Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 03-10-2023

PPP/C gov’t continues to be agile, adaptable political force

Finance Minister says

THE People ’ s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government continues to be an agile and adaptable political force, adapting to changing realities so as to remain relevant to changing times

This is according to the Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance , Dr Ashni Singh , who made these remarks during the Dr Randy Persaud Show aired on the National Communications Network on Sunday

The minister noted that successive PPP/C governments have proven their track records of restoring fiscal solvency and achieving fiscal sustainability while maintaining , pro -

tecting and merging same

The prudent, transparent and accountable management of the fiscal resources of the state has not changed over the years

“We exist for the purpose of working towards improving the lives of our countrymen and fellow Guyanese brothers and sisters Those core objectives have not changed , they were then when we came into government in 1992 and we were a heavily indebted poor country ,” he said

The Finance Minister noted that these core objectives remained over time as they were able to achieve debt sustainability and fiscal sustainability in the pre-oil era, even as he

noted that these objectives continue to inform all that the government does

He added, “Our fiscal situation is completely and dramatically different [now]. Some of the policy choices and alternatives

that we have before us now, we did not have then, we are able to do things considerably more quickly now than we were able to do then.”

Added to this , he remarked that with a large and rapidly growing resource economy, new challenges and threats are present and emerging which did not exist in the past These he noted have to be carefully managed as well.

Against this backdrop, he said that while the context has changed and the world has changed , the

PPP/C remains steadfast to its core objectives

As such , he expressed , “The People’s Progressive Party continues to be an agile and adaptable political force, adapting to changing global realities ; adapting to changing global realities [and] adapting to changing domestic circumstances and realities to ensure that we and what we do remain relevant and suitable to the circumstances of today and indeed the circumstances of tomorrow.”

Region Three private sector supports President Ali’s call for diplomacy

IN a resounding display of unity and support for the Government of Guyana, Halim Khan, Head of the Region Three Private Sector Inc . ( R3PSInc ), has backed President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s call for adherence to international law and diplomatic resolution of disputes in the face of escalating threats from Venezuela.

Khan’s endorsement came in the wake of President Ali’s address during the 78th Session of the United Nations General Debate in New York , where he condemned Venezuela’s continuous threats against Guyana’s sovereignty

“President Ali reaffirmed that while his government welcomes efforts to bring about domestic harmony within Venezuela, agreements that defy international law and processes can form no basis for mediating such harmony Guyana does not promote the use of violence or threats to settle disputes, but will look towards the court and the rule of law,” Khan underscored

President Ali’s address underscored the gravity of the situation, particularly Venezuela’s recent communique rejecting Guyana’s auctioning of oil blocks, which was seen as a direct challenge to Guyana’s territorial integrity

In his statement , President Ali demanded that Venezuela honour its obligations under international law , and seek peaceful means of settling disputes, including adjudication before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The President firmly defended Guyana’s right to develop its territories, and expressed confidence that the ICJ’s final decision would confirm Guyana’s ownership of the disputed boundary, thereby ensuring a peaceful and equitable resolution

President Ali’s stance received international support, with key figures like Secretary- General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, and United States Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Brian Nichols, condemning Venezuela’s

actions, and urging respect for international law

The ICJ’s recent rejection of Venezuela’s preliminary objection to Guyana’s case on the border controversy further solidified Guyana’s position This ruling means that the ICJ will proceed to decide the merits of the dispute , and issue a final and binding determination on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award that established the land boundary between Venezuela and the then British Guiana

Venezuela’s recent statement rejecting Guyana’s oil block auction triggered international condemnation, and raised fundamental questions about Venezuela’s claims to ownership of these areas, given the absence of demarcation, and the existence of Guyana’s exclusive economic zones recognised under international law Guyana emphasised that Venezuela’s threats to prevent licensed operations constitute a threat to its sovereignty , investment partners, and regional peace and security The United States, CARICOM, the Commonwealth, and other international actors endorsed Guyana’s sovereign right to utilise its natural resources, and rejected any infringement on its sovereignty.

Venezuela ’ s decision to conduct a popular referendum on defending its claim to the Essequibo has further complicated the situation Guyana viewed this as an attempt to manipulate public sentiment and divert attention from its legal predicament before the ICJ

Venezuela’s repeated proposals for direct talks were met with skepticism from Guyana, given the pending ICJ case, and President Maduro’s hostile rhetoric towards Guyana

Guyana remains steadfast in its commitment to peaceful resolution and the protection of its sovereignty

Halim Khan’s endorsement on behalf of R3PSInc demonstrates the unwavering support of the private sector for President Ali and the Government of Guyana in these challenging times.

Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh

Teachers to get special loans, other support to become homeowners

President Ali announces as consultation held with country’s educators

By Naomi Parris

SPECIAL housing loans and other support will be available to teachers across the country, President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced on Monday.

will have the banks We will get the list of teachers, we will tell you all that you have to walk with; we will get everything pre-approved, so when you come, you sign your loan off,” President Ali said

Additionally, teachers will be provided with the option to access other support such as building plans

“We will help you with designs that we have at housing for different sizes of houses, if you want to use that design to save that cost also, and as far as possible, we will try to expedite the approval of the NDC levels and so on,” he added Monday’s consultation was held in keeping with the President’s promise to meet with educators to address a number of issues within the sector

Teachers from both the hinterland and coastland regions raised a plethora of issues , among them salary and allowance adjustments for teachers, better school infrastructure, the need for more qualified teachers , improved Internet access, better transportation for children, especially those living in the hinterland region, implementation of more innovative programmes, and overcrowding in several schools

Responding to the teachers’ concerns, the President said : “ We are going to complete the infrastructure audit of all the schools and all the education facilities, including the recreation facilities across the country, so we will have a gap analysis as to what has to be done, and prioritise where we are going to definitely address those issues.”

A consultation meeting was on Monday held with Headteachers and their deputies President Ali (centre), Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, and Education Minister Priya Manickchand were among officials in attendance to listen to the concerns of teachers (Office of the President Photos)

At the meeting, teachers were given an opportunity to raise some of the challenges they are facing

During a consultation with headteachers and their deputies from the country’s 11 school districts at State House, the President outlined the government ’ s plans to assist those teachers who would have already acquired land, but cannot build due to limited funds

“I can ask the CEO (Chief Education Officer ) to check for all the teachers who would have had allocations made to them, but they do not have the bank loan, or the bank is giving them a hard time, and we will deal with that as a category,” the President said

Meanwhile, teachers already in the process of building will receive assistance with materials, such as steel and cement, to subsidise their financing

The government, he said, will engage the country’s banking institutions to facilitate the process.

Loans from $15 million, with an interest rate of 3.75%, will be accessible to teachers

“Within two weeks, we will move to have this big-tent approach, where we

With regards to overcrowding, specifically , the president noted that the government will prioritise the extension of schools affected by overcrowding in the upcoming budget cycle

Existing anomalies affecting minimum-wage teachers will be corrected in their salaries this month

Meanwhile , some 2,300 new and qualified teachers will be entering the system soon , and will be dispatched across the country to satisfy the need for more trained teachers

In the coming weeks , the government will develop a holistic approach to address all the needs of the country’s teachers

“Now that I have a full understanding directly from you,” President Ali said, “I am in a better position to come up with a holistic approach as to how we will deal with the welfare of students and teachers together.”

Executive representatives from the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) and other government officials such as Education Minister Priya Manikchand, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, and the country’s Labour Minister were in attendance

Guyana, Brazil discuss Guyana-Venezuela border controversy, bilateral relations

GUYANA ’ S Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Hilton Todd met with his Brazilian counterpart His Excellency Mauro Vieira to provide an update on recent developments regarding the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy.

