Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 18-02-2022

FRIDAY 18th February, 2022

No.106638

US$250M expansion for Houston shore base this year

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–– significant number of new jobs to be created

At left, President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, interact with exhibitors on day three of the International Energy Conference and Expo. At right, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson and US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch examine an intricate piece of craft at the “Duty Free Shop” (Office of the President and DPI photos)

Low-carbon transportation GAICO Construction O&G expert: Guyana’s infrastructure to be 04 enhances capacity 05 local content 13 established in Guyana for O&G opportunities law phenomenal PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

Work on Amaila Falls hydropower project to commence this year

By Jared Liddell IN keeping with its vision to accelerate Guyana’s transition to cleaner sources of energy, the government will be finalising plans for a second hydropower project between the years 20272030, while construction of the Amaila Falls project is set to commence this year.

Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, in his

address to stakeholders at the International Energy Conference and Expo on Thursday said that a second project would have the potential to produce up to 165 Megawatts (MW) of energy, as will the the Amaila Falls Hydropower project.

The Amaila Falls project was sidelined by the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government.

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips ENERGY INESTMENTS 2022 Aside from the major projects, the government has budgeted significant sums of money to undertake several energy-related

An artist’s impression of the Amaila Falls Hydropower facility But, in late 2021, after being re-elected to office, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government granted its “no objection” for the Office of the Prime Minister to engage China Railway Group Limited to work on the hydropower project, based on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model.

The company will supply electricity to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. at a cost not exceeding US$0.07737 per KWH, and provide the entire equity required by the project, and undertake all the risks associated with it.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, who has responsibility for the energy sector, said that several other projects will be undertaken across the country this year to cater to the growing energy needs of Guyanese.

Combined with other efforts, the Amaila Falls Hydropower project will lower the cost of electricity needed to fuel Guyana’s economic diversification and transformation into a low-carbon economy, as well as reduce the cost of power to businesses and households.

projects in 2022.

Prime Minister Phillips said that those allocations are part of the government’s plan to transition to cleaner sources of energy, and reduce the country’s carbon footprint.

In the 2022 budget, the government has allocated $29.4 billion to the energy sector.

The Prime Minister said that even with a major percentage of the country’s total population living on the coastland, the government is still investing heavily in hinterland electrification.

Several hinterland areas could expect to benefit significantly from the 2022 budget, as over $450 million has been budgeted for the expansion and upgrading of the hinterland electrification and power generation programme, through the purchase of generators and the expansion of distribution lines.

Prime Minister Phillips said that several projects are ongoing to improve energy access, and those include investments in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in off-grid areas and the development of micro-grids See page 13

US$250M expansion for Houston shore base this year GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

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- significant amount of new jobs to be created

By Jared Liddell T H E G u y a n a S h o re Base Inc. (GYSBI) is expected to undergo massive transformation this year, with plans in place to invest a further US$250 million into the company.

Through the proposed investment, the company will be expanding its land holdings by 45 acres, according to the Executive Director of Muneshwar Limited, and Senior Partner at the Guyana Shore Base, Robin Muneshwar.

He said this on Wednesday, during the International Energy Conference and Expo at the Guyana Marriott Hotel.

Muneshwer added there has been significant growth at the company since its establishment.

Guyana Shore Base Inc., which is a Guyanese joint venture made up of Muneshwers Ltd., Pacific Rim Constructors, TotalTec Oilfield Services, and LED Offshore, has been servicing the oil and gas

sector for about four years and building its reputation as one of the go-to shore base facilities in Guyana.

At present, GYSBI occupies 130 acres of land around the Houston, East Bank Demerara area and is strategically located north of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, enabling the most efficient logistic solutions. The company intends to expand its facilities to 175 acres of land.

This company already offers services such as waste management, chemical storage, warehousing, construction, berthing of supply vessels, cargo marshaling area, loading and offloading, supply chain management, expatriate management, and customs services.

With ExxonMobil- the key stakeholder in Guyana’s oil and gas sector - constantly enhancing its operations, GYSBI has taken steps to ensure that it stays in line with the oil company’s strategic direction.

Since 2015, Exxon-

Mobil, operator of the Stabroek, Canje, and Kaieteur Blocks offshore Guyana, has increased its estimated recoverable resource base to more than 10 billion oil-equivalent barrels.

Recently, the company started production at Guyana’s second offshore oil development on the Stabroek Block, Liza Phase Two, bringing the total production capacity to more than 340,000 barrels per day in only seven years since the country’s first discovery.

Payara, the company’s third project in the Stabroek Block, is expected to produce up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day after start-up in 2024, using the prosperity Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.

The US$9 billion development will target an estimated resource base of about 600 million oilequivalent barrels. Ten drill centres are planned, along with up to 41 wells, including 20 production

and 21 injection wells.

To capitalise on the impending developments, GYSBI, in 2021, had unveiled its plans to construct two new berths for US$16 million, to boost its capacity to accommodate Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs) at the Muneshwers Houston Port Complex.

The berths – berth three and berth four– will allow PSVs space to anchor, similar to that of a wharf. The berths are being constructed using the Open Cell Sheet Pile (OCSP) system, a firstof-its-kind technology to be used in Guyana, which was patented by American engineering consultant company, PND Engineers, Inc. Currently, GYSBI has two berths– berth one and berth two – which facilitate transport on the southern half of its Plantation “A”, Houston, Greater Georgetown location.

These berths were constructed in 2015 and could only accommodate

Executive director of Muneshwer Limited and Senior Partner at the Guyana Shore Base Inc., Robin Muneshwar a 70-tonne crane. The soon-to-be-completed berths will be able to accommodate a 130-tonne crane given the innovative OCSP system.

ENHANCED OPERATIONS “Five years and US$200 million later, we sit on 130 acres, two berths and seven warehouses with expansion plans for another US$250 million over the coming months… by the end of 2022, this will go to 175 acres of land four completed berths and 650 employees,” Muneshwar said.

He noted that the company’s expansion is directly correlated with ExxonMobil’s unparalleled success in the fields.

The shore base, as is, is servicing a majority of ExxonMobil’s drilling programmes, which cover six rigs, supporting both development and exploration activities.

“As I speak, GYSBI is completing the development of two additional berths with heavy lift capability. Once completed, these berths would allow us to handle up to 130 tonnes, which is significantly more than any other berths in Guyana.

“This will, therefore, ensure that these services are provided right here and ExxonMobil will no

longer need to execute its heavy lifting out of Trinidad and Tobago. With this completion too, an additional 65 new jobs will be created for locals.

It is not just about the topnotch facilities we offer,” Muneshwer said.

He noted that at January 2022, of the 227 vendors registered to do business with the company, some 85 per cent are Guyanese.

He reminded the local investors of the importance of partnerships within the oil and gas sector, noting that there are vast opportunities available within the sector that could only be accessed with through partnerships.

“None of this could have been possible without one key ingredient that is collaboration GYSBI itself is a joint venture, a company created by local and foreign companies pooling their strengths and working together for a common goal.

“I had over 30 years’ experience in running commercial ports with no knowledge of the oil and gas industry so I found it necessary to find the right partners who had decades in the industry and each of them brought unique strengths to the relationship,” Muneshwer said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

Low-carbon transportation infrastructure to be established in Guyana GUYANA will be pursuing the establishment of low-carbon transportation infrastructure to reduce the demand for imported fossil fuels used for vehicular transport.

This is according to Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, in his address to stakeholders on the third day of the International Energy Conference and Expo, which ended on Thursday at the Marriott hotel, Georgetown.

Prime Minister Phillips said Guyana remains committed to creating a lowcarbon economy, while at the same time advancing its transition away from conventional energy sources.

“To accomplish this, we

intend to foster the development of an electric-vehicle industry to substitute fossil fuels with electricity, while enhancing the ability of the electric grid to integrate high levels of intermittent renewable energy.

“To this end, the installation of fast-charging stations for electric vehicles will be piloted in 2022 in Regions Three, Four and Six. This would be supplemented with future initiatives to increase efficiency levels of vehicle consumption of fuel,” the Prime Minister said.

He added that the new oil-producing nation intends to create an energy mix using low-carbon energy resources such as solar, hydro, wind, biomass and natural gas.

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Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips He said the energy mix will lead to the generation of more than 500 megawatts of newly installed energy over the next five years. It was pointed out that the gas-toenergy project will play a major role in this effort.

“The project will provide 300 megawatts of power to the national grid and is expected to result in substantial cost savings for power generation, while reducing electricity costs to consumers by at least 50 per cent.

In parallel, the implementation of the 165 megawatts Amaila falls hydropower

project will be advanced to further enhance our nation’s energy security,” Prime Minister Phillips said.

The Prime Minister added that Guyana’s energy transition will happen in three stages: from 2022 to 2027, there will be a combination of natural gas, hydro and solar power; stage two will see the replacement of heavy fuel oil, the expansion of wind farms and the commissioning of Guyana’s second hydro plant from 2027 to 2032.

The third phase, which will commence from 2032 onwards, will see the continued expansion of those projects, using new technology.

As it is now, Prime Minister Phillips said the government is developing solar farms and mini hydro-power systems in the hinterland, with close to $1.1 billion provided in budget 2022 for this purpose. He said that access to energy has far-reaching economic, environmental and social benefits.

“Consequently, in addition to serving domestic needs, it is important to link rural-electrification efforts to productive activities such as ICT, commerce, and agro-processing, to allow for greater community involvement, retention of skills in the community and longterm sustainability,” Prime Minister Phillips said.

The Prime Minister reiterated that Guyana remains committed to developing a low-carbon economy, and added that the transition to clean energy will remain a national priority. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

GAICO Construction enhances capacity for O&G opportunities –– with signing of MoU with Rev1 Energy

By Tamica Garnett LOCAL company, GAICO Construction Inc., on Thursday, boosted its capacity to bid for major projects in the oil and gas industry and other sectors, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with US-based end-to-end commissioning services company, Rev1 Energy.

The signing of the contract took place at GAICO’s booth at the International Energy Conference and Expo at the Mariott Hotel.

Signing on behalf of GAICO was Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Komal Singh, while Rev1’s Chief Executive Officer, Ricky Ehrgott, signed on the company’s behalf. The signing was also observed by Minister within the Ministry of Public works, Deodat Indar.

