Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 21-01-2022

MONDAY 24th JANUARY, 2022

No. 106614

Gov’t receives pre-qualification bids for gas-to-energy project

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Budget 2022: historic and transformational

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- says Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance

Enhancement works along the Lamaha corridor between Parade and Camp Streets are moving rapidly, as is evident in these Adrian Narine photographs

Citizens Bank records Hinterland UG ‘grads’ ready Free transportation for $1.1B profit after tax to serve their communities Wakenaam, Leguan students SEE PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 24, 2022

Gov’t receives pre-qualification bids for gas-to-energy project THE Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Natural Resources has received bids for prequalification for the gasto-energy project under the natural gas-fired power plant and natural gas liquids (NGL) plant.

During last Thursday’s bid-opening at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), 12 bids from local, regional and international firms were recorded.

They include Amerapex Cooperation (USA); NGC Group (Trinidad and Tobago); China Machinery Engineering Cooperation; CEPCOII Electric Power; CH4 Guyana Incorporated and Lyndsayca Incorporated; China Enegy International Guyana Company Limited; Apan Energy; Wison Offshore and Marine Limited; Constutora Queiroz Galvao; Tecnicas Reunidas; and Power China International Group Limited.

The rationale for com-

Preliminary artist’s impression of the natural gas plant (Source: EEPGL) bination of the power plant and NGL facilities is guided by findings by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) – the local

subsidiary of ExxonMobil – that there will be substantial savings from combining these two facilities.

As such, notwithstand-

ing that the Government of Guyana has separately received expressions of interest in September 2021 that included the power plant, and that EEPGL had separately pre-qualified firms for the NGL plant, the decision to combine the power and NGL plants necessitated that all interested parties be invited to submit or re-submit information.

BROAD PROJECT SCOPE According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, the scope of the project covers combined cycle turbines; multiple-fuel consumption (including rich and lean natural gas, natural gas liquids and diesel); powerplant to generate up to 300 MW of power with net 250 MW delivered into the Guyana Power and Light grid at a sub-station located on the East Bank of the Demerara River. The project shall include a 230 KV substation

and back-up fuel capacity; NGL plant with the capacity to process 60,000 cubic feet per day (MCFD) in the first phase and up to 120 MCFD in the second phase, capable of conditioning the gas and removing heavier hydrocarbons in the liquid form.

Five-day storage for these products to be provided, as well as truck or river loading facilities; and the project will include related infrastructure and civil works for the above facilities.

The project will be located in the Hermitage, part of the Wales Development Zone with approximately 150 acres allocated for it.

Notably, the government has invited interested parties to invest in its US$900 million gas-to-energy project Wales Development Zone (WDZ). A public notice from the Ministry of Natural Resources states that the WDZ was selected as the landing facility for

the pipeline, following the consideration of more than 20 potential locations.

The pipeline, which would end in the WDZ, will measure some 225 km from the Liza area, where the natural gas is produced.

GAS-PROCESSING PLANT The project will see the establishment of a gas-processing plant (GPP) and a natural gas liquids (NGL) facility, capable of producing at least 4,000 barrels per day, including the fractionation (or separating out) of liquiefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The government said a power plant will be established to generate 150 MW, with an additional 150 MW in a second phase, and that an industrial park will be established to comprise industries that could use gas, steam and/ or electricity.

ExxonMobil’s local affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), has guaranteed the government that a minimum of 50 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscfd) will be transported through the pipeline by 2024. The pipeline will have a maximum capacity of 130 mmscfd.

The gas-to-energy project, which is expected to come on stream by late 2024, is expected to reduce Guyana’s energy-sector emissions. The project will also cut electricity costs by more than half. The cost has long been regarded by the private sector as prohibitive for investments.

Hence, government expects the gas-to-energy project to revolutionise and to to significantly improve the ease of doing business in Guyana. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Monday, January 24, 2022

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Budget 2022: historic and transformational - says Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance

SENIOR Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, has expressed confidence in this year’s national fiscal plan, labelling it “historic” and “transformational.”

“Budget 2022 – if I were to highlight a single sentence to describe Budget 2022 it would really be to say that it will be transformational in the sense that many of the big initiatives that we have alluded to in the manifesto, [and] subsequently in the major presidential speeches.

One could easily get a good sense of the main priorities coming out of the manifesto,” the Finance Minister articulated during an interview with the National Com-

munications Network (NCN) on Sunday.

Sharing insight into the budget, Minister Singh said it intends to step up the pace with respect to rolling out the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government’s agenda for transformation.

And as such, he pointed out that citizens can expect the launch of a slew of major initiatives this year.

“With respect to the implementation of the transformational agenda to modernise the face of our country with respect to things like [sic] physical infrastructure, a lot of that is going to be happening in 2022. The theme of transformation and modernisation of Guyana is very deeply, and heavily em-

bedded in Budget 2022. It is very transformational in that regard,” the senior minister outlined.

One strong element of Budget 2022, Dr Singh highlighted, will be about creating opportunities for both Guyanese businesses and citizens, as he linked this to enactment of the local content legislation. He reminded the public that government passed the legislation with the specific objective of ensuring that opportunities are created for Guyanese businesses to be able to participate in the provision of goods and services in the oil and gas sector, as well as the creation of business opportunities for Guyanese businesses and citizens.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh A third theme of this year’s budget is improving people’s lives, he related.

“The President has repeatedly aired his forti-

tude for this commitment to improving the lives of all Guyanese, including, very importantly, equipping Guyanese with the skills that are needed to participate in this modern and transformed Guyana.”

Importantly, Budget 2022 will be financed partly

by Guyana’s oil revenues.

This will be Guyana’s first withdrawal from the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) since the country started collecting oil revenues in early 2020.

During an interview on NCN last week, Vice-president Dr Bharrat Jagdeo related that such a move is aimed at seeing Guyana borrow less.

More positive impacts are to be expected from the use of Guyana’s oil reve-

nues, as government has said it will spend from the fund to make people’s lives easier.

Currently, US$607 million sits in the fund. While the withdrawal rule restricts withdrawals from the fund to deposits made in the previous fiscal year, the first schedule of the Natural Resource Fund Act 2021 allows an exception in the first year, giving the government the latitude to withdraw the total balance in the Fund at once.

The Ministry of Finance has said that such a withdrawal is pertinent to address Guyana’s pressing development needs.

Budget 2022 will be presented on Wednesday, January 26.

Citizens Bank records $1.1B profit after tax

SHOWING its resilience in the face of adversity owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, Citizens Guyana Inc., has reported that it has ended the 2021 financial year with an after-tax profit of $1.1 billion.

According to the bank’s annual financial report, this after-tax profit represents an increase of $73.4 million or 7.5 per cent when compared to the corresponding period in 2020.

Reporting on the bank’s performance, Chairman of the Bank, Clifford Reis, in his report said: “I am pleased to report that Citizens Bank Guyana Inc. has recorded profits after taxation of $1.1 billion, representing an improvement of $73.4 million or 7.5 per cent when compared to the prior year.”

In speaking about the bank’s success, Reis said that the noteworthy performance should be seen in the context of the continuing negative impact of the global pandemic on the economy and the bank’s customers from every industry sector, coupled with other market factors, including the high level of liquidity and declining interest rates.

The bank’s total assets grew by 29.6 per cent, customers’ deposits by 34.6 per cent, receivables/loans by 6.5 per cent, and gross revenue increased by 5.3 per cent.

Net income for the year ending September 30, 2021, was $3.6 billion compared to $3.4 billion the prior year, an

Chairman of Citizens Bank, Clifford Reis increase of $0.2 million or $5.9 per cent and profit before taxation of $1.8 billion compared to $1.7 billion in the prior year, an increase of $0.2 billion or 5.9 per cent.

Its annualised return on average assets was 1.4 per cent while the return on shareholder’s equity was 10 per cent compared to 1.7 per cent and 10.1 per cent respectively in the prior year.

Non-performing loans on September 30, 2021, represented 7.7 per cent of the bank’s total loan portfolio compared to 8.7 per cent on September 30, 2020. The consolidated banking sector ratio for non-performing loans was 8.9 per cent at September 30, 2021.

Reis noted that total banking sector loans and advances grew by 8.0% to $280.9 billion at September

30, 2021, with private sector credit increasing by 8.8 per cent to $275.7 billion.

Deposits at the commercial bank increased by 16.0 per cent to $565.0 billion at September 30, 2021, with private sector deposits growing by 15.2 per cent to $459.2 billion; representing 81.3 per cent of the total banking sector deposits.

“The sector will continue to be characterized by intense competition amongst commercial banks and other financial institutions operating in a high liquidity and low-interest rate market, our success will, therefore, require that we remain creative and take appropriate initiatives to address those components of our operations that will ensure sustainable performances and that will allow us to offer existing and potential clients unmatched customer service, and product and services,” the Chairman stated.

2022 PLANS Reis disclosed that to ensure sustained growth and stability of the bank while remaining competitive and successful, several new systems will remain focused on the prudent management of expenses and risk management practices.

“In 2022, the bank will remain focused on the prudent management of expenses and risk management practices with emphasis on measures that will improve and strengthen our assessment and management of

risk. Improved operational efficiencies are also key to the sustainable growth and stability of the bank while remaining competitive and success in a very dynamic sector,” the statement by Reis said.

He further disclosed that during 2022 to promote accessibility to clients and potential clients, the bank will commence operations at its new Mandela Branch.

Additionally, work will commence on the construction of the bank’s new $800 million Bartica branch.

Reis also stated that another major endeavour that the bank will undertake in 2022 is the move to mobile banking. He noted that worldwide the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the way routine operations are done, including simple banking transitions.

“The COVID-19 pandemic and its many protocols, including physical distancing, has highlighted the need for an expanded digital strategy and in 2022 we intend to increase the utilisation of technology to drive their digital platform to include digital onboarding and the process leading to the introduction of a mobile banking application,” said Reis.

ANTICIPATED GROWTH Even as the company looks to implement new systems to grow, Reis noted that it anticipates significant growth as the Guyana economy continues to grow from oil and gas sector earnings.

He noted that the company remains confident that the implementation of its strategies will allow it to deliver positive results for

its stakeholders.

In 2020, shareholders benefited from a dividend of $3.15 per share. The bank paid an interim dividend of $0.90 per share in May 2021. The directors now recommend a final dividend of $2.60 per share bringing the total dividend payment to $3.50 per share for a total payout of $208.2 million.

“The Guyana economy is projected to grow by 46.5 per cent during fiscal 2022 buoyed by the continued expansion of the oil and gas sector and increase in output from the traditional sectors, which sectors are expected to benefit from the government’s expansive infrastructure development programme and increases foreign direct Investments,” Reis’s statement added.

Citizens Bank headquarters at Camp Street and South Road

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New Zealand PM cancels wedding amid COVID spike

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has cancelled her wedding after announcing new COVID restrictions.

The entire country is set to be placed under the highest level of COVID restrictions after an outbreak of the Omicron variant.

