Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 21-07-2023

$4.7B ‘pumped’ into 242 Amerindian communities - allocations range from $10M to $30M

By Shamar Meusa

THE National Assembly on Thursday approved the sum of $4,743,000,000 as part of supplementary advances made from the Contingency Fund which went towards community development and empowerment of over 200 Amerindian villages.

At Thursday’s sitting, the National Assembly was resolved into the Committee of Supply to consider Financial Paper No. 1 of 2023, where it was revealed that this sum directly benefitting indigenous communities across the country.

The entirety of the sum approved by the Cabinet as an advance from the Contingency Fund went to the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

When members on the

opposition side of the house questioned the expense, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai said that since entering office, the People’s Progressive Party

(PPP) has embarked on developing and expanding the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which saw continuous consultations being done.

To this end, she said that it is nothing new that funds are being allocated to this section of the population, which according to her has been receiving support from the government.

She noted that government has “talked the talk and walked the walk.”

Sukhai told the committee that this type of money transfer directly to indigenous villages has never happened before and as such, she

would not expect to hear objections to additional financial resources for the investment and improvement of the lives of indigenous people.

Opposition member, Volda Lawrence then asked Sukhai what explanation was given for the advance to be made from the Contingency Fund.

In response, the Amerindian Affairs Minister noted that the government made and took a strong decision to bridge the gaps between the hinterland and coastland and to accelerate development within those communities.

Meanwhile, Sukhai went on to list all 242

villages that benefitted from direct transfers as she indicated that the size of the village populations determined the size of the allocation they received. Communities received amounts ranging from $10 million to $30 million. These funds, she said, were transferred to a special bank account in the name of the villages which are spread across the country’s 10 administrative regions.

As such, the advance totalling $4,743,000,000 was approved by the committee and later the National Assembly.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai (DPI photo)

House approves $26B supplementary funding

- to support low carbon intensity path

By Shamar Meusa

THE National Assembly on Thursday approved the sum of $26,532,000,000 in supplementary funding for capital projects which are expected to support critical initiatives under the government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

When the National Assembly was resolved into the Committee of Supply to consider these estimates as part of the second financial paper of 2023, the Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh stated that the document was

a companion to the first one that was approved earlier in the day.

While he noted that the first financial paper addresses the disbursement of 15 per cent of the proceeds from the sale of carbon credits, which is earmarked for development projects in Amerindian communities, this second paper covers the remaining 85 per cent.

Dr Singh reminded the committee that this was a completely new transaction and a completely new arrangement as Guyana is the first country in the world to achieve the jurisdictional sale of its carbon credits.

To this end, when asked

about the broad objectives and what the sum of $26.5 billion will be used for he said: “The broad objectives of the projects to be financed are outlined in the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030.”

According to Dr. Singh, “The critical initiatives under LCDS are those that will

enable us to transition to a high economic growth and low carbon intensity path and amongst these… would of course be climate adaptation.”

Some of the projects, he said, would include significant investments for the reinforcement and expansion of Guyana’s sea defenses and

investments into drainage and irrigation.

Against this backdrop, he said that the government has noted publicly that they hope to replicate the Hope Canal in Regions Five and Six.

Investments will also be made for additional pumps and equipment like longrange excavators, and the reinforcement of sluices among other things.

Added to this, he noted that some of these projects will be projects that will extend beyond the year and will be added to the budget in the way that they should be.

Meanwhile, a Ministry of Finance press release issued following the approval, stated that recognising the urgent need to address the impacts of climate change, the government is prioritising one of the largest investments in climate adaptation in Guy-

ana’s history.

The release said that a substantial portion of these allocated funds will be dedicated to implementing comprehensive climate adaptation measures throughout the country.

Further, it noted that by investing in climate adaptation, Guyana will enhance its ability to mitigate risks and build resilience and ensure the protection of its people, infrastructure and natural resources.

“This considerable investment will support various climate adaptation initiatives, including the construction of two major canals in Regions Five and Six, the rehabilitation of 20 sluices in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six as well as the procurement of pumps and excavators for use across multiple regions.

Contractors given new date to complete Eccles to Diamond four-lane highway

- President Ali warns no excuses, delays will be tolerated

ENGINEERS and contractors who are part of the $13.3 billion Eccles to Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara four-lane highway project, were on Thursday warned that no further delays or excuses will be tolerated.

These warnings were issued by President Dr. Irfaan Ali who led an inspection exercise to several major infrastructure project sites in Regions Three and Four. He noted that the government had intended for the massive highway to be completed by August, however, contractors have been falling behind.

“Our intention was to have by the end of August this highway completed. We are not tolerating any excuse …both the engineers and the contractors will be held accountable,” President Ali cautioned.

With Guyana heading out of its torrential rainy season and weather conditions improving, President Ali said that contractors should implement multiple shift systems to optimise the good weather.

“I’m looking for lights; we have excellent weather conditions right now. I said this before, we have to make

use of weather opportunity days, and works that are behind. I am expecting to see lights out there, I am expecting to see systems in place for at least three-shift systems. This is not only the contractors; this is the engineers that I have a problem with, who are not ensuring the systems are put in place.

on major projects now, you know exactly what you're doing when it comes to managing your project within the changes in the weather pattern,” the president said.

He further cautioned that if contractors are unable to deliver within the time frame, penalties will be applied.

“Anything beyond the

ifesto under the heading, “Infrastructure Boom: Building for the Future.”

The party gave its commitment that it will revolutionise the outdated infrastructure in Guyana and initiate work on several transformative infrastructural projects, all in order to provide a flourishing economy.

In December 2021, 12 contractors signed contracts for more than $13 billion to construct the Eccles to Great Diamond interlink road, which will link the Eccles to Mandela Avenue four-lane highway.

On its completion, it is expected that more than 22,000 households and the growing volume of commercial users will directly benefit from the new infrastructure.

I spoke about this on many, many occasions,” he added. Contractors are expected to complete all works by September 10.

“We have enough experience now at hand to know what exactly needs to be done. All of you are working

new dates, liquidated charges will be applied; anything beyond this date is not justifiable,” he said sternly.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had included the four-lane highway from Georgetown to Timehri (CJIA) in its 2020-2025 man-

The Head of State also visited the Schoonord to Crane four-lane highway and the new Demerara River crossing work sites in Region Three where he reiterated to the contractors there that delayed work will not be tolerated.

“Liquidated damages can be applied. There is absolutely no excuse; you have the best weather for construction now,” he reiterated.

Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh (DPI photo)

President Ali inspected several major infrastructure projects, where he warned contractors that penalties will be instituted if further delays occur (Office of the President photos)

A section of ongoing works being done on the Eccles to Great Diamond four-lane highway

Oil spill exercise completed as part of Exercise Tradewinds 2023

AS part of Exercise

Tradewinds 2023, a simulated oil practice was conducted in Berbice (Region Six) on Tuesday.

According to a press release issued by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the simulation comprised a reactive phase as well as a proactive phase to address potential consequences of a hypothetical incident involving fuel spilt in the Berbice River.

The CDC, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and other pertinent organisations which make up the National Oil Spill Committee (NOSC), went into action during the course of a day at loca-

tions such as the Skeldon Sugar Estate (Command Centre), CGX Palmyra (Staging Area), and Number 61 Beach (Impact Zone/Staging Area).

Prior to the actual simulation, a two-day tabletop exercise gave the NOSC the opportunity

to practise its theoretical planning, coordinating, and operational skills. Based on the participants' agency and expertise, groups were formed, the release stated.

It added that the duties of command, logistics, operations, planning, finance, and administration were all distinct but coordinated, promoting response co-

hesiveness.

In the field, those very groups were put to the test to demonstrate what would be required should such a disaster materialise.

According to the release, The Response Group (TRG), a company involved in American disaster risk management, led the tabletop exercise.

Additionally, a fiveday logistics workshop was conducted by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) in order to strengthen current logistical systems for response processes.

Software was provided at the training that will help logistics experts be more effective at a number of activities. These programmes, coupled with instruction for the Incident Command System (ICS) 300, were designed to prepare all response stakeholders for looming hazards and disasters.

The release added that Exercise Tradewinds 2023, a multi-faceted response exercise hosted by Guyana this year, continues with a myriad of events and activities geared at reinforcing the

nation’s capacity for security and disaster response in many regards.”

The Ambassador of the United States of America to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, during the launch of the exercise at Drill Square, Base Camp Ayanganna, last Saturday, said that it is being sponsored by the United States’ Southern Command and partnerships will be formed with 1,500 security personnel from 20 countries.

The participants will be part of a multi-dimensional exercise which will cover ground, air, sea and even the cyber arena.

She also disclosed that in the following weeks, much focus will be placed on fostering regional interoperability and reinforcing the importance of security and stability within the Caribbean region.

Scenes from the oil-spill exercise (CDC photos)

Guyana has one of the lowest debt-to-GDP ratios in the world

— Jagdeo says as he dispels misleading comments, highlights PPP’s restoration of the economy

DESPITE nay-sayers comments that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is mismanaging the economy, the party’s General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has said that his government has successfully gotten rid of billions of dollars in debt.

Jagdeo, while speaking at a press conference held on Thursday, at Freedom House, decided to set the record straight.

Addressing the misleading narrative peddled by members of the Alliance for Change (AFC) during a press conference last week, he said: “When you listen to them [AFC] they don’t have much to say.”

He pointed out that the AFC stating that his government is imperiling the future of the Guyanese children by taking loans, indicates their lack of knowledge on the top-

ic and a failure to recognise the work done by the PPP in achieving one of the lowest debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio in the world.

In highlighting the once deplorable state of Guyana’s economy, PPP General Secretary disclosed that the country’s debt was nine times the

size of the economy and the country was using over 100 per cent of revenue to service debt.

“Effectively, our country was bankrupt and that is what happened to Guyana in the 90s under APNU stewardship,” he said.

Prior to the new-found oil

wealth, he said that a substantial amount was done by the PPP to lower Guyana’s debt. In fact, in 2015, the nation’s debt had reduced from 900 per cent to around 45 per cent of the GDP.

“Today, our debt based on the last 2022 figure is now about 23 per cent of Gross Domestic Product…it’s one of the lowest figures in the world,” the PPP General Secretary boasted, adding: “so we have some of the best or lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the entire world as of today.”

In contrast with the previous percentage that is over 100 per cent of Guyana’s revenue to service its debt, Jagdeo revealed that last year less than 10 per cent was used and therefore, this is an impressive accomplishment for the nation despite AFC trying to twist the truth.

In fact, he noted that this

is a step up when compared to most of our Caribbean counterparts who use upwards of 60 per cent of their revenue to service their debts.

