Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 15-03-2022 by Guyana Chronicle

TUESDAY 15th MARCH, 2022

No. 106663

COVID-19 restrictions removed

- paves way for opening up country; prices expected to come down, says PSC Chairman

$42M water-supply system commissioned in Jawalla

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2&3

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Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal drinks water from the well after the commissioning of the $42M water-supply system in Jawalla

Guyana rakes in over US$96M from recent oil sale

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APNU+AFC scandal: Stolen fuel from Education Ministry reportedly sold to Demerara Ice Factory SEE PAGE

Dharmic Sabha urges respect for festival of Phagwah 2 SEE PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 15, 2022

COVID-19 restrictions removed, paves way for opening-up of country

President, Dr Irfaan Ali

THE COVID-19 Public Health regulations which were published on February to last to the end of March have been revoked as new measures were on Monday published in the official Gazette. The revocation means the restrictions on social activities, gatherings and provision of proof of vaccination on entering public buildings have been removed. Persons entering Guyana are now required to present a negative PCR test within 72 hours, along with proof of vaccination.

The new Public Health (Coronavirus) (No.3) Regulations 2022 which was signed by the President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, revealed that a number of changes have been made, including the removal of mandatory mask wearing. According to the guidelines, while it noted that wearing a face mask is not mandatory, it stated that persons are however encouraged to wear a face mask when in public. The measures state: “Wearing a face mask is not mandatory, but in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, persons are encouraged

to wear a face mask when in public.” Employers or business operators are now required to ensure that the relevant COVID-19 safety measures are taken, including the placement of sanitisation stations even as employees and others are encouraged to wear face masks. Additionally places of worship ae expected to also ensure that sanitisation stations are provided and are also to encourage persons to wear face masks when entering these facilities. With that it further noted

that wherever vaccination is a requirement, the proof of vaccination shall be in English or a certified translation into English and may also be in digital form or any other that is identifiable. The issuance of the new measures is in keeping with the President, Dr Irfaan Ali’s announcement, on Sunday, that Guyana would approach and embrace the full re-opening of the country. Dr. Ali said in a report that public spaces, religious institutions and facilities can proceed to normalise operations.

Dharmic Sabha urges respect for festival of Phagwah

THE Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has expressed joy for the return of the Phagwah celebration after a two-year hiatus as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and has asked for persons to show respect for the spirituality behind the celebration. “We strongly urge promoters and event managers to desist from associating Phagwah and Holi, the usage of the names and the elements of the festival, with events that are alien in nature to the festival, which has both spiritual and social dimensions,” the Dharmic

Sabha said in a statement on Monday. “Events which pro mote alcohol, non-vegetarian foods, vulgarity and lewdness have no place in Phagwah celebrations,” the body added, noting: “Linking such events to Phagwah constitutes gross disrespect and desecration of this lovely festival which encourages unity, love, equality and fraternity.” The Hindu religious body reiterated its call for respect and urged that the “festival [be] enjoyed in its pristine form whereby all Guyanese, including fami-

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has urged that the festival be enjoyed in its pristine form lies, can enjoy the beauty of significance of the festival.” to, once again, engage in pay heed to the COVID-19 Phagwah unencumbered by “While we are sure Phagwah-playing, we re- guidelines,” the body also any act that will desecrate the that Guyanese are thrilled mind you to be safe and said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Removal of COVID-19 restrictions could drive prices down - PSC Chairman says, but advises authorities to explore every option to keep electricity costs down

By Navendra Seoraj EVEN as authorities work to institute further measures that could restrict the rate of inflation and its impact on Guyanese consumers, the country has not been exempted from the conditions faced by nations the world over as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and, most recently, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had written in its most updated World Economic Outlook that rising energy prices and supply

“Moving to the full opening of countries to allow for predictability, planning and economic expansion is now the critical path in recovery; it is in this context that, in the coming week, Guyana would approach and embrace the full reopening of our country,” President Dr. Irfaan Ali said on Sunday. Sharing the Private Sector Commission (PSC)’s view on this proposed move by the government, Chairman Paul Cheong said: “From the private sector’s perspective, with the new measures being undertaken

the price of almost every commodity. “We have seen that prices, over the last few years, increased because supply was reduced, and, as we know, once supply is restricted, prices would go up because demand would increase,” Cheong said during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Monday. In his estimation, the removal of the existing COVID-19 restrictions could stabilise the supply chain, and result in increased production across all economic sectors.

disruptions have resulted in higher and more broadbased inflation than anticipated. Assuming, however, that inflation expectations stay well anchored, inflation should gradually decrease as supply-demand imbalances wane in 2022, and monetary policy in major economies responds, the IMF stated. In Guyana, the government is preparing to remove most, if not all, of the COVID-19 restrictions in place, making way for increased production and enhanced productivity, which, in the long-run, could result in a decrease in prices.

with the lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions, we are very happy for that. “I know for the last two years and some months, not only the private sector but Guyana and worldwide and individuals, too, have suffered because of the lack of opportunities to work; the lack of opportunities to do business, because of the short time frame in which they operate.” With lower participation in economic activities, there has been a reduction in supply; and this, coupled with the effects of the global supply chain disruption, has resulted in an increase in

“We are hoping, too, that with this move, in the long-run, we will see some reduction in prices that went up,” Cheong said. Further, additional benefits would accrue to Guyana, once other countries across the world start to “open up” as well. In Cheong’s view, once other countries decide to fully reopen their economies, access to essential inputs could increase, and costs would decrease. A main contributor to increased prices was exorbitant freight costs, which, in some cases, tripled when compared to pre-pandemic

times. So, to stabilise this change in freight costs, the government has adjusted the calculation of import taxes. “For freight costs to come down to pre-pandemic rates would be good, but, for me to predict what it would be is difficult at this stage. We have to see how it plays out in a couple of months; but, as productivity increases as more and more countries come out of the restrictions, then we will be able to gauge how we’re moving forward,” Cheong reasoned. SIZEABLE ALLOCATION Cognisant of the challenges experienced globally as food prices and the general cost of living continue to rise, the government has included in its fiscal plan for this year, Budget 2022, a sizeable allocation to address the situation. “I am aware of the impact that cost of living is having,” President Ali had said in his budget speech, adding: “While we cannot address all of the issues surrounding cost of living, I have instructed that resources be set aside to address the issue. “This sizeable allocation will be used, through consultation with communities across the country, to identify specific ways and initiatives in which we can deploy this budgeted allocation to ease the burden on the population.” President Ali said his government’s $552 billion budget focuses on removing the burden on Guyanese citizens, and creating opportunities, enhancing welfare, giving back more to the population, improving living conditions, and improving their overall quality of life. But even as the government moves ahead with the execution of its plans, Cheong would like to urge the authorities to explore all options to cushion the effects of further economic burdens created by the on-

PSC Chairman Paul Cheong going war between Russia and Ukraine. Although the effects of this situation are beyond Guyana’s control, the PSC Chairman says that sustaining the economy is contingent upon the way inflation is tackled, and what measures are instituted to help the ordinary people. One particular area Cheong is advising the government to pay attention to is the further subsidisation of the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL). “Electricity prices are already high, when compared to other countries in the region… so, a good thing would be to try to hold those prices where they are… In the long- run, we need them to lower it for us to be competitive with regional producers,” the PSC Chairman said. Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo recently assured the nation that the government will not increase electricity or water rates

for consumers, even as the country grapples with global economic challenges that have caused widespread price increases. “With all the escalating prices now, we’ve been hit hard by the cost of living, and the world has been hit by this, because of ‘COVID’; prices have gone up, and now, with the RussiaUkraine crisis, it would probably go up even more,” the Vice-President said at a recent event commemorating the life of Guyanese Founding Father Dr. Cheddi Jagan. He, however, emphasised that the government is pursuing action to guarantee that this price surge does not adversely impact the populace. “We will keep the electricity prices and water prices the same way, because we have to subsidise it to make sure that the impact is not felt by ordinary people,” the VicePresident emphasised.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 15, 2022

PSC to set up business networks across Guyana AS Guyana’s economy continues to grow, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) is hoping to build its membership by setting up more of its representative subgroups across the country. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle recent-

ly, Chairman of the PSC, Paul Cheong, said that while the body has membership across Guyana, this will be ramped up by June 2022. As an example of its growth focus, Cheong said the PSC is looking to set up a chamber of commerce in Region Five

(Mahaica-Berbice) soon. He explained that as far as membership of the imminent chamber of commerce for Region Five is concerned, businesses will be invited to join and would be required to pay a fee which would give them full membership rights, including an

opportunity to serve on the Executive Committee of that body. Once the Region Five chamber has been established, similar business networks will be set up in Regions One (BarimaWaini) and Eight (PotaroSiparuni). The PSC currently has

membership in Lethem, Linden, Berbice, Bartica and in Georgetown, where its headquarters is located. Those members form part of several associations including the Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association (GMSA), the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana and the Guyana Gold & Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA). In 2021, the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and the Women’s Chamber of Commerce were added. “So, we have membership throughout the country, geographically, and throughout the different sectors too, so we will continue to look at places that we don’t have contact

in those areas and try to establish or re-establish in those areas,” Cheong told this publication. As for foreign companies interested in membership, he said, they must be members of at least two sectoral organisations such as a chamber of commerce and the manufacturing association if they are operating in the country, as this is a requirement in keeping with the Constitution of Guyana. Then, he continued, they can join as a corporate member, if they are in good standing and meet the requirements. Cheong said the PSC aims to bring together all private sector organs and business entities under one national body.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 15, 2022

