Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 09-06-2024

Approximately 27 organisations representing Afro-Guyanese communities across the country on Saturday received funding to advance their empowerment projects. The ceremony, which was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, saw the attendance of Prime Minister, Briagdier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson, and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond. (DPI)

Rapid enhancement of Guyana's human capital continues

— over 7,500 more persons awarded GOAL scholarships — in keeping with efforts to foster academic, technical skills to match the country's exponential growth, Dr Singh says

OVER 7,000 Guyanese will benefit from free, quality education through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) programme.

On Saturday, the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service Dr. Ashni Singh announced that approval has been granted for 7,782 GOAL Scholarships and that the successful applicants will be informed by email over the course of next week.

under President Dr Irfaan Ali’s leadership, the government embarked on a novel and innovative programme to develop and take online learning to the next level.

“The GOAL initiative is in keeping with the government’s commitment to improve the country’s educational and skills training capacity to match its aggressive economic diversification programme and continued rapid economic growth.

In fact, the government has already surpassed its Manifesto promise of providing 20,000 online scholarships, with almost 21,500 scholarships provided by the end of 2023,” the press release outlined. Further, it stated that

This approval follows on the heels of the graduation, just two weeks ago, of the second batch of students numbering 1,712 who completed their studies in various disciplines including masters and degree programmes.

The success of the GOAL programme indicates that it has been well received by the thousands of Guyanese who have benefitted and who continue to apply for scholarships to improve their educational capacity, the release said.

“What GOAL does is that it still gives them (Guyanese) the option to pursue higher technical and tertiary education were they so too desire using the online modality of delivery. It also offers a wider range of training options,” Dr.Singh recently ex -

plained, adding that the government is creating an environment where everyone can explore several opportunities that are being created so that the country can continue its rapid development.

Expounding further on the purpose of the GOAL scholarships,

Dr. Singh had said that these are all elements of human capital development and improving the skills of the Guyanese workforce and population, to have a better skilled and qualified labour force as well as to have a more fulfilled population.

The government has been implementing several additional initiatives as it continues to invest in education throughout the country.

Among some of

these initiatives is the launch of the “Guyana-Coursera Platform,” which was launched in March and will see approximately 50,000 persons benefitting from training in several areas across various ministries countrywide as part of the government’s expansive national training initiative.

“The administration has been using a multipronged approach in its education investment initiative including through the disbursement of cash and uniform grants to school children each year, with the 2024 grant to be disbursed shortly to students; cash grants to teachers each term to purchase classroom supplies; and the construction of new schools as well as the rehabilitation

of several others across the country,” the release read.

Further, it highlighted another government initiative which was aimed at bettering the lives of Guyanese by paving the way for free tertiary education, which is the $11 billion student loan write off programme.

“Government recently commenced its Student Loan Write Off Programme to potentially benefit over 13,000 Guyanese who have $11 billion in student loan debt. The administration has also reiterated its commitment to improving education delivery with a total of $135.2 billion budgeted this year for the education sector,” the release noted.

Dr. Ashni Singh speaking at the recent graduation ceremony of over 1700 GOAL scholarship recipients at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) last month

Recent graduates of GOAL

Gov’t to host NY job fair to target Guyanese Diaspora

THE government is set to host a job fair in New York, in the hope of attracting members of the Guyanese Diaspora back to their homeland.

This initiative is in response to a significant skills and resource gap identified by international and local assessments,

highlighting a need for approximately 100,000 skilled professionals, due to the rapid transformation of Guyana’s economy.

A research paper done by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) indicates that around 550,000 Guy-

anese live abroad. The study has also revealed that between 1965 and 2000, nearly 90% of Guyanese nationals with tertiary-level education, and 40% of those with secondary education emigrated from Guyana.

With Guyana’s recent economic advancements, there has been a noticeable trend of Guyanese nationals returning to their homeland. The government has introduced various policies and initiatives to encourage this reverse migration.

“This will be happening in a very short while, whereby we’ll be targetting the persons who are there, letting them know what opportunities exist in Guyana, what skills we need, and how they can contribute,” Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

He emphasised that not only are Guyanese

expatriates returning, but their children are also being encouraged to contribute to the country’s development.

“Already, we have seen an influx of persons returning to Guyana, addressing the skill gap of over 100,000. What we are seeing is that there is a renewed interest from the second generation, who have built their capacity in various sectors. They are also returning to Guyana,” Persaud noted.

The positive economic climate in Guyana creates a favourable environment for both returnees and new migrants, ensuring their retention within the country. Persaud highlighted the detrimental impact of the brain drain over the past decades, and the importance of reversing this trend.

“Any developing country such as ours, losing one skill can have

an impact. And, unfortunately, in Guyana, we’ve lost many skilled workers, and some of our biggest minds. In the last half-century, Guyanese have made a significant contribution to other countries and industries across the world. This brain drain has negatively impacted our country, and we are trying to change that,” he explained.

To address this, the government is rolling out initiatives aimed at retaining talent within the country and developing

the capacity of its workforce to propel Guyana’s burgeoning economy.

As Guyana continues to grow, these efforts to reconnect with its diaspora are critical in bridging the skills gap and ensuring sustainable economic development. The upcoming job fair in New York marks a significant step towards achieving these goals, inviting skilled professionals to return home and be part of Guyana’s promising future.

Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud

Local tourism products extend beyond Kaieteur Falls …President Ali says

- could be found, developed in every corner of the country

THE country’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali says Guyana is more than just the iconic Kaieteur Falls; he believes that the beauty of the largest single-drop waterfall in the world can be found at every corner.

The Head of State, while highlighting some of the jewels that can be found in the treasure trove by just travelling a mere two hours outside of Georgetown, firmly established the point that tourism in Guyana is affordable.

Dr. Ali made the foregoing observations last Wednesday at the Umana Yana, while giving a feature address at the launch of a coffee-table book titled, “Visual Chronicles of the Mahaica Wetlands and Mangrove”.

As he praised the project led by the EMC Foundation, a local organisation focused on environmental awareness and education, the Head of State showcased how unique Guyana truly is.

“We have to build this brand, Guyana, and speak in a collective voice about how much we love this brand, Guyana,” he said while further noting that Guyanese need to start celebrating who they are as a people, and the leadership we can provide to the world when it comes to the environment and climate change.

“We can lead the world in the way we have managed our environment; on the way we have approached climate change and what our forest offers the world. And we always have to remind ourselves that this is the position we must start from,” he said.

As he spoke of some of the hidden gems that lie right at one’s fingertips, the President stated, “Many

times we hear how expensive it is to visit tourism locations in Guyana, because we have a fixation that tourism is Kaieteur Falls, or we have a fixation that tourism is Kanuku Mountains. Yes, that’s a big part of tourism, but we have some beautiful facilities within two hours of the city that are mind-blowing; that can rival any other facility of a similar nature globally.”

Guyana has continued to make its mark in the tourism industry, and a recent example of this is the fact that the nation copped the Destination of the Year in the Ecological Tourism category in March. This is according to the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) at its International Travel Awards 2024 at the International Tourism Exchange in Berlin.

The PATWA International Travel Awards have been instituted independently, and are now in their 24th year.

The awards recognise governments, organisations, brands, ministers, and individuals who have excelled in the promotion of tourism.

This includes airlines, hotels, travel agencies, tour

operators, destinations, government bodies, tourism ministries, and other service providers related directly or indirectly with the trade.

PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY

The nation has adopted a proactive approach to protecting its diverse ecosystem, and with that said, President Ali has underscored that a strong position will be taken to ensure that it is not destroyed.

“We are going to deal

with these things,” he said. “We have to enact the most modern legislation when it comes to hunting, protecting our hunting grounds and ensuring that people are not carrying out their fanciful desire by over-

ident Ali announced that the government is collaborating with some of the best universities to build a world-class biodiversity centre in Guyana.

“We have kept our biodiversity intact. In the last 50 years, the world has lost 65 per cent of its biodiversity. We have kept our biodiversity intact, because that is going to be worth billions in the near term,” he said.

hunting and destroying our ecosystem, our biodiversity and our animal life in these areas.”

Earlier this year, Pres-

President Dr. Irfaan Ali

A tolerant and dignified society

THE Government of Guyana has decided to remove the words 'Negro' and 'East Indian' as a form of identification. This is a commendable initiative on the part of the PPP/C administration especially in the context of the country's evolution to a One Guyana vision.

The use of the terms 'Negro' and 'East Indian' had its origin in the early period of our colonial history. It was introduced in the colony's vernacular by the then-colonial administration as a form of identification to distinguish one ethnic group from the others.

For decades these descriptions were, by and large, a part of the Guyanese vernacular until re -

cently when some persons opportunistically decided to capitalise on the issue out of narrow partisan considerations.

As pointed out by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Ms. Gail Teixeira, the Government of Guyana, with immediate effect ordered a ban on the usage of the words 'Negro' and 'Indian' by the Guyana Police Force and public health institutions when referencing Guyana's main ethnic groups. These will henceforth be 'Guyanese of African descent' and 'Guyanese of Indian descent respectively.' Similar referencing words are to be used for other ethnicities as well.

In a recent statement,

Minister Teixeira disclosed that the decision was made by Cabinet in recognition of the fact that a significant number of Guyanese found the words 'offensive'.

It is worth noting that these words were used as a tool of identification since the pre and post-colonial years. Yet it took a recent case involving a Guyanese of African descent charged by the police with inciting violence against leading functionaries of the State including the President and other functionaries for the issue to be brought to the attention of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC).

For the record, the ERC was established in the year 2000 by the PPP/C administration, the first of its kind in the

Caribbean.

In a letter to the Commission, prominent Attorney and opposition activist Nigel Hughes claimed that the use of the word 'Negro' by the Police Force is a violation of Article 149 of the Guyana Constitution and several other pieces of legislation which commit to equality and non-discrimination and mandates that all citizens be treated with respect and fairness.

Although in principle there is nothing inherently wrong in the merits of the argument, it boggles the mind that it took the arrest of a known opposition social media activist who was charged with violating the Cybercrime Act after a caller to his Facebook programme

allegedly advocated the killing of the President and four government ministers.

But, as pointed out by Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, the then PNC regime which ruled Guyana, albeit undemocratically, for twenty-eight years from 1964 to 1992 and again from 2015 to 2020, a total of 33 years never saw it fit to correct this seemingly aberration but become, as it were, conveniently awoken from its slumber and make it a national issue, which could easily be corrected administratively as was done by the PPP/C Cabinet.

Nor did others in positions of authority ever make any mention of the 'offensive' nature of the words until the recent case of alleged

violation of the Cybercrime Act by a known opposition social media activist.

The above notwithstanding, the PPP/C administration must be commended for the prompt action it has taken to put the issue to rest. This fully accords with the One Guyana vision as articulated by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the desire of the current administration to build a tolerant and cohesive Guyana where every citizen, regardless of ethnicity or colour, is equal before the law and is treated in a fair and dignified manner.

Examine those who purport to care for you

Dear Editor,

THE flyer screams “Banish the ‘N’ word, there can be no respect without self-respect” and features Nigel Hughes and Winston Felix amongst other speakers. It caught my attention because the ‘N-word’ is internationally recognised as offensive; imagine my surprise, therefore, to learn that it was not the traditional ‘N-word’ but instead, this group was trying to score cheap political points by referring to ‘negro’ as the N-word. It is a transparent attempt to sow discord in Guyana and, the idea of the PPP administration

as racist in the international community. A sad and tragic move made by expedient political players. We should also examine the word ‘Negro’ and consider the implications of a law that bans the use of the word in our nation as suggested by Nigel Hughes et al.