The restrictions include a cap of 100 vaccinated people at events and mask wearing in shops and on public transport.

New Zealand has recorded 15,104 COVID cases and 52 deaths.

Ardern confirmed to reporters on Sunday that her wedding to television host Clarke Gayford would not be going ahead.

“I am no different to, dare I say it, thousands of other New Zealanders who have had much more devastating impacts felt by the pandemic, the most gutting of which is the inability to be with a loved

New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern (BBC/GETTY IMAGES) one sometimes when they are gravely ill,” she said.

“That will far, far outstrip any sadness I experience,” she added.

The new restrictions come into force at midnight on Sunday local time (11:00 GMT).

It comes after a cluster of nine Omicron cases were confirmed.

A family who had at-

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 24, 2022

Four more COVID-19 deaths, 642 new cases recorded

tended a wedding in Auckland tested positive after returning home to the South Island.

A flight attendant also contracted the virus. Officials say the level of community transmission from the group is expected to be high.

Indoor hospitality venues and events will have their capacity capped to 100 vaccinated people or 25 if vaccine passes are not being used. This also includes gyms and weddings, the New Zealand Herald reports.

Students including year four and above will be required to wear masks in school.

New Zealand has operated under strict COVID rules since the start of the pandemic, allowing it to keep deaths to a minimum. It was one of the first countries in the world to close its borders and quashed earlier outbreaks with lockdowns.

But since the emergence of the Delta variant, Ardern has switched from a total COVID elimination strategy to pushing for higher vaccination rates and treating the virus as endemic.

It’s thought that about 94 per cent of the country’s population over the age of 12 is fully vaccinated and 56 per cent of eligible people have had their boosters.

Last year, the country announced plans to reopen borders as part of a staged reopening. Foreign travellers will be the last group to be granted entry into the country, from 30 April.

(BBC)

FOUR more persons have died after contracting COVID-19, taking Guyana’s overall death toll to 1,134 the Ministry of Health has reported.

The ministry said that among the fatalities are three residents of Region Three: a 68-year-old fully vaccinated man who died on January 21, a 46-year-old fully vaccinated woman who died on January 20 and a 67-year-

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old man whose vaccination status is unknown and who died on January 23. The fourth person is an unvaccinated 88-year-old woman from Region 10, who died on January 23.

Additionally, there are currently 13,788 active COVID-19 cases in Guyana, following the addition of 642 new cases on January 23, 2021.

The new cases are spread across the ten administrative regions.

Region Four accounted for 251 of those cases. Region One recorded 37; Region Two, 31; Region Three, 83; Region Five, 66; Region Six, 72; Region Seven, 22; Region Nine, two and Region 10, 78.

The country has now recorded a total of 57,227 confirmed cases since the first COVID-19 case was reported in March 2020.

Of the active cases, 19 persons are at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Dis-

eases Hospital, Liliendaal; 175 are in institutional isolation; 13,580 are in home isolation, and 14 are in institutional quarantine.

Many of the persons infected with the virus are said to be asymptomatic, that is, they are not exhibiting symptoms.

The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures are in force until January 31, 2021.

They may be extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions of the pandemic.

As per the current measures, all persons are required to wear face masks when leaving their homes, and physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are recommended. The current curfew is 12:00hrs to 04:00hrs.

Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166; 226-7480; or 180/181 for assistance.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE

Monday, January 24, 2022

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Region One UG graduates hoping to inspire others to pursue higher education

- say new knowledge will help improve their communities

By Tamica Garnett DEALING with the culture shock of being in a new place, leaving their families and facing financial challenges are just some of the struggles endured by many hinterland residents who take the bold step to relocate to the coast to pursue a university education.

However, every year, dozens do it nonetheless and stand out as inspiration to others to never give up on pursuing their dreams. Pursing tertiary education is not among the life goals for many in the hinterland, but several, who are scheduled to graduate from the University of Guyana (UG) next month are hoping to use their experiences to change this mindset.

Their plan is to return to their respective communities and help fellow villagers understand the importance of higher education.

“I just want to inspire others. I’m glad of my accomplishment and that I can now go and impart my knowledge to children in my community, where I can be a leader and role model to others in the community,” shared 29-yearold Alicia James, who has completed her Associate Degree in Education.

A mother of two, James is a teacher at the Four Miles Nursery School in Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima Waini), and is looking forward to returning to the classroom as the first university graduate

teacher at her school.

James has been a teacher for the past 12 years, and loved the idea of developing herself academically. Her aim was to pursue university studies so that she could be better equipped to impart knowledge to those she taught, as well as her own children.

“I love spending time with the children. The whole reason I became a teacher is to impart knowledge to others. Through becoming trained I’m gaining a lot of knowledge and experience. It helps me as a teacher to better be able to conduct myself and to help others,” she shared.

James is particularly cognizant that many residents in her community do not see education as a priority and she hopes to be part of changing that culture so that one day hinterland students will display a burning desire for pursing academics.

But for James, coming to the coastland meant a lot of changes and sacrifices. Now, she is glad to be able to reap the success after years of hard work.

“It’s a challenge leaving your family and coming out away from them, especially for me because I’m married and had to leave my husband behind. I was able to bring my children with me and had them attending school out here.

But it was really hard at first figuring out the transportation out here; that was indeed a challenge, but I had to learn

my way around,” she told this publication.

ALMOST GAVE UP Meanwhile, 25-year-old Ameena George, who is also a teacher, shared similar views.

Like James, she is also from Region One and prior to her relocation to the coast to attend the UG, she taught at the St Nicholas Nursery School in Manawarin Village.

Graduating with her Bachelor Degree in Education, George said it was no walk in the park getting to where she is today.

“I am overwhelmed and very happy because I couldn’t believe I would’ve been able to do it because I am a single mother and you can only imagine how hard it was.

At some parts, I thought I would’ve given up but I had supportive friends and family that actually pushed me and made me complete my studies and I am very happy and feel so lucky,” George told the Guyana Chronicle.

The mother of two shared: “Sometimes I even felt like I was neglecting my children as I’m studying but I always try to think on the positive side.

Now I want to take a little break so I can spend time with

my children before I go for my Master Degree.”

George, who became a mother at the age of 16, told this publication that she was all too cognizant of the need for her to ensure that she became educated to set an example for her own children and those she was responsible for educating.

She entered the teaching profession in 2015, and is overjoyed at how she has been able to grow since then.

“I started in 2015. I was the lowest teacher in status there, and I am surprised at how far I am and I am so proud of myself to have come so far,” she expressed.

Among her biggest struggles over the years was finding the finances to get by while she tried to develop herself academically. Nonetheless, the jovial young woman said she tried to stay positive and hoped for the best.

What she loves most about teaching is how even in her own dire circumstances she can still be able to touch the lives of others, especially children.

“Sometimes there are some children that [sic] come from homes where they are

Ameena George going through so much[sic] problems at home, and sometimes they come to school and are just so happy to see you.

They feel almost like you’re a parent also, and I just feel so happy when I can get these children to learn because a lot of them are willing to learn, even though they don’t get

Alicia James that core support from home.

When I can see them be happy and feel comfortable with me that is all I need,” she added.

Now returning to her community as a university graduate, she feels that she is more equipped to help the children at her school whom she loves so dearly.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 24, 2022

Prime Minister Mia Mottley

BARBADOS is noted for many things: beautiful beaches, blue waters, sun, sea and sand, flying fish and the hospitality of its people which make it one of the top tourist destinations in the Caribbean.

In fact, the country obtains a significant share of its foreign exchange from tourism, which took a fair amount of beating as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The economy however has shown some measure of resilience due to a substantial stimulus package by the Barbados Government and measures to reorient the country in the direction of a servicedriven economy and an international business centre.

Much of these achievements are attributable to the leadership style of the country’s Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who recently swept the polls, winning all of the 30 parliamentary seats. She had only recently piloted the ship of state into republican status, which no doubt would have added to her stature as

a leader.

Barbados is home to a significant number of Guyanese, many of whom migrated during the dark period of PNC authoritarian rule.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali extended congratulations to Prime Minister Mottley on her victory and that of her party, the Barbados Labour Party (BLP).

This is her second consecutive sweep of the polls which speaks to the high quality of leadership she and her party have provided to the Barbadian people over the past years.

In his congratulatory message, President Ali said that her re-election provided an opportunity for Guyana to concretise the plans and programmes agreed between the two countries. “I look forward to our continued collaboration at the regional level as we endeavour to advance our integration process and to secure the benefits that our people deserve,” the President said.

Both Guyana and Barbados are currently examining

ways to deepen relations both at the bilateral and the multilateral levels. Among the several areas of cooperation and collaboration are investments in agriculture and fisheries, oil and gas, mining, forestry, tourism, transportation, housing and water resources. Only recently, a high-level delegation from both countries met to discuss and promote business and investment opportunities between the two countries.

But it is the adherence to the norms of democratic and constitutional rule that has been a defining characteristic of the country. Unlike Guyana, when attempts were made by the APNU+AFC to rig the March 2, 2020 National and Regional Elections, elections in Barbados were incident-free and the results known and accepted by the political opposition and for that matter the population as a whole. In fact, the leader of the rival Democratic Labour Party (DLP) was among the first to have conceded defeat and offer congratulations to the

victorious Mottley and her party.

These are indeed the hallmarks of a functioning democracy, something which the political opposition in Guyana would do well to emulate. Conceding defeat and being gracious in the face of defeat are virtues that should be embraced by all politicians, especially when such elections are certified as being free and fair by local and international observers.

There was no need, as was the case of Guyana, for a large contingent of local and overseas observer groups and there is generally full confidence in the body responsible for the conduct of free and fair elections.

In fact, Barbados has always been a strong advocate for free and fair elections in Guyana. Former Prime Minister, the late Owen Arthur, headed a Commonwealth delegation at the last General and Regional elections and was very vocal against electoral fraud. It is to the credit of current Prime Min-

ister Mia Mottley, along with other regional leaders that a CARICOM team was assembled to supervise the recount exercise which validated a PPP/C victory. Indeed, it took a fair measure of armtwisting by the international community before former President David Granger conceded defeat, but not before signalling his intention to mount a legal challenge to the results.

Apart from the strong democratic credentials of Barbados, both countries have much in common. Both are now fully independent countries with a history of colonial and neo-colonial rule. Both countries face similar existential threats from rising sea levels triggered by climate change and now a COVID-19 pandemic that is impacting adversely on the economic and social life of the two countries and the Region as a whole.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley has certainly broken the glass ceiling when it comes to the empowerment of leaders in the Caribbean and for

the second time demonstrated that politics is no longer the preserve of male politicians. She has joined the ranks of several illustrious women Heads of State in the Region, including the likes of Janet Jagan of Guyana, Kamla-Persaud Bissessar in Trinidad and Tobago, Eugenia Charles of Dominica and Portia Simpson-Miller of Jamaica.

