Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_07_01_2022

FRIDAY 7th JANUARY, 2022

No. 106597

Guyana earns $2.6B from export of non-traditional crops SEE PAGE

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Guyana Chronicle’s Claudette Earle laid to rest amidst moving tributes SEE PAGE

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Local drainage systems enhanced Work on WBD ‘core homes’ to Mother, daughter die after with $8.4B investment last year be completed by February house collapses at Bonasika SEE PAGE

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SEE PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

Local drainage systems enhanced with $8.4B investment last year - close to $1.5B spent on flood-relief efforts alone

THE drainage capacity of farmlands and even residential communities across Guyana has improved significantly, as a result of investments valuing $8.4 billion made by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) throughout 2021.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the government was able to make a considerable amount of headway with the restoration of Guyana’s agriculture sector, after a five-year pause on investments in the development and maintenance of new and existing drainage and irrigation structures.

In addition to the $8.4 billion that was expended to execute drainage and irrigation works across the country, just over $4 billion was spent to cover initiatives which included the procurement of heavy-duty machinery as well as the construction of drainage and irrigation structures.

A total of 2,487 contracts were also signed in 2021, and this included a $497,464,600 agreement for the supply of a Cutter Head Dredge.

Farmers in the Pomeroon were also able to benefit from a block drainage programme, which will continue in 2022.

Approximately 200 farmers benefitted from this programme in 2021.

F u r t h e r, a m e r e t w o months after the passage of Budget 2021, torrential rainfall across the country forced the drainage authority to implement a series of emergency

interventions, seeking to bring relief to some 115 communities that suffered from what was considered the worst flood in Guyana’s history.

Approximately $1.5 billion was spent to carry out emergency drainage works, which included clearing and desilting clogged waterways, the operation of both mobile and fixed drainage pumps to drain flooded farms and residential areas, and rehabilitating and reinforcing embankment structures in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and 10.

Despite the challenges faced by the floods, NDIA was able to stay on course with its 2021 work programme.

In keeping with the government’s goal to double agriculture production and reduce the nation’s food import bill, NDIA’s work programme focused on carrying out drainage works in communities that had a clear interest in farming.

“Some of these communities are historically known for their agricultural outputs, but saw a decline in production due to the lack of proper drainage and irrigation systems under the APNU+AFC government,” NDIA said.

In response to this, the drainage and irrigation authority carried out critical works in Nabacalis, Friendship, Victoria, Cove and John, Hogg Island, Wakenaam, Leguan, Zeelugt, Meten-Meer-Zorg, Buxton, Canal Polders, Black Bush Polders, among others, after years of neglect.

Six of the machines that were commissioned last year

Through collaborations with various authorities, NDIA also implemented routine drainage maintenance programmes, whereby community stakeholders and beneficiaries were contracted to maintain the waterways in their communities.

Added to the work of NDIA, an estimated $28.7 billion was expended in 2021 by various agencies under the Agriculture Ministry, creating the path for continued development with a number of transformative projects within the sector.

Apart from the budgeted $22.6 billion, approximately $6.1 billion worth of supplementary funds were sought

A pump placed at Zeelugt to assist with flooding in 2021

and approved to cover additional expenses.

NEW LANDS Aside from drainage and irrigation work, the government, in 2021, also commenced work on the development of several farm-tomarket roads, in an effort to make more lands available to farmers.

The ongoing construction of two major roads at Numbers 52 and 58 villages Corentyne, Berbice, as well as a $327 million asphaltic concrete road at Onverwagt in Region Five, will give farmers access to thousands of acres of prime farmlands for the cultivation of rice and cash crops, as well as livestock farming.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, had said that the roads were among several projects streamlined for implementation in various farming communities across Guyana.

“These are very significant and transformative projects. You will see thousands of acres of new lands being made available with the construction of these all-weather roads which will satisfy the needs of thousands of farmers there,” Minister Mustapha said.

The farm-to-market road at the Number 52 Village will span approximately two kilometers long and will be completed at a cost of $240

million while the Number 58 Village road will cost just about $640 million to construct.

The ministry is also advancing its plan to expand the sector over the next four years, which would see the construction of several farmto-market roads across the regions.

This includes a projected $175 million road on the right bank of the Mahaicony Creek in Region Five, an estimated $150 million road on the left bank of the Mahaica Creek in Region Four, and an estimated $100 million road at Salem, Region Three. (Ministry of Agriculture)

Construction commenced on the Onverwagt Road Project

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

Guyana earns $2.6B from export of non-traditional crops

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha ALTHOUGH Guyana in 2021 was faced with the most devastating floods in the country’s recent history, the agriculture industry showed incredible resilience, recording an increase in earnings from the exportation of several non-traditional commodities.

According to figures provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Guyana, between the period January and November 2021, earned $2.6 billion from the exportation of nontraditional crops alone.

This accounts for produce such as fruits, vegetables, seasonings, grain crops, oil seeds, root and tuber crops, among other things.

Even though thousands of acres of farmlands were devastated by the May/June 2021 floods, a swift $7.8 billion response from the government enabled scores of farmers to recuperate and return to the fields to restart production.

It would appear as though the government’s assistance was capitalised on quite fully, since earnings from the exportation of non-traditional crops grew significantly.

There was an increase of $100 million in revenue when compared to the same period in 2020.

This accounts for at least 10,426 tonnes of the exported produce.

The increase in exports of agricultural commodities has been attributed to the implementation of a number of strategies by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government.

Last year’s earnings even outshone the ones recorded even before the coronavirus pandemic hit in March 2020.

It was previously reported that during 2019, only 9,121 tonnes of fresh fruits, vegetables and processed foods were exported from Guyana to the Caribbean region and other countries. The total export value of nontraditional agricultural commodities during 2019 was G$2.5 billion.

The significant increase in agricultural exports over the past months could be directly linked to the government’s calculated investments into the promotion of climate-resilient farming, using improved technologies and techniques.

With over 50 largescale shade houses already set up countrywide, the Guyana Chronicle

understands that an additional 100 facilities were added in 2021, largely owing to works executed by the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), which has been engaging scores of local farmers on the benefits of shaded cultivation.

In addition, more and more farmers are also employing use of elevated plant beds, since these are seldom affected by floods, which have now become common, due to the effects of climate change.

Despite its long-term benefits, shade houses could be a little expensive to erect. To this end, the PPP/C, in its 2020 Emergency Budget had allocated $15.8 million for the purchase of shade house materials that can be sold to farmers at a minimal cost. The materials are being supplied to farmers as part of a “revolving fund,” which sees the government making no profits.

Over the past year, the use of shade houses and other climate-smart technologies have been gaining momentum as more and more farmers are beginning to recognise the effects of the harsh temperatures on various crops.

In a previous interview with this publication, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, had said that the government remains cognisant of the impact that climate change has had on the agriculture industry, and has been working to minimise some of the foreseen

The 2021 earnings from non-traditional crops are even better than the figures recorded in 2019, even before the coronavirus pandemic challenges.

SAFEGUARDING FARMERS Mustapha said that in addition to propagating climate-smart agriculture, the ministry is also preparing to safeguard farmers and their produce.

“For example, we are setting up more pumps because these natural gravity flows now are coming less and less, almost on a yearly basis, where siltation is taking over,” Mustapha noted.

He said that with the threat of the rising sea level, the government is taking a keen interest in ensuring the effectiveness of various conservancies across the country. “…so we can store more water to irrigate rice fields and so,” Minister Mustapha had reasoned.

In addition to embarking on a massive project

to strengthen the sea defences in critical areas across the country, the government is also pursuing the construction of three massive outfall channels which would be key to preventing floods that were as destructive as the ones experienced in 2005 and 2021.

Acknowledging the deficiencies that exist, President Dr. Irfaan Ali had pointed to the need for the government to replicate the $3.6 billion Northern Relief Channel, which was constructed at Hope/Dochfour, East Coast Demerara.

The massive eight-door Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) drainage structure was conceptualised and constructed by a PPP/C government, prior to it demitting office in 2015.

Initially, when the project came on stream, it

was heavily criticised by members of the then A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) opposition. However, fast forward more than a decade later, the Hope Canal is being hailed as the saviour of Region Four, as it protected the region from experiencing the brunt of the 2021 floods which devastated some 300 communities across the country. In some areas, water levels had even exceeded 16 feet, completely covering homes and vehicles, among other things.

It is expected that with increased investments in climate-resilient farming, better drainage and more value-added opportunities, Guyana’s earnings from agriculture would grow exponentially.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

PAC members decide on persons for Public Procurement Commission

-but Minister Teixeira says committee chairman has broken trust by prematurely releasing names

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira OUT of 25 names, the Government of Guyana and the Parliamentary Opposition have finally agreed on the five persons suitable enough to constitute the Public Procurement Commission (PPC).

Financial Analyst Joel Bhagwandin The government’s nominees were Attorney-at-Law Pauline Chase, Financial Analyst Joel Bhagwandin, and Rajnarine Singh, while the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Opposition green-lighted Economist Rawle Lucas, and Berkeley Wickham, former Chairman of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

This information was confirmed on Thursday by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail

Teixeira, who reminded that the selection formula is in keeping with the standard as set out in 2016, when the first PPC was sworn in by then President David Granger.

She said that this time around, even though the names were agreed upon by bought sides, it was “distasteful” to have seen them being prematurely released by the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Jermaine Figueira.

Teixeira said that because of the sensitive nature of the role of the PPC, it was agreed that the names would remain confidential until they are officially presented to the PAC at its next meeting on Monday.

The task of finalising the names was entrusted to a sub-committee of the PAC, comprising Figueira and Teixeira, who, after securing the approvals from their principals, have to officially report the names to the PAC. “Figueira acted on behalf of the Opposition, and I acted on behalf of the President,” Teixeira said.

Even as the next PAC meeting date approaches, the release of the names, according to Teixeira, has broken the trust of the government’s side of the sub-committee.

She indicated that because the approval of the PPC commissioners requires

a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly, it was necessary for the matter to be treated with sensitivity, and in accordance with proper protocols.

“This is a matter that requires two-thirds of the majority of votes in Parliament; not by those who are present, but two-thirds of the elected Members of Parliament, which is about 40-something people,” the Parliamentary Affairs Minister explained.

Teixeira said that she was also displeased to see that even with the names being announced, Figueira was also quoted by the local press as saying that the candidates could change, depending on feedback from the PAC.

Attorney-at-Law Pauline Chase “This is a new development he seems to be casting a shadow on,” Teixeira lament-

ed, adding: “We shall see what happens on Monday.”

Guyana has been without a PPC since October 2019, when the previous Commission expired.

That Commission had served for a period of three years, with Carol Corbin serving as Chairperson, while former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Labour Minister Dr. Nanda K. Gopaul served as her deputy. The other commissioners were Civil Engineer Emily Dodson; Ivor Burnette English and Sukrishnalall Pasha, who is currently the Finance Secretary at the Ministry of Finance.

