Issuu

TUESDAY 1st MARCH, 2022

No. 106649

Min. Edghill silenced in PAC for questions on APNU+AFC vehicle transaction

SEE PAGE

Regional food security, removing trade barriers SEE PAGE

- high on agenda of CARICOM Heads of Government meeting

- CARICOM must reinforce its commitment to peace in Russia/Ukraine crisis, says President Ali

Dr. Irfaan Ali arrived Monday afternoon in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize for the 33rd Inter-Sessional Meeting of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). President Ali is accompanied by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, and other officials (Office of the President photo)

Dr. Singh condemns misinformation campaign against Amaila Falls, other developmental projects SEE PAGE

Exxon says will pay all legitimate costs in the event of an oil spill SEE PAGE

Hindus celebrate Maha Shivratri

SEE PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Dr Singh condemns misinformation campaign against Amaila Falls, other developmental projects SENIOR Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, has condemned what he termed a misinformation campaign targeting the Amaila Falls and other major development projects. The Ministry of Finance, in a release, said a similar campaign was carried out prior to 2015 that resulted in major projects being stymied, while no other alternative was offered by the party which assumed office afterward. “I want to express, in the strongest possible terms, my grave disappointment and indeed our government’s grave disappointment at the campaign of misinformation that is being waged in relation to major developmental projects and, in particular, most recently, in relation to the Amaila Falls Hydropower project,” the minister said, reminding that the project was subject to extremely detailed studies and analysis by international technical experts and it was examined by international develop-

ment agencies and bilateral partners such as Norway. He added that it was also examined by international investors. “In fact, if we were to cast our minds back to the pre-2015 period, we (the then PPP/C Government) had brought the project to a point where we had a major, large, credible international investor who was ready and willing to invest in this project. It would be recalled that the then APNU+AFC used their one-seat majority, while in opposition, to derail and ultimately to frustrate the project. Had the then APNU+AFC not done so… not only would construction have commenced but construction by now would have been completed and Amaila would have been providing electricity to the National Grid,” the Senior Finance Minister explained. He noted that what was particularly significant was that the then government, upon assuming office in 2015, commissioned a study to be done by an international consultancy entity (Norwe-

gian Consultancy Agency) Norconsult to complete a study on the project. “Norconsult did an extensive study and concluded in very favourable terms that the Amaila Falls project was the best option for Guyana to transition to clean renewable energy. That report is publicly available,” Minister Singh further emphasized, while reminding that despite all that, the APNU+AFC Government did not proceed with the project, nor did it produce an alternative project. He posited that the PPP/C Government committed to resuming work on the project and completing it once it assumed office once more. “Let me be crystal clear that the resumption of this campaign of misinformation has one objective in mind --the same objective as the misinformation campaign during the pre-2015 period and that is to frustrate development -- to deny the people development as long as the PPP/C is in office,” Minister Singh concluded. TURN TO PAGE 3

HYDROLOGY In the February 22 edition of the Kaieteur News, the newspaper published an article headlined “GPL liable when Amaila Falls run dry”—Winston Brassington. Firstly, the above was never said by Winston Brassington and therefore the headline was a total fabrication and an erroneous statement. Winston Brassington referred to hydrology risk being assumed by GPL, as off-taker, a position reviewed and supported by consultants. No reasonable extrapolation can equate the KN headline to what was stated by Mr. Brassington. The fact is Amaila will have a 23 KM 2 reservoir to hold water and this reservoir allows the hydro optimised delivery of energy on an annual basis. Secondly, dating back to 2012, all parties considered the hydrology assumption that Amaila can deliver 1,050 GWH energy on average per annum, a reasonable number (if not conservative). These numbers were relied on by the IDB in their due diligence in 2012. By way of illustration, at 165 MW, without factoring hydrology risks, the project can generate as much as 1,445 GWh, at full capacity. Assuming 1,050 GWH/annum, assumes a capacity utilisation of 72 per cent. It is at this capacity, that the price of 7.7 cents/kWh is calculated over a 20-year period. In some years, there may be more than 1,050 GWH generated; in others, it could be lower. Under all scenarios, Amaila delivers a significant reduction in power generation costs and a minimum annual level of energy. Amaila, in essence, is a clean renewable project. Thirdly, these matters were addressed and made a public record. For example, we attach a press release from the GOG dated October 2013 which addressed the hydrology issue. Fourthly, various studies consider the hydrology assumptions, conservative: Independent Engineer (Tractebel Engineering S.A) for the IDB in 2013: “Regarding the inflows, it is the Consultant’s opinion that they may have been significantly underestimated (likely by some 23 per cent on average) …….” Norconsult (Norwegian independent final report dated December 2016 at the request of APNU): “The Halcrow Group’s Hydrology Review Report of June 2011 indicates the selected factor 0.3 to be somewhat conservative (on the safe side) as regards the production potential. The same view, even stronger, especially in periods of low flow, is opined in the IE’s Due Diligence Report of 2013. A conservative transposing factor (0.3) and the moderate installed capacity compared to the medium inflow to the reservoir means that the risk for not achieving the foreseen production potential is low. Therefore, the hydrological uncertainty of having scarce series of direct flow measurements cannot be concluded to be a threat to the soundness of the project. Geological Risk: Independent Engineer (Tractebel Engineering S.A) for the IDB in 2013: “Globally, the geological context of the area is predominantly a compact, massive bedrock, consisting of horizontally stratified hard sandstones forming the upper plateau, and in the area of the powerhouse, power tunnel, and likely the lower part of the shaft, an intrusion of massive eruptive rock. On the upper plateau, the thickness of soils appears limited, in the area of the dam and the headrace tunnel, and the bedrock appears generally close to ground surface. In the area of the powerhouse and under the slope below the upper plateau, the bedrock appears covered by a thick deposit of soils mixed with large boulders, either of sandstone fallen from the upper plateau cliffs, or eruptive rock boulders resulting from in place weathering process. No major fault or other kind of large geological singularity is anticipated in the area of the project works. This constitutes a globally favorable geological context.” Norconsult (Norwegian independent final report dated December 2016 at the request of APNU) --pg. 26: “The most favourable natural features of the Amaila Falls site for the planned hydropower project are: (i) the river gradient provides an inherent gross head of about 350 m over a river stretch of only about 3 km; (ii) the geology seems generally favourable for underground works, especially in the igneous rocks underlying the sedimentary rocks on top, and (iii) the planned installed capacity is small compared to the mean water flow in Kuribrong / Amaila rivers at the project site.” The ministry therefore urges all media outlets to be responsible when reporting on matters of national interest. Attached is an Oct 15, 2013 Press Release by the GOG relating to the Amaila Falls Hydrology.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Regional food security, removing trade barriers - high on agenda of CARICOM Heads of Government meeting

- CARICOM must reinforce its commitment to peace in Russia/Ukraine crisis, says President Ali

President Dr Irfaan Ali arrives in Belize accompanied by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd (Office of the President photo)

PRESIDENT Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has highlighted several key areas for discussion at the 33rd Inter-Sessional Meeting of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which is billed for today and tomorrow in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. The Head of State arrived in the Central American nation Monday afternoon and highlighted several pressing areas of concern, including regional food

Dr Singh condemns misinformation... FROM PAGE 2 In examining the misinformation on the project, the Ministry of Finance has noted that since the Energy Conference held recently, there have been a series of articles on the Amaila Falls Hydropower project that are either fabrications, erroneous, or lacking in balance and objectivity. The Ministry of Finance emphasised that the Amaila

Falls project has been extensively studied and reviewed. Many of the current project risks were exposed to the public since 2012 and were properly reviewed by all partners, including the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and due diligence was conducted by expert firms on behalf of the IDB. As recently as 2016, the project was re-

viewed at the request of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) by Norway via an independent firm Norconsult. The current project, taken as a whole, based on independent reviews and analysis, manages risks prudently. The project also represents a clean, renewable means of electricity with significant financial savings for Guyana.

President Dr Irfaan Ali and President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad “Chan” Santokhi in Belize (Office of the President photo) security and production systems, which he hopes to address. He will present a paper on these areas and is expected to provide an outline of the objectives by both Guyana and the Region as a whole, along with comprehensive strategies in achieving the target of reducing the Region’s foodimport bill by 25 per cent by 2025. “I look forward to a focused discussion on the implementation of the CSME, led by Prime Minister [Mia] Mottley and as part of the agri-food system and CSME, discussions on an actionable timetable of the action and commitment required for the removal of trade barriers that are strangling inter-regional trade, especially on food supply.” Guyana currently holds lead responsibility for agriculture, agricultural diversification, and food security in CARICOM and is spearheading the regional body’s quest of reducing its US$5B food-importation bill. President Ali said too that he also looks forward to “a full discussion on the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.” “We must reinforce that this is a Region of peace where we respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of nations.”

