Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 29-11-2022

British officials signal intention to increase development support Opportunities abound

- Hundreds of Guyanese exposed to employment options, capacity-building programmes during National Job Fair

By Tamica Garnett

HUNDREDS of Guya nese, particularly young people, on Monday, ex plored the myriad em ployment opportunities and capacity-building programmes that are available to them during the inaugural National

Job Fair organised by the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA) of the Ministry of Labour (MoL).

The event is part of the government’s plan to ensure that more Guyanese are gainfully employed, and will complement the National Job Bank, which

was launched in April by the MoL.

Over 30 local and in ternational employers had booths set up at the event, ready to recruit skilled individuals, with dozens of vacancies opened for the eager patrons to apply to fill.

“I came out today to

see what opportunities they have, and in what way I can fit in to the posi tions they have. I’m look ing for a clerical job right now,” 23-year-old Lilowtie Pooran told the Guyana Chronicle. FULL

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali visited the French Navy Vessel—La Combattante l, which was docked at a Georgetown wharf, on Monday afternoon. The vessel was in Guyana to mark the accreditation of the new nonresident French Ambassador to Guyana, Nicholas De Lacoste. President Ali was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd. (Office of the President photo)

No knowledge that security footage was being monitored

- Elections CoI hears during visit to Ashmin’s building

ALTHOUGH security cam eras were installed in and around the tabulation room at the former GECOM com mand centre, no one seems to know who was monitoring them.

According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) newsletter, former tabulations supervisor, Aneal Giddings, and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Edgar Thomas, on Monday, disclosed that there was no designated area to monitor the footage from the cameras.

The two were among those who accompanied the mem bers of the Presidential Com mission of Inquiry (CoI) on a tour of the Ashmin’s building where the command centre

as saying.

When asked whether there was a room designated for security personnel to monitor the footage, he responded, “I was not aware of that.”

According to the DPI, Thomas added, “I was not responsible for monitoring any activity in the building. From my knowledge, the police were not monitoring anything either.”

Giddings, Thomas and Dr Josh Kanhai, repeated parts of their testimony during the tour and answered numerous questions.

The men walked the CoI’s Chairman, Stanley John and commissioners -- for mer Chancellor, Carl Singh and Senior Counsel Godfrey

Kanhai showed the com missioners where everything was laid out at the centre, including the tabulation room which was on the ground floor.

He pointed to a nearby empty room that once housed the area where data clerk, En rique Livan, was seen with a flash drive, that reportedly had the tabulation figures, along with da computer.

Livan eventually returned to the tabulation room after he was allegedly seen tampering with the contents of the flash drive on a computer.

Kanhai recalled that on March 5, 2022, Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo had attempted to make a false declaration from the stairway connecting the ground floor to

placed on bail but was never charged.

Me anwhile, Giddens showed the commissioners where the office of the thenChief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, was located.

He took the commissioners to the second floor of the build ing where the other tabulation officers were situated.

Later, Thomas was asked by Senior Counsel Sophia Chote, of Trinidad and Tobago, to recount the events of March 5, 2020.

He recalled going to the

bomb threat was designed to remove party agents from witnessing the tabulation pro cess for Region Four.

Stuart had testified that he was summoned to Ashmin’s building by Myers to get everyone out of the tabulation room because they were in terfering with Mingo’s work.

Stuart had said he saw no proof of the alleged interfer ence and, therefore, refused to carry out the task assigned.

However, 15 minutes later two male ranks entered the building and identified

for their assistance.

IGNORED

During Monday’s visit, Thomas told the commission ers that he spoke to a junior officer, who was there giving instructions and he remind ed him (the junior rank) that he was the senior officer-incharge. However, Thomas said the junior officer ignored him.

Thomas said that on the following day, March 6, 2020, when he returned to the loca tion and saw barricades sur rounding the area, he indicated that that instruction did not

was located in March 2020.

“The tabulation room in particular was heavily surveil led. The cameras were actually in the room, on the walls and ceiling, and there were maybe two cameras on the ceiling just outside of the tabulation centre,” Giddings was quoted

Smith -- through the events that unfolded in the threestorey building.

When the group arrived at the location, the main entrance was closed. The only available access was through the back door. The rooms inside were empty, dusty and poorly lit.

the first floor.

However, this was met with objection by another politician, which caused police officers to block the stairway to the second floor where the office of GECOM Chair man, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, was located.

LOCKED

He recalled that the room, which was locked, was guard ed by heavily armed police officers. The chairman had complained of feeling unwell but the ranks barred the EMTs from entering the room.

According to Kanhai, the door was so secured that he had to “push” and “kick” it until it broke open.

The room led into another smaller room where he saw the chairman sitting on a couch with then-Deputy Chief Elec tions Officer (DCEO), Rox anne Myers.

Kanhai told the commis sioners that he was pulled out of the room by police officers as he attempted to ascertain the chairman’s safety.

He said he was dragged out of the room by the ranks and taken to the Brickdam Police Station. He was later

GECOM chairwoman’s office on the second floor where there was a large crowd. Thomas said he escorted the chairman out of the building due to a report of a bomb scare.

He said he moved from room to room informing per sons that there was a report of a bomb scare in the building.

During one of the CoI’s hearings, GECOM’s Chief Security, Ronald Stuart, provided intimate details of how the now infamous

themselves as being from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force. They informed him that a bomb was planted in the building. This was later proven to be a hoax.

Based on Stuart’s rec ollection, members of the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) and Special Branch Unit were there to evict persons from the tabulation room. Thomas had said that he never called

come from him.

Thomas was later reassigned by the GPF’s ‘top brass’.

Thomas had told the CoI that the reassignment was not one for his rank and noted that he was provided with no ac commodations to work.

However, it was not until August 2020 that Thomas was promoted and became head of the Presidential Guard when the administra tion changed.

Dr Josh Kanhai, showing the COI commissioners where officers had blocked off the stairway leading to the GECOM chairman’s office. (Adrian Narine photos)

Edgar Thomas, explains the events of March 5, 2020 to the commissioners and Senior Counsel Sophia Chote

GECOM’s Information Technology Department Manager and former tabulations supervisor, Aneal Giddings, shows the commissioners the layout of the first floor

Opportunities abound

Hundreds of Guyanese exposed to employment options, capacity-building programmes during National Job Fair

By Tamica Garnett

HUNDREDS of Guyanese, particularly young peo ple, on Monday, explored the myriad employment opportunities and capac ity-building programmes that are available to them during the inaugural Na tional Job Fair organised by the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA) of the Ministry of Labour (MoL).

The event is part of the

opened for the eager patrons to apply to fill.

“I came out today to see what opportunities they have, and in what way I can fit in to the positions they have. I’m looking for a clerical job right now,” 23-year-old Lilowtie Pooran told the Guyana Chronicle.

Pooran shared that she was happy to see the job fair initiative, as it has made things easy on her. She is a recipient of a scholarship un der the Guyana Online Acad emy of Learning (GOAL)

With many local compa nies, particularly those in the construction sector, currently facing labour issues, some of the companies speaking with the Guyana Chronicle noted that the fair not only helps the job seekers but businesses as well.

“Taking into considera tion what has been going on locally and the skill shortage that we’re facing, this [job fair] would serve as a good opportunity to reintroduce our company to the work force with the hope of attract ing new employees to help to refit our company with new skillsets,” commented Adrian Barkoye, a representative at a booth from BACIF-- local engineering and manufactur ing company.

Many persons were en thusiastic about the business es on display and the overall initiative. One such person, Shunae Munroe, has been looking for a job for the past year now, so when someone informed her about the Na tional Job Fair, she jumped at the opportunity to come out and see how the initiative might be able to help her in her employment pursuit.

was the case with 19-year-old Tyrese Aaron, who hails from Craig on the East Bank of Demerara.

Aaron visited the event alongside his 16-year-old brother Mario and 20-yearold friend Safwan Thomas, who were all interested in applying for jobs. The trio were brought to the event by Aaron’s father, Quincy Aaron.

Aaron said that the Na tional Job Fair was a great opportunity for persons who are not always comfortable or familiar with the online aspect of job application.

“Being able to apply face to face is a nice opportunity. Some job dashboards have given me a bit of a tedious time when I’ve tried applying online. I’m hoping to get a job in the oil and gas sector, like a workshop technician,” Aaron said.

The oil and gas sec tor was also an area where 23-year-old Sham Persaud was checking out a few of the job opportunities. Persaud was at the National Job Fair alongside his friend, 21-yearold Shivanie Boodram.

was declared open on Mon day morning by Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, who pledged that the event will become an annual affair.

“I address you this morn ing, as a citizen who under stands the desires of em ployers to secure competent workers and more so the longing of individuals who are searching for employ ment to sustain themselves and their loved ones,” Ham ilton said.

ployed and underemployed workers, and ensure efficient and equitable provision of employment-related services within Guyana,” Minister Hamilton said.

government’s plan to en sure that more Guyanese are gainfully employed, and will complement the National Job Bank, which was launched in April by the MoL.

Over 30 local and interna tional employers had booths set up at the event, ready to recruit skilled individuals, with dozens of vacancies

programme and is currently studying for her Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science.

Businesses on exhibition at the job fair ranged from the oil and gas and construc tion, to hospitality and health.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) also capitalised on the opportunity to do some recruitment.

“[As] Guyanese youths we need this! I’ve applied a lot of places. Most are via email but you hardly get any responses coming; that’s why I’m happy for this because I get to walk around and visit for myself more businesses,” she said.

Some youngsters turned out for the event in the com pany of friends and family, as

Persaud visited the fair after he saw advertisements on social media and felt he might be able to match some of the job openings.

GREAT OPPORTUNITY

“The job fair is a really great opportunity for eve ryone who has been trying really hard to get a job and haven’t been able to find anything,” he said.

The National Job Fair

According to the minister, the government acknowledg es the significant role public employment services can play in facilitating smooth lifelong transitions in the labour market by infusing technology and traditional methods, and establishing partnerships through working with providers.

“As the National Em ployment Authority, CRMA will continue to assist unem

Representing the private sector, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Council Member, Anita Ramprasad, commend ed the ministry for leading the way with continuous initiatives to assist in con necting Guyanese seeking employment with employers.

“We’ve never in our history seen such a push to bring together opportuni ties for employment. I urge you to take full advantage of the opportunity. The ul timate goal is nation build ing, it is a great time where employers and employees can contribute to the de velopment of the nation. I wish you all success,” she commented.

$161M Early Childhood Centre of Excellence commissioned

Ministry of Education’s Early

EARLY childhood education remains on course to being transformed, with the com missioning of a $161 million Early Childhood Centre of Excellence at the University of Guyana (UG), Turkeyen Campus.