Even though the previous PPC was sworn in in 2016, it was not functioning in 2017.

At the time, Cabinet Secretary and Minister of State Joseph Harmon had said that the non-functioning of the PPC

Berkley Wickham, former head of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board was largely due to the lack procurement of all goods and services, along with the of staff.

The Commission is a monitoring of infrastructurcritical body which is con- al works to ensure that they stitutionally responsible conform to the relevant laws for oversight of the public and guidelines.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

Guyana and Omicron

PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, is encouraging Guyanese not to panic but to double-up on preventative measures in light of what appears to be a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country. An even though the presence of the Omicron virus is still to be scientifically validated here, the recent increase in the infection rates point to a global trend which has already resulted in a tightening up on measures to contain the viral spread generated by this new variant.

At a press conference hosted by the President, he cautioned that even though the presence of the Omicron variant is not confirmed in Guyana, based on scientific evidence and worldwide experience the new variant is much more transmissible and could be the result of the recent

spike in the country. The variant is now spreading explosively across Europe, the United States and other parts of the world and health authorities are now bracing themselves for a continuous rise in the virus. And even though the effects of the Omicron variant tend to be milder, authorities are leaving nothing to chance. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated the Omicron variant as a Variant of Concern (VOC) even as further epidemiologic studies are being done to better understand the virus in terms of transmissibility, severity of infection, vaccines performance and effectiveness of treatments.

Meanwhile, individuals are being urged to continue to adhere to the protocols and measures in place by the Ministry of Health such as wearing of masks, maintaining the required social distancing and no

less important, to become fully vaccinated. Vaccines remain critical to the prevention and reduction of the deadly consequences of the COVID-19 virus including that of the more severe Delta variant.

Already, there has been an increase in infection rates among frontline medical personnel including doctors, nurses and laboratory technicians as a result of which many are forced to go into quarantine which is putting some pressure on the healthcare delivery system but this is not something unique to Guyana. President Ali assured the nation that every effort is being made to effectively manage the system. This view was also shared by Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, who said that the healthcare system is capable of dealing with any surge in infections. He indicated that there is capacity at the Ocean View Hospital

and other regional hospitals to deal with any rise in infection rates. Like President Ali, he also lauded the staff at these facilities for having risen to the challenge and perform their duties with high levels of commitment and professionalism.

This is no time to play politics with the lives and well-being of the Guyanese people as the opposition APNU+AFC Coalition is attempting to do. We live in an interconnected world and what happens in one part of the world is likely to affect other parts, especially given our proximity and easy access to neighbouring countries. The fact that Guyana has been fairly successfully in its vaccination programme and in limiting the spread of the COVID-19 virus is indeed commendable. As observed

by President Ali, any single death from the virus is one too many and every possi-

ble measure will be taken to prevent the spread of the virus and further deaths.

Make no mistake about it. COVID-19 and its several variants remain the deadliest pandemic since outbreak of the Spanish flu in 1918. In our interconnected world, it is not too difficult for the virus to gain pandemic status as is currently the case.

As of August last, there were 204 million confirmed cases globally including 4.3 million deaths. The good news is that it is possible to vaccinate our way out of the pandemic provided that we have enough of the vaccines to ensure global herd immunity. Unfortunately, we still have much ground to cover to make such immunity a reality. There is still a tendency for the richer countries to practice what is described as ‘vaccine nationalism’ which makes it so difficult to contain the spread globally, a situation made even worse

with the emergence of the more easily transmissible Delta and Omicron variants.

In the final analysis, however, it is at the individual level that the virus can best be controlled.

This is why it is so important to take all the necessary precautions including the need to be fully vaccinated and adhere to all the stipulated measures and protocols. Our greatest wealth is the health of our people and there can be no more important a task than to take good care of our individual health.

The PPP/C administration is doing a great job in upgrading the health infrastructure, with the biggest share of the national budget allocated to the healthcare. It is for us all to take full advantage of the facility provided by the government in order to enjoy healthier and more productive lives.

Judiciary is criticised in every democracy

By Dr Vishnu Bisram

MINISTER Nigel Dharamlall was criticised for comments uttered on the two-one Appeal Court ruling in the election petition. I will not comment on Mr. Dharamlall’s criticism (words) of the two judges and the ruling itself but instead focus on his and the public’s right to critique (not attack judges) judicial rulings and the concept of judicial independence. Is the judiciary above criticism? Does Guyana really have judicial independence (up to the Court of Appeal)?

The public is grateful that there is a CCJ to oversee rulings in Guyana, especially the kind of rulings delivered on the GECOM Chair appointment and the no-confidence motion.

Those who excoriated

Dharamlall say a member of the Executive branch (and by extension the legislative branch since the Executive branch comes from the legislative branch in Guyana) should not comment on the judicial branch. In which democratic country is the judicial bench not criticised?

When there are ‘nonsensical rulings’, shouldn’t these be critiqued?

In my readings in comparative politics, in every democracy, the public and Executive as well as legislative branches voice their opinion on very (injudicious) court rulings.

The members of the government freely criticise rulings including in the USA where more Guyanese live than in Guyana.

In a functioning democracy, there are three independent branches of government.

Guyana is somewhat unique where the legislative branch (MPs of a ruling party) must toe the line of the Executive branch or be removed from Parliament.

In Guyana there is a concern that a judge may rule not on the basis of the law or fair principles. Even when a ruling is given based on the highest merit of the law, devoid of race, members of the public still view it as racially or party aligned. Regrettably, the ruling of the two judges is viewed in such light. Ditto the Indian judge.

In the US and developed countries, there is ‘true independence’ of the judiciary.

Judges don’t face political pressure to rule in favour of the Executive or deliver rulings that are ethnically aligned. The judges’ ethnicity hardly impact on rulings.

In the US, and in other developed countries, judicial rulings have not been free of controversy. And legislators as well as members of the Executives were severely critical of rulings. (In the US and mature democracies, judicial rulings have the effect of law).

They (Senator, Representatives, MPs) freely give their views of judicial rulings. If a judge were to rule that 33 is not a majority of 65 in the US or any other country, those judges would immediately submit a letter of resignation from the bench. What judicial integrity is in such a ruling?

On what legal principle was such a ruling justified. On law, logic and arithmetic, it was not sustainable. One must conclude some other factor influence and contaminate the judges’ mind to render such a decision. I believe this is what

motivated Mr. Dharamlall to utter that scathing rebuke of the petition ruling.

If judges were allowed with the ruling that the no-confidence motion was not valid, with 33 is not a majority of 65, then they can ultimately rule that some peoples’ votes are not valid throwing out legitimate votes to determine the outcome of an election. There was an attempt to disenfranchise voters that could have ended up in court. When judges know that their rulings are scrutinised and are criticised, they will rule competently and competently.

I note that the Chief Justice was vilified by the APNU-led coalition for her ruling a year ago dismissing the election petition. Also, Justices Carl Singh and BS Roy were attacked for what

many felt was a very good ruling in the third term matter. I recall that Raphael Trotman and Moses Nagamootoo criticised Chancellor Carl Singh’s court majority ruling on the so called ‘Jagdeo third term case’. If it was okay for politicians to criticise the judiciary then, why can’t Dharamlall criticise the judges now?

Dharamlall is a member of the Executive branch, but he is also a member of the public who happens to be a member of the Executive and a member of the legislature. That empowers him over and above the average citizenry to level criticism at the judiciary. Democracy demands that each arm of government oversights the functions of the other. It is so in the USA, UK, India, SEE PAGE 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

Recommended solutions to avoid contracting aberrations Dear Editor, IT was reported in December 2021 that President, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, in response to the Auditor General’s Reports of 2019 and 2020, had issued a call to all contractors to “ensure that works assigned to them are not only done in a timely manner but that they are done in keeping with the required standards and within the parameters of cost”.

President Ali’s appeal to contractors is a moral one. It would not necessarily lead to a solution to the contracting nonfeasance plaguing Guyana for several decades.

Contracting is a business.

The main goal is to make as much money as possible.

Variations such as loopholes in contracts, design and specification flaws, design changes and unforeseen construction issues provide contractors with opportunities to increase profitability.

An experienced contractor, who visualises one or more potential variations, may submit a low bid to win a contract and then use these variations to gain profitability. There is nothing illegal or even unethical about those variations.

The Guyana Government’s implementation of the PPP/C’s manifesto “Infrastructure Boom: Building for the Future” is an ambitious undertaking that has to overcome many barriers to succeed. Infrastructural works such as bridges, roads, sea defences, gas-toshore facilities, hydropower dams, etc. are intensive, extensive and expensive projects. Where large sums of public money are at stake, especially in such infrastructural works, human beings find creative ways to engage in corruption.

The Auditor General (AG)’s 2019 and 2020 reports contain a plethora

of infrastructural project transgressions across Government Ministries that erode public trust and roll back progress. Current high-ranking government officials have to spend enormous time and make additional funding requests to correct faulty and non-performing public infrastructure projects. These high-ranking officials have pressing time constraints to develop and implement policies only to be diverted to rectify technical problems. It is an inefficient and costly way to transform a country. As President Ali pleaded “you are part of the mechanism that would allow or disallow this government from achieving its commitment to the people of this country….We are one team, all of us in here, we are one team with an objective to achieve one vision.”

Most of the contracting

problems, cited in AG’s reports, were observed late in the project cycle when value-engineering solutions became unachievable. In fact, some of the contracting problems probably originated at project conceptualisation and scope of work definition stages. To provide for the safety, health and welfare of Guyanese and to obtain value for public infrastructural works, the Guyana Government must institute the necessary statutory and regulatory systems to combat malpractices in construction. At a minimum, two statutory/regulatory agencies, departments, or units need to be in place.

If not yet developed, a Registrar of Contractors should issue contractors’ licences, to investigate and resolve complaints against licensed and unlicensed contractors and to require a surety bond from contractors to serve as recovery

funds to reimburse owners for poor workmanship or non-performance. Similar agencies can be created for professional engineers and engineering trade (e.g. plumbing) licences. Secondly, a Building Safety Department to enact building codes and regulations, approve plans and specifications, inspect construction projects and enforce the provisions of the building codes.

A key reason for the contracting debauchery noted in the AG’s 2019 and 2020 reports is the poor or absence of construction management (CM). CM is a professional engineering service to monitor construction works to ensure quality, safety, compliance with plans and specifications, in-service performance, timely completion and cost control. Unless the Government of Guyana hires qualified, experienced and

construction management personnel, the construction problems reported in the AG’s reports are likely to persist.

“The AG’s reports show public infrastructural works across various ministries and agencies.

To oversee these works for timely completion, quality construction according to design specifications and codes, consistency, minimisation of cost variations, and to stymie corruption, an umbrella infrastructure programme management unit is required.” Of course, the Government has to provide opportunities for education and training of the required technical staff and contractors’ licensure, and enact and enforce tight enforcement policies.

