Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 16-02-2022

WEDNESDAY 16th February, 2022

'Cannot be tenants –– Mia Mottley defends in own land' local content law

No.106636

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Oil and Gas sector to fuel – President economic diversification Ali says 03 PAGE

Guyana’s flagship International Energy Conference and Expo opened at the Marriott Hotel, on Tuesday, with powerful presentations and insightful engagements.

Over 650 delegates are attending virtually and physically, and over 150 businesses are participating in this summit (Adrian Narine and Delano Williams photos)

ExxonMobil Chair: 05 Establishment of 02 President Ali: Guyana Progress in O&G sector national oil company welcomes investors, 10 still up for consideration but locals must benefit unmatched success PAGE

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Establishment of national oil company still up for consideration

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

–– as authorities plan to make decision on available oil blocks by the third quarter of this year

By Jared Liddell

AS Guyana continues to advance work in its oil and gas sector, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo has said that the establishment of a national oil company is still being considered, since a decision on the future of the remaining oil blocks is still to be made.

Speaking during Guyana’s flagship International Energy Conference and Expo at the Marriott Hotel, on Tuesday, Jagdeo said the idea is still active because several “large operators” have submitted expressions of interest to partner with the government on the establishment of a national oil company.

Any decision in this regard would be simultaneous with plans for the utilisation of Guyana’s available oil blocks.

The government in 2021, had disclosed plans to have the remaining blocks tendered in the third quarter of 2022.

According to Vice-President Jagdeo, the government is yet to make a decision on whether the blocks

Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo Timely development would be utilised for the establishment of a national of these additional projoil company or tendered ects, and continued exfor independent oil and gas ploration success offshore will enable the steady adexplorations.

As it is now, ExxonMo- vancement of Guyanese bil is the operator of the Sta- capabilities and enhanced broek, Canje and Kaieteur economic growth.

Blocks offshore Guyana.

ACCELERATED Since 2015, the company EXPLORATION has increased its estimated Vice-President Jagdeo recoverable resource base in Guyana to more than 10 bil- repeated again on Tuesday that the government lion oil-equivalent barrels.

Further, CGX, togeth- supports accelerated exer with Frontera Energy ploration, noting that it Corporation, operates the is against this backdrop Corentyne and Demerara that the government is Blocks, and also has a share considering tendering the oil blocks to locals. in the Berbice Block.

The senior government And already, Guyana has started to reap the benefits of official said oil blocks were its oil and gas, with direct previously awarded on a earnings alone reaching first come first serve basis, more than US$620 million but that policy has since been amended to ensure that so far.

This is reportedly just a broader range of persons the tip of the ice berg, as it have the opportunity to bid was reported recently that and win those blocks.

“We’ve made it clear ExxonMobil started production at Guyana’s second that we will either go to an offshore oil development auction by the third quarter on the Stabroek Block, Liza of this year, with or without Phase Two, bringing the seismic done on our part… total production capacity to that decision still has to be more than 340,000 barrels made in government… or per day in only seven years alternately use those blocks since the country’s first dis- to form a national oil company, because we had had covery.

According to a release, some proposals from some production at the Liza Unity large operators to work with Floating, Production, Stor- the government in a national age and Offloading (FPSO) oil company,” Vice-Presivessel is expected to reach dent Jagdeo said.

He related that one of its target of 220,000 barrels of oil later this year, as the major concerns of the operations continue to be government as it regards oil blocks, is investor protecbrought safely online.

The current resource has tion. To this end, the said the the potential to support up government intends to put to 10 projects. ExxonMobil in place policies that ensure anticipates that four FPSOs investors get a return that with a capacity of more than merits the risks associated 800,000 barrels per day with oil and gas production.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali will be in operation on the Stabroek Block by year-end had said in early 2021, that when the government is ready 2025.

Payara, the third project to award new oil blocks, the in the Stabroek Block, is process will be done transparexpected to produce ap- ently to ensure that Guyana proximately 220,000 barrels gets the best deal.

“We have made it very of oil per day, using the Prosperity FPSO vessel, clear that the process in which is currently under awarding new oil blocks will be very much different. construction.

The field development It will be an open, public plan and application for process and when we get to environmental authorisation that stage it will be a public, for the Yellowtail project, open bidding process.

We will be looking for the fourth project in the block, have been submitted the best offer in an open for government and regula- public bid,” President Ali said. tory approval.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Oil and Gas sector to fuel economic diversification

–– President Ali says NOTING that the oil and gas industry has put Guyana in a unique position, President Irfaan Ali on Tuesday said that the country now has the resources to transform its economy, help its people, and make a valuable contribution to the rest of the world.

These comments were included in the keynote address he delivered at the opening of the 2022 International Energy Conference and Expo.

Over 650 delegates, attending virtually and physically, and some 150 businesses are participating in the event which ends on Friday. It is being held at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston.

“The energy and oil and gas gives us the resources to diversify our economy, so we can be resilient and strong. We never had the capital to build the diver-

velopment.

“Our development trajectory attempts to strike a balance between economic development and preservation of the environment.

Our development trajectory prioritises people-centred development,” President Ali emphasised.

While using the occasion to defend the country’s need to leverage its oil and gas resources, the Head of State said that the revenue garnered from the sector, coupled with bilateral partnerships and investments, will be used to diversify industries.

He singled out the agriculture, manufacturing and tourism sectors as being among those that stand to benefit.

One of the key areas in which the proceeds from oil and gas can contribute to bolstering the diversification of other industries is through

nities for the development of a world-class manufacturing and agro-processing sector,” President Ali told those seated before him.

Before noting that Guyana is strategically positioned to create regional energy security, he said there are a number of energy projects in the works, including an energy corridor with Brazil and Suriname.

He emphasised that development for Guyana means development for the region.-“Guyana’s prosper-

Mia Mottley.

PM Mottley echoed some of President Ali’s remarks in her address. They both received resounding applause, and even a standing ovation from the packed audience, as they touched on the vulnerability of small nation states to climate change, and defended the adverse global financing that demands that such states develop their natural resources.

PM Mottley supported the idea of local content for

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali President noted that, “the effective management of these resources will determine if we make it or not.”

President Akufo-Addo congratulated the Government of Guyana for their swift action in putting a

local content legislative framework in place.

During his remarks, President Santokhi said there needs to be some focus on how energy could transform the lives of people and economies.

President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo ity is linked to our region’s prosperity.

Indeed, it is our shared vision and common approach that will ensure all of our people benefit,” he said as he concluded his speech.

Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley sified economy that we are talking about. Today, with hard work, we have the ability to make that giant leap, not only for Guyana, but for all of humanity, and we must do it,” President Ali said.

He also addressed Guyana’s unique position as a global champion of environmental preservation, while simultaneously being at the forefront of oil and gas de-

investment in energy-generating initiatives. These can be used to drastically reduce the cost of energy in Guyana and the wider region.

“We will remain uncompetitive if we cannot address the cost of energy. We must address the cost of energy; our private sector will not grow. Bringing down the cost of energy is about creating the space and opportu-

BALANCE NEEDED Meanwhile, the need for a balance between environment preservation and economic development through fossil fuel, and the need for climate financing to compensate small state countries were among the key issues raised by the Heads of State who spoke during the opening ceremony.

Also delivering remarks were the President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi; President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, and Prime Minister of Barbados,

Guyana’s petroleum sector, and highlighted the importance of citizens being given the opportunity to benefit from the patrimony of their country.

“You cannot move from being a highly indebted poor country to being where you are today without being given the opportunity first to bring along your people who have suffered the indignity of that poverty for decades,” she said before touching on the importance of participating in global discussions that will help a country to manage the development of its citizens.

She expressed hope that the conference will trigger that international conversation.

In also speaking on the need for a balance between climate change and economic development, Ghana’s

President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Mottley defends ‘local content’ law –– says citizens must not be ‘tenants’ in their land

ADDING her voice to the ongoing conversation on the Local Content framework in Guyana’s petroleum sector, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, on Tuesday, came out in defence of protected opportunities for citizens of a country to participate in their national patrimony.

“The day that we do not provide opportunity for our citizens who participate in active citizenship of being able to benefit from the patrimony of our country is the day we sow the seeds of destruction for our nation and invite destruction,” Mottley told the packed conference room at the Marriott Hotel,

Kingston where global leaders of government and private sector gathered for the International Energy Conference & Expo.

“We will have regional and local conflicts and disagreements,” Mottley continued, adding: “It is our duty to be able to smooth that over… but to ensure that at no stage, as newly-independent countries of the world, do we leave our citizens as tenants in their own land”.

Difficult conversations The Barbados Prime Minister’s comments encouraged governments to have difficult conversations with their citizens.

“We are not a single-is-

sue people or a single-issue nation. And the complexity of the conversation requires maturity and requires a commitment to frankness,” she said to an attentive audience.

Mottley said the world is faced with a climate crisis which must be slowed down.

She noted, however, that as countries push towards achieving “Net Zero” carbon emissions, this does not mean there should be no use of fossil fuels, as she set the tone for urging a blend between exploring petroleum resources while protecting the climate.

The Barbados Prime Minister highlighted that with the global goal of having an energy mix of 20 per cent fossil fuels and 80 per cent renewable energy by 2050, there is still the question of which nations will provide the 20 per cent fossil fuel.

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Mottley called for global, moral leadership which she recognized as being absent as developed nations, which shy away from climate financing recommendations championed by developing nations, would be well-positioned to provide the 20 per cent fossil fuels for global energy demands in 2050.

“We cannot save the earth and sacrifice our people,” the Caribbean leader declared, adding that there are limited opportunities globally for transformational economic development of developing countries.

