Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 29-01-2023

construction of Guyana’s first

at the mouth of the Demerara

Annandale squatters for relocation by end of February

By Tamica Garnett

THE 15 squatters residing at the Sand Reef Reserve at Annandale, East Coast Demerara (ECD), are expected to be relocated by the end of February, while persons allocated lands in the new La Reconnaissance Housing Scheme can also expect to begin accessing their houses by the end of next month as well.

This came out of a visit, on Saturday, by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal to several projects ongoing on the East Coast Demerara area.

Accompanied by engineers and other officials from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), Minister Croal visited the La Reconnaissance Scheme, the squatters at Sand Reef, houses being built for the squatters in Annandale, a playfield being built at Annandale and a new housing development

being built in La Bonne Intention (LBI).

Minister Croal’s visit is a follow-up to two visits made by President Dr. Irfaan Ali to the communities last year, where several pledges were made, including to get the squatters removed from the unhygienic living conditions in Sand Reef to proper regularised housing that they can own.

Speaking to the Sunday Chronicle, 40-year-old

Shaline Jaimurat, could not contain her excitement that she will soon be leaving the Sand Reef reserve behind and be able to offer her children more conducive living area.

“We were praying for it, we really wanted to move,” the mother of four shared.

“I already went and pull our lot number. We’re getting a house, a two bedroom with inside toilet and

bath, and I feel so good because this area is not right for children. There will be such a better upbringing

yard, and there isn’t proper facility for the toilet and bath. It’s not hygienic; we have a pit latrine. And when it floods, the kids have to walk and go to school, and walk on the road, it’s not hygienic. As soon as we were told we are getting help to move, we went and apply for land,” Jaimurat explained.

Jaimurat is one of some 15 households living at the Sand Reef reserve, some for over a decade. Of those, 10 households have chosen low-income houses, while the other five were selected to be given land to build their own houses.

allocation to catch up with where we are at and what we need to do for the population. So, allocations will continue.”

Croal noted that similar to the East Coast, on the East Bank Demerara, there is some 341 households that need to be removed from the river banks of the sea defence along the Demerara River.

for the children. We will be able to start a new life.”

A housewife, Jaimurat lives on the government reserve with her husband and two youngest children, a 12-year-old and a five-year-old. She has been living on the government reserve for some eight years now, ever since she was evicted from her last residence where she was living with a family member.

“Life at the back here has been miserable. When the rain fall, it floods the

“The President committed that through the Ministry of Housing and Water, we will work on constructing some of the houses, our low-income houses, and pre-qualify them through the bank, and be able for them to have an area that is comfortable versus where they are now,” Minister Croal explained.

These houses, we expect that by the end of February for those persons to be relocated here. This kind of initiative you will see a lot more happening this year. We have had an initial focus of a lot of

“The government will help to improve lives but also you have to want this for yourselves. You have to want to play your role in bringing about betterment for yourself and your families. So, we will continue working with all communities. We are addressing all those old squatting areas, but we are saying to persons, don’t go squatting today or tomorrow and expect us to be regularising you or accommodating you as we have done for the others,” the Housing Minister related.

Over at La Reconnaissance, the government is currently ‘erecting’ one of the biggest housing developments, with over 1,700 allocations for the area, all of which have already been allocated to residents.

The Housing Ministry is currently conducting massive infrastructure work in the scheme; however, there has been challenges with some contractors being able to access areas they were already awarded work for.

However, the first phase of infrastructural work has been completed and alternative access for the contractors has been determined.

“The reason why I came out today is because a lot of persons are asking questions when they will access their area. Our media department [has] been receiving a lot of queries about it, so I wanted to come out here to have a look first hand at what is happening and give an See page 3

A smiling Shaline Jaimurat (CHPA photo)

The houses where the Sand Reef squatters live at Annandale (CHPA photo)

One of the houses being built to relocate the Sand Reef squatters (CHPA photo)

‘Sheriff’ to invest US$75 million in Palmyra

–– to build specialty hospital, shopping centre, 50,000 sq. ft. HQ

By Cindy Parkinson

IN keeping with the rapid development of Guyana’s economy, the Sheriff Group of Companies has made a commitment to invest over US$75 million in Palmyra, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The massive investment is inclusive of a 150-room Sheriff General Hospital, which will be a specialty hospital that will be performing heart surgeries, eye surgeries and cancer treatment, among other medical procedures. The procedures that will be done at the new hospital will also complement those at the other hospitals.

During an interview with the Sunday Chronicle, Ameir Ahmad, proprietor of the Sheriff Security firm , said the company realised that private institutions in Berbice are limited and so, the aim is now to revolutionise the Berbice region.

According to Ahmad, the massive project will commence on Tuesday after the land is cleared. The businessman is very optimistic that the project will be completed by the end of this year.

It is the company’s intention to open the enterprise in phases so that the people in Berbice can be employed and, most importantly, Berbicians can be given world-class healthcare services at an affordable rate without the hassle of travelling to Georgetown.

Meanwhile, with the booming oil and gas economy, Ahmad explained that the Sheriff Group of Companies will also erect a business/shopping centre of 500,000 sq ft. This will allow businesses to rent the space for both short and long term.

He also added that Sheriff Security has acquired a one-acre plot of land (50,000 sq. ft.), which will be converted into the headquarters of

Annandale squatters for ...

From page 2

assurance to those persons who are awaiting their lands,” Minister Croal explained.

“The road networking, we are about three quarters complete in terms of the scheme. We know there are anxious persons who want to know where their land is, to see it and be able to access and start building for themselves. By the end of February, we want to start showing persons their allocation.”

In LBI, the government is constructing a premier housing development, with a number of zoning areas, including a residential zone as well as an area for over 600 young professionals’ houses.

Sheriff Security Service.

“We are investing a large chunk of our budget that was supposed to be for the next five years, but we have decided to put a large portion into Berbice. We are taking a lot of risk in Berbice and hope that the Berbicians will support us,” the enthusiastic businessman told the Sunday Chronicle

Ahmad said that many people in Berbice will be meaningfully employed and they are happy to play a role in keeping with President, Dr Irfaan Ali’s ‘One Guyana’ vision for all Guyanese.

“Having oil and gas is great, but we want to give the local people a chance to benefit from the increase in

Ameir Ahmad, proprietor of the Sheriff Security firm

the minimum wage. Ninety per cent of our work force will be Guyanese and the other ten per cent are going to be doctors who will be coming from abroad. We wish that we could have employed one hundred percent Guyanese to put into the project, but that’s not possible, but the majority will be our people.”

The businessman also noted that the contracting part of the project will be 100 percent Guyanese.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal (left) and representatives from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) speaking with a contractor (CHPA photo)

Minibus passenger busted with 5lbs ‘ganja’

A 23-year-old labourer of Parker Street, Providence, East Bank Demerara, was ‘nabbed’ by Police around 11:20 hours Friday, on the western end of the Demerara Habour Bridge, with 2,229.7 grams (5lbs) of marijuana in a hav-

ersack.

Police Headquarters revealed that the suspect was seated in minibus #BZZ 1552 when Police ranks, performing duties on the western end of the bridge, intercepted the minibus and carried out a search.

Inside the haversack,

the ‘cops’ found five black plastic bags, each containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis.

The suspect was arrested and escorted to

the La Grange Police Station, where the suspected cannabis was weighed in his presence. He was told of the offence and remains in custody pending charges.

‘Men on Mission’ enhancing South Vryheid’s Lust Community Centre Ground

‘MEN on Mission’, on Saturday, joined forces to enhance the community playground at Vryheid’s Lust South, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Assistant Commissioner of Police, K. Pareshram and Major Dwayne Carter worked in partnership with the Minister of Local Government, Nigel Dharamlall, other ranks of the Joint Services, business communities and community leaders.

This followed a visit in August 2022, by the Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken, where one of the main concerns was to have the playground fenced and paved, so that the youths and residents can gather in a conducive environment.

“The enhancement of the ground will see an increase

in social and recreational activities, which will see a stronger relationship with the community,” a press release from the officials noted.

It was noted that Minister Nigel Dharamlall, through his ministry, pledged his support to have the project completed promptly.

Resources were garnered by the administration of the Regional Division 4C and the Guyana Defence Force. Further commitments were made by other stakeholders and the Ministry of Local Government.

The project is expected to be completed by next Sunday, which will see a follow up visit by Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall and Dharamlall.

$1B to fund education initiatives for vulnerable populations -

$150M for Education Recovery and Transformation project

(MoE) in the $781.9 billion national budget currently before the National Assembly.

Also, among the MoE’s plans from the national budget, is a $150 appropriation for the Education Recovery and Transformation Project, which is part of an overall $20.37 billion project being funded by the InterAmerican Development Bank.

By Tamica Garnett

THE Guyana Government continues to examine more innovative ways to stave off the predicted learning loss from the COVID-19 pandemic and has apportioned some $1 billion in the 2023 Budget to cater for initiatives geared at being education safety nets for vulnerable populations.

The $1 billion will

be put towards the development of educational resources for radio and television, which will be largely used to improve education delivery in the hinterland communities.

