Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 24-01-2024

WEDNESDAY 24th January, 2024

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VAT INCLUSIVE

No.107333

Law Reform Commission essential to modern Guyana –– President Ali says, as Attorney-at-Law Emily Dodson appointed chairperson

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Works progress on Schoonord to Crane Four Four--Lane Highway

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CH&PA, Sherwyn Greaves, inspected ongoing works at the new Schoonord to Crane Four-Lane Highway in Region Three.

The $15.3 billion highway will benefit thousands of commuters by reducing traffic congestion and creating hubs for residential and commercial development.

The project, divided into 11 lots, has seen significant progress. Reinforced concrete bridges and drains, along with a substantial portion of the main carriageway, are already completed. Ongoing efforts are focused on the remaining sections and roundabouts. Supervision of the works are being carried out by engineers from the agency’s Projects Department (Central Housing and Planning Authority photos)

APNU+AFC ‘divorced’ Guyana, Venezuela Foreign Affairs Budget 2024 to foster peace, from reality 04 Ministers to meet tomorrow in Brazil continue progress in Guyana PAGE

–– Minister Bharrat sets record straight on PPP/C gov’t revival of critical sectors

–– highlights bankruptcy of forestry, other areas under coalition gov’t

–– as part of first meeting of Joint Commission 08 in keeping with commitment to peace PAGE

––Benn says; defends $90.6B security sector allocation

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Guyanese secure better salaries, more scholarships under PPP/C Gov’t 06 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Law Reform Commission essential to modern Guyana

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

–– President Ali says, as Attorney-at-Law Emily Dodson appointed chairperson

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday emphasised the importance of a functioning Law Reform Commission in the building out of a modern Guyana during the swearing in of a new chairperson of the commission.

The Head of State said: “Guyana’s current and future development ties into the need for modern legislation,” especially since the advancement of partnerships and cooperation between companies and countries must be done on the right legal basis.

Laws, he added, are necessary to advance, support and protect the development process.

The President spoke about the dynamic and ever-changing nature of society and the need to make necessary reforms to the legislative architecture to protect the explosive development and to be responsive to modern justice demands.

“This Law Reform Commission is critical to what we are doing as a developing country,” Dr Ali said.

He told the commission members, including new Chairperson, Attorney-at-Law Emily Dodson, that “there is a lot of work ahead.”

The commission, he added, has the authority to

make recommendations for new legislation and amendments, allowing the country to keep abreast with developments while supporting a modern legal framework.

Dodson, who will serve as chair for the next three years, previously served as a member of the commission under the chairmanship of Retired Justice of the Appeal Court, Beasraj Singh Roy. Additionally, President Ali administered the Oath of Office to former Member of Parliament and indigenous rights advocate, Lenox Shuman, who will also serve the Law Reform Commission for three years.

In extending his con-

New Commissioner Lenox Shuman

New Chair of the Law Reform Commission, Emily Dodson, takes her Oath of Office

gratulations to Dodson and Shuman, President Ali underscored his confidence in the commission continuing its work and delivering exemplary service.

He said with the years of experience and skills of the commissioners combined, Guyana can return to being a celebrated country in the legal sector. The members, he said, are well positioned to deliver what is required of them to make their work impressionable.

The other Commissioners are Teni Housty, Deenawati Panday and Clarissa Riehl. They were sworn in on August 11, 2021.

The Law Reform Commission in Guyana is a crucial entity responsible for the regular updating and alignment of the country’s laws with global legislative trends.

Its responsibilities encompass prioritising and establishing a programme for legal reforms, preventing legislative stagnation, and serving the executive and national interest.

The Law Reform Com-

mission (Amendment) Act 2021 - No. 2 of 2021 received Presidential Assent on February 16, 2021, thereby allowing persons who hold a variety of qualifications to sit on the commission.

These amendments broadened the qualifications for commission members, allowing individuals with diverse expertise to contribute to the legal-reform process.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

APNU+AFC ‘divorced’ from reality –– Minister Bharrat sets the record straight on PPP/C gov’t revival of critical sectors –– highlights bankruptcy of forestry, other areas under coalition gov’t

By Trina Williams

MINISTER of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, slammed the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Opposition, on Tuesday, for attempting to turn a blind eye to the numerous incentives being offered by the current government for the ordinary Guyanese and the upward trajectory of the nation.

“Are we so divorced from reality?” the minister said to the House, during the second day of budget debates.

While rebutting the narratives peddled by the Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Shurwayne Holder, the minister outlined how the natural resources sector has reached new heights under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government.

Although Holder attempted to paint a picture of the period 2015-2020 being a bed of roses under the previous coalition government, Minister Bharrat proved otherwise.

Placing attention on forestry, he spared no effort to highlight the deplorable state that the forestry sub-sector was left in. “…In 2020, when we took over, the Guyana Forestry Commission was bankrupt. A country that [holds] the second highest forest coverage in the world, after Suriname, with over 1,000 different species was bankrupt,” he said.

The Commission, which is responsible for the adminis-

tration and management of all state-owned forest lands, had descended into a state of bankruptcy over the five-year period under the coalition, despite having a surplus of more than $4 billion at the end of 2015.

However, the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) got a new lease on life when the PPP/C assumed office in 2020, and despite heckling from the Opposition benches, Minister Bharrat was not deterred from laying out the facts.

While admitting that exportation within the sector has declined, Bharrat underscored that with Guyana’s rapid development and the increase in demand among locals for logs, it would be unwise to export all of the nation’s primary products.

“Export has declined but is it that [this] is the main objective of the Forestry sector?” he asked, while answering: “One of the reasons why we still remain a developing country today even though we have so many natural resources is because we have always exported our primary products.”

Refusing to leave Guyanese on the backburners, Minister Bharrat said: “The local demand is growing so much that the Guyana Forestry Commission is supplying local demand. Should we neglect the local demand and export because we want to come here report that our export figures are glorious?”

While comparing the stark difference with the increase in investor confidence under the two administrations, the min-

ister said: “Increased demand didn’t happen just like that… it is because of the prudent management of the economy and our ability to bring in investors in almost every single sector across the country; that is why the demand [has] increased. It is because of the confidence that people [have] in the economy and the government...”

Staying on the topic of forestry, the minister urged the House to set politics aside and laud the GFC, especially since the nation has over 87 per cent forest coverage and a low deforestation rate.

“In our Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, our commitment is 0.07 per cent deforestation. Today our deforestation rate is 0.036 per cent and we are working to bring down that deforestation even further by adding value to products and not exporting our logs,” he boasted.

Despite the misinformation surrounding Guyana’s carbon credit deal, Minister Bharrat decided to set the record straight.

“We never sold any forests, we sold carbon credits,” he firmly remarked.

In December 2022, the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) issued the world’s first TREES credits to Guyana.

This marked a milestone, as it was the first time a country was issued carbon credits specifically designed for the voluntary and compliance carbon markets for successfully preventing forest loss and degradation — a process known as jurisdictional

REDD+.

Following the completion of an independent validation and verification process and approval by the ART Board of Directors, ART issued 33.47 million TREES credits to Guyana for the five-year period from 2016 to 2020.

This paved the way for a historic agreement between Hess Corporation and the Government of Guyana, whereby the oil giants opted to purchase about one-third of all Guyana’s credits (issued and anticipated) up to 2030.

The agreement will generate a minimum of US$750 million for Guyana over the coming decade and represents a major milestone on the journey towards a vision first set out in 2007.

With the aim of improving the sub-sector, Minister Bharrat also said that this is the reason why $400 million was allocated in Budget 2024 to commence the mineral inventory process in the mining districts.

Bharrat sternly said that the PPP/C Government is focused on strengthening transparency and accountability, and it is through proper management of the nation’s oil and gas revenues.

Unlike the Opposition, according to him, the Irfaan-Ali led administration has set in place legislation and measures to ensure that there is prudent management.

NO HIDDEN TRANSACTIONS

Using the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Act (2021) as an example of how there are no hidden transactions within the oil and gas sector, he remarked: “…We have safeguards to ensure that [there] is transparency and accountability, pure transparency and accountability in the sector.”

The amended Act, which came into operation on January 1, 2022, represents a significant improvement in transparency and accountability and overall management of Guyana’s natural resource wealth.

