Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 08-01-2023

130 feet building is expected to be completed by August (Elvin Croker photo)

President, Dr Irfaan Ali and his delegation arrived in India on Saturday. Dr Ali will be conferred with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award during Indian Diaspora Day in Madhya Pradesh, slated for Tuesday. President Ali joins 26 other persons of Indian origin/non-resident Indians who have been recognised by the Government of India for their outstanding achievements, both in India and abroad.

Govt’s targeted welfare measures prove most

effective against external shocks – IDB report

PROVIDING targeted assistance to lower-income groups, including the elderly, was an important approach in microeconomic and social policies which contributed to Guyana experiencing an inflation rate lower than what was recorded globally.

This is according to the December 2022 issue of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Caribbean Economics Quarterly report, titled “Headwinds facing the Post-Pandemic Recovery.”

The report focused on the six countries of the IDB Caribbean Country Department namely The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The report included measures taken by Guyana and the other Caribbean governments to stem inflation and assist their economies to grow, despite external shocks and higher commodity prices

on the world market.

“One important approach is to provide additional, targeted assistance to lower-income groups, including the elderly. For example, in Guyana, the government’ s public assistance payments for vulnerable groups were increased from US$57 to US$67 per month, benefitting approximately 18,000 people. The Old Age Pension Programme, which benefits approximately 65,000 senior citizens, also provided a series of increases that raised the monthly payment from US$98 in 2020 to US$134 in 2022,” the report noted.

Moreover, at the micro level, to support productive sectors and vulnerable populations, the government introduced several policies.

“The excise tax on petroleum was reduced from 20 to 10 percent in January, then reduced further to zero in March. Tariffs on public utility services such as water and electricity have remained

fixed, with the government absorbing higher operating costs. In addition, US$4.8 million was allocated for the purchase and distribution of fertilizer for farmers to reduce operating costs, and US$ 3.8 million was distributed in the form of one-time cash grants for households in the rural interior and riverain communities (US$120 per household),” the report noted.

According to the report, rising inflation was “imported” from commodity-price inflation that was due to external shocks, including the war in Ukraine, higher oil prices which resulted in higher fuel prices, disrupted supply chains and the COVID-19 recovery period.

Looking at the rise in commodity prices, the report noted that commodity price increases have persisted and as a result, the pass-through of these price increases inevitably has led to inflation

and overall annual inflation reached the low double-digits in several countries.

However, the annual inflation rate climbed by an average of only eight percent in the Caribbean countries covered in the report, excluding Suriname, which has been coping from high inflation since the fall of 2020.

“This average inflation rate is lower than many other countries in the world. For example, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), average inflation for Central America, Panama, and The Dominican Republic rose to 9 percent in August 2022 (Boz et al. 2022), and average annual inflation of 12.5 percent is projected for Latin America in 2022 (IMF 2022). Part of the lower inflation in the Caribbean is due to direct actions to keep prices from rising, and these actions are discussed in this report,” the report related.

“External shocks – both the rise in commodity prices and higher international interest rates – have macroeconomic consequences for Caribbean economies. Just as Caribbean economies are emerging from the sharp recessions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, a confluence of external shocks now complicates the recovery.”

The rise in commodity prices has both “nominal” (inflation) effects and real

effects on economies across the region, with the impact varying depending on the structure of the economies, and in particular, the structure of trade.

Moreover, in some cases, depreciating currencies have contributed to inflationary pressures

“It is important to note that food prices have been rising faster than overall inflation. This is to be expected, given the rise in international prices of food as a driving force for overall inflation.

However, the increase is important from a social perspective,” the report said.

The price shocks also inspired regional leaders to promote longer-term regional solutions to the dependence on imports from outside the region, notably the 25 by 25 initiative spearheaded by Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali.

The 25 by 25 aims to reduce food-import dependence by 25 percent by 2025.

“This promising objective could be achieved through a combination of increased domestic production and enhanced regional trade. Another example of the increased impetus for regional collaboration is the Saint Barnabas accord signed by the governments of Barbados and Guyana in July,” the report said.

“Finally, longer-term energy security can be enhanced by reducing dependence on imported fuel for electricity

generation. Renewables offer the hope of both greater energy independence and a “greener” future.”

In its individual country summaries, the report pointed out that Guyana saw dynamic growth in the agriculture, services, and construction in 2022, based on mid-year results

“The non-oil economy is also projected to have a better-than-expected turnout of 9.6 percent for 2022 compared to 7.7 percent projected in the country’s 2022 budget.

The main drivers of growth in the non-oil economy include agriculture, services, and construction, which are projected to grow by 11.9 percent, 6.3 percent, and 19 percent, respectively, all higher than originally estimated in the budget,” the report noted.

Guyana is also set to benefit significantly from increased global prices for a number of exported commodities including gold and aluminum, which is made from bauxite which is exported by Guyana, and soya-beans.

“Guyana has initiated several policy responses to address some of the challenges it faces, even in light of its increased GDP growth.

Guyana is among the governments in the region that have been organizing investment forums to promote technological improvements in agriculture and foreign direct investment,” the report said.

US$8M GUYTRAC complex to transform Prospect

... on track to be completed in August

By Cassandra Khan

THE US$8 million (approximately GY$1.6 billion) headquarters of the Guyana Tractor and Equipment company (GUYTRAC) is expected to be completed by August 2023, at Prospect, on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

Due to traffic congestion and limited space at their outlet on Mandela Avenue, GUYTRAC is working on relocating to Prospect. One of the five buildings expected to be built on the 15-acre land is measured at 300 by 130 feet.

The Sunday Chronicle was given a tour of the mega facility on Saturday by owners Hareshnarine Sugrim and his son, Shamnarine Narine.

Sugrim related that the project is being financed by Republic Bank.

At the new location, the manager of GUYTRAC, Bony De An -

drade, explained that it will be a one-stop shop where the corporate office and machinery will be available, which would benefit customers as their traveling would be reduced and, the consolidation will help to foster further business relations with people on the EBD because it is

Additionally, De Andrade related that the second of the six buildings will be 300 by 140 feet and will soon be under construction as they have had setbacks due to the rain.

Further, he said GUYTRAC is in the process of having systems in place to be a “big player”

mining industry and 5-to15- tonne excavators; graders, compactors, and rollers are readily supplied to the rapidly expanding construction sector.

De Andrade, in 2021, spoke of plans to expand in providing all agricultural machinery to continually service

substantial investments.

Despite the economic impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the world’s economy, GUYTRAC said it recognises the potential for outstanding growth in Guyana’s economy and with confidence in the astute stewardship of the cur-

closer to the gateway of the interior.

“GUYTRAC has five locations… one location is where the office is at the moment and the rest is where the machinery and spares are stored so, this complex will consolidate everything. It is going to be a one stop shop,” De Andrade said.

The complex will also house a training centre for employees and heavy-duty mechanics, and create employment for over 100 persons.

He noted that the building is very distinctive in shape and there will be heavy-duty machinery, trucks, as well as a variety of spare parts.

in the oil and gas sector.

“We have brought in machines that are specifically needed by the players in the oil and gas industry and we are also in the process of acquiring real estate specifically to contribute to the oil and gas sector,” he said.

GUYTRAC stands poised to provide products to the oil sector, keeping in mind the Government’s Local Content Policy, and has, over the years, supplied various brands of machinery to the country’s agricultural, mining and construction sectors.

These include 22-to40-tonne excavators especially suited for the

this traditional aspect of the Guyanese economy. Plans were on stream to import various models of tractors that are well-suited for the tropical climate of Guyana as well as Rome ploughs, Harrow ploughs, and Disc ploughs. GUYTRAC boasts an inventory of machinery and spares covering a wide range of heavy-duty machinery.

The company is in high praise of the Irfaan Ali- led administration as it continues to foster a favorable business climate. Confidence in the pro-business approach of the new administration has motivated the company to continually make

rent government, the company had invested in 2021, in 1000-tonne self- propelled barge, large cranes and a mod-

ern wharf at Friendship, East Bank Demerara to provide logistical transport to the ever-expanding oil and gas industry.

Hareshnarine Sugrim, Owner of GUYTRAC

Kevin McCarthy elected US House Speaker after 15 rounds of voting

(BBC) - Kevin McCarthy has been elected Speaker of the US House of Representatives after heated exchanges which almost saw fellow Republicans come to blows.

It took 15 rounds of voting for Mr McCarthy to win the job, despite his party having a majority in the chamber. It came after a dramatic pressure campaign played out live on the House floor as party rebel Matt Gaetz was urged to vote for Mr McCarthy.

The Florida Congressman was among six holdouts who relented late on Friday. Earlier, amid heated scenes in the chamber, Mr Gaetz had almost come to blows with Rep Mike Rogers - a supporter of Mr McCarthy. The Alabama congressman had to be physically restrained by colleagues as he bellowed and jabbed his finger at Mr Gaetz. The Speaker sets the House agenda and oversees legislative business.

The post is second in line to the presidency after the US vice-president.

Speaking after his confirmation, Mr McCarthy wrote on Twitter: “I hope one thing is clear after this week: I will never give up. And I will never give up for you, the American people.”

Mr McCarthy told reporters that former President Trump had helped him get the final votes: “I don’t think anybody should doubt his influence”.

“He was with me from the beginning... he would call me and he would call others,” he said.

US President Joe Biden congratulated Mr McCarthy for his win and said he looked forward to co-operating with the Republican Party.

“The American people expect their leaders to govern in a way that puts their needs above all else, and that is what we need to do now,” he said.

