Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 02-06-2022

THURSDAY 2nd JUNE, 2022

No. 106741

‘Help couldn’t come at a better time’ - say fishermen and their wives on gov’t $150,000 one-off grant

Verification process for fisherfolk cash grant to commence before weekend First Lady to With gov’t Guyana, Barbados establish support, Pomeroon artiste-exchange 2 agro-processor business seasonings centre for programme coming, makes from cassava, Persons with Disabilities President Ali confirms coconuts SEE PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 2, 2022

Guyana, Barbados artiste-exchange programme coming, President Ali confirms

President Irfaan Ali engages local artistes on government’s innovative plans to boost the reach of the local arts and entertainment industry, during a meeting at State House, on Wednesday (Office of the President photo)

By Jared Liddell IN keeping with the government’s vision of promoting local talent, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has disclosed

plans for an “Artiste exchange programme” which would see Guyanese having the chance to perform at major festivals in Barbados.

That was revealed by

President Ali, on Wednesday, at a meeting at State House with those who performed at the 56th Independence Anniversary Flag Raising Ceremony.

He noted that one of the major festivals being discussed was “Crop Over” which is Barbados’ biggest

summer festival.

According to Dr. Ali, the programme which will see artistes from Guyana going to

Barbados and Bajan artistes performing in Guyana at major festivals was discussed with, and agreed to, by Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley during his recent visit to the island for the launch of Agro Fest.

“Over the weekend I was in Barbados for one day to have some meetings with Prime Minister Mottley and I said to her ‘I would like us to have an artiste exchange.

You give me the opportunity to put my artiste on your stage at Crop Over or any national event and I will give you the opportunity to put your artiste on my stage’, and it was an overwhelming response from her,” he said.

The Head of State noted that he believed that if Guyanese artistes have the TURN TO PAGE 3

A section of the gathering during a meeting at State House

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 2, 2022

‘Help couldn’t come at a better time’ - say fishermen and their wives on gov’t’s $150,000 one-off grant

By Tamica Garnett & Nafeeza Yahya FROM investing back into their business, to doing work on their homes, to buying groceries and household items, fishermen across the country are already thinking of how they plan to positively utilise the $150,000 that they will soon receive from the government.

Fisherfolk of the Number 66 Fishermen Co-op in East Berbice, Corentyne, are in high praise of the government following the announcement by President, Dr Irfaan Ali of the $150,000 one-off cash grant.

Speaking with the Guy-

ana Chronicle, they explained that the COVID-19 pandemic and the decline in the volume of catch had significantly affected their income.

The intervention by government, they said, will help them to get back on their feet and they were happy that their cries had been heard.

“Long now we need help and finally it’s here; we been suffering and many people had to leave the fish work and do something else but nothing doing. I glad bad, this mek me feel really good and me family can get to stock up cause things tight,” Rohan Busgit, a father of four told the Guyana

Chronicle.

Chairman of the Coop, Pameshwar Jainarine, also related that he saw firsthand the struggles boat owners and crew members had faced and noted that the intervention by government was well deserved.

“Catch is now a bit better this past month but it has been quite a while that most boat owners and fishers have been running in the red. Had it not been for the increase in price, it would have been much more tougher,” he said.

He continued that: “It’s about time the fisherfolk get some relief and this will make more people continue to go out to sea and fish.

Kaeron Thomas Rooplall Ragnath Many left to go spray rice, stay on and continue.” he plans to use this money drive taxi or work on farms.

For many like boat cap- wisely.

This grant made many feel tain, Krisendatt Doman, 51, KNOW NOTHING appreciated and that the and who has been fishing ELSE industry matters so I know since he was 14 years old, “I don’t know nothing for sure many who were the grant means a lot to else but fish; right now it’s thinking about leaving will him and his family since TURN TO PAGE 4

Guyana, Barbados artiste-exchange... sells Guyana”, will showcase local talent, inclusive of art, poetry, song, dance and even dramatic readings.

This event is part of the much-anticipated Guyana Cricket Carnival which is set for September 2022.

President Ali disclosed that government will expend some $10million to put together a production that could potentially be marketed across the wider Caribbean region through

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opportunity to perform on stage in front of thousands of tourists for Crop Over or any other major Bajan festival, that would provide a world stage for them to market themselves and Guyana, and would tremendously boost the artistes’ following and scope of opportunities.

He noted that, as a country, government has a responsibility to put systems in place to “provide a platform” to showcase and market the vast talents of local artistes.

GUYANA NIGHT AND CRICKET CARNIVAL On the local front, President Ali said Guyana Night which he described as a “stage that

major television networks.

Apart from providing a stage for Guyanese talent, another major benefit of the Guyana Night, according to the Head of State, is government’s commitment to investing all proceeds of the night into the local artistes.

The President who noted that government fully supports the artistes stated, “I want you guys to sit down and come up with a world-class programme;

we will come up with the budget, we will come up with the best sounds - the best beats, we will come up with the best anybody has ever seen in entertainment in this Guyana Night.”

The Head of State expressed belief that Guyanese artistes, and by extension Guyana, can make a name for themselves in the regional and international arts and entertainment sector.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 2, 2022

‘Help couldn’t come at a better...

FROM PAGE 3 really tough and it will be nice to get the grant since it will help cushion our challenges. I really happy for this and hope we can get it before Father’s Day,” he said.

On the East Coast, the fishermen are also looking forward to the grant and are grateful to the government for the financial assistance.

“I feel really nice. It’s going to help a lot of fishermen. At least we will be able to invest in things like sein, and so on,” said Rooplall Ragnath, 55,

a fisherman from Mon Repos on the East Coast Demerara.

Ragnath, a fisherman for over 33 years, said life as a fisherman had been a bit of a “gamble”.

“Sometimes you get sometimes you don’t get.

Sometimes you invest and don’t make it back. Sometimes you get you feel happy. That’s why this $150,000 it’s a great help,” he contended.

Kaeron Thomas, 39, of Montrose, a father of three school-aged children, said when he receives the

$150,000 grant, he is hoping to do some construction work on his home.

Cost of living across the world has been on the increase over the past two years due to slowdown of the global supply chain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and this situation has been compounded by the Russia/Ukraine war.

With Russia being a leading producer of oil and gas, the war has resulted in a sky rocketing of prices for these commodities as many countries impose sanctions on exports from Russia. This spike in prices

Housewives, from left: Nadira Singh, Liloutie Ramkallawan and Soorsattie Goorudat has led to a ripple effect, hurting the pockets of ordinary consumers.

Like all other countries, Guyana has not been spared the effects of rising cost of living.

And cognisant of these challenges, the government had set aside $5 billion in the 2022 budget to implement measures geared at offering relief to Guyanese. The oneoff $150,000 cash grant for fisherfolk is one such measure.

WIVES THANKFUL But it is not just the fishermen who are grateful for the relief that this will bring. After months of having to balance the family finances as best as they can to ensure food is on the table, the wives of the fishermen are also grateful for the assistance that the cash grant will bring to their home.

“We as fishermen’s wives are grateful for it because it would help do something. The $150,000 would at least help concerning cost of living in the home. It could do something with the bills and other necessaries.

This $150,000, some-

times if the men go out there in two trips they wouldn’t get it,” said 50year-old housewife, Soorsattie Goorudat.

Her husband, 52-yearold Ramnarine Persaud, has been a fisherman for over 35 years. They have two children together. Goorudat’s sentiments were shared by her colleagues, 49-year-old Liloutie Ramkallawan and 51-year-old Indira Singh.

