Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_01_17_2023

Local economy grew by 62.3 per cent in 2022

EVEN as countries the world over continue to experience slow or no growth because of harsh global economic conditions, Guyana has managed to maintain a thriving economy through careful fiscal planning and the creation of an environment that has fostered improved performances in various economic sectors.

In presenting the government’s massive $781.9 billion 2023 budget to the National Assembly on Monday, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, said the economy grew by 62.3 per cent overall in 2022 in real terms, with a “very strong expansion of 11.5 per cent in non-oil real gross domestic product (GDP).

“At 62.3 per cent overall real growth, Guyana would be the fastest growing economy in the world in 2022,” Dr. Singh said.

The country’s performance was on account of better-than-expected output in the oil and gas sector, and the government’s policies focused on supporting the traditional and new and emergent non-oil pillars of the economy, helped ensure stronger and more broadbased growth than originally anticipated.

“Speaker, with continued interventions and policies geared at building a resilient economy, real GDP is projected to grow by 25.1 per cent this year, a rate of growth which currently puts Guyana among the top five fastest growing economies in

2023,” Dr. Singh said.

This position, according to the minister, could be largely attributed to further ramping up of oil production anticipated in the Stabroek Block.

“Growth in the non-oil economy is currently projected at 7.9 per cent this year, driven by continued expansion in construction, other crops, and wholesale and retail trade and repairs, alongside a rebound in gold mining,” Dr. Singh related.

The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector, which grew by 11.9 per cent in 2022 is expected to expand by 7.2 per cent in 2023, driven by growth across all subsectors.

“Notably, in 2023, the sugar growing subsector is projected to recover and expand by 29.3 per cent, as

GuySuCo anticipates higher performance from the existing estates, combined with forecasted production from the reopened Rose Hall estate later in the year. The corporation expects output of nearly 61,000 tonnes of sugar this year.

“Mr. Speaker, growth of 8.3 per cent is projected for the rice growing subsector in 2023, with total production of 652,103 metric tonnes. This reflects continued research and development efforts driving the adoption and cultivation of new, highyielding varieties, as well as increased acreage under cultivation this year,” Dr. Singh said.

The other crops subsector is also expected to expand in 2023, at a rate of 5.8 per cent, while livestock, forestry, and fishing are projected to grow at 12.1 per cent, four per cent and 8.4 per cent respectively.

Further, the mining and quarrying sector, which grew by an enormous 109.7 per cent, is forecasted to grow by

34.1 per cent in 2023, with expansions projected for all four subsectors: oil and gas, gold, bauxite and other mining and quarrying.

This year, the Stabroek Block is forecasted to produce crude oil at an average rate of about 374,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

“Consequently, the subsector is estimated to grow by 35.6 per cent in 2023. In addition, a turnaround is anticipated for the gold mining

subsector, which is projected to grow by 12.7 per cent in 2023, on account of higher expected declarations from one of the large operators, and the small and medium scale miners,” Dr. Singh said.

The bauxite subsector also recovered in 2022 from the many disruptions in 2021. This momentum is expected to continue into 2023, and with greater output expected from both large operators, the

In presenting the government’s massive $781.9 billion 2023 budget to the National Assembly on Monday, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, said the economy grew by 62.3 per cent overall in 2022 in real terms, with a “very strong expansion of 11.5 per cent in non-oil real gross domestic product” (GDP)

- with ‘very strong’ expansion of 11.5 per cent also recorded in non-oil real GDP

bright prospects ahead, as country remains on course to growing by 25.1 per cent this year, Dr. Singh says

Massive $781.9B Budget 2023 advances

Guyana’s transformation

By Shamar Meusa

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali has said that the direct relationship between the policy measures announced in the 2023 National Budget and the improvement in the lives of Guyanese will be seen.

The 2023 national budget was presented to the National Assembly under the theme, “Improving Lives today, Building Prosperity for Tomorrow.”

The $781.9 billion budget, Guyana’s largest ever, is one with a difference that points to the future aspirations of the country, laying the bedrock and framework for an economy that must be built to be sustainable in a world 2023 and beyond, Dr. Ali said in a broadcast on Monday evening.

This budget, he said, is one that seeks to stabilise all the productive sectors of Guyana’s economy and continues to give incentives and balance to the productive capacity of the country, to further enhance growth.

This year’s budget is approximately 41.4 per cent larger than Budget 2022 and brings in revenues from Guyana’s first carbon sale

which amounts to some $1.3 billion. The use of these funds, Dr. Ali said, serves as part of the transformative agenda of the government.

Further, the budget also sees the addition of some $208.9 billion to be transferred from the country’s Natural Resource Fund (NRF).

“So, Budget 2023 is that transitional budget as we start to work on a framework that utilises new forms of income, that utilise the new revenue stream that our country will be pursuing,” he said,

In addition to this, President Ali said that this budget is about achieving a middle ground in stabilising the economy, strengthening systems and focusing on people’s priorities.

As promised in the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) manifesto, the first five years in office would be focused on ensuring that citizens get the best access to healthcare, education, water, social services, infrastructure and more, and budget 2023 brings all of those things together.

IMPROVING LIVES

Since entering office, the Head of State remarked that his government has been

continuously addressing issues like salaries to increase the disposable income in homes across the country.

Against this backdrop, he spoke of the announcement of the adjustments in salary scales for nurses, healthcare workers and members of the Joint Services. These adjustments, Dr. Ali said, will see $3 billion back into the pockets of these categories of workers.

However, as it relates to the general population, he noted that the government has come up with certain incentives such as the increase in the income-tax threshold to ensure that more disposable income is in the pockets of the people.

In budget 2023, Dr. Ali said the income-tax threshold has been increased from $75,000 to $85,000, which will release an additional $3.3 billion of disposable income for workers.

This adjustment, he said, will remove some 12,000 persons from the taxpayer’s basket as these are the persons who will now fall below that threshold.

Meanwhile, he happily announced that the reinstituted ‘Because we Care’ cash grant for school children which stood at $25,000 in 2022 will see an increase to $35,000 thus releasing an additional $2.1 billion into the hands of parents for their children.

While he noted that this budget has been cast in very difficult circumstances, Dr. Ali noted that the budget takes into consideration several specific cost-ofliving measures to address the needs of the people of the country.

He highlighted that as was done in 2022, this budget will see zero excise taxes on fuel maintained to absorb the impact of the volatile fuel prices.

President Ali said: “This will cost the government $17 billion of revenue that you would have otherwise had to pay in the taxes in that fuel that the government is removing from you.”

Additionally, during the course of the year, he said that based on what is happening globally, the government has planned to further cushion the cost-of-living situation and has accordingly, budgeted an additional $5 billion to cushion any foreseen issues surrounding cost-of-living.

However, in keeping with the government’s philosophy of reaching vulnerable groups, he said that government has announced the increase in the old age pension from $28,000 to

$33,000, thus placing an additional $4.4 billion into the hands of over 73,000 persons.

Further, as part of the government’s drive to advance and promote homeownership, the Head of State remarked that the 2023 budget continues to give more to prospective homeowners making it easier for them to own homes.

Against this backdrop, he stated: “Budget 2023 will see the low-income ceiling for loans for the housing sector, increasing from $15 million to $20 million, so a young professional now would have that ability to borrow within that lowincome ceiling moving from $15 million to $20 million at low-interest costs.”

These are among many measures addressed in this year’s budget to further improve on various sectors that have seen a tremendous transformation over the past two years.

President Ali said during his live address that throughout the week, he will continue to highlight areas in which Budget 2023 will deliver a higher quality, more productive and sustainable life for all Guyanese.

$50B to be placed in pockets of citizens

SOME $50 billion will be placed in the pockets of citizens through the proposed increases in old-age pension, public assistance and income tax threshold, along with other cost of living measures that form part of the government’s $781.9 billion budget for 2023 that was tabled in the National Assembly, on Monday.

Released under the theme, “Improving lives today, building prosperity for tomorrow,” this year’s budget is the largest budget ever, and despite being 41.4 per cent larger than Budget 2022, it is fully financed with no new taxes.

“Budget 2023 strikes a balance between addressing the pressing needs of today and the critical investments needed for tomorrow, ensuring that both are attended to,” Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, said as he presented the milestone budget.

He went on to say: “Budget 2023 also reflects a number of measures that are geared towards providing further stimulus to economic activity and the productive sectors, as well as to

bring relief to households and individuals.

“These interventions are targeted towards continuing to increase the disposable income of our citizens, while facilitating and promoting job creation and income generation, coupled with an institutional framework that will reduce the cost of doing business all with the aim of improving the lives of all Guyanese.”

The income tax threshold was increased by another $10,000, moving from $75,000 to $85,000. As a result of the adjustment in the tax threshold, over 12,000 persons will be removed from paying income

taxes, while every single taxpayer will benefit.

This will result in a $3.3 billion increase in disposable income. At an individual taxpayer level, for illustrative purposes, this translates to additional disposal income of $33,600 annually for every single taxpayer who is currently earning $100,000 per month.

Aside from the increased income tax threshold, the first phase of salary adjustments announced last year by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali will take effect from this month, benefitting over 5,000 healthcare workers and almost 9,000 members of the Disciplined Services, result-

ing in an additional $3 billion in disposable income in the hands of these workers. Provision for these are all made out in Budget 2023.

