Issuu

friday 15th april, 2022

No.106694

Dear readers, a blessed Good Friday. The next edition of the Guyana Chronicle will be published on April 17, 2022

Massive lands unlocked for development

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–– with commissioning of $2.3B Mandela-Eccles Four-Lane Highway –– new traffic system to be installed to maintain safety on the roadway

(Adrian Narine photos)

$3B facelift for Region Six community roads 03 PAGE

Chinese Medical Brigade Landmark Condominium to provide specialist 09 Bill tabled in 05 training to local doctors National Assembly PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 15, 2022

$3B facelift for Region Six community roads

APPROXIMATELY $3 billion will be expended this year to enhance over 1,000 community roads in the East Berbice-Corentyne Region, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall has said. Minister Dharamlall, who was accompanied by Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, during a recent Cabinet outreach to Region Six, spoke with residents of Bushlot, Wellington Park and Eversham. “… as soon as we are able to allocate resources, we will start the construction, but I can assure you that while we would like to do all, and we are working to do all in these communities, this phase, it will be based on priority,” the minister said. The potential works are intended to modernise the infrastructure and provide accessible

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall

commute to residents. It is also in keeping with government’s manifesto promise to significantly improve the lives of residents within the respective communities. Last year, there was some $58.2 billion worth of planned expenditure on public infrastructure. On the capital side, the budget for

infrastructure was $32.9 billion, or 32 per cent of the total allocation for 2021. Addressing the plans for this year, Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill had said that the intention is to have innovative and modern public infrastructure. The government has allocated the largest portion of its milestone $552.9 billion Budget 2022 to the Ministry of Public Works. A total of $96.1 billion has been allocated to the ministry, which is responsible for the country’s infrastructure. Further, the government has allocated some $76.7 billion for roads and bridges under the Ministry of Public Works in the 2022 budget. Another component of public infrastructure is the construction of houses and the accompanying facilities to make the environment conducive to living. To this end, the government has allocated

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, interacting with residents of Region Six (DPI photo)

$12.4 billion for further development of the housing sector. “With the construction boom underway, particularly pertaining to the rapid expansion in housing and road projects, the development and expansion of the other mining and quarrying subsector is cru-

cial,” Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh had said. This expansion, he related, has the potential of lowering construction costs since the abundance of local, readily available resources

could ease the impact of imported inflationary pressure on the cost of key construction materials. In an area related to construction and manufacturing, there is expected to be significant growth by the end of this year. “Improved performance is anticipated for all manufacturing industries in 2022. Sugar, rice and other manufacturing are expected to expand by 11.8 per cent, 28.6 per cent and 8.5 per cent, respectively. “Growth in value-added from sugar and rice manufacturing reflect developments in cultivation and harvesting. In the case of other manufacturing, we can expect further expansion in the manufacturing of non-metallic products like cement and chemical products, as well as in the manufacturing of fabricated metal products,” Dr. Singh said.

Massive lands unlocked for development

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 15, 2022

— with commissioning of $2.3B Mandela-Eccles Four-Lane Highway — new traffic system to be installed to maintain safety on the roadway

By Jarred Liddell THE much-needed $2.3 billion Mandela to Eccles Four-Lane Highway was commissioned on Thursday, paving the way for massive development and significantly reducing the time it takes to traverse the East Bank Demerara (EBD) corridor. This critical piece of infrastructure which was commissioned by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, who conceptualised the project, is part of the government’s overarching objective to improve the lives of every Guyanese. “The time you take to use the roadways to get to work, the time you save will become a value to you. You go home an hour earlier or 30 minutes earlier, that’s 30 minutes more with your children or your family… that is the type of value that is considered intangible, but those are the tangible values that are most valuable,” President Ali said. Work on the $2.3 billion concrete, four-lane highway from Mandela Avenue commenced on April 14, 2021. President Ali said that this investment, which is in keeping with the government’s vision of transforming Guyana’s

the roads would lose their licence.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali; Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips; Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal and other officials walk the length of the newly commissioned Mandela to Eccles four-lane highway (Adrian Narine photo)

infrastructural landscape, will not just ease the traffic congestion on the EBD corridor, but it will also serve to transform the landscape of Guyana as the country continues on its trajectory of development. “We celebrate Guyana with this highway, we celebrate the soaring heights with Guyana, we celebrate the strength of our collective effort and we celebrate the same wingspan that covers us all in glory. We celebrate the strength of the cause that would lift us up from the lowest point in the ground and take us up in the air to the highest

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and other officials share a moment with the team responsible for the execution of the Mandela to Eccles Four-Lane Highway project (Adrian Narine photo)

point,” President Ali said.

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond; Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa; Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy; and Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag at the opening of the Mandela Avenue to Eccles four-lane highway on Thursday

RESPONSIBLE USE Although the primary purpose of this roadway is to decrease traffic congestion and reduce the time of travel, the Head of State cautioned persons to be responsible when traversing the EBD corridor. Within the next three weeks, security systems are expected to come online that will allow for proper road use of the new highway. Dr. Ali said the systems will include an automatic speedometer which will track the information

of persons using the road in an unsafe manner. “This feature would track vehicle speed, it would display your speed, it would record your speed and it would then transmit your speed electronically to the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Revenue Authority. It would identify your number plate, it would identify clearly even in a dark night with rainfall, the image of the driver and the front-seat passenger,” President Ali said. He said that a demerit system for drivers will be activated so that persons who continuously abuse

LANDS OPENED This initiative will not only go a far way in maintaining safer roads, but it would also contribute to the preservation of this piece of infrastructure which holds a potential far greater than the facilitation of traffic. Speaking about the spinoff benefits of this highway, Minister of Housing and Water, Colin Croal, said that it has unlocked massive lands for development; this means that major housing developments are expected to continue across the EBD. “The acquisition of new lands and the execution of critical infrastructural projects will pave the way for the allocation of a minimum 5,000 new house lots in 2022 on the East Bank corridor,” Minister Croal said. The Housing Minster said that since being elected to office, the government has expended some $6.8 billion for infrastructural works on the EBD corridor alone, in areas such as Providence, Prospect, Little Diamond, and Great Diamond, with the new highway complementing those works. “2022 will see even more investments in the housing sector. Our government has committed more than $27.5 billion for infrastructure works on the EBD corridor that will include Great Diamond, Golden Grove, Little Diamond, and new openings for commercial lands on the east bank. And this also includes the continuation of the construction of the four-lane highway from Eccles to Great Diamond, which is already in progress,” the Housing Minister said. Since assuming office in 2020, the government has already allocated some 11,000 house lots.

guyana CHRONICLE friday, april 15, 2022

Oil prices fall as market weighs mixed supply signals (Reuters) OIL prices slipped on Thursday in thin trade ahead of a public holiday, as traders weighed a larger-than-expected build in U.S. oil stocks against tightening global supply. Brent futures were down 86 cents, or 0.8 per cent, at $107.92 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures were off $1.10 or 1.1 per cent, at $103.15 a barrel at 13:35 GMT. Both contracts, on

Wednesday, had shrugged off a build in U.S. crude inventories to end the trading session over four per cent higher. “The market was less active than usual, due to the long weekend in Europe, America and most of Asia, with the reduction in the number of active buyers also contributing to the easing in prices,” said Ricardo Evangelista, senior analyst at ActivTrades, citing the U.S. stock build. He went on to say: “However, the outlook for the price of the barrel remains very much tilted to the upside - demand remains amidst tight supply.” The International Energy Agency, on Wednesday, warned that from May onwards, roughly three million barrels per day of Russian oil could be shut-in due to sanctions or buyers voluntarily shunning Russian cargoes. At the same time, major global trading houses are also planning to curtail

April 06, 2022

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14/04/22 - 07, 11, 13, 15, 25

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crude and fuel purchases from Russia’s state-controlled oil companies in May, Reuters reported on Wednesday. The probability of an EU ban on Russian oil being agreed may be almost zero, but no one will be able or wanting to say that clearly, Vandana Hari, founder of oil market analysis provider Vanda Insights said. “And, even a continuing sabre-rattling will be enough to keep the risk premium alive.” Despite signals that global supply disruption will persist, oil stocks in the U.S. rose by more than 9 million barrels last week, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday, driven in part by releases from the nation’s strategic reserves. Analysts in a Reuters poll had anticipated just an 863,000-barrel build. U.S. gasoline stocks fell 3.6 million barrels last week, far above anticipated levels, and distillate inventories also declined.

14/04/22- 7, 9, 13, 14, 18, 19, 21

Landmark Condominium Bill tabled in National Assembly

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 15, 2022

PERSONS who have purchased duplexes or condominiums from the State will soon be able to access the titled document for their properties, as the Condominium Bill 2022 was tabled in the National Assembly on Wednesday. The Bill was presented by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, during the 46th sitting of the Twelfth Parliament at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC). With six parts and 65 clauses, the Bill makes provision for the horizontal and vertical subdivision of land and buildings into units for individual ownership, and for the use and management of condominiums. Among other things, the Bill paves the way for commercial banks to accept titles for the properties, and insurance companies to issue policies to owners of condominiums. Clause 19 of the Bill states that units in a condominium constitute immovable property, while Clause 20 provides for the title of ownership of a condominium unit. Clause 44 empowers unit owners to insure their respective units. The Bill also requires that proposed declarations and descriptions

struction. We have more of the single ownership… We cannot accommodate a condominium scheme because the necessary legislation for those was not amended; so, all of that will be catered for,” Minister Croal related. The Bill was crafted by the Ministry of Housing and Water and the Attorney-General Chambers. It forms part of the government’s legislative agenda which is directed towards a revamp of many of the archaic and outmoded laws of the country, as well as to lay the foundation for the economic development anticipated to take place in the very near future. (DPI)

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal

of units be approved by the subject minister before a condominium is constructed or before an existing building is converted into a condominium. It also empowers the minister to approve, reject or direct the amendment of a proposed declaration and description. The crafting and tabling of such a Bill fulfills the promise of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government after it was discovered that the former coalition administration construct-

ed duplexes (a home with two individually-owned units in one building) without amending the relevant legislation that guides the regulation of such properties. Minister Croal, in an interview with the Department of Public Information, had addressed the importance of the Bill as the government continues to push its aggressive national housing programme. He anticipates there will be a demand for condominiums and duplexes with the advent of the oil and gas

sector, and a growing interest by investors and developers to construct condominium schemes. “Our current Act does not cater for that type of con-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 15, 2022

