Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 30-01-2023

Black Panther star, Letitia Wright, visits iconic Kaieteur Falls

Oneidge Walrond.

Prior to the nature tour at the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Conservation and Development, Wright received a hearty welcome

ible few minutes interacting with this humble daughter of the soil who is here to explore her motherland, share her experiences and create memories with us over

starred in Sing 2, which was Oscar-nominated for best-animated feature; Death on the Nile; The Silent Twins; the movie adaptation of Ready Player One;

FAMOUS GuyaneseBritish actress, Letitia Michelle Wright, on Sunday, visited the Kaieteur Falls, one of the country’s principal tourist attractions, as she continued to spend time in her homeland.

Wright, who arrived on Friday night, was out on Saturday on a nature tour at the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Conservation and Development. The

Guyanese-born star and her relatives. The Black Panther star was photographed standing in awe gazing over the mighty falls. Additionally, she interacted with several staff of the PAC.

Renowned pilot Captain Gerry Gouveia also shared a photo of Wright with a bright smile enjoying the scenery.

Wright also paid a visit to the children of Sacred Heart Roman

ternationally acclaimed actress Letitia Wright who was more than willing to stop and interact with the young, enthusiastic fans on her tour of Main Street,” the post read.

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

On Friday, Wright

from the First Lady of Guyana, Arya Ali.

The warm exchange was shared on social media with the following post:

“Welcoming home our very own Letitia Wright or, what many of us prefer to call her, the Black Panther. Incred -

the next few days.

“Letitia is an inspiration to every little child in Guyana with a dream. Her story inspires us to work hard and never quit on those dreams. We celebrate her, today and always. Welcome home, Black Panther.”

Wright has also

Aisha; Avengers End Game; Avengers Infinity War; Mangrove; Urban Hymn; Guava Island and many others.

The movie star was extended an invitation by President, Dr Irfaan Ali back in November 2022, to visit her homeland.

Iwokrama rainforest is known as one of South America’s key birdwatching hotspots. Then on Sunday, she visited the iconic falls.

The Protected Areas Commission (PAC), which hosted the tour to the falls, extended a hearty welcome to the

Catholic Church at Main Street, Georgetown. The organisation, in a Facebook post, commended the Guyanese-born star for spending time with the children.

“How Cool! Our children were able to have this photo with visiting Guyanese-born, in-

was heralded in by a cultural extravaganza of steel pan players, drummers and dancers at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). She was also welcomed home by her grandmother, father and Guyana’s Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce,

Letitia Wright and the children of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church Guyana

Guyanese-British actress Letitia Wright and her family at Guyana’s Kaieteur Falls (News Room photo)

Guyanese- British actress Letitia Wright ‘chilling’ at Guyana’s Kaieteur Falls (News Room photo)

Letitia Wright at the Kaieteur Falls (News Room photo) Thumbs up! Guyanese- British actress Letitia Wright at Guyana’s Kaieteur Falls (News Room photo)

‘Amaila Falls project was viable’ – PM

–– Finance Minister debunks misinformation by AFC’s David Patterson

By Shamar Meusa

AS the 2023 National Budget debate came to a close on Friday last in the National Assembly, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips posited that there was evidence to prove that the Amaila Falls project, when originally tabled in 2013, was a viable one that would have garnered long-term benefits for Guyana.

The Prime Minister was at the time addressing statements made by former Minister and Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), David Patterson, who denied that the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) opposition was responsible for blocking the project.

Though he described the project as “stillborn,” Patterson said the opposition played no part in ‘killing’ the Amaila Falls hydro project.

Prime Minister Phillips, however, said that Patterson misrepresented the facts on the Amaila Falls project in the National Assembly.

“All the documents, all the evidence is there to show that the Amaila Falls was a viable project and had we continued along that development trajectory that was set out by the previous PPP government, we would have had 165 megawatts (MW) renewable energy delivered to the people of Guyana,” the Prime Minister stressed.

This, he added, would have benefitted the people of the country but more specifically, those in Linden and Bartica, had it been developed five years ago.

Meanwhile, delivering the closing presentation on

the final day of the budget debate, Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, went into details in relation to the matters that led to the derailing of the hydropower project in 2013.

During that time, the People’s Progressive Party was a minority government.

And Dr Singh told the house, “The Amaila Falls [project] did not happen because of direct obstruction by the APNU+AFC.”

Providing evidence to the National Assembly on the matter, the Finance Minister cited several articles published back then,

that detailed events which caused the project to be halted.

Sharing an article published on August 21, 2013, the Finance Minister cited a statement which was made at the time by the then President of the National Amerindian Development foundation; it noted that the APNU’s axing of the Amaila project was meant to cripple the government’s development strategy.

Prior to this, he noted that the government had received some insight into what would be transpiring as another report published stated that the APNU was

not budging on the Amaila project.

He told the house, “The article said, ‘Despite a 7AM call to the then opposition leader by the then President (who was President Donald Ramotar at the time) on a Sunday morning that 7AM Sunday morning call failed to budge APNU’s decision not to support Amaila’.”

Sithe Global, the major investor for the project, walked away from it. The company’s president then reportedly said that the project was too large to continue without a national consensus or without the support of all three major

did not support the project, the AFC, at the last minute, chose to support the project.

Dr Singh said, “… that entire history is conveniently forgotten by Mr Patterson who now comes conveniently forgetting the views expressed by his party at that time.”

And the Finance Minister, like Prime Minister Phillips, said the Amaila Falls project did not happen at that time as a direct consequence of the actions taken by the APNU+AFC in Parliament.

He added, “For Mr Patterson to now come and try to rewrite history, try to as if none of this happened, this is in the parliamentary record, it is in the media… As if none of this happened to come to say that APNU+AFC played no role in this at all, I fear that I could not adequately describe what he would have committed in that regard.”

parties in Parliament at the time Driving home his point, Dr Singh cited a Reuters article which was published in August 2013 as well.

This article stated that Sithe Global pulled out of the $858 million hydroelectric generation project in Guyana, “citing political wrangling that prevented it from obtaining financing.”

AFC SUPPORT

Also rebutting Patterson’s remarks, the Finance Minister said that while the main opposition party (APNU)

While the programme was shelved following the APNU+AFC taking office in 2015, the PPP /C administration since entering office in 2020 has sought to breathe new life into the project as the party strives to achieve energy security through an energy mix.

The project was expected to commence construction in 2022 and be completed in 2025 to add 165 MW of energy to the national grid.

In 2022, Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo had said that construction of the hydropower station could possibly go back to tender as the executing company at the time was having difficulties honouring its commitment to the Build-Own -Operate-Transfer (BOOT) contract it had signed.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips

An artist’s impression of the Amaila Falls hydro project

Modern swine abattoir at Garden of Eden taking shape

- all preliminary works completed, says Agriculture Minister

THE preliminary works for a modular pig-slaughtering and processing facility at Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara, have been completed, according to Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha.

“We have prepared the land site, we’ve done the fence, the bridge, the road and the process is moving very rapidly,” Mustapha said in an invited comment on Sunday.

While those works are complete, he also said that the ministry is currently en-

gaging in discussions with private sector investors to establish the processing wing of the facility.

“We are now looking to have discussions with a private investor to collaborate there, not only for the swine facility; we are looking to do a processing plant there and to produce things like sausages and so on.”

In 2021, Mustapha had announced that an investment of $29 million will be made to establish the facility.

Minister Mustapha said then that about 66 per cent,

or two-thirds of Guyana’s pork and pork products were imported, racking up a costly bill. Ham, bacon and sausage make up the bulk of the imports. And based on statistics, he said the local swine industry is producing only at 10 per cent of its true potential.

In 2022, the ministry had begun the roll out of its genetic improvement, nutrition and animal health programme to improve livestock production.

“We have a number of those projects both in the cattle industry and swine [industry]. In the cattle industry we have started the transfer of embryos, we have also started the artificial insemination in cattle and also small ruminants.”

Mustapha noted that the country’s swine industry is

poised for great expansion in 2023.

“Last year we would have also produced 4,167 piglets, new breeds of pigs and we have been working with farmers around the country and this year we intend to increase on that.”

SELF-SUFFICIENT

Meanwhile, Mustapha noted that Guyana is closer to becoming self-sufficient by producing its own feed for livestock.

The first soya bean trial cultivation at the Dubulay Ranch, which is located approximately 70 miles south of Georgetown along the Berbice River, has been dubbed successful and the second crop is under cultivation. Harvesting is scheduled to take place in March.

Mustapha explained that

if the government is able to further expand production within the next three years, the country will not only become a supplier to the regional market, but will also be self-sufficient in producing its own feed for livestock.

