Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_01_23_2022

No need for big scientific analysis

— aggressive exploration of region’s oil and gas potential needed to ensure energy security — policymakers have a critical role to play, says President Ali

By Clestine Juan

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Monday, urged policymakers in the Caribbean to be realistic about renewable energy ambitions and to con -

sider that countries may have to use natural gas to facilitate their energy transition.

He was at the time delivering the feature address at the Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) Energy Confer -

ence which was held at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain.

He told the gathering that while there is an energy plan, the gestation period between the development of the plan and

the approval of the plan requires a revision since it took some six years to formulate, and a lot has occurred since then.

“During this period, we hear a lot of lofty ambitions in the region as to

how we will get greener and cleaner in the production of energy but are we really moving apace with what the global standards and our own commitment is to the world? And what are the binding constraints

that are preventing us from achieving those targets, and are these constraints expected to get better or worse as we navigate the future?” he questioned.

full story on page 3

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali said there is an enormous opportunity for a holistic conversation on securing the energy requirements of the region (Office of the President photo)

Govt’s prudent, people-centred fiscal plan far from ‘reckless’

--Minister McCoy says in challenge to opposition’s criticisms

By Tamica Garnett

MINISTER with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, on Monday, underscored that having money is not just about spending it, but it is also about prudent management, which is reflected in how the government is utilising the oil and gas resources in Budget 2023 to bring benefits to all Guyanese.

There was no hesitation from Minister McCoy in his defence of Budget 2023 during day one of the debates in the National Assembly.

“It’s not about how much money we have, it is not just about having money and spending it. We have got to be prudent in our management and that is what you’re going to get and can expect from this side of the house,” Minister McCoy said.

Speaking after Opposition Member of Parliament, Amanza Walton-Desir, McCoy reassured the House that the government’s side will explain to Guyanese what the allocation of resources in the budget will mean for the country and its citizens.

While this is the government’s thrust, he accused the political opposition of once again using the debates to regurgitate cliché rhetoric about race baiting.

“In the just two short years that they have been here, that is all they bring to this august House, a cacophony of poisonous spews.

“Our proud, intelligent and ambitious citizenry which is excitingly engaged with our national transformation process, all they will be hearing over the next few days from the opposition benches are the unintelligible utterances like road

doesn’t reflect development,” Minister McCoy challenged.

He said the government’s side will present a comprehensive analysis of Budget 2023, with pellucid explanations of the fiscal programmes and measures that leverage the oil and gas sector to create a sustainable development paradigm for 2030 and beyond.

“Through the debate, Guyanese will see the government explain to citizens how Guyana’s consecutive double digit annual growth translates into real term development,” McCoy said.

Pointing to the work the government has been doing in the infrastructure, housing, social, and agriculture sectors as just a few examples, Minister McCoy clapped back against Walton-Desir’s accusations of reckless spending.

He noted that: “I don’t know that the money allocated to pension increase is reck -

less. The money allocated to the school grant is reckless?

To education and health is reckless? Money allocated to road and bridges are reckless, the gas the power project, the

mended the government on the return and increase of the “Because We Care” cash grant, which is given out to each school child in the public and private school system.

“We are saying that we will support all of the endeavours of this government that are geared towards preserving our territorial integrity. I want to put on record or gratitude to

Minister McCoy: “I don’t know that the money allocated to pension increase is reckless. The money allocated to the school grant is reckless? To education and health is reckless? Money allocated to road and bridges are reckless, the gas the power project, the Harbor Bridge, how could these truthfully be described as reckless spending. And so it really bothers me when I hear the [Opposition] speak these things and expect that all of Guyana will accept all of their nonsensical arguments and reasoning.”

Harbor Bridge, how could these truthfully be described as reckless spending. And so it really bothers me when I hear the [Opposition] speak these things and expect that all of Guyana will accept all of their nonsensical arguments and reasoning.”

Walton-Desir had com -

The shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation also commended the government on the work being done at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in Guyana’s fight to secure its territorial integrity against contentions from Venezuela.

the bipartisan team who late last year made some excellent submissions to the ICJ. Their submissions in my view where impenetrable so we look forward to victory not only for international law but for the people of Guyana,” WaltonDesir said.

However, on her accusation of the government not being in touch with the cost of living situation in Guyana, Minister McCoy responded that through the hundreds of community engagements that Cabinet has been having over the past two and a half years, the government has been crafting measures that directly address the needs of Guyanese, including as it relates to the rising cost of living being caused by issues on the global market.

“We have been finding solutions for the people whether it be cost of living, climate change, or any issue that affect any part of our country. We move around that is why we are familiar with the issues because people meet us and they keep us informed, up to date and engaged on all of these issues,” the minister said.

McCoy accused the opposition of professing to have much love for the Guyanese people, but having failed to tangibly display this love when they had the opportunity to do so, particularly during its time in government from 2015 to 2020.

“We have never had in this country a more responsive government than the people’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government. We have never had in this country a government that have been moving things for people like the PPP/C government,” Minister McCoy said

He added: “In five years [under the APNU+AFC government] the ordinary man had no house a lots, and they were always about wanting to develop people, and we love people and we love everyone… you never collectively demonstrated true love for Guyanese people.”

All programmes will reflect inclusion

— Minister Parag affirms; says nation of qualified, well-educated people being built

A WELL-EDUCATED and qualified nation is being built and assessed based on the government’s input, and the PPP/C administration has always had a track record of caring for the well-being of all Guyanese.

This is according to Ministry of Public Service, Sonia Parag, during the 2023 budget debates in the National Assembly Monday.

Minister Parag announced that some 1,221 persons would continue to benefit from public service

scholarships this year.

In responding to the opposition’s remarks about the Guyana Online Academy of Learning’s (GOAL) scholarship, Minister Parag said all and sundry could contact her for assistance and information on the programmes.

According to her, since August 2 to date, the People’s Progressive Party Civic government has worked in a manner that allows any Guyanese to apply and get into the different fields offered.

In her response to APNU+AFC Parliamentarian,

Ronald Cox, the minister said: “Two years ago, 2,558 of the 6,000 GOAL scholarships went to Afro Guyanese. In 2022, 3,430 of the 7,410 GOALS scholarships went to Afro-Guyanese. Afro-Guyanese represent 69 per cent of my ministry’s staff. All programmes of this government will reflect inclusion for all Guyanese.”

According to the minister, the number of scholarships for the other hinterland regions is 143 from region Nine, 191 from region Eight, and 46 from region Seven.

According to Parag, she first encountered Cox when attending one of her community gatherings and talking about the scholarships to locals in Mabaruma, in the North West District.

She also pointed out that 167 people received GOAL scholarships last year for Region One, which Cox represents.

Meanwhile, Describing budget 2023 as “comprehensive,” Minister Parag asserted that the well-assessed measures outlined will sup-

Minister with Responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy

Opposition MP, Amanza Walton-Desir

Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag

Aggressive exploration of region’s natural gas potential needed to ensure energy security

— policymakers have a critical role to play, says President Ali

By Clestine Juan

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Monday, urged policymakers in the Caribbean to be realistic about renewable energy ambitions and to consider that countries may have to use natural gas to facilitate their energy transition.

He was at the time delivering the feature address at the Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) Energy Conference which was held at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain.

He told the gathering that while there is an energy plan, the gestation period between the development of the plan and the approval of the plan requires a revision since it took some six years to formulate, and a lot has occurred since then.

“During this period, we hear a lot of lofty ambitions in the region as to how we will get greener and cleaner in the production of energy but are we really moving apace with what the global standards and our own commitment is to the world? And what are the binding constraints that are preventing us from achieving those targets, and are these constraints expected to get better or worse as we navigate the future?” he questioned.

He said that these are the “key questions” in answering the problem of the remaining life of fossil fuel and natural gas.

“When we have this open and honest conversation, then you will see how lopsided the argument is in relation to the end of fossil fuel and natural gas. You see, the world is in the midst of a global energy crisis, a global food crisis and a global climate crisis, but at the centre of all of these crises lies energy because energy is the backbone through which everything revolves,” he said.

He explained that the Coronavirus pandemic and severe climatic conditions have brought tremendous challenges such as imported inflation for every country in the world.

“We have seen the rising costs of energy, oil of course, [and] recently, the rising cost of gold too, which is good for us in Guyana. But we have seen some strange movements also. Whilst this crisis is coming at us like a tsunami, we’re seeing some strange movements, in my view, not rooted in facts and reality, but rooted in a policy agenda driven by a few countries,” he said.

Against this backdrop, the Head of State noted that he has seen an unwillingness to lend to companies operating in the oil and gas industry as well as the effects of capital increases for such companies.

“If you increase the cost of capital and make capital less available to investors, whenever they get the capital to invest, they will also increase the cost of the product because they also have to get back their investment. And who suffers at the end of the day? It is the consumers. It is the people who will suffer. It is all the industries that are supported by the energy sector that will suffer.

