Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 21-02-2025

FRIDAY 21st February, 2025

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUSIVE

No. 107721

Guyana to pump $791.4M into key renewable energy initiatives

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‘Serious, responsible, credible’ approach to economic management driving Guyana’s growth SEE PAGE

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- Finance Minister tells investors; points to consistent advancement of non-oil sectors, focus on long-term development

Crucial MoUs signed with international partners at CARICOM summit - to facilitate vaccine manufacturing in the region; explore more digital telecommunication services in the Caribbean

WPA, PNC/R see AfroGuyanese as ‘vote bank’ - Jagdeo says; draws attention to SEE silence of NGOs that ‘parade as PAGE conscience of society’ after Hinds’ 5 attack on Afro-Guyanese

President Dr. Irfaan Ali; European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen; Barbados Prime Minister and current CARICOM Chair Mia Mottley; and Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell oversaw the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) at the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM. The first MoU was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugh Todd on behalf of Guyana, and establishes technical assistance from the Government of Lithuania to Guyana and Barbados. This assistance aims to strengthen pharmaceutical regulatory services, and facilitate vaccine manufacturing in the region. The second MoU focuses on exploring digital telecommunications services for the Caribbean, in collaboration with the Spanish company, HISPASAT, and the CARICOM Telecommunications Union.

GAICO, FERSAN sign joint 8 venture agreement to further boost Guyana’s agriculture sector SEE PAGE

- possess capability of manufacturing specialised blends of fertiliser to satisfy distinct needs of local, regional farms

GRA flags Azruddin Mohamed’s underpayment of over $300M in taxes

- due to ‘grossly understated’ values of three high-end vehicles

Gas-to-Energy project set to become a reality despite delays

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 21, 2025

Guyana to pump $791.4M into key renewable energy initiatives - over the next three years, Prime Minister Phillips says

By Naomi Parris TO accelerate Guyana’s transition and solidify its role as a global leader in sustainable energy production, the country has outlined ambitious plans to invest $791.4 million in renewable energy projects over the next

three years.

This was revealed by Guyana’s Prime Minister Brigadier Ret’d Mark Phillips during a presentation at the ongoing Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo on Thursday.

Prime Minister Phillips highlighted that the investment will focus on a variety

of large-scale renewable energy projects, including the installation of 21 solar minigrids that will benefit over 240 public and community buildings across Regions One (Barima-Waini), Three, Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and

Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The projects will ensure that key infrastructure such as health centres, schools, and ICT hubs in remote communities receive reliable renewable power.

“Guyana's rise as an emerging energy powerhouse

Guyana’s Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips is not occurring in isolation.

In fact, it is part of a broader global movement towards energy security and sustainability. As one of the newest oil-producing nations, Guyana has a unique opportunity to learn from and contribute to the evolving global energy landscape,” PM Phillips said.

He added: “Guyana is positioning itself as a leader in energy transition, ensuring that its resource will be harnessed responsibly and in alignment with global climate goals. This conference, therefore, remains a core platform for engaging with global partners.”

The Prime Minister also detailed several other renewable energy initiatives in the pipeline. These include solar PV systems scheduled for completion by 2025 in Paramakatoi (Region Eight), and Nappi, Awarewaunau, and Yupukari (Region Nine), bringing renewable energy to underserved areas.

“When our government took office in August 2020, we made a commitment to the people of Guyana to deliver affordable, stable and reliable energy to households and businesses across Guyana,” Phillips shared, noting how these projects will directly impact over 140,000 citizens in more than 240 communities.

This major investment comes as part of Guyana’s broader energy strategy to diversify its energy mix, integrating natural gas, solar, hydro, and wind energy, while aligning with the global push for cleaner energy solutions.

It follows a $7.9 billion investment in renewable energy initiatives from 2020 to 2024, which included solar farms, hydro projects, and the distribution of over 30,000 solar PV home-energy systems.

The government’s renewable energy focus is part of a larger effort to reduce Guyana’s carbon footprint and contribute to global climate goals.

Prime Minister Phillips reiterated that the country is positioning itself as a leader in energy transition, taking deliberate steps to ensure that its resource wealth is harnessed responsibly.

He said: “The results of these investments are evident in tangible and transformative ways. Solar expansion, a one

megawatt solar PV farm in Lethem has generated over 3,000 megawatt hours of renewable energy, saving some 5,000 drums of diesel and avoiding more than 2,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.”

Guyana, he noted, is determined to navigate the energy landscape with foresight, positioning itself as a leader in the global shift towards cleaner energy solutions.

With new projects already underway and more set to accelerate in the coming years, the government’s $791.4 million investment marks a pivotal moment in Guyana’s energy future.

As Phillips put it: “Each initiative mentioned has had tangible life changing improvements for families, small Businesses and entire communities, more children now have access to electricity for evening studies. Farmers can better process their produce.

Entrepreneurs can expand their businesses.”

“This is the epitome of progress, betterment for the lives of our people,” he added.

The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of international collaboration, noting that Guyana’s success depends on forging global partnerships and adopting best practices from around the world.

He said: “It is critical at every juncture of this energy transition journey that we forge international alliances and adopt best practices Guyana can and will accelerate its energy transition, ensuring that the gas-to-energy project positions the country as a leader in a global shift towards cleaner energy solutions.”

The Prime Minister further noted that Guyana’s ambitious energy goals require strategic advancements in infrastructure, technology, and workforce development—an effort he sees as essential for the continued success of the country’s energy transition.

He said: “As Guyana continues to shape his story, he recognises that achieving our ambitious goals requires strategic advancement in infrastructure, technology and workforce development, and this, ladies and gentlemen, is the beauty of connecting with us.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 21, 2025

‘Serious, responsible, credible’ approach to economic management driving Guyana’s growth

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- Finance Minister tells investors; points to consistent advancement of non-oil sectors, focus on long-term development

By Clestine Juan FINANCE Minister Dr. Ashni Singh has said that Guyana’s sustained “double-digit growth and fiscal prudence” under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government have made the country an “attractive destination for investment” because of its “serious, responsible, and credible” approach to economic management.

Over the past five years, Guyana has seen holistic economic expansion, driven largely by developments in its oil-and-gas sector, which spinoff to other sectors, resulting in the country being listed among the fastest-growing economies in the world.

Minister Singh, during his presentation on Day Three of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo said the country's real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 43.6 per cent in 2024 alone, with overall growth rates averaging between 39-40 percent per annum.

By the end of 2024, G u y a n a ’s e c o n o m y had expanded five-fold compared to 2019, with a nominal GDP soaring from US$5.2 billion to nearly US$25 billion.

“Our per capita GDP increased from just over US$6,500 in 2019 to more than US$30,500 in 2024,” Dr. Singh told the audience, pointing to the country’s rapid transformation into an economic powerhouse.

Turning his attention to oil production, he said this sector has played a significant role in this surge, with current production at approximately 650,000 barrels per day (bpd).

By 2030, this figure is projected to reach

1.3 million bpd, further cementing Guyana’s position as a major energy player.

“If you consider that we are now at 2025, and you contemplate for a moment that this is the trajectory that we're speaking about between now and 2030, you get a sense of how much more we will be growing for the remainder of the decade,” the Finance Minister told the investors.

He added, however, that these projections are based on current discoveries and floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) deployments, and do not account for new exploration activities, which could push production even higher.

NON-OIL EXPANSION While oil is a critical driver, Guyana’s government is building a robust non-oil economy. Between 2021 and 2024, non-oil economic growth averaged 10.3 per cent, with projections of sustained eight per cent growth for the remainder of the decade.

Minister Singh said that this is due to significant investments in agriculture, construction, forestry, and services, highlighting the construction boom in both public infrastructure and residential housing.

“Anybody who's visited Guyana or been in Guyana knows that there is a tremendous construction boom taking place, both in terms of public infrastructure, but also in terms of industrial, commercial and residential construction,” Dr. Singh said.

He added that the same trend is being recorded in the gold and bauxite industries, which are also seeing expansion, with largescale gold mining projects and a new metal-

lurgical-grade bauxite plant set to ramp up production to four million tonnes in the coming years.

“In every single sector of the non-oil economy, we see expansion,” Dr. Singh said, dismiss-

port long-term economic transformation.”

Despite increased spending on national development, Guyana maintains one of the lowest debt-to-GDP ratios in the hemisphere at 24.3 per cent.

Key projects include the long-anticipated road link between Guyana and northern Brazil, potential improved linkages with Suriname, and a robust network of highways, bridges, and port facilities.

Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh during his presentation on government expenditure and the PPP/C administration’s focus on long-term development (Delano Williams photo)

ing claims that Guyana's growth is solely dependent on oil.

Against this backdrop, the finance minister also highlighted the government’s commitment to effectively managing recurrent expenditure, and directing resources towards infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

Under the previous administration, capital expenditure was significantly lower, whereby in 2019, less than 25 per cent of public expenditure went to capital investments, with over 75 per cent allocated to government consumption.

“We took a conscious decision to change that,” Dr. Singh said, adding: “By 2024, 54.4 per cent of government expenditure was dedicated to capital investments, such as roads, schools, hospitals, and energy projects that will sup-

Dr. Singh compared this to the country’s economic situation in the 1970s and 1980s, when Guyana was burdened with debt exceeding 600 per cent of GDP. To d a y, n o t o n l y is Guyana’s external debt stable at just over US$2.2 billion, but it also has a savings cushion in the Natural Resource Fund (NRF), which now holds over US$3.1 billion.

“We have enough money in the NRF to pay off our country’s entire external debt, and still have over half-abillion US dollars left,” Dr. Singh noted, alluding to the government’s strong fiscal position.

