Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 24-03-2022

‘Reject APNU+AFC’s attempts to incite civil unrest’

- PM urges ‘rightthinking’ Guyanese

SAYING that APNU+AFC is trying to divide the country in an attempt to in cite civil unrest, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on Wednesday called on all Guyanese to reject these “decep -

tive actions” and work together to develop Guyana.

The PM made these comments in response to a “mischievous let ter” penned by Lelon Saul, the secretary of a group calling itself the Institute for Action

Against Discrimina tion.

“The APNU+AFC is on a treacherous road that they hope will cre ate civil unrest and al low for the breakdown of democracy in Guy ana, as was the case under the PNC in the

1970s and 1980s. Lead ers in the APNU+AFC continue to push for civil unrest through attacks on the media, physically blockading government officials from engaging with whole communities, behaving unruly in the

National Assembly, and adopting a confronta tional approach to the President when there should be discussions on key national issues,” the PM said in a letter to the editor.

‘Reject APNU+AFC’s attempts to incite civil unrest’

- PM urges ‘rightthinking’ Guyanese

SAYING that APNU+AFC is trying to divide the coun try in an attempt to incite civil unrest, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on Wednesday called on all Guyanese to reject these “deceptive ac tions” and work together to develop Guyana.

The PM made these com ments in response to a “mis chievous letter” penned by Lelon Saul, the secretary of a group calling itself the Institute for Action Against Discrimination.

“The APNU+AFC is on a treacherous road that they hope will create civil unrest and allow for the breakdown of democracy in Guyana, as was the case under the PNC in the 1970s and 1980s.

Leaders in the APNU+AFC continue to push for civil unrest through attacks on the media, physically blockading government officials from engaging with whole com munities, behaving unruly in the National Assembly, and

adopting a confrontational approach to the President when there should be discus sions on key national issues,” the PM said in a letter to the editor.

Noting that plans to rail road the country were not achieved in 2020, he said that all law-abiding Guya nese and civil society, “will continue to forcefully reject the deceptive actions of the APNU+AFC and call for political maturity, which will ensure greater unity and pros perity for all Guyanese.”

According to PM Phil lips, the APNU+AFC cabal and affiliated groups con tinue with desperate attempts at race-baiting which they hope will incite civil unrest against the democratically elected People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Govern ment and end the tremendous benefits being experienced by all Guyanese.

He said that Saul, in his letter made “incredibly fraud ulent and misleading state

ments that the government is pushing Guyana to the ‘brink of civil unrest.’”

The PM said that since the letter is addressed to a United States representative, one can only conclude that the author is under the illu sion that using false claims will trigger a US intrusion into the affairs of a demo cratic sovereign state such as Guyana.

“Mr Saul is like so many of the delusional men and women in the failed APNU+AFC regime, who failed to deliver a ‘good life,’ especially to Afro-Guyanese, whom they now misguidedly seek to exploit for political relevance,” he said.

He used the opportunity to also remind Guyanese, that Saul, a former senior officer of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), had served as Chief Executive Officer of the Cen tral Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), where he failed to implement a viable government housing

programme.

“In less than two and a half years in office, our government has rescued the housing development pro gramme and turned it around, where to date we have issued over 11,000 house lots and low-income houses. The ben eficiaries are over 50 per cent Afro-Guyanese. Every relief grant paid by the government saw Afro-Guyanese benefit ting. Payments made in the sugar industry have benefit ted over 20 per cent of AfroGuyanese, which is contrary to what the APNU+AFC would have Guyanese be lieve,” he emphasised.

Additionally, he said many Afro-Guyanese are involved in rice and produc tion of other crops, as well as livestock, and have also ben efitted from flood-relief and other support programmes for farmers.

“Recently, this author was the only person who hid behind a mask among a group that received agricul

tural equipment less than 96 hours after President Irfaan Ali’s recent visit to Bel ladrum, on a political out reach to the Mahaica-Berbice region,” he said, noting that Saul had the temerity to ask questions of the President about security when visit ing PNC strongholds, as if to suggest that the President should not visit those areas.

It was noted too that Saul is the Vice-President of the Guyana Veterans Legion, an organisation that was ad

The President had prom ised to have the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) de ployed this week to address all issues related to benefits for veterans and this promise has been kept.

“The author is an obse quious tentacle affixed to the scheming, manipulative and depraved APNU+AFC that plunged Guyana into chaos, and on the brink of civil unrest following a clumsily hatched plan to strangulate our democ racy at the 2020 regional and general elections. They would have gotten away with the heist of our coun try through stolen elections, had it not been for the vigi lance of contesting political parties, the media and the diplomatic missions of the ABCE countries in Guy ana,” he added.

Home ownership on horizon for 250 Region Five families

- $80M expended over two years on

infrastructural projects

SOME 250 residents, were, on Wednesday, allocat ed residential house lots during another ‘Dream Re alise’ Housing Drive to be held in Region Five by the Central Housing and Plan ning Authority (CHPA).

The distribution exer cise which was held at the MARDS Complex, Burma Road, wasled by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, and a CHPA team. Also in attendance were Re gional Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal; Regional Member of Parliament, Faizal Jafar ally and MARADS General Manager, Bindrabhan Bis nauth.

Before the commence ment of the allocation ex ercise, Regional Chairman Ramphal lauded the Min istry’s effort in delivering serviced lots to persons who have been waiting for years.

He noted that Wednes day’s activity had been long in the making as the commit ment was made in 2020 but after much-planning, persons will start the first phase of their homeownership pro

cess.

Also, Minister Croal spoke of the efforts made to make the exercise a reality. He noted that while there was an initial plan for a scheme in the Burma area, these plans were abandoned post-2015, leaving residents in limbo.

The Minister further stat ed that after assuming of fice in 2020, this plan was revisited, and the scheme will soon be realised. He, however, called for the new allottees to be patient as the budgetary allocation for the necessary infrastructure work

will be provided for in the 2023 National Budget. The new scheme is located east of the existing housing scheme and east of the main road to the Burma Housing devel opment.

This scheme provides for residential, residential-com

mercial, industrial and other land use purposes. More importantly, the development caters for four residential in come categories: low, moder ate, middle and high-income lots.

Lands in the new de velopment have also been earmarked for recreational and other social and infra structural facilities.

According to Minister Croal, while these alloca tions are being done, the Ministry is simultaneous ly working on matching

those with infrastructure development to ensure occupancy in those new schemes. On this note, a call was made for contrac tors tasked with executing these works to honour their obligations in a timely man ner. He also outlined other development plans for the region, including upgrad ing water infrastructure. Over the past two years, $80 million was expended on infrastructure projects in region five, benefitting some 1,615 residents.

A Region Five resident pulls her lot number from a bag held by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal

Lands in the new region five development have also been earmarked for recreational and other social and infrastructural facilities

dressed by President Ali at last Friday’s wreath-laying ceremony at GDF headquar ters, Camp Ayanganna.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips

United States Ambas sador to Guyana, Sa rah-Ann Lynch recently hosted 50 Guyanese sen ior citizens at her resi dence for a Thanksgiving luncheon, sponsored by the American Chamber of Commerce of Guyana (AMCHAM Guyana).

Ambassador Lynch commended AMCHAM Guyana for maintaining its annual tradition to spread Thanksgiving cheer to the elderly community, and

underscored the role of AMCHAM Guyana and the wider business com munity, in engaging in social service initiatives for senior citizens as part of their corporate social responsibility.

For the past two years, while facing the COV ID-19 pandemic, AM CHAM Guyana provided care packages to a number of elderly care homes.

President of AM CHAM Guyana, Devin

dra Kissoon, said that the organisation was pleased to show appreciation to Guyana’s senior citizens who have contributed im mensely to its develop ment.

Ambassador Lynch gratefully said: “I believe Americans share many values with the Guyanese people, including respect for our seniors. The his tory and wisdom that you possess is [sic] a na tional treasure, and I

want to thank you all for coming today to share some of that history and wisdom.”

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch recently hosted 50 Guyanese senior citizens at her residence for a Thanksgiving luncheon, sponsored by AMCHAM Guyana

Guyanese paying hefty price for APNU+AFC’s incompetence

THE People’s Progres sive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government continues to grapple with resolv ing inherent failures of the former APNU+AFC administration, which have led to significant financial and other re sources being redirected to salvage abysmal deals.

This reality was brought to the fore on Tuesday, during an in terview with Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha.

He lamented that his ministry is working along with the Office of the At torney General to have Apollo International Lim ited fulfil its obligations. But the company appears unwilling to fulfil its ob ligations as substandard pieces of equipment were already accepted by the APNU+AFC.

Apollo International Limited is the Indian company with which the APNU+AFC Gov ernment entered into an agreement for the supply of nine fixed and three mobile drainage pumps. The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), which falls un der the Ministry of Agri culture, was the agency responsible for oversee ing the US$3,602,014/ G$753.397 million con tract.

The pumps were sup posed to be “high capac ity,” but turned out to be quite the opposite. Musta pha had told the nation of the defective pumps during an address in the National Assembly earlier this year.

The matter was further highlighted in the Auditor

General’s report of 2021.

The Audit Office not ed that the contract was signed on September 3, 2018. Amounts totalling $495.899 million were paid as at December 31, 2020, while amounts to talling $104.987 million were made in 2021, bring ing the total payments on the contract as at Decem ber 31, 2021 to $600.886 million.