Discussions on regional transportation, logistics and security are also important issues that President Ali expects to be further advanced at the two-day CARICOM meeting. “It is also my hope that as a community we will be able to set targets in some key areas, and those targets must be time-bound, implementable of which the Region must be accountable to achieving.” This week’s meeting will take place under the Chairmanship of the Prime

Minister of Belize, John Antonio Briceño. According to information from the CARICOM Secretariat, today’s opening ceremony begins at 10:00hrs (Belize Time) and will feature remarks by CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett; outgoing CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne; and new CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister Briceño. (Office of the President)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Teen technician electrocuted in Linden

ANPHONY Monroe, 19, an Internet technician of Lot 4364 Central Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10, died on Sunday after he accidentally touched an electric wire while working on a house. The tragedy occurred around 13:00hrs at Lot 1406 Central Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden, police say. According to police reports, investigations revealed that Monroe and another colleague, who are both employees of Re-Link Wireless Internet Service located at Central Amelia’s Ward, were at the time tasked with the maintenance of Internet service of a customer when the incident occurred. According to Monroe’s

Dead: Anphony Monroe

colleague Rylon Sandy, they were in the process of installing a metal pole which is about 38 feet in length into the earth’s surface at the western side of the yard which is within proximity of a few electrical lamp pole wires, when the said pole accidentally touched the electric wires causing them both to receive electrical shocks about their bodies. Monroe was immediately picked up by Sandy and rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex where he (Monroe) was pronounced dead on arrival. The body was examined but no marks of violence were seen. The police said that the body of Monroe is currently lying at the De Jestco’s Funeral Parlour awaiting a post-mortem.

Exxon says will pay all legitimate costs in event of oil spill - affirms petroleum activities in Guyana meet international standards PRESIDENT of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, speaking on the ongoing discussion on oil-spill insurance in a video released by the company’s Public Relations Department has sought to clarify what he described as “misinformation” regarding the company’s oil-spill insurance coverage. Routledge stated that the company meets international industry standards for all of its petroleum activities in Guyana. He explained that one of the priorities for every project undertaken by the company is to put in place mitigations and processes that help to prevent adverse events by utilising the best technologies, equipment and

President of ExxonMobil Guyana Alistair Routledge people in its operations. “Here in Guyana, we adhere to an internationally

accepted, tiered response system used to determine the requirements of response personnel and equipment. This system remains aligned with the principles of the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation (OPPRC), the Caribbean Island Oil Pollution Preparedness Response and Cooperation (OPRC), and the National Oil Spill Response Plan of Guyana to provide an efficient framework to build preparedness and response capabilities matching the oil-spill risks from all types of operations,” the Exxon President said. He noted that ExxonMobil maintains the industry’s only sustained, dedicated and in-house oil-spill TURN TO PAGE 12

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Min Edghill silenced in PAC for questions on APNU+AFC vehicle transaction

A HEATED exchange in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday, resulted in the Committee’s Chairman Jermaine Figueira instructing parliament staff to cut the microphone of Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill. The muzzling occurred at the time Minister Edghill enquired about the sale of three government-owned vehicles in 2017 in the care of the thenIndigenous Peoples Affairs Ministry. The matter was first raised by PAC member Dharamkumar Seeraj of the governing People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C). Seeraj said the vehicles included a Toyota pick-up truck valued at $50,000, which was sold at the same price; a Nissan Frontier valued at $100,000 which was sold at $50,000, although the highest bid for the vehicle was $500,000; and a Toyota Coaster bus valued at $950,000, which was sold at $301,000 although the highest bid was $1,010,000. He enquired why these vehicles were not sold to the highest bidder, and questioned how the accounting officer could reconcile the response that proper guidelines were followed when two of the vehicles were not sold to their closest value, and to the highest bidder. The Finance Secretary (FS) at the Ministry of Finance, Michael B Joseph, who joined the session from online, said before any public asset is disposed of an application should be made to the public works ministry for guidance on how to dispose of it. Once that guidance is provided and it is agreed to dispose of the asset by sale, open tender is the best route which would allow as many persons to participate, he told the committee The Acting Permanent Secretary of the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, who must now respond for the 2017 transaction, told the committee that efforts were made to dispose of the vehicles for which his ministry contacted the public works ministry and a value was arrived at. He said his ministry went to open tender, received bids, and the highest bidder later indicated he did not have funds to purchase the vehicle. The PAC heard that efforts were also made to have the vehicles donated to training institutions across Guyana, however, these proved futile as they were rejected because of their condition. Committee member Seeraj then enquired about the bus since, he said, it was sold to the third highest bidder. He questioned if similar action was taken with respect to the bus as was done with the previously mentioned vehicle. The Acting PS responded in the affirmative as the most responsive bidder for the bus also indicated lack of funds. Digging deeper into the issue, PAC member Sanjeev Datadin of the PPP/C raised an

alarm that the Toyota pick-up truck was not advertised for sale. “How would we have gotten any bidders at that stage?” he enquired. The Acting PS indicated that this vehicle was on the list of vehicles shown to the training entities, but it was refused. Asked again by Datadin whether an advertisement was made for the vehicle, the Acting PS said he was advised that approval was sought from the Finance Secretary and granted. “To sell without putting it for any bid at all?” Datadin enquired further. “To dispose of the vehicle by the method used,” the Acting PS responded. Datadin expressed concern that the vehicle was sold to someone who did not bid. Throwing his voice in as the PS of that ministry at the time, current Education Ministry PS, Alfred King confirmed the explanation of his colleague, adding that there was a stalling of the process by quite a number of months. King said a walk-in bidding process was followed. Asked directly by Datadin if he had received further advice from the FS on how to proceed, PS King said a written response was not provided but a status report was completed at the time of closing the year.

It was at this time that Minister Edghill asked PS King to identify who the buyers were. Figueira, who is also a representative of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), said based on guidance from the Clerk of the Committee, that request would not be fulfilled. Minister Edghill said his intention was to determine whether it was a ministry official who had purchased the vehicles. Chairman Figueira inquired of the FS if it is against the rules for members of the ministry to bid for derelict vehicles. The FS said it is the practice for persons in the system to not bid for the items because of the potential for a conflict of interest. The FS further added that from the submissions by PS King, there is some clarity that is needed. “The FS is approached with a report from the public works ministry that would recommend how items should be disposed of. “The Finance Secretary would be guided by the recommendation coming from the Ministry of Public Works. If the Ministry of Public Works recommends that an asset be disposed of by public tender, and the FS endorse [sic] that recommendation, the FS would expect the ministry to do all that would

Minister Edghill questioning the transaction virtually in the Public Accounts Committee be required in a public tender; all the rules and principles that should be observed; the FS would expect those rules and principles to be observed. “If there is a change in the position by the head of the budget agency, the head of the budget agency should write the FS expressing that change in position before the head of budget agency proceeds, so that the approval granted by the FS in the first instance is not a blank cheque to do anything. “You are supposed to always consult the Finance Secretary for any approval, especially if you decide to change your approach. If not, you would be left on your own and

you would have to explain why it is that you took that decision.” He also said that an auditor is supposed to be on site when the transaction is in progress. He noted that this is a learning moment for PS King as the head of administration for the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs ministry at the time. Minister Edghill expressed concern that the name of the buyer will not be provided. A heated engagement ensued among the Chairman of the Committee, Committee member David Patterson, also from the APNU+AFC, and Minister Edghill. Minister Edghill’s microphone was cut off per the in-

struction of Chairman Figueira. Edghill accused the Chairman of constantly interrupting him when he was making points, and further accused him of a conflict of interest. “Was the buyer of these vehicles any way related to a member of staff of the ministry or was it a member of the ministry?” Minister Edghill asked, as Chairman Figueira maintained his objection to naming the buyer. “They are suppressing that information,” Minister Edghill said emphatically. Committee member, Patterson denied this and denied he had an interest in the matter.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Regional Challenges

PRESIDENT Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali is currently attending the 33rd InterSessional Meeting of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The meeting is being held in Belize under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of Belize John Antonio Briceño and will last for two days, commencing March 1, 2022. The meeting is taking place at a time when there are some major developments taking place in the Region and the world at large, which could have far-reaching consequences for member states. Among these are the continuing adverse effects of climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and the tense global environment following the invasion by the Russian Federation of Ukrainian territory. Both the Government of Guyana and the CARICOM

Secretariat have issued separate statements condemning the Russian invasion and calling for an immediate and peaceful resolution of the conflict within the framework of international law; respect for the principles of sovereignty; non-interference in the affairs of another sovereign state and the prohibition on the threat or use of force and the peaceful resolution of disputes, which formed the bedrock of the community. According to a release from the CARICOM Secretariat, the opening session will feature remarks by the CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett and several other leaders, including outgoing Chairman Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister Briceno. President Dr Mohamed

Irfaan Ali will join with several other leaders on the second day of the conference which will focus on a number of pressing issues facing the community, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the existential threats of climate change, both of which continue to pose a serious challenge to the Region. Only recently, neighbouring Brazil experienced a serious mudslide which resulted in the deaths of several people including damage to homes and property. The most recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says that many of the impacts of global warming are now simply irreversible, even as it suggested that a brief window of opportunity still exists to avoid the very worst. According to the IPCC report, humans and nature are being pushed beyond their abilities to adapt and over 40

per cent of the world’s population are “highly vulnerable” to climate change. These are indeed alarming findings, especially for low-lying island states in the Caribbean and elsewhere and no doubt these will be high on the agenda of CARICOM leaders. President Irfaan Ali during his address to world leaders at the 26th Conference of Parties (COP) in Glasgow, Scotland, made the point that climate change does not discriminate, even as the effects are more severe on the poorest and most vulnerable nations, especially Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Low-Lying Coastal States. Other challenges facing the CARICOM Region include the COVID-19 pandemic which still continues to take a toll on the economic and social life of member states, even though there has

been some progress in terms of vaccination rates and the number of people affected by the virus. Guyana has a vaccination rate of over 80 per cent of the adult population, which compares well with other countries in the Region, but with the emergence of new variants and the possibility of new variants emerging, nothing can be left to chance. President Ali has said that the immediate task of containing, mitigating and eventually eradicating the coronavirus must not force us to ignore the challenges of protecting the environment and the need for collective action. Other challenges faced by CARICOM include finding ways to reduce the high food-import bill of the Region by boosting agricultural production, in which Guyana is now playing a leading role. President Ali has commit-

ted Guyana as a member of CARICOM to enhance the regional community. “I have made it very clear that our prosperity will be shared with the Region and that the Region will benefit from a stronger Guyana,” the President assured. Guyana, with its emerging new status as an oilproducing nation does have a role to play in advancing the regional integration movement and in terms of regional security, including food security. There is still much work to be dome in the area of the creation of a Single Market and Economy (SME), but with determined effort and a single-minded approach, it is only a question of time before the objectives of CARICOM as envisaged by its leaders will be fully realised.

