Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 15-02-2022

TUESDAY 15th FEBRUARY, 2022

No. 106635

Spotlight on Guyana - as Int’l Energy Conference & Expo opens ; President Ali, international leaders, experts among speakers at today’s opening ceremony

President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo and his delegation arrived on Monday, and were received by a high-level government team led by Prime Minister Mark Phillips (Office of the Prime Minister photo)

The entrance to the Expo, Marriott Hotel (Adrian Narine photo)

‘Win-win’ environment created for O&G sector SEE PAGE

3

SEE PAGE

3

Prime Minister Mark Phillips on Monday welcomed Suriname’s President Chandrikapersad Santokhi to Guyana as he arrived to attend the International Energy Conference and Expo (Office of the President photo)

Local businesses boom with growth in O&G sector SEE PAGE

12

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Meetings before Energy Conference and Expo President Dr Irfaan Ali engages Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley and team

President Dr Irfaan Ali holds a discussion with President of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi and team

All eyes on Guyana as Int’l Energy Conference & Expo opens

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 15, 2022

3

- President Ali, international leaders and experts among speakers at today’s opening ceremony

OVER 650 delegates-attending virtually and physically-- and some 150 businesses will be at the Marriott Hotel from today until Friday, to participate in Guyana’s flagship 2022 International Energy Conference and Expo.

The event is expected to put Guyana at the centre of the global discourse on energy, oil and gas and sustainable development.

At a press briefing on Monday, Communications Director Alex Graham and the event’s Chief Executive Officer, Angenie Abel, highlighted some of the goals and expectations for the conference.

“We want to demonstrate that in addition to being a very resource-rich [country], we can provide the quality, sound leadership for the development of these sectors and make our contribution to the future,” Graham said.

It was explained to the media that the conference is about leveraging Guyana’s rising oil and gas sector to finally bring some deserving global attention to the country.

“Guyana has been a country and a society that has been able to produce outstanding people that have done outstanding

things. But we have never been able to extract the kind of global attention that we want to,” Graham commented.

He noted that while there has been much focus on Guyana’s natural resource, the conference is about placing Guyana in a global discourse and to present opportunities for the participating businesses. “…the news reports about Guyana [about] how many barrels of oil, that is a great thing for us, but we want to demonstrate that we are more than that, that we can also contribute to the larger area of discourse and sustainability efforts; that is what this conference is about, that is the message that we want,” he highlighted.

Over 40 speakers are listed to make presentations at the conference, including four Heads of State and a number of ambassadors.

“We have worked as far as possible to put three main groups of people together -- policy makers, practitioners and professors -- into the same conversation about what the energy future is going to look like globally, how Guyana is going to be able to participate in that ener-

gy future, how Guyana is going to remain competitive and related subjects,” Graham said.

The Conference and Expo will begin today at 09:00hrs, with an opening ceremony that will see the key- note address being delivered by President Dr Irfaan Ali. Remarks will also be delivered by President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa AkufoAddo; President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley.

Later in the day, a presentation will be made by Guyana’s Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo. There will also be a local content

panel discussion that will include representatives from the Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Natural Resources, SBM Offshore and the Private Sector Commission, among others.

Manager of the Centre for Business Development, Dr Natasha GaskinPeters, will also be leading a panel discussion on the “Skills needed for the progress of the energy industry in Guyana”; that will run from 15:15hrs to 16:15hrs. “ T h e r e ’s a c e r t a i n rhythm to the flow of this agenda. It starts with some policy issues,” Graham said, before highlighting that the conference will

not just be about the policy-makers taking part, but rather about discussions that will influence policies going forward.

“Our goal in the conference is to provide a fertile environment for those conversations to take place. Policy-makers should leave here and go do their policy work, business should leave here and go do their business work.

As a whole, our society and economy should benefit,” he said.

He further noted that, “There are entrepreneurs and service providers here who have to also understand how they can leverage and take advantage of the protection and

opportunities provided.

That’s a very important conversation. It may seem pro-business, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but there is a robust discussion in between those groups.”

Graham complimented the persons who have been working on putting the event together, noting that the team is almost entirely Guyanese and largely made up of young people.

He added that the team continues to do everything that it can to ensure that everyone who wanted to participate was able to do so, once they could have been accommodated.

‘Win-win’ environment created for O&G sector

- President Ali says at opening of Baker Hughes multimillion-dollar super centre PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday emphasised Guyana’s strong support for partnerships and the creation of synergies and competitive environments for innovation and technology, as he delivered remarks at the opening of the multimillion-dollar Baker Hughes oil and gas

facility at Land of Canaan.

The new local super centre facility for oilfield services and equipment is expected to support regional customers and bolster Baker Hughes’ localisation efforts within South America.

The massive eight-acre multimodal facility was built together with Baker Hughes’

existing warehouse and liquid mud and fluids plant, to provide full support to customers in Guyana and Suriname.

President Ali in his remarks at the opening ceremony, noted that the facility, and similar capital investments such as these, are intricately linked to Guy-

ana’s “National Development Strategy,” national development framework and enhancement of the country’s local capability and capacity through the local content legislation “What we want to achieve through this development strategy is to create TURN TO PAGE 5

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 15, 2022

‘We admire your leadership’ – President Ali tells Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley

PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali has reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to working with the Government of Barbados in the shared spirit of regional integration.

The Head of State made this assertion as he welcomed the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley and her delegation Sunday evening to State House for a working dinner.

“I want to let you know that here in Guyana, led by myself as President, the Cabinet and the people of this country, we admire greatly, your leadership. We believe strongly in your commitment to regional integration, and we will work with you every single day in our journey ahead together to ensure that the goals that you are setting can be realised and the people of this Region can be uplifted to better heights.”

The Barbados Prime Min-

ister, as she reflected on the friendship shared with the Guyanese Head of State, said that “For me, it is significant that the last trip that I made when COVID started, before the final lockdowns, was to Guyana. And the first trip that I am making since receiving the mandate to [sic] the people of Barbados, again, is to Guyana. I think that that symbolises a very close relationship between our two countries, even beyond what exists with us as CARICOM nations.”

She also expressed gratitude to President Ali for the invitation and the opportunity for Barbados’ public and private sector officials in her delegation to work with their Guyanese counterparts.

“We believe that we are at a time in the world where deeper partnership matters if we are going to be able to move the

needle for the benefit of our citizens,” Prime Minister Mottley added.

FOOD SECURITY PARAMOUNT President Ali’s leadership in CARICOM with respect to food and nutrition security was commended and was touted as necessities for the Region.

She said that Barbados is ready to play its part in achieving a 25 per cent reduction in food imports by 2025. To this end, she announced that her Minister of Agriculture and Food Security and the island’s Chief Agricultural Officer have accompanied her.

The Bajan leader said that along with agriculture, discussions in hospitality and tourism, education, healthcare and training will also be held as the countries work to enhance camaraderie.

In the spirit of camaraderie, President Ali presented a painting by renowned Guyanese artist Merlene Ellis to the visiting official.

The President highlighted the significance of the piece and said that it reflects the intimate connection with Guyana’s in-

14/02/22 - 9 18 22 23 25

14/02/22 - 1 5 1

14/02/22 - 3 3 1

digenous population and their harmony with nature, so too does it reflect on Prime Minister Mottley’s love for her people and for the environment.

The Head of State was joined by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips and other members of his government, including the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha; the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat; Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond; Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues; Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar; Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud and Director of Projects in the Office of the President, Marcia Nadir-Sharma.

Prime Minister Mottley and her 14-member delegation arrived in Guyana late Sunday afternoon to also attend this week’s ‘International Energy Conference and Expo Guyana.’ (Office of the President)

February 12, 2022

K 1 15 20 21 22 24 10 February 05, 2022

H 14 16 19 21 22 25 26

14/02/22 - 1 7 8 9 10 18 19

‘Win-win’ environment created...

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 15, 2022

FROM PAGE 3 synergies with the local private sector, with the local society and that those synergies go beyond profit-making; that those synergies are about people-to-people connections; your relationship with the community in which you are operating; about matching your company profile and growth with the development trajectory of Guyana,” the President commented.

A major energy technology company, Baker Hughes is regarded as one of the world’s leading energy technology companies with operations in more than 120 countries, with approximately 67,000 employees in total. The company designs, manufactures, and services transformative

technologies for the energy industry.