Speaking at a ceremony to commemorate the milestone, Singh said that with many local companies lacking the requisite skillsets and expertise for some of the big industrial projects that are going to be coming on stream in the next year or two, partnerships with international companies are a critical means of filling a critical gap.

“The intention is to bring these companies that have worked in those areas and have the expertise come to

Guyana and transfer that knowledge to our local Guyanese workforce. They would also help us to develop locally, so that we can capitalise on local content and ensure that our Guyanese brothers and sisters can benefit from what is coming as a result of the oil and gas,” Singh commented.

He related that GAICO is already positioning itself to be among the contractors that work on aspects of the multibillion-dollar gas-toshore project, among others.

GAICO is currently part of a larger consortium of companies that will be looking to bid for several projects in the oil and gas sector.

To this end, Singh said that more such partnerships with international companies could be expected.

“Right now, we do not have much companies in Guyana that have reached that level to certify some of the big stuff that is coming to Guyana. So, GAICO continuously looks out and seeks out for partnerships for upcoming opportunities.

Here in Guyana, we look at where there are gaps and what we don’t have, we go out in search,” He said.

Focused on project management in industrial operations, Rev1 Energy has been supporting commissioning and startup efforts around the world since 2001, according to the company’s website.

GAICO CEO, Komal Singh, (left) and Rev1 Energy CEO, Ricky Ehrgott (centre) sign the MoU as Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, looks on (Delano Williams photo) A technology-driven, end-to-end commissioning services company supporting major projects around the world, Rev1, through proprietary technologies, provides unique value addition to projects seeking commissioning support around the world.

Speaking at the signing, Ehrgott said that the company is excited about the partnership and is looking forward to working along with GAICO

“We are looking forward to help grow the local economy and local talent. Helping to train the people and be part of the local economy.

The agreement signed is a MoU to execute a joint venture and we are really looking forward to doing that over the next couple of months. And we will be here for a long time,” Ehrgott said.

Also making brief re-

marks at the signing was Minister Indar, who related that the partnership fits into what the government has been encouraging local businesses to do, in order to ensure that they are able to benefit from the abundant opportunities.

“These companies have the skills that are required

and that will be enough to fulfill any evaluation criteria for them to be successful.

And that is something that we have to do throughout Guyana because if you grow organically that will take longer so we’ll see what we’re doing here is trying to wean learning curve,” Indar said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

Learning How To Fish

GUYANA is destined to become a major player in the petroleum industry. Within a relatively short span of less than five years, Guyana has moved from zero barrels of oil per day to over 250,000 barrels in 2022.

Indeed, the country is projected to be the highest per capita oil producer in the world, at roughly one barrel per person per day by the end of this decade.

This is a remarkable change of economic fortunes which can only redound to the good of the society as a whole. With a projected income from oil of approximately 10 billion US dollars per year by 2030, the country will be in a position to earn considerably more from oil than gross earnings from its non-oil exports. Rystad Energy forecasts that Guyana’s oil production could reach 1.2 million barrels per day by 2030, with total annual oil revenues of approximately $28 billion, based on a con-

servative assumption of oil prices averaging around $65 per barrel!

The issue under consideration is how best to utilise the projected billions in a way that will modernise the country’s infrastructure, while at the same time increasing the disposable incomes of the country’s public servants, pensioners and vulnerable groups, in addition to enhancing the quality of basic social amenities such as education, health, housing and water.

Sharing some thoughts on this issue, Ghanaian oil-andgas expert George Owusu has advised that while it is important to invest in social programmes, annual distributions of cash grants should not be part of the development plans. He suggested instead that investments in skills training, capacity building and education would serve the nation better. Not everyone may agree with that suggestion, but coming from someone familiar with the petroleum

industry, his ideas must carry some weight.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing International Energy Conference and Expo in Georgetown, Owusu said that investing in education and skills training would boost the marketability of individuals, which could result in higherpaying jobs and enhanced earnings. He provided as an example Trinidad and Tobago, which spent 99 per cent of its fiscal revenues between 1999 and 2015 to increase transfers and subsidies which proved to be unsustainable, a situation which Guyana is being cautioned against by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The PPP/C administration has been adopting measures aimed at striking the right balance between infrastructural development and consumption. The policy position taken by the government is one in which revenues from the petroleum sector would be utilised for the modernisation

and expansion of the country’s infrastructure, including such projects as bridges, roads, hospitals, schools and energy projects, which will have a positive impact on the quality of life of the Guyanese people, while at the same time stimulating growth and development across the nonoil sectors.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has repeatedly said that revenues from oil will be used to create world-class education and health-delivery systems, while at the same time upgrading the physical infrastructure; boosting education, training and an overall enhancement of social capital.

Another important component of the government’s policy is the creation of highpaying jobs. Only a few days ago the President commissioned a facility at Enmore which will provide roughly 500 jobs, which is significant, especially when seen against the closure of the Enmore Estate by the previous

APNU+AFC administration.

The $7 billion-dollar investment by GUYSONS and K+B Investments Inc. will establish an oil field manufacturing facility which will require a pool of skills for which training will be provided.

The investment, according to President Ali, goes beyond the oil-and-gas sector and could help to position the country as a hub for fabrication machinery services for the entire region.

An important aspect of that investment is the partnership between a local company and a foreign company, something that President Ali has been urging Guyanese companies to enter into in order to take advantage of the opportunities that are likely to accrue from the burgeoning oil-and-gas sector. And speaking at yet another commissioning ceremony of NTS Amega Atlantic Company at Houston Estate, Georgetown, President Ali said Guyana stands ready

to welcome investments from all parts of the world.

“We understand the nature of these investments. Machining and fabrication are an integral part of the oil-and-gas sector. More importantly, these are the types of investments that would change the skill sets of our human resource base,” the President remarked.

The company is expected to provide another 25 direct job opportunities.

Job creation, skills training and human resource development are high on the development agenda of the PPP/C administration, as it seeks to re-align the skill sets of the population with the changing needs of industry and commerce.

This is one sure way of preparing Guyanese to benefit from the oil-andgas sector, especially in the context of the local content legislation. It is a case of the proverbial ‘learning to fish’, as opposed to be given a fish.

Let us continue to recognise from where we came, but much more, who we are today

Dear Editor, ON January 29, 2022, my wife, Gem Madhoo-Nascimento, wrote deploring the mismanagement of the stage and sound at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) for a cultural performance presented by the Indian High Commission on the occasion of the 72nd Republic Anniversary of India. On February 2, 2022, Mr Vishnu Bisram wrote supporting the concerns she expressed, but went on to echo a long standing complaint against the fact that the NCC had been built under the administration of former President, Forbes Burnham, with

Indian Immigration Funds, proposing that the monies be returned with interest to build “Indian Cultural Centres” in various parts of the country.

My wife responded to Mr Bisram acknowledging that funds assigned for the repatriation of Indian Indentured Labour were, instead, used to build the National Cultural Centre. I repeat, the National Cultural Centre, to host CARIFESTA 1972 for the celebration of our Caribbean and national culture and identity.

My wife also acknowledged the need for the permanent and appropriate recognition of the origin of those funds at

the centre.

My wife, however, disagreed with Mr Bisram’s proposal which urged that the money be used purely for building Indian Cultural Centres across the country, making the very valid point that this would exacerbate an already racially divided country. She argued in preference for national theatres being built in every region which would serve as the home for the celebration of all of our cultural heritages, both separately and collectively.

To my surprise and disappointment, Mr Bisram on February 12, 2022, responded to my wife’s letter, published

in the Kaieteur News, vigorously maintaining an argument that has long since proved to be false, that the National Cultural Centre is not used by Guyanese of Indian descent. May I remind him that the late great Lata Mangeshkar performed there in 1981 to a full house of Guyanese of Indian descent.

The National Cultural Centre has also hosted the annual Nritrageet for over 40 years (out of production now), as well as, Naya Zaman and many other shows attracting audiences of Guyanese of Indian descent.

More disturbing from a man of his intellect, while

recognising that we are “a multicultural nation”, his words, he persisted to urge that we build theatres confined solely to the performance of our separate cultural heritages. He even goes on to suggest that any merging of these cultures is tantamount to “cultural genocide”.

So, according to Mr Bisram, our government must spend the people’s money building Indian, Cultural Centres, and by inference, African, Chinese, Portuguese and Amerindian Cultural Centres and, presumably, more theatres confined to the performance of our Guyanese culture, or maybe Mr Bisram

doesn’t recognise that the very essence of our Guyanese culture is, as indeed is our cuisine and the sports we play, a synergy of all of our heritages.

If you consult a dictionary for the definition of culture, you’ll find that it is “the customs, ideas and social behaviour of a particular people or group”, in our case, the culture of the people of Guyana.

By all means, let us continue to recognise where we came from but, much more importantly, who we are today.

Yours Sincerely, Kit Nascimento

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

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Where Next for Caribbean Tourism with COVID-19 in 2022?

By Earl Bousquet

LEFT to the Caribbean’s hoteliers and tourism operators, more would be done, together and faster, to ensure the region’s tourism recovery, after two years of COVID-19 is sooner than later – and starting now.

But while they’ve been able to keep businesses afloat, thanks to some of CARICOM governments’ proactive policies since the pandemic was declared in March 2020, tourism industry personnel feel the region’s leaders need to do much more than now, if Caribbean tourism’s revival is not to lag too far behind.

The private Caribbean Hotels and Tourism Association (CHTA), therefore, decided to urgently write directly to CARICOM Chair, Prime Minister Gaston Brown of Antigua and Barbuda, on the issue.

In a letter on the last day of 2021, signed by CHTA President, Nicola Madden-Greig, and copied to all other Caribbean Heads of Government, the CHTA said that, with “the benefit of new data, particularly about the Omicron variant,” it offered the industry’s “observations and recommendations” in support of “balancing the need to protect both lives and livelihoods” as the region moves towards post-COVID recovery.

The December 31, 2021 CHTA letter said: “While Omicron has proven to be highly contagious, the latest research -- including data outlined in a December 23, 2021 Technical Briefing by the UK Health Security Agency and information provided by the South African Government (where the variant was initially detected) -- provide some measure of encouragement,” in terms of “a low level of severe illness re-

quiring hospitalisation and a low death rate from the Omicron variant of COVID-19.”

