Guyana Chronicle 11-19-2023 by Guyana Chronicle

19th NOVEMBER, 2023

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‘No effort will be spared’

No.107269

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…to protect Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity – President Ali says - warns against misinformation, fearmongering

Guyana leading discussions with Saudi Arabia for US$25M food production facility

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- US$2.5B set aside for development of the Caribbean region

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces President Dr. Irfaan Ali (right) engages Chief of Staff of the GDF Brigadier Omar Khan (Office of the President photo)

‘Cover blown’

- President Ali highlights one-sided nature of U.S. ‘fact-finding’ delegation

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Beating stereotypes…

Guyana signs Declaration on Dr. Singh shares his journey from humble Children, Youth and Climate Action SEE PAGE

beginnings to being the country’s CMO

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

‘No effort will be spared’

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

…to protect Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity – President Ali says - warns against misinformation, fearmongering

By Trina Williams AMIDST continued aggression from Venezuela and the Government of Nicolas Maduro to forge ahead with its illegal December 3, 2023, referendum on Guyana’s Essequibo region, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday reaffirmed that his administration is “sparing no effort” to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Head of State made the declaration during a press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, where he noted that Guyana is actively engaging its foreign partners. “…What is necessary at this time is for us to do everything at every level to ensure that Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is kept intact,” he stated. The President then firmly stated that Guyana’s strategic partners will not stand aside and allow its territorial sovereignty to be trampled upon. With Venezuela seemingly going full speed ahead with its referendum, President Ali has been treating this matter with the utmost seriousness, as he has been engaging the international and regional community. “I’m confident that are our partners will be alongside us should Venezuela act wrongly [and] act recklessly,” Dr. Ali. He added, “We are sparing no effort and I am confident that the work we are doing will

not only ensure this. “As your President, I am confident that the course Guyana is taking will not only bring us success but will ensure that our region remains a region of peace.” The President also addressed any doubts about the support of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). “All of the CARICOM leaders have expressed their unequivocal support to Guyana,” he said while underscoring that the Heads of Government understand that the Guyana/Venezuela controversy is before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and not open for discussion. Apart from gathering support from the diplomatic community, the Head of State remarked that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has also been “aggressively communicating” with other military counterparts. “…The Chief of Staff himself, and other chiefs in the region and outside of the region, and this has been going on at a rapid and continuous pace,” he related. Willing to engage Maduro Because the Spanish-speaking country is Guyana’s neighbour, President Ali said he is open to discussions with the Venezuelan President, but not on the Guyana/Venezuela controversy since the matter is before the World Court. “We have chosen the ICJ as the place where the controversy from Venezuela must be settled. The matter is properly before the court so it is not up

for negotiations and discussions,” he said. Refusing to by-pass the ICJ, the Head of State told reporters, “As a good neighbour, understanding that we live in the same region and share the same space, understanding that there are important issues that must be addressed together, I have always said that I am prepared to meet on this matter and address those issues as all good neighbours do.” Fear Mongering President Ali also spoke about social media being used as a vehicle by many to drive fear into the populace. He referenced fake press releases being circulated on social media and called on citizens to only rely on the Government of Guyana, GDF and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation for information. “I can assure members of the public that we are actively [and] continuously ensuring domain awareness. And I want to commend our men and women in uniform for the work that they're doing, and the type of information set that allows us to be confident in what we're doing. “I believe strongly that there is no fear that should be driven in the Guyanese people or in your psyche at this moment,” the President emphasised. Furthermore, the President stated that he will be engaging members of the media on a strategy to educate the population. “…We should be very

careful of not sensationalising this issue and coming up with the wrong assumptions and creating unnecessary unease,” he added. Recently, old videos have been circulated on various social media platforms such as Tik Tok. Some of these videos take shape of military operations from both Guyana and Venezuela. Meanwhile, responding directly to reports of residents in border communities being urged to move away, the President said this should not be. “There is absolutely no reason to move from anywhere. “That is the type of fear-mongering that people are pushing on social media but there is absolutely no reason (to move) and the Guyana Defence Force is working very steadily and as I said before I am confident in their ability, the work they are doing and the type of discussions we are having with our partners,” the Head of State said. All previous dispute resolutions and more specifically, bilateral talks, were futile in solving the Guyana/Venezuela controversy. On October 3, 1899, the arbitral tribunal created by the Washington Treaty issued its decision. That award gave Venezuela ownership of the entire mouth of the Orinoco

President Dr Irfaan Ali during the press conference

River and the area next to it, while the United Kingdom was granted ownership of the land eastward to the Essequibo River. A joint Anglo-Venezuelan panel was tasked with drawing the border delineated by the 1899 Award the following year. The assignment was completed by the commission between November 1900 and June 1904. Following the boundary's demarcation, on January 10, 1905, the British and Venezuelan commissioners created an official boundary map and signed a document acknowledging, among other things, that the sites indicated' coordinates were accurate. Furthermore, the ICJ is expected to rule soon on Guy-

ana’s request for provisional measures to prevent Venezuela from proceeding with its planned referendum on the unlawful territorial claim to the Essequibo region. Guyana is also seeking from the court an order preventing Venezuela from taking any action to seize, acquire, encroach upon, or assert or exercise sovereignty over the Essequibo region or any other part of Guyana’s national territory, pending the court’s final determination of the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award that established the land boundary between the two states and the final and binding nature of that boundary.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

Guyana leading discussions with Saudi Arabia for US$25M food production facility

- President Ali announces - US$2.5B set aside for development of the Caribbean By Trina Williams AS Guyana continues to lead the way in food security within the Caribbean region, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced that the country is leading discussions with Saudi Arabia for the establishment of a US$25 million facility, catered to accelerate food production. The Head of State made this announcement on Saturday during a press conference at the Arthur

Chung Conference Centre. “Guyana is leading this discussion on the $25 million facility to accelerate food production by looking at a hydroponics facility for the entire region. “We have submitted all the studies, and I am confident that before the end of this year we can see this project advance towards implementation,” President Ali said. These discussions stemmed from a Caribbean Community (CARICOM)/Saudi Arabia

Summit, which was held in the capital city of Riyadh. Deeming it a “tremendous” success, President Ali said that fellow CARICOM Heads of Government left the summit with a sense of pride, given that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia now fully understands the value of CARICOM as an important development and strategic partner in areas such as energy, food and climate security. Notably, the President said that a grant of US$2.5 billion from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been set aside and targets the development of the Caribbean region. President Ali also reflected on the fact that

President Dr. Irfaan Ali with officials of Saudi Arabia and CARICOM Heads of Government at the CARICOM/Saudi Arabia Summit (Office of the President photo)

when he started this journey of expanding Guyana’s diplomatic relationship within the Middle East, many doubted this effort. However, the President dispelled the negativity by speaking on the fruitfulness of the relationship. He said, “Saudi Arabia, Qatar are now helping us, through a grant, with the building of a new stadium that will be in Region Three, approving the road project…” He also briefly touched on the massive developments being achieved through the US$150 million agreement that was signed earlier this year to finance infrastructural

works in Guyana’s housing sector, and the construction of the Wismar Bridge in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Saudi Fund for Development Sultan A. AlMarshad on the sidelines of the 2023 Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group’s Annual Meeting. And, given Guyana’s progress, President Ali urged other CARICOM nations to follow suit and pursue non-traditional partners in order to attain their development goals. The Head of State continued by expressing his

sincere gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its commitment to setting up a special window, and granting certain allowances to individuals residing in the region who wish to travel to conduct the hajj. President Ali further stated that the Minister of State of Saudi Arabia has also committed to attending the next CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Guyana. According to him, the summit will be biannual, and “we are working out the mechanism that will support the evolution of this relationship, including the possibility of an annual foreign ministers meeting.”

‘Cover blown’

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

- President Ali highlights one-sided nature of U.S. ‘fact-finding’ group

By Trina Williams STOMPING out claims of discrimination and attempts to divide the nation, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has stated that he will not rest until all of Guyana is united. His statement is in response to the group of American politicians who are currently in Guyana on an alleged “fact-finding” mission and are causing many to raise their eyebrows at the nature of the visit. “We are working for results. I will not rest until this country is united,” the Head of State said on Saturday during a press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. Former Chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, Dee Dawkins-Haigler, the founder of a group that calls itself the Organisation of World Leaders (OWL), is leading a delegation in Guyana to investigate claims made by Opposition members of discrimination and racism. P r e s i d e n t A l i c o nfirmed on Saturday that when these allegations were put to him by Dawkins-Haigler, he guided her to reports such as the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the 2020 General and Regional Elections and even invited her to examine the three branches of government. But according to the President, Dawkins-Haigler said it was ‘propaganda.’ Stunned by the language used in the delegation’s press release, Dr Ali said he found it “dishonorable” that the statements were never corrected. “Like an open book, the cover was blown

open,” the President stated while explaining that upon their arrival in Guyana, the delegation’s true intentions were revealed. Speaking on the recent meetings that the group has already conducted, he said only engaging with a handful of citizens is very telling. On Friday, concerned residents of Linden voiced that they felt shunned when they tried to speak at one of the delegation’s meeting. Exposing the one-sided nature of the group, the President asked why the Opposition was not evaluated by the U.S team, owing to their actions while in office, including then termination of thousands of sugar workers. In 2017, the former APNU+AFC Coalition Government had announced the closure of several sugar estates across the country, leaving thousands of persons without jobs or sources of income. The move saw four sugar estates being closed and over 7,000 sugar workers losing their jobs. Highlighting the slew of taxes burdened on the backs of Guyanese by the previous coalition government, President Ali then posed the question: “Are they examining the more than 200 taxes that were imposed on Afro, Indian and Amerindian people in this country by the last government that we [PPP] removed?” Since assuming office, tax reforms have formed part of this current government’s wider agenda to improve the quality of life in Guyana and address immediate economic

challenges that affect Guyanese. These include the removal of VAT from water, electricity, building and construction materials, basic food items and household necessities. “This is not magic,” the Head of State said while underscoring that development is at every corner of Guyana and it is because of his administration’s hard work and dedication. “This nonsense got to come to an end, where every Tom, Dick and Harry feel they can come and evaluate us,” the President stated while stressing that he is putting an end to the attempt to divide the nation. The group has been

shunned by the government because of alleged ties to activist and hardline PPP/C critic Rickford Burke and his organisation, the Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID). During the month of September, 2023, Burke organised a so-called “Conference on Guyana” in Washington, DC, to which the Government of Guyana was not invited, but which was attended by members of the opposition. The one-sided engagement presented the platform for opposition members to spew concocted and fabricated narratives about the Government of Guyana, including their

President Dr Irfaan Ali at Saturday’s press conference

usual diatribes about racial discrimination and extra-judicial killings, without utilising any fact-checking mechanism and without the government being afforded a

hearing or an opportunity to respond. It was after this conference was held that the group decided to visit Guyana on a ‘fact finding’ mission.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

