Guyana Chronicle E-Paper (M) 29-10-2022

Uplifting men

–– Men of Mission: the 1,000 men initiative launched to address issues facing men throughout Guyana

By Tamica Garnett

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Friday, called on men in Guyana to become more conscious of the ar eas where they are falling behind in society.

The President was at the time delivering the feature address at the launch of the “Men of Mission: the 1000-

Men initiative” at the Guyana Defence Force Camp Ayan ganna Ground.

Though the programme initially targeted getting 1,000 men to sign up as mentors, on its opening day, approximately 3,000 men registered to be mentors.

Over 4,500 men were said to be in attendance at the launch of the inspirational

countrywide initiative that will see men signing up to be mentors or be mentored in a network created to address many of the problems facing them.

“We as men we have dropped the ball on com munity, family and society. Today, it is about us picking up back that ball. Today, we want to create this movement

that portrays men in a posi tive light. That will work in a network in a collective man ner to resolve the problem,” President, Dr. Ali expressed.

He added: “Today we are dedicating ourselves to not being part of the problem but to do something, to create a positive momentum through which future men can be more involved.

First Lady Arya Ali on Friday graduated with an International Master’s of Business Administration (Strategy & Competi tiveness Specialization) at Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business, the University of the West Indies (UWI) (President, Dr Irfaan Ali's Facebook page)

Not just role models to their children and families but can be inspirational

stories.”

President, Dr Irfaan Ali addresses the gathering at the Guyana Defence Force, Camp Ayanganna Ground on Friday (Delano Williams photo)

BHS students showcase agroprocessing, innovative skills

By Naomi Parris

THE Bishops’ High School’s first Agri-Business ‘expo’ attracted scores of patrons and students from Grades Seven to 11 when it opened on Friday.

The ‘expo’ displayed an array of innovative and sus

sor, Lena Ojha along with her classmates pioneered their immune boosting juice, ‘Juno Juice’ at the fair.

“Juno Juice is an immune booster; we created it in the saying that we in ourselves don’t always take care of our health, and we have tried to find a way to boost our im

Outside of citrus, the immune booster’s other main ingre dients are ginger and honey. Meanwhile, for those stu dents who are always on the go, Grade 10 student Erica Roberts and her classmates created Supreme Spread, a delightful mix of fruits in a jam.

tainable projects aimed at transforming the agriculture sector.

A budding agro-proces

mune systems,” Ojha told the Guyana Chronicle.

Juno Juice is made of all natural fruits, and has no sugar or added preservatives.

“We have homemade nat ural jam; it is made from real fruit. The reason behind is because we are CSEC [Carib

President Ali interacting with students of the Bishops’ High School on Friday, during the school’s first Agri-business expo

are our future’

–– Minister Croal tells GWI bursary awardees

GUYANA Water Incorpo rated (GWI) on Friday held its fourth annual Bursary Awards for the children and parents of outstanding performers at the Nation al Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) at GWI’s Vlissen gen Road headquarters.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal told the children that they are the fu ture of Guyana, so, it does not matter which administrative region they are from or high school they attend.

“You are our future; you are the leaders of tomorrow. I would like to see for you to embark on different paths that will see you as part of the development [of Guyana],” the Minister said.

He added: “I assure the Board will acknowledge that because there are more commit ments and a greater charge of what the GWI mandate has to do.

“The people to deliver on that mandate are you and so it means its commitment to your work. Alternatively, it means a greater sacrifice on the children, and so as parents their charge has always been how to manage in terms of work, family, and even other commitments, any extra curricular activities that we have,” he explained.

The Minister noted that parents want to see their chil dren do better than what they achieved in their lifetime.

“So, you have to see yourselves as part of Guy

ana’s development. You are coming into a time in our country where we are seeing major changes … transfor mation. This Guyana you see now, by the time you all here are ready to complete your secondary education it will not be the same,” the housing minister related.

He told the children to take their education seri ously because while there are opportunities for late developers, it isn’t what they would like for them because they would be wasting years of their lives.

“There are always pro grammes to catch up with, but use the opportunity now,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer

(CEO) of GWI, Shaik Baksh, speaking at the award cere mony, said that he sees young aspiring faces and asked them to have the determination to move upwards as this is just the beginning of their second ary education level

He told the children not to forget to read their books as it seems to be something being lost in Guyana. He noted that the children must begin studying now because they cannot wait last minute to study and expect good results.

The children presented with bursary awards are from all across Guyana, and the children of GWI employees.

A total of 24 students were awarded.

Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal handing over top performer Ruel Joseph’s award. Joseph attained Queen’s College with 511 marks

BHS students showcase ...

bean Examinations Council] students, we wake up early in the morning; we go to bed late at night, so jam would be a quick meal. It’s also healthy,” Roberts said.

Showcasing their inno vative skills with sustainable agriculture practices, Grade Nine students Lloyd Stanton, Maliya Maikoo and Shane Birkett displayed a miniature model of a large-scale drip irrigation system.

The students explained that the system is a more effi cient method of ensuring that farms are adequately supplied with water.

“This irrigation system that we have here is a largescale drip system. There are many types of irrigation sys tems that help to maintain

the life of your crops as they grow,” the trio explained, adding: “To an extent, it is better than the traditional method, because you don’t have to walk around the fields watering the plants.”

In the future, the young innovators hope to see their system replicated to help farmers.

“In the future, we would send this to the ministry for them to use this method,” the trio said.

Tushaant Sanichara, a Grade Eight robotics enthu siast, created a ‘farmbot’ with three-in-one features to plant, harvest and remove weeds.

The young lad explained to the Guyana Chronicle that he wanted to create an inno vative solution for helping

farmers.

“This is the multi-tool ‘farmbot’; it has three fea tures: Plowing soil, plant ing seeds, and it also cuts weeds,” he said.

Head of the School’s Ag riculture Business Depart ment Vanda Loncke said the event was held in the hope of encouraging students to pursue careers in agriculture.

“We need to create entre preneurs, not only for them to sit behind the desk, but for them to contribute to society, and to the growing popula tion and food security,” she said.

Adviser to the Minister of Agriculture Richard Blair, in his remarks, urged the students to pursue agriculture as more than an academic subject.

“Do not view agri-busi ness purely as an academic pursuit; what I mean is that agri-business has a very prac tical element. It means that if you, as young budding entre preneurs can get your busi ness on the road, then that is one or two or 10 less persons waiting in the breadline, or looking for a job.”

Further, Blair highlighted the efforts the government

has been making in creating an enabling environment for youths to thrive in the sector.

“Youth is at the centre of everything; it is a deliberate and well-thought-out process in involving youth, because we recognise that the farm ers population is aging,” Mr. Blair said.

Also present at the ex position was United States

Ambassador to Guyana Sarah Ann Lynch, and President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who interacted with several of the students. President Ali, since tak ing office, has been cham pioning several agriculture projects, many of which are centred on youth involve ment.

Young Tushaant Sanichara, creator of ‘The Farmbot’, with President Ali

Students were also preparing food on-the- spot at the ‘expo’

Several miniature models of farms and other innovative projects were also on display at the fair

A ‘Musky’ Deal

THE deed is finally done. Twitter has officially been transferred to Elon Musk after the billionaire completed the mas sive US$44 billion purchase before the court-ordered deadline.

But there is still much uncertainty looming about the future of the platform following the purchase, which Musk had fought tooth and nail to withdraw from.

Tweeting “the bird is freed” and later “let the good times roll,” the new Twitter boss, whose ‘bio’ on the app refers to him as “Chief Twit”, Musk reportedly fired a number of Twitter’s top executives in cluding its Chief Executive Officer, Parag Agrawal, the BBC reported.

Official documentation confirming the

handover was filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday.

There’s no guessing, however, where Musk’s intentions lie. “Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated…

“I also want to make Twitter better than ever by enhancing the product with new features, making the algorithms open source to increase trust, defeating the spam bots, and authenticating all hu mans,” Business Insider quoted Musk as saying in April.

Some believed Musk was primed to pave the way for the return of former US President,

Donald Trump, to Twitter after Trump’s account was “permanently suspended” by the platform following the January 6 Capitol Hill riot, for which a special committee of the United States Congress only recently sen tenced one of Trump’s top former officials, Steven Bannon, to jail for contempt.

The legal battle surrounding the buy out of Twitter felt, in some parts, like a messy public celebrity divorce. It was clear Musk wanted out and he was pre pared to use whatever possible avenue he could.

One thing was clear, however, which is that even for the Tesla and SpaceX Founder, the idea of following through with a US$44 billion deal was scary stuff,

especially with his previous moves to ensure he set aside some money, just in case the Delaware-based Court of Equity, which heard the legal case brought against Musk by Twitter’s Board of Directors, ruled that he must follow through with the purchase.

One cannot shake the feeling that something about this imbroglio feels like a joke gone awry.

Musk has moved into his new office, and is changing more than the face of the company.

The extent of those changes in a world where social media increasingly threatens to bring down democracies, are yet to be understood.