“We find it hard because we have children and grandchildren to feed,” said Ramkallawan, whose husband and two sons are all fishermen and fishing is the only source of income for her family, which also includes her five grandchildren.

“You find it hard because they don’t know any other kind of work other than fishing. So we just try to make ends meet with whatever little we have. We know the situation is terrible not only in Guyana but all over the world. So at least we are grateful and thankful for the $150,000. It would help in some way.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 2, 2022

Verification process for fisherfolk cash grant to commence before weekend

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha speaking to fisherfolk on Wednesday (Adrian Narine photo)

By Naomi Parris THE verification process for fisherfolk to access the one-off $150,000 grant announced by President, Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday, is expected to commence before the end of this week said Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Wednesday.

The minister gave the update to fisherfolk at separate

meetings held at Annandale, Mon Repos and Montrose, East Coast Demerara, while explaining to them that the government is cognisant of the negative impact of the rising cost of living and has been implementing measures to bring relief to Guyanese.

Minister Mustapha noted that the funds will be made available after a verification process. Fisherfolk will be required to submit their names, their fishing licences

Minister Mustapha makes a point at the meeting with fisherfolk on Wednesday (Adrian Narine photo)

and some form of identification to the relevant fisheries officers.

The minister during his remarks also cautioned them to desist from engaging in fraudulent activities as was reported in many communities during the distribution of the flood-relief cash grants for farmers.

While recent reports have shown that catches have been improving, many fisherfolk say that it has been a chal-

lenge to get by with their small earnings to afford basic household items for their families. The gash grant, the minister noted, will be helpful in this regard.

On Tuesday, President, Dr Irfaan Ali, during a public meeting at Windsor Forest on the West Coast of Demerara, announced that fisherfolk will be the beneficiaries of a one-off grant of $150,000.

The grant is expected to benefit between 5,000 – 5,500 persons President Ali noted that after the government did a complete assessment of its revenue streams and finances, it determined that the $150,000 grant will be issued to the fisherfolk.

“We are announcing an initiative for every single person identified; we are going to help you with a one-off grant of $150,000.

This is an immediate step that we are taking to assist you, in addition to all that we’re doing to expand the industry,” President Ali said.

The President noted that the grant for the fisherfolk ties in with the government’s commitment to increase support for the agriculture community, as Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean strive to increase the production of food commodities, in keeping with the ‘Vision 25 by 25’ target.

“Our goal is to create the system in which we can increase productivity;

we’re working to make Guyana an important part of the food supply to help the whole Caribbean. To do this, we have to invest in every sector and every

segment, in developing our productive capacity; that is why we are addressing, today, our fishing industry specifically,” the President said.

Teen drowns while swimming across Ekereku River SIMON Jones, 19, of Victoria, East Coast Demerara (ECD) reportedly drowned at Rock Landing, Ekereku River, Upper Mazaruni, after he attempted to swim across the river.

According to Police Headquarters, initial police enquiries revealed that Jones was last seen alive on Friday last at about 23:30 hours. He was reportedly attempting to swim across the Ekereku River from the right bank to the left bank.

On Tuesday at about 10:00 hours, police said three miners from the area who were traversing the river observed the body of Jones afloat close to the left bank of the same river.

Police in the Division were informed, and the

DEAD: Simon Jones body was subsequently retrieved. No marks of violence were found. The body is still to be autopsied but must be transported to Georgetown first.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 2, 2022

Closer Look

A RECENT move by the UK Government to invite international students to live, work and study in UK universities begs many questions and answers.

According to a May 30, 2022 BBC report headlined World’s top graduates get new UK visa option, “graduates from the world’s top universities” can now apply to study in the UK under a new visa scheme aimed at “high-potential individuals,” to attract the world’s “brightest and best” students, “early in their careers.”

The new scheme is available to “alumni of the top non-UK universities who have graduated in the past five years” and regardless of where they were born, they “will not need a job offer in order to apply.”

Successful applicants will get a work visa lasting “two years if they hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree” and “three years if they hold a PhD”; and will be able to “switch to other long-term employment visas if they meet certain requirements,” with “no cap on the number of eligible graduates.”

Applicants “must have attended a university which appeared in the top 50 of at least two of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings or The Academic Ranking of World Universities, in the year in which they graduated.”

According to the BBC Report, “The list of eligible universities from 2021

(published online by the UK government) features 20 US universities, including Harvard, Yale and MIT, in addition to a further 17 qualifying institutions, including the University of Hong Kong, University of Melbourne and the Paris Sciences et Lettres University.”

But guess what? As nice and inviting as it all sounds and looks – and as the BBC itself reports -- “no South Asian, Latin American or African universities are included on the new UK list.”

Christopher Trisos, Director and Senior Researcher at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, commenting on the scheme, told the BBC: “It is a deeply inequitable approach”; and if the UK wants to play a

role in addressing the major challenges of this century like energy access, climate change and pandemics, he added, “they need to be recognising and including diverse skills and in-depth knowledge held by many graduates from universities in developing countries.”

But with more European university graduates unemployed now than ever and the average unlucky student neck-deep in debt, the crisis facing UK education was summed up in an earlier May 22 article in The Telegraph, with the following very telling and questioning headline: £45k of Debt and No Job At the End – Is A British University Degree Worth Having Any More?

UK and US educational institutions over decades fashioned university edu-

cation attractively enough to ensure continuous interest by overseas students through what most in developing nations appropriately called a Brain Drain.

In recent times, however, foreign students have been increasingly outperforming locals in a widening number of subjects at UK and American universities, eventually landing key jobs into which they earned their way, but which those fairly outperformed are encouraged by anti-immigrant politicians and policies to see and treat as local jobs going to foreigners, who need to be washed or laundered out of the system.

Just as interesting, after benefitting at all levels from decades of the Brain Drain, the UK beneficiaries are now seeking to re-

verse the process through a Brain Strain that prevents the brightest from developing nations from slipping through the new net, never mind their universities’ top places in global rankings – such as The University of the West Indies (The UWI), that in recent years, even measured by the UK’s own new yardstick, annually registers higher among the top one per cent of universities globally.

Caribbean universities and others from nations affected stand to learn the hard way, yet again, from this new and free practical lesson from the UK on how to achieve the same sum-total and end-game results of targeted exclusion of bright brains, whether by drain or strain.

The relief to fisherfolk is timely given their current circumstances

Dear Editor,

I APPLAUD President Ali for his announcement Tuesday at Windsor Forest committing a grant of $150,000 to “fisherfolk.” It is a welcome relief to help struggling fisherfolk and their families who could barely make ends meet. I have consistently called for such assistance in my missives to the press after learning about their pains in the fishing industry. The President listens to the public and acts when required.

Over the last few years, I spent a considerable amount of time interacting with fisherfolk (fishermen, workers on the boats, vendors in vans and at stalls, cleaners, helpers, clerks, etc.) at the wharf at Meadow Bank, West Coast, Berbice, and Top Side on the Corentyne and at markets in Georgetown, Parika, Port Mourant, Skeldon, and other locations. The boat-

men, vendors, and cleaners at Meadow Bank and the West Coast know me well. I treated them kindly with various ‘gifts.’ They willingly revealed their challenges to me. I never encountered politicians interacting with fisherfolk, although fisherfolk at West Coast, East Coast, West Berbice, and Top Side said Minister Zulfikar Mustapha engaged them and committed to looking into their complaints of low catches. I salute President Ali for interacting with them at Windsor Forest to hear their stories. The victims of the fishing industry manifestly deserve assistance every bit as much as those suffering in the sugar industry and in other sectors of the economy.

