Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 30-03-2022

55 graduate from the Carnegie School of Home Economics

FIFTY-FIVE students graduated in five disciplines from the Carnegie School of Home Economics on Wednesday at a graduation exercise for the class of 2022 at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown.

Of the 55 graduates, eight pursued the Certificate in Household Management; 16 pursued the Certificate in General Cosmetology; 15 pursued the Certificate in Commercial Foods Preparation Level One; four pursued the Certificate in Interior Decoration and 12 pursued the Diploma in Catering and Hospitality. The 2022 Valedictorian is Ms Alliayah Da Costa who pursued the Certificate in Commercial Food Preparation Level One.

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, while delivering the feature address, said that Guyana is where its citizens are demanding better services they deserve. As such, she said that every sector and institution, including the Carnegie School of Home Economics, must respond to that demand and produce students who can provide ser-

vices at higher standards.

She urged the institution celebrating its 90th anniversary this year to reform itself to ensure it is relevant and responsive to what Guyana will become in the future.

Minister Manickchand advised the graduates today that even as they are leaving the

institution qualified in their respective fields, their positive attitude and drive that are required of a modern human being, will ensure they stand out in the world of work and entrepreneurial pursuits.

She charged the graduates to be the difference within the service industry that they wish

to see. Minister Manickchand urged the graduates to grab opportunities to develop themselves further to continue contributing to Guyana’s development and the improvement of their lives and their families.

Delivering the charge today was the Deputy Chief Education Officer (Administration), Ms Fazia Baksh. She charged the graduates to strive for excellence in every task, large or small. She encouraged them to not be afraid to be fearless as sometimes fears

stand in the way of achieving important goals and milestones. Ms Baksh also charged the graduates to become team players and become socially responsible by helping communities improve their quality of life.

The Principal of the Government Technical Institute, Dr Renita Crandon said that Guyana is at a stage where new opportunities are evolving, new industries are emerging and products and services are expanding. As a result, Dr Crandon said that there is an enormous need for technical and vocational skills and training. She said that the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector is therefore challenged to reposition and reimagine the roles and responsibilities of its institutions. She said that the Carnegie School of Home Economics is critical in providing quality service in the areas of hospitality and tourism. According to Dr Crandon, the time has come to aggressively and pointedly explore new realms in the industry. She congratulated the graduates, their relatives, loved ones and the institution on the success celebrated.

Meanwhile, the Principal of the Carnegie School of Home Economics, Ms Shar-

maine Marshall in her report stated that the school strives to cultivate the skills, knowledge, values and habits that will allow graduates to lead personally enriching and socially responsible lives as influential citizens.

She said that the school is celebrating its 90th anniversary which is a significant milestone for any educational institution. To meet the demands of its industry partners and expectations of its most valuable clientele, its students, Ms Marshall said that the institution is rebranding and reviewing its training programmes to meet the growing needs of the tourism and hospitality industry.

In her report, she noted that in June 2021, a new board was appointed at the Carnegie School of Home Economics with Mrs Carla Vantull as the new chairperson. She said that the board continues to provide guidance and makes valuable contributions to support the institution’s vision of being the leading institution and authentic voice providing quality training in Home Economics and Hospitality in Guyana. She shared several highlights of the past academic year, projections and opportunities.

(Third from left) Valedictorian Ms Alliyah Da Costa, flanked by Best Outstanding Students (Shaniece Bamfield Photo)

President’s office activates Region Three outreach today

A TEAM led by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, will, from today commence a two-day outreach to Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) to lend a listening ear to the issues affecting residents.

The outreach commences at 8:00 hours and will be held at the Lenora Track and Field Facility.

Previously, the President and his team resolved hundreds of issues and engaged over 2,200 persons during a two-day outreach to Region Six.

Over 16 ministries and agencies were represented at the event, where citizens were elated to see that they could not only bring up issues they were facing but also have one-on-one meetings with the

President, and ultimately have their concerns resolved by the highest office.

The outreach, the first of a countrywide effort that will touch every Region across the country, is geared towards taking the services of the Office of the President and other government ministries and agencies directly to the people.

Agencies present at the event included the Ministries of Housing and Water, Human Services and Social Security, Agriculture, Education, Local Government and Regional Development, and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), the Guyana

Revenue Authority (GRA), Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Guyana Water Inc., Guyana Registration Office (GRO), the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), the and Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) as well as the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and other regional departments.

GOAL saw more than 160 new applications and shared out several tablets to students to assist them with their studies. Part-time job creation has also had a tremendous impact on the region.

At GRO, over 70 applications for birth, death, marriage certificates and late birth registrations were done at the event.

Critical ‘agri’ infrastructural repairs, equipment boost for sector

--among projects to be rolled out with award of $1.1B in contracts

IN keeping with the government’s developmental agenda for the agriculture sector, several agencies attached to the Ministry of Agriculture today signed contracts totalling some $1.1 billion.

A total of 24 contracts were signed for the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure, the supply of machinery, materials, and equipment, as well as for the provision of services.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, noted that the ministry was moving apace with all planned projects for the year, especially in the sectors where contracts were signed for work to commence.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) signed several contracts totalling in excess of $535.4 million for procuring materials and equipment as part of the government’s efforts to revitalise the industry.

Minister Mustapha said that works are ongoing and that the Rose Hall estate is expected to be operable in time for the second crop of 2023.

“For GuySuCo, these projects are very critical because we are restructuring and rebuilding. This year we are hoping that the Rose Hall estate will be operable in time for the second crop and they are a number of projects that are earmarked for Albion, Rose Hall, Blairmont, and Uitvlugt. Due to the 2021 flood, GuySuCo was unable to achieve its target. Based on

Among the 24 contracts signed on Wednesday, several contracts totalling in excess of $535.4 million were awarded to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). In photo, the company’s CEO, Sasenarine Singh, signs one of the contracts (Ministry of Agriculture photo)

the information provided by the management of GuySuCo, we are on track to achieve our target of 60,000 tons which was set for 2023,” the minister explained.

The minister also spoke about the work that was being done to strengthen the country’s drainage capacity. With Guyana’s coast being under sea level, Minister Mustapha said that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority would be constructing several pump stations to boost the country’s drainage capacities.

“This year we’ll be building a number of pump stations across the country; an additional four pump stations. Those contracts will be signed sometime in the near future. We also have approximately

six pump stations that are expected to be completed in the coming months. With the effects of climate change becoming more real, we have to ensure our farmers are safeguarded against flooding. A lot of rehabilitation of access dams, and upgrades to

drainage and irrigation canals in cultivation areas across the country will also be done throughout the year, so those contracts will also be signed in the coming months,”

Mustapha noted that big plans are on the horizon regarding the county’s aquacul-

ture sector. He noted that, in 2022, the Fisheries Department embarked on several infrastructural upgrades to landing sites across the country.

“The President visited a number of those landing sites and committed to enhancing the facilities with lights, sheds, and washroom facilities. So far, we’ve done rehabilitation work at approximately 75 landing sites around the country. Those efforts will continue this year in areas like Anna Regina,” he explained.

The Fisheries Department signed contracts totalling over $13 million for infrastructural upgrades to the Satyadeow

Sawh Aquaculture Station at Mon Repos on the East Coast of Demerara and the office in Anna Regina.

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) signed several contracts totalling some $510,774,840 for constructing and rehabilitating structures and machinery.

New Guyana Marketing Corporation signed a contract for providing security services totalling some $41,425,092, while the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Agriculture Development Authority (MMA-ADA) signed a contract for the supply and delivery of crusher run to the tune of $26,971,000.

At the Region Six outreach, President Ali assists one of the many residents

Prepare economic plans to efficiently utilise LCDS funds

- Minister Sukhai urges Amerindian leaders

MINISTER of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, has called on Amerindian communities to prepare economic plans and properly utilise the funds made available to them from the country’s carbon-credit sales.

Minister Sukhai made the call during a visit to Santa Aratack on Wednesday, where she examined several completed projects in the village.

Following a pact the government signed with Hess Corporation, Guyana will be earning US $750

million between 2022 and 2032 to support the country’s efforts to protect the country’s vast forests.

Through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, the government has ensured that Guyana’s standing forests earn for its people. Almost 90 per cent of the landmass in Guyana is forested.

Hess is paying 30 per cent of the carbon the country’s forests trap. Fifteen per cent of the money paid to Guyana is being channelled to Amerindian communities to create sustain-

able economic projects.

Minister Sukhai urged all Amerindian communities to ensure the economic plans are formed from consultations with villagers.

“There will be significant revenues to do impactful projects that will benefit the lives of the people. If your desire is to make Santa Mission a tourism destination, put it in the plan; if you want to enhance youths and opportunities for youths, put it in the plan; if you want to focus on agriculture, put it in the plan; whatever you want to do to benefit your village, put it into the plan,” the minister urged.

Government has vowed to erase the divide between the hinterland and the coast,

providing more opportunities to Amerindian and hinterland residents, including skills training.

Over the past two and a half years, Amerindians have been trained in the medical field, in computer literacy, as teachers, tractor operators, mechanics, tailors and seamstresses, among a myriad of other areas.

“We are working to ensure that the commitments made during the campaigns are fulfilled. We must ensure that the tangible benefits are reaching the people to ensure that no one is left behind and that the policy of His Excellency is fulfilled,” the minister stressed.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, greets a resident of Santa Mission

GECOM moving full speed ahead towards LGEs- Rohee says

PEOPLE’S Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)-nominated Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioner, Clement Rohee, has said that “GECOM is moving full speed ahead” for the June 12, 2023, Local Government Elections (LGEs).

“GECOM is moving full speed ahead in fulfilment of its constitutional mandate, and electors in their respective constituencies are now being sensitised by GECOM and stakeholders that it is imperative for them to go out to vote with their conscience as their guide,” Rohee said in a letter.

He also responded to A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Commissioner Vincent Alexander, who recently described the filling of the post of Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) position as “slothful.”

“He went on to complain that the commission’s schedule for the holding of Local Government Elections (LGEs) ‘has been affected by a number of snafus, missteps, and adventures’ (SM&As),” Rohee said.

He added that some of Alexander’s SM&As were

the following asseverations: the ‘unlawful gazetting’ of boundaries of new and reconfigured constituencies; the Chair and CEO’s ‘illegal endorsement’ of that ‘illegality’; ‘the reclamation and execution to reverse’ its actions; ‘refusal to follow due process in the demarcation of bounda-

ries;’ ‘failure to conduct the Claims and Objections process in the required manner’; and ‘wrong procedures in determining whether a person is ordinarily registered in a particular constituency or not entitled to vote in the particular constituency.’

“A careful examination of the implications of every one of Mr Alexander’s SM&As, were they to be realised, would show a single and deliberately obtuse objective, to abort the holding of LGEs and, in so doing, disrupt the general but more particularly, the local democratic process in Guyana.

“In responding to Commissioner Alexander’s missive that reeks with all the elements that would make Guyana stand still, one cannot help discerning his battle to overcome the moral hazards facing him,” he said.

He added that Alexander

conveniently failed to mention the number of stumbling blocks that were placed along the way by his party to achieve their objective; these include extracting the Registers of Voters from the existing Official List of Electors, approaching the court to block the use of the Registers of Voters that were extracted from the existing Official List of Electors, and many others.

Notwithstanding the vacuous nature of the above matters raised by the opposition at GECOM, Rohee said the chairperson, under all circumstances, exercised admirable patience.

“... when it became obvious that the exchange of views on any one of Alexander’s contentious SM&As produced diminishing returns, the chair, with the hope of achieving a consensual decision, would instruct the CEO to investigate what Mr Alex-

Businessman remanded on murder charge after cop dies in Linden shooting

LINDEN businessman

Fawazz McRae was remanded to prison on Wednesday for fatally shooting his cousin, Police Sergeant Jermain Semple.

McRae, a 27-year-old building contractor from Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, was brought before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

He was not required to plead to the capital offence, which alleged that on March 12, 2023, he murdered Semple. McRae was remanded to

prison until April 14.

Initially, McRae was charged with attempted murder, but the Director of Public Prosecutions advised that

he be charged with murder following the victim’s death.

Semple died on March 17, 2023 at the Linden Hospital Complex, where he

received treatment.

The Guyana Police Force reported that on March 12, Semple, along with his brother and McRae, were at the Crown and Anchor Grill and Bar. However, a fight erupted between the policeman and his brother.

It is alleged that McRae went to “part” the siblings during the altercation, but this caused Semple to become annoyed and he attacked him. It is alleged that McRae pulled out his licensed handgun (a .32 pistol) and discharged two rounds in

the victim’s direction.

One struck the victim in his head, causing him to receive severe injuries. Semple was then rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex, where he was on life support before he succumbed.

During the altercation, McRae also received injuries to his left elbow and right ear.

ander claimed to be either a snafu, a misadventure, or a misstep,” he said.

An excellent example of the APNU’s prevarications at GECOM, he said, can be found in its efforts to ransack the CEO’s work plan for the holding of LGEs, which suffered over 10 revisions before it was finally approved for implementation.

He added, “Consequently, following extensive, timeconsuming research by the CEO, together with Secretariat staff at GECOM and at times, pointless and superfluous deliberations at the level of the commission, it was transparent enough for all to recognize that the APNU’s objective was to push back further the date for LGE, which the political opposition does not seem to want at this time. The APNU’s shenanigans at GECOM have all failed.”

PPP/C-nominated GECOM Commissioner Clement Rohee

Fawazz McRae

Police Sergeant Jermain Semple

Street Corner ‘Gyaff’

GUYANA is undergoing unprecedented transformation in infrastructure, education, healthcare, science and many other areas, but there remains a gap in the area of mental transformation among some of the old political minds, who continue to sow seeds of discord by attempting to utilise the archaic strategy of “divide, conquer and mislead.”

However, given the dismal responses to those efforts, it is evident that many persons are no longer easily persuaded by demagoguery, unjustified statements and misconceptions that border desperation because of the abundance of evidence to debunk whatever allegation/assertion is being made.

At this point, it is evident that the old guards in the opposition, People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Working People’s Alliance (WPA) and Alliance For Change (AFC), are running out of “fancy card tricks” to distract the population from the reality around them: more house lots, less taxes, increased wages and salaries, more training and scholarship opportunities, business grants, relief grants and measures that demonstrate the caring nature of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration.

The race card seems to be only one left in opposition’s deck, but even this is beginning to fail them since persons are realising now more than ever that actions speak louder than words.

“We don’t have no time with politics. At the end of the day, we have to come out and listen to things that are offered to us and share our concerns. That’s very important. I came out here because I have children and my concern is about what they have to say and whatever contribution I can make towards developing the community.”

Those were the words of Victoria resident, Mr. Crawford Rodney, a father of five, who refused to be deterred by “development detractors,” who had called for residents of Victoria to boycott a ministerial outreach to the community led by Prime Minister,

Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips.

His is just one example of the mindset of modern-day Guyanese, who are concerned primarily about their well-being, and are very capable of separating opportunities and realities from fallacies and misconceptions.

Like Mr. Rodney, there is glaring evidence that persons will be able to deduce the true intentions of the WPA and its members.

At a time when the government is pushing an agenda of “oneness” to unite Guyana and ensure there are equal opportunities for all citizens, Executive Member of the WPA, Tacuma Ogunseye, who is already in the spotlight for racist and incendiary remarks, has said that his party is willing to utilise “civil disobedience” as a political weapon ahead of the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGEs).

Although two LGEs were held under the APNU+AFC government of which the WPA was a member, Ogunseye called on Afro-Guyanese to take to the streets for the elections and “make a profound political statement.”

“It is important that the African Guyanese find a way of making a profound political statement. And profound statements are made either through the ballot box or in the streets. And we believe that the 12 June, where we will be disposing a lot of resources in a mobilisation for the elections should turn into something meaningful.

“We want Africans to come into the streets, not to the polling stations, and demonstrate to the country and the world that Africans have real concerns and we are addressing these concerns collectively so there can be no misunderstanding of where our community stands. And we want this activity primarily in African communities,” the WPA Executive Member declared.

The reality is the WPA does not command the support it did in

years gone by, so that alone makes it highly unlikely that persons would pay attention to their statements. But that aside, just as persons demonstrated in Victoria that they will stand against naysayers and detractors, there is little room for doubt that the WPA will receive the same response.

What makes the party’s failure in this regard more absolute is the fact that the WPA is only interested in a “street corner gyaff” and not serious conversations and discussions, as evidenced by Ogunseye’s paltry attempt to defend his racist and incendiary remarks as “appropriate language for a street corner.”

Persons are interested in hearing about betterment, solutions to their everyday problems and ways and means in which they could improve their livelihoods, not frivolous, unjustified comments that seek to further divide the country.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has said time and again that it is important for political leaders to prioritise the well-being of the country and its people, rather than engaging in divisive rhetoric that only serves to further polarise the nation.

“They only weaponise this one great asset that we have; the one great asset is our diversity as a people. It is not a negative; our diversity is a great asset to us, but there are those who cannot help themselves but weaponise this asset.

“Today, I say that no weapon formed in the clothing of racism will succeed, once this People’s Progressive Party is alive. And we don’t intend to die; we will stay alive. We will disband, destroy and completely wipe out the weapon of racism that continues to be used against the people of this country. And those who handle the weapon must understand that their days are numbered, and their days are coming to an end, because that weapon is being destroyed, globally. And that weapon will be buried here in Guyana,” President Ali said.

Aubrey Norton is delusional (Part I)

Dear Editor,

WHEN irresponsible politicians spew barefaced lies to deceive the people of Guyana, we need to expose their dishonesty and hypocrisy for all to see. In his recent tirade on social media, the disgraceful Leader of the Opposition took aim, in a very personal way, at the man he and the PNC fear most… The Honourable Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.

Last Sunday at Babu Jaan, Jagdeo was critical of former Mayor Hamilton Green, for suggesting that Forbes Burnham, not Cheddi Jagan was the real “Father of the Nation.”

Of course, Hammie would like us to forget that Burnham’s legacy is carved in stone as the man who raped the constitution by rigging every general election in which he participated and who’s policies bankrupted the nation, causing tremendous hardship on our people.

Even knowing this to be true, Aubrey Norton shamelessly defended the myth that Burnham was a great leader, and proceeded to glorify 28 years of tyranny under the PNC. Thankfully, we live in an era when lies and distortions can easily be exposed with a few clicks on the internet, and while I wouldn’t waste precious space here debunking the obvious, there are two topics that need exposure.

And so I present the facts here that no one

can dispute. At Babu Jaan, General Secretary Jagdeo informed the massive crowd that the Guyanese people will soon benefit from 12 stateof-the-art hospitals and seven additional schools equipped with computer labs.

Now, any normal person with the interest of our people at heart would rejoice and commend this young Ali administration on such a magnificent achievement in just two and a half years. Any normal person, that is, except Aubrey Norton, who has never acknowledged anything the PPP/C government has done to transform the lives of Guyanese, including his own supporters, so he quickly labelled these projects, “a scheme for corruption.”

Norton said, “Now you’re talking about building 12 hospitals. You have to first improve the health system. Hospitals don’t make a health system work, it’s the human resource in there and the systems to deliver in health…”

Now let’s examine how the PNC managed the nation’s healthcare system while they were in office. The following extract was taken from the 1992 World Bank Report, and reflects the dismal conditions in the healthcare sector prior to 1992 when the PNC was in office.

The World Bank, which has been critical of the PPP from time to time, is a world- renowned financial institution that provides loans and

grants to governments of low and middle-income countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects.

In this report, the World Bank reported the following conditions that existed in the health and education sectors under the PNC government:

“13.73. The quality of health care provided in Guyana has declined markedly over the past decade. Although government allocation to the sector dropped sharply over this period, high levels of inefficiency, the fragmented organization of the sector, an inability to identify and prioritize objectives, and the limited coordination between the relevant agencies has greatly contributed to this decline.

“The deterioration in care has been most severe in smaller urban and rural areas where health facilities are severely understaffed, and lack even the most basic drugs and diagnostic equipment.”

“13.74 The health referral system in Guyana was designed to include five different levels of facility. However, the extremely poor quality of care offered at lower levels of the referral system has caused patients to bypass these services and seek care directly from the Georgetown Public Hospital, the highest referral level. The breakdown of the referral system has greatly increased

inequities; it is the poor and rural population who have access to the poorest quality facilities and who are least able to afford the costs of travel to Georgetown to obtain better care. The consequences of these inequalities are reflected in the low health indicators reported in poorer and more rural regions such as regions 9, 8, and 5.

“13.76 From the late 1960s, government has provided fully subsidized public health care to all citizens. In an effort to equalize access to health care across all groups, the government severely restricted the development of the private sector and prohibited public employees from working outside public facilities. Resource constraints, however, have meant that the government has been unable to fulfil its objective of providing high-quality, free health care to all its citizens. Funding and manpower shortages have led to sharp declines in the quality of service offered and the government has been forced to relax constraints on private sector activity.”

The Infant Mortality Rate in 1991 was 46.799 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to 25.120 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022, a decline of 53.68% from 1991. [To be continued]

Yours respectfully, Harry Gill

New secondary school for Jawalla, Region Seven – Min. Manickchand Career opportunities aplenty in hospitality industry – THAG

WITH Guyana’s tourism sector rapidly expanding, there is an urgent demand for people to pursue the many career opportunities in the hospitality industry.

Executive Director of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Oslyn Kirton said the association is looking to create awareness of the existing openings.

She noted that many Guyanese tend to need clarification on the concepts of service and servitude, which is a misconception that needs to be rectified.

“People think of tourism or service as ‘I didn’t do too well in school; this is the only thing I could get’. No, that’s not the only thing you could get. There are parts of this world where people come out of high school with a 3.6 GPA and go to a catering school. They go to learn to be a server, they do that, cause it’s a career, it’s not just a job,” she explained.

Kirton added that more people need to be trained since the association’s members have been losing staff to other industries, although there is a need for more persons to take up employment in the hospitality sector.

right attitude and you give proper service you make a lot of money,” Kirton explained.

Further, she disclosed that there is scope and room for promotion all across the service industry.

“We just do not need servers [only], we need front of office staff, you need back of office staff,

THE Ministry of Education is taking another step towards achieving universal secondary education by establishing a new secondary school in Jawalla, Region Seven.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and other senior officers within the Ministry of Education, on Tuesday, visited the community to determine a possible location for the school.

Minister Manickchand said the new secondary school would be the second of its kind in the Upper Mazaruni District. It will

help to ease the overcrowding at the DC Caesar Fox Secondary School in Waramadong.

She noted that it would provide students in other communities, such as Kamarang and Philipai, with the opportunity to receive a sound secondary education. These students are either not receiving a secondary education or being educated in primary tops, a secondary department in a primary school.

Minister Manickchand said that with the establishment of the secondary school, the

Ministry of Education would be able to close the primary tops in Phillipai, Wax Creek, Chinoweing, Imbaimadai, Jawala, Quebanang, Kako and Kamarang.

The school will house 500 students in the classroom and 400 students in the dormitories.

Once completed, the new school will be equipped with chemistry, biology, physics and information technology, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) laboratories, home economics room, library space and spacious classrooms.

Guyana will soon witness several branded hotels opening up for business and will need sufficient staff to meet the anticipated demands.

“We have to educate our citizens that there is a future in service. You can start as a waiter… and end as a maître d’. A maître d’ is what they see as the person in charge of the hotel… and there is a lot of money in that. Even as a waitress. If you have the

we need chefs, we need prep cooks and engineers,” she noted.

Meanwhile, the association is looking to provide various training opportunities for persons in the industry. It also plans to support the Carnegie School of Home Economics to upskill its staff, as this institution spearheads training for the industry.

Waitress serving a patron

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and other senior officers within the Ministry of Education on Tuesday visited the community to determine a possible location for the school

Regulatory laws for electric bikes imminent - says AG

THE Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General (AG), Anil Nandlall, SC, announced on Tuesday that the government is planning to implement regulatory frameworks to address the alarming increase in road fatalities and incidents involving electric bikes.

During his online show, “Issues in the News,” the Attorney General said that citizens and other bodies, especially from the Private Sector, have complained about how people are using electric bikes.

“People across the country are using these electric cycles, and we have received complaints far and wide that these electric cycles are being used in a manner dangerous to the public. They present a travel traffic hazard, and the persons who are riding these cycles are not equipped with helmets or any other protective gear… it is a dangerous situation,” the Legal Affairs Minister noted.

He continued: “We have received these complaints from the private sector. We have received this complaint from members of the public users of the road have complained. If you look at a social media platform, you will see

commentaries and commentaries about this conduct.”

