Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 26-05-2022

THURSDAY 26th MAY, 2022

No. 106734

‘Together, we will succeed!’

- President Ali

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Contract signed for US$260M Demerara River bridge SEE PAGE

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Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Works, Vladim Persaud (seated at left), and a representative of the China Railway Construction Corporation sign the contract for the project, in the presence of Cabinet members and other officials (Delano Williams photo)

. Business start-up, expansion

Region .

TWO :

grants for over 200 residents

$250M for rice farmers to purchase fertilisers

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 26, 2022

‘Historic’ Independence, Flag-Raising Ceremony in Anna Regina

Residents of Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam), late Wednesday evening, joined Their Excellencies, President Irfaan Ali, and Mrs Ali in ushering in Guyana’s 56th Independence Anniversary at Damon Square, Anna Regina.

Earlier that day, paratroopers from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) put on a demonstration for those in attendance at Cotton Field Ground.

Some 18 freefallers in three passes of six exited at 8,000 ft above the Anna Regina shoreline.

Hundreds were in attendance including First Lady, Arya Ali and the First Son, Zayd

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 26, 2022

‘Together, we will succeed!’ - President Ali President, Dr Irfaan Ali

By Tamica Garnett NOT even intermittent showers could stop the riveting, packed-out celebration of Guyana’s 56th Independence flagraising ceremony held at Damon Square, Anna Regina on Wednesday evening into Thursday morning.

The vibrant evening started off with an impassioned, well-delivered speech from President Dr Irfaan Ali who underscored the occasion as one

for recommitment to securing Guyanese freedom through working together for the “One Guyana” vision.

“Together, we are going to embark on the journey of prosperity with all of you; the achievement of peace and prosperity; this is a golden opportunity to attain that objective.

We will succeed and make proud all those whose struggles were important in achieving our independence,” Dr Ali said.

“The future belongs to

us. The naysayers wish to break our stride, but the evidence is overwhelmingly clear that Guyana is surely… on a fast track to peace and prosperity. Let us keep it that way under the umbrella of ‘One Guyana’”.

The ceremony was attended by several Cabinet members, and heads of foreign missions.

During his address, Dr Ali reflected on the sacrifices of our ancestors, including that of Damon, the martyr after whom ‘Damon Square’ is dedicated.

The Damon Square was packed to capacity as Guyanese from all walks of life flocked the venue to witness the celebration. Intermittent showers continually threatened the event but the steadfast crowd was not to be

daunted in their determination to celebrate.

Many found shelter as best they could and continued to weather out the downpour until the final flag-raising and fireworks at midnight.

Dr Ali congratulated the Pomeroon-Supenaam region on being the first administrative region outside of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), more specifically the capital city of Georgetown, to host the flag-raising ceremony.

The President explained that Region Two is the first in a newly implemented rotational system for the flag-raising ceremony which will see the ceremony being taken to every region across the country, illustrating the importance of each administrative region to the

collective development of Guyana.

“Every single region, every single group will and must benefit from the prosperity that will come our way. This government will ensure every single development strategy is crafted under our ‘One Guyana’ future and ‘One Guyana’ umbrella, in which all our aspirations can be realized together.

“We must invest to create an even platform in which every child must have the same equitable access and same future in the same country. That is the future we want,” Dr Ali stressed.

The President also used the occasion to call for a renewed duty among Guyanese to safeguard our territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“We must continue

to stand united to defend our motherland. Our constitution mandates that sovereignty belongs to the people. Our path to peace is paved with good intentions,” President Dr Ali said.

Dr Ali underscored that notwithstanding the country’s firm path to prosperity and high levels of economic growth, there is value in ensuring all Guyanese benefit.

“Every family must rise and enjoy the development that must take place. We understand far too well that our economy and the lives of people cannot be measured by numbers, [and] cannot be measured by a balance sheet.

“Growth [is about] much more than [an] economic indicator. Real TURN TO PAGE 5

Over 200 Region Two residents get grants to start, expand their businesses

Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo addresses the beneficiaries of the government’s small grant initiative (Office of the Vice-President photo)

By Tajeram Mohabir MORE than 200 small grants were, on Wednesday, distributed to Region Two residents to either start a business or expand their existing business as government looks to reinvigorate life into the region’s business sector which, like other parts of the country, is feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The distribution of grants valued at $250,000 each, is an injection of more than $50 million into the Region Two economy and is part of government’s plan to secure and sustain the livelihoods of small business operators by providing them with an opportunity to grow.

Speaking to a well-attended gathering at the Rice Producers Association (RPA) bond in Anna Regina, VicePresident, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo said the grant must not be seen as free money to spend wildly but must be put to good use.

“We are hoping that people can grow if they start a small business and they can grow and employ others in growing the business.

“Now the grants that we are giving you here today is to ensure that you have that start and this is not money that we are giving you for free, we are going to follow up to see that you are doing something with it… the last thing we want to do is to give people money and they do not even make an effort to

start the business they said that they will start,” said the Vice-President.

He acknowledged that while all the businesses might not succeed because of the state of the environment caused by COVID-19 and poor policies of the former APNU+AFC government, the current government wants to see everyone who received the grant make a start and go the distance to succeed.

PUT TO GOOD USE Many of the residents who benefitted from the grant praised the government

for the kind gesture and assured the Vice-President that they will put it to good use.

Among them was Irvin McLennan, a cattle farmer and grocery shop operator, who said the money will be used to secure his animals.

Some of it will also be invested in his small shop, he told the Guyana Chronicle.

Cromwell Mentis of Queenstown also expressed gratitude for the grant and appealed to government to fix the farm-to-market road in his community, a call that received a positive response TURN TO PAGE 4

Irvin McLennan thanks government for the grant and raises an issue with Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo (Office of the Vice-President photo)

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Over 200 Region...

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 26, 2022

FROM PAGE 3 from Dr Jagdeo.

The distribution of the small business grants followed Tuesday’s signing of contracts by some 2,000 persons from the region to obtain part-time employment at government offices and agencies.

Instead of making available the 800 part-time jobs announced by the Vice-President on his previous visit to the region, the government decided to increase the number to 2,000 following a flood of applications from residents. Persons employed will receive $40,000 per month for 10 days of work. Through this programme, the government will pump around $1 billion into the economy of Region Two. SUPPLEMENTING HOUSEHOLD INCOME

The part-time job scheme and the small grant initiative are geared at supplementing the household income of persons who have been severely affected by the rising cost of living due to COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

Both of these were promises by Dr Jagdeo, who came personally to the region to deliver on them.

He also informed Essequibo residents that the region will get a modern $30 million hospital, eight-10 megawatts of solar power to minimise blackouts, will benefit from improved water distribution systems, dredging of the Pomeroon River and an improved road network.

Farmers have already benefitted from free fertilisers and the cereal fac-

tory at Anna Regina was recently operationalised.

The government, he said, is working to make Essequibo more investorfriendly.

“In the budget, there are several initiatives this year. Some of the initiatives are to make Essequibo more attractive to investors, for example, we will co-invest in factories here. Right now, we are looking at about two or three call centres that could employ close to 1,000 people on the coast.

