Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 19-11-2022

‘Incoherent, legally misconceived, factually baseless’

By Clestin Juan

GUYANA on Friday asked the In ternational Court of Justice (ICJ) to reject the “meritless” preliminary objections that were raised by Vene zuela in the border controversy case.

Professor Philippe Sands, KC, who is part of Guyana’s legal team, told the highest court in the world that Venezuela’s preliminary objections are “incoherent, legally misconceived, and factually baseless”.

Professor Sands said Venezuela’s preliminary objections totally ignored the realities of the 1966 Geneva Agree ment, the aim of which was to address any controversy over the 1899 Arbitral Award.

Venezuela had asked the ICJ to dismiss Guyana’s application to reaf firm the validity of the 1899 Award, and solidify its support for a “peaceful resolution” of the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy.

Promote unity, consistency, respect

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali on Friday made a call for veterans to recommit to the

spirit of unity, consistency and respect as they do their part in building a better

Guyana.

He made this appeal during his address at the wreath-lay ing ceremony at the Veteran’s Monument, on the forecourt of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF)’s Base Camp Ayan ganna, here in Georgetown.

The Head of State told the gathering that there is only one path to follow in order to uplift the lives of all the people, and that is to build a united Guyana.

He charged the veterans to be consistent in upholding the Rule of Law, democracy and the principles that make us hu man beings. This, he said, will make them inspirational to the next generation.

Using the words “territo rial integrity” to further ex plain the importance of unity, the President said: “You are the frontline, not only in defending our territorial integrity, be cause if you look narrowly at the word, territorial integrity, you think about our borders alone. But if you look at the word “integrity”, which means everything that happens within the border, whatever we do within the border must put Guyana in a positive light to all those who are external to our borders.

“[We must do this] be cause, if those who are external to our borders believe that we are weak and broken, then they will see an avenue in which they can come in. But if they see we are strong and united, and that we are committed to a common cause and a common plan with common action and a common direction, then they will see a different border.”

The Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces went on to say: “In my announcement, I said we are progressing in a very phased manner,” and that his vision is to bring this country together. “We all have a role to play in the same spirit of unity,” he said, “and in that spirit of unity, let us recom mit, regardless of age or rank,

to doing our part in leaving a better country.”

With this, the President called on serving solders to learn from the sacrifices made by the veterans, and to never recommit any mistakes they might have made in the past.

“We are on a path to devel opment; my message is clear and consistent, and we are ready, in this government, to ensure that we invest in every single one of our Guyanese brothers and sisters. I assure you of a better life; I assure you of happier days,” Dr. Ali said.

He reminded soldiers of the programmes and policies being implemented, particu larly in the housing and educa tion sectors.

“We have embarked on a programme that is allowing men and women in uniform today to own their own homes. I took a personal interest in ensuring that there is a special window to allow them to own their own homes; through the banking system, I took a personal interest to ensure that their educational upliftment is being guaranteed. Never be fore did we ever have so many men and women in uniform doing a degree, a diploma or postgraduate training or a spe cialised training in the history of the Joint Services; never before,” Dr. Ali said.

He said, too, that the government intends “to do a lot more” for the country’s pensioners and the elderly.

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President Ali tells GDF veterans, soldiers

President Dr. Irfaan Ali engaging persons at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Veteran’s Monument on the forecourt of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF)’s Base Camp Ayanganna, Georgetown (Office of the President photo)

President Dr. Irfaan Ali, has said that it is important that we reflect on, celebrate, and honour all those who have given great service to our country (Office of the President photo)

Nail in the coffin for APNU+AFC coalition

- Ramjattan confirms AFC’s divorce from APNU

- says relationship has had its problems

THE divorce papers have been filed, and a turbulent and unproductive relation ship will soon come to an end.

Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan has confirmed that his party will be parting ways with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), thereby putting “the final nail in the coffin” for the coalition.

It is no secret that there was trouble in the ‘Coalition’ camp, especially after 2018, when a member of the AFC crossed the floor to vote in favour of a no confidence motion against his own gov ernment.

Even back then, the dis cord was noticeable, as for mer parliamentarian Char randass Persaud shared a view which perhaps reso nated with other members of the party.

He said: “We are sitting in Parliament like ‘yes-men’

to APNU, and we are AFC. And we have not blended with APNU. The other par ties have; we have not. The government is APNU+AFC; we have not blended.”

To add salt to the wound, the AFC continued to lose support, and there have been reports of a reduction in membership, because many believe that the party has lost its voice and its way; traits that might never be regained.

Senior party leaders, in cluding Raphael Trotman and former Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, for instance, have migrated, and are now relegated to the fringes of Guyana’s political landscape.

The AFC has been re duced to begging the Peo ple’s National Congress (PNC), the main party in the coalition, to honour agree ments at the local govern ment level to have AFC can didates in top positions.

The latest such exam ple is in Linden, where the

PNC has rejected the AFC’s candidate to fill the post of Vice-Chairman of Region 10.

This, however, is just the tip of the iceberg as it regards the issues facing the coali tion, as Ramjattan confirmed on Friday that the relation ship has had its fair share of problems.

Asked about the issues regarding the candidacy for Vice-Chairman, Ramjattan revealed: “That is not neces sarily the only problem; we have had other problems,” but he did not want to make all of them public.

Chairperson of the AFC, Cathy Hughes, said that only about three months ago in a formal meeting, a number of the problems and issues that the parties did not agree on were discussed.

She went on to say that while their existing agree ment, known as the Cum mingsburg Accord, is ex pected to come to an end at the end of December 2022,

it was one that was based on a coalition going into govern ment.

This agreement, she said, was never really designed for a situation which sees the parties out of government and in opposition. Hughes said that exiting the coalition will see the party moving back to “its roots”.

It is clear, however, that the party has nowhere to turn to, since it has already said that it will not be contesting the Local Government Elec tions (LGEs), which affords stakeholders the chance to engage Guyanese at the com munity or grassroots levels.

Even when contesting at that level, the AFC has suffered immense defeat; this was seen particularly in 2018, when it attracted a mere four per cent of the votes.

Beyond LGEs, although Ramjattan is optimistic that the party will be able to retain seats in Parliament,

the fact remains that the APNU+AFC contested the 2020 General and Regional Elections together, and the Coalition’s list is still headed by former President David Granger, who, essentially, has the final say on who sits in Parliament for the Op position.

The AFC also has to contend with Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton, who has shown nothing but

contempt for persons who are “not on his side” or share differing views from his. His abrasive behaviour was noted even by the Guyana Press Association (GPA) in a recent statement condemning a ‘Coalition’ member’s treat ment of a media worker.

Ramjattan has said that the AFC will soon write of ficially to Norton, inform ing him of the Party’s deci sion to leave the coalition.

Well-being of public sector employees paramount

Minister in the Office

responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh has af firmed that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government will continue to increase the in comes of public sector em ployees, and also focus on enhancing the well-being of those workers through other key economic initia tives.

“We are going to contin ue to not only be consistently raising incomes for public sector employees, but also addressing all of the other things that matter to peo ple too. Like, for example, the taxes. We implemented a number of measures to reduce taxes, but then, one has to take a holistic view of well-being; economic well-being at an individual household level. And there

are

about

and household well-being… There are a lot of dimensions that some times you don’t factor into the discussion,” Dr. Singh said during an interview on the Guyana Today show televised on the National Communications Network (NCN).

The senior minister made reference to a number of initiatives that preceded the recent announcement of an eight per cent, across-theboard retroactive salary in crease, which further boosts the individual and household income of all public serv ants.

“And so, this latest an nouncement by President Ali yesterday [Thursday] represents an extremely im portant announcement, but

yet another installment, if I may describe it as such, in the government’s continued efforts to improve dispos able incomes and improve people’s quality of life,” Dr. Singh said.

He added: “Bear in mind that this eight per cent comes on top of a seven per cent that was given in 2021. So, if you took the seven plus the eight in 2022, you have, over those two years, a 15 per cent increase. But you also have, of course, a number of other measures, which I’d be happy to speak about, which were aimed at improving dis posable incomes in families across Guyana.”

To add to the existing provisions, President Ali had instructed, too, that options be identified for adjustments to the salaries paid to several specific categories of public sector employees in phases.

“These include, in the first phase, ranks of the po lice force, the prison service, and fire service. Addition ally, a similar exercise is currently being conducted, and recommendations being made in relation to specific categories of employees in our public healthcare system, including nurses, interns, doctors, and other healthcare professionals,” Dr. Ali said on Thursday.

Minister Singh said there are a lot of opportunities that are in the pipeline and already available to public servants for personal uplift ment and overall improve ment of their quality of life.

“That’s something we said; this is a commitment that we’re giving to all of the people of Guyana. And President Ali and his govern ment, we’ve set about doing this from the very first day;

trying to create opportuni ties, trying to improve peo ple’s lives, trying to improve people’s disposable incomes, and we’ve done that through multiple channels, and de ploying multiple policies and measures over the two years that we’ve been in of fice,” Dr. Singh said.

Over the past two years, the government has restored the one-month, tax-free, year-end bonuses to the Disciplined Services total ling more than $1 billion per annum, and there has been an increase of about 40 per cent in the monthly old-age pension, from $20,500 to $28,000, providing a total pension payout of more than $21 billion to senior citizens.

Additionally, there was an increase of 55 per cent in public assistance payments from $9,000 to $14,000

monthly, providing a total of more than $3 billion in an nual income support to ben eficiaries of the programme, restoration of the cash grants to the parents of schoolaged children, increasing the amount provided for each child to $30,000, and extending the programme to children attending private schools.

In total, this provides $6 billion of direct cash trans fers to the parents of 200,000 schoolchildren, and an in crease in the minimum wage for private sector employees by 36 per cent to $60,147, in keeping with the recom mendations of the tripartite committee.

There has also been an aggressive housing cam paign, among many other initiatives geared at im proving the lives of every Guyanese.

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

SENIOR

of the President with

a lot of things that we sometimes examine when we have these discussions

well-being

Dr. Singh affirms, says there will continue to be consistent increases in income, other major economic initiatives

‘The perfect start’

360 Corentyne families move one step closer to homeownership

old, received one of the 360 house lots that were distributed by the Min istry of Housing and Water during a ‘Dream realised’ exercise at the Classic Hotel Tarmac in Corriverton. The lots are located in new housing schemes that were developed in the Number 75 and Num ber 76 communities.

big move” and marries Roopnarine. As part of their plans to have a solid start for their union, they decided to apply for a house lot.

A YOUNG Berbice couple was on Friday given the perfect start for a life together when they were al

located a house lot in Number 75 Housing Scheme, Corentyne, Berbice.