He said there is need for a very strong statement coming from both the industry and governments that is balanced and rooted in the reality of the world we live in.

“Those statements must be loud, they must be responsible, but they must be in keeping with the realities that we face as a global community. That is important,” President Ali emphasised.

He explained that the war in Ukraine has compounded the issue that we are faced with today. He reminded his audience that the Caribbean region went through an energy crisis in the 70s. However, this cannot be equated to the pressures being experienced today since it is now “multidimensional” with natural gas, oil, coal, electricity, food security, an important part of the energy crisis, and climate change, he pointed out.

“This is the reality. This is not guesswork; this is the data,” President Ali said as he turned the conversation towards how we can move away from coal usage.

“Why isn’t that conversation the priority? If coal is the worst form of energy, how do we transition? What is needed to make that first and immediate transition from coal? Where is that conversation?

“Of course, during this period, we had record pric-

es for natural gas and on that note for the security of this region, for the energy needs… I once again reinforce the call that every country in the region with potential in natural gas should be allowed to explore that potential to its fullest aggressively to ensure the energy security of this region.

“Here in Trinidad and Tobago, that opportunity exists, and that opportunity should be allowed to blossom for the benefit of the people of this region and the globe,” he said.

CRISIS SITUATION

He explained that higher energy prices for both developed and developing countries mean higher electricity costs and increases in transportation costs and consumables.

“As political leaders and policymakers, we have to face that reality of an inflation that is not as a result of bad policies or measures. But it’s inflation that is imported as a result of global conditions,” he stressed.

According to the Head of State, this situation has pushed many families into poverty and food insecurity. Additionally, this has also forced some facto -

ries to curtail production or shut down operations, which slowed economic growth to the point where some countries are heading towards a severe recession.

“This is the reality of the world we live in, of the region we live in, as a result of an energy crisis. That is plainly what it is. Many times, when you think about food insecurity and hunger, our minds automatically are programmed to look at Africa,” he added.

He said that the government’s responsibility is to create the overarching framework to create the vehicle and mechanism through which policies and relationship building that enables the private sector to make informed decisions in this energy transition.

“We live in a region that is blessed with some countries with tremendous potential in resolving our energy requirements,” he said.

President Ali explained that an enormous opportunity for a holistic conversation on securing our energy requirements for the region along the corridor, both in demand and supply is the type of conversation and framework that policy -

makers should adjust their minds to.

“… We can safely say that in this region fossil fuel and natural gas has a long future ahead of us. It’s not a big scientific analysis that is required. It is based on what is before us. So, the conversation is, how do we take this reality in the context of building a global system and world that moves towards net zero?” he said.

The Head of State told the gathering that Guyana has already started to track this course through the recent signing of an end-user agreement in carbon credit sale to HESS. In December, Guyana signed a multi-year agreement with Hess Corporation for at least US$750 million.

He added that while still very capital-intensive, renewable energy must be pursued.

“… we must pursue these opportunities. However, intermittent energy sources such as solar and wind are being deployed at an unprecedented level, but remember that this technology that is being deployed at an unprecedented level does not come fool proof,” he warned.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago , Keith Rowley at the energy conference

Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has identified natural gas as a realistic solution for the Caribbean region’s energy woes (Office of the President photos)

Investments in sea defence, irrigation critical — Minister Indar says

MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, in his response to the opposition parliamentarians at Monday’s debate, criticised them for failing to acknowledge the government’s work and continuing to do so regarding infrastructure and sea defences.

The minister explained that investment in sea defences is required because of Guyana’s constrained coastal plain, where most people live and work.

Due to the continued rising sea levels and flooding, he said sea defence is a priority for the PPP/C government.

According to Indar, some $4.9 billion was allocated to his ministry for the execution of direct sea defence works in the 2023 National Budget. That will allow the government to build new structures or

fortify existing ones. In addressing the Opposition, Minister Indar set the record straight with the opposition members by letting them know that the People Progressive Party Civic administration is

spending billions of dollars to ensure that sea defences protect the coastlands, islands and other low coastal areas to avoid floods in the future.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President

with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh announced last week that the nation will spend $19.7 billion on drainage and irrigation projects at MeteMeer Zorg, Jimbo Grove, Belle Vue, and Letter Ken-

ny as new pump stations will be built.

The minister also pointed out that, in 2022, over 1,100 roads were built under the Ministry of Public Works, a testament to the government’s dedication to improving the countrywide infrastructural capacity.

Additionally, the new Demerara River Bridge is set to have a lifespan of approximately 100 years. Highlighting that 4.2 million trips have been made across the harbor bridge within the last year, the minister emphasised the need for this investment, in enhancing the lives of all Guyanese.

Meanwhile, Minister Indar said the oil and gas sector is a major part of Guyana’s economy, driving and propelling growth in all sectors with a cascading effect. These resources will be used to invest in several sectors, such as

agriculture, and major infrastructural projects to drive sustainability.

Further, budgeted for this year are funds for the solid waste cleanup programme, operating existing and new landfill sites, and supporting infrastructure development.

More specifically, plans are included for the Blairmont Waste Management Facility’s access road and bridge, the closure of the landfills in Charity, Lima, and D’Edward, as additional improvements will be made to the landfill gas management system at Haags Bosch, as well as improvements to the landfill sites in Kildonan, Bon Success, and Kara Kara.

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

All programmes will reflect ...

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port public servants across the nation significantly.

She said the APNU+AFC Opposition does not have any love for the Guyanese people, since nothing that it promised in its manifesto before assuming office in 2015 was fulfilled.

“Mr. Speaker, they talked about their love for public servants, but they unfeelingly and unapologetically removed the tax-free bonus from the Disciplined Services… called it a bribe.

From beginning to end, their vision discredits them

completely because none of the promises they made was honoured in their manifesto,” she added.

The minister said the PPP/C Government has always had a track record of caring for the wellbeing of all Guyanese.

“Because you know what? Every year an increase of salary was given no matter the state of finances, and we didn’t always have money but an increase was always given,” Minister Parag pointed out.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar

Argentina’s inflation rate at 95 per cent, highest since 1991

(Reuters) - Argentina’s annual inflation hit its highest rate in more than 30 years last month as prices almost doubled versus a year ago, official data released last Thursday showed, further eroding consumers’ dwindling purchasing power.

In December, consumer prices jumped 5.1 per cent month-on-month, according to national statistics agency INDEC, while inflation in the 12 months through December reached 94.8 per cent in the South American country’s ailing economy.

The annual rate marks the fastest clip of rising prices in more than three decades, or since 1991, according to INDEC.

Argentina is battling one of the highest inflation rates in the world as soaring

prices hamper growth and force shopkeepers to constantly update price tags.

“The money isn’t

enough, the salaries aren’t enough, inflation keeps rising and we already started the year with increas-

es in bus fares, clothing, food,” said Griselda Melle, a self-employed worker, as she shopped.

In a recent interview, Economy Minister Sergio Massa projected December inflation would not exceed five per cent, adding that monthly increases should edge down to around three per cent by April.

Fruit and vegetable prices showed an upward trend during December, while the cost of meat slowed, said Lucio Garay Mendez, economist at consultancy EcoGo.

“It’s a psychological factor that wears you out because... wages do not increase like inflation increases,” said Aurelio Nar-

vaja, a 41-year-old teacher.

While many economists expect monthly inflation to remain in line with December’s uptick, factors outside the country’s economic slump or government-set price caps continue to pose elevated risks.

Isaias Marini, an economist at consultancy Econviews, points to scarce hard currency as one such factor.

“The shortage of (U.S.) dollars may translate into a further escalation of parallel (market) dollars,” he said, “leading to higher inflation.”

Customers line up to buy produce in a market as inflation in Argentina hits its highest level in years, causing food prices to spiral, in Buenos Aires, Argentina (REUTERS/Mariana Nedelcu)

The Right Direction

“HUNDREDS of years ago, there was a planet to worry about, but everybody did whatever it was, in the name of growth, without any regard for the planet,” President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr. Hyginus Gene Leon said confidently, in response to questions on the future of Guyana amidst growing calls from the developed world for countries to scale back on the production and consumption of fossil fuel.

It is his firm view that Guyana, considering the historical progress of the developed world, has a simple task at hand, and that is to decide where the people of Guyana will have more prosperity than they did yesterday, using the nation’s natural-resource endowments.

The task is simple be -

cause the nation which is nestled at the edge of South America and culturally connected to the Caribbean, has already outlined a plan of how it intends to strike a balance between resource exploitation and environmental preservation.

This plan, the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, is a framework meant to reshape society to pursue low-carbon development while also attempting to maintain Guyana’s high forest cover.

Guyana’s LCDS is a model that outlines the country’s viewpoint on how a platform for co-operation can be created in which developing countries are seen as equal partners in the search for solutions to the catastrophic effects of climate change.