The Early Childhood Centre of Excellence is funded by the government and the Caribbean Development Bank, through the Basic Needs Trust Fund Guyana. It creates a conducive environment for young learners to explore, grow and develop.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, in her remarks, said that Guyana has the highest nursery enrollment rate in the Commonwealth; as such, the in vestment is fitting since Guyana and the Caribbean could learn

from practices which will be implemented at the institution.

She said that the important level of education is at the early childhood age and urged people to not view the Early Childhood Centre of Excellence as just another nursery school.

“This, as a research unit, can make all the difference in education in Guyana… it can make all the difference in educa tion across all sectors -- primary, secondary and nursery,” Minis ter Manickchand said.

UNICEF Representative, Nicholas Pron, related that UNICEF believes that the cen tre will not only contribute to the best start to life, it will also facilitate and foster a holistic, inclusive approach to improving early childhood development, as

well as enhancing the knowl edge and competencies of early childhood development practi tioners, researchers, parents and other caregivers.

Meanwhile, Vice Chancel lor of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma Mohamed said the project was long in the making, and would help the university to find solutions to the challenges in the way in which children are socialised and raised.

Director of the Centre, Dr. Lidon Lashley, said that the facility currently caters to 102 young learners, 26 of whom require additional education al needs. He noted that each child’s need is catered to.

“And we do so in an at mosphere that embraces the

Representing the Ministry of Finance, Karen Roopchand said the institution was designed as a premier centre to provide a developmentally appropriate learning environment for young children in the surrounding communities, and give early childhood education students a venue to gain practical experi ence in the care and education of children.

The facility is equipped with all the amenities needed by learners and early child hood practitioners and car egivers. The building was also designed to accommodate learners living with disabili ties. (Ministry of Education)

(from left) Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour, Bishram Kuppen; Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton; Chief Recruitment Officer, Yolanda Grant and BIT CEO, Richard Maughn (DPI photo)

19-year-old Tyrese Aaron (left), his brother 16-year-old Mario Aaron (right) and 20-yearold Safwan Thomas were brought to the fair by father of the two brothers, Quincy Aaron (second from left) (Trina Williams photo)

Childhood Curriculum but also extended it with practices and research that is done on the up per level,” Dr. Lashley said.

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand; UNICEF Representative, Nicholas Pron; Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma Mohamed, and other officials together with young learners cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially commission the $161M Early Childhood Centre of Excellence

GECOM employees took direct instructions from APNU+AFC agents

- observer says, laments zeros turned into eights on ‘Mingo’s SOPs’ in favour of ‘coalition’

BACK in March 2020, in the days following the Re gional and General Elec tions, Guyana Elections Com mission (GECOM) staffers took direct instructions from APNU+AFC agents that were contrary to the law and known procedures.

Further, GECOM staffers ignored specific instructions from the court, used materi als that were illegal and or manipulated, and sided with APNU+AFC agents to berate observers whenever objections were raised.

Those accounts form part of the testimony delivered on Monday by Rosalinda Rasul, who served as an election ob server on behalf of the Ameri can Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Guyana.

She appeared before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Gen eral and Regional Elections of March 2020.

Rasul told the commission that she observed the process from the beginning on March 2. She recalled witnessing the

formulation of Statements of Poll (SOP) at a polling station in Mon Repos. Rasul said that that was done in a lawful man ner with all known procedures being followed.

But when she visited the Ashmin building, it was a whole different ball game. Things didn’t run nearly as smoothly there.

Rasul, like most other wit nesses thus far, recalled the use of a spreadsheet by GECOM staff for the verification and tabulation exercise.

She said, given that neither party agents nor observers had copies of the documents and that it was a deviation from known procedure, several ob jections were raised.

But the two female GECOM staff who employed the use of the spreadsheet could not provide answers to the many questions raised.

“They said they were only there to call numbers,” Rasul said.

She added that, eventu ally, Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, went into

the tabulation room and told party agents and observers that the spreadsheet, to which he referred to as a broadsheet, was utilised in the name of expedience. But he refused to answer questions as to where the spreadsheet originated.

Rasul testified that she tried approaching Lowenfield di rectly in an effort to source a copy of the spreadsheet. But when she asked him for a copy, Lowenfield responded: “Don’t do that to me.”

Rasul said that she was not quite sure what that statement meant, but Lowenfield’s body language was quite dismissive.

Nevertheless, her efforts to source the document did not end there.

Rasul told the commission that she then approached the Deputy Chief Elections Office (DCEO), Roxanne Myers, who indicated that she would have tried to provide a copy of the document. But Myers never made good on that promise.

She said that even after all the objections and all the failed attempts by her and others to get a copy of the document, “Lowenfield had his way” and the “broadsheet” was used to call out the votes.

The observer said that party agents for the People’s Progres sive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and smaller political parties contin ued asking questions and rais ing concerns about the use of a “broadsheet”, but those were not addressed by GECOM.

Instead, Basil Willimas, the then Attorney-General and APNU+AFC agent, opted to handle concerns. His method

was to berate everyone.

He also said that the con cerns about the numbers and their source were not valid. Wil liams said they were subjective, not objective.

NO REPLACEMENT

Rasul said the process then came to a halt as the two female GECOM employees became tired and Lowenfield avoided appointing a replacement.

The observer said that it was only until near midnight on March 4, that Lowenfield found a replacement in Enrique Livan.

When Livan took over, he spent about 19 minutes com pleting only four SOPs before saying he was not “cut out for this.”

He then took the laptop, the flash and left the room.

Rasul testified about the oc currences that followed, which were in keeping with accounts given by other witnesses.

She said that, eventually, Lowenfield made a commit ment to continue the process the morning of March 5.

But when District Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo appeared, he attempted to skip the verification process and went straight to the declara tion of results for District Four.

Rasul recalled that Mingo’s efforts were thwarted by party agents who protested. Even tually he was served with a court order and the process was halted.

Days after, when the pro cess resumed at Ashmin’s, Rasul said that Mingo was going to begin verifying from box 4001, but recanted after he received directions from APNU+AFC agent, Carol Jo

seph to continue where he left off, even though that could not have been verified.

Rasul said that GECOM Commissioner, Robeson Benn told Mingo that his action was in contravention with the Chief Justice’s ruling.

But Mingo ignored him and continued calling numbers that did not coincide with what was reflected on SOPs.

Rasul said that she rec ognised a pattern of in creased number of votes for APNU+AFC and a decreased number for the PPP/C.

Soon enough, Mingo was summoned to court, so he had to leave the Ashmin building. But he instructed a GECOM staffer to continue calling num bers.

Rasul said that after some time, Mingo returned to the Ashmin building saying that the Chief Justice gave instruc tions for GECOM to display the SOPs for all to see.

He announced that no equipment was at the Ashmin building to facilitate that ex ercise so the process had to be moved to GECOM Headquar ters, Kingston.

At GECOM’s headquarters, numbers were projected against a bed sheet under a shed and the pattern of increased numbers continued. Rasul said that the increase for APNU+AFC was more pronounced on the East Bank than on the East Coast.

She said that she was able to see the projected figures de spite them being “faint”.

Rasul related that observers were not allowed to verify the authenticity of the SOPs that were being used. However, what appeared to be SOPs were defiled.

“I saw, most definitely, that the numbers for some of the SOPs for the APNU were scratched with a high number being written, and the numbers for the PPP were scratched with a lower number replacing those.

“On some SOPs where there were zeros for APNU+AFC, those were changed to eight,” Rasul said.

She related that, on the many instances where at tempts were made to scru tinise the SOPs, police were called to keep observers and party agents at bay. Rasul’s testimony continues today.

Distribution of national ID cards commences countrywide

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) commenced the distribu tion of National Identifica tion Cards at all its Regis tration Offices countrywide with effect from Monday, November 28, 2022.

According to a GECOM release, persons who com pleted registration transac tions during the cycle of Continuous Registration held during the period March, 2022 – May, 2022 and the Claims and Objections Ex ercise which was held dur ing the period August, 2022

– September, 2022 respec tively, were advised that they could uplift their ID cards from the GECOM Registra tion Office where the transac tion was done from Monday – Thursday, 8:00hrs – 12:00 hrs and 13:00 hrs – 16:30 hrs, and on Fridays from 8:00 hrs – 12:00 hrs and 13:00 hrs –

12:30 hrs.

“The Commission is also advising persons that authori sations will not be accepted and, in this regard, registrants must uplift their ID cards personally in accordance with GECOM’s standard op erating procedures in relation to the verification of identity,

transparency, and account ability,” GECOM said.

Specifically, only per sons who had completed new registration transactions, changes to their registration particulars, or applied for a replacement are required to visit the Registration Office.

Additionally, the Com mission has also urged per sons who would have con ducted transactions in pre vious registration exercises prior to 2022 and have not yet uplifted their National Identification Cards, to do so immediately.

Rosalinda Rasul

Conditions being created for expansion, success of small businesses

PRIME Minister, Briga dier (Ret’d) Mark Phil lips, has said that the government remains committed to the devel opment and expansion of small businesses in Guyana.

He made the statement while attending the Small Business Bureau’s annual awards reception and din ner on Sunday evening.

“Our government is committed to creating such an environment to allow for the expansion and success of small and medium-sized enterprises and the private sector in general, to thrive and expand while achieving the capacity to operate on a globally competitive scale.

“In the past two years, this government, through sound and consistent in vestments, has strength

ened the business climate,” the Prime Minister said.

The emerging oil and gas industry, he related, has brought massive op portunities for businesses to benefit through partner ships or by becoming part of its massive supply chain with their products and services.

Prime Minister Phil lips told awardees: “The government is also aware that, for these businesses to thrive, there must be adequate access to finance for small businesses, which directly contributes to their increased output and em ployment and the overall advancement of economic growth and development.”

He also emphasised the essential role of the bu reau in facilitating small business development and

called it “a hub for oppor tunities”, while congratu lating its management unit.

“With the Small Busi ness Bureau, you have a dedicated guide in helping you to access financing; you also have access to

training and education, increased visibility through the promotion of your prod ucts and services, access to government procurement opportunities and a range of other business and tech nical support,” the Prime

through the provision of financing and other resources, PM Phillips says

Minister said.

He also encouraged re cipients and all small busi ness owners to pursue up ward mobility and diversi fication of their businesses, products, and services on a continuous basis.

The bureau is a gov ernment-funded institu tion that aims to make financing more accessible to small businesses and to address issues that they face. (Office of the Prime Minister)

Over 300 persons secure jobs through National Job Bank

sation of the work of the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency and strengthened the network between employers and prospective employees,” Minister Hamilton said.