This year, Guyana's budget is set at $1.382 trillion, with a significant portion dedicated to infrastructural development, aimed at enhancing connectivity and economic expansion.

Additionally, the government is making major investments in energy infrastructure, with a focus on expanding capacity, improving reliability, and reducing costs.

The landmark Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project is a centerpiece of this plan, expected to slash electricity costs by 50 per cent, and bolster industrial growth and provide much relief to its Guyanese.

In agriculture, over $105 billion has been allocated in 2025 to enhance food security, including investments in climate-resilient infrastructure, and expanded drainage and irrigation systems.

Meanwhile, education and healthcare are receiving record investments, with $175 billion dedicated to expanding access to quality education, including Online scholarship programmes

and technical training initiatives.

For example, the government is working in collaboration with ExxonMobil to establish the Guyana Technical Training College, which will become a global centre of excellence for deep-sea operations training.

Similarly, healthcare investments ensure the construction of worldclass hospitals and telemedicine initiatives to expand healthcare access in remote regions.

Even as it rapidly develops its oil-and-gas sector, Minister Singh pointed out that Guyana remains a leader in environmental stewardship, with the country’s extensive forest cover—85 per-cent of its territory—positioning it as a global carbon sink.

Under the Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, Guyana has successfully monetised its forest conservation efforts, becoming the first country to secure jurisdictional-scale certification for carbon credits.

Through carbon credit sales, including a historic US$750 million deal with Hess Corporation, Guyana has already generated substantial revenues that are being reinvested in climate adaptation and green development initiatives.

“There is an incredibly exciting climate story and environmental story that is unfolding in Guyana, and a lot more is known about what's happening in oil and gas.

“Many of you are here, perhaps because of oil and gas, but you must be shy about speaking about what's happening in Guyana because this is new in truly unique stories,” Minister Singh told the room full of investors.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 21, 2025

Energy Conference fosters interest in further expansion of non-oil sectors - Dr. Jagdeo says investors see vast potential outside of oil and gas

By Trina Williams GUYANA continues to be a global hotspot for investors, and not just because of its booming oil-and-gas sector, but also due to the consistent progress and investments in its non-oil sectors, which have attracted the eyes of many.

This was according to General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo during his weekly press conference at Freedom House on Thursday.

He highlighted that the Guyana Energy Con-

ference and Supply Chain Expo is displaying the country’s untapped potential.

The conference, which is being held from February 18-21, received commendations from the PPP General Secretary, who is also the nation’s Vice-President. He said that it is the largest ever in Guyana with representatives from over 60 countries.

Speaking more on the buzz at the conference, Dr. Jagdeo said that many participants expressed a healthy interest in Guyana’s non-oil sectors.

Sole reliance on the oil-and-gas sector has resulted in economic devastation for many countries, and Guyana’s policymakers have learnt from those nations’ mistakes.

Dr. Jagdeo said: “We want to use the conference to draw attention to the rich potential of Guyana for expansion and growth, and wealth creation for our people in numerous areas outside of the oil-and-gas industry. And this is consistent with our approach for economic diversification, with the view in mind that at some stage in the future, the prosperity from the oil-and-gas sector will decline, and if we want to maintain national prosperity, we have to, in the interim, [enhance] the other sectors to fill that gap whenever that happens.”

With over 1,000 local companies being

accredited, Dr. Jagdeo said that the potential for these businesses to grow through collaboration with foreign companies is present because of the conference.

“This is really exciting; it’s not a damp affair,” he said.

The shift in how the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo is being run currently, compared to how it was under the previous A Partnership for Nation-

al Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration was pointed out by Dr. Jagdeo.

"The past government, they had a foreign company running this oil-andgas conference. Now, it’s a Guyanese who’s running it. They have a secretariat, mainly of women and mainly Guyanese women who are running the entire conference, and it’s done at an international level,” he said.

Dr. Jagdeo compared

the current conference to its previous years under APNU+AFC, when investors expressed dissatisfaction over those policymakers' frequent inability to offer concrete direction when it came to policy matters.

“Under the previous APNU+AFC government, policy direction was unclear, and ministers were scarce. Now, if you ask about policy, there are clear answers,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 21, 2025

WPA, PNC/R see Afro-Guyanese as ‘vote bank’

- Jagdeo says; draws attention to silence of NGOs that ‘parade as conscience of society’ after Hinds’ attack on Afro-Guyanese WORKING People’s Alliance (WPA) Co-Leader, David Hinds’ failure to empower Afro-Guyanese was brought to light by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, who said that both the WPA and People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) see Afro-Guyanese as “vote banks.”

Jagdeo, during his weekly press conference at Freedom House on Thursday, blazed Hinds for his “disgusting” remarks made to Afro-Guyanese.

In Hinds’ show, ‘Politics 101,’ he insulted the dignity of independent minded Afro-Guyanese by referring to them as “lick bottoms” and “house slaves.”

The WPA, which was part of the APNU+AFC Govern-

ment, failed to prioritise the same people they now criticise for supporting the PPP/C, Jagdeo said.

He said: “In the five years that APNU was in office, the entire small leadership (WPA) had very cushy jobs.”

Rather than actually improving the living standards of Afro-Guyanese, the WPA and other members of the coalition administration sat quietly as the “Because We Care” cash grant was taken away, and did not even advocate for initiatives such as house lots or employment for citizens.

This sort of attitude shows that they view persons as political tools so they can attain leadership to uplift themselves, the General Secretary highlighted.

He said: “Why would anyone want to align them-

selves with a party that has done nothing for them? People have choices. They are not sellouts – they are simply making smart choices. They are looking for opportunities, not racism or oppression.”

Jagdeo then pointed to how Afro-Guyanese and overall, all citizens, regardless of race, are empowered under the PPP/C. He rejected the rhetoric being hurled towards those Afro-Guyanese that support the PPP, and said that they are making decisions based on their assessment of the various track records.

Addressing the opposition, he said: “You have no track record to speak of…. they have no vision for the future… they can’t give a coherent view on the oil and gas sector, both APNU and AFC.”

Jagdeo also called out the Leader of the PNC/R, Aubrey Norton for brushing aside Hinds’ recent attacks on independent-minded Afro-Guyanese.

Norton, when asked by the Guyana Chronicle to comment on the utterances by the WPA’s Co-Leader, said: “Late last night I heard and I checked the details of what he said. I’ve heard people commenting on it and if what I heard is true, I would have chosen a different language.”

The PPP General Secretary blazed him for not condemning these remarks and said: “He hears everything under the sun but couldn’t hear this vile sort of abuse of Afro-Guyanese.”

He also said: “The WPA and the PNC treat Afro-Guyanese as though they are un-

thinking, easily manipulated individuals. They believe that these people will blindly follow them, without considering the broader issues or their own self-interest.”

Jagdeo also brought attention to the silence from those Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and those who parade themselves as the “conscience of society.”

Hinds attacked Afro-Guyanese for exercising their democratic right to align with a political party of their choice.

In his programme, Hinds said there are a lot of “lick bottom” Afro-Guyanese. He continued his tirade for some time, continuously hurling verbal attacks towards Afro-Guyanese.

Hinds went on to describe this section of the Guyanese

population as “sell outs,” adding, “All kind of talk they giving us, as to why they behaving like house slaves and slave catchers. We got to talk it as it is.”

Despite it being Black History Month, as he highlighted, Hinds did not see it fit to use the opportunity and his platform to make uplifting comments, but instead he chose it to make derogatory statements directed at Afro-Guyanese, whom he claimed were not on the “right side.”

The WPA Co-Leader said: “… We’re talking to black people, those of us who are on the right side of the fence, we’re talking to you, to help us to bring them ‘lick bamz**’ Africans on the right side of the fence.”

Jagdeo dismisses Transparency International report as ‘damp squib’ PEOPLE’S Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo has rejected the most recent data published by Transparency International (TI), and deemed it a “damp squib”, given the intentional disregard of te government’s efforts.

During a press conference at Freedom House on Thursday, Jagdeo called out local critics of the PPP for having a role to play in this.

He even pointed out other parts of the report that gave contentious data on major countries, which raised questions on transparency and accuracy.

According to the report, the United States (US) saw an 11-point drop, while Venezuela and Canada each declined by eight points.

Owing to the findings of the report, he questioned its validity, since countries such as the US and Canada are often seen as role models for democracy.

“So, often you have to assess these reports in perspective, and in their full complexity,” he said.

Despite the APNU+AFC’s stint in office having reported actions of infractions, the report gave Guyana a high score in that period, making Jagdeo question the accuracy.

He said: “Anything they say about us now will pale in comparison to what they did.”

Jagdeo contended that the local reports being sent globally exclude the infractions under APNU+AFC, and so this resulted in a high score

for the country.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali had also questioned the absence of actual concrete evidence, as well as the sources of this data and posited that the report was created with input from PPP critics.

He also questioned the report's scores in relation to the previous APNU+AFC administration's stint in office, which was marked by a number of infractions.

He said: “They got a higher ranking for that; the worst period in the history of our country. [Now], more persons are ticketed. More persons are prosecuted by CANU. More persons came under disciplinary measures in all government agencies, but we score less. What nonsense is this? What mischief and misinformation is this?”

The President had noted that if one were to focus on empirical data, one would observe that in terms of project permits, the coalition government had an 89 per cent implementation rate, while the PPP/C government has a 97 per cent implementation rate.

In order to reveal the report's political motivation, President Ali carefully examined the list of contributors, identifying their connections to opposition figures, and their habitually opposing opinions on government policies and programmes.

The President had provided this damning material, which shows that the report's conclusions lack impartiality.

He also questioned how a government (APNU+AFC) that attempted to conceal the receipt of a US$18 million

signing bonus from Stabroek Block operator ExxonMobil can receive a higher rating on this index.

