Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 18-12-2021

SATURDAY 18th DECEMBER, 2021

No. 106579

New NRF Bill dismantles APNU+AFC’s architecture for ministerial involvement, interference; strengthens transparency and oversight

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More than 1000 jobs to be created

- as works on Berbice Deepwater Port move apace; bridge linking access road to site commissioned SEE PAGE

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President Dr Irfaan Ali speaks with his son on his arm at the opening of the Christmas Village on Main Street, Georgetown, on Friday; the village is lined with booths exhibiting local products. The launch featured performances by local artistes (Delano Williams photo)

Investor plans to $1.58B in contracts Modern, 11-storey police 40 housing units in station to replace burnt-out Linden to be completed construct US$4.9M terminated in 2020

by February, 2022 multi-purpose fuel facility for poor performance Brickdam structure SEE PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, 2021

Hundreds of hampers distributed to flood-affected Pomeroon residents

Prime Minister, Mark Phillips, distributing a hamper on Friday (Office of the Prime Minister photo) PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips, on Friday, ensured that hun-

dreds of residents affected by floodwaters in Pomeroon were given food and

sanitation hampers.

Prime Minister Phillips, who has responsibility for the

Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and is the Chairman of the National Task Force on flooding, visited a number of communities to assess the scope of flooding.

At Charity, Prime Minister Phillips presented representatives of the Nile/Cozier Neighbourhood Democratic

Council and Jacklow with 250 hampers each.

He also held meetings with residents from Karawab, St Monica, Kabakaburi, Abram’s Creek, Marlborough and Hackney.

The Prime Minister told the residents that while the water that accumulated on the land due to recent rainfall seems to be receding in other parts of the country, it continues to rise in the Pomeroon.

As a result, he assured them of short-term relief.

HIGHER GROUND He said that while Cabinet will consider other forms of intervention such as the dredging of the river, residents should be prepared to eventually move their homes and farming activities to higher ground.

“We know your crops may be affected, and therefore the issue of food and food security will arise...the reality is that you are blessed here with higher ground, and we have to consider moving to higher ground”.

The senior government official also encouraged the residents not to give up on farming despite the challenging circumstances.

“The Pomeroon as a

farming community is an important area to Guyana, especially at a time when the government is taking a lead in the region on agriculture.

Your produce is important not only to the country, but to the Region also.”

RESTARTING Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable Zulfikar Mustapha, who accompanied the Prime Minister, said that the Government will provide seedlings and other planting material so that farmers could return to their trade after the water recedes. He added that the administration is also working on enhancing infrastructure through a block drainage mechanism. He said that two excavators have already been procured for the Pomeroon and will be deployed to the riverine community after the completion of a pontoon that will allow the machines to do their work.

The minister, who committed the resources of his Ministry, including technical officers to assist farmers, also emphasised the practice of climate-smart agriculture. (Office of the Prime Minister)

$60M for community projects at Port Mourant, Chesney

PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that $30 million each has been set aside for community projects at Port Mourant and Chesney, Corentyne, Region Six, during separate meetings with residents of the two communities on Friday.

The President told the residents that the aim of the meeting was to listen to their concerns and to find solutions for them.

The President was accompanied by Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh and MinPresident Ali shares a light moment with a Port ister within the Ministry Mourant resident (Office of the President photo) of Public Works, Deodat Indar. also present, along with and the Guyana Lands Regional Chairman representatives from the and Surveys CommisMr David Armogan was Ministry of Agriculture sion.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, 2021

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More than 1000 jobs to be created - as works on Berbice Deepwater Port move apace, bridge linking access road to site commissioned

By Nafeeza Yahya WITH the ongoing construction of the Berbice Deep Water Port, at the mouth of the Berbice River by CGX Energy Inc and its subsidiary, Grand Canal Industrial Estates Inc, President Dr Irfaan Ali, on Friday, commissioned the bridge linking the access road to the site.

The bridge is located at Seawell Village, East Berbice, Region Six. The pre-stressed reinforced concrete bridge and access road which costs approximately US$1M is a small step in the first phase of the port with a budget of US$80M. The overall construction will see an investment of more than US$200M being injected into the project.

“The bridge is not crossing a major waterway but it is significant, it is a major step towards the development of the deepwater port here in Berbice. And that port will play an important role in Guyana’s oil and gas industry as well as the product exportation,” Canadian Ambassador to Guyana, Mark Berman, said.

Following the ribboncutting ceremony, the President, Dr Irfaan Ali; Senior Minister within the Office of The President with Responsibil-

President Dr Irfaan Ali, government officials and representatives of CGX assist the process in the cutting of the ceremonial ribbon to commission the bridge the latest installment in the resents a tangible and de- ment that is being realised transport logistics which ulunfolding of a vision for monstrable step towards by a vision for Region Six timately would bring direct Berbice and a vision for Berbice, Regions Five and a vision for Guyana.” benefit to the consumer.”

Guyana, the foundation and Six playing an active, DIRECT BENEFIT The government, he of which were being laid meaningful and compelling Meanwhile, President said, is committed to supseveral years prior to today. role in Guyana’s oil and Ali stated that apart from porting and creating an Construction of the port gas industry. This port will the job opportunities, the environment that will fawill see no less than 1,000 service the operators in the investment will see concilitate growth and develjobs created. We are as- Corentyne Block and per- sumers benefitting directopment of Guyana. sured by the company that haps operators elsewhere ly from reduced logistics “So if we have a deepin operation, the port will and ultimately service in- costs. water harbour in Region create no less than 350 jobs dustries beyond the oil and “Not only is this an inSix that is linked to Suri-- that again will be taken gas sector. This represents frastructural investment at name and linked to other up by sons and daughters a direct investment of more the highest scale of service opportunities, the infraof Region Six. We want this than US$200M in Region delivery but importantly structure must be in place to happen and we want this Six and so it represents a this investment here can see to take of this. We must to happen in a hurry,” the very significant investment containerised traffic, direct have wider roads, we must minister said. that did not happen by ac- export of grains, immedihave better highways and He added: “This rep- cident, but rather an invest- ately reduces the cost of what most people do not understand is that Region Six has the important catalytical push to bring what we call trans-border development.”

CGX Chairman, Suresh Narine, said the project is on budget and schedule with the first phase on track for completion by October 2022.

“We expect to have the oil and gas supply base ready between August to October 2022 and fully operational. We are on schedule and on budget.

We will have the rest of the facility built to handle agriculture import and export -- that will be ready in 2023. This part of the facility will be for the total expenditure of US$80M and then we have earmarked another 30 acres for development following that,” he said.

A section of the Berbice Deepwater Port

ity for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh; Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar; the Canadian ambassador, other government officials and members of the private sector toured the site where the wharf is under construction.

During the construction stage, the project is expected to provide employment for more than a 1,000 persons said Minister Singh, who reiterated that it was initiated several years ago and its completion will bring tremendous benefit to Guyana.

UNFOLDING VISION “This bridge represents

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, 2021

New NRF Bill dismantles APNU+AFC’s architecture for ministerial involvement, interference

THE Ministry of Finance has taken note of recent pronouncements made, particularly in a page 1 comment as well as an article carried in the December 17, 2021 edition of Stabroek News, both of which can only be described misguided and disingenuous.

The comment and article astonishingly express concern about the fact that the government will be able to choose all of the members of the Board of Directors of the Natural Resource Fund. In doing so, the article conveniently chooses to ignore the fact that the previous NRF Act, which was rammed down the throats of the Guyanese people by the APNU+AFC dictatorship after they had already lost the

no-confidence motion, did not even make provision for a Board of Directors. Instead, in the absence of any provision for a Board of Directors, the APNU+AFC model for the NRF was a one-man autocratic show comprising the Minister of Finance as the sole and all-powerful authority, exercising full and absolute control over the fund.

Under the APNU+AFC model, the minister had exclusive power for the overall management of the fund, including preparation and approval of its Investment Mandate, preparation of the operational agreement with the Bank of Guyana, as well as determination of the economically sustainable amount and the fiscally sus-

- bill strengthens transparency and oversight

tainable amount that can be withdrawn from the fund.

Bizarrely, the authors of the SN page 1 comment and article do not appear to have any difficulties with this ministerial autocracy that was established by the APNU+AFC under their NRF model, but they astonishingly have a difficulty with the PPP/C model that removes the Minister of Finance from that one-man show and introduces a board that includes private sector representation as well as a nominee of the National Assembly.

In like manner, the comment also insinuates negativity around the withdrawal rule proposed by the PPP/C’s Bill, without taking account of the ironic fact that, at least under the PPP/C withdrawal rule the author of the SN article is able to calculate how much will be transferred, whereas under the APNU+AFC withdrawal rule the world is in the dark as to exactly how much will be withdrawn. Indeed, until the APNU+AFC minister decides in his sole judgement what the economically and fiscally sustainable amount will be, the entire world will be kept guessing as to what the amount to be withdrawn

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in any year will be.

The ministry hereby emphasise that one of the major differences between the NRF Act 2019 and NRF Bill 2021 is that government, by removing the excessive powers of the minister in the new bill presented, allows for management of the fund by the Board of Directors, a board which will be responsible for reviewing and approving the policies of the fund and monitoring its performance, thereby completely separating the management of the fund from the minister responsible for finance. In the NRF Act 2019 these functions were the responsibility of the Finance Minister.

PRESUMPTUOUSLY The ministry therefore fails to see how Stabroek News could presumptuously conclude that the key policy matters would be exclusively in the purview of the PPP/C administration.

In addition, the directors of the board as stipulated under Part III of the proposed Bill (Governance and Management of the Fund) “shall be selected from among persons who have wide experience and ability in legal, TURN TO PAGE 5

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, 2021

Port Mourant Training Centre to become National Oil and Gas Institute

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali, has revealed that the Port Mourant Training Centre would be transformed into the country’s National Oil and Gas Institute.

The Head of State made the announcement while delivering remarks after his site visit to the Berbice Deepwater Port, which is being constructed by Canadian company, CGX Energy Inc, through its subsidiary, Grand Canal Industrial Estates Inc (GCIE).