Another $10 billion has also been allocated to the part time job programme which was started in 2022. The beneficiaries of this programme are encouraged to upskill themselves so they can eventually take up full-time employment as the labour market is confronted with a shortage of skills in certain areas.

Meanwhile, with effect from January 1, 2023, old-age pension will be increased to from $28,000 to $33,000.

“This measure will benefit approximately 73,000 pensioners, each of whom will now receive an additional $60,000 per annum, thereby placing an additional $4.4 billion of disposable income in their hands. With this latest increase, the total Old age pension now amounts to $28.9 billion,” Dr. Singh shared.

Public assistance was increased from $14,000 to $16,000 with effect from January 1, 2023. Over 29,000 persons, are set to benefit from this initiative, which will provide over $700 million in additional

disposable income to these individuals.

Increasing old age pension and public assistance, were just two in a range of measures that the government implemented to ease cost of living.

Dr. Singh shared that the adjustment of freight charges to the pre-pandemic levels has been extended for a further 12-month period from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023, at a cost of over $6 billion. The zero excise taxes on fuel will also be maintained as long as fuel prices remain elevated. Some $5 billion has also been set aside for cost of living measures to be determined after community engagements.

The low-income mortgage ceiling has also been increased to $20 million, up from $15 million, reducing the cost of borrowing within this range from the commercial banks, and further incentivising home ownership.

Also in support of government’s aggressive housing drive, and to reduce the cost of home ownership, the 14 per cent VAT with respect to the sale of residential properties has been removed, which will also

further reduce the cost of home ownership.

The government has also implemented measures to incentivise the transition to lower emission vehicles, with the removal of the 14 per cent VAT on new fully electric motor vehicles of any power rating, and an increase in the writing down allowance applicable to all electric motor vehicles to 50 per cent annually.

In making vehicle ownership cheaper, the government has reduced the duty from 45 per cent to 35 per cent on the importation of new motor vehicles below 1500 cc, which will reduce the cost of importing such a vehicle by approximately $200,000.

In relation to used vehicles below 1500 cc, the government will be replacing the current tax rate with a flat rate of taxes of $800,000, which will reduce the cost of importing such a vehicle by $300,000 on average.

“An aggregation of these measures will place over $50 billion in the hands of citizens, easing cost of living pressures while incentivising the expansion of economic activity and job creation,” Dr. Singh said.

- with increases in old-age pension, income tax and public assistance; extension of adjustment in freight charges, among other measures

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh

- includes more measures tailored to improve the lives of every Guyanese, President Ali says

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

Budget 2023 to fuel transition, create opportunities for enhanced productivity

VICE-Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Ryan Alexander, on Monday, after the presentation of Budget 2023 by Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, said that the private sector has always been advocating for the Government of Guyana to have systems in place so that the sector could be more productive, and this budget has presented them with that opportunity.

He said that it has just moved the bar for them to become more aggressive in terms of the opportunities that will be rolled out.

Additionally, Rafeek Khan, Head of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), said that this budget is going to allow Guyana to move from a primary economy to a secondary economy.

He noted that two of the country’s biggest challenges are infrastructure and energy.

Khan related that the country’s energy costs are perhaps among the highest within the Caribbean, and this is expected to

be addressed frontally with the establishment of the gas-to-shore project.

“We hope to see the impact of this in bringing down our energy cost overall. At the GMSA, we are anticipating that our businesses, old and new, are going to have more confidence to invest and then… let us develop new industries that will help give a push into the economy producing products that we would have never been producing before,” Khan added.

He related that he would like to see more money going into the agriculture sector, noting that the intention would be to push and promote the agriculture more.

Khan added that GMSA will be working closely with the government to further promote products in the region.

Meanwhile, Halim Khan, Head of Region Three Private Sector Inc. (R3PSInc), said that based on the breakdown of the budget 2023, from top to bottom, it will be befitting everyone as Guyana aims at a new paradigm.

“One of the major projects that will benefit all in Guyana and is especially being monitored with anticipation by the Region Three Private Sector Inc. (R3PSInc); this will be the Wales Gas-to-Energy project, and this will advance as the government budgeted $43.4 billion to facilitate construction of the power plant and associated facilities as one of Guyana’s most transformational projects,” he said.

Khan related that this project is the single largest investment made in Guyana’s electricity sector and promises to slash local energy costs in half once the project is on-stream. Overall, the project is pegged at more than US$1 billion.

“In 2023, the R3PSInc forecasts a vast transformation of infrastructure in the public healthcare system as $13.2 billion will be spent on advancing infrastructure works at the forthcoming pediatric and maternal hospital, and six new regional hospitals at Lima, De Kindred, Diamond, Enmore, Bath and the No. 75 village,” Khan said.

Additionally, in a bid to deliver on its promise of creating a conducive environment for private sector investment, the government has set aside $584.2 million for the Small Business Bureau and the Small Business Development Fund, he noted.

Khan related that the $2.1 billion which has been allocated for the continued roll out of the school feeding programme is exceptional.

Additionally, the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) supports the continued development of the Wales Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project.

Minister Singh, in his presentation of the National Budget 2023, detailed there is an allocation of $43.4 billion to support the construction of a 300 megawatts (MW) Combined-cycle gas turbine power plant, natural gas liquids plant, and associated facilities.

“GOGEC recognises the immense improvement to both the reliability of electricity supply brought by gas and the improved stability needed to sequentially

incorporate intermittent renewable energy systems, such as solar and wind.

“By 2025, with 300MW of new baseload capacity provided with Natural Gas, the reliability of the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) grid will increase while the Green House Gas (GHG) emissions associated with electricity generation will be reduced by half,” GOGEC said.

Further, the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (RCCI) commended the Government of Guyana on the presentation of Budget 2023 in which there are numerous benefits for businesses and residents of the Rupununi Region.

“Budget 2023 and the men-

tioned investments in all sectors demonstrates the government’s serious commitments to improve the social and economic standing of our local population,” RCCI stated.

Komal Singh, the owner of GAICO construction, said that for budget 202, what is noticeable are the many initiatives that were included in the budget to increase disposable income and cost of living.

“Budget 2023 will also see massive support to achieve some of the major infrastructure development that is so badly need in our country.

Kudos to the His Excellency and the government for once again presenting a budget that is very diverse,” Singh related.

Indian, European oil firms evaluating bids for Guyana blocks

(Reuters) GUYANA’S upcoming bidding round for offshore areas has caught the interest of top energy companies from Asia to Europe, according to people famil -

iar with the matter, even as the government continues to work out terms for the auction.

The South American country wants to quickly expand its

oil industry and recruit developers to counterbalance an ExxonMobil Corp (XOM.N)led consortium that now controls all production. The Exxon group has outlined plans to install at least seven vessels to tap more than 11 billion barrels discovered to date.

India’s ONGC Videsh (ONVI.NS), the overseas investment arm of

state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC.NS), is considering a bid for some of the 14 exploration blocks the country has put on offer. Refiner Indian Oil Corp (IOC.NS) also is looking to work in Guyana in collaboration with ONGC Videsh,, two people close to the talks told Reuters.

Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali, this month travelled

to India and encouraged energy companies to participate in the auction, extending the same invitation to Chinese firms days later.

Guyana might consider allocating areas directly to strategic partners through government to government negotiations, officials have said.

“ONGC Videsh continues to consider, evaluate and process several global business opportunities,” a spokesperson said in a statement, adding: “For reasons of confidentiality and as a policy, we do not comment on specific opportunities until there are definitive agreements in place.”

IOC did not respond a request to comment.

Guyana is offering three deep-water and 11 shallowwater blocks, each averaging 2,000 square kilometers (722 sq miles). Bids are expected to be opened in April in Georgetown.

Several European companies in recent months also have researched on the auction’s terms to consider bidding, two other people familiar the matter said.

Exxon is considering bids on the blocks, said the company’s Guyana country chief, Alistair Routledge. “Of course, we will look at it,” Routledge told Reuters in an interview.

Many bidding decisions are contingent on Guyana clarifying terms of a new production-sharing agreement (PSA) that differs from that signed with the Exxon consortium for its 26,800 sq km Stabroek Block.

FIRMS WAITING

Oil analysts and experts say they are not expecting the

new PSA model to meet a Jan. 31 deadline amid unfinished contract language, legislative changes needed to reflect the new framework, and work pending to organize the auction.

Guyana’s finance minister, Ashni Singh, said on Monday the licensing round will be open through April 14, with successful bids to be awarded by the end of the first half of the year.

U.S. firm IHSMarkit was selected last year as lead consultant for the auction.

To bring more companies into the auction, Guyana did not restrict the amount of blocks companies can bid for, but will limit the awards to three per company.

Winners will be required to submit work programmes as part of their bids and present guarantees on those programmes. If winners have not fulfilled the investment programmes as required, the government could impose penalties or claw back acreage for future auctions.

“We want a greater turnover,” Guyanese Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said in November. “This is trying to solve a lot of the problems we have had with other areas, where people just sat on these and then they relinquished them after a long period.”

Last year, Exxon, Hess Corp (HES.N) and China’s CNOOC (0883.HK) ramped up oil output and exports with their second production vessel. The increased output began just before the acceleration of global demand in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion o f Ukraine and sanctions derived from it.