In accordance with the Act: “All withdrawals from the NRF to finance the national budget are subject to approval by the National Assembly. Once the budget is approved, only then the withdrawal can be effected, and this is done, not all at once, but throughout the fiscal year in various sums.”

And, all withdrawals from the NRF have to be deposited into the Consolidated Fund. The withdrawal rule of the fund is not calibrated to withdraw all of the monies from the NRF. As the heated debate continued, Minister Bharrat blasted Holder for his attempt to “score cheap political points” by stating that this year’s fiscal package has no benefits for the ordinary Guyanese.

“Budget 2024 is a colossal failure and does not address the immediate needs of our people,” Holder said.

Minister Bharrat, however, responded by listing not only the incentives but disclosing how

many thousands of Guyanese will benefit significantly.

During his presentation, Holder called for the income tax threshold to be raised. However, for Budget 2024, the threshold has increased to $100,000 monthly. The income tax threshold was increased from $65,000 to $75,000 in 2022 and subsequently to $85,000 last year.

This adjustment will see some 13,000 persons being removed from paying income taxes, and further result in some $4.8 billion being transferred to workers across the country as an increase in disposable income.

It was reported in 2022 that returns from VAT and excise taxes declined by 10.2 per cent following tax reforms being instituted to cushion the rising cost of living, after the coalition government had imposed over 200 taxes on Guyanese from 2015-2020.

WIDER AGENDA The tax reforms form part of the government’s wider agenda to improve the quality of life in Guyana and address immediate economic challenges that affect Guyanese.

According to Minister Bharrat: “Budget 2024 is a continuation of our programme, our policies and our projects to build out a new modern Guyana that all of us want to see, and to pass on to future generations to come Mr. Speaker, Budget 2024 is building on the foundation that was started in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.”

‘Get your facts right!’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

–– Pearson calls out Opposition Parliamentarians for peddling misinformation on Budget 2024

By Clestine Juan

PEOPLE’S Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Parliamentarian, Yvonne Pearson, on Tuesday called out the Opposition for misrepresenting the facts to the public during their presentations and for their portrayal that Budget 2024 was built on “sinking sand.”

Addressing the National Assembly, Pearson asserted: “Budget 2024 is built with rock, hard cement, with sand, a good mixture, and the builders are the People’s Progressive Party/Civic.”

Pearson responded to criticisms from opposition members, including Roysdale Forde and Khemraj Ramjattan, who described the budget using metaphors such as “sinking sand” and “cement and sand.”

She defended the trilliondollar budget, highlighting that it is founded on solid ground unlike those under the APNU+AFC government which was built on a foundation of poor planning and policies.

The Indigenous leader also took issue with the opposition’s newfound concern for the Amerindian peoples, particularly regarding poverty rates.

Pearson challenged the accuracy of their claims, ask-

ing: “How do they measure poverty? And what did they do when they were there [in government] to address the poverty of the Indigenous Peoples?”

In her address, Pearson corrected assertions made by the opposition, providing details from the Auditor General’s report on issues such as the Hinterland School Feeding Programme and the receipt, storage, and distribution of textbooks to schools.

She called for a commitment to presenting accurate information in the National Assembly, stating: “When we come to the House, we must come with facts.”

She specifically addressed inaccuracies presented by opposition members, providing corrections based on the Auditor General’s report.

One of the key points of contention was the Hinterland School Feeding Programme which was criticised

by Opposition MP, Ronald Cox, who had presented the day prior.

Pearson clarified: “Mr. Cox should have said the period of reporting.”

She pointed out that the reporting period covered from January 1, 2018, to June 30, 2022, underscoring the significance of presenting information within the correct context.

PPP/C Parliamentarian Yvonne Pearson Pearson further corrected in parliamentary discussions. assertions made by the oppoPearson did not mince sition regarding the receipt, words in challenging what storage, and distribution of she referred to as a “wilful textbooks to schools. act” by the opposition to misHighlighting the need lead. She asserted that such for accurate timelines, she actions would not undermine stated: “Mr. Speaker, when the progress achieved under we come to the House, we the current government. must come with facts,” unBy pinpointing discrepderscoring the importance of ancies in the opposition’s transparency and precision statements, she aimed to

uphold the integrity of the parliamentary process and ensure that citizens receive accurate information about the government’s initiatives.

Pearson passionately outlined positive developments in agriculture and other sectors in her region, Region Two, attributing these advancements to the PPP/C. She highlighted initiatives such as land drainage and irrigation, the cultivation of high-value crops and the establishment of the cageculture fishing project.

Pearson also commended Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton for his efforts in providing training programmes that empower individuals, including women, with various skills.

She urged the opposition to engage in constructive dialogue and encouraged them to reach out to their constituents for accurate information.

Pearson also highlighted the need for unity, stating: “Gone are the days when indigenous peoples were left behind, so don’t come and cry here, sir. We are the front- line. Let us take our rightful position in the frontline.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Predictable Rhetoric

The debate on the 2024 budget estimates, presented to the National Assembly

by Senior Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, has commenced.

As noted by Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, there will be the “predictable rhetoric” emanating from the opposition benches.

According to the Dr. Jagdeo, there is no evidence that the political opposition has done any analysis of the fiscal plans for the country.

“What we saw, the comment that we saw, coming from the Opposition in the past several days has been nothing new. It proves the point we have been making. We have an Opposition bereft of ideas; an Opposition that is stuck in rhetoric and destruction,” Dr. Jagdeo lamented.

So far, the Opposition MPs have not shown any indication that they have departed from that accustomed script. Their contributions to the debate have been at best sterile and devoid of any real sub-

stance or analysis.

On the other hand, those on the Government side have at their disposal facts and figures which substantiated the developmental and progressive growth trajectory in their respective sectors and the country as a whole.

There is nothing wrong in criticisms.

In fact, criticisms are a necessary component of good governance.

But such criticisms must be constructive and objective if they are to influence policy making and advance the governance process.

Criticisms must not be done for the sake of 'bashing' the administration with a view to score cheap political points or playing up to some 'opposition' gallery as appears to be the case among opposition MPs in the current debate.

The fact is that the Guyanese are not that easily duped by empty rhetoric and theatrical displays in the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly as apparent among some Opposition parliamentarians.

In this regard, gov-

ernment ministers with sectoral responsibilities and other MPs on the government side of the House are doing a commendable job in support of the Budget Estimates.

Detailed examination of the sectoral allocation will be done later at the Committee of Supply level where Ministers will be required to provide justification for the several line items in their respective allocations.

This is an important aspect of parliamentary oversight of

financial allocations at the sectoral level and is also an important element of an accountability framework at the legislative level.

The national budget is in effect a work plan of the government for a fiscal year and is aligned to the larger vision of the PPP/C administration to create a society in which all Guyanese enjoy a better quality of life and are provided with the opportunity to develop to the full extent of their potential.

Guyanese secure better salaries, more scholarships under PPP/C Gov’t - Minister Parag emphasises; says over $10B spent in the last three years to grant scholarships

By Trina Williams IN an intense presentation, newly-appointed Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag, ruffled the feathers of Opposition Parliamentarians, as she reflected on how Guyanese from all walks of life are earning better wages and salaries, and accessing more scholarships under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government.

Despite the numerous interruptions and the loud heckling from the Opposition, Parag stood firm in her defence of the Ministry of Public Service’s allocation.

Parag disclosed that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government has expended more than $10 billion on scholarships between 2020 and 2023,

and in 2022, Guyana saw the highest expenditure, which is over $3.8 billion.

Minister Parag said that any citizen can get a scholarship, noting: “There was so much talk as well about the Indigenous communities being left behind; this government is the government with a track record of taking care of our First People, our Indigenous people in this country and scholarships are just one aspect of that.”

Giving a breakdown, the minister said in just three years, 639 government scholarships were granted to Region One residents, while a total of 698 was allocated for Region Seven. Regions Eight and Nine saw 515 and 526 persons being granted scholarships respectively.