The Audit Office stated that the pumps were re ceived in March 2020 and the installations were completed in 2021. The fixed pumps were in stalled at Hampton Court, Devonshire Castle, Den Amstel, Hope, Nooten zuil, Mora Point and Rose Hall. The mobile pumps were stationed at Church Street, Sussex Street, and Ruimveldt South.

However, 10 of the 12 engines supplied were de termined to be undersized and incapable of running the pumps on a long-term basis.

The Audit Office fur ther noted that the gov ernment ordered an as

sessment to be done on the engines by a technical team.

“The team recom mended that 10 engines be replaced with adequately rated engines and the re maining balance on the contract be used towards replacing these engines and remedying other de fects on the various sup plied equipment. The team noted that no data for the Rose Hall and Mora Point pumps engines has been provided by the contractor. This position was commu nicated to the contractor by the Attorney General on 24 August 2022.”

Mustapha said that Apollo International’s posture is that it does not want to replace all the de fective pumps.

ALL MUST BE REPLACED

He said: “They want to replace some, not all. Our position is firm: we

want them to replace all the pumps because they are defective.”

Mustapha related that the government did not go about handling this matter in a haphazard manner.

“We had skilled engi neers at NDIA carry out a complete assessment. They prepared a detailed report which was shared with the company and it is clear that the pumps are not fit for purpose,” the minister related.

The NDIA report noted that “…the contract re quirement for the engines to be ‘continuous duty’ has not been satisfied.” NDIA described the lack thereof as the “principal breach” in the contract.

Further, NDIA report ed: “Consequently 10 of the 12 engines supplied have been determined to be undersized and incapa ble of running the pumps on a long-term basis, as the continuous duty rat ings for the engines are inadequate.”

The NDIA recom mended that the 10 en gines be replaced with adequately rated engines. Further, the NDIA posited that the remaining contract sum, US$733,295 can be used towards replacing the engines and remedying other defects on the vari ous supplied equipment.

Mustapha said that lo cal engineers tried to use the pumps, but there was always some problem or the other.

“You have the gear

box damaging, the drive shaft not working, gear oil throwing out,” the minis ter highlighted.

Indeed, the NDIA’s report reflected as much. NDIA discovered and reported “difference in equipment data sheet/ name plates, defective engines drive shaft and right-angle gear drive.”

Mustapha said that his ministry is discussing its next step and litigation is not off the table.

“We cannot let this matter go like that. We are talking about a lot of mon ey that would go down the drain. And, remember these are important com modities. We need the pumps so that our people will not have to suffer the effects of the heavy rain fall, and as you know, the rainy season is upon us,” the minister said.

He was also keen to remind: “And the money used for these pumps came from a loan from the Indian Exim Bank.”

Mustapha said that all of this could have been avoided if only APNU+AFC had the competence to ensure

value for money.

“They ought to have made sure that the pumps and engines supplied were in keeping with what was specified within the contact; that is funda mental,” Minister Musta pha said.

Drawing a line of comparison, he recalled that prior to 2015, the PPP/C Government had purchased a number of pumps from Apollo.

“But we did not close our eyes and accept what ever they gave us. We sent technicians there to look at them, to assess the specification and we re jected those engines. That is how things have to be done,” Mustapha said.

The minister commit ted that his ministry will continue to work with the Office of the Attorney General to “make sure that the people of Guy ana can benefit from that which we paid for.”

“We did not pay for fire-engine pumps. We paid for high-capacity pumps and those are what have to be delivered,” Mustapha as sured.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

- millions of US dollars spent to procure damaged fire pumps for drainage work

TikTok In Schools

A NEW trend on Tik Tok has emerged whereby teachers, sometimes prin cipals, of high schools are joining their students in concert-like settings to Jamaican dancehall music playing in the background. The trend is harmless for the most part, but it’s easy to see how some might conceive it as “loose” behaviour on the part of teachers who support students in harm less TikTok trends.

We risk losing our chil dren if we fail to effectively communicate with them in a language known to them. Generational differences aren’t as simple as some make it out to be. We think of baby boomers, millen nials, GenZ and the like as having very specific per

sonalities shaped by their experiences in time. But the difference in time between these groups, especially for millennials and GenZ, could be as narrow as two years. Added to that, that difference is also shaped by how different groups use social media.

A person at age 25 and a person at age 27 could be quite different not only because of their social and economic backgrounds, but also because there are cer tain cultures towards which they gravitate that are more accepted within one genera tion as opposed to another.

In that, the older genera tion might view a cultural practice as “lil chirren ting” when the reality is that the age difference between that older person condemning

the culture, and the young person performing “lil chir ren ting” is two years. We see this happening consist ently with TikTok trends.

Now, for social media in general, there are plat forms which, because of the specific culture and user-interface, might be more suited for one gen erational group as opposed to another. The over-30 segment of the population in Guyana depend heavily on Facebook as a social and cultural space for their daily socialising. The folks be low age 30 might also use Facbeook, but might also choose instead to engage through Twitter or Insta gram largely because those spaces are somewhat inac cessible to their parental and, in some cases, senior

workplace figures.

A point was made previ ously about user interfaces of the respective platforms. When we think of the user interface for Facebook, we think of the react, comment and share functions. We might also think of the sim ple layout of the newsfeed, pop-up messages including with Facebook messenger, and even the increasingly popular Facebook market place.

Twitter on the other hand has a much more com plex interface of tweets, threads, retweets, quote tweets, mentions, and now, Twitter spaces. There is even an underground cul ture of “burners” for the deep Twitter users. It might be a tad too frustrating for the over-30 segment of the

population that wants to connect simply with family and friends while also en gaging in some “commess.”

TikTok bridges the gap between and among the generational groups by em ploying a simple interface of simply swiping up to view new content, while having culturally relevant content with rapidly chang ing trends that everyone wants to get in on. It is also useful that TikTok con tent, albeit just as algo rithmically dependent as Facebook’s and Twitter’s, does not have the same algorithmic considerations as on other platforms. This makes TikTok a much more pleasing experience. Added to that, an account is not necessary to access TikTok content.

As it stands, there is no secret that folks, both young and old, can enjoy TikTok content drawn from content creators on a spectrum as diverse as North West (@kimand north) (Kayne West’s daughter) to senior folk living their best lives on the Retirement House (@ retirementhouse). What the platform does, how ever, is bring everyone to one particular cultural point that, if done inten tionally, could be used to bridge ever-widening gen erational gaps that have created strains in fam ily relations. For teach ers, this could be a useful tool to make their lessons more interactive. If only they were allowed the space to explore.

The government’s macro-economic policies continue to bear fruit

Dear Editor, I READ a missive from EB John, captioned: “Public servants 8 per cent is a subversion of equality” and the first idea which came to mind was: what was the writ er’s reaction to the pal try increases given to these category of workers when the coalition was in government, in the midst of rising costs, punitive increases in taxes, thou sands of job losses, et cetera?

Mr John must realise that the increases given to public servants were taken back by the huge increases in tax. I have not read any where that he condemned

the coalition’s unilateral and meagre wages and salary “hikes” thrown at the public servants after being promised “signifi cant” wages and salaries in 2015, whilst rewarding themselves with 50-100 per cent tax-free increases.

According to the Hu man Resources Consult ant: “This announcement [eight per cent increase] is nothing to be excited about. It is merely another “grant” for Christmas.”

This is typical of a per son who feels that workers must be given humongous salary increases, in spite of what negative effects it will have on the economy. However, it is a known fact

that the human resource departments of business entities would normally oppose unsustainable sal ary increases, since they are acutely aware of the financial ability or inabil ity of the company to offer such increases.

Any economist worth his salt will tell you basi cally that if wages and salaries are increased too much, this will severely impact the labour costs that employers must pay. This, in turn, could trigger price inflation, hurt exports and reduce the level of em ployment.

Should wages and sala ries be increased without analysing the economic

reality, then it is high prob ability that the so-called “wage-inflation spiral” will lead to higher price inflation which in turn makes workers demand higher wages.

This vicious circle will continue if there is no “wages restraint,” and the real dollar value will crash. The well-being of the economy is in the hands of the government and they must be trusted to implement their macroeconomic policies, as the beneficial trends over the last two years bore testi mony that these policies are bearing fruit.

It would be worthwhile for Mr John to peruse

the statement made by President Ali in which he outlined the various cash benefits received by all Guyanese: seven per cent increase across the board in 2021; the reintroduc tion of the one-month, tax-free bonus for the dis ciplined services; the res toration of the cash grants and increase to $30,000 per child; removal of the punitive taxes that were imposed by APNU+AFC on electricity, water, medi cal and education supplies; basic household necessi ties, and basic construction materials; removal of the excise tax on fuel, capping the freight charges used in calculating import taxes;

providing fertiliser and other support to farmers to boost food production, and direct cash transfers to especially vulnerable com munities to tackle chal lenges of rising global prices.