Contrary to GHRA, democracy in Guyana is strong and growing

Dear Editor

I refer to “GHRA calls for fundamental electoral reforms and a move away from Stone Age politics” (Stabroek News, Oc tober 25, 2022) in which several over-gen eralisations are made about the state of politics in Guyana.

While there are notable points of interest in the piece, GHRA seems to be too welded to the past in its understanding of party politics in Guyana. I ask the reader to consider the observations below.

Firstly, despite the turbulence that sur rounds elections in Guyana, we have still managed to conduct free and fair elections and execute the peaceful transfer of power since 1992. That is no small accomplishment for a country that had struggles for four de cades of foreign intervention and authoritarian rule.

Secondly, notwithstanding the machina tions of the 2020 elections, we should take comfort that, in the end, the matter was rec

tified through judicial review, including the external CCJ. How I wish the same were true in any number of other Global South countries where election-driven violence, coups, and generalised mayhem continue as the norm.

Thirdly, the reforms that GHRA is calling for are currently being addressed through a national consultation process. While there are indeed other proposals already on the table, GHRA should take comfort that the proposed refinement of Representation of the People’s Act is substantive and meaningful. It is not window dressing.

Fourthly, Guyana has extremely com petitive elections and the results definitively prove this. In 2011, the PPP/C took the Office of the President, but the Opposition controlled the purse strings in Parliament. Note that in 2015, the PPP/C facilitated the transfer of power within days.

The next election saw the APNU-AFC in office, but only one seat, again underling a close election. Dissatisfaction with the medi ocre performance of the AFC, one of its MPs

‘crossed the floor’ in December 2018 and voted for a No-Confidence Motion. Though the APNU-AFC dragged their feet well be yond the three months to call elections, those elections did materialise in March 2020.

The 2020 elections again underlined the extreme competitiveness of party politics in the country, with the PPP/C managing only a one seat advantage.

It is good that GHRA is participating in the process. But GHRA itself ought to reflect on its own conduct. As columnist Frederick Kissoon has observed, GHRA never mean ingfully spoke out against the attempts to distort the election results of 2020 by Mr. Lowenfiled, Mr. Mingo, and others. GHRA tends to dehistoricise everything by equating the PPP/C and the PNC/R ignores what really happens on the ground.

For instance, while GHRA equates the two major parties regarding attempts to dominate GECOM, it fails to mention that President Granger, for the first time since 1992, disallowed the nomination of the Chair

by the Leader of the Opposition. The argu ment that no one met the criteria specified in Article 161 (2) of the Constitution was forcefully dealt with by then opposition MP, Anil Nandlall, who pointed out (Kaieteur News, January 9, 2017) that past GECOM chairs, Rudy Collins, Edward Hopkinson, Joseph Singh, and Dr. Steve Surujbally did not have any legal training. GHRA’s own biases has hurt its standing in the eyes of the public, but it can redeem its credibility by being truly ‘civic.’

GHRA and other private groups ought to take pride and, yes, credit for the dynamic political developments in Guyana. Elections have become so competitive that no party is sure what will happen in the next national elections, or at least what the margin of vic tory/defeat would look like.

The key here is that politics based on ethnic identity is rapidly evaporating.

Yours sincerely, Dr. Randolph Persaud

Institute a ban on paraquat

Dear Editor,

Paraquat is in the news once again. A growing chorus of US farmworker, health and environmental advocacy groups is demanding its ban in the US. They argue that research conducted by independent scientists provides abundant evidence of paraquat’s abil ity to cause Parkinson’s and other health dan gers. They point to the fact that it is banned in the European Union, outlawed in the UK, where it is manufactured, and Switzerland, where its manufacturer, Sygnenta, is based;

as well as in China, the home of Syngenta’s parent company.

The Michael J Fox Foundation for Par kinson’s Research submitted a petition to the EPA with 107,000 signatories calling for a ban, citing a plethora of supporting studies and evidence. And over 200 cases are winding their way through the US courts in support its ban.

Here in Guyana, The Caribbean Voice has been calling for its ban since 2014 because of the lethality it adds to agro chemicals and the fact that the majority of suicides are through ingestion of poison. As the government fo

cuses on agri innovations and advancements, it’s time for safety to come to fore. We again appeal to the government and Agriculture Min ister Mustapha, in particular, to institute a ban on paraquat. Contrary to what some posit, there are viable but safer alternatives to paraquat.

In this context, we also reiterate our call for widespread safe storage, usage and disposal of agro-chemicals training to be conducted within the farming community to enhance safety and reduce incidences of suicide. We also offer this workshop for wide dissemination: https:// www.facebook.com/groups/abuseandsuicide

prevention/permalink/1944135785786579. It’s an online workshop on first aid for those who have ingested agro and other poisons and was conducted by retired UWI toxicologist, Trini dad-based Dr. Verrol Simmons, at the behest of The Caribbean Voice.

A caring government would want to make agriculture safer while contributing to reduction in suicide deaths.

Yours sincerely Annan Boodram

GTT launches MMG at Massy to ‘make life easier’ for customers All set for elections CoI

GTT on Friday launched their Mobile Money Guyana (mmg+) payment option for Massy Stores at the supermarket’s Movietowne, Liliendaal branch.

Massy customers can now access the MMG service at all of the store’s locations.

Lasawhna Prescott, manager for the Massy Stores Mega location explained that they collaborated with MMG so that they could “make life easier for their customers”.

Prescott believes that the MMG payment option at all their locations will “compliment their offerings of convenience, as well as raise the bar in the retail industry.”

Diana Gittens, Product Marketing Manager for MMG, told the Guyana Chronicle that the aim of the launch is “to bring ease and convenience to the lives of Guyanese across the nation.” Diana added that there are over forty thousand people with MMG wallets and their goal is to uti lise the opportunity for people to feel safer and more secure with having less cash in their wallets.

In relation to tourism, Gittens said that MMG is willing and able to facilitate tourists with their own accounts regardless of which cellular phone provider they choose to use. She also emphasised that most tourists are accustomed to electronic payments and that MMG will definitely work to their advantage as well.

According to Gittens, the reception of the Guyanese people has been “excellent” thus far especially since “nobody wants to stand

in a long line to pay their bills and MMG shortens that process tremendously.”

She used the opportunity to encourage other businesses in Guyana to take the same innovative step as Massy in order to provide their customers with ease and con venience. She is also optimistic that MMG will be the major payment platform across Guyana in another five years.

Meanwhile, GTT’s Public Relations Man ager, Jasmine Harris, chaired the event and emphasised that MMG is known for its “qual ity, availability, convenience and making life easier for all, regardless of one’s network.”

MMG has almost 800 agents countrywide through Online banking with Republic Bank, Demerara Bank, GBTI and the GTT retail stores.

The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce of Guyana has initiated moves to advance the reform and modernisation of the business sector and the Electronic Communi cations and Transactions (ECT) Bill.

The bill is intended to result in an act that will provide for the facilitation and regulation of secure electronic communications and transactions and for their legal recognition.

It is also expected to promote the de velopment of the legal and business infra structure that are necessary to implement secure electronic commerce, and to en hance the efficient delivery of governance by public authorities by means of reliable electronic records and electronic filing of documents and other related matters.

ALL is set for the com mencement of the Com mission of Inquiry (CoI) into the 2020 General and Regional Elections slated for November 3.

This was revealed to members of the media on Friday during a tour of the prepared location.

The CoI was called by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, in light of the fiasco that oc curred following the March 2, 2020 elections, in which the electorate had to wait five months for the declaration of the results.

According to CoI secre tary, Javed Shadick, follow ing the procurement of the space to hold the inquiry, all relevant settings have been put in place. He added that the CoI will be livestreamed, and that there will be transcriptions made of the hearings and recordings of the proceedings.

Thus far, a number of persons have come forward as witnesses.

Last month, the three commissioners to preside over the CoI were sworn in. Those commissioners are Justice of Appeal (ret’d) Stanley John, who is also Chairman of the CoI; for

mer Attorney-General, High Court Judge and acting Jus tice of Appeal in the Eastern Caribbean, Senior Counsel Godfrey P. Smith; and for mer Chancellor of the Judi ciary (ag), Justice Carl Singh.

The Commission’s

Terms of Reference are to inquire into and report upon the relevant circum stances and events leading up to and procedures fol lowing the General and Re gional Elections in Guyana on March 2, 2020.

‘Tidy Up’ hosts community-based breast cancer awareness session

IN light of breast cancer awareness month, Tidy Up, a company that refills a line of cleaning agents, on Friday hosted an outreach for the community in Dia mond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) where one of their branches is located, to teach women how to self-examine for breast cancer.

Loreann Baptiste , Ad ministrative Manager with responsibility for Marketing, Human Resources, and Pub lic Relations, said that early detection of breast cancer can lead to a possible remission of it.

“The idea was to have a doctor on board to talk with patients; any questions they

may have about breast can cer; how to detect healthy foods, and the process of helping you deal with or cope with breast cancer,” she said.