Established under the Employment Exchange Act in 1944, the CRMA

is tasked with the man date of matching suit ably qualified persons to existing vacancies, canvassing for job va cancies to place jobseekers, maintaining va cancy records, providing advice, career guidance and counselling, as well

as capacity-building for job-seekers.

“Over 4,000 persons benefited from CRMA in 2022 thus far. Fur thermore, during the period 2020 to 2022 over 6,000 persons used the services of CRMA,” Hamilton said.

OVER 300 persons have secured employment, thus far, through the Ministry of Labour’s National Job Bank since it opened in March.

This number is a marked increase in the number of persons who have been able to be placed in a job by the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA).

Comparatively, of the persons who sought jobs last year, 731 were submit ted for possible employ ment placement, while 186 were successfully placed in jobs.

The Job Bank figures were highlighted by Minis ter of Labour, Joseph Ham ilton, on Monday, during his remarks at the opening of the National Job Fair at the Arthur Chung Confer ence Centre.

“Within eight months of the launch of the Na tional Job Bank website, over 300 job seekers ben efitted from the services of the CRMA, via the uses of the National Job Bank,” he said.

At the National Job Bank, job-seekers can post their credentials and em ployers can post vacancies, using the facility, which

can be accessed at www. jobs.gov.gy. Both the jobseekers and employers will be required to register and create accounts before us ing the services of the job bank.

The job bank is acces sible from any location where internet service is available. A virtual space which connects jobseekers and employers, the National Job Bank is managed by the CRMA.

“Against the back drop of rapid technologi cal changes globally and in Guyana, [the National Job Bank] launch al lowed for the moderni

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, addresses the audience at the Small Business Bureau’s annual awards reception and dinner, on Sunday evening

The homepage on the National Job Bank website

Youth Empowerment

THE government has been investing heavily in the development of hu man capital, especially as it relates to young people. This is indeed a positive and forward-looking step, given the critical role young people can, and do play in the exciting task of nationbuilding.

Young people comprise more than half of the total population, and the future belongs to them. Indeed, there is no better time in the country’s history to be young, given the enormous oppor tunities that now abound, thanks, in part, to the emer gence of our evolving pe troleum sector, but also to visionary leadership on the part of the PPP/C administra tion. Studies have shown that young people are much more

adaptable to change, are less constrained by tradition, and are more likely to innovate and think, as it were, outside of the box.

The fact is that young people do play a decisive role in decision-making, starting from the very top with the election of President Ali, who is now ranked among the youngest individuals to hold the office of president in the region, and, for that matter, the world at large.

The same could be said of former President, Dr. Bhar rat Jagdeo, who, at the time of his assumption of office as Executive President was the youngest in the coun try’s history, and the region. Both Dr. Ali and Dr. Jagdeo continue to play important leadership roles at the high est decision-making levels as

President and Vice-president, respectively.

This is consistent with the strong emphasis placed by the PPP on the involvement of young people in leader ship roles. Dr. Cheddi Jagan was still in his twenties when he won a seat in the Legisla tive Assembly in the 1947 elections, despite a limited franchise which prevented a significant number of work ing people from participat ing in the voting exercise, due to income and property restrictions. He subsequently became one of the youngest persons to have been elected as the colony’s Chief Minis ter and Premier.

This tradition of involv ing young people in leader ship roles has a long history, and is currently manifested in the composition of the cur

rent PPP/C Cabinet, which is, undoubtedly, the most youthful and energetic in the country’s history.

It is no exaggeration to state that the level of energy displayed by President Ali and his entire Cabinet is extraordinary, and has been a major contributory factor in the country’s transformation along the path of moder nity and economic and social prosperity.

The fact is that young people are now provided with opportunities to realise their full potential in ways not hitherto possible. Through the GOAL programme, eli gible Guyanese can now realise their dream of access ing higher education without having to place financial burdens on themselves or their families.

The same can be said of the National Youth Empow erment Programme admin istered by the Ministry of Labour through the Board of Industrial Training, where thousands of young Guya nese are trained in a variety of skill areas throughout the length and breadth of Guy ana. Young people are also the beneficiaries of the social policies of the PPP/C admin istration, especially in the areas of housing and educa tional opportunities.

Guyana is going places with young people at the helm, which, along with the support and guidance of seniors, has catapulted the country to new and greater heights.

The frontiers of develop ment are now rapidly expand ing, driven by our political

leaders. In all of this, the con tribution of our young people has been highly significant, and with the renewed em phasis placed on youths by President Ali, their contri butions to nation-building and governance will only be enhanced.

The fact is that the con tributions of all Guyanese, regardless of race, colour, creed, religious or politi cal affiliation, are needed if the full developmental potential is to be fully re alised. We can only move forward as a society with all hands on board, a re ality that has been fully recognised by President Ali as he envisaged a Guyana based on oneness and social cohesion, and one in which no Guyanese will be left behind.

Health Ministry rejects Kaieteur News’ unsubstantiated corruption claim

SEE FULL STATEMENT :

In a brazen and unsub stantiated, wicked editori al, Kaieteur News accused the PPP government of uncontrolled corruption, accusing the Dr. Irfaan Ali-led PPP government of doing the exact things they opposed the APNU+AFC Government for.

Kaieteur News accused the government of betray ing the people’s trust. They attempted to provide two examples of the corruption that caused them to be ag grieved. In so doing, Kai eteur News lowered itself to even the lowest of standards they have set for themselves.

The examples they cited are from the Auditor Gen eral’s Report 2021. Neither of the two examples they cited was even in the slight est way referred to by the Auditor General as ques tionable transactions. Both examples were statements for information.

First, the report listed all the suppliers for medicines and medical supplies for 2021. One large local com pany had contracts amount

ing to over 50 per cent of the total procurement for medi cines and medical supplies.

The Kaieteur News failed to mention that the Auditor General simply listed all the suppliers, with no assertion that anyone ob tained any contract through a breach of the procurement laws.

The specific company that Kaieteur News identi fied, earned contracts to supply medicines and medi cal supplies after winning publicly advertised tenders.

In all cases, the com pany earned contracts after submitting winning bids to the NPTAB. The Auditor General never inferred that any of the contracts obtained by any one of the suppliers was obtained through any illegitimate procedure or any violation of the procurement laws of Guyana.

The reference to the lo cal company in the report had nothing to do with any breach; it merely totalled the amount expended in 2021 and gave a breakdown of who was given contracts to supply medicines and medical supplies. None of the contracts, except for the

PAHO contract, was a solesourced contract.

The second example from the Auditor General Report 2021 that Kaieteur News highlighted as evi dence for its sweeping alle gation of corruption against the PPP government, and, specifically the MOH, is that $478 million of medicines and medical supplies were not delivered in 2021.

The Auditor General Re port 2021 did not cite this as an example of corrup tion. The report highlighted that that amount still had to be delivered and that the MOH provided explanations for the non-delivery of the goods.

Even Kaieteur News had to admit that the ex planations are logical and reflected the global reality. Throughout 2021 and 2022, medicines and medical sup plies, like other goods, suf fered from global shortages and long delays in transpor tation (logistical delays).

This is not a Guyana problem, nor has it been caused by the PPP govern ment. In addition, as pointed out by the Auditor General Report 2021, the Ministry’s

2021 procurement included COVID-19 supplies that would have been needed in 2022 and, therefore, were subjected to delayed or “staggered” delivery.

But Kaieteur News de cided that they can play magic with the Auditor Gen eral’s Report and turned a simple list of suppliers and an explanation of why de livery of some supplies was staggered into a corruption charge.

They admitted this much in their editorial when they stated that their only concern is that one supplier earned contracts for more than 50 per cent of the sums expend ed in 2021. While admitting that the company might have won these contracts because they have more capacity and may be more efficient than other suppliers, Kaieteur News decided to give more weight to any possibility that the company may have won contracts because of “reach and influence.”

Kaieteur News simply decided to ignore that these were public tenders that were won through free, fair and transparent processes which the Auditor General never

questioned.

The MOH in August 2020 inherited a system steeped in sole sourcing, such as the HBD contract, resulting from a rejected restricted tender process in which only invited bidders were allowed to tender and then after disqualifying all of them, reinvited each to resubmit new tenders and accepted the highest offer.

For example, in that 2017 process, HBD’s price for Neulasta was $205,675, compared to the $22,429 submitted by another com pany. Such total violation of the procurement laws does not happen at this time.

In addition, the MoH inherited a system in which suppliers routinely failed to supply medicines and sup plies they were fully paid for. For example, at the end of 2018, more than $346 million worth of medicines from contracts in 2015/2016 were not delivered. There are many examples of medicines and medical supplies that are still owing from 2016/2017.

The MoH has tried to ensure that all procurement is through public tender. In cases where sole sourcing is

the only credible procedure available, it is used, but only after obtaining NPTAB ap proval.

A case in point is the pro curement of vaccines. When Sinopharm vaccines were procured from Sinopharm, it was a direct purchase from Sinopharm. When Roche COVID-19 - were purchased for the PCR COVID-19 test, it was bought directly from the Roche-licensed agent.

If the two examples Kaieteur New cited are the reasons for Kaieteur News to accuse the Dr. Irfaan Aliled PPP government or the Frank Anthony-led MOH of corruption, Kaieteur News failed miserably to back up its claim.

For a news entity to brazenly paint the govern ment as corrupt to the core, it certainly appeared as if it was looking for a needle in a haystack. Not finding any credible example to make its case, it twisted the words of the Auditor Gen eral to raise the possibility that all may not be what they appeared to be. This is “gutter-journalism” and Kaieteur News ought to be ashamed of itself.

Police working with President Ali to empower youths, uplift communities

- acting Police Commissioner says

WHILE applauding President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, for his “proactive” approach to community development, Acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, has dis closed that efforts were being made to equip youths in vulnerable communities across the country with life skills.

During an interview with the Guyana Chroni cle on Monday, Hicken said that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has been working with Presi dent Ali and his team, to identify areas for im provement in various communities and provide assistance to school drop outs.

He explained that the aim was to expose young people to vocational training so that they can meaningfully contribute

to their communities.

According to him, once this smooth transi tion to the labour force occurs, the youths can also contribute to the development of Guyana.

Hicken noted that President Ali has recog nised the need for the youths of Leopold Street to be gainfully employed and has recommended that they be trained in carpentry, masonry, weld ing, among other skills.

On Sunday, President Ali visited the commu nity and, in addition to providing assistance for the youths, he pledged his commitment to ad dress drainage and road issues in the area, as well as housing challenges.