It also caters for water supply improvement solutions, due to water accessibility and its effect on education delivery.

The $1 billion is parcel to the overall $94.4 billion allocated to the Ministry of Education

The Education Recovery and Transformation Project includes the creation of a better learning environment in 31 hinterland schools mainly in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine.

Meanwhile, another $65 million has been allocated, of an overall $210 million, which is being invested as technical assistance to indigenous education in a multi-year programme

This caters for the development and piloting of English as a second language programme for children in preschool in hinterland areas, as well as school mapping, and the study on migrant children.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, had earlier explained that school mapping is playing a huge role in helping the country to achieve universal secondary education as it helps to determine where there are deficiencies, and where there are factors affecting the creation of new schools.

Achieving universal secondary education is currently a primary focus of the MoE over the past two and a half years. Minister Manickchand has underscored that while the country has already achieved universal pri-

mary education, meaning that 100 percent of the country’s population has access to a primary school, only approximately 70 percent of secondary education has been achieved.

This is largely due to the lack of accessibility of secondary schools for all of the country’s secondary school-aged children, all across the country.

As such, the MoE has been on an aggressive drive to complete secondary schools under construction, expand existing secondary schools and to begin the construction of new secondary schools all across the country.

This year, the MoE’s budget is catering some $5.5 billion for the completion of the St. Rose’s and The Bishops’ High Schools and the Yarrowkabra, North West and East and North

Ruimveldt Secondary Schools.

Another $1.35 billion is going towards completion of Good Hope Secondary School, and the design of Prospect Secondary School, which both fall under the Guyana Secondary Education Improvement Project (GSEIP), which is being funded with financing from the World Bank.

Also, under the MoE, some $2 billion has been appropriated for Human Capital Strengthening Project which will cater to the procurement of textbooks for Grades 7-11 and the piloting of the Grades 5 and 6 new curricula.

The procurement of textbooks and equipment for smart classrooms for secondary schools are also provided for in the education budget.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall (centre) at the community playground at Vryheid’s Lust South

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand

Bogus Analysis

SENIOR Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, has dubbed the APNU+AFC’s criticisms of the 2023 Budget as “bogus,” one that is based on misrepresentation of the facts and an attempt to mislead the Guyanese people.

“The nation continues to be regaled by a pathetic display of incompetence, ineptitude and incoherence for the whole of five days,” the Finance Minister said, as the curtains came down on the debate.

To be fair, one cannot reasonably expect the political opposition to speak glowingly about the budget, especially given its track record which appears bent on pursuing a path of non-cooperation and confrontation with the ruling PPP/C administration.

But, at the very least, one expects a certain level

of parliamentary behaviour based on the norms of civility and decorum befitting the Office of the Speaker of the hallowed chamber of the National Assembly. In a civilised democracy, opposition parties do not oppose for the sake of scoring cheap political points, but to advance the overall good of the nation. Discussions tend, more often than not, to focus on the principle of constructive criticism, where alternative ideas are proffered to advance the good of society.

But not so in the case of the APNU and its political side-kick, the AFC, which apparently are united in only one respect, namely, to ‘oppose’ the ruling PPP/C administration’s programmes and policies, regardless of how well-meaning and forward-looking these may be.

Without a shadow of a

doubt, this 2023 Budget is the biggest and most comprehensive, both from a financing and pragmatic standpoint. Instead of acknowledging, however grudgingly, the positive elements contained in the budget, the APNU+AFC have engaged in a display of infantile political and parliamentary immaturity hardly seen in the Anglophone Caribbean.

On several occasions, the Speaker of the House Mr Manzoor Nadir had cause to admonish opposition Members of the House for unparliamentary behaviour.

Make no mistake about it, this 2023 Budget is unique and historic in a number of fundamental ways. To begin with, it is the first budget that is being funded partially with revenues from the sale of carbon credits totalling US$150 million which, when added to money from the Sovereign

Wealth Fund (SWF), will amount to roughly 40 per cent of revenues for 2023.

What this means, in effect, is that the government is relying less on taxes to finance its development, which is significant given the fact that prior to oil revenues and inflows from the sale of carbon credits, almost the entire budget, especially from the recurrent side was funded out of taxes. No wonder that this year’s budget contains no new tax increases, which in effect, means more disposable income for Guyanese taxpayers.

The “bogus” analysts would, out of political convenience, choose rather to ignore these fundamental truths and seek instead to project the budget as ‘anti-poor,’ despite the fact that some $89 billion will go directly, or indirectly, to pro-poor measures.

And while it is true that the major part of the budget will be spent on infrastructural development, this sum has to be seen in the context of nearly three decades of infrastructural decay under the previous PNC regime. This is why it is so necessary to ensure that there is the right balance between consumption and investment, failing which there is the risk of inflationary pressure which is now within manageable proportions and is projected to be further reduced to 3.8 per cent this year.

The 2023 budget, contrary to what is being projected by the political opposition, is not the result of any random thinking on the part of our policymakers, but is informed by an overarching development framework which takes into account the country’s National Development Strategy,

the National Competitiveness Strategy, the Revised Low Carbon Development Strategy, the PPP/C Manifesto promises, stakeholders inputs and by no means least, the One Guyana vision as articulated by President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali.

It is aimed at bringing the entire nation together in the spirit of unity, social harmony and the creation of an environment in which no Guyanese, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, colour, creed or political affiliation, will be left behind.

The PPP/C administration must be commended for having been able to raise the magnitude of financing to accelerate the development trajectory of the economy, while at the same time raising the standard of living of the Guyanese people.

Speaker Manzoor Nadir has been fair and balanced in his rulings

Dear Editor

I WRITE with reference to

MP Christopher A Jones’ charge that Speaker Manzoor Nair has shown a “… pattern of unfair and bias [sic] behaviour” pertaining to his rulings in the Parliament during the 2023 budget debate, (Jones, Stabroek News, 28/1/2023). Editor, I can say from my direct experience over the past week in Parliament that, if fact, Mr Jones’ complaint is unfair and biased. Allow me to explain.

Mr Jones makes his case

by comparing two utterances in the Parliament, one by Mr Sherod Duncan, and the other by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Hon Mr Charles Ramson Jr.

The contentious words by the two MPs were uttered through quotations.

In Mr Duncan’s case, the word “corruption” was quoted from a 2009 speech by President Obama. Mr Ramson Jr., in a quotation from Mark Twain, used the word “fools.” The larger rhetorical context of the two words need elaboration.

In Mr Duncan’s case, the full quote (in Mr Jones’ letter to the editor) reads as follows – “Those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent….” As for Mr Ramson Jr., the quotation from Mark Twain in part reads “let’s be thankful for fools because without them the rest of us wouldn’t be able to succeed.”

The rhetorical import of Duncan’s speech act is that the PPP/C is corrupt and deceitful. In Ramson’s case, the logic of the rhetoric is that

the APNU+AFC are foolish and that this has enabled the PPP/C to succeed.

Now, here I why I think Chief Whip Jones has it wrong.

Prior to Sherod Duncan’s speech, the Speaker had repeatedly warned speakers about overusing the word “corruption”, given that it is unparliamentary, according to the guidance currently in place.

I recall at least a dozen moments of intervention by the Speaker regarding the use of the word “corruption”

and other words, as well. The word “fools” was used only once by Ramson Jr. The Speaker did not intervene because Ramson Jr turned off his microphone and took his seat immediately after the Mark Twain quote.

One could argue that the Speaker could have asked Minister Ramson Jr to withdraw the word “fools,” but if the “one-off” rule was generalised, almost no one would be able to speak in Parliament. Almost every speech had one or two words that were unparliamentary

and were allowed to sail by. Editor, it must be noted that Speaker Nadir repeatedly and evenhandedly “called out” speakers from both sides of the house for use of offensive language. For the most part, most of the presenters obliged. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Speaker Manzoor Nadir for his dogged neutrality and also for a pretty healthy sense of humour. Beep Beep.

Sincerely, Dr Randolph

Persaud

Alexander’s actions are of concern

Dear Editor, COMMISSIONER Vincent Alexander recently published an outburst deserving of full condemnation, in an unjustified attack on Retired Justice Claudette Singh, Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

His duplicitous rants serve only to reinforce the litany of constitutional and other failures that he is now known to be associated with, particularly, the continuous undermining role of the commission of his employ.

The recent matter relates to the commission’s consideration and approval of a petition for the temporary secondment of the GECOM IT Manager to the Operations Department of the commission’s secretariat. In this respect, Alexander seems to be objecting to the particular staff rendering interim assist to the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) with the regularization of some day–to–day organizational

work, and this was indeed petty and infantile.

Alexander is fully aware that Local Government Elections are overdue and it is imperative that GECOM put all systems in place to hold LGEs immediately. It is, however, not surprising that he sought to prematurely throw up another tantrum of convenience, targeted at slowing down the GECOM hosting of the LGEs.

