Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 03-06-2022

friday 3rd june, 2022

No.106742

Applicants for $150,000 fisherfolk grant to be scrunitised throughout June

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Over $1B ‘injected’ into Region Six economy –– through creation of 3,000 part-time jobs

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President, Dr. Irfaan Ali on Wednesday accompanied by Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal and technical staff from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), assessed works on the Eccles to Great Diamond four-lane highway. The President then visited the Haags Bosch access road which is being rehabilitated. Those road projects, when completed, are expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion along the East Bank of Demerara corridor (Office of the President photo)

Guyana’s fiscal, economic Lower costs, enhanced model allows for 15 operations expected 02 potential $1.9B in direct relief analysis of O&G sector ––forwithmining industry, operators say PAGE

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Fisherman killed, 15 several injured in West Coast Berbice bee attack PAGE

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guyana CHRONICLE friday june 3, 2022

Lower costs, enhanced operations expected –– with potential $1.9B in direct relief for mining industry, operators say

THE Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) is optimistic that operational costs will decline and activities will be enhanced with the potential $1.9 billion in direct relief for the mining industry.

The relief measures, described by GGDMA

as instrumental, were announced by Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo during an engagement with key stakeholders in the mining industry at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, on Tuesday.

Among those potential measures are the removal of the 10 per cent tributors

tax; the reduction of the final tax from 3.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent, and the removal of value-added tax (VAT) on lubricating oils.

The implementation of those measures will result in immense benefits for stakeholders in the mining industry, which already contributes a large per-

centage to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

By implementing the new initiatives, the government will not just be fulfilling its manifesto promise, but will also be contributing in ways that were not previously mentioned.

President of the GGDMA, Andron Alphonso (GGDMA photo) Speaking about once such measure, the potential removal of the 10 per cent tributors tax, the GGDMA said: “The abolishment of this tax will benefit the personnel working within the various mining operations throughout the country, as larger disposable incomes will allow them to better support their families during this time of rising prices. Managers and owners of mining operations welcome this move as it will create a more level playing field for recruitment and retention of quality personnel.”

The association also commended the government’s move to reduce the final tax on income from gold produced, declared, and sold to 2.5 percent.

Further, according to the GGDMA, the removal of the 14 per cent VAT on lubricating oils will have an immediate, positive impact, not just on the mining sector, but all other sectors such as construction and agriculture, where heavy equipment is essential.

Also, with the government’s commitment to expend some $2.4 billion on road upgrades in mining areas, and its commitment

to further road development are aligned with the needs of the mining industry.

This, the association said, will provide key linkages to mining areas, allowing for ease of access and reduction in transportation costs.

“In totality, these measures will result in approximately $1.9 billion returning to the industry, which will be utilised to reduce the burden of added operational costs and also to improve varying aspects of miners’ operations,” GGDMA said.

Outside of the measures announced by the government, the GGDMA also highlighted the need for reform at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and closer collaboration between the association and the Ministry of Natural Resources, which Vice-President Jagdeo guaranteed would be addressed.

The government also expressed a willingness to encourage better relations between miners and the local banking sector to potentially overcome hurdles faced regarding access to financing.

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guyana CHRONICLE friday june 3, 2022

Over $1B ‘injected’ into Region Six economy –– through creation of 3,000 part-time jobs

By Tajeram Mohabir

“Well Mr Norton, the qualification is that they are Guyanese; they do not have to have any other qualification to get the jobs,” — Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo

OVER $1 billion will be pumped into Region Six annually through the creation of 3,000 part-time jobs for residents there, Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo announced on Thursday.

Residents turned out in the hundreds to sign one-year contracts which will see them being placed at government offices or agencies. They will receive $40,000 per month for 10 days’ work.

Speaking at separate meetings at the New Amsterdam Technical Institute, the University of Guyana Tain Campus and at the parking lot in front of the Classic International Hotel, Vice-President Jagdeo urged those recruited to see their jobs as a stepping stone for greater things in life.

On that note, he encouraged the persons recruited, many of whom are young people, to make full use of the GOAL Scholarship initiative and use the time that they are not at work to study.

He also viewed in dim light a call by Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton, querying the qualification of the persons who are employed under the part-time-jobs initiative that caters for some 8,000-10,000 persons countrywide.

Responding to the call by Norton at his meeting at the New Amsterdam Technical Institute, the Vice-President’s comments to the gathering were sharp, concise and decisive.

“Mr. Norton, the qualification is that they are Guyanese; they do not have to have any other qualification to get the jobs,” he said to

loud cheers.

Some 2,000 such jobs have already been allocated to residents of Region Two and another 1,000 to residents of Region 10. This is in addition to the 3,000 awarded to residents of Region Six on Thursday.

Dr Jagdeo also used the occasion to point out that the jobs are part-time and not temporary, explaining that they could be extended to an indefinite period after contract expiration.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in its 2020 manifesto had promised to provide some 50,000 jobs to Guyanese in its first term in office and the temporary-jobs programme ties into the party’s manifesto promise.

The Vice-President explained that the jobs are necessary, noting that some 35,000 Guyanese lost their jobs as a result of poor policies under the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government and another 35,000 when the

THIS month will be used to scrutinise claims made by persons to receive the $150,000 one-off grant recently announced by President, Dr Irfaan Ali, and payments will commence in July, Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has said.

Addressing scores of fishermen at the Classic International Hotel on Thursday, Dr Jagdeo lamented the trickery played by persons to obtain flood-relief grants even though they had never planted and, therefore, never suffered any loss as a result of the massive floods last year.

In a bid to prevent a recurrence of the situation that occurred with the flood-relief grants, Dr Jagdeo asked

the fishermen to help scrutinise the names of persons who will be making claims for the one-off fisherfolk grant.

The fishermen welcomed the grant from the government and pledged to work with authorities to weed out fraudsters who would be looking to cash in by posing as fishermen.

The Vice-President said the government understands the challenges and supports the hardworking members of the fishing industry and wants them and their families to benefit, but also wants proper accountability for the money which is a relief measure to offset some of the hardships they face.

Some 5,000 – 5,500 per-

Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo speaking at the public meeting held at the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (Office of the Vice-President photo)

as in many other countries, have resulted in a rise in the cost of living in Guyana and initiatives such as the part-time jobs which target employment of one member per household, are geared at offering some relief to those

ment will build a stadium similar to the one at Providence, East Bank Demerara, at Palmyra, Region Six. The stadium will be located in a commercial hub that will feature modern hotels, shopping malls and housing areas.

generate thousands of jobs.”

Dr Jagdeo said since being elected to office, the government has been hard at work delivering on its manifesto promises, and to date, about 80 per cent of them have been delivered.

Value Added Tax (VAT) on water, electricity, machinery, agricultural inputs and other burdensome taxes have been removed; the school uniform grant has been restored and increased

very government shut down the country on the advent of COVID-19.

On assuming office in August 2020, the PPP/C Government made the decision to reopen the country while placing heavy focus on vaccination and containing the spread of the pandemic.

PAID DIVIDENDS This strategy, Dr Jagdeo said, has paid dividends as Guyana has emerged from the pandemic in a far better state compared to many developed nations with advanced health care systems. Many of these countries had a higher death rate and the pandemic took a toll on their economies.

Guyana, he said, was not spared and even though the country fared better, many ordinary Guyanese felt the squeeze caused by the global contraction in production of vital commodities and slowdown of the global supply chain.

These exogenous factors,

A section of the gathering at the meeting held at the Classic International Hotel tarmac (Office of the Vice-President photo) most affected.

Aside from the pandemic, Region Six was severely affected when the former APNU+AFC Government shuttered several sugar estates. Since assuming office less than two years ago, the PPP/C Government has taken steps to resuscitate the closed estates with the exception of the Wales Estate, which was deemed unsalvageable.

Wales is the location for the gas-to-shore project.

Apart from breathing life back into sugar, the govern-

Regions Three and Four have been attracting the vast majority of large investments and the government, cognisant of this situation, is taking steps to shift some of the investments to the other regions, including Berbice, Dr Jagdeo said.

He related: “We have laid out a plan for these two Regions, Five and Six. Already we are shifting some of the oil-and-gas activities to this region, so in the area north of the bridge you will see major investments there that will

from $10,000 to $25,000; school uniform vouchers have increased from $2,000 to $5,000; excise tax on diesel and gasoline has been slashed to zero; old age pension has increased by 40 per cent; more than 10,000 house lots have been allocated; thousands will receive homes; and billions of dollars have been given to farmers affected by flooding and to citizens to cushion the impact of the rising cost of living.

Applicants for $150,000 fisherfolk grant to be scrunitised throughout June

Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo interacts with one of the persons at the fisherfolk meeting at the Classic International Hotel, on Thursday (Office of the Vice-President photo) sons are expected to benefit Pameshwar Jainarine, stated from the one-off grant. to the Guyana Chronicle Chairman of the co-op, that he saw first-hand the

struggles boat owners and crew members had faced and noted that the intervention by the government was well deserved.

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

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

Many left to go spray rice, drive taxi or work on farms.

This grant made many feel appreciated and that the industry matters so I know

for sure many who were thinking about leaving will stay on and continue.”

For many like boat captain, Krisendatt Doman, 51, who has been fishing since he was 14 years old, the grant means a lot to him and his family since he plans to use this money wisely.

“I don’t know nothing else but fish; right now, it’s really tough and it will be nice to get the grant since it will help cushion our challenges. I really happy for this and hope we can get it before Father’s Day,” he said.

These are the persons, the government wants to see benefit from the $150,000 grant, Vice-President Jagdeo said.

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guyana CHRONICLE friday june 3, 2022

Time to ‘strategically, steadfastly’ plan for Guyana’s future –– Prime Minister says, tells diaspora that gov’t will ensure that all Guyanese benefit from development

PRIME Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, has said that independence provokes reflection and celebration of the nation’s achievements, but it is also an opportunity to plan for the future.

“It is a time to strategically and steadfastly plan for our future. As a new oil-producing nation, the future prospects of Guyana are buoyant. As a government, we are committed to ensuring our people will benefit from this development,” Prime Minister Phillips said during a ceremony to commemorate

Guyana’s 56th Independence Anniversary with members of the diaspora at the Organisation of American States (OAS) Building in Washington DC, on Wednesday.

On the developmental front, he emphasised that Guyana is on an evolving trajectory and that already, 2022 is seen as a transformational year.

He reassured members of the diaspora that the revenues from the oil and gas sector are being used transparently to bolster the country’s development.

“It is an exceptional year,

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2022, it is the first year that oil and gas revenues were taken from the NRF (Natural Resource Fund), in a highly transparent manner, to fund projects in the areas of health, education, housing, infrastructure etc., all aimed at improving the lives and livelihood of Guyanese not only on the coastland but in the hinterland areas of our country,” Prime Minister Phillips said.

The Prime Minister, who holds responsibility for the energy sector, also highlighted the government’s plan for the transformative gasto-shore project, which will

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reduce the cost of electricity locally.

“The gas-to-shore project will reduce by 50 per cent the cost of electrical energy supplies to the people of Guyana,” he related.

Further, on electoral reforms, he said that the government has commenced public consultations aimed at transforming the legislation into one that is modern and realistic.

“It is this year that we started public consultations on the draft electoral laws to ensure the will of the people is respected and, importantly,

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the democratic process is respected in Guyana,” Prime Minister Phillips said.

Addressing the “One Guyana” initiative, the Prime Minister encouraged Guyanese in the diaspora to remember the importance of unity in their celebrations.

He noted that the vision is about creating a more equitable society and creating opportunities for all while reducing inequality in access to education, health, employment, income, and justice.

“It is togetherness upon which the ‘One Guyana’ initiative is built; a coun-

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Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips try where we do not allow differences to divide us; a country that we can build together so that every citizen can realise their truest potential through access to greater opportunities,” Prime Minister Phillips said.

Additionally, during his address, he noted that the LCDS 2030, which was launched last year, outlines a path to prosperity for all Guyanese with the aim of protecting the country’s biodiversity.

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guyana CHRONICLE friday june 3, 2022

Caribbean tourism now bouncing back

(Barbados Today) THE Caribbean’s tourism renaissance is well underway, with some destinations approaching or exceeding record visitor arrival numbers.

Tourism officials cite pent-up traveller demand, the elimination or significant reduction in travel restrictions, the return of airlift, attractive deals and packages being offered by hotels, and a range of destination and hotel choices and upgrades that are now in place as key factors for the rebound.

Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) President, Nicola Madden-Greig, applauded the region’s tourism, health and government leaders for their work over the past two years to position the region’s largest industry to recover from the pandemic.

Madden-Greig pointed to the announcement last month by the World Travel and Tourism Council at its global summit in Manila, recognising the Caribbean and Latin America as leading the global tourism recovery.

“Today’s traveller has many choices when planning a Caribbean getaway, thanks to the efforts of so many. Over the past decade we’ve seen an explosion of new and upgraded hotels and infrastructure improvements.

During the pandemic many hotels and attractions used the time to improve on their product and service offerings, also recognising the changing needs of the discerning traveller.

“We continue to offer accommodation experiences which appeal to the full range of traveller interests.

Beyond our world-famous beaches and waters, travellers can experience our diverse cultural, culinary and historic treasures. And we’ve worked diligently to put in place health safety protocols which are effective and as nonintrusive as possible,” she said.

Madden-Greig noted that on average, hotels and resorts in the Caribbean will approach close to 80 per cent of their record pre-pandemic performance this year, with

some destinations setting all-time records.

Cruise ships are returning, which is especially important to attractions, transportation providers such as independent taxis, and smalland medium-sized vendors.

In addition, investment in new and upgraded hotels and resorts has not slowed.

“These are all great indicators which point to traveller confidence and demand for the Caribbean. We are seeing the fruits of years of hard work by the industry and governments throughout the region to invest in our tourism product and our people, and to broaden our appeal as we find new ways to provide a diverse and exciting experience for our visitors,” Madden-Greig said.

She added: “Travellers to the Caribbean can discover our diverse offerings by land or sea, by a cruise vacation, or a coveted, longer in-destination stay for a more immersive experience.

“It has never been easier to do the Caribbean ‘your way’ and there are options

for every interest and every budget. From high-end luxury accommodations on land or on sea to cozy cottages and apartments.”

CHTA’s Acting CEO and Director General, Vanessa Ledesma, echoed these thoughts recently at the Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS).

Pointing to data from ForwardKeys, Ledesma highlighted the strong interest in the region for summer and fall travel.

“This is reflective of the travellers’ mindset with the accessibility of the region, brand identity and management of the pandemic being key elements that are driving demand,” she said.

ForwardKeys, CHTA’s data partner, recently reported that the Caribbean and Latin America were leading the summer outlook in terms

of the return of leisure travel, noting that five destinations – Aruba, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Mexico and The Bahamas – were among the “most resilient” based on confirmed arrivals for the summer.

Developer confidence is also evident in STR’s most current pipeline report, with close to 30,000 rooms in development or under construc-

tion over the next five years.

Madden-Greig pointed to new challenges facing the industry, as inflation is resulting in higher operating and travel costs and the uncertainty in Eastern Europe impacts travel.

“While the cost of travel increases worldwide due to these and other factors, we will continue to focus on providing value and exceptional

traveller experiences,” said the CHTA leader.

“This is particularly important in our highly competitive global marketplace.

Despite these challenges, we anticipate over the coming weeks and months to see a proliferation of deals and special offers by the industry to continue to appeal to travellers’ desire to come to the Caribbean,” she said.

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guyana CHRONICLE friday june 3, 2022

Another Mass Shooting

PARENTS, relatives and friends of 19 children and two teachers are mourning following their deaths at the hands of a young gunman in Uvalde, Texas in the US. Armed with high-powered weapons and wearing body armour, the 18-yearold entered an elementary school in this largely Hispanic community and went on a killing rampage, after first shooting his grandmother with whom he lived.

This horrific shooting took place just two weeks after a young man shot and killed 11 African-Americans grocery shopping in Buffalo, New York.

What makes this act so heart-rending is that this is the second biggest mass shooting at a school in the United States, the deadliest shooting in Texas’ history and one of several such perpetrated nationwide.

As one television commentator said, instead of watching school buses taking these young second, third and fourth graders to their homes, this was a grisly scene of a fleet of hearses bearing their bodies away.

While the entire nation and people

worldwide grieved, my heart went out to the parents of these children, for as US President, Joe Biden said, “losing a child is like having a piece of your heart ripped out.”

And the many scenes of parents holding their heads, weeping uncontrollably while trying to come to terms with their loss, was indeed moving and tear-jerking.

Once more outrage is sweeping the country about the easy availability of guns, the failure of lawmakers to enact appropriate legislation to prevent this and the power of the National Rifle Association (NRA), which is largely responsible for the quantity of weapons on the streets.

However, the argument is also being made that politicians and members of the public seem to be becoming increasingly immune to these tragedies, as after the candlelight vigils and tributes to the dead, little is done to bring about significant change.

This argument is further supported by the simple fact that those states with stricter gun laws have fewer gun crimes

and internationally, where there are stringent controls, mass shootings and indeed shootings of any kind are rare.

Meanwhile so many are left to mourn the loss of a child, a relative, a friend and to cope with the trauma associated with this, like the families of the two teachers who apparently wrapped themselves around the bodies of their pupils in an effort to protect them.

These two women were parents themselves and have left children and husbands behind trying to cope with their sudden death and school children across the country are once more faced with spectre of violence in the one place other than their homes where they are supposed to be safe.

In talking about the sudden death of a loved one, the Centre for Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders (CTAMD) said this: “People form countless relationships throughout their lives – with family members, friends, coworkers and neighbours. We have the deepest connections with the people we love – these relationships help make us who we are. They contribute to our sense of

identity and have the power to transform us, for good or bad. Because of this the death of a loved one can create numerous psychological issues, including PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), particularly if the loss was tragic and unexpected.”

So it goes without saying that the grief-stricken, particularly parents, relatives and witnesses to this and other such shootings are highly and likely to suffer from PTSD and other psychological disorders.

The Discover Magazine likens the traumatic loss of a loved one to experiencing a brain injury and Neurologist, Lisa Shulman, adds to this saying, “The problem isn’t sorrow; it’s a fog of confusion, disorientation and delusions of magical thinking…the emotional trauma of loss results in serious changes in the brain function that endure.”

Anyone who has endured the loss of a loved one can no doubt identify this and we can all direct our thoughts and prayers to the families of these l9 children and two teachers who have suffered the greatest loss of all.

All state-initiated steps will benefit the economy in the long run Dear editor, THE PPP swept into power in 2020 on the unpopularity of the coalition’s high taxation and extravagant spending on current expenditures that resulted in a depressed state of the economy, with almost everyone complaining that they could not make ends meet. Aside from minerals and oil, the economy was in a four-year decline (2016 to 2020) with over 10,000 jobs lost and hundreds of businesses shuttered.

The PPP, under the leadership of Bharrat Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali, projected a sense of optimism in the campaign that they can be counted on to fix the economic problems of the country. The country had faith in Jagdeo as a man who could create wealth ever since he entered government in 1992.

And once the PPP returned to office in 2020, the government started rolling out various grants and increments in social welfare and the minimum salary.

The government, in any situation, is required to step up and focus on expansionary fiscal policies in order to grow the economy, while creating jobs.

Jagdeo, as an astute politician and able economist, had shown that when times are

bleak, the government (or he) could take simple, doable steps that make a difference in job creation, get those losing faith in the government to support it, and grow the economy. His predecessors seem to lack those basic skills as the coalition turned people against its administration, eventually resulting in its fall from grace.

Anyone who studied economics, as I did, knows that when unemployment rises, the government steps in to pave the way for job creation — gives incentives to start or expand businesses and or hiring workers, and even to pursue state work projects as the US repeatedly did when faced with high unemployment or recession. Short-term, temporary fiscal expansion, even if incurred from deficits, to create jobs in times of labour market weakness is very good for the economy. Fiscal expansion creates jobs and restores confidence in a government.

Jagdeo recognises this economic principle and has announced plans for the distribution of targeted cash grants at various engagements around the country with the public. He also offered part-time jobs to help the swell of the unemployed to get spending money.

It is empirically grounded from studies

in economics that fiscal expansion, although coming from borrowing as is the case in Guyana, is good when an economy is facing a recession or when jobs are scarce for the unemployed. Guyana is faced with high unemployment as a result of the policies of the coalition and a government (Keynesian) activist approach is needed to address the problem.

Those who study economics understand the importance of government action during economic crises. The role of government is to take measures to stabilise the economy with incentives and work programmes. The billions of dollars spent is an important part of the economy, as it helped to create more jobs. Money earned from the proposed job-creation initiatives announced

by Jagdeo, even if part-time, as well as the announced cash grants, have economic multiplier effects of at least six times. People spend their earnings and grants and the money is repeatedly circulated or recycled, resulting in greater demand for goods, creation of more jobs, and increased tax collection. While government spends money, a lot is collected back from taxes that would neutralize the initial expenditures.

Thus, jobs and grants benefit the econ-

omy all around. The many thousands of government- induced part-time jobs and the thousands of grants to start businesses, at which billions of dollars would be spent by the government, will help to further stabilise and grow the economy. People spend, demand is created (which brings in revenues from sales taxes or VAT), and ultimately jobs are created which brings in additional taxes for additional government spending. Putting people to work expands the consumer base for businesses and the economy as a whole.

Separately, the government is also taking steps to create private-sector jobs, especially in infrastructure-related companies and construction. A lot of investments are committed to housing and infrastructure that the public needs — in roads and bridges, and energy efficient cleaner economy (gas to shore, Wales Industrial complex, etc.). There is also a lot of investments in education and in training workers for the oil-and-gas sector.

All the state-initiated steps will benefit the economy in the long run.

Yours sincerely, Dr Vishnu Bisram

guyana CHRONICLE friday june 3, 2022

Warm welcome for Ambassador Hinds at NY Independence Day observance

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Deputy Ambassador of Guyana to the United States of America, Zulfikar Aly addresses persons at Al Abidin Masjid on Liberty Avenue and 127th Street in Richmond Hill, while Guyana’s Ambassador to the US, Samuel Hinds (second right), and other officials look on

By Vishnu Bisram GUYANA’s Ambassador to the United States of America, Samuel Hinds, along with his deputy, Zulfikar Ally, and members of the Guyana Consulate in New York were accorded a warm reception at the building extension of Guyanese Al Abidin Masjid on Liberty Avenue and 127th Street in Richmond Hill.

The delegation visited the Masjid at its invitation to give an update on development progress in Guyana by the PPP administration (over the last 22 months) on the occasion of Guyana’s 56th Independence observance (May 26).

On preceding days, the delegation held similar interactions with members of the diaspora at a temple and church.

A cultural event and reception was also held on the evening of May 26 at 153rd Street in Jamaica, Queens, at the Queens Performing Center. This ceremony was attended

by Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water Susan Rodrigues, Ambassadors Hinds and Ally, as well as members of the consulate.

Ambassador Hinds congratulated the organisers of the Masjid event,

as well as the preceding events.

He provided an update on the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration’s plans for development in Guyana, outlining specific plans related to the use of oil revenues to fuel the economic transformation, and those geared towards improving the business environment in Guyana.

Hinds, as well as Ambassador Ally spoke about diversification, challenges and opportunities that are before the country as well as the diaspora.

Both guests acknowledged the diaspora’s role in Guyana’s development, and in the struggle from 1966 to 1992, and again in 2020 for the restoration of democratic governance.

They urged continued assistance to help Guyana achieve economic diversification, and appealed to the diaspora to become partners in the country’s development.

The ambassadors also related that the government is seeking to encourage the diaspora to invest in Guyana with various packages.

They also stated that the government is pursuing economic diversification, so as not to fall prey to the Dutch Disease of depending on only oil for development.

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guyana CHRONICLE friday june 3, 2022

‘Experts’ should produce integrity statements before voicing opinions Dear Editor, GUYANESE are bombarded daily via our newspapers with “expert” opinions that state that we are being shortchanged in our Production Sharing Agreement with ExxonMobil and urgings to renegotiate and/or shut down production altogether.

My question is, since no local sentiment exists to give up exploitation of our oil resource, why are Guyanese being subjected to this harassment?

Let us examine Tom Sanzillo’s recent claim that every Guyanese citizen owes Exxon $9 million and “Guyana must pay 100 per cent of all costs out of its oil revenues before it is able to receive an actual share of that revenue.”