He reminisced on the quality of the craftsmen

that the centre has produced throughout the years, many of whom excelled outside of Guyana.

With its drive for excellence, he indicated that it would be the perfect location to have the transformation area of study.

Government’s plan to invest heavily in the education sector was repeated by the President, who said that the platform and infrastructure will be created to ensure that teachers and nurses can pursue their post-graduate studies remotely in the region via distance and online

education.

“Young teachers, you can become a trained teacher from right here in Berbice.

That is the investment platform we are building.”

SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES President Ali said that high on the agenda of his government is to transparently design Guyana’s future so that it will deliver prosperity for the next generation while ensuring that the framework is created so that the current generation can enjoy the benefits of Guyana’s economic potential and continuous

growth.

“The objective of the plan for this region and a national strategy is to build sustainable communities.”

He pointed out that sustainable communities are built on many different attributes, including sustainable jobs, social services that are second to none, education, health, infrastructure, water, electricity, economic empowerment and opportunities.

Adding to that, there is also a need to reduce the disparity between the rich and the ‘not so rich’ and between TURN TO PAGE 8

President Dr Irfaan Ali

New NRF Bill dismantles APNU+AFC’s architecture...

FROM PAGE 4 financial business or administrative matters, one of whom shall be nominated by the National Assembly and one of whom shall be a representative of the private sector”. The Ministry of Finance is baffled as to why the newspaper would conclude once more that the government chooses all members of the NRF Board and worse yet, how does the media house conclude that matters would be “exclusively in the purview of the PPP/C administration and its allies in the private sector and elsewhere”.

Another erroneous statement made by the Stabroek News in its report is that “The Board of Directors would replace the 22-member Committee in the APNU+AFC version of the NRF which was assented to by former President David Granger”.

In actuality, the 22-member Public Accountability and Oversight Committee has been replaced by a nine-member committee

which will include as stipulated in the NRF Bill 2021, and which will include a nominee of the National Assembly; three representatives of the religious community; two representatives of the private sector; two representatives of organised labour; and one representative of the professions. The proposed nine-member composition of this committee is more practical, realistic, administratively more efficient, and would provide non-governmental oversight of the fund. In comparison, the APNU+AFC 22-member committee was designed to be cumbersome and non-functional.

GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY The NRF Bill 2021 will allow for greater accountability and transparency in the management of Guyana’s oil resources, as amendments in the proposed legislation state that the minister could face up to 10 years’ imprisonment if he

fails to disclose the receipt of any petroleum revenue received by Government in the Official Gazette within three months of receipt of such monies. This would avoid situations like in the past where a US$18 million Signing Bonus was illegally diverted out of the Consolidated Fund.

The spirit and letter of NRF Bill 2021 promotes prudent management of our natural resource wealth for the benefit of both present and future generations. The proposed bill sets ceilings on withdrawals from the fund in every year except the first, specifically to secure savings for the future.

However, the immediate need for sound and transformative investments in order to advantageously position our economy to ensure that the benefits from the oil and

gas sector redounds towards the wider economy and all Guyanese. The solitary exception of the first year of the life of the fund takes into account the pressing development needs which must be financed, and instead of turning to the more costly option of borrowing from creditors, we can utilise our own resources for the betterment of our people.

Additionally, the mechanism to withdraw funds outlined in the NRF Bill 2021 removes the complexities and hinderances to achieving the fund’s objectives by providing a simpler, more transparent formula for calculating the ceiling on annual withdrawals. Recall that the NRF Act 2019 was the subject of criticism from many subject matter experts, including the

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in its publication entitled “Economic Institutions for a Resilient Caribbean” which includes a detailed assessment of Guyana’s NRF (pages 271). Amongst the observations made by

that assessment were that “The formula for the maximum permissible withdrawal is among the most complex operational rules for a resource fund in the world. Its design departs from good practices”. (p.

271) (Ministry of Finance)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, 2021

Historic Bills

TWO important bills were tabled in the National Assembly on Thursday last.

The two bills are the New Natural Resource Fund Bill and the Local Content Bill which, when taken together, will, in addition to greater transparency and accountability, allow for Guyanese to get a bigger share of the proceeds from the oil and gas sector.

In the case of the new NRF legislation, the bill seeks to ensure that revenues earned from the petroleum industry could only be used to finance national development projects and/or respond to natural disasters. It will be recalled that the NRF Act was hastily put together by the previous APNU+AFC administration even though its mandate in government was expired following its defeat in a no-confidence vote in December 2018. The newly proposed law is an attempt by the PPP/C administration to correct a number of deficiencies from the current legislation which, among other deficiencies, gave too much power to the Minister

of Finance, who is given the final say on how the oil revenues are to be spent and the amount of money that could be withdrawn.

The proposed legislation, except in the case of emergencies, have specific ceilings and can only be withdrawn from the Fund unless there is parliamentary approval. The legislation when becomes operational will enable the government to make a 100 per cent withdrawal from the Fund which now stands at US$534 million. All other withdrawals will be progressively capped reaching a minimum withdrawal of three per cent of any amounts in excess of $2.5 billion.

There is no question that the current legislation has a number of loopholes which stands in the way of full accountability and transparency. This observation was made by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) which said that the design of the 2019 NRF Act departs from good practices and that its complexity may conspire against fiscal transparency

and public understanding.

The current PPP/C administration, on taking office in August last year, made a commitment to correct the deficiencies of the NRF Act as a prior condition for any withdrawal from the Fund.

This commitment was fully honoured and no such withdrawals were made. Moreover, in keeping with the norms of financial accountability and transparency, the bill makes it mandatory for all withdrawals from the Fund to be first be deposited in the country’s Consolidated Fund out of which spending can take place and such spending must be part of the country’s annual budget estimates.

These are indeed forward looking measures on the part of the PPP/C administration.

In the case of the Local Content Bill, one key element is the establishment of a Local Content Secretariat which shall consist of a Director and other members appointed by the Minister of Natural Resources.

The functions of the Secretariat will be to develop

and maintain mechanisms for effective implementation of local content by contractors, sub-contractors and licencees; develop and implement strategies that will give preference or ensure equal treatment of Guyanese nationals and companies, conduct market analysis and make recommendations to the minister.

The functions of the Secretariat are wide-ranging but with one objective in mind, namely that locals are given a fair chance to benefit from our petroleum resources.

There is a fair measure of anxiety if not skepticism that foreign companies with greater access to technology and capacity could benefit disproportionately from the opportunities generated by the petroleum industry. And while there could be some basis for such apprehensions, it is precisely for that reason the PPP/C administration has brought to the National Assembly the Local Content Bill which, when signed into law by President Ali, would seek to level the playing field, and wherever applica-

ble, give local suppliers of goods and services a competitive advantage.

For example, the bill stipulates that 75 per cent of oil companies’ food must be procured from local suppliers. This will be a great boost to members of the farming community. Guyana with its rich agricultural land and resourceful farmers has the potential to meet almost the entire food needs of the country and for that matter the region as a whole.

The bill listed 40 services that oil companies and subcontractors must procure from Guyanese companies and nationals by the end of 2022. Among these are office space rental, janitorial services, laundry and catering services.

These bills are still to be debated in the National Assembly but their anticipated passage will create new opportunities for local suppliers to cash in on oil revenues in ways not otherwise possible. The benefits of the two pieces of legislation are that it will allow for more money to circulate in the local econ-

omy which, in turn, will have an accelerator effect on the economy as a whole.

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has repeatedly stressed the importance for local content in all investments in the country. ‘The type of investment we want must include locals, it must have a local content component. We encouraged them to partner with local businesses... because what we have seen from the interest in Guyana, if they get the opportunity, they would suck up the market overnight,’ the President cautioned.

It is exactly that concern of the President and other members of the local business community that the Local Content Bill is intended to safeguard against. In that regard, it has a nationalistic flavour which puts the interests of Guyanese ahead of other investors.

Given the historic and fundamental nature of the two bills, one can only hope that it will get easy passage in the National Assembly when it comes up for debate.

Creating a safer environment for all

Dear Editor,

DESPITE its prevalence, our culture is one that continues to misunderstand what constitutes child sexual abuse. This is in part due to many elements of it being rationalised and deemed as normal or cultural as is seen in the arguments for child marriages and adult relationships with teenagers. Unfortunately, these beliefs persist as we continue to live in a culture where abusers are frequently protected while those who survive them are

blamed.

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) occurs when an adult or someone older than the child engages in sexual activity with a child younger than 18 years old. If the child is the same age or very near in age, a grey area develops as this is often innocent exploration rather than abuse.

CSA however, can take several forms and is often grouped into touching and non-touching abuse. Touching includes physical contact with a child’s genitals, making the child touch someone else’s genitals, playing

sexual games and/or placing body parts onto or into the child. Non-touching abuse often includes things such as showing pornography to a child; exposing a child to someone’s genitals and/or watching a child undress or use the bathroom. One of the main things to keep in mind about sexual abuse is that literally anyone can be an abuser, regardless of the way they act, look or the societal respect they might have.

While sexual abuse occurs in every space and at every age, children between the ages of seven and 13 are the ones

who are most vulnerable to being abused.

Child sexual abuse is a bit different than adult sexual abuse, as force is rarely the major element. Rather, abusers would seek to manipulate the child in an effort to lower their defences and isolate them from those who can effectively support them.

Abusers are often known and trusted caregivers, with incest/interfamilial abuse accounting for one third of all sexual abuse cases. Another way in which CSA is often different from that of adult SA is the frequency with

which it can often occur as sexual abuse of children often occurs over a long period of time. The process of grooming contributes towards the building of trust between the abuser and the child, often making it difficult for children to recognise what is happening.

These negative experiences can have long-term impacts on the physical and mental wellbeing of children and can result in them being at increased risk of suicide, substance abuse, depression and post traumatic stress disorder and other chronic

health conditions. This impacts their sense of self, security and wellbeing.

Becoming more aware about the various types of CSA, strategies of abusers and those who are most vulnerable can aid significantly in protecting children from violence and creating a safer environment for all.