“But 100 years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity…”

These are words spo -

ken by Dr. Martin Luther King in his historic ‘I Have a Dream’ speech and would be considered ‘hate speech’ under Hughes's suggested legislation. How then would we teach history? Do we simply ignore the words, accomplishments, and speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, W.E.B Du Bois, and other inspirational leaders of African descent and what do we do if/when ‘Of African descent’ graduates to the realm of the offensive? Have the proponents of this change considered the confusion this will cause the next generation of students?

Can we expect essays on how racist Malcolm

X and MLK were based on their repeated use of the word ‘negro’? And, who is the United Negro College Fund? Are they a bunch of racists raising funds to prevent people of African descent from going to college in America? The confusion will be real for the next generation of students.

Nigel Hughes responded to criticism of his timing of the call to remove the word ‘negro’ from our lexicon since it was in use since colonial times with a Facebook post saying he was only two years old in 1966, I will posit he was therefore in his fifties during the APNU+AFC administration where as

Chairman of the AFC and Husband of a Minister who had the power to summon the Prime Minister to her office, he (Nigel Hughes) was perfectly positioned to influence the banishment of the word Negro from Guyana; lest we forget, Nigel Hughes made a tremendous impact with his ‘half-man’ mathematical formula.

In closing, I suggest we be careful with the ‘woke’ and ‘cancel’ culture and its constant revisionism of what is acceptable or we may find our heroes have become villains overnight. I close with the words of Malcolm X (while I still can) “Our people in the Negro

community are trapped in a vicious cycle of ignorance, poverty, disease, sickness, and death. There seems to be no way out. No way of escape. The wealthy, educated Black bourgeoisie, those uppity Negroes who do escape, never reach back and pull the rest of our people out with them. The Black masses remain trapped in the slums” and ask my brothers and sisters of African descent to examine those who purport to have their best interest at heart but do nothing to uplift them when they have power and every opportunity.

Sincerely, Robin Singh

BritCham Guyana to host launch at iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London

THE British Chamber of Commerce Guyana (BritCham Guyana) is excited to announce that its much-anticipated London launch event is confirmed to take place on September 11, 2024 at the prestigious Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.

A press release from the Chamber noted that this landmark event marks a significant step in strengthening business ties between the United Kingdom and Guyana. It will bring together influential business leaders, government officials, and key stakeholders from both nations to celebrate and promote bilateral trade and investment opportunities.

“We at BritCham are thrilled to host our London, UK launch at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. I’ve just returned from the UK, where I was able to finalise the arrangements, and I can tell you this event is not just a celebration of the

growth and potential of Guyana’s economy, but also an opportunity to grow the healthy business relationship between the two nations.

“Hosting the event at Lord’s, the ‘Mecca of cricket’, reminds us of the many similarities Guyana and the UK hold close. We look forward to fostering new partnerships and

exploring new avenues for collaboration across many sectors. The event is free for our BritCham members, with a limited number of tickets available for non-members to purchase, so don’t delay getting in touch with BritCham quickly, if you don’t want to miss this exciting and historic BritCham event,”

said Faizal Khan, Chairman of BritCham Guyana.

Lord’s Cricket Ground, often referred to as the "Home of Cricket", is significant for cricket fans around the world, particularly in the Caribbean. The ground has been the stage for many memorable matches featuring West Indies cricket

teams, showcasing the talents and spirit of Caribbean cricketers. Legendary Guyanese cricketers such as Clive Lloyd, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and Rohan Kanhai have delivered memorable performances at this historic venue.

Distinguished guests, including the British High Commis-

sioner to Guyana Jane Miller, the Guyanese High Commissioner to the UK, Raj Singh, and the Chief Investment Officer, Government of Guyana, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, will be in attendance.

“This event is a testament to the growing economic relationship between Guyana and the UK. We are excited about the opportunities this launch will create for businesses in both countries. We have already seen many British companies enter Guyana, and with His Excellency's 2030 plan, we anticipate attracting even larger players. Go-Invest will focus on proactively engaging with technology and manufacturing companies to further this agenda,” Dr. Ramsaroop commented. For more information on the event and to register for tickets, please contact +592 708 9989 | admin@ britchamgy.com.

The London launch of BritCham will be held at the Thomas Lord Suite of the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground

Rename Thomas Street after Shruti Kant

I THINK a painful, memory endurance that a historian and political activist has to live with, is how good people they once knew who have been unsung heroes just leave the world and the generation that comes after them doesn’t know a thing about them. They are gone without being remembered.

This is one of the injustices that all the countries in the world should avoid. I was shocked when as a poor, working-class boy I left unknown Guyana to study in one of the top countries in the world – Canada. At both MacMaster University and the University of Toronto where I studied, the university buildings were named after people who contributed to the greatness the universities have achieved.

At the University of Toronto, students, never, I mean, never would say; “Meet me at the grad library.” They would always say, “I’ll see you at Jason Robarts.” That is because the libraries on the campus carry the names of academics that made the university

a success. Jason Robarts is the name for the graduate library. When I lived outside, I saw how important the authorities, both at the local and central levels and in society in general, saw the necessity of naming things after superb citizens who made superb contributions.

When you study history the remembrance value preoccupies you. You do not want people who have contributed to your country’s evolution in positively deep ways, to be forgotten. You want to see their names on things that will make their names a motif that will remain forever. Shruti Kant

is one of them. If you ask Guyanese who Shruti Kant is, they will not know. Shruti came from India, married a Guyanese, started a Guyanese family and set up the Guyana Oriental College (GOC) that eventually moved to Thomas Street between Middle Street and New Market Street, opposite the Georgetown Hospital. Everyone in Guyana referred to the school as GOC. It became the most successful post-independence private school in Guyana at the time. Shruti became a household name. I have never seen it before in Guyana and I don’t think we will see it in the near

future, the example of student relation with their headmaster; all the students loved Shruti. I don’t think there was a student who ever showed frustration with Shruti or ever bad-mouthed him. Such was the nature of his personality. GOC offered afternoon, private lessons and I had two friends that I met when I was a PPP youth working at the Michael Forde Bookstore that took afternoon classes at GOC. I couldn’t afford to eat, much less pay for lessons. Both of my friends suggested that I be brave and approach Shruti for free classes. I did just that and instantly he told me to choose which subjects

I wanted. After successful GCEs, Shruti offered me a job at afternoon classes at GOC. I earned a few cents which my mom welcomed because we weren’t doing well for money at home.

With my GCEs, I entered UG and never looked back. I owe it all to a giant of a human named Shruti Kant. I think I am a good human that has done good in this world and in that existence, Shruti Kant played a prodigious role. I will always love Shruti. I will always remember Shruti. Next year, I plan to ask a few people if they can contribute $400,000 each year to me.

I want to use the money to establish a yearly grant of $100,000 each in the form of a school voucher for disadvantaged children. I will name each voucher after Shruti Kant, Fred Phillips, Yesu Persaud and Anil Nandlall. I think my evolution would not have been possible without these four personalities who made priceless contributions to my life.

Fred Philips, a Portuguese fellow, was the General

Manager of the Georgetown Club on Camp Street and one of the leading Jehovah Witnesses in Guyana. He lived right where Bonny’s Supermarket sits on Church Street. Mr. Philips bought all the books I needed to study for my GCE examinations.

GOC brought Thomas Street to life. GOC and Shruti made a huge contribution to the educational system back then. There was a planter in colonial times named Thomas. Thomas Street is named after him. Thomas Street in Kitty is named after him. Thomas Road where the army headquarters are is named after him. The district of Thomas Lands where many important institutions are located is named after him.

Why can’t we change Thomas Street where GOC once stood after Shruti Kant? What is culturally, historically and logistically wrong with that? I will always write about Shruti Kant because Shruti Kant made my life livable. Thanks for the kindness Shruti!

Global Precedents: Understanding tax holidays for oil and gas companies

THE tax concessions granted to ExxonMobil Guyana have been scrutinised in recent debates. Critics argue that the generous terms are unfavourable to the nation, while supporters

believe these incentives are crucial for attracting foreign investment. However, the practice of granting tax holidays to oil and gas companies is not unique to Guyana; it is a common

phenomenon worldwide. Understanding the global context and the rationale behind these incentives can shed light on their potential benefits for the host country.

Tax holidays, also known as tax concessions or tax incentives, refer to temporary reductions or eliminations of tax obligations granted to businesses. In the oil and gas industry, these incentives are often used to attract multinational companies to invest in exploration and production. Such policies can include exemptions from income tax, reduced import duties, and other fiscal benefits designed to offset the high risks and significant capital investments required in this sector.

In Guyana, ExxonMobil has received tax concessions, which some critics consider overly generous. These concessions include a long-term exemption from income tax and property tax. The argument against such incentives is that they deprive the nation of immediate revenue that could be used for development. However, proponents argue that without these concessions, ExxonMobil might not have invested in Guyana, foregoing future economic benefits.

To reemphasise, what is presently occurring in Guyana is not an anomaly. The United States, for instance, offers various tax incentives to promote shale gas extraction. These include per-

centage depletion allowances and intangible drilling cost deductions, which reduce the taxable income of oil and gas companies. Similarly, in Nigeria, the government provides a "pioneer status" to new investments in the oil and gas sector, offering a tax holiday for a period of five to seven years. This incentive aims to attract new investments and stimulate growth in the sector.

Norway, known for its stringent environmental standards, offers tax breaks to promote offshore exploration. Companies can deduct exploration costs from their taxable income, making it financially viable to invest in high-cost offshore projects.

Brazil’s special customs regime, REPETRO, allows oil and gas companies to import equipment and materials free of taxes. This regime is designed to attract foreign investment and enhance technological capabilities in the sector. Indonesia provides tax exemptions to stimulate upstream investments in oil and gas. These exemptions include relief from import duties and value-added tax on capital goods, making it more attractive for companies to invest in exploration and development.

Therefore, tax holidays should be seen as a powerful tool to attract multinational companies. By offering these incentives, countries can make their markets more appealing compared to others with higher tax burdens. The presence of large oil and gas companies can stimulate local economies. These companies often invest in infrastructure, create jobs, and boost demand for local goods and services. Moreover, foreign companies bring advanced technology and expertise that can benefit the host country. This technology transfer can enhance local capabilities and spur further economic development.

In conclusion, tax holidays are a globally recognised strategy to attract investment in the oil and gas sector. While they may spark debate, their potential to drive economic transformation cannot be overlooked. Countries like Guyana stand to gain significantly from these incentives if implemented with a strategic vision that balances immediate fiscal sacrifices with long-term prosperity.

Don't Give Up

TWO Saturdays ago, my eldest daughter called me with the shocking news that her soon-to-be boss had died by suicide.

I had met the young man just days before when he came to her home to collect some documents necessary for her new job.

He was profuse in his apology for failing to get there earlier, as it was already late in the evening when he arrived, complaining of a packed schedule. I remember clearly his words, "I haven't eaten yet for the day", and I got the distinct impression that he seemed somewhat overwhelmed by his schedule.

I said as much to my daughter, who related that she had previously 'told him off' about his tardiness in contacting her to update her about

‘Lest

A FARCICAL post on the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) Facebook page caught my attention last week. It was headlined “Lest we forget.” Curious about what the PNC wanted Guyanese to remember ahead of its upcoming Congress, I scrolled back a few weeks and found just two posts with the same caption.

One of them stated that between 2015 and 2019, the APNU+AFC government “built or rehabilitated over 25 pump stations…as part of a comprehensive flood management project…total investment topped approximately G$7B.” The other post was a reminder about a bridge that was built during the tumultuous tenure of a wonky coalition.

Under the PPP, these projects would have amounted to three times as much due to corruption, shoddy work, and incompetence,” read the first post. It’s the warped reasoning of a desperate group of politicians floundering about aimlessly, as V.P. Bharrat Jagdeo has often described the state of the country’s opposition party.