For the last couple of years, fisherfolk have complained about low catches. The complaints increased at each subsequent visit suggesting conditions worsened. The loss of income as a result of low catch

has been traumatic and affect everyone tied to the fishing industry.

I am not a government officer and I have no influence to redress complaints. Everywhere I went, especially Meadow Bank on the East Bank, vendors and cleaners cried, “Things bad, leff something nah doc, buy something form me, nah brother”, was heard repeatedly. Indeed, in all of my visits, I observed ever declining fish availability on the boats, vans, and at the stalls. Some of the captains of the boats said they returned virtually empty with the sales of their catches below costs of diesel for their trip, not to mention paying for labour and time. Correspondingly, with the scarcity of fish, the price of fish has increased.

In my interactions with them, fishermen complained that their catches were low and the vendors fretted that their limited sales were getting

smaller and smaller with time.

“Fish scarce! Fish nah deh,” they repeatedly said. Prices were shooting through the roof, going up steadily after every visit. Last week, prices for varied fish at Meadow Bank and elsewhere were double that from six months ago. Banga, for example, was $120 a pound late last year and $250 now.

Butter Fish was $200 a pound last year and is in excess of $400 now.

Cleaners cried the most, saying they can’t make ends meet from their mornings work.

Last year and earlier, they could earn over $20,000 for a few hours of work on a typical morning, cleaning fish that was plentiful in supply.

Now, they can’t get $10,000.

Some are lucky to make $5,000 and some don’t even get that amount. “Doc, Wuk, nah deh,” they said everywhere. Several cleaning tables or stalls have folded up. The number of

vendors at Meadow Bank and other wharves and at markets has declined. The number of boats going out for fishing has also declined. Hundreds if not thousands of boats were parked up at Parika and other points on the West Coast, Essequibo Coast, Berbice, and on the Corentyne. Fishermen said the proceeds of the low amount of catch can’t cover their costs for the fishing trip. They seek financial help. The announcement by the President of a financial grant is most welcome.

This relief is long overdue and would help fisherfolk. The cost may be high, but it is for a deserving cause and worth every dollar. The President deserves praise for this initiative.

The media has not stated who qualifies for the grant.

Everyone connected to the fishing industry (fishermen, sellers or vendors, wholesalers, retailers, cleaners, stores, etc.) has been hurting over the last

couple years (as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown, flooding, high fuel costs, and other factors). Consideration should be given to giving grants to all bona fide fisherfolk (perhaps not the same amount to all – for example, cleaners shouldn’t get the same amount as vendors who shouldn’t get the same amount as fishermen who should not get the same amount as the boat owners, etc.). Those out of work should definitely get the grant. The boat owners and fishing companies should get a much larger grant. They have been suffering badly with decreased revenues over the last few years.

Separately, government should upgrade the wharves and facilities on the coast for boating – improved lighting and availability of cold storage for catches.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 2, 2022

Timely cost-of-living relief interventions welcomed Dear Editor, THE People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) in yet another welcome move has intervened to provide another series of much-needed support for the citizens of this country in keeping with its manifesto promises, its developmental agenda and to cushion the effects of the rising cost of living.

One such intervention is to the benefit of the mining sector. It is a known fact

that the mining sector has suffered tremendously under the corrupt and incompetent A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change. That administration placed significant hardship on the lives and livelihoods of the miners and disrupted the industry through heavy taxation and mismanagement.

In 2020, the PPP/C in its emergency budget offered several tax reliefs to the mining sector with the

removal of VAT on machinery and hinterland travel.

Due to those interventions, gold production increased in 2021 and the sector remained lucrative.

Tuesday’s intervention by our government will significantly benefit miners and the mining sector, returning much-needed resources to the mining community.

Whilst speaking with members of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) on Tuesday,

Vice-President of Guyana, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, made these almost charismatic announcements. The relief measures such as reduction of the final tax from 3.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent; the removal of VAT on lubricating oil, which consequently will benefit all the productive sectors of the country and the removal of the 10 per cent tributors tax, altogether represent close to two billion dollars in support to the mining industry.

In less than two years

this nation has witnessed a gross difference in the style of governance. Under the Dr Ifraan Ali administration, Guyanese are now better off than before. The country is at ease and the government has won the support of the nation.

This latest intervention signifies the ease of living that is associated with the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic and its people-oriented policies and initiatives.

The people of Guyana welcome this timely inter-

vention by our government.

Since taking office in 2020, the PPP/C Government has introduced numerous measures that have placed tremendous ease on the people of this country; removing several burdens.

As a Guyanese, I applaud the PPP/C Government and its efforts to improve the lives and standard of living of Guyanese.

Yours sincerely, Thomas Cole

The misinformation on oil and gas must stop Dear Editor,

JOURNALISM must be factual and have evidence to support it. It should be as balanced and truthful as possible, especially when reporting on Guyana’s journey to develop its oil-and-gas sector.

Sadly, some sections of the media are failing to meet the standard of journalism expected of investigative and focused journalists.

Recently, there was an article that got my attention. It was about the oil-and-gas sector and the newspaper was attributing all of its information to a particular source. There was no comprehensive analysis done with no other side or person to be quoted on the issue being reported. I was blindsided by the poor investigative work done and the generalisation of the issues related to costs, debts, and expenses of Guyana in the oil-and-gas sectors.

As I was penning my complaint about the body of work which contained several pieces of misleading statements, untruths and fallacies, lo and behold the Vice-President Mr Bharrat Jagdeo was addressing the same article in his press conference on Monday.

Jagdeo debunked the claim that every citizen owes ExxonMobil $9 million.

“The only debts that

this country has to repay are debts contracted or guaranteed by the state, and I told you already that’s only 16 per cent of GDP. No debt contracted

by Exxon or any of these companies are guaranteed or we are party… so you don’t have to pay [the citizens of this country],” he stated.

He also dismissed the claim that these debts have to be repaid before Guyana can receive any funds.

“So that’s not true again, because if you look at even the original agreement that was signed since 1999, you will see that there is a cut-off point for cost recovery from revenue of 75 per cent. So, 75 per cent of revenue goes to cost recovery, including servicing and everything else, and 25 per cent from day one becomes available as profit oil, of which we will get 12 and a half per cent and then a two-percentage point as royalty, which gives us about 14.5 per cent from day one.”

These sensational and misleading media reports must stop immediately.

The media must understand the dangers that they pose to development by their false or misleading reporting.

I call on the media to be responsible and factual when reporting.

Yours sincerely, Alvin Hamilton

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G/town officials still to account for $475 million received in 2017, PAC hears

By Shamar Meusa

OFFICIALS at the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development were, on Monday, given two weeks to return to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) with answers as to how $475.6 million was spent by the Georgetown Mayor & City Council (M&CC) in 2017.

This came as a result of the PAC examining the 2017 and 2018 Auditor General’s (AG) reports for the ministry, formerly known as the Ministry of Communities.

The committee further delved into the municipality’s reports at the time Patricia ChaseGreene served as Mayor, and Royston King as Town Clerk.

The Guyana Chronicle contacted current Town Clerk, Candace Nelson to seek further clarity on the matter in relation

to the required documents for submission to the PAC. Nelson noted that the officials will be expected to present responses to all of the queries that were raised at the recent Public Accounts Committee meeting on this and other matters.

This, she said, must be presented with all supporting documents. Nelson related that she would not be able to go into further details on the matter as she did not have all of the information at her reach at the time this newspaper contacted her.