APNU+AFC scandal… CONCERNS about the alleged pilfering of almost $800,000 worth of fuel from the Ministry of Education, going as far back as 2017, were tentatively put to rest on Monday, following the revelation of the findings of an investigation into the matter. The matter came up for scrutiny at Monday’s sitting of the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee, where it was revealed that the fuel was apparently “sold off” to the Demerara Ice Factory. And the only reason it came to light was because the committee was querying an entry in the Auditor-General’s Report, whereby it was said that fuel was being uplifted by

Stolen fuel from Education Ministry reportedly sold to Demerara Ice Factory

vehicles not registered to the Ministry of Education. According to Government Member of Parliament Dharamkumar Seeraj, the report specifically states that “diesel valued some $788,000 was uplifted on 13 instances by vehicles that were not registered to the ministry.” Seeraj, with the permission of the chair of the committee, grilled Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Alfred King and members of his staff about the registration number of the vehicles that reportedly uplifted the fuel, and whether those vehicles did actually belong to his ministry. As Seeraj tried to get to the bottom of the matter, Op-

position MP Ganesh Mahipaul interjected, saying that it may currently be engaging the attention of the police. At this, Seeraj replied that he was not inquiring about the police report, but rather the findings of the ministry’s internal investigation. To his credit, the PS reported that the police have already completed their investigation, and that one Mark Samuels was charged and subsequently found guilty, and ordered to repay the ministry for the fuel he’d stolen. King further revealed that although the man was ordered by the court to make restitution, he has not done so as yet, and that the ministry’s next course of action may very well

be taking him back to court. However, after asking that copies of the report be made available to the members of the committee, Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill, after receiving his and perusing it told his colleagues that what the document revealed, in essence, was that Samuels used his vehicle to uplift fuel from GuyOil in pails, and took it to the Demerara Ice Factory, where it was deposited in drums. The Public Works Minister further noted that the man allegedly returned with another vehicle belonging to the Demerara Ice Factory and, though he did not say so, the implication was that he would have uplifted even more fuel.

Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill The minister went on to question the Permanent Secretary as to why an internal investigation was never

completed in an attempt to ascertain whether there was any collusion as it relates to the matter.

Knowledge is best tool to combat vaccine hesitancy - says Health Minister By Jared Liddell WITH the vaccination rates in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) remaining stagnant due to vaccine hesitancy, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony noted on Monday that the best tool to combat this issue is the debunking of misinformation and widespread public health education. He made this comment during the opening ceremony for the USAID-funded threeday COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy workshop, held at the Jaigobin Hotel, Anna Regina, on the Essequibo Coast. The exercise aims to equip the region’s health professionals and religious and community leaders with COVID-19 statistics and information that they can use to educate residents about the importance of the vaccine. It is hoped that this transfer of knowledge will decrease the hesitancy and push residents toward becoming vaccinated. Since the government started rolling out its COVID-19 vaccination programme

in February 2021, vaccine rates which at one time were the highest in Region Two, saw a sudden drop. Some 67.9 per cent of the adults received their first dose and just 53 per cent went on to become fully vaccinated, that is, they took the second dose of the vaccine they chose. Both figures, according to Minister Anthony, are below the country’s national vaccination average, which currently stands at 85 per cent. The health minister used the opportunity to urge everyone to take vaccination seriously, noting that the COVID-19 vaccines have played a major part in preserving the lives of persons who contracted the deadly virus. He added that while there is no cure for the virus, statistics has shown that vaccinated persons accounted for the higher percentage of total recoveries. He noted that while there is easy access to scientifically sound findings on the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccines, misinformation remains one of the biggest deterrents to its

From Left: UNICEF Deputy Representative for Guyana and Suriname, Irfan Akhtar; U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch; Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony; Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall and USAID Regional Representative, Clinton White, at the vaccine hesitancy training exercise (Ministry of Health photo) acceptance in Guyana. WE NEED YOUR HELP Calling on religious and community leaders to use their platforms to get the message out, Minister Anthony noted that joint collaboration with government is needed to protect the citizens of the region. He called on the leaders to step up and share accurate information on the vaccine, emphasising that they must not leave communities vul-

nerable to the virus. “If you don’t know, then say you don’t know. If you would like to have more information, then ask for more information; we don’t know everything and if I don’t know anything then I must be able to find out from someone who is an expert…Similarly, if you don’t know then ask some of the technical people and they would be able to help, so you could now have the information and

the knowledge to pass on to the people that are coming to you,” Minister Anthony noted. Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann Lynch echoed Minister Anthony’s calls for increased vaccination. She noted that the only way to protect each other and

return to a pre-COVID-19 state is for everyone to be vaccinated, which will ensure that they have a high level of protection. “We are not safe until all of us are safe,” the U.S. Ambassador stated, before adding that the United States remains committed to sharing resources with Guyana to ensure the vaccination and protection of its citizens. Since the pandemic first hit, the United States has donated significantly to Guyana’s fight against COVID-19. In August 2021, the U.S. donated 146,250 doses of the Pfizer vaccine. In October 2021, an additional 100,620 doses of the vaccine were handed over. G u y a n a ’s v a c c i n e storage capacity was also boosted with the United States’ donation of five ultra-cold temperature vaccine storage freezers, worth US$72,000 (or GY $14 million).

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 15, 2022

A Deafening Silence WITH the appointment of a Chief Elections Officer and other key personnel of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the stage has now been advanced for the holding of Local Government Elections, which were due a year ago but had to be deferred. Part of the difficulty in the holding of Local Government Elections has been the intransigence of the main opposition political party, the APNU+AFC, which seems to have a difficulty in facing the electorate and to become meaningfully involved in electoral

reforms to deepen and consolidate the democratic process. Take for example the proposed amendments to the electoral laws of Guyana. Amendments to the Representation of the People Act (ROPA), both the substantive act and the regulations, have been circulating for quite some time now, but the APNU+AFC seems oblivious to this reality. Despite the fact that these have been in the public domain since November last year, there has been no response to date by the main opposition party. The smaller A New and United Guyana (ANUG)

to its credit has provided some feedback on the proposed amendments to the electoral laws. President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali in October last had made it clear that the long-awaited legislation to improve Guyana’s electoral system is a top priority, especially when seen against what transpired at the last elections when attempts were made by the APNU+AFC Coalition in collaboration with ‘rogue’ elements of the GECOM secretariat to derail the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. President Ali had indicated that under no circumstances will

there be future elections under the past GECOM dispensation. And according to PPP General-Secretary and Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, the whole idea is to make more transparent and to define responsibilities in the Act that are ambiguous and to put in place a set of penalties for people who may try to steal elections. As noted by Dr Jagdeo, the entire electoral process from registration to the declaration of results needed to be overhauled to ensure that all ambiguities are eliminated and that there is full transparency in the entire

process. Statements of Poll (SoPs) are envisaged under the amended Act to be in the public domain before the tabulation of votes commences. This is fully consistent with the norms of transparency and accountability of the electoral processes from start to finish. The inputs from the political parties, civil society and individuals will then be incorporated in the putting together of a draft bill, which will then be subject to further discussions at the parliamentary level. These are all confidence-building measures which could only en-

hance the transparency and integrity not only of GECOM, but also of the entire electoral process. With Local Government Elections due this year, it is important to have the amended laws in place in order to prevent a repeat of what took place at the last General and Regional Elections. The APNU+AFC has to answer to the Guyanese electorate the reason or reasons for its refusal to respond to the draft amendments proposed by the PPP/C administration. So far, its silence on the matter has been deafening.

Justice Cecil Kennard was one of the most gracious persons to walk the earth

Dear Editor, THANK you for the opportunity to publish this tribute in your daily publication. AS we should all be aware by now, former Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Cecil Kennard, passed away Saturday morning. I write to pay tribute to a kind soul, an indulgent heart and a disciplined mind — one of the most gracious persons to walk the earth -- Justice Cecil Kennard.

Kennard was truly extraordinary. So was our long friendship. He held a very important and valued position, the Chancellor of Guyana’s Judiciary, but he was a man who never allowed status and power to overcome his soul and personality. He walked with queens, kings, and various presidents, but he never forgot his common touch with his family, friends or the ordinary folk. He owned a horseracing club in Berbice and would host horse races

for the residents. Due to his caring nature of holding concern for the poor who are unable to afford luxuries or simple forms of enjoyment, he would host annual Boxing Day, Emancipation Day and Independence Day horseracing meets. He did not benefit financially from this club, he did it simply for the greater good and for the satisfaction of the poor. I extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to his family. He

was a wise and well-educated man, who never walked without confidence and certainty. Society has lost a great son of the soil. Guyana has lost a remarkable person; he made our country proud with his exemplary conduct and diligence. He is a legal luminary of great stature and I am honoured to have shared a long relationship with him. He was very kind, loving and caring. He made a tremendous mark on Guyana’s legal

system and jurisprudence. He served for many years in very important capacities of the law. He has positively impacted the criminal justice system in Guyana. And that’s how Cecil Kennard became the greatest Chancellor of our time. He did it by hewing to principle, yes, but also by seeking compromise and common cause, not through law-making and horse-racing alone, but also through friendship, kindness, and humour.

