Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_01_22_2023

President Ali in tree-planting exercise

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali and other officials on Saturday evening commenced a tree-planting exercise along Lamaha Street between Albert and Camp Streets, Georgetown. The President was accompanied by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and students of the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA). This initiative forms part of the ongoing beautification and enhancement throughout Guyana. In brief remarks during a live broadcast on his Facebook page, President Ali thanked the students of the GSA for joining him and his government on their mission to create a new way of thinking for all Guyanese. “We are encouraging the citizens from all across the country to plant as many trees as they can to beautify the environment in which they live,” the Head of State said. He said such an initiative will create “a beautiful path, exhibiting not only the physical improvement of the place, but the improvement of the

Ali contended.

Over $10B budgeted for hinterland infrastructural projects

- $5B for the construction and rehabilitation of roads

- $1.4 billion for the completion and rehabilitation of airstrips

- $1.4 billion for the completion of water wells and distribution networks

- $1.755 billion for the provision of solar systems to a number of households

- $375 million upgrade of the electricity distribution networks

By Tamica Garnett

FIVE billion dollars for the construction and rehabilitation of roads; $1.4 billion for the completion and rehabilitation of airstrips; $1.4 billion for the completion of water wells and distribution networks, and $1.755 billion for the provision of solar systems to households, represent just a fraction of the spending planned in the 2023 budget for various infrastructural developments in hinterland communities.

Under the Ministry of

bang, Karisparu and Ekereku Bottom, and the rehabilitation of airstrips at Paruima, Imbaimadai and Matthew’s Ridge. The $1.4 billion is part of an overall $3 billion being spent between 2022 to 2024 to improve the airstrips.

In 2022, the government allocated $600 million towards the upgrade of airstrips in Lethem, Baramita, Paramakatoi, and Kaieteur. Hinterland and domestic tourism is expected to directly benefit from these upgrades, which is critical to ensure ease of access.

the coast has been costly, making access to Guyana’s unique eco-tourism brand expensive. As the PPP/C Government continues to deliver on its transformative agenda, the last two budgets have seen several investments in airstrip upgrades that will help to reduce the cost of travelling by air.

Public Works, the $5 billion for construction and rehabilitation of roads includes hinterland roads in Regions One, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, and 10. This $5 billion adds to the $3.4 billion that was spent under this project last year.

Airstrips scheduled for rehabilitation under $1.4 billion include those at Etering-

These interventions, rehabilitations and upgrades will make the airstrips compliant with the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority’s minimum engineering standards. Moreover, it will improve safety for travellers, aircraft, and personnel using the airstrips.

Over the years, travelling between the hinterland and

The $1.4 billion has been budgeted by the Ministry of Housing and Water (MoHW) for the completion of wells and distribution networks, which includes those in Regions Seven, Eight and Nine. The $1.4 billion also covers provision for new wells and water supply systems in Regions One, Two and Nine, and the supply of well drilling materials, solar photovoltaic systems, elec-

tromechanical equipment, pipes, fittings, spares and accessories for water supply systems.

This year’s resources being invested into water supply in the hinterland communities is part of an overall aggressive plan by the Guyana Water Inc to improve water supply coverage in the remote communities.

In the two years that they have been in office, the government has installed 20 new wells in hinterland villages across the country, increasing water coverage to the Amerindian communities from 46 per cent to 63 per cent.

The ultimate goal is 100 per cent water coverage for Amerindian villages across the country by 2025. Ensuring clean, potable water to hinterland communities is part of the government’s overall plans to improve the quality of life for Guyana’s Amerindian population and the rest of the country.

Access to potable water in Amerindian villages is even linked to a better quality of life and empowerment for women and girls since they are disproportionately affected.

In 2022, in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), over 4,000 residents from communities in the middle and lower Mazaruni benefitted from improved water supply through a $440M programme to implement new programmes and to expand existing water systems.

Upgrading of the electricity distribution networks at Port Kaituma, Matthew’s Ridge, Kato, Mahdia and Linden, are on the cards under the Office of the Prime Minister to the tune of $375 million. The project will see improved electricity generation and distribution, and

improved operational efficiency. This is in addition to the $1.755 billion budgeted for the provision of solar systems for households in the hinterland and riverain communities.

In the Hinterland Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture Development Project under the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), another $550 million has also been provided for. This project will see the creation of investment plans for producer group enterprises, the establishment of investment fund for entrepreneurial, agricultural-based ventures in Regions One and Nine.

The project also includes works to develop infrastructure to promote community resilience, and see institutional strengthening.

An elevated storage unit, and new photovoltaic system to supply hinterland residents with water

A concrete road in Mabaruma, Region One

- under Public Works, Housing and Agriculture Ministries

‘Time long gone for APNU members to dictate to GECOM’ – Rohee

MEMBERS of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have to understand that the time is long gone when its members can dictate the internal actions that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) should employ to enhance the entity’s effectiveness and efficiency in order to fulfil its constitutional mandate.

This was posited in a letter by People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) nominated GECOM Commissioner, Clement Rohee, as he addressed the contention against the creation of the temporary position of an “Operations Coordinator.”

In his letter, Rohee accused APNU-nominated GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander of seeking to continue to try and dictate how GECOM should conduct its internal staffing arrangements, similar to how the situation

was handled in 2018 as it relates to the hiring of Roxanne Myers over Vishnu Persaud as the Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO).

Persaud, who is the current Chief Elections Officer (CEO), had won a lawsuit in 2018 against Alexander for the defamation of his character, when Alexander disparaged his qualifications to prop up APNU’s defence for Myers to be appointed to the post of DCEO, even though she scored lower than Persaud in the evaluation process during the interview.

In June 2022, the Court of Appeal ruled that Alexander had to pay $2.5 million to Persaud, as ruled in the High Court. The court also ordered that Alexander pay costs to Persaud in the sum of $150,000.

Alexander and other APNU-nominated GECOM Commissioners are currently

objecting to approval for the secondment of GECOM IT Manager, Aneal Giddings, to the Operations Department of the Commission’s Secretariat, as an ‘Operations Coordinator’ to assist with the day-to-day implementation and evaluation of the statutory and administrative tasks delineated in the work plan for the conduct of

Local Government Elections (LGEs).

After Persaud made a request to the GECOM Chair, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh, for the temporary change, the chair gave the go-ahead.

“Mr Alexander consistently fails to make the distinction between policy decisions made at statutory meetings of GECOM and internal administrative matters in relation [to] staff at GECOM’s Secretariat, consistent with the organization’s constitutional responsibilities,” Rohee pointed out in his letter.

“Mr Vincent Alexander sought to dictate not only how GECOM should conduct its internal staffing arrangements, but to [also] deny the chair’s role in supporting a legitimate recommendation from Vishnu Persaud, GECOM’s CEO, to assign acting responsibilities to senior staffers. In others words, based on his January 20, 2023 claim, ‘GECOM Chair goes it alone … Alexander wants to run GECOM

from whatever limb he may be perched on’.”

As it relates to the “false flag” raised by Alexander, in a statement issued by GECOM on Friday last, the commission made it clear that the chair was in no way ‘creating any new position; nor was any substantive appointment being done to fill a vacant position’.

The statement also noted that there exists precedence at the commission where staff are seconded to fill posts, and in one case even appointed, without the knowledge and approval of the commission.’

An investigation by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) found that Persaud, in 2018, was the first candidate in the history of GECOM who had obtained the highest score and had not been appointed to the DCEO position.

“Mention must be made of Alexander and his comrades’ questionable role in the appointment of Roxanne Myers over Persaud, referencing her “superior qualifications and potential to perform,” as well [as] their reference to the undisclosed ‘Sandra Jones Re-

port’ and ‘GECOM’s Policy on Employment Practices. Those inaccuracies were brought to light during an investigation by an Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) sub-committee,” Rohee noted.

Persaud was again not supported by the three APNUnominated GECOM Commissioners in 2021, when he applied for the CEO post, to which he was later appointed.

“It is apposite to recall the unproven allegations Alexander had expressed publicly about Vishnu Persaud, who had applied for the job as CEO at GECOM,” Rohee reminded.

“Alexander and his two political siblings operate as though nothing has changed since August 2020. They conveniently overlook the political handlers’ transgressions they had either stoutly defended or remained silent about during the December 2019 to August 2020 constitutional and electoral travails the people of Guyana experienced as a result of the dirty tricks played by those ensconced at Congress Place,” Rohee concluded.

PPP/C-nominated GECOM Commissioner Clement Rohee

CDB to conduct diagnostic assessment of ‘borrowing countries’

…to improve project implementation deficits

By Tamica Garnett

WITH implementation challenges facing many projects being funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the institution, in 2023, will be carrying out respective diagnostic assessments of individual Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) to identify impediments and create solutions to overcome them.

Speaking with the Sunday Chronicle recently, President of the CDB, Dr. Hyginus ‘Gene’ Leon, noted that in the Caribbean region, there are way too many developmental projects that are not moving along as intended or are taking too long.

“Implementation capacity deficit is a super, super big thing for the region,” Dr. Leon related.

“Why is it that governments will tell you they started or conceived of a project in 2012 and in 2022 this project is not yet delivering on benefits to the people?

The only way you can tackle implementation deficit is if you do a full diagnostic of why projects are getting stuck. In each country, they will all have different reasons that causes that implementation capacity deficit to be there.

When you get that diagnostic can you genuinely now say how can we tackle that implementation capacity issue.”

There is often no shortage of blame to go around as to why the essential pro-

yond just when the project starts. We need to see the entire life cycle from concept through feasibility study, through execution, through monitoring and evaluation of the entire cycle, to outcome. By

sustainable growth and promoting good governance.

CDB has 19 regional BMCs, four regional, nonborrowing members and five non-regional, nonborrowing members.

According to Deputy Director, Corporate Strategy, Ann-Marie Warner, it is the hope that the diagnostic assessment of all 19 BMCs can be completed this year, with a consultant visiting each individual BMC.

“That is the intention. The objective definitely is to do that in 2023. We would need to reach out to our stakeholders, and development partners so that we can get them on board,” Warner told the Sunday Chronicle.

jects do not move forward as intended, however, Dr. Leon pointed out that the issue of project implementation impediments is not one specific to only CDBfunded projects.

“It’s not just the region; it’s overseas, as well, across the world. But we are one of the first institutions looking to tackle this problem in the holistic way, without attribution of blame. We just need to solve the problem because it is a problem,” Dr. Leon contended.

“Our view is, it is be-

the time you put all those things together, it begins to explain not just what we did wrong, but how we can help both ourselves and countries fix and tweak some of those areas, so that the time from concept to outcome is dramatically short.”

The CDB is a financial institution that helps Caribbean nations finance social and economic programs in its member countries, particularly as relates to reducing inequality and extreme poverty, through supporting inclusive and

The need for the holistic diagnostic assessment was realised last year when the CDB conducted an internal exercise looking at the implementation challenges facing each individual, and it was realised that a broader review was needed.

“We found that there were a number of factors and little nuances in each country and we realise that we need to go wider and we need to involve all of our stakeholders. We said that we need to craft a program that would allow us to respond to these specific

implementation needs, and specific implementation capacity deficits in each country. So that is what we’re doing now,” Warner said. With implementation challenges not distinct to just the CDB, the findings of the diagnostic assessment will benefit not only the bank but the respective country.