These intermittent acts of defiance run contrary to the level of objectivity required of the commission concerning its functions defined under the spirit and intent of article 162 of our Constitution. In particular, Section 162 (1) (b) states: “the Commission – shall issue such instructions and take such action as appear to it necessary or expedient to ensure impartiality, fairness, and compliance with the provisions of this Constitution or of any Act of Parliament on the part of persons exercising powers or performing duties connected with or relating to

the matters aforesaid.”

There appears to be only very little or no consideration of the meaning of impartiality, fairness, and expediency in the dictionary of Alexander. He was conveniently and conflictingly silent when the brutal assault by Keith Lowenfield was launched on the true results of the March 2020 elections results, invalidating the votes of thousands of electors.

On numerous occasions, when the former CEO usurped the authority of the commission in an attempt to execute heinous acts against our nation, he seemingly lost his voice.

It would be recalled that when the shoes were on the other foot with condemned former CEO Keith Lowenfield in full flow, Alexander hypocritically penned a letter accusing the then-PPP/C commissioners of grandstanding. Concerning ‘the preparedness of GECOM for the local government elections,’ he stated, “I will lend my effort to GECOM being pre-

pared and allow history to determine the correctness of the Benn, Shadick, and Gunraj contention.”

This situation allows one to pose questions about why his concerns have now changed. Duplicitous and conceited indeed!

An examination of Alexander’s track record indicates that he was removed as Regional Executive Officer at Region #3, he was removed from the University of Guyana, he was removed from the Leadership of the PNC, he was removed as a Member of Parliament, and his role in the Task Force that was set up to revisit the local government system became highly questionable.

As for his performance as a PNC representative on GECOM, most persons do not appreciate his ‘obstructionist’ approach to the work of the commission. Further, he was swiftly removed after turning out to be a failure as Chairman of the PNC’s youth arm, the YSM.

The negativity of Al -

exander suggested a tacit role as a part of the cabal that witnessed the PNC’s desperate effort to rig the 2020 National and Regional Elections. As he boasts of being the longestserving commissioner, his overzealous and conveniently biased disposition has been uncompromising in diminishing GECOM’s neutral mandate and goals unless it benefits the PNC.

The fact is that GECOM must be able to produce free and fair elections. Hence, all the rogue elements must be removed.

Consequently, GECOM must produce a list of its staff strength. Those that were involved in the skullduggery on the East Coast of Demerara, who cannot give an explanation of what took place concerning documents that were not in the ‘Boxes’ must face the consequences.

It must be made clear that Clairmont Mingo was employed in Region #5, and he was catapulted to Region Four as Returning Officer because all the oth-

ers who were recommended were not clean enough to work at GECOM. Some of these persons who committed unpardonable sins are working at GECOM. The Guardian of Democracy must call for the removal of all the riggers at GECOM.

Guyanese must not accept the clandestine cleaning of the computers and no trace of the records at GECOM. The gerrymandering and changing of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council boundaries in 2016 and 2018 were done without any consultation with the PPP/C or any other civic group.

This practice by the likes of dishonest and delusional persons to frustrate the holding of LGEs must stop. The ludicrous concoctions, conflict and hypocrisy from the likes of Vincent Alexander cannot be condoned in the search for justice and the building of democracy.

Sincerely,

Neil Kumar

Initiating contracts early a smart move to keep costs down

ISSUES of transparency around certain oil and gas industry practices continue to be the subject of public discourse. This is good for Guyana as every citizen must become fluent in the language of the industry and hold the government and the industry accountable.

That said, recent criticisms of contracts apparently being signed before final approvals are given are not always what they seem to be.

This is both a common practice in the industry and not quite the full story. Approvals are a years-long process with many stages. Companies do sign some contracts during this pro -

cess after certain steps are complete.

But these contracts are largely for processes that need to take place years before any actual construction begins, like front-end engineering and design (FEED). Other deals are signed for highly specialised products and services where there are only a handful of providers in the world.

For these, contracts are needed to reserve the service or product years in advance. Otherwise, projects could face years of delays waiting in line even after approvals are granted.

Ultimately businesses are not attempting to “get ahead” of important government ap-

provals like environmental impact assessments (EIAs), but rather to be ready once projects are approved so work can begin without delays.

Contract signing in advance of final approvals is commonplace for any major infrastructure project with multiple stages in the oil industry or elsewhere, and reevaluating or redesigning plans in light of permitting changes is common.

Companies do wait for the final outcome of EIAs and other permits before they make final investment decisions (FID), which then open the door for major equipment orders and contracts for more concrete steps like

engineering, procurement, and construction.

EIAs in Guyana are done in accordance with international best practices and allow for a transparent analysis of the environmental consequences in decision-making.

Generally, the critical stages of the process include screenings to decide whether a proposed project should be subject to an EIA, scoping to identify important impacts and issues that need to be addressed for the study, the actual EIA study and preparation of the report, and finally, the presentation of findings to the public.

These stages can take months or years while EIAs are underway and using that

time to do preliminary work is vital to keeping costs down. Once projects are approved, this preparation means work can be started immediately and without incident.

According to the international consultancy Wood Mackenzie, deepwater projects like those in the Stabroek Block require some of the highest up-front investments from companies in terms of time and resources, all while costs continue to increase worldwide.

In Guyana’s case, over the last several years, the accelerated development of the offshore resources has depended on the timely awarding of contracts for

work that will enable a more conducive and steady business environment.

Guyana’s oil industry is competing globally, and, in this business, nothing is guaranteed. When companies can sign contracts early and invest capital to ensure they are ready when and if approvals are made, projects can commence without issues.

Overall, standard industry practice reflects continued confidence in the oil and gas sector in Guyana and ultimately the people. The acceleration of investment is critical as the world starts to transition away from fossil fuels.

How medication management saves costs

AT this time when there is a global economic retardation, which borderlines on a recession in some developed countries, and a simultaneous exponential increase in global healthcare cost, predominantly due to the pandemic, all cost-savings interventions should be explored.

In all healthcare expenditures, both at the individual and institutional levels, the budgetary allocation for medications is significant. Hence, medication management will not only optimize the use of such commodities for best therapeutic outcomes but also save cost.

Studies designed to measure the impact of pharmacists’ interventions to detect, resolve and prevent medication errors and medication non-adherence will establish that there are definite cost benefits to patient

medication management, an evolving responsibility for clinical pharmacists in the advanced countries.

With respect to medication errors, clinical data collated over a period of eleven months from an out-patient health institution overseas, showed that there was 43.4 percent of medication errors due to therapeutic duplication and 25.7 percent due to drug interactions. The main drug classes highlighted in this group were antibiotic (24.23%), proton-pump inhibitors (13.27%) and analgesics (12.34%).

There were various responses to such interventions where 53 percent of the prescribers stopped the treatment, 21 percent changed the brand of the drug and 20 percent altered the frequency of the dosage. Noteworthy from an audit trail on patient records was that

the revised directions were not documented; only verbal instructions were issued.

With respect to medication non adherence, data from studies showed that as high as 50 percent of the medications prescribed were not taken as directed due to various objections such as side effects experienced, affordability, pill burden, patient not being convinced on its effects or other barriers such as medication taste or pill size.

The dollar value of medication non-adherence is $100 billion in the United States. Worldwide this phenomenon is considered an economic burden, hence medication management by clinical pharmacists is gradually being appreciated as an asset and a win-win, reducing cost and enhancing the effectiveness of patient treatment in the process.

Hence special training for pharmacists focused on winning patients’ confidence for disclosure of critical information so interventions can be made for positive outcomes.

From another study done, the usual medical care cost compared with those services run by pharmacist showed cost savings to the value of US$647,024 by

preventing emergency visits and hospital admission, especially when managing chronic diseases.

These trained resources are severely limited locally. Though piloted in a specialised department at the hospital, it has not become the universal practice. It is no secret that Guyana’s health system has been compromised by the migration curse

to greener pastures over the decades, amplifying work load on the limited number of healthcare professionals who remained to serve their country.

But a succession plan must cater to this loss of our trained professionals to yield the favorable results discussed.

So, a critical review of

TURN TO PAGE 10

THERE are many adjectives which can be used to describe fashionable clothing – stylish, conventional, avant-garde even whimsical – but who would have thought that ‘damaged’ would have been one of them.

Garments, particularly denim, which have been washed-out, frayed, ripped and otherwise ‘destroyed’ are now the popular look of fashion today.

And in a marketing move that is as adventurous as it is bold, this clothing is being sold to us for ‘top dollar’. When we buy our denim, the damage has already been done.

Over three decades ago, I sat opposite a young man on a New York subway train wearing denim which was slashed at the knees. At the time, all I could wonder was how on this

winter’s day he was able to withstand the cold to his exposed knees and why he would even choose to wear pants he clearly tore himself.

Little did I know I was witnessing the revival of a fashion movement that

would take the world by storm. Not only this, but also that people would pay for the privilege of having makers damage the clothing rather than do it themselves.

Upturning the whole concept of what is ‘proper’ clothing, ripped denim pants, skirts and even dresses have also moved out of the realm of the casual and are now being worn on more formal occasions.

This is in part due to the advent of spandex, which has revolutionised the fashion industry and when blended with denim, makes the formerly stiff and unyielding fabric body-fitting and comfortable.

