Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_02_19_2022

SATURDAY 19th February, 2022

No.106639

No Enmore Packaging Facility worker will be jobless PAGE

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–– GKB to retain, train workers to work at new oil field service centre

‘Thirst for knowledge’

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–– Guyanese flock open day at Energy Expo

Students on the final day of the International Energy Conference and Expo held at the Marriott Hotel (Delano Williams and Adrian Narine photos)

Green Gibraltar Saudi Arabia Minister of receives State for Foreign Affairs telecommunications 04 visits Guyana today 05 licence PAGE

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ANUG General secretary charged for allegedly assaulting woman 16 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

Annual fuel-import costs a major concern –– $31B spent in 2021, GEA head says

By Jared Liddell GIVEN the large sums of money that are being spent every year on importing fuel to meet the country’s electricity needs, much focus will be placed on developing renewable energy sources.

This is according to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Dr Mahendra Sharma, who highlighted the high cost of fuel imports, on Thursday, at the 2022 International Energy Conference and Expo.

He said in 2021, government spent $31 billion on fuel imports to cater to the growing electricity needs of the country.

According to him, Guyana’s energy imports amounted to about 20,300 barrels per day in 2021. This represented 0.02 per cent of the global daily fuel import, which sits at 99,000 barrels per day.

About 78 per cent of the fuel purchased was used to power the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS), which is Guyana’s main power supply system.

It is powered by the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).

“Our expenditure for those fossil fuel imports for the electricity sector amounted to US$150 million in 2021. The Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS), the grid that is providing much of the electricity accounts for about 78 per cent of that total cost, but capacity is needed to cover that growing demand,” Sharma said.

He noted that Guyana over the next eight years is aiming for economic growth from the use of fossil fuels for electricity generation by developing low-carbon energy resources inclusive of solar, hydropower, wind and natural gas to meet its rising de-

mand and keep greenhouse gas emissions low.

ENERGY 2022 The government has budgeted significant sums of money to undertake several energy-related projects in 2022.

Those allocations are part of the government’s plan to transition to cleaner sources of energy, and reduce the country’s carbon footprint.

In the 2022 budget, the government has allocated $29.4 billion to the energy sector.

Speaking to the significant benefits of solar power alone, Sharma stated, “In one hour and 20 minutes we receive the same amount of energy that we consume for an entire year…from the sun; in one hour and 20 minutes so the potential for solar is huge.” $1.1 billion of the sector’s budget is earmarked for solar farm interventions in 2022. These include the completion of the 1.5 MW

solar farm at Bartica, the 0.75 MW farm at Wakenaam, and the 1.0 MW farm at Lethem. It is also the government’s intention to tender for the construction of a 0.6 MW solar farm at Leguan and a 0.65 MW farm at Mahdia later this year.

Several projects are ongoing to improve energy access, and these include investments in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in off-grid areas and the development of micro-grids for large hinterland areas.

Specifically, the projects entail the installation of 13 utility-scale solar farms, 30,000 solar home systems for hinterland riverine communities, 20 Solar PV grids for public buildings in the hinterland, over 180 PV stand-alone systems for government ICT hubs and the installation of a 3 MW grid connected solar PV system at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

“The installed capacity for the solar farms alone represents 39 megawatts over the next few years, 13 solar farms, and 28 solar mini

grids,” said Sharma.

The GEA head noted that by 2030, 30 per cent of Guyana’s energy is going to come from renewable energy and by 2040 that goes up to 70 percent with a combination of hydro, wind and solar.

HYDROPOWER With the planned micro-hydropower systems, a total of 2.35 MW of power will be added to serve hinterland communities by 2024.

Over $600M has been budgeted for the construction of a 1.5 MW hydropower plant at Kumu, and rehabilitation and upgrade to 700 KW capacity of the defunct Moco Moco hydropower plant in Region Nine.

Additionally, over $170 million has been budgeted for the completion of the 150KW hydropower scheme at Kato.

In a bid to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the government will distribute and install over 22,000 LED bulbs and over 12,000 LED tubes in homes,

Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Dr. Mahender Sharma businesses, and government buildings at Bartica, Linden, Leguan, and Wakenaam.

The initiative, which is anticipated to remove over 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from the environment, is part of the government’s plans to reduce the country’s carbon footprint.

Also this year, the government will pilot the installation of fast-charging stations for electric vehicles in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Combined with these efforts, the 165 MW Amaila Falls Hydropower Project will lower the cost of electricity needed to fuel Guyana’s economic diversification and transformation into a low-carbon economy, as well as reduce the cost of power to businesses and households.

GOGEC hails energy conference and expo a ‘grand success’ THE Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) has hailed the inaugural Energy Conference and Expo which concluded at the Marriott Hotel on Friday a grand success and said the organisers and all stakeholders must be commended for their excellent work.

“For the first time in history, Guyana hosted a number of high-profile dignitaries in one event aimed at achieving a common goal and a win-win for all stakeholders involved: namely, the President of Ghana, the President of Suriname, the Prime Minister of Barbados, and the Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil,” the chamber said in a media release.

GOGEC is of the view that the response to the conference and expo is a demonstration of the regional and global importance of Guyana on several fronts, especially in the areas of international trade and investment opportunities for local, regional and foreign investors.

The event was well attended by local, regional and international firms and according to GOGEG, it provided a platform for the for-

mation of new partnerships among local and foreign companies to harness synergies, sharing of resources and capabilities, improving competitiveness and building capacity to meet the growing demand for goods and services in the oil and gas sector.

“More partnerships with local companies ultimately mean more jobs will be created for the local workforce.

This also means that there will be greater competition for a skilled labour force, which is likely to incentivise persons to get themselves suitably qualified to enhance their own competitiveness in the job market.

“GOGEC wishes to congratulate ExxonMobil’s Chairman & CEO, Mr. Darren Woods, who attended Guyana’s inaugural energy conference earlier this week, for his company’s sterling contributions to Guyana’s development and the com-

pany’s role in Guyana’s economic transformation and development trajectory,” the chamber said.

It added: “More importantly, GOGEC supports the accelerated production in Guyana where the Chairman stated that by 2027 the company anticipates the company producing from six projects and another four by the end of the decade, thereby increasing daily production to in excess of one million barrels per day.

To date, ExxonMobil has about 20 profitable oil discoveries offshore Guyana with much greater success expected in the future. GOGEC is also happy to hear of ExxonMobil’s renewed commitment to further advancing local content in Guyana.”

The chamber contended that Guyana is on a path of rapid expansion and development and there will be a plethora of opportunities for all stakeholders which will result in improvement of the quality of life and standard of living all Guyanese.

Guyana, it said, is well positioned to move from a lower-middle income country to a high-income country.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

No Enmore Packaging Facility worker will be jobless –– GKB to retain, train workers to work at new oil field service centre

AGRICULTURE Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, has assured workers at the Enmore Packaging Facility that they will retain their jobs during a meeting with them on the future of the facility on Friday.

Guysons K+B Industries (GKB) had entered into an agreement with the Government of Guyana to lease the facility which will then be transformed into a modern oil field service centre and manufacturing facility.

According to a release, Minister Mustapha told the workers that as part of the agreement, the company was required to retain every worker employed at the facility and provide the necessary skills training so that they are not left on the breadline.

“We are here today because many workers expressed concerns after they learned that this packaging plant will be relocated to Albion. We are exploring that option because, as a government, we want to consolidate, recapitalise and we want to ensure GuySuCo is an entity that eventually becomes profitable. Over the last 18 months, since assuming office, we’ve allocated almost $14 billion to this corporation. We’ve also injected funds into the shuttered estates like, here, at Enmore…”

“As faith would have it, we are now looking to

divest and we’ve met with an interested investor and signed an agreement that will see GKB leasing this packaging plant and transforming it into a modern machine shop. I want to make it clear that the workers who are employed will be absorbed by the company. So, you can rest assured that your jobs will be secured. From the government level, we’ll also make two months’ pay available to you to assist with the transition,” Minister Mustapha said.

The minister also told

Guysons Group of Companies CEO, Faizal Khan the workers that, unlike the previous administration, this government will not abandon the people of this country, the release noted.

MORE JOBS Minister Mustapha

further stated that, as work progresses at the service station, an additional 460 new jobs will be created for the people of Enmore and other neighbouring communities.

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, who was also present at the meeting, said with Guyana now benefitting from large oil finds, companies, directly and indirectly involved in oil and gas will be looking to employ persons from Enmore and other surrounding communities who have the necessary skillset.

“You will see us developing, as a government, a number of facilities in the East Coast. W-e want to create jobs for these people in these industries. We have large finds of oil offshore and, therefore, they would need certain machinery and parts for that industry. We have in this community, and in the surrounding communities, a lot of persons who have the skillset and I’m sure they will be looking for persons with those kinds of skills as they get this particular production up and running. In addition to that, they’re other interests, so its government’s intention to ensure that we develop this area and other surrounding villages so that more people can be employed,” Dr. Anthony noted.

The Minister of Health also told the workers that the government will be

Minister Zulfikar Mustapha engages some of the workers at the Enmore packaging Facility (Ministry of Agriculture photo) transforming the Enmore Poly Clinic into a modern regional hospital. This new health facility, he explained, will be outfitted with an accident/emergency section, a theatre for surgeries, and an outpatient section among others.

This project, he added, is expected to commence within the next three months.

TRAINING Chief Executive Officer of Guysons Group of Companies, Faizal Khan said that workers can rest assured that they will receive the necessary skills training to ensure their

transition is as smooth as possible.

“This is a joint venture from Louisiana called Guysons K and B Industries. We’ve already been traded. We’ve already got contracts with ExxonMobil and others. What we intend to do here is pipe and oil field service work. I’ve spoken at length with the minister and the President mentioned on no less than four occasions ‘make sure you look after the people at the Enmore Packaging Facility and the people of Enmore’. I heard you are very hard-working people and I want to assure you that we will give you the necessary

training so that your transition can be as smooth as possible,” Khan said.

Workers who attended the meeting said that they were relieved that the government made it a priority to ensure their livelihoods were secured even as new job opportunities were being created for the community.