The super centre represents a multimillion-dollar investment from Baker Hughes over a 15-year period and includes a workshop, warehouse, and laydown storage yard, including maintenance facilities and equipment.

The company also offers oilfield services, oilfield equipment, turbomachinery and process solutions for onshore and offshore productions, among other types of operations and digital solutions.

President Ali called on the company to ensure that it looked at all opportunities in which it can expand and create added value to create a win-win formula for all stake-

5

holders involved.

“We believe strongly in partnership, creating synergies, and creating a win-win environment. We want to create a win-win situation in this country where your company does well, but the country and people also do well. And that is the platform through which we are building Guyana, and I want to say that this is a demonstration of that platform,” President Ali said.

Monday’s ceremony also saw remarks by Baker Hughes Country Manager, Darryl Eisler; Executive Vice-President for Oilfield Services, Maria Claudia Borras; U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch and British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller.

President Ali charged the company to ensure that they invest in the surrounding communities for mutual benefits.

“I hope that you will integrate fully with the local community that will not only do well for the company but do well for the society that you reside in here, the communities you reside in here; and more importantly, you will do well for the country and the people of this country.”

The opening of the facility came just one day before commencement of the 2022 International Energy Conference and Expo, which is on at the Marriott Hotel until Friday.

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 15, 2022

The Joy of Ownership

IMAGINE the joy of owning a home for the first time after spending years living in a rented home. This is the case of thousands of Guyanese who became first-time homeowners and who can now proudly turn the keys to a home they can now proudly call their own. Only recently, 11 moderate-income families received keys to their newly constructed homes in Cummings Lodge Housing Scheme, Greater Georgetown. This development is an advance over that of obtaining a plot of land in a new housing scheme, which sometimes takes a while before all the necessary infrastructures are put in place to allow for a comfortable life.

Apart from the comfort of the homes, the location of Cummings Lodge itself in relative proximity to the city of Georgetown is a distinct advantage in terms of job opportunities and ac-

cess to government services and shopping malls. The scheme is also in proximity to the University of Guyana and the Teachers’ Training College, which is an added advantage. The area is likely to be further developed with the construction of several other homes into a model community.

No wonder the recipients of the homes have nothing but praise for the Ministry of Housing and the PPP/C administration for making the homes available to them.

One owner, who previously lived with his parents on the East Bank of Demerara, was elated at getting that opportunity to own both a piece of land with a completed house on it, which he said, saved him a lot of trouble and ‘running around.’ That view was shared by the many others who also benefitted from the facility. The two-bedroom, elevated, moderate-income houses were constructed by the Ministry of Housing’s

Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) as part of the PPP/C Government’s affordable housing programme.

According to Housing Minister Colin Croal, the aim is to ensure that there is a housing programme that responds to the housing needs of every Guyanese -- lower, moderate, middle and young professionals, as well as vulnerable groups. Not only is the government building homes and providing lands for those categories of Guyanese, but several measures were also implemented that will allow for beneficiaries to have easy access to loans to purchase those homes.

Interestingly, the construction of the homes started under the previous PPP/C administration but was halted after the APNU+AFC came to power in May 2015. As to why a project intended to address the housing needs of young people was aborted by the previous Granger ad-

ministration is at best puzzling, but it does raise some serious questions regarding the commitment of the then regime to address the housing needs of the Guyanese people and young people in particular. In fact, housing had never been a priority under the PNC regime, which ignored the housing concerns of the Guyanese people over the nearly three decades of undemocratic rule, resulting in a huge backlog of unmet housing needs. Many people had no choice but to squat on state lands. Sophia was one such squatting area which was only regularised after the PPP/C came to power in October 1992. Thousands of Guyanese were given house lots by the PPP/C administration in housing schemes all over the country and thousands more are being provided with house lots under the current administration every day.

The joy of ownership is not limited only to homeown-

ership, but to other expensive consumer items such as ownership of motor vehicles. The number of young people who are today owners of vehicles have increased exponentially over the past years due to rising income levels and easier access to bank credit.

The PPP/C administration has made it much easier for both home and vehicle ownership, due to a number of fiscal incentives, all of which have reduced the ‘burden’ of ownership.

Since assuming office in August 2020, the PPP/C administration has committed to delivering some 50,000 house lots within its first term in office. To fulfil that mandate, the Ministry of Housing through the Central Housing and Planning Authority has been making available thousands of house lots to all eligible Guyanese in several regions of Guyana. This is in addition to the building of core homes for low-income earners and the construction

of homes for young professionals.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has committed himself to providing a roof over the heads of all eligible Guyanese, but that he said must be done in an orderly manner and within the framework of the law.

According to President Ali, when he was Housing Minister under the PPP/C administration, over 30,000 house lots were delivered, and that despite the fact that the PPP/C administration inherited a situation where there was no housing ministry. Instead, there were over 500 squatter settlements all over the country. All of that has now changed and squatting is now becoming something of the past. “I am calling on all Guyanese of all walks of life to embrace the future with confidence that this government will deliver to you,” the President assured Guyanese.

NY Council Member lavishes praise on Guyanese

By Vishnu Bisram

NEW York City Council Member, Nantasha Williams, newly-elected and representing Council District 27, Greater Jamaica and Richmond Hill, on Sunday morning, February 13, lavished praise on Guyanese at the Guyanese Shri Devi Mandir. The Councilwoman was warmly received by spiritual leader Pandit Tillackdharry Seerattan. The mandir is located at 173rd Street, Jamaica. Pt. Seerattan and members of the mandir have been engaged in humanitarian projects in New York as well as in Guyana,

Jamaica, India, and other countries.

Going back since 1988 when it was founded, the mandir has been conducting weekly religious services on Sunday mornings. Council Member Nantasha Williams, an African American, graced the mandir with a grand entry, bedecked with a beautiful red sari.

She was welcomed by Pandit Seerattan and other devotees with invocation and remarks. She had come to pledge her support for the renaming of a street after the founder of the mandir, Pandit Laldharry Seerattan of Upper Corentyne who passed away last year.

Pt Seerattan thanked her for visiting the mandir and lauded her support for the organisation’s spiritual and humanitarian activities. She was presented with a plaque in recognition of her support of Guyanese community activities.

Council member Williams was overwhelmed with the love and kindness showered upon her by worshippers. She stated that she practises Hindu meditation and respects the Hindu teachings and way of life. “Hinduism is one of the oldest religions of the word and teaches ways of daily life, respect for the earth and each other, tolerance, understanding and

charity”.

She remarked that CD27, like the county of Queens itself, is a proud district of diversity, the proud home of so many Guyanese and other Hindus and people of other faiths from Guyana, Caribbean and India, and many Guyanese Hindu temples, catering to the spiritual and community needs of residents. She noted that many other religious groups were represented in the district.

She also pointed out that over 200,000 Guyanese in NYC celebrate Hindu religious holidays: Diwali and Holi.

She said she was supportive of Diwali being a school holiday. Guyanese activists,

including this writer, have been lobbying politicians over the last two decades for recognition of Diwali and Phagwah with a school holiday. The Mayor committed last year to making Diwali a school holiday.

She reminded the congregation of the strong Guyanese political connection of the district. She noted that NY State Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman has roots in Guyana; Congressman Greg Meeks is married to Guyanese Simone-Marie; NYC Council Speaker, Adrienne Adams, is married to a Guyanese. Like other religious groups in CD 27, Hindus and Hindu temples have stepped

forward to help the community and beyond during COVID-19.

The mandir and other Indo-Guyanese organisations have been distributing hampers to the less privileged in the county. There are several Indo-Caribbean and South Asian Mandirs and masjids as well as Guyanese churches in the district. She stated that Indo-Caribbeans are very progressive New Yorkers, professionals, educators, businesses, civic and religious organisations.

At the conclusion of service, the congregation was served with a traditional Guyanese bhojan and prasad.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 15, 2022

7

JB’s Insight: Economic & Finance Issues

Part 2

Budget 2022 Review & Analysis, and Review of 2021 Economic Performance Commercial Banks Loans & Advances by Sector

During the period 2014 – 2021, loans and advances to the agriculture sector declined by three per cent in 2015; - three per cent in 2016; and 5.52 per cent in 2017. In 2018, credit to the agriculture sector increased by 18 per cent and declined by nine per cent in 2019 before improving by 14 per cent in 2020 and 19.43 per cent in 2021 – following the change in economic policy. A similar trend was observed for the mining and quarrying sector and the manufacturing sector. Overall, business enterprises experienced the highest growth in credit in 2021 by 17.48 per cent compared to an average annual growth rate of 2.74 per cent during 2014 – 2020.