“Within our strategic plan update we have recognised that this implementation capacity area is one in which the bank can show leadership. We felt that if we can lead on this and bring in other development partners on board as required, and the BMCs would get a lot more mileage,” Warner said.

CDB President Dr. Hyginus ‘Gene’ Leon

CDB Deputy Director, Corporate Strategy, Ann-Marie Warner

Nation Before Self

GUYANA has now reached a stage in its development where the contributions of all Guyanese are critical if the country is to reach its full growth potential. This includes Guyanese in the diaspora as well.

With the country now having attained the status as the fastest growing economy in the world, all hands are required to be on deck as the country is now blazing a new trail of economic growth and prosperity, and in the process leaving behind a dismal past of economic and social retrogression caused by close to three decades of PNC dictatorial rule.

There is not much to be gained, however, by looking backwards, even as the lessons of the past cannot easily be erased from the collective memory of the Guyanese people. In a real sense, the 1970’s and the 1980’s can be

regarded as the ‘lost decades’ which regrettably left the country at the bottom of the economic ladder by the end of the 1980’s. Guyana at the time was ranked along with Haiti as the poorest countries in the western hemisphere!

As pointed out by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, we all have to work together to bring prosperity to every single home, to every household in order to uplift the lives of every single Guyanese.

“It is not only about love, but loving each other. It is linked to the development of our country. It is linked to the aspirations of our people. It is linked to the development trajectory and the transformation that we are going after- bringing a new wave of development and prosperity,” the President said.

This, as observed by the President requires every sin-

gle stakeholder to shoulder the responsibility of transforming Guyana into a leading economy. And the time for so doing is now. Never before in our history has there been such a convergence of favourable circumstances to, as it were, leapfrog our development in ways that could potentially catapult this country to one of the most prosperous not only in the region but in the world at large. Guyana is already referred to as the ‘Dubai’ of the region.

Without any doubt, this is our moment. All that is required of us is to seize the moment and be positive and have confidence in the glorious opportunities that lie ahead of us. It is a case of thinking big. It is about putting nation above self. This is not the time for negativity and pessimism as the political opposition is seeking to

do.

Take the recent 2023 Budget which is not only the largest in terms of money but is highly developmental and pro-people. The budget was dubbed by the political opposition as ‘anti-poor’ despite the fact that significant sums of money has been allocated to the social sectors including salary increases, education, health, housing, water and a host of other areas all aimed at enhancing the quality of life of the Guyanese people especially the more vulnerable segments of the population.

As pointed out by VicePresident Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, a substantial sum of $107 billion has been budgeted for employment costs for the public sector which will eventually find its way in people’s pockets.

In debunking the opposition misleading narrative, Dr.

Jagdeo commented on the opposition’s “hand to mouth philosophy” adding “you will never accumulate anything if you manage a country or a party like that. You will never own a house like that, you will rent one. Under the PPP/C Government, we are trying to make sure that people can own a house,” he said.

What the above speaks to is a philosophy of development which is aimed not only at putting food at the table but ensuring that all the elements for a successful life and living are provided to each and every member of society. Among these are affordable housing, access to potable water, basic sanitation, access to quality education and health services, security and by no means least the intellectual, cultural, spiritual and recreational needs of the Guyanese

people.

As observed by VicePresident Dr. Jagdeo, the developmental goals as adumbrated by President Ali are not only visionary but practical. It sets out a framework for development of the country which is ambitious, transformative and modern. In the words of President Ali, “like all ambitions, we shall have to mould it to life’s changeable realities, to the realities of Guyana as impacted by the world of which we are a part. It is the path we shall follow in fulfilment of our dream for Guyana.”

Guyana is now firmly set on a pathway to sustainable development, one that will impact the lives of all Guyanese in positive ways; one in which no Guyanese, regardless of race, religion, colour, class, creed or political affiliation will be left behind.

Corporal punishment

Dear Editor,

EVERY once in a while, the letter pages of the local print media are visited by nostalgic missives in support of corporal punishment.

The latest one argues: “Many of us remember the wild cane and the thick ruler being present in the school system from nursery through secondary… this respected part of the British disciplinary system of the past had worked well for many decades in Guyana and continues to work well in countries like Singapore.”

Indeed, as a teacher in Guyana in the 1970s and 1980s, I used corporal punishment because that was how discipline was administered to me as a student and within the system by teachers. We

didn’t know better and besides corporal punishment was the means of discipline applied by parents at home.

One might be tempted to assume that even in 2023 when information and facts are available at the click of a mouse or the roll of a finger, the writer referenced above and others like him still do not know better. Or is it that they choose to ignore the facts because they suffer from extreme nostalgic syndrome?

But, so many, including yours truly do know better.

In fact, as a teacher in the US in the 2000s and 2010s, I not only learnt that discipline does not need corporal punishment, but I also successfully applied same in my classrooms.

So, not only have I walked my talk in advocat-

ing for corporal punishment to be banned, but the evidence, via research and practice, abounds. On the flip side, outside of nostalgia there is no hard evidence presented to prove that corporal punishment actually worked as well as some assume.

Yes, parents did apply the stick, but in my experience that elicited two responses –fear or rebellion. Those, like me, who feared, did what was expected, not because we wanted to or felt it was the right thing to do, but because we wanted to avoid the “licks.”

Others took the licks, but continued to do what the “licks” were supposed to prevent, as their way of showing that “licks” did not bother them. Still, others though fearful of the licks contin-

ued to display little desired change.

And, within my experience, none of them ever became the children the parents thought the “licks” would make them become, just like none of my students 30 and 40 years ago never became the students I and their parents desired, in spite of corporal punishment.

When they did become such individuals, it was in spite of the “licks” and because other influences were at work, including the company they kept, or the discovery of role models, church and religion or aspirations, including a desire to rise above their circumstances.

Yet, during my teaching years in the US, I was able to transform eons into students of excellence via classroom management without corporal punishment, as teachers have done and continue to do, even though at the start of my teaching career in New York City, I wondered how I would ever be able to manage my

classroom and help my students to reach for excellence.

Similarly, my spouse and I brought up our son to be a wonderful, empathic, humane adult, underpinned by integrity and a moral compass, without resorting to corporal punishment. In fact, countless other parents have and continue to do exactly that.

Now, not only are the mountains of evidence available and eminently accessible, but, unlike the days of yore, there is basis for comparison. Then, corporal punishment was assumed to work because, for the vast majority of people, because there was nothing for it to be compared to.

Today, anyone and everyone who desires to know and possibly do better, can and should do so, instead of falling back on the ossified position that corporal punishment worked in their time and thus would work now.

In the final analysis, life is about evolving based on new knowledge, which is a

continuous, and continual phenomena.

And arguing for and applying corporal punishment indicates a lack of desire for advancement via this ongoing evolution. The sadder reality is that such stagnation affects our children, not us. As a teacher, I would tell my students, “your parents simply want the best for you.”

It was the same thing I often told my son when he was down or needed reassurance in the face of challenges and frustrations.

After all isn’t it a given that all parents want the best of their children? How is inflicting physical punishment the best, especially now that we all know, or should know about the negative effects of such infliction? Besides, when we open ourselves to the new and different, we create possibilities for advancement and betterment, that otherwise would not exist.

Yours respectfully, Annan Boodram

With $5.2B budget GECOM must prioritise LGEs

Dear Editor, THE Budget 2023 and its estimates under the theme, “Improving Lives Today, Building Prosperity for Tomorrow,” provide overwhelming evidence of the PPP/C government’s commitment to a magnanimous and accelerated strengthening of governance matters on the local front.

These pledges send a clear message of the government’s intention to “Walk the Walk” in the delivery of improvements worthy of mention.

Please permit me to highlight a few noteworthy areas from a cursory examination of the myriad committed plans and interventions projected for this fiscal year. These concern the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the Ministry of Local Government as key supporting evidence.

The PPP/C government’s recent 2023 budget, generously recommends financial allocations of G$5.2 billion for the use of GECOM.

Notably, these provisions came into play following significant allocations since 2021, when G$1.8 billion was provided, followed by a revised G$2.9 billion in 2022.

It is quite obvious that fulfilling the financial requirements of GECOM ought to provide a critical supporting platform for the competent runoff of the institution’s programmes.

At the same time, it is anticipated that the established legal mechanisms would ensure the removal of obstacles to the efficiency of our democratic processes. Consequently, the allocations can be considered very generous, particularly against the backdrop of a dire need for an audit of the institution’s accounts.

The financial transactions and all the necessary audits at GECOM are in arrears for almost 10 years. It is anticipated that with a new Chief Executive Officer, genuine efforts would have been put in place to get the GECOM audit updated.

Those former senior staff members who are before the courts for fraud and corruption must answer for the massive spending that took place at GECOM.

Our government must be complimented for this bold move given the bigger picture, while not losing sight of the obligatory requirements that will contribute to the highest levels of transparency required

from GECOM officials.

The fact is that local governance and the local government systems are essential parts of Guyana’s governance. Given that Local Government Elections were last held in 2018, it is now way overdue. As such, GECOM must hold Local Government Elections without further delays.

Coupled with addressing GECOM support and requirements, is the need to strengthen a degenerated local government system which is publicly attested to at the highest level of the PPP/C government.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali, in a recent interview before the budget, said: “For long, we have seen what mismanagement can do in townships, and in some municipalities, some areas.”

He also made a “call upon all Guyanese to work in renewing our effort at building the governance system, building our communities, strengthening our communities, but importantly, our municipalities and our townships.”

Further, President Ali said his government would spare no effort to work with every community and municipality in bringing together a team reflective of the “One Guyana” agenda.

“A team that will pro-

mote development, a team that will work integrally with the regional governance system and a central government to ensure that our development takes place not only at a rapid and efficient pace, but development, brings people together that are in development, strengthen our communities and that better services are delivered to our communities.”

It is no surprise that the foregoing intent and necessity were clearly articulated by Senior Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh in his 2023 budget speech.

He states: “In 2020, we inherited a lethargic system encouraged by the former government and practised by some Local Democratic Organs (LDOs). Our government has long recognized that robust local government architecture and systems support more sustainable communities.”

Consequently, the 2023 budget targets and moves to catalyze the strengthening of local governance through the injection of $18.9 billion for the Local Government Ministry. This represents approximately an 83 per cent increase over the G$10 billion appropriated in 2022, allowing for the implementation of several impacting develop-

mental community projects.

According to the budget presented, examples of highlights in 2023 include works to be advanced at markets in Charity, Parika, Leonora, and Mon Repos.

It also includes continuance of the National Pathway Workers Project and maintenance of the Community Enhancement Workers Programme, employing over 12,000 persons and improving infrastructure, sanitary and environmental conditions.

Editor, there is no doubt that the upcoming LGEs will serve as a reminder of the PPP/C government’s commitment to good governance and transparency across every community, and will provide much-

needed renewal to the local government system.

With the massive allocation for the holding of LGEs, GECOM must uphold its mandate and hold the elections to strengthen local democracy.

The present process of continuous registration seems to be going smoothly. Both the category ‘A’ and the category ‘B’ citizens are making full use of the opportunity to get registered The government recognises and delivered on its commitments, and the budget will certainly help to establish a realistic platform to guarantee a better life for our people.