Akola Thompson Blue Umbrella Consultant, ChildLinK To report or seek counselling, please call 914/2270979/227-2023/233-3500

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, 2021

Appreciative of salary increase, getting vaccinated

Dear Editor,

WHILE the rules of engagement on the determination of salary increases for 2021 may not have been followed to the script, it is without a doubt that many public servants appreciate the receipt of the seven per cent salary increase, retroactive to the beginning of the year. Naturally, the representative unions were up in arms demanding to be heard at the negotiation table. A cogent response was received, identifying a number of issues influencing the final decision.

While throwing a big hint that public servants need to seriously consider their choice of representatives, either within, or the union itself, the truncated rationale was public servants were encouraged to reflect on the vested interests of their union representatives, trenchant biases which did not serve public servants well whenever the

current opposition happened to be in government.

This is not to say that matters represented by the unions are insubstantial they are not. However, public servants can attest with their hard experience the truth behind the proffered observations. Few public servants can dispute their lack of confidence in their union representatives, not to mention the highly questionable internal political machinery of at least one union which has seen a union president in office way past their ability to further develop, much less oversee the development of the union itself.

Without much of a second thought, many public servants would concede that their union leaders, their unions, have failed them for far too long. They should seriously consider mechanisms to stop the deduction of union dues from their salaries if they are so disposed, in addition to

seriously canvassing within their ranks for leaders for another union.

COVID-19 has extracted tremendous costs the world over, with Guyana not being spared the brunt of its effects. It has been severe on small businesses, their employees, vendors and other individuals not in stable jobs. An accompanying tragedy has been the explosion of social media, which has been the source of much misinformation on COVID-19 spread by persons and organisations with diverse agendas. Guyanese should, by now, recognise that the longer COVID-19 remains a social problem, the longer it will take for the general population to return to normal and start spending as it normally would. This is not to mention children to normal school life. Omricon, the most recent variant, appears to spread more rapidly, though its effects appear significantly muted compared with the experience of

Delta, etc.

There is no question that more than a few concerns surround these vaccines (immunity, for example, and generally accepted times for adequate testing). However, the world is not being given the option to wait another 12 or however many years it takes to fully test and approve vaccines for COVID-19. In this regard, the frontiers of medicine, research and technology have, and are being fully exploited to produce and improve vaccines in accordance with stringent guidelines of host economies to mitigate as much as possible against any negative effects of at least those vaccines available from Western countries.

The results of the ability of these vaccines to mitigate against the worst effects of COVID-19 have been well documented in the public domain.

Guyanese are therefore encouraged to learn as much as possible from

official sources and make an informed decision on adopting to become vaccinated. An unvaccinated person becomes an unwitting host to COVID-19.

More vaccinated persons reduce the rate of severity of ill-health from being exposed to COVID-19, as well as the mortality associated with COVID-19.

Most importantly however, is that becoming vaccinated increases the stability of the population and nudges the country as a whole back to normalcy where consumers feel more encouraged and freer to spend and get money circulating back in the economy again. Unvaccinated Guyanese are therefore strongly urged to consider their personal wellbeing, that of their at-risk families and friends, of the economy, the population as a whole, and more actively explore becoming vaccinated.

Unvaccinated persons are strongly encouraged to continue to wear masks

to protect themselves and those vulnerable at home.

Consideration could be extended to retaining commercial air travel to benefit as much as possible from visiting Guyanese, etc., subject to incoming passengers being required to produce proof of vaccination. Some consideration could also be extended to relaxing the mask mandate for vaccinated persons within defined groups, while a relaxation of the curfew would significantly go hand-inhand with greater vaccine drives, such as creating vaccine sites in densely trafficked public areas such as Stabroek Market, aimed at making vaccines more accessible to the unvaccinated, inclusive of those too busy to consider taking time off to get vaccinated.

Yours faithfully, Craig Sylvester

Suicide has been studied to death, time for action

Dear Editor,

THE contents of a recent article in the media by Dr. Tara Singh “Given their first-hand knowledge students could play a vital role in suicide prevention”, is head scratching and puzzling. The ‘findings’ not only provide a skewed perception of the reality but serve no purpose as they relate to suicide prevention. And the conclusion in the title is an enigma, given not only those teenagers are part of the age group with the highest rate in Guyana, but also that self-harm, especially cutting is on the rise as are alcohol use, bullying, sexual coercion, teenage pregnancy, stress, lack of coping skills, violence and other issues that impact suicide.

The fact is that students need help, not a role that will exacerbate their men-

tal health. All the valid literature talks about both the problems and the need for help and in the context of Guyana even basic measures such as counsellors in schools or teacher training in violence prevention, psychosocial support and other needed skills are almost non-existent.

Had Dr. Singh and his NGO really wanted to help they could have made a difference by deploying their funds, skills and support in measures that actually contribute to suicide prevention among teenagers in any number of ways. Instead, they display otherisation, the behaviour that says ‘we have an answer but we’ll sit back and expect others to apply the answer’. Solutions are not exemplified by mere talk!

In terms of help, a recent incident of students fighting a teacher over a cell phone brings to the fore the pos-

sible need for the Police Force to launch a schools safety unit and for schools to have a dean or however else named personnel, responsible for discipline.

Perhaps the Ministry of Education may want to consider these measures as a proactive approach to discipline, handling violence and preventing teacher-student conflicts. The ministry may also want to train teachers in emphatic communication so that student/teacher communication is always affirming and trust building instead of shaming and belittling students, creating angst and catalysing spontaneous suicide as has happened in the past.

Also, on the issue of suicide, we note a disclosure by Professor Christina Hoven of Columbia University, that “Wide-ranging long-term studies on suicide will be conducted to determine the major risk factors

for suicide in Guyana”.

Really? Hasn’t the issue of suicide in Guyana been studied to death? Don’t we all know what needs to be done? Isn’t it time for studies, surveys, research et al to be ditched in favour of action and for resources be used to actually prevent suicide instead? When universities partner to engage in these kinds of studies, their overriding goal is to benefit themselves with any positive, concrete outcomes for their partners being minimal, incidental and/or nonexistent.

The fact is that all of the ‘info’ they seek is already in the public domain. Instead of further unnecessary studies they should help to execute a concerted, national prevention campaign to include combating the numerous myths and misinformation that still prevail; relaunch of the gatekeepers’ programme to reach every

community with available monitoring and support; an ongoing campaign to widely and continually publicise all hotlines and helplines, as well as provide info on how they are used to bolster their usage and improvement; placement of psychologists in all hospitals and letting mental health diagnosis take place at entry point for all patients; making reporting of suicide ideation mandatory; employing more psychiatrists; nationally tackling dysfunction in relationships and unhealthy parenting; fostering emphatic communication; training police to deal with suicidal persons; rigidly and fully enforcing current laws on safe use, storage and disposal of agri-poisons; providing strong boxes to all farmers and related ongoing training; training in primary interventions for those who ingest poisons; placement of counsellors

in all schools; establishing the Friendship Bench concept across communities; training doctors and nurses in talk therapy and suicide prevention first aid so they too can become part of the solution; having counselling teams as part of the health care provision in every region; and training teachers in psycho social support so they can help themselves and their students.

In effect the government, the University of Guyana and Columbia University should tackle the issue head on instead of studying it ad infinitum and they do so wholistically by also addressing gender-based violence, alcoholism, sexual and child abuse, all issues that impact suicide.

Yours sincerely, Annan Boodram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, 2021

InterCaribbean enters local market Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill with the lone Guyanese on the flight (Carl Croker photo)

By Elvin Croker

INTERCARIBBEAN Airlines touched down on the runway of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Friday, making it the newest airline to join the industry in Guyana.

The inaugural flight from Barbados arrived around 15:00hrs with 48 passengers aboard, signalling the start of new flight options between Barbados and Guyana.

Among the first to

exit the airline was Minister of Tourism and International Transport of Barbados, Lisa Cummings, who received a warm welcome from CJIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ramesh Ghir; CEO of InterCaribbean Airlines, Trevor Saddler; Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond and Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill.

“Serve Guyana well,” Minister Edghill said as he welcomed the

new airline to Guyana.

He noted that Guyana needs greater connectivity but also emphasised the importance of quality service to Guyanese.

The airline will provide several options and convenient flight times in and out of Guyana.

Saddler, the airline’s CEO, recalled that the move to Guyana began with a conversation some five years ago and in keeping with the local-content commitment, the airline had on its first flight a Guyanese flight attendant.

Minister Cummings noted that InterCaribbean Airlines allows for the sharing of more opportunities between Guyana and Barbados through tourism.

The ministers exchanged gifts before joining in distributing tokens to the arriving passengers.

Roraima Airways Director, Captain Gerald Gouveia Jr, in his opening remarks welcomed the airline to

Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill welcomes Minister of Tourism and International Transport of Barbados, Lisa Cummings to Guyana as Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond (second left) and CEO of InterCaribbean Airlines, Trevor Saddler (centre) look on (Carl Croker photo) Guyana. Roraima Airways is the handling agent of InterCaribbean Airlines.

InterCaribbean airlines was established

in 1992 and is based in the Turks and Caicos, with a network of 37 cities across the Caribbean. Flights from Guyana will be able to

connect to 13 of those cities through one, two or three stops, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported.

Port Mourant Training Centre to...

FROM PAGE 5 genders.

These fundamental elements of sustainable development will be added into the national and regional plans to ensure an across-the-board im-

plementation.

“If we have a deepwater harbour in Region Six that is linked to Suriname and linked to other opportunities, the infrastructure must be in place to take care of this. You must

have wider roads; you must have better highways, and most people do not understand that Region Six has the important catalytic push to bring what we call trans-border development.”

GREAT THINGS AHEAD He said that very soon, the project to expand the highway closer to international standards will be launched and will represent an investment of more than US$100M. “Whilst we’re doing all of this, we’re expanding community roads, infrastructure. We’re investing heavily in drainage and irrigation services, and importantly, we are finalising arrangements for a new state-of-the-art hospital for first-world service here in Region Six because the focus is on healthcare.”

The President also said that in January, there would be a summit between Guyana, Brazil, Suriname and France— who has requested to join—to discuss the crea-

tion of an energy hub.

“We’re discussing a joint gas strategy between Guyana and Suriname, and the gas is not only linked to the production of power or energy. For those of you who don’t know, in Region Six lies one of the largest A-grade bauxite deposits for Guyana. With cheaper power, cheaper energy and the combination of the bauxite on our side and the other side of the river, it makes the economic viability of a smelter possible—and not only possible — financially viable.

A smelter that leads to an aluminium plant leads to constant work and a justification for a deepwater port that will be of the size and magnitude we can’t even imagine.”

President Ali also reminded of Government’s

investment in the ICT, housing and agriculture sectors in the region.

“So aquaculture, swamp shrimp, agroprocessing—we’re not only talking the talk. In Black Bush, we have supported the building of an agro-processing facility

by Umami. They are now going to take the excess production from Black Bush and package it…for the CARICOM market, for the European market, for the Canadian market, for the US and for the first time, that company now has a shop front on Amazon, and that’s shopfront carries 100 per cent Guyanese products.”

President Ali said that those initiatives are just the “appetiser on the menu of opportunities that will come your way.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, 2021

11 students win inaugural GuyanaChina leadership competition

ELEVEN students from across Guyana, who are the winners of the inaugural Guyana-China Friendship Youth Leadership Development Award competition, were presented with their prizes, which included US$1000 each, on Friday.

Rahul Chu from North West Secondary, Nanda Persaud from Abram Zuil Secondary, Attoya Harvey from Uitvlugt Secondary, Allister Henry from President’s College, Ryah Rhoomes from Rosignol Secondary, Malachi Alexander from Berbice Educational Institute, Odelliea Benjamin from New Bartica Secondary, Pearson Marcello from Paramakatoi Secondary, Allan Fernandes from Aishalton Secondary, Lemuel Browne from Linden Foundation and Xaria Holder from Queen’s College, took part in an award ceremony at the National Centre for Educational and Resource Development (NCERD) in Kingston.

In addition to the US$1000, each of the students who were selected from the 11 education districts, received a trophy, and a token from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Guyana.

The programme, which was launched in March, is sponsored by the embassy, and saw the students participating in a competition that focused on three areas: a community-based project, critique of a work of art and participation in sport activities such as athletics, gymnastics, dance and

The awardees (standing) with (sitting from left) Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson; Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand; Chinese Ambassador, Guo Haiyan; Director of the Guyana Online Learning Academy, Dr. Jacob Opadeyi and Unit of Allied Arts Administrator, Lorraine Barker-King (Adrian Narine photo) swimming. The competition was monitored and evaluated by the Unit of Allied Arts (UAA).

For some of the students, their biggest take away from the competition was the character development that they gained.

“I’ve always been somewhat of an introvert and this programme has helped somewhat to bring me out of my cocoon. Having to organise my project and conduct a survey meant I had to interact with people and this has helped me to strengthen relationships and form others. I am more outspoken

than I was before,” Holder commented as she recounted her experience during the programme.

For her community project, Holder conducted a survey in the Wortmanville community where she lives, to determine some of the most pressing needs. She eventually organised a hamper donation exercise that benefitted 16 families in that community. She was also able to interview popular Guyanese singer, Mystic, as she critiqued his song “We Are One Guyana” for her artistic piece.

“Our beauty is in our de-

sire to help and support each other, giving out hampers and experiencing the appreciation shown gives me hope for the future. After witnessing the smiles on their faces when receiving the hampers, I felt elated to know that I was able to make a difference and it has encouraged me to do more,” the 16-year-old noted.

Holder was among 115 students who applied to be part of the programme. Of that number, 70 students were shortlisted but only 44 were able to make it to the end. The competition, which is expected to be held annually, saw participation from

Grade 10 students from all across the country.

UAA Administrator, Lorraine Barker-King explained that while only 11 students were awarded, the Ministry of Education will be looking to reward the other participants who were able to complete the programme.

Though this hosting only involved Grade 10 students due to constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, Barker-King explained that in the future, the programme will be opened to students at all levels.

Students were shortlisted based on their participation

Textbooks to be given to every public primary school pupil

FOR the first time in history, the Ministry of Education will be giving all pupils in Grades One to Six in the public school system the textbooks needed for studies at their level.

Additionally, attempts are currently being made to standardise the list of textbooks used at the secondary school level, so that a similar initiative can be implemented.

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, made these disclosures as she delivered remarks at an event on Friday at the National Centre

for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).

She said that 22 containers with textbooks are currently en route to Guyana, but storage space is likely to be a challenge for the ministry. It is for this reason that the ministry is eager to distribute the books when they arrive here in Guyana.

“We will give to every child in Grade One to Six, every textbook they need from Region One to Georgetown. We have begun, and I will say with great pride, we can’t recall a time where every single primary school

child had every single book they needed,” Minister Manickchand noted.

She explained that in the past, only some of the pupils in primary schools received textbooks, but with the aggressive approach to education that the ministry has adopted over the past year, all students will now be prioritised.

The textbooks are expected to cover every subject area and will be distributed to the pupils once logistics are put in place for the distribution exercise.

This exercise will be an

extension of one that began with the Grade Six pupils earlier this year, while they were preparing for the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). Several of those children have attributed their good performances to receipt of the textbooks, and the many other resource materials that the ministry made available to aid them in their studies.

The minister added that a similar exercise is on the cards for the secondary school level, but the ministry encountered bottlenecks when it began surveying

schools for the list of required textbooks. It was soon realised that not all schools are utilising the same books at all the levels.

“It’s a fight about the secondary school books now.

We want to give them all the books they need …We are in a conversation now that is looking to see what is the most modern and useful textbook in every subject in the secondary sector,” she said.

It is expected that the books will be returned after the completion of each level of study so that others can benefit from the initiative.

in sports, academic performance, leadership qualities, mental qualities, self-control, sociability and social action as well as their involvement in clubs and societies.

Also present and making remarks at Friday’s ceremony was Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand; Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson; Chinese Ambassador, Guo Haiyan and Director of the Guyana Online Learning Academy, Dr. Jacob Opadeyi.

Minister Manickchand, in her congratulatory message to the winners, told them that they represent the new direction of leadership that is expected from young Guyanese adults as the country develops its human resource to meet local content demands in the oil and gas sector and the wider Guyanese economy.

“This programme was well placed in the context of that new conversation we are having. The ideal young Guyanese is reflected here in the 11 of you and we couldn’t be prouder that you took the time to say I am capable of entering this competition and winning,” she said.

She added: “Leave here today knowing you are worthy of having arrived here and knowing that once you put your best foot forward, and do your very best, if it is worth doing; it is worth doing well. Don’t do it half way, lash it out the park, which is not to say you won’t encounter stumbling blocks along the way.”

Meanwhile, Ambassador Haiyan in her remarks, noted that it was easy for Guyana and China to collaborate on the programme given that education and capacity building are key areas that the two countries have in common.

She congratulated the students and wished them future success. She noted that they will be given priority consideration for applications made to the current scholarship programme that allows Guyanese to study in China.

“In all of you I see the bright future of Guyana. I might be looking at future artists, activists, ministers or even presidents of Guyana. You will make great contributions to the development of your country,” Haiyan said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, 2021

Investor plans to construct US$4.9M multi-purpose fuel facility

By Navendra Seoraj

Recognising the potential for advancement in the local economy, which is being driven by a new impetus in the form of petroleum, a Trinidad and Tobago company, United Independent Petroleum Marketing Company Limited (Unipet), plans to construct a US$4.9 million fuel import, storage and distribution facility at Land of Canaan, on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

The company is a duly registered external company in Guyana with its Head Office in Trinidad and Tobago.

The core business is in the downstream liquid petroleum industry, complementary energy services and convenience services since 1997. Unipet is a limited liability company that is privately-owned and governed by a Board of Directors.

The company’s plan, as outlined in a project summary which was submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is to build a multi-purpose fuel facility on a plot of land which stretches over 1.112 hectares of land.

As it is now, the area is an open and largely undeveloped

field with a few buildings and ancillary structures within its boundary.

The overarching objective of the company is to develop the area with a new bulk fuel storage facility with gantry loading, office buildings and other ancillary infrastructure, and a gas station and convenience store.

Based on the project summary, Unipet plans to complete construction of the multi-purpose facility within two years after the initiation of works.

During the construction phase, the company intends to hire close to 70 persons, while some 36 people will be employed when the facility is fully operational.

This project will add to flurry of development across Guyana, especially as it relates to progress within the manufacturing sector.

It was reported that progress within Guyana’s manufacturing sector remained positive throughout the first half of 2021, recording an increase in output of 13.1 per cent, according to the Bank of Guyana.

SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT This performance, based

A map showing the location for Unipet’s multi-purpose fuel facility on statistics from the Central beverages by 48.0 per cent; re-exports and wood products efforts to boost the non-oil Bank’s mid-year report, is paints by 34.3 per cent; Malta by US$8.7 million, US$8.2 economy as well.

“We’re anticipating a rapa significant improvement, by 20.3 per cent; liquid phar- million, US$5.1 million, considering that the sector maceuticals by 10.4 per cent; US$4.9 million, and US$0.1 id expansion in the services contracted by 0.2 per cent at non-alcoholic beverages by million respectively. sector, including transport the end of the corresponding 9.4 per cent; and electricity When consolidated, total and logistics, construction by 3.8 per cent, as economic export receipts increased by of infrastructure, including period last year.

“This out-turn reflected activity thrived due to the 63.6 per cent, or US$786.9 roads, bridges, office builda 23.1 per cent rise in output reopening of the economy,” million to over US$2 billion, ings in the private sector, etc, of ‘other’ manufacturing, the bank related. compared to the US$1.2 bil- along with expansion in other and 3.1 per cent increase in While there is not always lion earned during the corre- services such as financial services, all of which will rice manufacturing, which a direct relationship between sponding period last year. together offset the decline an increase in output and an Owing to the performance contribute to rapid expansion of 17.2 per cent in the value- increase in exports, statistics in the first half of the year, the in real output,” Dr. Singh added of sugar. from the Bank of Guyana Bank of Guyana is optimistic said. “So, you’re going to see “Other manufacturing show that total earnings from that the high level of growth Guyana being one of the fastindustries registered increases all “other exports”, com- achieved will be sustained in est growing economies in real in the categories of alcoholic monly referred to as non- the second half.

GDP terms, globally in the traditional exports, amounted RAPID TRANSFORMAhemisphere, and certainly in to US$102.4 million, 14.4 per TION the Caribbean…. A lot of the cent more than the value reEarlier this year, Senior real GDP growth in the region corded during the same period Finance Minister, Dr. Singh will be driven by Guyana,” he last year. had said that Guyana would added.

This improvement, ac- be one of the fastest growing The favourable economic cording to the Central Bank, economies in terms of real performance at the end of was primarily on account of GDP, and would see rapid the first half of 2021 in the Nevertheless, she gave higher receipts in the sub- transformation in a number non-oil economy bodes well him credit for not wasting categories of rum and other of sectors, especially since for the upcoming second the court’s time and confess- spirits, beverages, diamonds, the government would make half of 2021 and beyond. ing to the crime.

The judge, in handing down her decision, ordered that Smith serve seven years in prison and that the prison authorities deduct from the sentence the time he spent on remand.

The state was represented by prosecutor Tiffini Lyken caused a report to be made while Smith was represented at the Baramita Police Staby attorney-at-law Lachmi tion via cellphone.

Dindayal.

Ranks visited the area According to reports, and observed that the deSmith and Boyal were close ceased was lying motioncousins who lived in the lessly, face up with several same area. On the day in suspected gunshot wounds question, the two men were to the face, chest and back at a camp when an argument and he was unresponsive. ensued between them.

He was rushed to the As a result, Smith, in Baramita Health Centre his fury, stabbed Boyal to A VENEZUELAN man where he was pronounced Police Headquarters the left side of his lower identified only as “Do- noted that about 19:55hrs, dead on arrival by the meabdomen with an arrow, rian,” was killed after an residents of Return, Baradex. which resulted in Boyal unknown assailant shot mita, heard several loud His body was placed bleeding profusely. He him several times at Re- explosions suspected to be on ice and was escorted subsequently succumbed. turn, Baramita, North gunshots and simultaneto Port Kaituma for auSmith was later arrested West District (NWD) on ously heard the sound of topsy as an investigation and charged. continues.

Thursday. someone screaming, which

‘Shanko’ gets seven years for killing cousin with arrow TWO years after 19-yearold Dave Boyal was fatally stabbed with an arrow at Blackwater Backdam, Cuyuni River, his cousin, David Smith, was, on Friday, sentenced to seven years imprisonment for the crime.

Last month, Smith, also known as ‘Shanko,’ was arraigned before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Suddie High Court for murder, but opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

According to the particulars of the charge,Smith, on March 22, 2019, unlawfully killed Boyal with an arrow.

During his sentencing hearing on Friday, Smith said that on a date in question he was under the influence of alcohol and cannot recall what happened.

However, he remembers waking up later that day in the Bartica Police Station lockups and being told by police that he had murdered

Venezuelan gunned down in Baramita

David Smith called ‘Shanko’ his cousin.

Justice Sewnarine-Beharry, before imposing her sentencing, considered the nature and gravity of the offence as well as the use of a dangerous weapon to commit the crime. She also said that Smith is an adult and should have known better.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, 2021

Guyana to serve as gateway between South America and Caribbean - President Ali tells MERCOSUR about plans to hold mini-summit to discuss energy corridor

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali, has told members of the South American trade block MERCOSUR that Guyana intends to bridge the gap between the continent and the Caribbean and function as a new ‘energy pole’.

In his address to the 59th Summit of the regional body, the President pointed out that Guyana supports MERCOSUR’s efforts to foster infrastructure, integration, and increase connectivity.

He said that the country would enhance development opportunities in the continent’s northern flank through collaborations and joint partnerships.

“Along with Brazil and Suriname, we hope to leverage our energy resources for energy security, agriculture and food security and to potentiate growth and development opportunities in the northern flank of South America.”

To start the process, the Head of State announced that there will be a summit between Guyana, Brazil and Suriname very early in the New Year to discuss the development of the Corentyne frontier, the logistic importance of a deep-water harbour and the energy corridor.

He said that Guyana is pleased to be associated with MERCOSUR, with a view to advancing its development and integrating into the “South American fraternity as part of our continental destiny”.

The President told the outgoing rotational head of the block, Brazilian President H.E Jair Bolsonaro and other regional leaders that lessons from the pandemic must serve as a guideline to the future.

A healthy South America, he noted, is

critical to the resiliency and sustainability of the region.

“A strengthened multilateral system is needed to ensure that every region, every country, has more equitable and ready access to deal with pandemics and other threats to public health.”

He added that it is vitally important to enhance the capacity and capabilities of regional, sub-regional and national institutions in surveillance, research, and production of vaccines and other vital agents and technologies.

Although the focus was to ensure that South American nations put measures in place to safeguard the health of their people; the President pointed out that it was also important to build resiliency and reorganise economic activities with the hope of stimulating sustainable growth, improving public services and social safety nets and expanding opportunities for trade and investment.

He said regional integration must encompass a drive for sustainability and pointed to confronting, head-on, the existential threat already posed by climate change.

“The most vulnerable are at grave risk if we do not act. It is imperative that the global warming trajectory be contained within 1.5 degrees Celsius.”

The President also highlighted Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy and pointed to its many benefits.

“This strategy aims to transform Guyana’s economy to better deliver socio-economic benefits to our people by following a low carbon path while mainstreaming climate resilience, providing a model to the world of how low

carbon, low deforestation, climate-resilient development can be possible and beneficial for forested countries.”

He reminded the Heads of State that as a block, South America should remain focused on the elements of COP26, such as the requisite mitigation ambition, adequate support for adaption and climate

finance.

Working together as a regional block, according to President Ali, would chart the way forward to ensure that as a collective, the continent builds back “stronger and safer, to create a more equitable, secure, resilient, and sustainable future for our peoples.” (Office of the President)

President Dr Irfaan Ali

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, 2021

Seventh Operational phase of Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme launched

THE United Nations Development Programme, on Friday, officially launched the seventh Operational Phase of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) in Guyana. The launch was held virtually, with a limited number of stakeholders in attendance at UN House. Attendees included stakeholders from the public and private sector, diplomatic corps, civil society and academia. The seventh Operational Phase (OP7) of the SGP aims to “promote and support innovative, inclusive and scalable initiatives and foster multi-stakeholder partnerships at the local level to tackle global environmental issues in priority landscapes and seascapes,” the release said.

The GEF SGP complements the work of the Government of Guyana by creating a funding platform that contributes positively to key developmental goals. This is accomplished through the direct engagement of

grassroots organisations and local communities in decision making for the creation of sustainable environmental solutions that enhance their well-being and livelihoods.

According to the release, the GEF SGP has been active in Guyana since 2013 and invested more than US$941,000 in 24 projects with more than US$925,000 in cash and in-kind co-financing.

The projects’ geographic coverage includes seven of the 10 administrative regions (One to Six and Nine). Under OP7, a total of US$500,000 has been earmarked for SGP Guyana to implement environmental-based projects.

During his remarks, Jairo Valverde, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme posited that the “SGP embodies the essence of sustainable development through our approach of thinking globally, acting locally, and has the comparative advantage of working with community groups for innovative, impactful, inclusive projects and initiatives which enhance

the well-being and livelihoods of people including women, Indigenous People and youth”.

Va l v e r d e a ff i r m e d that Operational Phase Seven is SGP Guyana’s third funding phase, and OP7-targeted projects will be community-driven initiatives implemented through active partnerships with local organisations and indigenous groups.

The feature address was delivered by Sharifah Razack, Deputy Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency and representative of the GEF Operational Focal Point. Razack outlined the guiding principle that governs the initiatives supported by the SGP, which is, they are spearheaded by communities, the release noted.

SENSE OF OWNERSHIP This, Razack said, creates a sense of ownership.

Additionally, the communities implement their projects under the guidance of the SGP which creates the conditions for knowledge transfer and building competence. Be-

A scene at the launch of the United Nations Development Programme’s seventh Operational Phase of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) in Guyana fore closing, the Deputy Executive Director reaffirmed the EPA’s commitment to ensuring that the funded projects meet the objectives of Operational Phase Seven, which will be assured through the EPA’s resuscitation of the GEF National Working Group.

The GEF SGP Guyana also signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Guyana Marine Conservation Society for the implementation of a US$145,000 project in Region One titled developing tools for collaborative management of the Barima-Mora Passage Mangrove Area. The project is multifocal and focuses on creating enabling conditions to empower Region One indigenous

stakeholders to enhance their environmental stewardship to conserve, monitor and co-manage the area, in collaboration with the relevant government agencies whilst benefitting from their natural resources, the release noted.

The first Call for Project Concepts was also opened on Friday and closed on February 28, 2022.

Guyanese registered Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are invited to submit project concepts, following the Call for Project Concepts guidelines and not exceeding US$50,000 within the following thematic priorities: Community-based conservation of threatened ecosystems and species;

Sustainable agriculture and fisheries, and food security; Local to global coalitions for chemicals and waste management; Low carbon energy access with co-benefits and SGP Guyana Knowledge Management.

The GEF SGP is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme and executed by the United Nations Office for Project Services. The SGP aligns its Operational Phase strategies with those of the GEF and co-financing partners and provides a global portfolio of innovative, inclusive, and impactful projects that address global environmental and sustainable development issues, the release concluded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, 2021

Modern, 11-storey police station to 40 housing units in Linden to be replace burnt-out Brickdam structure completed by February 2022

HOME Affairs Minister Robeson Benn has said that a modern 11-storey police station complex will be constructed at Brickdam, Georgetown.

Minister Benn made this disclosure during brief remarks at the Thanksgiving and Awards Ceremony for Regional Police Division ‘4’ A on Friday.

On October 2, 2021, fire flattened the complex which used to house the Brickdam Police Station.

Minister Benn recalled that shortly after the fire, himself and other stakeholders, along with the engineers, sat down and committed to rebuilding the Brickdam Police Station.

“Our discussions suggested, and with the layout that we have available here, we should be able to build a new seven-storey facility… but I have to speak about the position of a younger and perhaps more vigorous man than myself, His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who in a discussion with me said,

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn ‘Of course, we will build bigger and better’, and so the task we have is to build an 11-storey building on this footprint for the new Brickdam Police Station,” Minister Benn declared.

He added: “That is what we will design, that is our intention, that is our mandate,” to loud applause from the audience.

He continued: “I want to thank Commander Simeon

McBean, his officers and all those who ensured that after the conflagration on October 2, which resulted in the loss of probably the oldest police installation in this country… that even though there was a lot of stress and anxiety following the conflagration, the commander and his team maintained a positive policing posture in the largest and perhaps most difficult policing division in the country.”

Minister Benn noted that in spite of the COVID pandemic and the fact that many ranks suffered personal losses (belongings, etc) in the fire, the commander and his team did an “excellent job” in keeping the crime rate down.

According to him, this resilience as a people is an indication that “we can do better when we are challenged.”

“We want to increase the peace in Guyana,” the minister said, and extended best wishes to everyone for the holiday season.

WORKS on the 40 housing Units at Amelia’s Ward Linden are progressing as planned and are scheduled to be completed by February 2022, according to Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal.

He said that the units are all at various stages of completion and each measures 600 square feet and includes two bedrooms.

The minister noted that works on the units commenced in August and September of this year and the project has so far seem more than 300 Lindeners being employed.

This project is being executed by CB Housing Development Inc., which is utilising a workforce of Lindeners for the construction of those houses.

Further, under the 2022 work programme, some $100 million will be expended to install the necessary infrastructure at virgin lands, which were recently acquired by the ministry for new housing development.

Some 8,000 acres of lands

Houses under construction in Linden will be outfitted with roads, access bridges, water and electrical network.

It was reported that lands were also being sought for housing development to meet the housing demands in Kwakwani.

On January 14, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali had announced a plan for the construction of 1,000 houses in the mining town of Linden.

President Ali and mem-

bers of his Cabinet visited the mining town where he announced an aggressive plan for job creation in the region.

He noted that the intention was to tap into the skills of residents as well as to source the building materials from the community. The President also highlighted several other areas for development which will create employment opportunities.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, 2021

Guyana receives 55,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines - procured through support from Canada GUYANA, on Friday, received 55,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines procured through support from Canada. According to a release, the vaccines were received

at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport by Health Ministry’s representative, Dr Leslie Ramsammy; Political Counsellor at the High Commission of Cana-

da, Caroline Mireault, and Officer-in-Charge at PAHO/WHO, Daniel Albert.

High Commissioner of Canada, Mark Berman, in a comment, applauded the efforts of the Government of Guyana to ensure that vaccines are available for everyone in the country and stated that Canada is committed to continuing to support Guyana’s efforts.

“The Government of Guyana has done tremendous work to ensure the availability and access of vaccines to the people in need. But we also recognise that the migrant populations have also put an additional weight on the healthcare system.

As such, Canada is proud to be able to provide this support to the Ministry of Health in an effort to ensure the entire population could be served,” he stated.

E a r l i e r t h i s y e a r, Canada had announced a contribution of CAD$50 million to the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO). Canada’s contribution includes targeted support of at least CAD$6M to the Caribbean, given the disproportionate impacts of the pandemic on small island developing states. The funding is also supporting national efforts to introduce COVID-19 vaccines and reaching populations

living in situations of vulnerability, particularly women and migrants.

In Guyana, since the start of the pandemic, through PAHO, Canada has procured PPEs, provided thousands of testing kits and equipment, supported training to strengthen diagnostic testing and sample taking, supported mental health psychosocial support campaigns and risk communication, and also provided essential cleaning and sanitation supplies.

Canada, the release noted, has also been proud to provide additional support to PAHO in collaboration with the US, UK and the EU to facilitate further access to vaccines through the COVAX facility to complement national efforts by the Government of Guyana.

“In the midst of the pandemic, PAHO continues to be a reliable and trusted partner in this time of crisis.

COVID-19 knows no borders and no country can face this challenge on its own. Canada is proud to support efforts to fight COVID-19 in Guyana and as the pandemic evolves, Canada will continue to support efforts to adapt and find pandemic recovery solutions that work for all,” the release concluded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, 2021

$1.58B in contracts terminated in 2020 for poor performance

The state of the Yarrowkabra Secondary School when the contract with BK International was terminated THE government was f o rc e d t o t e r m i n a t e $1.58 billion in contracts in 2020 due to the poor performance of contractors, according to the recently tabled Auditor General’s report.

“During the period

under review, and based on the sample of projects examined, it was discovered that five contracts totalling $1,580,028,056 were terminated as a result of poor performance by contractors,” the report which was laid in the Na-

tional Assembly said.

Leading the list of terminated contracts is the $826 million contract with BK International for the construction of the Yarrowkabra Secondary School, which was signed in 2019, and had only

‘Rasta Beans’ gets 15 years for killing pork-knocker THREE years after porkknocker, Xavier Boyal, was fatally shot at Puruni Landing, Cuyuni River, his alleged killer, Deion Evans called ‘Rasta Beans’, was, on Friday, sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.

Last month, Evans appeared before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Suddie High Court for the capital offence of murder.

However, he opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter which alleged that on November 11, 2018, he unlawfully killed Boyal.

Justice Sewnarine-Beharry, before imposing her sentence on Evans, considered the nature and gravity of the offence as well as the use of a dangerous weapon to commit the crime, which he was not licensed to carry.

Nevertheless, she gave him credit for not wasting the court’s time and confessing to the crime.

The judge, in handing down her decision, sentenced Evans to serve 15 years and instructed the prison authorities to deduct from the sentence the time he had spent on remand.

Evans was represented

Deion Evans called ‘Rasta Beans’ by attorney-at-law Ravindra Mohabir, while prosecutor Tiffini Lyken is on record for the state.

According to the police, Boyal, who was a porkknocker from Waramuri Mission, Moruca River, North West District, was shot and killed on November 11, 2018 at Puruni Landing.

Boyal was reportedly employed by a dredge owner and was working at Rock Creek, Puruni River at the

time of his demise.

According to the prosecution’s case, on the day in question, Boyal left Rock Creek, along with one of his co-workers and they headed to Junior’s Disco, also located at Puruni Landing.

While at the disco, the man’s co-worker had an altercation with Evans which resulted in him being punched to his face.

As a result, Boyal intervened and pushed Evans away. Boyal and his friend then left the the disco and were walking along the Puruni Road on the way to their camp when they came under attack.

It is alleged that following the altercation, Evans joined the vehicle of a 56-year-old man and instructed him to drive.

While the man drove , Evans pulled out a handgun from his waist and pointed it towards the vehicle’s windscreen. He then discharged a round in Boyal’s direction.

Evans then exited the vehicle and discharged another round at Boyal before making good his escape.

He was later arrested and charged.

The St Rose’s High School at the time of the termination of Courtney Benn’s contract seen five per cent of the C o u r t n e y B e n n w a s ing terminated effective work completed when the signed in 2018 but was October 31, 2020, on the contract was terminated terminated in November grounds of contractual in November 2020.

2020, with only nine per breaches. That contract Among the other ter- cent of the work complet- was initially signed in minated contracts are the ed during the 18-month 2017 and works com$412 million contract for period. The government, menced in July, 2018 with the construction of the St shortly after, sued the the project having been Rose’s Secondary School, company for more than scheduled to take one which was awarded to $347 million for breach year to complete.

Courtney Benn Contract- of contract.

The company, up to ing Services; a $321.899 New contracts for both the time the contract was million contract for Min- schools have since been terminated, had already istry of Health’s (MoH) signed. been paid $308.4 milHead Office building The terminated con- lion and given two extenPhase One; a $10.791 tract for the MoH had sions. Only 70 per cent of million contract for the been awarded to Chung’s the work was completed revetment of Rivers- Global Enterprise. The more than two years later. town Creek and a $8.275 government, through the The contracts for the million contract for the Attorney General, Anil Riverstown revetment upgrading of Brummel Nandlall, wrote the com- and Brummel Street Street. pany last year informing upgrade were signed in T h e c o n t r a c t w i t h that the contract was be- 2020.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, 2021

Permanent Secretary charged for corrupt transaction granted $100,000 bail

THE Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Sharon Hicks, on Friday, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court accused of corruptly obtaining money from a businessman and was later released on $100,000 bail

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Hicks, 42, of Onderneeming, West Coast Demerara, denied that on October 7, 2021, at 251-252 Thomas and Quamina Streets, Georgetown, while being an agent employed by the Government of Guyana, she

obtained from Heramainie Chintamanie, for herself, $200,000 as an inducement or reward for processing the payment requests for security services provided.

Attorney Sase Gunraj entered an appearance for Hicks who was released on bail and told to return to court on December 20, for report.

In October, she became the subject of an investigation after she was found in possession of marked bills during a sting operation carried out by the police.

She was arrested at

her Quamina and Thomas Streets, South Cummingsburg office for allegedly demanding money by menace and was later placed on station bail.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum had told this newspaper that a sting operation was conducted where marked bills were reportedly paid to the PS by the businessman.

Those were the bills that were found in her possession.

He said the police were contacted pertaining to Hicks’ alleged demands for payments from the man.

Reports indicate that the

Amerindian Affairs Permanent Secretary, Sharon Hicks payments were being made for several months and that the businessman was allegedly told that he would not receive contracts if the monies demanded were not paid monthly.

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, in a release shortly after Hicks’ arrest

had said that on October 7, 2021, she was sent on administrative leave pending the outcome of the police investigation into the matter.

“The Ministry also wishes to respond to the issues circulating in the public about its officials. It was the Minister of Amerindian Affairs,

Pauline Sukhai, whose recommendation resulted in the appointment of Ms. Hicks to the position of Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs under the PPP/C Government.

Additionally, there was one occasion when the Permanent Secretary was on a seven days sick leave where the Deputy Permanent Secretary (DPS) was assigned the duties in her absence, putting to rest the claim that the DPS was executing the duties of the Permanent Secretary while she was on duty.

The ministry wishes to state that at no time was any vehicle registered to the ministry assigned to any close relative of the minister,” the release concluded.

Local content bill gold-standard legislation - Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry

THE Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) said it is extremely pleased that the government has tabled the local content bill in the National Assembly.

The GCCI in a release said it retains the view, in a steadfast manner, that local content will facilitate material benefits to Guyana’s private sector.

“The chamber, as the general public is aware, has championed the cause for local content since the beginning of 2017. Throughout these years, the chamber has undertaken an expansive range of activities which it

viewed as being necessary to aid in the general public’s understanding of local content, including, but not limited to forums, seminars, webinars, policy briefs, extensive commentary, advocacy, crafting of a model legislation and consultation sessions,” the release said.

According to the GCCI, the local content bill tabled is representative of a gold-standard instrument in supporting private sector development. The GCCI has actively participated in consultations with the government and is pleased to see that key areas, where local capacity exists, have been

ring-fenced for Guyanese enterprises.

The chamber also noted that it is pleased at the bill’s establishment of two key institutions: the Local Content Secretariat and the InterAgency Advisory Committee.

“These two institutions engender the dynamism which such a bill ought to encapsulate. This will ensure that the private sector continues to benefit from this legislation long into the future. The Chamber of Commerce now anticipates further improvements and reforms to both the institutional and legislative framework necessary to support the country’s development, including the establishment of the Petroleum Commission. The GCCI wishes to once again commend the government for the tabling of the Local Content Bill and reiterates that it will continue to be a partner in Guyana’s development, as we have since 1889,” the GCCI release emphasised.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, 2021

Aussie quicks send imminent message to England batters (ESPNCRICINFO) - The message on Adelaide's scoreboard was unequivocal: "Severe weather approaching. Follow direction from event staff and seek shelter". And sure

enough, England's beleaguered cricketers were only too willing to hunker down and hope the bad men go away, after a ferocious floodlit examination had ended with their Ashes hopes tumbling down the street like a wheelie-bin in a gale.

After five sessions of sedate sparring at the Adelaide Oval, in which Australia's top-order played within themselves to drag England's largely toothless right-arm seam attack into their umpteenth spells, the contest was lit up in the final session like the lightning strike behind the bowler's arm that forced a hasty abandonment, midway the ninth over of Australia's new-ball onslaught.

By then, both of England's openers had been prised from the crease - Rory Burns a victim once again of Mitchell Starc's left-arm wiles, despite being shielded from his first delivery, before Haseeb Hameed flicked the second ball of Michael Neser's Test career straight to mid-on to cue the most joyous scenes of celebration in the series to date.

Joe Root, England's only source of hope, then edged his second ball short of slip but endured to the early close alongside Dawid Malan, the same sidekick who had briefly inspired thoughts of salvation in that third-wicket stand at the Gabba last week.

But with three full days to come, and confidence in England's camp at rock bottom, it's going to take something truly phenomenal to pull the team out of this latest tailspin.

After resuming on an ominous 221 for 2, Australia's eventual 473 for 9 declared was a masterclass of targeted acceleration, as a brace of sparky innings from Steve Smith and Alex Carey, built on the first-day efforts of David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne, who duly brought up his sixth Test century in the first halfhour then survived England's second wicket, with a no-ball of the series, before departing soon afterwards for 103.

But it was the twin departures of Smith, lbw for 93, and Carey, caught at short cover on the stroke of tea for 51 - both off the tidy but largely unthreatening James Anderson - that set the stage

Michael Neser celebrates with team-mates after taking the wicket of Haseeb Hameed, Australia vs England, 2nd Test, The Ashes, Adelaide, 2nd day, yesterday (Getty Images)

for a contemptuous finale.

With the storm encroaching on the horizon, and the clear ambition of a lengthy stint of bowling under the floodlights, Australia's lower-order emerged after the interval with licence to plant their collective front dogs and swing for the hills.

Starc was the relative anchorman, serving up a run-a-ball 39 not out with a host of long-levered swipes through the line, but it was the debutant Neser who seized the moment with unfettered glee.

After so many years of waiting on the sidelines as 12th man, Neser wasn't going to let a further 20 minutes of waiting put him off his stride. He saw off the first two balls of the resumption with minimal fuss, and then, after picking off a brace of fours to ease into his evening's work, it was the return of Woakes that truly signalled the cavalry charge.

Hard though Woakes had toiled in the opening exchanges of this Test, he had already been identified as England's weakest link during the latter stages of Smith's innings, in which he had cracked two fours and a six in the space of three balls - the latter a remarkable heave over midwicket - as he knelt into a fractionally short ball outside off to hoist Australia past the 350 mark.

And now, as he returned for his 22nd over, Neser was primed to prove that his solitary first-class hundred was no fluke. He climbed in Woakes' laboured offerings for a 16-run over including a yawning hack for four

through midwicket and the shot of the match to date - a veritable uppercut into the stands at extra cover.

Ben Stokes ended his fun on 35 from 24 balls as Stuart Broad back-pedalled at long-off to swallow another thrash through the line, but Starc picked up the cudgels with three meaty fours in the same over, before Jhye Richardson set the seal on a free-wheeling final flourish with a murderous clout for six over midwicket - the most literal declaration of the death overs that Woakes has encountered since the T20 World Cup. One ball later, Richardson scuffed an edge to the keeper and Smith waved them in - but all told, Australia's Nos. 8 to 10 had racked up 83 runs in their final ten overs, and Woakes' figures had been vandalised to the tune of 54 runs in his final four overs.

The irony is that England's day had actually begun with relative purpose.

With more swing on offer for the second new ball than the first, the seamer's lengths had been notably fuller from the outset, not least the persevering Ollie Robinson, whose first ball of the day should have had Labuschagne caught-behind for 102, only for replays to show that he had over-stepped.

It was another shattering blow to England's flagging morale - their second no-ball dismissal of the series, to go with a tally of dropped catches than is now into double figures - but with impressive gumption, Robinson dusted himself down and made

amends ten balls later, as Labuschagne padded up to a nip-backer to be pinned plumb in front of middle.

Worryingly, however, for England's prospects of achieving even parity in this contest, the middle part of their bowling effort was dominated by the part-time spin of Joe Root, who found purchase from the outset and no little guile, as he showed by bowling Australia's firstTest centurion Travis Head with a superb sucker-punch, a toss-up above the eye-line that dipped at his feet and straightened into the stumps for 18.

At a stroke, Root had become only the tenth visiting spinner to take a wicket at Adelaide since 2010, and of the names above him, only three have more than two scalps. Nathan Lyon, by contrast, has hoovered up 51 wickets at 26.94 in 11 visits, and assuming Australia's seamers leave him any spoils to get stuck into, he'll fancy his chances of adding to that tally on this particular surface, and against this particular line-up.

When Stokes popped up one over later to bowl the hapless Cameron Green for 2 (taking his Test average to 1), England went to lunch, having arguably enjoyed the better of the session with Australia 303 for 5.

It was, however, about as relative as such comparisons get, and the manner in which Australia turned up the heat before the close was a far truer reflection of the gulf between the team's aptitudes, attitudes and applications.

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Grave praises West Indies despite series loss (CMC) – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has praised the Nicholas Pooran-led squad for completing the Twenty20 International (T20I) series against Pakistan despite a COVID-19 outbreak in the camp, and says the main focus remains the health of all players and ensuring their safe return to the Caribbean.

West Indies proceeded with Thursday’s final T20I of the three-match series in Karachi, against the backdrop of five members of the touring party – including three players – returning positive tests 24 hours earlier.

Another four members – including three players – had also tested positive prior to the start of the series, leaving the squad numbers severely diminished.

“It’s been a very difficult last few days for everyone, particularly the players and support staff out in Pakistan,” CWI chief executive, Johnny Grave, said.

“Obviously, getting more COVID-19 cases caused even more anxiety amongst the players, especially being this close to Christmas; and being away from home in bio-secure bubbles is a very difficult environment for such a long period of time.

“So we’re enormously proud of all the players for the decision they made as a collective to take the field (for the final T20I) and complete the T20 part of this tour.”

Despite the completion of the T20I series, CWI and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) jointly agreed to scrap the One-Day International phase of the tour scheduled to bowl off in Karachi today. That three-match series is now pencilled in for next June.

Grave said the decision was taken not only because of the depleted squad but to further ensure the safety of the remaining members of the touring party.

“Obviously we are all disappointed that we aren’t able to complete the One-Day Internationals, but just with so many players out – as well as a couple of injuries – we only have just about 11 players, which clearly isn’t enough players to get through three One-Day Internationals,” the Englishman pointed out.

“If we were to have one injury or one

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more COVID-19 case, then clearly the series would be curtailed anyway; so we’ve taken a very difficult decision and we’re very grateful for the understanding that the PCB has given us in this difficult situation, particularly for our players away from home so close to Christmas.”

He continued: “It’s disappointing we can’t complete the One-Day International series but at the end of the day we’ve always said player safety and security would always come first and our priority has been, now we’ve completed the T20 part of the series, to get the players home as quickly and safely as possible, so they can spend Christmas and the New Year with their friends and families back in the Caribbean.”

Six players – Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Kyle Mayers, Shai Hope, Justin Greaves and Akeal Hosein – along with assistant coach Roddy Estwick, team physician Dr Akshai Mansingh and an unnamed non-coaching member of the support staff are currently in isolation after testing positive.

The remainder of the touring party flew out of Pakistan on Thursday, immediately following the final T20I. Grave said those in isolation would be afforded the best care until they were able to return to the Caribbean.

“Obviously we still have a number of players and support staff who will remain in Karachi for the next few days,” he explained.