CHTA says indications also point to “a faster recovery period from infection, further justifying recent moves by the US and UK governments to reduce the isolation period to five and seven days, respectively; and Ontario (Canada) to relax more stringent testing and isolation requirements” recently put in place.

Anticipating “a surge in Omicron cases throughout the region in the coming weeks,” the CHTA urged CARICOM Heads of Government to “steady the course” adopted since the start of the pandemic – of “resisting the closing of borders and instituting onerous travel restrictions, inclusive of lengthy isolation periods”.

With tourism’s pervasive impact on memberstates’ economies, employment and tax revenue, the CHTA told the leaders, “The unintended consequences of excessive restrictive policies that deter travel by making destinations less attractive goes well beyond hotels, affecting restaurants, vendors, taxis, attractions, wholesalers and countless other businesses and livelihoods.”

It said the policies CARICOM embraced and efforts of health and tourism officials across the region and the industry’s adherence to health safety protocols, “have set the stage for our recovery”.

However, the CHTA President said, “Overreaction and potential missteps over the coming critical weeks can reverse the progress we’ve made towards recovery.”

She noted that “Omicron’s low severity, particularly for those with induced (vaccinated) and natural immunities (previously infected individuals)

-- which… is estimated at a combined rate of over 50 per cent of the Caribbean’s population -- sheds new light and is instructional in any formulation of policies and protocols and areas of public and private sector focus over the coming weeks.”

The CHTA is calling for “Regional Harmonisation of Travel Policies”, explaining that the lack of harmonisation by jurisdictions for entry, testing and isolation/quarantine requirements “will continue to cause confusion in the marketplace, deterring travel, and slowing our recovery”.

Regarding “Isolation Protocols”, CHTA says both the US and UK Governments have reduced their isolation periods for COVIDpositive persons, with the US allowing for five days and the UK at seven days confinement.

Some Caribbean jurisdictions still require as much as 14 days in isolation, but the CHTA argues that “The data no longer substantiates that length of time… and increasingly will deter travel.”

The regional tourism body therefore recommends reducing Caribbean isolation time by half -- to seven days.

Regarding ‘Allowable

COVID Tests’, CHTA says Omicron “is placing a global strain on the cost and availability of COVID-19 tests” and the turnaround time for processing PCR tests (in particular) and recommends that Antigen tests approved by WHO be accepted for entry.

CHTA also supports use of WHO approved athome test kits, specifically those which have measures in place to verify the identity of the individual being tested.

R e g a r d i n g Te s t i n g Ti m e - P e r i o d s , C H TA points out that “Prior to Travel to the Caribbean, a 24-hour time period for securing a test and negative results prior to travel is presenting a challenge to many prospective travellers, given the high demand for tests and the short time period for processing the tests” – and therefore recommends a 72-hour window “as a minimum…”

On the hot issue of Cost of COVID Tests, CHTA notes: “The high cost of PCR tests remains a problem and places particular undue financial burden on Caribbean residents. Intra-Caribbean travel’s rebound continues to underperform that which we are seeing with travel to the region.”

The grouping therefore

recommends “greater flexibility in sourcing tests by local health authorities and local efforts to work with suppliers to reduce the cost”.

The CHTA’s letter was also copied to: Caribbean Ministers of Tourism and Health, CARICOM Secretary- General, Dr. Carla Barnett, Chair of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) and Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transportation, Lisa Cummins; Jamaica Minister of Tourism and Co-Chair of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, Edmund Bartlett, Director General of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, Dr. Didacus Jules, Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency

(CARPHA) Dr. Joy St. John, President and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council, Ms. Julia Simpson, as well as Caribbean Directors of Tourism, Caribbean National Hotel and Tourism Association Executives and Presidents.

It’s a long mailing list with an equally-long list of recommendations, but the CHTA’s decision to directly engage CARICOM leaders, together and individually, also stems from a strong feeling in many national tourism and private sector circles that Caribbean people are more negatively affected by inflexible government COVID protocols, than by the virus.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

Technology use critical to achieving net-zero carbon emission target

THE use of technology remains critical to countries seeking to achieve zero net carbon emissions, Schlumberger’s Emissions Business Director, Kahina Abdeli-Galinier said Thursday.

She said that Guyana, a fairly new oil producing nation, could be a world leader in this effort.

Delivering a virtual presentation to the International Energy Conference, AbdeliGalinier said 30 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions come from the oil-andgas industry. She said over the past two days, leaders from Guyana have outlined the country’s urgency to

preserve the forest, which is something she commends.

However, at this early stage of developing its oiland-gas industry, AbdeliGalinier said the implementation of technology gives Guyana a unique advantage.

“There is an opportunity to do it right; there is an opportunity in Guyana to be implementing the right technology needed to operate in a route flare free environment,” she stated.

Abdeli-Galinier said that adapting the right technology would help Guyana reach its net- zero carbon emissions target by 2050, with a reduction of 70 per cent by 2030. She pointed

out that accurate data collection on greenhouse gas emissions will also play a critical role.

However, the Schlumberger representative noted that there is need for trust, transparency and collaboration among operators in the oil-and-gas industry, the regulators, the government and all those involved.

“It is absolutely critical to implement the right technology that could differ, depending on the different assets that would be implemented in the country, but it is extremely important to be able to spot emissions before they happen, and actually being able to reduce the

time from when the emission is detected to when it is fixed,” Abdeli-Galinier said, adding: “So, it is the path towards getting emissions to net zero having a healthy mix between spot measurements and as well as continuous measurements, so that we ensure that we always stay closed. So, a plan is always critical.”

President Dr. Irfaan Ali, at the opening of the conference, reminded the world of Guyana’s contribution to the fight against climate change.

So, too, did Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, when he reminded attendees of Guyana’s commitment to carrying out oil production in a new zero-carbon world. Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Day

Schlumberger’s Emissions Business Director Kahina Abdeli-Galinier Three of the conference them developing an elecoutlined some of the things tric vehicle industry to Guyana will be doing to reduce the use of fossil fuel further achieve net-zero that affects the environcarbon emissions, among ment. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

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Investor credits accommodating environment for opening of new machining company THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has come in for high praise for fashioning an attractive environment for both local and international investors.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NTS Group, Paul McMillen thanked President Dr. Irfaan Ali and his government for creating such an enabling environment.

The NTS Group is known globally for providing complex manufacturing, repair and rental solutions for the oil-and-gas sector.

The company opened the Guyana branch of the mega NTS Amega Atlantic Company at the Houston Estate, just outside Georgetown on Wednesday evening.

“By facilitating concessions and extending support to new initiatives, you have created an environment which supports both local and foreign business,” the company’s CEO said during brief remarks at the commissioning ceremony.

President Ali, in turn, said Guyana stands ready to welcome investments from all parts of the world, noting that the new complex will aid growth and development in other territories of

economic expansion.

“We understand the nature of these investments.

Machining and fabrication are an integral part of the oil-and-gas sector. More importantly, these are the types of investments that would change the skill sets of our human resource base,” Dr. Ali pointed out.

He said that while the company is set to provide 25 direct job opportunities, sectors such as transportation and logistics also stand to benefit.

“That is why it is important that every aspect of the puzzle, not only the large-scale investment, but the small and medium-size investment be put together to make the integrated whole as to what the oil and gas sector brings to our country,” he underscored.

Further, the Head of State emphasised that the oil and gas sector provides the opportunity to modernise machining and fabrication services.

“We live in a region that is tourism based, where we have many cruise ships, yachting industry, these are industries that require a lot of machining services.

Once we have invest-

ment in the technology for the oil and gas sector, the natural spin off is these other sectors, including manufacturing and industrial development,” the President said.

The government continues to extend an olive branch to companies looking to invest in its oil and gas producing sector. However, the entities were reminded that Guyanese must be able to benefit from those investments.

Dr. Ali said his government does not show interest in big investors only. The intention, he stated, is to build an economy that is sustainable and beneficial to all Guyanese.

“There is scope and room for different scales of investment. Once we’re willing to forge the type of partnership that is required, there is room,” the President asserted.

Additionally, he reminded of the incomparable partnership between Exxon Mobil and the government to transform the GuySuCo Training Centre at Port Mourant, Corentyne, into a hub that could provide specialised training across all sectors.

$90M in ‘ganja’ destroyed in Berbice River ‘bust’

One of the fires lit by police during the Gateroy Village bust POLICE ranks, on Thurs- statement, said it uncovered height. day, destroyed $90 million a farm where 10 acres of Police also said the worth of marijuana during land was planted with the farm had four makeshift an eradication exercise at controlled substance. camps and one drying Gateroy Village, Region In the bust, police count- area which housed apSix (East Berbice-Coren- ed approximately 115,000 proximately 215 cannabis tyne). plants measuring between plants weighing some 3,000 Police headquarters, in a one foot to five feet in pounds.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali cuts the ceremonial ribbon to declare opened the mega NTS Amega Atlantic Company Meanwhile, CEO of Go-Invest, Dr. Peter Rams a ro o p s a i d G u y a n a ’s

business future is looking bright, noting that the journey to massive transforma-

tion, is part of President Ali’ s commitment to the Guyanese people. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

Natural gas will play critical role in energy transition - Regional Energy Director says

General Electric’s Regional Product Director, John Ingram

WITH the threat and fatal effects of climate change and the world shifting away from fossil fuels and renewable energy, General Electric’s (GE’s) Regional Product Director, John Ingram, has said that natural gas will play a critical role in this transition to cleaner energy.

“Gas power is really seen today as the

Preliminary artist’s impression of the proposed natural gas plant (Source: EEPGL) key factor in moving in the transition. The US power sector reduced its emissions by 33 per cent.

The US was one of the largest CO2 producers in the past 10 years. It is now amongst the top five countries in reducing emissions and that was due to the use of gas.

“Moving away from coal and moving towards gas allows you to bring in more renewable power.

More and more we see gas as an enabler to renewable power,” Ingram said during his presentation to the International Energy Conference and Expo held at the Marriott Hotel, on Thursday.