Since the “lest we forget'' posts stopped at two, I thought I’d throw a bone at the PNC/R social media wizards by suggesting a few items we Guyanese just can’t afford to forget.

“Lest we forget” the PNC’s D’Urban Park debacle. I drive past the prime

the job, after promising to do so. Often, she would have to make several attempts before finally getting through to him.

The news that he had taken his own life left both of us not only with a feeling of sadness and loss but also with lingering questions about whether we could have done anything to prevent it.

She regretted not being more patient with him, saying that she sensed that he needed to reach out to someone because of his tone and manner in previous conversations.

And I also wondered if maybe I should have delayed him that evening, urging him to slow down and not allow the job to rob him of personal time.

I felt that the pressure of his job was somehow linked to his death by suicide. Of

course, none of us will ever know just what caused him to take such drastic action.

This brings me to what a counsellor, Shirvington Haannays, told me was the underlying reason for all suicides - a feeling of hopelessness and helplessness. I also recalled Psychotherapist, Shane Tull, saying that once a person had decided to take their own life there was little anyone could do to stop them.

Then I read, once again, what the experts said about us who are left behind, like this young man's family and friends. We ask ourselvesshould we have recognised that something was wrong? Could we have done anything about it? Why didn't the individual reach out to someone?

We are often left with feelings of anger, remorse,

we forget’

real estate at least twice a day to and from work and I agree with the Minister of Public Works, Juan Edgill, it’s an eye-sore. Launched as a big-ticket item after APNU+AFC took office in 2015, the park is now a grazing pasture for donkeys, and horses and home to wood ants and vagrants. The Audit Office of Guyana (AOG) found that $1.1 billion was allegedly spent on the project, but the auditor can’t seem to locate documents that would account for how $70.6M was spent. In 2020, the AOG called on the police to investigate.

“Lest we forget” the $500M that APNU+AFC disbursed to Homestretch Development Inc. (HDI) which then mysteriously vanished. In 2018, the AOG wrote to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure seeking answers. The Ministry wrote back and said it was not involved in HDI operations and that it had no documents to turn over. Again, the AOG recommended the Guyana Police Force conduct “a comprehensive investigation.”

Shortly after coming into office, President Irfaan Ali pressed for answers. The AOG then discovered that a further $36.5M was taken from the Lotto Fund and allegedly pumped into the D’Urban Park project. But get this, no payment vouchers were presented to auditors for the transaction.

guilt, confusion and even resentment over why it happened while experiencing the grief and trauma of the person's death.

We are told that the stigma surrounding suicide makes it difficult for survivors to deal with their grief. However, I offer these words from the Laborers Health & Safety Fund of North America, "Grief after a suicide can be complicated, but it's necessary to process this grief so we can work through it. Healing after loss is both a process and a journey.”

And to all of you out there who may be feeling that your life is not worth living, that you are without hope and help I say, "reach out to someone". You may feel, 'This is not going to get better, 'no one can help me', 'it's too late for me'. You may

also feel trapped in a bad situation, you may think that telling someone is burdening them or that you are a burden to someone.

There are hotlines out there to help you through these feelings and people who are prepared to listen.

The Inter-agency Suicide Prevention Helpline in Guyana is open 24/7 and can be reached on 623-4444 or 6007896. ' DON'T GIVE UP!

Here are some tips from

the 'Mind' group - steps you can take right now - "Take things minute by minute and reward yourself each time five minutes have passed; remove anything you could use to harm yourself; TELL SOMEONE HOW YOU'RE FEELING.”

Lastly, I quote these words of former US President, Barack Obama, "To anyone out there who's hurting - it's not a sign of weakness to ask for help. It's a sign of strength.”

“Lest we forget” that APNU+AFC spent $2 billion on ‘dietary’ expenses, i.e. ‘food and drinks for party insiders along with gifts for Ministers and their children.’ By contrast, the PPPC spent $2 billion to provide nutritious meals for some 85,773 nursery and primary school students across Guyana in 2022.

“Lest we forget,” APNU+AFC paid a whopping $12 million a month to rent a house in Albouystown to store drugs. The thought did occur to me that my family could have made a fortune had we held on to our spacious ancestral properties in Albouystown.

And how can anyone forget the Georgetown parking meter fiasco? Smart City Solutions (SCS), the company that installed the meters, filed a proceeding with the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes in Washington, D.C. seeking compensation from the Government of Guyana to the tune of US$100 million.

In the next few weeks, a number of PNC head honchos responsible for these boondoggles will seize every opportunity to hurl unsubstantiated allegations at the PPPC. Guyanese should ask the men and women vying for leadership and power in the PNC where they stashed US$18 million that ExxonMobil transferred to Guyana upon the signing of the Product Sharing Agreement (PSA)

in 2016. How can anyone possibly forget eighteen million U.S. dollars?

As for the 25 pump stations that the PNC’s smart aleck was bragging about on Facebook, the Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues set the record straight earlier this year.

Under APNU+AFC the nation’s water utility com -

pany was unable to pay its debts, contractors were overpaid for work they never did, and water connections stalled because the company did not have meters, fittings and spheres. As a result, there were over 5,000 major reported leaks across the country.

In just three years the PPPC cleared the backlog and gave 97 per cent of Guyanese access to potable

water. The PPPC is building seven new water-treatment plants, 10 small inline treatment systems and rehabilitating and upgrading 12 existing plants. The combined impact of these interventions will catapult the country’s water treatment capacity from 52 per cent to 90 per cent by 2025.

Creating a storm in a teacup

RECENTLY, a debate started in certain quarters over the use of ‘negro’ as a word to describe persons with African ancestry who are Guyanese. Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes is the main proponent of banning the word more so from being used by the Guyana Police Force in their descriptions of African Guyanese. He has written to the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) and other entities seeking for the word to be blacklisted or end its usage as it is discriminatory and has negative connotations. It has been suggested now by an organisation, the International Decade for People of African Descent of Guyana, that the government take steps to have the usage of the word outlawed and strongly prohibited as it is highly insensitive and objectionable to Afro-Guyanese. It held a symposium at the Critchlow Labour College featuring Hughes,

Winston Felix and David Hinds, among others.

Other politicians, largely from the opposition, have added their voices to the debate. They have all agreed that the word should not be used when describing persons of a particular race or ethnicity.

The same opposition politicians and public commentators have attacked the PPP/C Government out of the blue. They alleged that Attorney General, Anil Nandlall and the current Cabinet are not in favour of prohibiting the use of the word and are guilty of stalling the progress towards this end. They have also alleged that this is a clear case of the government supporting a system of racism and discrimination rooted in words and actions that date back to slavery and colonial days. Firstly, the AG never objected to banning the use of the word ‘negro’. Similarly, the PPP/C Government, through Vice Pres -

ident Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, has never had objections to the request made by Hughes, IDPADA-G, and other bodies.

The government welcomed the move to the ERC and hoped the matter would get its deserved attention. The government has not mounted a fight or resistance to the effort aimed at change as Guyana is ever-changing and evolving.

So, there is no amount of political points to be had by the politicians who are guilty of pushing various

narratives in the public domain for sinister motives. This is a dead issue because each ethnic group or race in Guyana is entitled to be respected for how it wishes to be referred to in light of its past cultural and historical experiences.

Therefore, it is unfair to label the PPP/C Government and by extension the Guyana Police Force as uncaring and unresponsive to sensitivities of a particular matter. The latter has gone out of its way to comply with the more serious changes in the laws and legislation in the country, training hundreds of its personnel in various matters.

Give Jack he jacket! There was no need for a symposium on Friday last and IDPADA-G knows this. There was no need to be dramatic or eccentric over the use of the word. The public was not feeling the use of the word either and it was just a matter of time before the police and hospitals underwent the necessary process to change the systems.

Secondly, Hughes, IDPADA-G, and the opposition politicians were caught with their pants down and the sight was not pleasing to the eyes. Hughes was trying to distract attention from the cause of Kidackie Amsterdam's arrest and subsequent charge by the GPF. So, he noticed this misstep by the police and rang the alarm, starting a whole movement knowing fully well that tempers and emotions would flare. It would cause a direct appeal to one’s race and identity, and one’s – ‘Guyanese-ness’. It would cause the government and GPF to be painted a certain way and public outcry of African Guyanese.

This, maybe, is what Hughes intended to happen. But it fizzled when he

fence against the President of Guyana, in contravention of Section 18(1)(c) of the Cyber Crime Act, No 16 of 2018. Amsterdam allowed a caller on a social media programme to advocate for the decapitation of the President and three Ministers of the Government - all of whom happen to be East Indians. He is on record thanking the caller for his contribution and proceeded to make other damming statements.

teamed up with IDPADA-G and the opposition politicians who then blamed the system for allowing the continued use of this derogatory term to describe African Guyanese. They failed at the attempt to blame the current PPP/C Government despite their claim that GPF was an agent through which alleged PPP racism and discrimination were fuelled. They also failed in their attempt to score cheap political points and get the sympathy of US Congressman Jonathan Jackson who was still in the country.

After all, the police have been using the word for 150 – 180 years and this is the first time it has been objected to formally. This is the first time a group feels so strongly about it since Guyana gained independence in 1966. Also, why did Hughes not raise the issue with the PPP or APNU+AFC government if it caused him so much consternation? Why did he not choose another means of engaging the police or the AG in NOT using the word? Why did the public symposium not focus on sensitisation about the issue as opposed to broadsiding the government and police, and seeming to play the victim of political and racial discrimination? Why did the outdated politicians Felix and Hinds speak at the symposium if the aim was changing the paradigm to a more acceptable word?

These are, respectfully, washed-up and murky politicians who offer no real perspective to the debate other than confusion powder and ‘let’s blame the PPP’.

Thirdly, Amsterdam, an African Guyanese, is still charged with the offence of using a computer system to encourage or incite persons to commit a criminal of -

Where is the public outrage on the content of the call? Why the silence? Where is the condemnation or can it be a covert expression of support?

Recall, Article 146 of the Constitution which guarantees “Freedom of Expression” expressly except hate speeches and other expressions capable of exciting hostility or ill-will. No ethnic group or Guyanese, regardless of what they prefer to be called, has the “freedom” to publish or aid and abet the publication of murderous threats, incitement to violence, seditious remarks, or any statement capable of exciting hostilities. The publication of such statements constitutes serious criminal offences under the Laws of Guyana. So, Hughes, IDPADA-G, black supremacists, cults or politicians on social media cannot lawfully seek the refuge of “Freedom of Expression” when they make their criminal publications. What is good for the goose is good for the gander! What is good for former Presidents David Granger, the late Desmond Hoyte and Forbes Burnham is good for Presidents Irfaan Ali, Donald Ramotar and Bharrat Jagdeo. Wrong is wrong and right is right. Finally, the public must not give the campaign of Hughes, IDPADA-G and others much time and thought. The public must not respect these politicians and attorneys when they cry crocodile tears, and throw their tantrums. This is just another storm in a teacup. The opposition, through Hughes, wants to make a mountain out of a molehill. Respectfully, for an intelligent man, maybe he had a moment of dumbness.

Guyana defends favourable ratings at CFATF Plenary

GUYANA’S 4th Round Mutual Evaluation Report was adopted at the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) 58th Plenary and Working Group Meetings held from June 2, to June 7, in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

The country’s representatives, including Mohabir Anil Nandlall, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, have successfully defended the favourable ratings the Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) architecture received after a Mutual Evaluation Exercise was completed.

The Attorney General’s Chambers, in a statement, said this Mutual Evaluation Exercise consisted of a comprehensive examination of the country’s AML/CFT regime, including a two-week on-site examination which took place last September.

