 (1) of the Constitution.

According to Nandlall, the ruling of the CJ is not a decision granting or refusing leave to institute proceedings for the determination of any question referred to in Article 163 (1), neither did it involve a determination of a question referred to in the same article.

Nandlall said that the jurisdiction of the High Court was not invoked to answer this question in the petition, since the matter never went to trial, and was thrown out.

“If your honours are to examine the judgement of Chief Justice George, her honour quoted copious authorities that aggregate to say that when procedural requirements are not met, the impact and legal effect is that it affects the validity of the petition itself. It nullifies the petition, and that

Continued on page 5

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 20, 2022

World-class accommodation $7.3B Four Points Hotel for new Mandela-Eccles Highway

By Jared Liddell AN increase in economic activities is imminent along the newly opened four-lane Mandela-Eccles Road, following the commencement of work on the US$35Million (approximately $7.3 billion) Four Points by Sheraton–Marriott Hotel at the Houston site just off the new highway.

The massive 172-room facility is being constructed by the Caribbean Green Building Inc., and US-based Owen Steel Company.

In his address at a simple sod-turning ceremony for the new hotel on Tuesday, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, said this massive investment is aligned with the government’s commitment to unlocking new opportunities and opening new paths for the further development of Guyana.

“The facts are that the development trajectory of our country is forward-looking. It is upward, it is dynamic, it has diversified and it is bearing potential, not only for inves-

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali (Adrian Narine photo)

tors but now for the creation of the jobs that we talked about.

These developments are not isolated, they’re strategically aligned to a goal of a government,” President Ali said.

The Head of State related that the massive investment is set to benefit Guyanese not just through the creation of

jobs, but also through several spinoff opportunities including an increase in the net asset value of the properties around the new Mandela to Eccles Highway.

Preparatory works began in April for the construction of the massive facility; this was just under a week after

the new four-lane Mandela-Eccles Road was opened to the public.

President Ali said that the government will work in systematic way to ensure that these types of investments are supplemented by investments in public infrastructure.

He noted that this type of

investment by the government is necessary to ensure that the entire developmental agenda of the country is extended not just to businesses and the private sector, but also to all citizens of the country.

“We’ll have a heavy focus on community development, the internal roads, and communities, ensuring that the credit systems are working. Because what we want to create is a national environment that gives you a national standard.

“We want people to be proud of the environment in which they live and work.

We want the environment to be reflective of the growth trajectory of the country. We want the environment to tell the story of the transformation that is taking place,” the Head of State said.

President Ali related that the facility is set to see a reduced timeframe for completion when compared to projects of a similar nature, since it is utilising a prefabricated steel structure which is currently on its way to Guyana from the manufacturers. The estimated deadline for completion of the

Preparatory works began in April for the construction of the massive facility; this was just under a week after the new four-lane Mandela-Eccles Road was opened to the public (Office of the President photo)

entire project is 2024.

“One of the good things about this investment is that the prefabricated building is already completed. That is a steel structure for the hotel is already completed. So, you will see a quick movement from the foundation to the steel structure. If I’m right, if the structure is on route to Guyana as we speak. The pile testing is ongoing; 500 piles have to be driven into the ground,” Dr. Ali said.

This massive facility will also add to the government’s efforts to reduce the country’s carbon emissions by at least 70 per cent by 2030.

Caribbean Green Building Inc. and Owen Steel investor, Andres Botero-Toro, said that the building is “Edge certified” and will consume 40 per cent less resources than a similar project built using traditional methods.

The company, in its project scope, had related plans to introduce elevated amenities like the Bistro Bar (a fast, casual restaurant) and collaborative lobby spaces; spacious meeting spaces, and a convention centre, to meet market demands.

There are also plans to have 1,000 square feet of space for cardio, stretching, and strength activities; this would be supplemented by an outdoor pool and tennis court.

According to the project scope, the developer also plans to offer an arrival experience that includes an optional porte cochère – a covered entrance that is large enough for vehicles to pass through– and enhanced lighting.

Toro called Guyana a major magnet of opportunity and gave the seal of approval for other foreign investors to invest here.

“I would like to address all international investors thinking about investing and give them a message of confidence to do business in Guyana. The President’s vision of transformation and his management of the economy provides a tremendous potential to grow in this line of opportunities with awesome people. Let’s work together and grow together to make one Guyana for all the Guyanese and friends who come here and become Guyanese as I have,” the investment expert said.

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Authorities building capacity to dismantle criminal enterprises

THE government is building its capacity to target the assets of persons involved in criminal activities as it aims to dismantle criminal enterprises.

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., said targeting the proceeds from criminal activities is a fundamental component in the administration of criminal

justice.

He said that studies have shown that hitting criminals at their asset base is essential in the fight against organised crime, money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism.

“This is one component that admittedly has not been the subject of the type of focus that it should have been over the years, and

the time has come for us to change that. Our government is committed to moving in this direction,” Nandlall said.

The Attorney-General was at the time delivering remarks at the opening of an asset-recovery workshop.

The two-day activity which commenced on July 19 is a collaborative effort with the United States Department of State, Bureau of International

Participants at the asset-recovery workshop (DPI photo)

July 13, 2022

G 03 07 14 17 19 28 25 July 16, 2022

A 01 02 04 06 07 21 28

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Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and the National Centre for State Courts.

Building the capacity of criminal justice agencies in the areas of financial crime and asset recovery is the focus of the workshop. This will ensure that Guyana has the institutional capacity to deal with crimes such as money laundering, tax evasion, accounting fraud and embezzlement corruption.

The Attorney General stressed that equal to the prosecution and investigation is aligned the consequential process of following the proceeds of the illicit activities with a view of forfeiture.

“No longer will we ignore that component of the enforcement of the law, for too long we have done that. Our government’s approach is ho-

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C. (DPI photo) listic and as we are pursuing going after the proceeds of crime, we are also improving, developing and modernising crime fighting at every level,” the Attorney-General said.

Minister Nandlall related that his ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, is in the process of recruiting qualified personnel that will enhance the forensic capabilities of the state’s investigative apparatus.

There is also continuous

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training for members of the Guyana Police Force in a number of areas, to deal with the evolution of criminal activities.

This is coupled with the continued investment in improving the prosecutorial capabilities of the state.

The asset-recovery workshop will see the development of best practices for law enforcement, financial investigators, state prosecutors and state attorneys in the area of asset recovery.

(DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 20, 2022

President Ali affirms local demand for sugar will be met

By Jared Liddell

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has affirmed that the local demand for sugar will be met, as the government is working to implement systems that will boost the distribution of this commodity within the coming days.

Responding to questions on the sidelines of an event on Tuesday, President Ali said that systems are being implemented to ensure that Guyanese are not met with any significant price increase once a new batch of products hit the local market.

The products he was referring to are bags of sugar being produced daily at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) had said that the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate has a sugar production target of some 10,800 tonnes.

This new production target comes as the estate recently completed successful machinery trials following the installation of a new gearbox, which was said to be a critical part of the estate’s operation.

“They’ve [Uitvlugt] already processed I think more than 2,000 bags of sugar… what we’ll do is ensure that the Guyana Marketing Corporation secures a lot of that.

So, they can help in the distribution, so there is no price gouging,” President Ali said.

Those comments come as several commodities re-

Some of sugar produced by the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate (Photo sourced from President, Dr Irfaan Ali’s official Facebook page)

main in short supply around the world because of the current supply-chain issues caused by the COVID-19

pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Addressing comments about the supposed shortage

Meanwhile, Jeremie in his submissions contended that the Appellate Court has jurisdiction to hear the appeal of the dismissal of the petition.

He said that the Chief Justice had erred in law, and misdirected herself when she misapplied the doctrine of strict compliance, by holding that such compliance is related to the contents of the Affidavit of Service, instead of the filing of the Affidavit of Service in a timely manner.

“There are a number of other routes available to them which would allow them to have jurisdiction in this matter, and I recommend to your lordship the decision of the chancellor in particular and Justice of Appeal Gregory,” he said.

It was at this point that the CCJ decided to reserve its judgement in the case.

In the December 21, 2021, 2-1 decision, the Chancellor and Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory said that the CoA has jurisdiction to hear and determine the appeal that was filed.

The Chancellor, in her ruling, held that the decisions of the Chief Justice were a final order on both the election

petition and a preliminary issue of compliance.

She further contended that Article 163 of the Constitution states that an appeal to the Court of Appeal can be made from the decision of a judge of the High Court, granting or refusing leave to institute proceedings for the determination of any question.

“In my view, the Honourable Chief Justice sat in the elections jurisdiction of that matter, and considered the validity of the petition; determined that validity in relation to whether or not the proceeding could go on, and the Chief Justice dismissed those proceedings,” the Chancellor said.

Since the Chief Justice’s decision was a final order, the Chancellor said that the petitioners have a right to an appeal, given that there was no decision on the petition itself.

She also ruled that the Full Court of the High Court does not have the power to hear the appeal of an election petition dismissal, for want of compliance. She said it is a power Parliament should consider conferring upon the Full Court.

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of sugar on the local market because of reported smuggling, President Ali said he intends to have stakeholders in the security sector investigate and stop any such activities which would prevent Guyanese from having access to this necessity.

“I’ll have the security forces look at it, it is a high possibility. There are shortages all around us. There are shortages all around us so people are hunting supplies and once you go hunting supplies, you do find any way to get the supplier,” Dr. Ali said.

He further related that the government has been implementing systems to deal directly with any potential shortages or price increases in local commodities.

He reminded that apart from the government’s commitment to sugar production, systems have already been adopted to cushion the rising fuel prices which have affected countries across the world.

The high prices for fuel are due largely to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Russia is a major global supplier of oil and gas, but is facing sanctions from the US, UK, and the European Union following its invasion of Ukraine.

The government in March 2022 announced the removal of excise tax on gasoline and diesel, in a bid to cushion the impact of rising global fuel prices.

However, Justice of Appeal Rishi Persaud disagreed, as, according to him, the applicants, Monica Thomas and Brennan Nurse, had no right to appeal, since there was no final decision by Chief Justice George, who had dismissed the application in January, on the grounds of serious non-com-

pliance. At the time, the matter was before the High Court.

Justice Persaud also ruled that the Full Court of the High Court does not have jurisdiction to entertain the appeal, and, therefore, ruled that the appeal was dismissed.

Nandlall insists Court of Appeal has no...

From page 2

principle is inextricably linked to the jurisdiction of the court to entertain, such as a defective petition and those two principles marry, to prohibit an appeal, because there is really no decision from which one can appeal,” AG Nandlall said in his submissions.

He later chided the opposition’s lawyers for their “failure and desperate attempts” in their arguments to carve a jurisdiction for the Court of Appeal to adjudicate on elections matters.