The Regional Energy Director referred to Kauai, an island in the Central Pacific, part of the Hawaiian archipelago.

He pointed out that the island has the largest solar penetration in the world because of a system that relied on gas.

“They operate like five to six hours per day on 100 per cent solar, and they can only do that because they have a system that gets there… Gas is the only source which you can have where you want, when you want and this is the difficulty in integrating renewables

into the system because you don’t always have the sun and you don’t always have the wind, you don’t always have hydro… Gas is a fundamental enabler of renewables,” Ingram articulated.

Ingram’s presentation goes hand-in-hand with the government’s vision of integrating renewable energy into the grid but also utilising natural gas as that transition fuel.

The government has already invited interested parties to invest in its US$900 million gas-toenergy project Wales Development Zone (WDZ).

A public notice from the Ministry of Natural Resources states the WDZ was selected as the landing facility for the pipeline, following the consideration of more than 20 potential locations.

The pipeline, which would end in the WDZ, will measure some 225 kilometers from the Liza oil field, where the natural gas is produced.

The project will see the establishment of a gas processing plant (GPP) and a natural gas liquids (NGL) facility, capable of producing at least 4,000 barrels per day, including the fractionation (or separating out) of liquefied

petroleum gas (LPG).

The government said a power plant will be established to generate 150 MW, with an additional 150 MW in a second phase, and that an industrial park will be set up to comprise industries that could use gas, steam and/ or electricity ExxonMobil’s local affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) has guaranteed the government a minimum of 50 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscfd) will be transported through the pipeline by 2024. The pipeline will have a maximum capacity of 130 mmscfd.

T h e g a s - t o - e n e rg y project which is likely to come on stream by late 2024, is expected to reduce Guyana’s energy sector emissions.

The project will also cut electricity costs by more than half.

The cost has long been regarded by the private sector as prohibitive to investments.

Hence, the government expects the gas-to-energy project to revolutionise, to significantly improve the ease of doing business in Guyana.

(DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

Man found guilty in death of school Venezuelan woman remanded for fatal boy outside Covent Garden Nursery stabbing of Sophia man in Region 7

SHANNON Cox, 24, was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury on Thursday for his role in the 2017 fatal stabbing of 16-Year-Old Brian Charles Yearwood outside the Covent Garden Nursery School, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The 12-member jury, after deliberating for two hours, found Cox guilty of lesser offence of manslaughter, even though he was on

DECEASED: Brian Charles Yearwood

trial for murder.

Cox’s case was tried before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Demerara High Court.

The now-convicted man, who was a teenager at the time of the incident, will return to Court on March 10.

A probation report will be read to the Court on that day, after which Cox will be sentenced.

Cox was one of two persons tried in this matter.

His co-accused, Andy Daniel Peters, was freed of the charge by Justice Morris-Ramlall on Monday after Peters’ lawyer, Latchmi Rahamat, successfully argued that the state’s prosecutor, Lisa Cave, lacked sufficient evidence to convict him.

Cox’s attorney, Madan Kissoon, also attempted a similar argument which was overruled by the judge, instead calling on Cox to lead his defence.

According to previous reports, Yearwood, who was

CONVICTED: Shannon Cox a resident of Grove, EBD, was involved in a heated argument with two persons outside of the Covent Garden Nursey School where a concert was being held. That argument led to Yearwood’s demise.

He was rushed to the nearby Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he was declared dead.

CHIEF Magistrate, Ann McLennan, on Thursday, remanded a Venezuelan woman to prison, after she was charged with unlawfully killing a miner at Sandhill Backdam, Kaikan, Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Yesica Rondon Mayo, the accused Spanish-speaking woman, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court with the aid of a translator to answer to the charge.

The court heard that, on Saturday last, the accused and the now-deceased man, Beauford Watson called ‘Marlon’, were involved in an argument which ended in her wielding a knife against him.

Beauford Watson and Yesica Rondon Mayo Rondon Mayo was not required to plead The accused will return to court on March 14.

The next appearance, however, will be at the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

Guyana’s local content law phenomenal –– renowned O&G expert says

CHIEF Executive Officer at Ghana’s Petroleum Commission, Egbert Faibille Jnr., has said that the developments on Guyana’s local content front are “phenomenal.”

He made this comment on the sidelines of the International Energy Conference and Expo at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston, on Thursday.

“Your government and people will be in the lead towards ensuring that the benefits of oil and gas trickle down to everybody, so that this land will continue to be a land of happiness, and of course, a land of diversity with true value and benefits for even the investors and also, the government and

the people,” Faibille Jnr. Said.

Having served as a member of the Board of Petroleum Commissions and Chair of Ghana’s Local Content Committee, Faibille’s comment is significant, as his country has a highly successful local content story.

Luckily for Guyana, the renowned Trinidadian expert, Anthony Paul, who helped craft Ghana’s local content story, was also instrumental in the development of Guyana’s.

Despite the sidelining of Paul by the previous APNU+AFC Administration, the new PPP/C Government hired him shortly after assuming office to serve on a

Work on Amaila Falls hydropower project ...

From page 2

for large hinterland areas.

Specifically, the projects entail the installation of 13 utility-scale solar farms; 30,000 solar home systems for hinterland riverine communities; 20 Solar PV grids for public buildings in the hinterland; over 180 PV stand-alone systems for government ICT hubs; and the installation of a three- megawatt grid connected solar PV system at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

The Prime Minister noted that those projects will result in approximately 46.4 megawatts installed solar PV capacity and are expected to be commissioned within the next two years.

Additionally, with the planned micro-hydropower systems, a total of 2.35 megawatts of power will be added to serve hinterland communities by 2024.

“Our government’s hinterland electrification programme aims to electrify some 200 unserved and underserved communities by 2026, using the most technical and economically feasible solutions that will include the advancement of the productive usages of energy,” the Prime Minister said.

Further, over $170 million has been budgeted for the completion of the 150 KW hydropower scheme at Kato. $1.1 billion of the sector’s budget is earmarked for solar farm interventions in 2022. Those include the completion of the 1.5 MW solar farm at Bartica, 0.75 MW at Wakenaam, and the 1.0 MW at Lethem. It is also the government’s intention to tender for a 0.6 MW solar farm at Leguan and a 0.65 MW farm at Mahdia later this year.

In a bid to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the government will distribute and install over 22,000 LED bulbs and over 12,000 LED tubes in homes, businesses, and government buildings at Bartica, Linden, Leguan, and Wakenaam.

The initiative, which is anticipated to remove over 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from the environment, is part of the government’s plans to reduce the country’s carbon footprint.

Also this year, the government will pilot the installation of fast-charging stations for electric vehicles in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

diverse local content advisory panel.

A team from Ghana also came last year to review and advise on Guyana’s draft Local Content Bill before it was tabled.

Faibille said: “We from Ghana are here because we realise first of the commonalities between the people of Guyana and our own people, and the fact that because of the technical co-operation, you know, arrangements between our respective governments, we see Guyana as a friend, as a brother or sister country and we want to take this

relationship further.”

The state oil executive said Ghana wants to see Guyanese businesses come into Ghana at some point to work with their indigenous businesses, and vice versa.

He said companies from the two countries will be able to develop more synergies if they partner.

Already, Guyana has signed a series of co-operation agreements with Ghana and is set to partner, based on discussions had when the two countries’ Vice Presidents visited each other’s countries last year. (DPI)

Chief Executive Officer of Ghana’s Petroleum Commission, Egbert Faibille Jr.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

Reporting results from COVID-19 self-tests not compulsory

THE Ministry of Health has affirmed that it is not compelling persons to report the results of their home tests or selftests, according to subject minister, Dr. Frank Anthony.

Speaking during Thursday’s edition of the COVID-19 update, Dr. Anthony said that the tests would best serve persons who believe that they might have been exposed to COVID-19 and wish to know their status.

When asked about the protocol if persons are to

test positive and fail to report same, Dr. Anthony said: “It’s up to the persons. We are not compelling anybody to do selftesting, but the persons who would be doing it obviously would be more conscientious and I’m sure if they are conscientious enough to buy the kit and to test themselves at home, they would want to report that to the surveillance department.”

The Health Minister said that it is not compulsory for results to be reported, but it would be

good if those persons send those reports to the ministry and authorities, who would be able to verify the results and possibly conduct another test.

He related that for those persons who believe that they might have been exposed to the virus, they could test themselves four to five days following that exposure.

“Somebody who would have flu-like symptoms: so, if they have sneezing, runny nose, itching in their throat, those types of symptoms, then

they can test themselves.

So, it’s all individual and these are things that people can do on their own at home,” Dr. Anthony said.

Depending on the results of the tests, those persons could decide how to move forward from there. If negative, he said persons could continue with their normal activity and if the results return positive and they are unsure, they could visit a testing facility and later confirm whether it was truly a positive test.

Woman being tested for COVID-19 at one of the Ministry of Health’s testing sites

CCJ to rule on convicted Soesdyke rapist’s appeal today

CONVICTED: Calvin Ramcharran THE Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is expected to hand down its ruling today in the matter of convicted rapist Calvin Ramcharran against the Guyana Court of Appeal’s decision to uphold his conviction and 23-year sentence.

In 2015, a 12-member jury had found the 28-yearold guilty of the rape and brutal assault of a woman at a party in Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on July 22, 2012.

At the time of his conviction in the Demerara High Court, then trial judge Justice Jo-Ann Barlow had sentenced him to 23 years imprisonment for the rape, and four for the assault, but stipulated that the sentences were to be run concurrently.

Obviously miffed by the judge’s decision, Ramcharran would take the matter up with the Court of Appeal, seeking to have his conviction and sentence either set aside or overturned.

However, in January 2021, the Court of Appeal dismissed the matter, and instead upheld both conviction and sentence.

Dissatisfied with the

decision of the appeals tribunal, Ramcharran subsequently moved to the CCJ for that court to do what the Court of Appeal had not done.

Presiding over the appeal at the Trinidad-based CCJ are: Justices Maureen Rajnauth-Lee, Winston Anderson, Andrew Burgess, Peter Jamadar, and Denys Barrow.