Budget 2022 Review & Analysis

Budget 2022 represents an increase of $148 billion or 37 per cent over the corresponding period in 2021. The budgeted amount for current expenditure increased by 12 per cent over the previous fiscal year while the allocation towards capital expenditure increased by a whopping 109 per cent compared to 2021. Of total expenditure, current expenditure accounts for 61 per cent while capital expenditure accounts for 39 per cent.

Of the total budget, the traditional tax revenues for 2022 represents 52 per cent of the total budget, the withdrawal from the NRF represents 23 per cent of the total budget – thus the remainder which will be financed by borrowing from the domestic capital market and external creditors, represents 25 per cent of the total budget.

Expenditure Analysis

Looking at the growth trend for current and capital expenditure for the period 2008 – 2022 (spanning 15 years), current expenditure increased from $78.5 billion in 2008 to $335 billion in 2022 or by 329 per cent or an average annual growth rate of 22 per cent. Capital expenditure on the other hand increased from $36 billion in 2008 to $218 billion in 2022 or by $505 billion, representing an increase of $505 billion. This level of increase in capital expenditure alone represents almost 91 per cent of the total budget for 2022.

During the period 2008–2014, there were three instances that recorded marked decline in capital expenditure – for instance in 2008, capital expenditure declined by 16 per cent relative to the previous year, but recorded a sharp increase by 31 per cent in 2009. In 2010 capital expenditure declined by a mere one per cent; however, in 2013, capital expenditure declined by 11 per cent. This was largely due to a change in the political landscape for the first time where in 2011 following national elections, a minority government emerged and the Political Opposition had a one seat majority in the National Assembly. As a result, several budgets were re-engineered where sharp cuts were imposed by the Political Opposition and due to the many deadlocks, that characterised this period in Guyana’s political history, a snap election was called in 2015.

This also explained the starker decrease in capital expenditure by 40 per cent in 2015. In 2016 capital expenditure increased by 53 per cent but continued a downward trend in 2017 through 2020. TURN TO PAGE 8

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Budget 2022 Review & Analysis, and Review...

FROM PAGE 7

Moreover, during the period 2006 – 2014, capital expenditure accounted for 41 per cent of total expenditure in 2006 and 2007, and averaging 32.3 per cent for the period 2008 – 2012. In 2015, this trend changed dramatically where there were notable increases in current expenditure as a percentage of the total expenditure versus capital expenditure as a percentage of the total budget, wherein capital expenditure for the period 2015 -2019 accounted for 21 per cent on average, the lowest average recorded over the past two decades.

continued in tomorrow edition

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 15, 2022

9

How Guyana’s new oil-and-gas wealth influences CARICOM 2022 economic growth rates

By Earl Bousquet THE inter-connectedness between Caribbean economies is, yet again, playingout in real time and real terms like never before today, with Guyana’s new wealth spinning off into increased growth estimates for the rest of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The World Bank said, in January, that smaller CARICOM member states would have been posting lower growth rates for 2022, if not for the large contribution of Guyana, thanks to its massive oil-and-gas earnings.

In its ‘Global Economic Prospects for 2022’, the bank pointed to the inter-connectedness between CARICOM economies, as the overall improved figures for the entire region reflect the massive 49.7 per cent growth projected for Guyana – the only CARICOM nation to post double-digit figures in 2022.

Coming closest to Guyana is Saint Lucia, with a 9.6 per cent upgraded growth estimate.

By the bank’s revised estimates, growth in CARICOM’s small islands will reach an average of 7.3 per cent for 2022 and 5.9 per cent in 2023.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean good news for the region, as without Guyana’s figures the projections would have been substantially weaker -- at 4.6 per cent in 2022 and 4.2 per cent in 2023, respectively.

Finance Ministry officials in the smaller member states with weaker economies are very much aware of the inflating implications of adding Guyana’s input, which are not reflected in their earnings and doesn’t help them pay bills.

In all cases in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), health facilities have been overwhelmed by COVID-19; and in most, export earnings and import landings have been extremely negatively affected by the effects of continuing related Supply Chain problems that snowballed globally in 2021.

There’s also the overwhelming reliance of most CARICOM island-nations on the tourism and travel industry, which is also seriously hampered by COVID, despite cruise and air lines calling in greater numbers at some Caribbean ports, as traditional destinations elsewhere in the wider region apply more restrictive entry protocols.

In Saint Lucia’s case, for example, with tourism accounting for over 65 per cent of GDP and over 60 per cent of employment in 2019, the COVID

effect on tourism earnings so declined the island ended up borrowing more in 2020 and 2021 to pay debts and Public Service salaries, resulting in a 26 per cent decline in growth in 2021.

Like with the other three Windward Islands (Dominica, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Saint Lucia’s banana industry – heavilyrelied-on for the past 50 years – has been crippled over the last two decades by competition from American-owned multinational banana corporations in Central America and was just showing signs of a possible re-start when the pandemic hit.

Against this background, as they prepare for the new six-month-old Philip J. Pierre administration’s first National Budget, Saint Lucian Finance Ministry and other government personnel welcome the World Bank’s 9.6 per cent higher growth projection.

However, (as one senior official puts it), the Budget Division’s main immediate priority is “Paying the bills and keeping the economy running.”

Saint Lucia has been overly reliant on sole major sources of income, moving from sugar to bananas and now tourism in the last 75 years; and while COVID has again underlined the heavy cost of having almost all its eggs in one basket, the current flooding of Port Castries with cruise ships unable to enter many others is lengthening that dependence – until the competing destinations return to the fold after travel restrictions end.

Indeed, all the evidence is that the major European and North American source countries are easing-up on protocols and travel restrictions; and with more Caribbean and Latin American destinations following suit and lowering entry requirements, the return of the competition will force affected islands to do more to diversify the product.

China, Europe and North America have been able to depend all-along on high levels of internal tourism between and within nations and states, unlike Africa and the Caribbean where tourism is still mainly seen in the outdated traditional terms of ‘tourists’ only being seen as visitors from outside the region crossing seas and skies to holiday in tropical climates.

Intra-and-inter-Caribbean travel has always been overlooked, underestimated and undervalued, with many CARICOM states (including Guyana up to the early-1990s) failing to categorise and classify persons arriving from other CARICOM

or wider Caribbean countries as ‘visitors’.

For over two decades, Saint Lucia’s hotels have been offering an annual ‘Staycation’ package that offers room rates in Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollar-equivalents to the price normally quoted in US to extraregional visitors.

But here again, traditional and cultural patterns have helped delay the mind-changes and adjustments necessary for locals to equally appreciate what the islands’ tourism bodies sell to European and North American visitors.

Most Caribbean citizens

will still place higher premium value on a trip to New York, Toronto or London than to another CARICOM or wider Caribbean nation, including hot destinations like Cuba, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

Ditto nations dependent on mono-crop economies like rice and sugar, nutmeg and bananas, all subject to market tastes and forces beyond Caribbean control.

The economic distress caused to the regional citizenry

by COVID prevents most governments from even thinking of raising the usual incomegenerating taxes, but the private

sector keeps passing the costs of supply-chain blues to customers with arrival of every new shipment of goods, supermarket prices rising with almost every grocery store visit.

Be that as it may, those island-nations without oil, gold, diamonds, manganese, limitless forests and such lucrative natural resources have to depend more on their human (services sectors) and other natural resources (like sea and sun, wind and waves) to bridge the widening economic gaps to be filled to achieve anything near even the lower World Bank average growth estimates for 2022 and

2023.

Meanwhile, with oil prices predicted to reach as high as US $120 per barrel sooner than later and more oil finds being continuously reported, Guyana’s expectedly-larger overall 2023 figures will again inflate CARICOM’s regional and national growth rate estimates, in this new relative era of Caribbean economic climate change.

10

Guyana, Barbados relations a model for CARICOM

GUYANA and Barbados are working to create a success model for the Region that will focus heavily on mitigating aspects of climate change and on enhanced food-security measures, President Dr Irfaan Ali has said.

The Head of State made this assertion last evening as he addressed attendees of the networking ses-

sion hosted by GAICO Construction and General Services Inc at Palm Court.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and her delegation, several Guyanese Cabinet ministers, members of the private sector and members of the diplomatic corps were also at the networking event.