Pointing to several reports such as that of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFTAF), which recently awarded Guyana the prestigious Best Regional AML/CFT Case Award (BREMOLT), the President

indicated what actual objectivity is.

The President maintains that the government's anti-corruption measures have been much improved, but this fact does not fit the opposition figures' intended narrative, or their plan to influence public opinion ahead of the general and regional elections in 2025.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 21, 2025

Long-term Prosperity GUYANA’S government is guiding the country towards long-term prosperity with careful investment in infrastructure, which has been lauded by renowned economist Sir Paul Collier.

As the country experiences an economic boom as a result of oil discovery, the government's focus on developing infrastructure is not only farsighted but imperative for sustainable growth.

The government's plan is precisely as Sir Paul suggested, converting oil wealth into "permanent

assets on the ground".

It is a vision for the long term, realising that oil income is finite, and that the true path to sustainable prosperity is the development of the country's physical and social infrastructure.

Those critics calling for straight cash transfers do not see the bigger picture. Whereas these transfers can afford short-run relief, they don't produce the basis of enduring economic development.

As correctly put by Sir Paul, "You can eat, thanks to the highway and the road", as they facilitate

economic activity and the opening up of chances for the people to live as long as they can do some economic activities.

The government's spending on roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects is not just about concrete and steel; it's about realising new possibilities for trade, reducing transportation costs, and connecting communities.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali's administration has made significant steps since 2020, not only in constructing physical infrastructure, but with a vi-

sion of development that encompasses the growth of human capital.

The focus on health, from training thousands of nurses to establishing healthcare facilities reflects an interest in developing human capital, as well as physical infrastructure. Balanced development is necessary in an effort to build a diversified and sustainable economy that will keep thriving long after the oil riches are depleted.

The New Demerara Harbour Bridge project is just the kind of vision one can expect from the gov-

My Guyana

Dear Editor, MY Guyana is a beautiful spread of greenery.

It pulsates and emits a watery sunshine aura of a mix of seven awesome races of people.

My Guyana appeals to my senses with her delicious spices and delicacies, filled with the

aromas of the memories of recipes passed down from generation to generation of family sweat in small loving cozy kitchens.

My Guyana is a peaceful place of catchy music and waistline-swaying tunes.

There is friction, yes,

but show me where in this vast world is there not any friction? After all, perfection does not exist, so, obviously my Guyana is not exempt from her share of ups and downs.

My Guyana is a place of peaceful breezy winds and comforting rains on

the rooftops at nights, lulling me to sleep in times both good and bad, happy and sad. Her days and nights both give way to sweet dreams of the young and the old.

My Guyana may not have the hugeness and variety of the First World, but her smallness

ernment. The new, fourlane bridge with cycle lanes will take the place of the existing one, and provide toll-free travel. These are not projects that seek to decongest traffic alone; they are economic change drivers, which generate employment and catalyse development in the area.

While Guyana balances on the cusp of historic economic prosperity, the country's infrastructure-based strategy is laying the groundwork for a rosy future. By investing oil revenues in tangible, long-lasting assets, Guyana is avoiding the

pitfalls that have haunted other resource-rich countries, and instead building a platform for long-term sustainable development that will span generations.

Under scrutiny, the government can't fail.

The roads, bridges, and buildings being built today are the arteries through which Guyana's future economic blood will flow. As Sir Paul affirms, this route is not only right; it is essential to convert Guyana's new wealth into sustained well-being for all of its citizens.

and vastness comforts in more ways than one.

My Guyana is a picturesque place filled with beautiful warm memories of care and love.

My Guyana is a mountain of intelligence, set apart by her uniqueness of brilliantness and strength. She is the Queen of the Caribbean and the Emerald of South America.

In this difficult life and world today, we are given many choices.

We can run, or we can stay. We can fight, or

we can give up. There is so much available to us through the media and the Internet. Life has become easy for some, yet still hard for others.

Te c h n o l o g y h a s made this world a small interactive space, and when things get hard we may want to run to other places in this very available world. However, please remember that this Guyana, my Guyana, will forever also be your Guyana.

Yours truly, Tanuja Singh

The reason why Vishnu Bisram has no traction

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 21, 2025

I wrote this before and I am repeating it.

I had just parked my bicycle (I am waiting for the cash grant to buy a replacement) after riding in the national park, when my phone rang. The caller expressed admiration for the Freddie Kissoon Show then told me he disapproved of the style and mannerism of “Guyanese Critic.” He believes the “Guyanese Critic” is not all there.

I told him I couldn’t understand why he picked on “Guyanese Critic” when there are so many others whose mental/psychological composure is far more open for debate than that of Guyanese Critic.

Immediately, Vishnu Bisram came to mind.

You read Bisram over the past 20 years and you wonder about his mind .

Read Bisram and you will see the following notes that appear in almost all his letters.

Here are these notes Bisram has been taught by almost all the great American professor in sociology, economics,

statistics, international relations, political science, etc…. Bisram has done classes in almost all the known universities in New York. Bisram has had discussions with many of the top prominent academics in the US. Bisram has done polling all over the word.

Bisram has six Masters Degrees in six different subjects. Bisram has six doctorates in six different subjects.

Bisram is the latest addition to the school of anti-PPP critics. His anti-PPP fulminations are contained on the letter pages of Kaieteur News and the Stabroek News. One suspects this attitude came about because his request to become Guyana’s High Commissioner was turned down, and rightly so.

The PM and Foreign Minister of India just reading one of the letters Bisram wrote in the Guyanese newspapers about his status of being the most educated person in the world would bring ridicule to our High Commission.

Bisram is at it again

and the academic and political dishonesty shines brightly. Barefacedly avoiding to provide information on the organisation and administrative nature of his polling outfit in Guyana, Bisram wrote this in the Kaieteur News (Wednesday) – “Critics had asked for names and contact for people interviewed for polls. Surveys are highly confidential.”

No human on Planet Earth would ask a polling organisation for the names of people interviewed because those names are not known to the polling personnel themselves for one commonsensical reason – in polling, you do not ask the respondents for their names, you simply take a representative sample of the country’s demography.

Bisram is insulting his critics apart from lying on them. The latest person to question the existence of Bisram’s polls is Guyana’s former High Commissioner to Canada, Harry Nawbatt. What Nawbatt and other curious persons want to know

are the following 1-Where is the local office of his polling organisation located in Guyana?

2-If there is no permanent office, which organisations facilitate the operations in Guyana like co-ordinating the activities. There must be a staff consisting of competent qualified people. Mr. Bisram has not named not one single person that works with him, whether that person is from Guyana or any other country.

3-Mr. Bisram says his polling outfit is named North America Association of Teachers (NACTA). In a world where you can find everything about any organisation in any part of the world, there is absolutely nothing on the internet about an entity named NACTA. Those are just three

questions on the polling status of Mr. Bisram and his fictional organisation. Here is a warning to the leaders of the PPP. Mr. Bisam is going to claim that a poll he did shows that the PPP will become a minority government.

I am convinced of this and even though I have sounded the alarm, it will not deter Mr. Bisram.

He has become virulently anti-PPP, and he will say that he has done polls just before the election to show that the PPP will lose the plurality. I remind readers that Mr. Bisram, in an online publication he owns, titled Indian Caribbean Diaspora News (ICDN), announced that he did a straw poll that showed Glen Lall and Azarrudin Mohamed are ahead of President Ali. I don’t believe any straw poll

was done. This is Mr. Bisram way of getting at the PPP. And the PPP should expect more of this wildness from him.

For over 12 years now, Mr. Bisram writes about his poll results using the letter pages.

The media, the newspapers and online news entities do not carry Mr. Bisram poll results as news item. The reason is obvious. I close with a bit of information of Bisram that shows why no one will ever take him seriously. On February 17, 2024, he wrote in the ICDN that Guyana should become the 51st state of the US. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this c o l u m n a re s o l e l y those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 21, 2025

GAICO, FERSAN sign joint venture agreement to further boost Guyana’s agriculture sector

- possess capability of manufacturing specialised blends of fertiliser to satisfy distinct needs of local, regional farms IN a significant move towards enhancing Guyana's agricultural capacity, GAICO Construction and General Services Inc. has solidified its partnership with the Dominican Republic's largest fertiliser producer, FERSAN, under a joint venture agreement signed on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

According to information from GAICO, the agreement, signed by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Komal Singh and FERSAN CEO, Luis Viyella, was witnessed

by President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, and private sector institutions' representatives from both

nations.

The business, to be operated under the title Guyfer, will attempt to establish local fertiliser blending plants in Guyana.

The business, conceived by GAICO CFO Chandini Singh, is aimed at fulfilling the critical need for farm development and supporting Guyana to become food sustainable and expand.

The joint business will have the capability of manufacturing specialised blends of fertiliser to satisfy the distinct needs of particular farms in Guyana and other nations in South America and the Caribbean, the press release stated.

In a significant move towards enhancing Guyana’s agricultural capacity, GAICO Construction and General Services Inc. has solidified its partnership with the Dominican Republic’s largest fertiliser producer, FERSAN, under a joint venture agreement signed on Tuesday, February 18, 2025

This alliance is welltimed for Guyana's farming sector, which has experienced vast investment and development over the last couple of years.

The government alone spent $28.9 billion on the sector in the first half of 2024, representing a huge investment in agriculture.

The introduction of Guyfer's fertiliser blending operations is designed to complement this effort by promoting scientific agriculture and maximum production of crops.

The partnership between GAICO and FERSAN is not a business venture alone; it is a strategic alliance of Guyana and the Dominican Republic in an effort towards further co-operation and development.