PM Mottley closed her presentation to a rousing sound of applause as she called on President, Dr Irfaan Ali to support these difficult conversations and communicate to all citizens the complexity of solutions.

“You cannot move from

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Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, at Tuesday’s energy conference (Adrian Narine Photo) being a highly indebted poor country to being where you are today without being given the opportunity first to bring along your people who have suffered the indignity of that poverty for decades, but secondly without being given the opportunity to participate globally in discussions that will affect your ability to manage the development of your people,” PM Mottley said as she expressed hope that the conference will trigger that

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international conversation.

Guyana recently enacted a new local content legislation which was presented to the Parliament by Natural Resources minister, Vickram Bharrat, last December.

The legislation ensures that Guyanese and Guyanese-owned businesses are given preference when it comes to providing certain goods and services to the major oil companies operating within Guyana’s borders.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Progress in local O&G sector –– ExxonMobil is ‘unmatched success’ Chairman says –– Guyana accounts for 11 per cent of global oil finds since 2015

By Jared Liddell GUYANA accounts for more than 11 per cent of the world’s oil finds since 2015, according to Chairman of ExxonMobil, Darren Woods.

Woods, in his address to persons gathered at the Marriott Hotel for Guyana’s flagship International Energy Conference and Expo, said that this amount could increase in the near future, since parts of the local basin remain unexplored, and are still considered frontier

field of this size to production.

To this end, Woods related that the progress achieved in Guyana marks “unmatched success” in modern history.

According to Woods, Guyana’s production from the Stabroek Block alone could increase to more than one million barrels per day, with the potential for additional growth as a result of ongoing exploration.

With this in mind, the company plans to continue investing heavily in its operations in order to stimulate

He added, however, that even as the company continues to expand its operations here, locals play a major role in the company’s sustainability within the oil-and- gas sector.

Woods said that ‘Exxon’, since setting up its operations here, has employed more than 3,500 Guyanese, and worked with 800 local suppliers.

“From the very beginning, we worked together to ensure that our activities had far-reaching and enduring benefits for the country

Chairman of ExxonMobil, Darren Woods locations.

The company’s chairman described Guyana’s oil-andgas sector as one of “the most exciting and successful” deep-water developments in the world.

“It’s truly remarkable how far we’ve come since we signed the production sharing contract for the Stabroek Block in 1999. “That first step was the beginning of Guyana’s future as an energy powerhouse; it led to the first discovery in 2015 at the Liza One well. We all know what followed; it was a remarkable find that opened the door to more than 20 significant discoveries, and one of the world’s largest oil fields,” Woods related.

He said that based on current research, it is estimated that the block holds more than 10 billion oil equivalent barrels.

The company’s first project, Liza Phase One, began producing oil within five years of discovery, a fraction of the time it typically takes to bring a newly discovered

growth in the oil-and -gas sector.

Just over two years after the Liza Phase One began production, the Liza Phase Two started producing, with the company’s third project, Payara, not far behind.

Woods said that the construction of the hull for Exxon’s fourth production vessel, the Yellowtail project, is complete, and the company expects to reach a final investment decision soon.

“These world-class projects are just the beginning; we anticipate having six projects producing by 2027, and see the potential for up to four more in later years. This progress is virtually unprecedented; in just 15 years, Guyana’s production has gone from nothing to potentially more than one million barrels per day.

This is an incredible accomplishment, and one in which we should be very proud,” the company topbrass said.

LOCAL CONTENT

and its people. We believe it’s vitally important that benefits are widely shared.

This includes increasing the capabilities of the local workforce and building new infrastructure,” the ExxonMobil Chairman related.

He said that ExxonMobil itself has invested in, and supports several government projects that cater to ensuring that Guyanese benefit from the oil-and-gas sector.

Woods related that in 2021, the company launched a $100 million commitment to support local capacity building programmes.

That project, called “the Greater Guyana Initiative”, is a 10-year one, that, in its first phase, will provide funding for significant expansion of the Centre for Local Business Development. Technical, education and training programmes and support to the University of Guyana are also being facilitated by the Greater Guyana initiative.

“We’re hopeful that these efforts will continue to expand the growing opportu-

nities for Guyanese workers.

It’s important that this progress continues, and I know, from discussions with President Ali and Vice-President Jagdeo, that it’s a very high priority for them. Increasing local participation through capacity building is a key component of the value our industry brings to Guyana,” Woods said.

ExxonMobil, in late 2021, won the “Excellence Award” for Corporate Social Responsibility from the World Petroleum Congress for its capacity building efforts.

Another local-content initiative catering to the people of Guyana, which has the support of ExxonMobil, is the gas-to-energy project

which will transport up to 50 million cubic feet of natural gas per day, by pipeline, from Liza Phases One and Two to processing facilities onshore.

This new domestic natural gas supply would provide a lower-emission source of energy, and significantly reduce the cost of See page 9

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

A Global Conversation

GUYANA is currently host to an international energy conference which will bring together a number of experts and key players in the oil-and-gas sector.

The International Energy Conference and Expo Guyana 2022 will last for five days, beginning on Tuesday, February 15 and is undoubtedly the biggest such event hosted by the Guyana Government since the country became an oil-producing nation a few years ago. Over 600 delegates are expected to participate in the discussions which are being held at the Marriot Hotel, Georgetown.

Among the many overseas dignitaries are the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, Suriname’s President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, and Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley. Others include the Chairman of Exxon Mobil Darren Woods, representatives from the business community both locally and overseas, and academics and experts in the area of oil and gas. The conference will benefit from presentations by several leading experts and governmental officials, including President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who delivered the feature address. Other presenters include Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo; Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat and several others, including Dr. Daniel Yergin, Vice-Chairman of HIS. This conference holds out much promise in terms of the way forward for the sustainable management of the oil-and-gas sector, and how to optimise the returns from it within the framework of the country’s low-carbon

development strategy and international climate change targets set at the recent Glasgow Conference. The Government of Guyana, while seeking to optimise its returns from its oil-and-gas resources has also committed to do so in a sustainable manner, and with due regard to environmental considerations and global carbon emission targets.

President Ali, in his remarks at the opening ceremony of the multi-million dollar Baker Hughes Oil-and-Gas facility at Land of Canaan, on the East Bank Demerara, said that such investments are intricately linked to the country’s national development strategy, and will serve to enhance the country’s local capability and capacity through local-content legislation. According to the President, “What we want to achieve through this development strategy is to create synergies with the local private sector, with the local society, and those synergies go beyond profit-making; those synergies are about people-to-people connections; your relationship with the community in which you are operating; about matching your company profile and growth with the development trajectory of Guyana.”

It is significant that those remarks were made just a mere day ahead of the opening of the energy conference, which, in some important ways, mirrors the synergistic and people-oriented approach and thinking behind the management of the country’s petroleum resources. As very well articulated by the Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley,

decades of economic marginalisation and poverty cannot be brushed aside without people being given an opportunity to be meaningfully engaged and become part of a global conversation on the way forward. President Ali had repeatedly said that Guyana’s oil resources will be used to propel development in the country as a whole. Guyana, he said, must not be a rich country of poor people.

Opening speaker at the Conference, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo underscored the importance of harvesting the country’s hydro-carbon resources to ensure development, while stressing the need to protect the environment. He called on countries like Guyana to ensure petroleum resources are exported as value-added products, instead as raw commodities as has historically been the case between the developed and developing countries.

The entire globe is experiencing some challenging times, made worse by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and ways have to be found on how to utilise petroleum resources to mitigate poverty, and transform the lives of peoples and economies. This point was made by Suriname’s President Santokhi, who expressed the hope that both Guyana and Suriname could work together to mitigate global energy poverty which has made it difficult for almost one billion people to enjoy a productive livelihood.

The conference is, indeed, very timely, coming at a time when global oil prices are rising, thereby creating economic hardships.

The conference is much more than putting

Guyana in the spotlight on the global energy stage, but more fundamentally about how to strike the right balance between resource optimisation and environmental protection, especially in the context of rising global temperatures and their impact on low-lying island states, and, for that matter, humanity as a whole. Expectations are high that this conference will be a win-win situation, where there will only be winners and it will certainly provide some new perspectives on the current and future prospects of oil.

The conference will certainly allow for the sharing of experiences and best-practices. Guyana, as a new kid on the petroleum block, will be only too keen to learn from the experience of others, while at the same time sharing some of its own success stories as a recognised and respected low-carbon country.

President Ali, Vice-President Jagdeo and all those who were instrumental in organising this conference must be highly commended for this initiative, which will only serve to raise the profile of Guyana as a key player on the international petroleum stage.

The conference venue will also highlight an exhibition which will feature local, regional and international exhibits, and will include information on Guyana’s tourist destinations.

Visitors to the country will no doubt wish to sample aspects of the country’s natural beauty, and the warmth and hospitality of the Guyanese people.

US-based Diaspora an asset to expedite development

Dear Editor,

THE United States and Guyana are supposed to be natural allies – we are democracies and are economically, politically, and culturally tied.

The US is the home of many Guyanese.

The number of Guyanese in America is not known but is estimated at over 800K from a mere few hundreds in the early 1960s. This means there are more Guyanese living in the US than in Guyana, making Guyanese the fastest growing ethnic community in the US. The Guyanese Diaspora has rapidly, almost unprecedentedly, developed from a rather small and apolitical group of first-generation immigrants in the 1960s and 1970s to an economically and socially well-established part of American society in 21st century. The Diaspora has undoubtedly traversed a long distance from the pioneering immigrants to what is now approaching a million-strong community. Data also reveals that USA is Guyana’s largest trading partner. And the US is the largest source of remittances in the hundreds of millions annually to Guyana. The

government must recognise the importance and power of the US-based diaspora and its emergence as an eminent community.

