Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 27-10-2022

Double strike increases oil resources

Guyana leaps from 53rd to 35th for gender equality globally

IN the 2022 World Econom ic Forum (WEF)’s Global Gender Gap Report 2022, Guyana has made major progress over the last year to achieve gender equality compared to other countries in the world.

Now ranking 35th glob ally, Guyana is now in second place for CARICOM coun tries, falling behind Barbados, and has also performed better than developed countries,

Australia, Italy, and Poland.

For Latin America and the Caribbean, the report noted Guyana as one of three coun tries that has “improved their gender parity scores the most” from 2021 to now.

More specifically, the global gender gap index is assessed through examining economic partnership and opportunity, educational at tainment, health and survival and political empowerment

among the genders.

Guyana ranked 105th for economic participation and opportunity in 2021 and 53rd in 2022, climbing 52 places.

For educational attain ment, the country moved 39 places from 91st in 2021 to 57th in 2022.

As it relates to health and survival, 2021 saw the coun try scoring 1st with other countries and maintaining that position in 2022 with 27 other

Charrandass Persaud to return from India

countries placing 1st.

Last, for political empow erment, the country moved up two places from 44th in 2021 to 42nd in 2022.

A total of 146 countries were assessed for the re port from the Geneva, Swit zerland-based organisation which has been tracking pro gress on closing gender gaps globally since 2006.

The data represents sta tistics extracted from interna

tional organisations globally among other sources.

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira, in an interview on Wednesday following the circulation of the report, said that the report has helped countries and regions to visu alise where gender gaps are located, even as the United Nations (UN) recognises that

Norton falsely claims victory based on nonexistent poll

bridging the gender gap in some countries would take more than 100 years.

“We’ve done well!” Minister Teixeira said, underscoring the amaz ing achievements of the President, Dr Irfaan Ali-led People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government within the last year alone.

Guyana Chronicle among awardees for creating job opportunities

WEF 2022 Report notes progress in education, economic opportunities, health, political empowerment

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira

WGEC commends President Ali for swift action

Charrandass Persaud to return from India

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali, in a video message on Wednesday, announced that Guyana’s outgoing High Commissioner to India, Charrandass Per saud, will be stepping down from his post and returning to Guyana, al lowing for someone else to transition into the New Delhi-based role.

GUYANA’S Women and Gender Equality Com mission has registered its concern with a recorded incident shared on social media involving outgoing High Commissioner to India, Charrandass Per saud, where he is seen unpleasantly addressing a national of India in a New Delhi suburb.

The constitutional body commended President, Dr Irfaan Ali for quickly en gaging Mr Persaud on the subject. “We are pleased that His Excellency, President Ir

faan Ali has taken swift and decisive action,” the WGEC said in a statement published on Wednesday.

“Guyana has had a rich and distinguished history of diplomatic representation at the global level. Never before has any country rep resentative behaved in such a manner as to cause us such embarrassment,” the body said.

The commission called for those who represent Guana to demonstrate ex emplary conduct in public and personal life.

The decision follows the circulation of a video, on social media, of an incident which occurred in August 2021 outside of the High Commissioner’s Vasant Kunj residence.

The President, in the address, noted that, not withstanding Persaud be ing cleared of any accusa tions made against him, the standard for Guyana’s representatives abroad is high. As such, President Ali said, there was a meeting of the minds between the two during a phone call which culminated in the decision.

“Mr Charrandass agreed with me that, in keeping with the best interest of Guyana, he will return home from his posting in

India.

“I want to assure all Guyanese that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Government of Guyana will continue to work every day to strengthen our relation ship, not only with India but with every other partner across the globe,” the Presi dent said.

“We are therefore go ing to take all official steps and measures to ensure a smooth transition and to continue to strengthen our work with India and

to work on advancing the cause of Guyana,” Presi dent Ali assured, noting that Mr Persaud accepted re sponsibility for his actions.

On Tuesday, the Minis try of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a statement noting that the abuse allegations levelled against Persaud had not been substantiated.

