Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 25-04-2023

‘Guyana is a market of opportunities’

— President Ali says at opening of famous Starbucks — urges foreign company to capitalise on country’s ‘unique’ features

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has urged the Starbucks Guyana team, through collaboration with the local private sector, to work towards highlighting Guyana’s unique products on a global level.

The Head of State was speaking at the grand opening of Starbucks’ flagship location at the Amazonia Mall, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Starbucks is known around the world for its coffeehouses, which offer a wide array of coffee beverages, snacks, and pastries, as well as its dedication to sustainability and customer-focused business approach.

President Ali said that while Guyanese will benefit from introduction of the brand here, the brand could stand to benefit from aspects of Guyana’s culture.

“Guyana is known to be very unique. It is a market that Starbucks will soon realise is separate and apart from any other market globally. We are known to be the best in what we do. We are known to be in niche markets. We are known to separate ourselves based on our own appreciation of what we offer,”

Dr Ali boasted.

He said while much of the world is enchanted with coffee, the likes of Arabica, Ethiopian coffee, Colombian coffee and otherwise, Guyana is home to a rare, fruity and floral type of coffee that is smoky in taste.

“Grown in the Pomeroon,

niche, unique, and set aside from all others. Classic, only for the best of coffee drinkers and markets. I welcome you, then, Starbucks, to the land of Liberica, and I hope that in your brand, this unique coffee will be sold, and this unique coffee will be grown in commercial scale.

“With your support, this coffee that only one per cent of the coffee market can enjoy because of its rareness, can be shared with the rest of the world, from Guyana. This is a project that I would challenge Starbucks Guyana to work with us on,” Dr Ali shared.

He expressed hope that expatriates would be able to experience the ‘one per cent rarity’ in Guyana through Starbucks, noting that the in-

troduction of Guyana’s coffee would enable the franchise to set itself apart in the world market.

SIGNAL OF UNIQUE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Meanwhile, Dr Ali noted that the introduction of the global coffee franchise has once again demonstrated the country’s potential as a booming market of opportunities.

Starbucks is not the only global brand that has recently taken interest in the country, with a number of food, energy, and other companies bringing their services to one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

“The recognition from a

global brand shows that not being part of this market is not being part of the action, not being part of the forward trajectory that various investors are following. And that is a very important message. Starbucks doesn’t just pick itself up and go to just any market. They follow the development of countries. They follow the requirements of the market. And I’m sure that they would understand that the nature of the consumer coming into Guyana is also changing rapidly.”

He noted that the Starbucks location at the Amazonia Mall puts it in a prime location to benefit from the economic activities taking place in the area.

The café is located in close proximity to the Guy-

ana National Stadium, and massive housing areas where a number of expatriates reside and persons working in the rapidly expanding oil and gas sector.

President Ali said the area is also representative of the network of infrastructure that the government is building to create a more efficient connection system to bring communities and people closer.

“Vision and action are not guesswork. It is not work by accident. It is work structured and targeted to the achievement of particular results. And I am sure that as Guyana becomes a stronger and stronger economy, many more global brands will be here. And I’m sure that many North American brands will be here, but the brands that are coming must be able to incorporate our local private sector, and be able to engage our local private sector. That is what is going to make the brand resilient, successful and sustainable,” Dr Ali expressed.

TRINIDAD-GUYANA PARTNERSHIP

Meanwhile, President Ali highlighted the unique partnership that exists between Guyana and Trinidad, especially in areas of business and trade. The two countries have enjoyed a longstanding partnership that has seen Guyana benefitting from opportunities made possible through Trinidadian brands purchasing the rights to certain franchises.

“That is something I admire about this partnership.

Sometime last year, I met two regional partners from Trinidad and Guyana, coming together to bring the brand here. Our phase of development… arguably is way behind what took place in Trinidad. As a result, Prestige [Holdings] and other companies in Trinidad were able to buy off the franchises for most global brands for Guyana, Suriname, and many countries in the region,” the president expressed.

He urged the local private sector not to view the purchase of large franchises by Trinidad and the integration of such brands into the country as competition, but rather as an opportunity for partnership and a push to improve local standards.

“We have to improve. We have to get better. We have to make our own brand and our own system more efficient. That is what is key… global brands have a tendency of pushing local brands to up their game, and their standards. This is what will help us to develop world-class products and standards, just like our coffee. So, I see this as an important investment for the services industry, a greater vote of confidence in Guyana, the economy, and where we’re going.”

The president also encouraged Starbucks to include Guyana’s ‘second-tonone’ pastries and snacks in its menu.

Starbucks Guyana in the Amazonia Mall at Providence (Adrian Narine photo)

Bill passed to repeal committal powers of DPP

The Criminal Law (Procedure) (Amendment)

Bill 2022, which strips the committal powers of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and vests it to a High Court Judge, was, on Monday, successfully passed in the National Assembly.

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, S.C. presented the Criminal Law (Procedure) (Amendment)

Bill No. 21 of 2022 in compliance with a ruling that necessitated changes to Section 72 of the Principal Act.

Section 72 of the Crim-

inal Law (Procedure) Act outlines the procedure for the committal of an accused person to stand trial and confers the DPP with the authority to direct a Magistrate, after the discharge of an accused person at the end of a preliminary inquiry (PI), to reopen the said PI and commit the accused person once the DPP believes a prima facie case has been established.

In March 2022, the CCJ in the challenge of the local case of Marcus Bisram v the Director of Public Prosecutions, ruled that section 72 of the Act which empowers the DPP to direct a magistrate to commit an accused person to stand trial, was “unconstitutional and violates the separation of powers.”

The apex court had or-

dered that until Guyanese lawmakers make suitable provisions, Section 72 is modified to excise those provisions permitting the DPP to direct the magistrate.

In keeping with the ruling, the amendments will now see the DPP having to make an application to a Judge of the High Court for a warrant to arrest and commit an accused person who was discharged by a magistrate under section 69 or 71A (4) of the Principal Act, where the Director of Public Prosecutions is of the view that, on a review of the evidence placed before the magistrate, the discharged person ought to have been committed to trial.

The judge may only grant that application if he or she is also of the view, from the evidence placed before the magistrate who discharged the accused person, that such a course of action is required.

Both the Director of Public Prosecutions and the discharged person shall have the right to appeal to the Court of Appeal.

The amendments were backed not only by the government ministers but also members of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

“I believe that we have corrected a major deficiency in our law…I am happy that both sides of the house have recognised the importance of correcting this, though we may have

a nuanced difference in our forensic examination of how the CCJ dealt with the matter.

“The bottom line is that we recognise that it is our final court and its rulings are binding upon us and we are acting in compliance as a parliament with those directions from our apex court,” Nandlall said.

Prior to the Bill being tabled and read, the Attorney General had consulted and sent invites to the DPP Shalimar AliHack, SC; Senior Police Legal Advisor Sonia Joseph; President of the Guyana Bar Association, Pauline Chase; and President of the Berbice Bar Association, Horatio Edmonson.

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, S.C.

Special Select Committee to further examine Single Window Bill

— Minister Croal says process should be done within a month

By Shamar Meusa

THE Planning and Development Single Window System

Bill is set to mark the beginning of the end of an era of moving between several ministries and agencies to access government services and to further bring ease to doing business.

The Bill was read on Monday for a second time in the National Assembly and then sent to a Special Select Committee for further examination.

During the debate on Monday, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues told the House that this Bill centralises functions pertaining to land use planning and development by conferring that responsibility on the Central Housing and Planning Authority to be the single point of submission and receipt.

This allows them to effectively manage and implement the system, and facilitate the transmission of planning development applications to other agencies for processing and review where applicable.

Rodrigues added that while the Central Housing and Planning Authority is responsible for the receipt and onward transmission, it does not have oversight of itself. As such, a planning and oversight committee will be established to monitor the agencies' progress.

She said: “This Bill ensures strict adherence to the principles of transparency, accountability, certainty and predictability to the approval process. Notably, it reduces the powers and influence of political figures in the approval process.”

Additionally, Minister Rodrigues related that the single window approval system is another initiative to cut red tape and eliminate barriers to doing business while contributing to an enhanced business climate.

“This system will allow developers and builders to know exactly how long they have to wait for a decision and can factor these considerations as they make plans to finance and execute their development project,” she said.

NO APOLOGIES

The Bill also seeks to establish a Planning Appeals Tribunal for the purpose of hearing appeals against decisions of the central authority. With this, aggrieved applicants can, within 28 days of receipt of the decision, make an appeal.

Further, it was stated in the proposed Bill that decisions of this Planning Appeals Tribunal shall be final unless the minister declares the matter to be one of national interest.

Members of the Opposition in the National Assembly rose to oppose this section of the Bill as they made contributions to the debate.

In response to the Opposition, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., during his presentation, debunked the concept that ministers must not be empowered by the legislation to perform statutory functions.

“There is this notion on the other side that if ministers are resided with some power that’s political patronage and that would lead to some abuse of power. Let me reject that for the record,” he said.

Nandlall went on to add that the government was elected by the people of the country to exercise governmental power and as such ministers appointed will exercise those powers.

The Attorney General noted that ministers and the government at large are answerable to the people of the country and as a collective to the National Assembly.

Against this backdrop, he brought up Article 106 of the Constitution which he noted indicates that the Cabinet is

collectively responsible to the National Assembly.

“So, you want to hold Collin Croal, the honourable member responsible to the National Assembly but you don’t want to give him the power to perform the functions under this act,” he argued.

Nandlall added that the minister who is charged with the responsibility should be allowed to discharge that function, as this is part of accountable and transparent governance.

“That is democratic governance… This government has no apologies for by law equipping ministers with powers that are, democratically across the globe ascribed to ministers,” Nandlall said.

Minister Croal, during his wrap-up of the debates, said that although the Bill was first laid in parliament in December 2022, the Opposition came some five months later to propose changes.

He told the house that despite this, at the last minute on Sunday, he was able to put together a team at short notice to host a meeting in relation to the Bill.

Prior to the drafting of the Bill, he noted that extensive consultations were held with all relevant stakeholders. Additionally, after the Bill was laid in the House, another round of consultations was held that dealt with the proposed implementation of the system.