Niketa Barker, a fami ly physician of the Grove Health Centre, said that as October is breast cancer awareness month and it is acknowledged globally, there are always breast cancer awareness campaigns that en courage screening for women of all ages, especially women who have high-risk factors for breast cancer.

“The main risk factors for breast cancer are having a first-degree relative with a history of breast cancer, sometimes even a history of ovarian cancer in a first-de gree relative can also be a

major risk factor,” she said.

Barker explained, “There is modifiable, and you have non-modifiable risk factors. So, the non-modifiable ones would be like your age. As you get older, the risk increas es. If you have a family his tory, that means whether you have a gene mutation or just a family history of cancers, that would increase your risk.”

Some modifiable things, she said, are being over weight, smoking, and regular use of alcohol, which all increase the risk of getting breast cancer.

“I am teaching them to do this breast self-exam; so, if you go to see your primary care provider, they will con

duct a clinical exam, which is a more in-depth form of the self-breast exam.

“Not every woman will be able to perceive or be able to pick up an abnormality, so, it’s important to speak with your primary care provider to know your level of risk, and how often you should be screened for breast cancer,” she explained.

Barker related that , usually, the recommenda tion is that women begin screening at the age of 50, which can be done by the use of mammograms every two years. It can also be done even more frequent ly, depending on their risk factors.

An investigation must be promptly conducted into the actions of SOCU

Dear Editor,

THE Guyana Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL) vehemently condemns the actions taken by the Special Organ ised Crime Unit (SOCU) in arresting Attorney-at-Law, Tamieka Clarke.

SOCU, by their actions, intimidated Ms.

Clarke and prevented her from executing her duties to her client. At no time should an Attorney-at-Law be fearful of executing his/her duties. An Attorney-at-Law has the legal right and responsibility to offer legal counsel to their client. One such respon sibility is to remind the client that he/she cannot be compelled to give evidence in

a criminal matter, which is enshrined in Article 144(7) of the Constitution of [the] Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

The Attorney-at-Law advising her client that he has a right to remain silent during an interview is not outside of the scope of the law.

We call on the commissioner of Police

to issue an apology and cause an investi gation to be promptly conducted into the actions of SOCU.

Yours sincerely, Guyana Association of Women Lawyers

Tidy Up’s Loreann Baptiste, Dr Niketa Barker, and Tidy Up’s Sales Manager, Rendell Harry

The Lot 95 Middle Street, Cummingsburg location where the CoI will be held

Form partnerships, grow your businesses

–– Prime Minister tells Essequibians at opening of ‘agri’ trade fair and exhibition

PRIME Minister Briga dier ( Ret’d) Mark Phil lips on Friday night joined members of the Essequibo Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) in de claring open the 6th Agro Trade Fair and Exhibition held at the Anna Regina Centre Ground.

Addressing the well-at tended gathering, Prime Min ister Phillips said that the private sector has a role to play in developing Guyana’s economy, and explained that

the event provides a platform to showcase the viability of the County of Essequibo.

Essequibo is ripe for in vestments in agriculture, tourism, forestry, mining, manufacturing, and many other areas of commerce.

“This is an excellent op portunity to form potential partnerships, and foster new business ventures in these areas to build and develop Essequibo,” the Prime Min ister said.

He said the event builds

on the recent Agri-Invest ment Forum and Expo held in May this year at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

The 2022 Agri Investment Forum and Expo set the stage for similar events to be repli cated to showcase and fasttrack investment and devel opment opportunities within the agriculture sector.

“Our government has committed to the continued strengthening of Guyana’s traditional sectors, recog nising that they continue to

play a significant role in our economy through reports, foreign currency earnings and our GDP,” Prime Minis ter Phillips said.

He took the opportunity to thank the President of the ECCI for organising the event, especially after two years of the pandemic, and urged young people to pursue an education in agriculture in order to continue the devel opment of Essequibo.

Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva said the Esse quibo Agriculture and Trade Expo is a unique platform for the region to showcase its potential and value to the

rest of Guyana, and for busi nesses to explore networking opportunities.

President of the ECCI Suean Seewnarayan said the organisation was formed with the intention to move busi nesses forward. This year, over 100 booths participated in the ‘expo’.

It is important for the private sector to raise the standard to remain viable in a competitive economy, she said.

“Go out and explore what our region has to offer; we remain strong, advocating for business development.

Become members of the organisation and support our members,” Seewnarayan said.

After the ‘expo’ was de clared open, the Prime Min ister, along with regional officials, used the opportunity to interact with participating agencies. During the interac tion, Prime Minister Phillips said he was impressed with some of the local items on display.

The exhibitors were excited to be part of the ‘expo’. One exhibitor, Jac queline Success, said it gave her the opportunity to showcase her local sauces.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips examines a sauce at the ‘expo’

Prime Minister Mark Phillips examines a sauce at the ‘expo’

Salvation Army Christmas Kettle ‘begins to boil’ with $1.5M donation from Gov’t

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali underscored that giving must be a way of life, as his government donated $1.5 million as the first contri bution at the launch of the Salvation Army Guyana Division Annual Christmas Kettle Appeal, on Tuesday.

The Christmas Kettle, also referred to as the Red Kettle, due to its colour, is the Salvation Army’s most famous street campaign. It is most recognised during the Christmas season. During this time, volunteers stand outside of businesses and play or sing Christmas carols, or ring bells to inspire pass ersby to place donations of cash and cheques inside the trademark red kettles.

The annual Christmas Appeal helps the Salvation Army to meet the needs of those less fortunate, through the provision of food, shel ter, rehabilitation and much more.

President Ali charged all in the audience, which in cluded school children, to not see giving as just a seasonal act, but to continuously be moved to want to contribute to making humanity better.

“A lot of people associ ate Christmas with giving.

Giving is an art, but this art of giving it must be a way of live, it must be something you believe in, that gives you pride and joy and honour. It is not only about the Christ mas Kettle, it is a way of lifting humanity. Giving is an art and a way of life and it’s

not seasonal,” the President commented.

Also present at the launch was the Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Edward Boyer; Pres ident of the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber, fellow divisional leaders, Majors

Matignol and Mireille SaintLot; captains and soldiers of the Salvation Army; students of St Stanislaus College, St Rose’s High and Queen’s College and members of the public.

Major Matignol said the COVID-19 pandemic and

rising cost of living have placed even more persons in a position of need, increasing demand for the Salvation Army services. Divisional Leader Saint-Lot said the Salvation Army is all the more in need of the donations this year.

“ The Christmas Kettle Appeal 2022 is now more important than ever. Without your generous support we will not be able to deliver ser vices to the less fortunate this year,” Saint Lot impressed.

The Salvation Army currently has a number of programmes that involve providing food and clothing for the elderly and less for tunate children. It also offers services in schools, daycare, nursing homes, women’s home and have a robust drug rehabilitation programme.

Friday’s event included a testimony from a former member of the Salvation Army drug rehabilitation programme. A drug addict for 28 years, Ramo Lall made remarks crediting his recovery and survival entirely to the help he re ceived from the Salvation Army.

“Today I’m so thankful to the Salvation Army because they saved my life. I got there more dead than alive.

Today, I am thankful to the power greater to myself so I could’ve made that step onwards,” shared Lall. Lall shared that he has been ‘clean’ for the past 16 years.

Jagdeo calls out Opposition

campaign

EVEN though it is committed to upholding democracy, and will be holding Local Gov ernment Elections (LGEs) on March 13 next year, the government has contended that the Opposition remains bent on spreading misin formation on matters of national importance.

Local Government and Regional Develop ment Minister, Nigel Dharamlall had said that LGEs are an important pillar in the democratic political system, and had written to Justice (Retd) Claudette Singh, Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), appointing the date based on the work plan submitted by GECOM.

In light of the announcement, and the reac tions from the PNC/R-led APNU+AFC coalition, Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo noted that there are many persons who present themselves as specialists, but do a lot of damage through misinformation, which requires a lot of effort to

get to the truth of the matter.

As an example, Dr. Jagdeo noted that while there were some persons making statements that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government was de laying the holding of Local Government Elections, that position misrepresented the reality that it is the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) which must have first indicate its readiness to facilitate the elections.

The Vice-President noted that soon after GECOM completed that process, the body’s Chairman wrote to the government, indicating the earliest possible date for Local Government Elec tions, after which Minister Dharamlall responded.

LGEs, which are usually due every two years, were last held in 2018. At the last LGEs in November 2018, the then Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) secured 52 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs).

In the LGEs in 2016, the PPP/C also claimed the majority of the LAAs.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali makes the government’s donation of $1.5 million into the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle (Delano Williams photo)

Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

— President Ali announces

$900M revolving fund for forestry sector

By Naomi Parris

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali on Friday announced a $900 million revolving fund for Guyana’s forestry sector.