This, he said, is futile and cannot be permitted.

AG Nandlall also criticised the respondents’ lawyers for conveying the wrong impression to the CCJ judges in their contentions that they were denied the protection of the rule of law when their petition was struck out for non-service.

“Your honours, that is a very flawed argument. The petitioners under the rules, were afforded the requisite time to serve their petition and they did not comply and 100 years of authorities have uniformly said that when there are such

Trinidadian attorney, John Jeremie, S.C.

procedural violations, then there are certain ordained consequences and the authorities have uniformly applied them,” he said.

The AG further asked the bench of judges not to be persuaded by the opposition’s attorneys to undertake the “herculean task” and attempt the “legally impossible” to create a jurisdiction out of the “vacuous situation.”

He told the judges that by falling prey to these baseless contentions, they would be misled into committing a “grave judicial error.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Mandela’s Memory

WHAT would have been Nelson Mandela’s 104th birthday came and passed on Monday with not a word from those who conveniently invoke his memory.

Born on July 18, 1918, Mandela died on December 5, 2013 and would have been 104 this year.

The United Nations General Assembly designated July 18 as Nelson Mandela Day in 2010 and since then the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the UN have ensured that the world remembers the iconic South African leader every year, by selecting a theme reflecting his aspirations and achievements.

This year, the focus is on Food Security and Climate Change with the theme: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are” – which encompasses a common global hope for all and by all, in every community, village, town, region and province – and which also coincides with Guyana’s responsibility for ensuring that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) can survive its Food Security ambitions, including reduction of the region’s food-import bill by 25 per cent by the end of 2025.

Mandela’s own teachings on self-reliance and independence from colonial thinking is very consistent with Caribbean musical icon Bob Marley’s everlasting invitation to people of African descent

everywhere to “emancipate” themselves from “mental slavery.”

But it’s a pity Mandela’s memory only resonates with those who genuinely accept his contribution to the world better understanding that no system based on dishonesty will ever prosper forever.

It is a matter of historical record that the Guyana opposition, slightly differently clothed in 1998, was not at all pleased with the wise counsel for peaceful solution to the country’s political problems that Mandela offered at that year’s CARICOM Summit in Saint Lucia, where Guyana was represented by President Janet Jagan and the Opposition by Desmond Hoyte.

That regional summit, with Mandela as special guest, included a sideline meeting with President (Mrs) Jagan and Mr Hoyte, which blessed the mechanism that led to the Herdmanston Accord negotiated by the region’s leaders, including Jamaica’s then Prime Minister P.J. Patterson and CARICOM Chairman Prime Minister, Dr Kenny Anthony.

Back then, Mandela was a bad taste in the Guyana opposition’s mouth, never mind members daily driving along Mandela Avenue and their occasional and selective lip-service paid to African causes.

Leading to Nelson Mandela Day, the usual suspects were more interested in making false claims for equal treatment as

Guyana’s First People, but through application of arithmetic formulae they claim to be wrong, but would consider right if applied as they prescribe.

Mandela led South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC), which has survived over 100 years, thanks in great part to its ability to accommodate citizens of all races genuinely committed to change, not only for the Black majority, but for all South Africans.

Joe Slovo, a white man, led ‘Umkhonto We Sizwe’, the ANC’s military wing that led the armed struggle, while Mandela and other ANC leaders were in prison.

Much has changed in South Africa since Mandela died nine years ago. Today, President Cyril Ramaphosa, a former trade unionist, is an acknowledged billionaire.

But even while all the ANC’s and Mandela’s objectives haven’t been achieved after more than a quarter of a century in office, the continent’s richest nation continues to evolve under majority rule, as South Africans continue to accept the ANC is the only party really serving their interests.

Mandela’s positions on the necessity for global Food Security and Climate Change transcended Africa’s borders and today resonate more than ever in Guyana and CARICOM and achievement of set targets will help keep his memory as alive in people’s consciousness as it obviously

is, even though apparently erased from the memory of those who seem to never have learned Mandala’s lessons.

Guyana continues to stand in support and defence of the ANC and President Ramaphosa in their continuing efforts to realise Mandela’s dreams and aspirations and this administration will certainly ensure it’s a rock-hard undertaking that will never depend on negotiated opposition support.

When he had to, Mandela stood by South Africa’s all-white rugby team for its dominance of the game and equally condemned those from his ranks who only measured progress in racial terms; and likewise, this PPP/C administration, like its predecessors since 1992, will ensure that all Guyanese benefit from the nation’s new-found wealth, unlike those who seek to rewrite history and falsify truth to qualify for and secure advantages they still deny other Guyanese are equally due.

But Mandela won’t turn in his grave, as he faced worse scenarios, and just as how the ANC has survived 110 years since its founding in 1912 to this day, so has the PPP survived the last 76 years since its inception in 1946, against all odds; and likewise, Nelson Mandela’s spirit will continue to live the world over, year after year, irrespective of who chooses to forget by engaging in selective amnesia.

Freddie Kissoon’s suggestion on UG is not viable

Dear Editor,

THE Kaieteur News columnist, Freddie Kissoon, wrote a scathing article on the sad state of affairs at UG and suggested, as an option, that UWI absorb it, albeit, with some options (https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2022/07/17/ug-is-symptomatic-of-the-permanent-tragedy-of-guyana/).

This suggestion, made perhaps through desperation, is not viable for a country in economic transition. A reputable university is a citadel of a civilised, progressive country.

Countries and their citizens gain recognition and take pride from having world-class universities. In the UK, Cambridge and Oxford universities; in the USA, the Ivy League Universities; in India, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and in Singapore, the National University of Singapore, are outstanding examples. From Mr Kissoon’s article, it is regrettable that an institution that produced some world-class, highly accomplished Guyanese has been allowed to deteriorate to this level. But, it is not too late to transform it. In fact, the government identified education as a sector to receive significant funding from the sale of oil and gas. Therefore, the transformation of UG as a vibrant 21st century tertiary educational institution demands political will

and public engagement. It may require, by analogy, capsizing the boat and righting it with a new captain and crew.

The governing and administrative structure of UG follows that of the colonial master, the British. This structure, in UG’s case, is confrontational with politics rather than intellectual pursuits in control. UG needs a complete restructuring. The stakeholders (Government, Faculty, UG administration and governing bodies) seem to have their own interests with no common vision and, based on Mr Kissoon’s article, absolutely no passion for building a reputable, tertiary educational institution. The government is the financier and the country needs qualified persons in a number of disciplines for its rapid development. The government should take bold action, such as institutional restructuring and creating a holistic, educational system where creativity, innovation, critical thinking, problem-solving and understanding the connectedness of all things in the cosmos (perhaps, humanities and spirituality) are central (https://guyanachronicle.com/2022/05/15/ transforming-education-requires-decolonisation/).

The government is pursuing rapid development in many sectors of the economy with a dearth of locally qualified Guyanese. The

government should do a complete reset of UG to produce Guyanese with the skill sets for the ongoing and planned developmental projects. Countries such as the USA, India, Singapore and China are good examples to learn how to create and/or repurpose tertiary educational institutions that can respond to human capacity building for rapid economic development. Sending Guyanese abroad in different countries to obtain, at least, a first degree is not a solution for the current and anticipated needs of the country. Local human capacity has to be built locally and UG can do it only if the stakeholders are on the same page. Education is a business. It is a commodity with high, potential value if the quality is high and the company is reputable. The management and operations of universities in the 21st century have to be like corporations, with break-even as the financial bottom line.

Leadership, highly qualified productive staff, flexibility, and skilful marketing are essential to ensure quality and value.

Mr Kissoon also proposed two alternatives: “Accredit School of the Nations to offer first degrees in the humanities and social sciences in collaboration with other universities, or allow another university to operate.”

These alternatives are also not viable. In the USA, private universities (a good example is

the University of Phoenix) are profit-making corporations that primarily service corporate America. They make money (lots of it) from US Student Aid programmes and students’ loans. Private universities in other countries follow suit. A Public-Private-Partnership is a potentially workable solution. In this case, the government will have a say on areas of education to meet its workforce needs.

Mr Kissoon, a graduate of UG, is stationed in the local environment and has witnessed the lethargy that has become part of the fabric of some sections of the Guyanese community. The writer, also a graduate of UG, is making an objective, distant plea to revitalise the only institution for higher education in Guyana to serve the country as it transitions to a developed economy and beyond. It would indeed be a shame and a sad day if UG were to disappear from failure of the stakeholders to recognise its importance and value to Guyana, and make the effort for UG to be an outstanding 21st century tertiary educational institution.

Let there be a celebration, rather than Freddie’s “a poetic funeral.”

Yours sincerely, Dr Muniram Budhu Professor Emeritus

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Guyana’s current debt level sustainable without future oil revenue Table 1:

Dear Editor, Economic Advisor to the Opposition Leader, Elson Lowe, in a recent article published in the Kaieteur News edition dated July 13, 2022, argued that “at present, Guyana is borrowing based on its projected oil and gas revenues”, in his review of the first quarter report 2022 published by the Bank of Guyana.

Indeed, it is never a good idea to borrow against future oil revenues simply because of price volatility of the commodity. If one were to perform a debt sustainability analysis one would find that Guyana currently has the lowest debt to GDP ratio in the region and possibly the world, of less than 30 per cent projected for this year, and an external debt to GDP ratio of 16 per cent. This means that the Government is doing well in terms of debt management within a sustainable framework and avoiding a borrowing spree that will rack up the debt above sustainable levels: a debt to GDP ratio of up to 60 per cent is considered sustainable.

GDP (G$) Non-oil GDP (G$) Non-oil GDP (US$) GDP (USD$) Total Public Debt (USD$) Debt-to-GDP Ratio (%) Non-oil Debt-GDP

1,044,093 1,023,788 4,910 5,008 2,592 51.76 52.79

2020

GDP (G$) Non-oil GDP (G$) Non-oil GDP (US$) GDP (USD$) Total Public Debt (USD$) Debt-to-GDP Ratio (%) Non-oil Debt-GDP

2019 1,044,093 1,023,788 4,910 5,008 2,592 51.76 52.79%

Director Corporate Finance Advisory | SPHEREX Analytics

In 2022, the debt-to-GDP ratio is forecast to reduce further from 36 per cent to 28 per cent. This is reflective of prudent debt management coupled with the broad based expansion of the economy driven by the oil economy and the draw down from the NRF, thereby reducing the level of borrowing. Moreover, this outturn is indicative of the fiscal space available to support the economy’s aggressive development and expansionary agenda within the framework of a sustainable development model.