The political relationship between the USA and Guyana started out with the suspension of the democratically-elected government in 1953 in the early years of the cold war and America’s involvement in the removal of the left wing Jagan administration in December 1964. For a few years afterward, the relationship was very cozy with the installed Forbes Burnham Government.

But once Burnham steered Guyana leftward, embraced NAM, and established a socialist dictatorship, relations with America soured.

The US put the squeeze on the dictatorship reducing foreign aid.

Guyana has been significant to US geo-politics during the height of the cold war to the present times of strategic convergence with Venezuela posing a serious threat to Guyana and to the US. The US saved Guyana’s democracy in 2020 when the incumbent APNU (PNC) refused to step down from office after it lost the March 20, 2020 elections. Regime change didn’t come about till

August 2, 2020. A visit by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in September 2020 followed by a visit of US investors a month later signalled a US desire for a business partnership between both the democratic countries. The US seeks to win over the President Ali-administration in Georgetown through attracting American investment and co-operation. The US has served as a guarantor of democracy in Guyana as it did in 1992, pushing the PNC dictatorship to hold free and fair elections and, in 2020, to accept the outcome of the voters’ choice – a majority of who rejected the PNC (APNU). The US power was projected in both Guyanese elections resulting in a change of administration from authoritarian to democratic with the PPP being the beneficiaries. US involvement in protecting democracy in Guyana augments the respect and prestige held by Guyanese at home and in the diaspora, especially in America itself.

Clearly, the Guyanese American diaspora has been an asset to their former homeland in a variety of ways -- sending remittances and lobbying Washington to protect democracy and the country’s borders from foreign

claims. The Guyanese American community is well respected for its achievements and behaviour and for displaying its cultural traditions. Guyanese Americans are acknowledged for work ethos, discipline, and peaceful living. They have a very low incidence of crime. They are also holders of huge amounts of wealth, home ownership and businesses, in particular and they have among the highest average household income. Indo-Guyanese average household income exceeds US$85K annually according to tax accountants as compared with a national average of $52K. The Guyanese diaspora in the US has contributed significantly to America’s financial well-being, and they can do same in Guyana.

Their coveted values ultimately contribute to identity creation, image projection, and image cultivation of Guyanese, undoubtedly an asset to be exploited by the Guyana government.

Guyanese Americans are also an asset in another important way in which they can make a meaningful contribution to See page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Reducing CARICOM food security bill vitally essential, but always potentially problematic

By Earl Bousquet FOOD security is indeed in a totally insecure state – and not only regionally, but globally.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) predicted, last November, that the 2021 global food import bill would reach an all-time high and surpass US$1.75 trillion -- a 14 per cent increase from the previous year and 12 per cent higher than earlier forecast in June 2021.

The FAO also said the increase “was driven by higher price levels of internationally-traded food commodities and a threefold increase in freight costs”.

It also reported: “Developing regions accounted for 40 per cent of the total (increase)” and their aggregate food import bill was expected to rise by 20 per cent in 2021, compared to 2020.

Even-faster growth (in food imports) was expected for “Low-Income Food Deficit Countries” due to “higher costs more than higher food import volumes”.

If most CARICOM states fits in the ‘Low-income Food Deficit’ category, then Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali

(with regional responsibility for Food Security) along with the CARICOM Secretariat, national governments and Agriculture Ministers, ministries and departments, all have their work cut-out today -- and now, more than ever.

As President Ali noted, earlier this month, while hosting a CARICOM regional meeting on the subject, it also all has to do with the preparedness of governments to lead boldly and encourage people to change their consumption and purchasing habits.

But this is not always easy, because, in many instances, the most popular food imports are either cheaper or look better -- or both – and in many instances local producers cannot keep-up or are afraid or unwilling to invest more for better results.

Caribbean societies tend to highlight all the positive benefits of local foods, fruits and vegetable around World Food Day celebrations (October 16), but while consumers who can afford prefer to buy according to package and taste, the majority are forced to shop according to their pockets and not their palates.

Another major reason is that Caribbean people’s

US-based Diaspora an asset ...

From page 6 Guyana’s development.

They are relatively well educated and talented – in the sciences and technology and engineering, in addition to other fields. They make enormous contributions to corporations in America enabling them to make huge amounts of money that factor in US growth and job creation. These talents and skills can be used for development projects in Guyana as well as establish factories to manufacture products related to oil and gas. They can help to expedite development projects. Guyanese Americans can help in persuading the US government officials to be favourable towards Guyana. Foreign Direct Investment from USA has been relatively small as compared say with China. Efficient lobbying and promotion of Guyana by the diaspora can increase FDI from America.

In addition to the above, members of the diaspora were effective political players in impacting the dynamics of U.S-Guyana relations in combating the rise of the socialist dictatorship and in rescuing democracy. Their reputation, especially some of them with prominence among American politicians, remains an effective public diplomacy tool for the Guyana Government.

The diaspora is a source of strength for Guyana and the government should tap into them to bolster ties with Washington.

Yours sincerely, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

tastes have already gone so far astray and abroad that it’ll take monumental efforts and strong measures, over time, to have more confidence in local produce, especially that being exported.

Caribbean people have basically grown-up growing and exporting cocoa and importing chocolate, exporting bananas and importing apples, etc.

It’s a herculean task to change such consumption patterns, but as the Guyana President said, until and unless all CARICOM member-states are ready and willing to walk that extra mile, the long race won’t start and winning will remain an elusive dream.

With CARICOM nations together having imported over US $10 billion worth of foods from outside the region in 2020 and the 2021 bill expected to be even higher (thanks to COVID and supply chain costs), the need for the region’s governments to get more serious about reducing the Food Import Bill couldn’t be more urgent.

Regional governments will individually have to decide where they stand on the issue, as across-the-board commitments are necessary to

achieve the target of reducing the community’s food import bill by 25 per cent by the year 2025.

And before the next CARICOM Heads of Government Summit in July 2022, participants from all 14 CARICOM member-states are expected to set conditions, including actions required and interventions needed to achieve the ‘25 by 25’ target.

CARICOM states, under the Guyana President’s chairmanship, recently examined taxes and duties, incentivising agriculture, climate-smart resilient agriculture, productivity, technical support, crop identification for import substitution, addressing consumption, consumption patterns and behaviour, data collection, monitoring system, regional transport infrastructure, agro-processing and creating a regional brand.

It’s a good fresh start to an ongoing problem CARICOM has faced all along and is only worsening, with the region importing billions of US dollars’ worth of foods, many of which can be produced and processed within the region but continue to be imported thanks to combinations of smart and effective marketing and foreign taste-

bud dependence cultivated over long decades from colonialism to independence.

However, the nutritional value of Caribbean foods and the cultural value of food preparation techniques that survived ages and generations from Africa and India, China, Europe and Latin America must not only be highlighted during indigenous or creole heritage celebrations, or limited to special sections at hotel buffets.

Saint Lucia and St. Vincent & The Grenadines have already identified 16 crops and are encouraging more planting of foods capable of boosting body immunity in the COVID Age. And then there’s the costly underutilisation of two products found in every CARICOM member state – and indeed every Caribbean and Latin America nation: bananas and coconuts.

The nutritional value of the banana that’s made, it’s a required daily diet supplement for Olympic athletes, must be shared with Caribbean people – and there’s no reason why governments can’t create new markets for banana farmers by ensuring that every school child eats at least one banana per day.

Similarly, instead of only eating the ripe banana and throwing away the skin, every aspect of the plant – from leaves to stem and skin – have industrial uses that can add value to the plant.

Likewise with the coconut – instead of just drinking the water and throwing the nut away, the entire tree has dozens of uses, from roots to trunk to branches and leaves, shells and fibers.

So many other Caribbean foods and fruits have so many more added-value benefits that have for too long been ignored or discouraged that this is the time for new radical thinking how best to start a new approach to the old wish for Caribbean people to “Eat what we Grow and Grow what we Eat!” Yes, President Ali and fellow CARICOM Leaders, Agriculture ministries and ministers have before them a herculean task of humungous proportions that long preceded COVID and can long outlast the pandemic, depending on how fast and far the region is ready to go.

It won’t at all be an easy ride, but everything is possible that’s planned and approached well – including achieving ‘25 by 25’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

JB’s Insight: Economic & Finance Issues

Part 3

Budget 2022 Review & Analysis, and Review of 2021 Economic Performance During the period 2015 – 2022, budget allocations towards the economic sectors declined by 10.32 per cent in 2016 and 27 per cent in 2019 thus resulting in the underperformance of some of the major economic sectors during this period. This trend changed in 2020 where allocations towards the economic sectors increased by 24.46 per cent in 2020, 25.31 per cent in 2021 and 27 per cent in 2022.

In the infrastructure sector during this period there was a sharp increase of 146 per cent in 2016 largely because of a sharp decline by 19 per cent in 2015. In 2015 allocations increased by 24 per cent which then declined sharply by less than one per cent in 2018 and one per cent in 2019. This trend changed dramatically in 2020 with a 21 per cent increase in 2020, 38 per cent in 2021 and 91 per cent in 2022.

With respect to provisions in the budget that will directly benefit the people, it is worthwhile to note that 62 per cent or $326 billion of the budget allocations are geared towards achieving this purpose. This represents a massive investment in the population which will bring about ultimately, short term, medium term and long-term tangible benefits to their livelihoods. These are demonstrated in the above table where there are substantial allocations for the following: • Housing / home ownership programme • Health and education • Youth entrepreneurship • Cost of living measures and social welfare among others.

Conclusion Overall, budget 2022 sets the foundation for Guyana’s economic transformation

Total revenue is projected to increase by 62 per cent in 2022 over 2021. Traditional tax revenues are projected to grow by 13.36 per cent in 2022. Notably, income taxes accounts for approximately 50 per cent of total tax revenues, and total tax revenues accounts for 95 per cent of total revenue.