Nitesh Sahadeo, a young farmer, and his fiancée Navita Roo pnarine, both 23 years

The two, who are planning to get mar ried in the near future, expressed gratitude for “the perfect gift”.

Sahadeo told this publication that he wanted to ensure proper systems are in place before he makes “the

“For the first time, I am owning my own land, and this is a big accomplishment for me. This is a very im portant start for the move that we will make as a young couple. I am very thankful to be able to own a land, and thankful to the govern ment for providing this opportunity for us. It’s the best start we can get as a young couple look ing to build our future; we are extremely hap

py, and this is the best gift ahead of our wed ding,” Sahadeo said.

Meanwhile, Tro maine David, a 27-yearold hair stylist was beaming with excite ment as she collected the number for her lot, which is located in the Number 76 Housing Scheme.

The young woman who has been renting a house at Line Path for several years now, told the Guyana Chroni cle that she wants to build her own house as quickly as possible, so she can get stability and move forward with her life.

“I didn’t expect it to happen so soon; I currently rent, and it’s a challenge, believe me. When it’s not your

own, you are restricted in what you can do to make yourself comfort able, so, as soon as I can build, I will start. The process was re ally effective, and it’s hard to describe what this moment means to me. I’m thankful for this opportunity, and will look forward to the next step, and com mence building soon,” Tromaine said.

This publication spoke to other allottees, and they, too, expressed gratitude to the ministry for fulfilling their desire to be land owners.

Amir Khan, who at tended the exercise with his wife, said he was emotional and joyful at the same time. Parents to a young child, they have been renting the

Story and photos by Nafeeza Yahya-Sakur

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Amir Khan and his wife, Seronie

Tromaine David

‘The perfect...

FROM PAGE 4

house they reside in since they got married seven years ago.

Khan said they now have an opportunity to be much more inde pendent and comfort able.

“I feel emotional and happy; I’m very thankful. It’s very good to have your own,” he said.

Cecil Basdeo, a 53-year-old resident of Number 75 Village, expressed thanks to the government for not only giving her the al location, but for doing so in a timely manner.

“This is very good. Despite my age, I’m glad I have my own. I called my children to come apply so they could be become land owners and then get their own homes later on,” she said.

SECOND EXER CISE

Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal, speaking with this pub lication on the sidelines of the event, said the exercise is a follow-up from the previous al location exercise that was held on October 14, 2022.

Friday’s exercise was for the allocation of a total of 360 house lots in Block 2, Number 75, and Blocks 2 and 3 in Number 76 housing schemes.

Over 1,000 house lots have been distrib uted to date, and the ministry is currently

working towards allo cating more.

“In Region Six it self, since we have been back in office, we have allocated over 750 lots to date, prior to to day’s exercise. We have more to come, as I indi cated earlier. It’s a work in progress, because we have to match, (1): the availability of land, and (2), we also have to match that with the demand for the region. So, yes, we have some outstanding allocations here in Region Six, and we are working. It’s a continuing programme we are working on to ensure we are able to deliver,” Minister Croal said.

He said that based on the allocations and expected new areas, the ministry hopes to ex ceed the 50, 000 target.

While declining to name specific areas, and hinting that Presi dent Dr. Irfaan Ali will make that announce ment soon, Minister Croal gave the assur ance that the ministry is currently looking at other areas in Region Six to deliver on the 50,000 house lots by 2025 as promised by

the PPP/C in its Mani festo.

He noted that even though for this year the allocation in the region has been mainly focused on the Upper Corentyne area, over 200 houses have been constructed in areas such as Williamsburg/ Hampshire and Ordi nance/Fortlands.

It is expected that the 2023 budget will contain measures to assist with easy and affordable homeowner ship.

“We are not wor ried, because there will be more houses to be constructed; there are going to be more avail ability of lands. So,

Region Six, just be pa tient; we are working here now, and in the not-too-distant future, you will have more in terventions in the re gion to meet your de mands,” Minister Croal said.

He urged residents to be patient, and as sured them that eve ryone will have equal opportunities across the various regions.

“Overall, for this calendar year,” he said, “we have allocated over 8,000 house lots, to date, for the first 10 months. And, having said that, we are about 18,300 as of right now, and we are continuing to work. So, you will see us in other regions;

everybody will be ad dressed in some way or the other, as part of our ‘macro’ housing programme.”

CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT PRO GRAMME

With regards to the construction support programme which was announced by President Ali in July, Minister Croal said that the process has started, and is ongoing.

He emphasised that anyone with proof of ownership of the land and a building plan ap proval from the Neigh bourhood Democratic Council (NDC) can

apply for the assis tance.

The minister clari fied that the process in Region Six has not ended, but is rather an ongoing exercise.

“Your plan and es timate determine the value, or classification for which we will use to qualify you for the support. So, if you have under $6 million will be for the steel and ce ment. The steel for less than $6 million houses will be adequate to do your entire foundation, and the above $6 million to $25 million will be two slings of ce ment,” he added.

Economic Take-off

THE economist Walt Whitman Rostow is fa mous for “his stages of economic growth” model. According to Rostow, eco nomic growth occurs in five stages, namely, the traditional stage; the preconditions for take-off; the take-off; the drive to maturity and finally the age of high mass con sumption. And while not all societies evolve along the growth model as pos ited by Rostow, there are some similarities in the case of Guyana which from all indications, has now reached an advanced stage of economic take-off. This economic take-off is to a large extent fuelled by our newly found oiland-gas resources, but there

are other key variables that are also responsible for this surge in development. A lot has to do with the changing perception by investors, especially foreign investors that Guyana is a good place to do business. Investor confidence has never been higher, and this is due to the investor-friendly environ ment being created by the PPP/C administration.

Only recently, the coun try hosted a delegation com prising members of the business communities from the United States. Leaders from across Louisiana and other parts of the United States visited the country to explore business oppor tunities.

At a reception in honour of the visiting delegation at

the US Ambassador’s resi dence, President, Dr Irfaan Ali encouraged the visitors to “not only go after the big opportunities but to also consider small and mediumsized investments that could result in lucrative benefits.”

The team was led by the US Embassy and the Loui siana District Export Coun cil (LDEC) and comprised economic developers, in dustrial-training experts, Louisiana state officials as well as US government officials.

Of no less significance from a development per spective is the continuing economic and financial as sistance offered by the Brit ish Government to Guyana. Senior Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh also partici

pated in a recent Roundta ble Meeting with a British Trade Mission to Guyana to discuss ways to increase trade and investment be tween Britain and Guyana.

As indicated by Dr Sin gh, as a result of ramped-up oil production, Guyana is now the fastest- growing economy in the world, with a projected 50 per cent growth for 2022 and a me dium-term average annual growth projected at 25 per cent.

According to the min ister, Guyana is considered as the premier investment destination in the world, attractive for investment in the oil-and-gas sector, infrastructure and related support services. There is also the potential for invest

ment and expansion in the non-oil extractives such as gold, bauxite, agriculture, tourism and hospitality, ICT and energy.

And to further ramp up investment opportunities, Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and a team of senior government officials visited the United Arab Emirates, where general matters of cooperation and investment were discussed with His Highness Sheik Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum. Other high-level meetings were held with Dubai Ports and the Dhabi National Oil Company on areas of mutu al interest and cooperation.

The PPP/C administra tion is hard at work to trans form Guyana to a modern economy. And even though

we may not have reached the highest level of econom ic maturity characterised by high mass consumption as adumbrated by the econo mist Rostow, there can be no doubt that the country is progressing to higher levels of modernisation. What Guyana is experienc ing in effect is something of an economic miracle which will see the country catapulted to unprecedented levels of growth and pros perity.

This is what visionary leadership is all about. It is about the strate gic repositioning of the country to take advan tage of new opportuni ties, in order to enhance the quality of life of the Guyanese people.

‘Bloated’ Voters’ List is not the problem!

Dear Editor,

I REFER to Mr. Sherwood Lowe’s letter in the Kai eteur News (11/16/2022) on the need to conduct another House-to-House (HtoH) registration to clean up what he perceives to be a bloated voters’ list.

Mr. Lowe believes that HtoH is the only method of registration that could lead to a clean voters’ list. He has minimised the impact of periods of “continuous registration” and “claims and objections” periods to update the existing voters’ list.

He cites a 2008 statement from GECOM to support his position: “The imperative to conduct House-to-House Registration was born out of the need for the creation of an indisputable NRRDB

which could be used as the basis for the preparation of Electoral Lists that would be commonly acceptable by all stakeholders as being unblemished.”

While HtoH registration was conducted in 2008 to consolidate and start a fresh list, there has been no com mitment or plan to institute subsequently another HtoH registration to replace the existing voters’ list.

Political leaders cannot make decisions for GECOM.

Under GECOM Chair James Patterson, a HtoH registra tion occurred for six weeks when it was stopped. This process would have dis enfranchised thousands of voters living and working abroad. Residency is not a qualification for voting.

The PPP/C and other po litical parties believe that the periods of “continuous registration” and “claims and objections” are adequate to provide a clean voters’ list.

The voters’ list which has been described as “bloated” because it contains thou sands of Guyanese living and working abroad, is not an unusual situation. Some countries allow dual citizen ship so that individuals living and working abroad can vote in their home country once they are above 18 years of age and duly registered there (home country).

In a few CARICOM countries, citizens living and working abroad are entitled to vote by returning home and casting their ballots. In Trinidad & Tobago (TT)

the size of the voters’ list is equivalent to 81.1 per cent of its total population. In Barba dos, the size of the voters’ list is equivalent to 92.4 per cent of the country’s population.

The size of Guyana’s voter’s list at 2020 elections was 84.0 per cent. Guy ana had 470,000 voting age population in 2020 of which 460,352 voted. There were 660,988 registered voters, which meant that 181,000 Guyanese would have been living and working abroad at election time. Whether this number of voters should be removed from the voters’ list is a serious constitutional is sue, to which I would return.

Both the Attorney Gen eral Mr. Anil Nandlall and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Ms. Gail Texeira

stated that this was the same voters’ list that has been up dated via “continuous cycles of registration” and “claims and objections” periods, that had been accepted to the PNCR and other political parties at the 2011 National and Regional elections, when the PNCR won a majority in Parliament.

It was also the same up dated list that was used for National and Regional Elec tions in 2015; and it was the same updated list that was used for Local Government Elections (LGEs) in 2016 and 2018.

This updated voters’ list was also used as the basis for the 2020 National and Regional Elections. The fun damental point is that neither the Leader of the Opposi

tion, Mr. Aubrey Norton, nor Mr. Lowe could produce evidence to show that the existing voters’ list, which has been updated through regular cycles of “continuous registrations,” and “claims and objections,” is deficient.