A proud moment

GUYANESE students continue to excel at the CSEC and CAPE examinations. In the words of Education Minister Priya Manickchand, “Our students have performed excellently once again... This is evident that our education system is thriving and doing better and better as we go along.” The fact is that the quality of education delivery has significantly improved, thanks to the emphasis placed on education by the PPP/C administration. This is quite unlike what transpired under the previous PNC administration when the education sector was starved of resources, both financial and human. The situation had deteriorated to a point when Guyana was

at the very bottom of the performance ladder, both at the CSEC and CAPE examinations. Guyana has come a long way since the days when our students were underperforming not because they lacked the ability to do better but because the system had failed them. The problem was essentially systemic and resulted in a dysfunctional system due to a lack of adequate funding and incompetence. This year, Guyana has the honour of having its students copping several awards including the overall best at both the CSEC and the CAPE examinations. Alex Muntaz of the Anna Regina Secondary School copped 23 Grade Ones and four Grade Two

passes. He also won the most outstanding Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) student award for the region. Other notable performances came from Naresh Jagnanan who is this year's top CAPE student. Abigail Stephanas copped the award for the most outstanding Science student and Nailah Rahaman was named the most outstanding student in Humanities while Siddiq Gafar was awarded the best student in Business. These outstanding performances by our Guyanese students are worth celebrating and comes at a time when the PPP/C administration is doing everything possible to improve and enhance the delivery of quali-

ty education. Only recently President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced significant adjustments to the salaries of senior teachers, including the granting of motor vehicle concessions to those eligible. Teacher training has been intensified and billions of dollars are spent on the enhancement of the education infrastructure. Through the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD) learning and teaching resources are constantly updated and new and more effective measurement and evaluation tools are being developed. Put differently, a comprehensive and holistic approach to the delivery of quality education is currently in place which allows

not only for a better quality of education delivery but also better access to quality education. This is evident from the much better spread of top performers which unlike the past is not confined only to a few city schools but across the 10 regions of Guyana. It is not accidental that Anna Regina Secondary School has copped the top students awards at the regional examinations on multiple occasions. In fact, the schools were named the CSEC school of the year by the CXC in 2022. This is no mean achievement for which full credit must be given to the management of the school for once again copping the overall best performing student in the person of Alex

Muntaz. It is significant also that our male students have copped the top CSEC awards this year especially when seen against the tendency of our female students to generally outperform their male counterparts. The syndrome of 'male underachievement' is a regional if not global phenomenon and credit is due to our males who seem, if only momentarily, to put a break on that cycle. Congratulations are in order to all those students who excelled, their parents/guardians and their teachers. This is indeed a proud moment for them all. They have done not only themselves, but their country proud.

The GuyExpo committee should award Percival Boyce posthumously

Dear Mr. Editor, I’ve recently received a call from a friend living in Guyana, questioning if I will be assisting in organising GuyExpo this year. I took pains in explaining the following to my goodly friend that I was happy that the current administration has recommenced the staging of this event and I’m sure that it will be immensely successful. Notwithstanding, I could not help but reflect on my late friend Mr. Percival Boyce, G u y E x p o ’s C o o r d i n a t o r during the years I’d served as co-Chairman of this national exposition, and the yeoman service given towards the success of this initiative. I would like to take this opportunity to express how deeply sad I was upon learning of his death. As former chairman of the Organising Committee, I would say without fear of contradiction, that my late friend was the main force behind the successful staging of this event for many years. He effectively implemented the

decisions of the Organising Committee and never failed in carrying out these responsibilities. The late Mr. Boyce was the consummate professional, extremely dedicated and committed to his work. In fact, this was reflected in his organisation of GuyExpo’s cultural programme (supported by the late dynamic committee member Mr. Cultural himselfLennox Canterbury), which promoted local entertainers and was arguably one of his most successful and memorable contributions. I could write a book on the experiences I’ve had as co-Chairman; however, I will focus on a few memorable ones. For context of this first instance, during one of the staging of this major trade exposition, I had learned that the ministry responsible for organising this annual event did not have the financial resources to stage the event that year. This was brought to my attention by the late coordinator who indicated that the financial recourses generated

from this event was managed by the subject ministry and not the secretariat. As then co-Chairman, I had successfully lobbied the former President Dr. Bharat Jagdeo to advance the committee $20M with a commitment that we will make a profit of over $50M. You see Mr. Editor, I could have given that commitment because the late coordinator and I had done some groundwork, which revealed that in the absence of an accounts payable account, it was difficult the ascertain the authenticity of the bills/invoices submitted for payment after the conclusion of the event; needless to say, these were all honoured by the late Mr. Boyce in his capacity. This shows the professionalism and temerity of the man who served in this critical position. In an effort to enhance accountability, I facilitated the donation of three computers (with a user- friendly accounting software installed) to the Secretariat and recruited three youths who were trained

in the use of the accounting system (by another very dedicated gentleman Mr. Linden Anderson who sadly has since died). The late Coordinator, who supervised this team, also ensured they were educated on all the aspects associated with staging the largest annual national event held in Guyana pre-2015. The ability to recognise and fulfill the needed capacity building was priceless and arguably served them well during the execution of their stint and, by extension, the GuyExpo. With this team and efficient system in place, we implemented a Local Purchase System (no expenses could be initiated if an LPO was not generated) during the planning and execution of this event. I, along with the then Minister of Tourism, conducted daily inspection visits where we’d received updated copies of the Accounts Payable schedule for review and discussion with the coordinator. It was the prudent oversight by Mr. Boyce and our

team that resulted in the Organising Committee’s ability to not only repay the $20M advance granted to the committee (in 2006) but achieved a profit of approximately $46.3M on the last night of the event that year. Additionally, for all the subsequent years of coordinating the event, the organisers knew the “profitable status” on the last night of the event. It’s worthwhile, to note that all financial resources generated are used to support the programs of the subject ministry. including funding the secretariat. One year I recall Mr. Boyce’s quick thinking and pro-active intervention in averting what could have possibly been a major accident waiting to happen. While on a site visit a day before the exhibition was officially scheduled to be opened (I cannot remember the year), I’d noticed a merry-go-round carousel from the rust that was obviously on the parts of this equipment, and it was clear that it was not adequately maintained. On the

advice of the late Mr. Boyce, we’d invited the owner to a meeting where he was told to service this children’s ride. Further, the owner was told that he will not be able to operate said equipment without the appropriate insurance policy for the functioning of this type of equipment (the necessary inspection was also conducted by knowledgeable technical personnel). As fate would have it, during the third night of the exhibition, I was in my late colleague’s office when we heard a loud bang; the sound came from the direction of the ride. We’d rushed to the area which was in darkness. H o n e s t l y, t h e f i r s t thought was that children were seriously injured; both my late friend and I were expecting the worst. But God was overlooking his children, only two kids were slightly injured. We ensured that they had received immediate medical treatment. However, their parents did

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

The Moray House Mensheviks: Part 2

THIS is the second installment of the review of John Mair’s (aka, Bill Cotton) article, “The Moray House Mensheviks” in the 5th edition of the journal he edits, titled, Oil Eldorado. In part 1, I stopped at the point where I interrogated Mair’s expatiation on the journalistic generosity and nice disposition of the co-founder of the Stabroek News (SN), David DeCaires. I ended part one on the speculation that Mair could not have seen through the legacy of European elitism in DeCaires because Mair was seen by DeCaires as someone like himself – A European-born Guyanese. We arrive at different conclusions about humans based on the angles involved in the relationship. Many of my former students would bang into my ear constantly that some of the people that I preferred at UG, they didn’t care about because they saw their cultural and racial preferences that they hid from me because I was Freddie Kissoon. I don’t doubt that for a moment.

That is human nature. You would hide your true arrogant self when you are socialising with the Police Commissioner. I saw the two cofounders of the SN - DeCaires and Fitzpatrick- from a different angle than the one Mair used. Mair was a White European. I was a dark skinned Indian, non-Christian boy from working class district in South Georgetown. Unfortunately, Mair who meant well in his piece on DeCaires did not get to see the reversion to 19th century Portuguese elitism at SN. It was never shown to him. My father worked as a groundsman at two highly concentrated outlets of European cultural superiority in Guyana – GCC cricket ground and St. Stanislaus cricket ground. I saw apartheid in Guyana at a tender age and I grew up as an angry young man. The essential flaw in me is that I did not eradicate that trauma after I attained psychological maturity and became an academic and a university lecturer. A dilution did occur and that was due to my

wife’s influence. I had thought that Portuguese anthropological superiority was long, long gone from Guyana through the anti-colonial activism of Jagan and Burnham when I started to write in 1988 for a Portuguese-owned newspaper. Mair wrote that DeCaires established the SN as the home of the national debate. This interpretation does not square with what DeCaires himself said about the intention of starting the newspaper. He said he wanted the paper to assist in the resuscitation of the business sector in Guyana. That made sense because DeCaires and Fitzpatrick

were wealthy lawyers. The second volume of Yesu Persaud’s autobiography (released a month ago) describes how the Royal Bank of Canada, on leaving Guyana, sold its trust company to these two men. Mair wrote that DeCaires was a firm believer in freedom of speech. I would say to a certain extent. He was not a philosophical embracer of free speech but had a bourgeois/ liberal interpretation to what free speech meant. DeCaires had a class dislike for the PPP and its ideology and he made sure that the SN maintained that stance under his editorial leadership. Today, the anti-Indi-

an, anti-PPP tradition has become a staple diet at SN. That was no accident. What I saw as a tenyear-old boy at Saint Stanislaus and GCC in the 1960s, I saw at SN in 1988. Three stories tell the tale of European condescending mentality at SN. One day Moses Nagamootoo as one of the country’s leading politicians and a senior parliamentarian in Guyana at the time, walked up the stairs to see Mr. DeCaires. Apparently, the clerk at the entrance was not there. I will not name the woman because although she did it and I was there at the time to see it, she may sue for libel. Nagamootoo

was ordered out and told that he just cannot walk in like that. She would never have said that to a Portuguese businessman. The second one has to do with what one of the children of Mr. DeCaires did. That person along with the daughter of the head of the OMAI gold company just took over the running of the newspaper for a particular Sunday edition and the journalistic staff had to accept that. When it happened, I couldn’t believe such a thing would return to Guyana. Bert Wilkinson, one of the senior journalists in the Caribbean can testify to that if he can still remember the incident. Thirdly, as a columnist, I was told never to approach Mr. DeCaires. And don’t ever speak to him. No one was allowed to go to his office. Any comment or query must be conveyed to his secretary. No one could have known the direct telephone line of the secretary. That class abomination still exists at SN. Part 3 is forthcoming.