About SphereX Analytics SphereX Analytics provides in-depth analyses on national cross cutting issues surrounding public policy, business, finance, and economics in Guyana.

About the Author The principal author, Joel Bhagwandin is a Financial Analyst who has been providing insights and analyses on economic and finance issues for the past five+ years. He is the holder of a Master’s Degree in Banking & Finance and he is (currently) undertaking four professional certifications in Corporate Finance through the Corporate Finance Institute (i.e., the FMVA, CBCA, CMSA & BIDA professional designations). The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author’s employer, organisation, committee, or other group or individual. LinkedIn Account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-bhagwandin-57481470/. The author can be contacted at jbbankingadvice@gmail.com.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Progress in local O&G sector ...

From page 5

electricity in Guyana. In Budget 2020, the government has allocated some $20.8 billion to this project.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Speaking on energy production and consumption, Woods noted that the company supports the government’s commitment to environmental protection and “clean energy”.

He referred specifically to ExxonMobil’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and advancing the energy transition.

He noted that even as energy continues to be a necessity in improving mobility, education, healthcare, availability of food, along with many other basic needs, emission reduction is also vital.

“ExxonMobil is working to play a leading role in this global cause, and is committed to extending our leadership to Guyana in support of the country’s own climate ambitions,” Woods said.

In 2020, the company had set emission-reduction

The Liza Unity floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel plans to be achieved by 2025. gained developing these re- rectly aligns with the govAccording to Woods, based duction plans gives us con- ernment’s sustainability obon preliminary findings from fidence for what we can ul- jectives. last year’s results, which will timately achieve, and helped “To reduce our own be finalised later this quarter, form the basis of our recently emissions and expand the the company expects to meet announced net-zero ambi- Low-Carbon Solutions those objectives four years tion,” Woods said. business, we’re investearly.

The company’s chairman ing more than $15 billion This, he said, has influ- added that its Liza Unity pro- through 2027. With supenced the company to aggres- duction vessel has been rec- portive government polsively move towards further ognised as the first vessel of icies, we can accelerate reducing its emissions. its kind to achieve the Amer- these efforts, and invest “Our success led us to set ican Bureau of Shipping’s even more,” Woods said, even more aggressive plans recognition for sustainability, adding: for 2030; this should reduce for both its design and oper“These actions demonour greenhouse gas intensity ating procedures. strate our commitment by 20-30 per cent, and reduce Additional lower-emis- to help address climate our absolute emissions by 20 sion solutions for Guyana change, while providing the per cent, compared to 2016 being explored by the com- energy and products that levels. pany include carbon cap- billions of people depend on “The experience we ture-and-storage, which di- every day.”

Caribbean Airlines expands interest-free payment plan IN keeping with its campaign to reset expectations, Caribbean Airlines has expanded its interest-free payment plan, Caribbean Layaway.

“Now, from as little as 25 per cent down, customers can hold bookings for travel ranging from two months to 12 months prior to their departure date,” the company said in a press release on Tuesday.

With three payments, persons may access Caribbean Layaway for travel to/from any Caribbean Airlines destination, excluding travel on the domestic air bridge between Trinidad and Tobago. Customers are given a payment schedule upon confirmation of booking.

Commenting on the extension of Caribbean Layaway, the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Garvin Medera said: “Caribbean Airlines always looks for ways to add value for customers, so we have expanded our Caribbean Layaway, interest- free payment plan to include all of our destinations. We are mindful of the additional requirements for air travel and having the option to pay over a longer period of time will make it easier for families and others to plan and pay for their trips.”

Opening a layaway plan is simple, and can be easily completed in just a few short steps.

Caribbean Layaway is available at all city ticket offices throughout the Caribbean Airlines network and via the reservations sales and customer support call centre.

At this time, Caribbean Layaway is not available online or at airport ticket counters.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Guyana welcomes investors, but locals must benefit –– President Ali tells stakeholders at O&G conference

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has affirmed that while Guyana is open to investments in every sector and interest from foreigners, locals must benefit immensely from existing and future development projects and plans.

“Local content is not about not welcoming investors; we welcome investors from Exxon, be it the international investor, Hess, every single stakeholder, whether you are regional or international, we welcome you.

“But all we are saying is

that that space for technological transformation, collaboration, local growth and competitiveness, increased productivity must be built into the system to be of benefit to the people of the country,” the President said during his address at the flagship International Energy Conference and Expo at the Marriott Hotel on Tuesday.

In December 2021, the Government of Guyana passed the historic Local Content Legislation. President Ali, upon signing the Bill into law, said the leg-

islation gives Guyanese an opportunity to win.

The four-day International Energy Conference and

Expo features hundreds of investors from across the world.

President Ali said the event will provide government’s

position on investment.

“We are going to state directly the narrative. There is no need for any interpretation; this is the narrative.

We are pursuing this path; we know of the responsibility we speak about. We welcome investors, but we believe that local opportunities, the private sector and every single Guyanese and regional stakeholder must be part of the prosperity, and benefit from the prosperity,” President Ali said.

Guyana’s Local Content Legislation outlines 40

services that oil companies must procure from Guyanese-owned companies. The government has also taken initiatives to provide training in the oil-and-gas sector, so that Guyanese can benefit from it.

President Ali reiterated that while Guyana has an open-door policy for investors, their motive must be in line with Guyana’s developmental agenda.

The conference is being held under the theme, “Charting a sustainable energy future”.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Shrimp production could surpass projected target for 2022 –– Agriculture Minister says THE brackish water shrimp production along the Corentyne Coast, Region Six, is progressing smoothly and will soon see production exceeding 500,000 kilograms, the projected target for this year.

There are 66 ponds already completed in phase one of the project, while efforts to establish an additional 13 ponds have advanced to meet the 79 mark.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the objective of the project is to increase production from 250,000 kilograms to 500,000 kilograms annually.

He said the 66 ponds currently produce 35,000 kilograms per month and when the amount is multiplied yearly, it will show some 420,000 kilograms annually.

“This shows the tremendous potential the industry

Fish farmers in one of the ponds along the Corentyne Coast has…we have seen remarkable progress so far; production has increased tremendously. In some of the ponds we have seen a 100 per cent increase in production,” Mustapha said.

The Agriculture Minister pointed out that persons have signalled their interest in these types of sea food and Guyana now has the opportunity to advance its exports to countries in the region and North America.

“The Guyanese diaspora really need these shrimp products because whenever they come to Guyana, they normally take the shrimp back to North America.

I am hoping that, through the new GMC and through the fisheries department, we can have these shrimp processed and sent to these places,” he underscored.

“As a matter of fact, in the ministerial task force, that was set up by the CARICOM heads of government, we are working now very aggressively from Guyana’s perspective to remove barriers that are affecting our produce in entering the Caribbean market,” he further explained.

Additionally, the minister said the government was moving towards establishing similar shrimp production ventures in other parts of the country. “…and we will replicate this not only in Region Six, but across the country. We are seeing more people in the rural areas now have been engaged in terms of employment; we have seen that the farmers are making more money with these civil and capital works that we have done for the ponds,” Minister Mustapha added.

The second phase of the project is expected to commence this year, with 83 additional ponds to be established. Some $230 million has been committed to rehabilitate an additional 63 shrimp farms in this phase.

Meanwhile, Region Six’s Fisheries Officer, Rabani Gajnabi, said there are currently 88 farmers already benefitting from the project, while more have shown their interest and were added to the list. (DPI)

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Building ‘Expo’ on this year

MINISTER of Housing and Water Collin Croal has unveiled his ministry’s plans to host the International Building Exposition this year.

During the recently concluded considerations of the national budget estimates, Minister Croal was questioned about a $27 million allocation under the ministry’s housing development programme.

He said that the sum caters for the hosting of the ‘expo’ and the “Dream Realised” house-lot allocation exercise.

“The building ‘expo’, we intended to pull it off

Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal last year, but we delayed it because of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, we are hop-

ing to do that this year,” the minister told the Parliamentary Committee of Supply.

The building ‘expo’ is intended to provide an opportunity for businesses to market their products and services associated with the government’s national housing drive.

“We have not confirmed a date yet, but we are looking at the middle of this year to host the event,” Minister Croal said.

The first ever International Building Exposition was held in 2010; it brought together home owners, prospective home owners and entities from the construction, manufacturing and services sectors. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Beijing Winter Olympics: A Spring Gift from China to the world

By Guo Haiyan, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana

ON February 4, Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics grandly opened on the start of Spring Day, the first Chinese solar term of the year.

The ethereal and romantic opening ceremony, fully representing oriental aesthetics, amazed the whole world. I read about Beijing Winter Olympics in the Guyanese newspapers, and I believe that many Guyanese friends have followed the streamlined, safe and splendid Games, virtually, via TV or the Internet.

Now, the Beijing Winter

Olympics is more than halfway through, and will close on February 20. Around 2,900 athletes from 91 countries and regions have been competing fiercely in 109 events in 15 disciplines across seven sports.

The exciting moments of winning gold medals, or excelling oneself to create new records have constituted fabulous memories shared by athletes and audiences all over the world.

Off the field, the passion of global sports fans has been lighted by the Games, and winter sports such as skiing, skating, ice hockey, curling, luge, and bobsleigh have become much more

popular. The goal of "engaging 300 million people in winter sports" has been realised.

After 14 years, the Olympic flame is lit again in Beijing. Compared to 2008, what new things can the unique Dual Olympic City bring to the world today?