“So, this has been one of the success stories of Guyana and the PPP’s management of our economy and our debt and even now with the debt policy that we have, unlike APNU, we shun variable rate loans,” he said before highlighting that there are only two loans with variable rates, both being international and from multilateral institutions.

Furthermore, the PPP General Secretary addressed another untruth that the PPP government is squandering oil revenue in all parts of the country, which according to him, is far from the reality.

Turning his attention to the Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) who are giving the impression that

the government is constantly borrowing, he said those MPs are displaying their ignorance since they are well aware that the loans are accounted for in the budget and are not anything new.

Jagdeo said that those MPs are misleading the nation by acting as though this is newly attained knowledge. Moreover, he stated that the coalition government whilst in power did not focus on enhancing Guyana. As a matter of fact, their capital budget was reduced every year while in office, he added.

Jagdeo emphasised that his government has already invested massive amounts into not only constructing houses, but also regional hospitals and schools and other infrastructural projects.

Gold smugglers will face legal consequences - Jagdeo

TAKING a firm stand against gold-smuggling, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on Thursday said that gold smugglers will face the necessary legal consequences for their actions and tough measures will be taken in order to tackle this illegal act.

“We at one stage thought that Venezuelan gold was coming into Guyana to bypass the sanctions... Now we’re realising that it’s actually our gold going into Brazil and obviously to bypass the five per cent royalty and the two per cent final tax.”

Noting the ongoing investigations into the matter by the Brazilian federal authorities, Jagdeo stated: “We’re going to take tough measures against people cause we’re going to track those who are benefitting from concessions.”

The PPP General Secretary remarked that all those involved in the smuggling

of gold will face the legal consequences.

“We’ll take measures to protect Guyana,” Jagdeo maintained.

According to a report from the Brazilian federal authorities, an investigation into the laundering of more than US$16.4 million in illegally mined gold through fictitious companies in the food and medical supply industries was announced on July 7.

According to the federal authorities, Operation Vanglória is tasked with looking into those who are allegedly transporting gold worth millions that was unlawfully obtained from Guyana, the country's northern neighbour, through several front firms.

Police opened an investigation after learning of a Guyanese businessman who had connections to the country's gold-mining sector and who also engaged in questionable commercial practices in Brazil.

Agents of the Federal Police suspect that the man has a Brazilian associate who has assisted him in using sham corporations to transfer assets. One of them is being investigated for allegedly using its records to launder more than R$60 million ($12.3 million) in gold, despite purportedly dealing in medical supplies and operating without a recognised address.

Federal authorities believe that 30 tonnes of gold, worth approximately $1.86 billion, are unlawfully taken

out of the Brazilian Amazon each year. The fact that this "dirty gold" is combined with legally mined reservoirs makes it simpler for traffickers to export it.

Authorities have discovered how shell businesses have contributed to this illegal economy, which abuses lowly paid miners in regions with little human and economic growth.

As part of Operation Vanglória, police have already carried out three search and seizure orders in an effort to find the $16 million in ille-

gally traded gold.

They also want to know if the metal was illegally

removed

from Brazilian native communities or Guyana-based mining sites.

General Secretary of the PPP, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo (Delano Williams photo)

Good News Guyana!

GOOD news from Guyana knows no end these days: on the fast-track to becoming the world’s fourth largest offshore oil extractor and the richest nation in South America, already with the highest level of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the regional grouping’s fastest growing member-state, courted by Saudi Arabia and the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), its President invited to visit over 50 nations, the nation recently elected as a Non-Permanent Member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, recently hosting a host of top international diplomats (including the US Secretary

of State, China’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister and a top European Union diplomat) – and all that ahead of preparing to also host upcoming international conferences, including the 51st CARICOM Summit in July 2024.

Almost every press release from the Department of Public Information (DPI) these days is about something unprecedented in Guyana’s development history.

If it’s not sharing Carbon Credit benefits for Amerindians or building scores of new hospitals, it’s about handing over hundreds of new homes or house lots to thousands of citizens nationwide, or bringing water, electricity, solar power or internet – for the first time – to historically neglected communities.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali’s upcoming visit to China is also quite significant, as China is as much a part of Guyana’s new and rapid energy-based development thrust as the private global oil majors and new entrants also helping pump the crude out of the ocean floor quick enough to ensure Guyanese benefit more, earlier than later.

While critics and cynics anxiously await the so-called ‘Dutch Curse’, the government is hedging its bets for Guyana, wisely opting to stay out of an over-regulated OPEC and instead extract the Black Gold quickly, at a time when its crude is most wanted everywhere and the price is just right.

It’s also strange but true that with the breakneck

speed at which oil guzzling nations are trying to wean themselves off fossil fuels to adopt new green (wind, solar, electric, hydro) and alternative forms of ‘clean energy’, Guyana (and the world) can also learn, at great costly peril, that oil can indeed spoil.

Guyana’s South American neighbours and partners welcome its increasing engagements and CARICOM partners are engaging more directly with the new nation, quickly changing the face and shape of national and regional landscapes.

The PPP/C administration elected by free and fair votes since the return of democracy in 1992 had already compared positively vis-àvis the opposition’s dismal delivery record, when the losing coalition stole the re-

sults of the widely observed 2020 presidential and parliamentary poll.

And the result of the recent Local Government Elections (LGEs) was also a mid-term endorsement of the PPP/C administration.

Unable to present itself as an alternative government, the opposition is relying on kneejerk responses instead of entering into a necessary period of honest review of leadership since the fivemonth 2020 electoral heist.

If ever the race card exploded in the face of those relying on it as a reliable political weapon, the LGE result was also more proof of changing political tides that should have sent red flags flashing across the opposition’s green pastures.

But while its ground -

ed critics gather moss, the government continues on a roll, consistently recording unparalleled achievements in terms of addressing people’s long-outstanding needs in the shortest time.

Georgetown is an ongoing construction site as old structures give way to new and futuristic investments.

Regions, towns, villages and neighbourhoods too long neglected in the past are finally welcoming hitherto unseen levels of immediate government assistance, while youth, women and children, public employees, self-employed persons, pensioners and others in need all breathe long sighs of relief, as an always better new Guyana day dawns every morning.

The ‘can’t do’ syndrome persists in Guyana

Dear Editor, Attitude is a critical part of success in any domain, and at any level. This is an especially important consideration for societies that have for the longest time been trapped in Gemeinschaft type cultural structures.

The German sociologist Ferdinand Tönnies distinguished between static societies that are configured around traditional folk culture (Gemeinschaft), and dynamic social formations (Gesellschaft) that are more disposed to the assertion of rational will.

Cultural and political leadership in Guyana may be divided between the Gemeinschaft (backward-looking) and Gesellschaft (forwarding-looking). The backward-looking ones typically doubt everything and anything that indicates progress

or is symbolic of development. They have an auto-defense mechanism against modernisation projects of any sort, combined with a psychological penchant for the forlorn, the dismal, the pessimistic, and even for lunacy.

Gemeinschaft personality types have over the years, for instance, objected to building or criticised the construction of the Providence National Stadium, the Berbice Bridge, the Hope Canal, the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, the Marriott Hotel, the expansion and modernisation of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at Timeheri, the four-lane highway that currently connects Mandela Avenue to Eccles, not to mention objections to the building of hospitals, schools, and markets. These same modernisation reac -

tionaries are against the development of our oil and gas sector, against hydro-electric power development at Amaila Falls, against monetisation of our carbon sequestration resources within TREES-ART Architecture, and against all sources of Foreign Direct Investment. They are also against Guyana’s reinvigorated diplomatic relationships with the United States and Europe.

Evidence for the above can be easily culled from columns and letters in the press or from statements issues by the PNCR, WPA, and AFC. There are also numerous arrogant elements in the diaspora who think living abroad is a special qualification that makes them experts in everything.

Here are a few statements from the Gemeinschaft reactionaries – “To my knowl-

edge, President Ali was not involved in any geopolitics discussion with heads of states” (KN 20/7/2023). This is a quote from Leyland Roopnarine, a foreigner who has zero access to what President Ali has discussed with heads of states. Note the arrogance when the guy writes – “to my knowledge,” when in fact he has not the slightest idea. He believes that because he lives in New York, he is an expert on foreign affairs. Here is a typical statement steeped in defeatism by one, R. David –“Even the foreign exploiters are surprised and bewildered by how easy it is to exploit Guyana” (KN, 20/7/2023).

David does not read the very newspaper in which his article is published, which in fact is a leading resistor of foreign direct investments. And only days ago, Dr. Narayan Persaud exposed

GHK Lall’s obsession with talking down Guyana to the point of implying that the entire nation is made of lunatics. These folks have what might be best described as suffering from the “Can’t do Syndrome.”

The PNCR is truly backward looking. Annette Ferguson not so long ago claimed that God sent L.F.S. Burnham. A senior WPA “Elder” recently compared foreign investors in our oil and gas sectors to Otto Von Bismarck whose imperialist policies eventually led to genocide in (today’s) Namibia. Another “Elder” – Hamilton Green, still thinks that National Service was a clever idea! Craig Sylvester, a politician who is statistically irrelevant, wants to go back to the APNU-AFC playbook of shutting down GuySuCo. I wonder if he knows that the sugar cor-

poration under Sasenarine Singh has reached its production targets for the first time in years, and that Rose Hall Estate will be back in production soon.

In the meantime, the forward-looking force in the country is forging ahead with building roads, ports, hospitals, schools, combined with transformative investments in human resources with heavy emphasis in skills’ training in oil and gas, nursing, healthcare, agriculture. The forward-looking policies now in place are also laying the foundations for building wealth for families and for the nation. These are policies based on the rational modernisation of the economy and society.

Sincerely,

Dr. Randolph Persaud

Nandranie Coonjah sworn in as new Member of Parliament

FORMER Regional Vice-Chairperson for Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Nandranie Coonjah was on Thursday sworn in as the newest Member of Parliament for the Peoples’ Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

Coonjah took the oath before Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, during the 65th Sitting of the National Assembly at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

She was extracted from the PPP/C’s Geographic List of Candidates for Region Two.

Previously, Coonjah was recognised for her work with the school feeding programme and is also a Commissioner on the Women and Gender Equality Commission.

She replaces Nigel Dha-

ramlall who recently tendered his resignation as an MP and Local Government Minister following rape allegations made by a 16-yearold girl.

In her first action as a parliamentarian, Coonjah joined her colleagues in nominating and voting for a new Deputy Speaker to be appointed.

She signalled her support for The New Movement (TNM) leader, Dr. Asha Kissoon, who was sworn in as a new member to representative of the joinder list in the National Assembly, several months ago.

Under Guyana’s electoral system, 25 of the 65 Members of Parliament are elected from the 10 geographical constituencies; the other 40 are pulled from the national top-up list.