Yours respectfully, Neil Kumar

Budget 2023: Intellect vs Political Venom

ON Monday last, the Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashini Singh presented the $781.9 billion budget to the National Assembly under the theme: “Improving Lives today, Building Prosperity for Tomorrow.”

The budget took meticulous planning and consultations with key stakeholders; it focused heavily on all the major sectors of the economy.

The PPP/C government was convinced it did a good job, by bringing one of the largest, pro-poor, and economically sound budgets to the House so early in the year. The government felt this budget had all the measures that would set Guyana’s economy further along the trajectory in terms of growth and development.

Soon after, the main opposition parliamentary party, the APNU+AFC, said the budget was not geared towards ordinary folk. It said too that the PPP/C government was inviting more corruption by focusing heavily on capital and infrastructural development as opposed to human development.

Through the Opposition Leader Aubrey Nor-

ton, the public heard how the budget did not adequately address the issue of cost of living nor other developmental issues which Guyanese supposedly were concerned about.

He said the budget was anti-working class and anti-poor because it seemed to address the concerns of the private sector and business classes only. Norton then said that as a result of the measures contained in the document, the rich would get richer while the poor gets poorer.

He and all the members of the opposition made it clear that Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s government had failed to present a satisfactory budget.

Firstly, this year’s budget contains measures which are sure to guarantee a far better and more prosperous life in Guyana for the ordinary folk, the working, and the business classes.

It does not promise Guyanese “the good life” as the APNU+AFC did because anything truly good is worth working for and waiting for, after the necessary investments are made in the infrastructure, people, and human and social capital.

Moreso, the budget

spends heavily on capital projects, roads, drains, bridges and buildings. This is not opening the door to corruption nor a resource curse. There are checks and balances in place at every level to fight actively against corruption whenever and wherever it raises its ugly head.

If one were to have the opportunity of listening to the presentation of Dr Singh and the perusal of the estimates, one would reach the inescapable conclusion that the budget is well-balanced as it addresses the needs of Guyana’s growing population.

It has contained in the measures, increases in the disposal income of which $3B will be spent on salary adjustments to the benefit of 14, 000 healthcare and disciplined services employees.

Additionally, workers also benefit this year from an increase in the income tax threshold from $75, 000 to $85, 000. If this is not investing in people, then what is? After all, the increase may look trivial, but it has a massive impact on the population and fiscal side of things.

Similarly, there is an increase in the ‘Because We Care Cash Grant,’

moving from $25, 000 to $35, 000 and benefitting more than 214, 000 school-aged children.

This is welcome and surely the Guyanese public will be grateful to the government because it is keeping the covenant it made with the people, not like the APNU+AFC who promised several glowing things in the pre-2015 era and went into government and did everything but deliver on those promises.

This is what anyone with commonsense would refer to as marvellous and prudent financial spending.

Secondly, the budget is also geared towards the nation’s working class and every single Guyanese fami ly. There are coins and dollars for every citizen contained in the budget in every imaginable sector, either directly or indirectly, but the opposition must find the money.

It is there in the budget estimates staring at them, but they would not search because it is too much work and effort for them.

Notwithstanding the increased Old Age Pension of $33, 000 and public assistance of $16, 000, all other categories of people will get something more than they had last year.

So, the budget in every socio-economic area is distributing Guyana’s wealth carefully and prudently, not wildly as the opposition would like. There are many other impressive areas of the budget which will no doubt be brought to the fore when the government parliamentarians debate its content from tomorrow.

Thirdly, the APNU+AFC parliamen -

tarians still have to convince right-thinking Guyanese of what is lacking or wrong with the budget, minus all of the opportunistic political statements. Reference is made to the bluff thrown at the Guyanese public by Amanza Desir, Roysdale Forde, Ganesh Mahipaul, Elson Lowe, Catherine Hughes, Khemraj Ramjattan and others.

How can Norton and his brand of APNU+AFC politicians ever face Guyanese with a straight face when the APNU+AFC administration is guilty of almost running sugar, rice, agriculture, bauxite, gold, human services, health and security sectors into the ground?

They are guilty of placing more than 7,000 workers on the breadline and hundreds of other workers were dismissed carrying the unemployment rate to double digits.

The Guyanese public would know that not a single strategy paper or policy was aimed at dealing with poverty and underemployment under the APNU+AFC Government.

The APNU+AFC government was seemingly caught in a “bruk-up” philosophy that saw it playing the politics of race and discrimination. This could be the reason why every time it presented a budget in Parliament during the years 2015 – 2019, it had nothing to do with the needs of the people or the country.

So, Norton has to come up with constructive criticisms and solid ideas that would make the budget more overwhelming, inspiring, responsive and caring.

He must insist that the opposition parliamentar-

ians read the budget and understand why every sector and project was allocated money in this year’s estimates, and why there are sectors that just could not make it.

He must not seem to be representing “his” people but all of Guyana, and must be careful how he talks about GuySuCo and the government’s investment in an industry that has carried this country for many years.

Remember, each time Norton or the Opposition says that the PPP/C government is pouring money down a black hole with GuySuCo, he must be held to the coals for the wastage of money on the Durban Park Project, the controversial drug bond, their intended closing down of the sugar industry, the fiasco at the Public Service Ministry and all the times the APNU+AFC breached the tendering and procurement laws, etc.

Finally, the opposition politicians have a chance to place their intellects on display when they debate the budget. They have the chance to weigh in on every sector and cause serious and lasting embarrassment to the PPP/C government, but can they?

If they stay clear of the political cesspool into which they usually drag the debate, and focus on issues and policies that are substantive to budget 2023, we can have an excellent debate where there is a contest of ideas, plans and opinions. It will be intellect versus political venom, bitterness and rancour.

Expect the usual props, drama, theatrics, emotional, political rhetoric and name-calling to take centre stage.

Guyana’s oil revenues to fund 30% of historic 2023 budget

FOR the second year in a row, Guyana’s oil revenues will significantly impact the national budget. Last week, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, presented the 2023 budget under the theme “Improving lives today, building prosperity for tomorrow.” Oil and gas revenues will fund almost 30 per cent of the proposed budget, up from 27 per cent in 2022.

The overall national budget is G$781.9 billion (US$3.75 billion) for the fiscal year 2023, Guyana’s largest ever. In 2022, it was projected in that budget that real gross domestic product (GDP) would grow by 47.5 per cent, with the non-oil economy projected to also grow by 7.7 per cent. However, as the year went on, Guyana’s economy grew by 62.3 per cent overall, with 11.5 per cent growth in the non-oil economy, surpassing expectations.

Minister Singh highlighted in his presentation that real GDP is expected to grow by 25.1 per cent this year, putting Guyana’s economy among the top five fastest growing economies in 2023.

Additionally, the oiland-gas sector is estimated to have expanded by 124.8 per cent in 2022, with a total of 101.4 million barrels of oil produced.

Compared to the 42.7 million barrels of oil produced in 2021, the sector has had astronomical growth, which is attributed to the addition of a second floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel – Liza Unity – last year.

For example, in 2023, G$84 billion has been earmarked for the health sector, G$94.4 billion for education, and over G$54 billion to develop new and upgrade existing housing developments. These are just a handful of the advancements coming for people this year, thanks to oil revenues.

The better-than-expected performance of the sector also allows for increased spending on infrastructure, electrification, gas-to-energy, hydropower, and solar energy projects. Importantly, the increase in spending isn’t a result of new debt or new taxes.

The US$759 million gas-to-energy (GTE) project for the construction of the integrated Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) Plant and the 300-megawatt (MW) combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara, Region Three, will also see critical funding.

The project will diversify Guyana’s energy mix and “significantly reduce the cost of electricity to the benefit of households and businesses, thereby catalysing rapid growth in industrial activity.” The 2023 national budget will allocate G$43.3 billion to advance construction of the plant and associated facilities.

As Guyana continues to focus on transformation and the diversification of the energy mix, Dr. Singh highlighted that the government plans to relaunch a request for proposal (RFP) for the restart of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.

This is one more example of how the rapid development of the oil-and-gas sector is funding critical investments in infrastructure and much more.

In 2022, the budget was described by the government as “transformative”, and “an investment back into Guyana, the Guyanese people”.

According to Minister Singh, the budget represented an “accelerated development agenda”, with plans to use Guyana’s new oil wealth to limit reliance on borrowing and avoid any new debt or taxes that could impact the people.

Last year’s budget saw a G$73.2 billion allocation to healthcare—a 36 per cent increase over 2021. Education will also receive G74.4 billion, a 22 per cent increase over

2021.

Looking back, we’re able to see just how true that was, and now the catalyst for 2023 is focused on improving the lives of

Guyanese and securing long-term prosperity for the people and economy.

The fiscal discipline and legislative prudence required to make

these changes possible has been in the works for some time from the passing of local content legislation to the passage of the revised Natu-

ral Resource Fund Act, which allows Guyana to both invest in near-term needs and set aside additional funds for longterm growth.

Ground-breaking communiqué for Pharmaceutical Equity

PHARMACEUTICAL inequity has been an age-old phenomenon that restricted developing countries from accessing medicines, mainly due to a lack of political will, financial resources and infrastructural sustainability. It was well established that more powerful economies called the shots by imposing regulations on global trade, protected by patents, laws and trade agreements.

According to the Access Medicines Foundation, 83 percent of low-and middleincome countries equating to billions of persons are denied essential medicines and healthcare products for noncommunicable and infectious diseases, due to more lucrative options for the pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Even within developed countries such as Canada it was found that one in five

persons may receive limited treatment due to their inability to attain health insurance, a mandatory requirement for accessing healthcare coverage.

In an effort to close the gap between the privileged and the under-privileged and to provide this essential pharmaceutical good to supply the global human capital, a macro-framework involving the collaboration of governments, the World Health Organization, United Nations and key partnerships from multi-stakeholders, including civil society, was required to focus on areas such as big pharma, generic and vaccines manufacturers.

The Pharmaceutical Equity for Global Public Health initiative was launched in November 2022 and was signed off by leaders of some developing countries, referred to as the South-South communique.

The aim was to remove barriers and level the playing field, so that effective life-saving medicines can be made available at affordable cost. The vision is that by 2040, the next 17 years, 60 percent of the needs in the oncology, vaccines, and women’s health products would be freely accessible. This has been signed off by Guyana, Barbados and Rwanda, with an open invitation to others in the Caribbean, Latin America and South Africa.

The COVID-19 pandemic had triggered this groundbreaking initiative, since developing nations were literally at the mercy of their richer counterparts who stockpiled excessive quantities of vaccines for reservation, leaving none available for less-resourced countries.

One of our neighbouring countries in the South showed unmatched leadership in

medicine development. Cuba stood tall during the challenging times of the pandemic and forged ahead to develop their own vaccines, instead of queuing for this scarce, lifepreserving commodity where demand exceeded supply.

The COVID-19 statistics highlighted the disparities which can be used to extrapolate for other healthcare demands. These stats provided by the World Health Organization justified the need for pharmaceutical equity, since the actual numbers of persons vaccinated as at March 2022 was 74 percent in high-income countries, compared to 12 percent in their poorer counterparts.

Additionally, further research in other areas supported this initiative, where according to the Department of Public Information, 69 percent of new tuberculosis cases were found

in South-East Asia and Africa, and 70 percent of deaths due to cancer in 2020 were in lowand middle-income countries. Additionally, it was noted that life expectancy in developing countries was not high, where fewer than 25 percent of persons live to age 70.