During the committee’s meeting on Monday, Member of Parliament, Dharamkumar Seeraj, while examining the report for 2017 stated that the Cabinet of Ministers, in November of that same year, granted the approval of some $475.63 million to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council.

It was further noted that the payment details included exact periods and descriptions for particulars of services.

To this end, he stated that the AG, in the report, was

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 2, 2022

A snapshot of Monday’s PAC session unable to verify the accuracy, validity and completeness of the sum of $475.6 million that was paid to contractors.

Seeraj noted, based on the report, that documents provided were “sketchy” and further asked the ministry’s accounting officer if she was able to locate records that can account for the pay-out.

In response, the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Local Government, Prema Ramanah-Roopnarine stated that they found the Cabinet decision for the $475 million to pay out to the three contractors. A warrant was also recorded from the Ministry of Finance for $400 million.

She noted that the Minis-

try of Communities cut those checks using the Cabinet decision.

“We have since asked City Hall to provide a reconciliation [of] how they have arrived at these figures. I know that the Treasurer is trying to work to get this information,” RamanahRoopnarine said.

The PS went on to note that the Town Clerk and City Treasurer were able to find some copies of contracts relating to this issue. Those were shared with the auditors.

She added: “So, in conclusion, the Ministry of Communities made [available] $475 million based on a cabinet decision that clearly outlined who to pay, these three persons here… $400

million was released from the Ministry of Finance.”

To this end, she indicated that the balance was taken from another line item of the ministry’s allocation.

The PS, however, told the PAC that they are having severe difficulties getting the documents to justify the breakdown of the $475 million.

Against this background, the PS then asked the chair of the committee for two weeks to further locate additional documents and information in relation to this allocation.

As such, the officials were given two weeks to return to the PAC with a full report and breakdown of how the monies were spent.

Schoolgirl dies after being hit by police pickup

A 12-year-old schoolgirl died on Wednesday afternoon, after she was struck down by a police pickup while attempting to cross the Goed Fortuin Public Road, West Bank Demerara.

Dead is Kayla Barnabas, a student of the West Demerara Secondary School.

According to a police release, the fatal accident occurred around 15:45 hours and involved Guyana Police Force motor pickup GXX 6575 driven by a Police Corporal and Barnabas.

“Information received is that Force motor pickup GXX 6575 was proceeding south along the eastern side of the road when it was alleged that the schoolgirl ran from east to west across the road in the path of the pickup,” the release said.

The driver reportedly swerved west to avoid a collision but the front of

DEAD: Kayla Barnabas the vehicle collided with the will be reviewed to deterchild. mine whether the pickup was Barnabas was picked up speeding. in an unconscious state and A breathalyzer test was taken to the West Demerara done on the policeman and Regional Hospital where no trace of alcohol was she was pronounced dead found in his system. on arrival.

He is currently under According to the police, close arrest as the investiCCTV cameras in the area gation continues.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 2, 2022

$37M Eccles fire station commissioned AS government works to expand critical services in developing communities, a new $37 Million Fire station at Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was, on Wednesday, commissioned.

The New Fire Station, located just opposite the Eccles Nursery School, is expected to cater to the community and surrounding villages on the East Bank corridor.

At the commissioning, Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, delivering feature remarks, stated that the opening of the new station speaks volumes as it relates to what the government had envisaged in terms of protecting the property, lives and livelihoods of Guyanese.

He noted that, while those strides were being made, there were still

The newly-commissioned Eccles Fire Station (Carl Croker photos) Fire Service’s reach in developing communities and towns like Lethem, Mabaruma and Mahdia.

complement of firefighters stationed there.

The tender process for the construction of

From left: Home Affairs Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mae Tussaint Jr Thomas, Minister Benn, and Fire Chief (ag) Wickham unveiling the fire station’s plaque some challenges related to access to some areas, the concentration of homes and businesses, and also the widespread demand of the fire department’s services across the country.

As such, the Home Affairs Minister indicated that while the commissioning of the new fire station was one to be celebrated, the government had been working to expand the Guyana

“The fact that we are coming here to Eccles to open a new fire station speaks to the fact that we want to make sure that we optimize on the proper use of taxpayers’ money.

Minister Benn was pleased to see the station completed as he had visited several times during the construction process.

Beyond the structure, he mentioned that there will be a fire tender and 24/7

the fire station began in March 2021 with the contract being awarded to Kawal Ramdeen General Construction and Office Supplies to the sum of $37.8 Million.

It was noted that the project began on June 11, 2021 with a duration of 6 months and concluded on December 11, 2021.

The new station consists of four living quarters for male and female firefighters and Emer-

gency Medical Technician (EMT) staff. There are also external storage facilities on the building Meanwhile, Fire Chief (ag), Gregory Wickham, noted that the establishment of the facility to offer services to the community and its surround-

ing areas can only be seen as positive.

He noted that it came after some feasibility studies were done as it related to the ideal area to service and establish a station. To that end, he added that before making the decision, the administration

considered the number of structures and businesses within the developing area.

Fire Chief (ag) Wickham said the communities can rest assured that the station will provide a high level of professional service.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 2, 2022

First Lady to establish business centre for Persons with Disabilities

THROUGH a recently-held fundraiser, First Lady Arya Ali was able to raise just over $13 million to commence the establishment of a business centre for Persons with Disabilities (PWD).

According to a release from the Office of the President, in 2020, when Mrs. Ali assumed office, she prioritised PWDs through her ‘InclusAbility’ initiative to support their economic and social empowerment and better

integrate them into society.

The business centre is the brainchild of Mrs Ali, who believes that these individuals must be provided with the resources, opportunities, knowledge and skill needed to increase their capacity to determine their own future and fully participate in community life, the release noted.

“The ability of persons with disabilities to earn a living for themselves, rather than to depend on others for a living, is a

cornerstone for their economic empowerment. Experience suggests that the majority of persons with disabilities are unemployed and often denied employment opportunities even when they have met necessary requirements.

Consequently, they have no stable income and have to depend on family members, well-wishers and charity groups for handouts to sustain their livelihood,” the First Lady shared.

She said that as a result, the

business centre was conceptualised to provide an opportunity for these individuals to have sustained economic power, in order to meet their essential needs and contribute to community development. The government, the release noted, has committed to constructing the facility which will be located in Region Six, while the Office of the First Lady will be responsible for furnishing the centre, providing start-up capital and implementing the programme.

The centre will support entrepreneurs and creatives from other regions. It will comprise five work stations that will allow persons to manufacture products ranging from crafts to snacks; a retail space for those products to be sold; a boardroom for meetings and training; a therapy room; a cafeteria; and washrooms, the release noted.

It added that construction of the facility is expected to commence within a few months, during which, discussions will be had with various groups which represent the disability community to solicit and incorporate their ideas. It is expected that at least 30 persons with disabilities will gain direct employment in the short term, and another 30 in the medium to long term.

“The plan is to have these

The proposed design of the business centre which will be established for persons with disabilities (Office of the First Lady photo) persons, some of whom already manufacture high quality products, be able to increase capacity and readily supply the local and even regional markets,” Mrs Ali disclosed.

She added that these entrepreneurs will also benefit from business development training, and can themselves train other persons with disabilities which would allow them to increase production and increase their market share.

Additionally, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards has been engaged by the Office of the First Lady to monitor and regulate the production of some of the products with the intention of issuing the ‘Made in Guyana’ certification mark.

The medium to long term plan is to then have those products sold online to regional and international customers. “But this

will not just be a centre focused exclusively on making and selling products. Apart from that, we will want to ensure that these persons benefit from technical training and psychosocial support so they can be empowered to lead their own lives,” the First Lady explained.

Mrs. Ali also believes that this move signals government’s commitment to ensuring ‘One Guyana’ becomes a lived experience for persons who identify with groups that are considered vulnerable or have historically felt excluded.

“We are not only preaching one Guyana. We are demonstrating in a tangible way, how committed we are to ensuring that Guyanese – regardless of their social, economic, political, ethnic, or even physical differences – benefit from opportunities equitably,” she stated.

Security guard remanded over Sophia father’s execution A 22-year-old security guard who was arrested in connection with the execution-style killing of Collin McPherson, on Tuesday, appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court and was remanded to prison by Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool.

Gregory France of ‘B’ Field, Sophia, was not required to plead to the capital offence which alleged that, on May 26, 2022, at D’ Field, he murdered 43-year-old Collin McPherson.

He was remanded to prison until July 12, 2022.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that the father of four and driver attached to the Ministry of Health, was in his yard in the company of others when a gunman approached and opened fire.

According to the police, McPherson’s 18-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter were at home at the time of the shooting. His two other daughters arrived at the house shortly after.

A 26-year-old nephew and two other males (ages 18 and 19) were also in the

DEAD: Collin McPherson

ACCUSED: Gregory France

house at the time. They all ran and hid when the gunman entered the house.

One eyewitness recalled that he was in the house when he heard a loud explosion, after which he saw the victim run inside and started shouting “close the door”.

According to the eyewitness, the gunman who was dressed in a blue shirt, a dark-coloured pants and a blue facemask, was slimbuilt and fair in complexion.

On seeing the gunman, police said that the eyewitness ran into a bedroom in the house, leaving McPher-

son in the living room.

Two more loud explosions were heard, and then there was silence. The eyewitness said he emerged from the bedroom shortly after and saw McPherson lying motionless in the living room.

The police visited the scene around 22:00 hours and observed suspected gunshot injuries on the victim’s body.

An emergency medical technician (EMT) from Alberttown Fire Service Station was also present at the scene and pronounced McPherson dead.

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Over 20 investors set sight on Guyana’s agriculture sector

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 2, 2022

- following successful hosting of Agri-Investment Forum and Expo

By Naomi Parris TWO weeks after the conclusion of the largest gathering of regional heads, investors, and agriculture stakeholders at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre for the three-day Agri-Investment Forum and Expo, Guyana’s agriculture sector has been receiving significant recognition, with over 20 investors showing an interest in investing here.

Speaking at the sidelines of a meeting with fisherfolk on Wednesday, Subject Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, told reporters that three investors have already been certified to commence work in the country.

“I can tell you off hand over 20 investors are looking at Guyana, but we already have three investors who are certified [and] coming to Guyana to start work, they are now looking at the logistics and other things to come to Guyana,” Mustapha said.

While the minister did not reveal who the three investors are, he however disclosed that investors from Brazil have indicated their interest in Guyana’s recent corn and soya bean production.

“We have a number of investors from Brazil, who want to come to invest in our soya crop. We know for a fact that the President and a number of heads of government visited Region Nine and we met with some of the investors from that State of Roraima and some of them already want to come and invest in Guyana and other Caribbean countries.”

Interest has also been shown in livestock and cash crops production, among other areas.

“They are looking at cattle rearing, dairy production, they are looking at other crops like strawberries. We already have an investor who will come to Guyana to invest in strawberry production,” said Minister Mustapha as he hailed the invest-

ment forum a huge success.

“Generally, I think this was a very good conference and I have spoken to some of my counterparts in the Caribbean and they have also indicated to me that there are a number of investors who are interested to go to their country.”

At the 33rd Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM (Caribbean Community) held back in march, the decision was made to host the investment forum as a decisive step to achieve the ‘25 by 25’ agriculture target (reducing the region’s US$6 billion food import bill by 25 per cent by the year 2025).

The premier event which was held from May 19-21 saw over 500 delegates and 100 exhibitors participating and over the three-day period, several regional heads met to foster discussions on their future plans to achieve the said target and to discuss the current grave global

situation of the shortages and high prices of imported food fertilisers and other agricultural inputs; and the severe problems affecting transportation and logistics.

Actions plans to address food security, regional transportation, trade barriers and the inclusion of women and youth in the agriculture sector were also discussed at the forum.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 2, 2022

GOGEC supports talks on National Oil Company for future oil contracts

WITH talk of Guyana exploring the possibility of a National Oil Company (NOC) as the nation’s global oil position climbs, the Guyana Oil & Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC), on Wednesday, threw in its support for the move, but cautioning “careful consideration of the pros and cons need to be had before such decision is taken”.

The body’s President, Manniram Prashad is quoted in a press statement saying he was pleased that the matter was on the table.

“Going forward, GOGEC endorses the Government’s approach to ensuring maximum benefits and value are derived from future oil contracts,” the statement read, noting that it believes “Guyana can fairly obtain, at minimum, a higher royalty, and high profit share to maximise Guyana’s share from the oil and gas resources.”

This newspaper reported, recently, that, on Monday, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo, during a press con-

ference, said that government was deliberating the option of passive ownership, where it owns shares in an exploration company but was not integrally involved in the exploration operations itself.

The Vice President noted, then, that the government had not yet determined whether there will be a NOC, but a continuous assessment of how that can be done was still being deliberated upon, given the various advantages and disadvantages of such a venture.

“The model that we are talking about should we go down this route is not an old-style NOC, but a more passive ownership of shares in companies in exchange for some of the offshore blocks that we have given,” Dr Jagdeo had said.

T h e Vi c e P r e s i d e n t stressed that the government’s main focus was getting the most for the country out of the oil blocks.

Earlier this year, the VP noted that several “large

operators” had submitted expressions of interest to partner with the government to establish a NOC. However, the government has been keeping an eye on the public discourse on the situation and had taken note of the various negatives and positives of the multiple models that could be used to establish an NOC. “From our own examination of the situation, we believe that having an old-style model National Oil Company at this stage could present major difficulties for the country. With net zero targets by 2050, it becomes harder to raise money globally for a National Oil Company,” the VP noted.

Net-zero refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere.

International scientists have reasoned that to prevent the worst climate damages, global net human-caused carbon dioxide emissions need to fall to net-zero by

The Maersk Developer (Credit to Drilling Contractor) 2050. This is expected to be preceded by a slowdown in oil production going down to 2050.

With that being just 28 years away, this limits the number of years that Guyana has to maximise and get the most of its oil and gas sector at the soonest possible time.

The Vice President noted

that the government welcomes conversations and debates about the establishment of the NOC in addition to other aspects of Guyana’s oil and gas sector and is keenly observing the valid points coming out of these discussions, notwithstanding some amount of mischief in some of the

conversation.

He maintained: “I don’t mind people pointing out the negative because we have to address these issues when we make a decision. We are taking these issues seriously. But whilst we welcome that debate we’ve had a lot of crazy things being said.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 2, 2022

Days before b-day, ‘Trini’ gets life sentence for brutal murder AN unconventional birthday present. Confessed murderer, Keino Corbin, called “Trini” was, on Wednesday, handed a life sentence for the brutal killing, in 2016, of 60-year-old remigrant Agriculturist, Anthony Breedy.

This “special” gift was delivered by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the Demerara High Court. Justice Barlow, during the sentencing hearing, informed Corbin that he could become eligible for parole after serving 11 years, nine months, and 20 days.

Corbin will be celebrating his 25th birth anniversary on June 4.

I n M a y, C o r b i n o f Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD), admitted killing Breedy during the

Keino Corbin called ‘Trini’

furtherance of a robbery between March 12 and 14, 2016 at his Hill Foot, Soesdyke-Linden Highway house.

He was represented by attorney-at-law Ravindra Mohabir, while prosecutor Latifah Elliot presented the state’s case.

During the sentencing hearing, his probation report was read by a social worker.

According to the probation officer, Corbin migrated to Trinidad as a teenager to live with his father.

However, according to his relatives, Corbin suffered neglect and physical abuse at the hands of his father and stepmother.

Corbin’s father was later charged with the murder of the stepmother and is currently incarcerated in the

twin-island republic.

In 2015, Corbin returned to Guyana and began living with his mother.

However, he quickly found himself in bad company and began associating himself with “questionable characters,” according to the probation officer.

Breedy’s family said they are still traumatised by the incident and are still haunted by the memories.

The dead man’s relatives asked the court to send a strong message to like-minded offenders.

Meanwhile, attorney Mohabir asked the court to temper justice with mercy because his client is young and can be rehabilitated.

In his address to the court, Corbin said: “I always regret what happened because I am not that type

DEAD: Anthony Breedy

of person.”

While delivering her sentencing remarks, Justice Barlow said that she considered the nature of the felony, the injuries the victim received, and the fact that the defendant was a young offender at the time

of the crime.

Based on reports, Breedy’s body was found with the hands and feet bound, on the lower flat of his two-storey house.

It was also discovered that he’d sustained multiple injuries to his head, and that after committing the act, his killers had made off with his Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and other belongings, including an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card.

When arrested for the crime, Corbin reportedly confessed to being one of three men who invaded Breedy’s home. He also admitted to hitting Breedy in his head with a concrete block.

Two men are currently on remand awaiting their trial for Breedy’s murder.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 2, 2022

$500,000 bail for accused in Better Hope engineer’s killing

STHERLINGA Gilks called “Coconut Man”, on Wednesday, appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court charged for the fatal stabbing at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) that claimed the life of 31-year-old engineer, Neil Rampersaud.

Gilks, 40, of Victoria

Road, Plaisance, ECD, was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was later granted $500, 000 bail

by Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool.

He allegedly committed the offence on May 29, 2022, at Zahora Street, Better Hope.

The matter was ad-

journed until July 8, 2022.

According to case facts, Rampersaud and Gilks are known to each other and were on speaking terms.

On the day in question at about 07: 38hrs, Rampersaud approached Gilks in the vicinity of Zahora Street, and demanded that he go to the station for wounding another

man, Mohan Panchu, earlier that morning.

Rampersaud and Gilks then got into a heated argument during which he (Rampersaud) dealt the suspect two lashes about his body.

Gilks armed himself with a coconut blade and dealt Rampersaud a stab to his

DEAD: Neil Rampersaud upper left side ribs causing severe injuries.

Rampersaud was picked up by public-spirited persons and taken to the Wo o d l a n d s H o s p i t a l where he succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.

Gilks who was apprehended by public-spirited persons, reportedly handed over a knife to the police.

It is alleged that Gilks when told of the allegation, under caution, admitted to stabbing Rampersaud in self-defence.

Cop beater gets 10 months’ jail

CONVICTED: Seon Prince A PLAISANCE, East Coast Demerara resident, was, on Wednesday, sentenced to 10 months in prison for assaulting a police sergeant, who was attempting to arrest him for a crime.

Seon Prince appeared before Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court and admitted to assaulting Sergeant Maxwell, on Tuesday, May 31,2022, at Plaisance, while the officer was acting in the ex-

ecution of his duties.

According to reports, Prince is a known character to the police. On the day in question, the police received a report of an alleged damage to property.

When Sergeant Maxwell, along with other ranks, arrived at the scene, they made contact with Prince.

Prince attacked the rank and dealt him several cuffs to his face which resulted in injuries.

Prince was later arrested.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 2, 2022

With gov’t support, Pomeroon agro-processor makes seasonings from cassava, coconuts

By Jared Liddell

WITH cassava and coconut already known in Guyana and the wider Caribbean for their versatility, Pomeroon businessman, John Luke, has found a new and interesting way to use them.

The businessman, who is the owner of Luke’s Manufacturing, launched his cassava and coconut seasonings at the recently concluded Agri-Investment Forum and Expo.

During an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Luke explained that the idea behind the use of the products stemmed from his search for a healthier alternative for seasonings.

The new line of seasonings is expected to strategically boost the visibility of the diverse uses of both products which are grown locally, Luke said.

Noting that specific attention has been given to products such as coconut oil and cassava chips, he said: “This new line is not just to complement our vision of healthy living, but to also shed light on, and tap into, the uses of these products that are currently being overlooked.

“We have these products that are native to Guyana, and for the most part people only see coconuts and cassava for a limited number of products, but I saw the benefits of incorporating them into seasonings, something that is used in every household locally.”

According to Luke, his business currently produces over 30 cassava products with the latest addition being the cassava seasoning, which he anticipates will be a “game changer”.

The proprietor believes that the new seasoning products will boost the visibility of the company and increase its reach locally. At the Expo, pieces of chicken and fish flavoured with the new seasonings were available for sampling.

Luke’s Manufacturing produces wine, various types of porridge mix made with local ingredients, all-purpose seasonings, hot sauce, honey, achars, and passion fruit essence.

The massive line of Luke’s Manufacturing products which started off with the jamoon wine, is currently available in over

six supermarkets across Guyana.

In December 2020, Luke, who has been an agro-processor for over 13 years, was granted some five acres of land for the expansion of his business following a meeting with President Dr. Irfaan Ali. After hearing about the businessman’s plight and about the numerous jobs that the business can generate, once it is at full capacity, the President directed the representatives from the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission to fast-track the process.

Speaking about the support given by government to promote local agro-processing and small businesses, Luke stated that he was grateful that government had been paying a vested interest in the development of the sector.

He emphasised that the recently concluded Agri-Investment Forum and Expo gave local businesses a platform to showcase their products.

Luke added that, at the Expo, he was able to meet and interact with persons who gave ideas on how to boost the efficiency of the

The coconut and cassava seasonings that were recently launched by Luke’s Manufacturing

John Luke, owner of Luke’s Manufacturing

business.

Luke opined that even as government continues to play its part to support local businesses, entrepreneurs must take the necessary steps to ensure that their business growth

is sustainable.

“The government has been lending support for small businesses and I am in full support of that, but we, as small business owners, have the responsibility of cre-

ating innovative business policies and experimenting, and taking the necessary steps to ensure that our businesses can grow and be sustainable,” Luke told this publication.

Cassava seasoning and honey on display

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 2, 2022

CWI vice-president ‘surprised’ over Sarwan’s resignation ON Monday, Cricket West Indies (CWI), via a release to the media, announced that Ramnaresh Sarwan resigned as a Selector to the West Indies Men’s Senior and Youth Selection Panels after he was appointed in early January 2022.

The release to the media did not definitively state the reason(s) for Sarwan’s resignation but CWI vice-president, Dr Kishore Shallow, speaking Tuesday evening on a Barbadian radio programme, Mason and Guests, said he was “surprised” and outlined that new business ventures by the former West Indies captain has limited the time he has for performing the roles as a selector.

“Yes, somewhat”, Dr Shallow responded to whether he was shocked

over the resignation.

“Ronnie had committed to being a selector and I have spoken to him since and he expressed that it is just a matter of further obligations.