Designers have been cashing in on something which probably began way back in poorer families where folks could not afford to throw away their

denim even when it was worn out, often resorting to darning or patching the garment.

Now, in the age of trend, this sturdy fabric (originally portrayed by Levi Strauss as perfect for working men’s jeans) is ideal for the kind of ‘destruction’ which has conversely elevated it to the level of high fashion.

In fact, it is rare to see a denim item that does not show some evidence of damage, because even when bought in pristine condition the ‘unsuspecting’ garment is washed out, cut, torn and otherwise ‘mutilated’ by its owner, generally ending up looking like it has been around for years.

But perhaps the ‘writing was on the wall’ since the late 60s when bleached-out denim gave way to stone and acid-washed versions

and the big brand names of the time – Levi, Wrangler and Lee – got involved.

Experts tell us that ripped jeans emerged in the ‘cultural punk movement of the seventies”, signifying rebellion. Sarah Rainey, writing for the British Daily Mail newspaper says, “…early punks tore apart consumer goods as an expression of their anger towards society, and denim became a key part of this political statement”.

Celebrity bands like the Sex Pistols and Iggy Pop began appearing on stage in ripped jeans and Madonna, Bananarama and others made the trend popular among women.

When fans started ripping their jeans at home manufacturers caught on as did designers and now the denim market, worth an estimated 1.5 billion pounds annually in the UK, is made up in large part by what is termed ‘distressed’

styles.

Celebrities around the world have been photographed in damaged jeans, paying as much as 725 pounds for Gucci designs, while ‘regular’ shoppers have been able to buy more affordable options.

And the difference in cost also has to do with the method of ripping – hand or laser- and the fact that today’s denim is thicker and stiffer and far more difficult to rip at home.

So, industry pundits explain that hand-ripping is more intricate and ‘requires individual workers to design, rip and finish each pair which can take several hours”.

But whatever the method, careful preparation goes into how and even where the garment is ripped. So, while it may appear haphazard, a lot more goes into making the damage than you may think.

Damaged and fashionable How medication...

FROM PAGE 9

the current mode of operation and an evaluation of how much time is spent with an individual patient can address the way forward, to maximise the use of our restricted resources and to make an impact at the budgetary level of an institution as well as the patient level. Countries that utilised the intervention of pharmacists were able to get better medication management by reducing prescription errors and save on overall healthcare costs.

Modernising our healthcare systems by computerizing patient records and fixing the gaps will not only allow departmental and institutional connectivity to trace patient history but will address duplication, polypharmacy, especially in the elderly with

chronic illness and ultimately eliminate wastage.

Medication management demands spending time to educate and explain new lifestyle modifications and lobbying for more costeffective drugs. There must be a statutory structure to systematically rationalise drugs having acquired empirical evidence to justify the recommendations.

For further discussion, contact the pharmacist of Medicine Express PHARMACY located at 223 Camp Street, between Lamaha and New Market Streets. If you have any queries, comments or further information on the above topic kindly forward them to medicine. express@gmail.com or send them to 223 Camp Street, N/ burg. Tel #225-5142.

The 21st Century Goldrush for Oil Dorado

Part1: Legends of El Dorado: From Man to City to Kingdom to Empire

Ahead of the February 1417 Guyana Energy Conference and Expo, this four-part series follows the original search for Guyana gold five centuries ago that preceded the 21st Century oil rush that’s fueling the Cooperative Republic’s fortunes into a golden future!

ACCORDING to Wikipedia: The legends surrounding El Dorado changed over time from being a man, to a city, to a kingdom and finally to an empire, leading to age-old rumors that inspired several unsuccessful expeditions in the late 1500s, in search of a city called ‘Manoa’ on the shores of Lake Parime or Parima.

Two of the most famous expeditions were led by Sir Walter Raleigh and Spanish conquistadors and numerous others searched what is today Colombia and Venezuela, parts of Guyana and northern Brazil, for the city and its fabulous king.

During those explorations, much of northern South America, including the Amazon River, was mapped.

By the beginning of the 19th century, most people dismissed the existence of the city as a myth, but several literary works have used the name in their titles as “El Dorado” or “Eldorado”…

Raleigh’s 1595 journey with Antonio de Berrio had aimed to reach Lake Parime in the highlands of Guiana (the supposed location of El Dorado at the time), encouraged by the account of Juan Martinez (believed to be Juan Martin de Albujar, who had taken part in Pedro de Silva’s expedition of the area in 1570) only to fall into the hands of the Caribs of the Lower Orinoco.

Martinez claimed he was taken to the golden city – blindfolded -- was entertained by the natives and then left the city and couldn’t remember how to return.

Raleigh had set many goals for his expedition and believed he had a genuine chance at finding the mythical city of gold.

First, he wanted to find El Dorado, which he suspected to be an actual Indian city named Manõa.

Second, he hoped to establish an English presence in the Southern Hemisphere that could compete with that

of the Spanish.

Thirdly, he wanted to create an English settlement in the land called Guiana, to try to reduce commerce between the natives and Spaniards.

In 1596, Raleigh sent his lieutenant, Lawrence Kemys, back to Guiana in the area of the Orinoco River, to gather more information about the lake and the golden city.

During his exploration of the coast between the Amazon and the Orinoco, Kemys mapped the location of Amerindian tribes and prepared geographical, geological and botanical reports of the country.

Kemys described the coast of Guiana in detail in his Relation of the Second Voyage to Guiana (1596) and wrote that indigenous people of ‘Guiana’ travelled inland by canoe and land passages towards a large body of water on the shores of which he supposed was located Manoa, the Golden City of El Dorado.

Though Raleigh never found El Dorado, he was convinced that there was some fantastic city with

riches to be discovered.

Finding gold on the riverbanks and in villages only strengthened his resolve and in 1617 he returned to the ‘New World’ on a second expedition, this time with Kemys and his son, Watt Raleigh, to continue his quest for El Dorado.

However, Raleigh, by now an old man, stayed behind in a camp in neighbouring Trinidad.

Watt Raleigh was killed in a battle with Spaniards and Kemys subsequently committed suicide.

Upon Raleigh’s return to England, King James ordered him to be beheaded for disobeying orders to avoid conflict with the Spanish and he was executed in 1618.

On 23 March 1609, Robert Harcourt, accompanied by his brother Michael and a company of adventurers, sailed for Guiana.

On 11 May, he arrived at the Oyapock River, where local people came on board and were disappointed at the absence of Sir Walter Raleigh after he had famously visited during his exploration of the area in 1595.

Harcourt gave them ‘aqua vitae’ [‘Water of Life’ or, in this case, alcoholic spirits] and took possession, in the king’s name, of a tract of land lying between the River Amazon and River Essequibo on August 14, where he left his brother and most of his company to colonise it, four days later sailing back to England.

In early 1611, Sir Thomas Roe, on a mission to the West Indies for Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, sailed his 200-ton ship, the Lion’s Claw, some 320 kilometres (200 miles) up the Amazon, then took a party of canoes up the Waipoco (probably the Oyapock River) in search of Lake Parime, negotiating thirty-two rapids and travelling about 160 km (100 miles) before they ran out of food and had to turn back.

In 1627, North and Harcourt obtained letters patent

under the great seal from Charles I, authorising them to form a company for “the Plantation of Guiana”, naming North as deputy governor of the settlement.

Short of funds, this expedition was fitted out, a plantation was established in 1627 and trade opened, by North’s endeavours.

In 1637-38, two monks, Acana and Fritz, undertook several journeys to the lands of the Manoas, indigenous peoples living in western Guiana (and what is now Roraima in northeastern Brazil) and although they found no evidence of El Dorado, their published accounts were intended to inspire further exploration.

In November 1739, Nicholas Horstman, a German surgeon commissioned by the Dutch Governor of Guiana, travelled up the Essequibo River accompanied by two Dutch soldiers and four Indian guides.

In April 1741, one of the Indian guides returned reporting that in 1740 Horstman had crossed over to the Rio Branco and descended it to its confluence with the Rio Negro, where he discovered Lake Amucu on the North Rupununi, but found neither gold, nor any evidence of a city.

(NEXT SUNDAY: The search for the elusive Golden City in Brazil and Venezuela)

Budget Debate 2023

IT was the author Frank Sonnenberg who famously said that “…you don’t win a debate by suppressing discussion; you win it with a better argument.”

He went on to say that “…free speech and debate are essential in our search for the truth.”

Sonnenberg’s statements are true and should be practised by all rightthinking Guyanese, especially the politicians and parliamentarians who are representing the people at the highest legislative assembly in the country.

Last week, such an op-

portunity presented itself when the debate on the National Budget, which stands at $781.9 billion, came around in the National Assembly.

Each parliamentarian had an opportunity to debate the planned budget and give a political, factual and realistic opinion on the PPP/C’s plans as well as policies for the development of Guyana’s economy.

They had a copy of the budget and no less than six days to prepare their debates. Some even had more than ten days to prepare their speeches

and debate. The staff at the Parliamentary Office were on hand, and willing to help any Parliamentarian with research, information, and other forms of data once it fell within their portfolios.