To claim that the voters’ list is bloated or deficient be cause Guyanese migrants are on it, is not a smart position. The acting Chief Justice, Roxane George, had ruled in 2019 that those persons who are registered could not be removed from the list except on death or on grounds set out in Article 159 (3) and (4) of the constitution.

The right to vote is a significant constitutional one, and it is the greatest tool that electors have to

Guyanese accent in India

Dear Editor,

EVERY time I visit India, and I am in India current ly, attending an academic conference, people seem fascinated by my distinct Guyanese accent. My fea ture address was on Inden tureship in the Caribbean at the conference being held at the prestigious BHU in Varanasi.

Throughout my many stays in India, I have found in my encounters that students tend to flock English speak ers seeking opportunities to practise or improve their spo ken English. I, on the other hand, have sought to im prove my limited Hindi and Bhojpuri, languages of the indentured slaves or girmi tyas, and their descendants, inclusive of my third-gener ation parents, who learnt the languages from their parents and grandparents.

In all my countless trips to India, attention was fo cused on me whenever I opened my mouth to speak. They were agog and awe struck at my soft, gentle

voice. They found the accent strange, and different. With looks in their eyes and many gazes towards me, I could sense they wanted to know who this person was speaking a different version of English, and not speaking in the local language or dialect in ver nacular or idiom or lingua franca. And they routinely asked, “Sir, where are you from?”

Going back to summer 1985, my first trip as a for eign exchange student on a private foundation scholar ship, people were drawn to my Guyanese accent at all locations. They were curi ous about the distinct accent that was neither British nor American. Since 1985, I would have made several dozen trips, travelling to almost every corner of India; multiple trips, annually, to either attend conferences or give lectures or lead tours or to report as a journalist on events. Everywhere, the reaction was the same; gaze and wonderment.

I also did post-graduate

studies in India, spending a considerable amount of time at campuses, research ing, writing, taking exams and teaching. The attitude towards my accent was the same on campus and eve rywhere else, with an often repeated question: “Where are you from?”

After responding, “I am from Guyana in South Amer ica or the West Indies,” they often responded: “Sir, you look Indian.”

They were not familiar with the migration of Indians overseas as labourers, or traders or seafarers. I had to educate them on that aspect of British-India history. I obtained a PhD in history, among other subjects.

Every time I opened my mouth to speak; in trains, on the streets, on aircraft, on campuses, at hotels, con certs and shopping malls or elsewhere, almost everyone within earshot would turn towards me.

I could sense they were curious to know who this person is, speaking in this

unique foreign accent. Some times, it was distinctly West Indian. At other times, I imi tated the British or American accent.

I lacked ability to imitate the Aussie, Kiwi, Scottish, Irish, and Welsh accents in speaking the King’s English, although when on trips to Australia and New Zealand, I tried to imitate their accents.

I can’t imitate the tradi tional Indian accent when speaking English, which is routinely poked fun at in the USA, particularly by Hispanic, Afro-American, White, and even Guyanese, Jamaican, and Trinidadian students with limited knowl edge of language.

India is the world’s larg est English-speaking nation; the people of every Englishspeaking country speak with their own distinct accent.

The Scotch, Welsh, Irish don’t speak in the same ac cent as the English or AngloSaxons. The Jamaican, Ba jan, ‘Trini’, Fijian, Mauritian, and other English-speaking nations don’t speak in the

same or one accent.

Hispanics, Irish, Ital ians, Polish, and other ethnic groups speak in their own accents that are understand able among their own, and are acceptable among native speakers (like me) of English.

So, why poke fun at In dians! One country’s English accent is not better or supe rior to another’s. English is standard everywhere; there is not a version for each country. Thus, one must not ridicule or mock others who speak with alien or strange accents. At any rate, Indian English speakers; in fact, most Indians, are multilin gual, unlike most English speakers in Guyana, West Indies, America, the UK, Canada, etc.

Indians are not only mul tilingual, they are also out standing communicators in English. India produces some of the leading English schol ars. They are some of the fin est users (writers and speak ers) of the King’s language, many of which words come from Sanskrit, the mother

tongue of many dominant European languages.

Their English accent is different from mine, but their use if the English Language is perfect, and, perhaps, even superior to my choice of words in communica tion. Their use of words is standard, like every Englishspeaking person. And, not all Indians speak with the same accent. In every State, and even in each State’s districts and cities, the English accent is quite different.

But for their own rea sons, Indians are drawn towards foreign-accented speakers of English. Thus, they gaze at Indians like me who speak English with an alien accent, curious to know from where I come. They seemed amazed and fascinated at my speech ac cent and pronunciation of words. Every time I opened my mouth, many heads turned towards me with astonishment. They love my accent, and don’t ridicule it.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

influence public policy and programmes. To arbitrarily deprive them of this right is not only a violation of their constitutional right but it is also a violation of natural justice.

To argue in the name of transparency and ac countability that President Desmond Hoyte moved to amend the constitution to al low for election “integrity” (counting of ballots at poll ing sites) and “trust” (joint appointment of GECOM Chair by government and opposition) is not enough reason for the PPP/C to agree to make similar con stitutional amendments.

Trust and integrity are vastly different from de priving electors of their inalienable right to exercise their franchise. No other individual right is more

important and sacred than the right to vote.

There are other critical issues that political parties should focus on such as vot er education, improving the counting of ballots (which was a weakness identified by the Carter Center) at polling stations, revising the rules and protocols of the tabulation process and timely declaration of poll tabulation results.

A level of duplicitous behavior is recognised here. While the PNCR’s partner AFC has cited the support of the Western diplomatic missions for constitutional reform, and while there is no guarantee that the thou sands of “migrant” voters would be disenfranchised in this process, the PNCR operatives have launched a bitter attack on the Brit ish High Commissioner for supposedly interfering

in Guyana’s internal af fairs when she said that the existing voters’ list can be used with appropriate safeguards. When Con gressman Hakeem Jeffries’ and NYS Attorney General Letitia James’ interfere in Guyana’s internal affairs, that behaviour was deemed as acceptable by the opposi tion forces.

Finally, should the po litical parties ever decide to walk on the murky path in the expectation to remove thousands of Guyanese (migrants) from the voters’ list, it is recom mended that they proceed to amend the constitution by first conducting a ref erendum on this subject. Let the people decide! After the people speak, then Parliament can act accordingly.

Yours respectfully, Dr. Tara Singh

‘Incoherent, legally misconceived, factually baseless’

By Clestin Juan

GUYANA on Friday asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to reject the “meritless” pre liminary objections that were raised by Venezuela in the border controversy case.

Professor Philippe Sands, KC, who is part of Guyana’s legal team, told the highest court in the world that Venezuela’s preliminary objections are “incoherent, legally mis conceived, and factually baseless”.

Professor Sands said Venezuela’s preliminary objections totally ignored the realities of the 1966 Ge neva Agreement, the aim of which was to address any controversy over the 1899 Arbitral Award.

Venezuela had asked the ICJ to dismiss Guyana’s application to reaffirm the validity of the 1899 Award, and solidify its support for a “peaceful resolution” of the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy.

Executive Vice-Presi dent of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez had claimed that

the Spanish-speaking coun try is the “sole indisputable inheritor” of the Essequibo region and the Monetary Gold Principle.

Although Venezuela had claimed that the ICJ did not have jurisdiction to hear the substantive case, the country made a U-turn following the court’s De cember 2020 ruling, claim ing that Guyana has no standing in the matter.

Venezuela argued that the United Kingdom is the proper party, since the terri tory was “given” to Guyana by the British.

“Venezuela’s claims of fraud and corruption are false, and they are to be treated with great caution… Their fanciful and unmeri torious nature makes it clear, crystal-clear Ven ezuela’s attack on the va lidity of the 1899 Award,” Professor Sands said while addressing specific factual allegations that were made.

He said that the nature of Venezuela’s arguments reflects the true purpose of the preliminary objections, which is to avoid the court addressing their “hopeless allegations”.

Describing the1966 Ge neva Agreement as “the elephant in the room”, the professor said that Ven ezuela totally declined to refer to it in their pres entation, but the United Kingdom had stated that it has no legal interests in the case, since Guyana is its own independent country.

He added that the issue of the validity of the 1899 Award is contradicted by Venezuela’s own conduct.

In his presentation, Professor Sands pointed out that Venezuela, a State that has long asserted an anti-colonial instinct, “now wishes to allow colonialism back in… through the front door”.

While dismantling Venezuela’s submissions, he added that Venezuela’s grounds for impugning the validity of the 1899 Award might be the best evidence it could find, but it is not strong enough to get its objections off the ground.

Professor Sands then turned his attention to the 1897 Treaty [known as the Treaty of Washington of 1897]. In that treaty, both parties agreed to respect

- Guyana tells ICJ in response to Venezuela’s preliminary objections in border controversy case

the results of the arbitration as a full, perfect and final settlement of the boundary between the two countries.

He explained that Ven ezuela alleged that it had been coerced and deceived into accepting the treaty. Further, he said that Ven ezuela claims that it was somehow forced to accept a situation in which no national sat on the arbitral tribunal.

At the time, Guyana was a colony of Great Brit ain, and was known as British Guiana. The United States had stepped in and pressured the arbitration court to act.

The boundary and the corresponding territory of Guyana are internationally recognised.

Professor Sands sub mitted that Chapters Three and Seven of Guyana’s memorial on the merits comprehensively disprove Venezuela’s allegations.

“The record tells a very different story. They (Ven ezuela) actually warmly welcomed the involvement of the United States in as sisting with the negotiation of the terms of the 1897 Treaty.

“Indeed, shortly after the Treaty was signed, the Venezuelan President… gave a speech to the coun try’s Congress. Welcoming, and I quote, ‘the way in which the United States intended to exercise the intervention solicited by Venezuela...’” he told the Court.

OUTRAGEOUS ALLEGATIONS

Professor Sands said that after the intervention, the Venezuelan President had said the controversy assumed a most favourable aspect, and he praised the United States’ laudable efforts to secure arbitra tion with Great Britain following its signature. The treaty was ratified by both chambers of the Venezue lan Congress, and great

scenes of jubilation fol lowed, which was a clear and formal recognition.

“Contrary to the tale that was spawned yester day (Thursday), Venezuela was totally delighted with the state of play when the arbitration began. Now, yesterday, you heard Ven ezuela seek to cast the most serious aspersions on the conduct of the British legal representatives during the 1899 arbitral proceedings.

“The court was told that there was clear evidence of improper exchanges, and frequent and deeply irregu lar contact between Great Britain’s counsel and the two British arbitrators dur ing the arbitrations. These are actions that Venezuela says amount to fraudulent conduct,” Sands said, add ing that these are very seri ous allegations.