The Beijing Winter Olympics calls for unity and peace. The new Olympic motto, "Faster, Higher, Stronger -- Together", carries the dream of human beings for peace, solidarity and progress. The official motto for Beijing 2022, "Together for a Shared Future", is inspiring all the

people not to isolate themselves, nor disrupt supply chains to protect against global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, but to bear in mind the original Olympic spirit, join hands in safeguarding world peace and overcoming difficulties, and walk towards a shared future, side by side. Last December, the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the Resolution on the Olympic Truce for the Beijing Winter Olympics.

173 countries, including Guyana, co-sponsored the resolution, which demon-

strated the high anticipation of mainstream international community for the successful holding of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Certain countries' attempts to politicise sports have failed.

The Beijing Winter Olympics practises ‘green’ and low-carbon philosophy.

The flame-lighting activity at the opening ceremony left everyone in thought.

The hydrogen-powered final Olympic torch that can be easily held up by one person was carefully placed into the middle of the snowflake cauldron made up of smaller snowflakes representing partici-

Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Guo Haiyan, pating delegations, instead of lighting a giant torch that would consume a lot of energy, adding a profound meaning of "the whole world jointly guards a weak but bright fire" to this part, and "attaining See page 13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Beijing Winter Olympics: A Spring ...

From page 12

to the broad and great while addressing the delicate and minute".

China has committed to achieving carbon-neutral during the Games. The sports venues have conducted energy-saving renovations to ensure 100 per cent ‘green’ power supply during the events. For transportation and logistics, 85.84 per cent of the vehicles are powered by clean energy.

All these concrete measures reflect China's determination to reach the goals of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, and to fulfill its responsibilities as a major country.

The Beijing Win-

ter Olympics carries out COVID-19 prevention works in a responsible and precise manner. To hold Olympic Games under the circumstances of the persistent pandemic is a major challenge for governance, mobilisation and coordination capacity of the host country. China has overcome all difficulties, and has been ensuring that the Beijing Winter Olympics is held safely, and on schedule. All necessary measures were strictly implemented, including prevention and control before or during travel, closed-loop management, and vaccine administration, so as to realise fine management in border-entry control, medical examination, and

procedure for close contact with infected persons. These measures, on the one hand, guarantee the full participation of athletes, coaches and others working for the Games, and on the other hand protect the health of ordinary Chinese people, which shows China's deep sense of responsibility for both foreigners and locals. Although overseas audiences cannot go to China to watch the Games, the latest technologies such as ultra-high-definition live broadcast, artificial intelligence, 5G, have been used to provide a better virtual watching experience.

In the summer, 14 years ago, Guyana sent a delegation comprising the out-

standing swimmer Niall Roberts, four other players and three officials to Beijing to participate in the 2008 Olympic Games. Nowadays, along with the Beijing Winter Olympics, China and Guyana have started the celebration of the 50-year relations.

I would like to extend my best wishes to Olympians from all over the world for making greater achievements in the Beijing Winter Olympics! May the peoples of China and Guyana enjoy deepening friendship in sports in the future, and China-Guyana relations keep developing steadily, and reaching new levels!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Reputed husband, best friend charged for murder of Yarrowkabra woman

TWO men, who allegedly killed Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke/Linden Highway housewife, Edith Reuben, and tied her body to a tree in an attempt to cover up the crime, on Tuesday, appeared in the Diamond/ Grove Magistrate’s Court and were remanded to prison.

Reuben’s reputed hus-

band, Dianand Lakhan, 41, and his friend, Aubrey Williams, 36, both residents of Yarrowkabra, were not required to plead to the joint murder charge, which was read to them by Magistrate Judy Latchman.

It is alleged that on February 8,2022, at Yarrowkabra, they murdered Edith Reuben.

Magistrate Latchman remanded the duo to prison until March 3,2022.

On the day in question, the woman’s lifeless body was found hanging from a mango tree in her yard.

Police commenced a murder investigation after an autopsy revealed that she died as a result of asphyxiation due to hanging compounded

by blunt trauma to the head.

Investigators secured a High Court order to further detain and question the two men.

According to a police report, the men, while in custody, confessed to hitting the woman to her head after finding her in a compromising position with another male. They reportedly told investigators that they then staged the scene to give the appearance of a suicide.

Investigators believe she was killed sometime between 00:30 hours and 06:00 hours on the day she was discovered.

According to the police, Reuben, her husband and others were drinking alcohol and a male friend ended up

Dianand Lakhan and Aubrey Williams The husband had inispending the night at the tially told police that about couple’s home.

Reuben was last seen 04:00 hours, the male friend alive at 00:30 hours on her woke him up and told him he was leaving. The husverandah.

She was drinking at the band said he went back time. Her husband and the to sleep and woke up two male friend had already re- hours later when he made the gruesome discovery. tired to bed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Applications open for US scholarship programme

GUYANESE interested in pursuing higher education at institutions in the United States of America (US) have been urged by the embassy here to apply for the 2023-2024 Fulbright Foreign Student Programme.

According to a press statement from the US embassy, the deadline for submission of applications is June 15, 2022.

The Fulbright Foreign Student Programme enables Guyanese graduate students and young professionals to complete a Master’s or PhD at a higher education institution in the US. Founded in 1946, the Fulbright programme now operates in 160 countries and has provided over 400,000 people, from all backgrounds and in all fields, the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to finding

ing lasting ties between citizens of the United States and their professional counterparts in other countries,

solutions to complex global challenges.

Some 127 Guyanese have so far benefitted from Fulbright scholarships since the early 1960s. Those persons are now in the public sector, academia, the arts, business, civil society, media, and education.

Sponsored by the US Department of State, the Fulbright Foreign Student Programme forms part of the US’s continued commitment ensuring there is prosperity in Guyana and the region.

The programme provides a basis for establish-

fostering an exchange of knowledge and mutual understanding throughout the world.

All interested applicants should visit the US’s Embassy website at https://gy.usembassy.

gov/education-culture/ fulbright-student-program/ for full programme details and applications.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

The Leonora Strike and Riots of 1939 (Part Two)

By Tota C. Mangar

INDUSTRIAL action at Leonora escalated on Wednesday, February 15, 1939.

Almost the entire field workforce joined in the strike, and took part in picketing exercises on both the ‘ sideline’ and ‘middle walk’ dams. While factory workers initially reported for normal duty, the factory was brought to a standstill, as canes were not readily available for processing. The Leonora field workers then embarked on a plan to board the 7.40am train with their tools of trade and without tickets. They were eventually dissuaded from this aggressive response by a police detachment under Superintendent Webber.

The strikers subsequently proceeded on foot along the railway track to Vreed-enHoop, the eastern terminus of the West Coast of Demerara

railway, and the point of embarkation of the Vreeden-Hoop-Georgetown ferry. At Vreed-en-Hoop, the workers were addressed by C.R. Jacob. He promised them that the union would seek redress for their grievances, which included wage rates, hours of work and method of loading punts.

This union official also advised the strikers to return to their homes. The protestors, however, were not satisfied with the union’s response; instead, they wanted an immediate settlement of their concerns.

C.R. Jacob departed for Georgetown to attend the afternoon’s sitting of the West Indian Royal Commission, and it appears as if his visit to Vreed-en-Hoop was largely ineffective. By about 1.30pm that very day, the striking workers were joined by another contingent, which was conspicuous by

the dominance of females.

While some were obviously the wives of striking sugar workers, it is reasonable to conclude that a good many of them were sugar workers themselves, as women then formed approximately 30 per cent of the field labour, and were very prominent in the

weeding gangs.

The growing crowd of protesters renewed their efforts to cross to Georgetown, but were prevented from boarding the ‘M V. Pomeroon’ by a party of policemen.

While the protesters chanted loudly, they were by no means violent. This fact was

(Guyanatimesinternational photo) highlighted by Mr. Jacob, in his testimony before the West Indian Royal Commission, when he said, “They were discontented, but quite peaceful.”

By 4pm, it was clear that the situation at the Vreeden-Hoop terminal had become chaotic. Twice the ferry had to make premature departures, and police reinforcements from the city and elsewhere did little to quell the protesters. The growing crowd intensified its efforts to board the ferry, but the police foiled their actions.

Some of the strikers then began to board the West Demerara train without tickets, after realising the difficulty in getting to the capital city.

This act of boarding the train without tickets was certainly an act of civil disobedience, and such a defiant spirit must have convinced the police, rail and district authorities to accede to the workers demand for free transportation home.

Additional carriages were attached, and, following instructions from the Commissioner of Labour and Local Government, Mr Laing, the train with the striking workers departed for Leonora.

Obviously, some of the strikers, if not all, must have viewed this development as a sort of moral victory.

CONFRONTATION The unrest at Leonora worsened on the morning of Thursday, February 16, 1939.

Very early on that day, a group of striking workers

entered the sugar factory and urged factory workers to support the strike. It would appear that the strike call was heeded, as most of the factory workers, including the factory’s firemen who had earlier in the week protested, joined in the overall struggle.

With tension running high, a detachment of policemen, armed with rifles and batons and commanded by the District Superintendent of Police, arrived on the scene. The police presence seemed to have heightened the animosity of the striking workers. Some of them stoned the police bus, and they even resisted arrest.

Meanwhile, some strikers congregated near the Administrative Manager’s house and again demanded higher pay, and even requested the presence of union leaders Edun and Jacob. Lywood attempted to address the gathering, but was quickly greeted by flying debris; everything at Leonora was pointing to an explosive situation.

Incidents of sporadic violence increased as the day progressed, and the striking workers at Plantation Leonora once again demanded the presence of union officials.

This demand, however, was not taken seriously, because of the estate administration’s refusal to allow the MPCA officials to enter the estate compound in the absence of a union recognition agreement.

The strikers subsequently moved towards the factory.

In the meantime, the District Superintendent of Police instructed his men to prevent their entry into the factory at all costs.

