‘Wearenotchanging ourdevelopmentplan’
PRESIDENTDr.IrfaanAlionFriday metwiththenewlyappointedUnited KingdomForeignSecretaryDavidtonGardensinLondon.
Discussionsfocusedonstrongercollaborationincommerce,biodiversity,and Haiti,amongothermatters.
Further,Dr.Ali,attheinvitationof theBlavatnikSchoolofGovernmentat theUniversityofOxfordinLondon,on Friday,heldaninteractivesessionwith
studentsonacasestudyofGuyana’s leadershipstrategytomanageitsoil wealth.
Theevent’sthemewas,‘Guyanain Transformation:TheTheoryofChange andPriorities’.
ProfessorKarthikRamana,ProfessorofBusinessandPublicPolicy atOxfordUniversity,andtheformer moderatedtheinteractivediscussion.
‘Wearenotchanging ourdevelopmentplan’
EVENasGuyanapushesfortheadvancement ofitspetroleumindustry,thecountry’scommitmenttoconserving itsforestsandbiodiversitywillremainparamount,PresidentDr. IrfaanAlihassaid.
TheGuyaneseHead ofStatemadethosecommentswhileparticipating intheClintonGlobalInitiativeheldinNewYork onFriday.
Dr.Ali,whilerespondingtoquestionsonGuyana’sLow-CarbonDevelopmentStrategy(LCDS), saidthatthecountryintendstoaccelerateits commitmenttotheforest andbiodiversity.
“Wearenotchanging ourdevelopmentpath. We’renotchangingour commitmentontheforest;we’renotchanging ourcommitmentonbiodiversity.[As]amatter offact,wehaveacceleratedthatcommitmentby saying,in18months,we [will]doublethepreservationareaforbiodiversity,”thePresidentsaid.
PresidentAlihighlightedthesignificant carbonstoragecapacity ofGuyana’sforest,which sequesters153million tonsofcarbonannually.
Hepointedout,too, thatevenwith10Floating ProductionStorageandselsoperatingoffshore, theforestwouldnotbetionofitscarbonsequestrationcapacity.
Dr.Alisaid:“You haveacountrythatis keepingitsforest[at]the lowestdeforestationrate intheworld,committed tokeepingthisforthe planet,safeguardingour biodiversity,expanding themechanism.”
OnWednesday,while addressingthe79thSessionoftheGeneralAssemblyoftheUnitedNa-
tionsinNewYork,the HeadofStateannounced thelaunchofaGlobal BiodiversityAlliance.
Guyana,in2025,will convenethefirstglobalbiodiversityalliance summit.
Thisplatformwillfocusoncreatingamarket forbiodiversitycredits, scalingbiodiversityconservationdebtswaps, acceleratingbiodiversi-
tybonds,establishinga blueprintforbiodiversity taxonomies,andpromotingnaturepositiveaction.
This,hesaid,isnot justacommitmentof merewords:“Guyanais alsocommittingtodoublingitsprotectedareas byDecember2025and achievingtheglobalbiodiversitytargetof30% by2030…Thesearereal solutionsthatGuyanais puttingforwardtoaddresstheglobalproblem ofbiodiversityloss.We donotlecture;welead byexamplewithoutarrogance.”
Dr.Alihadsaidthat theinitiativewillbedrivenbythesuccessesofthe country’sLCDS.
PresidentAlihadengagedregionalstakeholdersatthe2024Concordia AmazonasSummitheld inGuyanabackinJuly.
Dr.Alithenconducted comprehensivediscussions,emphasisingthe necessityofacollaborativeapproachtopreserve region.
In2009,Guyanabenationtointroducethe LowCarbonDevelopmentStrategy(LCDS). Thestrategydelineateda visionforthepromotion offairandsustainabledevelopment,whilesimultaneouslysafeguardingthe nation’sforests,which constituteapproximately 85percentofitstotal landarea.
BymeansofitsLCDS, Guyanahasestablisheda frameworktoachievea harmoniousintegration ofeconomicdevelopment andthepreservationof thenation’sforestsand biodiversity,whilealso receivingcompensation
“Wehavecommitted,withConcordia,to workonbringingtogetherthestakeholders, theleadersofthese17 countries,membersof theacademiccommunitysothatwecanwork togetheronbuilding thismodel,todevelopa pricingmechanism,”Dr. AlisaidinJuly.
Integrationofyouthintooil,gasindustry paramountforfurtheradvancement
THEGuyanaOilandGas EnergyChamber(GOGEC) proudlyhostedahighly impactfulYouthForum onOilandGasonFriday, September27,2024,atthe ArthurChungConference Centreunderthetheme, “IntegratingYouthsinNationalLife.”
Theforumbroughttogetherover350youngprofessionalsandstudentsfrom Queen’sCollege,President’s College,St.StanislausCol-
lege,St.RosesHighSchool, St.JosephHighSchool,The Bishop’sHighSchool,the UniversityofGuyana,the MinistryofNaturalResources,theGovernmentTechnical InstituteandSchoolofthe Nationstoexplorethecriticalroleofyouthinshaping thefutureoftheoilandgas industryandcontributingto nationaldevelopment.
ThePresidentofthe GuyanaOilandGasEnergy Chamber(GOGEC),Man-
niramPrashadfocusedon empoweringyoungpeople totakeactiverolesinthe energysector,highlighting theimportanceofintegrating theirideasandtalentsintothe broaderframeworkofnationalgrowthandsustainability.
ThekeynoteSpeaker wastheVice-Presidentof theCooperativeRepublicof Guyana,Dr.BharratJagdeo, whoemphasisedtheimportanceofyouthinvolvement instrategicsectorssuchas
oilandgas.
Hehighlightedthatthefutureofnationaldevelopment dependsonhowweintegrate youngtalentsintokeysectors suchasenergybyinvestingin youthtoday,“wearesecuring aprosperousfutureforour nation.”
TheVice-Presidentexploredhowyouthengagement intheoilandgassectorcould contributetobroadernational goals,includingeconomic development,innovation,and
sustainableenergysolutions.
Discussionscentredon howacademicinstitutions, thegovernment,andtheoil andgassectorcancollaborate toequipyoungpeoplewith theskillsneededtodrivenationalgrowth.
Participantsparticipated inthequestion-and-answer segment,whichfocusedon infrastructuraldevelopments inGuyana,thehealthcare sector,projectmanagement intheenergysector,andin-
novation-drivensolutionsto industrychallenges.
Theseyoungattendees playedacentralroleinthe forum,presentingideason howtheycouldcontributeto theoilandgasindustryand, byextension,nationaldevelopment.
DrJagdeodelivereda powerfulclosingmessage, emphasisingtheimportancegrateyouthintonational strategicsectors.
PresidentDr.IrfaanAliduringhisparticipationintheClintonGlobalInitiative
Gov’thasdoneacommendablejobtoensure Guyaneseaccessadequate,healthyfood
“FIRSTLY,Iwishto drawthewriter’sattentiontotheMinistryof Finance’s2024Mid-Year reportwhichstatedthat Guyana’snon-oilgrowth wasestimatedat11.8per theyear.
Thereportalsofurther statedthattheagriculture, isestimatedtohavegrown by8.7percent.
Overthelastfour years,thegovernment hasbeenresoluteinits commitmenttoalleviatimprovingthestandardof livingforGuyanese.As such,thegovernmenthas implementedasuiteof deliberateinitiativesand policiestoaddresstheimpactofhighercommodity pricesglobally.
Theriseinfoodprices andthecostsoftransportation,goods,andservicesresultedfromthe COVID-19pandemic, theRussianinvasionof Ukrainewar,andother disruptions.Athome, wewerechallengedby unprecedentedfloodsin 2021,andElNiñoconditionsthatbeganinthe secondhalfof2023and continuedthroughtoApril 2024.
Sincethegovernment
2020,NationalBudgets havebeendesignedto targetseveralcriticalareas includingthecostoffood locallyandaccesstoaffordableandhealthyfood.