Nandranie Coonjah taking the Oath of Office (DPI photo)

Equal opportunity for all Guyanese in government’s aggressive housing drive - PPP General Secretary Jagdeo

PEOPLE’S Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has squashed allegations that Afro-Guyanese will be left out of government’s massive housing programme.

During a press conference on Thursday he reiterated that his government aims to provide all Guyanese with equal opportunities.

According to Jagdeo, opposition operatives are misleading people by causing fear and spreading lies that the government will neglect Afro-Guyanese and not make them a part of development plans.

Stating that he has already been receiving calls from a number of Afro-Guyanese on this topic, Jagdeo stated: “So I would urge people to not look at this.”

Pointing out that opposi-

tion activists have their own hidden agenda, he said that within this month alone some 7,000 house lots are being developed in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) as part of the PPP government’s drive to provide 50,000 house lots to Guyanese by the year 2025.

This new housing development, the Head of State said, will take place in the vicinity of the planned Schoonord to Parika thoroughfare.

In light of the rapid pace of development in the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara region, President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali had also spoken of plans for a commercial district in Leonora, along with a professional residential area.

The development of lands in the region will help to address the backlog of 14,000 applications which are cur-

rently sitting in the database of the Housing Ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) awaiting allocation.

Additionally, under the government’s turn-key initiative, some 200 housing units are expected to be constructed in Anna Catherina and MetenMeer-Zorg, targeting low and moderate-income earners.

Further, under the Inter-American Development (IDB) funded Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme, 25 core homes have been constructed for vulnerable families in Lusten-Rust, Onderneeming, La Parfaite Harmonie, RechtDoor-Zee and Westminster.

Those new developments, President Ali said, will be complemented by a $52 billion (US$260 million) new Demerara Harbour Bridge.

In May, Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal had announced that as the ministry’s 2022 allocation drive continues, some 15,000 applicants will be served.

“Our President has given a charge to aim for 25,000 homes over the five-year period, and so, while we will allocate 50,000 house lots, simultaneously, we will be constructing houses,” Minister Croal said.

Meanwhile, the President during a press conference earlier this month disclosed that infrastructural investment has grown by 340 per cent from approximately $17.2 billion in 2021 to around $53.3 billion in 2023, as Guyana experiences a development boom and sector expansion.

He also noted that the government through the Ministry of Housing has allocated some

23,698 house lots, outside of those allocated just two days ago.

President Ali said the housing sector has supported upwards of 50,000 jobs over the past few years.

“Given the average price for house lots and the actual costs of investment in infrastructure by the government,

an average low-income allottee receives a 97 per cent subsidy from the government. A low or middle-income allottee receives a 74 per cent subsidy from the government. This is the investment the government is making every time someone is allocated a house lot,” Dr Ali said.

AG presents proposed bill to strengthen AML/CFT efforts

TO further bolster Guyana’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) efforts, Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, on Thursday, presented the AML/CFT Amendment Bill to the National Assembly.

During a sitting at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, Nandlall presented the bill.

The bill aims to elevate Guyana's AML/CFT legislation, aligning it with international standards set forth by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and reinforcing the country's commitment to transparency and global recommendations.

The proposed amendments are expected to equip law enforcement agencies with enhanced abilities and powers in the fight against money laundering, terrorism

financing, and proliferation financing.

With the ever-evolving nature of financial crimes, the People’s Progressive Party Civic-led government has taken proactive measures to stay ahead of the curve, acknowledging the paramount importance of updating its AML/CFT laws to combat these illicit activities effectively.

One of the most critical updates introduced by the bill is found in Clause two, where the interpretation section is revised to align with FATF's designated definitions.

This will ensure that Guyana's legal framework adheres to international standards, enabling seamless co-operation and communication with global partners in tackling financial crimes.

Moreover, the new section 2(2)A paves the way for designating specific individuals and entities under

the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) Sanctions Regime.

Once an order is issued, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will simultaneously apply for freezing or restraint orders against the property of the designated person or entity. Notably, the DPP will make these orders public, enhancing transparency and accountability.

Recognising the importance of co-operation among reporting entities in curbing proliferation financing, Sections 22 and 23 have been updated to mandate the filing of suspicious reports linked to such activities.

This measure will enhance intelligence sharing and early detection of potential threats related to proliferation financing.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions that define privileged material in line with the Regional Se-

curity System Asset Recover Unit (RSS) Model Proceeds of Crime Bill (POCA-B).

An exception to privileged material is outlined, specifying that material held with the intention of furthering a criminal purpose shall not be considered privileged. These steps are designed to prevent misuse of privileged information in the facilitation of illegal financial activities.

In a bid to ensure swift and effective implementation of terrorist financing sanctions, Sections 68A and 68E have been amended, streamlining the process for applying such sanctions without delay.

The bill also sets a milestone in criminalising proliferation financing by inserting new sections 75A and 75B into the Act. This strategic measure demonstrates Guyana's unwavering commitment to combatting all forms of illicit financial activities that threaten national and global security.

Moreover, the amendment to Section 76 enhances Guyana's capacity for international co-operation, streamlining its ability to collaborate with foreign counterparts and exchange vital information in the fight against financial crimes.

A crucial development within the proposed bill is the recognition of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) as the primary body within the Guyana Police Force responsible for handling matters related to money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing.

This recognition bestows SOCU with greater authority and resources, empowering them to take a front-line role in the nation's efforts to combat financial crimes effectively.

The establishment of the Guyana Compliance Commission under new Section 110A represents another significant milestone.

With its functions to be elaborated further under the Guyana Compliance Commission Act 2023, this body will play a pivotal role in ensuring compliance with AML/CFT regulations and contributing to a robust financial ecosystem.

The proposed bill also includes consequential amendments to the Evidence Act, Combatting the Trafficking of Persons Act 2023, the Financial Institutions Act, and the Foreign Exchange (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap 86:01, reflecting a comprehensive and interconnected approach to tackle financial crimes across various sectors.

STRONG COMMITMENT

Previously, Nandlall had said that the government is committed to strengthening the country’s AML/CFT framework, especially with an upcoming on-site evaluation and examination by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).

“Work continues on the AML/CFT as Guyana prepares for an on-site evaluation and examination to be conducted by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force

of Guyana’s financial sector scheduled to take place in September of this year.… We have implemented a number of administrative decisions and measures, as well as checked many aspects of our legislative architecture,” he said Nandlall highlighted the need for a dedicated regulatory body, stating, “In our AML/CFT structure, it has been recognised that there are agencies that have no regulator or supervisor to lead them.”

“This compliance commission will act as the regulator and supervisor in areas where a proper regulatory framework is absent, ensuring compliance with international standards,” the AG said.

The amendments, which focus on empowering authorities to forfeit assets and seize proceeds of crime, will be presented to the National Assembly ahead of the CFATF evaluation in September.

Highlighting the significance of targeting criminals’ financial assets, Nandlall said, “It is recognised worldwide that one of the most effective ways of dealing with the criminal is to hit him in the pocket or hit them financially.”

He expressed the government’s determination to strengthen its legal framework for asset forfeiture and proceeds of crime, noting, “Our law was not as strong as it should be in that regard.”

Who is accountable to whom in this country?

I ENTERED the lounge of Herdmanston Lodge for the book launch of Dr. Mark Kirton’s text on Guyana-Brazil relations. At the door was journalist Denis Chabrol. I extended an invitation to Mr. Chabrol to be on the Gildarie-Freddie Kissoon Show. He simply said, “I will not come.” I asked why, but he refused to explain.

As I sat down, I noticed that in the same lane with me were Vincent Alexander and Enrico Woolford. I invited Mr. Alexander, he accepted and he appeared on the show. I invited Mr. Woolford, he agreed to appear and indicated that I must contact him for dates. How ironic, the journalist that puts his mike to all types of public figures to get a comment from them, refused to speak to other media practitioners.

Why did Chabrol decline? I believe it is for the very reason that Nazima Raghubir and Anand Persaud, editor-in-chief of Stabroek News (SN) refused to come. They feel that their (not “the” but “their”) practice of journalism will be in the spotlight and I think they doubt their

capacity to answer questions from me and Gildarie. They feel intimidated because their journalism won’t be able to stand scrutiny.

This is in sharp contrast to other Guyanese whose self-confidence and intellectual capabilities they want the nation to see. Mr. Alexander had his hour and he spoke his mind. He said he will challenge the Attorney-General on the programme on the votes for the East Coast in the March 2020 elections.

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton was our guest and he fielded an hour of questions from us. Ganesh Mahipal was on the show twice and he let me and Gildarie know how he feels about Frederick Kissoon and his politics.

He spoke his mind. Dr. David Hinds appeared twice on the Gildarie-Freddie Kissoon Show and shouted down on me to be quiet because I am behaving like a parrot. We can go on with the names of so many guests from different opposition parties who simply sat down and discussed what they want our viewers to hear.

We had cartoonist Paul Harris whose items are 99 percent a negative reflection on the government. None of the hosts confronted Mr. Harris.

So, Ms. Ragubir who heads the Guyana Press Association (GPA) and who attends all kinds of press conferences and solicits information from people such as Cabinet ministers and the President, do not want to discuss journalism with other media houses. The identical cocoon Denis Chabrol and Anand Persaud live in.

What are they afraid of?

Is Mr. Chabrol uncertain that Demerara Waves’ (DW) credibility may take a knocking if he is asked if Mr. GHK Lall owns the outfit? If he does, then DW is finished with because Mr. GHK Lall uses the most violent and scatological vocabulary to condemn the Guyana Government, therefore dissolving the practice of professional journalism at DM.

What is Ms. Ragubir afraid of? Maybe it is the theory of Ruel Johnson that we will put to her. That she should quit the presidency of the GPA this year because

her four-year term would be up because she served for two years when there was no election because of the COVID-19 restrictions. This means that she should not be the president way into 2025? Is she afraid to answer how three members of the entire executive made the decision not to have the voters’ list available to the members before the GPA elections a few weeks ago?

But why would Persaud, Chabrol and Ragubir criticise ministers of government for being opaque when they themselves do not want to

face questions? Mr. Persaud, the chief at SN does not want to comment on why he issued two edicts to presidential adviser Professor Randolph Persaud. One – that his letters will not be carried if he criticises certain civil society groups, especially Article 13, and soon after, the second edict came: his letters will no longer be accepted.

Well, if he does not want to comment, so be it. But he has a moral responsibility to SN readers, the public and journalism to say why.

Refusal to do so puts Mr. Persaud in the terrible posi-

tion where he does not have the right any longer to do two things – seek interviews and answers from ministers and criticise the government for not being accountable.