We do not weep for him today because of the prestige attached to his name or his office. We weep because we loved this kind and tender hero who persevered through pain and tragedy—not for the sake of ambition or vanity; not for wealth or power, but only for the people and the country that he loved. May God bless Cecil, and may he rest in eternal peace. Yours truly, Nazar Mohamed (Shell)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 15, 2022

No escaping skyrocketing cost of fuel and food across CARICOM, thanks to Russia-Ukraine crisis By Earl Bousquet AS everywhere else, the Caribbean simply cannot escape the global repercussions of the continuing Russia-Ukraine crisis. Politicians and diplomats are arguing over approaches to responses, but while they exchange, the crisis continues to result in increased energy prices for essentials, from fuel to cooking gas. Now the region must brace for an unavoidable and inescapable food crisis that’s already started to bite in Europe and North America – and is heading the Caribbean’s way faster than the discussions and debates can end in practical recommendations. Take the price of wheat, which influences the price of flour. According to TIME Magazine on March 8, 2022: “In Egypt, the world’s biggest wheat importer, prices for [some] unsubsidised bread have jumped in the past week.” It added: “The war has already driven wheat prices 70 per cent higher in Chicago this year and is threatening to upend global food trade. Russia and Ukraine are vital suppliers of grains, vegetable oil and fertilisers, which mean that supply disruptions will be felt all over the world. Wheat prices have surpassed levels last seen during the 2008 global food crisis -- which helped spark widespread protests -and a United Nations index of food prices hit a record in February.” The TIME article continued: “In Egypt, bakers say unsubsidised bread prices are rising because of higher costs since the invasion of Ukraine…” Meanwhile: “In the near term, food prices in world markets should be expected to rise further amidst all the uncertainty,” the Agricultural Market Information System said in a report,

adding that “This will add to global food insecurity.” Russia and Ukraine together accounted for nearly 29 per cent of global wheat exports last year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as the conflict has jolted global wheat prices higher. (Chicago wheat futures climbed to 14-year highs of $11.34 a bushel and were up nearly 40 per cent earlier this month.) On March 9, Reuters reported: “Ukraine’s Government has banned exports of rye, barley, buckwheat, millet, sugar, salt, and meat until the end of this year, according to a Cabinet resolution published on Wednesday. But, on March 8, a Guardian article headlined, “How the U.S. ban on Russian oil risks splitting the West’s response,” noted that “Russia accounts for just seven per cent of the oil imported by the world’s biggest economy” and that while “three-fifths of Russia’s oil exports go to the EU, only eight per cent [goes] to the US.” The article reported: “American motorists were already paying higher pump prices, even before the latest surge in the cost of Brent crude above $130 a barrel and, as the U.S. President admitted, they will soon be paying even more.” Indeed, oil prices are up by over 70 per cent since January – and with no sign of them coming down anytime soon. According to The Guardian article, “The Oslo-based consultancy Rystad Energy, has predicted a complete ban on Russian oil and gas could send crude prices to $200 a barrel. (The previous milestone was the $147-a-barrel peak reached in 2008.)” But while it is claimed that the U.S. is not going it alone with its ban, other European countries clearly have misgivings – hardly

surprising, as the EU gets 40 per cent of its gas and just over a quarter of its oil from Russia. The Guardian article continued: “So, when Biden said the West remained united in its determination to keep the pressure on Russia, that is not strictly true. “The EU, as the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz made clear 24 hours before the U.S. ban was announced, is worried about its energy security and has decided not to follow suit, for now at least.” The article also revealed that “UK living standards are on course for their biggest one-year fall since modern records began in the mid-1950s, with the war in Ukraine putting at risk the post-pandemic recovery.” “All of which,” the article says, “makes it important that sanctions work quickly.” “The longer the economic war, the higher the cost,” the Guardian notes. But US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken kept warning all of last week that the crisis will indeed last long. Larry Elliott (Economics editor), writing in The Guardian (also on 8 March 2022) reported: “The shockwaves from the Russian invasion of Ukraine will cut UK living standards by £2,500 per household, lead to more persistent inflationary pressure and slow the economy to a standstill next year, economists fear.” Then on March 9, market observers noted that oil continued its rally near US$126 a barrel, after U.S. President Joe Biden said the U.S. would ban the import of Russian crude, escalating efforts to hobble the nation’s economy that will further strain global energy markets. It was also reported – that same day -- that Futures in New York had soared more than 35 per cent since the invasion of Ukraine al-

most two weeks earlier and had settled at the highest since 2008. The UK said it would also phase out Russian crude imports by the end of the year; and Shell and BP reported they were halting new purchases. But other European nations have been reluctant to commit to similar action. The invasion has roiled commodity markets -- from metals to grains -- and sparked concerns that the global economy is heading for a shock, just as countries are emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. Banks and traders were in fact predicting even higher crude prices and already, energy markets are being stretched, according to the reports. But if anywhere, the cost

of the effects of the RussiaUkraine crisis is already estimated in the UK. Larry Elliott (The Guardian Economics editor) writing on the same day (8 March), reported: “The shockwaves from the Russian invasion of Ukraine will cut UK living standards by £2,500 (US $5,000) per household, lead to more persistent inflationary pressure and slow the economy to a standstill next year, economists fear.” Same across the Caribbean, where the cost of flour – a staple food -- can be expected to rise and float, as with ‘Baking Powder’ treatment. With CARICOM’s responsibility for issues relating to lowering the region’s food-import bill and helping revive Caribbean agriculture in ways that will ensure

everything from economic sustainability to nutritional valuedand import substitution, the task ahead is even greater, thanks to the Russia-Ukraine crisis. But it’s also for each member-state to do what’s needed to ensure that the needed regional adjustments are done in tandem and not only according to what’s best within national boundaries. Leadership will be offered and provided, but it’s always the speed of adjustment to new realities that decides just how fast necessary changes happen – again boiling down to what each nation wants for the entire region and how fast each government is prepared to look beyond its boundaries. Time will tell – and sooner than later!

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Saraswati Dance Troupe wins folk dance competition

THE Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, on Saturday, held its traditional Phagwah Mela – Rang Rasiya at the Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra in Prashad Nagar. The highlight of the event was the folk dance festival featuring dance groups from across the country. Guyanese artistes including Sookrane Boodhoo, Rekha Singh – Ranglall, Suraj Singh, Kishan Sugrim, Ganindra and Sonia Raghubeer also sang at the event and were backed by talented musicians. The Saraswati Dance Troupe of Essequibo managed to beat seven other groups that took part in the festival. Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, presented them with their first-place trophy and a cash prize.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, presenting the Saraswati Dance Troupe with its prize (Delano Williams photo) Coming in second was the Kandhaiya Dance Troupe, also from Essequibo and in third, the Golden Om Dharmic Dance Troupe from East-Berbice. Minister Vind-

hya also presented them with prizes. At the event, there were various stalls offering delicious sweetmeats, curries and their accompaniment,

hot snacks straight from the pot and Phagwah items. Mehendi and face-painting for the ladies and children were also available. Minister Vindhya, in her

Scenes from the folk dance festival (Delano Williams photo)

remarks at the event, said that it was a pleasure to see the attendees coming from near and far. “When we smear colours on each other’s faces, the deeper significance is one which I think the world should take heed of, and, that is, there is no difference between you and I. In other words, we removed all the identifying marks, we removed all the barriers and we are all the same,” the minister added. Minister Persaud shared that, when playing Phagwah this year, it must be remembered that it is about putting aside all ill will and all negativity. “You say as you smear the powder, I am really reaching out to you in friendship, in love, and let us celebrate this festival of Holi,” she said.

Holi which is also known as the Festival of Colours, takes place on the full moon day of the Hindu month, Phalgun. It is the last day of the Hindu calendar year. The holiday is also celebrated to signify triumph of good over evil. It celebrates the arrival of spring, the end of winter, the blossoming of love and it is a day to forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships. It lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of the full moon day. The first evening is known as Holika Dahan (burning of Demon Holika). According to tradition, there is a Holika bonfire, and this represents Holika being consumed by the fire in which she tried to kill her nephew Prahlad, a devotee of God Vishnu and hence, Holi, the name of the holiday.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Guyana rakes in over US$96M from recent oil sale - funds in NRF now over US$719M

By Navendra Seoraj R E T U R N S f ro m t h e most recent sale of Guyana’s oil have exceeded US$96 million, the highest on record since the country started producing and exporting this commodity. While the price of oil is usually volatile, this increase in returns recorded by Guyana was fuelled by high world market prices that were influenced by the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. The country, last December, had recorded returns of US$73 million, which is roughly US$23 million less than its most recent earnings in February. Specifically, according to figures from the Central Bank, Guyana earned G$20,000,929,000 (approximately US$96M); this pushed the country’s overall direct returns from the oil-and-gas sector to US$719,713,039.