Thisyear’sBudget committedover$70billiontosustainthegovernthedisposableincome availabletocitizenswhile ensuringtheirimproved standardofliving.
havebeenmadeinagriculture,infrastructure,health, education,socialservices, andhousing.
of2024,foodpriceswere impactedbyacombination ofdomesticandglobal factors,thegovernment proactivelyimplemented measurestoreducethe costofproductionand cushionthecostofliving andwillcontinuetodo sothroughouttheyear.In fact,thegovernmenthas alreadyengagedfarmers toexplorewaysofdirectly reachingconsumersinantainfoodprices.
Onlyrecently,while addressingaministerial panelatthehigh-leveldi-
Mustaphaannouncedthat accordingtotheSOFI 2024report,undernourishmentinGuyanahasfallen wellbelowtheregional averageof6.6percentand theglobalaverageof9.1 percent.
Thisachievementresultedfromdeliberatepolicyinterventionsaimedat enhancingfoodproduction andimprovingaccessto nutritiousfoodinGuyana.
SayingthatGuyanese are‘cryingforhelptobuy basicfooditems’and‘livinginahalf-starvedcondition’isgrosslyinaccurate. Whatremainsafactisthat thegovernmentthrough theMinistryofAgriculture isnowlookingtoimprove itsagro-processingcapabilities.Thisisthevision ofH.E.PresidentIrfaan AliandMinisterofAgriculture,Hon.Zulfikar Mustapha.
Ifwearetoreferto atimewhenGuyanese werecryingforhelpto buybasicfooditemsand livinginahalf-starved condition,thenwemust referencethe1982New YorkTimesarticletitled ‘GUYANA’SECONOMYINASEVERECRISIS’https://www.nytimes. com/1982/10/03/world/
guyana-s-economy-in-asevere-crisis.html.
Thearticlestatedthat theabruptnesswithwhich theeconomiccrisishas overtakenday-to-daylife inGuyanahadleftmany peoplefrustratedandfuming.
Thegovernment bannedtheimportationof dozensofitemsthathad longbeenapartofGuyaneselife.Theseinclude preservedfoods,fruit,and splitpeas.Otherstaples, suchaswheatusedfor
Thecountry’snetinternationalreservesweresaid tobe$250millioninthe red.Inadditiontobanning thosebasicitems,citizens hadtolineupformany hoursatgovernmentstores topurchasewhatwerealreadyscarcegoodssuchas cookingoilandpowdered milkandthehousewives werecomplainingthatthe pricesofavailableitems hadsoared.
Mr.Editor,theseare countriesalloverthe worldarefacedwithfood insecuritychallenges,the GovernmentofGuyana hasdoneacommendable jobofensuringGuyanese haveaccesstoadequate andhealthyfood.”
200familiesmoveclosertohomeownership
––afteridentifyinghouselotsatStewartsvilleHousingScheme
THEfirst200landownersatStewartsville HousingScheme(East) inRegionThreewillbeginconstructingtheir homesfollowingalot byCollinCroal,Minister ofHousingandWater,on Friday.
Theexercisemarksa significantmilestonefor thelandowners,manyof whomhavewaitedfor yearstoowntheirland.
Oneofthelandowners,IndarjeetMangal,exowninglandafteryearsof renting.
“Itwillimpactourlives becauseformanyyearswe getourownland,”Mangal said.
Anotherlandowner,
VenaArjon,wasoverwhelmedwithemotions whenshereceivedthe calltoidentifyherhouse lot.“Idon’thavewords toexplainit.I’mfeeling reallynice,”shesaid.
Arjon,whoappliedfor herlandin2020,noted thatherfamilyisexcited tomoveoutoftheirrented homeandbeginbuilding theirownhouse.
Meanwhile,Minister Croalsaidthatinfrastructuralworksareongoingin phaseandthatthiswillensureallotteeshaveaccess totheirlands,roadways, anddrainagesystems.
“Wehavefullyallocated[lots]inStewartsville. Thecombinationbetween
StewartsvilleEastand Westisover2,100allocationsthatweredone,”he emphasised.
Residentscanaccess thehousingareaviathe concretestriproadinLeonoraorthenewlycompletedconcretebridgein Stewartsville.
MinisterCroalsaidthat theministry’sSurveyUnit willcontinuethelotiden-
becomeavailable.Heexplainedthattwomorelots inStewartsvilleEastare expectedtobecomeavailablewithinthenextthree weeks.
Theremaininglot inStewartsvilleWestis scheduledforcompletion bytheendofOctober.
Thedevelopment
Gov’tdistributesover23,000eyetests,
60,000CervicalCancervouchers
Guyaneseurgedtotakeadvantageofhealthinitiatives
WITHthecostofscreeningeliminatedthrough vouchers,Guyaneseare urgedtotakeadvantageof thecervicalcancerandeye testingprogrammes,and prioritisetheirhealth.
GeneralSecretaryofthe People’sProgressiveParty BharratJagdeodelivered thecallduringhisweekly pressconferenceatFreedom HouseonThursday.
Fortheeyetestingand spectaclesprogramme,about 23,000testshavebeenconducted,and18,753spectacleshavebeenissued.
Theprogrammetargettingindividualsaged18and underandthose65andolder tocoverthecostofspectacles,ifrequired.
“Iunderstandthatnot everyonemayneedthis, sincesomepeoplemay havealreadyhadtheireyes tested,butthereisnothing wrongwithcomingback andgettingyoureyestested again,andgettingapairof spectacles.So,Ihopethat morepeopleusethesefacilities,”Dr.Jagdeosaid.
TheprogrammealsoenablestheMinistryofHealth tobetteridentifypersons whoneedopticaloperations, sotheycanbeprovidedwith much-neededassistance.
beenearmarkedinthenationalbudgetfortheeye wassetasidetosubsidise spectaclescost.
Meanwhile,thecervical cancerscreeningisreducingedwithgynaecologicalcare forwomenbetweentheages of21to65.
AccordingtoDr.Jagdeo,approximately60,000 vouchershavebeendistributedthusfar,andheurged Guyanesewomentoobtain theirvouchersandcomplete thetests,asitisacritical stepincombattingcervical cancer.
“Justabout3,300tests havebeendonesofar.We aretalkingaboutpotentially 300,000beneficiaries,”he added.
billion,theprogrammeprocervicalcancerscreenings, whichcanberedeemedat participatinginstitutions,includingNewVisionMedical Centre,WoodlandsLimited, HUIAQIHealthService, EurekaMedicalLaboratory,andDr.BalwantSingh Hospital.
Theseprogrammes makeessentialhealthcare servicesmoreaccessibleto thepeople,especiallyinruralareas,markinganother crucialstepinimproving thehealthandwell-being ofGuyanese.(DPI)
lioninfrastructureproject currentlyunderwayatthe newStewartvilleHousing Scheme.
InApril,MinisterCroal metwiththefourteencontractorswhoarecarrying outworksinthenineteenlotsonEastandWest Stewartville.
Thecontractorswere urgedtoexpeditetheir respectivecontracts,as hundredsofGuyaneseare eagerlywaitingtostart buildingtheirhomes. Theongoingworks includetheinstallation ofanetworkofpipes, drainageinfrastructure, andtheconstructionof culverts,accessroads, andbridges.
ACriticalAssessment
THEpoliticallandscapeinGuyanais markedbytheongoingdialoguesurroundingtheoilandgasindustry,a sectorthathasrapidlytransformedthe nation’seconomicprospects.
Recently,thePeople’sNationalCongressReform(PNCR)unveileda20-point plan,aimingtooutlineitsvisionfortheoil andgasindustryshoulditregainpower. However,thisplanhasbeenmetwithsigPeople’sProgressiveParty(PPP)General SecretaryBharratJagdeo,whodescribedstance”.
Jagdeo’scritiquehighlightsacriticalis-ingoriginalityandactionablecommitments. Hepointedoutthattwelveofthetwenty pointsmerelyadvocateforfeasibilitystudiesandreviews,whichdoeslittletoinstill Thisraisesanimportantquestionabout
thePNCR’sabilitytoprovidesubstantive governanceinanindustrythatisvitalfor Guyana’sfuture.Jagdeo’sassertionthat “runninggovernmentisverydifferent” underscoresthenecessityforplansthat translateintomeaningfulactionratherthan vaguepromises.
ThePNCR’srecordwhileinpoweris alsounderscrutiny.Asthemainpartyinthe formerAPNU+AFCcoalition,thePNCR wasresponsibleforthecontroversialdeal withExxonMobil,whichmanycriticsargue wasmoreadvantageousforthecorporation asareminderthatpastgovernancefailures addressthelessonslearnedfromprevious missteps,anddemonstrateacommitmentto ensuringthatthecountry’svastoilreserves Incontrast,thePPP’sapproachemphaJagdeopointedtotheparty’spastachieve-
ments,suchasimplementingtheLocal ContentAct,whichhasopeneddoorsfor thousandsofGuyanesebusinessesinthe transparencyandaccountability,withmeaforwithdrawalsfromtheNaturalResourcemitmenttoresponsiblemanagementofthe country’sresources.
becomingoneoftheworld’sleadingoil producers,withprojectionstoexceedone millionbarrelsperdaybytheendofthe PNCRmustrecognisethatasuperficial thoughtfulandactionablepolicies.Instead ofresortingtovaguestatementsandempty promises,thePNCRneedstoengagein meaningfuldialogue,andpresentaclear visionthataddressesthecomplexitiesofthe oilandgasindustry.
Jagdeo’sassertionthatthePNCR’s planisan“elaboratecon”resonateswith commitmenttoimprovingthelivesofall Guyanesethroughresponsiblegovernance. IfthePNCRaimstoregainpublictrustand deepunderstandingofthesector,coupled withacommitmenttofosteringsustainable developmentandlocalempowerment.
ThediscussionaroundthePNCR’s 20-pointplanservesasacrucialreminder oftheimportanceofsubstanceinpolitical proposals.Guyanesecitizensdeserveleaderswhocanprovideclarity,transparency, andactionablecommitments,particularlyin asectorthatpromisestoshapethenation’s future.
Theupcomingelectionswilldemand rigorousscrutinyofallparties’plans, ensuringthatthosewhoseektoleadare preparedtonavigatethecomplexitiesof governanceintheoilandgasindustry.
ThePNCRisclutchingatstraws
DearEditor,
THErecentstatementsonGuySuCobyMP VinceroyJordancanonlybedescribedas totallybaseless,unfounded,reckless,impetuous,mischievous,maliciousandwickedly vengeful.
Thelistofsimilaradjectivescanbeextremelylong.
Ithaslongbeenthemodusoperandiof theAPNU+AFCtoceaselesslychantthe ‘corruption’mantrawithoutprovidinganiota ofevidence.TheGuyanaSugarCorporation hasarobustInternalAuditDepartmentwhich ensurescompliancewithlawsandregulations, andhelpstomaintainaccurateandtimely
Thisdepartmenthasneverbeenthesubalwaysbeenaccurate,impartialandwithout prejudice.AsaresponsibleMemberofParlia-
totheoverstatementof243tonnesofsugar atRoseHallEstateissubjectedtosuchhigh standards.
TheProductionManagerandtheHead LabTechniciandidnotdenythattherewas anoverstatement,butthe‘well-informed’
MemberofParliamentdeniedthisfactand attributedthisto“merelyatop-of-the-surface rushtothedefenseoftheMinisterofAgricultureandtheAgency…”
ontheInternalAuditdepartmentofGuySuCo.Insimplewords,theMPissayingthat
thecharacterandprofessionalintegrityofmynation?
ThisMPwoulddowelltosubjecthisparty,thePNC,toclosescrutinywhenitcomes tocorruption,mismanagementandrelated cover-ups.TheAuditor-Generalreportsforall theyearsthecoalitionwasingovernmentare repletewithtaxpayers’dollarsunaccounted for.
Forinstance,Jordanshouldreadthe2019 ReportwheretheAuditor-Generalsubmitted a‘DisclaimerofOpinion’whichstatedthat,“I ofthedepositfund,receiptsandpaymentsof thecontingenciesfundandstatementofassets andliabilitiesofthegovernmentwhichform
ascontainedintherelevantsectionsofmy Report.
appropriateauditevidencetoprovideabasis foranauditopiniononthesestatementsfor
TheCoalitionconstantlyraidedandraped theTreasury.Thedetailsareinthereports, Mr.Jordan.ThiswaswhattheCoalitiondid andJordanhasthetemerityandaudacityto AuditDepartment.ThisMPandhiscolleaguesshouldspendsometimedissecting anddigestingtheAuditorGeneral’sReport forallthoseyearsingovernment. Itisanyone’sguesswhattheywouldhave donewiththeoilmonies.Theygaveagood illustrationwiththesigningbonus.ThePNC/ APNU+AFChasnomoralorlegalbasisto conducting‘pitlatrines’audit. auditonthetotalcostoftheclosureofthefour estateswhichthisgovernmenthastobear. Thisisestimatedatmorethan$100 billion.Hiscolleague,WinstonJordanhad operationalconditionsuntilsoldbutinstead
billionsinsugarcanes,machineriesand equipmentwerelefttorotanddecay.Eventhe grindingestateswerenotsparedsincecapitalimalandthousandsofhectaresofsugarcanes cultivationwereabandoned.
Itmustberecalledthat$17.6billion fromthe$30billionbondwasexpended withnothingtoshow.Thisgovernmentis nowrectifyingthehavocunleashedbythe Coalition.Jordanandhiscolleaguesshould visittheRoseHallEstateanditsenvironsand beholdtheprogressandprosperitywhichthis thetrendcountrywide.
Inconclusion,IwishtoreiterateastatementfromGuySuCo’sresponsetoJordan’s vexatiousandspuriousallegations,‘ThepeopleofGuyanadeservebetterthanthesecheap politicalstunts.MPJordanshouldfocuson contributingpositivelytothenationinstead ofspreadingliesandstirringupunnecessary controversy’.
ThePNCR/APNU+AFCshouldknow thattheycannotwinanelectiononliesand deceptivestatements.
Yourssincerely, HaseefYusuf
FireripsthroughDDLpower stationcomplexatDiamond
AFIREofunknownoriginhasdestroyedtheDemeraraDistillersLimited (DDL)’sDiamondComplex PowerStation.
Accordingtoinformation fromDDLandtheGuyana
onFriday.
––ifcoalitionispursued
oftheself-interestwhich theparty’sleadershipis beingaccusedofprioritising,thePeople’sNational CongressReform(PNC-R) hasmaintainedthatifitis topursueacoalitionwith theAllianceForChange (AFC),thepresidential candidatemustcomefrom CongressPlace.
PartyGeneralSecretary
vitedcommenttotheGuyana ChronicleonFriday,cited
Uptopresstime,the GuyanaFireServicewas thepowerstation,andno otherfacilitiesorinstallationswereunderthreat.
Threepersons chargedforassault
––followingunfortunateincidentcaughtoncameraatCPLcricketmatch ––stringentsecuritymeasures,beefed-uppolicepresenceguaranteedforremainderofseason
THREEpersonswereon Fridaychargedforassault relativetotheirbrawling anduncouthbehaviour(as seeninaviralvideo)from theSeptember25CPL matchbetweenGuyana AmazonWarriorsand BarbadosRoyalsatthe GuyanaNationalStadium atProvidence. AccordingtoinformationfromtheGuyanaPolice
theinfluenceofalcohol, theground.Theindividual unfortunate.
TheGuyanaPolice
GuyanaNationalStadium fortheremainderofthe
recurrence.
Thematterswereadjournedto2024-10-03for trial.
announcedbythenAFC
leavethecoalition.
PNC-R’sNorton,in 2023,hadmaintained,however,thattherewereno regretsaboutanyofthedecisionsthatledtotheAFC abandoningthecoalition withAPNU.
theAFC.
TherealityabouttheIsraeliarmedforces
GAZAis25mileslongandsevenmiles wide.Totalsizeis141squaremiles. OnTuesday,itwillbeoneyearsince IsraelstartedbombingGazatokill
featofHamas?
Iamsuggestingyoudonottakemy PalestineLiberationOrganisation(PLO) inLebanon(1978and1982)andHamas
itlost10menandkilled100enemy
casualtiesinGaza,anditisnotgoingtoIsrael,foritspart,willneverattack Iran,becauseitknowsthatwillbethe endofIsrael.
DISCLAIMER:Theviewsand opinionsexpressedinthiscolumnare solelythoseoftheauthoranddonot positionoftheGuyanaNationalNewspapersLimited.
Letusenjoythefestivities andrallybehindour‘Warriors’
THE2024Republic Bank,CaribbeanPremier Leagueisnowclimaxing inGuyana.Thedefendingchampions,Guyana AmazonWarriorsare certainlyonahigh.
Playinginamatchon Wednesdaynightatthe GuyanaNationalStadium atProvidence,thehome teamhumiliatedtheBarbadosRoyalswhentheycompletelyout-playedthem withtheballandthebat.
The“Royals”wonthe tossandaskedthe“WarTheAmazonWarriors hammeredtheRoyals’ bowlingtoallpartsofthe groundastheyaccumulattheirallotted20overs.The internationalopeningbatsmengavethehometeama briskstart.
RahmanullahGurbaz openedthebattingwith, (crowdattraction)Azam Khanastheyensuredthat
thescoreboardrecorded runs.However,itwasthe team’smostrespectedand excitingbatsmenShimron HetmyerandShaiHope whoputonadashingbut solidcenturypartnership.
Thebattingofthetwo “Warriors”wasindeedexcitingandtheirabilityto rotatethestrikeandhitthe balloutoftheboundary weremostentertaining. Also,RomarioShepherd continuestobethe‘hitman’ inthetournament.
TheRoyals,inreplyto theWarriors’score,visiscoreboardpressureasthey struggledandperishedin theirattempttoattainthe Warriors’imposingscore.
ThespinnersGudakesh Motie,MoeenAliandthe skipperImranTahirwere alwaysthreateningand toogoodfortheoppositionbatsmen.Onlythe hard-hittingDavidMiller provedtobeaforcetobe
reckonedwithashehitout desperatelyattheendall byhimself.
Allroadsareleading totheGuyanaNational Stadiumthisweekend.On SaturdaytheWarriorswill takeontheSt.LuciaKings andonSundaythedefendingchampionswillplaythe TrinbagoKnightRiders. Thesetwomatcheswillbe excitingasallfourteams arealreadyinthe‘Four-
Themammothandvociferouscrowdwillrally behindtheirhometeamas theCPLfevergripsthenation.Expectationsaresky high,thatthetremendous battingformofthelikesof Hetmyer,HopeandShepherdwillbebetterthanthat ofPooranandDeCock.
Theplanningandexecutionofthe2024CPLhas surpassedthatofprevious years.Thishasresultedin thegenerationofgreater interestamongthecrick-
etingfamilyaroundthe world.
Ourplayersinthis year’stournamentarecertainlysettingrecordsand marketingthemselvesfor “Franchises”aroundthe world.Guyanaisglowing asthecarnivalatmosphere, the“peopleparticipation” andtheefficientrunning ofthetournamenthave producedathrillingtournamentofthehighestquality.
Outsideoftheactual cricket,the2024CricketCarnivalseasonhas somethingforeveryone. Thepackedscheduleincludeswatchparties,a WetSocaBlockPartyon MainStreet,themuch-anticipatedCricketParade, concerts,RegionalFood
Festivals,afashionshowcase,amongotheractivities.
Thingsgotunderwayon September19,with‘WelcomeVibes’attheCheddie JaganInternationalAirport (CJIA),acollaborationthat involvedtheGuyanaTour-
ismAuthority.Scoresof passengerswerewelcomed intoGuyanawithsweet soundsofthesteelpan,carnivalmodels,andtokens. Asweenjoythefestivities,let’scontinueto rallybehindtheAmazon Warriors!
ASopportunitiesinGuyana’sburgeoningoiland gasindustrycontinueto grow,theGeorgetown ChamberofCommerceand Industry(GCCI)brought togetherindustryleaders andlocalentrepreneurson Thursdayforitsinaugural EnergyLuncheon.
Theevent,organisedby theChamber’sPetroleum Committee,focusedonunlockingprospectsforlocal businesseswithinthelucrativesector.
KathySmith,SeniorVice PresidentoftheGCCIand ChairpersonofthePetroleum Committee,highlightedthe Chamber’sroleinfacilitating
thesevitalconversations. Shenotedthatthediscovery ofsignificantoilreserves hascreatednewpathways foreconomicgrowth,jobs, anddevelopmentinGuyana. However,shecautionedthat theindustry’sgrowthmustbe balancedwithenvironmental sustainabilityandsocialresponsibility.
“Thediscoveryanddereserveshaveopenedupnew avenuesforeconomicgrowth andprosperityforournation,”Smithstated.“Thisindustryhasthepotentialtoupliftthelivesofourcitizens, createnewjobs,andenhance ouroveralldevelopment.But
wemustbalancethisgrowth withenvironmentalsustainabilityandthewell-beingof ourcommunities.”
Duringtheluncheon, GCCIPresident,KesterHutson,unveiledthe2024editionoftheBusinessGuyana Magazine,themed‘TransformingGuyana’.Hutson outlinedkeytopicswithin thepublication,including E-Commerce,digitalisation,financing,improving standards,compliance,and marketing,allofwhichare crucialforlocalbusinesses aimingtothriveintheevolvingeconomy.
“Theinformationweprovideisvitalforlocalbusi-
nesses.TheGCCIiscommittedtofosteringaresilient businessecosystemthatcan withstandthetestoftime,” Hutsonsaid.
Theeventreceivedsupportfromsponsorsincluding NewrestGuyana,Machinery CorporationofGuyanaLimited(MACORP),Unique ElectricalandGeneralStore Inc.,FreightlinkLogistics
Inc.,andPantheraSolutions. Industryexpertsfrom majorcompanies—ExxonMobilGuyana,MODEC, GuyanaShoreBaseInc., SaipemGuyanaInc.,and SBMOffshoreGuyana— participatedintheevent. Theyprovidedinsightson theircompanies’operations, localcontentinitiatives,and expansionplans,whileen-
gagingwithparticipantson howlocalbusinessescan tapintothesector’ssupply chain.
TheGCCI’sEnergy Luncheonmarksasignificantstepinempowering localbusinessestoseize opportunitieswithinGuyana’sthrivingoilandgas industry,whileensuring sustainabledevelopment.
THEProtectedAreas Commission(PAC),incollaborationwithSchlumbergerGuyana(SLB),has launchedanewinitiative calledtheAnimalRehabilitationProject,aimed atenhancingthefacilities oftheGuyanaZoological Parkandenrichingthe experienceforwildlifeenthusiasts,children,and visitors.
Thisprojectispartofa broaderefforttoconserve Guyana’srichbiodiversity intherehabilitationofthe zoo’sanimalsandenclosures.
Theribbon-cuttingceremony,heldonFridayatthe GuyanaZoologicalParkin honourofWorldTourism Day2024,celebratedthis importantpublic-privatepartnership,withSLBbeingtheporttheinitiative.Theevent underscoredtheimportance ofinvestinginwildliferehabilitationandconservation, showcasingtheremarkable wildlifeofGuyana.
JasonFraser,CommissionerofthePAC,praised SLBforitsleadershipand
involvement,notingthatthe companyhadbeeninstrumentalinmakingtheproject possiblefromtheoutset. manytobecreatedthrough thispartnership,”Frasersaid. Healsosharedplansforfurtherenhancements,including theintroductionofopen-conceptspacesforanimalsand additionalwalkingpaths withinthezoo.Frasercalled onotherorganisationstojoin theeffort,highlightingthe importanceofsafe,secure, andeducationalgreenspaces inurbanareas.
DeeGeorge,President oftheTourismandHospitalityAssociationofGuyana (THAG),echoedFraser’s callforgreaterstakeholder involvement,stressingthe needforcontinuedpreservationofbothurbanandnatural greenspaces.
SLBGuyana’sVice President,SharleneSeegoolam,expressedpridein hercompany’sroleinthe project,notingthatitre-mitmenttoenvironmental stewardship.Seegoolam highlightedthatSLBhad
committedtopreserving greenspacesthroughits annualAdoptaParkinitiativetwoyearsago,with volunteersplantingtreestheAnimalRehabilitation Projectasamodestbut meaningfulfirststeptowardsamoreimpactful contributiontoGuyana’s environment.
Thenewlyenhanced spacewillprovideahomefor someofthezoo’smostvulnerablespecies,includingthe red-footedandyellow-footed tortoises.Seegoolamemphasisedthattheseanimalsare symbolsofthebiodiversity thatSLBandPACarestrivingtoprotectforbothcurrent andfuturegenerations.
Thisinitiativenotonly aimstogiveasecondchance tovulnerablewildlifebut alsodemonstratesthepotentialofpublic-privatecollaborationsindrivingconserva-
Astheprojectprogresses,moreenclosureswillbe rehabilitated,furthersupportingGuyana’swildlife conservationgoals.
theturtles(DelanoWilliamsphoto)
Frontright:GCCIPresident,KesterHutsonandSeniorVicePresidentand Thursday
PPP/CCouncillorcondemnsvendordisplacement
––callsfororganisedvendingsolutions
ByCindy Parkinson-Chowbay
INresponsetorecentprotestsbycityvendorsremovedfromtheareain frontofPopeyesonWater Street,PPP/Ccouncilor, StevenJacobs,hasfirmlyreiteratedhisparty’s stanceagainstthedisplacementofvendors.
Speakingexclusively withtheGuyanaChronicle, Jacobsemphasisedthatwhile theysupportorganisedvending,thePPP/Ccouncillorsdo notagreewithanyformof vendorremoval.
Jacobshighlightedthat thegovernment’sgoalisto supportvendorsinearning alivelihood.“Ourposition asPPP/Ccouncillorsisthat
weunderstandthesituation ofvendors;wearecompassionatetowardsthemand theirneedtoprovidefor theirfamilies.Wesupport organisedvendingwhereevnotsupportdisplacement,” hestated.
Jacobsaddressedmisconceptionscirculatingin public,clarifyingthatthe removalofvendorswasnot orchestratedbythePPP/C thattheirpositiononthematterhasremainedconsistent, andtheyareactivelyseeking waystoaccommodatevendorsinacleanerandmore organisedenvironment.
Thecouncilloralsoshed lightontheinternalworkingsoftheMayorandCity
Council,particularlythe roleoftheDeputyMayor, whooverseestheMarkets Committeeandhasmade recommendationsregardingtheremovalofvendors. JacobsdistancedthePPP/C fromthesedecisions,asserting,“Wehavecontinuedto stateourposition;wedonot supportthis.”
Jacobsalsorevealed thatseveralbusinesseshave takenlegalactionagainst thecitycouncil,whichis nowfacingpotentialcourt chargesiftheyfailtoact.He recommendedthatbefore evictingvendors,thecouncilmustdesignatesanitary andsecureareasforthemto operate.
Hepointedtothesuccessfulestablishmentofthe
vendor’sarcadein2007underthePPP/Cgovernment, whichprovidedasafeand securespaceforvendors.Jacobsfurtheradvocatedforle-
betterprotection,including theneedforidentification systemsthatwouldassignresponsibilitiestovendorsand
formalisetheiroperations.
solutions,Jacobsdisclosed thatthePPP/Cisengaging withbusinessownersnear vendinglocationstoexplore possiblecompromiseson vendinghoursandmaintainingacleanenvironment.He alsoexpressedconcernabout thelackofaccountability withintheMayorandCity Council,contrastingthiswith thegovernment’sconsistent interventionsaimedatimprovingthecity.
Jacobsreferencedthe recentpartnershipformed betweenPresidentAliand theKingCharlesFoundationonurbandevelopment, expressingconfidencethat vendorswouldbeincluded infutureplans.Healsonoted thatthePPP/Cgovernment hasbeenproactiveinmaintaininginfrastructuresuchas
roadsanddrainagethrough theNationalDrainageand IrrigationAuthority(NDIA), ensuringbetteraccessforcitizensduringtherainyseason.
Finally,Jacobspointed tothegovernment’songoing effortstoprovideemploymentandtrainingopportunitiesforpublicservants, council,throughinitiatives liketheGOALscholarship programme.Heunderscored thatthegovernment’scommitmentextendstoallGuyanese,includingvendors, andcriticisedclaimsthatthe PPP/Cseekstodisplacevendorsasdisingenuous.
“Anyonewhosaysthat thePPP/Cgovernment wantstodisplacethevendorsorisn’tsupportiveof Guyanesebetteringtheir livesisbeingdisingenuous,”Jacobsconcluded.
PPP/Ccouncillor, StevenJacobs
DRIVENbyavested interestinensuringthat Guyaneseenjoyabetterstandardoflife,the government,throughthe HeadofStateDr.Irfaan Ali,willsoonunveilmore measuresgearedataddressingtherisingcost
ofliving,whichisbeing inducedprimarilyby globaleconomicfactors.
PeoplesProgressive Party(PPP)GeneralSecretaryBharratJagdeorevealedthisonThursday duringhisweeklynews conferenceattheparty’s
Georgetownheadquarters onRobbStreet.
Jagdeo,whilerespondingtothequestionsfrom thelocalmedia,noted thatthegovernmenthas manyideasintheworks tocushiontherisingcost ofliving.
“Iknowwehaveaton ofideas,andthePresident willspeakattheopeningoftheParliament,”he said.
TheNationalAssembly iscurrentlyinarecess, whichrunsfromAugust 10toOctober10.
“ThePresidentwill speakattheopeningofthe newsessionoftheparliament,solookoutformore policymeasuresfromthe President,”Jagdeosaid.
Theeffectsofglobal economicconditionshaveferentregions,yetthepeopleofGuyanahavebeen shieldedfromtheworst consequences,duetothe
deliberatepoliciesand programmesimplemented bythePPP/CGovernment.
Justlastmonth,PresidentAlisaidthatdespitebeingchallenged bytheshocksbrought onbytheCOVID-19 pandemic,thepressures fromrisingtransportationcosts,andrising costsinthemovementof goodsandservices,the GovernmentofGuyana hasremainedresilientin itsresponse.
Theshocks,hereminded,arenotlimitedtoGuyana.Citingarecentartiexpert,Dr.Alinotedthat
179countries,withcountriessuchastheUnitedStatesandtheUnited Kingdomrecordingin40-yearhighin2022.
Unlikethosecountries, Guyana,thePresidentnoted,hadbeen“importing” thoserisingcosts.
TheHeadofState said:“Weareimporting havedoneasthegovernment,verysuccessfully, is[establish]measures thatweputinplaceto costsandrisingcosts,so thattheeffectwasnot transportedtotheconsumer.”
THEfollowingisthefull textofastatementfrom theNationalProcurement andTenderAdministration Board:
“WITHreferencetothe letterspublishedonSeptember26,2024,bytheKaieteur NewsandStabroekNews ontheSchoonordtoCrane RoadProject,theNational ProcurementandTenderAdministrationBoard(NPTAB) wishestoclarifyasfollows. Itisimportanttoemphasisethattheopentendering method,themostcompetitiveandtransparentprocurementmethod,wasused. Thirty-twobidderssubmitted tenderswhichwereevaluated strictlyinaccordancewith theevaluationcriteria.
Eightofthebidderswere
compliantwiththeadministrativeandtechnicalcriteria setoutinthebiddingdocuments.Assuch,thesebidders weredeemedresponsiveand wereconsideredforfurther evaluation,whilethosewho werenon-responsivewere notfurtherevaluated.
Eachbidderwaslimited toonelotandevaluatedbased onthecombinationofthecontractor’sresources,experience andcapacitytoexecutethe workswithinthestipulated timelineandscopeofworks. Basedontheforegoing,the evaluatorsrecommendedthat thelotsbeawardedtothefollowingbidders:
Lot1:VRConstruction Inc.
Lot2:AvinashConstructionandScrapMetalInc.
Lot3:L-Heureuseand ServicesInc.
Lot4:Guyamerica ConstructionInc.
Lot5:AJMEnterprise
Lot6:Valsconstruction
Lot7:PuranBros DisposalInc.
Lot8:JSGuyanaInc.
TheNPTABacceptedthe recommendationsmadeby theevaluatorsbasedontheir representationsregardingthe respectivecontractors’capacitytoexecutetheindividual lotsinatimelymanner,given theurgencywithinwhichthe projectwasrequiredtobe completed.
TheNPTABremains committedtoensuringan open,fair,competitive,and transparentpublicprocurementprocess.”
ByFeonaMorrison
THEGuyanaRevenueAuthority(GRA)isramping upeffortstocurbillicit tradingactivities,particularlyinvolvingalcohol, tobacco,cigarettes,and poultryproducts.
RohanBeekhoo,ComptrollerofCustoms,Excise andTradeOperationsat GRAemphasisedtheneed forincreasedcollaboration betweencustoms,lawenforcementagencies,andthe privatesectortomanagerisks andpenaltiesassociatedwith theseillegalactivities.
AttherecentlyheldIllicit TradeSeminarhostedbythe PrivateSectorCommission (PSC),Beekhoohighlighted thegrowingconcernoverthe smugglingofhigh-riskitems. havebeenseizingarangeof contrabanditems,withalcohol,cigarettes,andchicken beingthemostcommon.
“Overthepastfewyears, ouractivitieshaveincreased. Almosteverymonth,seizuresarebeingmadeand theseareintheformofthe high-riskgoods…alcohol, beers,tobacco,cigarettes, chicken,amongotheritems,” Beekhooexplained.
TheComptrollerrevealed thatthepenaltiesforthese offencesaresevere,often withfinesreachingupto threetimesthestreetvalue oftheseizedgoods.Accordingtohim,thisisameasure intendedtodeterindividuals fromengaginginsuchillegal activities.
Beekhoonotedthatthe aboutenforcementandthat theGRAhasbeengetting alotofhelpinthatregard fromlocalandinternational partners.“Wepartnerwith localandinternationallaw enforcementagencies.We havebeengettingalotof co-operationfromtheCustomsAntiNarcoticUnit,the GuyanaPoliceForce,the armyandotheragencies.”
Thefightagainstillicit tradeisnotjustaboutenforcement;italsoinvolves strengtheningtheinternal capabilitiesoftheGRA. Beekhoooutlinedongoing effortstorecruitandtrain ofriskmanagementandcustomsbrokerage.
Heemphasisedthattrainingforcustombrokersis crucialbecausetheywillbe betterabletoadvisetheir andmanagementofgoods.menthasbeenthereduction ofbureaucratichurdlesin theclearanceprocess.“We haveremovedtheredtape fromtheclearanceofgoods. Atonetime,Ithinkitused tobeonemonth.Wehave withinonetothreeweeks.”
Newsmugglingtrends havebeenemerging,posing additionalchallengesforthe GRA.
Beekhoopointedtothe discoveryofgoldbeingdisguisedasjewelleryasone oftheinnovativemethods beingusedtoevadecus-
ComptrollerofCustoms, ExciseandTradeOperations,RohanBeekhoo
tomschecks.“Therearenew trendsintheformofgold beingdisguisedasjewellery. So,smugglingfromtheregular,traditionalconsumables, goods,vehicles,narcotics, goldandcurrency….all combinedtogether.”Hesaid thatthesecomplexsmugglingmethodsrequireequallysophisticatedcountermeasures.Tothatend,hepointed outthattheGRAisinvesting inadvanceddetectiontechnologiesandexpandingits intelligencecapabilities.
TheGRAisalsocalling ontheprivatesectortoplay amoreactiveroleincombatingillicittrade.Beekhoo stressedtheimportanceof intelligencesharingandthe needforbusinessestocome forwardwithinformationon potentialillegalactivities.
“So,wewouldliketourge
theprivatesectormembers tosharetheintelthatyou mayhavesothatwecantake action.”
Tofacilitatethiscollaboration,Beekhoourged businessestoapplyforthe
TrustedTraderstatus.This programme,designedto streamlinethecustomsprocessforcompliantbusinesses,reducesthenumberof checksanddocumentation requiredforthesecompanies.
timisticthatwithcontinuedcollaborationandthe supportofthebusiness community,Guyanacancidenceofillicittrade.
PNC-Rdodgesquestionsonitsdeliberate misrepresentationoflocalconditions
––in2023reporttoNewYorkSenateDelegation
FOLLOWINGNewYork
StateSenatorRoxanneJ. Persaud’srevelationthat thenarrativesbeingpushed bytheOppositionand itsaffiliatedactivistsare false,thePeople’sNational Congress-Reform(PNC-R) isnowdodgingquestions abouttheveracityofits claims.
Duringarecentengagementwiththediasporaatthe HillsRestaurantinBrooklyn,
NewYork,theNewYork Senatorsaidthatthenarrativesbeingadvancedby detractorshaveledmany toassumethe“worst”of Guyana.
Buttheyhadthechance toseeGuyana’simpressive development,upclose,when she,aUS-basedGuyanese, ledavisitingteam,which consistedofSenatorKevin ParkerandAssemblywoman AliciaHyndman,herelast
yearOctober.
Thedelegationcomprisedmembersofboththe NewYorkStateSenateand theNewYorkStateAssembly.
Atapressconferenceon Friday,theGuyanaChronicle questionedPNC-RGeneral SecretarySherwinBenjamin onwhethertheparty’sreport submittedtotheNewYork SenateDelegationlastyear failedtoportrayabalanced
representationofGuyana’s progress.
However,theparty’s GeneralSecretarydeclined toanswer,andtheparty’s pressconferencerestricted questioningunlessitwason itspreparedandrehearsed pressstatement.
OnOctober28,2023, PNC-RLeaderAubreyNortonandteamhadmetwith thedelegationandmade presentationsonvarying claimssuchas:Racialand politicaldiscrimination,and thegenerallackofgood
governanceinthecountry, amongotherthings.
TheOppositionhasconstantlyallegedclaimsof discriminationandpoorgovernance;however,thishas neverbeensupportedbysolid evidence.
Butevenwithallofthe “noise”,astheNewYork Senatorputsit,Guyana’s developmentandtheprudent managementoftheeconomy bythePeople’sProgressive Party/Civic(PPP/C)governmentcouldnotbecloudedby detractors’rhetoric.
SenatorPersaud,during therecentengagement,said: “LastOctober,wewentto Guyanaasadelegationfor fourdays,toseeGuyana,to takepeoplewhowerenot GuyanesetoseewhatGuyanaisabout,tohearwhatthe forthemselves;tomaketheir owndecisionastowhatthey seeinGuyana.
“Andso,wecamebackto theUnitedStates,andeveryonewhoparticipatedonthat tripwasimpressedbywhat theysaw.”
Respondingtothefarfetchedclaimsbeingmade bycriticsaboutGuyana,she said:“…Whenthey[delegation]gotthereandexperienceditforthemselves,they impression,sothattheyare askingustobacktoGuyana
again…”
Persaudalsoextended gratitudetoPresident,Dr.IrfaanAliandtheCabinetministersforputtingGuyana’s high-qualitydevelopmenton exhibition.
TheOppositionhascontinuouslybeencalledoutfor using“race-baiting”tactics todivideGuyanaandnotbeingconcernedwithfostering unityamongthepeople.
Infact,Vice-President BharratJagdeohasconstantly highlightedthetacticutilised bythePNC-R-ledAPNU/ AFCoppositiontouseracismtocausedivisionamong Guyanese.
Hehasalsopointedout thattherearemechanismsin placetoaddressanyinstances ofdiscriminationinGuyana. Onesuchmechanismis theEthnicRelationsCommission(ERC),whichwas sworninwithamandateto promoteethnicharmonyand securityinGuyana.
DrJagdeo,duringa previouspressconference, saidthatdespitethemultitudeofaccusationsofracialdiscriminationhurled bytheopposition,there isnosuchreportbefore theERC,eventhoughthe bodyisconstitutionally empoweredtoinvestigate complaintsofracialdiscriminationinGuyanaand makerecommendations.
2.1megawattsofpowertocomeonstreaminMahdia
,Jagdeosays
WITHINaspanofthree weeks,2.1megawattsof powerwillcomeonstream inMahdia,RegionEight (Potaro-Siparuni),providingthecommunitywith sustainableandefficient power.
Thiswasaccordingto PeoplesProgressiveParty (PPP)GeneralSecretary, BharratJagdeo,duringa newsconferenceonThursday.
Hesaidageneratorwas installedearlythisweekto respondtodisruptionstothe powersupplyintheregion.
Itwasreportedthata generatortherehadfailed, resultinginfrequentblackoutsinsomeareasofthe town.
Ateamofofficials throughthesupportofthe wasquicklymobilisedto addressthesituation.
managedtosecureagener-
atorlocally,passitthrough theTenderBoard,hadit
Jagdeosaid.
Henotedthatthegovernmentwasintheprocess ofprocuringabrand-new generatorfortheregionto replacetheexistingones; however,thiswouldhave takenmonthstoarrive, hence,thedecisionwas madetosecureonelocally
torespondtotheimmediate disruptions.
“Inamatteroffour days,theymanagedtoget ageneratorprocuredand theresidentstherecould continuetoenjoyfullpower inthatarea…Sometimes theydogoodworkthatgoesalSecretarysaid.
Thegovernment,hefurtherreminded,isworking
onalong-termsolutionto ensurethatresidentshave accesstosustainablepower.
“Inaboutanotherthree weeks,weanticipatethatthe solarfarmthatisbeingbuilt therewillcomeonline,so whenthatcomesonlinein
about2.1megawattsof powerwhenthedemand nowislessthanamegawatts
A$362millionsolar farmisbeingdevelopedinerEngineeringCompanyanaEnergyAgency(GEA) signedacontractforthe
projectinOctober2022.
Thesolarfarmwillhelp about3,000peoplebycontributing0.69megawatts
AccordingtoJagdeo, thesolarfarm,alongwith theexistinggenerators,will beyonditsdemands.
PresidentDr.IrfaanAli recentlydisclosedthatsolarenergyinstallationin Guyanahasgrownto173 percentsince2020,setting thestageforthecountryto achieveitsambitiousenergy-transitiongoal.
TheHeadofStatehad saidthatby2030,thecoun-
isprojectedtoincrease greenhousegasemissions willremainflatoreven decrease.
tionisoneofthemostambicitingthecurrentconstrucGas-to-Energyprojectthat willreduceelectricitycosts by50percentandgenerate
Henoted,too,thatthe countrywillsoonbringon streamthelargestsolar farmsby2025,totalling over30MWinBerbice, Essequibo,andLinden.
PPPGeneralSecretary,BharratJagdeo
CourtsOpticalPee Weecontinuestoday
THEhugelypopularCourtsOpticalU-11BoysSchoolsFootball Championshipcontinuestoday with14clashesattheMinistryof EducationgroundonCARFESTA Avenue.
StPiusshowedgreatintentin theiropenerwitha12-1defeatof StMary’sandwillbeseekingto continueinsimilarveinintheir titledefence.
Englandproduceall-rounddisplay tosetupdecideragainstAustralia
(ESPNCRICINFO)-ENGLAND producedanelectricall-rounddisplay tosetupaseriesdecideratBristolon Sunday,astheythrashedAustraliaby 186runsatLord’s.
Itwasacollectiveeffortfrom England’squickswhosharednine wickets-Pottstakingthreewickets infourballstorushthroughthelower
CMC–ASpartofcelebrationstomarkthenational holidaynamedinherhonour,StLucia’ssprintqueen JulienAlfredwasgifted$75,000andaspecialaward hereFriday.
JulienAlfredhasbeencelebratedsinceher arrivalinStLuciaonTuesday
JulienAlfredDaywillculminatewithacelebratoryconcertattheDarenSammyCricketGroundon Fridayevening,whereheraccomplishmentswillbe formallyhonoured.
OneCommunications’ Bravapartnerswith LGCforGuyanaOpen golfcompetition
––40playersexpectedfrom USA,CanadaandCaribbean
ONECommunicationsthroughitsbusinessdevelopmentbrand‘Brava’haspartneredwiththeiconic LusignanGolfClub(LGC)toputonthe2024edition oftheBravaGuyanaOpenGolfTournament,setfor November1stand2nd
Thecompanyisplugging4.5milliondollarstowards calendar.
LGCPresidentAnashaAllyexpressedherclub’s elationatOneCommunicationslongsupportforgolf inGuyana,saying,“Iwouldliketosayonbehalfofthe LusignanGolfClubitsmembers,non-membersandall playersthatwearesohappyfortheBravaGuyanaOpen GolfTournament2024…..Iknowtheyhavehadalong associationwithourGuyanaopenandsowearehappy thatBravahascomeonboardforthisoccasion.”
Shenotedthatthecompetitionisexpectedtocreate adding,“Weanxiouslyandexcitedlylookforwardto allofthembeingapartofourcompetitionthisyear,so inanutshell,I’mreallygrateful,ourclubisextremely gratefulforthissponsorship.”
Brava’sGeneralManagerHiltonWong,saidthementsoverthepastyears,tellingthosegatheredthat, “Golfisobviouslyakeypillarforusintermsofthe corporateend.AtBrava,webelievethreeyearsinvestmentisoneofthoseworthwhiletypesofinvestmentsin termsofthecorporatespace,asweventureintoanother yearwiththeLusignanGolfClub;it’simportantforus toreallysitandstrengthenourpartnership…….with clientsfacingthestrugglesofcommunicationandcollaborationalltogether,golfisanidealwaytoreallygel partnerstogether.”
LGCclubcaptainAyubeSubhancommentedthat thisyear’smedalplaytournamentwillfeatureamenand women’scategoryfeaturingseveralhandicapsplayed overtwodaysand36holes.
theywillparticipate;thenwehavethe10-18handicap thedayitselfbecauseofsheernumbers,wewillhaveto startearly,sowegetafullday’sgolfandthatalsostand fortheSunday,’theclubcaptainsaid.
Thistournamentissettofeature40playersfromthe USA,CanadaTrinidadandTobago,Suriname,Barbados,Fijiandotherregionalcountries,alongwithahost oflocalplayers
trophy,prizesandbraggingrightsupforgrabs.
GuyanagodowntoleadersMexico
THEcountry’snational women’shockeyteamon lossofthePanAmerican HockeyFederation(PAHF) challengeseriestotable toppersMexicoinBermuda.
Guyana,playingamustwingameagainstthetoprankedpower-housecould notadjusttothespeedand experienceoftheMexicans astheylost4-nil.
ThelosspushedGuyana downtheleaderboardto thirdwithParaguaygoing aheadofthemongoaldifference.
GuyanahadtobeatMexicoordrawtoreachthe Mexicoagainforthegold medal.
However,becauseParaguaywentdown3-0to Mexicoandsecureda2-0 winagainstBermuda,they movedaheadduetoasuperiwithbothteamstakingonly onewininthecompetition.
Guyana’slonewinwas againstBrazil,1-0,with drawsagainstParaguayand Bermuda,whileParaguay beatBermuda2-0,lostto Mexico3-0anddrewwith Brazil.
Guyanawillnowbattle forthirdplaceagainstBermudaorBrazil.
Headcoachofthewomen’steam,PhillipFernandes, toldtheGuyanaChronicle thatMexicoliveduptotheir billingasthefavourites
‘Theyhavebeateneveryonesofarinthecompetition
unbeaten;itshowedthat Mexicowasdefinitelythe superiorteam,butourteam performedwell.Weparticularlydefendedwellandwe heldthescoreevenforquite awhileandevenwhilethe abitofanunfortunategoal andthenweheldforalong gaptowardstheend.Asour teamtired,Mexicowasable penalties,cornersandsoon.’ Hesaiddespitetheloss, andgritoftheplayersgiving
(ESPNCRICINFO)-FORMERWest IndiesallrounderDwayneBravohas endedhislongandcelebratedcareer atChennaiSuperKings,withwhom
Hehasjoineddefendingchampions KolkataKnightRiders(KKR)asmentor fromthe2025season.
ESPNcricinfolearnedthatBravorecentlymetwithKKRCEOVenkyMysore duringtheCPLbeforeagreeingtoalongtermcontract.ApartfromKKR,hewillbe inchargeofallfranchisesundertheKnight RiderslabelinT20leagues:Trinbago KnightRiders(CPL),LosAngelesKnight Riders(MLC)andAbuDhabiKnight Riders(ILT20).
“DJBravojoiningusisanexciting development.”Mysoresaidinastatement. “Hisrelentlessdrivetowin,alongwithhis vastexperienceanddeepknowledge,will Bravo,whoturns41inOctober,replacesGautamGambhir,whotookover asIndia’sheadcoachsoonafterhelping
theirpreparation,theyadcompetitiveinBermuda.
“Gameslikethisiswhere itshowsthatGuyanawillalwaysstruggletocompeteinternationalylwithoutaproper artificialsurface;theskills thatMexicoweresuperiorfaceskills.Otherthanthat, Guyanamatchedthemfor athleticism,understanding, wematchedthemforalotof thingsbutthebasicskillsof -
KKRwintheirthirdIPLtitlein2024.A daypriortotheannouncement,Bravohad retiredfromallcricket.ApartfromGambhir,KKRalsolosttwooftheirassistant coaches,AbhishekNayarandRyanten Doeschate,bothofwhomwerealsogivenvowillhaveChandrakantPanditashead coachandBharatArunasbowlingcoach.
“I’vebeenpartoftheTrinbagoKnight Ridersforthelast10yearsintheCPL. HavingplayedforandagainsttheKnight Ridersinvariousleagues,Ihavealotof respectforhowtheyoperate,”Bravosaid inastatement.“Theowners’passion,the professionalismofthemanagement,and thefamily-likeenvironmentmakeita specialplace.Thisistheperfectplatform formeasItransitionfromplayingtomentoringandcoachingthenextgeneration ofplayers.”
ThementorrolewithKKRisBravo’s secondteam-managementpositionin theIPL.HavingjoinedCSKin2011,he retiredfromtheIPLafterthe2022season
ingfactorandunfortunately, thathasknockedusoutof Hesaidtheywillnow regroupandbereadyfortheir bronze-medalmatch-up. ThetoptwoteamsMexicoandParaguaywillqualify forthePAHFCupscheduled forUruguayin2025andthe HockeyWorldCupnextyear. TheGuyanateamis sponsoredbyOneCommunicationandthechallenge concludestodaywiththe
andjoinedthefranchiseasbowlingcoach fromthe2023season.BravohadimmeCSKwonthetitlein2023,togowithhis threetitleswiththemasaplayer.Among thebestdeathbowlersinT20cricket, Bravoisthethird-highestwicket-takerin purplecapsinthetournament. Withmorethan500T20sworthof experience,Bravoisconsideredbyplayers andpeersasamongthebesttacticiansand motivators,qualitiesthathadelevatedhim totheWestIndiescaptaincy.Hehadretired frominternationalcricketafterthe2021 T20WorldCup,andwhilehecontinuedto playinT20leagues(atMumbaiEmirates inILT20,TexasSuperKingsinMLCand TKRinCPL),hegraduallymovedtowards coaching. Duringthe2024T20WorldCup, Bravoplayedakeyroleasaconsultant coachforAfghanistan,helpingtheteam intheirhistory.
Thenationalhockeyteamandcoach
GOAlaunchesPre-participation ScreeningProgrammeforathletes
THEGuyanaOlympic Association(GOA),in collaborationwiththe NationalSportsClinicandtheMinistryof Health,recentlycommencedimplementationofacomprehensive Pre-ParticipationScreeningProgrammeforathleteswithprospectsfor internationalrepresentation.
Thisinitiativeispart oftheGOA’sstrategicfocusonathletes’welfare, performanceoptimisation andinjuryprevention, aimedatrevolutionising theapproachtoathletes’ developmentandcarein thenation.
Thisstrategicundertakingmarksanewand significantmilestonein theGOA’scommitment toadvancingthesporting landscapeofGuyana.
Byimplementinga scientificallydrivenapproachtoathleteassessmentandmanagement,the programmeseekstoassist withenhancingtraining progression,andmitigating injuries,ultimatelyfosteringacultureofknowledge
SomeoftheparticipantsoftheGOA’s,NationalSportsClinicandtheMinistry ofHealthPre-ParticipationScreeningProgrammeforathleteswithprospects forinternationalrepresentation
andexcellencewithinthe sportingcommunity.
ThePre-Participation ScreeningProgrammeis amandatoryrequirement forallathletesbeingconsideredforinternational representation,including thosereceivinggrantsupportfromtheGOAand athleteswithprospectsfor
representationofGuyana ininternationalcompetitionsandOlympiccycle events.
Overthelastfew monthsastructuredscheduledevisedtofacilitate thescreeningofathletes acrossvarioussporting disciplineswassuccessfullyundertaken,under
theexpertguidanceofMs VanessaWickhamatthe NationalSportsClinic, AquaticCentre,Liliendaal.
Thescreeningsessions provideathleteswiththe opportunitytoundergo comprehensiveassessmentstailoredtotheirspe-jectiveofprogrammeisto
toathletes’development, ensuringasystematicevaluationoftrainingregimens,progress,improvingathletesandcoaches’ knowledgeoninjury-managementcareandpreventionasakeybasisforimprovingperformance.
Thescreeningprocess involvescomprehensive history-takingandphysicalexaminations,witha focusonensuringboththe medicalandmusculoskeletalhealthofeachathlete, whilealsooptimisingtheir performanceandmitigatinginjuryrisks.
Thescreeningwill encompassthreemain components.Medical Screening–Ensuring theoverallhealthofthe athlete,Performance Testing–Evaluatingkey performancemetricsto optimisetraining,MusculoskeletalScreening–Identifyinganypotential areasofconcerninterms ofinjuryriskandphysical readinessandNutritional Education.
“ThePre-ParticipationScreeningiscrucial indevelopingarobust, data-drivenapproachto athletes’performanceand injury-preventionstrategy.Bycollectingbaselinedata,wecantrack eachathlete’sprogress, enhancetheirtraining,and developeffectiverehabilitationstrategieswhen needed,”theGOArelease stated.
Thescreeningteams fromtheNationalSports Clinic,Ministryof Health,includesacombinationofmedicalprofessionals,includingphysiotherapists,apsychiatrist, andamedicaldoctor, toensureaholisticapproachtoathletes’health andperformanceThepre participationscreening comesasanextensionof asuccessfullyheldsport medicineworkshoprealisedthroughcollaborationbetweentheGuyana OlympicAssociation,the NationalSportsClinicandtheMinistryof Health,astheexecutive continuestoexplorenew partnershipsandpathwaysaimedatdeveloping systemswhichcanlead toenhancingathletes’ performancesinGuyana.
OneCommunications’