“They are obviously all fully vaccinated.

Many of them are asymptomatic. A few have had some mild symptoms but they’re under the fantastic care we’ve got, since we’ve arrived, by the PCB, from a medical perspective.

“Our team physician Dr Mansingh is also there with them and will accompany the final players home. We’re still hoping they’ll be able to return negative tests in time to get back into the Caribbean for Christmas and at the moment they remain in isolation under the care and supervision of the medical teams.”

West Indies suffered a 3-0 drubbing in the T20I series, losing Monday’s opener by 63 runs, the second 24 hours later by nine runs, and the third by seven wickets.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, 2021

Hamilton could be punished for missing FIA prize-giving

F1 world champion Max Verstappen was in attendance at the FIA's prize-giving gala in Paris

(BBC) - New FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem has refused to rule out punishing Lewis Hamilton for boycotting its awards ceremony on Thursday.

Hamilton and Mercedes team Principal Toto Wolff did not attend in protest at the handling of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last Sunday.

Formula 1 rules dictate that the top three drivers in the championship must attend.

"If there is any breach, there is no forgiveness in this," Ben Sulayem said.

Asked to clarify whether he was saying Hamilton would be penalised for not attending the gala, he said: "Forgiveness is always there.

But rules are rules.

"I know Lewis is really sad about what happened. I would say he is broken. But we have to look into if there is any breach. (After) a few hours now as president, I cannot give answers without going back to the facts."

Wolff said on Thursday that Hamilton was "disillusioned" after the events of Abu Dhabi and that he could not guarantee the seven-time champion would return to F1 next year.

The FIA has launched an inquiry into the events of Abu Dhabi, where race director Michael Masi appeared not to follow the organisation's own rules when it came to the operation of a late safety-car period, resulting in the championship changing hands from Hamilton to Red Bull's Max Verstappen on the last lap of the race.

The FIA has admitted that the controversy surrounding the race was "tarnishing the image" of F1.

Wolff has accused Masi of "a freestyle reading of the rules and it left Lewis like a sitting duck", and of "robbing" Hamilton of the title. He added that Mercedes would "hold the FIA accountable" for the controversy.

Ben Sulayem, 60, a former rally driver who has been a member of the FIA World Council, F1's legislative body, since 2008, said: "Someone will always get upset. I spoke to Toto and he said to me: 'I am not coming here.'

"I listened to him. When I listened, he started cooling down. We will look into the rules and make sure any situation like this that occurs in the future, we will have an instant solution to it. There are so many areas we can

improve."

He said he believed that Hamilton, Mercedes and the FIA will be able to "start afresh" in 2022.

"It is a responsibility of me that we forget the past but look into it with improvement," Ben Sulayem said.

"We have to be proactive. We have to improve in every aspect. As a driver, I would be so upset for a while but time is a fact that will cool."

Ben Sulayem is a 14-time Middle East rally champion and former World Rally Championship competitor who has been a motorsport administrator for the past 16 years.

He was elected after a campaign in which he promised to expand motorsport participation around the world and lead the governing body for its members.

His deputy president for sport is Scot Robert Reid, who won the World Rally Championship as co-driver to Englishman Richard Burns in 2001.

Brazilian Fabiana Ecclestone - wife of former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone - is his vice-president representing South America.

He said Ecclestone had been nominated for her experience and credibility having worked for the FIA's member club in Brazil and as part of the organisation of the Brazilian Grand Prix. She is the first woman to have a role as an FIA vice-president.

Ben Sulayem said Bernie Ecclestone had not been involved other than to introduce the pair.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday December 18, 2021)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Brian Lara-156 (Adelaide, 2005) (2) Saeed Anwar-131 (Sharjah, 1993) Today’s Quiz: (1) What are the best bowling figures by a WI against PAK in an ODI game to date?

(2) What are the best bowling figures by a PAK player in an ODI against the WI to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, 2021

C-Mobile Online Shopping & Electronics supports GFF/K&S Super 16 Cup THE corporate community continues to play its part in ensuring the success of the ongoing GFF-K&S Super 16 Cup, powered by KFC-Guyana. Joining the list is C-Mobile Online Shopping & Electronics, formerly Cell Phone Shack, located at 176 Middle Street (Plum Building) Making the presentation of cell phones to president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) in the presence of co-Director of the Kashif & Shanghai Organisation, Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major was CEO of the company, Chris Low Koan, a sportsman and passionate supporter of sports.

Low Koan, in handing over the instruments to Forde, reminded that the company has a long and fruitful partnership with the K&S Organisation and has been supporting the tournament for more than a decade.

“Our support for this year-end spectacle goes back a very long time, 13 years to be exact, and we here at C-Mobile Online

Shopping & Electronics will continue to support this tournament. We are extremely happy to see it come back as we know the level of excitement it brings amongst the players and fans.”

Forde, in response, thanked Low Koan and his company for once again supporting the game through their contribution stating that he recalls the days when Cell Phone Shack lent unflinching support to the tournament.

“On behalf of both GFF and K&S Organistion, I would like to commend you for once again being a partner with this tournament.

“Your contributions over the years have not gone unnoticed. This tournament is special as it is being played at a very challenging time. We are all combining efforts to show that as a collective we can overcome this COVID-19 pandemic and we are pleased that you and your company are on board.”

CEO of C-Mobile Online Shopping & Electronics Chris Low Koan (2nd right) hands over the phones to GFF president Wayne Forde. At right is Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major and left, Orande Gittens

From ‘the blacka’ to swimming pool at the Olympics … 2021 an unforgettable year for Andrew Fowler

By Rawle Toney SOMETIMES, as sports fans, we want our athletes to win medals at almost every championship, particularly at the Olympics.

However, the story of Olympic swimmer Andrew Fowler should teach us that for some athletes, qualifying for these major events is an accomplishment in itself.

Fowler finished fourth in Heat One of the Men’s 100m Freestyle at the 32nd Olympiad, in a time of 55.23 seconds, which wasn’t enough to see him advance to the next round. He had the best entry time of 54.10s in the Heat.

“I was just happy to be there; to compete and represent my country. I had a tough time leading up to the games,” Fowler had told Chronicle Sport after his race.

Fowler endured a lot during his rise in the sports; from being racially abused while on scholarship, being told that he’s black and can’t train with the others overseas, to even right here in Guyana, where forces involved in swimming don’t want him to represent Guyana because he doesn’t fit into the ‘status quo’ of the sport.

Competing at the Olympic Games is truly an amazing accomplishment for any athlete, but for swimmer Andrew Fowler, representing Guyana at the 32nd Olympiad in Tokyo, was redemption for all the adversities he had to endure over the years and even leading up to the games.

Fowler’s story is not your typical “from nothing to something” tale, but when you understand where he came from, how he

started swimming and the things he had to overcome, you’ll understand why, despite finishing fourth, swimming way below is personal-best and not advancing in Japan, the 25-year-old is happy.

Like most kids growing up in the ‘country’, swimming in the canals and creeks aka the blacka in Farm Village, East Bank Essequibo, was a staple in his everyday life.

Fowler loves sports, but wasn’t good enough to make it to the National Schools Championships in anything he tried. So, in 2012, inspired by the Olympic Games in London, Fowler decided to give swimming a try.

He was 16. He competed two years at ‘Nationals’ for Uitvlugt Secondary and then Leonora Secondary.

In 2012, it was the first time Fowler had seen a swimming pool in his life, much less to swim in one.

He stole his sister’s ‘tights’ to compete at the National Schools swimming championship at Castellani Pool. He said he left the championship in tears after losing all his races, but was determined to get better.

He reflected that he had returned home to ‘the blacka’ and with no coach, he was practising what he had seen the other swimmers do at Nationals; it didn’t work. Fowler was beaten, again.

Fast-forward to his last year in secondary school, he asked his mom to help him with funds to travel to Georgetown to learn how to swim competitively. He turned up at Colgrain Pool and would explain to different coaches his desire to learn how to swim. They all rejected him, Fowler said,

telling him that he’s too old and wouldn’t be able to make it.

Nonetheless, Dolphin Swim Club was accommodating and coach Jaime Skeete took Fowler under his wings.

Fowler said he would practise some of the techniques from the pool in ‘the blacka’.

He said it took him almost a year to learn how to ‘flip turn’ in the pool. But with his sister’s ‘tights’ and the cheapest goggles he could have found, he won his first race at Nationals in his final year of high school.

He enrolled at the Government Technical Institute (GTI) after finishing secondary school. Most days, Fowler said, he would head to training at Colgrain with nothing to eat, since his mother at the time could have only afforded lunch money and some change for transportation.

When training moved from Colgrain to the Aquatics Centre, Fowler said he became a financial burden for his mom, but she was able to sustain him until 2016, when he was approached by the Guyana Police Force.

The Guyana Police Force, Fowler said, allowed him to earn a salary and focus on swimming.

He recounted his first international outing, in 2015, at the World Championships in Russia.

Fowler said he was more in awe at seeing the inside of an aircraft. It was his first time in one and his first time leaving the country.

Fast-forward: Fowler would represent Guyana at every major championship.

West Indies women to host New Zealand in opening World cup fixture (CMC) – West Indies women will host New Zealand in the opening match of the 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, according to the full updated fixture.

The two sides will kick off the tournament on March 4 at the Bay Oval in Tauranga.

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

A total of 31 games will be played across 31 days, with the eight teams clashing to get their hands on the coveted World Cup trophy. Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Tauranga, and Wellington will be the six cities to be venues for the tournament.

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

On the basis of the ODI Team Rankings, Bangladesh, Pakistan and West Indies were the final three teams to book their berth for the World Cup after 2021 the Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier was called off following the emergence of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus in South Africa.

The Women’s World Cup will be played in the league format, where all eight teams will face each other once, at the end of which the top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals.

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

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

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 18, P A2021 GE

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Andrew Fowler during his time in Tokyo, Japan

From ‘the blacka’ to swimming pool at the Olympics

… 2021 an unforgettable year for Andrew Fowler CWI chief executive Johnny Grave

Grave praises West Indies despite series loss

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021