He pointed out that Venezuela continues to submit baseless claims, and asked the court to throw out the “utterly speculative” preliminary objections.

The professor empha sised that Venezuela sought on Thursday to portray the process, which culmi nated in the 1899 Award,

as a “corrupt and unjust stitch-up designed to rob Venezuela of its precious territory and resources.”

He pointed out that this contention lacked much merit, and urged the court to look at the evidentiary record which showed that Venezuela enthusiastically engaged in the arbitration, and even praised the com petence and independence of the arbitral tribunal.

He added that the coun try even publicly acclaimed the outcome as a victory and vindication for Ven ezuela.

Further, Professor Sands argued that Ven ezuela’s claim that the 1899 Award was the product of “improper collusion” and a “secret political deal” is as outrageous as it is unsub stantiated.

“It is contradicted by the evidential record, and by the outcome of the arbi tration. It is fanciful that we submit no realistic prospect of Venezuela persuading the court that the award is invalid on this basis. This is precisely why…Venezuela now scrapes the barrel with its concocted newfound

Professor Philippe Sands, KC

legally misconceived...

monetary gold argument,” he submitted.

Professor Sands submit ted that the “monetary gold argument” was wholly mis conceived by Venezuela, since it reflects the clearest expression by the United Kingdom that it accepts that it has no role in the matter at all.

Though a party to the agreement, the United Kingdom has unambigu ously and explicitly af firmed that it shall have no role whatsoever in any aspect of the practical set tlement of any part of that controversy.

ABSURD

While stressing that Venezuela’s contentions are “absurd”, since at no time after Guyana’s inde pendence had the United Kingdom “ever asserted, claimed or even hinted that it has any possible interest in either the ques tion of the validity of the 1899 Award or the location of the boundary between Venezuela and Guyana,” he added: “The reality is in our submission that Ven ezuela doesn’t really, truly regard the United Kingdom as an indispensable third party to these proceed ings… The preliminary objections totally ignore the realities of the 1966 [Geneva] agreement and the court’s jurisprudence on the indispensable third par ty. They are totally hope less. For these reasons… the preliminary objections must be rejected and prec edent.”

Meanwhile, Agent of Guyana, Carl Greenidge said that the long-standing controversy has stubbornly defied resolution for more than half a century.

“It has cast a long and menacing shadow over Guyana’s security and de velopment throughout its existence as a sovereign state, a shadow rooted in Venezuela’s efforts to raise the long-standing land boundary between our two countries, and lay claim to nearly three-quarters of

Guyana’s land territory,” he told the court.

He added that the im portance of international law is the bedrock of inter national peace and security and has never been more profound.

“It is important to be clear that Guyana brings those claims in the spirit of amity, not enmity towards Venezuela. Guyana desires a relationship characterised by mutual respect, good neighbourliness and full coexistence with its sister South American state.

“Guyana filed its ap plication in the conviction, which was evidently shared by the Secretary General of the UN, that the final judg ment by the court on the merits of Guyana’s claims will provide the surest and firmest foundation for such relations to flourish,” Gree nidge said.

He added that follow ing the Secretary-General’s decision to refer the matter to the ICJ in January 2018, and the filing of claims some two months later, Guyana had always hoped that Venezuela would en gage constructively in the proceedings in order to facilitate the fair and timely resolution of the contro versy by the court.

However, the agent said that, regrettably, Venezuela chose not to do so and in stead chose not to file to participate in the oral hear ing in June 2020.

Greenidge said that now, more than two years later, Venezuela has decid ed to participate formally in the proceedings before the court, and Guyana wel comes that decision.

“It regrets, however, that Venezuela’s formal participation takes the form of belated preliminary ob jections, which seek to prevent, and will inevitably delay the determination of the merits of Guyana’s claims and its regrets to the recent submission just one week before the hearing of a raft of new documents, the vast majority of which

have nothing to do with the preliminary objections newly raised,” he said.

ATTEMPT TO DERAIL AND DELAY

Greenidge told the court that Venezuela’s prelimi nary objections appear to be a device intended to derail and delay the court’s determination of the merits of Guyana’s claims.

“Throughout these pro ceedings, Guyana and its people continue to have every confidence that the court will determine Ven ezuela’s preliminary ob jections fairly, impartially, and expeditiously and will vindicate the SecretaryGeneral’s decision to in fluence the resolution of the party’s long-standing controversy to the court,” he said.

Professor Ordinaire, Université Catholique de Louvain and member of the Institut de Droit Inter national, Foley Hoag, LLP and the Bar of Brussels, Pierre d’Argent on behalf of Guyana said that Ven ezuela’s claim was inad missible.

Another member of Guyana’s legal team, Christina Beharry, who is a member of the Bars of the District of Columbia, the State of New York, England and Wales, and the Law Society of Ontario, made submissions on how Venezuela’s preliminary objections conflict with the 2020 ICJ judgement.

Member of the Bars of the United States Supreme Court and the District of Columbia, Paul S. Reichler addressed the legal stand ard under the monetary gold argument, and the fact that the UK is not an indis pensable third party to the proceedings.

On November 21, Ven ezuela will make their second round of oral ar guments. The next day, Guyana will do the same.

The hearings will be streamed live in English on the court’s website, and on UN Web TV.

The Agent of Guyana Carl Greenidge, at the opening of Guyana’s first round of oral arguments (UN Photo/ICJ-CIJ/Wendy van Bree)

New CPCE facility to cater to 300 teachers

MINISTER of Edu cation Priya Manick chand on Friday com missioned a new Cyril Potter College of Edu cation (CPCE) facility at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.

According to a press release from the ministry,

government, through the Ministry of Education, has taken several steps to ensure that teachers are provided with training opportunities, as well as other benefits to compen sate them for their work.

With this, she an nounced that some 100

cel Hutson, who urged teachers to view them selves as an integral part of transforming Guyana’s education sector. He said that teachers hold the re sponsibility to nurture students.

CPCE Principal Noe lla Joseph said that previ

this new facility is located at the Regional Depart ment of Education Region Three (Esseqibo IslandsWest Demerara), and will cater to the needs of some 300 teachers.

The commissioning of this new facility forms part of the ministry’s plan to achieve 100 per cent trained teachers in the classroom.

In her address at the commissioning ceremony, Minister Manickchand said that teachers are im portant assets to the de velopment of a country.

She related that be ing cognisant of this, the

teachers across the coun try will be receiving dutyfree concessions, while 50 will be receiving scholar ships to the University of Guyana.

Additionally, the Edu cation Minister told the gathering that from Janu ary 2023, “every teacher, even as you train, will be receiving a salary as an in-service teacher.”

Minister Manickchand also said that the quality of service being offered at the CPCE will be im proved.

Also delivering re marks was Chief Edu cation Officer Dr. Mar

ously, training for teach ers in Region Three was facilitated at the Vreeden-Hoop Primary School. However, due to the in crease in the student pop ulation at the college, the facility was constructed to provide better training opportunities.

Regional Chairman of the Regional Demo cratic Council of Region Three, Inshan Ayube was also present, and encouraged the teach ers to take full advan tage of the opportunities presented. (Ministry of Education)

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand on Friday commissioned a new CPCE facility at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara (Education Ministry photo)

The new CPCE facility at Vreed-en-Hoop will cater to some 300 teachers (Education Ministry photo)

Mohamed’s constructing multimillion-dollar six-storey complex with modern office spaces

TO satisfy the growing demand for modern of fice spaces, Mohamed’s Enterprise has embarked on a project to construct a multimillion-dollar, sixstorey complex at Lamaha

and Camp Streets.

According to a post on Team Mohamed’s Facebook page, construction of the building is moving apace, and is slated to be completed by the second half of 2023.

“Upon completion, the six-storey facility which is displayed in the artistic im pression… will transform the landscape in that area. The building is being constructed to provide rented office space

to cater for the high demand in the booming oil-and-gas sector,” Team Mohamed’s said.

The building will be fully equipped with elevators and

other amenities, while the ground floor of the building will be the designated park ing area.

Proprietor of Moham ed’s Enterprise, Azrud

visited the construction site, and was updated on the progress of the project.

din

Mohamed,

An artist’s impression of the multimillion-dollar, six-storey complex

Proprietor of Mohamed’s Enterprise, Azruddin Mohamed inspecting the ongoing works on the multimillion-dollar project at Camp and Lamaha Streets (Team Mohamed’s photos)

PPP/C has significantly reduced overpayments to contractors compared to APNU+AFC

HUNDREDS of millions dollars are still owed to the public coffers by con tractors who were over paid under the previous APNU+AFC Govern ment.

However, Auditor-Gen eral Deodat Sharma, in his 2021 report, has noted a significant reduction in overpayments to contrac tors. In fact, the AG said that even in the few in stances where contractors were overpaid by minis

tries in 2021, swift efforts were made to recover the sums.

This has resulted in, at the time of his report ing, no outstanding sums representing overpayment from ministries. The other sums still to be recovered were those overpaid by the regions.

Sharma reported that a total of 411 contracts were examined in respect of the ministries and regions for the year under review, and

that overpayments amount ing to $52.996 million were made on measured works on 37 contracts admin istered by ministries and regions in 2021.

The AG said: “Sums totalling $14.853 million were in relation to minis tries of which the entire amount was recovered at the time of reporting.”

He added: “Sums total ling $38.143 million was in relation to regions of which $21.046 million still remained outstanding in respect of four projects for

Regions Seven, Nine and 10.”

Contract overpayment in 2020, the year when the pandemic hit, stood at $11.3 million, but nothing was stated in that year’s report about recovery of that sum.

But, in 2019, over payments amounting to $199.381 million were made in respect of four contracts administered by the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Tel ecommunications, the Guy ana Defence Force (GDF) and the Transport and Har bours Department (T&HD).

Similarly, in 2018, over payments amounting to $166.076 million were made in respect of meas ured works on 90 contracts administered by ministries, departments and regions.

Amounts totalling $73.709 million were in relation to the regions, of which $56.528 million or approximately 77 per cent were from Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Up

per Demerara-Berbice).

As it relates to the minis tries/departments, a total of $92.367 million in overpay ments were noted, of which amounts totalling $63.741 million and $8.330 million or approximately 69 per cent and nine per cent were from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Min istry of Social Protection, respectively.

At the time of reporting, in September 2019, a total of $20.041 million was re covered. Most of the sums overpaid, especially under the previous administration, are still to be recovered.

In his 2021 report, Shar ma made mention of sev eral cases of overpaid sums still being outstanding.

In the Ministry of Pub lic Works alone, formerly the Ministry of Public In frastructure, hundreds of millions are outstanding.

Sharma noted that $81.570 million, which represented a contractor’s indebtedness to the min istry, was still not recov ered. That matter is before the High Court.