In 2021, six local companies and a regional firm joined together to undertake the massive project that could see Guyana becoming self-sufficient in corn and soya bean over the next few years.

The owners of Guyana Stockfeeds Incorporated.,

Royal Chicken, Edun Farms, SBM Wood, Dubulay Ranch, and Bounty farm ltd., along with the Brazilian-owned NF agriculture, have partnered to produce soya bean and corn for both the local and regional markets. With Guyana expending close to US$25 million annually on proteins for the poultry sector, the government, since being elected to office in 2020, has taken steps to promote domestic cultivation of grains such as corn and soya bean.

Fathers come together for special family day

with their kids.

The tag #Homewithdad was trending across the nation, as these men showcased the many ways in which they were connecting with their children.

President Ali joined in on the challenge and shared a picture on his Facebook page of him and his son, Zayd, spending quality time together.

Fathers in the Guyana Police Force did not skip out on the fun, as several of them showcased sentimental

memories with his daughter.

More so, backyard adventures were even chosen as a way for fathers to bond with their children. Rayaz Mohamed shared an affectionate moment with him and his son on Facebook “on a mission” exploring their surroundings for backyard critters.

The MoM initiative, a brain child of President Ali, is a movement aimed at impressing upon men the importance of responsibility, being role models and dem-

NUMEROUS fathers and father figures across Guyana dedicated Sunday towards spending time with their families as part of a special ‘Home with Dad’ day organised under President, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s

‘Men on Mission’ (MoM) initiative.

Fathers and father figures posted photos and videos of them engaging in bonding activities such as cooking, reading, playing sports or watching a movie

moments within the day.

Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken; Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’, Calvin Brutus, and Police Commander for Regional Division #9, Senior Superintendent Raphael Rose were some of the officers who took on the MoM challenge and “cooked up a storm” in their kitchen.

Also, Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’ (ag) of the GPF, Ravindradat Budhram and his sons engaged in some bonding time by playing sports.

The Regional Culture, Youth and Sports Officer, of Region Six, Omeshwar Sirikishun, exhibited a sentimental moment of him in the kitchen creating great

onstrating a collective will to shoulder a progressive system to support Guyana’s developing society.

Through this initiative, the President envisions that approximately 150 houses across the country will be constructed for vulnerable persons who have their own lands.

Another important part of the initiative, he added, is to work with young people to provide coaching, mentoring, and motivation. It is also geared towards creating a new movement through which there is a greater appreciation among men for the way they take individual and collective action.

Rayaz Mohamed and his son

Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’ (ag) of the Guyana Police Force, Mr. Ravindradat Budhram and his sons

Commissioner of Police, Mr. Clifton Hicken ‘cooking up a storm’

The Regional Culture, Youth and Sports Officer, of Region Six, Omeshwar Sirikishun and his daughter

President Irfaan Ali spending quality time with First Son, Zayd (Photo: President Irfaan Ali’s Facebook page)

On The Rise

GUYANA’S profile as a significant player on the international stage was given a boost with the emergence of the country as an oil-producing nation.

With Guyana set to be among the highest per capita oil producers in the near future, the country has been attracting much attention not only from investors, but also from the global community as a whole.

Interest in Guyana, however, long predated oil. Ever since the country attained internal self-government and with the rise of nationalist leaders, attention was focused on the political and ideological orientation of the PPP government which created history by sweeping the polls in the elections of 1953, the first to be held under universal adult suffrage.

The PPP regime, a mere six months later, was overthrown from office after the British government felt uncomfort-

able with the leftist orientation of the PPP. The Constitution was suspended and the PPP under the leadership of the charismatic Dr Cheddi Jagan, was forcibly removed from office.

The suspension of the Constitution catapulted the then colony into the international spotlight as it represented one of the few countries in the hemisphere where a left-wing political party had won political power through constitutional means.

Attention in the country was again high after the PNC regime took office in 1964 through, what was described by former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson ‘as a fiddled constitutional arrangement,’ one unknown in the entire British Commonwealth.

The British Government took a decision to change the electoral laws to allow for a change from first past the post to proportional representation, which al-

lowed for two or more political parties to form a coalition government.

The PNC and the UF joined forces to remove the PPP from government in 1964 and under the leadership of Forbes Burnham, the PNC regime began a process of rigged elections which lasted until 1985.

Under pressure from the Carter Centre, the Hoyte administration agreed to hold free and fair elections after nearly three decades of undemocratic rule.

Guyana, during that period, was under close observation by the international community, albeit in a negative way as many countries and international institutions refused to do business with the country. Guyana at one time was considered a ‘pariah’ state with the IMF describing the PNC administration as “uncreditworthy.”

And not to be ignored was the outpouring of condemnation by the interna-

tional community after the APNU+AFC once again attempted to steal the March 2020 elections. The bogus results were eventually overturned, thanks to the intervention of the courts and the international community, and Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali was sworn in as the duly elected President of Guyana.

Guyana under the leadership of President Ali has regained its rightful place as a democracy in the global community of nations and is today a key player in international relations, both at the regional and international levels.

Under the dynamic and energetic leadership of President Ali, Guyana is once again winning the respect of the international community.

The country may be relatively small in size, but certainly large in terms of visionary thinking and ideas on how to advance the cause of humanity.

Clear plans in place for long-term economic progress

Dear Editor,

THE Government of Guyana (GoG) is poised to hit a 26 per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate in 2023, resulting from a diversified economy and moving the economy to different levels.

The economy is in a constant state of change and this economic transformation is not only stable, but it is also yielding progressive growth of GDP.

Economic transformation comes about as a result of major and thoughtful investments to reduce poverty, educate the younger generation and create lucrative jobs for them, build the economic, financial, judicial and political systems to support growth, and continuously improve on the infrastructure in healthcare, transportation and social services to support a growing economy as well as those most in need.

It is also building a strong private sector to continue innovation and invest in the economy in Guyana, as well as our regional Caribbean nations, especially those countries facing development challenges.

As the nation goes through the 2023 budget process, it is fitting to reflect on how this budget is supporting long-term economic transformation, while at the same time addressing those immediate short-term imperatives that impact Guyanese daily lives.

Prior to the advent of oil production, Guyana’s economy was largely agrarian-based, in which a third of the population relied on subsistence agriculture. This is about to change now with the discovery of oil and gas.

The economy is moving into an export-led economy with the carbon commodity. Export-led growth occurs when an economy uses exports as an economic

growth strategy to achieve economic development.

In the past, many small developing economies relied on the import-substitution development strategy to boost economic development; this economic paradigm has largely failed and proved ineffective.

The export-led economic model, in the case of Guyana, is carbon. This will yield much-needed resources to use for capital investment spending in key sectors.

Given this stark economic reality and looking to where spending is going, the GoG is focusing on long-term economic transformation with revenues from exports.

The GoG can now make major investments in healthcare, which will lead to long-term economic outcomes.

Additionally, the GoG has an opportunity to begin this transformative process

now with the 2023 budget. Let’s highlight some of the areas that the government has targeted to speed the transformation of the economy, while addressing current domestic challenges:

Quality healthcare: The GoG has committed G$84.9 billion to the health sector with the aim of improving service and facilities across Guyana.

As part of the budget, over $500 million for the training of healthcare professionals and $900 million to address non-communicable diseases and mental health. There is a striking link between a healthy workforce to continue transforming the economy, in addition to responding to pandemics and other health concerns.

Education: There is a strong and direct correlation with education and transformation of an economy and in

Editor Navendra Seoraj

A theoretical rejection of creeping apartheid in Guyana

By Freddie Kissoon

IT was Karl Marx who popularized the role of the state apparatus in the suppression of weaker classes by dominant class forces.

But Marx was not the originator of the crucial role of the coercive state apparatus in the maintenance of hegemony by the wealthier classes.

The elaboration of the role the state plays in stabilizing society goes way back to Plato in ancient Greek times. An elementary reading of Plato would inform the reader that he placed extreme emphasis on the role of the state to ensure the survival of the republic.

The Romans found Plato’s role of the state to be sacrosanct and that explains why the state under Roman rule became ubiquitous where everyone, wealthy or extraordinarily wealthy had to pay homage to the state.

The dissatisfaction with the all-powerful state found expression in 2015 when the barons rebelled against King John’s repressive role. The Renaissance and the Enlightenment were both designed to give more power to social forces, while only the French philosopher

John Jacques Rousseau argued for the abolition of the state.