One would expect these Parliamentarians to be politically crafty with how they planned to debate the budget. One would even expect the use of props and other forms of illustrations to be used in their presentations.

In any event, Guyanese expected the use of skillful argumentation and persuasiveness but above

all the truth would be present. As a matter of fact, the truth was essential and critical to this year’s budget debates as it is to every other debate and public life.

Sadly, Guyanese were short-changed by members of the National Assembly, more so the APNU+AFC Opposition.

Firstly, it was disap -

pointing and underwhelming generally, except for a few presentations which were commendable from start to finish, having all the right elements of wellthought-out, factual and passionate debate.

These were the high points of the week-long debate politics aside. Education Minister, Priya Manickchand was arguably the standout Parliamentarian who vigorously defended the government allocations in the education sector. She was political but at the same time used facts and data to make her case. The minister’s presentation was masterful and very balanced.

Other government parliamentarians who also went full-beast mode into the debate this year were Senior Minister in the office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall; Parliamentary and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira; Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill; Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton; Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, and the Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame Mc Coy.

The Opposition Parliamentarians who delivered passionate and nail-biting debates, though they were not factual or bedded in realism, were Amanza Desir, Shurwayne Holder, Christopher Jones, Volda Lawrence, Catherine Hughes, Ganesh Mahipaul, Vinceroy Jordan, Annette Ferguson, and Aubrey Norton.

Secondly, the fact that the Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir had to upbraid several Parliamentarians for using terms that he deemed “unparliamentary”, was alarming and telling of the type of behaviour that took place.

Mostly, the opposition APNU+AFC must school its Parliamentarians about

the rules governing their conduct in the House during a debate.

After all, being loud and boisterous is not debating nor is twisting facts debating. Telling lies and inventing stories, which all took place during the debates, is not cute or something to smile about.

Ordinary men and women in the public are not benefitting from this gamble.

The truth is, the opposition Parliamentarians disappointed Guyanese when they were telling lie after lie in an attempt to justify their non-support of the budget brought by the PPP/C Government.

There was a gamut of bread-and-butter issues which the people of this country have that the PPP is slowly or not addressing in a satisfactory manner.

These were not even brought into the debates by the opposition but instead, there was an attempt to exaggerate the cost-of-living issue.

Also, an attempt was made to beat down the PPP/C Government about corruption and lack of transparency, not taking into account the very same government is building back confidence in the economy which the APNU+AFC destroyed during its time in office.

Truthfully, as well, the PPP/C Government is addressing issues related to corruption, transparency and accountability every day that goes by.

Finally, Sonnenberg’s words are a lesson to the Parliamentarians and all the debaters in public life. When the next budget cycle comes around, it is hoped that Parliamentarians will hone in on every sector making recommendations and policy proposals about things that Guyanese people actually care about, and want.

The Opposition must meet the PPP/C Government at the table at the time of budget planning to make proposals that are going to make lives easier not cry about not being consulted after.

‘Humble and proud to be Guyanese’ - Black Panther star Letitia Wright returns home

By Naomi Parris

DECADES ago, a young girl left her home at Goed Intent, West Bank Demerara, for the United Kingdom to pursue a dream she hoped would one day be a reality.

That girl, Letitia Michelle Wright, now 29 years old, returned to her homeland on Friday night as an award-winning movie star, best known for her leading roles in one of the world’s largest blockbuster film franchises, Blank Panther.

Herald in by a cultural extravaganza of steel pianists, drummers and dancers at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Wright was welcomed home by her grandmother, father and Guyana’s Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond.

While addressing members of the Guyanese press, the megastar, reminisced on the day she left Guyana and, in fact, missed her first scheduled flight to England.

“As I was landing, I just remembered this funny memory of the day that me and my mom travelled to England and I left Goed Intent; I said bye to my friends and I came to the airport with my family…

“We were so sad to leave our family that the time had passed for us to go on to the plane,” she said, holding back tears of nostalgia.

“I felt like there was something on the other side for me to do and I don’t know why I felt this at the age of eight, but I felt like there was something for me to do and God had a way of aligning everything,” the Guyanese-British actress recalled.

Despite the uncertainty of not knowing what her life or successes would be like, she said Guyana always remained in her heart and her intention was always to return home.

“I didn’t know that I would go away for so long …I was remembering that little girl and how frustrated she was and not knowing how much she would miss

her country and how much she would mean to this country for years to come,” the Black Panther star said.

Reminiscing on some of her childhood antics, Wright shared the moment she first realised the career path she wanted to pursue.

“I was in my yard [at] Goed Intent singing Back Street Boys songs and causing havoc to my aunty as she tried to sleep after a hard day’s work. I just be singing and dancing and acting not knowing that God would use that in years to come to inspire other people around the world.”

Her life, she said, has been filled with many blessings and opportunities. However, she remains a humble soul who uses her talents to inspire others.

“I just went to the UK and I just used the opportunity and God aligned me with acting but he always aligned me with it.”

She added: “I don’t have the perfect words to say right now but all I can say, I just have to be as humble as I can; I come from a humble family, a humble background and I just used every opportunity that I could to just use my talent for good.”

Sharing some advice, Wright urged Guyanese of all ages to simply follow their dreams, but to do so with good intentions.

“If you see me and you are inspired, no matter how old you are, no matter what you want to do, you just continue to chase your dreams and continue to use your talents and your gifts for purpose, because it allowed me to travel the world, it allowed me to be honoured and to honour other people and to bring great honour to my country.”

Wright began her acting career with guest roles in a number of television series such Top Boy, Doctor Who, Black Mirror and several others.

In 2015, the actress had her Primetime Emmy Award nomination followed by a breakthrough for her role in the 2015 film Urban Hymn.

In 2018, she attained global recognition for her portrayal of Shuri in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film, Black Panther, for which she won an NAACP Image Award and a SAG Award. She returned as Shuri in Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and the recently released Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in 2022.

PROUD GUYANESE

Although she has travelled that world and has been celebrated by many, Wright said that she’s never shied away from her roots and represents the ‘592’ everywhere she goes.

“I’m proud to be Guyanese,” she proclaimed, adding, “I’ve always celebrated the fact that I’m Guyanese. I celebrate that more than anything so I’m thankful for the welcome.”

“You guys really went above and beyond to show me love and I promise to honour you and show you love as well,” she added.

Meanwhile, Minister Walrond, in a brief welcome address, said there is no place like home.

“There is nothing like a homegrown loving…there is nothing like when you turn up in your mother’s arms and in this event, Guyana is that mother and the love and the belonging that you feel is like no other place.

“We are so proud of you …every single child of this soil is one of ours and we just want to show a small token of our love to recognise you as the star that you are.”

Best known for her role in Black Panther, Letitia Wright, a Guyanese-British actress, arrived in Guyana on Friday night and was met with an unexpected welcome ceremony at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). The star was greeted by the Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce and performances by the National Dance School as well as drummers upon returning to her homeland after 21 years (Delano Williams photos)

Letitia Wright and members of the National Dance Company (Delano Williams photo)

Woman among two busted with $1.1M worth of cocaine

RANKS of the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU), on Friday, arrested three persons following the discovery of $1.1M worth of cocaine

at Santiniketan Street, Prasad Nagar, Georgetown.

A press release from CANU noted that the owner, Lena Narine, 63, along

with Sherman Edmonson, 54 also of the said address, and Earl Branch, 49, of Pike Street, Kitty, were arrested and escorted to CANU’s Headquarters

Mon Repos man caught with marijuana, ‘Molly’

a press release.

It was noted that the suspect parked his bicycle at a corner shop on the eastern side of the road and began to walk away. As a result, the ranks exited the vehicle and searched the suspect.

A black pouch within the said bag was examined, and 34 ziploc plastic bags were discovered, each containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis.

According to the Police release, a further search was conducted and seven transparent plastic bags containing several crystal-like substances, suspected to be methamphetamine/molly, were found.

The suspect, from Block 8 Mon Repos, was told of the offence, cautioned, arrested and escorted to the BV Police Station.

with the suspected illegal substance.

According to CANU, the narcotic tested positive for cocaine, amounting to 1.050 kg (about 2.3lbs),

with a street value of approximately $1.1 million.

CANU noted that Narine was previously arrested along with two other persons in March 2022,

when officers discovered 11.4 kgs of cocaine and 266 grams of ecstasy at this same address. The investigation is ongoing.

A 46-year-old man from Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was ‘nabbed’ by Police ranks at about 22:45 hrs Friday, with a quantity of marijuana and ‘molly’.

The party of Police ranks were on mobile patrol at

the time, and, while in the vicinity of Republic Drive, Beterverwagting, ECD, the man was observed riding a pedal cycle heading south, wearing a one-strap camouflage bag around his neck and acting suspiciously, Police Headquarters said in

Police Headquarters noted that the suspected cannabis amounted to 16.66 grams (less than a pound), while the suspected ‘molly’ amounted to 1.5 grams (less than an ounce).

He was placed into custody pending charges.

