Guyana Times -- Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Exxon committed to further advancing P14 local content in Guyana – ExxonMobil CEO P14 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4922

THE BEACON OF TRUTH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022

“No turning back” from Guyana’s energy agenda – President Ali See story on page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

P18 3 more COVID-19 deaths recorded …7 in ICU, 95 new cases

Public Service Ministry P15 announces more scholarship opportunities

“Too early” P19 to decide on 2nd booster shot – Health Minister

…says energy costs must be lowered for Guyana to be competitive …natural gas strategy, regional energy corridor being developed

…encourages self-testing for early detection

Recaptured prisoner jailed for 24 months

Dr Irfaan Ali, along with Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi and others, watches as Guyana’s First Lady Arya Ali and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley cut the ribbon to officially declare the 2022 International Energy Conference and Expo open at the Marriott Hotel on Tuesday

Guyana, Ghana “Our citizens must balance cannot be socio-economic, tenants in their environmental own land” imperatives – PM Mottley …talks up Barbados' –…saysPresident Akufo-Addo huge potential here for renewable energy ambitious energy plan Page 10

P20

Prison officers “essential but undervalued” – Gouveia P20

Page 7

Guyana, Brazil, Suriname to partner in energy, other transformational areas – President Santokhi See story on page 9

…pooling natural gas resources can achieve development for countries

Husband, friend charged with murder of Yarrowkabra P20 woman

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, no closure as previously scheduled and Thursday, Feb 17 – 03:30h – 05:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, Feb 16 – 14:35h – 17:05h and Thursday, Feb 17 – 05:10h – 06:40h.

“No turning back” from Guyana’s energy agenda – President Ali …says energy costs must be lowered for Guyana to be competitive …natural gas strategy, regional energy corridor being developed

FERRY SCHEDULE

Tuesday, Feb 15 – 14:35h – 17:05h and Wednesday, Feb 16 – 16:15h – 17:45h.

WEATHER TODAY There will be light cloud and light rain during the day and night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Westerly to North NorthEasterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 16:48h reaching a maximum height of 2.63 metres.

Low Tide: 10:23h and 22:46h reaching minimum heights of 0.71 metre and 0.54 metre.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS K

01 15 20

21 22 24

FREE TICKET

10 Bonus Ball

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2022

DAILY MILLIONS

01 06 09 13 14 LUCKY 3

1

2

4

7

Afternoon Draw

0

7

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

03 05 07 09 10 13 15 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2022

03 07 13 15 16 13

03 13 17 18 19

7

8 Afternoon Draw

2X Afternoon Draw

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9 Evening Draw

FP Evening Draw

DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$93.28/barrel

-3.43

Rough Rice

$266.85/ton

+0.10

London Sugar

$480.90/ton

0.00

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1851.20

$1852.20

Low/High Change

$1843.80 -2.90

$1880.90 -0.16%

President Dr Irfaan Ali at the conference

T

he Government has embarked on an agenda to transform Guyana into a renewable energy powerhouse that will slash the cost of energy, and according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, the Government will not be deterred from pursuing this agenda.

The President made this pronouncement while delivering the keynote address on the first day of the International Energy Conference and Expo being held at the Marriott Hotel. Attending the conference are President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa AkufoAddo; Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley.

The conference has also attracted hundreds of investors from around the world. Using the platform provided as the keynote speaker, President Ali made it clear that the Government is not backing down from its ambitious energy agenda.

The President emphasised that reducing the cost of energy is imperative if Guyana is to become globally competitive.

He went on to give an overview of what is on the Government’s agenda to implement, when it comes to renewable energy.

“Exxon and Guyana, we’re working together on developing that natural gas strategy also. So that with Suriname and Guyana, we can also effectively realise the importance of our strategic position in creating regional energy security. We’ve already commenced the process by investing in 13 new solar farms, three mini hydros, one large hydro at Amaila Falls and the Natural Gas Project.”

“All aimed at increasing our power generation to 500 MW by 2025. Let me be clear on this. We will remain uncompetitive if we cannot address the cost of energy. We must address the cost of energy. Our Private Sector will not be able to grow if we cannot bring down the cost of energy. And we will bring down the cost of energy,” he said.

In fact, President Ali said that the aim is to bring down the cost of energy in Guyana by 50 per cent by 2024. Reducing the cost of energy also involves partnering with Guyana’s neighbours, to establish an energy corridor.

“Our future framework of opportunities are built around solar, water, hydrocarbons, forests, hydrogen, hydropow-

er and it is integrated into regional opportunities. We are not only talking about national opportunities. With Suriname and Brazil, we’re already exploring the development of a new energy corridor that we can fully support and participate,” the President said.

“Bringing down the cost for energy is about creating the space and opportunity for the development of a world-class manufacturing, industrial and agro-processing sector. That is how real benefits come to the people, that is how real benefits come to the country. When we can invest and create the opportunity to improve competitiveness and expand business opportunity. There shall be no turning back from this energy agenda,” President Ali added.

The President further emphasised that the development of the country’s energy mix remains a priority for

The Amaila Falls Hydropower Project is one of the PPP’s larger renewable energy projects

Government, alongside the other priorities of diversifying the economy and ensuring that Guyanese are afforded quality education, healthcare, social services and the ability to retire with dignity.

For this year, the Government allocated a total of $29.4 billion to the energy sector in Budget 2022.

Construction on the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) will start this year and is expected to conclude in 2027, even as the Government continues to ramp up spending on renewable energy projects as well as upgrades to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) infrastructure.

The AFHP was the brainchild of the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, but was shelved soon after the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government had taken office in 2015.

In November of last year, it was announced that the Cabinet granted its “no objection” for the Office of the Prime Minister to engage China Railway Group Limited to construct the 165-megawatt Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.

The construction of the AFHP will be based on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model where the company will supply electricity to GPL at a cost not exceeding US$0.07737 per kWh and where the company will provide the entire equity required by the project and undertake all the risks associated with the project.

Work is also advancing on smaller renewable energy sources, such as the construction of a 1.5 MW hydropower plant at Kumu, and the rehabilitation and upgrade to 700kW capacity of the defunct Moco Moco hydropower plant in Region Nine. (G3)

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

First World status

G

uyana becoming a developed country is not merely an optimistic hope, but a doable and achievable reality.

The current sold-out 2022 International Energy Conference and Expo is an example of incoming investments that can propel this nation into First World status.

To do this, we support President Dr Irfaan Ali when he said at the conference that “there shall be no turning back” from Guyana’s energy agenda.

To quote the Head of State: “Bringing down the cost for energy is about creating the space and opportunity for the development of a world-class manufacturing, industrial and agro-processing sector. That is how real benefits come to the people, that is how real benefits come to the country.

When we can invest and create the opportunity to improve competitiveness and expand business opportunity. There shall be no turning back from this energy agenda.”

Before the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration assumed the primary executive office in the land in October of 1992, Guyana was rated on international developmental indices as being on par with Haiti. Graphed during the People’s National Congress (PNC) Administration as the least developed nation in the world, with a crippling debt burden, Guyana’s development under the astute leadership provided by successive PPP/C Presidents was rapid.

After a relatively short time span of approximately two decades, Guyana was being recognised by the world as a middle-income developing country, and described by Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines as “The only shining star in the Caribbean”.

The popular prognosis heralded great things for this nation, because the focus of the PPP/C Administrations – then and now – is to make Guyana a modern and developed country; and Guyana had indeed been inexorably moving from a middle-income developing country to becoming, in the not-too-distant future, a developed country.

However, for the country to achieve such a status, it has to be a joint effort by all stakeholders working in conjunction and cooperation with Government. There have been, in the past, multiple successful partnerships between the Government, Private Sector, and other stakeholders to work together to create of Guyana a modern society.

The transformation of the national socio-economic landscape has not been easy, because there are elements of negativity who are intent on stymieing every developmental initiative.

Regrettably, this progressive developmental paradigm took a relentless and rapid retrogression – in every sector – with the advent of another PNC-led Government in 2015.

Post-2015 elections, a relentless reversal of Guyana’s developmental trajectory under the coalition Government administration brought this country to an almost bankrupt state, with a debt burden of billions of dollars.

One of the worst disincentives to investment in Guyana is the high energy costs, which send overheads skyrocketing, especially in the manufacturing sector; and the PPP/C Government had attempted to address this problem through hydropower, but had reached the usual developmental roadblocks from the PNC-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition, which used every armament in their arsenal to shoot down the project.

It is a proven fact that not having cheap energy is one of the most prohibitive factors that have impeded Guyana’s manufacturing sector from surging.

However, despite the setback with the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, the recently-elected President Irfaan Ali is adamant that the pursuit of alternative energy will be prioritised so that Government can provide cheap energy for the development of a strong industrial manufacturing sector and a strong processing sector. With a progressing agricultural sector that can easily develop an agro-industrial complex, Guyana is once again climbing global developmental graphs.

Successive PPP/C Governments have always held out an outstretched hand to the Opposition and all stakeholders in the nation, with scant success of cooperation from the joint Opposition; and history will record their negative contributions to the development of this nation. The ball is in the Opposition’s court.

Scenes from the opening day of the International Energy Conference and Expo

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Nonsensical statement by PNCR Leader Dear Editor, Now, if you ask the question: “How is a Government elected to power?”, my answer would be, and I am quoting straight from the Google dictionary of meanings, it states, “The most common form of democracy today is representative democracy, where the people elect government officials to govern on their behalf, such as in a parliamentary or presidential democracy.”