During the meeting, Minister Todd reaffirmed Guyana ’ s unwavering commitment to a peaceful resolution of the border controversy, in strict accordance with international law

He emphasised that the current process at the International Court of Justice ( ICJ ) represents a mutually agreed mechanism for achieving a peaceful , just , binding, and permanent settlement of the longstanding dispute concerning the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award , and the course of the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela

His Excellency Mauro Vieira expressed Brazil ’ s strong support for the ongoing ICJ process as the means

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Hilton Todd

to resolve the dispute over the 1899 Arbitral Award

He emphasised Brazil ’ s dedication to the peaceful

settlement of international boundaries, and its profound respect for the ICJ Brazil eagerly awaits the final verdict of the Court , viewing it as the most appropriate solution, fully aligned with international law, especially considering the matter was referred by the Secretary- General of the United Nations

Minister Todd highlighted the stance articulated by His Excellency , President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, asserting Guyana ’ s irrevocable commitment to the ICJ settlement process He also affirmed Guyana’s willingness to engage in discussions with Venezuela on any subject of

mutual interest, apart from the controversy surrounding the 1899 Arbitral Award

Furthermore , Minister Todd dispelled any false narratives propagated by Venezuela, firmly asserting that there are no intentions, whether by Guyana or any other State , to establish a military base within Guyana’s territory

Minister Vieira stressed the paramount importance of peaceful coexistence among countries in the region, recognising that regional integration can only advance through harmonious relationships

In addition to discussing the progress on the border controversy , the two

Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Mauro Vieira

Foreign Ministers explored ideas to further enhance bilateral relations between Guyana and Brazil, as well as opportunities for collaboration on the multilateral stage.

Port Security Seminar: Coast guard, law-enforcement officers receive advanced training

––MARAD, Chile collaborates to strengthen port security

FOLLOWING the opening of a port security seminar on Monday , multiple coast guard and law enforcement officers are scheduled to receive advanced training in enhancing port surveys and shoreline security.

The five - day session , which is a collaboration between the Maritime Administration ( MARAD ) and DIRECTEMAR Chile, is being held at the Coast Guard Training Centre in Kingston , Georgetown

During the opening ceremony, MARAD’s Director-General Captain Stephen Thomas stressed the importance of equipping persons with advanced skills , specifically coast guards, as port security is key for Guyana

“ These efforts are not only about more cameras and higher fences and more hardware, but the most important aspect for us is having properly trained port security personnel,” the director- general stated

Captain Thomas explained that as Guyana fosters bilateral ties with more countries , trade is expected to expand, and the ocean is a form of transportation for goods and

services

“Guyana is a country that depends on about 90 per cent of our trade via ships, in addition to our international

obligations So, port security is crucial to our survival and economic being,” he noted Meanwhile, Captain Pablo Ferrada of Chile

said the collaboration between the two countries is necessary owing to the ongoing economic transformation of Guyana He believes

that the seminar would also strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

“This seminar is an exceptional opportunity for mutual learning, experience - sharing , and strengthening our capacities in port security Through strategic reflection and dialogue, I hope that together we can identify and overcome challenges and threats in our sector,” the Chile captain underscored

The port security conference is part of World Maritime Week activities which is being celebrated under the theme , ‘Marpol at 50.’

Director-General of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), Stephen Thomas

Captain of DIRECTEMAR Chile, Pablo Ferrada

Some of the coast guards and other law-enforcement officers present at the opening of the seminar

No shortage of jobs

AMIDST a sea of unfounded rumours, the government has taken a steadfast stand in confirming the continuation and expansion of its part - time job initiative.

This programme has become a beacon of hope for many Guyanese seeking employment opportunities, particularly in the rural and hinterland areas where traditional job prospects are limited

The government’s unwavering commitment to this endeavor is a testament to its dedication to uplift marginalised communities and provide valuable job opportunities

Since its inception, the primary objective of the part-time job initiative has been to increase female participation in the workforce

While this core objective remains unchanged , the government is taking steps to accommodate a larger number

of individuals , thereby extending the benefits of this programme to a broader audience This expansion is a pivotal move in empowering women through increased employment opportunities

Earlier this year, the hinterland regions received a significant boost with an additional 2,000 job opportunities introduced through the part-time jobs initiative Building on the success of its launch in various coastal regions in 2022, the programme is now being rolled out in Region One ( Barima - Waini ) and Bartica , Region Seven ( CuyuniMazaruni). It is hoped that participants in the programme will not only seize job opportunities but also take advantage of the available scholarship opportunities.

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, known for his proactive engagement with communities, has been encouraging community groups to come forward and

identify individuals interested in vocational training

These training programmes encompass a wide range of fields, including welding, plumbing, and carpentry Dr Jagdeo’s vision is to implement these training programmes nationwide, with a particular focus on the tech vocational sector, fostering diverse opportunities for Guyana’s youth

In 2022, the government launched the part-time jobs initiative, employing thousands of Guyanese across the country This initiative was further expanded in 2023, with a substantial allocation of $10 billion Originally introduced to mitigate the challenges posed by the rising cost of living, this programme provided one person per household with employment in public offices near their homes for 10 days per month, earning $40,000 The programme successfully employed

11,000 individuals across Regions Two, Three, Five, Six, Nine, and 10, injecting $2.3 billion into households

The government’s commitment to its manifesto promise of providing 50,000 jobs within its first term in office has already been exceeded Additionally, the government is encouraging programme beneficiaries to upskill themselves, preparing them for full-time employment in sectors where there is a shortage of skilled labour

The part-time job initiative is not just a programme; it symbolizes the government’s dedication to creating a brighter future for Guyana’s workforce

With a focus on women’s participation, scholarship opportunities, and vocational training, the government strives to build a society where all individuals can thrive and contribute to national development

Unveiling the facts: A rebuttal to claims on ExxonMobil’s accounting

Dear Editor,

PLEASE permit me to respond to two Letters to the Editor of Stabroek News editions of September 27 and October 1, 2023, by chartered accountant Christopher Ram.

In his letter of September 27, the chartered accountant made two unverified allegations in respect of ExxonMobil Guyana and its co-venture partners’ financial matters, and accounting practices Observably , Ram picked up from a baseless allegation made by another known accountant, who alleged that ExxonMobil Guyana received a large undisclosed payment for participating interest in the Stabroek block back in 2009 and 2014 Notably, after Shell’s exit in 2014, ExxonMobil Guyana sold interest to CNOOC (25%) and Hess (30%) in the block Ram contended that effectively, ExxonMobil Guyana sold this right twice, but never accounted for it once in its books

It is unfortunate that such an allegation is made by chartered accountant Chris Ram, who failed to provide the public with the evidence to corroborate his contention In order to verify the authenticity of Ram’s claims,

one would have to examine the financial statements of Shell, Hess, CNOOC and ExxonMobil Guyana for the period 1999-2015 This can be obtained from the Deeds Registry, which the undersigned will be in receipt of shortly Following receipt of same, a subsequent letter will be published with the findings on whether these claims are proven to be true or not.

In the meantime , however , as far as I am aware, if there was any such transaction where ExxonMobil might have sold participating interests to its co-ventures, it is unlikely that such transaction would have been conducted by the subsidiary companies registered in Guyana Rather, it is more likely that this would have been a transaction by the parent companies As such, there would be no accounting record in the local companies’ books Moreover, the co-ventures, namely, Shell, Hess and CNOOC, would have entered into an arrangement with ExxonMobil to form a consortium, whereby they have agreed to share the risks, costs and benefits / returns associated with their operations in the Stabroek Block

In the case of Shell , whatever costs Shell would have incurred from 1999-2014,

those would have been sunk costs for Shell, therefore not recoverable Crude oil was then discovered in commercial quantities in 2015, Hess and CNOOC would have joined ExxonMobil in 2014 after Shell exited

Another allegation Ram made in the same letter is that the pre-contract cost of US$460.2 million is inflated by US$92.2 million. In this regard, Ram stated that “their own audited financial statements for the year December 2015 showed that they had only expended US$368 million”. Ram hastened to describe this as fraud, but again, the financial statements are not prepared on a cumulative basis The pre-contract costs are the costs incurred for the period 1999-2015 So, to ascertain the cost or to verify same rather, one would have to examine ExxonMobil Guyana’s financial statements for the period 1999-2015 , and Hess and CNOOC for the period 2014-2015, as we have already established that whatever cost Shell incurred from 1999-2014, ought to have been treated as sunk cost

In his October 1 letter, Ram argued that “the financial statements presented to the external auditors are clearly not in accordance with the requirements of the 2016 Petroleum

Agreement or generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and standards applicable to joint - venture operations ”. I am deeply perplexed at this contention by a seasoned chartered accountant of Chris Ram’s stature because Mr Ram ought to know that there are two financial reporting standards, namely: GAAP (the one he referred to) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). He ought to also know that GAAP is the standard adopted and used particularly in the United States, whereas in Guyana, the IFRS standard has been adopted This means that the financial statements of the local subsidiaries (ExxonMobil Guyana, Hess and CNOOC) are prepared in accordance with the IFRS convention Further, as it relates to the accounting procedures set out in in the Petroleum Agreement (2016), Ram failed to point out which procedure (s) pursuant to Annex C was/were violated

In this regard, Chris Ram was referring specifically to the “intangible assets” reported on ExxonMobil Guyana balance sheet for the year ended 2022, which

Editor Navendra Seoraj

Deputy Commissioner Budhram leads security delegation on working visit to Brazil

strengthens bilateral relations with Brazil in defence and security

IN a noteworthy development highlighting the deepening bilateral ties between Guyana and Brazil, Deputy Police Commissioner ‘Operations’ (ag.) Ravindradat Budhram led a high-level delegation from Guyana on a strategic visit to Brazil.