Balanced Development

GUYANA’S path to economic development is based on a multi-sectoral approach where there is no dominant sector but where all the sectors are complementary to each other, with a view to propel the growth dynamic. And while it is true that oil and gas will play a major role in the economic life of the country, it will not do so at the expense of any other sectors, especially the agricultural sector which is still regarded as the backbone of the economy. This point was repeatedly made by President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who said that the country will not become dependent on oil but will use it to accelerate growth across the sectors. This is so even as the economy is poised to receive billions of dollars from its massive oil resources. According to the

President, Guyana’s economy will never be based only on oil and gas. Oil and gas, he said, gives us the impetus to accelerate other aspects of the economy and provide the country with the advantage of fast-tracking other initiatives that will enhance our overall competitiveness. Toward this end, President Ali indicated his interest in having the oil money boost the agriculture sector, improve the delivery of quality healthcare and educational services, fortify the country’s climate change efforts, support efforts in building a tourism sector and a services sector that is second to none and create a modernised manufacturing and industrial zone that would open up opportunities for agro-processing, fabricating and machining, research and development. This is indeed forward-looking and trans-

formative thinking on the part of President Ali, one in which our success as a country is not confined only to the proverbial egg basket. There is no denying the fact that oil and gas is a significant contributor to the growth trajectory of the country and in some important ways an economic game-changer. This is why we cannot be shy to optimise our earnings from our oil and gas resources within the framework of the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LDCS) which is currently being revised to take into account new developments in the economic life of the country. Guyana has to move beyond oil and gas, a point made recently by Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo during a welcome reception for Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business

and Economic Development, Mary Ng. As Dr. Jagdeo correctly observed, prior to the discovery of oil and gas, very little international interest was paid to the country, unlike today when all the attention is paid to this sector. Dr. Jagdeo, in welcoming the visiting team, noted that their presence in the country provides an opportunity to expose the many wonderful opportunities for business and growth in Guyana, outside of oil and gas. According to the Vice-President, the government is determined to avoid the mistakes that many other countries have made by relying heavily on their oil and gas sector. Guyana, he said, is focusing on diversifying its economy to ensure the prosperity remains long after oil and gas is no more. This is indeed visionary thinking, recognising that oil is a non-renewable re-

source and its dominance as a source of global energy will diminish over time. In other words, there is a limited window of opportunity as alternative non-fossil fuel will in time be the dominant energy source. According to Dr. Jagdeo, “We have not been shy about saying that we want to get as much oil and gas out of the ground and sold and the money converted into a fund and other opportunities as quickly as possible.” This, he acknowledged, might sound crude or callous in the era of climate change but as mentioned earlier, there is a limited window of opportunity to get this done and as a result the authorities intend to achieve this goal in an environmentally sound, fair and equitable manner. And, as pointed out by the Vice-President, the administration is doing so very conscious of the fact that

a pathway exists based not only on the environment but the economy and the interlinking of the two. The government must be commended for embracing a development path that is based on the sustainable harvesting of our natural resources in an environmentally safe and friendly manner. There are some people who see only threats rather than opportunities in the oil and gas sector. This is certainly not smart thinking. Development can only take place in an environment of rising prosperity. The country has an opportunity to benefit from a resource that has huge potential to transform the lives and well-being of the Guyanese people. It would not be in our best interest not to take advantage of this reality.

NY Guyana Democracy Project mourns passing of freedom fighter Dear Editor, THE New York-based Guyana Democracy Project mourns the passing of an eminent community leader, Yash Pal Soi. The organisation, headed by Dr. Tara Singh, said in a release that the Guyanese-American community is deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of the great community advocate and a champion of democracy in Guyana during the authoritarian years and the five months election impasse of 2020. It noted that Yash made a significant contribution to the anti-dictatorial movement in New York. And he organised several fundraisers for Dr. Jagan and the PPP before

the 1992 elections. Yash also lobbied members of Congress and the Reagan and Bush Administrations to put pressure on the Hoyte administration to liberalise the political and economic system. Yash Pal Soi organised and funded the costs of a Guyana Democracy Float in the 1991 India Day Parade on Madison Ave with a banner emblazoned with the words “Dr Cheddi Jagan: Next President of Guyana”. The float made a big hit at the parade where thousands of Guyanese lined the route. At the time of his death, he was working on an idea to build a cultural centre in Guyana. Yash also lobbied Congress to issue statements calling on the Granger Adminis-

tration to accept the outcome of the March 2, 2020 elections. Yash was hired by New York City as an engineer in the 1970s rising to the position of Chief Engineer during the 1980s. He was honoured by then Mayor Ed Koch Administration for his professionalism and by various organisations for his professional achievement and for improvement of community life. He was among a few who was honoured with the Ellis Island Freedom Award, an honour that was also conferred on President Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Yash was the founder of several organisations including the Federation of Indian Associations that organised the annual India Day Pa-

rade. Presidents Jagdeo and Ramotar participated in one of the parades. Yash is also known as the person who arranged for Bollywood movies to be shown in NY since the 1970s, providing entertainment for early Guyanese immigrants. He organised several concerts of Bollywood stars in NY, including Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore, Mukesh, Manna Dey, and others. He became close with Guyanese community leaders – a closeness that began in the 1980s when he joined the struggle for free and fair elections in Guyana. He helped to advance the cause for democracy in Guyana introducing activists like myself to members of Congress and New York State as well as New York City politicians and to the

mainstream and community media. Yash was introduced to Dr. Jagan with whom he became very close, hosting him (when he was Opposition Leader) several times on his weekly radio programme. Yash also used his influence in the broadcast media to get him interviews with the community ITV station as well as with mainstream newspaper and magazine publications. He also arranged for Dr. Jagan to meet with officials of the Carter Centre in Atlanta. After Jagan was elected as President, at a banquet in New York, Dr. Jagan publicly referred to Yash Pal Soi as “a Guyanese freedom fighter”. Yash was honoured by President Jagdeo in 2011

with a plaque at a special function at State House. The NY-based Guyana Democracy Project expresses its gratitude to Yash Pal Soi for his significant contributions to improving the conditions of Guyanese and other immigrants in the US as well as for the struggle for free and fair elections in Guyana. It writes: “We convey our condolences to the members of the Soi family as we all mourn the passing of this great personality. His memory will live on the India Day parade that he conceived and the struggle for free and fair elections in our homeland.” Yours sincerely, Vishnu Bisram

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 15, 2022

e bl ra ou on sh di d an le ab or pl de l, fu te as st di st mo A act of disrespect to Henry Rodney and family

A most distasteful, deplorable and dishonourable act of disrespect to Henry Rodney and family As a family, we are trying desperately to join our extended families, friends, and fans to honour him with a sacred send-off that would

display our love, appreciation, and gratitude for the outstanding life he lived. We want to celebrate the remarkable legacy he has left us, his family, and the nation of Guyana, as a whole. Mr. Editor, the reason we are writing this letter is because of the insensitivity of some

charlatans among us who are invading our moment of sorrow and grief. People who are using the death of my father to raise money to satisfy their own ulterior motives. They have not consulted with us. They have not sought our permission. We have not given them our ap-

Shubh Hanoman Jayanti to all Guyanese

Dear Editor,

IN this blessed land of Guyana, Guyanese are once again privileged to fast and pray together this Saturday, as the three main stream religions, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam simultaneously observe Hanuman Jayanti, Easter Saturday and Ramadan. Having observed nine nights and days of Vasant Navratri and culminating with Ram Navami last Sunday, Hanuman Jayanti follows shortly and, Hindus in Guyana joined with the rest of the world to celebrate this grand occasion which typically falls on the day of the full moon during the Chaitra month as per the Hindu calendar. This year, the Chaitra Purnima Tithi commences at 2:25 hours on April 16 and ends at 00:24 hours on the April 17. The auspiciousness is consolidated with conducting Satnarayan Katha for Purnima and paying homage to Shri Hanuman Ji in celebrating His manifestation from Lord Shiva. One of the most revered Deity, being the elixir of devotion over doubts, despair and distress, Prabhu Sri Ram commissioned Pawan Putra Hanuman as his most ardent devotee, to portray strength, energy, valour, and wisdom and, as his ambassador for His representation. Sri Ram also embraced Hanuman Ji as his fourth brother. As a blessing to Anjana, an Aspara who spent 12 long years praying to Lord Shiva to rid her of a Shraap from Sage Durvasa, He provided her and Kesari with a joy of the world with His incarnation as Mahaveer Hanuman Swami. At the same time Anjana Devi was engaged in Tapasya, King Dasharatha in Ayodhya was performing the ritual Putrakama yagna in order to be blessed with children. By divine intervention, Suvarchala, the kite-bird appeared right in time and snatched some of the payasam or pudding given to King Dasarath from Agni Deo,

flew away and dropped it in the air, above the vicinity of Anjana’s head. Vayu, the wind God blew the droppings directly in the open palms of Anjana and she participated in the offerings from above. From this consumption, she was gifted with Shri Hanuman ji. King Dasrath was blessed with four sons, Shri Ram, Bharat, Lakshmana and Shatrughna. As a child and growing youth, Shri Hanuman thrilled the world with his admirable feats and prankish mischief, endearing adventures unbelievable to the eyes of his companions. Like Shri Krishna, he had an army of followers who never left his company but proceeded not to abate from his magnet. In the Holy Ramayana, Valmiki emotionally describes the inevitable meeting of Shri Ram and Hanuman Ji in the forest as a revered moment filled of Ecclesiastes and savoured penchant. From that moment, Shri Hanuman Ji remained in the Lord’s company to serve him with humility and harmony, blossoming with ardour and adoration and bonded through appreciation and attachment. Lal Teeka is applied on the forehead to demarcate a devout devotee of Shri Hanuman Ji and Hindus would do Hanuman Jhandi on Tuesdays and Saturdays to pay homage to him. Raising the red flag in the front of the yard, remains a pride for all of his worshippers and a Hindu home is usually identified by this hallmark. Pawan Putra Hanuman served Shri Ram with exceptional distinction, and, Hanuman Ji is considered the door to Shri Ram. By praying to Hanuman Ji, he can be the pathway for receiving the blessings of Sri Ram. There are numerous and fantastic stories with their diverse facets, depicting the valour of Sri Hanuman in coming to the rescue and assistance of the Raghukul. His strength was needed to restore King Sugreeva to his rightful throne, secure the victory of Lanka and

eliminate the evil Rawana to place his kind-hearted brother, Vibishana to rule. Sri Hanuman’s valour was required to release Sita Mata from the imprisonment in Lanka and his intellect became renowned with his dealings with the different demons and their trickery and sorcery. As a yogi, Hanuman Ji could have expanded and contracted his body size to fit the need or purpose of his mission. When Sri Ram’s brother, Lakshmana, was hurt in the battle, Sri Hanuman felt the pain and his sentiments expressed overflowed his love and compassion for the brothers. His retrieving of the whole mountain to ensure that Lakshmana would be cured with the right medicine from the Sanjeevani herb, depicted his committed concern and unswerving loyalty to risk any danger in order to give his services selflessly. The Hanuman Chalisa remains one of the most beloved and dearly chants for all Hindus, being a devotional strota or hymn. The 40 verses authored by Tulsidas Ji in the Awadhi language, serenades the glory of Shri Hanuman Ji and fully describes his affluent features, flawlessly characterising his immaculate qualities. It is sung before the commencement of the reading of the Ramayana and heralds the end of a puja for Shri Raghuveer. Shri Hanuman Ji was asked by Lord Rama to remain on Dharti Ma and his immortality sanctions a devotee’s prayers as the means to capture Bhagwan’s attention faster. May Sri Hanuman Ji’s bestow his love for all and remove all hurdles as we celebrate His anniversary. May the sentiments and emotions of Pawan Putra remain our strength and devotion towards the road of renunciation. Shubh Hanuman Jayanti to all Guyanese as we share His love for a One Guyana. Yours respectfully, Jai Lall

proval. Yet, they are publicly using his name to promote events for which there is a cover charge. We are seeking your help to warn such people that this is a most distasteful, deplorable, dishonorable act of disrespect to my mom, my siblings, and Guyana, as a whole.