The head-of-state made the disclosure during a stakeholder meeting at the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), where he

pledged government’s commit ment to working with forestry stakeholders to increase produc tivity, and to foster sustainable forest management practices.

“Through a partnership with the Guyana Forestry Commis sion, we will set up a committee to make sure persons are sticking to what is expected of them,” the

President said.

“We will set aside $300 mil lion in a revolving fund from the government, and Demerara Bank has agreed with me to set aside $600 million to back the $300 million. That is $900 million at an interest rate of, unbelievably, four per cent,” he added.

President Ali explained that

the fund will create room for a significant increase in produc tion, further building the market.

“We are now going to un leash $900 million to the market to step up production, so that we can meet the demand, es pecially for the valued-added product, and to give this sector a real boost, because we are very concerned about the production level, and where it should be to meet our demands in the market

we are building.”

The meeting was attend ed by the Board of Directors and Senior Management of the Guyana Forestry Commission, along with small and large forest concession holders, sawmillers, small loggers, and value-add ed forest producers to discuss opportunities within the sector, and ways to increase production.

Stakeholders within the for estry sector were also urged

by Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat to increase pro duction, while the government will continue to enhance access to forest concessions through improved infrastructure and investment incentives.

In its mid-year report, the Ministry of Finance had reported that the country’s forestry sec tor had grown by an estimated 47.1 per cent in the first half of the year, largely on account of significant growth in log production.

According to the report, at the end of June, 203,220 cu bic metres of timber products were produced, compared with 137,040 cubic metres at the end of June last year, driven by high er-than-anticipated production of logs. Log production is up 59.8 per cent, when compared with the position at the end of the first six months of 2021, following a substantive increase in produc tion from large concessions.

Additionally, the local de mand for primary lumber has also increased year-on-year, driven by ramped up construc tion activity countrywide. The report further stated that with log production slowing as con cessionaires’ quotas are used up, the expected growth rate for the sector is holding steady at 13.5 per cent for 2022.

Foreign Secretary urges new Twitter boss to remove

maps of Guyana

AS Guyana continues to call for the removal of all illegal maps from the various social media plat forms, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, on Fri day, tagged the new Twit ter boss, Elon Musk, in a tweet.

In the tweet, Persaud stated that Guyana has made repeated reports of an illegal map of the country which is being circulated.

“This breach of the UN Charter and Twitter’s own policy must stop. I trust you will act given your stand on respect for international laws,” Persaud said.

Recently, there have been multiple postings of versions of the map of Guyana emanating from Spanish-speaking accounts which favour Venezuela’s claim to the county of Es

sequibo.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will, from November 17 to 22, hear preliminary objections raised by Venezuela in the border controversy case which was filed by Guy ana. In December 2020, the court, in a majority ruling, upheld that it has jurisdic tion to entertain the matter.

Persaud’s latest call comes weeks after the

government officially en gaged the Chief Executive Officers of Facebook and Twitter.

It was highlighted that the account holders have been utilising the social media platforms to prop agate a false narrative of the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award that set tled the land boundary between Guyana and Ven ezuela.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali

Massy Guyana celebrates hallmark management trainees

MASSY Guyana ex ecutives and panel members of the com pany’s Graduate Trainee Programme celebrated with the seven successful can didates who recently completed their train ing within the organi sation.

The seven university graduates are now man agement trainees under the initiative, which is now in its 29th year in Guyana.

As the 2021 – 2022 batch graduated, the 2022 - 2023 batch of graduate trainees com menced their training.

According to Massy Guyana, the training lasted one year, and all graduates were assigned a mentor to

CT scan now free at GPHC

CT SCANS will now be performed free of cost at the Georgetown Pub lic Hospital Corporation (GPHC), a release from the hospital said.

According to the release, Chief Executive Officer (ag), Robbie Rambarran, made this announcement after meeting with the Board of Directors on Thursday. This change in policy will

take effect from November 1, 2022, the release noted.

“The cost of a scan var ies and the hospital’s man agement realised what a heavy financial strain pa tients may be burdened with. This will translate to patients saving as much as from $15,000 to $52,000 for a computerised tomography (CT) scan.

“Also, it will assist in

expediting the treatment and care of the patient. Patients will no longer have to worry about arranging financial transaction in order to foot the bill. So this move will eliminate any financial dif ficulty.

Management is cogni sant of the cost of living and does empathise with anyone suffering from any illness,” the release said.

guide them through the practical and theo retical aspects of their training.

“This initiative is part of a larger effort by Massy Guyana to con tinue to provide its cus tomers with excellent products and services, while providing jobs for people within the Guyana community.

Succession planning and a deliberate effort to maintain 100 per cent local staff within the Massy Group, and to continue to provide excellent customer service, are the driv ing forces behind the programme that runs annually,” according to Public Communica tions Strategist Marti na Johnson.

The trainees with their certificates flanked by Massy Guyana officials, after their successful training

AFC still ‘dilly-dallying’ on participation in LGEs

IN similar fashion to its co alition partner, the Alliance For Change (AFC) is also still to officially say whether or not it will be participating in the Local Government Elections (LGEs), notwith standing the polls being just a little over four months away.

On Friday, during the party’s weekly press confer ence, AFC Chairman, Cathay Hughes faced questions about the AFC’s position on the im minent elections, and how the delay will affect the party, giv en that it reduces the amount of time that the party will have to carry out campaign activities, should it decide to participate.

In response, Hughes said that the issue would be deter mined at the next meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC); however, she is unsure of when the meeting would be held.

“When our NEC have made that decision we will let you know. No specific date but it is a priority for us,” Hughes declared.

Hughes maintained that the AFC, like its coalition partner, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), will instead be choosing to focus its efforts on a call for a clean voters’ list. Conflictingly; however, Hughes said that

AFC Chairperson, Cathy Hughes

the party will be respecting the ruling of the court which states that names cannot be removed from the voters’ list

“ We are in a position now where we keep saying according to a decision by the CJ [Chief Justice] we cannot take names off the list. We have always said we will support the deci sions of our court,” Hughes said.

The combined AP NU+AFC continues to call for a “clean voters’ list” but without saying how this will be done without undermining the High Court’s ruling that the removal of the names of persons on the list of regis

trants on the basis of residen cy would be unconstitutional.

Chief Justice (ag), Rox anne George, in August of 2019, had ruled that persons cannot be removed from the National Database of Registrants through houseto-house registration but through claims and objec tions and the provision of names of deceased persons by the General Registrar’s Office to GECOM.

Chairman of Guyana Elec tions Commission (GECOM), Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh, has repeatedly made clear that the elections body will not be acting in contradic tion of the law as it pertains to the voters’ list.

During Friday’s press con ference, Hughes also did not mention whether the APNU and AFC would be choosing to contest the LGE as one party or as separate entities.

In a shocking move, the AFC contested the 2018 LGEs separate from the APNU; however, this saw dismal re sults for the party at the polls. This resulted in the AFC’s power in the Coali tion being reduced, and in a revised Cummingsburg Accord, the agreement that governs the partnership between the two, the AFC’s seat in Parliament was re duced by 10 per cent.

Kurt Baboolall appointed CEO of energy conference and expo

THE International Energy Conference and Expo Guy ana (IECEG), on Friday, announced the appointment of Kurt Baboolall as Chief Executive Officer, with ef fect from October 1, 2022.

Baboolall holds a Master of Business Administration from the Australian Institute of Business, a Degree in Business Management, and a Diploma in Banking and Finance from the University of Guyana. Prior to his ap pointment, he served as the Director of Operations for IECEG 2022, a release said.

Speaking on his appoint ment, Baboolall said: “I am looking forward to the amaz ing opportunity of serving as CEO of an organisation that was responsible for bring ing together heads of state and heads of government, policymakers, academics and energy industry execu tives to discuss ideas around the further development of Guyana’s burgeoning energy sector. The International En ergy Conference and Expo Guyana has established itself as one of the leading energy conferences regionally and has attracted tremendous lo cal, regional and international support. I look forward to

IECEG CEO, Kurt Baboolall

contributing to the continued growth of this event.”

Before his tenure at IECEG, Kurt was Business Development Manager – of Ibis Construction Equipment Sales & Rentals (ICON) – a Joint Venture with Farfan & Mendes and FT Farfan from Trinidad between 2016-2020, Business Manager at Sco tiabank between 2006-2016 and Seasonal Auditor for the Edward Beharry Group of Companies between 20002004, the release said.

Chairman of the Inter

national Energy Conference and Expo Guyana, Anthony Whyte said, “We are delight ed to have Mr. Baboolall take the helm as CEO as we head into the 2023 edition of the IECEG under the theme ‘Har nessing Energy for Develop ment’. The conference and expo have been able to garner overwhelming return support from this year’s exhibitors and sponsors. In addition, we have also seen substantial interest from new players across the energy sector and also from other sectors such as agriculture, mining, and forestry, to name a few.”

Whyte added further: “We continue to focus on building new business re lationships and strategic al liances locally, regionally, and internationally, I am confident that Kurt has the experience and skillset to effectively drive this strategy forward for the benefit of the conference, Guyana, and the region.”