This visit , which took place from September 25th to 29th, 2023, underscores the growing strength and depth of the relationship between the two nations

The Guyanese delegation comprised representatives from key agencies, including the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Defence Force ( GDF ), the National Intelligence and Security Agency ( NISA ), and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Their mission was to engage in crucial dialogues and exchanges aimed at advancing co-operation and collaboration in the fields of defence and security

This strategic visit serves

as a testament to the unwavering commitment of Guyana and Brazil to fortify their mutual co-operation, with a particular focus on advancing their shared defence and security interests.

Mr Budhram, at the helm of the Guyanese delegation, led discussions with their Brazilian counterparts to enhance operational capabilities, share best practices, and explore potential collaborative opportunities

The primary objective of the visit was to deepen mutual understanding, foster trust , and establish a more robust framework for future cooperation between the two nations in these critical areas

This significant initiative also reaffirms the enduring bonds between Guyana and Brazil, two neighbouring countries navigating the complexities of the global landscape together It marks a pivotal moment in their shared journey toward en -

hanced defence and security co - operation , promising to bring them even closer in the years to come

When contacted by this publication , Deputy Commissioner Budhram said the strategic visit to Brazil exemplifies the commitment to strengthening partnerships and collaboration with our neighbours. “It’s a testament to the shared vision of Guyana and Brazil for a safer and more secure region.”

He continued: “The discussions we had during this visit were not just about co - operation ; they were about building trust Trust is the foundation upon which effective international partnerships are built Our delegation included experts from various key agencies, reflecting the comprehensive approach we take towards defence and security . Together, we explored avenues for sharing best practices and enhancing our operational

Unveiling the facts: A rebuttal to claims...

represents “acquisition cost for interest in the offshore Stabroek, Canje and Kaieteur blocks, net of depreciation”, according to note 9 in the financial statement Ram argued that the note suggests unambiguously that Exxon is allowed to ignore best practices not only in relation to the Stabroek block but in relation to all its interests

Contrary to Chris Ram’s view, the fact is that the financial statements are prepared in accordance with the IFRS convention and not the GAAP rules. According to the IFRS rules, oil companies are allowed to capitalise exploration and evaluation assets as intangible assets according to their nature (IFRS 6 para 5); and when the development decision is taken, reclassify all those costs to oil and gas properties within property, plant, and equipment (PP&E). Under the IFRS standard, companies can elect to capitalize exploration expenditure as an intangible asset and amortize this on a straight-line basis over the contractually established period of exploration Others capitalize exploration costs as tangible within construction in progress or PP&E from commencement of exploration Additionally, software /IT costs are also classified as intangible assets under the IFRS

Clearly, ExxonMobil elected to classify some aspects of exploration costs as intangible and tangible The acquisition costs for the participating interests in the Stabroek, Canje and Kaieteur blocks would be those costs associated with acquiring the block To this end , pursuant to the Petroleum Agreement and the prospecting

From page 6

license, there is an annual rental for the prospecting license of US$1 million, which has a life of 10 years, based on the number of times the license can be renewed in accordance with the Petroleum Agreement (2016) and the Petroleum laws and regulations of the country Thus, it is likely that this cost is classified as intangible asset, of which the sum of $2 billion reported in 2022, corresponds to the cumulative rental for interests in the referenced blocks for a 10 year period (US$ 10 million/G$2.1 billion).

With the foregoing in mind, ExxonMobil did not violate the financial reporting requirements; they have in fact complied with the IFRS as I have demonstrated above.

Lastly, I do not understand his contention about ExxonMobil not complying with best practices in accounting as it relates to Exxon’s other interests in Guyana Is he effectively implying that Exxon should prepare separate financial statements for each block? If this is what is implied, Ram of all persons would know that financial statements are not prepared in this manner

In relation to the other unsubstantiated claims by Mr. Christopher Ram, as soon as I am in receipt of the financial statements for the period 1999-2015 for Shell, Hess, CNOOC and Exxon, I will publish the findings of my own analysis and verification.

Yours respectfully, Joel Bhagwandin

capabilities In an increasingly interconnected world, our defence and security interests are closely intertwined By working together, we can better address the challenges that both our nations may

face.”

He concluded by stating that the visit also demonstrates the adaptability and resilience of the various agencies

“ As we look to the

future , we envision a strengthened framework for ongoing co - operation with Brazil Together , we can address emerging threats and challenges effectively.”

Deputy Police Commissioner ‘Operations’ (ag.) Ravindradat Budhram (fourth from right) flanked by other officials at Brazil’s Ministry of Defence

Don’t be fooled by Dr. Trotz’s letter

WHAT is your explanation on the motive for the public letter of Dr. Walter Rodney’s wife and his son on the visit of President Bolsonaro to Guyana ?

You will get a better handle on the reason for the letter when you take into consideration the 42-yearold silence of both Mrs Rodney and her son on everything . I stress , everything that occurred in Guyana since 1980.

The only action that has emanated from Mrs Rodney and her son has been the need for a commission of inquiry into the assassination of Walter Rodney Former President, Donald Ramotar said he knew from whom Mrs Rodney got his mobile number, but she rang him and requested the judicial inquiry Prior to that , the son, Shaka, had held a vigil outside Mr Anil Nandlall’s office demanding that as Attorney-General he should

arrange for the enquiry

From 1980 until the visit of President Bolsonaro in 2022 , the Rodney family has not uttered one word, I repeat, even one word about anything in Guyana Think of what has happened in Guyana since 1980, the year of Dr. Rodney’s assassination The list includes the 1985 rigged election; 1992 election violence; post-election violence in 1997; the Buxton massacre between 2002 and 2006

There was the ubiquity of former soldiers in the state sector after the APNU+AFC came to power One thought the Rodney family would have commented on that aspect of Guyana’s politics because President Granger was head of the army and Joe Harmon was chief of army intelligence at the time of Rodney’s assassination Guyana witnessed the arbitrary appointment of a GECOM chairman by

President Granger

There was the refusal to hold a general election after the passage of the no-confidence vote There were five months of attempted election rigging You had post - election violence in 2020 when on the pretext of PPP supporters killed two youths in Cotton Tree, PPP supporters were violently attacked All these things missed the voice and pen of Mrs Rodney and her son, Shaka until 2022 when both of them put their signature to a letter in the newspaper What was the demand of mother and son ? That President Ali should not invite Mr Bolsonaro because Brazil mistreats its African population The issue was not about Guyana but how Brazil treats its African population So the determining factor for the letter was the concern for African-Brazilians No political anomaly in Guyana interested Mrs.

Rodney and her son After that letter, I have withdrawn any respect I had for Patricia and Shaka Rodney

We come to Dr Alissa Trotz This column here came about because I got a few emails from people who showed complete disdain towards Dr Trotz over a letter she wrote praising President Ali over his passionate defence of the reparation demand for slavery The motive for Dr Trotz’s missive was identical to that of the Rodney family Dr Trotz praised the Guyanese leader for an issue that involves Africans in the Caribbean It should be noted that Dr Trotz joined the Rodney family on the rejection of the Bolsonaro visit

It brings up the question as to why since August 2020 when he became president, Ms Trotz has not written

positively on any aspect of his presidency One cannot escape the pressing curiosity that the determinant in Trotz ’s position , as in the case with the Rodney family, was a race instinct If not, why Trotz has never uttered one line of admiration for presidential policies since August 2020?