“That is what we’re about, creating a common

environment of trust that will ensure lasting sustainable relationships and economic opportunities for Barbados and Guyana.

We want to build a model of success for the rest of CARICOM. That model of success must be able to address important issues and challenges we’re all facing, whether it’s climate change, whether it’s envi-

ronmental issues, whether there’s water scarcity, food security, renewable energy.”

The President noted that it is also equally important to ensure mutual support, so that the economies of both countries can withstand global shocks.

He assured attendees that both countries are working to remove the bureaucratic obstacles in order to provide a policy framework to enhance cooperation and movement of products and people.

REGIONAL PROSPERITY President Ali also reiterated that Guyana’s prosperity is CARICOM’s prosperity, but cautioned that the road ahead will not always be easy, but will be made easier through strengthened partnerships.

“It’s not an easy road ahead, but it is a road that if you work together, and if we lead by example to show the people of both countries that we must work together, then it becomes an easier journey moving forward, and that is what we want to achieve at the level of leadership.”

The President pointed out that both countries will be advancing together with “many projects” in several areas including hospitality, food security, agricultural diversification and import substitution, among others.

PRIVATE SECTOR COLLABORATION On this note, the Guyanese Head of State assured attendees that a safe space will be created for the private sector of both countries to collaborate.

“We’re going to work on creating a space and I want you to hear me and I want the private sector to listen. We are going to work on creating a space in which the Barbados private sector can also be part of this growth and development. We want to encourage you to do that.”

He reassured the gathering that Guyana’s localcontent legislation was never intended to lock anyone out, but rather to create a space for locals

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 15, 2022

President Dr Irfaan Ali with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley (Office of the President photo) and to attract regional and international investors to work within that space to strengthen collective efforts. This, he added, will result in even growth and even development.

“What we want to do is to create an even platform, bringing opportunities to every segment of the population here and regionally, so that we can benefit together, grow together advance together.

But we can only do so through collaboration and partnerships....”

ENHANCED CONNECTIVITY The importance of building local capacity and ensuring greater connectivity between the two countries to advance the development of the tourism sectors in both countries was also highlighted.

“I want to assure you of our love and partnership. We are not only going to develop together … we can do this; we will do this, there is no other choice but for us to do this. But remember, it is not done through talk. It is not done through propaganda; it is not done through mischief; it is not done through distortion or manipulation of facts; it is done only through one thing—hard work on the ground every single day.”

The President also extended best wishes to the private sectors of both countries for a “fulfilling”

week, which he said will bring greater collaboration and partnership during their interactions at the International Energy Conference and Expo, which opens tomorrow at the Marriott Hotel.

In her remarks, Prime Minister Mottley said that through leadership, President Ali continues to be a shining light for cooperation and solidarity within the Caribbean and is the “greatest example of the success of the regional experiment.”

She added that the relationship which endures between the two countries is historic and that she intends to advance discussions with him on how to further improve connectivity between the two countries.

“Because believe you me, if we get the connectivity right, you all will do the rest of the heavy lifting…. We have to get it right, both in terms of the movement of people, as well as in terms of the movement of goods. This Region cannot continue to be complaining about the absence of connectivity.”

The Prime Minister expressed the hope that the next few days will afford stakeholders from both countries the opportunity to create a framework that will extend beyond Barbados and Guyana. (Office of the President)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 15, 2022

11

Boy who ran onto public road seriously injured

JAYDEN Cheeffoon, seven, is seriously injured, after he was struck down by a motorcar along the Lovely Lass Public Road, West Coast Berbice (WCB), on Sunday morning.

Police said that the seven-year-old boy is now in a critical condition and is currently a patient at the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital, after suffering from head injuries and a fractured shoulder.

Reports are that, at around 11:00hrs, motorcar

HC 9812 – which was being driven by a 50-year-old man – was proceeding along the road at 75kmph.

The driver alleged that the child suddenly ran across the road from behind a parked car.

Upon seeing this, the driver said he applied brakes but the front portion of his motorcar collided with the child. As a result of the collision, the child fell onto the road surface and received injuries about the body.

He was picked up in an unconscious condition and

taken to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital where he was seen and examined by a doctor on duty who treated and referred him to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he underwent further treatment, before being transferred to the GPHC. A breathalyzer test conducted on the driver found no alcohol in his system; however, a notice of intended prosecution has been served and he remains in custody assisting police with their investigation.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Local businesses boom with growth in O&G sector

ACROSS Guyana, business has been booming for many as a result of the recent growth of the oil and gas sector. In December, Digicel Business conducted a survey of over 100 Guyanese businesses and found that almost 60 per cent of them reported having been positively impacted by the oil and gas industry, a release from the company said.

Kevin Beckett, Head of Digicel’s Group Oil and Gas Division said: “With the World Bank estimating that Guyana’s GDP will grow by 49.7 per cent this year, businesses will continue to experience rapid

growth over the next few years, and with this kind of growth, it’s important to have the right partnerships on board to assist in the journey. Digicel Business offers end-to-end fully managed business solutions with its robust network, expert resources and cutting-edge technology, all working in synergy to achieve one aim, efficiencies across businesses, whether you are a large or small organisation.”

Referencing Digicel Business’ Digital Transformation Research Report and Guide that was launched at the end of January, Digicel Group’s Chief Business Officer, Liam Donnelly, commented that: “Cyber

security is a hot topic globally, and it’s something that can have a devastating impact on anyone, personally or professionally.

You don’t need to be a large company to be targetted. While 77 per cent of businesses surveyed across the Caribbean had accelerated their digital strategy because of the pandemic, the resulting growth from this digital transformation investment is at risk if cyber security isn’t upgraded accordingly.”

According to a release, with eight per cent of respondents working in the oil and gas industry, and 16 per cent servicing that industry exclusively, the report strongly showcases the

views of the sector in Guyana, and internationally, as 33 per cent of respondents reported having business locations outside the country. This drives home the importance of having scalable, secure, state-of-the-art infrastructure in place.

“Within the Guyana survey, of note is that the majority of respondents ranked services like cybersecurity, smart solutions, cloud, connectivity, mobile and data analytics as extremely important to their business. As a proud Gold Sponsor, Digicel Business will be showcasing the above services at the upcoming International Energy Conference and Expo,” the release

Digicel Guyana’s CEO, Gregory Dean said.

In light of Guyana’s Oil and Gas growth and expansion, Digicel Guyana’s CEO, Gregory Dean, commented on the business solutions provider’s commitment to supporting this growth.

Dean said: “Apart from providing access to world leading vendors through our business solutions, at Digicel we are committed to also providing

top tier reliability and customer service, expert consultations and advice, competitive pricing, innovative technology and managed services to our business customers.”

The Digicel Business team will be ready and available to meet with current and prospective customers at the conference from February 15-18 at the Guyana Marriott, Kingston, Georgetown.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 15, 2022

13

GDF adds 56 new soldiers to ranks

CHIEF-Of-STAFF, Brigadier Godfrey Bess, recently welcomed 56 new recruits to service in the profession of arms, following their successful completion of the Basic Recruit Course (BRC) 2021-03.

The newest additions to the Force have completed 13 weeks of induction training in several areas including drills, physical training , skill at arms and navigation with the objective of making them fit, obedient , loyal and disciplined soldiers who possess a high standard of military and infantry skills and marksmanship abilities.

BRC 2021-03 commenced on November 15, 2021 and concluded with a graduation parade at the Colonel John Clarke Military School, Tacama. Sixty youths embarked on the training but four withdrew due to failure to achieve the minimum standards.

Private Reon Jones, 20, of Bartica, Region Seven, emerged as the Best Graduating Student of the course.

“I chose to come to the GDF because I was influenced by one of my relatives who is a serving member.

He made me aware of the benefits of investing in a career in the military and I have asked to be posted to the Air Corps so that I could fulfil my dream of becoming an aeronautical engineer,” he said.

In his welcome address to this latest batch of soldiers, Brigadier Godfrey Bess spoke about the Force’s expectations.

“Your training staff have fulfilled their responsibility of moulding you into soldiers. You also now have the responsibility to the Force and the country, to wear this uniform with pride, never abuse the power given to you as a soldier and

RAFAEL Antonio Aquino Soto, 43, a Venezuelan, died from a stab wound to the chest between February 10 and 11 after fighting with another man over a woman. The suspect has since fled into hiding, police have confirmed.