Nicola Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes and Edmund Burke saw a strong state as indispensable, while John Locke went far back to Plato’s Nocturnal Council in arguing that though the state is necessary, it has to offer water-tight obligations to the property-owners

An unlikely philosophical harmony occurred in late 19th century politics when two opposing ideologies found common ground in their treatment of the state. Both communism and fascism saw the coming of the Nietzsche’s Übermensch as the classless future, though Marxist philosophers would pour scorn on the importance of the Übermensch.

On the other hand, European colonialism and American imperialism in the 19th and 20th centuries used the state to ensure capitalist hegemony in the world. With the rise of the Cold War after WW2, the state in both the USSR and the USA became Orwellian. What Edward Snowden revealed about the US intelligence community was inevitable, but it is not confined to the US alone.

When we apply the

above description of the role of the state, it cannot support a theory of creeping apartheid in Guyana. There were two apartheid systems in the worldWhite denial of African rights in South Africa and Israeli humiliation and destruction of the dignity of Palestinians. South African apartheid was destroyed. The Palestinians are still in the throes of ethnic subjugation.

In both of these racist systems, the coercive state apparatus preserved the system through control and repression by ethnic profusion. In Guyana, such ethnic saturation does not exist, thus destroying the theory of creeping apartheid.

White perpetuation of apartheid was done through a ubiquitous state system. The security platforms, the judiciary, the bureaucracy and the education system excluded Blacks for two reasons – they were considered genetically inferior and were not trusted with state power.

In Guyana, it is not only that apartheid does not exist, but there can be room for a provocative argument that East Indians lack sociological and state power; therefore they are most likely

to suffer discrimination, police victimization and social denial.

In Guyana, the coercive state apparatus is 95 per cent African dominated. State bureaucracy and its related organs are 95 per cent African dominated. The education system has a predominance of African teachers in particular Regions Four, Five, Nine and 10. In Regions Two, Three and Six there is no overwhelming numbers of Indian teachers.

In tertiary education, the African presence is graphic. Guyana has only one state-owned university and for the past 30 years it has been controlled by a small incestuous cabal whose hegemony is impossible to dissolve. This cabal is undemocratic, unaccountable and opaque in its administrative transactions and is all-African. The university started by the Indian Premier Cheddi Jagan in 1963 has never had an Indian Vice-Chancellor. Simply put, in its 60-year-old history there has never been an Indian head at UG.

In state medical services, there is no Indian predominance in doctors, nurses and auxiliary staff. In the legal community, there are no alarm -

Freddie Kissoon ing numbers of Indian lawyers comparatively speaking. The Indians and Africans are just about equal in the judiciary and magistracy.

In sports, Indians are not represented in basketball, hockey and soccer. In cricket there is a marked presence of African players. In the entertainment business, this is an area in which Africans are pronounced.

This leaves us with the economy. The number of wealthy Indian entrepreneurs far outstrips their African counterparts, but it is vulgarization of academia to argue that this constitutes an apartheid system. An overwhelming presence of Indians in the investment sec -

tor cannot constitute an apartheid system.

In Guyana, poverty is equally pronounced among both major races. My wife and I went to two Muslin orphanages to make donations. None of the children were Africans. To be continued. Columnist’s note: My column was rejected by the Kaieteur News

Venezuelan nabbed with marijuana at Tuschen

ADRIAN Meddia, 29, a Venezuelan national and labourer was, on Saturday, arrested with 1053.6 grammes (or about 2.3 pounds) of cannabis at Tushen, East Bank Essequibo, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

According to a statement from Police Headquarters, around 23:15 hours on Saturday, officers from Regional Division #3, observed Meddia standing and holding a bulky black haversack at Tushen.

One of the officers reportedly told the suspect he would like to conduct a search on his person for anything illegal and Meddia agreed.

Two bulky parcels wrapped in scotch tape and

The cannabis found on Adrian

containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis were found in the haversack. As such, Meddia was arrested and escorted to the Leonora

Police Station.

The marijuana was weighed and amounted to 1053.6 grammes. Investigations are ongoing.

Clear plans in place for long-term ...

the case of Guyana, to support short-term and long-term initiatives. Investments in education improves people skills and knowledge, which is needed to support a transforming economy. Recognizing this direct relationship, the GoG has allocated the largest-ever planned investment in education, with a record G$94.4 billion allocation.

Income relief to those in need: To transform the economy, individuals need to have access to food, water, medicines, etc…, but more importantly, they need to have accesses to income to make these possible. In what would be considered a commitment to those most in need, the GoG has created mechanisms to remove approximately 12,000 households from taxation, so they can keep more of their incomes for necessary consumption. In addition, some G$ 100 million has been allocated for the construction of day and night care centres, allowing parents to put their children in safe environments, while they work to improve their livelihoods.

Housing: The government has increased the allocation to support low-income housing to G$20 million.

Besides the obvious living standard impacts, shelter, this policy would have on Guyanese, there is now the opportunity to acquire, store, and transfer economic wealth from generation to generation.

Food safety, supply regionally: Guyanese have and through this budget with investments in the agricultural sector will continue to feed the Caribbe-

an. The budget envisions major investments, in rice, sugar, coconut, fruits and vegetables, cocoa and coffee, corn and soya, poultry, beef, small ruminants and aquaculture. Transforming means reducing the reliance on imports and producing sufficient for domestic consumption, while supplying the Caribbean. This principle is based on economic abundance of resources, land and water.

Infrastructure: The GoG through the budget has planned massive improvements in roads and bridges, deep-water harbour and port development, sea and river defence, feasibility study for railway, industrial rail network, 3D technology for provision of lowcost housing and a Port Management Information System.

These investments will transform how goods, people, information, and resources move within the economy in a cost-effective manner. For example, slow ports cost entrepreneurs and business time and money in the movement of goods.

Access to information to make informed decisions, will greatly improve decision-making and efficiency.

Planned investments in water is estimated to be G$17.7 billion to improve access to potable water in the hinterland and coastal communities.

An estimated $43.4 billion has been allocated to construct the Wales gas-to--nergy project, which would reduce energy costs and replace the outdated power- generation systems.

In terms of leadership and collaboration on the

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domestic, regional and international levels, we see that President, Dr Irfaan Ali and his Cabinet are directly involved with representations at every possible venue to build partnerships, open communication and answer questions on the readiness of political and economic systems in Guyana for transformation and growth.

The GoG has also recognised the value of transparency in the workings of the government to support those partners, which is necessary for transformation of the economy.

President Ali through his speeches, both domestically and internationally, encourages the private sector to be partners in transformation of the economy and has committed the GoG to ensuring that the economic and physical infrastructure are in place.

Clearly, there are an exhaustive listing of both macroeconomic and microeconomic variables that would provide how effective fiscal policies are focusing on economic transformation.

This essay was not intended to provide that exhaustive listing, but simply to highlight those fiscal policies of the Government of Guyana that need to be addressed.

The discussion shows that the GoG is in fact focusing on long-term transformation of the economy, given its new-found resources.

This is, in essence, how a budget is used to transform an economy.

Yours respectfully,

Dr Tilokie Arnold Depoo Economist

Meddia

Sports fraternity scores big with Budget 2023

THE PPP/C Government allocated a massive $4.3 billion for the further development of sports in our country. In the year 2023, our sporting fraternity will certainly benefit from the construction and completion of several sport facilities around the country.

It is indeed heartening to know that the sum of $4.3 billion is a significant increase from 2022, when the budgeted sum was $2.2 billion and this year’s allocation almost triples the 2021 allocation, which was $1.5 billion.

The world-class synthetic track at Lenora was built by the PPP/C Government. And it is indeed a pity, that the Guyana Athletic Association is not making the fullest use of the facility.

Further, during the five years that the APNU+AFC was in government, there was no proper management in place to maintain the facility.

However, the PPP/C Government is developing a world-class Lenora facility which is also the venue for the football fraternity to play international football tournaments.

It was extremely sad and

painful to listen to the comments made by the PNC “barber” about this worldclass facility. I am awaiting the condemnation of his deplorable comments during his budget speech by the Sport Associations.

It was the APNU+AFC Government that decided and started to build the two synthetic tracks in New Amsterdam and Linden. I would like to see the audit of the National Sports Commission during the five years that they were in government.

Millions of dollars were allocated and spent on the two facilities, but there is nothing to show what the money was spent on. However, this transparent and accountable PPP/C Government will complete and make these two facilities available to our athletes in Linden and New Amsterdam.

It is now time for our national sport associations to wake up from their slumber and stop sporting with sport. All national sport associations must hold their annual general meetings, all associations must produce their annual financial audits and they must produce proper annual work programmes.

The construction of the National Resource Centre was the vision of the PPP/C Government. It is imperative that proper training programmes be organised, and we must follow and make the Resource Centre the fore-runner of our Sports College.