The first charge against Ramcharran alleges that on July 22, 2012, in the County of Demerara, he engaged in the sexual penetration of an adult female without her consent, while the second says that on the same date, he also assaulted the young woman, causing her actual bodily harm.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported when the matter was brought before the court that on the day in question, Ramcharran had not only tailed the young woman when she left the event to use the washroom facility, but also asked her whether she was “doing business”.

It was reportedly her negative response that prompted him to do what he did.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

Duty-free shopping @ the Umana Yana opens to public today

CREATED for the purpose of giving small Guyanese manufacturers an opportunity to advertise their products and attract investors, the Duty-Free Shop at the Umana Yana has been hit-

ting all the right notes over the last few days as patrons will no doubt attest.

The shop complements the 2022 International Energy Conference and Expo being held at the Marriott Hotel.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

Forging partnerships –– Guyana’s International Energy Conference

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

s, creating linkages WITH over 650 delegates attending virtually and physically, and over 150 business-

es, Guyana’s flagship 2022 International Energy Conference and Expo being held

at the Marriott Hotel puts the country at the centre of the global discourse on

energy, oil and gas and sustainable development (Delano Williams photos)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

Level playing field for returning Guyanese, residents - as opportunities in local economy start to increase

EVEN as the government seeks to extend the opportunities that exist locally to Guyanese in the diaspora, Foreign Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Robert Persaud, has assured locals that there will be a level playing field.

In his address to stakeholders at the International

Energy Conference and Expo, Persaud said that the government will continue to put measures in place to attract skilled and resourceful Guyanese to their homeland.

He acknowledged, however, that the government is aware of concerns among locals that Guyanese in the diaspora would get an unfair advantage over home-

based citizens.

In addressing this concern, the Foreign Secretary said that, even as the government goes about attracting Guyanese in the diaspora, it is doing this in a way that would not create an uneven playing field.

“There is always a feeling that, if we create incentives for members of the diaspora, some mem-

bers of our local community believe that will be a disadvantage to them, or that we are giving special privileges to members of the diaspora to have them return. But that is not true, whenever an investment regime we have is available, both local companies and Guyanese living abroad will benefit,” Persaud said.

He added that getting Guyanese in the diaspora to come home and contribute meaningfully to Guyana’s economy, and also benefit from the oil and gas opportunities, is a big part of the government’s agenda.

“Based on the available data, we know that we have more Guyanese outside of Guyana than in Guyana. We have this huge population out there that possess not only skills but resources. That is why, today, we have a dedicated allocation [in the national budget] to facilitate the work of diaspora engagement and involvement,” Persaud said.

He related that the focus is not only on attracting Guyanese who would’ve migrated, but there is also focus on the second and third generation of overseas-based Guyanese as well.

On that note, he pointed out that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation has been collaborating with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, on the creation

Foreign Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Robert Persaud of targetted programmes that particularly focus on attracting youths.

“We are developing, as it were, a youth volunteer programme, similar to the peace corps. We are trying to develop those to get that cohort of the diaspora back to give us their skills and time and getting them to be familiar and aware [of what is going on] so they too can come back. They will bring with them skills, new idealism, innovation and the different technology,” He said.

According to Persaud, the government has been studying the model utilised

by Ireland, to reach out to, and attract, its skillful citizens in the diaspora.

“At one time, Ireland became the destination of many headquarters for big companies because of the work of the Irish diaspora around the world. They relocated because of incentives. That is one of the plans we are working on to get the diaspora involved and to tap their skills,” he

related.

Guyana, unlike Ireland, would have to overcome an “alliance against development,” that is misrepresenting, misconstruing and mobilising persons against Guyana’s development.

Even with this challenge, Persaud said the government will continue to fight against such “negativity and pessimism” and work to encourage those persons in the diaspora to come back.

“We are putting emphasis on the diaspora because we see them as an important base, element, ingredient, and component in terms of moving the country forward; and not only in oil and gas.

We see oil and gas as a catalyst for the development of all sectors and country. We don’t want to limit those opportunities to oil and gas. We want them to come in fields of services, tourism and manufacturing as well,” Persaud said.

Miner dies in Region One mining-pit accident POLICE are investigating a mining-pit accident on Monday last at Highwood “backdam,” North West District (NWD), which resulted in the death of 58-year-old pork knocker Christopher Bumbury, the law-enforcement agency said on Wednesday last.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) said that Bumbury of Matthew’s Ridge, NWD, was reportedly killed when the southern wall of the dug-out mining pit, measuring about 15 feet in

width by 20 feet in length by 22 feet in depth, caved in.

“He and another workmate were at the time of the incident digging gravel at the bottom of the southern wall which collapsed, causing the victim to meet his demise.

As a result, his workmate Hilton Ward ran out of the pit and later returned with two other workmates, Paul Bumbury and Wilfred Bumbury, both of whom assisted in a search for the

victim,” the GPF noted.

The victim’s motionless body was found about 45 minutes after the cave-in.

There were reportedly no marks of violence seen on his body after examination by police.

An official declaration of death was made at the Port Kaituma District Hospital.

Bumbury’s body was placed in the hospital mortuary awaiting a post mortem as authorities continue to investigate.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

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Region Two to undergo massive development with $6.1B budget

THE recently approved $6.1 billion budget for Region Two will be used to execute development projects in critical sectors so as to improve the lives of residents, according to regional chairperson, Vilma De Silva.

While addressing councillors at the statutory meeting for February, she said the budget was increased by 14 per cent. In 2021, the budgetary allocation was $5,356,079,000 compared to the $6,101,643,000 approved in 2022.

Noting that this is the largest budget ever approved for the PomeroonSupenaam region, she assured that there will be transformational projects in 2022.

“The approval will pave way for massive development in all sectors in the region. I am excited about the budget and what it has for the people of Re-

gion Two,” De Silva said.

Some of the capital works that are slated to be done during this year are the rehabilitation of State House Annex, procurement of a motor grader and a front-end loader, construction of a reinforced concrete bridge at Onderneeming, upgrading of David James Street at Charity, upgrading of Damon Street at Dartmouth, upgrading of Second Cross Street, Anna Regina Housing Scheme, upgrading of Playground Street, Suddie Housing Scheme, extension of Johanna Cecilia Secondary School, the procurement of an ambulance and a portable ultrasound machine and the provision of an electrical upgrade at Suddie Public Hospital.

She told those gathered that there are more than 77 current projects, all of which are expected to improve the lives of Essequibians. She used

the opportunity to call on residents to be watchful when the projects are being executed and to be partners with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer, Susana Saywack, said that 17 projects fall under the Regional Tender Board.

Some of these projects include the construction of the tail wall at Little Alliance, construction of drainage structure at Dry Shore, construction of regulators at Annandale, Hampton Court and the construction of revetment at Taymonth Manor, Fairfield and La Union. Several access dams will be upgraded at Devonshire Castle and Queenstown.

There will also be an extension at Charity Nursery, Huist Direct and the construction of a walkway at Charity Dormitory.

A boathouse will be built at Supenaam for the

region’s water ambulance and a septic tank will be constructed at Aurora Secondary School. Additionally, several health centres, hostels and hospitals will benefit from maintenance works.

Saywack said that the region is progressing and with the 2022 budget residents can expect to experience positive changes within their communities.

Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva speaking at the RDC meeting

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

Minister Hall breaks silence (Jamaica Observer) EMBATTLED entertainer Minister Marion Hall (formerly Lady Saw) says she is not abandoning her ministry but transferring it from platforms Facebook and Instagram.

“I would never turn my back on God. I would never walk away from my calling so that the devil can rejoice. I’m just stepping away from Facebook and IG [Instagram] because they’re just polluted with the devil’s activity,” Minister Marion Hall told Jamaica Observer in an exclusive interview on the weekend.

“I have monetised my YouTube page and that’s where I’m going to be,” she continued.

According to the former top-tier dancehall deejay-turned-gospel artiste, the comments on Facebook and Instagram are oftentimes distracting and, at times, “toxic”.

“I believe those two platforms are where the devil resides... I will only accept prayers from people who love the Lord and know the Lord, and know this is God’s doing,” she said.

Last Tuesday Minister Hall sent social media in a frenzy when she announced on Instagram that she would be discontinuing her online ministry.

“To all Christians and non-Christians who’s been coming up against me and my ministry. Congratulations on your mission to take me down. You’ve successfully done so,” she wrote.

“I’ve decided to walk away from my calling, and will no longer be doing any preaching on any social media platform. May the Lord forgive me,” continued Hall, who recently has been dressing with more flair since her 2015 conversion to Christianity.

Her post came roughly

Minister Marion Hall

two weeks after a virtual war of words among Minister Hall and heirs apparent in the dancehall space Spice, Shenseea, Ishawna, and Jada Kingdom, following the former dancehall’s artiste’s claim that the females were “in a race to hell”.

In her ‘Sermon on Sunday’ on social media, Hall said she was recruiting females of dancehall for Christ, irrespective of the “fight” she was getting.

“They don’t have to strip themselves down...

They don’t have to do this. I never go through all of this. They’re going too far,” she told the Observer.

Minister Hall also used the opportunity to set the record straight about a media report that her house would be sold for no less than $60 million to recover $3 million in damages for a 68-year-old woman who was bitten by dogs in September 2020.

“Firstly, I was in the

United States for six months when the incident took place... I did not hire the lady,” said the Grammy-winning entertainer.

“Also, I have been trying to sell that house for some time... for years. It was previously listed by realtors for $75 million.

I well want it sold! You think I’m going to have a problem over a house? I say: ‘Sell it!’,” she added.

Hailing from Galina in St Mary, Minister Hall single-handedly came, saw and conquered the dancehall game before leaving it all behind to walk the straight and narrow.

Her career spanned more than 25 years. She is the first female deejay to be certified as a triple-platinum artiste and to win a coveted Grammy Award. That award came in 2004 for her song Underneath It All with American rock/ ska band No Doubt.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

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Oscars: Trio of female comics step up for hosting duties Regina Hall appeared in the Scary Movie film series from 2000-2006 (Photo taken from BBC, credited to Reuters) (BBC) – THIS year’s Oscars will be hosted by US comic actresses Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes, the Academy announced on Tuesday.

The trio of film star funny women will emcee the 94th Academy Awards at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre on 27 March.

For the past three years, the ceremony has had no official overall host.