The Ministry noted that the matter was brought to the attention of the Minis try of External Affairs of India by Persaud and was “fully investigated” by the relevant authorities.

As a result, a formal response to the High Com mission, dated September 3, 2022, indicated that “al legations of sexual abusive words to complainant has [sic] not been substanti ated. Therefore, the minis try “considers this matter closed,” the release added.

In his video message on Wednesday, the President explained that it was not until Tuesday night that he got a chance to look at the video, and after reviewing it he immediately called

High Commissioner Per saud for an explanation on the matter.

The Head of State said that Persaud explained that the video was not a com plete demonstration of ex actly what took place.

“During our conversa tion, he related to me that this is an incident that oc curred sometime in August last year, and the video is not a full reflection of what took place.

“Matter of fact, he in formed me that the video was not complete in dem onstrating exactly what took place. Notwithstand ing this, I explained to Mr. Charrandass that repre sentatives of our country must, on all occasions, in every occasion, conduct themselves in the highest order of regard.

“Mr Charrandass then communicated to me that this matter was dealt with by the relevant agencies and authorities in India and that there was no evidence of any misconduct,” the Presi dent said

- President Ali confirms, noting decision was mutually agreed

Guyana’s outgoing High Commissioner to India, Charrandass Persaud

Double strike increases oil resources

EXXONMOBIL, on Wednesday, announced two discoveries at the Sailfin-1 and Yarrow-1 wells in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, adding to its extensive portfolio of development opportunities.

According to a press statement from the oil gi ant, the company has made more than 30 discoveries in the block since 2015, and it has ramped up offshore de velopment and production at a pace that far exceeds the industry average.

“Our unrivalled explo ration success and acceler ated pace of development in Guyana are a testament to our people, decades of experience, technology capabilities and steadfast focus on optimising all aspects of operations,” President of ExxonMobil Upstream Company, Liam

Mallon said.

He added: “We are committed to responsibly and safely developing this world-class resource to help meet global demand for secure, reliable and lower-emission energy. Our investments through the pandemic have allowed us to increase supply at this critical time, while creat ing value for the people of Guyana, our partners and shareholders.”

The Sailfin-1 well en countered approximate ly 312 feet (95 meters) of hydrocarbon-bearing sand stone and was drilled in 4,616 feet (1,407 meters) of water. The Yarrow-1 well encountered approximate ly 75 feet (23 meters) of hydrocarbon-bearing sand stone and was drilled in 3,560 feet (1,085 meters) of water. Both wells were drilled by the Stena Carron

drillship.

Even as the company continues to find more oil, its first two sanctioned pro jects offshore Guyana, Liza Phase One and Liza Phase Two, recorded more suc cess, achieving an average of nearly 360,000 barrels of oil per day in the third quarter of 2022.

A third project, Payara, is expected to start-up by the end of 2023, and a fourth project, Yellowtail, is on course to production by 2025.

“ExxonMobil is pursu ing environmental authori sation for a fifth project, Uaru. By the end of the decade, ExxonMobil ex pects Guyana’s oil produc tion capacity to be more than one million barrels a day,” the company said.

The Ministry of Natural Resources, in a statement on the new developments

in the oil and gas sector, said that the ministry and its regulatory agencies are building capacity to en hance monitoring and ex ploration activities amidst rapid offshore develop ment.

Natural Resources Min ister, Vickram Bharrat, said that the petroleum sector regulatory agencies were mandated to enhance col laboration with all other operators to expedite their drill programmes, as Guy ana seeks to further expand the sector through the dis coveries of recoverable high-quality hydrocarbon.

Additionally, the muchanticipated bidding round for the oil blocks offshore Guyana is expected to bring new and emerging major petroleum companies to further increase Guyana’s oil and gas potentials, Min ister Bharrat said.

“The Government of Guyana remains commit ted to the sustainable ex ploration and development of Guyana’s oil and gas resources in keeping with international best practices for production, compliance, and transparency within the petroleum sector, and to en sure benefits are derived for all Guyanese,” the minister affirmed.