Regarding Regions Two and Three, 1,956 and 3,385 scholarships were granted,

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag respectively. try of Public Service under She further said: “We its public sector scholarship were able to grant 21,442 programme granted $918 ordinary Guyanese scholar- million in scholarships.” ships…there was so much She also told the Optalk that the GOAL schol- position Members that the arship was overriding the government understands University of Guyana. We the importance of human have always placed em- capital development, hence phasis on the University of the allocation for the Public Guyana as our national uni- Service Ministry. versity. In addition to the “Human Capital Debudgetary allocation…Last velopment is akin to huyear for the UG, the Minis- man resource development,

which comes under the Ministry of Public Service and a lovely sum is always placed in there from 2020 to 2024 to accommodate that, as well as the Ministry of Education for children…” the minister said.

With massive allocations to wages and salaries, she said that the government has made Budget 2024 “people-centred.”

Highlighting the failed promise of significant salary increases by the previous coalition government, the minister said that under the PPP/C Government, public servants have seen acrossthe-board salary increases unlike under APNU+AFC. She said: “This government has consistently given a salary increase across the board to all public servants, this year giving benefits to over 54,000 public servants across the board.”

“I'd like to put on re-

cord that the Ministry of Public Service has [strived] from 2020 to now, we have launched what is called [a] personnel workshop, which was abolished under the previous administration where personnel from different agencies would come together for two days and hash out how they can how they can solve bottlenecks in the public service to make it more efficient and professional,” Parag said.

In the training division, under the five years of the previous APNU+AFC government, only 4,931 public servants were trained. This figure has been surpassed by the Irfaan Ali-led administration.

“In the three years of the PPP administration, we have trained in the training division 4,997 public servants,” Parag boasted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

GBTI, the banking system and class tragedy

I HAVE been a columnist for all the major newspapers in Guyana since 1988. In those three and a half decades, more than half the population was not born.

In those three and a half decades, I cannot recall which topic I have laboured on more than others, but I do know the private commercial banks have featured quite a lot over the decades.

I am writing about the banks once more because of my experience at GBTI on Monday. I start with one central point which is at the core of my ideological belief on the practice of politics in the world.

There are international laws designed by the hegemonic nations in the West that are imposed on developing nations to ensure they do not emerge as a competitor to the dominant position the West holds in the global economy.

I can cite three such examples. The World Trade Organization that replaced the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs favours the West in the global economy.

Under the WTO rules, subsidies cannot be placed on industries in any country. But the European Union subsidises its farmers.

The demands for laws in the Third World by the United States against drug trafficking were done in the interest of the US, but those laws have had deleterious results in the sociology of developing states.

A sitting Columbian President, 40 years ago, advised the US to start the war on drugs at home rather than coercing South American states to do it for the US. President Desmond Hoyte had to implement the draconian anti-drug law in 1988 because it was a precondition for IMF assistance to the economy. That law in Guyana needs complete overhauling. Thirdly, there was the anti-money laundering legislation that the West demanded Third World countries accept. I believe that particular imposition was designed to keep the Third World at a disadvantage.

The anti-money laundering legislation, I firmly believe, has to be applied with respect to each country’s particularities, peculiarities, economic, cultural and sociological conditions.

If the West is asking developing countries to design laws to safeguard the world economy from money laundering, then the West has a

right to do so but the developing countries themselves have to apply such laws within the specific conditions prevailing in the country.

I firmly believe that in Guyana the anti-money laundering act is not understood by the banks, and is applied too broadly and in this lop-sided approach, the banks are devastating working people, small savers and the small business class. If in the next ten years, the banks do not apply the law in a commonsensical way, those categories mentioned above will die out.

I assert for the umpteenth time in these columns - money laundering is the movement of money. Money has to move for laundering to take place and most important, the sum is what triggers the red flag. My experience at GBTI on Monday has left me depressed about the future of the class I fought for all my life. Cheddi Jagan must be turning in his grave.

I went to GBTI to bank a very small amount. The lady said that when I started the account (which was over 40 years ago) my salary was $99,000. I was depositing a small amount after years and years of inactivity. But it was above $99,000, therefore, I

have to show proof of how I got a sum over and above $99,000. You will not believe how much I was banking.

No sane person would look at that amount I was putting in and see a red flag.

I repeat once again- commonsense has to inform the commercial banks as to the amount of money that would draw suspicion. How could a million dollars draw a red flag in an account that has not moved for decades and which has a pittance in it?

This is commonsense man! This is also asininity! In the Guyanese economy, at the rate of one American dollar to a $210 Guyanese, how can any bank see suspicion in the deposit of a million dollars?

There is a restaurant in Guyana where a beef stake is $72,000 and a bottle of wine fetches a price of $300,000.

Wealthy people in this country spend millions on their weekend escapades. There are private hospitals in this country where a million dol-

lars would be far below what is required for hospitalisation. Ten years, ago, I paid $400,000 for cataract surgery.

I repeat for the umpteenth time in this column of mine, the commercial banks are devastating small depositors.

The complaints I get are heart-breaking. These stories constitute an evil in this country.

If Janet and Cheddi Jagan were alive what would they say about the working classes in today’s Guyana?

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Guyana, Venezuela Foreign Affairs Ministers to meet tomorrow in Brazil

–– as part of first meeting of Joint Commission in keeping with commitments to peace THE Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Guyana and Venezuela are scheduled to meet on January 25, 2024 in Brasilia, Brazil, for the first meeting of the Joint Commission as envisioned by the Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace agreed upon during the meeting of

the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, on December 14, 2023.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation, emanating from the Argyle Declaration, the Joint Commission of the Foreign Ministers and techni-

cal persons from the two states is to address matters “as mutually agreed” upon.

Guyana remains fully committed to the principles of the Argyle Declaration in particular the maintenance of peace in Latin America and the See page 9

FLASHBACK: The historic face-to-face meeting between President Dr Irfaan Ali and President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela in the presence of CARICOM, CELAC, Brazil and the United Nations, on December 14, 2023, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Guyana, Venezuela Foreign Affairs Ministers to meet ...

From page 8

Caribbean.

Guyana’s delegation will be led by Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and will include Robert Persaud, Foreign Secretary; Ambassador Elisabeth Harper, Permanent Secretary; Richard Van West Charles, Ambassador of Guyana to Venezuela; Donnette Streete, Director of the Fron-

tiers Department and Vernon Robinson, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. of the Guyana Embassy in Brazil.

Presidents Dr. Irfaan Ali and Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, during their engagement at the Argyle International Airport in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, had made a commitment to peace.

The meeting was facilitated by the Prime

Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, and was observed by Brazil, CARICOM, and a UN Under-Secretary-General.

This historic meeting culminated in what is now known as the Argyle Declaration, an 11-point agreement which addresses matters consequential to the border controversy, including the fact that

Guyana holds firmly to its position that the substantive case is before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The Argyle Declaration, issued by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on December 14, 2023, emphasised the commitment to a zone of peace, rejecting aggression or the threat of force against any member state.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Regional private sector consortium pursuing inter-connecting ferry service

By Naomi Parris P R I VAT E s e c t o r

stakeholders within the Caribbean region have partnered for

the establishment of an inter-connecting ferry service for the

transportation of passengers and cargo across several na-

tions.

At a press conference on Tuesday, executives from Ramps Logistics, Pleion Group/

increased economic activity for the region.

“When we began this journey about 18 months ago, we pro-

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Upturn Funds Caribbean/ Pleion Group Inc., Dr. Andre Thomas

Upturn Funds, Windward Ferries Limited, JS Cruises and Tour and Hinkson Computer Solutions, shared their massive plans for – Connect Caribe

ceeded to read every single study that had been done on maritime transportation… we discovered something very significant that more than three stud-

– a commercial service which will feature three vessels scheduled to make daily and weekly trips across regional waters.

Chairman and Chief Executive officer of Upturn Funds Caribbean/Pleion Group Inc., Dr. Andre Thomas, said that the consortium has plans to engage respective governments to further fortify this venture, which promises

ies highlighted… the fact that if you could connect the Caribbean together for people to move, light goods to move, and agriculture to move over a fiveyear period, you would affect GDP [Gross Domestic Product] by above five per cent,” Dr. Thomas said.

The consortium hopes to collaborate with various regional TURN TO PAGE 11

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Regional private sector consortium pursuing...

FROM PAGE 10

governments to integrate their services.

Dr. Thomas said that a cargo service will ply the route to Guyana and Suriname in a latter phase of the project, while a passenger and cargo service will be provided to Barbados, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, Antigua and other eastern Caribbean islands in its first phase, targeting the transportation of 8,000 passengers, cargo and manufactured goods and produce.