Yours sincerely, Dr Muniram Budhu, Professor Emeritus

FROM PAGE 6 Australia, Canada, etc. Dharamlall and the Executive as well as the legislature must criticise flagrant judicial excesses. (And I am not referring to the petition ruling) but the right to hold judges accountable.

While I don’t support Dharamlall on his call for defrocking judges, he is echoing the view of his party’s supporters. A recent survey I conducted revealed that the public feel the judges are biased. Should he ignore them, a practice of bad repre-

sentation?

It is a noble principle that when politicians act excessively, the populace calls for their resignation and/ or vote them out. The same principle ought to apply to the judiciary; they can’t be removed by the electorate. But the public

and their representatives are empowered to criticise them.

Judges are not sacred cows.

This idea that the judiciary is beyond criticism is a holdover from the colonial era. It was practiced to protect colonial authority and to instill fear in the population

to prevent dissent. This halo, colonial practice, has to be removed.

Judges are paid by taxpayers. They are not impervious to criticism. The public and the legislative and executive branches have a right to critique rulings. But

it is best if the members of the government don’t make comments about judicial rulings as these would be interpreted as an attack on the court.

Judiciary is criticised in ...

Vishnu Bisram is a political analyst

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

The man in the street …

LAST week, President Irfaan Ali signed into law the long-awaited Natural Resource Fund (Amendments) Bill 2021 and the historic Local Content Bill 2021, solidifying the final step in the legislative process of incorporating the legislation into the country’s legal architecture.

It also paves the way for the government to begin accessing the monies currently being held in the Natural Resources Fund (NRF), which now stands at some US$534 million.

In his New Year’s Day message, President Dr Irfaan Ali pledged that some of the money from the NRF will be spent on improving the

welfare and well-being of citizens.

Ever since oil was discovered in Guyana in 2015 and the country began receiving its first lift of oil in January 2020, citizens have been eagerly waiting to see how expenditure from Guyana’s oil and gas sector will benefit them individually, as well as the country as a whole.

With Guyana still very much a developing country battling with a number of socioeconomic issues, there has been no short supply of suggestions, recommendations and opinions from the common man, politicians, business persons and activists on how the money could be spent.

This week the Guyana Chronicle took to the streets of Georgetown to solicit the views of citizens on some of the areas in which they would like to see a portion of the oil funds invested.

Below is what they had to say.

Environmental Officer Dexter Simpson

Dexter Simpson, 42, Environmental Officer There’s a lot of areas, especially the local government organs like the Mayor and City Council (MCC) which are stifling where resources are concerned. The local government organs, the NDCs, and the RDCs are where these monies should be put, mostly so that resources could be meted out to the masses of the people. The government is also still borrowing money from international agencies, so with this money more money should be channelled in directions so we don’t borrow as much.

Some money should go to

a strong welfare initiative programme, because if you look at the cost of living, it has increased. They could also build on projects such as the one that relates to building core homes and giving out materials, because with that programme there are current challenges where it is only available to persons who earn less than $70,000.

and not have them to be around the place, scaring people and running people.

Then there are the roads.

That’s about it for me.

Gold miner Chris Khan

Executive Chef Anthony Gouveia

Anthony Gouveia, 59, Executive Chef I hope they spend some of it to help with the COVID-19 situation, and I also want to see money going to the farmers, the fishermen, and infrastructural projects such as the [Demerara Harbour] Bridge that they want to build. I am also looking forward to seeing the people of Guyana improve in education, jobs and salaries. The nurses and police salaries should also improve. I believe that things are going to pick up because there are a lot of contracts that the government is putting out, but we can’t jump into everything one time.

Business owner Naudya Klass

Naudya Class, 36, business owner They should further develop the health care sections, particularly the health centres in the different areas and properly equip them. I must say I believe we are doing well in the education sector, so that’s good. But I also think they should do something about the vagrants,

Chris Khan, 49, gold miner Right now in my community in Kuru Kuru in Soesdyke, we need a lot of help there, due to a lot of flooding. Officials need to go in and check the area.

We need roads there as well and there [are] a lot of things that need to be done there, but we need more officials there and look at it.

Market vendor Esther Sital

Esther Sital, 41, market vendor We have a road in South, Kaikan Street, where year after year it is the same way. Soon as rain fall it is flooding, and rain doesn’t have to fall hard for it to get a flood, and I am talking real, real flood. So I would really like if they could do something to fix that road. For me personally, I also believe police, nurses and teachers should get more money.

Government workers need to get a better salary so that they don’t have a hard time, the market would flow better and everything would be ok. For me that’s the three main jobs. I have also heard about loans, I don’t know what is the procedure, but I would be glad if I could get a business loan.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

Four years on…

Accused finally nabbed, remanded for ‘Buxton line-top’ murder misunderstanding on Old Year’s Night, back in 2011, in the vicinity of Regent and Wellington Streets, whereby Delph had cuffed Allen in the face, rendering him unconscious.

The two would not meet again until the night of March 11, 2018 during a

Junior Allen and the late Leon Delph AFTER almost four years ce, was arraigned before on the run, Junior Allen, Magistrate Alisha George, who’s accused of fatally and not required to plead stabbing a man at “Bux- to the charge which alleges ton Line Top”, East Coast that on March 11, 2018, Demerara, was on Thurs- at Buxton, he unlawfully day finally arraigned at killed Leon Delph. He was the Cove and John Mag- remanded to prison until istrates’ Court for the February 3, 2022. crime.

The Guyana Chronicle Allen, 36, of Plantation had previously reported Profit, West Coast Berbi- that the men had had a

Chandan-Edmond appointed PNC/R General-Secretary

Geeta Chandan-Edmond A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) parliamentarian, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, has been appointed to serve as General-Secretary of the People’s National Congress/ Reform (PNC/R) with effect from January 3, 2022.

The appointment was made by PNC/R Leader Aubrey C. Norton. Chandan-Edmond, the party said in a statement, enjoys the support of the PNCR’s membership, as manifested in her election to the Central Executive Committee of the party.

Chandan-Edmond is a lawyer by profession and possesses management and good human relations skills that make her suitable to be General-Secretary of the PNCR, the statement said.

“The PNC/R wishes her the best and has confidence in her abilities and will work with her as she strengthens and reorganises the administration of the PNCR,” the party said.

Chandan-Edmond, formerly of the Alliance For Change (AFC), replaces Amna Ally, who has since resigned as the APNU+AFC’s Chief Scrutineer.

J’ouvert party in observance of Mashramani on the “Buxton line-top”.

According to reports, Allen walked up to Delph, and, touching him on the shoulder, asked if he remembered him; and before the Delph could respond, he whipped out a

broken bottle and slashed his throat.

Allen, having committed the act, made a dash from the scene, but Delph tied his jersey around his neck and raced behind him, eventually catching up with him and inflicting on him several stabs with a broken

bottle before falling to the ground.

He was rushed to the Hospital, where he died while receiving treatment.

After being on the run all these years, Allen was finally arrested by the police on December 31, 2021 at the Plaisance Market.

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‘If you have COVID, stay home’

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

-Health Minister urges 3,400 newly infected persons

WITH 967 new cases of COVID-19 recorded over the last 24 hours, Guyana has now climbed to over 3,000 active cases for 2022, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said.

Giving a breakdown by administrative regions during his daily COVID-19 press briefing, on Thursday, Dr Anthony disclosed there are currently 3,481 active COVID-19 cases.

The Health Minister ex-

pressed concern that there are persons who have tested positive, but still choose to leave their places of isolation. “They would be in their infectious period and they would be the persons who are spreading it to others,” Dr Anthony said.

“If people don’t behave responsibly, we are going to see more cases. I am asking all these 3,481 persons that currently have active COVID… [to] remain in iso-

lation and follow the protocol that has been established,” Dr Anthony urged.

The Health Minister said there are 14 active cases in Region One (Barima-Waini); 58 in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 285 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 2289 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); 83 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 374 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); 110 in Region

Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); One in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); 160 in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo); and 107 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The one case in Region Eight, Dr Anthony explained, is due to relatively lower testing in the region because of the geographical terrain which makes testing more difficult. The Health Minister said he is positive there are

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony during his Thursday briefing more COVID-19 cases in that region.

The cases are currently being monitored, he said, adding that with many of these persons being asymptomatic, the duration of the disease is likely to be shorter.

As it relates to hotspots, the Health Minister said Regions Four and Three are areas of concern. For Region Four, more than 100 cases have been recorded in Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Parfaite Harmony

has the most cases for Region Three. Some 1,100 cases were recorded in Georgetown alone.

Region Six has also recorded a massive spike, Minister Anthony said, adding that there are 87 cases in New Amsterdam and 21 cases in Cumberland.

There are currently 70 persons in hospital for COVID-19 across Guyana, with six of those persons in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

‘Bonus’ finds 100-year sentence ‘unfair’

-moves to redress it

Collin Allen, called ‘Bonus’, and Danrasie Ganesh, called ‘Carmen’

COLLIN Allen, called ‘Bonus,’ who is currently doing time for the brutal murder, back in 2015, of 77-year-old Danrasie Ganesh is now challenging his conviction and sentence.

He was tried in 2019 in the Demerara High Court by Justice Navindra Singh for the capital offence, which alleged that on August 1, 2015, he murdered Ganesh, called “Carmen”, who’d lived alone at Lot 121, Montrose Public Road, East Coast Demerara. He was found guilty by a 12-member jury, and was sentenced to serve 100 years in prison.

Allen, in his Court of Appeal documents, is claiming that his conviction cannot stand, and as such is asking that his sentence be set aside, since it is unfair.

He is also arguing that the sentence is “manifestly excessive and severe” in all the circumstances of the case.

According to reports, on the day in question, Allen allegedly entered the house as if he lived there, and proceeded to murder the 77-year-old woman.

The murder was captured on CCTV cameras in the house, but Allen was adamant that the man in the footage was not he, and that as such he was innocent of the charge.

However, he would later confess to having committed the crime when he was detained back in 2015, saying that he was paid $700,000 “by a man” to do the act and retrieve certain documents from the house.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

Former Health Minister is new GPHC Chairman

FORMER Health Minister and current Adviser to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Georgetown Pub-

lic Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

According to a press statement from the hospital, the Dr. Ramsammyled board is in place from January 1 to December 31,

2022.

The members of the Board of Directors are Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Malcolm Watkins; representative of the Guyana Medi-

Newly appointed members of GPHC’s Board of Directors engaging Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, on Wednesday

cal Association, Head of Neurosurgery at GPHC, Dr. Amarnauth Dukhi; Chartered Accountant, Harryram Parmessar; representative of the University of Guyana, Dr. Emanuel Cummings; representative of the Guyana Nurses Asso-

ciation, Cleopatra Barkoye; representative of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Dawn Gardener; representative of the Ministry of Finance, Verna Adrian, and two ex-officio members, Chief Executive Officer of GPHC, Robbie

Rambarran, and Director of Medical and Professional Services at GPHC, Dr. Fawcett Jeffery.