It was reported that re turns from the sector are expected to catapult Guy ana to the ranks of wealthi est countries in the Western Hemisphere, thereby in creasing the government’s fiscal space to invest in ini tiatives geared at expanding the economy, and improv ing the overall welfare of citizens.

In order to solidify the foundation of Guyana’s economy and enhance the overall well-being and wel

fare of every Guyanese, the government is crafting a framework for develop ment that will be sustained through prudent and effec tive investment of oil funds into education, health, in frastructure and the non-oil sectors.

Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, had said that the intention of the in cumbent is to craft a frame work for the future which will see more proceeds from the petroleum indus try going toward Guyanese.

“… we have to spend the money to build the future, that is why we have made it clear in our manifesto, when we cam paigned between 2015 and 2020, that money will be spent on education, healthcare, infrastructure and assistance to nonoil industries,” the VicePresident had said.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat

President Ali’s 1,000-man initiative set to launch on Friday

IN fulfillment of a com mitment by President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali to address issues facing men across the country, a broadbased national committee has been established to spearhead the effort. The committee is headed by Brigadier Godfrey Bess, Chief of Staff of the Guy ana Defence Force.

According to a release, as part of the ‘One Guyana’ ini tiative, this effort comes just weeks after the President an nounced plans for a mission to stem hunger and deviant behaviour among boys and young men.

President Ali in a recent address at Leguan had said: “The mission of the one thousand men is to work in every single community to eradicate hunger, to work in

every single community to lift up those who are emo tionally affected, socially affected. It is to change every society and bring positive living and positive life in every single community. It is to work against violence, it is to work in making men better in being good men, responsible men, responsible youths in our society.”

This project is meant to uplift the younger generation of men who face many soci etal ills, such as drug abuse, domestic violence, gang violence, and other violent crimes. This will be achieved by providing them with guid ance and counselling, recrea tional and fitness activities, and creating economic em powerment through tempo rary employment schemes, the release said.

The committee includes the Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken, as well as senior members of the Guyana Defence Force, and the Guyana Police Force. Also included are several members of government agencies and departments and broad-based private sec tor representatives.

The 1000-Man initiative under the theme ‘Men on Mission’ will be launched Friday, October 28, 2022, from 17:00 hours at the Base Camp Ayanganna Sports Ground. President Ali is ex pected to deliver the feature address. There will also be presentations from motiva tional speakers drawn from various cross-sections of Guyanese society, the release said.

Speaking on Facebook

Live after a committee meet ing on Wednesday, Brigadier Bess said “Men of all ages are encouraged to come out, bring your son, your father, your brother, your cousins, and be a part of history, be a part of the change that is coming. This launch will feature performances by local male artists and an op portunity to hear the stories

and encouragements from men just like you with the hope that it ignites within you the desire to reach your true potential.”

This is a bold and farreaching initiative, as it is meant to incorporate 1,000 prominent men in the Guya nese society who will mentor and guide young men from all religious, cultural and ethnic persuasions across all the administrative regions in Guyana. That is, creating a network of 1,000 men who

will foster positive changes within the younger genera tion of men in society.

According to Brigadier Bess, “We have watched a generation of men pass and many have slipped away. We have lost many men for various reasons. This is our chance, our opportunity to provide our men with the much-needed mentorship and guidance as we build a ‘One Guyana’ and create a better future for those young Guyanese to come.”

Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken; Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Godfrey Bess and Public Relations Consultant, Alex Graham following the MOM committee meeting held at the GDF Base Camp Ayanganna

Norton falsely claims victory based on non-existent poll

LEADER of the Peo ple’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Au brey Norton, on Tuesday, could not give any information to sup port or substantiate a claim of a ‘mysterious political poll’, which he claims, shows that the main opposition will win the next Local Government Election (LGEs).

Norton made the claims during his weekly

virtual press conference.

Some have likened Norton’s mysteri ous poll showing the APNU+AFC in the lead, to claims by the APNU+AFC during the 2020 General and Re gional Elections, that their Statements of Poll (SOPs) showed that the Coalition had won the elections.