All our sport associations must be prepared to work together so that our coaches, managers, ‘physios’, physical trainers, along with all the sports developers and facilitators can be properly trained and equipped for the challenges and success that we are looking forward to.

The 2023 budget is catering for the construction of several multi-purpose sport facilities in the hinterland. Our school’s athletics programme has confirmed that there are very good athletes in the Amerindian communities.

We need to give our hinterland communities the opportunities to produce worldclass track and field athletes, footballers, boxers, swimmers and volleyball players. Our Indigenous population must rise to the occasion and compete with the best in the world.

$107M recovered by Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission last year

THE Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) successfully recovered some $107 million for aggrieved consumers in 2022 by enforcing the Consumer Affairs Act (CAA) of 2011, a release from the Commission noted.

According to the release, the Commission, in 2022, received 410 complaints which amounted to a total value of $261.2 million. Approximately 87 per cent of those complaints were resolved; that resulted in the $107 million sum being recovered on behalf of consumers. The remaining 13 per cent of claims are ongoing cases.

As was the case in previous years, the Commission noted that electronics, electronics appliance and appliance services, and the automotive industry continued to dominate the

categories of complaints.

In fact, it was noted that the automotive industry accounted for the highest value of complaints to the value of $165.9 million. Meanwhile, Region Four generated the highest number of complaints293 complaints, followed by Region Three with 64 complaints, Region 10 with 27 complaints, and Region Six with 14.

Additionally, 1,005 inspections were conducted in eight of the 10 administrative regions for compliance with the Consumer Affairs Act. From those inspections, it was found that 397 businesses inspected were in conformance. At the same time, the other 608 were made aware of their duties under the CAA and were given the opportunity to bring their operations into conformance.

Last year, the Commission also noted that it

The development of sport facilities, particularly community grounds, in all the regions will further enable greater participation in sport activities. With this massive investment in sports, it is imperative that we see a greater

number of sport clubs in the communities.

With the formation of active sport clubs, we will see the development of strong club structures which must lead to better and more functional regional sport associa-

tions with the establishment of functional national sport associations.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s One Guyana initiative will be further strengthened with our nation united by sports.

translated the excerpt of the Consumer Affairs Act 2011 to Mandarin and that document was handed over to the Chinese Association last December. This was done because it was found that many Chinses businesses were not compliant with the Act.

Additionally, an inaugural compliance awards ceremony was launched in November 2022. Five businesses were awarded, and long-standing consumer Advocate Pat Dial was awarded Consumer Advocate of the year. For the first time, the Commission introduced compliance certificates that were issued to compliant businesses.

The Commission assured consumers that it will continue to host outreaches in all 10 regions to increase awareness of the Consumer Affairs Act and its role in Guyana.

Budget 2023 helps to counter cost-of-living issues (Part One)

By Joel Bhagwandin

BUDGET 2023 is 41.4 per cent larger than budget 2022, amounting to $781.9 billion, fully financed with no new taxes. Prior to the government tapping into the Natural Resource Fund (NRF), central government revenue typically composed of 96 per cent tax revenue and four per cent non-tax revenue.

In Financial Year (FY) 2022, organic tax revenue accounted for 68 per cent of total revenue, non-tax revenue accounted for two per cent, and the NRF withdrawal accounted for 29 per cent of total revenue. In FY 2023, organic tax revenue is estimated to account for 55 per cent, organic non-tax revenue is estimated to account for three per cent of total revenue, NRF withdrawal is estimated to account for 36 per cent of total revenue, GRIF inflows estimated to account for one per cent of total revenue, and carbon credit inflows is estimated to account for five per cent of total revenue.

The budget is premised on a national development framework which began three decades ago under the incumbent government, viz-á-viz, the National Development Strategy (NDS) (1996). The NDS is a seven-volume document with over 3,000 pages. If one were to peruse this document, one would recognise that all of the infrastructure and physical development program, in particular, the tourism development strategy among other things that the government is advancing, were all identified in that NDS framework.

The need to revisit the feasibility of reintroducing railway networks with respect to the development of the transportation sector– aimed at reducing the logistical cost in transporting goods in bulk across the country and of course connecting the country through rail networks once again to enable cost effective and efficient movement of goods and people, is also articulated in the NDS. It is worth noting at this point that in respect of reintroducing railways, beyond connecting the country through rail networks, Guyana is now in a position where over the long term, policymakers may need to consider integrating Guyana in South America through rail networks which will open up new opportunities and access to a larger market within the South American

continent. The NDS, over the years was subsequently complemented by the National Competitiveness Strategy (NCS), the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) which has been recently updated and expanded to include the blue economy, and the manifesto commitments of the Government upon which it was elected.

The budget contains several measures to combat the cost-of-living issue which is largely impacted by external factors within the global economy. To this end, the inflationary pressure is driven by two forces: (1) Imported inflation attributable to the fact that Guyana imports more than 80 per cent of consumption goods, intermediate and capital goods. This aspect of inflation is impacted by events in the global economy such as supply chain disruptions leading to cost push inflation and demand-pull inflation. (2) Secondly, the inflationary impact within the domestic economy is also driven by strong domestic demand across all sectors as demonstrated by the vibrant double-digit growth in the overall economy and in the non-oil sectors.

The total estimated cost of the COL measures implemented by the government in terms of direct cost to the treasury and foregone revenue to the treasury–is approximately $89 billion. This represents 11.3 per cent of the total budget, 28 per cent of current revenue, and 43 per cent of the NRF withdrawal to finance budget 2023. The budgetary allocations in the social services sector, which include allocations towards employment cost for public sector employees, health, education, social welfare programmes, housing and water, culture and youth amounts to $226.2 billion, reflecting a 42 per cent increase over the previous year and accounting for 29 per cent of budget 2023, and 71 per cent of current revenues.

In view of this, these are substantial budgetary allocations towards the social services sector–while noting that the approximate sum of $226.2 billion is exclusive of allocations towards public safety and security. Indeed, the government is pursuing an expansionary fiscal and monetary policy framework to facilitate the accelerated development trajectory of the economy. In theory, it is true that expansionary policies are inflationary.

From all indications, however, the

government is mindful of this and has managed to contain inflation while preventing the economy from overheating. It is precisely for this reason why the government has been careful to not increase significantly the current expenditure side of the budget. In this regard, the current expenditure of the budget since the government assumed office in 2020 only increased cumulatively by 51 per cent or an average Y-o-Y increase of 12.76 per cent. In theory, substantial increases in the current expenditure side of the budget would drive inflationary pressures on consumption, and which would be difficult to scale back because this would include, for example, larger increases, as the Opposition is advocating for, in wages and salaries and social welfare programmes.

Conversely, to accelerate the development trajectory, there have been substantial increases in the capital expenditure by over 400 per cent cumulatively since FY 2020 with an average Y-o-Y increase of 102 per cent. Notwithstanding, capital expenditure and capital projects can easily be scaled back to contain any inflationary impact or overheating of the economy. So far there are no indications of the economy overheating and this can be explained by another inherent constraint, that is a default mechanism anchoring the overheating risk of the economy.

To this end, one of the major challenges that the government has to confront is absorptive capacity, wherein, this speaks to the rate of implementation of projects coupled with the bureaucracy in the system. While this is a constraint to the fast-paced development, it is also naturally working as an anchor by staving off any strong inflationary impact that would lead to overheating. With respect to the argument that the budget is not a balanced budget and not people centric, the proponents of this view failed to state and justify what are the determinants of a balanced budget and how is it that the budget is not people focused?

In order to so do, SphereX Analytics examined the composition of the population age groups using the 2012 population census data (which is 11 years ago), whereby for the purpose of this analysis, the age groups were adjusted upwards by 11 years, since the study was done 11 years ago. In examining the age groups of

Grove fire leaves four homeless

the population from the above illustration, 71 per cent of the population are in the age group of 11 – 40, 17 per cent of the population are in the age group 41 – 65, seven per cent of the population are in the age group 66 – 75, and the remaining five per cent of the population are 76 and over.

Putting this into context, investing for the future and creating prosperity for the tomorrow essentially means investing in the economy that will create sustainable prosperity for the 71 per cent of the population comprising of the present and future generation, who in turn have their entire working life ahead of them–and in the process building and developing the economy. Another 24 per cent of the population in the age group which is made of 17 per cent in the age group of 41-65 and seven per cent in the age group of 66–75, these age groups are also in the working population all of whom ought to have the framework for improved standard of living and quality of life today and securing their future as well.