These are all outstanding women leaders whose contributions to the politics of the Region will remain a lasting testament to the power and courage of women to change the political and social landscape of the Region in deeply profound ways.

President Irfaan Ali has extended warmest congratulations to Prime Minister Mottley and the Barbadian people for their commitment to democracy and democratic norms and has pledged his full support to the government and people of Barbados in their quest to create a better life for the people of Barbados.

Norton can put his suggestions in writing Dear Editor, VALUE Added Tax (VAT) on education, water, electricity, food, medical items and dismantling of the CSO programme which employed over 2,000 Amerindians, and closure of GuySuCo estates which saw over 7,000 workers fired… were among the draconian budget measures delivered by the PNC-dominated

APNU+ AFC administered government; so when Aubrey Norton says he has made budgetary suggestions to the government for consideration, I worry.

Given that Norton and his party have recently opposed the cash grant and uniform subsidy to schoolchildren, the flood relief grants to farmers affected by flood, the increase in pen-

sions and the supplementary cash grant to pensioners, the compensation to GuySuCo workers who were fired, I find Norton’s sudden suggestions worrisome. It is, for this reason, I would ask that Norton and the PNC put their ideas in written form for consideration, these suggestions should include specifics such as who are the intended beneficiaries and the cost of

the programme (no APNU maths please).

Aubrey Norton became noticeably unhinged when reporters questioned if he would be installed firstly in Parliament and secondly as Leader of the Opposition on those benches; it is clear that his election in a process where only 1,200 of 3,000 registered delegates participated has left linger-

ing doubts as to Norton’s authority and longevity in the position. Aubrey Norton can cement his authority if he could produce the PNC/ APNU+AFC’s copies of the 2020 Election Statements of Poll; such a move would demonstrate that Norton is indeed the new leader of the PNC and not a placeholder with neither authority nor reach.

The PNC took a risk when electing Norton as their new leader; Norton’s penchant for intemperate remarks and his semi-permanent scowl was on display during his press conference yesterday (January 21, 2022) as he refused to answer questions from the floor then incredibly, attempted to direct the reporters on what TURN TO PAGE 7

Joel Bhagwandin appointed Managing Director of Tristar Inc

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Monday, January 24, 2022

Managing Director Joel Bhagwandin OWNER/EXECUTIVE Chairman of Tristar Inc, Krishna Persaud and newly appointed Managing Director, Joel Bhagwandin, who were both born and raised on the West Bank of Demerara, are forging ahead to be the leaders of a major transformational development project on the West Bank and West Coast of Demerara.

The planned developmental project will be one of the largest on the West

Demerara corridor.

Both Persaud and Bhagwandin are deeply passionate about giving back to the community and pioneering this monumental development project, which will ultimately transform the economic landscape and the socio-economic well-being of the people on the West Bank and West Coast of Demerara.

“Developing countries’ aspirations to become developed nations have vari-

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ous criteria to hurdle. Apart from the usual economic indicators, one of the key infrastructure indicators for assessing the status of a country’s development is evaluating the ports of entry, namely the counties[sic] airports and main ports accessing world trade opportunities. Other key infrastructure indicators would be the state of development of major roads, bridges, health care and tertiary school education [and] school opportunities in country.

“Guyana is well underway in upgrading all these and clearly the need to open up the West Bank to more than one port of entry will benefit Guyana tremendously. These state-of-theart port facilities for container terminal and cruise ships will link Guyana to wider capacity trade globally, coupled with a facility dedicated and designed ‘fit for purpose’ for the fabrication of heavy oil-field equipment, will attract the present work being done in Louisiana to move here to Guyana and stimulate further downstream fabrication industries to relocate to Guyana,” Tristar said in a release.

“Moreover, all of these

Norton can put...

FROM PAGE 6 questions to ask. (Norton) character is more suited to the low-pressure environs of BamBam Alley (Located in Orange Walk) than the intellectually challenging questions posed by news reporters working the highpressure political beat. This is not far off what Norton’s immediate predecessor, David Granger, practised; Granger, however, simply chose to do away with press conferences and instead perform puppetry on his ‘In the Public Interest’ one-on-one ‘interviews’. Contrast these

men with the Founder-Leader of the PNC, LFS Burnham (https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Df9ZtaFj_KI), and one becomes appalled at how low the palm tree branches have sunk.

President Irfaan Ali does not need to consult with the PNC on budgetary suggestions to provide benefit to the people of Guyana; Ali is guided by a manifesto of promises made to the electorate, a manifesto with carefully thought out ideas, plans, policies, and programmes to benefit all Guyanese and

to grow the nation’s economy. Citizens already benefitted by paying billions less in taxes in 2021 and we can do without the ‘tax and spend’ squandermania approach of the PNC and coalition partners; Norton can put his suggestions in writing as suggested and he is reminded that PPP/C ministers do not need to eat 1.2 billion in take-out annually nor (wear) gold bangles to perform their sworn duty to the people of Guyana.

Yours sincerely, Robin Singh

West Bank development port initiatives are in alignment with a developing country status, putting its foundations in for trading and competing globally.

“Tristar supports the government’s initiatives and support for neighbouring port-development plans as it continues [to] play a role in Guyana’s development.

“We all consciously put Guyana first as we are here to build for this generation and the next generation, a better and stronger Guyana.

“We are now global on the energy market and therefore need to recognise the golden opportunity to also diversify and develop our trade capacity with the rest of the world, opening up our port capacity to not only the energy industry, but [also] to the globe,” the release said.

Owner/Executive Chairman of Tristar Inc, Krishna Persaud This development will Persaud, over the years, has done many philanthrop- create both direct and ic, humanitarian and com- indirect employment opmunity development work portunities for at least on the West Bank and West 100+ Guyanese during Coast of Demerara as part the development and opof his quest and deep pas- erational stages of the sion to give back to these project, on the West Bank of Demerara. communities.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 24, 2022

Chronicles of a Chronic Guyana Chronicler

Budgeting for All – and those who matter most!

By Earl Bousquet

ONCE upon a time, national Guyana budgets were (almost) more about figures than facts, governments stretching numbers the widest, utilising the best mathematics to do the most with little or less, expenditure dependent essentially on rice and sugar earnings and sales and taxes on other major exports, finance ministers sharpening pencils, erasing stats and drawing new lines as things change and costs rise faster than money comes in.

Back in those 20th Century days when reference to Guyana was prefixed by reference to ‘the second poorest country in the Hemisphere’ or ‘the poorest CARICOM member-state’, the Guyana dollar was considered not worth a cent, external fac-

tors influenced constant low prices for major exports and the republic’s debt payback record was never the best.

Budgeting by governments was always a migraine headache; but not anymore.

Finance ministers’ headaches at the start of the third decade of Century 21 have had less to do with revenues than expenditure, more to do with how-much-more to do without going overboard, how best to balance expenditure between capital and social projects, create more jobs, make people’s lives better, reduce poverty and increase opportunities, reduce foreign and national debt by spending more of new earnings – and deciding which election promises to keep first.

The official press release announcing Wednesday’s 2022 Budget Presentation

included some brand-new elements for the third since 2020 elections, among them ‘a continuation of the fastpaced development path’ started with the $383 Billion 2021 Budget; and the 2022 Estimates of Revenue and expenditure will be the first to be partly-financed by the country’s oil-and-gas earnings, now standing at US $607 million in ready cash.

This time, there’s enough money to go-around wellenough without engaging in wild spending as if oil prices will never dip and there’ll always be money for-everand-ever.

The projects mentioned in curtain-raising statements all sound promising and worth lookingforward to.

This year’s debate will be the usual legally-formatted parliamentary presentations and debates, inquiries and

explanations, allegations and rebuttals, as the two sides again discuss and exchange on figures and projects and argue about exclusions and inclusions – all with the usual interchangeable partisan and national, Government vs Opposition narratives and accompanying drama tones.

At the end of the day, after the talking is over and the votes are counted, the government’s proposals will be approved – unless the unexpected happens in a National Assembly where the whole world has learned, especially of late, to always expect the unexpected.

Unfortunately, the process of presenting and passing budgets in Caribbean parliaments is still steeped in Westminster approaches that ensure guaranteed overall opposition to or disagreement with any and/or all major

government proposals by the parliamentary Opposition.

In the Guyana context today, though, although the parliamentary and political Opposition have both had the experience of budgeting during the oil era, barring announcement of unexpected or surprising developments within the next two days, there’ll most likely be reason to pay as much attention to the parliamentary opposition’s presentations, if only to measure the extent to which they may reflect the thinking of the new leadership of the major extra-parliamentary opposition unit, the PNC/R. But apart from the usual attention to budgetary proposals with a high degree of skepticism and doubt among many that Government and Opposition will agree on anything, budget presentations are also followed by people

The potential of play

PARENTS often criticise children for wanting to play. They say, ‘You play too much, pick up yuh book’. At puberty (11-13 years old), if a child still runs around with younger children, playing in the yard, jumping over fences, or playing hopscotch, parents say, ‘A big child like you running in and out with these small children? You best find something else fuh do’.

But is there something wrong with a child of any size wanting to play?

There is a time for everything, and children should not be playing if they have responsibilities to take care of or chores to be done. But neither should they be discouraged when they do play. Did you know that playing is a natural and pleasant way for children to keep active? It also promotes a good sense of well-being and contentment.

Parents do not have to force children to play or reward them for playing; children have an inbuilt desire to play around and have fun. Although the type of play and the purpose will change as they grow, let them play as long as they are gainfully entertained and are suitably monitored by adults.

Playing contributes to their healthy development.

For children to benefit fully from play, they should be allowed to choose how they play; there is no need for play to be structured.

In playschool and nursery settings a variety of playthings are provided to children and play areas where they

can use their imagination and create their fun. Wherever possible, parents at home should do the same.

Children from birth to teenagers should have the opportunity and resources to devise their play. It is a simple measure to provide for children, which improves their mental and physical development immensely - through play, children learn valuable life skills.

Children learn a lot about themselves and the world around them through play. They learn critical thinking, problem-solving and discover their interests and capabilities.

Toddlers find out how things work while putting them together (puzzles, building blocks etc.), and they learn pretty early about cause and effect. (e.g. if I push this button, the bell goes ding dong). During play, they build their memory, vocabulary, abilities and understanding. They also learn how to interact with their peers and adults.

Some children are naturally more inquisitive than others, and it can be frustrating when a child is always asking questions. But asking questions is a good trait; if parents do not know the answer, they should admit same and look up the answer, for or with the child. Children should be encouraged to explore and learn new things.

When children ask questions, many parents tell them, ‘yuh too fast,’ meaning they are nosey - especially if a truthful answer may embarrass the

adult. Some parents do not recognise that the prying child has a thirst for knowledge. Knowledge is never too much; questions can be answered in a child-friendly manner, appropriate to the child’s age. As the child grows parents can expand on content accordingly. A welcoming approach is far better than rebuking a child for his/her curiosity.