Meanwhile, Croal said that while it was requested that the Bill go to a Special Select Committee, he asked that a meeting be called in the shortest possible time for the formation of this committee to complete the task and move ahead with the passage of the Bill within one month’s time.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir then told the house that the meeting of the committee of selection to consider nominees will be held this Friday.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal (DPI photo) Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues

Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall

A Nation on the Rise

GUYANA has now reached a stage in its development where the contributions of all Guyanese are critical if the country is to reach its full growth potential. This includes Guyanese in the diaspora as well.

With the country now having attained the status as the fastest growing economy in the world, all hands are required to be on deck as the country is now blazing a new trail of economic growth and prosperity, and in the process leaving behind a dismal past of economic and social retrogression caused by close to three decades of PNC dictatorial rule.

There is not much to be gained, however, by looking backwards, even as the lessons of the past cannot

easily be erased from the collective memory of the Guyanese people. In a real sense, the 1970’s and the 1980’s can be regarded as the ‘lost decades’ which regrettably left the country at the bottom of the economic ladder by the end of the 1980’s. Guyana at the time was ranked along with Haiti as the poorest countries in the western hemisphere!

As pointed out by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, we all have to work together to bring prosperity to every single home, to every household in order to uplift the lives of every single Guyanese.

“It is not only about love, but loving each other. It is linked to the development of our country. It is linked to the aspirations of

our people. It is linked to the development trajectory and the transformation that we are going after; bringing a new wave of development and prosperity,” the President said.

This, as observed by the President, requires every single stakeholder to shoulder the responsibility of transforming Guyana into a leading economy. And the time for so doing is now. Never before in our history has there been such a convergence of favourable circumstances to, as it were, leapfrog our development in ways that could potentially catapult this country to one of the most prosperous not only in the region but in the world at large. Guyana is already referred to as the ‘Dubai’ of the region.

Without any doubt, this is our moment. All that is required of us is to seize the moment and be positive and have confidence in the glorious opportunities that lie ahead of us. It is a case of thinking big. It is about putting nation above self. This is not the time for negativity and pessimism as the political opposition is seeking to do.

An example of the positive trajectory is Budget 2023, which is not only the largest in terms of money but is highly developmental and pro-people. The budget was dubbed by the political opposition as ‘anti-poor’ despite the fact that significant sums of money has been allocated to the social sectors including salary increases, education, health, housing,

water and a host of other areas all aimed at enhancing the quality of life of the Guyanese people especially the more vulnerable segments of the population.

What the above speaks to is a philosophy of development which is aimed not only at putting food at the table but ensuring that all the elements for a successful life and living are provided to each and every member of society. Among these are affordable housing, access to potable water, basic sanitation, access to quality education and health services, security and by no means least the intellectual, cultural, spiritual and recreational needs of the Guyanese people.

The developmental goals as adumbrated by President Ali are not only

visionary but practical. It sets out a framework for development of the country which is ambitious, transformative and modern.

In the words of President Ali, “like all ambitions, we shall have to mould it to life’s changeable realities, to the realities of Guyana as impacted by the world of which we are a part. It is the path we shall follow in fulfilment of our dream for Guyana.” Guyana is now firmly set on a pathway to sustainable development, one that will impact the lives of all Guyanese in positive ways; one in which no Guyanese, regardless of race, religion, colour, class, creed or political affiliation will be left behind.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips is well liked by the people

Dear Editor,

As Guyanese, most of us are aware that Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips was a member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) for 36 years, during which time he rose to the rank of Brigadier and Chief of Staff.

As Chief of Staff, Brigadier Phillips was dedicated to and proud of the military which he served with distinction.

Under his leadership, the GDF became one of the most orderly and proficient organisations in the country. Throughout that period, the Brigadier had never dabbled in politics; his focus was strictly on the military.

After retiring from the military in October 2016, he returned to civilian life. Brigadier Phillips had a stellar military career. Unlike other Chiefs of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips commanded the GDF at every level.

Immediately after his retirement, he was inducted into the International Hall of Fame at the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) in the State of Kansas, USA, in recognition of his outstanding service. It is an honour bestowed upon those who have achieved the highest military office and rank in their respective countries.

Following the announcement in November 2019 by former President David Granger that election would

be held on March 2, 2020, members of the PPP/C began their search for a Presidential and a Prime Ministerial candidate.

Despite his lack of much experience in politics, the PPP/C made a brilliant choice in selecting retired Brigadier Phillips as the Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2020 elections.

Many, if not most of the people, thought that it was an odd and perhaps bizarre choice because the former Chief of Staff of the GDF did not exhibit much political skills or campaign techniques.

However, they were wrong because during the campaign, Brigadier Phillips did not only perform excellently, but he also charmed

the audience with some breathtaking speeches.

His campaign style was unique and stunning, and while many fell in love with him, others were excited to hear him speak.

His transition from the military to politics and to becoming the nation’s Prime Minister was graceful, which led many to believe that the job of PM was cut out for him because of his ideals, character, and the high standards he set for himself.

Since becoming Prime Minister and first Vice President in August 2020 after a five-month political stalemate, the political skills and talents displayed by Phillips has made him a political virtuoso.

He is considered by many

to be smart, gifted and trustworthy, and knows how to govern and make hard decisions.

Prime Minister Phillips’ dedication to the people, country and to the government is limitless and his commitment to support President Ali’s policies, especially his “One Guyana Initiative” to unite the people, develop Guyana and improve the lives of the less fortunate, is boundless.

Based on several media reports on his outreaches across the country, Prime Minister Phillips has established a good rapport with the people of all races and ethnic backgrounds.

On his recent overseas visit to New York, he appealed to all Guyanese na-

tionals to support the government in its mission to develop every region across the country.

He told the New York audience that the mere fact that the people are supporting the government shows that they trust, respect, and believe in its policies and programmes which are wide-ranging, thorough, and transparent.

Likewise, in one of his many outreaches at home, Prime Minister Philips highlighted the government's people-centered development plan that will benefit all.

He said: “We are committed to bring development to all the people of Guyana in the villages and in the communities where they live. And that is why we will

Continued on page 7

MP Figueira does a better job than Elson Low

Dear Editor,

Reference is made to two letters in the media authored by Opposition Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira, that appeared in the Kaieteur News edition of April 22, 2023, with the caption “Some worthwhile strategies, if implemented, can prevent Dutch disease”… and in the Stabroek News edition of April 24, 2023, with the caption, “One of our significant challenges has been the ethical and equitable division of wealth.”

Editor, first I would like to commend Jermaine Figueira for these two letters which were clean and academic― and void of the usual politically inspired typological leanings. I would even venture to say that he should consider swapping portfolios with his colleague, Elson

Low, who is the Economic Advisor to the Leader of the Opposition.

That said, turning my attention now to the substance of the two letters, both letters sufficiently laid the groundwork to advance much more in-depth discussion and analysis and/or debate in respect of the thematic issues raised therein.

In the first letter, he wrote about the need to pursue economic diversification among other things to mitigate the impact of the dreaded Dutch Disease. I concur with all of the initiatives highlighted by the Opposition MP. It is important to note, however, that all of the initiatives that were referenced by the MP, are being pursued within the framework of the incumbent government’s overarching development agenda for the country.

Worthy of note is that a crucial investment to support

the economic diversification agenda of the country is the gas-to-energy project, which is part of a broader energy strategy for the country aimed at reducing energy cost by 50 per cent and ensuring reliable supply of energy. This major investment is paramount to enable greater competitiveness of industries, especially the manufacturing sector within a global context.

Within the broader overarching framework, the government is focusing on food security not only locally but regionally.

There are notable investments in agro-processing and in creating new industries in the agricultural sector. The eco-tourism sector is another major focus, complemented by the education and the private health sectors, where corporate taxes were removed with the view to attracting more private

investments in these sectors. That said, without belaboring all of the many different ways in which the government is pursing the diversification of the economy, the direction in which the country is being positioned in these respects, will inevitably transform the economy from a predominantly primary producing economy to a tertiary sector producing economy; that is to say, transforming Guyana to become a net exporter of tertiary (value-added) goods and services, thereby moving the non-oil export trade balance from a deficit position to a surplus position.

These, altogether, cannot be achieved if the infrastructure deficit of the country is not tangibly resolved. And again, the infrastructure gaps of the country are being addressed by virtue of the requisite investments on the part of the government in an

aggressive manner.

Not only the infrastructural gap, but also every other development constraint―whether it is the human capital deficit, the high energy cost and unreliability of electricity supply, the bureaucracies inhibiting the ease of doing business, the political economy, etc. All are being addressed in the interest of achieving the developmental goals of the country―that, in turn, would lead to greater prosperity of the nation and the people.

Against this background, I would like to encourage Mr. Figueira to influence his colleagues positively to improve the quality of their debates on these fronts. Also, to support the government's development agenda albeit there may often times be divergent views in how to pursue these goals.

Notwithstanding, having divergent views does not

negate the importance of the opposition’s role in debating public policy scholastically in the interest of contributing to the policy decision-making process at the national level, and/or presenting compelling alternatives.

Finally, with respect to Figueira’s postulations regarding the second referenced letter, I will address those―as well as extend on the contents of this letter in a comprehensive and indepth manner in a series of subsequent articles. In so doing, it is the intention of this author to stimulate a different/higher level of quality debate on issues of national importance and public policy across the political spectrum.

Yours sincerely, Joel

Bhagwandin Public Policy and Financial Analyst

Towards a critical theory of being critical: A note to columnists and fellow letter writers

Dear Editor,

One of the finest aspects of Guyanese intellectual culture is the unabashed tendency to be critical. The columns and letters in Guyana Times, Kaieteur News, Guyana Chronicle, and Stabroek News, regardless of their political slant, are marked by unremitting efforts at critical analysis. The techniques, methods, and epistemologies of our critical turn take many forms including but not limited to pointing out factual and empirical contradictions, deconstruction,

hermeneutics (interpretation), discourse analysis, counterfactual analysis, semiotics, and plainold internal criticism, meaning here contradictions in the logic of argumentation. These approaches are not always explicit.

Yet, a symptomatic reading of our broadsheets does reveal traces of attempts to go beyond mindless deposits of remonstration. Yes, we have a good deal of irresponsible criticism for criticism’s sake, but most writers try to make a meaningful contribution to our ongoing debates. It is within this context that I offer nine points on the art of being critical.

Prime Minister...

continue to use the “One Guyana” concept as we pursue our developmental initiatives to improve the lives and livelihoods of all the people of Guyana.”