Fairness and equity determine allocation of resources and employment Dear Editor, “ALLOCATION of house lots and housing are based on the principles of fairness and equity,” says Minister of Housing Susan Rodrigues. These twin principles are equally applicable to service delivery in other sectors of the economy such as GOAL scholarships and “Because we Care” school grants. Despite this approach to equity, opposition forces still criticise the PPP/C Government for racial discrimination in these and other areas, such as in employment. They have been drawing heavily from a narrow range of observations on political and contract employment to support their allegation, although they know that these are temporary appointments and are at the pleasure of the existing government. Any new government has

the right to employ political and contract employees at strategic levels that will execute its policies and programmes in accordance with their ideology and vision, and not to be detracted by hostile forces within. Anti-PPP/C groups that have an enduring pre-occupation with racism and are perched to descend upon the government with venom, are likely to have their rationality smothered in this approach. Polemics and platitudes have driven them into that condition while they discard or ignore statistical evidence to validate their claim. There are mechanisms, such as the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), which could investigate allegations of racial discrimination. For example, the ERC commissioned a study in 2007 on the distribution of academic scholarships during the

PPP/C’s term in office covering the period 1997 and 2006. The consultant Lyris Alicia Primo noted: “There is considerable equality of opportunity in the award of academic scholarships.” The PPP/C has continued to build upon this foundation. The equity spoken about by another PPP/C Government official, Minister Sonia Parag, regarding GOAL scholarships is supported by Adron Pires’ analysis which shows that 39 per cent Afro-Guyanese, 40 per cent Indo-Guyanese, 21 per cent Mixed and Amerindians, were granted scholarships. The existing job situation in the government service is interesting. Despite Afro-Guyanese accounting for only 29 per cent of the country’s total population, they comprise 95 per cent of the army; 75 per cent of the police force; 95 per cent of the prison service; 65 per cent of the public service;

60 per cent in teaching and 70 per cent in nursing. Even some quasi-government institutions, such as the University of Guyana, are equitably represented in employment. The University of Guyana, for example, has an Afro-Guyanese staff complement of over 75 per cent. Notwithstanding these disparities, the PPP/C Government does not believe in reverse discrimination. Another trenchant critique is levelled against the government when opposition forces assert that the oil wealth is being “given away to one ethnic group (Indo-Guyanese).” This assertion is preposterous. First, no amount of the oil revenues [($US) 607.65 million] has been spent as of February 2022. The money still sits in the Federal Reserve Bank in New York and could only be withdrawn under specified rules. The NRF Act (2021) requires that any

withdrawal from the fund must first be recommended by the Board of Directors to the Minister of Finance, who in turn must seek parliamentary approval. Oversight function is also exercised by the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee. All NR funds are paid into the Consolidated Fund and are managed (operationally) by the Bank of Guyana, which is required to submit regular reports to the government and to Parliament. There is also a stringent audit regime. These are tough requirements that have been imposed to safeguard the integrity of the NRF. Withdrawals from the NRF (which is limited by law and by the operation of a funding formula) go towards budget support to fund physical and social infrastructure transformational projects. Critics have expressed the misguided claim that the government would deplete the NRF and leave nothing for inter-generational equity. This is an irresponsible

position as the facts point to the contrary. Based on the Ministry of Finance’s calculation for the period 2020 to 2025, total projected oil revenues are $(US) 7.099 billion, while withdrawal is projected at $(US) 3.451 billion which is 48.6 per cent of revenues. Thus 51.4 per cent (or $(US) 3.65 billion) of the NRF remains for intergenerational equity and emergencies. Watchdog groups and Parliament must continue to exercise vigilance and ensure that rules and protocols connected to the NRF are faithfully followed. Guyanese are smart enough not to be sidetracked with misinformation and distortions. And those who revel in political polemics and platitudes must know that these have no staying power, and that this quality (staying power) could be found in the facts/evidence. Yours sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Sudden boom in economy causes spike in property rentals By Shamar Meusa

PRICES for the rental of properties, particularly in Georgetown, have in some cases increased by as much as 300 per cent in recent years and Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Paul Cheong, explained that the increases can be attributed to the increased demand in the country. A number of citizens of late have taken to social media to highlight the issue, particular in and around Georgetown. When asked about the matter, Cheong told the Guyana Chronicle that there is currently a boom in the economy, and as such, many persons are coming into the country looking for properties to buy, and as a result, prices have been on the increase. “In the country many people are coming looking for properties to buy, so the demand is up and so the prices

will go up. That happens, you can’t really regulate property prices; you’re operating in a free market,” he said. He further explained that as a result of this increased demand and low supply, persons may feel inclined to list properties at higher prices. Cheong noted that if persons were not coming to rent the properties at the prices listed, persons will be forced to reduce those prices. “Because of the economy and many more people coming looking to do business… so its demand and supply that’s a general principle. If the foreigners are not coming in to rent properties, definitely the prices will go down,” he said. Meanwhile, with that, one local entrepreneur and realtor mid last year took to social media to decry what he called “crazy prices” set for some properties. The realtor, Dave Lall, in his post stated that the

prices for those properties do not cater for persons earning the average salary in Guyana. STEADY RISE In an invited comment, he stated that a number of landlords are trying to appeal to international clients and not locals. As such, he recalled that property prices most notably in Georgetown and its environs have been on a steady rise since 2019 with the emergence of the oil-andgas sector. He also noted that with the increase in costs for building materials due to a slowdown in the global supply chain, some contractors are taking advantage of property owners and charging high prices for building homes. As such, he added that these property owners are then forced to set the prices for rental of the property higher than necessary. Lall is advising persons who are aiming to build their

The PNCR wanted to dump the AFC after winning the 2015 elections

Dear Editor, I WAS the Secretary of the AFC for four years and the Prime Minister’s Representative for five years in Region Two during the “Coalition Government.” I came to realise, by rude awakenings, that the PNC/R was not interested in power-sharing, as they boasted about, but domination and dictatorship. What they did in the 1960s was to use the UF by giving Peter D’Aguiar the Minister of Finance portfolio, to coalesce and form the government trough the Proportional Representation electoral system. The means had justified the end for Burnham then. Thereafter Burnham changed the constitution, and rigged consecutive elections to prevent Coalition after elections, depriving the PPP and other political parties from governing. Fast forward to 2015, the PNC/R used the AFC and other parties to coalesce before the elections in order to oust the PPP/C government. It succeeded then sidelined the AFC, using them as a doormat to be walked over. Every government ministry headed by an AFC minister had a PNC/R junior minister as an underdog to monitor. The same was not reciprocal for PNC/R ministries. The meeting to plan the election campaign in 2020, in Region Two, held at State House, Anna Regina, was chaired by Annette Ferguson, a junior minister and PNC/R

member who is not from Region Two. The default Minister of Business, a senior minister, and AFC executive member, had no campaign position (he appeared satisfied with this, since he is not a boat-rocker and accepts everything) since the deputy campaign manager was another PNC/R member. At the meeting, I asked the campaign manager several times if there was no co-campaign manager, but she evaded this question until we got to know that there was none. We had expected that the Minister of Business, an executive member of the AFC, would have been the co- campaign manager, but the PNC/R would have none of that and sidelined the AFC. Except for myself and two AFC Regional Councillors, all other members of PNC/R and AFC sat there as we were relegated, while we walked out in protest. Editor, during the five years of the Coalition Government, I, as AFC Secretary for Region Two, wrote numerous letters, hard copies of which I have sent to our AFC leaders about sidelining of the AFC by the PNC/R. I complained on behalf of our members, about hiring practices (employment opportunities), exclusion: from outreaches, heritage celebrations, Tender Board, Regional Standing Committees; harassment by PNCR REOs. Responses from our AFC leaders were without answers, just acknowledgement or a mere, nebulous “All matters have been fully

ventilated.” The PNC/R was planning to rig elections and go back to the dictatorial days of Burnham and bring back national service. When I told the “Ambulance Chaser,” non-esteemed AFC lawyer, mentioned herein above as MOB that people were raped in the Guyana National Service, he asked me if I saw any rape. Any lawyer of competence would know that apart from direct evidence, there is circumstantial evidence, medical evidence (now linked by DNA proof) and victim testimony. No wonder people hire competent counsel from the capital city. When I told a PNCR member that we would be a one-term government due to non –performance, he told me twice that they would rig the elections, not realising the other nations would not allow that to happen. Editor, AFC is now “Dead Meat,” cannot be resuscitated or resurrected, and cannot help the PNC/R to govern again. AFC leaders were feathering their nests—with gold bangles, expensive furniture and self-serving contracts—and the PNC/R was taking note and waiting to boot them out. I know that they will tarnish me with their “sour-grape” responses, but “The Truth Hurts.” The done deal is that the PPP/C will govern Guyana for a long time and better the lives of Guyanese Yours truly, Karan Chand Region Two resident

