Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 06-11-2022

6th NOVEMBER, 2022

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Burke’s actions will not be tolerated No.106898

—NY Attorney-General candidate affirms, calls AG James’s affiliation with APNU+AFC activist ‘horrific’, ‘despicable’

THE New York AttorneyGeneral candidate, Michael Henry, along with Republican and Conservative Party Senate nominee, Joe Pinion, upbraided incumbent Attorney-General Letitia

James for comments she made about Guyana based on her affiliation with wanted NYC-based APNU+AFC activist, Rickford Burke.

Henry and Pinion made the remarks on Saturday, dur-

ing a rally in Little Guyana, Queens, New York. Aggrieved

by James’ connection with Burke, and the ill-informed comments she made about Guyana, many overseas-based Guyanese of the Little Guyana

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—Vice-President Jagdeo clarifies; says intention is to have small refinery for national energy security

politicians in office in the United States of America,” one of the attendees at the event commented.

Calling James’ affiliation with Burke “horrific” and “despicable”, Henry told the

crowd that no section of the New York community should have to live in fear of the State’s AG being affiliated with a wanted man.

(Full Story on page 3)

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Guyana not looking to become refinery capital of the region

community turned out in their numbers to support Henry and the other Republicans.

“Meddling in other countries’ business, spewing lies based on false allegations is wrong. We don’t need such

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‘Hitting sixes’ in a different arena — former West Indies captain, Ramnaresh Sarwan, now a prolific businessman

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$125.5M expended to boost Region Nine health infrastructure — more revolutionary work underway, Dr. Mahadeo says

AG says he never ascribed ‘hidden agenda’ to Bar Association’s protest EDITOR’S NOTE: Although the Guyana Bar Association’s stance in the recent arrest of Attorney-at-Law Tamieka Clark is welcomed, there are a number of issues that have seemingly missed the attention of the body, thereby

leaving room for speculation that it might be selectively active. The Association’s apparent silence was observed when prominent Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes removed a surveillance tape from a murder scene in 2003, and again in

2012 when he threatened mass protests and there were subsequent disturbances at Agricola.

There was also no word from the Association when Hughes was castigated by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for failing to disclose that Ver-

non Griffith, the jury foreman in the Lusignan Massacre Trial had once been his client in a big case.

Regarding current matters, the Association has been silent on questions surrounding a section of the judiciary, at the

level of the Appeal Court, where several matters have been dealt with then overturned by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). This was observed in the decision regarding the appointment of retired jurist, Justice James Patterson as

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Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), right through to the no-confidence motion and other cases related to the 2020 Elections.

The foregoing is just a fraction of the matters which should concern the Bar Association.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

Burke’s actions will not be tolerated 3

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

— NY Attorney-General candidate affirms, calls AG James’s affiliation with APNU+AFC activist ‘horrific’, ‘despicable’

THE New York AttorneyGeneral candidate, Michael Henry, along with Republican and Conservative Party Senate nominee, Joe Pinion, upbraided incumbent Attorney-General Letitia James for comments she made about Guyana based on her affiliation with wanted NYC-based APNU+AFC activist, Rickford Burke.

Henry and Pinion made the remarks on Saturday, during a rally in Little Guyana, Queens, New York. Aggrieved by James’ connection with Burke, and the ill-informed comments she made about Guyana, many overseas-based Guyanese of the Little Guyana community turned out in their numbers to support Henry and the other Republicans.

“Meddling in other countries’ business, spewing lies based on false allegations is wrong. We don’t need such politicians in office in the United States of America,” one of the attendees at the event commented.

Calling James’ affiliation

New York Attorney-General Letitia James

with Burke “horrific” and “despicable”, Henry told the crowd that no section of the New York community should have to live in fear of the State’s AG being affiliated with a wanted man.

“Nobody in this [predominantly] Indo-Guyanese Community should have to live in fear, because someone’s behaviour is being endorsed by the AttorneyGeneral of the State of New York. Everyone in Guyana knows his [Burke’s] behaviour, and what he has done in his home country, he’s not

New York Attorney-General candidate Michael Henry (NY Post photo)

going to do it here, when I’m the Attorney General in the State of New York,” Henry pledged.

He added: “For her to engage in a behaviour like this is horrific, and is a despicable mindset for a chief law enforcement officer to have. For someone to come and inflict threats of political violence on people of this community and their homes and their stores is not going to be tolerated when I’m the Attorney-General.”

Henry called out James

for buying into Burke’s rhetoric of inciting racial division, and denial of the election results of Guyana’s 2020 General and Regional Elections.

“For Leticia James to engage in advancing this election denialism, [when] the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union, and multiple Caribbean nations have all said that this was a fair election; for her to engage in this and have people like Rickford Burke, who’s wanted in his country for many things, is disgraceful,” Henry said.

Pinion, during his remarks, assured the gathering that there should be respect for other country’s laws.

“We want people in the Guyanese community to know that we have to have respect for law and order.

When you have people calling for violence in Guyana, and when you have people who are trying to bring that violence here, the Guyanese community in the United States of America in the State of New York, we have to

stand up; come together and rebuke that violence, and make sure that we stand for rights, for leadership and rightful governance,” Pinion said.

During the rally, Henry and Pinion were accompanied by Republican candidate for State Controller, Paul Rodriguez, and U.S. House New York District Five candidate, Paul King.

Many of the Guyanese migrants shared that while they would normally vote Democrat, they could not support a candidate who was supportive of an individual known for inciting public terrorism and racism among Guyanese, both at home in Guyana and abroad.

“We in this community find it very objectionable that we should have a politician who has inserted herself in the politics of another country. The Democrats, for many years, have said they’re against elections interference in the US, and now they’re interfering in another country?” community leader, Dhanpaul

Narine commented.

He said: “Miss James, without understanding the complexities of Guyanese politics, and it’s very complicated, took the word of certain people and inserted herself in the politics of the country without understanding the complexities.”

James has been facing a lot of backlash after she made remarks on October 30 at a town hall meeting organised

by Burke.

At the meeting, she unjustifiably accused the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration of “race discrimination” and other wrongdoings.

“Her comment definitely polarised us to be out here today,” said another, who gave his name as Chris Persaud.

“Miss James inserting herself into Guyanese politics without consulting if it’s fair and balanced with what is going on there. You can’t take one person’s position who wants to disrupt life here,” another said.

AG says he never ascribed ‘hidden agenda’ to Bar Association’s protest

NOTING that he has always strived for a collaborative and cooperative relationship with the Guyana Bar Association (GBA), Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney -General Anil Nandlall, S.C., said the Association has misunderstood remarks he made on Friday pertaining to the October 28 detention of Attorney-at-Law Tamieka Clarke.

The Attorney-General, in a statement issued on Saturday, said that he never ascribed the term “hidden agenda” to a protest held by the Association on Friday outside of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

The protest had to do with Clarke being detained

by SOCU on October 28, after she reportedly advised a client not to sign a preprepared statement, and to

Attorney-General Anil Nandlall, S.C.

remain silent.

After learning of C l a r k e ’s d e t e n t i o n b y SOCU, the Attorney-General, as “a constitutional legal adviser to the Police Force,”

immediately intervened to have her released. On the day of the incident, Minister Nandlall immediately issued an apology to Clarke, and noted that the incident was unfortunate.

In his statement on Saturday, the minister said he never tried to downplay what happened to Clarke.

“I intervened; I apologised to Ms. Clarke, and expressed the view that the incident was unfortunate and regrettable, and should be amicably resolved. Neither have I trivialised what transpired in the Clarke incident,” Minister Nandlall said, adding: “Indeed, the speed and nature of my intervention, without more, ought to have illustrated the seriousness with which I view the matter.”

He went on to say: “I also made it crystalline that

there is no policy at the level of the government or the Guyana Police Force intended or designed to subvert either the Constitution or the Rule of Law. The AttorneyGeneral’s Chambers and the Ministry of Legal Affairs will continue to champion the cause of the Rule of Law and constitutionalism, and will continue to work with the Guyana Bar Association and, indeed, every other person and entity in this country with the same, or a similar agenda.”

Noting his disappointment that the Association misunderstood remarks he made regarding the incident during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Friday, Minister Nandlall said: “The Attorney General’s Chambers and the Ministry of Legal Affairs considers

the Guyana Bar Association, and by extension the legal fraternity, as one of its most important strategic partners in working to create a modern legal system, and in ensuring that the Rule of Law reigns supreme in Guyana,” the Attorney-General said, adding: “In this regard, I have always made myself as accessible as possible to both the Guyana Bar Association and the members of the legal profession. Importantly, I have put in place a mechanism that ensures that there are constant consultations with the Guyana Bar Association, the legal profession, and the Ministry of Legal Affairs on policy and on every piece of major legislative change which impacts the legal system.

It is my hope that this level of collaboration and coop-

eration will continue, if not intensify in the future, as our fundamental objectives will hopefully remain aligned.”

Following Clarke’s detention, the Association issued a statement calling for a full investigation to be launched into the her treatment by SOCU, and “disciplinary action, including termination of any officer(s) who were aware of and allowed this type of conduct.”

“The Guyana Police Force, the only lawful authority to deal with the conduct of the police officers, has already indicated that an investigation has been activated. It is the Rule of Law which underscores the functional autonomy of this Force, including the processes by which its members are disciplined,” Minister Nandlall said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

Guyana not looking to become refinery capital of the region

—Vice-President Jagdeo clarifies; says intention is to have small refinery for national energy security

By Tamica Garnett VICE-PRESIDENT Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has said that the government’s decision to finally consider the creation of a local refinery is based solely on the goal of building national energy security, and is not part of any plan to become a major global or regional supplier of refined petroleum products.

“We’re not looking to become the refinery capital of the region; we said we need, for national energy security, a small refinery in the country. We don’t want to own it in government, but how do we get all of these bidders to work together? We’re only selling 30,000 barrels of crude per day to one person: The bidder that wins the RFP (Request For Proposal), or is most serious on building this refinery,” the Vice-President related.

Dr. Jagdeo pointed out that the country was also not pursuing refineries on a large scale, given the greenhouse

emissions associated with such facilities, and Guyana’s pursuit of remaining a netzero emissions country. Additional refineries would also require the government committing too much of its crude resources to local facilities.

“We are supporting a 30,000-barrel per day refinery for Guyana. The others, we’re not selling the crude to them; we’re not going to do a large refinery in the country, because, that means almost all of the government oil goes to them,” the Vice-President said.

It was early last month that President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced that the government would begin seeking a company for the establishment of a 30,000-barrel per day oil refinery, given the significant interest being shown.

The President noted that the refinery would most likely be a modular one.

An oil refinery is an industrial processing plant where crude oil is transformed and refined into useable products, such as gaso-

limited to selling fuel to the government, and will be allowed to sell locally or export, provided the price is competitive. However, having the local refinery will provide the government with options of guaranteeing local provision of refined products, in the case of global supply plights.

Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

line, diesel fuel, kerosene, and other fuel oils and products.

There has been growing support for Guyana to have its own refinery; the private sector has been lobbying for a modular refinery for some time now. A modular refinery is a simplified refinery that is less capital- intensive when compared with the traditional full-scale refineries.

The Berbice area, in the vicinity of Crab Island, is being considered as the most likely location for the refinery, as the facility will need

to be located close to a river.

At Thursday’s press conference, Dr. Jagdeo noted that the government will be working along with the one successful bidder with an agreement to provide land and concessions, and the limited amount of crude.

“In the documents we put out in the proposal, we said government will provide the land; we will give the tax concessions; we will sell you 30,000 [bpd],” Dr. Jagdeo said.

The refinery will not be

AVOIDING FUTURE PROBLEMS “In a crisis, we can easily restrict the export and sell it for domestic consumption, because, with supply chain disruption, we can have any sort of problem in the future.

We are not taking any risk for the future, and so this is for national security purposes; to have energy security at home, where we don’t run out of gas or diesel or anything like that.

We’re pursuing this refinery, but not with government funds, and through an open process,” the Vice-President said.

Earlier this year, the world saw a global disruption in oiland-gas supply when several countries instituted sanctions on Russia, a major oil supplier, over the country’s invasion of Ukraine. The situation resulted in the price for oil skyrocketing.

According to Dr. Jagdeo, the government has received a number of serious proposals, but has also seen “a lot of

carpet-bagging companies”.

“They come here and say they can do refineries, and they want an MoU from the government, and they go and talk. I see one said they can do 10,000 jobs in Berbice; it’s all nonsense. A lot of it doesn’t make sense,” the Vice-President said.

He was at the time directly referencing a press release purportedly issued by Delta Energy and Petroleum Company (DEPCO), alleging plans to build four modular refineries, each with a refining capacity of 60,000 bpd.

“Everybody says that they can build a refinery now, and I saw one said they can build four refineries. I don’t know who would want to build four refineries; it doesn’t make sense,” the Vice-President said.

The government has noted that the response to the RFP will be used to determine a capable partner that will be selected to work with the government to complete the project, based on (i) the timeframes stipulated, (ii) evidence of financial and technical ability, and (iii) response to other requirements of this RFP. Responses to the RFP must be submitted to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) by December 13, 2022.

