Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 31-08-2022 by Guyana Chronicle

WEDNESDAY 31st August, 2022

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Greater transparency, accountability No.106831

–– Natural Resource Fund Board, Oversight and Investment Committees appointed for oil funds

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President, Dr. Irfaan Ali (centre) and Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips (third right) with members of the NRF Board of Directors (Adrian Narine photo)

GDF lauded for advancing women’s inclusion 15

Boards set up for disputing VAT, Income Tax, Customs Tariffs PAGE

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APNU+AFC’s Patterson, Ferguson still under 02 investigation over ‘gifts’ PAGE

GECOM asked to provide APNU+AFC ‘voter fraud’ evidence

‘Beware of persons posing as GECOM staff – Elections Commission warns

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, August 31, 2022

APNU+AFC’s Patterson, Ferguson still under investigation over “gifts”

INVESTIGATIONS are still ongoing into the case of the exorbitant gifts that were received by former Ministers of Government of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) David Patterson and Annette Ferguson during their time in office between 2015 and 2020. It was in 2021 that it was revealed that over the five years under the APNU+AFC government, Patterson received personal gifts totalling $2.646 million from agencies under his remit. Meanwhile, while serving as junior Minister of Public Infrastructure, Ferguson received items valued at $1.4 million from the very agencies; however, these were classified as “donations”.

Most of the gifts were issued under the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), while significant sums were also spent by the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC). The gifts continued to be issued despite government ministries and other budget agencies being sent a circular in 2018 from the Finance Secretary notifying of the illegalities of using public monies to purchase expensive jewellery and other personal gifts for government officials. Additionally, as part of the Fiscal Management and Accountability (FMA) Act, accounting officers, Permanent Secretaries included, could face penalties for spending monies that have not been budgeted for and approved by the National Assembly.

Former Minister David Patterson

Given the severity of the situation, the Auditor General’s Office (AOG) was called in to conduct a forensic audit of the situation at MARAD and the other agencies. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has been called in to investigate the circumstances. According to a source, the forensic audit by the AOG is still ongoing.

Former Minister Annette Ferguson

The issue of gift-giving within the Ministry of Public Works was placed under the microscope following an investigation into the operations of the state-owned asphalt plant, a subsidiary of the DHBC. According to 2016 records, the MARAD had purchased a birthday gift for Patterson valued at $60,000. Further, in 2018, the same agency pur-

chased a $384,700 birthday bracelet for Patterson from King’s Jewellery World. Documents from May 2020 showed that MARAD went on to approve a majestic sum of $704,292 “towards the purchase of birthday gifts”. In this case, however, the records did not specify that the purchase was for Patterson’s birthday gift. This purchase would’ve been after the 2020 general and regional elections were held which saw the APNU+AFC losing government. Records show that Patterson also received gifts from the Transport and Harbour Department (THD), the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), and the DHBC. When the reports began to surface, Patterson initially denied receiving

the gifts, saying that the reports were crafted in an effort to tarnish his reputation. However, as documentation was presented, Patterson later admitted to receiving the gifts, but said that he was not aware that his acceptance of the expensive items was in breach of regulations. A spreadsheet from the DHBC showed that in excess of $6 million in “donations” were given to the Public Infrastructure Ministry between June 2015 and July 2016. The gift-giving was also extended to former General Manager of the DHBC, Rawlston Adams who approved the purchase of a spanking $897,000 bracelet as a gift for International Men’s Day in 2020. Adams later resigned and repaid for the item.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Natural Resource Fund board, committees appointed By Tamica Garnett MEMBERS of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Board of Directors, the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee (PAOC), and the Investment Committee were officially appointed by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali at ceremony at the Office of the President (OP) on Tuesday. The NRF Board consists of five members, the PAOC nine members, and the Investment Committee seven members. However, only two members of the Investment Committee were present at Tuesday’s ceremony. The other members will receive their appointment instruments at a later date. The members of the bodies will serve for a period of two years, with eligibility for re-appointment. President Ali described the appointees as an exceptional pool of Guyanese, and underscored the importance of the entities they will serve. The three bodies are part of the framework established by the NRF Act for independent oversight of the monies garnered from Guyana’s oiland-gas sector. “We promise that in ad-

ministering our responsibilities to this sector that we will have persons who demonstrate capacity and capability to manage, but, more importantly, that the Government would have an arm’s length relationship,

ATTORNEY-General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, S.C., on Tuesday wrote the Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to request documents which purportedly provided proof of voter fraud at the 2020 General and Regional Elections (GRE). In the correspondence which was seen by the Guyana Chronicle, Nandlall, on behalf of the government, requested of GECOM Chair, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh to provide his office with documents which were reportedly delivered to the Commission by the APNU+AFC.

These documents, he said, established that deceased persons purportedly voted at the elections; that the elections were tainted by multiple voting, and that persons who were overseas on Voting Day purportedly voted at the elections. The Attorney-General, in the letter stated that the allegations continue to be peddled in the public domain by leaders and representatives of the political opposition. He said that the impression being conveyed is that the documents and data were obtained from specific bodies like the Immigration Department and General Registrar’s Office.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali (centre) and Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips (second right), along with some of the members of the NRF Investment Committee. From left are: Richard Rambarran, Chairperson Shaleeza Shaw and Michael Munroe (Adrian Narine photo)

and would have a group of people not political in nature. We are very pleased today that we have been able to fulfil this important responsibility, and the management of our oil and gas resources is now strengthened,” Dr.

Ali stated. As announced earlier this year, the NRF Board is Chaired by Major General (ret’d) Joe Singh, while the other members are Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Carolyn

Rodrigues-Birkett; former People’s National Congress (PNC) parliamentarian Dunstan Barrow; Private Sector Executive Ramesh Dookhoo, and former Chancellor of the University of Guyana Professor Compton Bourne.

these are grave allegations, and, as baseless and unfounded as they were proven to be, it is important that the relevant State agency enquires into the source of this information, upon whose directions they were sourced, and, perhaps, most importantly, to officially reconfirm their inaccuracy for the public record,” the letter said. Meanwhile, the Minister of Legal Affairs, during his weekly Facebook show, Issues in the News, said that all of these allegations that have been and are continuing to be peddled by the opposition will be investigated and interrogated. He added that these doc-

uments were requested from the GECOM Chair so that the relevant agencies implicated in the documents can conduct investigations. These agencies, he said, can be afforded the opportunity to investigate the documents, their authenticity, accuracy and the accuracy and veracity of the information that they purport to furnish, along with who instructed the documents to be prepared. “At the end of this process; at the end of this inquiry, and or investigation, whatever laws were violated, if any, will be enforced by the relevant law enforcement agencies, and if there is evidence to yield crimi-

Bourne replaces United Kingdom parliamentarian David Lammy, who had been announced as a member of the board earlier this year, but has since communicated his unavailability to be part of the work of the board. “Circumstances and the environment in which he is operating has changed. Due to the changes to his requirement at home in the UK, he asked us not to have him play a part on this board at this time, in keeping with what his priorities are. We are able to have excellent replacement by Guyanese; we are all very proud of Professor Compton Bourne,” the President said. Section 5 (1) of the Natural Resources Fund Act 2021, Act No. 19 of 2021, provides for a Board of Directors of the Fund comprising of not less than three and not more than five members, who shall be appointed by the President, inclusive of a Chairperson. Section 5 (2) requires for these directors to be persons who have wide experience in legal, financial, business or administrative matters, one of whom shall be nominated by the National Assembly and one of whom shall be a Continued on page 16

GECOM asked to provide APNU+AFC ‘voter — as Elections 2020 COI to commence work fraud’ evidence

Attorney-General Anil Nandlall

“You will appreciate that

nal charges, then criminal charges shall be instituted, and shall be prosecuted in accordance with law,” he said. As it relates to the allegations, Nandlall mentioned that the information was completely discredited, as many of those persons whose names appeared on the documents as not being in the jurisdiction, came forward to denounce the contention that they were not here. As such, Nandlall indicated that as soon as the documents are received from the GECOM Chair, the investigation will begin by the relevant State machinery.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev dies at 91

Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Soviet leader who brought the Cold War to a peaceful end, has died aged 91. Gorbachev, who took power in 1985, opened up the then-USSR to the world and introduced a set of reforms at home. But he was unable to prevent the slow collapse of the Soviet Union, from which modern Russia emerged. Tributes have been paid worldwide, with UN chief Antonio Guterres saying he “changed the course of history”. “Mikhail Gorbachev was a one-of-a kind statesman,” UN Secretary-General Guterres wrote in a Twitter tribute. “The world has lost a towering global leader, committed multilateralist, and tireless advocate for peace.” The hospital where he died

said he had been suffering from a long and serious illness. In recent years his health has been in decline and he had been in and out of hospital. In June, international media reported that he had been admitted to hospital after suffering from a kidney ailment, though his cause of death has not been announced. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his deepest condolences following Gorbachev’s death, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agency Interfax, according to Reuters. European Union President Ursula von der Leyen praised him as a “trusted and respected leader” who “opened the way for a free Europe”. “This legacy is one we will not forget,” she added. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he admired Gorbachev’s courage and integrity.

“In a time of Putin’s aggression in Ukraine, his tireless commitment to opening up Soviet society remains an example to us all,” he said. Gorbachev became general-secretary of the Soviet Communist Party, and de facto leader of the country, at the age of 54. At the time, he was the

Amazon (AMZN.O) and Alphabet (GOOGL.O) unit Google criticised Microsoft’s (MSFT.O) cloud computing changes on Tuesday, saying they limit competition and discourage customers from switching to rival cloud ser-

vice providers. The U.S. software giant on Monday announced amended licensing deals and other changes that will take effect on Oct. 1, and which they say will make it easier for cloud service providers to compete.