Ms Trotz edits a weekly column titled “In the Diaspora (ITD).” There has not been even one column that was devoted to presenting a positive appraisal of the Guyanese President On the contrary, every commentator that has done a piece in ITD has been either staunchly anti-government or mild critic of the ruling PPP

Ms Trotz has not reached out to one scholar among the thousands of educated Guyanese in the diaspora to request a

positive assessment of the Guyana government Is this an oversight? Do you think it is? My answer is no, and a resounding no Ms Trotz is an anti-government critic She is part of an assembly of letter-writers; publishes a view every two weeks and the contents are always in chastisement of the Government of Guyana

The people who sent me those emails and were cynical about Dr Trotz have every right to be so . The motive of Trotz for heaping praise on Dr Ali is because he was embracing a cause that is dear to the heart of the descendants of slavery

That is a cause all of us should embrace. There must be reparation . But don ’ t be fooled by Dr . Trotz ’ action . It is not based on multi - racial , democratic instincts

5,000 acres of cattle pasture planned for development in Bath/Referendum

Agriculture Minister announces

CATTLE rearing in Bath/Referendum, West Coast Berbice will be further promoted with the availability of pastures for residents and farmers

This was announced by Minister of Agriculture , Zulfikar Mustapha during a farmers’ meeting hosted at Teekharam’s residence, Bath/Referendum on Saturday

The minister was joined by Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag, Regional Vice Chairman, Rion Peters , Member of Parliament, Faizal Jafferally , representatives of MMA / ADA , other officials and staff of the ministry

Concerns about getting access to lands to

graze their livestock were brought up by cattle farmers

Rice farmers stated that the cattle are accessing their fields and eating their rice , resulting in significant losses.

The minister noted that the ministry will work towards developing the pastures which will help to bring a resolution to the problems being encountered by the rice, livestock and cash crop farmers

“Dr Walrond is working now to develop 5,000 acres of pastures so that, you, the farmers will benefit We will work with you to ensure that you have good pastures What we will be doing in the new year , we will have a 65 acre plot for small-

scale farmers We will continue to work with you to expand on those productions to get better yields while reducing the costs of production,” Minister Mustapha explained

The ministry ’ s sub-agencies will implement new programmes to work along with the farmers to modernise their plots while executing climate - smart agriculture practices

Minister Mustapha told the farmers that since the government assumed office in 2020 , there has been an upsurge in agricultural activities in Guyana to increase the food system

To ensure that farmers have the planting materials required to support

Hinterland road construction, upgrades to exceed $4B

IMPROVED connectivity, transportation , and socio-economic benefits are coming to the hinterland regions through road construction or rehabilitation in Regions One , Seven , Eight, and Nine

The government is inviting sealed bids for the project, which is divided into about 32 lots and is being overseen by the Ministry of Public Works

Over $305 million will fund upgrade works on the roads from Kwebanna to Kumaka in Region One, as well as the main access road in San Jose Other works valued collectively at over $1.5 billion are expected in Mabaruma , Port Kaituma , Matthews Ridge , Wauna , and Rincon

For Region Seven, more

than $932 million has been set aside for works in Bartica, Dagg Point, Kaburi, and Issano

Approximately $689 million will facilitate works in Mahdia , Princeville , Tiger Hill, Muruwa, Konawaruk, and from Stone Hill to Konawaruk Junction, in Region Eight

Works in Lethem , Region Nine, are expected to cost some $ 339.1 million with rehabilitation works to be done on Beverly Hills Drive, as well as the internal roads at Cenotaph Boulevard

In St Ignatius , South and Deep South , North Rupununi , and the South Pakaraimas , rehabilitation works are estimated to amount to over $746 million

Additionally , bids are

invited for the construction of farm access roads in Region Three , including the construction of the Parika to Goshen alignment, which is divided into two lots. For these works , a collective $500 million is estimated

According to the invitation for bids advertised , qualification requirements include but are not limited to: bidders registered in Guyana must submit valid Certificates of Compliance from the Guyana Revenue Authority ( GRA ) and National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

Bids will be opened on Tuesday , October 10 , 2023, at the Ministry of Finance’s National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, on Main and Urquhart Streets.

the large-scale production of a number of fruits and vegetables, Minister Mustapha informed the farmers that the ministry was also creating a Germplasm facility

Minister Mustapha stated that President , Dr

Mohamed Irfaan Ali will be honoured by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) for his exemplary and strategic work to further advance Guyana’s growth and development

Meanwhile, Minister

Parag highlighted, “We want to be able to serve people on the ground to listen and understand what affects them and be able to have a solution that can ease or bring relief to those persons.”

Sod turned for $178M Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court

A NEW magistrate ’ s court is being built in Anna Regina to make justice more accessible to residents of the Pomeroon - Supenaam region.

Satar Mohamed and Son Construction and Hardware Supplies was awarded the $ 178.2M contract for the courthouse construction

The consultant for the project is Kalyan Tiwari Director of Kalitech Inc Engineering Design and Supervision Consultants

The sod was turned on

Monday by a group comprising Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, Chancellor of Judiciary ( ag ) Yonette Cummings, Chief Justice Roxane George , Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, Magistrates Faith Mc Gusty and Esther Sam , and Mayor of Anna Regina Devin Mohan

The building will have a court room, magistrate chambers, living quarters for a magistrate and a clerk of court, restrooms, and parking The project

is slated to be done in 12 months

During the sod-turning ceremony, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall , expressed that the construction of the building is a sign of the government’s dedication to providing resources to the judiciary and ensuring access to justice According to him, the new building will enable the judicial system in the region to provide efficient and lawful justice

He noted that these are all part of the transfor -

mational changes taking place, not only in the administration of justice in Region Two, but part of the general transformation in almost every area of endeavour in the region

According to him, the new building will be a complement to the existing Suddie and Charity magistrate ’ s court upon completion

“Historically the old magistrate court at Anna Regina was cradled in the police building since before Independence and for the first time there will be a disengagement and you will have a separate edifice that will accommodate the court,” Nandlall said

MORE SITTINGS

The new edifices and residential quarters, as he mentioned, hold the

promise of increasing the seating capacity in the region. According to the attorney general, the deeds and commercial registry will be housed in a new building that is currently under construction

To house the Director of Public Prosecution ( DPP ) staff , a building was also constructed

The Chancellor of the Judiciary ( ag ), Justice Yonette Cummings - Edwards , expressed her appreciation to all the stakeholders who made the project possible The new court , according to Chancellor Cummings , would remove barriers to justice and provide greater access to the people of Region Two Chancellor Cummings revealed that the current location of the magistrate court

is the building that has been occupied by the police for years Chancellor Cummings expressed gratitude to the Guyana Police Force for hosting the magistrates for many years

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George said that the building, when completed, will ensure that services are provided Justice George said the building will allow the staff to be in comfort to better serve the people of Region Two

The project was considered transformational by Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva. De Silva expressed her satisfaction with the construction that will make justice more accessible

The construction, she said , would be a great relief to those in the region seeking justice.

An artist impression of the design plan for the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall with other officials during a tree-planting exercise at the site of the new Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court

Entrepreneur to invest

$70M in producing prefab, precast materials

DUE to the growth of Guyana ’ s developing oil and gas industry , Mechanical Engineer, Harrinarine Ramlall M . SC ., is planning to build and manage a GY$70M facility for the production of precast concrete fence panels, columns, footing, and prefabricated corrugated metal buildings

A project summary for the establishment of the facility at Lot 5 “E” Content, East Coast Demerara (ECD) called CITI Enterprise, was recently submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for review.

The project summary stated that project commencement is forecasted for the late fiscal year 2023 and a conservative annual estimated revenue of $100,000,000 is projected Initial employment is also planned for 12 persons with himself , one office clerk , one civil engineer, four semi-skilled factory technicians, and five labourers or operators

The summary also outlined that Guyana has recently discovered significant offshore oil reserves, estimated to be worth over 8 billion barrels which will lead to an economic boom in the medium to long term, with opportunities arising in 2020 and beyond for Guyanese businesses to profit from the development of the energy

sector

“

Guyana , a rapidly developing nation, has tremendous building and rebuilding infrastructural works to be done with limited or diminished local capacity and expertise This industry is still, at best , a niche market in Guyana’s economy currently The shortage of locally skilled workforce, coupled with the rapid increase in demand for various building products, is a recipe for instant success for precast and prefabricated building products to quickly respond to such demand ,” Ramlall stated

He related in his project summary that precast concrete and prefabricated steel buildings are structurally and financially dependent and make a very strong case to be a producer, manufacturer, and supplier of product lines from both profitability and logistics perspectives

He added that infrastructural and capital works directly and indirectly related to oil and gas alone require foreign and international intervention due to a lack of local capacity and expertise in almost all sectors

Due to the expected increase in demand for various precast prestressed concrete and prefabricated building products, the summary highlighted that this is an ideal opportunity right now for

CITI Enterprise

The company would aim to make high - quality and modern building products and materials accessible and affordable to all Guyanese across all sectors.