The members of the board held their inaugural meeting in GPHC’s boardroom, on Wednesday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

Mother, daughter die after house collapses at Bonasika A MOTHER and her 6-yearold daughter have lost their lives after the house they were living in collapsed and pinned them, on Wednesday.

According to information from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), 35-year-old Seematie Chandra, a farmer, and her daughter, Christine Sookdeo, were attending to their pups beneath the house, at Lower Bonasika Creek, when it collapsed.

At the time of the incident, the patriarch of the house, Tul-

sieram Sookdeo, was burning bushes on a plot of land which was nearby.

Immediately after receiving information from a neighbour that his house had collapsed on his wife and daughter, the man rushed to the scene and found his loved ones pinned beneath the structure.

“With assistance from villagers, the bodies were removed and transported via boat to the Parika-Hubu Stelling, where they were checked by police for marks of vio-

lence. Blood was seen coming from the mouth and nose of both deceased,” the police said.

The mother and daughter were then transported to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty. On completion of the preliminary examination, the bodies were escorted to Ezekiel Funeral Home, where a post-mortem examination will be conducted.

The wooden structure which collapsed on Wednesday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

Guyana Chronicle’s Claudette Earle laid to rest amidst moving tributes

AFTER making a massive impact on the local media community, veteran journalist and former Guyana Chronicle Editor, Ms. Claudette Earle was on Thursday laid to rest, bringing to an abrupt end the fascinating story of a life that was well lived.

Ms. Earle died on December 21, 2021 at a city hospital, one day after suffering a stroke. She was 75.

A career journalist who cut her teeth in the industry at the then Guiana Graphic newspaper, back in the days of media giants like Carl Blackman, Frank Campbell, and Rickey Singh, Ms. Earle made a name for herself as not just a feature writer par excellence, but also for her invaluable contributions to molding the lives of young reporters at the State newspaper.

Outside of her work as a journalist, Ms. Earle invested heavily in the lives of her only child, Johann, and her grandchildren Darius, Rahshea, and Joaquim.

During the funeral service on Thursday at the Central Assembly of God Church on East and Church Streets,

where she worshipped, granddaughter, Rahshea recalled the joy with which she spoke as she told them stories of how her work as a journalist had impacted the lives of persons she’d interacted with.

Rahshea said her grandmother had a passion for highlighting women’s successes, as she felt it necessary to showcase the limitless potential of women in every sector of society.

“She wrote features about women in business and entrepreneurship; women in agriculture and similarlythemed pieces. We could tell from her stories that she always had a deep passion for the development of rural communities, and her work demonstrated this,” young Rahshea said.

Ms. Earle, who retired in 2005, had served the Guyana Chronicle as not just Sunday Editor and Assistant Editor, but also as Editor, and on occasion as Editor-in-Chief.

She was well known for managing the women’s page, the Sunday Magazine, in the earlier days, and writing features specifically about women and development.

Ms. Earle’s sisters, Barbara Earle and Joycelyn Simpson, along with her niece Ishelli Oliver; her daughter-in-law Sharon Earle; her three grandchildren, Darius, Joaquim, and Rahshea Earle; and only son, Johann Earle Rahshea recalled special conversations she’d had with her grandmother on her many travels as a journalist, where she would describe to them, in vivid detail, the feel and atmosphere of far-flung communities and places she’d gone to, which spoke to just how dedicated she was to her craft to take the journey.

“My grandmother spent her time on this earth in service to the profession of jour-

Relatives and close friends as they gathered to say goodbye to veteran journalist Ms. Claudette Yvonne Earle on Thursday (Delano Williams photos)

nalism, which she executed with professionalism, dignity, and humility,” Rahshea said.

Calling her grandmother “one of the most inspirational persons” in her life, Rahshea said that she and her siblings look up to the example set by their grandmother in the pursuit of their dreams, regardless of any obstacles that may come their way.

She said that although Ms. Earle would have re-

ceived little formal secondary education, she was an avid reader, and a lover of books, and worked hard to pursue a tertiary education to achieve her goals; efforts that landed her a place at the University of Guyana, the University of the West Indies (Mona), and Cambridge University in the United Kingdom.

LEGACY The legacy of Ms. Earle can be seen as unquantifi-

able; from her teachings, to her advocacy for journalism training, and the contributions of her pen, she has left a major impact on the local media.

Local journalist and President of the Guyana Press Association (GPA) Nazima Raghubir thanked the late media veteran for her sterling contribution to the field of journalism, TURN TO PAGE 15

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

Education Ministry debunks misinformation on COVID-19 infections at Anna Regina Multilateral - says only one student tested positive so far

THE Ministry of Education has rejected claims

by Opposition Member of Parliament, Anette Ferguson, that there has been an outbreak of COVID-19 at the Anna Regina Multilateral School, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The ministry, in a statement issued on Thursday, said that Ferguson’s claim that a number of students tested positive is completely false.

“The truth is one student of the school has tested positive. This has been confirmed by officers within the Department of Education in the Region,” the Education Ministry said.

The ministry clarified that the school has adequate space to accommodate all of its students. Presently, the school has approximately 650 students attending classes daily, and since the reopening of the school, only one assembly session was held.

When students enter the school, they enter their classrooms and remain there, only leaving to use the washroom or canteen during recess.

All of the cleaners attached to the school have all of the necessary personal protective equipment and cleaning detergents to ensure a clean environment, and the school is sanitised in the morning and the afternoon.

Further, the Ministry of Education said that all troughs and washroom facilities are functional. Students are monitored regularly to avoid gathering and adequate masks are available at all times.

A supervisory visit conducted on January 5, 2021, by officers of the Region’s Education Department found that all students and teachers were engaged in the teaching-learning process.

“The Ministry of Education accepts readily that

Guyana Chronicle’s...

FROM PAGE 14 noting that she helped build a blueprint for the local media. She stated that Ms. Earle’s principles and ethics as a journalist were noteworthy, and should be emulated by every member of the media today.

“Many of us can take pages out of that particular book; her principles and ethics are commendable… And for that I would like to thank her for leaving those pieces; those journalistic pieces that guided us on writing on particular issues,” Raghubir said.

After maturing in journalism and moving on to more managerial duties in the newsroom, Ms. Earle guided young journalists in their craft, and wrote editorials mainly on development issues, drawing from her vast practical expe-

rience as a journalist in the field earlier in her career.

Raghubir spoke at length of Ms. Earle’s humility, noting that while her contributions are far-reaching, she never “fussed” for recognition. She stated that the GPA, over the past five years has engaged Ms. Earle on the possibility of getting her nominated for a National Award, which she always shied away from.

“We felt that her contribution was something that was n o t e w o r t h y, a n d worthy of a national award; I am going to commit, as President of the GPA, to honouring Claudette in whatever way that we can, even if it means trying to see if we can get her work acknowledged posthumously,” Raghubir said.

these are challenging times for the education sector across the world and for the delivery of education to Guyana’s children,” the Education Ministry related, adding: “The ministry would be happy to receive

constructive and sensible contributions on how it can improve delivery, but calls on all persons to be responsible in their publications and whispers, conversations and representations.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

Work on WBD ‘core homes’ to be completed by February

WORK on 25 “core homes” across the West Bank of Demerara (WBD), Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), is on course to completion by February, according to the Ministry of Housing and Water.

According to the ministry, the houses are being constructed in the communities of

Lust-en-Rust, Onderneeming, La Parfaite Harmonie, RechtDoor-Zee and Westminister, as part of the Adequate Housing and Accessibility Programme (AHUAP).

“Works commenced on all 25 of the homes, with 21 houses between 50-100 per cent completed. The core homes are no less than 400 square feet single-family

homes with concrete blocks for the outer walls and floors, basic doors, windows, electrical wiring, water connections etc...,” the Housing and Water Ministry said in a press release, on Wednesday.

The ministry said, too, that the houses are designed to meet basic standards that a family would require, but there is room for expansion if

One of the core homes which is being constructed on the West Bank of Demerara they so desire.

All beneficiaries are persons who possess ownership of the land and are required to pay an equity share contribution of $100,000.

The construction of those houses follows the signing of $65,138,832 in contracts last August between the Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA) and two contractors. The project, which is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), aims to assist vulnerable Guyanese, living in poor structures which are considered to be uninhabitable.

Some $98,920,225 in contracts were also awarded under the second component of AHUAP – Home Improvement Subsidies. Through this initiative, persons are given a $500,000 grant in the form of building materials for repairs to walls, floors, electrical works and sanitation improvements, among others.

The agency has since reopened applications for both AHUAP components until February 7, 2022. The initiative encompasses Westminster, Onderneeming, RechtDoor-Zee, Lust en Rust, and Parfaite Harmonie Phase II. Meanwhile, in Region Four, the boundary spans

from Georgetown to Grove on the East Bank of Demerara; from Georgetown to La Bonne Intention (LBI) on the East Coast of Demerara and 19 other communities from LBI to Hope. Application forms could be accessed free of cost at CH&PA offices, and all local authorities within the project boundary, or online at chpa.gov.gy.

In addition to the core homes on the WBD, $867 million in infrastructural up-

grades are ongoing to improve the lives of residents, especially those who fall within the low-income bracket.

Those works include the upgrade of 9.14 kilometers of roads, construction of 49 reinforced concrete culverts, cleaning of 34.5 kilometers of earthen drains, and the construction of two meters of reinforced concrete drains and 0.5 meters of concrete sidewalks.

A section of a core home which is under construction

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

Wayne’s World: a scenic haven for fun and relaxation

One of the nature cabins at at Wayne’s World and Oasis (Tourism Guyana photo)

By Naomi Parris Tucked away at Amelia’s Ward in the mining town of Linden, is a small, serene nature park and resort called Wayne’s World and Oasis. It is one of the many places in Guyana where you can find untouched forestry and amazing wildlife; an ideal vacation spot, if you’re looking for a simple and affordable weekend getaway to unwind from the bustle of city life and have a therapeutic soak in the blackwaters of the country.

I have personally had the pleasure of visiting this picturesque paradise twice and of course, as has become somewhat customary, I’m here to tell you, fans of the Buzz, all about my trip.

My most recent visit saw me leaving my East Coast Demerara home as early as 5:30 a.m. to head to Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice). The travel was by minibus, fortunately, we were able to beat the horrible East Bank Demerara traffic. And, the drive was so smooth that I even slept through most

of it.

I did, however, manage to wake up just in time to catch glimpses of us entering Linden; I looked on eagerly as persons were going about their business, and soon enough, we were driving down a narrow street called Well Road, at the end of which, Wayne’s World can be found.

Full of excitement, I met the owner of the little hideaway, Wayne Rodrigues and his family who were kind enough to give me a free tour of their premises during my day visit.

I was treated to breakfast in the form of a lovely grilled cheese sandwich and warm cup of quaker oats porridge, both of which I devoured while sitting near the creek, basking in the beauty of Guyana’s thick, lush trees and calming black waters.