Amazon, Google, Alibaba (9988.HK) and Microsoft’s own cloud services will be excluded from the deals. Microsoft’s move came after smaller European Union competitors took their grievances about its cloud service

Former Soviet Leader, Mikhail Gorbachev (GETTY IMAGES)

youngest member of the ruling council known as the Politburo, and was seen as a breath of fresh air after several ageing leaders. His predecessor, Konstantin Chernenko, had died aged 73 after just over a year in office. His policy of glasnost, or openness, allowed people to criticise the Government in a way which had been previously unthinkable. But it also unleashed nationalist sentiments in many regions of the country which eventually led to its collapse. Internationally he reached arms control deals with the US and refused to intervene when eastern European nations rose up against their Communist rulers. He is seen in the West as an architect of reform who created the conditions for the end of the Cold War in 1991 - a time of deep tensions between

the Soviet Union and Western nations, including the US and Britain. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990 “for the leading role he played in the radical changes in East-West relations”. But in the new Russia that emerged after 1991 he has been on the fringes of politics, focusing on educational and humanitarian projects. Gorbachev made one ill-fated attempt to return to political life in 1996, receiving just 0.5 per cent of the vote in presidential elections. His divisive legacy is reflected in the tributes that followed his death. Henry Kissinger, who served as US Secretary of State under President Richard Nixon, told the BBC’s Newsnight programme that Gorbachev will be “remembered in history as a man who started historic

transformations that were to the benefit of mankind and to the Russian people”. James Baker, who negotiated the reunification of Germany with Gorbachev’s Government, told the New York Times that “history will remember Mikhail Gorbachev as a giant who steered his great nation towards democracy”. But many Russians never forgave him for the turmoil that followed the collapse of the USSR. Vladimir Rogov, a Russian-appointed official in occupied Ukraine, said Gorbachev had “deliberately led the (Soviet) Union to its demise” and called him a traitor. He will be buried in Moscow’s Novodevichy cemetery, the resting place of many prominent Russians, next to his wife Raisa who died of leukaemia in 1999, Tass news agency said. (BBC)

practices to EU antitrust regulators, which subsequently quizzed market players on the issue and what impact they have experienced. Amazon, the leading cloud service provider trailed by Microsoft and Google, was

scathing in its critiques. “Microsoft is now doubling-down on the same harmful practices by implementing even more restrictions in an unfair attempt to limit the competition it faces – rather than listening to its customers and restoring fair software licensing in the cloud for everyone,” a spokesperson for its cloud service unit AWS said in an email. Google’s vice president for

government affairs and policy Google Cloud Marcus Jadotte was equally critical. “The promise of the cloud is flexible, elastic computing without contractual lock-ins,” he said in a tweet. “Customers should be able to move freely across platforms and choose the technology that works best for them, rather than what works best for Microsoft,” Jadotte said.

Amazon, Google slam Microsoft’s cloud computing changes

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Saint Kitts ban on same sex intimacy struck down by Caribbean regional court

A Caribbean regional court has ruled that a Saint Kitts and Nevis prohibition on gay sex is unconstitutional because it violates the right to privacy, striking down one of a handful of bans on same-sex intercourse that still exist in the region. The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court ruled against two portions of the Offences Against the Person Act, adopted in the dual-island nation in 1873, which called for up to ten years’ imprison-

A rainbow flag hangs from the window of a house during the International LGBT Pride Day, in Villanueva de Algaidas, southern Spain June 28, 2020. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

ment for having or attempting to have gay sex. The law’s statutes criminalising gay sex are inconsistent with the constitution “and, as such, (are) null and void and of no force and effect,” wrote High Court Judge, Trevor M. Ward, in a decision dated Aug. 29. The suit was brought by Jamal Jeffers, a gay man from the Caribbean nation, and a non-profit organisation called Saint Kitts and Nevis Alliance for Equality.

North Trinidad hit by severe flooding

(T&T Guardian) - Several parts of northern Trinidad, on Sunday, experienced some of the worst flash flooding seen in recent years amid heavy and persistent rainfall that started just before noon. Major roadways and communities in Western Trinidad were among the worst hit, with the free flow of traffic prevented for over two hours in some cases. Motorists described the rainfall as ‘blinding’, as driving through it became difficult. The darkness associated with the thick cloud cover also forced many to drive with their lights on. The rain began just before 11:00 am and contin-

Cars drive through floodwaters along Saddle Road, Maraval (Photo credit: T&T Guardian)

ued for well over an hour. The heavy flow of water from the hilly communities made the Western Main Road in Cocorite

impassable by 12:15 hrs, causing a backlog of traffic deep into Diego Martin and Carenage. The gridlock persisted for over two hours, with hundreds of vehicles backed up in the traffic. Video footage showed a line of vehicles facing east along one of the westbound lanes coming out of Westmoorings, as drivers tried their best to get past the water. A photo of Cocorite that was shared online showed water stretching a span of near 100 metres as drivers waited for it to abate.

The country’s attorney-general, the defendant in the lawsuit, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court hears disputes involving members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, which includes six independent countries

and three overseas British territories. Buggery laws remain on the books in a number of Caribbean nations including Jamaica and Barbados. Though they are rarely enforced, gay rights activists say that eliminating them would help ease pervasive homophobia. (Reuters)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, August 31, 2022

The Commonwealth Games THE Commonwealth Games 2022, held in Birmingham, England, may have come to an end, but the fastidiousness, resilience a determination of the athletes who took part should long be remembered. World and Games records were broken and many achieved their season or personal best as athletes ran, vaulted, jumped and otherwise performed their way through an exciting programme. It was a pleasure to see Guyanese athletes take part alongside their counterparts from the Caribbean and countries such as China, India, Sri Lanka, and several from the African continent, with the full support of an enthusi-

astic crowd, who cheered everyone on. An incredible amount of grit and fitness are required to even take part in 10 different track and field events. Many eagerly watched the men’s 4x100 metres relay with the Guyanese team, which missed out on a medal but run the race of their lives. One is particularly reminded of the saying: “It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.” For, given the fact that Guyanese athletes do not enjoy the facilities, the sponsorship or the exposure of many of their fellow competitors, they are to be lauded for simply making it to such an auspicious sporting event. Those who sit at home

and watch on television, or who may be in the stands enjoying the various individual and group performances, have little idea of the mental and physical fortitude required of these athletes. We tend to judge their achievement by whether or not they won a medal, often ignoring the tremendous effort it took for them to even qualify for their national teams. More than any other sporting event, the Commonwealth Games allows us to see those athletes who we would perhaps never see, like those from the Turks and Caicos Islands, The Bahamas, Swaziland, Botswana and Scotland, all showing their impressive physical abilities in a country that

many had never visited before. Some travelled from across the world, changing planes with luggage, sometimes uncertain of whether they would even get there on time. Many came from other sporting events, with very little time allowed for recuperation and others were taking part in this level of competition for the very first time. So when athletes talk of stress and pressure we should listen, because ‘who feels It, knows it’ and you do not know how difficult a person’s journey may be until you have walked in their shoes – or run or jumped or swivelled – or otherwise experienced what these athletes do every day in

preparation. We are now hearing more and more about the psychological pressure to perform that has had many international sportsmen and women taking time off to safeguard their mental health. Indeed fans and supporters expect their star team or player to win, not just ‘play the game’ or take part in the sport. Few realise the disappointments, injuries and rejections suffered by icons of the sport on the road to greatness, along with the strain of competition and the accompanying uncertainty and anxiety over their future in their chosen sport. Tennis greats like Nadal, Djokovic, Federer and Serena Williams can all

attest to the blood, sweat and tears they spilled on their way to the top and champion sprinters like Usain Bolt, Shelley-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Dina Asher-Smith can talk at length of the grueling schedules and unrelenting practice sessions they endured. So as the curtain came down on the largest Commonwealth Games – with a show that highlighted the wonderful diversity of its participants – we should have been appreciative of all who made it possible. But in particular, we should be generous in our praise for all those athletes who made the Games such a fine spectacle of physical and mental stamina.

Need to encourage the channelling of aggression in healthy ways Dear Editor,

Children will soon return to the schoolyards after a well-deserved break. The past two terms have however, seen reports of bullying and violence. There is the belief that this largely has to do with the increased usage of social media amongst children, but consideration must also be given to the fact that life as they knew it, significant-

ly changed on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has had tremendous negative impacts on large sections of the population, with increased rates of mental illnesses, abuse within and outside of the home and being a linchpin for things such as instability. These negative impacts were witnessed by and/or experienced by many children, who were all the while dealing with isolation from their friends

and the safe space that the school environment can often provide. It did not help that learning was largely thrust onto them through online Zoom sessions, robbing them of interactive learning. The increased rates of school violence we are seeing may be directly linked to the pent-up aggression that many experienced during COVID-19 and the urgent need for increased numbers of school counsellors in

schools to support children is very apparent. There appears to be some small glimpse of advancing these services in schools but we still need to address the limited resources, small number of qualified counsellors, and creating the space in schools’ curriculums and buildings for this support to both teachers and students. We should anticipate more efforts being put into ensuring that there is access.

There is a need to encourage the channelling of aggression in healthy ways, such as through sports activities, art-forms and competitions. Children should be allowed to thrive in safe and supportive environments where they and their peers are healthily challenged. Positive behaviours also need to be modeled by parents or caretakers in the home environment as that is the child’s first place of learning. Par-

ents have a role in not only being positive role models for their children, but should also practice being engaged with their behaviours while in school so that they are aware of what their child is getting involved in. Akola Thompson Communication Consultant, ChildLinK To report or seek counselling, please call 914/2270979/227-2023/233-3500

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, August 31, 2022

OP-ED: By Gillian Smith LAND is a key component to economic development, social well-being, and environmental sustainability. In Guyana’s fast-paced development-oriented environment, effective land administration and management continue to be an underpinning measure that will maximise the country’s investments, and contribute to sustainable growth. At the recent swearing ceremony for Land Surveyors, H. E. President Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali reminded the new Land Surveyors about the strong linkage between the efficiency and effectiveness of their work in land management and justice. The President also highlighted the regional opportunities that can become available to a cadre of well-trained Land Surveyors. Commissioner Enrique Monize of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) added that Land Surveyors need to utilise technological advancements to better support the increasing requirements of the country for accurate, responsive, high-quality land manage-

Supporting innovative land management in Guyana

This digitally prepared map was derived from the 1: 500,000 four section map of Guyana. The map shows important places, rivers and creeks, canals, roads and tracks, airport and airstrips, mountains, land development schemes and many other natural and man-made features. The map measures 55cms East to West by 85cms North to South between outer borders (Photo credit: GLSC)

ment services. The Sustainable Land Management and Development (SLDM) project is, among other things, contributing to the upscaling of land surveying capacity in the country. Implemented together by GLSC and the FAO,

with funding from Guyana’s REDD+ and Investment Fund (GRIF), the project is assisting with the rollout of Guyana’s comprehensive and responsive land administration and management agenda in two important ways. The first is to strength-

en the country’s capacity to meet international reporting obligations on land degradation, adoption of sustainable land management practices that can slow and avoid degradation, and measures to restore and return degraded lands to a natural or more

productive state. The other is to meet the needs of the country’s stakeholders for effective land administration and management and mapping services. Meeting international obligations demonstrates Guyana’s leadership in land management, and ensures that the country is recognised for its efforts to meet its commitments to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The SLDM project contributes by helping the country to adopt technical tools and methods, which identify and characterise the main land degradation causes in the country, and to prioritise and implement land restoration initiatives. This will also contribute directly to the country’s LCDS target to restore approximately 200,000 hectares of land by 2030. The other important part of the project is supporting the national land institution (GLSC) to improve their land management and administration information services and products to the stakeholders. This includes updating base maps for several administrative regions by ap-

plying LIDAR technology, implementing modernised land administration and lease management systems, upgrading technology in land surveying and cadastral systems, and developing the capacity of local institutions. Training and human resource capacity building are also supported through scholarship programmes at the Government Technical Institute (GTI) and the University of Guyana (UG), and increased use of new technological applications such as using drones, SEPAL, and LIDAR platforms. By the end of the project in 2023, Guyana should be well on its way to a stronger, more responsive, and revitalised land administration and management system, which supports the country’s development vision. The GLSC and other land management agencies will be able to manage land more efficiently, while being able to provide solutions that consider the complex interactions between different land use systems. (Gillian Smith is the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)’s Representative in Guyana)