To conclude, Chabrol, Ragubir and Persaud cannot be that arrogant to seek answers from national actors in Guyana when they themselves are national actors and do not want to make themselves available to answer questions about their questionable journalism. How can that be right?

Vieira plans to develop US$1.4M quarry at Dora

AIMING to produce regular sand for the local market, and washed and screened sand for the international market, Guyanese broadcaster and developer, Anthony Vieira, is hoping to invest US$1.4 million to develop a sand quarry at Dora, Demerara River.

A project summary was recently submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for review.

According to the project summary, the project will see 300,000 metric tonnes of sand being mined and produced annually from the Anthony Vieira Sand Quarry over a mine life of five years.

Quarrying operations are expected to commence in the second quarter of 2023 once all regulatory

approvals are obtained and the project will see about 25 persons being employed for the five-year life span.

The project summary also related that through the project’s capital investment and the initial life of five years, the estimated annual turnover pre-tax is US$536,068 (GY$116,862,824).

With this investment, Vieira hopes to meet the growing demand for sand.

Building on the progress made in 2022 through increased public and private investments, Guyana’s vibrant construction industry has been expanding even further in 2023, with continued expansion anticipated in the coming years.

With the local construction industry also expanding further this year, this growth is linked to massive investments by government in new and improved roads and bridges, housing developments, educational and health facilities, agricultural infrastructure, and private sector investment in the oil and gas and hospitality industries.

Asha Kissoon elected new Deputy Speaker

DR. Asha Kissoon, who was sworn in as a member of parliament (MP) several months ago, was on Thursday elected to the post of Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.

At Thursday’s sitting of the National Assembly, Speaker, Manzoor Nadir opened the floor for nominations for the post which has been vacant since the resignation of Lenox Shu-

man.

The opposition’s chief whip, Christopher Jones was the first to rise. He nominated Dawn Hastings. Meanwhile, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and

Governance, Gail Teixeira, nominated Dr Kissoon for the post.

Following several rounds of voting, a situation which arose due to technical issues affecting members who were attending the sitting virtually, it was revealed that 33 members voted in favour of Dr. Kissoon’s nomination.

The 33-year-old was sworn in as an MP in April when she stated that she

hoped that her journey as a politician would stand as an inspiration to other young people and women who aspire to make a change in Guyana.

Dr Kissoon entered politics in the lead-up to the 2020 General and Regional Elections when she was the presidential candidate for The New Movement (TNM).

She replaced Shuman as a member of parliament

in keeping with a rotation schedule set out by a joinder party which comprises of TNM, LJP and A New and United Guyana (ANUG), which won one seat in the National Assembly after combining their lists of candidates for the 2020 elections.

The parties entered an agreement to rotate its one seat over the five-year life of the 12th Parliament.

Anthony Vieira

Dr. Asha Kissoon

Banks DIH, Diageo launch ‘Guinness Smooth’

BANKS DIH Limited on Thursday in collaboration with Diageo, a global leader in beverage alcohol, officially launched Guinness Smooth, a stout that represents the culmination of meticulous craftsmanship, innovation, and an unwavering commitment aimed at delivering excellence to the consumer.

Diageo’s Head of Beer Commercialisation for Central America and the Caribbean, Marcela Vargas, said that globally, Guinness represents a world filled with optimism, energy and passion.

She noted that while building this new chapter, Diageo reinforces their strong partnership with Banks DIH.

She said that their dedication and commitment, passion for excellence and shared values with Diageo, has transformed Guyana into the number one market for Guinness in the Caribbean region.

“It is a magnetic world, something that we have seen in Guyana since day one, connecting with local consumers through the magnetism of the brand, proudly embedded in the Caribbean

culture for more than 260 years,” she said.

Vargas noted that launching Guinness Smooth is a milestone for them, as it represents the possibility of connecting Guinness with new consumers.

“We, together, have a strong ambition of growing our business and we are confident that Guinness Smooth launch is one of the most powerful ways we can do this,” Vargas said.

Additionally, Brew Master Matthew Kendall related that the new product is brewed at Banks DIH in collaboration with the Diageo Global Technical Brand Team.

He explained that Guinness Smooth is a bittersweet mix of hops, malt and roasted barley which gives it its rich chocolate and coffee flavour.

“It is brewed with a robust yeast, and it has one third of the bitterness of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout,” he said.

Noting that the fermen-

tation profile of Guinness Smooth differs from Guinness Stout as it undergoes an early cessation to enhance its full-bodied nature and provide a delicate sweetness, he said it is even compounded by a rich, creamy mouthfeel which comes from the presence of the diacetyl, as a result of the halted fermentation.

Kendall said that Guinness Smooth is being brewed under the watchful eyes of their third-party operations officer who makes certain that there is strict adherence to the numerous operational and quality standards as outlined in the brand’s technical manual.

“This adherence to strict quality-control measures fits well within Banks DIH’s brewery mandate to ensure that we have products of the

highest quality,” he said.

In his expert opinion, he noted that the Guinness Smooth is a great addition to Banks DIH line of products, as it serves as a fitting tribute to their values in partnership and what can be achieved through innovative collaborations.

Further, Lee Baptiste, the Guinness Brand Manager at Banks DIH, related that Guinness Smooth has a distinct, smooth and refreshing taste and balanced flavours, which are ideal when catching up with friends.

“The new liquid has the refreshment of a stout with the fine characteristics of a Guinness. Perfectly brewed with the Guyanese consumer in mind, Guinness Smooth is a new expression of Guinness that is perfect for casual social occasions,” he said.

Baptiste said that Guinness, globally, is known for its magnetic experiences and innovations in meeting consumer demands, which Guinness Smooth caters for.

“The Banks DIH Limited objective is for Guinness Smooth to garner its own unique and trendy consumer base, and to be consumed across all genders, either while catching up with some friends or over a delicious meal of barbeque or grilled meats,” he explained.

He stated that the wholesale price of Guinness Smooth is $5,850 per case and the product is in its third week of distribution, and has gotten overwhelmingly positive feedback thus far.

Baptiste encouraged all persons above the age of 18 years old to consume Guinness Smooth responsibly.

The newest addition to the Guinness line

Chairman of Banks DIH Ltd, Clifford Reis, Head of Diageo’s’ Commercialisation for the Caribbean and Central America, Marcela Vargas; Brew Master Matthew Kendall and others at the launch (Delano Williams photos)

Mustapha urges EU private sector to invest in CARICOM agri- businesses

By Naomi Parris

WITH opportunities for diverse investments in the Caribbean’s food production sector, Guyana’s Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, has called on the private sector in the European Union (EU) to partner and invest in agri-businesses in the region.

Mustapha, who chairs

investment for improved competition, improved value chain performance, protection for private sector Investments and for logistical advancement for intra-regional trade.

the special ministerial task force for food production and food security in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), on Thursday spoke during the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) webinar, where stakeholders discussed agriculture, fisheries, food processing and trade-related matters.

“There has been a visible shift in CARICOM’s focus with regards to ensuring food security and promoting self-sufficiency thus creating an opening for diverse investment opportunities and a competitive edge in production,” Mustapha told those gathered.

According to Mustapha, opportunities are vast in the production of poultry, corn, soya, niche vegetables, citrus, fisheries (aquaculture) and nutraceuticals.

He further alluded to the efforts the region has been making with the “25 by 2025 Initiative” to reduce its food import bill.

“The initiative addresses cross-cutting issues, such as barriers to trade, financing, developing insurance, market facilitation and trans -

portation, all of which are necessary to ensure a favourable investment climate in the region,” he said.

With much progress already made, significant opportunities are available in agro-processing, shipping logistics and other support services for food and agriculture.

“Through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and partnerships, we can build a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector that benefits our nations and fosters regional integration.

“The private sector involvement in our collective efforts towards achieving ‘Vision 25 by 2025’ is critical, as the public resources are not sufficient by itself. Their role and participation will be a deciding factor if we will be able to achieve our set goals and targets as well as how fast we achieve those,” Mustapha added.

Meanwhile, Mustapha noted that the respective CARICOM nations have been creating enabling environments for investments.

“We have been creating enabling environments for investments by ensuring our policies support growth and improved private sector

“We encourage the EU private sector to foster valuable agri-business partnerships in the region. The opportunities for investment are vast as the Region pushes the food security agenda,” Mustapha said.

Thursday's webinar followed the completion of a study titled “Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Processing in CARIFORUM.”

According to the European Union, it is the third in a series of studies commissioned by the European Commission to raise awareness of the economic opportunities related to the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement, to enable the EU private sector to foster valuable business partnerships in the region.

Stakeholders were able to discuss emerging trade and investment opportunities in agriculture, fisheries and food processing, as well as priority subsectors for EU trade and investment. They were also able to explore conditions for market access and the ease of doing business.

Smaller meetings were also held with various stakeholders to validate and discuss the findings of the study and advise on the next steps for investing in particular areas.

— says such partnerships will reduce region’s food import bill, achieve food security

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha

Trio gets life for killing Uitspa businessman during robbery

THREE men were, on Thursday, sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of 51-year-old Dhanpaul Dookie called “Pauline,” during a robbery at his Uitspa Village, Soesdyke-Linden Highway home, in 2017.

Chandrapaul Persaud, 50, also called “Raju” or “Duffy”; 61-year-old Heralall Ramdhan, also called “Baba” or “Roshan”; and Jagishwar Dhanai, 36, also called “Toto”, were sentenced by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Demerara High Court.

In May, they were convicted by a mixed 12-member jury.

During the trial, the trio denied involvement in the murder that occurred between July 24 and 27, 2017.

According to the state prosecutor, Dookie was killed during the course of a robbery, where he was severely injured with a knife and axe, while in a defenceless situation.

In their plea for forgiveness, each of the convicted killers expressed remorse and a desire to reintegrate into society to be with their families.

The prosecutor stressed the seriousness and prevalence of the crime and urged the court to impose the maximum sentence

due to the wanton disregard for life displayed during the well-orchestrated crime.

Justice Sewnarine-Beharry, while narrating the facts on Thursday, revealed that Persaud had observed Dookie with a bag of $5,000 notes and conspired with the other two men to rob and kill him.

The judge highlighted the deliberate and premeditated nature of the murder, as supported by the three men's police caution statements detailing their roles in the crime.

In considering an appropriate sentence for each convict, the judge took into account

aggravating factors such as the prevalence of felony murder, emotional trauma to Dookie's family, serious injuries inflicted upon the victim, and the fact that all three men were adults who should have been aware of the consequences of their actions.

Despite the convicts' continued denial of guilt, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry recognised some mitigating factors, including their co-operation with law enforcement during the arrest, lack of prison infractions, and dysfunctional family backgrounds coupled with limited education and intellect that may have influenced their poor choices.