The statement further noted that the draft report was adopted after intense scrutiny and discussions at the plenary which consisted of over 200 high-level officials from across the Caribbean, Canada, United Kingdom, United States, Organisation of the American States (OAS), International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

The assessment is a peer review process where experts from CFATF and FATF jurisdictions assess national measures implemented which are designed to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing, including the forfeiture of criminal instrumentalities and proceeds and assets derived from crime.

“At this face-to-face interrogative peer review engagement, Guyana successfully withstood scrutiny and was able to defend the favourable assessment it received. The adopted Draft Report will now undergo a quality and consistency process with the Financial Action Task Force and the Global Network, prior

to its publication later in 2024.

Whilst the ratings remain confidential until the conclusion of the process, Guyana has provisionally gained good ratings in light of its national coordination mechanisms, the understanding of its risk and context and the operations of its Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU),”

The statement also reads, “Guyana also has demonstrated that it has mechanisms for effective supervision, and preventative measures to enable authorities to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, which encourage the abilities of financial institutions and designated non-financial business professions (DNFBPs) as gatekeepers towards ensuring that they are not abused for AML/CFT purposes.”

The legislative agenda to reform the AML/CFT framework was successful, with Guyana provisionally succeeding in 88% of the recommendations being rated compliant or largely compliant, with 12% rated partially compliant. In none of the areas in which Guyana was examined were there any provisional rating as non-compliant Nandlall, who led Guy -

ana’s delegation assured the Plenary that his country recognises the need to continue to invest in law enforcement authorities to ensure that the ability to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing remains paramount and gains further tangible results in its follow-up process.

Guyana will report back to the CFATF in November 2025 on its follow-up actions based on the final published report. The Guyana delegation included officials from the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs, the Bank of Guyana, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Gold Board, the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), the Guyana Securities Council, the Treaty Office of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Gaming Authority (GA) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Please see attached the address of the Hon. Attorney General to the Plenary.

Senior cop accused of sexual assault

THE Guyana Police Force (GPF)’s Office of Professional Responsibility has launched an investigation after a male constable alleged that a male superintendent of Police sexually assaulted him.

The incident is said to have occurred in the vicinity of the Kingston Seawall, Georgetown sometime in April; the alleged victim reported the assault on Friday night.

The GPF in a statement said that the “allegation is being treated very seriously, and the Superintendent has been relieved of command as the probe continues.”

Minister of Legal Affairs along with other representatives from Guyana

Headteachers must be held accountable

— VP Jagdeo says

— gov’t working on modernising learning; examining e-school in Guyana

WHILE a great number of the nation’s educators are eager to return to their classrooms, some headteachers are attempting to muzzle them and Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has called for those principals to be held accountable.

During a press conference on Thursday last at the Office of the President (OP), he highlighted this

concerning issue and the detrimental effects of it.

“...When you look at the average school attendance for teachers in school, we have 14,000 teachers. Even before the strike, only 70 per cent were going to school. So, on any given day, we had about 4,000 teachers who were not teaching... Not all of them every day, but different ones.

“So, you have to look

at that. And the headteachers have to bear more responsibility in the future. Clearly, in some of the schools, I’ve had cases like two schools now where all the teachers wanted to work and the headteacher didn’t want them to work and threatened them. If they do work, then there will be consequences. Well, there should be consequences against that headteacher, and if they’re intimidating people, then they should not benefit from any of the concessions we make, like the duty-free and everything else.”

titude of the GTU, the Vice President stated, “They believe that we should negotiate under duress too. You shouldn’t negotiate under duress.”

While lamenting that educators who want to work should not be intimidated, Dr Jagdeo also pointed out that people take their kids to school and the principals and even some of the teachers are shutting the door in the morning, telling them, "Go home." The Vice President firmly stated that this should not happen.

Dr Jagdeo underscored that there is a learning loss because of the second strike, this year, which was orchestrated by the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU).

Speaking about the at-

Some teachers across the country have resumed strike action in an attempt to sway the government to begin salary negotiations from the year 2019. However, the government is firm in its position that negotiations must begin from 2024 onwards.

MODERNISING EDUCATION

The government has remained firm on its promise to provide better quality education and with that said, options are being explored that will modernise and expand learning in Guyana

The Vice President said that the government is working on an e-school.

“This e-school model, as I said before, maybe in the future if we have a proper e-school model, then parents can choose that rather than physical school. That’s in the future. But a child must be able, even going through an e-school system, to get the same level of tuition and have the same level of success as if they were going to a physical school, and we should present it as an option to the parents of this country,” Dr Jagdeo said.

Dr Jagdeo further spoke on the provision of school fees to parents to send their children to private schools.

He said: “We have to, in the future, examine whether we’ll give parents a voucher to send their children to a private school or not, because if we’re spending $700,000 now per child and it costs $300,000 to pay for the school fees for the child, we might as well give, in some areas, the parents the $700,000 per child and then let them pay for the school kids.”

Construction worker nabbed with illegal gun

Ranks arrested Tyrese David on a mobile patrol around 22:30 hours in the vicinity of Back Street, Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

According to the police, the ranks observed a male running into a shop and they gave during which he was

apprehended.

A search was conducted on the suspect and the cops found an illegal .38 revolver with the serial number filed off. David allegedly told the police, “Sir, is me own. I got it from the interior."

The police took possession of the firearm, arrested David, and transported him to the Providence Police Station, where he was placed into custody and is slated to be charged.

Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo

POLICE ranks on Friday night arrested a 22-yearold construction worker who claimed that he got his illegal firearm from the interior.

The firearm David was caught with

Bartica’s first resident psychologist aims to positively impact lives

Being able to help those in need and make a positive impact on the lives of all you touch is a powerful gift. Tamana Safraj, at just 28 years of age, has made a name for herself in this area as the first Psychologist in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

In an interview with the Sunday Chronicle, Safraj revealed that she studied in this field for approximately four-anda-half years; she has al-

ways been curious about psychology, and knew of people who just needed someone to talk to.

Safraj said, “My studies started from a road of some hardship with my own life. At the time that I started studying, I was going through a lot.”

Throughout her years of studying, Safraj managed to be the owner of TT Online Shopping, and, more importantly, a mother to her son.

Despite the circum -

stances, Safraj pursued studies through the American University of Peace Studies, where she completed her Diploma studies in December 2020, and graduated as the valedictorian that year.

She also pursued her degree in Psychology, which she completed in December 2022, and graduated in February 2023. She also managed to cop the title of Most Congenial Student for her degree.

BIT developing communities, touching lives

REGION 10 resident, 59-year-old Evadney Lorrimer has expressed deep satisfaction with the programmes offered by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) in the region.

Like Lorrimer, there are hundreds of Guyanese men and women who have benefitted from the vast skills training opportunities offered by the agency.

Lorrimer is one of the 36 females from the batch of 69 Region 10 residents to benefit from the skills training and personal development, thanks to BIT.

According to BIT, Lorrimer is among 14 women who will embark on a comprehensive and engaging Commercial Food Preparation course.

Lorrimer told BIT that she heard about the course through a close friend who prompted her to apply.

“Now that I got through with it, I feel so great. I feel that it can improve my life a lot. Because when I start doing my work in that field, it will help me and encourage me to keep going.”

She is also one of the beneficiaries of the National Pathway Workers initiative, which allows for one person (per household) to work in public offices for ten days

Evadney Lorrimer

per month and earn $40,000.

With the mindset to change this reality, Lorrimer said that she would make the best use of the opportunity.

The mother of two, whose daughters also applied to this year’s batch of programmes, said that she does not intend to keep the skills she received “hidden from others”. Instead, she aims to open a bakery after graduation.

“I want to open this business because people who want cakes and these things can put in their orders. I usually make cakes, and people would give me their orders. So I am happy now that I can get the official training to open my business,” she expressed.

While she initially voiced concern about the timing of the programmes colliding with her work schedule, the determined woman told the training centre that she would put in all the necessary effort to develop herself to achieve her goals.

“They (the Board of Industrial Training) have a good job bringing a programme like this for the people of Region 10. It is a good challenge at this age for me and I am so happy about that,” she noted.

Moreover, one of Lorrimer’s daughters was accepted in the Heavy Duty Equipment Operation (HDEO) programme launched in Region 10.

Although it has only been three months since she began to work at the Health Centre in Bartica, where she practises, the young woman is proud and determined to make the best of her position as a Psychologist in her hometown.

It was highlighted that one of the major challenges in the field of psychology pertains to confidentiality. “Somebody has to trust you before they can come and disclose certain information to you,” she said, adding: “I know that I am mandated to be a confidential person, but you know, from the outside, it takes courage and trust for persons to come in.”

Prior to Safraj’s tenure, a psychiatrist would visit the facility sometimes.

“When people realise that though there may be a stigma attached to mental illness, we want to create an environment where they’re comfortable in disclosing some information that, of course, may be personal, some may be an exploration of thought, and with my presence

Psychologist Tamana Safraj

there, little by little we can help to combat that stigma attached to mental health challenges and issues,” she said.

One of her greatest strengths, she said, is the ability to listen.

“Sometimes that’s all a person needs; for a person to listen to them.

That helps them to ease the burden that they are carrying,” the young psychologist said. In closing, she sought to encourage people not to give up on themselves or their dreams, and to grab every opportunity to further educate themselves. (Faith Greene)

Pakuri Village undergoing unprecedented transformation

- Toshao Andrews highlights his sustainable development plan as village gears up for internal elections - pledges to continue fighting for opportunities for all

By Trina Williams

THE dark cloud that was hindering the development of Pakuri Village in Region Four (previously known as St Cuthbert’s Mission) has disappeared as it is now undergoing an unprecedented transformation, according to Toshao Timothy Andrews.

In an interview with the Sunday Chronicle, the Toshao explained that owing to carefully articulated policies and programmes, the residents of Pakuri are seeing brighter days in almost all of the areas.

He said that under his leadership, Pakuri Village has seen over 30 projects which have contributed to its evolution.

Coupled with the support of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, the Toshao noted that, among some of these projects, the village’s generator has been upgraded from 115 kilo-Volt-Amperes (kVA) four-cylinder to 150 kVA six-cylinder and the build-

ing housing it has been renovated.

Further, under his leadership, the village’s electrification system is currently being upgraded and expanded.

Standing in unison with the commitment of the government to bridge the technological gap between indigenous communities and the rest of the world, the Toshao stated that an Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

hub was built.

Following President, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s vow last year that Pakuri Village will be a model for integrated farms for small communities across the country, Toshao Andrews boasted that several agricultural projects have been rolled out.

According to him, a 40x60 shade house was constructed and the village has been pursuing pineapple cultivation.

He also noted that there

was the resuscitation of the women’s group and the construction of a sewing and training centre.

On the topic of infrastructure, the village has benefitted from dozens of projects such as the upgrading of numerous roads to make accessibility for vehicles easier. He also mentioned that there were repairs done to both of the bridges that led to the “landing road.”

The Kurukubani bridge was also constructed and Toshao Andrews highlighted that there were repairs done to the Connabali bridge.

The construction of a cement bridge at the Taylor Creek area on the village’s main access road and three cement culverts were also executed. Security has also been bolstered as Toshao Andrews noted that more than 150 street lights have been installed.

The village’s well has also been upgraded under his leadership. With the village’s internal elections drawing near, Andrews is

once again throwing his hat in the ring, this time with bigger plans if re-elected.

According to him, he plans to, “Capitalise on the sustainable projects that have started under my leadership within the past three years and implement new sustainable projects and of course continue to make representations for income generating, sustainable projects which are important to create jobs and keep our village economy on a positive path.”

Within his vision for a better Pakuri, he said that focus will be placed on all of the sectors. And as the village continues on the development road, Toshao Andrews has extended his gratitude to the current government for helping him take Pakuri to new heights.