Deeds Registry remains committed to providing exemplary services

The Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority (DCRA) has recently observed that a few letters to the Editor published in the press have raised concerns regarding the conduct of its employees during interactions with members of the public. The DCRA recognizes the gravity of any such allegations and wishes to reassure

the public that it takes such allegations seriously. The Authority is committed to providing exemplary service, as it has been doing, to its stakeholders and to receive feedback that can facilitate improvements. Regarding the letter published in the Stabroek News on November 10, 2023, we recognized that there were several inaccuracies. Specifi-

cally, the author claimed that the Commercial Registry has no signage indicating its hours of operation, which is not the case. Signages are displayed prominently in the lower floor of the building, including information such as hours of operation, dress code, and no-firearm policy. Furthermore, the author alleges being accosted by a female employee, which is a

misrepresentation of the facts, as both doors of the lower and upper floors are manned by Special Constables of the Guyana Police Force, who serve as the first point of contact for the public. Another letter, published on November 9, 2023, accuses the Deeds Registry and the Land Court Registry of unprofessional conduct. The DCRA has taken note of this

complaint and takes a firm stance against unprofessional behavior by its employees. At the same time, the Authority would like to remind members of the public that employees are committed to carrying out their duties with professionalism, dedication, and efficiency. In return, we ask stakeholders to also extend the same courtesies when visiting our offices.

The DCRA is committed to delivering services of the highest quality to the Guyanese people. The Authority values constructive criticism and encourages the public to continue providing feedback that can facilitate improvements in the delivery of its mandate. Sincerely, The Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority

The GuyExpo committee should award Percival Boyce... FROM PAGE 6

not accept our offer to have the two children transported the hospital for further medical examination. After some consideration, the Coordinator and I agreed to effect a monetary payment on the request of the family members of the children directly affected by this incident. Needless to say, this ride was never used again for the remaining years that I was co-chairman. Mr. Editor, it is this type

of soundness of character and professional integrity that is etched in my mind when I think of Mr. Boyce and his contribution to the success of this national event. I also fondly recall the night the Expo had over 50,000 attendees and the difficulty the late Mr. Boyce and I found ourselves trying to hold the gate on the far north of the exhibition site with approximately fifty persons pushing on the other side trying to get in free. We

were about to give up when we’d noticed the crowd dispersing. Apparently, word got out that Paul Slowe was approaching. We were never so happy to see a police officer. These are some of the memories, which I’ll always treasure of my late colleague and the hosting of GuyExpo. I am sure that the investment in this event will be significantly greater than in previous years. This is important since the late coordinator (and the government) were

aware that GuyExpo not only showcase Guyana business (small, medium, and large) but booths from other countries were also facilitated (as far as India). While the large turnout to this event, served as a vehicle to educating Guyanese and foreigners on the business opportunities and new business ventures. One of the late coordinator’s qualities that I really admired, was his willingness to participate in any activity (outside his scope of work)

that would further enhance the success of this event. The organising committee was very interested in ascertaining the positive impact this event had on the participating businesses. The late Mr. Boyce and the committee member with the technical expertise in marketing (mainly exports) lead an exercise initiated to periodically follow-up with businesses (especially the small and medium) these exit surveys were to ascertain

sale increases primarily due to new customers (both local and overseas markets) joint ventures etc. It is for these reasons I am advocating for the current GuyExpo Organising Committee to consider honouring posthumously the memory of this true son of Guyana, Mr. Percival Boyce, former Coordinator of GuyExpo. Kind regards, Keith Burrowes

Ignoring the signs

WHEN it comes to our physical health, many of us ignore the symptoms and signs that something is wrong. ‘We gat nuff more tings to think about’ – like our rent or mortgage or all the other bills piling up. So, we turn a blind eye to our physical discomfort or growing ailment until it becomes ‘more dan we’. When the runny nose or cough becomes persistent, the pain in the stomach does not go away or the puffy feet make walking difficult, then we decide to seek medical attention. In other words, we wait until things get worse before we take action. We forget that our elders tell us to ‘nip things in the bud’, or even more pertinent, that ‘prevention is better than

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

cure’. That latter saying is really advising us to take care of ourselves so that we avoid sickness or at least minimise the chance of serious illness. And the ‘cure’ may not only be prolonged but may lead to time off work while the pile of bills gets higher. Of course, at the back of our minds we know all of this. We are well aware of the truth of these old sayings, which many of us were required to learn at school. Yet, we continue to put things off, we procrastinate, not seeking medical attention when we should. When it comes to our mental well-being, we are even more lax. In fact, some of us even refuse to acknowledge that mental health is ‘a thing’. We think it is a lot of fuss

about nothing, and certainly not requiring any special attention. Words like anxiety, stress and depression mean nothing to us. These are terms experts use to describe conditions we know little about. What we know is that sometimes we worry or feel

pressured or just ‘out of sorts’. All of this is normal. But what do we do when these feelings begin to overwhelm us, when they become chronic and affect our ability to handle our daily lives? Just as with a physical ailment, this is the time

Wolf in sheep's clothing THE government dealt a fatal blow to the so called U.S. 12-member group that claimed to be here on a fact-finding mission last week. The government said that it would not hold discussions with the team on matters that it claimed to be investigating. This led to the Dr Irfaan Ali administration shunning the group after an investigation was done by the government on its funding and real motives which turned out to be political. This led to the group hosting a press conference where it was pleading to the public about its so-called transparency and the history of its work, both in the U.S. and further afield. The group, which was led by Dee Dawkins-Haigler and co-led by John King, proved that they are a sham and a part of the opposition covert political activity here to give credence to the idea that there is widespread discrimination and racism by the PPP government to minorities, especially Afro-Guyanese. It is a wolf in sheep's clothing and a sham. No descent and upstanding Guyanese citizen would want to be part and parcel of their plan. These are the facts of the alleged fact-finding mission that they were trying to weave

and twist the government’s arm into. We must consider the political timeline and the groups they have met before over the last few days. From the onset, the group could not be serious about its fact-finding mission in Guyana. They held a media conference at the Critchlow Labour College which is used mostly by groups and individuals that are considered to be anti-government like Lincoln Lewis, biased TUC officials, and other opposition persons. Surely, the independent media and bonafied press members also were in poor attendance. This was compacted by the poor PC audio system. It appeared rushed and poorly planned. This was made even more embarrassing for the group when one considers the amount of African-Guyanese present at the event, to make up numbers and fool the Guyanese public. It was disgraceful and disappointing to see a group of U.S. representatives conduct their first conference like this. Surely, they are still not fooling anyone who watched the press conference. Additionally, the delegation could not say what number of reports and allegations they were here to find out; about the facts relating to discrimination and racism. Sure-

ly, Hailger and King know that the public is smarter than that. They did not give any empirical data or analysis as a basis of where they want to go to find facts. Their attempt was weak and distasteful to any intellectual mind. How is one going to find facts if one doesn't know where to look? The group resorted to sharing opposition individuals and groups that want to tarnish the government. They did their deeds under the covers of night and held several poorly and short notice meetings in the communities which are part of the opposition enclave. Also, the government was right not to engage them. They are not state actors in the U.S. political system nor the world. This is true because Hailger could not say and give examples of where in the world the group has had successful fact-finding missions. Her tone and circulation around the issue when asked is telling. They do not know how to

find facts and solutions to the issues in the U.S. brewing at the level of the state but want to find out facts at the National level about discrimination and racism? Who does that in the 21st century or anywhere in this hemisphere? Additionally, from the time the government knew for certain there was a plot afoot and something was all but right with the group, they started digging deep. We, the public, want the group to come out and denounce knowing the opposition politicians Roysdale Forde, Catherine Hughes, David Patterson and others. It is now not wise for the group to mention that it has not links to Rickford Burke and Mark Benschop when they have had several meetings in the U.S. and have made appearances on the Social Media platforms to discuss their trip to Guyana. Burke and Benschop are seen daily defending the group and

we should seek professional help. This is when our body is telling us that all is not well. This is when we should ‘sit up and take notice’. For at this point the conditions will not suddenly disappear, it will get worse. But first we have to admit that we have a problem and this can be so hard to do in a culture that tells us we should not even have this kind of issue. Indeed, around the world mental wellness is now being more widely discussed than ever before, because for so long it was barely acknowledged. Universally, we have been schooled to think we should cope with our problems ourselves and this especially applies to men, who from a young

age are taught that they must keep their emotions ‘in check’. And of course, there is the underlying stigma of mental illness and the thought that admitting to any form of psychological or emotional distress is tantamount to declaring insanity. We are gradually moving away from this view, but still have a long way to go and the first step begins with looking after our mental well-being and taking heed of the signs telling us that something is wrong. As Mel Robbins, an author and motivational speaker says, “Your mental health is everything – prioritise it. Make the time like your life depends on it, because it does.”

invoking all manner of racist sentiments in the society. The operation of this group seems questionable and its modus-operandi was clear for all to see. Any group closely funded by dubious means and has a criminal backing is not the ideal group to find facts here. It seems that even though Norton has shied away from stating his support of their work, it was all a part of the plan. Politically and evidentially, the group cannot prove anything without the government. The truth is, successively the PPP governments have shown the facts and truth about state policies which impact the lives of all Guyanese. It has thrown scorn on the allegations of corruption, racism, discrimination and poor governance. When will Forde, Burke, Benschop, and this recent failed team realize that one has to have the evidence both empirical and factual of these things which exist but are not widespread in Guyana. Also, everybody has opinion which one is entitled to but governments around the world do not operate on senseless and baseless allegations unless one brings facts to the table or debate to support one's arguments. They are clutching at straws because the public may not always agree with what the government does but they know that they have are equal and equitable access to the wealth of Guyana’s natural

resources and patrimony. What Forde, learned as he claims to be, and the opposition will not come to grips with is state of the Afro-Guyanese population can only be better advanced if they are seizing every single opportunity that presents itself for their enrichment that the government presents in the form of public policies. They must document how much public contracts were awarded that were done to discriminate against the Afro-Guyanese population and minorities. Instead by coming up with these hoax, scandals and allegations, the opposition parties should focus on learning how to count, do proper research and analysis of the situation in a factual, non-political and unbiased way. They must stop trying to be champions of African-Guyanese interest, and begin pointing out the projects and programmes which can help them to become empowered. In anyways, the government must focus its attention on much more pressing issues and leave the opposition all the way in a corner with their game of Russian roulette. No serious institution in the US Government or legislative will take the reports of this group with a once of creditability and importance. In the end, the truth wears neither clothes or hides from the light. The opposition is growing more and more desperate with these groups, names, and outfits.

Gaza by Numbers 9

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

Part 4: Six weeks of daily hell and Israeli damnation! IT is not-at-all easy to follow the deadly numbers in Gaza over the past six weeks, with lives lost at an average of hundreds daily; children killed by the minute; pregnant mothers unable to give birth with medical help; newborns getting their death certificates before their births are registered; hospitals, shelters, schools, humanitarian and other civilian targets being bombed indiscriminately; and half the population forcibly-evacuated from North to South, only to be bombed on the way, on arrival and after – and still asked to evacuate in a besieged strip where nowhere and no one is safe. And all that, while the rest of the world looks-on in pure shock and horror, as Western governments continue to dither over if-ever to call on Israel to stop the disproportionate killing and bombing in the name of self-defence. This war being fought and played-out live at homes and in-living-color on the global public square, the world witnessed earlier this week the sheer horror of newborn babies in a hospital under Israeli occupation given a death sentence when their incubators failed due to power failures caused by what top United Nations (UN) describe as Israel’s use of fuel, food and water as weapons of war’.