Republicans have already pledged to launch investigations into Mr Biden’s family business dealings and administration. In a remarkable turnaround in the 12th round of voting, Mr McCarthy was able to persuade 14 Republican holdouts to cast their vote for him. A 15th rebel followed suit for the 13th ballot.

After the 13th ballot was adjourned, Mr McCarthy insisted to reporters that he would “have the votes” to take the speakership on the next round.

But the California congressman was still three votes short of the 217 he needed to take the prized gavel, and in chaotic and dramatic scenes, he again failed to win on the 14th ballot.

The dissidents included members of the House Freedom Caucus, who argue that Mr McCarthy is not conservative enough to lead them as they work to try to oppose Democratic President Joe Biden’s agenda.

Mr McCarthy has offered various concessions to the rebels, including a seat on the influential rules committee, which sets the terms for

debate on legislation in the chamber.

He also agreed to lower the threshold for triggering a vote on whether to unseat the Speaker, to only one House member, leading to the possibility that the Republican coalition could easily fracture again even after Mr McCarthy’s victory. As the last politician on the roll - Montana’s Ryan Zinke - voted, the House floor erupted in applause as it became clear Mr McCarthy had finally emerged victorious.

Mr McCarthy hugged other representatives and signed autographs, but across the room the Democrats’ side was completely silent. No democrat applauded.

Senior Democratic Party lawmakers accused Mr McCarthy of ceding power to an extreme wing of his party and likened the stand-off to the riot exactly two years ago on Capitol Hill by Trump supporters who disrupted Mr Biden’s certification as president.

“Two years ago insurrectionists failed to take over the Capitol,” Congressman Eric Swalwell wrote on Twitter. “Tonight Kevin McCarthy let

them take over the Republican Party.”

And Virginia Congressman Don Beyer referred to the angry scenes among Republicans that followed the 14th count.

“Unsettling that this process ends in threats of violence in the House Chamber, on this of all days,” he said. “Maybe it didn’t determine the outcome, but that is no way to conduct the people’s business. A dark and sobering moment will probably be remembered long after this session ends.” The minority Democrats had continued to vote in unison for their leader, New York’s Hakeem Jeffries, the first black person ever to lead a party in

Congress.

Friday was the first day that Mr McCarthy’s vote count actually surpassed that of Mr Jeffries.

Mr McCarthy opened his acceptance speech joking; “that was easy, eh?”. He outlined a range of Republican policy objectives that included lowering prices, securing the US-Mexico border and combatting what he described as a “woke indoctrination”.

He said one of his primary goals was to stop “wasteful Washington spending”. The lawmakers began leaving the Congress around 02:00 local time (07:00 GMT) on Saturday morning - 14 hours after the gavel first rang at noon.

Not since 1860 in the build-up to the American Civil War has the lower chamber of Congress voted this many times to pick a speaker. Back then it took 44 rounds of ballots.

In November’s midterm elections, Republicans won the House by a weakerthan-expected margin of 222 to 212. Democrats retained control of the Senate.

Kevin McCarthy

Colombia, Venezuela presidents discuss investment, trade

(Reuters) - Colombian President Gustavo Petro and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro discussed binational investment and trade at a meeting in Caracas on Saturday, the Colombian government said.

The countries have renewed political ties since Petro took office in August 2022, reopening trade and promising to work together on issues including agriculture and management of borders.

Discussions at the meeting, the presidents’ second, centered on similar topics as when they first met in October - management of a newly re-opened border, efforts to increase trade and the peace talks that Bogota is holding with rebel group the National Liberation Army (ELN), Petro’s office said in a statement.

“We had a complete and very fruitful meeting. We have a

Chilean Justice Minister resigns amid critique of pardons

tween the ages of 21 and 38 involved in various crimes such as looting, robbery, handling Molotov cocktails, and others.

(Reuters) - Chilean justice minister Marcela Rios has resigned her post, the country’s President Gabriel Boric said on Saturday, amid accusations of wrongdoing over pardons given to people connected to violent 2019 protests.

Lawyer Luis Cordero Vega will take up the job in the coming days, leftist Boric added in a video statement, thanking Rios for her work during her 10 months in the role.

“When situations with these characteristics occur in politics, we must take responsibility,” Boric said. Boric backed pardons for those convicted in less violent crimes during the protests that shook the

South American country.

The list of those pardoned included men be-

But political opponents decried the December pardonswhich included a former guerrilla fighter imprisoned for other crimes - and accused Rios of poor communication and coordination. They were set to formalize those complaints in the leg-

islature on Monday. Boric urged congress to approve a new attorney general and pass a package of economic measures. The government has so far failed to garner enough support to name a top prosecutor.

nance minister has said his country may be open to buying Monomeros. Venezuela is a guarantor country at Colombia’s talks with the ELN and hosted the first round of negotiations between the two sides, which ended in December.

Caracas broke off relations with Bogota in 2019 after Venezuelan opposi-

tion activists tried to send aid trucks from Colombia. Maduro’s government said it was a front for an attempted coup.

Previous governments in Bogota have accused Maduro of harboring Colombian rebel groups and criminals, accusations he has denied.

clear joint work plan that will keep giving positive results for our countries,” Maduro said on Twitter.

The two men have previously said they could strengthen cooperation over Monomeros, a Colombia-

based fertilizer producer which is owned by Venezuelan state chemical company Pequiven. Colombia’s fi -

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and his Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro meet at Miraflores Palace, in Caracas, Venezuela January 7, 2023. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria

Marcela Rios

The Public Interest

DEVELOPMENT comes at a cost. The costs are not only financial or material. There are also ‘costs’ associated with attitudes to accommodate new and changing realities.

As the modernisation process in Guyana picks up momentum, there are bound to be ‘headwinds’ which could be disruptive and at times unsettling to daily routine.

Take for instance the construction of a new road or highway. That invariably could lead to traffic diversions or disruptions to the smooth flow of traffic, but in the end, it will result in much greater ease to the commuting public.

The most recent incident at Mocha on the East Bank Demerara is a case in point. In order to facilitate the construction of the new road linking Eccles to Diamond,

a number of homes which stood in the way had to be removed.

Most of the homeowners whose buildings were in the critical path agreed to be relocated and accepted the government’s compensation package which included financial compensation, lands with completed homes and in applicable cases, lands to allow for traditional lifestyles such as farming and cattle-rearing.

These are commendable gestures both on the part of homeowners and the government in order to facilitate that important infrastructural project which brings not only benefits to the residents of the Mocha community but to the country as a whole. In other words, the construction of the new road is clearly in the best national interest and as such can only be seen as a national asset. Moreover, the

real estate value of properties along the new road increases substantially

Given such a clear and obvious benefit to the community and by extension the society as a whole, why would any rational citizen opt to stand in the way of development as was the case of the seven Mocha residents?

The answer is simple. These were ‘victims’ of the political opposition which, as noted by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, opportunistically sought to make political capital out a matter that is simply straightforward. The Constitution of Guyana makes provision for the compulsory acquision of property in the national interest.

The construction of a new road is clearly in the national interest and the action taken by the government to remove persons by force is

therefore not without merit or justification. The fact that those ‘delinquent’ property owners were squatting on land belonging to the state gave added justification for the action taken by the authorities.

There is nothing, it must be added, unusual in the removal of property owners from lands that stand in the way of infrastructural development. There is nothing ‘political or ‘racial’ about such actions as the political opposition is attempting to project. In fact, discussions are already in place to engage residents who are in the way of the oil and gas project at Wales on the West Bank Demerara. In fact, the relevant orders were already gazetted for the acquisition of lands for the gas pipelines which will run along the West Demerara.

The fact is that the PPP/C

administration do not take any joy in the dismantling of homes and it was only after all reasonable avenues for the removal of the seven Mocha squatters failed that the government was forced into taking such extreme actions. It is imperative that the hand of the State be heavier than that of its citizens to ensure that there is compliance with the rule of law and in defence of the public interest.

The opposition PNC altogether is not flawless when it comes to the bulldozing of homes of squatters as was manifested on multiple occasions during its tenure in office. They are therefore in no position to, as it were, cast the proverbial first stone.

President Ali, quite understandably, has had some harsh words for the political opposition. “I watch with dismay the type of political opportunism, lack of leader-

ship and irresponsibility exercised by some who refer to themselves as leaders in the political opposition. Leadership is about responsibility; one that is based on a level of trust and integrity, not one that is opportunistic in nature. Not one that seeks to divide and use every occasion that you believe you can extract a divisive message to people.”

The President implored squatters to “stop being used as political tools and pawns, and see reason in the benefit of moving from the government reserve to the legal, legitimate lands and houses offered by the government.”

These are indeed words of wisdom and maturity coming from a caring President, someone who genuinely has the interest of the country and its people at heart. As the saying goes, a word to the wise is enough.

The Garden City

Dear Mr. Editor,

THE Garden City was my home for most of my life. I recall the drives to school with my children, sharing the latest school gossip and simple chitchatting about my business ventures. But, I vividly remember the heaps of trash tainting the once beautiful Garden City into one of obnoxity.

I remember the way bus drivers, pedestrians, ‘druggies’ would litter without care. I recall the mountains of waste on almost every

street you turn and the waste trailing into trenches and gutters. Strikingly, I recall little to nothing being done about it.