Simply put, that answer is: through the ballot box, or by the use of the ballot box.

Western democracy of which Guyana is a part - has carried out this sacred process for centuries, with the best results coming out of that process being a Government of and for the people who elected them.

Any other process is birthed out of fraud, and should be readily outlawed by all civilised, right-thinking people.

So, when Aubrey Norton comes out of his corner with that nonsensical statement that a Government is elected or verified, whichever

term he used, by an election petition, then it all shows the depths of this man’s depravity. It cannot be that this guy is unlearned; far from it, he happens to be educated at our premier institution of learning, so being unlearned is not in question. What is in question is the level of his intelligence and his ability to reason and comprehend written language. In the present circumstances, these cognitive skills are woefully lacking.

But you have to sympathise with this guy, for

the simple fact that, when you are coming out of a background of fraudulent dealings, like the rigging of elections, your mind has become so corrupted that reason eludes you. Norton has been fashioned and moulded out of a fraudulent PNC system of rigging, so that he cannot see a way forward.

So, they are now trying every which way to get a court to overturn what the people of this great country have already mandated. That is not going to happen, that nonsensical proposal of his

would have to be kept to himself and his party, because no one in a civilised world would even entertain, far less accommodate, such foolishness.

But what Norton is not telling us is that he is crying hard for his supper, because he is under heavy PNC duress. Having won his party’s election on a 30% slate and still not considered a “Leader”, he is in a bad state. Even more distressing is the fact that he is not even in Parliament.

You see, to be considered a

“strong leader” in PNC terminology, you must sound like a dragon, with fire coming out of your nostrils, breathing threats as you go along. So, like the poor, depraved soul that he is at the present moment, he must do something to come out as strong and demanding to his followers.

Again, I say to Aubrey Norton: just relax and enjoy a possible next 3 months of waiting in the sidelines.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Questions for the Integrity Commission Why single out Nigel Dharamlall alone?

Dear Editor, The significant meaning of the word vice has underlining values which no one would want to lavishly, lovingly, legally, legitimately or loyally associate himself or herself with, because of the lack of any conundrum with the taste of decorum. Not, of course, if one wants to promote the promulgation of impropriety, immorality and impoliteness, pervading in the realm of ceremonial unscrupulousness.

Recently, that word played a pivotal part in providing a popular platform to penetrate all its pertinence and impertinence with the Guyanese public.

One of the eventual casualties was the consequential question of the declaration of assets which was very pronounced, and the beating of the drum reverberated throughout the globe. No one pivoted on the inquiry of liabilities. Transparency dominated the picture, and obscene acts played out with obsessive vehemence.

The conscience (innocence?) of the Guyana

Integrity Commission entered as the fiery dragon to quell, quench or quarantine this query. This body’s honesty, righteousness, dignity and loyalty have always presented doubts in the eyes and minds of the Guyanese public.

To quote from one of its last notices: “The Integrity Commission hereby wishes to inform all Specified Public Officers of its extension of submission date for the 2021 Declarations.

The previous date as stated (August 31, 2021) is now extended to October 31, 2021. All Specified Public Officers are kindly asked to take note that Declarations of their Assets & Liabilities include those for themselves, spouse and children.

You are also reminded to attach their supporting documents to their declaration forms.

Supporting Documents included: 1. Copy of income statement (s) from employer(s) for declaration period (salary statements, pay slips, employment contract, cheque stubs where appli-

cable) 2. Copy of rental agreement(s) 3. Copy of Transport(s)/ Certificate(s) of Title/ Lease(s) 4. Copy of latest valuation (s) (conducted within the last three (3) years 2019, 2020 and 2021) 5. Bank Statement(s) as at June 30, 2021 6. Copy of Certificate(s) of Registration for Motor Vehicle(s) 7. Any other supporting documents (for information filled in the Declaration Form, which included, but was not limited to, Articles of Incorporation, business registration, share certificates, insurance policies, loan agreements, and/ or mortgage deeds, trust deeds where applicable) 2018, 2019 and 2020 default Specified Public Officers are also reminded to submit their declaration form along with the above supporting documents.

All Specified Public Officers who are in non-compliance (to file a declaration

with the Commission) are subject to Section 22 of the Commission's Act No. 20 of 1997. The provision of all declaration must be sent to: The Integrity Commission's Secretariat: 34 King Street, Lacytown, Georgetown OR PO Box 101510.

For further information, kindly contact the Secretary or Legal/Compliance Officer on telephone numbers: 227-7688, 226-0142.

Visitation to our office can be at the address above only by appointments”

BY MANAGEMENT OF THE INTEGRITY COMMISSION. Two simple concluding questions for the Commission, “Were the defaulting officers in compliance with this request? If in the negative, when will the list with the names of the defaulters be made available for the public’s scrutiny?” Thank you.

Respectfully, Jai Lall

Dear Editor, I’ve seen the call from political parties and affiliates for Minister Nigel Dharamlall to resign or be fired.

From the outset, let me say that what Minister Dharamlall said is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. We must also acknowledge, however, that for the entire budget debates, and during every single sitting, the Opposition MPs hurled the most sexist, abusive, homophobic “heckles” at Government MPs, and even persons who are not members of the House.

Indeed, the retort that day was to Coretta Mc Donald, who had, throughout the examination of Regions 1, 2 and 3, been telling Dharamlall about his sister, his father, his ex-wife, and himself. ALL

of her comments, fail NONE, were sexual in nature. From being triumphant about who she thinks was raped, to who she claims cannot perform in bed, to waving a kit she sourced and brought into the house for what she said would be used for penis enlargement.

When Dharamlall made the retort, there was laughter and giggles and cackling, including from said Coretta Mc Donald, who seems to be completely ignorant about the harmful nature of being sexist and bigoted.

So, to pluck the single statement from the others may not be a sensible way of dealing with the morass that is the Parliament these days.

Sincerely yours, Attiya Baksh

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022

Page

Foundation ◄

Stem-and-Leaf Plots A stem-and-leaf plot organises data and helps you compare it. Think of the plot as a plant with stems. Each stem may have a different number of leaves.

Example:

To read this, attach each leaf to its stem. In Mrs Levy Maths class, the test scores were 67, 68, 69, 75, 76, 76, 83, 85, 87, 89, 89, 91, 91, 93, and 99. You will notice that the data is organised from least to greatest.

In this stem-and-leaf plot, the stems are the scores (in tens) and the leaves are the ones of the scores. To find the ***range*** in a stem-and-leaf plot, look at the first leaf on the first stem and the last leaf on the last stem. Subtract the smaller number from the larger one.

Range = 99 – 67 = 32

Maths test scores in In Mrs Levy Maths class Stems Leaves 6 7 89 7

566

8

35799

9

1139 Exercises: Interpret

What are the data points for this stem-and-leaf plot? What is the range?

Stems 1

Leaves 6 39

2

4 8

3

3778

4

1455

Make a stem-and-leaf plot from the following data: 32, 33, 34, 45, 51, 77, 78, 99

Stems

Tuesday’s answers 18 5.5 3 and 6 8 8.3

Leaves

The Greenhouse Effect I

n this fun and easy weather science experiment, we’re going to explore and investigate the greenhouse effect.

Materials:

Glass jar with a lid One teaspoon of water Sunny location outside

Instructions:

Put the teaspoon of water in the jar.

Tighten the lid securely so that no air can escape.

Leave the jar in a sunny location for at least one hour.

Small drops of water will form and cling to the side of the jar.

How it works:

The greenhouse effect is a process that occurs when gases in Earth’s atmosphere trap the Sun’s heat. This process makes Earth much warmer than it would be without an atmosphere, because without an atmosphere all the Earth’s heat would dissipate into outer space. The lid on the jar acts as the atmosphere and simulates the greenhouse effect trapping heat in the jar and making it warmer than it would be without the lid.

Make this a science project:

Try this experiment with a black piece of construction paper taped to the back side of the jar. Try adding ice to the jar.

Try adding salt or food colouring to the water. Try removing the lid. (sciencefun.org)

A free bird leaps on the back of the wind and floats downstream till the current ends and dips his wing in the orange sun rays and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage can seldom see through his bars of rage his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom.

Teacher's Tip

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do” – Pele

WORD SEARCH

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana, Ghana must balance socio-economic, environmental imperatives – President Akufo-Addo …says huge potential here for renewable energy

President of Ghana, Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi chatting at the International Energy Conference and Expo

P

resident of Ghana, Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa AkufoAddo has emphasised the importance of developing countries such as Guyana and Ghana being allowed to exploit their resources to ensure socio-economic benefits for their citizens, but cautioned that this must be balanced with efforts to combat climate change.

The Ghanaian President was at the time speaking during the opening ceremony of the inaugural International Energy Conference and Expo being hosted at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown under the theme: “Charting a Sustainable Energy Future.”

President Akufo-Addo pointed out that Africa has suffered the most impacts of climate change since many of its economies are susceptible to the global phenomenon and their capacity to withstand the shocks are limited.

While underscoring the need

for aggressive, immediate, bold and concrete steps to protect the global climate from worsening, the Head of State said despite being resource-rich, Ghana, like its continental neighbours, has found itself in a conundrum with finding financing to fund its commitments to fight climate change within the prescribed deadline.

“All minerals that are needed to run modern economies are in our continent… The Almighty has blessed our lands with abundant natural resources and we believe it would be wholly unfair for the world to demand that Africa abandons the exploitation of these same resources needed to finance our develop and help us to cope better with the threat of climate change at a time when many countries in the continent has only just discovered them,” he contended.