The judge concluded that only Dhanai exhibited genuine remorse for his criminal conduct. Consequently, all three convicts were sentenced to life imprisonment, with Persaud and Ramdhan eligible to apply for parole after 30 years, and Dhanai after 20 years.

Additionally, they were ordered to undergo various rehabilitative programmes, including literacy, anger management, vocational training, and behavioural change courses, supervised by the Director of Prisons.

Dhanpaul Dookie called “Pauline”

Chandrapaul Persaud, Heralall Ramdhan and Jagishwar Dhanai

‘Stalker’ gets 10 years for killing Sophia woman

RAYMOND O’Selmon was, on Thursday, sentenced to 10 years in prison for fatally stabbing 34-year-old Nadina Kalamadeen, who he had stalked for months after she refused his advances.

O’Selmon, 54, formerly of North Ruimveldt, George-

town, was sentenced by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Demerara High Court. He was indicted for the capital offence of murder but opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, which read that on February 27, 2019, at Sophia, Greater

Georgetown, he killed Kalamadeen.

During the sentencing hearing, O’Selmon's lawyer, Teriq Mohammed, pleaded with the court to show mercy. He said that his client had admitted guilt at the earliest opportunity, thus saving

valuable judicial time, and he later clarified that there was never an intimate relationship between O’Selmon and Kalamadeen.

When asked by the judge if he had anything to say, O’Selmon who appeared via Zoom from the Mazaruni

Prison, said: “Sorry for whatever took place between me and Nadina. I can't remember what happened between me and her.”

Meanwhile, state prosecutor Mikel Puran urged the judge to impose a sentence that would serve as a deterrent to potential offenders. He highlighted the alarming prevalence of violence against women in Guyana and described Kalamadeen's death as an "unjustifiable loss of life."

Taking into account the confessed killer's genuine remorse and the ongoing psychological impact on the victim's family, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry calculated an appropriate sentence for O’Selmon.

She also took into consideration that O’Selmon had a criminal history, including a previous 15-year sentence for carnally knowing a 12-yearold girl in 1990 and a fine for discharging a loaded firearm in 2011.

The judge started with a base of 21 years, then deducted one-third (seven years) for his early guilty plea. Further, four years were subtracted for mitigating factors, ultimately

resulting in a 10-year prison term.

Kalamadeen, a mother of five, was reportedly stabbed multiple times about the body by her attacker.

That incident, which occurred in North Sophia, was witnessed by her two young children. Relatives and eyewitnesses had told this newspaper that the man had been trying to get the woman’s attention for some time now, but on each occasion, he received the ‘cold shoulder’.

On February 27, 2019, he showed up at Kalamadeen’s home, calling for her but she was sleeping, and a relative refused to wake her up.

O’Selmon subsequently returned to her home and managed to get the woman out of the house, and they were seen walking on the road together. Kalamadeen was walking in front while the man was walking behind her. He was seen inflicting stab wounds to the woman’s back while she was walking.

Kalamadeen was later pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Raymond O’Selmon

Dead: Nadina Kalamadeen

NRF, Public Accountability and Oversight Committee Annual Reports submitted to Parliament

-

Dr. Singh also presents sixth notification of petroleum revenues paid into fund

SENIOR Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, on Thursday, presented to the National Assembly, the inaugural Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Annual Report for the fiscal year 2022, pursuant to Section 32(4) of the Natural Resource Fund Act 2021.

According to a release from the Finance Ministry, Minister Singh acknowledged the work done by the NRF Board, Public Accountability and Oversight Committee and the Investment Committee, and “commended, on behalf of the government and the people of Guyana, the sterling work that is being done by this first board of directors and the two respective committees in setting up for the very first time, the governance architecture for this brand new but extremely important national institution – The Natural Resource Fund.”

The NRF Act 2021, came into operation on January 1,

2022, replacing the illegitimate NRF Act 2019 passed by the APNU+AFC administration, and represents one of the most significant steps taken to bring greater accountability and transparency in the management of Guyana’s oil resources.

The NRF Act 2021 contains several enhanced clauses, including the establishment of a board which will be responsible for reviewing and approving the policies of the

Fund and monitoring its performance, thereby separating the management of the Fund from the Minister responsible for Finance.

Major General (Retired) Joseph Singh, MSS, Chairperson and directors Dunstan Barrow, A.A., (Nominated by the National Assembly); Ramesh Dookhoo (Representative of the Private Sector); Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Professor Compton Bourne, O.E., are the mem-

Gov’t moves to adjust debt ceilings as development agenda accelerates

THE government has outlined an ambitious programme of development aimed at transforming Guyana and delivering improved quality of life to all Guyanese, which will require new financing including through additional external and domestic debt.

A Ministry of Finance press release said that against this backdrop, the Government of Guyana moves to adjust the debt ceilings as its development agenda accelerates.

In line with the government’s commitment to maintaining its sterling track record of transparent and prudent debt management, the increase in the debt ceilings aims to avert the dependency on utilising the Consolidated Fund overdraft as a means of financing, which was done under the APNU+AFC administration.

“Earlier today, the Honourable Dr. Ashni Singh, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, tabled two orders in Parliament proposing adjustments to the two ceilings. It was proposed that the domestic public debt ceiling be increased to $750 billion, up from $500 billion from its last revision. Meanwhile, a new external borrowing ceiling of $900 billion was proposed, after its last increase to $650 billion,” the release said.

It noted that given Guyana’s economic outlook, these revisions to the external and

domestic public debt ceilings do not threaten Guyana’s longterm debt sustainability.

“Noteworthy, for more than one and a half decades Guyana has maintained a robust debt sustainability position. This favourable outcome was due to the PPP/C’s administration’s strong debt management abilities. This administration focuses on debt management policies and practices that hinge on a strategy that prioritises mobilising development financing at the lowest cost, within prudent risk parameters.

“Guyana’s history serves as a testimony of this administration’s ability of achieving and maintaining sustainable debt levels. When this government took office in 1992, Guyana was one of the world's most heavily indebted countries, however, after several rounds of successful debt relief initiatives coupled with the government’s continuous efforts to strengthen the domestic economy, Guyana’s debt became sustainable in 2006. Over the last three decades, Guyana’s debt has declined from 617 per cent of GDP (more than six times the economy) at end-1991, to a re-

bers of the board who were appointed by President Dr. Irfaan Ali on August 30, 2022.

At Thursday’s sitting, the Speaker of the National Assembly also circulated the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee Annual Report for the fiscal year 2022, pursuant to Section 6(6) of the Natural Resource Fund Act 2021, the release said.

It said that pursuant to Section 6 of the Natural Resource Fund Act 2021, the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee of the Fund was appointed August 30, 2022 and the members are Clement Sealey, Chairperson (Nominee of the National Assembly) and members Pastor Wendell Jeffrey (Representative of the Religious Community); Savitri Balbahadur (Representative of the Religious Community); Abu Zaman (Representative of the Religious Community); Mr. Desmond Sears (Representative of the

Private Sector); Ryan Alexander (Representative of the Private Sector); Aslim Singh, Member (Representative of Organised Labour); Dawn Gardener Representative of Organised Labour) and Teni Housty, Member (Representative of the Professions).

This nine-member committee is responsible for providing non-governmental oversight of the operations of the Fund, replacing the cumbersome 22-member committee previously proposed in the NRF Act 2019, the release explained.

The finance minister, on Thursday, also presented the Notification of Receipts to the National Assembly of all petroleum revenues paid into the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) during the period April 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023, pursuant to Section 33 (2) of the NRF Act 2021.

“It would be recalled, one of the key amendments in the proposed legislation is that the Minister could face up to

10 years imprisonment if he fails to disclose the receipt of any petroleum revenue received by government in the Official Gazette within three months of receipt of such monies,” the ministry said in a release.

Another key improvement of the NRF Act 2021 was that not only did it require the Government to seek Parliamentary approval for withdrawals from the fund, but it also sets out new, simplified calculations needed for ensuring that the Fund achieves its purposes.

“In line with this requirement, in 2022, a total of US$607.6 million was withdrawn from the FUND and a further US$1,002.1 million is projected to be withdrawn this year. Government will continue to work aggressively through sound and transformative investments of oil resources from the NRF,” the release said.

Trotman was sidelined for ministerial post by AFC – Senior party officials

markable 24.6 per cent (about a quarter of the economy) at end2022. Additionally, when this government took office in 1992, about 90 cents of every dollar of revenue earned was used to make debt service payments, today this has been significantly reduced to seven cents of every dollar,” the release said.

Fuelled by a ramping up of oil production and the resurgence of the non-oil economy, Guyana registered real GDP growth of 62.3 per cent in 2022, making it the fastest-growing economy in the world. This appreciable growth performance and the country’s robust economic outlook underpin Guyana’s sustainable absorption of the new debt, it added.

In conclusion the ministry said that in sum, the government is committed to “harnessing Guyana’s debt-carrying capacity to accelerate its development agenda. Notwithstanding this administration endeavours to continue its sterling track record of prudent debt management, to safeguard Guyana’s longterm fiscal integrity and debt sustainability.”

RAPHAEL Trotman, the former minister for natural resources, often blamed for signing one of the worst oil deals in the world, was not picked for a ministerial post in the coalition by his own members in the Alliance For Change (AFC), leaving many to conclude that he was handpicked for the role by then President David Granger.

Senior AFC members at the time, Michael Carrington and Rajendra Bissessar, who were in the room when the AFC met to select persons for ministerial posts following the 2015 regional and general elections, confirmed Trotman’s omission during an interview on the Gildarie - Freddie Kissoon Show on Wednesday.

“I remember the particular day we sit down and we were dealing with it and Khemraj [Ramjattan] and they were discussing who would be minister, and I could tell you the truth, Raphael Trotman name was never mentioned at that particular day concerning that,” explained Carrington, a former APNU+AFC Parliamentarian.

Trotman had walked away from the People’s National Congress (PNC) to form the

AFC with Ramjattan and other political leaders, but through the Cummingsburg Accord, he was reunited with his former colleagues in the PNC, the largest faction in the APNU.

Trotman was also co-campaign manager for the APNU+AFC for the 2015 polls; hence, revelations that he was snubbed by his own party is interesting.

Bissessar who left the party in 2020 citing the coalition’s failure to deliver on campaign promises, said that it was decided at the meeting that Trotman was going to be the adviser to the president on governance.

He said contrary to the Cummingsburg Accord, the AFC received five ministries instead of six which he blamed on the weakness and lack of courage on the part of the leadership of the AFC.

“First of all, the Granger

administration took one ministry, which was Tourism and Commerce and Business and so on. One ministry they divided it into two and they gave [Dominic] Gaskin business and gave Cathy Hughes, tourism,” Bissessar told Kissoon.