“As you know Ronnie is a successful businessman and there are a few positive things happening for him and the travelling between Guyana and Florida; and it was a case of him assessing things as to where he is right now, which is probably a bit too much for him right now.”

He added, “I really credit him for making the decision and communicating it to us in such a professional manner; absolutely no issue and he said to me and president Ricky Skerritt that he is absolutely committed to helping West Indies cricket in other ways.”

Sarwan’s appointment was confirmed during a meeting of the CWI Board of Directors on January 6, and he stepped down from his role as Chairman of the Guyana Cricket Board’s Senior Selection Panel to focus on this role and avoid any conflict of interest.

“At the time he accepted the position, he thought that he could manage but he just started a new venture and these are the things that are occupying his time, so that is life,” Dr Shallow stated in response to whether it was a mistake to appoint Sarwan knowing his business commitments.

The intention was for Sarwan to be a member of the Men’s Senior and Youth Selection Panels until June 30, 2024, a period that includes four

Cricket West Indies vice-president, Dr Kishore Shallow

ICC Global Events, two T20 World Cups (2022 & 2024), the Cricket World Cup (2023), and the World Test Championship Final (2023).

Robert Haynes, who is the current Lead Selector of the Men’s Youth Selection Panel and former interim Chairman of

Selectors, will act as a replacement until a suitable full-time candidate is appointed.

Haynes will work on the Selection Panel alongside Senior Men’s Team Lead Selector the Most Hon. Dr Desmond Haynes and head coach Phil Simmons.

Dr Shallow indicated that the Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams, is handling the recruitment process in which there are potential options of recruitment with either a shortlist of candidates or applications.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 2, 2022

Guyana to host T20, three ODIs in Bangladesh series CRICKET West Indies (CWI) today confirmed the full match schedule for the West Indies Senior Men’s team from June 16 to August 21 with Guyana hosting one T20I and three One-Day Internationals.

This will see visits to the region by Bangladesh, India and New Zealand featuring all three formats of cricket.

The list of fixtures features 30 days of men’s international cricket comprising two Tests, nine CG United One-Day Internationals and 11 T20Is at 10 worldclass venues. This promises to be a bumper “summer of cricket” for fans across the Caribbean as well as for the West Indies Diaspora in the United States of America, when West Indies and India make a return to the Broward County Cricket Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida for two T20Is against India.

Bangladesh will tour the Caribbean from June 16 to July 16 and will face West Indies in two Test matches in Antigua and St Lucia as part of the ICC World Test Championship. The two Tests will be followed by three T20Is and three CG United ODIs in Dominica and Guyana.

The first two T20Is will see a return to international cricket at the fully refurbished Windsor Park, where international cricket is being hosted for the first time since the hurricane damage of 2017.

The Bangladesh home series will conclude with the third T20I and then three CG United ODIs at the Guyana

National Stadium.

India’s white-ball tour will commence on July 22 in Trinidad and Tobago with three CG United ODIs from July 22 to 27 at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, followed by five T20Is in three separate venues. The first T20I on Friday, July 29 will be historic as the first ever Men’s T20I to be played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in the south of Trinidad.

The venue for the backto-back second and third T20I matches is Warner Park, St Kitts, coinciding with Emancipation Day and Culturama holiday celebrations there.

The eight-match India white-ball tour concludes with an exciting weekend of back-to-back T20I fixtures at the Broward County Cricket Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida from August 6 to 7.

West Indies’ summer of cricket climaxes with New Zealand’s white-ball tour of the Caribbean, which has been rescheduled from 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Black Caps will arrive in Jamaica to play three T20Is from Wednesday, August 10 to Sunday, August 14 before moving to Barbados for three day/night CG United ODIs. All nine CG United ODIs are part of the ICC ODI Super League with the West Indies aiming to qualify directly for the ICC World Cup in 2023.

“We are delighted to announce the match schedule for the men’s international

calendar at home for the rest of the year. We know our supporters will be delighted with the news that the matches are being played all across the region as well as those living in the USA will be able to see their favourite players in action,” said Johnny Grave, CEO of CWI. “This is the busiest year of cricket ever in the West Indies. In January we hosted Ireland and England in white-ball formats, and also successfully staged the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022, which featured 16 teams traversing the region. We also witnessed the Apex Test Series, against England, which West Indies won in great style and with real fight.”

Grave added: “The upcoming summer is expected to feature 30 days of top-quality entertainment for our fans as we look ahead to hosting three teams of differing styles in all three formats, which will surely whet the appetite. We are mindful that COVID-19 is still present, and we again want to thank the various governments and other stakeholders who have worked with us to ensure the matches will be played in a safe environment.”

Ti c k e t s w i l l g o o n sale available from Thursday June 3 via the new WINDIES TICKETS service, presented

by Mastercard at https:// www.windiescricket.com/ tickets. The Test matches against Bangladesh will be on sale initially with the white-ball matches against Bangladesh - India and New

Zealand being added in coming weeks. Tickets are available from just US$6 for the Test matches against Bangladesh and from US$10 for matches against New Zealand with a range of options from grounds admission to premium seats.

For the games against India in the Caribbean, tickets will start at US$20 for grounds admission.

Ticket categories and prices for the games in Florida will be announced later in June.

In addition to being able to choose and pay for your seats in advance, the service allows fans to save their purchased tickets to their device for ticket scanning at the venue, avoiding the need for queues and travel to the box offices.

Fans registered for the WI Insider fanmail and on the WINDIES TICKETS service will receive promotional discounts across the games in the Caribbean.

FULL SCHEDULES OF MATCHES Bangladesh tour of West Indies June 16-20: 1st Test – Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua. Local starting-time 10:00hrs/09:00hrs Jamaica time June 24-28: 2nd Test – Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, St Lucia. Local starting-time 10:00hrs/09:00hrs Jamaica time July 2: 1st T20I – Wi n d s o r P a r k , D o m i nica. Local starting-time 13:30hrs/12:30hrs Jamaica

time July 3: 2nd T20I – Windsor Park, Dominica Local starting-time 13:30hrs/12:30hrs Jamaica time July 7: 3rd T20I – Guyana National Stadium, Guyana, Local starting-time 13:30hrs/12:30hrs Jamaica time July 10: 1st CG Unite d O D I – G u y a n a N ational Stadium, Guyana. Local starting-time 09:30hrs/08:30hrs Jamaica time July 13: 2nd CG Unite d O D I – G u y a n a N ational Stadium, Guyana. Local starting-time 09:30hrs/08:30hrs Jamaica time July 16: 3rd CG Unite d O D I – G u y a n a N ational Stadium, Guyana. Local starting-time 09:30hrs/08:30hrs Jamaica time India tour of West Indies July 22: 1st CG United ODI – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad. Local starting-time 09:30hrs/08:30hrs Jamaica time July 24: 2nd CG United ODI – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad. Local starting-time 09:30hrs/08:30hrs Jamaica time July 27: 3rd CG United ODI – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad. Local starting-time 09:30hrs/08:30hrs Jamaica time July 29: 1st T20I – Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad. Local starting-time 10:30hrs/09:30hrs Jamaica time August 1: 2nd T20I –

Wa r n e r P a r k , S t K i t t s .

Local starting-time 10:30hrs/09:30hrs Jamaica time August 2: 3rd T20I – Warner Park, St Kitts. Local starting-time 10:30hrs/09:30hrs Jamaica time August 6: 4th T20I – Broward County Cricket Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida, USA. Local starting-time 10:30hrs/09:30hrs Jamaica time August 7: 5th T20I – Broward County Cricket Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida, USA. Local starting-time 10:30hrs/09:30hrs Jamaica time New Zealand tour of West Indies August 10: 1st T20I – Sabina Park, Jamaica. Provisional local starting-time 13.30hrs/14.30hrs Eastern Caribbean time.