Massive $84.8B budget for further advancement of health sector

THE government has placed heavy emphasis on the health sector in 2023, allocating a mammoth $84 billion to ensure there is rapid infrastructural development, as well as better access to primary healthcare.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, noted that $1 billion is allocated for retrofitting health posts and health centres countrywide, while $830 million has been earmarked to modernise the Bartica Hospital.

In addition, $13.1 billion was allocated to advance preparatory works on six modern regional hospitals and the Pediatric and Maternity Hospital.

Rehabilitation works

will also commence at the Georgetown Public Hospital, New Amsterdam Hospital and Linden Hospital Complex.

An allocation of $1.8 billion will see the implementation of the telemedicine programme in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine using modern technology to provide real-time medical diagnosis and treatment.

The focus will also be placed on rehabilitating health science training facilities in Regions Two and Six, while $2.5 billion will be used to purchase medical and nonmedical equipment.

Emphasis will also be placed on improving supply management, storage capacity and improving storage conditions.

This year over $500

Local economy...

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sector is projected to grow by 9.8 per cent.

Further, the other mining and quarrying subsector – comprising sand, stone, and diamonds – is also forecasted to expand this year, by 7.3 per cent.

“This is supported by continued strong growth in the infrastructure component of the PSIP [Public Sector Investment Programme], and equally strong growth in private sector construction activity.

Additionally, in 2023, sugar manufacturing is anticipated to recover, growing by 29.3 per cent. Rice and other manufacturing are expected to continue growing, by 6.1 per cent and four per cent, respectively.

“The recovery in valueadded from sugar manufacturing, and the expansion in rice manufacturing corresponds with higher output from the producing estates, and advancements in cultivation and harvest-

ing, respectively. Relating to other manufacturing, further growth is expected in the manufacturing of fabricated metal products and plastic products,” Dr. Singh said.

This will also be supported by a projected 17 per cent growth in the construction sector, which is expected to advance even faster as the government ramps up its PSIP.

“Driven by continued activity in the construction, financial, and agriculture sectors, the services sector is estimated to grow by 5.6 per cent. This is further augmented by strong growth in tourism, and robust expansion in wholesale and retail trade and repairs, transport and storage, administrative and support services, and real estate activities. These are forecasted to increase by 7.8 per cent, 7.4 per cent, 6.5 per cent and five per cent, respectively,” Dr. Singh said.

million is allocated for the training of healthcare professionals.

Among other provisions, $88 million was allocated for the procurement of long-lasting insecticidal bed nets to battle malaria.

New Demerara River Bridge, railway embankment expansion

- among big projects catered for in Public Works Ministry’s $158.2B budget

GUYANA’S ongoing transformation through the expansion of the country’s infrastructure system is set to continue, with $158.2 billion proposed in Budget 2023 for the advancement of major projects this year.

In presenting the government’s massive fiscal plan to the National Assembly on Monday, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, said for the year 2022 some $67.9 billion was expended to improve road connectivity across all 10 administrative regions in the country.

Of that amount, some $39.8 billion was expended on miscellaneous, urban and hinterland roads while some $27.8 billion was spent on the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of bridges.

Projects that will commence and continue with funding from Budget 2023 include:

* Government plans to inject $5.2 billion to propel works on the New Demerara River Bridge. Preparatory works have commenced on the first high-span, four-lane permanent hybrid concrete and cable-stained structure.

* Discussions to continue on the Corentyne River Bridge which links Guyana to Suriname is forging ahead.

* Works on the Linden to Mabura road, which will be linked to Lethem will be accelerated in 2023. Some $11.9 billion dollars is budgeted to advance the historic project.

* The Wismar Bridge, which will provide direct linkage to the Linden to Mabura corridor and onwards to Lethem, is also budgeted for.

* Construction of the Kurupukari River crossing bridge is well underway.

* $38.5 billion was allocated to construct, rehabilitate, and maintain community roads, particularly in underserved areas.

* $5 billion to support the rehabilitation of the Linden to Soesdyke Highway.

* $10.3 billion to advance the construction of the East Coast to East Bank Road linkage project from Ogle to Eccles.

* $4.1 billion to support the clearing of a right of way

between Diamond and Good Success and the construction of an alternate bypass road between Diamond and Grove.

* $16.6 billion was allocated to advance the upgrade of the East Coast railway embankment road into a fourlane highway, from Sheriff Street to Orange Nassau and the continuation up to the Mahaica River Bridge.

* $27.7 billion to upgrade and widen the Palmyra to Crabwood Creek Road into a four-lane highway.

Excellence in action

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has accomplished everything since taking office as Guyana’s 9th Executive President two and a half years ago. Many have claimed that he is the best and most qualified candidate for the position because he has upheld national security, law and order, and provided jobs and building lots for thousands of people during his time as president.

He has also given contracts to the most qualified contractors, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation.

His Excellency has travelled to nearly every district, village, and town in this brief period to meet with the locals—Indo, Afro, and native Guyanese—to discuss and resolve their issues.

Given his enormous accomplishments in such a short time, he is regarded as one of the most talented, wise, and practical leaders in the 57 years since the country’s independence.

He is a creative and perceptive thinker who has given hope to the helpless, improved the lives of the underprivileged, comforted those in times of sadness, pain, or hurt, inspired and motivated those with the potential for a bright future, instilled confidence in the depressed or disheartened, and persuaded troubled youths to turn away from criminal activity and become good and productive citizens.

In other words, he has made it abundantly plain to ev-

eryone that the economy is increasing, and everyone will benefit from it. His “One Guyana Initiative,” in which everyone may participate and help it succeed, is built around this idea.

It is true that President Ali’s “One Guyana Initiative” is a first for the nation; however, it is not a gamble, a frivolous thought, or a promise that won’t be kept; rather, it is a serious and significant effort to bridge the racial divide in the nation, to put decades of hatred, bigotry, and xenophobia behind us, and to live in peace, harmony, and with respect for one another. The goal is to bring the populace together and create a thriving Guyana.

One people, One nation, One Destiny is our motto, and realising it requires the serious-minded to work together to overcome their differences and/or disputes, live together, and accomplish this job. We are, after all, first and foremost Guyanese, and we are the custodian of our brothers and sisters. This biblical allusion, which comes from the book of Genesis, is typically taken to suggest that we should be concerned for each other’s welfare and our own. This should be the driving force behind who we are as people and justify our support of the “One Guyana Initiative.”

Therefore, we urge everyone to set aside their differences, arguments, and prejudices and follow President Ali’s call to unite the races, lift and better the lives of the underprivileged, create a thriving nation, and always put Guyana first. And although if other attempts to bring about

racial harmony have fallen short, we are optimistic that President Ali’s “one Guyana Initiative” will be successful thanks largely to its profound, sensible, and popular appeal.

Locally, President Ali has put Guyana on a sound economic path that will not only benefit the populace, particularly the poor, but also achieve his ultimate goal of reducing or ending poverty and improving the nation’s education and healthcare systems, among other things, to restore Guyana to its former status as the breadbasket of the Caribbean before its independence in 1966. In his speech to the Global South Summit last week, President Ali proposed a new global food system to reduce hunger among the underprivileged in developing nations.

Dr. Ali’s plan, which places agriculture at its centere, calls for increased investments in agricultural production and better agricultural technology in developing nations, the termination of unfair trade agreements that favour wealthy and powerful nations like the United States, Canada, and Britain, among others, and more serious efforts to combat climate change, which has negatively impacted the economies and well-being of the people in developing nations. He has wisely emphasised Guyana’s unwavering support in many areas, such as food security, climate change mitigation, just and equitable trade policies, and respect for everyone’s freedom and right to dignity and pursuit of prosperity and happiness.

President Ali: A judicious thinker, leader

Dear Editor,

SINCE becoming the Ninth Executive President of Guyana two and a half years ago, President Dr Irfaan Ali has done it all. And many have stated that he is the right and most suitable person for the job because as president, he has maintained peace and law and order in the country, provide jobs and house lots for thousands, awarded contracts to the most qualified contractors, regardless of race, ethnicity, religious background or party affiliation. In this short span, President Ali has visited almost every district, village and town to meet with the residents, Indo, Afro and native Guyanese to discuss and solve their problems. Based on his massive achievements in such a short period, he is considered one of the most gifted, practical and astute leaders in the country’s 57 years since independence.

He is an original and sagacious thinker who has provided hope to the hopeless, improved the lives of the poor, comforted those during their time of sadness, pain or hurt, encouraged and motivate those with potential

for a bright future, instilled confidence in the depressed or disheartened and has persuaded troubled youths to turn away from criminal activities and become good and productive citizens.

Simply put, he has made it clear to all and sundry that the country is progressing economically at a rapid pace and that everyone will share in the prosperity. This is at the core of his “One Guyana Initiative” in which everyone can participate and make it successful. It is true that President Ali’s “One Guyana Initiative is a first for the country; but it is not a gamble, a past-time thought or a promise that will not be fulfilled, it is a serious and meaningful undertaking to heal the racial divide in the country, to put aside decades of hatred, bigotry and xenophobia and to live in peace and harmony with respect for one another. Most importantly, it is to unite the people and build a prosperous Guyana.