The workers continued to advance, while throwing missiles at the police. Constable Bijadder was pursued by a small party of labourers, and three policemen went to his rescue.

Blows were exchanged between the striking workers and policemen, and injuries were sustained by both groups.

As the strikers became more and more threatening, orders were made to open fire on the ringleaders. The colonial police obeyed, and four strikers, including a woman, were killed, while four others were seriously injured. The crowd quickly dispersed, as people ran helter skelter, and the strikers were subdued. By the following day, the strike was over, and work eventually resumed at Plantation Leonora.

Regarding the incident, The Daily Argosy of Friday 17 had as its headline,

‘Bloodshed at Leonora, police compelled to fire on mob’.

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY Governor Wilfred Jackson promptly appointed a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances relating to the Leonora disturbances of 1939.

The Commission of Inquiry comprised Chairman Justice Verity; First Puisne Judge, Mr. J.A. Luckhoo; and retired Immigration Agent-General, Mr Arthur Hill. According to Chairman Verity, the Commission of Inquiry “should be conducted thoroughly, but with expedition, and we rely on every person concerned to support us in our determination to do so”.

After 12 days of intense hearing involving the Police Department; the Demerara Company Limited; the relatives of the deceased, through the British Guiana East Indian Association and a total of 69 witnesses, the Commission laid blame on the Sugar Producers Association (SPA) for its failure to grant recognition to the MPCA. At the same time, it did not think that the existing conditions at Plantation Leonora justified the level of discontent of the workers.

CONCLUSION The Leonora Strike and Riots of 1939, in the end, undoubtedly helped to hasten the recognition issue surrounding the MPCA, even though sugar workers were to be disenchanted with this very move in a few years’ time.

This was evidenced in the late 1940s, when they broke away in favour of the Guiana Industrial Workers Union (GIWU), the forerunner of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), with its most militant leadership and outlook.

The protest action was also significant, from the point of view that it witnessed the prominent roles of women and the unified action of field and factory workers, especially in the latter stages of the strike. It was another instance of supreme sacrifice paid by sugar workers in their quest for social and economic betterment.

The 1939 protest at Plantation Leonora was indeed part of a wider, ongoing working class struggle, and increasing political consciousness in this crucial pre-independence period of Guyana’s history.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

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Forging partnerships

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

–– Guyana’s International Energy Conference and Expo ‘kicks off’

s, creating linkages

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

WITH over 650 delegates attending virtually and physically,

and over 150 businesses, Guyana’s flagship 2022 International

Energy Conference and Expo, being held at the Marriott Hotel,

is expected to put the country at the centre of the global discourse

on energy, oil and gas and sustainable development.

(Photos by Adrian Narine and Delano Williams)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

ActionINVEST Caribbean opens branch in Suriname

ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc., on Monday, opened its first Suriname location at Emmastraat, Nieuw Nickerie.

ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc (ACI) is an ISO 9001:2015 certified educational institution and business development company of Guyanese origin that benefits from female ownership and leadership.

According to a release, ACI is focused on becoming the Caribbean’s solution to professional and organisational growth through an action-oriented team that delivers targetted business development services to entrepreneurial individuals and organisations.

ACI will also serve as the gateway for reciprocal investment by companies in Guyana and Suriname.

NSBOmega, an ACI joint venture company, will also provide its technical staff-

ing and recruiting services to the Surinamese market.

Additionally, the Guyanese sole proprietorship business, Doerga Business Enterprise, owned by Dr. Vishnu Doerga (ACI Chairman) and the Surinamese sole proprietorship business, Lesarah Trading, owned by Chris Soedamah, who have both traded between CARICOM countries for over 20 years, will merge into a regional company, INTERCARICOM Trade & Logistics N.V. with locations in Guyana and Suriname. The Nickerie location opened together with ACI on Monday.

“The overarching goal is to allow Guyanese products to serve the Suriname market and vice versa whilst improving the logistics between these neighbours.

It is intended that, with these investments, credible steps are tak-

‘Bam-Bam’ confesses to killing drinking partner THIRTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD Lexroy Garraway, called “Bam-Bam”, on Tuesday, pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing his drinking buddy in 2019.

Garraway of Enterprise, Lower Pomeroon, appeared before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the Suddie High Court for the capital offence of murder. However, he opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

He admitted that, on May 23, 2019, at Takutu Landing, Puruni Road, Mazaruni River, he unlawfully killed Erick Nurse, called “Black-Boy”.

Justice Barlow adjourned the matter until March 8, 2022, for a probation report on Garraway.

The State was represented by prosecutor TiffiLexroy Garraway, ni Lyken while Garraway called ‘Bam-Bam’ was represented by attorney-at-law Latchmi Dindayal.

According to the reports, on the day in question, Garraway and Nurse were drinking at Joanna’s shop at Takutu Landing.

Garraway then went into the living quarters of one of the shop’s female employees and hid.When the startled shop assistant discovered him there, she raised an alarm.

Nurse came to her rescue and pulled Garraway out of the living quarters.

The two friends then had an argument which resulted in a physical altercation. During the melee, Garraway pulled out a knife and stabbed Nurse several times.

Nurse was rushed to the Bartica Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Garraway was later arrested and confessed to stabbing Nurse in self-defence.

en by the private sector in support of both governments’ intentions to deepen collaboration and develop the regional economy,” the release noted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Kwakwani residents benefit from medical outreach

A CHINESE medical team, in collaboration with the Kwakwani Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and Rong-An Inc. (a Chinese logging company) held its 17th Medical Outreach on Friday at Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

It was held at the

trative Coordinator of Rong-an Inc., Faneeza Stoll, shared that this was the fourth medical outreach held at Kwakwani.

Rong-an Inc has an existing working relationship with the Kwakwani community, and so, the company recognised that medical care was greatly needed.

The Chinese Medical Team (Delano Williams photo)

The ophthalmologist examines a resident of Kwakwani (Delano Williams photo) Kwakwani Community “We are very hapCentre where Dr. Delp y that you in the leana Anderson, Head Kwakwani community of Kwakwani District will benefit from this Hospital along with outreach.

As part of three nurses, one medic, Rong-An Inc’s CSR and one attendant were programme, medical present to assist. outreaches supported The Chinese Medby the Chinese medical ical Team consisted team will continue in of 14 doctors and two the following years and chefs. Their specialities expand to various comwere General Surgery,

A doctor of the medical team prescribing medication to a patient (Delano Williams photo) Nephrology, Orthopaedics, Burns and Plastic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Anaesthesiology, Pathology, Radiology and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

A total of 76 residents were examined by the various doctors and the majority sought examination by the ophthalmologist. Adminis-

munities,” Stoll said.

Cort Simeon, the Vice-Chairman of the Kwakwani Neighbourhood Democratic Council, expressed appreciation to Rong-An Inc and the team of doctors for their hard work.

Medications were also donated by the Chinese Medical Team to the Kwakwani District Hospital.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Ten warders complete prison management course

TEN top performing officers of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) recently attained ABE-endorsed certificates after completing a course in prison management.

Those who successfully participated in the programme are Thiffaney Trim; Curlet Berksire; Seliza Blair; Trudy DeCunha; Keon Kelly; Natesia Haynes; Suana Eastman; Anne Thomas; Justin Eastman, and Jermin Archer.

According to a press release from the prison service, the course content was strategically determined by the service’s training and recruitment department and the academic professionals of ABE to cater to the unique needs of the officers.

The collection of subject areas was chosen by the training department, strategic management department and the directorate to best suit the rank structure of officers within the Guyana Prison Service.

The top performing officers are expected to share their knowledge and insight

gained with their colleagues in order to enhance prison management and the internationally accepted norms for managing inmates in a correctional facility.

“With this new collection of information and training gained throughout the training courses, the officers stated that they intend to share and demonstrate the experience garnered with their peers and contribute to operational improvements.

“Ultimately, this will strengthen and advance the techniques and practices within the GPS, boost productivity among staff, encourage teamwork and amplify resource management,” the GPS said.

The prison service related that it has a positive outlook on educating its staff.

So, management structures are devised to continuously encourage officers to capitalise on training opportunities available locally, regionally or internationally, in order to enhance officers’ personal competencies.

Rape accused to face new trial following ‘hung’ jury RAPE accused, Wayde Padmore, will have to stand a new trial after a 12-member jury failed to reach a verdict on Tuesday.

Padmore was on trial before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Sexual Offences Court of the High Court, Georgetown.

The first charge alleged that Padmore between December 1-31,2019, in the county of Demerara, engaged in sexual penetration with a 13-year-old.

The two other charges alleged that Padmore, during October 2020, engaged in sexual activity with the victim and also caused her to watch him ejaculate when she was 14.

As a result of the jury’s inability to reach a verdict, Padmore will have to be retried at the next practical sitting of the Demerara Assizes.

He will remain on bail.

The ten officers who have successfully attained ABE-endorsed certificates in prison management

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday February 16, 2022

Djokovic willing to miss tournaments over vaccination (BBC) - Novak Djokovic has said he would rather miss out on future tennis trophies than be forced to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Speaking exclusively to the BBC, he said missing competitions, such as the French Open, over his jab status was "the price that I'm willing to pay".

The 20-time Grand Slam winner was deported from Australia last month after the government cancelled his visa in a row over his vaccine status.

Djokovic described the conditions while he was detained as "very hard".

He said he had not spoken out in the media at the time - despite wanting to as he wanted to respect the legal process and the Aus-

detained in Melbourne in January, Djokovic addressed speculation about the timing of his positive COVID-19 case in December and discussed his own attitude towards the vaccine.

Djokovic was forced to leave Australia in January after the immigration minister personally cancelled his visa Djokovic said he hoped vaccination requirements in certain tournaments would change, adding he was hoping he "can play for many more years".