Prime Minister Phillips is team-oriented, disciplined and well organised because he came from an army which has always maintained those core values and is perhaps one of the most, if not the most respected organisations in

From page 6

the country and beyond. Retired Brigadier Phillips brought those qualities to the government and all Guyanese should be proud to have him as the second in command. He is a man for all the people because he represents, understands, is in touch with and is well liked by everyone.

Yours sincerely, Dr.

Asquith Rose

1. People write with theoretical assumptions even though they do not use words associated with theorizing, words that are often abstract. In this sense, we are all theorists. Most columns and letters are concerned with issues of justice, the rule of law, democratic governance, and economic, cultural, racial, gender, and political equality. Writers use theories to make sense of the empirical world. Data do not speak on their own behalf. Data are mere raw materials that must be classified, analysed, interpreted.

2. According to Robert W. Cox, a professor of international political economy at York University in Toronto, the world of theory may be divided into problem-solving and critical theory. The former takes the world it finds; the latter investigates how the world and society we write about came into being.

3. The task of problem-solving criticism is to make things better for society without having to embark on a revolution. On the other hand, critics who want a complete overhaul of everything existing, demand all the institutions of society to be reconstructed from afresh. The problem of radical critics is they know how to break things up, but have no viable “theory” for reconstruction.

4. Criticism, including those

by columnists and letter writers, are never politically neutral. All critics in the newspapers have some kind of political interest. That said, they try to make their arguments appear to be apolitical, or better yet, in the interest of all regardless of political affinities. For instance, Randy Gopaul in a recent Village Voice piece, refers to Milton Freidman and Ludwig von Mises to justify his claims about race politics in Guyana. Mr. Gopaul knows that the Austrian School of Economics is the fount of radical free-market ideology where equality is irrelevant. Yet he uses the names of Freidman and von Mises to lend intellectual credibility to his arguments about race and inequality in Guyana. PS: Hayek, instead of von Mises would have been more effective.

5. Many critics try to make their arguments ‘scientific’. They think that loads of data constitute the grounds for making law-like (nomothetic) statements. Critics need to be careful here. The attempt to make arguments scientific in the natural science sense, assumes that the subject (writer) and the object (problem addressed) could be compartmentalised, separated from each other. But this is “scientistic,” not scientific. The former is a mere pretention towards science.

6. Instead of trying to be

scientific, good social science criticism must be historical and holistic. The historical approach allows us to see how things came about, rather than assuming the current situation is ‘natural.’ Further, it is best not to divide up society into discreet parts because, in fact, the thing called society is a structured totality.

7. Most critics want change but change from what to what is deeply contentious. At this point we need to understand that ideology shapes how we see the world, and influences the type of change we want, and how to go about it. While I do not mean to over-politicise this piece, the point is illustrated with reference to the WPA’s ideology of bringing about change through “all means necessary,” rather than via electoral competition. By contrast, the PNC/R and PPP/C believe in winning hearts and minds, and in winning elections at the polls. “All means necessary” often refers to political violence.

8. Good critics do not separate the domestic, regional, and international/global. To do so it is to underestimate the ways in which world order pressures (interstate system and global economy) shape the limits and possibilities of domestic behavior. A good example of this is the ways in which the global politics of climate change has become

a fetter on Guyana’s oil & gas sector. The great powers have been moralising climate change economics to preserve their built-in privileges they enjoy in the current world economic order.

9. For a long-term programme of critical engagement to be effective, the critics must become consciously self-reflective. They must think about the consequences of their writing and must review the extent to which they are contributing to deepening the institutionalisation of pluralism and the democratic ethos, or detracting from it.

The French philosopher M. Foucault once stated that “people know what they do” and “they frequently know why they do what they do; but what they don’t know is what it is what they do does.” We know that intended actions have unintended consequences, and that is always a worry for responsible writers.

My concern today is that many of today’s critics knowingly cultivate disunity as part of their political strategy. It is time to reflect on this even if you accept Carl Schmitt axiom that the political world is divided between enemies and friends. Tentanda Via.

Yours sincerely, Dr. Randolph Persaud

Minister Bharrat tables milestone EU co-operation agreement in Parliament

MINISTER of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, on Monday, successfully tabled the Guyana-European Union (EU) Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Voluntary Partnership Agreement or (VPA) in the National Assembly.

This will pave the way for greater co-operation and increase market access and market share with the European Union (EU).

The VPA was then signed in December 2022 in Montreal, Canada by Minister Vickram Bharrat, and finally ratified today.

In November 2022, the Natural Resources Minister at COP27 in

Egypt signed a Forest Partnership Agreement with the EU for €5 million to support sustainable livelihood in forest-based communities.

The agreement was formally handed to President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali in March of this year. Guyana is the first country to sign both the VPA and a Forest Partnership Agreement.

In 2012, a stakeholder-supported policy decision was taken by the Government of Guyana to enter into formal negotiations with the EU on developing a VPA.

The terms of the VPA were negotiated through a collaborative process between Guyana and the EU, during which both parties shared the goal of

fostering good forest governance and addressing illegality.

The VPA aims to support governance reform and strengthen enforcement activities in Guyana with commitments to improve transparency, accountability, legislative

clarity and other aspects of governance.

When a nation becomes a VPA Partner Country, it can issue FLEGT licenses to its exporters under national FLEGT Licensing Schemes based on a Legality Assurance System

(LAS) for agreed timber products destined for the EU.

This system, which is rolled out at the national level, ensures that only legally produced timber products are exported to the EU.

To begin issuing FLEGT licenses as required by the VPA, Guyana is building on existing national initiatives like its Wood Tracking System (WTS) to develop a robust timber legality assurance also known as the Guyana Timber Legality System (GTLAS).

Guyana also has a series of VPA Annexes which describe the practical components for implementing the core commitments in the VPA in detail.

Annexes provide in -

formation on the country’s laws that Guyana will use to monitor the agreement, timber products covered under the agreement and other requirements.

It will also guarantee new donor revenue streams to support the implementation phase. However, local VPA ministries/ agencies must also budget annually to ensure that any gaps in their internal systems are identified and rectified.

The other VPA countries are the Central African Republic; Ivory Coast; the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Gabon; Ghana; Guyana; Honduras; Laos; Liberia; Malaysia; Myanmar; the Republic of Congo and Vietnam.

More centres, translated papers for NGSA 2023

FOR the first time in Guyana, the two-day National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) papers will be translated into Spanish to accommodate children that communicate in that language.

This was according to Minister of Education Priya Manickchand who took to Facebook to express her love and support for the children writing, with a little over a week remaining for the 2023 examinations.

“We are translating the papers in Spanish for the Spanish speaking children; that is a first in Guyana,” she said.

Manickchand urged the pupils to do the best they can, and noted that even though COVID-19 put restrictions and a strain on the education system, the Ministry of Education tried its best to assist pupils in other ways.

“We are aware that

in the COVID lockdown you stopped going to school in Grade Three, and that this could be a little harder for you than it would have ordinarily been. We took a lot of measures to make sure you are prepared for this exam,” she related, adding, “…giving you all the textbooks you need; every single child across the country, putting all the topics on video and showing them on the

Learning Channel which is on YouTube, [and] is accessible to everyone across the country.”

Not only did they put the NGSA past papers online for free, but they launched the Quiz-Me Platform, a website that offers pupils the opportunity to practice NGSA-type questions.

She expressed her belief that the pupils are prepared for this examination and explained

that each child will be given one hour and 10 minutes to complete each exam; 10 minutes to read through the papers and an hour to write.

Additionally, the number of centres has been increased to avoid pupils from having to travel long distances from their homes to write the examination.

“So we've done a lot of things to make you ready for these exams.

We believe you will be ready and I want you to know this. Go in there, do your best, whichever school you get. We're going to make sure that school offers you a high quality secondary education that prepares you for life in Guyana; in the thriving Guyana that we have right now,” she said.

Pupils will sit those exams on May 3 and 4, 2023.

Commenting on the structure of the assessment in 2023, Minister Manickchand said it will be based on the Grade Five curriculum, and then a consolidated curriculum. She cautioned, however, that concepts from Grades Three and Four are also tested.

“The children who will be taking the exam next year in 2023 came out of school in Grade Three and we are very conscious of that,” Min-

ister Manickchand said.

Previously, Minister Manickchand said that the NGSA would not be removed from Guyana’s school system.

“We are not ending NGSA; I want us to be very clear about that. Barbados, Trinidad, and a couple of other countries explored ending their primary exit examination, but it’s not happening, and that’s because it’s hard to do, for a variety of reasons.

“The exit exams measure a whole set of other things in addition to placement. So, I didn’t speak about ending it,” Minister Manickchand clarified.

On July 6 and 7, 2022, almost 16,250 learners from across Guyana underwent this assessment. This is a significant rise from the 13,822 students who took the exam in 2021.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, on Monday, successfully tabled the Guyana-European Union (EU) Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Voluntary Partnership Agreement or (VPA) in the National Assembly

Frontline officers trained to handle animals seized from illegal wildlife trade

THE Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission has partnered with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to train 23 frontline enforcement officers to acquire new skills on how to handle live animals seized from the illegal wildlife trade.

The training, which started on Monday, will conclude on April 27. Participants include individuals from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Guyana Livestock Development Authority

(GLDA), Iwokrama International Centre, Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Ministry of Natural Resources (Corps of Wardens), and Guyana Police Force.

“Enforcement officers are often the ones who come face-to-face with illegally traded wildlife. They want and need to be prepared to handle live wild animals in a safe and humane way, while also collecting the evidence needed for any future proceedings,” Programme Manager for Wildlife Rescue at IFAW, Loïs Lelanchon said.

Noting the negative impacts wildlife trafficking can have on the population of wild species in Guyana, Lemuel Cromwell, Director of Monitoring and Compliance, GWCMC, highlighted that a collaborative approach is necessary to combat the issue of trafficking, and encouraged participants to ensure the skills gained during the training are transferred to their work so that seized animals are handled in a way that would ensure the preservation of their lives.

The trainings are a part

of an ongoing project, Confiscated Animals – Rescue & Enforcement Trainings (CARE), led by IFAW and funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

Traffickers targeting Guyana are prone to smuggle bird species, specifically several species of finch.

From 2018-2021, at least three wildlife traffickers were stopped by US Customs and Border Control at John F. Kennedy airport in

New York.