Photo credit: soldbynat.com

homes and list it for rental should compare costs from multiple contractors before making a decision. Because of the high price, one renter told this publication that he decided to settle on the East Coast of Demerara. Though he noted that he is paying a lower-thanexpected cost in rent, there are additional costs for transportation and more. DECIDING FACTORS There are a number of things that should be considered before prices can be set for properties, according to licensed real estate agent, Avinash Balac. Balac during a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle, stated that when persons are deciding to rent their homes, they must first consider the value of the area as this is one of the main deciding factors. The value of

the area, he said, depends on accessibility to certain amenities including supermarkets, parks and even public transportation. In addition to this, he revealed that security is also one of the contributing factors in this regard, as property owners must also look at whether the area is one with a low or high crime rate. “In terms of an apartment or whether you’re looking to buy or sell a property, the main factor is location,” he said. The issue of security, Balac said, may be one of the reasons that prices in the Georgetown market go up and down. He noted that persons interested in renting are mostly looking for an area where they feel safe and would not be worried about certain things. The real estate agent went on to say that the addition

of certain amenities in the property also determines the price that is set for rental or sale. He gave an example as the addition of backup generators, air condition units and more. These, he said, are some of the amenities that foreigners who come to rent in Guyana look for. “That sort of thing determines the price, it’s not directly a case where the factors of price are [sic] rising because of the oil and gas sector but it has played a role,” Balac stated. Meanwhile, Cheong stated that as there is increased supply to match the demand for properties, the prices will be reduced. He noted that as more persons get into this type of business and as it is profitable, it will drive the supply up. “When more people are making big profits on rental, I mean many more players will come into the market and once that happens, the supply will increase and when the supply increases the prices will go,” the PSC chairman said. The boom in Guyana’s economy and demand happened very suddenly, he added, and noted that with that sudden surge the quantity of rental properties is not available to match the number of persons coming into the country.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Wakenaam businessman pleads for help to rebuild gutted property

Anil Rambarran and his wife Chandrowtie

FACED with over $35 million in losses after fire ravaged his home and business place at Belle Plaine, Wakenaam, on Sunday, Anil Rambarran has said that he would welcome help in any form from members of the public to rebuild. The 54-year-old wellknown businessman and speedboat operator and his family members are still traumatized but are trying to come to grips with the devasting loss. Fire was first spotted in the property around 02:30hrs and in no time it had engulfed the entire structure. He and his wife Chandrowtie Rambarran, 52, had to be rushed to the Wakenaam Cottage Hospi-

What remained of the property after the fire

tal after suffering a spike in their blood pressure. One day after the disaster, Anil told the Guyana Chronicle that he is thankful that he and his wife are alive. He said he intends to rebuild his variety store where he sold Banks DIH and DDL products. He was the sole distributor for the two companies. Anil explained to this publication that his goal is to reopen his business as soon as possible. Once he has managed to achieve this, he said he would like to build a small house for himself and wife to live until they can afford to build something more comfortable. He became emotional as he recounted the events of Sunday. He told the Guyana

Chronicle that it is a morning to remember and when he thinks about it, he starts to shiver. The businessman recalled that it was the screams of neighbours that alerted him to the fire. He said he and his wife ran out of the burning building and managed to jump the fence in their bid to get to safety. They had no time to save anything. He said by the time they made it out of the building, it was already consumed by the fire. Everything in the building including cash, a quantity of jewellery, appliances including freezers and fridges, furniture, clothing, important documents, beverages and gas bottles were destroyed in the blaze. He estimated his loss to be in

excess of $35 million. The business place and the contents were not insured. Subsequent to the fire, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Deodat Indar; Region Three Regional Chairman, Inshan Ayube; Deputy Regional Chairman, Omesh Satyanand; Fire Chief (ag), Gregory Wickham; Deputy Police Commissioner ‘Operations,’ Clifton Hicken; Police Commander of Region Three, Superintendent Errol Watts and the regional detective officer visited the scene and met with the fire victims. Anyone desirous of helping the Ramabarrans can contact them on 592630-3381.

Diamond Insurance comes to Diamond

General Manager Tara Chandra D I A M O N D F i re a n d General Insurance Inc., an indigenous insurance company that is part of the iconic Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) family, has opened its newest branch office at

Diamond, East Bank Demerara. According to a release, the insurance company’s branch is located within the Demerara Bank building at Diamond. As Diamond Insurance enters its 22nd year of operations, it is pleased to extend to the insuring public its eighth business location. “As an insurer, we are pleased to announce that the strategic position of our new branch was considering the need of the public, in this instance all those who either live on or traverse the East Bank of Demerara corridor. Located within the bank’s compound, we have to offer the convenience of parking for ease of doing business, where you can experience our professional services that we continue to extend to the general insuring public. What we boast in particular is our claims-settlement reputation, which is second to none in Guyana.

Visit any of our locations and feel the difference in dealing with professionals,” said Tara Chandra, the company’s general manager. Diamond Insurance offers products in motor, fire and other categories of insurance such as bonds, marine and liability products. The Head Office of the company is located at 11 Lamaha Street, Queenstown, Georgetown, with branch offices at Corriverton, Port Mourant, Bush Lot (WCB), Mahaica, Giftland Mall, Henrietta (Essequibo Coast), and now its newest branch at Diamond, East Bank Demerara. “The new location can be easily accessible on 624DIAM (3426), 265-5057 or on the 24-hour hotline 623-5038. Further information can be found on the company’s website at www.diamondinsgy.com or its Facebook page,” the release concluded.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Police corporal in deadly Mahaica accident to be charged THE Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), on Monday, instructed the police to institute charge for the offence of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving on Police Corporal, Lawrence Carmichael, who was the driver behind the wheel of the Force’s vehicle which was in pursuit of a young couple at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara. Initial reports indicated that, on February 02, Christopher Bhagwandat, 20, of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD), the driver of the motor car PNN 8852 and his girlfriend, Sheereda

Persaud, 16, of Bath, West Coast Berbice, were attempting to flee the police, who initially stopped them for a routine inspection. In the vicinity of the Mahaica Bridge, the motor car collided with a canter truck, which was travelling in the opposite direction, and the police vehicle crashed into the car immediately after. As a result of the impact, the truck toppled onto another car. Added to the fatalities, three law enforcement ranks, including a female officer were injured. The occupants of the second car are said to be Derrick

Dickson, 29, his wife and two children, aged eight and two years old. Omesh Persaud, 46, of Leguan, Region Three, was the driver of the canter truck. He was the lone occupant of the vehicle and he did not suffer any injuries. The man and his family received care at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and were eventually discharged. The office of the DPP release noted that the instruction to issue the charge was decided on based on the statements contained in the police file received on February 24, 2022.

The scene of the accident following the highspeed chase on February 02, 2022 The DPP has also ordered a preliminary inquiry (PI) be conducted since the charge is an

indictable one, with further investigations to be conducted. The file is expected to be returned

to the chambers of the DPP for further legal advice by Monday March 7, 2022.

Autopsy: Teen driver died from multiple blunt trauma

AN autopsy done on the body of Prakash Salvador, 18, who crashed on the Diamond, East Bank Demerara Public Road on Thursday last revealed that he died of multiple blood trauma. The post-mortem was done by government pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh. The body was then handed over to relatives for burial. Salvador, called “Bolo,” died on Thursday last after he crashed a Toyota Runx

Dead: Prakash Salvador

PAB 8239 into a barricade and fence in the vicinity of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) Diamond, East Bank Demerara. Police said the teenager was speeding at the time of the accident and was proceeding south when he lost control and ended up on the eastern side of the road. Salvador was taken to the hospital in an unconscious state by public-spirited persons and died while receiving treatment.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Jury empanelled for Puruni Landing murder trial A MIXED 12-member jury was, on Monday, empanelled before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, at the Essequibo High Court, for the trial of Junior France called “Bora”, who allegedly shot and killed a 17-year-old gold miner in 2020. France, formerly of Tabatinga, Region Nine, pleaded not guilty to the indictment which read that, on May 17, 2020, in the county of Essequibo, he murdered Dane Jerrick. The State is being represented by prosecutor Tiffini Lyken while attorneys-at-law Nigel Hughes and Ronald Daniels are on record for the accused. The trial will commence on March 3, 2022. According to reports,

Junior France (left), called ‘Bora’ and Dane Jerrick Jerrick was shot and front of France’s shop lokilled by France, who is cated at Puruni Landing, a licensed firearm hold- Mazaruni River, when the er. According to reports, businessman opened fire Jerrick was loitering in at him.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Maha Shivratri observance held at Cove and John Ashram

MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar; AttorneyGeneral and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, S.C.; and the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K.J. Srinivasa on Monday joined students of the Hindu College and devotees at the Cove and John Ashram to celebrate Maha Shivratri. Minister Indar, who spoke on behalf of President Irfaan Ali, apologised for his absence from the occasion, which he said was deeply regretted. The Head of State is attending a CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Belize. “Today is about reflecting on our past, and seeking to get the blessings of Lord Shiva as we fast and pray, as we serve humanity, and make offerings to the great Lord,” he said in his remarks before adding that Hindus must pray for the ability to correct themselves as well as dealings with other people, and must also pray against evil things. The minister related to the children in attendance that in their mind, they must have a positive mindset, a willing culture, and mental strength. He told the children that whenever someone tells them that they cannot do it, or do not have what it takes, they should quote the examples of the many successful people that were told they couldn’t or didn’t have what it took. He used the occasion to urge each of them to “ensure you are on the right path.” AG Nandlall in his remarks reminded those before him that Maha Shivratri is

The statue of Shiva Murti at the Cove and John Ashram (Adrian Narine photos) one of the most important occasions on the Hindi calendar. “Hinduism remains the oldest religion on Earth and every person from India who has ever visited Guyana has expressed the admiration of how we have been able, in this country, to perpetuate our religion and cultural values, despite the centuries, despite being oceans apart, despite having lingual barriers, despite living in a culturally different environment,” he said. He shared that it was the work of religious leaders and the way followers conducted their lives that ensured that Hinduism was kept alive for decades in Guyana. According to the AG, Hindus recognised very early from their foreparents that there are great meanings attached to religious rituals and observances. He also

congratulated institutions such as the Ashram for continuing the great and noble tradition, as it is as strong there as it ever was in the country. “In order to understand the journey forward, we must understand from where you have come, where you are, only then you can chart the right course forward,” he quoted from the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu scripture. Meanwhile, the Indian High Commissioner spoke of plans to collaborate with the Principal of the Hindu College, Rajkumarie Singh and the Swami of the Ashram, Shiva Shankar, to give students of the Hindu College an opportunity to study in Indian after they would have written the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination. The scholarships will be fully funded by the Government of India. Speaking to this publication, Principal Singh, said that Maha Shivratri is one of the most auspicious festivals for Hindus and worshippers of Lord Shiva. “Throughout the world where Hindus are, this is an entirely auspicious day and night, Shivratri, ratri meaning night,” she said. She shared that during the day, various activities are done in preparation for the night of Shiva. Throughout the day, special pujas are performed using different items invocating the Lord Shiva to come and bless. According to her many pray for different reasons, for example, the deep worshippers of Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism) would want to pray on the night for moksha (liberation) to become

High school students enlightened at oil, gas seminar STUDENTS of Brickdam Secondary, St Joseph High School and St Stanislaus College were awarded with certificates of attendance at a training seminar focused on the potential areas in the oil-and-gas sector in which they can further their studies. The seminar centred on understanding the oil-andgas sector from an economic point of view and the oiland-gas value chain. It was held on Monday at the Guyana Oil and GAS Energy Chamber (GOGEC) office at 92 Middle Street, N o r t h C u m m i n g s b u rg , Georgetown. According to GOGEC, the presenters at the session were Joel Bhagwandin,

Adviser to GOGEC for Digital Transformation and Renewable Energy, Rennie Leow, gives a student of St Joseph High School his certificate of participation at the conclusion of the seminar Financial Analyst; Man- Alliance (AA) Maritime and niram Prashad, President Offshore Training School of GOGEC; Capt. ChristoThe programme was pher Murray, director and sponsored by the Guyana lead lecturer and Miranda Telephone and Telegraph Thakur-Deen of Atlantic Co. Limited (GTT).

one with God while others will pray for material things such as getting wealthier or assistance in fixing family problems. Singh added that on this night, once you pray with sincerity and you observe the complete fasting or you don’t sleep at all at night, you are likely to attract the blessings of the Lord providing that it comes from your heart. To close off the observance, persons went up to the altar to receive blessings from the Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj.

Attorney-General Anil Nandlall, S.C., Minster within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar, and Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K.J. Srinivasa perform the Hawan Pooja at the Cove and John Ashram

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Guyana-Venezuela border controversy on the agenda - for CARICOM Heads of Government conference

By Jared Liddell THE border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela is on the agenda for discussion as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government’s 33rd Inter-Sessional Meeting in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize, opens today. This was disclosed by CARICOM’S Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Natalie Barnett,

during a press briefing, on Monday, at which she noted that the matter was in no way prompted by the ongoing territory struggle between Russia and Ukraine. “There are two border issues in the region that are on the agenda for every meeting. One is the Guyana-Venezuela, and the other, of course, is the Belize-Guatemala. Those are issues that the heads follow very closely. Those are the

issues which make the region stand strong on the matter of self-determination and territorial integrity. And that will not change and has nothing to do with the position on Ukraine, in terms of influencing any discussion of those issues,” said Dr. Barnett. She noted that, given the severity of border controversy and potential fallout, the community has a structure for raising and addressing issues

of this nature. CARICOM, in 2021, reiterated its “firm and unwavering” support for the maintenance and preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana, as a response to moves made by Venezuela to lay claim to Guyana’s territory through an internal agreement between that nation’s government and its opposition. At a meeting in Mexico

CARICOM’S Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Natalie Barnett City on September 6, 2021, the Heads of Delegation of the Venezuelan Government and the opposition Unity Platform of Venezuela agreed to ratify Venezuela’s purported rights over the Essequibo, Guyana’s territory and signed an agreement to that effect. This agreement was, however, rejected by the Government of Guyana, which, through the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry, stated: “That agreement is an overt threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana. Guyana cannot be used as an altar of sacrifice for the settlement of Venezuela’s internal political differences. “While the Government of Guyana welcomes domestic accord within Venezuela, an agreement defying interna-

tional law and process is not a basis for mediating harmony.” Having taken note of the round of negotiations in Mexico, CARICOM also reaffirmed its support for the ongoing judicial process of the International Court of Justice that is intended to bring a peaceful and definitive end to the long-standing controversy between the two countries and urged Venezuela to participate in the process. Guyana’s position, as stated before, is that the controversy with Venezuela is properly before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and will remain there for a peaceful resolution. In March 2018, Guyana filed its application in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) seeking an affirmation of the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award and the international boundary that it established. The ICJ ruled, on December 18, 2020, that it has jurisdiction to hear the border controversy case. Guyana is seeking to obtain a final and binding judgement that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid and that the Essequibo region belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.

Exxon says will...

FROM PAGE 4

response research programme, which dates back to the 1970s. The Exxon president called out inaccurate statements that suggest that ExxonMobil Guyana will not be able to effectively manage response activities by comments made on its “fullcoverage” insurance and guarantees. “Insurance is just one source of financial assurance that could be leveraged for response activities. The value of insurance will not limit the company’s ability to respond to an event, and response activities would certainly not be delayed by discussions with insurers. We have the financial capacity to meet our responsibilities for an adverse event and we are committed to paying all legitimate costs in the unlikely event of an oil spill,” Routledge said. Speaking directly to the company’s financial assets, Routledge stated that as of year-end 2020, the company, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, the Operator of the Stabroek block, was established in 1998 has almost $US5.0Bn in assets This, he stated, is separate from the assets of the other Stabroek block co-venturers who also have substantial assets and share any liability for response activities. He noted that the company is currently working with its co-venturers and the Environmental Protection Agency to put in place a combined $US2.0Bn of affiliate company guarantees. He stated that this value exceeds equivalent guarantees required by regulators in Canada, the United States and United Kingdom. Contrary to claims in the media, ExxonMobil Guyana never agreed to insurance at a value of $US2.5Bn with a previous EPA administration, Routledge said. “As stated by ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO Darren Woods at the recent International Energy Conference, ExxonMobil is committed to Guyana for the long-term. ExxonMobil Guyana has invested billions of dollars in multiple oil-and-gas projects here. We are dedicated to avoiding any spill, but should one occur we are prepared to mitigate and resolve it as quickly and comprehensively as possible,” Routledge said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 1, 2022

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 1, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 1, 2022

FIFA and UEFA suspend all Russian... peace amongst people.” FIFA and UEFA decided to take action after Russia, supported by Belarus, launched a military invasion of neighbouring Ukraine last Thursday. The Russian men's team had been scheduled to face Poland in a World Cup playoff semi-final on 24 March. Russian football's governing body, the RFU, said it "categorically disagreed" with the decision and would challenge it "in accordance with international sports law". Fifa had previously ruled that Russia must complete their upcoming games in neutral territory, under the title Football Union of Russia, and without their flag and anthem. However, the announcement drew criticism -- and Scotland and the Republic of Ireland joined several other nations, including England, Northern Ireland and Wales, as well as Poland, the Czech Republic and Sweden,

in refusing to play against Russia. Russia are in Northern Ireland's European Under-21 Championship qualifying group and their meeting in March will be cancelled. On Monday, Scottish FA president Rod Petrie wrote to his Ukrainian counterpart "to send a message of support, friendship and unity", with those two nations due to meet in their World Cup play-off semi-final on 24 March. The 2022 Champions League final, originally due to be played in St Petersburg on 28 May, has been moved to Paris while numerous clubs have taken their own steps to disassociate themselves from Russia. Manchester United has terminated its sponsorship deal with Russia's national airline, Aeroflot, while Bundesliga club, Schalke, has cancelled its partnership with main sponsor, Gazprom, having last week removed the Russian energy

company's logo from its shirts. "I can't understand why it took them 24 hours to make this decision," said Jim Boyce, former Fifa vice-president and honorary life president of the Irish FA, speaking to BBC Radio Ulster. "What is happening is absolutely deplorable. Quite honestly, every possible sanction that can be imposed on Russia at the minute has to be done. I applaud FIFA and I applaud UEFA for the decision that they have made today." Speaking on Monday, Tottenham manager Antonio Conte said: "The whole world has to be compact and show [it is] solid against the stupidity of the people." He added: "I think it's right to express our disappointment about the stupidity about some decisions. Football and UEFA has to be compact and to show to be strong.” Bans needed to protect