Globally-televised images of children dying in incubators in a hospital under Israeli siege and occupation enraged humans the-worldover, as well as in Israel, where the administration is coming under growing pressure from a widening range of Israelis backing peace and enraged at the carnage being exacted by the Netanyahu administration in their name. Forced to respond, the administration embarking on a robust propaganda offensive claiming its troops bombed Gaza hospitals because Hamas used them as human shields – and also had command centres inside. Al Shifa Hospital’s top administrators strongly deny the claims of military equipment inside the strip’s largest health facility -- until the Israeli assault and occupation. But Israel is finding it quite difficult to provide sufficient evidence to prove its claims or to justify bombing Al Shifa, occupying its compounds, destroying medical supply and oxygen and fuel depots, interrogating medical staff at gunpoint, ensuring no food or fuel is delivered, while mass graves are being dug within the facility’s compound for mass-burials, with the World Health Organization (WHO) warning of diseases like cholera due to growing sanitation crises in the absence of water. With all the hospitals out of water and oxygen, none is

being allowed in, increasing the risks of more deaths and diseases. The hypocrisy of this War on Gaza simply knows no bounds, as Israel’s Western supporters prolong the talking and debating, discussing “when” and “whether” to describe the Palestinian slaughter as “genocide” and splitting hairs over definitions like “weaponizing religion”, while Palestinians simply continue to be referred to as ‘human animals’ and die by the hundreds per day and thousands per week. Western nations are now proposing sending ‘hospital ships’ to Gaza to treat those harmed by the weapons of mass destruction they supplied. Likewise, with all the claims about secret Hamas tunnels under hospitals, it was revealed by an independent journalist associated with ‘The Intercept’ earlier this week that Israel itself built a bunker under the same Al Shifa hospital in 1983, which Hamas subsequently connected to its massive

underground network after the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) left. Even more hypocrisy lies behind the claim by Israel and its supporters that the current War on Gaza only started after October 7, as the period from January to October 6, 2023 had already been the bloodiest on record for a long time, with over 260 Palestinians killed. This is the worst period in the 75-year-old Israeli War of Occupation in Palestine, especially following Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu’s life-saving December 2022 election victory, after his Likud Party allied with the most right-wing and extremist parties to form the worst political coalition of Jewish hardliners in Israel’s history. And while the world discusses ‘What’s next…’ for a blitzkrieg Gaza on steroids after six weeks of relentless bombardment, Israel also increases its attacks on the occupied West Bank, with 196 Palestinians killed, 2,400 injured and 2,280 detained

since October 7. According to figures published by The Palestinian Authority, Gaza Health Ministry and departments compiling the daily death-counts, as well as figures released by the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) and representatives of the Israeli government, as well as international media houses including BBC, CNN, Sky News, Al Jazeera and The Intercept, this past week: • 12,000+ Palestinians killed in Gaza, including 5,000 children and 2,700 women • 30,000 Palestinians injured and 3,750 missing, including 1,700 children • 44 children dead and 248 wounded on the West Bank • 70% of Palestinian fatalities are children, women and elderly • One Palestinian child is killed and two are wounded every 10 minutes in Gaza • 1,200 Israelis were killed on October 7, including 300 soldiers, 5,400 were injured and 300,000 dis-

placed • 55 Israeli soldiers have died and 62 tanks destroyed during the ongoing ground assault in Gaza City • 61 captives in Gaza killed by Israeli bombardments • 7,000 Palestinians sheltering in Al Shifa Hospital, with 600 injured and 39 premature babies dying by the day and hour, due to lack of power for incubators • 33,000 cases of diarrhea, especially among children • 55,000 women pregnant and 5,500 ready to deliver, with no hospital care available at Gaza hospitals under siege and civilians seeking shelter not allowed to leave • 258 (more than half) of Gaza’s school buildings are damaged or destroyed • 1.5 million (or 70% of Gaza’s population) are internally displaced • 1.7 million Gazans are without water The average rate of deaths in Gaza, after only six weeks, is 2,000 -- with over 4,000 injuries -- in a war that can stop only if and when Israel’s Western backers are ready and willing to take the interventionist positions they did on Rwanda, Kosovo and Libya, in the name of protecting lives. But even that seems toomuch-to-expect. (end)

Islamic leaders work with Saudi minister to improve Hajj for Guyanese pilgrims

IN a recent diplomatic endeavour, Director of Education of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), Shaikh Moin-ul-Hack, and the Head of the Guyana Islamic Trust (GIT), Shaikh Abdul Aleem, engaged in a significant meeting with His Excellency, Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al Rabiah, the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh. The meeting, characterised by a spirit of cordiality, focused on addressing challenges encountered by Guyanese and Caribbean pilgrims during their sacred journey of Hajj to Mecca. The primary objective was to streamline the pro-

From left: Shaikh Abdul Aleem with H.E. Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al Rabiah, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah with Shaikh Moin-ul-Hack

cesses associated with air and land transportation, as well as accommodation, ensuring a more accessible and comfortable experience for pilgrims during the Hajj period.

Both Shaikhs expressed satisfaction that the concerns raised during the meeting would be earnestly addressed, promising positive resolutions to enhance the

pilgrimage experience for the Guyanese and Caribbean pilgrims. Additionally, the leaders explored the possibility of facilitating a complimentary

Hajj for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and distinction in serving their communities but face financial challenges in undertaking the pilgrimage. This initiative, if realised, could provide an opportunity for those deserving individuals to participate in the sacred journey despite financial constraints. Before the pivotal meeting with Minister Al Rabiah, Shaikh Hack and Shaikh Aleem held discussions with the Honourable Minister of State for Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Adel Al Jubair. During this meeting, the leaders updated Minister Al Jubair on Islam and related activities in Guyana, empha-

sizing the country's high level of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among adherents of various faiths and ethnic groups. Expressing their gratitude, both the CIOG and the GIT acknowledged His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, for his instrumental role in facilitating the visit to Saudi Arabia and the subsequent meetings. The collaborative efforts between Guyana and Saudi Arabia aim to strengthen ties, foster understanding, and address the needs of the Islamic community, particularly concerning the significant pilgrimage of Hajj.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

Chronicle offers a glimpse into historical publications at GuyExpo booth

The Guyana National Newspapers Limited (Guyana Chronicle) is proudly showcasing its rich array of publications at the GuyExpo exhibition, offering a glimpse into the diverse history and informative content available for patrons.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

Energy insecurity: ‘We must show up and deliver solutions’

AS Guyana continues to tackle energy insecurity, Prime Minister (PM), Brigadier (Ret'd), Mark Phillips, on Saturday, urged regional stakeholders to get on board and provide recommendations to achieve sustainable energy. He made these remarks during the closing ceremony of the Regional Energy Kilo-Walk, which was just one of many activities planned to mark Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Energy Month. The theme for CARICOM Energy Month 2023 is ‘Accelerating innovation, driving electrification.’ According to the PM, there is dire need for focus to be placed on developing sustainable energy solutions because renewable energy is pivotal to having a sustainable, low-carbon future. “Therefore, we must show up and deliver solutions in this regard for our people and the planet. Now is the time for informed decision-making at all levels, and now is the time for actions to place people at the centre of our sustainable energy transition,” Prime Minister Phillips stated. Touching on another element that is important within the energy transition, which is human capital investment,

— PM tells regional stakeholders

the PM underscored that in order to support the demand for skilled energy professionals, the region needs to enhance its educational institutions at all levels. Notwithstanding this, the government official did not shy away from addressing regional issues that hinder progress such as the dependence on fossil fuels, aging infrastructure, high energy costs, and climate change vulnerability. He said, “Guyana is no stranger to these challenges. Within the last two months, the main utility has experienced historic peaks in electricity demand due to the rising temperatures,” while revealing that his government has acknowledged this issue and has started rolling out initiatives to address it. Phillips then went on to say that progress is being made to provide an energy mix that includes hydropower, natural gas, solar and wind, which leads to more than 500 megawatts (MW) of newly installed capacity for residential and commercial users. “Ultimately, the Gov-

ernment of Guyana wants to ensure that households and businesses benefit from affordable, stable, and reliable energy,” the PM firmly remarked. He then went on to explain how Guyana’s energy plan supports the objectives of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, which aims to deliver greater economic, environmental and social development. Highlighting some of the initiatives, such as the gas-to-energy project, which aims to provide 300 megawatts of power, the PM said that it represents the “largest investment made in the electricity sector and the single largest engineering, procurement and construction contract undertaken.” In the area of hydropower, he spoke on the benefits of the Amaila Falls Hydropower station (AFHP). The AFHP, with its potential 165 megawatts of power generation, could have been a game-changer for Guyana, but the project was not pursued by the former APNU+AFC coalition administration.

He also mentioned that works are ongoing for the construction of a 0.15MW Hydro at Kato, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), a 1.5 MW hydropower facility at Kumu and the rehabilitation and upgrade of the 700 kW Moco-Moco hydropower plant in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). Additionally, Guyana has commissioned two solar PV farms in Lethem and Bartica totaling 2.5 megawatts (MW) under the Energy Matrix Diversification programme funded by the Inter-American Development Bank and a 0.65 MW solar PV farm for Mahdia is currently under construction, which will be completed in 2024. In addition, with financing from the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) under the Guyana Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Program (GUYSOL), solar PV farms are being installed in Berbice, Essequibo and Linden, totaling 33 megawatts. Moreover, in order to bring power to remote communities, investments are being made in renewable energy systems for off-grid

Prime Minister (PM), Brigadier (Ret'd), Mark Phillips

areas as part of a rural electrification drive. “For example, 19 solar PV-powered mini-grids totaling 0.6MW were installed this year across Re-

gions One, Two, Seven, Eight, Nine, and 10, benefitting 3,880 households and over 20,000 individuals,” the PM revealed.

ry School, Smith Memorial Primary School, Fisher Primary School, Rosehall Estate Primary School, Bartica Special Needs School, Kingston Secondary School, and East Ruimveldt Secondary School. A total of 57 fans were distributed, ensuring that students and teachers alike could find respite from the stifling temperatures in their classrooms. The success of the initiative was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Lions and Leo clubs, as well as the support of the business community. Gratitude is extended to the following businesses for their generous contributions: Gafoors, S & L Electronics, Lall's Variety Store, Exotic Printz 592, B. Jones Supermarket, and D. Gobin Agri Spare Parts.

Region Chairperson, Lion Lerato Hodge, expressed heartfelt thanks to all the participating clubs and Zone Chairpersons for their unwavering support of the initiative. In her statement, she emphasised the importance of continuing to impact lives through committed service. As the "Beat the Heat" initiative exemplifies, collective efforts can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by adverse weather conditions. The Lions and Leo clubs, along with their partners in the business community, have demonstrated the power of community collaboration in addressing the challenges posed by El Nino and ensuring a more comfortable learning environment for Guyana's learners.