This “expert” seems to have missed the clause in the contract that caps cost recovery at 75 per cent of production; hence, Guyana is receiving revenue monthly and made its first withdrawal of US$200 million on the May 10,

2022. The obvious question is, why Sanzillo and others are deliberately misleading Guyanese? What are their objectives?

Are our newspapers being used as unwitting Trojan horses to deliver a blow on behalf of other energy operators who stand to benefit if Guyana’s oil production is slowed or halted?

Newspaper editors are the gatekeepers and they should ask everyone who offers an expert opinion for a complete integrity statement that should be published.

Information should include country of residence, all sources of income, and even minute details such as the source of power to the home and means of transport (since some advocate for the abolishment of fossil fuels).

It is not just the foreign experts we have to examine, our home-grown environmentalist, Simone Mangal-Joly casually suggests: “The average cost for equipment to re-inject produced water reportedly averages around US$300 million – a minimal sum in compar-

ison to the effects of discharging it into the ocean” without stating what those “effects” are, since after decades of research into Produced Water (PW) there is little or no evidence of contamination.

“In the offshore Condition Monitoring surveys, wild-caught fish species collected in areas relatively close to oil platforms have generally shown few indications of exposure of contaminants from PW discharges,” (Grøsvik et al., 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015).

Yet, Mangal-Joly would have Guyana pay for 10 of these US$300 million units; US$3 billion on a whim not backed by scientific research data.

Is Mangal-Joly willing to stand in front of Guyanese and tell them why US$3 billion (enough to prepare the 50,000 house lots) should be spent to appease her?

Of course, this would lead to Sanzillo making an upward revision of the debt he estimates each Guyanese owes Exxon from $9 million to $12 million, and the cycle of

talking heads spouting unsubstantiated claims will spiral as they gain traction from each other.

Another “expert,” Melinda Janki, openly advocates for blackmail of ExxonMobil by the Government of Guyana, an extremely ignorant stance to be taken by a self-described “international lawyer.”

Editor, Guyanese have moved past the cusp of development.

In 2006 we exited Heavily Indebted Poor Country and have been masters of our fate since; Sanzillo et al. did not even know or care about our nation then, why would anyone believe that they have a genuine concern now? Guyana is in the energy game now and becoming too big a player to be ignored or brought down from the outside, it behooves us to mount our guard internally also.

Sincerely, Robin Singh

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guyana CHRONICLE friday june 3, 2022

Man accused of South Road double murder walks free AFTER spending the last five years on remand, Phillip Suffrein was, on Thursday, freed after the prosecution disclosed that it did not have any evidence linking him to

the murder of two elderly women in 2017.

Suffrein, 28, of Albouystown, Georgetown, was on trial before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow and a 12-member jury at the

Demerara High Court.

He had denied murdering Constance Fraser, 89, and Phylis Caesar, 77, between October 2 and 3, 2017, during the course of a robbery at their South

Road and Albert Street house in Georgetown.

When the case was called on Thursday, the state prosecutors offered no evidence against Suffrein.

Justice Barlow asked the jury to return a not guilty verdict against Suffrein since the state failed to establish that Suffrein was connected to the two elderly women’s murders.

Suffrein was represented by attorney-at-law Madan Kissoon In 2017, Suffrein was charged jointly with Imran Khan called ‘Christopher Khan’, and Steven Andrews for the capital offence.

However, in 2019, Khan and Andrews con-

fessed to the crimes at the High Court and were sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after serving 35 years.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that the two pensioners were found lying face down in separate bedrooms at their home on October 3, 2017, with their hands and feet bound and mouths gagged.

According to a relative, the house was ransacked and quite a few items appeared to be missing. Reports from the police revealed that a door to the upper half of the two-flat building was breached.

Relatives said it was the third time the women had been robbed, with one

Phillip Suffrein recalling that during the last incident, the intruders had made off with cellular phones and money.

It was also the second time the elderly women had been robbed after receiving their monthly pensions.

Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh gave the cause of death of both women as asphyxiation due to suffocation and manual strangulation, compounded by trauma to the head.

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guyana CHRONICLE friday june 3, 2022

Moves afoot to make access to HIV services easier for LGBTIQ+ community THE Guyana Country Coordinating Mechanism (GCCM), on Tuesday, began its two-day workshop in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) to develop an advocacy plan which focuses on removing barriers faced by men who have sex with men and transgender women when accessing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) services.

Other collaborators in-

clude the National AIDS Programme Secretariat, Merundoi Inc., Guyana Trans United, and Proud to be Trans, with funding from Community Rights and Gender and The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

Speaking at the workshop, Adviser to the Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said that it was disappointing that yet another workshop had to be held to develop an

advocacy plan.

“Science said that the best response to a public health crisis is punitive measures. Science then said, hide those who have a public health problem… when, unfortunately, dozens of countries today continue to maintain that scientific approach,” Dr. Ramsammy said.

He added that it was time that the policies, laws, and strategies were aligned with the more pro-

found up-to-date ones.

“In keeping with the new science that we have, new science is only as good as our willingness to use it…I want to, once again, commit the Ministry of Health and the Government of Guyana, to the 2030 goals of 95-95-95,” he related.

The 95-95-95 goal aims for 95 per cent of those living with HIV to know their status, 95 per cent of those who know their status to be on treatment, and 95 per cent of those on treatment to be virally suppressed, according to Aidsmap.

Colin Blaize, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Guyana Trans United, and member of the GCCM, said that the workshop will continue on a path which had started a decade ago when transgender women were marginalised. He said that many of them were engaged in sex work because they were not given the same employment opportunities

being enjoyed by heterosexual persons.

“As I recall, many of us embraced this profound profession of sex work not thinking we were putting ourselves at risk of contracting HIV and other STIs,” Blaize said.

Blaize said that many are stigmatised and discriminated against because they are comfortable with being who they are.

Blaize added: “Often, we were faced with these barriers when visiting health facilities to access healthcare services and, because of these barriers, members of this vulnerable population opted to not access the services or default due to the fact they are not comfortable [with] the way they are treated.”

Additionally, with the intervention of the MoH and donor funding over the years, many changes have been made as healthcare workers were educated on gender identity.

“However, with the recent passage and removal

Adviser to the Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy of the cross-dressing law from our books and all the work done so far, we are still faced with institutional policy, buggery law, and religious interference which most times seem like a tool to prohibit the government of the day from treating us equal,” Blaize explained.

Blaize applauded Global Fund and all the parties involved in the process of change and expressed hope that the plan would not be another document that is left to garner dust on someone’s bookshelf but that it will be implemented to ensure life is better for transgender persons and other members of the LGBTIQ+ community.

‘Sargie’ found guilty of raping, robbing woman A 12-member jury on Thursday found Ronald Armstrong, also known as ‘Sargie,’ guilty of raping and robbing a 20-year-old woman in 2013 during a home invasion.

Armstrong was on trial before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Sexual Offences Court of the Demerara High Court.

The matter before the court was that on January 22, 2013, in the county of Demerara, Armstrong engaged in sexual penetration of the victim.

The act also included theft of the victim’s jewellery and other valuables from her home.

After a two-hour deliberation, the jury returned guilty verdicts on both counts.

The case has been adjourned to June 30, 2022.

A probation report on Armstrong will be presented; sentencing will then follow.

The state was represented by prosecutors Cicelia Corbin, Caressa Henry, and Paneeta Persaud.

Armstrong was represented by attorney-at-law Everton Singh-Lammy.

According to reports, on the day in question the victim was at home with her baby and sister when Armstrong and two other men broke in.

She was held at knifepoint by Armstrong, who demanded she hand over her valuables or he would hurt her baby.

The woman complied and handed over all her jew-

CONVICTED: Ronald Armstrong also known as ‘Sargie’ ellery. Armstrong then took the victim into her bedroom and raped her. During the ordeal, the victim lost consciousness, the court heard.

She was later awakened by her sister after the men left the house. The matter was reported and Armstrong was arrested.

Armstrong is no stranger to the law. In 2014 he was sentenced to 50 months’ imprisonment for smuggling contraband into the prison.

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guyana CHRONICLE friday june 3, 2022

Bringing the benefits of digital agriculture to all –– FAO joins the Digital Public Goods Alliance

(FAO) The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has become a member of the Digital Public Goods Alliance.

This underscores FAO’s commitment to the development and championing of digital public goods that will help achieve sustainable agrifood systems and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Digital Public Goods Alliance (DPGA) is a multi-stakeholder initiative with a mission to

through affordable access to digital technologies, digital literacy and digital public goods,” FAO Chief Economist Máximo Torero said.

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS FAO has made digital technologies a cornerstone of its work aimed at transforming agricultural practices and empowering rural households, young farmers and entrepreneurs.

Through its DPGA membership, FAO and its

and agriculture ecosystem towards creating and using digital public goods, identify existing and potential DPGs within the FAO Digital Portfolio, and create a FAO Digital Public Goods Framework.

Additionally, FAO will co-chair a new community of practice focused on food security, which will produce a knowledge product to guide countries and digital practitioners.

This engagement is an important contribution to the UN Secretary-General’s Roadmap for Digital

The Hand-in-Hand Geospatial Platform, one of FAO’s certified Digital Public Goods accelerate the attainment of the SDGs in low- and middle-income countries by facilitating the discovery, development, use of, and investment in digital public goods. Digital public goods (DPGs) are open-source software, open data, open artificial intelligence (AI) models, open standards, and open content that help attain the SDGs. “This membership marks a step further in FAO’s commitment to unleashing the potential of digital agriculture by ensuring inclusivity and narrowing the digital divide between different countries and regions

partners stand to benefit from the DPGA’s core activities. These include stewarding the DPG Standard used to create alignment and understanding of DPGs, and the DPG Registry, a place where DPGs can be better discovered - including FAO’s own digital public goods.

Being a member of the DPGA means featuring the work of FAO within the DPG Roadmap, a coordination, alignment, engagement, and communication tool capturing stakeholder activities that advance digital public goods.

This will include FAO’s efforts to positively influence the food

Cooperation.

Cooperation between FAO and the DPGA will contribute to the achievement of some SDGs, notably SDG One (no poverty), Nine (industry, innovation and infrastructure), and 17 (partnerships to achieve the goal).

FAO’S WORK IN THE DIGITAL FIELD FAO has recognised the importance of the digital transformation of the agri-food sector, leading to the creation of a Digital Agriculture Programme Priority Area within FAO’s Strategic Framework

2022-31.

FAO aims to “massify” digital benefits to make sure that no one is left behind. It does this by promoting the use and adoption of digital technologies and by promoting a policy agenda and public investments.

The DPGA and FAO have collaborated successfully in the past, and the DPGA registry already includes four FAO

digital public goods: the Hand-in-Hand Geospatial Platform, the FAO Digital Services Portfolio, the Water Productivity Open Access Database WAPOR, and Open FORIS. FAO has engaged in two communities of practice run by the DPGA on the topics of Climate Services and Digital Financial Inclusion and collaborated to ensure FAO’s digital

products are digital public goods.

The DPGA also has a successful record of engagement with governments and other UN agencies and is currently co-hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).

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guyana CHRONICLE friday june 3, 2022

Winston Jordan case reassigned for third time

SENIOR MAGISTRATE Leron Daly was on Thursday designated to preside over the case of former Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who is accused of misconduct in public office.

Previously, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus had recused themselves from presiding over the matter which resulted in it being reassigned.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported previously

that the magistrates recused themselves from the case since they both were familiar with some of the lawyers involved in the matter.

During Thursday’s hearing, the chief magistrate reassigned the matter to Senior Magistrate Daly for August 29.

Jordan is currently on $3 million bail.

The former Finance Minister is represented by fellow coalition party members, attorneys-at-law Roysdale Forde S.C., Khemraj Ramjattan, Dawn Cush, Joseph Harmon, and

Darren Wade.

Previously, Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) prosecutor, Tuanna Hardy, had requested that the accused be tried summarily in the Magistrates’ Court.

H o w ev er , J o r d an ’s lawyers raised strong objections, emphasising their preference for a trial by jury in the High Court.

If this were to happen, the matter heard in the Magistrates’ Court would be the subject of a Preliminary Inquiry (PI).

Once the magistrate finds that a case has been

made, it would then be referred to the High Court for trial by a judge and jury.

Jordan’s lawyers have not made their submissions as yet.

Winston Jordan first appeared in court to respond to this matter on December 28, 2021. He was not required to plead.

It was alleged then that while he served as Finance Minister under the APNU+AFC coalition government, Jordan wilfully misconducted himself by acting recklessly when he signed NICIL (Transfer of

Property) Order, No. 50 of 2020.