According to President AkufoAddo, many of the developed countries have already exploited their resources and it is unfair to expect

otherwise from developing countries such as Ghana and Guyana which are in need of the finances to bring prosperity to their people.

To this end, the African Head of State stressed that there must be a balance between fighting climate change and socio-economic development.

“We acknowledge the importance and effects of climate change and the urgent need to combat it, and we acknowledge, equally, the importance of protecting our development. We, however, believe that a balance must be struck and maintained between social and economic, and environmental imperatives...”

“It is of utmost necessity that countries like Guyana and Ghana find ways of bringing their substantial hydrocarbon resources to production and quickly too. We must add value to these resources and not export them in the raw form if we are to transition to the status of developed. The effective management of these resources would determine whether we make it or not.”

The Ghanaian Head of State went on to point out that Africa is energy impoverished, and noted that in order to bridge that gap, a balance of socio-economic development and the environment must come into play.

“To ensure energy sustainability, it is critical that we balance carefully, socio-economic and environmental benefits in a continuously changing world. No energy project, therefore, no matter how high its return on high value – is worth it if the interest of some or majority of the stakeholders are not properly represented, and they are left impoverished and unsatisfied,” the President asserted.

President Akufo-Addo further recalled the development of his country’s own petroleum industry which he said continues to be robust in enhancing both the econ-

President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo

omy and welfare of citizens. He noted that many other African nations, similarly resource-endowed, have failed to achieve sustainable development from the exploitation of their natural resources.

The Ghanaian Head of state credited his country’s success to the implementation of a number of policies and initiatives to change that narrative.

In fact, Guyana has already benefitted from the experience and expertise of Ghana with the establishment of its Local Content Policy, which was passed in the National Assembly in December.

Ghana had played an integral role in assisting Guyana with this piece of legislation.

To this end, President AkufoAddo outlined a host of ways Guyana can further benefit from the experience of his country in ensuring the judicious exploitation and use of petroleum resources in a sustainable manner.

He called for transparent and proper management of the oil and gas revenues, and to ensure equality for all citizens. Ensuring the petroleum sector remains a significant contributor to the national

budget and nationwide industrial development in the future is also pertinent, according to the Head of State.

President Akufo-Addo also urged that Guyana pursue ambitious environmental and resource management policies that can co-exist between the petroleum sector, other industries and environmental considerations as well as maximising benefits of producing wealth from oil and gas by using local resources and services, people, companies and finance in all facets of value chain of the oil and gas industry and retain the benefits within the country.

However, key among his recommendations is for Guyana to diversify its electricity generation mix through the development of renewable energy resources. He noted that Guyana already has “huge potential” in this regard and also to promote energy efficiency.

The Ghanaian President said the two countries must work together to bring a future in which present and future generations of their respective nations will be secured. (G8)

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Being remembered…

S

…in the headless Opposition adly, the Opposition’s finding out that the old adage of “out of sight; out of mind” can be fatal when you’re in the business of politics - especially democratic politics. After all, in this arena - and it IS an arena - the goal is to woo the widest number of people.

But if the LoO is so outta sight that he doesn’t even exist, how can citizens even think of following the opposition?

They’d just be joining a mob milling around in confusion, or worse yet - as one former Opposition member said fluttering around like headless yard fowls! Who wants that?

So every day we see another example of the Opposition’s confusion. There was talk of the opposition demonstrating in front of the ongoing O&G conference which woulda given them wide coverage. But it’s never gonna happen. Why? For the same reason there was no coherence in the Opposition’s response to the PPP’s Budget in Parliament. It was every man (and woman) for him/herself - and the devil take the hindmost!! As he did when Nicolette Henry offered her “now-you-see-it-nowyou-don’t” resignation!!!

In politics, folks are always trying to “catch a t’ing” for themselves. And in the “Case of the Absent LoO” Granger did his by serving revenge cold - which is how it’s best served!! The man knows his social graces!! But in this period of uncertainty others are also trying to “catch a t’ing”. For instance, take Ramjattan, the erstwhile leader of the AFC - and though some would mutter “PLEASE take him”!!! - your Eyewitness hoped you heard him trying to make hay on the PNC’s conundrum.

PNC leader Aubrey Norton had announced they wouldn’t be nominating no representative to the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Board. It’s “illegal they screamed since it was just the PPP’s majority who’d voted for it in the National Assembly!! Never mind they’d passed THEIR NRF after being voted out on a No Confidence Motion and the PPP weren’t even in Parliament!! So up comes Ramjattan - who’d been Granger’s doormat for 5 years and still hadn’t been favored as the (token) PM candidate - and says HIS AFC’s prepared to participate in selecting the Parliamentary Rep for the NRF Board!! Ouch!!

Now the PPP’s in a dilemma. They and everybody’s idiot uncle know that Ramjattan just wants his dead-asa-doornail and stink-and-dutty to boot AFC to have some relevance again. But it’s not really in the PPP’s hands.

Once the matter goes to the Parliament Appointments Committee - the AFC can vote as they want. The PPP then gets to tell the world that the appointment was “nonpartisan”!!

The AFC’s going nowhere, in any case!! …Black Friday Well, today’s the 60th anniversary of Black Friday, Feb 16, 1962 - when most of the Business District of downtown Georgetown was burnt to the ground by PNC and UF activists. We now know from several declassified files that the Kaldor Budget was the occasion for the arson - not the cause! Any excuse could’ve served since, like a Greek Tragedy, the script had already been written. The protagonist Jagan’s fate had already been sealed - the tragedy was he just never figured it out!!

The cause, of course, was that tiny, innocuous us, had appeared as a blip on the the West’s radar at a most inopportune time: Castro had just tweaked their tail at the Bay of Pigs. Cheddi then committed a terminal ideological faux pas! Well, once again, we’ve hit the West’s radar! This time it’s their economic interest involved - in the shape of 13 billion barrels of oil. You’d hope that Guyanese have learnt their lesson and wouldn’t display the hubris of putting “the west on trial!!

We’re still a pipsqueak!! …for libel The US courts have just reaffirmed that to libel a public figure, ACTUAL MALICE must be proven. The press must’ve known the allegation was false and still published.

Unfortunately, our law gives public figures a sword rather than a shield.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana, Brazil, Suriname to partner in energy, other transformational areas – President Santokhi …pooling natural gas resources can achieve development for countries

Surinamese President Chan Santokhi

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ollowing on the heels of the recent trilateral summit between the Presidents of Guyana, Suriname and Brazil, Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi said that the three countries will be partnering in areas such as energy, infrastructure and market expansion.

President Santokhi, who is in Guyana for the International Oil and Gas Conference, made this pronouncement during his address on the first day of the conference on Tuesday.

According to the Surinamese President, the time is now for the three countries to col-

laborate.

“On the 21st of January, 2022, the Presidents of the neighbouring states Guyana, Brazil and Suriname, met in Paramaribo for initial discussions about the strategic cooperation framework and follow up work to develop the agenda and execution going on. As responsible leaders, we must look ahead.

If we do not start now, we’ll not only lag behind, but we will waste opportunities,” President Santokhi said.

In his address, President Santokhi also spoke of the specific areas in which he expects Suriname will collaborate with Guyana and

Brazil. According to the Head of State, the pooling of their respective natural gas resources could go towards establishing an energy corridor and manufacturing haven.

“To secure an economy that is sustainable and resilient with growth, we have designed a concept of sustainable development beyond our borders, which basically promotes functional cooperation between the neighbouring countries Guyana and Brazil, in five areas,” Santokhi said.

“Infrastructure, environment, investment, market expansion and energy. And we are confident that by pooling our gas resources, we can have a cost-effective energy source to facilitate regional development process with energy intensive industrial complexes, utilising mineral resources in these countries which otherwise would not have been possible.”

In January 2022, President Dr Irfaan Ali had led a delegation to Suriname, where he met Santokhi and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. While there, the three neighbouring leaders met for a working lunch in Paramaribo and discussed

Preliminary artist’s impression of the natural gas plant (Source: EEPGL)

enhancing cooperation in a number of areas, including infrastructure, trade and energy.

Already, Guyana has been partnering with Suriname on building the Corentyne bridge. There is also talk of a shared energy corridor. Guyana also has

a flagship natural gas project in the form of the gas-toshore project, which when outfitted with a power plant and industrial park will contribute over 150 MW of energy.

Last month, bids were opened for companies vying to be prequalified for

the project. Among the companies whose Expressions of Interest were deemed acceptable enough to now enter the prequalification process, were CH4 Guyana Incorporated in collaboration with Lindsayca Incorporated, a Texas-based company.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Our citizens cannot be tenants in their own land” – PM Mottley …talks up Barbados’ ambitious energy plan

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n the heels of a fallout between Guyana’s Private Sector and the Caricom Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) over the country’s recently established local content legislation, Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley has defended moves by Member States to ensure security for its people to benefit from local development activities, stating that failure to do will sow the seeds of destruction.

Prime Minister Mottley is one of the leaders currently in Guyana for the

inaugural International Energy Conference and Expo being held in Georgetown. During her presentation at the opening ceremony on Tuesday at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, the Barbadian Head of State pointed out that forums like these present the opportunity to have complex conversations.

One such issue is local content. The Prime Minister noted that there has been compliance from the Private Sector, regionally and internationally, about the need for local content. As such, she

threw her support behind Government’s putting systems in place to ensure its people meaningfully benefit from the developmental activities in their countries.

“The day that we do not provide opportunity for our citizens, who participate in active citizenship, of being able to benefit from the patrimony of our country, is the day we sow the seeds of destruction of our nation and invite disruption,” she posited.

The former Caribbean Community (Caricom) Chairperson went on to say

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley

that these conversations are also necessary within the regional bloc.

“We will have difficult conversations as well in Caricom and we must, but those conversations recognised that in every country, there’re even regional and local conflicts and disagreements; and it is our duty to be able to smooth that over. But [also] to ensure that at no stage, as newly independent countries of the world, do we leave our citizens as tenants in their own land but make them owners…,” PM TURN TO PAGE 16 Mottley asserted.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana, Brazil, Suriname to partner...

Power China International Group Limited, a company that specialises in hydropower and electrical infrastructure, was also prequalified, as well as China Energy International Guyana Company Limited. China Machinery Engineering

Corporation (CMEC) was also prequalified.

Other companies include Apan Energy, Wilson Offshore and Marine Limited, Constutora Queiroz Galvao, Tecnicas Reunidas, Black and Veatch, Amerapex Corporation (USA), SEPCOII Electric

Power and Trinidadian company NGC Group.

The Guyana Government has said a power plant will be established to generate 150 MW, with an additional 150 MW in a second phase, and that an industrial park will be established to comprise industries that could

use gas, steam and/or electricity.

ExxonMobil’s local affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), has guaranteed the Government a minimum of 50 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscfd) will be transport-

FROM PAGE 9

ed through the pipeline by 2024. The pipeline will have a maximum capacity of 130 mmscfd.

The gas-to-energy project which is expected to come on stream by late 2024, is expected to reduce Guyana’s energy sector emissions. The project will also cut electric-

ity cost by more than half.

The cost has long been regarded by the Private Sector as prohibitive to investments. Hence, Government expects the gas-to-energy project to significantly improve the ease of doing business in Guyana. (G3)

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Exxon committed to further advancing local content in Guyana – ExxonMobil CEO …optimistic of expanded opportunities for Guyanese workforce

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xxonMobil’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Darren Woods, in Guyana for the International Energy Conference and Exposition, has assured that his company, which is currently exploring and producing oil in Guyana’s waters, would remain committed to further advancing local content.

During his keynote presentation at the expo, Woods made it clear that Exxon’s fortunes and Guyana’s local content development are inextricably linked. He said that achieving the goals of local content would see continued progress for Guyanese and local companies.

He also gave an update on ExxonMobil’s local content fulfillment. Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)- the local ExxonMobil affiliate - has to date provided employment for 3,500 Guyanese and 800 local suppliers, who have supported ExxonMobil’s activities.

“It’s important that this progress continues. And I know, from my discussions with President Ali and Vice President Jagdeo, that this (local content) is a very high priority for them.

Increasing local participation through capacity-building is a component of value our industry brings to Guyana… Through our partnership, we remain committed to making further advancements,”

Woods said in his presentation.

The CEO also recalled the Greater Guyana Initiative, a 10year, $100 million commitment

by Exxon and its partners in the Stabroek Block to support local capacity-building programmes. The first phase of this project is funding the expansion of the Centre for Local Business Development (CLBD) through technical, education and training programmes.

More recently, the Greater Guyana Initiative has provided support to the University of Guyana. This support allowed the University of Guyana (UG) to launch its ZOOM Room project, which the University says prepares for the impending future and begins to fulfil their first aspirational goal of producing at least one graduate per Guyanese household.

The Zoom Room project involves 18 rooms being established to service 18 different locations across the University’s nine campuses in Georgetown, Linden, Berbice, Bartica and Anna Regina, all enabling live classrooms to be broadcast to anywhere with a strong internet connection.

“We’re hopeful that these efforts will continue to expand the growing opportunities for Guyanese workers. This is an impressive result, and there are many to thank, including the Government of Guyana, our part-

Exxon CEO Darren Woods

ner companies and key contractors, and many Guyanese businesses and organisations. That’s the focus of the gas-to-energy project, the Greater Guyana Initiative, and other efforts to develop capacity and maximise local content,” the CEO stated.

The gas-to-energy project, set to come on stream by 2024, will transport up to 50 million cubic feet of natural gas per day by pipeline from Liza Phase 1 and 2 to processing facilities onshore. It is expected that this new domestic natural gas supply would con-

tribute to the reduction of the cost of electricity in Guyana by 50 per cent. The CEO said the company is working with the Government on this project, and expects to see significant progress.

The Local Content Act which was passed last year contains requirements for foreign companies to engage Guyanese and Guyanese-owned businesses at specified and varying levels in at least 40 areas by the end of 2022.

These include 100 per cent exclusive use of Guyanese companies in the provision of immigration

support services, work permits, visa applications, visa on arrival, in-water activity permit, custom brokerage services, and ground transportation.

According to the document, this is to ensure “maximum participation of Guyanese nationals and Guyanese companies supplying goods or providing services in the Guyanese petroleum sector; and local capacity development.”

Meanwhile, the bill provides for the establishment of a Local Content Secretariat that will, among other functions, keep a Local Content Register of “qualified” Guyanese nationals for employment, as well as of Guyanese and Guyanese businesses from which goods and services can be procured.

Qualified citizens and locally-owned businesses would have to apply for, and obtain, a certificate of registration to be included in the Local Content Registry. That certificate would have to be updated every year on its date of issuance.

As it relates to penalties, false declarations to get on the registry, or changes to citizenships, or changes in the company’s ownership status that are not indicated to the Secretariat, would carry a fine of $1 million for individuals, and for companies $5 million.

Removal from the Local Content Register would also apply. (G3)

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Public Service Ministry announces Wild talk about doubling public more scholarship opportunities servants’ salaries in 2022 is mathematically impossible T

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ild talk, no matter how ridiculous it is, is a pastime that has become too popular today. The latest wild talk is that $12B can enable the Government to double Public Servants’ salaries and old-age pension for 2022. The wild talk ignores that to double Public Servants’ salaries and old-age pension alone would need $180B. One of the political commentators, who is obsessed with the Oil and Gas resources in Guyana, went on a radio and TV tirade demanding the Irfaan Ali-led Government double Public Servants’ salaries and benefits and old-age pension in 2022. According to him, the Government can commit the use of US$60M (G$12B) of the US$608M of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) that will be transferred into the Consolidated Fund for this purpose. Claiming that the total Public Servants’ salary bill is just US$30M, this commentator Dr Leslie Ramsammy claimed that with US$60M, the Government can double Public Servants’ salaries and old-age pension and do more. He and his collaborators did not stop for one moment to see how mathematically impossible this assertion is. He is a successful businessman, and so it begs the question: is he just mathematically dumb, or is he just being mischievous, perverting mathematics for egregious purposes, hoping that enough people are gullible to buy into his mischievousness?

Public servants’ salaries and benefits in 2021 amounted to almost $78B (US$390M). Doubling Public Servants’ salaries in 2022 would lift this amount to $156B. Budget 2022 provides about $12B for oldage pension. Doubling this would lift it to $24B. Together, these two lines alone would amount to $180B (US$900M). This is $54B more than the total amount ($126B) available in the NRF. Yet, this wild man insists that only $12B of the $126B would support doubling the Public Servants’ and pensioners’ monthly income. This is wild talk, because just the doubling of salaries and pensions requires $180B for 2022, and this obligation would continue forever to infinity. Yet, the impossibility of his demand did not bother him one iota.

Jesus was the Son of God, and he fed thousands with a single basket of fish. This commentator wants President Irfaan Ali to outdo Jesus and use $12B to fill a hole that needs $180B. He is asking President Ali to use just $12B as $180B. But there are many among us who are supposed to be intelligent enough to see the ridiculousness of such trash talk, who will deliberately ignore such wildness and argue in favour of it. All these people know the truth, but they are all counting on people being gullible. While there is always a small proportion of gullible people in any population, the mistake these commentators and mischief-mongers make is that they believe they can fool most people. The truth is gullibility is always limited to a small group of persons. Even the majority of Public Servants and pensioners do not buy the impossible story the mischief-mongers try to sell them.

President Ali and his PPP Government have committed to use the NRF for a balanced development. No one can argue that Guyana’s infrastructure is underdeveloped. Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP Government after 2001 began a new era of infrastructure modernisation and expansion. Even with its successes, there remains major underdevelopment. Roads, highways, bridges, drainage and irrigation, electricity, water, schools, hospitals, other public buildings all need dramatic transformation. The NRF will be the major source of funding for these things. The Amaila Hydroelectricity and the gasto-shore projects are critical because, without cheap, reliable and enough electricity, Guyana’s trajectory into looking like and feeling like a high middle-income country cannot be achieved. Without modern highways and bridges linking our country, we cannot equitably bring opportunities to all communities in Guyana.

Further, the Government has provided for an unprecedented level of safety-nets; example, Budget 2022 has provided more than $20B in safety nets to help families. This includes increasing cash grants for every child from $19,000 to $30,000 and employing more than 4,000 Amerindian youth as CSOs, bringing in more than $1B into Amerindian communities. Scholarship and training programmes are building capacity in our people to take up better-paying jobs in both the Public and Private Sectors.

But we have a bunch of wild people who continue to stun the world with crazy mathematics. The wild man arguing that $12B can double Public Servants’ salaries is not the only mathematics “genius” among us who defies logic. MP Holder, who is also Chairman of the PNC, slowly and deliberately took the MPs in Parliament and the country’s citizens on a journey to show that US$608M could be distributed to 750,000 people, every man, woman and child, US$5000 each. He never took time to determine that G$1M each for 750,000 people is G$750B and that US$608M is only about G$126B, meaning only 16% of every man, woman and child in Guyana could get G$1M each.

