Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 11-07-2022

MONDAY 11th JULY, 2022 $100

No. 106780

National Toshaos Conference opens today

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GPF honours ‘heroes’ who died in the line of duty - ‘Fallen Heroes Foundation’ pledges continued support for families

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Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken, on Sunday, laid wreaths at the Monument to Fallen Heroes at the Guyana Police Force’s Eve Leary headquarters (Delano Williams photos)

China Railway rebuffs VICE reports, hints at legal action

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Opposition stalling constitutional reform – Nandlall SEE PAGE

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Guyana producing over 300,000 barrels of oil per day

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 11, 2022

China Railway rebuffs VICE News reports, hints at legal action

THE China Railway First Group Company Limited (CRFG) on Saturday called out U.S.b a s e d m e d i a e n t i t y, VICE Media, for its recent reports which they denounced as an attempt to defame Chinese enterprises.

In a press statement, the CRFG recognized that in the contentious report, VICE attempted to connect the company with Guyanese citizen Su Zhirong.

“CRFG hereby solemnly states that CRFG has never signed any agreement with Su Zhirong, nor has it conduct [sic] any actions that were shown in the footage,” the statement said.

The statement added that in relation to the Amaila Falls project, a

U.S.-based company, Sithe Global, which was the investor in the project and beneficiary of the concession rights, had publicized the invitation to bid for the project in 2008.

Following this process,

CRFG participated in the bidding process, and in November of that same year emerged as the successful bidder in that process.

To this end, China Railway stated that it was

in July of 2021 that the Guyana Government publicized the Request for Proposals for the project.

Among all the proposals submitted by the various companies, CRFG’s proposal was selected as the lowest responsive bidder.

The statement said: “Therefore, in November, 2021, the Government of Guyana expressed that it would proceed to [the] next round of negotiations for the project, preferably with CRFG. “Similar procedures were followed for the fulfilment of the ‘East Coast Demerara Public Road Widening and Improvement Project-Better Hope to Belfield Village’ (ECD Public Road Project) by CRFG.” Further, the company noted that since its pres-

ence in Guyana in 2008, they have strictly abided by the laws and regulations of the country while conducting business operations.

As such, CRFG expressed strong concerns about the report which, it said, spread untruths which can damage the reputation of the company.

To this end, the company expressed further concern about what it saw was the defamation of Chinese-associated enterprises.

Additionally, they said that CRFG reserves its rights to seek legal action against VICE and Zhirong for the reputation-damaging behaviours, and further its rights to claim compensation for loss incurred to the business.

I n e a r l y F e b r u a r y,

Vice-President (VP), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, was interviewed by a VICE News reporter, who made several allegations about the VP’s involvement in Guyana’s public procurement process. VICE News is VICE Media’s current affairs channel.

All of the claims against the VP were unfounded, and attempted to paint the VP as culpable in corrupt preferential practices.

VP Jagdeo, maintaining his transparency from the inception, released the full one-hour, 39 minutes, and 16 seconds interview with the international reporter.

VICE News, however, reduced that interview to a soundbite.

Even before the TURN TO PAGE 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 11, 2022

National Toshaos Conference opens today

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- Amerindian leaders welcome its return

Toshao of Rockstone Village, Flagan Carter WITH hopes to place emphasis on issues surrounding agriculture, telecommunications services and tourism development, toshaos across Guyana are looking forward to the return of the annual National Toshaos Conference (NTC), which opens today at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

The feature address is scheduled to be delivered

by President, Dr Irfaan Ali, while several members of the Cabinet are expected to be in attendance.

The hosting of the fiveday conference marks its return after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which placed restrictions on social gatherings.

Required by the Amerindian Act to be held annually, the NTC brings together Amerindian leaders from over 212 hinterland communities. It is a platform for them to engage government officials and other stakeholders on issues pertaining to the development of their communities.

“The NTC provides guidelines and guidance to various villages and support mechanisms for good governance…So, it is a welcome initiative to see the conference returned,” commented 43-year-old Flagan Carter, Toshao of Rockstone.

“The two years that we

have been without it has contributed to not enough persons being on commissions, and the work of the NTC in village investigations [being stalled], as well as our work along with the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, etcetera,” he added.

Located in Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Upper Berbice), Rockstone is a very remote village that is home to approximately 300 persons. It is mostly known for the annual tourism event, the Rockstone Fish Festival.

For some time now the village has been pushing to develop its tourism potential, and that is one of the issues he plans to raise during the conference.

According to Carter, members of his village began meeting last week Monday to begin putting together a list of issues they want him to present and lobby for during the conference.

“Some of the issues is the need for a cellphone tower, that is very important.

Even with the blessings of the NDMA, we struggle to get messages and calls in the area. So we want to look at communications, we also want to talk about getting an ecotourism lodge, a generator, and we want to talk about the digging of a well.

We were looking at ground maintenance and for the extension of the health centre.

Those are some of the key areas we have earmarked

that we will be highlighting,” Carter related.

Aside from just focusing on issues, Carter shared that the residents also want to thank the government for what it has done thus far for the community.

“We wanted to express thanks to the administration for the tractor and we received our hinterland grant, that’s something that we can applaud. Those are some of the small initiatives that we want to commend, because works have been ongoing,” he said.

Representing the Mainstay/Whyaka Village in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) will be Toshao Yvonne Fredericks-Pearson, who shared that she hopes to push the need for greater focus on agriculture in her community. She is hoping to speak with the Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, to see what support the government can give to get more young persons in her village involved in the sector.

“What we plan to do, particularly for young people, is, we want something to get them energised, and to push agriculture in our village,” Fredericks-Pearson related in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

Mainstay/Whyaka is home to approximately 670 residents across 173 households. The main economic activities include logging, farming and some amount of tourism.

As it relates to what

improvements she hopes to see for her village, she noted that the village has already met with President Ali regarding the state of a road in the village, and a promise was made to have it looked at.

“The only thing that is worrying our people is the road and we have met with the President not too long ago and so we hope that come next year in the 2023 budget, that will be addressed,” she noted.

Fredericks-Pearson, who is also a Member of Parliament, commended the return of the conference, noting that with the country at a pivotal stage of development, it is good for the indigenous people of the country to know how they can work along with the government to better their village.

“All of the toshaos are looking forward to this conference. It’s important because we are all talking about development and things are happening in our villages, so this is a good opportunity… to meet with the ministers, the President, and other toshaos. I hope we focus on development.

Things are happening but we still need better. We have better health facilities, and we have access to more drug and medical supplies, but we would still like to see improvement,” she noted.

Aside from focusing on meeting with the government officials, FredericksPearson highlighted that the

Toshao of Mainstay/Whyaka Village, Yvonne Fredericks-Pearson conference provides a good opportunity for the toshaos to develop a better relationship with government and with each other.

She shared that she is looking forward to listening to issues being shared by the other toshaos and to see how she can play a role in supporting them and their efforts.

She expressed hope that toshaos will use the conference positively and focus on their development.

“It’s a good opportunity to share some of the positive things that are happening.

It’s not just about ‘oh my village wants something and

we’re badly off’, we want to hear more about government’s plans and we want to highlight some of those things that have been done in our village and also those things that need to be done,’ she expressed.

“I want to hear from the other toshaos what is happening in their village and perhaps even share some advice with them.

I’m not coming with baggage and a load of issues.

I’m coming more or less to share and see how we can work together to deal with the issues affecting all the villages,” she added.

preferential treatment for companies.

The VP said then: “A few months ago, I had cause to have someone arrested here in this building [Office of the President].

Someone who met me in the [International Energy Conference and Expo], took a picture with me [and then] went to a number of people and collected money from them. He said he had a close relation with me; I’ve never seen him in

my life…

“This is going on; it has become almost like an industry now, where people [are] claiming they are representing companies, and I don’t know what they are representing to these people… If any of these companies believe that meeting government officials would give them improved chances when the bids are evaluated, they are wasting their money and their time.”

China Railway rebuffs...

FROM PAGE 2 publication of the VICE reports, Dr Jagdeo questioned not only the antiChina agenda of VICE News, but also the antiblackness that emerges from global indices that report, annually, on global corruption, which consistently cast countries with non-white national leaders as more corrupt.

VP Jagdeo maintained, throughout the soundbites published by VICE, that he

is not part of these procurement processes, as he is in government.

Lobbyists swindling potential investors by posing as legitimate interlocutors is a concern raised at least twice by the VP during his press conferences.