August 12: 2nd T20I – Sabina Park, Jamaica. Provisional local starting-time 13.30hrs/14.30hrs Eastern Caribbean time.

August 14: 3rd T20I – Sabina Park, Jamaica. Provisional local starting-time 13.30hrs/14.30hrs Caribbean time.

August 17: 1st CG United ODI – Kensington Oval, Barbados. Local starting-time 14:00hrs/13:00hrs Jamaica time.

August 19: 2nd CG United ODI – Kensington Oval, Barbados. Local starting-time 14:00hrs/13:00hrs Jamaica time.

August 21: 3rd CG United ODI – Kensington Oval, Barbados. Local starting-time 14:00hrs/13:00hrs Jamaica time.

GFF distributes gear to teams ahead of Women’s League relaunch

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has distributed football equipment, apparel and footballs to participating clubs ahead of the post-COVID relaunch of the GFF Women’s Development League.

The equipment, funded through the GFF’s Members

Financial Assistant Programme (M-FAP), was shared with clubs at the GFF National Training Centre in Providence, East Demerara, on Tuesday, May 31.

“We are excited to see the return of women’s football and eager to ensure that our clubs, coaches and players have the tools they need to prepare and

then perform at their best,” said GFF president Wayne Forde.

“This development league is designed to nurture talent and capacity across the country as we transition towards the creation of a full national league.”

The kick-off date for the league and final details of participating teams will be an-

nounced shortly. The national development competition is supported by UEFA Assist and through a comprehensive 2019 memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at supporting football development including women’s football, by the Danish Football Association.

Some of the recipients pose with their newly acquired gear

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 2, 2022

Ukraine beat Scotland 3-1 to make playoff against Wales (BBC) - A heroic Ukraine roused a performance of spirit, endeavour and courage to stun Scotland and earn a historic World Cup play-off final against Wales.

With their country enshrouded in trauma amid the ongoing war with Russia, a team, hauled together, shone brightly at a sun-drenched Hampden.

Andriy Yarmolenko and Roman Yaremchuk struck either side of halftime, before Callum McGregor gave Scotland hope late on. But Artem Dovbyk sealed a Qatar 2022 showdown in Cardiff on Sunday with the last kick of the ball.

While images of fans watching on in war-torn Ukraine circulated, 3 500 fans bedecked in light blue and yellow - including 65 orphans invited by the Scottish FA - celebrated wildly in Glasgow on a night none will forget.

It was an evening which started with the lyrics of the Ukrainian national anthem striking an emotional chord at a charged Hampden.

Moments after their side strode on to the pitch draped in flags of their homeland, the words which were belted out took on a whole new significance. “The glory and freedom of Ukraine has not yet perished.

Luck will still smile on us brother-Ukrainians”.

As it transpired, luck had little to do with their team’s triumph here. In perhaps their finest hour, they were peerless.

This match was a long time

Roman Yaremchuk’s header just after the break gave Ukraine a two-goal lead and left Scotland with too much to do

coming. Originally planned for March but postponed in the hope Ukraine would be capable of playing the fixture but a series of friendlies were all Olexandr Petrakov had to prepare.

It’s been a gut-wrenching journey, with the tears on the face Oleksandr Zinchenko in Tuesday’s pre-match news conference offering a poignant reminder to all what this game means against the backdrop of Ukraine’s struggles.

But in Glasgow, there was no emotional fatigue. Not a hint of an adrenaline rush fading, not a whiff of the event getting the better of them.

Barring a late rally from the hosts, Petrakov’s men exposed Scotland’s vulnerabilities, which were made even more pronounced by the absence of Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney. The opener on 33 minutes articulated that perfectly.

Yarmolenko timed his run on to a through ball to perfection

as Scotland’s high line failed.

It was just he and the whites of Craig Gordon’s eyes. Those eyes soon gazed up as the ball floated sublimely over the goalkeeper’s head and into the back of the net.

Steve Clarke shuffled his pack at halftime, throwing on Ryan Christie. But just four minutes after the restart, Scotland were again ripped open with ease.

Oleksandr Karavaev was given the freedom of Mount Florida to bowl in another cross and Yaremchuk dealt with Aaron Hickey’s attention without much trouble, his arching header back across goal looping in.

Clarke stood still at the edge of his technical area as the Benfica striker raced to his countrymen and women behind the goal.

In truth, the warning signs had been there. Gordon had denied Viktor Tsygankov on the half volley, while the Hearts

goalkeeper saved from Yarmolenko at point-blank range with the game goalless.

Then came the moment when Scotland saw their world flash in front of them. John McGinn, the Tartan Army’s darling, was gifted a header from six yards after Georgiy Bushchan flapped at a cross. With the goal at his mercy, the Aston Villa man headed wide. He looked on in disbelief.

On the touchline, Clarke seemed unmoved, preparing two substitutes for a late charge.

Scotland charged but toiled still, yet with 11 minutes they were gifted a lifeline. McGregor’s effort was again not dealt with by an increasingly rattled Bushchan, who palmed the ball into the air and just over the line before it was hacked clear.

Hampden erupted in a primal roar of desperate hope rather than founded expectation.

But as Scotland pushed, they were even more exposed at the back. A series of long punts in the closing stages broke down, with one final roll of the dice allowing the Ukrainians to burst forward deep into injury time.

Substitute Dovbyk had all the time he wished to eventually dispatch the ball by Gordon. The Dnipro-1 forward, who has not played a competitive match since December, showed little emotion as the ball ruffled the net. Around him, his compatriots celebrated wildly on an astonishing night for Ukraine as a football team, and a nation.

Paul takes 5-41 to limit Red Force to 203-9 AN exceptional spell of fast bowling from Guyana Harpy Eagles’ Keemo Paul has restricted Trinidad and Tobago Red Force to 203-9 at stumps on day one of their Regional Four-Day clash at the Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad, yesterday.

In this final round encounter, Red Force slipped from 178-3 to their end of play score after Paul had another spell and got support from Gudakesh Motie (2-35).

SUMMARY: Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 203-9 from 90 overs (Jeremy Solozano 72, Jason Mohammed 68, Isiah Rajah 26; Keemo Paul 5-41, Gudakesh Motie 2-35, Kevin Sinclair 1-21, Demetri Cameron 1-38) v Guyana Harpy Eagles Jeremy Solozano and Jason Mohammed added 118 for the third wicket on the flat pitch but the Eagles came back soaring in the final session in which they took seven wickets for 54 runs.

With the exception of number-three Isiah Rajah who made 26 and the aforementioned duo, no other batter has reached double figures thus far.

Solozano made a well-composed 72 (6x4) from 252 balls while Mohammed was caught at slip for 68 (10x4) from 140 balls.

Harpy Eagles are eyeing a big victory to pull off an improbable title win.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 2, 2022

Guyana to host T20, three ODIs in Bangladesh series

See story on page 26

The West Indies team celebrate

CWI vice-president ‘surprised’ over Sarwan’s resignation See story on page 25

Paul takes 5-41 to limit Red Force to 203-9

Former Cricket West Indies selector, Ramnaresh Sarwan Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limited, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 226-3243-9 (General); Editorial: 227-5204, 227-5216. Fax:227-5208

See story on page 27

Keemo Paul

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2022