“The government will build the factory shells and train the people and then the investors will just operate this and this is just the beginning to generate more jobs on the coast,” he told hundreds of residents at a community meeting at the Suddie Early Childhood Centre on Tuesday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 26, 2022

‘Together, we will succeed!’...

FROM PAGE 3

growth must uplift all the people of our country,” the President said.

President, Dr Ali also delved into several achievements of his government over the last two years, including in the areas of housing and water, infrastructural development, education, health care, and citizen welfare.

“Tonight as we celebrate our independence, I want to lay down the facts, lay out the framework and the plan that we have in advancing our country long into the future; building the foundation that will ensure [a] sustainable future for the generations to come,” Dr Ali expressed.

The President said his government believes in

being accountable to the people.

“You have a government that believes that we must be accountable to you. That is why I am spending time to be accountable to you. These are your accomplishments [and] your work because you had the confidence when you placed us in office to deliver on this,” he said.

“As we reflect and celebrate today, it is important to understand that you have a government that is responsive, responsible, and proactive in making the right policies to enhance the welfare of the people of our country.

“We are redoubling our efforts to stay connected to you and ensure we continue to listen

to you. I am taking this opportunity to outline these accomplishments and strategy moving forward because I want you to know we are on a forward-looking trajectory,” the Head-of-State underscored.

Achievements noted by the President include the allocation of over 11,000 house lots, the building of more than 1500 housing units, distribution of more than 4000 land titles, and expansion of coverage of water in the hinterland to over 60 per cent.

In speaking about infrastructural development, the President cited the ongoing implementation of the comprehensive highway development plan.

The evening’s cer-

emony was chaired by Michella Abraham-Ali, and saw a number of cultural performances by several leading Guyanese performers.

Carlvin Burnett, Diana Chapman, Abel Stokes, Don Johnson, Cassie Adams, and Nekeita were among the performances. The National School of Dance also made an appearance.

The evening started with the arrival of Prime Minister Mark Phillips, followed by the arrival of President, Dr Ali. On his arrival, Dr Ali reviewed the Guard of Honour, and then delivered his address.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 26, 2022

Guyana’s Independence in Perspective GUYANA, today, celebrates 56 years as an independent state, after over 150 years of British colonial rule. It is important to put the independence struggle in its historical context, especially in light of divergent, and, in some cases, conflicting narratives of the contributions made by our political leaders, both prior to and during the course of the conferral of independence status by Great Britain.

For context, under Mr Burnham’s leadership, Guyana experienced a rupture in its democratic system, particularly, during the postindependence period, which saw the country being made a ‘pariah’ state and one of the poorest in the western hemisphere. This historical context is important.

It is true that political independence was granted to

the country under the PNCUF coalition, headed by Mr Burnham, but that did not, in any way, negate the reactionary role he played, in collaboration with external allies, in denying political independence to the thencolony under the Jagan-led PPP administration before 1964. Indeed, the records will show that Guyana’s former colonial master, under pressure from a western ally, deliberately denied independence to the colony.

It would not be possible in this editorial to deal adequately with all the nuances and intrigues that led to the deferral of Guyana’s political independence except to say that the period antecedent to the granting of independence was marked by political and ethnic disturbances engineered by the then political opposition,

aided and abetted by foreign vested interests. According to Arthur Schlesinger Jnr., then presidential adviser to President Kennedy, the United States then blundered when it proceeded on the assumption that an independent Guyana under Mr Burnham would cause their country fewer problems than an independent Guyana under Dr Jagan who was perceived as a ‘leftist’ with strong ‘communist’ leanings.

To say that this was a gravely miscalculated assessment of Dr Jagan and the PPP is to put it mildly. Whatever else can be said about Dr Jagan, he was essentially a democratic thinker with a strong passion for independence and national development. Indeed, it was that unyielding passion for an independent Guyana that led him to collaborate with prominent

stakeholders then to come up with an electoral formula after a deadlock had been reached by the three main political parties: the PPP, the PNC, and the United Force.

The hope was a constituency model, which mimicked the British and Commonwealth system, would have been undertaken.

In the end, the then political opposition’s demands were given prominence, and a proportional representation system imposed. Elections held in 1964 under the PR model saw a PNC-UF coalition government despite the fact that the PPP won the plurality of votes and, in keeping with parliamentary norms, should have been asked to form the government.

All of that is now, as it were, water under the bridge.

And after twenty-eight years of PNC dictatorial rule, de-

mocracy was finally restored to Guyana and Dr Jagan and the PPP/C was duly elected to office on October 5, 1992.

In a real sense, Guyana, for the first time since national independence, began to breathe the fresh air of democracy and freedom.

It was the United States, as a development ally of Guyana, that was instrumental in the return of democracy along with the Carter Centre in 1992. Both partners were again compelled to repeat their support, some three decades later, after the APNU+AFC attempted, unsuccessfully, to subvert democracy in the country.

Regardless of what some opposition elements may wish to say, Dr Jagan has been widely regarded as the main architect of the independence struggle in Guyana.

He has been credited as the first and only colonial leader to have been granted permission to address the United Nations Committee on decolonisation, an indication of his grit, determination and passion for a free, united and independent Guyana.

As we pay tribute to our leaders who rallied around the cause for independence, we owe, as a people, a special debt of gratitude to our heroes, in particular Dr Jagan. The country has come a far way in terms of political and economic independence but we have to continue to be vigilant and watchful in order to ensure that our hard-won gains are not put at risk at the hands of political opportunists and those intent on obtaining political power by undemocratic and fraudulent means.

Has flooding affected annual fish catch?

Dear Editor, THERE is a call for release of FAO’s report on oil production and fishing as relates to the effects of oil operations on fish catch. I am a committed supporter of the fisher folks (not just fishermen, but also those whose lives are tied to fishing that number in the thousands including managers, vendors, stalls, fish shops, fish cleaners, etc.

It has not been scientifically underscored that oil drilling affects fishing.

Could national flooding, however, be an influencing factor in declining catch?

Flood waters scare away fish.

I am of the view that fisher folks should be compensated if it is proven that

oil operations have impacted on fish catch and, by extension, their livelihoods. I wrote several articles on this subject.

As someone with a degree in the natural science, I am of the informed position that claims, especially related to the environment, ocean habitat, fish, etc., must be scientifically proven. It was not established that oil drilling and other operations scare away fish and other sea life.

I had called for an independent study, commissioned by the government, on the issue. I applaud the subject minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, for responding positively. I believe the Minister, who the public in polls say is one of the most visible

and active Ministers on the ground, is sympathetic with fisher folks and the working class in general and would do the right and needful thing to assist them.

The minister is reported to have said that a FAO study was conducted. I have not seen the report, but I am sure the Minister, in due course, will address the media on the issue and release the report.

As a scientist in my university studies, without fear of being contradicted, fishing would be severely impacted in the vicinity of oil drilling and other operations.

When affected, fish move to different breeding ground. Oil operations are some 150 miles off Guyana’s coast and would affect

breeding ground in that area.

I do not think too many of our fishing boats trek out that far for their catch.

Nevertheless, only a scientific study can provide a professional and fact-based explanation for declining catch over the last several years. What I do know is that Guyana has been inundated with unusually heavy unprecedented rainfall and flood waters in recent years.