“There are not enough words to explain or express how grateful I am to the PPP government. They have made my job as the Toshao easier, especially His Excellency, President Dr Irfaan Ali [and] the relationship we have built

shows the kind of president we have. They have delivered for my village and my fellow Amerindian brothers and sisters across the county, from the yearly PG grant, 2022 $3 billion supplementary that was allocated for Amerindian development [and] the 15 per cent LCDS benefit sharing programme for Amerindian development is worthy and important to mention and these are just a few to mention,” he stated.

However, he pointed out that the promotion of development was absent under the previous government.

“...It’s not worth comparing [the PPP/C government] with APNU time in office, it was more fighting for survival; like a dark cloud over us,” he said.

With the Opposition suddenly developing care and concern for Amerindians and even attempting to paint the government in an unflattering light, Toshao Andrews has stated that their criticisms are not based on facts.

US$10M state-of-the-art facility to supply high-quality halaal meat

GREENFIELD Meat is constructing a US$10M state-of-the-art halaal meat processing facility in Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) to meet the growing demands for meat in Guyana and the Caribbean.

The company, which is part of the Sheriff Group of Companies, said the meat facility which is slated to become operational by year-end, will incorporate cutting-edge technology and adhere to the highest standards of food security and sustainability.

The state-of-the-

art meat facility, which promises to supply high-quality meat products across the Caribbean, is expected to follow the United States Development of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines in ensuring high-quality standards and efficient operations are met at each stage of its operation.

The company said, “the expansion is not only a testament to Greenfield Meat’s dedication to quality and innovation but also to Guyana’s growing role in the regional agricultural landscape.”

Pakuri Village Toshao, Timothy Andrews

Satellite technology and how it can revolutionise Guyana’s agriculture sector

By Naomi Parris

THE increased demand globally for food and growing threats posed by climate change have put traditional farming practices under pressure.

Satellite technology, however, brings to the agriculture sector a new frontier of practices based on data. In Guyana, Latitude Geospatial – a local technology-driven, Geographic Information System (GIS), and spatial data Provider Company leverages this innovative technology to support food production here.

The Company’s director, Dr. Haimwant Persaud in a recent interview with the Sunday Chronicle said farming and agriculture as a whole could be transformed by satellite technology.

SO HOW DOES IT WORK?

Dr. Persaud explained this particular technology analyses satellite images and remote sensing data to monitor crop health and growth. Using data from satellites insights into soil moisture levels and even weather patterns can accessed. This can also tell farmers how much fertiliser or how much water their crops may need.

“Every day you have about 600 satellites passing over here, there are a lot of them that are periptery and there a lot of them than you can get data from. Most of them are optical which you will see images and pulses going to the ground and out of that, you can detect crop health, you can tell the moisture in the soil and at the same time, you can pull the data from these weather satellites and leverage it” he explained.

This precession-based method of agriculture helps farmers make strategic decisions on when and where to plant their crops for better yields. It also helps farmers to adapt to the changing climate.

“Agriculture is location-based, that is the first thing about agriculture, where the farmers are planting it’s a location and there is data about that location, the activity about planting alone is just one component of agriculture, there are so many others that go into the logistics and understanding.”

Persaud pointed out that the agriculture sector can grow more efficiently and productively with the adop-

tion of technologies and using satellite technology provides numerous opportunities to meet modern agriculture needs.

Simply explained, Persaud said: “Understanding the environment first enables you to make the right decision and that is where location comes in so if I know your plot of land and I could tell you the soil component, the rain that is coming, the frequency of rain that is coming, the moisture in that soil. It could enable you to make proper decisions in real time for you to bring down your cost of operations.”

HOW CAN FARMERS ACCESS THIS TECHNOLOGY?

In Guyana, Latitude Geospatial has developed a mobile app to help farmers monitor their farms.

The satellite-based application Sat2farm Dr. Persaud shared helps farmers manage their farms, monitor health, and irrigation needs and even predict weather forecasts.

This can see farmers cutting their production costs

while improving productivity.

“From the satellite, we can generate as per request, so if a farmer wants to generate a soil report every day. We can generate a soil report every day.”

With this application and the analyses provided, a farmer can access information on crop diseases, signs of stress, and nutrient deficiencies in yields. This can see the farmers taking timely interventions to reduce crop losses.

Additionally, farmers can use data gathered to apply tailored farming methods. Such as adjusting drainage and irrigation needs and with real-time weather forecasts farmers can prepare for weather conditions beforehand.

Pioneering a new era of agriculture production Latitude Geospatial offers state-of-the-art GIS mapping, satellite imager, digital evaluation models (DEMs), Vessel Monitoring Systems, UAV, drone services, and spatial data analytics and satellite-based agriculture crop monitoring.

Latitude Geospatial Director, Dr. Haimwant Persaud

With this application and the analyses provided, a farmer can access information on crop diseases, signs of stress, and nutrient deficiencies in yields. This can see the farmers taking timely interventions to reduce crop losses

Police ranks face rugged terrain, long distances, poor communication to serve Region 7

REGION Seven’s remote location, coupled with the rugged terrain, long distances and poor communication, makes maintaining public safety a formidable task. Despite these challenges, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) remains resolute in its mandate to serve and protect communities here.

Commander of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Senior Superintendent of Police, Dion Moore, highlighted the difficulties his team faces during a recent interview with Radio Eve Leary.

Bartica, known as the "Gateway to the Interior," which is surrounded by dense forests and rivers, is where the regional police headquarters (Bartica Police Station) is also located.

The police ranks stationed there routinely travel the challenging terrain, using boats and all-terrain vehicles to reach the more remote locations. This dedication is not without risks, as the ‘cops’ frequently face inclement weather and dangerous travel routes.

“We don’t really look at the challenges that much. What we focus on is achiev-

ing results and serving the people of the region. Of course, there are challenges, especially with the rainy season upon us. Many trails that we have to traverse… some of them are washed away.

Some of them, the dirt gets loose and large trucks and so that traverse the trails pose a challenge for the smaller vehicles that go through those trails,” Commander Moore explained.

He said officers are well-trained and equipped to handle those conditions.

According to him, the police have undertaken several initiatives to improve their operational efficiency and community relations.

“Yes, they may encounter difficulties but, with the help

of members of the public, they get assistance to navigate their way to get to wherever they have to go. And we as policemen and women, we too assist persons as we go along those trails. Many times, you find a person got stuck; you pull up and provide help for them. Not only just the trails but sometimes the waterways, the hills that you have to go up and come down. That, in itself, poses a high, high difficulty at times.”

He stated that the nearest police station from Bartica is approximately one hour by road or boat. Moore stated that for ranks to reach many of the police stations, particularly those in the number two sub-division, they would

need to fly to Georgetown and then return via aircraft. Region Seven is divided into two sub-divisions. Sub-division number one—Bartica— consists of six police stations, two police outposts and three checkpoints. Sub-division number two has six police stations, two checkpoints and three border stations.

While the number two sub-division can be accessed by road and water at times,

Groups. “We have an excellent working relationship with the community policing group members. Those Community Policing Group members assist on a daily basis in the protection of the border and [ Police ranks].”

He added: “Those Community Policing Group members they live there, they understand the culture, they understand the people and they have been working as-

gagement programmes to foster a sense of trust and cooperation between the police and the residents.

“In most of the areas where there are connectivity issues, there is often some Wi-Fi system that is being provided but it comes at a cost. When we venture out on our outreaches, we will provide WhatsApp numbers to them (residents) so that they can send

Commander Moore said this takes 24 hours or sometimes, two days.

Superintendent Moore noted that the police in Region Seven have excellent collaboration with the various Community Policing

siduously along with the police to ensure that justice is served. They often would give you pertinent information which you can use to prevent security breaches.”

The police in Region Seven conduct regular en -

information,” Moore noted. The government has made significant investments in Community Policing Groups because it recognises their importance in crime prevention in remote and rural communities.

Bartica Police Station

Senior Superintendent, Dion Moore

18 years jail for labourer who sexually assaulted child

A 33-year-old labourer, who was found guilty in May on two charges of engaging in sexual activity with a minor, was, on Thursday last, handed an 18year prison sentence. A mixed 12-member jury found Juewell Williams guilty of committing the crime on a seven-year-old girl.

Judge Simone Morris-Ramlall of the Demerara High Court pre-

sided over his trial. He sexually molested the little child twice, between July 21 and July 31, 2016, and again between July 31, 2016, and June 6, 2018. Williams told the child to keep quiet when he approached her between July 21 and July 31, 2016, according to the prosecution's evidence.

Then he touched her inappropriately on her private area. The girl told her mother what

had happened, but she did nothing. Williams touched the girl once again in the second incident.

The child told her mother again, and she rubbed pepper all over her private part.

Williams' illegal activities were later discovered, and after the girl’s mother carried her to live with her grandmother, the Child Care and Protection Agency got involved.

On both counts, the perpetrator was sentenced to 18 years in jail. However, the judge decided that the sentences run concurrently, so Williams would only spend 18 years in total. Throughout the trial, Williams' defence attorney, Madan Kissoon, made appearances on his behalf, while the prosecution was represented by State Counsel, Muntaz Ali.

Juewell Williams

Guyana, Middle East, West Africa lead with world’s least expensive, low emission barrels

— S&P Global, IEF Report

A JUNE 2024 report prepared by S&P Global and the International Energy Forum (IEF), the world’s largest coalition of energy ministers, has flagged the need for greater investments by oil majors to continue, especially in Guyana and other territories, to meet the growing demand for fossil fuel and its by-products. Specifically, the Upstream Oil and Gas Investment Outlook states that annual upstream investment will need to increase by US$135 billion, to a total of US$738 billion by 2030, to ensure adequate supplies.

The report states that this estimate for 2030 is 15 per cent higher than was assessed by the two entities a year ago and 41 per cent higher than assessed two years ago. They said this is due primarily to rising costs and a stronger demand outlook. Both entities agree nonetheless that “a cumulative US$4.3 trillion will be needed between 2025 and 2030, even as demand growth slows toward a plateau.”

Importantly, the industry leading entities said oil and gas companies are allocating a higher portion of their spending towards decarbonizing operations. This practice essentially increases costs for companies as they tend to methane abatement, flaring reduction, operational and energy efficiency, and Carbon Capture, Utilisation,

and Storage (CCUS). Such factors considered, the report highlighted that the majority of new hydrocarbon supplies can be produced at under US$60 per barrel Brent.

Interestingly, the report highlights Guyana as being one of the three territories leading on low cost of production. “The lowest cost supplies are from the Middle East, Guyana, and West Africa,” the report said, adding, “The average weighted Middle East breakeven price is about $30/bbl Brent, whereas Guyana is US$36/bbl and the average new well in the US requires about $57/ bbl.”

S&P Global and its partner, IEF, pointed out that the highest end of the cost curve includes heavy crudes in Canada and Venezuela, thereby leaving Guyana as an advantaged territory for attracting exploration spend.

While both entities expressed concerns regarding underinvestment in this deca-

de due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict as well as the Palestine-Israel war, they said these risks have receded for a number of reasons. Chief among them was the accelerated output of suppliers like Guyana which is not part of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The report notes that the rise of Non-OPEC suppliers bodes well for the market.

Further, the June 2024 report said, “Guyana is a prime example of where project development is accelerating. Guyana currently has three projects in operation at its prolific Stabroek Block producing approximately 640,000 barrels a day. Authorities are expected to welcome a fourth project in 2025, increasing monthly output by 225,000 bpd.

An ExxonMobil-led consortium which operates the block already has six sanctioned projects to date offshore Guyana.

Body of passenger found in trench hours after accident

THE body of 55-yearold Sooklall Phalous was pulled from a trench at the intersection of South Road and Oronoque Street, Georgetown around 22:50 hours Friday, hours after the taxi he was travelling in, drove into the path of another car.