A 33-year-old man of Belle West, #2 Canal, West Bank Demerara was arrested by Police ranks around 23:40 hrs Friday, at the ‘626 Bar’, at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, after he allegedly discharged a loaded firearm.

According to Police Headquarters, the suspect and his 28-year-old cousin, a businessman of Bel Air Village, Georgetown, who is a licensed firearm holder of a Taurus pistol, were at the bar consuming alcohol, when the suspect (who had his cousin’s firearm in his possession) took out the pistol from his waist and discharged a shot in the air.

“Following the ordeal, the Police were alerted and promptly responded, which led to the suspect and several other persons being contacted and searched. The firearm mentioned above and 11 matching rounds of ammunition were found in his waist. He was then told of the offence, cautioned, and arrested,” the Police press release noted.

According to the release, the suspect mentioned that the firearm was given to him by a friend, who Police later learnt was his cousin. The area was searched, and one .32 spent shell was recovered.

The cousin subsequently told the Police that the firearm belonged to him

and he was also told of the offence, cautioned, and arrested. Both persons were escorted to the Vigilance Police Station along with the firearm, ammunition, and spent shell. The weapon and ammunition were lodged, pending further investigation.

West Bank man arrested for discharging cousin’s loaded firearm at ‘626 Bar’

Senior Superintendent Cooper dies following prolonged illness

- Top Cop visits family, promises support

SENIOR Superintendent, Edmond Cooper, died on Saturday morning after being hospitalised for a

prolonged period since 2021, during which he was also in a coma, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) announced.

In 2020, the Senior Superintendent was admitted to the bar after completing his law studies.

Cooper joined the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on September 14, 1992, as an apprentice, and was sworn in as a Constable on April 30, 1993.

He started as a general-

Brickdam Police Station and Court Superintendent, following which he was appointed Deputy Commander of ‘A’ Division, Linden, and Berbice, respectively. He also served as Commander of ‘D’ Division, ‘C’ Division, and Region Five Divisions.

He also served at one point or another as OIC of the Project Office, Acting Force Training Officer; and Acting Second-in-Charge of Force Administration.

dustrial Relations and Sociology and a Legal Education Certificate (LEC) from the Hugh Wooding Law School.

Cooper was also pursuing a PhD in terrorism and counterterrorism at the Turks and Caicos Islands’ Charisma University.

Several senior officers have already reached out to Mr. Cooper’s family to offer condolences and words of comfort at this difficult time.

Commissioner of Police

duty rank at the Springlands Police Station and later rose to the rank of Police Prosecutor, in which position he would serve for 14 years.

He was later elevated to the rank of Station Sergeant for the Sparendaam, Beterverwagting, and Cove & John Police Stations, respectively, before going on to serve as Officer-inCharge (OIC) of the Bartica, Linden, Cove & John, and Port Kaituma Police Stations.

Later, he would simultaneously hold the positions of Officer-in-Charge of the Impact Base at the

Cooper is the holder a Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of Guyana; an International Diploma in Leadership Studies from the American University of Peace Studies; and a Diploma in Private Investigation from Penn Foster College, in the USA.

He also holds a Diploma in Public Safety and Security Management from the University of Guyana; a Certificate in Criminology from the University of Guyana; a Diploma in Legal Studies; a Masters of Arts in Legal Studies; as well as a Major in Criminology, In-

(ag), Clifton Hicken, on Saturday visited Cooper’s West Bank of Demerara home and met with the grieving family.

The Top Cop said, “we promise we are going to support the family. She (Cooper’s wife) is an Inspector of Police. We are going to give her the time out to grieve, and we will put some plans in place for her and support her during this grieving season, and we will give him his full honours, so the entire force will embrace her through this season and beyond.”

Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper

Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken; Region Three Commander, Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Siwnarine and a team of officers and ranks met and prayed with the grieving family members and relatives of the late Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper

Djokovic looking for recordequalling major title

(BBC) - Novak Djokovic says he does not feel any different "in terms of stress" as he aims to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open final and win a record-equalling 22nd men's major.

Serbia's Djokovic, 35, faces the 24-year-old Greek - who is bidding for a first Grand Slam title - on Sunday.

"I know every single Grand Slam is a golden opportunity for me to try to get another trophy," Djokovic said.

"I don't know how many more opportunities I'll have."

Tsitsipas faces a tough task against Djokovic, who has not lost in Melbourne since 2018 and has dropped just one set this tournament after a series of dominant performances.

While Djokovic is competing in a 33rd major final

and he is playing in only his second, Tsitsipas says he "couldn't be more ready for this moment."

Djokovic has won a record nine Australian Open men's singles titles but missed the chance to defend his crown last year after he was deported from Australia following a row about his COVID-19 vaccination status.

He has been hampered by a hamstring injury on his return to Melbourne Park and also had to deal with controversy surrounding his father Srdjan before Friday's semi-final against American Tommy Paul.

Srdjan Djokovic watched his son's win at home to avoid causing "disruption" after being pictured with supporters of Russian president Vladimir Putin.

But the player says he is

not feeling any added pressure at the end of two weeks where he has the opportunity to equal Rafael Nadal's record tally of most Grand Slam men's singles titles.

"I don't think it's particularly different in terms of stress or what I'm going through on the court comparing to most of the other Slams I played in my life," he said.

"Of course, I feel it. I feel pressure. I feel stress as any other player. I feel nerves. I feel excitement. There's a lot of different emotions that go through.

"The experience of being in this particular situation and circumstances before helps. The fact that I have never lost in Australian Open finals definitely serves as a great confidence booster.

"But, of course, the job still needs to be done on the court."

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Sunday January 29, 2023)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) 242* (vs IND, Mumbai, 1974-75)

(2) 19 Test centuries

Today’s Quiz:

(1) How many times Clive Lloyd captained the WI in Tests?

(2) How many times he led the WI to victory?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue ………………………………………………………………………………………

Nine-time champion Novak Djokovic (left) will play in his 10th Australian Open final, while Stefanos Tsitsipas is contesting his first

Casemiro double helps united past Reading

(BBC) - CASEMIRO

underlined his importance to Manchester United with two goals as they cruised past Reading to reach the FA Cup fifth round at Old Trafford.

While the Brazil midfielder was brought to the club in August 2022 to deliver steel to the heart of United's midfield, he displayed his effectiveness further forward to break the Royals' resistance early in the second half.

He scooped home the opening goal after racing on to Antony's incisive pass, and doubled United's lead four minutes later, curling in from the edge of the box after collecting Fred's pass.

"He's done what he was brought in to do. He's a phenomenal player," said United captain, Harry Maguire.

"You don't win what he's won without being a top player. He's improved the team, the morale, the performance and it is great to have him."

The former Real Madrid midfielder's absence was sharply felt by United during their Premier League defeat at Arsenal last weekend, and he was given a standing ovation by the home supporters who fully recognise his value to the club.

"He [Casemiro] is really important with all his experience, but he is such a smart player and

intelligent," said United manager Erik ten Hag.

"He knows the positions, how to deal with the ball and also he is creative as well, and we are really happy with him. He is important for the improvement of the team."

stitute Amadou Mbengue headed in a consolation for Championship side Reading from Tom Ince's corner.

Casemiro and Fred show the way in front of goal

And there could be little doubt United deserved their victory after dominating a one-sided affair in which they initially struggled to make the breakthrough because of profligate finishing.

Winger Antony was

tunities to break the deadlock.

When United did get the ball in the back of the net VAR came to Reading's rescue, with Netherlands forward Weghorst ruled offside before he nodded the ball in Rash-

came to the fore after the break. While he is renowned for breaking up play and his contribution in front of United's penalty area, he used his experience to drive forward from midfield and showed the nous to de -

Any hopes Reading had of mounting a recovery were dented when Andy Carroll was sent off after picking up his second yellow card shortly before Fred backheeled in the hosts' third goal from Bruno Fernandes' cross.

And although Ten Hag's side had opportunities to score a fourth, sub-

The last of United's 12 FA Cup triumphs came in 2016 and Ten Hag signalled the importance he is placing on this competition by selecting a strong starting XI containing just one change from their Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg win against Nottingham Forest midweek.

particularly wasteful with four shots in the first half, each curling effort almost a carbon copy of the previous one, all drifting wide of the far post.

Fernandes twice dragged efforts across goal and wide, while Wout Weghorst, Christian Eriksen and Marcus Rashford all had oppor-

ford's direction, with the England striker heading in at the back post in vain.

They were nearly made to pay on the stroke of half-time but goalkeeper David de Gea saved with his legs after Tyrell Malacia's error presented the ball to Junior Hoilett 10 yards out.

Casemiro's quality

liver a wonderful finish from Antony's pass. His second came from much further out as the home side penned Reading in their area, before his international team-mate Fred provided a sprinkling of samba flair with a sublime finish to ensure a comfortable passage for United.

Casemiro had not scored twice in a game since January 2020, when playing for Real Madrid against Sevilla

CWI names Lara as performance mentor

(ESPNCRICINFO) -

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has roped in Brian Lara as a performance mentor to work with the West Indies international teams across formats and with the board's academy.