“The fact that [Guyana] has a low-carbon [develop-

ment] strategy means they are in the right direction,” Dr. Leon commented.

This is the case even as the oil and gas industry in Guyana, and several other oil producing nations in the Caribbean are currently driving growth in the region.

However, with Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other low-lying countries in the Caribbean region receiving the worst impacts of climate change, questions have been raised about the production of fossil fuels by smaller countries.

With over 11 billion barrels of oil discovered so far offshore, Guyana, over the past few years, has faced questions over its aggressive oil production against the backdrop of being a champion of environmental preservation.

However, with much of

the revenues garnered from its oil and gas industry being injected into the diversification of its economy, as well as being invested into the development of renewable energy sources, the country has hit back about not just its rights, but also its need to benefit from its national patrimony, especially since small-island developing states and low-lying countries like Guyana contribute the least to carbon emissions.

“That place of having a Low Carbon Strategy tells me that one of the goals Guyana is looking to achieve is a green future for the people as defined in the development strategy. It’s not just that they want the country to be prosperous, it’s that they want them to be prosperous with an environment that is still reasonably safe,” Dr. Leon said.

He went on to say: “The issue of a balance does not have right or a wrong. You have to establish where you are, your initial conditions and where you want to go. Then you end up with how do I get from where I am to where I need to go? Where Guyana needs to go is very simple, it’s to a point where the people of Guyana will have more prosperity than they had yesterday.”

So, even though Guyana’s oil discovery comes at a time when there is a call for the scaling back of fossil fuel production, it does not negate the needs of Guyana’s economy nor erase the fact that many developed countries have already had their chance to fully exploit their resources without hindrance, and even continue to do so amidst calls for reductions in emissions.

Also, the fact that Guy-

ana is a huge net carbon sink given that its forest stores 19.5 gigatonnes of carbon, even with the development of its oil and gas industry the country remains a net zero carbon contributor.

The sheer scale of Guyana’s forest has allowed the country to begin selling its carbon credits specifically designed for the voluntary and compliant carbon markets for successfully preventing forest loss and degradation – a process known as jurisdictional REDD+. In December, Guyana signed a multi-year agreement with Hess Corporation for at least US$750 million.

Judging from its achievements of the government and its clear plan, there is no doubt that the country is moving in the right direction.

Perpetrators of the recent school fire must be brought to justice

ON January 13, 2023, every Guyanese regardless of age, ethnicity or political persuasion suffered another tremendous loss after the inferno which completely gutted the Christ Church Secondary School in Georgetown.

As a consequence, another batch of over 500 secondary school students and their families are swimming against the tides to reorient themselves and cope with

the increase in financial costs and logistics of travelling to the Cyril Potter College of Education, Cummings Lodge, in pursuit of an education with hopes of fulfilling their dreams of acquiring their best results at the upcoming Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examination and beyond.

The physical infrastructural losses are compounded by the loss of impeccable academic resources, data and memories of teachers,

administrators and students.

Who can truly tabulate the correct value lost in this inferno? How can a political party or a politician articulate his or her gains now that it’s all down to ashes?

Further, I often wonder how a group or an individual can be so easily manipulated into committing acts of crime in pursuit of political mileage and gains for one’s preferred party or leader.

I also wonder what positive gains were made for this nation since the 1960s

and repeated until today as properties of businessmen, academic institutions and government buildings were set ablaze.

I also wonder why, with the endless budgetary allocations, advancement in technology and intelligence-gathering by the professional services, the masterminds and cohorts of these plots are never identified, charged and brought before the courts.

How much longer can the small, medium and large

taxpayers, students and educators and decent-minded citizens of this nation be held to ransom and forced to endure the trauma and monetary losses as a result of politically motivated actions in Guyana?

It must be completely understood that state property does not belong to any government. The governing body is only the custodians of such state assets.

The real owners are the taxpayers and together we have a right to protect

and preserve what truly belongs to the nation. The time has come for us to call upon the actors of all those with whom we have entrusted with our lives, livelihoods, and resources to act and adopt all measures necessary to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice in an effort to curb this disdainful cycle.

Dear Mr. Editor,

Yours respectfully, Nazar Mohamed Businessman

Working towards a food-secure region OP-ED

FOOD insecurity affected 40 per cent of the total population of Latin America and the Caribbean, higher than the global average of 29.3 per cent.

This is one of the stark messages that can be found in the Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition – Latin America and the Caribbean 2022, a seminal publication recently launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and other UN agencies last week.

It further sheds light on the fact that millions of families in the world lack access to food. The report highlights how rising international food prices and inflation have affected economic access to nutritious food, especially for the poorest. This is because they spend a higher proportion of their income on food compared to those with more resources, deteriorating food security.

Additionally, the report

concludes that, throughout the region of Latin America and the Caribbean, there is a link between the lack of economic access and affordability of a healthy diet with the levels of poverty, income inequality, and economic growth of the countries, as well as with the levels of hunger and other forms of malnutrition.

Access to healthy nutrition provides a critical advantage to a productive, healthy life. National development literally depends on it.

In 2020, the report notes, an estimated 42 per cent (almost 3.1 billion people!) of the global population could not afford a healthy diet due to the increased cost of dietary components.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, the figure was 22.5 per cent (131 million people), representing an increase of eight million over the 2019 figure. Of concern, the report concludes that the

region has the highest cost of a healthy diet compared to the rest of the world.

The average value was calculated as US$3.89 per day per person in the region, while the world average is US$3.54.

Initial estimates for Guyana in the report indicate that the average cost of a healthy diet is approximately US$4.89. Neighbouring Suriname is noted to have the highest cost in South America, at US$5.74 per day per person.

Like most countries, those of Latin America and the Caribbean have been considerably affected by the global economic slowdown, the climate crisis, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent conflict in Ukraine have had profound effects on agrifood systems and food.

HOW CAN THIS REPORT HELP?

Guyana continues to

make good on its economic progress, including the welcomed news that, in 2022, the agriculture sector saw a 12 per cent growth, contributing to the non-oil sector.

Ensuring that the impact of the global food crisis is minimised, particularly for vulnerable families and small farmers and fishers, requires a multifaceted approach.

The measures that Guyana has implemented in response to the food crisis are helping producers (farmers, fishers, and agro-foresters) to maintain and even increase production, as well as take advantage of emerging market opportunities.

Other initiatives that deliver food or transfer support (in cash or in kind) to the most vulnerable groups can buffer them from the most severe effects. Food and nutrition education will assist families and communities to make healthier choices with limited resources.

It is also vital that support

continues for programmes that empower people to embrace new skills and income opportunities which ultimately ensure inclusive development, leaving no one behind.

Regionally, CARICOM’s response to agriculture and food security, the 25 per cent input substitution by 2025 initiative, is a relevant response. Producing and promoting more but healthier food within the region can also support affordable healthy diets for all and unlock new opportunities for regional food producers.

One year after the Global Food System Summit, which called on all countries to take action to transform food systems, Guyana has highlighted the national and regional progress being made.

The important gains are due to commitment and coordination across sectors and between CARICOM countries.

FAO’s programme of work will continue to support

these efforts to encourage increased trade, build resilience of farmers and fishers against risk, improve productive farming and fishing practices, especially with climate-smart solutions, strengthen policy that promotes affordable healthy diets and open new and inclusive agriculture and food systems opportunities for all. Enhancing the marketing of nutritious foods is strongly encouraged.

These and other actions will improve the affordability of nutritious food and improve the quality of life of the 131 million people in Latin America, and the Caribbean who could not afford a healthy diet.

The FAO reinforces our commitment to continue supporting countries to create an environment where healthy, affordable diets are available for all and where food producers can maximise their livelihoods.

Region Three on its way to becoming one of Guyana’s main economic hubs

WITH massive development works included in the 2023 National Budget for Region Three, Member of Parliament, Dr Tandika Smith has said that the region is well on its way to becoming one of Guyana’s main economic hubs.

The MP made these remarks as she stood in the National Assembly to voice her support for the budget.

During her address on day one of the budget debate, Dr Smith told the house that among several projects poised for Region Three in this year’s budget is the new four-lane bridge across the Demerara River, which she said will see commuters saving time and getting an ease from the heavy traffic burden experienced on a daily basis.

She added that this

will be complemented by the Schoonard to Crane Highway which will offer residents the option of easier access to and from the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

Against this backdrop, the MP indicated that residents in the region have already benefitted tremendously from numerous public infrastructure projects which include new roads in communities such as Parika, Zeelugt, Tuschen and Parfaite Harmonie.

“It is clear from all indications that this region is well on its way to becoming one of Guyana’s main economic hubs,” she said.

Meanwhile, she noted that in keeping with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) manifesto of allotting 50,000 house lots within the first

— says Dr Tandika Smith

Dr Tandika Smith

term in office, over 2,000 residents are now able to have access to house lots in Region Three and

will be able to fulfil their dreams of owning their own homes.

For the further benefit of residents, Smith told the House that the community of Wakenaam is now able to have access to potable water as just last year a new well was commissioned. It was further noted that other communities within the region will benefit from similar projects.

Turning to the state of the health sector within the region, Dr Smith indicated that the sector was in a state of despair when government entered office.

However, she remarked that as the government continues to build and restore quality healthcare within the region and even countrywide, residents of Region Three will be the beneficiaries of

a new hospital expected to be constructed in the De Kinderen area.

Additionally, some 30 of the 36 health centres and health posts within the region have benefitted from infrastructural upgrades which allowed for easier access to patient care.

She added that as the government continues on its pathway to transformative developments, secondary school children in Region Three are now enjoying a state-of-the-art school at Parfaite Harmonie.

Dr Tandika Smith later said, “I can assure my fellow Guyanese, your future, your children and grandchildren’s future will continue to be safe and secured under the PPP/C government.”

She then officially endorsed budget 2023.

By Gillian Smith, FAO Representative in Guyana

Amerindians will not be left behind — MP Pearson affirms

THE $789.1 billion 2023 budget aims to uplift and enhance the lives of every Guyanese, especially the country’s Indigenous Peoples.

This assurance was made by Government Member of Parliament, Yvonne Pearson during her contribution to the 2023 budget debates on Monday in the National Assembly.

Hinterland communities and villages are set to benefit from huge allocations made to the education, health and infrastructure sectors.

“I would like to point out $12.4 billion to improve education infrastructure across the country. And when we

say across the country, we’re also talking about the hinterland communities and so education infrastructure will be developed, enhanced in our various communities and

villages.

“$3.4 billion to procure textbooks for the use by primary and secondary schools that include our hinterland schools unlike what happened under the APNU+AFC when they received no exercise books in our schools … This would not happen under our government,” MP Pearson asserted.

This is the first time that hinterland and Amerindian youths are being given the opportunity to pursue their tertiary education in their own communities, the MP highlighted.

She added that the 2023 budget is all about “One Guyana,” and will see the

country moving upwards and onwards.

“They refer to us as uneducated, but in all my uneducatedness, I understand the budget and the benefits that it will bring for the Guyanese,” the MP said.

MP Pearson pointed out that Amerindian communities

have already benefitted from a plethora of programmes that have been rolled out over the last two years.

“It has started already and the 2023 budget will see the continuation of all these things,” the government MP highlighted, as she reminded the National

Assembly that the PPP/C Government has been consulting with Amerindian leaders since 2007 on the issue of climate financing; of which 15 per cent of the revenues earned will go towards Amerindian development. (DPI)

Government Member of Parliament, Yvonne Pearson

‘Pirates’ plead guilty to 2017 murder of boat captain

ALMOST five years after 57-year-old Corentyne boat captain, Mahadeo Ramdeholl, also known as ‘Chico,’ was killed in a piracy attack, two fishermen on Monday pleaded guilty to the crime.

Doodnauth Singh, 63, and Khemraj Narsayah, 44, both fishermen of Rose Hall, Corentyne, were on trial before Justice Navindra Singh at the Berbice High Court.

Last week, the men had denied that on May 16, 2017, in the county of Ber-

bice, they murdered Ramdeholl during the course or furtherance of piracy.

A 12-member jury was empanelled and the trial commenced. However, on Monday, the men opted to plead guilty to the capital offence. The charge was reread to them and the duo pleaded guilty.

Justice Singh deferred their sentence until February 20, 2023. The state was represented by prosecutor Nafeeza Baig.

According to reports,

on May 16, 2017, around 18:30hrs in the Atlantic Ocean in the vicinity of Tain Village on the Corentyne, Singh and Narsayah who were armed with cutlasses, pounced on Ramdelholl’s boat. They attacked him and his two crewmen, Arjun Permaul and Parmanand Nandan.

After relieving the victims of their fish and outboard engine, the men struck Ramdeholl on the head and pushed him overboard. The men also forced Permaul and Parmanand to

Doodnauth Singh Khemraj Narsayah

DEAD: Mahadeo Ramdeholl jump into the water. Ramdeholl’s body was found near the Rose Hall foreshore the next day and a post-mortem found that he died by drowning.

‘Politically, intellectually unfit to serve Guyanese’

By Tamica Garnett

MINISTER of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, on Monday dared the political opposition to put forth a budget that could equivalently compare to the one presented by the government. Minister Hamilton, the first speaker for the government on the opening day of the budget debate, said while the parliamentary opposition has much to say to disparage the budget, they will once again come with nothing to replace what the government proposes.

“They are incapable of presenting any programme and policies to the Guyanese people towards their development and well-being.

“They will denigrate, they will chastise and even demonize the budget, but they will put nothing comparable to what we have already put forward. They are politically and intellectually incapable of doing that. They have no capacity to put a vision before the Guyanese people. Nothing productive, nothing constructive, nothing developmental they will bring,” he said.

Hamilton, amidst loud heckling from the opposite side of the house, said the opposition must be lost if it cannot understand how the vast infrastructural projects taking place across Guyana is benefitting the people in every way.

“If you do not understand what the positive impact will be on citizens by building a bridge across the Demerara River, then you are lost. If you are incapable of under-

standing what the positive impact will be of allowing tens of thousands of Guyanese to own their own homes, then you are lost.

“If you are incapable of understanding what the impact is of making available thousands of scholarships to young people so that they can elevate themselves, then you are lost,” Minister Hamilton said.

Energized by the positive applause from his government colleagues, he added: “[They say] poverty alleviation is absent from the budget, this seems to be a budget for the rich. [But let me ask] building tens of thousands of houses and giving out house lot to tens of thousands of people that is for the rich? Making scholarships available… that’s for the rich?”

Addressing a few “fragmentary” measures proposed by the opposition, including calls by the Alliance For Change (AFC) for a monthly electricity and water subsidy, Hamilton said parliamentarians on the opposite side of the House were being “hypocritical.”

He said this is the case because the former APNU+AFC government had removed the subsidies for electricity and water. This has since been restored by the government.

Minister Hamilton also reminded the Opposition that other measures proposed by AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan such as duty-free concessions and Value Added Tax (VAT) exemptions on equipment and machinery for businesses, are in fact existing relief measures im-

plemented under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PP/ PC) government.

“The AFC is proposing a measure already executed since 2020. Ramjattan’s party is asking for something that was already done two and a half years ago,” Hamilton said.

Pointing to the five-year period during which the APNU+AFC was in government from 2015 - 2020, Hamilton accused the Opposition of having “failed miserably” at executing and completing programmes that they took over from the PPP/C government, even though money was available for those projects.

Hamilton then called out Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton for his comments on the need for manufactur-

ing, when it was the Opposition that shot down the Amaila Falls Hydropower project, which would have contributed to lowering electricity cost and vastly benefit the manufacturing sector.

Hamilton also called out the Opposition for failing, during its five years in office to use any of the money from the REDD+ fund to improve and invest in projects supporting alternative energy Minister Hamilton was preceded on the floor by Opposition member Nima Flue-Bess, who set the stage for the Opposition’s debate by bewilderingly commencing with a rendition of “The Song of Guyana’s Children.”

Her choice of opening was never quite explained, though it had little relatedness to her speech, in which

she described the budget as “uninspiring, hopeless, misleading, and troubling.”

Even as she questioned how the government was giving back directly to the people, Flue-Bess nonetheless listed a string of direct cash measures implemented by the government to place money into the pockets of Guyanese.

Those included the increases to old-age pension, $150,000 given to each fisherfolk in 2022, as well as salary increases and tax-free bonuses given to the joint services, and the part-time job initiative that saw persons being paid $40,000 per month.

Refusing to acknowledge the benefits those measures have had, Flue-Bess instead made note of how the inflation rate has been affecting the economy.

LAYING OUT THE FACTS

However, she found her attempt at quoting inflated commodity prices demolished by Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, who took the floor armed with household commodities, sourced from Flue-Bess’ native community of Mocha, with displayed prices lower than what was quoted by Flue-Bess.

While Flue-Bess claimed that sugar had been raised from $300 to $500, Minister McCoy produced a pound of sugar that was bought in Mocha for $160 per pound, and $800 for five pounds, while Flue-Bess’ claim that a small bottle of oil had gone from

$360 to $800 was challenged by a bottle of oil bought for $400 by the minister.

“We cannot come here and tell stories that don’t represent the reality; we can’t come here and pretend that something is what it is not,” Minister McCoy asserted.

The vociferous minister added: “It is not about how much you can dramatize. It’s not about how much theatrics you possess that would make a difference in terms of the debate, it is about people being able to understand the reality in any given situation that you wish to present to them and a lot of what has been said here today [by the Opposition] is really far away from the reality.”