However, it is noteworthy that the five primary drivers to medicine access, according to PHARMAC New Zealand are:

* Medicine availability –all eligible candidates should access medicine required

* Medicine accessibility –protocols in place to prevent barriers such as prescribers and dispensers

* Medicine affordability – reducing cost barriers to the most vulnerable patients

* Medicine acceptability – engage patients to trust and accept medicine

* Medicine appropriateness – protocol to ensure ad-

equate and quality of prescribing

In pursuing pharmaceutical equity for such a unique global framework, the watch words are quality control and pharmacovigilance to prevent counterfeit from infiltrating the system and defeating the entire purpose of the initiative. It was recommended that the manufacturing sites should be fully compliant with the relevant details of COP 21 Paris agreement.

For further discussion, contact the pharmacist of Medicine Express PHARMACY located at 223 Camp Street, between Lamaha and New Market Streets. If you have any queries, comments or further information on the above topic kindly forward them to medicine. express@gmail.com or send them to 223 Camp Street, N/ burg. Tel #225-5142.

‘Guyana has transitioned from land of great potential to great promise’

By Frederick Halley

RECENTLY accredited High Commissioner to Canada, Ambassador Keith George expressed that Guyana has transitioned from being a land of great potential to one of great promise.

During a ‘meet and greet’ with staff of the Guyana Consulate in Toronto and invitees last Thursday, Ambassador George, who was paying his first visit to Toronto since being accredited to Ottawa on November 23, 2022, said the promise was underscored by the fact that Guyana’s economy grew by 62.3 per cent in 2022.

“The non-oil sector grew by 11.3 per cent. It is very important that we recognise the growth in the non-oil sector since it indicates that the pre-oil sectors continue to be resilient.”

Ambassador George, however, pointed out that there is much more that can be done in the area of economic growth and at the level of families.

“As we look forward to continued growth in 2023, we take cognisance of the possibility that many more

Guyanese

grow and improve; as we celebrate the fact that Guyana Natural Resources Fund was estimated to contain over a billion US dollars at the end of last year, we look forward to a larger fund and more investments in the areas of health and social care, education, agriculture, infrastructure, including roads and electricity,” the diplomat said.

Ambassador George reminded that last year saw tremendous growth in tourist arrivals.

“Many of those who arrived were Guyanese living abroad, as there were many who did not originate from Guyana’s shores. We hope that a larger number of Guyanese will travel back to Guyana, if not to remigrate or invest, to reconnect with the land of their birth this year.

“I assure you that Guyana is not the place you knew a year ago, five years ago or ten years ago. Those of you who might have recently visited can attest to that fact. But every Guyanese whether at home or overseas would like to see more. I assure you that the

prospects are bright.”

The High Commissioner pointed out that “the prospects are bright because as a people, as a country, we continue to work hard to achieve our goals. Visit any farmland, any market, any mechanic shop, any construction site, any factory, you will see the very vast majority of Guyanese working extraordinarily hard to achieve their goals. And so, it must be and continues to be.”

Pointing out that agriculture has almost forever been the bedrock of Guyana’s economy and will not

be allowed to fail because of the value and strength of the petroleum industry, Ambassador George called on members of the diaspora “to consider making some of the beneficiaries of your assistance change agents, rather than be simply recipients of your help, especially in the area of agriculture.

“Canada has made very strong strides in the area of smart agricultural technology. Think of this: What if you direct your efforts at introducing those technologies to some farmers in Guyana as a means of

encouraging other farmers to do likewise.

“I assure you that the benefits will multiply because it will also excite and encourage more young people to see agriculture as a career and will thereby build greater resilience in Guyana’s economy because of the economic diversification it will secure.”

Touching on climate change, he said forests play a major role in balancing climate.

“I assure you that there is no contradiction between Guyana’s development of its oil and gas industry

and its commitment to reducing green house gases. Eighty-five per cent of Guyana’s territory is forested. Ninety-nine per cent remained untouched forest. If we were to exploit our forest, Guyana could earn between 40-54 billion US dollars annually.”

Meanwhile, the ambassador also thanked Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud “for taking time to be here with us. Our Foreign Secretary has vast knowledge, honed by experiences of the crucial sectors of Guyana’s economy – that is Natural Resources and Agriculture, having once been Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Natural Resources. It is always an educative and enriching experience discussing those sectors with him and the pathways for their development.”

Ambassador George has an extensive foreign service career spanning 29 years, including his recent 10-year tenure as the Ambassador of Guyana to Suriname.

The High Commissioner is also the recipient of Guyana’s third highest National Award, the Cacique’s Crown of Honour (C.C.H).

will see their incomes and standard of living

Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud (fourth from left) and Ambassador Keith George (fourth from right) with staff of the Guyana Consulate in Toronto. Also pictured is Consul General (ag) Grace Joseph (second from left)

– says Ambassador George

$35.3M drug bond commissioned in Region Five

A DRUG bond to the tune of $35.3 million was on Saturday commissioned in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

This facility will help store and efficiently manage the distribution of drugs in the region and provide a more ready supply of drugs to the health facilities there. It will also supply the soon-to-be built modern regional hospital and three new health centres being built in the region this year.

Regional Health Officer Dr Desmond Nicholson noted that access to medicines and medical supplies is the right of every citizen who visits a public healthcare institution and the Ministry of Health has kept this mandate by ensuring that each region is equipped to deliver the necessary medications.

He noted that the building “represents an improvement in the management and distribution of drugs and medical supplies across the region, the vision is that we must, at all times, have sufficient levels of buffer stock, which is important in preventing stockouts and drug shortages.”

Regional Member of Parliament Faizal Jaffarally noted that it is part of the PPP/C administration’s commitment to provide world-class

healthcare to all citizens despite their geographic location. Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal noted that this will enhance health services being provided in Region Five.

The building was completed in record time, with the contractor completing the project in just five months.

“This facility has created the foundation for better services to come in this region and also to facilitate the demands that will be coming over the next years ahead,” Ramphal said.

He said the drug bond was long advocated for and was a priority for the PPP/C government when it entered office in 2020.

“The three additional health centres, these will be constructed in areas where persons are having difficulties or will have to travel presently far distances to access health care. Now they

will not have to go that long distance, and in cases of emergencies we can treat with it in a timely manner and save lives,” he outlined.

(DPI)

Lusignan Diabetic Clinic opens this week

THE Lusignan Diabetic Clinic on the East Coast of Demerara is complete and has been fitted with equipment that will offer treatment and specialised services to persons living with diabetes.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, last Friday, said patients who wish to receive services from the clinic can register from this week.

“What we’ll be doing as

of [this] week is to do like a soft opening of the facilities, where persons who want to be managed at that centre can come and get registered … we’ll start getting patients to come in [and] get registered and we’ll start offering treatment,” Dr Anthony disclosed.

The clinic would offer services including eye and cardiovascular screening, diabetic wound care, x-ray, as well as laboratory and reha-

bilitation services for persons who have suffered from peripheral neuropathy.

Peripheral neuropathy results from damage to the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves) and often causes weakness, numbness and pain, usually in the hands and feet.

“All these services would be under one roof and next week we start a phased approach to getting patients in,

getting them familiar with the services that we’re offering,” Dr Anthony highlighted.

The diabetic clinic is also staffed with specialists who have been trained to provide quality and comprehensive approaches to diabetic treatment.

Minister Anthony explained, “There will be a nutrition counsellor that will be assigned to the centre, for most diabetics, to screen them for complications of diabetes.

We need to check peoples’ kidneys, we’ll need to check their eyes, we need to check their feet and these types of specialised services would also be available on the site.”

The new clinic is expected to be officially opened by the end of January or early February. Hundreds of residents on the east coast are expected to benefit from this new clinic. (DPI)

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony

Regional Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal; Member of Parliament Faizal Jaffarally and Regional Health Officer, Dr Desmond Nicholson in the newly-commissioned drug bond

Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal

Some of the medical supplies in the newly-commissioned drug bond (DPI photos)

$2.4B for road upgrades in Little Diamond/Herstelling

MINISTER of Housing and Water, Collin Croal and engineers from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), on Friday last, inspected infrastructure works at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara.

The works visited included an access road being upgraded at Third Street, Herstelling. Minister Croal stated that the project, which

began at the end of 2022, is important for the development of the area, especially as residents previously raised concerns about the road.

“I’m happy that we’re now able to have this addressed and certainly you will find this continuing under the Irfaan Ali-led government; to be able to respond and put our resources to make our communities

better,” the Housing Minister was quoted as saying in a press release from his ministry.

In communities under the Little Diamond/Herstelling Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), at least $2.4 billion in roads will be upgraded.

The minister noted that these initiatives will provide opportunities for new contractors and employment for

Guyanese. He said that the projects will improve the quality of life for residents in new and existing housing schemes.

The Chairman of the NDC, Mr. Jaigopaul welcomed the development, noting that the NDC is pleased to have another opportunity to serve the communities.

Herstelling resident, Mr. Randolph Pereira, was excited about the works at Third Street and other incoming works, as he said that the state of the roads has affected the community for some time.

“I’ve been a resident here since 2016 and the roads were in a very deplorable condition and there were very hard times for residents in the area. A lot of people experienced damages to their vehicle and I’m so happy now that the Minister is here and the infrastructure is taking place and there’s vast improvement,” Mr. Pereira said.

During his visit, the minister also inspected ongoing works at Fourth Bridge, Herstelling.

Meanwhile, Minister Croal explained that, through the Ministry of Housing and

Water, Ministry of Public Works and Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, more than 1,100 internal access roads in communities across the country will be upgraded to concrete and asphaltic concrete over the coming months.

As part of transparency and accountability measures, the projects will be monitored with assistance from the respective NDCs. Maps of the areas and copies of the contracts will be

given to each NDC and residents will be able to visit the NDCs to receive information on the scope of works for projects in that particular area.

The minister was accompanied by Chairman of the Little Diamond/ Herstelling NDC, Mr. Puneet Jaigopaul; Chairman of the Community Development Council (CDC), Mr. Natram Rampersaud; CDC member, Mr. Neville Butts and other residents.

Traditional Chinese medicine takes centre stage at Spring Festival Fair

during

was

Additionally, various Chinese elements were displayed at the performance and excited the audience. Those included the lion and dragon dance, the sleeve dance, the bamboo flute, and the Chinese Kung Fu Xingyiquan, performed by the Chinese Medical Brigade.

But the main attraction at the Chinese culture section of the fair was the booth of the Chinese medical team. Nearly two hours before the show began, the exhibition area was already crowded.

Many people were interested in the medical team’s knowledge of acupuncture channels and acupoints along with

cupping and various acupuncture and moxibustion instruments.

Guyanese were very interested in the mysteries of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as they gathered around acupuncturists of the medical team led by Dr. Li Ming.

They also inquired about treatment, while others tried the acupuncture and cupping methods offered at the booth.

Dr. Li was occupied beyond his capacity with questions from visitors about TCM and diagnosing patients.

In one of the many cases, a Guyanese patient with limited right shoul-

der pain could freely operate the arm in less than three minutes after acupuncture with a needle.

He moved freely and said it was “amazing.”