The 2023 edition of the International Energy Con ference and Expo Guyana will take place from Feb ruary 14-17, 2023 at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Georgetown, Guyana, the release concluded.

arrest' of attorney by SOCU draws strong condemnation

WHILE noting that her arrest by ranks of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) was unfor tunate, Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Af fairs Anil Nandlall, S.C., on Friday issued an apol ogy to Attorney-at-Law Tamieka Clarke.

Clarke was detained after she advised her client not to sign a pre-prepared statement, and to remain si lent. The actions of SOCU have been strongly con demned by many in the legal fraternity, including the Bar Association of Guyana and the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL).

The AG, in a video posted on his Facebook page, said that after hearing that the legal officer was held by SOCU, he, as “a constitutional legal adviser to the police force” imme diately intervened to have her released.

According to Nandlall, he advised SOCU’s head, Fizal Karimbaskh, and the officer who was conducting the said investigation to re lease Clarke immediately.

“I spoke with Miss Clarke, and I informed her of my intervention and my advice, and I offered my apologies for the unfortu nate incident,” Nandlall said.

The Police Office of Professional Responsibility has since been instructed to investigate the incident.

A press conference was subsequently held by Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes and other members of Clarke’s legal team.

The young attorney told reporters that she will be filing a lawsuit against the SOCU for her unlawful arrest.

The former State Pros ecutor said she was de tained for over an hour by the SOCU officers for “obstructing the course of justice” because she told her client of his right to remain silent. Her client was under investigation for computer-related fraud.

Clarke said that while at SOCU, the officers wanted her client to sign a prepared statement, and she advised him against doing so, since it was not prepared in his presence.

“He told the officer that he is going with the advice of his attorney, and he will not be signing any statement,” Clarke said. She explained that while inquiring if her client was free to leave, an officer accused her of preventing her client from giving the statement.

The attorney said she was arrested for obstruc

tion and placed in a room by a male officer. While in the room, her cell-phone was taken away, along with her watch.

“I tried to leave. I got up and I was walking out. [A SOCU officer] ran and blocked the door. The offi cer who arrested me stood by the door… I didn’t say anything. I remained silent until my attorneys came,” Clarke said as she reflected on the ordeal.

While speaking at the press conference, Hughes said that the lawsuit will set precedence to ensure that lawyers’ rights are protected.

“ This is not a PPP, PNC, AFC or anybody else’s issue. This is an is sue where every attorney in this country, including the Attorney-General, when he is in private practice, is entitled to go to the sta tion and advise their client that they have the right to remain silent if they’re the suspect,” Hughes said.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Bar Association (GBA), in a statement, said that the Rule of Law and the funda mental right to Counsel are stated to be hallmarks of a democratic society.

The association said that the actions of SOCU towards Clarke, sought to destroy these foundations of democracy.

“The Bar Association unreservedly and unequiv ocally condemns the ac tions of the Guyana Po lice Force. Such action is disturbing, perverse, unlawful, oppressive and wholly unacceptable,” the release said.

The Association also called upon the Commis sioner of Police to issue an apology, and to com pensate Clarke for her unlawful imprisonment. The body also asked for a full investigation to be launched into the attor ney’s treatment, and “dis ciplinary action, including termination of any offi cer(s) who were aware of and allowed this type con

duct.”

The release added: “The Bar Association, in clusive of its Criminal Bar Committee, do not take this matter lightly and will take all necessary steps to en sure that our members can exercise their professional duties without intimidation and that the Rule of Law is upheld.”

The Women Lawyers Association in its state ment said it “vehemently condemns” the arrest of the attorney.

“SOCU by their actions intimidated Ms. Clarke and prevented her from executing her duties to her client. At no time should an Attorney- at-Law be fearful of executing his/ her duties”, the statement said while adding that an attorney has the legal right and responsibility to offer legal counsel to their client.

“One such responsibil ity is to remind the client that he/she cannot be com pelled to give evidence in a criminal matter, which is enshrined in Article 144(7) of the Constitution of Co-operative Repub lic of Guyana. The Attor ney-at-Law advising her client that he has a right to remain silent during an in terview is not outside of the scope of the law”, it said.

Like the Bar Associ ation, the GAWL called on the Commissioner of Police to issue an apology and cause an investigation to be promptly conducted into the actions of SOCU.

Meanwhile, attorneys across Guyana in showing their solidarity added the hashtag #IStandWithTamie ka in social media posts.

Attorney-at-law, Dex ter Smartt in his post said, “As defence attorneys, we never take for granted ac cusations made by our cli ents about their treatment while in police custody or the manner in which they were taken into custody. However, what happened today should leave you to question, if this is how an attorney-at-law can be treated by the police, an attorney who has been practicing for over seven years, four of which was on behalf of the State, then what treatment would be fall the common citizen who does not give the po lice the information they demand.

Even more worrying is the fact that she was warned that if her client doesn’t give the state ment she will be arrested and also the fact that the statement was prepared by the officers in advance of the visit of counsel with her client,” he said.

Attorney-at-Law

Tamieka Clarke

Farm services centres to be

THE Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Agriculture, on Thursday, inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Planet One Agro Ventures Limited, making way for the development of several integrated farm services centres across Guyana.

According to a release, once established, the centres will seek to improve Guyana’s agro-productivity as well as farmers’ pro cessing capabilities.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, who signed the MoU on behalf of the gov ernment, said the agreement, to some extent, makes way for a more modernised sector, which he added, was in keeping with the government’s plan for the sector.

While giving some insight on the proj ect scope, Minister Mustapha said that the company will be responsible for delivering solutions, geared at empowering farmers, through the establishment of farm infrastruc ture development.

“This entails the designing, building, and or construction of industrial standards infra structure to host processing units, specialised agriculture and laboratories for agriculture research and development among other things. They will also look at the procure ment and supply of farm mechanisation tools and equipment, crop productivity equipment

which includes equipment for soil laborato ries, as well as equipment for bio laborato ries for biofertiliser and pesticide equipment for ITC laboratories,” he explained.

Minister Mustapha also said that the MoU will allow for the empowerment of farming communities.

“When these centres are set up, farm ers within those areas will benefit from technological transfers. They will be able to improve their farming skills while ben efitting from technology software devel opment, training, and capacity-building programmes,” he added.

Over the next six months, Planet One Agro Ventures Limited is expected to prepare a detailed project plan, as well as an implementation strategy and a financial proposal, after which both parties will move forward with the project which is expected to be in operation before the end of Novem ber 2024.

Planet One Agro Ventures Limited forms part of the Planet One Group of Companies which serve as a potent vehicle for farmers to step up and achieve their production targets.

Its service centres provide farmers with access to agricultural know-how on modern farming techniques and storage practices, the release said.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, along with one of Planet One Agro Ventures Limited’s Directors, Kuljit Ahluwalia

be

developed across Guyana

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, along with representatives from PlanetOne Agro Ventures Limited and other representatives from the ministry

Rural areas bear the brunt of migration pressure

RURAL areas bear the greatest burden related to forced displacement, both in terms of outmigration and hosting large num bers of ‘incomers’, high lighted Director-General of the Food and Agricul ture Organisation (FAO), QU Dongyu, at the In -

ternational Dialogue on Migration 2022.

The event noted that human migration is at its highest level ever, and food security, along with cli mate patterns and conflicts, is one of the main drivers.

The dialogue, organised by the International Organi

sation for Migration (IOM), focused this year on “Over lapping global crises: the impacts of food insecurity and climate change on mi gration and displacement.”

Opening the event, the IOM Director- General, António Vitorini, noted that food security is a major

issue today and is destined to be a greater one tomor row, with growing risks that distribution problems today will be replaced by food production problems next year. He also empha sised that climate impacts are shaping migration in all parts of the world.

FAO Director-General Qu welcomed those in troductory remarks, not ing that 80 per cent of the world’s displaced people are in countries or territo ries affected by acute food insecurity and malnutrition and that face climate and other disaster risks.

“Rural people have few er opportunities and re sources to adapt to a chang ing climate and repeated exposure to climate events increases the risk of pov erty,” he said, noting that this puts a lot of pressure on people to migrate or be forcibly displaced, or, worse, trapped in high risk areas unable to move.

FAO’s work on cli mate mitigation, resilience building and early action is geared to ensure that migration is a choice in stead of a necessity, he added. He also noted that, since taking office three years ago, one-third of the emergency and resilience funding managed by FAO is allocated to address the challenge of distress mi gration.

“Investing in agrifood systems transformation and longer-term responses is key to strengthening the re silience of agrifood systems to risks, including conflict, extreme weather events and economic shocks,” Qu said, who added: “Effective and sustainable support to smallholder farmers will be vital to ensure they are part of the solution, and to localise supply chains.”

Other participants in the opening session of the dialogue, including the Director-General of the World Health Organi sation and the Special Presidential Envoy for

Drought Response, Soma lia, noted the broad spec trum of ways that broken agrifood systems can trig ger migration problems, through increased disease and communal conflicts.