In another instance,

Sharma highlighted that the remaining sum of $100 million overpaid on the contract for the upgrad ing of the road from La Bonne Intention to Be terverwagting, was still not recovered. The total sum overpaid was $120.683 million, of which, $20.683 million was repaid by the contractor.

Another $112 million overpaid on the contract for the upgrading of the road from Beterverwagting to Triumph was still not recovered. The total sum overpaid was $132.649 million, of which, $20.649 million was repaid by the contractor.

The Auditor-General said that some $14.806 million advanced to a con tractor for the upgrading of the highway from Tri umph to Mon Repos was still not recovered. In this case, recovery is not pos sible, as the contracting company was dissolved, and the company won judgement in the matter, thus making the collection of $14.806 million virtu ally impossible.

Berbice bridge workers to get nine – 15 per cent pay increases

THE Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Un ion (GAWU) and the Ber bice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI), on November 16, 2022, concluded negotia tions for 2022.

According to a press re lease from GAWU, through the agreement reached, workers of the company will enjoy pay rises of between nine per cent and 15 per cent. The negotiated increases are retroactive to January 1, 2022.

“Additionally, through our discussions, the parties agreed to revise the salary scales. Those workers whose

earnings fall below the new scales will be brought up to the new minimum of the scale. This would see such workers receiving in excess of 15 per cent pay increase,” GAWU said.

Apart from wages, the GAWU and the BBCI have agreed that all allowances will be increased by nine per cent across the board.

“Through the agree ment reached, arrangements regarding the scheduling of staff engaged in the re traction of the bridge on weekends and holidays were clarified and addressed. The issue of year-end bonus also

received attention during the negotiations as well,” the union related.

The union and workers were both pleased with the outcome of the negotiations and the final agreement.

“The discussions, we believe, were cordial, respectful and frank and assisted in reach ing a speedy conclu sion. For their part, the workers are pleased with the increases se cured by the union and at this time, the com pany is addressing the retroactive payments,” GAWU said.

GraceKennedy Ltd., CCRIF signal readiness to offer regional agriculture insurance

developed and introduced in the member states.

CARICOM member states, since the estab lishment of the Ministe rial Taskforce (MTF) by President Irfaan Ali, have been working towards the establishment of a sustainable agricultural insurance plan.

According to the Min istry of Agriculture, over the last 10 years, more and more Small Island Devel oping States (SIDS) within CARICOM have been dev astatingly affected by the impacts of climate change. Within the last decade, there have been increased instances of flooding, drought, and volcanic erup tions which have resulted in many economies in the region being adversely af fected.

Last year, Guyana ex perienced one of the most devastating floods in the country’s history which left almost 90 per cent of the country’s agricultural sec tor completely destroyed. Other countries such as Suriname, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago have also suffered from natural disasters as a result of climate change.

During the 8th CARI COM Ministerial Taskforce (MTF) meeting, which was held on Friday, regional officials discussed the pro gress made in establishing sustainable agricultural insurance products in vul nerable member states.

Prior to Friday’s meet ing, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, in his role as Chairman of the MTF, outlined the need for

the development of such a product, given the fact that the impacts of climate change have, in recent years, proven to pose sev eral economic challenges for vulnerable CARICOM countries.

While referencing Guy ana’s most recent experi ence in 2021, Minister Mustapha had called the MTF to work towards en gaging regional financial insurance institutions on the possibility of devel oping agricultural insur ance products geared at strengthening the region’s disaster- recovery efforts.

Last October, during the launch of Caribbean Week of Agriculture, Min ister Mustapha said that the government was work ing to promote the idea of establishing agricultural insurance in Guyana and in the region.

“The MTF has received presentations on two areas which included a possible agriculture insurance prod uct for the region by a re gional company pioneering such a product in a member state, and outlining the ele ments for the establishment of a regional agricultural insurance product. This is very critical for us, in the Caribbean, to implement such a product and ensure that our farmers are tar geted,” Minister Mustapha said.

The MTF, through its Agriculture Insurance Technical working group, has been engaging various regional financial institu tions on how a regional insurance product can be

During the meeting on Friday, Shaun Bough, Pro gramme Manager, Agricul tural and Agro-Industrial Development at the CARI COM Secretariat, disclosed that the MTF’s Agriculture Insurance Technical work ing group recently met with representatives of GraceKennedy Limited, one of the Caribbean’s largest and most dynamic Food and Financial corpo rate entities, to discuss the progress made thus far with developing and implement ing such a product.

“Late last year, we re ceived a presentation from GraceKennedy Insurance out of Jamaica. They had presented on a particular product that they have on going in that member state and expressed an interest in scaling up and introducing it to the rest of the region. They have indicated that they have now been able to put a dedicated project team to get this product up and running, and that they are near completion of negotiating with their reinsurance to carry the product. They have also submitted an implementa tion work plan and pro gramme to which they have committed to [sic]. All in all, it amounts to a possible product being introduced by the first half of 2023,” Mr Bough said.

Additionally, Mr Bough indicated that the MTF’s technical working group has also engaged the Carib bean Catastrophe Risk In surance Facility (CCRIF).

“At our last meeting, we received a presentation from the CCRIF which indicated that they had several products available but in particular, they had a livelihood product that they were ready to go to market with. The techni cal working group also met with them recently and they indicated that they are prepared to launch their Livelihood Protection Policy in December 2022. They’ve also indicated that their insurance partner will be Garden Insurance

Group Limited and that they identified Belize, Gre nada, Jamaica, St Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago as countries to launch the pilot for the product. This product is also intended to be up and running by the first half of 2023,” he noted.

The need for agricul tural insurance has be come more critical as governments are usually responsible for providing the resources to support affected groups in the aftermath of natural dis asters.

Since taking office,

the government has been working with its regional partners to strengthen its disaster readiness and recovery plan as climate change continues to pose a threat to various pro ductive sectors across the region.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

Olivia Cox is first female prison officer to become senior superintendent

NINE senior officers of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) have been promoted to various ranks following approval from Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn, after the Prison Di rectorate had recommend ed the promotions.

The four officers promot ed to Senior Superintendent include Mark Smith, Olivia Cox, Deoraj Gyandat and Kofi David.

Further, Seon Charles, David Shepherd and Chris tine George have been el evated to superintendent of prisons.

The promotions also saw Maxine Mourant and Mi chelle Boyce moving to the rank of assistant superinten

dent of prisons.

Ms. George is the long est-serving member of the GPS with 34 years of service, while Ms Cox is the first fe male rank to achieve the rank of senior superintendent.

Meanwhile, Minister

Benn, who delivered an ad dress at the presentation of instruments to the promoted prison officers on Friday, said there is a need for more professionalism and empathy in Guyana’s prison system. The minister congratu

lated the promoted officers and enjoined them to do their best, because “to whom much is given, much is ex pected.”

Further, the minister ac knowledged the many chal lenges facing the prison sys

tem, while noting that it is the government’s responsibility to rehabilitate inmates and ensure that they are equipped to contribute to society upon their release.

Additionally, Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot also

congratulated all the pro moted officers.

Elliot advised the newly promoted officers that a higher level of service, lead ership and professionalism is now required.

The newly promoted officers with Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn and Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot after being conferred with their new rank insignias

- as nine

senior prison officers receive new ranks

CCCCC, Barbados Water Authority sign US$50M wastewater project

THE Caribbean Community Cli mate Change Cen tre (CCCCC) and the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) on Friday signed at the CARICOM Pa vilion at COP27 in Egypt, a Subsidiary Agreement in rela tion to the US$50M Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle for Climate Resilience Waste water systems (3RCReWS) project recently approved by the Board of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) at the 34th meeting held in Incheon, South Ko rea, in October.

According to the CCCCC in a press re lease, the 3R-CReWS project will be imple mented over 5.5 years and will help improve water resilience and health, well-being, and productivity, us ing low-carbon, cli mate resilience, and energy-management technologies and strat egies.

This will ensure that water is protected, managed, recycled, reused, and conserved for the direct benefit of 155 farmers for irri gation and 225 house holds.

The Subsidiary Agreement governs the implementation arrangements between the CCCCC, as the Accredited Entity to the GCF and delivery partner for the 3RCReWS project, at the BWA. As such, it is a critical part of project implementation.

Signing on behalf of the CCCCC, was Executive Director Dr Colin Young, and on behalf of the Barba dos Water Authority, Keithroy Halliday.

During the signing ceremony witnessed by several govern ment ministers from CARICOM and their delegations to COP27 in Egypt, and oth er stakeholders, Dr Young said, “Sign ing this Subsidiary Agreement at COP27, only 27 days after the signing of the Fund ing Activity Agree ment with the GCF, is a remarkable achieve ment and reflects the commitment of both the CCCCC and the BWA to fast track the first disbursement of funds from the GCF. The Government of Barbados is intent on ensuring that the ac tivities of this project are rapidly deployed so as to positively impact the lives of its citizens and build resilience to climate change. Today’s sign ing is also a testament to the strong partner ship between the CC CCC and BWA.”

Calling the event a signature moment, Keithroy Halliday, Ex ecutive Director of the BWA applauded the unprecedented pace at which the signing had followed the project’s approval saying, “this has come quickly and is important that we are able to action the climate change agenda and not just talk. As a Small Island De veloping State (SID), Barbados likes to lead by example, and by extension, we hope all SIDS in the Caribbean and around the world follow suit, however small, we must find methods to exert the right to influence.”

GCF Executive Director Dr Yannick Glemarec, who was also present during

the signing, reiterated the strong relationship between the GCF and the CCCCC and high lighted that the GCF has made significant improvements in de creasing the amount of time between the approval of projects and the disbursement of funds.

He commended the CCCCC and the BWA for ensuring that conditions precedent to disbursement are rapidly met. “This project will unlock in vestments to build cli mate resilience in vul nerable communities in Barbados. I am de lighted to see that we are moving to imple mentation so quickly with this agreement being signed just one month after our board approved the funding. Our partnership with Barbados and the CC CCC shows that we can deliver climate support very quickly to where it is most needed.”

The CCCCC re mains committed to working assiduously with BWA and the Government of Bar bados to ensure that the 3R-CReWS pro ject is successfully implemented.

The officials signing the Subsidiary Agreement at COP27 in Egypt

‘Top Cop’ urges greater visibility, professionalism during Christmas season

COMMISSIONER of Po lice (ag) Clifton Hicken has called on ranks of Regional Police Division Seven to up their game and increase their presence and visibil ity during the upcoming Christmas season.

He made these com ments when he visited Barti ca along with Deputy Com missioner ‘Administration’ (ag) Calvin Brutus, Police Finance Officer Bharat Per saud, and met with Regional Commander Dion Moore and ranks of the division on Thursday at the Bartica Town Council boardroom.