They also thanked the President and the minister for ensuring skills training formed part of the agreement between the investor and government as many of them would require some amount of training to function in their new roles, the release said.

Ministers of Agriculture and Health, Zulfikar Mustapha and Dr. Frank Anthony and GKB CEO, Faizal Khan with some of the workers who will be employed at the service centre (Ministry of Agriculture photo)

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Green Gibraltar receives telecommunications licence

PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Friday, presented a telecommunications licence to a new local telecommunications provider, Green Gibraltar.

During a simple ceremony in the boardroom of the Prime Minister’s Office, the senior govern-

ment official said that he was happy to welcome the local company and that it is his hope that the increased competition in the local telecommunications sector results in better quality service to Guyanese.

“The PUC will play its role to ensure that all

the concerns within the sector by Guyanese are addressed and they will work with operators to ensure that better quality is arrived at within the shortest time.”

The licence was presented to directors of the company Jai Narine Singh and David Mahmalji.

The directors explained that the com-

pany will now work on its rollout plan and will make a public statement soon. Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission, Dela Britton and Director of the Telecommunications Agency of Guyana, Andre Griffith, were present to witness the company receiving its licence to operate.

(DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

Applications open for scholarships in India

GUYANESE are being urged to apply for scholarships that are available under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) schemes of the Government of India for the academic year 2022/2023.

The deadline for submission of applications is April 30, 2022.

Nine scholarships are available under the Commonwealth Scholarship Plan, while two will be offered under the Culture Exchange Programme/Education Exchange Programme. The ICCR Scholarship Scheme for Indian Culture will award scholarships on “a first come, first service basis”.

Applications are opened to young Guyanese be-

tween the ages of 18 to 30 years old. The applicants will need to ensure that they are eligible for admission to the courses that they are hopeful of pursuing, and be able to submit the relevant documentation required by the respective institutions.

Application can be filled Online at http://a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in/home/register while the guidelines for applicants can be viewed at http://a2ascholarships. iccr.gov.in/assets/site/docs/policy%20Guidelines.pdf.

Applicants will be required to submit a passport-sized photo, and copies of all academic qualifications, along with character references and other documents.

The ICCR Scholarship Scheme encompasses wider facets of Indian culture which will not just be limited to dance and music, but include the performing arts, theatre, sculpture, Indian cuisine and much more. This scholarship will cover a return economy class airfare and train fare to the place of study.

The Commonwealth Scholarship offers studies at the undergraduate, postgraduate and post-doctoral research level. The scholarships include tuition, a stipend, contingent grant, accommodation allowance, thesis and dissertation expenses, and return international airfare, all of which will be covered by the Government of India.

Scholarships offered by the Cultural Exchange Programme do not include airfare.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

Mashramani competitions set for this weekend

THOUGH the customary parade has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several activities will be held so that Guyanese can enjoy Mashramani 2022.

This year, the country will celebrate its 52nd Republic Anniversary under the theme, “Mashramani 2022 resolute in building our One Guyana”.

This weekend will see the hosting of the customary cultural competitions, beginning with the Junior and Senior Calypso Competition and Junior Soca Monarch on Friday. The Senior Soca Monarch Competition and Cooler Fete is set for today, from 20:00hrs, and the Chutney Monarch Competition, and Duck Curry Fest will be held tomorrow.

All of the events are being held at the National Stadium by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, in partnership with Hits and Jams Entertainment and Team MMR. A J’ouvert Fete will be held on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, while “Masharama”, a live concert featuring King of the Dancehall, Beenie Man, is set for February 26, also at the National Stadium.

The Calypso Competition was free of charge. For the senior Soca Monarch Competition and Cooler Fete, patrons will be allowed to walk with their own cooler.

Tickets for this event will cost $2000 for general, and $10,000 for stage front.

For the Chutney Monarch Competition and Duck Curry

2021 Soca Monarch Samuel Medas

2021 Chutney Monarch Kevin Singh Fest, tickets cost $1500, and can be purchased at Full Range Record Bar on Robb

Saudi Arabia Minister of State for Foreign Affairs visits Guyana today MINISTER of State for Foreign Affairs and Member of the Council of the Ministers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Adel bin Ahmed AlJubeir will visit Guyana today.

A press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said over the last 18 months, Guyana and Saudi Arabia have intensified their collaboration, and continue to enjoy cordial and mutually beneficial relations.

The release noted that

the visit of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs will serve as an impetus for the further enhancement of relations between the two countries.

Guyana established formal diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on February 22, 2012.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Member of the Council of the Ministers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir (Wikipedia photo)

and King Streets, and the HJ Box Office.

This year, the Soca Monarch Competition is going to be a tough one, as some of the big names in the business are in the running, and they may give defending champion and gospel singer, Samuel Medas a fight.

An award-winning psalmist and gospel singer, Medas won the competition last year with an electrifying and unforgettable performance of his song, ‘Stadium’.

This year, Medas will be coming up against the likes of former Soca Monarch champions Jumo “Rubber Waist” Primo, and Brandon Harding. Former Junior Calypso Monarch winner, Omaiah Hall, and eight-time

Road March winner, Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts will also be competing for the title.

Others in the lineup include Itz Mel Its, Vinel, Prodigy, Original Lyrics, O.K.C, Shatta Youth, Theodora Kyra, Keona Batson, Torana Caesar, B52, Vintage, Karrizma, Nekeita, Saddick, Nesta, Jada, Asiah, Granny Ivy, and Gucci Boss.

The Chutney Competition will feature defending champion Kevin Satrohan Singh, along with Tony Cuttz, Chavez, Vanita Willie, Young Bill Rogers, Vicadi Singh, Bunty Singh and Sonia Singh.

Meanwhile, the Calyp-

so Competition will feature performances by Lady Joneka, Omaiah Hall, Kyra, O.K.C, Koh, Vinel, The Queen, JuneAnn Hutson, Ezekiel Bacchus and Torana Caesar, RG, Jamal Stuart, Lil Canary, Akeem Alexander, Sniper, Young Bill Rogers, Mark Ferdinand, B52, EGO, Mighty Believer, Sweet Kendingo, and Granny Ivy. In addition to being held physically, the various competitions will also be streamed Online by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports via its Facebook page for those who wish to attend virtually.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

A Low-Carbon Economy

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HE Government of Guyana is committed to a low carbon development trajectory which will see, in a phased manner, a reduced demand for fossil-based fuel to power the developmental needs of the country.

According to Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, who has portfolio responsibility for the energy sector, this will be done in a phased manner, starting from this year with an energy combination comprising of natural gas, hydro and solar power. The second phase will see the replacement of heavy fuel oil, the expansion of wind farms and the commissioning of Guyana’s second hydro-plant. The third phase, which will commence in 2032, will see the continued expansion of these projects using new energy technologies.

Guyana is already ahead in terms of the generation of solar energy, especially in the hinterland communities where a significant number of homes are powered by solar energy. Gone are the days when entire villages were literally covered by darkness as soon as the natural light from the sun begins to fade.

The introduction of solar panels, thanks to the intervention of the PPP/C admin-

istration, have had a transformational impact on the lives of people from these far-flung and hinterland communities.

The fact is that solar energy is much more popular today than is sometimes given credit for. Almost every other home in Guyana now has a solar panel which is used to supplement energy from the national grid, especially during periods of blackouts when the solar panels come in handy. Apart from the installation cost which varies according to the size and number of panels, the cost of energy is literally free, which makes it particularly attractive. This is indeed forward looking and the PPP/C administration is putting great emphasis on this form of renewable energy which along with wind and hydro-electric energy will lessen, and over time, phase out dependence on fossil-based fuel. Guyana is ideally positioned to derive maximum energy from the sun, given its strategic equatorial location which allows it to enjoy a daily average of 12 hours of sunlight all year round.

Speaking at the Energy Conference at the Marriot Hotel, the Prime Minister said that Guyana will be pursuing the establishment of a low carbon transportation infrastructure to reduce the demand for imported fossil fuels

for vehicular transport. To accomplish this, the government intends to foster the development of an electric vehicle industry to substitute fossil fuels with electricity while enhancing the ability of the electric grid to integrate high levels of intermittent renewable energy.

To make this a reality, the installation of fast-charging stations for electric vehicles will be piloted in 2022 in Regions Three, Four and Six which will be supplemented with future initiatives to increase efficiency levels of vehicle consumption of fuel.

This is indeed forward looking and fully in sync with the low carbon trajectory of the economy and Guyana’s commitment to the realisation of a net-zero emission global environment.

Guyana, despite its emerging oil and gas economy, already has net zero emissions due largely to its large forest cover and consequently low carbon sink, but as pointed out by President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the country remains fully committed to playing its part in the global climate change mitigation efforts. Generating energy that produces no greenhouse emissions from fossil fuels and reduce air pollution is certainly the way to go.

Guyana is fully on course to create

a new energy dispensation which will be based on an energy mix using low carbon energy resources such as solar, hydro, wind, biomass and natural gas.

These, when taken together, will result in the generation of more than 500 megawatts of newly installed energy over the next five years, of which the gas-to-shore energy project will play a major role. The project, the construction of which is likely to commence by the end of this year, is expected to provide some 300 megawatts of power to the national grid. This would reduce energy generation cost substantially and could likely reduce electricity costs to consumers by at least 50 per cent. Additionally, the Amalia Falls Hydropower Project, which was aborted by the previous APNU+AFC administration, will, when completed, provide an additional 165 megawatts of electricity, thereby further enhancing the energy needs of a growing economy.

The PPP/C administration must be commended for its visionary thinking and long-term plans to position the country in the direction of cheap, clean and reliable energy which is an important prerequisite for the transformational and modernisation efforts currently underway.

Is Lincoln Lewis anti-union?

Dear Editor,

THE GAWU believes it must offer a response to some elements of Mr Lincoln Lewis’ letter appearing in the February 18, 2022, edition of the Stabroek News.

At the outset we must point out that we cannot speak for the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board (TURCB) and will not address issues in that regard.