Products and service lines to be available upon completion of the facility are precast concrete, precast concrete panels for partition walls , fences , boundaries , and utility walls; precast concrete columns for partition walls , fences , boundaries , and utility walls ; precast concrete footing for partition walls, fence, boundary, and utility walls

The facility will also produce fence, boundary, utility wall panel, column delivery and installation services; prefabricated corrugated steel buildings, prefabricated corrugated metal buildings of various shapes and sizes for all applications as well as on - site prefabricated arch structures, metal structures, building, delivery and installation fence

There will also be boundary or utility wall delivery and installation , delivery and installation of purchased fence material and products; corrugated metal building deliveries and installation; metal buildings will be designed, prefabricated on site, and delivered and installed at customers’ locations.

The proposed project site at Lot 5 “E” Content, East Coast Demerara (ECD)

Oil & Gas Industry official gathers for game-changing discussions

workshop commences today at Marriot Hotel

THE Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) is taking centre stage in the burgeoning oil and gas landscape of Guyana as it hosts a pivotal workshop aimed at addressing the unique challenges posed by the evolving energy sector

The event, titled “The Guyana Suriname Basin: Strategic Development of Resources During the Energy Transition,” kicked off today at the Marriot Hotel and is set to bring together a diverse array of stakeholders, including government representatives, industry leaders, academics, and community voices

The conference will feature three main themes -- technology critical for the challenging deepwater development , subsurface evaluation in an age of ever more data and software power ( including artificial intelligence), and an exploration of how to develop sustainably

Key conference sessions related to the main themes are -- Reservoir Evaluation and Engineering; Drilling & Completion Technology, co-chaired by

TOTALTEC CEO Lars

Mangal ; Navigating the Energy Transition , with panelist Bobby Gossal, Jr., Senior Petroleum Coordinator/Petroleum Management Programme, Guyana Ministry of Natural Resources ; Education and Training Strategies, moderated by Marissa Foster of the Guyana Ministry of Natural Resources , with panelist Elena Trim of the University of Guyana

There are a number of other panels and keynotes on topics critical to development

The interactive panel session on navigating the energy transition promises to be a critical part of the event The session is chaired by David Noble of Hess , and Cassandra Dewan of SLB, and the abstract includes -- “...Each country has an established reputation for sustainable development in other industries , such as mining and forestry But the nascent oil and gas industries in these countries will require careful planning to adhere to lower carbon development aspirations Topics may include Carbon Capture and Storage, Carbon Credits as offsets and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction.”

One of the most noteworthy aspects of this workshop , according to TOTALTEC Inc is the active involvement of key Guyanese figures who are deeply committed to shaping the nation ’ s oil and gas future Among these individuals are: Vickram Bharrat, Minister of Natural Resources; Lars Mangal , CEO , TOTALTEC Inc ; Rabin Chandarpal , Deputy General Manager at Guyana Shore Base, Inc

(GYSBI); Bobby Gossal, Jr., Senior Petroleum Coordinator with the Ministry of Natural Resources; Marissa Foster from the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission ; Kemraj Parsram , Executive Director of the Guyana EPA; and Elena Trim, Lecturer, the University of Guyana

TOTALTEC Inc noted that their participation highlights the nation’s current resources able to step into leading roles , and their dedication to nurturing local talent and fostering homegrown expertise in an industry previously dominated by expatriates

TOTALTEC CEO Lars Mangal, who will co-chair the Drilling & Completion Technology session, observed - “This context is markedly different from

previous SPE Workshops

Traditionally, these events concentrate on enhancing technological prowess and subsurface understanding, which remain essential topics in Guyana However, the workshop provides an exceptional platform to address other pressing concerns.”

Mangal emphasised , “ Our small populations cannot fulfill the workforce demands and supporting work What role does local content legislation play, and how to prioritise? In the long term, what knowledge domains should Guyana prioritise? Is there a role in this for SPE?”

The Guyana Suriname Basin SPE Workshop offers an opportunity for innovation and collabora-

tion that extends beyond traditional industry areas of technology and geoscience , addressing the unique challenges faced by a country new to the world of oil and gas, one with a small population and rich, natural environment.

Mangal commented --

“There is a unique opportunity for SPE to engage issues in a new context For example , there ’ s the critical issue of sustainable development by the numerous , undeveloped countries with oil and gas in a world where there’s growing pressure to reduce hydrocarbon development, while , at the same time , investing in renewable energy sources

How can SPE engage in helping to address what is becoming a widespread issue?”

With the active involvement of Guyanese and Surinamese future leaders and experts, the event has the potential to set a positive trajectory for the host countries ’ oil and gas industry, and create a blueprint for sustainable development in the face of global energy transitions.

agricultural sector undergoes transformation ––

Guyana’s

TO maintain food security, investments and diversification efforts are bringing about a substantial transformation in Guyana’s agricultural sector

Subject Minister , Zulfikar Mustapha on Monday , while highlighting this significant milestone, noted that the country is now experiencing unprecedented growth in the livestock sector as well as in traditional crops including rice, sugar, fruits and vegetables, among others

He was at the time delivering the keynote address at an interfaith service to mark the beginning of Agriculture Month activities, at the ministry’s head office, Regent Street, Georgetown.

“ For the first time in our country, we are witnessing a revolution in new crops We have seen massive investments in corn and soya production

Very shortly, bio-fortified rice will become a variety for farmers to plant These are monumental

achievements for us in the agriculture sector That is the way we have been planning and moving this sector,” Minister Mustapha emphasised

Some 1,200 tonnes of soya were produced in the first half of this year, increasing the total amount to 1,663 tonnes being produced since the programme began

To encourage the increase in production of high-value crops, the government has invested in the construction of 100 new

shade houses in the first half of the year

Additionally, preparatory works are underway on the ponds for brackish water shrimp cultivation in Region Five to further support, develop and regulate the fishing industry

While these are only some of the initiatives and investments made by the government , the overall aim is to improve the food supply chain locally as well as in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Minister Mustapha also

Minister Mustapha says

stressed the importance of everyone working together to achieve Guyana’s full agricultural potential

“As we commercialise the agriculture sector, let us work together to develop the entire agri-food value chain and increase our competitive advantage through collaboration ventures that link producers , retailers , processors , marketers , food service companies, shippers, and suppliers,” he urged

This year, Agriculture Month is themed, ‘Accel-

erating Vision 25 by 2025: Investing in agri-business and food security.’

This year’s Agriculture Month calendar of activities will feature several events across the country with the aim of building a greater awareness of the importance of investing in and diversifying the sector

The main event of the month will be the Agri-Investment Forum and Expo which will be held from October 20 to 22 at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre.

TOTALTEC CEO, Lars Mangal

‘Middlemen’ exploit hot weather to raise food prices says Agri. Minister

for some produce have also gone up

“

It ’ s not the cash - crop farmers increasing their prices, it is the people that are buying from the cashcrop farmers, it’s the middle men,” Mustapha explained

He further acknowledged that while the weather will have its effect on farmers, it does not warrant the increases on the markets

“ Although you might have a little increase in the cost of vegetables and fruits, because of the weather conditions, I don’t think it’s at that level where people trying to increase so substantially.”

Persons, he said, are creating an “artificial shortage.”

By Naomi Parris

HOARDNG and price

gouging are responsible for the recent increase in vegetable , fruit , and egg prices in Guyana, according to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha.

Speaking to reporters on

the sideline of an event on Monday, Minister Mustapha disclosed that the ministry has not recorded any shortages in food production

Increased prices were a concern for several consumers over the weekend Eggs were priced at $ 2000 per tray in some markets; prices

“ This thing is not a price - related thing where there is a shortage We have enough in the system , but people are hoarding it and using the weather as an excuse.”

With the hope of addressing the issue , the ministry will host farmers ’ markets across the country to sell produce at affordable prices

In addition, commodities such as eggs can be purchased from the New Guy-

ana Marketing Corporation (NGMC) for $1200 per tray

The relevant staff at the ministry will also continue to monitor the market prices

“I’m hoping that with the intervention of [ the ] GMC and [the] National Agricultural Research and Extension institute [ NAREI ], in bringing these farmers together and we can host some farmers’ markets across the

country , [ so ] we can help consumers.”