The accident happened around 18:25 hours and involved motorcar, PJJ 4643 and hire car, HD 5268— the taxi the now deceased man was travelling in. Both drivers were treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for minor injuries.

According to the information received, at about 18:25 hours on Friday PJJ 4643 was proceeding east along South Road at a fast rate, while the hire car was proceeding south along the eastern drive lane of Oronoque Street. While at the intersection of South Road and Oronoque Street, the driver of the taxi reportedly failed to stop and drove into the path of PJJ 4643. The police said that the front of PJJ 4643 collided with the right side of the hire car, and as a result of the collision, the hire car ended up in a trench on the side of the road. The 55-year-old passenger was flung out of the car because of the impact. The drivers of both cars were taken to the hospital. It is unclear at this point if the taxi driver reported that there was a second person in his car. Phalous’ body was not found until 22:50 hours by public-spirited persons. He was taken to the GPHC where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body is at the GPHC's Mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Dominant Swiatek wins third straight...

Swiatek, who won in just 68 minutes.

Swiatek follows Monica Seles and Justine Henin into the record books as the only players to have claimed a ‘three-peat’ in the women’s singles since the Open era began in 1968.

She is the youngest player in the Open era - which ushered in professionalism - to win four titles at Roland Garros.

After sealing victory in little over an hour, Swiatek celebrated by sinking to her knees before dancing around the court.

Congratulating Swiatek in her runners-up speech, Paolini said: "To play you here is the toughest challenge in this sport.

"It's been an intense 15 days, and today was tough, but I'm really proud of myself."

Swiatek dominance underlined in style and stats

Coming into the claycourt major, everyone wondered who could stop Swiatek winning the title again. Ultimately, nobody was able to

provide an answer.

Along with her formidable history at Roland Garros she arrived in hot form, having already won prestigious WTA titles in Madrid and Rome.

Former world number one Naomi Osaka came closest to beating Swiatek, troubling her with powerful returning and holding a match point in their second-round encounter before the top seed recovered.

Since then it has been plain sailing for Swiatek.

A 40-minute ‘double bagel’ over Anastasia Potapova in the fourth round laid down a significant marker, before she dropped just two games against 2019 finalist Marketa Vondrousova in the quarter-finals.

US Open champion Coco Gauff offered more resistance in the semi-finals before Swiatek asserted control against an opponent she has dominated in their previous meetings.

Few people gave Paolini hope of causing what would have been an almighty shock.

After a sloppy start, Swiatek found her rhythm, crushing Paolini in a devastating performance which show -

cased her ability and authority on the red dirt.

The statistics also underline it:

Swiatek has won 21 matches in a row at the French Open - the fourth longest streak in women's singles in the Open era

Swiatek has won 35 of her 37 career matches at Roland Garros

She has not lost in Paris since 2021

After saving match point against Osaka, Swiatek won 64 of 81 games on her way to the title

Only Chris Evert (seven), Steffi Graf (six) and Justine Henin (four) have won more French Open titles than the Pole

Swiatek dropped the fewest games in a French Open final since Henin beat Ana Ivanovic in 2007

Late-blooming Paolini wilts after confident start

Paolini’s run to the final has been the culmination of a fine season where she has registered several career milestones and climbed into the world’s top 10.

Pre-match odds on the 28-year-old causing an up-

set were about 11-1, but the underdog, who was well supported by a crowd containing lots of Italians, began confidently.

Looking unfazed, Paolini was able to use her forehand to good effect and there was a murmur of surprise around the stadium when she deservedly broke for a 2-1 lead.

But Swiatek, whose long miss on break point was illustrative of her lack of precision, instantly replied.

She broke straight back to love as Paolini could not consolidate, with the Italian handing over another break for 4-2 with a double fault.

From that point it was one-way traffic.

Paolini struggled to cope with Swiatek’s weight of shot and began to look overawed by her opponent, although she was boosted by a huge roar when she finally got on the board in a chastening second set.

While a clenched fist showed defiance, she must have known the match would soon be over, and Swiatek subsequently served out an emphatic victory. (BBC Sport)

Guyana’s Edghill gets TT Olympic qualification spot at ...

to Yubin Shin of South Korea 11-7, 11-8, 11-7, and 12-10

President of the Guyana Table Tennis Association and Guyana Olympic Association Godfrey Munroe says, ‘This is a win for Guyana and regional Table Tennis and is a testimony to the talent, hard work and determination of Chelsea, built on the sacrifices of the player’s official’s sponsors and stakeholders of

the past and present.’

He added that ‘It is significant in that is has shown ITTF and IOC recognition of our player’s talent and country programme in selecting Chelsea, this provides the platform for us to continue to enhance the sports profile and market Guyana to the world, lobby for more support for our athletes and truly shows we have players with the talent and ability.’

Munroe added that

‘Olympic prospect Guyana’s Shemar Britton was a key candidate for wild card spot given his performances in international competition during the qualification period June 2023 to June 2024, however he was unable to attend the qualification events due to clashes his final year exams at the Hugh Wooding Law School, the event was a key requirement for wild card spots.’

The Guyana Olympic As-

sociation says they nominated 6 athletes for universality selection places ahead of the qualification period for the Olympics.

The Guyanese nominated are Keevin Allicock and Desmond Amsterdam for Boxing, Shemar Britton and Chelsea Edghill (table tennis), Celi Peterson (Taekwando) and Devin Permaul (archery) with only Edghill gaining a spot at the summer games thus far.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Sunday June 09, 2024) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD -83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 2256158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Tillakaratne Dilshan (SL) – 317 runs (2) Umar Gul (PAK) – 13 wickets Today’s Quiz:

From page 28

From page 28

Celtics dominate Mavericks in Game One of NBA Finals

JAYLEN Brown starred as the Boston Celtics put on a dominant display to beat the Dallas Mavericks 107-89 in game one of the NBA Finals.

The 27-year-old top scored with 22 points, while five of his team-mates also recorded double figures for the Celtics who are aiming to win a record 18th title.

But the Celtics' defensive display was just as good, helping them to a 29-point lead in the first half at the TD Garden in Massachusetts. Mavericks star Luka Doncic, who scored 30 points and 10 rebounds,

helped his side to close the deficit to eight points in the third quarter but the home side pulled away again in the fourth quarter.

"When they cut it to eight, that's when the game started," said Brown.

"I liked how our team responded. We stayed composed. Offensively, we got to our spacing and was able to push that lead back out and make some plays."

Kristaps Porzingis made his return from injury for the Celtics after missing

10 games with a calf injury during the play-offs.

The Latvian, playing against his former side, scored 20 points including 11 from rebounds.

On a disappointing night for the Mavericks, the Texan side will be looking to take hope from their performance in the third quarter.

"I think in those moments we were playing our basketball," said Doncic.

"We were getting stops. We didn't allow them to offensive rebound. We

Concacaf qualification for 2026 FIFA World Cup

were having fun out there in those moments, and that's what we've got to do more."

Boston host game two of the best-of-seven series today.

They are aiming to move clear of the Los Angeles Lakers, who also have 17 NBA Championship titles, and will know that 70 per cent of NBA Finals have been won by the team that was victorious in game one. (BBC Sport)

Jamaica clinch narrow 1-0 win against Dominican Republic– 2nd round

MIAMI, (CMC) – Caribbean Football Union No.

1 Jamaica was one of five teams that won their opening matches on Thursday in the second round of Concacaf qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The trend of home teams remaining unbeaten continued on the second match day, and the Jamaicans – the Reggae Boyz – were one of the four teams that kept that in place.

AT THE NATIONAL STADIUM: Shamar Nicholson scored the only goal in the 17th minute of the Group E match to hand Jamaica a 1-0 win against the Dominican Republic in Kingston.

Nicholson put the finishing touch on a counterattacking move following a DR corner kick, and Renaldo Cephas led the breakaway and provided the assist.

Jamaica travel to face Dominica today in Roseau, while the DR head home to Santo Domingo to host the British Virgin Islands on Tuesday.

AT THE ROMMEL FERNÁNDEZ STADIUM:

A pair of second half strikes from Cristian Martínez and José Rodrí guez gave hosts and Concacaf No. 3 Panama a 2-0 win against Guyana in their Group D contest in Panama City.

Martinez broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute with a goal from inside the box, connecting on a pass over the top from Adalberto Carrasquilla, and Rodriguez followed up three minutes later with a one-time finish on the other end of a service from Edgar Barcenas.

Panama face Montserrat today in Managua, Nicaragua, and Guyana meet Belize

on Tuesday at Wildey Turf in Barbados.

AT THE NATIONAL STADIUM: A brace from Orlanda Galo enabled hosts and Concacaf No. 5 Costa Rica to end with the biggest win of the day when they crushed St Kitts & Nevis 4-0 in a Group B match in San José.

Galo struck with a header from inside the box to open the scoring in the 40th minute, connecting on a long service from Jefferson Brenes following a throw-in to give the Costa Ricans a 1-0 halftime lead, and he followed up with a left-footed strike from a little outside the box 10 minutes later.

Josimar Alcócer came off the bench to extend the lead for the Ticos in the 83rd minute, and Andy Rojas, another second half substitute, scored one minute later to formalise the result.

Costa Rica will travel to face Grenada today in St George’s, and the Kittitians – the Sugar Boyz – will host The Bahamas on Tuesday in Basseterre.

AT THE NACIONAL CHELATO UCLÉS: Honduras outclassed Cuba 3-1 in a lopsided contest in Group A in Tegucigalpa.

Maykel Reyes capped off a counterattack with a chipped ball past the keeper from the penalty arc in the 23rd minute to give the Cubans the lead, but Antony Lozano equalised three minutes later, taking advantage of a free kick from short distance, the Hondurans took over from there.

Edwin Rodriguez gave them a 2-1 half-time lead with a left-footed shot from inside the box in the second minute of first half stoppage time.

They managed to hold onto that one-goal advantage before Rubilio Castillo put the match out of the reach of the Cubans with a strike off a long pass from the right side of the box by fellow second half substitute David Ruiz in the 82nd minute.

Honduras travel to play Bermuda today in Hamilton, while Cuba host the Cayman Islands on Tuesday in Santiago de Cuba.

AT WILDEY TURF:

CFU No. 2 Haiti came from behind to beat St Lucia 2-1 in their Group C match in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Caniggia Elva put the St Lucians on the tins in the 18th minute, but Jean-Kevin Duverne equalised for Haiti in the 47th minute, connecting with a strong header off a corner kick service from Fabrice Picault, and Duckens Nazon completed the

comeback after powering through the defence for the match-winning goal in the 78th minute.

The Haitians remain in Bridgetown to face home team Barbados today, where the St Lucians will host Aruba on Tuesday.

AT THE CUSCATLÁN STADIUM: Hosts El Salvador played to a scoreless draw with Puerto Rico in San Salvador.

Suriname, who won on Wednesday, maintain their spot at the top of the group with the result, while Anguilla are yet to play their first match.

El Salvador face St Vincent and the Grenadines today in Paramaribo, Suriname, and Puerto Rico will host Anguilla on Tuesday in Bayamon.

Messi unsure of 2026 World Cup participation

LIONEL Messi has cast doubt upon his chances of playing at a 13th major tournament for Argentina at the 2026 World Cup.

The Inter Miami star will turn 39 during that tournament, which takes place in the United States, Canada and Mexico in two years' time.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has seemingly left the door ajar to a final swansong at the world's biggest international tournament, though he admits his participation will be dependent on how he feels as he edges closer to the end of his

glittering career.

"It depends on how I feel, on how I am physically," Messi said in an interview with Infobae.

"I have to be realistic with myself and know if I am up to the task of being able to compete and help the team-mates next to me. There is some time left, and I don't know how I will be at that moment.

"Age is also a reality, although it is a number, and the games that I am going to play [at Inter Miami] are not the same as the ones I played when I was in Europe.