We a re t e r r i b l y hurt and disturbed by this dastardly act during this time of bereavement. I am attaching a poster from one source which must cease to be circulated, immediately. My father worked assiduously to establish a name of integrity, and

he should be honoured with the peaceful rest he deserves. No one should seek to capitalise on his reputation and his accomplishments. Yours truly, Tamara, Tuana, and Tchaiko Rodney

guyana CHRONICLE friday, april 15, 2022

Here’s Why We’re All Weapons in the Ukraine War! By Earl Bousquet THE world is watching the Ukraine war, which has already touched everyone worldwide, if only because of the disastrous effects it’s had on food and fuel prices globally; and Russia continues to be blamed fully for every aspect of the fighting that’s resulted in large-scale

loss of life and destruction of property. But, after 46 years of following international war correspondents reporting from the battleground, the world has also never had such a hard time like now, getting reports from “both sides” involved in this ongoing battle, not only for territory, but also for minds.

In today’s age of 21st Century Information Technology (IT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), war propaganda has shifted gear to a much-higher stage -- this time, not only aimed at people’s eyes and ears, but their brains. A March 8, 2022 article entitled The Casualties of War by Patrick Lawrence, a former in-

ternational correspondent for the International Herald Tribune, offers much related food for thought. Published by Consortium News, it reveals that in January 2021, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) – the US-led European military alliance -- published the “final draft” of a lengthy study it called “Cognitive Warfare,” aimed at exploring the potential for manipulating minds like never before. The document says, in part: “The brain will be the battlefield of the 21st century…” and “Humans are the contested domain…” and therefore, “Cognitive Warfare’s objective is to make everyone a weapon…” In a sub-section headed: “The vulnerabilities of the human brain,” the NATO report also said: “In particular, the brain is unable to distinct [sic] whether information is right or wrong and is led to believe statements or messages it has already heard as true, even though these may be false; accepts statements as true, if backed by evidence, with no regards to [sic] the authenticity of that evidence.” It continues: “At the political and strategic level, it would be wrong to underestimate the impact of emotions…” and further, “Emotions -hope, fear, humiliation -- shape the world and international relations with the echo-chamber effect of social media.” Cognitive Warfare unfolds on our TV screens every time we

tune to the BBC or CNN for information about the world’s latest war. On April 11, CNN and BBC quoted Ukraine officials as reporting that “tens of thousands of civilians” have been killed by “tens of thousands of Russians…” – again with no evidence shown – and absolutely no news whatsoever about Russians killed in the bombed-out tanks shown, or the fate of Russian soldiers captured. Censorship is also very much alive and well in the coverage, as the major powers against the war have all banned broadcasts by RT, the Russian international TV outlet that’s operated at great cost for decades (and great benefit to Europe and USA treasuries), through regional and international branches and offices in every major world capital. In Ukraine, even before the war, President Zelensky has also banned local TV outlets opposing him or seen as “supporting Russia.” Today, some 50 days since the war started, fair-minded Caribbean citizens seeking information from “both sides” simply can’t access RT, including on paid TV channels, as it’s been simply outed. As if instructed daily to “Say this, not that…” reports from correspondents across Ukraine are shaped to accept whatever if offered, right or wrong, true or false. Last weekend, TV reports from Ukraine showed images of less than a dozen scattered and sealed “body bags”

along an unidentified roadside, allegedly containing “dead civilians with hands tied behind their backs and shot in the head by Russian troops…” The Russian press has also been reporting from Moscow, that the bodies claimed to be in bags were actually “taken from hospital morgues” and “planted in mass graves,” also claimed to have been dug by “retreating Russians.” Moscow also says the bomb fragments displayed and claimed to have been used by Russians to bomb a train station “are only used by the Ukrainian army…” But even before international observers and UN agencies could visit the scenes and verify such reports, the barrage of unverified images and reports had done the job of conditioning minds worldwide, resulting in Russia’s expulsion from the UN Human Rights Committee, mostly on the basis of how conditioned minds react to the selected propaganda. Anyone who takes time-off to find out the real history behind the two neighbouring nations in the current war will better understand why Russia and Ukraine are fighting today. I can clearly say that Cognitive Warfare is not only real, but also fully operational – and yielding the desired results of “making everyone a weapon…”. NATO’s Cognitive Warfare is at full blast and the world continues to be blinded -with eyes wide open!

guyana CHRONICLE friday, april 15, 2022

Chinese Medical Brigade to provide specialist training to local doctors By Shamar Meusa SOME 24 local doctors are set to benefit from specialist training administered by the Chinese Medical Brigade. Speaking at the launch of the programme at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Thursday, the hospital’s acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Robbie Rambarran, said that 12 of the doctors who are currently enrolled in the programme are from GPHC, eight are from other health facilities on the coastland and four are from hinterland regions. The CEO explained that the programme is divided into two parts, with the first being a three-month online course, followed by six months of practical sessions in specialties such as anesthesiology, orthopedics, nephrology, obstetrics, gynecology and pathology. Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said that when the programme was first

offered, health authorities saw it as an opportunity for the ministry to do further postgraduate training for doctors. So, when a call was put out to have doctors participate in the programme, there was an influx of persons who were willing to come on board. To this end, Dr. Anthony said that the topics or specialties that have been chosen are areas that the country really needs to build capacity in. He drew particular attention to pathology, an area which authorities have had problems with, especially in terms of getting enough persons in the pathology field. Additionally, Dr. Anthony said that nephrology is also an area where the Health Ministry is paying careful attention to; this is evidenced by the recently launched dialysis programme. “This is certainly going to help us as we go forward and there are other areas that are very critical, so this is coming at a really important time,” he said. Dr. Anthony thanked his

adviser, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who, he said, has recognised the importance of this training and spent a lot of effort to ensure that the launch of the programme was successful. Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan, said that the training will contribute to the capacity building of medical specialists in Guyana. She added that for a long time, the Chinese have been trying to enhance its efforts to support the development of Guyana’s healthcare sector through various means. The training course, she said, is another way in which the Government and People of China will support capacity building in Guyana’s healthcare sector. “At the end of the training course, members of the medical brigade will leave Guyana with hopes that the skills will remain, then more Guyanese can benefit from our co-operation,” Ambassador Guo Haiyan added.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony (third from left) receives a token from Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan (second from right) at the opening ceremony of the specialist training programme. They are surrounded by Head of the 17th Chinese Medical Brigade, Dr. Duan Yunfei (first from right); CEO of GPHC, Robbie Rambarran (first from left) and Adviser to the Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy (second from left) (Adrian Narine photo) The Minister of Health thanked the Government of China for their continuous support over the years and said that he hoped that this

becomes an essential part of how future brigades approach training. “It’s very commendable and we would like to see,

as we go forward in future years that this becomes an integral part of the brigade’s activity here in Guyana,” Dr. Anthony said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 15, 2022

Janet Jagan was one of the earlier champions of women empowerment — WPO General-Secretary, Sheila Veerasammy

FORMER President Janet Jagan was not only a trailblazer in local politics but was also one of the prominent champions for women’s empowerment. This is according to Women’s Progressive Organisation

(WPO) General-Secretary, Sheila Veerasammy, who was at the time speaking at a recent symposium in Region Two to commemorate the death anniversary of the late President.

Janet Jagan, the wife of founding member of the People’s Progressive Party and late President, Dr Cheddi Jagan, was one of the founding members of the WPO. Veerasammy said that

the late leader implemented many programmes to benefit women in Guyana, including pushing for women to receive tertiary education. “Because of her life and her teachings, we are all ed-

WPO General-Secretary Sheila Veerasammy addressing the symposium to celebrate the life of late President Janet Jagan

ucated; we are proud of her

work,” Veerasammy related. And aside from these, Jagan was instrumental in the building of many health centres and the promotion of maternal health, the WPO General-Secretary told the gathering at the party’s Freedom House branch at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast. A wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Cheddi Jagan play park before commencement of the symposium. During the symposium, other stalwarts of the WPO remembered the late leader who left her hometown in the USA for Guyana after marrying Cheddi Jagan. Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall and PPP Executive member Dharamkumar Seeraj also addressed the occasion. Dharamlall said the late leader was an inspiration to many, pointing out that she worked tirelessly to improve the lives of all

A section of the gathering at the symposium at Freedom House, Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast

work and legacy. She was the mother of the nation, [Janet] Jagan did not hesitate to educate females,” said Veerasammy. She said too that the late President was very instrumental in ensuring women occupy seats in Guyana’s National Assembly and supported women taking up leadership roles in organisations. In the past, she said women were only seen but not heard, but today things have changed and women are more recognised in society under the current government. “Janet was responsible for women working from 1957-1964. She changed the law and was instrumental in ensuring that the law [was] changed so that public servants can be married and

Guyanese. The occasion featured speeches and poems delivered by representatives from the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) and members of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). Janet Jagan came to British Guiana in December 1943 and worked for 10 years as a Dental Nurse at her husband’s clinic. She almost immediately became involved in the labour struggle and was a member of the colony’s first-ever union, the British Guiana Labour Union. She worked alongside great heroes like Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow and many others who fought for a democratic Guyana.

guyana CHRONICLE friday, april 15, 2022

‘Tonal Cosmetics’ on mission to expand into local and regional markets By Shari Simon

WITH an aim to take advantage of the evolving Caribbean beauty, cosmetic and personal care industry and celebrate skin tone diversity, ‘Tonal Cosmetics’ is currently working on expanding its brand in Guyana. This will shape opportunities to explore different cosmetic preferences and meet growing customer demands in unique, creative and affordable ways. “I felt there was something missing in the marketplace that should really represent us as Caribbean people,” said Christal Alert, a 27-year-old cosmetic scientist and owner of ‘Tonal Cosmetics’. Alert, who currently resides in Barbados after she left Guyana at five years old with her family, shared that she was motivated to become a woman in business due to the glaring gap in manufactured cosmetic products sold in the local and regional markets, as well as the lack of inclusive skin tone cosmetics. “When I looked at the shelves, it was always imported products and brands from the US, and Europe and I wanted to change that,” she said. Tonal Cosmetics offers a range of skin-perfecting foundations in 10 different shades and allows anyone to make a variety of fun and essential selections of the right foundation shade that matches one’s skin tone and complements one’s skin type. “We are a brand that celebrates beauty for a living.