All of these measures and many more will en sure that the general cost of living remains stable, whilst the standard of liv ing improves by ensuring that everyone enjoys a better life. The eight per cent wages and salary increases must never be looked at in isolation and this is exactly what Mr John had done.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Norton’s wooden-headed stand will see the erosion of APNU’s support base OP-ED:

By Clement J. Rohee

OPPOSITION Leader, Au brey Norton, should have paid attention to the words of former US President, Barack Obama, when he declared at a recent public-speaking event in the US that, “De mocracy is under assault in the US and around the world’ and that ‘the founda tional principles of democ racy are being challenged.”

Placed in the context of political developments in the US, President Obama’s obser vation reflects a topical issue being debated currently in America.

The former US President did not limit his observations to America; he was perceptive enough to note that the threat to democracy is global.

Obama’s observations are instructive insofar as Guyana’s electoral experiences, and by extension, its fragile democ racy are concerned.

Guyanese would have rec ognised the relevance of Oba ma’s comments to their experi ence during the March-August 2020 period when Norton’s party launched an assault on democracy in a blatant attempt

to rig the results of the election held in March of that year.

Mr. Norton cannot pretend to be deaf in one ear as regards statements by Republican con gressmen and senators refer ring to positive developments in Guyana while at the same time supporting negative and uninformed comments about Guyana expressed by NYC At torney General, Letitia James, and congressman Hakeem Jef feries, both Democrats.

In the light of his open support for statements by the two J’s, the PNC/R leader has mistakenly chosen to pay no attention to the peculiar and dynamic nature of American politics. His preference was to slavishly and unthinkingly hinge the APNU’s wagon to the jaundiced views held by the two J’s concerning the state of governance in Guyana.

However, because of the heterogeneous nature, diverse social composition and at times discordant views within the Democratic Party, it is highly unlikely that the views expressed by the two J’s would reflect the opinions and beliefs of others in that Party.

Of the over two hundred odd congressmen/women and

fifty senators belonging to the Democratic Party, there are many whose views on Guyana differ fundamentally from those of the two J’s.

Whether Mr. Norton likes it or not, apart from its pursu ance of mutually beneficial relations many developing countries and irrespective of a Democratic or Republican ad ministration in office, Guyana is poised to enter a new dy namic chapter in pursuit of its foreign policy and its bilateral relations with foreign countries especially China and the USA.

Recent visits to the USA by President Ali and reciprocal visits to Guyana by a constant flow of representatives of American banking and finan cial institutions attest to this fact.

President Ali is yet to pay state visits to China and India, and no doubt, when the Lula administration settles down in Brasilia, a state visit to that neighbouring country is likely to be in the cards.

As a former foreign ser vice officer, Mr. Norton must know that foreign policy is an expression of domestic policy. Contextually, the vertical and horizontal expansion of Guy

ana’s foreign policy is dem onstrated at the domestic level by the Ali administration’s people-to-people upwards and broadened outreaches cur rently making waves across the country.

This brings us to the recent pronouncement by Mr. Norton who expressed “fear of gov ernment’s taking over opposi tion strongholds,” a clear sign of organisational weaknesses and visionless leadership by the Norton-led APNU.

But what must be more worrying for Mr. Norton is the AFC’s fallout with the APNU as reflected in its decision to boycott the impending local government election and to bid au revoir to its concubinage with the APNU.

Worse yet, is Mr. Nor ton’s pursuit of an uncaring and deliberate policy towards his own supporters who see their needs being frittered away because of their leader’s confrontational and inflex ible politics vis-a-vis the Ali administration.

As he persists in Don Quixote fashion by engaging in useless battles with govern ment, Mr. Norton not only hin ders, but denies his supporters

of their needs.

If Mr. Norton thinks he’s doing the right thing by play ing the role of the hardliner and by constantly playing the racial card, he is wrong. It is his combative posture and non-cooperation with govern ment that will see him become his own worst enemy. It is this counterproductive path way that will help the PPP/C to takeover strongholds he claims to be his party’s.

Mr. Norton appears to be a total stranger to conflict resolution and the need to work with government to improve the wellbeing of his constituents. Instead, he fool hardily persists in exposing his supporters unnecessarily to hardship at a time when the economy is on the upswing with numerous governmentsponsored developmental projects being implemented across the country.

Had it not been for gov ernment’s efforts to reach out to the many non-traditional areas of support, residents in those areas would have been ‘left out in the cold’ because of the wooden-headed policies pursued by the Opposition Leader.

Instead of wasting time discouraging his supporters from participating fully in government-sponsored devel opmental projects across the country, Mr. Norton should show his supporters how they stand to benefit from the vast ly improved goods and ser vices provided by government.

Mr. Norton seems to be more interested in pushing the racial envelope hoping that by doing so he can prevent the loss of seats in the National Assembly come General and Regional election in 2025.

Norton does not appear to be prepared to accept the prevailing realities. He is de termined not to uplift the lives of his supporters. He refuses to see political adaptation as a devise for a more inclusive approach for the all-round development for all Guyanese.

Behaving like a big bad wolf won’t work these good days nor will such behaviour wash away the images of the electoral heist that was at tempted in 2020.

If Norton believes that by huffing and puffing he’ll blow the PPP/C house down, he better start think ing again.

Deceptive actions of APNU+AFC will always be rejected by right-thinking Guyanese

Dear Editor,

THE APNU+AFC ca bal and affiliated groups continue with desperate attempts at race-baiting which they hope will in cite civil unrest against the democratically elected People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Govern ment and end the tremen dous benefits being experi enced by all Guyanese.

It is against this back drop that I offer my response to a most mischievous letter issued by a group calling itself the Institute for Action Against Discrimination in which the purported author, Lelon Saul, who identifies as the secretary of the group, makes incredibly fraudulent and misleading statements that the government is push ing Guyana to the ‘brink of civil unrest.’

Since the letter is ad dressed to a United States (US) representative, one can only conclude that the

author is under the illusion that using false claims will trigger a US intrusion into the affairs of a democratic sovereign state such as Guy ana.

I wholeheartedly believe that whom the gods would destroy they first make stark crazy. Mr Saul is like so many of the delusional men and women in the failed APNU+AFC regime, who failed to deliver a “good life,” especially to AfroGuyanese, whom they now misguidedly seek to exploit for political relevance.

I wish to also remind Guyanese that the author is a former senior officer of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) who later served as Chief Executive Of ficer of the Central Hous ing and Planning Author ity (CH&PA), where he failed to implement a viable government housing pro gramme.

In less than two and a

half years in office, our government has rescued the housing development programme and turned it around, where to date we have issued over 11,000 house lots and low-income houses.

The beneficiaries are over 50 per cent Afro-Guy anese. Every relief grant paid by the government saw Afro-Guyanese benefitting. Payments made in the sugar industry have benefitted over 20 per cent of Afro-Guya nese, which is contrary to what the APNU+AFC would have Guyanese believe.

Many Afro-Guyanese are involved in rice, othercrop production and live stock, and have also ben efited from flood-relief and other support programme for farmers.

Recently, this author was the only person who hid behind a mask among a group that received agricul tural equipment less than

96 hours after President Irfaan Ali’s recent visit to Belladrum, on a political outreach to the MahaicaBerbice region.

Saul had the temerity to ask questions of the Presi dent about security when visiting PNC strongholds, as if to suggest that the Presi dent should not visit these areas.

The author is obviously a confused individual who also serves as Vice-President of the Guyana Veterans Le gion, an organisation that was addressed by President Ali at last Friday’s wreathlaying ceremony at GDF headquarters, Camp Ayan ganna.

During his address, the President promised to have the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) deployed this week to address all issues re lated to benefits for veterans.

That promise was kept by our President, as employ ees of the NIS are working

at camp Ayanganna resolv ing issues for veterans that the APNU+AFC inexplica bly chose to ignore while in office.

The author is an obsequi ous tentacle affixed to the scheming, manipulative and depraved APNU+AFC that plunged Guyana into chaos, and on the brink of civil unrest following a clumsily hatched plan to strangulate our democracy at the 2020 regional and general elec tions.

They would have got ten away with the heist of our country through stolen elections had it not been for the vigilance of contesting political parties, the media and the diplomatic missions of the ABCE countries in Guyana.

The APNU+AFC is on a treacherous road that they hope will create civil unrest and allow for the breakdown of democracy in Guyana, as was the case under the PNC

in the 1970s and 1980s.

Leaders in the APNU+AFC continue to push for civil unrest through attacks on the media, physi cally blockading govern ment officials from engaging with whole communities, behaving unruly in the Na tional Assembly, and adopt ing a confrontational ap proach to the President when there should be discussions on key national issues.

Plans to railroad the country was not achieved in 2020 and certainly lawabiding Guyanese along with civil society will con tinue to forcefully reject the deceptive actions of the APNU+AFC and call for political maturity, which will ensure greater unity and prosperity for all Guyanese.

Yours truly, Brigadier (Ret’d) Hon Mark Phillips

Prime Minister, Coop erative Republic of Guy ana

Guyanese will continue to be vigilant against PNC’s Machiavellian tactics

MOST young Guyanese who were born after 1992 are

now grown up and many have reached the age where they can vote in free and

fair elections. They have not experienced the horrors that took place under the PNC

dictatorship under Burnham and Hamilton Green. They ruled Guyana as if it was their personal property and anyone who opposed them were deemed enemies of the state. Many were hounded by PNC goons. Many were arrested and threatened. Many were killed.