Garbage is everywhere, and suddenly we have decided that it is damaging. Until recently, waste enjoyed anonymity in ubiquity; we were so surrounded by it that we hardly noticed. No one seemed to care enough to do anything about it. The general approach is to sit back and let it be someone else’s problem. This simpleminded

attitude of witnessing an illdoing nothing, part-taking or just not having the slightest care in the world has been embedded in the minds of numerous people for years. “It is only one straw,” said eight billion people.

Conferences have been held, protests have been happening, and meetings with world leaders and business owners have been taking place, but is there any progress? At COP26, I was blown away by loads of ideas and projects that can

decrease carbon emissions and aid in the global climate fight, but were any ideas actually implemented? We promise but do we fulfil? We applaud those that recycle and share people’s DIY projects, but how are we doing our part in preserving the Earth?

The burden of litter clean-ups falls to local governments or community groups. For years, numerous clean-up campaigns have been created, executed and then failed. Why? Because

of us. Undoubtedly, I can say that the efforts of the government and the numerous resources used does not matter. People simply do not care!

Littering is a disgusting side effect of our convenience-oriented disposable culture. To underline the extent of the problem, it does not stop there—once trash gets free, wind and weather move it from streets to waterways and eventually rivers and oceans. One study found that 18 per cent of lit-

ter ends up in rivers, streams, and oceans, resulting in trash islands like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Species are going extinct because of climate change. This is happening. It is not a theory or a hoax, it is not ‘it will happen,’ it has been happening and will only get worse.

There is a worldwide revolt against plastic. In 2016, a Greenpeace petition for a UK-wide plastic ban hit 365,000 signatures in just four months, becoming

The AFC: From tragedy to farce

Dear Editor,

IN launching the newly founded AFC in 2005, their first leader, Raphael Trotman, boldly proclaimed “[i] t is time for change! Our change is the key to unlocking Guyana’s future. It is time for the Alliance For Change!”

Despite some early success at the 2006 and 2011 elections, the AFC began a slow and ignominious journey of disrepute. Based on its record since its founding, the three base qualities of the AFC appear to be a penchant for irresponsible conduct, betrayal, and conspicuous

indecisiveness.

No one less than Raphael Trotman, one of the party’s founders was forced to admit at the launching of the AFC that people see them as “wishy washy rejects, upstarts, … and opportunists” (Trotman’s inaugural speech of the AFC).

The party’s performance in parliament between 2011 and 2015 was nothing short of an abandonment of responsibility. We must never forget, for instance, that it was the AFC that dug its heels in to cut $3.8 billion from the budget in 2012 (Stabroek News 19/4/2012),

and it took a separate deal to get past the AFC war against the working class.

The AFC cuts were defeated, and the party was shamed. Former president, Donald Ramotar, told this writer that the AFC was monumentally “obstructionist” and “anti-developmentalist” during the period under consideration.

The worst was yet to come because bit by bit, the AFC inched its way into the seductive arms of the PNC/ APNU. The Cummingsburg Accord of 2015 joined the AFC and the APNU at the hips. By so doing, the AFC

The Garden...

FROM PAGE 6

the largest environmental petition ever presented to a government. The United Nations declared a “war” on single-use plastic. It is time Guyana join this revolt and contributed to the fight against climate change.

Doing your part to keep litter to a minimum is easy, but it involves vigilance. For starters, do not let trash escape your car, and ensure household garbage bins are tightly sealed. Also, if that stretch of the area you drive by every day is a haven for litter, offer to clean it and keep it clean. Seeing how blessed our beautiful land truly is, it is time we take an interest

and care for our environment. We must reduce, reuse, recycle, refill, repair, re-gift and repeat. It is time to implement stricter laws and consequences for littering and getting rid of waste. We, as a community should unite and create more clean-up campaigns. But most importantly, it is crucial to note that it does not matter how much we clean, because the waste would still be dumped at a landfill. The only way to thwart this is to reduce the non-biodegradable garbage on landfills (items such as plastic, cardboard, glass, metals). Perhaps, Guyana as a developing nation emerging and growing in the Oil &

Gas Sector, should seek to implement different strategies of breaking down and getting rid of waste in nonharmful ways.

Many people do not feel the urgency or would hesitate at the initial cost of transitioning our energy infrastructure without considering the cost of inaction. Many fail to grasp how dependent humanity really is on intact ecosystems. When racism, politics and bigotry are mixed, it becomes near impossible. But, the earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth.

Respectfully, Nazar Mohamed Businessman

did what it had always promised its supporters and the Guyanese people not to ever do, namely, help the PNC(R) back to state power. In short order, scorn was heaped on the AFC.

Haseef Yusuf, AFC Councillor -Region Six was frank and direct about how he and other Berbicians saw the coalition.

“I have written volumes about the lies and deceit [of the AFC], but for the first time, many Berbicians who have supported the AFC in the past, have come out openly and condemned the coalition between the AFC and APNU, and are crying betrayal. Sugar workers are so angry that they have become paranoid” (Guyana Chronicle, 16/2/2015).

By 2016, the AFC was taking licks from inside its ranks. David Hinds jabbed it with “…if the AFC thinks it has given me freedom, I hereby tell the AFC— “Teck back yuh Freedom” (Demerara Waves, May 2, 2016). And by 2018, no less than Henry Jeffrey accused “… the party (AFC) of betraying the agenda of the people who had supported it” (Stabroek News, 16/8/2018)

With the elections of March 2020, the real AFC was exposed. This time, the AFC did not only betray its supporters, but it also betrayed the Constitution of Guyana by its attempt

to rig the elections. The APNU+AFC and their leaders, including Mr. Moses Nagamootoo and Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, reportedly did everything possible to prove correct how people saw the AFC in 2005, namely, as “wishy washy rejects, upstarts…, and opportunists.”

Even if it was the APNU that was the chief rigger, the AFC lacked the courage to stand up for what is right. Leaked video proved that Ramjattan knew the PPP/C had won.

The indecisiveness of the AFC has surfaced yet again. This time, in a mass of confusion, the AFC has left the coalition, but does not have the strength to say it was abused, or that it is gone for good. Rather, it has left the door to go back in for more abuse. Any party worth its salt would have taken a bold step and walked away with some dignity. The “wishy-washy” label once acknowledged by the AFC, is now in full view.

Asked if the AFC would go back to the APNU, Ramjattan’s answer was not only shocking but saturated with indecisiveness. He said he would go back to the APNU, and this after all the skullduggery with election theft. But then, out of nowhere he also said he is open to the PPP, while in the same breadth continues to falsely accuse the PPP of corruption.

No one would doubt at

this point that the ‘apetura’ to the PPP is simply to regain support from Berbicians. How astoundingly cynical? The people of Berbice, like the people across this land, are good judges of character. I have every confidence they do not believe a word Mr. Ramjattan says anymore.

They have heard enough and seen, enough. The AFC is now trying to turn a new page and fashion a new political identity. Having divorced the APNU, it is likely to seek sympathy. It will receive none. Guyanese people are people with long memories and will hold the AFC accountable for its betrayal.

In the inaugural speech launching the party, the AFC promised the world to the Guyanese people. “Today’s ceremony is not the launching of a political party but the birth of a movement of consciousness. A consciousness that says that we the people have had enough and want what is our sacred due: Respect, equality, prosperity, and security. It is time!” Psalms 118, Martin Carter, Robert Frost and Buju Banton were invoked.

Surely, they will retain the support of friends and family, but the party’s days are done. Now the people will invoke Psalm 34:13. What began as a tragedy, has now turned into farce.

Yours sincerely, Dr. Randolph Persaud

Norton says no regrets over AFC leaving coalition

LEADER of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Aubrey Norton is maintaining that there are no regrets about any of the decisions that led to the Alliance for Change (AFC) abandoning the coalition with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

The AFC officially departed the coalition with the PNCR-led APNU on December 31, 2022 with the end of the Cummingsburg Accord, the agreement that bonded the two sides.

The split came following much in-fighting between the two sides over the nominee for the Region 10 Regional Vice-Chairperson. Leader of the AFC Khemraj Ramjattan had noted that there would be “consequences in relation to the relationship” between the APNU and the AFC, if the former did not support the latter’s choice.

The APNU and AFC remained at loggerheads for months over the issue before the person the APNU preferred was given the position. Sticking to their promise of “consequences” weeks after the new Vice-Chairperson

was appointed, the AFC announced it was leaving the coalition.

During his weekly press conference on Tuesday last, Norton, who is also Chairman of the APNU, was asked if there were any regrets over the decisions that were made leading up to the AFC leaving the coalition, and his response was:

“I think we sit down, we analyze things, and we make decisions. In this situation, I don’t know that there are any regrets. Probably, with a longer view… couple years from now, there might be. For now, we are comfortable that we

would’ve talked through our decisions, and made proper decisions in the interest of our party, the country, and the coalition.”

As it relates to the way forward for the two political parties now that they have gone their separate ways, particularly given that the AFC will be retaining its nine seats in the National Assembly, Norton said he does not foresee any issue with his former partners, as long as they toe the line.

“We see no problem working with the AFC, once the AFC continues to be supportive of the Parliamentary

agenda we agreed on,” Norton said, adding:

“The AFC also says it will operate as APNU+AFC at the level of Parliament; this position was presented to me. I will engage the Central Executive Committee [of the PNCR] on the matter [and] we will have a definitive position on how we move forward.”

The AFC’s departure is the latest in the continuous

erosion of the coalition, since 2020. In terms of coalition members, in August 2020, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) made its exit after accusing the PNCR of practising non-consultation and being dictatorial.

The exodus continued in September 2020 when the Justice For All Party also departed after re-examining the roles and relationships of Guyana’s political land-

scape.