Aligning this with the configuration of the budget whereby 29 per cent of the budgetary allocations are towards the social services sector and the remaining 71 per cent allocated towards investing in the infrastructure to enable the future growth trajectory and prosperity, this ratio configuration mirrors the composition of the population in terms of age group where the future is for the 71 per cent of the population (11-40 years old). While this segment of the population needs social services as well, more importantly, they also need the opportunity to build profitable enterprises for those who have entrepreneurial ambitions, and job opportunities which can only be created through investing in the economy and creating a conducive business and investment climate to so facilitate.

It is within these contexts, therefore, that it can be safely concluded that the budget is people focused. It is a balanced budget catering adequately for the future generation of professionals and entrepreneurs while improving the present-day conditions upon which their livelihoods hinged.

The budget also sufficiently caters for the elderly who account for five per cent of the population within the limitations of the financial resources available.

FOUR persons were, on Saturday, displaced after a fire of electrical origin destroyed their Downer Street, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home.

According to a state -

ment by the Guyana Fire Service, firefighters were summoned to the home of Belinda Bunbury at 13:10 hours after they were alerted of a fire.

“Water Tenders from

the Eccles and Diamond fire stations responded to the scene where a one flat wooden building was on fire,” the release said.

According to the Fire Service, the fire was the

result of a fluctuation in electricity that caused an overload in the electrical panel; this resulted in an explosion which ignited and spread to nearby combustible materials.

Firefighters examining the aftermath of a fire that has displaced four persons (Guyana Fire Service photo)

Driver flees after slamming into crowd, killing man & injuring others

The driver has been identified as Shazad

THE Guyana Police Force is searching for a driver who drove his Tacoma vehicle into a crowd of people early Sunday morning at the Canefield Settlement in East Canje Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne), killing one man and wounding three others, including an 11-year-old boy.

Dead is 51-year-old Somdatt Indal, also known as “Fats” of Lot 1178 Canefield Settlement, Region Six. Those injured have been identified as Daniel Sackichand, 21, of Adelphi Village; Dion Kistnen, 11, a student of Canje Secondary School and Leon Revon, 34, of East Canefield.

The driver of the vehicle has been identified as Shazad Sattaur. A statement from Police headquarters noted that Indal was attending a wedding in the area before the incident occurred. It was also reported that a young man at the wedding house and others were involved in an argument when he phoned his cousin, a contractor, who arrived in the Tacoma vehicle.

When the driver slammed into the crowd, Indal, Sackichand, and the 11-year-old boy were thrown into the air. Shortly after, all affected persons were taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital for treatment. Indal was subsequently pronounced dead.

Meanwhile, eyewitnesses reported that the driver left the injured people on the road and fled the scene in his vehicle. According to witnesses, the Tacoma had an N&S Contracting sign on it. Police investigations are continuing.

Sattaur

SPENDING QUALITY TIME

Scenes from around the country as fathers and father figures spent quality time with their children and families on Sunday, January 29, 2023. This was launched by President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s Men on Mission; a One Guyana initiative.

TIME ‘AT HOME WITH DAD’

Easier publishing for Guyanese writers with new, hybrid company

By Cassandra Khan

FREELANCE social media marketer, writer, and poet, Sarika Prasad, on Saturday, launched a hybrid publishing company that promises to assist local writers like herself in getting their books published much easier.

Inkstain Media & Publishing, the new company owned by the 24-year-old, offers publishing, editing and marketing packages that combine key features of traditional and self-publishing.

“We aim to offer quality services with higher royalties for authors and more creative freedom. We offer both standard and custom publishing and marketing packages as well as editing and graphic designing,” Prasad highlighted.

The new venture was pursued because Prasad encountered much difficulties getting her own book published. As such, she was filled with a drive to make publishing easier and more accessible for others.

“I wanted to help others, thus I decided to start a publishing company,” she noted during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle. Her publishing company offers services for e-books, paperbacks, and hardcovers. In the future, she is hoping to expand and make available audiobooks. She also has an

experienced team of professional editors, proofreaders, and graphic designers.

The young writer explained her lengthy publishing process- the experience that eventually led to the creation of Inkstain.

Her book is a post-apocalyptic fantasy novel completed since 2017. She began

writing this book during her time at the Saint Stanislaus College. There, Prasad chose the Arts Stream, given her passion for the written word. And it was during that time she started writing her first fantasy novel called ‘The Beast Within’.

After high school, the future was even more uncertain since Prasad’s family encountered some financial difficulties. Though she secured a job, she was not satisfied because she was unable to dedicate much time to her craft.

She eventually gained employment as a librarian and English Language teacher at the Academy of Excellence and, later, ventured into freelance work in content writing and social media marketing.

Though she tried her best to have her book published traditionally, her efforts proved futile. According to Writers Digest Shop, traditional book publishing is when a publisher offers the author a contract and, in turn, prints, publishes, and

sells his/her book through booksellers and other retailers. The publisher essentially buys the right to publish the book and pays royalties to the author from the sales.

Prasad then mulled selfpublishing but soon realised she did not have the necessary resources. Resultantly, she spent years saving her earnings and investing in online courses where she learned about self-publishing and graphic designing.

For her book, she hired an illustrator to adapt her book cover and an editor. This is considered hybrid publishing which is what her company seeks to do, Prasad said. And with this done, her

book will be released on June 13, 2023. After it is released, she plans to hold a physical book launch as well as a book signing.

Aside from this venture, Prasad manages a full-time job as a social media marketing specialist, as well as her freelancing and preparations for the launch of her business and book. She is also pursuing a diploma in creative writing via the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) at the Indira Gandhi National University. Her Instagram handle is inkstain.media.publishing and her Facebook handle is Inkstain Media & Publishing.

24-year-old writer, Sarika Prasad

British photographer using virtual tours to bring light to Guyana’s rich history

By Naomi Parris

ALTHOUGH Guyana gained its independence decades ago, many of its colonial infrastructure remains intact and British Tourism Photographer, Ian Brierley, plans to use his knowledge of digital mapping and 3D to preserve these aspects of the county’s rich history.

Brierley, who is originally from Yorkshire, England, began travelling back and forth from his hometown to Guyana and other parts in the Caribbean in 1994.

“I’ve been coming here for so many years, so Guyana is like my second home, I know Georgetown very well, I know all the streets, I know all the routes… Times have changed from the first time I

came here and saw how the colonial history of Georgetown was quite prevalent. It’s still there but its slowly disappearing,” Brierley said in an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

Reminiscing on his earlier memories of Guyana, he said, “There are a lot of concrete buildings and big cars on these tiny roadways now as opposed to the old British cars, like the Oxford, Austin Cambridge that were here in the earlies.”

While he is known for his work as an international traveller and tourism photographer, Brierley has recently upgraded his portfolio, adding digital mapping and 3D photography to his talents. And he intends to use these to create a collection of historic places in Guy-

ana.

“It’s to capture many of the historical buildings and many of the colonial buildings that are slowly disappearing by scanning them in 3D in creating what is called a digital twin in a real world space,” he said.

He added, “It would be nice to scan a place like the St. George’s Cathedral and present that as a digital twin and other historic buildings such as the Castellani House, the Red House and City Hall when it’s redone.”

Brierley already started some work in Guyana, scanning some of the newer infrastructures, one being the Movie Towne Mall, at Liliendaal, Georgetown.

He uses his trustee 360-degree camera, laser technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

to map buildings and create virtual tours.

“As a photographer, I’ve always looked to see what’s the latest gears and when 360 (degree) cameras came out I jumped straight on board with that and

I started doing 360 photography.”

Describing himself as an adventurer, he said Guyana’s terrain provides him with a natural habitat to fuel and unleash his creative nature side. And he says

Guyana is quite a tourist attraction, with its happy people and colourful culture.

Notably too, he related that he works in the business and real estate community in the United Kingdom (UK) but somehow, he always finds himself being drawn to the Caribbean, especially Guyana.

In fact, he emphasised that during the winter months, he traverses the Caribbean coast and a stop in Guyana is always a must.

His work has taken him to Africa, Europe, USA, the Middle East, and around the Caribbean; b ut he has certainly taken a liking to Guyana’s compellingly alluring beauty.

“I have visited many places around the globe, but I am certainly smitten by Guyana.”

The talented photographer attended the Percival Whitley College of Arts in Halifax, Yorkshire, England, where he did a twoyear foundation course in art design. He developed on that foundation to become the celebrated photographer he is today.

Upon acquiring his degree in photography, Brierley ventured into the field of tourism in the late 1990s, working with the British Airways doing in-flight magazines.

Brierley said that he is open to sharing his knowledge and talents with any photographer who is willing to learn.