The current weather condition is known as El Nino

The term refers to the warm climate pattern that affects tropical regions

El Niño occurs on average every two to seven years, and episodes typically last nine to 12 months It is a naturally occurring climate pattern associated with

warming of the ocean - surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean

Simply explained, it is a period when the weather condition is warmer than usual

According to Mustapha, fresh water is being conserved, while best practices are being implemented to assist farmers during this period

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(October 03, 2023)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS

ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD

-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) West Indies

(2) England

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who were the winners of the 1983 Cricket World Cup?

(2) Which team lost the final?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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Shericka Jackson on the verge of becoming the greatest women combined sprinter of all time

TWO-time world 200m champion Shericka Jackson is now the second-best female combined sprinter of all time and could soon to become the greatest of all time if she runs faster in the 100m, 200m or 400m in the coming season.

As at the end of the 2022/2023 season when she won her second 200m world title in championship record time of 21.41 at the World Championships, Jackson now boasts personal best time of 10.65 in the 200m, 21.41 in the 200m and 49.47 in the 400m.

The super-talented Jamaican, who is also the only athlete to win global medals in all three events, has amassed ranking points of 1277 for her lifetime best of 10.65 in the 100m, 1301 for her national record time of 21.41 in the 200m and 1227 for her personal best 49.47 in the 400m for a tally of 3805 points.

Only one woman has more points and that is Germany’s Marita Koch, who ran times of 10.83 for the 100m, 21.71 for the 200m

and a remarkable 47.60, the world record, for the 400m for a total of 3809 points.

It was not that long ago that Jackson was further down the list behind the likes of Florence Griffith-Joyner (3), Marion Jones (4), Shaunae Miller-Uibo (5), Allyson Felix (6), Gwen Torrence (7) and Marie Jose Perec, (8) all of whom are ranked among the top 10 best combined sprinters in history.

Jackson on verge

In fact, in 2021, Jackson was 21st in the list before her outstanding performances over the last three seasons saw her rocket up the list to the number two slot. In 2021, Jackson has lifetimes bests of 10.76/21.81/49.47 for the 100m, 200m and 400m, respectively.

Breaking the world record of 21.34 in the 200m, a goal that is well within her reach, dipping under 10.60 for the 100m or running 48 seconds over the 400m and she will take her rightful place of Greatest Of All Time among women

Caption: Twocombined sprinters.(Sportsmax).

Two-time world 200M champion Shericka Jackson

Mark Nicholas: ODI cricket should only be played at World Cups

...Incoming MCC president believes club needs to make better use of soft power to retain relevance

By Andrew Miller

Mark Nicholas, the incoming president of MCC, has called for 50-over cricket to be played exclusively at World Cups, in a bid to preserve the ODI format from what he describes as the "supernatural" power of T20.

Nicholas, who succeeded Stephen Fry this weekend as president of cricket's oldest and most prestigious members' club, added that his views echoed those of MCC's World Cricket Committee, which met in July to call for ODI cricket to be "significantly reduced" outside of World Cup years.

"We believe strongly that ODIs should be World Cups only," Nicholas told ESPNcricinfo. "We think it's difficult bilaterally now to justify them. They're not filling grounds in a lot of countries. And there is a power at the moment to T20 cricket that is almost supernatural.

"It's more than just ticket sales. It's the amount of people that want to own franchises, the amount of countries that want to run tournaments, it's the amount of players that want to be in a market all around the world.

"In a free market, the most money wins. And that's just the end-game. The players can see that bubbling away and they want to be a part of it. So, it is an extraordinary power that T20 has, and I think scheduling 50-over cricket alongside it just continues the story of the death knell of the ODI game."

Nicholas concedes that his comments, on the eve of the 2023 World Cup, are unlikely to hold much sway with the ICC unless they can be crafted into a properly structured proposal, but he believes that the issue could be one of the ways in which MCC makes better use of the "soft power" that

England beat Bangladesh in final warm-up; New Zealand edge South Africa

Eton-Harrow fixture, which will continue to be played at Lord's for a further five years after an uneasy compromise was agreed with the membership earlier this year, Nicholas predicts that the schools themselves will probably end up making the decision to move the fixture away from Lord's, where it has been staged since 1805.

the club is still capable of wielding, even if its days of direct involvement in the sport's administration are long gone

"How much more relevant can MCC be?" Nicholas added. "Is there a danger we're losing our relevance in global cricket thinking? Can we use our World Cricket Committee better? Can we use our massive list of Honorary Life members, [which has] the outstanding players of the modern era and the era before on it.

"The problem at the moment is that the ICC see us a bit of a threat," he said.

"When we put our head above the parapet, they're like 'whoa, settle down, we run the game'. So we need to integrate better with ICC, we need to understand each other better. We need to develop thinking that comes together."

Nicholas' tenure as president comes at a tricky juncture for the club, particularly in the wake of the recent Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) report, which castigated MCC for its elitist tendencies; accusing Lord's of being a place "predominantly for men", and calling for an end to its hosting of the traditional Eton-Harrow and Oxford-Cambridge matches to make way for more women's and stateschool cricket at the venue.

However, as the founder of Chance to Shine, the charity that has introduced

cricket to more than 6 million state-school children in the 18 years since it was established in 2005, Nicholas comes to his MCC role with a proven track record for community engagement, and hopes that his year as president - which coincides with the MCC Foundation being granted a further £1 million to double its number of community hubs from 77 to 150 - can help to highlight the club's enduring relevance to the grassroots game.

"I've always felt that MCC could do a better job with the development game and could make more of a point of supporting kids who aren't as lucky as lots of us who have been to a private school," Nicholas said. "There is an element of the club that might be elitist but a lot of members involved in the grassroots of the game just get on with their business. I feel that that we're quite a long way down the road in many of the areas that the ICEC report hammered us for.

"But it's difficult. The bricks and mortar of the club matter too. If you sell out the first two days of a Test here, you can't then give tickets to 500 kids, because there's nowhere to sit. We sell out our matches … so do The Oval and Old Trafford too, but MCC always get blamed because of the tag. So, I would love to work away at the tag."

On the specifics of the

"You've got to remember that tradition has mattered, but it's not so relevant now," he said. "The founding fathers of this club came from those schools and wanted to play their matches here. It was a cool thing to do. It's a different world now. So don't blame the past.

"My guess is that the game will move away from here, probably that the two headmasters won't want the publicity around it, because attitudes are changing. The world is changing so fast at the moment that it might not suit them to have this issue rear its head all the time. I hope the club can embrace the idea that, in time, common sense will bring change, and crack on in the meantime with really useful things.

"We will never solve the problem of 'what are you?' Are we a private members' club, or are we a cricket ground that wants to lead the international game? We're both. It's just what it is. So we must sustain both, and we must be the best we can be at both. We need our membership to be as one, united, believing in this place, and actually believing in a lot of the traditions of the club which is a togetherness and a community in the love of the game."

Mark NicholasMaryle-

ENGLAND finalised their preparation for their 50-over World Cup defence with a four-wicket win over Bangladesh.

Moeen Ali crashed 56 off 39 balls, including six sixes, as England chased a revised target of 197 with 77 balls remaining in Guwahati.

Reece Topley took 3-23 as Bangladesh made 188-9 from their 37 overs, with rain causing a threehour delay during the middle of their innings.

England start their World Cup campaign against New Zealand on Thursday.

After losing the toss and being asked to bowl England started poorly with Topley and Sam Curran struggling with their length.

However, they recovered and England took regular wickets to leave Bangladesh 153-5 off 30 overs when the rain arrived.

England were brilliant after the resumption with David Willey (2-26) taking two wickets in two balls, plus Topley and Curran (1-23) also taking a wicket.

Jos Buttler used all nine of his main bowling options, with Mark Wood (1-9) and Adil Rashid (227) bowling for the first time since July and 8 September respectively because of injuries.

England lost Dawid Malan (four) early in their innings but rattled to 1003 in 10 overs, with Jonny Bairstow, who received some treatment on a lower back injury, making 34 off

21 and Harry Brook 17 off 15.

Buttler added 30 and Liam Livingstone seven, before Moeen attacked the short ball and spinners to propel England towards a comfortable win.

He fell with them needing four to win, but Joe Root, who made a patient 26 off 40 as he looks to find form, and Chris Woakes saw them over the line.

"It was very valuable," Moeen told Sky Sports.

"We didn't have the first warm-up [because it was rained off against India] but it was important for the bowlers to bowl, us to spend time in the field and some batters to get time in the middle in these conditions. It is very valuable before the World Cup."

Monday's other warmup saw New Zealand edge South Africa by seven runs in another rain-affected game in Thiruvananthapuram.