Aside from constituting parties, since 2020, several individual members have also departed the PNCR and AFC.

In the latest issues at the PNCR, General Secretary Geeta Chandan-Edmond, and the Treasurer, Faaiz Mursaline, resigned from their positions amidst accusations of financial mismanagement and “ racial hostility” within the party.

Four more firearms recovered

–– as probe into Radar

Security break-in widens

The firearms that were recently recovered

POLICE on Saturday recovered four more stolen firearms as the probe continues into the theft of several guns belonging to Radar Security and Supplies Company.

Reports indicate that one of the suspects took detectives to a location in Albouystown where three of the .32 calibre and one 9mm calibre pistols were recovered.

The mastermind behind the theft of the six firearms and a quantity of ammunition from the security company was arrested on Friday last as detectives made a breakthrough in the case; reports are he is a security official with the company.

The incident reportedly occurred between 10:00hrs on December 25, 2022, and 18:30hrs on December 26, 2022 at the company’s Lot 79 Carmichael Street, Georgetown office.

The items stolen included two single-barrel shotguns valued $950,000; four

9mm Taurus pistols valued $1,400,000; five Taurus .32 pistols valued $1,425,000; twenty-five 12-gauge cartridges; five hundred and fifty-eight .32 ammunition; and eighteen 9mm rounds of ammunition, all property of the above-mentioned security firm.

According to the initial investigations, the Radar Security and Supplies’ office is located in the middle of a three-storey wooden building. There is an office on the western side, which has a wooden door to the eastern side, secured with a lock.

In the said office, there is a steel “strongbox” where the security firm secures the firearms and ammunition. The said strongbox is secured with two padlocks. Inside the strongbox, the guns are chained and padlocked with three padlocks.

Police said that on Christmas Day, the firm’s chief security officer, a 72-year-old from Guyhoc Park, checked the firearms and all were

intact. On December 26, a 65-year-old weapons training officer from Enterprise, East Coast Demerara, visited the location and met a 57-yearold security guard on duty.

Upon his arrival, the training officer observed that the door to the office was not secured and was left ajar. He subsequently entered the office where he observed that the padlocks on the strongbox were cut off, the chain that connected the firearms was also cut and the guns mentioned were missing.

However, two other shotguns were left in the box; as a result, the training officer informed the firm’s owner of his findings.

The 57-year-old security guard was questioned, and he claimed that at 17:00hrs on December 26 2022, he took over duty from a 36-year-old security guard from Paradise Housing Scheme, who handed over the key to the said office that housed the strongbox.

PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

Mocha squatters and the dangers of political instigation

THE People’s National Congress Reform-led A Partnership for National Unity (PNC/R-APNU) must hang its head in shame and disgrace because of what it made happen to some of the squatters at Mocha Arcadia, last Thursday.

The combined party instigated and encouraged the squatters to put up a resistance to the lawful wishes of the PPP Government.

Also, the opposition has stirred the pot and been carrying out a dangerous political whisper campaign through their emissaries of discord, Nima Flu-Bless, Aubrey Norton, Amanza Walton, and Roysdale Forde.

The Opposition used their untrue and false narrative about race and ethnicity, and discrimination to rally some of the Afro-Guyanese at Mocha to stand against the government.

From the outset, the PNC/R-APNU has played a defining role in frustrating the government’s efforts to relocate the squatters to safer and better communities along the East Bank corridor.

They did not represent anyone at Mocha or the Afro-Guyanese as Flu-Bess or Norton or the opposition would like Guyanese to believe, but rather they were fanning the flames of racial insecurity, political divisiveness and ethnic disharmony all along the debacle.

They are not concerned about the livelihoods of residents squatting at Mocha Arcadia, but it appears their tumultuous political careers are up in shambles as they are not doing enough to hold this government accountable for areas of public discontent wherever they may exist.

Mocha is now divided because of unnecessary political agitation and instigation by the opposition over the wrong issue.

Firstly, Norton should know that there is no justification for illegally squatting on government or State lands.

The squatters do not have paperwork for the lands they have been living on for years. If the argument is that the lands are ancestral lands of the Mocha Community, where is the proof?

Pointing the public to the gazette of 1894, as he did, is not helpful in this situation

which requires urgent intervention. Norton did not command Flu-Bess, the Mocha NDC or the RDC to search for this note in the gazetteer and present it to the central government authorities. He, maybe, knows that the land is neither ancestral lands nor belongs to Mocha.

Either way, he did not even threaten legal recourse on behalf of the Mocha Squatters in the courts.

Secondly, the squatters were not entitled to any compensation, after all, it sets a dangerous precedence in society, but this PPP Government went above and beyond the law governing land acquisition.

The government made each family a more than reasonable offer with compensation. They even put some mechanisms in place for persons to farm other lands in other locations thinking they would be seen as just and fair when they followed the rules of humanitarianism.

Also, there was consultation with the squatters as far back as 2008 and up to 2015. The party that Norton now leads had the reins of government from 2015 up until 2020 and did nothing to address the concerns of the Mocha squatters.

As a matter of fact, they did nothing substantial to address the wider housing concerns of Afro-Guyanese.

The squatters did not seek the requisite legal counsel when engaging the government on this matter. Flu-Bess was not concerned or else that would have been the first point of contact before she wickedly led the squatters astray into believing they would stand a chance if they entered into a war with the government.

So, to say that the present government is being inhumane and heartless or even to state that it is a case of ethnic discrimination or no consultation is a falsehood, and it cannot stand the test of analytical, evidential and scientific facts.

Thirdly, the truth is, Norton’s opposition saw an opportunity to score cheap political mileage by hijacking the Mocha squatters issue. It did not concern them. It did not affect the bulk of their law-abiding support base.

Maybe, the opposition is so caught up with the ethnic discrimination narrative that it is blinding them and causing them to act shamelessly.

Frankly, it is disgraceful and irresponsible to use Afro-Guyanese in this way. Questions that the opposition must answer now.

Are the squatters not human beings too?

Are they not deserving of political representation based on the truth and facts?

Why, would you toy with their emotions and tempers for political purposes?

Is this the type, quality and shape of the opposition representation to the squatters?

Norton must answer these questions and not join the bandwagon of hopeless opposition campaigns to cause divisions and rile the public up. He cannot continue to get a free pass from his supporters. This is not the type of political intellectualness or strategy the public expects from the opposition.

The shameless politicking of the Organisation for International Decade for People of African Descent of Guyana (IPADA-G) and the rest of the opposition-controlled entities who are talking now or issuing statements must raise the brows of every right-thinking Guyanese who have the facts of the issue.

The only group who feels it is the Mocha squatters.

After this ‘struggle,’ as the opposition leader calls it, it will be business as usual

and he will crawl back into his hole and shell waiting to pounce again on another genuine concern of the Afro-Guyanese community.

Finally, this is a direct appeal to Afro-Guyanese to chase the opposition members, especially Norton and his band of race-baiting and divisive politicians whenever they remove their veils revealing their crassness, bitterness, pettiness, hidden innuendoes or political motives.

They have proven, the facts are there, that they are not in the politics of development and progress for all.

They are only causing trouble and making a mess then leaving it for the PPP Government to clean up after their minions have been involved in political demonstrations. The Norton-led opposition, from all the facts, is racially driven, precarious and unrighteous.

Look at the issues, ethics and reasons behind the Mocha squatting issue and do not become emotional, subjective or political. Be smart and wise up.

Do not allow yourself, your family or your community to be used to block, pause or stop development.

There is a danger in believing Norton’s single story! Afro-Guyanese villages, Afro-Guyanese communities, and Afro-Guyanese are not political pawns of the opposition!

A NEW study from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), titled “Prospective occupation skills needs in the Guyanese oil and gas industry 20222026”, provides an in-depth overview of the main profiles and competencies needed in the industry over the next four years. The findings were pulled from surveys and interviews with 29 local stakeholders.

Guyana is poised to become a top-producing oil and gas economy globally within the decade, but, alongside this growth opportunity, the study found a pronounced “gap between the industry’s labour demand and the availability of skilled workers at the local level.”

The struggles of the local industry also stem from the limited size of the local workforce and global competition for talent. Despite significant progress so far, Guyana will be at a disadvantage if it cannot produce a skilled workforce to address future gaps.

Thousands of Guyanese are already employed in supporting the industry. While this has been a triumph of policy, it means that there are fewer and fewer Guyanese with technical backgrounds remaining who aren’t already employed in the industry—

pushing the government to seek out new sources of talent.

Armed with the most comprehensive look at the labour market thus far, the government and private sector can continue to develop and adapt their rapidly expanding array of education and training programmes to keep up with its changing socio-economic environment.

The knowledge of what competencies are needed in the industry can open the door for Guyanese to build up their capacity and skillsets enough to reap the benefits of the industry.

The 29 companies surveyed operate across the oil and gas value chain and employ around 47 per cent of total workers in the oil and gas sectors. Over the next five years, the main occupational profiles in demand will be engineers, risk management professionals, and ship deck crews and related workers.

Employment is expected to grow with at least 5,000 new jobs created in the most “in-demand occupations” across the value chain, but 81 per cent of the jobs would require either a higher technical or higher degree of education and training.

Building the capacity internally to han-

dle the new and growing needs of the oil and gas industry is still ongoing. This is not just a matter of technical or specialised skills, but also scale.

Many local companies are still working towards providing goods and services at the scale and consistency demanded by international companies or may simply not have the resources to rapidly expand their capacity.