Lara will be supporting the various head coaches "in providing players with tactical advice and improving their game sense, as well as working closely with the Director of Cricket [Jimmy Adams] on ICC World Cup Tournament strategic planning," a CWI press statement said.

"Having spent time with the players and coaches in Australia and in discussions with CWI, I really believe that I can help

the players with their mental approach to the game and with their tactics to be more successful," Lara said. His first assignment will be with the West Indies Test squad, which he has already joined in Zimbabwe. He will help in the preparations ahead of the first Test starting February 4 in Bulawayo. Before the Test, West Indies will also play a fourday warm-up game, starting Saturday in Bulawayo.

"I am really looking forward to Brian making a significant contribution to our cricket system by providing invaluable guidance and advice to our players and coaches," Adams said. "We are confident that Brian will help to improve

our high-performance mindset and strategic culture that will bring us more success on the field across all formats.

Everyone is excited to

have Brian involved in supporting our players."

West Indies' last Test series was in Australia last month, where

they were swept 2-0, not long after they had crashed out in the first round of the T20 World Cup. Nicholas Pooran stepped down as the

white-ball captain later, in November.

Lara was also on the review panel which CWI had appointed to look into West Indies' poor performance at the T20 World Cup.

Even though CWI did not specify for how long Lara will work with the various teams going forward, he came in with under 10 months to go for the ODI World Cup in India and around 18 months before the T20 World Cup in the USA and Caribbean next year.

In between, of course, Lara will also be engaged with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2023 IPL as their head coach, having taken over from Tom Moody in September last year.

Blackwood believes strong start vital for West Indies

CMC – Test vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood believes a strong start to the two-Test series against Zimbabwe will be vital for West Indies, especially with the squad still adjusting to an overhauled management team.

Long-time head coach Phil Simmons quit following the recent tour of Australia, and his backroom staff of bowling coach Roddy Estwick and batting coach Monty Desai also exited after Cricket West Indies opted not to renew their contracts.

Andre Coley, head coach of the Cricket West Indies Academy programme, was hired

as interim head coach for the Zimbabwe and upcoming South Africa series, while former Test pacer Kenny Benjamin has been named bowling coach and batting legend Brian Lara as performance mentor.

“It’s very important for us as a team [to start well], especially now we have an interim coach, a new bowling coach and we have Brian Lara here,” said the 31-year-old Blackwood.

“So it’s very important of us to start on a winning note. We’ve talked a lot [about] that as well, so hopefully we can play some hard cricket.

“That is what we’re here for – to play some

hard cricket and I hope everybody can put in some good performances for the team so we can put back some smiles on the faces of the people of the Caribbean.”

West Indies have never lost a Test against Zimbabwe in 10 previous meetings, and won their two-match series 1-0 when they were last here in 2017.

However, Blackwood said West Indies were aware of the changes in the Zimbabwe playing personnel since then, with batsman Brendan Taylor the only player from the 2017 squad featuring in the country’s last Test against Bangladesh 19 months ago.

“We’re pretty much aware that it’s a totally different team,” Blackwood pointed out.

“A few guys played [last time] but not as much, but we are fully aware it’s going to be a very new Zimbabwe team, a more fearless Zimbabwe team.

“But we’re here to perform. Our main goal is to win and that is what we’re here to do – to win.”

West Indies will face conditions which will be in direct contrast to those they encountered in Australia last month, when they were swept aside 2-0 on lively pitches.

Traditionally, Zimbabwe pitches have played low and slow,

but Blackwood said West Indies’ sole focus would be on executing their game, irrespective of conditions.

“The practice wicket is pretty slow – similar to the Caribbean. But when we were here in 2017, the wicket was pretty slow and turning, so we’re going to expect the same,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to good conditions. As I said, once we can go out there and play our game I don’t think we will be under any pressure at all to win these two games.”

Blackwood will be hoping to bounce back after a lean spell against the Aussies. He averaged 32 against England last March

with a hundred, and then averaged 64 against Bangladesh in a two-Test series in June, but struggled Down Under with 63 runs in four innings.

The Jamaican, known for his penchant for dashing stroke-play, said he felt under no pressure heading into the series.

“Going forward right now I feel pretty good,” he said.

“The way I’m feeling now I feel back [to] my old self like a few years ago, so hopefully I can just go out there and put in some good performances for the team and also myself.”

The first Test bowls off at Queens Sports Club next Saturday.

New performance mentor Brian Lara (left) chats with rookie opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul during a net session in Zimbabwe. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

Shabazz completes Communication course in Switzerland

Golden Jaguars Head Coach; Jamaal Shabazz, broke new ground completing a course in Strategic Communications at UEFA's Academy in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday.

Shabazz was the only football coach among a group of Communications Experts from the European Football Union ( UEFA). The UEFA Strategic Communications Compact Course ran from January 24 to 27 and was attended by the Heads of Media and Communications for countries including France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Wales, Norway, Finland and Turkey among others.

The Trinidad born Shabazz viewed his attendance as a personal investment to his career.

"Its important to equip myself with additional competencies, since a lot of our work in modern football involves communication and human resource management, explained Shabazz.

"UEFA is the most advanced Confederation in FIFA and this experience has sharpened my insight for an adjusted approach in terms of Communications.

Some of the topics delivered at the UEFA Strategic Communications course included; Evidence-oriented Communications, Quantifying the impact and benefits of PR in the modern world, Content strategy and campaigns, Political advocacy and Introduction to issues, management & crisis communications.

"When we look at the impact UEFA Champions

League has on our psyche in the Caribbean it reflects a clear communications strategy that has worked and influenced the world."

The ambitions we have for 2026 demands a competence greater than coaching. We have to mobilize a country and get different stakeholders working towards one objective, added Shabazz.

Shabazz mentioned a need for Federations in the Caribbean to recruit young people and invest in the future.

"There is a tech-savvy generation born after 2000 that we are not utilizing at all. They can reach the masses faster than a press conference with just a touch of their phone."

"We need to recruit them because they understand communicat-

ing in the here and now, added Shabazz.

Despite his personal investment, Shabazz acknowledged the role of the Office of the President of the Cooperate

Republic of Guyana, the Ministry of Culture, and Youth & Sport in Guyana, Go Logistics and the GFF in making his trip possible.

The Guyana Na -

tional Coach will leave Switzerland over the weekend and spend 10 days in the United Kingdom observing overseas based players.

SBM & MoE launch GuyanaMonaco Mousetrap Grand Prix

LAST Tuesday, SBM Offshore, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, officially launched the Guyana-Monaco Mousetrap Car Grand Prix Competition at the Roraima Duke Lodge.

The Monaco Mousetrap Car Grand Prix is an international competition that is held annually in the Principality of Monaco. The competition sees high school students using the Laws of Physics to create a model race car utilising a mousetrap to propel the car by triggering the original trap mechanism. It was created under the High Patronage of His Serene Highness, Prince Albert II of

Monaco to promote Science and Engineering to students in a fun, exciting way.

Through SBM Offshore, Guyana was officially invited to participate in the international event, opening an avenue for the skills and talents of Guyanese students to express their creativity and compete in the areas of Science and Engineering. In a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Education, the company invited several secondary schools that competed in the National Science Fair to participate in the launch of the local leg of the competition. Three categories are open for three entries – Acceleration, En-

durance, and Innovation and Creativity.

General Manager of SBM Offshore, Martin Cheong, expressed his gratitude to the organisers of the Monaco Mousetrap Car Grand Prix for extending this exciting opportunity to Guyana and encouraged students to make full use of the opportunity.

He said, “It is an extremely exciting opportunity to display your creativity, innovation and demonstrate your understanding of the Laws of Physics. Guyana is home to many brilliant students and creative minds who can certainly compete on an international level, once given the chance to do so.

We wish to encourage you to make full use of this occasion and display your creativity.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Education Officer for Amerindian Hinterland Education Development, Mr Marti DeSouza, stated, “The time of this competition is very apt so that we can engage our children at a very high level. Even as you go out and take part in the competition, you are going to be using your scientific knowledge. Give it your best! You have to think critically and apply yourself. I want to see excellent, creative designs that will be sure to win the competition in Monaco!”

The participating schools

will have to apply to be part of the competition. Once all the applications have been submitted, an official request will be sent to Monaco, and a number of mousetrap kits will be mailed to Guyana. Once the schools receive the kits, they will be given a timeframe to complete their mousetrap cars, following which the entries will be judged. The first, second and third-place winners of each category will be automatically entered into the international leg of the competition, while the first-place winner of each category will be awarded a cash prize to purchase materials for the schools’ Science Depart -

ments.

Once the three best performers of each category are determined, videos of their performance will be submitted to Monaco by way of a video recording for judging in the international competition. If a local team is successful in the international leg of the competition, they will be offered free travel to Monaco where they will have a chance to view the Grand Prix from a prime location. SBM Offshore will pay for travels to Monaco, while the Monaco Mousetrap Car Grand Prix organisers will pay for their stay.

Coach Shabazz completed a Communications course in Switzerland

South Africa bound

- New Doctor’s Clinic gifts duo Masters World Cup opportunity

the International Masters Cricket Association.