British Tourist Photographer, Ian Brierley

3D Tour of the Pegasus Suites and Conference Centre created by Brierley

New house built for elderly Berbice couple

AN elderly couple living at the Number 64 Village in Upper Corentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), got a newlyconstructed house due to President, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s ‘Men on Mission’ initiative.

This house was constructed following the intervention of Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, a release posted on the MoM Facebook page noted.

The couple’s house had collapsed after it was in a state of dilapidation for quite some time. The area where the house was also located was prone to flooding, which made matters worse for the couple.

Minister Bharrat, the release noted, stepped in and promptly put plans in place for the construction of a new house for the elderly couple. The brand-new house was finished, and extensive ground filling was performed on the property to prevent

further flooding.

The brand-new house will soon be given to the elderly couple. Additionally, a second house that was constructed for an elderly woman in Williamsburg, Region Six, will also be given over soon.

The MoM initiative aims to uplift young men who are exposed to many societal ills, such as drug abuse, domestic violence, gang violence, and other violent crimes. The intention is to provide them with guidance and counselling, recreational and fitness activities, and create economic empowerment through temporary employment schemes.

Additionally, MoM has been addressing various needs in society ranging from pushing employment ventures to constructing new houses for people. Through the initiative, some 150 houses will be constructed for those in need, in particular, the elderly.

PYARG aims to stimulate youths’ interest in agriculture

…children participate in ‘cassava harvesting’ activity

“The [PYARG] which falls under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport strives to engage young people in training programmes and training activities to help boost and stimulate their interests, and also to give them a platform where they can express their interests, and also express themselves in a learning environment,” Bentham contended.

He added that the organisation chose to host an agricultural activity to highlight the direction Guyana is headed in and to educate the youth about the importance of food because not only is agriculture

one of the main pillars of our economy but also, that Guyana is food secure.

Bentham asserted that developing young people’s potential is necessary for the country to advance and that this can be done through both formal and informal education initiatives.

A number of youths from various schools and extracurricular clubs were present at the event which was hosted at the National Sports Commission (NSC), Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.

By Trina Williams

THE President’s Youth

Award Republic of Guyana (PYARG) programme expanded its scope on Saturday to involve youths of all ages in an agricultural activity, namely harvesting cassava, in an effort to increase youth expression and social cohesion.

The PYARG is known for involving young Guyanese in activities including volunteer work, physical events, skill development, and even daring adventures.

Executive Officer of the PYARG, Ivan Bentham, in an interview with the Sunday Chronicle explained the intention behind the organisation selecting an agricultural activity.

The activity was launched with a game of musical chairs as an icebreaker to get the young ones to communicate and feel comfortable.

Moreover, the youngsters asked the PYRAG representatives various questions as the harvesting got underway, not only about the cassava, but also on how one can maintain healthy soil for thriving fruits and vegetables.

Hailing from Providence Primary school, six young ladies, accompanied by their teacher, Miss Smith, were extremely elated about the programme.

Ten-year-old Adrianna Waddell expressed happiness at how much she was able to engage with participants. The Providence Primary pupil claimed that she and her classmates enjoyed having the task of preparing the soil for planting the cassava.

Miss Smith told the Sunday Chronicle that when she learnt about the event and shared it with her pupils, all of them expressed interest; however, she said she was a tad-bit disappointed as she could not include all of them.

According to Miss Smith, the programme’s skills are designed to help participants adopt the proper attitude so they can become respectable members of society. And with that, she praised the programme, pointing out that it gives participants greater economic, cultural, organisational, social, and communal autonomy while also enhancing their psychological skills.

The pineapple plant that was established at the farm in the NSC compound caught the attention of 16-year-old

Isabella St’ Aubryn from Tutorial High School and her classmates, Akeila Sarrabo and Faith Jack because of the abnormal color of the leaves.

The leaves were a dull green instead of the customary lush green. In response, they were told that the plant was lacking some nutrients.

More so, when asked what they thought ought to be done, the girls suggested either purchasing fertiliser or “starting back from scratch”.

Some of the youths who spoke with this newspaper noted that they discovered PYARG while taking part in a map-reading activity last year. Driven by the fun they had on the previous occasion, they said they just had to come back for another event.

Some of the girls preparing the soil for the planting of cassava

Executive Officer of the PYARG, Ivan Bentham (left) and a youngster showcasing the cassava that was harvested

Some of the Providence Primary School pupils preparing the soil

The newly-constructed house for the elderly Berbice couple

Public Service Ministry aims to train almost 5,000 workers in 2023

THE Ministry of Public Service aims to train some 4,750 workers this year and the 2023 training programme, led by the ministry’s training division, got underway last week, allowing a cohort of public servants to benefit from crucial training.

A release from the Public Service Ministry noted that the three-day course, which started on January 25, delved into the specifics of the ‘Role, Structures and Functions’ of the Public Service; ‘Expectations as a Public Servant, Introduction to Public Service Rules’; and ‘Functions of Central Personnel and Categories of Employment (Pensionable, Contract and Temporary), among others.

The training for the 69 relatively new public servants was facilitated largely by the Personnel Department of the Ministry of Public Service led by Bibi Rameeza Mullah. Also present at the training to give guidance and offer advice was the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service, James Cole.

Cole encouraged the participants of the programme to use the knowledge and skills gained from the training to better improve their Functions at their respective agencies.

Additionally, Senior Training Officer Valencia Wren emphasised that the participants, having received their certificates on Friday last, have a responsibility to lend to the overall enhancement of the public service.

“You are all now ambassadors of the public service,” Wren posited.

The Development and Operations Training Unit of the Ministry of Public Service is the lead agency charged with improving and maintaining the standards of the public service. And the release noted that in 2022,

the department trained a total of 808 persons.

It is expected that some 4,750 workers will be trained in 2023.

Already, the newlytrained public servants attested to the usefulness of the training, assuring facilitators that it will go a long way in improving their individual functions and, by extension, the functions of their respective agencies.

Staff Sergeant Christopher Alleyne, who has been put second in-charge of the general personnel department of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), was keen on noting the benefits of the training.

“From day to day, I have had to answer questions about certain things like public service benefits and so, so now I’m better able to address those concerns and queries,” Sergeant Alleyne said.

Similar sentiments were shared by Soma Pooran from

the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) who said that following the sessions, she now has a clearer distinction of the categories of workers, and the benefits afforded to each.

“At one point I used to think that all public servants were on the pensionable establishment,” Ms. Pooran admitted.

She added, “But now I understand the different categories of public servants.”

Prison Officer Roylex Holder was also happy to be part of the training to learn about the public service’s “table of offences” as well as the various salary scales for public servants.

“We learnt that certain offences like being absent for more than three days without sick leave could warrant dismissal, or you can be fined,” Holder shared.

Meanwhile, Maywattie Mandai, the Agriculture Officer attached to the Region

Five Democratic Council (RDC), said that she was pleased to know that just as there are sanctions, there are also a myriad of mechanisms that protect the interest of public servants.

“Many times, when you first join the public service, you’re not aware of your rights and sometimes many new public servants are taken advantage of but I’m glad that there are so many regulations that protect public servants and I’m glad that I know of it now,” Mandai noted.

Dalia Araujo, a Clerk II attached to the Hinterland Scholarships Division of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, found the training to be particularly useful as there were many public service rules that she was not au fait with.

Asma Khan, a Clerk attached to the Human Resources department of the Ministry of Education was particularly happy to benefit

from the training, which will now serve her personally and professionally.

“I was most happy to learn about the leave allowances, for example the provision of study leave and study allowances. I am studying, so I was glad to know about that and how I can benefit from it,” Khan noted.

Similarly, Jinella Thomas, a Legal Officer attached to the Ministry of Labour, expressed her pleasure at learning about the public service rules. This knowledge, she said, can improve the overall delivery of government services.

“Once we follow the rules and do things how they’re supposed to be done, the entire public service would be better,” Thomas posited.

Jaidev Mathura, employed as a Clerk II at the Ministry of Legal Affairs, said he too found the training to be an eye-opener.

“I now know about things like the Credit Union and so. I didn’t realise we had one and there were so many benefits,” Mathura pointed.

Collectively, the participants lauded the usefulness of the training and delivery of the facilitators who ensured that the programme was interactive and entertaining.

Meanwhile, at Bush Lot, Region Five, 24 public servants were able to complete a four-day Customer Relations Programme which began on January 24.

In defending Budget 2023 in the National Assembly last week, Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag, said that her ministry’s training division has been revamped to better address the shortcomings of the public service, which is well on its way to being a modern and efficient apparatus.