Coalition gov’t left NA Hospital in deplorable state

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, August 31, 2022

— Dr Ramsammy says, referencing IDB report

A RECENTLY released report by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on conditions at the New Amsterdam Hospital (NAH) are based on inspections done since 2020, prior to the change of government, and does not include several upgrades that have since been made at the hospital, and several other health facilities across the country. A slew of improvements, several of which address deficiencies cited in the IDB report, have been made at the NAH since the report was published, while the US$160 million that the government has secured from the IDB will be used to implement further upgrades and improvement to the hospital. This was explained by Adviser to the Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy as he shed light on the true nature of the situation at the hospital in a recent letter to

Adviser to the Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

the media. “The work identified at the New Amsterdam Hospital is what the government has planned; the IDB project will be a part of the planned work. While we have made significant progress, the MoH and the Region Six administration are well aware that conditions are not yet what the MoH would want the New Am-

sterdam Hospital to be,” Dr. Ramsammy explained. Notwithstanding the need for more improvements, the hospital has seen marked progress since August 2020. Dr. Ramsammy noted that improvements at the NAH since 2020 include the installation of a new X-Ray machine that has been functioning since early 2021, a new mobile digital X-ray was also procured and is functioning; while a new fixed-site digital X-Ray is also being installed. A CT machine has been provided, and has been operationalised, while laboratory equipment have been procured. ECG equipment, ultrasound machines, CTG for fetal monitoring in the delivery rooms, better systems for supplies have all since been put in place. Basic maintenance work on the existing operating theatres have been done, a new maternity building, with

three new operating theatres is about to be commissioned, operating room tables, new delivery beds, new ICU beds have been procured, new ventilators and anaesthetic machines have been installed. A new oxygen therapy system is in place. The ATS for the back-up generator has been installed. The solar system now contributes 20 per cent of the energy needs of the hospital. There are now new ambulances for the hospital. A new chemotherapy building is also expected to be operationalised in a few weeks. The dialysis centre has also been reactivated, while a new, fully-equipped Infectious Disease Building has been constructed and operationalised. General environmental clean-up has been put in place, and upgrading of the laundry services has begun. The plans developed by the Ministry of Health (MoH) also includes a new emer-

gency and trauma building, expansion of the operating theatre suites, a new ICU and HDU area, new neonatal unit, etc. Already a chemotherapy area is ready to be commissioned. VASTLY IMPROVED STATE According to Dr. Ramsammy, the hospital is now in a vastly improved state from what was met upon government assuming office in August 2020. “Two years ago, when a new Minister of Health took office and a new Government was in place, the health sector was in a desperate place. It was clear that those in charge of the health sector in the years preceding 2020 had thoroughly neglected the sector. Significant investments have been made to address the many areas of neglect that were evident in August 2020,” Dr. Ramsammy said. Dr. Ramsammy called it “disappointing” that media houses did not pay attention to the deplorable state of the hospital prior to the change of Government, highlighting that it was under the APNU+AFC coalition that the hospital descended into a severely deficient state. Issues included there being no X-Ray services at the New Amsterdam Hospital. The laboratory was unable to provide basic testing because either equipment was down or reagents were unavailable. Common medicines critical for patient care were mostly unavailable almost all the time. Beds, bathrooms/ restrooms and the building in general were in need of urgent maintenance, the total environment was in deplorable state. The operating theatre had leaks, fungus/mold had taken over the walls, basic equipment was in need of repairs, the wards were in shameful conditions, even sheets and pillows were missing and urgent painting was needed across the board. Operating room tables and delivery beds were in poor condition. The CTG fetal monitoring equipment no longer existed in the delivery rooms.

The dental suite, including the broken dental chair, was in shameful condition. The oxygen therapy system was unreliable. The hospital back-up generator’s ATS for automatic switching on was not functioning. Washing machines, dryers were no longer functioning. Basic medical supplies were in severe shortage. The solar panels needed rehabilitation. The hospital’a roofs were leaking. There was a general clutter in the hospital compound, and the sewer system was overflowing. Adding to the unseemly sight in the hospital environment, the incinerator required major overhaul and rehabilitation. The mortuary was out of service. The hospital’s ambulances were barely serviceable. The situation at the NAH, Dr. Ramsammy said, was not much different from what the government found at several other health facilities across the country. “The neglect of the health centres and health posts was shameful. The IDB conducted an assessment of more than 330 health centres and health posts in all 10 regions in 2018/2019. The assessment was a Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA). The report showed that the primary healthcare system was, like the hospitals, totally neglected. Many of the health centres and health posts had broken beds and furniture, leaking roofs, broken windows and doors. Many had problems with utilities, such as electricity and water and many other problems,” Dr. Ramsammy explained. MASSIVE EFFORTS According to Dr. Ramsammy, since August 2020, massive efforts have been made to remedy the situation in health centres and health posts, with over $1.5B being invested over the past two years. With Regional Health Officers reporting that more than 90 per cent of health posts and health centres currently having electricity and water, and benefiting from improvements. “Most of the health cenContinued on page 18

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Norton supports electoral reform amid criticism of baseless politics

LEADER of the Opposition (LoO) Aubrey Norton on Tuesday agreed to electoral reform in a change of position from previous sentiments. Norton, who is also leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and Chairman of the APNU (A Partnership for National Unity), voiced his support during his weekly virtual press conference. “APNU+AFC is prepared to discuss and support constitutional and statutory amendments,” Norton said. He went on to outline several times over the years when amendments have taken place to the election process. “These reforms have been of several types, constitutional, statutory, administrative, operational and technological. Guyana has reached another critical juncture for electoral reforms,” Norton said.

Norton’s support for electoral reforms comes days after the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) issued a statement affirming that it cannot act contrary to the legal provisions set out in the National Registration Act (NRA). GECOM, in a press release, said it had taken note of the concerns and public opinions expressed relating to the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE). However, the elections body maintained that the NRA dictates the procedures for the registration of eligible persons, along with the removal of persons from the National Register of Registrants Database (NRRDB). With that, they added that it was not that the concerns of the stakeholders were being ignored, but that the Commission had to act within the framework of the laws. Norton has criticised

Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton

the list of electors, calling for changes in contravention of a ruling of the High Court. The government had described his criticism as baseless. The Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George, in 2019 solidified that only by way of the enactments within the legislation can persons’ names be removed from the NRRDB. To this end, it was noted by GECOM that the legislation provides for the removal of names from the NRRDB only through the legal methodology, which,

it said, includes the receipt of monthly reports from the General Register’s Office, or through a “Claims and Objections” process. GECOM is currently preparing to hold Local

Government Elections (LGEs), and, as such, the Commission is holding a Claims and Objection period, whereby persons can highlight any concerns or discrepancies on the OLE for the purpose of addressing them. The Claims and Objection period began on August 22, and concludes on September 15, while LGEs could possibly be held within a few months. The Claims and Objection exercise allows for eligible persons to make a claim to be included on the Official List of Electors (OLE) and also provides

opportunities for persons who are already registered to check the accuracy of their registration records in the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE). Additionally, these persons can apply for changes or corrections on, or before September 11, 2022, if necessary. F u r t h e r, G E C O M urged members of the public to scrutinise the Preliminary List of Electors and object to the inclusion of names of persons that they suspect may not be eligible for inclusion, on or before September 15.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Boards set up for disputing VAT, Income Tax, Customs Tariffs

SENIOR Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, on Tuesday, met with the incoming members of the Income Tax Board of Review, the Value Added Tax (VAT) Board of Review as well as the Customs Tariff Tribunal at the Ministry of Finance. According to a statement from the ministry, these Boards and the Tribunal were appointed in accordance with Section 78 (2) and (3) of the Income Tax Act Cap. 818:01, Section 39 A of the Value Added Tax Act Cap. 81:05 and Section 22 (1) of the Customs Act

Senior Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, and GRA’s CommissionerGeneral Godfrey Statia engage recently appointed members of the Boards (Ministry of Finance photo)

Cap. 82:01, respectively. The members of the Income Tax Board of Review and Customs Tribunal will serve for one year while the members of the VAT Board of Review

will serve for two years, the release said. “The Boards of Review and Customs Tariff¬ Tribunal are Boards governed by the Laws of Guyana and deal with

A section of the meeting in the Finance Ministry’s boardroom, Georgetown (Ministry of Finance photo)

specific tax matters for which a taxpayer is objecting. The taxpayer can appeal to these Boards for a review of taxes,” it continued. “ T h e I n c o m e Ta x Board of Review (ITBOR) is a board set up under the Ministry of Finance appointed to consider Income Tax Assessment appeals. “Meanwhile, should a taxpayer be dissatisfied or is of the opinion that their Value Added Tax is incorrectly assessed, they can file an objection with the VAT Board of Review (VBOR). “The objection must be lodged with the Commissioner-General in writing within twenty

(20) days of receiving their notice of assessment. An extension can be granted to a taxpayer if they are unable to file an objection within 20 days due to any reasonable cause such as not being in the country at the time or due to illness. “In making a decision, the VAT Board of Review may make an order to affirm, reduce, increase, or vary the assessment under appeal or remit the assessment for reconsideration by the Commissioner in accordance with the directions of the VAT Board of Review. “Further, a company dissatisfied with the VAT Board of Review’s decision can appeal to

the Judge in Chambers, within twenty days of the service of the notice of the decision. “With regard to the Customs Tariff Tribunal, it is a tribunal which adjudicates disputes with respect to the determination of the rates of duties of customs and excise on goods as well as the valuation of goods for the purposes of assessment of such duties based on the Laws of Guyana,” the statement noted. Appointed as Chair of the Income Tax Board of Review was Emily Dodson, while its members are Nizam Ali, Kim Kyte, Shaleeza Shaw and Rajaindra Singh. The VAT Board of Review will comprise its Chairman Ronald BurchSmith, and members Shawn Gurcharran, John Seeram, and Nizam Ali. The Customs Tariff Tribunal comprises its Chairperson Sharon Roopchand-Edwards, and members Dorinda Shako, Lancelot Atherley, Ramdeo Kumar, Keoma Griffith, Malisa Nokta, Dowlat Parbhu and Richard Collymore.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Minister Anthony urges persons with Monkeypox symptoms to get tested

MINISTER of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, during his COVID-19 update on Tuesday, urged persons to get tested for the Monkeypox virus if they develop any signs or symptoms. “If a person develops skin lesions, you can have skin lesions for many things, not just Monkeypox, so to be on the safe side, it would be good to come into our hospitals or one of our health institutions where a doctor can be able to examine the skin and help to make a more definitive diagnosis,” the health minister said.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony

He related that health officials can confirm whether or not someone has Monkeypox by using a PCR test. He said that if a person is seen with skin lesions, then, it’s probably better to

stay an adequate amount of distance away from that person. He urged persons to be more observant. Guyana’s second case of Monkeypox was confirmed on Monday. The first, which was

confirmed by Minister Anthony on August 22, 2022, is a male from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) who is currently in his 50s. It was revealed that this patient did not have a recent travel history. He started developing signs of Monkeypox and showed up at the hospital. Both patients are isolated at the Ocean View Hospital and are receiving treatment. Contact tracing has also been done.