Although various reports show that world market prices for this commodity have started to decline, Brent, the benchmark used by Guyana to sell its oil, remains above US$100 per barrel. And should this remain the same, or be marginally adjusted, the country could earn over US$100M from the sale of its next onemillion-barrels of oil. It was reported recently that revenue generated from the local oil-and-gas sector is expected to catapult Guyana to the ranks of wealthiest countries in the Western Hemisphere, thereby increasing the government’s fiscal space to invest in initiatives geared at expanding the economy, and improving the overall welfare of citizens. “Guyana is now poised to be one of the wealthiest countries in the hemisphere; we intend to employ the gains from exploiting these deposits into initiatives geared at expanding the economy,

improving competitiveness, giving people the best social services, increasing productivity, enhancing food production, and building new sectors,” President Dr. Irfaan Ali said in his keynote address during a virtual faculty workshop on the microeconomics of competitiveness hosted by Harvard Business School. In painting a vivid image of what is expected from the oil-and-gas sector in the near term, Dr. Ali said that by 2025, operating cash flow, based on total investment, is expected to reach US$3.5 billion. The performance of this sector is expected to improve even further as the years go by, since the success rate is 80 per cent, and there are already 28 commercial discoveries in the Stabroek Block. With this, the country has estimated recoverable resources of over 10 billion oil-equivalent barrels. The Stabroek Block currently has three iden-

tified production areas, namely: Liza Phase One, Liza Phase Two, and Payara. Production capacity is expected to reach 340,000 barrels per day following the commencement of production at Liza Phase Two. This is expected to increase to 560,000 barrels per day in 2024, when the Payara project comes on stream. Further, with an anticipated fourth production area, the Yellowtail, estimates are poised to reach

810,000 barrels per day by 2026/27, and additional developments under consideration could see Guyana reaching one million barrels per day by 2030. Operators within the Kaieteur and Canje Blocks also advanced exploration programmes in 2021, with additional wells likely to come online in the last quarter of 2022. In addition, exploration activities will continue in the Kanuku Block. As reported, in the third quarter of this year, the

government will be holding auctions and bidding rounds for available acreages of offshore blocks. “This will be done in an open and competitive manner, which will allow for a more marketable approach to Guyana’s resource development, and at the same time bring financial gains for the country,” Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh said recently.

$42M water-supply Russia alters law on least jets in system commissioned response to western sanctions at Jawalla

OVER 600 residents within the riverine community of Jawalla, Region Seven, are now enjoying improved access to potable water with a new $42 million watersupply system. The system was commissioned on Sunday by Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, in keeping with a commitment made to residents last year. Minister Croal was accompanied by a team from the Guyana Water Incorporated, including Director of Hinterland Services, Ramchand Jailal; Assistant Regional Executive Officer, Deyon Seecharran and other regional officials. The Jawalla Water Supply System now brings clean water to the homes of hundreds of residents for the first time,

schools, the health centre, the village office and other public buildings. In delivering his remarks, the minister said that the government’s vision is to deliver potable water to more than 90 per cent of Guyanese across the hinterland and coastland by 2025. “Each community in this country must have proper access to potable water. That is a commitment we have made as a government and we intend to fulfill that,” Minister Croal affirmed. The project was executed by R. Kissoon Contracting Services. It included the drilling of a deep water well, installation of pipe networks with service connections, construction of a trestle with storage tanks, construction of a fence and the installation

of a photovoltaic pumping system. Residents have also hailed the project, stating that it will significantly develop the area. “It means a lot because the school is over here and the children are the ones that [sic] will benefit…before they used to pump water from the river and it’s not really healthy,” Lovern Singh expressed. “They had some difficulties when we didn’t have [a] water system and it’s a relief. It’s a little less stress, especially for women who had to fetch water,” Toshao, Verron Henry added. This year, Minister Croal announced that close to $200 million will be invested in the region’s water sector for further development.

Russia has implemented a new law making it harder for foreign aircraft leasing companies to repossess their planes in the face of Western sanctions. The new law will allow foreign jets to be registered in Russia “to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of activities in the field of civil aviation”. Russian airlines have 515 jets leased from abroad worth about $10bn (£7.7bn). Foreign owners have until 28 March to get them back from Russian companies before sanctions kick in. The move comes after Bermuda and Ireland, where nearly all foreign-leased planes operating in Russia are registered, said they were suspending certificates of airworthiness for those aircraft. The measure, signed into law by President

Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin Vladimir Putin, could circumvent that by bringing registration and certification of safety within Russia’s borders and use the foreign aircraft to fly domestic routes across the vast country. Since the invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, Western companies have been terminating leases and

asking for planes to be returned. The majority of international air routes out of Russia are not being flown and many countries, including the UK, have banned Russia’s national airline Aeroflot from flying in their airspace. (BBC)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 15, 2022

CARICOM Heads approve enhanced cooperation protocol

Barbados’ Prime Minister, Mia Mottley signs the protocol at the Belize Inter-Sessional Meeting (CARICOM Secretariat photo)

CARIBBEAN Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government have adopted a protocol which should create opportunities to further the principles, goals and objectives of the community through enhanced cooperation. The “Protocol to Amend t h e R e v i s e d Tr e a t y o f Chaguaramas Establishing the Caribbean Community, including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, to allow Enhanced Co-

operation among Member States and to address Related Issues” was approved at the recent Inter-Sessional Meeting in Belize. “It provides for groups of at least three Member States to seek to establish Enhanced Cooperation among themselves, in areas where they feel the targeted objectives cannot be attained within a reasonable period by the Community as a whole. Approval to pursue the enhanced cooperation

will require the support of two-thirds of the membership of the Community,” CARICOM said in a release on Monday. The regional body noted that decisions adopted in the specific areas of enhanced cooperation will only be binding on the participating Member States and the rights and obligations created will be solely for those Member States and their nationals. Established areas of en-

hanced cooperation will, however, be open to other Member States, subject to compliance with the conditions of participation and the decisions already adopted. The protocol takes effect after ratification by the signatories to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. Four Member States – Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and Grenada – signed the protocol at the Belize Inter-Sessional Meeting.

Woman kills self at Brickdam Police Station

A 49-year-old woman on Monday killed herself in front of the Enquiries Office in the Brickdam Police Station compound. She was associated with the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and a resident of Haslington, East Coast Demerara. Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, who was at the scene, described the incident as “unfortunate,” but emphasised that police officers will fully investigate the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.

A bus attached to a funeral parlour leaves with the woman’s body from the Brickdam Police Station compound The Inter-agency Suicide Prevention Help Line offers 24-hour emotional support to those who are struggling

with depression in Guyana, the numbers are 223-0001; 223-0009; 223-0818; 6007896 and 623-4444.

GDF corporal killed at sister’s wedding, one arrested

A CORPORAL of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), a Medex, was stabbed and later succumbed after four men attacked him at his sister’s wedding at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) just after midnight on Sunday. Dead is Chaves Mangal, 28, called “Chucky” of Enterprise Garden, ECD. Police said one of the suspects was arrested about five houses away from where the incident occurred. A search was conducted on his person and two knives and a pair of scissors were found in his pants waist. Reports indicated that Mangal was at a wedding where the suspects were also imbibing alcohol. According to an eyewitness, one of the suspects approached the DJ enquiring about the music which, at the time, had stopped, causing other patrons at

Dead: Chaves Mangal the wedding to gather at the DJ’s booth. Further, the eyewitness said one of the suspects pulled a knife from his waist and dealt Mangal a stab to his right upper chest. Police said the eyewitness confronted the suspect and was stabbed to his left hand while another suspect threw a bottle at him. The four males then armed themselves with

glass bottles and began to throw the bottles at the building, after which they ran away. Mangal, who lost consciousness, was picked up and rushed to the Balwant Singh Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries whilst receiving treatment about 01:18 hours on Sunday. His body is currently at Jerrick’s Funeral Home awaiting post mortem. Meanwhile, police said a 24-year-old man who was the DJ at the wedding, exited the yard during the ordeal and was confronted by one of the suspects who dealt him a chop to his left hand and relieved him of a Mac Pro Book laptop computer valued $130,000. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was examined by a doctor on duty and admitted a patient. Police are investigating the incident.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 15, 2022

CCJ to rule on Bisram’s appeal today

THE Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is expected to deliver its ruling today on a matter, filed by Guyanese-American businessman Marcus Bisram, challenging the Guyana Court of Appeal’s ruling that he stand trial for the 2016 murder of Berbice carpenter Faiyaz Narinedatt. A virtual ruling to be delivered by the sevenmember panel of judges at the Trinidad-based court has been set for13:30hrs. Through his attorneyat-law, Darshan Ramdhanie, QC, Bisram is petitioning the CCJ to declare a section of the Criminal Law (Procedure) Act unconstitutional. Ramdhanie had initially asked the court, which is Guyana’s final Court of Appeal, to strike down Section 72 (1) and (2) (ii) (b) of the Criminal Law (Procedure) Act, which empowers the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, to, inter alia, direct a magistrate to commit an accused person to stand trial in circumstances where the said magistrate, after conducting a preliminary inquiry, discharges

Guyanese-American businessman Marcus Bisram that accused person. The lawyer’s position is that the section of the Act upon which the DPP has based her directive is unlawful, as it infringes upon Bisram’s constitutional rights, as provided for by Articles 122 (A) and 144 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana, and the Separation of Powers doctrine. Article 122 (A) provides that, “All Courts, and all persons presiding over the courts, shall exercise their functions independently of the control and direction of any other person or authority; and shall be free and independent from political, executive, and any other form of direction and control.”