The Burnham regime kept itself in power by rigging suc cessive elections. The rigging was crude. There was open stuffing of ballot boxes by PNC goons, and ballot boxes and ballots were switched. Some ballot boxes went miss ing. Horses, donkeys, and dead people all voted in those elections. The PNC counted the votes and declared them selves the winner. The crooked rigging has been well docu mented.

The young people of today must understand that regard less of their voting preferenc es, the rights they enjoy today were denied to generations of their fellow Guyanese.

That is why they should understand the country’s his tory and defend their demo cratic rights, especially the right to vote.

A signal achievement of the then-opposition PPP and others was counting of the ballots at the place of poll. This was not the case under the PNC. This was a long and difficult struggle and entailed enlisting powerful friends such as the Carter Center. Under tremendous pressure, the then President Desmond Hoyte caved in and agreed to the counting of votes at the place of poll.

Since then, many more safeguards were put into law, thus making it impossible to manipulate votes. The PNC, however, has not given up on its attempt to steal elections. Young people saw for them selves in 2020, to what extent the PNC would go to remain

in office by dishonest means.

When it became clear that they lost the 2020 elections, they brought up the issue of dead people voting. The PNC is trying to give the impres sion to their supporters that somehow the PPP is using the names of the dead to win elections. They have failed to identify a single case of someone voting on behalf of a dead person.

Now that Local Govern ment Elections are coming up, the PNC is pushing for a “clean list.” This “clean list” campaign is one with sinister motives. While claiming that the list is “bloated” by having Guyanese voters who died overseas, their real intention is to remove from the list all Guyanese living overseas. It is a ruse to disenfranchise many.

This sinister move has been exposed by the PPP and many others. GECOM has made efforts to remove those registered persons who died in Guyana and whose deaths have been reported to the authorities. The PNC, as was pointed out on many oc casions, cannot present any solution to removing those who died overseas. Their solu tion is to remove all Guyanese living overseas through a new house-to-house registration, an act that the court ruled would be illegal.

Another question they are avoiding is, given all the safe guards at polling stations on polling day, how is it possible for anyone to vote for a dead person. The High Commis sioner of the United Kingdom has acknowledged the robust safeguards in place according to law and the present list is workable. The PNC has not responded. They cannot give answers to these questions because their hidden agendas will be exposed.

The PNC is now trying to get the PPP government

to agree on discussions on changing the constitution to remove the rights of Guyanese living overseas to vote. The PPP has already indicated that having fought for democracy for decades, it will never con nive with the PNC to disen franchise Guyanese.

The People’s National Congress has been adept at de liberately creating false reali ties to achieve political power. That party has used diabolical schemes throughout its his tory to incite its supporters to violent behaviour, especially after losing elections.

Younger generations born after the Burnham dictator ship had a taste of the PNC’s dirty tactics before, during, and after the 2020 elections. Recall their devious tricks after the no-confidence motion was passed. During the CARI COM-supervised recount they brought up the boogeyman of dead people voting. These were just wild claims. They have now elevated these bogus claims and accusations, as if they have been proven as actu ally happening.

The PNC, like a drowning man, is clutching at straws. They know that they face a sound beating at the upcoming Local Government Elections. They are trying to bring into disrepute the integrity of those elections.

Recently, in a published letter, once PNC strongman Hamilton Green, cunningly tried to insert another boo geyman when he called for an “examination of the many aliens who are being baptised ‘Guyanese’ and may very well be part of a bloated Voter’s List.”

The people of Guyana will continue to be vigilant against the PNC’s Machi avellian tactics.

Yours truly, Alvin Hamilton

Dear Editor,

Tourism Minister urges public to use only approved tour operators

TWO tragic incidents involving tourists have prompted Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Wal rond, to urge persons to only use approved tour operators.

The minister, in a state ment issued on Wednesday, emphasised that persons should ensure that their tours and tour operators are approved by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).

A list of approved op erators can be found on the ministry’s website (min tic.gov.gy/approved-tour-

operators) and the Guyana Tourism Authority’s Face book page.

“Tours that are unregu lated and not approved by the Authority many times

do not have the necessary safety systems and proto cols in place,” she said.

Minister Walrond added that following the unfor tunate events at Orinduik in October which resulted in the death of Gladstone Haynes, and more recently, the report of a missing per son in the Rupununi, “the government commenced a search inquiry into these tragic incidents, in which the operations of all stake holders, including the rel evant authorities, will be examined.”

While no information

was provided about the missing Rupununi traveller, a source told the Guyana Chronicle that the unidenti fied man was a tourist who was on a fishing trip, and was reportedly using an unlicensed tour operator.

Haynes, a New York Police Department (NYPD) veteran officer, disappeared while swimming at Orin duik Falls in the North Pakaraimas. His body was discovered three days later.

According to the min ister, a key feature of the review of the tragic inci dents will be a Decem

ber 13 consultation with tour operators and related regulatory agencies. The aim is to develop Standard Operating Procedures and emergency measures for all tours.

“Pending the com pletion of the review, I urge the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana, the Private Sector Commission and other private sector bod ies to join our call for persons to only use opera tors and facilities that are approved by the GTA,” Minister Walrond said.

Charrandass Persaud no longer representing Guyana as High Commissioner

CHARRANDASS Per saud is no longer repre senting Guyana in the capacity of High Commis sioner to India, and while he remains in India, it is to facilitate the “winding down” of affairs for his return, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and In ternational Cooperation has said.

The ministry’s clarifica tion was a direct response to accusations by the Alliance For Change (AFC) that Persaud was still function ing as an envoy, given an invitation where he is listed as a guest at an event.

The statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry ex plained that Persaud is sim ply in India in the process of

winding down his adminis trative responsibilities and taking steps to organise his personal affairs in order for his return to Guyana.

“These activities are consistent with the recall of any Head of Mission. The ministry wishes to as sure the citizens of Guyana that all international best practices in diplomacy are being adhered to,” the state ment said.

Speaking with the Guy ana Chronicle, Minister of Foreign Affairs and In ternational Cooperation, Hugh Todd, said Persaud’s name could have mistakenly been included in a general invitation that was sent out to a general collection of envoys.

However, Todd said the authenticity of an invitation has not been verified and when he spoke to Persaud on the issue, Persaud related that he was not aware of an invitation to an event in the capacity as high commis sioner.

“When I spoke to him earlier, he was not aware of it. He’s not aware of the host, nor aware that he was invited and is a guest. It could’ve been a mistake,” Todd said.

It was last month that President, Dr Irfaan Ali an nounced that Persaud will be stepping down from his post and returning to Guy ana, allowing for someone else to transition into the New Delhi-based role.

The decision followed the circulation of a video on social media of an in cident which occurred in August 2021 outside of the High Commissioner’s Vas ant Kunj residence.

The President, in the address, noted that not withstanding Persaud be ing cleared of any accusa tions made against him, the standard for Guyana’s representatives abroad is high. As such, President Ali said, there was a meeting of the minds between the two during a phone call which culminated with the decision.

“Mr Charrandass agreed with me that, in keeping with the best in terest of Guyana, he will

return home from his posting in India. I want to assure all Guyanese that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Govern ment of Guyana will con

tinue to work every day to strengthen our relation ship, not only with India, but [also] with every other partner across the globe,” the President had said

No word from Glenn Lall on investor after 10+weeks

PUBLISHER of the KAI ETEUR News, Glenn Lall, is yet to apologise to Guyana for failing to uphold his half of a threeweek commitment to find an investor who will pro duce power for Guyana at a cost of US5 cents per kilowatt hour.

In an interview with Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on September 13, 2022, Lall claimed: “The cost to produce electricity

in today’s world is about [US] three cents,” but the Vice-President challenged him to find an investor who would produce at a much higher figure of five US cents instead, after pointing out how unrealis tic Lall’s estimate is.

If Lall didn’t succeed in finding the investor within three weeks, he promised to apologise publicly for deceiving the country.

The Vice-President be

gan: “So, at five cents per kilowatt hour delivered to the government and if three weeks go by and you can’t get this company,” but Lall interrupted before he could finish, stating, “I will apologise to the na tion.”

Later, he consented to have his apology broadcast on his radio station and published in his publica tions.

After 10 weeks, the

publisher of the Kaieteur News, who calls himself an “oil and gas expert” despite having no profes sional qualifications in the subject, has not even indicated that he is looking for a company to supply Guyana with power at a cost of US5 cents per kilo watt hour.

Additionally, he has not yet offered an apol ogy for misleading the country.

Charrandass Persaud

Kaieteur News publisher Glenn Lall

- Foreign Affairs Ministry confirms

Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond

Series of activities planned for ‘16 days of activism against GBV’

IN observance of the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the Ministry of Human Services and So cial Security will roll out a series of events begin ning on Friday, Novem ber 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Wom en and will run until December 10, International Human Rights Day.

According to a press release from the ministry, the series of activities held under the theme, “UNiTE! Activism to end violence against women and girls,” will get underway with a grand launch at Camp and Lamaha Streets from 16:00hrs on Friday.

Dubbed “Orange Av enue,” the launch will see subject Minister Dr Vind hya Persaud, members of Cabinet and international representatives taking part

in a tree-wrapping exer cise, paint for purpose and a mini exhibition. Per sons are encouraged to wear something orangecoloured.

