Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 22-09-2023

Local economy being enhanced through research, innovation, scientific advancements

DRIVEN by innovation, research and scientific advancement, Guyana is poised to become a resilient nation, President Dr. Irfaan Ali said at a diaspora event on Thursday in New York.

The Head of State told scores of Guyanese living overseas that the country’s advancement will see Guyana becoming a powerhouse, representing several other countries in the Caribbean and Latin American region.

“We are building a country that is ahead of time; one that is sustainable, resilient, viable, and competitive, but, importantly, one in which Guyana will present global leadership on energy, food and climate,”

Dr. Ali told the gathering

at the Hotel Liberty Inn and Suites.

He added: “We are building a country for the next seven years; it

Dr. Ali said, however, that the outlook for many will have to change in order for the country to achieve its goals.

- President Ali tells Guyanese diaspora in New York

selfless in the approach to development,” he related.

Dr. Ali reiterated that Guyana’s advancement will be a shared success for the region.

“We are working on ensuring that our prosperity also brings prosperity to the rest of the Caribbean and the rest of the CARICOM region and South American region,” the Head of State said.

Investments, he said, are also being made to strengthen the connectivity of states.

will be far ahead of time. Aware of the fact that we might be 30 years behind the rest of the world, but, by 2030, we have to be in front of the rest of the world.”

“This requires very hard work; this requires an understanding of the scale of the task ahead, and this requires us ridding ourselves of the selfishness, and being

“Just imagine, in another seven years you will be able to drive from French Guiana, all the way to Brazil up to Colombia with the kind of infrastructure that we are investing in,” Dr. Ali said.

Strategic and critical investments are also being made to strengthen the country’s health and education sectors to ensure citizens are given the best and equitable service across the country, further fortifying the country’s goals to become resilient in the global arena.

“We are building an economy that is different; one that will be built on innovation, research and development, scientific advancement… We want to build a healthcare system and an education system that is second to none,” Dr. Ali said.

Dr. Jagdeo calls for full investigation into unauthorised meeting between Petroleum Unit, ExxonMobil

GENERAL Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday called for a full investigation into the unauthorised meeting between staff of the Petroleum Unit within the Ministry of Natural Resources, and ExxonMobil.

During a press conference at Party headquarters, Freedom House, he said: “I spoke to President Ali, and I agree that there should be a full investigation of this matter,” adding that the Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat will still have to submit a report on what occurred.

Addressing the cost-oil audit, Dr. Jagdeo maintained the government’s stance with the Guy -

ana Revenue Authority (GRA).

“In our policy, there is no room for anyone to subsequently engage directly with the oil-andgas companies for further clarification. If that is needed, then the GRA

would write us,” he said, adding:

“We are not accepting this; we are not accepting anything that ExxonMobil sent subsequently to the closure of the audit by the GRA. And if the closure is $211 million, then that

- maintains PPP/C gov’t made transparency possible in the oil-and-gas sector

is it.

“So, we don’t know what they sent, and I am not really interested in it. I am more interested in who authorised this contact and why, after the GRA had said we are closing it at this stage.”

He also said: “I’ve seen a lot of comments on the audit issue, and these comments are justifiable… But the fact that we are debating this matter is only because of how this government has approached the oil-andgas sector.”

Last week, Dr. Jagdeo pledged his full support of the GRA’s position on the matter of the findings from the cost-oil claims made by ExxonMobil.

The claims were highlighted by the British firm,

IHS Markit, in its audit of pre-contract costs.

According to Dr. Jagdeo: “So, I thought that GRA was dealing with this matter totally… GRA should deal with the issue of audit; they should have a final say at the technical level.”

In an invited comment to the Guyana Chronicle, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat echoed the sentiments of Dr. Jagdeo.

He said that staff of the Petroleum Unit within the ministry decided to act on their account, without his knowledge.

“My position is in sync with the Vice-President, and I strongly support the positon that GRA should be dealing with all audits of oil company expens -

es. Unfortunately, staff from the Petroleum Unit, without authorisation or without my knowledge entered into discussion with Exxon on the audits, which was not supposed to happen in the first place,” Minister Bharrat said, adding: “This matter has, however, been rectified/ corrected, and GRA is the body responsible for auditing.”

In November 2019, the Government of Guyana entered into a contractual arrangement with IHS Markit (IHSM) for the provision of consultancy services to execute the country’s inaugural Cost Recovery Audit.

Persons gathered at the diaspora event in New York (Office of the President photos)

PPP General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

Gov’t responds to water shortage along

Soesdyke-Linden Highway

PRIME Minister Brigadier

(Ret’d) Mark Phillips on Thursday instructed that a relief operation be conducted to alleviate water shortages in several communities along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

The shortage is as a result of the prolonged dry spell as a consequence of the El Niño weather pattern.

Communities, including Yarrowkabra, Kuru Kuru, Swan and Circuitville are currently impacted.

Three water distribution stations have been established in Circuitville by the

President Ali recognised for advocacy on the international stage

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan

to the affected areas.

The Commission also supplied water tanks to the Yarrowkabra Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to assist with the water distribution effort. Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has the responsibility of ensuring potable water is distributed in Kuru Kuru.

This humanitarian effort will continue to ensure that all vulnerable communities are aided directly or indirectly by bolstering the capacity of the NDC.

Residents affected by the consistent dry spell are urged to conserve water, ensure that all potable water is properly stored, and prevent all waterways from becoming contaminated or blocked.

Ali was honoured by the African Leadership Organisation for his advocacy, globally, on behalf of the developing world.

Dr. Ali attended the ninth International Forum on African-Caribbean Leadership in New York, where he engaged several speakers.

Over the past two days, he attended several high-level forums at the ongoing 78th United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York.

During his address at the General Assembly, the Guyanese Head of State delivered a searing address where he highlighted several discrepancies within the global community.

Placing much emphasis on climate change, Dr. Ali, reminded world leaders of their responsibility to the developing world in the fight against climate change.

tributing to the crisis.

He contended that these states should not be the only ones to carry the burden. Previously, several commitments, including a pledge of US$100 billion per year, were made by developed countries to support climate change efforts. These commitments have not yet been fulfilled.

services provided by forests including through the carbon market.”

The existing financial architecture he said is incapable of addressing current global challenges.

Civil Defence Commission (CDC), and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has supplied and is responsible for replenishing potable water

The CDC will monitor this issue closely, while continuing to observe nationwide changes relevant to El Niño.

He maintained that while the issue of climate change has been acknowledged, countries like Guyana continue to bear the brunt of the phenomena despite not con-

As the climate threats now grow increasingly, the Guyanese Head of State questioned: “How much longer must developing countries wait for these commitments to be fully delivered?

President Ali noted that leaders have to now direct their energies to a more balanced approach towards “net zero” in a realistic environment.

And international financial reform will be crucial in meeting these global targets.

Dr. Ali said: “As custodians of a rainforest the size of England and Scotland combined, we are of the view that the lack of financing for standing forests suggests they are worth more dead, than alive.

“That is why we support the expansion of financial mechanisms that appropriately value the environmental

Speaking at another event, President Ali further advocated for better emergency health response for the Caribbean Community and other developing states.

There he highlighted the many inequities that were exposed during the recent COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

He reminded that the CARICOM region, among other developing states, experienced first-hand, how persons in vulnerable environments suffered due to the pandemic.

Along with the many economic shocks that came along with the pandemic, the region also suffered a tremendous human resources loss with a concerning percentage of its skilled workforce migrating.

President Ali stressed the need to build a strong health architecture that recognises the importance of expanding international co-operation and strengthening multilateralism.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali was honoured by the African Leadership Organisation for his advocacy, globally, on behalf of the developing world

Guyana seeks new company to ‘competitively’ market its oil

THE Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Natural Resources, has issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for the provision of marketing services for the country's oil entitlement from ExxonMobil's Stabroek Block production.

According to a statement from the Natural Resources Ministry: “The objective of the assignment is to competitively market and maximize the value of the government's crude-oil entitlement from developments in the Stabroek Block and create a competitive market for the Liza, Unity Gold, and Payara Gold Blends.”

Bids must be submitted no later than 09:00hrs on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, to the Chairman of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board at the Ministry of Finance, Main & Urquhart Streets, Georgetown.

Last year, BP International Limited was selected to market Guyana’s share of petroleum from the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels.

The duration of that contract was 12 months at a marketing price of US$0.00 per barrel. That procurement process was initiated after the contract with Aramco Trading

Limited ended.

Guyana’s third FPSO, Prosperity, arrived at the offshore Stabroek Block in April and joins the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity, which are currently producing over 380,000 barrels per day.

It is expected to operate on the Payara project and designed to produce 220,000 barrels of oil per day and has an overall storage volume of two million barrels. Daily oil production is expected to increase to almost 600,000 barrels a day in 2024, with production from the Prosperity vessel boosting Guyana’s annual revenue.

No form of violence in schools will be condoned

- Education Ministry says following incidents at New Campbellville Secondary

THE following is the full statement from the Education Ministry on the issue of violence at the New Campbellville Secondary School:

FOLLOWING the two recent reports of school violence among learners of the New Campbellville Secondary School being circulated on social media, the Ministry of Education’s Department of Education in Georgetown, embarked on a series of actions to address the indisciplined behaviours of students at the institution.

On September 9, 2023, a video circulated on social media showed that a female student was seen being hit about her body by her classmate.

Similarly, on Septem-

ber 15, 2023, a fight involving two male students was reported to the Ministry of Education.

In the video which circulated on social media, one of the students was kicked and stomped in his head by another male student. Investigations into both cases were conducted and parents of all the students involved were engaged.

The Ministry of Education has provided support to the parents of the injured students; that included ensuring that they underwent medical examinations.

Following the meetings, students who were found to be in breach of the Ministry of Education’s Policy on the Main-

tenance of Order and Discipline in school were sanctioned, in keeping with the said policy document, which included expulsion, suspension and

mandatory psychosocial counselling.

The Ministry of Education will not condone any form of violence in our schools. The Minis -

try remains committed to ensuring that students can be in a safe and conducive learning environment.

Additionally, the ministry will continue its

sensitisation campaigns in schools on issues relating to bullying and any other indiscipline behaviours.

Failed Attempts At Bullyism

IN what any right-thinking person would call a presumptuous and bold move, Venezuela has publically demonstrated its intention to once again attempt to bully Guyana.

First, the Spanish-speaking nation wrongfully laid claim to a major portion of Guyana’s territory which is filled with minerals and other resources. Now, Venezuela is trying to go after Guyana’s oil wealth.

In a recent communique, the Venezuelan government has incorrectly claimed that Guyana does not have sovereign or legal rights over

the offshore area where the eight oil blocks that are being auctioned are located. Further, threats were issued to the bidders.

There are so many things wrong with this picture.

Venezuela’s latest actions are an insult to diplomacy and a total disregard for the judicial process. Currently, the long-standing border controversy between the two countries is before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague.

Guyana is seeking a final and binding judgement that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the loca-

tion of the land boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid and that the Essequibo region belongs to this nation and not Venezuela.

This latest attempt at bullyism has been rejected not only by Guyana, but also by global leaders including OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro, whose actions have demonstrated clear support for this oil-producing nation.

Rightfully, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, is using his time at the 78th Session of UNGA in New York to draw attempt to Venezuela’s un-

warranted attack and attempt to increase tensions.

The Guyanese Head of State told the UN General Assembly that Venezuela’s stance should be considered a threat to regional and international peace and security, as well as to this country’s investment partners.

He has called on Venezuela to pursue peaceful means to settle all the disputes it has with Guyana.

A warning was sounded that Guyana does not intend to back down and let the Bolivarian Republic trample on its rights without a fight. Though small in population

and size compared to Venezuela, the Guyanese leader has indicated that no effort will be spared to defend this country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Guyana has been under threat 57 years after it gained independence, and the silence from many of its global partners is deafening and can be described as pathetic.

Without a doubt, Venezuela will ignore all calls and pleadings as they have done since the start of the border controversy. They have attempted provocation on several occasions but Guyana has remained peaceful and

resolute. No good will come out of this level of insult and mischief-making.

Venezuela is in economic crisis and despite its bullying tactics, many nations including Guyana have rushed to their aid.

However, their actions have solidified the need for all global leaders to stand in Guyana’s corner and show in no uncertain terms that bullyism has no place in the diplomatic world. There are other ways and means to solve issues and disputes respectfully, and within legal and diplomatic parameters.

Satire, rolling on a tyre

Dear Editor, HELLO, hello, is me Loo. Any bady out there hearing me? Or, all yu pretending na fuh hear me? All yu foget me already or what?

I is the same guy facing the frontline fire for all yu every day; never mind we don’t see eye to eye. Yu know, Naggi and Janjat made things difficult fo we. Dey corrupt the Ranger’s mind and he get all mixed up not knowing who to please. But is true, dem two did the dirty job for we and mek we win in 2015. Dem pull all de tricks from the bag and prapa fool dem Berbicians. But it worked.

Then, dem tink dey been tick with de Ranger but de man treated dem with a lang spoon. Naggi used to drive around like a big zinc with

he siren blaring so loud, de noise mek yu deff and yu had to jump out of the way before de car sway.

Today, instead of turning to siren, I hear de man tun to “Sai Ram.” But is good, is not late. De man learn his lesson and he making amend now. He know how to lie low. The rest of we need to follow him.

All yu know, lies don’t pay. But people like we got to lie in order to stay in this job especially when yu have people out there who yu can fool easily. Dis job paying off bai. This is life in Georgetown, better than London.

All we have to do is tell lies, mek up stories and bad talk everything the Government do. Is dat easy. Yu think we really want to do any hard work? No man, we like everything de easy way.

Bai, I can tell yu, I feel bad for dem sugar workers but I had to stifle me conscience and help put dem and dem family on de bread line.

Imagine, 42,000 people got affected, some tie dem waist to make ends meet, some starving themselves just to feed dem children, who ain’t going crazy kill themselves, families bruk up, nuff a dem children couldn’t go to school while a lot of dem didn’t write dem exams.

But yu think dem two harkatie care? Dem laugh dem belly full and turn round and say, “is good fu dem. Let dem suffer now. Dem deserve dat because dey support Cheddi.”

Now Janjat with he two face trying to make a case but all he do is to cause dem poor sugar workers more trouble. But let me tell yu, one day

things gon back fire.

Is not a good ting to do wrang. We gon have to pay for we mistakes and sins. Take my stupid advise, try to do good and help people, don’t hurt dem. Plenty of we go to church but, in the night, why yu think we can’t sleep?

Last week I tell yu about dis Bowl. Well, yu remember how de bais from the Islands used to laugh we.

But watch what happening now today. Is a different scenario. Dem used to say Bharat going around with a begging bowl fu de country. Mind yu, is we who made the mess.

But is that same man who saved we bacon and pull we out of de mess, and, when dey left in 2015, was a healthy bank account we tek over with. De man tek we out of bankruptcy from 1992

and leff we in good standing in 2015. And watch what we did with we five years!

But yu know we track record, we only know how to bruk and not to mek. Dey say is we DNA. Don’t look far, dat is de Burnham magic we blessed with. Anything we touch, yu know what will follow. So, people must not look surprised or blame we. Is a can’t help situation.

And if ever we get another chance, Gawd help all yu, is the same six to nine gon happen. Guyanese say, “waste not, want not.”

With all we brain box, we put de country in a worse predicament when we got booted out in 2020. Dats why the International community laughing we and mek sure dat dey don’t back riggers and schemers like we anymore.

Now back to this bowl. No, is not the Super Bowl. Tings ruff bai. I fall in wan big hole and ah can’t blame anybody but meself. I know de right thing cause I is a Sunday school bai but I still

do de rang ting because my mentors dem teach me so and I can’t turn me back pun dem. I see where ah going but I had no choice.

I stranded pun no man’s land wid everybody defecting from me wid me big mouth and fowl language wa making mo enemy dan friends. Me hand soil and preventing me from shaking hands with the right people.

But look how everybody want shake the Big Guy hand when he touched down in America, even Jeffries and all de rest from the Black Congressional Caucus! Now I feeling bad and I start to question me self. Is what really we thinking, saying and doing?

Weight is a heavy load but this bowl still light. I got to make some more rounds. I can’t understand how I have to do this jab when we have them two big wigs in America… Later na, we gon gaff some more…

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall.

GDP growth is not a good determinant of poverty reduction

Dear Editor,

THE legacy of colonialism has allowed poverty to become endemic in Guyanese and other post-colonial societies. It has also left Guyanese policy makers with massive challenges.

Unfortunately, their apparent reliance on the country’s unprecedented GDP growth of 62.3 per cent in 2022 and 37.2 per cent in 2023 (projected), (and existing per capita GDP of US$18,990 to produce a significant reduction in the moderate poverty rate (MPR) might not be on solid foundation.

Guyana’s MPR declined from 43.2 per cent in 1993 to 30.0 per cent in 2010 (PRSP).

The extreme poverty rate (EPR) was reduced from 28.7 per cent in 1993 to 17 per cent in 2010.

Apart from the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) of 2015, there has not been any further study except the one done for 2019 by the World Bank (WB), which put the poverty rate at 48.8 per cent. Rather than continuing its decline, the MPR increased by 18.8 points (from 30.0 per cent to 48.8 per cent) between 2011 and 2019. Why this dramatic reversal?

Does this indicate that the PRSP had lost its momentum? Or was it due to different methodologies used in those studies?

Part of this rise in MPR lies in the re-classification of Guyana as an upper middle-income country in 2015, which means that the MPR threshold has risen by 140 per cent from $2.50 per day per person to US$5.50 or US$165 per month, per person.

Analyzing GDP data, Econometrician Dr Ramesh Gampat observes: “Economic growth does not have a strong impact on poverty reduction.” Data for the period 1993 to 2006 show “at a one per cent increase in real per capita income, poverty was reduced by a mere 0.14 per cent.”

And despite an increase in GDP of 40.3 per cent (be-

tween 2011-2019); a per capita GDP increase of 30.4 per cent; and a GDP average growth of 3.76 per cent during the same period, the MPR did not decline, but rather increased from 30 per cent to 48.8 per cent.

Of note is that the World Bank says: “Among the determinants of poverty, education level appears to have the strongest correlation with poverty reduction.”

A comment on income inequality. There is a hypothesis which states: the higher the income inequality, the higher the poverty rate, and the narrower the income inequality, the lower the poverty rate. There is no empirical evidence to suggest that a reduction of income inequality would lead to poverty reduction.

Dr Ramesh indicates that in Guyana inequality had

narrowed significantly in the urban areas by 28 per cent between 1993 and 2006, compared with 11 per cent for rural and 17 per cent for interior areas for the same period.

Yet, the poverty level has remained high in rural areas and for the hinterland it was at 76 per cent. However, it is plausible that with a booming economy, income inequality is likely to widen among groups, and between regions.

The chart shows that poverty and income disparity are a rural/hinterland problem. The poorest quintile of people (85.6 per cent) lives in Region One and the richest quintile (28 per cent) lives in Region Four.

In keeping with the Third UN Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2018-2027), the PPP/C government is re-imaging education, reduc-

ing inequity, re-structuring the schools’ curricula, and making it more responsive to national economic development needs, as well as taking into consideration the World Bank’s theory that higher education has the greatest potential to lift people out of moderate poverty.

Focus is given here to three sectors: housing, education, and job creation. Education and skills training have continued to lift thousands of people out of poverty through such programmes as GOAL scholarships (numbering 19,690), TVET skills training of 4,239 during 2020-2023, and BIT skills training of 4,527 people in 2022.

The grant of 10,873 house lots (41.7 per cent of total house lots allocated between 2020 and 2023) to low-income families, represents a subsidy to them of US$156.8

million, plus a subsidy of US$12.7 million was applied to regularize 883 house lots for squatting area residents. The job programmes such as “neighbourhood workers” numbering 13,000; the rehiring of 2,000 Amerindian CSOs and 3,000 sugar workers have also lifted thousands of people out of poverty. If private sector jobs in construction (N=25,000) and oil/gas (N= 3,163) are added, at least 95,000 people would have been lifted out of poverty between 2019 and 2023. This translates into a current moderate poverty rate of 36.4 per cent, a decline of 12.4 points from 2019 when ½ the population (389,791) was living on less than US$165 per month per person.

Yours truly, Dr Tara Singh.

Dear Editor,

OUR President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, displayed outstanding scholarship in his response to questions posed by a British journalist on the “Good Morning Britain” television show. The President’s responses should be a proud moment for all Guyanese, and I wish to commend the President in this regard.

While this should be a proud, celebrated moment by all, as I peruse the newspapers today (September 21), I am disappointed to see that not a single editorial or writer in the letter pages, picked this up, a worthy commendation for the President.

Too often, white supremacist folks, such as the British journalist whom the President put to his place, accordingly, pronounce on

Guyana’s affairs in a derogatory and arrogant manner.

Disappointingly, some local media entities give those persons a platform to do so. For example, a few whom I have challenged and exposed for their white supremacist attitude towards Guyana are the likes of Tom Sanzillo and Gerard Kreeft from the IEEFA and others.

Congratulations to His

Excellency once again for representing Guyana well on multiple international platforms of recent, and a huge commendation in order for his scholastic responses to the arrogant British journalist on the subject of reparations.

Yours respectfully, Joel Bhagwandin.

President Ali’s outstanding response

A comedian in a Freudian three-piece suit

THE Hindu Times of India had it splashed prominently how American presidential candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy described President Zelensky of Ukraine – “a comedian in cargo pants.” I don’t know how Zelensky replied, if he did at all. But in following American politics, I would refer to Ramaswamy as a comedian in a Freudian Silicone Valley suit. Here is the justification for my description.

Ramaswamy believes he can get elected if he presents himself as a Trumpian extremist. But there can be no traction for a candidate that wants to be like Trump because the real McKoy is himself a candidate.

Trump is so far ahead of Ramaswamy that by the time the primaries are over, Ramaswamy will be so humiliated that he will vanish from politics. Of course don’t put it pass Ramaswamy to think he can be Trump’s

running mate. I find Ramaswamy’s view of life and politics obnoxious, bordering on evil. When you hear and see what comes out of this man’s mouth, then, you want to know if civilization can survive. He says that his parents came from India to the US with no money.

He keeps repeating that mantra in a self-destructive way. His policies on immigration are to the extreme of Trump. If Ramaswamy is elected, the world will never

see an immigrant coming to the US without money and making something of his/herself. Ramaswamy wants to curtail immigration into the US to the point where the US will have no immigrants.

He announced that if he becomes president (God forbid), he will abolish the H-1B visa. That is the visa that allows American companies to employ skilled foreigners. But you are not going to believe that Ramaswamy used the H-1B visa 29 times to import skilled people for his companies. We shouldn’t worry about the rise of Ramaswamy because he will never rise in politics but his personality shows you the dangerous line-faults that inhere in Homo sapiens.

Next is US federal congresswoman Lauren Boebart. She reminds me of the hypocrites we have in some of our women groups and our LGBTQ community in Guyana. These women groups tell the Guyanese society of how important it is to empower women.

But when Guyanese women’s right to vote was almost taken away from them between March and July in 2020, these women groups did not see the need to speak out about this naked disenfranchisement.

These women groups were silent when, in the post-election violence in September of 2020, a 16-year- old girl and her grandmother were forcefully taken out of their car, beaten and robbed. She described her ordeal in the press but none of those righteous women groups offered any support. And why? Maybe because of ethnic instincts.

So, Ms. Boebert is a screaming right-winger who wants to protect children from lesbian mothers who she said should not be reading books to small children. But this same lady was in a theatre with children and their parents in the audience and she was videoed lewd things with her. Like Ramaswamy, Boebery manifests the congenital flaws in Homo sapiens.

Enter the Rolling Stone magazine. Founded in 1967 by Mr. Jan Wenner, I never liked that magazine’s periodical lists of the greatest singers, albums and singles. Any school boy could see that it was biased in favour of White singers. The prioritising was simply pathetic and absurd. Now Mr. Wenner has shown his Freudian mind.

In an interview with the New York Times, Mr. Wenner defended why he

excluded Black singers from his list. He was brutally frank. He said Black singers do not measure up to White ones. If ever there was a statement that contains unadulterated racism, this is one. For anyone to say that Black American singers cannot match White ones is simply evil. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has since removed Wenner as a director.

We in Guyana understood the mind of people like Wenner after the 2020 elections. Wenner in the US and many in Guyana simply buried their Freudian minds for a long time, then, one day it came to the surface. Wenner was a racist all along, but we couldn’t see because he didn’t show it.

In Guyana, certain class forces were always anti-Indian, had Westernized minds and authoritarian instincts. They locked down their Freudian minds for decades, then, an occasion arose where the mental suppression was enough and they showed their true colour. That colour/ class Freudianism was always there, but Guyanese were too blind to see it. The Wenner infamy should teach us a little about what is buried in some Freudian minds in Guyana.

‘Melanie’ residents now benefitting from improved drainage

- 907 rods of drains cleaned in the last four weeks

AGRICULTURE Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, on Thursday, returned to the Melanie Damishana village on the East Coast of Demerara to meet with residents and farmers to discuss additional developmental plans for the community.

Minister Mustapha visited the area exactly one month ago and made several commitments to residents who raised concerns over the lack of proper drainage in the area.

While speaking with those in attendance at today’s meeting, Minister Mustapha disclosed that to date, some 907 rods of drains have been cleaned to ensure that residents receive improved drainage in the area.

“The VP came here in September to meet with you. After that, he told me that residents raised issues about drainage. I came here just about a week after that and made some commitments to start doing some drainage work immediately. I walked the area with the engineers and made a decision that we’ll send machines here immediately. To date, 907 rods of drains have been cleared, amounting to almost $8 million.

“This will assist you with drainage with the rainfalls. These drains have to be maintained. For those youths from the community who are not working, we’ll give them small contracts to maintain the internal drains that we dug. The NDIA will contract them through the CDC so they will get a monthly income from those works,” the minister said,

He also told residents that a follow-up assessment of the community’s drainage structure will be done to determine if additional works are needed to address issues with flooding.

Minister Mustapha also

told farmers that the ministry through its National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) will make planting materials available for persons who have kitchen gardens. He also said that vulnerable individuals in the area will receive assistance through the Guyana Livestock Development Authority’s (GLDA) ongoing Black Giant Poultry Programme.

“Besides that, I made a commitment the last time I was here to some farmers who have kitchen gardens. I told them that I’d give them planting materials free of cost. NAREI will meet with you to find out what type of planting materials you need and we’ll give them to you free of cost.

“In addition to that, we will look at the most vulnerable households, starting with single mothers, and we’ll give them 20 Black Giant birds each. They will receive these birds within three weeks. The Chairman for the Melanie Community Development Council will work with you to get the names so that we can get those birds to you,” Minister Mustapha said.

He took the opportunity to condemn a resident from a neighbouring village after he made false allegations of racial discrimination towards farmers from the village. Before the minister responded to the claims, several residents also called out the individual for trying to push a false narrative, citing the completed drainage works that were done following commitments made by the government.

“I don’t know what the comrade is speaking about. When we mak e commitments, we work to fulfil them. This is not about race and we shouldn’t use race to divide us. My ministry-and the entire government

for that matter-- does not distribute the country’s resources based on race, we work with a programme. We have to look at the reality.

“Today, you had two ministers of government visit your community in less than an hour of each other. That has never happened before. We have a great opportunity in our country because we are seeing persons from different ethnic groups coming together and that is the way to go. We have to look at our future. We cannot allow politics and race to divide us. That has kept us back for decades and we have the chance to change that,” Minister Mustapha said.

He was accompanied by several agency heads

and other technical officers from the Ministry of Agriculture. (Ministry of Agriculture)

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha engaging residents of ‘Melanie’

Food security remains a fundamental pillar of prosperity for CARICOM

— Minister Mustapha tells stakeholders during CARICOM-Canada Policy Forum

AGRICULTURE Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, on Thursday, delivered the keynote address at the fourth CARICOM-Canada Policy Forum.

The hybrid event was organized by the CARICOM heads of the diplomatic mission in Canada, in collaboration with the IICA Delegation in Canada under the theme, “CARICOM: Food Security in a Climate-Challenged

World”.

While acknowledging that food insecurity is increasing in many countries across the Caribbean, the forum allowed the officials to discuss measures and policies intended to confront current and future food insecurity, in addition to promoting family farming and climate-resilient agriculture in the Americas

While delivering the keynote address, Minister Mustapha said food secu-

rity is a fundamental pillar of prosperity for CARICOM that rests on four crucial dimensions and that a key aspect of transforming Guyana’s agrifood systems was boosting agricultural development in rural communities.

“Food security remains a fundamental pillar of prosperity for CARICOM, and it rests on four crucial dimensions which include availability, access, utilization, and stability, to

ensure that every citizen in our Region enjoys safe, nutritious, and affordable food, regardless of their socioeconomic status. The Caribbean must aim at becoming more food-secure. This exercise must be sustained and must involve increased production of foods consumed within the Region, thereby boosting agricultural development in rural communities, especially the hinterland (in Guyana). These communi-

ties are the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, especially since their livelihoods often depend on the environment,” he said.

Mustapha added: “We often look to our smallscale farmers to help maintain food security in our respective countries. They are essential players in the agriculture-food system and so, government initiatives to transform agrifood systems are extended

to benefit rural communities for climate resilience and accelerated economic growth.

“Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 was also designed to guide our adaptation and mitigation efforts in the face of climate change. As climate change is considered in all subsectors – crops, livestock, fisheries, and aqua-

Continued on page 12

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, on Thursday, delivered the keynote address at the fourth CARICOM-Canada Policy Forum

Oil bidders register no concerns over Venezuela’s recent statement

GENERAL Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP)

Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has said that the oil

Dr. Jagdeo, during a press conference on Thursday, affirmed that Guyana will continue to pursue its advance-

about the statement, and it is not surprising that Venezuela would issue this statement,” he said.

As he went on to say:

- Dr. Jagdeo says

country, both on land and in our Exclusive Economic Zone.”

Dr. Jagdeo said: “This is our sovereign Guyanese territory, and the 14 blocks are all in our Exclusive Economic Zone.”

He then referenced the responses by the Government of Guyana, the Organisation of American States (OAS), along with several other international institutions, which have rallied behind Guyana’s sovereignty.

The following is the recent statement by the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, in response to a communique issued by Venezuela:

ment of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela which complained of Guyana’s intention to put up for bid certain oil blocks in the waters adjacent to its coast, and concluded with a threat to ‘apply all the necessary measures’ to prevent operations licensed by Guyana in these waters, which Venezuela claims as its own.

“Guyana considers this a threat not only to Guyana but to regional and international peace and security, as well as to all of Guyana’s current and potential investment partners.

“If Venezuela disputes this, then it is obliged by the United Nations Charter and the Charter of the OAS to employ only peaceful means to seek a resolution. Both Charters prohibit the threat or use of force against another State.

auction bidders have not raised any concerns about Venezuela’s recent statement against Guyana.

ments in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

“We have not heard from any of the bidders that they are concerned

“They have done so almost for every major event, when we have tried to utilise the economic resources of our

“The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is compelled to respond to a Communique issued today by the Govern -

Guyana has no doubt that under international law the waters in question form part of its Exclusive Economic Zone, where Guyana alone enjoys sovereign rights over the resources in the sea and beneath the seabed.

“Guyana, therefore, implores Venezuela to honor its obligation to pursue only peaceful means to settle any dispute it may have with Guyana, including adjudication before the International Court Justice, where Guyana has sought confirmation of the land boundary between the two States.

“Allowing the Court to decide any other dispute between the parties would ensure a resolution that is peaceful, equitable and in accordance with international law.”

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

Food security remains a fundamental...

From page 10

culture, climate actions in the agriculture sector of Guyana have ranged from constructing drainage and irrigation infrastructure; promoting sustainable land, forest and water use; promoting climate-smart agriculture; developing early-warning systems and mangrove reforestation and preservation.”

He also said that the Caribbean continues to be affected by challenges pertaining to the development of a competitive agri-food system.

“The Caribbean Region faces many challenges in developing a competitive agri-food system that can contribute to the achievement of its food security and economic goals. One of these challenges is the Region’s vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change – rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and other natural disasters. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and changing rainfall patterns threaten the availability of crops and fisheries. Prolonged droughts or excessive rainfall can disrupt access to food, making it difficult for vulnerable communities to reach markets or afford basic staples.

“The impact of climate change even extends to affecting the nutritional value of our produce, [and] affecting utilization and overall health. The Government of Guyana has regularly made the call to scale up climate finance to fund national climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives. It is our hope that developed countries will fulfil their pledges and make further efforts to scale up climate finance, and significantly increase finance for adaptation, in line with the priorities expressed by developing countries,” he said.

Meanwhile, during a panel discussion on promoting food security and

sustainable agriculture for climate-resilient food systems across CARICOM, Minister Mustapha said that food-security efforts should include increasing accessibility and improving the nutrition of all persons.

“Food security should not stop at increasing production but should be inclusive of increasing accessibility and improving the nutrition of all persons. In ensuring food security, there must be scope for sustainable employment opportunities for youths, women, and other vulnerable groups. This will both generate income and improve livelihoods.

“Guyana, like many of our CARICOM neighbours, understands the urgency of addressing the nexus of food security and climate resilience. Our Region is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, with rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and shifting rainfall patterns threatening our food supply and livelihoods,” the minister said.

He added: “Agriculture is not just an industry; it's a way of life for many of our people. It is imperative that the CARICOM Region embrace climate-smart agriculture, which marries traditional farming knowledge with innovative approaches. This includes the use of drought-resistant crop varieties, improved drainage and irrigation techniques, shade house technology, and soil-conservation practices to mitigate the impacts of changing weather patterns.”

Minister Mustapha said it was an opportune time for CARICOM to act decisively as a cohesive unit in order to ensure that countries do not deviate further from our commitment to the SDGs.

Norton opts to oust Seeram over assault allegations

LEADER of the People's National Congress Reform (PNC-R), Aubrey Norton, has called for the resignation of the Chairman of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Daniel Seeram, following another domestic violence allegation against him.

Seeram, an executive member of the PNC-R, is currently under investigation for allegedly causing actual bodily harm to his wife during a recent altercation at their Cummings Lodge residence on the East Coast of Demerara.

During a press conference on Thursday, when asked if Seeram should resign, Norton said that he understands the serious nature of the allegations and will leave him to do the “decent thing.”

“As it relates to the resignation, I think Daniel Seeram understands the nature of what has happened. It is true it is not the first time, and I will leave it to him to do the decent thing,” the Opposition Leader said.

However, Norton added that the issue will be discussed at the

The charge read that, in early March 2022, he committed the act against his 50-year-old father-in-law at MovieTowne, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown.

Seeram’s defence counsel, Roysdale Forde S.C., made an application for reasonable bail for his client. Considering the circumstances given,

- women’s rights activists silent

the magistrate granted the application and released Seeram on $20,000 bail.

This newspaper had previously reported that during the incident involving Seeram and his father-in-law, Seeram reportedly brandished his weapon to threaten Hamid.

Security personnel at the establishment

intervened and escorted Regional Chairman Seeram out of the building.

Hamid later reported the matter to the Turkeyen Police Station. This newspaper was told that, on the same day Hamid issued his report, Seeram visited the Alberttown Police Station and did the same, claiming Hamid

brandished a firearm at him during the altercation.

It is alleged that Seeram told the police that he went to MovieTowne to speak to his wife about an ongoing issue between them. He instead met the woman’s father and the exchanges ensued.

Central Executive level of the party.

He revealed that a disciplinary committee within the PNC/R was approved by the executive committee only on Wednesday, as it was not in place since his appointment as leader.

“We think he should step down. But I’m saying to you, at this stage, we have not said to him Look, you need to go,” the Opposition Leader said.

Norton related that the party “opposes vehemently any attempt to embarrass, assault or do anything to women.”

Police Commander Simon Mc Bean had told this publication on Tuesday that Seeram’s wife made a report and alleged that the former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) captain assaulted her causing actual bodily harm.

“There were counter allegations of assault by both parties,” the commander also stated.

Last year, Seeram was released on $20,000 bail for a charge of threatening behaviour allegedly committed against his father-in-law, Shaheed Hamid. Seeram appeared before Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

Daniel Seeram

Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC-R), Aubrey Norton

New $172.6M wing commissioned at East Ruimveldt Secondary School

— facility contains 10 classrooms, furnished IT lab, staff room, deputy headteacher’s office

MINISTER of Education Priya Manickchand on Thursday commissioned the Samuel B Moffat Wing at the East Ruimveldt Secondary School.

The $172.6 million block is a single-flat rectangular building which can accommodate over 150 students. The Samuel B Moffat Wing houses 10 classrooms, the Deputy Headteacher’s office, a furnished

Information Technology laboratory and a staff room.

The new wing was constructed by Delp Construction & General Supplies.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister Manickchand said that the new block was constructed to cater to the growing population of the school. She related that the Ministry of Education is addressing the

issue of overcrowding in several schools.

“We have begun to address this not only at the East Ruimveldt Secondary School, but shortly we will be commissioning a new block at the St.Winefride's Secondary School. We are rebuilding the Christ Church Secondary School, the North Ruimveldt Secondary, the St George’s High School and the St Mary’s High

School, so by next September we are not going to have a space problem,” the minister said.

The Education Minister highlighted that investments are continuously being made in the sector to ensure that students receive a quality education. She said that among the investments being made for the first time, all secondary school students are receiving the textbooks

they need.

Providing the background on the new wing, Headteacher of the East Ruimveldt Secondary School Ms Katheryn Fraser said that the school’s intake increased after the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in students being housed in tents in the school’s compound. She expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education, noting that the new

block has solved the accommodation issue.

She said that the new wing was named after Mr Samuel B Moffat, a former principal of the institution.

Ms Fraser said Mr Moffat was a disciplinarian who dedicated his service to ensuring that students were provided with the opportunities to compete not only academically, but athletically as well.

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand on Thursday commissioned the Samuel B Moffat Wing at the East Ruimveldt Secondary School

Guyana Super Concert to feature country’s first-ever dancing robot

THE country’s first-ever dancing robot promises to be another highlight of Saturday’s much anticipated concert, which features mega superstars Machel Montano, Sean Paul and Shenseea, and several others.

As a Cricket Carnival sponsor, GTT decided to do something different in its bid to entertain its customers and make a unique contribution to the ongoing celebrations.

The dancing robot will be a marvel to behold; eye-catching and fully entertaining, wining and gyrating to Caribbean vibes like a real person would.

At the Guyana National Stadium located at Providence, East Bank Demerara, persons will be able to take photographs with the robot.

“We know Guyanese. Two things Guyanese like - they like to party and they like cricket. So, we are ensuring that our customers get to celebrate and enjoy the vibes,” Public Relations Officer at GTT Jasmin Harris told Buzz this week.

Asked where the idea of the dancing robot came from, and how entertaining she thought it would be, she joked: “This robot could wine. You think you could wine better than that robot? Girl I can’t wine better than that robot at all.”

Harris said the telecommunications company likes to be the first to do things.

“Our economy is booming and we like to be the first in the things that we do and this is another first for Guyana. Nobody has ever brought a dancing robot into the country, so I think it’s pretty cool.”

The riveting concert is part of a host of events for Cricket Carnival and forms part of the government’s “One Guyana” goal to unite people.

The Soca, Reggae and Dancehall stars will be joined by Guyana’s talented Adrian Dutchin and Nekeita, among other local artistes. (Telesha Ramnarine)

Public Relations Officer at GTT, Jasmin Harris

The dancing robot that will be at the Guyana National Stadium for tomorrow’s Guyana Super Concert

Talented Guyanese launches first book of poems online

By Faith Greene

POETRY is best described as literature that evokes a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience. Like many other art forms, poetry takes you to another world through the use of words, often in a way that almost seems magical.

Last week, Shykah Persaud, a talented Guyanese artist and poet had her first book of poems published online.

In an interview with the Buzz, the budding creative shared that she has been writing since the age of 13 and has developed a unique style that captures the essence of her colourful personality. She is passionate about colour and incorporates this into her art, which, she said, makes her work come alive in a way that is truly inspiring.

Shykah’s poetry is equally vibrant and has the power to transport her readers to

a world of imagination and emotion. She hopes that her work resonates with the mind and soul of her readers or

viewers.

The 21-year-old said that although she has been writing poetry for some time, it was

only recently that she opened up about it. Shykah noted her own improvements in her poetry writing, saying, that up until a few years ago, most of her poems were sad or depressing. One of her biggest inspirations, she identified, is her wife.

She said: “Usually I only write when I feel grief or hurt and I've been working on that and so leading up to like a few days ago when I launched the book, it was mostly happy poems because I'm working on my poems being less sad, and more happy.”

Her book, ‘Colours, for you’ is unlike any book of poems you will ever read.

Through this dynamic book, Shykah aims to bring awareness to a larger community. In the process of writing her book, she noted that it took her close to a year to complete.

“That's where my wife came in and she was like hey, did you write anything today?

Hey, what are you doing?

Did you update the book?

So, without her guidance or badgering, I don't know, I don't think it would have been …launched within a year,” she added.

“So, it's kind of scary but, at the same time, I'm happy that it can be; it can reach out to persons that are in the same situation or persons that

are part of the LGBTQ community. They can read it and they can feel included and also inspired to do whatever it is that they do to feeling themselves,” she said.

“I think the fear that not everyone may like the book, you know? It might not be everyone's cup of tea. I think the bad side of criticism. That was one of my fears,” she expressed.

Moreover, to get a copy of the book, persons can either purchase it on Amazon Kindle or directly from Amazon.

Shykah said that, in October, she will be doing a bulk order of copies of her book.

Additionally, she said she is working on a launch date in October so that she can have a meet and greet.

She said: “People can come out, probably purchase the book if they want, meet me and my wife. So, it will be available locally from October month end heading into November.”

Sparkey’s childhood singing leads to international acclaim

By Telesha Ramnarine

IN achieving international acclaim, Michael ‘Sparkey’ Drakes has enjoyed nothing but a successful career in entertainment since he started singing in church at the tender age

of eight. Perhaps it was the skills nurtured here that later landed him a place in the Band Corps and Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Frontline Band.

Born in Bartica and raised at Ithaca, Berbice, Sparkey migrated in 1997 to Antigua

and Barbuda and later again, in 2013, to Toronto, Canada, where he now resides. He is the owner of the popular band, 2+Entertainment, which performs at numerous venues in Ontario.

Having just concluded a visit to Guyana where he

worked on his latest single ‘She Want Me’ with Bunny Alves and Charmaine Blackman, also recording a video in the process, Sparkey told Buzz that joining the entertainment field came naturally to him.

“I was born; gifted to

do this. I live and breathe music,” he expressed, as he recalled how his musical abilities were quickly recognised when he joined the GDF after his secondary school days.

Here, he played the bugle, trumpet, steel pan and even vocalized. He also performed

with a number of bands in Guyana like the Sheriff Band, GT Music Machine, and Yoruba Singers, to name a few. It was while at Yoruba Singers Band that he recorded a song called “Wake Up Guyana” which was aired

The cover of book of poems which was recently released online (Shykah Persaud photos)

Shykah Persaud, Guyanese artist and poet

Michael ‘Sparkey’ Drakes

While on a visit to Guyana recently, Sparkey worked on his latest single, ‘She Want Me’

Sparkey’s band, 2+Entertainment, provides DJ, karaoke and live musical services at numerous venues in Ontario

Dominican film wins best documentary at Canadian Film Festival

“TERRITORY,” a short film focused on the indigenous people of the Eastern Caribbean island of Dominica- the Kalinago, recently won Best Short Documentary at the 18th annual Caribbean Tales Film Festival (CTFF) and is the first submission by Director Jael Joseph to the festival which was held in Toronto.

“Territory” tied for the title with “Negra, Yo Soy Bella,” a film by Puerto Rico’s Vashi Korin.

“To win on my first try, it’s just an incredible feeling and I dedicate this win to my late parents and the Kalinago people of Dominica, who are still navigating how to best protect and retain their culture, traditions and identity and whose trust and openness allowed me to share their stories.”

In her acceptance speech Jael thanked family friends, colleagues and mentors singling out CTFF founder, Frances-Ann Solomon, from whom she drew “inspiration and influence.”

CTFF celebrates the talents of established and emerging Caribbean and African filmmakers, presenting a multi-ethnic mix of exciting and dynamic films that showcase diverse and shared cultural stories. The 2023 submissions surrounded the theme Eco survivors bringing to focus the impact of climate change on Caribbean Small Island States (SIDS) and Canada.

Films selected into CTFF are reviewed by a programming committee (composed of film industry professionals- actors, producers, critics, tech), representing a mix of Caribbean islands, who determine winners in various categories.

For CTFF Festival Director, Diana Webley, “Territory” was awarded Best Short Documentary as it “provided a rare peek inside the Kalinago Territory in Dominica.”

“It is a film that reflects the current political situation and we wanted to shed light on it, she adds."

In “Territory,” Jael and her film crew, spent 10 days following Anette Sanford, Samoza John and Natasha Green, descendants of the island’s first people, who gave their take on the individual and communal challenges they faced as residents of the

3,700 acre Kalinago Territory- an area on the island’s northeast that was ceded to the Kalinago 120 years ago.

The film delves into the political struggles they face and focuses on the loss of their language and inability to use their land for economic development.

The issues of the Kalinago were further juxtaposed against their recovery from Category 5 Hurricane Maria and the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The film also featured guest appearances by Kalinago Chief, Lorenzo Sanford and Cozier Frederick, parliamentary representative for the area.

Jael, a media entrepreneur and communications consultant, who splits her time between Dominica and Canada, is a Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) graduate, and was inspired to create this film alongside her research paper entitled, “Territory: Commonalities between the Reclamation of the Kalinago Language and Connection to Land.” For the paper she interviewed over 25 persons and developed some of the interviews into a 10-minute podcast called “Woryijan; Kalinago women and Intersectionality.”

While the award also signifies a personal achievement, Jael sees its wider impact as a testament to the incredible power of story-

telling.

“It’s my hope that ‘Territory’ continues to serve as a beacon of the storytelling tradition, shining a light on untold narratives and fostering understanding and unity in our diverse world,” says Jael.

This experience has solidified her mission to champion the Kalinago people; and so far she has given support to events such as the Kalinago Spelling B competition through her brand Black Island Girl Multimedia, and has served as a vocal advocate for other initiatives within the community.

“I am really rooting for my Kalinago brothers and sisters,” says Jael. This documentary is just the start. I want to bring positive change to the community and commit to using my platforms to share their story and to impact their lives for the better.”

“Territory” was funded with support from an anonymous donor as well as the proceeds of prize won from The Creative School’s 2022 Johnny Lombardi Award for Creative Endowment. The film can be viewed online till September 22 as part of CTFF, and will be screened at more film festivals worldwide.

The CTFF Award ceremony was held on September 17, 2023 at the Studio Theatre Harbourfront Centre, Toronto. (Barbados Nation)

‘Territory’ Director Jael Joseph poses with her award for Best Short Documentary

Wellingborough community hub offers free music classes

on Hemmingwell housing estate in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.

The studio opened in the summer for children aged 12-16.

Parmar said he wanted to create "a safe space to express thoughts and feelings".

He also works with a Northamptonshire Police-led

project called My Back Yard (MY:BK:YD) that aims to combat gang-related crime and violence and point youngsters towards more positive choices and employment.

The courses run for seven weeks and are taught by Parmar and Reuben Harris, 37, a student from the University

of Northampton.

They provide step-bystep tutorials and work to find out what each student's interests were, "whether song writing or producing", Parmar said.

Parmar, who runs non-profit organisation

The Compound in Wellingborough, received almost

£10,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund.

The money was used to build a professional music studio at Hemmingwell Community and Skills Centre in Wellingborough, offering free lessons for young people living on Hemmingwell estate. (BBC)

A COMMUNITY hub is providing free music lessons to young people to help them learn how to create and produce their

own music.

Kamlesh Parmar, 42, received lottery funding to create a new music studio

Sparkey’s childhood singing...

From page 17

on many radio stations and programmes for many years.

With his genres being Soca, Dancehall/Reggae, and at the behest of the Tonik Band, Sparkey migrated to Antigua and Barbuda as a lead vocalist. It's there that he focused more on writing and recording his own songs.

Having written and recorded an album, ‘Back to Basics’, Sparkey was featured on many albums with other artists like Claudette CP Peters.

He wrote and recorded 11 of the 12 songs on the ‘Vision 2000 album’ and has also written and recorded over 20 singles. He also wrote songs for other artistes like Pat Raugette of the Virgin Islands, while some of his more known records include Ah De Vibes, Caught Up and Zion Gate.

Sparkey has travelled and performed in countries like Japan, Nigeria, Ghana, Columbia, Panama, US, UK, Australia, and many Caribbean destinations.

“I toured with renown artistes such as Kevin Little

(where I replaced Spragga Benz), Ja Rule and Wayne Wonder,” he fondly recalled.

Presently, his band provides DJ, karaoke and live musical services even as he continues to write and record songs.

Sparkey would love to participate in any initiative aimed at developing and improving Guyana’s entertainment industry.

“There are so much potential and musical gifts in Guyana. Bringing more structure and training will see Guyana’s music reach much further than it has,” he shared.

Sparkey was nominated three times and won the following two awards: Best International World Male Artiste and Best International World Album, as well as Best International World Song by Toronto Exclusive Magazine.

Further, he was named one of the top 20 independent artistes online by Internet Radio Magazine, and Best Reggae/Dancehall Artiste by Underground Music Awards.

Kamlesh Parmar’s music sessions are run from The Hope Centre on the Hemmingwell estate in Wellingborough (Kamlesh Parmar/The Compound photo)

South Africa pace bowler Anrich Nortje ruled out of World Cup squad

SOUTH Africa fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the Cricket World Cup in India.

The 29-year-old had been named in the Proteas' provisional squad for the tournament, which starts on 5 October, but is not fit enough to travel.

A persistent back problem has meant Nortje will now miss a second successive World Cup.

Fellow pacer Sisanda Magala, 32, has also been forced to withdraw from the squad through injury.

Both men featured in this month's 3-2 home one-day international series win over Australia.

Nortje missed the 2019 World Cup with a fractured thumb and Cricket SA said: "It was decided that the risk associated with his inclusion in the squad outweighed his obvious value to the team."

A knee issue meant Magala was limited to bowling just four overs in the third ODI of

the five-match series against Australia.

South Africa's whiteball coach Rob Walter has called up all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo and fast bowler Lizaad Williams to replace the injured pair in the 15man squad.

Walter said it was "hugely disappointing" to lose Nortje and Magala, but added: "This provides an opportunity for Andile and Lizaad on the global stage. They offer great skill sets."

South Africa begin their World Cup campaign on Saturday, 7 October against Sri Lanka in Delhi.

South Africa's World Cup squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.(BBC Sport).

South Africa fast bowler Anrich Nortje will miss the 2023 Cricket World Cup

Project ‘Cricket Gear’ provides gear for young cricketers

SEVERAL young cricketers, ages nine to 13 of Just Try Cricket Club, Upper Corentyne, recently bene-

fitted from a gear bag filled with batting and wicket-keeping pads, cricket shoes and a helmet, compli-

ments of Sheik Mohamed, Owner of Start Sports Trophies and Awards, Enmore, East Coast, Demerara.

The aim of the newly formed cricket club is to keep the youths off the streets and constructively occupied and at the same time create an opportunity for them. The kids were delighted for the gear while the initiative is happy to be part of their development.

Total cricket-related items received/purchased so far: $370 000 in cash, 13 coloured cricket uniforms, two trophies, 17 pairs of cricket boots, 31 pairs of batting pads, 32 cricket bats, 29 pairs of batting gloves, 23 thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, five arm guards, two boxes, 10 cricket bags, six bat rubbers, six helmets and one softball cricket bat. In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former national wicket- keeper/batsman. All cash collected is being used to purchase cricket gear requested but not available at the time.

To date, 67 young players from all three counties of Guyana have benefitted from three junior gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, 27

bats, two boxes, five helmets, 23 pairs of cricket shoes, 15 pairs of batting pads, two thigh pads, one bat rubber, 24 pairs of batting gloves and two pairs of wicketkeeping gloves.

In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area received two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each, Cold Fusion Cricket Club received 13 coloured uniforms, while RHCCCC received three boxes of balls, 15 white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket-keeping gloves and a set of stumps and bails. Other beneficiaries are the Essequibo Cricket Board, the Town of Lethem

and youth coach Travis Persaud, softball teams in the Upper-Corentyne area, No.65 Young Titans and Just Try Cricket Club.

Cricket-related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country and club leaders also assist in identifying talent. Progressive and well-managed cricket clubs with a youth programme, will also benefit. Distribution will continue.

Anyone interested in making a contribution can contact Anil Beharry on 623 6875 or Kishan Das on +1 718 664 0896.

Opening defeat for Lady Jags in Concacaf Gold Cup qualifiers

ball Association Technical Centre.

Gabrielle De Suza scored a brace for the home side, netting in the 13th and 51st,

is a must-win encounter with Dominica on Sunday at Wildey Turf, Barbados, from 16:00hrs.

The other team in the Group is Suriname, who defeated Dominica 4-0 in their opening match.

The Lady Jags have their sights set on securing victory and claiming the top spot in Group A of League B as the first-place finishers from each League B group, totaling three teams, will advance to the 2024 W Gold Cup Prelims.

went down 1-2 at the Antigua & Barbuda Foot -

while Brianne Desa scored a consolation goal for Guyana in the 62nd.

Guyana’s next match

The Road To Concacaf W Gold Cup, with 34 registered senior women’s national teams, is the qualifying tournament for the highly anticipated 2024 W Gold Cup, the top-tier competition for senior footballers in the Concacaf region.

The young cricketers proudly display their gear

GUYANA’s Lady Jags suffered an opening-round defeat to Antigua and Barbuda in their Concacaf Road to Gold Cup 2023.

On Tuesday, the senior national women’s football team

Lady Jags defender Rylee Traicoff, holding off the Benna Girls’ Kevoncia James during their W Gold Cup qualifier

2023 CG United Super50 Cup to bowl off October 17 with new eight-team league format

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced the match schedule and venues for the CG United Super50 Cup 2023. The region’s premier List A 50over tournament will bowl off on Tuesday, 17 October and conclude on Saturday, 11 November in Trinidad with a new eight-team league format followed by semi-finals and finals to determine the champions.

The tournament will feature 31 matches to be played at three venues - the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA), the Queen’s

Park Oval (QPO) and the Sir Frank Worrell Cricket Grounds of the University of the West Indies Sport and Physical Education Centre (UWI SPEC) at the St. Augustine Camus. All 13 matches at the Brian Lara Academy, including the semi-finals and final, will be televised live on ESPN Caribbean, with 12 of those matches being day/night games.

This year’s CG United Super50 Cup will feature a new eightteam league with each of the teams facing each other once. The top four in the league

will qualify for the “final four”.

First place will play fourth place, with second place playing third place in the two semi-finals which are slated for BLCA on Wednesday, 8 November and Thursday, 9 November.

The final will be at the same venue on Saturday, 11 November, where the winners will be become CG United Super50 Cup Champions and lift the Sir Clive Lloyd Trophy.

The West Indies Academy and Combined Campuses & Colleges (CCC) will again

FULL MATCH SCHEDULE

join the traditional six franchises – defending champions Jamaica Scorpions, Barbados Pride, Guyana Harpy Eagles, Leeward Is -

play in the 50-over format, and for the emergence of new talent,” said Miles Bascombe, CWI’s Director of Cricket.

an exciting tournament schedule with 31 matches scheduled in 26 days.

25 October: Guyana Harpy Eagles vs CCC at UWI SPEC – 9am

9am

26 October: Trinidad & Tobago Red Force vs Leeward Islands Hurricanes at BLCA – 1pm

27 October: Jamaica Scorpions vs CCC at UWI SPEC – 9am

28 October: Trinidad & Tobago Red Force vs West Indies Academy at QPO – 9am

29 October: Barbados Pride vs Guyana Harpy Eagles at UWI SPEC – 9am

29 October: Jamaica Scorpions vs Windward Islands Volcanoes at BLCA – 1pm

31 October: Windward Islands Volcanoes vs Leeward Islands Hurricanes at QPO – 9am

31 October: CCC vs Barbados Pride at UWI SPEC – 9am

1 November: West Indies Academy vs Guyana Harpy Eagles at UWI SPEC – 9am

2 November: Trinidad & Tobago Red Force vs Jamaica Scorpions at QPO – 9am2 November: Leeward Islands Hurricanes vs Barbados Pride at BLCA – 1pm

3 November: West Indies Academy vs Windward Islands Volcanoes at UWI SPEC – 9am

4 November: CCC vs Leeward Islands Hurricanes at QPO – 9am

4 November: Jamaica Scorpions vs Guyana Harpy Eagles at BLCA – 1pm

5 November: Trinidad & Tobago Red Force vs Barbados Pride at BLCA – 1pm

8 November: Semi-Final 1 at BLCA – 1pm

9 November: Semi-Final 2 at BLCA – 1pm

11 November: Final at BLCA – 1pm

lands Hurricanes, Trinidad & Tobago Red Force and Windward Islands Volcanoes.

Home side Trinidad & Tobago Red Force open this year’s tournament when they take on the CCC at the Queen’s Park Oval on 17 October at 9am. Later on that day the Guyana Harpy Eagles face Windward Islands Volcanoes at BLCA at 1pm in the first televised contest.

“This is a crucial stage in our planning as we look to build towards the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027. We see the upcoming CG United Super50 Cup as the perfect platform to establish and incentivize a West Indies brand of

“The introduction of the round-robin format will provide players with more ‘playing time’ in the middle as well as a balanced way of gauging individual and team performances. We are pleased to again have CCC and the West Indies Academy participating at the senior level as they join the other six franchise teams as we look to widen the pool of players.”

Dominic Warne, CWI’s Commercial Director said believes the league format will provide fans with greater entertainment.

“The move to an eight-team league in the CG United Super50 Cup provides fans with

Every game will be available from first ball to last either live on ESPN Caribbean or streamed live on the Windies Cricket YouTube channel,” he said. “The new windiescricket.com Live Match Centre will also give fans full match analysis plus live ballby-ball scoring and commentary for all 31 matches giving the widest access and coverage to the CG United Super50 Cup than ever before.

We again welcome and thank our title sponsor and CWI Official insurance partners CG United for their fifth consecutive year of support which provides significant investment in cricket throughout the West Indies.”

The region’s premier List A 50-over tournament will bowl off on Tueday October 17,and conclude on Saturday, November 17

New York, Dallas and Florida to host USA leg of 2024 T20 World Cup

THE USA leg of the 2024 T20 World Cup will be hosted in New York, Texas and Florida, following inspections that were conducted earlier this year, the ICC has announced.

While Grand Prairie (in Dallas, Texas) and Broward County (Lauderhill, Florida) already have existing infrastructure to host games, the ICC will increase the stadium capacity at both venues.

As for Nassau County in New York, the ICC has said that an agreement has been reached to construct a 34,000-seat modular stadium.

Morrisville in North Carolina – which also hosted Major League Cricket games alongside Grand Prairie –was not selected after making the initial shortlist.

Even for New York, the Van Cortlandt Park in the borough of Bronx within

New York City was initially under consideration, but the ICC has now opted for a new venue.

Eisenhower Park, which will house the new stadium, is 30 miles east of the borough of Manhattan, located on the outskirts of New York City.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to use modular stadium technology to present world class cricket in a location that has not previously hosted an ICC global event giving USA cricket fans the chance to watch the world’s best on their doorstep,” ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice said.

“This technology has been used at previous ICC events to increase venue capacity and is routinely used in other major sports worldwide.

In the USA, it will allow us to increase the size of the

venues in both Dallas and Florida and create what is going to be a stunning venue in New York.”

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman was confident in New York providing a successful fan experience at the T20 World Cup.

“Whether it be PGA events, record-breaking concerts in our parks, or the annual Belmont Stakes, we are no stranger to hosting large scale events on the world stage,” he said.

The 2024 T20 World Cup will be the first of eight men’s global events in the ICC’s next commercial cycle from 2024-31, which was finalised in 2021.

The decision to appoint the USA as a co-host alongside the West Indies was part of a strategic move by the ICC with two goals in mind: firstly, the North American market was identified as a

strong market for growth of the game, and secondly, the ICC’s ambition to have cricket feature in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games (LA28).

The format for the 2024 World Cup will be differ-

ent to the last two editions (2020-21 in the UAE and 2022 in Australia), where Super 12s followed the first round.

Next year, the 20 teams will be divided into four groups of five each for the

first round, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the Super 8s. The Super 8 teams will be split into two groups of four each, with the top two in each group reaching the semi-finals. (ESPNcricinfo)

Match start times confirmed for West Indies vs England Christmas Series in December 2023

CRICKET West Indies (CWI) yesterday confirmed the start times for the first ever Christmas Series played between West Indies and England in December 2023. The series will feature eight matches – three CG United One-Day Internationals (ODI) and five T20 Internationals (T20I) from 3 to 21 December as fans get the opportunity to rally at home and celebrate with the West Indies ahead of the Christmas holidays. England arrive in An -

(with start times)

tigua to start the tour with two CG United ODIs at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on 3 and 6 December. The 1st CG United ODI is a day game starting at 9:30am with the 2nd CG United ODI starting at 1:30pm as a day/night game. The 3rd and final CG United ODI to be played at Kensington Oval, Barbados on 9 December will also be a day/night game starting at 1:30pm.

The five-match T20I starts in Barbados with the first match played at Kensington Oval under lights starting at 6pm. The Spice Isle of Grenada then welcomes both teams for the 2nd and 3rd T20Is on 14 and 16 December with both matches starting at 1:30pm.

The tour concludes in the week before Christmas

with the 4th and 5th T20Is on December 19 and 21.

The Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad will be hosting a West Indies vs England men’s fixture for the first time with day/night matches starting at 4pm.

Fans can purchase tickets in advance from

the Windies Tickets service presented by Mastercard at Tickets.Windiescricket.com . Fans who purchase online and in advance can choose their preferred seats and benefit from a discount compared to tickets purchased at the venue box office.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

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USA will have three host venues

will start in Barbados

Quinton de Kock refused to take knee due to Cricket South Africa’s ‘interference’

By Jonty Colman

Quinton de Kock says he refused to take the knee at the 2021 T20 World Cup because of interference from Cricket South Africa (CSA).

The 30-year-old made himself unavailable for South Africa's opening match against West Indies as a result.

Explaining his decision for the first time, De Kock says he wanted to stand up for his team-mates and their right to have their own say. "We are not just pawns

to CSA," De Kock told the BBC's Stumped podcast.

At the time, the decision caused major debate with teams across the world in all sports and societies taking the knee following the death of George Floyd, which sparked the start of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Following his omission against West Indies, De Kock released a statement in which he apologised and said "I am not a racist", before returning to the team for the rest of the tournament.

"We all had a choice, when the Black Lives Matter thing came up, the team, we

all discussed it," De Kock said. "We thought as a team, we can all have our own views on it.

"A couple of us made a decision not to get on the

knee, but we were in support of the guys who were because we understand their background.

"We got the directive from the top - it was the

T&T’s Soca Warriors back in top 100 on FIFA World Rankings list; Reggae Boyz now at 56th

EIGHT-time Caribbean Cup champions Trinidad and Tobago have surged inside the top 100 on the FIFA World Rankings list for the first time in almost five years following recent wins over El Salvador and Curacao.

The Soca Warriors – in the latest list published Thursday – climbed four places up to 98th from 102, a spot they held in the last rankings in July. They were last inside the FIFA top 100 at 92nd in December 2018. Based on their world position, the twin island republic remains the fourth highest rated in Caribbean Football Union (CFU).

Meanwhile, Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz jumped two places up the FIFA list to 56th and remain number in CFU ahead of Haiti at 87th world ranked and Curacao (90th). Antigua and Barbuda complete the CFU’s top five at 137th.

In the only change to the CFU’s top 10, Guyana have climbed into 10th position with a three place move to 165th in the world, as Barbados – the result of Nations League losses to Montserrat and Nicaragua – slipped out of the top 10. The fell six

places on the world list from 166th to 172nd.

World champions Argentina strengthened their grip at the summit of the world rankings. The Argentines, who dethroned Brazil at the top in April, defeated Ecuador and Bolivia in their 2026 World

whole scenario, they told us on the morning of the game. How they are instructing/interfering in our team culture when they should be worried about bigger things than the protests, it just didn't sit right with myself and couple of other guys in the team.

"It's not objection, it's about you've taken someone's right away, who are they to force someone to do it? It doesn't matter if you are my boss, unfortunately in cricket, it doesn't work like that.

"The way of the world in which cricket works now, cricketers are becoming their own bosses now to a point. You think you can tell a

player what to do, you expect them to listen to you. I can promise you that most players will turn around to you and say no, that's not how it works.

"I wasn't going to let someone take my rights from me and unfortunately, it was in a public space which at the time it was quite stressful, but I thought what I did was right - not just for me but to show the team that you can stand up to what is right and what is wrong and for your rights as a player.

"It was more of a bigger picture for me."(BBC Sport)

Jags’ home match to be played in Barbados on Sunday

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has had to move the Guyana Lady Jags home game against Dominica in the Concacaf Road to Gold Cup 2023 on Sunday, September 24, 2023 to Wildey Stadium in Barbados.

The decision to change the venue from Guyana became necessary after Concacaf imposed a fine on Guyana following the home game between the Golden Jaguars men’s team and Bahamas in the Concacaf Nations League recently at the National Track and Field Centre (NT&FC) at Leonora.

In imposing the fine, Concacaf had informed the GFF that the playing surface was below the minimum required standards for international matches.

Mr. Wayne Forde, President of the GFF, said the Federation is not in a position at this time to provide assurances to Concacaf that the playing surface at NT&FC would meet the minimum requirement, despite efforts by the authorities of the NT&FC to correct the current situation.

Cup qualifiers earlier this month to improve their status.

Despite losing to Germany in a friendly last week, France retained second place, followed by Brazil (third), England (fourth) and Belgium (fifth).(Sportsmax).

He added that the GFF looks forward to hosting home matches in the near future once the venue meets the requirements.

The Lady Jags are competing in Group B of the Concacaf Road to Gold Cup 2023, while the Golden Jaguars are playing in the Concacaf Nations League.

The Lady Jags opened their campaign against Antigua/Barbuda on Wednesday, September 20 at the ABFA Technical Centre, St. John’s, Antigua before their second match against Dominica on Sunday. (GFFrelease)

South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock missed the first game of the T20 World Cup in 2021 against West Indies

‘Lady

Trinidad and Tobago’s senior men’s team

Tallawhas and Warriors face off tonight at Providence

By Sean Devers

THEIR roads to the playoffs could not have been more different…defending CPL Champions Jamaica Tallawhas have trod a rough and winding

tournament, was quick to point out to his team that he is not one to focus on the past, but looks at what is ahead.

The reality is that while they have failed to win six of their preliminary games,

Providence against a depleted TKR side without six of their senior players before losing to their arch rivals in qualifier one.

But this is nothing new for the Warriors since they have won the most matches in the 11-year history and have also been to five finals…always as the bridesmaids but never the bride.

The Warriors have been

..Winner to battle four-time champions TKR on Sunday CPL finale

dence the battle for a place in the final should be an epic one and the toss could play a major role, taking into consideration the dew factor and that the Warriors seem more comfortable chasing.

Warriors’ Shai Hope and 21-year-old left-hander Saim Ayub are the only batters with 400 runs in this year’s edition, but have

will be missed with the bat.

They have not found an opening partner for the consistent Ayub and tonight Kevlon Anderson, who looked accomplished in his 47 two matches ago could open with Ayub on a track that could have some ‘carry’ and offer some turn for the spinners.

Hope, one of five centurions this year is a classy batter and should bat at three, but with the repeated failures of one of their most talented batters Shimron Hetmyer and Chanderpaul Hemraj, the burden is for the burly keeper Azam Khan and all-rounders Romario Shepherd and Dwaine Pretorius to contribute with the bat.

Opening again with the expensive pacer should not be an option. The home franchise’s has a potent bowling attack and will

bank on the lively Shamar Joseph, Shepherd and Pretorius (pace), while Skipper 44-year-old Imran Tahir, Gudakesh Motie and possible off-spinner Junior Sinclair could utilize and draw sustenance from the track.

Tallawahs will depend on Englishman Alex Hales, also with a ton in the tournament, King, Fabian Allen, Raymond Reifer, Kirk McKenzie, Chris Green and Shamarh Brooks with the bat, while Mohammed Amir, Imad Wasim and Green are among the leading wicket-takers.

Nicholas Gordon, Shamar Springer and Reifer are also quality bowling options, while another massive crowd is anticipated to try and urge the Warriors to their sixth final.

road with five losses before beating the St Lucia Kings in their playoff game.

It was a similar situation last year when they rebounded to win the title and the Tallawahs Captain Brandon King, while cognisant of their up-and-down

they have entered the playoff with a clean slate and are now two matches away from back-to-back titles.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors on the other hand have travelled a smooth highway losing just once on their journey to the playoffs, including victory at

so dominant that one year they won every game and then lost the final, which they have never won.

But tonight, at Provi -

scored the bulk of the runs for team while all-rounder Keemo Paul, who is not expected to fully recover for the rest of the tournament,

Alex Hales

Brandon King

Shai Hope