During the past two years, the APNU+AFC has been continuous

ly pressed to produce their ‘winning’ SoPs since the SoPs pro duced by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) showed that of all votes cast, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) received 233,336 votes while the APNU+AFC Coalition obtained 217,920 votes

Similar to skirting around calls for the release of their 2020

UK delays highly-anticipated fiscal statement to Nov. 17

(Reuters) - THE British government delayed the announcement of its plan to repair the country’s public finances by more than two weeks to Novem ber 17, saying on Wednes day it wanted to ensure the programme reflected the latest and most accurate economic forecasts.

“Our number one prior ity is economic stability and restoring confidence that the United Kingdom is a country

that pays its way,” said Jer emy Hunt, who was retained as finance minister by new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Tuesday.

Hunt also said the fiscal plan would now be a “full autumn statement”.

The plan, which was previously scheduled for October 31, will show debt falling over the medium term, Hunt said.

Hunt said he had dis cussed delaying the fiscal

announcement with Bank of England (BoE) Governor, Andrew Bailey and that the central bank chief had “un derstood” the reasons behind the decision.

The BoE is expected to set out its interest rate deci sion on November 3.

“I’m willing to make choices that are politically embarrassing if they’re the right thing to do for the country, if they’re in the na tional interest,” Hunt said.

SoPs, when pressed to provide evidence of the poll favourable to the Coalition, the Leader of the Opposition (LoO) evaded the questions.

“If I tell you my source the persons in the PPP [People’s Progres sive Party Civic] will be dealt with, it is pro tecting the people who divulge it that it makes it a source of privacy,” was all that Norton would offer.

According to Norton, the “poll” was carried out by the PPP/C and shows that the combined APNU+AFC would beat the PPP/C at the next elections.

In spite of the mas sive in-fighting, public criticisms of poor lead ership and resignations, Norton’s claims that the electorate has con fidence in the coalition. It is not clear whether the APNU+AFC will contest the upcoming elections and if they do,

whether they will contest it together or separately as in the 2018 LGEs. In those elections, the AFC was decimated and the APNU suffered heavy losses.

Local Government Elections is set for March 13, 2023.

Questioned on why the APNU and AFC con tinue to be dubious on their participation in the upcoming LGEs if a poll showed they had a clear lead, Norton claimed the APNU+AFC would not win big enough.

Touching on the issue during his weekly pro gramme “Issues in the

News”, Attorney-Gen eral and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandalall denounced any existence of the “poll” which Nor ton claims he has in his possession. Several other members of the PPP also swatted the claim by Norton.

Nandalall called into question Norton’s in ability to properly an swer questions asked by the media about the poll and reprimanded him for his attack on reporters during the press conference, for asking valid questions about matters he (Nor ton) raised.

Strengthening Ties

AFRICA and the Caribbe an share a deep connection rooted in history, culture and a common identity cre ated by the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, and while there have been significant efforts from both ends to enhance trade and other forms of bilateral coop eration, the door remains open for stakeholders to capitalise on many fruitful opportunities.

One notable step in this direction has been the re cent signing of an agree ment for the establishment of a partnership between the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afrex imbank).

This agreement paves the way for cooperation, support and assistance for the promo tion and financing of South-

South trade between African countries and member states of CARICOM.

CARICOM Today had reported that trade between the regional bloc and Afri can countries was weak in 2017, with exports of goods to Africa totalling US$449 million and imports, US$258 million; this, for instance, pales in comparison to what obtains between the Carib bean and the US.

The US is the Carib bean’s largest trading part ner, while the Caribbean is ranked as the US’ sixth largest trading partner, with aggregate trade valuing over US$35 billion annually.

Regarding the AfricaCaribbean partnership, CAR ICOM has agreed that there is much work to be done to enhance trade and invest ment among nations in the

region and those in Africa, especially in the areas of air and maritime transportation, visa requirements, increasing cultural and educational co operation, improving ease of doing business and exploring trade in services.