NEW PATHWAYS

FAO’s Director-Gen eral encouraged opti mism, saying that migra tion should also be seen as a “potential positive force for the green transition”.

Investments in mi grants and in diaspora communities, and the transfer of skills and knowledge in climate-re silient livelihoods and cli mate-smart technologies, can contribute to promot ing green agri-businesses and improve access to food, Qu said.

“New pathways for re silience should also look at creating enabling condi tions to harness the poten tial of migration for climate change adaptation in areas of origin, transit and desti nation,” he added.

He pointed to FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative, which is or ganising a broad set of investments in Central America’s Dry Corri dor region, where water management problems and recurring droughts are pushing a lot of fam ily farmers to leave their homes.

He also reminded policy makers that FAO has, to gether with the United Na tions University, developed a global guide and toolkit to facilitate the integration of human mobility into National Adaptation Plans and Nationally Determined Contributions from a rural livelihood perspective.

The IOM-hosted Dia logue continues through Tuesday with panels ad dressing a range of issues, including one on gen der-responsive approach es featuring Giorgia Prati, a Migration and Climate Change specialist at FAO. (FAO)

Top, from left: IOM Director-General, António Vitorini; FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu; and WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Bottom, from left: Janez Lenar?i?, European Commissioner for Crisis Management; Sameh Shoukry, Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs and COP27 President-Des ignate; and Abdirahman Abdishakur, Special Presidential Envoy for Drought Response, Somalia

RACING TIPS

Arab Emirates

Jebel Ali

08:15

08:45

English Racing

Newmarket

08:03

Of Reason

10:58

Ayr

In

Ascot

Dream

Burg

Pictons

Light

Speed

Not For Dylan

Nassalam

Clipper

Of Absence

Dream In The Park

Boi Blue

08:53

Mk’s Pride

Pink Tourmaline

Black Thorn

Irish Racing Tips Galway

Impero

Sandor Clegane

Itswhatunitesus

12:13

Allibaba

American Racing Tips

Race

Inflation

South Africa

09:53

Guily Billy

Coventry

Likable Chancer

Royal Rhythm

Race

Photon Race

Cleat Race

Winit Race

Freedom Trail Race

Canadian Racing Tips Woodbine Race

Dreams And Schemes Race

Smiles For David Race

Curlin Candy Race

Mrs. Green

Baby Yolda Race

Chorus Girl Race

Boston Post Road

Meraas

Silver Bullet Lady Race

Summertime Magic Race

Swoop To Finish

Renegade Rebel Race

Ireland, Afghanistan share points in rained-out fixture

(ICC) - Melbourne's fickle weather won out yesterday with the ICC Men's T20 World Cup clash between Afghan istan and Ireland offi cially abandoned with out a ball being bowled.

Persistent showers fell across the MCG

for much of the day as ground staff kept the covers on and the pitch under wraps ahead of yesterday's double-head er.

Play was eventual ly called off just after 16:30hrs (local time), with both Afghanistan

and Ireland receiving one-point apiece to stay in contention for a semi-final berth.

Ireland move up to second place in the Group 1 standings with three points through three games, while Af ghanistan remain sixth

with two Super 12 matches remaining.

It is hoped the show ers will clear in time for the big clash be tween arch-rivals Aus tralia and England to proceed at the same ground from 19:00hrs (local time).

Russell leads shortened second practice after Leclrec heavy crash

(F1) - George Russell put Mercedes at the top of the timesheets during second practice for the Mexico City Grand Prix, with the extended session – featuring more 2023 tyre testing – punctuat ed by a heavy crash for Charles Leclerc.

As per the United States GP weekend, yes terday’s second session at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez was stretched out from 60 to 90 min utes, allowing for plenty of prescribed runs (which included set stint lengths and fuel loads) on the un marked development Pire lli rubber.

But it was Russell who led the way with an early lap time of 1m 19.970s on 2022-spec soft tyres, given that the regular driv ers who sat out FP1 were permitted to run their own programme for the first half of the session to help them make up for lost time (Russell having handed his car to Nyck de Vries).

Not long after Russell’s pace-setting effort, Leclerc lost control of his Ferrari at the entry to the highspeed Turn 7 and dramat ically slid backwards into the barriers on the outside of Turn 8, inflicting signif icant damage on the car’s rear end and bringing out the red flags.

With Leclerc un

harmed, his car cleared away and the barriers re paired, the action resumed shortly after the halfway mark, but there were no changes at the front of the order as drivers worked their way through further tyre tests.

Behind the pace-setting Russell, Yuki Tsunoda and Esteban Ocon also used the current C4 soft as they returned to action, albeit with the AlphaTauri driver some eight-tenths adrift, and the Alpine man more than a second off the pace.

Lewis Hamilton led the pack of cars running solely on the unmarked Pirellis, 1.5s down on his Mercedes team mate, fol lowed closely by the Red Bulls of home favourite Sergio Perez and double world champion Max Ver stappen.

Leclerc wound up P7

after his hefty crash, as Ferrari team mate Car los Sainz, Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas and the other AlphaTauri of Gasly completed the top 10 posi tions in overcast but warm conditions.

FP2 was another valu able session for Pirelli as the manufacturer gathered more 2023 tyre data

Alpine’s Fernando Alonso, fresh from his P7 finish in Austin be ing reinstated, wound up 11th, ahead of Sebastian Vettel, the man he will re place at Aston Martin next season, with Alex Albon 13th after he sat out FP1 and lost around half an hour of track time FP2 as mechanics worked on his Williams.

McLaren pair Lando Norris and Daniel Ric ciardo took P14 and P15 respectively, as Lance

Stroll’s Aston Martin, the Haas cars of Mick Schum acher and Kevin Magnus sen, Nicholas Latifi’s Wil liams and Zhou Guanyu’s Alfa Romeo brought up the rear – the latter signal ling a slightly early end to the session when he stopped in the final sector.

Magnussen was the other driver to miss first practice, during which stand-in Pietro Fittipaldi ground to a halt, with the Dane’s day made worse by confirmation of an engine change that will lead to a five-place grid penalty for the Grand Prix.

Attention will now turn to the third and final practice session in Mexico City, which is scheduled to get under way at 12:00hrs (GMT local time) today.

Red Bull enters Accepted Breach Agreement with FIA

(F1) - Red Bull have entered an Accepted Breach Agreement (ABA) with the FIA following a breach of the 2021 Financial Regulations, F1’s governing body has said.

For the first time in F1 history, all 10 teams were required to submit accounts of their annual spending against the Cost Cap for 2021 by the following March.

Yesterday in Mexico, the FIA announced Red Bull was found to be in breach.

“The Cost Cap Administration recognised that Red Bull Racing has acted cooperatively throughout the re view process and has sought to provide additional infor mation and evidence when requested in a timely manner, that this is the first year of the full application of the Financial Regulations and that there is no accusation or evidence that RBR (Red Bull Racing) has sought at any time to act in bad faith, dishonestly or in fraudulent manner, nor has it wilfully concealed any information from the Cost Cap Administration,” said the FIA.

“In these circumstances, the Cost Cap Administra tion offered to RBR an ABA to resolve this matter. That offer was accepted by RBR.”

In the summary, it was revealed Red Bull exceeded the 2021 Cost Cap of £118,036,000 by less than 5% (£1,864.000 or 1.6%), which is a minor breach. The FIA said they acknowledge that had Red Bull applied “the correct treatment within its Full Year Reporting Docu mentation of their Notional Tax Credit within its 2021 submission of a value of £1,431,438” and therefore they would have exceeded the cap by $432,652 or 0.37%.

Regarding sanctions, Red Bull must pay $7M to the FIA within 30 days of the date of execution of the ABA.

The FIA stated: "There is no accusation or evidence that RBR (Red Bull Racing) has sought at any time to act in bad faith, dishonestly or in fraudulent manner…"

They also receive a minor sporting penalty in the form of 10% reduction in their allocated Restricted Wind Tunnel Testing and Restricted Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) limits.

Based on Red Bull’s championship position, the coefficient used to calculate their allocation will drop from 70% to 63%.

Red Bull will also bear the costs incurred by the Cost Cap Administration in connection with the prepa ration of the ABA.

The FIA said the decision of the Cost Cap Adminis tration to enter into the ABA “constitutes its final deci sion resolving this matter and is not subject to appeal”.

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner was ex pected to comment on the news later yesterday morning in Mexico City.

Non-compliance by Red Bull with any terms of the ABA will result in further procedural breach and automatic referral to the Cost Cap Adjudication Panel.

Earlier this year, Williams were fined $25 000 following a procedural breach of the financial rules. The British team missed the deadline to submit their annual spending.

George Russell

Sir Andy questions Jimmy Adams effectiveness

(CMC) – Sir Andy Rob erts has questioned the effectiveness of director of cricket, Jimmy Ad ams, claiming the former West Indies captain ap peared to be on a ‘joyride’ rather than actively overseeing the develop ment of the international squad.