When young children are left alone to play outside, they might do things such as dig up dirt and pretend it is food. All the time, they are in their little world. They may put the soil in a little cup, mix it around and soon they will invite ‘a friend’ to come for dinner. Outwardly they are playing, passing the time and having fun. Inwardly they are developing their creativity, imagination, and socio-emotional skills. Children can imitate (during play) an entire scenario based loosely upon what they have observed from the life around them.

Older children (among peers and siblings) prefer games to test their skills, whether at a board game (drafts or chess) or outdoor sport such as cricket or football. If older children have fun playing with the younger ones, that is okay; as long as the games are appropriate and the older children are trustworthy. Children should not be left unsupervised for long periods; adults should always be present in the vicinity to keep a watchful eye.

Reading to children can be a fun activity that evolves as children grow.

It is pretty normal to introduce books to babies when they are a few months old. Showing a suitable picture book to a 6-month-old will stimulate some cognitive development, and, after a while, the child will get used to the words associated with the pictures.

Although babies will not get the hang of books and stories for some time to come, it is a start in the right direction. In time children can participate because they know some of the words – this will help develop their intellectual and language skills.

Parents should not limit their child’s ability, pigeonhole them or restrain them from playing, but encourage play-based activities from which they can learn. Skills needed for study, work and relationships can be honed through the freedom of play and sharing books with children.

Other ways of promoting positive development while having fun with children include singing, acting, dancing and sports. These feel-good activities enhance positive development physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially. Remember all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

Earl Bousquet with expectations that some of the goodies promised will flow into their communities and homes, stomachs and pockets.

Communities that feel ignored or not considered in national planning over decades will also lend an ear, as will minorities and other sectors traditionally underrepresented or hardly consulted ahead of budget preparations -- especially in these oil-and-gas times.

One of the problems facing Caribbean nations that still belong to the British Commonwealth in the postcolonial era is their apparent unwillingness or inability to seek the backing for at home and implement those constitutional changes that will allow for fundamental changes –like (in this case) a wider participation of the budgeting process.

As things stand now, Finance Ministries engage in months of preparatory consultations with government ministries and departments, private and public sectors and other traditional ‘special interests’ and ‘stakeholders’, but there’s hardly a direct line to people in communities and at their homes or workplaces.

Fact is: Budgets are about people, documents with ingredient facts and figures gathered and prepared by politicians and technocrats to fit the day’s discussion of the government’s proposed menu for the next year’s breakfast, lunch and dinner for all.

It’s also, in great part, on voters’ assessment of how annual budgets impact them that most cast their ballots every five years (or whenever elections come) to keep or kick-out the government of the day.

But budgets are more than just yardsticks for measurement of government performance, as they will eventually affect every single person across the nation – indeed, all Guyanese at home and abroad.

Nothing wrong and all right, therefore, to take the annual budget proposals directly to the people to whom they matter most: The Voters and their families – and everyone else!

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Monday, January 24, 2022

9

Free transportation for Wakenaam, Leguan students

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, handing over the keys for the school buses to a teacher of Leguan Secondary School (DPI photo) STUDENTS of Wakenaam and Leguan Islands, Region Three, will now be able to travel to school in comfort and their parents will be relieved of transportation costs, following the handing over on Saturday of school buses valued close to $10 million.

This is the first time that these communities have benefitted from such a boost in the education sector. Wakenaam resident Tom Singh told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that he is thankful to the President Irfaan Ali-led Government and the regional administration for recognising the need for the vehicles and for delivering them.

Leguan Secondary School, Grade 11 student, Emonte Sahadeo, also thanked the government for providing the buses, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The school is far away from my home and so I would like to thank His Excellency Irfaan Ali for providing a bus for us, because not everyone has the luxury of a vehicle or money to pay transportation every day.”

She added that the bus will now “relieve the [financial] burden on our parents and also students can attend school more regularly, because due to the rainy weather, we have a hard time to come to school, so I think that this is a great opportunity for everyone to

achieve a better education.”

Roshan Budhu, a student of Essequibo Islands Secondary School, said he is “grateful for the donation of this bus, as it will help those of the less fortunate to attend school, especially during the bad weather and those whose parents cannot afford to pay [a] taxi every day.”

ADDRESS LATENESS Head of the Agriculture Department at the Leguan Secondary School, Virendra Chintamani, commended the government for undertaking this initiative since students’ tardiness has become an issue.

“We find here [in Leguan] daily that the students are coming to school about 15 to 20 minutes late and the reason for that is those residing in the far-flung areas are having a difficult time with their bicycles due to the mud on the road.”

“So, we have to accept that sometimes that when they are late that we cannot do anything about it and so the initiative with the donation of this bus would ease the burden of those students in the far-flung areas especially, the [transportation] cost,” he told DPI. To this end, Chintamani urged the soon-to-be established management committee to overlook the school bus and craft a schedule that will enable the students living in the far-flung communities

to be picked up promptly for school.

FULFILMENT OF COMMITMENT Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, said that presentation of the vehicles is a manifestation of the PPP/C Government’s commitment to the people, to ensure that equitable access to education is provided to all.

“Today, I think is the most important because we are contributing to the most important asset that someone can have and that is knowledge through education.

Schools are very important, going to school is extremely important because I believe that as we progress in our community and our country, that is going to take us out of poverty -- education.”

As such, the minister said that the regional administration will partner with the relevant officials to provide fuel, as well as the placement and salaries of the drivers for the buses.

However, he hopes that responsible adults are selected to carry out this duty, whilst prioritising those less fortunate to attend school.

“I will not tolerate incidences [sic] where we have drivers drinking and driving our children or even persons who don’t take their duty seriously; and so that I would encourage the regional administration to identify persons who understand their responsibility in the interest of the children,” the Local Government Minister said.

He also urged the students and teachers to care for the buses to ensure that others like themselves can benefit from them.

The minister also handed over two brush cutters to both of the islands’ beautification projects. One will be managed by the Wakenaam Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and the other by the Leguan Neighbourhood Democratic Council

One of the buses that was handed over to the islands (DPI photo)

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall (centre) and Regional Chairman Ishan Ayube (left), hand over the brush cutter to a representative of the Leguan Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) (DPI photo) (NDC).

It was noted that both islands are expected to benefit from significant investments aimed at enhancing their agriculture, education, health as well as road infrastructure via this year’s national budget.

Region Three Regional Executive Officer Jagnarine Somwar, Regional Chairman Ishan Ayube and other government officials were also present during the handing-over ceremony.

(DPI)

Head of the Agriculture Department at the Leguan Secondary School, Virendra Chintamani

Roshan Budhu, student of Essequibo Islands Secondary School

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 24, 2022

CANU boosting capacity to weed out drug traffickers

By Jared Liddell

AS the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) continues to focus on boosting its capacity to tackle drug trafficking across the country and at the borders, its head, James Singh, says eradicating drug use in communities is high on the agenda.

Singh during a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday, pointed out that drug trafficking is not only dangerous for the offender but also users, the community and the country as a whole.

He noted that it is with this in mind that the operations at CANU have been boosted in recent months as part of efforts to apprehend and bring to justice drug traffickers and smugglers.

Singh disclosed that on Friday, three persons were charged in connection with an operation conducted by CANU officers on January 19, 2022, on the Panamanian registered Motor Vessel “Diego”, at Guyana National Industrial Company (GNIC).

That operation resulted in the discovery of 14 taped parcels of cannabis weighing 6.046 kilograms or 36 pounds and the arrest of 18 crew members and one GNIC security officer.

“Our operations as re-

cent as last week whereby we intercepted a vessel with marijuana going to a Caribbean territory is to ensure that narcotics do not leave Guyana, whether it’s on a plane or a boat and ends up elsewhere irrespective of the quantity,” Singh said.

CANU in a press release following the discovery had said that investigations led to the arrest of 29-year-old Epiphany Mc Lennon, a vendor of Lot 58 Patterson Street, ‘B’ Field Sophia, and 56-year-old Fredy Diaz Cabrera, a Dominican engineer of Lot 151, 3rd Street, Montrose, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Under caution, Mc Lennon and Cabrera allegedly made oral statements accepting ownership of the narcotics and named 45-year-old Eustace Rodrigues, a painter of Albouystown, Georgetown, as their accomplice.

The trio appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Friday where Cabrera pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years, six months in jail together with a fine of $14,441,400 by Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus. His co-accused were remanded to prison after pleading not guilty and will make their second court appearance on February 25.

CONTINUED EFFORTS Singh told this publication that the unit is working

- aims to have drug-free communities

CANU Head, James Singh to minimise the occurrence of drug trafficking across Guyana.

He noted that collaboration between the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and other law enforcement agencies has played a pivotal role in the seizure of a large portion of narcotics and other illegal substances.

“CANU’s operations around the country in the various communities are meant to ensure or create safe spaces within these communities so that there is no drug use or there is no selling of narcotics in these areas. We want to make sure that the communities are drug-free, that’s by bringing joint operations either

with police or on our own, targeting persons who are selling marijuana or crack cocaine or any kind of narcotics in these areas,” Singh said.

As of September 6, 2021, the police seized about 1, 530 pounds or 693.2 kilogrammes of illegal drugs, which include cocaine, cannabis, and ecstasy.

The drugs were seized between January 1 – September 6, 2021 during intelligence-led operations.

This information was contained in a report released by the GPF. It was stated that some 347.2 pounds or 157.5 kilogrammes of cannabis was confiscated up to that point while in 2020, 1,136 pounds or 515.3 kilogrammes were seized.

The report also disclosed that there was a slight increase in the amount of cocaine seized this year, According to the statistics, 1, 181 pounds were seized compared to the 1, 180 pounds in 2020.

Approximately 2, 316 pounds or 1, 050 kilograms of illegal drugs were seized in 2020. When compared to illegal drugs seized for the same period

CANU ranks during a drug eradication exercise in September, 2021

Epiphany Mc Lennon

Fredy Diaz Cabrera

in 2020, a 33.9 per cent decrease was recorded.

Ecstasy recorded the lowest number of seizures as 52.1 grammes were seized in 2021, while 54 grammes were seized in 2020.

In September 2021, the GPF and CANU destroyed over 2,000 kilos of cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, and other illicit drugs. The GPF disclosed that the narcotics destroyed were from operations conducted by the police and CANU over the last two years.

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, in a recent interview had highlighted that there has been significant success in the

fight against drug trafficking in several communities across Guyana; and that significant seizures, destruction, and the capture of planes and persons transporting narcotics have been recorded at Nine Miles, Potaro, Orealla, and Kwakwani.

Minister Benn indicated that CANU has information relating to the involvement of several high-ranking persons of interest in drugtrafficking operations here.

He had noted that CANU ranks will act at the opportune time to ensure success in its operations.

The Home Affairs Minister had further noted that since the government took office in August 2020, it has worked strategically to verify the identification of several persons who were confirmed to be involved in narco-trafficking.

Additionally, the minister had noted that the government continues to boost its efforts to ensure that prosecutors representing the GPF and CANU can take these cases to court and have the drug traffickers convicted.