After a simple tour of the grounds and a heart-warming conversation with Wayne, I spent the rest of my day swinging in one of the many hammocks that can be found at the various cabins at the resort, relaxing and letting go of the stresses

and anxieties that were on my mind.

But, before I knew it, was time for me to call it a day and return to the city and the responsibilities I temporarily left behind at work. Leaving was definitely a bittersweet experience, but I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the

relaxation at Wayne’s World and I can’t wait to return to dip my toes in the cool creek waters.

Nonetheless, before I go this week, I must give you, our dear valued readers, a quick travel guide of how to find Wayne’s World and what you can expect if you

A view of the creek, located at Wayne’s World and Oasis (Tourism Guyana photo)

are to visit.

How to get there?

To g e t t h e Wa y n e ’s World, you’ll have to catch a Linden (route 43) minibuses which are often parked behind Parliament Buildings.

Or, if your pockets are on the deeper end of things, then you could perhaps take a taxi.

Whichever you choose, your journey will begin heading south along the East Bank of Demerara Public Road, all the way to the Soesdyke highway. Within an hour or so you’ll arrive in Linden. Lookout for a GuyOil Service Station on the left; the road before that service station is where you’ll be heading. This road, referred to mainly as Well Road, will lead you all the way to an oval-shaped community and what you’re looking for would be at the very end of the oval.

What to expect?

I won’t go overboard in promotion, but what I can tell you is that the service is thoughtful, the atmosphere is peaceful, and the hospitality is that

of visiting a friend or relative – welcoming and warm. I can’t help but imagine how wonderful it would be to host a birthday party at Wayne’s World. It just has so much to offer, whether I want to be curled up in one of the luxury apartments, or just dabble in nature by staying in one of the cabins which sit right in front of a small creek, boasting of the most amazing views.

They also serve up some delectable foods, representing a refreshing mix of Guyanese and Spanish cuisines. Also, they offer games such as volleyball, and if you wish, they can also hook you up with an outdoor camp, or even set up a good ole bush cook for you to enjoy.

Sounds lovely, right?

That’s why I wasn’t too pleased when my trip ended. Wayne’s World is definitely a paradise, and one of the many places that showcases Guyana’s eco beauty.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

Promoting Guyana through music and film…

‘Rainforest Conversations’ set for 2022 release

Local folk/rock musician Gavin Aaron Mendonca (right) has teamed up with Leader of the Buxton Fusion Drumming Group, Marlon ‘Chucky’ Adams Local folk and rock musician Gavin Aaron Mendonca has teamed up with Leader of the Buxton Fusion Drum-

ming Group, Marlon ‘Chucky’ Adams, and Azikiwe ‘Ziggy’ Denheart of Infinity Productions to produce what

is perhaps their most ambitious project yet - a series of concerts performed in the Rupununi, accompanied by a music video and short film.

The latter is expected to highlight the importance of protecting the jaguar, as well as our iconic rainforests; the production will also utilise the Macushi language as a means of paying tribute to the ‘forest people’ – our Amerindians brothers who have, for thousands of years, protected Guyana’s eco-heritage.

Both Gavin and Marlon believe that as youngsters, they can make a positive impact on the preservation of Guyanese folklore, even in a modern-day society dominated by pop-culture and “flooded with foreign content.”

The two have embarked on this latest project as yet another way to contribute to the preser-

vation of the country’s folk music and culture, whilst highlighting just a few of the hidden gems of North Rupununi, one of Guyana’s most scenic regions.

The concert series

will see the duo on top of Turtle Mountain in the Iwokrama Rainforest; at Atta Lodge, high above the trees on the infamous Canopy Walkway; and at the North Rupununi’s Oasis - Rock View Lodge.

The first performance atop Turtle Mountain was released on New Year’s Day 2022 and commenting on how it was accomplished, Gavin related: “Imagine driving for 12 hours through the dark

Gavin with Chucky and Ziggy

Gavin and Chucky believe that they can make a positive impact on the preservation of Guyanese folk songs

jungle to get to Iwokrama, bus breaking down and all. Having arrived, getting a quick meal and a 20-minute break, we then hiked 1 ½ hours up a mountain with guitars, drums and gear on our backs!”

Once at the top, Gavin recalled hearing the rumbles of the thunder get louder, as the wind grew more and more intense.

“We had to hurry and set up and get this performance done in one take or else we would have been soaked at the top of a mountain. What a thrill it was!”

The video, which can be streamed on YouTube and Facebook (Creole Rock Page) or at www. creolerock.com, significantly sets the pace and bar of what to expect from Gavin and ‘Chucky’ in this new year. “We continue to relentlessly pursue our mission and dreams - which at times could feel like climbing a moun-

tain - but, once you keep going you will eventually make it to the top,” Gavin expressed.

The remainder of the concert series will be released bi-monthly throughout the first half of 2022 and will lead up to the release of the music video and film titled ‘Rainforest Conversations.’

Gavin and Chucky have said that they are grateful to everyone who has helped them on their latest journey including Iwokrama River Lodge, Wilderness Explorers, Rock View Lodge, North Rupununi District Development Board, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Guyana Tourism Authority, University of Guyana, Banks DIH Ltd., Rupununi Music & Arts Festival, Visit Guyana, Rick’s and Sari, Sankar’s Auto Works, Studio Anansi, Chetson’s Ltd. and Escape To Rest Natural Handcrafted Soaps.

With Guyana’s folk songs gradually becoming a thing of the past, Gavin harbours the fear that soon enough, Guyanese could possibly lose interest altogether. It is for this reason that Gavin and ‘Chucky’ have decided to team up to reverse the perceived disinterest, and to provide opportunities for more folk songs to be played; they are hopeful that this would nurture an appreciation and respect for what they mean.

In the meantime, Gavin has been traveling the world to perform, even serenading the people of China and Dubai, among several other countries. To be able to perform Guyanese folk songs is something Gavin considers to be one of his greatest accomplishments yet.

We wish the team well and we look forward to seeing the completion of this important project.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

Ben and Jen get cosy for Christmas

After a 19-year rollercoaster ride, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are finally back together, and for good, it seems. It was only recently that People Magazine in the United States reported that the couple was even able to spend their Christmas day together.

The US news outlet said that it was told by a source that Affleck spent Christmas Eve in Los Angeles with his three children with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, 16-year-old Violet, 12-year-old Seraphina, and 9-year-old Samuel, but by Christmas day, Affleck was already getting cosy with his long-time bae.

Lopez and Affleck were reportedly joined on Christmas by her 13-year-old twins with ex-husband Marc Anthony, Emme and Max, and Affleck’s mother.

Another source apparently told People that it was a good and calm time for Bennifer. “It was a pretty quiet holiday for them. They really enjoyed it after a busy fall,” the source

said.

Lopez and Affleck spent part of fall apart due to their work commitments putting them in different places. A source had also told People in November that the long distance just strengthened their back-on relationship.

“It’s difficult for them to be apart,” the source said. “They are making it work though.

They are incredibly happy when they are together. It’s like the distance has made them appreciate their relationship even more.

Jennifer keeps gushing about how amazing Ben is. He makes her very happy.”

People said that it did not get details on what Affleck and Lopez gave each other for Christmas, but a source told Entertainment Tonight in December that Affleck did have some pretty big plans for Lopez’s gift.

“Ben is planning something special as a Christmas gift for Jennifer,” the source said, adding that Lopez was “excited [because she] has always

loved Christmas and cannot wait to spend it with Ben. (Extracted and modified from Elle.com)

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez (The Independent photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

Jonathon Tailor in search of a ‘Guyanese sound’ - calls for enforcement of copyright laws

Jonathan Walcott, wellknown in the music arena as ‘Jonathan Tailor’, wants to make a positive impact on the local music industry, especially as it relates to the enactment of copyright laws and giving every player a fair shot at success in the industry.

The 28-year-old Lodge, Georgetown resident, has been thriving

as a singer for the past five years, advancing his career now to the level of song writer and producer. Almost everyone who has had to work with him speaks highly of his talents and abilities, and about the positive impact he makes on their music.

He works side by side with Adrian Johnson of AJ Records, who is the brain behind the music mixing

while Jonathan does the beats.

For Jonathan, music has long been an insatiable passion. “Even before I knew how to recognize specific chords and instruments, I knew that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my journey on earth,” he told the Buzz this week.

A man of few spoken words, Jonathon relies

heavily on his music to express himself and give persons a little insight on his emotions and personality. “Being an introvert, this is fulfilling,” Jonathon said candidly.

Starting out in the music industry at the tender age of nine, Jonathan vividly recalls when his oldest brother returned from overseas and introduced him to certain types of music, mainly those that were dominating the Hip Hop culture. “I started off with this and then started experimenting with Afro beats and then Dancehall and Soca. My curiosity ventured into beat making and instrumental, producing and different things. I credit my brother mainly for sparking my interest,” Jonathon shared.

A former student of Charlestown Secondary, he can also recall performing on stage, much to the likeness of all his friends who spared no effort in cheering him on.

As part of his longterm life plan, Jonathon wants to be able to own his very own record label so that he can provide a well-lit pathway for

Local artiste Jonathan ‘Tailor’ Walcott

youngsters coming up. “I want to give the younger generation a chance to have opportunities that no one puts in place for future generations,” Jonathon indicated.

More importantly, he also wants to play a major role in the enforcement of copyright laws. “I think there are copyright laws but they are not enforced.

I just want to add to the state of the music industry and take it to the next level; find a new sound, a Guyanese sound.”

He observed, though,

that there are certain ‘gatekeepers’ who hold the monopoly in the local music industry. “There are those who control who are being played but I think we need a whole new set of young people to push the industry.

The older ones only do things to benefit their own people and no one is given a fair chance,” he expressed.

Just lately, Jonathan dropped a Soca track on AJ’s ‘Bus Shed’ rhythm called ‘Zess & Soca,’ be sure to give it a listen.

Jonathan lately dropped a Soca track called ‘Zess & Soca’

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

Haynes appointed ...

FROM BACK PAGE

semi-finals.

More significantly, contentious picks like the ageing pair of Chris Gayle and Ravi Rampaul, along with the injury-plagued Andre Russell, all flopped spectacularly, resulting in widespread criticism of Harper and his panel.

CWI subsequently initiated a review of the selection criteria and policy, resulting in the ouster of the selection panel but for the exception of head coach Phil Simmons, who was appointed interim chief selector and oversaw the squads for the Ireland and England white-ball series later this month.

Haynes, who only three years ago was snubbed by CWI for the post of men’s head coach, said he looked for-

ward to serving in the “critical role”.

“I would like to thank president Skerritt and the CWI Board of Directors for giving me the opportunity to serve West Indies cricket once again,” said Haynes, who formed part of perhaps the most celebrated opening pair in history, alongside fellow Barbadian Sir Gordon Greenidge.

“Being a selector is a thankless task but a critical role in our cricket system and I am honoured to be appointed.