Christal Alert, owner of Tonal Cosmetics There is power in beauty and we want to let people have that confidence. We want to empower people,” said Alert. Tonal Cosmetics was officially launched in Barbados in November 2020 and in Trinidad at the beginning of 2022. It was first made available in Guyana in March 2021 at the Lingerie Shop on Regent Street, and in the Amazonia Mall. In April 2022, the brand graced a shelf in the collaborative retail space, Collage, on Sheriff Street. “We’re really hoping to expand across the country, region, and then move into the US and Canada hopefully very soon,” she added. As a cosmetic scientist, Alert has extensive experience and expertise in cosmetic production and distribution and she is a part of the Tonal Cosmetics team that source raw materials, develop and test cosmetic formulas, package the brand’s products and ensure adherence to industry regulations. Throughout the years, she has always held an im-

mense passion for the field of cosmetic science, which is an area of study on the chemical formulation, development and use of cosmetic products. After graduating in 2011 from Harrison College in Barbados, Alert went on to boarding school in Canada, and then to pursue a Bachelor’s of Science in Neuroscience, Biology and Physiology at the University of Toronto. Driven by her passion and academic zeal to boost the cosmetic industry, Alert later pursued a dual Master’s in Europe. She spent one year in France at ISIPCA, a post-graduate institution specialising in cosmetics, perfume and flavouring studies, and at the Université de VersaillesSaint-Quentin-en-Yvelines before attaining a Master’s in Cosmetic Science and Perfumery. Alert then spent a year in Italy at the Università degli Studi di Padova where she obtained a Master’s in Business Administration with a focus on the cosmetic industry. Currently, Alert is using her broad cosmetic science skillset, rich cultural background and entrepreneurial vigour to transform ‘Tonal Cosmetics’ into a household brand and build a community of confident and empowered customers in Guyana, the Caribbean and international market. “We are all about celebrating you!” she remarked. Tonal Cosmetics can be found on Instagram @ tonalcosmetics, YouTube at @TonalCosmetics and the brand will be launching its website www.tonalcosmetics.com very soon.

Tonal Cosmetics is available at Collage on Sheriff Street

guyana CHRONICLE friday, april 15, 2022

Guyanese-American actress to perform at Theatre Guild

GEMS Theatre Productions would be hosting, Guyanese-American actress, Ingrid Griffith, in Guyana on Friday April 29, at the Theatre Guild, Playhouse, Kingston, in Shirley Chisholm’s life story “Unbossed & Unbowed”. Griffith, the solo show artist, writer and actor, likes to travel. As an actor, she likes playing different roles and she is excited to be doing both very soon in Guyana. Unbossed & Unbowed is about the life and times of the political trailblazer and social justice activist, Shirley Chisholm. According to a release, the idea of telling this story came to Griffith while she was touring Demerara Gold, her solo show about a Guyanese girl’s immigrant experience that was produced in Guyana in 2015. “At first, I knew very little about Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for President of the United States,” said Griffith, who added: “It was sheer curiosity that got me started.” Six years later, Shirley is ready to speak to local souls and the audience will get to see her family’s circumstances and the system in place to prevent Shirley, a Black girl from Brooklyn and a daughter of immigrant parents,

Ingrid Griffith from rising, the release said. Ingrid’s solo show, Demerara Gold, was similar. She felt the story was begging to be told. And now that she has done over one hundred performances, Ingrid beams about how transformational the entire experience has been for her. “I remember the struggle within to rehash instances in my life I had pushed deep down. But the painful parts were important to reveal. I didn’t have to change my feelings about what I had experienced and it was not about judging anyone, it was owning my truth. And that I shared it, led to a fuller understanding of myself. It also confirmed for me the amazing power of theatre,” said Griffith. Demerara Gold, the solo show had the same effect on

audiences. Griffith recalled audience members lingering after the shows to tell her how much of her story was theirs. “It’s the catharsis that we all experience as theatre goers. In Shirley Chisholm: Unbossed & Unbowed, Ingrid Griffith portrays Shirley St. Hill as the 10-year-old through adulthood. The other characters you’ll meet are Shirley’s Guyanese father, Charles St. Hill, from Linden, her Barbadian mother, Ruby Seale, Shirley’s school teacher, college professor, husband, TV anchors, news reporters, and local and national leaders from the 1960s and ’70s. Another Guyanese emigrant in Unbossed & Unbowed is Wesley McDonald Holder who was known as Dean of Black Brooklyn politics,” the release said. Griffith has performed Shirley Chisholm: Unbossed & Unbowed, at a number of theatres in NYC and Georgia, plus many virtual showings. While in Guyana she will be conducting workshops for students of the drama school and UG. Tickets are $3,000 and would be available at Survival Supermarket from Tuesday 19, April. Group books can be made via Whatsup number 6248694 or call to 2253557. Visit: unbossedunbowed.com

Health Minister urges mask wearing, vaccination for Easter celebrations

AS citizens across the country prepare to celebrate the Easter holiday outdoors, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, has urged persons to ensure they take all precautions since the pandemic is not over. He said wearing a mask in crowded environments could prevent infection. He noted too that getting vaccinated will prevent the severe form of the disease and in many cases hospitalisation. “People must take the relevant precautions; those precautions would be that you should, if you’re in a congested environment, at least have on a mask and if you must be in those environments, make sure that you’re also vaccinated,” Dr. Anthony said. Due to the pandemic, emergency measures were put in place to curb the spread of the disease. As such, citizens were unable to fully celebrate the joyous holiday for the past two years. This year, with a decrease in positive cases, hospitalisation and deaths, the gov-

Someone getting vaccinated against COVID-19 (DPI photo)

Wearing masks in congested environments could prevent the spread COVID-19 (DPI photo) ernment took the necessary steps to reopen the country. Also, measures such as mask wearing, curfew and social distancing were relaxed to enable some level of normalcy. However, persons are advised to protect themselves by getting inoculated and sanitising. Additionally, with approximately 100 active cases, Dr. Anthony said: “I just want people to be very cautious, because while we want to open up the country… we’re not at a place where we have zero COVID-19 in Guyana.” During Thursday’s COVID-19 update, the Health Minister said Guyana recorded nine new cases within the last 24-hours. He further said 11 persons are currently hospitalised with one person in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Liliendaal hospital. (DPI)

Education Ministry intensifying efforts to improve literacy

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 15, 2022

— plans in place to host reading clinic on April 23

By Tamica Garnett THE Ministry of Education, through its recently created literacy department, will be hosting a reading clinic at the New Central High School, on April 23. The aim of the exercise is to test the literacy skills of students ahead of the full reopening of schools on April 25. The event, which will run from 10:00hrs to 16:00hrs, is also part of the celebration of International Book Day, which is on April 23. This initiative will be targetting students from 13 schools located in the Werk-enRust area. However, students from any area could participate in the activity. “The learners will come out and we will have reading assessments done so as to give an understanding of the literacy level. Each learner that comes through the clinic will get a literacy certificate to say what the child’s profile looks like,” Assistant Chief Education Officer (Literacy), Samantha Williams, said during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle. Persons will be assessed in the areas of phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. The results of this assessment will then be used to guide teachers on how to work with the students going forward.

ed collecting some data on all the reading corners or literacy programmes in the neighborhoods and will be working with the volunteers in those programmes to train them so they would know how to provide the help that the children need.” Williams said that the Education Ministry is working aggressively to build aware-

Assistant Chief Education Officer (Literacy), Samantha Williams

“The next step would be for us to continue to work with the schools in the community to build teachers’ capacity so that they are able to assist those children whose levels are below their chronological age,” Williams said. This reading clinic is just the beginning of several other such clinics that will be held all across the country, as the Education Ministry continues to place emphasis on addressing the learning loss caused by COVID-19. “We have to have our learners become fluent readers, and to ensure they have

basic literacy skills to navigate to society,” Williams posited. Like every country across the world, Guyana is preparing to deal with the after-effects of learning losses which were created by school closures that started since early 2020, due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though it will be starting in the Werk-en-Rust community, where the literacy department is located, there are plans to gradually have reading clinics held all across the country to have all learners assessed. “We are doing it in this community first and then we will head into all the different communities and across the country. The next area we are going to target is the Houston-Agricola area. We will go to the schools in that area and then continue to build out. So it is going to be ongoing,” Williams said. Williams further related that the assessment is also about helping parents and community stakeholders who would also be working along with students. “While we work on the school’s front we cannot do this alone. [The learners] have been out of school for two years and the deficit will be tremendous, so we will need everybody on board, even the wider community. We are even looking to establish links with persons in the community who offer lessons to the children and we will support them too,” Williams said. She added: “We have start-

ness and ensure that wider stakeholder groups, including parents and members of the community, understand the importance of literacy, and work along with the ministry to address deficiencies wherever they exist. “We need them to work as aggressively with us to ensure our learners, who have this huge reading deficit, get

to a place where they can become fluent readers. The objective is to really recover from the reading deficits that would have taken place as a result of being away from school for two years, and to ensure that, as a ministry, we are collaborating with everyone because this challenge cannot be fixed by ourselves,” Williams said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 15, 2022