It is also a profound task for the serious-minded to come together to resolve their differences and/or conflicts and to live together and consummate our motto—One people, One nation, One Destiny. After all, we are first and foremost Guyanese and our brothers

and sisters’ keepers. This biblical reference which is derived from the book of Genesis, is generally understood to mean that we should care about the well-being of each other and not only about our own. This should be our purpose in life and represent who we are and why we should support the “One Guyana Initiative.” So we are calling on everyone to cast away their disputes, disagreements and biases and heed President Ali’s call to unite the races, uplift and improve the lives of the poor and downtrodden, build a prosperous nation and put Guyana first at all times. And while many have attempted and failed in their quest to unite the races, we are confident that President Ali’s “one Guyana Initiative” will succeed, mainly because of its profound, rational and widespread appeal.

Locally, President Ali has set Guyana on a sound economic path that will not only yield benefits to the people, especially the poor, but his ultimate objective is to reduce or end poverty and improve education and health care, among others, in the country and to make Guyana the bread basket of the Caribbean, as it once used to be before its independence in 1966. On the interna-

tional scene, President Ali, in his address to the Global South Summit last week, proposed a new global food system aimed at reducing hunger among the poor in developing countries. With agriculture being at the core of his plan, Dr. Ali has called for greater investments in agricultural production and improved agricultural technology in developing countries, an end to the biased trade agreements that benefit the rich and powerful countries such as the United States, Canada and Britain among others, and more serious efforts to combat climate change that has hamstrung the economies and well-being of the peoples in the developing countries. He has judiciously underscored Guyana’s steadfast support in several areas, including food security, climate preservation, fair and balanced trade policies, and respect for the freedom and rights of all people to live in dignity in the pursuit of their prosperity and happiness.

Sincerely, Dr Asquith Rose

Justice sector to get $6.2B boost

- Finance Minister says gov’t committed to fixing existing challenges

TO safeguard the preservation of public trust and the safety of citizens, the sum of $6.2 billion has been earmarked in this year’s budget for the strengthening of the justice system.

During his presentation of the national budget, on Monday, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, said that the government remains resolute in its commitment to strengthening the justice sector.

He added that in the People Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) 2020 Manifesto, measures included the reform and accountability of the criminal justice system to ensure that justice is delivered in a timely manner.

According to the minister, this is especially important in boosting investor confidence in our changing economic climate which relies heavily on the rule of law.

In his presentation, Dr. Singh said that the government has spent $4.4 billion

in 2022, and has allocated $6.2 billion in 2023 for the enhancement of the justice sector, which is intended to expand access to justice countrywide, while also addressing existing challenges in the system.

With respect to expanding access to justice, the Kwakwani Magistrate’s Court was commissioned in 2022, while an additional eight courts – Court of Appeal, Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, Vigilance, Cove & John, Mahaicony, Bartica, and Mahdia – are slated for completion in 2023.

“Additionally, ICT is being deployed to improve the efficiency of the court system. In this regard, SMART courts are among the new projects intended to accelerate the provision of justice.

Additionally, an E-Litigation Programme for the Court of Appeal and the Georgetown High Court, as well as a Case Management System for the Magistrates’ Courts are intended to go live in 2023,” Dr. Singh said during his five-hour long presentation.

Towards these and other

initiatives, $1.5 billion has been budgeted for 2023. Additionally, investments are being made to strengthen technical capacity to improve the efficiency of the system.

Some of these 2022 investments include the Prosecutorial Programme at the University of Guyana which will increase the number of prosecutors assigned to various courts countrywide. The aim is to reduce the need for pre-trial detention.

Recently, 34 persons successfully completed the course while enrolment is currently ongoing for the second batch.

Further, in November 2022, the Restorative Justice Act was passed, paving the way for the use of alternative sentencing for specific categories of offences, along with the approval of an amendment to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act, allowing the removal of custodial sentences for persons in possession of 30 grammes or less of cannabis.

The minister highlighted that these measures would

all contribute to reducing the burden on the justice system.

In 2023, a number of other initiatives will target the advancement of the constitutional and law reform processes.

These include the operationalising of the Constitutional Reform Commission; the work of the Law Reform Commission; the completion of the Revised Laws of Guyana, and the preparation of the Law Reports of Guyana.

“In this regard, I am pleased to announce that the new Laws of Guyana volumes are expected to be available by June of this year. An amount of over $600 million has been provided to finance these and other initiatives,” he said.

Also, in the interest of expanding the capacity of the justice sector, Minister Singh said that work will be advanced to improve the ease of access to legal education.

Having received the ‘green light’ from the Council of Legal Education (CLE), a feasibility study will be prepared this year, on the establishment of a re-

gional law school in Guyana, within the framework of the CLE.

The minister said that this will cater for local, regional and extra-regional students given the growing need for legal education in Guyana and the Caribbean.

Recently, the AttorneyGeneral and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C. said that this year will see major adjustments to Guyana’s current family violence laws since the legislation lacks penal sanctions.

The Attorney General said the amendments are long overdue, as the country’s current legislation has been in existence for over 20 years.

He said several pieces of legislation are in the pipeline for 2023, such as the Arbitration Bill, which is expected

to pave the way to convert Guyana into a modern arbitration institution, ensuring that it becomes self-sufficient and the arbitration hub of the Caribbean.

Legislation for the advancement and improvement of the healthcare system are also part of the list for 2023. These include the Patient Personal Information Bill, which will prioritise the organisation and utilisation of patient data.

Other pieces of legislation slated for 2023 include the Single Window System Bill, Food Security Bill, Modern Waste Management Bill, Anti-Dumping Bill, Amendments to the Rice Farmers (Security of Tenure) Act, and Amendments to the Sexual Offences Act.

$58.6B allocated to security sector

A TOTAL of $58.6 billion has been allocated in this year’s budget to ensure the safety and security of the general public along with improvements in the prison system, police stations and the fire service. Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, in presenting the proposed budget for 2023 to the National Assembly on Monday, said that government recognises that delivering safety and security to citizens and businesses is a prerequisite for them to grow, prosper and contribute to the development of the state.

“We are adopting a structured approach to arrive at qualitative improvements that harmonise with our government’s commitment to delivering to the citizens of Guyana, a country with improved safety and security systems,” he said.

The minister explained that the government has allocated a sum of $58.6 billion towards the fulfilment of this vision of a strength-

ened security sector that will help to maintain the peace and prosperity for a ‘One Guyana’. This sum is $7.1 billion more than what was allotted to the security sector in 2022.

POLICE

In his five-hour long presentation, Dr. Singh said that the Guyana Police Force benefitted from over $1.2 billion in 2022, which was expended towards the construction and rehabilitation of police stations at Anna Regina, Parika, Kamarang, Kurupung, Mahdia, Blairmont and Kato, living quarters at Eve Leary and Port Kaituma.

However, this year a sum of $2.4 billion has been allocated to upgrade police stations and facilities.

“We will continue work towards the construction of Command Centres in Regions Two, Three, Five, Six and 10. Also, works commenced on the construction of CID Headquarters, Special Constabulary Headquarters, Tactical Service Unit Headquarters; living quarters at Beterverwagting and Cove and John; police

stations at Baramita, Den Amstel, Tuschen, Mocha, Sparendaam, Rose Hall, Imbaimadai, Eteringbang, Annai, Lethem, and Karasabai; and ICT Training Complexes in Regions One, Four, Five and Nine. Works will also commence on the reconstruction of Brickdam Police Station,” he added.

Among other things, Dr. Singh said that a mobile, quick response police service is key to averting criminal activity and the speedy detection and apprehension of criminals.

This is why last year, the police were given critical support to its transportation fleet with the acquisition of 40 pick-ups, 10 cars, 20 ATVs and 26 motorcycles at a sum of $495 million, which has significantly enhanced the security force’s capabilities to respond in a timely manner to incidents.

As such, this year $500 million is budgeted to continue to support the mobility of the force by expanding its transportation fleet.

In his reading, the minister said in 2022, an amount of $2.5 billion was expend-

ed towards improvements in the prevention and detection of criminal activities with the use of ICT solutions through the Safe Country Initiative.

This programme, he said, bolsters the police crime-fighting efforts through the provision and installation of intelligent video surveillance sites, regional command centres to monitor and manage these sites and 911 emergency response facilitation. Thus far, this initiative has already had a demonstrable impact in helping to reduce serious crimes.

As such, $2 billion is provided in this year’s budget for the expansion of the Safe Country Initiative to Regions Three and Six.

Further, Budget 2023 provides $2.1 billion to develop an electronic identification (eID) system to

introduce a single electronic identifier, through which each citizen will be assigned a unique national registration number to be used by all public and private sector agencies.

Additionally, the application of forensic crimefighting capabilities will be bolstered with the acquisition of a DNA analysis workflow system which was acquired in 2022 and will be operationalised this year.

He highlighted that “good policing coupled with professional, well-trained officers is critical to promoting order, safety, and a welcoming environment.”

According to Dr. Singh, over 3,000 ranks were trained in several areas, both locally and regionally, with a sum of $1.290B. Further, in 2023, a total of $140 million has been allocated for the improvement of the

investigative and forensic capabilities of a further 3,000 security personnel, which will result in heightened public confidence and support for our law enforcement institutions.