It was argued that Trotman could not be counted among the six ministries the AFC bargained for since he was not so named by the party.

“He was appointed actually by the Granger administration, not by the Alliance For Change. So how can we consider him to be one of the ministers of the Alliance For Change when the Alliance For Change did not select him as a minister; he became one because the President decided to appoint him,” Carrington stated.

The former MP believes that Trotman was upset that he was not picked by AFC to be a minister.

Trotman’s tenure as an APNU+AFC Minister was rocked by severe controversy largely due to him signing what is considered the most lopsided Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil and its partners in the Stabroek Block, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Limited.

Senior Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

Raphael Trotman

An icon in broadcasting —

‘Basil B’ reflects on his 48-year career in radio and television

By Faith Greene

THERE are only a handful of veteran Guyanese broadcasters around and among the big names is Basil Bradshaw, popularly known as ‘Basil B.’

He is probably Guyana’s most well-known and seasoned voice on television.

This week, the Buzz had a chance to speak with the man who has given 48 years of his life to local television and radio. He used the opportunity to reflect on his early

years and his career.

Many know him for his hit television talk show, ‘Wake up Guyana,’ but Basil’s journey in broadcasting began over four decades ago in radio.

Before entering broadcasting, Basil had made a name for himself in athletics.

Being the only junior athlete to win the senior championship in those days, was among his accomplishments.

He was the junior sprint champion and the senior sprint champion. His success

on the local track, ensured that he went on to represent Guyana on the international stage.

“In primary school, I was the head of the Young Brigade, which is the Militant Leader. And then when I went into high school, I was the Cadet Leader in the National Service,” he related.

He said that the discipline aspect of the National Service is what helped mould him into the man he is today.

As he reflected on the earlier part of his life, Basil

said that he thought he was destined for a career in the military after he had completed his secondary education.

However, a different path was chosen for him.

“I saw myself as an army officer. I wanted to go join the Officer Cadet course. You start as a second lieutenant and then you move up the ladder,” he said.

In 1981, young Basil began his broadcast journey at the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) which is

Continued on page 17

now the National Communi cations Network (NCN).

time, he was the youngest member of the broadcasting team and was very fortunate to be there with “the big ones in radio”. He explained that the “big ones” were those who were well-known and had a good connection with their audience.

ed the job at GBC, he said:

“It was a former headteacher of mine…I must mention the name, the late Marjorie Cambridge-Carr, she was the Senior Mistress at Bladen Hall Multilateral at that time.

[She] had said that she be lieved that I should pursue a career in broadcasting.”

him at a later date that she felt that he was confident, assertive, and that he had a good command of the En glish language.

teacher made an arrangement with her cousin who was in radio, for him to have a stint in the field.

went there, the people you met were people who were willing to more or less accept

any newcomer on board to help to make the corporation

dio was a fruitful one, Basil after 14 years, decided to try

He started his show, ‘Wake up Guyana,’ in the His target audience was housewives across Guyana. The programme, which is now in its 28th year is the oldest talk show in Guyana, and the longest running on According to him, ‘Wake up Guyana’ was meant to beership about current affairs, challenges and developments tainment news. Viewers were also given the opportunity to air their concerns and make

“Originally, it targetted the housewives because they would have time to watch the show while their husbands are out working, and to see vertising so they can tell their husbands what to get and

Basil Bradshaw’s popularity increased with the launch of his popular talk show, ‘Wake up Guyana’, which has been around for 28 years

‘Basil B’ back in the day

Chris Brown to headline concert in Jamaica on August 27

DANCEHALL favourites Dexta Daps, Teejay, and Ding Dong will join R&B superstar Chris Brown, when he returns to Jamaica to perform, for the first time in a decade, for his ‘Under The Influence’ show at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Singer Sean Kingston will also join the 'Loyal' artiste for his concert on August 27.

Earlybird tickets, ranging from US$45 for Bleachers to US$10,000 for the limited edition Sky VEW Suites, are currently on sale and already there is a buzz around the event following its launch last Friday.

Ryan Burke—founder and CEO of The Vew Empire—announced Chris

Brown's upcoming Jamaica show at the BZR Weekend launch held at the AC Hotel in Kingston, on Friday morning.

“First off, Chris Brown is super excited about the show…one of the shows that he was really excited about was this show, which is why he said he’d love to be a part of the project,” Burke told the media gathering.

Birthed in Miami, Florida, BZR Weekend—the Jamaican edition—is being spearheaded by Solid Agency, Burke Bodley, VEW Live, LLC + PLXYBOY, and Jay Upscale.

The full list of events for the weekend will include Haute Monde Jamaica (invitation only) on August 25, beginning at 7pm at the AC Hotel, then

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From page 16

where to get it,” he said.

However, in recent times, the viewership expanded to include other categories of persons who would tune in once they were home or had access to a television.

And to cater for this, there was a shift in the timing. It moved from 07:15 hours to 08:00 hours to 09:00 hours.

“After some consultation with the target audience, we found that 9 o’clock would be the best time because housewives would have finished taking care of the children to send them to school, finishing up their house work and so on,” he stated.

CAREER ADVICE

With a career as comprehensive as his, he was asked to share some valuable tips for Guyana’s future broadcasters.

In response, he said: “They should not ever allow negativity to deter them from their objec -

tives.”

Basil added that these persons should always remember that they will be broadcasting to persons who will interpret what they say and how they say it in a number of ways.

He also advised that they not allow their heads to be swollen by the compliments they get.

Moreover, the veteran broadcaster said he would like to see broadcasting return to the glory days where persons in other countries saw Guyana as the place to emulate and learn.

“And not only in broadcasting. Guyana is opening up now because of the oil and gas fortune. So, people are going to come, people are going to be interested in learning our culture…and we all should be allowed to showcase what we are good at in every aspect of it and I hope that that is going to happen so that when foreigners come to our country, there is a lot to learn.”

Memba Dis! Ultimate Ol’ Skool Party between 11pm and 3am on August 25 at Hope Gardens.

The festivities will con-

tinue with the Paradise Brunch Party on August 26 between noon and 4pm at Morgan's Harbour and Indigo on the same day at Hope Gardens, starting

at 8pm.

The weekend will climax with the Chris Brown and Friends Under the Influence concert at the National Stadium on Au-

gust 27, beginning at 4pm.

It is anticipated that 45,000 patrons will attend the events for BZR Weekend. (Loop News)

Buju Banton's 'Born for Greatness' album set for September release

DANCEHALL legend Buju Banton's time in the studio in recent months has borne fruit.

The enigmatic deejay is set to release 'Born for Greatness' on September 8.

'Born for Greatness' is Banton's follow-up to the Grammy-nominated album 'Upside Down 2020'. It features 17 tracks, including collaborations with Stephen Marley, Snoop Dogg and American singer Victoria Monet.

In a post on his official Instagram page this week, Banton announced the impending release of the album.

"Another milestone, another stage. I embrace it all. I've accepted the change. Here is something special. From my experience and musical journey, an ode to those who ac-

knowledge the struggles and challenges that surmount. I embrace you with musical melodies and music. Enjoy my 14th studio album #Bornforgreatness," the post read.

Banton, who won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 2011 for 'Before the Dawn', has, to date, received nomina -

tions for six albums. They are 'Inna Heights' (1999), 'Friends for Life' (2004), 'Too Bad' (2007), 'Rasta Got Soul' (2010), and 'Upside Down 2020'.

With 12 entries on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, his highest-charting title is 'Inna Heights', which spent eight weeks at number one. 'Upside

Down 2020' topped out at number two.

'Born For Greatness' features the songs 'Plans', 'Nuff Love for You', 'Walked Out', 'We Find a Way', 'My Microphone', 'Trial by Fire', 'Let My People Go', 'Coconut Wata (sip)', 'Life Choices', and 'Ageless Time'. (Loop News)

Chris Brown

Buju

TikTok, Warner Music Group to partner in music licensing deal

WARNER Music Group (WMG.O), the record label conglomerate behind artists such as Radiohead, AC/DC and Madonna, has signed a licensing deal with Chinese short-video app TikTok to boost its social media revenues.

The multi-year deal will help Warner Music's artists and songwriters unlock new revenue and marketing opportunities from TikTok's more than 1 billion users, the companies said on Tuesday.

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Social media platforms like TikTok have seen many new artists go big when content featuring their music went viral, helping them clinch major record deals.

Under the new agreement, Warner Music's artists and songwriters will also have access to TikTok's brand partners such as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and to new monetization features like merchandise, ticketing and digital goods.

The deal licenses the collection of Warner Recorded Music and Warner Chappell Music to TikTok, TikTok Music - the social media app's premium streaming service, video editor CapCut, and TikTok's Commercial Music Library. (Reuters)

Netflix password crackdown fuels subscriber surge

A BURST of people signed up for Netflix this spring, after the streaming giant cracked down on password sharing.

The company ended June with more than 238 million subscribers, adding 5.9 million members since March.

That was bigger than expected and follows efforts by the company to re-ignite growth following unusual subscriber losses last spring.

It is also facing challenges from ongoing strikes in the US by writers and actors.

Netflix said it would spend less on content this year than expected as a result of the walkout - the industry's biggest in six decades, while boss Ted Sarandos said "we need to get this strike to a conclusion".

"This strike is not an outcome that we wanted," he said. He said the company was committed to reaching an "equitable" agreement that helped the industry move into the future.

But he added: "We've got a lot of work to do."

Netflix has been wrestling with a sharp slowdown in growth since the pandemic, as competition

heats up, households grapple with rising costs and it reaches what analysts see as saturation point in some of its biggest markets.

In the first half of last year, it shed roughly 1 million accounts. Though it later more than made up those losses, the declines jolted the company and sent it scrambling to shore up its growth prospects.

Netflix said customers were enticed by new options it has introduced that cost less than a standard subscription.

The company introduced its "paid sharing" programme in the UK, US and other major markets in May, charging an extra fee if users want to share passwords with people outside their households.

In the UK, it asks a little less than half of the £10.99 cost of a standard subscription.

The programme is now present in more than 100 countries.

The company also launched a less expensive streaming plan with ads last year and cut prices in dozens of countries in February.

Netflix said few people had cancelled as a result of the password changes and

it believed the programme would fuel similar subscriber gains in the months ahead.

It has estimated that more than 100 million households share passwords in breach of its official rules.

"While we're still in the early stages, we're seeing healthy conversion of borrower households," the company said in a quarterly update to investors. "Now that we've launched paid sharing broadly we have increased confidence in our financial outlook."

Paolo Pescatore, analyst at PP Foresight, said the subscriber gains were robust and a "strong endorsement" of Netflix's strategy.