According to the attorney, the DPP, purportedly acting under the provisions of Section 72, had sought to exercise a judicial function by directing a magistrate to, in effect, ignore her [the magistrate’s] finding of the lack of evidence, and to commit his client to stand trial in the High Court. Last year, during a case management hearing, the CCJ suspended the judgement of the Court of Appeal until it hears and determines Bisram’s appeal. It also ordered the DPP not to take any additional steps in the existing criminal proceedings to further the prosecution of Bisram, including, but not limited

Customs officer arrested for allegedly shooting horse-cart operators

A 40-year-old customs officer of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) was arrested, on Sunday, for allegedly shooting and injuring two horse-cart operators who were cutting grass in an empty lot next to his home at Kersaint Park, La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Police contacted the suspect and he handed over his licensed 9MM with 12 matching rounds in the magazine. He was told of the offence, cautioned and made claims that the men were in the empty lot next door to his home when one of the men attempted to enter his yard and he discharged the firearm in the air and then in their direction. The matter was reported to the Sparendaam Police Station at around 16:00hrs on Sunday. Police dis-

closed that the two-horse cart operators visited an empty lot which is situated west of the customs officer’s home to cut grass for their horses. “The suspect discharged several rounds in their direction and, subsequently, the 30-year-old operator received injuries to his right leg, while the 36-year-old operator received injuries

to his right foot. Both victims were escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation by police where they were both admitted and underwent surgeries,” police said. The customs officer was arrested and escorted to the Sparendaam Police Station where he was placed in custody as investigations continue.

to, any steps to detain him, pending the hearing and determination of the case before it. The CCJ further ordered that Bisram surrender his passport to the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Judicature of Guyana, and that he remain in Guyana and present himself to the Divisional Commander or Deputy Commander of ‘B’ Division by 12:00hrs every Monday until the determination of the appeal. On May 31, 2021, the Court of Appeal ruled in

favour of a case filed by the DPP to challenge the decision made by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall, on June 1, 2020, to free Bisram. Justice Morris-Ramlall had granted several orders, which led to Bisram’s release. Dissatisfied with this turn of events, the DPP then moved to the Court of Appeal, seeking to overturn the ruling. But when the Court of Appeal unanimously overturned the judge’s decision, Bisram had to turn himself over to

the police, who placed him on remand to stand trial for the capital offence of murder before the High Court. Bisram is accused of being the mastermind in the killing of Narinedatt on October 31, 2016. Narinedatt’s body was found on the Number 70 Village Public Road in Berbice, by which time Bisram had already returned to the United States. He was extradited to Guyana in November 2019, after spending over two years in prison in the US.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Guyanese pupils gifted game-changing literacy Graphogame app

IN view of the successful roll-out in countries across the globe and more recently in Jamaica’s primary education system, Guyana’s schoolchildren will now have access to the Graphogame literacy app through collaborations between GTT Business Solutions & STEMGuyana. According to a release, linguists, neuropsychologists and speech pathologists from the Finland-based Grapho Group developed Graphogame after 25 years of research. Graphogame is an educational game, with proven efficacy in achieving basic literacy, equal to one-to-one teacher support, among children in the four to nine age group. The game has been used in Finland for the past 10 years and has subsequently been adopted in the United States, Jamaica and other

Karen Abrams countries, with impressive results. “The app is made available to all Guyanese schoolchildren, courtesy of STEMGuyana and is incorporated into the organisation’s IDB and Tullow Oil-funded Learning pod programme. STEMGuyana has partnered with GTT Business Solutions in the

game’s roll-out phase of implementation, by notifying parents via a sponsored national SMS campaign and virtual launch event,” the release said. Commenting on the partnership, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) for GTT Business Solutions, Orson Ferguson, said, “We continue to support innovative initiatives through organisations such as STEMGuyana towards our customer promise – innovate for all in our country,” said GTT Business Solutions Chief Commercial Officer, who added: “The pandemic has definitely created a learning gap; however, we’ve provided data solutions to many communities to help lessen this impact;

this collaboration is yet another support effort to ensure as we return to normalcy, students have that added element to ensure continuous learning. The pilot roll-out in Jamaica has demonstrated that this app can play a very important role in bridging gaps in our early childhood education system, which are now widening as a result of COVID-19,” said Simone Sobers, founder of WWKIDS, and sponsor responsible for Graphogame’s roll-out in Jamaica. “It is interactive, intuitive and user friendly, and best of all, it is free. Once downloaded, it can be played without connectivity and data, which is significant at a time when children may have increased access to

A pupil interacting with Grapho app2

Lady Janet, Guyana’s only dental boat, recommissioned Senior Dental Surgeon Sabrina Harrychan uses Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharmlall, to demonstrate how services will be provided on the dental boat (Ministry of Health photo)

GUYANA’s only dental boat, the Lady Janet, was recommissioned on Monday following a recent $2.4 million upgrade after it had been out of operation for some six years. The boat is expected to resume its service to the people of the Upper and Lower Pomeroon in Region Two sometime today. Adults and children will have access to a number of services, including oral examinations, extraction, dental cleaning and oral health education. Senior Dental Surgeon, Sabrina Harrychan, who will manage the boat, said she was proud that the people of far-flung parts of the region will now have access to oral care, which she described as a major aspect of healthcare.

She noted that with the boat operating every Monday and Tuesday, children will be the main focus. Over 2,000 adults and children are expected to benefit from the initiative. Meanwhile, Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony, who commissioned the boat, noted that efforts will be made to ensure that there will be additional primary healthcare services available on the boat in the future. “It’s first going to function more as a dental boat because that’s what it was built to do, but we think we can add additional services such as MCH (maternal and child health) services and maybe general medical clinics that we can use the boat for and by going into the Pomeroon in various communities on a

regular basis, they will have access to additional medical services,” he said. The health minister disclosed that currently the Lady Janet is not just the only operational dental boat in the country, but it is also the largest boat with the capacity to provide general medical clinics. He added that based on the positive reception of the recommissioning of the Lady Janet, government plans to rehabilitate and recommission a similar boat that is in the Canje River, which is in a “very bad state.” According to Minister Anthony, once it becomes operational, government will make a decision as to what medical services will be provided on board.

The recommissioned Lady Janet (Ministry of Health photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Oil and gas investment at Enmore creating 500 jobs for residents

GKB’s Chief Financial Officer, Kads Khan

GKB’s Chief Executive Officer, Faizal Khan

THE partnership between government and GUYSONS and K+B Industries Inc. (GKB), to transform the former Enmore Sugar Estate on the East Coast of Demerara into oil field manufacturing facilities, goes way beyond oil and gas. The $7 billion (US$37.5 million) investment will see over 500 jobs being created for villagers, specifically former sugar workers along the East Coast corridor who were terminated, when the previous APNU+AFC Coalition Government ceased operations at the factory. Moreover, the corridor has the potential to become one of Guyana’s leading hubs for fabrication and machining services, and could eventually see a major economic paradigm shift. Chief Financial Officer of GK+B, Kads Khan, disclosed that a sum of $1.5 billion (US$7.5 million) has already been spent to commence phase one of the operation. He said the East Coast corridor provides sufficient land space, which allows the company to effectively accomplish its mandate, which includes Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) and premium accessory service support to Guyana’s oil industry. “The East Bank, as you probably know is crowded. We spoke with government; they were keen to help and Enmore provided an opportunity for us to get the required land space for the initial part of the project.” “That would give us a head start. For us to put a plant like that in place would have taken us two years to build. In that period jobs would have gone elsewhere, Trinidad and further afield,” Khan explained. When that happens, money does not come to Guyana, Khan pointed out. “When we are able to bring that work onshore the profit stays here,” he noted. Meanwhile, the modern facility will be outfitted with several state-of-the-art computerised and American controlled machines. Chief Operating Officer, Doug Hemstreet, said the idea was to mirror the high-quality operation of K+B Industries in America, noting that the same top tier technology and experience will be utilised at Enmore. “It means technology, it means

training, it means the best equipment that we can bring here and have available…We are going to be bringing our expertise foremost, as far as our part for this, the expertise in the oil and gas industry as it relates to OCTG, premium accessories, premium threading and turn-key manufacture,” Hemstreet said. Meanwhile, GKB has begun its recruitment process, starting with the 42 workers currently employed at the Enmore Packaging Plant. The strategic approach is also in keeping with President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s stern directive that persons currently working at the sugar factory must remain employed. The partnership will ensure that there is a seamless transition, by the workers from the Guyana Sugar Corporation to GKB Industries. Dr. Ali had publicly hailed GKB for its remarkable move, when the announcement was made on day two of the recent International Energy Conference and Expo, held at the Marriott, Georgetown. “These are highly skilled jobs being created and the company has committed to commence that process almost immediately to have the eventual 500 employees trained and ready to take up jobs in the company,” the President had said. GKB’s Chief Executive Officer, Faizal Khan said the company’s head community affairs officer has started consulting with community members, with an effective plan. “We are weeks in already. We would have mentioned already this has been one and five o’clock in the mornings phone calls, trips up and down; the engagement with the community in Enmore has already started. We have already started looking at projects we can do in and around the Enmore community,” the vice president said. Additionally, he disclosed that senior officers from the human resources, health and safety, and administrative departments are also in the fields engaging former sugar workers and other persons to advance the process. The GKB team also presented to the workers the company’s plans, while both sides shared their enthusiasm about the new venture. The CEO said, “We have agreed to take on the entire Enmore facility team, which guar-

anteed jobs in the transition from sugar to oilfield. Given that this is a different industry, the current staff will require training. “They will be trained by GKB with trainers from America coming to Guyana regularly. The GKB training is going to last a minimum of 90 days and includes health and safety as well as Oilfield Machine Shop Training. We were happy to meet and interact with the people and we look forward to working with them.” He noted that the training will ensure that the workers can efficiently transition into the new sector, which has strict health, safety and security standards and

requires more technical skills than they may have been used to in the sugar industry. “There would be regular drug and alcohol screenings. The training will take some time, it will take money, but we are committed to making it work and have already started investing into their oilfield training programme,” the CEO added. Thus far, 12 females and 30 males have registered for the transition into the new company. Meanwhile, the CEO commended President Ali for the initiative. “On this occasion, I would like to thank the President him-

Pending possession of the property, GKB has begun its recruitment drive self, personally, for the continued support he has been giving us. This is a true demonstration that I fully endorse as a ‘One Guyana’ initiative.” GKB Industries is a majorityowned Guyanese company, established in 2020 through two existing service companies for ExxonMo-

bil, Guysons and K+B Industries. Guysons is a 30-year-old engineering local firm, while K&B Industries has been a trusted supplier of OCTG tubular threading services, machining, manufacturing and assembly services for the oil and gas industry over decades. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 15, 2022

More education needed to understand importance of cybersecurity - says Digicel’s CEO

AN understanding of the importance of and the need for cybersecurity is still a challenge in Guyana, notwithstanding the development of the country’s information, communication and technology (ICT) infrastructure,

which has been fuelled by the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Digicel, Gregory Dean, in a recent interview with the media, noted that cybersecurity is a big area on

which his company is focusing, even as it continues to expand its line of services. Dean explained that the company has encountered a lack of receptiveness from many businesses when it comes to cybersecurity.