Minister McCoy accused the opposition of deliberately inflating, and sensationalizing the inflation situation occurring globally to mislead Guyanese and the wider world on the situation in Guyana.

“Anyone not knowing what happens here in Guyana would go away with the impression that the cost of living issue is so damning, and a most horrible situation exists in Guyana and only Guyana. This is a worldwide phenomenon. We as a government have owned this issue, we have been speaking about it,” Minister McCoy noted.

He added: “We have addressed these issues and that is why you have seen us all over this country over and over. It is because we want to be in touch with people. We want to feel what people are feeling; we want to know what they’re feeling.”

Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton

Minister Kwame McCoy displaying the sugar bought at $160 per pound in Mocha, after Opposition member Nima Flue-Bess claimed sugar had increased from $300 to $500 (DPI Photo)

Opposition MP Nima Flue-Bess

Gov’t constructing, facilitating a growing Guyana — Dr. Mahadeo

GOVERNMENT has been building, constructing and facilitating a growing Guyana, and there is now an air of expectation of good things happening and better things to come with the recent budget presented before the National Assembly.

This is according to PPP/C Member of Parliament, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, who contributed to the 2023 budget debate on Monday.

“The hardships of the PNC, AFC and APNU is known to everyone in and out of Guyana, but the people of Region Six were particularly aimed at and felt the destructive force in every facet of life whether it be agriculture, drainage and irrigation, healthcare, education delivery, employment, amongst others,” Dr. Mahadeo said.

In giving an example, he said the loss of thousands of jobs and the closure of GuySuCo estates without any plan for alternative employment or sources of income for families, along with the non-functioning National Ophthalmology Hospital, caused tremendous hardship for those depending on those

facilities.

Dr. Mahadeo, who represents Region Six, noted that 2022 was a good year for Guyana and his region.

“Residents of Region Six see their leaders coming to their villages and towns, walking the streets, from the Chairman, Vice Chairman, President, Vice President, the Prime Minister, ministers and MPs and they can share their concerns and suggestions directly with them. And, Mr. Speaker, they can get live photographs with live people

and not cardboard men,” Dr. Mahadeo said.

Further, he said to assist unemployed persons, 4,000 part-time jobs were created in Region Six and persons were allowed to educate themselves through GOAL scholarships.

He explained that the current government, unlike the APNU, will not tell young people that government is not responsible for job creation.

“We will empower our young people, we provide opportunities for them to grow, to study and learn.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Mahadeo, who is also Director-General of the Ministry of Health, said in the health sector within Region Six, specialist outreaches were regularly done at all health centres, orphanages and geriatric homes.

“Mr. Speaker, the homebased care programme which started in 2009 and which was going very well and which was stopped by the APNU government in 2015 has restarted,” he said.

The elderly care programme that was discontinued, he added, has now expanded to Regions Two,

Three, Six and Nine, and a total of 6,300 geriatric patients benefitted from the programme across the region.

“Our elders not only get an increase in pension, help with water and electricity bills but they also are getting special and specialised healthcare,” he emphasised.

Additionally, Dr. Mahadeo said that the management of the National Ophthalmology Hospital at Port Mourant, has improved and continues to improve as confidence is growing in the healthcare system since government has increased salaries across the board for healthcare workers.

He explained that the building has since been refurbished, and surgeries will commence soon, with laser surgeries for the eyes being offered. Cataract patients and retina patients also now have access to laser therapy along with ultrasound for patients with bleeding at the back of the eye.

In 2022, a total of 1,769 surgeries were done at the hospital which had not done “surgeries in the years prior to that.”

He said in Regions One and Nine, nursing assistants and other health-related workers are being trained for the first time in the country and there has been a significant increase in health workers countrywide.

According to him, primary healthcare is now 100 per cent better in terms of services and diagnosis.

In Region Nine, he added that health workers carried out specialist outreach visits at every health facility.

“In Region Nine, we screened 60 patients and we brought them out. We got their surgeries done at the National Ophthalmology Hospital and we took them back, including members from the Opposition and relatives,” he told the House.

Further, he said: “Out of the 50 health facilities in Region One, I visited 44 with health team specialists and I visited 53 out of 57 health facilities in Region Nine. It was the first time ultrasounds were offered in the hinterland regions, and pregnant women in Regions One and Nine had access to ultrasound in their communities for the first

time.”

Acknowledging that the pilot telemedicine project in Region Nine has resulted in better patient care from those communities, Dr. Mahadeo said specialists’ consultations were provided in clinics and emergency cases were promptly handled.

He said there have been improvements in storage capacity for drugs and medical supplies, thereby reducing spoilage and damaged goods.

Dr. Mahadeo noted that there has been significant success in the medical care of citizens countrywide and the testimonies will speak for itself.

“Mr. Speaker, betrayal of trust is never a good thing. When an individual is betrayed, that individual loses trust and faith in the person who betrayed the individual. Mr. Speaker, our nation was betrayed when they put their trust in the APNU+AFC. The good life promised was a good life for the few in the hierarchy of the party and government. The nation was betrayed and will not trust this group again,” he said.

Man remanded for alleged possession of firearm, ‘ammo’ and narcotics Man ‘busted’ with 32.8 pounds of cannabis at Ituni

A 55-year-old miner of Victory Valley, Wismar, Linden, was on Sunday allegedly caught with 32.8 pounds of cannabis by police ranks on patrol.

According to a police statement the ranks, led by a corporal, were on patrol in the vicinity of the Ituni Police Station when at about 21:45hrs they stopped a motorcar, owned and driven by the miner.

Ranks searched the man and the said motor vehicle.

A search of the vehicle’s trunk revealed a black garbage bag containing six bulky parcels of a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems

suspected to be cannabis. The man reportedly confessed to the ranks and stated; “Officer, is a man tell me about de hustle, and I pick it up.”

The suspected cannabis, when weighed, amounted to 14,900 grammes.

He was placed into custody pending charges.

of a firearm, ammunition and a quantity of narcotics.

In a Facebook post, the police said that the accused pleaded not guilty to the three charges and was later remanded to prison by Magistrate Faith Mc

until February 14.

In providing some background, the police said that around 23:45hrs last Friday night, a Police Sergeant acted on information and stopped a white old-model Raum motorcar bearing registration number PNN 6297 at the Versailles Public Road, West Bank Demerara.

Douglas was seated behind the driver’s seat, and his 22-year-old girlfriend (a cashier) was seated next to him.

On the floor of the vehicle behind the driver’s seat was a bulky black shoulder bag which, when inspected, had one Smith and Wesson 9 mm pistol without a serial number, containing three live matching rounds.

The police did not provide any details about the narcotics.

Government Member of Parliament and DirectorGeneral, Ministry of Health, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo

JOEL Douglas, a 30-year-old resident of Phoenix Park, West Bank Demerara, on Monday appeared in the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court charged for the unlawful possession

Gusty

The cannabis which was seized by the Ituni police (Guyana Police Force photo)

Joel Douglas

Woman’s body found floating at Hope Lowlands

THE battered body of a 47-year-old woman was found floating in a canal at Hope Lowlands, East Coast Demerara, on Monday.

According to information from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Nazaleen Mohammed of Belfield Squatting Area, was last seen leaving her house around 07:00hrs on Monday.

Reports are that the woman was living with

her daughter and reputed husband, who is working at sea.

Police said the victim’s 32-year-old son received a call from his mother’s cellphone around 08:05hrs, but the voice on the other end of the call was a male with whom the woman previously shared a relationship.

“At the time, he also heard his mother’s voice, shouting for her phone.

Shortly after, the call ended,” the police related.

Around 15:00hrs on the same day, a neighbour who did not see the woman return, left in search of her.

While walking along the Hope Lowlands railway embankment, the neighbour saw the motionless body of Mohammed lying in a canal with wounds about her abdomen.

The police were sum-

moned, and the body was found facing upwards, with wounds to her head, ear, neck and abdomen, and with her intestines protruding. The scene was processed and photographed.

The body was escorted to a funeral home, where a post-mortem will be conducted. Several persons were questioned in the area, as investigations continue.

Dead: Nazaleen Mohammed

Investor submits proposal for major Berbice River sand-pit project

IN responding to the growing demand for construction materials in the Berbice District, a local investor, Hareshnarine Sugrim, is seeking to develop a modern, open sand, loam and laterite pit mine, which will generate 30 jobs during construction and 20 jobs during operation.

A project summary of the Berbice River Sand Pit Project was recently submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for review.

According to the project summary, the developer will hire local persons, including women, based on their experience and skills, to support the construction, operational, and closure phases of the project.

The initial output of the mine is expected to be at least 1,000 tonnes per week of sand, loam, and laterite, which will increase as the project recovers its capital expenditure and if the demand justifies further investment in expanding production capacity.