Hicken stressed that each

ting.

“We expect to see CPGs with their attachments work ing in conjunction with the police. We expect you to have a registry of the num ber of security services in Bartica and that you work in conjunction with those services. We expect the ru ral constables to come out and support the initiative of Christmas policing,” Com missioner Hicken posited.

In his passionate charge, the “Top Cop” stressed the importance of professional ism in the police force and reminded the ranks present that they are the “face of the

You are at the operational level of the pyramid, which means you are interacting with members of the pub lic daily, more frequently than us at the senior level,” Hicken told the ranks.

As a result, he told the ranks that their interaction with members of the pub lic whom they are tasked with serving and protecting would speak volumes about the Guyana Police Force.

“Your actions will im pact the organisation posi tively or negatively. In this regard, you must always maintain ethical standards,” Hicken declared.

crime, while also improving traffic flow.

The “Top Cop” noted that adding police ranks in high-traffic areas would bolster this posture. At the same time, the force will also conduct community outreach programmes to educate citizens on how to remain safe during the holi day season.

In his remarks, Deputy Commissioner of Adminis tration (ag) Calvin Brutus noted that the Guyana Police Force administration is now going around in all police regional divisions to meet with ranks on the ground.

The deputy commission er also used the opportunity to point out to the ranks that their responsibility contin ues beyond the call of duty, noting that professionalism must be maintained whether they are in or out of uniform.

While alluding to the importance of ranks taking their work seriously, Brutus said: “We need to refocus ourselves in the right direc tion, remembering that our mandate is for Service and Protection, and we revisit the oath in Chapter 16:01 Section 13.”

on Tuesday announced its plans for beefing up security across the country, in all 12 Regional Police Divisions, during the upcoming Christ mas season.

The force revealed the security arrangements during its comprehensive Christmas-policing presen tation at the Police Officers’ Mess, Eve Leary.

to the critical role that com munity members play in inculcating values in the children of their community. He reminded those gathered that it takes a village to raise a child.

of the 12 Regional Police Divisions should adopt an increased police presence, working with private secu rity agencies, Community Policing Groups (CPGs) and other stakeholders to ensure a higher degree of visibility than the standard police set

Guyana Police Force” and must adhere to the Stand ard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other established procedures.

“You are ambassadors of this noble organisation, the faces of the organisation, the broader side of the pyramid.

Several initiatives are planned to be implement ed throughout the season. These include 24-hour de ployments of foot, traffic, static, anti-crime, and ve hicular patrols in high-crime areas across the country. This is expected to reduce

Brutus also admonished the ranks to go through Chapter 16:01 “slowly, line by line, and you will see the value of the oath that you took and the great respon sibility that is placed upon your shoulders from that same oath.”

The Guyana Police Force

The ‘Christmas policing posture’ commenced on No vember 15, 2022, and ends on January 15, 2023.

Later in the day, scores of residents turned out to meet with the “Top Cop” and his team to highlight and discuss several topical issues surrounding best practices for ranks and security con cerns affecting their com munity.

Hicken stressed the ne cessity for cooperation and partnership between the police and communities throughout the engagement, noting that the GPF con stantly expands its inter nal capabilities to fulfil the populace’s needs.

Along those lines, the “Top Cop” further informed the residents that “no hap hazard behaviour” by GPF members would be toler ated, declaring that under his direction the force’s ethical standards would be upheld.

Further on, he spoke extensively on the integra tion of school dropouts into society.

Thereafter, urging mem bers of the community to create a conducive atmos phere that can aid in the nurturing of youths.

So while reflecting on his childhood upbringing, the commissioner alluded

To further shed light on the strengthening of po lice-community relations, the “Top Cop” referred to the official launch of the GPF Community Relations Department back in June, which is tasked with build ing and fostering a profes sional and collaborative partnership through positive engagement and public trust between the police and the community; and promoting safe communities by reduc ing the fear of crime, espe cially in vulnerable commu nities and among vulnerable groups.

In view of that, the Com mander of Regional Divi sion Seven Senior Superin tendent Dion Moore, was in structed by the “Top Cop” to have the youths participate in sports activities, which would, in turn, help them move positively.

The commander was also charged with keep ing the Drug Awareness Programme alive within the regional schools. The commissioner said it is a collaborative effort between the Guyana Police Force and the Ministry of Education.

In closing, Commis sioner Hicken reminded residents of the impor tance of ‘community to getherness’, noting, ‘Live in love and harmony as a collective, and you will have a happy community,’ the commissioner urged the gathering.

Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken (at right), Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’ (ag) Calvin Brutus, (at left) on their arrival in Bartica where they met Divisional Commander Senior Superintendent Dion Moore before the many meetings within the region (GPF photo)

A section of the gathering at one of the many meetings held by Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken at Bartica

Farfan & Mendes, UK’s Concrete Canvas partner on drainage solutions

GUYANESE-OWNED company Farfan and Mendes has signed a partnership agreement with United Kingdom’s (UK) Concrete Canvas at a reception recently hosted by the British High Commission for delegates of the UK trade mission to Guy ana.

The partnership allows for the provision of sus tainable concrete drain age solutions in Guyana.

Concrete Canvas products are made from an innovative material, Geosynthetic Cementi tious Composite Mats

(GCCMs), with proven use for erosion control, weed suppression, slope protection, and typically, are 10 times faster to install than conventional concrete solutions.

President Dr Irfaan Ali, delivering remarks at the reception expressed his view that the product complements the gov ernment’s infrastructural programme, including drainage projects.

British High Commis sioner Jane Miller said the partnership illustrates the benefits of trade mis sions referencing Con crete Canvas’ participa

tion in an earlier trade mission.

High Commissioner Miller also underscored the importance of UK companies collaborating with Guyanese compa nies to grow the eco nomic relations between the UK and Guyana.

The partnership aligns with Guyana’s in terest in developing sec tors beyond oil and gas, and will help deliver environmental and cli mate change priorities as a lower-carbon al ternative to traditional concrete and increased soil-stability functions.

The signing of the agreement by Andrew Mendes, Managing-Director, Farfan & Mendes and Will Crawford, Director, Concrete Canvas. (Standing from L-R): Sherwyn Naughton, Country Director for Trade, British High Commission; Jane Miller, British High Commissioner; Will Crawford, Director, Concrete Canvas; Andrew Mendes, Managing-Director, Farfan & Mendes; President Dr Irfaan Ali; and Anand Harrilall, Head, Planning and Development, Farfan & Mendes (Office of the President photo)

33 graduate from HIV Clinical Management Programme

AS part of the Pan-Carib bean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), a structured and unified strategy to combat the HIV epidemic in the Caribbe an, a partnership between the Ministry of Health (Guyana) has enabled 33 programme planners and health care providers to complete the University of Washington’s Clinical Management of HIV pro gramme.

The United States Agen cy for International Develop ment (USAID) supported the initiative.

A recent graduation cer emony was held in George

town. Collin Kirton, Of ficer-in-Charge, PANCAP Coordinating Unit, acknowl edged the dedication of the graduates and the invaluable contributions of development partners.

“I wish to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to PEPFAR/USAID for their continued contribu tion to the regional fight against HIV and AIDS in general and for funding this capacity-building initiative, in particular,” stated Mr Kir ton. “To the graduates, work ing and studying is never easy, so we applaud your ef forts and perseverance. I urge you to utilise your newly ac

quired skills and knowledge to make meaningful contri butions to the national HIV response, as Guyana and the region strive to achieve the 95-95-95 Targets and end AIDS by 2030.”

Dr Tariq Jagnarine, Pro gramme Manager, National AIDS Programme Secre tariat, Guyana, explained that the course was facilitated by experts from around the world who illustrated best practices and new research in HIV management; local site facilitators guided partici pants through best practices and case studies relevant to Guyana.

Dr Jagnarine also high

lighted that all thirty-three (33) participants complet ed the course and attained scores above 70 per cent. Each participant was allo cated 7.5 Continuing Medi cal Education (CME) credits.

He also explained that successful completion of the course will facilitate the placement of health care workers in areas with deficits, especially Guy ana’s hinterland. “Five new care and treatment sites will now be better equipped with trained staff to offer bestpractice care for HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), with a focus on responding to the

direct needs of the communi ties being served,” stated the programme manager.

Dr Shanti Singh-Antho ny, Coordinator, Knowledge Management, PANCAP Co ordinating Unit, shared that PANCAP also facilitated a cohort of 60 participants from Belize and 35 through the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVCC).

CVCC coordinated ac cess to the Leadership and Management of Public Health course for partici pants from eight countries, including Belize, Dominica, Jamaica, Martinique, the Republic of Trinidad and

Tobago, Saint Lucia, and Suriname.

In addition, Dr SinghAnthony shared that 70 per sons are currently enrolled in two courses on Leadership in Health and Policy and Advocacy in Health. “Going forward, we plan to offer other courses, including a specialisation in monitoring and evaluation,” stated the coordinator.

The collaboration with the Global Health E-Learn ing Program, University of Washington, forms part of PANCAP’s wider re gional capacity-building programme to strengthen national HIV responses.

The programme planners and health care providers who completed the University of Washington’s Clinical Management of HIV programme

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Saturday November 19, 2022)

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Courtney Walsh-135 wickets (38 Tests)

(2) Glen McGrath-110 wickets (23 Tests)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) What are the best Test innings bowling figures by a WI against AUST to date?

(2) What are the best Test innings bowling figures by an AUST against the WI to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Arab Emirates Racing Tips

Jebel Ali

08:15 hrs Mayaadeen

08:45 hrs First Of No vember

English Racing Tips

Haydock

08:10 hrs Sizing Pottsie 08:40 hrs Wouldubewell 09:15 hrs L’eau Du Sud 09:50 hrs Hitman 10:25 hrs Run For Oscar 11:00 hrs A Plus Tard 11:35 hrs Lord Du Mesnil

Ascot 08:20 hrs Scarface 08:55 hrs Milan Bridge 09:30 hrs Victorias Peak 10:05 hrs L’homme Presse 10:40 hrs Constitution Hill 11:15 hrs Edwardstone 11:50 hrs Way Out

Lingfield 08:05 hrs Cruella De Vill 08:35 hrs Thewaytothe stars

09:10 hrs Victoria Grove

09:45 hrs Noble Dynasty 10:20 hrs Pop Dancer 10:55 hrs Golden Chain 11:30 hrs Dinoo

South Africa Racing Tips Kenilworth

08:25 hrs Ready Or Not 09:05 hrs Peut Etre Moi 09:40 hrs Light Speed 10:15 hrs Hithemhardsun shine 10:50 hrs Poltergeist

Irish Racing Tips Punchestown

08:50 hrs Journey With Me

09:03 hrs Hallowed Star 09:38 hrs Joshua Des Flos 10:13 hrs Queen Brook 10:48 hrs The Model Kingdom 11:23 hrs Jungle Prose 11:55 hrs Caldwell Potter

American Racing Tips Aqueduct

Race 1 Quarrel Race 2 Slow Down Sum mer

Race 3 Analyze It Race 4 Endowed Race 5 Litigate Race 6 Dripping Gold Race 7 Grand Sonata Race 8 Emperor’s Cause Race 9 Tis A Pity Race 10 Maggie T

Canadian Racing Tips

Woodbine

Race 1 Reins Of Purple Race 2 Executive Giant Race 3 Taradar Race 4 Dreams And Schemes

Race 5 Flysofreeashleeb Race 6 Fortyfiveseventy Race 7 Imagery

Alcohol will not be sold to fans at World Cup

(BBC) - Alcohol will not be sold to fans at the World Cup's eight stadiums in Qatar after FIFA changed its policy two days before the start of the tourna ment.