Lions, Leo clubs ‘Beat the Heat’ initiative distributes 57 fans to schools countrywide

IN response to the sweltering impact of the prevailing El Nino weather pattern, the Lions and Leo clubs of Guyana, in collaboration with generous contributions from the business community, came together to launch the "Beat the Heat" initiative. Coordinated by Region Chairperson, Lion Lerato Hodge, the project aimed to provide relief to students by donating 57 fans to several schools across the country. On Wednesday, November 15, 2023, schools in Berbice, Bartica, Essequibo, East Bank Demerara, East Coast Demerara, and Georgetown received a much-needed respite from the scorching heat, thanks to this thoughtful initiative. The following schools were among the beneficiaries of the "Beat the Heat" cam-

Officials of the Lions and Leo Clubs with teachers and pupils of one of the many schools that received fans

paign: Roxanne Burnham Nursery School, Diamond No. 1 Nursery School, Diamond No. 2 Nursery School, Mo-

cha Arcadia Nursery School, Smyth Street Nursery School, Anna Regina New Nursery School, St. Christopher

Nursery School, South Ruimveldt Park Nursery School, North Georgetown Primary School, St. Stephen's Prima-

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

Beating stereotypes...

Dr. Singh shares his journey from humble beginnings to being the country’s Chief Medical Officer

By Cindy Parkinson

BORN to a father who was a cane cutter/boat captain and a teenage mother, Dr Narine Singh, a product of the community of Albouystown, is one of the nation’s most distinguished doctors and the current Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Guyana. Dr Singh remains true to his humble upbringing and his deep love for family. Perched in his pristine office in the Ministry of Health Compound on Brickdam, Georgetown, he reflected on his life and the sacrifices/ support that his parents and brothers bestowed upon him so that he could have accomplished his dreams. “My grandfather was the Hindu priest who was in charge of the Albouystown mandir, and my mother, Paindroutie Singh, grew up there, and she got married when she was just 13 years old. My father, Deonarine Singh, who was a cane cutter and later a boat captain, and my mother brought forth a total of five sons, with me being the fourth child that was born

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Guyana, Dr. Narine Singh

munity in Georgetown, lacking basic services. Over the years, the community has developed significantly as a result of government investment. Singh attended the Central Primary School, where he wrote his Secondary School Entrance Examination (SSEE) and was awarded a place at the Indian Education Trust College, which is now known as Richard Ishmael Secondary School. After spending a successful five years at the secondary school, he went

Mr. and Mrs. Singh

in Albouystown. However, we moved from that community to Henry Street, Werk-en-Rust in Georgetown, when I was about five years old, and that is where I spent most of my boyhood days,” Dr Singh told the Sunday Chronicle. Albouystown was once known as a depressed com-

to St. Stanislaus College, where he did his A-levels and received a government scholarship to study medicine at the University of Guyana (UG). While he was elated about elevating himself academically so that he could have provided a better life for his parents and broth-

ers, the main breadwinner and pillar of his home, his father passed away on the day that he was receiving his scholarship to UG. This tragedy, according to Dr. Singh, rocked the family; his father was one of the most important persons in his life. “My father died on the day that my scholarship was announced, so he never got the opportunity to know that I got through to study medicine at UG, and that was one of his desires for me. Academically, I was doing well in high school, and he would always say that he never wanted us to work as hard as him. “He knew his struggles in raising a family, and he never wanted us to go through those challenges, and I wished that he had lived to see me now and to see us. He never knew, but he would have been proud of all of us. If I could have reversed time, I would have wished that he were here for many reasons, but for me and for us to ensure that he was comfortable now. Nevertheless, I have my mother, brothers, my wife, and my two kids,” he shared. MEDICAL PROFESSION While he takes pride in his field for helping people and contributing to them having a better life, that was not the main reason he wanted to become a doctor. According to him, “growing up, I never really thought of becoming a doctor, at least not until I was in secondary school. We were living in Thomas Street, Georgetown, at the

time, and Prashad's Hospital was next door to us. The late Dr. Maraj used to come to work at the time, driving one of the old American Buick cars. Driving a big car, elegantly dressed in a tie, polished shoes, and a briefcase, the guard would come to his car and collect his briefcase, and even though I was a young boy going to secondary school, I told myself that one day I wanted to look like him." With a chuckle, the doctor said, “So that was my inspiration. I was fascinated by the glamorous lifestyle, but I quickly realised after becoming a doctor that it was far from that, but it was one of the best decisions of my life. I have no regrets." Being the second batch of medical students who started the University of Guyana in 1985 and graduated in 1992, Dr. Singh related that his profession has taken him to great heights, having worked in Mabaruma in Region One, Lethem in Region Nine, Georgetown in Region Four, and Region Two, where he gave over 13 years of his professional life to the region. Even though Dr. Singh wanted to initially work in the field of cardiology, he got 'stuck' in the Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OBGYN) department and developed a love for it. However, being assigned to work in the hinterland at that time, Dr. Singh said he got the opportunity and experience to work in almost all the departments. Since it was him alone, he had to be the ‘jack of all trades’ which he said encouraged him to master his skills. “I have enjoyed every region that I’ve worked in, but my most favourite would have to be Lethem. The tranquility is what I enjoyed there. However, the Essequibo Coast is my second home; the people are very hospitable, and the atmosphere is relaxing. It is also where I met my wife, Valine Singh, who supported me tremendously, especially while I was studying for my masters in OBGYN and my master’s in public health. “She ensured that the home and our two children were always taken care of, and I am grateful for her

too. I am happy to say too that my daughter Mahima Singh is currently studying medicine at UG, and my son Narendra Singh is in fifth form, and hopefully he too will be going into the field of medicine,” he related. ADVICE TO YOUNG DOCTORS Given his years of experience, Dr. Singh said that while he understands the integral role that technology plays in the health sector, he is also hoping that young doctors, especially those in Guyana, practice their clinical skills so that they are not solely dependent on a machine to diagnose a patient.

cases that I experienced was having to perform a caesarean (C-section) on my wife, who had some complications with her pregnancy. Even though I performed C-sections all the time, the feeling was different because it was my wife's and child’s life in my hands. Likewise, think of and treat every patient as your own. “They also have loved ones who feel anxious about their situations. Ensure that you work at your best and have pride in what you do. Even though I am at a desk now, I still have the same passion for my work, if not more, and I intend to impart my knowledge to you all. Guyana and the

Dr. Narine Singh with his wife Valine, son Narendra, and daughter Mahima

“Many of my colleagues and I have worked with little or no technology at our disposal; I have delivered three generations of babies in families, so we know the importance of it. But I also would like our young, smart doctors to ensure that, in the absence of any medical equipment, you can still function at your full capacity. Our profession is unique, and there is more to it than just the title; knowing that you have made a difference in someone's life is the best reward there is. “One of my most memorable and nerve-racking

University of Guyana continue to deliver some of the best doctors there are, and I am hoping that you all can be motivated by that.” Despite the numerous hats that he wears in his field and being one of the most decorated doctors in his academic accomplishments, Dr. Singh’s is first and foremost a son, husband, wife, father, and brother who enjoys spending time with his family and giving back to the people through doing what he does best, saving lives.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

$350 mil ion injected into forestry sector - Natural Resources Minister says

HIGHLIGHTING that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration saw the forestry sector as an important one in the country, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, said that some $350 million was invested in the sector since 2020. The minister made these remarks during a recent press conference where he spoke of the state of the forestry sector which has seen growth from 2020 to now. He said, “The government would have injected $350 million into the sector seeing it as very important because it’s not only about production now for the Guyana Forestry Commission but it is also monitoring and the protection of the forest too.” Added to this, he noted that this had to be done as the forestry sector was in a dreary state when they took office, highlighting that some staff members were not paid for two years, and utilities among other things were not paid for. However, since taking over, he stated that the role of the forestry commission has been expanded even further now to ensure that there is more monitoring and protection of the forest while, at the same time, boosting and keeping

the sector viable. Among measures that the government took to ensure that the sector was boosted, Bharrat said that VAT was taken off of equipment and machinery while fuel tax was removed to bring ease to stakeholders in the mining and logging sector. Added to that, he indicated that the duty on 4x4 pickups has been lowered while there is currently no duty for All-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Further to this, the 10 percent tributary tax was removed even as the VAT on lubricants was introduced. “We would have introduced the revolving fund for the forestry sector and the forest stakeholders of which several stakeholders have already benefitted from,” he added. With the introduction of this revolving fund, the minister noted that there are a few small loggers that are still in the process of being approved as some would have encountered difficulties in relation to accessing loans. However, he added that the ministry is committed to working with these small loggers and the banks to ensure that their needs are facilitated to ensure that they are aided to go back into production or expand their productivity.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

‘No foreign body must undermine the democratic nature of Guyana’ - Dr. Jagdeo says

STANDING in unison with democracy, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has maintained that foreign bodies entering Guyana must not seek to undermine the nation’s democracy. Speaking at a press conference, last Thursday, at Freedom House, Dr. Jagdeo, addressed the cloud of suspicion surrounding the group of American politicians led by Dee Dawkins-Haigler, and said that their press release was one-sided. Pointing out loopholes within the state-

ments, Dr. Jagdeo asked whether research was conducted in order to learn about the legal consequences of discrimination. “…If there was discrimination, any foreign body that comes to Guyana must not undermine the democratic nature of this society and the institutions of our society. They should ask whether those are followed for us. And then if people can get a remedy there, then they can say, ‘okay, then we will raise this as an issue’. “This is a mission in their private capacity. And to think that the United States of Amer-

General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

ica can tell us what to do in this case or to undermine our democratic institutions is something that we find very unusual and strange for people who claim that they are here to support the country and rule of law, and democracy,” he said. Speaking about the mechanisms available

to tackle allegations of discrimination, he underscored the sole objectives and powers of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC). The ERC is a constitutional body established by Guyana’s Constitution (Amendment) (No.2) Act No.11 of 2000, which amended Article 212 D to provide for the establishment of the body. The commission’s functions include promoting harmony and

good relations between persons of different ethnic groups; discouraging and prohibiting persons, institutions, political parties, and associations from indulging in, advocating for, or promoting discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity; investigating any issues affecting ethnic relations, and promoting the elimination of all forms of ethnic discrimination. Dr. Jagdeo then highlighted the fact that Guyana has separation of powers and thus, allegations of racism can also be tried at the judicial level. The Government of Guyana said in a press release that it has made note of the delegation and the intended visit. It added that the ‘fact-finding’ mission appears to have resulted from a conference organised by Rickford Burke, a

Guyanese residing in Brooklyn, New York. During the month of September, 2023, Burke organised a so-called “Conference on Guyana” in Washington, DC, to which the Government of Guyana was not invited, but which was attended by members of the opposition. The one-sided engagement presented the platform for opposition members to spew concocted and fabricated narratives about the Government of Guyana, including their usual diatribes about racial discrimination and extra-judicial killings, without utilising any fact-checking mechanism and without the government being afforded a hearing or an opportunity to respond.