The ILO study recommends future actions that focus on investing in technical skills with the potential to yield the biggest payoff, including offering public assistance by “helping the private sector to formalise ongoing (or introduce) traineeship schemes.” These approaches and others should be able to address the needs of the industry for experienced workers, which was identified as a priority by the local stakeholders.

It goes without saying that while this study identifies skill gaps within the local labour force, it also presents a unique opportunity to recruit specialised labour from abroad, including from the large and well-educated diaspora. This would present an opportunity for skill sharing and knowledge transfer opportunities for local workers

while keeping more opportunities within the broader Guyanese community.

In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali discussed Guyana’s oil explorations, development plans and how oil revenue is benefiting all Guyanese.

“We have a very definitive plan and that plan includes all of humanity. I have made it very clear that the prosperity of Guyana must lead to the prosperity of the CARICOM region and the region around us,” President Ali said.

He also challenged the notion that Guyanese are not feeling the benefits by highlighting the measures completed to build roads, reduce cost of transportation, expand access to land for agriculture and more.

Ultimately, the government and private sector can utilise this study to guide its education and training programmes to address the current and future needs of the oil and gas sector.

Between local content and the GYD$74.4 billion allocation in the 2022 budget towards the education sector, the government is making positive steps to educate, equip and develop a workforce that can participate in the local oil and gas sector.

New study on Guyana’s labour market highlights progress and remaining skills gap New Year, New You

By Vaness Cort

THIS was the topic of the online forum –The Fun+NEL Chat Show - that I recently joined, which aims to provide fun (Fun) with never-ending learning (NEL).

Each Sunday at 17:00 hours, members get online to discuss topics of interest, social issues and even personal experiences; the debate is lively and everyone is invited to comment on the subject presented and ask questions.

Last Sunday, New Year’s Day, the debate circled around changes people would like to see in themselves or their environment and inevitably the subject of New Year’s resolutions arose.

While some baulked at the idea of actually calling their New Year goal a resolution, the very definition of the word really made it clear that it was indeed an act they were resolved to do. For the word “resolution” means, “a firm decision to do or not to do something” or “the quality of being determined or resolute.”

So, having a goal in mind does not qualify as a resolution, which carries much more weight and signals a definite intent and not just a vague notion.

According to the History Channel, the ancient Babylonians began the practice 4,000

years ago and were also the first to hold celebrations, though their new year began in mid-March,

During a huge 12-day festival – Akitu – when a new king was crowned, the Babylonians also made promises to the gods to return borrowed items and settle their debts.

It was felt that if these promises were kept, the gods would bestow favour, but if they were broken, the offender would fall out of favour, something no one wanted to happen.

Similarly, after Emperor Julius Caesar “tinkered” with the calendar in ancient Rome, January 1 was established as the beginning of the New Year, around 46 BC, and named for the two-faced god, Janus.

It was thought that Janus “symbolically looked back into the previous year and ahead into the future.” So, the Romans offered sacrifices to the god and promised “good conduct” for the year ahead.

Writer, Sarah Pruitt tells us that early Christians then began to consider the first day of the New Year, an occasion “for thinking about one’s past and resolving to do better in the future.”

However, despite its religious roots New Year’s resolutions are now mostly secular, with people making promises to themselves and focusing, generally on self-improvement.

Sharing his thoughts, Dennis Buttimer, M.Ed. – a facilitator at Thomas F. Chapman Family Cancer Wellness in the US – says: “I think most people want a second chance to improve the quality of their lives.”

He adds, cogently, that: “The New Year offers a blank slate – an opportunity to get things right. When we set New Year’s res-

olutions, we are utilising a very important concept called self-efficacy, which means aspiring to a goal and following through on it, I have a sense of control over what is happening in my life.”

However, most of us are poor at keeping our New Year’s resolutions, which we continue to set year after year, nevertheless, hoping to finally achieve them.

Scientists offer us a reason for this failure, explaining that setting a resolution and beginning to follow through on it triggers the ‘neuro-hormone’ dopamine in the brain. This hormone “helps control the brain’s reward and pleasure centre and regulates emotional responses.”

When the dopamine level eventually drops so does our determination to achieve our goals. We simply lose our enthusiasm and so our resolve waivers.

If you want to hold firm to your resolution, Buttimer recommends you seek support from others, letting them know your goals; create a reward system; set short-term goals and reward yourself for meeting them and have compassion for yourself.

He warns: “One of the biggest obstacles to success is self-criticism,” adding these words of encouragement: “No one is perfect. Instead of beating yourself up, take a deep breath and keep trying.”

‘Look at your health from the perspective of wellness and not illness’

By Cindy Parkinson

ACCORDING to the Mayo Clinic, “postpartum depression (PPD) is not a character flaw or a weakness.

Sometimes it ’s simply a complication of giving birth. If you have postpartum depression, prompt treatment can help you manage your symptoms and help you bond with your baby.”

In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Chronicle, the Director of Family and Primary Health Care Services, Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton, said one of the complications of pregnancy, even though it may be normal, is all of the biological changes that the body goes through and some women suffer from transient or short-term depression.

According to her, some people are able to recover without the help or intervention of medical personnel, whereas for others, it can become a permanent medical condition.

Dr. Hamiliton said, “What you have are the same symptoms of a person who maybe going through a normal depressive disorder.”

She explained that those women can also experience a lack of desire to participate in most routine activities that would have provided any satisfaction to them. One of the most dominant emotions that most postpartum women portray is silence.

She explained that postpartum depression isn’t something new, but there are much more cases that are “popping up” across Guyana and people are much more aware of the term and what it means. She also stated that the Ministry of Health has restructured the family health manual that looks at the management of pregnancy.

According to the director, special emphasis is placed on this condition at the primary healthcare level, which is where most of the women have their en-

Director of Family and Primary Health Care Services, Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton

counters during pregnancy.

“We have now begun to institute a checklist that allows women to be monitored for postpartum depression and it is now going to be a part of the normal routine care that is given to every pregnant woman during pregnancy and the post-partum period,” she said.

She further stated that the revised family health manual requires that a test be done to diagnose persons who are suffering from PPD.

Dr. Hamilton stated that the “the test will be done in two parts; the woman will take the self-test first and then the health worker will look at it and give a score. That score will allow us to determine what your next step is. If the score is found to be at a level where the woman needs an intervention, the healthcare worker will begin the process. Based on what is required, that will determine whether they need to refer them for further care from the mental health department.”

Dr. Hamilton further noted, “one of the things that can never be underrated is that we also need women to be educated and informed enough so that they can speak out when they are having these chal-

lenges. Mental health on the whole is something that we are now pushing more as a ministry.”

Dr. Hamilton asked that women speak up, seek care and recognise that it is a two-way street between them and their healthcare providers. She related that the system is set up in such a way that as long as you have a normal delivery , you’re discharged.

But the doctor said, “Whatever happens outside of the hospital may be a bit more challenging, but we are putting systems in place in the new revised document and we are going to increase the number of postpartum visits that the woman MUST have in the six weeks after she would have delivered her baby.”

According to her, it will give the health officials an opportunity to be able to detect the signs and symptoms. She added that before, the women were only seen twice in the six-week period, but they have increased that to at least three to four times in the allotted time so that the health officials can have a better handle on some of the issues or challenges that may arise.

Dr. Hamilton reminded the public that the ministry is working to address not only postpartum depression, but also other complications that may arise in the early days of discharge that can be harmful to new mothers and they can lose their lives.

“We are putting multiple steps and multiple layers in place so that we can be able to detect early symptoms so that they can have an intervention,” said Dr. Hamilton.

Finally, Dr. Hamilton wants all women, but especially Guyanese women and men, to understand that “a healthy population is a population that moves forward and can realise many of its potential.

“Women are one of the main foundational pillars of a family, which is the basic unit of a community and as a country, we need to ensure that women invest

in ensuring that they remain healthy, seek services early and do not wait until you

–– says Dr. Hamilton, speaks about Postpartum Depression

become ill.” She added that “we want women to look at

their health from the perspective of wellness and not illness.”

More land to be made available to West Berbice farmers

–– Minister Mustapha announces while engaging Region 5 residents

MINISTER of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha met with farmers and residents of Bush Lot Village, West Coast Berbice on Saturday, where he disclosed plans to further develop the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary (MMA) Scheme so as to make more land available for farming.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, Minister Mustapha also said that the government will continue to invest to develop the

sector.

The Agriculture Minister also held meetings with farmers and residents of Helena # 2, Mahaica, with the aim of resolving issues relating to the agriculture sector.

While at Bush Lot, both rice and cash-crop farmers, along with persons who rear cattle told the minister that the issue of cattle entering rice fields continues to be a bugbear in many areas within the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Agriculture Development

Authority (MMA-ADA) Scheme.

Additionally, farmers related that there are persons who have leases for land in the Scheme, but are continuing to rent to persons; they said this posed an issue for some when the government was rolling out its flood relief programme for those who were affected during the 2021 floods.

Minister Mustapha told farmers that officials from the MMA are working to address the issue of subletting, as this is prohibited

in the lease agreement. He also informed farmers that the ministry, through the MMA-ADA and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), was working to bring more land under cultivation, and also to develop pastures for cattle away from cultivation areas within the scheme.

“There are persons who have leases for rice land, and are renting these lands to farmers. We are working to deal with this; these issues are also contributing to delays in the issuance of new leases, because we have to investigate these matters. Nevertheless, we were able to distribute over 300 leases last year, so you can see we are working assiduously to bring more lands under cultivation in the MMA Scheme.