NICIL, the government’s privatisation unit, fell under Jordan’s ministerial portfolio.

The substantive matter was Jordan’s transferring to and vesting to BK Marine Inc., all buildings, erections, stellings, platforms and further appurtenances, at Mud Lots One and Two, F of Mud Lot Three, A, B & D, being over 2.553 acres.

In that transaction, it was reported that $20,260,276 was paid for a property initially valued

Former Finance Minister Winston Jordan at over $5,000,000,000.

The selling price was reportedly grossly below the actual value of the assets sold.

This, the court heard from the prosecution, amounted to an abuse of the public’s trust without reasonable excuse or justification.

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guyana CHRONICLE friday june 3, 2022

Housing drive is synonymous with job creation

–– says CH&PA’s CEO THE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Sherwyn Greaves on Monday emphasised that the government’s housing drive is synonymous with the creation of employment.

Greaves, while speaking at the launch and opening of the application process for the recently an-

nounced Home Construction Assistance Programme said: “This will not only help the landowners; it will at the same time provide employment for our citizens across the country.”

He also stated that the agency will soon be inviting individuals, groups and companies to express their interest in providing various skills and services for the initiative.

Additionally, CEO Greaves stated that the programme will also stir economic activity as it is already being expanded to cover other administrative regions and is expected to be rolled out in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) before the end of the week.

The programme, which is the brainchild of President Dr. Irfaan Ali, seeks to accelerate the government’s housing drive, while also addressing challenges faced by Guyanese families who

Some of the applicants in the registration area (Ministry of Housing and Water photo)

have acquired government or private lands, but are unable to build their homes due to the inaccessibility of financing, and issues with contractors.

“We promised 50,000 house lots, which we have been ensuring that we make available to the citizens, but we have been adamant that our primary focus is homeownership; ensuring that Guyanese move from being renters to becoming homeowners,” Min-

ister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues said at the launching.

She added: “What we found is that in some cases, there is a disconnect, and there is more help that is needed, especially for our low-income earners.”

Through the programme, the CH&PA and the banking institutions will now be under one roof at CH&PA’s Head Office on Brickdam, Georgetown.

According to a press release, so far, the New Building Society (NBS) and Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited are on board.

Applicants will be assisted with the process of bank financing to meet the cost of construction.

CH&PA will be constructing the homes for the applicants, who can choose from three pre-designed units, costing $7 million, $9 million and $12 million.

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guyana CHRONICLE friday june 3, 2022

Persons with flu-like symptoms should get tested for COVID-19

PERSONS who are experiencing upper respiratory tract symptoms like sore throat and runny nose, should get tested for COVID-19, as the new sub-variant could be disguising as the common flu, Health Minister

Dr. Frank Anthony has advised.

The sub-variant BA.2 of the omicron variant, is likely responsible for the recent increase in COVID-19 cases locally, with the country currently recording 854 cases, with

135 in the past 24 hours.

Addressing the issue during his daily COVID-19 update, Minister Anthony said the BA.2 is very infectious and spreads very easily, especially when persons are not wearing masks.

The Influenza and Covid-19 viruses (web image)

The infectivity of this sub-variant will also increase the number of active cases.

“That variant is very, very infectious, so people can get infected if they are in close proximity to somebody, and especially if you are not wearing masks, then you can get infected easily and we believe that that variant is circulating here and with that circulation we are going to see an increase in cases,” Dr. Anthony said.

The symptoms of this sub-variant also resemble those of the common flu. “…so many persons who might be positive, if they don’t come and get tested, we would not know whether or not they are positive, so that’s something for people to bear in mind if they are getting

upper respiratory tract infection, then they should go and get tested,” Dr. Anthony said.

He noted that if people test positive, then they should isolate themselves to reduce the chances of infecting others.

Currently there are 27 hospitalised COVID-19 patients, with 17 at the Ocean View Infectious Diseases Facility, and three in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Regarding vaccination, currently more than 86 per cent of the population has had a first dose, while more than 66 per cent has a second dose. Vaccination among the 12-17 age group remains stable, while so far 65,607 persons have taken a booster dose.

Persons who are eligi-

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony ble for a second booster dose are urged to get it.

Adolescents could also receive a booster dose.

“We really want to encourage people to come out and get their booster doses, because we have seen that while people may have gotten their primary doses, after about a six-month period, the immunity starts to drop,” Dr. Anthony said.

Very soon the ministry will also be rolling out COVID-19 vaccination for children from ages five to 11 years old.

(DPI)

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guyana CHRONICLE friday june 3, 2022

Guyana’s fiscal, economic model allows for analysis of O&G sector –– Natural Resources Ministry says IEEFA analyst’s analysis of country’s petroleum sector ‘inaccurate, misleading’

THE Ministry of Natural Resources has said that Guyana has a fully integrated fiscal and economic model that allows for the government to analyse all the producing oil fields, as well as options for the future production of oil and gas.

This model allows the government to have a good understanding of the forecasted costs, revenues, and Net Cash Flow (NCF) from the sector for both the government take and contractors’ take.

Considering the country’s ability in this regard, the ministry said that an analysis of Guyana’s petroleum sector done by Director of Financial Analysis of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), Tom Sanzillo, is “inaccurate” and “misleading.” “… with a growing population, and increasing public, private and social investments, it is extremely pellucid that the author of the article is not familiar with effective petroleum revenue management,” the Natural Resources Ministry said.

The ministry contended that the Vice-President of Guyana, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, was “truly clear at” his recent press conference when he spoke about the expected revenues that this country will be receiving from around 2026.

The Vice-President said that by that time, Guyana will be producing over 800,000 barrels of oil per day, from

four producing oil fields.

“With that amount of oil being produced daily, then with a conservative price of US$50 per barrel, Guyana will see around US$2 billion in annual inflows to the state,” the Ministry of Natural Resources said.

This information, which was presented by the Vice-President, is an analysis for the future and not a review of previous years as Sanzillo wrote in sections the media.

“Further, it can be seen that the director does not have a full understanding of Guyana’s oil and gas sector, nor does he know the fiscal regime of the Stabroek Block,” the Natural Resources Ministry said.

Adding context, the ministry said oil production in Guyana started in December 2019 from the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) facility with peak oil set at 120,000 barrels per day.

The second production platform started in February of this year on the Liza Unity FPSO which will have peak oil at 220,000 barrels per day. The third production FPSO will be called Prosperity and will have a capacity of 220,000 barrels per day, while the fourth vessel called the One Guyana will have a capacity of 250,000 barrels per day.

“Guyana’s fiscal regime for the Stabroek Block is set with a cost recovery of 75 per cent, not 100 per cent, as has been inaccurately stated by

Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo IEEFA. The royalty is fixed at two per cent and the profit share ratio is 50:50, thereafter,” the Natural Resources Ministry said.

Those, the ministry related, are the facts on which the Vice-President presented his analysis and the basis for the projected fiscal outlook for Guyana.

In Sanzillo’s “verdict” on Guyana’s fiscal deficit and repayment, the Natural Resources Ministry said he fails to show any real analysis.

“The Vice-President stated in a comprehensive manner that Guyana now has one of the lowest debts in the world and that the country’s capacity to repay has now been improved with the revenues being received from the oil and gas sector,” the ministry said.

EFFECTIVE DEBT SUSTAINABILITY It said too that Guyana has been doing debt restructuring and repayment under the People’s Progres-

sive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, with effective debt sustainability analysis.

This, the ministry said, proves that Sanzillo has not done any proper study on Guyana’s debt repayment programme.

“The director asserted that the budget imbalance should be closed based on an IMF assessment, noting that it is a negative macroeconomic situation for Guyana.

However, he failed to analyse the country’s budgetary deficit. In an emerging country like Guyana, a low budget deficit is a positive indication and important to finance infrastructure development to support future growth,” the Ministry of Natural Resources said.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) defines a modest fiscal deficit as three-10 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Guyana’s budget deficit for 2012-2022 is within this range.

The 2022 budget deficit is projected as 3.7 per cent of GDP. The COVID-19 epidemic caused the biggest budget deficits of 6.04 per cent and 6.74 per cent in 2020 and 2021 respectively, albeit below the 10 per cent criterion.

Budgets 2020 and 2021 earmarked large resources to mitigate the damage and boost the economy. In this context, the budget deficit was essential and well-justified, while remaining below 10 per cent of GDP. Further, even before the

Police handling wake, funeral expenses for schoolgirl killed by GPF vehicle DEPUTY Commissioner of Administration (ag), Calvin Brutus, along with other senior police officials on Thursday visited the parents of 12-year-old Kayla Barnabus, who was killed on Wednesday in an accident involving a police vehicle.

The police seniors

pledged that a thorough and impartial investigation will be conducted into the fatal accident, and also committed to covering the funeral and wake expenses for the child.

Barnabus was struck down by a police pickup while attempting to cross the Goed Fortuin Public Road, West Bank Demerara

(WBD). She was a student of the West Demerara Secondary School.

According to a police release, Brutus met with Kayla’s parents, Delmon and Somatee Barnabus, at the couple’s School Street, Goed Fortuin residence.

Brutus expressed sympathy personally and on behalf

(From left) Kayla’s father, Delmon Barnabus; Deputy Commissioner (ag) Brutus, and other senior police officials

DEAD: Kayla Barnabus of the Guyana Police Force, for the terribly tragic way in which the couple’s daughter lost her life.

“Brutus also assured the family of the Guyana Police Force’s commitment to helping them through this extremely difficult time and assured [them] that the GPF will assist in every way possible to take care of the expenses of the wake and funeral arrangements for Kayla” the release said.

crisis, the average budget deficit for Latin America and the Caribbean in 2020 was nine per cent of GDP, according to an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) analysis.

Latin America and the Caribbean’s median budget deficit for 2022 is 4.6 per cent of GDP. Guyana’s budget deficit projected for 2022 is below the regional average

and below the minimal sustainable standard.

“Tom Sanzillo does not understand the necessity for evidence-based analysis to influence his judgment.

Tom Sanzillo’s analysis is erroneous. Guyana’s national debt and budget deficit are solid and regarded macroeconomically stable,” the Natural Resources Ministry said.

Fisherman killed, several injured in West Coast Berbice bee attack A 71-year-old man has lost his life while six other persons were injured after they were attacked by Africanized bees while on their way out of a dam at Number 27 Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), on Thursday.

The deceased has been identified as Winston Rigby, a fisherman of Number 41 Village, WCB. Those injured are his brothers: 44-year-old William Rigby of Onderneeming and 72-year-old Kenneth Rigby of El Dorado Village, and fishermen Charles Cadogen, 59, of Bel Air; 62-yearold Glenroy Fraser of No. 22 Bel Air; 56-year-old Basil Ramesh Davie of Bushlot Village, and Leon Bobb, 61, of Belladrum.

William, who managed to speak with the media, recounted that he, along with his brothers, were on their way to get registered for the fishermen cash grant, and while making their way out of the Number 27 Village pump station dam, a swarm of bees attacked them.

The fisherman said: “They were ahead of me walking and I was riding behind, then I see they fussing up in front… then I turn and say run, is bees, cause I know the bees were there about a month and something ago and I hollering run! alyuh run!

Then the bees done deh on me face, so I pull a cloth I used to cover fish Dead: Winston Rigby with and pull it over my face and ride harder until I reach road. One of them guys jump in the trench but my brother get plenty bite by time he reach the road.”

He added that Winston, after the ordeal, sat down and asked for a few minutes. In this time, William was taking out stingers from his body, but he did not hesitate to initiate efforts to get his brother to a hospital.

“I flag down a taxi and by the time the taxi turn back, he [Winston] start fight up! Fight up! And when we reach to the hospital he survive for about fifteen minutes,” William said.

The other men were treated by doctors on duty and four of them were sent away while two remain hospitalised.

“Right now I feel ok but just pain. I get two injections and tablets from the hospital,” William said.

The fisherman said it was a very tragic incident because the men were initially awaiting the arrival of a boat at the dock when someone told them that registration was being done for the grant.

William said that prior to this incident he had made a report of the presence of bees in the area to a worker at the Regional Democratic Council of Region Five.

“I made a report to the person that does do the honey about a month and half ago, but he checked and didn’t find any bees.