The first batch of Public Servants trained

Sergeant Christopher Alleyne Soma Pooran Jinelle Thomas Asma Khan Roylex Holder Maywattie Mandai

Amsterdam, Fernandes cop NSC’s Senior Sports Awards

BOXER Desmond Amsterdam and top Squash player Nicolette Fernandes copped the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year respectively when the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports held the National Sports Awards at the National Cultural Centre last night.

It was the first time since 2019 that the

gala awards ceremony was staged due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and as such, the awards took into consideration the exploits of athletes during 2021 and 2022.

Squash player Shomari Wilshire took the Junior Sportsman of the year award while athlete Attoya Harvey was adjudged

the Junior Sportswoman of the year.

In addition to the beautiful plaques, for the first time ever, the Sport Ministry provided cash prizes for all of the winners in the various categories except the corporate sponsors.

(See full story and more photos in tomorrow’s edition).

Officials miss foul on LeBron James as Lakers lose to Celtics

LeBron James said he could not “understand” how officials missed a late foul against him as his Los Angeles Lakers side suffered a 125-121 overtime defeat by the Boston Celtics.

James was denied a foul by Jayson Tatum when driving for the basket with the scores level at 105-105 and 4.1 seconds left in regulation time

Officiating crew chief Eric Lewis later said his team had “missed the play.”

James scored a game-high 41 points in the defeat.

“I don’t understand it,” he said on the foul by Tatum not being given in his side’s favour.

“You’ve seen some of the games we’ve lost with lategame missed calls. I don’t see

it happening to nobody else.”

NBA scores

James took his tally to 38,271 career points and is 116 away from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record.

“As much as you try not to put it on officiating, it’s becoming increasingly difficult,” said LA Lakers coach Darvin Ham.

“The best player in the NBA can’t get a call. It’s amazing.”

James’ team-mate Anthony Davis added: “I guarantee you nothing’s going to happen to the ref. We got cheated. It’s a blatant foul. The refs were bad tonight.”

Lewis, speaking after the game, said: “There was contact. At the time, during the

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(MONDAY JANUARY 30, 2023)

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

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) 74 Tests

(2) 36 Wins; 12 Losses; 26 Draws

Today’s Quiz:

(1) When and where did Clive Lloyd captain the WI for the first time?

(2) When and where did he play his final Test? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

game, we did not see a foul.”

Elsewhere, Joel Embiid registered 47 points and 18 rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers emerged with a 126119 win against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.

It was a seventh straight win for the Sixers and a ninth game this season in which Embiid has scored at least 40 points.

The Brooklyn Nets beat the New York Knicks 122115 to secure a ninth win in

a row over their rivals. Kyrie Irving scored 21 of his 32 points for the Nets in the fourth quarter as he scored 30 or more points for the sixth successive game. Other results included the Phoenix Suns earning a 128-118 victory against the San Antonio Spurs, the Chicago Bulls beating Orlando Magic 128-109 and the LA Clippers winning 120-113 against the Atlanta Hawks.(BBC Sport)

India beat England to win inaugural ....

INDIA produced a dominant performance against England to triumph in the first-ever ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.

A brilliant new-ball performance was followed by a calm run-chase as India cruised to victory over England in the final, sealing their triumph with seven wickets in hand and six overs to spare.

Having won the toss and decided to put England in to bat, India’s bowlers more than justified the decision with a ruthless display.

Opening bowlers Titas Sadhu and Archana Devi ripped through the England top order, reducing them to 22/4 after six overs, with key batter Grace Scrivens one of those to fall.

Sadhu bowled her four overs

straight through, going for just six runs and picking up two wickets. Devi was slightly more expensive, but her 2/17 included the crucial dismissals of Scrivens and Niamh Holland (10).

Wickets continued to tumble, with England not able to see out their full allocation of overs despite resistance from Ryana MacDonald-Gay (19).

And the final wicket fell with 17 balls still remaining, leaving India a target of just 69 to win.

England had pulled off a great escape in the semi-final against Australia, but lightning did not strike twice.

Shafali Verma’s aggressive 15 from 11 balls cut into the target early on, but the removal of both openers gave India a temporary scare. Hannah Baker had Verma caught, before Scrivens removed Shweta Sehrawat.

But Soumya Tiwari and Gongadi Trisha settled things down with an excellent and composed partnership.

The pair got to within one hit of the target when Trisha went for glory and was cleaned up by Alexa Stonehouse.

Race

Race

Race

Race

But India didn’t have to wait long for the winning moment, with Soumya Tiwari knocking a single to see it through with an unbeaten 24* from 37 balls, exactly what her side required on the big stage.

And the celebrations were huge as India claimed the title in the first-ever ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup. (ICC Media)

Hundred for Da Silva as Windies dominate on second day

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, (CMC) – Joshua Da Silva’s hundred saw West Indies to a massive total before fast bowler Alzarri

Joseph struck twice to rattle Zimbabwe XI, and emphasise the touring side’s dominance of day two of their four-day match here Sunday.

Unbeaten on nine overnight with West Indies on 313 for five, the 24-year-old Da Silva struck exactly 100 to guide the visitors to 517 all out at the Bulawayo Athletic Club

All - rounder Roston Chase, battling to remain in the West Indies set - up , hit

an important 87 but Devon Thomas added only seven to his overnight 42

In reply, the hosts crashed to 52 for five before bad weather ended play prematurely, the 26-year-old Joseph snaring two for 12 from four incisive overs “ It is a decent pitch Some balls are staying a bit low but I think the boys really applied themselves and made the most of the opportunity to get into the middle,” said Da Silva

“It’s always good to score over 500 runs The goal set out by Kraigg (Brathwaite) was to bat a day-and-a-half and we did that, and Kraigg

gave us a target of 450 at the end of the hour after lunch on the second day and we got that as well

“ So I think we ticked all the boxes and hopefully we transfer that to the Test series.”

Heading into day three in the preparation game for next weekend’s start of the opening Test, Zimbabwe XI trail by 465 runs

West Indies ’ start was less than ideal, Thomas perishing in the morning’s seventh over, edging a short ball from seamer Donald Tiripano (2-34) behind.

However, any hopes the hosts entertained of running through West Indies’ lower order were then squashed as Da Silva buckled down in a century stand with Chase

Da Silva , a compact right - hander , struck 13 fours off 149 balls in close to three hours at the crease

while Chase, an off-spinning all - rounder with 45 Tests under his belt , belted nine fours and a brace of sixes in a breezy 93-ball knock Joseph then rammed home the advantage for West Indies, knocking over opener Kudzai Maunze without scoring in the second over and then accounting for Joylord Gumbie ( 11 ) in the sixth over, to leave the hosts struggling on 12 for two.

Seamers Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder and Shannon Gabriel all followed up with telling blows to reduce the Zimbabwe XI innings to ruins.

Bevuma century sinks England to seal ODI series

ENGLAND’s bowlers failed to defend 342 as Temba Bavuma’s century helped South Africa to victory in the second one-day international to clinch the series 2-0 with one to play.

Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 94 off 82 balls had been the backbone of England’s total, while Harry Brook made an impressive 80.

But England’s attack struggled to make inroads at key moments as South Africa skipper Bavuma’s 109 off 102 balls laid the foundation for the chase.

David Miller’s unbeaten 58 got the hosts over the line with five balls and five wickets to spare as they completed their third-highest ODI chase.

It could prove to be a crucial victory in the Proteas’ bid to secure automatic qualification for the World Cup later this year via the ICC Super League.

Asked to bat first, England recovered from a spell of hostile bowling, which left them 33-2, thanks to crucial knocks by Brook and Buttler.

Moeen Ali played a useful hand with a 45-ball 51 as he shared a 106-run stand with Buttler for the fifth wicket before South Africa’s bowlers rallied.

England were pegged back at the business end of the innings, although Buttler and Sam Curran (28) provided an explosive finish, striking 30 off the last two overs.

Bavuma played with freedom en route to his 90-ball century but, having struggled with cramp in the latter part of his innings, was bowled by Curran.

Rassie van der Dussen (38) and Aiden Markram (49) played useful supporting roles, backed up by a composed knock by Miller off 37 balls as he sealed victory with a thumping six off the first ball of the final over.

Bowlers struggle as England suffer fifth straight ODI loss

Alarm bells are not quite ringing for England’s limited-overs coach and captain just yet, especially in light of the fact a number of key personnel are not involved in this series.

However, there is no sugar-coating the fact five consecutive ODI defeats makes for slightly uncomfortable reading as Matthew Mott and Buttler attempt to mastermind a defence of a World Cup won so dramatically on home turf in 2019.

England’s bowlers, in particular, struggled with Chris Woakes (0-60) and Reece Topley (0-74) and Moeen Ali (0-32) all expensive as Buttler was forced to shuffle his pack frequently.