(From back page)

integrity of global sport IOC The IOC says it is urging sport governing bodies to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes "in order to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all the partic-

ipants", adding that "the current war in Ukraine puts the Olympic Movement in a dilemma". It said there had been a "breach of the Olympic Truce" by those countries' governments. "While athletes from

Russia and Belarus would be able to continue to participate in sports events, many athletes from Ukraine are prevented from doing so because of the attack on their country," an IOC statement read. (BBC Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 1, 2022

South Africa eyeing victory after Verreynne's maiden Test ton (AFP)-Kyle Verreynne, Kagiso Rabada and the spin of Keshav Maharaj has South Africa eyeing victory over New Zealand at stumps on day four of the second Test in Christ-

church on Monday. New Zealand, set an imposing record target of 426, were 4-94 at the close of play with Devon Conway on 60 and Tom Blundell on one. South Africa had de-

clared their second innings at 9-354 with Verreynne unbeaten on 136 – his maiden Test century. The current record for the highest successful fourth innings chase is 418 by the

West Indies against Australia 19 years ago and New Zealand started as if they thought it was within reach. Captain Tom Latham scampered for a cheeky single off the first ball to show intent but Rabada had other ideas. Following his five-wicket haul in the first innings, and a rollicking 47 (34) with the bat earlier in the day, he removed Will Young for a duck with his third ball. At the start of his second over he dismissed Latham for one and New Zealand were 2-6. It ended a disappointing Test for the New Zealand openers who managed only four runs between them across the two innings Left-arm spinner Maharaj, South Africa's point of difference to New Zealand's all pace attack, showed there was turn on the wicket and bowled Henry Nicholls for seven and Daryl Mitchell for 24. When South Africa captain Dean Elgar elected to bat first -- the first captain to win the toss at Hagley Oval and not bowl – he said he wanted his batters to "front up" after innings of 95 and 111 in their first Test thrashing. Sarel Erwee obliged with a century in the first innings, and it was Verreynne's turn in the second. The 24-year-old, with a best score of 30 from his previous five Tests, anchored South Africa's second innings revival when they

Kyle Verreynne reaches his maiden Test century // Getty

slipped to 5-114. He shared in 78-run partnerships with both Wiaan Mulder and Rabada before adding a further 32 with Lutho Sipamla for the tenth wicket until the declaration. There was nothing reckless about his approach but he punished anything that was loose. His 50 came from a single when he nudged Kyle Jamieson to fine leg and the 100 was from a boundary when he whipped Matt Henry in the same direction – one of 16 fours along with one six in his 299-minute stay in the middle. Mulder reached 35 before he edged a Jamieson delivery and was caught one-handed by wicketkeeper Tom Blundell diving to his right. Marco Jansen made nine

before he swung Colin de Grandhomme to deep midwicket where he was spectacularly caught one-handed by Young as he rolled over to avoid hitting the boundary marker. Rabada went on the rampage smacking four sixes and four fours before he was also caught in the deep attempting to reach his half century. Maharaj added four in a brief stay in the middle and Lutho Sipamla was not out 10 after surviving a barrage of short balls, including one which struck him on the helmet. New Zealand will begin day five needing 332 runs to win, or to survive 90 overs for a draw, to clinch their first ever series victory over the Proteas.

SCOREBOARD SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings 364 New Zealand 1st innings 293 South Africa 2nd innings Sarel Erwee lbw Tim Southee 8 Dean Elgar c Tom Blundell b Tim Southee 13 Aiden Markram b Matt Henry 14 Rassie van der Dussen c&b Neil Wagner 45 Temba Bavuma c Tim Southee b Neil Wagner 23 Kyle Verreynne Not Out 136 Wiaan Mulder c Tom Blundell b Kyle Jamieson 35 Marco Jansen c Will Young b Colin de Grandhomme 9 Kagiso Rabada c Colin de Grandhomme b Matt Henry 47 Keshav Maharaj c Colin de Grandhomme b Kyle Jamieson 4 Lutho Sipamla Not Out 10 Extras 0b 5lb 2nb 0pen 3w 10 Total (100.0 overs) 354 decl Fall of Wickets: 1-12 Erwee, 2-23 Elgar, 3-38 Markram, 4-103 van der Dussen, 5-114 Bavuma, 6-192 Mulder, 7-219 Jan-

sen, 8-297 Rabada, 9-322 Maharaj Bowling: Tim Southee 26 - 5 - 90 - 2, Matt Henry 24 - 5 - 81 - 2, Kyle Jamieson 21 - 2 - 81 - 2 (3w 2nb), Neil Wagner 23 - 3 - 81 - 2, Colin de Grandhomme 6 - 2 - 16 - 1. NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings Tom Latham c Rassie van der Dussen b Kagiso Rabada 1 Will Young c Temba Bavuma b Kagiso Rabada 0 Devon Conway Not Out 60 Henry Nicholls b Keshav Maharaj 7 Daryl Mitchell b Keshav Maharaj 24 Tom Blundell Not Out 1 Extras 0b 1lb 0nb 0pen 0w 1 Total (42.0 overs) 94-4 Fall of Wickets: 1-1 Young, 2-6 Latham, 3-25 Nicholls, 4-81 Mitchell To Bat: de Grandhomme, Jamieson, Southee, Wagner, Henry Bowling: Kagiso Rabada 8 - 2 - 17 - 2, Marco Jansen 8 - 1 - 30 - 0, Keshav Maharaj 16 - 7 - 32 - 2, Lutho Sipamla 10 - 5 - 14 - 0.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 1, 2022

Gurbaz ton, Rashid three-for help Afghanistan prevent whitewash RAHMANULLA Gurbaz hammered his third ODI century, an unbeaten 106 in 110 balls, to help Afghanistan race to a seven-wicket win against Bangladesh in the third and final ODI in Chattogram. They were dominant all the way through, first bowling out the home side to 192 in 46.5 overs and then getting to the target in 40.1. Though they had already lost the series, Afghanistan earned ten valuable World Cup Super League points with the result. Rashid Khan led the sharp bowling effort with 3 for 37, the second wicket making him the second-fastest to 150 ODI wickets (in terms of innings bowled) behind Saqlain Mushtaq. Mohammad Nabi chipped in with two wickets during a phase in which Bangladesh slipped from 121 for 2 to 160 for 6 in just over ten overs. The innings also featured three run-outs, which made things worse for Bangladesh. The chase of 193 was a relatively straightforward one. Gurbaz first added 79 for the first wicket with Riaz Hassan, who looked good during his 35. Riaz fell in the 16th over when Mushfiqur Rahim stumped him off Shakib Al Hasan after failing to whip the

bails off with his first attempt. For the second wicket, Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah added 100 runs together, till Mehidy Hasan Miraz got Rahmat stumped as the batter missed an arm ball Gurbaz reached his century in the 39th over when he pushed Mustafizur Rahman through the covers for a couple. With this, his third ODI century, he joined a club of five players who have converted their first three 50-plus scores in ODIs into centuries. Dennis Amiss and Kamran Akmal are joint with Gurbaz on three, while Quinton de Kock converted his first five, and Imam-ul-Haq his first four. There was a chance Gurbaz wouldn't have played this

game, after picking up a knee injury in the previous outing. But he played, kept wickets too, and struck seven fours and four sixes during his innings. One of the fours down the ground was a one-handed straight drive off Taskin Ahmed. He also benefited from two reprieves, one when on 13 and the second on 61. The first was in the seventh over when Mushfiqur and first slip Yasir Ali let an edge go through off Shoriful Islam. Mahmudullah then dropped an easy chance in the 25th over at fine leg, his seventh spill since January 2021. Shoriful was the bowler again. Gurbaz completed the chase in the 41st over - after

LeBron James says Los Angeles Lakers season is 'definitely different' LeBron James says this NBA season is "definitely different" after the Los Angeles Lakers lost for the sixth time in eight games. James scored 32 points but could not prevent the Lakers being beaten 123-95 by the New Orleans Pelicans. CJ McCollum scored 22 points to lead six Pelicans scorers in double figures. Asked how the Lakers can recover, James said: "It all starts with a win. You learn from that win, the things you did well and what you didn't do well." On Friday, 37-year-old James - a four-time NBA champion and 18-time AllStar - dismissed reports he wanted to leave the underperforming Lakers. James Harden continued the fine start to his Philadelphia 76ers career by posting a triple-double in his second game as his new team won 125-109 against the New

On Friday LeBron James dismissed rumours he wanted to leave the Los Angeles Lake

York Knicks. Harden, who moved from the Brooklyn Nets earlier this month, scored 29 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds as the visiting 76ers pulled away late in the fourth quarter. Five steals also meant he became the first player in 76ers history to finish with at least 25 points, 15 assists, five rebounds and five steals in a game.