Alcohol was set to be served "in select areas with in stadiums", despite its sale being strictly controlled in the Muslim country.

Those in corporate areas of stadiums at the tourna ment will still be able to purchase alcohol.

The World Cup starts tomorrow when Qatar play Ecuador.

Budweiser, a major sponsor of FIFA, is owned by beer maker AB InBev and had exclusive rights to sell beer at the World Cup.

"Following discussions between host country au thorities and FIFA, a deci sion has been made to focus the sale of alcoholic bever ages on the FIFA fan festi val, other fan destinations and licensed venues, remov ing sales points of beer from Qatar's FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters," said a statement from world football's governing body.

"There is no impact to

the sale of Bud Zero which will remain available at all Qatar's World Cup stadiums.

"Host country authori ties and FIFA will continue to ensure that the stadiums and surrounding areas pro vide an enjoyable, respectful and pleasant experience for all fans.

"The tournament or ganisers appreciate AB In Bev's understanding and continuous support to our joint commitment to cater to everyone during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022."

Budweiser posted a mes sage on Twitter yesterday saying, "Well, this is awk ward" before the post was later deleted.

An AB InBev spokes

person said that they could not proceed with "some of the planned stadium activa tions" because of "circum stances beyond our control".

The Football Supporters' Association (FSA) criticised the timing of the decision to ban the sale of beer for most fans.

"Some fans like a beer at a game and some don't, but the real issue is the last minute U-turn which speaks to a wider problem - the total lack of communication and clarity from the organ ising committee towards supporters," said an FSA spokesperson.

"If they can change their minds on this at a moment's notice, with no explana

tion, supporters will have understandable concerns about whether they will ful fil other promises relating to accommodation, transport or cultural issues."

England fan, Ryan, an Arsenal supporter who is in Qatar for the World Cup, echoed concerns over the late change. He told BBC Sport: "It's not ideal but as far as I understand there'll be other places to drink. Football is football and part of the culture is having a drink with your mates, but there's no point crying about it.

"They had 12 years to organise it and I don't think it bodes well to have so many last-minute changes. As fans we have to get on with it."

In August, FIFA changed the start date of the World Cup so that the first game of the competi tion would be Qatar facing Ecuador.

The game was sched uled to be played on No vember 21 as the third game, with Senegal against the Netherlands set to be the opening match earlier that day.

Rain forces abandonment of first

T20I India versus New Zealand

(ESPNCRICINFO) - In dia's white-ball tour of New Zealand began with the first T20I in Welling ton being washed out without a toss.

Both sides were con

signed indoors due to con tinuous rain. Barring a very short dry spell, it was wet throughout.

That was disappointing news for the fans in atten dance at the Sky Stadium,

which was set to host its first men's T20I match in 20 months.

Even while it was driz zling, on-field umpires Chris Brown and Wayne Knights seemed to be in

specting the outfield to gauge the earliest time a match could start once the rain stopped.

However, that never happened, with the game called off at 20:52hrs local time, roughly 54 minutes before the cut-off time for a five-over shootout.

The T20I series now moves to Mount Maun ganui for the second match tomorrow, after which the teams will move to Napier for the third T20I on Tues day.

A young India squad is being led by Hardik Pandya for the T20I series with many senior players rested. New Zealand are competing without Martin Guptill and Trent Boult, with both sides looking to move on from their re spective semi-final defeats at the T20 World Cup in Australia.

FIA prepared to investigate Perez incident in Monaco

(BBC) - Formula 1's gov erning body, the FIA, is prepared to investigate whether Sergio Perez de liberately crashed during Monaco Grand Prix qual ifying in May.

The question is at the heart of a row over team or ders at Red Bull that erupt ed in Brazil last weekend.

FIA president Moham med Ben Sulayem said: "I didn't have anyone who said we want to investigate it from our side.

"But if there is some thing to be investigated, we are more than happy. I am not shy or afraid of going into it."

Ben Sulayem added that he would speak to world champion Max Verstappen about the matter.

Verstappen has not pub licly revealed his reasons for refusing an order to let team-mate Perez by for sixth place at Interlagos last Sunday.

But multiple sources have said that the Dutch man believes Perez delib erately crashed on his final qualifying run in Monaco in May, preventing Verstappen from improving and taking a place on the front row of the grid.

As it was, Perez qual ified third ahead of Ver stappen and went on to win the race after Ferrari made a strategy error with race leader Charles Leclerc.

On Thursday, Perez de scribed the claim as "spec ulation" and "rumours", adding: "That rumour is wrong."

F1 rules forbid unsport ing actions, and leave the FIA a range of options in terms of punishment if it discovers them.

Red Bull are considered unlikely to volunteer any information on the matter as it would further disrupt team harmony, which has already been badly affected by the row in Brazil.

THE ABU DHABI REPORT

Verstappen passed

Hamilton on the last lap in Abu Dhabi to take his maiden world title amid huge controversy last sea son.

Ben Sulayem became FIA president a matter of days after former race di rector Michael Masi failed to apply the rules correctly in last year's title-decider in Abu Dhabi, after which Lewis Hamilton lost the race win and the world title to Verstappen.

The FIA later fired Masi and issued a report into the race that was published at the start of this season.

There have been criti cisms that the report did not satisfactorily address what went wrong in Abu Dhabi.

Ben Sulayem said: "Maybe the report was not enough but it was a good attempt at the transparency and now you see every time we have an issue, transpar ency."

He pointed to the con troversy at the Japanese Grand Prix over the de ployment of a recovery vehicle on track in heavy rain and poor visibility, and his intervention to address the dangerous "bouncing" or porpoising of some cars earlier this year that was affecting driver health.

Japan led to a report that said only one of the two race directors who have been rotating the role this year would fill the position until the end of the season.

And the FIA introduced a measurement for the lev el of bouncing as well as other rule changes aimed at addressing it before the second half of the season.

"The issue we had (in Japan), we did a thorough report and it was on the FIA website before the next race after consultation," Ben Sulayem said.

"Even porpoising, I called 20 drivers. I called 10 team principals. We listened to them and came up with the amendment that was effected in Bel gium."

The Lusail Stadium in Doha is one of eight stadiums where no alcohol will be sold during the World Cup

The umbrellas were out as rain pelted down (Getty Images)

Powell century spurns Guyana Harpy Eagles

(CMC) – Captain Rovman Powell hit a superb, com posed unbeaten hundred as Jamaica Scorpions pro duced a record chase to stun Guyana Harpy Ea gles by three wickets here, late Thursday, and book their spot in the final of the Super50 Cup.

Harpy Eagles appeared to have the advantage when they posted a tourna ment-high 318 for nine off their 50 overs but Powell carved out a high-quality 105 not out from 92 deliv eries to ensure Scorpions overhauled the target with 11 balls to spare.

Dropped on 62 by Shim ron Hetmyer, Powell made Harpy Eagles pay for the indiscretion, striking seven fours and three sixes in romping to his fourth List

A hundred, while surpassing 300 runs for the campaign.

He was not lacking in support. Opener Brandon King lashed a swift 64 from 49 deliveries, Alwyn Wil liams struck 45 from 50 balls while the lower order weighed in with invaluable cameos which combined to help Scorpions’ cause.

“Adjectives are inad equate in explaining how I feel,” said Powell, pre dictably voted Man-of-theMatch.

“I’ve scored two hun dreds for West Indies and this goes up there as one of my better hundreds. It’s a semi-final, a pressure game and it’s in a chase so it’s special for me.”

Hetmyer had earlier found form for the first time in the tournament, top-scor

ing with an entertaining 86 from 76 deliveries after Harpy Eagles chose to bat first in the second day/night semi-final at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

Sherfane Rutherford added 56 off 43 deliveries, Kevin Sinclair slammed 45 not out from 33 balls while captain Leon Johnson (30) and Romario Shepherd (28) also shone as Harpy Eagles eclipsed Trinidad and To bago Red Force’s previous tournament-high of 312 made in Wednesday’s open ing semi-final.

“I don’t think we execut ed our plans and our skills well when we bowled,” Johnson said.

“I think 318 was enough. It’s well above par on this ground and I think Jamaica came out aggressive in the

BCCI sacks men’s national selection committee

to the role of BCCI general manager (cricket develop ment), the board did not appoint his replacement on the selection panel.

Anthony Bramble struck four fours in a breezy 22 in posting 39 for the first wicket with Kemol Savory (15) but they both fell in successive overs to leave Harpy Eagles on 43 for two after 11 overs.

Johnson then added 36 for the third wicket with Tevin Imlach (20) and 37 for the fourth with Hetmyer before perishing in the 26th over, skying a sweep off left-arm spinner Dennis Bulli and being caught by King running around from slip behind the ’keeper.

Hetmyer arrived to take charge of the innings, belt ing eight fours and three sixes as he put on 106 for the fifth wicket with

Rutherford who carved out half-dozen fours and a brace of sixes.

When Rutherford nicked behind off pacer Odean Smith (5-65) in the 40th over, Hetmyer added a fur ther 31 with Sinclair before finally falling in the 44th, holing out to short square leg also off Smith.

Sinclair swung his bat to good effect, counting four fours and three sixes in a 63-run, seventh-wicket stand with Shepherd, as Harpy Eagles galloped past 300.

In reply, King launched a brutal assault up front to shock Harpy Eagles, lashing seven fours and two sixes as he posted 69 for the second wicket with Andre McCar thy (22), pulling the innings around from the loss of

Chadwick Walton (11) at 23 for one in the fourth.

By the time he picked out long-on in the 15th over from left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie (3-48), Scorpions were galloping along at 101 for three, with the required run rate only a shade over six.