I was caught in several of those floods in Guyana and in Trinidad. Fresh water, from floods and run-off waterways, impact on sea life. Most sea life, sea bob shrimping and popular fish normally found close to the coast of Guyana, cannot survive in fresh water or sea water mixed with fresh

water.

The mixing of water along the coast would drive away fish, similar to the noise of oil drilling operations. There has been declining catch in most parts of the globe. Areas that experienced flooding also experienced lower catch than usual.

Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, the US South coast are some of those areas that experienced massive flood waters that ran off into the ocean, and later saw lower catch.

I do not know if Trinidad and Tobago was also affected by lower catch from flood waters, although there were complaints there also.

Trinidad fishermen are also involved in deep sea fishing.

The mentioned countries have had oil operations for decades. There were no reported impacts on fish catch except in recent years when flooding seemed to be perennial.

Guyana has not been affected by national flooding this year and fishing companies have reported increased catch over last year.

Some pertinent questions to ask as related to Guyana are: has fresh water affected fish life in the Atlantic Ocean just off of Guyana’s coast? Is it a factor to consider on the low catch? Have oil operations also impacted on fishing?

The report of the study is eagerly awaited.

Yours sincerely, Vishnu Bisram (PhD).

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 26, 2022

$250M for Region Two rice farmers to purchase fertilisers

- $25M allocated to cash crop farmers for same GOVERNMENT has set aside some $250M for rice farmers in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) and a further $25M for cash crop farmers there to purchase fertilisers, Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo announced on Wednesday.

The Vice-President made the announcement during a meeting with scores of farmers, primarily rice farmers, at the Rice Producers Association’s (RPA) Bond at Anna Regina.

The sums of monies that will go to the Region Two farmers will be drawn from the $1B an-

nounced by President, Dr Irfaan Ali last week in a video announcement, also streamed on Facebook.

Some 34,500 acres of rice are cultivated in Region Two and farmers there, through group representation, will decide the place of purchase and the number of bags of fertilisers that will be given to their colleagues in the region, regardless of business scale.

Farmers need two bags of urea and one bag of MPK fertilisers to cultivate one acre of rice. The current price for one bag of urea is $11,000, with MPK going at $10,000

per bag.

Vice-President Jagdeo told the farmers gathered at the RPA Bond that while the government will not get involved in the distribution of the fertilisers, it expects the farmers, who will be serving the interest of their colleagues, to be fair in their allocations.

The distribution of the fertilisers to the cash crop farmers will be managed by the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI).

Supporting farmers across Guyana with fertilisers is part of the Dr Irfaan Ali-led People’s

Progressive Party/Civic government’s effort to absorb the rising global costs for the commodity, and to prevent the costs being passed on to consumers.

President Ali explained that the prices for fertilisers on the world market rose by 80 per cent in 2021, and has already risen by a further 30 per cent since the start of 2022.

“Urea, for example, was trading at US$245 per metric tonne; last month, the average price for urea was $925 per metric tonne. This represented the rapid surge of the price for natural gas which is key in the production of fertiliser.

“The world market

price for wheat has similarly skyrocketed from US$223 per metric tonne to $495 [per metric tonne] last month. On top of all of this, in Guyana, we’ve had to grapple with the consequences of unusually high rainfall in 2021, resulting in floods that severely disrupted food production,” the President noted.

The increase in prices for fertilisers has resulted in increases in the prices of vegetables and other produce at local markets.

The government has been implementing a number of measures to cushion the blow, including reducing the excise tax on diesel and gasoline from 50 per cent to zero, pro-

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viding planting material and technical assistance to farmers, and removing VAT on agriculture input and equipment.

More than $7B has also been given out to farmers who were affected by the floods last year to get them to return to the land.

The farmers, who were present at the meeting at the RPA Bond, praised the government for its support of the rice industry and raised a number of concerns affecting them, including the poor state of dams in their fields.

The Vice-President said the issues raised will be looked into and the dams will be fixed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 26, 2022

Contract signed, two-year deadline for US$260M Demerara River bridge

By Shamar Meusa

HAILED as the largest public infrastructure project undertaken in Guyana, the government, on Wednesday, signed a US$260 million contract for the construction of the new Demerara River Bridge at the Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara (EBD) site where the eastern end of the bridge will land.

Deodat Indar, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, told those gathered for the occasion that, for many years, there were

promises of a new Harbour Bridge as the current one has surpassed its lifespan.

He noted that while the current Demerara Harbour Bridge is being managed and maintained to ensure that the very necessary link between Regions 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and 4 (Demerara-Mahaica) is present, the government has made a promise to prioritise the construction of a new bridge.

“His Excellency, the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Dr Irfaan Ali has, today, made that

A cleared section of land at Nandy Park, EBD where the eastern end of the new bridge is expected to be laid (Delano Williams photo)

promise in the manifesto a reality, with this historic

signing of the agreement to construct a New Demerara Harbour Bridge,” Minister Indar proclaimed.

The construction cost of US$260 million, he added, was the negotiated amount that came following a process of competitive bidding and rigorous evaluation.

A joint venture of Chinese companies, led by China Railway Construction Cor-

poration, emerged successful in the procurement process.

The new bridge, according to Minister Indar, is expected to be 2.65 kilometres with the width of the driving surface being around 23.6 meters, with two carriageways and four lanes.

The bridge is a hybrid design with the high span or navigation span having a cable stay design, Minister In-

dar noted. The vertical height of the fixed bridge is said to be constructed at some 50 meters from the mean highest watermark which means that large size vessels would be able to pass freely under the bridge.

The bridge, which is said to have a design lifespan of 100 years, is expected to also have cycling lanes, among other features.

TRANSFORMING GUYANA Delivering feature remarks at the event was Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, who said the ceremony may be simple and devoid of pomp, but that history was being witnessed.

“We are witnessing history today! And, not history in the sense of a one-off isolated project, but history in the sense of a major transformative project that is part TURN TO PAGE 9

Region Two’s ‘Sister Baby’ turns 105

Lucretia Bradford called ‘Sister Baby’ who celebrated her 105th birthday on May 25

The centenarian with her daughter, Patsy, and her son, Randolph

FOR Lucretia Bradford of Cullen Village in Region Two, this year is a very special one as she has made it to age 105 and will also get the chance to witness Guyana’s independence anniversary celebration being held in her region for the first time.

Bradford, popularly known as “Sister Baby” was born on May 25, 1917, in Cullen Village, to her parents, James Bradford and Christina Grant. She attended the Abram Zuil Methodist School but later moved to the West Bank Demerara area.

However, a few years later she returned to the region and got married. She mothered four children: Randolph, Sheila, Yvonne and Edward who is deceased.

In her village, she is known for giving good “advice” and spreading words from the Bible. As she celebrated her birthday on the eve of Guyana’s 56th independence anniversary, she recalled many fond memories of her younger days.

She still remembers how “bad” Essequibo roads were in the 1930s and how she used to assist with the fetching of bricks to help build several roads in the Cullen area.

“The roads were so bad back in the days, we used to walk far and then we used to pick up bricks just to build the roads. Essequibo has transformed, especially the roads. [They] are good now… I does tell my grandchildren,” Bradford told this publication.