“Some companies still have an old-fashioned view, where they see security as a physical security and still don’t appreciate the cybersecurity elements of it. But it is one of the key areas our team is focusing on,” he noted.

Cybersecurity is the protection of online data from theft and damage. This includes sensitive data, personally identifiable information (PII), protected health information (PHI), personal information, intellectual property, data, and governmental and industry information systems. Currently, Guyana still largely depends on paperbased systems for data storage and financial transactions; however, the country has been seeing exponential growth in the implementation of electronic data management systems and electronic financial transactions. With this growth comes the increased need for protection of the information, particularly financial information, as more and more services go online. “Right now, we are doing a lot of education with a lot of companies saying this is the reason why you need to take cybersecurity seriously. But it is a process. I wouldn’t say we have a lot of customers in the cybersecurity area, but it is one of the services that we offer,” Dean said. Digicel currently provides a limited number of electronic business solutions services to thousands of businesses in Guyana, and believes that cybersecurity is a big area that needs attention. However, many businesses are not cog-

nisant of the importance of cybersecurity. “For Guyana we are still seeing we need an education process where you have to go into companies and explain that if you have a cyber attack, this is the value it can have on your business, etcetera. There is an education process that still needs to be done,” Dean said. Dean noted that it does have much to do with companies being more preoccupied with marketing the technology without properly getting over to consumers the need and importance of the technology. “We had all this wonderful technology, and we had all this [sic] marketing campaigns, but we didn’t really see this huge take-up [of cybersecurity services] and then we started to ask yourself why you didn’t see this huge take up and then we realised that there is a whole education aspect that goes with it, that needed to be done,” he added. “We have probably been guilty as a company in that we came in saying here’s all this wonderful technology, but we haven’t taken customers on the journey to say why this technology is critical. We need to do better in terms of how we communicate with customers and speak more in terms of what the benefits are for the customer,” Dean told the media.

Man remanded for allegedly killing brother R I C H A R D A n t h o n y, who allegedly stabbed his 25-year-old brother to death, was on Monday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a charge of manslaughter. Richard was hauled before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was not required to plead to the charge, which alleged that on March 10,2022, at Third Street, Alberttown, he unlawfully killed Moses Anthony. The 37-year-old man was remanded to prison until March 28,2022. According to a police report, Moses returned home on the day in question around 21:20hrs and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Investigators were told that he went to Richard’s house which is in the same yard and began hitting on the front door. An argument ensued between the two and they eventually began to scuffle, during which Richard armed

DEAD: Moses Anthony himself with a small piece of ceramic tile which was on the ground and stabbed Moses to the right side of his throat. Police said Moses began to bleed profusely and that Richard made no attempt to flee. He was arrested by the police shortly after they arrived at the scene. A n t h o n y w a s p ro nounced dead at the scene by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 15, 2022

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 15, 2022

Australia stretch lead after bowlers dismantle Pakistan for 148 AUSTRALIA took firm control of the second Test by bundling out Pakistan for 148 and holding a lead of 489 at the end of third day's play of the second Test at the National Stadium in Karachi on Monday. The visitors went to stumps at 81 for 1 in the second innings after having declared their first essay on 556 for nine earlier in the day. Australia, who had dominated the first two days' play, scoring 505 for eight, continued to keep the Pakistani bowlers at bay early morning even as Shaheen Afridi dismissed Mitchell Starc for his overnight score of 28 and bagged his first wicket of the match in the process. However, number 11 Mitchell Swepson and Pat Cummins kept the Pakistanis on the field for 52 more balls thereafter, stitching an unbeaten 51-run stand. On a slow pitch, the task for the Pakistani batters shouldn't have been as difficult, and the openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam ul Haq - displayed that with their slow but assured perfor-

mance. However, the former ran himself out in an attempt to pinch a quick single. He ran towards the striker's end after Imam had the ball to the short third man fielder, but Swepson's direct hit found him short. The collapse though, began post Lunch when Starc and Cummins troubled the Pakistani batters with reverse swing at pace and tight channels. But even before they could find themselves in that position, Imam brought about his downfall. Attempting to come down the ground and hit Nathan Lyon over the infield, he ended up giving the mid on fielder an easy catch. Starc then struck twice in two balls - dismissing Azhar Ali and Fawad Alam - to trigger Pakistan's collapse. Azhar, after being discomforted by moving deliveries on the line of the stumps, went chasing at one when Starc strayed a bit wide, and ended up offering the slip fielder an easy catch. Fawad, on the other hand, was trapped legbefore. Rizwan never looked

comfortable in the middle, often getting beaten and even dropped once by Steve Smith at first slip. His stay was eventually ended on six when Cummins had him edging to the 'keeper. In a space of 21 overs, Pakistan slid from 60 for two to 118 for nine. Through this, Babar Azam seemed the only batter in control, but he fell after miscuing a lofted drive to long off and handing Swepson his maiden Test wicket. The last pair stretched Australia's stay in the middle and added 30 runs, but it only delayed the inevitable and put Australia in a strong position in a contest where wickets will be hard to get going ahead. Australia didn't enforce a follow on and returned to bat despite taking a massive lead. In their second essay, they seemed as untroubled as they were in the first. As the day wore on, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschange picked up pace. They lost the wicket of David Warner on 7, but it wasn't to give Pakistan any consolation. (Cricbuzz)

SCOREBOARD AUSTRALIA 1st innings David Warner c Mohammad Rizwan b Faheem Ashraf 36 Usman Khawaja b Sajid Khan 160 Marnus Labuschagne Run Out Sajid Khan 0 Steven Smith c Faheem Ashraf b Hasan Ali 72 Nathan Lyon b Faheem Ashraf 38 Travis Head lbw Sajid Khan 23 Cameron Green b Nauman Ali 28 Alex Carey b Babar Azam 93 Mitchell Starc c Azhar Ali b Shaheen Afridi 28 Pat Cummins Not Out 34 Mitchell Swepson Not Out 15 Extras 10b 7lb 7nb 0pen 5w 29 Total (189.0 overs) 556-9 decl Fall of Wickets: 1-82 Warner, 2-91 Labuschagne, 3-250 Smith, 4-304 Lyon, 5-347 Head, 6-360 Khawaja, 7-405 Green, 8-503 Carey, 9-505 Starc Bowling: Shaheen Afridi 32 - 8 - 95 - 1 (4nb), Hasan Ali 25 - 7 - 71 - 1 ( 2nb), Faheem Ashraf 21 - 4 - 55 - 2, Sajid Khan 57 - 10 - 167 - 2 (3w), Nauman Ali 48 - 6 - 134 - 1 (2w), Babar Azam 4- 0-7-1 PAKISTAN 1st innings Abdullah Shafique Run Out Mitchell Swepson 13 Imam ul-Haq c Pat Cummins b Nathan Lyon 20 Azhar Ali c Cameron Green b Mitchell Starc 14

Babar Azam c Usman Khawaja b Mitchell Swepson 36 Fawad Alam lbw Mitchell Starc 0 Mohammad Rizwan c Alex Carey b Pat Cummins 6 Faheem Ashraf lbw Cameron Green 4 Sajid Khan c Alex Carey b Mitchell Starc 5 Hasan Ali Run Out Marnus Labuschagne 0 Nauman Ali Not Out 20 Shaheen Afridi lbw Mitchell Swepson 19 Extras 6b 2lb 3nb 0pen 0w 11 Total (53.0 overs) 148 all out Fall of Wickets: 1-26 Shafique, 2-45 ul-Haq, 3-60 Ali, 4-60 Alam, 5-76 Rizwan, 6-81 Ashraf, 7-97 Khan, 8-102 Ali, 9-118 Azam, 10-148 Afridi Bowling: Mitchell Starc 13 - 5 - 29 - 3 (2nb), Pat Cummins 13 - 2 - 39 - 1, Nathan Lyon 9 - 5 - 13 - 1, Mitchell Swepson 9 - 1 - 32 - 2, Cameron Green 8 - 1 - 23 - 1 (1nb) AUSTRALIA 2nd innings Usman Khawaja Not Out 35 David Warner c Fawad Alam b Hasan Ali 7 Marnus Labuschagne Not Out 37 Extras 0b 2lb 0nb 0pen 0w 2 Total (17.0 overs) 81-1 Fall of Wickets: 1-20 Warner To Bat: Smith, Head, Green, Carey, Cummins, Starc, Lyon, Swepson Bowling: Shaheen Afridi 4 - 0 - 14 - 0, Hasan Ali 4 - 0 - 14 - 1, Sajid Khan 5 - 0 - 31 - 0, Faheem Ashraf 3 - 0 - 13 - 0

Full house potential... service allows fans to save their purchased tickets to their device for ticket scanning at the venue, avoiding the need for queues and travel to the box office. The ticket box office is located on the western side of Kensington Oval between the venue and Fontabelle Road and will be open from 10am to 6pm. The three-match Apex

Test Series is still level following the draw in the first Apex Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. Fans in the West Indies can watch the match live on ESPN Caribbean and on BT Sport in the UK, as well as other international broadcasters around the world.