PRISON SERVICE

Meanwhile, as it relates to the Guyana Prison Service, the minister said that government’s overall reform and modernisation programme for the Guyana Prison Service targets the transformation of the prison service from a panel to a correctional service, which promotes an environment where custodial safety is assured, and inmates are rehabilitated and successfully reintegrated into society.

That is why $2.2 billion has been budgeted this year for construction works at Mazaruni and Lusignan, and to commence the reconstruction of the New Amsterdam Prison.

“Furthermore, a sum of $50 million has been allocated to ensure “trade shops” at these facilities are fully equipped to facilitate training in carpentry, joinery, masonry, block making, baking, cooking and other craft and trade activities to allow inmates to acquire life skills so that they can

The Supreme Court of Judicature, The High Court

Members of the Guyana Police Force marching

$4.7B allocated for hinterland land titling, ICT, infrastructure

UNDER the theme, “Improving lives today, building prosperity for tomorrow”, Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, on Monday, announced that more than $4.7 billion will be injected into the development of Amerindian and hinterland communities across the country.

The minister, during the presentation of the 2023 National Budget at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), said the government remains committed to prioritising the livelihoods of Guyana’s Indigenous people.

Dr. Singh further explained that this year’s budget will emphasise the advancement of education, health, housing, infrastructure, and social well-being.

In this regard, $500 million has been budgeted to advance Amerindian land titling activities. Further, a sum of $69.7 million has been allocated to complete and furnish the building of the National Toshaos’ Council Secretariat. An additional $93.3 million has been

budgeted to support 804 students through the Hinterland Scholarships Programme.

“When we returned to office, we were greeted with an array of issues facing our Amerindian brothers and sisters. Our government’s commitment, following our manifesto promises, resulted in the prioritisation of our first people’s education, health, housing, infrastructure, social well-being, employment, youth development, and development of the village economy,” Dr. Singh said.

Since assuming office in 2020, the government has resuscitated the Community Service Officers (CSO) Programme, improved agricultural support by distributing tractors, boats, engines, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs); reinvigorated the Amerindian Land Titling programme; and invested heavily in hinterland infrastructure, Dr. Singh added.

“To further develop Amerindian communities, we spent $4.9 billion through the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) on presidential grants, the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship

Programme, and additional financial support in areas of food security, youth development, tourism, and micro projects,” he said.

This year, a sum of $2.7 billion has been budgeted for the ADF, which includes continued training in tourism and hospitality, business development plans, garment construction, ATV, and small engine repairs, as well as

$1.4B set aside for promotion of arts and culture

AS the government continues to work towards the preservation and promotion of every aspect of our heritage, some $1.4 billion has been allocated to the arts and culture industry.

While presenting the 2023 Budget at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCA), Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh said: “The preservation and promotion of our unique Guyanese cultural identity will be essential to the definition of who we are as a nation in the now and in the long-term. Additionally, it is important that we recognise the vast economic potential of our cultural assets and that our young people view cultural endeavours as a viable and attractive proposition.”

He also pointed out that the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Cricket Carnival, which was held in Guyana last year, was a collaborative effort involving the government and the private sector. He said that together they were able to build a platform where 89 local artists displayed their skills and tal-

ents. He added that the plan is to replicate that this year.

According him, the 2023 Budget caters for a recording studio which will help with the promotion of creative arts as well as the introduction of the studio subsidy for recording.

The finance minister also mentioned in his presentation that 30 artists will be awarded $1 million each from the cultural and creative Industry so as to encourage their creative endeavours which will add to the country’s cultural stock.

With the inclusion of $100 million for the Endowment Fund for the Arts, the government has allocated

$1.4 billion to actively promote culture and arts in Guyana. $277 million will be used to upgrade and restore the protection of the cultural heritage places, such as monuments, museums and historic buildings in 2023.

It was noted that the Guyana Prize for Literature made its comeback in 2022 after being abandoned by the coalition government.

Additionally, a budgeted amount of $100 million has been set aside to support initiatives that are connected to the International Decade for People of African Descent.

provisions for presidential grants to 233 communities.

Furthermore, the sum of $5 billion has been budgeted for hinterland road development.

ICT, IMPROVED CONNECTIVITY

To bridge the digital gap, the government had delivered several VSAT satellite equipment which to date serves over 60,000 residents in 161 hinterland communi-

ties.

In addition to these, 93 hinterland communities have benefitted from grants to prepare spaces to establish ICT hubs, with another 107 communities slated to benefit by the third quarter of 2023. The 93 beneficiaries would have also seen the construction and equipping of ICT hubs in their villages, of which 72 are operational

with the remainder slated to be completed in the first quarter of 2023.

Further, works have commenced on the expansion of the fibre cable network by 115 km and these are expected to be completed in 2023. A sum of $500 million has been allocated in the 2023 Budget to finance these initiatives.

CULTURE PRESERVATION

Furthermore, in preserving the cultural uniqueness of the Indigenous people, the government has committed $124 million to the celebration of heritage in 2023.

Dr. Singh added that the National Toshaos’ Conference, which is budgeted at $91.8 million, will continue to add meaningful transformational engagements.

“Our Indigenous people will be at the forefront to directly benefit from this government’s efforts on climate finance, with 15 per cent of revenue received from the sale of our carbon credits going toward investment in village sustainability plans produced by villages and communities,” he said.

$58.6B allocated to security...

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seamlessly re-integrate into society and prevent recidivism,” he said.

He explained that 1,400 inmates were trained in areas such as block making, basic agriculture and culinary arts among others, at a cost of $88.9 million last year.

However, it is anticipated that this year, a further sum of $100M will be expended towards the training of 1,500 inmates. The sum will support their rehabilitation and social transformation in preparation for their exit from the prison system.

“Government will also ensure that the Prison Service is staffed with qualified and competent officers, with the necessary skill set to allow them to effectively navigate this complex environment. To this end, we will invest in prison management training for over 400 prison personnel this year. A total of $5.5 billion is earmarked for the Prison Service in 2023,” Dr. Singh related.

FIRE SERVICE

Shifting focus to the Guyana Fire Service, the minister said that last year

$2.7 billion was spent to initiate critical work to boost firefighting activity.

Of this sum, $557M was spent to progress works on critical facilities. The Guyana Fire Service continued work on the construction of the new Fire Service Headquarters at Durban Park, which is a critical and transformational investment that allows the fire service to be housed in a very accessible location, without undue hindrances to its demand for quick response.

Additionally, works have advanced on the construction of fire stations at Leonora, Wales and Ogle. He added that this year’s budget makes a provision of over $545 million to advance these and other initiatives.

Last year, $400 million was expended on the acquisition of several new pieces of firefighting equipment including water bowsers, all-terrain fire fighting vehicles, ambulances, and hydraulic platforms, with the aim of improving response capabilities.

However, this year an allocation of $489 million

has been provided for the procurement of several other pieces of equipment for firefighting including water bowsers and tenders, water reservoirs, ambulances and a fully equipped firefighting boat.

“Effective firefighting depends on the ready availability of water. We have therefore embarked on a massive rehabilitation and replacement programme of all nonworking fire hydrants in the country.

Of the 188 fire hydrants that were received in July 2022, 47 new installations and 28 replacements were done. In 2023, we will continue the installation of the remaining 113 hydrants by the end of the first quarter. A further 148 fire hydrants will be received in 2023 for installation,” he said.

To complement these initiatives, some $20 million was spent in 2022 to train fire officers to improve their performance and enhance safety at incident sites. Nevertheless, a further $20 million has been allocated for the training of fire officers.

The Rupununi Savannahs (Delano Williams photo)

Cops, civilian arrested after police find drugs, ‘ammo’ in car

TWO serving members of the Guyana Police Force and a civilian were arrested around 02:30hrs on Monday after cocaine, cannabis and a quantity of ammunition were allegedly found in the car they were in.

According to a police statement, a party of ranks from Regional Division 4 ‘C’ intercepted a Premio motor car with three occupants while conducting a roadblock on the Cove and John Public Road, East Coast Demerara.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as

32-year-old mason of Vigilance, East Coast Demerara, while the other two occupants were identified as Police Constable Albert Beresford who is stationed at the Clonbrook Police Outpost, and Police Constable Julius Cambridge who is stationed at the Cane Grove Police Station.

“Due to the suspicious behaviour by the men, the officers decided to conduct a search on their person and the motor vehicle. The ranks uncovered a grey and black travelling bag during the search…the bag

contained two parcels and a container with leaves, seeds and stems, suspected to be canna -

Mother hands over escapee to police

bis. Additionally, another container in the bag contained several parcels of rock-like substances, suspected to be cocaine,” the police said.

The suspects were then arrested and escorted to the Cove and John

Police Station along with the suspected cocaine and cannabis.

In their presence, the suspected cocaine was weighed and amounted to 170 grammes, while the suspected cannabis was weighed and amounted

to 9430 grammes.

A further search was carried out on the motor vehicle and two .38, two .40 and eleven 9mm rounds of ammunition were found.

Investigations are ongoing.

THREE days after he escaped while being transported to the Lusignan Prison, 22-year-old Shamar Singh has turned himself in at the Vreed-enHoop Police Station.