The following day, the public will assemble at Camp and Lamaha Streets to begin a march over to the National Park, where

there will be a grand rally, featuring performances from Vanita Willie, Omi aha Hall and Signature Productions coupled with a pop-up market by women.

Immediately after, a family picnic is expected to be done in the National Park, demonstrating a lov ing and nurturing exercise

in which families can par ticipate to build stronger bonds.

One of the premier events, “DefendHer,” will take place on December 4 at the Police Officers’ Mess, Eve Leary, where the ministry will collabo rate with MAXIDO adult self-defence training to provide a free and open seminar to women 16

years and older to learn several techniques to de fend themselves.

Another key feature is the invincible games, which feature a host of sports for persons with disabilities on December 3 and We Lift, lifting women out of domestic violence on December 9 in Linden.

Among the other ini tiatives planned are the

engagements on Guy ana’s Committee on the Elimination of Discrimi nation against Women (CEDAW) Report, a na tionwide consultation on the new Family Violence Act, campaigns to raise awareness against sexual violence, bullying, body shaming, cyber abuse, el derly abuse and domestic violence and men.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud

The calendar of events for the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence

PM Phillips: Cybersecurity critical to digital resilience in Guyana

- says Govt will develop enabling ICT environment

A digital resilience frame work is crucial to sustain able economic and social development in the age of rapid IT expansion and dig ital network transformation, according to Prime Minis ter Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips.

The Senior Government Official made these remarks Wednesday during the opening ceremony of the National Cy ber Risk Assessment (NCRA) workshop which the United Kingdom is facilitating at the Arthur Chung Conference Cen tre (ACCC) in Liliendaal.

“Our Government remains committed to developing the required infrastructure and providing an enabling envi ronment to promote the use of ICTs across Guyana in keeping with the drive to enhance global

digitisation and to eliminate the digital divide.”

The Prime Minister added that technological advance ments could lead to vulnerabil ity and cyber threats that can potentially endanger life.

In this regard, he stated that: “Cybersecurity is key to securing our digital assets. To achieve this, we [the Govern ment] will continue to make and to support investments that provide opportunities for all Guyanese, especially organisa tions that make up our Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). This will ensure that relevant skills are attained to safely ac cess and leverage ICTs.”

He also emphasised that Guyana must be capable of securely capitalising on the eco nomic and social opportunities of digitalisation while simul

taneously protecting national security and public values.

“It is our aim to develop a robust cybersecurity posture that will not only enable the protection of Guyana’s peo ple, digital assets and digital reputation but also improve our country’s cyber resilience, while fostering a culture of good online behaviour.”

Additionally, Prime Minis

ter Phillips expressed gratitude to the Government of the Unit ed Kingdom for the initiative, which strengthen cyber resil ience via the protection of CNI assets from Cyber-attacks.

“The Government of Guy ana welcomes the National Cy ber Risk Assessment (NCRA) initiative as it will foster our current agenda to use ICTs to catalyse the development in our Critical National Infrastructure organisations.”

The British High Com missioner to Guyana, Jane Miller; Director of the Na tional Intelligence and Secu rity Agency, Colonel Omar Khan; Director of the Na

tional Data Management Au thority (NDMA), Christopher Deen along with representa tives from several security agencies were also at the event.

A section of the gathering at the opening ceremony of the National Cyber Risk Assessment (NCRA) workshop which the United Kingdom is facilitating at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips

China on the new journey an opportunity for the world

(People’s Daily Online)

Last month, the Commu nist Party of China (CPC) held its 20th National Con gress, an event of great significance in the sense that it charts the course for the country’s domestic and foreign policies for the next five years and beyond. With new tasks and objec tives set, China is now em barking on a new journey. Where is China headed? What does it mean to the world? These are questions that matter to countries across the globe.

In the past week, China’s top leadership provided the answers. From November 14 to 19, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Indonesia and Thailand back-to-back for the G20 summit and the ensuing Asia-Pacific Eco nomic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting, and met with over 20 world leaders face-to-face, calling for concerted efforts to pro mote global development and strengthen global gov ernance. In a world mired in uncertainties and instability, the messages from China are reassuring.

China is committed to promoting global devel opment through its own development

In his conversations with world leaders, President Xi articulated China’s central task for years to come, which is to achieve national reju venation through a Chinese path to modernization. It will be the modernization of a huge population, of common prosperity for all, of material and cultural-ethical advance ment, of harmony between humanity and nature, and of peaceful development.

With over 1.4 billion people, China will provide a super-large market. To date, the size of middle-income

group in China has already exceeded 400 million and it will continue to grow, considering the country’s emphasis on delivering pros perity for all. The enormous buying power of the Chinese people, together with the government’s commitment to opening the market wid er, will give a strong boost to economic development elsewhere.

The positive spillovers will not be limited to the economic field. China’s fo cus on ecological conser vation and environmental protection is already paying off, driving the low-car bon transition at home and green development across the world. With culture and education being one of the pillars in China’s modern ization drive, international exchanges in these areas will grow and nurture a climate of mutual understanding and friendship among nations.

All this will be premised on a peaceful environment. China has all along made it clear that it will not repeat the beaten path of tradition al powers in advancing its modernization. Instead of seeking hegemony and ex ploiting latecomers, China is embracing a vision of com munity with a shared future among all countries.

China is committed to strengthening global gover nance through multilateral cooperation

The G20 leaders and APEC economies gathered at a time of fragility and momentous changes. The COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet. The geopolitical situation remains tense. Global recovery is being hampered by the crippling food, energy and financial crises. Some have opted for decoupling and sever ing supply chains, with the

talks of “friend-shoring” or “reshoring”.

China’s answer to the challenges of the times is an unequivocal stand with peace, development and winwin cooperation, and for upholding true multilateral ism and open regionalism to revitalize global governance. President Xi called on world leaders to replace division with unity, confrontation with cooperation, and ex clusion with inclusiveness. Solidarity and common de velopment are the only right choice to make.

China’s proposals were incorporated into both the G20 Bali Leaders’ Declara tion and the APEC Leaders’ Declaration, pooling consen sus and building confidence for international solidarity and cooperation. In addition, the announcement of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in 2023 is much welcomed, as it will inject fresh impetus to global development.

China is committed to a healthy and stable relation ship with the United States

The China-U.S. rela tionship is one of the most consequential bilateral rela tionships in the world. With global challenges and crises compounding one another, it is high time that the rela tionship be brought back on track. The bilateral summit between President Xi and President Biden in Bali, the first face-to-face meeting between the heads of state of the two countries over the past three years, offers a golden opportunity to shape the future of this relation ship, and has naturally be come a focus of international attention.

The strategic role of head-of-state diplomacy in developing bilateral rela tions is irreplaceable. The

two presidents aimed to set the course and establish the parameters for the relation ship, and spent more than three hours laying out their strategic intentions and key concerns and discussing issues of great significance to the bilateral ties and the global community. They agreed to prevent the rela tionship from derailing and getting out of control, to find the right way for two major countries to get along, to work out the principles or strategic framework for the relationship together, and to make sure that their consensus on managing and stabilizing the relationship is truly implemented.

The special timing and significance of this meeting cannot be overstated. It is a strong action taken at the head-of-state level to sta bilize relations and prevent conflict. The common under standings reached thereof, if delivered, will kick start a process of “building bridg es”, recalibrate the relation ship and finally bring it back on track. This is undoubtedly great news for the interna tional community, and will have a profound impact on the international landscape.

China is committed to strengthening friendship with its neighbors

Choosing Indonesia and Thailand as the destinations of the first presidential visit after the Party C ongress speaks volumes about how much China values its re lations with neighbouring countries.

Indonesia is a major de veloping country, a key emerging market and the world’s most populous Mus lim country. It is also where President Xi first proposed the initiative on building a 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. Earlier in the year, the

two countries had agreed to work toward a bilateral community with a shared future. During this visit, the two sides built on that consensus and signed a new action plan on their compre hensive strategic partnership for the next five years.

China values the geo graphical proximity, cultural affinity and people-to-peo ple bond with Thailand. Marking the tenth anniver sary of their comprehen sive strategic cooperative partnership this year, China and Thailand launched the process to build a commu nity with a shared future for enhanced stability, prosper ity and sustainability.

These fruitful results reveal the depth of friend ship between China and its neighboring nations. They are also evidence that Chi na’s efforts to promote a community with a shared future for mankind are turn ing from ideal into concrete policy and action.

China is committed to working together with partners around the world

Fostering partnerships, not alliance, has been a key objective for China’s diplomacy. The plurality of China’s bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G20 summit and the Asia-Pacif ic Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting suggests that it is no lip service. President Xi found time to converse with friends both old and new, and exchanged views with leaders of both the develop ing world and the developed Western nations.

With the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei and other neighboring countries, Chi na would continue to deepen their friendship and coop eration. It seeks to increase understanding and trust

with France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand, to name just a few. It also commits to strengthen ties with the United Nations, and to work together on operationalizing the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and Global Security Initiative (GSI).

With regard to the Ukraine crisis, China voiced its unequivocal support for peace. As President Xi stressed, there is no win ners from conflict and war and no simple solution to complex issues, and con frontation between major countries must be avoided. China always makes ob jective and fair judgment based on the merit of the matter, and works to bring parties together for peace talks.