“I have always indicated that I would assist West Indies cricket in any way possible and I see this as an opportunity to do just that. I pledge to carry out my duties in a fair and professional manner.”

Importantly, Haynes will oversee the selection of squads for this year’s ICC Twenty20 World Cup in Australia and next year’s 50-over ICC World Cup in India.

The Barbadian was a member of the star-studded squad which repeated as champions at the 50-over World Cup in England in 1979, under Sir Clive Lloyd.

In a stellar career, Haynes racked up 7 487 runs in the longest format at an average of 42 and 8 648 in the shorter form at an average of 41.

A former government senator, Haynes was last year awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus.

Ninvalle lauds prize money for AMBC Elite Continental Championship

… Guyana to send team to March 22-April 2 event in Ecuador PRESIDENT of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, is praising the prize structure that has been put in place by the American Boxing Confederation (AMBC) for its Elite Continental Championships, set for Guayaquil, Ecuador, March 22-April 2.

The medallists in each of 13 men and 12 women weight categories, according to the AMBC, will receive prize money, US$10,000 for first place, $5,000 (second) and $2,500 for third place.

“It’s a really good initiative because you can remain in the amateur ranks and still make a living,” Ninvalle related in an invited comment.

Ninvalle, who also sits as a vice-president of the AMBC, pointed to Trinidad and Tobago’s Nigel Paul, who claimed bronze and the $25 000 prize tag in the super heavyweight division at the November International Boxing Association (formerly known as AIBA) World Championships in Russia, adding “now he goes to this championship, and he wins that, he gets $10 000 and then there are other competition held throughout the year.”

“So you stand a chance of making a tidy sum if you are up in winnings or if you continue to win. This is an initiative of Umar Kremlev, the president of the IBA and it’s something that has been applauded and embraced across the world, because injection of cash gives boxers something to work towards.

Apart from the pride and the glory, there’s now the financial aspect of it which means a lot,” Ninvalle further stated.

Meanwhile, the GBA president confirmed Guyana’s participation at their first AMBC tournament for 2022, noting that, “we will

await the national coach, Mr Lennox Daniels, who is expected to name a team of boxers who will be meeting with him weekly. Then as we move into encampment, these boxers will have a longer time with him and of course he will be supported by a team of coaches also.”

The AMBC, according to reports, is doing everything to ensure that the event is held in the safest environment, taking into account several of its events being cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

TT Minister of Sport says... arrangement is that we wouldn’t have spectators due to the whole COVID situation. That was the arrangement.”

Cudjoe knows people are eager to attend matches, but efforts must be made to keep everyone safe including the players.

“Now you have some people trying to knock on the door … to push the bound-

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

Elgar stars in South Africa's first win against India at Wanderers

TWO sessions were washed out due to persistent rain and it took nearly six hours for the fourth day's play to begin in Johannesburg yesterday.

But it was worth the wait for South Africa who rode on skipper Dean Elgar's excellent knock to win the second Test against India by seven wickets.

Elgar's unbeaten 96 not only forced a decider in Cape Town next week, but it also helped South Africa register their first win against India at the Wanderers in six attempts. This was also South Africa's highest successful chase at this venue since re-admission, surpassing the 220 they scored to win the Test against New Zealand in 2006.

After a lengthy wait, the game finally got underway at 19:15hrs local time and Jasprit Bumrah produced a beauty first up, getting one to seam away sharply from Rassie van der Dussen's outside edge. He later got one to jump off a length that clipped his glove but went over gully. van der Dussen was also not too comfortable facing Ashwin who opened the attack with Bumrah. Elgar,

meanwhile, was looking solid at the other end as he brought up his fifty with a drill past mid-on for a four off Ashwin.

The target came down to double digits when Bumrah bowled one too full to van der Dussen, who managed to squeeze it away through cover for a couple having

previously been struck on the midriff by a delivery that took off. van der Dussen continued to be troubled by Bumrah's deliveries that were hitting the crack on a good length but he hung in there and capitalised on anything full, even creaming a cover drive.

SCOREBOARD INDIA 1st innings 202 SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings 229 INDIA 2nd innings Lokesh Rahul c Aiden Markram b Marco Jansen

8 Mayank Agarwal lbw Duanne Olivier 23 Cheteshwar Pujara lbw Kagiso Rabada

53 Ajinkya Rahane c Kyle Verreynne b Kagiso Rabada

58 Hanuma Vihari not out

40 Rishabh Pant c Kyle Verreynne b Kagiso Rabada 0 Ravichandran Ashwin c Kyle Verreynne b Lungi Ngidi

16 Shardul Thakur c Keshav Maharaj b Marco Jansen

28 Mohammed Shami c Kyle Verreynne b Marco Jansen 0 Jasprit Bumrah c Marco Jansen b Lungi Ngidi

7 Mohammed Siraj b Lungi Ngidi 0 Extras: (b-16, lb-4, nb-8, w-5)

33

Total: (all out, 60.1 overs) 266 Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-44, 3-155, 4-163, 5-167, 6-184, 7-225, 8-228, 9-245.

Bowling: Kagiso Rabada 20-3-77-3 (w-1, nb-8), Duanne Olivier 12-1-51-1, Lungi Ngidi 10.1-2-43-3, Marco Jansen 17-4-673, Keshav Maharaj 1-0-8-0.

SOUTH AFRICA 2nd innings Aiden Markram lbw Shardul Thakur 31 Dean Elgar not out 96 Keegan Petersen lbw Ravichandran Ashwin 28 Rassie van der Dussen c Cheteshwar Pujara b Mohammed Shami 40 Temba Bavuma not out 23 Extras: (b-1, lb-7, nb-1, w-16) 25 Total: (three wkts, 67.4 overs) 243 Fall of wickets: 1-47, 2-93, 3-175.

Bowling: Jasprit Bumrah 17-2-70-0 (w-1, nb-1), Mohammed Shami 17-3-55-1 (w-1), Shardul Thakur 16-2-47-1, Mohammed Siraj 6-0-37-0 (w-2), Ravichandran Ashwin 11.4-2-26-1.

Khawaja century puts Australia on top despite Broad's five-wicket haul

USMAN Khawaja completed his ninth Test hundred after being dropped on 28, as Australia made England toil on day two of the fourth Ashes Test in Sydney despite Stuart Broad claiming a five-wicket haul.

Khawaja - playing his first Test since 2019 as a replacement for the COVID-hit Travis Head - reached three figures from 201 balls and was eventually bowled

by Broad (5-101) for 137 shortly before Australia declared on 416-8.

That left England a tricky 20-minute spell before stumps which openers Zak Crawley (2 n.o.) and Haseeb Hameed (2 n.o.) managed to survive - with Crawley reprieved by a no-ball after edging Mitchell Starc behind on nought.

The day belonged to two 35-year-olds, with Khawaja completing his first Test hundred in almost three years and Broad clinching his 19th five-wicket

Bumrah and Mohammed Shami were also a bit too straight to Elgar coming from around the wicket, not challenging the outside edge as much as they would have liked and also allowing him to rotate the strike.

Meanwhile, the ball was changed a couple of times

Usman Khawaja marks Test return with sparkling century

haul in Test cricket and eighth against Australia.

Khawaja was given a reprieve early in his innings with Joe Root unable to cling on to a catch at slip, via a deflection off Jos Buttler's glove and thigh, once Jack Leach found the lefthander's edge, but he went on to play the classiest of knocks on his return to the Australia side.

It was another pretty chastening day for England on a

tumultuous tour, which was exacerbated by all-rounder Ben Stokes injuring his side while bowling a barrage of bouncers.

Mark Wood bowled well for no reward but Broad was the chief plus point, becoming England's second-most prolific bowler in Ashes Tests with 125 scalps - above the late Bob Willis (123) and behind only Sir Ian Botham (128) - as he added Steve Smith (67), Cameron

Skipper Dean Elgar (right) and Temva Bavuma were together when victory was achieved

due to the wetness of the outfield. But the inconsistent bowling continued as Shami was struck for two successive fours by van der Dussen, who flicked and pulled with authority, while the bowler was also guilty of conceding five wides with a desperate bouncer.

Shardul Thakur was eventually introduced into the attack and he found the outside edge of van der Dussen's bat but a fielder wasn't stationed at gully and the result was a four, while the next boundary in the same over was a powerful drive off the back foot.

More than 50 runs were scored in the much-delayed first hour of play before Shami struck to end the partnership worth 82, by having van der Dussen edge to Pujara at first slip.

Shami had Elgar flashing at one outside off and the ball went over the slip cordon for a boundary while Thakur put down a catch

off his own bowling to give Temba Bavuma a reprieve.

The required runs came down to fifty when Elgar struck two back-to-back fours off Shami, driving through mid-on and steering the ball past gully.

India's hopes of putting South Africa under pressure with quick wickets did not materialise as Bavuma settled into a partnership with Elgar and even struck a couple of attractive cover drives to the boundary off Bumrah. Mohammed Siraj, who bowled the 65th over, was taken to the cleaners by Elgar who pulled and steered two successive fours, and also carved a boundary over point in the same over.

Those weren't the only runs in the over as Siraj also gave away five wides and his helplessness reflected that of his team as South Africa marched to victory with Elgar poetically scoring the winning runs with a boundary off Ashwin.

(Cricbuzz)

SCOREBOARD

AUSTRALIA 1st innings

David Warner c Zak Crawley b Stuart Broad

30 Marcus Harris c Joe Root b James Anderson

38 Marnus Labuschagne c Jos Buttler b Mark Wood

28 Steven Smith c Jos Buttler b Stuart Broad 67 Usman Khawaja b Stuart Broad 137 Cameron Green c Zak Crawley b Stuart Broad

5 Alex Carey c Jonny Bairstow b Joe Root 13 Pat Cummins c Jos Buttler b Stuart Broad

24 Mitchell Starc not out

34 Nathan Lyon not out 16

Green (5), Australia captain Pat Cummins (24) and Khawaja to his first-day dismissal of David Warner (30).

Broad struck twice with the second new ball, having Smith caught by Buttler to snap a fourth-wicket stand of 115 with Khawaja and then force Green to edge through to Crawley at slip, four overs later, at which point Australia were 242-5 and England were buoyant.

However, Khawaja led the rebuild alongside Alex Carey

Extras: (lb-8, nb-4, w-12) 24 Total: (eight wkts decl., 134.0 overs) 416 Fall of wickets: 1-51 r, 2-111, 3-117, 4-232, 5-242, 6-285, 7-331, 8-398.

Bowling: James Anderson 30-9-54-1, Stuart Broad 29-5-101-5 (nb-1), Ben Stokes 13.5-3-37-0 (w-2, nb-3), Mark Wood 26.1-676-1 (w-2) Jack Leach 24 24-89-0, Dawid Malan 3-0-15- 0, Joe Root 8-0-36-1.