However, having digested Mr Lewis’ narrative filled with his usual derisive and abrasive scorn it is hard not to conclude, from all appearances, that the long-standing unionist has taken on an anti-union

stance. We ask how else one can rationalise the denunciation of a genuine workers organisation drawing to attention the hardships faced, and disrespect meted out to workers of our country? The GAWU is simply disheartened to see the low level Mr Lewis has descended to as he seeks to advance his divisive narrative that does not in any way help the workers of our country. It is for us a reckless attempt by someone who has announced themselves to be steeped in the principles of trade unionism and the struggles of the working-class.

The GAWU, nonetheless, is unbothered by the squeaks emanating from

the erstwhile gentleman. Foremost our union’s allegiance has always remained with the workers of Guyana. This is a historical fact.

We solemnly believe that workers’ rights must be respected and upheld. We do so without any fear and no amount of crassness will deter us from our noble objective.

Our union though disheartened, would urge Lincoln to join us and in his own way contribute rather than obstruct to advancement of workers rights. We believe our working-class deserves no less and we are confident that our efforts will bring dignity and decency to the workers

of our country.

Unlike Lincoln, we do not categorise unions and workers in binary terms.

There is no time to place issues in silos but rather seek the general advancement of the working-class. The GAWU will continue to play an active role.

At this time, we are focused on our tasks of representing workers and advancing their lot and can least be deterred by hollow accusations.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine President GAWU

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

Russia and Ukraine show the world what a difference a day makes

By Earl Bousquet THE world continues to be gripped by and concerned about the situation continuing to unfold between Russia and Ukraine that also involves the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), the United States and former Soviet republics bordering Russia.

But events thus far this week have shown, yet again, what a difference a day can make.

On Monday (February 14), the US warned that its intelligence showed that Russia had enough troops in place to invade Ukraine on Wednesday (February 16), and Washington withdrew its embassy staff, and called on Americans to evacuate, followed by 11 other nations; on Tuesday (February 15), Russia announced that its military drills were over, and it had started withdrawing troops from its border.

However, on Wednesday (the predicted Doomsday), instead of calling on Ukrainian citizens to head to bunkers and shelters to avoid Russian bombs raining down on them, President Volodymyr Zelensky decreed a national holiday, and asked his people to fly national flags -- to celebrate peace!

Moscow having outmaneuvered its European and American adversaries on both the military and diplomatic battlefields, Washington quickly changed the narrative on Wednesday, demanding “proof” of troop withdrawals, saying “150,000 Russian troops still surround Ukraine”, and suggesting that Russia “can still invade at any time”.

Indeed, on the same day Russia was supposed to have been invading Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin was hosting German Chancellor Olaf Sholz in Moscow to talk peace.

The new German Chancellor had been preceded by French President Emmanuel

Macron, with similar visits to Kyiv, all aimed at avoiding a war that only Washington’s intelligence sees coming.

President Zelensky never actually warmed-up to all the war-talk, pointing out instead that the hysteria being whipped up by Washington and its NATO allies about a likely Russian invasion was actually harming and hurting, not helping Ukraine’s economy.

Likewise, Germany, which, like Ukraine, has pipelines from Moscow supplying over 40 per cent of Europe’s gas at prices between five and seven times less than charged by American or European competition.

Russia and Germany are also knee-deep into the Nord Stream 2 project that adds a second pipeline to supply even more Russian gas to Europe, a project ready to be launched, but which Washington is using as a proxy in its political battle to preserve US military hegemony in Europe.

The US has threatened to “stop Nord Stream 2” (if Russia “invades” Ukraine) and has deployed over 3,000 troops across the Atlantic in the biggest show of force in Europe, even while Ukraine has refused to accept foreign troops, and NATO cannot offer to help directly, as it’s not a member.

Ukraine, the EU and NATO want to guarantee they can defend Ukraine, but also say they prefer a diplomatic solution, while the US -- by far the most-powerful NATO member and largest single contributor -- has basically taken charge of their response to a situation unfolding on European soil, in ways that don’t please all.

Many European governments, indeed, feel sidelined or sidestepped by Washington, as President Biden continues to directly and unilaterally engage President Putin, and arrange summit calls with and between EU and NATO leaders -- not involving Ukraine either.

NATO, always anxious to justify its continuing existence beyond the end of the Cold War, again resorted to painting pictures of “inevitable” military conflict with Russia, while quietly expanding its influence eastward.

Ukraine is now finding things too-out-of-hand and too-far-gone to tone down the rhetoric, or stop US troop movements in Europe.

President Putin made clear at Tuesday’s press conference with Chancellor Sholz that Moscow was not satisfied that any of its security issues that were raised had even been considered by the EU and US, NATO and Ukraine -- especially that Ukraine (the largest ex-Soviet republic after Russia and on its border) will not join NATO. NATO won’t give such a guarantee, but President Zelensky was also reported on Wednesday as having suggested that Kyiv might be ready to suspend its application for NATO membership, if that’s what it’ll take to remove the millstone placed around its neck by NATO’s insistence on turning what started out as concern about Russian troop movements within Russia’s borders into a geopolitical trans-Atlantic European military headache of migraine proportions, also causing daily nightmares for Ukraine.

The geopolitics and military implications of a possible Third World War again starting in Europe ought to always be of concern to other regions of the world, including the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which, over the weekend, issued a related statement that called for “peace” and “respect” for Ukraine’s national sovereignty.

Yes, the region should be always concerned the situation between Russia and Ukraine can escalate into a global conflict of such enormity as to dwarf the overwhelming

problems caused health facilities by COVID-19 in 2022, and the worsening Supply Chain problems that remind surviving West Indians in the region’s ex-European colonies of the perilous food shortages the entire region suffered during World War II (1939-45).

Regional concern also includes the possible consequences for the region’s trade and tourism ties with Europe, as well as implications for traditional oil-and-gas ar-

rangements with individual CARICOM nations.

Fortunately, Guyana’s three-day oil and gas conference this week has already heard the good news that two CARICOM member states, Guyana and Suriname, with Brazil, have, since January 21, held trilateral dialogue on harnessing their oil-andgas reserves for common regional benefit.

Guyana has the world’s handbook of oil-and-gas management (and mismanagement) experiences open

to it, from as close as Trinidad & Tobago and Brazil, and as far as Germany and Ghana, as it plans the future of its growing oil finds.

And the way the energy sector is faring at the centre of the ongoing geopolitical wargames in Europe is another unfolding chapter in the ongoing Book of Lessons -- for Guyana and the entire CARICOM region -- about oil and gas as both a vital energy commodity and a weapon to fuel proxy wars.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

Women’s Army Corps celebrates 55th anniversary with clean-up exercise

The Women’s Army Corps conducted a clean-up exercise as part of activities to commemorate the Corps’ 55th Anniversary MEMBERS of the Women’s Army Corps on Friday morning conducted a clean-up exercise as part of activities to commemorate the organisation’s 55th anniversary.

According to a release, the exercise was conducted

at the Kitty Seawalls and at sections of Princess Street in the vicinity of Mandela Avenue.

Female soldiers from various bases participated in the clean-up exercise, which comes on the heels

of the massive countrywide clean-up campaign initiated

by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, the release noted.

They also participated in beautification efforts at the homes of some veterans.

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‘Thirst for knowledge’

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

–– Guyanese flock open day at Energy Expo

By Tamica Garnett WANTING to learn more about Guyana’s oil and gas industry and its stakeholders, scores of young Guyanese flocked the Marriott Hotel for an open-day event on Friday as the curtains came down on the 2022 International Energy Conference and Expo.

“We are basically here to educate ourselves,” Queen’s College student Marissa Mo-

the ‘Expo’,” she said as she clutched a number of pamphlets and magazines that she received from the various booths she visited.

Over 150 businesses took part in the exhibition portion of the international event which kicked off on February 15 with an opening ceremony. Persons were required to pay to attend the exhibition.

However, on Friday, it was opened to the general public at no cost.

open up the event to the public was a strategic one, which was geared at extending exposure for the participating businesses, while allowing for a wider audience that included the ordinary Guyanese.

“It was a business decision; we have to defend the space of the businesses who invested in the ‘Expo’, and I am very keen about providing opportunities to young people, especially students.

So, making this decision is

QC’s Marissa Moses (second right) and her schoolmates listen attentively to one of the exhibitors (Delano Williams photo) the time got to come out to the ‘Expo’, especially if they don’t know their career field as yet, and are searching. This ‘Expo’ might encourage them to choose one in oil and gas,” he said.

Meanwhile, 34-year-old Harrydas Cyril, a welder/ fabricator, was among 10 employees from Compass Industrial Services who were encouraged by their employer to visit the ‘Expo’ to check out what was on display, and the networking opportunities.

Members of the public attending the Energy ‘Expo’ at the Marriott Hotel (Delano Williams photos) ses told the Guyana Chronicle.

The 18-year-old Upper Six Former was at the ‘Expo’ with a group of schoolmates, and they eagerly moved from booth to booth, taking in all that they could learn.

“As young people, we are the future, so it’s important that we are educated. I feel like it’s a really good opportunity that the ‘Expo’ was opened to the public.

No matter what background you are from, you are able to take away something from

“I’m really happy and glad that they opened it to the public, because a lot of people who would have wanted to come wouldn’t have been able to come because it was paid. Now we’re seeing a lot of persons here, and I think that’s good. It’s encouraging the Guyanese people and other tourists in Guyana to come and explore and experience,” said 26-year-old Teshina Persaud.

Communications Director Alex Graham told this publication that the decision to

Stephan Paul (left) attended the ‘Expo’ with a friend

the one that was made early, and one that was very easy to make,” Graham said.

Stephan Paul, a 26-yearold engineer, was at the ‘Expo’, looking to see what information he could garner on the opportunities that are available in the oil-and-gas sector for young people like himself.

“It’s a great experience for the Guyanese population, and I hope anyone who has

PLEASED Over 2,000 persons are said to have visited the ‘Expo’ over the past four days, while over 800 delegates would have participated in the conference, according to Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat, who shared how pleased he was with how the event went.

“The government is very pleased with the manner in which the conference was conducted, and the attendance at the conference. We are very glad that we also had an open day for the locals, because a lot of locals have been asking how about attending the exhibition,” Minister Bharrat

told the Guyana Chronicle on Friday.