“We want people to get ready to have a good time. It’s been a while,” said Hall, Schumer and Sykes in a statement published on the Oscars website.

Appearing on ‘Good Morning America’ just after the announcement, Primetime Emmy-winning comedian Schumer joked: “I’m not sure who thought this was a good idea but I am hosting the Oscars, along with my good friend (sic) Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall.

“I better go watch some movies.”

It has been 35 years since three presenters have shared hosting duties - Chevy Chase, Goldie Hawn and Paul Hogan combined forces in 1987 - and this year will mark the first time three women will have done so.

‘Fan Favourite’ Next month’s ceremony will also include a new “fan favourite” prize for the year’s most popular film, as voted for by the public via Twitter and the web.

The move, announced on Monday, comes as organisers try to lure viewers back to the awards s h o w. P r o d u c e r Wi l l Packer has been tasked with breathing fresh life into the annual event, that has seen audiences dwindle in recent years.

The new award will give fresh hope to films like ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ and ‘No Time To Die’, which both failed to earn Oscar nominations last week for best picture although they were recognised in several other categories including best visual effects.

The original idea to honour the most popular films was put on hold back in 2019. Now it’s been resurrected but the fan vote won’t come with its own Oscar; it will be a separate standalone prize.

People based in the US will be able to vote from now until March 3, via the official website, for an #OscarsFanFavorite, as well as for an #OscarsCheerMoment - another new award for “the most cheer-worthy movie ever”. Those outside the US will be able to tweet their choices.

American TV host Jimmy Kimmel was the last ceremony host back in 2018.

US comedian and actor Kevin Hart stepped down from hosting the 2019 Oscars following a controversy over homophobic tweets.

Since then, the show has just featured various awards presenters with no

Wanda Sykes stars in ‘The Upshaws’, and has also appeared on TV shows like ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ (Photo taken from BBC, credited to GETTY Images) overall host.

“This year’s show is all about uniting movie lovers,” said Packer. “It’s apropos that we’ve lined up three of the most dynamic, hilarious women with very different comedic styles.

“I know the fun Regina, Amy and Wanda will be having will translate to our audience as well.

Many surprises in store!

Expect the unexpected!”

Who are this year’s hosts?

Wanda Sykes is the creator and star of Netflix’s ‘The Upshaws’, and has also appeared on TV shows such as ‘The New Adventures of Old Christine’, ‘Black-ish’ and ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’.

On the long-running latter show, Sykes plays a version of herself and often runs into trouble with Larry David, while acting as a loyal friend of the protagonist’s ex-wife, Cheryl.

In 1999, she won a Primetime Emmy for outstanding writing for a variety, music or comedy special for her work on ‘The Chris Rock Show’.

In May 2009, she was the entertainer for the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, becoming both the first African American woman and the first openly LGBT person to do so.

Her movie credits include ‘Down to Earth’, ‘Rio’, and ‘Bad Moms’.

She also voiced the TURN TO PAGE 22

Amy Schumer won a Primetime Emmy award for her sketch show, Inside Amy Schumer (Photo taken from BBC, credited to STXFILMS)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

Baracara - A Maroon Village still standing

The Canje Pheasant (Carl Croker photos)

By Naomi Parris JOURNEY through the Canje River and you will stumble on Baracara, a historically-significant small community also known as ‘Wel te Vreeden’ or ‘New Ground Village’ which was founded as a Maroon community.

Our team journeyed to New Amsterdam, the municipal centre of the ancient county, Berbice. As we approached the Canje Bridge, one of two stretching across

the river its named after, the guide pointed us to a small street just before we reached the bridge.

We took the bait. The street led us to an area under the bridge where a speed boat captain was waiting to chaperone us through the river.

We embarked the boat and began our 140-miles journey through the river as the rain poured down on our exposed wooden vessel.

Unfazed by the drizzle, our spirits remained high.

The sun’s rays finally lounged from behind the clouds and we found ourselves gazing upon frightened flock of Canje Pheasants, one of Guyana’s national prides, startled by the aggressive noise of the diesel-powered boat engine.

The only other glimpse I’ve had of our national bird was in photos. To see its majestic wings as they span the foliage was an honour.

Its feathers are a reddish-brown, streaked with

Trio of female...

FROM PAGE 21 role of Granny in ‘Ice Age: Continental Drift’ in 2012 and returned to the role in 2016’s ‘Ice Age: Collision Course’.

Amy Schumer is a US stand-up comedian and actor, who broke through on the NBC reality competition series ‘Last Comic Standing’ in 2007.

From 2013 to 2016, she starred in her own Comedy Central sketch s h o w, ‘ I n s i d e A m y Schumer’, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award.

She made her big screen film debut in the 2015 movie ‘Trainwreck’, which she also wrote, receiving a Golden Globe nomination.

She also hosted the MTV Movie Awards the same year.

Her 2016 written memoir, ‘The Girl with

the Lower Back Tattoo’, was a best-seller; and the same year she won several Grammy Awards, including best comedy album for ‘Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo’.

In 2018, she starred in the comedy film ‘I Feel Pretty’, and also scored a Tony Award nomination for best actress in a play for her Broadway debut in ‘Meteor Shower’.

This year, as well as hosting the Oscars, Schumer - who recently appeared in Stephen Karam’s big screen adaptation of ‘The Humans’ - will star in the Hulu series ‘Life & Beth’.

Regina Hall is perhaps best-known for her role as Brenda Meeks in the ‘Scary Movie’ series from 2000 to 2006, and other films such as ‘The Best Man’, ‘Little’ and ‘The Hate U Give’.

She also starred in ‘Girls Trip’, which Packer produced, in 2017. The female-driven comedy, also starring Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah and Tiffany Haddish, went on to be a big box office hit.

Hall’s performance in the indie film ‘Support the Girls’, the following year, saw her become the first black woman to win the New York Film Critics Circle Award for best actress.

Last month, two of her new films, ‘Master’, and ‘Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul’, were featured at the Sundance Film Festival.

Her recent TV credits include Hulu’s ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ and ‘Black Monday’ on Showtime.

She also has award hosting experience, after taking the helm at 2019’s BET awards.

My colleague and I making our way to the speed boat green. Its belly was a pale brown. The feathers on its shoulder and sides are edged with creamy-white.

Its most majestic feature, however, are the crest of long feathers that sit on its head like a crown.

While the birds tried their best to stay hidden, I was able to capture a few moments of their leap and soar from the trees shading the river banks.

After what felt like three hours, we arrived at our destination, Baracara.

Marshall Thompson, the Chairman of the Community Development Council (CDC) at Baracara, greeted us as we disembarked.

We had a ‘gyaff’ with Marshall who shared a brief history of his home

village. Baracara is the only Maroon village in Guyana.

Sharing the stories told to him by his elders, he disclosed that in the early 19th century, a group of escaped enslaved Africans settled in Baracara, occupying both the east and west banks of the river.

The economy of the village is based on subsistence farming and logging. The village has a health centre and a primary school, but no secondary school. Most children leave the community for secondary school once they’ve completed their primary education.

Life in Baracara, Thompson said, is ‘quiet and simple’.

With a small population of just over 100 house-

Journeying to Baracara

holds, the residents of Baracara considered themselves to be one big family, supporting each other in their everyday joys and sorrows.

The people of Baracara live simple lives and still rely on the teachings and traditions passed down to them by their Maroon ancestors.

After a heart-warming conversation with Mr Thompson, it was time for me to depart and return to the life I left behind in the city.

But before I said my final goodbyes, I made sure to snag a few goodies, some freshly picked awara, which I must admit were sweeter than any I’ve ever had.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

Torres scores as Barca held by Napoli their group in the Champions League, were the better side after Torres'

Ferran Torres scored his second goal for Barcelona since joining from Manchester City at the start of January

(BBC) - Ferran Torres scored a penalty as Barcelona rescued a draw in their Europa League last-32 first-leg tie against Napoli at the Nou Camp.

Making their first appearance in this competition in almost 18 years, the Spanish giants fell behind in the first half when Piotr Zielinski drove in.

But Barcelona were awarded a penalty in the second half by VAR after Adama Traore's cross hit Juan Jesus' hand.

Torres stepped up to send goalkeeper Alex Meret the wrong way.

The goal will have

been of significant relief for the former Manchester City striker after he had missed a big chance when the game was goalless, firing over when well placed inside the box.

However, he also had a good opportunity to win the game for Barcelona late on, but again sent his shot over the bar.

Ex-Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a quiet game as he made his first start for Barcelona and his first competitive start since December 2.

Xavi's side, who are in the Europa League after failing to get out of

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday February 18, 2022)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Allan Rae (Delhi, 1948-49) (2) Hemu Adhikari-114* (Delhi, 1948-49) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which WI bowler claimed the first five-wicket haul in a Test against India?

(2) Which IND bowler bagged the first five-wicket haul in a Test against the West Indies?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

59th-minute equalizer, but could not find a winner despite their late pres-

sure, The two sides will meet again in Italy for

the second leg on Thursday, February 24.

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

Masi removed as F1 race director (BBC) - Michael Masi has been removed as F1 race director as part of a restructure at governing body the FIA in the wake of last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem announced a series of changes as a result of the inquiry into the controversial end to last year's World Championship.

Masi failed to correctly apply the rules in a late safety car period and had a direct

impact on the outcome of the title race.

Two men will now alternate in the role, while extra help will be provided to officials.

The new race directors will be Eduardo Freitas, who formerly performed the role in the World Endurance Championship, and Niels Wittich, who did so in the DTM German Touring Car Championship.

Freitas and Wittich will be assisted by F1 veteran

Herbie Blash, who was the deputy race director under former FIA F1 director Charlie Whiting.

Masi assumed the role of race director when Whiting died on the eve of the 2019 F1 season.

Masi will be "offered a new position within the FIA", Ben Sulayem said.

In addition, as part of a wider restructure of race control aimed at providing a calmer environment, direct radio communications

between the teams and the race director will no longer be allowed.

In Abu Dhabi, Masi came under pressure from both the Mercedes and Red Bull teams to make decisions in their favour. The huge controversy after the race arose from the fact that he seemed to follow Red Bull's suggestions, to the advantage of their driver Max Verstappen over Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.