According to police, the incident occurred at ‘Return’, Baramita, Region One. Investigations revealed that the suspect and Rafael were known to each other and were at a shop drinking alcohol at about 16:00hrs on February 10.

The man and Rafael later left the shop and met

up at ‘Return’, Baramita, where Rafael convinced the female to go with him instead of the suspect.

“When she did, the suspect allegedly became annoyed and a heated argument ensued,” police reported.

Police said the suspect then allegedly pulled out a knife from his pants and stabbed Rafael to the chest and escaped from the scene.

A medex from the community later visited the scene and pronounced Rafael dead. The body was later transported to the Port Kaituma mortuary as investigations continue.

The recruits following their successful completion of the Basic Recruit Course (BRC) 2021-03

always put your country first and defend it with your life if necessary. Soldiers, you are being welcomed into a profession that prides itself on discipline. We see discipline as a character trait that signals a person’s under-

standing of doing the right thing even when nobody is watching. I want to challenge you to remember the mental and physical investment you made to transform and what it is worth; that is enough motivation for you

to do the right thing and be disciplined always,” he emphasised.

Private Jones also won the award for Best Military Knowledge while the prize for Runner-up student went to Private Or-

wane Harris who also won the prize for Best Drill.

Private Keron Grenville was awarded the prize for Best Shot and Private Michael Maynard was awarded the Best Fitness prize.

Fight over woman leaves one dead in Baramita

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 15, 2022

ExxonMobil advancing plans for 12-well campaign in Canje Block The Liza Unity FPSO vessel

- applies for environmental authorisation AFTER achieving major success in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, ExxonMobil is moving ahead with its plans for a 12-well drilling campaign in the Canje Block.

According to a project summary seen by the Guyana Chronicle, ExxonMobil, through its local subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), has applied to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for environmental authorisation to conduct further exploration/appraisal drilling in the Canje Block.

The exact locations of the 12 exploration/appraisal wells comprising the project have not yet been finalised.

“While some of the 12 wells will be drilled for exploration purposes, it is also possible that some of the wells may be drilled as appraisal wells within the proximity of previously drilled exploration areas,” the company says.

The Canje Block is located southeast of the Kaieteur Block, and north-northeast of the Stabroek Block, where EEPGL has conducted substantial exploration and development activities to date.

The Stabroek Block’s recoverable resource base is currently estimated at more than 10 billion oil-equivalent barrels.

It was reported recently that ExxonMobil started pro-

duction at Guyana’s second offshore oil development on the Stabroek Block, Liza Phase Two, bringing the total production capacity to more than 340,000 barrels per day in only seven years since the country’s first discovery.

According to a release, production at the Liza Unity Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel is expected to reach its target of 220,000 barrels of oil later this year, as operations continue to be brought safely online.

The current resource has the potential to support up to 10 projects. ExxonMobil anticipates that four FPSOs with a capacity of more than 800,000 barrels per day will be in operation on the Stabroek Block by year-end 2025.

Payara, the third project in the Stabroek Block, is expected to produce approximately 220,000 barrels of oil per day, using the Prosperity FPSO vessel, which is currently under construction.

The field development plan and application for environmental authorisation for the Yellowtail project, the fourth project in the block, have been submitted for government and regulatory approval.

Timely development of these additional projects, and continued exploration success offshore will enable the steady

advancement of Guyanese capabilities and enhanced economic growth.

ExxonMobil’s plans for the Canje Block, as outlined by the project summary, is aligned with the vision of local authorities.

Speaking further on its plans, EEPGL said: “If discoveries are found at particular locations, subsequent wells could be drilled in the vicinity of such locations to further assess the commerciality of the discoveries. Priorities and schedules could therefore change.”

The company related that it will continue to submit the well information necessary to obtain approval for an Environmental Permit from the EPA prior to the respective spud dates.

It is anticipated that the Canje Block’s 12-well exploration/appraisal drilling campaign will begin in fourth quarter 2022, and if discoveries are made, well test(s) may be performed. Conclusion of the proposed drilling campaign is expected by first quarter 2025.

This schedule is preliminary, and could be influenced by new discoveries, determination of the need for sidetracks, and/or well tests, all of which could extend the drilling period for the project.

The same factors could also influence the locations and sequence of subsequent wells.

Well planning also incorporates evaluation and selection of a drill rig, or, in this case, a drill ship. EEPGL currently has six drill ships operating offshore Guyana: The Stena Carron, the Stena DrillMAX, the Noble Bob Douglas, the Noble Tom Madden, the Noble Don Taylor, and the Noble Sam Croft. The wells could be drilled by any one of those six drill ships or other rigs of opportunity, according to EEPGL.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 15, 2022

15

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 15, 2022

BUILDING on the progress made in 2021 as a result of increased public and private investments, Guyana’s vibrant construction industry is expected to advance even further this year.

Driven by plans to further invest heavily in the establishment and maintenance of critical infrastructure, the construction industry is projected to grow by 10.5 per cent in 2022.

Speaking from the public investment side, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, during his presentation of Budget 2022, had said: “Mr. Speaker, the government is committed to filling the substantial infrastructural gaps that exist across our nation.

In 2022, we will continue to invest heavily in construction projects across all sectors, alongside major projects coming from private-sector investment initiatives.”

Current estimates show that the construction sector grew by 29.8 per cent in 2021 when compared with 2020. “[This is] underpinned by both the major public infrastructure buildout that is currently underway, as well as increased private-sector

cated to the ministry, which is responsible for the country’s infrastructure.

Further, the government has allocated some $76.7 billion for roads and bridges under the Ministry of Public Works in the 2022 budget.

Another component of public infrastructure is the construction of houses and the accompanying facilities to make the environment conducive to living. To this end, the government has allocated $12.4 billion for the further development of the housing sector.

“With the construction boom underway, particularly pertaining to the rapid expansion in housing and road projects, the development and expansion of the other mining and quarrying subsector is crucial,” Dr Singh said.

This expansion, he related, has the potential of lowering construction costs since the abundance of local, readily available resources could ease the impact of imported inflationary pressure on the cost of key construction materials.

In an area related to construction, manufacturing, there is expected to be significant growth by the end of this year.

Construction industry projected to grow 10.5 per cent this year

activity in industrial, commercial, and residential construction,” Dr. Singh related.

It was widely reported last year that from the housing sector to the agricultural sector, there was the mobilisation of resources from both private and public sector stakeholders, who laid the foundation to capitalise on the impending local growth.

Private projects, as reported, ranged from the construction of hotels and apartment complexes, to shopping complexes and office build-

ings, among other things.

In the public sector, aside from the construction of several low-income and young professional houses, there were upgrades to highways, main roads, and miscellaneous roads countrywide. This was also supplemented by the commencement of construction on new roads.

There was some $58.2 billion worth of planned expenditure on public infrastructure, last year. On the capital side, the budget for infrastructure was $32.9 bil-

lion, or 32 per cent of the total allocation for 2021.

INNOVATIVE, MODERN PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE Addressing the plans for this year, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill had said that the intention is to have innovative and modern public infrastructure.

The government has allocated the largest portion of its milestone $552.9 billion Budget 2022 to the Ministry of Public works. A total of $96.1 billion has been allo-

“Improved performance is anticipated for all manufacturing industries in 2022.

Sugar, rice and other manufacturing are expected to expand by 11.8 per cent, 28.6 per cent and 8.5 per cent, respectively.

“Growth in value-added from sugar and rice manufacturing reflect developments in cultivation and harvesting.

In the case of other manufacturing, we can expect further expansion in the manufacturing of non-metallic products like [sic] cement and chemical products, as well as in the manufacturing of fabricated metal products,” Dr Singh said.

The manufacturing sector, in 2021, is estimated to have grown by 3.5 per cent. While rice and sugar manufacturing are estimated to have declined by 16.1 per cent and 34.7 per cent, respectively, the “other manufacturing” sector is estimated to have expanded by 20.7 per cent.

The expansion in other manufacturing is attributed to increased output of products such as cement blocks, fabricated metal products, beverages, chemical products, and other foods.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 15, 2022

17

Quintet plead not guilty to murder of Corentyne phone card vendor

THE Berbice High Court trial into the murder of phone card vendor Danian Anthony Jagdeo, who was gunned down during a robbery in 2017, is expected to commence on February 17, 2022, before a 12-member jury.

Mark Dhuman, Abdul Andre Azimullah, Abdul Zahir, Shannon Batson, and Satesh Budhram appeared before Justice Sandil Kissoon on Monday.