Each trafficker was in possession of at least 25 finches, all likely destined to be sold and compete in local songbird competitions. Additionally, in 2022, three individuals were convicted and charged locally for the attempted smuggling of songbirds to New York and Barbados.

During the training sessions, attendees will learn to use confiscation kits designed by IFAW and partners to reduce biosafety risks, safeguard animal welfare

and preserve evidence integrity. The confiscation kits are designed to protect both animals and people. Each kit includes personal protective gear, animal first aid supplies and forensic evidence equipment.

“For most trafficked animals, enforcement officers are their last hope to be rescued and possibly released back to the wild—which is our ultimate goal,” Lelanchon said.

MP Kissoon hopes to inspire Guyana’s youth

PLEDGING to serve with dignity and honour, and underscoring the importance of unity in diversity, founder of The New Movement (TNM) political party, Dr. Asha Kissoon, was officially sworn in as a Member of Parliament (MP) on Monday, replacing Deputy Speaker, and head of the Liberty Justice Party (LJP), Lennox Shuman.

Joining the legislature at just 33 years, Dr. Kissoon hopes that the journey as a politician will stand as an inspiration to other young people, and particularly women, who aspire to make a change in their country.

“It is quite an honour to serve the people of Guyana in this capacity. It's something that I've been working really hard for and have dedicated myself to. I'm hoping to be an inspi-

ration to youths out there, and that young women can see me stepping into Parliament to make a difference and bring about some improvement. It gives me great pride and pleasure,” she said.

Dr. Kissoon entered politics for the March 2, 2020 elections as the presidential candidate for TNM.

Her exchange with Shuman is in keeping with a rotation schedule set out by a joinder party comprising TNM, LJP and A New and United Guyana (ANUG), which had won one seat in the National Assembly after combining their lists of candidates when they contested in the 2020 elections. The party had agreed to rotate the seat over the five-year life of the twelfth parliament.

Following Shuman’s resignation on the April 1, the Guyana Elections

Commission (GECOM) had declared Dr. Kissoon to be an elected member of the National Assembly.

She noted that it has not been definitively determined for how long she will serve before the position is once again rotated to ANUG; however, she intends to spend substantial time proposing and supporting bills and motions

that the three parties have agreed to.

As it pertains to Shuman’s vacant position of Deputy Speaker, a successor is expected to be voted on at the next sitting of the National Assembly. Kissoon had previously voiced that she is not untenable to accepting the position should she be nominated and elected.

After pledging to execute her duties without fear or favour, affection or ill will, Dr. Kissoon remarked her pleasure at having the opportunity to represent the people of Guyana, and committed to represent her office with much dignity and honour going forward.

She received warm welcoming remarks from both Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton.

Prime Minister Phillips said: “I take this opportunity to also welcome our newest Member of Parliament, Dr. Kissoon and we look forward to your contributions and to the work of this house.”

Norton said: “I want to take this opportunity on behalf of the opposition Members of Parliament to welcome Dr Kissoon to the National Assembly and

we hope you have both an enjoyable and a productive involvement in this Assembly.”

Dr. Kissoon urged those on both the government and opposition sides to put the people of Guyana first, as Guyana strives to lead by example on the international stage

“I urge our leaders, myself included, as we go forward that we put the people of Guyana first. We must remember that even though we say that we are one Guyana and one people, we need to value and appreciate our unity in our diversity, and appreciate different ethnic groups in Guyana as we go forward. As I stand before you I not only aim to enforce change, but much improvement where it is needed,” Dr. Kissoon remarked.

A sample of those to be cared for before release back into the wild

The Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission has partnered with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to train 23 frontline enforcement officers

Newly sworn-in Member of Parliament, Dr. Asha Kissoon

Guyana Fire Service

kicks off Annual Officers’ Conference

— focusing on training, re-tooling, and public education

UNDER the theme, “Enhancing and modernising the Guyana Fire Service through training, re-tooling, and public education,” the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) commenced its Annual Officers’ Conference on Monday. A team building workshop for the officers will commence today.

The conference saw presentations from senior officers of the Guyana Fire Service and was attended by Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; GDF Chief of Staff, Godfrey Bess; Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken; Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliott; Head of CANU, James Singh; Chief Fire Officer (CFO), Gregory Wickham; senior officers of the GFS, and other special invitees.

During his opening remarks, CFO Wickham high-

lighted that in keeping with the theme, the administration has heavily emphasised training.

He mentioned that over 200 ranks have recently received training in various areas including middle management, heavy-duty training, and defensive driving courses, to name a few.

The CFO further noted a great need for public education, which the GFS is working assiduously to satisfy.

He said the deliberations coming out of the two-day conference are expected to provide the administration with a guide towards achieving the 10-point improvement plan, which will undoubtedly ensure that the GFS is enhanced and strategically placed in a position where it can protect the nation against all loss and destruction by fire.

Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn stated during brief remarks that it is necessary to recognise the current service gaps to remedy them.

Minister Benn also emphasised the expansion of the service in order to address the national challenge of protecting against fire, loss of life, destruction, and injuries related to fire.

In closing, he encouraged the administration to utilise its resources in the most effective way possible and to be prepared for the vast developments in infrastructure and the overall country as the oil and gas sector continues to flourish.

The conference will continue today with further presentations and a team building workshop for the officers.

NRF deposits reach $78B in first quarter of 2023

GUYANA saw deposits totalling US$377.14 million (GUY$78.631 billion) from profit oil and royalty being placed into the National Resources Fund (NRF) from January to March of this year.

Royalties accounted for US$57.591 million (G$12.008 billion), while the remaining sum came from four profit-oil deposits from January 3 to March 20.

The first deposit from profit oil was $17.224 billion, while deposits of $15.653

billion, $17.149 billion and $15.599 billion were subsequently made on January 23, February 16, and March 20.

In keeping with the provisions of Section 33(2) of the NRF Act, the Ministry of Finance laid the details of the deposits before the National Assembly on Monday.

The profit-oil receipts are from Guyana’s lifts of crude oil earned as profit, while the royalties are paid on a quarterly basis.

This brought the NRF balance to US$1.447 billion

after the NRF ended 2022 with a balance of US$1.27 billion. The government, earlier this year, transferred US$200 million (GY$41.6 billion) from the NRF to the Consolidated Fund to fund the national development agenda.

As part of the Budget 2023 process, parliamentary approval was granted for a total of US$1.002 billion to be transferred from the NRF during the fiscal year 2023.

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, flanked by Heads of the Joint Services

Construction of Den Amstel Police Station progressing smoothly

Divisional Commander says 70 per cent complete

Force (GPF) from the 2022 budget to improve its infrastructures. Among others to be reconstructed was the Den Amstel Police Station.

Further, this year, a sum of $2.4 billion has been allocated to upgrade police stations and facilities.

As construction and re-

habilitation of police stations across Guyana continue, the government’s commitment to strengthen the security sector and to maintain the peace for under the ‘One Guyana’ initiative has allocated $58.6B to this year's budget to ensure the safety and security of the general public along with

infrastructural development. The reconstruction of Den Amstel Police Station is a promise being kept by President Irfaan Ali to improve the infrastructure in Den Amstel, WCD. (Wonita Samuels)

IN keeping with the modernisation of police stations across Guyana, ranks of the Den Amstel Police Station, located on the West Coast Demerara (WCD), will soon benefit from a new station.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Divisional Commander of Region

Three, Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Siwnarine, said that works are progressing smoothly and that the building is 70 per cent complete.

“Internal works are currently ongoing, and they are in the process of completing the upper flat. There will be

facilities to accommodate the ranks and other modern amenities such as a barracks room, a Domestic Violence room, a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) room, and all other requirements of a modern station,” he said.

A total of $17.5B was allocated to the Guyana Police

NAC Chairman among parliament’s PSC nominees

FORMER Director of the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD), and current Chairman of the National Accreditation Council, Mohandatt Goolsarran, has been nominated along with Janice Isabella Bowen as the two members nominated by the National Assembly to be appointed members of the Public Service Commission (PSC).

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Goolsarran confirmed the nomination and expressed his pleasure at being nominated.

“Someone spoke to me about my willingness to offer public service and I said yes, I am always willing to offer public service. I welcome it as an opportunity to offer my services,” Goolsarran commented in a telephone interview.

Goolsarran is also a fulltime faculty member at the University of Guyana, lecturing in Mathematics.

The Parliamentary Committee of Appointments nominated the pair in accordance

with Article 200(1)(B) of the Constitution, which provides for two of the six constitutional members of the PSC to be nominated by the National Assembly.

Article 200(1) provides for the PSC to consist of six members, three of whom are appointed by the President following meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition, two to be nominated by the National Assembly, and the remaining member to be nominated by the President in accordance

with his deliberate judgment.

Article 135(1) of the Constitution provides for the creation of the PSC, with the composition and functions of the PSC set out in Articles 200 to 205.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is a constitutional body overseeing the Public Service in Guyana. The constitution empowers the body to make appointments of persons to public offices and remove and exercise disciplinary control over such persons.

Guyana has not had a PSC since the life of the last PSC came to an end in August 2021.

The functioning of the PSC is crucially important as it further affects the composition and work of several other constitutional bodies, including the Judicial Service Commission and the Police Service Commission.

The Chairman of the PSC is also a member of the Police Service Commission and the Judicial Service Commission.

Ongoing works at the Den Amstel Police Station

NAC Chairman Mohandatt Goolsarran

‘Heirs of Slavery’ launched in London to call for UK to engage CARICOM on reparations

(London, April 25, 2023): A new group of UK citizens whose ancestors profited from British enslavement in Guyana and other British colonies and the industries that depended on it, on Monday launched a new entity promising new possibilities for reparations and atonement for Guyana and other Caribbean nations that experienced slavery.

Descendants of some of the most prominent names in the history of British slavery, they officially launched “Heirs of Slavery” and called on the British government to begin long-requested talks on reconciliation and reparative justice for descendants of the 3.1 million enslaved African people transported across the Atlantic by Britain.

Authors, journalists, businesspeople and a direct descendant of the Victorian Prime Minister, William Gladstone are among the members of a new group set up to support campaigns to address “the ongoing consequences of this crime against humanity.”

“British slavery was legal, industrialised and based entirely on race,” said Alex Renton, one member of the group.

He continued: “Britain has never apologised for it, and its after effects still harm people’s lives in Britain as well as in the Caribbean countries where our ancestors made money.”