After Masi failed to cor-

Masi assumed the role of race director when predecessor Charlie Whiting died on the eve of the 2019 F1 season

rectly apply the rules in two ways - over the management of lapped cars and the timing of the restart - Verstappen used his fresh tyres to overtake Hamilton on old ones and win his first world title.

Prior to that, Hamilton had dominated the race and was on course to win a record eighth championship.

What effect will this have on Hamilton?

Hamilton was left "disillusioned" with F1 as a result of events in Abu Dhabi, according to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, and lost faith in the FIA. It emerged in the new year that Hamilton would not commit to an F1 return this season until he had seen how the FIA planned to address the issue.

The 37-year-old is due to speak in public for the first time since Abu Dhabi at the Mercedes F1 car launch today.

The FIA's decisions not only amount to substantive action but are an effective admission that mistakes were made.

The mood music from Hamilton's direction in recent weeks has indicted a likely return - he emerged on social media earlier this month, and has featured in Mercedes videos and photographs on social media.

And it can now be taken as read that he will race again in F1 this season.

What other changes have been made?

Teams will still be allowed to put questions to race control, Ben Sulayem said, "according to well defined procedures".

These are expected to be addressed to a new layer of staff in race control, to keep

the direct pressure off the race director.

"I have a lot of respect for Michael for what he has done," said Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. "He had a difficult job, especially in Abu Dhabi.

"Whatever happened it was always going to be controversial. But the FIA has made a decision, has a lot more informatiom and I fully trust it is the right decision."

An FIA spokesman said the report into the failings at Abu Dhabi would be published at the season-opening race in Bahrain on March 19.

The FIA will add a remote race control that will operate in a similar way to the video assistant referee (VAR) in football.

Ben Sulayem said he had presented this plan to the teams at a meeting of the F1 Commission on Monday, although this is contradicted by insiders who said that only a vague outline was given there.

He added that it had been given the "full support" of the FIA World Council and Senate.

"With this plan, FIA opens the way for a new step forward in Formula 1 refereeing. Without the referees, there is no sport," he said.

"Respect and support of the referees is in the essence of the FIA. That is why these structural changes are crucial in a context of strong development and the legitimate expectations of drivers, teams, manufacturers, organisers, and of course, the fans.

"These changes will enable us to start the 2022 Formula 1 season in the best conditions, and our sport will be even more loved and respected."

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

Hurricanes blow away Harpy Eagles by innings and 57 runs on Day 3 … Joseph 5-for, Warde 78* star

By Clifton Ross AN amazing spell of fast bowling by Alzarri Joseph who snagged 5 wickets, helped complement a string of outstanding batting performances as Leeward Islands Hurricanes dismantled Guyana Harpy Eagles by an innings and 57 runs, wrapping up Round Two's clash in just 3 days.

Port-of-Spain was unkind to Guyana who never managed to recover after losing their way on Day 1 when they were rattled out for 116 in their first innings.

The Hurricanes batters were the complete opposite as they then provided the ideal impetus needed for a commanding victory, with 4 of their batters hitting scores of 70-plus, eventually declaring on 438-7 in reply to the Eagles.

The Eagles then returned for their 2nd innings with a massive 200-plus-run deficit facing them. Instead, Joseph kept his foot on the necks of the Guyanese batters, as his burst yielded match-winning figures of 5-94.

After some resistance, Guyana were knocked over for a second-innings score of 256 all out in 50.1 overs, with wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble's 58 off 70 (5x4, 2x6) and opener Chandrapaul Hemraj’s 50 off 48 being the only shining light for the Eagles.

Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie was among the stars, picking up wickets while almost seeing out Day 3 with a well constructed, unbeaten innings of 49 off 52 (6x4, 2x6).

He shared a 10th-wicket stand of 60 which frustrated Hurricanes, with speedster Niall Smith (17) but the pair were unable to keep the wheels from falling off.

Similar to the first innings, the Hurricane pacers made quick inroads with the new ball, with Joseph removing an out-of-sorts Tagenarine Chanderpaul,l (4) who failed to reach double digits in this match.

Hemraj, however, was the

Alzarri Joseph

complete opposite, shrugging off his first-innings woes to score a much-needed, ultra-aggressive fifty.

The West Indies lefthander stroked 11 fours and looked classy but had his timber rattled by a beauty from medium-pacer Jeremiah Louis (2-50).

Prior to his dismissal,

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Hemraj witnessed the demise of his partners, Shimron Hetmyer (5) out caught and skipper Leon Johnson, who was trapped lbw, both by Joseph who had a few key scalps during his opening spell.

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delivery from Louis for just 18 runs.

With the top-order back in the dugout, Bramble and Keemo Paul (28 off 29 balls), anchored things for a brief moment with an aggressive counter approach.

Paul spanked four crisp fours and smashed a six, striking at almost 100.00, but attempted too many big shots and eventually picked out Jahmar Hamilton, gifting his wicket to Archibald.

Bramble, like Hemraj earlier, began to lose partners when an incoming Clinton Pestano (22) and Veerasammy Permaul (3) were dismissed.

After taking Harpy Eagles’ score past the 200 mark, Bramble, who battled for his half-century, became the second catching-practice victim of Hamilton, who held on to an important chance which resulted in another wicket for Joseph.

When play resumed on the morning of Day 3, Hurricanes resumed with a lead of 250 with Ward finishing with his top-score of 78 not out (8x4, 1x6) and notching up his half-century after resuming on 48.

Warde joined openers Montcin Hodge (71) and Kieran Powell (74) along with middle-order batter Devon

Thomas (72) as the Hurricanes primary run-getters in the 1st innings.

After sharing a partnership of 30 with Rakeem Cornwall (15), Warde shared another solid fifty-stand, this time a 7-wicket stand of 66 with Colin Archibald Jr, who showed his class with the bat, smashing four big sixes and two fours in his cameo of 38 from 19.

Warde was denied the possibility of getting to a century when Gudakesh Motie (3-119) and pacer Niall Smith (3-100), removed his partners and Hurricanes announced their declaration.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

Lady Jags romp past Dominica 4-0

CONCACAF Women’s World Cup qualifiers kick-started Wednesday, and Guyana’s Lady Jags made a positive start with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Dominica at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.

Lady Jags, drawn in Group F, which also has Turks and Caicos, Nicaragua and Trinidad & Tobago, get out early.

Only the top team will progress to the next round.

Shanice Alfred was the first to rattle the back of the net with a shot from the left which beat the hands of the diving

custodian, Christina Sobers, in the 17th minute.

Nine minutes later, Annalisa Vincent, who hails from Moruca and was aggressive around the box, got a loose ball and powered it past the keeper’s left, after which Syndey Cummings got her name on the scoresheet in the 35th minute.

It was a mundane start with a constant flow from both sides of the pitch, and Jags again took their time hunting for more goals.

Brianne Desa ensured Guyana’s wait for another goal was not too long as she beat the outstretched custodian via a powerful left-foot shot from outside the box in the 63rd minute.

Justine Rodrigues, the night’s playmaker, could have gotten her first, with a shot just in front of the goal, but the keeper dropped the barrier just in the nick of time.

Lady Jags will now travel to Turks and Caicos for their next match tomorrow.

Red Force close out Volcanoes on Day 3

(CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago Red Force marched to their second win of the new Regional Four-Day Championship with a crushing innings and 43-run victory over Windward Islands Volcanoes.

Captain Imran Khan snatched four for 38 and fast bowler Anderson Phillip ended with three for 31 as Volcanoes, resuming their second innings on 32 for three, were dismissed for 186 late in the second session at the Brian Lara Stadium yesterday.

Wicketkeeper Denis Smith resisted with a top score of 65 while nightwatchman Sherman Lewis got 33, and number 10 Kenneth Dember, 25 not out, but Volcanoes’ batters failed to stand up for the second straight

day after being dismissed for 98 on Wednesday.

The victory for Red Force comes on the heels of their three-wicket victory over Jamaica Scorpions last week while Volcanoes slumped to their second loss following their defeat to Guyana Harpy Eagles in the first round.

Starting the morning still requiring a further 196 runs to avoid an innings defeat, Volcanoes continued to unravel, losing two quick wickets only to weaken their already slim chances.

Alick Athanaze, yet to score at the start, made only five, before becoming the day’s first victim, lbw to Phillip, missing a drive at a full-length delivery and in the very next over with one added to the total at 60 for five, Keron

Cottoy (0) played down the wrong line to off-spinner Brian Charles (2-55) and was also lbw.

Denis Smith then arrived to lead his side’s fightback, putting on 43 for the sixth wicket with Lewis, 26 for the seventh wicket with Ryan John (15) and 38 for the ninth wicket with Dember.

The right-hander punched half-dozen fours and faced 143 balls before he was ninth out with the score on 171, popping a catch to short leg off leg-spinner Imran Khan.

In the intervening period, Lewis faced 93 deliveries and struck six fours before missing a sweep at Khan and falling lbw, while John and Larry Edward (0) perished in the next two overs, also bowled by Khan.

Red Force captain and leg-spinner Imran Khan

Henry’s seven-for puts New Zealand in command

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Matt Henry recorded the joint-third-best figures by a New Zealand bowler with a career-best 7 for 23, including three wickets in the same over, to dismiss South Africa for their lowest total against New Zealand and lowest in 23 Tests.

On a seamer-friendly Christchurch surface, Henry made use of the movement and bounce and almost single-handedly bowled South Africa out for 95, their lowest total batting first since 1932.

In so doing, Henry registered the best bowling figures against South Africa since 1915. And if the historical data is not enough to underline New Zealand's dominance of the opening day, their top four wiped out the deficit inside 34 overs, and took the lead by the close of play.

The Test match got underway at midnight South African time and anyone who stayed up might have wondered if it was the team, and not they, who were sleep-deprived.

Not only did no-one score more than Zubayr Hamza's 25 but they also dropped four chances in the field in an underwhelming showing, especially coming off their series win against India.

South Africa are notorious, slow starters and were made to look even slower by a clinical and energetic New Zealand side.

Henry, who did not play in New Zealand's last five Tests and was a replacement for paternity leave absentee Trent Boult, set the tone when he nipped out three of the top four in the morning session. He returned after lunch to claim four more and leave South Africa shell-shocked.