“There has been some training together with the Attorney General’s Chambers with agencies in the United States, either virtually or directly face-to-face, with respect to prosecutorial training for the persons who have to go to court, representing the state in respect to these and other matters and so refresher training, of course, has to continue and we have to make sure that we have integrity in the work that is done at all levels,” Minister Benn had noted.

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Monday, January 24, 2022

Labour relations conference for CANtec Technical O&G companies in the works Institute launched

11

- to focus on labour laws, penalties for breaches

THE Ministry of Labour (MoL) is planning to host a labour relations conference with approximately 80 companies involved in Guyana’s oil and gas sector by this month-end.

During a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, subject minister Joseph Hamilton shared that invitations for the conference which will tentatively be held on January 28, have already been sent out to the companies.

He sees the conference as a pivotal event, as it will be used to put the companies on notice regarding areas where they are breaching labour laws in Guyana and sanctions that will be imposed for noncompliance.

“We have a long list of about 80 companies that have been invited to attend.

I would say the attendance is mandatory because going forward after that no one will be able to say that they are not aware as to what the law is as regards any of the functions.

We have a tentative date of 28 January, where we will have a conference,” Minister Hamilton told this publication.

He said the invitations were sent out based on a list that was supplied by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

As Guyana continues to develop local content in the oil and gas industry, the MoL is seen as having a critical role to play in ensuring that Guyanese employees in this sector are being treated fairly, and are working under safe conditions.

As the official government agency in charge of ensuring that employees in Guyana are properly treated, aside from dealing with employee welfare matters, the MoL also has oversight for Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), and recruitment, which is monitored by the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA), as well as internship and apprenticeship arrangements, which come under the authority of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

Minister Hamilton explained to this publication that the conference will focus on making the companies au fait with all of Guyana’s various labour laws, and what they need to do to ensure that they become and remain compliant.

“We will outline all the obligations of companies as it [sic] relates [sic] to labour

Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton relations, and issues such as equal pay for equal work. The Chief Labour Officer will make a presentation; the head of OSH will make a presentation on the issue of safe work and safety; the CRMA head will make a presentation dealing with the issue of regulation of employment agencies and the head of BIT will make a presentation, informing, instructing and advising companies about the issue of internship and apprenticeship,” Hamilton related.

Labour in Guyana is regulated under the Laws of Guyana, Chapter 98; the Labour Act, Chapter 98:01; Employment Exchanges Act, Chapter 98:05, and Recruiting of Workers Act, Chapter 98:06.

With the advent of Guyana’s oil and gas industry over the last five years, several types of businesses not previously prominent in Guyana, have since proliferated. These particularly include private recruitment agencies and businesses offering training, internships and apprenticeship programmes.

Hamilton noted that private companies involved in these businesses are actually required to be registered with the MoL’s monitoring agencies; however, this is not being done. As a result, the company at times may be unaware of what is required of them, and arrangements with employees at times fall outside of the laws of Guyana.

Last year, Minister Hamilton had noted that there were cases where overtime was not being correctly calculated by some recruitment agencies.

Over the past year the MoL has been embarking on a rigorous capacity-building campaign to better monitor labour relations across the country, with particular emphasis on the oil and gas

sector. Through these developments, according to Minister Hamilton, for the first time last year the ministry was able to have employees travel to the offshore site and do inspections.

“We had engagements with Exxon Mobil, and for the first time as an oil nation in five years an OSH officer from Guyana was able to go visit and execute tasks offshore on the FPSO; that is something that has never happened that should be noteworthy to this country and that will be a continuing exercise because we will train more officers,” Hamilton informed.

An FPSO is the Floating Production Storage, and offloading unit used during oil extraction offshore. The MoL continues to emphasise development of its officers to properly monitor the oil and gas sector.

“We will train not only OSH, but labour officers also.

It was my intention to have labour officers go when the OSH officer went , but they did not have the requisite training. So, we have to train them to be able to jointly do visits on these FPSOs out there,” Hamilton said.

Aside from developing its human resources, the ministry is also focused on improving its policies and governing legislation. Since assuming office in 2020, Minister Hamilton has continually iterated the insufficiency and archaic nature of Guyana’s existing labour laws.

On this issue, Minister Hamilton shared that the ministry has already completed and sent to the Attorney General’s Chambers its recommendations for amendments to strengthen the various labour laws.

“We have had a meeting about six to eight weeks ago and coming out of that meeting, we have a joint legal committee established that will review all the recommendations that we have put before the AG for advice. The drafting committee will now put those recommendations in legal language,” he said He further explained that: “After the bill is drafted, we will have a national consultation. We will also upload that for public scrutiny and review of the recommendations and amendments. Hopefully, all of that [can] happen before the second quarter of 2022.”

Efua Odunton, Vice President – Global Account Manager of VINCI Energies Oil and Gas Services and Pamela O’Toole, Director, Nations Inc. at the Launch THE CANtec Technical Institute has been recently established in Guyana in keeping with President, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s vision as stated in his New Year Message to “create new educational and work opportunities for young professionals in our country”.

Aligned with the Local Content Policy, this partnership is between leading Guyanese educational institution, School of the Nations, and Actemium Oil and Gas Training, an OPITO accredited body with over 20 years of successful OPITO programme delivery, a release said.

It noted that CANtec’s aim is to deliver a complete portfolio of OPITO certified courses and qualifications in the energy sector, with an initial focus on oil and gas qualifications, developing candidates from entry level through to the requisite competence to successfully integrate and further develop in the offshore operations and maintenance workforce and in other industries.

“CANtec provides a unique value-added proposition to the Guyanese market with the partners

combining local knowledge and experience from over 20 years of in-country training delivery, as well as a proven successful track record of capacity building in a host of countries ranging from East Timor, Angola, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, through to the United Kingdom and Trinidad and Tobago. Irrespective of location – the objective has been the same: Train; Develop; Transform.

“Candidates who have gone through our programmes can now be found in key offshore positions with major operators around the globe. The OPITO Global Training Certificates ensure capacity building with quantifiable significant impact to both the students and the country,” said Efua Odunton, Vice-President– Global Account Manager of VINCI Energies Oil and Gas Services OPITO is the global, not-for-profit, skills body for the energy industry.

It is the leading Oil and Gas Training Accreditation body to assure skills training and workplace assessment from entry level through to senior supervi-

sors.

Wholly owned by the industry with an aim to drive safety and competency improvements to benefit the energy sector, more than 375,000 people are trained to OPITO Standards every year, in more than 50 countries through 230 accredited centres.

“CANtec will not only deliver classroom and workshop courses but can accompany trainees through to on-the-job training and expert level courses.

“Flexibility in form of delivery will be paramount for CANtec – with training being delivered through a mixture of traditional classroom delivery, workshops and practical handson instruction, as well as e-learning and leading-edge digital training tools.

“The OPITO Global Training Certificates offered will be in the areas of oil and gas processing, maintenance workshop practice, then a choice of mechanical, instrument and control or electrical maintenance practice,” the release said.

M o re i n f o r m a t i o n can be found on https:// cantec.institute or from info@cantec.institute.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 24, 2022

Greater commitment, especially for wealthy nations, needed to tackle food insecurity - says Physics Nobel Laureate in FAO lecture

2021 Nobel Laureate in Physics, Professor Giorgio Parisi THE climate crisis is posing tackling global hunger. a growing threat to food Parisi is an expert on comsecurity and the Food and plex systems that are difficult Agriculture Organisation to model, such as flocking (FAO) of the United Nations starlings, the stock market (FAO) has welcomed Phys- and the weather. A native ics Nobel Laureate Giorgio of Rome, Italy, Parisi was Parisi to join its Nobel Lau- awarded the Nobel Prize in reates Alliance for Food Se- 2021 for “the discovery of curity and Peace (AFFSP). the interplay of disorder and The Alliance for Food fluctuations in physical sysSecurity and Peace is an ad- tems from atomic to planetary vocacy group that aims to scales.” He shared the prize amplify the FAO’s work in with Syukuro Manabe and

Klaus Hasselmann, two leading meteorologists.

Global hunger has been on the rise since 2014, mainly due to economic downturns, armed conflicts and other humanitarian crises, as well as the climate crisis. The latter is playing an increasingly crucial role in undermining livelihoods and will be a major driving force for future food insecurity.

“Professor Parisi’s work contributes significantly to our understanding of the climate crisis, and in alerting us to the consequences of human behaviour and the inefficient use of natural resources,” FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said at a virtual ceremony in Rome.

Parisi delivered a lecture titled, “Science: the headlight on our future,” in which he

argued that while science may have the tools to address many of the world’s problems, what is needed is greater political will and guidance, especially on the part of the richer countries.

“It’s like driving in the night: Science is the headlights, but the responsibility not to go off the road lies with the driver,” Parisi said.

The ceremony also saw interventions from Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, who congratulated Parisi for his Nobel award and highlighted the link between the climate crisis and food security, and 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus, a co-founder of the alliance, who called on participants not to let the COVID-19 pandemic distract from the threat posed

by climate change.

FAO established its Nobel Laureates Alliance for Food Security and Peace in 2016 to raise awareness and champion global and country-level activities, promoting the links between food security and peace.

One example of its concrete achievements comes from the Central African Republic where, together with the Italian Government and two founding members of the alliance – Yunus and 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate Tawakkol Karman -- the FAO is working on a reconciliation and development programme that helps to increase local food production while simultaneously promoting dialogue between the parties involved in the ongoing conflict.

The alliance aims to build

on lessons learned in the Central African Republic and other countries facing food security and nutrition challenges resulting from armed conflict or post-conflict situations.

To build and sustain peace, the alliance advocates the importance of increasing investment in food security, agriculture, livelihoods, and resilience-building, while ensuring conditions for participation and dialogue.

FAO considers the climate crisis a top-line corporate priority and is actively working to enhance the institutional and technical capacities of its members and improve the integration of food security, agriculture, forestry and fisheries within the international climate agenda. (FAO)

Mental wellness and the ongoing pandemic

By Vanessa Cort

IT seems that the mental wellness of people across the globe is being more severely challenged right now than when this pandemic first surfaced almost two years ago.

No sooner had we all been faced with the Delta variant, driving hospitalisation and deaths up, than along came the Omicron variant, which has certainly proved to be more transmissible, causing the numbers of affected to explode worldwide.

In the United States the figure reached a landmark one million people in one day and in this country the number of infected has soared to over 12,000 active cases, and deaths have also increased, though remaining relatively low in comparison with cases.

Health facilities are reeling under the rapid rise of those contracting this new variant and health care workers are both mentally and physically exhausted.

Many complain of chronic fatigue, depression and the

persistent fear that they too may succumb to infection and pass it on to their friends and family.

While governments want to see children back in school as recommended by UNICEF and research on this matter and they are pushing for this to happen, a number of educators and parents remain fearful for the safety of children in a classroom setting.

