Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_19_08_2021

THURSDAY 19th August, 2021

' No.106458

US team briefed about elements in US exciting racial hostility, threatening peace, stability in Guyana 18 PAGE

Common ‘gas strategy’ for Guyana, Suriname possible 03 PAGE

– as Heads of State continue discussions on reducing existing gaps, creating opportunities for collaboration

Presidents Ali and Santokhi, during a plenary session at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, on Wednesday, continued to focus discussions on the creation of opportunities for cooperation (Office of the President photos)

354 ‘small business’ grants U.S. hails Jagdeo’s commitment to environment, economic relations 05 valuing $151M disbursed by SBB 04 PAGE

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Rehabilitation of Cane Grove Access Road ongoing

Guyana, Suriname eye further drilling from oil majors after discoveries

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07 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 19, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 19, 2021

Common ‘gas strategy’ for Guyana, Suriname possible

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– as Heads of State continue discussions on reducing existing gaps, creating opportunities for collaboration SIGNIFICANT discoveries of oil offshore Guyana and Suriname are being viewed as a springboard for both nations’ economies, laying the foundation for exponential economic growth and prosperity, especially if the continental neighbours work together to harness the benefits of the burgeoning sector.

Collectively, the discoveries by the various exploration companies in the Guyana-Suriname basin are estimated to be well over 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent and more than 30 trillion cubic feet of gas.

There are already plans on stream to develop a gas-to-shore project in Guyana; however, given the bounties that exist offshore, there is a likelihood that Guyana and Suriname will establish a “common gas strategy.”

Further details on the preliminary discussions related to the common gas strategy are still unavailable, but President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has affirmed that discussions between his team and the visiting Surinamese team, led by that country’s President, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, are not a “time-wasting” exercise.

In fact, contrary to any belief that the discussions are routine, the President said that the objectives of the ongo-

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, make their way through the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), where a plenary session was convened on Wednesday (Office of the President photo)

ing bilateral discussions are to reduce existing gaps and barriers and to create opportunities for co-operation.

The Head of State noted that the objective of enhanced collaboration between the two countries is improved lives for all citizens through social and economic benefits.

Dr. Ali made those remarks during a plenary session held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), on Wednesday.

“We are not on a time-wasting exercise.

We are going to make decisions today for a better tomorrow, and we

are going to advance at a very rapid pace from today in relation to all the commitments and decisions that we will take,” the Head of State posited.

Prior to the commencement of the plenary session, the two Heads of State and their respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs met to advance discussions in several areas.

“As you are aware, both parties here have similarities and have similar challenges and opportunities in relation to the environment. Both of us also have to manage an emerging oil and gas sector in the context

of our credentials on the environment and climate change. So, that is a new area that we have added,” President Ali said.

In addition, the two Presidents also discussed local content and the legislation governing local content policy; tourism; and linkages between Suriname, Guyana and Brazil; infrastructure; agriculture; trade and enhanced security.

In his opening remarks, President Santokhi expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation.

He acknowledged that the engagement allows for the advance-

ment of important discussions between the two countries.

“President, this visit offers an excellent opportunity to evaluate the progress of bilateral co-operation within the context of this dialogue and co-operation platform established a year ago,” the Suriname Head of State said.

He reiterated the importance of Guyana as a neighbour as well as a strategic partner.

The Surinamese delegation includes Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Co-operation (BIBIS), Ambassador Albert R. Ramdin; Min-

ister of Natural Resources, David Abiamofo; Minister of Agriculture, Animal and Husbandry and Fisheries, Parmanand Sewdien; Minister of Public Works, Raid Nurmohamed; Minister of Transport, Communication and Tourism, Albert E. Jubithana; and the Managing Director of the State Oil Company Suriname and Adviser to the Government of Suriname, Annand K.R. Jagesar.

Guyana’s delegation at the plenary session included Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh; Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, who is performing the duties of Minister Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation; Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha; Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill; Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond; Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Elisabeth Harper; Guyana’s resident Ambassador to Suriname, Keith George and representatives from the Office of the President. (Office of the President)

354 ‘small business’ grants valuing $151M disbursed by SBB

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 19, 2021

– markets studies to be conducted to identify areas for co-operation

HUNDREDS of persons are benefitting from the Small Business Bureau’s (SBB) Small Business Development Fund.

Through the 2021 budget, $250 million was allocated to the fund to finance small businesses through grants and loans.

Chief Executive Officer (ag) of the SBB, Vanessa Thompson said that, to date, more than half of the budgeted sum has been disbursed to develop small businesses countrywide.

“For this year so far, we have already disbursed 354 grants. I should as well mention that from the Small Business Development Fund, we are also processing and disbursing COVID-19 relief grants… for this year we

have already disbursed 30 COVID-19 relief grants… for the 354 grants disbursed so far, the total amount is $151.9 million and for the 30 COVID-19 grants, it is $5.9 million,” Thompson said.

Usually, the cap for grants is $500,000, but the limit for the COVID-19 grants is $250,000. The disbursement of grants is a commitment by the People’s Progress Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration to provide more incentives to small businesses and young entrepreneurs, including micro-credit facilities.

The creation of 50,000 jobs is another commitment the PPP/C government is determined to deliver. What better way to propel the commitment than by providing persons with avenues

to become their own bosses and create employment for others.

Thompson said the bureau will be hosting awareness sessions, so that more persons can take advantage of avenues available through the government to become entrepreneurs.

This will be done through ‘One-Stop Shop’ outreaches, similar to the one recently conducted in Region Two, where over 100 persons applied for grants. The next event will be hosted in Region Seven.

“This year, we really want to focus on providing more access to remote communities. The ‘One-Stop Shop’ is just one of the ways we would be doing this. The other way we would be doing this is by strengthening the services provided by our help desk services… we have help

Chief Executive Officer (ag) Small Business Bureau, Vanessa Thompson (DPI photo) desks located in every region except Region Five and we are in discussion with representatives to establish a help

desk there,” she said.

The SBB will also be working to assist its clients through market linkages and

analysis to access opportunities that are available locally, regionally and internationally.

“We recently learnt of a company right here in Guyana that invested several millions into machinery that produce juice, but there is not enough juice available to that company. So, how can we link some of our clients, who are in agriculture and producing the crops that they need, to that company so that they can fill that gap?

“So, we are looking to do market studies that will give us that sort of information, so that we will be able to better guide our clients and position them to access these opportunities,” the SBB head related.

Thompson said the bureau will continue to work and find ways to strengthen small businesses that come under its purview. (DPI)

Boat captain accused of murder remanded A 35-year-old boat captain was, on Tuesday, remanded to prison for the murder of 34-year-old Mohamed Rai, whose lifeless body was found floating in the Aruka River, Kumaka Waterfront, North West District (NWD).

Damian Ming, called “Eddoe” of Canal Bank, Port Kaituma, NWD, appeared via Zoom before Senior Magistrate, Sunil Scarce, at the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court for the capital offence in relation to Rai’s death.

He was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that he, between August 9 and10, 2021, at Kumaka Waterfront, murdered Rai, called “Shaheed.”

Magistrate Scarce remanded Ming to prison and adjourned the case until December 15.

Rai, a fisherman of Sheet Anchor, East Canje Berbice, was fished out of the river around 08:00 hours on August 12. Police retrieved the body, and it was positively

identified by boat captain, Edwin Oneil, and other crew members. An hour later, Rai was pronounced dead at the scene by a doctor.

According to the police, Rai’s body was examined and what appeared to be marks of violence were seen on the right side of his neck and right eye.

Rai was reported missing on August 10, by his boat captain. It was reported that he was last seen in the company of Ming.

Damian Ming called “Eddoe”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 19, 2021

Jagdeo recognised for commitment to environment, economic partnership with U.S. VICE-PRESIDENT, Bharrat Jagdeo, has received two separate certificates of Special Congressional Recognition from the United States of America.

According posts on his official Facebook page, Jagdeo was presented with a certificate in honour of his “dedication to promoting friendship and economic exchange between the United States of America and the Republic of Guyana.”

This certificate was presented to him during a meeting with U.S. Congressman, Al Green. Congressman Green is currently serving his ninth term as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and represents the Congressional District of Texas.

Added to that, the Vice-President met with U.S. Congresswoman, Sheila Jackson Lee, who is serving her eleventh term as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 18th Congressional District of Texas.

During a meeting with the Congresswoman, Jagdeo was presented with yet another Certificate of Con-

and the conservation of biodiversity.”

According to the UNEP, the award is given to “people and organisations truly distinguished when it comes to making a real difference in protecting the planet earth…

UNEP’s Champions of the Earth Awards honours the ‘best and brightest’ as they strive to take action for our planet through their visionary thinking, unwavering dedication

and committed action towards the sustainable use of the planet’s resources for global green growth.”

Vice-President Jagdeo’s 2010 recognition stemmed from his pioneering and comprehensive policies on sustainable economic growth through Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

The strategy is preContinued on page 11

Guyana’s Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo, is applauded while being presented with the Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from U.S. Congresswoman, Sheila Jackson Lee

gressional Recognition; this time, it was in honour of his commitment to the environment, sustainable development, and green energy.

Congresswoman Jackson Lee hailed Jagdeo’s efforts as being ‘praiseworthy’ and “most deserving of the respect, admiration and commendation of the United States Congress.”

This is not the first time the Vice-President has been honoured for his fight to sustain the environment and combat climate change. As a matter of fact, in 2010, a year be-

fore his presidency ended, Jagdeo was awarded the ‘Champion of the Earth Award’ by the United Nations (UN) Environmental Programme (UNEP).

The former Head of State received the prestigious award for his outstanding international leadership on combating climate change and his pioneering model on low carbon economic development.

At that time, in presenting the prestigious award, the then UN Under-Secretary-General and Environmental Programme

Executive Director, Achim Steiner, stated: “President Jagdeo is a powerful advocate of the need to conserve and more intelligently manage the planet’s natural and nature-based assets. He has recognised more than most the multiple Green Economy benefits of forests in terms of combating climate change, (and) also in terms of development, employment, improved water supplies

Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo accepting his commendations from U.S. Congressman, Al Green

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 19, 2021

Increasing disposable income for pensioners

PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has announced that his administration will be making available another $2.6B to pensioners and other vulnerable groups in the country, in an attempt to further improve their quality of life. This is in addition to the several other incentives given to the elderly such as increases in old age pension, subsidised water and electricity, and removal of value-added taxes on essential food items and basic services.

Pensioners are the major beneficiaries of the new relief measures announced by the President which will see a cash payment of $25,000 dollars to every old age pensioner. This is equivalent to an additional month’s pension which is a welcome

gesture given the fact that pensioners are unable to earn at the same level as when in active employment.

Our pensioners deserve no less. They have expended all their productive lives to our development and it is only fair that they spend the remainder of their lives in a secure and dignified manner. The current PPP/C administration has, in just over a year, demonstrated a strong commitment to our senior citizens. President Ali has personally been involved in efforts to bring relief to the elderly by way of the distribution of food hampers and other engagements. ‘To our elderly, of course you have contributed significantly to our country.

You are also a great asset to our country’, said President Ali who vowed to further healthcare and other bene-

fits for seniors.

The cash grant payable to pensioners is much more than an act of putting more money in the wallets of our senior citizens. At a more fundamental level, it is an act of humanity, an expression of love and concern for the well-being of our pensioners who would have contributed to the country’s development in one way or the other and who are now looking forward to enjoying their sunset years.

In a special address to the nation, President Ali said that the one-off cash grant of $25,000 will be given to all old-age pensioners and will benefit some 65,000 persons, which will go a far way in increasing their disposable income.

In addition to pensioners, a similar one-off cash grant will be given to all

recipients of public assistance and persons living with disabilities which will benefit about 25,000 persons. Further, an electricity credit will be paid to the Guyana Power and Light Inc. on behalf of all households consuming less than 75 kilowatt of electricity per month. The credit to each household will be equivalent to an average of one month of their electricity bill which will benefit 40,000 households. As the President correctly reminded, all of these new interventions are running concurrently with the $25,000 COVID-19 cash grant, the $19,000 education cash grant and $7.8 billion in flood relief cash grant.

These are substantial sums of money and they do come at a cost but, as the President has repeatedly

reminded, the welfare of our people must at all times take precedence over any other consideration. In the final analysis, money cannot be an end in itself but the means to a greater end, namely the satisfaction of the material and cultural needs of people, especially the most vulnerable in our society.

President Ali and his PPP/C administration must be commended for putting people at the centre of its developmental agenda.

There was a time under the previous administration when our senior citizens were given the ‘royal push around’ to receive even the pittance they were entitled to. The long, dehumanising and agonising waits at post offices and other places of pension payments still leave a bitter taste

among pensioners who can now breathe a sigh of relief over the ease in which they can uplift their pensions.

Gone are the days when old age pension payments were dependent on a means test which effectively denied a significant number of senior citizens from obtaining pensions. It was the PPP/C administration that brought to an end the means test thereby making it possible for all eligible Guyanese, regardless of their economic status to receive pensions.

Age must not be a deterrent in the enjoyment of a decent and satisfying life. Indeed, societies are judged on how they treat with the elderly and the vulnerable. The PPP/C administration has not been found wanting in this regard.

APNU+AFC neglected Linden during its time in government

Dear Editor,

I HAVE read Ms. Annette Ferguson’s letter that the APNU+AFC created a sound housing sector strategy (Stabroek News, August 14, 2021).

Essentially, her letter attempts to make two arguments: that the people are suffering under this government and that APNU+AFC had a better housing plan than the incumbent PPP/C government. I shall now comment on those two arguments.

To begin, the former minister, Ms. Ferguson, did not go into the trouble of explain-

ing how the people are suffering under this new PPP/C Government; she wrote in general terms. There is a reason for that: she will be hard-pressed to show that it is the government that is causing people to experience hardship and that the difficult circumstances some individuals are facing are the doings of the government. Therefore, her argument is more in the realm of propaganda; it is void of substance. But anyone who looks objectively at the national economic situation would have to admit that, over the last year, the performance of the government has been nothing but

excellent.

In the face of a raging deadly pandemic that is affecting the global economy, the government has managed to keep the public sector, public systems, and vital public services consistent with the needs of the wider populace. In addition, the government has been reaching out to people, particularly, those in vulnerable situations with help in many different ways. And while the former minister dismissively talks about the distribution of hampers by the government to citizens, it would be interesting for her to say how much assistance her party is

giving to its supporters. In fact, Ms. Ferguson should let us know about the quantity and the quality of assistance the former government, of which she was a part, gave to the ordinary people of Guyana as opposed to what was given to rich friends of the APNU+AFC. Therefore, when she speaks of suffering perhaps Ferguson is reflecting on the inaction of the immediate past government to help citizens desperately in need of it.

Second, Ms. Ferguson has set out tables about acreage of lands acquired for the purpose of housing by the past government but those

tables and figures, in substance, means nothing if it did not translate into real benefits to ordinary Guyanese. I am of the view that those figures would change if we know how much of those lands went to friends and party cronies as against how much was given to Guyanese at the working-class level. After five years in office, the former Housing Minister should have been embarrassed to reveal those numbers. Those numbers show that the government performed poorly over the last five years in that sector of the economy. And we must not forget, the processing of

applications seems to have been speeded up on the tail end of the APNU+AFC’s term in office when they were seeking votes.

Compare that to the record of this new PPP/C Government led by His Excellency, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali. The PPP/C Government has allocated 400 house lots, in Linden, in just two days. This is more than the amount allocated by APNU+AFC Coalition in five years. Where were those house lots? Right there, in Linden. But, the Coalition was too busy taking care of their friends; they had no time for ordinary people Continued on page 7

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Rehabilitation of Cane Grove Access Road ongoing

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 19, 2021

– inclement weather, other factors resulted in delays

WORKS are ongoing on the rehabilitation of the Cane Grove Access Road, Region Four, to improve ease of travel for residents.

The Ministry of Public Works had awarded a contract to the tune of $200 million to Colin Talbot Construction on December 29, 2020 for the works to be done, with a commencement order for January 11, 2021.

Presently, the works are about 45 per cent complete.

The project is divided into four sections. The first and fourth sections constitute the scarification of the highway, which requires placement of crusher aggregates

and asphaltic concrete.

The second and third sections constitute the full reconstruction of the carriageway, which entails placing geo-fabric on the sub-base, white sand/sand clay, crusher aggregates and asphaltic concrete.

The contractor is currently placing crusher aggregates in section one, and compacting white sand/sand clay in section three. No works have been done in sections two and four.

Payments have been made for 20 per cent of the placed materials since materials were not yet compacted and tested.

There are breaches in

the river defence in the area, which causes flooding to undermine the road structure.

To remedy this, the Sea and River Defence Department of the Work Services Group is working to create a temporary structure to assist in the completion of the carriageway.

The Ministry of Public Works acknowledges that the project is behind schedule. This is due to inclement weather and other factors; however, the ministry is assuring citizens that efforts are being made to complete to works in the shortest possible time. (DPI)

Linden-Mabura corridor opens to light and heavy traffic

– after torrential showers washed away a large section of the roadway THE Ministry of Public Works has reported that the Linden to Mabura corridor is once again open to light and heavy traffic.

On Friday, February 13, 2021, heavy rainfall overwhelmed several of the low-level culverts at the location, eventually leading to a section of the roadway, stretching 30 feet, being washed away.

Cofferdams have since been built to facilitate the re-installation of the five culverts in accordance with the scope of the emergency works and will soon allow for the uninterrupted flow of water.

The contractor, MMC, has indicated that commuters are now able to utilise the bypass and the previously washed-out section of the roadway.

While traffic has resumed, the contractor has said that the final completion date is Saturday, August 21, 2021. The ministry thanked all road users for their continued patience and co-operation.

From page 6 of Linden. In fact, one of the past Ministers of Housing resides in that very town.

Moreover, in just one year, in office, the PPP/C Government has allocated over 5,000 house lots.

Unlike the previous government, these allocations are to ordinary Guyanese,

who work regular jobs and are seeking to improve the quality of their lives. It must also be said that the allocation process is done in a transparent manner; no hide and seek games and secret deals. Going forward, the government has already activated the

“We wish to remind the public that the ministry remains committed to utilising all the resources available to ensure this situation is rectified in the shortest time possible,” the Public Works Minister said. (DPI)

The Linden-Mabura corridor is once again open to light and heavy traffic

appropriate processes to ensure the planned and orderly development of housing schemes, in all 10 administrative regions, for all Guyanese.

Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 19, 2021

GAICO Construction enhances capabilities in oil and gas

– through partnership with American-based companies at the Offshore Technology Conference 2021 IN a move which will see the transfer of skills and technology for projects in Guyana’s oil and gas sector, Guyanese-owned GAICO Construction signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two U.S.-based companies, Myer Marine Services and Hargrove EPC, at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas.

The MoU was signed

by President of Myer Marine Services, David Myer; President of Hargrove Engineers + Constructors, Ralph Hargrove, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GAICO Construction Services, Komal Singh.

The momentous signing was witnessed by Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat; Minister of Foreign Affairs and In-

ternational Cooperation, Hugh Todd; Ambassador of the U.S. to Guyana, Sarah Ann Lynch; CEO of Go-Invest, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop; Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Paul Cheong; Vice-President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gerry Gouveia Jnr, and other company officials.

Continued on page 10

Representatives of partnering companies sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of senior government officials and other stakeholders, at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas

46.5MW of additional power likely by September

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 19, 2021

– Wartsila to manage operations of new engines at Garden of Eden

BY September, the national power grid will have access to 46.5 megawatts of additional power generated by the new Wartsila engines that have been installed at the Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara, powerplant.

After several delays, there was a soft commissioning of the five engines, which was spearheaded by Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Bharrat Dindyal.

During the commissioning activity on Wednesday, Prime Minister Phillips said that he was pleased with the operations of the engines, notwithstanding the additional works that have to be done, in order for them to become fully operational.

“I had the opportunity of starting each of the generators; running it for five minutes and shutting it down, and I can tell you that that process went smoothly, so I’m satisfied that all five generators are working,” Phillips told reporters following the exercise.

He said that even though the machines are working, there is still much more to be done before they can be linked to the nearby sub-station, which would then trans-

During a soft commissioning exercise on Wednesday, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips was able to test, first hand, the functions of the five Wartsila engines that have been installed at the Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara, powerplant (Office of the Prime Minister photo) port it to the national power grid.

The Prime Minister related that this project, pursued by the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government, is merely a short-term initiative, since the current People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration is focused heavily on supplying the country with renewable energy.

“In the scheme of things for our government, you can recall that our strategic outlook is to provide 400 megawatts of power over the next five years, utilising

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips engages CEO of GPL, Bharrat Dindyal and his team at the Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara, powerplant (Office of the Prime Minister photo)

fossil fuels, the gas-to-shore project, solar, wind and hydro,” Phillips posited.

He said that because the project was already in progress when the Dr. Irfaan Aliled government assumed office in August 2020, Cabinet had no alternative but to bring it to fruition as early as possible. However, this was not without challenges.

According to GPL’s Dindyal, the project suffered multiple delays over the last few months, mainly owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We had people sent here, who actually contracted COVID-19 while here.

We had to shut down the entire site on a number of occasions,” the CEO related.

Notwithstanding the past challenges, Dindyal said that all the commissioning steps of the project should be completed by September, after which the plant will move straight into commercial operations.

“The Operations and Maintenance contractor has personnel already on site,” Dindyal said, noting that a team from the Wartsila company will take over the operations aspect of the plant.

“We will be negotiating with them now, the operations and maintenance agreement,” he said.

Dindyal said that as it is, the team from Wartsila is functioning as part of a mobilisation agreement. “[We are] working to finalise operations and maintenance agreement,” he added.

Once the plant is up and running, it will benefit from an on-site staff complement

of approximately three dozen persons.

“By the time we finish commissioning, expect to have all the personnel on site,” Dindyal related.

He said that the engines have a warranty of one year, and that each of the five engines supply approximately 9.3 megawatts of power.

The GPL CEO indicated too, that even though the engines have undergone a soft commissioning, it still has to endure load testing.

Dindyal said that the loading of machines will be done individually, and will

have to run at full capacity for five days.

Nonetheless, as he reflected on the project, Prime Minister Phillips said that had the previous government continued along the “trajectory” put in place by the previous PPP/C government, the country would have already been able to benefit from hydropower, at least by 2018.

Even though projects such as the Amaila Falls Hydropower project were shelved, Phillips related that these are all coming back on stream, as the government seeks to cut electricity cost

by 50 per cent over the next five years.

Added to that, the Prime Minister said that a US$900 million landmark gas-toshore project is being pursued.

“We will deliver to the people of Guyana,” Phillips insisted.

In expressing his appreciation to the GPL and Wartsila teams, the Prime Minister said that continued efforts will be made to be consistent with the maintenance of the country’s power transmission and distribution system.

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GTT boasts about ‘unmatched’ capabilities in the ICT space GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 19, 2021

– at Offshore Technology Conference in Texas

THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), on Wednesday, said that it has managed to garner the attention of many international companies interested in operating in Guyana’s oil and gas sector.

The telecoms provider participated in this year’s Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) hosted in Houston, Texas.

Members of the company’s Business Solutions team revealed that so far, the con-

ference has been a success.

“The main aim of our involvement in the conference was to represent Guyana as the number one provider of 21st century business solutions, and showcase our unmatched capabilities in the ICT space,” said Orson Ferguson, Chief Operations Officer of Business Solutions at GTT. “We have been serving businesses in Guyana for over 30 years. With the rapid developments in the oil and

gas sector, we have been meeting the needs of companies operating in Guyana like Exxon, Halliburton, Schlumberger, etc., and we wanted other companies interested in operating in Guyana, to know that we have the network and capabilities to meet their needs, and today we have done that,” he added.

The conference allows energy professionals to meet and exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offFrom Left to right: GTT’s Sales Lead for Business Solutions, Vishwanath Ishwardin; Chief Operations Officer of Business Solutions, Orson Ferguson, and Sales Director of Business Solutions, Hilton Wong shore resources. It also brings given the opportunity to ad- evening. Approximately together industry leaders, vertise its resources to over 400 representatives from investors, buyers, and entre- 59,000 energy professionals various international and preneurs to develop markets from more than 100 coun- local companies were said to be in attendance. The and business partnerships. tries.

GTT is part of the delThe GTT team was conference concludes today. egation representing Guy- also present at the Guyana ana. The local team was Night hosted on Wednesday

GAICO Construction...

From page 8

The objective of the MoU is to foster a deeper relationship and to work in close collaboration towards the development of projects in Guyana.

This strategic partnership will enable the transfer of skills and technology for the development of the Guyanese workforce in the growing oil and gas sector.

According to a press statement, Myer Marine Services has grown very quickly from its founding in 2013 to a premier steel fabrication, machining, and field services company.

Led by David Myer and sons-- Brandon Myer and Bradley Myer-- Myer Marine Services offers a full range of services from initial design all the way to installation of the finished product.

Further, Hargrove Engineers + Contractors has innovated sound solutions for the process, manufacturing, and energy industries since 1995.

Hargrove serves clients in long-term support

relationships in multiple modes of service: onsite support arrangements, plant-level small projects and consulting roles, and larger capital projects.

GAICO Construction has expanded and realigned its operations to cater for the country’s new-found petroleum industry.

Today, GAICO has jobs across the length and breadth of Guyana, boasting over 100 employees.

The company is integrally involved in the development of the country in the civil works sector, marine sector and most recently, in the oil and gas sector, specifically in the areas of oil spill response and waste management.

“GAICO is honored to be partnering up once again with two major American-based companies. This MoU is the beginning of another big step for not only GAICO but also for Guyana, as we are all determined to growing the economy and bringing the professional skills needed, utilizing the

private sector,” Singh said.

Meanwhile, Myer said: “We are thrilled to enter this partnership today with Hargrove and GAICO, and to become an active participant in the growth and development of Guyana.

With our collective experience and broad areas of expertise, the capabilities of this team are endless, and unmatched in Guyana or abroad. We are looking forward to what the future holds for this team, and for Guyana.”

Echoing the sentiments of both Singh and Myer, Hargrove related: “Hargrove is excited about the opportunity to partner with GAICO and Myer in order to meet the ambitious industrial and infrastructure plans in Guyana while creating skilled employment opportunities for the Guyanese people.”

The partnering entities also thanked Go-Invest, the Government of Guyana, the U.S. Embassy, and Guyana’s private sector for facilitating this partnership.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 19, 2021

Teen among five new ‘COVID’ deaths, 21 new cases recorded

ONE female and four males have died after contracting COVID-19, taking Guyana’s overall death toll to 587, the Ministry of Health said on Wednesday.

The latest fatalities are a 63-year-old female from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and the four males aged 84, 87, 70 and 17, all from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica.

They were admitted to Ministry of Health facilities with COVID-like symptoms and died while receiving treatment. Samples were

taken at the time of admission which subsequently returned positive results.

Meanwhile, 100 new cases were recorded, taking the total number of cases since March 2020 to 23,675.

Up to press time, 75 persons had recovered from the virus. There are currently 1,068 active cases.

The country has now recorded a total of 23,795 confirmed cases since the first COVID-19 case was reported in March 2020.

Of the active cases, 15 persons are at the

COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital, Liliendaal; 88 are in institutional isolation; 980 are in home isolation, and five are in institutional quarantine.

Many of the persons infected with the virus are said to be asymptomatic, that is, they are not exhibiting symptoms.

The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures are in force until August 31, 2021.

They may be extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health, after an

will see the materialisation of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, another ground-breaking initiative conceptualised by Jagdeo, while he was President.

The Vice-President is currently leading Guyana’s representation at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, where he recommitted to balancing Guyana’s petroleum wealth with the protection of the environment.

Additionally, on Tuesday night, Dr. Jagdeo delivered the feature address at a forum hosted by the Rice University’s Baker Institute Centre for Energy Studies. There, he issued a call for developing countries to do more in the fight against climate change.

He pointed to the fact that in recent times, developed countries have been relying far too much on developing countries to tackle climate change, even though the latter are often without the requisite resources, technological and otherwise, to lead the charge.

“There is a great deal of worry; in fact, stress in the developing world that in spite of all the progress that we are making towards a zero-emissions future, that the issues that

affect us and the help that was promised to us, are not adequate, and the threat is becoming even more existential for us,” Dr. Jagdeo told the forum of experts.

He made specific reference to countries in the Caribbean and the Pacific which remain vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters such as hurricanes, which have the potential to decimate approximately 50 years of a country’s accumulated wealth. This is compounded by the fact that many of developing countries are fiscally stressed and burdened by debt.

“Many of these developing countries have no capability for equal burden-sharing and so, the justice, the fairness of this, has also eroded over time. And these countries, historically, were not the contributors to the current concentration of greenhouse gases. Yet, they suffer the most from it,” Jagdeo posited.

He said pointedly: “If the developed world does not commit to achieving these targets, then many of these countries will leave, as they enter the negotiations, skeptical as ever that enough is not being done.” (Rehana Ahamad)

Jagdeo recognised for...

From page 5

mised on the concept of avoided deforestation, which allows Guyana’s 15 million hectares of rainforest to serve as a carbon sink, a process that is critical to combating global climate change. Deforestation accounts for about 20 per cent of human-generated greenhouse emissions.

To support the LCDS, the Governments of Guyana and Norway had agreed on a ground-breaking model where Norway will pay US$250 million towards Guyana’s forest climate services between 2010 and 2015. This is the second largest deal of its kind in the world.

Moreover, in 2008, Jagdeo was named ‘Hero of the Environment’ by TIME Magazine.

CONTINUING THE FIGHT More than a decade after he was named Champion of the Earth, Jagdeo is still lending his voice and efforts to combating climate change.

Now that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) has returned to office, the Dr. Irfaan Ali-led government has pledged its commitment to proceeding with phase two of the LCDS, which

assessment of the prevailing public health conditions of the pandemic.

As per the current measures, however, all persons are required to wear face masks when leaving their homes, and physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are recommended.

The current curfew is 22:30 hours to 04:00 hours.

Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166, 226-7480, or 180/181 for assistance.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 19, 2021

Brazilians charged with cocaine trafficking have bail suspended

AFTER hearing oral submissions, High Court Judge, Sandil Kissoon, suspended the bail which was granted by Senior Magistrate Alex Moore to two Brazilians who were charged for cocaine trafficking and entering Guyana illegally.

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., had moved to the High Court to challenge Magistrate Moore’ decision. His case came up for hearing before Justice Kissoon on Wednesday.

Salem Nobrega De Alencar, 64, and André Pereira, 30, were arrested and charged following the discovery of some 1,000 pounds of cocaine aboard a plane that had crash landed in a savannah at Orealla on May 20.

Magistrate Moore granted each of the men $3M bail on the drug-trafficking charge and $50,000 bail for the illegal entry charge during their second court appearance.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that residents, who had gone to the scene after the crash, advised the two male occupants to remain at the site. However, the pilot, De Alencar; and co-pilot Pereira, made their way into the village under the guise of seeking accommodation and fuel.

Reports are that the men claimed that they were on their way to Suriname to deliver a shipment of magnesium. During an inspection of the aircraft, 453 packs, each containing one kilogram of cocaine, were found. The cocaine amounted to almost 1,000 pounds. The drugs, two GPS devices, a radio system, three smartphones, and the men’s Brazilian identification cards were seized.

On May 27, they appeared at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court for the aforementioned offences and were remanded to prison by Magistrate Moore.

When the case was recalled on July 22, police prosecutor Orin Joseph laid over an analysis report for the drugs, police statements, photographs of a Whatsapp conversation taken from a cellular phone reportedly connected to the men and a compact disc with the police interviewing them.

Joseph also requested an additional adjournment to secure a few more statements from investigating ranks as

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C. well as responses to inquiries made to the authorities in Brazil, Suriname and Guatemala.

On that same date, the men’s attorney renewed an application for bail on the grounds that the defendants may have contracted the COVID-19 virus and were being assaulted by other prisoners.

Despite the prosecutor pointing out to the court that these claims were not supported by medical or other

Senior Magistrate Alex Moore evidence, Magistrate Moore released them on bail.

Owing to the delay in releasing them from prison, their attorneys moved to the High Court and filed Habeas Corpus proceedings before Justice Kissoon.

S i m i l a r l y, N a n d l a l l moved to the court, filing proceedings for judicial review against the magistrate’s decision to grant bail as well as an order to suspend the bail until the hearing and determination of the judicial review case.

On Wednesday, when the case was called in the High Court, Nandlall appeared in person for the Commissioner of Police while Periera was represented by attorney-at-law, Nigel Hughes and associates. It is unclear if the other accused has legal representation in this matter.

Justice Kissoon upheld the submissions made by the AG that the accused persons should remain in custody until the hearing and determination of the judicial review case.

The judge also granted an interim order staying and suspending the bail granted by the magistrate pending the hearing and determination of Nandlall’s application.

The AG is contending that Magistrate Moore’s decision is in excess of his jurisdiction since the men’s attorney failed to satisfy or observe conditions or procedures required by law.

According to the AG, the magistrate acted “unreasonably, irregularly or improperly” in exercising his discretion which resulted in an abuse of his power.

Magistrate Moore, the Continued on page 13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 19, 2021

Brazilians charged...

From page 12 AG added, acted in bad faith for an improper purpose when he took into account irrelevant considerations when exercising his discretion to grant bail in relation to the drug-possession charge.

The AG is contending that according to Section 94 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, magistrates are prohibited from granting bail unless there are special reasons for doing so, and that no such special reasons in law were proffered when Magirate Moore did so.

As it relates to the claims of possibly contracting COVID-19 and physical violence at the hands of other prisoners, the AG noted in his documents that although there was no supporting medical or other evidence in court, the men were released on bail.

It is for these reasons that Nandlall is asking the court to grant an Order of Certiorari, quashing the decision of the magistrate to grant bail to the two foregin nationals.

Meanwhile, regarding the delay in releasing the prisoners despite the granting of bail, the AG said the men

Salem Nobrega De Alencar and André Pereira at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court (Photo courtesy of Fresh Studio) were a flight risk since they attorneys-at-law and verily do not have any ties to Guy- believe that given the magana. Their release would have nitude of the quantity of caused them to violate sev- narcotics recovered by the eral provisions in Guyana’s police officers, the severity Immigration Act, he said. of the offences committed Prosecutor Joseph, in his by the prisoner and the affidavit in support of Nand- overwhelming evidence lall’s application, agreed that the learned magisthat the prisoners are for- trate acted in excess of his eign nationals in Guyana jurisdiction by unreasonand therefore are flight risks. ably, irregularly and/or He pointed out that should improperly exercising his they flee the jurisdiction, the discretion to grant bail to state would be left at a severe the prisoner. This decision disadvantage since it would was made in bad faith and have to expend time and re- clearly demonstrates an sources to find the prisoners error of law, whether or and to have them extradited not apparent on the face of for prosecution. the record,” the prosecutor “I am advised by my added.

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Daughter, alleged ‘hitman’ on trial for murder of Ruby businessman

BIBI Nazeela Habiboodean and the man she allegedly hired to kill her 76-year-old father are currently on trial before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a jury at the Demerara High Court.

Habiboodean and Linden Lewis, called “Bullet” have pleaded not guilty to murdering the elder Habiboodean on February 15, 2008 at Ruby, East Bank Essequibo.

The state is being represented by senior state prosecutor Lisa Cave. Attorneys-at-law Latchmie Rahamat and Roger Yearwood are on record for the accused.

The trial commenced, on Wednesday, with the testimony of a number of police and civilian witnesses. The trial continues today.

It is alleged that Bibi hired Lewis to kill her father and also helped him to gain access to her father’s house on February 15, 2008.When the “hitman” entered the businessman’s home, the elderly Habiboodean, who was sitting in a chair, was struck repeatedly. He later

Linden Lewis and Bibi Nazeela Habiboodean succumbed to his injuries in a hospital.

Bibi was charged along with another man shortly after the murder was committed. They were both discharged by a magistrate due to insufficient evidence.

Lewis who had fled to the interior was arrested by police two years later. The police got a breakthrough in the case after Lewis and four others were detained for the murder of Mohamed Munir, 75, and his wife Bibi Jamila Munir, 69, who were burnt to death in their Good

Hope, East Bank Essequibo in 2016.

While in custody, someone tipped off investigators that Lewis had vital information about Habiboodean’s death. He allegedly confessed and told the police that he was paid by Bibi to kill her father. Shortly after, Bibi turned herself in to the police and reportedly provided investigators with a statement that was consistent with that given by her father’s alleged killer.

Bibi and Lewis were later charged.

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Guyana seeks higher royalties, revamped terms for new oil contracts

(Reuters) - GUYANA aims to increase its oil royalties and revamp other contract terms as part of a new profit-sharing agreement (PSA) for future crude and gas projects now in its draft stage, the South American nation’s Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo, said on Tuesday.

The tiny country has become one of the most desired oil exploration hot spots after an Exxon Mobil-led group (XOM.N), including U.S.-based Hess Corp (HES.N) and China’s CNOOC Ltd (0883.HK), discovered about nine billion barrels of recoverable oil and gas off its coast.

Guyana expects this year to install an energy regulatory body and it will, this month, disclose the winner of a one-year contract to

market oil production from the prolific Stabroek Block.

The new PSA will be tougher than that negotiated with the Exxon consortium and could be ready “within six months or so,” Vice-President Jagdeo said on the sidelines of the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas.

The government has been at odds with Exxon over flaring at its Liza project, the first one producing crude in Guyana after discoveries.

“We have made it clear that in any new PSA we negotiate for those blocks, the conditions will be very, very different than the ones from the Stabroek block,” Jagdeo said, including higher royalties and mechanisms for deducting costs from investment.

Previous Guyanese governments have been criticised for the lucrative terms provided to companies involved in the Stabroek block.

“All the deficiencies of this contract will be addressed,” he said.

The International Energy Agency, a group of oil-consuming nations, this spring, said if governments wanted to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, there would be no need for new fossil fuel developments.

A United Nation panel last month also said burning fossil fuels causes climate warming.

“We have been called to leave our oil in the ground,” he said, adding: “We’ll develop our oil industry putting in place regulations for safe, low carbon operations.”

A worker puts finishing touches on exhibition booths at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas, U.S., August 14, 2021 (REUTERS/Gary McWilliams)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 19, 2021

US team briefed about elements in US exciting racial hostility, threatening peace, stability – US to enlist Guyana’s support to tackle organised crimes, extradition, deportation, prosecution of fugitives

A US team, on Wednesday, updated the Attorney-General on a number of areas in the legal sector

that the US Government will enlist the support of the Attorney-General’s Chambers, in particular,

organised financial crimes, extraditions, deportations and the prosecution of fugitives who may have

committed offences in either Guyana or the USA, or in both countries.

The discussions

Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall receives a gift with a symbolic badge on behalf of the United States Marshals Service, Department of Justice, New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force and New York City Division/Citywide Fugitive Enforcement Operations

also focused on certain strategic areas which need to be strengthened, especially in the area of forensic investigations by collaboration between the two countries, a release from the Attorney-General Chamber said.

The US team comprised representatives of the US Law Enforcement Agencies, including the US Marshals Service, Department of Justice, New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force as well as Special Agent Diplomatic Service; US Embassy, Georgetown, Guyana.

The Attorney-General also raised the issue of persons operating on the airwaves and in the social media, resident in the United States but by their constant publications, threatening peace, stability and public order and exciting racial hostilities in Guyana as a new and emerging problem which will have to be confronted sooner than later.

The Attorney-General, the release noted, intimated that even the US Ambassador to Guyana is the subject of attacks from these reckless and fringe elements.

Minister Nandlall reaffirmed the Guyana Government’s continued commitment to partner and work closely with the US security services for the benefit of both nations as he highlighted that tackling crime is a priority of his government.

Follow-up engagements are planned flowing from the outcome of Wednesday’s meeting, the release stated.

At the end of the meeting, the Attorney-General was gifted with a symbolic badge on behalf of the United States Marshals Service, Department of Justice, New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force and New York City Division/Citywide Fugitive Enforcement Operations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 19, 2021

Guyana, Suriname eye further drilling from oil majors after discoveries

(Reuters) - Guyana and Suriname expect continued exploratory drilling over the next two years by oil majors in their joint offshore basin after a string of recent discoveries, government officials and corporate executives said at a conference on Wednesday.

The neighbouring South American countries, along with Brazil, attracted the most

attendees to sessions at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston this week, outshining discussions of the U.S. and Mexican sides of the Gulf of Mexico.

In Guyana, where a group led by Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N) has discovered more than nine billion barrels of oil and gas, an executive from Spain’s Repsol SA (REP. MC) said the company planned

A pictorial representation of ExxonMobil’s operations offshore Guyana, in the various blocks (ExxonMobil’s photo)

Motorist charged for causing death of pedestrian

A TWENTY-SIX-year-old Linden resident was, on Wednesday, released on just over $1 million bail for the recent fatal accident on the Kairuni Public Road, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, which claimed the life of 19-year-old Ryan Boodhoo.

Casey Stephen of One Mile Extension, Wismar appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court charged for causing death by dangerous driving, failure to render assistance, driving unlicensed and breach of insurance.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges and was placed on $1M bail for causing death charge and $20,000 for each of the other charges. The matter was adjourned until September 10, 2021.

Boodhoo was pronounced dead on arrival at the Linden Hospital Complex, where he

was taken by public-spirited citizens after he was hit from behind by motorcar PZZ 2881, while walking on the public road.

He and three others were walking south along the eastern side of the roadway. According to an eyewitness, the vehicle which hit Boodhoo was at the time proceeding south at a fast rate and speed away from the scene after hitting the teen.

The eyewitness said having observed the vehicle as it was approaching, he was able to pull the person walking next to him to safety just prior to Boodhoo being hit.

Stephen was later arrested and charged.

According to a post-mortem examination done by Government Pathologist Nehal Singh, Boodhoo’s cause of death was given as a fractured skull and spine.

to drill offshore next year, despite two previous dry wells.

“I do hope that in 2022 we will have a major discovery in the Kanuku block because that will be to the benefit of Guyana too,” the country’s Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, said.

F r a n c e ’s To t a l E n e r gies (TTEF.PA), a partner in three blocks in Guyana, expects to begin drilling another

exploration well this year, said Jean-Michel Lavergne, who leads the company’s Americas exploration and production unit. Toronto-based CGX Energy Inc (OYL.V) will drill in the Corentyne Block, Bharrat said.

Not counting future potential discoveries, Guyana expects output from the Stabroek Block - which Exxon operates with Hess Corp (HES.N) and

China’s CNOOC Ltd (0883.

HK) - to reach nearly one million barrels per day (bpd) by 2025 or 2026, Bharrat said, up from 125,000 bpd presently.

Suriname aims to complete negotiations with TotalEnergies, Qatar Petroleum (QATPE.UL) and Chevron Corp (CVX.N) - which were awarded three shallow water blocks in June - this quarter, said Patrick Brunings, explo-

ration manager of state oil company, Staatsolie.

Five other blocks are available and Staatsolie is evaluating the next steps, he said.

Staatsolie hopes to operate in future partnerships.

“We have engaged all the companies involved in the bid round to see if there is further interest for the remaining blocks,” Brunings said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 19, 2021

Seonarine, Dhaniram ensure WI Over-50s advance to final

A D E VA S TAT I N G spell of off-spin bowling by Berbician Vejai Seonarine, which saw him capture four wickets for 11 runs in his nine-over spell, and a responsible innings of 60 from his countryman Sudesh Dhaniram ensured Cricket West Indies Masters Association (CWIMA) Over-50s advance to the final of the trilateral series involving themselves, hosts Canada and the USA. In yesterday’s encounter, played at the picturesque Danville ground in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, the WI Over-50s thrashed USA by 67 runs after reaching a challenging 178 all out in 44.3 overs and dismissing their counterparts for 111 off 43.2 overs. Both teams were unbeaten up to yesterday, making light work of Canada on Monday and Tuesday respectively.

The format will, however, see USA and Canada clash in today’s semi-final and the winner battling

with the WI Over-50s in the championship game tomorrow. The victory will also serve as a welcome rest for the WI Over-50s who have played four straight days since arriving in Canada.

Yesterday’s much anticipated clash petered out into a one-sided affair after Seonarine, who also bamboozled Canada to the tune of four for 12 on Tuesday, was again in menacing form with the ball, as the USA batsmen found it hard to negotiate him on a turning pitch. Once Mohan Harihar (two for 21) removed the two openers, the way was cleared for Seonarine to clean up the middle-order.

Earlier, former Guyana opener Sudesh Dhaniram shared in two important partnerships, 60 for the fourth-wicket with his brother Sunil (23) and a further 45 with Seonarine (16).

The Dhaniram brothers came together at 45 for three in the 16th over after opener Daniel Sadeo (27) had domi-

nated an opening stand of 38 with Krishna Harricharran (12) and Shivnauth Seeram departed for four. The Port Mourant-born Sadeo struck three fours before he was adjudged lbw to left-arm spinner Sanjay Pandya.

With Sudesh Dhniram looking in excellent form, the WI Over-50s seemed destined to get past the 200run mark but following the loss of Sunil, Seonarine and later himself at 167 for six, the rest of the batting subsided as five wickets tumbled for a mere 28 runs with no other batsman reaching double figures. Sudesh’s knock included three fours.

Medium fast bowler Monesh Khan, who caused the early damage, ended with four for 37 from his nine overs while the impressive Pandya finished with three for 23, also off nine.

Tomorrow’s final will be followed by a presentation ceremony. (Frederick Halley)

Vejai Seonarine (left) and Sudesh Dhaniram

Roach promises more Test wins from character-filled West Indies

KEMAR Roach, leader of the Test attack, has given assurances that once West Indies continue to show character, they will deliver more Test wins in the future.

On Sunday, West Indies pulled off a pulsating one-wicket victory over the highly favoured Pakistan on the fourth day at Sabina Park.

Chasing 168 for victory, West Indies dug themselves in and out of trouble on numerous occasions until the last pair of Roach and young Jayden Seales added the final 17 runs.

The 33-year-old Roach who made a chance-filled but unbeaten 30, said the

team showed great fight and it will stand them good going forward.

“There is a lot of character in this team and you can see a lot more of these Test wins. They will be nail-biting but that is the way West Indies play their Test cricket but at the end of the day, we get over the line so that is what is important and we will see a lot more of that from this team going forward,” Roach expressed in a recent interview.

As it regards the topsy-turvy chase, Roach said he knew the closer they got to the target, it meant more panic for Pakistan.

“There was a roller-coaster of emotions in terms of

how to handle the situation, I have been in a situation like that. Batting with the tail and being the leader.”

He added, “We just wanted to tick it off ten runs at a time, once we knew we got closer to the score, Pakistan was going to panic and that is where the runs were going to come.”

Additionally, Roach has backed the batsmen to come good after the continued failures by most, noting they have been working hard behind the scenes.

“We don’t have a huge pool of batsmen in the Caribbean, we know that, so we got to believe in these guys,” he lamented.

“They [batsmen] have

the capabilities, we all know they do but it is just about applying themselves and believing themselves some more. As bowlers we try to give them information as to how best to handle situations from a bowling point of view and they work hard,” Roach added.

He went unto say, “One thing about this team, it is a very hard-working team. I know the work they do, and it is about time they get some returns so people can see it (the hard work) but that time will come. I think this batting team will come around much better soon.”

The second and final Test starts tomorrow at Sabina Park.

Kemar Roach (centre) and Kraigg Brathwaite appeal in the first Test

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 19, 2021

Dassie & Friends floodlight softball …

West crush East in feature encounter

By Frederick Halley

FLOODLIGHT softball took Keele Top by storm last Friday night as hundreds turned out to witness

the Dassie & Friends-organised one-night tournament, featuring the popular round-arm version between Young Warriors and Leguan Boys and the ‘flick’

bowling contest between East and West - the first of its kind in Ontario, Canada.

At the end of an entertaining night, with the presentation ceremony ending close

to midnight, Young Warriors defeated upstarts Leguan Warriors by five wickets while the highly-anticipated clash between East and West saw the former offering token resistance as they were

captured two for 19 while Josh Singh and Naresh Singh supported with one for 13 and 19 respectively.

Leguan Warriors achieved the required target in 8.5 overs, thanks to impressive

a trophy.

Rukhram was the recipient of three awards, which included trophies and cash prizes – being adjudged the best player in the winning team, recording the highest

The winning West team crushed by ten wickets.

With the feature game reduced from 15 to 12 overs, East were inserted to take first strike, reaching an inadequate 71 for two in their allotted overs. Opener Mike Kadir was undefeated on 21 when the innings ended, his knock spanning 28 balls and including a solitary four and a six.

Kumar Doodnauth struck 17 (one six) but his 24-ball effort proved costly as the West bowlers kept a tight rein on proceedings. The burly Farook Hussain, from whom much was expected, went via run-out for five, while Zaheer Allard (three) was the other wicket to fall. Sunil Ramkissoon was the lone wicket-taker with one for 14 from three overs.

Openers Avish Rukhram (34 not out) and Avinash Sookdeo with an unbeaten 28 then proceeded to plunder the East bowling, racing to the required target in 7.5 overs with the left-handed Rukrham spanking three fours and a six, while righthander Sookdeo blasted two fours and two sixes.

In the round-arm fixture, Leguan Boys batted first and made 108 for six in their allotted 10 overs with Sheik Parsram belting six massive sixes in a quick-fire 33 off a mere 12 balls while Raymond Tiwari chipped in with a breezy 20 which contained a four and two sixes from 10 deliveries. Kris Karran

knocks from Alvin Lalu who smashed two fours and four sixes before he went via runout for a top score of 34 while Naresh Singh clobbered three sixes in 21 off 10 balls to see his team home.

At the presentation ceremony, which followed, organiser Damodar Daesrath, the former Guyana national captain thanked the several sponsors - Jazzy Trading, Ltd H&I Home Renovation and General Contracting, Andy Contracting Services, IR Contracting and Hawaiian Arctic - for their generous sponsorship of all the trophies.

Special commendations were also extended to Mahendranauth ‘Bobby’ Parasnauth and Tony Ramdass for their financial contributions.

The West players collected $1300 (Can) and the winners’ trophy while runners-up East received $300 (Can) and

score and taking a wicket.

The top player award from East went to Mike Kadir who also received a trophy and cash incentive.

Young Warriors took home $900 (Can) and a trophy for winning the roundarm affair while the losing team, Leguan Warriors got $300 (Can) and a trophy.

The best player award for the winning team went to Sheik Parsram who collected a trophy and cash while similar awards were handed out to Lalu of Leguan Warriors.

The award for the best catch was given to Imtiaz Badshaw, Daesrath also used the occasion to make mention of the ongoing Guyana food drive which has so far yielded $4 000 (Can).

Among the main contributors to date are the Looknauth, Bhujan, Punwasi and Amar families and Cutting Edge.

Avish Rukhram receives one of his three prizes

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 19, 2021

GGA Golf Academy Camp gets A+ Grade from parents

THE second Golf Camp by the Guyana Golf Association (GGA)/Nexgen Golf Academy, dedicated to former coach Colin Ming finished on a high note on Monday.

The camp concluded at the Scouts Association of Guyana ground with a final competition, graduation and presentation of trophies, sponsored by Trophy Stall.

The event was sponsored in part by Service Guyana HVAC, Ansa Mcal Distribution; Toolsie Persaud Ltd, CS Worldwide Shipping & Logistics, AR Printery; Chen Deo Distribution, and Trophy Stall.

Head coach Dr Joaan Deo stood in for Captain Chen Deo, running the competition with coaches Miguel Wong, Margo and Vishal, and assistance from Mr & Ms Carter, Sixty-two participants entered the camp with the winners across the eight categories as follows: In the Longest Drive Competition, there were 12 contestants and it was highly contested with playoffs

required in both the male and female categories.

The results saw Ethan Gonsalves crush a drive down the middle to best a great effort

by Ilian Ramkellawan and Shania Garraway, producing a clutch centre drive to win over the Charles sisters who hit good shots but strayed out of bounds.

Speaking on behalf of the BV Empowerment Youth Group and PYARG, Mr Wayne Barrow said, “This activity has given our kids an opportunity that they probably would never have been able to experience. On behalf of all the families and Mr. Ivan Bentham, we wish to thank Mr Hussain for making their dreams come through!”

The Golf Camp featured table tennis and fitness with coach Miguel and Colin Wong, along with Archery coaches Anand Mangra, Narda Mohamed and their entire team and National players Priyanna Ramdhani and Akili Haynes from the Guyana Badminton Association.

The concept was to provide a fun and varied setting so

that the kids would stay engaged and look forward to the various activities whilst focussing on learning golf.

Parents of students for this second camp, Ronveer Rickford and Dean Viapree added, “our kids had a fantastic experience and we saw them making new

friends and really dedicating themselves to the sport. This was definitely an experience worth repeating.”

President of the GGA/Nexgen Golf Academy, Aleem Hussain, said it was the efforts of the coaches, staff and sponsors which included the Shafura Hussain Foundation,

THE Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) have begun forging the way for the sport to resume as quickly as possible.

The club, in partnership with the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) and the MoH, will host a vaccination drive aimed at ensuring that the club members have a chance to access the various vaccines available locally.

Following an inspection on Tuesday, approval was given by the NCTF for the hosting of the vaccination drive on Saturday at the GT Motorsports building, located in the club’s Albert Street and Thomas Lands location.

GMR&SC president Rameez Mohammed in an invited comment contended, “We want to urge all our drivers and riders and even marshals and club members who haven’t been vaccinated as yet to come out and get at least your first dose.”

Organised by committee member Nyron Maraj and Club captain Neilon Dias, the drive is expected to run from 09:00hrs to 15:00hrs.

“Our plan moving forward is that we have to get vaccinated in order to resume racing. There is no running from it. The sooner we get it done, the sooner we can have a footing with which to approach the task force for events,” Maraj said after Tuesday’s inspection.

He added, “It isn’t only for the drivers; it’s for the mechanics, the team managers, the support staff and even the marshals, media and eventually spectators when the club is allowed re-entry of such. At the end of the day, we have to protect ourselves and restart racing.”

Club captain Dias said, “This isn’t a means of singling out anyone or segregating anyone. Hypothetically, if we want to host an event let’s say at the end of October, we can approach the task force to say that X amount of drivers have been vaccinated which represents a majority of our race officials and drivers and then we have a place with which to start a discussion with the COVID-19 task force.

“The drive also gives those unvaccinated persons a chance to get vaccinated so they cannot claim they had no chance to get vaccinated. We brought it almost to their doorsteps,” the club captain said.

According to the Ministry of Health, the drive will feature the first dose of the Sputnik V as well as both doses of the Oxford Astrazeneca and the Sinopharm options.

Persons are reminded that they must walk with a valid form of identification and for those taking the second dose, their vaccination card issued when the first dose was administered.

The club office will also be open on Saturday to facilitate any question members may have.

GGA president Aleem Hussain along with members, coaches and students take a photo following the end of the camp Anwar ‘Buddy’ Shaffie, Danny Ramnarain, Neil Jones and the Ming family plus many overseas Guyanese golfers that made the camp successful.

Hussain emphasised that without the help from coaches, the camp could not have been a success, adding,

“When one looks back at the development of golf in Guyana, these are the names of the persons and companies that must be remembered; for they were the ones who believed and committed their resources and energies when others didn’t believe it was possible.”

GMR&SC, MoH partner for COVID-19 vaccination drive

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday August 19, 2021)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown Tel: 225-6158 Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Dinesh Ramdin-21 dismissals (20 catches; 1 stumping – 19 ODIs) (2) Brendon McCullum-18 dismissals (15 catches; 3 stumpings- 20 ODIs)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Which WI player has contested most ODI matches against SL to date?

(2) Which SL cricketer has played most ODI matches against the WI to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 19, 2021

NSC commits to supporting swimming prodigy Aleka Persaud

O LY M P I A N , A l e k a Persaud, has her sights set on qualifying for the Paris 2024 Games and will now have the support of the National Sports Commission (NSC) to help make her dreams of competing at another Olympics, come true.

The 15-year-old swimmer became the country’s youngest-ever Olympian, when she qualified and competed at the games of the 32nd Olympiad in Tokyo, Japan.

Persaud didn’t just participate at the Olympics in Tokyo; her time of 27.76 seconds in the Women’s 50 metres freestyle was also a National record.

Persaud finished second in her heat and while the time wasn’t fast enough to see her through the semi-finals in Tokyo, the Guyanese swimming prodigy showed signs that with the right support she can be a force to be reckoned with.

Upon her return to Guyana, Persaud, along with her coach Sean Baksh, spoke profoundly of the support needed to advance the swimmer’s ability to compete with the best in the world.