The 71-year-old fast bowling legend said Ad ams, appointed to the role in 2017, rarely spoke to the issues of cricket devel opment in the region and seemed not to be focussing on this key area.

“Do you think that the cricket board has been watching the performance of the Director of Cricket over the years? So how

have they not made that change for all this time,” Sir Andy said.

“I hardly hear the Director of Cricket say anything concerning the development of cricket. I think Jimmy has been on a joyride for a long time because he hasn’t come out and said (anything) pertaining to which direc tion the cricket is going.”

Adams’ performance has come under the spot light in the wake of West Indies’ shock exit from the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia, where the Nich olas Pooran-led unit failed to get out of the qualifying stage.

The debacle triggered the resignation of head

coach Phil Simmons and also led to widespread speculation over the top posts in Cricket West In dies.

Adams, 54, replaced controversial Englishman Richard Pybus in January 2017, after spending five years as head coach of

English county Kent.

Sir Andy argued Ad ams was guilty of spend ing too much time focus sing on the fitness aspect of players and not their skills development.

“Most of what I hear the director talk about is the fitness of the players

and I think that shouldn’t be his portfolio,” the Anti guan told Starcom Radio’s Mason and Guest cricket show.

“His portfolio is to en hance the skills of the players – that’s what he should be focussed on, instead of primarily the fitness of players.

“He should be more into the development of the skills set of these play ers because when you look at it, Ireland are more skil ful than we, Zimbabwe are more skilful and it shows.”

And Sir Andy said con cerning the development of the West Indies’ skills set, there was need for a change of focus from the traditional power-hitting.

“All this time people talking about power-hit ting … cricket is not based on power-hitting whether it’s Test match, ODI, T20,” he stressed. “The skills are what is going to carry you through.”

West Indies entered the tournament in Australia as two-time former cham pions, having won titles in 2012 and 2016, both under all-rounder Darren Sammy.

However, they were swept 2-0 by hosts Australia in a pre-tourna ment series before suffer ing defeats to minnows Scotland and Ireland to bow out of contention in the eight-team qualifiers.

Lack of personal development hindering West Indies — Sir Andy

(CMC) – Test legend

Sir Andy Roberts has again pointed to the lack of “personal devel opment” by players as central to West Indies’ run of poor form but has also criticised the coaching staff for their lack of innovation.

Speaking in the wake of the Caribbean side’s shock exit from the on going Twenty20 World Cup in Australia, Sir Andy said there was lit tle coaches could do if players were not willing to take responsibility for their own form.

“I have said all the time, my emphasis is not so much on coaching. My emphasis is on the players improving them

selves because there’s nothing the coach can do if the players cannot perform,” Sir Andy told Starcom Radio’s Mason and Guest cricket show.

“I’ve said it more than once – our players need to embark on personal development. They have to develop their game.”

West Indies were in stalled in Group B of an eight-team qualifying series but failed to get into the top two in order to qualify for the Super 12s, finishing last on two points.

The Nicholas Pooranled unit crashed to a heavy 42-run defeat to Scotland in their open er before rebounding

to beat Zimbabwe by 31 runs in their second match.

Needing to win their final game against min nows Ireland, West In dies slumped to a com prehensive nine-wicket loss, to tumble out of the

tournament.

Only one batter –Brandon King – scored a half-century while none managed an aggregate above 80 runs in the three qualifying games.

Sir Andy, who prior to the tournament had

said West Indies would struggle to qualify, also chided the lack of imagi nation shown by the Phil Simmons-led coaching staff.

“The only problem I have with the coaching staff is that they don’t try anything different,” Sir Andy contended.

“They did the same thing in all the matches that we played. They used the same people to open the batting (and) to open the bowling.

“You have two play ers – Kyle Mayers and Akeal Hosein – open ing the bowling in all the matches and it’s not working out so why don’t you try somebody

else? Why don’t you give Alzarri (Joseph) the new ball? Why don’t you give (Jason) Holder?

“That’s the only problem I have with the coaching staff … they stick to the same script. You have to try things.”

Simmons earlier this week tendered his res ignation and will depart the side following the two-Test series against Australia next month.

Cricket West In dies (CWI) president, Ricky Skerritt, said a post-mortem of the side’s performance would be carried out on “all aspects of our World Cup preparation and performance”.

CWI’s director of cricket, Jimmy Adams

Head coach Phil Simmons resigned following West Indies’ shock exit

CG United

Cup players

CRICKET West Indies (CWI) today confirmed the players who will compete in the CG United Super50 Cup, after all eight teams finalised their squads.

The 50-over tournament will bowl off in Antigua on today with a match between the Leeward Islands Hurricanes and the West Indies Academy at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (SVRS).

Defending champions Trin idad & Tobago Red Force open their campaign on October 31 against Combined Campuses & Colleges (CCC) at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA). The final will be played on Saturday, November 19 at the SVRS.

The other two venues for the tournament are the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) in Anti gua and the Queen’s Park Oval (QPO) in Trinidad.

Johnny Grave, CEO of CWI said: “The countdown is on for the start of the CG United

Super50 2022 and there is great anticipation across the whole region ahead of today’s opening contest. We are delighted to con firm all the squad lists for what promises to be an exciting three weeks of competition.

Fans will be delighted to see some of their favourite players in action once again as they go head-to-head in a bid to capture the CG United Sir Clive Lloyd Trophy.”

The eight teams have been drawn in two groups of four, with Zone A featuring defending champions and hosts Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, Guyana Harpy Eagles, Windward Is lands Volcanoes, and Combined Campuses and Colleges. Zone B will be played in Antigua and will feature Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Barbados Pride, Jamaica Scorpions, and West Indies Academy.

The eight captains are: Nich olas Pooran (Trinidad and Toba go Red Force), Leon Johnson (Guyana Harpy Eagles), Denesh

Ramdin (Combined Campuses and Colleges), Andre Fletcher (Windward Islands Volcanoes), Shai Hope (Barbados Pride), Rovman Powell (Jamaica Scor pions), Nyeem Young (West Indies Academy) and Jahmar Hamilton (Leeward Islands Hur ricanes).

Due to the returning contin gent from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, CWI allowed for larger squads from the originally stipulated 14 players. However, this will only be applicable for the period prior to the departure of the West Indies Test team on November 8 when the teams must revert to 14 players.

Fans in the region can watch the matches live from the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on ESPN Caribbean. Overseas broadcast partners are ESPN+ (USA), BT Sport (UK & Ireland) and FanCode (India).

Additionally, LIVE ball-byball scoring for all 27 CG United Super50 Cup matches will be available on the www.windie

scricket.com match centre.

FULL SQUADS: ZONE A (Trinidad)

Combined Campuses and Colleges: Denesh Ramdin (cap tain), Matthew Forde (vice-cap tain), Amari Goodridge, Abhijai Mansingh, Demario Richards, Isaiah Ali, Jonathan Drakes, Kirstan Kallicharan, Michail Powell, Nathan Edward, Navin Bidaisee, Odain McCatty, Ro mario Greaves, Zavier Burton.

Guyana Harpy Eagles: Leon Johnson (captain), Veerasam my Permaul (vice-captain), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Te vin Imlach, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Quentin Sampson, Clinton Pestano, Gudakesh Motie, Anthony Bramble, Nial Smith, Kevin Sinclair, Kemol Savory.

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force: Nicholas Pooran (cap tain), Sunil Narine (vice-cap tain), Joshua Da Silva, Evin Lewis, Akeal Hosein, Anderson Phillip, Darren Bravo, Imran

Khan, Jason Mohammed, Jayden Seales, Jeremy Solozano, Jyd Goolie, Khary Pierre, Kjorn Ottley, Mark Deyal, Shannon Gabriel, Terrance Hinds, Yannic Cariah.

Windward Islands Volca noes: Andre Fletcher (captain), Alick Athanaze (vice-captain), Johann Jeremiah, Kavem Hodge, Keron Cottoy, Sunil Ambris, Ryan John, Larry Edward, Ken neth Dember, Shermon Lewis, Preston McSween, Darel Cyrus, Justin Greaves, Tevyn Walcott, Johnson Charles, Obed McCoy.

ZONE B (Antigua)

Barbados Pride: Shai Hope (captain), Camarie Boyce, Kraigg Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Akeem Jordan, Nicholas Kirton, Javed Leacock, Jair McAllister, Zach ary McCaskie, Roshon Prim us, Ramon Simmonds, Shamar Springer, Jomel Warrican.

Jamaica Scorpions: Rovman Powell (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain), Chad

wick Walton, Aldaine Thomas, Brandon King, Marquino Mind ley, Nicholson Gordon, Jamie Merchant, Alwyn Williams, Nkrumah Bonner, Dennis Bulli, Andre McCarthy, Jeavor Royal, Pete Salmon, Odean Smith, Sheldon Cottrell.