Minister Edghill visits family of man killed in ECD accident

MINISTER of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill on Saturday visited the family of Anil Ramanand, who died earlier in the day in an accident involving one of the ministry’s vehicles.

According to a statement issued by the minister: “A vehicle belonging to the Ministry of Public Works and another vehicle belonging to a private citizen were involved in that accident, along the East Coast of Demerara. The ministry’s vehicle was at the time carrying staff who were on official duties.”

After learning of the accident, Minister Edghill and team reportedly visited the reputed wife, mother, brothers, sisters and other relatives of the deceased to offer their condolences. The minister also pledged his support to the entire family.

There is an active police investigation underway, and Minister Edghill has assured the family that there will be no interference in or obstruction of this process.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

$125.5M expended to boost Region Nine health infrastructure — more revolutionary work underway, Dr. Mahadeo says

FOR 2022 to date, $125.5M was spent on rehabilitating health facilities in Region Nine while three boats, two ambulances, three ATVs and four minivans were purchased to enhance medical care within the region, as healthcare is being taken to all villages.

This was confirmed by the Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo, when contacted by this publication for an update on the development within Region Nine.

He explained that all health facilities in Region Nine were renovated while noting that the Lethem hospital has been expanded with more services that include intensive care; neo-natal intensive care, and surgeries are being done with a full complement of staff.

Further, Dr. Mahadeo said that every village would have had at least three specialist medical outreaches done within the year; the services included: eye care, dental care, screening for cervical

cancer, ultrasounds, general examination and vaccination, along with the presence of regular doctors.

Additionally, the Director-General said that all the cataract and pterygium patients that reached the criteria received surgeries at the National Ophthalmology Hospital, and they were safely returned home.

“Major works are ongoing in the Annai Health Facility to upgrade it to the level of a cottage hospital; the theatre at Aishalton will soon be completed and commissioned and surgeries will start. We are having more doctors at these facilities and each facility in Region Nine has a minimum of two community health workers for the first time ever because previously, there were communities that had none,” Dr. Mahadeo explained.

He noted that healthcare delivery in Region nine has been revolutionized within the last two years.

“For the first time ever in Region Nine, training is

Director-General of the Ministry of Health Dr Vishwa Mahadeo

being done for their own nursing assistants with over 30 young people on the programme, we are also doing training for emergencies,

resuscitation and there are quite a few persons on GOAL scholarships, including the hospital administrator on the York Hospital Management

training,” Dr Mahadeo underscored.

Further, the director-general said that the delivery of care is being addressed with specialist care in every village where patients are identified for surgical intervention based on their needs to address hernia, uterine fibroids, Tubal ligation, along with various other services.

“Those persons are being identified in each village and they will be brought out if they can’t come out themselves, and we will do the surgeries for them in Lethem and if it can’t be done at Lethem, we will bring them to Georgetown to do the surgeries and take them back in,” Dr. Mahadeo told this publication.

He explained that healthcare is being taken to all villages in Region nine, and residents are not left to find such on their own.

In highlighting President Irfaan Ali’s vision, Dr Mahadeo said, “our hinterland brothers, sisters and children must be able to access

the same level of care that persons on the Coast are accessing.”

As such, he noted that all medical services would be equal and equitable to all hinterland communities.

Additionally, the directorgeneral said that the Ministry of Health had visited over 90 per cent of the villages within Region Nine over the last two years while having discussions with village leaders, residents and the health staff.

“The works that were done at the health facilities were works that were recommended by the villagers, by the residents, by the health staff after there would have been meetings between the Ministry of Health, the local health authority and the residence; the works that were done at the facilities were given to local contractors and in some cases even the village council in order for the monies to be used in developing the village economy,” Dr. Mahadeo explained.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

Gender Parity

GUYANA has been making tangible progress in terms of important socioeconomic indicators. A most recent gender-parity report places Guyana in 17th place in terms of participation in public life at the level of legislators, senior officials and managers. The report also placed Guyana, among a few others, in the first place for gender equality at the level of professional and technical workers globally.

The 2022 Global Gender Gap Insight Report is compiled annually by the World Economic Forum and has been measuring gaps between men and women based on a number of key indicators such as Economic Participation and Opportunity, Health and Survival, Educational Attainment and Political Empowerment.

The 2022 Report covers 146 countries including Guyana, which ranked 35th, moving up 18 slots from its 53rd ranking in 2021. Guyana is also ranked sixth in Latin America and the Caribbean region.

In the area of gender equality and political participation at the level of legislators, senior officials and managers, the country was ranked 17th place, while it ranked among the first when it comes to gender equality at the level of professional and technical personnel globally.

Significantly, Guyana ranked high with near equal rights when it comes to access to financial services, land and non-land assets.

These achievements speak highly of the peoplecentred approach to development embraced by the PPP/C

administration right across the gender and ethnic spectrum of the country. More significantly, it is a manifestation of the proactive measures taken by the administration in terms of women’s empowerment.

Women in Guyana could apply for, and successfully acquire house lots, loans, mortgages, business registrations and other financial and non-financial assets, which place them in a competitive position in terms of entrepreneurial activities and financial independence.

The situation is no less stellar when it comes to access to educational opportunities, including tertiary education. Women dominate in terms of university graduates and from other tertiary-level institutions such as the Cyril Potter College of Education

and the Georgetown School of Nursing.

Little wonder, the country is ranked first globally in terms of education attainment, sharing first place with countries such as Canada, the Netherlands, Jamaica and Brazil. Guyana has also tied for first place with other countries in terms of enrolment rates in both secondary and tertiary education.

These rankings are consistent with the 2022 UNDP Human Development Index Report on Guyana, which found that life expectancy at birth increased by 3.3 years and mean years of schooling increased by over three years.

In the area of press freedom, Guyana has successfully moved up 17 places in the World Press Freedom Index to 34 out of 180 countries.

The World Press Freedom

Index is a measure of the degree of freedom enjoyed by journalists and the media.

As noted in the report: “Respected journalists can generally work with complete freedom and independence.

They are generally well-protected. Guyana is a parliamentary democracy where freedom of expression and the right to information are guaranteed by the Constitution.”

In terms of investment opportunities, Guyana’s international profile has shown consistent improvements since the return of the PPP/C to office in August 2020.

Investor interest and confidence has never been higher as exemplified by the surge in local and foreign investments.

These are observations and findings made by reputable international bodies with

no “political” biases. They come at a time when the country is making enormous economic progress. According to the World Bank, Guyana is currently experiencing a “growth boom” due to rapid development in the offshore oil-and-gas industry.

But as pointed out multiple times by President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, our oiland-gas resource, remarkable as the contribution may be to the economy, is not an end in itself, but the means to a much greater end, namely, to enhance the material and cultural standard of living of the Guyanese people.

From all indications, the country is making significant progress in that regard as the findings of several reports from reputable international organisations have confirmed.

Dr Vishnu Bisram’s election activities

Dear Editor, THE era of Charrandass Persaud as Guyana’s High Commissioner to India is already gathering dust and lying in the archive of history, perhaps not quietly, but undisturbed at the moment.

As Omar Khayyam penned: “The moving finger writes and having writ, moves on.”

The incident from 2021 has subsided its sting and only the taste remains because of a bitter flavour. At the end of the day, the garden remains but the gardener needs to be replaced.

India is a very sensitive country with a multitude of class distinctions; strategically placed as a challenging country in the East; historically enriched with close attachments to Guyana and the Caribbean; culturally pampered with the flamboyance of fashion, fame and fortune; economically developed to help others; politically entrusted to embrace equality and justice; socially

dexterous to test the taste, touch and temperament of a diversified nation.

India being a delightful, delectable but a determined nation, choosing an ambassador to represent Guyana in such a vast country becomes more intriguing. Who will be the government’s choice is any one’s guess. Many popular names of prominence surface, but, only the prized personality will be promoted to provide the services to portray and protect the interest of Guyana.

One such candidate is Dr Vishnu Bisram. Dr Kumar Mahabir, anthropologist at the University of University (UG) and former Assistant Professor at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), has written extensively on the academic qualifications of Dr Bisram and also on his global experience and exposure as a social worker and an exponential interactor with heads of governments, diplomats, religious

leaders, news media, and, the man in the street.

Prof Kumar Mahabir (November 4) outlined a very strong case why Dr Bisram should be appointed as the Ambassador or High Commissioner to India. Academically and experience wise, the gentleman is over qualified for such a position. No need to cite more credentials and additional examples of his great work on behalf of Guyanese in the diaspora and Guyana, the country and nation.

I (along with many others), am very familiar with his activism in America and his countless writings in the community papers in the USA as well as in Guyana. No one wrote as prolifically as he did on Guyanese in the diaspora and on the importance to respect and abide by democratic norms. There are three very critical points that Dr Kumar Mahabir’s missive did not delve into details about: Dr

Bisram’s activism pertaining to elections.

His activism helped to pressure the Guyana Government to hold elections after its defeat in the no-confidence motion (NCM) of December 21, 2018 and to accept the will of the voters of the March 2, 2020 elections. Dr Bisram’s activism posts would have compelled the then government to resign and hold elections, replace Justice Patterson as Chairman of GECOM, and to accept the 2020 election results.

Dr Bisram engaged in an extensive campaign in the media, explaining why the government must demit office in accordance with democratic traditions after it lost the NCM. And he wrote extensively on why Patterson’s appointment as GECOM chair was illegal, as the CCJ would later rule. He launched an international campaign to pressure the government to

replace Patterson after the CCJ ruling and to hold free and fair elections under international observation.

He was in Guyana conducting credible and impartial opinion polls that projected a PPP victory and reporting on aspects of the elections. And when the government failed to accept the outcome of the March 2 democratic vote, he initiated an international campaign that caused the government to respect the will of the voters.

For five months, he wrote in the media on a daily basis exposing the attempted fraud and appealing to the government to accept the outcome.

He worked behind the scenes convincing key individuals in the international community and in Guyana that were responsible for the change in administration on August 2, 2020.

He penned letters to diplomats in Guyana, Heads of

international organisations, and to members of the Trump Administration, including Asst. Secretary Michael Kozak and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as well as members of Congress, and foreign leaders, appealing to them to use their influence and or to pressure the government to accept the outcome of the March vote.

He also engaged key individuals at GECOM. Feeling the foreign pressure and increasingly ostracised, the government threw in the towel, paving the way for Irfaan Ali to be sworn in as President. If not for his academic credentials, then Dr Bisram ought to be rewarded for his role in helping to save democracy in Guyana. What better way to reward him than to appoint him as High Commissioner to India.

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

LGEs bring power to the people, strengthens local democracy

Dear Editor,

THE rights and freedoms of people are enshrined in the systemic framework of democracy that has formed the global acceptance platform for most states. Consequently, most of the global population and the relationships between citizens and their various governments have been developed along the tenets of this acceptable platform. Central to the foregoing is the fact that Guyana through our Constitution has long supported this approach with continuous improvements to local and international positions since.

Several principal pillars are key to the evolution of Guyana’s internal framework at the local level, the building of which serves to ratify international commitments, support the realisation of benefits and reinforce deserving rights. The Local Democratic Act No. 12 of 1980 from which the system evolved, was introduced to formally identify the Local Government System as the foundation of the Democratic Organisation of the state. To foster development in the communities by the communities, the country was divided into 10 administrative regions, which were further subdivided into subregions, districts, communities, neighborhoods, and People’s Cooperative Units, with specific responsibilities.

In 2009, legislation was enacted to change the system of elections in the Local Authority Areas. The Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Act No.26 of 2009, along with subsequent amendments in 2015, provides for Local Government Elections to be held in nine municipalities and 62 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) throughout Guyana using a hybrid system of Proportional Representation and First-Past-the-Post. This hybrid system provides opportunities for voluntary groups, political parties, and individuals to contest for seats in the municipalities and NDCs. GECOM must follow and implement the elections system in accordance with the existing legal positions to ensure the objectivity of the intent of our Constitution is attained. Given the unacceptable fracas following the

2020 General and Regional Elections, it is understood that necessary corrective mechanisms had to be put in place to assure acceptable results and prevent abuses.

To this end, GECOM must be commended for releasing the Revised List of Electors (RLE) for the public to scrutinise. After this exercise, GECOM will produce the Official List of Electors which will eventually lead to the production of the Official List of Voters for the holding of Local Government Elections.

Voluntary groups and independent individuals are expected to contest this most interesting Local Government Elections. However, the individual contestants should not allow themselves to be used as political footballs to contest in the interest of any political party. The widest cross-section of our people should make sure to play a lead role in the development of their respective communities. Hence, it is expected that well-established community leaders will encourage younger persons to contest the LGEs; women, religious leaders, and other prominent persons should take the opportunity to be part of their community development.

There are serious challenges in many Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and municipalities. Over the period since the last LGEs, all the NDCs and municipalities are depleted because of the serious loss of elected members. On many occasions, meetings are cancelled because of a lack of quorum.

In many instances, required services to residents have been attenuated, while the people’s representation at the grassroots level is paramount for informing the required areas for improvement. Further, the holding of LGEs will allow the communities to carefully nominate men and women who are prepared to serve their communities Our people must participate in the LGEs, particularly our young people must get involved to preserve our young and growing democracy. While Guyana is on the rise, we must develop a nation with brilliant young minds who will say no to racism and never allow anybody to divide us. The empowerment and involve-

ment of people at the community and village levels at the various tiers, will serve as drivers to harmonise the distribution of benefits from national government programmes, thereby leaving no community behind.