President of the Afrex imbank, Dr. Benedict Okey Oramah, in his address at the Sixth Annual Babacar Ndiaye Lecture, said too: “African and Caribbean na tions can turn the iniquities of history into platforms for economic prosperity today and in the future. Realising that vision can only begin with the reconnection of the Caribbean people to their genealogical ties in Africa through trade and invest ment.”

Many African nations have already established diplomatic relations with

CARICOM member states, while only Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago have permanent diplomatic representations there.

With there being more opportunities for financing and increasing interest in bilateral cooperation, more Caribbean countries should look to forge greater part nerships with countries in Africa.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, had tasked countries in Africa and the Caribbean to explore the pos sibilities of expanding their individual capacities through creative linkages that would enable them to fund and ex ecute projects.

Admittedly, this task is not an easy one, but CARI COM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett had said that the trade and investment con

nections between CARICOM and Africa are gradually breaking free from the pat terns ingrained in our colo nial agreements and carried over into our post-colonial economic reality.

At the opening of the first AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum in Sep tember, Dr Barnett said: “We must reset these systems and foster real South-South coop eration. This AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) 2022 is an impor tant first step. It will build bilateral cooperation and promote trade, investment, technology transfer, innova tion, tourism, culture, and other services. The potential to do business together is tremendous.”

By 2035, the market that the African Continen tal Free Trade Agreement

represents is expected to be worth US$6.7 trillion. In the CARICOM Single Market, merchandise trade reached US$2.2 billion in 2018, and with recent bold moves to decrease non-tariff barriers, particularly in agriculture, the region anticipates greater development in the years to come.

Guyana is among the Caribbean countries which have taken steps to ad vance bilateral relations with countries in Africa. The country which sits on the edge of South America, but is culturally linked to the Caribbean, has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Ghana and is working to strengthen ties with Kenya, Nigeria and other African nations.

Civil society groups and the opposition need to discover the dynamics of inter-cultural negotiations

Dear Editor

CIVIL society activists should begin to think about the profound differences in international and intercultural relations, some thing that is notably miss ing from the debate around Guyana’s oil contract with the foreign oil companies. Those who think that you can simply amend a con tract when circumstances change for one party are missing this cultural dimen sion.

The main reason is that culture is central to how we approach negotiations in an international setting. To boot, cultural misunderstanding is one of the main reasons for failure in international

business and international diplomacy.

The crux of the matter is that cultural institutions in Guyana are based on elevated levels of informality, whereas the cultures of North America and Europe are rigid in busi ness practices. For them, a deal is a deal. Guyana, by contrast, is a give-and-take culture based on face-toface forms of engagement. In this cultural framework, people can make things hap pen through informal means, sometimes by just making a call.

On the other hand, for Americans and Europeans, personal relationships mat ter less than what is written down. Once something is

written down, and there is le gal ‘consideration,’ you can not willy-nilly change things.

Guyana, like much of Latin America and the Car ibbean, is characterised by a mañana type culture. This type of culture is elastic re garding rules, and especially regarding communication styles. Moreover, context is an integral aspect of nego tiations. Evidence for this could be found in the re peated claims that because Guyana was once dominated by foreign exploiters, the oil contracts should demonstrate some measure of financial recompense. For Westerners, context is irrelevant.

The noted international and inter-cultural scholar

Stefan Kammhuber makes the compelling point “that every negotiation is also a social encounter... . Individu als inevitably bring in their cultural biography, which they cannot simply shed but must … painstakingly adapt to a particular negotiation model that was created in a specific cultural environ ment.” (2010: 256)

Kammhuber is clear that “[if] one judges the behav iour of other partners ac cording to one’s own system of orientation, then there is a good chance that this will result in misunderstanding or conflict and eventually cause negotiations to fail.” (2010: 258)

The debate around the

“sanctity of the contract” brings the central issues of inter-cultural communication to the fore. I think while many of the civil society groups such as Article 13 and indi vidual writers are aware of the difficulties of reopening a signed contract, their audi ence may not know the same.