2021

1,796,865 993,699 4,766 8,618 3,127 36.28 65.61

2022 F 2,650,375.88 1,073,194.92 5,147 12,711.63 3,531 28.11 68.60

2020 1,498,061 949,162 4,552 7,185 3,140 43.70 68.98%

2021 1,796,865 993,699 4,766 8,618 3,127 36.28 65.61%

2022 F 2,650,375.88 1,073,194.92 5,147 12,711.63 3,000 28.11 58.28%

In table 2 above, the total stock of debt is adjusted to exclude the overdraft balance that was previously not reported in the domestic stock of debt for the period 2015 – 2020 which amounted to over $130B. In this case, using non-oil GDP, the debt-to GDP ratio is less than 60 per cent. This, coupled with the fact that countries globally that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic also had to borrow to help their economies to recover from the adverse economic impact. In this regard, Guyana was no different, Guyana also had to borrow additionally during 2020 and 2021 (when the Government opted not to use the oil funds until the NRF was amended), for this purpose as well.

With these in mind, it can be safely concluded that at this point in time, Guyana is not borrowing against future oil revenues to the extent where such practice would expose the country to risks of default in the future on its debt service obligation. The Government is not on an excessive borrowing spree which is the view expressed in the article by the Economic Advisor to the Opposition Leader, as was the case evidently by their predecessor, inter alia, the unlawful overdraft balances on the deposit accounts.

It can be safely concluded, therefore, that Guyana’s current debt level is sustainable without future oil revenue.

Yours faithfully, Joel Bhagwandin

Source: Author’s computation / Bank of Guyana Reports and Budget Estimates

1,498,061 949,162 4,552 7,185 3,140 43.70 68.98

Of note, table 1 above shows the debt-to-GDP ratio using non-oil GDP which is close to 69 per cent.

Though some analysts can argue the case that with this level of debt-to-GDP ratio using the non-oil GDP, that this is borrowing against the future revenues. However, one has to dissect the numbers deeper to understand why the non-oil debt to GDP ratio is almost close to 70 per cent. This is reflected in tables 1 and 2 with further explanation below.

When the previous Government assumed office in 2015, the government deposit accounts held at the Bank of Guyana had a surplus balance of $21B, in 2012, the balance stood at $57B. During the period 2011 – 2014, the Government then was forced to make withdrawals from the deposit accounts because it was a minority Government at the time and the then Opposition practically created a deadlock situation by not approving the national budgets given that they controlled the National Assembly with a one-seat majority.

By the time the previous Government left office in 2020, the deposit accounts racked up an overdraft of over $120B. It should be mentioned, importantly, that this practice of allowing the deposit accounts to have an overdraft balance and was not cleared by the end of the fiscal year – was in contravention of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act. On the other hand, the current Government has now reversed this situation to what it was before under their previous tenure – that is having surplus balances.

In this regard, the latest Bank of Guyana report confirmed that as of March 2022, the deposit account balances have a surplus of $36.4B. Table 2:

An examination of the country’s public debt situation for the period 2012 to 2022 (using budget 2022 forecast for 2022) the total public debt stood at US$1.359B in 2012 which increased to US$3.127B by the end of 2021 representing an increase of 130 per cent over this ten-year period, or an average annual growth rate of 13 per cent. At the same time, real GDP moved from US$4B in 2012 to US$8.6B by the end of 2021, representing an increase of 115 per cent over this period or an annual average growth rate of 11.5 per cent.

During the period 2012 – 2021, the debt-to-GDP ratio was 34 per cent in 2012 which further decreased below 30 per cent in 2014 and remained below 30 per cent up to 2018. During the period 2018 – 2020, the debt-to-GDP ratio reached its highest of 37per cent, 52 per cent and 43 per cent, respectively – higher than the period between 2013 – 2017, albeit below the 60 per cent benchmark. However, by the end of 2021, the debt-to-GDP ratio declined from its highest level of 52 per cent in 2019 to 36 per cent.

2019

Ministers outline plans for development in Region One 8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 20, 2022

— receive progress update on operations of Guyana Manganese Inc.

Senior Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh listens to residents’ concerns at a community meeting at Matthew’s Ridge, where various issues were raised

Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh (third from right), flanked by Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat and Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall and other officials, in discussion with Guyana Manganese Inc. representatives (Finance Ministry photo)

SENIOR Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, visited Guyana Manganese Inc. (GMI), a Chinese-owned Bosai Minerals Group (BMG) subsidiary in Matthew’s Ridge, Barima-Waini, Region one, on Monday to discuss investment and production plans.

Minister Singh was joined by Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat; Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall, and several technical officers.

According to the Finance Ministry, the ministers met with senior management of the company and discussed the company’s investment

and production plans, and noted the company’s efforts as Guyana resumes exports of manganese for the first time in nearly six decades.

The Senior Finance Minister also discussed other issues of interest to the company and emphasised the importance of the company’s compliance with the

strictest safety and environmental standards and its corporate responsibility to the community in which it operates.

During the visit to the

Region, the Ministers attended a community meeting at Matthew’s Ridge where they interacted with the residents and listened to their various issues and concerns.

At that meeting, the Ministers revealed plans for infrastructural development, healthcare facilities and services improvements, and

more training opportunities for the young people in the region.

The Ministers also assured the residents that President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s Government was at their service and was committed to working hard to resolve issues and improve the livelihood of everyone in the village.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Bold, scaled, collaborative actions needed for universal access to enough nutritious food –– FAO Director-General says at opening of the 28th Session of FAO Committee on Agriculture

(FAO) BOLD, scaled and collaborative actions are needed so that everyone everywhere has access to enough nutritious food every day, QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), on Monday, told members and delegates attending the opening of the 28th Session of the Committee on Agriculture (COAG).

Qu emphasised that food and agriculture are at the very heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“Together, we are committed to achieve SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by 2030.

Unfortunately, the world has lost ground, and we are moving backwards in efforts to eliminate hunger and malnutrition and ensure food security for all. Global hunger continues to rise, reflecting growing inequalities across and within countries,” he told the Session.

According to the recently released State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report (SOFI 2022), as many as 828 million people were affected by hunger last year. This is an increase of

46 million from 2020, and 150 million more than in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, over 3 billion people worldwide could not afford a healthy diet.

Qu said that the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, the war in Ukraine and other conflicts, and humanitarian crises around the world have exacerbated already existing food problems.

“We have seen the fragility of our agri-food systems, and the urgent need to transform them to put them back on the sustainable path,” Qu said.

Qu told Members and delegates at the Session that the discussions they would hold on issues relating to agriculture, livestock, food safety, nutrition, rural development and natural resource management were critical to efforts to move from strategies to action.

THE WAY FORWARD “We need bold, scaled and collaborative actions to ensure that everyone, everywhere and every day has access to enough nutritious food,” the Director-General added.

“We must work together to tackle the root causes of hunger and malnutrition through transformative changes to the way we produce, distribute and consume food. We need to ensure a more efficient use of available outputs and inputs - we need to produce more with less. And we need to significantly decrease food loss and waste, which could currently feed around 1.26 billion people per year,” Qu said.

The Director-General stressed the need for greater support and increased investment in knowledge, infrastructure and technology for sustainable agriculture to make this shift.

ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE Qu mentioned an array of initiatives as proof of the progress made since the previous COAG Session including: * The FAO Conference last year adopted the Voluntary Code of Conduct on Food Waste and Loss Reduction. * The FAO Council this year adopted the Strategy on Innovation and Science and the Strategy on Climate Change.

* The COAG Sub-Committee on Livestock held its first meeting in March. * The successful efforts to control the Desert Locust upsurge by FAO, Members and resource partners. * Global efforts to control Fall Armyworm have been strengthened further. * The Food Systems Coordination Hub has been set up and is operational. * FAO continues to promote the One Health approach and signed an agreement to form a new Quadripartite Collaboration for One Health, with partner UN agencies.

FAO has put in place many of the necessary frameworks to transform agri-food systems, but there is more to be done, Qu said.

COAG 28 AGENDA The discussions at the 28th Session of COAG will cover a range of key topics related to the COAG mandate, including food safety, livestock, One Health, antimicrobial resistance, the State of the World’s Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture (SOLAW), soils, agricultural plastics, climate change, agricultural innovation, the linkages between agriculture

and forestry, mainstreaming biodiversity, the UN Decade on Family Farming, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the proposal for an International Day of the Potato.

The COAG 28 is taking place as a hybrid event from 18 to 22 July 2022. COAG is FAO’s main technical advisory committee on agriculture.

It provides overall policy and regulatory guidance on issues relating to agriculture, livestock, food safety, nutrition, rural development and natural resource management.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 20, 2022

China’s steady economic recovery boosts global expectations for future growth (Xinhua) DATA from the National Bureau of Statistics on Friday showed that for all the shocks and headwinds China has encountered recently, especially during the second quarter, the GDP of the world’s second-largest economy, nonetheless, expanded 2.5 per cent in the first half of this year, with the second quarter achieving a positive growth of 0.4 per cent.

With the mounting headwinds like COVID-19 resurgences and rampant inflation, many major economies have been caught off guard. The U.S. consumer price index

(CPI), in June, marked the largest 12-month increase since November 1981, and inflation for the Eurozone hit a record high of 8.6 per cent in the year to June. Many experts warned that both economies are “increasingly likely” to slide into recession.

Yet in the face of those downward pressures, China’s economy still showed strong resilience and great potential, and has largely kept its consumer prices stable.

China’s factory-gate inflation has eased for the sixth straight month, and its major economic indicators bounced

back in June.

As an open economy, China gains much of its economic strength from foreign trade. Data from the General Administration of Customs showed that foreign trade growth accelerated to 14.3 per cent in June. From January to June, China’s foreign goods trade jumped 9.4 per cent year on year to 19.8 trillion yuan (about 2.94 trillion U.S. dollars).

Temporary shocks due to resurgences of the COVID-19 pandemic inflicted pain upon the country’s economy earlier this year when China enforced a dy-

People visit a commercial area in Haidian District of Beijing, capital of China namic zero-COVID approach to contain the virus and save lives.

“China has adopted an effective approach to combat the epidemic,” said Wolfram Elsner, a professor of economics at the University of Bremen in Germany, adding: “this is illustrated by the recent rapid growth in the economic figures.” China has been able to implement resolute anti-COVID measures “followed by a rapid push to resume work and production,”

he said.

As consumer spending has gradually warmed up, China’s vast domestic market has played a vital role in helping cushion the effects of any downward pressure.

People visit a commercial area in Haidian District of Beijing, capital of China, July 16, 2022.

Recent data showed that as a pillar of the Chinese economy, the automobile market has seen a robust recovery. A total of 2.5 million vehicles were sold in June,

up 23.8 per cent year on year and 34.4 per cent month on month.

China has a solid foundation for further economic growth due to its large population and domestic demand, which allows the economy to remain reasonably stable in the long run, said Sergei Lukonin, head of the Department of Economics and Politics of China at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences

China’s national carbon market celebrates one-year anniversary, becomes world’s largest

–– experts: carbon trading is a key measure to deal with climate change (Global Times) It has been a year since China’s national carbon market started online trading in Shanghai on July 16, 2021.

As of Friday, the cumulative trading volume of the carbon market reached 194 million tonnes, with a cumu-

lative turnover of 8.49 billion yuan ($1.26 billion), according to data released by the Shanghai Environment and Energy Exchange (SEEE).

One year on, the smooth operation of the carbon market reflects the significant progress made by the

country to promote reduction of carbon emission.

It has helped to form the function of carbon pricing, Ma Jun, director of the Beijing-based Institute of Public and Environmental See page 12

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 20, 2022

China proposes co-operation initiative on global food security at G20 meeting

CHINESE State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi expounded in BALI, Indonesia on July 8 on China’s stance on food and energy security, and proposed a co-operation initiative on global food security.

Addressing the Group of 20 (G20) foreign ministers’ meeting, Wang said food and energy hold key to the healthy performance of the world economy and the effective implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Under the current situation, the G20 should shoulder its due responsibility and establish a partnership on commodity cooperation. To achieve the goal, Wang made eight proposals: First, supporting the

United Nations in playing a key role in coordination. The role of the United Nations should be strengthened rather than weakened, and the work of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the international Fund for Agricultural Development and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) should be supported, Wang said.

Second, not imposing export restriction on humanitarian food purchases by the WFP. Third, offering convenience to the smooth entry of Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian agricultural products into the international market.

Fourth, major food producing and net export countries should release their own export potential, reduce trade and technical barriers,

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends the Group of 20 (G20) foreign ministers’ meeting in Bali, Indonesia, on July 8, 2022. control energy utilisation of food, so as to ease the tight food supply in the market.

Fifth, the emergency

measures taken by countries for food trade should be short-term, transparent, targetted and appropriate, and conform to the rules of the World Trade Organization.

Sixth, supporting the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research and the innovation and cooperation on agricultural science and technology among countries, and reducing restrictions on high-tech exchanges.

Seventh, reducing food loss and waste. China has hosted the International Conference on Food Loss and Waste and stands ready to jointly implement the consensus reached at the con-

ference.

Eighth, helping developing countries enhance their capacity of food production, storage and loss reduction in terms of capital, technology and market.

China is a reliable cooperative partner of the United Nations and developing countries in the field of food security, Wang said, adding that China supports the WFP in setting up a global humanitarian emergency warehouse and hub in China, established the South-South Cooperation Trust Fund with the FAO and provided financial support for it.

Under the trust fund, Chi-

na has carried out more than 40 South-South cooperation projects in cooperation with the FAO and the WFP, Wang said.

China has established agricultural cooperation zones with some developing countries, and conducted agricultural science and technology exchanges with over 140 countries and regions, Wang said.

Since the beginning of this year, China has provided more than 15,000 tonnes of emergency humanitarian food aid to developing countries in need, and will continue to make new efforts to promote food security.

China’s national carbon ...

From page 11

Affairs, told the Global Times on Saturday.

China’s emissions trading system is already the world’s largest carbon spot market, financial news site stcn.com reported on Saturday.

Carbon trading is the process of buying and selling permits to emit carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. Ma said that this type of high-efficiency market-oriented approach is needed to reach peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

As a core step to realise carbon neutrality, carbon trading has the function of reflecting the cost of carbon. With a higher sensibility over carbon cost, industrial players would be more active in implementing low-carbon production measures, Lin Boqiang, director of the China Center for Energy Economics Research

at Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Sunday.

On the other hand, carbon trading also helps optimise resource allocation without changing total carbon emissions, Lin said.

Greenhouse gas emissions have become an urgent challenge facing all countries around the world. China, as the world’s largest developing country, has been actively contributing to global efforts to address climate change.

Carbon market and carbon pricing mechanism are important measures to deal with global climate change, China’s special climate envoy Xie Zhenhua said at the China International Carbon Trading Conference, jointly held by SEEE and Shanghai United Assets and Equity Exchange, on Saturday, to celebrate the one year anniversary.

As early as in 2011, China

launched attempts to establish up carbon trading markets.

From 2013 to 2014, China initiated several trial markets in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and other cities.

After 10 years regional trials and preparation, China’s national carbon market started online trading on July 16, 2021 at the SEEE with the opening price for the carbon quota at 48 yuan per ton.

As a first step, 2,162 power companies were included in the trading system, a group representing total emissions of about 4.5 billion tonnes each year.

By trading in the carbon market, companies can calculate their carbon emissions more effectively and precisely, following by disclosure progress which is of great significance to further promote the reduction of carbon emission, Ma said.

Grape cultivation to reach new heights in Region Six

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 20, 2022

— as farmer prepares land acquired through intervention by the government

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric WITH his mind set on increasing his grape production, Devin Gillard has managed to, singlehandedly, clear the piece of land that was given to him by the Government of Guyana.

This imminent expansion will lay the foundation for a

move ahead with God’s help.

During the month of April, an outreach to East Berbice-Corentyne allowed Gillard the opportunity to interface with Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.

As a result of the meeting, an initial seven and a half acres of land to cultivate a variety

Devin Gillard preparing beds for the planting of grapes

Devin Gillard touches a bunch of his locally grown ‘Jupiter ‘ grapes

transgenerational business that would create employment for years to come.

Speaking to Guyana Chronicle on Monday, he acknowledged that the preparation process is a long haul, which he intends to complete by mid-September to make way for the planting of grapevines.

Following the clearing of two acres of land and the creation of 18 cultivation beds, Gillard, also known as ‘Bee Man”, will be fencing the area so as to secure his crop.

However, he is encountering minor challenges as he is yet to receive monies owed to him by an agency that had hired him to capture bees several months ago.

He insisted that he has no plans to allow this financial hurdle to be a setback. During the interview with this publication, he was adamant that the project will go ahead as scheduled, with or without the owed sum.

Additionally, he expressed disappointment at the non-support of staffers drawn from the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute, where technical advice should have been forthcoming.

“They are yet to show up to give support”, he said, before reiterating that the project will

of table grapes, was promised.

However, Gillard only got approval for two acres. The arrangement is that he will be given the remaining five acres after the two acres have been utilised.

The land which is a stone’s throw away from his home at Glasgow New Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice, was the property of the National Industrial Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL).

Gillard remains ecstatic over the groundbreaking initiative, and has applauded the Vice-President and Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, for intervening on his behalf. Mustapha was instrumental in getting the land acquisition process fast-tracked.

He recalled the “running arounds” he did for several months and is now pleased that his dream is closer to realisation.

Further, he told Guyana Chronicle that following a 2021 publication, he received a telephone call from Dr. Jagdeo, who complimented him on his ability to grow grapes in Guyana and later inquired whether he needed land to facilitate an expansion of his crop.

“I identified an area, which was previously under cane cultivation, not far from my home, as I have to be nearby to care

for the plants. In the meanwhile, I borrowed $4.5 million and invested in the Jupiter, Viking and Fox grape cuttings from the Unites States of America. I also have gala apple plants and kiwis which will be planted along the border of the vineyard.

In addition, I have bought the

galvanized wire for fencing and a solar electric fence to keep out animals. I was all set, just waiting for the land,” he said.

He said many persons tried to discourage him.

“But I had the vision, and I was willing to run with it. I heard of the Cabinet outreach. I left my

home on the East Bank of Berbice and travelled all the way to Corentyne to have an audience with Vice-President Jagdeo. I reminded him of his promise and the next day, I got the word that I was waiting for.”

He added, “I am preparing for my third and fourth

generations. Also, employment for the many single parents around the community; they will be involved in the pruning and harvesting. Within three to five years, I will be producing enough to meet a national demand.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Minister Edghill chairs high-level aviation meeting on carbon emissions

PUBLIC Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, was, on Tuesday, elected Chairperson of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s high-level meeting on the feasibility of a long-term aspirational goal for international aviation carbon emission reductions.

The meeting is being held at the ICAO Headquarters in Montréal, Canada, from July 19-22, 2022.

Minister Edghill’s nomination and election have been welcomed by all participants of the high-level meeting.

He has expressed gratitude for his election and committed his support to all ICAO member states and to fruitful discussions on the subject.

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, elected Chairperson of the ICAO’ high-level meeting on the feasibility of a long-term aspirational goal for international aviation carbon emission reductions (Ministry of Public Works photo) “I am pleased to Chair this meeting… ICAO must

do its part to mitigate the effects of climate change

worldwide,” Minister Edghill told delegates.

Over the next four days, delegates will discuss ways

in which carbon emissions could be reduced using varying reduction scenarios, exploring long-term solutions for the aviation sector. This is in keeping with the United Nation’s SDG13: Take urgent action to combat climate and its impacts.

The meeting’s agenda aligned with the Government of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 which includes, among other things, stimulating future growth through clean energy and sustainable economic activities and alignment with global climate goals.

The outcome of the ICAO confab will be addressed at ICAO’s 41st assembly, scheduled for late September 2022, in Montréal, Canada.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 20, 2022

‘Mace-snatching’, unparliamentary conduct part of wider mischief –– by APNU+AFC Coalition, says Attorney-General

ATTORNEY-GENERAL Ali Nandlall has expressed the view that the APNU+AFC Coalition seems intent on creating an atmosphere that is not conducive to constitutional and democratic governance and government.

Speaking in a recent edition of his “Issues in the News” programme, the Attorney-General made references to the pronouncements and actions by members of the Coalition, including the attempted stealing of the

Mace by members of the Opposition last year during the debate of the Natural Resource Bill.

“They were shouting and screaming and behaving in the most vulgar and in the most outrageous manner as everyone of you would have seen streamed live from the Parliament website, in their attempt to prevent [Senior Finance Minister] Ashni Singh from presenting his debate for the Natural Resource Bill. When that failed, they breakup the loud speaker sys-

tem in the Parliament; when that failed, they grabbed the Mace; they broke it and they tried to run away, out of the Parliament with it. And then after the whole world saw that, and as if that was not enough, they turned around and filed proceedings against the government, claiming that the government prevented them from speaking and that the Speaker prevented them from speaking,” he related.

The ruckus created by APNU+AFC Members of Parliament (MPs) occurred on December 29, 2021.

The Coalition MPs named in the incident were Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones, Sherod Duncan, Natasha Singh-Lewis, Annette Ferguson, Vinceroy Jordan, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Ganesh Mahipaul and Maureen Philadelphia.

During the chaos, Ferguson made an attempt to steal the Speaker’s Mace; she was immediately joined by some of her other colleagues. This unprecedented act was foiled by a clerk of the House, who managed to secure the instrument, to which he held on tightly as he laid on the floor of the conference centre while having to contend with a torrent of verbal abuse from MP Philadelphia.

Human walls had to be formed around the Mace to keep it in place and Minister Singh to enable him to present the second reading of the bill. Following the mayhem, a motion, tabled

by Parliamentary Affairs

and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira, was passed in the National Assembly in January for the eight elected officials to be referred to the Privileges Committee for their actions which were caught on camera and livestreamed across multiple social media channels.

An investigation into the matter has been completed and suspension has been recommended for the eight Coalition members involved in the chaos.

“They want to create an atmosphere that is not conducive to constitutional and democratic governance and government so that they can create havoc on the streets.

That is their game plan,” said the Attorney-General as he made references to the Coalition activities that brought unease on the East Coast of Demerara as well as their Court challenges.

The government is in the court every day, defending the proceeding that they are filing, he said.

‘Gun play’ on Lamaha Street leads to arrest of 28-year-old man A 28-year-old man is in Police custody after an argument and ‘gun play’ at Lamaha Street Kitty, between Gordon and Pike Streets, Georgetown, resulted in Deon Jerrick’s injury in the wee hours of Monday morning.

According to Police Headquarters, the investigation revealed that the victim was at the aforementioned street, in the vicinity of Mantra Restaurant and Lounge, in the company of friends, when he, along with his friends, were involved in an argument with the suspect.

“This resulted in a ‘gun play’, where both the victim and the suspect discharged firearms. In the process Deon Jerrick received a wound to his left-side just below his armpit,” police stated.

The suspect then ran south along Lamaha Street but was later apprehended by the Police.

The injured Jerrick was then supported by one of his friends, and he was taken to the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment. His condition is regarded as serious but stable.

The suspect is assisting with the investigation.

Local shade house initiative expanding in schools

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 20, 2022

SEVERAL learning institutions across Guyana continue to benefit from the government’s rapidly expanding shade house initiative which is being spearheaded by the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI).

The shade house is a design which is covered by a woven material to allow sunlight, air and moisture to flow through the gaps in the

established in schools complements the government’s Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme (AIEP) that targets youths.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, who launched the AIEP flagship programme in January, had said that the project will stimulate and promote significant economic growth in the lives of young agriculturists.

Meanwhile, Cummings Lodge Secondary School, East Coast Demerara is one

Crops cultivated by students of the Cummings Lodge Secondary School, East Coast Demerara (DPI photo) material.

While this farming technology is not new to Guyana, shaded cultivation is one way in which crops could be protected from the effects of climate change.

During a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), NAREI’s Chief Executive Officer, Jagnarine Singh, underscored that one of the agency’s present mandates is to ensure the agriculture sector is developed in a scientific way, since this increases production and productivity.

He said the move to introduce the technique into schools will expose students to climate-smart technology that requires less labour, and promotes year-round food production.

“We want our youths to experience modern agriculture. There are many opportunities in agriculture, and they do not have to be labour intensive. Agriculture is not a punishment but a rewarding venture. Gone are the days where a farmer has to be bending over for hours and then count losses during a flood,” Singh related.

The shade house initiative

of several schools already benefitting from this initiative.

Head of the agriculture science department, Sharon Isurdeen, reached out to NAREI in 2020, to construct a shade house at the school.

With an affirmative response, the shade house was erected and equipped with raised beds and drip irrigation system by NAREI, along with assistance from the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF). The institute also provided seedlings and technical support.

“When I came to Cummings Lodge Secondary School in 2019, the garden became flooded during the rainy season. All the hard work of the students were destroyed. This dampened their spirits, and of course made agriculture look like a disaster. I knew the solution was shaded cultivation,” Isurdeen said.

The shade house is managed by the students who plant crops including lettuce, cauliflower, tomatoes, peppers, and pak choi. The crops are sold to students, teachers and members of the community.

“The money we earn from selling the produce is used to purchase seedlings and feed for our poultry. The litter from the poultry is also used to add to the soil for our crops,” the agriculture teacher said.

Fourth form student, Kayla Alleyne, who is expected to sit the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) next year, is among the many students who will use the project to

successfully complete her School Based Assessment.

“Before agriculture was backbreaking, now we have raised beds.

We do not have to deal with flooding. Previously, our crops on the ground would be flooded when the rain falls. But now our crops are not exposed to the rainfall.

I enjoy watching my seedlings grow into plants,” Alleyne told DPI.

Head of the Agriculture Department at the Cummings Lodge Secondary School, Sharon Isurdeen (DPI photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 20, 2022

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Distribution of education cash grant to commence August 2

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MINISTER of Education, Priya Manickchand, said that the distribution of the $25,000 “Because We Care” cash grant and $5,000 uniform voucher will begin across the country on August 2.

Minister Manickchand, in a post on her Facebook page, said distribution of the grant, which will benefit learners from both public and private schools, will commence early so as to give parents adequate time to purchase school supplies for their children.

“The PPP/C believes you deserve this money and we will give you this

grant in the first week in August. Because We Care,” the minister said.

Minister Manickchand said: “We shall share the first grant for this year, in the sum of $30,000 on the 2nd day of August. And now all private school children are also entitled.”

It was only last year that the government extended the initiative to private school learners, after initially implementing it for children in public schools.

This year’s total assistance of $30,000 is a marked increase from the $19,000 “Because We Care” cash grant and the school uniform and

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand

supplies grant that was given out last year.

Amounting to an additional $2.2 billion, the education cash grant is part of the $74.4 billion budget for the education sector this year.

The “Because We Care” cash grant and uniform voucher are part of welfare measures being implemented by the government to put more disposable income into the hands of parents, and increase school attendance of learners, particularly those disadvantaged because their parents could not always afford the basic necessities.

The government, in its manifesto, had

promised that, by 2025, each child will receive $50,000.

The “Because We Care” project started in 2014 under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government and saw parents receiving cash grants of $10,000 per child in the public school system.

However, when the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) assumed office in 2015, the party discontinued the grant. When the PPP/C returned to government in 2020, they upheld their promise to restore the grant and increase it.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Relocate to higher ground: Allicock urges Region Nine farmers, residents — RDC to engage Housing Ministry to assist

By Naomi Parris

RESIDENTS in floodprone villages in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) are again urged to relocate to higher ground.

Speaking with this newspaper in a recent interview, the region’s chairman, Brian Allicock, said that lands in higher ground have been identified for agriculture and farmers have been advised to utilize these lands during the rainy seasons.

“We have a drone that is taking pictures, we are doing a photography survey by way of using that drone to see the high areas. So, we are advising the farmers in the dry weather to plant crops that [they] are able to have before the rains come and in the rainy season plant on the higher grounds, so we can have continued production,” Allicock said.

Meanwhile, in the residential areas, Allicock disclosed that some persons had received allocations to relocate to higher ground in the past. However, they expressed inability in moving due to lack of finance.

“Mainly in the township, Lethem, we have had that worry, but we have been asking people for over seven years now to remove. New lots in higher grounds were allocated to people, but they refused to move.”

areas to relocate, since it is a yearly recurrence that sees serious losses.

“The water gets to about five feet in homes, and even if they put their stuff on tables, they still get wet, they lose a lot, and we lose a lot, for instance, I have a bill yet to look at for $3 million to feed the people we

Region Nine Chairman Brian Allicock

In that regard, Allicock noted that he is still urging persons to relocate as the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) will soon engage the Ministry of Housing to assist in a low-income housing development project to assist residents who have already received allocations to relocate. “…We are still encouraging them, and we are trying to have the low-income housing development, because they are claiming that they have no money to build, so we are looking at that to assist them with relocating,” Allicock said.

He stressed that it is critical for residents in the flood-prone

29 soldiers graduate from artillery, support weapons course TWENTY-NINE ranks attached to the 21 Artillery Company graduated as Gunners, following their successful completion of the Grade Three Artillery and Support Weapons Course.

According to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), a simple ceremony to mark the occasion was recently held at Jaguar Lecture Hall, Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri.

The course commenced on May 17, 2022, and ran for eight weeks. The training instilled the necessary doctrines and drills at the gun-team level for executing any Artillery / Support mission across the full spectrum of military operations.

The course was divided into three terms and covered several areas, including Shot Theory, Tactical Employment, and a Live-Firing Phase.

The Best Graduating Student award was copped by Private (PTE) Orwane Harris while PTE Darwin Harris claimed the runner-up prize.

The successful ranks that graduated as Gunners (GDF Photo)

had in shelters, we had to feed them, and we are now asking for a supplementary to pay off those bills,” he added.

Seasonal flooding is said to occur when water from the Amazon rainforest in Brazil travels through the Rio Negro River to the Rio Branco River and, eventually, makes its way

to Region Nine.

During the 2022 rainy season, four shelters were established: one at the Tabatinga Sports Complex; one at the Tabatinga Nursery School; another at the Culvert City Nursery School, and one more at the Civil Defence Commission’s Regional Disaster Risk Manage-

ment Centre.

These shelters housed more than 130 persons from various villages affected by the floods.

Allicock noted that farmers and residents did not quite recover from the previous floods in 2021, which affected over 15,000 persons and over 22,000 farms.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Scholarships for Texila students as university partners with GOAL THE Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), on Tuesday, partnered with the Texila American University (TAU) to provide scholarships for students at the university.

“It is an august occasion for us with this partnership with Texila. We started this journey almost a year

WhatsApp or whatever means but at the end of the day, they’re on their own and therefore that needs a certain level of support, which I’m sure Texila will give,” Professor Opadeyi said.

He disclosed that for the year 2022, Texila has received over 50 Doctor of Philosophy (PhDs) schol-

Professor Dr. Jacob Opadeyi

ago and we thought it was not possible,” Director of GOAL, Professor Dr. Jacob Opadeyi said at the virtual launch.

Professor Opadeyi said that over two years ago, they were looking for collaborations with a university and TAU rose to the occasion.

“I was very pleased to see so many of you choose Texila for the academic programme. It is a stamp of approval by the students that they are prepared to get their degree through Texila. I am familiar with the quality of education or the quality of care that Texila gives,” he said.

He added that when it comes to GOAL’s online degree programme, it is not just about studying but about taking care of the students’ welfare and mental ability because students have to study on their own.

“At best, they may interact with classmates via

arships and were given in total over 700 scholarships.

Additionally, through Texila, the Tests of General Educational Development (GED) will be pioneered to increase enrollment.

He noted that there is not a lack of skills in Guyana, but rather, the lack of certification from globally recognised institutions like Texila.

Professor Opadeyi encouraged students to make the best of the opportunity that is being presented to them.

“Try as much as possible not to miss a class session or make sure you don’t fail. As you know, GOAL only allows you to fail one course.

If you fail more than one course you have to pay to take the [course again],” the professor stated.

He noted that the students must use the knowledge gained to improve Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday July 20, 2022

MSC starts cricket camp with focus on next generation MALTEENOES Sports Club (MSC) annual cricket camp commenced Monday and will run until July 30, Over 70 boys and girls will be trained by experienced coaches.

With five coaches set to work with the players, and visits by former international players, the camp offers an avenue for potential talent to be spotted and then nurtured.

In explaining the interface between sport and its impact on building a person’s character via the teaching of life

Some campers and executives of the Malteenoes Sports Club flank Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr

skills, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, emphasised the need for persons to understand how sport ex-

pands ones learning capacity.

Quasen Nedd, a former national player, and now cricket coach called for

the players to have a passion as that is the driving force to success and longevity in the sport.

Additionally, former national cricketer, Steven Jacobs, reflected on his time in the said camp, and charged the attendees to have fun, but understand in order to reach the top, one must be prepared to work.

Due to the inclement weather, practical sessions will be staged at either National Park tarmac or National Gymnasium.

ExxonMobil partners with... (From back page) focused on the female aspect of the tournament, adding that this will provide an opportunity for young girls to express themselves on a football pitch.

Adviser in the Ministry of Education, Olato Sam, hailed the longstanding partnership of the Ministry of Education and the organisers, saying, “It has been said countless times that for us to create well rounded balanced individuals, and we have to provide that seamless integration of sport.”

It is for that reason, he noted, that the Ministry of Education is firmly on board with the tournament.

Assistant Director of Sport, Mellisa Dow-Richardson, was also present at the launch, saying that she is heartened at the emphasis being placed on the female side of things.

“Many times our girls see competitors in other parts of the world and ask ‘when it's my chance or where is my opportunity’, but tournaments like this give them their chances.”

Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Kashif Muhammad echoed these sentiments and also added, that the Petra Organisation must be recognised for their hard work at the grassroots level of football at a time when not even associations were looking there.

Tournament Main sponsor ExxonMobil, through its Community Relations Adviser, (CRA) Ryan Hoppie, underscored the importance of being fit and fostering good ties through sport.

He said, “Young people

will benefit from all. of the positive health as well as physical and mental benefits that come with this sport.

It's not just about trophies and medals. There are real benefits for the schools that will be participating in the tournament.”

Minister of Sport Charles Ramson who also joined the even briefly lauded organisers for remaining steadfast with their youth football goals and encouraged all participants to play fairly.

Twenty-four male teams will be a part of the round-robin KO style format with the teams separated into six groups.

Following the round-robin format, the top sixteen teams will move on with those teams to play for a seeding from 1-16.

Those Secondary School teams are: L’Aventure, Patentia, New Campbellville, Cummings Lodge, Dolphin, East Ruimveldt, Lodge, Leonora, North Ruimveldt, St Cuthbert’s Mission, West Ruimveldt, Freeburg, West Demerara, Golden Grove, Tutorial High, Marian Academy, Plaisance BOSCO, New Central High, Houston, Charlestown, St Winefride’s, Kingston and Tucville.

The female teams will come from New Campbellville, Cummings Lodge, Dolphin, East Ruimveldt, Lodge, Leonora, St Cuthbert’s Mission, West Ruimveldt, New Central High and Charlestown.

Matches begin on Saturday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday July 20, 2022

Shafique’s unbeaten 112 drives Pakistan in run chase IN what turned out to be an engrossing fourth day's play at Galle, the Pakistan camp would be the happier side at stumps as they ended up on 222-3, still needing 120 runs to overhaul the target. Abdullah Shafique was the star performer for the tourists, remaining unbeaten on 112.

After a below par show in the first two sessions, the pressure was on Sri Lanka's spinners in the evening session to make the breakthroughs. To their credit, the spin trio of Prabath Jayasuriya, Maheesh Theekshana and Ramesh Mendis hung in there by keeping it relatively tight in the last session. But they could pick up only one scalp, although it turned out to be an important one, that of Babar Azam (55).

Through the course of the session, the spin trio did come close to picking up the wicket of Shafique as well.

In the very first over after the break, the ball fell in front of the fielder stationed at forward short leg, with Shafique having a narrow escape.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 222 and 337 (Dinesh Chandimal 94*, Kusal Mendis 76; Mohammad Nawaz 5-88) lead Pakistan 218 and 222/3 (Abdullah Shafique 112*; Prabath Jayasuriya 2-89) by 119 runs Jayasuriya and Theek-

Abdullah Shafique celebrating his second Test century (AFP)

shana combined to beat the opener a few times. The off-spinner's carrom ball in particular seemed to be troubling Shafique a bit.

Eventually, in the 72nd over, Shafique completed a well-measured hundred with a double of Theekshana.

Just when it felt as if Pakistan would end the day with both the set batters at the crease, Babar was done in by a delivery from Jayasuriya that hit the foot-holes to turn and rattle the timber.

Shafique, in the company of Mohammad Rizwan, negotiated the last few overs and will resume the innings

tomorrow.

The day had started with Sri Lanka finding themselves in a strong position on a track that is assisting the spinners. Even though Dinesh Chandimal (94 not out) couldn't complete his century, his innings had helped the home side to set a sizeable target of 342.

Pakistan's openers - Imamul-Haq and Shafique - had also looked tentative in the early exchanges.

Shafique and Imam then looked to play with more intent, bringing out the lofted shot, flick and the occasional cut and drive to collect crucial runs while facing the spinners and Rajitha. In the afternoon, Sri Lanka did pick up two wickets but couldn't stem the run flow.

Imam was stumped on the back of some sharp glove-work by Niroshan Dickwella while Azhar Ali was caught at slip off Jayasuriya for six. Jayasuriya then bowled a few draggeddown deliveries as the inform Babar chased in by cracking a few pulls.

Pakistan would fancy their chances of taking a 1-0 lead. Meanwhile, the hosts would hope the odd ball would kick/bite a little more with the second new ball, helping the spinners to set the tone on the last day. (Cricbuzz)

Hugo Houle claims dominant stage 16 Tour de France win CANADA'S Hugo Houle produced a brilliant display to secure a dominant win in stage 16 of the Tour de France.

It is his first Tour stage victory and he is the first Canadian to win on the Tour since Steve Bauer in 1988.

A late sprint secured second place for France's Valentin Madouas, with Houle's Israel-Premier Tech team-mate Michael Woods third.

Jonas Vingegaard retained the overall lead after holding off several attacks from defending champion Tadej Pogacar.

An emotional Houle pointed to the air as he crossed the line and later dedicated the victory to his brother Pierrik, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2012.

"I've won this for him," said Houle. "I've worked for

Hugo Houle had never won a road race before his victory on stage 16 of the Tour de France

10, 12 years and today I got my win for him. It's incredible, I don't know what to say. I'm so happy."

Race leader Vingegaard crossed the line alongside closest challeng-

ers Pogacar and Geraint Thomas as the top three remained unchanged, but Colombian Nairo Quintana climbed to fourth ahead of Frenchman David Gaudu.

El Bakkali is 'king of steeplechase' after claiming world title MOROCCO’S Soufiane El Bakkali believes he is the "king of steeplechase" after adding the world title to his Olympic Games gold.

The 26-year-old put on a tactical masterclass over the 3 000m course in Eugene to end Kenya's 15-year reign in the discipline at the World Athletics Championships.

In a repeat performance of his Olympic success in Tokyo last year, he stayed

near the back of the leading pack for much of the race before making the decisive move in the last 200m to claim gold in a time of eight minutes 25.13 seconds.

"I am the king of steeplechase because I have gained confidence on the track.

That's why I am the Olympic champion and now the world champion," El Bakkali told BBC Sport Africa.

Ethiopia's Lamecha Girma had to settle for silver

once again, having finished second in Tokyo and in Doha three years ago, while Kenya's Conseslus Kipruto, the 2019 champion, ended with bronze.

Kenyan runners had won men's steeplechase gold in every edition of the World Championships since Brimin Kipruto's success in Osaka in 2007 and El Bakkali said his finishing speed had been the key to victory in Oregon.

SCOREBOARD SRI LANKA 1st innings 222 PAKISTAN 1st innings 218 SRI LANKA 2nd innings 337 PAKISTAN 2nd innings

Abdullah Shafique not out 112 Imam ul-Haq stp. Niroshan Dickwella b Ramesh Mendis 35 Azhar Ali c Dhananjaya de Silva b Prabath Jayasuriya 6 Babar Azam b Prabath Jayasuriya 55 Mohammad Rizwan not out 7 Extras: (b-4, lb-3) 7 Total: (three wkts, 85.0 overs) 222 Fall of wickets: 1-87, 2-104, 3-205.

Bowling: Kasun Rajitha 9-2-18-0, Prabath Jayasuriya 35-6-89-2, Ramesh Mendis 260-76- 1, Maheesh Theekshana 11-2-29-0

Morocco's Soufiane El Bakkali crosses the line first to win the men's 3 000 metres steeplechase (REUTERS/Pawel Kopczynski)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday July 20, 2022

IPL franchise owners buy all six teams in South … CSK made the highest bid for the Johannesburg Africa's new T20 league franchise, while Mumbai bought the Cape Town team THE global footprint of the IPL is expanding swiftly with its franchise owners set to buy all six teams in South Africa's new T20 league, the inaugural edition of which is scheduled for January 2023.

ESPNcricinfo has learned that Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals and one of the owners of Delhi Capitals have successfully bid for the franchises.

The league will be run by Cricket South Africa (CSA) in partnership with television broadcaster SuperSport.

It is understood that CSK, through parent company Chennai Super Kings Sports Limited, made the highest bid at an informal auction to buy the Johannesburg franchise. Mumbai Indians, owned by Reliance Industries, bought the Cape Town franchise, while the Sun TV Group, which owns Sunrisers, bought the Port Elizabeth franchise.

The RP Sanjeev Goenka group, which paid a record sum of INR 7090 crore to buy the Lucknow IPL franchise late last year, picked up the Durban team, while Rajasthan Royals bought the Paarl team. Pretoria has been taken by Jindal South West

Sports, which is headed by Parth Jindal, co-owner of the Delhi Capitals in IPL. While CSA is expected to make a formal announcement of the new owners and the cities they will represent once the paperwork is complete, the board has announced former South Africa captain Graeme Smith as the overall head of the T20 league. One of Smith's early targets is to ensure that the deals with the franchise owners are watertight.

"I'm extremely honoured to be entrusted with leading this exciting new venture," Smith said. "I'm deeply committed to South African cricket and happy to serve the game as best I can. I'm excited by the opportunity to deliver the new league, which I believe will be an extremely competitive product, one that can bring the much-needed investment into the game and provide new opportunities for players around the world and more importantly to our SA home grown talent.

"The response from stakeholders has been very positive thus far and we've made great progress in the initial stages. We're determined to deliver a valuable, sustainable and appealing tournament for South African

draft FTP for the period 2023 to 2027.

"This new league promises to make a significant investment into both professional cricket and development in South Africa, along with a positive socio-economic and tourism injection into the country," CSA's chief executive officer Pholetsi Moseki said.

Will Faf du Plessis team up with his former IPL owners at Johannesburg? (BCCI)

cricket.

THIRD TIME LUCKY? This new tournament is CSA's third attempt to start a sustainable franchise-based T20 league after the Global League T20 failed to take off in 2017 and the Mzansi Super League was scrapped because its broadcast rights could not be sold for three years. The new T20 league was set up as "top priority" by the CSA, which shook the cricket world last week by deciding to forfeit a three-

match ODI series in Australia and risk South Africa's direct qualification for the 2023 ODI World Cup to make space in the calendar for this tournament.

CSA said it had made the radical move for the "longterm sustainability of the game" in South Africa. Going forward, the board will not organise any international cricket in South Africa after the New Year Test to create a window for the T20 league, and this is evident in its schedule in the ICC's

IPL FRANCHISE OWNERS GO GLOBAL With the league still in its early planning stages, it could not be confirmed whether CSA will conduct a player auction or draft to form the six teams. Another question is whether the BCCI will make an allowance for Indian players to participate in the league.

So far the BCCI has barred Indian players from featuring in the T20 leagues of other countries to protect the IPL brand.

There is no such restriction on the IPL franchise owners, who have steadily made acquisitions in overseas T20 leagues. Red Chillies Entertainment, the owners of Kolkata Knight Riders, were the first to buy an overseas T20 franchise the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). In 2020, KPH

Dream Cricket Private Limited, the consortium that owns Punjab Kings, bought the St Lucia Kings and last year the owners of Rajasthan Royals - the Royals Sports Group bought the Barbados team in the CPL. Red Chillies Entertainment, co-owned by Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla and her husband Jay Mehta, has also bought a team in UAE's T20 League - the International League T20 (ILT20). Reliance Strategic Business Ventures Limited, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, the owners of Mumbai Indians, and the GMR Group - a co-owner of Delhi Capitals - have also bought teams in the ILT20. The UAE league is scheduled between January 6 and February 12 next year and will clash with the South African league.

The Knight Riders brand also has a presence in the USA, where it is among the founding members of Major League Cricket, a franchise-based T20 League scheduled to be launched from 2023. There is at least one more IPL franchise that is keen on entering the Major League T20, but has not yet formally closed the agreement.

(Cricinfo)

RHTYSC/Republic Bank summer camp and 2022 Cricket Academy off to a resounding start O

VER two hundred youths turned up on Monday when the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC) started its annual Republic Bank Summer Camp and Bakewell/Busta Cricket Academy at the Rose Hall Town Primary School and Area H Ground respectively.

The events are held annually under the vibrant club ‘Say Yes to Education and Sports Programme’ and is being organised by the cricket teams of the RHTYSC Poonai Pharmacy Under-13, Farfan and Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Females, Vitality Under-23, Namilco Thunderbolt Under-21 and First Division.

Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster expressed delight with the attendance at both events which surpassed expectations.

One of the most exciting aspects of the opening day was the presence of 30 Under-19 females, who all expressed a desire to become members of the only full-time female club team in Guyana.

Foster, in brief remarks at the opening, urged the attentive youths to develop a culture of hard work, personal discipline, commitment and a desire to learn more about the game.

The long-standing club official, who is also the president of the proactive Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) stated that the RHTYSC strongly believes that education and

Members of the Bakewell/Busta Cricket Academy pose with their coaches and senior RHTYSC players

sports go hand in hand and therefore called on the youths to make sure that they pay close attention to both.

The RHTYSC, he stated, would provide all the necessary support they need in

terms of guidance, gear and educational materials.

Head coach Winston Smith, who is working primarily with the young females, disclosed that special emphasis would be placed on getting

them to understand the basics of batting and bowling.

Smith, who is being helped by a battery of assistants, stated that emphasis would also be placed on classroom work, where the players

would know the history of the game and topics of importance to their personal development.

Among the topics to be covered are suicide, danger of drugs, domestic violence, peer pressure and personal hygiene. The senior members of the club are also playing a major role, with West Indies players Kevin Sinclair, Sheneta Grimmond and Shabika Gajnabi turning up to pass on their knowledge to the players and providing inspirational talks to them.

Recent Amazon Warriors recruit, Junior Sinclair, also turned up to the camp and worked with over 25 Under-12 players as part of his personal developmental programme with the club.

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday July 20, 2022

Venezuela’s Rojas wins third straight triple jump world title VENEZUELA'S Yulimar Rojas won her thirdstraight triple jump title at the World Athletics Championships.

The Olympic champion, 26, posted 15.47m on her second jump to beat Jamaican Shanieka Ricketts by 0.58m.

Rojas, who shattered the world record by jumping 15.74m at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade in March, is targeting 16m.

"It still hasn't sunk in yet - this is a special competition for me," Rojas said after winning in Oregon.

"I came with the goal to get closer to my world record. The wind affected my run-up.

"I tried to adjust but the most important thing was to win the medal and stay

Yulimar Rojas produced the sixth-furthest jump of alltime to triumph at the World Championships

consistent over 15m."

Three-time world indoor champion Rojas began with a 14.60m jump and leaped 15.24m and 15.39m either side of two fouls.

Silvertown All Stars beat Milerock in U-13 and U-17 clashes THE Silvertown All Stars took honours over Milerock FC on last Sunday, when the Osmond Cummings Memorial doubleheader football matches were played on their home ground.

The Silvertown All Stars’ Under-13 first turned back the challenge of their Milerock counterparts with a 2-0 victory on a wet outfield where ball control was a challenge for both teams.

In the other game among the Under-17 players, Silvertown All Stars made it two victories when they handed Milerock a 3-1 loss in front of a fair-size crowd.

Among those present

were Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton, Region 10 Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figuiera, former national players Rupert Charter and the United States-based Nigel ‘Mice’ Cummings and organiser Patrick ‘Zar’ Caesar.

The teams were presented with their winners’ and runner-up trophies, replicas and medals, while football boots were also given to the players of both teams, compliments of MP Figuiera.

President of the Silvertown All Stars Club Patrick Caesar was pleased that his club overcame the challenge of Milerock FC and said this was all about the youths,

for which he thanked the Cummings family who was represented by ‘Mice’ Cummings, Cummings arrived in time for the annual football extravaganza which is played in honour of his eldest brother, Osmond, who was a founding member of the Botafago FC, which is located in Silvertown, Wism,ar.

‘Mice’ Cummings said that his family is committed to the memory of his deceased brother Osmond, who meant so much to the development of the sport in the community of Silvertown and football on the whole. (Joe Chapman)

England fast bowler Mark Wood to have further elbow surgery

Tori Franklin claimed the United States' first world medal in the event by taking bronze with a jump of 14.72m. (BBC Sport)

Brilliant Kipyegon storms to emphatic 1500m gold

By Mitch Phillips EUGENE, Ore., (Reuters) - Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon stamped her authority on the women’s 1500m final almost from the start on Monday and drove on relentlessly to take her second world gold in a startling three minutes 52.96 seconds.

Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay and Briton Laura Muir, who matched Kipyegon stride for lung-busting stride until the last 300m, took silver and bronze.

Kipyegon, winner of the last two Olympic 1500m titles, the 2017 world title and who picked up a world silver in 2019 a year after having a baby, came to Eugene on the back of posting the year’s fastest time on the same Hayward Field track in May.

Pacer Mark Wood took his Test best figures of 6-37 in the fifth Ashes Test in January

Kenya's Faith Kipyegon celebrates her win the women's 1500 metres final (REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson)

She almost matched it on Monday as any thoughts of the sort of tactical race often seen in finals disappeared on the back of a 55.1 second opening lap.

The leaders went through 800m in 2.03 minutes, with the rest of the field flailing distantly in their wake.

They stayed locked together through the bell but the Kenyan began to create daylight on the back straight and powered clear.

Tsegay, second in the world this year, finished in 3:54.52 while Tokyo silver medallist Muir clocked 3:55.28.

ENGLAND fast bowler Mark Wood will have further elbow surgery in a bid to be fit for the T20 World Cup in October.

Wood, 32, had an operation on his right elbow in March to "address an impingement problem" sustained during England's tour of West Indies.

He played club cricket on Saturday as part of his comeback but said the issue has "not pulled up well".

Wood will have a second operation this weekend and is set to miss the rest of En-

gland's summer.

"I have been bowling for the last two or three weeks in the nets, getting up to good pace, top speed, but it seems to keep deteriorating," Wood told BBC Test Match Special.

"I played a club game to test it out and unfortunately it has not pulled up well.

"To be ready for the World Cup I will have to have that surgery done."

Wood's setback is a further blow to England's depleted bowling stocks with Jofra Archer, Chris Woakes

Saqib Mahmood, Ollie Robinson and Matt Fisher also sidelined.

Wood is one of England's fastest bowlers and has been a key member of England teams across all formats.

He has played 26 Tests, 57 one-day internationals and 19 Twenty20s for England, but has not featured since the tour to the Caribbean in March.

England's first game of the World Cup, which will be held in Australia, is on 22 October against Afghanistan. (BBC Sport)

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday July 20, 2022

Pele FC Alumni, ExCo members pay courtesy call on Sports Minister … Collaborative initiatives being worked on A THREE-MEMBER delegation from the Pele FC Alumni Corporation, comprising Chairman Denis Carrington, Treasurer Patrick ‘Labba’ Barton, and Executive Committee Member Eric ‘Riggy’ Smith paid a courtesy call to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr on Monday afternoon.

Minister Ramson was accompanied by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Kashif Muhammad.

The USA-based, Non-Profit Organisation brought Minister Ramson up to date with its work since being formed in 2012 and the strides that they have been making since its formation.

Chairman Carrington told Minister Ramson that the mission of the group is to empower the youth of Guyana to

help them overcome their abject poverty by building their confidence, self-esteem, and ambition through the power of sports.

“The cornerstone of our community outreach programmes is developed with besieged goals to yield results in terms of education, discipline, respect, and teamwork.

These four pillars drive the narratives which help to determine the foundation for our initiatives as part of our strategic planning,” Carrington shared.