The productive lead er-level talks demonstrate that partnership is always possible through dialogue based on mutual respect and equality, even though views and positions may differ. More and more countries have come to realize that China’s development means the growth of the force for peace and progress, and that China is a friend and partner they can trust and work with.

As China’s first presi dential trip overseas after the CPC’s 20th National Congress, President Xi’s visit provides a crucial indication for the direc tion of China’s diplomacy on the new journey. From Bali to Bangkok, China has shown confi dence, responsibility and consistency in its foreign policy. The world can rest assured that China on its new journey will continue to be an opportunity for peace, development and progress.

$59M water supply system commissioned at Isseneru

A $59M water supply sys tem has been commissioned in the village of Isseneru, Region Seven, providing first-time access to potable water.

The system was com missioned on Tuesday by the Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal.

Also present were the Di rector of Hinterland Services, Ramchand Jailal; Toshao Dhaness Larson; residents and other officials.

Minister Croal, in his address, stated that the de velopment of water and other services in hinterland com munities is paramount to the government.

“We intend to provide you with the same type of development available on the coastland [...] not until we are able to bridge the gap, will our work feel satisfied,” the Minister said.

Previously, there was no functioning water supply system in Isseneru, which has a population of 500 persons. Residents would, therefore, use water from the Mazaruni River and practise rainwater harvesting. The new system provides water to all residents in the central area and public buildings such as schools and the health centre.

Minister Croal also laud ed the contractor, Adaman tium Holdings, for the project delivery despite a number of challenges with the location and terrain.

Meanwhile, the Direc tor of Hinterland Services, Ramchand Jailal, urged the

community to ensure that the system is utilised cor rectly. He also noted that two Community Service Officers (CSOs) were trained in water operation and maintenance to assist with the management of the system.

The scope of works for the water supply system in cluded: the drilling of new potable water well to a depth of 390 feet, the installation of 3000 meters of 50mm (2”) PVC pipes & 1000 me ters of 19mm (3/4”) pipes with 90 service connections; construction of a 20-foot elevated metal trestle with storage and six No. 600 gal lon storage tanks; installation of photovoltaic pumping system including submers

ible pump, controller, solar panels and accessories; and construction of galvanized chain-link fence around well and photovoltaic system.

The water has also been tested to ensure its quality conforms to the World Health Organization (WHO) stan dards.

Residents of the com munity also welcomed the project. Community health worker, Ronald Gayral, stat ed, “It would be very benefi cial to the village; our main water supply would be from the creek, but when it’s dry season it would be very hard on the villagers.”

He added that the new well would provide safer drinking water, which is ex pected to reduce the number of illnesses caused by the contaminated water from the

river.

Cedric Wilkie, a primary school teacher, remarked that the well would improve the quality of the school and community by extension.

“We should benefit with in the community and school and other areas as well, so I think it’s a good initiative,” Mr Wilkie said.

Overall, when the Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali Govern ment took Office in 2020, ac cess to potable water supply in Region Seven was approx imately 34 per cent. Howev er, after three water supply systems were completed in 2021 at Kurutuku, Kamarang and Jawalla, access was in creased to 47 per cent.

Moreover, the govern ment is undertaking six water supply projects in 2022, in cluding the Isseneru system, which is expected to further push water access in Region Seven to 65 per cent by the end of the year. Through GWI’s 2020-2025 strate gic plan, the government is looking to increase water coverage to between 95 and 100 per cent by 2025.

During the meeting, the Minister also highlighted several interventions to benefit the residents in ed ucation, health, agricultural and infrastructure devel opment and handed over several sports gear to the community. Residents were also given the opportunity to raise a number of issues affecting the community, which will be addressed at the Cabinet level.

Duo freed for alleged murder of Gafoors’ manager

HIGH Court Judge, Sim one Morris-Ramlall, on Wednesday, upheld a nocase submission and lat er dismissed the charge against two men who were accused of murdering a Gafoors’ manager, Terry Lackhan, in 2016.

David Outar, 27, for merly of First Street, Her stelling, and Patrick Ross, 29, formerly of Foulis, East Coast Demerara, were on trial at the Demerara High Court for the capital of fence of murder.

They denied that, on July 21, 2016, they mur dered Lackhan during the course or furtherance of a robbery.

The men were repre sented by attorneys Sta cy Goodings and Adrian Thompson. Evidence was led by state counsel Muntaz Ali and Simran Gajraj.

The men’s attorneys made a no-case submission and called for the indict ment to be dismissed on the grounds of insufficient evidence.

The judge later upheld the submission and stated that the state had failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused for the offence of murder.

She then ordered the jury to return a formal ver dict of not guilty.

Lackhan was a manager

at Gafoors Industries Lim ited and was found dead, in his wardrobe, with a rope tied around his neck, shortly after a male was seen exiting the home with several bags.

Several bottles of tab lets and photographs of his family members were nearby, as part of attempts by the murderer to make

the man’s death look like a suicide.

His only child, Riyad Lackhan, had told reporters that he was in Berbice when he received a call from a tenant who lives in the low er flat of the building where his father resided.

He said the woman in formed him that there was a commotion upstairs; that

was around 21:00 hours on the day in question.

According to the son, the tenant later informed him that someone was seen leaving with several bags and he [the son] later re turned a call and asked the tenant to venture upstairs and check on his father.

The woman then called and revealed that his father was found motionless on the bed next to a wardrobe.

According to him, his father was in the habit of knocking down objects around the house whenev er he was intoxicated and he noted that the tenant assumed that was the case that evening.

“But after she saw someone leaving with bags… that’s when she got scared,” the man’s son had said.

A neighbour related that persons in the area saw someone in a three-quarter pants walking out the street after 22:00 hours on the night in question.

He said the individu al’s presence seemed odd. Lackhan’s front door, which was slightly ajar, aroused further suspicion.

Lackan’s son said that his father, who had been a manager at Gafoors for several years, was not ex periencing any problems.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal drinks from the water supply system that was commissioned in Isseneru, Region Seven, where residents received first-time access to potable water

An elevated metal trestle at the project site in Isseneru, Region Seven

Wife killer gets 16 years

FIVE years after the brutal killing of Gomattie Rams ingh at her Number 58 Village, Corentyne home, her reputed husband was, on Tuesday, sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Raywatram Mooloo, also known as ‘Adesh’ and ‘Cow’ appeared before Justice Navindra Singh at the Berbice High Court for the capital offence of murder.

However, he opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter which alleged that, on May 28, 2017, he unlawfully killed the 34-year-old woman.

The state’s case was presented by prosecutor Nafeeza Baig, while attorney-at-law, Surihya Sabsook, represented Mooloo.

According to court records, Ramsingh died as a result of the injuries she had sustained during an altercation with her reputed husband.

In the statement of agreed facts, Mooloo went into his wife’s purse on May 25, 2017, and took out money to buy rum. This caused Ramsingh to hold her husband and a fight later ensued between the couple.

As the woman held him, Mooloo knocked her head three times on the landing they were standing on. He then pulled her off the landing, causing her to fall and tumble down the steps.

Mooloo picked her up, soaked her head, and then went to buy vodka.

Later, he and the victim argued a bit more about the money and then they got into another argument about another woman.

The woman started to chuck him and he pushed her back causing her to fall down the stairs. She landed on two concrete blocks that were on the ground below.

Mooloo and another person later assisted his wife on to the bed.

On May 26, 2017, at about 09:00 hours, Mooloo took Ramsingh to the Skeldon Hospital, where she died two days later.

According to the post-mortem examination, Rams ingh died due to multiple injuries including a broken pelvis and a fractured spine, which rendered her im mobile.

Raywatram Mooloo and the late Gomattie Ramsingh

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Thursday November 24, 2022)

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

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Clive Lloyd-22 Tests

(2) Alan Border-18 Tests

Today’s Quiz:

(1) What is the highest partnership for any wicket by WI pair against AUST in Tests to date?

(2) What is the highest partnership for any wicket by an AUST pair against the WI in Tests to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

RACING TIPS

American Racing Tips Laurel Race 1 Oro De Moro Moro

Race 2 Wond Watwer Race 3 Big Ambition Race 4 Dancer’s Melody Race 5 Tate

Race 6 Diva Ready Race 7 Seiche Race 8 Vance Scholary

Canadian Racing Tips Woodbine Race 1 Original Me Race 2 Speedchess Race 3 Gold Forester

South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:35 hrs Mercantour 09:05 hrs Dyee 09:40 hrs Twice The Storm 10:15 hrs Admiralty Arch

English Racing Tips Lingfield 08:25 hrs Shot Boii 08:55 hrs Coolyalia 09:30 hrs Guguss Collonges 10:05 hrs Hot Rod Lingoln 10:35 hrs Sheldon 11:05 hrs Time For Hollie 11:35 hrs Shaw’s Cross

Taunton 08:40 hrs Timeforatune 09:10 hrs Can You Call 09:45 hrs I Spy A Diva 10:20 hrs Huelgoat 10:50 hrs Itso Fury 11:20 hrs Opening Bid 11:50 hrs No No Tonic

Kelso 08:48 hrs Chapel Green 09:20 hrs Azof Des Mottes 09:55 hrs Hoganville 10:28 hrs Miss Milano 10:58 hrs Brayhill 11:28 hrs Camp Belan

Irish Racing Tips

Thurles 08:30 hrs Churchstonewarrior 09:00 hrs Artic Ambition 09:35 hrs Favori De Champdon 10:10 hrs Salute Dona 10:40 hrs L’or Des Roses 11:10 hrs Our Bobby 11:40 hrs Il Etait Temps

Works on Anna Regina stadium underway

WORKS on the Anna Regina stadium in Re gion Two have com menced and are pro gressing smoothly ac cording to the stipulated timeline.