In essence, one must recognise that while the PPP/C Government is certainly doing a great job to develop the country at the national and international levels, it is imperative that the various levels of our democracy also be more involved in the pro-

cess of development.

Parallel democratic policies and supporting pillars must be used to uphold and sustain the crest, which we strive to attain. In this respect, the holding of LGEs, in which there is meaningful involvement, is certainly an empowering catalyst and the most significant conduit to ensuring local democracy and development.

Certainly, the strengthening of our local democracy through these elections will give our people at the grass-

root levels an opportunity to work together and strengthen development at the community level.

Our local democracy must be more inclusive and this will bring tremendous development and build unity.

Let us use the upcoming LGEs to ensure that citizens at the local or ground level are fully prepared for the further development of the country.

Consequently, the opportunity must be taken to refresh the community leader-

ship, especially where areas are suffering from attrition due to unavoidable circumstances, or have become weak and urgently need to be resuscitated through these elections.

As Guyana gets into full gear for LGEs, the entire nation must be fully involved. The way forward to the 2023 LGEs is clear and most welcome.

Yours respectfully, Neil Kumar

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

Norton might never be ready for the big league

Dear Editor,

MEN on Mission (MoM) launched by President, Dr Irfaan Ali, certainly jumpstarts a thought- provoking new week. The President displayed his batting skills in an exhibition at the final of the Commander-in-Chief Inter-Service T20 cricket match, where, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) beat the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

Guyana also greeted the new week with the good news that Tagenarine Chanderpaul, the lone Guyanese selected to play on the West Indies team, will open the batting in Australia. The President again kick-started

the Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle with a $1.5 million government donation.

President Ali continued his reach-the-people tour by visiting Sophia, Tucville, Den Amstel, Hague and Annandale. The Region Two Business Chambers hosted their Agro and Trade Expo.

Patients will no longer have to pay for CT scans at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. With 15 witnesses ready to testify, the CoI got underway for the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. GECOM sets December 12, 2022 as Nomination Day for Local Government Elections. Luis Inacio ‘Lula’ Da Silva defeated Jair Bolsonaro to be-

come Brazil’s new President.

Benjamin Netanyahu made a come back to become Israel’s new Prime Minister.

November month is dedicated as Tourism Awareness Month with the theme, “All Sectors, One Tourism.”

Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo announced that Guyana will soon auction 14 offshore oil blocks with notable new fiscal conditions. President Ali left for Florida. As you enjoy the Miss GPF Youth Ambassador Title competition, cinema, horseracing, cricket, football or just relaxing, do review the week’s quotes: 1) President Ali philosophised, “In this art of giving, it must be a way of life. It must be something you believe in. It must be something that makes up your value system.” The President gave a $1.5 million donation to the Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle to start the season. The PPP/C Government has been a giver from the moment they stepped in office.

2) President Ali stated: “That is why an important part of Men on Mission is to work with boys all across the country – and girls too – to ensure that we do coaching, mentoring, motivation to get back our boys and girls, but especially our boys in school, in a learning environment and build back their positivity towards education and learning.” The Men on Mission (MoM) initiative was launched by the President for boys and men to cease to be the problems in society and to now be the solution. The PPP/C Government is awakening a new wave of male consciousness, creating a precedent for the world to embrace.

3) President Ali announced: “We are going to unleash $900 million into the market to step up production, so that we meet the demand especially for the value-added product and to push this sector…” A $900 million revolving fund is set up to boost the forestry sector. Stakeholders welcome

the low interest rate of four per cent.

4) Attorney General Anil Nandlall remarked, “… it is going to be an expensive undertaking, and I want to assure that every single cent of the monies that are going to be expended will be made public, because it is public funds. We are going to make it public.” The Presidential Commission of Inquiry for the March 2, 2020 elections commenced this month. A number of the Opposition agitators are uncomfortable.

5) CEO for ANSA McAL Group of Companies, Anthony Sabga, said: “Guyana is a good place to be and invest…the company intends on staying for the long haul.”

The company is celebrating its 30 years of operation in Guyana and wants to be a key player in the development of this country.

6) Indian High Commission to Guyana, Dr. K.J Srinivasa mentioned: “This is a great example that I give back home to all my friends, that Guyana is such a wonderful example for the two secular syncretic traditions in any place in the world.”

At the Diwali celebration, he commended Guyana for its unified celebration of cultures. The PPP/C Government is supportive of all cultural customs and traditions.

7) Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, explained: “There are opportunities equally available to Afro-Guyanese and other ethnic groups through the policies and interventions of the PPP/C Government. Our government’s plans of prosperity include, every single Guyanese.” He is appealing to Guyanese to not become entrapped by the perversion of the Opposition, which is not only increasingly becoming more isolated, but also losing significant ground in the communities.

8) Minister within the Ministry of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, enquired: “I would like to know, which one of our children is deprived or deContinued on page 9

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

Norton might never be ready for the...

From Page 8

nied access to school, from nursery to even university.”

During an outreach in Sophia, he expressed disgust at persons who try to divide Guyanese on the basis of race.

9) Anthony Sabga 111, CEO for ANSA McAL Group of Companies declared, “…we’re proud to be a part of the landscape and part of this progressive country that recognizes the importance of not just building for the sake of building, but building for economic resilience through the diversification, investment in human capital and institutional capacity.” This company will be building a wharf and port facilities at Wales, West Bank Demerara, contributing towards the PPP/C Government’s oil-and-gas industry development.

10) US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch advised: “The US has many states that would be interested in Guyanese products. So, please consider logistical support, alongside the state which you intend to be your first market.” The US and Guyana recorded US$1.4 billion in trade in the first half of 2022. A multimillion-dollar US trade mission visited Guyana consisting of five firms worth a combined US$205 million in revenue.

This is another clear indication of investors placing trust in the PPP/C Government’s economic policies.

11) Attorney General Nandlall reported: “In conducting the exercise, the working group assessed and identified the country’s ML/ TF threats and vulnerabilities.” Guyana has completed its second Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) risk assessment report. The PPP/C Government is in compliance with international regulations.

12) Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, remarked: “We would like to see more private-sector operations done because we see this as absolutely critical to ensure that we are able to realize the private sector-led growth that we anticipate will take us through the

medium of term [sic] to the long term.” Muneshwers Ltd. has procured a US$4 million loan agreement with the IDB for the acquisition of a mobile crane, which will modernise operations on the wharf.

13) Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond proclaimed: “Tourism is one of the key sectors to which we look in our quest to diversify our economy in order to build a sustainable economic future. The sector employs over 15,000 persons indirectly, and it earns us approximately US$300 million in foreign exchange each year.” Tourism month was launched in Linden with the theme, “All sectors, One Tourism,” which seeks to reinforce the Government of Guyana’s stance on inclusive development for all.

14) Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, asked the Opposition: “Is this not the height of political irresponsibility? These amendments emerged to ensure that there would be no “Mingo-ism” in future elections.”

As a result of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, some 32 electoral fraud cases are awaiting trial since late 2020 and 2021.

Those charged include the PNC’s Volda Lawrence, past GECOM officials, former CEO Keith Lowenfield, his Deputy Roxanne Myers and embattled Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo.

15) President Ali informed residents of Den Amstel in Region Three, “We are working for the upliftment of the community. We want to see all the communities prosper. That is why I am asking them now to either come in and see that the lands that are not in production, we can get them into production.”

President Ali was on another of his outreach programmes promoting equal treatment across the country.

16) Chairman of the Den Amstel NDC, Kenton Hilliman, complimented President Ali, saying: “I need to extend a firm gratitude to you for the amount of intervention [sic] in this

community…. We are going to profit from it.” People are not following the reckless Opposition and instead, are listening to the wise advice of the President and gaining profitably.

17) To do or not to do, that is the question. Attorney General Nandlall declared: “I reject those accusations and insinuations unreservedly…..I never instructed or directed any police.” When he intervened in the Clarke case, he was criticised. Had he not intervened, he would have still been criticised.

18) President Ali told Tucville squatters: “The PPP has always been a party that helps people. We work with people. We want people to live positive lives.”

The PPP/C Government is aggressively creating better lives for all Guyanese.

19) President Ali visited Tucville, an area which no President visited before.

A vendor at Nicky’s food court exclaimed: “I live in this area 53 years, and I appreciate this. This is history.” The President made commitments to address the residents’ concerns including jobs, housing, improved drainage and community enhancement.

20) As Norton continues to play in the little league, Minister Rodrigues slammed him for his derogatory remarks towards the owners of the low-income houses.

Colin Wilson, a recipient of a house lot had this to say: “In terms of the low-income houses, I think the government doing a fine job. I personally went in a couple, and I don’t see a problem.”

21) Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn declared: “We have to pay attention to the culture that we ourselves as adults pass on to the next generation, the vulgar music, the drinking of Heineken and other things while driving, the texting while driving, the speaking on the phone while driving, these are normal things in the way we operate on the road.” The minister urged traffic officers to increase the rate of ticketing for errant drivers on the roadways.

22) Senior Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, commented: “We, as a government, are

committed to ensuring that all of Guyana participates in and benefits from this exciting period of transformation in Guyana.” The PPP/C Government is ahead of its schedule on delivering their manifesto promises and ensuring that all Guyanese benefit from the country’s resources.

23) NY Attorney General candidate, Michael Henry stated: “James [NY AG], embraced Rickford Burke as a ‘brother from another mother,’ at a Brooklyn meeting this past weekend,” the statement read. “Mr Burke faces charges in Guyana for ‘inciting public terror’ and ‘race hatred.’ He is affiliated

with the PNC, one of two political parties in Guyana.”

A war of words and wisdom is playing out between New York Attorney General incumbent and candidate.

Shanella London smiles as she successfully defended the female championship.

Region Two residents are smiling with a water ambulance and a boathouse totalling $24 million given by the Ministry of Health.

Residents at Hague, West Coast Demerara are smiling with the President, after he announced a $275 million investment in roadworks for Hague ‘Backdam.’ Four more Guyanese, Karran Singh, Courtney Kalama-

deen, Yema Singh and Tanuja Sukhnandan are all smiling with their “Know India Programme” trip to Rajasthan, India. Jamal Durant and Suriya Walcott are smiling as the top winners in the Massy art contest on mental health.

Region Two residents are smiling as 27 persons from various communities are being trained as pharmacy assistants. As you prepare for another week and anticipate any hurdles, do remember: “No Matter What Life Throws At You, Keep Smiling.”

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

Liberal emotionalism cannot substitute for sound analysis

Dear Editor

KINDLY permit me to respond to Dr Gary Girdhari’s “Dr Persaud seems to be acting as a spokesman for someone or an entity” (Stabroek News, 4/11, 2022). I will focus more on the substantive positions, but ignore rhetorical performances such as: “Is Dr Persaud dancing to the tune of Jagdeo’s (and the PPP) orchestra?”

It is fair that writers ground complex arguments in the work of noted authorities. In making his claims, Dr Girdhari invokes Joseph Stiglitz, Thomas Piketty, Hayek, Amartya Sen, and Jeffrey Sachs. Without any measure of either insult or compunction, I am afraid these big names were either not read in any depth, or simply misused. Let us begin with Sachs.

Girdhari is unaware that Sachs was a world-renowned champion of neoliberalism before his “bleeding heart” (a la Angelina Jolie and Bono) style savior capitalism. Michael Busch captured the early Sachs thus – “the young economist fashioned his unique brand of shock therapy — a free-market fundamentalism of privatization, deregulation, and government subsidy-slashing for commodities such as oil…”

And further, “despite massive policy failures in countries that followed his advice, Sachs has successfully avoided accepting any responsibility for suboptimal outcomes of his theory.”

Busch poignantly surmised: “No crisis would be complete without Jeffrey Sachs’ two cents” (Busch, 22 January 2012).

Girdhari points to Piketty but says absolutely nothing

about his work or relevance to my own arguments. For Piketty, the problem with capitalism is that the longterm rate of return to capital will continue to outstrip the rate of growth and, therefore, by implication the return to labour. Embedded wealth thus imperils democracy because of the logic of selfreproducing structural inequality. Note that Piketty does not confine his argument to FDI which is what I focused on in my piece.

It is fashionable to refer to von Hayek when critiquing free-market capitalism and its neoliberal forms. In fact, Hayek is known less for his economics and more for The Road to Serfdom. Yet, in that book, Hayek warms about monopoly capital as much as he does about organised labour. As noted by Hans-Herman Hoppe, Hayek wanted, “the assurance of a

certain minimum income for everyone”; and government should “distribute its expenditure over time in such a manner that it will step in when private investment flags.” (Hoppe, 4/10/2011) Hayek resonates with the right wing because of his association with Milton Freidman at the University of Chicago, and for his founding of the Mont Pelerin Society which was the “central committee” of Reaganism-Thatcherism.

As for Stiglitz, he sounds more like Bharrat Jagdeo, Irfaan Ali, or Ashni Singh.