She spends most of her time reading scriptures and sharing her advice to her 30 grandchildren and more than 10 great grands.

Women of the village often turned to Bradford for her home remedies and herbal medicine. She has given up that trade and now spends time with her daughter in Cullen and grandchildren.

Her daily routine would be to wake up, eat her breakfast, listen to the news and read her Bible. Despite having problems with her vision and hearing, she is always fun to be around.

Bradford is a member of the Methodist Church Guyana District. Members of the congregation celebrated her birthday with prayers and also extended good wishes.

Her wish for Guyana as the country’s celebrates its independence, is for everyone to live in harmony.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 26, 2022

PM Phillips, team assesses Region 9 flooding; four shelters activated

PRIME MINISTER Mark Phillips, on Wednesday, visited Lethem, Tabatinga and other locations in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) to assess the flooding of several communities.

A number of low-lying communities are inundated due to heavy rainfall and water runoff from neighbouring Brazil.

PM Phillips was accompanied by Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Director General (ag), Major Loring Benons; Lethem Mayor, John

Macedo; Lethem Town Clerk, Keisha Vincent; and representatives from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) along with other government agencies.

The visiting officials met with regional, municipal and community leaders upon arrival and were briefed on the current status of households, farms, livestock, and assets of those impacted.

Regional Vice-Chairman, Bertie Xavier, reported that while water levels in some parts are as much as six

inches, residents continue to manage the impact on their properties.

It was confirmed that a total of four shelters are now in use: one at the Tabatinga Sports Complex, one at the Tabatinga Nursery School, another at the Culvert City Nursery School, and one more at the CDC Regional Disaster Risk Management Centre.

More than 130 persons are occupying the shelters.

Throughout the assessment, PM Phillips stressed the importance of moving to high

PM Phillips and officials on the ground in Region 9

Contract signed, two-year...

FROM PAGE 8 of a much larger, comprehensive plan to transforming Guyana,” the minister for finance said.

For Dr Singh, a modern Guyana is well underway with today’s generation holding a seat of privilege to witness and be active participants in the transformation.

Minister Singh explained there are other contracts signed for several transformative projects. The US$190 million contract for the Linden to Mabura Hill Road, part of the first phase to connect Linden to Lethem and further connect Guyana to Brazil, was one such project mentioned.

He added that it was just weeks ago that contracts were also signed for the construction of 32 concrete bridges along the alignment of the remainder of the road from Kurupukari to Lethem.

Singh said: “Today’s signing also comes at a time when we are about to launch the procurement process for a new road from the alignment of this bridge on the West Demerara side to Crane, and [also] when we are at an advanced stage of designing a new highway from Schoonard on the West Bank of Demerara to Parika on the Essequibo River.”

YEARS IN THE MAKING Meanwhile, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, echoed similar sentiments as Dr Singh, mentioning that

while history was in the making, it had been a long and challenging road to get to this point.

He noted that the signing was the culmination of almost ten years of planning dating back to March 2013 when former Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, commissioned a pre-feasibility study to examine the pertinence of the construction of a new fixed bridge across the Demerara River.

In 2017, that Ministry also commissioned feasibility studies examining eight possible locations, including the current Nandy Park to La Grange alignment, for the construction of the new bridge.

“We are here to sign the largest contract for a transport infrastructure project ever financed by the Government of Guyana, and I think we need to celebrate this,” Minister Edghill said.

From 2013 to 2022, the average daily traffic across the demerara river, he noted, increased from approximately 13,781 vehicles to some 22,000 vehicles in both directions.

While the increased traffic has caused congestion and frustration for stranded commuters, the project is expected to ease those woes.

Minister Edghill told those gathered that it was President, Dr Irfaan Ali who placed great importance on and prioritised the project since entering office on August 2, 2020.

He said that just a few weeks after entering office, President Ali walked the alignment to ensure that the government had a full observation and understanding of the project.

“We did not get here by chance; a lot of work was done. Less than a week after the President walked this alignment with a team that included myself (sic) and my colleague minister Indar, we set up a high-level technical working group comprising of mostly public sector stakeholders,” Edghill explained.

The Minister said that the working group aimed to remove all barriers and pave the way for the construction of the bridge at the site.

The project initially went out to public tender and attracted some 14 bidders who were pre-qualified for the construction of the bridge.

Eventually, nine firms were pre-qualified and invited to submit proposals. Following several months of engagement, five of the prequalified bidders submitted proposals on October 21, 2021.

“The signing of this contract today is truly monumental and will lead to construction activities never before witnessed in our urban space,” the Minister noted further.

He went on to underscore that government expects the project to be delivered to the people of Guyana within the next two years.

ground.

PRIORITY The issue of potable water was a priority for the team, and Prime Minister Phillips ensured that collapsible water containers and water purification tablets were being distributed efficiently.

He also highlighted the diligent logistical work of those in the region as all shelters were

provided basic necessities.

At the shelters, PM Phillips interacted with occupants who expressed gratitude for the swift action by the CDC and regional authorities to move them to safer ground.

The possibility of increasing the number of shelters was discussed. PM Phillips was assured that the agencies and government bodies on the

ground were ready to render further assistance to impacted residents.

The CDC is urging persons countrywide to take precautions where necessary and to report any flooding impact to local authorities or the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500 or 226-1114 at any time.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 26, 2022

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 26, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 26, 2022

Taxi driver ‘likely’ to be charged over alleged assault of NA cop - says Minister Benn

CHARGES are likely to be instituted against the taxi driver, who was involved in a physical altercation with a traffic policeman at New Amsterdam, which was captured on camera.

This is according to Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, who commented on the matter on the sidelines of an event on Wednesday.

In a video that is circulating on social media, the

two are seen in a scuffle and are trading punches. Reports are that the taxi driver began assaulting the policeman as he was attempting to arrest him. The policeman then retaliated.

“The taxi driver assaulted a peace officer and that, as far as I’m aware, is a charge under Guyana’s laws.

The taxi driver, I believe too, was being engaged by the police officer because he was blocking the road or

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn

making some kind of traffic infringement and was not cooperating. So that appeared to be, basically, the issue,” Minister Benn said.

It is unclear what the charges will be; however, under Section 46 (b) of the Criminal Law Offenders Act Chapter 8:01, an offender who assaults, obstruct, or resist any peace officer acting in the execution of their duty, or any person acting in aid of that officer, if found guilty can be liable for up to two years’ imprisonment at the discretion of the magistrate.

The minister used the opportunity to urge the public to record their interactions with the police either by video or audio, which could increase accountability, transparency and public trust.

“When there is any interaction with the police force, good or bad, that person should take out their cellphones and make a video and audio recording of the interaction,” he reaffirmed.

He further explained that these simple actions will go a long way toward helping the nation to avoid uncalledfor behaviour and bringing it to the attention of the police community.

On Tuesday, the Com-

missioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken, issued a statement expressing his dissatisfaction with the incident. He said that an investigation will be done with some degree of alacrity in an effort to mitigate that type of behaviour.

He also appealed to the public to co-operate with the police, and vice versa in order to assist in the delivery of justice.

“The police does (sic) not and cannot operate in isolation, thus the need for partnership and co-operation between the police and the public – one that should be premised on mutual trust and co-operation while exploring every avenue to maintain law and order in society,” he said.