The announcement was made by Region Two Vice-Chairman, Humace Oodit, in a recent inter view with the Department of Public Information (DPI), where he expressed his satisfaction with the first phase of work cur rently ongoing.

“The contract was re cently signed and work commenced at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground for a stadium. As you know sports are im

portant for young people and even people support ing in the discipline,” he said.

Works on the stadium will be executed in three phases.

The first phase will see the ground being raised 18 inches and will accommo date a grass mount. Works on the first phase are ex pected to be completed within eight months.

The second phase will see the execution of fenc ing and lighting work. The third phase will see the seating being installed.

“So, Region Two will be having all of these facil ities that it will not only be in Georgetown or Berbice

but Essequibo can be one of those regions that we can have bigger activities happening at the ground especially, and you know that two other stadiums will be built,” said the vice-chairman.

UPGRADES TO COMMUNITY GROUNDS

Meanwhile, as work on the Anna Regina ground continues, the Region al Democratic Council (RDC) is looking at the Suddie ground which is similar to the Anna Regina ground, to host its annual Essequibo night and other activities.

Additionally, the Gov

ernment, through the Cul ture, Youth and Sport Min istry, has expended some $60M into upgrading six community grounds across the region.

This will see Queen stown, Affiance, Reliance, Charity, Sparta and Golden Fleece receiving $10M each.

The Golden Fleece ground and Charity ground will both receive flood lights. So, sports can be played during the day and night.

The vice-chair said a major transformation is happening in the sports sector and the people of Region Two are pleased.

Belgium labour to victory over Canada

(BBC) - Belgium laboured to victory in their opening World Cup game as they were pushed all the way by an out standing effort from Canada.

Canada dominated large portions of this Group F game but were wasteful in front of goal, particularly when Alphon so Davies saw a first-half pen alty saved by Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois.

Courtois also had to save well from Alistair Johnston, but Canada were undone against the run of play on the stroke of half-time when Michy Bat shuayi collected Toby Alder weireld's long ball and fired a powerful left-foot finish past Milan Borjan.

Jonathan David wasted a glorious headed chance to draw Canada level and Courtois also saved from Cyle Larin. Canada were also left nursing a sense of injustice after they had two presentable penalty appeals ignored in the first half.

Canada continued to push forward in the second half but it was Roberto Martinez's side who closed out the win, de spite a performance that made a mockery of their status as

second in the world rankings.

"Canada deserved to be better than us in the way they played," Martinez told Match of the Day. "It's a win and we need to play better and to grow.

"This tournament is going to make you develop and grow as the tournament goes on. If you do that by winning games, it's an incredible advantage.

"Today we didn't win by our normal talent and quality on the ball, but you don't win in the World Cup if you don't do the other side of the game."

Dismal Belgium ride their luck

Belgium have Canada's poor finishing to thank for the fact they avoided the fate of Ar gentina and Germany in falling victim to a World Cup shock.

Martinez has presided over Belgium's so-called 'Golden Generation' but this ageing side, on the evidence of this performance, may have left their best days behind them.

Belgium still have glorious talent in the shape of Kevin de Bruyne and a world-class keep er in Courtois but they looked ragged, jaded and desperately vulnerable to the pace and en ergy of Canada's attacking play.

The defensive duo of Al

derweireld, 33, and 35-year-old Jan Vertonghen have served country and clubs outstandingly well, but there was an air of desperation about some of their play as Canada, in the first half particularly, dragged Belgium to all parts. They simply could not cope with the speed and in tensity of Canada, an ominous sign for future games.

Belgium can clearly per form much better than this and have main striker Romelu Lukaku to return upfront but this was a tired-looking effort and coach Martinez, who is under pressure to bring success to this group having been in charge since 2016, will simply be relieved to come out of this game with three points.

CANADA SHOW THEY 'CAN LIVE ON THIS STAGE'

Canada were roared on by thousands of fans inside Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, giving thun derous and colourful backing to John Herdman's team.

And even though their first game of this World Cup ended in defeat, Canada's supporters still gave their team a deserved

One-Guyana President's Cup

"A greatinitiative"Essequibian Nalini Anirude

By Calvin Chap man

THE One-Guyana President's Cup has kicked off with three match days so far at the Anna Regina Multilateral ground on the Essequibo Coast for the Region Two inter-ward leg of the nationwide com petition.

Henrietta and Su penaam are the latest winners, and the buzz the tournament has brought to the Coast has the residents ex cited.

Speaking to Chron icle Sport on Sunday, Nalinee Anirude, a clerk residing in Bush Lot, was happy to share her excitement due to the President's

standing ovation at the final whistle after a performance in which they did everything but score the goal they richly merited.

Canada were fearless from the first whistle, sensing vul nerability in Belgium's defence and the disjointed nature of Martinez's team, whose ranking means they should be among the World Cup favourites.

They had Belgium on the run but squandered their big chance when Davies' tame penalty was saved by Courtois following Yannick Carrasco's handball. It was to prove a pivotal moment.

Canada made nearly all the running and had 22 efforts on goal but only three were on tar get, leaving them at the mercy of one moment of quality from Belgium which duly arrived with Batshuayi's goal.

To their great credit Canada refused to take a backward step even after this setback, but main striker David, who has earned a big reputation with

Cup being played in Region Two.

She posited, "First, I want to say thanks to the President for this wonderful tournament. I am happy to see the ground being occu pied by the players and more importantly the youths staying busy. This tournament will give a good glimpse of the talent hidden away on the Essequibo Coast."

She continued, "I think the Govern ment is doing some thing really good with this One-Guy ana concept. It is exactly what we need. I think we need to come together as a people and work for a better tomorrow."

Lille, could not make the most of a clear headed opening in the second half.

Canada, however, can take pride and hope from this per formance. They may have lost all four World Cup games they have played without scoring a goal, but there was so much to admire about their showing here.

The Canadians are ranked 39 places below Belgium, but matched them in all areas apart from that decisive strike.

"We had an opportunity to be top of the group tonight - that was the mission and we missed it, but I'm proud of the performance," said Herdman.

"These lads put a shift in, they showed that they can live on this stage. They made the fans proud and made them feel like they belong here and that was important for us. I showed them the stats and showed them that they belong here."

Alphonso Davies saw his penalty saved by Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the first half

Spain thrash Costa Rica 7-0

(BBC) - Gavi announced himself on the global stage with a brilliant volley as Spain produced a spar kling passing performance to outclass Costa Rica and start their World Cup in sensational style.

Ferran Torres scored twice in what was a stroll from start to finish for the 2010 champions.

But the pick of their sev en goals was Gavi's outstand ing volleyed finish, with the Barcelona teenager using the outside of his foot to steer a dropping ball home via the post and become the young est World Cup goalscorer since Pele.

This has been a tourna ment full of surprises, with Spain's Group E rivals Ger many the latest victims with their late defeat by Japan earlier in the day, but there was never a hint of another

shock happening here.

La Roja were completely dominant from the start, with Costa Rica unable to live with their pace, movement and precision when they came forward.

The Euro 2020 semi-fi nalists went close twice in the first 10 minutes, with Dani Olmo and Marco Asensio both firing wide, but they did not have to wait long to take the lead.

Olmo had work to do to when he met Gavi's delicate chipped pass into the area, but he used his strength to hold off Oscar Duarte then spun into space to expertly slot past the onrushing Key lor Navas.

It was an ominous start for Costa Rica and things quickly got worse for the 2014 quarter-finalists, who were the last team to qualify for Qatar.

Again Spain advanced up the middle of the pitch unopposed, before the ball was spread left to Jordi Alba and his driven cross was met powerfully by Asensio - al though Navas should have done far better with his at tempted save.

Victory was sealed just

after the half-hour mark, when Torres sent Navas the wrong way from the spot af ter Duarte had hacked at Alba in the box.

But there was more mis ery to come for Costa Rica after the break, with Spain still hungry for goals.

Torres capitalised on

more poor defending to make it 4-0, collecting a loose ball after bursting into the box and then calmly firing home.

Gavi's superb strike add ed gloss to an already glitter ing display, with the 18-yearold finding a finish to match his impressive performance after meeting a cross from substitute Alvaro Morata.

Another substitute, Car los Soler, made it six after Navas failed to deal with a cross, and Morata rounded off the scoring in injury time after playing a one-two with Olmo.

Spain's youngsters pro duce dazzling display

Gavi is the youngest man to play for Spain at a World Cup and his goal made him the youngest goalscorer at a finals since Brazilian Pele in 1958.

The way he took it was

worthy of the legend men tioned in that statistic, and capped a display which was mature beyond his years.

He was not the only young Spanish player to daz zle either, with 19-year-old Pedri also enjoying an out standing evening in midfield.

Costa Rica were hugely disappointing but also barely had a kick, managing only 231 passes to 1 043 from Spain, while failing to regis ter a single effort at goal.