New Zealand posted 321-6, with Kane Williamson making 37 before retiring as he continues his comeback from a knee injury.

South Africa were 2114 off 37 overs when the rain arrived, with opener Quinton de Kock 84 not out.

Today’s warm-up games see hosts India play the Netherlands, Australia face Pakistan and Afghanistan come up against Sri Lanka.(BBC Sport)

bone Cricket Club.

Mark Nicholas, the incoming president of MCC, pictured ringing the five-minute bell during a Test at Lord's (Getty Images)

Reece Topley conceded 13 from his first over but recovered well to take three wickets

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez beats Jermell Charlo to defend super-middleweight titles

Eddie Jones: Wallabies' World Cup coach backed by Rugby Australia chief

SAUL 'Canelo' Alvarez defended his undisputed super-middleweight title by beating Jermell Charlo on points.

Canelo, 33, secured a unanimous 119-108, 118109 and 118-109 win over the American to retain his WBO, WBC, WBA and IBF belts at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The Mexican knocked Charlo down in the seventh round on the way to a 60th win in 64 fights.

"I'm the best. Who's better? Nobody can beat this Canelo," he said.

Charlo, 33, was undisputed light-middleweight champion until he was stripped of his WBO belt when the fight started.

"I worked all the fight to go in the body," said Canelo, who dropped Charlo for only the second time in his career with an overhand right followed by an uppercut.

"Then I changed the punch and that's what hap-

pened. We worked for that.

"We know he's a great fighter. He knows how to move in the ring and we worked that in the gym for three months.

"Three months in the mountains without my family, without everything.

"But I still love boxing. Boxing made me the person I am today. Boxing is my life."

Defeat was the second of Charlo's 38-fight career, having stepped up in weight.

"I just feel like I wasn't

me in there," he said. "It's boxing. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. "I'm proud of myself. He didn't knock me out. He hit me with some hard shots."

Australian Tim Tszyu, who held the interim WBO light-middleweight title and was the mandatory challenger to Charlo, was elevated to champion status on Saturday once the bout began.(BBC Sport)

Australian rugby bosses are "committed" to head coach Eddie Jones and want him to stay on despite a jarring World Cup.

Australia are on the verge of exiting the tournament at the opening stage for the first time in their history.

Jones has a contract until 2027, when the Wallabies host the World Cup, and Rugby Australia see him fulfilling it.

"We're committed to Eddie in the commitment we made to him earlier in the year," said chief executive Phil Waugh.

"Our intent is to continue on the path that we're on. I think this is not so much around chopping and changing coaches as it is around actually just fixing the system."

The Wallabies have played all four of their pool games at the showpiece competition in France, losing against Fiji and Wales and beating Georgia and Portugal.

They will be heading home early unless Portugal - who have never won a World Cup game - beat Fiji on Sunday without allowing the Pacific Islanders a bonus point.

Former England head coach Jones returned for his second stint with Australia in January, replacing Dave Rennie, and has overseen just two victories from nine games.

Prior to Australia's 40-6 loss against Walestheir heaviest at a World Cup - reports emerged claiming that Jones had been in contact with Japan, who he coached between 2012 and 2015, about the possibility of returning to that role next year.

Jones, 63, said he knew nothing about the reports and has since said he is "100% committed" to his home nation.

The British and Irish Lions are scheduled to head down under to face Australia in 2025.

In our yesterday’s issue under the headline – 4R Lioness retains championship, we incorrectly posted the picture of the runnersup, Highway Challengers. Sorry for any inconvenience caused. Here is the picture of the winners, 4R Lioness, of the women's category of the Prime Minister's softball tournament.

Saul Canelo (right) has lost only two of his 64 fights

Australia reached the 2003 World Cup final under the leadership of Eddie Jones

Incredible Matthews leads Windies on greatest run chase of all-time – 2nd T20I

SCOREBOARD AUSTRALIA

*+A. Healy c Campbelle b Henry 0

B. Mooney c Connell b Matthews 29

T. McGrath b Matthews 4

E. Perry c Fletcher b Connell 70

A. Gardner c Alleyne b Connell 2

P. Litchfield not out 52

A. Sutherland c Gajnabi b Matthews 13

G. Wareham not out 32

Extras (b2, lb1, w7) 10

TOTAL (6 wkts, 20 overs) 212

J. Jonassen, M. Schutt, D. Brown did not bat. Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Healy, 0.1 overs); 2-7 (McGrath, 1.6); 3-77 (Mooney, 9.6); 4-87 (Gardner, 11.4); 5-120 (Perry, 14.4); 6-146 (Sutherland, 16.2).

Bowling: Henry 3-0-23-1; Matthews 4-0-36-3; Alleyne 4-0-53-0 (w5); Ramharack 2-0-30-0; Fletcher 2-0-15-0; Connell 4-0-35-2 (w2); James 1-0-17-0.

WEST INDIES

*H.

not out 4

S. Campbelle not out 4

Extras (lb7, w6) 13

TOTAL (3 wkts, 19.5 overs) 213

+R. Williams, A. Alleyne, Z. James, S. Connell, A. Fletcher, K. Ramharack did not bat.

Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Gajnabi, 2.2 overs); 2-185 (Taylor, 16.6); 3-204 (Matthews, 18.5).

SYDNEY, Australia, (CMC) – West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews slammed an incredible 132 and led her side in the highest successful run chase of all-time in women’s Twenty20 Internationals against hosts and world champions Australia Women on Monday.

The 25-year-old all-rounder cracked 20 fours and five sixes from 64 balls in a breath-taking assault on the Australian bowling, and the Caribbean side successfully chased 213 to secure a seven-wicket win in the second T20I at North Sydney Oval to level the three-match series 1-1.

It came after Matthews took three for 36 from her allotted four overs with her off-spin when Australia Women piled up 212 for six after they were put in to bat and made her a shoo-in for a seventh straight Player-of-theMatch award in T20s.

Matthews, who made 99 in the first T20I on

Sunday at the same venue, followed up with an explosive second T20I hundred that surpassed fellow Barbadian all-rounder Deandra Dottin for the highest score in this format for West Indies Women.

Dottin held the record for the past 13 years after her amazing 112 not out off 40 balls against South Africa Women at Warner Park in St Kitts at the 2010 Women’s T20I World Cup that was the first T20 hundred from a man or woman on the international stage.

Matthews also took down another Dottin record for the most runs in boundaries in a Women’s T20I, going past her compatriot’s seven fours and nine sixes against the Proteas in that World Cup innings in Basseterre.

Fortune favoured Matthews on 30 when Megan Schutt dropped her at deep point off pacer Annabel Sutherland before Phoebe Litchfield, the Aussies batting hero from

earlier in the day, put down a regulation chance at cover when she was on 87 off leg-spinner Georgia Wareham.

To a standing ovation before a modest crowd, Matthews brought up her hundred from 53 balls when she drove a delivery from Schutt, bowling her right-arm medium-pace, through backward point before taking a four and a six off the next two balls.

Her predecessor as West Indies Women’s captain, Stafanie Taylor, supported with 59 from 41 balls and shared a record-breaking 174 for the second wicket to put the Caribbean side firmly on track before Megan Schutt bowled her with 28 needed from 18 balls to give Australia a sliver of hope.

The stand was the highest for West Indies Women for any wicket in women’s T20Is, breaking the record of 162 unbroken between Matthews and Chedean Nation against Ireland four years

ago in Dublin.

Matthews carried her side to within reach of victory with her daizzying batting, hitting Jess Jonassen for four consecutive fours in the penultimate over, before the left-arm spinner bowled her behind her back with the penultimate ball of the same over.

West Indies needed nine from the last seven balls of the match, and Chinelle Henry and Shemaine Campbelle, both not out on four, made sure that the efforts of Matthews and Taylor were not ruined, scrambling two to long-on from the off-spin of Ashleigh Gardner to seal the result with one ball left.

The innings from Matthews topped the efforts with the bat for Australia of all-rounder Ellyse Perry and Litchfield.

Perry, who did not bowl due to a long-standing knee injury, was the cornerstone for the Aussies with 70 from 46 balls, and Litchfield smashed

Bowling: Schutt 4-0-30-2 (w1); Brown 3-0-32-0 (w1); Gardner 3.5-0-38-0 (w1); Sutherland 4-0-34-0; Wareham 2-0-23-0 (w3); Jonassen 2-0-34-1; McGrath 1-0-15-0. Result: West Indies Women won by seven wickets (1 ball remaining).