The private sector-led venture, Dr. Thomas said, is being done in the “spirit of collaboration” with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to

achieve its regional food security and other economic targets. “ We n e e d m a n y players in order to provide the type of maritime corridor that the region needs,” he related.

Executives are hoping to get the ball rolling on the commercial service by the end of the year, and more than US$50 million is expected to be expended on this project, as executives are currently engaging funding partners, Dr. Thomas disclosed.

In the first phase alone, some 270 persons are expected to gain employment. It will create one large market among the participating member states, he said.

A vessel from Windward Ferries Limited, one of the private sector companies that are a part of the consortium seeking to establish an inter-connecting ferry service

'Iswe' remanded for allegedly killing girlfriend

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

AFTER almost three years on the run, Shaquawn Alleyne, called “Iswe,” was, on Tuesday, remanded to prison for the brutal murder of his girlfriend, Shonette Dover, whose decomposed body was found in a shallow grave with a gunshot wound to her head.

Alleyne, who was captured by Surinamese police last week, appeared via Zoom before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

The 24-year-old man was not required to plead to the capital offence, which alleged that, between April 3, 2021, and April 30, 2021, he murdered Dover.

Alleyne was unrepresented and told the court that he lives with his father at Wismar, Linden, and that he has a four-month-old child.

He also told the court that

murder.

She had allegedly admitted to police that she assisted Alleyne to bury her sister’s body. She allegedly said that the boyfriend shot her sister as he cleaned a gun.

The teen also allegedly told investigators that, after the shooting, she accompanied the boyfriend to his father’s home.

They later returned to the boyfriend’s residence and proceeded to bury the woman’s body.

Alleyne, when interviewed by local investigators after he was turned over

by Surinamese authorities, confessed that he killed Dover. He also implicated the sister of Dover in that she assisted in the disposal of her body in a shallow grave.

“While cleaning the gun, I pulled back the hammer, and I did spray double WD-

he is currently employed as a barber.

The prosecutor told the court that Alleyne was no stranger to the law since he was charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm.

According to the court prosecutor, in that case, the victim opted to take compensation from Alleyne instead of taking the matter to court.

In 2018, the accused was also charged with having 16 grams of amphetamine in his possession. However, the case was later dismissed.

Alleyne was remanded to prison until February 27, 2024.

Dover, who was reported missing on April 3, 2021, was found dead in a shallow grave behind the Canvas City, Wismar house of her purported boyfriend, Alleyne. Dover’s 15-year-old sister was charged with an accessory after the fact of

40. Shonette was sitting in a chair, and I was in front of her on another chair handle when I pointed the gun and waved it. Shonette told me to stop playing and my finger touched the trigger, and the gun went off, and I see smoke in the living room and Shonette lying motionless with a wound in her forehead and blood coming out,” Alleyne reportedly told the police in his confession.

He allegedly told the investigator that he became afraid because he did not want his girlfriend’s family to know that she was dead.

So, he instead told them she had left for work and had not returned.

Alleyne also confessed to selling the murder weapon to Shakeel Austin in Linden before fleeing to Suriname. Authorities have since apprehended Austin, and investigations into the case continue.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

GPHC introduces ‘24/7’ help desk - to enhance patient, staff support

THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has taken a significant leap forward in prioritising patient and staff experience, with the introduction of its cutting-edge 24/7 Help Desk/Orange Office.

tions, commendations, or address any nature of complaints related to the hospital's service or staff.

This ensures that our commitment to excellence is upheld, and every concern is met with understanding and resolution,” GPHC

This state-of-the-art facility is poised to become the central hub for information and assistance within the hospital, operating 24 hours to cater to the diverse needs of our valued community.

According to a press release from GPHC, the help desk is staffed by a dedicated team of professionals committed to ensuring a positive and efficient healthcare experience for all.

From providing essential directions and patient updates to facilitating seamless access to various hospital services, the help desk stands as a beacon of support for patients, their relatives, and visitors.

“In addressing a broad spectrum of inquiries, the help desk plays a pivotal role in fostering open communication. It welcomes patients and staff to share recommenda-

said.

The hospital added: “For the convenience of our community, the help desk offers multiple channels for engagement.

Whether through a direct call using the numbers provided in our informative flyers, convenient messaging via WhatsApp on our dedicated number, detailed inquiries through email at the provided address, or in-person assistance at the vibrant Orange Office located at the Gate # 1 - Main Gate on New Market Street – the help desk caters to varied preferences.”

The Orange Office, serving as the heart of assistance within the hospital, is a welcoming space for those who prefer a personal touch, GPHC said.

The location ensures that visitors have access to the support they need, coupled with the warmth

and empathy that defines the Georgetown Public Hospital experience.

“GPHC invites pa-

tients, staff, and the community at large to engage with the help desk. Your feedback and

inquiries matter, and the help desk is dedicated to making the healthcare journey at Georgetown

Public Hospital Corporation exceptional,” the hospital said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Budget 2024 to foster peace, continue progress in Guyana - Benn says; defends $90.6B security sector allocation

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn

By Clestine Juan MINISTER of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, justified the $90.6 billion allocation for his ministry by emphasising its critical role in implementing strategic measures that promote peace and progress across the nation.

During the second day of the 2024 National Budget Debates, Benn said that this substantial funding encompasses critical entities such as the Guyana Police Force ($30.3 billion), the Guyana Fire Service ($6.5 billion), and the Guyana Prison Service (6.5 billion), which is deemed essential for bolstering public safety, infrastructure, and overall development.

Benn made his remarks in response to a request from Opposition Parliamentarian Khemraj Ramjattan, urging the government to contemplate integrating crime-fighting tactics from the previous APNU+AFC Coalition.

Minister Benn initiated his speech by emphasising the PPP/C's restoration to authority, attributing it to the unwavering confidence of the Guyanese populace.

He asserted that the electorate rejected attempts to undermine democracy and voiced their disapproval of efforts to compromise the integrity of their votes.

“The PPP/C is back in power because of the trust of the Guyanese people. They rejected attempts to undermine democracy and steal votes,” Benn said as he firmly established the legitimacy of the current government, unlike the coalition government, which he said attempted to rig the 2020 elections.

Furthermore, Ramjattan asserted that the budget places

an uneven emphasis on capital investments, neglecting the pressing needs of the populace.

Other members of the coalition shared Ramjattan's sentiments, criticising the budget for its lack of initiatives to uplift the common citizen.

Minister Benn, however, countered these assertions, emphasising the crucial role that infrastructure plays in propelling the nation forward.

“The investment in infrastructure is a ‘Sine qua non’ for our country’s development here and now,” the minister said as he pointed to the dire state of infrastructure upon the government’s assumption of power, underscoring the need for substantial investments in roads, bridges, and energy facilities.

In response to allegations of neglect towards the working class, Benn shifted focus to the APNU+AFC coalition, holding them accountable for the shutdown of sugar estates and the downsizing of the bauxite industry, leading to significant unemployment.

“They [APNU+AFC] sat there complicit with the APNU and allowed for workers in the bauxite industry to be made to block the river in Kwakwani, closing down the RUSAL investment and losing over 100,000 workers.”

In response to the opposition’s claims of a burgeoning “corrupt contractor class” benefitting from government spending, Benn defended the investments in infrastructure as a necessary step for overall development.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND PEOPLE-CENTRIC APPROACH Addressing criticisms from the opposition regarding the TURN TO PAGE 15

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Budget 2024 to foster...

FROM PAGE 14 budget’s emphasis on capital investment, Benn underscored the indispensable role of infrastructure development in national progress.

Contrary to claims of neglecting the immediate concerns of the people, he emphasised the administration’s commitment to improving both physical and social infrastructure.

“One of the criticisms is that too much money is being spent on capital investment and not enough on issues directly related to the people. We’re investing in roads, bridges, and energy infrastructure – a ‘Sine qua non’ for our country’s development,” explained Benn, pointing to the pivotal importance of robust infrastructure.

Minister Benn delved into the challenges faced by the security sector, acknowledging the Guyana Fire Service’s increased workload due to a surge in fire calls. He expressed condolences for the tragic incident in Madhia, where 20 young lives were lost which sent shockwaves throughout the country.