Chu Xuehui, Captain of the Medical Brigade, said, “ Chinese Medical Brigade has been in Guyana for 30 years, but many Guyanese still know little about the medical team as 2023 would mark Guyana’s 30th anniversary of Chinese medical assistance. We take this opportunity to let more Guyanese know about the Medical Brigade and Chinese Medicine to benefit more Guyanese.”

THE Chinese Medical Brigade had one of the most popular booths

the annual Guyana Chinese Spring Festival Temple Fair, which

held on Sunday last at the National Park in Georgetown.

Acupuncturist Dr. Li Ming performs the traditional Chinese treatment known as “cupping” on one of the many visitors at the Chinese Medical Brigade booth in the National Park

Works are ongoing at Fourth Bridge, Herstelling

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal and a team inspect a map of the area

Chinese Spring Festival

…the New Year of the Rabbit

By GUO Haiyan China’s Ambassador to Guyana

TODAY marks the Chinese Spring Festival in the Year of the Rabbit. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I’d like to take this opportunity to extend our warmest greetings and wishes to all Chinese compatriots and Guyanese friends.

Spring Festival, the Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important traditional festival in China, with a history of more than 4,000 years. The Spring Festival culture is an important part of the Chinese culture. The year of 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, a beloved animal ranking fourth in the Chinese zodiac. It is a common species but with rich cultural connotation. In terms of appearance, the rabbit is meek, cute, innocent and lively, which means that the new year would be peaceful and auspicious. In terms of skills, the rabbit is good at jumping, which means overcoming difficulties and surpassing oneself.

In ancient Chinese legends, there is a rabbit on the moon, which is pounding herbal medicine into magical elixir with its mortar and pestle, so the rabbit also signifies health and longevity.

Spring Festival is no stranger to Guyanese friends. Since last Christmas, some of my Guyanese friends have frequently talked about Spring Festival, especially the Chinese New Year’s Eve traditions. This year marks the 170th anniversary of Chinese Arrival in Guyana. The Chinese community has integrated deeply into the local society, and together they have contributed to Guyana’s national independence and development. And the Chinese culture, represented by Spring Festival activities, has been integrated into the Guyanese multiculture as well.

Recently, the Chinese community held the Guyana 2023 Chinese Spring Festival Temple Fair in the National Park, Georgetown, where more than 2,000 friends from all walks of life, including the Hon Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, joined the celebrations. Many Guyanese friends, dressed in Chinese costumes and holding folding fans, gathered to witness various displays of Chinese culture including

food, song, lion and dragon dances and fireworks show.

Spring Festival is a time for family reunion. No matter how busy they are and where they are, Chinese people would try their best to get home and have dinner with their families during the New Year’s Eve. Children wish their elders good health, and the elders give red envelops to them. Everybody says “Happy New Year” to relatives, neighbours and friends, and even to strangers they meet on the road. The Chinese people value family, respect traditions, and cherish harmony. We share the same values as our Guyanese friends.

Spring Festival is the time to celebrate the harvest. In 2022, China successfully convened the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). An ambitious blueprint has been drawn for building a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization.

China has coordinated the COVID-19 response and socio-economic development, and its GDP grew 3% to a record high of about 18 trillion USD in 2022. In addition, The Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games concluded with a resounding success. Shenzhou-13, Shenzhou-14 and Shenzhou-15 soared into the space. China’s space station was fully completed, and the third aircraft carrier Fujian was launched. C919, China’s first large passenger aircraft, was delivered.

Last year, Guyana’s economy grew by a whopping 62.3%, making it the fastest-growing economy in the world, and Guyana has made significant progress in economic and social transformation. We are sincerely pleased with both countries’ achievements in the past year.

In 2022, China and Guyana jointly celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations too. President Xi Jinping and President Ali exchanged letters of congratulation. The Chinese Embassy hosted a celebratory reception, a Chinese film festival and many other events. The Guyanese side issued commemorative stamps, coins, and made a special rum. There have been new

developments in bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields has been further strengthened.

Spring Festival is a time to look forward to the future. Guyana just unveiled its 2023 Budget under the theme, “Improving Lives today, Building Prosperity for Tomorrow.”

Our Guyanese friends are full of confidence and aspirations to strive for a better future. For China, 2023

will be the first year to fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the start of a new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects, as well as the 45th anniversary of reform and opening up and the 10th anniversary of Belt and Road initiative.

As China enters a new phase of COVID response, its economic and social vitality will be further released.

China will continue to be the “stabilizer” of world economic recovery and the “engine” of global growth, and continue to provide new opportunities for the world with its new development.

I wish both China and Guyana enjoy peace and prosperity?our bilateral relations and cooperation step up to new levels, and you all good health, happiness and success in the new year!

GUO Haiyan, China’s Ambassador to Guyana

Stanleytown man busted with ganja following high-speed chase

Anti-Crime Patrol carried out the arrest at about 22:50hrs.

The ranks were on patrol duty in the vicinity of Helena #1 Public Road at Mahaica when they observed a black motorcar overtook several vehicles on the Mahaica Bridge at a fast rate of speed.

which ended up in a nearby trench. It is alleged that Edward exited the vehicle and attempted to escape with two bulky bags.

POLICE on the East Coast of Demerara, on Friday night, arrested 52-year-old Carlos Edward of Stanleytown, New Amsterdam Berbice, who crashed his car after trying to escape

from ranks on patrol duty.

Police found 28.6 kilograms of cannabis in the car. A press release from Police Headquarters noted that ranks from the Mahaica Police Station’s

The ranks attempted to stop the car but it sped away. The police ranks pursued the car and, with the aid of the siren and loud hailer, indicated to the driver to stop, but he refused.

The vehicle instead sped into Jonestown and hit a utility pole at Belmont Mahaica.

Police said Edward lost control of the vehicle

He was arrested and the ranks proceeded to search the bags in his presence and found a total of nine black plastic parcels and three transparent plastic parcels, with a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis.

Edward was told of the offence and escorted to the Mahaica Police Station where he was placed into custody pending charges.

‘Cop’ among three nabbed with firearm, ‘ammo’

A 28-year-old Special Constable of Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, and two others were arrested by the police on Friday night, after they were found with an unlicensed firearm and matching ammunition.

A statement from Police Headquarters noted that, at about 23:45hrs, a Police Sergeant stopped a white old-model Raum motorcar bearing registration number PNN 6297.

The Special Constable, who was the driver, had two occupants in the back seat of the vehicle.

Police identified the occupants as a 30-year-old

salesman who was sitting behind the driver’s seat, and his 22-year-old girlfriend, a cashier, seated next to him in the back of the vehicle.

The Police Sergeant informed the occupants that he received information that they have guns and ammunition in their possession and he would like to carry out a search, to which they did not object.

According to the police release, on the floor of the vehicle behind the driver’s seat was one bulky black shoulder bag which, when inspected, had one suspected Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol without serial number, containing three

live matching rounds.

A small plastic bag with three 9mm rounds was also found.

The Police Sergeant enquired from the occupants if any of them was a licensed firearm holder and they responded in the negative, according to the police release. They also denied any knowledge of the firearm and ammo.

They were all arrested and escorted to the Parfaite Harmonie Police Station along with the suspected firearm and ammunition. The suspects were placed into custody pending further investigation.

The cannabis seized by ranks of the Mahaica Police Station Anti-Crime Patrol (Guyana Police Force photo)

Carlos Edward crashed the car during his bid to flee from the police (Guyana Police Force photo)

The firearm and ammunition (Guyana Police Force photo)

Rehabilitation of prisoners a top priority for government

MEMBERS of the Guyana Prison Service Board were, on Saturday, urged to place more emphasis on the rehabilitation of inmates, and not just keeping them locked away.

This call was made by Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, at the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) Board and Visiting Committee Forum held at the National Racket Centre in Georgetown.

According to a press release from the Prison Service, Benn noted that the inmates’ path to rehabilitation was not a simple one and they require additional social support.

He explained that they continue to struggle greatly outside of prison due to the stigma associated with being a felon.

Inmates’ rehabilitation and full reintegration into

society were priorities for the government, according to Minister Benn. He asserted that the government continues to make daily efforts to ensure that individuals

who end up behind bars find redemption and that they are better people when they rejoin society.

It was further noted that the government was working to increase institutional capacity each year so that more inmates can take advantage of the various programmes.

“Use the time that they spend incarcerated to engage them in rehabilitation programmes and to better prepare them to be better citizens on the way out,” the Home Affairs Minister was quoted as saying in the press release.

Meanwhile, according to the release, the Chairman of the GPS’s Sentence Management Board, Captain Gerald Gouveia, in his address, stated that the various boards such as Sentence Management, Recruitment, Training, Parole, and Agriculture,

along with the visiting committees play a vital role in the existence of the GPS.

“Every prison system should be subject to oversight, so this is where the boards and committees come in. We should ensure that all the rules and policies are instituted in order to maintain good order and discipline within the prison walls”, Captain Gouveia, who is also the National Security Advisor to President Dr. Irfaan Ali was quoted as saying.

Gouveia further added, “The prison system is a very important component of our joint services because it’s a place where we rehabilitate people who have gone down the wrong line. So, rehabilitation in the prisons is vital, and that is where we as board and committee members can also play a pivotal role.”

The one-day forum

- Minister Benn tells Prison Service Board and Visiting Committee Forum

shed light on the advancements made and difficulties encountered by the GPS boards and visiting committees during the previous year, while also helping to create a forward-thinking working environment with the Prison Directorate.

The numerous boards and visiting committees serve as an oversight body to make sure the prison service carries out its duty and to intervene when necessary, according to Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot.

$5.9B in Budget 2023 to transform Region 10

A TOTAL of $5.9 billion has been set aside in this year’s budget to transform the landscape of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

In upkeeping its promises, the government has put forth a budget which strikes a balance between addressing the pressing needs of today and the critical investments needed for tomorrow,

ensuring that both are given equal attention.

In specific, residents of Region 10 are in for a massive transformation within the health, public works and education sectors.

The $781.9 billion budget was presented by Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, on Monday last; he

noted that the budget exhibits care and concern for the vulnerable.

“Since assuming office, our government has set about the task of repairing the deep and lasting damage caused by five years of misrule and mismanagement, rebuilding Guyana’s credibility in the global community, restoring our attractiveness as a destina-

tion for private investment, improving infrastructure and social services, and ensuring enhanced opportunities and improved quality of life for the Guyanese People,” Dr. Singh said.

A whopping $141,790 million was allocated for public works in the region. Key projects which the budget caters for are the rehabilitation of the bridge at Hururu; the rehabilitation and upgrade of roads at South Amelia’s Ward, Retrieve, Coomacka and Nothinghamshire.

While the region has already received tremendous support from the government, including the award of nine contracts to desilt drains and construct small roads and foot paths to enhance the community of Victory Valley, it is evident that there are plans in the work for massive infrastructural transformation.

Meanwhile, as it relates to the education sector, a total of $456,200 million was budgeted to assist with education delivery. In particular,

the completion of Bamia/ Amelia’s Ward Primary School was highlighted as one of the projects to be executed.

Moreover, $194,200 million was allocated for health services in Region 10. Projects such as the construction of the Mabura, Muritaro, and Ituni health centres and doctor’s quarters at Mabura; rehabilitation of regional drugs bond at Mac-

kenzie and living quarters at Calcuni; the extension of the West Watooka, Great Falls and Rockstone health posts; the construction of a storage bond at Bamia Health Centre and the enclosure of staff quarters and construction of walkway at Retrieve were catered for in the budget.

Additionally, funds have also been set aside for the purchase of ambulance, boats and engines.

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn

Chairman of the GPS’s Sentence Management Board, Gerald Gouveia

Road works in Region Ten (DPI photo)

A recent outreach in Region Ten by Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips (Office of the Prime Minister photo)

‘Education crucial to Guyana’s development’

— Minister Croal tells Region One residents

DURING an outreach organised by the Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, residents of Santa Rosa, Region One, and other towns had the opportunity to sign up for scholarships under the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) on Saturday.

Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley; Vice-chairperson, Annansha Peters and Santa Rosa Toshao, Stavros Stanley were also a part of the outreach, which was held at the Santa Rosa Secondary School.

Under this phase of the GOAL programme, persons without formal qualifications such as the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) can register for Certificate Programmes, which can pave the way for them to pursue Diplomas

and Degrees.

Minister Croal stated that the education sector is crucial to Guyana’s development. He also noted that the GOAL programmes can be pursued by any age group and encouraged all to register.

The minister said that Region One has over 150 GOAL scholarship students

to date. He also highlighted that some 14 ICT Hubs were completed in the region and will be used to aid students.

The first phase of the GOAL scholarship programme for 2023 was launched earlier this month in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni – Mazaruni).

During this phase, cer-

tificate courses will be offered which require minimum or in some cases no prerequisite qualifications to enroll.

The certificate programmes offer more technical areas of study and will not only help to qualify

Education Day and school fires

HERE we are on the eve of International Day of Education, tomorrow, and yet another school in Guyana has burned down. Christ Church Secondary School is the third facility to have been destroyed by fire within the last year and was allegedly a target of arson.

An emotional Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, who witnessed the blaze, posted a picture of herself with two distraught students, worried about the lost work for their SBAs. She made the chilling observation that, “Children suffer when schools are destroyed”.

Right now, the Education Ministry has the unenviable task of relocating upwards of 500 of the school’s students. The process has begun at the Cyril Potter College of Education.

In addition, arrangements have to be made with the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) on what can be done for students preparing for the Caribbean Secondary

Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).

The Guyana Fire Service, which began immediate investigations into the cause of the fire has determined, from the points of origin and the time of the fire, that it was “maliciously set by a person or persons unknown.”

Of grave concern to the Education Ministry is the disruption of learning for so many children, some preparing for important exams. For indeed the destruction

of schools exposes children to immeasurable trauma and anxiety, affecting their examination scores and upsetting the very rhythm of their school life.

Enshrined in article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the right to an education included a call for free and compulsory elementary education. Going a step further, the Convention on the Rights of the Child stipulates that countries make higher education accessible to all.

However, despite this,

education still remains a privilege for many, so we who have it should cherish it as UNESCO data reveals that 280 million children and young people were out of school for the school year ending in 2018. More than two-thirds of this number were girls.

Education is important for a host of reasons which all have to do with a person’s goals in life and future well-being. High on this list is the improvement and development of communication skills through teaching persons not only how to read and write, but also how to speak and listen.

It fosters critical thinking – essential in decision-making – helps individuals meet minimum job requirements while also enabling them to secure better jobs and, according to UNESCO, also reduces child mortality, as a child born to a mother who can read is “50 per cent more likely to survive.”

The Organization also

more persons within the hinterland region to seek employment but will also allow them to develop skills to apply within their communities.

Areas of study include Banking, Financial Services and Insurance,

Digital Marketing and E-Commerce, Joinery & Cabinet Making, Garment Construction, Photography, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Event Planning, Healthcare, Agricultural Technology, among others.

states that “171 million people could be lifted out of poverty if students in low-income countries acquired basic reading skills.” And Charizze Abulencia, writing for World Vision, declares that “entire societies could change dramatically” if this were so.

She also asserts: “Knowing how to read, write and do arithmetic is empowering. When a person can read, they can access endless learning and information…Paired with the ability to form opinions, literacy makes a person become more self-reliant and gives them confidence”.

Of particular note is that education promotes gender equality and helps empower girls and women. So, UNESCO is dedicating this fifth International Education Day to all the girls and women in Afghanistan who were

recently denied their right to both study and teach.

The theme “to invest in people, prioritize education” is intended to build on the momentum generated by the UN Transforming Education Summit, held in September last year. This year’s call is for strong political mobilisation around education and the charting of a course that will turn commitments and initiatives into action.

The destruction of schools in our country will only hamper this process and set our nation back in achieving our education goals, particularly as UNESO declares, “Today, 244 million children and youth are out of school and 771 million adults are illiterate. Their right to education is being violated and it is unacceptable.”

Residents of Santa Rosa peruse the brochures of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL)

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, displays a GOAL brochure during his address to residents of Region One

Squash Association thrilled...

From page 28

recent breaking of ground for the new state-of-theart squash facility at the National Racket Centre.

“With the significantly increased revenue injected into the country’s annual budget for 2023, the GSA is thrilled to see a record $ 4.3 billion allocated to sport. Never before has Culture, Youth, and Sport been the recipient of such a generous amount and we are excited about what this investment from the Government of Guyana will mean for the future across all sporting disciplines in Guyana.”

According to the GSA, the investments made in both athletes and facilities will work towards sustainable development in our discipline; building on the foundations in place, accelerating growth, and affording us the opportunity to get in line with other countries

in the region.

The association affirmed that the addition of two doubles court at the NRC would place Guyana in a position ahead of many South American countries, being one of few to boast doubles facilities and make us eligible to host the Pan American Championships.

“This will extend our previous tournament hosting capabilities beyond the Caribbean area to include many more countries for both junior and senior championships; essentially setting us up to become a hub for squash for the broader region. It will allow us to present our unity through sport on the world scene.”

The “valuable investment of time” from the National Sports Commission which has seen Director of Sport Mr. [Steve] Ninvalle and team making themselves available and accessible and undertaking continuous

engagement with the associations was highlighted.

“Being able to identify areas of strength, development and gaps collaboratively have allowed for strategic planning that will propel sport to levels not previously possible in Guyana.”

Vice President of the GSA, David Fernandes expressed his feelings about how impactful these developments will be for the sport and the country.

“We feel that Culture, Youth and Sport are important avenues to foster social cohesion and present the best forums to bring people together from every walk of life; as ‘One Guyana’. We appreciate the efforts of Minister Ramson Jr. and are extremely grateful for the financial and time investments that will positively impact the youths of Guyana. We hope that those same youths will

respect the facilities and human resource and that they take the opportunity given to them by the government to push themselves to become great athletes, teammates, Guyanese ambassadors, and leaders of our country.”

GSA is eying when short-term plans can be executed for their athletes and members that will feed into the longer-term goals and objectives of offering the community benefits of sport for recreation and health, along with getting our athletes into elite status and positions to perform on the international stage.

“We look forward to the continuing support and collaboration with the National Sports Commission and Government of Guyana to ensure our members are given the resources and opportunities to reach their potential and represent their country.”

Extended term contrary to Guyana Cricket...

From page 28

member of the GCA, who serves on the GCB who was victimised for how he voted at the DCB Elections.

“A lot of things have changed, the Act is there but a lot of things have been done contrary to the Act and decisions that are made” disclosed Harper, rated as one of best fielders in International

Cricket.

The GCA Vice-President feels the Media should start asking some serious questions.

“What is the reason for the Act…what gives the GCB the authority to do these things and why it is being done in the first place?”

On the issue of GCA members not functioning in their positions, Harper said he was elected as the first

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Sunday January 22, 2023)

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Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Vs ENG, Queen’s Park Oval, 1974 (2) 2 & 7

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Where and when did Lance Gibbs make his Test debut?

(2) Who was the incumbent WI captain?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Vice-President of the DCB and did not know who represented the DCB at the GCB meetings since it was never discussed.

“You can peruse all of the DCB’s minutes, it’s not in there so we don’t know how they were chosen” Harper revealed.

“My focus is on helping to produce cricketers who participate in GCA’s tournaments who can play at the

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highest level.”

“Over the years, Georgetown has had most of the best players in Demerara while the other areas under the DCB have struggled. Very little is being done to improve the game in those areas” Harper concluded.

GCA, despite being the most successful association under the DCB, does not have any executives on the DCB.

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Under-19

Women’s T20

World Cup Dominance in one group and four-way tie in another after fascinating day

THE Super Six stage of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup began with wins for New Zealand and England to see them take control of Group 2. But Australia’s crushing win over India and South Africa’s victory over Bangladesh means all four teams are level on points with one game each to play in Group 1.

Australia demolish India

An inspired bowling performance saw Australia consign India to a heavy defeat in Potchefstroom and keep their semi-final hopes well and truly alive.

An intimidatingly-strong Indian top-order had little answer to the quality of the Australian bowling on the day, with Milly Illingworth (2/12) among the wickets early on, dismissing the dangerous pair of Shafali Verma and Gongadi Trisha in her first and second overs.

Maggie Clark (2/18) picked up the baton to continue to run through the recognised batters, dismissing Sonia Mehdiya and the experienced Richa Ghosh to leave India in trouble at 43/4.

And Sianna Ginger effectively ended India’s hopes of reaching a sizeable total when she removed India’s tournament top-scorer Shweta Sehrawat (21) in the eleventh over, Parshavi Chopra in her next over, and then Mannat Kashyap in her next, finishing with figures of 3 for 13.

Set just 88 to win, Australia got off to a flier, putting on 28 in just 3.3 overs when Kate Pelle fell for a 13-ball 17.

Ginger (11 from 13) and Ella Hayward (7 from 5) were the only other wickets to fall, with Claire Moore (25*) and Amy Smith (26*) completing the job with a 41-run partnership to seal the victory in 13.5 overs.

Australia’s win sets up the prospect of a run-rate showdown in the final set of matches to decide who progresses to the semi-finals.

South Africa won by five wickets

South Africa won a fascinating match against Bangladesh to leave four teams level on points in Group 1 .

Some brilliant bowling from Kayla Reyneke kept Bangladesh in check during the first innings. The 17-year-old finished with figures of 4/19 from her four overs as the Tigresses never really got going, despite each of their top five reaching at least double figures.

Set 106 to win, South Africa got off to a scratchy start, struggling against the quality of the new-ball attack and limping to 33/4 after eight overs.

Rabeya was the star with the ball for Bangladesh, taking 3/18, with Marufa Akter also chipping in with 1/16. But a brilliant partnership worth 70 runs between Madison Landsman (37) and Karabo Meso (32*) took the tournament hosts to the brink of victory, with Meso hitting the winning boundary to complete the chase with seven balls and five wickets remaining.

The win for the Proteas sets up a fascinating scenario in Group 1, with four teams all tied on four points heading into their respective final matches.

New Zealand won by four wickets

Rwanda challenged New Zealand in a close encounter but eventually the experience of the White Ferns helped them to a victory.

New Zealand managed to keep things tight during the powerplay overs, restricting Rwanda to 27/2. After losing their openers cheaply, the African side batted with caution in order to set up a competitive total. Gisele Ishimwe (27 from 28) and Henriette Ishimwe (30 from 47) added 32 runs from 52 balls for the third wicket.

Thereafter, Rwanda tried to up the scoring rate but were hindered by the loss of wickets at regular intervals. Kate Chandler and Olivia Anderson both finished with the figures of 2/21, as New Zealand restricted Rwanda to 96/7.

This batting effort was backed by some brilliant bowling. Rosine Irera (3/21) struck twice in her first over as New Zealand slipped to 9/2. Emma McLeod (59 from 39) and Izzy Sharp (11 from 24) then stabilised the New Zealand innings, adding a partnership of 26 runs.

McLeod picked up the pace after the third wicket fell, using her pull shot to great use in her quest for boundaries. Even as other Kiwi batters struggled to get bat to ball, McLeod looked

as if she was batting on a different strip. Her aggressive strokeplay put Rwanda on the back foot and helped her side close in on the target.

When she lost her wicket to Irera, New Zealand needed merely five runs to win with four wickets to spare. They finished the formalities in 16.1 overs.

England

inflict heavy defeat on Ireland

England’s complete performance saw them overcome Ireland with ease and take a big step towards a spot in the semi-finals.

Grace Scrivens (93 from 56) and Liberty Heap (42 from 29) carried forward their explosive form from the group stages to the Super Six. After taking Freya Sargent for 19 runs in the seventh over, the duo ensured that England scored over 10 runs an over for the rest of their partnership.

Heap was finally dismissed by Aimee Maguire (1/24) in the 13th over, with the England total standing at 136. And Scrivens departed in the 16th over off Sargent (1/48), falling seven short of her hundred but after having achieved the highest individual score of the tournament.

Some good hitting in the death overs from Niamh Holland (34* from 21) and Seren Smale (30* from 14) helped the batting side to 207/2.

Ireland went for the attack, hitting 10 runs in their opening over, but some sharp England bowling and fielding saw them suffer four losses in the powerplay overs. They lost their openers Rebecca Gough (6 from 4) and Joanna Loughran (3 from 6) to run outs, while Hannah Baker (3/9) and Scrivens (1/13) accounted for the other wickets.

Ireland's innings never really recovered, with slow left-arm spinner Sophia Smale running through their lower order to bowl them out for 86. (ICC Media)

Grace Scrivens’ 93 is the highest score of the tournament to date

Garcia and Sabalenka into Melbourne fourth round

FOURTH seed Caroline Garcia fought back to beat Laura Siegemund and reach the fourth round of the Australian Open.

The French 29-year-old, one of the picks for the title, came from behind to win 1-6 6-3 6-3 against the German world number 158.

Victory put the WTA Finals champion into the fourth round at Melbourne Park for just the second time.

There were also wins for fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka and 12th seed Belinda Bencic on Saturday.

Belarusian Sabalenka, who is aiming for her first Grand Slam singles title, beat her Belgian former doubles partner Elise Mertens 6-2 6-3.

She will face Bencic next after the Swiss registered a 6-2 7-5

win over Camila Giorgi of Italy. Sabalenka has reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon and the US Open but a major singles title has eluded her so far.

The 24-year-old has yet to lose a match in 2023, having won the Adelaide International 1 title in the build-up to the first major of the year.

Liverpool and Chelsea struggle to goalless draw

LIVERPOOL and Chelsea laid their respective Premier League struggles bare for all to see in a bitterly disappointing stalemate at Anfield.

The two giants, who have been in constant pursuit of major prizes in recent seasons, are currently locked well outside the top fourand how it showed in a dismal game almost devoid of entertainment and quality.

Chelsea had an early Kai Havertz strike ruled out for offside by VAR and there was also a lively debut as a second-half substitute for £89m new boy Mykhailo Mudryk, while Liverpool keeper Alisson saved well from another new Chelsea signing, defender Benoit Badiashile.

Liverpool's own £45m recruit Cody Gakpo was quiet - he did force one save from Kepa, but otherwise there was little to warm a capacity crowd at a freezing Anfield.

Liverpool lack intensity

The quality of this game was reflected in the subdued atmosphere at Anfield, with the final whistle greeted with near silence apart from some very mild applause.

Liverpool have made their reputation and based their success under manager Jurgen Klopp not simply on world-class talent but on a searing intensity that has seen teams simply blown away.

They currently look a shadow of that side in every respect - admittedly deprived of attacking talent such as Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino - and there were very few alarms for Chelsea and no serious work for keeper Kepa.

"We had good spells but couldn't keep it up," Klopp told BT Sport.

"We have to be ready for little steps and this is a little step. A clean sheet against Chelsea, we didn't create a lot of chances and they had some as well.

"In the end, I'm OK with 0-0 because you have to accept these steps. We can build on that."

Liverpool's new signing Gakpo seems to be in a settling in period, which is perfectly understandable, and he struggled to make an impact apart from one shot on the turn that brought a comfortable save from Kepa in front of The Kop.

Klopp's side are now nine points off the Champions League places and it is clear they need to find that missing spark - and quickly - if they are to get anywhere near the top four.

Chelsea happier with draw Chelsea's new manager Graham Potter has had a tough start to life at Stamford Bridge, with poor results coming as the club continue to embark on a remarkable transfer spree.

And this is why Potter and Chelsea will take this point, even though they will know they had chances to make it three against a Liverpool defence that continues to look vulnerable, especially without Virgil van Dijk.

"I thought the performance was good," Potter told BT Sport. "Happy with the team, the energy, what we tried to do. At Anfield, it is always tough. It is a clean sheet and a point, we move forward.

"Overall, a positive day, apart from the fact we wanted three points."

There was a big bright spot for

Chelsea in the cameo from Mudryk, newly arrived from Shakhtar Donetsk but very quick - literally - to adjust to life in the Premier League when he was introduced after 55 minutes.

He provoked panic instantly in the veteran James Milner, who was clearly unable to cope with his pace and received a yellow card for a desperate foul before he was substituted.

Mudryk had a weaving run into the penalty area which ended with a shot into the side-netting and he was unlucky on two occasions when he stole in unnoticed at the far post.

Potter added: "He's not played football for a while, he's been on a mid-season break. We had to manage his minutes, but you can see his quality."

New defender Badiashile also created a good impression although he should have scored with a firsthalf header that was saved by Liverpool keeper Alisson.

Chelsea will regret not taking some of the opportunities they had when Liverpool's defence was stretched, but this is a time when they will accept small mercies and a point at Anfield - even with their opponents in their current reduced state - is always acceptable.(BBC Sport).

Sabalenka said she would have to be "like a tiger" to beat Bencic, with both players yet to drop a set at Melbourne Park.

"I feel like I have to stay really aggressive in the first few shots and then the slower ball or shorter ball will come," Sabalenka said.

"It's all about fast feet on the first few shots. I have to be like a tiger, ready, stay low and be ready for that."

Karolina Pliskova and Donna Vekic also advanced to the last 16 in the women's singles on Saturday.

Former world number one Pliskova beat Russia's Varvara Gracheva 6-4 6-2, while Vekic defeated Spain's Nuria Parrizas Diaz 6-2 6-2.

Czech teenager Linda Fruhvirtova, 17, reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time with a 7-5 2-6 6-3 win over compatriot Marketa Vondrousova.

"It feels pretty surreal," said the teenager. "It's an incredible feeling. I'm just so happy and excited to be able to say: 'Hi second week!'"

In the women's doubles,

American pair Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula beat Wang Xinyu of China and Japan's Moyuka Uchijima 7-5 6-1 to reach the third round.

Eight-time Grand Slam winner Samantha Stosur played the last match of her career as she and compatriot Matthew Ebden lost to Demi Schuurs and Nikola Mektic in the first round of the mixed doubles.

Stosur won the US Open singles title in 2011 as well as four women's doubles Grand Slams and three mixed doubles majors. (BBC Sport)

Carolina Garcia reached the semi-finals at last year's US Open

Aryna Sabalenka has never gone beyond the fourth round of the Australian Open

Kai Havertz had the ball in the net early for Chelsea but VAR ruled the goal out for offside

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – An independent three-member group commissioned by Cricket West Indies to review the Caribbean side’s failed campaign at last year’s Twenty20 World Cup in Australia, have pointed to “significant distrust” between the players and the sport’s regional governing body.

Writing in a comprehensive report – the details of which were made public by CWI on Thursday – the group chaired by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court High Court Judge, Justice Patrick Thompson Jr., said this distrust was impacting CWI’s ability to field the best available XI for international tournaments, due to the players’ commitment to participating in global franchise cricket.

Unless the situation was remedied, the report continued, CWI faced the distinct possibility of dissolution.

“It is not in the best interests of West Indies Cricket that our best players play in every global league and play for the [West Indies] Team on an optional basis,”

the group, also comprising former Test captain Brian Lara and well-respected international coach Mickey Arthur, said in their executive summary.

“It is imperative that the Board and the players have a frank and honest discussion with each other in order to arrive at a solution to this impasse.

The independent threeman group urged CWI to properly manage its player resources.

“In this Group’s view, there is significant distrust between the players and administration and this distrust is inimical to ensuring that the best 11 players turn out for the WI Team in every match.

“No Objection Certificates cannot be weaponized against the players, but it is essential that some middle ground is arrived at. Otherwise, West Indies Cricket may cease to exist as an entity.

“This Group does not indulge in doomsday predictions but no entity, sporting or otherwise, has a viable future if its talent is not harnessed and effectively

managed.”

The last decade has been marked by tensions between CWI and its white-ball players, with several of the leading experienced players failing to make themselves available for international duty or being sidelined by selectors.

Despite the discord, West Indies managed to win two T20 World Cups –in 2012 and 2016 – and also reaching the semi-finals of the 2014 tournament.

At the 2021 edition, however, West Indies failed to make it out of the opening round, losing four of their five matches to finish one from bottom of the six-team group. And forced to play a qualifying tournament against the likes of minnows Zimbabwe, Ireland and Scotland, the Caribbean side failed to reach the main draw of the 2022 edition Down Under.

The report said CWI needed to manage its player resources in such a way that they did not become lost to global franchise leagues.

“WI Cricket does not lack for talent but our small size in comparison with oth-

er cricketing nations means that we cannot afford to lose any talented players,” the group contended.

“Cricket West Indies (CWI) must develop and create clear pathways for the identification, development and management of talent.

“Otherwise, WI cricket runs the risk of being stripmined by other professional leagues that can afford to harvest and develop our players for their benefit.”

In an analysis of last year’s T20 World Cup, the group concluded the squad had been “underprepared in view of the short time between the end of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and the start of the World Cup.”

“CPL conditions bore little meaningful similarity to the conditions in Australia,” the group wrote.

The report contained 34 recommendations –short, medium and long term – dealing with team and player preparation, player development, infrastructure development and pitch preparation.

Schroder leads LA Lakers to late victory over Memphis Grizzlies

A late burst from Dennis Schroder helped the Los Angeles Lakers end the Memphis Grizzlies' 11game winning run. with a 122-121 victory.

Schroder, who finished with 19 points had a steal, a lay-up and hit three free throws in the final 13 seconds as the Lakers won 122-121.

Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke missed a free throw with 1.2 seconds to go that would have tied the game.

"I just made a play," said 29-year-old German point guard Schroder.

"I just went to go get it, stabbed at it, the ball went loose and I just attacked

the basket."

The Lakers, who had lost four of their previous five games, were 13 points down late in the third quarter.

Russell Westbrook scored 29 points while LeBron James added 23 for the winners.

Latest NBA results

Elsewhere, Kyrie Irving finished with a season-high 48 points and 11 rebounds as the Brooklyn Nets beat the Utah Jazz 117-106.

It was a first win for the Nets since Kevin Durant injured his knee against Miami nearly two weeks ago.(BBC Sport).

The 26-year-old Chanderpaul, the son of legendary West Indies

dits

month.

On debut against the Aussies, Chanderpaul scored 160 runs, which was the second most behind the in-form Brathwaite, and had a top score of 51. In addition to his scoring, however, the player's relative comfort against top-class bowling on a good pitch was also of note.

“I think he’s world class, when you even look at a thing like the ‘leave alone’ that he has,” Brathwaite told member of the media, ahead of the team's tour of Southern Africa.

“...I think he will be a world class Test batsman, obviously he has the patience and you can see he has still the shots also. On some good Australian pitches his strike rate was higher than normal, so I really think he has a bright future,” he added.

“He is a very focussed player and very determined, so for sure he will make many West Indian’s proud.”

Brathwaite and Chanderpaul will look to lead from the front, as the team looks to bounce back from a poor showing in Australia last month. (Sportsmax)

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite believes his new opening partner Tagenarine Chanderpaul is well on the way to becoming a world class player, following an impressive debut last month.

player Shivnarine Chanderpaul, earned plenty of plau-

after beginning his senior career against top Test team Australia last

Dennis Schroder held his nerve late on to secure the victory

‘I think he’ll be world class’ - Windies skipper Brathwaite predicts bright future for Chanderpaul

Guyana’s batting a cause for concern

Windies Women bungle run chase as losing streak continues

EAST LONDON, South Africa, (CMC) – Under-pressure West Indies Women saw their losing streak continue with a 44-run defeat to South Africa Women, in their opening game of the Twenty20 International Tri-Series here Saturday.

By Sean Devers

AS Guyana Harpy Eagles prepare to depart on January 30 for Antigua to face backto-back defending Champions Barbados, from February 1-4 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium before traveling to Grenada to oppose the Windwards from February 8-11, their major concern is their batting.

Both practice matches ended in three days with only new comer Kemol Savory scoring a century.

Added to their batting woes Guyana will be without last season’s top two leading batters; Tagenarine Chanderpaul (439 runs Ave 73.16) and Vishal Singh (Ave 52.40).

Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Keemo Paul (20 wickets last year), Romario Shepherd and Gudakesh Motie are all unavailable.

The only experienced players in the side are Veerasammy Permaul (129 FC games),

Leon Johnson (122 FC games) and Anthony Bramble (60 FC games) but all three are past their best days and unlikely to be picked for the West Indies.

This situation makes it harder for the selectors since even with a full strength batting lineup, Guyana, who won five consecutive First-Class titles from 2015-2019, failed to win any since the pandemic.

Matthew Nandu and Kemol Savory picked themselves from their performance in the practice matches, as did Berbice pacer Shamar Joseph.

Although left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd is being looked at as a prospect for West Indies, his performances in the two practice matches did not warrant his selection ahead of Anthony Adams, especially since Motie would be unavailable.

Nedd would most likely be picked for the Academy X1 in the tri-team tournament after the completion of the short Regional tournament that is limited to just three Islands.

Adams, takes regular wickets for Police and took more than Nedd in the practice matches which was supposedly used to pick the team. Added to this, Adams was a part of the squad last year.

Chanderpaul Hemraj is arguable the best batter in the team and has all the shots. However, he needs to curb his instinct to hit every ball for boundaries and get out when well set.

This can be said of most of batters in the team while Johnson, who has just six First-Class centuries and an Average of 32.8, must lead from the front with the bat while the GCB needs to start grooming a Captain to take over from him.

A lot will depend on Tevin Imlach who looked good last without getting ‘big’ scores.

Despite the loss of Paul, Rutherford, Shepherd and Motie, Guyana bowling attack of pacers Nail Smith, Ronsford Beaton, Shamar Joseph and spinners Permaul, Kevin Sinclair and Ashmead Nedd, should be the

strength of the team.

Although Richie Looknauth is not afraid to flight the ball and is a more attacking off-spinner than Sinclair, who is more defence but excellent for ‘white ball’ cricket, his selection was expected.

He earns his pick in the Four-Day team due to his ability with the bat which he demonstrated in the last practice match with an unbeaten 74.

Because the pool of quality players is so small, players like Akshaya Persaud has been picked for his potential and flair despite not scoring big scores consistently.

Full team Read: Leon Johnson (Captain), Veersammy Permaul (V/Captain), Chanderpaul Hemraj, Matthew Nandu, Tevin Imlach, Kemol Savory, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Sinclair, Akshaya Persaud, Nail Smith, Ronsford Beaton, Ashmead Nedd, Shamar Joseph.

Asked to chase a gettable 142 at Buffalo Park, the Caribbean side never produced a serious challenge and stumbled to 97 for eight from their 20 overs.

Captain Hayley Matthews was the only player to pass 20 with 23 from 35 deliveries, and was one of only three specialist batsmen to reach double figures.

West Indies Women were ripped apart by energetic fast bowler Masabata Klaas who snatched four for 21 to earn Player-of-the-Match honours.

The defeat was their sixth in a row in T20 Internationals, following on from their five-match whitewash at the hands of England Women last December in the Caribbean.

reached 141 for five.

She put on 31 for the second wicket with Laura Wolvaardt (25) who posted an opening stand of 27 with Anneke Bosch (8), before adding a critical 63 for the third wicket with captain Sune Luus who made 30 and 26 balls.

Kapp eventually fell in the 18th over, skying off-spinner Matthews to long off.

Fast bowler Shamilia Connell, in her first game back since last October, picked up two for 17.

SHELLY-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Rasheed Broadbell were crowned as Jamaica’s National Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year, respectively, at the 2022 RJRGLEANER Sports Foundation National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards on Friday at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

The 35-year-old Fraser-Pryce, now a five-time National Sportswoman of the year after wins in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2019 previously, produced an outstanding year in which she won her fifth 100m title at the World Athletics Championships in July, in Eugene, Oregon, leading a Jamaican sweep of the podium places with Jackson finishing second in a

personal best 10.73 seconds and Elaine Thompson-Herah third in 10.81 seconds.

Fraser-Pryce was also the Diamond League 100m champion in 2022 and ran a world-leading 10.62 seconds

among her record seven sub10.70 100m races during the season.

Meanwhile, Broadbell enjoyed an excellent breakout season in which he ran 13.08 seconds to win 110m hurdles

gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and enjoyed some strong Diamond League performances, including a personal best time of 12.99 seconds while defeating American World and Olympic champion Grant Holloway of the USA at the Lausanne Diamond League meet in August, before finishing second to Holloway at the finale in Zurich the following month.

World 200m champion Shericka Jackson and West Indies all-rounder Rovman Powell, who led the Jamaica Tallawahs to their third Caribbean Premier League T20 title and Jamaica Scorpions to their first Super 50 title in 10 years, were the respective runners-up.(Sportsmax)

“I think it is fairly clear we’re not scoring enough runs, not being able to put together big enough partnerships and to get enough big scores which is something we definitely need in order to win the big games that are crucial,” Matthews told a post-match media conference.

“At the same time, we have a lot of injuries at the moment with a lot of our key batters out. But [I’m] still hoping we get some more runs on the board in future games and find a way to do that, even with the players we have right now as well.”

Opting for first knock, the hosts were propelled by Marizanne Kapp at number three, the righthander top-scoring with 52 from 43 balls with five fours as the home side

In reply, West Indies Women started brightly, Matthews and Britney Cooper (15) putting on 32 from 35 balls for the first wicket before things fell apart quickly.

Cooper holed out to mid-off off Klaas in the sixth over and the run chase then collapsed in the space of 13 balls as three wickets tumbled for the addition of a single run.

Rashada Williams was run out at the non-striker’s end in the ninth over after being sent back by Matthews and Matthews and Shabika Gajnabi (0) perished in successive deliveries to Klaas in the next over with no runs added at 43.

West Indies Women take on India Women in their next match on Monday.

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews top scored

Shamar Joseph

Matthew Nadnu

Kemol

Savory

Ashmead Nedd

Shelly –Ann Fraser –Pryce (left) snf Rashhed Broadbell pose with their awards

Squash Association thrilled at ‘significant investment’ in sport by government

THE Guyana Squash Association (GSA) expressed immense satisfaction with the “investment in culture youth and sport” by the

Government of Guyana when the $781.9 billion National Budget was presented on Monday last.

$4.3 billion was

awarded to the development of Sport.

In a release to the media on Saturday, the Squash Association stated, “Investment in this

area is an investment for the future of the entire country, our youth represent every corner of our communities and will lead the way for a One

Guyana.”

The GSA outlined that they are a recipient of funding and investment from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport for

the

Extended term contrary to Guyana Cricket Act - Roger Harper

By Sean Devers

FORMER Guyana Captain and West Indies off-spinning all-rounder, Roger Harper wants Parliament to intervene in what he terms ‘trampling’ on Guyana Cricket Act.

The 59-year-old Harper, who served as West Indies Coach and Chairman of the Regional Selectors, is peeved with the manner in which the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) is making a deliberate attempt to ‘throw a bad light’ on the GCA and making decisions contrary to the Guyana Cricket Act.

“The Guyana Cricket Act states that the GCB should hold elections every two years but contrary to the Cricket Act the current GCB executives sought the opportunity, without having one

elections since the installation of the Cricket Board under the Cricket Act, to extend the term of office from two years to four years.

“In my opinion it seems like the work of parliament is a joke, because so much time, money and energy were spent put into coming up with the Cricket Act which at the time was supposed to guide and run our cricket and solve all of the conflicts,” said Harper, who played 25 Tests and 105 ODIs in an International career that lasted from 1983 to 1996.

“The body that was elected under that Act, now changes the term from two to four years. We got to be joking! And, nothing has been said about it. I don’t know if Parliament is aware of it.”

Harper further pointed out that “these things have

been done in a very underhanded way and in a sneaky manner…again in contrary to the Guyana Cricket Act.”

Harper, who captured 567 wickets and made 10 tons from 200 First-Class games, explained that Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) president Hilbert Foster, who was elected as the Vice-President of the GCB with the responsibility for Cricket Development, was also chosen as a Director of CWI.

“The Act specifically states that either the Chairman of the Cricket Development Committee of the GCB or the Chairman of the Senior Selection Committee of the GCB should be a representative on the CWI.

“Mr Foster was removed as Director and Mr Seeram who is the Chairman of Selectors was not the one that

replaced him.

“Instead, the recently elected Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) president was chosen. Now, all of that is contrary to Cricket Act… but again…you know… you don’t hear anything… Parliament not asking any questions… nobody is” lamented the DCC President.

According to Harper, at the recently concluded DCB Elections, the Ombudsman, quoted the Act which give him the authority to conduct the elections but then trampled on the same Act by insisting against objections that votes should be done by show of hands.

“This was done for a specific purpose, they wanted to see who was voting for who. There is evidence of a

Guyana’s batting a cause for concern

establishment of a squash academy, support for the annual Junior Caribbean Area Squash Championships and the

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle (centre) and officials with members of the Junior National Squash team

GCA Vice-President Roger Harper