He invited the youths to get involved in gov ernment’s aggressive housing-construction

Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken

projects which he had previously said were in need of labour.

Hicken told this publi cation that there will be a follow-up exercise to en sure that the president’s instructions are being followed.

“I will be working in conjunction with Min ister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn and the Commander of ‘A’ Divi sion to ensure that it is realised,” he said.

He used the oppor tunity to commend the residents who came out in their numbers to meet

Fire destroys Happy Acres hardware store

the President, despite the rainy weather.

The commissioner re lated that unemployment among the youths and flooding were the main issues raised by residents.

“We [the police] will support Minister Benn

and we will get the youths employed as was instructed by the Presi dent,” he added.

Minister Benn has been appointed the gov ernment’s representative for the area and, as part of his mandate, he will regularly engage the resi dents of Leopold Street.

Meanwhile, in order to ensure that there is a better relationship be tween the police and the community, Hicken said a community relations department has been formed and, very soon, a 13-member community

relations foundation will be established.

He explained that the foundation will include representatives of the American Chambers of Commerce (AMCHAM), the private sector and civil society, including faith-based organisations.

“We are going to help in relation to identifying vulnerable youths, training them and integrating them into society through the private sector, so that they can be gainful ly employed,” Hicken added.

A FIRE of unknown origin has destroyed the Mohammed and Son Trading storage bond lo cated at Lot Nine, Felic ity, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The Guyana Chronicle understands that a quick response by the Guyana

Fire Service resulted in the fire being contained to the concrete bond.

According to an em ployee, the bond stored millions of dollars in flammable stocks. It was also related that employ ees were alerted of the fire, on Monday, while at

work and, upon their exit, observed a cloud of black smoke emanating from behind the building.

Firefighters report edly worked late into the night to completely extinguish the fire, and there were no reported injuries or loss of life.

Acting

Firefighters battling the blaze at Mohammed and Son Trading, on Monday (Elvin Croker photo)

Guyana initiates talks on visa-free travel to Italy

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and Interna tional Cooperation, Hugh Todd, has initi ated talks on visa-free travel to Italy, during discussions with nonresident AmbassadorDesignate of the Repub lic of Italy to Guyana, Fabrizio Nicoletti.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and In ternational Cooperation, Minister Todd pitched the idea of visa-free trav el by outlining that it would have mutual ben efits to both countries,

particularly through pri vate sector engagements and people-to-people ex changes.

During the engage ment, he said, too, that Guyana was committed to fostering stronger bilateral relations and partnership with Italy in priority areas of government including health, education and se curity.

He further related that Italy and the European Union (EU) remain valu able partners to Guyana and CARICOM.

On this note too, Am bassador Nicoletti allud ed to several technical cooperation initiatives, including Italy’s role in supporting the Agri-Food Systems agenda of CARI COM towards reducing

the Region’s food-import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

The CARICOM Ag ri-Food Systems Agenda is led by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali. The current implementation of the agenda gives special at tention to priority crops and products in Member States to achieve this target.

CGX commits to drilling new well by January 2023

FRONTERA Energy Cor poration and CGX Energy Inc., joint venture partners in the Petroleum Prospect ing Licence for the Coren tyne Block offshore Guy ana, have committed to drilling its new Wei-1 well by January 2023.

According to a release, the partners have made final preparations in advance of spudding the Wei-1 well, which follows the discovery of light oil and gas con densate at the Kawa-1 well earlier this year.

The Wei-1 well will be located approximately 14 kilometres northwest of the Kawa-1 exploration well in the Corentyne block, ap proximately 200 kilome tres offshore from George town, Guyana and will be drilled in water depth of ap proximately 1,912 feet (583 metres) to an anticipated total depth of 20,500 feet (6,248 metres).

“The Wei-1 well will

target Maastrichtian, Cam panian and Santonian aged stacked channels in a western channel complex in the north ern section of the Corentyne Block,” CGX said.

The company added: “As part of its preparations, the joint venture has agreed with the Government of Guy ana that the Wei-1 well will be spudded no later than Jan uary 31, 2023, utilising No bleCorp’s (formerly Maersk) NobleCorp Discoverer semisubmersible mobile drilling unit, which timeline is in keeping with the schedule provided to CGX Resources Inc. by NobleCorp so as to allow for the NobleCorp Dis coverer to complete its cur rent obligations in Trinidad.”

Under the terms of the licence for the Corentyne Block, the joint venture was previously required to spud Wei-1, the second of two commitment wells on the block, by November 27, 2022.

Orlando Cabrales,

Fron tera, commented: “The joint venture remains firmly com mitted to drilling the Wei-1 well and we are grateful for the ongoing support from the Government of Guyana as we mutually work to unlock the potentially transforma tional opportunity before us at Corentyne. Significant investment, planning and work has been completed in preparation to drill Wei-1 and we are ready to drill the well upon rig arrival in one of the most exciting exploration areas in the world.”

Following “construc tive” discussions with the Government of Guyana, CGX Energy Inc. had an nounced that, together with its joint venture partner, Frontera Energy Corpora tion, the company will be focusing exclusively on the exploration opportunities in the Corentyne Block, offshore Guyana.

Chief Executive Officer of

Location of CGX’s exploration wells

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd (left) and AmbassadorDesignate of the Republic of Italy to Guyana, Fabrizio Nicoletti

‘Top Cop’ urges traffic ranks to be professional

- signals zero-tolerance approach to abusive behaviour towards ranks

COMMISSIONER of Police, Clifton Hicken, met Monday morning, with Traffic Ranks of Police Regional Divisions 4 ‘A’ (Georgetown) and 4 ‘C’ (Cove and John, East Coast Demerara) where he reminded ranks of the importance of maintain ing professionalism at all times, despite the daily challenges faced while executing their duties.

Alluding to the Guy ana Police Force’s motto: ‘Service and Protection’, Commissioner Hicken told the ranks they should remember and be continu ally guided by the Force’s Standard Operating Proce dures (SOPs), which must be strictly adhered to at all times.

Commissioner Hicken made it clear that he had taken note of the recent in cidents of aggressive and

abusive attacks meted out to members of the Guyana Police Force, while they were carrying out their lawful duty to serve and protect.

The ‘Top Cop’ de clared that there would be a zero-tolerance approach and asked the public to de sist from such behaviour.

Hicken has been at the forefront of a strategic, people-centric focus on community outreaches to bridge the gap between the Police and the community.

Numerous Policeled outreaches were held in several communities across Guyana in re cent months, which have helped to win public trust and create partnerships to foster safer communities.

However, within the past two weeks, there have been, at least, three re ported cases of civilians

not only abusing police traffic ranks on duty but also physically attacking them in a blatant show of disrespect for the rule of law.

who

sworn

Mr Hicken said such behaviour would not be tolerated, and persons

feel they can assault and attack the Police, while carrying out their

duty to serve and protect, will face the full brunt of the law.

Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, addressing a section of the gathering of traffic ranks where he underscored the Force’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Parikawarinau residents benefit from $18M water supply system

APPROXIMATELY 211 persons from 56 households are now benefitting from a vastly improved water sup ply system in the village of Parikawarinau, in the Ru pununi, Region Nine.

The $18M water supply system was commissioned on Saturday by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin

Croal; Regional Chairman Brian AllicocK; Hinterland Service Director, Ramchand Jailal; Toshao Brian James and other village leaders.

Minister Croal spoke of the Government’s commit ment to ensuring 100 per cent coverage of potable water in all hinterland regions.

He urged residents to

play their part in ensuring that they get the maximum benefit from the system by taking care of all system components.

Under this project, engi neers from the Guyana Water Inc. installed a complete wa ter supply system comprising of a newly drilled well for an improved water source, the

installation of a 2 km distri bution network, the construc tion of 40 standpipes and the building of elevated storage. This new system now gives 95 per cent of the community access to potable water at a household level.

However, 12 households that reside far off the system need to be connected and would require approximately 8km of the network to be connected.

Parikawarinau village is situated approximately 35km south of Lethem’s main town. It is home to about 211 persons. Before upgrading the water supply system, residents relied on a hand-dug well and windmill system for the supply of po table water. Some residents would have to travel far distances to obtain potable water. This was one of the major challenges faced by the people of Parikawarinau village since there was no

network to serve the com munity.

Meanwhile, in summing up Government’s invest ment in the water sector for Region Nine, Minister Croal alluded to the fact that some $200 million has been ex pended in the region.

These investments have seen approximately 400 resi dents of Katoonarib, Region Nine, now receiving im proved access to potable wa ter following the completion of a Water Supply System.

In Potarinau, Region Nine, residents now have improved access to potable water following the expan sion of the water supply system.

Additionally, Parikwar inau now has a new water supply system; a new water supply system in Toka, Re gion Nine has provided first time access to potable water for close to 300 residents in the community.

They also benefit from a trestle equipped with stor age tanks, a Photovoltaic (PV) system and distribu tion pipelines in Shulinab, Region Nine, while ensuring improved access to potable water for 400 residents.

Further, the villages in St. Ignatius, Annai, Rupertee, Aranaputa and Wowetta have benefitted from improved water supply systems.

Additional Projects will be undertaken in 2022 and extending into 2023 in Re gion Nine.

This will see an invest ment of some $270M in budgetary allocatoin for water supply improvement projects in Shulinab, Meri wau, Karadarunau, Ma sakanari, Achiweb, Shea, Rupunau, Yakarinta, Ka toka, Para Bara, Quarrie and Sawariwau

Villages to provide full coverage and first-time access to some residents.

The newly commissioned water system in Parikawarinau,

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, looks on, along with other officials and residents as a child of Parikawarinau, Region Nine, cuts the ceremonial ribbon to commission the $18M water supply system

British officials signal intention to increase development support

SENIOR Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, on Mon day, outlined the govern ment’s plans to utilise its oil revenue to diversify its non-oil economy into a globally competitive one, and to invest in citizens to create a suitably equipped and skilled workforce in line with the current and future demand for new sets of skills.

Dr. Singh shared the gov ernment’s vision with visit ing Development Director for the Caribbean, Foreign, Commonwealth and De velopment Office and UK Director to the Caribbean Development Bank, Mal colm Geere, and Economic Adviser, Team Leader, In clusive Economic Growth, Caribbean, Foreign, Com monwealth and Development Office, Liz Brower.

The British officials were led by the British High Com missioner to Guyana, Jane Miller.

According to a press statement from the Ministry

of Finance, besides its intro ductory purpose, the meeting served as an opportunity for the British team to discuss with the minister how the United Kingdom could part ner with Guyana to increase mobilisation of development support, as the government continues to create a number of international partnerships to catapult its current devel opment agenda.