According to a police statement, on Monday at approximately 10.45hrs, Singh was handed over to the police in Regional Division #3 by his 46-year-old mother, Diane Singh of Hague,

West Coast Demerara.

When questioned, Singh disclosed that she picked up her son at the Guyana Power and Light office at the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling, West Coast Demerara, after he told her he wanted to turn himself in.

At the police station, he was rearrested and is currently in police custody.

Shamar and Ryan

Wilson called “Pepsi”, 28, of Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo, escaped from police custody last Friday after they kicked open the door of the prison van transporting them.

Police had reported that Wilson was arrested for indecent assault while Shamar was arrested for simple larceny and possession of narcotics.

The drugs and ammunition that were allegedly found in the car (Guyana Police Force photo)

Shamar Singh (Guyana Police Force photos) Ryan Wilson called ‘Pepsi’

Fire at Christ Church Secondary was maliciously set — GFS says

FOUR days after Christ Church Secondary School was destroyed by fire, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has determined that it was maliciously set as several points of origin were found.

The GFS said in a press release that it has been working assiduously to ascertain the circumstances surrounding

the major fire.

It explained that last Thursday, the GFS received a call at 17:22hrs alerting it to a fire at the school, which is located at Camp and Middle Streets, Georgetown.

Water tenders from the Central, Alberttown, West Ruimveldt, and Campbellville fire stations were immediately dispatched to the loca-

tion.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed smoke emanating from the two-storey wooden and concrete structure, and while getting into action, the building quickly became engulfed in flames.

“Despite firefighting efforts, more than 80 per cent of the building and its contents were

destroyed, with the remainder suffering severe damage. Additionally, three buildings in close proximity to the school were affected by the inferno and suffered damage to several AC units, PVC guttering, ceilings, windows, and curtains. Four vehicles also suffered damage to their tail lights, bumpers, and number plates. This was all due to the radiated heat from the building of origin,” the release said.

The fire was eventually contained, and firefighters were able to stop it from spreading to the Office of the Prime Minister and other nearby buildings.

“Eight jets were employed onto the flames,

working from a fire hydrant, open water source and original tank supply. This brought the fire under control and subsequently extinguished the blaze,” the release added.

The Fire Prevention Department began its investigation immediately and found that on the evening of the previous fire at the learning institute, which was caused by a chemical reaction combustion, all chemicals were removed from the building.

“As such, there were no chemicals in the building at the time of the second fire, which rules out the possibility that it was another chemical reaction,” the

release said.

It added that the day after the first fire, the school was inspected and certified by the Government Electrical Inspectorate, which rules out the possibility of the second fire being electrical in origin.

“Finally, taking into consideration the time of day that both fires occurred (16:29hrs and 17:22hrs), coupled with the fact that the second fire had several points of origin (seats), it is the determination of the Guyana Fire Service that the fire was maliciously set by person or persons unknown,” the release added.

Man accused of drug trafficking granted bail

GAVIN Thompson, a 28-year-old construction worker of Ogle Street, Triumph, East Coast Demerara, on Monday appeared in the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court on a drug-trafficking charge.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge which was

read to him by Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool.

Bail was later granted in the sum of $20,000 and the matter was adjourned until March 3, 2023.

Ranks of the Beterverwagting Police Station arrested Thompson on January 13.

The Christ Church Secondary School on fire last Thursday (Delano Williams photo)

Gavin Thompson

Ex-husband, accomplice admit to murdering Babita Sarjou, burying body in shallow grave

Narine had allegedly said that he was furious because he suspected that she was having an affair with a man at her workplace. He was also angry that she had taken him to court on allegations that he had posted nude pictures of her online.

Further probing also revealed that Narine had promised Ponton a measly $50,000 and a trip to Trinidad

if he killed Sarjou. However, Narine claimed that he paid Ponton $100,000.

Within days of the discovery, the men were charged for murdering Sarjou.

In 2017, following a preliminary inquiry before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, they were committed to stand trial before a judge and jury in the High Court.

TWELVE years after Babita Sarjou disappeared without a trace, her ex-husband Sharadananda Narine, called ‘Anand’ and his co-accused Darel Ponton, called ‘Yankee’, have admitted that they killed her and buried her remains in a shallow grave.

The two men were, on Monday, arraigned at the High Court. After repeatedly proclaiming their innocence, they have finally confessed to the brutal crime which had sent shockwaves across Guyana.

When the men appeared before High Court Judge, Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall, they both pleaded not guilty to the crime and a 12-member jury was later empanelled for their trial.

However, less than three hours later, the pair opted to change their plea to guilty. Sentencing was deferred until February 6.

Narine is being represented by attorney Siand Dhurjon, while attorney Nigel Hughes and his associates are on record for Ponton.

On November 4, 2010, Babita Sarjou left her mother’s home at Timehri, after making arrangements to meet Narine, who was taking her to see the Diwali motorcade at the Kitty seawall.

She was also to meet their four-year-old son. Sarjou reportedly met her husband outside the National Cultural Centre (NCC), entered his car and was never seen or heard from after that night.

Sarjou’s mother, Champa

Seonarine, never gave up hope as she was convinced that Narine played a role in her daughter’s disappearance.

With this in mind, she sought the help of the Caribbean American Domestic Awareness Organisation (CADVA), and together they relentlessly pleaded with the police to reopen the case.

In 2016, they got a glimmer of hope when Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum, reopened the investigation after receiving new information. Police investigators were now treating the case as a homicide.

Sarjou’s estranged husband was further questioned and subsequently led the investigating team to a shallow grave in his backyard. Ranks found skeletal remains.

Man gets 20 years for killing drinking partner

BERBICE High Court Judge, Navindra Singh, on Monday, sentenced Jerry Heralall to 20 years in prison for fatally beating his drinking buddy in 2020.

Heralall, 30, of New Amsterdam, Berbice, was initially indicted for murder but he opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

He admitted that, between January 25-27, 2020, at Republic Road, New Amsterdam, Berbice, he unlawfully killed Celon Outar, 28.

Justice Singh, while delivering his sentencing remarks, said that Heralall lacked genuine remorse for his actions. He sentenced Heralall to 20 years in prison,

Jerry Heralall

with time spent in pre-trial custody to be deducted.

According to reports, on January 25, 2020, while the two men were consuming alcohol at a shop, Heralall

requested that Outar’s wife drink with him. However, Outar objected.

This resulted in a misunderstanding and a heated argument ensued. Heralall armed himself with a piece of wood and lashed Outar several times before pushing him into a nearby trench.

Outar’s body, which was partially submerged, was discovered two days later in the vicinity of the Region Six Regional Democratic Council’s complex.

According to a post-mortem report, Outar died from asphyxiation compounded with a fractured skull and multiple trauma to his body.

DEAD: Babita Sarjou

Sharadananda Narine called ‘Anand’ (right) and Darel Ponton, called ‘Yankee’

Smith burst unable to prevent defeat for leaders

GQEBERHA, South Africa, (CMC) – West Indies fast bowler Odean Smith rattled Sunrisers Eastern Cape but the hosts held their nerve to inch to a four-wicket victory over MI Cape Town in the SA20 here Monday.

With Eastern Cape chasing 159 at St George’s Park, the 26-year-old struck twice in the 14th over, first removing captain and top-scorer Aiden Markram (50) and then knocking over Jordan Cox (1), to leave the innings stuttering on 109 for five.

Tristan Stubbs then revived the chase with an 18ball 30 but when Smith also prised him out with the first ball of the final over, it left Eastern Cape needing five

runs to win off the last five deliveries of the contest.

However, James Fuller provided a dramatic finish, lashing the next two deliveries from Smith for boundaries, sealing his side’s first win of the tournament and dealing leaders Cape Town their second defeat in four matches.

George Linde’s 63 not out powered Cape Town to 158 for eight from their 20 overs after they were sent in, Rassie van der Dussen backing up that effort with 29 from 22 deliveries.

The innings was stagnating at 52 for four in the 10th over before Linde, who belted four fours and five sixes in a 28-ball stunner, put on 59 for the fifth wick-

et with van der Dussen, to consolidate.

Smith perished for 10 in the 17th over, holing out to deep mid-wicket at 124 for six.

In reply, left-arm pacer Sam Curran put Cape Town on top when he removed both openers in successive openers to reduce the run chase to nine for two.

Markram wrested back control for Eastern Cape, inspiring a 92-run, third wicket stand with Sarel Erwee (41), while punching seven fours in a 35-ball knock.

Both fell in a slide triggered by Smith – three wickets falling for eight runs in 11 balls – before Stubbs launched his counter-attack.

Medvedev & Tsitsipas through on first day of Australian Open

TWO-time runner-up, Daniil Medvedev reached the second round of the Australian Open with a straight-set win over American Marcos Giron.

The Russian seventh seed breezed past Giron 6-0 6-1 6-2.

"Great memories of last year, but I want to have better ones this year," Medvedev, who lost to Rafael Nadal in last year's final, said.

Third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas also advanced on the opening day's play at Melbourne Park.

innings, spanked Joseph to the point boundary to get off the mark while Nandu cut Cameron for a delightful boundary.

But with the score on 18, Imlach (4) ‘nicked’ the lively Joseph to the Keeper and by Lunch the score was 26-2 with Nandu on 13 and Anderson on one.