In response to queries about crime reduction, Benn provided statistics showcasing a consistent decline over three years. Despite challenges such as border issues and disorderly murders, the government remains committed to creating safer communities.

“Crime continues to drop during the PPP/C’s governance. In 2022, we reduced serious crime by 20%, and in 2023, by 17%. Our manifesto pledged less crime and safer communities,” stated Benn, underscoring the government’s commitment to public safety.

He commended the efforts of the Guyana Police Force, Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit, Immigration Services, and the Prison Service, emphasising the positive transformations in work ethic and professionalism across these units.

The Minister also addressed the tragic Madhia fire incident, citing a presidential commission of inquiry and increased funding for the Guyana Fire Service. Despite these measures, the opposition remained critical, arguing that the budget fails to address the root causes of such incidents.

Nevertheless, the Minister affirmed that fire prevention measures and significant updates are being considered in the budget for 2024. He provided an overview of current projects, which encompassed the building and restoration of fire stations, procurement of state-of-the-art fire-fighting equipment, and measures to bolster emergency medical services.

VIGILANCE IN THE SECURITY SECTOR Turning his attention to the security sector, Minister Benn underscored the need for vigilance, particularly in the Guyana Prison Service.

in the positive impact of the allocated funds on the nation’s security and overall prosperity.

Benn said the $1.146 trillion allocation showcases the government’s commitment to transformation and living up

Opposition Parliamentarian, Khemraj Ramjattan He revealed plans for a fresh-start programme aimed at reducing recidivism by providing prisoners with training and tools for trade upon release.

“Maximum vigilance is crucial. We’ve implemented measures like cameras and new prison buildings. Our focus is on reducing recidivism and ensuring prisoners can integrate back into society,” Benn outlined while detailing the government’s efforts in prison reform.

FIREARMS AMNESTY AND STRICTER ENFORCEMENT Responding to queries on firearms amnesty, Benn clarified the government’s stance.

He signalled a shift towards stricter enforcement and increased fines for illegal firearm possession, stressing the determination to find and penalise individuals with illegal firearms.

“If you have an illegal firearm, we will find you.

We’re increasing fines for illegal firearms and road deaths.

Amnesty is for another time,” affirmed Benn as he said that the PPP/C government is committed to curbing illegal firearm possession.

Holistic Vision for National Development Minister Benn affirmed that the budget allocations were a priority aligned with President Irfaan Ali’s vision for a united Guyana. The substantial funds earmarked for the security sector, he said, reflect a comprehensive approach to national development, addressing critical issues and enhancing the well-being of citizens.

“The budget allocation is in line with our understanding of how Guyana can progress towards achieving ‘One Guyana’. It is a holistic approach to development,” asserted Benn, expressing confidence

to the 2024 National Budget theme, ‘Staying the course, prosperity for all.’

The minister posited that the allocations and measures outlined in his ministry’s budget will help protect and keep the peace in Guyana.

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U.S. Army advisors boost Guyana’s defence capabilities through leadership training

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

US continues to demonstrate its commitment to strengthening the enduring security partnership with Guyana

A GROUP of advisors from the United States Army, who are part of the first Security Force Assistance B r i g a d e ( S FA B ) , have been deployed to Guyana to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and provide leadership training to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

Within the training programme, the SFAB will assume the role of advising and evaluating the operations of the GDF training corps, engineer battalion, as well as maintenance and warehouse operations.

These engagements are integral to SFAB’s continuous endeavors to enhance capacity and capability alongside security force partners in Guyana and the region.

The United States remains dedicated to enhancing the long-standing security partnership with Guyana.

Most recently, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere, Daniel Erikson, concluded a twoday visit to Guyana earlier this month.

This visit by Erikson emphasised the importance of strong interactions and engagement between the U.S. Department of Defense and the GDF in 2024.

According to an online article published by the National Communications Network (NCN), the purpose of the visit was to strengthen collaboration in various domains such as cybersecurity, training, and information sharing.

Erikson emphasised the importance of comprehending the obstacles and possibilities encountered by the Guyana Defence Force, especially regarding the modernisation of its military.

In September 2023, a team from the United States SFAB arrived in Guyana to collaborate with the Guyana Defence Force in order to enhance readiness through tactical and operational integration.

In accordance with the U.S Embassy Guyana, the exercise entailed strategic planning sessions and procedures geared towards augmenting the military readiness and capabilities of both nations in order to effectively respond to a range of security threats.

The defence forces of both the United States and Guyana will collaborate in sharing expertise, tactics, and strategies, resulting in mutual benefits from the lessons learned.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Join hands to build a community with a shared future for mankind, realise modernisation

By Guo Haiyan, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana

AT the beginning of the new year, I was invited to attend several sod-turning or ribbon-cutting ceremonies of different projects.

Through the media, I also learned of ambitious development plans of the Government of Guyana. I am excited about the strong momentum of Guyana’s economic and social transformation and pleased with the fruitful results of China’s participation and cooperation.

As the world’s largest and fastest-growing developing country respectively, China and Guyana’s common goal is to realise modernisation.

Therefore, our common task ahead is to foster a favourable international circumstance for modernisation.

Last month, the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs was held in Beijing. President Xi Jinping attended the conference and delivered an important address.

It was pointed out at the conference that building a community with a shared future for mankind is the lofty goal of China’s diplomacy in the new era, and which is also China’s solution to complete the above-mentioned task.

In 2013, President Xi Jinping proposed the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Over the past decade, the initiative has developed from a conceptual proposition to a scientific system.

In summary, in building a community with a shared future for mankind, the goal is to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity, the pathway is promoting global governance that features extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, the guiding principle is to apply the common values of humanity; the basic underpinning lies in building a new type of international relations; the strategic guidance comes from the

Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan implementation of the Global in which all countries, reDevelopment Initiative, the gardless of size, are treated Global Security Initiative as equals, hegemonism and and the Global Civilization power politics are rejectInitiative, and the platform ed, and democracy is truly for action is high-quality Belt promoted in international relations. and Road cooperation.

To keep the progress toOn this basis, we seek to bring countries together ward greater multipolarity to confront challenges and generally stable and conachieve prosperity for all, structive, the purposes and and usher in a bright future principles of the United Naof peace, security, prosperity tions Charter must be observed by all, the universally and progress for our world.

Building a community recognised, basic norms govwith a shared future for man- erning international relations kind advocates an equal and must be upheld by all, and orderly multipolar world, true multilateralism must be

practised.

Building a community with a shared future for mankind advocates a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation, which meets the common needs of all countries, especially the developing countries, and properly addresses the development imbalances between and within countries resulting from the global allocation of resources.

It is important to resolutely oppose the attempt to roll back globalisation and abuse the concept of security, oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, firmly promote trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation, overcome the structural problems hindering the healthy development of the world economy, and make economic globalisation more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all.

Building a community with a shared future for mankind serves as principal guidance for China to develop relations with Guyana. Guyana

is China’s good friend and important partner. The development of the two countries is highly complementary and offers each other development opportunities.

China is willing to take the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as a platform, to seek greater complementarity between our development strategies, expand win-win cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, industrial development and green development, and build a more close-knit China-Guyana community with a shared future.

China supports Guyana in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs, and stands ready to work with Guyana to jointly promote genuine multilateralism, safeguard the overall interests of developing countries, strive for a favourable international circumstance for the modernisation of developing countries, and contribute to world peace, security, prosperity and progress.

China issues white paper on legal framework, measures for counterterrorism

(Xinhua) China's State Council Information Office on Tuesday released a white paper titled "China's Legal Framework and Measures for Counterterrorism."

Besides the preface and conclusion, the white paper consists of five parts: "An Improving Legal Framework for Counterterrorism," "Clear Provisions for the Determination and Punishment of Terrorist Activities," "Standardized Exercise of Power in Fighting Terrorism," "Protection of Human Rights in Counterterrorism Practices" and "Effective Protection of People's Safety and National Security."

Terrorism is the common enemy of humanity, posing a grave threat to international peace and security, and representing a challenge to all countries and all humanity, the white paper noted. "All members of the international community share the responsibility to fight it," it said.

The document said that as a victim of terrorism, China has long faced its real threat.

China has always attached great importance to law-based counterterrorism efforts, and has accumulated experience by concluding or joining international conventions and treaties and amending and improving criminal laws, it added.