Guyana signs Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

- joins 42 other signatory countries around the world - youths to be involved in decision-making processes related to climate action

CHILDREN and young people will now be included at the policy level, as agents of change for climate action, as Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Saturday, signed the Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action. The declaration developed by young people from across the world, identifies their priorities for climate action. It urges States to consistently consider children’s specific needs, rights and perspectives in their climate policies and action at all levels. The signing marked a new milestone for UNICEF Guyana, as the intergovernmental organization, in collaboration with the First Lady’s Office, observed World Children’s Day, in advance, with over one hundred children and youths at the State House Benab, Carmichael Street, Georgetown. The ceremonial signing of the declaration signalled Guyana as a new signatory to the declaration, joining 42 other countries around the world. Prime Minister Phillips said Guyana is pleased to endorse the Declaration also given that it is consistent with the actions the country has taken and the actions it will take in securing a sustainable future for children and youth in Guyana. He explained that the government recognises the unique vulnerability of children to the impacts of natural disasters and other extreme weather events and, in recognising their vulnerability, the government has already taken concrete actions to mitigate the impacts of climate change. This he noted is evident is the government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). “The LCDS recognises the pivotal role of youth in shaping our nation's destiny. It incorporates a dedicated section that proclaims the goal of mainstreaming youth participation in the Strategy. We believe that involving our youth in the decision-making processes related to climate action is not just a question of inclusion; it is an acknowledgement of the unique perspectives, innovative ideas, and boundless energy they can bring to the process,” the Prime Minister said. He added, “The endorsement of this ‘Declaration’ is not just a strategic move but a moral imperative. By championing the principles outlined in this ‘Declaration’, Guyana ensures that our children and youth inherit a

sustainable future.” Meanwhile, during remarks, Nicolas Pron, UNICEF Guyana and Suriname Country Representative, lauded the Prime Minister for signing the declaration, while noting it marks an historic event for UNICEF and children in Guyana. He said, “Climate change presents the greatest threat to children’s futures, and it is having an impact on children’s health, access to safe water, nutrition, basic services and infrastructure, education, and child protection in Guyana and around the world.” Pron highlighted that UNICEF works with all stakeholders to ensure the rights and protection of every child across the globe. “One of those rights, is the right to a safe and sustainable environment. This right, however, is threatened by climate change,” he stated. The UNICEF Representative further thanked the Prime Minister for displaying the Government of Guyana’s continued commitment to not only ensuring a bright future for children in Guyana, but for also ensuring their voices will be heard and their needs will be addressed. Additionally, during remarks, Pron, along with other attendees at the event, observed a one minute of silence for children affected in conflict situations around the world. He made a call for peace, safety and protection for every child, especially those in conflict situations. Sharing the same sentiment on climate change affecting those who have contributed the least to the crisis—children, Mrs. Arya Ali, First Lady of Guyana, made a call for everyone to make the necessary investment to protect the planet and safeguard the future of our children. “My office, and, by extension, the government, stands ready to support efforts which are aimed at protecting the welfare of children,” she said. The observance of the World Children’s Day event culminated with an upcycling activity facilitated by Everything Makes Craft, UNICEF Volunteers and Rights of the Child Commission’s Child Rights Advocates with children from various orphanages in Guyana. Children at the event learned how to upcycle plastic bottles, toilet paper rolls and scrap cardboards to make art and crafts. To further commemorate

WCD 2023 on November 20, UNICEF Guyana will light up the State House in Blue. The blue light up is a visual element that connects all World Children’s Day activities around the world. It is a visual reminder of the shared responsibility to protect, promote, and advocate for the rights of every child, everywhere. Every year, on November 20, UNICEF, in over 190 countries, celebrates the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. On that day, the intergovernmental organisation highlights critical issues affecting children’s lives, and support the engagement of children and young people as advocates for their own rights.

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips on Saturday signed the Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

Maduro clinging to power, using referendum as distraction - De Armas-Archbold says

SHEDDING light on the brewing tensions between Guyana and Ve n e z u e l a , P e o p l e ’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Georgetown Councillor, Alfonso De Armas-Archbold, maintained his stance that Venezuela has no claim over Essequibo and President Nicolas Maduro is trying to score political points with the upcoming referendum. Given the public’s concern on the border/ c o n t r o v e r s y, D e A rmas-Archbold told the Guyana Chronicle that now, more than ever,

Guyanese need to be very vocal about this. Speaking more on Maduro weaponising the referendum in order to promote Anti-Guyanese rhetoric and score political points, De Armas-Archbold said: “I believe, [it] is closely related to the internal political machinations surrounding Venezuela's upcoming 2024 election,” adding that Maduro has been at the helm through several elections marred by accusations of rigging and suppression of opposition candidates. He then referenced

the agreement signed on October 17 between Venezuela’s government officials and their main Opposition, which laid groundwork for their 2024 elections. Given this, the PPP/C Councillor underscored that this move by the Maduro administration is significant especially with the rising popularity of Opposition Leader, Maria Corina Machado, who won a resounding 90 per cent in the primaries. “For the first time, Maduro faces a real threat to his power,” De Armas-Archbold stated.

As Maduro clings to power, according to the PPP/C Councillor, the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy takes on new meaning. “Maduro seems to be using this issue to rally nationalistic support ahead of the general elections. This is in contrast to Maria Machado's preference for a World Court resolution to the dispute, further highlighting the differences between the incumbent and the opposition,” he said. INTERNATIONAL LAW Moreover, on Tues-

day, Guyana’s representatives, urgently appealed for provisional measures to address the “imminent threat” occasioned by Venezuela’s upcoming referendum and called for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to act now to prevent “incalculable and irreparable injury” to Guyana’s rights. Renowned international legal counsel Paul Reichler, during his submissions at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, explained that the referendum, as outlined by President Nicolas Maduro, aims to solidify Venezuela’s rejection of the 1899 Arbitral Award. Additionally, it also challenges the ICJ’s jurisdiction in a move that could have profound consequences on the ongoing territorial controversy between the two nations. As such, Reichler stressed the urgency of seeking the court’s assistance to prevent “incalculable and irreparable injury” to Guyana’s rights, particularly concerning the Essequibo region. The territory, awarded to British Guiana in the 1899 Arbitral Award, is now at the centre of a revived territorial claim by Venezuela. According to Reichler, the impending referendum is not merely a gauge of public opinion but a strategic move by Spanish-speaking nation to gain popular support for decisions that have already been made at the highest levels of its government. Reichler pointed to the deliberate crafting of referendum questions, designed to leave no outcome other than an overwhelming mandate

for the Venezuelan government’s predetermined actions. The questions, as analysed by Reichler, not only reject the Arbitral Award but also challenge the ICJ’s jurisdiction, paving the way for the annexation of Guyana’s territory and its incorporation into Venezuela as a new state. The legal counsel raised concerns about the impact of the referendum on Guyana’s rights, particularly in the event of the rejection of the 1899 Arbitral Award and the court’s jurisdiction. Reichler further questioned the viability of the ICJ’s role after a popular mandate to reject the award, leaving Guyana’s rights in jeopardy. “Will there be any role left for you to decide upon the validity of the award? After the referendum produces an overwhelming popular mandate to reject it, and the boundary is fraudulently imposed so that Venezuela can take back the territory that was stripped from it,” he said. Reichler also highlighted Venezuela’s intentions to reject the court itself, as indicated by President Maduro’s explicit statement that Venezuela “will never recognise the International Court of Justice as an instance for the attention or resolution of this matter.” “How can the President of Venezuela declare a month before the referendum is held that the outcome will be a rejection of the court as a means for the resolution of the territorial controversy with Guyana?” Reichler later questioned.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS SCOTTSVILLE 08:10 hrs Passage Of Power 08:45 hrs Cupid's Song 09:20 hrs Mc Cartney 09:55 hrs Dockofthebay 10:30 hrs Lady Canton

IRISH RACING TIPS NAVAN 08:15 hrs Paggane 08:45 hrs In For The Night 09:20 hrs Search For Glory 09:55 hrs Slane Hill 10:30 hrs Gevrey 11:05 hrs Fact To File 11:40 hrs Qualimita

ENGLISH RACING TIPS CHELTENHAM 09:10 hrs Tellherthename 09:45 hrs Crebilly 10:20 hrs Cloudy Glen 10:55 hrs Jon Bon 11:30 hrs Iberico Lord 12:00 hrs Fire Flyer NEWCASTLE 08:25 hrs Oscar Doodle 08:55 hrs Lautrec 09:28 hrs Likeashadow 10:00 hrs Lou Lou's Gift 10:38 hrs El Hibli 11:14 hrs Top Gun Tina 11:45 hrs Banner Road

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

MVP Sports U-11 Girls Football

Marian Academy, SJTB Primary register big wins Marian Academy and St John the Baptist Primary were two of the big winners in the MVP sports sponsored U11 schools football tournament yesterday. Played at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue, there were also wins for West Ruimveldt and Tucville. See full results below Game 1 Smiths Memorial 0 vs Tucville Primary 1 Tucville Primary Goal Scorer Wolette Griffith 32’ Game 2 F.E Pollard Primary 0 vs Potaro Primary 2 Potaro Primary Goal Scorers Alesha Gonsalves 15’ Reniese Jospeh 38’ Game 3 Genesis 0 vs St John Baptist Primary 5

St John Baptist Primary Goal Scorers Shemia Hing 4’, 15’, 37’ Neisa Lewis 6’ Jaziah Rodrigues 17’ Game 4 St Aloysius Primary 0 vs West Ruimveldt 4 West Ruimveldt Goal Scorers Ariel Farley 4’,5’, 15’ Thea Valentine 40’ Game 5 One Mile Primary 0 vs Marian Academy 5 Marian Academy Goal Scorers Skylar De Nobrega 14’, 33’, 38’, 40’ Chrissyanne Persaud 24’ Game 6 Friendship Primary 0 vs North Georgetown Primary 0 North Georgetown won by penalty kicks 2-1 Part of the action in yesterday’s play

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

NBA: LeBron James stars to help LA Lakers beat Portland Trail Blazers LEBRON James equalled his season-high score of 35 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 107-95 in the NBA in-season tournament. James also registered nine assists for the Lakers, who lead their group with three wins from three games. Victor Wembanyama's San Antonio Spurs lost 129120 to the Sacramento Kings and, having lost all three group games so far, cannot make the knockout stage. De'Aaron Fox scored a season-high 43 points for the Kings. Each team play four games in their group, and games in the in-season tournament count towards a team's 82-game regular-season schedule. Spurs' defeat was their seventh in a row overall - but 19-year-old French sensation Wembanyama, who scored 27 points against the Kings, believes they will recover. "All of us, we know we're on a good path," he said. "Of course it's hard to be patient sometimes, but it's an everyday fight. I know that the end of the season will not look like the beginning of the season." Charlotte Hornets' Miles Bridges played his first NBA game since April 2022 as they were defeated 130-99 by the Milwaukee Bucks. Bridges missed the whole of the 2022-23 season, having not signed an NBA contract after being arrested and charged over a domestic violence incident, to which he subsequently entered a 'no contest' plea - where a defendant does not admit guilt, but accepts punishment as if they had. The NBA suspended him for 30 games without pay as a result of the incident, but it was deemed that he had served 20 games of the ban by sitting out last season. That left him with a 10-game ban to serve at the start of this season. Bridges came off the bench to score 17 points in 33 minutes for the Hornets in defeat. Elsewhere, Kevin Durant scored 38 points, including a three-pointer with 18.8 seconds left, to help the Phoenix Suns beat the Utah Jazz 131-128. The Boston Celtics were