The men denied that on February 8, 2017, they murdered 35-year-old Jagdeo during a robbery at Adventure Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

The state will be represented by prosecutor Abigail Gibbs during the trial.

Dhuman is unrepresented, while attorneys-at-law Siand

Dhurjon, Moti Singh, Ravindra Mohabir, and Surihya Sabsook are on record for the other accused.

The Guyana Chronicle had previously reported that, on the day in question, Jagdeo was making a delivery to Soman’s Grocery when one of two men followed him into the shop and opened fire.

The gunman relieved the injured Jagdeo of a bag that contained an undisclosed sum of cash and a quantity of phone cards before escaping with his accomplice, who was waiting on a motorcycle a short distance away.

Jagdeo, a 36-year-old father of four of King Street, Williamsburg, was a phone card agent who serviced the entire East Berbice-Corentyne area.

Ex-prison warden pleads guilty to murdering wife, sentencing set for March 1

Sheldon Prince and the late Lonnette Nicholson-Prince FIVE years after the brutal murder of Lonnette Nicholson-Prince at the New Amsterdam Psychiatric Hospital where she worked, her husband on Monday confessed to the gruesome crime.

Sheldon Prince, a former prison warden, appeared before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Berbice High Court for the capital offence of murder.

He admitted that on December 28, 2016, in the county of Berbice, he murdered his wife.

The state is being epresented by prosecutor Abigail Gibbs, while attorney-at-law Mursuline Bacchus, S.C, is on record for Prince.

The matter has been adjourned until March 1,2022, for the presentation of a probation report and sentencing.

According to reports, on the day in question, Lonnette had just arrived at work at the National Psychiatric Hospital when Prince visited and asked to speak with her.

However, she refused. As she was walking away, Prince pulled out a knife and stabbed her 15 times about the body in the presence of co-workers. He then made good of his escape and later turned himself over to the police.

A post-mortem on Nicholson-Prince’s body revealed that she died of shock and haemorrhage, due to multiple stab wounds to the heart and other parts of the body.

Mark Dhuman, Abdul Andre Azimullah, Abdul Zahir, Shannon Batson and Satesh Budhram

Dead : Danian Anthony Jagdeo

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 15, 2022

… PS McKenzie tells Public Accounts Committee

recognised the cheques were forged and were shocked that the cheques were accepted.

All of the money had since been recovered, McKenzie noted, adding that the staff involved was dismissed.

A new system, he continued, was implemented with the support of the Auditor General’s Office.

In that new system, a new safe had been installed at the ministry which carries a specialised access control requiring two keys which are shared between the accounting officer and a representative of the Finance Ministry.

He belaboured that part of the reason why the old system was compromised was due to the movement from one location to the next which impaired the usual

Staff dismissed, better accounts system at MNR following 2018 cheque forgery

FOLLOWING a forensic audit at the Natural Resources Ministry which uncovered a forged cheque that was successfully cashed in 2018 at a commercial bank, the Ministry has since implemented a tighter system, according to Permanent Secretary, Joslyn McKenzie who appeared

on Monday before the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee.

Responding to questions posed by the Committee’s then-Chairman, Ganesh Mahipaul, PS McKenzie said the incident occurred during the ministry’s move from its previous Brickdam location to its current Kingston head-

quarters.

McKenzie admitted that the clerk who had responsibility for the cheque book did not properly secure it which later resulted in a member of staff acquiring the cheque book and forging the signature of the required signatories.

The cheque, which was

valued at $690,000, was cashed at a commercial bank, McKenzie further added.

He said the accounting authorities were contacted and an investigation conducted.

The Permanent Secretary told the Committee that when the bank was notified of the matter, bank representatives

Permanent Secretary of the Natural Resources Ministry, Joslyn McKenzie security system which was capitalised on by that former staff.

This is the 29th meeting of the Public Accounts Committee of the Twelfth Parliament.

Man charged for stabbing wife to death pleads guilty

Alex Douglas and Allison Bowen NINE years after 42-year-old Allison Bowen was fatally stabbed with a knife, and her sister wounded, her reputed husband on Monday stood before the Demerara High Court and confessed to the crime.

Alex Douglas was at the time appearing before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall.

He pleaded guilty to the capital offence, which stated that on October 14, 2012, he murdered Bowen at Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara.

Douglas also admitted that he wounded Bowen’s sister, Nicole King, with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The matter was adjourned to March 3, 2022 for the presentation of a probation report, following which he will be sentenced.

Douglas is being represented by Attorney-at-Law Latchmie Rahamat, while Prosecutor Abigail Gibbs is on record for the State.

The Guyana Chronicle was informed that on the day in question, the couple had an argument, during which Douglas held his wife down and attempted to force her to ingest a poisonous substance.

He then armed himself with a knife and stabbed the woman several times about her body, resulting in her death.

He also stabbed King during the confrontation when she attempted to intervene. King was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and treated.

Douglas, who had ingested a poisonous substance in an attempt to commit suicide, was later nabbed. He was rushed to the GPHC for treatment.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 15, 2022

19

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 15, 2022

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 15, 2022

21

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 15, 2022

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 15, 2022

The changing landscape of women’s cricket THE growth of women’s cricket is a continuing story and the route to the

sell-out crowds and global superstars we see now is winding.

But the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup has so often been a turning point for the women’s game -just ask New Zealand, Pakistan and India.

At three different tournaments, these countries experienced moments that created momentum, advanced change and ultimately led us to where we are now.

For Urooj Mumtaz and Pakistan, the 2009 World Cup in Australia kickstarted a revolution in women’s cricket. Urooj captained her side as they made their first appearance at an ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup for 12 years, leading them to their first-ever win over Sri Lanka.

That was enough to see them through to the Super Six, where victory over the West Indies garnered national attention back home.

“When we managed to beat the West Indies, that's when the news started flowing because at that time it wasn't on TV and there was no social media,” she recalled.

“It was on mainstream news, so when we landed at the airport, there were a few hundred people out there with flowers and drums and obviously family and friends. There was sort of a party around the airport.

“There were multiple TV interviews lined up, mornings shows would want us on TV, so I really thought that was when women’s cricket took off from there.

“It was just the awareness of it, people knowing that women’s cricket does exist and there is a team.

It just felt like the start of good things to happen.

“Suddenly the word was out that there's a women's team and it has just done really well at the World Cup.”

Jaya Sharma

Urooj’s cricketing journey started at the Karachi Gymkhana Club at age seven, where she progressed through the age groups to captain the under-17 boys’ side – throughout her junior days, she was the only girl.

Since then, she has led an all-female selection panel for the women’s national team and made history as the first Pakistani woman to commentate on a men’s ODI. Four years earlier, India opener Jaya Sharma was enjoying a similar experience as the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2005 took place in South Africa.

India reached their first final before finishing runners-up to Australia, with the Women in Blue trying something new in the buildup to the tournament.

Sharma, who now works in mind conditioning in sport, said: “That [the 2005 World Cup] was something we all as a whole squad can't forget because that was, I think, a turning point in women's cricket in India.

“Most importantly, because there were not many resources, there was not the infrastructure that is present now. We had a bunch of 30 players, and we were preparing for this World Cup for two years.

“The main focus was on the fitness part, which wasn’t always the case, and I think it helped us to un-

derstand our fitness levels.

“We went up to a very great level in terms of fitness and we started performing well, and I think the best thing that happened to that team is we clicked as a unit.

“When we beat New Zealand in the semi-finals, people started to take notice that something was happening because they were the defending champions. People started to realise that the Indian women's cricket team is doing something.”

For New Zealand, it was not about making people aware of the team. As the hosts of the tournament in 2000, they knew that eyes would be on them – it was about proving them wrong.

Someone pivotal to that was wicketkeeper Rebecca Rolls, a dual international in football, who took the final catch to defeat Australia by just four runs and earn New Zealand their first, and so far only, World Cup. Rolls remembered: “In terms of the New Zealand public, I guess that they probably go too easy on us generally.

“There probably was an expectation that we will get tipped over in the final against Australia and that Australia would win because they'd beaten us in the first round and maybe we had done pretty well to get to the final.

“From the semi-finals onwards it was televised, which was a first in New Zealand. Before that, I don't think we had any other games televised apart from a couple of clips on the news if a cameraman came

along.”

Rolls hung up her cricketing gloves in 2007 before making a return to goalkeeping in football; since then she has watched with affection the growth of the women’s game around the world.