Both partners envision carrying Guyana's agricultural capability to world standards. By merging FERSAN's production expertise in the area of fertilisers and local capabilities and infrastructure of GAICO, Guyfer aims to provide not just a commodity, but a whole service to Guyanese farmers.

This joint enterprise is a part of an overall trend in Guyanese agricultural expansion. GAICO is also making investment in a fertiliser blending

plant and a second wharf on the West Bank of Demerara, amounting to over US$10 million.

These enterprises, along with the Guyfer venture, are setting Guyana in a position to play a focal role in regional agriculture and, in the process, reduce the Caribbean Community's substantial food-import bill.

With Guyana being on a path of robust economic development, it is only befitting that partnerships such as the one between GAICO and FERSAN are nurtured to create homegrown capabilities as well as capitalise on global best practices.

Supported by funding from the two governments - that of Guyana as well as the Dominican Republic - the joint venture is set to transform Guyana's agriculture sector, enhancing the country's position in regional food production.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 21, 2025

Teen to stand trial for Mahdia Dormitory fire that killed 20

A 17-year-old girl has been committed to stand trial in the High Court for the devastating Mahdia school dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 20 in 2023.

Magistrate Sunil Scarce, presiding over the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court, ruled that while there was no direct evidence linking the teen to the crime, circumstantial evidence was sufficient for her to face a jury for the capital offence.

The ruling was handed down on February 14, 2025. It is alleged that during the course of arson committed on May 21, 2023, she murdered Tracil Thomas, Lisa Roberts, Delecia Edwards, Lorita Williams, Natalie Bellarm-

ine, Arriana Edwards, Cleoma Simon, Subrina John, Martha Dandrade, Loreen Evans, Belnisa Evans, Mary Dandrade, Omerfia Edwin, Nickleen Robinson, Sherena Daniels, Eulander Carter, Andrea Roberts, Bibi Jeffrey, Adanye Jerome and Sherana Daniels.

The police had disclosed that the teen was identified as a suspect after investigators were told that she set the fire after her cellular phone was taken away by the ‘dorm mother ’ and a teacher.

At the time of the fire, there were 57 female students in the dormitory, a one-flat concrete building measuring about 100 feet by 40 feet.

According to the reports reaching this publication, fire/smoke

was first spotted in the bathroom area. Unfortunately, it quickly engulfed the entire building, trapping many of the students and a fiveyear-old boy. Several of the students managed to escape with minor burns and injuries.

Those who were pulled from the burning building were rushed to the Mahdia District Hospital, where five of them were pronounced dead.

After the fire was extinguished, 14 burnt bodies were found. The death toll from the devastating blaze stands at 19 young girls and a five-year-old boy.

Samples that were sent to Mount Sinai Hospital in New York for DNA analyses, confirmed the identification of the dead children.

The cause of death for each of them was given as smoke inhalation and burns.

A total of 29 female

students were injured and were promptly assessed and treated. A 13-year-old girl, who was one of the two list-

ed as critically injured, had to be transported to New York for urgent specialised care and is back home.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 21, 2025

Ambassador Singh pushes for removal of Schengen Visa requirement for Guyanese travellers IN a significant push to improve travel and economic relations between Guyana and Europe, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, hosted an informal breakfast earlier this week with ambassadors from Central and South America.

According to a press release, the meeting, held at the European Parliament, provided a platform for discussions on strengthening ties between the EU and Latin America.

Among the attendees was Sasenarine Singh,

Guyana’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union, who, during his address, called for the removal of the Schengen visa requirement for Guyanese nationals traveling to Schengen countries.

As it is now, Guyanese residents have the ability to apply for Schengen visas directly in Georgetown, following a change in the visa application process that previously required applicants to travel to neighboring Suriname.

This new process, launched last October

2024, is expected to make traveling to Schengen countries more accessible for Guyanese citizens.

The Schengen area, consisting of 29 European countries, includes Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and others, allowing for seamless travel across the region.

Emphasising the need to foster deeper trade and economic relations, Singh also advocated for closer co-operation on the EU's Global Gateway Initiative, which aims to boost development projects glob-

ally.

The Guyana Embassy in Belgium noted that this breakfast event marked an important opportunity to discuss the EU-Latin America relationship during the current parliamentary term, with several other key voices echoing Singh’s call for easier travel access for Guyanese citizens.

Singh’s appeal follows previous statements made

by Guyanese President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who, in 2023, revealed that at least five EU countries had agreed to support Guyana’s bid for Schengen visa-free travel.

President Ali had highlighted the importance of addressing passport requirements for future travel, including upgrades to Guyana’s passports to meet international standards for biometric and

e-passport technology.

In a step toward this modernisation, the Guyana Ministry of Home Affairs launched the country’s new ten-year e-passport earlier this month. The new passport, equipped with an electronic chip, aims to simplify border crossings and enhance travel security, aligning with global standards for secure travel documents.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 21, 2025

GRA flags Azruddin Mohamed’s underpayment of over $300M in taxes

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- due to ‘grossly understated’ values of three high-end vehicles

THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), in response to a Facebook post purportedly being circulated by “Team Mohamed” about the payment of taxes on three vehicles, has said that the values of those imports were grossly understated.

According to GRA, the post included GRA receipts on the payment of over $98.6 million in taxes to the authority on three vehicles, namely two Land Cruisers and a Lamborghini, and further claims of the contribution of billions of dollars to the nation’s economic development through taxes.

“The GRA reiterates that the authority continues to adhere to the rules of confidentiality regarding taxpayers’ information

and for clarity will only respond to information that may be in the public domain for clarity, hence this response.

“Specifically in regard to the said vehicles, (and nothing else), the authority advises that Guyana has a voluntary tax compliance system whereby upon import, a declaration is submitted with values as declared by the importer, and taxes are self-assessed on this basis and paid thereon on the values so declared,” the revenue authority said in a press release on Thursday.

On this principle, according to GRA, these high-end vehicles were released (for facilitation of trade) into the custody of the importer, Azruddin Mohamed and he was advised of the post clearance

and valuation steps that are usually undertaken by the respective departments of the authority.

These departments, utilising principles as underpinned by the WTO/ WCO, by tax legislation and by Anti-Money Laundering regulations, thereafter, would verify the true acquisition value/cost of the said imports, and make the necessary adjustments to the applicable collectible tax.

GWI to expand water access for residents of Plegt Anker, surrounding communities IN a significant step towards improving water access for rural communities, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Shaik Baksh, led a team of well experts, hydrologists, and engineers to assess the water supply system in Plegt Anker, East Bank Berbice.

According to a press release from GWI, the visit focused on evaluating the condition of the community’s well and determining sustainable solutions to enhance water delivery.

Plegt Anker is a small farming community that relies heavily on agriculture for its livelihood. Access to clean and reliable water is essential for both domestic use and farming activities.

However, the community’s existing well has deteriorated over time, limiting its ability to meet residents’ needs. Recognising this

challenge, GWI has committed to refurbishing the well and installing house connections, giving residents first-time access to a stable water supply.

During the visit, the GWI team engaged with residents to discuss the project’s scope and ensure they were fully informed of the upcoming improvements. The CEO reassured the community that the initiative was part of GWI’s broader strategy to expand water infrastructure in underserved areas across Guyana.

“This project represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide clean, safe, and reliable water to all Guyanese.

“For too long, residents of Plegt Anker have relied on an aging well with limited capacity. By refurbishing this facility and installing household connections, we improve their quality of

life and support the community’s agricultural productivity,” Baksh said.

In addition to upgrading the well, GWI is exploring expanding its coverage to nearby villages, ensuring that surrounding communities benefit from improved water access.

This aligns with the company’s long-term vision of achieving universal water access in rural Guyana, the company said.

Residents expressed optimism and gratitude for the initiative, noting that access to clean water will ease many of their daily struggles, from household chores to farming operations.

“GWI remains committed to enhancing water infrastructure across Guyana and will continue to engage with communities to identify and address their water supply needs,” the company said.

Regarding the importation of the three vehicles, GRA said, having followed these principles, determined that the values of the said imports, were grossly understated, and moreso, in the case of the Lamborghini, thereby allowing for taxes in excess of $300 million in revenue being underpaid and collectible from the importer.

“The GRA, therefore,

perceives that any such post may be an attempt to deny the State of its lawful revenues. The authority strives to collect taxes in a fair, consistent and equitable manner and expect citizens to pay their true and rightful tax in accordance with their income, lifestyle and in keeping with applicable legislation.

The mere statement of taxes paid does not meet the standard of a taxpayer paying his/her true, correct and rightful taxes to the State,” GRA said.

The authority, again, reminded the public that misrepresenting the declared particulars or misstating the facts to avoid payment of the full taxes are subject to prosecution.

“As such, persons

breaching the laws with intent to defraud the Revenue Authority of any taxes may be guilty of an offence and liable to fines and/or imprisonment in accordance with the provisions of the laws administered. The Revenue Authority once again pleads with taxpayers to cease and desist from such activity and also to the general public to report any illicit or unlawful activities in confidence by contacting the GRA on telephone number 227-6060.

“Whistleblowers will be rewarded for any information provided which will be dealt with strict confidentiality in accordance with the provisions of the laws,” GRA said.

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Gas-to-Energy project set to become a reality despite delays

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 21, 2025

GUYANA’S transformative Gas to Energy (GTE) project is encountering some delays due to ongoing arbitration processes and equipment delivery challenges.

The aim of the approximately $2 billion project is to harness the nation’s natural gas resources to advance sustainable economic development.

Earlier this year, a ruling had been issued between the Government of Guyana and Gas-to-Energy contractor, Lindsayca/CH4. The ruling confirmed that the dispute between the two parties must remain confidential, and both parties have 28 days to decide whether to take the matter to arbitration.