He also stressed that the police force is working on postures and strict adherence to SOPs aimed at ensuring that ranks are professional in the discharge of their duties, even in the face of harassment and intimidation from non-cooperating civilians.

The police force had rolled out Portable Video Recording (PVR) devices also known as body cameras to increase accountability and improve public trust.

If an incident occurs dur-

ing the rank’s time on duty, the footage will be reviewed for evidential value. The footage will also be archived for a period in the event a report is made against the officer.

The initiative was first introduced in 2015 and has been expanded to all 12 police divisions.

Recently, there have been several instances where civilians are either attacking or verbally abusing police officers. Video footage captured will provide better documentation of the nature of events and support accounts articulated by both officers and civilians.

By Naomi Parris

ana, Chuku Liana Adams birthed ‘Green Dreams’, a growing business that offers Guyanese a unique

and organic twist to gardening and landscaping.

Adams, a former School TURN TO PAGE 14

Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken

Former teacher turns love for gardening into a business

WITH the aim of promoting a greener Guy-

Chuku Liana Adams displays her clay pots, plants and organic soil at the recently held Agri-Investment Forum and Expo where she was an exhibitor (Adrian Narine photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 26, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 26, 2022

Former teacher turns love for gardening into a...

FROM PAGE 12

of Nations nursery school teacher, grew up around many plants and took a liking to

gardening in her early teens.

She intimated that it was the love of nurturing and

watching a plant grow that made her fall in love with the relaxing activity.

“I am a trained teacher; that was my first love, but I started doing plants and so on

when I was a teenager. But during the pandemic season I needed something to help me

relax with all that was going on so I turned to that and that is where I started,” she told the Guyana Chronicle.

Adams had never thought about turning her love for gardening into a business; however, in 2020, Guyana began recording coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and like the rest of the world, she had to remain indoors to protect herself and family.

With everything at a standstill and anxiety at an all-time high, Adams reverted to an old hobby that calmed her soul - gardening.

Soon after, she decided to leave her job as a teacher and pursue gardening as a fulltime job and business.

She noted that it was not an easy task as she made the decision to leave a profession that she profusely loved to pursue another passion that she had the same love for.

“It was difficult because when I told the children, the parents and my superior that I was going to make that switch, they were like, ‘You sure this is what you want to do,’” she told this publication.

She recalled the hardest part of walking away from her teaching profession was leaving the children she loved behind.

“The only thing that was difficult was to leave my little ones, leave the children that I was teaching and then cling to this fulltime.”

However, she noted that it was a decision she needed to make to fulfill her purpose.

“I thought to myself at my age [37], I needed to do something more. Although teaching was rewarding at the end of the day, I was still feeling like I needed something more. And when I started diving into my brain, I realised this is what was missing.”

Green Dreams is not just a gardening company that sells plants and flowers, according to Adams. She explained to this publication that her business is about all things green and organic as she offers a wide array of services such as landscaping, pruning, molding and repotting of plants, along with the provision of organic dirt containing the best nutrients for the growth of flowering plants and trees.

Adams also sells locally made clay pots.

She noted that it’s not just about selling a plant or weeding someone’s yard but rather about sensitisation and encouraging persons to become one with nature and the environment.

“The aim of Green Dreams is to sensitise persons and encourage persons to have living things around them,” she added.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 26, 2022

Man pleads not guilty to South Road double murder

A MIXED 12-member jury was, on Wednesday, empanelled before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the Demerara High Court for the trial of Phillip Suffrein, who is accused of killing two elderly women during a home invasion in 2017.

Suffrein, 28, denied that, between October 2 and October 3, 2017, at Lot

MURDER ACCUSED Phillip Suffrein

243 South Road and Albert Street, he unlawfully killed Constance Fraser, 89 and Phyllis Caesar, 77, during a robbery.

The trial is expected to commence on June 1, 2022.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that the two pensioners were found lying face down in separate bedrooms at their home on October 3, 2017, with their hands and feet bound and mouths gagged.

According to a relative, the house was ransacked and quite a few items appeared to be missing. Reports from the police revealed that a door to the upper half of the two-flat building was breached.

Relatives said it was the third time the women had been robbed, with one recalling that during the last incident, the intruders had made off with cellular phones and money.

It was also the second time the elderly women had been robbed after receiving their monthly pensions.

Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh gave the cause of death of both women as asphyxiation due to suffocation and manual strangulation, compounded by trauma to the head.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 26, 2022

Archibald, Blackwood hundreds...

From page 28

pacer Preston McSween (4-78) made key strikes.

Arriving at the crease in the fourth over after tea with Hurricanes tottering on 167 for eight, Archibald blasted 13 fours and four sixes as he put on a vital 122 in an unbroken ninth wicket partnership with Daniel Doram (17 not out).

He reached his hundred in the day’s penultimate over with a punch through straightish mid on off fast bowler Josh Thomas.

Blackwood also had reason to celebrate as his knock held the Scorpions innings together after left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie (2-39) and off-spinner Kevin

Sinclair (2-74) threatened to put Harpy Eagles on top.

He put on 52 for the second wicket with Test teammate John Campbell who made 37 from 58 balls with seven fours, and when three wickets fell for 39 runs, added a further 112 for the fifth wicket with Alwyn Williams who made 51 off 113 deliveries with eight fours.

On 31 at lunch and 66 at tea, Blackwood reached triple figures with a single behind point off left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul deep in the final session.

For the second straight round, Red Force suffered a batting meltdown, Imran Khan top-scoring with 29, Terrance Hinds getting 25 and captain

Joshua Da Silva scoring 23, after choosing to bat.

They were 50 for five before Da Silva stitched up the innings first in a 41-run, sixth wicket stand with Imran Khan and then in a 38-run seventh wicket partnership with Hinds.

Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican led Pride with three for 21 while fast bowler Akeem Jordan extended his good form with two for 17.

In reply, Pride were stumbling at 34 for two thanks to a double strike from Hinds but left-hander Raymon Reifer (32 not out) engineered a recovery courtesy of an unbroken 53run, third wicket partnership with Jonathan Carter (19 not out).

Jaguar defender Gordon joins Walsall

LONDON, (CMC) – Guyana international Liam Gordon will become English League Two side Walsall’s first signing of the summer after the club agreed a two-year deal with the Bolton Wanderers defender.

The 23-year-old UK-born Jaguar, said to be “delighted” over his imminent move, has spent the past two seasons with the League One side and made 36 appearances, including 21 this term.

“I’m delighted to add Liam to the squad,” Saddlers’

boss Michael Flynn told the club’s website.

“He’s fit, quick, a good crosser of the ball, athletic and fits everything that I want in a wing-back.

“He’s hungry to stamp down a place in the team and to take us forward.”

Gordon, who began his career with fifth-tier National League side Dagenham & Redbridge, will complete his move to the West Midlands once his contract at Bolton expires on July 1.

Gordon, who made his Guyana debut against Bermuda in a friendly in June 2019, has seven caps to his name with the Jaguars.

The defender is excited about his new challenge and linking up with the Saddlers,

who finished 16th this season.

“I’m delighted,” Gordon said.

“I’ve been speaking to the head coach (Flynn) and I know what his expectations are, what he wants from me and I’m excited for the club’s future and his plans for the club going forward.

“I spoke to the gaffer about his formation and that completely suits me.

“I’m an attacking leftback, I like to get forward, I like to contribute with goals and assists, but I’ve got to help with the defensive side as well.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the new challenge.”

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Thursday May 26, 2022) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Jos Butler-629 runs (RR) (2) Quinton de Kock-140*(Super Giants vs KKR) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who took most wickets in the preliminary round of IPL 2022?

(2) What were the best figures in a single game in the preliminary round of IPL 2022?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Salah staying at Liverpool next season ‘for sure’ Mohamed Salah has scored 31 goals and recorded 15 assists in 50 appearances in all competitions this season

LIVERPOOL superstar Mohamed Salah has said he intends to play for the club next season despite having just one year left on his contract.

The Egypt international remains in talks with Liverpool over a new deal, although reports suggest an agreement is not imminent.

Salah has scored 31 goals and recorded 15 assists in 50 appearances in all competitions this season, and some reports have linked him with a move at the end of this campaign in light of his contract situation.

However, speaking at a media conference ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final against Real Madrid, Salah made clear he intends to remain at Anfield for at least one more year, telling reporters: “I am staying next season for sure.”

Salah has previously said he does not want to talk about his contract situation until the end of the season, and he reiterated that stance, adding: “In my mind, I don’t focus on the contract; I don’t want to be selfish. It’s about the time

now; it’s an important week for us. I don’t want to talk about the contract.”

The 29-year-old was also asked about his motivation ahead of the clash with Madrid, having previously declared he wanted “revenge” following their 2018 meeting in the Champions League final that the Spanish giants won 3-1; Salah went off injured in the first half with a shoulder issue caused by former Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.

“I am very motivated,” he said. “After what happened with Madrid last time and also after what happened on Sunday, everybody is motivated to win the Champions League because this is an unbelievable trophy for us and every season we fight for it since I came here, and everyone wants to fight for it.”

Liverpool were denied the opportunity to continue their pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple on Sunday when Manchester City’s comeback win against Aston Villa clinched the Premier League title ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s men.

While the players were

disappointed, captain Jordan Henderson told reporters they are only looking forward now to Saturday.

“The mood’s good to be honest,” he said. “Training was very good today. I can see the excitement in them, ready for the weekend.

“Of course we were disappointed on Sunday with the outcome, coming so close and then finding out what was happening in the other game. It was tough to take, but I couldn’t be more proud of the lads for the season and how we’ve competed in every single competition.

“We’ve given absolutely everything, played the maximum number of games that we could have played, won two trophies so far and got a big opportunity on Saturday to win another.

“It’s all positive here, really good morale in the camp, and we just can’t wait to get going again on Saturday and give absolutely everything one last time this season and try to get over the line to bring the Champions League trophy back to Liverpool.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 26, 2022

Mathews, de Silva fifties help Sri Lanka cut down deficit on rain-hit day ANGELO Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva collected half-centuries as Sri Lanka ploughed ahead on a rain-hit day three, getting to within 83 runs of Bangladesh’s total, with five wickets still in hand.

Scores: At stumps Sri Lanka 282 for 5 (Karunaratne 80, de Silva 58, Mathews 58*, Shakib 3-59, Ebadot 2-78) trail Bangladesh 365 (Mushfiqur 175*, Litton 141, Rajitha 5-64, Asitha 4-93) by 83 runs.

The visitors lost three wickets, including that of captain Dimuth Karunaratne for 80, but are now perhaps better-placed than Bangladesh to push for a result in the match.

With 39 overs having been lost to rain yesterday, though, another draw threatens. The whole second session was washed out.

Bangladesh’s day had begun with promise when Ebadot Hossain bowled nightwatchman Kasun Rajitha with the second ball of the morning, but despite some excellent spells from Shakib Al Hasan, Taijul Islam, and Ebadot himself, the hosts were frustrated by Sri Lanka’s application.

Shakib deservedly emerged with the best figures by stumps, with 3 for 59 from his 26 overs.

Ebadot had 2 for 78 and went at an even three per over. Taijul kept things tight, maintaining an economy rate of 2.25 across his 28 overs in the innings so far, but did not claim a wicket.

Sri Lanka’s most-productive partnership was the 102-run stand between Mathews and de Silva, who brought contrasting

Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva steadied Sri Lanka after two quick wickets (AFP/ Getty Images)

approaches to their innings.

Mathews was sedate, venturing only two boundaries in the 76 balls he faced before lunch, before eventually plodding to 58 off 153 by stumps.

He left many, defended even more, and subsisted off singles for large portions of his innings, hitting only five boundaries. The most exciting moment of his knock came when he launched Shakib over long off for six to reach his 38th Test fifty. de Silva was more ambitious during his 58 off 95, though he also rode his luck more than Mathews.

He whipped Khaled Ahmed for four through square leg second ball and continued to look proactively for runs, getting to 30 off 40 before rain forced the umpires to call lunch five balls early. During that early period, he had under-edged a ball close to his stumps as well. He slowed

SCORE BOARD BANGLADESH 1st innings 365 SRI LANKA 1st innings o/n 143-2 Oshada Fernando c Najmul Hossain Shanto b Ebadot Hossain 57 Dimuth Karunaratne b Shakib Al Hasan 80 Kusal Mendis lbw Shakib Al Hasan 11 Kasun Rajitha b Ebadot Hossain 0 Angelo Mathews not out 58 Dhananjaya de Silva c Liton Das b Shakib Al Hasan

58 Dinesh Chandimal not out 10 Extras: (lb-6, nb-2) 8 Total: (five wkts, 97.0 overs) 282 Fall of wickets: 1-95 Fernando, 2-139 Mendis, 3-144 Rajitha, 4-164 Karunaratne, 5-266 de Silva.

Bowling: Khaled Ahmed 15-1-62-0 (nb-1), Ebadot Hossain 26-4-78-2, Shakib Al Hasan 26-9-59-3,Taijul Islam 28-6-63-0 (nb-1).

down a touch after the downpour, but was nevertheless keen to punish errors of length.

Shakib got him out roughly midway the final session, with a turning ball that took a faint edge en route to the wicketkeeper.

Bangladesh had to win that out decision with a review.

After de Silva left, Dinesh Chandimal forged a sedate partnership with Mathews. They saw out 55 balls together, but made only 16, though they did have the waning light to contend with.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh may have dreamt of a wicket-filled Wednesday when they dismissed the overnight batters in the first hour. Ebadot angled his wicket ball into Rajitha, then got it to seam away to beat the outside edge and hit off stump - a delivery that might have had a far more competent batter in trouble.

Shakib’s deliciously tossed-

up ball to Karunaratne had come somewhat against the run of play, as Karunaratne had begun to seem comfortable at the crease. But having darted several in earlier in that over, Shakib tempted the batter to come forward for a big drive then got the ball to dip, and spin between his bat and pad, and into middle stump. Karunaratne had added only ten to his overnight score of 70.