The minister in his Monday update had assured citizens that the ministry is doing all that it can to ensure that the virus is contained here in Guyana. “So, we have had several calls, we checked it, we ran tests and many of those persons, fortunately, did not have Monkeypox,” he stated. Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease. Symptoms include fever, intense headache, swollen lymph

nodes, muscle ache, and a rash that blisters and crusts. The rash tends to be concentrated on the face, palm of the hands, and soles of the feet. The mouth, genitals, and eyes may also be affected. The symptoms can be mild or severe and generally last for several weeks during which time a person can be infectious to others. Most people recover within a few weeks without treatment.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, August 31, 2022

GAU, GOAL in partnership for transformational development — as over 600 enrolled in GED diploma programme

GUYANESE have been hearing, regularly, of the Government’s intention to transform Guyana for the benefit of every citizen. Improvement is expected in every sector. In the area of education, Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) is managing a scholarship programme which is aimed at providing opportunities for persons, of all ages, to acquire knowl-

edge and skills to facilitate their contribution to the development of Guyana.

The management of GOAL, conscious that there were citizens who did not

meet the academic criteria necessary to access higher education, adopted the GED Programme, an excellent alternative to a traditional high school diploma. Acquisition of a GED Diploma guarantees acceptance to Colleges

and Universities in many countries. The GED programme provides a second chance for those who did not complete secondary education successfully and, in some cases, a first chance for those who never attended secondary school. The Georgetown American University (GAU), a Guyanese-owned and managed institution that is poised, well positioned and ready to support developmental initiatives of the Government, accepted Government’s challenge to produce online platforms to deliver the GED

programme. GAU launched the much-heralded GOAL GED programme on Friday August 26. Over 600 students are enrolled. Dr Melissa Varswyk, Chief Executive Officer of GAU, in a brief interview, stated that four highly qualified and experienced tutors will be interacting with the students and the online platform is extremely user-friendly. She added that GAU is looking forward to additional opportunities to provide service in support of Government’s development agenda.

‘Beware of persons posing as GECOM staff’ – Elections Commission warns

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is, once again, in receipt of information that persons purporting to be employees of the Commission have been visiting homes seeking information about data in the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE), according to a statement from the elections commission. GECOM said in the statement on Tuesday that it is not currently engaged in any such exercise, “nor has the Commission authorised anyone – employee or otherwise – to collect information from any person for any reason whatsoever through house-to-house visits.” The Commission said: “An integral component of the ongoing Claims

and Objections exercise requires Registration Staff and Scrutineers to visit the given residential addresses of applicants for registration to verify that the applicants actually live at the addresses they would have provided. “The applicants are informed of this mandatory visit at the time of the registration transaction, and based on the established Standard Operating Procedure (SoP), GECOM Staff and Scrutineers must display their respective identification and accreditation badges throughout

all such visits. “GECOM is also cognisant that political parties may be currently engaged in their own field activities, and it is therefore appealing to any / all such party / parties, to ensure that members of their respective do not identify themselves as representing GECOM. “In view of the foregoing, citizens are urged to be extremely cautious and to verify the identity of persons visiting their homes before providing any solicited information. Persons are asked to contact GECOM on telephone numbers 225-0277-9, 223-9653, 225-5808, or 225-5868 to report or clarify any concerns.”

$94M invested in Region Seven’s ‘agri’ sector

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, August 31, 2022

— approx. $4M in tools, seeds given to farming groups for agriculture advancement — major drainage, irrigation works to be done

AGRICULTURE Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Tuesday returned to the township of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) to deliver on a commitment made to farmers who requested the government’s assistance with further developing their farming

culture should also be seen as a major activity in the region. He further stated that there were many farmers there who would like to improve their production, and earn a livelihood from farming, and that the government is committed to making the necessary resources available

requested during the previous visit. He further stated that the farmers from Karrau will soon be receiving Black Giant chickens to develop the community’s poultry production. “After our last visit, our officers looked at the works

A marketplace (Photo credit: CARICOM media unit)

practices. The minister and a team of officials from the Ministry of Agriculture met with the representatives from various farmers’ groups, and handed over a number of farming inputs and materials valued at approximately $4 million. Prior to Tuesday’s visit, Minister Mustapha had visited Bartica and declared that Region Seven should be seen for more than its mining operations. The minister had alluded to the fact that the government was looking to ramp up agricultural production in every region, and that resources would be made available to assist farmers with moving from subsistence farming. It was during that meeting that farmers from several villages in the region made requests for assistance in expanding their farming operations and agriculture as a whole. During Tuesday’s engagement, Minister Mustapha said that although Region Seven is primarily known for its mining operations, agri-

for them to do so. “It’s a proud day for Region Seven, because we are seeing things happening. Today, we are here to deliver on a commitment made during my last visit to the region; a commitment that will improve the lives of the residents of these communities. “Many farmers who attended the last meeting said that they wanted to move away from subsistence farming, and made requests for a number of tools and other inputs. They were advised to form themselves into farmers’ groups. “Those groups were formed, and now we are here to hand over the items that were requested by those farmers. We have a number of cassava mills, chain saws, fogging machines, tillers, and a number of other inputs,” Minister Mustapha said. Minister Mustapha also informed farmers that the ministry, through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), will soon commence drainage and irrigation works that were

requested. Those works amounted to approximately $90 million. Within the next two weeks, the ministry, through the NDIA, will begin to get those contracts awarded so that those works can commence in the various communities. “I also committed to assisting the farmers in Karrau with developing their poultry production, and by the 13th of September, those birds will be delivered to the village, and every household will receive 25 Black Giant chicks,” the minister added. Farmers’ groups from Karrau, Batavia, and Kartabo in Region Seven and Riversview in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) received cassava mills, shadehouse materials, bumba pumps, Acoushi Ants bait, fogging machines, Gasoline engines, chain saws, fertilizers, seedlings, and a number of other farming tools and inputs. Minister Mustapha also visited the St. Michael’s Diagnostic and Assessment Learning Centre and Private School to assess the progress

made with the construction of a shadehouse to support the school’s agriculture programme. During Minister Mustapha’s previous visit, the

school’s chief executive officer requested assistance with the construction of the shadehouse. Minister Mustapha had committed to assisting the

school with the material needed along with technical support. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of the week. (DPI)

Inmates’ children benefit from GPS’ back-to-school drive

THE Guyana Prison Service (GPS) continued to show its compassion and altruism to those incarcerated through a “Back-to-School Drive”, from which the children of current inmates were equipped with the necessary supplies for the new academic school year. Due to anticipation for a new school year which means loads of excitement for many children and families, and the anxiety it can cause parents and guardians who are not able to provide basic school supplies for their young ones due to being incarcerated, the GPS held the

drive. The two-day exercise concluded on Monday and was done at all prison locations. The recipients received backpacks, lunch bags, and daycare bags filled with items such as stationery, lunch bowls, water bottles, baby wipes and flasks. Officer-in-Charge of Prisoners Welfare and Corrections, Marielle Bristol-Grant stated that the Welfare and Corrections Department co-ordinated the activity as part of the Family Reconciliation Programme. The time could not have been more fitting,

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Some of the items that were distributed to the inmates’ children

and the items were carefully thought out to be most beneficial to the recipients. Bristol-Grant emphasised that the inmate pre-

senting the package to their children was most important to have them feel a part of the process and to create a positive

memory for the children. Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, noted that the initiative is aimed at ensuring that the beneficiaries are being provided with the basic amenities to attend school. “I think it helps their self-esteem, despite their circumstances. We at the GPS recognise the importance of education. We all know that the greatest asset that could be given to a child is education,” Elliot said. Further, the Prison Director expressed optimism that the initiative will motivate the students to get excited about returning to school and face-to-face teaching. The initiative was highly appreciated by the inmates’ families.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, August 31, 2022

GDF lauded for advancing women’s inclusion — Guyana hosts Caribbean Women, Peace and Security Conference — ‘Take up army posts’ - visiting US Lady General urges women

WOMEN ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) have recently been given the opportunity to serve at Guyana’s borders as the GDF has taken steps to facilitate better participation of female army ranks. This was revealed by the army’s Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess

At any one time, there are approximately 12 female ranks working along with male counterparts at the borders. Additionally, the Chief of Staff mentioned that over the last three months, the Force has had female soldiers participate and complete the infantry rifleman course which was renamed

Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess (Adrian Narine photo)

during a joint press conference with General Laura Richardson, Commander of the United States of America (US)’s Southern Command on Tuesday which was held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel. Bess, during the media engagement, said that as Chief of Staff, he will continue to champion for women in the GDF and the joint service to have their rightful places. He said that they have recognised that in Guyana women step up to the challenge. Over the last year, he said, for the first time in the country, female soldiers have been allowed to serve on the borders. He revealed that during this time, the Force has had more than 50 per cent of the female soldiers rotating to the borders even as he mentioned that the deployments have all been successful. In this regard, he stated that these ranks have been deployed to the borders at Lethem in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo), and Mabaruma in Region One (Barima-Waini).

our defence forces make our forces stronger, makes them better. “It gives a different perspective on how to tackle the really hard, complex, challenging threats that are out there,” she said. As the Conference opened on Monday, Bess stated that the GDF stands fully behind the agenda of

General Laura Richardson, Commander of the U.S. Southern Command (Adrian Narine photo)

to “infantry soldier course.” “In the Guyana Defence Force, our females are well prepared for the challenges and we have, throughout our leadership structure, females at all levels,” Bess said. At the same time, this information was disclosed as Guyana is currently hosting the Women Peace and Security conference in collaboration with the United States Embassy. Speaking of the conference, General Richardson said that it is good to have this important conference hosted by Guyana as Brigadier Bess has been a leader in this regard. She mentioned that the changes and policies that have been put in place to integrate women into the defence forces have been game changing. Richardson, who is the second four-star lady general in the United States Army, said that it is time for more women to hold high ranks within security forces. “I think that women and our military services and our security forces and

the conference. Approximately 14 nations are participating in the conference. Earlier on Tuesday, the Chief of Staff said that panel discussions included panellists such as Guyana’s acting Chief Justice, Roxane George; the first female Chief of Defence in the Caribbean, Rear Admiral Antonette Wemyss Gorman of the Jamaica Defence Force, along with General Richardson. Meanwhile, during the joint press conference, Richardson, when asked about her encouragement to women to join the armed forces, said “You can’t be what you can’t see.” As such, she noted that it is important to see women in roles that are deemed non-traditional while adding that it is also important to highlight the opportunities that are there for women. “ T h e re a re m a n y things that women can do in Guyana in the defence force and so I think it’s a matter of highlighting… all the opportunities that are available,” Richardson said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Natural Resource Fund board...

From page 3

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali (centre) and Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips (fourth right) and some of the members of the NRF Public Accountability and Oversight Committee (Adrian Narine photo)

representative of the private sector. “This board brings together experience in dif-

ferent fields, knowledge in different fields, and gives us a combined capacity and capability that will bring true

value to the management of our natural resources,” Dr. Ali related. “We as a country should

be very proud that within our population we could find citizens who could now perform this responsibility. As

a Government, we give our full support in ensuring you can execute your mandate, and perform your duties with ease, efficiency and necessary impetus to make your work efficient.” The NRF is tasked with managing this wealth for the present and future benefit of Guyanese in an effective and efficient manner, and in accordance with the principles of good governance, transparency, accountability and international best practices, including the Santiago Principles, the generally accepted principles and practices governing Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWF) globally. The NRF Board would be responsible for the overall management of the NRF; reviewing and approving policies of the fund; monitoring the performance of the fund; ensuring compliance with the approved policies of the fund; exercising general oversight of all aspects of the operations of the fund, and ensuring that the fund is managed in compliance with the act and all other applicable laws. The Head of State also

commended the members of the PAOC and Investment Committees. The PAOC membership includes one person appointed by the National Assembly, three representatives of religious organisations, two representatives from the private sector, two representatives from the trade union sector, and one representative of the professions. The members of the PAOC appointed on Tuesday were Clement Sealey, who is also the Chairman; Wendell Jeffery, Abu Zaman, Ryan Alexander, Dawn Gardener, Aslim Singh, and Teni Housty. The other members of the PAOC, Desmond Sears and Savitri Balbahadur were not present at the ceremony, as they were out of the jurisdiction. For the Investment Committee, Chairperson Shaleeza Shaw, along with members Michael Munroe and Richard Rambarran were appointed. Member Lauris Hukumchand was also not present, due to being overseas.

Norton still to submit NRF Investment Committee nominee LEADER of the Opposition (LoO), Aubrey Norton, is yet to name a nominee for the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Investment Committee, despite correspondence from the government requesting same. Section 8 (1) of the Natural Resource Fund Act 2021 provides for the establishment of the Investment Committee which shall consist of seven members, one of whom shall be a nominee of the LoO. President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Tuesday, during the official appointment of some of the members of the Investment Committee, noted that the LoO was still to submit his nominee. “I want to make it clear that the Leader of the Opposition was written to, in accordance with the [NRF] Act the Leader of the Opposition must nominate someone. We are awaiting that nomination,” the President related. Thus far, four members of the Investment Committee have been appointed, with three of those members receiving their instruments of appointment on Tuesday. Shaleeza Shaw has been appointed as the Chairperson while members, Michael Munroe and Richard Rambarran, were also present at the

Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton

ceremony. Another appointed member, Lauris Hukumchand, was not present due to being overseas. The Investment Committee advises the NRF board on the investment of funds from the oil and gas sector that will yield full benefit to Guyana and Guyanese. The NRF is tasked with managing this wealth for the present and future benefit of Guyanese in an effective and efficient manner and in accordance with the principles of good governance, transparency, accountability and international best practices, including the Santiago Principles, the generally accepted principles and practices governing Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWF) globally.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, August 31, 2022

British High Commissioner visits NA Female Prison the prison, Senior Superintendent (ag), Kofi David, expressed gratitude to the High Commissioner for the visit, adding that the GPS is looking forward to continued goodwill, friendship, and co-operation, the release said. He also affirmed the GPS’s commitment to the provision of inmate reha-

British High Commissioner, Jane Miller; Senior Superintendent of Prisons (ag) Kofi David (right) and Assistant Superintendent of Prison, Patrick Crawford

BRITISH High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller, on Monday, visited the female prison at New Amsterdam, where she interacted with inmates and officers. According to a press release from the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), the

High Commissioner was also briefed on the robust rehabilitation programme that was being offered at that location. It ranged from yoga and anger management to computer skills, sewing, and culinary arts. Officer-in-charge of

Man found dead on bridge at Friendship, ECD

THE lifeless body of a 28-year-old man was discovered on Tuesday about 02:05 hrs., on a bridge at Brush Dam Road, Friendship, East Coast Demerara, by a resident. Dead is Oneil Issacs, a vendor of Friendship. The man was pronounced dead at the scene by EMTs from the Melanie Fire Station. No marks of violence were seen on the exposed parts of the body, which was later taken to the Jerrick’s Funeral Parlour to await a post-mortem examination.

Skeletal remains found on WBD sea dam

About 19:30 hrs on Sunday, Yeulus Allicock, 27, a doctor of Sister’s Village, West Bank Demerara (WBD), reported that around 15:00 hrs., whilst some friends and himself were catching crab on the sea dam, they stumbled upon a skull. As a result, they later made a report at Wales Police Station and an investigation was launched. O n M o n d a y, a b o u t 09:00 hours, the scene was visited by a team of policemen. Searches were carried out on the sea dam, where several skeletal remains were found. The remains were photographed and retrieved by the team and later taken to Criminal Investigations Department. A forensic examination is scheduled for today.

The skeletal remains that were found

bilitation initiatives and programmes that equip them for successful re-entry into society. The visit was well received by inmates, who treated the High Commissioner to several songs and a very amusing drama, illustrating the challenges and misinformation contained in social media.

Sergeant in custody for fatal accident near Berbice Bridge

AS police continue investigations into the fatal accident which occurred on Sunday, on the Berbice River Bridge Access Road, 35-year-old police sergeant Quacy Rose of the Tactical Services Unit, Georgetown, has been arrested. Inquiries disclosed that, at the time of the accident, motorcar PPP 2020, driven by the sergeant, was proceeding east along the northern drive lane at a fast rate of speed while the driver of motorcycle CL 6802, 43-year-old Aubrey Sears of West Coast Berbice was proceeding west along the southern drive lane at a fast rate of speed. The policeman alleged that the motorcyclist rode into his path and collided with the front right side of his vehicle. As a result of

the collision, the motorcyclist fell onto the said car bonnet then onto the front windscreen and the road surface, before finally ending up on the southern grass parapet. He was picked up with injuries about his body and in an unconscious condition by public-spirited persons and taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where he was examined and pronounced dead by a doctor on duty. The body is presently at the Arokium Funeral Parlour awaiting a post-mortem examination. A breathalyzer test which was conducted on the sergeant read zero. Notice of intended prosecution was served on the policeman, who remains in custody assisting with further investigations.

Coalition gov’t left NA...

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, August 31, 2022

From page 8

tres [and] health posts today benefit from improvement. Many have been repainted, and most of them had waiting areas constructed, washrooms have been upgraded. In the coming years, every one of these facilities will benefit from further upgrading in infrastructure, technology, medicine and supplies and human resources,” Dr. Ramsammy pledged. “As far as the hospitals are concerned, including the New Amsterdam Hospital,

the government has made significant progress in improving the conditions. While efforts at rehabilitation and improved maintenance are continuing, the Government recognises the need for massive investment to upgrade many of the facilities.” Dr. Ramsammy wrote the letter in response to news articles published in another section of the media that related to the findings of the IDB report, but did not identify that the assessment that

the report was based on was conducted to assess the state of disrepair that the hospital descended to under the former APNU+AFC coalition government, which governed from 2015 to 2020. The news articles also did not identify the many changes that have since been made. “The sector has developed an ambitious plan for upgrading all existing hospitals in the country. The IDB has been a major partner in the health sector for a long

time,” Dr. Ramsammy said. The IDB is partnering with the Government in the upgrading of not just the NAH, but the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and Linden Hospital, as well. Of the US$160 million, more than US$7 million will be used towards the introduction and rolling out of a telemedicine programme and just over US$3 million will be directed to overall service delivery across the health sector.

However, outside of the three hospitals, which are the target hospitals for the IDB loan, other investments are being made to upgrade existing hospitals. Among major inputs, Suddie, West Demerara and Bartica Hospitals are presently on the books, with designs for new hospitals completed and new construction for these hospitals planned. “Presently, financing is being arranged by the Government for these hospi-

tals. The Skeldon and Fort Wellington Hospitals are being replaced by new construction at new sites. Land preparations for these two hospitals have already begun. In addition, new hospitals are being constructed starting now at Enmore, Little Diamond, De Kendren and Anna Regina. A new Maternal and Children Hospital will start construction in weeks at Ogle,” Dr. Ramsammy noted.

Unidentified motorcyclist killed in Wales accident

AN unidentified man died on Sunday, August 28, 2022, after he lost control of his motorcycle and ended up in a trench at Clarke’s Turn, West Bank Demerara (WBD). Police said in a press release that 45-year-old Adrian Nelson of Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara (WBD), asked the deceased for a drop home on his motorcycle CL 5663. Inquiries disclosed that the pillion rider claimed that he knows the deceased from Crane, WBD, and they were at a dance in Wales. He told the police that while they were proceeding along the western side of the road in

the vicinity of Clarke’s Turn, which is a steep turn, the driver, who was proceeding at a fast rate, lost control and ended up in the trench. The pillion rider managed to jump off the motorcycle before it went into the trench. Both persons were picked up in a conscious state by the police and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where the driver was pronounced dead by a doctor on duty. Nelson, who suffered a fractured leg was admitted at the said institution in a stable condition. The body of the deceased man is presently lying in the hospital’s mortuary awaiting identification.

Roache remanded for reputed wife’s murder

QUINCY Roache, was, on Tuesday, charged and remanded to prison for the murder of his reputed wife, Tacina Dazzle. The 36-year-old man appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court where the charge was read to him. He was not required to plead and was subsequently remanded to prison until October 14, 2022. Reports are that Dazzle, 28, was brutally stabbed to death on August 26, 2022, at the Ujamma Housing Scheme, LBI, East Coast Demerara home she shared with the accused. Enquiries disclosed that

Quincy Roache

the two often had domestic issues. According to a police report, a post-mortem examination performed on the woman’s body revealed that the cause of death was multiple stab wounds.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, August 31, 2022

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 31, 2022

Symonds honoured in touching Townsville tribute FANS, players, family and friends stood in silence before Australia's first ODI against Zimbabwe in Townsville on Sunday to honour the late Andrew Symonds, who passed away in May. Symonds' children Will and Chloe accompanied Aaron Finch and Steve Smith as the teams lined up at Riverway Stadium prior to play, before further tributes to the cricket great and local unfolded at the innings break Chloe and Will, wife Laura Vidmar, Symonds' sister Louise, mother Barbara, best mate Jimmy Maher and Symonds' dogs Buzz and Woody walked out to a guard of honour formed by both teams and laid some of the cricket great's personal items at the wicket. On an overcast and windy

Andrew Symonds’ son Will walking out with Steve Smith (Getty)

day in Townsville, the clouds parted and the gusts showed some reprieve as the midmatch tribute began Symonds' akubra hat, crab pot, fishing rod, bat and baggy green were laid at the city end stumps as John Williamson's True Blue rung out around the stadium.