The government moved to arbitration because the contracted company, LNDC4, claims it is owed $50 million for commencing the project late.

“We’re making that decision [on] whether we go to full arbitration, which will be made shortly, because it has to be made before the end of this month. [And] if we go on to arbitration, we’ll inform the public, or if we decide to accept the report,” General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo stated on Thursday.

He told reporters that while the financial implications for the delay have not yet been determined, the government is cautiously working to minimise their impact, while ensuring its realisation.

Given the economic boom occurring across multiple sectors, the government is investing in this massive facility to not only reduce electricity costs by 50 per cent, which will in turn attract foreign investments, but also complement the demand for power.

“We’re planning full steam ahead for the project; itmight be with a delay, but it is happening. It is happening [and] I am pleased about that,” Dr. Jagdeo underscored.

Meanwhile, the government has shortlisted and started negotiations with the

German company, Siemens Energy, as the potential firm to operate and manage the power plant component of the GTE project at Wales, Region Three (Essequibo Islands, West Demerara).

This approach, he highlighted, is intended to leverage Siemens’ expertise in this field, ensuring reliable performance and reducing operational challenges.

“We are now negotiating with them because we want them to, if we conclude a contract, they will run the power plant for 10 years or so. We don’t want to have the headache of operating and maintaining the plant.

You can get the company that produced the turbine to actually do it. And they’re a big global company,” GS Jagdeo explained.

Furthermore, the government is seeking potential firms to manage the natural gas liquid (NGL) facility that will be responsible for the processing and distribution of by-products like cooking gas, fertiliser and other natural products.

This single largest investment comprises the construction of a pipeline, power plant, natural gas liquids facility, and upgrades to the power distribution network.

US-based company, CH4 Lindsayca, is building out the integrated facility in Wales for US$759 million, while Kalpataru Projects International Limited is establishing the transmission lines and substation needed to deliver electricity.

ExxonMobil Guyana has completed the construction of a pipeline that will allow natural gas to be transported from the offshore Stabroek Block’s Liza oilfield to the integrated gas processing facility in Wales.

E a r l i e r t h i s y e a r, Guyana and the United States Export-Import (EXIM) Bank signed a US$527 million loan to further support the development of the GTE project. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 21, 2025

PSC honours EMTs, fire officer for recent rescue in road accident

THE Private Sector Commission (PSC) recently met to commend the excellent work of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) Phebe Scott and Lynsia Pyle, and fire officer Sandar Walcott.

According to information from the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the three heroes were commended for their professionalism and bravery in attending to a vehicular accident involving a truck driver who was pinned in his truck. Their timely intervention prevented what would have been a life-threatening experience.

During the meeting, PSC Chairman Komal Singh expressed appreciation to the entire team, including Ron Moris, Chief of the Emergency Medical Services, for

their excellent workplace conduct.

Singh used the occasion to bring in the focus of the ongoing efforts by the PSC to sensitise its members regarding road safety, a much required matter in the wake of recent spurt in fatal road accidents.

The award-winning crew members related what happened on the day of the accident, and EMT Chief Moris elaborated on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) applied in such a situation. The PSC was assured that EMTs and fire officers receive extensive training and are well-equipped to perform their work effectively.

The members present in the meeting were encouraged to learn simple first aid and train their employees in emergency response.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) recently met to commend the excellent work of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) Phebe Scott and Lynsia Pyle, and fire officer Sandar Walcott

This emphasis on preparedness brought out the importance of mass safety awareness in the community. The meeting concluded with the officers being awarded tokens of appreciation for their service to public safety.

Attorney General’s Chambers condemns Anderson’s ‘propagation of falsehood’ THE Attorney General's Chambers has strongly condemned a press release issued by Attorney-at-Law Eusi Anderson regarding the outcome of a case he filed against the Attorney General on behalf of Valerie Carter.

According to a press release from the Attorney General’s office, the case, Valerie Carter v. The Attorney General of Guyana (2024-HC-DEM-CIVSOC-193), took a turn when Anderson filed an application to withdraw and discontinue the claim on January 13, 2025.

The Attorney General's

Chambers had also filed an application to strike out the case on the basis that it was without reasonable grounds, scandalous and vexatious, and an abuse of the court's process. Faced with this challenge, Anderson sought and was granted leave by Justice Nigel Niles to discontinue the case.

Then the controversy arose when Anderson subsequently released a press statement indicating that Justice Niles had granted him judgment on January 13, 2025. The Attorney General's Chambers was taken aback by the aforementioned statement, and

they argued that it was intentionally crafted to create the false impression that Anderson had obtained judgment against the State.

This action has been condemned by the Attorney General's office as an "unscrupulous propagation of an absolute falsehood," which it stated is against the ethics and conduct of the legal profession.

The matter has been referred to the President of the Guyana Bar Association, with the Attorney General's Chambers stating that this is not the first such offense by Anderson.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 21, 2025

IIA Guyana Chapter elects new leadership - aims to revitalise, enhance internal auditing profession

THE Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Guyana Chapter Inc.,

a global partner of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), re-

cently held its Annual General Meeting, which, among other

things, was focused on electing new office-bearers and a Board of Governors to steer the organisation's future course.

According to a press release from the IIA, at the Guyana Chapter's

COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasised that this AGM has set the platform for the body to recover from those effects.

Ram's priority is to reinvigorate the membership by providing

internal auditors worldwide, the body said in its press release.

This renewed focus and leadership change at the IIA Guyana Chapter aligns with the global mission of the IIA to provide dy-

AGM, Jaigopaul Ram was chosen as President, with Nigel Shurland as Vice-President.

Joshua Hammichand and Chateram Ramdihal were elected as Treasurer and Secretary, respectively. Dr. Alista Bishop and Siddique Alli Jaipal were appointed as Vice-President Programming, and Vice-President Membership.

The newly elected Board of Directors includes Ramesh Dookhoo, Pavita Ramkissoon, Qunicy Bourne, Johann Chan Niles, and Joel Lyken. This leadership team is tasked with carving out the institution's strategic path, and elevating the practice of internal auditing in Guyana to meet required quality assurance standards.

In an invited comment, Ram acknowledged the challenges faced by the local Institute due to the

the internal audit committee with the necessary support to develop the profession in Guyana.

The IIA Guyana Chapter's new leadership team is committed to making a difference in the future of internal auditing in the country.

They pride themselves on their forward-thinking approach, dedication to professionalism and competency, and their commitment to elevating the practice of internal auditing in Guyana.

As a global partner of the IIA, the Guyana Chapter benefits from the worldwide network and resources of the parent organisation. The IIA Global, recognised as the world leader in certification, education, research, and technological guidance for the internal auditing profession, continues to meet the needs and support the development of

namic leadership for the internal auditing profession. As Guyana's internal auditing landscape evolves, the newly-elected team is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the profession in the country.

The IIA, established in 1941, is an international professional organisation that promotes the value and standards of internal audit professionals worldwide. With its headquarters in Altamonte Springs, Florida, USA, the IIA Global provides dynamic leadership for the global profession of internal auditing.

The organisation offers inclusive professional educational and development opportunities, standards, professional practice guidance, and certificate programmes to internal auditors across the globe.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 21, 2025

OSH Month 2025 to focus on impact of AI, digitalisation on workers’ safety

OCCUPATIONAL Safety and Health Month slated for April 2025 will be observed under the theme, “Revolutionizing health and safety: the role of AI and digitalization at work.”

Embracing modern technology, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) said the theme for Occupational Safety and Health in 2025 will focus on how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation impact worker safety and health.

Notably, it said: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) is technology that enables computers and machines to simulate

human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision making, creativity and autonomy.”

Additionally, the theme will focus on technology as it specifically examines various new technologies through an occupational safety and health lens, inclusive of advanced robots, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) among others.

It will also shed light on new work practices, such as automation of tasks, big data analysis, smart digital systems and workers’ management through AI. According to the ILO, it is intended to look at how the digital transformation of work may support safe and healthy working environments and what governments, employers and workers and other stakeholders are already doing to respond to these emerging challenges.

The Ministry of Labour has stated that to mark this observance, its Occupational Safety and Health Department is inviting and encouraging employers’ and workers’ organisations, key stakeholders and employers to develop and implement programmes which are aimed at increasing awareness of occupational safety and health generally and more specifically, promoting safety and health as a right at work.

Further, the ministry underscored that special emphasis should continue to be placed on promoting safety and health in the mining, construction, and agricultural sectors to prevent or minimise workplace accidents and fatalities.

Moreover, Occupational Safety and Health Month will be launched by the Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, on April 1, 2025, and the Annual OSH Walk for Georgetown will be held on April 27.

For additional information, persons can call 2257008, 225-8801, and 225- 8803 or e-mail the ministry at osh.events@labour.gov.gy

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EU Commission President congratulates Guyana on carbon credit model

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali on Thursday held a bilateral engagement with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of

CARICOM in Barbados.

President Ali highlighted that von der Leyen’s visit to the region, the first ever from a sitting European Commission head, signifies the importance of the CARICOM region in the global

sphere.

He also invited her to be a keynote speaker at the Global Biodiversity Summit to be held in Guyana later this year.

In her remarks, the European Commission President congratulated Guyana on its carbon

credit model. She also emphasised the importance of the EU leading trade missions to Guyana as part of the Global Gateway initiative, and underscored the significance of working with countries like Guyana. (Office of the President)

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali on Thursday met with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the King-

dom of Saudi Arabia Adel bin Ahmed AlJubeir on the sidelines of the CARICOM Heads of Government

meeting in Barbados.

During their discussions, Minister AlJubeir reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment

to working with the Government of Guyana to develop further collaborations, including scholarships for Guya-

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 21, 2025

Guyana, Saudi Arabia discuss more areas of collaboration

nese students.