Sri Lanka have some batting to come (No. 9 Ramesh Mendis is a batting all-rounder in domestic cricket), so Bangladesh will now have to effect a collapse to claim a first-innings lead.

Batting last on this surface will not be easy, however.

There were signs the ball was beginning to take a significant turn yesterday, and there was also variable bounce for the seamers. (ESPN)

Premier League approves Boehly’s takeover of Chelsea LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Todd Boehly’s proposed takeover of Chelsea moved a step closer to completion on Tuesday when the Premier League board announced it had approved his purchase of the London club.

A consortium led by Boehly, a co-owner of baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers, had already agreed to a £4.25-billion (US$5.3-billion) deal to buy the Premier League club from owner Roman Abramovich on May 7.

And a Premier League statement said Tuesday: “The Premier League Board has today approved the proposed takeover of Chelsea Football Club by the Todd Boehly/Clearlake Consortium.

“The purchase remains subject to the [British] Government issuing the required sale licence and the satisfactory completion of the final stages of the transaction.”

Russian billionaire Abramovich put Chelsea on the market in early March, just before he was sanctioned by the British Government following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Completing the purchase has been a lengthy process due to Government concerns over the potential for Abramovich to profit from the sale.

There had been fears the takeover would collapse because of the £1.5-billion debt owed by Chelsea’s parent company, Fordstam Ltd, to Camberley International Investments, a Jersey-based company with suspected links to Abramovich.

Abramovich, who has said he has not asked for his loan to be repaid, is understood to have provided confirmation to the Government that his associate, Demetris Ioannides, has resigned from the trust owning Camberley International.

Earlier on Tuesday, a spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the Government was working with “international partners” to get the

Chelsea’s prospective US owner Todd Boehly comes onto the pitch to join the lap of honour after the English Premier League football match against Watford at Stamford Bridge in London on Sunday.

(Photo: AFP)

deal done.

The Premier League statement added: “The board has applied the Premier League’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test (OADT) to all prospective directors, and undertaken the necessary due diligence.

“The members of the consortium purchasing the club are affiliates of the Clearlake Capital Group, L.P., Todd Boehly, Hansjorg Wyss and Mark Walter.

“Chelsea FC will now work with the relevant governments to secure the necessary licences to complete the takeover.”

Chelsea have been forced to operate under a special licence from the UK Government since Abramovich, who bought the club in 2003, was sanctioned.

Under the terms of the licence, Chelsea were unable to offer new contracts to existing players or sign players from other clubs.

The sale of the European champions brings the curtains down on 19 years of nearly unbroken success under the 55-year-old Abramovich, who has overseen five Premier League titles and two Champions League triumph.

Warne to be remembered during England’s Test with New Zealand at Lord’s

T H E l a t e , g re a t S h a n e Warne will be remembered by his former employers Sky Sports throughout next week’s first Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s.

Warne, who took 708 Test wickets in an illustrious career where he was also instrumental in Australia’s 1999 World Cup win, died aged 52 on March 4 after a suspected heart attack in Koh Samui, Thailand.

He was a popular pundit following the end of his playing career with Sky, which in conjunction with the MCC, will honour Warne by renaming the main commentary box in the JP Morgan Media Centre after him.

Ex-players and commen-

Shane Warne took 708 Test wickets

tary colleagues will also pay tribute to the former leg-spinner while a two-part documentary entitled ‘Bowled Shane’ telling the story of the 2005 and 2006/07 Ashes will be screened.

Sky Sports director of cricket Bryan Henderson said: “On the pitch, he was simply the greatest, while off it, he was a wonderful and loyal friend.

“No words can capture his contribution to the game, but his magic on the field as well as in the commentary box and in life itself will never be forgotten.

“We hope our tributes to him during this Test will remind those who witnessed him in action of his greatness

as well as hopefully introduce young cricket fans to a cricketing legend.”

Former Australia captain Mark Taylor will join Sky Sports’ coverage alongside Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton, Mel Jones, Ian Ward, Simon Doull and Eoin Morgan to discuss Warne’s impact on cricket.

Guy Lavender, MCC chief executive and secretary, added: “Shane Warne was a man who entertained us on the field and was passionate about improving the sport off it.

“We are hugely supportive of Sky’s commemoration of Shane which I am sure will be a fitting tribute to a true legend of the game.”

(PA Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 26, 2022

RCB through to Qualifier 2 after Patidar’s unbeaten 112 LUCKNOW Super Giants’ (LSG) Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 campaign has come to an end as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) advance to Qualifier 2.

The Eliminator clash was a high-scoring affair as runs were scored for fun. However, a target of 208 was too big for LSG as RCB recorded a 14-run triumph. Having scored a remarkable ton, Rajat Patidar was the chief architect of RCB’s victory.

Earlier in the contest, LSG won the toss and elected to bowl at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. As it had rained at the venue, the game started a little late. RCB got off to a terrible start in the knockout game as skipper Faf du Plessis bagged a golden duck.

Even Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell looked rusty and ended up scoring 25 and nine runs respectively.

While the big guns failed to fire, Rajat Patidar put up a stellar show and played one of the finest knocks in IPL playoffs. From Avesh Khan to Ravi Bishnoi, the dasher spared none as the ball was flying all over the park. He brought up his century off just 49 deliveries and walked back for an unbeaten 112.

Meanwhile, the evergreen Dinesh Karthik also scored a

LIVERPOOL’S Champions League final against Real Madrid is not about revenge for the Spanish side’s victory in 2018, says manager Jurgen Klopp.

Saturday’s Paris showpiece is a repeat of the final four years ago in Kyiv, when Madrid won 3-1.

Forward Mohamed

GOOD CHANCE’ OF BEING FIT Klopp also said Thiago Alcantara has a “good chance” of recovering to play at Stade de France.

The Spain midfielder was substituted at half-time of the Reds’ 3-1 win over Wolves - after an Achil-

Gareth Bale scored a spectacular overhead kick in the 2018 final while Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius made two errors which led to goals

Rajat Patidar celebrates his century against LSG

handy 37 runs and remained unbeaten too, as RCB posted a mammoth 207-4 in their allotted 20 overs KL RAHUL’S EFFORTS WENT IN VAIN Chasing a massive total, LSG lost the in-form Quinton de Kock cheaply. Coming in to bat at number three, Manan Vohra played some fine

shots in the powerplay overs, but perished for 19. The repair work was then done by skipper KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda, who added 96 runs for the third wicket. The latter was the aggressor in the partnership while Rahul played the anchor’s role.

Following Hooda’s departure for 45, Rahul shifted gears and kept the required run rate in check. He also

brought up his fourth fifty of the season. Unfortunately for LSG, he was dismissed for 79 as RCB gained command in the game. Harshal Patel and Josh Hazlewood bowled brilliantly in the death overs and sealed the contest for RCB. LSG were eventually restricted to 193-6 in their allotted 20 overs, losing the contest by 14 runs. (Cric Tracker)

GFF celebrates Andrew Watson – first black international football player

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) paid tribute yesterday to the legacy of Guyana-born footballer Andrew Watson, who was born on May 24 in 1856 and is widely credited as being the first black player to perform at international level, the first professional black footballer and the first black football administrator.