But he also confirmed he was willing to forego the chance to become statisticalDjokovic was forced to leave Australia in January after the immigration minister personally cancelled his visa

tralian Open.

The world's number one men's tennis player also said he should not be associated with the anti-vax movement, but supported an individual's right to choose.

He said he had obtained a medical exemption to enter the country to play in the Australian Open as he had recently recovered from COVID-19.

However, the country's immigration minister, Alex

Hawke, personally cancelled the 34-year-old's visa, on the grounds that his presence could incite "civil unrest" and encourage anti-vaccine sentiment.

"I was never against vaccination," he told the BBC, confirming he'd had vaccines as a child, "but I've always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body."

In a wide-ranging interview, his first since he was 11:50 hrs Beat Box 12:22 hrs Duty Calls

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ly the greatest male tennis player of all-time because he felt so strongly. Djokovic's rival, Rafael Nadal, has won 21 Grand Slam singles titles - the most of any male competitor.

Asked why, Djokovic replied: "Because the principles of decision-making on my body are more important than any title or anything else. I'm trying to be in tune with my body as much as I possibly can."

Djokovic said he had "always been a great student of wellness, well-being, health, nutrition," and his decision had been partly influenced

by the positive impact factors such as changing his diet and his sleeping patterns had had on his abilities as an athlete.

He said he was "keeping (his) mind open" about the possibility of being vaccinated in the future, "because we are all trying to find collectively, a best possible solution to end COVID-19".

"I was never against vaccination. I understand that globally, everyone is trying to put a big effort into handling this virus and seeing, hopefully, an end soon to this virus," he said.

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday February 16, 2022

BCB Patron Trust Fund starts distributing white cricket balls ‒ Second instalment of Zulfikar Mustapha educational scholarship handed over THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) in its continued quest to advance the sport in the Ancient County continued to assist clubs under its watch with another distribution of items.

Last Saturday, the board during a special ceremony for the legendary Sir Curtly Ambrose started the distribution of $1M worth of white cricket balls to first division clubs.

The balls were distributed under the BCB Patron Trust Fund.

BCB president Hilbert Foster stated that the trust fund was established in late 2020 when Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram

Representatives of six clubs pose with Sir Curtly Ambrose after receiving cricket balls under the Patron Fund programme

Bharrat, was inducted as the board’s first official Patron.

In 2019, the fund handed over a total of $1.2M worth of balls and cricket gear to clubs and youth players.

Minister Bharrat committed $2.5M to the fund for last year and had handed over a cheque for $1.5M in October 2021.

That amount was used for the hosting of several mini cricket academies and social skills seminars while close to fifty youths benefited from educational grants to assist their pursuit of an educational career.

The distribution of the cricket balls completes the pledge of $2.5M by the Patron for 2021.

Discussions for 2022 would soon start with the Patron, whom Foster described as one of main reasons for success in Berbice over the last few years.

The white balls, Foster stated would be used for practice by the first division teams and in tournaments organised by the BCB. The BCB has already secured sponsorships for the Ivan Madray 20/20 Memorial tournament, Tenelec 50 0vers and another tournament has been committed by the Guyana Brewery Ltd. The board would shortly be meeting with representatives of the different clubs to decide on the way forward in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

The board distributed boxes of balls to the Skeldon Community Centr, Upper Corentyne Cricket Association, Police, Albion, Port Mourant, RHTYSC, Rose

Hall Canje and West Berbice.

The BCB would also hand over balls to Young Warriors CC, Tucber Park CC, Berbice River Cricket Association and Blairmont who were absent from the ceremony.

Legendary icon Sir Curtly Ambrose handed over the balls on behalf of the board and Patron Vickram Bharrat.

Meanwhile, the board also handed over two catching cribs to representatives of the East Bank Berbice CC and Kildonan CC under the Patron Fund.

The board also delivered a several sneakers to four clubs for distribution to less fortunate cricketers. The sneakers were donated to the BCB by former national player Sheik Mohamed. The clubs receiving sneakers were Achievers, Port Mourant, Edinburgh and East Bank Berbice.

The BCB also handed over a cheque for $247 100 to Naeem Khan. The cheque represented the second payment to Khan as payment for the historic BCB/Zulfikar Mustapha University of Guyana Educational Scholarship.

Early last year, BCB created history when it became the first cricket board in Guyana to hand out a University of Guyana scholarship.

Khan is a medium pacer who plays for the Albion Cricket Club and attends the Tain campus of the University of Guyana.

The young player expressed thanks to BCB president Hilbert Foster and Minister Mustapha for their support.

Minister Mustapha is a Berbician by birth and is a strong supporter of the BCB.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday February 16, 2022)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) IND 3; WI 0 (2)Prasidh Krishna (IND) Today’s Quiz: (1) Where and when did the WI and IND first play a Test match against each other?

(2) Who were the captains involved?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday February 16, 2022

Hodge, Powell half-centuries leave Eagles in disarray … Archibald, Doram shine with ball

By Clifton Ross UNBEATEN fifties from Montcin Hodge and Kieran Powell handed Leewards Island Hurricanes the driver's keys as they maintained a stranglehold over the Guyana Harpy Eagles following the end of action on day one at Port of Spain.

Guyana stumbled during their first outing with the bat, being kept to a below-average 1st innings total of 116 in 34.3 overs. Anthony Bramble (38) and Keemo Paul (20) were the only notable scorers amidst a dismal batting exhibition, which ended shortly after lunch.

It was a clinical effort by the Leeward Islands bowlers, namely left-arm medium pacer Colin Archibald Jr (3-29) and left-arm spinner Daniel Doram who starred with 3-16, spearheading the assault on Guyana.

Stumps saw Leewards finish on day 1, solidly placed on 126-0 after 46 overs. The half-centurions, Hodge 51 with 5 fours and Powell 55 with seven boundaries, did the lion's share of the work and will resume today.

During the chase Hodge and Powell were seemingly in no rush as they tempered their approach to the Leewards’ first innings. Some stylish strokes from both openers soon took their franchise to 50 after the tea break, minus any hiccups.

What started out as a confident yet cautious Hurricanes’ half-century, soon blossomed into a more aggressive, even more poised century-partnership between the two openers and which lent further weight to their team's chase.

With just a few overs left in the day's play, Powell reached his fifty with a single off Gudakesh Motie to a welcome cheer, while a few overs later, same bowler, Hodge picked up 3 runs which took him to his personal milestone.

With seven overs remaining in the day's play, umpires eventually took the call to

stop play due to poor light, making day 2 highly interesting for the bowling team.

GUYANA COLLAPSE AFTER BATTING FIRST The Eagles were completely out of their batting element, being reduced to 89 for 7 when the lunch interval came,, thanks to some clinical trials by the Hurricane seamers, particularly Alzarri Joseph and Archibald.

The horrid morning session started when Guyana openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul (5) and Chandrapaul Hemraj (9) struggled to get going despite both batsmen finding the ropes a few times.

When Hemraj was removed by Jeremiah Louis, out caught, Guyana were 16 for 1 and losing their first wicket immediately turned things on the head for the Eagles.

Things slid further down the ditch when left-hander Shimron Hetmyer (0), managed to obstruct the field by

handling the ball and was given out first delivery, leaving the score 16 for 2.

Captain Leon Johnson hung around for 12 deliveries before a bustling Joseph removed him by virtue of a catch. Johnson's departure was soon followed by the wicket of another lefthander, Vishaul Singh, who made just 8 before succumbing to Archibald.

Reeling from their string of dismissals, the Eagles found a bit of resolve in wicketkeeper Bramble, who was the complete opposite to his teammates.

Bramble immediately shifted gears and smashed a flurry of boundaries and looked well set for a blistering half-century, which inevitably wasn't to be.

Despite going for almost a run-a-ball, Bramble unfortunately found the waiting hands of all-rounder Rakeem Cornwall in the slips, off some excellent bowling from Archibald, who snagged two in his opening spell.

Vice-captain Paul scored 20 off 17 balls with 2 fours before giving Cornwall an-

other catch, this time giving Doram his first scalp.

With their entire premier batting line back in the pavilion, it was the Berbicians Clinton Pestano (14) and Veerasammy Permaul who steadied the craft until lunch.

When play resumed, the Eagles’ afternoon session was soon ruined when

Doram bagged both Pestano and an incoming Gudakesh Motie (4), who were both caught by Terrance Ward, leaving Niall Smith stranded yet to come off the mark.

Other second round scores: Jamaica Scorpions vs. Barbados Pride (Scorpions 1st innings 299-

3, John Campbell 123, Paul Palmer 76) Trinidad and Tobago Red Force vs. Windward Volcanoes (Red Force 1st innings 217-5, Jeremy Solozano 66, Yannick Cariah 72, Joshua DaSilva 52*) (Volcanoes bowling Sherman Lewis 3-24)

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday February 16, 2022

West Indies focused on improving execution against India as T20 series bowls off (CMC) – Captain Kieron Pollard said West Indies were focused on improving their execution and halting India’s winning momentum when the three-match Twenty20 International bowls off here today.

The Caribbean side suffered a 3-0 whitewash in the One-Day International phase of the tour in Ahmedabad last week after their batsmen mainly produced several inept performances.

However, with a healthy break to rest and recover since then, Pollard said West Indies would be looking to turn the page on what transpired in the ODIs. “Yes, the momentum is with them (India) but that’s done and dusted,” Pollard told a media conference yesterday.

“We can’t live four days back; we’ve got to live in the present and we’ve got to focus on what we need to do.

“We’ve come up with some plans and hopefully we can execute the plans to the different individuals and hopefully we can put them

on the back foot when they’re batting, and under a little bit of pressure when they’re bowling as well. We’re looking forward to that.”