This kind of mathematics comes directly from the school where professors like Moses Nagamootoo use quarter bottle and half bottle rum to explain why 33 is not more than 32.

Wild talk is no recipe for Guyana utilising our new Oil and Gas wealth to develop our country, so that every family everywhere in Guyana benefits. President Ali and the Government are on the right track. The time has come for us to reject the wild men.

he Guyana Government has, through the Public Service Ministry, announced more opportunities for Guyanese to acquire scholarships.

The Russian Federation has now collaborated with Government to offer a limited number of scholarships at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Russia.

Fields of study at the undergraduate level include hydrometry, agro-chemistry and agro-soil science, applied mathematics and computer science, mechanical engineering, oil and gas engineering, and biotechnology. At the postgraduate level, there are openings for pharmacy, statistics, hydrometeorology and paediatrics.

Interested persons are required to apply by February 23, and all details can be accessed through the

Public Service Ministry’s website.

In recent time, scholarships were opened for the Robert Gordon University, Republic of Turkey; Organisation of Islamic Cooperation of Brunei; Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme; and the Chinese Scholarship Council, among others.

These have since been closed.

In its manifesto, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic has promised 20,000 scholarships in its first

term in office. This year, $1.3 billion was allocated in the Budget to continue programmes under the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL).

In the past year, 6000 Guyanese have been enrolled at reputable universities in various parts of the world, including in India, Germany and the wider Caribbean region, earning them tertiary qualifications ranging from certificates to PhD level. With this year’s allocation, another 4500 persons would be able to secure higher education.

In November 2021, Guyanese students were accepted to study in India through GOAL. Out of the 6225 online scholarship awardees, 2689 would study at the Jain “Deemed To Be” University and 1672 at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

In addition, Sherlock Institute of India has offered 215 online scholarships.

It has been reported that 73.5 per cent of the online scholarships that are being offered by the Guyanese Government would be provided by Indian universities. These two Indian universities are also working along with the GOAL initiative with the aim of offering PhD and other programmes in Guyana.

IGNOU has also recently organised an online Staff Development Programme (SDP) for the functionaries of GOAL. (G12)

PAHO’s vaccine delivery to Caribbean, Latin America tops 100 million

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he number of doses of COVID-19 vaccines delivered by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) to Latin America and the Caribbean reached 100 million as of Tuesday, though mobilisation of the organisation’s Revolving Fund – the procurement and delivery partner of COVAX in the region.

The latest batch of vaccines includes 151,200 doses of Moderna vaccine as part of the COVAX support to Haiti, and 1,511,640 doses of Pfizer vaccines donated

by Spain.

PAHO Director, Dr Carissa F Etienne said, “The 100 million doses mark a significant milestone. Thanks to close coordination between

COVAX and our Revolving Fund, and the generous support of partners that helped our region secure doses when supply was limited, our countries are better placed to get shots into arms and protect their populations, including the most vulnerable.”

The PAHO Revolving Fund is the designated procurement agency for COVAX in the Americas. Leveraging over four decades of experience in vaccine procurement, the Revolving Fund has now supplied 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to 33 countries. Approximately 30 per cent of these were donated by the United States of America, Canada, Spain, Germany, France, Japan, Sweden, Norway and Denmark.

PAHO coordinated deliveries with other COVAX partners, such as the United Nations (UNICEF), CEPI, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Gavi, and supported international logistics to ensure the vaccines arrive in countries safely and in the shortest possible time.

To complement efforts

by COVAX, in August 2021 PAHO also launched an initiative for additional access to COVID-19 vaccines in the region by entering into Long Term Agreements with three manufacturers.

While 63 per cent of people in Latin America and the Caribbean have now been vaccinated against COVID-19, coverage remains uneven, with 14 coun-

tries and territories yet to immunise even 40 per cent of their populations. Haiti remains at the bottom of the list with vaccine coverage less than 1.2 per cent.

Guyana is included in ten countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that are receiving vaccines at no cost through the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) and the first AMC country in the Caribbean to receive these vaccines. The mechanism aims to secure 1.3 billion doses for 92 low and middle-income countries by the end of the year. Vaccine flights have been taking off almost every day and to date, the EU has given over €2.2 billion in contribution – making it the biggest donor to date. (G12)

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Our citizens cannot...

Her comments followed widespread public outrage amongst Guyanese Private Sector stakeholders last month over comments made by the Head of the Caricom Private Sector Organisation, who in a leaked email claimed that Guyana’s local content law, which makes provisions for Guyanese persons and Guyanese businesses to benefit from the oil and gas sector at specified percentages, violates certain provisions of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

The CPSO said it is “the most recently-accredited Associate Institution of the Caribbean Community” and is to act as the “apex” institution for the private sector in Caricom, with a mandate to contribute to the full implementation of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME).

However, major private sector representatives including the Private Sector Commission (PSC) have questioned the legitimacy of this body especially since its establishment was unaware of.

Moreover, the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) met with the Secretary General of Caricom, Carla Barnett, to voice its concerns and called for the regional bloc to suspend recognition of CPSO. Meanwhile, at Tuesday’s conference, Prime Minister Mottley went on to outline that the lack of opportunities is parcelled in the

FROM PAGE 10

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley at a cocktail reception on Tuesday evening

complex issue of poverty in the region. Another such regional issue she highlighted is the region’s vulnerability to the climate crisis and the mammoth task of energy transition, which she said present both threats and opportunities.

“Energy is integral to our societies,” the Barbadian Head of State noted, while adding that governments must create and incentivise the sustainable use of energy resources.

To this end, Prime Minister

Mottley went on to outline her country’s own ambitious journey to transition to 100 per cent renewable sources and to be a carbon neutral state by 2035. In keeping with this goal, she pointed out that Barbados currently has one of the densest electric vehicles (EV) and charging station networks per capita with 500 electric vehicles on its roadways.

Additionally, the island-state also has one of region’s largest electric fleet of buses with 49 and

an additional 10 to be purchased soon. Barbados has also already installed 3.7megawatts of photovoltaic systems (solar power panels) on 22 public buildings and is continuing this effort.

PM Mottley further revealed that they have even completed ocean energy studies that investigate and establish feasibility of utility-scale offshore wind and marine power.

“We’re conscious of the potential for Barbados to generate hy-

drogen from wave energy and the capacity for export,” she indicated.

However, even with its ambitious energy plan, the Prime Minister pointed out that Barbados, like most small islands and development states, are facing the challenge of financing this energy shift. On this note, she signalled the country’s intention to propose an energy accord among the new exporters to invest at least 10 per cent of net revenues in renewable energy.

“We do not have the capacity to easily finance our development in the transition and we’ve not been given the assurances, not even an adaptation funding… The G20 countries produce over 80% of the greenhouse gas emissions and many of them are still some of biggest beneficiaries of oil and gas revenues. We have reached a point where global discussions must now address these issues as to how we transition. If we can put, therefore, a significant percentage of that revenue – at least 10 to 15 per cent - in a fund to finance renewable energy… then I believe would have advanced discussion,” the Head of State asserted.

Moreover, Prime Minister Mottley noted that Caricom countries have already embarked on a mission to chart a sustainable energy future to navigate the energy transition. (G8)

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Health centres in Region 6 to become more patient-friendly – Anthony

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ll 28 health centres in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) were upgraded last year, and further upgrades are planned for 2022. In the Region with the second-highest number of health centres in the country, many of the facilities were not patient-friendly. This has drastically changed, and the attention is now on transforming some to provide specialised services.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has said efforts are being made to improve the sector at every level.

As it relates to health centres in the region, he explained that many of them did not have washroom facilities for waiting patients.

“You know, people have this habit, they want to be there from 6:00 o’clock. When they get here at 6:00 o’clock, most of the time there was nowhere to sit. Very often, too, you had simple things like somebody waiting there wasn’t any washroom available if they need to go to the bathroom. Those little things that can make a big difference. At every health centre now, those concerns have been addressed,” the Minister pointed out while opening a new facility at the New Amsterdam Hospital on Saturday.

Over $7 million was spent last year on health centres, which have now all become more patient-friendly.

According to Regional Chairman David Armogan, the aim is to improve primary health care. Armogan pointed out that health centres in the region should be the ‘go-to’ facility when residents need medical services.

Currently, citizens think of private pharmacies as the ‘go-to’ medical facility, since health centres do not provide the variety of medication available at those facilities.

All this is changing, and apart from having permanent doctors and medical supplies which are needed to treat patients, medication will be available at the health centres.

“When we took over the Government in August of 2020, many of the things were bad, and so when we came in, nobody looked back, everybody was looking forward, and so we were blamed, sometimes not fairly, sometimes not necessarily, for some of the things that we had to inherit; and so, incrementally, we are doing almost on a daily basis some kind of intervention to make sure that we are improving and offering a better quality of service to the people of our region,” the Chairman explained.

He was also speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Saturday. Referring to health, Armogan said it is one of the main concerns of every living person.

“We have seen, over the years, many people migrate

out of Guyana strictly on the basis of health reasons they go and live permanently abroad, because those services that they need to keep them alive are not available in Guyana. And so our Government is working every day to make sure that we can up a standard so that people do not have to leave this country in search of health facilities that are not available.”

Meanwhile, midwife of the Port Mourant Health Centre, Patricia Tyndall, told this publication that that centre was having large numbers of patients on a daily basis and there was no waiting area outside of the building, hence there was difficulty attending to all of the patients in a way which was in keeping with COVID-19 guidelines.

As such a waiting area

has been constructed outside of the building, which allows a free flow of air.

“We also had some persons in the community who build a washroom outside for COVID-19 patients,” the midwife told this publication.

However, Anthony noted that the focus is not only on health centres, but other medical facilities in the Region. (G4)

18 NEWS 3 more COVID-19 deaths recorded WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…7 in ICU, 95 new cases

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD FEBRUARY 15, 2022 UPDATE

T

hree more persons who had tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have died while being monitored for recovery from the disease, thereby hiking the death toll to 1,199.

The deaths include two persons who died on February 14: a 55-year-old female from Region Three, and a 54-year-old male from Region Four. The third fatality is a 69-year-old male from Region Six, who died on February 12.

A whopping 95 new cases have surfaced, according to the Health Ministry’s dashboard for Tuesday, with the total confirmed cases in the country reaching 62,360.

The infections follow a gender distribution of 28,716 males and 33,644 females.

Along with seven patients in the designated Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 1289 are in home isolation, 83 are in institutional isolation, and 30 are in institutional quarantine.

The data shows that 59,782 patients have recovered from this life-threatening virus, while 526,616

swabs were processed.

In analysing new cases, statistics indicate that 19 infections surfaced in Region One (Barima-Waini); eight in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam); five in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); 25 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); one in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 20 in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 18 in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), 10 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and two in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

Procurement of additional equipment to monitor and treat COVID-19 patients is expected to boost the capacity of regional hospitals across the country, adding to the health Ministry’s response system.

This is according to Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony during Monday’s COVID-19 update. A grant made available to Guyana through the Global Fund has been utilised to enhance regional care. Along with

beds, ventilators and accompanying equipment will be installed by the end of February.

“We have set up sections in these hospitals, giving them ventilators and ICU beds. By the end of this month, we’re moving a step further, because we have been able to work with the Global Fund, with a special COVID-19 grant that they have given us. Several pieces of equipment that we would have bought would have included more ventilators, ICU beds, and monitors,” he explained.

He also indicated, “These would be coming in by the end of the month, and would be distributed to each of the hospitals so that we can enhance the capacity to monitor patients in these regional hospitals. In addition to what they already have, each regional hospital would get an additional three ventilators, ICU beds, and monitors to enhance capacity.”

Last July, it was revealed that US$1.8 million in support would be provided from the Global Fund, but it would take a few months before the

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

95

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

83

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

1289

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

7

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

30

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

33,644

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

28,716

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

62,360

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

59,782

REGION 1

2464

REGION 2

2416

REGION 3

7982

REGION 4

30,883

REGION 5

2327

REGION 6

5646

REGION 7

2405

REGION 8

887

REGION 9

3895

REGION 10

3455

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN BE SAFE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC Wear a face mask.

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

427,680

FULLY IMMUNISED

320,221

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020

1199

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

Wash your hands or use handsanitizer If you have any symptoms, call the COVID-19 Hotline.

GET MEDICAL ADVICE ON COVID-19 FROM MOH 24/7 HOTLINE NUMBERS: 2311166; 226 7480; 624 6674; 624 2819; 624 3067 OR 180/181.

sum is released.

All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures, which are in effect until February 28, 2022.

This order emphasises the need for everyone 12 years and older to get vaccinated

against COVID-19; the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotlines: 231-1166, 226-7480 or 6246674 immediately, or visit us at www.health.gov.gy (G12)

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Too early” to decide on 2nd booster shot – Health Minister …encourages self-testing for early detection

H

ealth Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Tuesday posited that it is too early for authorities to determine the rollout of second booster doses for Guyana – a standpoint that is governed by several factors.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), through a study, has shared that the effectiveness of the booster doses wanes after four months. It has been just a few months since the administration began to give booster doses locally, and 46,609 persons have already taken their shots.

In the COVID-19 update, the Health Minister outlined that work is still continuing to move the uptake of first and second doses higher, as well as increase booster dose uptake. Consequently, a fourth dose is not high on Government’s agenda currently.

“I think it’s too early for us to make (that) determination. We have seen some of the early results that are coming out of Israel, being (one) of the first countries to start administration of the second booster dose. Right now, our efforts are really to make sure that persons who have not been vaccinated… trying to get them vaccinated, and those who are partially vaccinated, for them to get the next shot,” said Dr Anthony.

Vaccination coverage among adults indicates that

ronments.

“Most of the kits that are available for people to do self-testing are very accurate. It helps persons to know their status, especially people who work in atrisk environments. That’s something that we want to encourage, so that people

can test themselves regularly to see whether they have COVID-19…If they tested positive, then they would isolate. That would help us to reduce potentially the people in the population who walk around unknowing that they have COVID-19.

This is something that we

want to encourage,” he touted during the brief.

President Dr Irfaan Ali had initially announced last month that his government was exploring the use of athome COVID-19 test kits to prevent gatherings of people at testing sites across the country. (G12)

Caribbean Airlines expands “layaway” interest-free payment plan Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

428,991 first doses have been taken, representing 83.6 per cent of that demographic; while second doses have been taken by 322,465 persons, or 62.9 per cent of that demographic. As for the 12-to-17 age category, 23,795 persons, or 32.6 per cent of them, are fully vaccinated.

According to the Health Minister, the current booster uptake can be improved.

“The other strategy that we’re working on is those who got both doses to at least get their booster shot.

While we have these vaccines available, the challenge is not a lot of people have been coming forward…

We’re constantly making that appeal to people to come and get their booster shot.

When people get their booster shot, then we would have another issue, which we will

consider down the road. The second booster shot, we’re not contemplating that right now, we’re focusing on administering the booster shot after the first two doses.”

Even with evidence that older persons are at higher risk of developing a severe form of the virus, there is a drop in booster uptake among this group. Booster doses can be taken after five months of complete immunisation, and has been recommended, since immunity would wane after some time.

Self-testing

Along with the management of vaccination for the population is the priority to control infections. The Health Minister has touted self-testing as an effective way for persons to know their status, especially those operating in high-risk envi-

Caribbean Airlines

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aribbean Airlines has announced that it has expanded its interest-free payment plan, “layaway”, allowing customers to hold bookings for two to 12 months prior to their departure.

The airline company said on Tuesday that customers can pay as little as 25 per cent down-payment in order to be allowed to hold bookings for travel rang-

ing from two months to 12 months prior to their departure date. With three easy payments, the new expansion would allow customers to access the “layaway” service for travel to/from any Caribbean Airlines’ destination, excluding travel on the domestic air bridge between Trinidad and Tobago.

Customers are given a payment schedule upon confirmation of booking.

CEO Garvin Medera, commenting on the expansion, said, “Caribbean Airlines always looks for ways to add value for customers, so we have expanded our Caribbean Layaway, interest-free payment plan to include all of our destinations.

We are mindful of the additional requirements for air travel, and having the option to pay over a longer period of time will make it easier for families and others to plan and pay for their trips.”

The airline company has said that opening a layaway plan is simple, and can be easily completed in just a few short steps.

Caribbean Layaway is available at all city ticket offices throughout the Caribbean Airlines’ network and via the Reservations Sales and Customer Support Call Centre. At this time, Caribbean Layaway is not available online or at airport ticket counters. (G2)

20 NEWS Prison officers “essential but undervalued” – Gouveia C WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

hairman of the Guyana Prison Service’s Sentence Management Board, Captain Gerald Gouveia related that too often the heroism and dignity of hundreds of the country’s prison officers are overlooked.

These were his sentiments while addressing the Senior Officers’ Conference held on January 28, 2022, at the Guyana Police Force Training Centre Auditorium.

“As a key worker, you’ll work with a range of people and perform a variety of tasks – from keeping the prison safe and secure, to helping vulnerable people through a very difficult time in their lives.

It’s hard work and its significance is undermined by

they face and good work they do.”

Further, Gouveia believes that prison officers are not given enough credit and appreciation for the work they do in keeping Guyana safe.

“The prison system is a very important component of our Joint Services because it’s a place where we rehabilitate people who have gone down the wrong line and the task you (prison officers) are given is a very

Chairman of the Guyana Prison Service’s Sentence Management Board, Captain Gerald Gouveia

negative outlooks”, Gouveia who is also Security Advisor to President Dr Irfaan Ali stated.

“The prisons system always seems to be the ugly

cousins of the Joint Services and we need to fix that. We need to fix that in the way prison officers are seen and the way prison officers are compensated for the risks

Recaptured prisoner jailed for 24 months

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ineteen-year-old prison escapee Kavin Singh was on Monday sentenced to an additional 24 months in prison following his escape from the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on February 3.

Singh appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court to answer to the charge of Escape from Lawful Custody Contrary to Section 339 (b) of the Criminal Law Offences Act Chapter 8:01.

The young fugitive was

Prison escapee: Kavin Singh

recaptured one day after his escape. At the time, he was found hiding in the cane fields at Good Hope, ECD. Singh was initially admit-

ted to the prison on December 6, 2021, having been charged with two counts of possession of ammunition and firearm, and armed robbery.

On the day of his escape, a prison officer uplifted seven inmates, including Singh, to attend court. Singh, who was foot-cuffed at the time, asked to use the washroom and as such, permission was granted.

The prison officer claimed that upon his return to the washroom, he discovered the inmate missing, and an alarm was raised.

complex task. So, the work that you (prison officers) do is very important in ensuring that our society and communities are safe, especially after people have left the prisons. So, rehabilitation in the prisons is vital, and that is where you play a pivotal role.”