The proposed project site is located on the left bank of the Berbice River, 115 kilometres (km) south of New Amsterdam, and

200 km from Georgetown and encompasses approximately 1,189 acres of land.

“The project lies on an area that is classified as sandy red – yellow latosols and is perfectly placed to host significant reserves of fill materials,” the developer stated.

Sugrim related, in the project summary, that the development will create significant, positive impacts for the Government and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), both of which will benefit through government taxes, fees, and duties.

“This project will also play a significant role in the economic growth of the country by generating revenues and promoting employment, while supplying the materials needed to support the construction industry,” Sugrim said.

Additionally, according to the project summary, fill materials are being sourced from up the Essequibo and Demerara Rivers to supply the demand in Berbice, which has not only delayed works, but has also significantly driven up the cost of construction in Berbice.

“Given the planned development in Berbice, i.e.,

several shore bases, the Guyana -- Suriname Bridge, etc., there is a definite need for the establishment of adequate mines in Berbice to support these construction projects with fill material,” Sugrim said.

The mine is being developed with an expected economic life span of at least 10 years. This life span is based on the extraction of reserves, both above and below nominal elevation.

Sugrim related that he is committed to being a responsible corporate partner to the Government of Guy-

ana, and is currently assembling a team of experienced and professional persons to manage this project.

The company expects that it would be able to satisfy some of the demand for construction materials through this new project.

Building on the progress

made in 2022 through increased public and private investments, Guyana’s vibrant construction industry is expected to expand even further this year.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, during his

presentation of Budget 2023 last week, said: “…latest estimates show that the construction sector grew by a very strong 26.3 per cent in 2022. As was the case in 2021, this expansion is supported by intensified activity in the public and private sectors.”

Driven by further plans to invest heavily in the establishment and maintenance of critical infrastructure across the country, Dr Singh also highlighted that the local construction industry is projected to expand even further this year.

This development, the Finance Minister said, is related to the Government of Guyana’s investments in upgraded roads and bridges, housing developments, education and health facilities, agricultural infrastructure, and private sector investments in the oil-and-gas and service industries.

Over $3.9M to upgrade Kwebanna water supply system

THE Kwebanna Village Council was given contracts totalling more than $3.9 million for work on the Kwebanna Water Supply System in Moruca, Region One.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, handed over the contract to Toshao, Troy Peters, in the presence of the Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley; the Vice-Chairperson, Annansha Peters; the Director of Hinterland Services at the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Ramchand Jailal and residents during a village meeting on Saturday.

The drilling of the well for the water supply project has already been completed.

The contracts, therefore,

provide for the construction of the storage facility and the installation of distribution systems to complete the project; while providing employment opportunities for villagers.

Minister Croal told residents that the PPP/C Government would continue making the necessary investments to ensure all Guyanese have access to potable water, in keeping with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

The works in the contracts will include: the construction of storage tanks concrete slab; construction of a 25×25 foot perimeter chain link fence around the well site; installation of 720

lengths of 50mm and 300 lengths of 100mm PVC pipelines from the well to the storage tanks and along the distribution network; installation of 220 lengths of 19mm pipelines to accommodate service connections to each resident; installation of PVC pipe fittings; and the provision for a tractor or truck to transport pipes and materials to the project sites from the point of storage.

GWI will supervise the storage facility’s construction and the distribution system’s installation.

Overall, the Kwebanna Water Supply System is pegged at $20 million and will bring first-time potable water access to residents.

During the meeting, res- idents raised several issues regarding agriculture, security, infrastructure development, and education.

Minister Croal committed to installing ten street lights within the next month at strategic points along the community’s main roadway

to enhance security. More security measures for the community are also in the works.

Meanwhile, the Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley, spoke about the extension of the Kwebanna Primary School, re-

habilitation of the nursery school, incoming training programmes for nurses at Moruca and other interventions. The matters raised will also be forwarded to the relevant subject ministers.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, hands over the contract to Toshao of Kwebanna Village Council, Troy Peters

Australian Open Tennis

Djokovic beats Alex de Minaur; Rublev & Ben Shelton through

By Jonathan Jurejko BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

NOVAK Djokovic made light work of home hope Alex de Minaur as he continued his pursuit of a record-extending 10th men's title at the Australian Open.

Serbia's Djokovic, 35, still had his left thigh strapped but he looked in no trouble as he won 6-2 6-1 6-2.

The fourth seed will play Russian Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals.

Rublev, seeded fifth, saved two match points - and fought back from 5-0 down in a final-set tie-break - to beat Danish teenager Holger Rune.

Later on Monday, the 25-year-old discovered he would face Djokovic after the former world number one had too much quality for 22nd seed De Minaur.

On the prospect of facing Djokovic, Rublev joked: "No-one wants to face Novak, I want to be in the other half of the draw."

Djokovic has been wearing strapping all tournament to protect a hamstring injury and asked for treatment in a medical timeout during his third-round win over Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov.

But, despite the concerns of his fans, he moved freely in a confident win against De Minaur, which took two hours and six minutes.

"I kept my focus all the way through to play my best match of this year so far," said Djokovic.

"Tonight it wasn't obvious I was dealing with an injury. I didn't feel anything today, today was great."

De Minaur, who became the final Australian player to fall in the singles, was unable to cope with Djokovic's quality and precision from the baseline.

Rublev should provide a sterner examination - of Djokovic's fitness and his incredible record at Melbourne Park - when the pair meet on Wednesday.

Djokovic infamously did not play last year after a row about his vaccination status which led to court hearings and his eventual deportation.

On his return, he has continued from where he left off at what he calls his "second home", extending his winning streak there to 25 matches.

As well as a 10th Australian Open, Djokovic is going for a record-equalling 22nd men's Grand Slam title

'A rollercoaster was easier than beating Rune' Rublev earlier ended a dramatic match when he sealed a 6-3 3-6 6-3 4-6 7-6 (11-9) victory over 19-yearold Rune on Rod Laver Arena.

Rune served for the match at 5-3 in the final set and then had two match points on Rublev's serve when 6-5 up.

The Russian ultimately got over the line with a fortunate net-cord winner.

"It's not a rollercoaster. A rollercoaster is easier," said Rublev after his win.

"I was 5-2 down in the fifth set, 6-5 two match points and then 5-0 in a super tiebreak. This is the first ever time I win a match like this.

"To be in the quarter-final is something I will remember for sure all my life. I have no words man, I am shaking."

Rublev looked to have taken control when he led by two sets to one and created three break points in the opening game of the fourth set moments after Rune had his heart-rate checked by medical staff.

But Rune fought back to take the fourth and then broke early in the decider.

From 5-3 down, Rublev won eight straight points to level up again but Rune again wrestled back the momentum, getting two match points

on Rublev's serve only for the Russian to force a 10-point tie-break.

Rune raced into a 5-0 and 7-3 lead but was unable to build on his strong start as Rublev levelled at 7-7 before converting his third match point as the ball clipped the net and dropped on to Rune's side of the court.

Shelton's Australian Open run 'a dream'

Ben Shelton said his Australian Open "has been a dream" after he beat fellow American JJ Wolf in another thrilling five-setter.

Shelton, whose trip to Melbourne is the first time he has left the United States, won 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-4) 6-2.

The 20-year-old son of former world number 55 Bryan Shelton is playing in only his second Grand Slam.

The left-hander was ranked 569 in the world last year but has risen to 89.

"It's been a dream so far, it's been a real pleasure playing on John Cain [Arena]," he said.

"Thanks to everyone who came out the last two matches, it's been amazing - you guys are the best."

He faces another American, Tommy Paul, in the last eight. Paul defeated Spanish 24th seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-5.

Unseeded Paul is also into his first Grand Slam quarter-final having lost in the second round in his past two visits to Melbourne.

Bautista Agut had been involved in a lengthy fourset match with Britain's Andy Murray in the third round.

Arsenal have history on their side in title race with City

LONDON —(Reuters)Arsenal confirmed they are deadly serious about winning the Premier League title by beating Manchester United 3-2 on Sunday to reach 50 points at the halfway mark of the season — a tally which usually leads to ending the season as champions.

The victory, clinched by Eddie Nketiah’s stoppage-time strike, saw Arsenal become only the fifth team in Premier League history to hit 50 points from their first 19 games. Three of the previous four teams to hit that milestone went on to lift the crown.

Manchester City romped to the title in 2017-18 after taking 55 points in the first half of the season, as did Liverpool in 2019-20, while Chelsea became champions in 2005-06 after hitting 51 points. Only Liverpool in 2018-19 failed to take the title after hitting 51 points from 19 matches, being edged out by Manchester City after squandering a seven-point lead.

Arsenal have a smaller advantage over City than Liverpool did, leading Pep Guardiola’s side by five points, and

they have played one game fewer.