(From back page)

MATCH SCHEDULE (play starts daily at 10am/9am Jamaica) March 8-12: 1st Apex Test at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua – Match drawn March 16-20: 2nd Apex Test at Kensington Oval, Barbados March 24-28: 3rd Apex Test at Grenada National Stadium, Grenada (CWI)

Sport Minister Ramson... (From back page) because we have a lot of talent in the country. It has the potential for taking young people to the level of being internationally competitive.” The minister however stressed that “without having this vehicle that will streamline the talent, provide the support and platform to take you to that level of being able to compete with the international athletes, we’re never going to have this structured environment that creates that pool of talent from which we can choose.” Minister Ramson reminded that opportunities are there for athletes to compete internationally and that government is committed to partnering with former national athlete and Olympian Aliann Pompey Invitational which also serves as an Olympic qualification event. “This is a meet that is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC); that’s pretty important because if you have a local meet where you can participate and compete in, you all have the chance to get to that point,” Ramson Jr. disclosed. Minister Ramson urged coaches to also elevate their game, as there is a scientific approach to sporting success in the modern era, in contrast to the past when talent alone would be enough. “We recognise that we have the talent, but to translate that and capitalise it to the form where it becomes internationally recognised and competitive, this is the vehicle that is going to take us there, and this in itself requires that commitment from every stakeholder,” Ramson Jr. said. “You want to do this as a career, you got to start now,” he told the athletes. “You got to make the

sacrifice. Your parents have to know that this is something you want to do, and they have to support you too. The community has to support you too.”. “We recognise that we have the talent, but to translate that and capitalise it to the form where it becomes internationally recognised and competitive, this is the vehicle that is going to take us there, and this in itself requires that commitment from every stakeholder,” Ramson Jr. said. “You want to do this as a career, you got to start now,” he told the athletes. “You got to make the sacrifice. Your parents have to know that this is something you want to do, and they have to support you too. The community has to support you too.”. In his remarks, President of the AAG, Aubrey Hutson, praised the government for spearheading the effort to stimulate growth and development through

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the National Sports Academy Programme while congratulating the first batch of athletes who are part of the nursery. “While we are working out further details and our execution of our plan, we must start, and start we are doing today. And I’m happy today that we have almost all our coaches present,” Hutson said. NSC member, Cristy Campbell, urged the AAG executives to be prepared for the long haul to get the athletes to the next level. Campbell also called on the athletes to maximise on the opportunity being afforded to them. “And what makes it even better is that the athletes just have to show up- everything is funded by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sporst and by extension the government of Guyana. Your only job is to show up and train and it puts you in a position to transition to the elite programme.” 10:50 hrs Coach Rambler 11:30 hrs Honeysuckle 12:10 hrs Tellmesomethinggirl 12:50 hrs Gaelic Warrior 13:30 hrs Stattler Sedgefield 09:50 hrs Astra Via 10:30 hrs Follow Your Fire 11:10 hrs Just Call Me Al 11:50 hrs Purple King 12:30 hrs Powerful Position 13:10 hrs Glory Bridge Southwell 13:20 hrs Enderman 13:55 hrs Divine Connection 14:30 hrs Away Wit Da Fairies 15:00 hrs Lynns Boy 15:30 hrs Protected Guest 16:00 hrs Daafy 16:30 hrs Capla Spirit

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 15, 2022

India cruise to 2-0 England on brink after series win despite South Africa defeat Karunaratne’s century INDIA cruised to a comprehensive win in Bengaluru outplaying Sri Lanka for a 238-run victory to win the pink-ball Test and seal the series 2-0. Sri Lanka showed some fight in the second innings, but it was nowhere a match for the mighty hosts who have now pocketed another 12 points for the World Test Championship after bowling out the opponents for 208, with 24 points in the series. This was the first time in the series that Sri Lanka had got to a total of over 200. That was largely on the back of skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, who put on a stoic resistance with the bat for a splendid century. Karunaratne was positive and aggressive in his approach. He kept his temperament and composure despite wickets falling at the other end regularly. After the first hour of the third day's play on Monday, India struck back with quick wickets ending the 97-run stand between Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis, who had got to his fifty. However, thereafter, it was only a matter of how long Sri Lanka would be able to resist India's bowlers with Karunaratne left with the bowlers for company. Ashwin bowled a great spell where he was able to extract some turn and drift returning four wickets for the innings. Jasprit Bumrah, who got a five-wicket haul in the first innings, ended Karunaratne's stay for 107 after which three wickets in three overs ended the Test within 8 sessions. Bumrah finished with 8 wickets in the Test. Sri Lanka made a positive start on Day 3, putting up a display of aggressive play, much in contrast to what was seen all series. The overnight pair of Mendis and Karunaratne played their shots and were aggressive against India's spinners. Although, India struck back with quick wickets forcing Sri Lanka to 151 for four at Tea, despite 123

ENGLAND's hopes of defending the Women's World Cup are hanging by a thread after an agonising three-wicket defeat by South Africa in Mount Maunganui. With three defeats from as many games, England are not yet eliminated, but will need to win all of their remaining four matches and hope other results go their way to reach the semi-finals. Taken to 235-9 by half-centuries from Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones, England were once again blighted by a raft of missed chances in the field. Laura Wolvaardt took advantage of three dropped

Jasprit Bumrah 'cleaned up' centurion Dimuth Karunaratne (BCCI photo)

runs coming in the opening session. Runs were steadily flowing, at almost five an over, as Mendis went on to score a fifty. He failed as an opener in the first innings, but at number three he played a handy knock with Karunaratne. Mendis, though, fell soon after reaching the milestone, stumped by Rishabh Pant off Ashwin. India struck back quickly to get rid of Angelo Mathews, who was cleaned up by Ravindra

Jadeja. The quick wickets undid all the good work from the second-wicket pair, but Karunaratne continued to lead the fight. Ashwin bowled quicker to Karunaratne without much flight, but the skipper did well to hang in there, batting with control and measure to keep India at bay. Ashwin then struck back ending Dhananjaya de Silva's uncomfortable stay in the middle to go past Dale Steyn's tally of Test victims. (Cricbuzz)

SCOREBOARD INDIA 1st innings 252. Sri Lanka 1st innings 109 India 2nd innings 303/ 9 d SRI LANKA 2nd innings o/n 28-1

Lahiru Thirimanne lbw Jasprit Bumrah 0 Dimuth Karunaratne b Jasprit Bumrah 107 Kusal Mendis st Rishabh Pant b Ravichandran Ashwin 54 Angelo Mathews b Ravindra Jadeja 1 Dhananjaya de Silva c Hanuma Vihari b Ravichandran Ashwin 4 Niroshan Dickwella st Rishabh Pant b Axar Patel 12 Charith Asalanka c Rohit Sharma b Axar Patel 5 Lasith Embuldeniya lbw Ravichandran Ashwin 2 Suranga Lakmal b Jasprit Bumrah 1 Vishwa Fernando c Mohammed Shami b Ravichandran Ashwin 2 Praveen Jayawickrama Not Out 0 Extras 16b 3lb 1nb 0pen 0w 20 Total (59.3 overs) 208 all out Fall of Wickets: 1-0 Thirimanne, 2-97 Mendis, 3-98 Mathews, 4-105 de Silva, 5-160 Dickwella, 6-180 Asalanka, 7-204 Karunaratne, 8-206 Embuldeniya, 9-208 Lakmal, 10-208 Fernando Bowling: Jasprit Bumrah 9 - 4 - 23 - 3, Mohammed Shami 6 - 0 - 26 - 0, Ravichandran Ashwin 19.3 3 - 55 - 4,- Ravindra Jadeja 14 - 2 - 48 - 1 ( 1nb),Axar Patel 11 - 1 - 37 - 2.