Over the years, China has found a path of lawbased counterterrorism that conforms to its realities by establishing a sound legal framework, promoting strict, impartial, procedure-based law enforcement, and ensuring impartial administration of justice and effective protection of human rights, according to the document.

China has amended and improved its criminal laws, made a counterterrorism law, and upgraded the counterterrorism provisions of other relevant laws, according to the white paper, adding that this has strengthened systematic coordination among laws, closed legal loopholes, improved areas of weakness, and formed synergy in coun-

terterrorism practice.

Thanks to more than four decades of experience, a counterterrorism legal framework based on the Constitution has been gradually formed in China, said the white paper.

In the legal framework, the Counterterrorism Law is the centerpiece, the criminal laws and National Security Law play major roles and other laws serve as supplements, according to the document.

It also covers administrative regulations, judicial interpretations, local regulations, and departmental and local government rules, added the document.

According to the white paper, China actively promotes improved terrorism prevention standards in key sectors and localities, formulates or revises counterterrorism contingency plans, and encourages and supports counterterrorism-related scientific research and technological innovation.

China also relies on the public in working to counter terrorism.

The Chinese government has succeeded in curbing the spread of terrorism, protecting citizens' rights to life, health and property, and maintaining social stability, while taking firm actions to protect the lawful rights and interests of citizens and organizations, and guard against discrimination based on geographical area, ethnic group, or religion, the white paper said.

In handling cases involving terrorist offenses and crimes, China gives equal weight to safeguarding the basic rights of citizens, preserving social order, and protecting the rights of victims and interested persons as well as suspects, defendants and convicts, according to the document.

The document said that efforts are made to guarantee the rights to defence, information and participation, legal relief, as well as court proceedings in ethnic spoken and written languages, among others.

While striking hard at

unlawful and criminal terrorist activities, China attaches greater importance to the education and rehabilitation of victims of extremist teachings who have committed only minor offences, said the document.

Relevant government departments, women's associations and other social organizations, religious groups, schools, and families collaborate to offer targeted intervention measures, in order to protect them from further harmful impact, it said.

The white paper also noted that China has regulated procedures for handling terrorist cases in accordance with the law, with case management responsibility implemented, and external oversight strengthened to ensure the standardised and orderly exercise of power in handling such cases.

It added that China has joined 12 global counterterrorism conventions and facilitated the formulation of documents such as the Shang-

hai Convention on Combating Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States Agreement on Border Defense Cooperation.

"China has safeguarded national and public security, protected people's lives and property, and contributed to global and regional security and stability," it said.

Counterterrorism approaches that champion the common values of humanity, comply with the norms and principles of the United Nations, and conform to their own national conditions and legal institutions, are all part of the global efforts to combat terrorism under the rule of law, according to the white paper.

Upholding the vision of a global community of shared future, China is willing to work closely with other countries to push forward counterterrorism cause as part of global governance, said the document.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

CAPA hosts pre-launch workshop to boost agricultural opportunities THE Caribbean Agricultural Productivity Improvement Activity (CAPA), generously funded by the United States Agency for International Development Eastern and Southern Caribbean (USAID/ESC), took a significant stride towards agricultural empowerment on Tuesday by organising a pre-launch workshop at the Herdman-

ston Lodge, Georgetown.

This workshop gathered farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, and private sector stakeholders to facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity-building along the agricultural value chain.

The primary objective of the workshop was to bring together buyers, input suppliers, and farmers, cre-

Senior Research Scientist, Dr. Ramnarace Sukhna

ating a collaborative environment to explore opportunities and share insights. Farmers were provided with a platform to showcase best practices, success stories, and their experiences as ‘agri-preneurs’.

Durwin Humphrey, the Economic Growth and Local Work Development Specialist at USAID/ESC, highlighted the workshop's focus on cultivating an environment conducive for farmers and key stakeholders in the cherry, coconut, and

Project Manager of the Agriculture and Agro-Industry Development at CARICOM Secretariat, Shaun Baugh

turmeric value chains.

The event aimed to enhance their access to opportunities and increase awareness of the sector's requirements.

Humphrey expressed optimism, stating, "I believe that the stage is set today for us to make real progress as it relates to strengthening these value chains, and it begins with today’s workshop.

I believe that today’s workshop is the first step in what we believe will be really impactful programming over the

next three days."

During the workshop, Dr. Ramnarace Sukhna, Senior Research Scientist at the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), emphasised NAREI's mission to ensure food security, prosperity, and livelihood through technological innovation in agriculture. Sukhna outlined NAREI's collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture to reduce the importaTURN TO PAGE 19

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

CAPA hosts pre-launch workshop...

FROM PAGE 18

tion of crops produced locally, aligning with the goal to achieve 25% self-sufficiency by 2025.

Sukhna shared NAREI's collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the New

sised NAREI's dedication to providing production technology training to farmers.

Shaun Baugh, Project Manager of Agriculture and Agro-Industry Development at CARICOM Secretariat, stressed the importance of pro-

USAID/ESC Economic Growth and Local Work Development Specialist, Durwin Humphrey (Delano Williams photos)

Guyana Marketing Corporation to boost cherry production. The Institute also engaged Indian experts to enhance Guyana's coconut industry and established a spice factory in Hosororo, Region One, to address challenges in processing turmeric.

Highlighting the commitment to farmers' training, Sukhna mentioned that approximately 218 farmers benefitted from 13,000 seed nuts from Brazil in 2023. He empha-

viding tools, systems, and support to assist stakeholders. Baugh encouraged attendees to actively participate in discussions, think critically, and consider local, regional, and global perspectives.

The pre-launch workshop marked a significant step towards fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and empowerment within the agricultural sector, setting the stage for impactful programming in the

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Cameroon come from behind to reach last 16 (BBC) - Cameroon came from behind with two late goals to reach the last 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, beating The Gambia in a thriller to knock their opponents out of the tournament.

The five-time champions secured second place in Group ‘C’ on goals scored.

Rigobert Song's side will next face Nigeria at Abidjan's Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Saturday (20:00 GMT).

The Scorpions looked to have dashed Cameroon's hopes with a 93rd-minute goal, but it was ruled out for handball.

Guinea's 2-0 defeat against group winners Senegal allowed Cameroon to move above them in the final table, although the Syli National advanced as one of the four best third-placed teams.

Tom Saintfiet resigned as The Gambia coach after their exit without a point but the world's 126th-ranked team -- the lowest in the competition -- were on course to extend his stay with a huge upset when Ebrima Colley curled them ahead for the first time, making it 2-1 from a tight angle with less than six minutes of normal time remaining.

Victory for Saintfiet's spirited squad would have put them in contention to go through among the thirdplaced teams and knocked Cameroon out, only for James Gomez to turn the ball beyond his own goalkeeper and make it 2-2 two minutes later, when the centre-back lunged in to attempt to intercept Enzo Tchato's cross.

Having been on the brink of elimination, Cameroon climbed into second spot a minute into added time when Christopher Wooh rose to head a corner beyond Baboucarr Gaye's dive.

The abundance of late twists continued when Muhammed Sanneh -- one of five changes made by Saintfiet -- turned in a cross for a goal that was disallowed for handball by a VAR check.

Onana dropped by Indomitable Lions There had been hints of the drama to come during a promising start by the underdogs, who are 80 places below Cameroon in Fifa's rankings and reached the quarter-finals on their debut in 2021.

Cameroon head coach Song dropped Andre Onana in the most high-profile of four alterations to his starting line-up, restoring the Manchester United goalkeeper's cousin, Fabrice Ondoa, in his place.

Ondoa was soon called into action, beating Ali Sowe's angled strike away at his near post as part of an end-to-end first half in which the West African nation had the better chances.

Only a timely block

by Jacob Mendy prevented Cameroon forward Karl Toko Ekambi from firing in a close-range shot on the turn, and Ondoa plunged on the recalled Yankuba Minteh's effort when he was left unmarked at the far post to plant a header towards goal from Musa Barrow's corner.

A spell of persistent Gambia pressure ended with Ondoa appearing to plead with his teammates to raise their defensive game, but Cameroon only improved after the break.

After Indomitable Lions forward Georges-Kevin Nkoudou hammered a shot against the crossbar five minutes into the second period, Toko Ekambi headed Nkoudou's searching delivery in six minutes later to break the deadlock.

The Gambia, however, soon levelled as Ablie Jallow arrived unmarked in the box to deftly volley in from Alieu Fadera's cross.

Toko Ekambi rattled the crossbar with a fizzing effort before Colley's strike sent shockwaves around the Stade de la Paix, starting the sequence of three goals in seven minutes to settle Cameroon's destiny in an extraordinary finish.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Chelsea reach Carabao final after thrashing Middlesbrough

Enzo Fernandez scored his fifth goal of the season to put Chelsea 2-0 ahead against Middlesbrough

(BBC) - CHELSEA reached the Carabao Cup final by blowing away second-tier Middlesbrough to seal a 6-2 aggregate victory.

The Championship side headed to Stamford Bridge with a 1-0 lead from the first leg.

But Chelsea scored four times in the first half through a Jonny Howson own goal, Enzo Fernandez, Axel Disasi and Cole Palmer.

Palmer's second and Noni Madueke completed the rout, before Morgan Rogers scored a consolation to delight the large and noisy away support.

Chelsea have secured a place at Wembley on 25 February, and will face Liverpool or Fulham, who meet at Craven Cottage in their semi-final second leg on Wednesday, with the Reds 2-1 up in the tie.

Mauricio Pochettino's side levelled this tie on aggregate after 15 minutes, when Ben Chilwell - making his first club start for 118 days - cut Boro's defence open with an incisive through ball.

Raheem Sterling then squared towards Armando Broja in the box, and Boro captain Howson, attempting to intervene, inadvertently directed the ball into his own

net off his shin.

Chelsea then went ahead in the tie for the first time as Sterling and Disasi combined down the right, before the onrushing Enzo fired the low cross high past Boro keeper Tom Glover.

Boro were the architects of their own downfall for the third and fourth goals of the first half. First, centre-back Matt Clarke gave the ball away with a loose pass. Chelsea countered, with Disasi bursting into the area to stroke Sterling's pass into the far corner.

The fourth was even more egregious as Dan Barlaser was dispossessed on the edge of his own area

by Palmer, who slotted past Glover.

Palmer, who missed three golden chances in the first leg, made amends here with the fifth goal as he clinically finished Conor Gallagher's cut-back, before Madueke smashed past Glover via a deflection off Rav van den Berg.

Rogers, who has been linked with Aston Villa this month, pulled one back for Boro with a fine finish into Djordje Petrovic's far corner - but Chelsea had long since ensured a place in the final.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

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Pooran, Matthews only West Indians named in ICC 2023 teams

CMC – Nicholas Pooran and Hayley Matthews were the only West Indies players chosen in the International Cricket Council teams-of-the-year for 2023.

The 28-year-old Pooran, a former white-ball captain, was included in the Twenty20 International side while Matthews, 25, the current West Indies skipper, was also named in the T20 squad.

However, there was no room for one-day captain Shai Hope in the One-Day International squad, despite the prolific right-hander averaging 68 from 17 matches and scoring three centuries.

The sides were chosen from 11 international teams which campaigned across the five formats last year, and were identified by a panel of media representatives that comprise the ICC Voting Academy.

“The esteemed panel made their selections based on player performances during the calendar year, nominating their playing 11 to include a captain and a wicketkeeper,” the ICC said.

Pooran turned out in 13 T20 Internationals last year, averaging 29.5, with two half-centuries.

The Trinidadian was also installed as wicketkeeper in the squad, having taken 10 catches and completed two stumpings.

Matthews, meanwhile, dominated the women’s format, amassing 700 runs at an average of 63 from 14 matches, scoring one hundred and four 50s.

She enjoyed a standout series against Australia last year, plundering 310 runs at an average of 155.

The Barbadian was also effective with her offspin, taking 19 wickets at an average of 16.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Wednesday January 24, 2024)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD - 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Justin Greaves, Kaveem Hodge & Shamar Joseph (2) 14 & 0 Today’s Quiz: (1) What were AUST’s opening partnerships in the recent first Test against the WI? (2) What were Shamar Joseph’s scores in the recent WI/AUST first Test?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

BCB Premier T20 Cup…

Pestano, Hooper power RHT NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour into final

A BRUTAL innings of 60 not out from Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour first-division captain Clinton Pestano and a fine bowling spell from former senior national player Eon Hooper powered their team to an easy eight-wicket victory against Blairmont in the semifinal of the BCB Premier T20 tournament.

Playing at the Area ‘H’ ground in blazing sunny conditions, the Berbice powerhouse booked their place in another final after winning the BCB Ivan Madray T20 tournament last week against arch rivals Albion at the NO. 69 ground.

Blairmont, led by veteran Shameer Baksh won the toss and elected to take first

Clinton Pestano

Eon Hooper

strike.

They lost opener S. Bissoondyal caught behind the wicket by Jason Sinclair off Hooper at 9 for 1 in the second over.

Former national U-19 player Javed Karim was left caught at long on off Troy Matterson for 20 at 29 for 2 in the fifth over.

The Blairmont team nev-

er recovered as the home team bowling attack tightened the screws.

A. Balman scored 24 with two boundaries, but apart from Farouk Subhan with 16, none of the other batsman reached double figures.

Nigel Deodat (9), Seon Glasgow (0), Sameer Baksh (0), D Mickle (0), Clive Harry (6) and A. Ragbheer 5 were all dismissed cheaply, while A. David was unbeaten on 1 as Blairmont were bowled out for a meagre 94 in 19.3 overs.

Hooper claimed 3 for 23 from four impressive overs while Keith Simpson continued to impress with his left-arm spin by claiming 2 for 18.

National U-17 off spinner Matthew Pottaya took 2

for 8 from two overs, while Troy Matterson bagged 1 for 8, Jeremy Sandia 1 for 14 and Jonathan Rampersaud 1 for 12.

Needing to score 95 from 20 overs to book their place in the final, Rose Hall Town lost opener Matthew Pottaya, bowled by Nigel Deodat for 8 with the score on 29 in the third over.

Pestano started with a sweetly timed boundary as he batted aggressively from the start, but lost fellow national player Kevlon Anderson at 39 for 2 when he pulled Seon Glasgow into the hands of deep mid-wicket.

Jonathan Rampersaud joined his captain and they added 60 runs for the third wicket to lead their team into the final.

Pestano’s 60 came from 30 balls with six boundaries and six sixes in his brutal innings, while the elegant Rampersaud ended on 16.

Left-arm spinner Nigel Deodat took 1 for 31 from four overs while Seon Glasgow claimed the other wicket to fall for 27 runs from two overs as Rose Hall achieved victory off 11.2 overs.

Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour will now await the other finalist.

Albion and Port Mourant are set for their quarter-final games later this week, while Tucber Park and Rose Hall Canje will clash in the second.

The two winners will move onto the semi-final and then the final.

Roach warns understudy Joseph to avoid ‘distractions’

CMC – Veteran seamer Kemar Roach has warned understudy Shamar Joseph to be wary of “distractions” after his huge impact on the opening Test against Australia last week.

The 24-year-old, with only five first-class matches under his belt, produced a stunning effort on debut to claim five wickets in the first innings at Adelaide Oval, emerging as the brightest spark for the tourists amid their 10-wicket thrashing inside three days.

With the Twenty20 franchise leagues now likely to come calling, Roach urged Joseph to be clear in what his objectives were.

“The best advice I can give him is to build his own legacy,” said the 35-year-old Roach, who has featured in 80 Tests since making his debut 15 years ago.

“Understand what you want from cricket. That’s up to him to determine if it’s monetary or if it’s just statistics.

“There’s going to be a

Kemar Roach (left) celebrates a wicket with Shamar Joseph during the opening Test in Adelaide.

lot of distractions, he’s a hot commodity right now.”

Roach is the leader of an inexperienced fast-bowling unit, with Alzarri Joseph the only other bowler with sig-

nificant Test experience with 31 Tests.

Justin Greaves, who made his debut in Adelaide, and the uncapped Akeem Jordan are the two other seamers on

tour.

Roach, who lies fifth on the all-time West Indies list with 267 wickets, said his experience would be key to the development of the new

generation of fast bowlers.

“I had that when I started – Jerome Taylor, Darren Powell, Fidel Edwards – guys who [were] willing to help me when I started my career,”

Roach said.

“I took knowledge and learning from it. For me now, it’s all about passing on the mantle down to the youngsters.”

West Indies take on Australia in the second Test here starting Thursday, hoping to level the series after their heavy loss last week.

And Roach said their first innings performance in bowling out Australia for 288 had been a great boost for the Caribbean side ahead of their series finale.

“I thought we handled ourselves pretty well with the ball [in the opening Test],” Roach said. “[We] fought back into the game. Bowling Australia out in under 90 overs – that’s a major achievement for a young bowling line-up.

“It’s a confidence builder for the group and [now] it’s about us communicating and planning well again. [It’s a] pink ball so it’s going to be a little bit different.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

BCB/Ricky Moore and Sons under 11 tournament…

RHT Poonai Pharmacy claims historic title

THE Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy under 11 cricket team under the inspirational leadership of Darvish Narain created history in Berbice cricket when they won the first ever U-11 cricket tournament sponsored by Ricky Moore and Sons enterprise.

Playing at the Chesney Cricket Ground, Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy was spearheaded by a brilliant all-round performance from Akeem Fraser.

With Albion the final favourites after winning both of their meetings in the past, the RHT Poonai Pharmacy side were hungry to go that extra mile.

Rose Hall Town won the toss in extremely hot conditions and elected to bat first.

They lost opener Julian

Hicks (bowled) by Shahid Gajnabi for one in the first over before the other opener Dilchan La Cruz and skipper Darvish Narain added 20 for the second wicket.

La Cruz was then run out for 10.

The highly talented Akeem Fraser batted with maturity beyond his age and ended unbeaten on 35 with four boundaries, the eventual champions ending on 130 for 6 off their allotted 20 overs.

Skipper Narain supported with 16 while extras contributed a healthy 56 runs.

Wides bowled in the first 15 overs resulted in two runs for the batting side, while the ball is not bowled back (as per tournament rules).

The best bowler for Albion was their captain Gajnabi

Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy Under-11 team

who took three for 18 from his four pace-bowling overs.

Needing to score 131 off their allotted 20 overs, Albion were given a solid start of 31 by openers Nicholas Madramootoo and Daniel Johnson

before Madramootoo was caught off the bowling of left- arm spinner Khemraj Bharrat for 3.

Johnson was also dismissed for 11 to leave Albion at 38 for two in the sixth over.

flavour in the form of four Surinamese pugilists. Participation from Trinidad and Tobago is also being explored by the GBA. Terrence Poole, Technical Director of the GBA, said, “This is an important event because it will provide valuable minutes in the ring for several of the elite boxers who have impending Olympic qualifiers and have not been competitively active.

The event essentially caters to the elite boxers who have not been competing, and it’s also necessary because we didn’t get to run off the national open last year, and that

was initially pencilled for this weekend.”

According to Poole, "We will not get the full complement of representatives from several gyms because of issues I would prefer not to disclose at this time. Some of our largest gyms are not inclined to field teams and after a meeting with all coaches and the GBA President, a decision was made. That’s why we opted against doing the Terrence Ali National Open and decided to host a developmental event.”

Meanwhile, Steve Ninvalle, GBA President, said, “While the decision to sus-

The Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy confidence was lifted when the dangerous Shahid Gajnabi, younger brother of West Indies player Sahabeka Gajnabi, was caught off the bowling of his opposite number Dharvish Narain for 12.

Albion slumped to 61 to 6 in the 11th over before Royston Crandon jnr and Ganesh Shivdyal then added 30 crucial runs for the seventh wicket to bring Albion back into contention.

Ganesh was run out for 10 at 91 for seven with Albion eventually bowled out for 120 of 18.4 overs.

Akeem Fraser took the final wicket to spark celebration by the Rose Hall Town team and their supporters.

Bowling for the champi-

ons, Khemraj Bharrat bagged 3 for 15, Darvish Narain 2 for 17, Akeem Fraser 2 for 6 and Joshua Dhanraj 2 for 11.

Fraser was named man of the final for his crucial innings of 35 not out and his two wickets Chairman of the BCB cricket competition committee Leslie Solomon hailed the success of the tournament which unearthed several exciting talents for the future.

Solomon also expressed thanks to Ricky Moore for his sponsorship of the U-11 tournament.

He stated that the BCB is also looking to host an U-9 tournament in 2024 as part of its overall developmental programme.

GBA senior developmental championships on this Friday

WITH Guyana set to participate in several Olympic qualifiers ahead of the 2024 Paris Games, the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will stage a senior developmental championship, on Friday, at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue which will serve as part of the preparatory process.

The event, which is expected to feature representation from the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, the Forgotten Youth Foundation, and Rose Hall Town Jammers, will conduct its official weigh-in at the

same location tomorrow. The tournament is also expected to feature international

EIGHT Secondary Schools in Berbice are now offering the golf to Grades 7-9 and four schools are preparing learners for CSEC according to a release from the Guyana Golf Association.

A comprehensive approach to introducing Golf to Guyanese began in 2022 when Aleem Hussain, President of the Guyana Golf Association and Nexgen Golf Academy partnered with the Ministry of Education Unit of Allied Arts to train 155 PE teachers from eight regions to teach the sport at

CSEC level.

Today, that approach is paying off as the Ministry of Education's Priority Programme under the guidance of Mr. Saeed Zameen is being rolled out to thousands of Grades 7-9 learners across the country.

With over 50 Secondary Schools across the country now engaged in the game, Berbice is racing to catch the other regions and maintain their previously dominant performance in production of national athletes.

Recently, more equip-

Steve Ninvalle, GBA president

pend the staging of the Terrence Ali National Open is unfortunate, the silver lining is the staging of another developmental programme that adds to the structured and systematic apparatus that is employed by the association in the advancement of its pugilists.”

Ninvalle explained, “This event serves as the start of our calendar of activities and initiatives, and, in a similar vein to the previous year, 2024 is programmed to mirror and exceed the expectations and objectives set forth by our administration.”

“As an association, our

emphasis will always remain on our nursery, which has provided us with the resources and human capital to dominate the English-speaking Caribbean.

That is where the sustenance of boxing unquestionably occurs. However, our seniors are of great interest and importance as it provides a window into what can be achieved at the international stage when that transitional phase occurs from the junior realms," he further added.

ment was presented to the Region Six REDO and Berbice High School, the top ranked school has committed to ensuring that all their learners will be exposed to the sport this year.

Berbice High HOD Mr. Zahir Moakan stated, "we only introduce our learners to sports that we feel will benefit them in and away from the school and we are cautious about opening up a sport that doesn't have a full support structure behind it since we have been disappointed that way before. We

are now confident that golf is here to stay and with the dedication shown by Mr. Hussain and the commitment from MoE, we want Berbice High to excel as always!"

GGA president Aleem Hussain said, "We made a bold prediction in 2021 that within three years, golf would challenge the traditional sports to become one of the most played sports in Guyana.

Today, only two words are necessary- Mission Accomplished!"

Eight secondary schools in Berbice now offering golf

Some of the students participating in the golf course

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Roach warns understudy Joseph to avoid ‘distractions’ See page 30

GBA senior developmental championships on this Friday See page 31

Steve Ninvalle, GBA president Kemar Roach (left) celebrates a wicket with Shamar Joseph during the opening Test in Adelaide.

Four-day trial match at MMZ

Anderson’s X1 bowled out for 97 on day one

Kevlon Anderson hit three boundaries in his top score of 29 but only Brandon Jaikarran (22) and national under-19 batter Rampertab Rampersaud (13) of the

other batters reached 14 on a rain affected first day of the fourday first-class trial match yesterday at the Meten Meer Zorg ground in West Coast Demerara

After the first session was washed out due to overnight and morning rain left-arm Spinner Anthony Adams took 4-15 while o ff - s p i n n e r J u n i o r Sinclair had 4-26 for

Kemol Savory’s XI. After Sachin Singh was dismissed by Clinton Pestano for a duck, Jaikarran and Rampersaud revived the position before Rampersaud was run out.

Anderson who scored a century last week at the same venue, played some lovely shots on the slow outfield before Adams removed both batters as wickets tumbled as

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no other batter, except Richie Looknauth who finished unbeaten on 13.

Today is the second day and play is set to start at 9am

| WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024