Noting that the event was a resounding success, he said linkages were created between the local and foreign investors, and there were conversations about the energy and other diversified sectors. These, he said, were among the aims and objectives.

“The organising committee must be commended for it, and I wish to thank all the foreign delegations, our local private sector, and all the Guyanese who participated in some way or the other. We wish to express our appreciation to everyone for making it a success,” Minister Bharrat said.

In commenting on the success of the event, Graham noted that all the targets were met. He told this publication that some of the key goals of the event were: To bring policymakers, practitioners, professionals and professors into a single conversation and have discussions about energy; create an environment to bring major players in the oil-and-gas industry to Georgetown to open up the opportunities for small businesses, and to give a great experience.

Teshina Persaud “We achieved all the primary goals that we set for ourselves. We are satisfied that we did that, and that we did that effectively; that’s the biggest thing for us,” Graham said.

Going forward, organisers are looking to leverage the lessons learnt at this conference to put on an even bigger event in the coming years.

“Can we do it better? Of course we can.

Did we learn things here? Of course we did.

Next year, you are going to see us implementing and improving, based on the experiences that we had here,” Graham said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

Lloyd Junior Robinson admitted to the bar LLOYD Junior Robinson of Bartica, Region Seven, who was admitted to the bar in Trinidad and Tobago, has now returned to practice law in Guyana.

Robinson attained his legal education certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago in 2020.

He had graduated with Upper Second-Class honours for his law degree in 2018 from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.

Robinson, who is a Guyanese attorney-at-law and has a passion for the oil and gas sector, was admitted to the local bar on Friday.

His petition to practice law was presented before Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette

Cummings-Edwards, and Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George at the High Court

by Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall.

The Chief Justice, in accepting Robinson’s petition, said she believes he will contribute positively to the development of the law profession in Guyana.

The Chief Justice wished him a long and successful career.

Robinson now plans to pursue a master’s degree in law.

He vowed to faithfully and impartially execute all duties discharged to him.

“I enter this profession with love, with law, and with a passion to be a change agent that serves to develop our nation,” Robinson said during his

acceptance speech.

He added: “However, no duty is more important than that of returning.

Thanks and in this regard, I would first like to thank God, today, is only a materialisation of his great plan. Secondly, I would like to thank my mother, Shelly Robinson and my father, Lloyd James Robinson.”

During his tertiary academic journey, Robinson demonstrated exceptional leadership skills. He was part of the Cave Hill Debating Society and he founded the Guyanese Student Association of Cave Hill. He was also a member of the Cave Hill Guild of Students and part of the Student Representative Council at Hugh Wooding.

Robinson was also

From left: Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall; Attorney, Lloyd Robinson; Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George part of the prestigious Caribbean Court of Justice International mooting competition. He has also written extensively on Guyana’s oil and gas sector.

“Mr Robinson demonstrates his intellectual and academic prowess by

authoring a module on oil and gas and did an independent research paper entitled the ‘Hope of El Dorado’s Black Gold’.

He also co-authored another publication titled ‘All Eyes on the Oil but what of our soil,” Minister Nandlall revealed.

Guyana needs the expertise and knowledge that Robinson possesses, the Attorney-General said.

“We need his skill, we need his scholarship and we need his energy in our country,” Nandlall said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

GNBS’ Industrial Metrology and Testing Laboratory receives international accreditation

THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards’ (GNBS) Industrial Metrology and Testing (IMT) Laboratory is now accredited to international standard.

According to a release, it has received ISO/IEC 17025:2017 - General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration of laboratories.

“This remarkable accomplishment comes after the GNBS IMT Laboratory successfully underwent an assessment audit of its calibration services by an International Registrar.

“The ISO/IEC 17025:2017 specifies the general requirements for the competence, impartiality, and consistent operation of laboratories. Compliance with the standard guarantees international acceptance of test results from accredited laboratories,” the release said.

The GNBS IMT Laboratory was accredited for the

Meanwhile, the GNBS IMT Department is aggressively working to ensure that all its calibration services including pressure, temperature, dimensional and testing

A laboratory technician in the Industrial Metrology and Testing Department conducts calibration of balances using the GNBS Standard calibration of mass, force and weighing devices, and non-automatic weighing instruments. The certificate which was issued on February 3, 2022, covers the calibration of weight and weight sets from 1g to 10kg and balances from 0.001g to 500g.

The noted that stakeholders who use precision and analytical balances including manufacturers, medical and testing laboratories, miners, jewellers and others along with users of weight and weight sets, can confidently utilise the calibration services of the GNBS.

Todd is Banks DIH’s new Operations and Engineering Director GAVIN Todd has been appointed Operations and Engineering Director of Banks DIH Limited, the company announced in a release on Friday.

According to the release, Todd, who is a Peter d’Aguiar’s Scholarship Awardee, graduated from the University of Guyana and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

He is also a recipient of several post graduate and technical qualifications which were obtained from

institutions such as the University of Western Ontario.

Todd served on the Boards of various organisations, both charitable and professional, including Rotary International, the Board of Directors of Guyana Water Inc. and the National Council of Guyana.

“Todd has completed twenty-eight years of service with Banks DIH Limited.

The Chairman and Board Members hereby extend a warm and cordial welcome to Mr. Todd in his

Banks DIH Limited Operations and Engineering Director, Gavin Todd new capacity as Operations and Engineering Director and best wishes for a long and successful tenure,” the release concluded.

of crude oil are further expanded to meet stakeholders’ needs and are added to the scope of accreditation, in the shortest possible time.

The laboratory was ac-

credited by the Perry Johnson Accreditation Inc and the certificate is valid for two years pending assessment and recertification, the release said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

BIT signs MoU for International Apprenticeship Programme –– Guyanese to benefit from training in welding and fabrication

THE Board of Industrial Training (BIT), on Friday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with local construction company, GAICO Construction and overseas-based businesses, Hargrove and Myers Companies, for the international certified training of Guyanese in the areas of welding and fabrication.

The agreement was signed on the final day of the International Energy Conference and Expo at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston. The MoU sets out the commitment of the various parties to work towards the creation of an International Apprenticeship Programme that will see Guyanese being trained locally and in Alabama, United States. The courses are expected to last for approximately four months.

Signing the agreement were GAICO Chief Executive Officer, Komal Singh; Myers’ CEO, David Myers; Hargrove Vice-President of Strategic and International Partnerships, Keith Hays and BIT CEO, Richard Maugh.

In his remarks, Minister Hamilton noted that this newest agreement will develop a conversation lead to Guyanese being given the opportunity to be exposed to the highest technical standards in the industry.

“BIT trains people but we do it at a local level and standards but as I understand it, the oil and gas industry is

Signing the MoU are Hargrove Vice-President of Strategic and International Partnerships, Keith Hays; GAICO CEO, Komal Singh; Myers Companies CEO, David Myers and BIT CEO, Richard Maugh as Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton (second from right) and others look on (Adrian Narine photo) of a different standard and the capacity is not in Guyana at the moment to take people to that level. So, these gentlemen have been working in the industry and they can make that great contribution to us to take these persons who we will train to the highest levels to participate in the oil and gas,” Hamilton said.

Since assuming office, the minister has spoken repeatedly about the need for international certification and accreditation of training in Guyana in order to ensure it is viable in the oil and gas sector.

Hamilton noted that giv-

en the engagements facilitated through the Energy Conference and Expo, similar conversations and partnerships can be expected in the near future.

“I suspect more of this will happen, as more companies have conversations with us. Just yesterday we had three or four meetings with the Board of Industrial Training and other companies. I have had some preliminary conversations with many companies, some are working in oil and gas and we will continue to have those discussions to see how far we can ensure that it bears

fruits,” he added.

Meanwhile, speaking at the signing ceremony which took place at GAICO’s booth at the Expo, Myers’ Chief Development Officer, Bradley Myers explained that the specifics of the arrangement have not yet been ironed out, but with the MoU signed, the stakeholders are expected to finalise the parameters over the next 60 days. Such details will include a timeline on when the programme will begin and how many persons will be able to benefit.

Bradley noted that the agreement was made in principle to set out the intent of

the parties involved, and solidify their full commitment to seeing it through.

“There is still a lot of work to be done as far as the details go. This MoU sets the framework for an international industrial apprenticeship programme to really bring the welding and metal fabrication skillset locally to international standards. We believe there is great local talent here in Guyana and we can play our part in helping to bring out the local talent and truly help local content come along,” Bradley related.

He added: “What that

means for us and our partner is bringing that Guyanese talent to Alabama and training them at our facility for a time period and they come back here to the shores of Guyana fully certified among the best in the world as far as American Welding Society certification, from our programme that’s overseen by certified welding inspectors.”

Founded in 2013, and located in Mobile, Alabama, Myers Companies is a premier steel fabrication, machining, and field services company, according to its website. The company works in the oil and gas, dredging, maritime and construction industries, among others.

Also based in the US, Hargrove is a full-service engineering, procurement, and construction, automation, life sciences and technical services firm.

GAICO had first signed MoUs with Myers and Hargrove in August 2021, at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas, to enable the transfer of skills and technology to bolster workforce development in Guyana’s growing oil and gas sector.

Over the past two years, BIT which falls under the Ministry of Labour, has been actively working to boost its capacity to better meet the demands for technical skills in oil and gas.

Also present at the signing was U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann Lynch.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

GPHC Phlebotomists celebrated

PHLEBOTOMISTS at the Georgetown Public Hospital were celebrated on Friday in keeping with the International Phlebotomist Recognition Week which ran from February 14 to 18.

During a small recognition ceremony at one of the hospital’s laboratories, phlebotomists who have been working at the facility for quite some time shared their experiences in the profession.

Phlebotomy technicians or phlebotomists collect blood from persons and prepare the samples for testing. GPHC Public Relations Officer, Jai Lall told a small gathering that during the week, the hard work of phlebotomists should be recognised within the hospital, along with others around the world.