ENGLAND 1st innings Haseeb Hameed not out Zak Crawley not out

2 2

Extras: (4b-4, lb-4, nb-1) 9 Total: (5.0 overs) 13-0 Bowling: Pat Cummins 3-2-1-0, Mitchell Starc 2-0-4- 0 (nb-1).

(13), Cummins (24) and Mitchell Starc (34 n.o.), clinching his first Test ton in almost three years shortly before the tea interval when he clipped Leach off his pads for three, as his wife and child watched on from the SCG stands.

Australia's total is 119 more than England's top score in the series so far - the tourists maxing out at 297 in the second innings at Brisbane - and the hosts will now be confident of pressing for a fourth straight victory in

this series despite the possibility of further bad weather over the coming days.

Just 46.5 overs were possible on day one due to wet weather and there were three rain breaks on the morning of day two once Australia resumed on 126-3 - Khawaja beginning on four and Smith six.

Smith passed fifty for the sixth successive Test innings at the SCG but was unable to TURN TO PAGE 25

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

Irving stars in NBA comeback after vaccine controversy

KYRIE Irving returned after COVID-19 vaccination controversy to help Brooklyn Nets claim victory in Indiana.

In December, Nets reversed an earlier decision that the 29-year-old could not play until he was vaccinated.

The NBA All-Star can now play parttime but will miss games in areas that require players to be jabbed - including Nets' New York home.

Able to make his season debut in Indiana, the point guard scored 22 to help Brooklyn win 129-121.

Playing for the first time since June, Irving helped Nets overturn a 19-point deficit and end a three-game losing streak.

In October, Brooklyn Nets said Kyrie Irving could not play until he was vaccinated

Powell hits sparkling 82 not out as Jamaica Scorpions stun Ireland

KINGSTON, Jamaica – A captain’s knock

by Rovman Powell led Jamaica Scorpions to a spectacular win over the touring Ireland team at Sabina Park, on Wednesday.

The powerful right-hander made 82 not out off 63 balls as Jamaica motored to a victory target of 235-5 off 38.5 overs. This was after Ireland were bowled out for 234 off 48.5 overs.

Powell smashed the ball to all parts of the historic venue as his half-entury came off 48 balls and included two fours and five sixes.

He continued to take on the bowlers and struck another two boundaries and a maximum as he took the young Jamaica side to an easy triumph against their more experienced opponents.

Powell shared a crucial 94-run partnership with left-hander Paul Palmer Jr, who made 33 off 40 balls with three fours and a six on his 30th birthday. They took the score from 107-4 in the 21st over to 201-5 when Palmer was beaten and bowled by a brilliant yorker from Josh Little, the left-arm quick bowler.

The run chase was well set up by Brandon King (36) and Andre McCarthy (48) who rescued the innings from 23-2 in the seventh over, with an aggressive third-wicket partnership of 83 in 13 overs.

Earlier, fast bowler Nicholson Gordon generated pace and bowled accurately and

Jamaica captain Rovman Powell

was rewarded with a five-wicket haul. The former West Indies U19 player ended with 5-34 off 9.3 overs to have Ireland struggling at 100-6 in the 21st over.

The innings was rescued by a purposeful innings of 82 off 107 balls from George Dockrell, at Number 7. He shared a 50-run stand with Simi Singh (29) and another worth 55 with Mark Adair (25).

Ireland will now continue their preparation to face West Indies in the CG Insurance One-Day International Series, which starts tomorrow at Sabina Park. First ball is 09:30hrs (10:30hrs Eastern Caribbean).

Khawaja century... turn that into a fourth hundred at the venue as he snicked a Broad delivery that angled in and then nipped away behind to Buttler.

Broad then matched Willis' total of Ashes wickets when Green nicked off, while he surpassed that tally early in the final session when he had Cummins caught behind on review - third umpire Paul Wilson deciding that a snorter of a short ball had brushed Cummins' bat handle.

Broad thought he had dismissed Cummins two overs earlier but the lbw decision was overturned on review with the seamer's nip-backer

FROM PAGE 24

from wide of the crease set to bypass the leg stump.

Khawaja added 43 with Carey - who was caught at mid-on after taking on Root - for the sixth wicket, 46 with Cummins for the seventh and then 67 with Starc before his elegant innings was ended when he inside-edged a Broad leg-cutter onto his stumps.

No. 10 Nathan Lyon then swatted Mark Wood for four and Broad for four and six, with his maximum off Broad triggering Australia's declaration. (Sky Sports)

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

Broad's 5-101 highlights muddled English selections

AMID Stuart Broad's bright spot for England in Sydney yesterday, there was a blunt reminder for the tourists of what has been a puzzling summer of selections.

Broad's 5-101 on day two of the second Vodafone Ashes Test made him the first English player to take a five-wicket haul this summer, with the veteran right-armer dismissing Steve Smith, David Warner and centurion Usman Khawaja along the way.

He is now the second-leading wicket-taker of all Englishmen in the Ashes, and just three scalps away from joining Ian Botham on 128.

Yet he played just one of the first three Tests this summer.

Broad has removed Smith (9)

In just his second Test of the series, the veteran quick, Stuart Broad, dismisses Aussie big guns as tourists rue what might have been

and Warner (13) more times in Test cricket than any other bowler.

Inexplicably, however, he bowled only four more overs than Joe Root in the first three Tests as England surrendered their shot at the Ashes.

Instead, the tourists have rested and rotated their quicks, not playing Mark Wood in Adelaide when he seemed a logical selection.

Broad in turn sat out both Brisbane and Melbourne, wickets that had enough in them for quicks with

wet weather around on the opening day "Two pitches that have been by Australian standards extremely helpful to a bowler of his type," former England captain Michael Atherton told the Seven Network.

"He is a medium-fast seam bowler really. He is not a swing bowler like (Jimmy) Anderson.

"You could probably come to Australia for a decade and not get a couple of pitches like the Gabba and MCG that offer you that amount of movement off the pitch."

Broad agreed, but insisted he was not angry after missing both Brisbane and Melbourne.

"I'd readied myself mentally to not have an impact in all five Test

matches," the 35-year-old said.

"But I can't say that I wasn't disappointed not to play in Brisbane and Melbourne on two pitches that I felt like would have suited my bowling.

"The Gabba is one of my favourite places to bowl outside of Trent Bridge and the Wanderers in grounds that suit me.

"But when I arrived in Australia the shirt wasn't mine. I got injured in the India series and the bowlers bowled really nicely (in my absence)."

Contemplating his Gabba omission, he added: "It doesn't matter what bowlers you play if you get bowled out for 140. That might be a bit brutal but that's the truth in Test cricket." (AAP)

Women’s Ashes schedule tweaked to accommodate World Cup quarantine

AMIDST all the hype for the upcoming Women’s Ashes, the schedule for the series has been adjusted in order to allow Australia and England more time to complete their quarantine for the upcoming ODI World Cup in New Zealand.

While the North Sydney Oval was all set to host two T20Is, these two games shall now take place in Adelaide, before the one-off Test.

As a matter of fact, all three T20I matches shall take place in Adelaide. While the first one takes place on January 20, the second and third are scheduled to be held on January 22 and 23 respectively. However, The Test in Canberra retains its original schedule of January 27-30.

After the one-off Test, the three-match ODI series is set to be held. While the first one-dayer is to be hosted at Manuka Oval as a day-nighter, the second and third ODI are scheduled to take place in Melbourne. Thus, this means that the Ashes will finish 11 days earlier than originally planned.

“We have needed to make changes to the schedule and we’re grateful to all parties for their flexibility in ensuring that both Australia and England can travel to New Zealand with sufficient time to complete their mandatory quarantine period ahead of what will be an exciting tournament for both teams,” said Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley.

While the hosts are expected to announce their squad next week, they will be heading into a camp just three days

before the commencement of the series. In the meanwhile, the World Cup is all set to start on March 4, and anyone travelling to New Zealand has to undergo quarantine on arrival, for at least 10 days.

Updated Ashes schedule January 20: 1st T20I, 18:40hrs, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide January 22: 2nd T20I, 13:40hrs, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide January 23: 3rd T20I, 13:40hrs, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide January 27-30: Test, 10:00hrs, Manuka Oval, Canberra February 3: 1st ODI, 14:10hrs, Manuka Oval, Canberra February 6: 2nd ODI, 10:05hrs, Junction Oval, Melbourne February 8: 3rd ODI, 10:05hrs, Junction Oval, Melbourne (CricTracker)

PCB Awards 2021

Rizwan named Most Valuable Cricketer; Azam, Cricketer-of-the-Year

PAKISTAN Cricket Board (PCB) yesterday announced the annual awards for the year 2021. Last year was indeed a special one for Pakistan as they recorded some

spectacular wins over the 22 yards.

In fact, the Men in Green also registered a historic 10-wicket triumph against arch-rivals India in the T20

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday January 7, 2022)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) John Campbell-179 (Dublin, 2019) (2) Andrew Balbirnie-135 (Dublin, 2019) Today’s Quiz: (1) What are the best bowling figures by a WI in an ODI versus IRE to date?

(2) What are the best bowling figures by an IRE player in an ODI against the WI to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

World Cup. This was Pakistan’s first-ever win over India in World Cup events.

In fact, Pakistan won a total of 20 T20Is this year, most for any team in a calendar year.

Besides this, there were some notable individual performances as well. While Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan piled up a mountain of runs, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi made the ball talk.

The stellar efforts of all these players were acknowledged in the PCB awards 2021.

Mohammad Rizwan bagged the Most Valuable Cricketerof-the-Year award for scoring 455 Test, 134 ODI and 1 326 T20I runs. Not to forget, he accounted for 56 batters behind the stumps across all formats.

While Hasan Ali won the Test Cricketer-of-the-Year for his 41 wickets in nine Tests, skipper Babar Azam clinched

the ODI Cricketer-of-the-Year award for slamming 405 runs in six ODIs. Shaheen Afridi’s 3-31 against India in the T20 World Cup 2021 earned him the Impactful Performance-ofthe-Year award.

Meanwhile, young pacer Mohammad Wasim Junior received the Emerging Cricketer-of-the-Year for bagging 15 international wickets in 2021.

The Domestic Cricketer-ofthe-Year award was bagged by Sahibzada Farhan for his stellar show in domestic cricket.