Here is Stiglitz – “Spending money on needed investments in infrastructure, education, [and] technology will yield double dividends. It will increase incomes today while laying the foundations for future employment and economic growth. Investments in energy efficiency will pay triple dividends yielding environmental benefits in addition to the shortand long-run economic benefits” (Stiglitz, 10/13/2008).

The only big name left is Amartya Sen. Sen and Mahbub ul Haq founded the Human Security approach with its quintessential articulation in the 1994 Human Development Report. Well, I am pleased to let Dr Girdhari know that I was among the first university faculty member to teach human security in Washington DC (1997-1998), and this at a time when the national security and defence intellectuals resisted it. Moreover, I am the author for the chapter on Human Security in the bestselling security textbook in IR (see Collins, Oxford UP, 2022).

I can say categorically that Girdhari’s belief that I “favour Big Oil,” and by implication that I do not know about things such as the HDI, is anaemic.

The policies of the PPP/C cannot be called neoliberal by anyone who knows anything about neoliberalism.

As a matter of policy, the PPP supports the following – free house lots and free

building materials to some; graduated mortgage rates’ policy, subsidised homes for “young professionals”; annual cash subsidies to students; top up payments to pensioners; awarding of contracts through flexible criteria for small or new contractors; titles to squatters; upcoming free university education; subsidies to farmers and fisherfolks; cash payments to sugar workers previously laid off by APNU+AFC neoliberal policy; free medical care (but with significant private services), and top-up subsidies in health care such as for dialysis patients. The list goes on and on, but the point is, there is nothing resembling neoliberalism here.

Finally, concerning oil, Guyana now has the most innovative and robust ‘Local Content’ legislation in the world. Neoliberals will not like that.

Sincerely, Dr Randolph Persaud

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

The Village Peeper: A Short Story (Part Two)

LAST WEEK, I shared the first part of the above short story. It is believed that the village peeper was recognised by one housewife, but the peeper escaped leaving doubts. Ramlall, the husband, asked his wife, Dolarie: Did you recognise the peeper?

Yes, it is the man with a limp walk Are you sure?

Yes, but we will find out in a few hours.

The next morning the news broke out that the man with a limp was the peeper. He was spotted on the village’s east side, and a housewife threw hot water on him. The group of young men on the roadside was stunned to find out that he was identified as the village peeper. It was a mystery to them. He could not be the peeping sprinter. He was old and walked with a limp whenever he surfaced on the main public road carrying out errands for himself, his wife, and his son. No one was sure how he happened to walk with a limp. He had never been the talk of the village until now. “Was his limp for real or was it a show?” the group wondered.

Two days later he was on the public road carrying out errands as usual without any visible burn scars.

“I ain’t see any burning marks on him,” one young man declared.

“Maybe the housewife made a mistake or the hot water never landed on the peeper,” another young man wondered. Then as he passed, a voice from the group echoed.

“What is the colour of the housewife’s underwear?”

“Lift your mother’s dress and you will see the right colour.”

“Show us how fast you can run. Chase me.”

“I rather run with your sister, mother, and auntie.”

“Guyana is looking for sprinters with one hand in pants.”

Whenever he passed by the roadside group, the above exchanges continued mercilessly with neither the group nor did he think that their chants were inappropriate. He had become the joke of the village amusing the bored.

He was of Indian extraction. His grandfather was brought from India to British Guiana to work on the sugarcane plantations under a five-year contract. When his contract was over, he accepted a piece of land instead of his return passage and settled down in British Guiana, never returning to India. His family was supposedly from a high Brahmin priest caste that the villagers looked up to for inspiration and to resolve challenges and conflicts. While his family was questionable since many Brahmins in British Guiana supposedly changed their low-caste status to a higher one on the sea voyage, his physical features appeared to fit a Brahmin from India. He was light-skinned and tall with a long, straight nose.

He had deep-set, small eyes and a chiseled face.

He was partly deaf and spoke loudly. He was a mild-mannered man.

These characteristics do not necessarily fit a peeping Tom next door.

For some strange reason, his wife nor his brothers and sisters ever confronted him about being the peeping Tom, creating unnec-

essary anxieties in the sugarcane harvesting section of the village. Maybe, they did not want to accept that he was the peeping Tom or sexually deviant or they were waiting for him to be cornered and caught.

Or, they simply did not want to interfere with his Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde lifestyle. Or, was this all a speculation?

For almost a year, no one had seen the peeping Tom and discussions about him faded. Discussions centred on suicide, domestic abuse, alcoholism, and out-migration to the United States. Then, the roadside group heard a cracking sound out of nowhere around 10:00 pm.

“Wonder what that is?”

“Oh, that is Danjo and his usual weekend drinking and making noise waking up the neighbours” “Let us go and see since it seems more than normal.”

There they saw Danjo almost drunk with a cutlass in his hand underneath his stilted house shouting to a man. “Why are you peeping at my wife?” Danjo swung the machete and the man backed out of the way.

Danjo almost lost his balance and fell onto the machete. The man picked up the axe laying underneath the back step and swung it toward Danjo, missing him by inches and hitting one of the four stilt posts to the ground. The man swung the axe again at Danjo, hitting the second post, and then there was a sudden crash followed by a painful groaning sound, “I am Ramgolee, the Peeping Tom” and then an eerie silence. (lomarsh.roopnarine@ jsums.edu)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

Guyana makes two new discoveries

IN late October, two more oil discoveries offshore Guyana were made at the Sailfin-1 and Yarrow-1 wells in the Stabroek Block, following the two discoveries at Fangtooth-1 and Lau Lau-1 that were announced in January, the three discoveries made in April at the Patwa, Barreleye, and Lukanani wells, and the two discoveries made at Seabob-1 and Kiru-Kiru-1 in July of 2022, bringing the total discoveries in Guyana in 2022 to nine.

Since 2015, the Stabroek Consortium, led by operator, ExxonMobil, has made over 30 discoveries on the block, as offshore development and production increased, and Guyana’s oiland-gas sector rapidly expands.

In preparation for up to 10 floating production, storage, and offloading vessels (FPSOs) operating in Guyana by the end of the decade, ExxonMobil and its partners increased investment in local facilities, signing deals with projects like the just-an-

nounced Vreed-en-Hoop Shore Base Inc. (VEHSI) project, a 100 per cent Guyanese- owned operation that will significantly boost logistics capacity in all sectors.

These moves represent confidence that Guyana’s position as a stable and democratic oil producer will be a necessary partner in the decades to come, as consumers are able to benefit from increased production.

President of ExxonMobil Upstream Company, Liam Mal-

lon has hailed the progress made to date, as Guyana continues to see success with its exploration, and an accelerated pace of development.

“We are committed to responsibly and safely developing this world-class resource to help meet global demand for secure, reliable and lower-emission energy. Our investments, through the pandemic, have allowed us to increase supply at this critical time, while creating value for the people of Guyana, our partners and shareholders,” Mallon said.

Investments in Guyana continue to surpass record levels, as companies see the country’s burgeoning oil sector as an attractive prospect. But with a likely global recession on the horizon, doing so requires a careful balance of the fiscal terms and non-fiscal factors that make a country an attractive destination for investment.

The government recognises that developing its oil-and-gas sector is the best opportunity to bring in capital necessary to grow the economy and improve the standard of living for Guyanese. Being able to maximise

value to the country is crucial to the long-term well-being of Guyana as an emerging regional leader.

Moreover, with companies on the hunt for more oil resources in the country, and targeting more wells, now, more than ever, is a critical time for Guyana to strike the right balance between increasing investments, staying competitive, and creating transparent processes that will benefit all parties involved.

Under the terms of the production sharing contract, companies are incentivised to make operations as cost-effective and safe as possible. Last week, it was announced that Mitsui Ocean Development & Engineering Company Inc. (MODEC) has been contracted to build the fifth FPSO to operate offshore.

This will bring additional diversity to the supply and service companies already setting up new headquarters in Georgetown.

Many of the most promising jobs and contract opportunities that will be available to local workers and companies come,

not from major oil companies but from contractors like MODEC that do much of the day-today work of production. Having more of them operating in Guyana bodes well for local content.

Guyana is working to develop its resources rapidly, to make sure it takes advantage of high demand for oil that may not last long- term. Maximising revenues right now can help ensure sustained economic and social investments in the country for the foreseeable future.

The country has already been the recipient of some of the largest investments anywhere in the world in offshore development. The accelerated pace of development in the country reflects the skill and efficiency of thousands of experts working to take advantage of a limited time opportunity to capitalise on the earning potential of the Guyanese oil-and-gas sector.

These two new discoveries and another FPSO in the works reflect another step forward for local businesses, workers and the economy.

Most national sports associations not functioning as they should

By Neil Kumar

THE constitution of the National Sports Commission (NSC) is clear on the requirement of all national sports associations and what is expected of them in order for them to receive a subvention from the government.

Many of the sports administrators in Guyana are only sporting with sports. The sport administrators seek pride in making sure that they tour the world and never seriously think about our athletes. President. Dr. Irfaan Ali is absolutely correct to intervene and request his Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport to look into the issues raised about teams travelling overseas.

The NSC should promote sports and its organisation by all available methods including the making available of grants to national associations. Further, the NSC should secure by such means as it considers appropriate, the proper accountability by sports organisations for funds and resources made available to such organisations.

Sports associations are asked to do three simple things every year. First, all associations should hold their annual general meetings and elect

their executives members.

Secondly, they should submit to the NSC their audited financial statements along with their programme of activities. Most of the national associations are simply not functioning as they should function.

The basics requirement for teams to travel and represent our country at home and abroad are known to all the national associations. Medical test is compulsory, insurance is a basic requirement and physiotherapists are always available to teams. However, managers, coaches, technical staff, along with friends and team followers are too many.

Host nations do have the responsibility for complete medical attention for 24 hours.

As for security, host nations and the leadership of the delegation are expected to be fully responsible.

The big issue with teams representing our country at home and overseas is serious.

Team preparation, along with funding is always an issue. National sports associations must be more accountable and we must have transparency in the functioning of the associations.

The national team’s benefits from tax exemptions, yet we do not hear the announcements

of all the assistance that teams receive. Business support to sports is significant. However, we seldom receive a report on the financial aspect of the team travelling overseas.

Finance is always a concern. However, it must be recognised that it is accountability that is the issue. Sport is business. The NSC is responsible for the development of sport in the country. From the cradle to the grave and far beyond, sport is talked about and highly appreciated. The government provides space and time for the development of sport around the country.

Never before has this nation benefitted from such world class facilities. We have the facilities but who are the beneficiaries? Never before we had so many paid coaches; but what, are we seeing the results?

We need to have more emphasis on sport at the school level. The Teach Them Young Programme must be implanted. Strong club structures must be develop.

District and Regional Sports programmes must be more competitive. Sport is a unifying factor and a healthy nation must be encourage to be sport oriented.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

Patient education and counselling

PATIENT education and counselling is a value-added service that facilitates healing.

It is the responsibility of those healthcare professionals who are interactive with the patient to share authentic information which serves to empower patients so that they may make informed health decisions.

It is reassuring for the patient to know that all qualified and trained doctors and pharmacists are mandated to attend continuing education sessions prior to renewing their registration licences to practise with their respective councils.

Patient education reduces hospital readmission, maximises clinician efficiency and optimises patient experience. It clarifies patients’ perceptions and changes behaviour about their own health conditions, where the patient is put in the driver’s seat to take responsibility for their choices and actions, enabling positive outcomes.

Education not only encompasses the details of your prescribed treatment, but is also holistic and includes nutrition counselling, preventative measures for nonhereditary diseases and other non-medication interventions such as meditation and exercise.

What good would it be to drink a weight-loss pill but not change your diet, or to take antidiabetic meds, but continue

to consume sugar, or to take allergy pills or asthma medication but not identify exposure to the allergens that trigger the condition?

With respect to the prescribed treatments, the universal scientific names of medications (not unknown foreign names) and their strengths must be clearly shared with the patient on a written or electronic prescription prior to dispensing, so that mutual consent is reached on the available branded or generic medications.

Gone are the days when pills are identified by colour or shape, which vary depending on availability of medications by various manufacturers. The patient must be informed of the purpose of the medication, how to take or administer treatment and precautions to be taken.

Warnings for anticipated side effects must be cited, so that the patient may either manage or if unbearable, communicate to the prescriber for a more tolerated treatment option.

With easier access to information and with more persons being educated in this era, patients are encouraged to actively participate in their treatment outcomes and are more inclined to evidence- based treatments.

The educated patient asks questions of his/ her healthcare provider and contributes to his/ her recovery by sharing their knowledge, experi-

ences and expectations.

The tools and techniques used to educate the patient takes into consideration the clinic setting: if at a hospital, or in a community setting, the individual patient’s age, education background, abilities and disabilities and social influence of family and friends. So, a visually impaired patient should not be given printed materials or a deaf person should not be sent a podcast.

However, there is a list of options to choose from such as handouts, posters, charts, one-onone teaching, group sessions, demonstrations, videos, PowerPoint presentations and webinars. The influencer of the patient’s household should also be involved in these discussions: for example if the parent or grandparent cooks for the family of a diabetic or hypertensive patient, then information on meal preparation must be shared with that person. This is critical for short-term results and long-term behavioural change.