Series: Three-match series level 1-1.

Player-of-the-Match: H. Matthews (West Indies Women).

52 from 19 balls and equalled the record for the fastest half-century in women’s T20Is set by Sophie Devine of New Zealand in a whirlwind finish for the hosts.

Pacer Shamilia Connell supported Matthews with the ball, taking two for 35 from her four overs, but fellow Barbadian pacer Aaliyah Alleyne conceded 53 in her allotted four overs – the most expensive spell for West Indies Women in T20Is – beating 44 conceded by Nation against hosts India Women seven years ago in Vijayawada.

West Indies started the match brightly when Campbelle leapt high and caught Australia Women’s captain Alyssa Healy at backward point off the first ball of the match from pacer Henry.

Matthews bowled Tahlia McGrath in the next

over, and the hosts were seven for two, before Perry steadied the innings with a stand of 70 with opener Beth Mooney that carried Australia to 38 for two at the end of Power Play.

Another timely interjection from Matthews came when Mooney was caught at backward square leg and Australia wobbled on 77 for three at the halfway stage, before Connell added the scalps of Gardner and Perry and the home team sunk to 120 for five.

West Indies Women let things slip in the final five overs when Litchfield took charge, and she shared an unbroken stand of 66 for the seventh wicket with Georgia Wareham, not out on 32, in flourishing finish before Matthews came out and saved the day.

Hayley Matthews produced a 53-ball century (Getty Images)

Prime Minister’s T20 softball tournament

Regal Legends continue winning ways with emphatic win over NYSCL

By Frederick Halley

REGAL Legends’ dominance in Over-50 softball continued at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground on Sunday when they emerged winners of the Legends Over-50 category in the seventh edition of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc-organised Prime Minister’s T20 softball tournament before their roaring supporters.

Fresh off their triumph in New York in July and Orlando in March, the welloiled Guyanese outfit walloped arch-rivals, New York Softball League (NYSCL) Legends, by an emphatic eight-wicket.

Unlike last year, when they squeezed home in a nail-biting finish against the same opponents at the Guyana National Stadium, there were no such hiccups this time around after a scintillating 108-run partnership between opener Uniss Yusuf (68) and Ramesh Deonarine

(66 not out) effectively sealed the deal for the homesters after they had restricted the New Yorkers to 179 for five in their allotted 20 overs.

Yusuf, whose knock was punctuated with five fours and two sixes and the left-handed Deonarine joined forces at 48 in the fourth over following the dismissal of Mahendra Arjune (three) and by the time the latter was bowled by Debo Sankar with the score on 155 in the 15th over, the game was effective-

ly secured.

Deonarine, whose innings was decorated with four fours and an equal number of sixes, found a useful ally in Surujdeo Ramdeen (seven not out) as they saw their team home in 17.4 overs. Jagdesh Singh ended with one for 21 and Sankar one for 35.

Earlier, NYSCL Legends won the toss and opted to bat in the blazing sun and lightning-fast outfield but found themselves in a spot of bother at 50 for three in the seventh

over with skipper Mahendra Hardyal accounting for openers Ravi Sahadeo (12) and Tony Fernandes (20) and number three batsman Ramchannan Singh (20).

Quayam Farooq and Jagdesh Persaud, however, featured in a face-saving fourth-wicket partnership of 93 and looked well set to set the defending champions a total in excess of 200.

The partnership ended when Wayne Jones knocked

back the stumps of Farooq for and even 50, an innings which contained seven fours off 33 balls, with the score on 143 for four in the 16th over. Persaud departed one run later, caught by wicket-keeper Eion Abel off Deonarine for an entertaining 35 which included one four and four sixes.

Rickey Edwards (21 not out) and Nandalall (12 not out) added a further unbeaten 35 for the fourth wicket as the visitors closed their

GDF is ‘Best Gym’, Julian Clarke takes ...

From page 24

‘the Kid’ Marques, had four boxers in the finals, including the talented Bantamweight Julian Clarke who was adjudged the best boxer in the Tournament.

In his fight against GDF’s Joshua Thomas, Clarke demonstrated good use of the Ring and threw clinical three-shot combinations to Thomas’ body and head. The soldier tried to counterpunch with shots of his own but many of them missed the targets.

Clarke connected with a crunching straight right to Thomas’ head before the GDF pugilist retaliated with a shot to the body in the second round as the boxers exchanged punches as they went toe-to-toe

However, as the contest progressed, the intensity and power punches became less as the pair used more clinches and spent more time on the ropes as Clarke took the Gold Medal.

innings on 179 for five, a total which always looked inadequate under the conditions, especially taking the Regal Legends batting lineup into consideration and so it proved.

Hardyal ended with three for 33 in his four overs while there was one wicket each for Deonarine and Jones for 15 and 40 runs respectively.

Deonarine was adjudged man-of-the-match in the final, collecting a trophy in the process while Yusuf carted off the Player of the tournament award – a sofa set, compliments of Regal Stationery and Computer Centre; Trophy Stall donated all the trophies for all the four categories – women, Legends Over-50, Masters Over-40 and Open All Stars.

The winners took home a whopping one million dollars (Guyana) and the runners-up $50,000 in the 10-team category. Both teams were also recipients of trophies while the winning players also got medals.

The Junior Welterweight battle between GDF’s Joseph Gardener and his Gym mate Romel Captain had the referee, Shareece Agard, working for her pay as both fighters consistently ‘tied’ up each other, pushed away their opponent and were guilty of slapping and went at each other with all guns.

Such was the intensity of the battle that Gardener began losing pieces of his shoes during the hectic exchanges as both soles eventually came but this did not stop him from throwing punches in bunches with some mighty roundhouse shots to win the contest.

Another fight which was keenly fought was between Police boxer, Osias Prince, and GDF’s Christopher Henry, who hails from the Pomeroon in Essequibo. Henry threw straight punches and used his left jap to set up his right uppercuts as he fought with good technical

skill sets to emerge victorious against Prince to deny him the crown.

In other results: Featherweight Melroy McPherson stopped REP’s Neville France in 2:20 seconds of the first round.

Lightweight: Oswald Jewan stopped Police’s Lennox Harvey in 58 seconds in the opening round.

Welterweight: Elliot Sinclair beat fellow GDF Damon France.

Middleweight: Timothy Frazer from REP beat GDF’s Orin Domingo.

Light Heavyweight: Sherwin Gravesande beat Malchi Charles in an all-GDF clash.

Cruiserweight: Hullman Bovell from Police stopped GDF’s Darius Harris in 2:07 seconds of round one.

Super Heavyweight: Zidhan Wray beat fellow GDF Rayon Harry in 54 seconds of the second round.

Player of the tournament, Uniss Yusuf, being congratulated by GSCL Secretary/Treasurer Telesha Ousman

Man-of-the-match in the final,, Ramesh Deonarine, collects his trophy from overseas-based Guyanese, Rishma Mathura

Best Boxer Julian Clarke receives his trophy from 12-year-old Jumane Moore, the youngest boxing judge in the Caribbean (Sean Devers photo)

Prime Minister’s T20 softball tournament

Regal Legends continue winning ways with emphatic win over NYSCL

Andrew ‘Six head’ Lewis Nat Novice C/Ships

GDF is ‘Best Gym’, Julian Clarke takes Best Boxer trophy

By Sean Devers

THE final night of the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis National Novice Championships Boxing Card at the National Gymnasium on Sunday had some good bouts but the level of technical skill was lacking in many of the boxers as the GDF retained their ‘Best Gym’ title.

The final night of the threenight Championships featuring

the top young pugilists competed with a few major sporting events in the City and despite the presence of the GDF Band Corps and pulsating music from the ‘Shocking Sound System’ from Sophia which entertained the small gathering, the overall atmosphere at the Gymnasium was unlike previous Cards in the recent past.

In the Ring, there was promising talent, which, if keep developing, would ensure

that Guyana remains the ‘Mecca’ in amateur boxing in the English-speaking Caribbean.

The Night began with a victory in the Flyweight division from Republican Boxing Gym’s (REP) Andre Thompson over Daniel Garnett of the GDF who had 15 fighters in the finals in the eleven bouts contested.

The Police Gym, coached by National Flyweight Dexter

Continued on page 23

The jubilant Regal Legends players and supporters celebrate their victory

GDF retained their Best Gym title as Best Coach Terrence Poole (standing at right) leads the celebrations. (Sean Devers photo)