Arsenal visit Manchester City in the FA Cup on Friday before a league showdown between the two teams at the Emirates Stadium on February 15 which could have a huge say in whether the Gunners lift their first Premier League crown in 19 years or are pegged back by City, who have won four of the last five titles.

City lost some momentum by losing the derby to Manchester United last weekend but proved they will not easily surrender their crown

by storming back from two goals down to beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 on Thursday before Sunday’s thumping 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane said Arsenal were in the driving seat.

“The momentum is with them, there’s good experience, youth and pace. They had good options off the bench — they’re in a great place,” Keane said on Sky Sports. “If you had said at the start of the season they’d be where they are, you wouldn’t have believed it. It will take a lot to stop them.”

But his old teammate and fellow pundit Gary Neville said City should not be counted out just yet.

“Arsenal need to now go on and prove to us that they can win the title, which is going to be really tough. They’ve still got to play Manchester City twice and they’ve got them on their shoulders,” he said. “They’re a massive powerhouse, Manchester City and Pep Guardiola. You can imagine them sitting there tonight not being too fazed by this.”

with 25 from 17 and Warda Yousaf with 24* from 31.

The victory means Pakistan could still mathematically qualify for the final four were they to beat New Zealand by a significant enough margin to also overturn their net run rate deficit in their final group game.

A defiant knock from UAE captain, Theertha Satish, wasn’t enough to halt a confident Australia at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.

The UAE skipper and opening batter hit an outstanding half-century in the

first innings, amassing 58 from 48 balls before being brilliantly caught in the deep.

Only one other UAE batter reached double figures as Australia got the rate of scoring under control in stark fashion, with the second ten overs of the innings yielding seven wickets and just 41 runs.

Set a target of 108 to win, the Aussie openers made things comfortable with a 66-run stand that broke the back of the chase.

Kate Pelle was the dominant force in the partnership,

smashing a scintillating 51 that came off just 36 balls.

With the game effectively won, Australia moved to give themselves a net run rate advantage in the group, with Ella Hayward (14* from 11) and Amy Smith (10 from 5) hitting out late on.

Australia wrapped up the win with six wickets in hand and with 29 balls remaining, and will now rely on their net run rate being superior to both South Africa and Bangladesh if those sides also win their final Super Six fixtures.

(ICC Media)

Serbia's Novak Djokovic, 35, still had his left thigh strapped but he looked in no trouble as he won 6-2 6-1 6-2

Bukayo Saka celebrates with Gabriel of Arsenal after scoring the team's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 22 2023 in London, England (Picture: SHAUN BOTTERILL/GETTY IMAGES)

BCB receives donations from Sunita Travel Agency and

schools with kiddies gear

SUNITA Travel Agency recently assisted the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) with cricket gear, as part of their ongoing drive to expand cricket across schools in the county.

"I came here today to accompany a friend to your seminar but I am so impressed with what I saw today that I have to make a contribution to this county. The BCB is doing a remarkable job and your work deserves my support".

Those were the words of owner of Sunita Travel Agency, Mr. Ramnarace Seegobin, as he handed over GYD200,000 worth of flannel balls to the executives of the BCB at the Albion Cricket Ground.

Seegobin had accompanied his friend, Esuan Crandon, to a coaching seminar and was so impressed with what he saw that he approached BCB president, Hilbert Foster, with an offer to assist.

The donation is a major boost to the board's plan to donate kiddies cricket equipment to every primary school in the county. A total of about seventy schools would benefit from donations of bats and balls to allow them to take part in a historic under 11 primary school tape ball tournament.

The main objectives of the tournament would be to identify promising players for further coaching and assist clubs to attract them to their membership.

The BCB is also aiming to renew the passion for the game at the under-11 level as they strive to make sure that the rich legacy of Berbice cricket is kept alive.

Sunita Travel Agency is based in New York and is very popular among Guya-

nese living there.

The BCB also received a contribution from the Double R Business Entity based at Bath Village, West Berbice. The entity’s donation of balls would be handed out to the fourteen primary schools based in Region Five.

Managing Director, Mr Ramoutar stated that he was delighted to assist the development of cricket in the county as he was very impressed with the current development and progress being made.

Ramoutar spoke of the importance of sports being an alternative for youths away from drugs and crime. Double R operates a hardware business and is the distributor of Namilco products in the region.

Foster disclosed that the distribution of the cricket equipment would be completed by the first week in February and the tournament would start shortly afterward.

Pakistan v England: Demerit point for Rawalpindi pitch

rescinded

THE demerit point given to the Rawalpindi pitch used in England's thrilling first-Test win over Pakistan in December has been rescinded.

The flat nature of the surface resulted in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rating it as "below average".

The Pakistan Cricket Board was successful in an appeal, partly because of the memorable end to the match.

England were able to force a 74-run victory in the dying moments of the final day.

After reviewing footage of the Test, the ICC said:

"There were several redeeming features - including the fact a result was achieved following a compelling game, with 37 out of a possible 39 wickets being taken.

"As such, the appeal panel concluded the wicket did not warrant the 'below average' rating."

Pitches for every international match are rated, with negative ratings resulting in demerit points, the accumulation of which could lead to a suspension of staging rights.

If a venue receives five demerit points in a five-year period, it will be suspended

from hosting international cricket for 12 months.

The six ratings a pitch or outfield can be given are very good, good, average, below average, poor and unfit.

The Rawalpindi pitch had previously been given a below average rating for the drawn Test between Pakistan and Australia in March of last year.

England's win, which put them on the way to a 3-0 series clean sweep, included 1,768 runs being scored, the most in history for a Test played over a maximum of five days.

Haroon Rasheed named Pakistan's chief selector

…PCB chairman Najam Sethi said the rest of the selection panel would be named later

FORMER Pakistan batter Haroon Rasheed has been named chief selector by PCB chairman Najam Sethi, who said that the rest of the selection panel would be named later.

Rasheed, 69, had previously served as Pakistan's chief selector between 2015 and 2016, and will take over from Shahid Afridi, who served as the interim chief selector after the Sethi administration removed Mohammad Wasim from the position soon after taking charge late last month.

Rasheed played 23 Tests and 12 ODIs for Pakistan between 1977 and 1983 and apart from his previous role as a selector, has also served as PCB's director of cricket operations and the Pakistan team manager. On December 22 last year, Rasheed had been appointed to a 14-member cricket management committee to run the PCB but he will now step down from that post.

"Haroon has now resigned from the management committee as we don't want a conflict of interest as he

is now chief selector," Sethi said.

The cricket management committee had appointed Afridi as interim chief selector on December 24 and Sethi had wanted him to take on the responsibility for a longer duration. Afridi, however, wasn't keen, citing his busy schedule with commitments to his foundation and charity work.

The next series for the Pakistan men's team is a threematch T20I contest against Afghanistan in March.

NEW PAKISTAN COACH TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON

Despite reports that the PCB's attempts to bring former Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur back on board had fallen through, Sethi said negotiations were still ongoing. He said to expect an announcement on the new Pakistan coach soon.

"I want to make it clear I am in direct negotiations with Mickey. We have covered many areas and very soon we may give you good news. If Mickey comes, he will be

making his own team and we will only find how much we need to pay them and this matter will be resolved in 2-3 days."

Arthur had coached Pakistan between 2016 and 2019 and his contract was not extended after the ODI World Cup in England. He is presently coaching the English county Derbyshire. (Cricinfo)

Ramnarance Seegobin of Sunita Travel Agency hands over donation to BCB Secretary, Angela Haniff, in the presence of other executives and Esuan Crandon

Mr Ramoutar of Double R hands over his contribution to BCB president, Hilbert Foser

England won the first Test in Rawalpindi with minutes to spare on the fifth day

Haroon Rasheed is set for a second stint as Pakistan's chief selector (Getty Images)

Mandhana, Kaur send WI to 56-run loss

EAST LONDON, South Africa, (CMC) – West Indies Women buckled under the pressure of unbeaten half-centuries from Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, to crash to a 56-run defeat in their second game of the Twenty20 International Tri-Series here Monday.

Player-of-the-Match Mandhana struck 74 from 51 deliveries and Kaur, 56 off 35 balls – the pair featuring in a 115-run, unbroken third wicket stand – as India Women marched to 167 for two off their 20 overs at Buffalo Park.

In reply, West Indies Women were limited to 111 for four from their 20 overs, Shemaine Campbelle punching a top score of 47 from 57 deliveries and captain Hayley Matthews hitting an unbeaten 34 from 29 balls.

Veteran off-spinner Deepti Sharma claimed two for 29 to lead India Women’s attack and hand them their second win in as many matches, following their opening success over South Africa Women.

“India got away with scoring [and] our fielding was a big miss. Hayley couldn’t open as she was dealing with an injury, so she had to bat lower down, and in order for us to win she has to bat as early as possible,” said assistant head coach Robert Samuels.