‘Made in Guyana’ label to enhance identity of local businesses

LOCAL manufacturers and producers could now apply to the Guy-

ana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) to use the Made in Guyana

certification mark. The coveted mark, which was unveiled by

First Lady Mrs. Arya Ali at the National Quality Awards Ceremony in October 2021, is a signature of quality for authentic Guyanese products, and is now available for use by local businesses. For years, businesses have been calling for the establishment of a local programme which provides a mark that differentiates their products based on key quality and other requirements. Supported by its legislation, the GNBS has heeded the call at a time in the economy when businesses are working to demonstrate quality, and remain competitive. The Standards Act No. 11 of 1984 authorises the GNBS to use its Made in Guyana mark on products with set criteria, once they comply with the terms and conditions of the programme. The Made in Guyana mark is a registered mark that aims to provide recognition to locally manufactured products on the local and international markets. Through its use, the GNBS is looking to enhance national competitiveness for authentic Guyanese products certified under the programme, while also creating and promoting brand recognition and market

advantage for participating businesses. The certification programme also provides a framework for the development of quality systems to enhance Guyana’s local content, pushing Guyanese businesses to the forefront of quality on a national, regional, and international level, at an affordable cost. The Made in Guyana programme, which is voluntary, is open to applications from all manufacturers and producers of local products, regardless of size or product type. Under the programme, only products meeting the established criteria, as outlined by the national standards body, would be certified to use the Made in Guyana mark. In terms of criteria, products will be certified based on the quantity of local raw materials used in their production, and the number of Guyanese staff employed by establishments (at least 70 per cent). It must be noted that while companies are allowed to import 80 per cent of their raw materials, the products must be assembled or processed in Guyana. To ensure that the requirements of the Made in Guyana mark programme are favourable to local businesses, the draft re-

quirements were exposed to a period of public consultations to allow for stakeholders’ input and consensus. Those inputs were then considered, and requirements were finalised. The new certification programme became active at the beginning of January 2022, and local companies could now apply to the GNBS to use the Made in Guyana mark. The period of certification is one year, and surveillances and a renewal of assessment will be conducted during the certification period to ensure continued conformance to the established criteria. The Certification Services Department of the GNBS stands ready to offer the requisite guidance to all sizes of businesses that are considering to apply for this mark of quality. The application form, along with the detailed requirements of the programme and the process of acquiring the Made in Guyana Certification mark, can be found on the GNBS website https: https://gnbsgy.org/certification/made-in-guyana-certification/ For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0064-66 or WhatsApp: 692-4627.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 15, 2022

School teacher died from stab wound to neck … Gov’t Pathologist confirms

GOVERNMENT Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh, on Thursday, confirmed that 19-year-old Shanese Walks, whose body was discovered in her Craig Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home, died due to a stab wound to the neck. Dr Singh performed the post mortem examination on the school teacher’s body which was later handed over to her relatives for burial. According to Police Headquarters, the alleged murder reportedly occurred between 15:30 hours on Tuesday last and 11:45 hours on Wednesday last at the aforementioned address. Walks’ 21-year-old boyfriend is currently in police custody and is assisting with investigations. Walks, of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), was staying with her boyfriend when the incident occurred. It is alleged that the couple had a misunderstanding during which Walks armed herself with a knife. The boyfriend had reportedly told police that he tried taking the knife away from his girlfriend but ended

DECEASED: Shanese Walks

up stabbing her in the left side of her neck. The boyfriend reportedly secured the house and fled. On Wednesday, police said he told his brother what had transpired. It was further reported that his brother, along with an aunt, escorted the suspect to the Grove Police Station where he was handed over to the police. The media was told that when police visited the scene, the body of Walks was discovered in a pool of blood with the knife still in the left side of her neck.

Woman who allegedly stabbed child granted bail

A 29-YEAR-OLD woman was, on Thursday, released on $150,000 bail for allegedly attempting to murder a four-year-old girl child, the daughter of her female partner. Padmini Dwarka, of Cemetery Road, Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD), appeared before Principal Magistrate, Judy Latchman at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Court. The accused woman was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that, on April 10, 2022, at Timehri, she wounded the little girl with intent to commit murder. Now that Dwarka is on bail, she will return to court on May 17. According to a police statement, the victim’s mother and Dwarka are, reportedly, in an intimate relationship and have been living together at Cemetery Road, Timehri with the victim. It is alleged that, on the day in question, the ‘couple’ was involved in a heated

ACCUSED: Padmini Dwarka

argument. The [victim’s] mother picked up her daughter and told Dwarka that she was leaving the relationship. It is alleged that Dwarka armed herself with a knife and attempted to stab her lover; however, she ended up stabbing the child in the left side of her abdomen. Dwarka fled the scene and later turned herself over to police at the Timehri Police Station. She was accompanied by a lawyer. The victim is currently at a city hospital and is reportedly recovering.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 15, 2022

Region Five residents engaged on components of updated LCDS THE Government of Guyana has embarked on a countrywide consultation exercise aimed at sensitising stakeholders about the policies outlined in its updated Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030. Back in 2009, Guyana launched the first LCDS as a developing country, setting out a vision for inclusive, sustainable development, while simultaneously maintaining forest cover- about 85 per cent of Guyana’s landmass- to help meet some of the most urgent challenges the world faces. Since then, Guyana has gained a greater understanding of the outsized contribution that our country’s ecosystems make to the world’s health and economy, as well as its role as one of the world’s most important countries for biodiversity conservation. And even with Guyana being among the fastest-growing countries in this hemisphere, the country has maintained the second-highest percentage of forest cover on earth, with more than 99.5 per cent of the forest, which is equivalent to approximately 18 million hectares, intact through concerted efforts by the government, private sector, indigenous peoples, and local communities. During Wednesday’s session which was held at Bushlot, Region Five, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha told stakeholders that the new LDCS seeks to transform Guyana into a low-carbon economy. “Guyana’s Low Carbon

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha

Development Strategy 2030 sets out a vision for expanding a low carbon economy in Guyana. This will be achieved through low carbon energy; employment and development opportunities for all sections of our society; a transformation of digital, marine, and transportation infrastructure; and massive investment in adapting to the impacts of climate change. “With this strategy, new incentives for a low-carbon economy will be created; systems will be in place to reduce the impacts of climate change and reduce biodiversity loss; future growth through clean energy and low carbon development will be stimulated, and Guyana will be further aligned with global climate and biodiversity goals,” the minister said. Wi t h G u y a n a s t i l l plagued by extremely high costs for electricity and an unreliable power supply, Minister Mustapha said that,

through the policies outlined in the LCDS, Guyanese will eventually benefit from a cheaper and more reliable power supply when the country begins utilising natural gases from offshore operations and hydropower. He went on to say: “Using natural gas as a bridge away from heavy-fuel oil, followed by the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project by 2027, Guyana will see a massive expansion of renewable energy across the country. Energy use can increase five-fold with greenhouse gas emissions staying approximately flat – one of the world’s highest levels of decoupling of economic

growth and fossil fuel use for energy.” The Demerara Berbice Interconnectivity System (DBIS) will have a higher capacity, and become more reliable. Vision 2022 – 2027 will see a combination of natural gas and the Amaila Falls Hydropower plant on the DBIS, coupled with a major expansion of solar power, with batteries, on the rural networks. Further, between 2027 and 2032 there will be continued replacement of heavy-fuel oil, expansion of wind and solar power, and the commissioning of Guyana’s second hydropower

A section of the gathering in Region Five

plant, the site of which will be identified before 2025. Also, from 2032 onwards, the government will move to expand these efforts which will be determined by prevailing market conditions. Consultations are set to take place in various communities and villages in all ten administrative regions. The goal of the consultation is to receive and incorporate broad-based feedback on the measures contained within the strategy. Based on the outcomes of those consultations, the LCDS 2030 will be updated and tabled in the National Assembly.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 15, 2022

Prison service’s agriculture programme picks up steam - as inmates commence harvesting of crops

THE Guyana Prison Service’s (GPS) agriculture programme has been progressing well, ac-

cording to Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, who said the programme is equipping inmates

with skills in farming and animal husbandry. He said large-scale farming

represents a “strategic goal” to maximise yields from the service’s investment in the agriculture industry. Coordinator of the Guyana Prison Service’s Agricultural Department, Senior Superintendent (ag) Kofi David, said a total of 476 pounds of boulanger along with 231 pounds of bora were harvested at Mazaruni Prison Farm. Farming is done at the New Amsterdam, Mazaruni, Lusignan and Timehri prisons with effort being focused on ensuring that farms are utilised to adequately

An inmate watering the vegetables at the prison supply the needs of the prison population in the coming years. According to the Director of Prisons, the first quarter of this year was very productive since Boulanger, Pak Choy, Pumpkin, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Cherry,

Guava and Watermelons were harvested. For poultry farming, the inmates reportedly reared chicken which resulted in 6,214 kilograms of meat and 410 trays of eggs.

Annual Memorial of Christ’s death to be observed after sundown today

JEHOVAH’S Witnesses the world over will, today, commemorate the death anniversary of Jesus Christ in their Kingdom Halls. Owing to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Zoom alternative is also available for those who wish to attend

online. The Memorial is the most important event of the year for Jehovah’s Witnesses. For last year’s virtual event, over 8.6 million Witnesses were joined by more than 12.6 million visitors. The total attendance of 21,367,603 marked

a 19.7 per cent increase from 2020, despite the pandemic. Although the Memorial will be in a virtual format again, for the first time since 2019 the Witnesses will be meeting in-person throughout the country for this annual celebration. Admission to this event is free and no registration is required. Information on attending locally is available at jw.org and can also be provided by any of Jehovah’s Witnesses or by Local Spokesman, Andre Darrell, at 617-9089 or andredarrell@yahoo. com.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 15, 2022

Momentum building for ‘Dexta Daps’ concert

By Tamica Garnett

GUYANESE are being told to prepare for quite the experience as the momentum builds for this weekend’s signature entertainment event, the “Vent X Owner” Dexta Daps concert, slated for the National Stadium, Providence on Saturday. Patrons can expect a whole lot more than just the “wu wu wu” of Daps, who will be backed by an impressive lineup of opening acts including: the sultry Christopher Martin; Trinidad soca singer, Lyrikal; Ikaya, who Daps has collaborated with; and Louie Culture. The international ar-

tistes will also be intertwined with a collection of local singers that will include Gully Ras, Drew Thoven, Bobby Kush, Toney Cuttz, and Vicardi Singh. “There’s a wide variety, which is what I love about it. You have reggae, soca, chutney, just a little bit of everything. It’s going to be a really nice experience and persons are going to get their money’s worth,” Chelsea Wyatt, one of the concert organisers shared in an interview with The Buzz. Though this will not be the first time Daps, real name Louis Grandison, will be performing in Guyana, a lot of anticipa-

tion has been growing over the event given that this will be the first Easter weekend in two years that Guyanese will be able to party like normal since the COVID-19 restrictions has been lifted. “I know for sure this is going to be one not to miss. Since COVID started, it is only now that we have all the restrictions lifted. It’s been two years since we’ve been able to be out and have a celebration at Easter. So… it’s going to really be worth it and you don’t want to miss it,” Chelsea says. A lot of buzz has also been generated over the concert given Daps’ reputation with the ladies,

The ‘Call Me If’ singer, Dexta Daps and his alleged encounter with at least one particular

Lenoi Bentley/YouTube/Oct 3, 2021

young lady the last time he was in Guyana.