Watson, the son of a Scottish plantation owner and a Guyanese mother, left Guyana as a child and went on to study at a school in northern England and London before attending the University of Glasgow in

Liverpool not after revenge for 2018 final -Klopp

Andrew Watson passed away at the age of 64 in London on March 8, 1921.

Scotland.

The football pioneer played and administrated for several clubs in England and

Scotland, including Scotland’s biggest club at the time Queen’s Park – helping them to win two Scottish Cup titles in 1881 and 1882.

He was capped three times by Scotland, twice as captain, including a 6-1 victory over England in 1881, which remains a record home defeat for the Three Lions, and a 5-1 win over Wales.

“We salute the memory of this incredible son of the soil,” said GFF oresident Wayne Forde. “Andrew Watson’s pioneering achievements on the field of play and in his professional life provide an inspirational example for all of us – they

remind us that anything is possible through hard work and dedication.”

“We are proud to share this legacy with our partners at the Scottish Football Association (SFA), and look forward to working together to create a permanent and meaningful platform of initiatives in honour of this true Guyanese – and Scottish legend,” Forde added.

As part of an ongoing capacity-building partnership, under the UEFA Assist banner, the SFA has conducted an online coaching programme for GFF technical staff and coaches.

Salah, who went off injured in that match after a tussle with Sergio Ramos, has said Liverpool have a “score to settle”.

“This was a harsh night for us - it was tough to take,” said Klopp.

“But I don’t believe in revenge or think revenge is a fantastic idea,” he added.

“I understand what Mo said - he wants to put it right. But in Germany we say you always meet twice in life.

“If we get the chance to win it this time it will be a great story, but it will not be because of what happened in 2018.”’

I’LL BE AT LIVERPOOL NEXT SEASON FOR SURE Salah’s comments came after Real Madrid dramatically beat Manchester City in the semi-finals. Yesterday he said he was “motivated through the roof after what happened last time”.

The Spanish champions won in 2018 thanks to goals from Karim Benzema and two by Gareth Bale, including a spectacular overhead kick.

Salah left the field in tears after injuring his shoulder in the 30th minute having been pulled down by centre-back Ramos, who has since joined Paris St-Germain.

A year later Liverpool beat Tottenham in the final in Madrid to win the European crown.

les injury - in their final Premier League game on Sunday.

“He will train this afternoon,” Klopp said.

“At the moment it looks like he can be part of training tomorrow. That would be really helpful.

“It’s surprisingly good.

After the game I was not really positive about it, but we got news that night that it doesn’t look that bad. We will see.”

LOOKING FOR THE EDGE Liverpool are looking to get any edge they can on Real Madrid and that includes wearing brain monitors during training.

The Reds have been utilising the expertise of a neuroscience company for some time now, with Klopp praising the impact of the firm.in his side’s FA Cup penalty shootout win against Chelsea earlier this month.

“We work together with a company, four guys,” said Klopp after the Wembley victory.

“They got in contact with us two years ago, I think I was aware of it (then). One of them is a neuroscientist and he said ‘we can train penalty shooting’. And I said: ‘sounds interesting; come over’.

“German guy, we met.

We worked together and this trophy is for them like the Carabao Cup was.”

(BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 26, 2022

Cummings flawless in Women’s Singles Independence TT title win … Hickerson wins U9, U11 Boys

Jasmine Billingy is the U13 Independence TT champion

Natalie Cummings won the Women’s Singles

Regional four-day championship

Archibald, Blackwood hundreds dominate opening day

Jermaine Blackwood reached his hundred in the day’s penultimate over

P0RT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Tail-ender Colin Archilbald struck an exhilarating unbeaten hundred to haul Leeward Islands Hurricanes out of trouble while Test vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood stroked his eighth first class century to lead Jamaica Scorpions’ domination, on the opening day of the fourth round of matches here

Wednesday.

When Hurricanes slumped to 179 for nine after tea at Queen’s Park Oval, it appeared as if Windward Islands Volcanoes were taking an early stranglehold on the contest.

But the left-handed Archibald arrived at number 10 to blast an unbeaten 104 off just 97 deliveries, to fire his side to 301 for nine at the close.

At the Diego Martin Complex, the right-handed Blackwood finished unbeaten on 110, a knock that propelled Scorpions to 282 for six against Guyana Harpy Eagles.

Scorpions too were in trouble at 99 for four just after lunch but Blackwood produced a composed knock spanning 251 deliveries and 5-¼ hours, and including 14 fours and a six, to steer his side to safety.

In the other game at the Brian Lara Stadium, Barbados Pride bundled out hosts Trinidad and Tobago Red Force for 133 and were 87 for two at the close, just 46 runs adrift of first innings lead heading into Thursday’s second day.

Archibald took the spotlight, however, his innings ensuring Hurricanes maintained their momentum from the third round win over Red Force last week.

Choosing to bat first, Hur-

ricanes were wilting at 72 for four and needed Jahmar Hamilton’s 52 off 71 deliveries and Terrance Warde’s 30 to revive themselves, before Archibald’s unleashed his fireworks in the final session.

Montcin Hodge (14) was the first casualty of the morning, lbw on the backfoot to pacer Darius Martin in the eighth over with the score on 21 before Kieran Powell was run out for 19

by Ackeem Auguste’s direct hit at the non-striker’s end on the stroke of the first hour.

Ross Powell followed for nine and Devon Thomas made 25 but Hamilton halted the slide by posting 36 for the fifth wicket with Amir Jangoo (2) and a further 47 for the sixth with Warde.

Hamilton’s demise after striking seven fours led to a slide which saw four wickets tumble for 24 runs as left-arm

FORMER Senior National Champion Natalie Cummings played flawlessly to win the Women’s Singles title over the weekend in the National Sports Commission (NSC)/ Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) Independence 2022 Tournament at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Seven-year-old Zion Hickerson was also among the winners. He claimed overall victories in the U9 and U11 Boys’ divisions, while young star Jasmine Billingy emerged victorious in the U13 division and Samara Sukhai in the U11 division.

DOMINANCE Without her senior counterparts, Cummings was able to easily dispatch the up-and-coming youngsters en route to victory in the women’s division.

She got past 12-year-old Billingy 3-0 (11-4, 11-4, 11-6), Akira Watson 3-0 (11-2, 11-2, 11-1) and Thuraia Thomas 3-1 (11-5, 11-4, 8-11, 11-3). Billingy finished second after defeating Thomas 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 13-11, and Watson 3-0 (11-6, 11-9, 11-8).

Thomas finished third and Watson fourth.

In the U13 division, Billingy defeated Watson 11-8, 11-3, 11-6 in another round-robin battle. In that division Watson placed second and Shackecy Damon third.

Meanwhile, Sukhai surged to victory in the 11-years-andunder Girls’ battle. She finished ahead of Damon and Seona Barker respectively.

In the U9 male final, Hickerson defeated Noel Persaud 2-0 (11-2, 11-2), while he surged to victory in the U11 division by defeating eventual second-place finisher A. Johnson, third place K. Meusa, R. Benfield and Persaud.

Several other events have progressed to finals and they will be played over the weekend at the same venue.

Jaguar defender Gordon joins Walsall See story on page 25

Guyana International Liam Gordon

Continued on page 25

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See story on page 26

THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022