Leeward Islands Hurricanes: Jahmar Hamilton (captain), Rah keem Cornwall (vice-captain) Devon Thomas, Kieran Powell, Colin Archibald, Terance Warde, Jeremiah Louis, Keacy Carty, Ross Powell, Kofi James, Dami on Williams, Sheeno Berridge, Hayden Walsh Jr, Karima Gore.

West Indies Academy: Ny eem Young (captain), Kirk McK enzie, Kevlon Anderson, Ash mead Nedd, Ackeem Auguste, Teddy Bishop, McKenny Clarke, Johann Layne, Kevin Wickham, Carlon Bowen-Tuckett, Josh ua Bishop, Keagan Simmons, Joshua James, Leonardo Julien, Kelvin Pitman.

(ICC) - Two-time ICC Men's T20 World Cup-winning cap tain Darren Sammy has re vealed where he thinks it all went wrong for the West Indies at this year's event and what the Caribbean side needs to do to become a powerhouse again.

Sammy knows better than most what it takes to perform on the big stage, with the 38-yearold having captained the West Indies to many of their greatest successes in the shortest format of the game and leading the team to T20 World Cup titles in 2012 and 2016.

And just like many other for mer greats, Sammy was shocked to see his old team bundled out of the tournament during the First Round in Australia as they fell to disappointing losses to Scotland and Ireland.

Sammy believes the West Indies got much wrong during their time in Australia and they were tactically inept during much of their three First Round matches.

"I thought as a team we were quite poor tactically and the problem wasn’t the calibre of players as we had enough talent to play much better," Sammy said.

"The cricket we play now doesn’t match the talent we have

in the team.

"The team lacked inspira tion, they lacked motivation and tactically we were not on song.

"When you look at a wicket and you have Jason Holder who is six-foot-eight (inches) and you have Alzarri Joseph who is bowling well and you keep opening the bowling with Kyle Mayers ….

“No disrespect to him (May ers) as conditions in St Lucia in the Caribbean are quite differ ent to Australia’s where the ball bounces.

"You have got to win the Powerplays both with the bat and the ball, and we found our selves losing the power-plays and having to bring the bowlers back on to try and bring us back into the game, and it was the same with the bat."

The fallout from the West

Indies' performance was swift;, with Australia great Ricky Pont ing labelling their efforts a dis grace and Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Ricky Sker ritt promising a full review into what went wrong Down Under.

Experienced coach Phil Sim mons also announced he would stand down from his position at the end of the year and Sammy knows the West Indies must get their next coaching appointment right.

"The sad thing is that not many people are putting their hands up to come and coach the West Indies," Sammy noted.

"Even though we were not performing at Tests and ODI, we dominated T20I cricket (dur ing his playing career) and that was something that would bring smiles to the fans and now we have lost it.

"Whoever comes in (as coach) needs to be tactically sound, have good man man agement skills and the people around him need to be techni cally correct.”

PAKISTAN FANS IN PERTH

Sammy is adamant that the culture must change quickly otherwise the West Indies will find themselves in a mire for some time.

"There needs to be some learnings and some teachings about what we represent; as whether you like it or not, West Indies is still every fan's second favourite team,” Sammy said.

"The world needs West In dies cricket to be strong and we were not there tactically and I have spoken about that.

"There needs to be a new inspiration as the team outgrew the staff in the dressing room.

"But we have the guys. You look at Jason Holder, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Shai Hope ... there is no lack of talent.

"It is about picking the right personnel for the situa tion and the different stages that the game needs, with proper planning and the right players for the right time."

Former West Indies captain Darren Sammy

Bounty Supermarkets National Indoor Tournament … GBTI GCC Tigers; Woodpecker Hikers remain undefeated

ON Thursday night, the Bounty Super markets National In door Tournament got off to a similar start as the previous day, with Saints Superstars brushing aside Saints Scorpions 5-0 in the 2nd Division catego ry. Javid Hussain reg istered his name on the scoresheet in the 13th minute, followed by Quinn Tobin who scored a double. Ja bari Lovell and Robert Marcus also netted one apiece for the Super stars.

In the next matchup of this division, YMCA Old Fort BETA and Saints Snipers played to a 2-2 draw.

In the Ladies divi sion, GBTI GCC Tigers and Woodpecker Hikers remain undefeated. The GCC ladies drubbed Saints 7-1 while Wood pecker Hikers edged Old Fort Igniters 2-1. Cap tain Gabriella Xavier chalked up a hat-trick, Sandy Roopnarine a double, supported by

Sarah Klautky and Mad ison with one apiece.

Maria Munroe and LaTacia Chung scored for the Hikers ladies while Clayza Bobb (Saints) and Minoso da Culpepper (Igniters) were the lone goalscor ers for the non-victori ous sides.

The men's division saw Pepsi Hikers beat Bounty GCC 7-5 in an intense showdown. Jam raj Assanah ‘Shaq’ was in overdrive, scoring a

hat-trick for his team. Shaq was supported by Devin Munroe, Colo nel Heywood, Andrew Stewart and Rayon Bradford.

Mark Sargeant in fine style raided the Hikers’ circle scoring a double for his team while Ka reem McKenzie, Me shach Sargeant and Kev in Spencer also managed to find the back of Hik ers’ net. Both teams bat tled for ball possession throughout the game

but the Hikers men re mained unbeaten.

The Veterans match up was between Hickers and YMCA Old Fort with the Old Fort men giving a sterling perfor mance. Newcomer to this category, Jason De Santos was unstoppable as he secured a hat-trick for his team. Chris Lowe added a brace.

The goalscorers for Hickers were Ran dy Hope and Robert France.

Courts Pee Wee enters round of 16 today

THE round of 16 action in the 2022 Courts Pee Wee foot ball tournament gets going today at the Ministry of Education ground.

According to a re lease from organisers, the PETRA Organi sation, the teams will now play for seeding

(positions 1-16) with the winners moving onto the quarterfinals and the losers playing for a plate (9-16) draw.

Ann’s Grove have the first crack of ac tion when they play Tucville Primary at 11:30hrs with St Pius and Den Amstel play ing on pitch two.

At 12:20hrs, Soes dyke and Craig Pri mary School do bat tle along with West Ruimveldt and Smith Memorial.

Enterprise Prima ry and Timehri Pri mary will clash from 13:30hrs with Marian Academy and Colaaco facing on pitch two,

while Mocha Primary and Redeemer Prima ry will play the last set of fixtures from 14:00hrs along with Winfer Gardens and North Georgetown.

The tournament is being organised with support from the Ministry of Education and Sterling products.

MVP Sports Futsal Ladies action to begin tonight

THE highly anticipated ladies segment of the MVP Sports Futsal tournament will commence this evening at the National Gymnasium.

In the opening game of the evening, Conquer ors will play Tiger Bay from 18:30hrs with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) playing Herstelling at 19:10hrs.

Police and GT Panthers clash at 19:50hrs with Santos and Avocado Ballers playing the final game of the night.

The male segment begins at 20:30hrs with Stabroek Ballers playing BV, while Vengy will oppose Sophia at 21:15hrs.

Future Stars and Tiger Bay come together for the 22:00hrs fixture with Goal is Money and Mocha Family clashing at 22:45hrs.

Back Circle and Campbellville wills square off at 23:30hrs with Sparta and Bent Street battling at 00:15hrs.

Wednesday evening’s matches at the National Gymnasium opened with Campbellville blanking Vengy 5-0.

Jahall Greaves (20th, 36th) along with Manasseh Primo (21st, 38th)), and Marlon Gentle (18th) accounted for the goals.

In the second game of the night, Future Stars overcame Mocha Family 6-3 with goals from Ja mal Cozier (1st, 10th, 20th), Tyrese Dennis (1st, 14th) and Raushawn Ritch (16th).

Mocha family had Shamar Jones (18th), Kevin Agard (2nd) and Ian Mars (2nd) on target.

Darren Benjamin (17th), Dextroy Adams (7th) and Phillip Rowley (8th) were the chief destructors in Goal is Money’s 3-0 drubbing of Tiger Bay.

Back Circle were also winners on the night as Cecil Jackman (10th), Dillon Kelly (17th) and Kelsey Benjamin (12th) helped them overcome Sophia (Lennox Young 2nd & 16th) by a 3-2 score line.

Sparta also beat BV Team Cruel 4-2 thanks to Ryan Hackett (1st, 16th), Marcus Wilson (18th) and Purnell Schultz (2nd).

The BV side had Shemar Fraser (3rd) and Neron Barrow (7th) on target.

Meanwhile Bent Street and Stabroek Ballers ended their fixture deadlocked at three goals apiece

Bent Street had all three goals from Deon Al fred (10th, 15th, 19th) while Stabroek had Henry Sampson (16th), Seon Taylor (4th) and Dorwin George (17th).

The tournament is being organised by the Petra Organisation with support from Mag num Tonic Wine and Lucozade.

Jael Gaskin (Old Fort) taking a shot on goal against Saints

Gabriella

(GCC)