Seon Maynard, who has been working at the hospital in the position for approximately five years, told members of the me-

From left: Phlebotomists Carmelita Corlette, Kimberly Baldeo, Kimesha Hyman and Seon Maynard. They all spoke to members of the media about the profession on Thursday as Phlebotomy Recognition Week came to an end on Friday (Carl Croker photographer) dia that phlebotomists can sometimes be considered the face of the rooms.

Patients passing through the hospital facility at some point visit the Phlebotomy Department.

Another Phlebotomist, Carmelita Corlette related that her experience working in the field has been great and her favourite part happens to be interacting with patients.

“Sometimes a patient comes in with a bad day and I may say something and they will let me know, ‘oh you made my day’,” she said. Corlette noted that patients sometimes

make her day during their visits.

Giving a brief run down of the duties of phlebotomists, Kimberly Baldeo said on a day-to-day basis they would collect samples form patients and receive samples when they come from the various wards.

These samples include blood samples, urine samples and more.

“There’s a lot of patients we deal with on a daily basis… since we worked here so long, we picked up the pace working so we work as fast as possible and as safely as possible,” she expressed.

As it relates to how they work, she told members of the press that they usually prioritise patients who are physically challenged, children and pregnant women. Some of the tests that are done for emergency purposes can take a shorter time than usual tests. However, those done overseas can take

days to return.

While all of the phlebotomists who spoke to the media on Friday expressed that they enjoy what they do and the possible advancement of their careers in the medical field, they all admitted that there are certain risks involved with the profession.

Kimesha Hyman, Baldeo, Corlette and Maynard indicated that they had to undergo some level of precise and strategic training before they were equipped to take up the profession. Even with the ongoing global pandemic, they all noted that not much has changed as they previously would have had to be dressed in personal protective gear prior to the pandemic.

Maynard revealed that since the pandemic, they have stepped up the sanitisation and precautions that are taken when they are interacting with patients at the facility.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

Foundation gears up for World Kidney Day

IN celebration of World Kidney Day 2022, which is slated to be celebrated on March 10, the Guyana Kidney Foundation will be hosting a series activities during the month.

According to a release from the Foundation, primary focus will be placed on nutrition.

The Foundation is encouraging Guyanese to grow all foods that are necessary for a healthy diet, and noted that sensitising the population on food choices, food preparation, and meal planning may be the simplest and cheapest way to reduce the

burden of chronic diseases in the country.

During the commemoration, the Foundation will be collaborating with various governmental and non-governmental agencies to achieve this goal.

Kidney disease is a major complication of diabetes and hypertension worldwide. The number of persons developing kidney failure continues to increase with each passing year.

According to the statistics from the Foundation, data from the developed countries shows that kidney failure is among the

Dr. Areefa Alladin, Chair, KFG most expensive medical complication to treat, since there are significant costs associated with dialysis and kidney transplant.

In addition, for persons with kidney failure,

there is reduced quality of life due to side effects from medications, dialysis, poor nutrition, and mental health issues among others. Families and caregivers of persons with kidney failure also have added burden and stress for various reasons, such as financial constraints, and providing care on a full-time basis.

The release stated that the last two years had added challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Foundation, the healthcare system continues to be stretched, and healthcare

workers are burnt out, physically and mentally.

“Persons with kidney disease and kidney failure felt the strain on the healthcare system, as resources were redistributed to deal with excess patient load,” the Foundation stated, noting that it will be utilising all forms of media to sensitise the population on kidney health.

Meanwhile, the Foundation has praised efforts by the government to assist persons suffering from kidney failure.

“We are pleased to see that the cost of dialysis was subsidised in the bud-

get; it is the hope of the Foundation that dialysis will become accessible to everyone with kidney failure,” the Foundation said, adding: “The passing of the Transplant Bill was another step in the right direction for our healthcare system. This Bill will eventually make kidney transplants more available to those who need it.

Kidney transplant is superior to dialysis for those who qualify for a transplant, though not everyone with kidney failure may be a candidate for a kidney transplant.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

Farmers’ market to push ‘agri’ sector in Region 10

By Naomi Parris

THE Regional Democratic Council and the Agriculture Committee of Region 10 on Friday hosted its first Farmers’ Market Day event for the year 2022 at Wismar Market Square, where cash crop and livestock farmers, agro-processors and other entrepreneurs were given a chance to sell their produce.

According to the head of the region’s agriculture committee, Mark Goring,

given the success of the previous farmers’ market held last year, the committee and council have taken a decision to have the event become a weekly activity to promote agriculture in the region.

Goring stated that the in the first half of 2022, the initiative had seen many participants which garnered much support by the residents.

He further stated that both business owners and consumers were able to benefit from the initiative. Many agro-processors were able to

expand their products and services while consumers were able to benefit from several deals and bargains.

“The Farmers’ Market Day has not been able to fully tap into the entire region yet; however, it is benefitting the small businesses, who have been able to fully develop over the course of 2021, whereby persons were able to develop their products and develop their labelling and expand their brands.”

He noted that the torrential rainfall and severe

flooding of 2021 did put a ‘dent’ in the farmers’ market since many farmers were severely affected and are still grappling with the after effects of the flood.

“Due to the flooding in May and June that put a dent to the farmers’ market, a lot of farmers were not able to take part in the farmers’ market and some of them are now able to start planting back to their full potential.”

Nevertheless, the committee and region are putting systems in place in anticipation of a bigger and better

turn out for 2022.

“We were able to put a structure in place whereby the farmers’ market is not managed and run by the Agriculture Department anymore. We have a Market Day Committee that has been put in place, the committee will be managing the market day,” said Goring.

This special committee will see an elected body of participants overseeing the affairs of planning and executing market day events throughout the year.

“We have over 50 partic-

Scenes from the previous Farmers’ Market Day held at the Wismar Market Square on Friday (RDC photo)

ipants in the market day, out of that we were able to elect a Farmers’ Day Managing Committee and we are in the process of getting them registered so that they can generate funds to further upgrade the farmers’ market day more,” he said, adding: “the goal is to have a weekly market, just like how people prepare Parika on Sunday, we want persons to prepare to come to Linden market.

Every week we want to have a market day and every Friday we must have a Farmers’ Market Day.”

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‘COVID is not over’

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

HEALTH Minister, D r. Fra n k A n t h o n y , on Friday stated that COVID-19 is not over and as such persons should still be cautious and adhere to the measures that are in place to protect them.

Dr. Anthony made these remarks during Friday’s edition of his COVID-19 update where he was asked about the advice he would give to persons who may be attending Mashramani events that are to be hosted over the weekend.

He noted that he was not sure about Mashramani activities that would be hosted over the weekend

KIAN Jabour, a member of A New and United Guyana, was, on Friday, arraigned before City Magistrate Leron Daly for allegedly assaulting a woman and was released on $20, 000 bail.

Jabour, an entrepreneur, appeared before the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Guyana Chronicle was unable to get the particulars of the charge and the facts of the case.

ANUG member charged for allegedly assaulting woman

–– says Health Minister but added that while the curfew has been lifted all other measures remain in place.

As such, he mentioned that persons who would be promoting any activities would first need to seek guidance from the National COVID-19 Task Force.

“COVID is not over, what we have is we have seen Omicron wave and those numbers have been dropping but we still have cases and if we are not careful those cases can still spike,” the minister said. With that he added that with the Omicron variant there are various sub-types of the variant and in some countries one

of those sub-types are circulating and as such now creating a resurgence of the virus.

One such case, he indicated, could be Denmark which had previously relaxed measures and are now seeing an increase in cases. However, Dr. Anthony indicated that many of the countries that have relaxed measures have had higher vaccination rates than Guyana inclusive of the administration of booster doses.

He expressed: “Once we start opening up like this and if we open up too soon, we are going to see spikes in cases and therefore we cannot be

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony complacent.

We have to be mindful that we are still in a COVID-19 pandemic and therefore we have to make sure that we take the necessary precautions.”

Kian Jabour

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

President’s College farm upgraded –– Minister Mustapha says ministry looking to replicate similar initiatives at other schools across the country AGRICULTURE Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, has handed over 400 broiler chicks and starter feed worth some $310,000 to the President’s College Agriculture Science Department to assist students with completing the farm management aspect of their School-Based Assessment (SBA).

This donation was made after the school’s headteacher wrote to the minister requesting urgent help with restoring the school’s agriculture science department, as the students prepared for their CSEC and CAPE examinations later this year, a release from the Agriculture Ministry said.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, with some of the students from the President’s College Agriculture Science Department (Ministry of Agriculture photo) A cattle perimeter fence will also be constructed at the farm to assist with the rearing of livestock as well as the establishment of a oneacre passion fruit plot.

Coconut seedlings will also be planted at the farm.

Some of the students from President’s College who will benefit from the donation (Ministry of Agriculture photo) During the handing over, at the ministry’s head office on Regent Street, Minister Mustapha said that the ministry has already embarked on several other projects aimed at improving the school’s farm which is managed by the students in the agriculture science department.

“In addition to these chicks that you are receiving today, the ministry is also in the process of rehabilitating the school’s entire farm so that students have the necessary resources and facilities to fully prepare for their examinations. I hope that we will be able to repli-

cate this initiative across the country at different schools because it is important for us to start the process in the school system to ensure our students are well prepared for the professional agricultural field. Guyana’s average pass rate for agriculture at the last sitting of CSEC was about 95 per cent.

This shows that our students are very passionate about agriculture so, as a government, we have to ensure that both their theoretical and practical knowledge are strengthened. This is the only way they will be able to have an all-around and comprehensive understanding of the industry,” Minister

Mustapha said.

Minister Mustapha further stated that, with Guyana now tasked with driving the agriculture agenda in CARICOM and President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali spearheading the CARICOM agri-food systems agenda, it was important for the government to facilitate the development of a strong agriculture sector locally.

Under the ministry’s Rural Agriculture Infrastructure Development (RAID) Project, the ministry has since completed the construction of a shadehouse and a timber bridge at the school’s farm, as well as upgrades to the farm access road.

ENTHUSIASTIC President’s College’s Headteacher (acting), Samantha Success, while expressing gratitude to the minister for the donation, said that the vision for agriculture in Guyana was clear and that the school’s agriculture department was enthusiastic about playing its part in bringing that vision to life.