He told me to put something where the bee is, but I did put plastic and a machine pass and clean, and move the plastic,” William said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 3, 2022

Chaos aside, ‘Baderation’ was a good show (A Review) After the dust settled

By Shamar Meusa

THE performance of hit song, ‘Protocol,’ by fast-rising Dancehall star ‘Skeng’ at the Baderation Dancehall concert at the National Park last Friday, will forever be etched in the back of my head.

The “Gvnman Shift” artiste, whose real name is Kevaun Douglas, was the headliner for the show which featured the “Top Gyal” herself, Shaneil Muir, and Trinidad sensation, Yung Bredda.

Hundreds flocked the open-air venue and were treated to musical entertainment from local artistes and deejays, including cKush with his Guyanese anthem, ‘Welcome to Moco Moco.’

The Baderation line-up of performers all held their own and were able to entertain the extremely large crowd.

From my estimation, having attended all of the events over the five-day period, this event was the one that saw the largest turnout of patrons.

When I initially saw the line-up for the show, I had no intention of attending as I am not a fan of dancehall music and I didn’t feel that I was a part of the target audience for the show.

I made the impromptu decision to attend and carefully chose an outfit that would not set me apart from the crowd

that would be there.

However, upon entering the National Park, though going to the stage -ront section, I still for some reason felt unsafe as I was out of my comfort zone.

This feeling of unsafeness was compounded by the fact that I was not thoroughly searched by security at the event, nor were the persons who walked in before me.

Added to that, social media was set alight earlier in the day with persons issuing warnings to be extremely cautious with personal belongings as the ‘dunce thugs’ would be present.

Despite not being a fan of the type of music that was being promoted at the show, I still enjoyed all their performances and the way each artiste, including the locals, was able to connect with the crowd. cKush and Deejay Gully Ras ‘held’ the crowd until Yung Bredda, whose legal name is Akhenaton Lewis, rushed onto the stage around 01:00hrs, spraying fans with champagne.

While giving the crowd a “VIP” treatment, Yung Bredda had the crowd bellowing his famous slang, “who does that” and “what are you doing”, as he gyrated to every background tune throughout his 15-minute act. Yung Bredda brought playful energy.

The Trinidadian freestyle artiste provided the perfect energy for Shaneil Muir, who took to the stage with her hit song, ‘Ride It,” which featured dancehall king, Vybz Kartel.

The “Yamabella” singer provided special entertainment to the ladies, which left them feeling like, “Top Gyals” while also promoting feminist ideals of body positivity and self-independence in her trending song, “Hype and Boasy.”

Ladies in the crowd sang every word of her songs as they held on tightly to their lovers while slow dancing on their companions.

As time progressed during the night, it felt as though promoters were stalling as the show dragged on with ‘dead air’ moments. The MC tried to save the night. Skeng, the

much-anticipated final act, had a delayed entry onto the stage.

The young Jamaican entertainer’s entourage, along with local media personnel and other persons lined both sides of the National Park stage.

F i n a l l y, a t a l m o s t 03:00hrs, Skeng stormed onto the scene and was greeted with loud roars and a sea of phone lights from the crowd, while singing his latest song, “London.”

As he entered the stage with high energy, gunshots rang out from the crowd. Having attended a few dancehall shows in the past, I knew that this was not something new or different.

Skeng, whose style of music can be seen as a “new era of trap Dancehall”, appeared alongside supporting Jamaican

artiste, Navaz, who performed his song, “Choppa Fi True.”

The crowd went wild when Skeng performed his ‘gun-man’ tune ‘Protocol,’ done with Jamaican artiste, Tommy Lee Sparta. The song was played four times.

His well-received performance lasted a mere 13 minutes as his set was interrupted by the events with which most social media users are now familiar.

Things quickly turned messy when patrons took Skeng’s lyrics, “Molly get pop, whole place get hot” a little too seriously, and fired several shots in the air.

The crowd appeared unbothered by the sound of gunshots. It was the hurling of glass bottles that caused the most concern.

Bottles rained down onto

the stage front/VIP section from the general section. This resulted in retaliation from persons in the VIP section.

Following the exchange, the VIP section was then stormed by those in general.

Prior to this happening, myself and my colleague and best friend decided to leave the show. Just as we turned towards the exit, the melee began. Instinctively, we sought shelter from the chaos and allowed the crowd to settle.

Assessing the damage after, broken bottles were everywhere. Tables in the stage front section were upturned as patrons charged to safety.

Everything aside, the show was an experience.

The performers delivered, and the energy was there.

(Additional reporting by Clestine Juan)

Cosby took her to a bedroom and forced her to perform a sex act.

During opening statements at the court in Santa Monica, California, on Wednesday, a lawyer for Ms Huth said the comedian “has a sense of entitlement, and no fear”.

Nathan Goldberg said Mr Cosby had “pounced” on his client and she suffered from serious anxiety after the incident.

When other women came forward with stories of their abuse at the hands of Mr Cosby, “it was like a cork popped out of the bottle and all of her buried feelings rushed to the surface”, Mr Goldberg added.

While Mr Cosby’s attor-

neys have acknowledged he met Ms Huth and went to the Playboy Mansion with her, they deny any assault took place.

They also claim Ms Huth was 18, not 16.

They also question why the accuser stayed on for hours at the mansion after the alleged incident, watching a film and swimming in the pool.

Defence lawyer Jennifer Bonjean dismissed Ms Huth’s case as a “fabrication”, questioning why she and a friend had preserved photos from the visit as “mementos” of an alleged sexual assault.

Mr Cosby is not required to attend the court proceedings, and is not expected to do so.

His attorneys have previously said he has gone blind as a result of glaucoma. He did, however, give a video deposition.

Once known to millions as “America’s Dad”, Mr Cosby has faced dozens of accusations of sexual assault, misconduct and rape stretching back to the mid-1960s.

In 2018, he was convicted of drugging and molesting a woman at his home in 2004 and sentenced to three to 10 years in prison.

The conviction, however, was overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court last year. He was released from prison after serving nearly three years.

Bill Cosby ‘pounced’ on teen in Playboy Mansion

(BBC) - Less than a year after his sex assault conviction was thrown out and he walked free from prison, comedian Bill Cosby is facing another allegation in court.

Mr Cosby, 85, is embroiled in a civil lawsuit over a claim he sexually assaulted Judy Huth, now 64, at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, U.S.A. in 1975.

The case is one of the last remaining legal actions against Mr Cosby, who has faced numerous abuse claims.

He has denied any assault took place, and is not expected to testify.

According to a lawsuit filed

by Ms Huth in 2014, the inci-

Bill Cosby at his sentencing in Pennsylvania in 2018 (GETTY IMAGES) dent took place when she was 16 years old, days after she met Mr Cosby at a park near Los Angeles where he was shooting a film.

After giving her alcohol “as part of a game”, she said, Mr Cosby allegedly took her to the Playboy Mansion.

There, Ms Huth claims, Mr

17

Kes heats up Marriott parking lot for ‘Stinging Nettles’ GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 3, 2022

“I CONSIDER allyuh muh people!” were the lyrics that opened the Independence Day performance of Trinidadian Soca superstar, Kes, when he took to the stage at the Georgetown Marriott Hotel’s parking lot.

The El Dorado Stinging Nettles Concert was, by far, the most anticipated event for Guyanese Soca lovers. Kes the Band is renowned for its groovy Soca renditions, their last appearance in Guyana being two years ago at the similarly-named event in 2019.

The May 26 show

lived up to its extremely high expectation, with the ambiance featuring greenery, and the El Dorado Rum bars well-lit and exquisitely designed.

The “Jolene” singer emerged on stage just around 21:30 hrs after a rousing musical introduction from his band.

Donning red pants and a black jacket, the singing sensation came on stage to a rousing welcome from Soca fans. ‘People’, his opening number, saw Kes reminding the crowd that he was here to “fete” with his people.

The energy Kes brought to the stage was

infectious, as the crowd, which was more settled before his entrance, came to life. Phone lights shone across the crowd, centering the Soca megastar.

It feels like every Kes song is a hit song. His performance of “Liki Tiki” had party-goers swaying from side to side as the groovy vibe filled the air.

Not even the Atlantic Ocean’s breeze was enough to cool the atmosphere. The “Jam down” singer quickly rid himself of his jacket, while fetegoers were lost in the music, gyrating the night away.

One patron, positioned

at the front of the stage, was lucky to have Kes take her phone and make a video, which he later reposted on his social media.

In true Kes fashion, just as his over hour set was coming to a close, he promptly grabbed the Golden Arrowhead and waved it in the air as he altered the lyrics to his road march hit, ‘Savannah Grass’.

Singing “Guyana Grass,” Kes extended independence wishes to patrons. Chutney heavyweights, Ravi B and Nisha B closed the night’s concert. (Shamar Meusa)

Kes (Shamar Meusa photos)

Jamaica legislator calls for reggae legend, Bob Marley, to be named a national hero

(Reuters) - A Jamaican legislator is asking the country’s parliament to name reggae legend, Bob Marley, a

national hero, an effort that comes amid rising nationalism in English-speaking Caribbean countries that are

distancing themselves from their colonial past.

The proposal by lawmaker, Lisa Hanna, would make the iconic

singer a national hero, a title already held by seven Jamaicans, including Black nationalist leader, Marcus Garvey, and the

Tourists view a statue of Bob Marley outside the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston, December 13, 2013. (REUTERS/Gilbert Bellamy)

nation’s first Prime Minister, Alexander Bustamante.

It comes months after Barbados bestowed a similar honour on pop singer, Rihanna, during a November ceremony in which the island severed its ties to the British monarchy and created a republic - a process Jamaica is also considering.

“Bob Marley deserves that recognition because he lived a very short life that transformed the thinking of people around the world,” Hanna told Reuters in an interview at her Kingston office.

It is not immediately evident when parliament will vote on the measure.

Hanna hopes it will be approved in time for the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence on August 6.

Marley was born in 1945 in the rural parish of St. Ann to a white English father and a Black Jamaican mother.

When he was 12, he moved to Trench Town in Kingston, where he and musicians, Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh, devel-

oped what would become a globally recognized reggae sound. Marley died in 1981 of melanoma, a form of skin cancer.

His rise to fame helped create a positive image for Jamaica, which, at the time, was beset by deep political division that played out in violent street confrontations and shootouts between gangs of opposing ideologies.

“It was the possibility that Jamaica could actually have a superstar in the middle of the poverty and the violence,” said Matthew Smith, a Jamaican historian at the University College of London.

Marcia Griffiths, who sang for years with Marley, including on classic tracks such as “No Woman, No Cry,” also supports Hanna’s proposal.

“Bob is a legend and an icon who has done so much for the entire world,” she said in an interview.

“The power and the force of music can change the world, and that is why God gave us a man like Bob.”

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 3, 2022

Patrice, again! —But we’re not complaining

THE Georgetown Marriott Beachfront was, last week, transformed into a tropical paradise for the premiere event that kicked off the ‘Genesis X Utopia’ Band Launch and events line-up.

Number one of six, the ‘XM Touchdown Cooler Fete’ saw patrons dragging and hoisting coolers through the loose, white sand as they eagerly awaited to escape to a local ‘Feteland’.

A line up of several DJs kick-started the high energy evening with mostly soca tunes combined with a sprinkle of popular dancehall and hip-hop tracks.

Moving to the tune, the crowd patiently awaited

the line-up of local and regional artistes.

The breeze of the Atlantic Ocean swept across the gathering, bringing with it a sudden rain.

Technical staff scrambled as the sound system experienced technical difficulties. The music stopped as one DJ was mid-performance. The rain passed within minutes, but the fete organiser’s support stuff scampered to reactivate the sound apparatus throughout the venue.

Midnight struck and it was Independence morning. Local acts, Nesta Nelson and Vanilla, took the stage to warm up the crowd for headliner, Patrice Roberts.

As the bass intro to Roberts’ most popular song, “Mind my business” bumped, partygoers were teased with a video montage on the jumbo screen while awaiting the arrival of the singing sensation.

The Trinidadian Soca songstress hit the stage at 1:40 am to that very song as the crowd bellowed lyrics to the song.

As Roberts emerged on stage, fete-goers were instantly energized as she threw out a set list of hit song after hit song: “A little Wine,” “Better Days” and “Splash” were hot numbers.

Mid-way into her set, it was clear Roberts had a trick up her sleeve. Just as she began the song, “Like it

like this”, she called out to fellow Trinidadian singer, Kes, who was already in Guyana ahead of his upcoming show. The crowd went wild.

The duo embraced each other and shared a dance as they sang. The crowd was animated for Kes. He was not slated to perform that night, yet still delivered a short but riveting performance.

The show concluded just a few minutes after Patrice left the stage.

The streets of the capital city were then flooded with partygoers who were deciding which popular night spot to choose for the after-fete cool down.

(Shamar Meusa)

Soca Sensation, Patrice Roberts before her appearance (Instagram: @ patriceroberts1)

Amber Heard plans to appeal ruling that she defamed Johnny Depp (Reuters) - “Aquaman” actor Amber Heard will appeal a jury’s decision that she defamed ex-hus-

defamed the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star, and awarded him $10.35 million in damages. The jury also de-

Amber Heard leaves Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse after the jury announced split verdicts in the Depp v. Heard civil defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, U.S., June 1, 2022. REUTERS/ Tom Brenner/File Photo

band Johnny Depp when she claimed she was a survivor of sexual violence, her attorney said on Thursday.

A seven-person jury in Virginia ruled on Wednesday that Heard

termined that Heard was defamed, awarding her $2 million.

Elaine Charlson Bredehoft, one of Heard’s attorneys, said on NBC’s “Today” show that Depp’s team was “able to suppress

an enormous amount of evidence” that was allowed in a libel case in Britain, which Depp lost.

Depp sued British tabloid, the Sun, for calling him a “wife beater”. A London High Court judge found that Depp abused Heard at least a dozen times, but Heard’s lawyers were not allowed to tell the jury that in the Virginia case, Bredehoft said.

“So what did D e p p ’s t e a m l e a r n from this? Demonise Amber, and suppress the evidence,” Bredehoft said.

“She was demonised here,” Bredehoft added. “A number of things were allowed in this court that should not have been allowed, and it caused the jury to be confused.”

During the trial, Depp said he never hit or sexually abused Heard, and argued that she was the one who became violent during their relationship. Heard said she slapped Depp, but only in defence of herself or her sister.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 3, 2022

Depp scores near-total victory in US defamation case against ex-wife Heard

(Reuters) - ACTOR Johnny Depp won more than $10M in damages on Wednesday, achieving a near-total victory in a defamation suit against ex-wife Amber Heard to cap a six-week trial featuring graphic testimony about the stars’ soured relationship.

A seven-person jury in

yers, looked down as the verdicts were read.

“The disappointment I feel today is beyond words,” she said in a statement. “I’m heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence and sway of my ex-husband.”

Actor Johnny Depp gestures as he leaves the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse following his defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard, in Fairfax, Virginia, U.S., May 27, 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein Virginia also ruled for Heard on one counterclaim against Depp. The “Pirates of the Caribbean” film star depicted the decision as a vindication, and his former wife said it was “a disappointment.”

Jurors awarded Depp $15M in damages from Heard, which the judge reduced to $10.35M to comply with state limits on punitive damages.

The panel ordered Depp to pay Heard $2M in damages.

Depp, 58, had sued Heard for $50M and argued that she defamed him when she called herself “a public figure representing domestic abuse” in a newspaper opinion piece.

Heard countersued for $100M, saying Depp smeared her when his lawyer called her accusations a “hoax.”

Depp denied hitting Heard, 36, or any woman and said she was the one who turned violent in their relationship.

He told jurors the allegations from Heard, best known for her role in “Aquaman,” had cost him “everything.” A new “Pirates” movie was put on hold and Depp was replaced in the “Fantastic Beasts” film franchise, a “Harry Potter” spinoff.

“The jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled,” Depp, who watched the verdict from Britain, said in a statement.

“The best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun,” he added, ending with the Latin phrase “Veritas numquam perit. Truth never perishes.”

Heard, seated in the courtroom between two of her law-

“I’m even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women,” she added. “It is a setback.”

Depp faced a different outcome in Britain less than two years ago, when he sued the Sun tabloid for calling him a “wife beater.” A London High Court judge ruled that he had repeatedly assaulted Heard.

JURY HEARS ABOUT COUPLE’S CLASHES The two met in 2011 while filming “The Rum Diary” and wed in February 2015. Their divorce was finalised about two years later.

At the centre of the legal case was a December 2018 opinion piece by Heard in the Washington Post. The article did not mention Depp by name but his lawyer told jurors it was clear that Heard was referring to him.

The jury agreed with all of Depp’s defamation claims, which cited a passage in the article and headline that read: “I spoke up against sexual violence - and faced our culture’s wrath. That has to change.”

Jurors rejected two of Heard’s three counterclaims.

They concluded she was defamed when an attorney for Depp told a media outlet that Heard staged property damage to show to police after an alleged fight.

“Amber and her friends spilled a little wine and roughed the place up, got their stories straight under the direction of a lawyer and publicist,” the statement said in part.

During six weeks of testimony, Heard’s attorneys argued that she had told the truth

and that her comments were covered as free speech under the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment.

Jurors listened to recordings of the couple’s fights and saw graphic photos of Depp’s

bloody finger. He said the top of the finger was severed when Heard threw a vodka bottle at him in 2015.

Heard denied injuring Depp’s finger and said Depp sexually assaulted her that night

with a liquor bottle. She said she struck him only to defend herself or her sister.

Testimony was livestreamed widely on social media, drawing large audiences to hear details about the couple’s troubled

relationship.

Depp’s lawyers filed the U.S. case in Fairfax County, Virginia, because the Washington Post is printed there.

The newspaper was not a defendant.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 3, 2022

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 3, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 3, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 3, 2022

Shakib Al Hasan back as Bangladesh Test captain

… Litton Das will be Shakib’s deputy, replacing Mominul Haque SHAKIB Al Hasan will take the reins for Bangladesh in Test cricket once again, being confirmed as captain yesterday. He takes over from Mominul Haque, who had resigned as captain on May 31, after leading the side since October 2019. Litton Das has been named Shakib’s deputy.

“What I have discussed - or, what we have discussed - and learnt is that he (Shakib) is available to play,” BCB president Nazmul Hassan said yesterday.

“After the series against West Indies, we have a series against Zimbabwe. Shakib is uncertain for that series, and it’s unclear how long Shakib will remain as captain.

“I had three names. The people responsible for (selecting the captain) had their discussions and gave me three names - one of them would be the captain and one of the others would be the vice-captain. If Shakib had refused the captaincy, we would have turned to the other two.

“We wanted to appoint both

the new captain and the vice-captain. And after the preliminary discussions, we decided to have Shakib Al Hasan as the captain and Litton Das as the vice-captain.”

Results did not go Bangladesh’s way a lot during Mominul’s tenure: in all Bangladesh won just three Tests under him, losing 12 and drawing two.

Also, Mominul’s own batting form fell away - he has 162 runs in six Tests so far in 2022, averaging 16.20 - as a result of the pressures of captaincy, and that was one of the primary reasons for him giving up the job. “When you play well, even if the team doesn’t win, you are still in a position to motivate them. I felt that captaining a side is tough when I am not scoring and team is not winning,” he said at the time of announcing his resignation.

Shakib, 35, has had numerous stints as Bangladesh’s Test captain, first leading the side in a game against West Indies in 2009. He captained for six more

matches in the first half of 2010, and again in August 2011 against Zimbabwe, before falling out of favour with the-then BCB chief Mustafa Kamal.

He took over the Test captaincy once again in December 2017, replacing Mushfiqur Rahim. He held the role for nearly two years, till he was handed a one-year ban from all cricket in 2019 for failing to report a bookie’s approach.

Incidentally, Shakib’s future in Test cricket has been a topic of discussion in recent months, with the all-rounder going back and forth on his commitment to red-ball cricket. In February, Shakib had reportedly asked the BCB for some time off from Test cricket, but was nonetheless selected in the squad for the tour of South Africa.

Shakib, though, suggested that he was “jaded”, and requested a break from international cricket, which the BCB eventually granted him. But then board president Nazmul Hassan publicly questioned Shakib’s commit-

King unbeaten on 91...

FROM BACK PAGE

thereon. As was the case in the first ODI, the spinners, Hayden Walsh and Hosein, brought about their downfall.

Vikramjit was the first to depart when he pushed an innocuous, tossed-up ball straight back at Hosein for 46. While O’Dowd reached his fourth ODI half-century, he was soon undone by a short-of-a-length Hosein delivery that crept very low to bowl him.

With both set batters dismissed, Netherlands lost their way. Hosein sent back de Leede for 0 before Nkrumah Bonner claimed Musa Ahmed for 7.

Hosein then claimed his fourth wicket, getting rid of Teja Nidamanuru for 4, with Netherlands suddenly finding themselves 159 for 5.

Scott Edwards, batting at No. 3, did his best to take his side to a respectable total but did not get much support. He

SCOREBOARD

NETHERLANDS innings Vikramjit Singh c & b Walsh 46 M. O’Dowd b Hosein 51 S. Edwards c Mayers b Phillip 68 B. de Leede b Hosein 0 Musa Ahmed c Hosein b Bonner 7 T. Nidamanuru c & b Hosein 4 P. Seelaar c Mayers b Hosein 5 L. van Beek c sub (S Lewis) b Joseph 9 A. Dutt run-out 3 R. Klein b Joseph 0 Shariz Ahmad not out 1 Extras: (lb-7, w-11, nb-2) 20 Total” (5 wkts, 48.3 overs) 214 Fall of wickets: 1-101, 2-115, 3-117, 4-148, 5-159, 6-180, 7-204, 8-211, 9-212.

Bowling: Mayers 7-0-36-0, Joseph 8-1-30-2 (w-3), Phillip 7.3-033-1 (w-1), Hosein 10-0-39-4 (w-1, nb-1), Walsh 10-0-40-1 (w-2), Bonner 6-0-29-1 (w-1).

WEST INDIES innimgs S. Hope b de Leede 18 S. Brooks c Seelaar b van Beek 6 N. Bonner lbw b de Leede 15 N. Pooran b Dutt 10 B. King not out 91 K. Mayers c wkp. Edwards b Shariz Ahmad 22 K. Carty not out 43 Extras: (w-12) 12 Total: (5 wkts, 45.3 overs) 217 Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-3, 3-48, 4-60, 5-99.

Bowling: Klein 7-1-40-0 (w-2), van Beek 10-0-39-1 (w-3), de Leede 8-0-46-2 (w-4), Dutt 7.3-1-33-1, Seelaar 7-0-31-0, Shariz Ahmad 6-0-28-1 (w-1) Man-of-the-Match: Brandon King

struck 68 off 89 balls and was the last wicket to fall as the hosts failed to bat out their 50 overs. For West Indies, Hosein was the pick of the bowlers, while Joseph snarled two wickets at the end.

West Indies’ chase got off on the wrong foot with Shamarh Brooks and Shai Hope falling inside the first ten overs.

While van Beek had Brooks caught at first slip for 6, de Leede left Hope’s stumps in a mess with a stunning in-dipper for 18. de Leede then struck again, trapping Bonner for 15, while Nicholas Pooran dragged Aryan Dutt back onto his stumps, having hit him for a six a few deliveries earlier.

King and Mayers forged a bit of a fightback for the visitors, but once the latter fell on 22, with the team score on 99, Netherlands would have sniffed an upset. King, though, made sure he did not lose focus. At no stage did he let the Netherlands bowlers bowl too many dot balls, and even when Carty failed to rotate the strike, King kept the boundaries flowing.

Netherlands fluffed a couple of run-out attempts, but apart from that, there was little the two West Indies batters offered in terms of chances.

King, who smashed nine fours and three sixes during his knock, was named playerof-the-match for his effort.

The final ODI is carded for the same venue tomottow.

(Cricinfo)

Shakib Al Hasan has had several stints in charge of Bangladesh (AFP/Getty Images) ment to his country and, following another round of meetings between the all-rounder and the BCB boss, Shakib was included

in the squad for South Africa. In the end, though, he did miss the Tests due to illness in his family.

In the Test series assignment

that followed, at home against Sri Lanka, Shakib finished as the highest wicket-taker for the hosts.

The visitors, though, won the series 1-0.

Hassan further confirmed that former Indian batter Wasim Jaffer and former Australia batter Stuart Law will join the Under-19 coaching team.

“Our Under-19 (men’s) coaching staff will have Stuart Law and Wasim Jaffer,” Hassan said. “Stuart Law will be the head coach and Wasim Jaffer will be BCB’s batting consultant.

We can use them in various capacities. (Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 3, 2022

Gauff sets up French Open final against Swiatek

AMERICAN teenager Coco Gauff reached her first Grand Slam final with victory in the French Open last four, setting up a tantalising meeting with world number one Iga Swiatek.

Gauff, 18, won 6-3, 6-1 against unseeded Italian Martina Trevisan on the Paris clay in her maiden major semi-final.

Swiatek, 21, completed a serene journey into the Roland Garros final with a 6-2, 6-1 win over 20th seed Daria Kasatkina.

The Pole earned a 34th successive win to move into her second major final.

Swiatek, the 2020 Ro-

World number one Iga Swaitek land Garros champion, has dropped just one set this fortnight on the Paris clay.

“It is a pretty special moment, and emotional,” said Swiatek, who meets Gauff tomorrow. “I am grateful to be healthy and in that place.”

Coco Gauff will be playing in her first Grand Slam final

Gauff, seeded 18th, was the heavy favourite against Trevisan and has become the youngest finalist at Roland Garros since Kim Clijsters in 2001.

Clinical Swiatek matches Serena and has Venus in her

sights, Not since Serena Williams in her prime has there been as strong a favourite for a Grand Slam women’s singles title as Swiatek.

In a stunning start to 2022, the Polish player has won five consecutive tournaments - in Doha, Indian Wells, Miami, Stuttgart and Rome - and has taken over as the WTA world number one following Ashleigh Barty’s surprise retirement.

A dominating win against Kasatkina moved her alongside Williams in hold-

ing the joint second-longest streak by any WTA player this century.

Longest WTA winning streaks All-time: S i n c e 2000: 74 Martina Navratilova (1984) 35 Venus Williams (2000) 66 Steffi Graf (19891990) 34 Serena Williams (2013) 58 Martina Navratilova (1986-87) 34 Iga Swiatek (2022) Swiatek will equal Venus Williams’ 35-match streak as the longest if she wins the Roland Garros title tomorrow.

Swiatek, like she has in all of her matches so far, started strongly and broke the serve of her opponent at the first opportunity.

Kasatkina responded instantly to wipe that out but the Russian gifted another opportunity to Swiatek at 15-30 in the fifth game when

she hit an overhead volley well long.

The gasps of the crowd indicated how bad a miss that was and that proved to be a turning point.

Swiatek punished her further with a forehand winner to break for a 4-2 lead, continuing to swamp Kasatkina and clinching a 35-minute set with a crosscourt backhand winner.

Kasatkina had actually lost fewer games than Swiatek in reaching the semi-final stage, but found the top seed to be a different class of opponent.

A break for 3-1 in the second set indicated Swiatek was going to forge ahead for a routine win and that proved to be case.

Swiatek seized upon a double fault from Kasatkina for 0-30 at 4-1, whacking clinical winners off both flanks to break and then served out victory with an ace.

Nadal aims to move step closer to 14th title, against Zverev

RAFAEL Nadal will aim to reach a 14th French Open final on his 36th birthday today - although it remains to be seen whether it could be his last.

The 21-time Grand Slam champion - a record 13-time winner in Paris - meets German third seed Alexander Zverev for a place in Sunday’s showpiece.

But the Spaniard is yet to find a “solution” to his chronic foot injury.

“The last three months and a half, for me, the only thing that I can say is they haven’t been easy,” Nadal said.

“If we are not able to find an improvement or a small solution, then it’s becoming super difficult for me. So that’s it,” added the world number five, whose encounter with Zverev is scheduled to start at 13:45 BST. “It’s not the moment to talk about (what happens after the French Open). We are going to talk about that when my tournament finishes.”

Nadal overcame defending champion and world number one Novak Djokovic

Rafael Nadal has reached 13 French Open finals winning all of them - in 17 appearances at Roland Garros in a thrilling four-set and fourhour encounter in Tuesday’s night session.

His 110th win at Roland Garros leaves him two victories away from moving another title clear of 20-time major winners Djokovic and Roger Federer.

Despite winning the Australian Open in January after returning from the foot problem that he feared may end his career, it is clear the injury is still causing issues.

“I am just enjoying every day that I have the chance to be here, and without thinking much about what can happen in the future,” Nadal said.

“Of course I’m going to keep fighting to find a solution, but for the moment, we haven’t.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen after here.”

Nadal has won six of his nine matches against Zverev and four of their previous five meetings on clay.

The 25-year-old German’s wait for a maiden Grand Slam title continues but he did record his first victory over a top-10 opponent at a major with an impressive four-set win over talented Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals. (BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 3, 2022

Babar Azam hopeful Pakistan can beat the heat, West Indies

BABAR Azam, the Pakistan captain, understands that weather conditions during the ODI series against West Indies will be challenging but he is confident of his side acclimating to the heat.

The temperature in Multan, the venue for the three ODIs, is expected to touch 45 degrees centigrade during the day, and, despite the matches starting at 15:00hrs it is unlikely to give players much respite.

The three-match series, initially scheduled to be played in December 2021, had to be postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the West Indies camp. While Babar agreed that playing the matches in sweltering conditions was not ideal, he was confident the players were well-prepared to deal with the heat.

“Unfortunately the series could not be completed earlier in the original slot (in December),” Babar said during a press conference held in Lahore. “Obviously both boards have had their discussions and decided about this series on agreement. It’s a challenging scenario but now it has been decided and we are preparing for it.

“Definitely it is hot, but we are having a conditioning camp and acclimatising to the weather. We started our training camp earlier in the day from 14:30hrs so that we could feel the heat and get ourselves ready for the matches.

“The temperate here (in Lahore) is similar to what we are going to experience in Multan, maybe one or two degrees more. We are already having our camps here and training in and out to get used to it. As a professional, you have to handle these situations.

“We do go out to other countries to play, and even during our time in the UAE, we used to face similar temperatures. I think it won’t be a problem and we will try to finish this series on a high note.”

Pakistan vs West Indies

ODIs moved from Rawalpindi to Multan.

The PCB has been assisting its team to counter the heat in Multan. The board will be providing ice collars, vests, and extra water breaks to keep the players hydrated.

While Babar conceded that it may take the visitors a little time to get used to the extreme heat, he expected West Indies to put up a proper fight. “It won’t be a problem for them (West Indies) either, but yes, they will take a day to adjust to the time zone and weather.

Every team comes with

Babar Azam: West Indies are a dangerous team. You can’t take them easy (AFP/Getty Images) their plans and how they would execute them. So it won’t give us an edge because the weather is the same as in the West Indies.

When we go there, we also get severe hot conditions.”

Multan wasn’t the preferred venue for the ODIs initially, but the PCB was forced to relocate from Rawalpindi in light of political uncertainty in nearby Islamabad. The series carries significance as it is part of the World Cup Super League, which is why the selectors refrained from tinkering with a settled combination.

First-choice spinner Shadab Khan returned to the side after recovering from injury, while there was a call-up for top-order batter Abdullah Shafique. Babar,

though, wants Imam ul Haq and Fakhar Zaman to keep opening the batting, emphasising the need to give players a longer rope.

“We already have openers who are doing well and they are the priority and you always make your best ones your priority,” Babar responded to a question on Shafique getting a chance in the starting XI. “These games are crucial for us and to build a team, you have to give players consistent chances.

“Yes, there are margins of bad performances, but you never drop players with the whip because teams are not lifted like this. You have to be consistent with your selection.

There is a margin of one or two changes due to injuries but not more than that.

“With Shadab and (Mohammad) Nawaz coming back into the team, I got my confidence because, with them, I have completed my batting and bowling in the given combination. Shadab bats up in the order in PSL and we have an edge to utilise him and then we are fully covered with 5, 6 and 7, with Nawaz as a finisher.”

Pakistan recently beat Australia 2-1 in an ODI series at home, and had also blanked West Indies 3-0 in the three-match T20I series back in December, last year.

On the upcoming games against West Indies, Babar said: “As a team, as a captain, you go into the series thinking about a clean sweep, whoever the opponents are. We went with the same thought against Australia, to play tough cricket and dominate. The intent is the same against West Indies, but it’s not like we are underestimating them.

They also have the capacity to give you a tough time as on the day, they are a dangerous team. You can’t take them easy.”

The three ODIs will be played on June 8, 10 and 12 in Multan (Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 3, 2022

Trio of Liverpool players among PFA men’s player of the year award MANCHESTER City’s Kevin de Bruyne and Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo join a trio of Liverpool players among nominations for the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) men’s players’ player of the year award.

Forwards Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, along with centre-back Virgil van Dijk are the three Reds names on the list.

Tottenham’s Harry Kane is also included but the

league’s joint top scorer Son Heung-min has not been nominated.

The winner will be revealed on 9 June.

Premier League winner De Bruyne was City’s top scorer and assist provider this season with 15 goals and eight assists. He has already been voted the 2021-22 Premier League player of the season.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool dominate the list having won two domestic cups,

Manchester City’s Phil Foden scored 14 goals in all competitions this season

come within one point of winning the Premier League and reached the Champions League final, only to lose to Real Madrid.

Salah, the league’s joint top scorer along with Spurs’ Son, scored 23 times and he also ended the campaign with 13 assists, which saw him secure the Premier League’s playmaker award.

Mane was Liverpool’s second highest scorer with 16.

Netherlands captain Van Dijk helped the Reds concede only 26 goals in 38 league games, the joint least with champions City.

Kane was last season’s Golden Boot winner, sharing the award with Salah, and it comes as a surprise that the England skipper, who scored 17 goals this year, makes the shortlist rather than Spurs’ top scorer Son. Six-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo is perhaps another unexpected name in the nominations after Man-

NBA superstar LeBron James on Forbes’ billionaires list

LOS Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James has become the first active NBA player to make Forbes’ billionaires list.

Forbes estimates James, 37, is the world’s second highest-paid athlete be-

(£63.7M) of it coming off the court.

The American business magazine puts James’ net worth at $1bn (£796.4M).

His earnings over the last 12 months beat his

NBA superstar LeBron James on Forbes’ billionaires list hind footballer Lionel Messi.

The four-time NBA champion, who has been the league’s most valuable player (MVP) four times, earned $121.2M (£96.5M) over the last year, with $80M

own record of $96.5M (£76.8M) for an NBA player that he set last year.

The 18-time all-star player has earned more than $385M (£306.4M) in salary from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami

Heat and Lakers - but most of his income has come from endorsements and business ventures.

For example, his stake in SpringHill - the television and movie production company James built with business partner Maverick Carter is believed to be worth $300M (£238.8M).

Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan became a billionaire in 2014, but that was 11 years after the six-time NBA champion finished playing.

In March, James moved second in the NBA’s list of all-time scorers and he currently has 37 062 points, behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387).

Only Jordan (six), Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Russell (both five) have been named the NBA’s MVP on more occasions than James. (BBC Sport)

chester United finished sixth, 13 points off Champions League qualification.

However, bar Son and Salah, Ronaldo was the Premier League’s top scorer with 18.

City’s Phil Foden is among six players nominated for the Professional Footballers’ Association men’s young player of the year award.

The 22-year-old, who won last season’s PFA young player award, is joined by Arsenal pair Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe in an all-English line-up.

Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, defender Reece James from Chelsea and Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey complete the shortlist.

Despite missing the first month of the season with an injury he picked up with England at Euro 2020, Foden registered nine goals and five assists for Pep Guardiola’s Premier League-winning side.

With 11 goals, Saka was

Arsenal’s top scorer in the Premier League this season and also provided the joint-highest number of assists for them - tying with Alexandre Lacazette on seven.

Meanwhile, Saka’s teammate Emile Smith Rowe, who won his first England caps this season, was second on the Gunners’ league goalscoring list with 10.

Gallagher, who has just completed a season’s loan at Crystal Palace from Chelsea, scored eight goals for Patrick Vieira’s side and made his England debut in November.

Chelsea defender James completes a family double with his nomination - as sister is on the women’s young player shortlist.

He scored five goals and provided nine assists this season, while offering defensive solidity in a side who conceded fewer goals in this season’s Premier League than every other side bar Manchester City and Liverpool.

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah was joint top goalscorer in the Premier League this season alongside Tottenham’s Son Heung-min (BBC Sport) Aston Villa’s Ramsey has flourished under the management of Steven Gerrard and established himself as a first-team regular this season, picking up the club’s players’ player of the season award.

CONCACAF Champions League set for expansion from 2024 MIAMI, USA (AFP) Eleven more teams will join an expanded CONCACAF Champions League from 2024 under a sweeping revamp of the competition unveiled on Wednesday.

CONCACAF, the governing body for football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, said in a statement that the club tournament would increase from 16 to 27 teams after the 2023 tournament.

Eighteen teams participating in the competition will come from North

America, with as many as nine sides from the United States and Canada potentially able to qualify.

Under the new format, 22 teams will play in 11 home-and-away first-round games, with five other teams automatically advancing to the last 16.

The tournament will proceed as a home-andaway knockout tournament until the final, which will be played as a single game one-off fixture.

The five teams given a bye into the last 16 will be the MLS Cup champions, the champions of Mexico’s

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Liga MX, and the winners of three new sub-regional club tournaments - the Leagues Cup, which features teams from MLS and Liga MX, the Central American Cup and the Caribbean Cup. Major League Soccer is guaranteed at least five entrants under the revised format.

As well as the winners of the MLS Cup, places will also be given to the winners of the Supporters Shield, which goes to the team with the best regular season record, the conference winners opposite the Shield winners, and the two teams with the next best regular season records.

The winners of the US Open Cup - the knockout competition which features more than 100 clubs from across the United States will also earn a berth into the first round.

The Seattle Sounders are the reigning CONCACAF Champions League winners, claiming victory over two legs last month against Mexico’s UNA.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 3, 2022

First Test at Lord’s

By Stephan Shemilt ENGLAND’S new era under captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum got off to a chaotic start as 17 wickets fell on the first day of the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s.

New Zealand were bowled out for 132, only for England to slump to 116-7 in reply.

For as brilliant as England were with the ball and in the field, they were as poor with the bat as they have been in a run that has seen them win only one of their past 17 Tests.

Though New Zealand won the toss, the conditions offered movement to the home side that debutant Matthew Potts and the recalled James Anderson exploited with four wickets apiece.

However, Colin de Grandhomme’s 42 not out dragged the Black Caps from 45-7, with the last three wickets adding 87 runs.

Still, England were in strong positions at 59-0 and 92-2, only to lose five wickets for eight runs in a blur of inexplicable strokes.

All this on a day when Jack Leach had to be withdrawn from the match with concussion after landing awkwardly while trying to save a boundary in just the sixth over.

Leach has been replaced

by Lancashire leg-spinner Matt Parkinson, who started the day in Manchester and ended it on the verge of batting in his Test debut.

ACTION-PACKED START TO NEW ERA If the expectation was that the new management would bring an all-action style to the England team, it was fulfilled on a barely believable day at Lord’s, when the two sides competed to see who could put in the worse batting performance.

England make chaotic start to new era as 17 wickets fal on day one

Debutant Matthew Potts produced figures of 4 for 13 (PA Images/Getty) As everything went England’s way in the morning, new skipper Stokes had few decisions to make. It may be that his most important act was to lose the toss, but there were some glimpses of an attacking intent with as many as six catchers posted in the slips.

England utilised the conditions with a full length and caught everything - Jonny Bairstow held on to three at third slip, including two stunners.

Amid the carnage, Leach was hurt, and the game was also stopped after 23 overs for applause in tribute to late Australia legend Shane Warne.

For as much as England looked reinvigorated with the ball and in the field, their batting was depressingly feeble, the rash shots all too familiar.

The late clatter of wickets was enough to drag New Zealand back into a contest that they could already have been out of.

ENGLAND COLLAPSE LEAVES TEST IN BALANCE Perhaps the biggest crime of England’s implosion was that New Zealand looked flattened, offering little threat, until they were given a way back into the

match.

It started when Zak Crawley fell in characteristic fashion, edging a booming drive off Kyle Jamieson after playing nicely for 43.

Though new number three Ollie Pope was drawn into a poke at Jamieson for only seven, all seemed calm while former captain Joe Root, who was given a rapturous reception, was at the crease.

But when Root pushed Tim Southee to gully for 11, England lost the plot.

Left-hander Alex Lees was lbw getting too far across his stumps and Stokes edged an ambitious drive, before Boult had Bairstow play on and bounced out Potts.

England had lost five wickets in the space of 28 balls, and needed Ben Foakes and Stuart Broad to drag them to the close without sustaining further damage.

ANDERSON, POTTS COMBINE TO SKITTLE KIWIS For a while, New Zealand looked a shadow of the side that won a series here 1-0 last year on the way to being crowned world Test champions - their tentative batters were preyed on

by the artistry of Anderson and the energy of Potts.

Anderson needed only seven balls to take Will Young’s edge, with Bairstow claiming a stunning grab low to his left. When Tom Latham nicked in the same direction, Bairstow’s reaction to hold a catch he initially dropped was just as impressive.

Bairstow’s third came when Broad drew Devon Conway into playing away from his body, before Potts got in on the act.

He took the edge of New Zealand captain Kane Williamson with his fifth ball, got Daryl Mitchell to play on and bowled Tom Blundell when he offered no shot.

With de Grandhomme marshalling the tail, Anderson took

some punishment but still had both Jamieson and Southee caught on the boundary.

Potts trapped Ajaz Patel lbw for his fourth wicket but had to leave the field with cramp, allowing Stokes to dismiss lastman Boult.

England were in control, only for the evening collapse to turn the match on its head.

A ‘BAFFLING’ YET ‘FAMILIAR’ COLLAPSE REACTION Former England captain Michael Vaughan on Test Match Special: “It was decent bowling, very good bowling at times, but the batting has been poor for both sides.

“That was the worst possible start from the England batting

line-up because we are now talking about what has happened over the last year or so.

“You can give them all the excuses in the world but ultimately that amount of talent in the dressing room has failed to deliver.”

BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew: “England’s collapse is baffling and still in some ways rather familiar.”

England debutant Matthew Potts, who took 4-13: “I’ve had an absolutely wonderful day and enjoyed every second of being here.

“I just tried to translate what I have been doing for Durham, which is to hit the pitch hard with a wobbled seam. (BBC Sport)

Rain wipes out second day to add tension to final round

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Rain injected new intrigue into the final round of the Regional First Class Championship by forcing a complete abandonment of the second day in all matches here yesterday.

Not a ball was bowled at any venue as the inclement weather across the island kept players off the field at Diego Martin Complex, Queen’s Park Oval and Brian Lara Stadium.

MURKY CONDITIONS AT BRIAN LARA STADIUM Rain is also in the forecast for the two remaining days of the round with brief showers anticipated

on today’s third day and occasional showers on tomorrow’s final day.

Leeward Islands Hurricanes will be keeping anxious watch on the skies at Brian Lara Stadium, after entering the final round on 65.4 points, less than two points behind title-holders Barbados Pride (67).

They were frustrated

by Jamaica Scorpions on Wednesday’s first day, Paul Palmer hitting a career-best 143 not out to help his side recover from 61 for five to reach 302 all out at the close.

With the window for an outright win swiftly closing, Hurricanes will be hoping for sunny skies on the re-

maining days in order to keep pressure on Pride.

In contrast, Pride dominated the opening day of their contest against Windward Islands Volcanoes at Diego Martin Complex, dismissing their opponents for 203 and then racing to 109 for one at the close.

However, the Kraigg Brathwaite-led unit will also want to wrap up an outright win to avoid any surprises.

The other game at Queen’s Park Oval will see hosts Trinidad and Tobago Red Force resuming from 203 for nine against thirdplaced Guyana Harpy Eagles, with neither team in contention for the title.

Lord’s pays tribute to late Shane Warne after 23 overs on opening day

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 3, 2022

… Main commentary box at Lord’s renamed

LORD’S rose as one to pay tribute to the late, great Shane Warne after 23 overs on day one of the first LV= Insurance Test between England and New Zealand.

Australia great Warne passed away at the age of 52 in March, with the opening Test of the English summer seeing the former leg-spinner’s life and career remembered.

Warne wore the No. 23 shirt during his playing days in honour of his childhood hero, Australian rules footballer Dermott Brereton.

On a day of tributes to a man who took 708 wickets in 145 Tests - only Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan has more - fans and players at Lord’s took part in 23 seconds of applause after 23 overs.

Earlier in the day, the main commentary box in the J.P. Morgan Media

Centre was renamed after Warne in a partnership between the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and Sky Sports.

Warne became a popular member of the Sky Sports’ punditry team following his retirement from the game, with the commentary-box unveiling carried out by his former colleague Rob Key, who is now managing director of England men’s cricket.

Key said of Warne: “He is just one of the greatest people ever”.

Former Australia captain Mark Taylor, part of the Sky Sports team for the first Test, said: “To have a commentary box named after you at Lord’s, where you tried to beat the old enemy, is a huge honour.

“It wouldn’t be lost on Warney and certainly won’t be lost on his family.

“We have lost a great

mate and a guy that endeared himself to the English public. They probably started out hating him because he took too many wickets but, by the end, they absolutely loved him.

“Why wouldn’t they?

He was a terrific fella and is a great loss to the game.

It shows you the fragility of life and that you have got to enjoy it.

“Some stories I can tell, some I can’t! He was just fun to be around. I think every player who has played with or against him and every commentator would say that about Warney.

King unbeaten on 91, Hosein 4-39 seal ODI series for West Indies

Akeal Hosein bagged career-best figures 4 for 39 BRANDON King and Keacy Carty’s career-best efforts of 91 not out and 43 not out, respectively, in an unbeaten 118-run stand for the sixth wicket, rescued West Indies from 99 for 5 and led them to a series win against Netherlands in Amstelveen.

King backed up his unbeaten 51-ball 58* from the first ODI with another half-century, and found excellent company in Carty as the duo chased down a target of 215 with five wickets in

hand.

West Indies would have hoped for a much easier chase after Akeal Hosein’s career-best 4 for 39 helped bring about a Netherlands collapse of 10 for 113.

However, fast bowlers Logan van Beek and Bas de Leede fashioned a collapse of their own to threaten an upset in the second ODI. King and Carty, though, resurrected the chase well.

While King was more adventurous in his shot-making, Carty, playing just his

Brandon King made his career-best score in ODIs, batting out of his preferred opening spot (Getty Images) second ODI, took his time to settle in before opening up his shoulders as the visitors eventually cruised home with 27 balls to spare.

Earlier, opting to bat first, Netherlands openers Vikramjit Singh and Max O’Dowd laid a solid platform in a 101-run opening stand. Both batters went toe-to-toe with each other in their run-making.

Vikramjit got the boundary counter running for the hosts as he ramped Alzarri Joseph over the slip cordon

in the fourth over before driving the same bowler through mid-off. O’Dowd, initially sedate, picked Kyle Mayers through the backward square-leg region for a four and then drove him down the ground in his next over. It didn’t help that West Indies dropped both openers thrice inside the first 15 overs as Netherlands kept a steady run-rate going.

Netherlands brought up their 100 in the 21st over, but it all went downhill for them TURN TO PAGE 23

He lightened the room, made it fun to play golf, cricket, cards. He played everything to win but everything for fun. I think that’s why people right around the world warmed to him.

When you walked into a room, you would just notice him. I don’t know if it was

the teeth or the hair at times - the hair started out red, that’s how I remember it!

“Playing with him made me a better person and a better captain.

When you have a chance to captain someone like Shane Warne you learn things.” (Sky Sports)

GFF opens transfer window THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has opened the 2022-2023 pre-season transfer window effective from June 1 to midnight on July 31.

In a release, the GFF says all transfers must be conducted in accordance with the FIFA regulations on the status and transfer of players, which can be found on the FIFA website.

As the current transfer window falls during the regional association senior men’s leagues, the following provisions apply: • All legitimate transfers that fulfil the legal transfer criteria will be accepted and finalised by the Transfer Management System (TMS) manager of the GFF. • A legitimate transfer can be considered as a tripartite agreement between two clubs and one player.

Appropriate signatories of all parties or an intervention by the regional association or GFF where appropriate, are necessary to complete the transfer.

• All transfer documentation must be submitted to the respective regional associations’ secretaries in cases of regional clubs, or to the GFF Secretariat in cases involving an Elite League club, prior to the close of the transfer period.

• Each participating club within the respective regional association’s league must register a maximum of 25 players for the duration of the league.

• The submitted squad list for each team can only be adjusted with a maximum of five (5) players for the duration of the league.

If club officials have any further questions, please contact the GFF Secretariat.

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| FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2022