This is crucial, because when a renegotiated contract is presented to the “mass es” as something that can be done easily and without harm, we move from civil so ciety efforts at protecting the national interest, to efforts at weaponising political mo bilisation. Culture becomes equally crucial here because the “masses,” more than any other sector of the society,

are highly socialised into be lieving we can change things because a better deal could be realised. Put differently, the elites know one thing, but based on what they say and write, the masses are led to believe something else.

Those calling for a rene gotiated oil contract should be aware that they are in the business of chasing away foreign capital. With out foreign investments, our hydrocarbon resources would have still been under hundreds of feet of water and we would still be the second poorest country in the Western hemisphere.

Yours sincerely Dr Randolph Persaud

I will forgive Professor Brandli’s ignorance because I don’t believe he resides in Guyana

Dear Editor, REFERENCE is made to Professor Andre Bran dli’s letter to the Editor of Stabroek News dated October 11, 2022, with the caption, “Mr Bhag wandin is operating com pletely in the dark with his calculations.”

Professor Brandli ar gued that “in essence, Mr Bhagwandin is trying to mislead the readership of Stabroek News by present ing fictitious scenarios of the development of Guy ana’s future oil revenues using assumptions.” Brand li went on to state that there is no reliable data in the public domain on the capi tal expenditures (CAPEX) and operating expenditures (OPEX) for each of the two floating, production and storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs).

Editor, with due respect to Professor Brandli, he is making a dangerous as sumption to believe that there is no reliable data in the public domain. Profes sor Brandli is completely wrong and in fact, it is he who is in the dark. Editor, but I will forgive Profes sor Brandli’s ignorance because I don’t believe he resides in Guyana, but I do. If he were residing in Guy ana and well integrated into the system, the private sec tor in particular, he would have known the following:

> Firstly, all publicly registered companies in Guyana are required to file their audited financial statements with the Deeds Registrar. While these may not be published anywhere on the Internet, in the case of the oil companies, they too are required to file their financial statements. Anyone can literally go to the Deeds Registry and request a copy. Christopher Ram did so and published one of his columns on the 2021 consolidated finan cials for EEPGL, CNOOC and HESS. I also did so.

So, for Professor Brandli’s edification, the 2020 and 2021 financials for EE PGL, CNOOC and HESS are publicly available and accessible, and I am in pos

session of those statements.

> Secondly, if Professor Brandli conducts a simple google search on Exxon Mobil Guyana, he will find all of the project economics information for each devel opment, including the esti mated capital expenditure for each development. For ease of reference, here’s the link: https://corporate. exxonmobil.com/locations/ guyana/guyana-project-ove rview#LizaPhase1ProjectD escription,https://corporate. exxonmobil.com/news/ newsroom/news-releas es/2017/0616_exxonmobilmakes-final-investmentdecision-to-proceed-withliza-oil-development-inguyana.

> Liza 1, the CAPEX is US$4.4 billion; Liza 2, CAPEX is US$6 bil lion; Payara the CAPEX is US$9 billion and Yellow tail, the CAPEX is US$10 billion, bringing the total CAPEX for the four ap proved projects so far to US$29.4 billion. These are reliable data cited from the above credible source.

> Hence, with the pro ject economics data, any economist of Professor Brandli’s calibre can use the data to construct a mod elled forecast under differ ent scenarios for the four approved developments so far, to reasonably ascertain what would be the govern ment’s take and the coun try’s take.

> Thirdly, looking at the consolidated financials for 2021, the OPEX represents 42 per cent of total rev enue; therefore, the remain ing 33 per cent would have been allocated towards re covery of the CAPEX. This being the authentic, actual, and credible consolidated financials for 2021, it is reasonable to realistically assume, for the purpose of any forecast analysis, that the 75 per cent cost-recov ery cap comprised OPEX representing 40 per cent of the total cost and recovery of CAPEX representing 35 per cent of total cost, capped at 75 per cent.

