Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 29-12-2022

$202M contract signed for historic single-window system

- platform to be operational by June 2023

By Shamar Meusa

THE Ministry of Housing and Water through the Central Housing and Planning Authority, on Wednesday, awarded a contract for the development of a single-window Information Technology

Platform for planning and building permits.

The contract amounting to $202,918,036 was awarded to Global Services which is a consortium of companies based in Guyana, North America and the United Arab Emirates.

The company was

successful after a national competitive bidding process, during which six companies were shortlisted.

In his address at a signing ceremony at the Ministry of Housing and Water’s boardroom, senior subject minister, Collin Croal, said that

this is a historic project which sees the ease of doing business, as contractors and others will be able to use the system to seek approval from all relevant agencies through this single window.

Loans successfully processed, house lot applications filed

- as Joint Services ranks benefit from housing initiative at Camp Ayanganna

OVER 600 Joint Service ranks benefited from various services that took them one step closer to home ownership, when the Ministry of Housing and local banks collaborated to host a housing initiative at Camp Ayanganna

This is in keeping with a commitment made by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Housing and Water - Central Housing and Planning Authority staff and four commercial banks extended their services to members of the Joint Services.

The banks that offered their services included Guyana Bank for Trade & Industry Ltd. (GBTI), Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, Citizens Bank Guyana Inc., and the New Building Society Ltd.

This exercise saw ranks being pre-qualified for loans for home construction while others who have been allocated house lots can register for steel and cement

assistance.

The Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess, who welcomed the initiative, noted that ensuring the welfare of ranks is paramount.

Meanwhile, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, stated that the exer-

cise is a part of the government meeting the needs of its people, especially those in service.

He further underscored the value of homeownership in an individual’s life as it creates a sense of security, comfort and pride.

Chief Executive Officer of CHPA, Sherwyn Greaves, was also serving members of the disciplined forces at the event.

Commander-in-Chief, Dr. Irfaan Ali, said his government’s intention is to in-

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal in discussion with one of the many soldiers interested in building their homes

Soldiers allocated house lots register for steel and cement assistance at the Drill Square Base Camp Ayanganna

$202M contract signed for historic single-window system

- platform to be operational by June 2023

Croal said that it was just a few weeks ago that a single window bill was laid in the National Assembly, signalling the government’s commitment to ensuring that they could change the way business is done and the environment in which it is done.

too that the project is a truly transformational initiative for the ease of doing business in the country.

By Shamar Meusa

THE Ministry of Housing and Water through the Central Housing and Planning Authority, on Wednesday, awarded a contract for the development of a singlewindow Information Technology Platform for planning and building permits.

The contract amounting to $202,918,036 was awarded to Global Services which is a consortium of companies based in Guyana, North America and the United Arab Emirates.

The company was successful after a national competitive bid-

ding process, during which six companies were shortlisted.

In his address at a signing ceremony at the Ministry of Housing and Water’s boardroom, senior subject minister, Collin Croal, said that this is a historic project which sees the ease of doing business, as contractors and others will be able to use the system to seek approval from all relevant agencies through this single window.

He related that this is testimony that when the government speaks of transformation it is not just about transformation from a physical perspective.

“The point to note in all of that is that here you have an example of what it means for more transparency and accountability,” the minister said, adding that throughout the process, at every stage, there was accountability in terms of responding.

With this, Minister Croal related that the single agency that persons have to come to is the CH&PA’s planning department.

As part of the single-window system, there will be server and network infrastructure along with security solutions and hardware and software maintenance and repair.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues said

She added that anyone that has undertaken a construction project has been through the process of having to go to the City Council or Neighbourhood Democratic Council, then to the CH&PA and later to the Environmental Protection Agency and several other agencies.

“So, this tremendously eases that process of doing business where you will present your completed application at a single window and that is what this IT solution will facilitate; an applicant dropping in or signing up online or in person because we will have a hybrid system in the beginning,” the minister said.

Additionally, Rodrigues related that this is not only important to facilitate the ease of doing business, but it is also important to the government for transparency and accountability.

She detailed that the unique feature of the system is that it is time bound. There will be timelines set for all agencies to respond to applications when it is in the system, and, as such, if there is no response within that particular time, the approval will be deemed to be granted.

She went on to add that this is part of the removal of any subjectivity from the system, among other things.

“It also removes any form of corruption from the system, because you do not have to fear that your application will be in this system for any delayed amount of

time,” Minister Rodrigues remarked.

To this end, she told those gathered at the signing ceremony that there is predictability and certainty in this system in knowing that the applications will be addressed.

Rodrigues said that whether denied or approved there is at least the assurance that the application will be responded to.

However, she noted that while “teething problems” can be expected at the beginning of the roll out, the ministry anticipates a smooth transition to this IT system as early as June 2023.

Modern domestic violence law, preparatory works for local law school for 2023

THE year 2023 will see major adjustments to Guyana’s current family violence laws, since the legislation lacks penal sanctions.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., made this disclosure on Tuesday during his programme, ‘Issues in the News’.

The Attorney General said the amendments are long overdue, as the country’s current legislation has been in existence for over 20 years.

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

“Domestic violence is as prevalent as it ever was in this country, and

we have to modernise it. It will be a merger of civil and criminal law, and it’s an improvement on the deficiencies of the Domestic Violence Act,” he said.

The Attorney-General said that a feasibility study is in the works in preparation for the establishment of a law school in Guyana. Following the feasibility study, which is expected to be completed early next year, a report will be submitted to the Council of Legal Education (CLE).

“I have made it abun-

dantly clear that the Government of Guyana will work in tandem with the Council of Legal Education and this law school that will be accommodated in Guyana will be a law school of the Council of Legal Education. It will be a regional institution within the framework of the Council of Legal Education legislation that is in all the territories,” Nandlall said.

The school will also accommodate students from across the Caribbean.

He said several pieces

of legislation are in the pipeline for 2023, such as the Arbitration Bill, which is expected to pave the way to convert Guyana into a modern arbitration institution, ensuring that it becomes self-sufficient and the arbitration hub of the Caribbean.

The advancements and improvements in the healthcare system are also part of the docket for 2023 legislation with the Patient Personal Information Bill, which will prioritise the organisation and utilisation of patient data.

“An important component of this modernisation is to have the legislative infrastructure to accumulate, store and use patients’ medical data,” the AG pointed out.

Other pieces of legislation slated for 2023 include the Single Window System Bill, Food Security Bill, Modern Waste Management Bill, AntiDumping Bill, Amendments to the Rice Farmers (Security of Tenure) Act, and Amendments to the Sexual Offences Act. (DPI)

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal (Adrian Narine photo)

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues (Adrian Narine photo)

vest

heavily in ranks’ professional and educational development, insisting that there are better days ahead for men and women in uniform.