Olly Stone (2-48) was comfortably the most economical as his pace threatened, while Adil Rashid (272) bowled well in patches.

That should take nothing away from South Africa’s

performance as they backed up their 27-run win on the same ground in the first ODI with a gritty display with the ball, and composed batting spearheaded by Bavuma’s positive intent. Their victory boosted their own hopes of guaranteeing a place at the World Cup in India later this year and they will look to secure a clean sweep in the final ODI at the The Oval in Kimberley on Wednesday, before two more ODIs against the Netherlands later in the year. (BBC Sport)

Georgetown & East Coast soar to 7 points Tiger Rentals U-13 football

MATCH-day three of the inter-association/club leg of the Tiger Rentals Guyana sponsored GFF National under-13 development football initiative saw Georgetown and East Coast ATCs topping of the points table with seven points each.

Match-day three saw a total of four matches being played at the National Training Centre (NTC), Providence on Saturday last, where Bartica registered their first win and points from their three games played while West Berbice earned their second victory.

West Berbice breezed

past East Berbice 3-1 thanks to a brace from Kahiem Hercules and one goal from Ramzan Hussein. Allan Spencer scored the consolation for East Berbice.

Jashawn Hughes and Darius Chester netted one goal each in Georgetown ATC’s 2-1 win over Upper Demerara that had won both of their previous two games.

Anthony Gordon scored the solitary strike for the losers.

Rayleigh Tracy and Lebron Wharton scored one goal each for Bartica who made the trek back to Region Seven on Saturday with a wonderful three points after

easing past West Demerara 2-0.

Isiah Williams’ lone goal was enough to secure

three points and bragging rights for East Coast following their needling victory over East Bank ATC.

Joshua Da Silva … struck a hundred on Sunday’s second day of the four-day tour-match.

Action in the Tiger Rental Under13 football tournament

Temba Bavuma hit his third ODI century for South Africa in their victory at the Mangaung Oval.

Guyana Harpy Eagles out to regain Regional 4-day title

Emotional Djokovic hails biggest victory of his life

THE executives of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) met with the players and management staff of Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) on Saturday, last. The engagement was arranged prior to the team’s departure for Antigua to begin this year’s West Indies Championship which commences on February 1, 2023.

In addressing the gathering, president of the GCB Bissoondyal Singh, who arrived in the country just three hours prior to the engagement, showed his unwavering commitment to the administration of cricket by attending the planned function to motivate the

GHE team.

He encouraged the players to remain focused on the task at hand which is to regain supremacy in the four-day format; a format Guyana dominated for five (5) consecutive years before Barbados won the COVID shortened season on 2020.

The Guyana Harpy Eagles squad departed Guyana yesterday morning for their opening match against defending champions Barbados Pride on February 1 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. The second round match will be against Windwards Volcanoes beginning on

February 8 in Grenada, after which, they return home for a one-month break between the second and third round.

The GHE squad reads: Leon Johnson (Captain), Veerasammy Permaul (Vice-captain), Chandrapaul Hemraj, Matthew Nandu, Kemol Savory, Tevin Imlach, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith, Ronsford Beaton, Akshaya Persaud, Ashmead Need, Shamar Joseph. The Manager is Albert Clements, Head coach Ryan Hercules, Assistant coach is Garvin Need, Cricket analyst is Keshava Ramphal and the physiotherapist Angelica Holder.

GCA competitions to resume February 11

…Azad Ibrahim elected new GCA president

By Sean Devers

NEW Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) President Azad Ibrahim and his fellow executives have set February 11 as the date for resumption of cricket in the City of Georgetown.

“Please note the weather pattern seems to be changing for the sunny period and as such please start getting your grounds ready and notify your players as we look to resume all cricket on the Saturday 11th February, 2023” informed Shawn Massiah.

Massiah, re-elected as Chairman of the Competitions Committee at the recently held AGC and Elections, said a meeting will be held prior to the resumption.

“Please also note that the transfer window period will be closed on January 31, 2023.

Please use this time to put together your updated list of registered players for the period 2023/2024 and submit same to the Chairman Competitions Committee on or before February 9, 2023” Massiah advised.

Let’s all unite and help to get our cricket up and running. All the best for

a successful year of cricket and more cricket, as we strive to utilise all of the sunny period we may have during this year and beyond,” said Massiah, who still plays competitively for the Transport Sport Club.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim from the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) replaced Neil Barry at the helm after he did not seek re-election.

Roger Harper is still first Vice-Pres-

ident while entire executive body is as follows: President, Azad Ibrahim; First Vice-President, Roger Harper; 2 nd Vice-President, Safraz Sheriffudeen; Secretary, Joshua Kissoon; Assistant Secretary, Deborah McNichol; Treasurer, Imran Ally; Assistant Treasurer, Lawrence Smith; Marketing Manager, Jameel Baksh; Public Relations Officer, Shaquille Williams; Chairman Competitions, Shawn Massiah.

(REUTERS)-Novak Djokovic says his win over Stefanos Tsitsipas in last night’s Australian Open final was the “biggest victory” of his career as he won back the hearts of the home fans a year after being deported from the country.

A ruthless Djokovic resumed his reign over Melbourne Park by winning a record-extending 10th Australian Open title and crushing the Grand Slam dream of Greek trailblazer Tsitsipas in a one-sided final.

In a rematch of the 2021 French Open decider, Djokovic swept to a 6-3 7-6(4) 7-6(5) victory at Rod Laver Arena to reclaim the world number one ranking and again deny Tsitsipas a maiden major title.

The atmosphere was electric and the crowd often unruly as Serbian and Greek fans bayed in the terraces as if roaring on football teams.

Djokovic’s 22nd Grand Slam triumph, now matching Rafa Nadal, was the ultimate redemption a year on from his sensational deportation from Australia on the eve of the Grand Slam due to his lack of COVID-19 vaccination.

He has had plenty of other spurs at this tournament, with heckling fans, snide commentary about the severity of his hamstring injury and calls for his father Srdjan to be barred from Melbourne Park for mixing with Putin supporters bearing banned Russian flags.

As in the semi-final, there was no Srdjan in the players’ box but Djokovic had ample support all around the showcourt.

His victory over Tsitsipas was met with thunderous applause from a packed crowd at Rod Laver Arena.

The 35-year-old cried as he hugged his mum in the supporters box.

“I have to say that this has been one of the most challenging tournaments I have played in my life, considering the circumstances,” Djokovic said in his on-court interview.

“Not playing last year, coming back this year. I want to thank all the people that made me feel welcome and comfortable to be in Melbourne, Australia.

“I try to pinch myself and really live through these moments and it’s a long journey... Only the team and family knows what we have been through in the last four to five weeks. This, probably, is the biggest victory in my life considering the circumstances.”

The 24-year-old Tsitsipas was unable to convert the few chances he had as he failed to stop Djokovic.

“Tough luck tonight, great battle. This is definitely not your last Grand Slam, you still have a lot of time, much more than me,” Djokovic said.

“I would also like to congratulate your family and your team... You are one of the most professional tennis players that I know on the tour, and one of the most interesting guys.”

Tsitsipas, who fell short of becoming the first Greek tennis player to win a Grand Slam, commended Djokovic’s contribution to the sport.

“I have had the privilege to play a lot of high intensity matches, but I would like to say one more time that Novak brings the best out of me and these are the matches I have been working my entire life for,” Tsitsipas said.

“He is one of the greatest in our sport and I think he is the greatest that has ever held the tennis racket.

“I would like to thank you for pushing our sport so far and it deserves a player like you who pushes every single player who is involved in this sport.”

The GHE squad and management team

New GCA President, Azad Ibrahim Shawn Massiah was re-elected Chairman of the Competitions Committee

Novak Djokovic now has a record-equalling 22 Grand Slam men’s titles.

Amsterdam, Fernandes cop

NSC’s Senior Sports Awards

Vishok Persaud wins `Dakota Endurance 100’ Race

Vishok Persaud and his Lotus won Sunday’s `Dakota 100’ Endurance 100 Race meet at the South Dakota Circuit, organised by the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club(GMR&SC).

Persaud completed the 100 lap event in just over 2 hours 40 minutes to open the racing season ..

Defending champion Adrian Fernandes completed 98 laps by the chequered flag.

(Details in tomorrow’s edition.)

Indian players celebrate victory (Photo: ICC/Getty Images)

The respective winners and presenters pose for a group photo (Adrian Narine Photo)

Sportsman of the year boxer Desmond Amsterdam receives his plaque from Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jnr. (Adrian Narine photo