“The game has marched on, particularly in the last five or 10 years, which has been amazing to see,” she said. “Finally, it has been invested in and valued for the product that it is.

“No one is comparing it to the men’s game and looking at excuses as to why it shouldn’t be on the same stage.

“Then, on the other hand, cricket itself doesn't change a whole lot. It sounds weird because the format changes we've had but there’s still a lot of the thought process that we had 20-odd years ago, and a lot of the strategy and mental toughness “The window dressing has changed and that's great because now people are really getting into it.

It warms my heart.” (ICC Media)

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 15, 2022

Hero CPL donates TT$135,000 to THE SHELTER Trinidad THE Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has donated TT$135,000 (US$20,000) to THE SHELTER, a non-profit NGO based in Trinidad & Tobago that offers support to women and children who have been victims of domestic violence.

THE SHELTER was founded in 1987 by Dianna Mahabir-Wyatt and offers safe haven to those who have been victims of all forms of domestic violence, offering safe temporary

housing until something more permanent can be found, along with material assistance and counselling.

The aim of THE SHELTER is to help women and children overcome the impacts of violence and abuse.

Pete Russell, Hero CPL’s CEO, said. “Domestic violence is a growing issue across the region and Hero CPL is proud to support THE SHELTER’s efforts to help those who have been victims of all forms of abuse. We hope that this do-

nation will support the fantastic work THE SHELTER does. This is part of Hero CPL’s efforts to help the heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the pandemic resulting in the instances of domestic violence increasing dramatically, the work of THE SHELTER is even more important.”

Colin Mitchell, Chairman of THE SHELTER, said: "CLR James wrote of the Greeks believing that an athlete who had represented his community at a national

Pete Russell, Hero CPL's CEO, (L) presents a cheque to Dr. Maryam Abdool-Richards (C) and Mr Colin Mitchell (R) of THE SHELTER Trinidad

competition and won, had brought notable distinction to his city. His victory was a testament to the quality of the citizens, not unlike our cricketers and CPL players.

“Similarly, the support to victims of domestic violence is also testament to us as a nation. On this 'Valentine’s Day', a day that celebrates love and kindness, we are extremely honoured by this generous gift from the CPL to support THE SHELTER. “Sport has helped many in crisis go beyond what they thought was their boundary and achieve success and this is

also our lifelong mission since THE SHELTER was

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday February 15, 2022)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Kieron Pollard ‒ 14 matches (2) Rohit Sharma ‒ 15 matches Today’s Quiz: (1) What was the result of the recent West Indies/India ODI series?

(2) Who was voted Man of the Series?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Rebel 09:10 hrs Godswood 09:45 hrs Irfaans Boy American Racing Tips Mahon ing Valley Race 1 Slick As Ice Race 2 Big Trip Race 3 Master Race 4 Boatswain Race 5 Midnight Warship Race 6 Romantical Note Race 7 Khalfani South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:05 hrs Rouge Allure 08:40 hrs Rabia The

founded back in 1987 by Dianna Mahabir Wyatt."

English Racing Tips Lingfield 09:00 hrs Stanley Pincombe 09:35 hrs Cousu Main 10:10 hrs Éclair De Guye 10:45 hrs Our Bill’s Aunt 11:20 hrs Movethechains 11:55 hrs Shot Boii Ayr 09:20 hrs Racks Cross 09:55 hrs Sporty Jim 10:30 hrs If Not For

Dylan 11:05 hrs Royal Arcade 11:40 hrs Green Vault 12:15 hrs Destiny Is All 12:50 hrs El Poppochapo Newcastle 12:06 hrs Freewheelin 12:40 hrs Resumption 13:15 hrs Thewaytothestars 13:45 hrs Tommy Taylor 14:15 hrs outrun The Storm 14:45 hrs Alaskan Jewel 15:45 hrs Broctune Red

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 15, 2022

Jacobs Jewellery to crown Rawle Toney 3x3 winners with ‘Championship Ring’ Compliments of former West Indies and Guyana player, Steven Jacobs, each member of the winning team at this weekend’s Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, will receive a championship gold ring.

Three years ago, the former Guyana Amazon Warriors player launched his Jacobs Jewellery and Pawn Shop business in Georgetown and has since blossomed to be one of the country’s leading jewellery establishments.

Apart from crafting some of the finest pieces of jewellery, Jacobs, through his establishment, has been supporting Guyana’s top athletes and sporting events.

“This is amazing!” Toney exclaimed in excitement at adding a first-of-its-kind incentive for basketball’s shortest format in Guyana.

“The first tournament that saw the winning team receiving rings was held almost two decades ago in Linden.

Thanks to Steven (Jacobs), I think this will add to the legacy of my 3X3 tournament and give the players something they can have for the rest of their lives,” Toney said.

The sports journalist, who first held the tournament in 2019, added that “the in-

as per COVID-19 regulations by the National Task

A close-up look at the Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic Championship ring

centives offered in the tournament is to set it apart from others, not just in Guyana, but across the Caribbean. So when folks hear about the Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic, they’ll want to come to Guyana and play. I’m extremely grateful to Steven and his establishment for coming on board.”

Meanwhile, in giving an update on the two-day basketball extravaganza, Toney revealed that COVID-19 played a major role in affecting some of the overseas teams’ participation.

“There were several teams from overseas that were booked to arrive as ear-

CWI congratulates IPL...

West Indies players are therefore fully available to participate in the IPL each year.

“I continue to believe that our players can seek quality employment abroad, and still be positioned to operate constructively and successfully within the West Indies cricket system,” Skerrit said.

Russell had previously secured the largest contract among the West Indians, with Kolkata Knight Riders, at US$1.6 million. But 26-yearold left-hander Pooran attracted the highest-ever bid for a West Indies player in the auction, when Sunrisers Hyderabad paid US$1.43 million for his services.

Former Test captain Jason Holder who was bought by new franchise Lucknow Super Giants for US$1.16 million gave CWI credit for helping him reach this far in his career.

“I want to thank the West Indies fans immensely for their

ly as Thursday, but so far two of them pulled out because some of their players tested positive for COVID-19.

Nonetheless, I’m happy that Martinique, Suriname and two teams from New York are still in and will be competing,” Toney said.

Apart from Mackeson, the Guyana Lottery Company and Hennessy, FireSide Grill, Bush Cook, Stuff, MVP Sports, FK Sports, Shi Oil, Brother’s Security, The Muse Bar, Pressy’s Gift Shop and 94.1FM are some of the other sponsors.

Jump ball time is 6:00 pm nightly. Toney stated that while admission is free,

(From page 26)

support over the years and I want to thank Cricket West Indies for helping to develop my talent. I look forward to this opportunity and also look forward to what is ahead in West Indies cricket, so I can continue to build a legacy for the West Indies,” he said.

The total price paid for the West Indies players was US$10.855 million. The group of 17 makes up the largest number of foreign players in the IPL. The full list the selected West Indies players along with the franchises that bought them and their fees: Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders) – US$1.6 million; Nicholas Pooran (Sunrisers Hyderabad) – US$1.433 million; Jason Holder (Lucknow Super Giants) – US$1.166 million; Shimron Hetmyer (Rajasthan Royals) – US$1.133 million; Romario Shepherd (Sunrisers Hyderabad) –

US$1.033 million; Kieron Pollard (Mumbai Indians) – US$800,000; Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders) – US$800,000; Odean Smith (Punjab Kings) – US$800,000; Dwayne Bravo (Chennai Super Kings) – US$586,000; Rovman Powell (Delhi Capitals) – US$373,000; Alzarri Joseph (Gujarat Titans) – US$320,000; Evin Lewis (Lucknow Super Giants) – US$266,000; Dominic Drakes (Gujarat Titans) – US$146,000; Sherfane Rutherford (Punjab Kings) – US$133,000; Fabian Allen (Mumbai Indian) – US$100,000; Obed McCoy (Rajasthan Royals) – US$100,000; Kyle Mayers (Lucknow Super Giants) – US$66,000.

Meantime, Akeal Hosein, Kennar Lewis, Roston Chase and Sheldon Cottrell who were in the pool of available players all went unsold.

Force, there’s a limited number of patrons that will

be allowed at the country’s premier indoor facility.

26

GCB congratulates Hetmyer, Shepherd and Rutherford on IPL Selection THE Guyana Cricket Board wish to congratulate our three (3) Guyanese cricketers who were selected by teams during the Indian Premiere League (IPL) recent auction held on February 12 and 13, 2022.