West Indies have endured a topsy-turvy run in the shortest format over the last 12 months, losing four of their last seven series and 11 of their last 25 T20 Internationals in bilateral tours, while winning 11 matches.

However, their series win over England last month in Bridgetown when they beat the world number one, 3-2, in a closely contested affair, has given the two-time World champions some hope.

Pollard said his side had learnt several important lessons against England which they would be looking to implement against the Indians.

“For us, it’s about consistency,” said Pollard who is expected to return for today’s opener at Eden Gardens after missing the last two ODIs through injury.

“I thought we had a very good series against England.

We faltered a couple times

West Indies captain Kieron Pollard

with the bat. At the back end of the innings, we can be a little bit better at executing and (in terms of) our fielding performances we can take it up a notch as well.

“That’s a couple areas I think we can definitely improve and just try to be as consistent as possible.

“As we would have seen from a batting perspective over the period, we have not been as consistent – we have not been consistent at all – so we want to be able to put that right in the limited opportunities we get in the shorter

format of the game.

“For us, it’s about trying to continue to improve in all facets of the game and executing to the best of your ability.”

West Indies have an unflattering record against India in T20s, winning only one of their last nine meetings in losing their last three series.

Despite that record, Pollard said his side would not be daunted and would approach the series with confidence in their ability and plans.

“Each and every time we step on the cricket field, we

expect to do well. We don’t go out there expecting not to do well,” he stressed.

“Yes, from a one-day perspective it hasn’t been going how we want it to go but it’s the same thing when we come today – we go through the process, we plan and then hopefully we can deliver on the cricket field.”

SQUADS: INDIA – Rohit Sharma (captain), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Surya Kumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Shardul

Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammad Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Harshal Patel, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Deepak Hooda, Kuldeep Yadav WEST INDIES – Kieron Pollard (captain), Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Hayden Walsh, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Kyle Mayers, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes

Prize money doubled for... to play in their first 50-over World Cup, while India and the West Indies are the only other teams to have featured in a final.

Meanwhile, the full updated fixture list has been revealed. The tournament is set to get underway on March 4 at the Bay Oval in Tauranga, with the hosts New Zealand playing West Indies.

The first set of games will also see two massive rivalries take centre stage, with Australia taking on England at Seddon Park in Hamilton on March 5 and India facing Pakistan in Tauranga the following day.

A total of 31 games will be played across 31 days, with the eight teams clashing to get their hands on the coveted World Cup trophy.

Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Tauranga, and Wellington will be the six cities that will host the tournament.

Australia, England, South Africa and India qualified for the event on the basis of their position in ICC Women's Championship 2017-20 while New Zealand automatically qualified as hosts.

On the basis of the ODI Team Rankings, Bangladesh, Pakistan and West Indies were the final three teams to book their berth for the World Cup after the 2021 Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier was called off due to a COVID-related uncertainty.

The tournament will be played in the league format, where all eight teams will

(From page 35)

face each other once, at the end of which the top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals.

The first semi-final will be played at The Basin Reserve in Wellington on March 30 while The Hagley Oval in Christchurch will host the second semi-final (March 31) and the final (April 3).

Both the semi-finals and the final will have a reserve day in place.

The tournament will also mark the return of the women's global event since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The last global women's event played was the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia in March 2020, which the hosts won by beating India in the final. (ICC Media)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday February 16, 2022

Seven Seas recommits support to Archery Guyana ‘SEVEN SEAS’, a brand distributed by Massy Distribution (Guyana) Inc., has reached out once again to re-commit its support to Archery Guyana, and will be exclusively sponsoring the 2022 Indoor Archery Competition at the Muslim Youth Organisation commencing today.

Seven Seas has been around for generations, becoming a household name over half-a-century ago. Its products are the culmination of a continuous, rigorous, and intense research and development process resulting in formulations that are known for their excellent quality and high standards. Seven Seas products help families live their TRUEAGE through their range of products built on the science of OMEGA-3.

The Seven Seas brand started out with COD LIVER OIL, which our parents fed to us at a tender age, and

has since developed a range of essential health products, aimed at enhancing our hair, skin and nails, reducing joint inflammation and more importantly, assisting with brain development and memory support.

Helping us to look younger, think smarter, and be radiant inside and out are some of the benefits of using Seven Seas products.

It should also be noted that Seven Seas has an established JointCare range, which supports an active lifestyle and consists of different formulations, such as JointCare Supplex, Complete, and Max. These products start with Omega-3 and Glucosamine and include various additions such as Calcium and Chondroitin which focus on the health of bones, cartilage, muscles, and connective tissue.

The launch of the Partnership between Massy Dis-

Flashback to the launch of the partnership! From left, Mrs Nirvana Thakur, Archery Guyana’s Mr Nicholas Hing and Mrs Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon

tribution (Guyana) Inc. and Archery Guyana took place at the end of July 2019 (Pre COVID-19 Times) at the

Massy Distribution Office at Montrose, East Coast Demerara.

The then Brand Coordi-

nator noted that Seven Seas Omega-3 products are essential in enabling us to become focused and disciplined,

which are qualities necessary for anyone to achieve success in life and sports.

As such, Seven Seas sees itself as a natural collaborator with the Sport of Archery.

This is especially true given the intense level of stability, precision, and concentration required to succeed in the sport. Therefore, naturally, Massy Distribution (Guyana) Inc. through its Brand, Seven Seas, looks forward to supporting and growing with the Sport of Archery over the years to come.

Thanks were expressed

by Mrs Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, Secretary-General of Archery Guyana, for Seven Seas continued collaboration as a competition sponsor.

Special Thanks go to the Management of Massy Distribution (Guyana) Inc. and Seven Seas, as we move forward to promote the sport of Archery in Guyana.

Lady Jags looking for ’chemistry’ against Dominica Prize money doubled for Women’s Cricket World Cup THE head coach of Guyana’s senior women’s national team, Ivan Joseph, expects to face a strong, physical Dominica team in the first step towards the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup at the Leonora stadium this evening, as he prepares to select his starting eleven from a training squad of 36 international-based and domestic players.

The Lady Jags are engaged in intensive preparations at the Guyana Football Federation National Training Centre ahead of their opening qualification match of the 2022 CONCACAF “W” Championship, which acts as the gateway to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The encampment is the first time many key squad members have been involved with the national team since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Joseph said the first few training sessions were designed to “get the rust off” and “help the players get introduced to each other”.

“You’re going to see us assess the players here,” Joseph said. “We’ve got 36 players in the camp and the talent is pretty deep. You’re going to see us try to sort out the players who play in the best positions, who have the

… Full updated fixtures revealed

Lady Jags warm up ahead of sessions at the GFF National Training Centre

right chemistry, and move that 36 down to 23 players and then our starting eleven.”

He said his coaching team would be gauging players on a range of criteria, including skill, decision-making and level of competitiveness, with the latter attribute likely to be crucial given the nature of their opponents today.

“Dominica are a formidable team,” he said. “The video that we've been able to see from them is from 2018, but they are strong, they're physical and they can play football.”

Guyana have been drawn in Group F of the qualification stage for the CONCACAF regional competition, alongside Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, Nicaragua and the Turks & Caicos Islands. Only the winners of

Head coach Ivan Joseph puts his players through their paces ahead of the CONCACAF clash against Dominica at Leonora today

each of the six groups will progress to the final tournament, alongside automatic qualifiers Canada and the United States.

After todays opening

fixture, Lady Jags will travel to Turks and Caicos for their next match of the FIFA international window, which is scheduled for Saturday, February 19.

THE winners of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 will take home US$1.32M in prize money, double the amount awarded to the 2017 victors, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed.

The overall prize money pot has increased by 75 per cent with the eight teams taking home a share in US$3.5M, US$1.5M more than the 2017 edition held in England. The runners-up of the tournament, which takes place in New Zealand from March 4 to April 3, will earn US$600,000– an increase of US$270,000 from when India finished runners-up to England last time.

The losing semi-finalists will each receive US$300,000 while the four teams who exit at the group stage have seen their prize money more than double from US$30,000 to US$70,000. The eight teams of Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, West Indies will also be rewarded for every group stage win, with each victory worth US$25,000, from a total pot of US$700,000.

Every team will play each

other once in the round-robin group stage, with the 28 games played across six host cities in New Zealand. A win will earn a team two points, with a tie or no-result worth one point. The four sides with the most points will then advance to the semi-finals to decide the two finalists.

This marks another important rise in the prize money for the women’s tournament, which saw a tenfold increase between the 2013 and 2017 tournaments from US$200,000 to US$2M. Holders England took home US$660,000 after defeating India by nine runs in a sold-out final at Lord’s five years ago, to earn their fourth trophy.

England have been the victors every time they have the hosted the tournament as well as triumphing in Australia in 2009 while Australia are the most successful team having won six of the previous 11 World Cups, including three in a row between 1978 and 1988.

Hosts New Zealand are the only other team to win a World Cup, having done so in 2000, the last time they hosted the Women’s Cricket World Cup. Bangladesh are (Turn to page 34)

Hayden Walsh Jr is elated after dismissing Shreyas Iyer vs India, 3rd ODI, Ahmedabad, February 11, 2022 (BCCI)

West Indies focused on improving execution against India as T20 series bowls off

PAGE

34

Hodge, Powell 33 half-centuries leave Eagles in disarray PAGE

BCB Patron Trust Fund starts distributing white cricket balls ‒ Second instalment of Zulfikar Mustapha educational PAGE scholarship handed over

32

… Archibald, Doram shine with ball

Montcin Hodge (file photo)

Naeem Khan receives his University of Guyana sponsorship from Sir Curtly Ambrose Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022