“For me, the most important thing about you young people is not only the service you give today, but you must be in a position in life to continue to give service, and so, investment in your education is the most critical thing for us,” the President told ranks earlier this month at the annual soldiers’ day celebrations at Base Camp Kanuku, Lethem.

He also urged them to take full advantage of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholar-

ship programme.

President Ali said his intention is for soldiers registered in the programme to become community tutors. He also indicated his intention to have ranks more involved in the ‘Men on Mission’ initiative.

In underscoring the importance of a modern military, President Ali also revealed his intention to widen further the military’s role in the overall development of Guyana.

“This is why we are paying particular attention to the wider role of the military in the overall development in our country… We want to expand this, our Medical Corps must have a way in which they integrate their work with the rest of the community, looking at social issues, building cohesiveness, removing social ills from our society,” he said.

Joint Service ranks can access as much as

$6M (low-income) or $8M (low, middle income) with payback interest rates of between four and 4.5 per cent, respectively.

A section of the gathering that benefitted from housing and banking services

T&T getting ready for ‘Mother of all Carnivals’

TO facilitate every aspect of Carnival 2023 properly, National Carnival Commission (NCC) chairman Winston “Gypsy” Peters believes $200 million would put the festival on a better footing.

Speaking to the Express on Tuesday, Peters said the NCC has been allocated $147 million, and while it would work with the funds given, that is what the country can afford at this time.

“With monies allocated to us now, we cannot even spend the money we would like on Soca Monarch, Chutney Soca Monarch and these have become important elements in the Carnival wheel.

“The whole idea

about business is that you have to spend money to make money. You have to put elements in your Carnival that will bring people to it, and also understand that it is a foreign exchange earner,” Peters stated. He said a perfect example is Jamaica, as that country has realised how important its carnival is, and has added the festi-

val to its tourism thrust, and allotted more than US$100 million to the entire thrust. “Clearly, Jamaica finds carnival to be an important element the country has, and these are the people Trinidad is competing with. We who created Carnival find everything to criticise about it, and many are not aware of how much revenue it

The Black Stalin has died

liste sang Happy Birthday and verses from his popular calypso hits. Last year, Lord Street in San Fernando was renamed Dr. Leroy Calliste Street. Calliste, however, was not well enough to attend the celebration.

Calliste was mourned by his colleagues, friends and relatives on social media. (Trinidad Express)

pumps into the country. Some people see it as wine and jam alone, but it is up to NCC now to ensure we go on these drives to educate persons across the country, and let them understand the true essence of Carnival,” he emphasised.

Peters said the educational drive is expected to happen soon. Members of the public took to social media last week saying they have observed that several tents and stages are being erected, which would imply Carnival is in the air. According to the NCC chairman, most of the infrastructure has already begun.

“We had to start this time, or else we would be way behind. The in-

frastructure is going up without us even paying the contractors. The infrastructure is just not for Queen’s Park Savannah, but across the country where Carnival is played. “Anywhere else you go in the countries that have carnival is one place, but not in Trinidad, and that is what makes us unique, hence why we need to invest in the product,” Peters acknowledged.

Last month, he told the Express that the “Mother of all Carnivals”, which is how the 2023 edition is being promoted, will feature several innovations to the Carnival schedule, including a park-andride service to and from the Queen’s Park Savannah; electronic ticket

sales; free Wi-Fi Internet service, and the addition of a Dimanche Gras after-party on Carnival Sunday night. Minister of Tourism, Culture, and the Arts Randall Mitchell said last month that in addition to the new changes and innovations, special emphasis will be placed on security for Carnival 2023.

“Of course, security is paramount. We expect Carnival 2023 to be extremely secure, and have been working with the security services, planning to ensure all visitors and all participants will be safe and secure,” Mitchell stated. Carnival 2023 will be celebrated on February 20 and 21.

(TrinidadExpress)

VETERAN Calypsonian Dr. Leroy Calliste, The Black Stalin, has died.

Calliste, 81, passed away at his home in San Fernando on Wednesday. He was surrounded by his family.

Calliste suffered a stroke in 2014 which affected both his speech and movement on the right side of his body. However, his memory and mental faculties remained intact.

At his 80th birthday celebration last year, Cal-

NCC

Chairman Winston ‘Gypsy’ Peters

Dr Leroy Calliste

Shared Prosperity

The festive season is almost over and Guyanese are now eagerly looking forward to the New Year of 2023 and beyond.

From all indications, it was quite an eventful holiday not only because of the festivity and glamour but, perhaps more importantly, because of the hope and optimism that now permeates the society that our better days are ahead of us. The fairy-lights will soon disappear but the glow and confidence of a better Guyana will continue to prevail.

For one thing, Guyanese were less constrained by the COVID-19 virus. The several entertainment hot-spots in the city and elsewhere were filled to capacity. The shopping

malls and other business places were all patronised with shoppers trying to get the best value out of their money.

All of this is good for the economic health of the country. The increases in wages and salaries to public servants along with retroactive payments have given business and commerce and, by extension, the economy a significant boost.

This economic buoyancy, fuelled by higher levels of public sector spending, has impacted positively on the business sector.

Two of the country’s top banking and beverages companies, as reflected in their most recent financial reports, have generated record profits for 2022. The

same is generally true of other business enterprises regardless of their size or product range.

These developments speak to a new development paradigm which will see the country’s economic growth soar to even greater heights in the coming and ensuing years. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has commended Guyana’s significant economic growth despite the numerous challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the prolonged election impasse, the recent floods and the war in Ukraine.

The IDB also commended the PPP/C administration on the several interventions made to mitigate the cost of

living and to bring relief to the Guyanese people especially the poor and the vulnerable.

The main ingredient for an enhanced quality of life is a strong and growing economy. A growing economy means that the national pie is getting bigger. And this is exactly the case of the Guyana economy, which is today not only growing, but is also now regarded as one of the fastest growing economy in the world. The economy was given a big boost with the impact of oil, but the non-oil sectors have also been showing strong growth. This combination of the oil and non-oil sectors holds out much hope for sustained economic growth.

But, as pointed out by President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, economic growth, though necessary, is not a sufficient condition to ensure a fair and just society.

It is for this reason that the government has been implementing a number of pro-working class and pro-poor policies and programmes aimed at ensuring that people from all strata of society benefit from the growth dynamic. In the words of President Ali, there must be shared prosperity and not one in which there is “a rich country with poor people.”

This is indeed the time for optimism. And such optimism is by no means misplaced. It is manifest-

ed in the fact of robust economic growth and a people-centred PPP/C administration where the benefits of such growth are being shared by the whole of society; in rising income levels, in a better system of service delivery including education, health, housing, water and by no means least, in a democratic and rule-based society.

There are the pessimists in our society who are so blinded by hate and prejudice that they are unable or unwilling to see the dramatic changes that are taking place in the country. They continue to see the glass as being half-empty even though the facts suggest otherwise.

The government which never sleeps

Dear Editor, THIS government has delivered to the Guyanese people and they have delivered beyond anyone’s expectations, even those highly critical of the PPP/C will have to zealously admit that fact.

There is a new wind of progressive change blowing all across Guyana. In every nook and cranny, the socioeconomic transformation is unbelievably taking place with great alacrity.

This government has already delivered on more that its 2020 campaign

promises. In every medium there are daily reports of progress being made in all the sectors.

The President and all his ministers are all over the country addressing issues and providing resolutions, in some cases instantaneously. Can you imagine that even on Christmas Day the President and his team were delivering homes to the homeless?

This government, the President and Vice-President as well as the Prime Minister and ministers

have vowed to listen to the people and govern on behalf of all Guyanese, and that has been manifested in the most tangible manner.

This is not the empty rhetoric spewed by the coalition who delivered the “good life” only for themselves, friends and families. It is by listening to the cries of the people that this government has been able to drastically transform the lives of all Guyanese. This is a government which never sleeps.

The One Guyana mission is no hoax and the President’s Men on Mission programme has targeted some major social issues which have been neglected for a long time. Both men and women have been empowered to make their lives better. The sceptics and the pessimists alike are convinced.

We are blessed with a President who understands, empathises and walks with the people with not an iota of pretension, but humbly seeks out the issues which affect their

daily lives. He speaks the language of the people and embraces everyone.

He had vowed this at his inauguration and he has kept that vow; this is seldom done in the political arena. He is not a man of words alone but a man of deeds.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali has proven his worth. Guyanese all over the world are proud of their President and a new era of progress and prosperity has dawned on Guyana.

No doubt, the year 2023 and those ahead will

see many more transformational projects being delivered, as the standard of living of Guyanese continues to improve and the country becomes a wonder to behold.

I wish everyone the best for 2023, especially our hard-working President, Vice-President and their august team. This government is a defender of freedom and democracy, and Guyanese will do well to never forget this.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Criticisms of Guyana’s management of O&G being made without proper analysis

Dear Editor, REFERENCE is made to an article carried in the Kaieteur News, December 23, 2022 edition, with the caption, “Oil sector plagued with gross mismanagement.”

The article reported on the viewpoints of Ms Melinda Janki, who is described as an international lawyer and transparency advocate.

Since the outset of the oil discovery, Ms Janki has been propagating several outlandish claims on the oil sector to the extreme end, where she has been advocating, for instance, for the cessation of oil production. She claims that the government allows the oil companies to disrespect the laws but failed to explain which laws were broken or disrespected.

In her most recent ramblings cited by the Kaieteur News, she is contending that there is a lack of transparency in the rate of recovery of the oil companies’ capital investment. However, there is no lack of transparency as Ms Janki claims in this regard.

The rate of recovery of capital investment is public knowledge – that is, all of the elements and variables one would require to calculate the rate of recovery are publicly available and anyone with basic arithmetic skills can calculate it. So, what are the elements one would require to so do? For ease of reference these are:

a) First, the pre-exploration cost and capital in-

vestment for each project which is publicly available. For example, the development cost for Liza phase one is US$4.3 billion, Liza 2, US$6 billion; Payara, US$9 billion, and Yellowtail, US$10 billion.

b) Second, you need to know when each project will commence production, and the rate of production (daily rate and yearly rate),

c) Third, the prevailing market price of crude, and

d) The fiscal terms and the application thereto, where the cost recovery ceiling is 75 per cent

With these variables, one can calculate the rate of recovery for each project, because all of the above information is publicly available and accessible. The Bank of Guyana publishes monthly, quarterly, and yearly reports on the deposits in and withdrawals from the Natural Resource Fund (NRF).

Then Ms Janki went on to speak of governance of the oil sector. As a professional of her calibre, she ought to at least be objective to acknowledge and include in her assessment, the progress the government has made on these fronts.

For example, she has ignored the Local Content Act; the setting up of the Local Content Secretariat; the consortium that was formed by local firms with an international firm to conduct the audit of cost oil; capacity-building, which is ongoing at the Guyana Revenue

Authority; she has also ignored the Natural Resource Fund Act (NRF) and the operationalisation of the Act.

All of the foregoing elements are part of the governance framework of the sector which Ms Janki has deliberately omitted from her assessment to suit her personal antidevelopment agenda and narrative.

Ms Janki and others alike often make references in a ranting fashion of other petroleum- producing countries that have failed economically such as Venezuela, Nigeria, Indonesia, etc.... But they have all failed to perform an objective comparative analysis of those countries to Guyana.

The reality is such that the political, geopolitical, social, and economic contexts of those countries are different from Guyana. In most cases, those countries failed because of economic mismanagement.

In Guyana, the current government is managing the fiscal framework in a prudent manner. All of the macroeconomic indicators are the strongest in the region, such as the lowest debt to GDP ratio, and the government is also careful not to excessively increase the recurrent expenditure.

Finally, to her point on the breakneck speed at which Guyana is moving to approve projects, she has ignored the fact that if the government slows down the rate of approval, these projects

will take longer to start producing considering the lifecycle of these projects from exploration which lasts about 10 to 15 years, development another five years and production of about 20 years.

This would not be beneficial to Guyana if the objective is to sustain the momentum in the economy. Sustaining the momentum simply means that investments need to

continue growing, which in turn creates employment for our people and translates, ultimately, into more tax revenues for the state.

Editor, Ms Janki cannot be serious, and no one should take her seriously when she argues that the government is acting in the best interests of the oil companies and not the people. Contrary to this

view, the government is in fact acting in the best interest of the people while safeguarding the mutual interests of the investors in the sector.

Yours faithfully, Joel Bhagwandin Director

SphereX Analytics | Business Intelligence, Financial and Economic Analysis

SPHEREX Professional Services

Over 20,000 house lots distributed in two years

THE year 2022 was an “excellent year” for the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) as the target of 10,000 house lots distribution was surpassed this year, pushing the total number of allocations over 20,000 in two years.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CH&PA, Sherwyn Greaves said thousands of new homeowners were taken to

their allocations so they could commence building their new homes, adding that hundreds of residents have been taken to their new homes which were built through partnership with the private sector.

Greaves, at the time, was speaking during the contract signing for a multimillion-dollar partnership to boost the transparency and efficiency of the construction and planning permits application process.

He made these com-

ments in the presence of Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, and Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues.

Greaves said his agency is aware of complaints about road networks in existing schemes, but assured residents that this would no longer be a complaint by the end of April 2023.

He also said President, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s vision for building a massive new city along

the Linden-Soesdyke Highway will see major progress in 2023.

Currently, hundreds of housing units are being constructed across Regions Three, Four, Six and 10, targeting low and moderate-income families, as well as young professionals.

Some $12.4 billion was allocated for the housing sector, which was utilised to develop housing units as well as the necessary road systems and other infrastructure to support these expansions.

Chief Executive Officer of CH&PA, Sherwyn Greaves

FAO at COP15: What comes now? -

THE community of the world’s nations adopted a landmark framework to support global biodiversity on December 19, and the agreement contains significant contributions from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), committed to make sure that the needs and impacts of agri-food systems are given due consideration.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was approved at the UN Biodiversity Conference COP15 summit after marathon negotiations at the headquarters of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the multilateral treaty tasked with the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components.

The document explicates the four goals and 23 targets for 2030 adopted, which include a pledge to protect 30 per cent of the Earth’s lands, oceans, coastal areas and inland waters, to repurpose $500 billion in annual government subsidies so that they provide incentives rather than trigger harm for biodiversity goals, and to create a Special Trust Fund under the aegis of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to support implementation of the new Framework.

“The COP15 summit was a success as a framework for the future was agreed,” said FAO Deputy Director-General Maria Helena Semedo,

servation, and the agricultural sectors, whose function of feeding the world inevitably has a large impact on the world’s natural resources.

bioeconomy opportunities to contribute to and accelerate global biodiversity mainstreaming.

At COP15 FAO also

Semedo calls the biodiversity “that we do not see.”

Only a tiny fraction of soil organisms have been identified to date, and the

toring what is happening on the level where food begins.

FAO AND SUSTAINABLE UTILISATION

While many biodiversity conservation advocates have long favoured expanding protected areas, FAO champions a view where many of these areas are critical for the food security and cultural integrity of the world’s peoples, underscoring the importance of managing multiple goals in a holistic way.

who headed FAO’s delegation at the summit and is responsible for the Natural Resources and Sustainable Production stream at the UN agency.

He added: “Now we have measurable objectives and dedicated financial mechanisms, which is a big step forward.”

Hailed by UN SecretaryGeneral António Guterres as the outline of a “peace pact with nature”, the framework culminates years of multifaceted work by FAO, which at the COP13 in 2016 was mandated to develop and manage a biodiversity mainstreaming platform to foster dialogue between the environment sector, often focused on con-

FAO distributed a white paper to COP15 delegations and the Organisation’s experts were repeatedly asked for technical inputs during the just-concluded CBD negotiations.

FAO and partners also hosted a series of side events to highlight specific topics. These included the importance of mountain areas, of forest ecosystem restoration, of the role and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples, of the roles of wild meat and sustainable wildlife management, of pollinators, fisheries, of assuring that finance flows are consistent with naturepositive pathways, and of the prospects for evidence-based

launched the Global Soil Biodiversity Observatory (GLOSOB), which aims to deepen knowledge about the critical functions of what

GLOSOB observatory offers an urgent opportunity for countries – and their farmers large and small – to contribute to measuring and moni-

Moreover, as more than a third of the Earth’s surface is devoted to agriculture, and biodiversity itself comprises crop varieties and livestock breeds as well as microorganisms in the soil, agrifood systems are essential parts of an effective and efficient approach to protecting global biodiversity. A wealth of evi-

of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework will increase demand for organisation’s expertise

FAO at COP15: What comes...

FROM PAGE 9

dence suggests that assuring sustainable utilisation is often a more fruitful path than rigid protection.

So, while agrifood production must be made more sustainable, conservation must also be sustainable.

“It is important to grasp that while agrifood systems can reduce biodiversity, ultimately they depend on it, so there is a lot of room for mutual and symbiotic benefits,”

said FAO’s Semedo. “Any solution to stop and reverse biodiversity loss will require agrifood system transformation, and the Global Biodiversity Framework will not succeed without the engagement of the food and agriculture sectors,” said Frederic Castell, Senior Natural Resources Officer and leader of FAO’s work on biodiversity mainstreaming. Agrifood systems are central to around half the targets of the new

framework, he added.

Target 10 of the Framework captures the spirit of that point.

PROMISES AND CHALLENGES

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework contains numerous specific elements that have been driving FAO’s work and will add new tasks.

Creating the special trust fund under the GEF canopy offers the advantage of being

implemented quickly. FAO has a prolific collaboration with GEF, amounting to more than $7.7 billion in resources for 230 projects in 124 countries, and has a central role in supporting members in accessing resources and providing expertise to pursue their goals and pledges.

Target seven of the new framework is focused on sharply reducing pollution risks for biodiversity, including those from excess nutrients from fertilisers and chemicals from pesticides. Achieving this will require concerted expansion of integrated pest management for crops, as well as working

towards eliminating plastic pollution. FAO is a centre of knowledge on integrated pest management, has rolled out new data sets to help measure crop nutrient dynamics, has assessed food safety risks due to micro plastic, conducted in-depth studies on micro plastics in fisheries and aquaculture and earlier this year was tasked by its Members with developing a Code of Conduct for the use of plastics in agriculture.

Target 18 calls for the elimination, phase-out or reform by 2030 of $500 billion in annual incentives and subsidies that are harmful for biodiversity and scaling

up positive incentives. That pledge is very much in line with a benchmark 2021 report from FAO and partner UN agencies.

Other areas where FAO is well positioned to support its Members to implement the framework include restoring ecosystems, especially as co-lead of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration with UNEP, combating invasive species and the access and sharing of benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources, including digital sequence information and traditional knowledge associated with them. (FAO)

Plantain-chip vendor to ring in the new year behind bars

A 33-year-old plantain-chip vendor will be spending the new year behind bars after he was on Wednesday sentenced to three years imprisonment for stealing a firearm from a Sheriff Security Guard on Christmas Day.

Mawali Clarke, of Section ‘D’, Turkeyen was hauled before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where he admitted stealing a 12-gauge shotgun and three cartridges of ammunition worth $353,000 from one Toussaint Williams.

The incident occurred on Christmas Day at Bel Air Avenue, Georgetown.

According to the facts of the case, Clarke and Williams are known to each other, and on the day in question, the latter was on duty at the Bel Air Avenue residence when he saw Clarke vomiting.

Williams quickly came to Clarke’s aid, and after allowing him into the yard, he then went to get some water so he could clean himself off.

In the confusion, he inadvertently left his service weapon behind, whereupon Clarke picked it up and made good his escape. The matter was reported to the police, and Clarke was later arrested.

Under caution, Clarke admitted stealing the firearm and took police to an area in Plum Park, Sophia, where he’d hidden it in a clump of bushes.

In his address to the court, Clarke said he’d only stolen the firearm because he wanted to teach Williams a lesson, for being “unprofessional and careless” with his service weapon.

“I know it was something of value, and I needed money at that point in time,” Clarke told the Chief Magistrate as she handed down the sentence.

In 2017, Clarke was charged with two counts of armed robbery, to which he’d pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay a $25,000 fine each, with a default imprisonment of six months.

Mawali Clarke

‘Possible search, recovery operation was thankfully a search, rescue’

THE Ministry of Public Works’ Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has commended ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard for rescuing a captain and his crew who were stranded at sea while en route from Trinidad to Guyana.

According to a press release from MARAD, on Christmas Day, at approximately 21:00 hours, a Guyana-registered vessel, LADY SHAZEEDA, sank off the coast of Pomeroon, while returning to Guyana from Trinidad.

After several hours overboard in the life-raft, six crew members were rescued by the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard. Several hours later, the seventh crew member was

also rescued by the GDF Coast Guard.

“What could have been a search and recovery operation was thankfully a successful search and rescue,” MARAD said.

The diligence of engineer, Christopher Williams, to correctly don his life jacket is credited for his survival. He drifted away from the other six crew members who were able to get into the ship’s life raft.

For approximately 19 hours, Williams’ life vest allowed him to stay afloat until he was rescued by members of the Coast Guard on Monday, December 26, 2022.

“This is a practical demonstration that life jackets save lives. MARAD thus takes this

opportunity to encourage members of the public traveling on the waterways to always wear a life jacket snugly secured onto their body,” the release stated.

The Maritime Administration Department said it intends to continue its nationwide campaign of reiterating the importance of correctly wearing a life jacket.

“The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) wishes to thank everyone involved in the search and rescue operation for their swift action, especially the GDF Coast Guard and the fishermen, and extends wishes for a speedy recovery to the crew members of LADY SHAZEEDA,” the department said.

The Ministry of Public Works’ Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has commended ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard, a captain and his crew who were stranded at sea

- MARAD says, commends coast guards for saving boat captain, crew members stranded at sea

$35M Chateau Margot bridge on course for December 30 completion

WORKS are progressing well on the $35 million Chateau Margot bridge, with possible completion by Saturday, December 30, 2022.

According to a Facebook post by the Ministry of Public Works, the project was undertaken by D&R Construction in early November and is a part of the Government of Guyana’s programme to replace aqua-panel bridges with pre-cast, pre-stressed concrete structures, for stronger and longer lasting infrastructure.

Earlier in December, more than $5 billion in contracts were signed by the Ministry of Public Works to help advance Guyana’s modernisation and development goals.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, in his remarks at the signing ceremony, had said the contracts not only represent building for now, but for the future.

“We are advancing our infrastructure and putting in what is called resilient infrastructure as it relates to our bridges. We have to take out the timber bridges that we have traditionally used and we have to be able to put in things that will last us 20, 40 years,” Minister Edghill said.

The government had allocated the largest portion of its milestone $552.9 billion 2022 Budget to the Ministry of Public Works. A total of $96.1 billion was allocated to the ministry, which is responsible for the

country’s infrastructure. Of that sum, some $76.7 billion was set aside for roads and bridges.

“$76.7 billion is for roads and bridges and that is the main part. We had to put infrastructure where there’s no infrastructure so that money is really to do that,” Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, had said.

In breaking down the $76.7 billion sum, he had said that $49.2 billion will be spent on roads, while the remaining $27.5 billion will go towards bridges.

Roads and bridges are a major aspect of a country’s development, not only do they ease transportation and cut costs, they integrate communities and boost people’s development, hence the government’s major focus on building the country’s road networks.

Edghill had said that the government is committed to rolling out these projects without discrimination.

“The PPP/C Administration, President Irfaan Ali, and his cabinet, we are working in every single community; the ones who have voted overwhelming for us and the ones who didn’t vote for us because we are not developing a PPP/C Guyana, we are developing a ‘One Guyana’, and in developing a One Guyana, we bring development to all the people,” Minister Edghill had said.

Works ongoing on the Chateau Margot bridge

‘President Ali is a man of his word’

- GDF ranks say, praise authorities for housing outreach at Camp Ayanganna

vice men and women across the country are grateful for the initiative.

He related: “It’s re-

own lands and homes. Kudos to the government.”

Crawford described President Ali as “a man

GDF, Ronny Carter highlighted that he will take advantage of the cement and steel initiative since he has his house lot.

out.”

RANKS of the Joint Services were, on Wednesday, engaged by the Ministry of Housing and Water’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) about housing related matters.

Ranks were prequalified for loans for home construction, and those who were allocated house lots had the opportunity to apply for the cement and steel housing assistance.

The event was hosted at Base Camp Ayanganna, Georgetown, in keeping with President, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s recent commitment to the Joint Services.

Members of the army lauded the government’s initiative which will al-

low the ranks to capitalise on the various opportunities.

First-time applicant, Sergeant Kessa Messiah said that the housing outreach will be beneficial for everyone, noting: “I think that this is a great initiative, making an effort to reach the soldiers. Because we know that not all of us

freshing to know that we’re being thought of and an initiative like this could be instituted for us. Securing a house and land for my family is of paramount importance. Today, I hope to maximise on this opportunity.”

Second Lieutenant of the Guyana Defence

of his word.”

Another first-time applicant, Sergeant Deoraj Sooklall of the GDF, stated: “It’s a good initiative for the soldiers in the Guyana Defence Force…This is the first time I am getting the opportunity to apply since I am out of town most of

“I would take as much opportunity that is available and try to make the best of it. I am very elated and very excited about this initiative,” he said.

He added that this outreach will be beneficial since it will give many soldiers the opportunity to build now rather than when they are ready to retire from the force.

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, during remarks highlighted how important home ownership is for everyone.

Minister Croal also alluded to the various initiatives that were implemented to guarantee that people can obtain

can have that time to come to housing. And housing [ministry] coming to us is a great help. Most of these soldiers are on deployment or at work and they don’t have the time.”

She added: “We know that rent and these things are expensive. It’s better to pay a mortgage than to pay rent.”

Coast Guard, Leon Benjamin said that ser-

Force (GDF), Crystal Crawford said: “I think it’s a great initiative for coming here to meet with service men and women that have been serving for a while. This is to give them that opportunity to own their

the times.”

GDF Warrant Officer, Dwayne Daniels said the initiative is a privilege for many since it provides the ranks with the opportunity to construct their homes.

Staff Sergeant of

Sergeant Sheneeza Gordon, said: “I am quite excited because I would have applied a very long time. This comes like an opportunity for me after waiting for so long.”

Lieutenant of GDF, Delon Willis expressed: “I’m happy for this opportunity that they are here at Base Camp Ayanganna and we can actually capitalise on this opportunity. I’m grateful to the president for his commitments that he has made to the military and lots of initiatives are being rolled

financing to construct or pay for their homes easily.

“This is how we operate as a government - to ensure that we work with all possible institutions so that we can encourage each one of you to have your own home and to have your own environment. Because when you are concentrating on protecting the state, you have a secured environment for your children and family. That is what we all strive to ensure… to have betterment for ourselves and our families,” Minister Croal said.

Meanwhile, Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess lauded the government for ensuring that the ranks have easy access to home ownership. (DPI)

Sergeant Kessa Messiah

Second Lieutenant of GDF, Crystal Crawford

Sergeant of GDF, Deoraj Sooklall

Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess

Lieutenant of GDF, Delon Willis

Top Cop rewards officers who seized five guns on Monday

COMMISSIONER of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken, rewarded eight police ranks in Division 4’C’ (East Coast Demerara) for their tireless efforts that led to the seizure of five firearms in the wee hours of Monday, December 27, 2022, while patrolling in the Division.

Commissioner Hicken, on Wednesday, met with the ranks along with Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Khali Pareshram in his Eve Leary Conference Room.

He commended the police ranks for their diligence and commitment to ‘serve and protect’ and reminded them that they would be rewarded whenever it was deserved.

“You have done well and you must understand under the stewardship of the new executive leadership team and Commissioner, we are going to reward you when you are deserving of it,” Commissioner Hicken

said.

The Top Cop, in further commending the efforts of the ranks, said, “We could not have allowed this to go unnoticed and I think this sets the tone for what is to happen in the New Year.”

The first firearm was seized at Beterver-

wagting around 01:00hrs on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, by a team led by Sergeant Patrick Reynolds and Lance Corporal Sylvester Bacchus, along with Constables Rodwell Wilson and Wayne Daniels.

The four other illegal firearms were seized at Melanie and Strathspey

by a team led by Sergeant David Goodridge, and included Corporal Kestel Drayton, Constables Rawlwyn Washington, and Rickisha Monday.

Sergeant Reynolds and his team were awarded $50,000, while Sergeant Goodridge and his team were awarded $200,000 cash.

Deputy Commis -

sioner ‘Administration’ (ag), Calvin Brutus and Head of the Finance Department, Superintendent B. Persaud were also in attendance.

(Seated from right) Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Khali Pareshram; Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken; Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’ (ag), Calvin Brutus; Head of the Finance Department, Superintendent B. Persaud, flanked by the police ranks that were rewarded for their notable actions

Open-field wheat trials to begin in first quarter of 2023 - Agriculture Minister says

By Naomi Parris

WITH the aim of ramping up food production in 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture will soon begin open-field trials for wheat, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has said.

In a recent interview with the Guyana Chroni-

cle, Minister Mustapha related that the open-field

dependence on imports.

He said: “We are very

trial for wheat is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2023, at Santa Fe, North Rupununi, Region Nine.

The trial was previously scheduled to begin in September of 2022; however, due to torrential rainfall the trial was delayed.

“The trial was supposed to start this year, but, because of the weather conditions, we couldn’t start it; so in the first quarter of next year we will start the open-field cultivation for wheat.” Mustapha said, adding: “I’m hoping that the weather will be good and we will be able to move ahead with the trial.”

For the open-field trial, Guyana will be partnering with the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA).

Six varieties will be tested during the openfield trial and, once completed and successful, the ministry will move to produce wheat on a larger scale.

Back in May, Guyana received 49 lines of wheat from the Government of Mexico to start a trial phase. The indoor trial, which explored several varieties, was completed at the Burma Rice Station in Mahaicony, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

Addressing the objective of the wheat trials in a previous interview, Minister Mustapha said the aim is to have Guyana become self-sufficient by removing

determined! And as long as the trial is successful, we will be going to produce our own wheat because we can’t depend too much on imports… As a country, we have to ensure that we produce our own food and be self-sufficient.”

He acknowledged that the pandemic played a major role in the epiphany.

“We can have all the money in the world and we would have seen during the pandemic how many countries were suffering to get food because there was a scarcity,” Mustapha said, noting: “And in Guyana, we are very fortunate that we produce most of the food that we consume.”

Prices for wheat had skyrocketed globally due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Russia and Ukraine account for approximately 30 per cent of the world’s traded wheat.

To ease the negative economic impact felt locally, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, in March, had announced that Guyana is exploring the possibility of sourcing a variety of wheat for local production.

“Soon, we are going to work to see whether we can find a variety of wheat that we can plant in Guyana, so that we can fulfill even our local requirement,” President Ali had said earlier this year.

He added: “We are learning important lessons now that we must not leave unanswered for future generations.”

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Thursday December 29, 2022)

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Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 333-Chris Gayle (vs SL, Galle, 2010) (2) 142-Conrad Hunte (vs PAK, Bridgetown, 1958)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) What is the highest score made by a WI opener in an ODI innings to date?

(2) What is the highest score made by a WI opener on his ODI debut to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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Carey's maiden ton, Green's defiant fifty bury South Africa

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Alex Carey scored his maiden Test hundred as Australia piled on the runs at the MCG then removed South Africa captain Dean Elgar in the second over before rain brought an early end to the third day.

Australia piled on 189 runs in 54 overs on an overcast day with Carey and Cameron Green, who defied a fractured finger, adding 117 for the eighth wicket against an increasingly exhausted attack. South Africa were kept in the field for more than five sessions and bowled 145 overs in total and were unable to bowl Australia out on a surface that remained good for batting.

Elgar was unable to take advantage of them as he gloved Pat Cummins down the leg side off the third ball he faced. The edge died on

Carey but replays showed he took a clean catch low down to send Elgar back for a duck. It was the second time in the series Elgar had been dismissed in this fashion after also being caught down leg in the first innings in Brisbane.

Australia could have done further damage when Cummins found Theunis de Bruyn's edge in his next over but it swerved away from David Warner at first slip and he could not hold on.

Mitchell Starc, who bowled despite suffering tendon damage to his finger in the field on the first day, just missed Sarel Erwee's edge and had two appeals for lbw against de Bruyn which were missing. Starc was expected to continue bowling despite his wound, which opens up as he bowls and necessitates him to mop up the blood after almost every delivery.

Starc was not the only one who battled through pain. Green also had a broken finger after being hit while batting but returned to the crease to score an unbeaten half-century and provide solid defence while Carey counterattacked. The pair ground South Africa's attack down after a bright start.

Despite bowling in 40-degree heat throughout the second day, South Africa came out with good intent and, helped by cooler conditions, struck early. They took three wickets in six balls as Anrich Nortje turned up the heat.

After Travis Head reached a 54-ball 50 with a pull off a short ball, Nortje went full and straight and took out his off stump. The dismissal brought Warner, who retired hurt with cramp after reaching 200 the day before, He danced to the crease

but was met by a Nortje ball that zoned in on leg stump, beat the flick and bowled him. Warner, having walked back in to a standing ovation, left to another.

Cummins found the boundary when he steered a wide Nortje ball through point and then nicked off against Kagiso Rabada. South Africa were convinced of the edge but needed to confirm it on review.

South Africa had created an opening but Carey and Green soon closed it with a stand that shut out the attack. Carey was strong on the drive and drilled Lungi Ngidi for three successive fours in -

cluding the one that brought up his fifty while Green was content with biding his time as he tried to protect his finger from any further blows.

Carey brought up the Australian 500 with a topedge off a hook shot from a Rabada bouncer and his own hundred when he ran three off Jansen. He was the first Australian wicketkeeper to score a century in nine years, since Brad Haddin in 2013. His innings ended when he popped a short delivery from Jansen straight up in the air.

By then, Green had faced 164 balls and if there was any pain, he wasn't showing it. He had also started to play

some shots and took on the short ball. He reached fifty off 170 balls with a cut over point.

To add insult to injury, Starc also tucked into the bouncer and top-edged Nortje over square leg to six. In the next over, Starc was hit on the helmet and was undergoing his concussions check when Cummins called the batters in.

Australia will operate with a four-man attack for the rest of the match, with Green unable to bowl. Head and Marnus Labuschagne are expected to provide back-up if required.

Williamson leads the way as New Zealand make Pakistan toil

(ESPNCRICINFO) -

New Zealand's batters, led by Kane Williamson, made Pakistan toil for most of day three in Karachi. However, the hosts struck back in the final 30 minutes to eventually share the day's honours.

Starting the day on 165 for 0, New Zealand finished on 440 for 6, two runs ahead of Pakistan's first-inning score. With Pakistan having the momentum at stumps, the game stands in a tantalising position with two days to go and a tricky pitch to deal with.

Williamson finished the day unbeaten on 105. He was supported by Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell and though neither man got even as far as a half-century, their aggression allowed Williamson to quietly build on his score. In the morning, Tom Latham added to his overnight score of 78 to post his 13th Test century.

Mitchell shellacked 42 runs in 47 balls after walking in at No.5 in the middle session. He used the reverse-sweep to get his boundary-scoring underway before graduating to playing more conventional shots in the V. Nauman Ali was launched for six and four down the ground while Mohammad Wasim bore the brunt of even more aggres-

sion, hit for four boundaries in four deliveries.

Blundell, on the other hand, was a much less assured presence at the crease. He rode his luck coming down the track to the Pakistan spinners, Nauman and Abrar Ahmed, who bowled in tandem for long spells through the day.

The New Zealand No. 6 was the aggressor after tea, targeting he leg side for most of his boundaries. His battle with Nauman was fascinating, with the left-arm spinner getting the ball to turn across him, leading to innumerable leading edges and sliced shots that went to the off-side instead, including one when he was on 41 that saw two fielders try to take a catch with neither committing to it. Eventually, the missed Blundell chance did not cost Pakistan much with the wicketkeeper-batter falling lbw for 47 to Wasim's reverse-swing late in the day.

Nauman created more chances earlier in the day. Had they been converted, his figures would have looked a lot better than 2 for 137 and Pakistan might well be in control of the whole Test match. He had bowled beautifully to force errors from Williamson when the batter was on 15 and 21. However, both times Sarfaraz

Ahmed could not pull off the stumping. In fairness to the wicketkeeper, they were moderately tough chances.

Williamson, batting for the first time since giving up the Test captaincy, made his entry in the day's sixth over following Devon Conway's dismissal for 92. After a 183-run opening partnership with Latham, Conway was out lbw to Nauman, trapped inside his crease on the back foot. At first, Conway was deemed not-out by umpire Aleem Dar but the decision was overturned on review.

While Williamson was still finding his feet, Latham

charged to his 13th Test hundred in the morning. His ton broke the New Zealand record for most centuries by a Test opener, going past John Wright's 12.

However, Latham fell before lunch trying to play a reverse sweep off Abrar that popped up to first slip. Abrar's second wicket of the day - Mitchell’s - also came via a reverse sweep that went wrong.

Williamson had a watchful start to his innings, trying to find his feet following a lean recent run with the bat. He relied on the sweep to get his early runs, but as the

ball got old, he pounced on Abrar's inconsistency to hit him for three fours through midwicket in the space of seven balls. That pushed him into the 40s, and soon after he reached his fifty by punching to extra cover.

After a brief 41-run stand with No. 4 Henry Nicholls ended with the left-hand batter chopping Nauman onto his stumps, Williamson took a back seat with Mitchell leading the run-scoring charge. That allowed him to quietly move into the 70s, which he further added to, once Blundell brought out his strokes. The only time

Williamson really went for the big shots was when the spinners pitched it up outside off. Otherwise, he relied on his nudges and nurdles to get the bulk of his runs.

It was late in the day when Williamson reached his century - his 25th in Tests, fifth against Pakistan and first since his 238 in January 2021 against the same opponents. He drove Wasim to mid-off in the 123rd over and reached his landmark. However, that wasn't the end of the day's action. Michael Bracewell fell late in the day leaving Ish Sodhi, the No.8, to face 20 balls in a tricky spell of play to stay unbeaten on 1 alongside Williamson.

While the end of the day provided a zenith for Williamson, the start of the day completed a redemption arc for another former Test captain. Sarfaraz was asked to lead Pakistan in the morning session with Babar Azam one of three players down with viral flu-like symptoms. And even though Babar returned after lunch, Sarfaraz's brief spell in charge completed a full circle for the man who was dropped from captaincy, and the team, since his last Test appearance in January 2019.

Luka Doncic scores first ‘triple double’ in NBA history

(BBC) - Luka Doncic scored the first 60-point 'triple-double' in NBA history to help Dallas Mavericks claim a 126-121 overtime win over New York Knicks.

The 23-year-old Slovenian racked up 60 points, 21 rebounds 10 assists, posting double figures in three key attacking metrics.

With Mavericks down 115-113 in the final seconds, he deliberately missed a free throw, claimed a rebound, and scored a jumper to force overtime.

"I'm tired, I need a beer," he said.

Doncic is only the seventh player to record a 50-point triple-double in the NBA, and he has become the youngest to achieve the feat, taking the record from alltime great Wilt Chamberlain.

His performance powered a superb comeback win for the hosts who trailed by 110-101 with fewer than 45 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

the highlight of his team's renaissance.

"I just threw it up, I was kind of lucky," he admitted. "We were down, we came back, this is an amazing feeling."

Doncic's stellar game attracted praise from across the league and from giants of the game's past.

ton Wizards' Kyle Kuzma were among the present-day stars to express admiration, while two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant compared Doncic's numbers to something out of a "video game" rather than reality.

It is a fourth-straight win for Dallas Mavericks, who lie sixth in the Western Conference

Luka Doncic (AP)

Doncic's decision to intentionally throw his freethrow attempt against the backboard, to claim the ball in the ensuing melee and have the composure and accuracy to drain his shot, was

"We are watching greatness. I've never seen anything like that ever," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban tweeted.

DeMar DeRozan of Chicago Bulls and Washing -

Elsewhere, LeBron James impressed with 28 points as Los Angeles Lakers ended a four-game losing streak by beating Orlando Magic 129-110.

Kane Williamson brought up his 25th Test century (AFP/Getty Images)

GCA president wants to improve on success of 2022

By Sean Devers

REGARDED as the hub of Demerara’s cricket, apart from the Berbice Cricket Board, the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) produced the most National cricketers at all levels this year, including Guyana Senior skipper Leon Johnson and both Youth captains in the Mohabir siblings - Alvin and Dave.

But GCA’s success story has not been without challenges as GCA president Neil Barry explained to Chronicle Sport.

“On the return to cricket after the COVID-19 pandemic, GCA was tasked with ensuring that all protocols were followed to prevent the spread of the virus and reduce the possibility of infection and even loss of life.

“The impact of adverse weather conditions hindered the smooth running and com-

pletion of the tournaments in Georgetown, as ground availability was severely affected,” added Barry a former Demerara and Guyana Youth and Senior wicketkeeper/ batter.

“The GCA is most pleased with successful participation of GCA youth teams (U15, U17 & U19) in DCB Inter-Association Competitions.

“The GCA played undefeated in matches at all levels, winning all competitions. However, the players are yet to receive their trophies and prizes,” noted the 56-year-old

right-hander.

Barry, whose highest score is 71 from nine FirstClass games, is also happy with the number of youth players from GCA who were selected to represent Demerara and Guyana at all the youth levels.

“GCA had 29 players who represented Demerara at all youth levels, 10 players who were selected to the GCB President’s IX that participated as the 4th team in the Inter-County Youth competitions, 14 players that represented Guyana at the various youth levels including the Mohabir brothers - Alvin and Dave. who made history in becoming the first siblings to captain all of Guyana Youth teams in the same year. GCA player Mavindra Dindyal was selected to represent the West Indies at U19 level in 2022.”

Barry, who also played 12 limited overs games for Guyana, is pleased with

the launching of the Smalta female Youth programme which is ongoing, the successful implementation of the GCA Koolkids Next-Gen Cricket coaching programme, which exposed over 400 pupils drawn from Grades 3 to 5 from 8 primary schools in Georgetown to 8 weeks of cricket coaching and the implementation of the Cricclubs digital scoring platform that carries live scores of all GCA matches to a global audience.

Asked what his plans are for 2023, Barry said: improving on and sustaining the successes of 2022; providing more opportunities for young talents to emerge from within the boundaries of the GCA; implementing more development programmes, especially targeting female and youth cricketers and to further digitise and professionalise the administration of cricket within the GCA.

High praise for success of Region

7 at One Guyana President’s Cup

THE historic One Guyana President’s Cup reached its semi-final stage yesterday evening and continues to make an indelible mark in the football landscape at the National Track and Field Facility, Leonora, West Coast Demerara.

Region Seven rallied to record their third win of four matches to advance to the semi-finals after suffering a heavy 1-6 loss to Region Four, in their first match of the group stage.

Thereafter, they notched three consecutive wins – 1-0 triumphs over Region Six and Nine – and a 3-0 win over Region Eight on Christmas Night at the Bartica Community Centre ground.

Scoring all three of their goals was Andrew ‘Somersault’ Simmons, who performed his trademark somersault after scoring each goal, much to the delight and cheers of the well over

eight hundred home fans and the largest attendance at any venue to date.

It was a performance that was witnessed by Mayor Gifford Marshall, Deputy Mayor Arita Embleton, Bartica FA Secretary and Regional Chairman Kenneth Williams, Ewrin Ward (Prime Ministerial Representative in Region Seven), former Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford, Bartica Football Association president Alden Marslowe and his executive committee, and former Guyana and FIFA Referee now Instructor, Diane Ferreira-James, among others.

Mayor Marshall, speaking after the Region’s performance, expressed delight at their achievement in this historical competition which is being played for the first time.

“As we celebrate this season of joy, peace, and good-

will, we have much to be thankful for and grateful for. Tonight, we are thankful for the victory of the Region 7 team. It was a well-deserved victory and I commend the management team and the hundreds of spectators that turned up at the venue to support the game.

Further, I am grateful to President Ali, and GFF president Wayne Forde for initiating this tournament. This timely investment in football, I believe, will go a far way in addressing many of the social ills we face daily while at the same time positively impacting the sports in general.

As a stakeholder, I reaffirm my office’s commitment and support for the good of the game and the success of our youths. I wish all the teams well and trust that this tournament will be the foundation of greater things

to come.”

Also showering praise on the team was Bartica Football Association president, Alden Marslowe.

“The entire region is extremely proud of the team’s performance in the game on Christmas night, and their overall position in the tournament. We went into this match with high confidence, and it showed in the way the guys played and produced three goals.

Going forward to the semi-finals, we know that we would need to lift the intensity against a highly talented team. Ours is a young squad, but the guys have adapted well to this tournament and have consolidated their strategies. All we need now is to maintain that composure to give themselves an outside chance to reach the final… and possibly win it all.”

Sport Conference/ NSC Awards could potentially be held in January – Sport Minister

THERE is all likelihood that the National Sports Commission (NSC) gala Awards Ceremony could return as early as January 2023 according to subject Minister Charles Ramson Jr.

The Awards Ceremony that was held in 2019 could also be held alongside the highly successful Sport Conference which was first staged in 2021 but did not take place in 2022.

“It should be early in the following year, but I don’t think it should be for that year,” Minister Ramson Jr. stated.

He added, “Yes, we will have the awards … internally; we are setting it for January because we still want to do the Sport Conference.”

According to the Minister, “the Sport Conference is a useful mechanism for us to do the awards and discuss how we are going to continuously improve and make an assessment of how the academies are working, where are failures and implement the strategies and programmes on how to improve it.”

After the inaugural Sport Conference in 2021, the focus was shifted to the implementation of the first-ever Sport Academy in the country.

The Sport Academy, which, importantly, is a programme and not a building, will centre on three pillars - Nursery, Tournaments and Elite Training Academy.

The core sports currently identified by the Ministry are: Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Squash, Table Tennis, Rugby, Volleyball, Swimming, Football, Tennis, Hockey, and Track and Field.

GCA president Neil Barry

Mayor Gifford Marshall (left) and Regional Chairman, Kenneth Williams (right) pose with the victorious Region Seven team following their win and qualification for the semi-finals