Additionally, the newly-appointed CEO of the Saudi Development Fund is expect-

ed to visit Guyana to explore investment opportunities. (Office of the President)

Lance Corporal Batson’s body found in Puruni River

THE body of Lance Corporal Batson was found around 14:00 hours, on Thursday, about 100 yards from where he reportedly jumped from

a sinking boat in the Puruni River.

According to information from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), a search party comprising

four boats and 12 persons conducted searches for the body.

“The body was examined, photographed, and documented by a Police

rank who noted that the body was found face up, in a bloated state near the riverbank, surrounded by debris,” police said.

The body was clad

in black socks on the feet, black GPF-issued long pants secured by a black-coloured belt, and a tactical black-coloured vest over a short-sleeved

police shirt, under which was a black jersey. His GPF-issued firearm was found in his waist and was collected and secured.

GNBS attracts lots of interest at Guyana Energy Conference

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 21, 2025

WITH over 22 years of expertise in training, technical assistance, certification, auditing, calibration, and testing services, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) aims to help businesses fuel their success and growth.

At the 2025 Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo several officials spoke about the work that is being done by the entity and their experience at the event.

Head of Corporate Communications at the GNBS, Lloyd David, in a video stated that the company was excited to be a part of the grand event.

H e noted that the GNBS has been doing a lot to educate local businesses on the services that the bureau offers, pointing out that the Energy Conference is one of the spaces they are able to do that.

Marketing Officer at the GNBS, Aisha Hussain, who spoke about the experience at the conference said: “So, we just wanted to make sure that our presence is here so that we can learn more about what our clients need from the en-

The GNBS team at the 2025 Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo (GNBS photo)

ergy sector and to ensure that we continue to build capacity to provide crucial services to the industry.”

According to Hussain, the GNBS team has been using the opportunity to showcase the key services that are being offered by the entity.

Vishnu Matbadal, a Laboratory Technician attached to the GNBS’ Industrial, Metrology and Testing Department said: “We're here this morning to meet new clients and to sell our services.” He

added, “We had lots of interest being shared by external clients for calibrations such as Colombia and even Brazil, our neighbours. So, there are lots of demand and they're very happy that we are able, and we are equipped to provide the service to them.”

Some of these services include calibration and testing, training and technical assistance, and standards development.

Meanwhile, GNBS’s Business Development

Officer, Shivraj Ramdat said he is primarily focusing on two services, training and technical as-

sistance, which the GNBS uses to help companies to build their capacity and meet the requirements that are set for the oil and gas industry so that Guyanese companies can also take part and be competitive in this industry.

In 2024, his department would have assisted 70 companies and is currently working with over 70 to help them to prepare for ISO certification.

The Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo is presenting a unique opportunity for businesses and professionals to engage with the GNBS and explore how its services can enhance their operations.

Furthermore, attendees

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were encouraged to visit the GNBS booth to learn more about the bureau’s contributions to Guyana’s industrial development and its ongoing efforts to foster a culture of quality and precision.

The GNBS continues to be steadfast in its mission to promote the national quality infrastructure and related services to improve quality, and support Guyana’s economic transformation.

Moreover, the bureau’s participation in this prestigious event reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that businesses and industries operate at the highest level of efficiency and reliability.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 21, 2025

Meet the Champions!

Carlvin Burnette

Diana Chapman

THE Mashramani 2025 competitions are heating up, celebrating the heartbeat of Guyana’s musical heritage. Here’s a quick rundown of the winners in the Soca, Dancehall, and Calypso Monarch categories: Soca Monarch Diana Chapman

Vicadi Singh

snatched the crown in the adult category, with OKC taking second. In the juniors, Kyra took the top spot with an unforgettable performance.

Dancehall Monarch Carlvin Burnette dethroned Alabama, claiming the 2025 Dancehall Monarch title with an electrifying

display of talent and stage presence.

Chutney Monarch Vicadi Singh reigns supreme for the second consecutive year, securing the Chutney Monarch title at the 2025 competition held at Classic Hotel Parking Lot in Corriverton, Berbice, last Sunday night.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 21, 2025

Rihanna unwavering in support, and other takeaways from A$AP Rocky trial IT was a trial that could have dismantled the future for one of hip-hop's hottest stars.

The felony assault trial of A$AP Rocky - in which he was found not guilty of firing a gun at a former friend - captured global headlines.

There were outbursts during the proceedings and surprise visits in court by his longtime partner, singer Rihanna.

Jurors in Los Angeles heard three weeks of testimony chronicling the bitter falling-out of childhood friends and the fight that led to the rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, being charged on accusations he opened fire in the middle of a Hollywood street.

After the rapper was acquitted, he left freely with singer Rihanna, who was seated behind him as the verdict was read.

Here are five big things we learned while inside the courtroom.

UNWAVERING SUPPORT FROM RIHANNA As the not guilty verdict was read in court, the rapper immediately jumped from the defence table and leapt over a wooden barrier to hug Rihanna, who was seated behind him in between his mother and sister.

The couple embraced tightly, both breaking into tears as the courtroom erupted in cheers.

Rihanna, a Grammy award-winning artiste, was in court multiple days during the trial, including on Valentine's Day. On one of the days in court, she brought the couple's two young children, who were both dressed in suits with pacifiers in their mouths. You could hear them cooing inside the courtroom as they flipped through children's books.

Joe Tacopina, the rapper's defence attorney, said Mr Mayers tried to shield Rihanna and their family from the criminal proceedings, but said that "wild horses couldn't keep her away" from the trial.

Though she was often stoic and staring straight ahead while in court, she never flinched or showed emotion when prosecutors

made negative comments about her partner.

Following his acquittal, Rihanna expressed her gratitude on social media, stating, "The glory belongs to God and God alone! Thankful, humbled by his mercy!"

The A$AP Mob is a hiphop collective founded in 2006 in Harlem by a group of high school friends in New

Mr. Mayers.

A$AP Lou also took the stand, telling jurors that a Glock 43 magazine found during a search of Mr. Mayers's home belonged to him, not the rapper.

None of the A$AP members publicly testified for Relli.

A$AP Rocky's trial unfolded at a pivotal moment

The couple locked arms outside the courthouse after the rapper’s acquittal York.

They adopted the "A$AP" title, which means "Always Strive and Prosper".

The group, which has had more than 20 members over the years, have presented themselves as a family, but they've been plagued by jealousy, rivalries and disagreements since the death of its founder, A$AP Yams.

Though there have been fallouts and issues between some members, this trial is the most notable instance of a complete dismantling of a relationship between members.

A$AP MOB FALLING APART? A$AP Relli, whose legal name is Terell Ephron, was once a close friend and member of the Mob, accused Mr. Mayers, known as A$AP Rocky, of shooting him during an altercation in 2021.

During the trial, his defence team argued that Mr Ephron harboured resentment toward his former friend, feeling sidelined as A$AP Rocky's fame grew and saw mainstream musical success.

They argued Mr. Ephron was after money.

Several members of the A$AP Mob testified during the trial in favour of Mr. Mayers.

A$AP Twelvyy challenged Mr. Ephron's account of the events and suggested that he was the aggressor during the altercation, not

in his career, with the rapper riding a wave of creative and commercial success.

The rapper is set to release his first solo album in nearly a decade and is scheduled to co-headline Los Angeles' Rolling Loud festival in March 2025.

Additionally, he is starring in a summer blockbuster alongside Denzel Washington. Director Spike Lee's upcoming film "Highest 2 Lowest" is slated for a summer release.

But his influence extends beyond music—his AWGE collective has been collaborating with brands like Mercedes-Benz and Puma. He's been celebrated for his fashion sense, too, and is known as being one of music's bestdressed men.

In May, he is set to cochair the 2025 Met Gala - one of fashion's biggest nights - alongside big names like Anna Wintour, British race car driver Lewis Hamilton, singer Pharrell Williams and basketball superstar LeBron James.

His relationship with Rihanna, one of the most famous singers, has further cemented his cultural relevance.

The couple welcomed their second child, Riot Rose, in August 2023, and their growing family had become a symbol of hip-hop royalty.

(Extracted and modified from BBC – Culture )

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2025 CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Joe Root - 133* (ENG vs BANG, The Oval) (2) Josh Hazlewood - 6/52 (AUST vs NZ, Birmingham) TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) What was the result of the opening game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?

(2) Who was declared Man of the Match?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS FAIRVIEW 08:10 hrs My Best Shot 08:45 hrs State Secret 09:23 hrs Lisa’s Hope 09:58 hrs Trip To Maputo 10:35 hrs Joy And Peace ARAB EMIRATES RACING TIPS MEYDAN 09:30 hrs Honest Desire 10:05 hrs Heart Of Honor 10:40 hrs Tamrat 11:15 hrs Atigatou Gozaimasu 11:50 hrs Cinderella’s Dream 12:25 hrs Inner Wisdom 13:00 hrs Keffaaf 13:35 hrs Pipes And Drums AMERICAN RACING TIPS AQUEDUCT Race 1 Shop Lifting Race 2 Adelike Race 3 America’s Honor Race 4 Taparino Race 5 Aleah Aleah GULFSTREAM Race 1 Go Big Green Race 2 Escape Room Race 3 La Girvina Race 4 Golden Sombrero Race 5 Split Strike Race 6 Spirited Boss IRISH RACING TIPS DUNDALK 13:00 hrs Never Shout Never 13:30 hrs Red Hugh O ‘Donnell 14:00 hrs Clonmacash 14:30 hrs California Dreamer 15:00 hrs Proleek Prince 15:30 hrs Doctor Grace 16:00 hrs Spicy Margarita 16:30 hrs Aird ENGLISH RACING TIPS EXETER 10:00 hrs South Omo Zone 10:30 hrs Stans The Man 11:00 hrs Don’t Rightly Know 11:30 hrs Planned Paradise 12:00 hrs Ascending Lark 12:30 hrs Native Moon 13:05 hrs Uptown Dandy SOUTHWELL 12:15 hrs Sudden Flight 12:45 hrs Sugar Road 13:15 hrs Liam Swagger 13:45 hrs Whizz By 14:15 hrs Many A Star 14:45 hrs In Explicable 15:15 hrs Portoro 15:45 hrs Windsor Pass 16:15 hrs Humble Spark

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 21, 2025

Sheilds under investigation for Marijuana use (BBC) - American Claressa Shields is under investigation after testing positive for marijuana following her win over heavyweight Danielle Perkins on 3 February in Michigan.