“We have to work together to develop this place. Yes, the government has a responsibility, but as farmers, you have to support the government so that the systems we put in place work. We already started to do a lot of farm-to-market roads in the MMA Scheme and we are working to make the scheme one of the most productive schemes in this country. Our capacity now is about 100,000 acres of land available for rice cultivation. The plan is to develop another 50,000 acres for cattle rearing. Pastures are being developed so that

we can work towards a better solution between cattle and rice farmers,” Minister Mustapha said.

Minister Mustapha told farmers that the pastures being developed are expected to be completed within the next three months and that fencing materials have been made available to cattle farmers to secure their animals.

One resident also raised an issue about the deplorable state of one of the access dams while other farmers requested access to breeding rams to develop their flock. While responding to those concerns, Minister Mustapha said that rehabilitation works on the dam is expected to commence shortly and that flock rams will be made available through the GLDA.

“Regarding the dam issue that was raised, those works have already been awarded and will commence soon; $70 million was allocated. These are all things that are in progress. The farmer who spoke about access to a flock ram, the GLDA will assist with four flock rams to service farmers in West Berbice.”

While meeting with farmers from Helena #2 Village, the minister was told that contractors responsible for executing maintenance on several canals within the village were not doing a good job.

Farmers also made requests for upgrades to access dams and further consultation as it relates to the location of a drying floor that is expected to be built in the community.

One contractor said that he was unable to complete works because he had not been paid for months. After seeking an answer from the engineer, Minister Mustapha was told that after consulting with farmers and inspecting the work it was discovered that the works were not completed according to the contractual specifications, and as such, the contractor was asked to rectify the job.

Minister Mustapha told the residents that contractors will not be paid if the works are not done according to the contractual specifications. After consulting with the NDIA and the NDC, Minister Mustapha said that those maintenance contracts will be re-advertised and that beneficiaries will be given the opportunity to bid for them.

He informed them that teams from the ministry will be meeting with all groups of farmers so that a programme can be developed to guide the process of resolving their issues. Farmers were also encouraged to identify a ranger to assist with monitoring activities nd reporting them to the NDC.

Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha addressing Bush Lot residents on Saturday

Social work programme to benefit Mocha women

SEVERAL women in the Mocha Arcadia community, East Bank Demerara will soon benefit from a first-of-its-kind 60-hour, eight-module Social Work programme, facilitated by the Board of Industrial Training ( BIT) and the Guyana Learning Institute (GLI).

The programme enables participants to gain a better understanding of human development, behavior, and community well-being, among other things.

The orientation ceremony was held at the Heavenly Light Mocha Outreach recently. It was carried out in the presence of Sheila Veerasammy, Member of Parliament and Facilitator; Richard Maughn, Chief Executive Officer of BIT; Rima Rohee-Paul, Technical Officer of BIT; Ganga Persaud, Guyana Learning Institute, Director and Facilitator; Director and Administrator Officer, Saliema Singh; Facilitator Tricia Watson and Community Representative, Rolston Elliot.

The CEO of BIT stated that this initiative is consistent with the PPP/C administration’s commitment to transforming the lives of its citizens by ensuring equal access to available services

Farmer

and opportunities such as education.

With this mindset, he stated that it was critical to first allow the region’s Mocha community to benefit from this programme. Similar initiatives will be implemented across the country very soon.

As such, he hopes that this will serve as motivation for them to take advantage of BIT’s programmes and services, as well as the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), to further their education.

Maughn also discussed the programme accreditation,

which would allow participants to continue their studies at the University of Guyana (UG), hence the agency’s collaboration with GLI.

MP Veerasammy spoke briefly about the difficulties she faced during her educational journey and urged the residents to complete the course despite any difficulties they may face during this time. She stated that GLI’s staff will do everything possible to help them succeed in their studies.

Ganga Persaud, Director of GLI, stated that the institution is regarded as a “second chance” institution because it provides opportunities to those who want to further their education but are unable to do so due to financial constraints. As such, he applauds the participants for taking action to improve their lives through the venture.

Mr. Persaud also mentioned that similar interventions were carried out by his agency in Regions Three, Five, Six, Seven and 10.

GLI, which was founded in 2015, provides a variety of adult learning courses, including Supervisory Management, Psychology, Sociology, Occupational Health and Safety, and Organizational Management.

A 58-year-old Berbice farmer, Compton Joseph Allicock, has been detained by ranks from the Ituni Police Station after being found at a roadblock with more than 2000 grams of cannabis.

Around 18:25hrs on Friday, the ranks were on a ‘stop- and-search’ exercise in front of the Ituni Police Station when they stopped a white 212 car bearing registration #PZZ 7500, driven by a 34-year-old electrician of Airy Hall, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The police said three passengers were inside the car, including Allicock, of Unamco Junction, Upper Berbice River, who was seated in front next to the driver, with a pink haversack on the floor of the car between his feet.

A police rank at the roadblock told the driver and passengers that he would like to search their personal belongings, to which they agreed. When the rank searched Allicock, he found a bulky black

plastic bag containing leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis stashed in the crotch of his pants.

The ranks also searched the haversack belonging to Allicock, which had a quantity of cassava. Among the cassava were four bulky black plastic parcels and one blue plastic parcel. The parcels contained a quantity of leaves, seeds & stems suspected to be cannabis.

Allicock was told of the offence committed and cautioned. He then admitted, under caution, saying: “Officer,

I was taking this thing [marijuana] to make a fine hustle because things lil hard.”

He was arrested and escorted into the Ituni Police Station, where the suspected cannabis was weighed in his presence and amounted to just over 2,041 grams.

While nothing of evidential value was found on the driver and the other two passengers, the police took statements from them and they were allowed to go.

The suspect is in custody pending further investigation.

Several women in the Mocha Arcadia community, East Bank Demerara at the orientation ceremony held at the Heavenly Light Mocha Outreach

Richard Maughn, Chief Executive Officer of BIT

nabbed with more than 2,000 grams of ‘ganja’

–– says marijuana was for “a fine hustle because things lil hard”

Sand trucks to operate from new EBD location soon

MINISTERS of Public Works Juan Edghill and Deodat Indar on Saturday met with sand truck owners and operators, who ply their trade in the vicinity of DSL Cash and Carry, Industrial Site, East Bank Demerara Public Road, to discuss relocation from their current operating space.

Ministers Edghill and Indar engaged the drivers, relaying the complaints

of businesses which have been affected by them operating in the Industrial Site area, as well as the danger of them operating from the side of the East Bank Road.

“Our engagement with you today is to see how we can get an arrangement worked out. We know a lot of households are depending on you, and people in construction are depending on you, but relocation is a must, and with this reloca-

tion, we can guarantee that everyone will know where to find you; your work will not be hindered; we will put that out there; everyone will know where to find you,” Minister Edghill guaranteed the truckers.

“I spoke with President Ali as well, and he said to engage you to get a temporary location until we get a more permanent space for you,” Minister Indar added.

Meanwhile, with both

sides agreeing that an alternative is urgently needed, the outer parking lot of the Guyana National Stadium, which entry is from ‘Red Road,’ has been identified.

“There is a parking lot between here [the Stadium] and the Princess Hotel, we can get that open and situated for you so that you can come and park and sell your sand. Minister Indar has already engaged the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport on the matter and he has given the go-ahead,” Minister Edghill stated.

A team from the Ministry of Public Works will

visit the area in the coming days to ensure that the parking lot is cleared and outfitted to accommodate the trucks.

The ministers will also meet with the taxi drivers plying their trade from the main entrance of the parking facility, to discuss relocation as well, while a meeting with vendors who are currently operating from the side of the road just outside the parking lot, is also on the schedule.

Approximately 15 sand truck operators/ drivers attended Saturday’s meeting.

Ministers Juan Edghill and Deodat Indar during the meeting with sand truck operators and drivers

Vreed-en-Hoop and GT stellings get face lift

REMEDIAL works are currently ongoing at the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling, while works are also on the card for the Stabroek Stelling, as part of an effort to improve safety and comfort of the travelling public when they are using the water taxis at the two locations.

The works cost approximately $8 million, and are being carried out by the Ministry of Public Works through the Transport and Harbours Department (THD) and Maritime Administration (MARAD).

“This is something that we indicated to the people that we would do. It became more obvious that improvements for safety and passenger comfort were needed when we had the situation with the [Demerara Harbour] Bridge. Both at the Vreed-en-Hoop and the Stabroek [stellings], we will be doing the improvements, it is something we committed to so we are getting it done,” Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill related.

“The intent is that when the tide is low people must still be able to enter and exit the water taxi. The team at Transport and Harbours as well as MARAD are working closely to ensure we get that completed.”

The works commenced a few weeks ago, while, weather permitting, they are expected to take six to eight weeks to complete. At Vreed-en-Hoop, the works include the construction of a shed and the addition of extra stairs.

“We are putting a shed so that people could be able to get in and out with ease and comfort.

We added an extra stairs. But the scope at Georgetown would be different,” Minister Edghill noted.

Works ongoing at the Vreed-en-Hoop stelling (Rabindra Rooplall photo)

Police take several unlicensed firearms off the streets

EXCELLENT work by the Police continue to add to the tremendous success of the Guyana Police Force, the country’s premier law enforcement agency, in taking several unlicensed weapons off the streets during the past few days, including two high-powered assault weapons.

On Saturday, a 34-yearold man from Vigilance, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was nabbed by Police from Regional Division 4 ‘C’, who had in his possession, a Glock 17 (9mm) Pistol with no serial number, along with two 9mm matching rounds of ammunition.

The police were at the time on mobile patrol duty in Friendship, ECD, when they saw a Colwin Barnwell, called ‘Timmo’, a vendor of Vigilance, standing with a black plastic bag in his hand.

According to a police report, after Barnwell saw the police, he started to walk away. He was told to stop, but instead, he ran. The

ranks gave chase, and he was caught.

A search of his person led to the discovery of the weapon in his crotch.

The suspect was asked if he was a licensed firearm holder, and he said no. He was then told of the offence

committed and cautioned. He claimed that he bought the firearm when he was in the interior region of Aranka. Barnwell was arrested and escorted to Vigilance Police Station along with the firearm and ammunition, where it was sealed and

lodged, and the suspect was placed into custody pending charges.

Additionally, at around 5:15 hours on Friday, ranks from the Sparendaam Police Station acted on information received and went to a two-bedroom house at Robert Road, Plaisance, ECD.

A search was conducted in the first bedroom of the house, in the presence of the two occupants who were there at the time, a 30-yearold laborer and a 23-year-old plumber who resides next door.

During the search, the ranks found a 12-gauge double-barrel shotgun with no serial number and four live matching cartridges.

The suspects were asked if they were licensed firearm holders but remained silent. They were then told of the offence committed, cautioned, and arrested.

Meanwhile, the previous day, January 5, ranks of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Special

Patrol of Regional Division 4 ‘A’ managed to recover two high-powered assault weapons and ammo during an operation in Norton Street, Georgetown.

The CID ranks were on patrol duty within the vicinity of Norton Street when they observed a suspicious male holding a bulky green and orange haversack in his right hand. As the man saw the Police ranks, he began to run through an alley in a northern direction, dropping the haversack.

The ranks gave chase, but he escaped. However, they managed to retrieve the haversack and found what appeared to be an AK 47 Assault Rifle, an AR 15 Rifle, one ‘round magazine’ containing 44 live 7.62x39 ammunition, and two AR 15 magazines, one containing eight live rounds of 5.56x45 ammunition.

Meanwhile, police also found a 12-gauge shotgun at Black Bush, Corentyne, after an intelligence-led police

operation was conducted on Friday.

Acting on the information received, the ranks ventured to Johanna South, Black Bush Polder, where they saw two men standing next to a silver-grey 212 vehicle. Nothing illegal was found in the car.

Police then proceeded to a nearby yard, where they saw another male in a storeroom. A search was conducted and one single-barrel shotgun with no serial number and three 12-gauge cartridges were found. Investigations are ongoing.

Ranks engage youths in Albouystown

RANKS from the Ruimveldt Police Station and Community Relations Office engaged youths from James Street Albouystown.

The youths were at the time participating in a coaching session conducted by Mr. Zebulon, a resident of the community, on Friday last.

According to a Facebook post by Regional Division #4 ‘A’, Mr. Zebulon is an influential community personnel who engages the youths in his community meaningfully in the absence of school. After meaningful discussions, he has decided to collaborate with the police to enhance and maintain social crime prevention activities in the community of Albouystown.

The Guyana Police Force continues to forge ahead with its social crime prevention initiatives, by partnering with key Stakeholders for safer communities, a press release noted.

Additionally, on Thursday last, Woman Inspector Padmore, Inspector in Charge of the Community Relations Office, and team along with Woman Sergeant Bowan, Sergeant in Charge of Brickdam Police Station, conducted a walkabout in the community of Leopold.

The residents gave positive feedback about the police and stated that they are encouraged to work along with the Police to maintain the positive change that is evident in the community.

34-year-old Colwin Barnwell

The 12-gauge shotgun found at Black Bush, Corentyne

Scenes from the walkabout in Leopold Street

CCTV system purchased by APNU+AFC gov’t since 2015 still to be delivered

THE APNU+AFC’s one-term rule was characterised by a wanton abuse of taxpayers’ dollars.

This reality is reflected in the yearly reports published by Auditor General, Deodat Sharma.

On to now, efforts are still being made by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic to right some of the wrongs committed by the coalition.

The report of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the public account for Guyana for the year 2016 was recently laid in the National Assembly.

In that report, the PAC noted concern about persistent non-adherence to store regulations, Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, and Procurement Act by the accounting officers. The committee also noted instances where accounting officers and engineering staff were cited for signing off on incomplete and unverified projects.

Among other infractions was the non-delivery of items after full payments were made by several budget agencies. For instance, the PAC noted the recurring issue of the non-delivery of the close-circuit television (CCTV) system.

This issue has been featured in the Auditor General’s report since 2015. Back then, Sharma noted that some $19.108 million was paid to an overseas supplier on December 14, 2015, for the procurement of supplies and installation of CCTV systems at the National Intelligence Centre.

At the time of reporting in September 2016, the ministry was still not in receipt of the items. In that instance, the government said that the matter was engaging the attention of the then Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams for advice.

While that was the position in 2015, by 2016 when the Auditor General raised the issue, the new response was that “the matter was brought to the attention of the Minister of State” who was Joseph Harmon.

By 2017, the matter went back to Williams’ Office. The update then was that the Attorney General’s Office said that a background check is being carried out on the company locally and then overseas.

In 2018 and 2019, the response was that “the ministry continues to follow up with the Attorney General’s Office on this matter.”

Up to when the APNU+AFC left office in 2020, Williams and Harmon were unable to provide a way forward.

When the matter was raised after the audit in 2021, the Office of the President stated that these matters were raised at PAC’s meetings on July 14, 2021 and February 21, 2022, respectively.

The report of the PAC reflects an update to the effect that the supplier has filed for bankruptcy.

The Office of the President has written the Finance Secretary on June 14, 2022, for guidance on the way forward.

Liverpool, Wolves draw at Anfield

(BBC) - LIVERPOOL and Wolves were forced to settle for an FA Cup third-round replay after a thrilling encounter finished level at Anfield.

Wolves led after Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson horrifically gave the ball away and Goncalo Guedes tapped home.

Darwin Nunez's classy left-footed volley pulled Liverpool level, before Mohamed Salah side-footed them ahead.

Hwang Hee-chan then came off the bench to earn Wolves a replay, with the ball ricocheting in off his side.

Wolves thought they had won the game when Toti

flicked home, but the Video Assistant Referee ruled it offside earlier in the move.

A replay is likely to anger Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who reiterated his opposition to them as recently as Friday.

Both sides thrill in fair draw

Liverpool started the game sharply, but Klopp will be concerned that his side found themselves behind for the third successive game.

Rather than a tactical issue like in previous games, this was purely a personal error.

Alisson rolled the ball out to Thiago, who tried to dribble past his man 25 yards from his own goal, but was intercepted. The ball ended up back at Alisson, who tried to pass it out to Trent Alexander-Arnold, but Guedes intercepted and slotted in.

Wolves were buoyed and

pressed for a second, with Guedes having a shot tipped away, before Raul Jimenez was inches away from tapping home a dragged Adama Traore shot.

The leveller, and timing

of it, will annoy Wolves. A rash clearance from Nathan Collins found Alexander-Arnold, and his clipped pass found Nunez, who side-footed into the far corner on the stroke of half-time.

Salah's goal was clinical. He latched onto a poor headed clearance from Toti, and slotted into the corner.

Liverpool's defensive issues reared their head again when Rayan Ait-Nouri broke

in behind the defence, but his effort was saved by the outstretched leg of Alisson.

Wolves got their deserved equaliser when Matheus Cunha's slide cross hit Ibrahima Konate and then Hwang's side before going in.

There was confusion around Tito's disallowed goal, with Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui outraged by the decision.

The linesman flagged for offside against the initial corner taker, after he received the clearance. The VAR then had no camera angle available with any evidence to overturn the decision.

Despite that, Lopetegui will be happy with the performance, with Wolves worthy of a draw and causing Liverpool numerous problems throughout the game.

Hosein remains among leading wicket takers in Big Bash

CMC – West Indies leftarm spinner, Akeal Hosein, snatched his 13th wicket of the Big Bash League to remain among the leading wicket-takers, and Melbourne Renegades got their second win in a row with a six-wicket win against Hobart Hurricanes on Saturday.

Playing at the Docklands Stadium, Hosein scalped the wicket of opener Ben McDermott caught at short fine leg for 28 and ended with one for 32 in his allotted four overs, and the

Hurricanes ended on 162 for eight from their 20 overs after being sent in to bat.

Hosein did not have to bat, and Sam Harper hit his highest BBL score in front of a crowd of 12000 to lead a successful run chase for the Renegades that ended with 11 balls remaining.

Harper had struggled in five previous innings this season, averaging 5.40 with three ducks to his name and slid down the order to No. 3 to try to fire up his season.

His innings started in a shaky manner when his

indecision led to Australia international Marcus Harris being run out – but Harper took his time to survey the conditions before he unleashed a merciless assault, blasting 89 off 48 balls that included four fours and seven sixes.

Harper batted like a man on a mission, manipulating the fields to perfection and the runs flowed, and Renegades needed only 11 when he was caught at mid-off in the 17th over caught at mid-off.

Mohamed Salah’s goal was his 17th of the season in all competitions

Yadav’s century spurs India to series win

(ESPNCRICINFO) -

Suryakumar Yadav's sublime century - his third in only 43 T20I innings - set up a series win for India against Sri Lanka. Batting first in the decider, India scored 228 out of which Suryakumar hit 112 off just 51 balls. It was an innings full of trademark Suryakumar shots: inside-out drives over extra cover, ramps over short fine leg and wrists used to manufacture shots over square leg and point. India were helped along by a blazing start from Rahul Tripathi and a finishing kick from Axar Patel.

Sri Lanka kept getting boundaries in response but the asking rate was too high, and they kept losing wickets too often to seriously challenge the hosts. Once Shivam Mavi and Axar interrupted a quick start from Sri Lanka, the small margin for error kept creating more shots that weren't quite on.

The win took India's un-

beaten streak in T20I bilaterals at home to 11 series. Only one of these series was drawn.

Tripathi announces himself Tripathi is known for

that side of him in just his second match. The bowling had looked tough until then on a tacky pitch at the start of the innings: Dilshan Madushanka got Ishan Kishan in the first over, Kasun Rajitha

at Madushanka to counter the movement, and then got stuck into Maheesh Theekshana, whose control of length had been exceptional this series. Once Tripathi swept him from a decent length, though, Theekshana's lengths went awry. Immediately after the sweep, Tripathi expected a short ball and cut it from outside leg. Then he drew a rare drive ball from Theekshana, and lofted him over mid-on. By the time he got out, Tripathi had scored 35 off 16 balls and taken India to 52 for 2 in 5.5 overs.

Surya burns bright

he drove over extra-cover for four followed by a ramp-whip to drag a short ball from outside off for a six over square leg. It was almost like Suryakumar's shots were competing among themselves to be the most audacious on the night.

unbroken 39-run stand with Suryakumar off 20 balls.

Axar starts the slide

his selfless intent in the IPL no matter where you send him to bat. Having made his international debut at the age of 31, Tripathi showed

bowled the first maiden of the series to Shubman Gill, but Tripathi salvaged the powerplay.

Tripathi first charged

You wonder if Sri Lanka regret getting the second wicket because Suryakumar then batted with ridiculous ease against all the bowlers. He hit nine sixes and seven fours: a boundary every three balls almost. And he still maintained a control percentage of over 84.

As often, Suryakumar didn't need much of a sighter. The fourth ball he faced,

Was it the wide high full toss from the left-arm quick that he sent over fine leg for a six while himself on the floor trying to get his head out of the line of danger? Or was the wide slower ball on which he somehow imparted enough whip of the wrists to be able to ramp it over fine leg for six? Or the back-foot inside-out drive to a slower legcutter for a six over extra-cover?

In the blinding lights of Suryakumar's innings, it was easy to forget Shubman Gill scored just 46 off 36, taking 10 balls to get off the mark. Batters who replaced Gill tried to hit out immediately, but only Axar was successful, scoring 21 off nine in an

Kusal Mendis continued his good touch by running away to 21 off 10 as Sri Lanka got to 35 in 3.1 overs. Mavi then pulled them back, and Axar created enough mistakes to get Mendis caught at short third in the fifth over. Needing more than two runs a ball for the rest of the innings, the Sri Lanka batters had to keep swinging. India remained good enough to keep taking wickets.

Arshdeep Singh, still struggling for rhythm, got Pathum Nissanka with the bouncer, making it 51 for 2 in the powerplay. Avishka Fernando found fine leg off a loose ball from Hardik Pandya, Charith Asalanka hit a short ball from Yuzvendra Chahal to deep cover, and the wickets just kept falling. Arshdeep ended up with three wickets to bowl Sri Lanka out in 16.4 overs.

Cummins, Hazlewood keep South African whitewash hope alive

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Australia quick Pat Cummins tormented South Africa with a sensational spell late on day four as the continued their bold push for a third Test victory at the SCG.

At stumps, South Africa were still well short of the follow-on target after Cummins' earlier declaration of Australia's first innings. Four straight sessions had been lost due to rain, but Australia still believe they can secure a series sweep to book a spot in the World Test Championship final in June.

Cummins fueled their hope with the late wickets of Khaya Zondo and Kyle Verreynne to leave South Africa nervously placed with 98 overs to be bowled

on day five. There is only a small chance of rain forecast in Sydney for Sunday.

Amid gloomy conditions, Cummins produced an outstanding spell marked by inconsistent bounce from around the wicket. Having threatened with the short ball, Cummins bowled a gem of a full delivery to trap Zondo lbw for 39 after the batter unsuccessfully reviewed the decision.

He almost replicated the delivery to Marco Jansen but the ball pitched outside the leg stump before hitting the pads. Looking like taking a wicket on almost every ball, spurred on by an enthusiastic crowd, Cummins from over the wicket had Verreynne caught at slip after producing a per-

fect length delivery.

He had earlier picked up recalled batter Heinrich Klaasen, whose only previous Test match was against India in 2019, with a nasty short delivery that was gloved to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

A pumped-up Josh Hazlewood also starred with the wickets of skipper Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma. Having been preferred over Scott Boland, Hazlewood repaid the faith of the selectors on his return after suffering a side strain against West Indies in the opening Test of the home season.

He troubled Elgar in particular with vicious short-pitched deliveries, and eventually hit his glove to be caught behind. Elgar has only mustered 46 runs

in five innings during a wretched series. He had survived a contentious low catch at slip after edging Hazlewood to Steven Smith, who flung out his right hand in a spectacular effort, but it was given not out on the soft signal.

Initial replays seemingly showed the ball going straight into a full-flung Smith's right hand. But further replays cast doubt over whether some of the ball brushed the turf and it was enough for third umpire Richard Kettleborough to uphold the not-out decision.

It was consistent with Kettleborough's decision-making - on day one, when Marnus Labuschagne edged to first slip where Simon Harmer claimed a low

catch but replays proved inconclusive, Kettleborough had decided in favour of the batter too.

Hazlewood in the final session dismissed Bavuma, who tamely edged a length delivery to end what had been a promising innings. He played aggressively at times and struck spinner Nathan Lyon for a couple of sixes before tea, but was left despondent after his dismissal for 35.

Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar bowled just seven overs and failed to threaten in his first Test match since 2017, and his first in Australia.

Cummins' declaration after lunch meant opener Usman Khawaja remained stuck on his highest Test score of 195. Frank Worrell

and Sachin Tendulkar are the only other batters apart from Khawaja to have been in the 190s when their captains declared an innings closed.

Matthew Renshaw was on 5 in his first Test match since 2018, after having tested positive for COVID-19 before play on day one. He returned negative rapid antigen tests yesterday and this morning.

There was a pre-match ceremony dedicated to Glenn McGrath's late wife, Jane, who died of breast cancer in 2008. It is traditionally held on day three but was moved because of the weather, and players from both teams were presented with pink caps.

Suryakumar Yadav scoops and also enjoys the sight of it (Associated Press)

Work starts tomorrow on Doubles Squash Court at NRC

...Construction of court & internal fittings to finish in 6 months

By Sean Devers

SINCE this government assumed office in March 2020, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has been rehabilitating Sports facilities or constructing new ones, as Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport, Charles Ramson and his team is focused on providing facilities that aid in the development of sports in Guyana.

outside of the Caribbean being held here, would not only be good for sporting tourism but would also ignite the interest for the game by youngsters being able to see the great players performing here” continued Ramson, who spoke of the impact made by Guyana’s best squash player, Nicolette Fernandes.

Minister Ramson told the players present that he feels there is no shortage of talent in

Yesterday, at the National Racquet Centre (NRC) on Woolford Avenue, the launching of the construction of another such facility was done by Minister Ramson.

Minister, a former First Division left-arm spinner for Everest, said the construction of movable glass walls which would form an international size doubles squash court, will commence tomorrow.

The movable glass walls will merge three ‘singles’ courts into one doubles court, which when completed in six months, could facilitate international squash championships being played in Guyana.

According to Minister Ramson, the cost of construction of the facility is $25 Million while installation of the internal fittings, (which have already been purchased), cost $40 Million.

Minister Ramson, speaking in the presence Director of Sports Steven Ninvalle, Assistant Directors Melissa Richardson and Frankie Wilson, along with GSA President, Owen Verwey, disclosed that both projects will be completed at the same time, adding that monies used were from last year’s sports budget.

The project is a collaborative venture between the government and the GSA will be able to create more opportunities for Guyana’s squash players by having the larger tournament held here while reducing the cost of airfare to travel for overseas championships.

“Having international championships, with teams

Guyana but he thinks the players (in all sports disciplines) needs to adopt a ‘Winning Culture’ and work hard on being the best.

“A winning culture is very important for success…we all want to win…you in your sports and I in my Job, which is politics.

You and I have to be the best we can and work hard and get the right results. You have to play as a team help your team to be successful…in my case I am working hard to help win an elections.

But you can have the talent but if you don’t have the facilities there is only so far that you can go. We (the GOG) are giving you the tools with proper facilities and coaching” explained Minister Ramson.

He informed that Wilson would be working exclusively on the sports academy.

“I will be on his back. If he says something think of it as me saying it” declared Ramson, whose brain child is the academy.

Ninvalle, who is also the President of the GBA, said the importance of structure cannot be over-emphasised and promised that 2023 will be much better for sports in Guyana.

The GSA President thanked the sports ministry for helping to make a doubles court a reality and was happy that this project has moved from the stage of talking to the stage of doing.

The local squash season begins from February 1-4 with the BCQS Masters.

One of the present squash courts at the NRC (Sean Devers photo)

Pat Cummins celebrates the wicket of Heinrich Klaasen • Getty Images

Minister Ramson (7th from left) with the squash players and officials (Sean Devers photo)