The group also includes David Lascelles (the Earl of Harewood), retired social worker Rosemary Harrison, businessman Charles Gladstone, the former BBC correspondent Laura Trevelyan, author and publisher Richard Atkin-

son, retired schoolteacher Robin Wedderburn, film director John Dower and journalist Alex Renton (son of a former Conservative cabinet minister).

Members of the group have publicly acknowledged that their “ancestors’ wealth was, in part, derived from plantations worked by enslaved Africans, and for whom the slave-owners received compensation at British slavery’s abolition in the 1830s.”

Harrison’s ancestor was a slave-owner and Attorney General in Jamaica in the late 18th century.

“We encourage the hundreds of thousands of people in Britain with similar family histories to explore and acknowledge them.

“Until the painful legacy of slavery is recognised by the descendants of those who profited from it, there can never be healing,” Richard Atkinson said.

“I joined this group in an attempt to begin to address the appalling

ills visited on so many people by my ancestor John Gladstone,” said Charles Gladstone, whose family also owned slave plantations in Guyana and opened the way for Indentureship of Indian labourers to replace freed slaves after Abolition.

The group and their families have all made private donations to tackle poverty, poor education and other issues affecting the descendants of the enslaved in Britain and Caribbean countries.

“This group wants to move beyond personal donations, which can never be enough,” said Rosemary Harrison.

‘‘We wish to offer our energy and support to the existing movements, led by CARICOM and others, that are seeking reparative justice from the European nations and the institutions that were enriched by the industries dependent on enslaved African people.”

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries whose people endured slavery and its aftermath

are now calling for the former colonial powers to invest in their health and education systems, and many are also pushing for debt cancellation.

Meanwhile, the group is in conversation with other British citizens descended from the enslaved of the Caribbean countries, and who experience racism, poverty and inequality that derives from it.

“I would like to listen and learn from the descendants of the enslaved to find out what would best help them in their lives today.

“Please tell us how apology and repair, led by the British nation, should work,” Robin Wedderburn said.

“Those of us in this group share a dark history, one that we are endeavouring to be open about in the hope of encouraging dialogue, friendship and reconciliation between all the people whose lives have been affected.

“We urge other people with a similar history, both individuals and

Heirs of Slavery members say they have been receiving positive responses and inquiries from other families in the UK and the CARICOM region, who have also indicated willingness to follow suit and make amends in the CARICOM nations where their ancestors benefitted and grew rich from slavery.

The group has followed the lead of the Trevelyan family, which owned several estates and one thousand slaves in Grenada, where Laura Trevelyan made a personal donation of one thousand pounds (sterling) – proceeds from her retirement at the BBC, where she was a presenter for 30 years.

institutions, to join us in speaking out,” David Lascelles said.

Laura Trevelyan related: “After so long, the reparatory justice movement is gaining momentum in Europe. Whether it’s the Dutch government, the Church of England, or the British Royal Family, the enduring and painful legacy of slavery is finally starting to be acknowledged by those who benefited from it.”

Heirs of Slavery’s launch follows last year’s launch of a private Caribbean reparations repair initiative by Digicel’s Chairman Denis O’Brien, also aimed at cross-Atlantic cooperation in spreading the reparations message across the UK and the Caribbean.

Both entities have been reaching out to the CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) and are united in inviting UK families to join their lead, and seek and find ways and means of apology and atonement, for reparations for slavery.

The ex-BBC presenter and members of her family travelled to Grenada in on February 27, where seven members signed a formal apology— also previously signed by over 100 members—and Laura’s US$100,000 was used to establish a family fund that she and other members also pledged to continue to contribute to.

The Trevelyan family’s formal apology and atonement were delivered to and accepted by the Government of Grenada through Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, who attended the ceremony and accepted on behalf of Cabinet members present and the government and people of Grenada.

“Heirs of Slavery” have their eyes on similar private initiatives and have also pledged to work with other families and like entities, in the UK and the Caribbean, to fulfil their quest to apologise and atone for their ancestors. (A Guyana Chronicle exclusive)

Image of Africans being processed to be auctioned off as slaves to slave masters (Atlanta Black Star photo)

Improved access to water for 3,500 Soesdyke-Linden residents

THE Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) is undertaking critical works to improve access to potable water for residents along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

At Kairuni, work on a well has been completed and will soon serve the community of about 500 residents.

The well, located in an elevated position in the community, will provide

high-pressure potable water once the installation of a pump and other fittings is completed.

Residents praised the government for the timely investment, and GWI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shaik Baksh, during an inspection visit, expressed satisfaction with the work done by the contractor and other workers.

In Silver Hill, GWI has commenced drilling a new well in response to a call from residents for a reliable and easy-to-access water source after the previous well collapsed.

The new well, being drilled by a GWI team using the company's newly commissioned PAT rig at a cost of approximately $4 million, including fittings and instal-

Guyana to soon appoint ambassadors to Venezuela, Brazil

THE government has announced that it will soon appoint ambassadors to Venezuela and Brazil, and will shortly seek agreement from the respective nations for Guyana’s nominees to fill the diplomatic positions.

This was according to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd, in a written response to questions posed by Opposition Member of Parliament, Amanza Walton-Desir, on the appointment of the respective envoys.

In the response to

both appointments, Todd said: “The government has taken its time to review a number of potential candidates in order that a suitable nominee could be presented.”

Venezuela and Brazil are among a number of countries where Guyanese missions are without substantive heads, including India.

Guyana’s mission in Venezuela has been without an Ambassador since December, 2019, after the then envoy Cheryl Miles, was recalled under the previous A Partnership

lation works, will be connected to the old distribution network in the community.

GWI intends to extend the network as the population of Silver Hill is expected to grow significantly in the next few years due to housing expansion. Residents of Silver Hill expressed happiness with the work being undertaken by GWI and assured Baksh that they will keep a

close eye on the project as they look forward to easy access to water once again.

In Yarrowkabra, GWI is looking to upgrade the pump at the well station to improve water pressure for the approximately 2,500 residents of the community.

Yarrowkabra is a growing community, and GWI recently installed distribution mains in two streets to con-

nect unserved customers to the network. Similar work will be undertaken in the community to keep up with the expansion. The GWI CEO reiterated that the provision of potable water to all communities across Guyana is the government’s goal, and GWI is working diligently to achieve this goal.

Duo remanded for murder of Police Constable Quincy Lewis

— arrest warrant issued for husband, wife

for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government. Miles had been appointed to the position in 2015 and subsequently accredited in 2016.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s mission in Brazil has been without an Ambassador since April 2021, after the then Ambassador to Brazil, George Talbot, was reassigned as Guyana’s Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Talbot had served as the Ambassador to Brazil from March 2016.

TWO men were remanded to prison on Monday in connection with the murder of Police Constable Quincy Lewis, whose suspected skeletal remains were found in a shallow grave along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway last week.

Shafeek Vernon, also known as ‘Profit’ of Ogle, East Coast Demerara, and Jamel Van Lewis, 35, of D’Urban Street, Georgetown, appeared virtually before Magistrate Leron Daly at the

Georgetown Magistrate’s Court for the capital offence.

The men were jointly charged with Thakurdial Samaroo and his wife Naqeeba Zahid Zafarali, who are still on the run.

Vernon and Van-Lewis were not required to plead to the charge, which alleged that between June 18, 2020, and June 18, 2021, at Providence, East Bank Demerara, they murdered Lewis.

The pair was remanded to prison until May 24. The

police prosecutor told the court that the investigation is still ongoing.

The prosecutor further disclosed that the couple reportedly fled the jurisdiction, and a wanted bulletin has been issued for their arrest.

The Magistrate issued an arrest warrant for the couple.

Last Wednesday, detectives from the Guyana Police Force’s Major Crimes Unit found the skeletal remains suspected to be those of Lew-

The newly acquired PAT rig in action at Silver Hill, Soesdyke-Linden Highway

Water gushes out of the well at Kairuni

Police Constable Quincy Lewis

Case against former Finance Minister to proceed with paper committal — matter adjourned

until May 2

ATTORNEYS representing former Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who is facing charges of misconduct in public office, have chosen a paper committal inquiry rather than a full-blown trial.

On Monday, the trial was scheduled to commence before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

However, one of Jordan’s lawyers, Dawn Cush, asked for the matter to remain indictable and proceed through a paper committal.

As a result, Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) Prosecutor Neville Jeffers requested an adjournment to prepare for this new procedure.

The case has now been

adjourned until May 2, 2023.

Paper committals rely on written statements, documents, and depositions, with no oral presentation of evidence.

If the magistrate determines that the evidence presented does not establish a sufficient case to commit the accused for trial before a judge and jury, the accused must be discharged by the magistrate.

However, the discharge does not amount to an acquittal, as a preliminary inquiry is not a trial.

Jordan appeared in court for the first time in December 2021 and was released on $3 million bail. He was not required to plead to the charge since it was an indictable offense.

It was alleged that,

while serving as Finance Minister under the APNU+AFC coalition government, Jordan committed willful misconduct by acting recklessly when he signed the NICIL (Transfer of Property) Order, No. 50 of 2020. NICIL, the government’s holding company, fell under Jordan’s

ministerial portfolio.

The substantive matter relates to Jordan transferring and vesting to BK Marine Inc. all buildings, erections, stellings, platforms, and further appurtenances at Mud Lots One and Two, F of Mud Lot Three, A, B & D, being over 2.553 acres.

In that transaction, it was reported that $20,260,276 was paid for a property initially valued at over $5,000,000,000. The selling price was reportedly grossly below the actual value of the assets sold.

The prosecution argued that this amounted to an abuse of the public’s trust without reasonable excuse or justification.

During the last hearing of the case, Jordan’s lawyers contested that their client was not a ‘Public Officer.'

The former Finance Minister is also represented by fellow APNU coalition party members, Attorneys-at-law Roysdale Forde S.C., Khemraj Ramjattan, Joseph Harmon, and Darren Wade.

However, the prosecu-

tion had previously submitted that Chief Justice Roxane George addressed the precedent in the case of Winston Brassington and Dr. Ashni Singh versus the Chief Magistrate.

In that case, Dr. Singh, who was also a finance minister, was considered to be a Public Officer, and Article 232 of the Constitution of Guyana provides that a ‘Public Officer’ means the holder of any public office and includes any person appointed to act in such an office.

Magistrate Daly has reserved her ruling on the issue and will proceed with the case. This prompted Cush to inform the court that the defence would challenge Daly’s decision to the High Court.

House approached for $31B to fund

Amerindian, environmental development

MINISTER of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira on behalf of Senior Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, on Monday, presented a Supplementary Bill comprising Financial Papers Numbers One and Two to the National Assembly relating to programme components of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 to be financed from carbon credit inflows.

Work began in 2009 with the original LCDS– the first such strategy from any developing country in the world. A national consultation from October 2021 to July 2022 saw the original LCDS expanded and enhanced, culminating in the endorsement of the National Assembly and then the finalisation of LCDS 2030.

In November 2022, Guyana was issued the world’s first jurisdiction scale, sovereign carbon credits as the next phase in Guyana’s creation of a global model for forest climate services. This was followed short-

ly afterwards by the world’s first sale of such credits in global carbon markets.

These carbon credit inflows are being allocated to programme components of the LCDS 2030 and come on the heels of the Government of Guyana’s engagement in further consultation over the last three months to determine the structure of the two disbursement channels outlined in the LCDS 2030: Disbursement Channel 1: Village-led Investments: After the seven-month national consultation on LCDS 2030, it was agreed that 15 per cent of all revenues received from the sale of carbon credits would be paid directly to indigenous and local communities across Guyana.

For the year 2023, this totals US$22.5 million or G$4.7 billion and is catered for under Financial Paper No. One of 2023.

Over January to February 2023, the National Toshaos Council, the national body of elected village leaders from across all 10 regions of Guyana, led engagements

— from carbon credit inflows

which determined a structure for the allocation of these carbon credit payments.

This structure centres on the determination of payments based on population, and includes villages (both titled and untitled areas), communities, and satellites. Indigenous villages and local communities will define for themselves their priorities of economic development initiatives of social upliftment, on climate adaptation and mitigation and food security that need to be advanced for village sustainability to be fostered.

Village level governance structures are empowered through the Amerindian Act 2006, to deliver on village sustainability plans, outlining the short, medium and long-term priorities for each village.

These plans outline how villages, through a process of self-determination and autonomous management, will identify and implement actions to develop village

livelihoods whilst addressing the impacts of climate change. It is intended that long-term carbon credits financing, will see flows of revenues to villages and communities from this year 2023 and onwards into the future.

Disbursement Channel two: 85 per cent of earnings from the sale of carbon credits, so far to a total value of US$127.5 million or G$26.5 billion for the 2023 allocation.

This will meet the most urgent priorities of low carbon development, as well as climate adaptation and mitigation interventions outlined by the LCDS 2030 which is being sought under Financial Paper No. Two of 2023.

Advancing low carbon development while addressing the impacts of climate change is a core focus of this investment, and attention will be aimed at supporting the strong stance that Guyana has maintained nationally and globally on

forest governance and management, and forest legality.

Guyana’s exemplary forest management systems, strong codes of practice, and maintained high forest cover and low deforestation rates have been recognised by programmes such as the European Union’s Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade Initiative.

The government will

continue to work with all stakeholders in the implementation of these programmes – implementation that will see this first series of investment made under LCDS 2030, bringing about impactful results on sustainable livelihoods and low carbon development across all spheres of society.

Duo remanded for...

is.

From page 13

Lewis disappeared in 2020 after leaving his La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara home for work. However, the case was cracked wide open after investigators arrested Vernon and Van-Lewis, who allegedly identified Samaroo and his wife as the prime suspects.

The couple allegedly lured Lewis to their home on the East Bank Demerara, where he was shot and killed. They then transported his body to the vicinity of the Splashmin’s Resort on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, where they dumped it.

Lewis, who was a serving member of the Guyana Police Force since 2015, was stationed at the Agricola Police Station, East Bank Demerara.

This newspaper reported that Lewis was last seen alive on the afternoon of June 19, 2020, when he left in his friend’s car, PTT 7541, to report for work.

Former Finance Minister Winston Jordan

West Indies A set for three ‘Tests’ in Bangladesh

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC)

– West Indies A will travel to Bangladesh for three four-day “Tests” against the hosts next month, Cricket West Indies confirmed on Monday.

All matches will be played at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in the northeastern city of Sylhet, and have been designated with full first class status.

The tour marks the only second A team series for West Indies in the last three years due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are again pleased to

work closely with the BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board) as we confirm the match schedule for this upcoming men’s ‘A’ team series,” said Roland Holder, CWI’s manager of cricket operations

“Last summer we had a competitive five-match series with red ball and white ball matches in St Lucia.

“This time around our players will get to experience foreign conditions and this is a vital part of their development in the pathway toward full international selection and provides a platform for further exposure and progress

following the recent West Indies Championship and new Headley Weekes Tri-Series.”

The Headley-Weekes Tri-Series, which got underway last week with the first of three matches at Coolidge Cricket Ground here, wraps up May 6.

West Indies A depart the Caribbean soon after and are scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on May 11.

The first “Test” bowls off on May 16 with the second encounter set to start seven days later, and the final game scheduled to begin May 30.

St Lucia end qualifying campaign winless

MIAMI, Florida, (CMC)

– St Lucia suffered their fourth successive defeat to end the CONCACAF

Women’s Under-20 Championship qualifiers without a single win, after they suffered a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Nicaragua here Sunday.

An Ines Navarrete first half brace was enough to sink the St Lucians, Daniela Manzanares adding the third in the second half to ensure the Caribbean Football Unions side’s demise at Nicaragua National Football Stadium in Managua.

The result meant St

Lucia finished bottom of Group F without a point as unbeaten Costa Rica dominated to top the standings with 12 points.

Hosts Nicaragua finished second after completing their third win, their only defeat coming at the hands of Costa Rica in a 2-1 result last Friday.

St Lucia were behind as early as the seventh minute when Navarrete found the back of the nets and they found themselves even further behind when the 19-year-old struck again in the 21st minute, giving the

hosts a 2-0 lead at the break. Nicaragua were kept at bay for the better part of the second half until the St Lucian defence broke down in the 84th minute, Manzanares adding the finishing touches.

St Lucia endured a tough campaign, losing 9-0 to Belize in their first game, 5-0 to Guatemala in their second outing before going down 6-1 to Belize.

The tournament served as qualifiers for the CONCACAF Women ’ s Under - 20 Championship in the Dominican Republic from May 24 to June 3.

Santa Rosa script fairy...

CONTINUED FROM BACKPAGE

Several more chances came both sides way but none were able to convert and even the two 10-minute periods of extra time could not yield a winner.

And onto penalties it went, Santa Rosa scoring first before Chase responded by finding the back of the net.

Santa Rosa came up to the line again and converted by a stumble by a chase player who sent one straight into the path of the goalie put them under pressure.

Santa Rosa would go on to complete the remaining three penalties successfully, not leaving any room for errors as they lifted their maiden championship.

IN the third-place playoff earlier in the evening, Carmel, through goals from Samuel Ferguson (34th), Shem James (46th), and Ian Daniels (85th) beat McKenzie High 3-0.

On the individual end of things, Vansluytman picked up the tournament MVP, with

teammate Enrique Williams picking up the best Goalkeeper award and Santa Rosa being the most disciplined team.

The Highest goal scorer was Carmel’s Ian Daniels with 13 goals.

Present at the presentation ceremony were Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, who declared that football was the biggest winner on an evening which featured record school football crowds.

Guyana Football Federation President, Wayne Forde, also had remarks, thanking the Petra Organisation for putting together a tournament that exceeded expectation and committing further support to tournaments of this nature.

Tournament Sponsors MILO through Massy Distribution also pledged their support for another year on the backdrop of the quality of football seen throughout the tournament.

West Indies A to travel to Bangladesh for three four-day ‘Tests’.

London Marathon 2023:

Kiptum and Hassan win with superb runs

KENYA’s Kelvin Kiptum smashed compatriot Eliud Kipchoge’s course record to win the men’s London Marathon in the second-fastest time ever.

duced a remarkable run to win the women’s race.

The Dutch Olympic track champion, 30, suffered with a hip injury but battled to win on her debut at the distance Kiptum knocked one

Britain’s Mo Farah was ninth in his final London Marathon, with the 40-yearold four-time Olympic champion revealing after the race that he would finish his career at the Great North Run

ners are taking part in the marathon, raising millions of pounds for charity, with huge crowds lining the streets of London despite damp conditions.

The event has returned to

I could kick on because I didn’t feel that tired and I didn’t care how I finished, I just wanted to get there.”

After battling through the pain, Hassan ’s track speed

11th.

It was the fifth-fastest time by a British woman in the event.

‘Part of me was wanting to cry’

It was perhaps made more poignant that Farah should reveal a date for the end of his career on a day when Kiptum announced his arrival as marathon’s newest world star.

Farah had already made clear that this would be his last time running the London race and he said he was close to tears on his way round.

“London has been so great to me over the years and I wanted to be here to say thank you to the crowd and the support that was just amazing,” he said.

“Part of me was wanting to cry. The people were amazing, even in the rain to line the streets and that’s what this is all about. It’s what has kept me going for so long throughout my career.”

Kiptum produced the fastest marathon debut in Valencia in December, where he finished in 2:01:53 - the third-fastest time in history.

The 23-year-old was just 16 seconds outside Kipchoge’s world record, finishing in two hours one minute 25 seconds.

Sifan Hassan also pro -

minute and 12 seconds off Kipchoge’s previous course record to beat second-placed compatriot Geoffrey Kamworor by almost three minutes.

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Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Kumar Sangakkara: 19 – 17 catches; 2 stumpings (Deccan Chargers)

(2) 206 for the second wicket: Adam Gilchrist & Shaun Marsh (Kings XI vs RCB) Today’s Quiz:

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(2) Who is the first bowler to bag a five-wicket haul in IPL 2023?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

in September.

Hassan, who won the 5,000m and 10,000m at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, appeared out of the women’s race after dropping back early on with a hip problem, but somehow fought back.

She then produced a sprint finish to win in two hours 18 minutes 33 seconds.

Switzerland ’s Marcel Hug knocked 50 seconds off his own course record to win a third consecutive London Marathon men’s wheelchair race - and fifth in total.

Australia’s Madison de Rozario held off Manuela Schar, of Switzerland, in a sprint finish to win the women’s wheelchair event for a second time.