"It will depend on how I feel, what I feel when I'm

next to my team-mates, and I'll see if I'm still up to par or not."

Messi has 12 goals and nine assists in 12 MLS appearances this season, with the Argentina captain set to lead his country's bid to retain their Copa America title in the coming weeks.

La Albiceleste kickoff their campaign against Canada on June 20 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and Messi believes the competition at this year's tournament is as strong as it has ever been.

"I think that Argentina is always favourite," he said.

"When a tournament starts, be it a World Cup, Copa America or whatever, Argentina is a candidate just like Brazil and more so in this Copa America.

"But I think that today the South American teams are very strong. Uruguay are very good, as are Colombia and Ecuador. I think it will be a very level Copa America."

Lionel Scaloni will take charge of Argentina at a fourth international tournament and will be hopeful his number 10 can lead them to glory once more.

Amid talk it could be Messi's last competition with

his country, Scaloni wants supporters to focus on the present, rather than looking to the future.

"We Argentines are too melancholic. We are already thinking about the day when he is not there, when he is still playing," Scaloni told Telemundo Deportes.

"Let's enjoy it and we'll see tomorrow, because I think the present is so important, not only for Argentina, because, in the end, Leo plays for those who like football. Someday it will happen."(Sportsmax)

Jaylen Brown was one of six Celtics players to score double figures

Argentina great, Lionel Messi

Miller helps South Africa avoid shock against Dutch

Miller made an unbeaten half-century as South Africa avoided a hattrick of World Cup upsets against the Netherlands with a nervy four-wicket victory in New York.

The Dutch posted a modest 103-9 after being asked to bat first as Sybrand Engelbrecht’s disciplined 40 off 45 balls helped them recover from 48-6.

Ottniel Baartman bowled beautifully to finish with 4-11 for the Proteas, but a shock looked on the cards when the Netherlands reduced South Africa to 3-3 and then 12-4.

Tristan Stubbs (33) and Miller steadied the ship for South Africa before the Netherlands attack rallied to take two quick wickets late in the game.

South Africa needed 15 off the final 12 balls but Miller got it done with an over to spare with some clean ball striking.

He sealed the victory with

a huge heave off Bas de Leede over square leg to finish on 59 not out off 51 balls.

Dutch give Proteas a real fright

The Netherlands have been South Africa's bogey team in recent tournaments.

A Dutch win over the Proteas at the last T20 World Cup at the Adelaide Oval ended South Africa's semi-final hopes.

Then at last year's 50over version the Oranje sprung another surprise in Dharamsala when they ended

South Africa’s unbeaten run in the tournament.

South Africa would have been desperate to avoid the embarrassment of a defeat to the Associate nation, where there is a small but enthusiastic cricket community numbering some 6,000 active players.

There was certainly a zeal to the way in which the Proteas' bowlers approached their task, hitting the right lengths with excellent use of the short ball.

Anrich Nortje (2-19) and

Marco Jansen (2-20) backed up the excellent Baartman.

They were, however, blunted by Engelbrecht, a former South Africa under-19 player who moved to the Netherlands to work in real estate, as he rescued his side from a parlous position.

He only hit two fours and one six but eked the Dutch to some sort of total with assistance from Logan van Beek’s useful 23.

A weekend atmosphere at the ground attended by people from around globe – there are reputedly 800 languages spoken in New York – created the best atmosphere at this venue in Eisenhower Park so far.

Quinton de Kock’s run out for a duck without facing began a series of wickets which saw any of 14,167 crowd, mostly cheering on the Dutch, lingering at the pretzel, hot dog and bagel stalls rush back into the stands.

Reeza Hendricks was bowled by a beauty from Van Beek, Aiden Markram was strangled down the leg side by the impressive Vivian Kingma (2-12) who then snared Heinrich Klaasen.

There must have been panic in the South Africa dressing room but a combination of youth and experience plugged the holes in what looked to be a sinking ship.

Stubbs had struggled in South Africa’s first game on this pitch but played with calm fluency alongside the wise head of Miller.

Paul van Meekeren’s miserly four overs, costing just 13 runs, kept the Dutch in the contest before De Leede and Van Beek removed Stubbs and Jansen.

Miller pointedly turned down a single off the last ball of 17th over and backed himself to get the job done against De Leede in the penultimate over. He did just that.

'It is big for us' - what they said

South Africa captain Aiden Markram: "They've proven many times they can beat the best teams in the world. There isn't a mental block or anything and once a team gets a bit of momentum, particularly the Netherlands, they make things quite tricky.

"It shows we're moving forward as a squad and dealing with these things better.

"It is big for us. The wins aren't always going to be pretty and convincing but if you look at 12-4 not many people are giving us a chance from there and it is massive for the team, environment and confidence to win."

Netherlands captain Scott Edwards: "Obviously extremely close. With 110 on the board, only an over can change a game.

“We pride ourselves on playing good tournament cricket, but it wasn’t to be today." (BBC Sport)

Afghanistan crush New Zealand to increase Super Eight chances

AFGHANISTAN boosted their Super Eight chances with yet another dominating win, this time thumping New Zealand by 84 runs at Providence. Having beaten Uganda by 125 runs in their opening match, they are now at the top of Group C with a net run rate of 5.225.

After being sent in, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran gave Afghanistan a start of 103 in 14.3 overs.

It came off the back of the 154 the pair added against Uganda, thus making them the first opening pair to register two successive century stands in the history of the T20 World Cup.

Afghanistan’s was an innings of two halves. They scored 55 for no loss in the first 10 overs and 104-6 in the last 10, with Gurbaz contributing 80 off 56 balls and Zadran 44 off 41.

New Zealand, who had decided not to play any warm-up games, looked every bit rusty as their fielders dropped catches and missed run-out opportunities.

With the pitch assisting both seamers and spinners, chasing 160 was not going to be easy. But few would have expected New Zealand to collapse in the manner they did.

Fazalhaq Farooqi picked up three wickets in

the powerplay and Rashid Khan three just after it. Eventually, both ended with identical figures of 4-17 as New Zealand were bowled out for 75 in the 15.2 overs. Glenn Phillips and Matt Henry were the only New Zealand batters to reach the double digits.

(ESPNcricinfo)

Sri Lanka staring at exit after Bangladesh defeat

DALLAS, Texas, ( CMC

)– Bangladesh dealt Sri Lanka their second straight defeat of the Twenty20 World Cup, to leave the 2014 champions staring at an early exit from the ICC showpiece.

Experienced left-arm spinner Mustafizur Rahman (3-17) and 21-year-old leg-spinner Rishad Hossain (3-22) picked up three-wicket hauls to limit Sri Lanka to an inadequate 124 for nine off their 20 overs at Grand Prairie Stadium, opener Pathum Nissanka top-scoring with a 28-ball 47. Bangladesh then recovered from six for two in the

here Friday.

Hridoy

36 from 38 balls, the pair posting a precious 63 for the fourth wicket.

Sri Lanka lost their opener to South Africa when they mustered only 77 in New York and will now look to their remaining games against minnows Nepal and the Netherlands for redemption.

“I am sure the team at the moment obviously with this loss they were very disappointed and I can see their mood in the dressing room now,” said Sri Lanka’s team manager Mahinda Halangoda. “But I’m sure after we

get back, the coaches and everyone will be talking to them, and we will come back strong.

“I’m sure we will do much better in Florida because the Florida wicket is also quite good. Not that this wicket was bad.

“I think it was much better than the New York wicket, and we are hopeful that we will do much better against Nepal and Netherlands.”

Nissanka blasted seven fours and a six to provide Sri Lanka’s early momentum and when he departed in the ninth over – the second of Mustafizur’s wickets –

Dhananjaya de Silva (21) and Charith Asalanka (19) put on a further 30 for the fourth wicket to get their side past the 100-run mark.

Openers Soumya Sarkar (0) and Tanzid Hasan (3) then perished cheaply to give Sri Lanka hope in the chase and when captain Najmul Hossain (7) followed, Bangladesh’s innings lay in strife at 28 for three in the sixth over.

But Towhid clobbered a four and four sixes and Liton, a brace of fours and a six, to defy new ball seamer Nuwan Thushara’s four for 18 and see their side over the line.

Rashid Khan was New Zealand's tormentor-in-chief with 4-17 (ICC/Getty Images)

DAVID

David Miller hit an unbeaten 59 to see South Africa to victory

over to overhaul their target by two wickets with an over to spare and make a winning start to their campaign

Opener Pathum Nissanka shows frustration during Sri Lanka’s defeat to Bangladesh

National Novices Championship to run from June 13 to 15

BUILDING on an already eventful year for the discipline, the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will conduct its National Novices Championship on June 13th at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.

The three-day event, which continues on June 14th and concludes on June 15th at the same facility, will feature representation from approximately seven gyms across the various regions.

They are: Forgotten Youth Foundation, the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, Pace and Power, Vergenoegen, New

Amsterdam Academy, and Republicans.

GBA Technical Director and administrator of the annual programme, Terrence Poole, said, “This is the breeding ground and starting point for many boxers in the sport. This is where we identify future and potential talents, because often this is where they start their respective careers.”

According to Poole, “We are expecting a lot of excitement because most of the boxers will be new to the sport and, though not technically correct, are very eager and enthusiastic. After the event, we will identify the re-

spective talents and call them to camps and trials so that they can get more specialised

and experienced training. This is where we look to the future, and we have discov-

ered many talented boxers in this tournament throughout the years.”

Meanwhile, GBA President Steve Ninvalle noted, “This is our ‘year one’ in the development of boxing. This is our nursery, the stage where we plan for our future by unearthing new talents and beginning the eventual and natural process of transition. The Novices Championship holds an innate importance in the grand scheme of our developmental system and should not be overlooked in any way but viewed as an example and opportunity for the future generations of pugilists to make their mark

and seek recognition in the sport.”

He further said, “The GBA remains steadfast in its pursuit of excellence in the discipline by building on existing programmes and by implementing modern standards and practices that are proven and respected by the global boxing community.

The nursery is vital in this regard, and we will continue to work and support its advancement given its empirical value, which has led to Guyana maintaining its dominance in the English-speaking Caribbean region.”

Joel Garner to be honoured during Caribbean Week

BRIDGETOWN, Barba -

dos, (CMC) – Former West Indies fast bowler, Joel Garner will be honoured during Caribbean Week, which will be hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) from June 16 to 21 in the United States.

According to a CTO media release, the 71-yearold, affectionately known to friends and associates as “Big Bird” (or simply, “Bird”) will

join the line-up of delegates heading to the event in New York City.

Garner will participate in a cricket ceremony and watch party on Monday, June 17, at the Caribbean-owned and operated S’Aimer NYC restaurant during an event supported by Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.

He will be honored for his contribution to the sport and tourism development during

the ceremony, which will be attended by Cayman Islands minister of tourism and ports, and CTO chairman, Kenneth Bryan, and Barbados Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill.

“It’s important that we recognise the significance of cricket and sports in tourism development, and especially important that we honour our legends,” Cayman Islands

director of tourism and CTO director, Rosa Harris said.

“Their contributions have been invaluable in promoting our region.”

Standing 6 feet, 8 inches tall, Garner was a formidable presence for batsmen in the 1970s and 1980s, renowned for his blistering pace, towering bounce, and devastating yorkers that often sent stumps flying.

He ended his internation-

al career with 259 wickets at 20.97 apiece in 58 Tests and 146 scalps at 18.84 each in 98 One-day Internationals. He played his final Test in 1987, and he was the last of the West Indies pace attack – once dubbed “The Four Horsemen of Apocalypse” – that comprised Sir Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, and Colin Croft to retire.

Hope returns to Amazon Warriors, while Klaasen joins Kings

CASTRIES, St Lucia, (CMC) – Several players currently featuring in the ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States for West Indies and visiting teams can start to make plans for after the global showpiece.