PCB Awards 2021: Impactful Performanceof-the-Year – Shaheen Shah Afridi (3-31 v India T20 World Cup) Emerging Cricketer-ofthe-Year Mohammad Wasim Jr (15 international wickets, seven Pakistan Cup wickets, 12 HBL PSL 2021 wickets, five National T20 wickets and

Mohammad Rizwan

Babar Azam

six Quaid-e-Azam Trophy wickets) ODI Cricketer-of-the-Year – Babar Azam (6 ODIs, 405 runs) Women’s Cricketer-of-theYear – Nida Dar (10 ODIs, 363 runs and 6 wickets; 6 T20Is, 95 runs and 5 wickets; 146 runs and 14 wickets in Pakistan Women’s Cup) Test Cricketer-of-the-Year – Hasan Ali (9 Tests, 41 wickets, 5 five-fors, 1 10-for, best match figures 10-114) T20I Cricketer-of-the-Year – M Rizwan (29 T20Is, 1 326 runs) Spirit-of-Cricket – Pakistan team’s visit to the Namibia cricket team’s dressing room

following their 45-run victory. to congratulate the Namibia side for qualifying for their maiden ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 and then progressing to the Super-12 Stage Umpire-of-the-Year – Asif Yaqoob (selected by the PCB’s elite match officials) Domestic Cricketer-ofthe-Year – Sahibzada Farhan (1 869 runs in Pakistan Cup, National T20 and Quaid-eAzam Trophy) Most Valuable Cricketerof-the-Year – M. Rizwan (9 Tests, 455 runs; 6 ODIs, 134 runs; 29 T20Is, 1 326 runs; total dismissal 56). (CricTracker)

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022

Lara, Kohli, Smith and Gayle … A look back at the biggest names to have starred at the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup

THE ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup is now only one week away – and excitement and anticipation towards the prestigious event is rapidly building.

Since the tournament became a bi-annual affair in 1998, we have seen some of the great modern-day cricketers participate – while the first-ever competition in 1988 introduced us to a series of cricketing legends.

Here, we look at some of the biggest names who have taken part in this global cricketing showpiece over the years, with a player in this month’s ICC U19 Men’s CWC may well also being set to become that next superstar to take cricket by storm.

1988 The 1988 competition was the first of its kind and welcomed the likes of Brian Lara, Nasser Hussain, Mike Atherton and Sanath Jayasuriya to the cricketing world as Australian claimed the title.

Lara captained the West Indies, who were defeated in the semi-finals

by Pakistan, scoring 222 runs in the tournament, including a vital 64 against New Zealand.

Pakistan themselves boasted the likes of former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who went on to captain Pakistan and score over 20 000 runs in international cricket, and Mushtaq Ahmed who was the top wicket-taker at the tournament after snaring 19 victims.

1998 Ten years after the ICC U19 Men’s CWC’s inauguration, the 1998 tournament in South Africa showcased some more incredible West Indian talent.

Chris Gayle was the top run-scorer in the tournament with 364 runs, while Ramnaresh Sarwan was the joint-top wicket-taker with 16 alongside Zimbabwean Mluleki Nkala.

Gayle in particular went on to have a stellar career in all formats of the game, scoring 25 one-day international centuries and playing over 100 Test Matches.

2000 The 2000 tournament in Sri Lanka saw India claim their first title and introduced the likes of Graeme Smith and Yuvraj Singh to the watching cricketing world.

Singh was named Player-of-the-Tournament, taking 12 wickets and scoring 203 runs as India beat hosts Sri Lanka by six wickets.

Smith was the most prolific batter in the tournament with 348

And three more major Indian names were part of the side that reached the final, as Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja all announced themselves on the world stage.

Jadeja took three wickets in the final, while rock-solid batter Pujara was named the Player-of-the-Tournament with 349 runs.

Brian Lara

runs, laying the foundations for an unforgettable career as he racked up 27 Test Match centuries at the top of the South African order.

2002 The 2002 tournament was played in New Zealand and saw Australia claim victory over South Africa in the final.

Future Australia ace Cameron White top-scored with 423 runs, while Hashim Amla – who went on to score over 50 international centuries – was in the South African side that finished second.

The 2002 tournament also saw Ross Taylor for the first time, another star who went on to become an integral part of New Zealand’s team across all three formats.

2004 Bangladesh hosted the 2004 tournament, which saw Pakistan claim their first title by beating the West Indies in the final.

Shikhar Dhawan was the top scorer with 505 runs, in a tournament which showcased his talent that the whole world saw for many years after.

He was not the only future big Indian name in that side, however, as Suresh Raina also featured before becoming a key player for India in white-ball cricket.

Two future England captains also participated in this series as Alastair Cook captained England to the semi-finals – where they fell to a Denesh Ramdin-inspired West Indies side – while Eoin Morgan made his first appearance for Ireland in the 2004 competition.

2006 Pakistan went on to claim a second title in Colombo against their bitter rivals India in a competition that saw Eoin Morgan set the record for most runs scored overall in the ICC U19 Men’s CWC.

the likes of Australian batter Travis Head to the world, who has since gone on to represent Australia at both Test and ODI level.

Head recently scored a hundred against England in the current Ashes series while in the bowling department, left-arm seamer Reece Topley was the top wicket-taker after dismissing 19 victims.

Virat Kohli

2008 Malaysia hosted the 2008 competition, which saw India claim the title over South Africa in the final captained by a certain Virat Kohli.

It is no surprise looking back that Kohli led India to the title given everything he’s achieved since, accumulating a batting average of above 50 in all three formats with 27 Test centuries and 43 more in ODIs. Tim Southee was named Player-of-the-Tournament with 19 wickets, functioning as a precursor for the seamer’s glittering international career for New Zealand.

2010 Australia defeated Pakistan in 2010 but looking back, this was an edition of the ICC U19 Men’s CWC that introduced the cricketing world to some of England’s finest players.

Ben Stokes, Joe Root and Jos Buttler all played in this competition, all of whom would go on to form part of the England side who thrillingly toppled New Zealand in a Super Over to lift the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2019.

Josh Hazlewood was a part of the winning Australian side – taking four wickets in the final in an Australian side captained by Mitchell Marsh – while Babar Azam opened the batting for Pakistan and KL Rahul also featured for India.

2012 India clinched another title in 2012 in a tournament that announced

cricketing world were introduced to Sam Curran, whose left-arm seam deliveries have taken many wickets in an England shirt across all three formats.

2018 India again took the 2018 title, this time from Australia, but it is a Pakistani bowler who is best remembered for coming through this competition.

Shaheen Afridi, 21, one of the bright young stars of the modern day, has already played in almost 100 international matches for Pakistan and averages fewer than 25 in all three formats.

And Indian batter Shubman Gill also starred at the 2018 edition of the competition, being named Player-of-the-Tournament after scoring

Steve Smith

2014 South Africa claimed the 2014 series, held in the UAE as their captain Aiden Markram went on to collect the Player-of-the-Tournament award.

Markram, who hit a match-winning 66 not out in the final against Pakistan, scored 370 runs across the tournament before going on to represent South Africa in all three formats.

Seamer Kagiso Rabada was also a part of the Proteas side who lifted the trophy, before going on to take over 200 Test Match wickets at a stunning average of just 22.54.

2016 West Indies took the title in 2016 in a competition that saw the likes of Rishabh Pant for the first time on the international stage.

Pant has gone on to become one of the most explosive players in the modern game, but he was unable to negotiate a West Indian attack led by Alzarri Joseph in the final – who has since gone on to be a key source of wickets for his country.

It was also the first time the

Chris Gayle

an impressive 372 runs.

2020 Bangladesh are the holders of the competition heading into this year’s ICC U19 Men’s CWC after they beat India in the final in South Africa.

Akbar Ali was named Playerof-the-Match, while Indian Yashasvi Jaiswal was the crowned Player-of-the-Tournament after scoring 400 runs and taking three wickets.

The ICC U19 Men’s CWC boasts a long-established history of nurturing the game’s brightest talent. Who will be the next stars to burst onto the scene when the 2022 showpiece gets underway in the West Indies this month?

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 7, 2022 Batting legend, the Most Hon. Desmond Haynes will lead the West Indies Men’s Selection Panel until June 30. 2024

Haynes appointed new CWI chief selector ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Batting legend Desmond Haynes was yesterday appointed the new men’s chairman of selectors on a two-and-a-half year contract, as Cricket West Indies’ overhaul of its selection system continued in the wake of last October’s Twenty20 World Cup fiasco.

The 65-year-old, who featured in 116 Tests and 238 One-Day Internationals between 1978 and 1994 and who in the past served as a batting consultant to the men’s squad, replaces Roger Harper who was sacked last month.

Only last November, Haynes was awarded the Order of Freedom – Barbados’ highest national honour – during the country’s Republic Day celebrations.

While CWI did not name the other members of the panel, president Ricky Skerritt hailed the appointment of Haynes as the “right man for the right job”.

“I am delighted to confirm that the Most Hon. Dr Desmond Haynes has agreed to re-

join the CWI cricket system as the Lead Selector,” Skerritt said.

“His cricket knowledge and experience are second to none, and I am confident that Desmond is the right man for the right job, at the right time.”

“On behalf of our Board of Directors and all stakeholders, I wish Desmond every success as he commences his important lead role, which starts immediately.

“I want to also take this opportunity to thank Roger Harper and Miles Bascombe for their commitment and integrity whilst they served on the panel over the past two years.”

Harper, along with Bascombe, were both casualties of the T20 World Cup debacle which saw West Indies pick a controversial 15-man squad for the United Arab Emirates showpiece, only to finish one from bottom of their six-nation group and miss out on the TURN TO PAGE 23

Ninvalle lauds prize Hetmyer, Pestano, Imlach money for AMBC among the runs on day two Elite Continental Championship … Guyana to send team to March 22-April 2 event in Ecuador PAGE

23

DAY 2 of the Guyana Harpy Eagles’ four-day practice match turned out to be more productive for the batsmen as Clinton Pestano and Shimron Hetmyer scored half-centuries while Tevin Imlach is nearing the landmark at the Albion Community Centre ground.

Leon Johnson’s XI had resumed the day on 188-7. Akshaya Persaud only managed to add seven to his overnight score of 54, while Pestano motored on from 24 to reach 69 from 137 balls in a knock spanning close to three hours at the crease.

They were bowled out for 254 in

117.2 overs.

Keemo Paul (2-20), Sylus Tyndall (2-27) and Veerasammy Permaul (2-67) did the bulk of the damage for Keemo Paul’s XI, who reached stumps 154-2 with Hetmyer 69* and Imlach on 45*.

Kevlon Andeson (5) and Mavin Dindyal (29) were the dismissed batters to Keon Joseph and Kelvin Umroa respectively.

Day three action is scheduled to start at 10:00hrs.

This four-day match is the first of three, organised for the Guyana Harpy Eagles, ahead of next month’s Regional Four-Day Championship.

Shimron Hetmyer notched up a half-century on the second day

TT Minister of Sport says no fans to attend Under-19 World Cup matches GBA president Steve Ninvalle

MINISTER of Sport and Community Development, Shamfa Cudjoe, said “at this time” no fans will be allowed to attend matches in the 2022 International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup. The tournament will be held in the

West Indies from January 14 to February 5. Matches will be held in Trinidad, St Kitts, Guyana and Antigua.

Three venues will be used in Trinidad for matches including Queen’s Park Oval, Brian Lara Cricket Academy and Diego Martin Sporting Com-

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plex.

TT, like the rest of the world, continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cudjoe said, “The CWI (Cricket West Indies) arrangement and the ICC TURN TO PAGE 23 FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2022