Luka Doncic scored a game-high 34 points as the Dallas Mavericks wiped out a 19-point deficit in the fourth-quarter to clinch a shock 107-101 win over the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco. Kelly Olynyk landed a 14-foot jumper at the buzzer to give the Detroit Pistons an overtime 127-126victory at the Charlotte Hornets. (BBC Sport)

Mehidy had sent back Hashmatullah Shahidi - with a single to square leg. In the first half, Litton Das was the only batter to stand up. He made 86 off 113 balls, a polished knock that included seven fours. As with most Litton innings, he struck the ball well through the covers and midwicket, and worked it around the dial although wickets fell around him. Tamim Iqbal's problems against Fazalhaq Farooqi continued, as he was dismissed by the left-arm quick for the third time in a row. This is the first time in Tamim's ODI career that he has been felled

by one bowler three times in a series. Despite losing Tamim early, Bangladesh battled with Shakib and Litton adding 61 runs for the second wicket. But when Shakib fell for 30, playing an Azmatullah Omarzai delivery onto his stumps in the 22nd over, it triggered a collapse. Rashid removed Mushfiqur and Yasir in consecutive overs, both caught behind for single-digit scores. Yasir became the fourth Bangladeshi batter to score just one run in his maiden ODI series (in two innings in his case), after Harunur Rashid (1988), Mon-

iruzzaman (2003) and Fazle Mahmud (2018). Litton eventually fell when he holed out to a tumbling Gulbadin Naib at longon, off Nabi, who also removed Afif Hossain before Mehidy was run-out for six. Rashid added Taskin as his third wicket before Shoriful and Mustafizur were both run-out to round off an impressive Afghanistan bowling and fielding performance. Meanwhile, it was only for the fourth time in their ODI history that Bangladesh picked the same XI for a whole series of three or more matches.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 1, 2022

BCB hosts successful wicket-keeping/ bowling Clinics ‒ Sheik Mohamed donates $400,000 worth of items SOME 50 youth cricketers from the ancient county of Berbice, on Sunday last, left the Albion Community Centre ground as much more skilful players following the Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB) successful completion of two more cricket clinics. The sessions were a continuation of the countywide Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh coaching programme and were conducted by former West Indies off-spinner Clyde Butts and former National wicket-keeper, Sheik Mohamed. BCB president, Hilbert Foster, who was present for the entire three-hour session hailed them as a huge success and disclosed that several players had informed him that they were delighted with his administration's investment in their future. Butts worked with the off-spinners with special emphasis being placed on spinning the ball, approach to the crease, follow through, variation and flight. He spoke widely on the importance of patience as a spinner and also on how to work on the weak-

Former Guyana wicket-keeper, Sheik Mohamed, going through his drills at the clinic

nesses of batsmen. Butts also noted that spinners cannot blast out batsmen like fast bowlers and as such, they need to out-think them. The veteran cricket coach spent a long time observing the action of each player and then correcting when necessary. He later stated that Berbice cricket is in safe hands and is moving in the right direction. In a jovial comment, he stated that he wished half of them were living in his home county of Demerara. Mohamed, meanwhile, with local coaches Winston Smith, Balram Samaroo and Leslie Soloman worked with the keepers in another three-

hour session. Special emphasis was placed on footwork, gloves work, concentration, equipment and movement. Keepers were advised that the gloves should be

the last thing to leave the ground so that they can collect the ball on the inside hip. Mohamed, who played nineteen first class matches for Guyana , observed that

the main problem for some of the keepers was that they were falling forward. In a surprise gesture, Mohamed, who is the owner of Star Sports, in Enmore, donated over $400,000.00 worth of coloured clothing and wicket-keeping gloves. Six keepers, who were without gloves, benefitted from the donations while every youth at both clinics received a complete colored uniform. He stated that he was very impressed with the work being done in Berbice and as such was delighted to contribute. The BCB handed a gift to both Butts and Mohamed while two players,

Ashmini Muneshwar and T. Caesar expressed thanks to them . Mohamed joined Butts in informing the BCB that they are always available to return in the future. The BCB will be hosting two former cricketing greats for two countywide clinics while West Indies left arm-spinner Veersammy Permaul has agreed to conduct a clinic for left-arm spinners when he returns from international duties. The board, in February, had hosted Sir Curtly Ambrose and England-based Nolan Mckenzie for two clinics at the Albion Ground.

Clyde Butts poses with the spinners at the clinic

Aussies touch down for historic Pakistan tour Australia's men's cricket team has touched down in Pakistan, marking the start of their first Test tour in nearly three years. Members of the 18-man squad picked for the Aussies' first trip to Pakistan in 24 years shared photos from their Qantas chartered flight

from Melbourne into Islamabad, the twin city to nearby Rawalpindi, the venue for the first Test Vice-captain Steve Smith, Islamabad-born Usman Khawaja and spinners Ashton Agar and Mitchell Swepson all shared their excitement for the three-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday March 1, 2022)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Viv Richards (19 Tests) (2) Mike Atherton (17 Tests) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many players have represented the WI against ENG in Tests to date? (2) How many ENG players have contested Test cricket against the WI to date? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Test campaign that begins on Friday. Australia had been training in Melbourne in preparation for the long-awaited tour, observing pre-departure protocols to limit their exposure to COVID-19. The team, which was accompanied on its flight by Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley, will be confined to quarters for 24 hours after arrival, before intense training ahead of the first Test, starting March 4. They will be in a high-security bubble for the duration of their six-week stay. Australia's strict border rules during the pandemic have meant the Test side have only played at home since their 2-2 Ashes series draw in England back in 2019, postponing planned tours of Bangladesh (in mid-2020) and South Africa

(in early 2021). This will be Pat Cummins' first overseas Tour since taking over as captain while it will also herald the beginning of the post-Justin Langer era following the coach's resignation earlier this month. Andrew McDonald is leading the side on an interim basis for the Test series, which moves to Karachi and then Lahore for the second and third games, as well as for the three ODIs and solitary T20I in Rawalpindi. Pakistan have struggled to attract visiting sides since a fatal terror attack on the visiting Sri Lanka team bus in 2009. Australia pulled out of a tour five years earlier after a suicide blast at a Lahore church. They last played in Pakistan in 1998, winning the three-Test series 1-0 and sweeping the hosts in the three one-day interna-

tionals. This time around, nearly 4,000 police and military personnel will be guarding the team hotel in Islamabad and the cricket stadium in Rawalpindi. "The squad will be given 'head of state-level security'," a spokesman for Pakistan's interior ministry told AFP. Such arrangements are only made for high-level foreign delegations, (and) the president and prime minister of Pakistan. Roads will be blocked off when the Australians make the 15-kilometre commute, with their team bus to be shadowed by army helicopters. Snipers will be positioned on buildings surrounding the stadium, while nearby shops and offices have been ordered to close on match days, the interior ministry said. Similar arrangements

will be in place for matches in Karachi and Lahore. "We've got to a place where everyone hopping on the plane is comfortable with where it's all sitting," Cummins said ahead of the team's departure. "It's been a really thorough body of work that the security and the logistics teams have worked through." Having missed the final of the inaugural World Test Championship last year due to a low over-rate infringement, Australia will be eager to solidify their position on the current standings. Cummins' men sit second on the new WTC ladder with a winning percentage of 86.66, ahead of Pakistan (75 per cent) in third. Australia's next Test opponents, Sri Lanka, are on top having won both their Tests in the new cycle so far.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 1, 2022

Billingy dominates Mash table tennis tournament ‒ Britton wins Men’s title, Van Lange takes U-19 ELEVEN-year-old Jasmine Billingy won four titles, including the coveted Women’s Singles title when the curtains came down on the three-day Mashramani Table Tennis Tournament on Sunday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The Winfer Gardens Primary School pupil also won the U-13, U-15 and U-19 titles at the event, which was played without a number of senior players. In the male division, Shemar Britton, who finished as runner-up to Christopher Franklin at the National TT Championships a few weeks ago, was able to triumph in the Men’s Singles. Orin Hickerson won the ‘B’ Class Open while rising star, Jonathan Van Lange won the U-19 division.

DOMINANCE Without the likes of several senior female players, including Chelsea Edghill, Natalie Cummings, and teenager Thuraia Thomas, Billingy was able to ease to victory against Samara Sukhai and Akira Watson. She defeated her age group rival, Sukhai 3-1 (118, 9-11, 11-7 and 11-5) and Akira Watson 3-0 (13-11, 11-5, 11-6). Sukhai finished second after defeating Watson 3-0 (11-8, 11-2 and 11-6). Prior to Sunday, the event had opened on Mash Day with Billingy winning the U13 girls ahead of Sukhai, Watson and Shackecy Damon (respectively). She then won the U-15 battle against Sukhai, Watson and Sobennma Venture and the U-19 division against Sukhai and Watson.

Sukhai had won the U-11 girls title ahead of Seona Barker and Damon. In the male division, Zion Hickerson finished ahead of Aaron Edwards and Noel Persaud in the U-9 division. Darrius Daniels placed first in the U-11 division, with Edwards and A Johnson finishing second and third. The U-13 division was won by Malachi Moore with Ebo McNeil finishing second and Daniels and Travis Lyken joint third. Colin Wong won the U-15 division, followed by McNeil with Moore and Daniels tied for third. In Sunday’s U-19 final, Van Lange defeated Niran Bissu 3-0 (11-8, 11-2 and 11-5). In the semi-finals, 15-year-old Van Lange had defeated Krystian Sahadeo

Jasmine Billingy dominated the Mash tournament

Shemar Britton won the Men’s title

3-1 (11-2, 7-11, 11-7 and 11-7), while Bissu had defeated Colin Wong 3-0 (114, 11-7 and 11-6). Meanwhile, twelve players contested the ‘B’ Class Open with Hickerson defeating the veteran, Colin France, in the grand finale. France, who continues to play superb table tennis, had taken an early 2-1 lead,

but Hickerson fought back to win 3-2 (9-11, 11-9, 4-11, 11-7, 11-6). In the semi-finals, Hickerson had defeated Elishaba Johnson 3-0 (13-11, 11-9 and 11-7), while France had gotten the better of Devon Richmond 3-1 (11-8, 7-11, 11-8 and 11-8). Both Johnson and Richmond finished joint third.