He further recalled his experience on the GPS’s Sentence Management Board in the early 2000s when prisoners were referred to as the nation’s

“scavengers” by some local folks.

He reflected on his experience with the aim of improving conditions for staff and reframing the image of prisoners so that policymakers can begin to embrace the true reason for incarceration.

The Chairman noted the evident growth through massive strides that have been made in improving the conditions under which staff work and inmates are kept.

Husband, friend charged with murder of Yarrowkabra woman

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ore than one week after a housewife was found hanging from a tree at Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, her common-law husband, and his friend were on Tuesday charged with her murder.

Dianand Lakhan, 41, and his friend 36-yearold Aubrey Williams, both of Yarrowkabra, LindenSoeddyke Highway, appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrate’s Court where they were not required to plead to the indictable charge.

They were remanded to prison and will make their next court appearance on March 3, 2022.

It was reported that Reuben lived with her reputed husband, who told Police that they, along with several neighbours, were consuming alcohol on February 6, 2022.

However, after some time the others left for their respective residences, except for a male friend.

The man said that his wife stayed on her verandah

Murder accused: Aubrey Williams and Dianand Lakhan

consuming alcohol while he and the other man retired to bed.

At about 04:00h the next morning, he reportedly told investigators that the male guest woke him to tell him that he was leaving their home. After acknowledging, the woman’s husband said he went back to sleep.

Two hours after, he said he awoke and made the gruesome discovery of his reputed wife’s motionless body hanging from a mango tree in the yard.

Following the discovery, the Police had stated that because of the positioning

of the woman’s body, they believed that she was murdered, and her body was placed at the scene.

The post-mortem conducted on the body by Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh confirmed the woman died because of asphyxiation due to hanging compounded by blunt trauma to the head.

Following the revelation of the post-mortem examination, the woman’s husband and the alleged male visitor were arrested and remain in Police custody. It was also reported that the men confessed to killing the woman.

21 10 officers complete training in Prison Management T NEWS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

en officers from the Guyana Prison Service have successfully attained ABEEndorsed Certificates in the field of Prison Management.

These include Thiffaney Trim (Women Prison Officer); Curlet Berksire (Women Prison Officer); Seliza Blair (Principal Officer 1); Trudy DeCunha (Principal Officer 1); Keon Kelly, (Prison Trade Instructor); Natesia Haynes (Principal Officer 11); Suana Eastman (Principal Officer 11); Anne Thomas

(Chief Officer); Justin Eastman (Chief Officer) and Jermin Archer (Cadet Officer).

The various course content was strategically determined by the Service’s Training and Recruitment Department and the academic professionals of ABE to cater to the unique needs of the officers.

The collection of subject areas was chosen by the Training Department, Strategic Management Department, and the Directorate to best suit the

Applications open for Fulbright Foreign Student Program – US Embassy

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he US Embassy has officially opened applications for the 2023-2024 Fulbright Foreign Student Program, with a July 15 deadline.

In Guyana, the Fulbright Foreign Student Program is administered by the US Embassy. The embassy re-launched the Fulbright Foreign Student Program in 2019.

The scholarship gives Guyanese citizens the opportunity to complete a Master’s or PhD. at a higher education institution in the United States.

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program was originally founded in 1946 and now operates in 160 countries and has provided over 400,000 people from all backgrounds and in all fields, the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to complex global challenges.

To date, 127 Guyanese have benefitted from Fulbright scholarships since the early 1960s, many of whom are in the public sector, academia, the arts, business, civil society, media, and education.

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program, sponsored by the US Department of State, is part of the US continued commitment to the prosperity of Guyana and the region. The programme provides a basis for establishing lasting ties between citizens of the United States and their professional counterparts in other countries, fostering an exchange of knowledge and mutual understanding throughout the world.

These studies offered by the programme are funded for up to 24 months (two academic years, pending: final approval by the Foreign Scholars Board (FSB), a successful application for a J-1 visa; receipt of medical clearance; successful academic placement at a US institution of higher education by the Institute for International Education (IIE); and availability of funds.

All interested applicants should visit the US Embassy website at https://gy.usembassy.gov/ education-culture/fulbright-student-program/ for full programme details and applications.

The 10 officers who have successfully attained ABE-Endorsed Certificates in the field of Prison Management

rank structure of officers within the Guyana Prison Service.

As such, these officers and others to follow will be able to gain insight into new information that is fundamentally specific to Prison

Management and the internationally accepted norms for managing inmates in a correctional facility.

With this new collection of information and training gained, the officers intend to share the experience

garnered with their peers which will ultimately contribute to the improvement of operational practices.

This will no doubt strengthen and advance the techniques and practices within the GPS, boost pro-

ductivity among staff, encourage teamwork and amplify resource management.

The GPS has a positive outlook on educating its staff which is evident with the management structures being devised to continuously encourage officers to capitalise on training opportunities available locally, regionally or internationally in order to enhance officers’ personal competencies.

The Service’s strategic plan sees that the human capital of the Service is critical to daily sustainability of safe daily operations, thus of its 8 pillars, “Enhancing Human Resource Management and Development” is in the top 3.

Suitably, the management focuses on promoting the efficient management of the GPS’s mandate to successfully rehabilitate and reintegrate law offenders through the advancement of the human resource capacity throughout the Service.

22 NEWS UN: Hunger crisis threatens half of Somalia’s young children S WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

evere drought risks pushing nearly half of Somali children under five into acute malnutrition this year, with hundreds of

thousands needing life-saving treatment, according to the United Nations, which called for urgent action.

“Malnutrition has

reached crisis levels,” Victor Chinyama, head of communications for the UN children’s agency UNICEF’s Somalia operations, said on

Tuesday.

“The time to act is now,” he told reporters in Geneva via video-link, cautioning that “if you wait until things get worse, or until famine is declared, it may be too late.”

As the Horn of Africa region grapples with its worst drought in decades, Somalia has been hardest hit, with the UN warning that 4.1 million people – a quarter of the Somali population – need urgent food aid.

Chinyama said children were paying the highest price in the hunger crisis, with 1.4 million of them, or nearly half of all those under the age of five, expected to suffer from acute malnutrition by the end of the year.

“Of these, 330,000 will need treatment for severe acute malnutrition,” which can lead to death, he said.

UNICEF, he said, urgently needs $7 million by March to buy the therapeutic foods needed to treat those chil-

The continuing drought has also triggered a severe water crisis in Somalia [Reuters]

dren.

Severe acute malnutrition can cause stunting and wasting and leaves children so weak that they become far more vulnerable to diseases.

For “a severely acutely malnourished child, or severely wasted child … the risk of them dying from diseases such as measles or di-

arrhoea is 11 times higher than for a well-nourished child,” UNICEF spokeswoman Marixie Mercado said.

That is a particularly concerning statistic, since the drought has also brought on a severe water crisis in Somalia, and in turn more disease outbreaks. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022

23

CWI Regional 4-Day Championships…

Guyana Harpy Eagles blown away for 116, Hurricanes in total control removed for a golden duck, after he was given out obstructing the field. The Hurricanes bowlers shared the wickets, with left-arm seamer Colin Archibald claiming

3-29 and left-arm spinner Daniel Doram picking-up 3-16 in six overs.

Alzarri Joseph, who returned from India, had 2-26.

The Hurricanes dominated the Guyana Harpy Eagles

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eeward Islands Hurricanes are in firm control on day one of the second round of Cricket West Indies’ Regional Four-Day Championships in the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.

The Guyana team won the toss and elected to bat first, and were rolled over for 116 in 34.3 overs.

In response, Hurricanes were 126-0, leading by ten runs, with Kieran Powell on 55 and Montcin

Hodge on 51.

Anthony Bramble top-scored with 38, and Keemo Paul made 20. In the poor batting display, where batsmen played loose shots, Bramble and Paul featured in a 50-run stand for the sixth wicket. The top-five batsmen for Harpy Eagles, who are all lefthanders, failed to reach doubledigit figures.

Shimron Hetmyer was

John Campbell smashed a century in the other fixture, while Palmer made 76

SCOREBOARD

Guyana Harpy Eagles 1st Innings Tagenarine Chanderpaul c Doram b Joseph 5 Chanderpaul Hemraj c Hodge b Louis 9 Shimron Hetmyer obstructing the field 0 Leon Johnson c Hamilton b Joseph 2 Vishaul Singh c Powell b Archibald 8 Anthony Bramble c Cornwall b Archibald 38 Keemo Paul c Cornwall b Doram 20 Clinton Pestano c Ward b Doram 14 Veerasammy Permaul c Thomas b Archibald 11 Gudakesh Motie c Ward b Doram 4 Nial Smith not out 0 Total (10 wickets, 34.3) (5 extras)116 FOW: 16/1 (5.3) Chanderpaul Hemraj 16/2 (5.4) Shimron Hetmyer 17/3 (6.2) Tagenarine Chanderpaul 27/4 (10.3) Leon Johnson 37/5

In response, Hodge and Powell looked solid. Hodge made his 51, which included five fours, from 168 balls, and Powell, whose 55 included seven fours, made his runs from 114 balls.