Warm applause met the family as they made their way to and from the wicket, with the Townsville faithful paying their respect to 'Roy'. With Symonds' Test number and nickname emblazoned across the grass, there was no better place to honour his legacy.(AAP)

Patriots, Tallawahs set... (From back page) ten games to finish fifth of six teams and miss out on the playoffs. They boast West Indies batters Rovman Powell and Brandon King, along with international all-rounder Fabian Allen, while Nepalese leg-spinning superstar Sandeep Lamichhane will lead the attack. “From a team perspective, our preparations are going really well. We’re starting to gel as a unit – I

think that was the biggest benefit of the 6ixty,” said captain Chris Green. “You get to play as a team before the tournament starts – those moments where you sort of start finding your feet, where to go, how the team operates. “We’ve kind of got a little bit of that out the way now and we come into the CPL really excited about what this team can achieve and I think what’s great for the Jamaican

franchise is there are a lot of strong local players coming through which I think is exciting. “I know it makes me proud to be part of a franchise that’s headed in that direction.” The men’s tournament runs until September 30 and will also be played in St Lucia, Trinidad and Guyana while the women’s edition wraps up here next Sunday.

Hetmyer looks forward to... (From back page) Hetmyer had been appointed 'batting director' of Amazon Warriors as part of the franchise's plan to give younger players additional responsibility. "It (Under-19 captaincy experience) will help quite a lot; 2016 was quite a while ago," Hetmyer said. "But I guess from then it has helped me in some way because now I know I'd have done it before and just need to tap into that knowledge to find a way to get stuff done and to find a way to actually cross the line more times than not." Hetmyer is also open to taking inputs and suggestions from the other members in the squad. "A lot of guys are actually experienced and it helps in terms of field placement, see where the guys are and move them into specific angles and stuff like that. "Also Keemo (Paul) is a friend of mine who helps me as well as (Romario)

Shepherd, Colin (Ingram). Basically, the entire team will come over to me and actually lend some advice in terms of what they're thinking and even the bowlers will come and try to basically pick my brain, in terms of what I would want them to do, which is really nice. “It's always good to know that there are guys you could always go to and find out what they're thinking and then they could help you in terms of field setting and who is the bowler at the specific time to make sure that everything goes smoothly." Hetmyer hinted that lower-order muscle in the form of Shepherd and Odean Smith could allow him to bat higher rather than slot in as a finisher - a role that he performs for his other T20 franchises. "It (batting position) is to be decided, to be honest. It's mainly about the balance of

the team," Hetmyer said. "In this team, I think it would be much easier for me to bat a little bit higher because of the fact that we have so much power down towards the end and being in a team like that you wouldn't really want to disrupt the power-play and at the end; it's about trying to stick around as the captain and as a batter of the team and get as much as I can out of the team." Shepherd and Paul have had to deal with injuries during West Indies' recent international home season, but Hetmyer backed them to work their way back into the CPL and do the job for Amazon Warriors. But, as it is, the physio is doing a wonderful job taking care of (players) and managing the workload and stuff. So, I think coming into the CPL they would be much better and much stronger. (Cricinfo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 31, 2022

Mercenary win OSCL T10 final …Tourney named in memory of late Vish Jadunauth “THREE down, one to go.” These words were uttered by a confident captain Looknauth Ramsuchit, following Mercenary’s nine-wicket victory over Caribbean Sensation in Sunday’s Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) T10 knockout final, played at the Ashtonbee Reservoir ground in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. Already with three titles in the bag, after topping the points table in the Regular Season race, Mercenary also copped the T15 crown and are firm favourites to cart off the T20 playoff which gets underway on Saturday, September 10. Winning the toss and opting to bowl first in the Norman Sue Bakery-sponsored tournament, played in memory of late cricket stal-

wart executive, Vish Jadunauth, Mercenary restricted Caribbean Sensation to 63 for seven in their allotted 10 overs with Anand Balwant (14) being the only player to reach double figures. Amit Rukhram finished with the impressive figures of three for five from his two overs while Shaun Deonandan took one for eight and Avinash Sookdeo one for 10. Openers Avish Rukhram (26 not out) and Sookdeo (21) added 57 for the first wicket in 6.5 overs before the latter, who struck two fours and a six, went bowled by Fareed Baksh. Rukhram’s knock included two fours and six as victory was achieved in 8.3 overs. Amit Rukhram and Balwant were named Most

Valuable Players for the respective teams. In Saturday’s semi-final, played at the same venue, Caribbean Sensation defeated Better Hope while Mercenary drew a bye to

the final. At Sunday’s presentation ceremony, both OSCL president Shiv Persaud and Canada Cricket Umpires Association (CCUA) leader, Albert Ramcharran, lauded Norman Sue Bakery for its continued sponsorship of cricket and sports in general

and for honouring the late Jadunauth. Kim Sue, who represented Norman Sue Bakery, pointed out that it’s always a pleasure to give back to the community and to promote the grassroots game. Jadunauth, who died last February, served as

an executive in the OSCL and was Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) up to the time of his death. He was also treasurer for the CCUA and a qualified West Indies Cricket Umpires (WICUA) umpire. (Frederick Halley)

The victorious Mercenary team pose with OSCL officials. President Shiv Persaud is at extreme left

Three-day Canada Cup softball extravaganza bowls off Friday … Trophy Stall joins list of sponsors By Frederick Halley WHEN the organisers of the inaugural Canada Cup started preparations for the three-day softball extravaganza some months back, they explained that the objective is to ensure that it is a memorable and special event for all, especially for the out-ofcountry teams while maintaining the image of “we look forward to playing in Canada anytime”. That objective is set to become a reality when Canada Cup 1 bowls off at various venues around Scarborough, Toronto on Friday. And while the tournament has been rebranded, following three years of Toronto Cup in 2015, 2017 and 2019 under the aegis of the Ontario Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC), three of the main “actors” who played huge roles in the successful running of those competitions, are back together, this time as executives of the newly formed Ontario Twilight

Softball Cricket League (OTSCL). The OTSCL is in its first year and is led by a management committee comprising individuals with a proven track record in the area of managing softball cricket in Ontario – Azeem Khan, Feizal Bacchus and Dickey Singh. A special feature of this inaugural tournament will be the introduction of a roundarm category with four teams – Leguan Warriors, Pegasus Warriors, Ontario Round-arm Softball Cricket Association (ORSCA) and Softball Cricket Canada (SCC) - battling for supremacy with the preliminary round matches set to be played at Hanover Public School ground. Despite the absence of Regal Legends who have been ruling the roost in the Legends Over-50 category, both in Guyana and overseas, a lot of interest is centred on the participating teams. Fresh off a highly successful OMSCC season

Damodar Daesrath

Chien Gittens

Richard Latiff

where they successfully defended their titles, Toronto Blizzards are confident they can lift the crown on Sunday, something they did in the 2019 Toronto Cup. Led by seasoned campaigners in skipper Shiv Seeram, Sunil Dhaniram, Mohan Harihar and Jaimini Singh, Toronto Blizzards’ batting pack a punch. Their stiffest opposition is expected from the New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) and Ramblers Rampage who defeated them in a regular-season game but suffered two successive defeats, including the final, following that win.

The other teams in contention are Pegasus Storm, Orlando Softball Cricket League (OSCL) and Trophy Stall Lions (a mixture of players from Guyana, New York and Toronto). The Masters Over-40 category should also provide some mouth-watering contests with Maple Leaf, comprising several players from Rebels, who were crowned OMSCC Over-40 champions on Sunday, Canadian Legends, Hawaiian Sensation, Ramblers Masters and Reliance Masters battling. Canadian Legends, already with Chien Gittens in their lineup, are expected to

be further boosted with the inclusion of ‘Mr Cricket’ Richard Latiff. All-rounder Gittens, it will be recalled, was the Most Valuable Player in the South Florida Cup tournament while representing Regal Masters. Not to be outdone, Hawaiian Sensation also boast former Guyana National players in Damodar Daesrath and Azib Ali Hanif. SCC, who carted off the Open tournament in 2019, are strong favourites to repeat. Several of their players, including skipper Looknauth “Colgate’ Ramsuchit, Avinash Sookdeo, brothers Avish and Amit Rukhram,

and Rabindra Diaram are part of the Mercenary outfit who have been dominating the opposition in the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL). With the Legends and Masters teams comprising six and five teams respectively, both winners will waltz away with US$3 000 or the equivalent of Cdn$4 000 while the Open and Round-arm winners, where four teams will participate, will pocket US$2 700 or Cdn$3 500 Each category also carries winners’ and runners-up trophies and other incentives. Among the several sponsors are Trophy Stall (Guyana and Canada). The tournament will start off with an Opening Night reception tomorrow, set for the Tropical Night Restaurant & Bar, for participating teams and sponsors, while games will be played in the Toronto area, starting on Friday morning with all four finals on Sunday at the Ashtonbee Reservoir, followed by a presentation ceremony.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 31, 2022

Seven Windies players could use CPL as springboard … Fitness issues, little game time, lack of for T20 World Cup spot form have affected players in recent times

Can Evin Lewis force his way back for the T20 World Cup? (Getty Images)

By Deivarayan Muthu THE absence of West Indies' top players during their recent international home season created a stir, but they will now return to action for CPL 2022. According to Desmond Haynes, the chief selector, CPL performances will be considered for selection for the T20 World Cup, in which West Indies will play the first round to qualify for the Super 12s. ESPNcricinfo picks out seven players for whom this CPL season could be a big deal. EVIN LEWIS (ST KITTS & NEVIS PATRIOTS) Lewis didn't appear for the fitness test that had been arranged for him by Cricket West Indies (CWI) during his IPL stint with Lucknow Super Giants, according to Haynes. Lewis has since got gigs in the Lanka Premier League (Jaffna Kings) and T10 league (Bangla Tigers)

and on Sunday, he captained St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to the inaugural men's 6ixty title With Chris Gayle making himself unavailable for CPL 2022, Patriots will look up to Lewis for the opening salvos. He hasn't played for West Indies since the 2021 T20 World Cup and needs a bumper CPL season to force his way into the T20I side for the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. FABIAN ALLEN (JAMAICA TALLAWAHS) Allen has made himself available for national selection ahead of the T20 World Cup following a statement about his father's death. He had declined a central contract with West Indies earlier this year and had taken a break during the international home season. Allen had marked his return to competitive cricket with a 33-ball 82 not out - the highest individual score in the men's 6ixty - and finished as the tournament's highest

Will Roston Chase end up being one of West Indies' spin-bowling all-rounders for the T20 World Cup? (Getty Images)

run-scorer. All up, Allen smashed 14 sixes in the 6ixty. Only Andre Russell (15) hit more sixes. If he can press on further in the CPL, Allen has a chance to return to the T20I XI as the spin-bowling all-rounder. ROSTON CHASE (ST LUCIA KINGS) Chase is another player vying for the spin-bowling all-rounder's spot for the T20 World Cup. He is recovering from injury, though, and has not played competitive cricket since turning out for WICB XI against the touring Bangladesh side in a threeday fixture in June. He was picked as West Indies' anchor for the 2021 T20 World Cup, but form and fitness issues pulled him down the pecking order. With Kings letting go of Obed McCoy, Keemo Paul and Rahkeem Cornwall, they would also want more from Chase with the ball in conditions that could aid the slower bowlers.