But he called the password crackdown a shortterm measure, saying the company would need to fine-tune its pricing in the months ahead.

"The company is still in a far stronger position compared to rivals and remains the benchmark," he said, noting that Netflix's streaming plan with advertising is much cheaper than many current offerings from rivals.

Analysts said the company's big library and the scale of its international

production may help it in the months ahead, as Hollywood wrestles with the impact of the strikes.

These have already disrupted production schedules for a number of films and series.

"Of everyone in the entertainment industry, Netflix appears to be the best positioned," said Brandon Katz, entertainment industry strategist at Parrot Analytics, which tracks streaming demand, noting that the company still leads its peers, despite strong competition.

ADVERTISING QUESTIONS

Despite the subscriber gains, the $8.18 billion (£6.32bn) in revenue Netflix reported disappointed investors, rising just 2.7

per cent from last year. Profits were $1.49 billion.

Netflix said that it has limited its price hikes in recent months, leading to a slowdown in revenue growth that gains from its password crackdown and new advertising were not big enough to offset.

It said it expected that to change by the end of this year, as advertising revenue increases.

It has stopped offering its least expensive commercial-free plan in the US, UK and Canada in a bid to push price-conscious customers to the ad-funded version.

Membership of its ads plan "nearly doubled" from March - though from a "small base", the company said.

"Netflix needs to squeeze as much juice as it

can from different avenues, given a recent lack of price increases could suggest that inflation is starting to bite Netflix's ability to crank up its subscription price, as households look to trim their spending," said Sophie Lund-Yates, lead equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.

"Initial progress seems positive, but we are realms away from knowing for sure if this venture is the cash cow it's been sold as." Shares, which have surged 60 per cent this year amid investor enthusiasm for the company's plans, dipped in after-hours trade.

Lund-Yates said the compa ny had delivered a "sturdy" performance and the fall reflected the high expectations for the company. (BBC)

TikTok logo is seen in this illustration taken on June 2, 2023 (REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration)

The latest season of Never Have I Ever helped to fuel subscription gains (LARA SOLANKI/ NETFLIX)

Tupac Shakur: Police search house over 1996 killing

POLICE in Nevada have confirmed they served a search warrant this week in connection with the unsolved killing of rapper Tupac Shakur.

Detectives carried out the search at a home in Henderson, a suburb of Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Metropolitan police did not provide further details of the search, citing the ongoing investigation into his murder.

Shakur was 25 when he was killed.

No arrests have been made and no suspects are currently in custody.

The home that was searched is less than

20 miles (32km) from the Las Vegas strip where Shakur was shot in a drive-by shooting in September 1996.

"LVMPD can confirm a search warrant was served in Henderson, Nevada on July 17, 2023, as part of the ongoing Tupac Shakur homicide investigation," a Las Vegas police statement said.

"We will have no further comment at this time."

Las Vegas Police Lt., Jason Johansson, told the Las Vegas Review Journal that detectives were working on the cold case once more.

"It's a case that's

gone unsolved and hopefully one day we can change that," he told the newspaper.

Shakur, whose stage name was stylised as 2Pac, released his debut album in 1991 and went on to enjoy chart success with hits including California Love, All Eyez on Me, Changes and I Ain't Mad at Cha.

He died on 13 September 1996, a week after he was shot four times in his car while waiting at a red light. Shakur, who sold more than 75 million records worldwide, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. (BBC)

Tupac (GETTY IMAGES)

QUIZ CORNER

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) IND (Innings & 141 runs)

(2) Yashasvi Jaiswal (IND)

Today’s Quiz

(1) Who is the WI debutant in the current second Test versus India?

(2) Who is the IND debutant in the current second Test against the West Indies?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

RACING TIPS

English Racing Tips

Newbury

08:50 hrs Bourgeoisie

09:25 hrs Maximum Dividend

10:00 hrs Warm Spell

10:35 hrs Enochdhu

11:10 hrs Night Sparkle

11:45 hrs Asadna

12:20 hrs Vegas Jack

Newmarket

12:45 hrs Wild Goddess

13:20 hrs Weydaad

13:55 hrs Elnajmm

14:30 hrs Royal Symbol

15:05 hrs Peony

15:40 hrs Conquistador Hamilton

12:55 hrs Jonny Concrete

13:30 hrs Beyond Borders

14:05 hrs Rock Melody

14:40 hrs Salt Bay

15:15 hrs One Last Hug

15:50 hrs Tafsir

Irish Racing Tips

Killarney

08:55 hrs Reel Her In

09:30 hrs Emily In Paris

10:05 hrs Prince Zaltar

10:40 hrs The Dara Man

11:15 hrs Hercule Du Seuil

11:50 hrs Shantou Sisu

12:25 hrs Abi’s Champ

South Africa Racing Tips

Fairview

08:25 hrs Inherit The Rain

09:00 hrs Irish rain

09:35 hrs Silvery Blue

10:10 hrs Humble Tune

10:45 hrs Esther

American Racing Tips

Saratoga

Race 1 Every Four Years

Race 2 Braganza

Race 3 Classic Mark

Race 4 Blazing Sevens

Race 5 Acadeny Choice

Race 6 Royal Spirit

Race 7 Create Trouble

Canadian Racing Tips

Woodbine

Race 1 Stormy Soul

Race 2 Video Vida

Race 3 Town’s Warrior

Race 4 Solar Race 5 Forester’s Turn

Race 6 Silent Reserve

Race 7 Lion Kingdom

Senior Caribbean Area Squash Association tournament…

Guyana wins Gold in mixed doubles

The pair of Nicholas Verwey and Kirsten Gomes captured the Gold Medal in the Mixed Doubles category at the Senior CASA Squash Championships in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Thursday’s win took Guyana’s gold medal tally to

four, the other three coming in the singles category.

Verwey and Gomes beat Dominic Wilson and Joanna Alkins 11-9, 11-6 in a competitive encounter In the Girls Doubles the Bajan pair of Sumairaa Suleman and Eboni defeated

Avery Arjoon and Safirah Summer 11-6, 11-8 while in the Boys doubles Tobias Levy and Lukas Thompson of Jamaica beat Micheal Alphonso and Mohryan Baksh 2-1

The action now shifts to the Boys team events.

AAG establishes Finance Committee

The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) has successfully established its Finance Sub Committee, in a move to ensure and enhance the management, accountability and transparency within the body.

During a meeting held on Wednesday, Major Shen Fung was elected to serve as the Chairman while Dr. Ariane Mangar will serve as the Vice Chair.

The other members of the Committee are Niall

Stanton, Selma Rahaman, Dwayne Carter and Carolyn Hoppie-Tyndall.

The Finance Committee is mandated by the Constitution " to have the responsibility for the planning, organizing and execution of fund raising activities of the association and monitor the associations spending and give guidance where necessary.”

As such, this committee will focus on marketing and financial matters of the AAG

to ensure complete transparency and accountability of its resources. The Committee will also be assisted by the Media Manager and PR Personnel to ensure greater access and information are available on all of its Media platforms.

The AAG will continue to implement more structural changes as we continue to focus on the development of athletics in Guyana.

E’bo beat B’ce by five...

FROM PAGE 27

pressive bowling and sedate batting.

When their 40 overs had expired, Berbice lost only six and scored 111 with extras top scoring with 42; 38 of them being wides.

Of the batters, Nathaniel Ramsammy, who hit two boundaries from 33 ball in his 17 and was the only one that played with any degree of positivity.

He was supported by Tameshwar Deonandan who made an unbeaten 15 from 29 deliveries and the left-handed

Arif Marimutoo, who demonstrated pleasing temperament in 70ball 13 which lasted 95 minutes and included a solitary boundary.

Five bowlers took a wicket each.

Farhan Ballie (1) was LBW to Darious Pearson at 18-1 in sixth over before Marimutoo who played the ‘sheet-anchor’ role was joined Arif Bacchus.

Bacchus (3) was stupendously caught and bowled by ‘leggie’

Jatnel Nurse diving full length to his left with the score 37-2

Marimutoo, missed an ill-advised sweep at a full toss from Bhumeshwar Lall and was trapped lbw while the aggressive Ramsammy who favoured the onside, fell to Etan Silas.

The number of wides might give a false impression of lack of control by the bowlers since one wide counted for two and was not re-bowled.

The second round is set for today at Bourda from 10hrs today.

Nicholas Verwey and Kirsten Gomes won Gold in the mixed doubles

Ashes Fourth test day 2… Crawley sends England into comfortable position

(ESPNCRICINFO)

- Zak Crawley's 189 off 182 balls sent England roaring into the lead at Emirates Old Trafford, giving them hope of beating both a frazzled Australia side and the Manchester weather to square the series two-all.

With rain expected to wipe out the fourth and fifth days,

Ben Stokes hinted the day before this Test that England would adjust their strategy accordingly by doubling-down on their ultra-attacking style with the bat. True to their captain's word, they overhauled Australia's first-innings 317 inside 55 overs.

And it was Crawley who led the way. He

flicked the first ball of England's innings past Alex Carey for four and, after a shaky start before lunch, he batted with utter disdain against the best seam attack in the world throughout the afternoon. His first Ashes hundred took only 93 balls, the fourth-fastest by an Englishman, and left Pat Cummins and

his bowlers floundering.

England scored at a run rate of 7.12 during a heady second session, adding 178 in 25 overs. Alongside Moeen Ali, then Joe Root - who both made half-centuries of their ownCrawley pulled, drove, flicked and slog-swept his way to three figures, then accelerated past 150 after tea.

He fell 11 runs short of a second Test double-hundred, bottom-edging a swing across the line onto his own stumps, but by that stage he had become the leading run-scorer in the series. It served as vindication of England's faith in an opening batter who had arrived at the ground on Thursday morning with an average below 30, yet has come to represent their progress under Stokes and Bren-

don McCullum.

Australia were a bowler down by the close after Mitchell Starc damaged his left shoulder while diving in the field. Despite the wicket of Root for 84, bowled by a ball which shot through low from Josh Hazlewood, they lacked any semblance of control; their decision not to field a frontline spinner for the first time in a decade was exposed as a blunder.

There were few signs early in Crawley's innings of what was to come. He played-andmissed several times against Starc and Hazlewood in their initial new-ball bursts, edging Hazlewood just short of Steven Smith at slip on 12. When Cummins came into attack in the 12th over, Crawley edged his first ball past his own stumps.

He lost his opening

partner Ben Duckett to the 13th ball of the England innings, edging Starc's outswinger behind, and Moeen's driving outside his off stump was fast and loose as he walked out in his temporary role as a makeshift No. 3. Crawley himself was given out lbw on 20, trapped on the front pad by Cameron Green, but reviewed successfully.