The Men’s final also proved competitive with 16 players competing. Without national champion Christopher Franklin in the line-up, the day belonged to Britton and he was impressive. Britton defeated Van Lange 4-0 (16-14, 11-7, 11-9 and 11-7) in the final. He had gotten past Johnson 4-0 (11-7, 11-7, 11-6 and 11-3) in the semi-final and Remy Taitt 4-0 (11-9. 11-6, 11-6 and 11-9) in the quarter-final. Van Lange got the better of Joel Alleyne in a competitive semi-final clash, via a 4-1 (13-11, 11-6, 13-11, 6-11 and 11-9) scoreline, while he got past Hickerson 4-1 (11-8, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8 and 11-5) in the quarter-final. The event was organised and sponsored by the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) and the National Sports Commission. (NSC).

Motivation high for England clash, says upbeat GCA, Jacobs Jewellery sign one-year President’s XI skipper advertising agreement ST JOHN’S, Antigua, after limping out of West I think we have a good mix(CMC) – Captain Shane Dowrich expects no shortage of motivation or intensity from the CWI President’s XI when they clash with England in a four-day fixture bowling off here today at Coolidge Cricket Ground. The out-of-favour Test gloveman leads a side which includes left-arm fast bowling all-rounder Raymon Reifer, seamer Sherman Lewis and openers Shane Moseley and Jeremy Solozano all of whom have already featured for West Indies in Tests. Fast bowler Preston McSween and batsman Devon Thomas have also played white-ball cricket for West Indies. “I think all the guys are up for it. It’s a great opportunity, especially for some of the younger guys to get seen by selectors,” Dowrich said here Monday. “Obviously there are some guys coming back into cricket as well. We just had two first class games so guys are ready and raring to go.” He added: “A lot of guys, as I said, are looking to impress selectors [so] it’s a great opportunity for those

President’s XI skipper Shane Dowrich

guys to get some runs and wickets and get seen. “They’re just seeing it as an opportunity. Speaking to most of them, they seem pretty confident and pretty ready for it. “In terms of the overall outcome of the game, it’s just to do as well as they possibly can and look to make marks and get into the senior team.” Dowrich is the most experienced, having already scored three hundreds in 35 Tests, and played 113 first class matches overall.He is attempting to make a return to high level competition

Indies’ tour of New Zealand 15 months ago. In his first innings since then, nearly three weeks ago in the first round of the Regional Four-Day Championship, he gathered an impressive half-century against Leeward Islands Hurricanes. Reifer’s solitary Test came nearly five years ago while Moseley struggled in his two Tests against Bangladesh last year, gathering just 28 runs. With players like young batsmen Alick Athanaze and Keacy Carty, along with rookie all-rounder Shamar Springer included, Dowrich said the squad represented a diverse unit.

“We have a pretty balanced team in terms of good all-rounders, good openers, top order looks pretty solid as well. We have a good mixture of youth and experience,” Dowrich pointed out. “In terms of the bowling department, you have young Sherman Lewis coming back. He’s been away for a bit and it’s good to see him back on the park as well. “Young Preston McSween [is] also looking to make his mark and get into the international side so

ture of guys together, and once we can go out there and enjoy the game, I think we will do well.” The game will be England’s only warm-up ahead of the opening Test at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium starting next Tuesday. They named a strong 12-man squad for the President’s XI encounter on Tuesday, with the likes of captain Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow and Mark Wood, included. Dowrich praised the conditions at Coolidge and said he expected his side to play with intensity. “It looks like a good pitch, especially for batting. The outfield has been running during practice so once we can get into the game and cause some problems for the English, that would be good for us,” he said. “I think for us to win the game is the first order of business but if that’s not the case we just want to be as competitive as possible and create as much problems, as I said, for the English. “[We must] look to bat as long as we can and bowl them out as cheaply as we can.”

Shaun Massiah (left), GCA’s Competitions Committee Chairman, receives the cheque from Jemel Semple on behalf of Jacobs Jewellery and Pawn Shop

JACOBS Jewellery and Pawn Shop has teamed up with the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) through an advertising agreement. According to a press release, the one-year promotional partnership will allow the establishment to showcase its products and services through the GCA’s website, reaching a fresh market of digital consumers. “Jacobs Jewellery is proud to partner with the Georgetown Cricket Association, which is deeply committed to its role of

developing young talent and producing quality cricketers who will proudly represent both Guyana and the West Indies,” the release added. Guyana and West Indies all-rounder, Kevin Sinclair, is the Brand Ambassador of the entity, which is owned by former Guyana senior cricketer, Steven Jacobs, and is located at Lot 16, Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown. The GCA thanked Jacobs Jewellery for its ongoing support of budding cricketing talent in Guyana.

There has been show of support for Ukraine at football matches since Russia launched their invasion of the country last Thursday

FIFA and UEFA suspend all Russian clubs and national teams By Dan Roan & Simon Stone

RUSSIAN football clubs and national teams have been suspended from all competitions by FIFA and UEFA after the country's invasion of Ukraine. The world and European football govern-

ing bodies said they would be banned "until further notice". It means the Russian men's team will not play their World Cup play-off matches next month and the women's team has been banned from this summer's Euro 2022 competition.

Spartak Moscow have also been kicked out of the Europa League and their last-16 opponents, RB Leipzig, will advance to the quarter-finals. UEFA has also ended its sponsorship with Russian energy giant, Gazprom. "Football is fully united here and in full

GBA to host U-16 Championship twice monthly GRATEFUL for the return of Amateur Boxing for the first time in over two years, president of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, has announced the hosting of their U-16 Championships twice monthly. With the Caribbean SchoolAction between Daniel Alleyne (right) and boys and Juniors tournament set Jewel Griffith at the recent Pepsi/Mike Parris for August, Ninvalle said “we U-16 Championships. (Sean Devers photo) would need to have our young pugilist have as much competiapprove the tournament and for being able tion as possible.” to stay within the guidelines mapped out The GBA, backed by sponsors Pepsi, by the National COVID-19 Task Force,” hosted their Mike Parris U-16 Champi- Ninvalle said. onships last weekend at the Andrew ‘Six According to the GBA president, Head’ Lewis Gym in Albouystown. “we’re coming out of two years of not At the event which heralded the return having any competitive boxing, so we of competitive boxing for the first time need every single round that we’ll have. since the advent of COVID-19, Jeremiah With that, I’ve spoken to National coach, Duncan, hailing from the Young Achiev- Lennox Daniels and with the Technical ers Boxing gym, copped the coveted best Director, Terrence Poole (MS) and we’ve boxer award, while Vergenoegen and decided that twice a month there will be a Berbice Jammers were joint winners for U-16 competition.” the Best Gym trophy. The recent U-16 Championship saw “We would want to thank Demerara exceptional performances from the boxers Distillers Limited (DDL) for being on fighting out of the Vergenoegen and Berboard. We would also like to thank the bice Jammers Boxing Gyms. National COVID-19 Task Force for “It was also heartening to note that finding it fit and having the trust in us to Rosehall Jammers was able to provide

such a large team and the return of Vergenoegen to our fold. Vergenoegen has been out for some time but Mr Clifton Moore has promised me that he has been training his boxers and they will be back,” Ninvalle stated. Ninvalle exclaimed that “boxing is back with a bang, especially in the nursery department which we said we would be placing so much emphasis on.” “It was heartening to see what took place this weekend; to see the sort of professionalism with everyone involved. It gives me a lot of energy to move forward. So people can expect a lot of nursery boxing now until August or even beyond that because, as I said, this is our focus right now; the nursery of the sport,” Ninvalle said. At the 2019 Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors Championships hosted at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Guyana, thanks to a table leading eight gold medals and best boxer performances by Patrick Harvey (male junior) and Alisha Jackman (female school girl), was able to maintain a firm grip on the overall trophy.

solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine," FIFA and UEFA said in a joint statement. "Both presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and TURN TO PAGE 23 ►

Brazil great Pele discharged from Sao Paulo hospital BRAZIL legend Pele has been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for a tumour and a urinary tract infection. The three-time World Cup winner, 81, was admitted to Sao Paulo's Hospital Albert Pele is Brazil's all-time Einstein on 13 February leading scorer with 77 goals for treatment on the in 92 games colon tumour. Eight days after he was admitted, doctors detected a urinary tract infection, which extended his stay. However, the hospital said Pele was now in a "stable clinical condition". He will continue treatment for the tumour which was first detected in routine tests in September. Pele had prostate surgery in 2015 after he was admitted to hospital for the second time in six months, and he was back in again for a urinary infection in 2019. He was readmitted in December for treatment on the tumour but was discharged just before Christmas. Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 games, the former striker is one of only four players to have scored in four World Cup tournaments. (BBC Sport)

Motivation high for England clash, says upbeat President’s XI skipper Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2022