“We wrote a letter pleading our cause and I want to thank the minister for his timely response.

Almost immediately after sending the email, we received a response so I can say to the country at large that you have a vision and you want that vision to be accomplished. Just like you, we are passionate about having that vision accomplished too. We are very grateful, Honourable Minister, that you reached out to us. We are no longer looking back. We are very optimistic about the future,” the headteacher noted.

Additional support will also be given to the department through the RAID Project which will see the

construction of a poultry and vegetable processing facility. The facility, which is currently under construction is expected to be completed by May 2022 at a cost of $15 million. An additional 25 bags of grower feed and 10 bags of finisher feed will also be handed over to the school when the birds have matured.

Since assuming office in August 2020, the PPP/C Government has been making a significant impact in the sector, more so, among the younger demographic. To date, the ministry has made several donations to a number of schools, community-based agriculture groups, and Co=operatives across the country, the release said.

Last month, President Ali launched the Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme which forms part of the government’s vision for empowering youths while further developing Guyana’s agriculture sector.

This programme, in its first phase, will see the construction of 25 shadehouses that will be used to cultivate high-value crops such as carrots, broccoli and cauliflower.

The programme targets both current and past students of the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), the University of Guyana (UG), and other budding agriculture entrepreneurs.

Some of the feed that was donated (Ministry of Agriculture photo)

Forging partnerships

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GUYANA’s International Energy Conference and Expo concluded on Friday.

During the past four days, the event saw attendance from over 650 delegates

virtually and physically.

Over 150 businesses also participated in the event

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

held at the Marriott Hotel that put the country at the centre of the global dis-

course on energy, oil and gas, and sustainable development. The exhibition

was open to the public on Friday (Delano Williams and Adrian Narine photos)

s, creating linkages GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

CONVICTED rapist, Calvin Ramcharran, had his 23-year prison sentence reduced to 12 years by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Friday.

In 2015, a 12-member jury had found the 28-yearold guilty of the rape and brutal assault of a woman

the trial judge failed to hold a separate sentencing hearing to take a victim impact statement or to obtain mental health or psychological assessments.

Additionally, the CCJ found that the trial judge failed to give reasons for her sentencing.

According to the CCJ, because the trial judge failed to give her reason for the sentencing, the CoA could only infer what the trial judge considered in arriving at the sentences imposed.

“The court found that the Court of Appeal, in reviewing the trial judge’s sentence, erred in failing to follow the comprehensive guidelines for trial judges in rape cases, in its earlier decision of Linton Pompey vs the DPP,” the CCJ said.

The CCJ said that the CoA failed to apply the proper sentencing principles and objectives, to determine the

CCJ reduces rape convict’s sentence from 23 to 12 years at a party in Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on July 22, 2012.

At the time of his conviction in the Demerara High Court, then trial judge, Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, had sentenced him to 23 years imprisonment for the rape, and three for the assault, but

stipulated that the sentences were to be run concurrently.

Obviously miffed by the judge’s decision, Ramcharran approached the Guyana’s Court of Appeal (CoA) to have his conviction and sentence either set aside or overturned.

However, in January

Calvin Ramcharran 2021, the Court of Appeal dismissed the matter, and instead upheld both the conviction and the sentence.

Dissatisfied with the decision of the appeal tribunal, Ramcharran subsequently moved to the CCJ. However, the Trinidad-based court which is Guyana’s final appellate court, only allowed Ramcharran to appeal his sentence.

Justices Maureen Rajnauth-Lee, Winston Anderson, Andrew Burgess, Peter Jamadar, and Denys Barrow were the presiding judges in the CCJ matter. Ramcharran was represented by attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes.

In finding that the rape sentence was manifestly excessive, the CCJ found that

issue raised by the appeal, that is, whether the sentences were manifestly excessive or wrong in principle.

The CCJ, after considering the aggravating and mitigating factors in Ramcharran’s case imposed a sentence of 12 years’ imprisonment.

However, the court affirmed his three-year sentence for assault causing actual bodily harm, which is to be served concurrently.

Ramcharran committed the offences on July 22, 2012.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that Ramcharran had not only ‘tailed’ the young woman when she left the event to use the washroom facility, but had also asked her whether she was “doing business.”

It was, reportedly, her negative response that prompted him to do what he did.

Lethem Crossing now open Monday to Sunday THE National COVID-19 Task Force on Friday announced that the Lethem Crossing will be opened Monday to Sunday, at prescribed timings, with immediate effect.

The crossing was previously opened from Monday to Friday and at that time the Central Board of Health would determine any other day or time that the crossing would be

opened or closed for any purpose.

The release also noted that persons are still required to present a negative PCR, rapid PCR or an approved antigen test taken within 72 hours of the date of their arrival, along with proof of vaccination to the relevant authorities before being allowed entrance into Guyana.

The Lethem Crossing will be open from Monday to Sunday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

Great Britain stripped of Tokyo silver medal

(BBC) - Great Britain have been stripped of the silver medal won in the 4x100m relay at last summer's Tokyo Olympics after team member CJ Ujah was found to have committed a doping violation.

The British team finished second to Italy by one-hun-

dredth of a second.

Ujah tested positive for ostarine and S-23 after the event on August 6.

The 27-year-old says he "unknowingly consumed a contaminated substance" and the situation is one he "will regret for the rest of my life".

Ujah was joined in the 4x100m relay team by Zharnel Hughes, Richard Kilty and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake.

London-born Ujah added: "I would like to apologise to my teammates, their families and support teams for the impact which this has had on them. I'm sorry that this situation has cost my teammates the medals they worked so hard and so long for, and which they richly deserved.

"I would also like to apologise to both British Athletics and Team GB. British Athletics has supported the relay athletes for years and this has been difficult for everyone involved in the programme.

"Representing my country at a second Olympic Games surpassed my childhood sporting ambitions and I will forever be devastated that this situation has marred the success achieved by the men's 4x100 relay team in Tokyo."

The loss of the silver means Great Britain's medal tally at the Tokyo Games

Ujah (left) has apologised to Zharnel Hughes, Richard Kilty and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake

falls to 64, one fewer than the team achieved at London 2012.

It is only the third time Great Britain have lost a medal at a summer or winter Games.

Judoka Kerrith Brown at the 1988 Seoul Games and skier Alain Baxter at Salt Lake in 2002 both lost bronze medals after testing positive for a banned substance.

The British Olympic Association said it welcomed Ujah's "contrition" but added: "This should act as a salutary message for anyone - British or otherwise - who is doping or considering doping as a way of boosting their

athletic performance. You will get caught. You are not welcome on our team and/or are you representative of our values, or of our nation."

Ujah did not challenge the decision over his violation, which was made by the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

CAS requested World Athletics - the sport's governing body - should consider its own actions, including the possibility of handing Ujah a ban from competition.

The UK Anti-Doping website states Ostarine is "not approved for human consumption in the UK or anywhere else in the world",

adding the substance is designed to have similar effects to testosterone in that it can aid muscle-building.

Both Ostarine and S-23 are known as selective androgen receptor modulators (Sarms).

US Anti-Doping (USADA) says Sarms have "similar anabolic properties to anabolic steroids".

The USADA website offers athletes access to the Global Dro website where substances can be searched in order to check on regulations.

S-23 is listed as an anabolic agent and prohibited both in and out of competition.

Martinez believes Qatar World Cup will be ‘one of the best ever’

(BBC) - Belgium manager Roberto Martinez believes this year's World Cup in Qatar may prove to be one of the best ever.

The tournament is usually held in summer, but will take place from November 21 to December 18 when temperatures will be a little cooler.

That also means it will be at the midpoint of most leagues' seasons.

"There has always been a moan at international level that we always get the players when they are fatigued," Martinez told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I think this could be the best World Cup or international tournament that we have seen just because the physical level of the players will be at an optimum.

"Everyone will be within 1 000 playing minutes having been just a few weeks after the start of the season - this is the perfect moment for players to go

Roberto Martinez will be hoping to lead Belgium to World Cup glory in Qatar

and play for their national team."

Martinez's side are one of the favourites to win this year's World Cup, which is likely to be the final chance for Belgium's so-called 'golden generation'

to claim a major trophy.

The decision to host the tournament in Qatar has received plenty of criticism because of concerns over the country's human rights record.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

Nicholls scores century as New Zealand continue dominance

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Henry Nicholls scored his eighth Test century. Tom Blundell fell six short of his third and Matt Henry continued his recordbreaking ways, becoming the first No. 11 to score a fifty after taking a seven-for.

All of this left South Africa with a mountain to climb in the first Test. New Zealand extended their lead to 387 and then reduced South Africa to 4 for 3 in the reply. On a surface that is just two days old and continues to offer good bounce and swing through the air, New Zealand will hope they have done enough to bat once.

Sarel Erwee, Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram were dismissed inside four overs in the second innings. Tim Southee rapped Erwee on the pads with his second ball that swung in towards middle.

Erwee considered reviewing but decided against it to end his debut Test with 10 runs.

Elgar survived Henry's first over but when he scrambled the seam and angled it in from around the wicket, Elgar played and nicked off. Four balls later, Markram was stuck on the back foot and sent a thick edge to first slip.

Of the three, Markram's place is most at risk. He averages 9.7 from his last 10 innings and could be replaced by Ryan Rickleton, who has scored three hundreds from his last first-class innings.

While South Africa's selection decisions could have contributed to their misfortune, their effort in the field definitely did.

They dropped seven catches - four on the first evening and three on the second - including Nicholls on 5 and 24 on day one and Southee twice in the same over on day two - to underline an underwhelming performance.

Their four-man pace attack, sans Lungi Ngidi who was ruled out with a back spasm, relied mainly on Kagiso Rabada and, without a specialist spinner, failed to hold up an end.

Their lines and lengths were wayward as the inexperience of the 16 caps between Duanne Olivier, Marco Jansen and Glenton Stuurman showed, and their energy in the field was low.

By comparison, New Zealand did not just score big runs, they scored them quickly. Their 366 runs in 78.5 overs came at a rate of 4.64 on the second day thanks largely to Colin de Grandhomme and Blundell's 76-run seventh-wicket stand, which came at 5.49 to the over, and the late cameo by the final pair.

Blundell and Henry put on 94 off 101 balls to frustrate South Africa after a long day in the field.

Things started poorly for the visitors as Wagner took on the role of early entertainer.

He hit seven fours and two sixes, all off South Africa's new-ball pair of Rabada and Stuurman. He cut Rabada for successive fours in two different overs, showing off perfect weight transfer to the back foot to flay the ball to an unmanned point region, and survived a review for lbw.

Then he took on Stuurman's opening over of the day when he worked the second delivery off the hip to long leg, drove the third through the covers for four and then top-edged a hook off the penultimate ball for six.

That shot brought up the fifty-run stand between Nicholls and Wagner - the third of four in New Zealand's innings. South Africa did not manage one partnership above 33.

But, the fun didn't last forever for Wagner. On 49, he attempted to flick Rabada over deep square leg but picked out Rassie van der Dussen instead.

Despite Wagner's disappointment, he'd done his job.

When he was dismissed, New Zealand had scored 81 runs off 86 balls in the morning and Nicholls was responsible for just 23.

Wagner's aggression allowed Nicholls to collect runs almost unnoticed and he reached lunch on 87.

His signature stroke through the morning was the punch through the point/third-man region and he ended up scoring more than a third of his runs - 40 out of his 105 - in that area.

By the time Nicholls brought up his hundred, Stuurman had claimed his first Test wicket, when Daryl Mitchell nicked off to Elgar at first slip.

Nicholls' century came eight overs later, when he drove Olivier through backward point.

In Olivier's next over, Nicholls reached for another drive, edged and was caught at second slip.

Nicholls was dismissed with the second new ball three overs away and South Africa may have been eyeing an opportunity to run through New Zealand's lower-order but de Grandhomme had other ideas.

He took 11 runs off a Stuurman over with a swivel-pull six and a whip through square leg and then hit Stuurman for back-to-back fours.

Blundell unfurled a cover drive off Stuurman after two pin-point boundaries off Olivier and Elgar had run out of ideas to stem the tide.

He turned to Markram's part-time off-spin with the second new ball just 9.4 overs old.

It may have seemed an insult to the quicks but it worked.

Shortly before tea, de Grandhomme holed out to long-on for 45 to give Markram his first wicket in this format.

Markram got a second when Kyle Jamiseon was caught at mid-off but New Zealand were not done. Blundell's 50 came

up with a pull off Jansen and he stuck with the tail to take the lead over 300.

Southee was put down by Olivier at mid-on and van der Dussen at point and in-between hit Rabada for four.

A comical over ended when

Southee hit the ball over Erwee at extra cover but the debutant backtracked and took a good catch over his head.

Enter Henry, who picked up career-best figures of 7 for 23 on the first day. made a mockery of South Africa's

weary attack with a 68-ball 58 which included a range of dismissive swats through the offside while Blundell showed off his late cuts and South Africa grew more and more despondent.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

Powell, Pooran half-centuries undone by Kumar

(CMC) – Rovman Powell and Nicholas Pooran lashed super-charged half-centuries but seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar produced a highclass penultimate over, to swing the pendulum India’s way and earn them a narrow eight-run victory in the second Twenty20 International here yesterday.

Chasing a challenging 187 in order to level the series at Eden Gardens, West Indies

got a scintillating unbeaten 68 off 36 deliveries from Powell and an equally sparkling 62 off 41 balls from Pooran, to find themselves requiring 29 from the last two overs.

With a big over needed, the Caribbean side managed only four runs and lost Pooran, as Kumar kept his cool and executed brilliantly.

The target, though, remained in reach with 25 runs required off the last six balls,

and Powell refused to let up, smashing two consecutive sixes off seamer Harshal Patel to keep the game alive.

His valiant effort went in vain, however, as Harshal kept his wits about him, to help the hosts secure victory and complete the series win.

“Powell was phenomenal today. I thought the partnership between him and Pooran almost got us over the line,” captain Kieron Pollard said

afterwards.

“Sometimes that’s what we’re asking from the guys: try to bat as deep as possible.

“I’m pleased, not with the result, but pleased with the guys, the way how they continue to aim for consistency – Nicholas getting another half-century, Powell (with) two half-centuries in four games.”

India had earlier gathered 186 for five off their 20 overs after being asked to bat, wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant hitting an unbeaten 52 off 28 balls and former captain Virat Kohli stroking 52 off 41 deliveries.

Venkatesh Iyer smashed an 18-ball 33 towards the end as India accelerated to plunder 88 runs from the last seven overs.

Off-spinning all-rounder Roston Chase led West Indies’ attack with three for 25 from his four overs, claiming the key scalps of captain Rohit Sharma for 19 in the eighth over and Kohli in the 14th over.

West Indies struck as early as the second over when leftarm pacer Sheldon Cottrell removed Ishan Kishan to a catch at point for two.

Kohli arrived to hold the top order together, striking seven fours and a six while adding 49 for the second wicket with Rohit, and 34 for the fourth wicket with Pant.

When Chase produced a beauty to bowl Kohli, Pant took charge, blasting seven fours and a six in a 76-run fifth-wicket stand with Iyer who belted four fours and a six.

Brandon King (22) and Kyle Mayers (9) then posted 34 for the first wicket to provide the tourists with a solid, if not spectacular, start before the

left-handed Mayers was caught and bowled by leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal off a leading edge in the sixth over.

King batted slowly, labouring 30 balls and hitting two fours, and when he finally holed out in the deep in the ninth over after adding 25 for the second with Pooran, West Indies were confronted with a stiff required run rate of just over 11-½ runs per over.

Unfazed, Powell embraced the moment, striking four fours and five sixes, while Pooran joined in with five fours and three sixes, as they hauled their side back into the contest with a 100-run partnership for the third wicket.

Dropped on 21 in the 10th over, Pooran was first to his half-century off 34 balls in the 17th over, whipping pacer Deepak Chahar over fine leg for six.

And Powell, missed on 38 in the 16th when he skied a caught-and-bowled chance to Kumar, brought up his landmark off 28 balls in the 18th over with a single to the deep.

Momentum was with West Indies then, but Kumar changed the course of the game in the 19th over, getting Pooran to hole out to cover where Bishnoi took an excellent catch under pressure.

SCOREBOARD

INDIA innings Rohit Sharma c King b Chase I. Kishan c Mayers b Cottrell V Kohli b Chase Suryakumar Yadav c & b Chase R. Pant not out V. Iyer b Shepherd Harshal Patel not out

19 2 52 8 52 33 1

Extras: (b-5, lb-3, w-9, nb-2) 19 Total: (5 wkts, 20 overs) 186 Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-59, 3-72, 4-106, 5-182.

Bowling: Hosein 4-0-30-0, Cottrell 3-1-20-1 (w1), Holder 4-0-45-0 (w-2), Shepherd 3-0-34-1 (w-2), Chase 4-0-25-3 (w-1), Smith 1-0-10-0 (w-2), Pollard 1-0-14-0.

WEST INDIES innings B. King c Suryakumar Yadav b Bishnoi K. Mayers c & b Chahal N. Pooran c Bishnoi b Kumar R. Powell not out K. Pollard not out

22 9 62 68 3

Extras: (lb-2, w-12) 14 Total: (3 wkts, 20 overs) 178 Fall of wickets: 1-34, 2-59, 3-159.

Bowling: Kumar 4-0-29-1 (w-2), Chahar 4-0-40-0, Chahal 4-0-31-1 (w-2), Harshal 4-0-46-0 (w-1, Bishnoi 4-0-30-1 (w-2).

West Indies to tour Netherlands in May-June

CRICKET West Indies (CWI) and Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Board (KNCB) announced the match schedule for the West Indies Men’s first-ever One Day International (ODI) tour of the Netherlands in 2022.

This tour will be the first-ever ODI Series between the two teams featuring three ODIs from May 31 to June 4 at the VRA Cricket Ground, Amstelveen.

The three matches form part of the ICC ODI Super League, where West Indies and the Netherlands will have the opportunity to secure points to try and secure one of the top seven places, excluding hosts India, to gain automatic qualification for the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Johnny Grave, CEO of CWI said: “We have been working closely with our colleagues at KNCB to put together this series immediately after the IPL and we are happy to now be able to announce the match schedule. It’s

going to be exciting to tour the Netherlands for the first time. It is a short tour, but we expect great entertainment during what promises to be a wonderful week of quality cricket for the fans in the Netherlands.”

High Performance Manager of KNCB, Roland Lefebvre said: “The KNCB is very excited to welcome the West Indies cricket team back to the Netherlands.

“The last time the team visited our country was in 1991, for two 55-over friendly matches, with the likes of Richards, Haynes, Ambrose, and Marshall present.

“These matches will be the second Cricket World Cup Super League home series for the Dutch team and we look forward to a great Caribbean-style contest.”

Match schedule (at VRA ground) Tuesday, May 31: 1st ODI Thursday, June 2: 2nd ODI Saturday, June 4: 3rd ODI

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

GCF makes agreements with chess federations of Uruguay, Costa Rica and Barbados more defined, concrete and achievable.

“The creation of invitational tournaments; with close collaboration with the larger federations in the region .will influence our

Vice-president of the GCF, Anand Raghunauth, presents a token to FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich

Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) has made “promising agreements” with the federations of Uruguay, Costa Rica and Barbados to provide mutual support and assistance, according to information from the local federation.

The relationships between the Western Hemisphere nations were reached during a recent meeting organised by the planning and development committee for world body FIDE and hosted by the Continental Chess Association (CCA) in Mexico City, Mexico.

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Vice-president of GCF, Anand Raghunauth, who attended the meeting was able to secure an in-person meeting with FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich, while he was also able to interact with other biggest decision-makers in the game.

A release from the federation noted that “The GCF presented its ambitions and was able to forge relationships to better prepare its players for the future”.