Meanwhile, in several countries, the ‘vaccine war’ wages on, with many citizens and health professionals still challenging the efficacy of vaccination. And while those who continue to resist the vaccines are seen as being swayed by conspiracy theories, social media abounds with information purporting to support the anti-vaxxers.

With vaccine mandates fast becoming the ‘order of the day’ in many countries, the pros and cons arguments are dividing families and friends and only adding to an already stressful situation.

The recent controversy with tennis star Novak Djokovic only serves to highlight this, as Australian authori-

Photo courtesy chicagorealtor.com ties revoked the visa of the top-ranked player over his continued refusal to get vaccinated and his application for exemption.

What seems to be known

so far is that the Omicron variant is highly transmissible and attacks both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons, though those who have been vaccinated and boosted are

less likely to be hospitalised because the symptoms are less severe.

According to the Methodist Organisation ‘On Health’ study:

“The unvaccinated are at greater risk – no matter the variant.” The study goes on to say, “We know vaccines are safe, effective and our best defense against the virus.”

It urges people to get vaccinated even if they have had COVID – 19, stating that the vaccination offers immunity which is stronger and longerlasting than natural immunity.

Experts concerned with mental wellness have noted the impact of lockdown, bereavement due to the pandemic, employment disruption, anxiety and loneliness resulting from COVID – 19.

And a UNICEF study states: “It is natural to feel scared and anxious.” Among its recommendations is that people do things to take back control of their lives such as pursuing a hobby they may have neglected, listening to music, reading a good book – all things that will improve their mood But above all, the study urges, “Take care of yourself, regularly exercise, sleep enough and reduce all other sources of stress”.

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Tunisia upset Nigeria to reach AFCON quarters

(BBC) - Tunisia upset 10man Nigeria to set up a quarter-final tie against Burkina Faso at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Youssef Msakni beat Super Eagles keeper Maduka Okoye with a long-range effort two minutes into the second-half.

Nigeria's task was made harder when Alex Iwobi was sent off following a video assistant referee review.

The West Africans were the only side to win all three group games in Cameroon, but were largely subdued against a Tunisia side hit by COVID-19.

Nigeria forward Umar Sadiq fired across goal and wide in injury time after Mo-

ses Simon had earlier had an effort blocked by Bechir Ben Said.

Tunisia, Nations Cup winners in 2004, will face Burkina Faso in the last eight on Saturday, 29 January.

Depleted Tunisia down Super Eagles Three-time African champions, Nigeria, were fancied to go deep in the competition after impressing under interim coach Augustine Eguavoen against Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau.

Tunisia, meanwhile, had lost twice in the group stage - including to debutants The Gambia - and were without their coach, Mondher Kebaier and a host of players after pos-

itive tests for the coronavirus.

Influential captain, Wahbi Khazri, was only fit enough to take his place among the substitutes but the North Africans had the best chance in the first half in Garoua, as defender Montassar Talbi had an effort cleared off the line.

Nigeria offered little in reply as Wilfred Ndidi sent a ‘bicycle kick’ wide and Joe Aribo had a shot blocked behind.

Msakni caught out Okoye, who has signed for Watford but is on loan at Sparta Rotterdam, with a low effort from almost 30 yards to break the deadlock soon after the restart.

The shot went past two Nigeria defenders before swerving and bouncing in

Youssef Msakni (centre) is featuring at his seventh Nations Cup for Tunisia

front of Okoye, who got his outstretched left hand to the ball but could not keep the strike out.

Iwobi was sent on as a 59th-minute substitute but was dismissed just seven minutes later after catching Msakni on the top of the ankle with his

studs - even though the Everton midfielder had appeared incredulous when initially shown yellow.

Tunisia midfielder Naim Sliti had a curling effort saved while Nigeria struggled to create chances as the Carthage Eagles sat back and soaked up

pressure to complete victory.

Eguavoen is set to be replaced by Jose Peseiro as Super Eagles coach and the Portuguese's first task will be to navigate a two-legged World Cup 2022 play-off against fierce West African rivals Ghana.

Burkina Faso beat 10-man Gabon to reach AFCON quarters (BBC) - Burkina Faso beat 10-man Gabon on penalties to reach the quarter-finals at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon following a 1-1 draw.

Ismahila Ouedraogo netted to give the Stallions a 7-6 win in the shoot-out.

Gabon had Sidney Obissa sent off midway through the second half but grabbed an injury-time equaliser when Bruno Ecuele Manga's header went in off Adama Guira.

Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore had missed a penalty before slotting in the opener in the 28th minute.

The Stallions will Tunisia, who beat Nigeria 1-0 later on Sunday, in the last eight on Saturday, 29 January.

A mammoth shoot-out had seen Herve Koffi save from Gabon midfielder Guelor Kanga and Saidou Simpore immediately send his effort over the bar in the fourth round of penalties.

Abdoul Tapsoba had the chance to win it for Burkina Faso in sudden death after Yannis N'Gakoutou had blazed over, but Jean-Noel Amonome denied him.

However, substitute Ouedraogo kept his nerve after Gabon right-back Lloyd Palun rattled the crossbar to send the Burkinabe through.

Ismahila Ouedraogo won it with the 18th kick of a shoot-out which saw five players miss or have efforts saved

It was at times a scrappy encounter in Limbe, marked by several bookings, but also a game which provided moments of quality and drama.

Burkina Faso had spurned several chances to make it 2-0 before the 90 minutes were up in Limbe, but Amonome saved well from Traore, Blati Toure and Guira.

And the Stallions ultimately paid in the 91st minute when Ecuele Manga's header from Denis Bouanga's cross deflected in for a dramatic equaliser.

Tapsoba had an extra-time goal ruled out for offside against Zakaria Sanogo, and Gabon keeper Amonome denied Tapsoba and Ouedraogo in the second added period to send the game to penalties.

Stallions eventually see off spirited Gabon The first flash point came after 14 minutes when

Obissa was harshly penalised and booked for a challenge on Issa Kabore which saw the Stallions awarded a

penalty.

A red card seemed inevitable at some point, with several Gabon players booked for dissent and Moroccan referee Redouane Jiyed ultimately brandishing 15 yellow cards by the end of the evening.

Aston Villa forward Traore leant back and side-footed against the bar from 12 yards but the Stallions captain made no mistake with his second sight of goal.

Having been released by a perfectly-weighted Dango Ouattara through ball which cut out Gabon centre-back Ecuele Manga, Traore sent a low left-footed finish past the onrushing Amonome and in off the

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday January 24, 2022)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) The Oval, 2007

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(2) Chris Gayle & Paul Collingwood Today’s Quiz: (1) Who has the distinction of scoring WI first T20 International century?

(2) Who has the honour of registering ENG first T20 International hundred?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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inside of the post from over 25 yards out.

Johann Obiang almost caught out Burkina Faso keeper Koffi from distance and then Aaron Boupendza had an equaliser ruled out for offside before the break.

Gabon lost momentum after having Obisse dismissed for pulling back Ouattara off the ball as the Stallions mounted a counter attack, but a spirited display saw them take the game all the way to penalties.

Yet Patrice Neveu's side, who beat Ghana and drew with Morocco in the group stages, could not pull off another upset against a higher-ranked opponent.

Girl English Racing Tips Kempton 09:15 hrs Ringo Starlight 09:45 hrs Sir Gregory 10:15 hrs Covert Mission 10:45 hrs Whittle Le Woods 11:15 hrs Kaboo 11:45 hrs No Diggity 12:20 hrs Reset Button Wolverhampton 12:30 hrs Born To Sire 13:00 hrs Storm Asset 13:30 hrs Major Gatsby 14:00 hrs Essencial 14:30 hrs Chorus Song 15:00 hrs Midgetonamission 15:30 hrs Plansina 16;00 hrs Scarborough Castle

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 24, 2022

South Africa sweep India 3-0 Three-nil, and job well and truly done for South Africa.

Their clean sweep over India in the ODIs was completed on the back of a chanceless century from Quinton de Kock and a chancy but classy half-century from Rassie van der Dussen, which carried the hosts to 287 despite a late collapse of 7 for 73. Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli then set up India's chase with fifties, but neither could convert it into a big one. And though No. 7 Deepak Chahar threatened to

flip the script with a barrage of boundaries in a knock of 54 off 34 balls - his second successive fifty in ODI cricket - South Africa's seamers held their nerve and closed out the match.

Dwaine Pretorius, picked in place of left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, was tasked with defending five off the last over, with India's last-wicket pair of Yuzvendra Chahal and Prasidh Krishna in the middle.

After Prasidh pinched a single first ball, Chahal went for the glory hit and spliced a catch to

cover-point, India losing by four runs with four balls unused in their chase.

Chahar had entered in the 38th over, at the fall of Shreyas Iyer's wicket, with India still needing 93 off 77 balls. Two overs later, Suryakumar Yadav spooned a leading edge to midoff and Jayant Yadav holed out soon after, but Chahar gave India enough reason to hope.

Chahar has opened the batting for his state team Rajasthan in India's domestic 20-over tournament, the Syed Mushtaq Ali

South Africa celebrate clean sweeping India 3-0, South Africa vs India, 3rd ODI, Cape Town, January 23, 2022 © AFP/Getty Images

Trophy, and is rated highly for his batting by his Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming.

At the Premadasa Stadium in July last year, he pulled off a heist from No. 8, helping India overhaul Sri Lanka's 275.

At various points on Sunday, Chahar looked like he could pull off another heist. After being on 20 off 17 balls, he sized up Pretorius' cutters and walloped him for back-to-back sixes.

When Lungi Ngidi missed his yorkers, Chahar carved him for back-to-back fours. He notched up a 31-ball fifty, but just when the target was seemingly within India's grasp, he was undone by Ngidi's cutter in the 48th over.

India needed ten off 17 balls at that point, but they blew it under

pressure.

That India made a decent fist of the chase was also down to a 98-run partnership between Dhawan and Kohli. Dhawan had a rickety start, failing to latch onto three full tosses from Pretorius in his first over, but found a way to manufacture scoring opportunities by taking regular trips down the pitch. He stepped out to slam Pretorius for six over mid-on and went onto score 24 off 25 balls from the seamer.

Kohli, too, stepped out or across his stumps to inject more urgency into the innings. However, once the ball grew older, the likes of Sisanda Magala and Andile Phehlukwayo regularly took pace off the ball and exploited the Newlands track. So,

Kohli cut out risks and accumulated his way to 65 off 83 balls.

Left-arm fingerspinner Keshav Maharaj, the most economical bowler on the day, then got a dart to hold up in the pitch and coax a leading edge from Kohli that was pouched by Temba Bavuma running back from cover-point.

Iyer flickered briefly, as did Suryakumar, and Chahar caught fire at the end, but South Africa's seamers eventually extinguished India.

Phehlukwayo had a major role in India's slide, snagging both Dhawan and Rishabh Pant (a first-ball duck) in his second over. He returned to have Jasprit Bumrah caught

by Bavuma in the penultimate over.