A dancehall/reggae Jamaican artiste, Daps is known for the seductive and provocative nature of his music, with songs such as “Bring It to The Owner”, “Call Me If” and “No Underwear”. The concert is said to be part of Daps ‘Vent X Owner’ promotional tours for his recently released music. Daps was scheduled to arrive in Guyana late Thursday night, and will be doing a press conference on Friday. He will be interviewed on radio on Friday. Chelsea noted that there are still a few tickets available with tickets going at $6000 for general audience; $25,000 for VIP; and $35,000 for VVIP. The VIP and VVIP are all-inclusive, and also includes free parking and pictures with the artiste. General attendees can also access parking for a fee.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 15, 2022

Bollywood stars Bhatt and Kapoor marry BOLLYWOOD stars, Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor married each other in a low-key ceremony in Mumbai on Thursday. Bhatt, 29 and, Kapoor, 39, have been dating for five years but have maintained a

low-profile relationship, apart from occasional pictures on social media and rare appearances together. The ceremony was held at Kapoor’s house in the upmarket Mumbai suburb of Bandra. Guests were given strict

instructions not to share pictures or videos from the ceremony. “Today, surrounded by our family and friends, at home ... in our favourite spot - the balcony we’ve spent the last five years of our relationship - we

got married,” Bhatt said in a social media post. Bhatt’s last Bollywood release in theatres, “Gangubai Kathaiwadi”, made more than 2 billion rupees (US$26 million) at the box office after its release in February. Both she and Kapoor come from film families and several Bollywood actors, including Kareena Kapoor, attended the ceremony. (Reuters)

Bollywood actors, Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor greet the media during a photo-op after their wedding function in Mumbai, India, April 14, 2022. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 15, 2022

Gilbert Gottfried, boundarypushing comedian, dead at 67

GILBERT Gottfried, a stand-up comic with a screwy voice and a penchant for pushing boundaries with jokes about the Sept. 11 attacks and the Japanese tsunami, has died at age 67, his family said on Tuesday. Gottfried, a former cast member on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” and the voice of a sarcastic parrot in the animated Disney film “Aladdin,” suffered a long, unspecified illness, the family

statement said. “In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children,” the statement said. “Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert’s honour.” Born in Brooklyn, and rising up through the New York City standup scene, Gottfried was known for edgy comedy

that made some people squirm. Two weeks after the attacks on New York and Washington that killed nearly 3,000 people in 2001, Gottfried joked about it during a roast of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, saying he could not book a direct flight from New York to California. “They said they have to stop at the Empire State Building first,” Gottfried said, drawing laughs and moans of “too

Comedian Gilbert Gottfried arrives with a duck at the Webby Awards in New York June 14, 2010. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson soon.” Reflecting on the moment later, Gottfried said in a television interview, “That’s the way my mind works. I wanted to basically address the elephant in the room.” That style of humour also cost him a lucrative role as the Aflac duck in television commercials for the insurer, which severed ties with Gottfried after he made a series of jokes on Twitter about the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that killed 18,000 people in Japan. “I love to go where it’s a dark area. You never know what people will choose to be offended

by,” Gottfried told The New York Times in 2013. Tributes poured in from other comic actors. Seth MacFarlane, creator of the animated series “Family Guy” and director of the comedy film “A Million Ways to Die in the West,” said Gottfried’s outrageous send-up of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address in that movie made him laugh so hard on set that “I could barely do my job.” “A wholly original comic, and an equally kind and humble guy behind the scenes,” MacFarlane said on Twitter. “He will be missed.” Jason Alexander, who

played George on the television comedy “Seinfeld,” said on Twitter, “Gilbert Gottfried made me laugh at times when laughter did not come easily. What a gift.” One of Gottfried’s best known movie roles was as the voice of Iago, the loud-mouthed, sarcastic talking parrot of the evil Jafar in Disney’s 1992 animated film hit “Aladdin.” He also reached what would normally be considered the pinnacle for American comic actors by getting named to the cast of “Saturday Night Live” in 1980, but the new cast was poorly received, having replaced highly popular players such as John Belushi, Gilda Radner and Bill Murray. Gottfried said he could not enjoy the experience, telling interviewer, Joe Rogan last year that he felt like a “sacrificial lamb.” “You don’t want to be the replacement,” Gottfried said. “You want to be the replacement of the replacement.” (Reuters)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 15, 2022

Oscar-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. pleads guilty to forcible touching CUBA Gooding Jr. pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a misdemeanour count of forcibly touching a woman at a New York nightclub in 2018, as part of an agreement with prosecutors that spares the Oscar-winning actor any immediate jail time. The guilty plea, in which Gooding also admitted in court to subjecting two other women to “non-consensual physical contact” in 2018 and 2019, came three years after he was arrested, the Manhattan district attorney’s office said in a statement. Under the plea agreement, if the 54-year-old Gooding continues to undergo court-ordered counselling for six months, he can withdraw his misdemeanour plea and plead guilty to a lesser violation of harassment. If he fails to comply, he faces up to one year in jail. The actor had been accused of violating three differ-

Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. appears for his arraignment in New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S., October 31, 2019. Alec Tabak/Pool via REUTERS ent women at various Manhattan night spots in 2018 and 2019. He pleaded guilty to the most serious count charging him with forcibly kissing a woman at a nightclub in September 2018, a district attorney spokesperson said. “I apologise for ever making anybody feel inappropriately touched,” the New York Times quoted Gooding as saying in court when entering his guilty plea. A representative and a lawyer for the actor could not immediately be reached for comment. Gooding won the Academy Award as best supporting actor for his role in the 1996 romantic comedy “Jerry Maguire” as a volatile football player who becomes his sports agent’s only client, demanding that Tom Cruise “show me the money.” Two decades later, Gooding portrayed O.J. Simpson in the television miniseries “The People v. O.J. Simpson.” Hours after the plea, a Manhattan federal judge rejected Gooding’s bid to dismiss a $6 million civil lawsuit by a woman who said Gooding raped her twice in 2013 at the Mercer hotel in Manhattan’s SoHo district. U.S. District Judge Paul Crotty said the woman didn’t take too long to sue by waiting until 2020 to invoke a New York City law protecting victims of gender-motivated violence. Gooding said a different law with a one-year statute of limitations should have applied. He has denied his accuser’s allegations. (Reuters)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 15, 2022

Shabazz ups...

From page 32

Track and Field Centre. Guyana will also play host to Haiti on June 11 and will travel to Port-au-Prince for a return clash against the Haitians on June 14. The Golden Jaguars will roar once again in the Nations League on March 25, 2023, when they travel to Hamilton to face Bermuda. Jamaal Shabazz and his troops will close their participation in the second edition of the Nations League with a home game against Montserrat on March 28, 2023. The Squad: Goalkeepers – Ronaldo Blair and Sese Norville Defenders – Jeremy Garrett, Quincy Adams, Marcus Wilson, Leo Lovell, Nicolai Andrews and Shemar Fraser Midfielders – Daniel Wilson, Clive Nobrega, Job Caesar, Javier George, Darron Niles, Jemar Harrigan, Ryan Hackett. Forwards – Trayon Bobb, Kelsey Benjamin, Ian Dooker, Jaminine Beckles, Jamal Perriera, Pernell Schultz and Osafo Simpson. Staff: Jamaal Shabazz (head coach), Rawle Adams (team manager), Wayne Dover (assistant coach), Charles Pollard (assistant coach), Dylan Palmer (fitness coach), Dexter George (physiotherapist), Trevor Burnett (equipment manager), Keeron Tanner (video/ IT technician).

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday April 15, 2022)

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

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Shaun Marsh-616 runs (Kings XI Punjab) (2) Brendon McCullum-158* (KKR vs RCB)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Who took most wickets in the first season’s IPL? (2) Who had the best bowling figures in a single game in IPL 2008?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 15, 2022

Scotland v Ukraine World Cup play-off semi-final rescheduled for June 1

SCOTLAND’S World Cup play-off semi-final with Ukraine has been rescheduled for June 1, with the winner playing Wales in the final four days later. The Hampden semi was due to be played on March 24 but Ukraine asked FIFA to postpone the tie following Russia’s invasion of the country. Wales beat Austria to progress to the final, which takes place in Cardiff. Scotland, Ukraine or Wales will face England,

Iran and USA in the Qatar World Cup later this year. The tournament takes place from November 21 to December 18. As a result of the new arrangements for the World Cup play-offs, Scotland and Ukraine’s Nations League Group B1 matches will be altered. Scotland’s opener at home to Armenia has been pushed back four days to June 8 and the away games with Republic of Ireland (June 11) and Armenia (June

14) will go ahead as planned. Steve Clarke’s side will face Ukraine on Nations League duty at home on September 21 - rescheduled from June 7 - and away (September 27) either side of a home game against Republic of Ireland on September 24. “Firstly, it will be great to be able to welcome Ukraine to Hampden Park in June,” said Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell. “While, understandably, there will be two sets of

Ukraine are bidding to reach their second men’s World Cup finals

competitive players who are committed to taking another step closer to World Cup qualification, we also understand and appreciate the

wider context in which the match will take place. “We have been consistent throughout that postponing the original tie was

the right and only thing to do and look forward to hosting Ukraine at Hampden Park in June.”

McDonald happy to delegate workload with busy schedule to come NEW Australia men’s cricket coach Andrew McDonald will not hesitate to hand the reins over to assistants during a busy touring schedule in the coming years. The former all-rounder, who played four Tests in 2009, replaced Justin Langer on an interim basis in February and was confirmed as the new fulltime head coach on a four-year deal by Cricket Australia on Wednesday. The Victorian became the red-hot favourite to secure the job full-time after Australia’s recent 1-0 Test series win in Pakistan, and has also received strong public backing from the players. With Australia touring less since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, international commitments are set to ramp up. Having just completed the historic tour to Pakistan, Australia will head to Sri Lanka in June, before preparing for their Twenty20 World Cup defence on home soil. Next year’s schedule involves a Test tour of India, an away Ashes series, and an ODI World Cup in India. Despite talk of the coaching roles being split between red and white-ball cricket, McDonald wanted the job for all three formats. However, he will consider opting out of some white-ball tours to recharge and give other coaches a go in the top job.