The release noted that the first joint project will assist Guyanese chess players to acquire FIDE ratings, which 10:55 hrs Low Lie The Fields 11;30 hrs Melon 12:05 hrs Blue Sari 12:40 hrs Brandy Harbour 13:15 hrs Walk In The Brise American Racing Tips Aqueduct Race 1 Flattery’s Music Race 2 Uno Race 3 Cost Basis Race 4 Half Birthday Race 5 True E,press Race 6 Halpert Race 7 Dark Money South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:00 hrs Florentine 08:35 hrs Dawn Of A New Era 09:10 hrs Supreme Warrior 09:45 hrs Second Base 10:20 hrs Zanetto 10:55 hrs Successful Secret

is the first step on the journey to gaining international titles like FIDE Master and Grand Master.

“The project will consist of staging hybrid chess tournaments to be recognised by FIDE and therefore qualifying players to earn rating points.”

Hybrid tournaments are structured so that players from each country are seated in a single location in their home jurisdictions, and playing against others located similarly in their own countries. Each location will be supervised by FIDE-certified arbiters, who will be in constant communication with each other throughout the tournament, to resolve issues and to ensure fair play.

“This opportunity is important for the long-term and sustainable development of chess within the country.

The exposure will ensure we create a larger pool of rated players, hence the natural progress towards titles,” the release noted.

Raghunauth told Chronicle Sport yesterday that the planned tournaments will happen within six months.

The local federation noted that invitational tournaments with close collaboration with the larger federations in the region, will influence the GCF’s strategic approach to development, which will have an immediate impact on players’ development as their goals become

strategic approach to development. This approach will have an immediate impact on player development as their goals become more defined, concrete and achievable.”

Along with Dvorkovich,

other high-ranking FIDE officials and delegations from over two dozen federations from North, Central and South America were at the meeting.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

E-Networks to reward second-place team at Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic - Two-day tournament to ignite Burnham Basketball Court this weekend

E-NETWORKS Inc., Guyana’s leading provider of digital cable television, in-

ternet, information technology and media services, has pledged its support to this

year’s Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic, which will bounce off this evening at 18:00hrs

at Burnham Basketball Court.

At a simple presentation yesterday at E-Networks’ Camp Street headquarters, Marketing Coordinator, Ashley John, handed over the tournament’s second-place cash prize of $100 000 to organiser Rawle Toney.

Toney, while thanking the company for its support towards his tournament, pointed out that E-Networks has been one of local basketball’s biggest supporters.

“Basketball can always count on E-Networks for support. Every National team heading out to represent Guyana, wear uniforms that are branded with the company’s logo for a reason. It doesn’t take much to convince the company’s principal to support sports in general,” Toney explained.

Meanwhile, John highlighted E-Networks’ love for sports and its commitment to seeing basketball at all formats, developed in Guyana.

On behalf of the company, John wished Toney a successful hosting of the second edition of his 3X3 basketball spectacle, while pledging E-Networks’ continued support for the competition in the future.

The 16-team tournament will see players from around the region and North America, converge at the recently refurbished basketball court to see who will cash in on the tournament’s lucrative prizes.

Looking ahead to this

E-Networks’ Marketing Coordinator, Ashley John, hands over $100 000 towards the second-place prize for the Rawle Toney Classic

weekend’s action, the ‘who’s who’ of Guyana’s basketball will be on show.

With the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) emphasising the 3X3 format, Toney said he was impressed with the composition of teams.

Pit Bulls 2.0, the tournament’s defending champions, will return this year, but with Travis Burnett replacing Travis Belgrave on the team that won it all in 2019.

Burnett, who now resides in New York, and represented Guyana at the FIBA 3X3 AmeriCup tournament recently in Miami, will have the 2019 Rawle Toney Clas-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday February 19, 2022)

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Answers in tomorrow’s issue

sic MVP Ryan Stephney on his roster, along with Ryan Gullen and Jermaine Slatter.

National captain and the CBC MVP, Stanton Rose Jr will partner with Shelroy Thomas, Harold Adams and Shane Webster on team Linden.

Former National Player Dwayne ‘Brown Sugar’ Roberts will also make a return to the basketball court in Guyana after several years,.

He will join Laurel Bobb and Kestar Blair on his ‘Q’ Ballers team.

“There are so many great players! I’m more excited to see how it all unfolds on Burnham Court over the weekend. I think this is a great way to usher the return of competitive basketball to Guyana. It will be the country’s first major basketball tournament since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic and I hope everyone can come out and support,” Toney said.

The tournament is sponsored by Team Mohamed, Modern Building Solutions, Medicine Chest, Mackeson, Guyana Lottery Company, Hennessy, FireSide Grill, Bush Cook, Stuff, MVP Sports, FK Sports, Shi Oil, Brother’s Security, The Muse Bar, Pressy’s Gift Shop, Cigar and Cognac, and 94.1 Boom FM.

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

Valieva’s cold reception by entourage ‘disturbing’ - IOC chairman (BBC) - It was "chilling" to see the "cold" way distraught Kamila Valieva was treated by her Russian coach after falls in her figure-skating routine at Beijing 2022, says International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach.

Valieva, weighed down by a doping scandal and questions over the wisdom of allowing her to compete, came fourth on Thursday after several mistakes.

There was no hug and no comfort for the 15-year-old from coach Eteri Tutberidze when she immediately came off the ice, instead she was asked "why did you stop fighting?"

Valieva was the favourite to win the women's event, having set several world records in the short time since she made her senior debut in October. She had led after Tuesday's short programme but the series of falls and messy landings on Thursday ruled her out of a podium finish.

"When I saw how she was received by her closest entourage with what appeared to be a tremendous coldness, it was chilling to see this, rather than giving her comfort, rather than try to help her," said Bach.

Tutberidze, whose training methods were already under the spotlight, did put her arm around the young Russian while she

Kamila Valieva sat sobbing between coach Eteri Tutberidze (left) and choreographer Daniil Gleikhengauz while she waited for her score

waited for her score. But moments before that had demanded to know: "Why did you let it go? Explain it to me, why?"

Bach said he was "very, very disturbed" by what he had seen when watching the competition on television.

"All of this does not give me much confidence in this closest

Rangnick says no rift between Ronaldo and Maguire over captaincy

entourage of Kamila, neither with regard to what happened in the past, nor as far as it concerns the future," he added.

"How to deal, how to address, how to treat a minor athlete at the age of 15, under such an obvious mental stress!"

Valieva is the subject of an anti-doping investigation after testing positive for angina drug trimetazidine. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has also said it will be investigating Valieva's entourage, including coaches, doctors and other adults surrounding her.

Before discovering she had failed a test, she had helped the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) win the team event at Beijing 2022, but the medals for that will only be handed out once the doping case has concluded.

In response to Bach, the deputy prime minister of Russia, Dmitry Chernyshenko, said: "We are deeply disappointed to see an IOC president weave his own fictional narrative on the feelings of our athletes, and then present these publicly as the voice of the IOC. "This is frankly inappropriate and wrong.

"Win or lose we know our athletes are world-beating, and they do too."

Nigerian sprinter banned for ten years for breaching anti-doping rules

The report said Harry Maguire felt marginalised after Cristiano Ronaldo was asked to help mentor young players

(BBC) - Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick says reports of a rift between captain Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo are "absolutely nonsense".

A story in the Mirror said the pair were "embroiled in a power struggle" over the club's captaincy.

Rangnick says he has been told what was written and is not frustrated by it "because I know it is not true".

"This is absolutely nonsense - I've never spoken with players about captaincy," said the German.

"It's never been an issue with me. Harry is our captain and will stay our captain."

Maguire was handed the captaincy by former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer two years ago, but the report suggests his authority has been undermined by 37-year-old Ronaldo's return.

The England defender responded on social media to say the report was not true, and he and his team-mates are "united and focused" on tomorrow's game at Leeds United.

"I'm not frustrated at all because I know

it is not true," added Rangnick. "I don't listen to that noise because I focus on preparing the team.

"I have heard about what was written.

Yes, there were players who were unhappy at the end of the (transfer) window. This has improved and the atmosphere in the locker room is better than it was a few weeks ago.

"It's about performing well and showing togetherness on the pitch. That's what we can influence."

Rangnick said he was only recently made aware of the rivalry between Manchester United and Leeds and is looking forward to playing at a full Elland Road.

"We had quite a few local derbies in Germany," he said. "Our side, though, has so much experience playing against sides in this environment.

"As far as I know it's the first game (for Manchester United) in a full stadium at Elland Road since they were last in the Premier League. We are looking forward to it."

Blessing Okagbare won her 100m heat at the Tokyo Olympics before being suspended

(BBC) - Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare has been given a 10-year ban for "multiple breaches of anti-doping rules".

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said the 33-year-old was banned for five years for the use of multiple prohibited substances and five for not co-operating with the investigation.

Okagbare was suspended during the Tokyo Olympics after failing a drug test.

Brett Clothier, head of the AIU, said a 10-year ban was "a strong message against attempts to cheat".

Okagbare won a silver medal in the long jump at the 2008 Olympics and had also won

World Championship medals in the 200m and long jump.

She was a medal contender for the women's 100m in Tokyo last year and won her heat in 11.05 seconds.

But she was ruled out of the semi-finals after the AIU said she had tested positive for a human growth hormone following an out-of-competition test on July 19.

In October, Okagbare was charged with three anti-doping offences, which she denied.

Okagbare has 30 days to appeal against the AIU's disciplinary tribunal's decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 19, 2022

E-Networks to reward 34 second-place team at Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic PAGE

- Two-day tournament to ignite Burnham Basketball Court this weekend

E-Networks’ Marketing Coordinator, Ashley John, hands over $100 000 towards the second-place prize for the Rawle Toney Classic

Powell, Pooran 32 half-centuries undone

by Kumar PAGE

Nicholas Pooran unleashes a big slog-sweep, vs India, 2nd T20I, Kolkata, yesterday (BCCI)

Rovman Powell hits one for a six, India vs West Indies, 2nd T20I, Kolkata, February 18, 2022 © BCCI

GCF makes agreements with chess federations of Uruguay, Costa Rica and Barbados 33 PAGE

Vice-president of the GCF, Anand Raghunauth, presents a token to FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2022