Afghanistan beat Netherlands to wrap up ODI series

A century from Rahmanullah Gurbaz and four wickets for Mujeeb Ur Rahman helped Afghanistan beat Netherlands by 48 runs to wrap up a series win with an ODI to spare.

In the second of three matches in Doha, Afghanistan batted first after winning the toss, and despite the early loss of Usman Ghani, got off to a solid start thanks to an 83-run partnership between Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah. The Dutch bowlers found wicket-taking a challenge, and that stand was followed up by 106 runs added for the third wicket, with Hashmatullah Shahidi scoring a half-century.

Once Shahidi was bowled by debutant Ryan Klein, Afghanistan struggled to tee off, but cameos from Najibullah Zadran and Rashid Khan meant they managed to get up to 237. Fred Klaassen and Phillippe Boissevain took two wickets each.

The chase began with the early loss of Musa Ahmed and Colin Ackermann. A 90run stand between Scott Edwards and Bas de Leede pushed Netherlands up to 125 for 3, but once that stand was broken, Afghanistan

Rahmanullah Gurbaz began to take control again.

Pieter Seelar's run-out saw the lower middle-order come in, but strikes from Rashid and Mujeeb meant Afghanistan were burrowing deep inside the Dutch tail.

Once Edwards fell for 86, there was little resistance from the rest, and by the time Mujeeb bowled No. 11 Vivian Kingma, Afghanistan had wrapped up a comfortable win. The Netherlands lost their last eight wickets for just 64 runs, costing them the opportunity to level the series.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 24, 2022

Too early to think about catching 'City' – Klopp

(BBC) - Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says it is too early to think about his side catching Premier League leaders, Manchester City, despite cutting the gap by mixing early class with late resilience to hold off Crystal Palace.

A day after ‘City’ dropped points for the first time since October, Klopp's side were sharp and ruthless early on to take the game away from Palace at Selhurst Park.

However, Liverpool laboured in the second half and Klopp said his side showed how "insanely good we can be and how bad as well", as a controversial late penalty was needed to make the win safe.

The German side is nine points behind ‘City’ but have a game in hand on Pep Guardiola's team and face them in the league at Etihad Stadium in April.

Klopp said it was a "massive" three points but when

Van Dijk leapt to powerfully head home the opener

asked if his side sent a title statement to ‘City’, he told BBC Sport: "No. The distance is too far to talk about it

but we don't have to. We just need to win football matches.

We will see what happens in the final few months."

Chelsea beat Tottenham 2-0

'We lost control' – Klopp The intensity of Liverpool's press and crisp use of the ball overwhelmed ‘Pal-

ace’ early on and Virgil van Dijk rose to deliver a bullet header for their opener before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain finished a sweeping team move for their second.

Palace, though, eventually offered moments of threat, with Liverpool keeper, Alisson, forced to save well from Michael Olise and JeanPhilippe Mateta before Conor Gallagher glanced a header wide from at the start of the second-half.

They finally broke through when the ever-willing Mateta raced onto Jeffrey Schlupp's superb through ball and unselfishly squared for Odsonne Edouard to tap into an empty net.

"For 35 minutes we were outstanding," Klopp added.

"We looked really sharp and ready to play in small spaces then two or three sloppy passes and the stadium is back, Palace is back and we did not start well in the sec-

ond half.

"We had our moments but we did not control it any more. If you lose a little bit of focus it showed how tired we could be as Palace played a really good game. We opened the door for them and they ran through."

Fabinho's 89th-minute penalty settled any Liverpool nerves and arrived after referee Kevin Friend was told by the VAR to check the pitch side monitor in order to reconsider his initial decision not to award a foul when Diogo Jota was brought down Vicente Guaita.

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker said the decision was not a penalty "in a million years" but it helped secure victory for Klopp's side, who have taken maximum league points from the fixtures missed by Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane while they play in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Billingy wins double at National Junior and Cadet TT Championships -Van Lange and Wong victorious in boys singles

Hakim Ziyech scored for the second game in a row, after also finding the net in a 1-1 draw at Brighton on Tuesday

(BBC) - Two second-half goals, including a brilliant strike from Hakim Ziyech, helped Chelsea beat Tottenham for the third time in three weeks.

After a goalless first half, Ziyech scored within two minutes of the restart, superbly curling the ball into the top corner from 20 yards after a fine run from Callum Hudson-Odoi.

The hosts doubled their lead eight minutes later when defender Thiago Silva headed in from Mason Mount's excellent free-kick delivery.

In the first half, Tottenham thought they had taken the lead as Harry Kane slotted past Kepa Arrizabalaga, but the goal was ruled out as the England striker was adjudged to have pushed Silva to the ground.

This victory follows Chelsea's wins in both legs of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Spurs, cruising through 3-0 on aggregate to set up a Wembley final against Liverpool.

It is Tottenham's first defeat in the league since Antonio Conte, a Premier League and FA Cup winner while in charge of Chelsea, replaced the sacked Nuno Espirito Santo in November.

Chelsea keep their title hopes alive

They were top of the Premier League after a 2-1 win at Watford on 1 December but a run of only 11 points from their next nine games has severely damaged their hopes of becoming English champions for the first time since Conte guided them to the title in 2016-17.

They remain third and are 10 points behind leaders Manchester City, although Thomas Tuchel's side will not play in the league again until 19 February as a result of their participation in the Fifa Club World Cup, following their Champions League success.

Conte opted for a back four, the first time he has done so in a league game at Tottenham, as he looked to keep it tight and hit his former team on the counter attack.

But the hosts nearly broke through inside the opening minute when Romelu Lukaku shot over on the turn, before Chelsea failed to convert further chances through Hudson-Odoi, Silva and Ziyech.

Lukaku, who has only scored eight times in 24 appearances in all competitions following a £97.5m move from Inter Milan last summer, had another glorious chance following good work by Mount, but missed the ball when eight yards out.

ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD Jasmine Billingy stormed to back-to-back titles, while Jonathan Van Lange and Colin Wong won the 19U and 15U boys titles respectively on the final day of the National Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Championships at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The Winfer Gardens Primary School student, Billingy, proved her might by playing flawlessly in the Cadet (15U) round-robin division before she defeated Thuraia Thomas 3-0 in the final of the Junior (19U) battle.

Samara Sukhai, whose only loss was to Billingy, finished second in the 15U while Akira Watson finished third.

Sukhai almost gained revenge when she battled Billingy in the Girls 19U semi-final.

In that match, she went ahead 11-7, before losing the second game 3-11. She however showed fight to win the third, but then Billingy took control, first with a tense 11-8 win to tie things up at 2-2 before holding her opponent to zero in the last game.

In the other semi-final, Thomas also fought back a game down against 2020 champion Crystal Melville, but she surged ahead with three straight wins to triumph 3-1 (6-11, 11-9, 11-6 and 11-5). In the championship clash however, she could not defeat the younger Billingy who won 11-8, 11-8 and 11-9.

WONG RECOVERED Colin Wong, who was the initial favourite for the Boys 15U title, suffered an injury on Saturday and looked almost out of it. He struggled in his preliminary rounds after and could not even pick the ball up

from the ground, but a good night’s rest did him well since he stormed to championship honours yesterday.

First, he got the better of 12-year-old Malachi Moore in the semi-final with a 3-0 win (11-5, 11-6 and 11-6), before he defeated another up-and-coming youngster Ebo McNeil 11-7, 11-4 and 11-8 in the final.

McNeil had gotten the better of D. Daniels (11-1, 11-3 and 11-2) in the other semi-final. In all the events, the losing semi-finalists finished in joint third place.

THIRD TITLE The dominant Van Lange was almost flawless to his third consecutive junior title.

He defeated Wong 4-0 (11-2, 11-5, 11-7 and 11-7) in the quarter-final, before beating Isaiah Layne 4-0 (11-6, 11-9, 11-2 and 11-5) in the semi-final.

In the final of the event, the 2022 Boys Doubles champions Van Lange and Niran Bissu battled against each other.

Bissu, 18, was able to hold his own against the 15-year-old Van Lange, and employed solid tactics in defence and attack, but Van Lange with his superior reach and skillset was always in control. There were a few close games and a few went down to the wire, but in the end, Van Lange emerged with a 4-1 win (11-5, 11-13, 11-7, 12-10 and 11-9).

The championships started on Saturday with the Novice Boys and Girls battle and the 19U Doubles.

Overall, both Van Lange and Billingy finished with three wins over the weekend. The champions had teamed up to win the Mixed Doubles title.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 24, 2022

Ivan Madray XI defeat John Trim XI by four runs in U-15 practice match

THREE wickets by left-arm orthodox bowler, Enrique Mickle, lifted Ivan Madray XI to a four-run victory against John Trim XI when the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) held its first trial match on Saturday at the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club ground, in preparation for the Guyana Cricket Board U-15 Inter-County tournament.

Ivan Madray XI batted first and made 129 before they were bowled out in 49.5 overs.

Rose Hall Canje Arborsmart cricketer, Jayden Edwards, led the attack with 29 runs, while Dave Prettipaul supported with 19 runs and Sohail Mohammed 15.

Bowling for John Trim XI, Tucber Park CC’s Gilbert Griffith nabbed 2-13 from six overs, while there were one apiece for Arif Khan,

Ivan Madray XI won the opening practice match by four runs

Matthew Pereira and Akash Sukhlall.

In their turn at the middle, John Trim XI were routed for 125 in 47 overs.

Vishal Williams played a

few shots for 28, while Farhan Ballee added 12 and Navin Boodwah 11, but it was not enough.

Mickle took 3-13 from five overs, while his Rose Hall

Canje Arborsmart teammate, Richard Ramdehol, supported with 2-3 from 3.4 overs. Prettipaul and Abdulla Azad also finished with a wicket each.

According to information

from the BCB, two other 50over matches will be hosted, with the possibility of a third also on the card before the national team is selected.

The next game would be

held on Wednesday, January 26, at Jai Hind Cricket ground (behind Albion Police Station) from 8:30hrs. In that clash, Ivan Madray XI would go up against Rohan Kanhai XI. ROHAN KANHAI X1 would include Romario Ramdehol (Capt.), Chamesh Seenauth, Fiaz Baksh, Ravin Boodwah, Lakeram Singh, Devanand Samaroo, Rohit Sarjoon, Roshawn Crandon, Yoganand Mohan, Reshan Sakrulla, Glenroy Fraser, Vikash Roopnarine and Winston Hartman.

IVAN MADRAY X1 would include Sohail Mohammed (Capt.), Adrian Hetmyer, Razam Koobeer, Lamror Seecharran, Devin Lalbeharry, Jayden Edwards, Aden Semple, Richard Ramdehol, Abdulla Azad, Enrique Mickle, Dave Prettipaul, Nicholas Lepps and Nicholas Hall.

BCCI condenses West Indies England pull off last ball thriller in Bridgetown tour venues from six to two India will host West Indies in a six-match white-ball series next month

CMC – The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) has shifted next month’s white-ball series against West Indies to only two stadiums instead of six, in order to “mitigate biosecurity risks” amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Originally, the February 6-20 six-match series was scheduled for individual venues but the BCCI said Saturday the three-match One-Day International phase will now be hosted at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad while the three-match Twenty20 segment will be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

“The decision to limit the series to two venues instead of six as originally announced has been done to mitigate biosecurity risks by cutting down on travel and movement of the teams, match officials, broadcasters, and other stakeholders,” a BCCI statement said.

India is battling a new wave of infections, the south-Asian nation reporting 333,533 new cases on Saturday to lift overall active infections to 2.1 million.

The country has recorded just over 39 million cases and 489,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Last December, West Indies were forced to abort the ODI phase of their tour of Pakistan following the three-match T20I segment, after a COVID-19 outbreak in the camp left them with a threadbare squad.

Late last year, the BCCI had identified Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Kolkata as venues for the three ODIs and Cuttack, Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram for the T20 Internationals.

Since then, however, cases have multiplied quickly as the highly transmissible Omicron variant has taken root across the country.

The series will represent West Indies’ first overseas trip of the year and will come on the heels of their ongoing five-match T20 International series in Barbados against world number one, England.

West Indies last toured India in December, 2019 losing both the ODI and T20I series by 2-1 margins.

(ESPNCRICINFO) - England climbed off the canvas in Bridgetown and narrowly survived a battering by West Indies' ninth-wicket pair to level the T20I series with a one-run victory.

The home side were 98 for 8 and needing 74 to win from 29 balls, only for Romario Shepherd and Akeal Hosein's extraordinary onslaught to leave hearts in mouths right to the final delivery.

Asked to bat first after Kieron Pollard again won the toss, England started cautiously - as might befit a team which had been 49 for 7 before barely scraping into three figures the previous afternoon. Jason Roy eventually opened up to lash 45 from 31 balls, while his stand of 61 in 6.2 overs with Moeen Ali gave England a platform. Despite losing 3 for 15 in the space of 13 deliveries, the tourists kept hammering away, Chris Jordan again proving effective on his old stomping ground after being promoted to No. 7.

In the chase, West Indies quickly came unstuck. Reece Topley, almost six years after his previous appearance, claimed a wicket with his second legitimate delivery and then effected a superb run-out in his follow through to leave West Indies 7 for 2. Nicholas Pooran and Darren Bravo repaired some of the damage but at 33 for 2 at the end of the Powerplay, the required rate was already approaching ten an over.

Although a fresh surface offered better value for shot-making, the pressure soon told. Moeen claimed three wickets and Adil Rashid two as England's spinners kept the screws on during the middle overs, West Indies lurching from 47 for 2 to 65 for 7. The tail wagged vigorously, with Shepherd and Hosein's late assault serving up a reminder of England's death-bowling woes, but they had been left with (just) too much catching up to do.

Victory finally gave England's supporters something to savour amid a gruelling winter across formats and continents. It had been almost three months since they beat Sri Lanka in Sharjah at the T20 World Cup, with the seven defeats and a draw from eight subsequent fixtures encompassing a semi-final exit, another Ashes disaster and then Saturday's nine-wicket hammering.

Shepherd, Hosein put Windies up England Pollard spoke at the toss of the importance of consistency for a West Indies side featuring several young players looking to find their feet at international level. But after a tone-setting display in the first T20I, this seemed like a performance of familiar failings - missed chances in the field proving costly, before they nosedived into trouble with the bat.

The result looked a foregone conclusion when Fabian Allen picked out square leg at the start of the 16th over, but the folly of West Indies' top order not looking to take the game deeper was then exposed as Shepherd and Hosein almost snatched a sensational victory from the jaws of miserable defeat. Jordan's 18th over went for 23, bringing flashbacks to England's T20 World Cup semi-final loss against New Zealand, before Saqib Mahmood threatened to go to pieces defending 30 from the final over.

Hosein hit two fours from three legitimate balls, to go with a couple of wides, and although England were mathematically safe Mahmood could not afford any more extras.

He was duly beasted for 6-6-6, as Hosein finished unbeaten on 44 from 16 -- doubling his previous best score in T20 cricket -- but with his head in his hands. Shepherd had 44 off 28 at the other end, their unbroken 72-run stand setting a T20I record for the ninth wicket.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 24, 2022

A historic, proud Cave, D’Anjou ready moment for for the Octagon GYMMA in Abu Dhabi - Gavin Singh showers Cave, D’Anjou with praise ahead of IMMAF World Championships debut

GYMMA President, Gavin Singh

By Rawle Toney in Abu Dhabi (compliments: Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation/National Sports Commission) PRESIDENT of the Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GYMMA), Gavin Singh, is hailing the country’s debut at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) World Championships, today, as an historic milestone not just for his organisation but for Guyana.

The Golden Arrowhead will be flying high outside the Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Zayed Sports City in the United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi, where Corwin D’Anjou and Ijaz Cave will become the first Guyanese to feature at an IMMAF World Championship, when the global governing body for amateur Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) host its prestigious event.

Despite the GYMMA being less than two years old (18 months to be exact), behind Singh and his hard-working executive committee members, Guyana has received International accreditation to be affiliated to the IMMAF; an accomplishment the GYMMA president attributed to a collective approach at managing the sport in Guyana.

“Henry Forde said, working together is the beginning, staying together is progress; working together is the success. I can only encourage our stakeholders to let us continue to work together for the success of Mixed Martial Arts in Guyana and throughout the world,” Singh related.

D’Anjou is expected to come up against Ireland’s Adam McEnroe in the Men’s Welterweight (77.1Kg) division.

Cave, on the other hand, got a ‘bye’ to the

Round-of-16 in the Men’s Light Heavyweight (93Kg) category.

When the two step into the Octagon, Singh believes it will be an “historic day for our country in sports, specifically Mixed Martial Arts.”

“I’m truly honoured and humbled to have served and very much appreciative to our coaches, Bruce Fraser, Troy Bobb and the team leaders, for the effort and commitment that they have imputed into making this happening,” Singh said.

He added, “Special thank you to our vice president, Troy Phillips, who has been leading the administrative team.

Sherwin Sandy, Dr Sawan Jagnarain, Romel St Hill, La Toya Collins and Roland Fanfair, for the hard work, dedication and commitment they have inputed in ensuring that this is possible.”

The IMMAF is headed by former British Olympic (1984) and World Champion (1987) Judo Bronze medallist, Kerrith Brown, who Singh said has been very supportive in Guyana being fully compliant to the International body and being fully accredited for the country’s first IMMAF event.

However, while Singh is happy to see Cave and D’Anjou in Abu Dhabi, it did come with some amount of sadness for the GYMMAF president.

Initially, the Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GYMMAF) had announced a six-man team to attend the prestigious event in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital city, however, as Executive member, Dr Sawan Jagnarain explained, following a mishap in several important test that had to be done overseas, Webster McRae, Akeem Fraser, Christopher James and John Campayne will be left behind.

According to Dr Jagnarain, the GYMMAF had solicited the services of a lab in the United States of America, since some of the required testing of the athletes that are mandatory by the IMMAF, could not have been facilitated in Guyana.

Dr Jagnarain said the athletes blood samples were taken and sent in December but up to crunch time, the ‘Lab’ related that they had encountered some technical difficulty and only two of the samples were done, that of Cave and D’Anjou.

Singh apologized to the obviously dejected fighters, while encouraging them to stay the course and focus on other up-coming international engagements, one of which will be the IMMAF Pan American Championships.

- Guyanese pair looking forward to historic fights at the IMMAF World Championships

Ijaz Cave

After months of preparation, it’s now time for Corwin D’Anjou and Ijaz Cave to show their worth against some of the world’s best fighters, when the pair step into the Octagon at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) World Championships.

Following yesterday’s tournament draw at the Millennium Al Rawdah Hotel in Abu Dhabi, D’Anjou will come up against Ireland’s Adam McEnroe in the first round of the Men’s Welterweight (77.1Kg) division, while Cave got a ‘bye’ to the Round-of-16 in the Men’s Light Heavyweight (93Kg) category.

Hosted by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and MMA Federation, with the support of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and in partnership with Palms Sports, the senior and junior national tournaments will take place at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Zayed Sports City, near UFC Fight Island (Yas Island).

Unlike Cave, D’Anjou is no stranger to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), having had five fights prior to today’s event, but he admitted that nothing would compare to the World Championships.

D’Anjou tasted defeat once in his fight outings, winning four fights via submission, while his opponent, McEnroe, picked up two losses in his six fights.

“I’m not taking anyone for granted,” D’Anjou said. “I watched a couple of his fights and I’ll be working with Coach on executing whatever plans we come up with and taking things one fight at a time.”

The well-known judoka spoke profoundly of his eagerness to step into the Octagon, but more so launching his international MMA career.

“This is something I’ve been waiting on and with my sensei, I have been working very hard to do myself, family and country proud,” D’Anjou said.

Meanwhile, for Cave, while being known for his exploits in the ring as a boxer, he’s looking forward to the competition.

Cave, a Lance Corporal in the Guyana Police Force (GPF), said while having a ‘bye’ is good, he’s remaining focused on the fight ahead.

“This has been an amazing journey for me so far.

I want to thank the GYMMA for this opportunity.

I also want to thank my family and my superiors in the Guyana Police Force for the support so far. I am just going to remain focus and confident; listen to Coach and stick to our plan. I am here to win and do well for my country,” the humble policeman stated.

Following an unavoidable 24hr delay in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana's Mixed Martial Arts team arrived in the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) on Saturday ahead of today’s start of the IMMAF marquee tournament, which will conclude on January 29.

The coach, renowned judo/ Jiu-Jitsu sensei, Bruce Fraser expressed his optimism in the duo’s up-coming bout, while pointing to how hard they would’ve worked to be ready for the competition.

“The guys were working hard over the last five months, covering all the aspects of training before coming here (to Abu Dhabi). It has indeed been a privilege to be here, and I just hope we do well,” the usually candid Coach Fraser said.

Guyana is making its debut at the IMMAF world Championships despite the Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GYMMA) being in its infant stage of existence and Fraser is hopeful that it is just the start of an amazing journey for the sport in the Land of Many Waters.

Corwin D’Anjou

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 24, 2022

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Akeal Hosein cuts a dejected figure after West Indies lost by one run (Getty Images)

England pull off last ball thriller in Bridgetown PAGE

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Billingy wins double at National Junior and Cadet TT Championships 21 PAGE

We’re Ready!

Corwin D’Anjou (L) and Ijaz Cave dressed in their battle gear and are ready to carry the Golden Arrowhead into the ‘Octagon’ for the first time at the IMMAF World Championships.

(Rawle Toney Photos)

-Van Lange and Wong victorious in boys singles

Cave, D’Anjou ready for the Octagon in Abu Dhabi - Guyanese pair looking forward to historic fights at the IMMAF World Championships

Jonathan Van Lange won his third consecutive Junior title yesterday

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Jasmine Billingy was crowned the girl’s U-15 and U-19 champion MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 2022