More than 48,000 run -

its traditional date in the calendar, in April, for the first time since 2019 after being moved during the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘London has been my dream’

Hassan’s rollercoaster of a race looked all but over after she fell off the leading group with just an hour gone.

“I had a problem with my hip, which made me stop. But it started to feel a little bit better,” she told BBC Sport.

“And then I missed one of the drinks stations. I didn’t practise that part of the race because I have been fasting [during Ramadan] and so that was quite difficult. But I needed it.

“At 20km I knew that

proved telling down the Mall, as she beat Ethiopia’s Alemu Megertu into second place, while Kenya ’s previously unbeaten Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir was third.

“London has been my dream,” added Hassan. “And now here I am, I was doubting that I could even finish. This is just amazing. I will never forget this in my whole life.”

The women’s field was billed as the greatest ever assembled, but Kenyan world record holder Brigid Kosgei dropped out after just three minutes, while Ethiopia’s defending champion Yalemzerf Yehualaw was fifth.

Sam Harrison, 27, was the first British woman home, clocking a new personal best of 2:25:59 as she finished

He went faster still on the streets of London, leaving a high-class field in his wake, with Ethiopia’s reigning world champion Tamirat Tola in third, three minutes and 34 seconds behind.

Emile Cairess, 25, produced a superb run to finish as the first British man home, taking sixth in 2:08:07 on his marathon debut.

It was the third-fastest marathon time by a British man - behind Farah and Steve

It was the third-fastest marathon time by a British man - behind Farah and Steve Jones - and the second fastest by a Briton in the London race.

Four British runners finished in the top 10, with Phil

London Marthon winners :Dutch runner Sifan Hassan and Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum

Bairstow to make injury comeback this week

JONNY Bairstow will make his comeback from injury for Yorkshire second XI against Nottinghamshire this week and will keep wicket for part of the game.

The England batter, 33, has been out since September with a broken leg

Harry Brook has been in fine form for England in his absence, so keeping wicket could be his best route back into the team

“We’ll go and have a look at him and see how he goes,” said Yorkshire coach Ottis Gibson “ He ’ s had such a long lay-off, so it’s a fitness assessment for him to see what his capacity is and what he can do on the field in terms running around in the outfield or standing behind the

stumps “ He will probably do both to see which one he’s most comfortable with.”

Last month , Yorkshire director of cricket Darren Gough said Bairstow had indicated a desire to keep wicket when he makes his

comeback.

When asked by BBC Sport about his imminent return to action last week, Bairstow said that request to keep wicket was a “non-story”.

Bairstow has kept wicket for England in 49 of his 89

Tests, but in none of his past 11 dating back to 2021

He added that he would “absolutely” be fit for the England’s one-off Test against Ireland in June , with the Ashes series against Australia beginning later that month

Bairstow was in fine form before his injury, sustained when slipping on a golf course, having scored 1,061 Test runs in 2022, including six centuries.

Yorkshire team-mate Brook has subsequently secured his place in the side with some fine innings of his own, meaning deposing current first-choice wicketkeeper Ben Foakes may be Bairstow’s best chance of returning to the side. (BBC Sport).

Man United beats Brighton on penalties to reach FA Cup final

(REUTERS)-Manchester United set up a first FA Cup final against Manchester City after beating Brighton in a tense penalty shootout at a rain-lashed Wembley Stadium.

In a match that finished goalless after extra time it fell to United defender Victor Lindelof to score the decisive spot-kick after Solly March sent his effort high over the bar.

The result means Erik ten Hag’s side have reached their second domestic final of the season, having won the Carabao Cup in February.

In a scrappy semi-final that fell short of expectations, both goalkeepers excelled with David de Gea making several fine saves and Brighton’s Robert Sanchez brilliantly turning away Marcus Rashford’s deflected effort in extra time.

March’s miss came after 12 successful penalties, before Lindelof stepped up to set up a mouth-watering all-Manchester encounter back at the national stadium on 3 June.

United battle through

United had to show reserves of stamina and resilience to come through against a fine Brighton side who went into this match as favourites in the eyes of many.

And in the aftermath of their embarrassing Europa League collapse against Sevilla, there was additional pressure on Ten Hag’s men.

It proved a stop-start affair with too many interruptions to allow any proper rhythm, although there were moments of excitement at either end before matters were settled from the spot.

United now have the opportunity to go toe-to-toe City in the final, an encounter both sides - and the city of Manchesterwill relish.

Delhi Capitals cling on for second straight win

DELHI Capitals secured their second win of the Indian Premier League season as the strugglers made it back-to-back victories by beating Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Having lost their first five matches, Delhi got off the mark with a win over Kolkata Knight Riders last week, and they followed it up with a seven-run success over Sunrisers.

The Capitals, despite strong contributions from Manish Pand-

It certainly adds extra sheen to this season for United, who are in a good position to secure a place in next season’s Champions League via the league and now have the chance to add a second piece of silverware against their arch-rivals at Wembley.

Heartbreak for Brighton

Brighton’s players did their best to console a tearful March after his penalty miss - a heartbreaking moment for a man who has been such an integral part of the Seagulls’ superb rise.

March’s name was chanted loudly amid the disappointment felt by Brighton’s fans - and the pain will be even more acute for Roberto de Zerbi’s side after coming into this match in superb form.

Brighton had chances to reach their first FA Cup Final since losing to United in 1983, forcing De Gea into saves from Alexis Mac Allister and Julio Enciso and seeing Danny Welbeck head a presentable opportunity over, but overall could not quite summon their usual momentum.

They did at least have the game’s outstanding player in the superb Moises Caicedo, but that will be no consolation after a cruel defeat.

There is still plenty for this exciting Brighton side to play for in the remainder of the season as they are in contention for a European place - but this will be a bitter pill to swallow with hopes and expectations so high.

ey (34) and Axar Patel (34) failed to set an imposing total. Washington Sundar (3-28) helping Sunrisers restrict them to 144-9.

Sunrisers looked poised to canter to 145 when Mayank Agarwal (49) guided them to 69-1. However, they subsequently lost four wickets for 16 runs, leaving Heinrich Klaasen (31) and Sundar (24 not out) to lead a recovery mission.

Though Klaasen fell with nine balls remaining, Sundar was in a position to get them over the line, Sunrisers needing 13 off the last.

But Mukesh Kumar did not allow a single boundary in the final six balls, frustrating Sunrisers with superb death blowing to seal triumph for Delhi.

Delhi celebrate new low

The Capitals’ total of 144 is the lowest they have successfully defended in the IPL. Their previous best in that regard came back in 2009, when they prevailed against Rajasthan Royals when defending 150 Bhuvneshwar brilliance not enough

Bhuvneshwar Kumar will feel aggrieved to be on the losing side. The Sunrisers seamer bowled 16 dot balls in his four overs, the most by any bowler this season. His 11 runs conceded also marked the lowest total by any bowler to complete his allocation of overs in the 2023 campaign.(Sportsmax).

Delhi Capitals secured their second win of the season after having lost their first five matches

Jonny Bairstow was in fine form for England last summer before breaking his leg in a freak accident on the golf course

Diogo Dalot of Manchester United celebrates after the team’s victory.

| Photo Credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images

Andrew Balbirnie’s 95 helps Ireland post 319-4 on day one

IRELAND battled back from last week’s first Test hammering by Sri Lanka to impressively reach 319-4 by the close on day one of the second Test in Galle.

Skipper Andrew Balbirnie was denied a first Test century as he was dismissed for 95 after his record Irish Test partnership of 115 with Paul Stirling.

The partnership had been halted with Ireland 204-3 as Stirling was 74 not out when

he retired hurt with cramp.

But Lorcan Tucker’s unbeaten 78 rounded off a tremendous day for Ireland.

It was a gritty response from the tourists after Sri Lanka’s biggest ever victory last week, as they clinched an innings and 280-run win in Galle, with Ireland’s run of Test defeats since earning full member status in 2017 increasing to five.

In the opening Test in Galle, Sri Lanka had tak -

en immediate control by posting 591-6 in their first innings.

However, crucially, Balbirnie won the toss on Monday and while Ireland looked in trouble at 43-2 following the cheap departures of Peter Moor (5) and James McCollum (10), they regrouped superbly as the skipper produced a 46-run partnership with Harry Tector.

Tector’s dismissal for 18 left Ireland on 89-3 but the

big-hitting Stirling’s arrival saw him take the game to the hosts as he struck three sixes and six fours, before having to go off after ending up sprawled on the ground when attempting to avoid a short ball from Asitha Fernando.

After Stirling’s departure, Balbirnie’s scoring rate continued to diminish and as Sri Lanka applied the pressure, the Ireland captain was dismissed when his

attempted sweep shot off a Ramesh Mendis ball was instead nicked to Dhananjaya de Silva at slip.

That left Ireland on 2324 with Stirling also in the pavilion, but Tucker continued the brilliant form that saw him record his first Test century in Bangladesh earlier this month as he pushed Ireland beyond the 300mark, with Curtis Camper also unbeaten on 27.

Tucker survived a strong bat-pad appeal as Mendis took a catch off a Prabath Jayasuriya delivery with home skipper Dimuth Karunaratne choosing not to

review the decision. Ireland will hope that Stirling is able to resume his innings on day two as they will look to reach a runs tally in excess of 500, with their previous highest Test total of 339 against Pakistan in 2018 almost certainly going to be beaten.

Stirling’s inclusion in place of George Dockrell was one of three Ireland changes with left-arm Matthew Humphreys handed a Test debut and Graham Hume also drafted in as Murray Commins and Mark Adair were left out.

(BBC Sport)

Chapman’s century helps New Zealand draw T20 series

MARK Chapman’s sublime unbeaten century helped New Zealand chase down 194 to beat Pakistan and draw their five-match T20 international series 2-2.

Chapman smashed 104 not out off 57 balls to record his maiden T20 international ton as the Black Caps won by six wickets in Rawalpindi.

It is New Zealand’s second-highest successful chase in T20s, after they made 2025 against Zimbabwe in 2012.

Chapman was supported superbly by Jimmy Neesham, who cracked 45 not out off 25.

The pair put on the high-

est fifth-wicket stand in men’s T20 internationals, with an unbeaten 121 off just 58 balls.

Pakistan opener Mohammad Rizwan earlier fell just short of his second T20 international century as he finished on 98 not out off 62 balls.

Iftikhar Ahmed, who made 36 off 22, and Imad Wasim, who struck 31 off 14, helped propel the hosts to an imposing 193-5.