After the interval, with dark clouds hovering ominously overhead, Nandu and Anderson, both pushing

for First-Class debuts this season, saw the 50 posted in 15 overs.

But 19-year-old Nandu, who was run out for 78 in the first innings, hit a return catch to left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie after reaching the ropes thrice in a solid 24 to leave the score on 56-3.

Akshaya Persuad was LBW to Kevin Sinclair at 84-4 before Anderson, who looked well set for a big score, was unfortunately run

out by the length of the Pitch as he pushed to cover and went for a single.

Yearwood made a couple of steps and inexplicable turned back. As both batters headed in the same direction, Anderson indicated to the Umpires (who seemed unsure who was out) that he had beaten Yearwood to the crease.

But Yearwood did not bodge and a fuming Anderson, who was batting solidly, had to go at 107-5, much to the disgust of the handful of fans in the stands.

Garfield Benjamin was bowled for a duck by a perfect off-break by Johnaton Rampersaud which pitched outside off and turned back through the ‘gate’ to hit the stumps.

Ali-Mohammed joined Yearwood at 115-5 and they took the score to 131-6 at Tea with Yearwood on 20

After Tea, with the score on 135, Ali-Mohammed stood his ground as Yearwood came for the single and was run out.

However, Ali-Mohammed (13) did not last much longer as he was removed by Zeynul Ramsammy at 144-8

Nedd (22) and Junior Sinclair (18) ensured their team avoided an innings defeat.

second practice match starts tomorrow at the same venue.

Medvedev lost just three games against Giron - the fewest he has ever dropped in a Grand Slam match.

Greece's Tsitsipas, a three-time semi-finalist in Melbourne, beat France's Quentin Halys 6-3 6-4 7-6 (8-6).

"It was challenging, he came up with some good tennis in the third set, I kind of lost my rhythm in the serve," said Tsitsipas.

"So I had to find ways to get out of the difficult situation. I think my fighting spirit showed towards the end, I wasn't going to give up."

He will face Australia's Rinky Hijikata next while 2021 US Open champion Medvedev will take on John

Millman.

Elsewhere in the men's singles, teenager Shang Juncheng became the first male Chinese player to win an Australian Open main draw singles match.

The 17-year-old qualifier, the youngest player in the men's draw, beat Germany's Oscar Otte 6-2 6-4 6-7 (2-7) 7-5.

"I think it's huge for Chinese men's tennis. We have had really good players from the women's side but not really big names in the men's," said Shang.

He will face Frances Tiafoe after the American 16th seed beat Germany's Daniel Altmaier 6-3 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-8).

Tiafoe's kit - a squiggly pink, blue and red number - divided opinion on social

media, with one user commenting the outfit "deserves to get to the second week minimum".

Former champion Stan Wawrinka fell in the opening round, with the Swiss losing 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 1-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 to Slovak Alex Molcan.

American wildcard Christopher Eubanks beat the in-form Kwon Soonwoo over five sets to claim his first main-draw win in Melbourne.

Meanwhile, Polish 10th seed Hubert Hurkacz cruised past Spaniard Pedro Martinez in straight sets and sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime overcame a poor first set to beat Canadian compatriot Vasek Pospisil 1-6 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-3) 6-3. (BBC Sport)

Hat-trick and historic team...

from India ensured that UAE never came close to winning the game.

BANGLADESH NOTCH UP SECOND WIN

A strong batting display from Bangladesh helped them to a win against Sri Lanka and their second victory of the tournament.

Big-hitting opener Afia Prottasha led from the front after Bangladesh were put in to bat, hitting five fours and

three sixes in her 53 from 43 balls. Sri Lanka seemed to have stemmed the flow with a double-wicket 12th over that left Bangladesh standing at 79/2 after the loss of Misty Shaha. But it was at this stage that the protagonists of the win against Australia, Dilara Akter (36* from 27) and Shorna Akter (50* from 28), came together to propel Bangladesh to 165/2.

Sri Lanka were rattled early on in their innings,

losing two wickets in the powerplay overs. Skipper Vishmi Gunarathne (61* from 54) and Dewmi Wijerathne (55 from 44) settled down the innings, and their valiant partnership of 96 runs made sure that Sri Lanka were always in the hunt. But Bangladesh’s high total proved to be beyond their reach, with Marufa Akter the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh with 2/19. (ICC Media)

Frances Tiafoe reached the semi-finals of last year's US Open

Gavi stars in Barcelona’s Super Cup win over Real Madrid

LeBron reaches 38,000 career points as Lakers lose late to 76ers

LeBron James became the second player to 38,000 career NBA points before Russell Westbrook's failed final play as the Los Angeles Lakers lost 113112 to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

With the Sixers leading by one point, Westbrook rebounded after Joel Embiid missed a two-point shot with 16 seconds remaining, opting to advance the ball, rather than take a timeout, before failing to get a clean shot or pass away as the clock expired under defense from Embiid and Georges Niang.

GAVI claimed his first trophy as Barcelona manager after a comfortable victory over rivals, Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final.

The La Liga leaders dominated the match in Saudi Arabia and took the lead when 18-year-old Gavi fired in from Robert Lewandowski's pass.

Lewandowski struck just before half-time when he finished from Gavi's pass.

Gavi got another assist in the second half as he set up Pedri, before Karim Benzema struck a late consolation.

The Frenchman's late goal was scant consolation for Real Madrid, who were a

distant second best throughout.

Indeed, Thibaut Courtois prevented Barcelona from winning by an even bigger margin with a couple of smart saves.

The former Chelsea goalkeeper was tested early when he turned Lewandowski's sweeping effort onto the post and he also kept out Ousmane Dembele's powerful strike.

But after Pedri got his side's third midway through the second half with a tap-in there was never any doubt about the result as Barcelona won the Super Cup for the first time since 2018.

Real Madrid were just

unable to handle the brilliance of Gavi who, alongside his two assists, became the youngest scorer in a Spanish Super Cup, with his goal surpassing the record of his current manager Xavi.

Back in October these two sides faced each other in the first El Clasico meeting of the season, with Real Madrid easing to a 3-1 win. (BBC Sport)

But Barcelona have since only gone from strength-to-strength and are currently top of La Liga, three points clear of Real, with this victory extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to nine games.

The finish took some gloss off James' significant achievement, reaching the 38,000 career points mark in the first quarter, before finishing the game with 35 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.

Only one player in NBA history has more career points than James and that is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with 38,387. James is on track to surpass Abdul-Jabbar next month.

The game was tight throughout, with Embiid top scoring for the Sixers with 35 points on 12-of21 shooting from the field with two three-pointers. Embiid also had 11 rebounds and four assists. James Harden contributed 24 points, seven rebounds and 13 assists.

Westbrook played 34

minutes of the bench with 20 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists but four turnovers. That marked Westbrook's 198th career triple-double.

Jokic sinks late three to clinch Nugs win

Back-to-back NBA MVP Nikola Jokic landed a step-back three-pointer with 1.2 seconds left to secure the Denver Nuggets a 119-116 victory over the Orlando Magic.

Jokic finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists for his 12th triple-double of the season, with the Nugs clinching their 13th straight home win to remain top of the Western Conference.

Aaron Gordon added 25 points with eight rebounds and five assists,

while Jamal Murray delivered 18 points with three three-pointers and seven assists.

Lillard leads Blazers past Mavs missing Doncic Damian Lillard backed up with 40 points for the Portland Trail Blazers to complete a two-game backto-back sweep of the Dallas Mavericks, 140-123.

Lillard shot 10-of-17 from the field and fourof-nine from three-point range with six assists for the Blazers, who had lost five in a row prior to the two games against Dallas.

The Mavs rested Luka Doncic after his season-low 15 points in Saturday's game, having starred in Thursday's double overtime win over the Lakers. (Sportsamx)

Burl's late knock helps Zimbabwe clinch Harare series

RYAN

clinch

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Tuesday, January 17, 2023)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 824 runs – 5 Tests (vs Pakistan, 1958) (2) 23 wickets- 5 Tests (vs India, 1962)

Today’s Quiz: (1) How many Test matches Rohan Kanhai played? (2) How many runs he scored?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Harry Tector's 47 contributed to Ireland posting 141-9 with Curtis Campher hitting 27 before becoming one of all-rounder Burl's two victims.

Despite skipper Craig Ervine's 54, Ireland kept Zimbabwe's batting in check until Burl's 18th over heroics.

Burl fired two sixes and a four off successive George Dockrell deliveries to help the hosts win by four wickets.

Luke Jongwe, who also took two wickets in the Ireland innings, hit the winning four in the final ball of the 19th over but it was Burl's knock which proved key as he finished unbeaten on 30.

Harry Tector and Curtis Campher rebuilt the Ireland innings after the hosts had slumped to 19-3 in the fourth

over as Ross Adair, following his match-winning 65 on Saturday could only manage a single run, with Stephen Doheny and skipper Andrew Balbirnie also departing cheaply.

Campher and Tector put on 70 in 57 balls before the former was caught behind for 27.

Tector fell for 47, becoming one of the impressive Wesley Madhevere's two victims,

before George Dockrell (23) and Mark Adair (14) steered Ireland towards respectability.