The 29-year-old - who is a three-weight undisputed champion - has been suspended from fighting in the state by the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission.

Shields tested positive after providing an “oral fluid sample” after the fight.

Marijuana is banned in-competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada).

American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson missed the Tokyo Olympics in 2021

Claressa Shields won gold at the 2012 Olympics aged 17

after receiving a one-month ban following a positive drugs test for marijuana.

The WBO, which is a sanctioning body and does not have the power to suspend boxers, has requested a “show notice” from Shields, asking her to explain herself, while the Michigan Commission has opened its own investigation into whether she should face disciplinary action.

“Ms Shields’ conduct as a licensed professional boxer constitutes an imminent threat to the integrity of professional boxing, the public interest, and the welfare and safety of professional athletes,” the Michigan Commission said.

Last week, Shields ad-

dressed rumours of a failed drugs test on social media, saying she was a “clean athlete”.

BBC Sport has contacted Shields for comment.

Under the WBC’s clean boxing programme, Shields and Perkins would have been subject to drug testing by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (Vada).

Shields won gold at the Olympics aged 17 and has won titles in multiple weights as a professional boxer.

She is undefeated in 16 fights and was the first boxer, male or female, to win undisputed titles in three different weights in the fourbelt era.

Henry ready to step up for Healy in WPL (ESPNCRICINFO) - Alyssa Healy leaves some big shoes to fill, but Chinelle Henry is ready to step in for UP Warriorz and make an unexpected WPL debut she hopes will be the start of something huge.

Henry, the powerful West Indies middle-order batter and handy fast bowler, received a late call-up to the tournament as a replacement for Australia captain Healy, who is recovering from a stress injury in her foot, and while she is yet to play a game, she wants to make her inclusion count.

“This is a really huge, huge opportunity for me,” Henry told ESPNcricinfo’s Powerplay podcast. “My only other franchise league would’ve been the CPL, so to be a part of one of the biggest franchises around in female cricket in the WPL is a really big thing for my career going forward. Next year maybe I could secure a place to be actually a part of a team permanently coming in the next edition of the WPL, so this year is definitely kind of like a test run, a trial run, for me.

“Coming in has a re-

placement, that’s a huge set of responsibilities on me, huge shoes to fill. The atmosphere playing along with some of the best in the world from their respective regions is going to be huge.

This will be a lot of learning this year and I’m hoping that I can actually go there and deliver on the field when called upon, because that’s the reason why I’m here.

Obviously they saw something. Healy, unfortunately the team lost to injury, and to be that replacement is a huge honour.”

It only takes a glance back to December to see why UP Warriorz reached for Henry’s number when Healy succumbed to the injury she has been battling on and off since last year’s T20 World Cup. A 16-ball 43 plus one wicket in a losing cause during West Indies’ third T20I against India at Navi Mumbai and 61 off 72 balls in the third ODI, which India won in Vadodara, indicated some serious good form on Henry’s maiden tour of India.

Now she is hoping to follow in the footsteps of

team-mates Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin in making her first foray to the WPL and, along with Stafanie Taylor, branching out into more global franchise competitions.

“We just don’t want to keep dwelling on the past that, ‘hey, we won the 2016 T20 World Cup’. Teams are evolving, teams are getting better, players are getting better. We know that we have to get better” Chinelle Henry “A lot of people have been talking about it, that I have been in form lately, and that’s something that I actually want to continue to do because obviously the pressure of the WPL is different from everything else,” Henry said. “Being here in the WPL, I’m not going to lie, I was a little bit nervous at first, but after coming back here, adjusting to the atmosphere, it’s just about getting to know the girls a little bit better and just picking up where I left off the last time I was in India. It’s just about continuing that confidence, continuing to play with that freedom and to know that I have the backing of the

coaches and team.”

At the age of 29 and with 111 international caps across both white-ball formats, any lessons Henry can take back to the younger members of the West Indies squad will be a bonus as they look to build on the success of reaching last year’s T20 World Cup semi-finals, where they lost to eventual champions New Zealand.

West Indies will need all of those components to come together again in April when they face five other teams vying for just two qualifying places at the 50-over World Cup, to be played in India later this year.

“When you talk about West Indies, we always want to be at the big stage, big competitions, we always want to be competing,” Henry said. “The same amount of confidence, the same amount of enthusiasm that we play the T20s with, that’s something we are trying to go out there and play the longer version with. The longer version of the game is something that we are going to have to take more responsibility for as a person, as a team, and know that to

avoid these situations [going through the qualifier] this is what we have to do.

“We won the T20 World Cup once and definitely the ODI World Cup is something that we talked about. We just don’t want to keep dwelling on the past that, ‘hey, we won the 2016 T20 World Cup’. Teams are evolving, teams are getting better, players are getting better.

We know that we have to get better and these are things that we have to do in order to be better at the longer version of the game.”

West Indies will also return to playing a women’s Test for the first time in a generation in 2026 when they host Australia, having last played the format in 2003-04.

Well before that, though, they play three T20Is and three ODIs in May and June in England, against the side they knocked out of the T20 World Cup at the group stage.

Since then, England have suffered a 16-0 points thrashing at the Women’s Ashes in Australia, prompting an ECB review into how to turn the team’s poor run of results

around. Henry expects a response.

“The World Cup, it was good for us, the things that we achieved,” she said. “England being one of the best in the world, we were able to overcome that hurdle.

Unfortunately we couldn’t make it to the final, but I was definitely proud of the team, proud of the performances. It is definitely going to be a challenge [playing in England] because I’m pretty sure they’ll remember that we’re the reason why they didn’t make it further in the T20 World Cup, so there would be a lot to settle there.

“But that happened and we know what it takes to beat teams that are ranked above us. We know what it takes individually and as a team and there’s a lot we could take from that World Cup and bring into this series that we have coming up against them in May. They will be coming out guns blazing so as a unit we have to be up for the challenge and we have to be ready to know that when the pressure happens we just know how to deal with it.”

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Lara to captain West Indies Gill’s slowest century sees India past Bangladesh masters in IML

(CMC) - Cricket legend Brian Lara is set to captain the West Indies Masters in the upcoming 2025 International Masters League (IML).

The 55-year-old Lara will lead the Windies in the T20 tournament that bowls off on February 22, and also includes retired legends from Australia, India, England, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

The tournament will be

played across three cities – Navi Mumbai, Rajkot, and Raipur – with the final scheduled for March 16.

Much will be expected of a strong West Indies Masters side that includes players such as Chris Gayle, Dwayne Smith, Fidel Edwards, Denesh Ramdin, Tino Best, and Lendl Simmons.

They will open their campaign on February 24 against Australia Masters before fac-

ing England Masters, India Masters, and South Africa Masters in the group stage.

Some of the biggest names in cricket history will take part in the tournament, including Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Jacques Kallis, Hashim Amla, Jonty Rhodes, Eoin Morgan, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Monty Panesar, Kumar Sangakkara, Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh, and Ben Cutting.

SQUAD: WEST INDIES MASTERS: Brian Lara (captain), Chris Gayle, Kirk Edwards, Denesh Ramdin, William Perkins, Fidel Edwards, Lendl Simmons, Narsingh Deonarine, Ashley Nurse, Dwayne Smith, Jerome Taylor, Ravi Rampaul, Sulieman Benn, Tino Best, Chadwick Walton.

Pakistan fined for slow over rate

Pakistan face an uphill task after losing to New Zealand on the opening day of the Champions Trophy (Getty Images).

[ESPNCRICINFO] - Pakistan were fined five per cent of their match fee on Thursday for maintaining a slow overrate during their match against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy opener at the National Stadium in Karachi.

The tournament hosts and defending champions lost to New Zealand by 60 runs on Wednesday.

Pakistan were found one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration, the ICC said.

While on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Sharfuddoula, third umpire Joel Wilson and fourth umpire Alex Wharf levelled the charge, match referee Andy Pycroft imposed the sanction, deducting five per cent of

match fee.

Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan pleaded guilty to the offence, with no formal hearing required thereafter.

In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum overrate offences, players are fined five per cent of their

match fee for every over, if their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.

Pakistan had suffered another blow on Thursday, with Fakhar Zaman ruled out of the rest of the tournament with injury. Imam-ulHaq has been approved by the ICC as Fakhar’s replacement. They will next face India in Dubai on Sunday.

[ESPNCRICINFO] Shubman Gill dug deep for his slowest ODI hundred and India’s slowest in the last six years to see India through a tricky chase of 229 that must have brought back memories of their 3-0 series defeat to Sri Lanka last on similarly slow tracks.

Despite a quick 69-run opening stand, India were tested by a target that was kept by Mohammed Shami, who took his sixth ODI five-for and became the quickest man to 200 ODI wickets in terms of balls bowled to get there.

Both sides will rue missed opportunities in their Champions Trophy opener. Bangladesh won a crucial toss on a tired pitch with no dew expected to make chasing easier, but they got off to such a poor start that they needed three dropped catches and a superlative fighting hundred from Towhid Hridoy to stay in the contest. India had Bangladesh down at 35 for 5, Axar Patel was on a hat-trick, and Rohit Sharma dropped a sitter followed by two lives for the record-breaking sixth-wicket stand. It allowed Bangladesh to get to a target that denied India a net-run-rate boost, which can prove crucial if they happen to lose one of their three matches.

India will still consider this a banana peel survived having misread the conditions and decided to field first should they have won the toss. On a slow pitch with no assistance for the quicks, they were gifted early wickets through some indiscriminate hitting. Bangladesh possibly felt the new ball was the best time to bat: they didn’t wait for a bad ball on offer and kept losing wickets. The first three fell to ambitious shots to plain good-length bowling with little seam.

Bangladesh were 35 for 3 when Axar was introduced in the ninth over.

Tanzid Hasan, the only batter who had looked comfortable, played him for the turn and paid the ultimate price with an outside edge.

Mushfiqur Rahim, arguably batting too late at No. 6 especially in the absence of the injured Mahmudullah, played the original line, and was done in by the rare one that turned.

Axar slowed down the hattrick ball even more, Jaker Ali obliged with an edge, which Rohit spilled.

Soon Hardik Pandya dropped Hridoy on 23 in Kuldeep Yadav’s first over.

Scoring runs was still a task on the sluggish surface, more than 10 overs went without a boundary, but also India went the mid-

dle overs without a single wicket for the first time since the 2023 World Cup final. Jaker did provide an opportunity on 24 but this time KL Rahul missed the stumping off Ravindra Jadeja.

The duo found their touch deeper into the innings, but Hridoy was hampered by cramps all over his body. Shami returned to the challenging task of bowling with a short legside boundary but used the slower ball wide outside off to not just deny them boundaries but also collect three more wickets. A cameo from Rishad Hossain and Hridoy’s fight despite crippling cramps took Bangladesh to a fighting total.

Rohit continued his high-intent starts of recent times, and Gill matched him shot for shot as India raced away from the three Bangladesh quicks. Just before the field was about to spread, Rohit fell for 41 off 36 in a bid to make one last use of the field restrictions. Immediately, scoring became laborious.

Even the master accumulator Virat Kohli struggled to manipulate the ball into gaps before falling to a legspinner again, this one with the letters of Rashid scrambled to Rishad.

Shreyas Iyer played the conditions for a while, but once he got a couple and a boundary off Mustafizur Rahman, he overreached and lobbed a slower ball to mid-off to be dismissed for 15 off 17. Promoted for the dual tasking of breaking the sequence of right-hand batters and also have an eye on the net run rate, Axar skied a slog-sweep, failing to read the Rishad topspinner.

The last three wickets had fallen for 75 runs and had taken 20.2 overs. You would have thought the sight of KL Rahul would have brought calm to the proceedings, but he tried an uncharacteristic hoick early on only to be dropped

by Jaker, whom he had himself reprieved earlier in the day. That proved to be the last opportunity for Bangladesh even as India overcame the ghosts of the failed chases in Sri Lanka last year.

The man to thank was Gill, who anchored the chase and made sure he was there at the end. He was 26 off 23 when Rohit got out, but as the conditions changed he tightened his game and took only selective risks.

His next boundary came only when the skiddy fast bowler Tanzim Hasan came back. In the 32nd over. By that time had brought up his slowest half-century.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 21, 2025

GCB saddened at the passing Flawless Execution, Fast Times, and New Champions Crowned of former Vice-President at South Dakota Circuit THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) wishes to express profound sadness at the recent passing of Mr. Lennox Edmund Phillips at the age of 94 years in Florida, USA. Phillips was an outstanding player and cricket administrator who in his long and distinguished career contributed significantly to the advancement of cricket in Berbice over an extended period from the 1940’s to 1985 when he migrated. In his early days, he played for the

Youngsters Cricket Club in the Davsons Cup First-Division Cricket Competition for over 20 years as an opening batsman and leg-spinner. He also represented Berbice at football and table tennis.

Phillips served as an Executive member of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) from 1970 to 1985 including a record period of 13 years and 6 months as President. In 1972, he was elected Vice-President of the Guyana Cricket Board, a position he held until June

1985. In May 1979, as a result of the passing of then GCB President Barkley Gaskin, Phillips was appointed President acting until the official election of Joe Solomon later in that year. He also served as a BCB Selector for 10 years and was credited with opening a BCB office in 1974.

In 1985, the BCB introduced Life Membership to be conferred on individuals who had given long and dedicated service of an exceptionally high quality

over a period of at least 10 years to Berbice cricket.

Lennox Phillips was among the first batch of inductees.

He was also an inductee of the Berbice Cricket Administration Hall of Fame and was honoured with the Tribute to Hero Award by the BCB. The GCB takes the opportunity to salute this remarkable gentleman and to extend condolence to his family, relatives and friends.

Man who 'exhibited fixated behaviour' to Raducanu given restraining order

Emma Raducanu alerted umpire Miriam Bley to the man in the crowd (Sky Sports).

(BBC) - A man who “exhibited fixated behaviour” towards British tennis player Emma Raducanu was detained and given a restraining order, Dubai Police said.

A visibly upset Raducanu was seen hiding behind the umpire’s chair two games into a second-round defeat at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Tuesday.

Raducanu had spotted the man in the first few rows of the stand during her match against Karolina Muchova.

The 22-year-old was approached by the same man, who gave her a letter and took a photograph, in a public area close to the tournament on Monday.

Dubai police said the man

was detained before Raducanu decided not to press charges.

“Following Raducanu’s complaint, Dubai Police detained a tourist who approached her, left her a note, took her photograph, and engaged in behaviour that caused her distress,” a police statement read.

“While Raducanu later chose to drop the charges, the individual signed a formal undertaking to maintain distance from her and has been banned from future tournaments.”

What happened to Raducanu and what is ‘fixated behaviour’?

Raducanu was approached by the man close to the Dubai tournament

site on Monday - the day between her first-round and second-round matches.

The man was deemed to have “exhibited fixated behaviour”, according to the WTA in a statement on Tuesday.

In psychological terms, this phrase is used to describe obsessive, unhealthy and unwanted behaviour.

Raducanu was given a letter by the man, which sources in Dubai told BBC Sport included his name and telephone number, that she opened later in her hotel.

Raducanu informed the WTA about her concerns and tournament security teams were notified on Tuesday afternoon.

However, the man was

still able to enter the small stadium where Raducanu played Czech opponent Muchova later that evening.

Raducanu became very emotional after seeing the man - who sources close to the player said she had seen a “number of times previously” - and almost hid behind the umpire’s chair in a distressing scene.

After she told umpire Miriam Bley what the issue was, the man was taken out by security.

Raducanu managed to regain composure and resumed the match, which she lost 7-6 (8-6) 6-4.

On Wednesday, having left Dubai, she said she was “doing OK” after the “difficult circumstances”.

THE 2025 GMRSC Drag Racing Championship got off to a spectacular and seamless start at the South Dakota Circuit as racers and fans alike were treated to a thrilling day of high-speed action under the bright Guyanese sun. With an incident-free event and a perfectly functioning timing system, the race day proceeded smoothly, with all classes completing ahead of schedule and new champions emerging in each category.

History in the Making – Women & Youth Shine on the Track The day saw a significant milestone for female competitors, with Ashley Persaud (#162, Toyota ZN86) becoming only the second female to win a class while competing against the men, taking victory in the 16-Second Class.

Meanwhile, Crystal Singh (#1320, Volkswagen Golf R) dominated the Female Class, setting a new standard for women in motorsport. She now holds the title of fastest female on the track, clocking an impressive 12.847 seconds, a record that is sure to inspire more women to take up the sport.

Adding to the day’s historic achievements, 12-year-old Matthew Daby became the fastest junior driver down the 1320-foot strip, posting a stunning 13.193-second run in his Junior Dragster.

He followed in the footsteps of his father, Peter Daby (#728, Mazda RX7), who set the fastest time of the day with a blistering 9.506-second pass.

2025 GMRSC Drag Racing Championship – Round 1 – Results

Female Class Crystal Singh – #1320 – Volkswagen Golf R 16-Second Class Ashley Persaud – #162 – Toyota ZN86 15-Second Class Mohamed Saifudeen Roshandin – #131 – Toyota Levin 14-Second Class Fareem Edoo – #128 – Toyota Corolla AE92 13-Second Class Omesh Persaud – #1484 – Nissan Pulsar 12-Second Class Wasim Khalawan – #165 – Lexus IS200 11-Second Class Vishal Gewan – #17 – Toyota Caldina 10-Second Class Damion Persaud – #198 – Toyota Caldina 9-Second Class Peter Daby – #728 – Mazda RX-7 (3rd generation) 600cc Bikes Shem Chattersingh – #101 1000cc Bikes Jermaine Chattersingh – #103 A Positive Start for GMRSC – Momentum to Build On With a strong turnout of competitors and fans, the GMRSC’s first round of the 2025 Drag Racing Championship was a resounding success. The event saw many new drivers lining up for the first time, showcasing the continued growth and popularity of the sport in Guyana.

The club remains committed to fostering a competitive yet safe racing environment and looks forward to building on this momentum throughout the season.

As the championship progresses, fans can expect even more thrilling battles, record-breaking runs, and new talent emerging on the track.

Shubman Gill scored his slowest ODI hundred • AFP/Getty Images

Gill’s slowest century sees India past Bangladesh SEE PAGE

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Flawless Execution, Fast Times, and New Champions Crowned at South Dakota Circuit

Part of the action on Sunday

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