“We have to put bigger scores on the board, not just batting out the 20 overs. Our focus is to get the batting consistent and to do the basic stuff better, which will bring more confidence.

“Hayley is getting into some form; Shemaine has had scores in the warm-up and now this match, so little by little we are trying to get things going by the time we get to the World Cup.”

Choosing to bat first, India Women were carried by Mandhana’s enterprise, the silky left-hander carving out 10 fours and a six, first in a 33-run first wicket stand with Yastika Bhatia (18) and then in her century stand with Kaur, who counted eight fours.West Indies Women stumbled early on in their run chase, Deepti knocking over openers Britney Cooper (0) and Rashada Williams (8), before left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad trapped Shabika Gajnabi for three, leaving the innings tottering on 25 for three in the seventh wicket.

Matthews, entering at number five, desperately tried to revive her side’s fortunes, partnering with Campbelle in a 71-run fourth wicket stand, but both lacked the aggression required to move the run rate forward.

While Campbelle struck five fours and a six, Matthews counted five fours and by the time Campbelle clipped a low full toss from left-arm spinner Radha Yadav for Amanjot Kaur to take a brilliant diving catch in the deep, West Indies Women still required an impractical 72 from 15 deliveries.

Afy Fletcher, who finished on 10 not out, struck a couple of boundaries in the penultimate over but the game was long gone.

West Indies Women lost their opening game to South Africa Women by 44 runs last weekend.

GVF congratulates GoG on historic $4.3B sports budget

THE Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) applauds the 2023 budget, presented by the government of Guyana. Our Federation is comforted by the fact that government, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, has again allocated resources that allows for federations/associations and athletes to breathe easier.

The $4.3B allocation is obvious fuel for our elation but is backed up by the trust and support we have received from a dedicated Minister, Charles Ramson, and the National Sports Commission and the accessibility of him and his team.

As we had an excellent 2022, we anticipate a 2023 that promises even better for the sports sector.

Palmer to lead Jamaica Scorpions in regional four-day championship

Paul Palmer has been named captain of the Jamaica Scorpions squad set to contest the upcoming regional four-day championship. The squad was announced yesterday by the selection panel of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA).

Jamaica Scorpions are scheduled to play the Lee -

ward Hurricanes in the first round of the competition and the Barbados Pride in the second round. Both matches are set to be played in Antigua.

The Scorpions are due to arrive in Antigua on January 29th and scheduled to return on February 12, 2023.

Andrew Richardson has been named head coach

while Nikita Miller is the assistant coach.

The full squad: Paul Palmer (captain), Jamie Merchant, Alwyn Williams, Aldaine Thomas, Leroy Lugg, Kirk McKenzie, Romaine Morris, Abhijai Mansingh, Patrick Harty, Akim Fraser, Marquino Mindley, Gordon Bryan and Ojay Shields.

B/ball Associations to host ‘Bounce Back’ tournament on Friday at Burnham Court

THE Basketball associations from Georgetown, Bartica, Berbice and Linden, on Friday (January 27), will host an evening of basketball at the Burnham Court.

Dubbed ‘Basketball Bounce back,’ Bartica and Berbice will collide in an U-21 match-up from 6:00 pm, while Linden and Georgetown will look to re-ignite their age-old rivalry in the sport.

Rawle Toney, president of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) and Jermaine Slatter, president of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA), are the organisers of the event.

According to Slater, the idea is to highlight that basketball is making a return across the associations affiliated with the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF).

“Usually, you would see associations like Linden and Georgetown being in the spotlight, while others aren’t being recognised. Also, basketball was dormant for a while outside of Georgetown. Still, now all the associations are ready to return, we thought it was best to come together to announce a return of the game in the respective affiliates' areas,” Slater said.

Meanwhile, Toney said the LABA is happy to play

its part in having a game take centre stage, adding, “we can only grow the game in Guyana if we work together, and Friday’s event is the start to a series of collaborative events, geared towards helping basketball develop in Guyana.”

“Of course, we will focus on developing the game in our respective areas, but it’s equally important to arrange regular competition outside of our Sub-Association,” Toney said.

The Berbice Basketball Association’s Vice President, Ojay Joseph, said the youths

mostly play the game in the Ancient County.

Joseph said the BABA is grateful for the opportunity to have their youths showcase their talent against their counterparts from Bartica.

Dion Ferrier, Vice President of the Bartica association, welcomes the chance given to youths from the Cuyuni/Mazaruni area to play outside of Region Seven.

Organisers said they plan on hosting a return leg in Linden, Berbice and Bartica.

Jermaine Slater –GABA president

Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur added an unbroken 115 for the third wicket (Photo: Getty Images)

Rawle Toney –LABA president

Deon Ferrier – Bartica basketball association president

Ojay Joseph –BABA president

Horse racing fraternity extremely pleased with Sports Budget

HORSE racing magnates, Fazal Habibullah, of Region Five’s Rising Sun Turf Club, and Colin Elcock of Alness Turf Club, of Region Six, have extolled the historic $4.3B which has been allocated for the development of the sports sector in the 2023 National Budget.

The duo, who are local horse racing royalty, joined the expanding choir of sports personalities,

federations, and associations to laud the contribution earmarked for the advancement of the sector, which was presented by Senior Minister within the Ministry of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh.

The 2023 National Budget furnished the largest-ever allocation for the sports sector, which is a substantial increase of $1.1B from the previous edition. This momentous move signals the govern -

ment’s overarching objective of transforming the local landscape into a regional and international sporting hub.

According to the duo, the allocation for sport, which is of historic proportions, should be acclaimed by the sporting fraternity, as it is indicative of the direction that the government envisages for sports development.

The experienced pair applaud-

ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup Pakistan victory keeps slim semi-final hopes alive; Australia hit form in huge win

A QUALITY and controlled run-chase saw Pakistan ease to victory over Ireland and keep their slim hopes of a semi-final place alive.

Ireland’s Annabel Squires was the standout batter in the first innings, hitting an unbeaten 55* from 52 balls to help her team to 113/7, with only one other Irish batter reaching double figures.

Anosha Nasir (2/17), Rida Aslam (2/26), Mahnoor Aftab (21/1) and Areesha Noor Bhatti (1/10) were among the wickets in an impressive bowling display.

The tournament to-date has seen Pakistan thrive in run chases, and they did so again for the third straight time here, easing to their target with two and a half overs still remaining.

Syeda Aroob Shah top scored with a brilliant 35 from 25 balls, with the top three all in the runs too –Shawaal Zulfiqar with 18 from 20, Eyman Fatima

ed the invaluable and influential work of the National Sports Commission (NSC), noting that the entity has been an integral partner and component in the improved relationship that has been achieved and fortified between the horse racing community and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Declaring that the provision will provide the ideal platform

for the development of not only the discipline but the entire sporting community, the duo further affirmed that the creation and eventual ratification of sound horse racing legislation, which was a major discussion of the previous year by the adept Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr, is the logical path or step in the administration of the sport.

‘Speak Up ECB and GCB’! demands former E’bo & Guyana players

The 33-year-old fast bowling all-rounder, Heyliger, who has also taken 28 wickets in 27 T20 Internationals for Canada said. “We in Essequibo and Guyana need answers”

“Why was Antony Adams not selected? What is the real reason behind his non selection? Asks Heyliger, the first bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a T20I for Canada.

Ramnauth, a former Essequibo and Guyana U-15 and U-19 batter, argued that Adams had a best of 4-25 in the last practice game at Providence in which performances were used to pick the team for the Regional tournament.

“The other left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd, who was selected, only took three wickets in both matches. Adams’ YOYO Fitness score was 50 while Nedd’s score was only 30,” Ramnauth stated.

Both former players noted that Adams was in the last Guyana 4-Day squad and has remained consistent and fit for more than five years, adding that they are asking for answers for the reason for their fellow Essequibian Anthony Adams shocking non-selection.

227-5204, 227-5216. Fax:227-5208

Left-arm spinner Anthony Adams can consider himself unlucky not to be selected

“We want the ECB, the GCB and the selectors to SPEAK UP!”

Only last year, under the presidency of the ECB and CWI Director, Deleep Singh, Ramnauth called out both Boards when his second annual Region Two Development Youth Cricket League was denied permission by the Essequibo Cricket Board ECB. Ramnauth, the league’s founder, feels it’s due to ‘cricket politics’. (Sean Devers)

Fazal Habibullah of Region Five’s Rising Sun Turf Club

Colin Elcock of Alness Turf Club, of Region Six

Australia’s Kate Pelle smashed a scintillating 51

FORMER Essequibo and Guyana Cricketers, Devon Ramnauth and Dilon Heyliger have joined forces to protest the surprising exclusion of left-arm spinner Anthony Adams in the Guyana Harpy Eagles squad for the 2023 Regional First-Class season which commences on February 1 when Guyana come up against defending Champions Barbados at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.