Powell then erased any doubt over the result. He started quickly, reaching his fifty from 38 balls before gearing down and post ing 103 for the fifth with Williams, 34 for the sixth with Bulli (17), 37 for the seventh with Smith and a further 37 in an unbroken eighth-wicket stand with Jeavor Royal (18 not out).

Scorpions will meet reigning champions Red Force in today’s final at the same venue.

Gafoors Industries donates to GCB

(ESPNCRICINFO) - In an unprecedented develop ment, the BCCI has sacked the entire senior men's se lection committee, led by former India fast bowler Chetan Sharma.

The board sent out a me dia release yesterday evening stating it was inviting fresh applications for the positions of the five national selectors, setting November 28 as the deadline for applications.

This is the first major decision taken by the BCCI administration headed by the former India all-round er Roger Binny, who was elected unopposed as board president in October.

ESPNcricinfo has learned that the four national selec tors - Sunil Joshi, Harvinder Singh, Debasis Mohanty and Sharma - who are currently

watching the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy games at various venues around In dia - had not received any communication from BCCI on the development.

Although no specific de tails were provided in the media statement - there was no mention of the selection panel being dropped - the BCCI probably took the step as part of its early review of India's performances at successive T20 World Cups - exiting at the group stage in 2021 and losing in the semi-finals in 2022.

Since late 2021, the Shar ma-led selection panel was reduced to four members after Abey Kuruvilla, the for mer Mumbai and India fast bowler, completed the max imum tenure of five years.

While Kuruvilla moved on

It was in October, mid way into the 2022 T20 World Cup, that the selectors an nounced India squads for not only the limited-overs series in New Zealand, which is now ongoing, but also the Bangladesh tour in Decem ber. It raised eyebrows since it was an unusual move for selectors to announce squads for two separate tours at the same time.

Barring Mohanty, who is on the verge of finishing his tenure (he was also a national junior selector), the remain ing three selectors had only served half - two years - of their four-year tenures.

Technically, this would allow them to reapply for the selectors' posts. The qualification criteria for applicants are that they must have played at least seven Test matches, or 30 first-class matches, or 10 ODI and 20 first-class matches; they should have retired from the game at least five years ago; and they cannot have already served for five years as a member of any of the BC CI's cricket committees.

THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) yesterday received a substantial donation from Gafoors Industries Limited to as sist the GCB in executing its mandate of developing and promoting cricket in Guyana.

At a simple ceremony held at the office of Ga foors Industries Limited, the donation was received by the GCB team.

The team was lead by Marketing Manager, Mr. Rabindranauth Saywack,

Assistant Secretary Mr Davteerth Anandjit and TDO Admin Assistant Ms Kavita Yadram.

Also present were Ms Roseana Gonsalves Exec utive Assistant - Finance and Ms Susie Persaud, Se nior Payable Clerk of Ga foors Industries Limited.

They expressed their pleasure in assisting GCB with this donation and are looking forward to working with GCB in the future.

Mr Saywack, in his

remarks, thanked the Chief Executive Officer Mr Sat taur Gafoor and Gafoors Industries Limited for their donation and pledged that it will be fully utilised for its intended purpose.

He also expressed on behalf of the presi dent, Mr Bissoondyal Singh and the GCB their wish that this relation ship would grow from strength to strength in the area of cricket devel opment and promotion across the country.

Powerplay – we expected that – but I think we could’ve bowled a bit better.”

India exited the 2022 T20 World Cup after a tenwicket defeat in their semifinal against England (AFP/Getty Images)

Gafoors’ representative donates to the Guyana Cricket Board

Omari Glasgow dazzles in BV/Buxton’s triumph over East Ruimveldt

GOLDEN Jaguars for ward Omari Glasgow had an impressive per formance on Thursday evening, helping his Be terverwagting/Buxton side thump East Ruimveldt 3-1 when the One Guyana President’s Cup Football tournament continued at Buxton Community Cen tre ground.

Two matches marked the second-night action in Region Four. The opening game saw Mahaica/Maha icony whip the combined side of Mocha/Agricola/ Herstelling 5-0.

Watched by an enthused crowd, Glasgow was the centre of attention in the match for BV/Buxton with many wanting to see the country’s hottest young tal ent in action since it was his

first game in Guyana since his return from his first season with Major League Soccer (MLS) side, Chicago Fire, in the MLS NextPro League.

Glasgow did not disap point. He played a pivotal role in each of his side’s goal on the night.

Nakhalya Jervis broke the deadlock in the first half, hitting home his effort in the 41st minute to give BV/ Buxton a 1-0 cushion head ing into the second stanza.

Glasgow made it 2-0 in the 50th minute, while Ja mar Horrigan connected in the 60th minute.

With the game already out of reach, Dwayne Kell man (70th) scored East Rui mveldt’s lone goal in the encounter.

Meanwhile, Julius Ham

Thomas makes case for Test debut with half-century

(CMC) – Devon Thomas made a case for his long-awaited Test debut with a cracking unbeaten half-century for West Indies on day two of their three-day tour game against the Combined NSW/ACT XI here Friday.

The right-hander, who cel ebrated his 33rd birthday last weekend, struck a breezy 77 not out from 79 deliveries as the Caribbean side enjoyed a decent run to reach 424 for nine declared in their first innings at Phillip Oval.

In reply, the Combined NSW/ACT XI stormed to the close on 259 for two, Oliver Davies top-scoring with 115, captain Blake Macdonald get ting 76 and Jack Attenborough chipping in with 51.

They enter the final day of the encounter trailing by 165 runs.

Resuming from their over night 297 for five, West Indies allowed both Jason Holder (50) and Jermaine Blackwood (42) to retire at the start but wicket keeper Joshua Da Silva (3) and Roston Chase (12) both perished cheaply, to leave the innings on 320 for nine.

However, Thomas produced a thrilling knock, punching sev en fours and two sixes in a 104run, last-stand with fast bowler Alzarri Joseph who hit two fours and a six in an unbeaten 33.

Mcdonald, a 24-year-old right-hander with no first class experience, then handed the hosts the ideal start, counting nine fours and a six in a 158ball knock.

He put on 85 for the first wicket with Attenborough who hit seven fours off 88 balls be fore adding a further 169 for the second wicket with Davies.

All told, Davies, a 22-yearold right-hander who is yet to feature in a first class match, slammed 14 fours and two sixes in a hasty 106-ball innings.

West Indies assembled Down Under earlier this month and are preparing for the first Test in Perth starting November 30.

They will face the Aus tralian Prime Minister’s XI in a four-day, day/night con test at Manuka Oval starting next Wednesday, in their final warm-up game ahead of the two-Test series which ends in Adelaide.

ilton had a hat-trick (42nd, 52nd, 65th) for Mahaica/ Mahaicony in the one-sided opening game.

Ron Abel (22nd) and Trevon Adams (26th) were the other scorers in their side’s 5-0 victory over Mo cha/Agricola/Herstelling.

The win for Mahaica/ Mahaicony and BV/Buxton will see them face each other in the second match of the quarter-finals next Thursday, November 24 at the Georgetown Football Club ground.

The opening game will bring together Grove/ Diamond/Samatta Point and West Ruimveldt/Al bouystown.

Meanwhile, matches in Region Four will move to Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training

Centre on Sunday, Novem ber 21.

St Cuthbert’s/Kuru Kururu/Swan will play Al berttown/Bourda at 12:30hrs

through to next round

then the Timehri/Soesdyke combination will take on South Ruimveldt/Tucville at 15:00hrs.

The One Guyana Pres

ident’s Cup is a collab orative effort between the Government of Guy ana, GFF and Kashif and Shanghai Organisation.

BCB/Dr Blackman project distributes $1M worth of practice nets to youth teams

Board targets bowling machines and concrete pitches in 2023

THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) as part of its compre hensive countywide youth development programme, handed over practice nets to 20 clubs with junior teams.

The presentation was done under the BCB/Dr Terrence Blackman project during a simple presenta tion ceremony at the board's New Amsterdam office last Thursday.

BCB president Hilbert Foster stated that the main objectives of distributing the nets were to improve the ways how youths train in the afternoon, to allow coaches to do one-on-one sessions with promising youths and to allow a minimum of two youths to practise simulta neously. He noted that prac tice sessions at some clubs were difficult to organise due to low turnout of members and the presence of the nets

would improve the situation.

Twenty nets, valued at just under $1M, were distrib uted to clubs including No 73, Skeldon, Radha Krishna Foundation, Port Mourant, Albion, RHTYSC, Rose Hall Canje, Tucber Park, Edin burgh, Mt Sinai, Achievers, Cotton Tree and Guymine.

Foster noted that Dr Ter rence Blackman, a USAbased Maths Professor read ily agreed to spearhead the project and was able to obtain the nets for the BCB. Dr Blackman handed the finan cial aspect of the transaction and the nets were handed to the board for distribution.

The BCB president ex pressed gratitude to the donor and hailed it as another red day in the history of the BCB. The full list of donors is Dr Rajesh Bisnauth, Dr Frank Denbow, Lennox Emmanu el, Danesh Chowrimootoo,

Since 2018, BCB, under Foster’s leadership has as sisted clubs across the county with a wide range of items

assist them to fulfil their mandates of producing play ers of the highest standard.

Among the items were cricket balls on an annual ba sis, scorebooks, grasscutter, catching cribs, cricket gear, uniforms, COVID protection items, bicycles, water pitch ers, educational materials among others.

The BCB president urged the representatives of the clubs to use the nets for the intended purpose and to take proper care of them Foster stated that the BCB was in vesting heavily into the de

velopment of new talents and urged the clubs to redouble their efforts to attract new members.

After a fruitful discussion with coaches and manage ment of the different clubs, it was decided that the next focus of BCB would be con structing an all-weather pitch in each sub-association and obtaining several bowling machines.

The all-weather pitches would assist players to con tinue training during the rainy season and also for coaches to do one-on-one sessions with promising players.

The coaches recom mended the bowling machines in an effort to improve the ability of Berbicians to play fast bowling. Foster commit ted the BCB to fulfilling the requests as soon as possible.

… Mahaica/Mahaicony

Mahaica/Mahaicony goalkeeper pulls off a save to keep a clean sheet against Mocha/Agricola/Herstelling at the Buxton Community Centre ground (Photo compliments: DPI)

Leary Fredricks, Rosalyn Baichoo, Warren Merell, 592 Properties and Construction, Guyana Business Journal and Magazine and Dr Terrence Blackman.

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Representatives of some of the clubs pose with the nets after the presentation

A BV/Buxton player trying to make his way around his East Ruimveldt opponent during their match at the Buxton Community Centre ground (Photo compliments: DPI)