His first incision was a big one, when he got rid of Dean Elgar in the 10th over of the

Matt Henry is applauded by his teammates as he walks off (Getty Images)

morning. The South African captain reached away from his body to drive an outswinger and got a thick edge to third slip.

Tim Southee, who had opened the bowling at the other end, took a diving catch to his left to dismiss Elgar for 1.

That left debutant Sarel Erwee, who was in because Keegan Petersen could not make the trip after contracting COVID-19, with Aiden Markram, the out-of-form opener now moved to No. 3. Erwee started well but grew more tentative and was eventually sent back when Kyle Jamieson, bowling first change, forced him to play at a short of a length delivery that he edged to Daryl Mitchell at first slip.

South Africa were 22 for 2 after 10 overs and New Zealand continued to pile on the pressure.

Only five runs were scored in the next six overs and Markram seemed particularly vulnerable. He survived a tight lbw shout but

soon enough, in trying to punch Henry off the back foot, he underestimated the movement on offer and was caught behind. Markram has not scored more than 16 runs in his last nine Test innings, dating back to June 2021.

Rassie van der Dussen was dismissed in the same over, squared up by a good length delivery that straightened on him and edged to third slip where Southee took another good catch.

At 37 for 4, South Africa would have been pleased that they included an extra specialist batter in their XI. Hamza made a comeback after last playing Test cricket two years ago and even looked convincing for a while, pulling and driving Southee, but then Henry had him prodding at a back of a length ball without moving his feet and was caught behind.

That was Henry's second session warmup wicket. His main act came two overs later when he struck Kyle Verreynne on the knee roll with a full ball and New Zealand

reviewed.

Hawkeye showed the ball would go on to hit leg stump and Henry had his first Test five-for. Four balls later, Henry had Kagiso Rabada caught behind. Debutant Glenton Stuurman went the same way. South Africa were 88 for 8 and then 88 for 9 with Henry on a hat-trick. He didn't get there and it was Wagner who ended the innings, with Duanne Olivier caught at second slip.

New Zealand began their reply positively but South Africa had an early opportunity to dent them when Stuurman, sharing the new ball in his first Test, induced a leading edge from Tom Latham but Marco Jansen, at gully, could not hold on.

Jansen made up for his mistake by dismissing Will Young in his first over and South Africa wrested back some control when Olivier bowled Latham with a scrambled seam delivery that hit the top of off stump.

But then they let another chance go a-begging when Hamza dropped Henry Nicholls at third slip. The day kept drifting away from South Africa, a feeling amplified by Temba Bavuma shelling another chance when Nicholls cut Rabada to him at point.

Nicholls and Devon Conway put on a stand of 75 and took New Zealand into the lead but Olivier separated them when he bowled Conway off the inside-edge. That could have given South Africa some cheer at the end of a long day but van der Dussen dropped a late chance when nightwatchman Neil Wagner turned an Oliver delivery to him at short leg.

Van der Dussen was not anticipating the chance and had to react quickly, but the ball hit him on the body and fell to the floor. A metaphor for South Africa's day!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

BCB lauds Patron Vickram Bharrat … hails him as a positive role model, leader

PRESIDENT of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Hilbert Foster has hailed Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, as an outstanding patron of the board.

The BCB president stated that he and his executives have made hundreds of decisions for the board over the last four years but the appointment of Minister Bharrat was perhaps the best ever.

The BCB in early October 2020 had visited the minister and had offered him the position to become the first-ever Honorary Patron and he readily agreed.

He was officially sworn

in on November 7 and immediately established the Patron Fund with a $1M contribution which was used to provide cricket balls to all the clubs in the county.

Several youths also received a combined $200 000 worth of cricket gear. In 2021, the Patron committed $2.5M to the Fund which was used to provide white balls to first division clubs along with some catching cribs.

He recommended the hosting of special social development seminars for youth players and the fund assisted to organise four sessions which attracted a total of over 150 Under-19 players.

The fund also assisted

Rawle Toney 3X3 shifts to Burnham Basketball Court

THE recently refurbished Burnham Basketball Court will play host to this weekend’s (February 19-20) Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic.

Toney explained that the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport moved its Mashramani Panorama Steel Pan competition from the National Cultural Centre to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, forcing him to relocate to the spruced-up outdoor facility.

He added that while the Panorama event will be held only on Sunday, “logistically, it would cost me more to host the event at two venues. So now both days of the tournament will be held at Burnham Court. It means that I will have to add a temporary washroom and changing area at Burnham Court”.

“Ideally, 3X3 is meant to be played outdoors. The Sports Hall was chosen because of the amenities that we lack at our outdoor basketball facilities. Also, taking the level of investment to bring a premium basketball event to Guyana, the Sports Hall eliminates the issue of being affected by the weather,” Toney explained.

Thanks to Ansa McAl and the Hennessy brand, Burnham Basketball Court was given a complete upgrade in keeping with the renowned Cognac’s global community basketball programme.

Burnham Court is seen as the ‘cornerstone’ of Guyana’s basketball for the past 65 years.

Hennessy’s impeccable worldwide reputation was mirrored in the works of the court with the installation of new lights, officials’ tables, brand new players’ areas, bleachers and of course a newly redone, designed-painted court.

The 16-team tournament will see some of Guyana and the Caribbean’s best players, vying for the tournament’s first-place prize of $500 000 and four championship commemorative gold rings.

Mackeson, Guyana Lottery Company and Hennessy, FireSide Grill, Bush Cook, Stuff, MVP Sports, FK Sports, Shi Oil, Brother’s Security, The Muse Bar, Pressy’s Gift Shop and 94.1FM are some of the other sponsors.

Jump-ball time is 18:00hrs daily.

50 youths with an educational grant to assist them in their pursuit of an educational career. The Patron, the BCB noted, also attended the opening ceremony of the Social Skills seminar and was heavily involved in the programme. The BCB Patron has also met the executives of the board on numerous occasions at very short notice and has pledged to make the proposed Professional League a success later in the year.

He also played a major role in the recent visit of the legendary Sir Curtly Ambrose for a fast-bowling clinic and has assisted junior cricketers, including West Indies junior player Ramp-

ertab Ramnauth, with their own gear.

The BCB would like to publicly express its thanks to Minister Bharrat for his passion, dedication and hard work as Patron.

The board also expressed confidence that Berbice cricket under his patronage would continue to grow and most importantly would make sure that every youth is given the opportunity to fulfil his/her potential on and off the cricket field.

The board would also like to express thanks to the Government of Guyana for its cooperation with special mention being made of President Irfaan Ali and Ministers

Minister Vickram Bharrat

Charles Ramson, Zulfikar Mustapha, Nigel Dharamlall, Colin Croal, Susan Rodrigues and Attorney-General Anil Nandlall.

President Ali, during a recent courtesy call with Sir Curtly Ambrose, had committed to assisting the BCB with a modern grass-cutter.

BCB/Jaferally/WBCA 20/20 Tournament …

D’Edward CC defeat Cotton Tree to lift trophy … MP assists BCB to obtain three more sponsorships for West Berbice D’EDWARD Cricket Club last Sunday defeated archrivals Cotton Tree CC by 12 runs to lift the Berbice Cricket Board/WBCA/Jaferally 20/20 trophy.

Playing under very strict COVID-19 guidelines at the Cotton Tree ground, the powerful visiting team maintained their winning streak against their neighbours.

The tournament was sponsored by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament (MP) Faizal Jaferally, who described it as a remarkable success.

The popular politician renewed his sponsorship for this year and also announced to loud applause a 50% increase.

Batting first after being sent in, D’Edward rattled up an imposing 193-8 from their allotted 20 overs. The game was delayed for 30 minutes due to overnight rain.

The sponsor and West Berbice Cricket Board president, David Black, met the two teams before the start of play.

Altaf Khan top-scored with an even 50 and received support from Devindra Lalsa, 26, and Kevin Jawahir, 25. Bowling for the home team, Abdul Subhan and Narsad Gaffoor took two wickets each for 33 from four overs, while Roshan Gaffoor, Waqar Hassan and Pooran Persaud each took a wicket.

Needing to score 194 from 20 overs to lift the trophy, the home team disappointed their fans by falling 12 runs short despite a top score of 82 not out from former Berbice youth player, Nick

The winning team pose with BCB president Hilbert Foster and sponsor MP Faizal Jafferally

Faizal Jafferally hands over winning trophy and gear to Jaipaul Heeralall of the D’Edward CC

Ramsaroop, who blasted three sixes and six boundaries.

Abdul Subhan, 31, and Roshan Gafoor, 28, were the other main scorers as Cotton Tree ended on 181 for 4.

Akash Herilall took 2 wickets for 11 runs from four miserly overs to claim the Man-of-the-Final prize while Kevin Jawahir and Ricky Moore took a wicket apiece for 26 and 28 respectively.

BCB president Hilbert Foster stated that the sub-association can expect at least five more tournaments in 2022 and hailed the support of MP Jafferally, whom he described as a true friend of Berbice Cricket.

He congratulated the winners while urging the runners-up to work harder.

MP Jaferally noted that he was very proud of the way the game is being run in the county and pledged his support as

long as Foster remains at the helm of the game in the Ancient County.

He also announced that he was able to obtain three additional sponsorships for cricket in the area at the Under-15, Under-23 and Senior levels.

These tournaments would be launched shortly.

BCB, over the last few months, has assisted clubs with cricket balls, catching cribs, grass-cutters, youth information booklets, coaching manuals, bicycles, educational materials, scorebooks among other items.

The sub-association also benefited from a $324 000 pitch cover.

The covers played a major role in allowing the game to be played despite heavy overnight rain.

The winning team carried home $60 000 and a bag of cricket gear.

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 18, 2022

Hurricanes blow away Harpy Eagles by innings and 57 runs on Day 3

PAGE

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… Joseph 5-for, Warde 78* star Alzarri Joseph

Rawle Toney 3X3 shifts to Burnham Basketball Court Goalscorers Brianne Desa, Sydney Cummings, Annalisa Vincent and Shanice Alfred

Lady Jags romp past Dominica 30 4-0

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The recently refurbished Burnham basketball court

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022