Andrew McDonald speaking with the media on Wednesday (Getty)

“The great challenge for coaches and players is to manage your workload across the four years,” McDonald said at the MCG on Wednesday “I’d like to think I have the coaching staff to step-up, and we can elevate certain coaches at different times to take on different tours and different challenges. “While doing that, it’s only growing the depth of our coaching staff…coaches will get exposed along the journey to help out the workload which is quite significant for a head coach. “Once it was decided that

I was the preferred candidate I got a chance to sit down with Cricket Australia and the people around that to shape the role. “It (managing the workload) was a huge part of it, no doubting it.” McDonald joined Australia’s coaching team as Langer’s senior assistant in 2019 after leading Victoria and the Melbourne Renegades to titles in 2018. He has also held senior coaching jobs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and in English county cricket. CA chief executive Nick Hockley praised McDonald after the 40-year-old impressed with his vision for the future during the interview process. “We interviewed several excellent candidates for this role, which is one of the most important in Australian sport,” Hockley said. “Andrew has already shown he is an outstanding head coach and the vision he outlined for the role during the appointment process was both impressive and exciting, making him our clear choice. “We are proud of the way the team played and the respect shown throughout the tour of Pakistan under the leadership of Andrew, Pat (Cummins) and Aaron (Finch), and we are really pleased Andrew is taking on the role permanently.” (AAP)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 15, 2022

Derek Kallicharran, friends sponsor cricket shoes for ten Under-15 cricketers

FORMER Guyana and West Indies ‘A’ leg-spinning all-rounder Derek Kallicharran, along with several friends - Sohan Beer, Ramjit Singh, Shazam Hussein, Raj Rai, Tony Kallicharran, Krishna Kallicharran, Kumar Dindyal, Shanon Raghunath, Sean Bahadur and John Harihar, all former members of the Richmond Hill Vikings Cricket Club of New York, have provided US$600 to purchase 10 pairs of cricket shoes for Under-15 players who are expected to participate in the upcoming Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-County Under-15 tournament. Players from all three counties will benefit. The players will be vying for places in the national team to represent Guyana at the Regional Tournament to be held later in the year. So far, eight players have

carefully selected. According to Beharry, he was happy to facilitate this initiative and is certain that the cricket shoes will go a long way in helping these aspiring players to achieve their dream. Beharry thanked Kallicharran and team on behalf of the players and is confident that a new breed of crick-

Sohan Beer (left) hands over the cash to Anil Beharry

already been identified Romario Ramdihol, Vishal Williams, Gavin Kristen, Henrique Mickle, Nicholas Lovell, Elisha Ramdat, Christopher Williams and Earo Benjamin. One of the players listed is an orphan. At a simple ceremony, held last weekend, Beer, a

representative of the group and currently on vacation, presented the cash to former BCB long-serving executive and current GCB executive, Anil Beharry. Beharry was high in praise for the timely assistance to these young and talented players who were

Surrey’s Ollie Pope hits unbeaten century against Hampshire OLLIE Pope struck an unbeaten century as Surrey put themselves in a strong place after being put in by Hampshire. Pope looked assured throughout his knock of 113 not out, building on half-centuries by Ryan Patel (58) and Hashim Amla (73) to steer his side to 312-3. Ex-South Africa captain Amla took advantage of being dropped early on to share a 113-run third-wicket stand. Hampshire stuck doggedly to their task, with Ian Holland taking 2-49, but they face a battle to rein in the home side. The visiting bowlers who had rolled Somerset over twice inside three days to triumph in their opening game last week - gained little reward after skipper James Vince had opted to field. Medium-pacer Holland collected the only wicket to fall before lunch, persuading Rory Burns (21) to drive to second slip before causing Amla some anxious

Ollie Pope (right) endured a difficult Ashes series in Australia but played with fluidity at the Oval on day one.

moments with two strong leg before appeals. Amla had a fortunate escape after lunch while on 20, slashing at Mohammad Abbas outside off stump - but Liam Dawson was unable to cling on in the slips and Hampshire were made to pay. James Fuller came on to capture a wicket with only his second ball, tempting Ryan Patel to swing into the hands of Abbas at long leg, but that only paved the way for Pope, 24, whose clinical strokeplay punished any loose deliveries. Pope, who featured in

three of England’s five winter Ashes Tests in Australia, looked particularly strong on the leg stump, advancing to his half-century from just 73 balls before tea, although he slowed down after the departure of Amla, who was caught wafting at a widish ball from Holland. But a leg-side flick for four off Keith Barker carried Pope to his 13th firstclass hundred and, with Ben Foakes (32 not out) proving a reliable ally, the pair guided Surrey to a third batting bonus point before stumps.(BBC Sport)

eters will emerge and will help Guyana and West Indies cricket return to its rightful place. He also made special mention of the role the former Guyana player played in mobilising the funds. Beer was also glad to be part of such a noble idea, conceptualised by Kallicharran in collaboration with Beharry.

He also promised that this is the first of more things to come and is especially pleased that a child who is an orphan is the recipient of one pair of cricket shoes. Beer further encouraged the players to be focused and disciplined at all times. The cricket shoes will be distributed shortly.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 15, 2022

US Olympic great Allyson Felix to retire at end of season ALLYSON Felix, the most decorated female track and field Olympian of alltime, will retire at the end of the season. The 36-yearold American has won 11 Olympic medals, including seven gold, as well as 13 world titles. She competed at her fifth and final Olympics in Tokyo last summer. “As a little girl they called me chicken legs never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined I’d have a career like this,” said Felix. “I have so much gratitude for this sport that has changed my life. I have given everything I have to running and for the first time I’m not sure if I have anything left to give. “I want to say goodbye and thank you to the sport and people who have helped shape me the only way I know how - with one last run. “This season isn’t about the time on the clock, it’s simply about joy. If you see

MUMBAI, India, (CMC) – Shimron Hetmyer’s cameo was short of what was required as Rajasthan Royals produced a botched run chase to crash to a 37-run defeat to Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League here Thursday. In pursuit of a challenging 193 at DY Patil Sports

Allyson Felix is a seven-time Olympic champion

me on the track this year I hope to share a moment, a memory and my appreciation with you.” Felix has won four Olympic gold medals in the 4x400m relay, two in the 4x100m relay, and one in the 200m.` In November 2018, Felix gave birth to her daughter Camryn by emergency Caesarean at 32 weeks after discovering she had pre-eclampsia, which could have been life-threatening for

them both. Less than a year later, she became the most successful athlete in World Championships history when she took two relay gold in Doha. That same year, she took on sponsor Nike over maternity pay. In May 2019, she wrote in the New York Times that Nike wanted to pay her 70% less after she became a mother, and three months later, the brand changed their stance. Felix has also worked to

highlight the issue of maternal mortality among black women. “This season I’m running for women. I’m running for a better future for my daughter. I’m running for you,” she added in her retirement statement. “More to come on that, so stay tuned, but I’ll be sharing a series of announcements that I’m hoping will make the world better for women. “Here’s to my final season.” (BBC Sport)

Southee wins Sir Richard Hadlee medal at 2022 NZC awards

NEW Zealand pace bowler Tim Southee won the prestigious Sir Richard Hadlee medal for the first time in his career after being named Player-of-the-Year at the 2022 NZC awards. Southee picked up 36 Test wickets at an average of 23.88 in the 2021-22 season, including five wickets against India in the ICC World Test Championship final that New Zealand won. His best figures during this period were 6/43 against England at Lord’s. He was a part of the side that reached the T20 World Cup final in the UAE and had also led the side in the shortest format in India in Kane Williamson’s absence. “Like most cricketers growing up I knew all about the exploits of Sir Richard and it’s certainly pretty humbling to win his award this year,” Southee said. “While the accolades are nice, I think it really just reflects the way we have worked together as a group and played our cricket for a long period of time.”

Hetmyer cameo in vain as Rajasthan Royals come up short

New Zealand pace bowler Tim Southee

Sir Richard Hadlee, who was a part of the selection panel that picked Southee for the first time, heaped praise on the 32-year-old and revealed that he would be pleased if the seamer manages to go past his tally of 431 Test wickets. Southee currently has 338 wickets in the longest format. “You seem to be in total control of your game and bowling as well as you ever have,” he said. “You’ve got a simple technique which is easy to repeat, and your skill sets

have gone to another level. “No doubt the 400 Test wickets are in sight and maybe that magic number 431 is in the back of your mind. So, I’ll be watching that with some interest and if you are to reach that mark, I’m prepared to sit here and say, ‘it’s time for me to let it go’. I really do congratulate you, Tim, on what you’ve achieved and no doubt you’ve got a few more years to give to New Zealand cricket and the game in general.” Will Young, who man-

aged to hit two centuries in the series against Netherlands recently, was named the men’s ODI Player-of-the-Year whereas Amelia Kerr bagged the women’s award. In T20Is, Trent Boult and Sophie Devine were named the winners. Devon Conway, who hit a stunning double hundred on debut last year against England, was named the Test Player-of-the-Year for scoring 767 runs at an average of 63.91. (Cricbuzz)

West Indies left-hander Shimron Hetmyer.

Academy, Royals got 54 from in-form Englishman Jos Buttler while Hetmyer chimed in with a 17-ball 29, but the remainder of the batting flopped, leaving the innings on 155 for nine off 20 overs. With the win, Titans took sole possession of the lead on eight points from four wins in five matches, while Royals slipped to third but as one of five teams on six points. Sent in, Titans were powered to 192 for four off their 20 overs by captain Hardik Pandya who belted an unbeaten 87 from 52 balls and Abhinav Manohar who struck 43 from 28 deliveries. With the innings tottering on 15 for two in the third over, Pandya arrived to rescue his side, lashing eight fours and four sixes in putting on 38 for the third wicket with Shubman Gill (13), 86 for the fourth wicket with Manohar and a further 53 in an unbroken fifth wicket stand with South African David Miller, whose unbeaten 31 came from 14 balls and included five fours and a six. In reply, Buttler gave the innings the required flying start, pummeling eight fours and three sixes but wickets tumbled around him, leaving Royals on 90 for five in the 11th over. Hetmyer entered at number six and promised much, punching two fours and a six in a 26-run sixth wicket stand with Riyan Parag (18). However, with the required run rate climbing, he holed out to long on off new ball seamer Mohammed Shami in the 13th over. New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson (3-23) and left-arm seamer Yash Dayal (3-40), who bowled the new ball, finished with three wickets apiece. On Wednesday, rookie West Indies fast bowler Odean Smith kept Kieron Pollard’s Mumbai Indians winless in five games when he snatched a career-best four for 30 to help his Punjab Kings to a 12-run win at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. Pollard’s struggles also continued, the 34-yearold failing with ten and now has only 57 runs for the season.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 15, 2022

CARIFTA swim team secures $1M support from NSC

THE National Sports Commission (NSC) presented $1M to the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) towards supporting the 10 athletes scheduled to represent Guyana at the CARIFTA Swimming Championships. Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, presented the NSC’s cheque to Valmiki Singh, GASA’s honorary treasurer towards their participation at the 35th hosting of the championships which will take place in Barbados, April 16-20. Ninvalle said the NSC is committed to supporting the country’s national teams and athletes, but encouraged all National Federations and Associations to submit their plans and budget to receive the necessary funding. Meanwhile, GASA president Dwayne Scott thanked the NSC, adding that the Commission is one of the more dependable partners of GASA and “has continued to show support to all our programmes”. “GASA is extremely grateful to NSC, the Direc-

tor of Sport and the Minister of Sport and Culture for their contribution and support towards our team’s participation at the 2022 CARIFTA Games,” Scott said. Daniel Claxton, Elliot and Ethan Gonsalves, Marius (Open Water) and Mario Ramkhlawan, Nathan Jackson, Vishal Babulall, Shareefa Lewis, Amber DeGoeas (Open Water) and Zane Crane are the athletes representing Guyana. Coach Shyka Gonsalves, coach Sean Baksh (Open Water) and Elkie Rodrigues (manager) are the officials travelling with the contingent. At the 2019 CARIFTA Swimming Championships, Guyana finished with five medals - three gold and two bronze, -all of which were won by Olympian Aleka Persaud. Competing in the Girls’ 11-12 category, Persaud won gold in the 100m fly and 50m free and 100m free events, while claiming bronze in the 200m and 50m fly events.