Marizanne Kapp put in a good allround performance with bat and ball

catches and a missed stumping in making 77. After she fell, Marizanne Kapp, who earlier took 5-45, inched South Africa closer in the face of some magical bowling from Sophie Ecclestone. Kapp was out for 32 in the penultimate over, leaving the Proteas four to get from the final set. Shabnim Ismail swung Nat Sciver over the leg side to give South Africa their first World Cup win over England in 22 years. England play India at the same venue on Wednesday, when another defeat will effectively end their campaign. (BBC Sport)

Ameen century in vain as Bangladesh register maiden World Cup win MAKING their first appearance in the 50-over World Cup, Bangladesh took just three matches to register their first World Cup win. At the Seddon Park in Hamilton, Bangladesh stunned Pakistan to seal a thrilling nine-run win with Fargana Hoque making 71 and Fahima Khatun bagging three wickets in the game. Pakistan were set 234 and were cruising at one stage but collapsed to hand Bangladesh the victory. Put in, Sharmin Akhter and Shamima Sultana helped the side begin briskly before Nida Dar dismissed the latter in the ninth over. Omaima Sohail bowled Akhter in the 19th over for 44 as Bangladesh were 79 for two at that stage. That's when Hoque and Nigar Sultana collaborated for a stand of 96 to help the side build a solid platform for the last ten overs. The Bangladesh captain - Sultana - fell with 61 deliveries left in the innings and that led to a wobble as Bangladesh went from being 179 for two to 213 for six with Hoque also falling in the 47th over. Nashra Sandhu's consecutive wickets on consecutive balls meant Bangladesh were dented just when

they were ready to launch. In the chase, Sidra Ameen's splendid century wasn't enough for Pakistan to lose their second game on the trot. Pakistan openers - Nahida Khan and Ameen - made a solid start with a 91-run opening stand but Rumana Ahmed provided the team the breakthrough in the 24th over. Pakistan were 155 for one in the 38th over and going strong but soon found themselves tottering at 188 for seven as Bangladesh managed to induce some panic. Jahanara Alam dismissed Maroof to start the collapse

and the Pakistan captain was soon followed by Fahima Khatun (10), Nida Dar (0), Aliya Riaz (0), Fatima Sana (0) and Sidra Nawaz (one) all failed to get going. The wicket of Riaz and Sana came on consecutive deliveries as Khatun put Bangladesh ahead. Losing partners from the other end, Ameen was eventually left with too much to do. Pakistan needed 25 off 18 but Ameen's run out in the 48th over turned out to be fatal. They were left with 15 off six and eventually ran out of steam. (Cricbuzz)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday March 15, 2022)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Draw (2) Nkrumah Bonner (WI) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who were the captains involved in the recent first Test between the WI and ENG? (2) Who was the only debutant in the recent WI/ ENG first Test? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 15, 2022

CPL to include women’s edition for first time alongside men’s tournament ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – This year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will feature a women’s tournament with three franchise teams competing for the first-ever Women’s CPL (WCPL) title, playing alongside the men’s tournament starting in August. Hero CPL and Cricket West Indies (CWI) made the announcement on Monday, as it revealed that the teams competing in the inaugural WCPL are Barbados Royals, Guyana Amazon Warriors, and Trinbago Knight Riders, which will showcase the best female cricketers from across the Caribbean, with overseas stars rounding out the teams. CWI President Ricky Skerrit said the initiative falls in line with one of CWI’s strategic priorities, which is increasing opportunities for West Indian women and girls to get involved

in the sport. “We are delighted that we have been able to partner with CPL to further the expansion plans that we had first unveiled in 2019 prior to the arrival of the COVID pandemic,” he said. “We are confident that all CPL women’s games will be highly competitive and will add quality entertainment to our fans in the region and around the world.” Hero CPL’s CEO Pete Russell said that on the heels of a successful Women’s T10 Challenge that took place during the 2019 CPL, the tournament organizers were looking forward to the next step with the WCPL. The women’s tournament will take place during the men’s event inside the 2022 Hero CPL tournament window which will run from August 30 to September 30. CWI confirmed that a window has been created in an otherwise very busy

St Kitts & Nevis Patriots are the reigning Hero CPL champions

international schedule so that all selected West Indies players will be available for this year’s Men’s and Women’s CPL tournaments. “The addition of a women’s event to the CPL is something that has been an ambition for a long time and we are very pleased that it has become a reality. We

would like to thank CWI for working with us to make this happen,” Russell said. “We are very pleased to confirm the dates for the 2022 tournament, and with travel around the world and region becoming easier CPL will be able to visit more than one country this year so fans can enjoy CPL in

person once again.” This 10th edition of the franchise-based T20 tournament will be played across more countries this year, with three Caribbean countries being selected for the group stages and the fourth venue being chosen for the finals. CPL said it anticipates that this four-venue

structure could become the norm for future seasons. St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, the current Hero CPL champions will be defending their title against Barbados Royals, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs, Saint Lucia Kings, and Trinbago Knight Riders.

CWI launches new Bushman Pawnshop and Money Emerging Players Academy Lending Enterprise supports Rawle to develop cricketers Toney 3X3 in Linden ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC) — Cricket West Indies (CWI) has created a new Emerging Players Academy, aimed at supporting the development of world-class players from the Caribbean. CWI said the academy, which will run annually starting from July, will utilise the facilities at the Coolidge Cricket Ground — the new home of West Indies Cricket — where the best young male and female cricketers will come to Antigua throughout the year for several high-performance training and development camps. The aim is to bridge the gap after the West Indies Under-19 level and assist the players' progression into one of the six territorial board franchise squads, with the intention that they will graduate to earn one of the 15 retainer contracts available in each team. “For some time, CWI

CWI director of cricket Jimmy Adams

has been looking at ways of bridging that critical gap between our junior and professional levels and this academy initiative provides us with a great start towards achieving this,” said Jimmy Adams, director of cricket.

“The programme will also play an important role in building regional capacity within high-performance player support — technical, physical, mental, and personal development. The programme will also set a template for our territories to mirror as they build out their individual high-performance pathway programmes.” The academy's programme will focus on developing the players holistically and include specific aspects of the game away from the pitch, such as media engagements, financial management, personal development, and leadership, CWI said. Players will also enjoy playing opportunities through the Caribbean Premier League Emerging Players partnership with CWI and the Emerging Players team that participated in the annual CG Insurance Super50 Cup.

DEXTER Garnett, behind his Bushman Pawnshop and Money Lending enterprise, became the first business entity to support the April 23 Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic in Linden. Garnett, known for his philanthropy in sports, has assisted in outfitting the eight teams that will be competing in the one-day 3X3 format basketball event. At a simple but important presentation, Garnett said he was happy to be part of the tournament which is geared towards helping the return of competitive basketball in Linden for the first time in over two years. Meanwhile, Toney thanked Garnett for the support and lauded his usual effort in supporting sports in Guyana. Each team will receive $25,000 as an appreciation for participating, as well uniforms. The winning team will go home with $100,000,

Tournament organiser, Rawle Toney (left) and Dexter Garnett of Bushman Pawnshop and Money Lending enterprise during a presentation

second place $50,000, and third place $30,000. The tournament will be held at the residence of National Award-winning promoter and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Kashif Muhammad, in Richmond Hill. With Linden celebrating

52 years as a Town, the tournament will mark the start of the week-long series of events to commemorate the occasion. The tournament will be officially launched on Thursday, where sponsors and other details will be announced.

Kensington Oval in Barbados

Full house potential for second Apex Test in Barbados …Capacity and testing restrictions removed

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Kensington Oval is expected to be a hive of activity for the second Apex Test match, as the historic venue will now be able to operate at full capacity when West Indies host England from March 16-20. Cricket West Indies (CWI) yesterday announced that venue will be allowed to return to 100 percent capacity for fully vaccinated fans, following a decision taken on Monday by the Barbados Government.

Additionally, it was also announced that fans in the ‘Banks Party Stand’, presented by ‘Power By Four’, will no longer be required to take rapid antigen tests to enter, with all fans now just needing to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and be able to present their vaccination documentation. Dominic Warne, CWI’s Commercial and Marketing Director said: “We are very happy that there is the po-

tential for more West Indies and travelling England fans to attend the 2nd Apex Test match at Kensington Oval. We were almost sold out for the first two days before the decision by the Government of Barbados, which everyone welcomes. Additionally, this will make it a much smoother experience for Banks Party Stand ticket holders, of which there will be more than 1000 per day, following the removal of rapid antigen testing requirements.

We’re expecting another dramatic Test match against England and we want as many West Indies fans as possible rallying behind the #MeninMaroon.” The additional tickets have already gone on sale and are available for purchase straight to a mobile device via the new Windies Tickets service - https://www. windiescricket.com/tickets/. In addition to being able to choose and pay for your seats in advance, the TURN TO PAGE 21 ►

Sport Minister Ramson West Indies docked two emphasises importance of World Test Championship first-ever athletics nursery points for slow over rate West Indies have been docked two World Test Championship points, and the players fined 40% of their match fee, after Kraigg Brathwaite's team were penalised for a slow over rate during the drawn Antigua Test. The hosts were ruled to be two overs short, after allowances, by the umpiring team of Joel Wilson, Gregory Brathwaite, Nigel Duguid and Leslie Reifer. Brathwaite pleaded guilty to the offence, with ICC match referee, Richie Richardson, imposing the sanction without need for a formal hearing. The points deduction means West Indies have 14 WTC points, level with England - but they remain in eighth on the table, due to having won a higher percentage (23.33% to 11.67%) from

their fixtures to date. The teams will face off again in Barbados, where the second Test begins on Wednesday. West Indies have named an unchanged 13-man squad, with fast bowler Shannon Gabriel not yet deemed fit to return to contention. "It was a hard-fought first match in Antigua and we decided to stick with the same 13 players for the second match in Barbados," West Indies' lead selector, Desmond Haynes, said. "[Nkrumah] Bonner demonstrated the way you should play, and we were very pleased with the way he played in the first innings and again in the second innings. It was a hard work for all the bowlers, and we were very happy with the way they stuck to the task." (Cricinfo)

Sport Minister, Charles Ramson interacting with athletes at Leonora Track and Field Centre. (DPI photo)

GUYANA’S first-ever athletics nursery was officially launched on Sunday at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora with Minister of Sport Charles Ramson Jnr. emphasising the importance and expansion taking place in sports at the national level. A brainchild of the Ministry of Sport, the nursery also involves the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Athlet-

ics Association of Guyana (AAG) The athletics nursery is part of the 12 core sports which will benefit from the National Sports Academy Programme. The academy is built on three pillars- Nursery, Tournaments and Elite Training Academy. Delivering the feature address before a large turnout of youngsters, Minister Ramson said “sport needs to aggressively transform TURN TO PAGE 21 ►

CPL to include women’s edition for first time alongside men’s tournament 23 PAGE

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TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2022