Likewise, benefits of disseminating preventative measures can reduce relapses, decelerate the deterioration of the patients’ condition or halting the spread of contagious diseases.

Resource materials such as fact sheets, frequently asked questions and answers, posters, handouts and links to websites are available to those healthcare pro-

fessionals (pharmacists, nurses and doctors) in their quest to advance this cause. Maximixing the collective efforts of all the experts in patient education and counselling can only be a winwin opportunity for a

healthier nation.

For further discussion, contact the pharmacist of Medicine Express PHARMACY located at 223 Camp Street, between Lamaha and New Market Streets. If you have any

queries, comments or further information on the above topic kindly forward them to medicine.express@gmail. com or send them to 223 Camp Street, N/ burg. Tel #225-5142.

PNC/R and Geeta Chandan-Edmond

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

IN January this year, Attorney-at-Law Geeta Chandan-Edmond was appointed the General Secretary of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), under the stewardship of party leader Aubrey Norton, who rattled the PNC/R when he secured the post.

Chandan-Edmond was seen as someone who could shape the party’s ideology away from the race-based

and trivial politics that the PNC/R was known to be practising publicly. She was seen as the conscience of the party, and held real power within her hands.

The politician, who is also an APNU+AFC parliamentarian, was Norton’s right hand, and guided the party on many issues relating to its policy formulation and articulation. She was not concerned with seeing everything that occurred in the political arena through the lens of “race”, but rather she dealt with issues.

Chandan-Edmond wanted to change the PNC/R so that its political appeal would transcend the Afro-Guyanese group, and continue its sojourn into mixed, East Indian and other groups.

Sadly, this, reportedly, created conflict within the hierarchy of the Central Committee of the PNC/R when certain decisions she allegedly made did not sit well with certain leaders. She was rumored to have made several U-turns and policy changes to accommodate “the way the PNC/R did things”.

When she, allegedly, raised her concerns with Norton, he brushed them aside, and instead started to bypass her. She was sidelined repeatedly whenever critical political decisions had to be made, and seemingly favoured Carol Joseph-Smith and other die-hard PNC/R Executives and Central Executive Members.

The politician then quietly submitted an immediate leave application to the party, citing personal reasons. The leave covers the period of August 10 to September 4, 2022.

Now, there is widespread speculation about whether Chandan-Edmond is going to turn up at the National Assembly come tomorrow, as several other parliamentarians have neither seen nor heard from her since the request for leave in August. She is also not engaged in the party’s preparations for local government polls.

Firstly, the party leader must address the issue surrounding the parliamentarian and the post of General Secretary; he cannot hold his tongue any longer, or try to save face.

Norton must be frank and open about ChandanEdmond’s role in the Central Executive, along with

her role, if any, in the wider party.

He must state, honestly, where there are disagreements and conflicting positions between himself and Chandan-Edmond or the executive.

Norton must announce, publicly, who he has in mind to replace her, especially if the party hopes to participate in the upcoming Local Government Elections.

Is it Smith-Joseph, or someone else?

Secondly, she, too, must be bold and engage the media before this issue surrounding her takes away the attention from the issues her party is trying to highlight.

Tell the public, who has a right to know, and the party’s supporters what the issue is that caused you to go on leave.

After all, no one saw it coming. Is Norton’s alleged arrogance the reason? Is the pressure from other executives to perform just as Amna Ally or Oscar Clarke? If so, should the public brace itself for a resignation from the post, and a further resignation from Parliament?

Is it a race or ethnic issue? Is it a trust or confidence issue?

Thirdly, the PNC/R has a bad record of treating their womenfolk badly, and then resorting to somewhat silence them.

Recall how David Granger dealt with the Vanessa Kissoon matter. She was, reportedly, pressured into silence.

Then there is the former Public Service Minister, the late Faith Harding, who’d made all sorts of accusations against the party’s hierarchy.

There are others, but the Chandan-Edmond matter is likely to become one of many stains on the record of Norton’s leadership of the party.

Finally, if she graces the National Assembly with her presence tomorrow, the media will have this and many other questions for her concerning her post.

If she stays away and shows cowardice, as is expected, then the pressure will fall directly on the shoulders of Norton, if that seat is empty in Parliament.

Something is not right with the entire political episode involving the PNC/R General Secretary.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

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Chinese Medical Bri training to staff at

Members of the Chinese Medical Brigade and emergency medical pra Hospital

EMERGENCY Medical practitioners of the Leonora Cottage Hospital, on the West Coast of Demerara, recently received training from the eighteenth Chinese Medical Brigade on intubation and first aid.

Intubation is a process where a healthcare provider inserts a tube through a person’s mouth or nose, then down into their trachea (airway/windpipe). The tube keeps the trachea open so that air can get through. The tube can connect to a machine that delivers air or oxygen.

The Chinese Medical Brigade gave a lecture based on the invitation of Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr Erica Forte and Medical superintendent, Dr. Judy Hung.

Dr. Zhang Jinwei, the eighteenth medical brigade member and consultant of the anesthesiology department, gave a lecture about intubation and demonstrated the procedure of endotracheal intubation, then guided them to practice individually.

The trainees expressed their appreciation for the theory/practice combined with the teaching method, which made each participant quickly and efficiently master the most professional and practical first-aid knowledge

Dr. Zhang Jinwei engages in practical aspect of intubatio emergency medical practitione Leonora Cottage Hospital ob

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

igade offers first-aid t Leonora Hospital

actitioners of the Leonora Cottage

and skills.

Medical superintendent Dr. Judy Hung said this training offered standard guidance for the first aid process, contributing to an overall improvement in first aid medical treatment.

n the on as ers of the bserve

She also hopes the medical team can carry out more training programmes in local hospitals.

The Captain of the 18th Chinese Medical Brigade, Dr. Chu Xuehui, told this publication “the ultimate goal of the Chinese medical team is to improve the overall medical level in Guyana, besides carrying out advanced and new medical technologies in hospital, training the local medical staff is also crucial. We commit to provide more standard training programmmes in the coming year, in hope of leaving a medical team which cannot be taken away and benefit Guyanese people.”

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Regional industry growing, but farmers still going bananas over bananas

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

WHAT happens when “Green Gold” loses its shine?

The answer lies in Saint Lucia’s current experiences in trying to keep its oncethriving banana industry from heading to the dumps.

For decades, banana exports were the island’s main export earner, and an industry that touched and positively changed the lives of almost every Saint Lucian.

The banana industry was then referred to as “Green Gold”.

But not anymore; not after the Bill Clinton Administration, in the mid-90s, successfully petitioned the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to rule against European preferential treatment of Caribbean bananas, on behalf of US-owned multinational banana corporations in Central America.

Trade with the UK went on an endless downward slide in the first two decades of the 21st Century, with British supermarkets naturally going for cheaper Central American fruit, and Caribbean bananas being priced off the market, while those responsible for the trade on the two sides of the Atlantic offered more excuses than efforts at solutions, and eventually opting to phase the Windward Islands out of the market.

Saint Lucia was always the leading Windward producer, by far. And even after the other three islands completely pulled out, successive governments kept the industry alive, the island being the only one exporting to the UK, up to 2016.

The new administration, in 2016, promised early solutions, including immediate access to the French market, through Martinique, but it never happened. The industry, instead, continuing the earlier climb-down that had earlier rubbed off the brightest shines from the “Green Gold”.

The next new administration, in 2021, promised to again try to revive exports to the UK, but also to seek and find new ways of addressing the old banana problems.

The current administration, now only 15 months old, inherited a collapsed banana industry after trade with the UK was halted for two years.

By the Agriculture Min-

istry’s latest account, the critical infrastructure required to efficiently operate the industry was dismantled; the main banana-exporting company, WIBDECO/Winfresh Ltd., went into administration; and key assets such as the ripening facility at Stanstead (UK), and Winfresh’s stake in the Geest Shipping Line were sold off to third parties to meet debt payments.

The local producer-based farmer’s organisation, the NFTO, facing financial losses and technical challenges, forcibly assumed responsibility for the commercial arm of the trade without the necessary resources and expertise.

The new administration established a loan facility to inject US$3.8 million dollars into the NFTO, and the minister led a delegation to the UK to meet supermarket representatives on how best to resume trade and finalise contractual relations with local farmers.

In early May, a technical delegation from the UK visited St. Lucia to determine the island’s readiness, and trade resumed on May 15.

The government continued subsidising inputs such as oils and fertiliser to farmers, and pursued other regional markets, but the longterm impact of COVID-19 on the supply chain, and the ongoing war in Ukraine presented major challenges that still threaten the industry, like high shipping costs (US$8,200 per container, plus fuel costs.

The increasing cost and extended journey time for local bananas to reach the UK proved uncompetitive, as compared to other suppliers, especially from Central America.

Stakeholders eventually reviewed the state of the banana trade to evaluate the business case, and the minister announced this week: “The contracting parties, NFTO and the UK supermarket chain, have now informed the government that they have mutually decided to suspend the trade, as they monitor the current situations impacting the trade both in the Caribbean and the UK,” and, “As soon as both parties are satisfied that it is profitable to proceed, then the trade will be activated”.

And there went the last shine on “Green Gold”…

Fortunately, as the minister acknowledges: “The newly-developed regional markets are showing signs of progress and growth, and bananas originally destined for the UK market will now be diverted to the Caribbean Continued on page 20

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

Guyana targets 90 per cent reduction in malaria cases by 2025

THE Ministry of Health is seeking to reduce the mortality rate and the number of cases of malaria in Guyana by 2025, in keeping with the 2030 target of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The WHO aims to reduce malaria cases and mortality rate by at least 90 per cent; eliminate malaria in at least

35 countries and prevent a resurgence of malaria in all malaria-free countries.

Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony, in his recent address at an event held in observance of Malaria Day in the Americas, said the government has strongly embraced the WHO’s targets.

“We certainly like to do this much earlier and you

would have seen from the plan that we have unveiled that we’re trying to get closer to the WHO target for 2030 by 2025, and we strongly believe we can do this with the techniques we’re employing,” Dr Anthony said.

Malaria is endemic in Regions One, Seven, Eight, Nine, and in some parts of 10, Dr Anthony said, not-

Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony

ing: “But we believe that by adopting [a] strong strategy where we can be more in the community, that we will be able to change this endemic nature of malaria in these regions.”

The Health Ministry has collaborated with Harvard University to train laboratory personnel to detect whether the parasite responsible for infecting a person with malaria has become resistant to medication.

“I think it’s the first time we’ve been able to do that here in Guyana, but now that we’ve done it, we have

to keep monitoring at this level and this would give us more accurate results about resistance.

“So, we have been making progress in several areas and this is the kind of collaboration that we’d like to see, not just to be able to do the traditional things, but we want to use innovations that are in the field so that we can improve what we’re doing,” Dr Anthony said.

Breakthrough Action Guyana, an international organisation funded by the United States Agency for International Development

(USAID), has been working to ensure that infected persons properly take their medications.

Minister Anthony said there is need for an analysis to see whether the compliance rate has improved. The minister also said the ministry must be able to respond swiftly to emerging cases.

“One of the collaborations we have to build with miners is to make sure that when we finish mining in an area, we fill the areas back up so that we don’t create habitats. These habitats and the breeding sites for mosquito is what is going to help to endanger you in the long run, especially in that area,” he related.

The Health Minister said too, with traditional and new, effective ways, the population of mosquitoes could be reduced. (DPI)

Regional industry growing, but ...

From page 9 Community (CARICOM) market, and the weekly trade will be maintained.”

The decision to tap the regional market is a positive and progressive one, but it’s sad that it took the loss of the UK market to have led to what should have been only natural.

From the pre-independence era, the likes of Calixte George and Cyril Matthews (Permanent Secretaries in the Ministry of Agriculture), and David Demacque and others in the directorate of implementation, with farmers’ interests first and foremost in mind, went out of their way to warn against overdependence on only shipping to Europe, and pushing for diversification, locally and regionally, by utilising all the other nutritional, manufacturing and other

value-added aspects of the banana plant.

The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), from the inception, has also offered all the scientific elements and practical ways and means of expanding the productive and earning capacity of the banana industry, only to be largely ignored.

But it wasn’t until now, the beginning of the second quarter of the 21st Century, that industry stakeholders realised that Caribbean citizens love ripe bananas even more than Europeans, and providing them is quicker and better.

Bananas lost their “Green Gold” shine, but the new Inter-Caribbean trade developed between Saint Lucia and Antigua & Barbuda needs to be sustained, while more is done to remind local and

regional citizens that it’s not for nothing that Olympic athletes are required to eat at least two bananas per day, and that Caribbean bananas have established a reputation for the highest nutritional value on the European market, which can definitely add more healthy value to the region’s quest towards Food Safety and Security by 2025.

The shine might have been rubbed off, but in this case, the new gold can be ripe yellow bananas, and the scores of value-added, banana-based foods and products displayed at the Saint Lucia Banana Festival last year, have sterling capacity to return the shine back to Caribbean bananas, and end the daily nightmare for too many farmers still going bananas over bananas!

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

Monumental bills for National Assembly tomorrow —Attorney General says

SEVERAL transformational bills are set to be tabled during Monday’s sitting of the National Assembly.

This was revealed by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C., during the closing ceremony of the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP), on Friday.

One of the most notable among these, he said, is the Restorative Justice Bill. The bill, if passed, will see the establishment of a body that will administer the new act, as well as educate citizens on the relatively new concept of restorative justice.

Restorative justice places emphasis on equal concern for crime victims and offenders, focusing more on the harm done to the involved parties rather than the violation of the law.

The Attorney General said forensic personnel, such as criminologists, sociologists, and psychologists play major roles in this process. “[They] have done all the analyses and have concluded that the traditional and

conventional punitive penal sanctions that we have been administering in the world for the past century have not been as effective as they should have been. Therefore, they are exploring newer, more modern concepts of a softer nature directed more to the rehabilitative component rather than the punitive component of punishment,” he explained.

Through restorative justice, the inquiry will not necessarily focus on the conduct of the person in conflict with the law, but rather on the underlying factors or circumstances that led to them committing an offence.

“The theory is that practically, if you don’t address the root cause, and you inflict a punishment of imprisonment and the root cause is a societal factor—perhaps residents in the abode, or the dwelling—and the delinquent is charged and convicted, serves the sentence and upon completion of service of sentence goes back to the nest that created the problem in the first place, then there is a high likelihood that that per-

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, S.C.

son will be back in the prison within a short period,” Nandlall said.

The government is currently conducting training at the community level across the country.

Persons are also being trained to teach others to serve in restorative justice capacities as well.

“So, this concept, as of Monday when the bill is passed, and when His Excellency assents to it, will become for the first time a permanent feature in our criminal justice system.”

Also, on the order paper to be tabled Monday is an

amendment to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Control Act 1999.

“Something that we have to address if we want to stop putting our young people in particular, into the prison system for a protracted period for possession of small quantities of marijuana.

“This particular piece of lawmaking has evoked widespread reaction of a disparate

and different nature; some of them competing, some coinciding, based upon the different facets of society…. As a government, and in keeping with the objectives of this programme, we have to strike a delicate balance, and that is what our intervention in that piece of legislation seeks to do,” the Attorney General said.

He noted that while other Caribbean countries have decriminalised small quantities of marijuana, it was decided after several engagements with various facets of society that possession of marijuana will still carry a criminal sentence.

However, while amounts under 30 grams currently carry a prison sentence of three to five years, the amendment will see persons in possession of 15 to 30 grams of marijuana receiving community service sentences, while

possession of 15 or fewer grammes will see persons being prescribed counselling.

“That is the type of balance that we have to strike if we want to implement laws to govern the lives of people, and we want their consent,” the Attorney General said.

He referenced the reconstructed Domestic Violence Act being tabled by Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, which will be the most modern expression of that type of legislation in the Caribbean.

Although the current domestic violence legislation has a more civil component to it, as opposed to a penal one, the new legislation will contain both. The Bail Bill, among several other bills, is also slated for debate on Monday. (DPI)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

‘Hitting sixes’ in a different arena — former West Indies captain, Ramnaresh Sarwan, now a prolific businessman

By Cindy Parkinson REGARDLESS of how talented and famous an athlete is, there is a retirement date that lingers in their minds during the period of their career. In speaking with one of Guyana’s prized athletes, the Guyana Chronicle recognised that it was the same for him as well.

Ramnaresh Sarwan, a former international cricketer and captain of the West Indies team, was born in Wakenaam, one of the largest islands in the Essequibo River. After retiring with an impressive record in the sport of cricket, he is now the proud owner of the Amazonia Mall that’s located at Providence on the East Bank of Demerara.

A cutting-edge building that

provides a singular experience, unmatched by any other.?

The former West Indies player told the Guyana Chronicle that even though he was born in Wakenaam, he didn’t spend much time on the island but credited his parents, grandparents and other family members for keeping him grounded and ensuring that he remained humble and polite at all times.

“I believe that you need to be respectful towards people regardless of what you have achieved in life or what job you have,” Sarwan said.

He also related that he is trying to set the best example for his children and, “most importantly,” for other individuals, especially the young people who are looking to emulate his

qualities.

Being proud of his accomplishments in both his cricketing career and now as an entrepreneur, he envisioned building a mall when he was around 25–26 years old.

“I knew at some point in time I had to retire from cricket and I wanted to ensure that I put my earnings into an investment that will be rewarding, but apart from that, I wanted to build a mall so that Guyanese can have an experience that they have never had before,” Sarwan said.

The prolific batsman turn businessman related that the inspiration for the design of the Amazonia Mall came from travelling to different countries and observing the layout of different facilities; his was mostly

inspired by the malls in Florida.

“I would take photos of the malls while I shop and dine, after which me and my architect will work together to come up with the best version of what we believe will work in Guyana,” he said.?

With Guyana’s economy growing at such a rapid rate, Sarwan encouraged other Guyanese to invest in lucrative areas.

He also emphasised the need for people to stay focussed and disciplined in whatever they want to accomplish.

“With discipline, hard work and dedication, you will be well on your way to achieving what you want to achieve,” Sarwan said.

He went on to say: “Like everyone else, I have had set-

Former Guyana and West Indies International cricketer and captain and proprietor of Amazonia Mall, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Mrs. Cindy Parsram and their three children

The Amazonia Mall

backs and challenges in my life, both in my cricketing career and with the development of the mall. It wasn’t easy, but I stayed the course. Just because something gets challenging doesn’t mean you give up on it.

In life, you have to creep before you walk.

“It is understandable that some people will have better opportunities than others and there will be obstacles, but that should not detour persons from achieving their goals, Sarwan said.

Having a family comes with its own challenges, but trying to balance business and family is a tedious task for anyone.

Sarwan is “grateful” to his wife, who ensures that the kids are taken care of, especially when it comes to their schooling, while he does most of the travelling for business.

“I believe that education is the key to having a proper future and that is something that I have told them at a very young age and I am not willing to compromise on that,” he said.

The former cricketer took the opportunity and applauded the President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, for the “exceptional” work that he and his government are doing.

“Having known the President for some time now, I am

not surprised that he is on the ground and being so hands-on with the development of Guyana. I remember when he was at the Ministry of Housing and at the Ministry of Tourism; he was basically managing two ministries at the same time and he did a great job at it.

“In such a short period of time, Guyana has accomplished so much under His Excellency’s leadership and we as Guyanese should all be proud of where we are and where we are going as a people and as a country,” Sarwan said.?

He also mentioned that he is in the process of extending the mall, which will include a number of other stores such as Starbucks, Payless, CT Williams, and more. With this expansion, he will be able to create more employment for Guyanese.

“It is an honour to play a small role in the development of Guyana,” Sarwan said.?

The proud native shared with this publication that he knew that because he was a public figure, he wanted a name for his business that would not only reflect him, but also showcase Guyana and its over 70 per cent forest cover, hence the name “Amazonia Mall.”

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

Kwakwani residents benefit from myriad social services

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— during Human Services and Social Security Ministry outreach

WITH the help of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security Difficult Circumstances Unit (DCU) and Miracle Vision Care of 317 Parika, East Bank Essequibo, 64 residents aged eight to 90 received spectacles for the first time at no cost to them.

This was done on Friday after the Human Service Ministry hosted an extensive outreach at the Workers’ Recreational Centre, Kwakwani, Region 10 where hundreds of residents benefitted.

Rachel Vanlewin, 86, who received spectacles for the first time, said it feels good to finally see clearly and thanked the Ministry for providing her with better vision.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud addresses the residents in Kwakwani

“It feels comfortable and I see clear; thank you so much,” Vanlewin said.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, told the gathering, “This is part

of the work the Ministry of Human Services does and is part of our programme where we take our services to the community. Kwakwani is an important community, like any other in the

country so we brought the key services to each one of you.”

“This ministry deals with everybody, from families, women, men, boys, girls, persons living with disabilities, everybody, so this ministry tackles social issues and from time to time, we would have received several reports involving children, domestic violence and elder abuse so the team today is an extensive one,” Minister Persaud added.

The Unit also provided aid for persons with disabilities in the area including wheelchairs, crutches, walking canes and hampers.

Joyce Primo, a pensioner living with a permanent disability, said her life will be

significantly improved with her new wheelchair as she is now free to move about her community.

Another resident, Joy Macedo, 57, said “wow this is wonderful, I can see perfect and I must say thank you to Minister Persaud and her team for doing this,” During the engagement, children living with permanent disabilities were also on the receiving end of the $100,000 one-off cash grant.

Additionally, the community was educated on the Ministry’s initiatives to tackle domestic violence including the toll-free 24-hour 914 hotline and Imatter App. Head of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Unit, Dr. Cona

Husbands said, “The outlying communities are often starved for information when it comes to these issues even though they are faced with it and as a department, we aim to give everyone, everywhere the information that will make a difference in their lives.

For instance, a lot of persons in the community were informed of the avenues available to seek help including shelters, legal pro-bono, survivor advocates and the community advocates’ network.”

Meanwhile, the Childcare and Protection Agency was also on hand, interacting with residents to answer queries and resolve issues they face.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

Government, GFF partner for ‘ O ne Guyana’ President’ s Cup … Kick-off scheduled for November 13 with grand final on New Year’s Day PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has announced that the inaugural One Guyana President’s Cup football tournament is set to begin on Sunday, November 13, following discussions with several football stakeholders, including President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde.

The tournament came to

fruition due to President Dr Irfaan Ali hosting a contingent of football stakeholders, led

by GFF president Wayne Forde, this week, to discuss the inauguration of an end-of-year nationwide football tournament.

President Ali, in a post on his Facebook page, said the government will continue to invest in and promote sport which is key to bringing people together.

According to a release from the GFF, “the event will be an interward competition, organised

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across all 10 Administrative Regions of Guyana and will be conducted in two phases, with the first being an intra-regional straight knockout playoff, followed up by a national inter-regional round-robin championship.

Ten regional teams, comprising 25 of each region’s best footballers, along with a five-member technical staff, will contest the inter-regional round-robin championship.

The One Guyana President’s Cup is scheduled to kick off on Sunday, November 13 with the grand final

taking place on January 1, 2023.

Commenting on his Government’s involvement, President Ali stated: “My Government wants to see more young people participating in the sport along with leaders across every region working together, and I believe this competition provides a platform for this to take place.

“Football has the power to bring people together and this is the first in a series of initiatives in which Government plans to work with the GFF to support their ambition to make the game more accessible”.

The GFF contingent at the

meeting included members of the GFF Council, Golden Jaguars head coach Jamaal Shabazz, along with several active national footballers.

Accompanying President Ali were the Senior Minister within the Office of the President, with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr; Director of Projects at the Office of the President, Marcia Nadir-Sharma; Chair of the National Sports Commission, Kashif Muhammad; and Chair

of the Board of Directors at the Guyana Tourism Authority, Aubrey Major.

The GFF president stated that “the tournament will kick off in the various regions in one week and we really appreciate the efforts of the Government of Guyana and President Irfaan’s support in this initiative”. He added that the tournament also “provides our coaching staff with an additional opportunity to scout players to add to the National team pool”.

West Indies Academy stun Jamaica Scorpions to post first Super50 win

Brandon King (28) and Andre McCarthy (28) but left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd (333) and Wickham (2-33) ran through the lower order to ensure the last seven wickets crashed for just 46 runs.

Fast bowler Joshua James (3-19) had earlier rocked the innings up front with an outstanding spell.

“At 124 for three, losing the last seven wickets for 46 runs is very disappointing. I think the guys just need to look back at the game and see where we can improve,” a disappointed Powell said afterwards.

He added: “The Academy have a lot of courage, they have a lot of talent in their team and one good thing is that they keep on believing and I think that’s what brought them over the

line.”

West Indies Academy opened with a narrow defeat to Leeward Islands Hurricanes last weekend and followed up with a six-wicket loss to Barbados Pride.

But yesterday’s win lifted them to third place on four points above Pride on net run rate.

“It was really good fight today.

I was really happy with how the boys really stepped up and it was amazing there at the end,” said captain Nyeem Young.

Sent in at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, the Academy side were bowled out for 182 in the 45th over, with Wickham top-scoring with a breezy 46 from 55 deliveries and Kevlon Anderson (33) and

opener Leonardo Julien (32) chipping in.

They were struggling at 62 for three in the 19th over after off-spinner Jamie Merchant (233) struck twice but Wickham and Anderson combined in a 75-run, fourth-wicket stand to patch up the innings.

Wickham struck three fours and a six to force the pace while Anderson played the anchor role with a single four in his 62-ball knock.

Once Anderson top-edged a slog sweep off Royal’s (3-39) left-arm spin and was taken at full stretch by Nkrumah Bonner at deep mid-wicket, the innings collapsed as the Academy lost their last seven wickets for 45 runs.

Left-arm spinner Dennis Bulli was the chief architect of

the downfall, taking four for 32, including the wicket of Wickham in the 39th – bowled attempting a reverse sweep.

In reply, West Indies batter Brandon King stroked 28 from 40 balls at the top of the order but was one of three wickets to fall to the impressive James, Scorpions slumping to 50 for three in the 14th over.

Powell arrived to lash five fours and a six in a brisk 39ball innings, in a crucial 74run, fourth-wicket partnership with McCarthy who counted two fours in a 43-ball knock.

The tide turned in the Academy’s favour, however, when seamer Young got McCarthy to loft a straightforward chance to mid-on in the 26th over.

Lagat aims to honour the late Agnes Tirop in New York Marathon today

KENYAN marathon runner Viola Cheptoo Lagat says she will be driven by the desire to win for murdered compatriot

Agnes Tirop during today’s New York Marathon.

Lagat finished behind Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir

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on her marathon debut in the American city last year before dedicating her silver medal to Tirop, who was found dead at her house three weeks prior to the event.

But the 33-year-old is determined to go one better at this year’s famed fiveborough race as she aims to honour Tirop.

“I’m going to work hard to win for her this time,” Lagat told BBC Sport Africa.

“My mind is in a good place and I’ve got really good training this time around. I feel stronger and I know the field is also strong, but I know the spirit of Agnes is still going to fight with me like last time.

“I don’t want to let anyone

down, especially the spirit of Agnes that has fought with us from the beginning.

“It’s going to be a tough field, but I’m going in feeling strong and I hope most of my hard work in the last few months is going to take me through.”

Lagat clocked two hours 22 minutes 44 seconds in New York last November - which remains her personal best marathon time - crossing the line five seconds behind winner Jepchirchir.

She was one minute and three seconds slower as she finished sixth in the Boston Marathon in April this year, but is expecting another fast race in the ‘Big Apple’ this weekend.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

GCB outlines detailed Academy Programme to coaches, administrators

...Preparations being made to launch 18 Academies across the country

THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) on Friday held a meeting to outline its Academy Programme activities. Several cricket coaches and administrators from across the three counties of Guyana attended the event.

The programme is geared for both boys and girls, aged 7 to 17 years to engage in cricket development activities, and it will simultaneously give support to applicable personal developmental aspects of the individual.

were made by expert individuals within the fields of Coaching Education, First Aid, Child Protection, Umpiring, Psychology, Etiquette, and Communication.

A representative from the St John’s Association, Thompson Akpotu, impressed upon the gathering the need to be effective First Aid respondents.

He indicated that coaches should have the knowledge and ability to effectively attend to sudden instances that threaten the well-being and/or life of the

tor of Training for Camex Restaurants Inc. with responsibility for Church’s Chicken, Mario’s Pizza, Diary Queen, and Pollo Tropical, made her presentation in her usual charismatic style Ms Brathhwaite elaborated on the value of etiquette in sports by shifting minds away from the usual apparent thoughts of it being table manners protocols.

She placed emphasis on their players’ and coaches’ social interaction with their colleagues and opponents, stressing good pre-

extent, help deliver positive feedback and constructive criticism in ways that actually influence players' performance.

Ross concluded by saying that “overall, the importance of communication is most crucial in the interaction within a team and will dictate how players work together, form a strong team bond, and react to the ups and downs while reinforcing their brotherhood, associated with the sport they are involved.”

Mr Colin Alfred, a represen-

Coaches and administrators of cricket in Guyana at the GCB Academy Programme launch on Friday at the board’s LBI facility

The Academy Programme is proposed to bowl off in early 2023 and will comprise 18 academy locations across the country.

Essequibo will have seven academy locations, with each of the Essequibo Cricket Board’s affiliate committees responsible for the conduct of the planned activities.

These committees are Pomeroon, North Essequibo Coast, South Essequibo Coast, Bartica, Wakenaam, Leguan, and East Bank Essequibo.

The Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) will benefit from academy centres to be set up within its affiliate locations of Upper Demerara, East Bank Demerara, West Demerara, Georgetown, and East Coast Demerara.

Similarly, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) will benefit from academy centres to be established in West Coast Berbice, West Bank Berbice, New Amsterdam/Canje, Lower Corentyne, Upper Corentyne, and Berbice River.

At the meeting Territorial Development Officer, Colin Stuart, presented an overview of the programme and the president of the GCB, Bissoondyal Singh, gave the feature address.

A number of presentations

players in their charge and to ensure that such individuals are kept as safe as possible until the relevant medical personnel arrive on the scene.

Justim Mounter, a representative from the Child Care and Child Protection Agency, commended the male coaches for their role in the nurturing of children.

He posited that “the responsibility of care and protection of the children 7 to 17 years old that will be under their supervision is an enormous one, especially when one considers that some children lack the father’s care that was intended to exist within the home setting.

Situations such as these widen the coaches’ mandate and require a higher level of mentorship in their coaching intervention.

He stressed the need for coaches to be able to recognise signs of abuse and to appropriately report the instances of abuse.

He pointed out that coaches should readily have the Child Care and Child Protection’s 24hour hotline numbers, 227-0779 and 914, the latter being a tollfree number so that immediate action can be taken.

Ms Dawn Braithwaite, Direc-

sentation in dress and decorum, and the need to foster personal communication by developing relationships within and beyond working relations.

Guyana Chronicle's senior cricket Journalist, Alexander Ross, addressed the gathering on the value of communication in sports. He said that “Player development is crucial, individually and holistically, as it ensures that players are exposed to the importance of communication as it relates to cementing the importance of kinship, trust, and a sense of family ties. Promoting positive routes of communication increases respect among players and improves overall motivation.”

Mr Ross commended the GCB for the initial and indicated that there are benefits to be derived from incorporating personal communication as a component of cricket development.

He remarked that it will “enable players to be more equipped to handle media interviews and conduct themselves professionally as they prepare to become ambassadors of their country.

"Coaches who learn to communicate effectively with their athletes and teams to a wider

tative from the Guyana Cricket Umpires Council (GCUC) and a former first-class umpire, spoke of the importance of players and coaches being knowledgeable in the laws of the game, as well as the playing conditions.

He indicated that the playing conditions are designed for specific tournaments and supersede the laws for the respective tournaments. Further, he pointed out that where reference is not given to an aspect of the game within the respective playing conditions then the law will apply.

Alfred alluded to a number of instances at all levels in the game, domestic, regional, and international where decisions were not consistent with the applicable playing conditions. He stressed these instances endorse the need for individuals to be cognizant of the laws and the applicable playing conditions so that instances of errors can be reduced.

Dr Owen Hughes highlighted the importance of mental toughness in sports and emphasised the value of a psychologist being added to the management staff of teams. He indicated that while it is necessary for players to develop technical skills and physical

fitness, mental preparation and match application are crucial to the consistent success of the player.

He referenced a number of techniques that can be applied to help players to mentally deal with the pressures of the game, which at times may include external pressures, life circumstances, and situations that may not be directly associated with the game.

Dr. Hughes is of the opinion that greater emphasis on the mental application of batting, bowling, and fielding will produce players of higher quality, players who can be consistently competitive at the international level.

Assistant Development Officer, Anthony D’Andrade presented on the technical development and skill acquisition component of the programme.

He pointed out the need for coaches to guide the children’s technique using the recommended ways but with respect for individuality, as the uniqueness of players should not be overlooked.

He alluded to the fact, that the training sessions must also be designed to focus on the consistent execution of the skill.

Further, D’Andrade highlighted areas of fitness assessment for players that are consistent with Cricket West Indies (CWI) fitness policy and standards. He indicated that while the fitness requirements will be tailored to meet the needs of the varied aged groups within the 7 to 17 target population, it is essential that coaches begin to appropriately prepare players to meet CWI regional fitness requirements.

Apart from the overview of the programme, Territorial Development Officer, Colin Stuart, also made presentations on Coaches’ Standards and Qualifications, Lifestyle, and People’s Competences.

Stuart said that the GCB is seeking to utilise qualified coaches from within the Academy locations. “In the absence of qualified coaches, we are aware that some locations may have knowledgeable individuals with some experience in coaching, and we are willing to work with these individuals where they are willing to get qualified.

This is necessary to attain a common approach to coaching which has moved from just delivering what to coach, like a straight or cover drive, to include teaching methods on how to coach, such as explaining, gaining feedback, demonstrating, observing, analysing, and reviewing, all of which require an understanding of how people learn.”

Stuart pointed out that lifestyle is an essential component of the players’ development which requires greater attention. There is a need to place emphasis on the value of rest, hydration and diet, and nutrition.

He alluded to the fact, that rules may change from club to club within a country and laws may differ across countries.

Further, Stuart indicated that the coaches’ appraisal will include an evaluation of People’s Competences including self-reflection and self-management, personal communication, teamwork, leadership, and negotiation since it will aid in the growth of the coaches.

President of the GCB, Bissoondyal Singh, thanked the presenters and coaches for taking time out from their busy schedules to attend this important event, in which the GCB outlined its Academy programme.

He said, “The GCB had outlined in its 5-year Strategic Plan the establishment of Academies across the country.

"I am proud that today, Friday, November 4, 2022, we have taken another step in realising the establishment of these Academies. GCB intends to commence Academy activities during the first half of 2023, with 18 Academy locations across the country".

There will be seven in Essequibo and five in Demerara, all of which will be set up in the respective Association/Committee locations. The other six Academies will be established within Berbice.

The Academy will commence with the training of players on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 15:30hrs to 17:30hrs and Saturday mornings for three hours from 08:00hrs or 09:00hrs depending on the preferences of the coaches and administrators at the respective Academy centres.

The personal development aspect of the players which addresses increased knowledge of the laws; improved the interviewee’s skills, appropriate lifestyle and etiquette, and an understanding of the people’s competence required for individual growth will all be incorporated into the technical, skill, fitness, and mental development activities.

I t i s h o p e d t h a t p ro grammes such as these will help to give players an environment suitable for learning, one that will enable them to perform consistently well at the domestic, regional and international levels.” Official. (GCB release)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

England seal semi-final spot, end Australia’s campaign

AUSTRALIA'S T20 World Cup title defence is over, knocked out of the tournament after England claimed a final-over win against Sri Lanka at the SCG. Needing a victory to qualify for the semi-finals ahead of Australia, England chased down Sri Lanka's 142-8 with four wickets and two balls to spare to go into the final four.

After Adil Rashid's 1-16 proved crucial with the ball, Alex Hales hit eight boundaries in his 47 from 30 to set up the chase before a mid-innings collapse of 5-36.

But Ben Stokes was able to save the day for England, with his unbeaten 42 from 36 balls keeping in control late.

The equation eventually got down to five runs from the final Lahiru Kumara over, before Chris Woakes cut the third-last ball for four with only two runs needed.

In reality, Australia's tournament was doomed from the moment they suffered an

Opener Nissanka Pathum led the attack, smashing five sixes in his 67 from 45 balls as he clipped deliveries off his pads and over the legside at will, while also upper-cutting Mark Wood over third man but when he was caught trying to take on Adil Rashid (1-16), Sri Lanka struggled to

Despite a nervy finish to their chase, England have put an end to Australia’s hopes of defending the T20 World Cup on home soil

89-run loss to New Zealand in their opening game.

Needing results to go in their favour ever since, Australia's match against England was washed out and they failed to make up the net run-rate deficit to reach the finals Wins over Ireland and Afghanistan to round out the group stage were not big enough, with the four-run victory over the latter on Friday night highlighting the hosts'

scratchy form.

The result marks only the fourth time in the past 30 years that Australia have not progressed into the semi-finals of a World Cup in any format.

Sri Lanka offered some early hope to Australian fans when they reached 54-1 from the six-over Powerplay, with England facing the prospect of needing to become the first team to win chasing at the SCG in this tournament.

find any momentum as they lost 5-25 in the final five overs.

England were then able to take control with Hales and Jos Buttler's 75-run opening stand from 7.2 overs, before Stokes rescued England after their own collapse.

England finished second in the group and will likely

face India in a semi-final in Adelaide on Thursday, provided Rohit Sharma’s side beat Zimbabwe in their last game.

New Zealand will likely take on South Africa at the SCG on Wednesday, assuming the Proteas are able to defeat the Netherlands.

(AAP)

Nike suspends sponsorship deal with Brooklyn Nets player Kyrie Irving

NIKE has suspended its sponsorship deal with Brooklyn Nets player Kyrie Irving after he promoted on Twitter a documentary which contained anti-Semitic material.

Irving is serving at least a five-game ban from the Nets after he initially defended having shared a link to the film.

Irving, 30, later apologised, claiming he is "learning" from what happened.

Nike said it was "deeply saddened and disappointed by the situation".

Irving's deal with Nike, which started in 2014, is reported to be $11M (£9.6M) a year according to Forbes, Nike, who has also cancelled their next branded shoe release with Irving, said in a statement: "At Nike, we believe there is no place for hate speech and we condemn any form of anti-Semitism.

"To that end, we've made the decision to suspend our relationship with Kyrie Irving effective immediately and will no longer launch the Kyrie 8."

The Nets, without Irving, beat the Washington Wizards 128-86 on Friday to secure their third victory of the season, the

Kyrie Irving has averaged 26.9 points per game this season

win coming at the end of a week that also saw the franchise sack head coach Steve Nash.

Kevin Durant stepped up in Irving's absence, top-scoring for Brooklyn with 28 points, plus nine rebounds and 11 assists.

"Let's put the joy back in basketball," Nets owner Joe Tsai said in a tweet after the win.

BUCKS MAKE IT 8-0 Elsewhere in the NBA, Milwaukee Bucks were inspired by Giannis Antetokounmpo as they continued their best ever start to a season, beating Minnesota Timberwolves 115-102.

Antetokounmpo scored 26 points, with 14 rebounds 11 assists, as Bucks won their eighth

straight game to maintain their 100% record.

Brandon Ingram's return after a four-game absence with concussion saw him top-score with 26 points to help the New Orleans Pelicans beat a Steph Curry-less Golden State Warriors 114-105.

Also missing Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins, the Warriors are now 0-6 away from home.

Jerami Grant struck the decisive blow in the dying moments to round off a career-best 30 points and secure a 108-106 win for Portland Trail Blazers over Phoenix Suns. (BBC Sport)

Last-gasp Haaland penalty earns 10-man Man City dramatic win over Fulham

(REUTERS) - Manc h e s t e r, E n g l a n d : A stoppage-time penalty from substitute Erling Haaland earned 10-man Manchester City a dramatic 2-1 win over Fulham yesterday, a victory that sent the champions back to the top of the Premier League.

With leading goalscorer Haaland deemed fit enough only for the bench after missing the previous two City games through injury, Argentinean forward Julian Alvarez fired the home side into a 17th-minute lead.

The champions thought they had quickly doubled their lead through John Stones but Rodri was offside in the build-up, and Fulham capitalised on that reprieve, going straight down the other end and winning a 26th-minute penalty.

City defender Joao Cancelo was given a straight red card for bundling Harry Wilson to the floor, with former Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira making no mistake from the spot as Fulham went into the interval level.

City continued to dominate even with a numerical disadvantage. Haaland was brought on and quickly thought he had restored his side's lead after glancing a header home, but VAR stepped in to rule the Norwegian to be offside.

It seemed City had done all they could until Kevin De Bruyne was brought down and Haaland converted the penalty to send the Etihad Stadium into delirium in the 95th minute, as the champions moved one point clear of Arsenal at the top of the standings.

Fulham stayed eighth.

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

Ronaldo has last chance to shine on World Cup stage in Qatar

(REUTERS) - Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been named the best player in the world, five times, will arrive in Qatar with a mission to prove that he can still make a difference.

It is indisputable that Ronaldo is one of the greatest forwards of all-time but his latest struggles with Manchester United and Portugal have raised many questions about whether his brilliant career is nearing a bitter end.

Ronaldo is the leading scorer in the history of men’s inter-

national football with 117 goals in 191 official matches.

Between his first Portugal goal versus Greece at Euro 2004 and his most recent, a double against Switzerland in June 2022, 18 years have passed, making him a model of longevity.

He has scored 818 goals in his career and holds the record for the most Champions League goals in the competition’s history with 140.

However, for a model athlete who got used to breaking records playing for some of the

biggest clubs in the world, like Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United, his current form and attitude have been under the spotlight.

His brace versus the Swiss in the Nations League were his only goals in the 10 games Portugal have played in the last year.

With United he has scored just three times this season and his problems with manager Erik ten Hag have made headlines, with Ronaldo struggling to get into the starting team and expressing his dissatisfaction over

the lack of minutes.

He was United’s top scorer last season with 24 goals in all competitions after joining them from Juve. His contract is due to expire in June 2023, though United have an option to extend by a further year.

In his fifth World Cup, Ronaldo will arrive captaining a team of standout players who are widely seen as among the world’s best but who have arguably underachieved on the biggest stage.

After reaching the World Cup semi-finals in 2006, they

were knocked out twice in the last 16 (2010 and 2018) and at the group stage in 2014.

But even though the impression is that Ronaldo’s brilliant path is coming to an end, he begs to differ.

F O R M E R We s t I n d i e s coach Phil Simmons has been named the head coach of the Dubai Capitals for the inaugural edition of the International League Twenty20 (ILT20) League.

The 59-year-old will step into the new role after he resigned as the head coach of the West Indies following the first-round exit in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The regional side, under Simmons, suffered losses against Scotland and Ireland

in the World Cup. As a result, the two-time champions did not qualify for the Super 12 stage of the tournament.

The announcement was made on Friday by the Dubai Capitals via social media platform, Twitter saying: "We are proud to announce Phil Simmons as our head coach for the upcoming #ILT20 season.

The West Indian coach is all set to join the #CapitalsUniverse and his excitement levels are unmatchable.

Simmons expressed his

readiness for the new challenge with Dubai Capitals, tweeting on the Dubai Capitals page: "I'm looking forward to this new challenge with Dubai Capitals. The ILT20 has brought together six new entities in a competition that's set to showcase the best of the best.

“We have a fantastic group and the prospect of binding us all together is incredibly motivating. Thanks to GMR Sports for the opportiunity and all credit to them in forming a bal-

anced squad and I look forward to this exciting journey ahead."

The T&T cricket coach began his coaching career in 2005. However, his first international stint was short-lived, as he was sacked from the role in 2005 due to his reported inefficiency.

His time with Ireland after the 2007 World Cup turned out to be good as under his supervision the team beat England at the 2011 World Cup and the West Indies, Zimbabwe in 2015.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo

“There is still a little more of Cristiano left. I’m part of a young team, I want to be in the World Cup but also in the next Euros,” Ronaldo said at an event in Portugal in September.

Simmons joins Dubai Capitals as head coach

Former West Indies head coach Phil Simmons

He, however, had a torrid time with the West Indies before he guided them to their second World T20 in India. He had also served Afghanistan in a consultancy role.

In his new role with the Dubai Capitals, he will be working closely with T20 s t a r s l i k e We s t I n d i e s ' Rovman Powell, Sri Lankan Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Sikandar Raza, a Pakistani-born Zimbabwean international cricketer. (Extracted from TT Guardian)

World Cup 2022:

FIFA tells all competing nations to ‘focus on football’ in Qatar

FIFA has written to all 32 teams competing at the World Cup telling them to "now focus on the football" following a controversial build-up.

Host Qatar has been criticised for its stance on samesex relationships, its human rights record and its treatment of migrant workers.

The tournament starts November 20.

The letter urges that football should not be "dragged" into ideological or political "battles" and it should not be "handing out moral lessons".

Peaceful protests have been planned by some players.

England's Harry Kane and nine other captains of European teams will be wearing 'One Love' armbands.

Denmark will wear "toned-down" shirts to protest against Qatar, with kit provider Hummel saying it

"does not wish to be visible" in a tournament it claims "has cost thousands of lives".

Australia's squad have released a video urging Qatar to abolish its laws on same-sex relationships.

Paris and other French cities are refusing to screen matches in public areas, despite France being the defending champions.

Yasmine Ahmed, UK director of Human Rights Watch, called the FIFA letter "nothing short of appalling", while Amnesty International's Felix Jakens told BBC Radio 5 Live: "There's never been a right time to talk about human rights issues in Qatar as far as they (FIFA) are concerned.

"Now is the time to apply pressure on these issues. Once the World Cup rolls out of town, are we still going to be having conversations about Qatar? I don't think we are."

The letter, signed by FIFA

president Gianni Infantino and secretary-general Fatma Samoura and seen by the BBC, reads: "We know football does not live in a vacuum and we are equally aware that there are many challenges and difficulties of a political nature all around the world.

"But please do not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists.

It adds: "At FIFA, we try to respect all opinions and beliefs, without handing out moral lessons to the rest of the world. No one people or culture or nation is "better" than any other. This principle is the very foundation stone of mutual respect and non-discrimination.

"And this is also one of the core values of football.

So, please let's all remember that and let football take centre stage.

"We have the unique oc-

casion and opportunity to welcome and embrace everyone, regardless of origin, background, religion, gender, sexual orientation or nationality."

A CONTROVERSIAL BUILD-UP Other off-the-field issues include Russia being banned

by FIFA after the country's invasion of Ukraine. In addition, the Ukrainian FA has called for Iran to be banned from the World Cup for "systematic human rights violations". It believes a crackdown on protests in the country "may violate the principles and norms" of FIFA. The World Cup has been moved to the northern hemisphere winter for the first time in its 92-year history. Qatar initially proposed to host the finals during the summer in air-conditioned enclosed stadiums, but the plan was rejected.

Qatar's World Cup organisers state "everyone is welcome" to visit the country to watch the football, and that no-one will be discriminated against.

SEVEN NEW STAADIUMS Seven new stadiums have been built for the event, as well as an airport, roads and about 100 hotels. Qatar's government says 30 000 foreign labourers have been hired just to build the stadiums, with most coming from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and the Philippines.

Human rights groups have complained about the treatment of foreign labourers in Qatar, and the number who have died there.

In February 2021, the Guardian said 6 500 migrant workers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka had died in Qatar since it won its World Cup bid in

2010.

The number is based on figures provided by the countries' embassies in Qatar.

However, the Qatar government said the total was misleading, because not all the deaths recorded were of people working on World Cup-related projects.

The government said its accident records showed that between 2014 and 2020, there were 37 deaths among labourers at World Cup stadium construction sites, only three of which were "work-related".

BBC Arabic has gathered evidence which suggests Qatar's government has under-reported deaths among foreign labourers.

England's Football Association has backed calls for compensation to be awarded for "any injury or death related to any construction project," for the World Cup.

31

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

Genesis Marine joins list of sponsors for PM Softball Tournament

THE sixth edition of the Prime Minister T20 Softball Tournament, organised by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Sport, is set to bowl off on Friday, November 11 at various venues around Georgetown, culminating with the finals at the Guyana National Stadium on Sunday, November, 13.

Genesis Marine Guyana Inc, is the latest to join the growing list of sponsors for the mega softball event.

Here, Genesis Marine’s Country Manager Dameon Sears (right) hands over sponsorship cheque to GSCL representative Amrita Bahadur.

Da Silva fifty helps Red Force tame Volcanoes

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Reigning champions Trinidad and Tobago Red Force quickly bounced back from defeat with a dominant seven-wicket victory over Windward Islands Volcanoes.

Chasing only 190 at Queen’s Park Oval here Saturday, they made light work of the target, overhauling it in 43 overs with Test wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva top-scoring with 66.

Captain Nicholas Pooran (36 not out), opener Kjorn Ottley (36) and left-hander Darren Bravo (27 not out) all featured in vital to see Red Force to their second win, following their setback to Guyana Harpy Eagles earlier in the week.

Choosing to bat first in the Zone A encounter, the previously unbeaten Volcanoes stuttered and stumbled to 189 all out off 47 overs, Kavem

Hodge (39), Tevyn Walcott (36) and Preston McSween (22) the only players to pass 20.

Leg-spinner Yannic Cariah led Red Force’s attack with three for 34 while Test fast bowler Shannon Gabriel (2-36) and fellow pacer Terrance Hinds (2-39) provided support.

After centuries in his last two innings, left-hander Alick Athanaze finally tasted failure when he skied left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein to Ottley at mid-wicket in the third over, his partner Johnson Charles following for 16 in the eighth over, to leave Volcanoes on 21 for two.

Hodge, who faced 71 balls and struck four fours, then tried to stabilise the innings in two partnerships – adding 35 for the third wicket with Sunil Ambris (13) and 34 for the fifth wicket with Justin

Greaves (19) – but Volcanoes still found themselves tottering on 143 for eight in the 38th.

McSween then belted three fours in a run-a-ball knock to help squeeze out precious runs at the end in two small partnerships.

Da Silva, in his last innings before departing for the Test tour of Australia, found his touch as he struck half-dozen fours and a six off 88 balls in posting 69 for the first wicket with Ottley, 29 for the second with Jason Mohammed (20) and a further 43 for the third with Bravo.

He eventually departed at the end of the 33rd over, skying off-spinner Athanaze to cover point, but Pooran saw Red Force home in an unbroken 54-run, fourth wicket stand with Bravo, lashing a four and three sixes off just 31 balls.

32

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 6, 2022

Government, GFF partner for ‘One Guyana’ President’s Cup

… Kick-off scheduled for November 13 with grand final on New Year’s Day Story on page 26

President Dr Irfaan Ali along with Ministers in discussion with football officials for the One Guyana President’s Cup

West Indies Academy stun Jamaica Scorpions to post first Super50 win

The trophy is up for grabs

Lagat aims to honour the late Agnes Tirop in New York Marathon today

Left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd grabbed three wickets (File photo) NORTH SOUND, Antigua (CMC) – Rank underdogs West Indies Academy stunned favourites Jamaica Scorpions by 12 runs in a low-scoring contest here Syesterday, to blow Zone B of the Super50 Cup wide

open.

Keagan Simmonds dived to his left at short mid-wicket to account for the last wicket of No. 10 Jeavor Royal (3) off off-spinner Kevin Wickham, as Scorpions spectacularly folded for 170 in the 40th

over in pursuit of a modest 183 for victory.

Scorpions looked in total control at 124 for three in the 25th over, thanks to captain Rovman Powell (42),

Continued on page 27

Viola Cheptoo Lagat finished second in last year’s New York Marathon on what was her debut over the distance

FIFA tells all competing nations to ‘focus on football’ in Qatar Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limited, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 226-3243-9 (General); Editorial: 227-5204, 227-5216. Fax:227-5208

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| SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2022