With Zimbabwe again without former England batter Gary Ballance, who had suffered concussion symptoms after being hit on the head during Thursday's first meeting, Innocent Kaia (23) and Ervine 54 laid the foundations for Zimbabwe's victory with a second-wicket partnership of 42.

Ervine hit six fours in his 43-ball knock, with Barry McCarthy and Ben White's two wickets apiece for Ireland, not proving enough amid Burl's late big hitting for the hosts.

The sides will begin a three-match one-day series in Harare on Wednesday.

(BBC Sport)

Barcelona win the Super Cup for the first time in five years

LeBron James becomes the second player to score 38,000 career NBA career points

Burl's late knock of 30 helped hosts Zimbabwe

a 2-1 win over Ireland in the T20 series in Harare.

Ryan Burl fired two sixes and a four off successive George Dockrell deliveries in the 18th over to help the hosts win by four wickets

James fireworks hand Rising Stars opening win in ICC Under-19 Women’s World Cup

POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa, (CMC) –Zaida James brought her experience to bear with an explosive all-round performance as West Indies Rising Stars edged Ireland Women by seven runs in their opening game of the ICC Under-19 Women’s World Cup here Sunday.

The 18-year-old, already with a handful of West Indies A matches under her belt, top-scored with 52 from 57 balls to underpin her side’s 125 for seven, before returning to grab four for 20 with her left-arm spin

and restrict Ireland to 118 for seven from their allotted overs.

Zaida James celebrates a wicket during West Indies Women’s win on Sunday.

“It’s certainly a great feeling to have an all-round performance like this and even better that we had a team victory,” said James, predictably adjudged Playerof-the-Match.

“Our focus is one game at a time and to finish the group stage strong, then we will look at the remaining stages of the tournament.”

The Caribbean side flourished after being sent in at the North-West University

National U-12 Rapid Chess Tournament set for January 28

No. 1 Ground, James punching eight fours to inspire a

61-run opening stand with Shunelle Sawh (15) and a 45-run, second wicket partnership with the in-form Naijanni Cumberbatch (21 not out).

However, the innings tailed away when James and senior team player Trishan Holder (0) perished within the space of three deliveries in the 18th over.

In reply, left-arm seamer Jannillea Glasgow struck early to remove Siuin Woods for eight in the third over with 13 runs on the board but Annabel Squires came to her side’s rescue with 42 from

38 deliveries.

She struck fours and more importantly, put on 46 for the second wicket with captain and opener Amy Hunter who struck 21 from 25.

James knocked over both and then added two more wickets in a disastrous period for Ireland which saw them lose five quick wickets for 35 runs, to turn the game on its head.

Freya Sargent (15 not out) tried to salvage the chase late on but the 18 runs required from the final over proved too many.

Hat-trick and historic team total headline day of big wins

INDIA racked up the biggest team score of the ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup 2023 so far to overpower UAE, while South Africa’s Madison Landsman took the tournament’s first-ever hattrick to beat Scotland on a record-breaking day.

Tournament hosts South Africa survived a scare to beat Scotland in a thrilling encounter in Benoni.

The Proteas were on the ropes at 20/4 and again at 43/6, but a superb 53 from 49 balls by Kayla Reyneke helped her side bat out the full allocation and reach a competitive total of 112/7.

display saw Australia take all

UAE were at the receiv ing end of some brutal hitting from opening pair Shafali Verma (78 from 34) and Shweta Sehrawat (74* from 49) as the duo used all their experience to amass 111 runs in merely 51 balls. Shafali’s dismissal in the ninth over brought little relief, as the incoming batters kept going for their runs. UAE weren’t helped by their poor fielding effort, which saw them drop Richa Ghosh (49 from 29) on

THE National Under-12 Chess Championships, sponsored by DeSinco Trading Limited, is set to return on January 28, at the School of the Nations.

According to a release from the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), players will participate in a seven-round tournament with games limited to 20 minutes with five additional seconds per move.

This tournament is open to all chess players under the age of 12 at the beginning of 2023 and the first round is scheduled to start at 09:00hrs.

The previous tournament

was staged on tornelo.com, an online chess platform and 45 players competed for the title with Alexander Zhang winning the Open Category and Kristin Xavier winning in the Girl's category.

Interested players can register through guyanachess.org as registration is free for GCF members but it can be done online.

The GCF advised that children who are not registered with the Federation and still wish to compete can pay a fee of $2000 via MMG.

Deadline for registration for the tournament is

18:00hrs on January 27.

The top three finishers in the Open Division and Girls Division respectively will receive prizes which will also be awarded for the best Under-10 boy and girl and the best Under-8 boy and girl at the end of seven matches.

Anticipation is high for amazing games from players like Nicholas Zhang, Aquilani Swaminadha and the Mohabir brothers, Julian and Landon.

Kataleya Sam, Chelsea Harrison, Skyler Gurchuran and Saudia Deo among others, are also set to compete in the Girl’s Category.

Scotland started steadily with the bat, laying a platform before attempting to accelerate in the second half of the chase.

However, the risk of hitting out saw wickets tumble, with Landsman the star performer with the ball, taking a superb hat-trick in the 15th over to all but end Scottish hopes of reaching the target. Landsman finished with figures of 4/12 from her four overs.

AUSTRALIA CRUSH USA BY NINE WICKETS

Australia got a win under their belts thanks to a dominant display against USA.

A fine combined bowling

fessional partnership between Kate Pelle (30* from 26) and Claire Moore (22* from 17) saw Australia home with 11.2 overs and nine wickets remaining. INDIA WIN BY 122 RUNS…

four occasions.

Chasing a mammoth total of 220 runs, UAE went big early on but India put a brake on their scoring rate after dismissing Theertha Satish (16 from 5). Thereafter, disciplined bowling

Zaida James celebrates a wicket during West Indies Women’s win on Sunday

Nicholas Zhang

Madison Landsman (left) celebrates her historic hat-trick

Shafali Verma

Beaton (4-84) & Anderson (40) shine for Permaul’s X1

…but Chanderpaul’s X1 win by nine wkts in three days

By Sean Devers

THE first four-day practice match in preparation for next month’s Regional First-Class season ended inside three days at Providence yesterday with Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s X1 beating Veerasammy Permaul’s X1 by nine wickets.

Twenty-two-year-old Kevlon Anderson’s was looking well set for a big score when his attractive innings was cut short when he was

run out in unusual circumstances.

The former West Indies U-19 batter, who plays in Berbice cricket for the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, stroked seven welltimed fours in his top score of 40 from 101 balls and 121 minutes.

But only Matthew Nandu (24), Ashmead Nedd (22) and Shamar Yearwood (21) offered token resistance as Permaul’s X1 were bowled out for 186 in their second innings.

Fast bowler Shamar Joseph followed up his 4-for in the first

Jamaica to host WADA Forum from January 26-27 in Kingston

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced that Jamaica will host a World Anti-Doping Agency Forum in January in Kingston.

The Forum will target Ministers of Sport in the Caribbean and will be attended by the President of the World Anti-Doping Agency, Witold Bańka, Minister Grange said it will be the second WADA Forum specifically for sports ministers in the Caribbean and is a follow-up to an online Forum that was held in October.

“At that online Forum, Jamaica — because of our leadership position in anti-doping in the region — offered technical guidance to other countries and WADA also agreed to support capacity building and cooperation among nations. So, this Forum from January 26 to 27 will build on our discussions from October and will also see some delegates touring JADCO facilities as part of a study tour,” said Minister Grange.

19 Ministers of Sport and their delegations are scheduled to attend the Forum.

Minister Grange said the Forum would help to “advance the development of a plan of action for anti-doping programmes across the Caribbean with the aim of keeping sports clean.” (Sportsmax)

innings with 2-17 while off-spinner Kevin Sinclair had 2-20

Set 19 to win, Chanderpaul’s X1 reached 22 for the loss of Chanderpaul Hemraj, who was caught behind off Nail Smith for a duck at 6-1.

The skipper was unbeaten on five while Savory followed up his brilliant 170 with an undefeated 14 with three boundaries

Scores: Permaul’s X1, 261 & 186, Chanderpaul’s X1, 429 & 22-1 Earlier, Chanderpaul’s X1 re-

sumed in hazy sunshine on 378-6 and lost Kevin Sinclair in the first over for his overnight 40 as Beaton, bowling with pace, induced an edge to slip.

Adams went after the bowling and hit four boundaries in 23 before Beaton had him caught at second slip at 409-8.

Joseph fell to Beaton for a duck without addition to the score before last man Demitri Cameron, who hammered three fours in 12 and Pestano, who smashed five fours in

21, put together 20 in quick time.

Pestano then hooked a bouncer from Ali-Mohammed’s first ball to long-leg to end the innings, 36 minutes into the day.

Beaton had 4-84 while Ali-Mohammed took 2-27

When Permaul’s X1 began their second innings with a deficit of 168 runs, the pumped up Joseph removed fellow Berbician, Rampertab Ramnauth (7) at 8-1.

Tevin Imlach, who made 33 in the first

Smith burst unable to prevent defeat for leaders

West Indies fast bowler Odean Smith

Kevlon Anderson turns one off his pads at Providence, yesterday

Shamar Joseph followed up his first innings 4-for with 2-27 yesterday