“Notwithstanding the commencement of oil pro duction in Guyana and this illusion that there is wind fall revenue, we still feel strongly about utilising as much development support as we can,” Dr. Singh said to the UK officials, noting that Guyana values its longstand ing relationship with the UK.

The senior minister said that the government plans to ensure that revenues earned from Guyana’s oil and gas sector, will be used to lay the foundation for the future.

Specifically, it will be used for developments in agriculture, transport infra structure (for improved ac cess to productive land and

to improve access to con tinuous markets), energy infrastructure (to provide reliable and affordable en ergy as this would be impor tant especially to facilitate a competitive manufacturing sector), physical infrastruc ture such as roads, bridges schools and hospitals, and for investments in people to en sure that they are adequately equipped with the skills to meet new demands.

Dr. Singh also said that the government intends to fully capitalise on its Low Carbon Development Strat egy (LCDS), and will con tinue to manage Guyana’s tropical rainforest in a sus tainable manner in order to be compensated by the world

for its forest conservation and clean air contribution.

The minister also touched briefly on Guyana’s Sover eign Wealth Fund, which he reminded, comprises the oil proceeds being put aside for future generations.

He added that along with this, the government wants to ensure the improved wellbeing of Guyanese by al lowing for them to have their own homes, access to education and have market able skills and careers in a diversified economy where they can continue to thrive as well as be provided with modern health care even after the country’s oil would have been exhausted in the future.

Guyana and the UK have

been collaborating on a num ber of development projects.

Recently, the UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund provided US$66 million toward the US$190 million Linden to Mabura road project.

The two-lane highway between Linden and Mabura Hill forms part of the arterial link between Linden and the Lethem Highway, essentially connecting Guyana to Brazil.

A dditionally, through the UK Export Finance (UKEF), the Government of Guyana is constructing a Paediatric and Maternal Hospital. The building and equipping of the state-ofthe-art hospital will cost 149 million pounds.

Meanwhile, Co-operation

programmes/projects be tween Guyana and the UK also include the Diamond Di agnostic Centre, the Lethem Hospital, the Leonora Cot tage Hospital, the Mabaruma Hospital and the Paramakatoi Hospital.

Through collaboration between the two countries as well, earlier this month, Guyanese are now able to visit the UK visa-free.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali had stressed as well during the announcement of this waiver on visas that the two governments aim to further expand bilateral relations with the hope of furthering investments, including ex pansion of Guyana’s tour ism market.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, on Monday, outlined the government’s plans to utilise its oil revenue to diversify its non-oil economy into a globally competitive one during an engagement with UK officials

- sensitised on Guyana’s transformational diversification plans during discussions with Dr. Singh

Rupununi Expo stimulates business interest in Region Nine

By Naomi Parris

WITH over 20 participat ing villages, a delegation from Brazil and investors from Barbados, the Ta batinga sports complex, in Lethem, Central Ru pununi, was abuzz with activity on Saturday eve ning when the grand busi ness and investment expo sition made a return after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Celebrated under the theme, “Creating a strong and secure private sector in Region Nine while support

many small businesses lo cated in the Rupununi and Brazil displaying a variety of unique products.

While delivering the feature address, Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond, reminded everyone of the government’s continued support to the private sec tor and the residents of the Rupununi.

ther that the government’s broad-based development vision and efforts will see great opportunities for eco nomic prosperity in the region and other hinterland regions.

She later alluded to some of the recent initia tives that government has embarked on which will benefit the people of Re gion Nine.

for funding to upgrade the second half of the road from Mabura Hill to Let hem.

“When completed, the road will be a transforma tional catalyst for industry and commerce between Re gion Nine and the coast and indeed the wider world,” Minister Walrond said.

ing the One-Guyana initia tive”, the event, which was hosted by the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), saw

“…Our presence here today and our support for the Rupununi Expo is be cause of our belief that development must occur in every village, every town, every county and every re gion of our country, and Re gion Nine is no exception,” Walrond told the gathering.

The minister noted fur

“We are pursuing the construction of an all-weather road from Georgetown to Lethem. We have secured over UD$100 million for the segment

With many investors signaling their interest in the region, she noted that investment opportunities are on the horizon for the Rupununi area.

“The contemporary Expo generates interests not only within Region Nine. What we now see is partic ipation from other regions in Guyana, from Brazil and from the Caribbean,” she added.

Meanwhile, in further reiter ating the govern ment’s support for the re gion’s private sector, Am erindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai, in brief remarks said: “I am very pleased to be associated with this Rupununi busi ness investment event… the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and, by extension, our Government of Guy ana, that is the People’s Progressive Party/Civic government has been in partnership with RCCI from its very inception, and so this partnership has grown.”

advancing the region’s ag riculture, tourism, business and infrastructure sectors.

from Linden to Mabura Hill, which is currently un der construction,” she said.

According to the minis ter, government is looking

In support of the event, Minister Sukhai handed over a donation of $1.5 million to the president of RCCI, Daniel Gajie.

She later emphasised government’s support for

“The Rupununi econo my is actually based mainly on tourism and agriculture. But, of course, we have to look further afield… we need to expand it to improve the service sec tor,” she said, adding that the service industry and tourism complement each other.

Also delivering remarks at the event was Minis ter of Housing and Water, Minister Collin Croal, who noted that while Guyana is

undergoing physical trans formation, the development of its people must also take place.

As such, he urged the RCCI to see that invest ments continue at the com munity level so as to ensure economic stability and de velopment of residents.

“We would like for the chamber to also play a greater role in working with many of these com munities, village coun cils, etc., so that they can maximise on their poten tial…,” Minister Croal said.

Hundreds of jobs on the cards for Region Six residents

- as works progress on call centre

RESIDENTS of Region Six will soon have access to hundreds of jobs, as works progress on a new call cen tre in the region.

According to a post on President, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s of ficial Facebook page: “Con struction is moving apace nicely on the call center in Region Six. When complet ed, this facility will create hundreds of jobs for mainly young people in Berbice.”

It was reported that the government had budgeted to create the infrastructure for a call centre in in the region.

President Ali, in Decem ber 2021, had said that the government is developing the entire country and that Region Six will not be left behind.

The initiative in Berbice forms part of fulfilling yet another manifesto promise of providing 50,000 jobs in the

first five-year term.

Thousands of jobs have already been created across the country in just over two years through the opening of the Linden call centre, the government’s imple mentation of the part-time job initiative, the major housing drive and con struction boom, and other public and private initia tives.

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal

Residents of Region Six will soon have access to hundreds of jobs, as works progress on a new call centre

- Tourism Minister urges residents to capitalise on opportunities

With over 20 participating villages, a delegation from Brazil and investors from Barbados, the Tabatinga sports complex, in Lethem, Central Rupununi, was abuzz with activity on Saturday evening when the grand business and investment exposition made a return after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic

AG heads AML/CFT Guyana team to CFATF -

55th Plenary being held in Cayman Islands

The Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, leads Guy ana’s delegation at the Caribbean Financial Ac tion Task Force (CFATF) 55th Plenary and Work ing Group Meetings be ing held in the Cayman Islands from November 27 to December 1, 2022.

The delegation includes Dr. Gobind Ganga, Gov ernor of the Central Bank; Mr. Matthew Langevine, Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU); Ms. Alicia Williams Head of Compliance -FIU; Mr. Fazil Karimbaksh - Head of the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU); Ms. Natasha Backer – Assistant Direc tor of Public Prosecutions, and Mr. Rommel St Hill, Anti Money Laundering/ Combatting the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Officer in the Attorney Gen eral’s Office.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this is the first Plenary and Working Group meetings by this body since November 2019. The Plena ry, which opens on Wednes day, November 30, 2022, will follow the working

group meetings such as the Heads of FIU forum, a working group of FATF issues, International Cooperation Review Group, Steering Group, and CFATF Risks Trends and Methods Group.

According to the Attor ney General’s Chambers, at these meetings, countries who are in the assessment process get the opportu nity to discuss key issues identified in their Draft Mutual Evaluation Report; countries that have already been assessed under the fourth-round process pro vide updates on progress made since their evalua tion; delegates are provided updates on outcomes for the FATF various meetings, and on new and emerging money laundering threats in the region.

“These meetings also provide opportunities for member states to discuss the implementation of new recommendations and strat egies and difficulties that may arise in relation thereto. Co-operation and the build ing of institutional rela tionships for exchange of information that may assist

in new or ongoing investi gations are enhanced,” the AG chambers noted in a press release on Monday.

Guyana’s attendance at these meetings is very

important, especially as the country prepares for its fourth-round mutual evaluation which is sched uled for 2023. It gives the delegates the opportunity

to benefit from the discus sions of the mutual evalu ation of two of its close neighbours, Suriname and Venezuela whose Reports are currently being dis

cussed and will be fea tured prominently at the Plenary. Both countries have been flagged with various identified deficien cies.

Guyana book exhibition opens at Cuba’s National Library

pointed out that it was re markable that the Exhibition took place in the year of the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Guyana and Cuba.

He expressed gratitude to the Director and assured him that Guyana would continue to make available, on an on going basis, more and more publications for the Guyana Section of the Library since the scope for research in various academic disciplines has widened in recent times.

Global Life and Guyana in the World: The First Fifty Years and The Predatory Challenge; two publications by the Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The New Conquistadores and Impe rial Ambition: Venezuela’s Threat to Guyana; several volumes of THINKER (do nated by former Guyana President Donald Ramo tar); several foreign policy Monographs by Guyana’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rashleigh Jackson and 90 other titles.

THE first Guyana Book Exhibition was declared open Saturday last at the Jose Marti National Li brary in Havana, Cuba.

Speaking at the opening ceremony was the Director of the Library, Omar Valino Cedre, also a Member of the Central Committee of the

Communist Party of Cuba.

He welcomed the exposi tion and hoped the Library would become a repository for Guyana’s historical docu

ments, rare books, and publi cations from both contempo rary and earlier authors.

Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba, Halim Majeed,

Among the publications on display were Dr Cheddi Jagan’s classic, The West On Trial, and seven vol umes of Dr. Jagan’s Ad dresses in the Parliament of Guyana; Sir Shridath Ramphal’s Glimpses of a

The Guyana Classics Library, which comprised re-published works by Ed gar Mittleholzer, Martin Carter, Jan Carew and A.J. Seymour, among oth ers, generated significant interest.

(From left) Fazil Karimbaksh - Head of the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU); Matthew Langevine, Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU); Natasha Backer – Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions; Mohabir Anil Nandlall, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs; Alicia Williams Head of Compliance -FIU; Dr. Gobind Ganga, Governor of the Central Bank and Rommel St Hill, Anti Money Laundering/Caribbean Financial Task Force (AML/CFT) Officer in the Attorney General’s Office

Some of Guyana’s publications on display at the Jose Marti National Library in Havana, Cuba

‘Pirates’ found guilty of murdering five fishermen

A 12-member jury, on Monday, found well known Corentyne businessman, Na kool Manohar, called ‘Fyah’, and his accomplice guilty of murder ing five fishermen in 2018.

Manohar, 42, of Number 43 Village, and Premnauth Persaud, 46, also known as ‘Sanbat,’ were on trial before Jus tice Navindra Singh, at the Berbice High Court, for their alleged roles in the deadly piracy at tacks.

Last month, the pair had denied that, between April and June 2018, while in Guyana’s ter ritorial waters, they mur

dered Mahesh Sarjoo called ‘Kuba’ and Ti laknauth Mohabir called ‘Camion’, on board the vessel, Romina SK 764, while committing the of fence of piracy.

It was further alleged that the men, during the same period, murdered Bandara called ‘Span ish man’, Laita Sumair called ‘Bora’ and Lokesh DeCouite, on board the vessel, Joshua SK 1418.

On Monday, the jury, after deliberating for almost two hours, returned with a guilty verdict against the men. Justice Singh deferred sentencing until January

16, 2023.

The State was repre sented by special pros ecutor, Latchmie Raha mat and State counsel, Nafeeza Baig.

According to the facts of the case, during the period April 14 and June 3, 2018, four fishing vessels were attacked by pirates and, during the incidents, several fishermen were savagely beaten, chopped, burnt with hot oil and left to die, while others remain missing and are feared dead.

Five fishermen sur vived the traumatic ordeal.

Convicted murderer: Nakool Manohar called ‘Fyah’

Convicted murderer: Premnauth Persaud called ‘Sanbat’

English Racing Tips

Lingfield

08:10 hrs Phenomenon

08:45 hrs Billy's Joy

09:20 hrs Stranger Things

09:50 hrs Eltham Palace

10:20 hrs Borgi

10:50 hrs Easy Equation

11:20 hrs Come On Girl

Southwell

08:25 hrs Fairfield Ferrata 09:00 hrs Gemirande 09:35 hrs Mexican Boy

10:05 hrs Pougne Aminta

10:35 hrs Mrs Grimley

11:05 hrs Biowavego

10:35 hrs Samatian

Wolverhampton

10:45 hrs Minhaaj

11:15 hrs Monsieur Fantaisie

11:50 hrs Never Dark

12:20 hrs Fairmac

12:50 hrs Baccrat Baby

13:20 hrs Mohatu

13:50 hrs Court Of Session

14:20 hrs Inexplicable

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India batter Ruturaj Gaikwad hits seven sixes in one over

RUTURAJ Gaikwad has become the first cricketer to hit seven sixes in one over in a limited-overs match.

The India batter, 25, broke the record in a Vijay Hazare Trophy quarter-final, playing for Maharashtra against Uttar Pradesh in Ahmedabad on Monday.

Left-arm spinner Shiva Singh was the bowler hit for seven sixes - the fifth of which came off a no-ball, earning Gaikwad an extra delivery.

The 43 runs conceded also equalled the record for most runs off an over.

That record was set in Hamilton, New Zealand in 2018 by Northern Districts batters Joe Carter and Brett Hampton, who hit Central Districts' Willem Ludick for six sixes, a four and a single in an over containing two no-balls.

Gaikwad, who plays for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, smashed 220 off 159 balls, including 16 sixes and 10 fours - going from 165 off 147 to 207 off 154 after his seven sixes.

The opener's unbeaten 220 helped Maharashtra to post 330-5 from their 50 overs, on the way to a 58run win.

In 1990, former New Zealand captain Lee Germon hit eight sixes in an over

which went for 77 during a first-class match, albeit in contrived circumstances.

West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers was the first batter to hit six sixes in an over in professional cricket, and Gaikwad is the 10th player to do so.

Gaikwad also equalled the record - held by three men - of hitting the highest number of sixes (16) in a single List-A (limited-overs) innings.

Who has hit six sixes in an over in professional cricket?

1968 - Sir Garfield Sobers (for Nottinghamshire v Glamorgan)*

1984 - Ravi Shastri (Bombay v Baroda)*

2007 - Herschelle Gibbs (South Africa v Neth erlands, World Cup)

2007 - Yuvraj Singh (India v England, T20)

2017 - Ross Whiteley (Worcestershire v Yorkshire, T20)

2018 - Hazratullah Zazai (Kabul Zwanan v Balkh Legends, T20)

2020 - Leo Carter (Canterbury v Northern Dis tricts, T20)

2021 - Kieron Pollard (West Indies v Sri Lanka, T20)

2021 - Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka Army Sports Club v Bloomfield, List A)

2022 (seven) - Ruturai Gaikwad (Maharashtra v Uttar Pradesh, List A)

Casemiro hits winner...

goalless draw before Case miro's moment of brilliance.

The midfielder had been described before the game as Brazil's "invisible man" by Gilberto Silva - part of their last World Cup-winning side of 2002. It was a tribute to the midfielder's willingness to quietly do the team's dirty work.

But this time, Casemiro was the centre of attention at the end, as he and his teammates celebrated victory by jumping and singing in front of their fans.

It was a lovely finish too - with the Brazilians playing quick interchange passes before substitute Rodrygo of

Real Madrid slipped a pass to Casemiro to fire an angled finish with the outside of his boot.

Without injured star man Neymar, who was out in jured and won't recover until the knockout stage, Brazil lacked inspiration in the fi nal third and found chances at a premium.

The tournament favour ites are stacked with attack ing players but it was their defensive midfield maestro who extended their unbeaten run in the group stages to a record 17 games.

It took Brazil 27 minutes to have their first shot, Vini cius Jr's scuffed volley at the back post was pushed out by

Sommer, while Raphinha's well-struck effort from range was straight at the Switzer land goalkeeper.

The Swiss had to aban don their defensive shape when they conceded late on and further chances fell Brazil's way but they were unable to add further goals.

Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes' header was straight at Sommer, while Rodrygo had the best opening for a sec ond in injury-time, but his thumping shot was brilliantly blocked by Manchester City defend er Manuel Akanji. (BBC Sport)

Gaikwad made his debut ODI appearance for India in October against South Africa FROM

World Cup 2022:

Aboubakar stunner and Ghana joy light up ‘wild’ Monday in Qatar

TWO games, 11 goals and four hours of scintil lating tournament football. If only the World Cup was around to brighten up ev ery Monday.

First, Cameroon fought from 3-1 down to draw with Serbia in a six-goal thriller in Group G.

And hot on the heels of that morning treat (at least for UK viewers), Ghana went one better than their African rivals by beating South Korea 3-2 in a breathless Group H encounter.

Two matches that show cased the best of the World Cup. BBC Sport looks at how the last day of early kick-offs in Qatar threw up a couple of thrillers.

Cameroon comeback kicks things off

Having matches to watch just after breakfast over the past week has been a luxury. It's just a shame the early games have largely failed to deliver.

While the first 10:00 GMT kick-off produced one of the all-time shocks - Saudi

Arabia's comeback win over Argentina - the next five yielded only five goals.

Speaking on BBC One before Ghana's win, for mer France defender Lau ra Georges said Morocco's shock win over Belgium on Sunday has inspired the Af rican countries in Qatar.

"I feel like the game from yesterday is giving so much energy and inspiration for the African teams," she said.

"Even the teams that are not expected to go far in the competition are saying 'we can make it if you go strong

and go as a team'."

This World Cup has al ready given us five goalless draws. Plenty of the matches so far have failed to catch fire.

But in the tussle for knockout places, the world's best are lighting up football's most glamorous stage.

Thankfully, the tourna ment saved the best early game for last as Cameroon and Serbia played out a cap tivating, topsy-turvy draw at Al Janoub Stadium.

The World Cup often serves up a classic when

Taylor calls for considered words amid Langer spat with Cricket Australia

any feud is likely to reflect poorly on the Australian game as a whole.

"If he's got a cross to bear, he wants to let peo ple know, so he comes out with it," Taylor told Nine's Sports Sunday.

you least expect it and so it proved as two teams who failed to score in their open ing game engaged in an en thralling spectacle.

An hour in, Serbia were feeling pretty good about life.

While they fell behind to Jean-Charles Castelletto's goal, Strahinja Pavlovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Aleksandar Mitrovic had put Dragan Stojkovic's side firmly in control.

Serbia looked menac ing when they attacked in numbers. With their defence crumbling and with Brazil to come in the final game, Cam eroon began to fear the worst.

Then came the Vincent Aboubakar show.

When the striker replaced Martin Hongla, two minutes after Mitrovic put Serbia 3-1 up, Cameroon were in dire need of inspiration.

And boy did he answer the call.

In the 63rd minute, Abou bakar latched on to Castel letto's ball over the top of the Serbia defence. Bearing down on goal, the 30-year-

old cut back to lose Nemanja Maksimovic before scooping the ball over keeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic's 6ft 9in frame.

Aboubakar's nonchalant finish may have been a re sult of him thinking he had strayed offside, but when the goal was given after a video assistant referee check, any disappointment made way for a beaming smile.

Three minutes later, Aboubakar was at it again, sprinting clear of the Serbia back-line before picking out Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting for the equaliser, sparking wild celebrations among the Cameroon fans in the stands.

'Absolutely staggering' Serbia couldn't believe it. Neither could Pat Nevin, who was co-commentating for BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I never saw that coming - it is absolutely staggering," said the former Scotland winger.

"This World Cup is wild. A great contest between two different styles, I wish every game was like this."

Nevin got his wish as Ghana topped Cameroon's fightback by edging out South Korea in hugely dra matic fashion.

Trailing to Mohammed Salisu and Mohammed Ku dus goals at half-time, South Korea clawed their way back through Cho Gue-sung's quickfire headed double.

But Ghana, who lost 3-2 to Portugal in their open er, bagged all three points thanks to Kudus' low drive and some frantic defending in a nerve-shredding finale.

To add further drama, South Korea boss Paulo Ben to was sent off after the final whistle for confronting refer ee Anthony Taylor amid cha otic scenes that captured the stark contrast of Ghanaian joy and Korean heartache.

The Ghana players en joyed a pre-match song as they arrived at the stadium on Monday. They probably won't stop singing now until they face Uruguay on Friday. (BBC Sport)

Canada win Davis Cup for first time with victory over Australia

CANADA won the Davis Cup for the first time by beating Australia in the final in Malaga.

FORMER Australia captain Mark Taylor believes Justin Langer's acrimonious spat with Cricket Australia could damage the team's inter national brand, calling for both to be wary of their words

Langer, who departed the top job in February, accused sources within his camp of being "cowards" over leaking stories to the media on the Back Chat

podcast.

That prompted criti cism from Cricket Austra lia chief executive Nick Hockley, while Langer subsequently denied a rift with players and bowler Mitchell Starc defended his relationship with the former coach.

Now Taylor, who cap tained the Test team be tween 1994 and 1999, has called for consideration from all parties, arguing

"The only thing I would say to Justin, or to players, or to administra tors in general, is I'd like to see everyone just think a little bit more about Aus tralian cricket.

"I don't mean Cricket Australia, I mean Austra lian cricket [itself], before they make comment. It's not great for the brand.

"Let's have a bit more positivity around Australian cricket. Less thought about individ ual brands, and a bit more about the team brand or the national brand."(Sportsmax).

In the opening singles rubber, Denis Shapovalov made up for his defeat in the semi-finals with a 6-2 6-4 win over Thanasi Kok kinakis.

His Canada team-mate Felix Auger-Aliassime, the world number six, then beat Alex de Minaur 6-3 6-4 to give his country an unassail able 2-0 lead.

"The emotions are tough to describe," said Auger-Aliassime.

"All of us here - we've dreamed of this moment. It's really a dream come true."

Canada were appearing in only their second Davis Cup final.

Their first, in 2019, brought defeat by Rafael Nadal's Spain but they got their hands on the World

Canada won the Davis Cup for the first time - 109 years after first playing in the World Cup of tennis

Cup of tennis on Sunday - 109 years after they first played the tournamentat the expense of 28-time champions Australia.

Shapovalov, ranked 18th in the world, raced into a 4-0 lead against Kokkinakis before the Australian got a game on the board.

But after wrapping up the first set comfortably, Shapovalov broke early in the second to put his coun try on course for a historic win.

Auger-Aliassime faced a

tougher challenge in world number 24 De Minaur and was forced to fend off three early break points in their singles rubber.

He finally got a break himself in the eighth game, and after sealing the first set with an ace, he defended two further break points be fore going on to clinch the title for Canada.

"We all developed as players individually; we got better and better over the years," Auger-Alias sime added.(BBC Sport).

Ghana’s Tariq Lamptey consoles South Korea’s Son Heung-min after the final whistle

Mark Taylor captained the Australia Test team between 1994 and 1999

Joseph’s journey from Aussie net bowler to Windies ‘enforcer’

By Louis Cameron in Perth

…Six years after storm ing in at the Aussies as a net bowler, Alzarri Jo seph will enter Wednes day's first Test as a key component of the visi tors' chances of winning back the Frank Worrell trophy

Having terrorised Aus tralia's batters as a net bowler on the other side of the world six years ago, speedster Alzarri Joseph has been backed to do the same in the middle of Perth Stadium in his first Test campaign down under.

Described as the "en forcer" of the West Indies bowling attack, Joseph has come a long way since his introduction to the Australians in St Kitts in 2016 when Justin Langer compared him to Usain Bolt and Andre Russell after he bowled for over an hour at one of their training sessions on the small Caribbean island.

"He's a beautiful ath lete and he bowled fast," Langer, the stand-in coach

for that 2016 tri-series in the Caribbean, said of the young Antiguan at the time. "He bowled fast and beautiful yorkers. And what an athlete."

Little did Langer, who had jokingly asked Jo seph between deliveries if he wanted to play for the Perth Scorchers side he was in charge of at the time, that cricket would indeed one day bring the paceman to the Western Australian capital.

The fact Joseph has done so having helped bowled the Windies to home series wins over En gland and Bangladesh this year, snaring 22 wickets at 25.81 in five match es, should make him the bowler Australia spend the most time worrying about ahead of the NRMA Insurance series beginning Wednesday.

The fast, bouncy Perth pitch will offer him far more assistance than the mostly slow surfaces tracks he has had to con tend with in the Caribbean.

David Warner vivid ly recalls facing the then 19-year-old who had re cently helped the Windies

win the Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh in 2016

Warner then got a fur ther taste of his prowess when he became one of the six wickets Joseph took in his Indian Premier League debut in 2019.

"We saw him just bowl ing thunderbolts. On those wickets, they were quite glassy and a bit ridgey, it was a bit daunting," Warner said of his 2016 encounter with Joseph.

"We just didn't know where he'd come from. He was young back then. It's good to see him evolve from then.

"He's a fantastic bowl er, he's got a good record. I faced him in the IPL when he first came in and took six-for against us.

"He's an exciting young talent. That's what West Indies cricket needs, they need guys coming in and bowling at high speeds. Hopefully the wickets get back to what they were in the '80s and '90s in the Caribbean."

Warner will get a taste of how much Joseph has improved in the years since when the left-handed opener sizes up the Wind

ies bowlers this week.

Veteran Kemar Roach, no stranger to ruffling Aus tralian feathers himself having famously touched up Ricky Ponting in his first tour here, may be the Windies' attack leader but Joseph's ability to send down repeated spells at pace makes him his side's greatest threat with the ball.

Jason Holder was Jo seph’s first Test captain and watched him dismiss Virat Kohli with just his 15th delivery on debut in St Kitts, only two months after impressing the Auss ies in the nets.

"He burst onto the scene when he played for the West Indies youth team, and that was a trium phant team in Bangladesh, so that's where he really made his name," Holder said on Monday.

"Then he quickly pro gressed into international cricket.

"I was actually quite shocked last week when he said he's 26 and we cel ebrated his 26th birthday on tour.

"It's just amazing how the time has flown by. It's

just so good to see him still here fit and healthy, and actually developing quite nicely."

As Holder remembers, Joseph was initially a quiet presence in the changeroom, but his gradual emergence as a first-choice bowler in all three formats has seen him grow in con fidence

Now, the Windies want him to be the man who can put the Aussies on their toes in their own backyard.

"He's got pace, he's very aggressive at times too," said Holder. "He's probably going to be the guy we ask to be the en forcer and be a little bit more aggressive.

"He's developed a lot. Alzarri was very intro verted (at first), and didn't say much in the dressing room, but now he's a lot more comfortable around his peers and the guys have made him feel really welcome as well too.

"He's probably one of the more seasoned cam paigners around when it comes to all-format cricket for West Indies over the last couple of years and he's developed nicely in my opinion.

"I just think, looking forward to this series, it will be a really good series for him, an away-fromhome series in these tough conditions against good opposition.

"It's really good to see young players come on and do well this type of series."(Cricket.com.au)

England will ‘risk losing to win’ in Pakistan-coach McCullum

ENGLAND will contin ue to play an aggressive brand of Test cricket during their three-match series in Pakistan, says coach Brendon McCul lum.

Ben Stokes' side won six out of seven Tests over the summer, but have not yet applied their new ap proach overseas.

"We'll be pushing for results but we want to play entertaining cricket," Mc Cullum told BBC Sport.

"There may be a time where you risk losing to win and if Pakistan are good enough to beat us, that's cool too."

The former New Zea land captain added: "Our

goal is to make Test cricket a sport which people want to turn on and be prepared to pay their money for, and they walk away entertained.

"With some of the conditions we'll be faced with it might push us into that more aggressive style

which we like anyway."

The first Test begins in Rawalpindi on Thurs day, 1 December (05:00 GMT), with the series to be completed just before Christmas.

Test matches in Pakistan have a reputation for being

slow burners, with attrition al cricket generally played until a result is forced late on the fifth day, if at all.

On England's last Test tour to Pakistan in 2005, they were beaten 2-0 with one match ending in a draw - both defeats coming on day five.

Australia toured Paki stan earlier this year and two of the three Tests were drawn, with Australia win ning the series decider late on the final day.

"One thing we're keen on is not to be bound by preconceived thoughts on the wickets over here," said McCullum.

"They'll all be different and if we do that, we don't

allow ourselves to play what's in front of us."

Several of England's Test squad were in the squad which won the T20 World Cup in Australia earlier this month.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, who is not fit for the first Test but should be fine to play in the second, Stokes, Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone have all travelled to Pakistan.

Opening batter Ben Duckett and all-rounder Will Jacks, who were seen as white-ball specialists, have also received call-ups for this tour.

"Some of them you're probably more used to see ing in white-ball cricket but

hopefully they can bring a little bit of that panache to this set-up too," said Mc Cullum.

"Even though Test cricket in the sub-continent can sometimes be more arduous and draining, there can still be opportunities to explode with your skill set and hopefully they are brave enough to do that when the time comes."

Meanwhile, Stokes has announced he will donate his match fees for the tour to victims of the Pakistan flood.

It is England's first vis it to the country for Test matches since the attack on Sri Lanka's team bus in 2009.((BBC Sport).

A baby-faced Alzarri Joseph bowls against India on Test debut in 2016 // Getty

England head coach Brendon McCullum

Holder urges West Indies quicks to not get

‘carried away seeing carry and bounce’ in Perth

ON what is expected to be a bouncy and quick Optus Stadium pitch - a far cry from the slow er Caribbean surfacesWest Indies' pace attack has been urged to be restrained and patient against the experienced Australia batters in the first Test starting on Wednesday.

Having not won a Test in Australia for 25 years, West Indies are the un derdogs in the two-Test series, but their talented quicks provide hope of a positive result in like ly bowler-friendly con ditions. While it will be tempting for them to un leash an all-out assault against a team returning from a four-month Test break, they have been advised against bowling too full or too short at a ground where runs can come quickly.

"People get carried away seeing carry and bounce, but you still have got to find a really good length suitable for the wicket," Jason Holder said on Monday. "Under standing when to attack, when to defend, and just understanding the context of scenarios and the phase of the game.

"I think the most import ant thing for our bowlers is to make sure the Australian batters work really hard for their runs. We've just got to assess the conditions early and make the necessary adjustments."

Holder said he would be available to bowl in the Tests after not being used during the two warm-up matches.

Anticipation is build ing for fiery quick Alz arri Joseph's first Test in Australia. In a bid to rattle a veteran Australia top

order, Joseph is expected to be used in short, sharp bursts in warm Perth.

"He's got pace and he's very aggressive. A guy who will be an enforcer," Holder said of Joseph, who can consistently bowl at around 145kph/90mph. The added responsibil ity underlines Joseph's growing maturity after making his Test debut as a 19-year-old in 2016.

"I was actually quite shocked that he's 26... we celebrated his birthday on tour recently," Holder said. "It's amazing the time that has flown, so good to see him fit and healthy. He's obviously developed a lot as he was very introverted, and didn't say much in the dressing room. He's a lot more comfortable around his peers, he's one of the more seasoned cam

paigners when it comes to all-format cricket."

Joseph should form an exciting pairing with Jayden Seales, who has burst on to Test cricket with 36 wickets at 21.77 from nine matches.

"I think Jayden has a lot of skill... he has swing and control. I think that's his two greatest attributes," Holder said. "Maybe there won't be much swing in these conditions but he's good enough to extract some seam movement.

While West Indies' dip in white-ball cricket was underlined by an early exit at the T20 World Cup recently, they have shown glimpses of a Test rebirth marked by an impressive home victory against En gland in March.

"If you look at the nu cleus of the Test side, I think we've been together for the last five, six years,"

Holder said. "I think that is really important in com parison to the other sides... probably a little bit more chopping and changing.

"I think our long-for mat cricket has really de veloped, so it's really good signs and a lot of our play ers are developing."

With West Indies re freshed after a much-need ed breather, Holder took inspiration from quick Kemar Roach's mem orable venomous spell against Ricky Ponting at the WACA in 2009 as they eyed ending a hoodoo in Australia.

"It's a tour that people can make their names. Kemar Roach... has gone on to be one of our leading bowlers," Holder said. "We've been through a lot as a side and it's not going to be an easy tour.

(Cricinfo).

Stokes wants England bowler ‘fit and ready’ for Ashes next summer

BEN Stokes says he wants Jofra Archer to be "fit and ready" for the Ashes against Aus tralia next summer.

Archer, 27, made his comeback after 16 months out for England Lions in this week's tour match against En gland.

With the match in Abu Dhabi drawn, Fri day's final day was can celled in favour of a net session

"It's great to see him back running with the ball in his hand. He's one of the superstars of the international game," Stokes told Sky Sports. Archer has not played for England since March 2021 because of two rounds of elbow surgery and then a stress fracture

of the back.

"He's just really ex cited to be back, " added Test captain Stokes. "He's obviously had a long time off with injury and, as ex citing as it is, we've got to be careful not to rush him back as we don't want to see Jofra Archer on the sidelines for this amount of [time] again.

"Hopefully we can have Jofra fit and ready, especially for the Ashes. That's something that we're looking at."

Archer agrees the Ashes, which start in June, is a target but is ready to be patient with his recovery so the injury does not reoccur.

"I'd rather take these

last few months very se riously, more serious than probably all of the rehab, because once this phase goes right then it can set me up for the next three to four years injury-free," said Archer, who bowled nine overs on the opening day of the tour match and hit an unbeaten 20 when the Lions batted.

"I'm more than pre pared to do some extra bowling and stuff in and around some other crick et, just to put my name in the hat [for the Ashes]."

Youngster Ahmed a 'fantastic talent' Stokes has also praised the ability of teenage leg-spinner Re han Ahmed, but says he should not be put under too much pressure at this early stage of his career.

Ahmed, 18, has been added to the Test squad for the Pakistan series and will become En gland's youngest Test player if he features on the tour.

"He's a fantastic tal ent, he loves cricket, he just spends all his time shadow-batting in his room," said Stokes. "He

absolutely loves it. I'm really excited to have him into the squad, get him around the group and see what he's got.

"We're also fully aware that he's not the finished project yet. I think it's important for his inclusion not be to be looked into too much.(BBC Sport).

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Tuesday November 29, 2022)

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Gerry Gomez-10/113 (Sydney, 1951-52)

(2) Clarrie Grimmett-11/183 (Adelaide, 1930-31)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) When did the WI first win a Test series in Australia?

(2) When did the WI pace quartet of Roberts, Holding, Croft and Garner play together in a Test for the first time?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Jofra Archer’s last match for England was a T20 defeat by India in March 2021

Jason Holder expects Jayden Seales to extract seam movement in Perth(•Getty Images)

ICC World Cup Super League scenarios - West Indies, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Ireland contest for one spot

..With Afghanistan securing their place in next year’s World Cup, there’s only one spot left for automatic qualification

2001 and New Zealand not losing an ODI at home since 2019.

South Africa

Played - 16, Points - 59

Remaining matches - 3 vs Australia (A), 3 vs England (H) and 2 vs Netherlands (H)

South Africa still have eight matches to be played, but three of those are against Australia, a series for which they will lose points due to forfeiture. South Africa can qualify for the World Cup irrespective of other results if they win the remaining five

games. They must, however, win at least three matches to have a chance of a No.8 finish.

Three wins will be enough for South Africa if Sri Lanka and Ireland don't win more than two matches, but they have to win four if any of Sri Lanka and Ireland bag three wins. South Africa will be in a must-win scenar io for their remaining five matches if Sri Lanka manage to win their remaining four.

South Africa should fancy themselves to win

their remaining five matches as all those games will be at home, including two against the Nether lands, placed at the bot tom of the Super League. The remaining three are against England, staged between the inaugural SA20 to ensure maximum availability for the home team. But England could miss a few key players who will play in the In ternational T20 League, scheduled in UAE simul taneously.

By Sampath Bandarupalli

AFGHANISTAN became the seventh team to secure direct qualification for next year's 50-over World Cup following the rained-off ODI against Sri Lanka on Sunday. Afghanistan, alongside the World Cup hosts India, England, New Zealand, Australia, Ban gladesh and Pakistan, will occupy the top seven spots in the Super League, bar ring points deductions for slow over-rates.

That means only one of West Indies, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Ireland have a realistic chance for the remaining spot to avoid the qualifiers

. The maximum num ber of points the current six teams in the bottom can achieve is 109, while each of the top six teams have 120 and more. Afghanistan, currently placed seventh with 115 points, still have ten matches to be played. It is unlikely they will slip below

109 with over-rate penalties due to their spin-heavy bowl ing unit and having not lost a point yet.

WEST INDIES

Played - 24, Points - 88

Remaining matches - 0 West Indies are the only side to complete their 24 fixtures of the Super League. For West Indies to make it through to the World Cup directly with 88 points, none of Ireland, Sri Lanka and South Africa should win more than two of their re maining matches. West In dies could see themselves tie on 88 points with Ireland (if they win two of their remain ing three), but they will be ranked higher based on the number of wins.

IRELAND

Played - 21, Points - 68

Remaining matches - 3 vs Bangladesh (H)

Ireland would need to win their remaining three matches to have any chance of direct qualification for the World Cup. That, however, won't be enough if either Sri

Lanka or South Africa win all their remaining matches. Ireland's chances will im prove only if both Sri Lanka and South Africa don't win more than three games from here

SRI LANKA

Played - 20, Points - 67

Remaining matches - 1 vs Afghanistan (H) and 3 vs New Zealand (A)

Sri Lanka need to win at least three of their remaining matches to have a chance of direct qualification for the World Cup. In the scenario of three wins, they need to hope South Africa don't win more than three while Ireland don't win more than two of their remaining games. Even if Sri Lanka win their remaining four games, they still need South Africa to lose a game.

It also won't be easy for Sri Lanka going ahead as their remaining games are New Zealand in New Zealand after the last ODI against Afghanistan. Sri Lan ka have not won an ODI series in New Zealand since

West Indies is the only side to complete their 24 fixtures in the Super League • AFP/Getty Images

District 11 retains Swimming title at Nationals

DISTRICT 11 (North Georgetown) once again proved to be the domi nant force in the pool by retaining their champi onship crown in domi nant fashion at the 60th edition of the National Schools’ Cycling, Swim ming, and Track and Field Championships.

The swimming seg ment wrapped up at the National Aquatic Centre on Tuesday, and District 11 amassed 418 points to beat District 10 (Upper Demerara/Kwakwani), who got 351 points.

Cuyuni Mazaruni (District 7) was in third

West Indies to take a knee before Tests in Australia

PERTH, Australia, (CMC) – Cricket West Indies (CWI) said Mon day that the West In dies team will continue to take a knee during the two-match Test Se ries in Australia and will also wear the Black Lives Matter logo on their play ing shirts.

These actions were also taken during the two-match T20 International (T20I) Series against Australia in October ahead of the matches in the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

West Indies first took a knee back in July, 2020 when they toured England for Test series and have continued to do so since as it demonstrates full support for the fight against racism, inequality and injustice.

The logo on the shirt was designed back in 2020 by Alisha Hosannah, the partner of Troy Deeney, a professional footballer in the English Premier League. He was contacted by CWI and permission was granted for the logo to

be displayed on the collar according to ICC regula tions.

Also during the Tests, the West Indies will join the Australians in observ ing the barefoot circle on of the opening morning of the first Test. The barefoot circle is a cricket-centric way for players and teams to take a moment prior to matches to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land, connect to each other as opponents and pay respect to the country.

West Indies will play the first Test against Aus tralia at the Perth Stadium in Western Australia from November 30 to Decem ber 4.

The second Test will be at the Adelaide Oval in South Australia from December 8 to 12. This will be a day/night fixture played under lights. It will be the first pink ball Test for West Indies in Australia. The two teams will compete for the pres tigious Sir Frank Worrell trophy.

vidual

Casemiro hits winner as Brazil seal last 16- spot

CASEMIRO scored a stun ning winner as five-time champions Brazil edged past Switzerland to reach the World Cup knockout stage.

An otherwise drab en counter was brought to life seven minutes from time as Manchester United midfield er Casemiro fired a first-time

effort into the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Yann Sommer standing.

Brazil backed up their opening victory over Serbia to top the group with max imum points and will guar antee top spot with a point against Cameroon in their final game.

Tite's men thought they

had broken the deadlock after the hour mark when Vi nicius Jr kept his composure to coolly stroke in, but the goal was ruled out for offside by VAR.

Switzerland had sat com pact for much of the game and did not offer any attack ing threat, failing to get a shot on target in the contest.

Murat Yakin's thought they were going to escape with a point, but Casemiro's moment of inspiration had Brazilian fans bouncing in side Stadium 974.

'Invisible man' Casemiro stands tallest

For the most part, this looked like being a drab,

Champions again! North Georgetown celebrate their victory in the pool

with 215 points followed by East Georgetown (Dis trict 12) with 187 points.

The action now moves to the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora

from today until Friday where District 10 will be aiming to retain their over

all title by dominating the track and field events. Details on the indi

performances will be published in a subse quent report.

Casemiro (5) of Brazil celebrates with teammates after scoring to make it 1-0 during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Brazil and Switzerland at Stadium 974 on November 28, 2022 in Doha, Qatar Image credit: (Getty Images)