SHELDON COTTRELL (ST KITTS & NEVIS PATRIOTS) Cottrell is another player who is working his way back from injury and hoping to prove his fitness in the leadup to the T20 World Cup. Like Chase, Cottrell missed the 6ixty and has dropped down the pecking order, with McCoy establishing himself as West Indies' frontline leftarm seamer during the home season. While McCoy can hit speeds north of 145kph and also cut it down with his collection of variations, he isn't a genuine swing bowler like Cottrell, and not as useful in powe-rplays. OSHANE THOMAS (BARBADOS ROYALS) When on song, Thomas can consistently hit speeds above 140kph and can also generate extra bounce with his tall frame. He was a potent force for West Indies when they ran through Pakistan in the 50-over World Cup in 2019, but fitness

Oshane Thomas' fitness and form have taken a hit but he can be a handful with his height (Getty Images)

issues have since seen him fade away. Thomas has played just 15 white-ball internationals since that ODI World Cup and has not played a T20 game since December 2021. He will have to compete with Alzarri Joseph for one of the fast bowlers' slots in the West Indies side. ANDRE FLETCHER (ST KITTS & NEVIS PATRIOTS) The self-styled 'Spiceman' was a notable omission in West Indies' recent white-ball squads, with the selectors leaning towards Shamarh Brooks, who is more of a Test and ODI batter, as the back-up opener and Devon Thomas as the back-up keeper. Fletcher is set to open with Lewis for his new franchise Patriots and recently also won a deal with Mumbai Emirates in the UAE's ILT20. Fletcher has also had a stint in the BBL with Melbourne Stars and although that didn't go too well, he

appears to be a better option than Brooks or Devon Thomas. HAYDEN WALSH JR (BARBADOS ROYALS) Akeal Hosein has established himself as West Indies' frontline finger-spinner - with or without Sunil Narine - but there are questions over leg-spinner Walsh's potency (or the lack thereof). During the home series against India and New Zealand, Walsh struggled for control and often let the opposition batters hit with the wind. Walsh's wrong'un, however, can be deceptive as it skids off the pitch and despite his patchy form, it is quite hard to see a side travel to Australia for the T20 World Cup without a wrist-spinner. In 2019, it was the CPL that propelled Walsh into the international spotlight. He now returns to the scene of his emergence in his quest to relaunch his international career. (Cricinfo)

Najibullah powers Afghanistan into Asia Cup Super Fours NAJIBULLAH Zadran tore into the opposition attack with six sixes to lead Afghanistan into the Asia Cup Super 4 with a crushing seven-wicket win over Bangladesh yesterday. Chasing 128 for victory, Afghanistan were in trouble at 62-3 when Najibullah (43) joined Ibrahim Zadran (42) for an unbeaten stand of 69

as they won by nine balls to spare in Sharjah. Spinners Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan took three wickets each to set up victory as Afghanistan restricted the opposition to 127-7 after Bangladesh elected to bat first. Afghanistan, led by Mohammad Nabi, registered their second straight victory

to become the first of the six teams to enter the next stage of the competition, which acts as a tune-up to the T20 World Cup in October-November. Afghanistan lost Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 11 when skipper Shakib Al Hasan, playing his 100th T20 international, got the opener stumped with his left-

arm spin. Mosaddek Hossain got Hazratullah Zazai out for 23 with his off-spin as Afghanistan seemed to lose control of their chase with runs hard to come by. They were trouble when skipper Mohammad Nabi departed in the 13th over and Bangladesh supporters, who clearly outnumbered

the Afghans, raised the roof. But the left-handed Najibullah timed the chase to perfection as he finished with a flurry of sixes and one four in his 17-ball blitz. The innings put Ibrahim's knock in shade as he hit four fours in his 41-ball stay. Earlier Mujeeb, a spinner who can turn the ball both ways, shared the new ball

with left-arm quick Fazalhaq Farooqi and struck in each of his first three overs, including the key wicket of Shakib for 11. Rashid, a leg-spinner, joined forces with Mujeeb after six overs of power-play - when only two fielders are allowed outside the inner circle - to send back wick(Turn to page 30)

Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina loses US Open first round WIMBLEDON champion Elena Rybakina suffered a shock defeat by qualifier, Clara Burel, in the US Open first round. Rybakina had complained about "weak leadership" on the women's tour, saying she does not feel like the Wimbledon champion because ranking points were not awarded at the All England Club. Seeded 25th in New York, the 23-year-old was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by world number 131 Burel. Earlier yesterday, world number one Iga Swiatek won in straight sets. Poland's Swiatek, 21, needed just one hour and six minutes to beat the Italian 6-3, 6-0 in New York and faces 2017 winner Sloane Stephens next. American Stephens came back from 6-1, 3-1 down to beat Belgium's Greet Minnen 1-6, 6-3, 6-3. Two-time French Open winner Swiatek is one of several female players to complain about the "horrible" balls being used at Flushing Meadows. The US Open is the only major where men and women use different balls. RYBAKINA LOSES OUT ON COURT 12 Moscow-born Rybak-

Elena Rybakina became the first player representing Kazakhstan to win a Grand Slam at Wimbledon in 2022

ina, who now represents Kazakhstan, would have moved into the world's top eight if ranking points - which were stripped because Wimbledon had banned Russian and Belarusian players - had counted. With her ranking instead down at 25, she was scheduled on the relative obscurity of court 12 in New York. Burel, 21, broke to go 3-2 up in the first set, before Rybakina levelled things at 4-4 but the Grand Slam winner was immediately broken again and her opponent served out the set. The Frenchwoman was more dominant in the second set as Rybakina helped her opponent with a total of 37 unforced errors in the

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday August 31, 2022) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) St. Kitts/Nevis Patriots (2) St. Lucia Kings Today’s Quiz: (1) Who was declared Man of the Match in the inaugural CPL final (2013)? (2) Who was voted Man of the Tournament? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

match. Burel went 2-0 up and remained ahead until she claimed victory w ith a backhand down the line before raising her hands to the sky in relief at reaching the US Open second round for the first time. MUGURUZA THROUGH, OSTAPENKO OUT Spanish ninth seed Garbine Muguruza also reached the second round, beating Dane Clara Tauson 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), while 16th seed Jelena Ostapenko was defeated 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 by Chinese world number 39 Qinwen Zheng. There will be no shortage of Czech representation in the second round as 22nd seed Karolina Pliskova beat Poland's Magda Linette 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (10-8) to set up a match against Marie Bouzkova. Petra Kvitova, seeded 21st, joined them by powering through the second set to beat Russian Erika Andreeva 7-6 (7-3), 6-0, while 17-year-old Czech Linda Fruhvirtova will face Muguruza in the first Grand Slam second-round match of her career. American eighth seed Jessica Pegula was a 6-2, 6-2 victor over Viktorija Golubic and will next play Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich. (BBC Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 31, 2022

Wins for Eagles United, Silver Shattas as UDFA senior league football resumes UPPER Demerara Football Association (UDFA) Senior League defending champions, Eagles United, behind a double from 14-year-old National Under-16 player Dexter Milo (Jr), put aside the challenge of Topp XX by a 2-0 score-line while Silver Shattas eked out a 1-0 victory against Blueberry Hill United last Saturday as play resumed at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground in Linden after more than two months. Milo’s double came in the 21st and 23rd minutes to seal victory in what was

the second game of a double-header feature, following the first game where Silver Shattas gained their 1-0 win from a penalty taken by Oswald Benjamin in the 90th minute. On Sunday, Net Rockers won 2-1 over Haynes Winners Connection, as Botofago squeezed past Milerock 1-0 when play continued in the UDFA Senior League. The league championship is set to continue this weekend with two matches scheduled for the MSC ground on Saturday and Sunday.

National Under-16 player Dexter Milo (Jr) registered a double for Eagles United

Marsh ruled out of ODIs with priority given to T20 World Cup MITCHELL Marsh has been ruled out of the remaining ODIs against Zimbabwe and New Zealand with a minor ankle injury but will be available for the T20 tour of India next month ahead of the World Cup in Australia. Josh Inglis, the Western Australia wicketkeeper-batter, who has been with London Spirit in the Hundred where he had replaced Glenn Maxwell, has been called up as a replacement. Marsh's injury was described as "minor ankle soreness" and with the proximity of the T20 World Cup, where Marsh will be a key part of the side at No.3, a cautious approach is being taken. He was used as the first-change bowler in the opening ODI where he took 1 for 22 before falling for 2 in the run chase. "It's obviously not ideal for Mitch," Steven Smith said. "He's been playing some really good white-ball cricket recently and the way we set up our team the other day with bulk all-rounders,

Michell Marsh heads home with ankle issue to recover with eyes on T20 World Cup defence

he was obviously a big part of that. Disappointing for Mitch but there's some pretty important stuff coming up, he was a big part of the T20 World Cup campaign last year and sure there are big plans for him this year so the priority is to get him right for that." Marsh's absence may alter the balance of Australia's side for the second match in Townsville, although Sean Abbott and Ashton Agar are both part of the squad if they

want to retain the all-rounder-heavy route which has seen Cameron Green at No. 8, but he may now get the chance higher up the order. Smith described the pitch for the opening match as "pretty challenging" with spin and seam on offer but was pleased with his first outing of the season. "The ball was seaming around a fair bit, there was a bit bounce and the spin was pretty hard to line up as well," he said. "Some were going straight and some were taking off and bouncing so it wasn't easy, but good to spend time out there and sure it will serve me well." Smith has been locked back in at No. 3 in the ODI side as Australia build towards next year's World Cup and said it was "absolutely" where he preferred batting. "That's where my record is best," he added. Rain hindered Australia's optional training session yesterday but the forecast was set to improve for the match. (Cricinfo)

Najibullah powers Afghanistan... etkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim trapped lbw for one. Mushfiqur failed to pick a superb Rashid googly which the umpire gave not out only for Afghanistan to successfully review the decision in their favour. Afif Hossain and Mah-

mudullah Riyad attempted to rebuild but Rashid broke through with another googly that trapped the left-handed Afif lbw. He made 12. Rashid struck again and cut short Mahmudullah's stay on 25 as the batter top-edged a shot to deep

(From page 29)

mid-wicket. Mosaddek Hossain then took on the bowlers to smash four boundaries and a six in his late blitz of 48, but Afghanistan finished by giving away just seven runs in the final over that included a run-out.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 31, 2022

Serena Williams puts off retirement with U.S. Open first round win (REUTERS) - Serena Williams signalled she is not quite ready for retirement advancing to the second round of the U.S. Open on Monday with a scrappy 6-3, 6-3 win over Danka Kovinic. The victory over the 80th ranked Kovinic, just her second this year, will be a confidence boost for Williams but the path to a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam now gets treacherous. Waiting in the wings is Estonian second seed Anett Kontaveit, who breezed past Jaqueline Cristian 6-3, 6-0. Williams indicated her intention to retire in a Vogue article in early August, saying she was “evolving away from tennis” but never confirming the U.S. Open as her final event. For tennis fans, however, the message was clear, the U.S. Open would be where she would take her final bow. COULD THERE BE AN ENCORE? The former world number one has played coy even refusing to rule out next year’s

Australia Open. But in a strange postmatch ceremony celebrating her career, which was not yet finished, Williams gave the clearest sign yet that the U.S. Open will indeed be her last tournament and expanded on that later in her press conference. “It’s extremely difficult still because I absolutely love being out there,” said Williams. “The more tournaments I play, I feel like the more I can belong out there. “But it’s time for me, you know, to evolve to the next thing.” Pressed if the U.S. Open was definitely her last event Williams again stepped back from the brink. “I’ve been pretty vague about it, right,” smiled Williams. “I’m going to stay vague because you never know.” A montage of Williams career played before she appeared on court that left the door open a crack for a return some day, “if you ever decide to return, Queen, your throne will be waiting” ended the video.

Serena Williams of the U.S. celebrates winning her first round match against Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic at U.S. Open – Flushing Meadows, New York, United States (REUTERS/Mike Segar)

A defiant Williams, however, made it clear she was not giving up that throne just yet. SPECIAL ENERGY There is always excitement on opening night at Flushing Meadows but on

Monday the teeming stadium crackled with a special energy from the moment Williams appeared on court decked out in a shimmering black robe and specially designed diamond encrusted shoes. The outfit may have spar-

kled more than the 40-yearold American’s play but it did not matter to a jam-packed Arthur Ashe Stadium as Williams‘ fighting edge remained razor sharp even if her serve and ground strokes were not. “It’s so important to give your all,” Williams told the adoring crowd. “I’ve been down and out so many times, in the public eye. “I just want people to be inspired by my story. “I’m from Compton, California … and I made it.” Certainly there was no more fitting place to bring the curtain down on one of tennis’s most phenomenal careers than in a city that has been in her corner from the very beginning, fuelling runs to six U.S. Open crowns. The magnitude of the moment was not lost on the 23 000 fans, including, former U.S. president Bill Clinton, designer Vera Wang, director Spike Lee and others who packed into Arthur Ashe not expecting to see greatness but to celebrate it. Having been world number one for 319 weeks, Williams arrived in New York

ranked below 600 and unseeded. Even with Williams far from her best the odds were stacked against the 27-yearold from Montenegro. Playing in her 21st U.S. Open, Williams has never lost in the first round and her victory over Kovinic was her 106th at Flushing Meadows. While Kovinic has been enjoying the best Grand Slam season of her career reaching the third round of both the Australian and French Open, she had not won a single match since Roland Garros. As play got underway it was Williams showing signs of nerves, piling up the double faults as Kovinic got in front 3-2. But Williams, as she has done so many times, lifted her game when she needed to, sweeping the next four games to snatch the first set. Now in charge, Williams would not let it slip away in the second set, breaking to go up 3-2, and with match point and the crowd on its feet, she danced in delight as Kovinic’s return hit the net.

BCB/Romario Shepherd Under-13 Tournament …

Albion, Rose Hall Town, Poonai Pharmacy, Cotton Tree reach semi-finals THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) resumed its 2022 cricket season after a fourmonth break due to the rainy season, with a number of matches recently. Ten teams are currently participating in the BCB/ Romario Shepherd Under-13 tournament as part of the board's effort to unearth new cricketing talents. The tournament was organised by the BCB with sponsorship from Guyana and West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd. Defending champions Rose Hall Town, Poonai Pharmacy, Albion and Cotton Tree have advanced to the semifinals while the winners of Zone B are still to be determined. Albion emerged as winners of Zone B with RHT

Luke Amsterdam

Raphael McKenzie

Poonai Pharmacy as the runners-up. Cotton Tree advanced after winning all of their matches in Zone A. The matches comprise 25 overs per innings and are played on a 30-yard pitch. Boundaries should not exceed 60 yards while balls down the leg-side should be in a eight-

inch range or shall be called a wide. Scores from matches played: Rose Hall Town Poonai defeated Port Mourant by nine wickets at Albion. Port Mourant 34 all out in 11 overs. Raphael McKenzie 4 for 10, Leon Reddy 4 for 12.

RHT Poonai Pharmacy 35 for 1 in eight overs. Leon Reddy 12 not out, Balraj Narine 10. Rose Hall beat Mt Sinai by 9 wickets at Canje. Mt. Sinai 37 from 12.5 overs. Luke Amsterdam, the brother of West Indies Under-19 fast bowler grabbed 8 for 6 off 5 overs and Brandon Grimmond 2 for 8. Rose Hall Canje 41 for 1 in 10 overs. Richard Ramdeholl 13 not out and Luke Amsterdam 10. Albion defeated Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy by 8 wickets at Area H RHT Poonai 56 for 6 from 25 overs. Tameshwar Deonand 11, Baltaj Narine 10. Arif Marimutoo 2 for 9. Albion 56 for 2 in 15 overs, Said Jumratty 17 not out and Sahid Gajnabi 10 not out. Albion defeated Port Mourant by 64 runs at Albion.

Albion 112 for 3 from 25 overs. Nathaniel Ramsammy 38 not out (5x4), Arif Marimutoo 29 not out, Said Jumratty 14 and Farhan Balle 10. S. Samaroo 3 for 12 from 5 overs. Port Mourant in reply 48 all out in 18.5 overs, A. Apanah 10. Farhan Balle 3 for 4 off 4 overs, Said Jumratty 2 for 11. Cotton Tree defeated Achievers by 11 runs at Cotton Tree. Cotton Tree 56 for 5 off 25 overs, Arif Bacchus 28, Ricardo Dhanisar 12. Kumar Joseph 3 for 6 from 3 overs. Achievers 45 all out in 12.3 overs, Amari Hughes 14 not out, Arif Bacchus 3 for 5 and Fayad Gaffur 2 for 5. Cotton Tree Under-13 defeated Rainbow Generation by 22 runs at Cotton Tree. Cotton Tree 48 for 7, Arif Bacchus 15, Fayad Gaffur 10.

J. Blackman 2 for 10. Rainbow Generation 26 all out in 9 overs. Arif Khan 4 for 3, Arif Bacchus 3 for 4. Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy will travel to Cotton Tree to face the home team in the first semifinal while Albion will play the winners of the Rose Hall Canje vs Edinburgh match in Zone B in the second semis. Meanwhile, the quarter-finals of the BCB Under-17 tournament would be played today at four venues across Berbice. Albion vs East Bank Blazers at Albion Cotton Tree vs Radha Krishna at Cotton Tree PMCC vs Tucber Park at Port Mourant RH Canje vs Bath at Canje All matches start at 09:30hrs

Patriots, Tallawahs set to open CPL 2022 edition today

Sherfane Rutherford is expected to be a key player for title-holders St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (Photo courtesy CPL Media)

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – St Kitts and Nevis will launch the defence of their maiden Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title when they clash with Jamaica Tallawahs in the opening game of this year’s tournament here today. The 19:00hrs contest at Warner Park will be preceded by the opening match of the women’s tournament at 15:00hrs when Trinbago Knight Riders Women take on Barbados Royals Women – the recent winners of the inaugural 6ixty here last weekend. After several years of coming up short, Patriots finally put their trophy-less record behind them when they stunned St Lucia Kings in a thrilling final here last year. And veteran all-rounder and captain Dwayne Bravo said there

was now a growing belief among the squad that Patriots could continue to challenge for honours. “I am very excited. Last season, I made a decision to leave TKR and challenge myself differently and in a different way to keep myself motivated for the game and to try and help others develop their game and their cricket,” Bravo told media yesterday. “I think I made the right decision at the right time and luckily enough last season we won the trophy which gave St Kitts and Nevis Patriots their first-ever CPL title. “A few days ago, (we won the first-ever 6ixty tournament) … so it’s a good foundation we’re starting to build and we’re starting to believe as a franchise and as a team that we

Hetmyer looks forward to changes captaincy will bring out of him

… Amazon Warriors leader hopes to branch out and be "bit more of a team player than just trying to basically hit sixes and fours By Deivarayan Muthu GUYANA Amazon Warriors (GAW) have made it to the knockouts of all nine editions of the CPL so far, but have never won the title. This season, they have a chance to break that jinx and clinch their first trophy, in front of their home crowd. The prospect of Guyana hosting the CPL final for the first time has raised the expectations of the fans. The tournament being played just one month before the next T20 World Cup has raised the jeopardy for the players. But Shimron Hetmyer, Amazon Warriors' new captain, is letting none of that cloud his mind. "I actually see it as a challenge and I relish challenges," Hetmyer said during a virtual media interaction. "Want to really perform and do the best for my team because I know once I do half of my best or even my best, we will get to a decent score more times than not. “So, it's really for me to focus on how I go about doing that and how I go about setting up an innings and

just being out in the crease for as long as possible and not thinking too far ahead to the World Cup. "I'm very excited actually, it (captaincy) is something I was really looking forward to, to be honest. It's something that I could learn a lot from, in terms of managing Shimron Hetmyer takes over the Guyana Amazon Warriors reins from Nicholas my innings, how Pooran (Randy Brooks - CPL T20, Getty) to look after the team and be a little bit more of a team player than just trying to basically hit from Nicholas Pooran who has returned sixes and fours. I'm trying to do as much to his home franchise Trinbago Knight as I can in terms of being the captain and Riders - but he isn't unfamiliar with trying to help out as much as I can and leadership roles. In 2016, Hetmyer captained West Indies to the Under-19 just being there for the team." This will be Hetmyer's first taste of World Cup title in Bangladesh. Then, in captaincy in the CPL - he takes over CPL 2021, TURN TO PAGE 27 ►

Serena Williams puts off retirement 31 with U.S. Open first round win PAGE

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can also be a dominant force in CPL. “That’s our challenge and that’s our aim and we’re looking forward to that. We’re looking forward to defending our title.” He added: “And not only that but we’re looking to play a brand of cricket to entertain the fans and make our franchise owners and the island of St Kitts and Nevis proud.” Patriots once again feature a strong lineup with the likes of Evin Lewis, Andre Fletcher and Sherfane Rutherford spearheading the batting and Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell and Dominic Drakes headlining the bowling attack. Tallawahs, meanwhile, will be searching for a better performance than last year’s when they won just four of TURN TO PAGE 27 ►

Guyana’s Jeremiah Duncan voted Best Boxer

Best Boxer! Guyana’s Jeremiah Duncan

GUYANA’S Jeremiah Duncan out of the Young Achievers Boxing Gym, was judged ‘Best Boxer’ at the Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors Boxing Championships which concluded Sunday at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Duncan, won his 50-52 kg bout with Andrew Curtis of The Bahamas when the referee stopped the contest one minute 37 seconds in the third round. The tag is no stranger to the young man as in February he was also voted the Best Boxer at the Guyana Boxing Association Pepsi’s Mike Parris National U-16 tournament. On Sunday, Guyana soared to 23 points, ahead of The Bahamas (nine points), Trinidad (eight points) and St Lucia (five points). WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022