The second day bowls off from 10:00h at Queen’s Park Oval in

(13.2) Vishaul Singh, 87/6 (20.5) Bramble 87/7 (21.2) Keemo Paul 112/8 (33.1) Clinton Pestano 116/9 (33.6) Gudakesh Motie 116/10 (34.3) Veerasammy Permaul Nial Smith O-M-R-W Bowling Alzarri Joseph 11-3-26-2 Jeremiah Louis 8-2-20-1 Rahkeem Cornwall 4-0-24-0 Colin Archibald 5.3-0-29-3 Daniel Doram 6-1-16-3 Leeward Islands Batting Montcin Hodge not out 51 Kieran Powell not out 55 Total (0 wickets, 46.0) (20 extras) 126 Bowling O-M-R-W Keemo Paul 8-1-11-0 Nial Smith 9-1-39-0 Veerasammy Permaul 11-1-4-0 Clinton Pestano 9-2-17-0 Gudakesh Motie 9-2-22-0

Trinidad.

Summary of other matches: BAR v JAM: JAM 299/3 (81.3) Campbell 123*, Palmer 76*.

TT v WIN: TT 217/5 (84) Cariah 72, Solozano 66, Da Silva 52*; Lewis 3/24.

BCB Patron’s Trust Fund commences distribution of $1M worth of white cricket balls …Second installment of Minister Zulfikar Mustapha’s Educational Scholarship handed over

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

he proactive Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) continues to assist clubs under its watch with another distribution of items in the ancient county. On Saturday last, the board, during a special ceremony for the legendary Sir Curtly Ambrose, started the distribution of one million dollars’ worth of white cricket balls to first division clubs. The balls were distributed under the BCB Patron’s Trust Fund.

BCB President Hilbert Foster has said that the trust fund was established in late 2020 when Natural Resources Minister

Vickram Bharrat was inducted as the BCB’s first official Patron.

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

Minister Bharrat committed $2.5M to the fund for last year, and had handed over a cheque for $1.5M in October 2021. That amount was used for the hosting of several mini cricket academies and social skills seminars, while close to fifty youths benefited from educational grants to assist their pursuit of an educational career.

Naeem Khan receiving his University of Guyana scholarship allowance from Sir Curtly Ambrose

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

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

The white balls, Foster stated, would be used for practice by the first-division teams and in tournaments organised by the BCB. The BCB has already secured sponsorships for the Ivan Madray 20/20 Memorial tournament, and the Guyana Brewery Ltd has committed

to sponsoring the Tenelec 50 Overs and another tournament.

The board will shortly be meeting with representatives of the different clubs to decide on the way forward in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

The BCB has distributed boxes of balls to the Skeldon Community Centre, Upper Corentyne Cricket Association, Police, Albion, Port Mourant, RHTY&SC, Rose Hall Canje, and West Berbice; and would be handing over balls to Young Warriors CC, Tucber Park CC, Berbice River Cricket Association and Blairmont,

who were absent from the ceremony. Legendary Icon Sir Curtly Ambrose handed over the balls on behalf of the board and Patron Vickram Bharrat.

Meanwhile, under the Patron Fund, the board has handed over two catching cribs to representatives of the East Bank Berbice CC and Kildonan CC. The board also handed over a large set of sneakers to four clubs for distribution to less fortunate cricketers.

The sneakers were donated to the BCB by former national player Sheik Mohamed. The clubs receiving sneakers were Achievers, Port Mourant, Edinburgh and East Bank Berbice.

Moreover, the BCB has handed over a cheque for $247,100 to Naeem Khan.

This cheque represents the second payment to Khan as part of the historic BCB/Zulfikar Mustapha University of Guyana Educational Scholarship.

Early Last year, the Berbice Cricket Board created history when it became the first cricket board in Guyana to hand out a University of Guyana scholarship. Khan is a medium pacer who plays for the Albion Cricket Club and attends the Tain campus of the University of Guyana.

The young player has expressed gratitude to BCB President Hilbert Foster and Minister Mustapha for their support. Minister Mustapha is a Berbician by birth, and is a strong supporter of the BCB.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022

Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business

“We have not been consistent at all” - admits WI Capt Pollard B

West Indies white ball Captain, Kieron Pollard

y Captain Kieron Pollard’s own admission, members of the West Indies Team are yet to find consistency with bat and ball.

Notwithstanding, the Captain hopes the team can capitalise on their T20 momentum against England to get them across the line in India.

Prior to losing a three-match One Day International Series against India, West Indies revelled in the excitement of winning a five-match T20 International Series against England.

The on again-off again performances being churned out by the regional cricket team is a point of concern for Captain Kieron Pollard, who expressed his views on the team’s lack of consistency during a pre-match press conference

on Tuesday.

The captain said, “For us, it’s about consistency. We had a very good series, I thought, against England. We faltered couple times with the bat in the back end of the innings, we could be a little better at executing as well; and you know, our fielding performances we can take it up a notch as well.

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

As we would have seen, from a batting perspective, we have not been as consistent. We have not been consistent at all, which is a fact. So, we want to put that right with the limited opportunities we get in the short format of the game,” Pollard admitted.

Still on the topic of the England series, Pollard shared that the series’ win against such a team would do

wonders for the men in maroon as they head into their next T20 series.

“I think we’re pretty confident. I thought that where we came, from in Jamaica into Barbados to play the series against England, it would’ve shown that there’s something inside the guys (that) really desires to do well.”

He went on to add, “Being able to come out on top against England would give you that extra confidence as well.

So, coming into this series against India, the guys are looking forward to the challenge.”

Sharing some positives that he hopes to take away from the ODI series in India, Pollard asserted that the team expects to perform well this time around.

“Obviously experiences, guys who’ve never been here before would’ve gotten experience playing in

Indian conditions, coming up against a well drilled Indian team and getting to understand what is needed on a consistent basis for international cricket.

“For us, again, it’s about improving all the time,” the Windies captain has shared.

He went on to note, “Each and every time we step on the cricket field, we expect to do well. We don’t go there and not expect to do well. Yes, from a One-Day perspective, it didn’t go how we want it to go, but you know, I guess it’s the same thing when we come tomorrow. We go through the process, we plan, and hopefully we can deliver on the cricket field.”

The three match T20I series will commence today, Wednesday, February 16, from 9.30am local time.

SEVEN SEAS recommits Lady Jags, Dominica support to Archery Guyana optimistic ahead of today’s Women’s Qualifier

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ommencing at 8pm this evening, Guyana’s senior women’s national football team the Lady Jags will open their CONCACAF Women’s Qualifier campaign against their Dominican counterparts, for a shot at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. However, facing the pandemic and juggling personal life has been a struggle for both the ladies of Guyana and Dominica, who are slated to do battle tomorrow evening in their opening match

affected us all, whether it’s individually or organizationally, and like many of the Federations, we’ve had to deal with changing, lockdowns and restrictions that have impacted our ability to gather, to train, and to put in exhibition schedules,” Guyana’s Head Coach Dr. Ivan Joseph has said.

Coach Joseph informed, “And so we’ve used the last few days as what we’ll call a mini camp. An opportunity to assess and bring in

into training,” Titre shared.

Zeroing in on Guyana’s preparation, Dr. Joseph lamented the struggle it has been to achieve ‘chemistry’ with players scattered.

Nonetheless, he highlighted that the team is stacked with ‘good leaders’.

“Whether it’s foreign-based, whether its seniors and rookies, always coming together and chemistry is a primary concern of mine. You’re only as effective as the leaders Flashback to the launch of the partnershi p. From left, Nirvana Thakur, Archery Guyana’s Nicholas Hing and Vidus hi Persaud-McKinnon

“S Head Coaches Dr. Ivan Joseph and Albert Titre flanked by players Justine Rodrigues and Kira Bertrand

of the CONCACAF Women’s Qualifiers.

During a pre-match press conference, the Head Coaches of Guyana and Dominica, Dr. Ivan Joseph and Albert Titre respectively, spoke about the impact of the ongoing pandemic on their teams, and what they expect from the ladies on Wednesday night.

“I think the pandemic has

players, identify talent, and then select a team,” “It has also been a rocky road for us in Dominica. We are facing the COVID pandemic, and it’s really challenging for our players in Dominica. We also have our restrictions, Government restrictions. So, thanks to the Dominican Football Association for contacting the Government, so we could get the national team

that are on your team. So, we’ve got some good leaders and they’re doing their part to make everybody feel included,” Dr. Joseph stated.

After locking horns with Dominica, the Lady Jags will travel to Turks and Caicos Islands for their second group game on Saturday, February 19. The second leg of the group stage will take place later this year.

even Seas,” a brand distributed by Massy Distribution (Guyana) Inc, has reached out once again to recommit its support to Archery Guyana, and will be exclusively sponsoring the 2021 Indoor Archery Competition at the Muslim Youth Organization on Woolford Avenue, commencing today.

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

The Seven Seas brand started out with COD LIVER OIL, which our parents fed to us at a tender age, and a range of essential health products has since been developed, aimed at enhancing

our hair, skin and nails, reducing joint inflammation and, more importantly, assisting with brain development and memory support. Helping us to look younger, think smarter, and be radiant inside and out are some of the benefits of using Seven Seas Products.

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

The launch of the Partnership between Massy Distribution (Guyana) Inc and Archery Guyana took place at the end of July 2019 (Pre Covid-19 Times) at the Massy Distribution Office at Montrose, East Coast Demerara. The then

Brand Coordinator noted that Seven Seas Omega-3 products are essential in enabling us to become focused and disciplined, which are qualities necessary for anyone to achieve success in life and sports.

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

Thanks have been expressed by Mrs. Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon, Secretary-General of Archery Guyana, for Seven Seas’ continued collaboration as a competition sponsor. Special thanks to the Management of Massy Distribution (Guyana) Inc and Seven Seas as we move forward to promote the sport of Archery in Guyana.

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