The Guyana Chronicle reported on June 1 that a man accused of being a fraudulent lobbyist was arrested after claiming to be able to use his connections with the government to get

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 11, 2022

South Africa: Fifteen shot dead in Soweto township bar

(BBC) - AT least 15 people have been shot dead in a bar in the South African township of Soweto, police say.

Police said gunmen entered the Orlando East tavern in the early hours of Sunday morning and started firing randomly at a group of young people.

They then fled the scene in a white minibus. No motive for the attack has been established, police said.

Several more people are in a critical condition in hospital, the BBC’s Nomsa Maseko reports.

The victims are believed to be between 19 and 35 years old.

“Bodies were on top of each other with blood all over.

Relatives of victims have been mourning outside the tavern (Photo credit: AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES; retrieved from BBC) We were looking for our loved ones, we had to jump over bodies looking for our brothers,”

said local resident Ntombikayise Meji.

Gauteng province’s head of

police, Lt-Gen Elias Mawela, told the BBC the shooting appears to have been “a cold-

blooded attack on innocent tavern patrons.”

A press statement released by his office said the gunmen had been armed with rifles and 9mm pistols when they entered the bar.

Police are searching for the suspects, whose identities remain unknown, it said.

Thaban Moloi, a community leader in Soweto, was angered by the amount of time it took police to arrive at the scene.

“It’s terrible, I’m telling you. People don’t know what to do. If you were there you could see women and children crying,” he said.

Mr Moloi said the attack happened at 23:00hrs local time (21:00 GMT) on Saturday, but police didn’t arrive until 04:00hrs on Sunday.

“It took five hours for them

to come, honestly,” he said.

Four other people were killed in a separate tavern shooting in the south-eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal, police said on Sunday.

President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences to the relatives of victims of both shootings.

“As a nation, we cannot allow violent criminals to terrorise us in this way, regardless of where such incidents may occur,” he added.

Shootings are not uncommon in South Africa. They are often linked to gangs or alcohol.

But this is an exceptionally high death toll and comes soon after the death of 21 teenagers thought to have been either gassed or poisoned at another bar in the city of East London.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 11, 2022

How prisoners ‘rent a pickney’ - Inmates who are not fathers capitalise on Correctional services’ ‘family day’

(Jamaica Observer) Jamaican prisons are quietest and less chaotic when the inclusive “family day” draws near. This happens three times a year and, in contrast to regular visits, inmates are able to see their families, including their children.

But it sent a room full of officials into continuous laughter when Joyce Stone, deputy commissioner of corrections (DCC) at the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), revealed that male prisoners who aren’t fathers would “rent a pickney” just so they could participate.

“The children come to see the parents and it is a big thing for the males.

Can I tell you?

“Sometimes they rent a pickney. Those who don’t have any children, or if the child is far away, they rent a child to come in. So, you will see the

same child for John Brown appearing for Andrew Parker,” Stone said, eliciting much laughter.

She was speaking at a symposium on prison reform hosted by Improved Access (IMPACT) to Justice in the Caribbean, from July 5 to 6, at the St Kitts Marriott Resort here.

“Convicted inmates receive one visit per month, but family day is when the entire family visits. Generally, children are not allowed into correctional institutions, except on that day.

“We try to have at least three. COVID has impacted it and we’re about to restart. It is so important for them,” she added.

In 2015, Carla Gullotta, founder of Stand Up for Jamaica, lamented that prison visits by family members have declined, with some families not bothering to visit because

of what she claimed was the limited time that they are allowed to spend with their loved ones.

Gullotta further stated that that creates tension and stress in the institutions, as the contact with family is “really poor and very short.”

But when Stone spoke to the Sunday Observer post presentation, there was no indication that inmates’ family members left family day wishing for more time.

“All of this is geared towards reducing recidivism. Usually, the men get the most benefit from it because in female institutions we allow the females to have regular visits with their children,” Stone said.

“Unlike regular visit days where 15 minutes or so is allowed, family day activities allow for children to come see their parents and for bonding.

“It’s like more of a

fair, in that they come and have background music and we do popcorn and hot dogs for the children while they get to see their parents. And I must mention that our Custos of St Andrew is one of the persons who supports the activity by financing it each year,” she said.

Meanwhile, defence attorney, Alexander Shaw, told the Sunday Observer that he’s not surprised by the prisoners’ response to family day.

“When you look at even the very reason why some of these persons are behind bars, it is because they have taken on a life of criminality to fend for themselves and their families, either because they don’t have sufficient skills to enable them to get a decent job and to earn a decent salary,” he said, referring to these persons as “career criminals”.

“The reality of not be-

(T&T Guardian) – SANJAY Sampat has been given an 80 per cent chance of full remission from cancer.

The 21-year-old Mayaro resident, who is being treated at the Max Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi, India, thanked the hundreds of people who gave him a second chance at life.

He said the many people who had contacted him offering words of encouragement, financial contributions and prayers had sustained him when he was at his lowest.

However, even as he recuperates, Sanjay’s medical bills have been mounting. He owes US$6,000 and once he undergoes a bone marrow transplant, his debts will increase.

Sanjay, who said he was eager to be totally free from cancer, said: “I underwent intense chemotherapy and then they will repeat the process.

“From there, I will have another seven to nine days break and that’s how it will be until I’m in remission.”

He expressed joy that his

brother Donald is compatible for the bone marrow transplant.

“The doctors are really happy with my progress. My brother will have to come here to do it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Donald said the family is grateful that Sanjay has been responding well to treatment.

“Leukaemia cells are under control. The infection that he

has is under control. He has a slight cough in between. They will now have to continue another round of chemo to get cancer in remission,” Donald said.

“I am a match to do the bone marrow transplant and it is a ten out of ten match.

Doctors are very happy. It increases the chances of him being cancer-free. It’s an 80

per cent range,” he continued.

Donald said based on the latest bloodwork, everything is returning to normal.

“His organs and brain cells, vitals, and bloodwork are good.

Everything has started to build

Joyce Stone, deputy commissioner of corrections at the Department of Correctional Services, says male prisoners rent children to be able to participate in the corrections’ family day, which is held three times a year. (Photo credit: Romardo Lyons; retrieved from Jamaica Observer) ing there to provide for them is enough burden and so they want to reintegrate with their family by doing whatever it

takes for them to even see them,” he noted.

Shaw said some prisoners would even put TURN TO PAGE 15

Sanjay has 80 per cent chance to beat cancer back to normal. Within four to five weeks, I will have to come to India to start the process for a bone marrow transplant. That will take place 10 to 14 days, he noted.

Donald renewed his ap-

peal for help with the mounting medical bills and urged citizens to continue sharing Sanjay’s story. See the full story on the T&T Guardian’s website if you are interested in making a donation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 11, 2022

Regional Confidence Restored

SEVERAL global summits took place last month. Current issues of common interest were discussed among leaders of the Americas, the European Union, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa nations) and the Commonwealth.

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders returned from the Commonwealth Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, and gathered in Paramaribo, Suriname, from July 3-5 for their 43rd leaders’ summit, coinciding with CARICOM’s 49th birth anniversary.

Following their regional summit, it is refreshingly clear that CARICOM’s leaders have all accepted and are responding to the urgent need to grasp all opportunities provided by current challenges, while adapting

and adjusting to those that will require different strokes.

Guyana has all reasons to be humbly happy, as, for a second year, the region has shown appreciative support for its proven leadership in the quest to reduce the region’s foodimport bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

There’s clear evidence that from Belize to Barbados, Suriname to Trinidad and Tobago, regional governments are demonstrating the readiness and willingness to go those extra yards and miles necessary to rebuild and consolidate the region’s capacity to do more for and by itself.

This will be done hopefully with, but not totally dependent on, help from friends who can and are willing to give.

The basis for pursuing regional food security has

always been there (as with Belize, Guyana and Haiti already producing over 50 per cent of their food) and there has also been a new flurry of regional agricultural and economic cooperation of late, pointing to a greater appreciation of the need for more urgency.

For example: Guyana will assist Trinidad and Tobago in aromatic rice production and help Barbados in aquaculture; Barbados and Suriname signed a bilateral cooperation agreement during the CARICOM summit; Guyana and Barbados are working out modalities for hospitality training for 6,000 persons; and Guyanese gold will soon have an outlet at Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e Guyana private sector is opening up to wider

Caribbean cooperation; Suriname is promoting a regional equity fund for joint Caribbean investments and is also calling on CARICOM to find ways to fast-track promotion of abundant gas reserves (in Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago) to develop regional fertilizer production; and Saint Lucia is calling for the region to increase and improve its technical capacity to re-evaluate and refine the models being used to assess social and economic progress.