The minister was also briefed on the entity’s High School Scholarship Programme from which five students are currently benefiting, the school supplies initiative, medical equipment donation to the Linden Hospital Complex and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation,

Minister of Sport, Honourable Charles Ramson Jr is flanked by ExCo Members of the Pele FC Alumni Corporation. From left, Denis Carrington, Patrick ‘Labba’ Barton, Eric ‘Riggy’ Smith and NSC Chairman, Kashif Muhammad

and donation of 2 500 books and 20 laptops to the National Library, as well as the ongoing partnership with the Durban Park Lions Club.

Minister Ramson expressed his delight at being able to meet with, not only the principal ExCo members of the Pele FC Alumni Cor-

poration but also three former National footballers who have gone on to do themselves and Guyana proud and now have organised them-

selves in an admirable way.

They are now giving back and empowering the youths of the nation.

Discussions were also had on how the two entities can collaborate on initiatives that will continue to benefit and empower the youths.

The Pele FC Alumni congratulated Minister Ramson for the ‘fantastic’ job he has been doing since becoming the Subject Minister with the full support of His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali and the Government of Guyana.

It was collectively agreed that this first meeting has resulted in what will become a long,-lasting collaborative partnership between the Pele FC Alumni Corporation and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Ben Stokes urges cricket chiefs to stop treating players like 'cars' … England Test captain beefs up pleas to protect players' well-being upon ODI retirement BEN Stokes has urged the authorities to stop considering players as "cars" and hopes his ODI retirement will be a wake-up call.

The all-rounder was speaking ahead of his 105th and final ODI after taking the decision to retire from the format. In a statement detailing his decision, he spoke of a desire to lighten his loads citing playing all

three international codes was "unsustainable for me now".

Having taken on the Test captaincy at the start of the summer, Stokes will continue to give "everything I have" to the longest format, as well as Twenty20. As it happens, the 31-year-old Stokes missed the T20 series against India to rest after Test matches against New Zealand and India, and will not play in the T20s against

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Answers in tomorrow’s issue

South Africa that follow the ODI series, or The Hundred ahead of the three Tests with the Proteas.

Speaking to the media ahead of yesterday's match, he went firmer on his comments the previous day of an unsustainable schedule and believes the on-field product will suffer if nothing changes.

"We are not cars," he stated to Test Match Special.

"You can't just fill us up and we'll go out there and be ready to be fuelled up again.

We had a Test series and then the one-day team had a series going on at the same time - that was a bit silly.

"I just feel like there is too much cricket rammed in for people to play all three formats now. It is a lot harder than it used to be. I look back to when I used to do all three and it didn't feel like it was as jam-packed and all that. Obviously you want to play as much cricket as you possibly can but when it is making you feel tired, sore and you've got to look towards five or six months down the road for what you're doing in the here and now it is probably not

Ben Stokes says: "You can't just fill us up and we'll go out there and be ready to be fuelled up again" (Getty Images)

the best thing.

"The more cricket that is played, the better for the sport, but you want a product that is of the highest quality. You want the best players to be playing as much as you possibly can, all the time, and it isn't just me or us. You see it all around the world now where teams are having to rest some players in a certain series so they feel like they are getting a break."

Stokes also referenced the examples of James Anderson and Stuart Broad for what he hopes will be a prolonged career in the remaining two formats. Anderson and Broad last played whiteball cricket for England in 2015 and 2016, respectively, and are still vital cogs in the Test attack in 2022.

Stokes even spoke to Broad about how the 36-year-old found the lighter workload and was left convinced he had made the right decision, especially if he is to replicate Anderson and Broad's tally of over 150 appearances in Tests.

"I asked Stuart if he felt that not playing white-ball cricket was a reason he is still playing now, 160 Tests.

He said without a shadow of a doubt, yes. I want to play 140-150 Tests for England.

"It's come a lot earlier than I would have liked at 31 years old, giving one of the formats up. T20 bowl, 2-3 overs here and there. Longevity I have thought about.

Hopefully when I'm 35, 36, still playing Test cricket, I can look back on this decision and say I'm very happy with it."

Stokes also revealed he had come upon the decision

after the first ODI against India at the Oval on Tuesday, July 12.

As he consulted others, one told him "if there's any doubt, there's no doubt" that he should step away from 50-over cricket. He then spoke to Jos Buttler, the limited-overs captain, about his thoughts, which centred initially on not being able to bowl his full complement of 10 overs. That inability to play a full, all-round part in matches was ultimately the deciding factor.

"After that one-day game it hit me in the face. A quick chat with Jos after the game, I said that if the game was in a different position I'd have bowled more for him. We had five minutes together.

He said you don't owe the team anything and that I had a lot of cricket coming up.

That was nice to hear.

"I went away and had five minutes to myself. I told him I almost felt a bit useless that I can't do that. It's not a nice feeling, knowing I have to look after myself; the captain is trying to look after me, the medical team and the coach as well. It's international cricket you can't be doing that." (Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday July 20, 2022

van der Dussen ton condemns Ben Stokes to farewell defeat A SPECTACULAR century from Rassie van der Dussen and an allround effort from Aiden Markram were instrumental in South Africa’s ability to take an early series lead over England yesterday. van der Dussen's ton ensured South Africa went past the 330-run mark after opting to bat before the bowlers kept the opposition batters in check as Ben Stokes' ODI farewell ended on a disappointing note for England.

South Africa were on the money right from the start as they raced to 35-0 after just six overs. Even though Quinton de Kock was dismissed immediately by Sam Curran after that start, South

Africa's innings grew from strength to strength with van der Dussen stitching a century stand alongside opener Janneman Malan. van der Dussen was scoring at more than a runa-ball to keep South Africa at bay as both batters ended up bringing up their fifties.

The partnership was finally broken by Moeen Ali when Malan failed in his attempt to clear deep midwicket but the wicket didn't give the hosts any respite.

Scores: South Africa 333-5 in 50 overs (Rassie van der Dussen 133, Aiden Markram 77; Liam Livingstone 2-29) beat England 271 in 46.5 overs (Joe Root 86, Jonny Bairstow 63; Anrich Nortje 4-53) by 62 runs Markram was a lot busi-

er at the crease compared to Malan as he got going after fetching three boundaries off a single Liam Livingstone over. van der Dussen brought up his century off 90 deliveries and Markram got to his fifty in the following over as South Africa set themselves up for a big finish. At 244-2 after 40 overs, the visitors would have hoped to get near 350.

While Markram took on Ben Stokes in his final ODI, van der Dussen was visibly exhausted and struggled to find the boundary regularly.

Livingstone then struck, removing both the set batters in the same over as England's attempt to take the pace off the ball worked.

South Africa then needed a mini cameo from David

Rassie van der Dussen brought up his century off 90 balls (Getty Images)

Miller to take them past 330.

In reply, England made a subdued start. Only three

runs came in the opening two overs and even though Roy broke the shackles with a six off Keshav Maharaj, only 47 runs came in the power-play. Roy and Jonny Bairstow employed an uncharacteristic approach despite adding more than 100 for the first wicket. Maharaj then broke the partnership by getting rid of Roy and Markram then came into the attack to land more blows.

Bairstow missed a sweep to get trapped lbw and Stokes also suffered a similar fate and walked back for a paltry score on his ODI farewell.

South Africa kept pegging England back with regular wickets as Tabraiz Shamsi took a brilliant return catch to send Jos But-

tler packing, whereas Livingstone inside-edged one onto his stumps. Joe Root, waging a lone hand, got to his fifty but Moeen Ali departed in the following over as England pretty much conceded defeat.

With the required rate mounting, Root did begin to open up to play some shots but Sam Curran struggled at the other end. Eventually, the former Test skipper couldn't keep up with the asking rate as Anrich Nortje ended England's resistance in a single over.

After castling Root, Nortje also removed Curran and Adil Rashid in the same over before returning to add to his tally and finish with a four-for.

(Cricbuzz)

Petra Organisation co-Director Troy Mendonca (left) collects the $6M sponsorship from CRA at ExxonMoblil, Ryan Hoppie.

In the background (L-R) are GFF TDO Bryan Jopseh, Assistant Director of Sport Melissa Dow-Richardson, NSC Chairman Kashif Muhammad, Minister of Sport Charles Ramson, Education Adviser Olato Sam and Petra’s Jacquline Boodie (Adrian Narine photo)

ExxonMobil partners with Petra for U-14 schools football

By Stephan Sookram EXXONMobil Guyana has joined forces with the Petra Organisation for the second instalment of its U14 boys and girls schools football tournament.

During yesterday’s launch,

Petra co-Director Troy Mendonca stated that after the two-year layoff from the sport, the body is glad to be back in action.

He added that this is an opportune time for the resurgence of the U-14 tournament.

The Petra co-Director stated,

“We would have seen students who have graduated from these tournaments and become a part of the national setups.”

He added too that ExxonMobil should be proud to be a part of that development path of future stars, adding “their contribution should

not just be looked at as a social responsibility but an investment that contributes to the development of our human resources and the development of our national players”.

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) was represented by the Assistant Technical Development

Officer (TDO) Bryan Joseph, who echoed Mendonca’s sentiments.

He added, “We at GFF consider you as a strong strategic partner that has contributed to the growth and development of youth football.”

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Rain wipes out play on opening day of Regional U-17 ALL three matches on the opening day of the Regional Boys’ Under-17 cricket tournament in Trinidad and Tobago were called off due to rain.

Guyana were scheduled to face Barbados at the National Cricket Centre but no play was possible.

The tournament runs from Tuesday July 19 to Wednesday July 28, and during their time in the tournament, the players will also get the golden opportunity to watch a match in the CG United ODI Series between West Indies and India at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Several members of the West Indies Rising Stars U19 team last year and earlier this year will feature in the event. Among them are left-handed batter Jordan Johnson, who will captain Jamaica; right-hander Justin Jaggessar, who will lead the home team; and left-handed seam bowling all-rounder Nathan Edward, who is captain of Leeward Islands.

The tournament will feature 50-

over matches and will be played on a round-robin basis. Matches start at 09:30hrs (08:30hrs Jamaica Time) and will be played at Gilbert Park, Inshan Ali Park, Powergen and the National Cricket Centre.

Jimmy Adams, CWI’s Director of Cricket, said: “We congratulate the young men who have been selected to represent their territories in this tournament, which is a stepping-stone towards their growth and development in our sport.

This is a major part of CWI’s investment into the future. We missed a few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore CWI sees it as vital that we re-start our age-group programmes and have our best young players participate in events such as these.

“We expect some highly competitive matches, but most of all we want to see our players improve and learn with each day on the field.”

The future generation of West Indies cricketers will be on show

Ben Stokes urges cricket chiefs to stop treating players like 'cars' … England Test captain beefs up pleas to protect players' well-being upon ODI retire-

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