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Coastal Adaptation and Resilience Project will build on existing efforts to enhance flood risk management in Guyana. The project will repair or replace more than 45 drainage infrastructure assets, focusing on sluices. Investments will take into consideration projected land uses, population growth, urbanization, and climate change impacts to enhance drainage functionality for efficient rainfall runoff discharge, improve flood protection, and strengthen irrigation services.

“This initiative builds on a long-standing engagement between the World Bank and Guyana on strengthening resilience to flooding and natural hazards. With this operation, we are reinforcing Guyana’s efforts to maximize disaster risk management while protecting lives and reducing inequalities in the long term,” said Diletta Doretti, World Bank Group Resident Representative for Guyana and Suriname.  “This project is also a critical component of Guyana’s Low-Carbon Development Strategy, aligning with the country’s broader vision for climate resilient growth,” she added.

The project will work closely with Guyana’s Ministry of Agriculture to help it  effectively manage and operate the drainage system. It will  upgrade the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority’s asset management system, develop technical standards for flood risk management in urban areas, and provide training to enhance personnel capacity for system operation and maintenance.

The project is a US$45 million grant, financed by the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund, which was set up and funded by Norway. Under the agreement, Norway compensates Guyana for curbing greenhouse gas emissions caused by deforestation and forest degradation. Guyana channels these payments into implementing its low-carbon development strategy. The Coastal Adaptation and Resilience Project is part of these efforts.

[World Bank Press Release]

Sandeep Lamichhane has landed in the West Indies to play Nepal’s last two league games in Kingstown, St. Vincent. The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) told ESPNcricinfo on Monday that the board had requested the ICC to allow Lamichhane as a late addition to their World Cup squad, which the governing body has approved, and he does not require a visa for St. Vincent.

Lamichhane was not part of the original 15-man squad, which was also listed on the ICC website, announced last month and couldn’t fly with the contingent to the USA because he couldn’t get a US visa for that leg.

Statement posted on X by Sandeep Lamichhane

All boards were allowed to make changes to their T20 World Cup 2024 squads by May 25, but when Lamichhane didn’t get a US visa even on second attempt, and Nepal were to play their first two games in the USA, CAN had said on May 30 that Lamichhane was going to miss the tournament.

But CAN president Chatur Bahadur Chand told ESPNcricinfo on Monday that the board had originally submitted 14 names on May 24 to the ICC to allow for Lamichhane’s late addition. An ICC spokesperson also confirmed the allowance was given to Nepal since they had originally submitted only 14 names.

Lamichhane, however, landed in the West Indies on June 9, local time, and tweeted that he was going to join the Nepal national team “for the last two matches,” which they are to play against South Africa on June 14 and Bangladesh on June 16.

Barely a couple of hours before that, CAN also issued a statement on their social media saying Lamichhane will join the squad. Currently the Nepal squad is in Lauderhill, USA, for their second Group D match against Sri Lanka on June 11, after they lost their tournament opener to Netherlands in Dallas.

“We, along with Nepal government, had tried hard to secure a US visa for Lamichhane but that didn’t work out,” Chand said.

“We had already requested the ICC to give an allowance for him to be added to the World Cup squad even as a late entry. The ICC has now allowed Lamichhane to be added for the last two matches.”

Lamichhane’s applications for the US visa were denied twice last month despite interventions from the Nepal government.

The most high-profile cricketer from Nepal, Lamichhane had been arrested in October 2022 with accusations of raping an 18-year-old woman. He was immediately suspended by CAN at the time.

After a trial in January 2024, he was found guilty only to be acquitted on appeal by the Patan High Court in May, because of “a lack of evidence”. CAN allowed him to resume playing cricket with immediate effect and was harbouring hopes of sending him to the USA and the Caribbean for the T20 World Cup until his US visa was denied. (ESPNcricinfo)

 

similar position against the Netherlands a few days previously.

On that occasion Miller was the key batter and his measured approach here, alongside the more aggressive Klaasen, stymied Bangladesh’s early enthusiasm.

Klaasen’s superb knock came to an end when he tried to heave Taskin (2-16) into the stands, only for the ball to skid through and clatter into middle stump before Miller perished to spinner Rishad Hossain.

Bangladesh’s innings began positively, with excellent running between the wickets a feature throughout, as they made South Africa work hard in the field.

Hridoy twice dispatched Maharaj over the ropes – the first courtesy of a biff down the ground in the ninth over, and the second whipped over square leg five overs later.

There was a pivotal moment off the second ball of the 17th over when a delivery from Ottneil Baartman hit Mahmudullah on the pad and the ball raced away for four byes.

However, because Mahmudullah was given out lbw on the field by the umpire – subsequently overturned on review – the ball went dead the moment the finger was raised, which meant the four byes did not count.

It might not have been so crucial had Hridoy’s lbw review, after he was struck on the pad attempting work Rabada off his legs, been overturned.

But the technology showed the ball was just clipping leg stump so Hridoy had to go and Bangladesh’s hopes – despite Maharaj almost blowing it with two full bungers – effectively went with him. (BBC)

 

countrywide strike by some teachers concluded at the soonest, talks between the Government and members of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) are still at a stalemate.

Officials from the Ministry of Education and the GTU on Monday met once again for talks spearheaded by Chief Labour Officer Dhaneshwar Deonarine.

There was a three-hour discussion but no progress was made.

“We are still at a stalemate with regards to agreeing on the terms of resumption. I would say we have not made any progress,” GTU President Mark Lyte told reporters following the meeting.

However, Lyte said some new proposals including a “tighter” timeline for the conclusion of the proposals talks were made.

“There are some other considerations that were put forward that they can consider. One of which is looking at a tight timeline for the conclusion of the proposal talks.

Officials from the Ministry of Education and the GTU on Monday met once again for talks spearheaded by Chief Labour Officer Dhaneshwar Deonarine (Photos: Ministry of Labour/June 10, 2024)

“I think both parties have given some indication that we want to have this matter concluded and therefore positions were shifted on both sides with regards to how we can achieve that,” Lyte said.

For this, Lyte said the union is suggesting a 30-day period.

However, before a decision was taken, he said both parties have committed to discuss with their principals and members.

The union is awaiting a feedback from the Chief Labour Officer about the next meeting.

An initial five-week strike began on February 5, with teachers demanding higher salary increases and duty-free concessions, among other benefits.

After a court-mediated process in March, talks between the Education Ministry and GTU resumed.

However, discussions were halted when the Education Ministry indicated that there was no fiscal space to cater for increases for the period 2019 -2023.

Lyte yesterday indicated that the union has flexed and is now looking at increased for the years 2022 to 2023. The position, he said is the final one which will be maintained by the union.

“We are not at a stage where we talking about the years. I think the terms of resumption is critical and we are concerned about the interim payout and how we flesh out the timeline for the discussion,” Lyte said.

On April 19, a court ruling by Judge Sandil Kissoon stated that teachers’ salaries should not be reduced because of their involvement in the previous five-week strike organised by the GTU.

The government has moved to appeal the ruling.