Shimron Hetmyer, who has previously represented Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC), was snapped up by Rajastan Royals (RR) for approximately USD$1,133,000. He is pres-

ently representing Guyana Harpy Eagles in the West Indies Championship as he looks to help Guyana regain the Regional four (4) day trophy.

Romario Shepherd has been selected for his first IPL season following impressive showings over the past six (6) months both with the bat and ball during the last Caribbean Premiere League (CPL) and for West Indies. He has been selected by Sunrisers Hyderabad for approximately

USD$1,033,000.

Sherfane Rutherford, who played for the St. Kitts Patriots where he had some solid performances, was picked up by RCB for approximately USD$133,000.

Rutherford is back in the IPL after missing last season. He was a member of the victorious Mumbai Indians team in 2020.

The GCB wish Hetmyer, Shepherd and Rutherford well as they continue to make Guyana and West Indies proud.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 15, 2022

DCC and GCC to clash for GCA’s First-Division two-day title

Raj Nanan and Christopher Barnwell piled on the runs for DCC

Contrasting hundreds by Christopher Barnwell and Mavendra Dindyal spurred their respective sides, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) and Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) into the final of the First-Division two-day competion organised by the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA).

At Bourda, the hosts won first-innings points over Police Sports Club (PSC) who had ended day one on 90-7; their innings closed at 1429 from 30.3 overs. Quinton Sampson smashed 63 (7x6s; 4x4s) from 30 balls.

Ronaldo Alimohamed ended with 4-32, while Devon Lord (2-18) and Stephon Wilson (2-28) were among the wickets as well.

GCC then pilled on a mammoth 344-8 declared from 63.5 overs, led by the young talent of Dindyal with

a top-score of 110 (13x4s) from 116 balls.

Alimohamed returned to shine with the ball via a 36ball 52 (4x4s; 3x6s) while Martin Pestano-Belle was unbeaten on 54. GCC had other contributions from Zachary Jodah (33), Bernard Bailey (29) and Lord (22).

Kemol Savory snared 3-52 and had support from Eon Rodrigues (2-33). PSC, in their second innings, reached 66-0 in 6.3 overs, compliments of quickfire knocks from Kevon Boodie (34) and Andrew Lyght (30).

At Everest, DCC progressed to the final by virtue of most wins in the group stages after no play was possible on day one.

However, DCC made the most of day two as they piled on 329-6 in 77.3 overs led by Barnwell’s majestic 173.

Barnwell formed a vital

partnership, over 200 runs, with Raj Nanan and took DCC to safety after an early wobble.

The skipper struck 13 sixes and six fours in his blistering knock, while Nanan retired hurt due to cramps for 73.

Skipper Amir Khan (236), David Willams (1-56), Javeed Rasheed (1-60) and Richie Looknauth (1-76) were also among the wickets.

Everest, in response, reached 53-4 at the end of 21 overs. Openers Denesh Mangal (9) and Ronaldo Renee (17) went early along with Joseph Perry (2).

Looknauth was unbeaten on 20 as Nedd took 2-9, while Singh (1-8) and Steven Sankar (1-19) also supported.

No venue has been named as yet for the final but it is expected to be contested this weekend.

CWI congratulates IPL bound players ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, Feb 14, CMC – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has congratulated the West Indies players who secured contracts with franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the biggest and most lucrative global T20 franchise tournament, which was conducted in Bengaluru over the weekend, saying it demonstrated that players in the Caribbean side are still high in demand.

A total of 14 West Indians

were chosen to join Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell, who were retained by their respective franchises ahead of the auction. They were: Dwayne Bravo, Nicholas Pooran, Jason Holder, Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Rovman Powell, Dominic Drakes, Alzarri Joseph, Sherfane Rutherford, Fabian Allen, Obed McCoy, Evin Lewis and Kyle Mayers.

“I especially want to applaud those younger players

who received their first full IPL contracts. This shows great faith in emerging West Indies talent,” said CWI President Ricky Skerritt.

The 2022 IPL 2022 is slated to be played in April and May. CWI has allocated a window for the tournament each year in their ICC Future Tours Programme and also guaranteed this to the players in their retainer contracts, it noted.

(Turn to page 25)

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 15, 2022

Guyana Beverages Inc. renews sponsorship agreement with Archery Guyana Guyana Beverages Inc. will be sponsoring its Oasis brand of purified water products for Archery Guyana. Oasis offers consumers a refreshing balanced taste of premium purified water.

Guyana Beverages Inc, a leader in the beverage industry, remains at the cutting edge of innovation.

To this end, the company launched, in the Guyana market, its new Sports Drink Altitude which contains sodium, potassium and magnesium and comes in 3 flavours – Fruit Punch, Grape and Blue Frost. This product will also form part of the sponsorship, offering the participants the ability to replace electrolytes lost through sweat.

A deep level of gratitude

Dias, Mekdeci and Ince win at classes BCQS masters tournament Dennis Dias, Joseph Mekdeci and Daniel Ince won their respective classes when the BCQS Masters Squash Tournament concluded on Saturday last.

Conducted at the Georgetown Club, the tournament was sponsored by BCQS International for the second time after a break of 2 years due to the COVID pandemic.

The tournament expanded

to include an over-30 category to the veteran groups.

Although scheduled as an international event on the GSA Calendar, this year was a local event as a result of travel restrictions and safety considerations.

Full Results below: OVER 65 Winner - Dennis Dias

Runner-up - Tony Farnum OVER 45 Winner - Joseph Mekdeci Second Place -- Brian Young Third -- Sanjay Amin OVER 30 Winner - Daniel Ince Second place -- Kristian Jeffery Third place -- Javid Rahaman

Archery Guyana Secretary-General, Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon (left) and General Manager of Guyana Beverages Inc. Mr. Samuel Arjoon (right) renew the partnership

is expressed to General Manager, Mr. Samuel Arjoon and the management of Guyana Beverages Inc. for focusing on sports development and for seeking to make Oasis

the official water of Archery Guyana.

More information on Archery Guyana can be found on its website www.

ArcheryGuyana.org.

Sanjay Amin (BCQS rep) presents Denis Dias with a token

Winner of the over-30, Daniel Ince

GCB president visits Essequibo U-15 Bissoondyal Singh, head of the Georgetown Cricket Board, on Sunday, visited the Imam Bacchus Sports ground where he interacted with young cricketers who were vying for places on the Essequibo U-15 side.

Singh expressed his satisfaction with the resuscitation of the Essequibo Cricket Board and said that he is happy that the Board started to work immediately after the elections.

Singh said “In just over a month, the ECB is able to mobilise resources with efficiency to make this Under-15 trials possible and, as such, the GCB is very proud, hence my presence”.

In encouraging the youngsters, Singh thanked them for bringing their A game to the trials and charged them to take this opportunity seriously because they are the future and assured them that even if they don’t make it to the top at the West Indies level, with discipline, they will still end up to be good young people

Mr Bissondyal Singh and the selected players along with President of ECB Deleep Singh

in society.

He also encouraged the young men to share their skills with their fellow students. He also said that he is happy that cricket will be re-introduced in to the school system once again.

Singh reminded the youths that many career opportunities can be derived from cricket and urged the players to be disciplined.

He encouraged them to keep practising.

“The ECB and, by exten-

sion, the GCB are devoting its time and is working very hard to ensure that quality cricketers are produced and, most importantly, good young people” Singh stated.

President of ECB, Deleep Singh, also noted

that while special emphasis is placed on the development of youth cricket, the ECB plans to ensure that the game is played to the fullest.

He also said that the ECB is currently working to get the Anna Regina cricket

hostel functioning, so as to facilitate future encampment among the various counties and teams.

The GCB president wished the youths all the best at the GCB inter county tournament.

Sherfane Rutherford

Romario Shepherd

Shimron Hetmyer

GCB congratulates Hetmyer, Shepherd and Rutherford on IPL Selection

PAGE

26

Jacobs Jewellery to crown Rawle Toney 3x3 winners with 25 ‘Championship Ring’ PAGE

Dellon Caesar (L) presenting one of the four championship rings to tournament organiser, Rawle Toney at Jacobs Jewellery and Pawn Shop Pike Street location

DCC and GCC to clash for GCA’s First-Division two-day title

PAGE

26

Mavendra Dindyal drives on his way to 110

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2022