But in the over before lunch, he creamed a trademark cover drive for four off Cummins and never looked back. Carey couldn't get his hand to a half-chance via the inside edge as he cruised towards a 67-ball half-century, raised with a reverse-swept four off Travis Head's first ball and celebrated with a swept six off his second.

Kholi, Jadeja stand firmly against West Indies

CMC – A stirring fightback from West Indies was snuffed out when Virat Kohli shared an unbroken, century fifth-wicket stand with Ravendra Jadeja to get India back on track in the second Test on Thursday in Trinidad.

The Caribbean side endured a fruitless toil after tea in sweltering conditions, and Kohli, unbeaten on 87, dropped anchor and left-hander Jadeja, not out on 36, was the perfect foil, carrying the Indians to 288 for four in their first innings at the close on the first day of the 100th Test between the two teams.

Hoping that the Queen’s Park Oval pitch was going to offer more assistance than its counterpart last week at Windsor Park in Dominica, West Indies won the toss and chose to field, but their decision spectacularly backfired when they went wicket-less in the morning session.

The hosts were left hugely disappointed when there was limited help early from the playing surface for their pacers, and India captain Rohit Sharma and fellow opener Yashasvi Jaiswal laid waste to their bowling and cracked half-centuries before lunch to take their side to 112 without loss.

The four wickets taken between lunch and tea, including Sharma for 80 and Jaiswal for 57, brought West Indies back into the historic Test and had India unsteady, if not wobbly on 182 for four at tea before Kohli, in his 500th international, and Jadeja sal-

vaged the day for them with a stand of 106.

No West Indies bowler distinguished himself with more than one wicket, but left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican bowled impressively, extracted a bit of turn and conceded only 55 from his 22 overs, while lanky pace bowling compatriot Jason Holder gave away only 30 in 13 overs.

“I think it was a tough day based on the pitch that was presented to us,” West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel said in a post-play TV interview.

“The guys, apart from the first session, came out and stuck to their task and was patient, and we were able to put some balls in better areas for longer periods and it gave us some success. We will take that as a plus, considering the conditions.”

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite felt so disgusted with the playing surface that he turned to Warrican after 10 overs were completed, and Sharma and Jaiswal indulged themselves to build a firm foundation for their side.

Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph was left to grieve early when Test newcomer Kirk McKenzie failed to hold a high chance at gully from Jaiswal, on four, in the sixth over; and so too, Holder when Jasiwal, on 57, edged the penultimate delivery before lunch to first slip, but Alick Athanaze spilled the chance.

In between, a short ball from long-serving pacer Kemar Roach was dispatched over mid-wicket for six

to carry Sharma to his half-century from 74 balls, and Jaiswal reached the landmark from 49 balls when he collected back-to-back fours to the point and cover boundaries off Joseph a few overs later.

West Indies emerged with a greater sense of purpose after lunch, and they were rewarded for their patience and persistence when Holder, belatedly introduced into the attack in the second hour of the morning, made the breakthrough, while compatriots Roach and Warrican, as well as Gabriel struck.

“We expected the ball to bounce a little more,” Gabriel said. “The pitch didn’t have any grass, but it seemed hard, and we expected it to bounce a little bit more, but it just didn’t happen.

“We felt we were all over the shop in the first session, and we

went back and assessed during lunch, so we decided to bowl that good, three quarters-ofa-length after lunch and be patient because it was not a pitch that you could try much things on it… so we just tried to grind them down.”

Holder called upon to typically bowl a holding spell immediately after the interval dried up the runs from his end, and he got Jaiswal caught at backward point, driving loosely outside the offstump, ending an opening stand of 139 with Sharma.

Roach replaced Holder at the northern end and reaped success in his first over when Gill pushed at a delivery outside the off-stump and was caught behind for 10 before Warrican put the icing on the cake three overs later when he bamboozled Sharma, playing defensively for-

ward, and bowled him for 80.

West Indies had India 155 for three, and they got a further boost to morale when India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane was bowled for eight in the final over before tea, playing on a delivery from Gabriel,

sible and hope for more success on the second day,” Gabriel said.

The Caribbean side made two changes to their line-up from the previous Test with McKenzie and Gabriel replacing Raymon Reifer and ill burly off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall.

but Kohli had already started to dig in and Jadeja was his willing partner after the break.

The Caribbean side continued to be diligent, but Kohli and Jadeja were rock solid in defence, ran with vigour between the wickets, and cashed in on anything fractionally loose to restore the balance of power to India when stumps were drawn.

“The new ball is due (on Friday morning), and we don’t need to go searching, but we just have to be patient and put the ball in the good areas for as long as pos-

McKenzie, 23, is making his Test debut, becoming the 334th player to wear the maroon cap in this format of the game, while the visitors similarly handed a Test debut to pacer Mukesh Kumar, replacing injured all-rounder Shardul Thakur.

India lead the twoTest series 1-0 after they won the first Test by an innings and 141 runs inside three days.

The two Tests are part of the new round of the World Test Championship 2023 to 2025.

Ravindra Jadeja and Virat Kohli steadied India’s ship•Jul 20, 2023•AFP/Getty Images

Sandiford wins MILEX National Junior Chess Championship

Keron Sandiford is the new National Junior Chess Champion after a comprehensive qualifying tournament and a tense round-robin championship against the best junior chess players in the country.

18-year-old Sandiford is a University of Guyana student who already won the UG Chess Championship and National Junior Rapid Contest earlier this year.

Sandiford is no stranger to the game, with many years of trophies and medals received.

In his final match to secure the title, Sandiford played black against Kishan Puran, who resigned on his 30th move. Puran’s opening was the Scotch Gambit, a popular continuation to the typical e4, e5 opening moves.

While typical lines for black’s response to this gambit are Nf6, Bc5, Be7 or d6;

Sandiford opted for a far more aggressive approach, launching his queen to F6.

Puran seemed unfazed by this and went ahead and con-

tinued developing his minor pieces and castling.

Sandiford quickly brought his bishop into play to launch an attack on Puran’s

king side, threatening mate. Puran managed to save his king but lost many pieces and was severely weakened positionally in process, lead-

ing to his resignation.

Sandiford was elated to secure victory and win the title.

He ended the tournament on 8 points after nine rounds, with victories over brothers Ethan and Ronan Lee, brothers; Nicholas and Alexander Zhang, former Junior Champion Ricardo Narine, Oluwadare Oyeyipo and Puran.

He drew in his matches against Matthew Singh and close title contender Kyle Couchman, but suffered no losses throughout the tournament.

Under 14 Champion Couchman finished the event in second place, just one point behind Sandiford after drawing his final match against Nicholas Zhang. Qualifying champion Ethan Lee was third with 6.5 points.

Matthew Singh came in 4th place on 6 points, while Oluwadare was 5th with 5.5

points.

The former Junior Champ Narine finished sixth with 4 points.

Ronan Lee earned 3.5 points to take the seventh spot.

Nicholas Zhang finished on 2.5 points in eight place. Alexander Zhang gained 2 points for ninth spot and Kishan Puran took the final spot.

All games were livestreamed on livechesscloud. com and youtube.com. Both the National Junior Qualifier tournament and the National Junior Championship were FIDE rated.

The GCF will host the National Women’s 2023 Chess Qualifiers commencing July 29th, from which the top 9 players will face off the reigning National Women’s Champion.

Police Force to ensure safe environment at Kares One Guyana T10

Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken has pledged his full support for the inaugural Kares One Guyana T10 Blast and indicated ranks would be deployed at all venues to ensure a safe environment for the thousands of patrons expected to attend on July 29 and 30.

The Commissioner recently met with the organisers – FL Sport – and further committed to being part of the celebrity match in which the organisers will donate $200,000 towards charity.

More so, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, the tournament’s patron, recently recommitted his support for the tournament, noting it is an event that will bring many people together from varying communities under the ‘One Guyana’ banner.

The President also unveiled the specially-made

hand-crafted winner’s trophy. Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips was also present, and he, too, pledged his support towards the tournament.

Several active and former national players will feature for their teams over the twoday extravaganza.

Preliminary matches will be staged at the Police Sports Club, the Guyana Defence Force, Queen’s College Ground, YMCA, and Transport Sports Club, while the finals will be held at the Everest Cricket Ground on July 30.

To progress to the championship match, a team must win three matches on day one and their semi-final on day two.

They will then qualify to compete for the first prize of $1M cash and the specially crafted One Guyana Trophy.

The organisers are grate-

ful for the support of Kares Engineering, who quickly committed to being the title sponsor, and Mohamed’s Enterprise, who funded the first-place prize and offset the transportation cost for team Moruca.

More so, Banks DIH, through GT Beer for fueling the weekend, Star Rentals, Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal Inc., ENet, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Trophy Stall, Premier Insurance, Cricket Zone USA, Beacon Café, Continental Transport, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, National Sports Commission, RS53 RestoBar and Lounge, Jacobs Jewelry & Pawn Shop, First Change Builder Inc. Impressions Inc. and Sicko Mode, 94.1 BOOM FM, Assuria Insurance, Montra Restaurant & Longue.

Keron Sandiford

Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken collects his branded Kares One Guyana jersey from one of the organisers Yusuf Ali

GCB U-13 Inter- County cricket

E’bo beat B’ce by five wickets in opening round

By Sean Devers

There was sweltering heat and blue skies yesterday at the GCC ground Bourda as Essequibo beat Berbice by five wickets in the opening round on the inaugural Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) U-13 Inter-County 40 overs cricket tournament

Watched by a fair gathering of mostly

Essequibo supporters, Berbice opted to bat on a slow pitch and fairly fast outfield despite Wednesday’s showers.

The Essequibo batters showed the benefits of positive batting when they galloped to 112-5 in 27.1 overs replying to the 111-6 made by Berbice from their 40 overs.

Wicket-keeper Justin Dowlin, the nephew of former West Indies

batter Travis Dowling, blazed to 27 from 34 balls with two sixes and a couple of fours while Makayan Holmes supported with 23 from 45 balls decorated with three boundaries which included a six.

Mark Daniels hit a six and a four in a cameo unbeaten 14 from 13 balls while Bumesh Lall (12) was the other batter to reach double figures for Essequibo

whose batting tactics were in total contrast to Berbice.

Berbice’ game plan was to bat out the overs.

Richard Ramdehol took had 3-7 for the Boys in Red who will need to up their run rate by finding the gaps and

rotating the strike more. Earlier, the Berbicians were kept on a tight leash due to im-

TURN TO PAGE 23

Joseph Bholo troubled the batters to finish with 1-16 from seven tight overs at Bourda yesterday (Sean Devers photo)