Spain had lost their open ing matches at the past three World Cups, including in 2010 when they went on to win the tournament.

This time, they could not have made a more em phatic start, and will be in confident mood when they face Germany in their next game, knowing another win would all but eliminate their great European rivals.

Japan stun Germany in come-from-behind win

(BBC) - A stunning late comeback from Japan saw four-time winners Germany fall to a shock defeat in their opening World Cup game in Qa tar.

Germany dominated a frenetic match for large spells but failed to cap italise on their pressure - before Japan caused the Khalifa International Sta dium to erupt in a mix of celebration and surprise.

Substitute Takuma Asa no squeezed in a thumping strike from a tight angle to make it 2-1 to Japan and ran over to the photogra phers in the corner of the stadium in sheer delight.

There was a collective pause in the arena as the ball rolled down from the roof of the net before sup porters realised it had gone in.

Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan had given Ger many the lead from the penalty spot in the first half, before Japan substi tute Ritsu Doan equalised in the 75th minute.

The equaliser came after

a string of stunning saves at each end - Japan's Shuichi Gonda pulling off a double stop to deny Serge Gnabry and Jonas Hofmann, before Germany's Manuel Neuer got his fingertips to Junya Ito's effort.

Germany, who finished bottom of their group in Russia in 2018, had missed several chances to extend their lead when the score was 1-0.

They face stiff opposi tion in Group E with 2010 winners Spain to come on Sunday, then a final group game against Costa Rica.

Before kick-off Ger many's players put their hands over their mouths during a team photo and in the stands a German gov ernment minister, Nancy Faeser, wore the OneLove armband.

It comes after news that the German football federa tion (DFB) is investigating whether it is legal for FIFA to threaten players with sanction for wearing the OneLove armband in Qatar.

The DFB later tweet ed that human rights are

Flashbacks for Germa ny as Japan celebrate mem orable win

The misery of Germa ny's early exit from the World Cup in Russia could not be forgotten as Hansi Flick's side trudged off the field at full-time having

suffered defeat at the hands of Asian opposition again.

Their supporters had ar rived in hope more than ex pectation that their young stars would lead them into a new era.

Japan were relentless in energy and refused to give in, despite Germany con trolling large spells.

There was a ripple of

anxiety in the final mo ments from the Japan sup porters at the opposite end to Gonda's goal as Germa ny's Leon Goretzka struck wide and goalkeeper Neuer came up for consecutive corners to try to salvage a dramatic equaliser.

However, Japan held on and, as the final whis tle went, the players in

the dugout raced on to the pitch to celebrate and flags were waved gleefully in the stands.

They had caused prob lems for Germany in the first half as Celtic for ward Daizen Maeda had a goal disallowed for off side, before Germany's Kai Havertz also had one chalked off for the same reason.

Gundogan and Antonio Rudiger both missed the target with decent chanc es in the first half, while midfielder Joshua Kim mich was denied twice by Gonda.

Gundogan coolly slot ted his penalty down the middle after David Raum had been pushed down by Gonda to give Germany a deserved lead, but they were made to pay for their missed chances.

Bayern Munich teen ager Jamal Musiala beat four players in the box only to blast an effort over the bar early in the second half, before Goretzka shot wide in the final moments.

"non-negotiable" and "we stand by our position".

Marco Asensio of Spain celebrates with team mates after scoring during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match against Costa Rica at Al Thumama Stadium yesterday in Doha, Qatar (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Japan's players celebrate scoring their first goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group E football match against Germany at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha yesterday (Photo by Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images)

West

Indies vs Australia PM XI warm-up match…

Joseph burst keeps West Indies in the hunt

(CMC) – FAST bowl er Alzarri Joseph’s late three-wicket burst with the second new ball hauled West Indies back into con tention after three half-cen turies had threatened to give the Australian Prime Minister’s XI complete control on day one of the four-day first class tour match here yesterday.

The hosts were marching along at 278 for six in the fi nal session before Joseph (352) intervened with a sharp spell to send the last three wickets tumbling for 19 runs in the space of 39 balls under lights at Manuka Oval.

At the close, the Prime Minister’s XI were 297 for nine, a total built on half-cen turies from Matt Renshaw (81), Marcus Harris (73) and

Peter Handscomb (55).

“I think this game is a game of patience. You never know, you can bowl well in (a) session but you have to stay patient and your reward may come at the end of the game,” Joseph said after wards.

“There was just a little change of plan, just trying something different to try and slow the scoring down and unsettle the batters.”

His fireworks were re quired after the Prime Minis ter’s XI got away to a flying start, Renshaw and Harris putting on a rollicking 134 for the first wicket to domi nate early.

Renshaw, a 26-year-old left-hander who played the last of his 11 Tests four years ago, counted 10 fours in a

168-ball knock while Harris, a 30-year-old left-hander who suited up in a Test as recently as January, faced 124 balls and struck 13 fours.

They carried their side to the first break at 93 without loss and extended their dom ination following the resump tion before pacer Jayden Seales got the breakthrough when he had Harris caught at first slip by Kyle Mayers.

Renshaw added 28 for the second wicket with Henry Hunt (13) and another 28 for the third with Handscomb before finally departing at 190 for three, flirting with a wide delivery from left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer and feathering a catch behind.

Veteran seamer Kemar Roach quickly removed cap tain Josh Inglis without scor

ing to a juggling catch at first slip by substitute Jason Hold er but the Prime Minister’s XI recovered through a 48run, fifth-wicket partnership between Handscomb and Aaron Hardie (23).

Off-spinner Roston Chase (2-72) accounted for both eventually, first rattling Hardie’s stumps with one that spun back sharply and then having Handscomb stumped in his very next over, after the right-hander faced 86 balls and struck seven fours.

Joseph then took cen tre-stage, clean-bowling Michael Neser (10) as the right-hander missed a drive, yorking Joel Paris (2) before getting Ashton Agar to play on for 33, to what proved to be the day’s final delivery.

Rogers gets boost from New Doctor’s Clinic to attend Commonwealth Championships

NATIONAL Powerlifter Roger Rogers has gotten financial boosts from The New Doctor’s Clin ic to attend the Com monwealth Powerlifting Championship in New Zealand from November 28 to December 4.

Rogers is expected to compete in the 120 MII category after his recent exploits at the North American Powerlifting Federation (NAPF)/Pan American Champions in Orlando, United States of America, where he won a gold medal, and estab lished two Master II PanAm records for squat and deadlift.

Managing Director of The New Doctor’s Clin ic, Satyendra Khemraj, said Rogers has repre sented Guyana with great distinction, and it was a

straightforward decision to support him.

He hopes other busi nesses can support Rogers since he has not met the

Pooran finds form in Abu Dhabi T10

(CMC) - Nicholas Pooran wasted little time in re focusing after quitting the West Indies white-ball captaincy, lashing a whirlwind half-century to fire his Deccan Gladiators to a 35-run victory over Team Abu Dhabi on the opening day of the Abu Dhabi T10 here yesterday.

The 27-year-old Pooran, the Gladiators captain, top-scored with an unbeaten 77 from 33 deliveries as his side reached 134 for six from their allotted 10 overs, after he called correctly at the toss at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Batting at number three, Pooran belted five fours and eight sixes, posting 44 for the second wicket with opener Tom Kohler-Cadmore (13) and 72 for the fifth with West Indies teammate Odean Smith (23), to pull Gladiators out of trouble at 60 for four in the fifth over.

Only on Monday, Pooran announced he was stepping down as West Indies white-ball captain, less than seven months after being appointed to the role. He cited the “enormous disappointment of the T20 World Cup” as a factor in his decision.

Left-arm spinner Fabian Allen, who had earlier claimed two for 18, then struck an unbeaten 26 from 13 balls but Team Abu Dhabi could only muster 99 for six from their 10 overs.

Englishman James Vince top-scored with 37 from 19 balls, with four fours and two sixes, putting on 42 for the third wicket with Allen.

In the first game at the venue, West Indies opener Evin Lewis blasted 58 from 22 balls with two fours and seven sixes as Bangla Tigers brushed aside Kieron Pollard’s New York Strikers by 19 runs.

Sent in, Tigers gathered 131 for five from their 10 overs thanks to the left-handed Lewis who anchored a 63-run stand for the third wicket with Colin Munro (30) and a 29-run, fourth-wicket stand with Ben Cut ting (11), to pull the innings around from 15 for two in the second over.

Former West Indies pacer Ravi Rampaul, 38, fin ished with two for 16.

In reply, Pollard slammed a 19-ball unbeaten 45 but the knock went in vain as Strikers fell short at 112 for eight.

required funds to attend the event.

Apart from contact ing Rogers on 641-2564, interested persons can

to Guyana Amateur Pow erlifting Federation via the Republic Bank ac count # 96235655-219-4.

make

Pollard, who quit international cricket in April and was replaced by Pooran as captain, counted three fours and four sixes in an attempt to hold the innings together as wickets tumbled around him.

However, Azam Khan with 34 from 13 balls, was the only other player who managed to get into double figures, the West Indies pair of Romario Shepherd (4) and Akeal Hosein (2) both failing.

contributions

Managing Director of The New Doctor’s Clinic, Satyendra Khemraj (right), hands over a cheque to powerlifter Roger Rogers

Former West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran