Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 31-01-2022

MONDAY 31st JANUARY, 2022

' No.106621

Call centres to create over 1,500 jobs by 2023

Great help

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–– parents say increase in education grant will enable them to do more for their children 03 PAGE

Berbice being beautified: An artist’s impression of the recreational park slated for the Corriverton Waterfront area (Photo taken from Little Guyana- 592 News/ Facebook)

1,000 affordable wooden houses to be constructed 09 PAGE

Chairman: No major losses in GNSC fire 13 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

Over $3.6B to improve TVET in 2022 –– Guyana heading in the right direction, says expert

By Tamica Garnett

THE government has collectively allocated over $3.6 billion towards the development of various areas in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which includes $2.5 billion towards the strengthening of programmes at the post-secondary level.

Some $420.5 million will go towards training of 1,000 workers in a wide range of oil and gas areas and $448.5 million for the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

The sum of $260 million has also been budgeted to commence works on the flagship Guyana Technical Training College (GTTC), which will see the GuySuCo Port Mourant Training Centre transformed into the country’s National Oil and Gas Institute, which will also be incorporating training in the tourism and hospitality sector.

These developments and more were announced by Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, when he presented the 2022 national budget to the National Assembly last Wednesday.

Commending the allocation for post-secondary TVET institutions and the emphasis

being placed on TVET by government, Director of the TVET Council, Patrick Chinedu Onwuzirike, praised the direction TVET is heading in Guyana.

“The money for post-secondary TVET is a movement upward from what we had gotten previously. I am excited about what I heard, and I am excited about where TVET is going in Guyana,” Onwuzirike commented in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

He noted that aside from increasing investment in the area, government’s continued emphasis on the importance of TVET is also doing its part to contribute to changing the Guyanese public perception of TVET. “To me I saw that presentation [by Dr. Singh] as one of the most eloquently put together presentation on TVET coming from a government minister. More statements like what the minister made at the budget presentation and more involvement of the Guyana population to understand what TVET can do for them [is needed],” Onwuzirike said.

TVET refers to those aspects of the educational process involving, in addition to general education, the study of technologies and related sciences, and the acquisition of practical skills.

Onwuzirike explained that many Guyanese still see TVET as an area that persons only turn to when then cannot make it academically and are left without options, noting, “That has been our concern over the years.”

However, with the rise of Guyana’s oil and gas industry, TVET skills are considered a significant area in the advancing of Guyana’s capacity to fill many jobs in this developing sector.

As such, TVET development has taken centre stage over the past few years, seeing massive investment on the part of the government.

HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT “Government has identified human capital development through technical and vocational skills as one of the critical impetuses for our development agenda.

Guyana’s rapid development trajectory requires a skilled, qualified and innovative population, capable of meeting the needs of our labour market,” Dr. Singh highlighted during his budget speech.

Dr. Singh informed that, in 2022, the government plans to undertake an analysis of TVET institutions with the aim of streamlining them and modernising their curriculum to make them more relevant to contemporary needs, with manpower planning for national requirements guiding the content of the training offered.

This year, Guyana will see the first batch of 129 students across nine secondary schools completing the pilot Level 1 Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) programme across various skills, including crop production, furniture making, electrical installation and masonry.

Construction of the tourism and hospitality institute, as well as the preparation of draft curriculum, is also slated to commence this year. Also towards development in TVET, the Kato and the Linden Technical Institute dormitories are expected to be completed this year, as part of a $6.6 billion allocation under the Ministry of Education’s budget for the construction, rehabilitation, extension, and maintenance of educational facilities.

The $420.5 million allocation to train 1,000 workers in several skill areas needed in the oil and gas industry will include the

Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh training and certification of welders, stevedores and heavy vehicle operators, among others. Though the programme caters for just 1,000 workers in 2022, it will continue into the medium-term with a target of a total of 4,500 persons being trained over the next four years.

For the BIT, which falls under the Ministry of Labour (MoL), the allocated $448.5 million will go towards continued training programmes to build on the 3,086 persons who were trained by the agency in 2021.

“Altogether, these technical vocational skills training will result in almost 10,000 persons being available to enter the job market during 2022, and the government will be focusing on ensuring that trainees are gainfully employed,” Dr. Singh emphasised.

Government’s continued investment in TVET is part of its overall continued investment in education, and human capacity development of Guyanese as a whole.

“Improved access, quality and relevance are essential to raising Guyana’s human capital to the levels needed to advance and sustain the imminent transformative economic and social development,” Dr. Singh had said.

TVET involves the acquisition of practical skills

Great help

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

–– parents say increase in education grant will enable them to do more for their children

By Tamica Garnett

EDUCATION is a right for every child and it is the job of every parent to ensure their children get their education; however, notwithstanding this, for many parents, it can often be a struggle affording even the minimum necessities to ensure their children are able to get an education.

Cognisant of the struggle facing some parents, the government has now taken most of that expense out of their hands with a massive increase to the “Because We Care” cash grant and uniform vouchers, which together will see parents receiving $30,000 for each child in 2022.

“The money will assist parents to buy quality school supplies including backpacks and footwear for their children; for the majority of parents, I am sure this increase will mostly cover their kid’s school expenses,” said Priya Persaud, a mother of four, who has three children in primary school.

The $30,000 that parents will be getting this year is an $11,000 increase on what they would have received last year when the “Because We Care” cash grant was $15,000 and the uniform voucher was $4,000.

This year, the govern-

Parent Priya Persaud with three of her children Waini), it also means that she can afford to give her children even more towards their education. A mother of two secondary students, she is already hopeful of using some of the money to purchase a laptop for her children.

ment increased the “Because We Care” to $25,000 and the uniform voucher to $5,000 as part of measures to put more disposable income in the hands of parents, as well as to increase school attendance of learners, previously disadvantaged because their parents could not always afford the basic necessities.

For 41-year-old Karen Gontuth, from Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima

STRUGGLE Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle in a telephone interview, Gontuth

shared that in the past, she would buy school items for her children in parts as finances became available and it was a struggle.

“How the money come and I get it, so I buy. Sometimes I buy a pair of boots for the boy, next time I buy a pair of shoes,” she shared.

Gontuth, who is a shopkeeper, said she and her husband, who is a farmer, try to get by as best as they can and to ensure their children get an education. She commended the $19,000 that she would have received last year and the support it afforded her.

“It helped a great lot with purchasing their school stuff, especially the books.

So now I feel very happy about this increase, because it’s going to help to buy even more. My daughter wants a laptop and I really want to buy one for her,” she shared.

Amounting to an additional $2.2 billion, the increase to the “Because We Care” and uniform vouchers were announced last Wednesday by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, as part of the $74.4 billion allocated to the education sector this year.

The $30,000 will be granted to parents for each child in school and will con-

Karen Gontuth, with one of her children tinue to apply to learners power in 2015, the parin both private and public ty discontinued the grant. schools.

When the PPP/C returned The “Because We Care” to government in 2020, project started in 2014 un- they upheld their promise der the People’s Progressive to restore the grant and inParty/Civic (PPP/C) Govern- crease it. ment and saw parents receivMoreover, while the ing cash grants of $10,000 grant initially catered per child in the public school only for public school system. learners, the government However, when the A went on to extend it to Partnership for National private school learners, Unity+Alliance for Change benefiting an additional (APNU+AFC) assumed 17,000 students.

Over 1,100 new jobs created by call centres since August 2020 –– over 1500 more jobs to be created by 2023 AN additional 1,131 jobs at call centres were created in Guyana since August 2020 through growth in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, while an additional 1,500 new jobs by 2023 are anticipated.

The job creation included the 125 new jobs that were created, through the government’s partnership with a private operator to reopen a call centre in Linden. An additional 100 jobs are anticipated to be created at that call centre by June 2022.

Over the past two years, the government has been placing particular focus on providing a stable environment for BPO firms here to

invest and grow.

This growth of the BPO industry will be further facilitated through the robust Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) development in Guyana.

That was noted by Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, during his budget presentation on Wednesday, where he spoke on how the government will be injecting investments into ICT and developing Guyana’s economic landscape.

“Our government is committed to improving ICT literacy such that the employability and productivity of our population are improved,” Dr. Singh said.

He further noted that “This year, we will also start work on building out the infrastructure for two new call centres which could potentially create over 1,500 new jobs by 2023.”

According to Dr. Singh, an estimated 75 per cent of employees in the BPO are women, so the industry also doubles as an area to provide empowerment and employment for women.

BPO is the business practice whereby companies outsource business processes to a third-party or external company Guyana has been noted as a hub for BPO investments with its diversified economy and culture affinity with the

North American market, giving Guyanese the opportunity to build and take advantage of the opportunities provided by the industry.

Guyana has been involved in the BPO industry for over a decade but the industry, like many others, has been growing at an exponential rate, proportional to Guyana’s massive projected economic growth.

Guyana is projected to be a financially powerful market for outsourcing services in the region.

Some of Guyana’s top BPOs include Teleperformance, Itel, Midas BPO, Qualfon and Express International Inc., to name a few.

Midas BPO is one of the most recent BPO businesses to open in Guyana

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

North Korea launches another missile

North Korean state media has released photographs it says were taken from its biggest missile launch since 2017.

The pictures show parts of the Korean peninsula and surrounding areas seen from space.

North Korea said the ballistic missile was an intermediate range Hwasong-12.

South Korea and Japan said it reached an altitude of 2,000km (1,242 miles) before landing in waters off Japan. Both countries have condemned the launch, the seventh test this month.

The photographs, released by the North Korean state news agency, KCNA, were reportedly taken from a camera fitted to the missile’s test warhead.

Two of the images show the moment of launch and the other apparently shows the

missile in mid-flight, taken from above.

Japanese and South Korean officials estimated that the missile flew for 30 minutes to a distance of 800km.

The UN prohibits North Korea from ballistic and nuclear weapons tests, and has imposed strict sanctions.

But the East Asian state regularly defies the ban, and leader Kim Jong-un has vowed to bolster his country’s defences.

A senior United States official called on North Korea to join direct talks about its nuclear and missile programmes with no preconditions, Reuters reported.

“We believe it is completely appropriate and completely correct to start having some serious discussions,” the official said.

The US earlier called on North Korea to “refrain from

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further destabilising acts”.

North Korean missile tests are typically announced the following day by the country’s state-run media.

On Monday, KCNA said the missile had been launched to “verify its accuracy”. Kim was reportedly not present.

It was launched to “the highest angle firing system from the north-western area to the East Sea of Korea in consideration of the security of the neighbouring countries”, the agency added.

North Korea analyst Ankit Panda said Kim’s absence, and the language used in the media to describe the launch, suggest that this test was intended to verify that the missile system worked as it should, rather than to show off new technology.

KCNA reported that the missile tested was an intermediate range Hwasong-12.

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It is the first time a nuclear-capable missile of that size has been launched since 2017.

That year, the missile was tested six times including two launches over the Japanese island of Hokkaido, triggering alarms and electronic alerts for residents there.

North Korea has previously said that the Hwasong-12 can carry a “large-size heavy nuclear warhead”.

Sunday was the seventh North Korean missile test since the start of the year, making January one of the busiest ever months for the country’s missile programme.

Experts suggest multiple reasons lie behind the spate of launches, including political signalling of strength to global and regional powers, a desire by Kim Jong-un to

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pressure the US back into long-stalled nuclear talks and also the practical need to test out new engineering and military command systems.

The timing is also seen as significant, coming just before the Winter Olympics in China, and ahead of the South Korean presidential election in March.

And the tests have also surged as the faltering North Korean economy struggles under US-led sanctions, pandemic-related difficulties and decades of mismanagement.

Dr Daniel Pinkston, a lecturer in international relations, told the BBC North Korea may be signalling to big powers such as China, the US and the UN Security Council, but also regional foes: “There’s a South Korean presidential election coming up in just over a month, so this is consistent with their

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past behaviour to try and intimidate South Korea and the incoming president,” said Dr Pinkston, from Troy University and who lives in South Korea.

According to other analysts, the missiles tested earlier this month showed North Korea was developing technology that can defeat the costly and complex missile defence systems that America and Japan have been deploying across this region.

Former South Korean naval commander Professor Kim Dong Yup said: “They want to have a deterrence system that is like a scorpion’s tail.”

“North Korea’s main purpose is not to attack but to defend themselves,” says Professor Kim, adding that the country is trying “to secure a diversified deterrent capability”. (BBC)

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Berbice being beautified!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

–– two new family-friendly, recreational parks part of ‘strategic investments’

TWO new family-friendly, recreational parks will soon be opened in Region Six as part of the ongoing nationwide beautification efforts, President Dr Irfaan Ali announced on Sunday.

The President said this during a visit to the Ancient County on Sunday, where he participated in clean-up efforts. This is part of a nationwide cleanup drive that kicked off in Georgetown and is being spearheaded by the President.

The Region Six cleanup was led by residents and officials from the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and municipalities. And President Ali’s first stop was at the Berbice River Bridge where members of the joint services and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) were clearing the road shoulders, clearing the drainage canals, and weeding.

President Ali, in a short video shared by his office, highlighted that trees will be planted on both sides of the roadway from the Berbice bridge to the Berbice highway. He also assured

President Waterfront: President Dr Irfaan Ali (centre), Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, Minister of Local Government Nigel Dharamlall, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar and other officials examine plans for one of the proposed Berbice recreational sites (Photo courtesy of the Office of the President) residents that lights will be installed there.

After visiting other communities, he made a stop at the Corriverton waterfront area -- a clean, picturesque spot. And it was there that the President announced establishment of the parks.

“We are leaving some strategic investments.

Moving forward, we are

looking at an enhanced park and safe zone for children and the elderly here in (Corriverton) and New Amsterdam,” the Head-of-State underscored.

The President explained that these investments will be led by the Ministries of Public Works and Local Government.

Importantly, President

Ali has previously explained that these efforts are not only part of a nationwide strategy to beautify Guyana, but is also intended to boost local tourism. These two new recreational parks are expected to add to the attractions in Region Six. “We want to enhance the beauty of our country and that beauty must come

The Corriverton waterfront area in Region Six (Photo courtesy of the Office of the President)

from the way we think, the way we act, the way we treat our environment,” Dr Ali said on Sunday.

He also added that, “[We are] trying to create an environment in which we can have positive

change and positive energy and all people must be included.”

Earlier this month, the nationwide clean-up exercise was kicked off in Georgetown by President Ali. Then, he was joined by several members of his Cabinet, members of the diplomatic corps, private sector representatives and residents.

Then, the President expressed the hope that the initiative will be spread across the country in the various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and municipalities.

While those efforts were underway in Region Six, it is important to note that the Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill led similar efforts in various communities of Region 10. Altogether, these efforts are geared at encouraging all Guyanese to maintain tidy surroundings and making the country more attractive.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

Atlantic Reader

THE Ministry of Education (MoE) recently launched the final publication of the Atlantic Reader series, which will be used as a primary textbook at the elementary level of schooling.

This is indeed a significant development for which the PPP/C administration must be highly commended.

The initiative was lauded

by Dr Laurette Bristol, Programme Manager for Human Resource Development, who said that the intentions and aspirations for the Atlantic Reader series ‘meet the needs of literacy at the local level and extend the integration agenda of the Caribbean, which is to foster the ideal Caribbean person through education.’

She further stated that the CARICOM Secretariat as a regional partner ‘is excited to continue to be part of this journey with the Ministry of Education to realise the aims and goals of the Human Resources Development Strat-

egy 2030. It is an exciting moment, not just for Guyana, but for the entire Caribbean.’

What is particularly noteworthy is the fact that the Atlantic Reader series was conceptualised and written entirely by Guyanese educators. The books form part of a series spanning levels One to Six, which are locally produced textbooks designed to accelerate learners’ literacy acquisition at the primary level. The books are expected to be in the classroom shortly, which is seen by the Education Ministry as a ‘critical part of its arsenal to combat challenges that have historically affected the ability to excel in literacy.’ The Atlantic Reader Series is a reader/workbook combination which is intended to contribute to the overarching goal of enhancing literacy skills of children from Grades One to Four.

The first three series were completed and launched in February 2015 under the

PPP/C administration, but following a change of government, production of the final book in the series was halted. Attempts by the PPP shadow minister to get an explanation as to the reason for the discontinuation of work on the final book in the series went unanswered.

It was not until the return of the PPP/C administration on August 2020 that work re-commenced on completion of the Reader series. As to why the previous APNU+AFC put a halt on the project is at best puzzling, given the importance of learning materials in terms of student-attainment levels.

Produced in full colour, the books were created to assist in the development of reading skills and were written by Guyanese with Guyanese culture in mind.

The emphasis is on aligning the reading skills with Guyanese cultural characteristics as reflected in the characters, pictorial representations and

scenarios, with focus on a balanced approach to reading at the various grade levels.

One immediate benefit of the locally produced books, apart from their pedagogic and cultural value, is the fact that it would free up valuable foreign exchange for use in other pressing education needs, which otherwise would have to be spent on the importation of reading materials. But at an even more fundamental level, it is indicative of the fact that the country has now reached a stage where it has developed local capacity not only to compile the reading books, but to also develop the accompanying workbooks. The National Centre for Education Resource and Development (NCERD) must be commended for the progress made not only in terms of the development of learning and teaching materials, but also in development of the requisite measurement and evaluation tools

to ensure effective learning outcomes.

We have come a long way since the days when our education system was patterned after the metropolitan colonial powers, in our case, Great Britain. Those who grew up in the pre-independence and colonial era are all too familiar with nursery rhymes and children’s stories depicting a reality that bore little or no relevance to our indigenous culture.

With renewed emphasis on education and educationattainment levels by the PPP/C administration, the stage is now set to modernise the entire education infrastructure. Education is a top national priority, as can be seen from the huge budgetary allocation to the education sector. This, as Education Minister Priya Manickchand pointed out, will allow for the ministry to do more of the things it wanted to do, including a larger supply of books and

other learning materials in the hands of every student in the primary school system.

These massive injections of finances in the education sector is a reflection of President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s vision for education in Guyana, which is to provide a world-class education for all Guyanese children, an education designed to raise the level of human capital to advance the transformative agenda of the country.

The $74.4 billion allocated to the education sector in this year’s budget estimates represents an increase of 22.6 per cent from that of 2021 and accounts for 13.5 per cent of the overall $552.9 billion.

Some 1.2 billion is allocated for the purchase of textbooks for children in the public school system, which will now be supplemented by the Atlantic Reader series.

Budget 2022 will further propel Guyana to higher heights

Dear Editor, TODAY I write to you with a lot of content in my heart regarding the 2022 budget which was presented in Parliament just a few days ago. I listened keenly to the presentation by the Hon Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, and I must say that every minute of that five-hour-long speech was worthwhile. I took notes of several things that really had a lasting impact on me and as such, I ask that you permit me to highlight some of those.

It is my view that when we hear about budgets, automatically our minds linger in

the direction of development, whether that be in the form of infrastructural development or social development in the sense that we will all be better off. This 2022 budget was focused on every aspect of development for Guyana and I am so happy that emphasis was placed on building ‘One Guyana.’

With this in mind, I must say that I am fully supportive of the budget’s theme, “Steadfast Against All Challenges, Resolute in Building Our One Guyana.”

Editor, I wish to touch on three specific areas of the budget that I feel ought to be given more commendation. The first area is that of

public safety and security.

The PPP/C Government has budgeted $47.9B to help in this regard. However, out of this sum, $88.9M was allocated to be spent to train 1,400 inmates in areas such as anger management, literacy and numeracy and tailoring. I was extremely pleased to see that emphasis was placed not only on the general population, but also those in our prison system. It is my view that development ought to meet every corner of Guyana, especially now that Guyana is on an expansive path to prosperity. As such, knowing that the government has acknowledged the need for those in our prison

system to better themselves by providing more opportunities to them really warms my heart.

Additionally, budget 2022 provides much-needed support for our Amerindian brothers and sisters. In fact, $3.1B was budgeted to assist in Amerindian and Hinterland Development Programmes which ought to be commended. The government has ensured that Amerindian communities are not forgotten, as was the case during the APNU+AFC time in office. I was very excited to learn that $3.4B is budgeted for the hinterland roads programme to improve connectivity, which I think

is a well-deserved area, especially since the aim of the government is building “One Guyana.” At the same time, the fact that approximately 200 hinterland communities are expected to benefit from the deployment of VSAT equipment to facilitate connectivity, for the first time in many instances, is another heartwarming area of this budget.

Lastly, I must mention the allocation that was made to support the First Lady’s Menstrual Hygiene initiative, which is something that I feel needs more attention. This initiative is one that will benefit thousands of young girls across Guyana and the $50M

allocation will definitely allow the initiative to reach all parts of the country and will push Guyana one step closer towards ending period poverty. I commend the Government of Guyana and more specifically, the First Lady, for this, as Guyana is one of the few countries actively trying to end period poverty.

All in all, I think Budget 2022 is one that will further propel Guyana to higher heights and I cannot stress enough on how thankful I am for the provisions that were made in all the areas, especially those that I’ve outlined.

Respectfully yours, Brian Azore

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

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Snow storm brings New York Guyanese to a halt

NEW York City and surrounding areas were a ‘white out’ over the weekend. A major storm, delivering a massive punch of heavy snow and fierce knife-cutting winds, brought the Guyanese diaspora and the rest of the city to a grinding halt. The storm pummelled New York and neighbouring states on the north-east coast. It was dangerous and the governors of surrounding states declared a state of emergency, meaning people should not be outside unless they are first responders or in a critical job going to and from work.

Everyone in the path of the snow was affected. Guyanese grabbed shovels and hand-operated mobile plow units to clear passageways blocked by the snow. A few youngsters were seen frolicking in the snow, which is an American pastime.

There were power outages in several parts of the city, though not in greater Richmond Hill or areas where the large Guyanese population of over half a million dwell.

Shops were shuttered virtually everywhere. Even public transport was affected, moving slowly with few overhead trains and buses running normally. Travelling was very dangerous and people were known to lose their lives from accidents, as well as to medical conditions that were worsened by the low temperature.

Some 3,500 flights were cancelled on Saturday as a result of the storm. The same was expected on Sunday as crews tried to clean airport runways, and the streets were virtually empty. As opposed to earlier storms, when children liked to play in the snow and make snow men, few children were outside.

It was bitterly cold with subzero temperatures and harsh winds. Howling wind whips snow from one spot to another. And one could barely see anything beyond 100 yards or less. The wind drift piled the snow onto heaps, making cleaning difficult.

Warning about the dangerous conditions outside, the mayor appealed to residents to stay indoors. The only

people out were those cleaning snow around midday on Saturday as the storm eased its powerful punch. TV stations carried live broadcasts of the snow and transportation difficulties and of snow plows grading the snow to the sides to make it possible for emergency vehicles to get to the sick and disabled.

LOW VISIBILITY There were blizzard-like conditions in parts of the city; visibility was very low and winds were exceeding 35mph. The city’s sanitation department worked through the day and all through the night to make streets passable. Normalcy in the city is not expected until Monday.

The good news for the city is that the snow came on the weekend. And Monday is a holiday for students as the city celebrates the Chinese New Year (Lunar). Tuesday is also a holiday for secondary school students – the end of the first-term of the school year that is used as a staff development day for teachers to reflect on the past half year and plan for the next half.

“This was a big snow

Budget 2022 lays foundation for the future

Dear Editor, THE Region Three Private Sector Inc (R3PSInc) is extremely pleased with the sectoral investments presented in the PPP/C’s $553 Billion budget and is also impressed with the push for a low-carbon economy and the measures outlined to achieve same.

With government’s intention to spend nearly 50 per cent more money than it spent through the 2021 budget, the R3PSInc acknowledges the much-needed areas of development in agriculture, education, infrastructure, health, social services and human resources.

We are anticipating the advancement of the $21.1B construction of the new, fixed, four-lane high-span Demerara River bridge, which will transform all aspects of business and development within Region Three.

The new bridge forms

part of government’s drive to expand and modernise Guyana’s transport infrastructure and will also offer critical connectivity to the new Wales Development Authority, which will be a major centre of productive activity when it comes on stream.

What can be considered Christmas in January and also what is highly commendable, is government’s plans to provide more disposable income to people through increased cash grants and the removal of taxes.

The R3PSInc also notes the great investment of $47.9B set aside towards ensuring the restoration and preservation of law and order in Guyana with intelligencegathering and informationsharing to improve diagnostic competencies by lawenforcement agencies.

Further, the investment of funding to accelerate the development of the transforma-

tive gas-to-energy project and the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project must be commended.

These investments will unlock private-sector transformation that embraces more significant value- creation through light and heavy processing.

Further to this, the electrification of the interior is commendable too, as this would narrow the disparity between rural and urban areas and pave the way to a robust digital future for indigenous peoples and rural communities, while government’s initiative to implement Electric Vehicle (EV) charging is excellent and sets an example for the shift to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly country.

Head of Region Three Private Sector Inc Halim Khan 612-8367

storm and till Friday afternoon was unexpected.

The European forecasters were saying it would hit the city hard and the American weather forecasters were saying it won’t be that bad and then it came massive,” one Guyanese said.

The snow storm brought back memories of drying and milling paddy using ‘wooden gangaram’ and ‘scrapers’ to spread out and heap the paddy. Speaking with Guyanese homeowners who came out to clean snow, this writer was told that in this storm, shovelling the snow was somewhat easy. It was not wet and heavy, but soft and fluffy to move.

“It is the law. I have to clean the snow to create a passageway for people to walk”; “I do what I have to do as it is God’s work”; “We got clobbered”; and “It will take sometime for me to dug

out. I don’t like the snow. I don’t like the cold winter. I prefer to be in Guyana, but I don’t have a choice,” were some of the common reactions from Guyanese.

MULTIPLE TIMES Their major problem was shovelling multiple times because the wind blew the snow right back after they had cleaned the sidewalks and driveways. Also, the snow plows pushed snow to the right side of the streets in front of driveways, forcing home-attendant cleaners to shovel snow again and again. New York City law mandates that homeowners are responsible for cleaning sidewalks of snow and garbage. Homeowners are fined for failure to maintain a safe passage for passersby. Thus, almost every Guyanese owner in the Greater Richmond Hill area was observed shovelling snow. Some were

seen with hard coconut brank brooms sweeping the snow clean from the pavement and from their front porches.

Some 70 per cent of Guyanese households in Queens own their own private houses with a majority owning multiple-unit dwellings and some owners of several buildings that are rented. They are responsible for cleaning the snow on the pavement around their buildings. As the temperature drops, the snow compacts and hardens into thick layers of ice. It is very difficult to clean. Temperature is expected to remain below freezing until Tuesday.

The city has been in a deep freeze since Friday evening. Freezing temperatures and blowing snowfall complicated efforts to clear the roads on Sunday. Guyanese homeowners were seen shovelling snow in front of their homes early Sunday morning as the sun pierces out. Guyanese shopkeepers were also seen cleaning in front of their stores and sprinkling calcite salt to melt the snow, as they prepare to welcome shoppers after a dull Saturday. Everyone was seen bundled up in heavy, multiple-layered clothing with head gear and gloves to stay warm.

The snowstorm was expected to blow into the Greater Toronto area Sunday morning to give the diaspora there a nice treat.

Dear Editor, I HAVE taken note of a letter penned by former Georgetown Mayor and PNC strongman, Hamilton Green, and published in the Kaieteur News under the caption, “What about the rushing through Parliament of important Bills with a slim majority superintended by a compliant Speaker?”

In his missive, Green stated, “I have in mind the trivialisation of our Parliament by rushing through the now famous Natural Resources Fund Bill.” In this regard, I wish to point readers to March 9th, 2017,

when the party which Green supports used its “slim majority” to rush through the Prime Minister Hamilton Green Pension Bill amidst fierce opposition from the then PPP/C parliamentary opposition and a large section of the country. This bill gave Green $1.5M dollars per month and has cost taxpayers $85.5M to date.

Some of those taxpayers currently footing the bill are themselves victims of Green’s many indiscretions which took place during the PNC dictatorship period.

Many, including myself, are of the view that Green, who has been an

abject failure even as Mayor of Georgetown, is not deserving of this hefty pension. This is yet another example of how the “good life” promised by the APNU+AFC was extended to only their officials and cronies, while the overwhelming majority of the Guyanese population suffered – such as the 7, 000 sugar workers whom they dismissed and the 2,000 Amerindian CSOs. It is also a timely reminder of why they must never ever be allowed to attain the reins of government again.

Sincerely yours, Adron Pires

Hamilton Green not deserving of hefty pension

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

Planning Beyond the Boundaries

By Earl Bousquet

AN article in last Saturday’s Guyana Chronicle (by Kemol King) says, “Guyana expects a tsunami of revenue inflows to its Natural Resource Fund (NRF) in the next four years, amounting to twice the size of its $552.9 billion (US2.6 billion) 2022 Budget.”

It said estimates were that the country “expects” to earn revenues of US$957,874,800 in 2022, US$1,165,443,900 in 2023, US$1,335,315,100 in 2024 and US$1,781,842,700 in 2025. These figures, accounting for profits from oil royalties and interests, amount to US$5,240,476,500 – or $1.1 trillion in Guyana’s currency. As the writer noted, “It may be difficult for the average person to fathom just how much money this is” as “the 2025 inflows alone, nearly eclipse Guyana’s 2021 budget.” But President Irfaan Ali gave good indications of what these skyrocketing dollars-and-sense figures are intended to mean for all Guyanese. In his pre-budget address last Tuesday, the President said the nation’s oil-and-gas incomes will be leveraged to meet the goal of strengthening all sectors, among other things, “to make the other sectors more competitive, expand the country’s economic framework, improve competitiveness, enhance sustainability and build an economy standing on many different legs that can withstand global shocks and weather storms...”

By President Ali’s measure and based on his government’s figures, starting this year, some of Guyana’s oil revenues will be used to fund pressing development initiatives related to healthcare, education, infrastructure and other critical sectors,

which will elevate Guyana to ‘Developed Status’ and allowing for the provision of a good standard of living for all Guyanese.

This can be achieved, the President said, with the likes of gas-to-energy projects that will reduce power costs by 50 per cent and increase transport infrastructures (such as planned four-lane highways and the new Demerara River bridge) that will increase connectivity and decrease traffic congestion.

The nation’s new resources will also be used for “sustainable hospitals with the best trained medical personnel to provide world-class healthcare at little to no cost; and free education at Guyana’s premier public tertiary education institution, the University of Guyana.” “This is what is possible for Guyana,” the article noted, “with prudent management of Guyana’s oil revenues.” But it’s the article’s last telling point – about “prudent management” that’s the primary fulcrum of all other statements of intent in the mind-boggling figures in the latest national estimates of revenue and expenditure over the next five years. Previous PPP/C administrations since President Cheddi Jagan’s death in 1996 have established that proper management of the nation’s finances can result in the changes felt and seen since – and before the arrival of oiland-gas revenues, or COVID-19.

The US$607 million worth of oil-andgas royalties gave new girth to a US$2.6 billion national budget already pregnant with plans for economic and social progress; and with estimated revenues of over US5 billion in four years, it can be expected that those planning Guyana’s future for the next four years will also be looking beyond the ordinary to fulfil the President’s ‘Developed Status’ visions

for Guyana beyond even climate change and environmental objectives. It’s also to be expected that with the resident expertise in national financial and economic planning, the administration will be looking outside (and way beyond) the traditional restrictions of the proverbial ‘box’ and expanding Guyana beyond its scattered and restricted population boundaries and across the largest territory in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). It doesn’t require a crystal ball, for example, for planners to be thinking in 2022 of undertaking studies into such future possibilities as: taking Guyana into the field of aerospace, high-speed railways, satellite cities, air-and-seaport hubs and bridges linking Guyana’s regions and neighbouring nations, hydrosolar-and-wind energy independence, Blue Economy development, Amazon and river-based eco-tourism, revival of bauxite and manganese industries for selected markets, marketing of forestry and unique agro-industrial and fishing products, developing Caribbean markets for quality rice and sugar, seafood, vegetables and fruit products – and refining Guyana’s oil.

And with Omai discovering more gold, the prospects for more mining and more royalties are also high. Without the expertise of the major oil giants, Guyana could not be planning to spend the money from the oil its people cannot drink, but resources which can change their lives for the better. Guyana’s location in the Guiana Triangle and the Amazon region, on the north-eastern shoulder of South America also places it at a geo-strategic advantage within the CARICOM group of nations, of which it is already the administrative capital. Its current resources

Leader of the PNC/R, Aubrey Norton, is expected to meet with opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) to ask if any of them would be willing to resign voluntarily, so as to avoid having to forcibly remove someone.

A reshuffling of the makeup of the parliamentary opposition is currently imminent, given that the PNC/R had made it clear, weeks ago, that it would be lobbying for Norton to become the Leader of the Opposition (LoO). Since Norton is not an MP, this would mean that at least one MP currently representing the opposition would have to be recalled for him (Norton) to enter the House.

The Opposition Leader is a constitutional post that is filled by an election of the elected members of the National Assembly, who are not part of the government.

Last week, just days after resigning as the General Secretary of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Harmon also officially tendered his resignation with immediate effect as the LoO. However, Harmon still remains a MP. The resignations came after former President, David Granger, also resigned as APNU Leader.

Norton was immediately elected Leader of APNU.

and earnings also allow it to develop programmes that can embrace the new and emerging concept of The Youth Economy, involving identification of innovative youth skills and creation of a new sub-economy involving projects identified for their sustainability and supported by government, to transform youthful hobbies into paychecks.

Creation of new employment opportunities in an under-populated Guyana will not only encourage Guyanese abroad (who so desire) to return home to invest and/or work, while the Local Content Bill will ensure reservation of identified jobs and services for Guyanese -- and fellow CARICOM citizens will also be able to share in the community’s newest opportunities in areas where Guyanese do not (yet) have the required skills. Ditto setting a regional example for other ‘big-size’ Caribbean nations in the area of climate financing.

And instead of ships using the Guyana flag for illegal trade on the high seas, ships and airlines can be registered in Guyana for flights and voyages to Africa, Asia and other parts of the world with people and goods, both ways. Indeed, Guyana can take a new approach to developing everything from bananas and BG plantains to mangoes and manganese -- and Industrial and Medical Marijuana, etc.

However, all the above said and my fertile imagination notwithstanding, the overlying and underlining condition for even thinking of all the above remains the “prudent management of Guyana’s oil revenues.” So, will such new ideas see the light of day today, in these times? This week’s budget debate will tell.

If no resignation, one PNC/R MP will be forced out by team Norton –– PNC/R source

THE People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R), in a press statement, has denied reports that party executives had met on Sunday to discuss or identify Members of Parliament (MPs) to be recalled from the National Assembly.

Reports had noted that a motion from one of the party’s groups in Region Five was expected to be put forth calling for the removal of four of its MPs; however, the party claimed that the claim that was made was not true.

According to a source within the party,

PNCR Leader, Aubrey Norton

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

Garden of Eden plant expected to resume operations within two weeks

PRIME Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Sunday disclosed that engineers are currently working to restore operations within the next two weeks at the Guyana Power and Light (GPL)’s Garden of Eden power plant on the East Bank of Demerara.

The plant was taken offline following disruptions on January 15, 2022.

PM Phillips provided this update during the Department of Public Information (DPI)’s Budget in Focus programme.

Since the disruptions, 20 engineers from the Wartsila Corporation have been working around the clock to pinpoint the cause of the issue and have it rectified.

In November 2020, the government received five new dual-fuel generating sets from Wartsila, costing a whopping US$41 million and which boosted the power supply of the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) by 46.5 megawatts (MW).

Following the initial shut down of the generators, the PM had noted that the generators were taken offline on the advice of the technical officials, to avert any Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) challenges or any damage that may occur to the facility as a result.

“This is a decision that was made based on safety.

This is a US$55 million investment, and precautions are necessary; we don’t want anybody to be hurt, just because we decide to ignore what is happening and run the plant,” Prime Minister Phillips had said, adding that with the Demerara Berbice Interconnected system now having less supply to cater to the demand for electricity, there may be need for load-shedding.

The Prime Minister also previously disclosed that the East Bank Demerara facility was still under warranty, and as a result, the contracted Finnish company would be liable for any and all expenses.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips speaking to a reporter during a recent visit to the Garden of Eden power station WARTSILA LIABLE contract (EPC contract) with Minister within the the government.

Ministry of Public Works, He had explained to Deodat Indar, had previ- this publication that this is ously echoed similar sen- a construction contract in timents when he explained which the contractor holds that Wartsila has agreed responsibility for the design, to undertake the neces- procurement, construction sary costs for repairs to and handover of a project. the equipment as part of According to the minisits contractual agreement ter, this also includes “perwith the government. formance guarantees” which According to Minister means that the contractor is Indar, the company has solely responsible for the signed an engineering, pro- project, and in the event that curement, and construction there is an issue with the

project, the EPC contractor would be liable for any defects and rectifications, or would have to provide compensation to the employer.

“They have not handed over the project to the Government of Guyana through GPL. We have not commissioned it as yet, because all of the works were not completed and the testing and the reliability and everything [were] not completed and during that period is when the issues occurred. So, they have to deal with all the cost for rectification and everything,” he had said.

Minister Indar added: “Wartsila also has the operate-and-maintain contract for the plant as well.

So, apart from them building it out and handing it over to the government, they also have the contract to operate and maintain it as well, so it’s fully their responsibility.”

MEETING DEMAND Even as the company continues to work to restore functionality to the

generators, Minister Indar gave the assurance that GPL is currently meeting its generating demand.

He stated that the demand generation is usually 110 to 114 megawatts, noting that even with the generators presently out of commission, some 120 megawatts are being generated.

Minister Indar stated that with this, GPL can mitigate blackouts and load-shedding in several areas, while the generators are being worked on.

“Right now, we have about 120 megawatts of generating capacity and our demand is around 110 megawatts to 114 megawatts, sometimes it goes to 116, it depends, but we are maintaining the generating capacity based on the current demand, so we are not giving people blackout.

You’re not getting low [sic] shedding, you’re not getting the kind of blackouts, because we have the generating capacity,” Minister Indar stated.

1,000 affordable wooden houses to be constructed

THE government will be constructing 1,000 houses utilising 100 per cent local wood as part of its efforts to provide affordable homes to Guyanese.

This was announced by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Sunday, via his

Facebook page. He said the project forms part of the value-added scheme to the government’s housing programme.

Since its ascension to office in August 2020, the administration has accelerated its national housing

programme through the allocation of lands and the construction of low, moderate and young professional homes for citizens.

Under the construction of homes initiative, the Ministry of Housing and Water’s Central Housing

An artist’s impression of one of the homes to be built

An artist’s impression of inside of one of the homes to be built Last year, a total of 10,063 house lots were allocated to Guyanese, while some 1,266 land titles and transports were distributed. This is in keeping with government’s commitment to deliver 50,000 house lots to Guyanese by 2025.

and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is constructing a total of 350 two- bedroom elevated homes in Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown; 100 two-bedroom flat units in Prospect, East Bank Demerara; 100 two- bedroom flat units in Williamsburg, Region Six; and 40 two-bedroom elevated units in Amelia’a Ward, Linden, Region 10.

Another 200 two-storey and flat units are being constructed at Providence, East Bank Demerara and 150 more in Prospect. So

far, 100 units have been completed in Providence.

Additionally, under the Core Home Support Initiative, 25 homes were constructed in Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, Region Three, while another 25 are under construction in Sophia, Georgetown. These homes target low-income and vulnerable families who are only required to make a contribution of $100,000 towards the homes.

In 2021, the sum of

$18.7 billion was expended to continue consolidation works in 11 existing CH&PA housing areas, including Great Diamond, Prospect and Cummings Lodge.

This year, $12.4 billion has been allocated for continued infrastructural development works in housing schemes, including the upgrading of 45.5 kilometres of roads in 31 existing housing areas across Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Nine and 10. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

Baby Love SOME young people get caught up in doomed relationships during adolescence, and, before they realise the problems in their union, a baby is on the way.

Not all people are cut out to be parents. Babies are a lot of responsibility - they require genuine care, time, attention and love. When adolescent babies are unplanned, these attributes are usually in short supply. For babies to get the best start in life, they need dedicated parents who understand their roles.

Most babies born into ad hoc circumstances survive by any means possible, as basic parenting skills come naturally - feeding, changing nappies, bathing, soothing baby etc. But the nurturing, comforting and developmental aspects of caring for and raising a child need to be taught to young people by responsible adults who understand the value and advantages of good childcare.

Firstly, young people need to distinguish between having sexual intercourse and becoming a parent – the two are miles apart. Secondly, parents should help them understand that sexual intercourse should not lead to parenthood unless one or both participants are careless.

It is totally in the hands of the ‘lovers’ how they proceed at the time. There must be an order to how people do things and bringing children into the world is the last component on the agenda.

Babies don’t ask to be born or brought into families where they are moved from pillar to post or exposed to substandard lifestyles during their formative years. Babies need to be the centre of attention - having their needs anticipated and fulfilled by loving, committed parents. Maybe if young people looked at the negative aspects from the baby’s point of view, they would think

twice before getting carried away by passion.

Young people need a sense of direction and ambition long before finding a life partner and thinking about starting a family.

They should ask: What do I want to achieve? What would I like for my future?

How can I work towards my goal? Whether male or female, rich or poor, it pays to have a skill, trade or career that brings an income.

Whether a person chooses to live alone or become part of a union, one’s ability to stand on one’s own two feet will benefit one and others.

It will also help persons to discover their sense of purpose.

Sometimes babies are ‘created’ for the wrong reasons. Such as the girl who saw her friend with a baby and thought it novel and cute, so she deliberately set out to do the same. It wasn’t long before her plans were

underway, and she walked around with her big belly soon to give birth. When she delivered, surprisingly, she had twins, which meant more mouths to feed, with insufficient or no support, no plan for the future, no skills for work, and children born into an unprepared household. When people make thoughtless decisions, children suffer.

Other wrong reasons include trying to ‘keep’ a man.

Some girls think having a baby for a boy/man will keep him by their side; get him to marry her – or make his exwife jealous. If the man has a flaw or does not pay enough attention, his girl might think he will change once a baby comes into the picture. Men also try getting girls pregnant for their ulterior motives.

Whatever the wrong reason, maybe it is not fair on babies.

Babies eventually feel the brunt of all situations they were ‘created’ to solve.

Babies bind people together, but sometimes those people were ‘ships that pass in the night’ and nothing more.

They were not meant to raise a family together; however, the binding can cause years of pain, emotional turmoil and confusion. Not just for the adults involved but also for the innocent children.

There is nothing wrong with not having children at all - whether a person is single or in a relationship, they should not have a child to prove (to their friends or parents) that their reproductive system is working fine.

Every year we are faced with an onslaught of teenage pregnancies in different regions of Guyana, and yes, the young people get by, and yes, families find ways to cope. But in reality, adolescents would be better off studying for their future - building character and discovering their personalities, skills and aspirations,

instead of changing nappies, feeding babies or scrambling to find money, food and support for their child.

In many areas of Guyana, information is available where there once was a void – take advantage and help young people gain knowledge. Help them find their place in the world and avoid pitfalls - like unwanted pregnancies - prevention is better than cure.

Allow young people to have dreams, ambitions, desires and goals. Adults have the opportunity to help adolescents live meaningful or trivial lives.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

President Ali helps in cleaning-up East Berbice

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali, on Sunday, joined the Regional Democratic Council and other stakeholders in East Berbice for a clean-up exercise.

The President also participated in a tree planting exercise at Fort Ordinance and later inspected ongoing clean-up activities in New Amsterdam, un-

dertaken by the RDC, members of the Guyana Defence Force, and residents.

Dr Ali was accompanied by Minister of Ag-

riculture, Zulfikar Mustapha; Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall; Minister within the Ministry of Pub-

lic Works, Deodat Indar; Head of the Private Sector Commission, Paul Cheong and other officials.

The President has thrown his support be-

hind ‘Operation Clean up’, an exercise being spearheaded by the Joint Services and the private sector. (Office of the President)

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

Mercy Wings in need of financial assistance –– wants to partner with MoE, GTI to strengthen skills programmes

By Naomi Parris

ESTABLISHED in 2000, the Mercy Wings Vocational Centre located in Sophia, has over the years provided a pathway for many young men and women to start their lives as entrepreneurs and become meaningful contributors to society.

Overseen by the Sisters of Mercy religious order, the centre has been in operation for 22 years and is still managing to remain steadfast and strong despite several challenges, according to its project coordinator, Paula Bess.

Bess, during a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, explained that the centre was established by one Judy Matthews, who once oversaw the Mercy Hospital’s mobile clinic in Sophia.

“The Mercy Hospital had a mobile clinic in the area and so they provided medical service to the resi-

Staff of the Mercy Wing Vocation Centre throughout the years dents in the community and so they were asking for an addition to what they were providing,” she said.

Recognising a need for more than just healthcare in the area, the Sisters of

Mercy engaged stakeholders to further expand the clinic into a vocational centre to provide for the needs of youths in the community.

“With the University of Guyana, we got persons and

Flashback: A young student participating in a carpentry class (Photo courtesy Ms. Paula Bess)

they did a needs assessment and out of that emerged Mercy Wings Vocational Centre. At first, it was the very first students that came that built the first wooden building,” Bess disclosed.

The first programme to be introduced at the centre was general construction.

It was that first batch of students who expanded and constructed the wooden building in the compound.

Other vocational training programmes such as childcare management and care for the elderly, catering and home management, cosmetology, electricity information, data management as well as English and Mathematics courses, were later introduced at the centre.

Soon after a daycare facility was set up to cater for young mothers who wished to enrol at the centre.

“We have the daycare department, this started since 2000 when the programme started. The daycare has been going well since then. We take care of children from around the community. We also take in

children whose parents are students,” she said, adding: “So young mothers who want to do the programme can enrol their babies or young children to the daycare department while they attend classes.”

The daycare caters for children from six months old to pre-school.

ADAPTING Like many other institutions, Mercy Wings had to quickly adjust and prepare its environment for COVID-19.

Bess lamented that this was no easy task, since many of the courses done at the centre were better taught in a face-to-face classroom setting. Because of the pandemic, the centre was forced to significantly reduce its intake numbers.

“Due to COVID, our intake has dropped significantly. In addition, many persons prefer to go to a government institution where they can get a stipend, but we don’t have that luxury here, we don’t get any subvention or anything

from the government. This programme is strictly sponsored by people overseas and the Sisters of Mercy,” Bess told this publication.

Despite the challenges associated with limited resources, some classes have since resumed.

“After the pandemic started, we eased having physical classes and most of the classes were done through zoom which was online and that was a whole new thing. Our teachers had to learn to use that platform and our students as well,” she said.

The institution has since developed a blended learning programme which sees most of the classes remaining online, while courses such as electrical installation are being done in-person with all COVID-19 protocols in place.

MORE SUPPORT NEEDED Meanwhile, Bess noted that the pandemic has highlighted the need for more collaborative efforts to sustain the centre.

As such, the centre plans to engage the government, primarily the Ministry of Education in 2022, to garner the support it needs to develop a more robust curriculum for those who attend the centre.

“In terms of the future we are hoping that we get trainees and that we get funding. Without funding there is a really big question over our heads in terms of sustainability,” she said, adding: “We will also be trying to collaborate with the Education Ministry and Guyana Technical Institute to see how they can collaborate and support us in being better able to help the young people that [sic] are enrolled in our programme.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

GNSC Chairman says fire caused no major losses

The gutted GNSC workshop (Guyana Fire Service Photo)

By Jared Liddell THE CHAIRMAN of the Guyana National Shipping Corporation Limited (GNSC), Euclin Gomes, has disclosed that no major losses were recorded in the aftermath of Sunday morning’s fire that occurred at the company’s Lombard Street location.

Gomes, in his comments to members of the media at the scene, stated that the Board of Directors had taken swift action to implement protective and preventative measures to prepare for fires at the facility.

This decision, he said, was put into action following the January 18 fire at the nearby Guyana National Industrial Company Incorporated (GNIC) storage bond which was being used by the Laparkan Shipping Company. That fire left hundreds of millions of dollars in damage in its wake, with customers loosing vehicles, barrels and other cargo.

The board’s chairman

noted that while there was damage at the facility, it was minimal. “Things could have been worse,” he said.

According to the information provided to the media by Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie, the fire started in a workshop in the GNSC compound. He said that the Guyana Police Force was alerted to the fire at around 08:30hrs.

Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn disclosed that work was ongoing in the building that was gutted. He lauded the response of the Guyana Fire Service, noting that quick action on their part prevented a much bigger disaster.

T h e H o m e A ff a i r s Minister noted that improved fire safety measures have to be taken to prepare for the eventuality of a fire disaster.

He said that just last week a meeting was held with the executives of the GNIS to establish fire safety protocols that

would prepare them for fire response.

The minister stated that based on the preliminary information received, that fire started in the “gear room”.

“We did meet with the executives of the company Wednesday of last week and we discussed the after-action report for that fire, the previous one and we spoke to the executives and the board members for them to do the requisite things,” he added.

F u r t h e r, h e s a i d : “In terms of capability to deal with fire at the premises, which is required by law, that was discussed. They undertook to do their reviews. In fact, I just heard that the board of this company [GNSC] met yesterday and they were going to do a walkthrough in respect of putting in more fire suppression capability on the premises; so they were review[ing] the issue over the past few days.”

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Woman, 65, is latest COVID-19 fatality; 353 new cases recorded A 65-year-old fully vacc i n a t e d w o m a n f ro m Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), who died on January 30, has been recorded as Guyana’s latest COVID-19 fatality, the Ministry of Health said on Sunday.

According to the ministry’s dashboard, the woman’s death now brings the total number of deaths recorded since the first case in March 2020, to 1,166 with 111 of those being recorded during the month of January.

Meanwhile, another 353

people have tested positive for the virus over a 24-hour period.

This now takes the total number of confirmed cases in Guyana to 59,803.

One new case was recorded in Region One; 27 in Region Two; 46 in Region Three, 200 in Region Four; six in Region Five; 31 in Region Six; 18 in both Regions Eight and Nine and six in Region 10.

There are now 16 patients receiving critical care in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 203 persons in institutional iso-

lation, six in institutional quarantine and 11,324 in home isolation.

Additionally, it was disclosed that 47,094 people have recovered from the virus.

The ministry continues to advise persons to wear face masks when leaving their homes, and to practise physical distancing and adequate sanitisation.

Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166, 226-7480 or 180/181 for assistance.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

Jehovah’s Witnesses remember dark days in history

Thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses were persecuted for their Bible-based beliefs LAST January 27, the world marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a symbolic date to commemorate the victims of Nazism. Murderous Nazi terror targeted millions for reasons of biology, nationality, or political ideology. But it is a lesser known fact that the Nazis’ victims included thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses, who suffered for their Christian faith.

Jehovah’s Witnesses, also then known as Bible Students, were “the only group in the Third Reich to be persecuted on the basis of their religious beliefs alone,” says Professor Robert Gerwarth. The Nazi regime branded Witnesses “enemies of the State,” according to historian Christine King, because of “their very public refusal to accept even the smallest elements of [Nazism], which didn’t fit their faith and their beliefs.”

On religious grounds, the politically neutral Witnesses refused to give the “Heil Hitler” salute, take part in racist and violent acts, or join the German army. Moreover, “in their literature they publicly identified the evils of the regime, including what was happening to the Jews,” stated King.

Witnesses were among the first sent to concentration camps, where they bore a unique uniform symbol— the purple triangle. Of about 35,000 Witnesses in Nazioccupied Europe, more than one-third suffered direct persecution. Most were arrested and imprisoned. Hundreds of their children were taken to Nazi homes or reformatories. About 4,200 Witnesses went to Nazi concentration camps. Leading authority Detlef Garbe wrote: “The declared intention of the

NS [Nazi] rulers was to completely eliminate the Bible Students from German history.” An estimated 1,600 Witnesses died, 370 by execution.

The Nazis sought to break Witnesses’ religious convictions by offering them freedom in exchange for a pledge of obedience. The standard Erklärung (issued beginning in 1938) required the signee to renounce his or her faith, denounce other Witnesses to the police, fully submit to the Nazi government, and defend the “Fatherland” with weapon in hand. Prison and camp officials often used torture and privation to induce Witnesses to sign. According to Garbe, “extremely low numbers” of Witnesses recanted their faith.

Geneviève de Gaulle, a niece of General Charles de Gaulle and member of the French Resistance, said of female Witness prisoners in Ravensbrück concentration camp: “What I admired a lot in them was that they could have left at any time just by signing a renunciation of their faith. . . .

Ultimately, these women, who appeared to be so weak and worn out, were stronger than the SS, who had power and all the means at their disposal. They had their strength, and it was their willpower that no one could beat.”

The failure of Nazi coercion in the case of Jehovah’s Witnesses contrasts with widespread societal conformity to Nazi aims before and during the Holocaust. The nonviolent resistance of ordinary people to racism, extreme nationalism, and violence merits thoughtful reflection on this International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

Public Works Ministry gets largest portion of Budget 2022 –– $96.1B allocation is significantly higher than 2021 figure

THE Ministry of Public works has been allotted the largest portion of the government’s historic $552.9 billion 2022 budget, one of the subject ministers, Deodat Indar, revealed on Sunday.

Minister Indar, who was a guest on the Department of Public Information (DPI)’s Budget in Focus programme said a total of $96.1 billion has been allocated to the ministry, which is responsible for the country’s infrastructure.

He explained that $88 billion of the sum will be for capital expenses, which will cover several major projects. Some $76.7 billion of this sum will be used for roads and bridges.

According to the minister, the remaining money will be used for the day-to-day operations of the ministry, which includes payment of wages and salaries.

In noting that the budget allocation was timely, he said that there is significant work to be done to improve the public infrastructure in the country.

The ministry’s budgetary allocation reflects a significant increase of the $25.6 billion which was allocated for roads and bridges in the 2021 budget. “$76.7 billion is for roads and bridges and that is the main part…failing infrastructure. We had to put infrastructure where there’s no infrastructure so that money is really to do that,” Minister Indar stated.

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

Also on the list of major works for 2022 is the construction of the new, fixed four-lane high span Demerara River Bridge at a cost of $21.1 billion. An additional $946 million has been budgeted for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the existing floating bridge.

The minister noted that significant monies were budgeted for bridges in hinterland communities including $4.1 billion for the re-construction of several bridges along the Kurupukari to Lethem corridor that will support the phased construction of the Linden-Lethem highway.

Further, to address the critical needs of bridges across the country, another $173.9 million has been budgeted for the construction, rehabilitation, and

commute to and from communities.

Dr. Singh noted that another extremely important intervention included in Budget 2022 is an allocation of $3.3 billion to finance the improvement and enhancement of the aesthetics of the environment across the coastland, with a particular focus on the capital city.

“It would be recalled that His Excellency, the President, spearheaded the launching of a major cleanup cam-

million will be spent on the rehabilitation and maintenance of hinterland airstrips at Eteringbang, Karisparu, Paruima, and Ekereku Bottom.

The work to be done on those airstrips is intended to make them compliant with the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority’s minimum engineering standards. Further, this will improve safety for travellers, aircraft and personnel using the airstrips.

He also noted that the government has

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar maintenance of bridges in areas such as Garden of Eden, Chateau Margot, Beterverwagting, and Cemetery Road.

ROADS Meanwhile, with regard to road works, the $49.2 billion that has been allocated will cover the $8.3 billion rehabilitation of the Corentyne Main Road from Palmyra to Crabwood Creek; the $6 billion construction of the Linden-Mabura Hill Road; $3.4 billion for hinterland roads; $2.6 billion for the rehabilitation of the entire Soesdyke-Linden Highway; $2.3 billion for the East Bank-East Coast Demerara Road linkage between Ogle and Eccles and $1.1 billion to complete the Sheriff Street – Mandela Road Network and Expansion Project.

Additionally, some $15.2 billion will go towards the construction and rehabilitation of additional urban and community roads.

Further, works will also commence to widen and pave the East Bank Highway from Grove to Timehri for which $2.1 billion has been allocated.

During the reading of the Budget last Wednesday, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, said the allocation will play a pivotal role in the government’s plans to modernise the infrastructure and provide a more accessible

The $185M Lethem aerodrome runway which was commissioned in 2021 paign in Georgetown just over a week ago. This programme will see several restoration projects and programmes being undertaken,” he stated.

AVIATION Meanwhile, Minister Indar, in his comments during the DPI programme, noted that the government, in keeping with its plan to raise the standards of the local aviation sector and to improve accessibility across Guyana, has set aside $2 billion in Budget 2022 for enhancement works in this area.

This year, based on the budget, $600

emphasised modernising the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to fully comply with air transport standards required for a world-class international port of entry.

He highlighted that some $927 million for the construction and rehabilitation of additional facilities at the airport.

As of now, works include the rehabilitation of the international apron and construction of a taxiway; construction of an administrative building with conferencing facilities; offices for the airlines and other supporting agencies; a duty-free bond and the construction of a new office complex to accommodate CJIA’s employees.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

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Bengals produce comeback to book Super Bowl appearance

(BBC) - The Cincinnati Bengals produced a stunning comeback to upset the Kansas City Chiefs 2724 and book a first Super Bowl appearance in 33 years.

Trailing 21-3, Cincinnati scored 21 unanswered points before the Chiefs landed a field goal as time expired.

But Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was intercepted in overtime and Evan McPherson kicked Cincinnati to victory.

The San Francisco 49ers meet the Los Angeles Rams later on Sunday to decide Cincinnati’s Super Bowl 56 opponents.

Defending AFC champions Kansas City were heavy favourites to book a third successive Super Bowl appearance and appeared to be cruising to victory when they opened up a daunting 18-point lead.

But the Bengals made a crucial stop just before halftime to limit their deficit, which quarterback Joe Burrow clawed back during the second-half as his opposite number Mahomes began to go awry.

Before this season, Cincinnati, who were the worst team in the NFL two years ago with a 2-14 record, had not won a play-off game in

31 years but they have now won three in quick succession.

The classic game of two halves Only 15 months separate Burrow and Mahomes in age but the latter has already won two AFC titles and a Super Bowl, while this year has marked the Bengals quarterback’s first post-season campaign.

That difference in experience appeared to be telling in the first- half as Mahomes led the Chiefs to three touchdowns on their opening three drives as Burrow struggled to get a foothold.

A 10-yard pass to Tyreek Hill opened the scoring and although Cincinnati responded with a McPherson field goal, the Chiefs quickly added two more touchdowns.

Wide receiver Mecole Hardman was central to both, reeling in a 44-yard Mahomes pass on a drive that ended with a touchdown for tight end Travis Kelce before scoring himself with a smart catch from an improvised close-range bullet.

But AFC North champions Cincinnati have been arguably the NFL’s most improved team this season, and Samaje Perine’s 41-yard catch and run reduced their

Ja’Marr Chase was a crucial outlet for Joe Burrow as the Bengals claimed a stunning victory deficit to 11 points.

The game turned on the brink of half-time as, with five seconds remaining, Kansas City turned down the chance of a close-range field goal to go for a touchdown and Hill was tackled short of the line.

That decision proved costly as Kansas City were unable to regain the momentum after the interval with the previously-unflappable Mahomes coming under regular pressure.

McPherson hit another field goal and, after Mahomes was picked off by BJ Hill, Cincinnati levelled as Burrow found Ja’Marr Chase for a touchdown and Trent Taylor for a two-point conversion.

McPherson converted a 52-yard kick to give the Bengals the lead for the first time but Mahomes recovered his composure to lead a solid Chiefs drive that ended with Harrison Butker’s last-second 44-yard field goal.

Butker had forced overtime the previous week as Kansas City edged out the Buffalo Bills in overtime but there was to be no repeat as Mahomes was picked off by Vonn Bell when throwing downfield.

Rookie kicker McPherson, just as he had in the Bengals’ previous post-season wins over the Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans, proved the hero by kicking the decisive field goal from 31 yards.

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20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

Greenwood to complete successful five-year term in March

Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Technical Director Ian Greenwood will, in March, complete a successful fiveyear term in charge of the day-to-day national football programme in Guyana, rounding off a record-breaking stint driving the establishment of a sustainable and holistic foundation for future growth in the game.

Greenwood, a UEFA A licence holder and former coach at Leeds United and Huddersfield Town, led the design, creation and implementation of a new national football philosophy, development programme, the GFF’s ground-breaking Academy Training Centres and talent pathway, with a focus on nurturing youth and coaches across Guyana through age-specific curricula.

During his tenure, the Guyana senior men’s team made its first appearance at the CONCACAF Gold

Cup; the U-15 male team won the nation’s first international youth tournament; the U-20 women’s team came within two games of reaching the FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup, and the U-17 women’s team reached its first ever CONCACAF Championship – a huge leap forward after conceding 40 goals in three qualifying games back in 2013.

In addition, the U-20 men’s team qualified for its first championship since 1984 and, this year, the U-17 and U-20 women’s teams will compete in consecutive CONCACAF Women’s Championships for the first time.

The total number of national team engagements increased 142 percent during Greenwood’s tenure, with a rise of 567 percent in female youth international matches and a jump of 344 percent for male youth teams.

Goal differences and win percentages have also im-

proved across all national age groups, and talent from the hinterland has been integrated into all the national squads.

“Serving football in Guyana has been a huge privilege for me and I want to say thank you to the entire football community for its support in the last five years as I conclude my stint here,” Greenwood said. “I am deeply proud of what we have achieved together since 2016, especially in terms of developing young talent and coaches across Guyana and strengthening the GFF’s technical capacity, and I will look back fondly on my time here as I take the next steps in my career.”

“Guyana has such huge potential in football and I believe we have now laid the foundations for that potential to be realised in the future,” he added. “I would like to thank President Forde, the Executive Committee and the GFF administration

for the opportunity to join the team and wish them all the very best for the future.”

An expert in youth and coach education, Greenwood also led the transformation of Guyana’s coaching structure. Having inherited a situation where no domestic-based coaches held valid certification, Greenwood leaves his post having helped 75 coaches attain CONCACAF coaching qualifications from D to B licences, the highest level offered by the regional body.

As part of rollout of the Academy Training Centre youth and grassroots development programme, he also created a national framework of employed, trained Technical Development Officers to increase the GFF’s impact and capabilities in its nine regional associations.

With the goals for Greenwood’s tenure complete, including transitioning the operational man-

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GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood 1 agement of the Academy Training Centres to the regional associations and the establishment of the club charter system, GFF President Wayne Forde said the federation was thankful to the Englishman for his service.

“Ian’s appointment has proven to be a huge success for the GFF and football in Guyana, especially given that the scope of our initial ambitions and the lack of suitably qualified homegrown talent at the time required the recruitment of a specialist from overseas,” said Forde.

“Ian has been instrumental in capacity-building and upskilling our talent pool to help us avoid that situation in the future,” Forde added. “He has also been a very popular figure among our staff and community, who worked hard to assimilate into our culture and to become one of our own.

His impressive legacy in developing our football strategy, staff, coaches and players will continue

to have a positive impact on Guyanese football for many years to come, not least in the roll out of our nationwide network of Academy Training Centres and his achievements in turning around our coaching structure.”

The process to find Greenwood’s replacement has begun, with further details to be announced by the GFF in due course.

“We have been delighted with his professional work ethic and commitment to the cause, as well as the wide-ranging results on the ground that are there for everyone to see.

Our youth development structure is now regarded by FIFA and CONCACAF as a model of best practice for the Caribbean region,” Forde said. “As an adopted son of the soil, we will miss Ian and wish him every blessing as he returns to the UK and moves on to the next stage of his evolving career in football.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

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Holder four in four seals series win against England

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Jason Holder claimed four wickets in four balls in front of an ecstatic home crowd in Barbados, to put a very personal seal on an outstanding series win for West Indies.

In a pulsating finale at Bridgetown, Holder built on a career-best haul of 4 for 30 from the left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, to outlast an England team that was once again left to rue its own shortcomings at the death, as they succumbed by 17 runs to lose the series 3-2.

England were set 180 for victory, after a twopaced batting display from West Indies, in which Kieron Pollard and Rovman Powell cracked 66 runs from the final four overs to re-ignite an innings that had gone flat during a masterful display of leg-spin from Adil Rashid.

In reply, James Vince set the early tempo with 55 from 35 balls, and Sam Billings applied some precious late impetus with 41 from 28. But after Hosein had undermined England with a wicket in each of his four overs, it was left to the veteran Holder to defend 20 runs in the final over - and despite a firstball no-ball to ramp up the jeopardy, there was never any doubt once he found his range.

First to go was Chris Jordan, who picked up a low full toss with a heave across the line, but picked out the substitute Hayden Walsh Jr on the midwicket rope. Billings, who got himself back on strike as the batters crossed, then launched a similar stroke in a similar direction, as Holder trusted the full length, before Adil Rashid slapped another fifth-

stump delivery high into the leg-side, where Odean Smith settled beneath the hat-trick delivery.

That was already game, set and series - but even more glory was to come Holder’s way before the celebrations could begin in earnest, as Saqib Mahmood attempted to dig out a full straight ball, and inside-edged on to his leg stump, a deflection so imperceptible that it wasn’t until Nicholas Pooran started pointing in glee at the dislodged bail that Holder realised what he had achieved. As if his haul of 4 for 7 in the first match wasn’t glorious enough, this was quite the way to finish.

On the front foot from the outset After winning the toss for the fourth time in the series, Pollard chose to bat for the first time - his logic being that the “virtual final” nature of the contest made runs on the board all the more valuable. And, with the contest taking place on the same pitch where Powell had mown a 51-ball century on Wednesday, it was a chance to show faith in his troops as well.

Mahmood was back in England’s team for similar reasons -- in the wake of his maltreatment at the death in game two, this was a chance for him to prove his mettle in a highstakes contest. The initial signs, however, were ominous. Latching on to his residual doubts, Brandon King launched Mahmood’s first ball clean over long-on for a premeditated six, and by the time Kyle Mayers had swivelled into a brace of exquisite pulls, his last two overs in international

cricket had gone for an eye-watering 47 runs.

And thus the early tone of West Indies’ innings was set. Reece Topley continued his impressive re-entry by conceding 11 runs from two overs, but Mayers -- quite the upgrade from the off-colour Shai Hope -- laid into Jordan with another brace of Lara-esque pulls through the leg-side, before King d u m p e d a M o e e n A li length ball over long-on for the fourth six of the powerplay, one over after Billings spilled a legside stumping catch as he tweaked one through the gate.

Rashid causes mid-innings panic Spin is one thing… but leg-spin is West Indies’ kryptonite. And Rashid has proven to be a particularly debilitating rival down the years. This was his 13th T20I against West Indies -- more than he has played against any other nation.

He now has 22 wickets against them at an average of 10.95, an economy rate of 5.69, and a strike-rate of 11.5 (more than one every two overs) - and each of those are figures that he hasn’t bettered against anyone else.

At the end of the powerplay, West Indies were cooking on 58 for 0. Four balls later, there was panic in the air, as Mayers took on the long boundary with a ragged pull into the wind, and found Jason Roy back-pedalling on the rope for another routinely sensational relay catch -- Phil Salt was the beneficiary as he pocketed the lob back into play while jogging round from long-on.

Romario Shepherd, once again pushed up the order with a licence for

carnage, duly obliged by greeting a Liam Livingstone full-toss with a slam over long-on. But before the over was out, he’d been utterly undone by the ball turning out of his arc -- beaten on the slog one ball, then skewing a fat outside edge to point the next, and West Indies had slipped to 67 for 2.

Pooran attempted to take Rashid down with an airy first-ball flog over long-on, but having failed to connect properly, he then retreated into his shell -- as if mindful of not exposing his team-mates to the threat. At the other end, King’s previously sparky innings came to a tame end as Livingstone made it three wickets out of three for the leggies, and it would be seven full overs before West Indies would break the shackles with another boundary. By then, Rashid had signed off for the night by bowling Pooran with a googly for 21 - his figures of 2 for 17 from four overs had applied the emergency break.

Powell, Pollard pick up the pace For that period of West Indies’ mid-innings reticence, their Manhattan chart began to resemble a stumble down a flight of cellar stairs. But as soon as the death overs began, England’s increasingly infamous frailties surged to the fore. Topley, so excellent for so much of this series, was collared on the pull by Powell, whose arrival in the 15th over was eyebrow-raisingly late given his form.

Pollard, a sheet-anchor for his first 12 balls, then picked off a full toss in the same over to kick-start his innings, and when Topley’s

best ball of the over, a pinpoint leg-stump yorker, was deflected fine through third man for four more, England’s dismal record between overs 16-20 -- it’s now more than 11 runs per over since the start of 2021, worse than any other ODI team -- was sounding like a stuck record.

Jordan has been especially culpable in that regard of late -- not least in that pivotal over in the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand -and when he missed his mark four times in the space of six balls, Powell and Pollard were primed to cash in (although one of Powell’s sixes in particular, a flat smash through midwicket off an otherwise faultless yorker, was really just a heady confluence of skill and confidence). Another 66 runs had flooded from England’s final four overs, to go with the 67 they had conceded in their second match. After five taxing matches, that’s an issue that they seem no closer to resolving.

Akeal is England’s Achilles Heel Roy on strike? How about some left-arm spin?

It’s become a pretty transparent ploy from teams the world over, but with good reason, given that Roy was talking in the lead-up to the World Cup about having to banish some “darker thoughts” when faced with that ominous mode of attack.

For two balls, it seemed that West Indies had outthought themselves, as Roy responded with a brace of feisty boundaries - a slotted drive through long-off, and a short-arm thump through the covers.

Before the over was out, however, Roy was traips-

ing off, shaking his head in dismay, after under-edging a slog-sweep into his pad and into Pooran’s gloves as he ran round from behind the stumps.

That was the end of his work for the first half of the innings -- it was the startling pace of the recalled Smith that dominated the rest of the powerplay, as Tom Banton paid the price for nailing one pull for six by splicing another to Pollard on the edge of the rope, before Moeen was dropped first ball as he steered a snorter to Holder at slip.

Holder would eventually atone for that error by ending an unusually laboured stay from Moeen there was never any danger of a repeat of his four consecutive sixes from game four as he flicked his first ball after drinks into the covers to trudge off for a boundary-less 14 from 19.

But given his reputation for taking down spinners, Moeen’s departure was the cue for Hosein to return, and he did so with a devastating triple-whammy.

Livingstone was the first of his mid-innings victims -- caught at point as his campaign ended with a miscued slap -and though Vince carved consecutive fours to rattle past a 30-ball half-century, his attempted slogsweep in Hosein’s next over plopped tamely into the hands of deep midwicket. Phil Salt didn’t get past the slog aspect of his dismissal -- a rowdy gallop led to him being stumped by a distance for 3 -- and as Hosein finished his spell of 4 for 30, England took a sickly scoreline of 124 for 6 into their own death-overs effort.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

Wellalage (113) stars with the bat to lead Sri Lanka to victory SRI Lanka defeated South Africa by 65 runs to advance to the 5th place play-off at the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022.

Captain and the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, Dunith Wellalage, posted 113 for Sri Lanka as they set South Africa 233 to win.

The Proteas scored well but lost wickets cheaply as they were bundled out for 167 as Sri

Lanka set up a meeting with either Bangladesh or Pakistan.

Uganda did not let the rain dampen their spirits as they beat Scotland by 51 runs in a shortened match to earn 13th place overall.

Sri Lanka won the toss and skipper Wellalage chose to bat and it was not long before the star-player was out in the middle.

Openers Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Sa-

disha Rajapaksa could put on only 14 for the first-wicket stand as Kwena Maphaka bowled Rajapaksa.

The left-arm seamer then dismissed Wickramsinghe three balls later before Sakuna Liyanage went for an eight-ball duck to bring Wellalage out to the middle with Sri Lanka precariously placed on 25 for three.

Alongside Shevon Daniel, the skipper added

Dinuth Wellalage 62 runs before forming an 113 off 130 for his first even more fruitful part- century of the tournament. nership with Ranuda SoSomarathne would end marathne, putting on 130 on 57 not out as Sri Lanka runs for the fifth wicket. set South Africa a chase of Wellalage was eventu- 232, which would prove ally dismissed by Mapha- too much for the Proteas. ka but only after hitting Opener Jade Smith

was run out for one as Sri Lanka took regular wickets to slow South Africa’s progress.

The usually free-flowing Dewald Brevis was next to go before Ronan Hermann and Gerhardus Maree added 34 and 44 respectively to move South Africa to 112 for six.

The Proteas were scoring above the required run rate but frequent dismissals hampered their progress as the Sri Lankan bowlers split the wickets between them.

Wicketkeeper Anjala Bandara took his second stumping to dismiss Maphaka as South Africa fell 67 runs short and will now go into the 7th place play-off. (ICC Media)

Van Lange, Wong, Billingy and Thomas into U-21 TT singles finals

N AT I O N A L U - 1 9 champion, Jonathan Van Lange, will face National U-15 champion, Colin Wong, when the male U-21 singles final of the National Table Tennis Championships takes place next weekend at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Yesterday, the two champions won their semi-final clashes to book the championship match.

Additionally, national U-19 and U-15 female champion, Jasmine Billingy, will meet rival Thuraia Thomas in the U-21 female final.

MALE BATTLE To reach the final, Van Lange, who is the 2020 runner-up in the event, first defeated Ter-

rence Rausch 4-0 (1715, 11-5, 11-7 and 11-8) in the quarter-final before he got past Krystian Sahadeo 4-0 (11-6, 11-7, 11-3 and 11-8) in the semi-final.

Sahadeo had defeated Niran Bissu 4-1 (11-8, 12-10, 13-11, 6-11 and 12-10) in the quarter-final.

Colin Wong started with a 4-0 (11-4, 11-5, 11-9 and 12-10) win against Saalih Rahim in the quarter-final, before easily disposing of Kyle Chung 4-0 (11-4, 11-8, 11-3, 11-4) in the semi.

Chung and Sahadeo finished joint third.

The U-21 match to date was a gruelling battle between Chung and 12-year-old Malachi Moore in the quarter-final of the competition on Saturday afternoon.

Both players showed grit and determination, but Chung was able to battle back to win 4-3 (12-10, 7-11, 7-11, 13-11, 8-11, 11-9 and 12-10).

In the female U-21 battle, four players competed in a round-robin format.

As in the U-19 final, Thomas and Billingy again romped to top honours. Both players are unbeaten.

Thomas was flawless with 3-0 wins against Melville and Samara Sukhai. Eleven-year-old Billingy had a tough come-from-behind battle against Melville, while she brushed aside fellow 11-year-old Sukhai (3-0).

Melville, 16, claimed third in the competition by beating Sukhai 3-1.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

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Callender finishes third in women’s category of Master of Guianas 2022 tournament NATIONAL junior player Jessica Callender finished third in the women’s category of the Master of the Guianas 2022 tournament which was recently played online.

The 19-year-old finished with 4.5 points in a competitive field, which included Women Candidate Master Victoria Kaslan from Suriname, who won the category with 5.5 points.

Nine exciting rounds were contested for various prizes over a five-minute Swiss System on the Lichess Platform.

Callender, who has competed in the last two online Olympiads, has played well in many local and regional competitions.

Jessica Callender played well against a strong field for her third-place prize She also used this blitz event to sharpen her skills for next Saturday’s STR

Wood Inc. Senior Blitz Championship.

Along with Callender, two other Guyanese excelled in the one-day event, which had 46 competitors from Suriname and Guyana.

Last year ’s Independence Cup winner, Justino DaSilva, was awarded a prize for finishing as the top Guyanese in the tournament. DaSilva, who is active on the local scene, finished with five points.

Meanwhile, 50-yearold Francis Simmons, who finished with four points, received a prize for being the oldest competitor in the tournament.

Seventy-one-year-old Ramsagar Singh, from Guyana, had registered for the tournament but opted not to

Jaikaran and Nassir spin QC to 40-over victory

Mohamed Nassir supported with Vickash Jaikaran finished with 4-18 4-22 from 5.4 overs from six overs OFF-spinners Vickash (4X4s, 3X6s). In well-paced with 4-22 from 5.4 overs.

Jaikaran and Mohamad innings, he mixed singles In their turn in the midNassir spun Queen’s Col- with big shots. dle, the Queen’s College lege second-division cricket The home team spinners side, made up of current team to a two-wicket vic- were however able to use and former students, played tory against Bel Air Rubis the slow pitch that offered some aggressive strokes, but in a 40-over encounter on grip and turn to their ad- they lost eight wickets in the Saturday at the Queen’s vantage, which eventually process.

College ground. restricted Rubis for 128 in Kishaan Persaud anBel Air Rubis won the 29.4 overs. chored the innings with a toss and opted to take first Jaikarran toppled the top patient 30, which included strike. Opener A. Khan order, including Khan, to three fours and two sixsmashed four fours and two finish with 4-18 from six es. Several other batsmen sixes in a score of 36 while, overs, while Nassir, who got reached double figures, batting at number seven, the prized wicket of King, which lifted the side to 129T. King top-scored with 52 caught and bowled, finished 8 in 26.3 overs.

compete since he was not feeling well.

Of the 46 players, only a few were Guyanese and that was reflected in the prizes.

The top five players were all Surinamese, with Imaan Kalidjo crowned as the first Master of the Guianas.

Suriname-based Athena Chess will host several tournaments, both online and over-the-board, and has indicated an interest in having Guyanese participate.

Justino DaSilva finished with five points

Reliance Scheme lifts Shiv Mandholall memorial trophy

Reliance Scheme beat defending champions Reliance by 85 runs in the ninth edition of the Shivanandan Mandholall memorial match on Sunday last at Reliance Sports ground, Essequibo Coast, Region Two. Former Essequibo under-19 opening batsman, Mark Austin, slammed a belligerent, unbeaten 107 as Reliance Scheme amassed a formidable 252-5 from the allotted 20-overs while Reliance, in reply, was left stranded at 167-9 when the overs ran out.

The right-handed Austin smacked 10 sixes and five fours. He got good support from Keeran Boodhram who hit an enterprising 52 not out. Ex-Essequibo Senior Inter-County player Ramesh Narine also entertained the crowd with 51.

When Reliance batted, opener Kumar Dass struck 58 as Narine returned to take 2-19 from his four overs. Thanka Persaud also claimed two wickets for 21 runs, delivering three overs.

In the over-40, T20 softball game too, preceding the second match for the Seeram Mandholall trophy, Reliance Sports Club (RSC) humbled Reliance Hustlers by 30 runs. Seeram was the father of Shivanandan; he met his demise in 2017.

RSC reached 178-5 from the 20-overs and then kept

Player-of-the-match Mark Austin receives his trophy from Samantha Narine Hustlers to 148 all out in the penultimate over.

Dass led the way for RSC with 46. Ravendra Madholall supported with 37 not out and 35 from Sugrim Ahiram and an unbeaten 21

by Bridgelall Lall. Narine grabbed two wickets for 17 runs in his four-over outing.

In Hustlers’ innings, Mahase Lall and his brother Dashnie Lall scored 41 and 26 respectively to put up a fight.

Two wickets each went to Mandholall, Elroy Stephney and Dhanny Benny. In the opening category, Austin was named player-of-the-match while Mandholall copped the over-40 division one.

At the presentation, the winning and runners-up teams, along with Austin and Mandholall, received a trophy each. Trophies were

donated by former national youth player Rovendra Mandolall, the eldest brother of Shivanandan; Rovendra also represented Guyana at the youth level. Shivanandan passed away in 2013 at the age of 30 due to Malaria.

Ravendra thanked the teams for their participation.

He acknowledged the support of Rovendra and their sister Momzo. Stephney took the opportunity to reflect on Shivanandan‘s life and his contribution to the game. Travis Simon, the skipper of Hustlers, also spoke glowingly of Shivanandan since they played club cricket for many years. Other team captains, Premnauth Persaud (RSC) and Bridgelall Lall (Reliance) echoed similar sentiments.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 31, 2022

SEE PAGE

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Holder four in four seals series win against England

Jason Holder claimed four in four to seal the series for West Indies, West Indies vs England, 5th T20I, Kensington Oval, Barbados, January 30, 2022 © Getty Images

Van Lange, Wong, Billingy and Thomas into U-21 TT singles finals SEE PAGE

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Thuraia Thomas has been flawless so far in the female U-21 battle

Jonathan Van Lange was dominant on Sunday

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MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 2022