Guyana has pledged to help fellow CARICOM states overcome common high fuel and energy costs and challenges, as in the small islands of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), where current efforts to absorb related price increases to protect the ordi-

nary majority are creating fiscal challenges that simply cannot be sustained.

Guyana’s development focus today includes a wider Caribbean engagement based on restored trust in its promises, pledges and proactive undertakings.

Under those occupying the Opposition parliamentary benches today, Guyana’s commitment to CARICOM was always characterized by ‘ifs’ and ‘buts.’

Same with their responses to the results of mediations by CARICOM leaders in national political crises they created, always guided more by partisan politics than anything else.

Since August 2020, h o w e v e r, C A R I C O M has been able to more confidently rely on Guyana’s pledges. Reflected in the repeated words of

confidence expressed by his regional colleagues, President, Dr Irfaan Ali’s leadership zeroes in on, among other things, revitalizing and revolutionizing agriculture and ensuring the region can feed its people well.

Unlike when good ideas were always in deficit at state levels in the immediate past administration, Guyana is, today, quite fortunate to have its current political leadership -- especially in these stormy times when the urgency of finding sustainable solutions to the region’s challenging problems requires not just talk.

W h a t i s re q u i re d now more than ever is demonstrable action, confidence and reliability between leaders and nations, as well as between governments and peoples.

Abe transformed Japan into a responsible, developed nation

Dear Editor, IT was a great shock to read that Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated by a disgruntled man.

That he was murdered by a gun in a country known for tranquillity is unbelievable. In 2021, there was only one gun-related death in the country of 125 million people as compared with

the United States of America with 47,000 gun-related deaths.

Abe worked very hard to boost bilateral relations with other countries including Russia, which fell out after the Ukraine war.

Abe supported peaceful efforts to resolve conflicts.

He was also supportive of democratic principles.

Abe walked away from

political power at the height of his political popularity.

Few leaders did or do that, certainly not in the Caribbean or Latin America or Africa.

No doubt, Abe was an outstanding leader, a great statesman, the likes of whom have not been seen in recent decades around the globe.

He was liked in Asia and was seen as a giant of a leader who won hearts and

minds of people in Asia, including the 1.35 billion people of India, where he visited multiple times.

He was a very humble man who engaged in local customs and practices of host countries, including performing ‘aarti’ on the banks of the Ganges River in Varanasi.

He also put on the national male wear of host countries he visited in Southeast Asia.

Abe positioned Japan as a responsible, developed nation. He did not venture into war but instead supported peace-making missions, including in Africa.

Abe’s economic reforms are a significant feature of his unparalleled legacy. Abe’s policies turned around Japan’s economy from recession into the robust position it now occupies among de-

veloped countries.

He was generous in foreign grants – assisting African and Latin American and Caribbean countries, including Guyana.

It is hoped that his legacy will live on and that Japan will continue to be as generous and visionary as under Mr Abe. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 11, 2022

Opposition’s thinking geriatric; Op-Ed: drowning with same old grudges

By Ron Cheong SOME people will not change. They keep on grinding the same old grudges. Such is the leadership of the country’s main political opposition, the People’s National Congress (PNC). The world has moved on but its leadership hasn’t.

Eleven years ago, the party tried re-branding with a name change to A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). The leadership, however, neglected to change their own attitude. You wouldn’t repaint your old car without first grinding out the rust. But this is what was done.

The old leadership thinking remained embedded in the party.

Moreover, little time was spent on developing good governance policies and programme ideas.

The cosmetic changes did, however, help the PNC/APNU form the past government along with the Alliance For Change (AFC).

It gave them opportunity to show their hand at governance, only to be removed in one term as their more moderate supporters became disillusioned when the same old behaviours and absence of policy direction surfaced. The cracks showed with their middle-of-theroad supporters withholding their vote in the 2020 elections.

Now this disillusionment appears to be spreading further as evidenced by the reception to the high-level postMon Repos outreach to Buxton led by Prime Minister Mark Phillips who was performing the duty of President at the time.

The well-attended outreach in Buxton contrasted sharply with the meagre support for the opposition- sponsored “Day of Protest” also at Buxton on the same day.

And even organisations usually in their corner such as the Guyana Human Rights Association, which had remained conspicuously silent throughout the five-month 2020 elections rigging attempt, reproved what transpired

in Mon Repos.

In fact, the blowback has been such that Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton is tripping all over himself with absurd claims. His efforts to deflect will only further damage his credibility.

A strong political opposition is beneficial to any country. But the current political opposition’s decades-old entrenched leadership styles have not allowed fresh ideas to incubate and come forward in the echo chamber they have maintained.

They seem to not see that their call to “undermine this government” aims at undermining their own country. And that they are seeking to contaminate the communal drinking pool.

Shifting Tide But slowly, the tide is shifting. Some persons from their established support bases are beginning to realise the above.

They realise that while their leaders’ livelihoods are secure, it is the supporters’ own aspirations to live satisfying lives that are being compromised by the very leaders who benefit from political strife.

The opposition leadership ignores the lessons of the past. It was not too long ago that their myopic behaviour caused some of their supporters to become disaffected with them.

Even if those supporters couldn’t make the leap to vote for another party, they didn’t come out for the APNU+AFC. This was true throughout the country and, importantly, even in some areas of traditionally strong support.

Now in opposition, they harp continuously, to the exclusion of everything else, on singular insulating topics like ethnic identity, inequitable resource allocation and power theatrics – focusing more on enforcing the idea of a stranglehold on their support bases rather than on ushering those persons to improving to support services which can help to improve their lives.

Meanwhile, the government has been swiftly implementing a host of

programmes to improve people’s lives. There is, for example, the small business grants recently rolled out to Sophia residents, and grants to small farmers and cash croppers.

There is also the parttime jobs programme that has created jobs and employed 1,000 people in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), 3,000 people in Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne), and 2,000 people in Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The programme has been so well taken up in Region 5 (MahaicaBerbice) that it had to be increased from 1,000 jobs to 1,700 jobs.

The “better governance” is having an impact. It is too early yet to call this any sort of tipping point. But there has been some, even if small, shifting in the sands.

Yo u n g e r , M o r e Mixed, Better Educated Guyana has long been a multi-ethnic society.

You are hard-pressed to tell the ethnicity of many Guyanese by their name.

In 2025, more than seventy thousand young Guyanese will become eligible to vote for the first time. And more than a quarter of these firsttime eligible voters will have self-identified as “mixed” race, making them the second largest component group of firsttime voters by ethnicity.

The country is made up of distinct cultural parts, but it is also more integrated than opposition politicians find useful.

There are also other sweeping forces at play. Over half of Guyana’s population is under thirty years of age. The creation of thousands of jobs through various programmes will foster more social contact.

People’s mobility is also increasing with roads and bridges being built.

The interior parts of the country are being opened up. Where people are not on the electrical grid, solar panels are being installed. Electronic connectivity capacity is also improving. Children are having more access to education.

In short, the voting

population is becoming increasingly of mixed ethnicity, younger, better educated, and more connected.

Also, with home ownership on the increase, people have a greater stake and are looking for safety and security.

Many overseas Guyanese are returning to retire here. The current opposition leadership is moving in a direction counter to all these developments.

They are not contributing positively to improving life in Guyana.

Manufactured strife and disunity is counterproductive to say the least. Their energies could have, instead, been spent in channelling the youth of communities, such as

Golden Grove, in directions and pursuits that would be of lasting longterm benefit to them.

This would benefit

both the communities and the country as a whole. Change is needed from inside the PNC/ APNU party.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 11, 2022

Standing Committee on Constitutional Reform’s work being stalled by Opposition - says Nandlall

By Jared Liddell ATTORNEY-GENERAL and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., has opined that the opposition has been actively working to systematically stymie the work of the Standing Committee on Constitutional Reform.

He made this disclosure on Sunday on his Facebook page following the most recent meeting of the committee.

The legal affairs minister reminded that bipartisan cooperation on behalf of all the political parties in the National Assembly is an essential element of consti-

tutional reform.

According to Nandlall, just two opposition members showed up to the meeting, which meant that no decisions could have been made on pressing issues relating to the development of a constitutional reform bill, which is to be taken before the National Assembly.

He noted that the opposition members on the committee requested and were given time since April 22 to put to the committee their proposals in relation to how the committee should move forward with constitutional reform.

“After this meeting, all the government members were present, two opposition members were present only, one on Zoom and one in person. Again, I reiterated the request for proposals with the promise to submit

on April 22. We are now in the month of July and three months after we are yet to receive any proposal whatsoever from the opposition,” he said.

He disclosed that at a subsequent meeting on June 17, 2022, the opposition with just one member present did not present any proposals. A proposal was at the time put forward by the government members for the establishment of a broad-based constitutional reform commission resembling the commission that was established to do it in the 1999-2001 constitutional reform process.

“I put to the committee a bill that the government is proposing to be the law that will establish the Constitutional Reform Commission.

Indicating in the bill, how

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C. the commission is going to be made up and what the functions of the commission are going to be and how the commission is going to be staffed, and find out other matters incidental to or in relation to the function of the proposed constitutional reform commission. Nothing has been forthcoming from the opposition,” the Attorney-General said.

Nandlall explained that the proposed commission would consist of 50 per cent membership comprising the opposition in the National Assembly and the government and 50 per cent from

civil society organisations.

He noted that the committee asked the opposition members for two weeks to submit their proposals or to make counter-proposals to the bill which were put forward, but nothing was forthcoming.

He stated that among the excuses at the most recent meeting was that Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton was unavailable. Another member made claims of being unaware that there was an outstanding obligation on the part of the opposition to make proposals as she was recently appointed

to the committee.

“I don’t know how … available Mr Norton is and what priority on Mr Norton’s agenda is the issue of constitutional reform. What I do know is that having regard to the public disclosures and public promise and public pronouncement and commitment on the issue of constitutional reform, it ought to be a high priority item on the agenda that is not being manifested in the output at the commission, at the committee level.”

He reminded that the government has made provision for constitutional reform in the 2022 budget.

He stated that the highest priority for the commission presently is to get a bill into the National Assembly before it goes into recess in August, so as to allow work to continue on this significant constitutional issue.

“The government will not accept responsibility for the process grinding at a slow pace. We are ready to push the process and that is what we have been doing, or else we would not have had any progress at all. But as I said, it is of crucial importance that we have bipartisan participation,” Nandlall said.

Guyana now producing over 300,000 barrels of oil per day – Bharrat

Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat speaking at a forum held on Saturday, June 9, 2022, in Georgetown, Guyana, for a visiting delegation of investors from Saudi Arabia. (Photo credit: OilNOW) (OilNOW) - The start-up of at the ExxonMobil-operated Phase Two of the Liza Devel- Stabroek Block offshore Guyopment has pushed daily out- ana in October 2021 and moved put in South America’s newest to produce its first barrel of oil oil-producing nation to above in February this year.

300,000 barrels per day.

Natural Resources Minister The Liza Unity floating, Vickram Bharrat told a visiting production, storage, and of- delegation of investors from floading (FPSO) vessel arrived Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, that

the oil production ramp-up in Guyana has been unprecedented.

“We discovered oil in May of 2015, and we started production in December of 2019,” Mr. Bharrat said.

“To date, we are producing at over 300,000 barrels per day with only two FPSOs. This…is unprecedented speed and I don’t think this has happened in any small developing country around the world – the rate at which we are moving our petroleum sector,” he continued.

Guyanese authorities have already approved two more projects for which FPSOs are currently under construction by Dutch floater specialist, SBM Offshore.

Current estimates show that production will exceed 1 million barrels per day as early as 2027, placing Guyana on a trajectory that will see it becoming the number two oil producer in South America in the early 2030s.

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‘It started in my living room’ – Shaws Media founder

By Shari Simon

NEARLY 12 years after venturing into freelance graphic design to earn an income after losing his job, Gregory Shaw has successfully transformed ‘Shaws Media’ into one of the leading graphics, signage and print production companies in Guyana.

Shaws Media, which trades under the name Shaw’s Investments, blends technology and creativity while providing the full gamut of marketing, advertising and branding services to the country’s business community,

including those in the oil-andgas sector.

Its line-up of services includes, but is not limited to, custom banners and dividers, vehicle wraps, stage backdrops, flyers and labels, point of sale displays, business cards, brochures, digital canvases and large-format graphics such as signs and billboards.

During an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Shaw reflected on the company’s humble beginnings, and how he embarked on investing in its growth.

“I had actually borrowed a used laptop from my

Retractable banners produced by Shaws Media

brother, and started designing items for people in my living room in 2010,” Shaw, the company’s proprietor, said.

For Shaw, taking the business pathway into graphic arts meant enrolling in a certified course at Global Technology Inc. He, however, took it a step further when he collaborated with printing companies, as, at the time, he did not have his own printing machinery.

Fortunately, with assistance from his family and close peers, Shaw secured equipment needed to make quality productions, and launched his company in 2016.

Noticing the growth in his customers, Shaw explored ways of making his business better with newer technologies to meet his increasing customer demands.

“I had the privilege of visiting Trinidad and Tobago,” he told the Guyana Chronicle.

“I visited ‘expos’ and trade shows in the United States – Las Vegas, Orlando and Atlanta, and it really opened my eyes to what solutions I can bring back to the sign industry in Guyana,” he said.

BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS With these experiences fuelling Shaw’s motivation,

and with a strong team behind him, Shaw’s company built partnerships with local and international businesses, including Red Entertainment, Social Rank Media, and Sonic Business Services.

Reflecting on some of his company’s successes, Shaw said major graphics designs were done for oil-and-gas conferences held here in 2019 and 2022, and for other energy-related events.

Additionally, the company has produced signage and custom-made products for State agencies, retail stores, trading and distribution companies, logistics companies and restaurants, to name a few of its clients.

According to Shaw, the process of producing a basic interior or exterior largeformat graphic such as a three-dimensional (3D) sign with channel lettering has several stages.

When a design is created and exported from a graphic design software in the company’s Graphic Design department, he said, it is ultimately printed from a high-powered large-format machine that performs a two-fold function.

The Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) laser ‘cuts the face’ of the design into different shapes on a special

Gregory Shaw at work

material. Meanwhile, the automated channel bending apparatus bends the shapes by folding the edges neatly.

In production, these shapes undergo welding, fabricating, spraying and assembling. The finished largeformat products are then transported for installation at the required destination.

“It is a careful process,” Shaw said, adding that his company prides itself on being ‘people-centric’, and making decisions that prioritise the needs of its dynamic team and stakeholders. Effective and efficient service delivery is the goal, he exclaimed.

Despite the success, Shaw said there are several obstacles he has had to overcome to be the leader and mentor he is today.

He said he firstly had to believe in himself, and learn to take lessons from failures he encountered along the way.

His unwavering self-confidence and determined spirit he attributes to the wisdom and guidance shared by his mother, Valerie Goorasammy-Smith, who, he said, constantly reassured him about the possibilities he could achieve.

PEACE OF MIND While enhancing his operations over time within the country’s evolving business landscape, particularly the oil-and-gas industry, Shaw

opined that the local-content legislation has given him ‘peace of mind’.

He expressed that the legislative framework provides Guyanese entrepreneurs like himself with access to, and benefits from the country’s natural resources.

As a local service provider, he said numerous opportunities have been provided for him to network with other companies, procure essential supplies and raw materials, and build a robust support channel.

“By being a registered member on the Centre for Local Business Development’s portal, we are supplied with training, we can opt in bids, we also get oil-and-gas industry information and news to develop our policies, especially our health and safety policies and procedures,” he explained.

Passionate about building a unique and profitable local signage brand, Shaw is focused on achieving three goals at the moment.

He wants to nurture the well-being and expertise of his team through training activities, invest in cuttingedge machinery and other equipment to automate processes, and expand the company’s warehousing facilities to increase storage capacity. “I’m glad the company gets to positively contribute to society!” he said in closing.

Gregory and his brother, Fabian Shaw

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 11, 2022

Field trial for quinoa production earmarked for Region Six - Minister Mustapha says the grain could be Guyana’s next major crop WITH Guyana eyeing the production of quinoa, an edible seed that is becoming increasingly popular in the Unites States and Europe, a field trial will soon commence in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Agriculture Minister, Zulifikar Mustapha, has said.

During an interview with the Guyana Chroni-

cle on Sunday, Minister Mustapha said the grain which has numerous health benefits, promises to be the next major crop alongside wheat, to be grown in Guyana.

Mustapha further explained that the Ministry, through the National Agricultural Research and Extensive Institute (NAREI), will support a team led by

an overseas-based Guyanese agri-business, Felix Quinoa Farming Industry (FQFI), in a field trial for its introduction and future large-scale production in the country.

“I met with the team that want to start production of quinoa in Guyana.

Those are some foreignbased Guyanese that have land in Berbice. [They] want the ministry and NAREI to work with them to start the introduction.”

According to the minister, quinoa has been taking the regional markets by storm and Guyana has the potential to soon become a producer.

“NAREI is going to work along with them because it is possible that we can grow it because we have been importing a lot now. Quinoa is taking [over] the market now and a lot of people [are] using that instead of rice because it is healthier,” he added.

Representatives from the group were recently in Guyana and are set to make a return trip soon to finalise plans with the ministry to commence a trial run for three months.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha since 2015, when FQFI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Agriculture Ministry outlining areas of partnership for the introduction and production of the grain.

Trials were scheduled to commence in September 2017; however, the previous MoU was not fruitful.

Quinoa is a herbaceous plant known for its tiny, bead-shaped edible seeds which are slightly bitter and have a nutty flavour.

It has more than 200 varie-

A few meals prepared with quinoa (Photos sourced from Green Bowl) “The group will be coming back shortly. Since they have their own land, I will see what technical help [we can give] and also if they need other help. I will work along with them very closely to start the trial,” he told this publication.

Once the trial is successful, the ministry will move to have the grain produced on a larger scale.

“Hopefully we can get a breakthrough there and start producing our own quinoa,” Minister Mustapha said.

Discussion for the production of quinoa in Guyana has been in the works

ties which can be classified based on the areas in which it is grown. Unlike wheat and rice, quinoa is a complete protein – containing all eight of the essential amino acids. The most common versions available are white, red, and black quinoa.

It has been recognised by the United Nations as a ‘super crop’ for its significant health benefits.

It is also gluten-free and easy to digest. Quinoa contains twice as much fiber than any other grain and also has iron, magnesium, Riboflavin (B2), and a high content of manganese.

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‘Fallen Heroes Foundation’ pledges continued support for families - as GPF honours those who died in the line of duty

By Shamar Meusa THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Sunday honoured those policemen who died in the line of duty as part of its 183rd Anniversary celebrations.

The Force hosted its wreath-laying ceremony early Sunday morning at the Monument for the Fallen Heroes, at the Police Officers’ Mess compound at the Force’s Eve Leary headquarters. The ceremony included a parade, a 21-gun salute, and prayers.

Delivering the feature address at the ceremony was Minister of Home Affairs Mr. Robeson Benn, who said that the day was dedicated to memorialising, introspecting and recognising police officers.

He said the police officers who were honoured showed bravery when confronted with danger. The Minister recognised that Guyana’s police officers are currently defending, building, and creating the environment for a better and greater Guyana as part of “a supreme sacrifice”.

The ceremony honoured some 65 officers who died in the line of duty from the year 1913 to 2016, even as it was noted that an officer had not died in the line of duty since 2016.

Minister Benn pledged support for the efforts of the Fallen Heroes Foundation to support the families of those deceased police officers, as he noted that there is some focus on the children of fallen heroes.

“We have the children and the relatives, and we

stand ready to make proper interventions and help in respect of the care and comfort of the families and, also, to other policemen and women who may have suffered physical disability as a result of injuries in the line of duty,” Minister Benn said.

Similarly, the Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken said the Foundation provides welfare support, financial assistance, educational assistance and more to the families of those who died in the line of duty.

“Further, through our guidance and respect for our fallen heroes, the Guyana Police Force will continue to provide benevolent benefits to the immediate family of deceased ranks,” Commissioner Hicken said.

While tribute was paid to

the fallen heroes, Commissioner Hicken urged officers to rededicate themselves to uphold the passion and purpose those heroes fought on.

He further said that the monument serves as a place of reflection, honour, and tribute for those heroes, and that officers must be

able to maintain mental and moral strength to resist opposition and oppressors in order to protect the nation.

Part of the gathering on Sunday at the wreath laying ceremony held at the Police Officers’ Mess Compound, at Eve Leary (Delano Williams photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 11, 2022

Sri Lanka: Protesters ‘will occupy palace until leaders go’

(BBC) - PROTESTERS have said they will continue to occupy the Sri Lankan presidential and prime ministerial residences until both leaders officially resign.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he would step down on 13 July, according to an announcement made by the parliament’s speaker on Saturday.

But the president has not been seen or made a public statement himself.

Military sources have told the BBC that he is currently on a navy vessel in Sri Lankan waters.

His brother, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, is on a naval base in the country, the sources say.

Thousands of protesters descended on the city of Colombo on Saturday demanding his resignation after months of protests.

Many protesters were struck by the luxury of the palace (Photo credit: EPA; retrieved from BBC) The president has been blamed for the c o u n t r y ’s e c o n o m i c mismanagement, which has caused shortages of food, fuel and medicine for months.

Current Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also said he would step down following Saturday’s protests, in which his private residence was set on fire.

But protesters remain sceptical about the leaders’ intentions.

“Our struggle is n o t o v e r, ” s t u d e n t protest leader Lahiru Weerasekara said, quoted by AFP. “We won’t give up this struggle until [President Rajapaksa] actually leaves,” he said.

“The next couple of days are going to be extremely uncertain times

a part of the rehabilitation elements within Jamaica’s penal system, similar to that of psychological support and counselling.

“We have a mental unit. The probation officers focus on life skills, anger management and conflict management, and of course we have some restorative justice.

“Also, there is spiritual nurturing and pastoral care that is provided by the chaplain’s unit. And then there are sports and extra-curricular activities, spelling bee competitions, quiz competitions, football matches,” Stone explained.

Stone shared that something else inmates cling to dearly is their diet, and often complain about such.

She further noted that special considerations are made for elderly inmates, pregnant women

and those with noncommunicable diseases and other illnesses.

“We also have agriculture. There is Tamarind Farm and Richmond Farm Adult Correctional Centre and I’m proud to say that we have a farm-to-feed programme, and we are self-sufficient in poultry meat.

“That helps us to improve the diets of the inmates, which is a big concern for them,” she said, noting that the department offsets the cost of food by growing crops.

“We do like 5,000 chickens every six weeks and so it amounts to a lot of saving for the Department of Correctional Services. We also farm bananas and a number of cash crops like callaloo, tomatoes, cucumbers and so forth at the farm institution,” Stone revealed.

How prisoners...

FROM PAGE 5 themselves at the risk of having cellular phones, “So that they can WhatsApp call their relatives and still keep check of what’s happening in the wider society.”

He also pointed out that prisoners are more compliant with the system even when it’s time for visitation. “I can understand why they would want to co-operate in a bid to see their families,” he said.

Stone said the other side of family day is seeing the male prisoners get emotional.

“It is to see big men crying, children hugging and refusing to let go of their daddies. And so when it’s time for family visits, trust me, prison gets calm because nobody is going to allow anybody to disrupt the family visit — and this is across all the institutions,” Stone said.

She said this is just

as to see what transpires politically,” political analyst and human rights lawyer Bhavani Fonseka told Reuters, adding that it would be interesting to see if the two leaders “actually resign.”

Political leaders held further meetings to discuss a smooth transition of power on Sunday.

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said that any new government needed to immediately focus on longterm economic stability.

The speaker of Sri Lanka’s parliament told the BBC World Service

Newshour programme that a new cross-party coalition government must be formed within a week of the president officially stepping down.

Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, who is a member of the president’s governing party, mostly blamed COVID-19 for the country’s economic woes.

“The COVID pandemic has created havoc in the country economically, so we had to spend all our money on vaccinations,” he said.

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Determined pupil writes NGSA while hospitalised

By Tamica Garnett

Reyon’s mother, Ms. Bibi Hassan

W H E N 11 - y e a r- o l d Reyon Hersham was admitted to hospital for a snake bite days before he was scheduled to write the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), he felt sad, and was worried about how it would affect his placement at a secondary school in September.

So, when the Bagotsville Primary School

pupil was offered the opportunity to write the exam in hospital, he did not hesitate to accept it.

“He was crying when he went to the hospital, and when they said they had to admit him, he was talking about his exam and so on. When I went and told him that he will get to write it in the hospital, he was very happy. But right now, all he wants is to come home, because he misses his two sisters,” Reyon’s mother, Bibi Hassan shared in a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

Reyon was bitten by the snake while on his way home on a Saturday night. He was walking through a bushy section of the impoverished community of Pump Dam, in Skull City, Patentia, West Bank Demerara, where he lives with his mother and six and nine-year-old sisters.

“I was home when he came and said something bite him and crawled in the bush, and I called a taxi and carried him straight to the hospital, because the foot was swelling. When I took him to the hospital, the doctor examined him and took some blood test, and then they admit him,” Reyon’s mummy said, adding: “Like any parent, I felt bad that he got bitten by a snake, especially because is since Saturday he has been in the hospital. It has been one week now he’s in the hospital, but they said he’s going to be okay; they’re just waiting now for the foot to go down, so that they can discharge him.”

A single mother who did not get to complete secondary school, the 44-year-old Ms. Hassan is making every effort to ensure that her children get the best education.

“Education is 100 per cent important to me, because I can’t read and write properly, and I want them to be able to do that

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 11, 2022

Eleven-year-old Reyon Hersham writing his ‘exam’ while in hospital for themselves. Sometimes they tell me read a book for them, and certain words I can’t call it out. So, I am very glad for them to be able to have a proper education,” she shared.

In addition to his physical health, Ms. Hassan was initially worried about how the hospitalisation was going to affect Reyon’s education.

“I am a single parent; it’s very hard. I used to do security work, but I lose the work, so right now I do a little domestic work. I just try; and everything I do, I do for my three children. Everything I do is to make sure that they’re okay, and that they go to school okay,” she commented.

Consisting of examinations in Mathematics, English Language, Science and Social Studies, the NGSA is a crucial ‘exam’, as it determines the placement of pupils at a secondary school.

Reyon is hoping to do well enough to attain at least a place at the Patentia Secondary School, something he would not have been able to attain if he had not written his examinations.

Ms. Hassan was ecstatic when Reyon, who

is currently a patient at the West Demerara Regional Hospital, was able to write his NGSA like all his fellow peers on July 6 and 7. This was thanks to special arrangements that were put in place by the Ministry of Education (MoE).

“I was worried about him and missing the ‘exam’. I went to the headmistress [of the Bagotville Primary School] and I told her what is going on, and she said, ‘Okay.’ And she made some calls, and she told me that the ministry would send somebody for him to write his ‘exam’ at the hospital. I felt so happy that he was able to still write his exam,” Hassan added.

Hassan shared that she is profusely grateful to the ministry for making it possible for Reyon to still be able to write his exam despite the circumstances.

“I just wanted to say to them, ‘Thank you,’ because it could’ve happened to anybody else, or somebody’s child could be sick or so on.

So, I want to thank them that at least children can get to write their exams,” she added.

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CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday July 11, 2022) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 47 matches (2) 27 Wins Today’s Quiz: (1) What was the result of the recent T20 International between the WI/BANG? (2) Who was declared Man of the Series?

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 11, 2022

Chandimal hits unbeaten Shoriful, Mehidy bowl 118 to put Sri Lanka on top Bangladesh to1-0 lead

DINESH Chandimal put Sri Lanka in control of the second Test against Australia with an unbeaten century on day three.

The hosts, playing in Galle amid the backdrop of political unrest in the country, picked up where they left off at the end of day two as they continued to excel with the bat to reach 431-6 at stumps in response to Australia’s 364 all out.

Sri Lanka resumed on 1842, but Kusal Mendis – one of the stars of the second day – added just one to his overnight total as he went for 85.

However, Sri Lanka found stability in the form of ex-captain Angelo Mathews (52) and Chandimal (118 not out), who combined for an 83-run fourth-wicket partnership.

Australia paid the price for wasting their reviews on unsuccessful leg before appeals against both Mathews and Chandimal, leaving them with none to use when Nathan Lyon trapped Mathews with a delivery that DRS showed would have hit the stumps and when ultra edge showed Chandimal had edged Mitchell Starc behind on 30.

Marnus Labuschagne’s catch at short leg did eventually end Mathews’ innings, but Australia found no way through the defences of Chandimal, who brought up his

hundred with a quick single off Lyon.

Chandimal found yet more support from Kamindu Mendis, who struck 61 on debut, and will look to work with the tail to make Australia toil further after guiding Sri Lanka to a lead of 67 runs at the close.

Lucky 13 for Chandimal Chandimal’s century was his 13th in Test cricket and his second of the year following his 124 in Bangladesh in May. He will now look to go beyond his high score of 164 against India in 2017 and press home Sri Lanka’s advantage.

Sri Lanka’s show of strength Encapsulating Australia’s struggles to make inroads, this innings marked the first time five Sri Lanka batters have scored 50 or

By Clifton Ross at Providence

Dinesh Chandimal brings up his 13th Test century // Getty more against them. Additionally, this is only the fifth time five of Sri Lanka’s top six have scored half-centuries.

SCOREBOARD AUSTRALIA 1st innings 364 Sri Lanka 1st innings o/n Pathum Nissanka c Cameron Green b Mitchell Starc 6 Dimuth Karunaratne lbw Mitchell Swepson 86 Kusal Mendis lbw Nathan Lyon 85 Angelo Mathews c Marnus Labuschagne b Mitchell Starc 52 Dinesh Chandimal Not Out 118 Kamindu Mendis b Mitchell Swepson 61 Niroshan Dickwella c Pat Cummins b Nathan Lyon 5 Ramesh Mendis Not Out 7 Extras 3b 6lb 1nb 0pen 1w 11 Total (149.0 overs) 431-6 Fall of Wickets : 1-12 Nissanka, 2-164 Karunaratne, 3-186 Mendis, 4-269 Mathews, 5-402 Mendis, 6-409 Dickwella To Bat : Theekshana, Jayasuriya, Rajitha Bowling : Mitchell Starc 19 - 2 - 47 - 2, Pat Cummins 24 - 5 - 70 - 0 (1nb), Nathan Lyon 56 - 5 - 160 - 2, Cameron Green 6 - 0 - 20 - 0 (1w), Mitchell Swepson 32 - 2 - 90 - 2, Travis Head 8 - 0 - 27 - 0.

Black Caps break last-over record to edge Ireland

MICHAEL Bracewell hit a record-breaking 24 in the final over to clinch a one-wicket win for New Zealand against Ireland in the ODI opener at Malahide.

The Black Caps needed 20 from the last over for victory to beat the previous best of 18 set by England against Australia in 1987.

Bracewell smashed three fours and two sixes to win it with a ball to spare.

Harry Tector made 113 in Ireland’s 300-9 and the tourists struggled before the late fireworks from Bracewell.

It was another heartbreaking defeat for Ireland at the Co Dublin venue after losing to India by four runs in their second T20 game last month.

New Zealand captain Tom Latham won the toss

and his decision to field first in the World Cup Super League game looked a good one after the early dismissals of openers Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie.

Tector ton lifts Ireland Tector again showed his immense promise with a superb innings as he laid the foundation for a healthy Irish total.

A 64-run partnerships with Andy McBrine (39) was followed by a stand of 94 alongside Campher (46).

Simi Singh’s brisk 30 took Ireland to 300-9 with Lockie Ferguson, Blair Tickner and Ish Sodhi each claiming two wickets.

New Zealand also made a faltering start to their innings with Will Young and Finn Allen dismissed to leave them on 19-2.

Martin Guptill (50) and

Latham (23) steadied the Black Caps before Glenn Phillips added 38.

However, the Irish attack held the edge with Campher taking three wickets and they looked to be on course for a first win over world number one side New Zealand with the score on 218-7 and with less than 10 overs remaining.

But they were unable to keep Bracewell in check as he rattled along to keep the visitors in the hunt.

Mark Adair took a wicket and conceded just four runs from the penultimate over to leave New Zealand 281-9 with six balls remaining, before Bracewell’s late assault.

The teams will meet again on Tuesday at Malahide in the second ODI with the final match three days later. (BBC Sport)

BANGLADESH reversed their bad luck as they recorded their first win of the tour, thanks to some magic from spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz, coupled with a blistering spell from pacer Shoriful Islam, which helped the tourists to a much-needed 6-wicket win over the West Indies (Windies) yesterday at the Providence Stadium.

It was the West Indies ninth straight one-day international defeat to Bangladesh.

It was a like night and day, when compared to the T20’s, as the home team struggled to score and keep wickets in hand, mustering a mere 149-9 in 40.6 overs of their allotted reduced quota of 41 overs-per-side.

West Indies were hugely indebted to tailenders, Anderson Phillip (21*) and Jayden Seales (16*) who added 39 for the last wicket -- the team’s highest partnership of the innings.

Shamarh Brooks topscored with 33, but apart from skipper Nicholas Pooran (18) and all-rounder Romario Shepherd (16), not much came out of the Windies camp.

Bangladesh looked a completely different unit, playing more aggressive cricket as they have been known to do in this format, especially their bowlers.

However, they managed to spill roughly four catches,

which could have resulted in a much swifter result.

Islam, the left-arm pacer was lethal during his spell, bagging 4-34 from his allotted 8 overs. Off-break spinner and Man-of-the-Match Mehidy Hasan spun ‘webs’ around the batsmen, bagging 3 for 36 from 9 overs, as he and Islam were solely responsible for the West Indies’ horrible collapse.

Bangladesh, in the end, easily reached 151-4 in 31.

5 overs after some good individual knocks. Guyanese left-arm spinner, Gudakesh Moti, made his Windies ODI debut and starred with marvelous figures of 1-18 from 9 overs.

After missing the T20’s, ODI captain, Tamim Iqbal, spanked four fours and a six at the top of the order as he scored 33 upon return to action.

When Iqbal was run out, the lion’s share of the chase saw the veteran Mahmudullah seeing his team safely across the line with an unbeaten 41.

Najmul Shanto crafted a solid 37 as he found the ropes on five occasions, while sharing a 3rd wicket stand of 49 along with Mahmudullah.

Wicket-keeper/batsman Nurul Hasan hit a six and one four during his unbeaten knock of 20. Alongside Mahmudullah, the pair were involved in an unbroken 40run partnership for the 5th wicket, which helped their side secure an all-important win.

Earlier in the day, follow-

ing a few inspections after rain, the West Indies sought to make the most of their reduced overs, but instead found themselves in a heap of bother.

First, Windies best batsman, Shai Hope (00) had his return to the side spoiled on the first ball, when left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman (1-27) disturbed his stumps with a beauty.

In-form opener Kyle Mayers (10) hit two fours during his brief stay before a wily Mehidy outfoxed him with a delivery which crashed into his wicket.

After looking aggressive, Brooks gave his wicket away with a relatively lackluster shot which broke his edge and sailed into the gloves of the keeper, to give Islam his first scalp.

The pacer Islam struck again, this time removing a struggling Brandon King who had a tough time in the middle, scoring eight off 31 balls with no boundaries.

By the time Windies had reached their team’s 50, their top-order was already back in the dugout. Pooran and Rovman Powell (9) both then fell victim to some ‘Mehidy Magic’, as the skipper was bowled cleanly while the latter was trapped LBW. The Guyanese pair of Moti and Shepherd sneak in a few shots to help take West Indies past the 100run mark but wickets continued to tumble, eventually leaving the home team with more work to do.

FERRARi’s Charles Leclerc passed title rival Max Verstappen three times on his way to a commanding victory in the Austrian Grand Prix.

Carlos Sainz was on course to make it a Ferrari one-two before he suffered an engine failure with 14 laps to go - the latest in a series for Ferrari.

Leclerc faced a tense final 10 laps with a sticking throttle, as Verstappen came back at him, but he held on.

Leclerc cut Verstappen’s championship lead

to 38 points, to revive his hopes.

And it moves him back ahead of Red Bull’s Sergio Perez to second in the standings.

Lewis Hamilton took third for Mercedes after starting eighth for his third podium finish in a row as his season finally begins to come together. Team-mate George Russell followed him home in fourth place.

The end of the race was far tougher for Leclerc than it had looked like being for much of the afternoon as for the first time since

the Australian Grand Prix back in April the Ferraris had definitely stronger race pace than Verstappen’s Red Bull.

The Ferrari’s sticking throttle - the accelerator was not returning to zero when Leclerc lifted off was also affecting the gearbox, as it refused to make some shifts because of the initial problem.

But Leclerc managed the problem well, despite expressing nerves and concern over the radio, to take his first win since Melbourne.(BBC Sport)

Leclerc wins Austrian GP to revive title hopes

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 11, 2022

Djokovic beats Kyrgios to win seventh Wimbledon title

NOVAK Djokovic underlined his recent dominance at Wimbledon with a composed and controlled fightback against Australia’s Nick Kyrgios to win a fourth consecutive men’s singles title.

Serbia’s Djokovic, 35, lost the first set after some superb serving from Kyrgios, but ended up winning 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-3) on Centre Court.

It is Djokovic’s seventh SW19 men’s title and only Roger Federer has more.

Victory also moved him one behind Rafael Nadal’s record 22 men’s majors.

Top seed Djokovic made a slower start than his 27-year-old opponent, who initially seemed nerveless in his first Grand Slam singles final.

But the Serb did not lose belief as he showed all of his experience and nous to turn the match around.

“He’s a bit of a god, I’m not going to lie. I thought I played well,” Kyrgios said as he congratulated Djokovic.

Losing his winning position began to irritate Kyrgios, who is known for his fiery temperament as well as his exciting tennis.

While Kyrgios increasingly remonstrated

with his support team, Djokovic remained cool in the heat of the battle on a scorching Centre Court.

After clinching victory with his third match point, Djokovic dropped to his haunches and picked a blade of the Centre Court grass to eat in what has now become a customary celebration.

It was a first major win of the year for the Serb, who was stopped from playing in the Australian Open after being deported because of his vaccination status, and lost to Rafael Nadal in the French Open quarter-finals.

‘Bromance’ confirmed after gripping final In temperatures passing 30C in London, a 1 5 , 0 0 0 n e a r- c a p a c i t y crowd including royals and celebrities were enthralled in what was surely the hottest ticket in town.

Djokovic had joked there would be “fireworks” in a match against a player who, like him, has shown the tendency to be combustible on the court.

The pair have also had an uneasy relationship in the past, with Kyrgios last year branding Djokovic a “tool” and a “strange cat”.

The tension had eased at the All England Club, with Kyrgios revealing a “bromance” had devel-

oped between the pair before they were seen joking together at their practices on Saturday.

turing at them midway through the second set.

The frustrations reappeared as the third set

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates with the Wimbledon trophy after winning the men’s singles final against Australia’s Nick Kyrgios REUTERS/Matthew Childs The relationship remained cordial when the serious business began on Sunday, both knowing that losing their cool could provide encouragement to their opponent.

Kyrgios, who had spoken about struggling to sleep because of the excitement of reaching his first major singles final, initially did well to keep his emotions in check.

But, as the momentum of the match began to turn, Kyrgios took his frustration out on his family and friends.

Having so far been calm and reserved, he began chuntering and ges-

and fourth-set tie-break moved away from him, with the steely Djokovic drawing out mistakes to seal a 21st major title with the third of five championship points.

Djokovic roared towards his box in delight at clinching victory, then put his arm around Kyrgios, who smiled as he received some words - seemingly of encouragement - from his opponent.

In his on-court victory speech, Djokovic told Kyrgios he would “be back” in a major final.

“It is tough to find consolation words at a moment like this but you showed why you are one

of the best players in the world,” he said.

“I wish you all the best. I respect you a lot and you are a phenomenal talent.

“I never thought I would say so many nice things about you! OK, it’s official: it is a bromance.”

Djokovic proves again why he is tough to beat Kyrgios had beaten Djokovic in both of their previous two matches, which came in three-set matches on hard courts.

Playing Djokovic over five sets on grass was always likely to be a different proposition.

Djokovic had not lost a match at Wimbledon since 2017 - when he retired from a quarter-final against Tomas Berdych and was going for his 28th consecutive victory on the surface.

But Djokovic - regarded as the game’s greatest returner - could not live with Kyrgios’ serve as the world number 40 made a superb start.

Kyrgios broke for a 3-2 lead on the way to taking the opening set and dropped just five points on serve, hitting seven aces and winning 81% of his first-serve points.

A delicately-poised third game of the second set swung Djokovic’s way as he outlasted Kyrgios in a 23-shot rally and then

ended another long duel with a sublime drop shot to clinch the break.

That set the platform for the world number three, now fully dialled in, to swing the second set in his favour.

Djokovic was unable to convert either of two break points in the first game of the third set, shortly before the match was briefly disrupted by a protester in the stands who was removed from Centre Court by security.

Djokovic continued to make Kyrgios work hard for his holds but the set continued on serve until a ninth game where the Australian produced a double fault for break point and then hit a backhand into the net.

While Kyrgios ranted again at his box, Djokovic remained calm on his chair as he prepared to serve out for the lead.

The Serb managed to block out the drama from his opponent to clinch the third set and, in a sign of his focused state of mind, celebrated with a gentle shake of his racquet.

Neither player made much of an impression on the other’s serve in the fourth set, leading to a tie-break where Djokovic drew more errors to clinch victory.

(BBC Sport)

Paul fireworks not enough to stop rain from stealing headlines PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Rain r a v a g e d S a t u r d a y ’s round of matches in the Under-19 Rising Stars Women’s T20 Championship, with United States Cricket pulling off victory in the only completed fixture.

Playing at the Brian Lara Stadium, the US had reached 169 for two when rain halted play after 17.5 overs, with opener Snigdha Paul top-scoring with an unbeaten 81 from 53 deliveries.

Set a revised target of 169 from 16 overs, Lee-

ward Islands crawled to 16 for one off seven overs before rain ended play abruptly, with the US 47 runs ahead on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern.

In the second game at the venue, only one over was possible before adverse weather also

forced an abandonment, Barbados reaching six for one after choosing to bat first against Windward Islands.

At the Diego Martin Sports Complex, hosts Trinidad and Tobago were 50 for four after seven overs against Ja-

maica when rain arrived to rule out any further play.

With the weather creating the headlines, Paul’s fireworks provided some respite. She lashed 14 fours, putting on 83 for the first wicket with Chetnaa Prasad who made 36

from 31 deliveries with five fours.

Once Pradad perished in the ninth over, Paul found an ally in Mitali Patwardhan (23) to add a further 86 for the second wicket and keep the US innings going at the back end.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 11, 2022

CPL, El Dorado Rum extend partnership for five years

EL Dorado Rum, one of the founding partners of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), has recommitted to the tournament for a further five years.

Having been a huge part of the tournament and its success over the first 10 years, this new deal represents a strengthening of the relationship between the two brands.

Representatives finalised the deal last Friday afternoon, signing the agreement at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston,

Georgetown.

To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Hero CPL and a decade of El Dorado’s involvement with the tournament, Demerara Distillers Ltd is producing the El Dorado Master Blender 10th Anniversary CPL T20 Rum. This world-class rum will be available soon, and will be a part of Hero CPL’s celebrations for its 10th Season.

Over the last 10 years, El Dorado has played a massive role in showcasing the best the Hero CPL has to offer

Komal Samaroo, DDL Chairman, and Pete Russell, Hero CPL’s CEO sign the contract for the new partnership

SMP53 Suriname drag race motor fest...

Semi-final heartbreak for Team Transpacific

By Stephan Sookram in Suriname (Compliments of Team Mohameds, Macs Auto Spares & BM Soat Auto Sales) IT was a semi-final heartbreak, but an end-ofday redemption for Team Transpacific Versosssa, Guyana’s only representative at this weekend’s SMP 35 drag-race event.

The team ventured to Suriname in that country’s Sportsman class (11.0 - 11.99), but managed a creditable semi-final performance before losing to

eventual winner, Delano Kertopawiro and his all-wheeldrive Honda Civic.

Despite the result, the Team was upbeat about its

performances, moving forward.

The team returns home today. Details in tomorrow’s edition.

with their El Dorado Celebrations campaign.

They have also been part of the action, with players having the chance to win a chest of rum if they hit one of the target rum barrels placed around the ground. Both of these fantastic initiatives will continue in 2022 and beyond.

With the Hero CPL finals happening in Guyana in 2022, El Dorado will play a big part in bringing the vibes to the National Stadium, with the brand bringing fans to the Party Stand at the venue.

DDL Chairman Komal Samaroo, said: “As the

Caribbean Premier Rum, El Dorado is delighted to renew its partnership with the Hero Caribbean Premier League, and to celebrate 10 years as the official spirit partner of the competition.

“From the inception of the Hero CPL tournament, El Dorado has enjoyed bringing to consumers, both regionally and internationally, the best that Guyana and the Caribbean have to offer, allowing them to enjoy their favourite sport whilst responsibly consuming the smooth and uniquely complex El Dorado aged rums.

“This year is no differ-

ent; cricket fans can once again celebrate with El Dorado’s award-wining rums as they experience what has now grown into the biggest party in sport.”

Jamie Stewart, Hero CPL’s Commercial Director, said: “The top experts rate El Dorado as the finest rum in the world, and, just like their award-winning rums, this partnership adds depth and richness as it ages.

“For 10 years, El Dorado has brought the party to the Biggest Party in Sport, and we welcome the Spirit of the CPL for five more years.”

Shoriful, Mehidy bowl Bangladesh to1-0 lead

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 11, 2022

SEE PAGE

Fast-bowler Shoriful Islam was devastating on Sunday ending with figures of 4-34 (Adrian Narine Photo)

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West Indies opener Shai Hope is comprehensively bowled off the first delivery (Adrian Narine Photo)

Wiltshire makes winning start at Junior CASA

CARIBBEAN Under-17 champion Shomari Wiltshire made a winning start to his bid for an Under-19 title as he had a comfortable 11-1, 11-2, 11-1 over Jamaican Arjan Trehan and Samuel Ince-Carvalhal, who is tipped to meet Wiltshire for an all-Guyanese final, won Jace Jarvis of Cayman Islands 6-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-4.

Ince-Carvalhal now moves to play number-two seed Darien Benn of Barbados in the semi-final while Wiltshire plays Matthew Elliott.

Ben Phang went down to Trinidadian Dylan Inniss 5-11, 4-11, 5-11, and will now play Evan Inniss in round three on Monday at 10:00h.

Dwillen Coates defeated her Guyanese

teammate Zoe McDonald 17-19, 11-9, 16-14, 12-10 and now shifts attention Gia Ghuran of Trinidad todayy at 10:00h.

U-13 No Guyanese boy was able to progress to the semi-final as Justin TenPow lost to Owen Rosorea Bermuda 3-11, 4-11, 4-11 and Brenno DaSilva lost to St. Vincent player, Jayden George 2-11, 2-11, 0-11.

There will be an all-Guyanese semi-final between Avery Arjoon and Tiana Gomes after they defeated Lenna Hamati of Barbados (11-5, 11-2, 11-3) and Gomes got over countrywoman Emily Fung-A-Fat 11-5, 11-9, 11-7.

U-15 Chad De Abreu has set a quarter-final date

Caribbean Under-17 champion Shomari Wiltshire with Jaydon Williams of 11-2, 11-4, 11-4 over St. Vincent on Monday Barbadian Benjamin from 11:00h as he won King. his round-of-16 match Compatriot Noah Ra-

haman lost to Williams 2-11, 3-11, 1-11 while Shiloh Asregado had an intense battle with Bermudian Eli Carpol which ended 11-8, 15-13, 8-11, 6-11, 3-11.

J o s h u a Ve r w e y i s also through to the last eight as he won 11-4, 11-0, 11-2 over Joshua Henriques and now faces Daniel Henderson of British Virgin Islands from 11:30h todayy.

Demetri Lowe lost to Trinidadian Nicholas Lequay 3-11, 4-11, 3-11.

Safirah Summer has earned herself a semi-final spot .Summer toped Milanna Lamontagne 12-10, 11-4, 11-5, 14-12 in the quarter-final while Malia Mikoo went down to Doireann Lynch 2-11, 4-11, 11-13.

U-17 The majority of the

Guyanese contingent all progressed as Nicholas Verwey breezed pass Calem Maloney 11-4, 11-2, 11-1 and now plays Brady Holmes of Jamaica in the quarter-final.

Holmes defeated Guyana’s Nathan Rahaman 11-6, 11-6, 11-1.

Mohryan Baksh dominated Luke Wilson 11-4, 11-4, 11-0 to now face Trinidad’s Seth Thong while Caribbean Under-15 Champion Michael Alphonso Oliver Henderson 11-4, 11-2, 11-1 to set up a clash with countryman Louis DaSilva, who won 11-7, 11-2, 11-9 over Xavier Marshall.

Guyana is out of medal contention as Kassia Walcott went down to Barbadian Eboni Atherley 2-11, 1-11, 11-0 in the quarter-final.

Djokovic beats Kyrgios to win seventh Wimbledon title Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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| MONDAY, JULY 11, 2022