The tournament is set for Capetown, South Africa where Guyanese Basil Persaud and Chanderpaul Singh will suit up for West Indies Masters in the 14team showpiece from March 6 to 20. Players selected are expected to fully fund themselves while representing the Caribbean in the three-week long tournament during the South African summer.

fit, they are examples of what living healthy lifestyles should be. We at The New Doctor’s Clinic will support that [healthy living] any day. That is why we are supporting them to live their dreams of playing in a world cup,’ Khemraj stated.

asset with bat and ball. This will be the first opportunity for the Essequibian at this level, while Singh will be on his second outing.

‘IF it is for the betterment of these stalwarts and for the game, we will make it happen,’ said Managing Director of The New Doctor’s Clinic, Satyendra

Khemraj while making financial donations to two masters cricketers who have been selected to play in an over-50 world cup tournament organized by

When the news broke out about the two local players being invited to join the world cup on the condition of paying for the trip, Khemraj immediately offered financial assistance.

‘Basil and Chanderpaul are

Second annual National Sports Conference…

Both players have since confirmed their trips but are on the quest of securing additional funding. Persaud played at the under-19 Inter-County level in the 1980s where he was the captain of Essequibo. The 53 year old is a current player for various clubs on the Essequibo Coast and also for Everest Masters in Georgetown where his right-handed abilities as an all-rounder makes him an

Chanderpaul Singh, a bodywork mechanic from Enterprise Village on the East Coast of Demerara made his West Indies Masters debut late 2022, playing in a quadrangular tournament in Barbados. The right-arm leg spinner spun a big impression in that series and was a first pick to Capetown. Locally, the 58 year old also played at the inter-county level representing Demerara under-19s and was also called to senior trials in the 1980s.

Khemraj, who is also a member of Everest Mas -

ters, told the players to ‘go out there, play cricket, enjoy the occasion and enjoy yourselves without worrying about anything else.’ In turn, both players expressed their gratitude to The New Doctor’s Clinic and pledged to do their best for themselves and supporters.

Singh and Persaud are delighted to be selected and are expected to play leading roles as the Masters Cricket World Cup returns to Capetown after the 2020 edition was cut short after two rounds due to the outbreak of COVID-19. The first over50s world cup was contested among eight teams in Sydney, Australia, in 2018.

(John Ramsingh)

Science of sports development among topics discussed

By Sean Devers

Shifting to Science based approach to training, inculcating a winning attitude, the Business of Sport and minimum standard for a traveling team, were topics discussed when the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports held its second National Sports Conference yesterday at the National Culture Centre.

The Conference was divvied into segments with a Coffee Break and Lunch break. Akeem Greene, Rawle Toney, Avenash Ramzan and Frankie Wilson were the Moderators.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson told the gathering of Sports Administrators, Athletes, National Sports Commission (NSC) officials and the Media that no longer can we say that we have talent without backing it up with results.

“Cricket was the one sport in we were the best in the World but the other cricketing nations have moved past us by using scientific methods.

We never had fixed Cricket Academy. There was one in Grenada but it has closed, we had one in Barbados but it has closed and we now have on in

Antigua” said Minister Ramson, whose brain child is the National Sports Academy.

The Minister said that we know what to do more scientifically and need more facilities.

“We commenced the construction of the Mini Stadiums at Anna Regina and McKenzie.

We commenced the transformation of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, commenced construction of modern stands at the athletic tracks in New Amsterdam and Linden and completed construction of a new stand at the Leonora Track and Field Stadium” added Ramson.

The Minister informed that that the GOG has completed the procurement of quality International lights for the Syntactic Track in New Amsterdam.

Ramson stated that there were major renovation works at the National Stadium, procurement of lights for the Uitvlugt ground, commencement of construction of a new Doubles Squash Court and a new Racquet Hall at the National Racquet Centre were done last year.

“We commenced construction on an all-weather cricket training facility at the National Stadium, completed the Asphalt work at the Linden Track We completed and supported 55 Community grounds last

year and 92 since coming into office while 21 of those grounds have lights.

The Sport Policy, which will be the first the CARICOM, will be completed in this year. We are expanding on programs and the Sports Academy will be partnering the Guyana Defense Force (GDF).

This year the focus will be on tournaments and raising awareness of the main Events” the MP said.

According to the Sports Minister, next year will see the commencement of the Elite training program.

“We have to have an obsession about winning and feed that attitude to the players. We have to capitalize on our sports and talent” added the MP who played Cricket and Basketball at a competitive level.

The first session had contributions from GFF President Wayne Forde, GSA’s David Fernandes, former Guyana and West Indies player Ramnaresh Sarwan, Physiotherapist Ariane Mangar and nutritionist Gillian Trim.

Guyana Harpy Eagles fitness and strength trainer Angela Holder also spoke about the YO-YO Test and nutrition and how it helps fitness and skill development.

Sarwan, the owner of a Mall, said when he was sent (along with six other West Indies players) to the Cricket Academy in Australia he was exposed to the best facilities and personnel which were not available in the West Indies.

Forde, the GFF, believes that sports science is very important for sports development by using technological equipment. He also informed the GFF has had a fitness trainer on staff for the last four years.

The GFF Head said players at the school level should have the fundamentals, adding there should be medical tests done on all players in National teams.

Mangar spoke of ‘biomechanics’ and encouraged sports persons to repeat something over and over until it is instinctively done. She also emphasized the importance of the right diet and sleep.

Trim stressed the importance of eating a balanced diet with a bit from all six food groups

Fernandes said that some squash players with dedication, discipline and the willingness to work hard have been more successful than those with talent.

Donald Duff, a former National Table Tennis and Sports Editor of the Stabroek News said the young players should

get advice from those who have been there and done that.

TDO of the GCB and former Test pacer Colin Stuart, Ex-Guyana Cricketer and business owner Lennox Cush, Squash player Ashley Khalid, Businessmen and President of GCC, Timothy Tucker, Troy Cadogan, Chateram Ramdihal, Captain Gerry Gouveia, GTTA President Godfrey Munroe, Dr Karen Pilgrim, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, GASA President Aubrey Hutson, and GTA President Christy Campbell all made meaningful contributions to yesterday’s program.

The first session had contributions from Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) representative Dwayne Scott, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde, nutritionist Gillian Trim, former Guyana and West Indies player Ramnaresh Sarwan, and Physiotherapist Ariane Mangar.

Satyendra Khemraj (centre) is flanked by Basil Persaud (left) and Chanderpaul Singh at the presentation

Second annual National Sports Conference…

Science of sports development among topics discussed

Brathwaite comes to form with Zimbabwe series looming

(CMC) - Captain Kraigg Brathwaite struck a composed hundred to extend his prolific form and lead a healthy West Indies batting effort on the opening day of their four-day tour match against a Zimbabwe XI here Saturday.

Sent in at the Bulawayo Athletic Club, the Caribbean side finished on 313 for five with the right-handed Brathwaite carving out 116 before retiring. He faced 170 balls in a shade over four hours and counted 10 fours.

His enterprising left-handed opening partner, Tagenarine

Chanderpaul, hit 46 along with Kyle Mayers, while Devon Thomas gathered a breezy unbeaten 42 towards the end.

“Obviously it was good to get a score,” Brathwaite said afterwards.

“The pitch was a bit slow, it wasn’t bouncing that much but it was still a decent pitch to bat on once you looked to play as straight as possible. It was good to see we batted the entire day.”

Recently named in the ICC Test Team-of-the-Year after averaging 62 in seven Tests last year, Brathwaite once again shone, putting on 137 for the first wicket

with Chanderpaul who struck a half-dozen fours in a knock comprising 134 balls in just under three hours.

They carried West Indies to lunch at 87 without loss and dominated most of the second session before Chanderpaul perished 15 balls before tea, edging behind off a full length delivery from seamer Tanaka Chivanga.

When Brathwaite finally retired at tea, he had put on 58 of the eventual 62 runs for the second wicket with left-handed Raymon Reifer (23), but his replacement Nkrumah Bonner perished cheaply for three in the first over

following the resumption. Reifer followed in the next over, beaten and bowled by

22-year-old leg-spinner Priviledge Chesa without an addition to the score at 199 for three, before Mayers anchored two key stands to prop up the innings.

First, he added 41 for the fourth wicket with Jermaine Blackwood (17) and then put on a further 55 for the fifth wicket with Thomas, whose knock required only 54 deliveries and included half-dozen fours.

Mayers had counted seven fours off 63 balls and was eyeing a well deserved fifty when he was bowled by Test pacer Donald Tiripano, about half-hour before the close.

SBM Offshore’s Human Resource Manager, Onecia Johnson; SBM Offshore’s General Manager, Martin Cheong; Deputy Chief Education Officer for Amerindian Hinterland Education Development, Mr Marti DeSouza; SBM Offshore’s Trainee Programme Coordinator, Ms Nevellean Dundas, and students at the launch of the Guyana-Monaco Mousetrap Car Grand Prix

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite. (file photo)

Minister of Sport Charles Ramson Jnr makes a contribution