Those calls didn’t fall to deaf ears. Persaud met with Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle and NSC Chairman Kashif Muhammad, in the company of her coach and president of the Guyana Amateur

Swimming Association (GASA), Dwayne Scott.

“We understand that she may be the best that came out of Guyana for some time and we would want to make sure that this is not a ‘one stop’ whereby we support, but that we continue to support her over the years

the NSC, where a commitment was made that will see the Commission invest in Persaud’s future.

Ninvalle highlighted that “yes, we would want other athletes to come forward if we have a proposal that we can study; the NSC will do that and where we find justified

pooling our ideas and we’re also listening to the Associations,” Ninvalle said.

The country’s Director of Sport isn’t keen on paying attention to how things used to be with regard to how sport was administered from the level of the

Chairman of the NSC, Kashif Muhammad, makes a presentation to Aleka Persaud in the Boardroom of the National Sports Commission, in the presence of GASA president Dwayne Scott, coach Sean Baksh and Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle towards the 2024 Olympics,” Ninvalle said.

Coming out of the meeting, Ninvalle disclosed that the NSC will start with Persaud’s preparation for the Junior Pan Am games in Cali, Colombia later this year.

The Director of Sport pointed out that a detailed plan was presented to

then we would make sure that the support is forthcoming.”

“We have just started, there’s a lot more work for us to do, but we want to make sure that whatever we do, we can justify why we have been supporting. It is not by one person. We have a team of people working; we’re

Commission, stating, “We’re moving forward and we will encourage each and every association to have a discussion with us. It doesn’t mean that we will have to reach out to each and every Association. The Association can reach out to us too; it must be a 50-50 way.”

Barclay takes ‘full ride’ to Lincoln University LINDEN’S Annalisa Barclay departed Guyana recently to attend Lincoln University. The institution is located in Jefferson City, Missouri.

The school competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division Two, Mid-America Conference.

Barclay, known for her

brilliance in the Long and Triple Jump, will now suit-up for ‘The Blue Tigers’ after accepting a Full Scholarship.

While at Lincoln University, Barclay will be studying for a Bachelors of Science in Psychology.

The National athlete attended Mackenzie High School and President’s College. She holds a personal

best of 5.64 metres in the Long Jump and 11.86 metres in the Triple Jump.

Barclay also represented President’s College at the National Schools Basketball Championship, hosted by Youth Basketball Guyana.

At the 2018 IBF Antilles U-18 3x3 Championship, Barclay teamed up with Saffiya Greene, Lydia Rob-

erts and Roschelle Campbell to represent Guyana at the event which was hosted at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

She was also named Most Valuable Player of YBG’s Titan Bowl.

Barclay was set to represent Guyana at this year’s CARIFTA Games, which was cancelled because of COVID-19.

Brathwaite reveals West Indies never lost hope in remarkable victory

ANTIGUA 2000, Dominica 2017 and now Jamaica 2021! West Indies and Pakistan added another chapter to the list of enthralling, nail-biting Tests between these two sides as the hosts eked out a stunning one-wicket win with No. 9, Kemar Roach, and 11, Jayden Seales, holding on in what turned out to be a tricky chase of 168.

Roach made 30* and Seales’ 2* was as good as gold.

The last stance added 17 valuable runs in a nerve-racking Sunday at Sabina Park, and according to captain Kraigg Brathwaite, even when they went to tea 54 away; Pakistan needed three wickets, with only one frontline batter at the crease.

“Remarkable; (we) never lost hope. The attitude we had at tea time, from Josh (Joshua DaSilva) coming in and making a lot of suggestions, I never lost hope, truly amazing”, Brathwaite stated at the post-match.

“To be honest, I thought Pakistan bowled really well, and I just think it is patience. It is a pitch that has something for bowlers throughout the day and I think who has more patience will come out on top.”

Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican bowled eight wicket-less overs for 32 runs, and the skipper was asked if he would continue with the spinner given the conditions which favoured the quicker men.

“Still have some time before the next Test and obviously it will be a different pitch but the bowlers did a fantastic job. Whenever I asked them to do a role, they did it, they were a little tired at times but the guys were always willing and that was amazing.”

The skipper also hailed the vital 55, made by vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood, whose last score of 50 or more came 13 innings ago against Bangladesh in February.

“We have been working hard as a batting group and I know he was hungry for runs at his home ground, and we will continue working hard. We know Pakistan will come harder and I just think it is about patience, who has more patience will come out on top.”

SEALES SEALS IT Meanwhile, 19-year-old pacer Jayden Seales, had a dream start to a Test career, with 13 wickets in five innings at an average of 21.38.

Seales took 5-55 in Pakistan’s second innings to end with man-of-the-match figures of 8-125 in 31.4 overs.

He became the youngest West Indian to take five wickets in a Test innings.

Jamaican left-arm spinner, Alfred Louis Valentine, previously held the record when he took 8-104 against England in 1950. He was 20 years and 41 days at the time of the feat “Test cricket so far has been a dream come through; to get five (wickets) today and put out a winning performance for the team really goes to the bowling coach, Roddy Estwick. We spoke a lot before and during the Test match about the areas I should bowl and things I should do, and I will be successful.”

As regards his nerves of steel with the bat in hand, the Trinidadian said it was about maintaining a positive mindset.

“We talked about positivity, remaining patient, just waiting, and eventually we got there.”

He added, “For me, was just to stay with Roachie and get him on strike as much as possible, try and keep out the good balls and if a run-scoring opportunity presents itself, take it and try and bring it home for the team.”

The second and final Test starts on August 20 at Sabina Park.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 19, 2021

Everest congratulates Manniram Prashad on CWI appointment SPEAKER of the National Assembly and president of the Everest Cricket Club (ECC), Manzoor Nadir, and fellow executives and members of the club are offering hearty congratulations to Guyanese Manniram Prashad on his appointment to Cricket West Indies (CWI) Board of Directors as a non-member (independent) Director, effective July 30, 2021..

According to the Club, Prashad, who is a past Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, brings to the position “his valuable experiences as a business executive, former City Councillor and a member of Cabinet.”

The Club also expressed that his qualifications and skills will add to the depth of talent which CWI possesses.

Prashad is also the current Chairman of MP Insurance Brokers and

Former Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce in Guyana, Manniram Prashad Consultants Limited, Consul General of the Philippines to Guyana, Corporate Coordination and Executive Member of the Private Sector Commission and President of the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber.

Prashad is a long-standing cricket enthusiast, having served as president of various cricket clubs and leagues, including the Gandhi Youth Cricket Club and Eastern American Crick-

et League.

Prashad’s appointment means that CWI has reached its allocation for four non-member Directors.

He joins Trinidadian Attorney Debra Coryat-Patton, Jamaican Surgeon and University Administrator Dr. Akshai Mansingh and former West Indies captain Darren Sammy, as non-member Directors whose terms will expire at CWI’s Annual General meeting in 2023.

Williams bows out of World U-20 Championships

GUYANA’S Revon Williams ran 47.50 seconds to finish 5th in Heat Three of the Men’s 400 metres at the U-20 World Championship in Nairobi, Kenya. He had entered with a personal best time of 46.06 seconds.

Williams’ time will see him exit the World Athletics event 13th of the 23 athletes that com-

peted in the Heats. However, he will not advance to the finals.

He was the only Guyanese at the Championships.

Kadecia Baird holds Guyana’s only medal at the World U-20 Championships, which was first held in Athens, Greece, in 1986.

Baird clocked 51.04 seconds at the 2012 Games in Barcelona,

Spain, to finish second in the Women’s 400m, behind American Ashley Spencer (50.50s), but ahead of another American, Erika Rucker (51.10s).

Two-time Olympic champion (2016, 2020) Shaunae Miller-Uibo of The Bahamas, also competed in that race and her time of 51.78s was good enough for fourth.

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 19, 2021

Brathwaite reveals West Indies never lost hope in remarkable victory See page 26

Jayden Seales and Kemar Roach bump fists after the winning runs on Sunday

Barclay takes ‘full ride’ to Lincoln University

See page 26

Annalisa Barclay

GMR&SC, MoH partner for COVID-19 vaccination drive

See page 25

GMR&SC president Rameez Mohamed

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Nyron Maraj | THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 2021