In reply, Kiwi captain Tom Latham fell first ball to Shaheen Afridi, who also removed Will Young with his fifth delivery to leave the visitors 4-2.

Chapman entered at 26-3 in the fourth over after Chad Bowes was bowled by Imad for 19.

He put on 47 off 37 with the more watchful Daryl Mitchell, who fell for 15 off 18, leaving New Zealand 73-4 off 10 overs, still needing 121.

From there, Chapman and Neesham cut loose, smacking 31 runs off the next two overs and then regularly finding the fence off Pakistan’s quartet of pace bowlers. Chapman scurried two off Shaheen to bring up his ton in the 18th over.

New Zealand needed just three off the last over and

Ramiz Raja tore into the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on the Mickey Arthur appointment and called it ‘crazy as a clown in a village circus’ stuff.

On Thursday (April 20), the PCB confirmed the much-awaited appointment of the former coach as the Director of the Pakistan men’s cricket team.

“A first of its kind coach/ director of cricket picked to run Pakistan cricket remotely, whose loyalty is first with his county job than Pakistan cricket. This is as crazy as a clown in a village circus,” Ramiz told Cricbuzz, launching a scathing attack on the PCB. Ramiz (60) is a former Pakistan captain who was the head of the PCB board till recently.

Chapman hit the winning runs off Faheem Ashraf with four balls to spare.

Pakistan won the opening two games of the series, before New Zealand claimed a tight four-run win in the third and the fourth match was abandoned because of a hailstorm.

The two sides will now face each other in a fivematch one-day international series.

This additional tour makes up for the tour that was abandoned in September 2021 because of a New Zealand government security alert.(BBC Sport).

Ramiz Raja slams PCB for appointing Mickey Arthur as Director of Cricket

The PCB said Arthur will be involved in designing, formulating and overseeing strategies behind the Pakistan men’s team but he will not be travelling with the team for all assignments as he is associated with Derbyshire County Cricket Club.

“(He) will also be a part of the coaching staff for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, away tour to Australia and home series against the West Indies. He will also be present with the side for Pakistan’s matches against India in the ACC Asia Cup,” the PCB said.

“A PCB chairman who doesn’t understand cricket , probably was not even good enough to make it to the XI in a club game, heads a cabal of political, petty minded club runners for a management committee to run Pakistan cricket affairs, who are on a Rs 12 lakhs a month salary,” Raja (60), who played 57 Tests 198 ODIs and was part the country’s World Cup -winning side in 1992, further said. Najam Sethi is the current chairman of the PCB.

Arthur is the head of cricket, Derbyshire county, which

said the Pakistan assignment is “secondary to his commitments at the Incora County Ground.”

“Derbyshire remains Mickey’s main focus, however he continues to be an ambitious coach and having our Head of Cricket lead Pakistan in the ICC World Cup, as well as in international series’, will be a great opportunity for our Club to be represented on the world stage,” Derbyshire Chief Executive Ryan Duckett, said adding, “Mickey was approached by the Pakistan Cricket Board over the Christmas period and he was always very open with the Club, contacting me im-

mediately and committing to Derbyshire.

“A coach of Mickey’s calibre will naturally attract attention; however, I am delighted by his continued dedication to his role, the group of players and the Club as a whole.” Arthur signed a contract extension to remain with Derbyshire until the end of the 2025 summer.

Arthur (54) held his first stint with the Pakistan team from 2016 to 2019 during which time he guided Pakistan to No.1 in Tests and T20Is, and also helped the side win the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017.

Mark Chapman (left) led New Zealand from 26-3 to their second highest successful chase in T20 history

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja

Kevin Joseph U-23 Basketball…

SCG unveils gates named after Tendulkar and Lara

..They join Donald Bradman, Alan Davidson and Arthur Morris in being honoured at the iconic ground

THE Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) has unveiled a set of gates named after Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara on Monday. They join Donald Bradman, Alan Davidson and Arthur Morris, all New South Wales (and Australia) legends in being honoured thus at the iconic SCG.

April 24 was chosen as the date to unveil the gates to mark Tendulkar’s 50th birthday, and also the 30th anniversary of Lara’s 277 at the SCG, his first Test century, though that Test was played in January 1993.

In a statement, Cricket Australia (CA) said that the gates, situated between the members pavilion’s away dressing room and the Noble Bradman Messenger Stand, are the ones visiting players will take to access the field.

“The Sydney Cricket Ground has been my favour-

ite ground away from India,” Tendulkar said in the statement. “I have had some great

memories at the SCG right from my first tour of Australia in 1991-92. It is a great honour

to have the gates used by all visiting cricketers to access the field of play at the SCG

named after me and my good friend Brian.”

Lara said, “I’m deeply honoured to be recognised at the Sydney Cricket Ground, as I’m sure Sachin is. The ground holds many special memories for me and my family and I always enjoy visiting whenever I’m in Australia.”

That innings of 277 remained Lara’s highest at the SCG - he totalled 384 runs at the ground in four Tests overall - while Tendulkar had an average of 157 at the SCG, scoring 785 runs in five Tests over the years with three centuries, including the memorable 241 not out in January 2004.

The gates were unveiled by SCG and Venues NSW Chairman Rod McGeoch AO, and CEO Kerrie Mather, as well as Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley.

“Sachin Tendulkar’s re -

cord at the SCG is simply remarkable, while Brian Lara’s maiden Test century remains one of the most celebrated innings by a visiting player,” Mather said. “Both players continue to hold a deep affection for the SCG and they remain hugely popular whenever they visit Sydney.”

Hockley said, “As the cricketing world celebrates Sachin Tendulkar’s 50th birthday, this is a fitting and timely gesture by the SCG to recognise Sachin and Brian Lara as two legends of the international game with exceptional records at the SCG.

“Their feats will no doubt be an inspiration to not only visiting international teams, but all players fortunate enough to walk onto the hallowed turf of the Sydney Cricket Ground, for generations to come.”

(Cricinfo)

Herstelling top of points table in EBFA/ Namilco Flour Power U-17 football

league leaders Herstelling Raiders continued the rampaging form with a 15-0 rout of Perseverance while Kuru Kururu Warriors eased

past Grove Hi-Tech 2-0.

So far, Herstelling Raiders have played three matches, scored 25 goals and have conceded just one for a much superior

goal difference than second place Timehri Panthers that have also won all three of their matches played.

The EBFA Namilco Flour

Power under-17 football tournament will have a total of nine rounds being played in the league format of the competition.

GOA collaborates with the GBA

League leaders Herstelling Raiders

THE East Bank Football Association (EBFA) has resumed play in their intra-association National Milling Company (Namilco)

Flour Power Under-17 football tournament with matches being played at the National Training Centre (NTC), Providence.

During the first week’s play since the resumption, Friendship

All Stars defeated Agricola Red Triangle 4-2 while Herstelling

Raiders got a 6-1 win over Diamond United, Kaneville thumped Perseverance 12-0 and Timehri Panthers defeated Swan 2-0

In the enterprising win for Kaneville, Simon Best and Tyquan Robinson each scored hat-tricks while Lance Gouveia bagged a brace with Ronde Profit, Antwone Peters Bruce Phang, all scoring one goal each.

On Saturday last, a total of three matches kicked off, Diamond United enjoyed a 4-2 against Kaneville while Swan and Friendship Allstars played to a 1-all draw before Agricola Red Triangle got past Grove Hi-Tech 3-1.

Meanwhile on Saturday,

THE Guyana Boxing Association (GBA ) proudly remains the one association to have won an Olympic Medal for Guyana, a feat of which the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and all of Guyana are truly proud.

It was reported that the Association has selected a team of four (4) boxers and two (2) coaches to participate in the World Championships to be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from May 1-14th, 2023.

The Technical Director for GBA, Terrence Poole M.S. revealed to the members present (at the first convened Council Meeting since Elections) last Thursday that the boxers selected

are the 2022 Sportsmanof-the-year Desmond Am-

sterdam, Olympian Keevin Allicock, Colin Lewis and Joel Williamson.

President of the GOA, Godfrey Munroe commended the Association in their steps to properly prepare the quartet for the major international undertaking by contracting the services of Cuban coach Francisco Roldan , and sending the team to a two-week training camp in Ecuador.

At the handover ceremony, Vice-President of the GOA, Philip Fernandes, congratulated GABA and wished them much success at the World Championships.

Technical Director of the GBA, Terrence Poole, M.S

The Brian Lara - Sachin Tendulkar Gates were unveiled at the SCG on April 24 • Cricket Australia

Santa Rosa script fairy-tale win to lift championship trophy

PANDEMONIUM. That was the only way to describe the atmosphere inside the Ministry of Education ground Sunday evening when Santa Rosa Secondary copped its first MILO U18 Schools Football title by overcoming giants, Chase Academy.

Fans, who had travelled all the way from Region One could not contain their excitement over the Santa Rosa team, previously unheard of in the history of the tournament, had managed to upset multiple-time champions Chase; but they did.

It didn’t start that way however, no, it didn’t.

Most in the venue had written the game off by half time in favor of Chase academy, partly because they were 2-0 up and partly because given their track records, they were never ones to take their foot of the necks of the opposition once they had that advantage.

Two strikes within five minutes, the first from Matrim Martin in the 22nd and the second from Seon Cato 24th had ensured that the Georgetown side was sailing smoothly.

At the end of the first half, all fat lady had all but sung in the eyes of many gathered there, all but the out of town side and their fans.

On the return from the half, a renewed Santa Rosa side emerged and spurred by their captain Roy Vansluymtman began to settle into their own.

More and more chances came their way and there was no doubt that at least one redemption goal on the cards; and Vansluymtman brought it up in the 50th.

And when he doubled it up in the 73rd, Santa Rosa could sense the blood in the water with Chase featuring a band of tired legs.

Those tired legs still had one meaningful rundown left and the crowd went silent when Chase took the lead once more in the game, off the boot of Justin Alcindor in the 83rd.

This did not deter Santa Rosa as a counterattack landed the way of Nelson Lucas one minute later and he did not let his chance at glory slip.

TURN TO PAGE 19

SCG unveils gates named after Tendulkar and Lara

Winners! Santa Rosa Secondary are the new MILO u18 Football champions

Santa Rosa’s captain Roy Vansluytman collects his MVP trophy from GFF president Wayne Forde