108-105 winners against the Toronto Raptors, while Orlando Magic beat the Chicago Bulls 103-97. Joel Embiid registered 32 points, eight assists and seven rebounds to help Philadelphia 76ers to a 126116 win against the Atlanta Hawks. The new in-season tournament involves a group stage in which 30 teams have

been randomly split into six groups of five. Teams in each group will play each other once before a knockout stage of eight sides. T h e q u a r t e r- f i n a l s will be made up of the six group winners and two teams from each conference which have the best group records in second place.(BBC Sport)

LeBron James is playing in his 21st NBA campaign

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

Big Man Inter-County 30-over cricket bowls off today B’ce battles President’s X1 at Blairmont and E’bo faces Demerara at Affiance

By Sean Devers BERBICE Gladiators, led by former Test opener, Sewnarine Chattergoon, should start as favourites when they face the President’s X1 Warriors in the opening round of the inaugural Big Man Cricket over-40 Inter-County 30-overs Tournament today at the Blairmont Community Centre ground. A large crowd is anticipated at the West Bank Berbice venue which produced Test players Roy Fredericks and Brandon Bess as the tournament bowls off at 11:00hrs. The left-handed Chattergoon played 4 Tests and 18 ODIs and scored five tons from 63 First-Class matches. The 42-year-old Chattergoon is expected to lead the batting with support from former Guyana Stanford T20 big-hitter Imran Khan, off-spinner all-rounder Devon Clements, Lakeram Latchman, Heeralall Bridgelall, Balram Samaroo, Karamdatt Bissiondyial, Shabeer Baksh and Eon

Gibson, The President XI Warriors will be led by Sham Persaud while Surendra Hiralall and Richard Latif could spearhead the batting with support from Clement Archer, Vishnu Ramjeet, Rawle Brown and Delbert Hicks. Latif, David Dick and veteran off-spinner Kerwin Ross are still participating at the First Division level in GCA’s cricket. The action in the Berbice game will have commentary streaming live on YouTube In the other game in Essequibo, pre-tournament favourites Demerara Capitals, led by former Test opener Ryan Ramdass, comes up against Essequibo Jaguars at Reliance. Ramdass who turned 40 last July, played a single Test in Sri Lanka and has three First-Class centuries and four fifties from 21 matches with a highest score of 144 against Barbados and is expected to lead the batting for Demerara. Troy Benn, Andrew Lyght Junior and West Indies over-40 player, Randy

Ryan Ramdass

Lindore, play First Division cricket and should do the bulk of the scoring while 41-year-old Hemraj Garbarran, who played his lone First-Class match in 2000, will look to turn back the clock with his stylish strokeplay. Fast bowling all-rounder Ucil Armstrong will lead the pace attack. The host will depend on Skipper Trevis Simon, Fazeer Khan, Ramesh Deonarine and National U-19 left-arm spinner, Bhisham

Seepersaud Hand-in-Hand Fire and Life Insurance Company is the title sponsor while the teams were selected from the Big Man Cricket Clubs and teams’ tournament held in three Counties before Essequibo beat West Demerara in the National Final. Teams: Berbice Gladiators: Sewnarine Chattergoon- Captain, Devon Clements- Vice-captain, Lakeram Latchman, Heeralall Bridgelall, Balram Samaroo, Imran Khan, Karamdatt Bissiondyial, Shabeer Baksh, Eon Gibson, Marlon Brutus, Prabhudyal Baldeo, Khemraj Sumair, Ramlinggum Mangali, Safraz Omar, Imran Hussain and Mark Sampson. Gregory Crandon will serve as the Coach/Manager. President’s X1 Warriors, Sham Persaud (Capt.), Surendra Hiralall (V/Capt.), Clement Archer, Sarfraz Baksh, Rawle Browne, David Dick, Delbert Hicks, Ronald Jaisingh, Fazal Khan, Richard Latif, Seenarine Mathura, Deoram Persaud, Deo Prakash Ramdat, Vishnu Ramjeet, Kerwin Ross, Errington Seegobin, Frank

Sewnarine Chattergoon

Satnatine (Manager) Demerara Capitals, Ryan Ramdass (Capt.), Troy Benn (V/Capt.), Hemraj Garbarran, Ucil Armstrong, Parmanand Dindyal, Anthony Ifill, Randy Lindore, Andrew Lyght Jr, Lookeshwar Mahabeer, Basil Persaud, Raja Amit Pooran, Chabiraj Ramcharran, Shazam Ramjohn, Imtiaz Sadik, Chanderpaul Singh, Ramesh Thakur, Freddy Ameer (Manager)

Essequibo Jaguars: Trevis Simon (Capt.), Fazeer Khan (V/Capt) Ramesh Deonarine, Bhisham Seepersaud, Kurt Jones, Husbard Thomas, Punraj Singh, Dharmendra Lackan, Abdool Salim, Ravi Beharry, Mohamed K. Khan, Lallbachan Narine, Vishan Lall, Nevishal Pooran and Rayburn Gonsalves as Player/Coach. Linden Daniels will serve as Manager.

first half, the game came to life early in the first half, Smith saving low from Giovanni Reyna and then from Yunus Musah, all in the space of minutes. The US had a penalty call reversed by VAR in the 60th and with time ticking away at the 80th minute, it appeared as if T&T might have held on for a draw. But the pressure from the Americans finally paid off, Robinson slipping a ball into the box for Reyna at the near post to flick past Smith. Moments later, Robinson blasted a 23-yard drive past a helpless Smith before the enterprising Reyna finished off a slick move through the middle.

The two teams meet again next Monday in Port of Spain. In League B, St Kitts and Nevis drew nil-all with St Lucia in Basseterre while in Bridgetown, Sint Maarten went down 2-0 to French side Guadeloupe. In Group B of League C, Rovien Rostiana scored twice in the 41st and 52nd as the US Virgin Islands brushed aside Aruba 4-1 in Christiansted. And in Group C in Road Town, second half goals gave visitors Dominica a comfortable 2-0 victory over British Virgin Islands.

Late goals break T&T resistance

MIAMI,(CMC) – Ten-man Trinidad and Tobago disappointingly conceded three late goals to slump to a 3-0 loss to United States, in the first leg of their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final on Thursday night. Hampered by the loss of Noah Powder following his second yellow card in the 37th minute at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, the Trinidadians defended stoutly before their resolve finally broke as Ricardo Pepi (82nd), Antonee Robinson (86th) and Giovanni Reyna (89th) all scored in the space of eight minutes at the end. “To get a red card in the 37th minute and until about

81 minutes before we got any of the goals, I thought was a tremendous effort by the guys,” said T&T head coach, Angus Eve. “I thought we were in the game until we got the red card and even after we got the red card, we still equipped ourselves very well. “It forced us to change a lot of things we wanted to do in the second half but at the end of the day, I think it is no disrespect for what we did here today.” Sergiño Dest forced a diving save out of goalkeeper Denzil Smith with a rasping long range drive in the eighth minute of the League A contest before Malik Tillman

Trinidad and Tobago head coach Angus Eve

called Smith into action at the far post again in the 12th minute. Already on a 17th minute booking, Powder got his

marching orders when he chopped down Weston McKennie with a late challenge from behind. Following the goalless

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

Speedboat disqualified from Vice-president’s softball meet THE Disciplinary Committee of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc, has disqualified Speedboat from taking any further part in the Vice-President’s three-day softball extravaganza, which climaxes today at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary.

According to GSCL President Ian John, the harsh decision was taken following a meeting of the committee last evening, and was based on a complaint from the two presiding umpires who officiated in the Open All Stars fixture between Speedboat and Regal All Stars, played at the Enter-

prise Ground, East Coast Demerara. The committee, John said, felt it was a deliberate ploy by Speedboat to bring the game into disrepute through their behavioural pattern towards the umpires, who were the subjects of their verbal and abusive conduct. John also pointed

out that the GSCL Playing Conditions clearly states: “There will be no indecent language, intimidatory remarks, abusive language and threatening behaviour on the field of play. The umpires will report any indiscipline to the Competitions Committee. Any player found guilty shall be dealt with

by the Competitions/Disciplinary Committee. The player can be suspended, and his team can be fined or disqualified from the competition and all future competitions run by the GSCL Inc. John lamented that the GSCL had to take such drastic action, but said it hopes it sends a strong

message that the body will not tolerate such errant behaviour from teams. Speedboat, John said, also showed blatant disrespect for the committee by not showing up to the hearing, despite being informed via several messages.

FORMER heavyweight world champions, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, will fight separate opponents on the same night, as part of a stacked card, on December 23, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Briton Joshua will face Otto Wallin, with American Wilder taking on former champion Joseph Parker. If Joshua and Wilder both win, they could fight each other in 2024. On the undercard, WBA light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol defends his title against Manchester's Lyndon Arthur. Londoner Ellis Zorro will challenge WBC cruiserweight champion, Jai Opetaia, while British heavyweight, Daniel Dubois, will face American Jarrell Miller. Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk was set to headline the event, but Fury's difficult encounter with Francis Ngannou last month derailed those plans. With the date less than six weeks away, Turki Alalshikh of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority and Frank Warren's Queensbury Promotions have managed to finalise one of the strongest

cards in boxing history. Fired-up Joshua hits out at Wallin, Miller & critics Joshua and Wilder are on the comeback trail since losing their world titles to Usyk and Fury respectively. Joshua, 34, is promoted

Joshua is a two-time world champion with a record of 26 wins - including 23 stoppages - and three defeats. Sweden's Wallin, 32, has lost just once in 27 outings - a points defeat by Fury in

draw - have been at the hands of Fury. World-title challenger Dubois - who lost to Usyk in August - will face the undefeated Miller. The American tested positive for banned substanc-

lenge for a first world title against hard-hitting Australian Opetaia. Earlier this year, Joshua and Wilder were in talks with Saudi Arabia-based Skills Challenge about fighting, before discussions collapsed. Alalshikh's outfit has now emerged as the power broker for boxing in the country. Analysis - 'unprecedented boxing madness' How do we even begin to dissect this? Two of the biggest names in world boxing on the same card. Four Britons in total, two challenging for world titles. Fighters from rival promoters coming together. This is unprecedented boxing madness. For years fight fans have clamoured for Joshua v Wilder. It may not be happening just yet, but should they both win on December 23, the signs are there that it will happen early in 2024. Wallin and former world champion Parker are not walkovers, though, and both will be confident they can spoil the party. Zorro and Arthur are unknown outside boxing circles but have the opportunity to catapult themselves into stardom. Then there is the

intriguing clash between Dubois and the controversial Miller - a proper heavyweight tussle between two big men. A news conference will be held in London on Wednesday featuring all of the fighters, and nobody quite knows what to expect. Will there be fireworks between Joshua and Wilder? The show is being led by Queensbury, and promoter Frank Warren may come face-to-face with Matchroom Boxing's Eddie Hearn, who is also believed to be attending. Astonishingly, rivals Warren and Hearn - Britain's most high-profile promoters - say they have never met. Saudi Arabia has been criticised for sportswashing its reputation, and there is no clearer sign than this card that the Kingdom is now at the forefront of worldwide boxing. Money talks, it appears. WBC champion Fury and IBF, WBO and WBA belt holder Usyk are expected to fight in a long-awaited undisputed heavyweight bout in Riyadh in February. A confirmed date for that fight is also expected to to be publicised in the next few days.

Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder to fight on same card in Saudi Arabia

Anthony Joshua

by Matchroom Boxing and Eddie Hearn, while 38-yearold Wilder has spent most of his career with Premier Boxing Champions and adviser Al Haymon, as well as being managed by Shelly Finkel.

Deontay Wilder

2019. Wilder is one of the greatest knockout punchers in heavyweight history, with 42 stoppages in 43 wins. The only blemishes on his record - two defeats and a

es in 2019 and was withdrawn from a world-title shot against Joshua. Russian Bivol will make an 11th defence of his world title against undefeated Zorro, while Arthur will chal-

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

Cummins, Rohit identify teamwork as key reason behind surge to World Cup final

PAT Cummins and Rohit Sharma underlined the role played by every member in the squad as one of the key reasons behind their team's success at the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup ahead of the big final today. India have five batters with more than 300 runs and five bowlers with more than 10 wickets in this edition of the Cricket World Cup while the corresponding number for Australia is four apiece. Multiple players performing their roles to perfection have been the driving force behind India's unbeaten run in the tournament according to the skipper. "Obviously, when you score hundreds, when you get five wickets, a lot of spotlight is on those kind of performances," Rohit said. "But I feel guys like Jadeja, Kuldeep, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, all these guys, perform their role pretty well so that the guys who are taking five wickets and scoring hundreds are doing that quite easily. "If they wouldn't have done what is expected out of them, it would have been slightly difficult for the other guys to get a hundred or take five wickets because you need to create pressure from both sides and you can bowl

only 10 overs, you can't bowl 50 overs. So you need other support from the players." The story isn't too different for Australia, where skipper Pat Cummins himself has been an unheralded hero with the bat for Australia, twice salvaging the team out of trouble - once in the company of Glenn Maxwell, where his vigilant knock was overshadowed by a spectac-

ular double century and once again in the semi-final when he carried the team to a win under immense pressure in the run-chase. "We've had lots of different guys that have stood up at different moments," Cummins remarked when asked about who he thinks is Australia's Player of the tournament. "Travis Head had two

Player of the Match performances. Davey Warner is right up there in the most runs. Mitchell Marsh has got two hundreds and obviously, Glenn Maxwell got a ridiculous hundred against Netherlands and then an outof-this-world double hundred against Afghanistan. "And Zamps [Zampa], he's almost the top wicket-taker. I think I've just

AN elite list of commentators has been named for the ICC Men's C r i c k e t Wo r l d C u p 2023 Final in Ahmedabad. A commentary panel consisting of several stalwarts and experts of the game has been announced for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on November 19. Kass Naidoo, Ravi Shastri, Ricky Ponting, Ian Smith, Sanjay Man-

j r e k a r, A a r o n F i n c h , Nasser Hussain, Harsha Bhogle, Dinesh Karthik, Matthew Hayden, Eoin Morgan, Ian Bishop, Shane Watson, Sunil Gavaskar and Mark Howard will bring world-class coverage to screen across the world for the final of the showpiece event. The iconic voice of Ravi Shastri will bring electricity to the much-awaited toss while the expert analysis of Nasser Hussain and San-

jay Manjrekar will throw light on what the 22 yards in Ahmedabad will have to offer. On Friday, the officials for the epic finale were also confirmed. Richard Illingworth and Richard Kettleborough were named the on-field umpires while Joel Wilson will be the third umpire. Chris Gaffaney will be the fourth umpire and Match Referee Andy Pycroft will overlook the CWC23 Final.

India and Australia are set to face off in the final in what will be a repeat of the 2003 edition of the World Cup. The host, India, has been unstoppable so far with 10 wins out of 10 heading into the game. Australia, on the other hand, were bottom of the table after losing their first two games but have gone on a dominating unbeaten run thereafter en route to the final. (ICC Media)

Rohit Sharma and Pat Cummins

about named the whole eleven there. So it's really hard to single anyone out. The good thing is anyone on their day could be a match-winner." The Australian skipper is also eyeing a rare treble in the span of six months, having already secured the ICC World Test Championship title and retained the Ashes. "Oh, it's insane. I think this would probably top all of them. It's just been a wild year. And fortunately, a lot of success has followed. So to be here on the world stage where you've got every ODI nation kind of competing for the title to stand there holding the trophy, I think we'd top it all." Rohit, meanwhile, stressed on how the team prepared for the event and the hard work that went behind the scenes in the leadup to the tournament which played a major role in India's impressive World Cup. "You look forward to the World Cups like a couple of years in advance and you start preparing for it," Rohit said. Mohammed Shami's five-wicket haul and Virat Kohli's stupendous 95 helped India remain unbeaten in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. "You try and spot the

players that can do the job for you. And that is something that we heavily focused on. We realized what kind of players we need in our conditions, who are going to win your games, who are going to put the hand up in difficult situations, difficult times. "And then looking at where we stand at this point in time, obviously it's quite pleasing the way we've played the last ten games. Obviously, it's been very clinical, but at the same time, it's been quite dominant as well, which is very, very pleasing. Australia beat South Africa by three wickets. "All the efforts that we've put in for the last couple of years to get the team ready, to give clarity to each player. And it's very, very heartening to see that they come out and do the job with so much clarity and with so much authority as well. "So that is what has, you know, given me a lot of excitement. And I'm very pleased for all the guys as well, because, you know, when you put your effort and put your thought into something and when you see you being rewarded with that, it's a nice feeling." (ICC Media)

ELITE commentators panel for the CWC23 Final between India and Australia revealed

Ian Bishop

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, November 19, 2023

Inter-Guiana Games 2023…

Athletics team continues purple patch

By Calvin Chapman in Suriname

A C T I N G P re s i d e n t o f Athletics Guyana Amanda Hermonstine will be proud after Track & Field stood out once again for Guyana in the 2023 Inter-Guiana Games that's being contested in Paramaribo. After two days of keen competition, Guyana finished with a total medal haul of 24 Golds, 13 Silvers and six Bronzes. Yesterday, the final day of athletics, Guyana had 13 Gold, seven Silver and two Bronze Medals. Among the gold medalists yesterday were Tianna Springer (girls' 200m), Ezekiel Newton (boys' 200m),

sa McRae (girls' high jump), and Rodel Greene in the boys' long jump. Guyana ‘A’ in the 4x400m boys' and girls' relay, along with the 4x400m boys' and girls'. In football, Guyana drew 1-all with hosts Suriname. In volleyball, both Guyana's male and female teams fell to the Dutch side. CHESS: Guyana’s male chess team played today against Suriname. In an epic battle between the two countries, Suriname came out victorious. Playing on Board Three, Alexander Zang's game erupted into a exciting battle of strategy versus tactics. Things reached a calm when the end-game was reached with a fatal blunder of

nesses all over the board for his opponent, and eventually reaching the endgame with a rook up against two pawns, after which he proudly brought home the win. Young Nicholas Zhang fought hard fighting a battle of strategy in the French opening, due to some inexperience of the young player, he failed to hold on to the drawn position, and eventually collapsed at the very end, giving the Surinamese the win. Playing on Board One, Kyle Couchman fought a battle of sheer will to make his team proud and bring home the bacon for his country, but fell short after making a critical error on the king side, causing him to make some bad

Ezekiel Newton made light work of the 200m. Guyana’s Jaheel Cornette was second

Tiana Springer finishes ahead of team mate Athaleyha Hinckson in the girls’ 200m (Calvin Chapman photos)

Javone Roberts (boys' 800m), Marissa Thomas (girls' 800m), Esther McKinnon (girls' 3000m), Jamie Fraser (boys' discus), Lateifah James (girls' discus), Immanuel Adams in the boys' high jump, Zeris-

time, as Alexander, who was in the driver's seat, sacrificed his extra bishop to draw the game instantly. Playing on Board Two, Recardo Narine took home the victory by probing weak-

exchanges, and giving himself some pawn weakness but that wasn't the end. Young Couchman remembered what his coach taught him and created a counter-play on the queen side with a pass pawn, and took the

game by force. Unfortunately, that move wasn't enough to win, as the damage to the king’s side was too much to bear, and he eventually collapsed, giving the win to Suriname. Eventually, Suriname won the match 2.5-1.5.

TENNIS: On the opening day of IGG, Paula Kalekeyzi and Kimora Erskine showcased their dominance, emerging undefeated in the Girls’ U-18 and U-12 categories, respectively. Kalekeyzi's standout performance unfolded at the #2 singles spot, where she exhibited an impressive level of control, dropping a mere six games, overall. Her victories included a decisive 6/1 - 6/1 against French Guiana's Mila Bellony, and a commanding 6/3 - 6/1 over Suriname's Guillianne Koele. In the U-12 division, Kimora Erskine demonstrated her skill with a solid 6/4 - 6/2 triumph against French Guiana’s Alicia Garrido, and a hard-fought 7/5 - 6/4 win over Suriname’s Zaira at the #2 singles spot. Other notable results from the competition include Niomi Erskine's success in the Girls’ U-12 category, where she secured a victory against Suriname’s Ileen Bruining, but faced a tough challenge against French Guiana’s Angie Flaming.

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In the Boys’ U-12 Division, the competition saw Jonathan Jordan facing defeats at the #1 spot, falling to French Guiana’s Loyd Jully, and Suriname’s Joel Tjin a Sjoe. Meanwhile, Alexander Parkinson struggled at the #2 spot, succumbing to French Guiana’s Lucas Garrido and Suriname’s Alex Muringen. Turning to the Girls’ U-18, Renola Jordan encountered tough battles at the #2 spot, losing to French Guiana’s Marine Mercurio and Suriname’s Sarah Marhe. In the Boys’ U-18 category, Gerald Scotland faced challenges at the #1 spot, being defeated by French Guiana’s Mathis Pitta and Suriname’s Dexter Koorndijk. Denzel Luthers, at the #2 spot, had a challenging day, losing to French Guiana’s Nathan Wing Hing Chang and Suriname’s Mireldo King. The competition showcased remarkable talent and fierce competition across various age categories, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the Inter-Guiana Games.

| SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2023