To tackle this issue, Nandlall said that the government is currently developing regulatory frameworks to ensure the safe operation of electric bikes on public roads.

The amendments to traffic laws and regulations are already in draft form and will be promulgated and enforced once approved by the government.

The government, he said, is committed to ensuring the safety of all road users and is taking this issue seriously.

It is worth noting that the country already has a traffic accident problem and a high incidence of road carnage. Therefore, the government’s efforts to regulate the use of electric bikes are a welcome move in the right direction.

The government has already passed legislation to address drunk driving and the sale of alcohol to drivers and is willing to make further changes to ensure road safety.

Nandlall said that the government has already passed legislation to deal with drunk driving and the way people are operators of bars or the bars are

to conduct themselves, vis-a-vis selling liquor to drivers or potential drivers.

He added that the government’s intention to introduce regulatory frameworks to promote the safer use of electric bikes is commendable.

“We already have a traffic accident problem in this country. We already have a high incidence of road carnage. The need has arisen for us to make another change, and we are prepared to do so,” he said.

Earlier this year, Ramona Doorgen, Coordinator of the Guyana National Road Safety Council, disclosed in an interview with this newspaper that a major part of the currently drafted rules includes barring children under the age of 16 from operating electric bikes.

These bikes retail for between $70,000 to $150,000 and cost considerably less than conventional motorcycles. Due to the ease with which they can be operated, they have become the go-to mode of transportation for many, with most having speeds below 50 kmph.

Doorgen welcomed the decision by the Guyana Police Force

and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to help draft rules to govern the use of these bikes to regulate the use of these vehicles due to the notable misuse by operators across the country.

In February, 17-year-old Bibi Sophia Mohammed of NonPareil Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was killed, while her sister was hospitalized, following an electric bike accident along the Coldingen Public Road, ECD.

According to reports, the two sisters were on the electric bike when they were struck by a truck. The electric bike was

being ridden by 16-year-old Maria Mohammed, while the now-deceased teen was the passenger. Neither was wearing protective gear.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has said that a further review of more measures to promote road safety is currently being undertaken.

In a detailed press release, the ministry, in February, said that for the period January 1 to February 18, 2023, 16 persons were killed when compared with eight persons for 2022.

“The 2023 results show

a 100 per cent increase when compared with 2022. What is very notable is that pedestrian fatalities increased by 25 per cent when compared to the same period last year. Whereas approximately 44 per cent of motorcyclists were killed during the same period compared to last year,” the release said. Comparative data had shown that as of February 18, 2023, 16 persons have been killed on the roads due to 14 accidents, compared with the same period in 2022 when eight persons died from seven accidents.

Gold production set to rise as exploration activities increase

- Natural Resources Minister

DESPITE a slight decline in gold production in 2022, Guyana has seen significant exploration activities, signalling an increase in gold production going forward.

The country’s Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, disclosed while appearing recently on a weekly programme, ‘The Guyana Dialogue.’

“We have had significant exploration activity ongoing in Guyana for gold… OMAI [OMAI Gold Mines] is back in Guyana and has expended over US$40 million in exploration activities, discovering about 200 million ounces of gold deposits” the minister underscored.

Further, other large-scale gold mining companies, such as Reunion Gold have discovered

500 million ounces of gold. At the same time, Aris Mining Corporation stated that its Toroparu acquisition represents an estimated 5.4 million ounces of gold.

The minister added that “These are all new deposits that have been discovered and what we will see in another two to three years from now is maybe another two or three more largescale gold mining companies operating in Guyana.”

On the other hand, the decline in gold production in 2022 was caused by COVID-19, which devastated the Australian mining company – Troy Resources.

Due to its employees’ inability to work, the company suffered a significant loss in operation and production time, forcing it to close its doors.

Meanwhile, the Aris mining team has confirmed that Toroparu is a large-scale goldcopper deposit with a measured and indicated resource estimate of 118,000 tonnes of copper as well as an inferred resource estimate of 1.2 million ounces of gold.

In addition, Reunion Gold Inc. acquired the Oko West Project, which comprises one Prospecting Licence issued on September 23, 2022. The licence is valid for three years and has a surface area of approximately 10,890 acres. The natural resources minister said despite the setbacks caused by the pandemic and excessive flooding in the interior in 2021 and 2022, “We are resilient and we have been working with the miners to increase production.”

New Fisheries Food Safety Hub launched under EU-funded project

FISH processing establishments and fishers across the Caribbean now have access to a new online hub of fisheries food safety resources.

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), in partnership with the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), on Wednesday, announced the launch of the new Fisheries Food Safety Hub, developed with funding from the European Union (EU) under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures Project.

strengthen food safety in the region, including the Leadership Institute of the Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations (CNFO).

IICA and the CRFM developed the Hub for public and private stakeholders in the fifteen CARIFORUM countries. The partners especially catered to the needs of fishers, fisher organisations, and aquaculture farmers, thereby expanding the reach of the project’s online platform to the agriculture, fisheries, and aquaculture sectors.

“Having ready access to

tance given that food safety is of the highest priority, especially in the context of expanding trade while also reaching the target of a 25% reduction in the Caribbean’s food import bill by 2025, as mandated by our Heads of Government.”

Mr. Adrian LaRoda, Chair of the Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations, said: “The Hub itself will be very beneficial to the CNFO, as it is another platform for us, small-scale fishers, to be able to share our message... to reach a greater number of participants, particularly those

since October 2017, agreed that the Fisheries SPS Hub can be used to strengthen capacity in the fisheries sector. He said that they would greatly benefit if they could get assistance from another processing plant to train their workers. This exchange could help them improve their standards by learning from what other establishments have been doing to

address their challenges. Bequia Seafood could, in turn, offer training to other regional establishments.

The resources that are showcased on the Fisheries Food Safety Hub will help persons in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors strengthen their knowledge of food safety, especially the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures that are impor-

tant for trade within and outside of the Caribbean Region. The Fisheries Food Safety Hub is linked with the e-Library of the project, available on edfspscariforum.online, which offers authoritative digital resources dedicated to stakeholders interested in agricultural health, food safety, and food quality in the CARIFORUM region.

“At the European Union, we view our environmental and health ambitions – set in the EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy – as drivers for raising global standards through trade. Ensuring fisheries food safety is at the core of these standards, allowing not only for exports to the EU, but also within Caribbean countries. We therefore welcome the launch of the Fisheries Food Safety Hub which will serve as a learning platform for stakeholders and as a product of the longstanding partnership between the EU, IICA, and CRFM,” stated EU Ambassador, H.E. Malgorzata Wasilewska.

The Fisheries Food Safety Hub aims to increase accessibility to fisheries food safety compliance materials. It serves as the central access point for a wealth of food safety resources for the Caribbean, primarily developed under the 10th and 11th EDF SPS Measures Project.

These include guides and manuals, training videos, infographics, and policy documents covering the entire fisheries value chain: preharvest, harvest, and postharvest. The Hub also features resources developed through complementary initiatives to

current scientifically based information on a timely basis is fundamental for strengthening compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary measures and ultimately contributes towards improved market access and trade in the Caribbean Region. Hence, IICA is very pleased to collaborate with the CRFM with funding from the European Union to develop this important information resource for the fisheries sector,” stated the Head of IICA’s Agricultural Health, Food Safety and Quality Programme, Dr Jose Urdaz.

Mr. Milton Haughton, Executive Director of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism, said: “The Fisheries Food Safety Hub is a very important development and will be beneficial to all our stakeholders in the CARIFORUM countries—from producers to consumers, as well as national and regional regulatory authorities with responsibility for ensuring safe and wholesome supplies of fish and fishery products to local markets, and for monitoring the implementation and compliance with trading measures and standards to promote sustainable trade. This is of particular impor-

who are not within the CNFO constituency.” Mr. LaRoda added that CNFO members will take advantage of the Fisheries Food Safety Hub, and they will continue to update the information from the CNFO Leadership Institute which is featured on the Hub, and to use the platform as a part of their ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of fishers in the Caribbean.

Mr. Udo Karg, the acting chair of the Suriname Seafood Association and CEO of Ocean Delight, underscored that food safety is the highest priority. One of Suriname’s export establishments, Ocean Delight, is featured on the Fisheries Food Safety Hub, as one of the entities which received training under the 11th EDF SPS Measures Project. All the materials for that training are available for open access on the Fisheries Food Safety Hub.

Mr. Karg also sees the Food Safety Hub as a marketing tool which demonstrates the work done in Suriname to ensure fisheries food safety, particularly for exporting to the EU. Mr. Eardley Simmons, Managing Director of Bequia Seafood in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, which has been in operation

The Hub features resources to help fishers improve the handling and storage of seafood at sea and at markets

Millet trials to commence soon - Agriculture Minister - exploration of other crops being discussed between Guyana, India

By Naomi Parris CULTIVATION

trails for millet production will soon commence in Guyana as the country seeks to become a large-scale producer in the Caribbean.

In an invited comment to the Guyana Chronicle, in the aftermath of visiting India, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, said that the Asian nation is a global leader in the production of millets, and Guyana has been promised technical support to begin trials.

Meanwhile, Guyana has committed to making some 200 acres of land available for the exclusive production of millets. “I have since met with the minister of agriculture in India and have requested that they provide the technical help

needed, so very shortly, we will start the planting of millet officially,” Mustapha said.

Millets are a cereal grain group belonging to the Poaceae family, commonly known as the grass family. The grains are usually grounded into

flour to make various foods. While it may look like a seed, the millet’s nutritional profile resembles that of sorghum and other cereals.

Its high nutritional properties and resilience in adapting to hot and dry climatic conditions provide an affordable and nutritious option for addressing food insecurity.

Other areas of interest, such as cash crops, aquaculture, as well as sugar and rice, were also discussed, Mustapha said.

“We will be looking at our entire crop section where we can get help with the technical aspect at NAREI [National Agricultural Research and Extension institute], had discussions about hemp, where we are looking to get some technical expertise. We had discussion in almost all the major areas of agriculture, aquaculture, rice, sugar.”

During a virtual address

at the two-day Global Millet Conference in New Delhi, India, earlier this month Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, highlighted that India is the largest millet producer globally and is also assuming global leadership in advancing the objective of addressing one of the world’s most foremost challenges which is food security.

Based on India’s proposal, 2023 was declared the International Year of Millets (IYM) by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Dr. Ali said Guyana is considered an ideal ecozone with optimum conditions for the growth and development of millets. The country’s warm climate allows for a conducive soil temperature that is essential for the sprouting and germination of the millet seeds based on the minimal soil and climatic requirements.

The millet grain

THE Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, suspects foul play in the fire at the Guyana National Industrial Company Inc. (GNIC) wharf, as one of the storage bonds held the three $72.2 million motion scales.

In 2021, the AG commenced legal proceedings against NevPro Realization Limited of Jamaica and Former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, essentially over a breach of contract for the three scales that were entered into almost five years ago.

The matter at hand concerns the non-delivery of three portable motion scales bought by the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government for a whopping $72.264 million back in December 2016.

Minister Nandlall alleges that the director of the Jamaican company was the campaign manager of the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) for the 2015 General and Regional Elections and was closely associated with the AFC, the political party of which Patterson

AG suspects foul play in GNIC fire which destroyed $72M motion scales

investigation is ongoing.

In his statements of claim filed at the Demerara High Court, the AG had also named former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Balraj Balram, and the ministry’s former Head of the Special Projects Unit, Lawrence Mentis, as respondents.

is a founding member.

“After our government filed the case, then someone belatedly said that the scale came but was put in some warehouse at Laparkan. And by the time that information was verified, the warehouse at Laparkan mysteriously went up in flames. “The warehouse in which the scale, they claim, was imported and left went up in flames before that allegation could have been interrogated and investigated. “You think this is a Nancy story I’m talking about? These are the facts, and one of the main architects in this case, who was at the ministry at the time, jumped on a plane and left,” Nandlall said on Tuesday.

In 2020, millions of dollars’ worth of vehicles and other imported items were destroyed at the Laparkan and Tropical Shipping bonds.

The Fire Chief, Gregory Wickham, revealed that the fire was “maliciously set.”

The fire caused significant damage to the two facilities, and the authorities are investigating the incident. It is unclear who is responsible for the malicious act, and the

On behalf of the State, Nandlall is seeking $50 million in general damages from the Jamaican company for loss and damage suffered due to the breach of the contract, dated December 6, 2016, for the supply and delivery of three scales.

He is also claiming liquidated damages for $7.245 million, calculated at 10 per cent of the contract price for the breach of contract by the said company.

During his online programme, Nandlall said that the contract was unlawfully granted and breached the Procurement Act

The AG is contending that for the entirety of 2017, there is no evidence that Patterson, Balram, and Mentis took any steps whatsoever to pursue any form of communication with NevPro to ensure delivery of the scales.

In short, the AG said, the alacrity to make full and final payment to the company for the sales “was not in the faintest way replicated in efforts to ensure delivery of that which was paid for.”

On March 15, 2018, more than one year after the 90 days for delivery, six packages purporting

to be the scales were shipped to Guyana by the company. In 2021, only three out of the six packages were found at the Laparkan Trading Ltd storage bond.

None of the packages was opened to verify that the contents were actually the Motion Scales or components of the Motion Scales.

Against this backdrop, Nand-

lall called out the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) longterm head, Mike McCormack, for being mum on the issue and the lack of transparency on the motion scales contract.

“Where is the report that Mike McCormack and the GHRA issued a public statement condemning them? We are not going to sit idly by and take these attacks from people who have selective outrage.

These are people with selective outrage…” the AG said.

The GHRA had accused the government of “singling out” the organisation based on its criticism of the process of Guyana’s Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

However, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government remains open to constructive criticism, but it will also respond accordingly to claims such as those presented by the GHRA.

“Apparently, we don’t have a right to respond. Certain people are sacred cows. So you know, they are immune, they can speak what they want. And if you respond, you’re a dictator and you’re intolerant of criticism.

“Well, I don’t share that view at all. I am the recipient of criticisms every day, and I welcome that. But when I choose to respond, I will respond; that is my right,” the AG said.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC

FLASHBACK to fire at GNIC

US company proposes state-ofthe-art Environmental Clean Up Facility in Guyana

A FLORIDA, United States based company known as Newyon, LLC. is interested in constructing and operating an Environmental Clean Up Facility (ECF) in Guyana that would address the environmental stress caused by a lack of proper solid waste disposal options. Using modern technology, municipal solid waste has a valuable role to play in the circular economy model.

American developer and Director of Newyon, LLC, William L. New, who has extensive experience in waste collection/processing, as well as in the energy sectors, said the proposed ECF in Guyana would use an existing collection and transportation system to transform 400 metric tons of waste per day from the greater metropolitan area of Georgetown.

“All facilities, environmental control equipment, operating practices, and human resources protocols are designed and operated to World Bank Standards and the Best Available Control Technology (BACT),” he told this publication.

He explained that the need for clean energy to supply emerg-

ing economies, the health of the local population, and the socioeconomic needs of developing regions are taken into consideration when investing.

The ECF, he explained, will remove 130-190,000 metric tons per year of municipal solid waste (MSW) and rotting biomass while producing 10-15 MW of clean energy and 10,000 liters per day of bottled water for the local inhabitants who do not have access to potable water.

The energy produced, the director explained, will be sold to the commercial/industrial sectors, which have both the need for clean, renewable energy and the desire to enhance their social profiles by actively contributing to environmental clean-up as well as removing the greenhouse gas, methane, which is emitted from landfills and uncontrolled dumping of garbage.

The potable water, he added, will be distributed to the local communities where safe drinking water does not exist. The plant will be operated by trained locals, including 50 per cent women.

The total project cost for an Environmental Clean Energy Fa-

cility is estimated to be US$6575,000,000 with attractive cash flows based on a zero cost of raw materials. Permitting, environmental impact studies, feasibility

of gross contamination of the waterways, aquifers, and cities in the Caribbean plus Central and South America.

Using proven suppliers and

eliminates the smell of burning garbage; eliminates uncontrolled dumping, pollution of landfills and the aquifers, and lowers energy costs using a circular economy approach.

“If the Government of Guyana redirects the 420 metric tons per day to a Newyon ECF, this amount of solid waste will be reduced by 90%. The remaining inorganics (metals) will be recycled, and the ash residue will be used in either concrete blocks or asphalt. A small concrete block plant is included as well as a small asphalt plant,” he explained.

studies and legal studies will take approximately 10 months. Construction and start-up will take an additional 12 months.

The long-term objective, he explained, is to create a center of excellence to provide sustainable solutions to mitigate the crisis

an Engineer, Procure, and Construct (EPC) that is bankable, the facility will include site preparation for 10 hectares; in addition, a light manufacturing facility will be co-located to build the proprietary control systems.

He noted that such a facility

The company, he said, will function as the technical partner alongside the people and institutions of Guyana to eliminate the serious contamination of the air, water and the negative health impact. Newyon will operate the plant using local, trained technicians.

Further, he explained that the company plans to ensure transparency and accountability in its operations and partnerships in Guyana since there will be permits, environmental impact studies and ongoing testing of the

air, water and soils as part of the daily, weekly, monthly and annual operations. “There are over 80 facilities like this operating in the US and over 1,000 in the world,” he noted, adding, “This plant will either be guaranteed to be self-funding, or it will not be built. If it cannot meet US EPA and OSHA standards, it will not be built.”

The developer further highlighted that “this is a partnership where Newyon supplies the technical, operating and financial knowhow while Guyana provides the circular economy opportunity that supplies the raw material, technicians to operate the plant and the market to use the product.

American developer and Director of Newyon, LLC, William L. New

What the Environmental Clean Up Facility is expected to look like upon completion. This facility is currently operational in Finland

No new squatting area will be recognised

THE government has once again issued a stern warning to individuals who persist in illegally occupying land, especially on river banks and near sea defences, announcing that it will implement a robust enforcement programme to address the issue across Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara).

“Don’t believe that people can start occupying space or engage in squatting and that you will get our attention. No new squatting will be recognised,” Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal cautioned while speaking at an event in Region Three on Monday.

To support these efforts, the Housing ministry will relocate its regional office to a more spacious location within the same compound as Guyana Water Incorporated’s (GWI) office in Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara.

Minister Croal said additional staff will be hired to assist in managing various housing projects in the region and enforcing regulations related to illegal land occupation.

He explained that the government has been engaging squatters within the region.

As a result, some persons squatting in areas including Greenwich Park, Tuschen Plantation

---Minister Croal cautions persons in Region Three

Uitvlugt, Stewartville

Sideline Dam, and De Kinderen are undergoing the regularisation process.

“You have a compassionate and caring government, so you have a lot of areas, for example, along the railway line that we have committed to regularising. We want to assure all those persons that they can sign their agreements and that we can process ownership,” the minister stated.

According to him, while some of these households can be regularised, the ministry will need to relocate several individuals residing on government reserves.

Several persons at Cameron Dam and Ca-

nal Number One were relocated to developed housing schemes within the region. These persons also benefitted from the Steel and Cement Subsidy initiative and are moving ahead with the construction of their homes.

Addressing those persons squatting along the Parika Sea Dam, Minister Croal said, “The answer is no, so start thinking about a relocation process.”

The minister reiterated that the government’s national housing programme is designed to cater to the housing needs of all Guyanese, and therefore there is no need for anyone to resort to squatting.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal

Over 100 women to benefit from Suriname business forum

ON a mission to provide Guyanese and Surinamese women entrepreneurs from all walks of life with the skills, resources and networks they need to start and grow their businesses, the Association of Women Entrepreneurs-Guyana (AWE), in collaboration with Zami Paramaribo, will soon be hosting a business forum.

It will start on June 21, 2003 and will run for four days.

According to the Presi-

dent of the AWE, Ruth Johnson, “the forum is to foster collaboration between women of the two countries to do business in partnership.”

A delegation of 15 Guyanese women and over 100 Surinamese women will benefit from this informative event.

The programme will start with the “Women’s B2B Forum” with several speakers from Guyana: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Strategic Recruitment Solutions, Keri Gravesande Bart; CEO of Koronco Safety Solutions, Latoya Jack, and CEO of EARNVIEW Reona Cathro.

Additionally, there will also be a business women’s dinner and a visit to the Suri-

name Oil and Gas Expo.

“…. We realized [AWE and Zami Paramaribo] that

there is a need to help our women extend their boundaries in business and how effective partnership with be for both sides” Johnson affirmed.

AWE, a women-oriented organisation started in 2021, is constantly aiming to break barriers and is committed to assisting women in business, specifically entrepreneurs, to thrive in a system that often seems to work against, rather than for, their growth.

(1)

(2)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Thursday March 30, 2023)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 GARNETT STREET, CAMPBELLVILLE, GEORGETOWN (TEL: 225-6158)

Answers

Today’s Quiz:

Answers

Charles, Joseph among big movers in ICC T20 rankings

CMC – Johnson Charles and speedster Alzarri Joseph were among the big movers in the ICC Twenty20 International Rankings released on Wednesday. The duo played important roles in a 2-1 series win for West Indies against hosts South Africa over the past week.

Charles, the Player-of-the-Series, leapt

an incredible 92 places to 17th in the batting rankings due mainly to his pugnacious 118 off 46 balls in the second T20I of the series at Centurion Park in Pretoria before the South Africans successfully chased a record target of 259 to win the match.

He is one of three West Indies batsmen in the top 20 of the rankings – Brandon

King is currently 19th after achieving a career-best ranking in the first match of the series, and Nicholas Pooran, whose crucial 41 earned a win in the third T20I, is now ranked 20th.

Joseph improved 18 places to 33rd in the bowling rankings after he snared a career-best five for 40 in the third T20I at

the Wanderers in the South Africa capital of Johannesburg on Tuesday to formalise series win for the Caribbean side.

No West Indies bowler has cracked the top 20 in the format, but left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein is the highest ranked at 21st after falling five places during the series.

GCB Women’s Inter-County set to begin today

THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Women’s Inter-County Tournament is set to commence today.

Berbice will play Demerara from 09:30 hours then Demerara faces Essequibo from 14:00 hours. On Friday, March 31, Essequibo will play Berbice from 09:30 hours then, from 14:00 hours, the top two teams will play the Final.

According to a release from the GCB, the Tournament will give players the opportunity to showcase their

talent and skills as they vie for selection in the Guyana team to play in this year’s Cricket West Indies Regional tournament which is set to be played in St. Kitts and Nevis from May 7-30, 2023.

Defending Champions

Berbice named a strong team to defend both titles after they totally dominated the 4-team tournament last year.

West Indies player Shabika Gajnabi has been appointed captain while West Indies under-19 captain Ashmini Mu-

nisar will serve as her deputy.

Demerara will be captained by West Indies left-arm spinner Kaysia Shultz while Heema Singh had been named vice-captain.

Essequibo has named the experienced Kumarie Persaud as captain and Navka Narine the vice-captain.

This year’s tournament will have the three (3) county teams (Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo) and will begin with the T20 format.

In the T20 tournament,

two matches will be played on March 30 and two matches, including the final, on March 31.

The Super50 ( 50 overs) format will commence on April 4 and conclude on April 9, 2023.

Berbice squad: Shabika Gajnabi (Captain), Ashmini Munisar (Vice-captain), Erva Giddings, Sheneta Grimmond, Devona Frank, Marian Samaroo, Plaffina Millington, Oma Matadin, Kentana Mentore, Realeanna Grimmond, Trisha

Hardatt, Tia Isaacs, Sherica Campbell, Denellie Lindee, Gaytri Sanichara. Winston Smith will serve as head coach while Rosaline Haniff will be the Manager.

Demerara squad: Kaysia Shultz (Captain), Heema Singh (Vice-Captain), Saleena Khan, Lynda Sylvan, Leitsha Jordan, Anita Hendricks, Rushell Roberts, Roshanna Gerrard, Naomi Barkoye, Tilleya Madramootoo, Melanie Dover, Emalissa Whyte, Latoya Garraway, Sarah Amin, Chelsea Latiff.

Das, Shakib destroy Ireland

(ESPNCRICINFO) Shakib Al Hasan had Litton Das for company as Bangladesh dominated Ireland by 77 runs to clinch the T20I series in Chattogram. They led the way in the hosts’ allround show that provided them their second-biggest win in the format (by runs). Shakib made a quickfire 38 and then took a five-wicket haul while Litton’s 83 and three catches as wicketkeeper made equal impact. Shakib’s second T20I five-for also took him past Tim Southee to become the highest wicket-taker in the format.

Openers Litton and Rony Ta-

lukdar added 124 runs in 9.2 overs of the rain-shortened match. Litton cracked 83 off 41 balls before Shakib’s show.

Ireland looked incomplete in all three departments, hardly stringing together a few good overs. There was a dropped catch, a few crucial misfields and then the batting fell apart in the face of Shakib’s brilliance. Earlier, rain just at the stroke of the start of play had threatened to ruin chances of the game.

The first drop of rain on Wednesday afternoon fell ten minutes after the toss. The downpour stopped after 40 minutes, when

the umpires declared a 3:15pm start but minutes later, a drizzle began. The 17-overs a side match finally started at 3:40pm, a full 100 minutes after the scheduled start. But it hardly deterred or unnerved the Bangladesh openers who took off from where they left off in the first T20I.

Litton, Rony blast record-breaking start

The fastest team fifty. The fastest individual fifty. The fastest team hundred. The biggest opening stand for the team. Litton and Rony did it all, as they smacked Ireland around the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in a memorable

opening stand.

It was 9.2 overs of pure entertainment. The pair hit 13 fours and five sixes, breaking several team records, as the Ireland bowlers and fielders were ordinary. Bangladesh raced to 50 in 3.3 overs after Rony and Litton took big overs off Mark Adair and Graham Hume. It was the first time a Bangladesh opening pair had three successive fifty-plus stands.

Litton was dropped in the fourth over on 16, with George Dockrell unable to hold on to his bullet of a pull shot. The same over went for 17 runs, before Fionn Hand went for 19 runs in the following over,

The Manager is Yolande Abenia Klass Parker and head coach is Clive Grimmond. Essequibo squad: Kumarie Persaud (Captain), Navka Narine (Vice-captain), Analesia D’Aguiar, Varuni Pitamber, Divine Ross, Lavina Ragobeer, Sonia Ben, Rhana Jones, Nafeeza Sabar, Cyanna Retemiah, Leurene Williams, Roxanne Hendricks. The Manager is Mirenda Cornelius, and the head coach is Rayon Da Costa.

his first one on tour. Next over, Litton reached his half-century, beating Mohammad Ashraful’s 20ball fifty from 2007. Bangladesh raced to their 100 in 7.1 overs, only the second century opening stand for the team. When Ben White removed Rony in the tenth over, his 44 came off 23 balls with three fours and two sixes in the arc between long-on and midwicket.

Litton struck his three sixes over point, long-off and squareleg. Seven of his ten fours came behind square on either side of the wicket, but the most significant number was the eight dot balls he played in his 41-ball stay. It is the lowest by a Bangladeshi batter in a 75-plus knock. Litton’s innings, however, ended tamely when he edged leg-spinner White in the twelfth over, following a mild lull in the run-rate.

Mar 26, 2023 Johnson Charles shapes to loft the ball over the off side © AFP/Getty Images

Mar 21, 2023 Alzarri Joseph gets ready to bowl © AFP/Getty Images

Republic Bank takes over title sponsorship of CPLT20

Republic Bank Limited has been announced as the new Title Sponsor and Official Bank of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The announcement was made by CPL Chief Executive Officer, Pete Russell, in a press conference held yesterday in Port of Spain to launch the 2023 season of the T20 cricket tournament.

Having previously sponsored the CPL as the Official Banking Partner since 2015, the Bank will now assume the League’s highest sponsorship profile for the next three (3) years.

Republic Bank has also been confirmed as a partner for the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) which will return in 2023 for its second edition. The WCPL sees the best female cricketers from across the region and around the world showcase their skills in front of a huge global audience.

Pete Russell, CEO of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League, said: “Republic Bank are the perfect partner for the CPL and WCPL, a company that shares our passion for cricket and Caribbean culture. The CPL is a driver of economic growth and the creation of jobs, so having a financial group like Republic Bank as the title sponsor makes perfect sense. In addition, Republic Bank has a great track record of spreading the love of cricket across the region, something that is important to all of us at the CPL.”

Nigel Baptiste, Group President and Chief Executive Officer for the Republic Group, said: “We are excited to be the Title Sponsor and Official Bank of the Caribbean Premier League. Cricket is hugely important to Caribbean heritage, culture, community and youth development and as the Caribbean’s largest sporting event and one of its most significant sport entertainment exports, the CPL demonstrates to the world the Caribbean’s capability and prowess, illustrates our talent and future potential, and showcases our joyous and incomparable spirit.”

As a result, the Bank deemed it essential as a Caribbean corporate citizen, with operations in fourteen (14) territories including CPL franchise countries, Barbados, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia and St Kitts and Nevis, to expand its partnership with the League.

The 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League will run from August 16 to September 24. This year will also see the return of the Women’s Caribbean Premier League.

and Dolphin Speed Swim Club of Georgetown officially reopened the Toucan Mall Swimming pool last Sunday.

The pool, located in Amelia’s Ward in Linden, is now owned by United States-based brothers, Curtis and Ewart Chance, who were on hand to witness the event.

Both brothers were residents of Amelia’s Ward before migrating to the United States of America in the 1970s and Curtis is keen on making a contribution

Toucan Mall Swimming Pool reopened with ‘friendly’ swim meet

back to the community

Speaking on behalf of the duo, Curtis said that he was pleased to be associated with the veteran coach and former national swimming champion, Mary Chung-Phillips, who arranged for the meet.

Graced with the youthful swimmers and parents, the occasion was welcomed by Coach Chung-Phillips of the Torpedo Club and Coach Paul Mahaica of the Dolphin Club.

Coach Paul Mahaica spoke of the existing close relationships between the two clubs and their shared knowledge.

He was pleased that the facility, which is badly needed in Linden, will allow the swimmers to train consistently to be better swimmers.

Appealing to those parents in attendance, Coach Paul Mahaica said they were there to have fun as the swimmers compete against each other.

In results made available, in

the Girls Under 6 age category 25m freestyle event, Dolphin’s Amirya Caesar won in 25.47secs from Gabriel of Torpedo and third was Mia Rohoma of Dolphin.

In the 25m for Boys Under 8, freestyle, Torpedo’s Randy Spencer was the victor in 21.16secs from Zacharge Dey also of torpedo; Dwight Coates of Dolphin was third.

In the Boys 9-10 age category 50m breaststroke, the winner was Malachi Patokie, representing Torpedo Swim Club, in a time of 51.72secs ahead of club mate, Yaseen Hope.

The Girls 9-10 free style was won by Shemeara Joseph in 38.51 from Lenesha Spencer and third came Elissa Thomas of Dolphin.

The Girls 9-10 backstroke winner was Elissa Thomas of Dolphin in 38.44secs, from Torpedo’s Shemeara Joseph and third came Lenasha Spencer of Dolphin.

The Boys 50m Backstroke

race was won by Shahid Matthews in a time of 47.38secs from Daniel Spencer of Torpedo and third was David George of Torpoedo.

The Boys 50m 11-12 Backstroke race was won by Darius Spencer of Torpedo in 43.58secs, while the Girls 50m, 11-12, Backstroke winner was Heaven Belony of Dolphin, ahead of Ronesha Stellingburg of Torpedo.

The Boys 50m 11-12 Butterfly event winner was Daruus Spencer of Torpedo in 44.76secs from Maheen Hope of Dolphin.

The Boys 50m, 11-12 was Deon Spencer in 43.03secs

In the Boys 50m, 13-14 backstroke event, the winner was Eon McLean in 41.30secs.

The Girls 13-14, 50m backstroke was won by Anica Viera of Dolphin Club in 40.10secs from teammate Nia Burch-Smith while Ronesha Peters placed third.

The 13-14, 50m butterfly was taken by Eon McLean of Torpedo in 41.53 secs.

Delrea McLean of Mac Precise Fitness Gym cleaned up his opponents in the Novice Under 165lbs category before destroying the field to be the ‘Overall Mr. Novice.’

The domination came at the Guyana Body Building & Fitness Federation (GBBAF) Novices Championship Saturday evening at the Linden Concert Hall and School (LICHAS).

McLean showed poise and class defeating Christopher Anthony of Self Gym and Gym Palace’s Seon Budhan into second and third positions respectively.

In the Under 176lbs bracket, the winner was Errol Teekeram of Self Gym as he defeated Martin Lung of Unity Gym.

Copping first place in

154lbs category was Daniel Lutchman of Space gym as he beat Videsh Sookram of V-Fitness, and Shane Wilkinson of Space Gym.

The Under 143lbs category ended with Yehashua Boodie of V fitness as winner with the Mr. Physique competition seeing Self Gym’s Trisson Harte on top from Unity Gym’s Kwesi Anderson and Gym Palace’s Seon Budhero third.

The Miss Bikini winner was Melitha Anderson ahead of Melissa Rickett.

The Best Legs Award was won by Oshel Williams and the Mr. Linden Champion was Osie Williams while Vanisha Munroe copped the Wellness competition. (Joe Chapman)

A friendly swim meet between Linden’s Torpedo Swim Club

From left Paul Mahaica, Mary Chung-Phillips, Ewart Chance and Curtis Chance reopened Toucan Mall Swimming Pool.

Novice Miss Bikini winner Melitha Anderson at left, and runner-up Melissa Rickett at right.

P&P Insurance Brokers on board Sheltez Tennis Camp

By Sean Devers

The seventh annual twoweek Easter Sheltez Tennis Camp will be sponsored by P&P Insurance which has been in Business since 1985.

The camp, under the new sponsor, is scheduled to be played from April 3-6 & April 11-14 at the National Park Tennis Court.

The 4-10 age group runs from 9-11 AM and registration fee is $4,000 while the 11-18 age group runs from 12:00 noon -2:00PM at the same venue. Registration fee is $6,000.

This camp is for skills levels; Beginners, Interme-

Cornwall bags 4-27 as...

(2-35), Coin Archibald (2-27) and Jeremiah Louis (1-25), supported the burly Cornwall and provided their team with 2.5 fast bowling points while leaders, Guyana, failed to add a single point with the bat to their 68.2 points.

It would be nice if the school children from the East Bank schools can be brought to the Stadium today and tomorrow to help urge Guyana to a 13 th Title and sixth in eight tournaments since the Franchise format was introduced in 2014.

Guyana won the toss and opted to bat but kept losing wickets at regular intervals after Nandu and Tagenarine Chanderpaul added 32.

Chanderpaul (12) edged one that left him to the Keeper as Archibald made the break-through.

Cornwall removed Nandu, who has not made a ‘big’ score since his debut ton in February and Guyana were 41-2. The Everest left-hander again flattered to deceive with a couple of imperious cover drives off Spencer.

Savory, one of four batters with centuries this season, lacked consistency and was caught behind off Louis for four at 58-3 before Anderson, who hit Cornwall for a glorious cover boundary

FROM BACKPAGE

when the Antiguan bowled was short and caressed him through the covers when he over-pitched, was caught at short-leg as Cornwall got one to bounce and turn at 62-4.

Johnson, who scored his seventh century of his 20year First Class career in the previous game, was removed by Cornwall for eight and a run later, Tevin Imlach, another Guyanese batter with a hundred this season, was lbw to Spencer for four and Guyana were 86-6.

Spencer struck again when Permaul (2) was bowled at 90-7 before Sinclair (12) swept Cornwall to square-leg at 112-8.

Anthony Adams, making his First-Class debut after travelling with the squad on several occasions, got his first runs at this level by flicking Louis for four off the first ball he faced.

But the last two wickets fell at 122 after Shamar Joseph (6) was run out and Nial Smith fell to Archibald for a duck leaving Adams undefeated on 12 with two fours.

When the Leewards began their reply, Larry Audain (0) was LBW to Smith at 4-1 and at Tea the score was 9-1

After the break, Kieran Powell and Keacy Carty batted positively but when

SCOREBOARD

Guy 1st inns

Matthew Nandu c wkp Hamilton b Cornwall

22

Tagenarine Chanderpaul c wkp Hamilton b Archibald 12

Kevlon Anderson c Audain b Cornwall

16

Kemol Savory c wkp Hamilton Louis 4

Leon Johnson c James b Cornwall

8

Tevin Imlach

lbw b Spencer

6 Kevin Sinclair c Carty b Cornwall

12

Veerasammy Permaul b Spencer

2

Antony Adams not out

12

Shamar Joseph run out

6

Nial Smith c Louis b Archibald

0

Extras 22 (b-6, lb-2, nb14)

Total 122 all out in 44.1

overs

FoW: 32, 41 58, 62, 85,86, 90, 112, 122, 122

Bowling: Louis 7-1-25-1, Spencer 11-1-35-2, Archibald 9.1-3-27-2, Cornwall 17-6-27-4

L/Wards 1st Inns

Kieran Powell c Chanderpaul b Sinclair

39

Larry Audain lbw b Smith

0

Keacy Carty lbw b Permaul

23

Devon Thomas c (sub)

Cameron b Permaul

2

diates. Advanced and experienced coaches and those interested in participating can call Coach Shelly Daly-Ramdyham on 642-5672.

“This Camp just keeps growing. This year, we are pleased to have P&P Insurance Brokers on board. Our expectations are high in terms of the turn-out. This year we are focusing on attracting mostly young players and girls; afterwards they can continue to improve their tennis skill by joining a club,” Coach Daly- Ramdyham, who has been coaching for 18 years, told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday.

“Two of our top players, Saskia Persaud and Ricky Romascindo, will be participating in the ITF Junior Tournament in Trinidad & Tobago from April 1-8. Three other players will participate in the COTECC U-14 in Barbados. They are Elwyn Levius, Jose Rodrigues and Sihlelewe Marakalla” the former National Champion continued.

“We are hoping to attract new players and to also improve the level of the current advance and intermediate players, especially those who will be travelling soon,” Coach Daly-Ramdyham concluded.

Jahmar Hamilton not out

35

Kavima Gore c Johnson b Adams

10

Kofi James not out

9

Extras 15 (b-2, nb-13)

Total 133-5

FoW: 4, 73, 74, 85, 105

Bowling: Smith 7-0-12-1, Joseph 8-1-36-0, Sinclair 8-1-24-1, Permaul 12-2-31-2, Adams 8-2-28-1

Sinclair removed Powell at 73-2 the Leewards lost three wickets for 12 runs as Permaul removed Carty and Devon Smith (2) to leave the Leewards on 85-4.

The 100 was posted in 33.3 overs. Soon after, Adams got his first wicket at this level when he removed Kavima Gore (10), brilliantly taken at slip by Johnson.

Hamilton and James saw their team to the close.

Guyana made two forced changes to the team which beat Jamaica last week;

bringing in Joseph for Ronsford Beaton (who has been banned for an illegal action) and Adams for Gudakesh Motie due to a back injury he sustained in South Africa.

Today is the second day and the Guyana supporters would be paying close attention to the match between second placed Windwards (58 points) and third placed two-time defending champions, Barbados.

At the end of day one in Trinidad, Windwards made 237 while Barbados are 5-0.

Saskia Persaud (right) and Ricky Romascindo

Rakeem Cornwall about to dissmiss Kevlon Anderson yesterday on his way to 4-27 at Providence

(Sean Devers photo)

Cornwall bags 4-27 as Harpy Eagles fall for 122-Hurricanes lead by 11

By Sean Devers

Watched by a small gathering yesterday at Providence, Guyana Harpy Eagles were bowled out for a paltry 122 by the Leewards Hurricanes in the final round of the West Indies Championships and, by stumps, the visitors were 133-5 on a day in which 15 wickets fell.

Kieran Powell top scored with 39 from 75 balls and 102 minutes and shared in a 69-run second wicket stand with Keacy Carty who made 22 with four fours.

Jahmal Hamilton on 35 with five fours and Kofi James on 9 are the overnight batters with the Leewards enjoying a slim lead of 11 runs.

Veerasammy Permaul has two wickets so far.

Guyana’s biggest worry this season has been the inconsistency of their top order but yesterday in sweltering heat and on track with a tinge of green and a fast outfield, only Matthew Nandu, who reached the ropes four time in 22 and Kevlon Anderson, who stroked three boundaries in his 16 got past 12.

The 30-year-old Rakeem Cornwall, with 34 wickets in nine Tests and two 10-wicket match hauls in this tournament, is arguable the best off-spinner in the region and yesterday he again showed why he is regarded so highly by many by grabbing 4-27

The Leewards pace trio, Javier Spencer

Pete Russell , CEO of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League, and Nigel Baptiste, Group President and Chief Executive Officer for the Republic Group, celebrate the new partnership

Republic Bank takes over title sponsorship

Tennis Camp

Kemol Savory looks back to see the ‘keeper’ taking the catch off Louis yesterday (Sean Devers photo)