Caribbean Premier League organisers announced on Thursday that defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors and title hopefuls St Lucia Kings have named their list of retained players for the coming season scheduled to played from August 29 to October 6. West Indies One-day International captain Shai Hope, the 2023 CPL Player-of-the-Tourna -

ment, and exciting Guyanese fast bowler Shamar Joseph are two of the five members of the West Indies World Cup squad that have found favour with Amazon Warriors.

The other three are hometown favourites, left-handed batsman Shimron Hetmyer, leftarm spinner Gudakesh Motie, and all-rounder Romario Shepherd.

The Amazon Warriors won their maiden CPL title last year, and they have retained the core of the team that helped them secured the trophy and confirmed nine players so far for the tournament.

They can sign up to five overseas players, with the remaining three squad members to be filled at the CPL Draft, which will take place in July.

The rest of the players retained by the Warriors are West Indies Test off-spinner Kevin Sinclair and fellow international, all-rounder Keemo Paul, as well as emerging batsman Kevlon Anderson and off-spinner Junior Sinclair.

The Kings – the only one of the established franchises yet to win

the CPL – have gained a boost to their batting stocks, which have often let them down, with highly regarded South African wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen being named among 12 confirmed players for the tournament.

Klaasen, former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, as well as Afghanistan left-arm spinner Noor Ahmed, South Africa-born Namibia all-rounder David Wiese, and Sri Lanka batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa form the early members of the Kings

foreign contingent.

The Kings have retained the core of their Caribbean players that helped them secure a fourth consecutive playoff spot last year with World Cup trio of hometown favourite Johnson Charles, West Indies vice-captain Alzarri Joseph, and all-rounder Roston Chase being secured.

West Indies World Cup reserve Matthew Forde and Trinidadian left-arm spinner Khary Pierre are also returning, as well as pacers Shadrack Descarte and McKenny Clarke.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle GBA Technical Director Terrence Poole

Former West Indies fast bowler

Barbados and West Indies batter Shai Hope

Australia blitz, Zampa guile leave England title defence in the balance Batting cameos underpin Australian victory as reigning champions fall away in chase

AUSTRALIA outplayed England in Barbados to leave the defending champions sweating on their qualification for the Super 8s. They posted the highest score of the T20 World Cup to date after David Warner and Travis Head blitzed 70 runs in the first five overs, before Adam Zampa made the difference in England's lacklustre run chase.

(Scores: Australia 201 for 7 (Warner 39, Marsh 35, Head 34, Stoinis 30) beat England 165 for 6 (Buttler 42, Cummins 2-23, Zampa 2-28) by 36 runs

The result is not terminal for England's title defence, but they have one point from their first two matches and face an anxious week ahead in Antigua.

They will almost certainly need to beat both Oman (on Thursday) and Namibia (on Saturday), but even then would likely have to rely on net run rate to qualify for the second round ahead of Scotland.

The dimensions played a major role at Kensington Oval: one square boundary was nine metres shorter than the other, measured at just 58m. Australia targetted it, almost immediately. Will Jacks, surprisingly given the second over, conceded three sixes in his first four balls, all flying over the shorter leg-side boundary;

Mark Wood's first over from the same end also cost 22. Australia's total relied on cameos throughout their batting line-up rather than one substantial innings. Warner, likely facing England for the final time in international cricket, top-scored with 39 but everyone in their top five reached at least 28; Matthew Wade's 10-ball 17 not out was another useful contribution from No. 7, taking Australia past 200.

England, by contrast, fell away badly after Zampa accounted for both of their openers - Jos Buttler and Phil Salt - inside his first 11 balls. They were 73 for 0 after seven overs but only managed 92 for 6 in the following 13, their middle order failing to adjust to a dry

pitch quickly enough against a clinical Australian attack.

Head, Warner's fast start

For the first time in their T20 history, England opened the bowling with spin from both ends. It didn't work: Moeen Ali's first over cost only three runs to Head and Warner, Australia's left-handed opening pair, but Jacks - who had only bowled two overs in his 14 previous T20Is - was pumped over the short boundary three times in four balls.

Wood took over from Jacks at the same end and his first over was equally as expensive: he tried to tuck Warner up and bowl to his sweepers, but instead fed his strengths and was cracked over the short side for three more sixes and a four.

Moeen broke through when a ball skidded under Warner's bottom edge, but only after conceding two fours and a six in his second over.

Jofra Archer was the quickest England bowler to adjust to the conditions, using his slower balls and dragging his length back, and could celebrate a first international wicket in Barbados when his offcutter burst through Head and hit middle and off stumps. Even still, Australia's 74 for 2 was their highest powerplay at a men's T20 World Cup.

Australia's strong finish

England started to drag things back when the field spread, though Mitchell Marsh continued to find the boundary. He nailed a pull over midwick-

et and onto the solar panels on the roof of a stand off Adil Rashid, and swung Archer over the leg-side boundary after the mid-innings drinks break.

Glenn Maxwell's 28 off 25 was his joint-highest T20 score since February but he and Marsh fell within four balls of one another: Marsh was stumped by Buttler at the second attempt off Livingstone's legspin, and Maxwell picked out deep midwicket off Rashid. At 142 for 4 in the 15th over, Australia needed a strong finish.

But Marcus Stoinis, Tim David and Wade ensured they reached 200 with regular boundaries at the back end and England became ragged in the field: Rashid threw his hands up in frustration when Stoinis

picked up four from a toe-ended reverse-sweep, Archer and Jonny Bairstow leaving the ball to one another at point and backward point.

Zampa makes the difference England's openers looked to maximise the powerplay, with Buttler using his feet to target Josh Hazlewood and Salt launching a 106-metre six off his Kolkata Knight Riders team-mate Mitchell Starc. The seventh over, Starc's third, then cost 19: Head caught Salt at deep third but while stepping on the boundary, and Buttler picked off a six then a four.

But on a dry surface, Zampa was the key bowler and struck with his first ball, which crashed into the top of Salt's off stump as he looked to create room to cut. In Zampa's second over, Buttler swung him down the ground for six but then reverse-swept straight to Pat Cummins at point, leaving 109 required off the final 10 overs.

Will Jacks cracked one boundary off Cummins but then picked out Starc at longoff, who took an excellent diving catch off Stoinis, and Bairstow looked short on rhythm throughout his 13ball 7. Moeen briefly threatened something special, hitting three sixes in a Maxwell over, but the required rate proved insurmountable.

(Espn Criciinfo)

Fireworks expected in 400m at AP Invitational

THE 400m at this year’s AP Invitational, set for June 22 at the National Track and Field Centre, promises to be exhilarating, following the announcement of a stellar line-up featuring future stars of Guyana’s track and field alongside some of the best athletes in the region.

The women’s event will feature Olympian and national record holder Aliyah Abrams, as well as Youth Commonwealth Games champion Tianna Springer.

Abrams’ time of 50.20 seconds at the NACAC New Life Invitational not only secured her the win but also broke Aliann Pompey’s previous national record of 50.71 seconds, set at the World Championships in Berlin, Germany, in 2009.

Although Abrams’ record-breaking performance was remarkable, she will need to replicate or improve it during the Olympic qualification period (July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024) to book her spot at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. The Olympic qualifying time for the women’s 400m event is 50.95 seconds, and

currently, Abrams’ season best stands at 51.93 seconds.

Meanwhile, although Springer is not yet close to Olympic qualification for the Paris Games, pundits are eager to see the double gold medallist

from the CARIFTA Games face tougher competition, especially since she remains undefeated in the 400m at local, regional, and international championships.

Springer ended 2023 with the seventh-fastest time by an under-18 athlete in the world, while her 52.31 seconds at this year’s CARIFTA Games is currently the second-fastest under-18 time globally.

The 17-year-old had a stellar 2023, winning the 400m at the CARIFTA Games and the South American U20 Championship in Athletics, where she also broke the event’s record.

Additionally, she swept the Youth Commonwealth Games, winning Guyana’s first individual gold medal in the even’s history.

Colombia’s Melany Balono, Chinenye Onuorah of Thailand, and the Dominican Republic’s Milagros.

Duran are the overseas athletes, while Deshana Skeete, Kenisha Phillips, and Narissa McPherson are the other Guyanese competitors in the line-up.

On the men’s side, the competition features Arinze Chance, CARIFTA Games U20 400m Champion Malachi Austin, and the Dominican Republic’s Lidio Feliz.

Chance, known for his 400m prowess during his collegiate career, recorded a personal best of 46.01 seconds in 2019. His season’s best this year is 47.67 seconds, achieved in April.

Austin is one of Guyana’s promising prospects in the 400m. His 46.35 seconds, which won him first place in the Men’s U20 event at the CARIFTA Games this year, makes the 17-year-old the fourth- fastest U18 athlete in the world.

Feliz, along with Alexander Ogando, Marileidy Paulino, and

Anabel Medina, finished second in the Tokyo Olympics 4x400m Mixed Relay with a time of 3:10.21, just behind Poland (3:09.87) and ahead of the USA (3:10.22).

Feliz again teamed up with Ogando, Paulino, and Fiordaliza Cofil to win the 4x400m mixed relay at the 2022 World Championships with a time of 3:09.82, beating the Netherlands (3:09.90) and the USA (3:10.16).

Feliz’s personal best is 44.26 seconds, set in 2022, while his season’s best is 46.25 seconds. Renny Quow, the 400m bronze medalist at the 2009 World Championships, is also part of the line-up. Quow, now 36, has had a stellar career but has never qualified for the Olympics.

The Dominican Republic’s Nefer Santana and Wilbert Encarnacion are the other athletes registered in the 400m for this year’s AP Invitational.

Tianna Springer Aliyah Abrams

Adam Zampa celebrates the dismissal of Phil Salt • I(CC via Getty Images)

David Warner ignited Australia’s innings with 39 from 16 balls

Dominant Swiatek wins third straight French Open title

IGA Swiatek achieved the rare feat of winning a third successive French Open women's title with a comprehensive victory over Italian 12th seed Jasmine Paolini.

Poland’s Swiatek continued her recent dominance on the Roland Garros clay with a 6-2 6-1 win against firsttime major finalist Paolini.

The world number one trailed by an early break but instantly hit back, winning 11 of the next 12 games to secure victory.

It has secured 23-yearold Swiatek a fourth title in Paris and a fifth Grand Slam triumph overall after her victory at the 2022 US Open.

"I love this place, I wait every year to play here," said

Guyana’s Edghill gets TT Olympic qualification spot at Paris Olympics …says she

is

humble after tough year to qualify for the summer games

OLYMPIAN Chelsea

Edghill is set to once again compete at the highest level of her Sport representing Guyana and the English-speaking Caribbean at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games set for July 26 to August 10 in Paris, France.

Edghill, who lost in her latest Olympic qualification bid at the Americas Pan American qualification event in Cuba last month has again collected the covet Olympic

spot

She will receive only two wild cards allocated for the discipline in the world, with the other going to a male after gaining the votes of the International Olympic Committee (IOC and International Table Tennis Federation.

(ITTF)

She told Chronicle Sport that ‘I am happy about qualifying again for the Olympics, it is really unexpected, given the kind of years I have had

leading up to the games, I definitely didn’t expect it, but overall I am very grateful and humbled by the opportunity to represent Guyana at the Olympics.

Edghill also participated for Guyana at the delayed Tokyo Games in Japan. At the Tokyo Games, she clinched her opener against two-time Olympian Sally Yee of Fiji to earn a birth to the main draw. In the main draw she lost

Continued on page 22

Jonathan Jurejko BBC Sport journalist at Roland Garros

Iga Swiatek has lifted the French Open trophy in four of the past five years

Olympian Chelsea Edghill