FORMER Colombia captain Freddy Rincon has died after suffering severe head injuries in a car crash. The 55-year-old was driving a car that collided with a bus early on Monday in Cali, Colombia. Former Real Madrid midfielder Rincon scored 17 goals for Colombia and played at the 1990, 1994 and 1998 World Cups. He shares with Carlos Valderrama the record for the most appearances at the tournament for his country, having played in 10 World Cup games.

Freddy Rincon (left) was part of Colombia’s ‘golden generation’ reaching three successive World Cups in the 1990s GASA honorary treasurer Valmiki Singh (L) receives the NSC’s $1M cheque towards Guyana’s participation at the 35th CARIFTA Swimming Championships from Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle

Guyana go down to Puerto Rico at CAC Hockey qualifiers

GUYANA opened their quest to qualify for the Central American and Caribbean Games Hockey Championship, with a 1-0 loss to Puerto Rico yesterday. It was certainly not the start to their campaign that coach Philip Fernandes was hoping for, as Josefina Freaney netted in the 48th minute for what turned out to be the game’s winning goal. Guyana will be competing against Puerto Rico, and Jamaica and hosts Bermuda for a chance to be one of two teams to advance to the CAC Games next May in El Salvador. The country’s hockey ladies will now shift their attention to their next match against Bermuda on April

Gabriella Xavier (L) in action for Guyana during their 1-0 defeat to Puerto Rico at the CAC hockey qualifiers.

16. They will close their participation on April 17 against Jamaica. Guyana last competed in the CAC games back in 2018 when the team finished in seventh place out of eight.

Colombia football great Freddy Rincon dies after car crash

Seven players remain from the team that contested the last CAC Games which incidentally was the last time Guyana competed internationally. Those players are goal-

keeper Alysa Xavier, Trisha Woodroffe, Marzana Fiedtkou, Samantha Fernandes, Princessa Wilkie, captain Gabriella Xavier and the recently recalled defensive stalwart Ulrica Sutherland. Sarah Klautky, Abosaide Cadogan, and Claysa Bobb, midfielder Madison Fernandes and defenders Kezia Chinian, Makeda Harding, Mickelly Rahaman and Kirsten Gomes are all making their International outdoor debut. The National Sports Commission (NSC), GTT, John Fernandes Group of Companies and the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) are listed as the team’s sponsors. (Rawle Toney)

Rincon was part of the side that ended the nation’s 28-year wait to play at the World Cup when they qualified for the 1990 finals, and scored a memorable goal in a 1-1 draw against eventual winners West Germany. He also played club football for Napoli, Palmeiras and Santos, as well as leading Corinthians to victory in 2000 at the first FiIFA Club World Championship now the Club World Cup. “Despite all the efforts of our teams, Freddy Eusebio Rincon has passed away,” said Laureano Quintero, the medical director of the Imbanaco Clinic in Cali where Rincon was being treated. ‘ETERNALLY IN OUR HEARTS’ The Colombian Football Federation (FCF) said it mourned the death of Rincon. “We will miss him and remember him with great affection, appreciation, respect and admiration,” said the FCF. “We send strength, support and our condolences to his family, hoping they can bear this sad and painful loss.” Brazilian club Corinthians recalled “our captain” leading them to their FIFA Club World Championship success in 2000. “It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to a great idol,” they said on social media. FIFA, football’s world governing body, sent its “sincere condolences” to Rincon’s “loved ones, former team-mates and fans from the clubs he played for, and of the Colombia national team.” “Rest in Peace” it added. Italian club Napoli said they would also like to send their condolences to the family of Rincon, who played for them during the 1994-95 season. (BBC Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 15, 2022

Shabazz ups preparation for CONCACAF Nations League … Golden Jaguars to face French Guiana in two-match friendly

WITH Guyana set to kick off their participation in this season’s CONCACAF Nations League on June 4 with an away game against Montserrat, Golden Jaguars travelled to French Guiana for a two-match friendly on April 16 and 18. An all-local 22-man squad departed Guyana on Wednesday for the French territory, with coach Jamaal Shabazz telling Chronicle Sport, that the two matches present a “good opportunity to keep the core players that we’ve been working with active with a decent level of competition.” “It also allows us to try out a couple of things we’ve been working on in training,” Shabazz further noted. The last time the two countries faced each other was in 2018 during the qualification tournament for the Nations League, where French Guiana earned a 2-1 victory over Golden Jaguars,

with Neil Danns scoring the team’s lone goal. Shabazz said the tour also allows for continued rivalry between the two sides. The team travelled by land, with their journey taking them through Suriname. Golden Jaguars coach called the movement gruelling, adding, “All Guyanese people know that trip to Suriname and then to Cayenne, but it’s going to build some character.” “The degree of difficulty involved in making that long trek and then playing two matches … but we welcome it because it’s part of the preparation,” Shabazz said. Ian Dooker (Guyana Defence Force) and Jemar Harrigan (Police FC) are the new faces on the team, while forward Osafo Simpson has earned a recall after being out of the team since FIFA World Cup qualifiers last year. Defender Nicolai Andrews is back from injury,

while U20 national midfielder Darron Niles returns after missing out on the friendly tournament in Trinidad. In the absence of the squad’s veteran keepers, Shabazz selected two young goalkeepers in Sese Norville and Ronaldo Blair. “Thus far, I love how the senior guys in the squad like Trayon Bobb, Quincy Adams, Jeremy Garrett and Daniel Wilson have stepped up,” Shabazz said. “I look forward to their leadership in these two matches.” Drawn in Group B of League B of the CONCACAF Nations League, Guyana will come up against Haiti, Bermuda and Montserrat in home and away fixtures. Following their away match on June 4 against the British overseas territory in Brades, Golden Jaguars will return home to face Bermuda on June 7 at the National

CARIFTA Athletics, Swim teams get $3.2M from GOA

THE Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has come to the aid of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) and the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) to support athletes who will attend the CARIFTA Championships in Jamaica and Barbados this weekend. On Wednesday, the GOA gave the two associations a combined G$3.2 M. Athletics Guyana, which is sending 14 athletes, two coaches, and one manager for the Track and Field Championships in Jamaica, got $2M, while GASA, which has named 10 swimmers, two coaches, and one manager for the trip to Barbados, received $1.2M. GOA president, K. A. Juman-Yassin, made the presentation and recognised the “uphill task” for Athletics Guyana to raise funds, and is certain this assistance will significantly offset those financial needs. Both Athletics Guyana president Aubrey Hutson and GASA president Dwayne Scott thanked the GOA for its con-

From left: GASA president Dwayne Scott, GOA president K.A Juman-Yassin, Athletics Guyana president Aubrey Hutson and Keith Campbell of Athletics Guyana after the presentation on Wednesday

tinued support. Track and Field team: Under-17 Girls – Narissa McPherson (800m), Attoya Harvey (800m, 1500m, 3000m) Under-17 Boys– Javon Roberts (800m) Under-20 Girls– Keliza Smith (100m, 200m), Karese Lloyd (100m, 200m), Hannah Reid (400m), Adriel Austin (800m), Anisha Gibbons (javelin) Under-20 Boys– Shamar Horatio (100m, 200m), Ezekiel Newton (100m, 200m), Wesley Tyndall (long jump), Gabriel Lim (javelin and discus), Trevon Hamer (triple jump), Stafon Roach (triple jump)

Golden Jaguars head coach, Jamaal Shabazz

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Sham Johnny and Raymond Daw will act in the capacity of coaches, while Nadine Trotz is the Team Manager. Swim Team Daniel Claxton, Elliot Gonsalves, Ethan Gonsalves, Mario Ramkhalawan, Nathan Jackson, Vishal Babulal, Shareefah Lewis and Zara Crane will compete in the pool, while Amber DeGoeas and Marius Ramkhalawan will contest the open water swimming. Shyka Gonsalves will coach the pool swimmers, while Sean Baksh will focus on the open water swimmers. Elkie Rodrigues is the manager.

Softball fraternity bids farewell to Lakhram ‘Mike’ Singh

THE softball fraternity and a wide cross-section of Guyanese yesterday bade a fitting farewell to the late Lakhram ‘Mike’ Singh following a moving ceremony at his residence, New Haven, Bel Air, Greater Georgetown. Among those paying tributes to Singh, who dedicated part of his life to the promotion of the grassroots game while also managing a successful business, Mike’s Pharmacy, were members of the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) and the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc. Skipper Wayne Jones and Peter Persaud of Mike’s Wellman which was formed and owned by the late ‘leggie’, Members of the GFSCA form a bat escort as Singh’s who also owned Wellwoman, and was body is led from his residence after the funeral service. fondly referred to as Shane Warne, also (Picture, courtesy of John Ramsingh) paid glowing tributes. Singh, who also once served as the treasurer of the GFSCA and was also an executive of the now defunct Guyana Softball Cricket Association (GSCA), died on Thursday, March 31 after reportedly suffering a massive heart attack while representing Wellman in the Over-50 category of the 16th edition of the South Florida Softball Cricket League (SFSCL) tournament in the Sunshine State. He was rushed to hospital where he succumbed. Following yesterday’s funeral ceremony, Singh’s remains were cremated at the Good Hope Foreshore, East Coast Demerara. Singh is survived by his wife Nirmala, children Amrita and Vishnu among several other relatives and numerous friends and associates. The Guyana Chronicle Sports Desk takes this opportunity to extend sincere condolences to his grieving family and friends.

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|FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2022