> Fourthly, ExxonMo bil (Guyana)/EEPGL, on a regular basis facilitates

various stakeholder en gagements with the private sector, especially through the business support or ganisations such as the Guyana Oil and Gas En ergy Chamber (GOGEC), the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce (GCCI) and the Private Sector Com mission (PSC). Through these engagements, EE PGL shares information such as updates on project development, local content spends etc., and also avail themselves to answering questions from the private sector. Again, for Profes sor Brandli’s edification, I am an active member of the aforementioned organi sations, and I am almost always present at these engagements, and so I am privy to hands-on indus try information from the industry players directly. Most times, these engage ments are coordinated and initiated by the private sec tor organisations. Recent ly, I participated as panel speaker on the recently held GBS summit, where I presented on the develop ment of natural gas markets in the region.

That said, when Pro fessor Brandli, a seasoned academic who knows well more than anyone else the importance of research and fact checking anything before making any intel ligible pronouncements on any issue or subject matter, he should have done some research on who is Joel Bhagwandin, what is his level of involvement in the industry, if at all, which organisations he is a part of, make some phone calls and consult with google (in the case of the CAPEX or project economics data).

Professor Brandli went onto argue that in the ab sence of ring-fencing, no one can reliably predict when Guyana’s share of revenue will go beyond the two per cent royalty and 50 per cent profit. Editor, again for Professor Bran dli’s edification, to date 33 wells have been drilled in the Stabroek block, of which three are dry wells and the remaining 30 are

commercially viable wells, accounting for the esti mated 11 billion barrels of proven reserves to date.

The exploration cost per well ranges between US$60 million – US$100 million. Applying the high er end cost, these three dry wells would amount to US$300 million. Juxtapose this with the gross revenue that the 30 commercially viable wells will generate over their productive life; the cost of the dry wells so far will be less than one per cent of total revenue. In fact, using the project economics for the four ap proved developments so far, the gross revenue at an average price of US$60 per barrel would amount to US$177 billion. The cost of the three dry wells repre sents 0.17 per cent of total revenue, therefore, having minimal or almost zero impact on the bottom line.

For greater clarity, the

four developments alone account for just under three billion barrels of crude oil out of 11 billion barrels of proven reserves in total, to date, representing just 27 per cent of the total proven reserves in the Stabroek block to date or less than 1/3 of the total proven re serves.

Professor Brandli’s fi nal argument in his let ter, he weighed in on the sanctity of contract as a misconception by the VicePresident and argued that the financial risks for the consortium ended in 2019 with the onset of oil pro duction. Editor, it is a misconception to believe that the financial risks ended for the consortium in 2019, when the reality is such that oil is a vola tile commodity, oil prices are impacted not only by global demand and sup ply dynamics, but also by geopolitical tension. To this

end, the world only recent ly witnessed the playout of these dynamics when oil price literally crashed below US$10 during the pandemic period and then skyrocketed above US$100 post-pandemic on account of the compounded effects of the Russian/Ukraine war. Consequently, as dem onstrated herein, financial risks are always a concern in the oil and gas industry, globally.

Editor, I wish to deal with the sanctity-of-con tract argument in a more comprehensive manner, but space precludes ad dressing this issue in a single letter. As such, I am inclined to do a part two of my response to Profes sor Brandli to deal spe cifically with this aspect of the debate.

Yours faithfully, Joel Bhagwandin Financial Analyst

Inquiry: Vessel’s records tampered with after Harbour Bridge hit

EVIDENCE of tamper ing of the ship’s record by the bridge team of the MV Tradewinds Passion, were unearthed in the Board of Inquiry (BOI) investigation into the cir cumstances surrounding a fuel tanker’s allision with the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) on Octo ber 8.

In the report released on Tuesday, the BOI noted that the vessel’s Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) hardware was removed, and crew members initially refused to hand over information to the members of the BOI.

The vessel’s Safety Management System (SMS) required a bridge team/pi lot exchange prior to each voyage which needed to be documented by a signed master/pilot exchange card.

“The pilot card was cre ated during the Board Mem bers’ visit to the vessel on Monday, October 9, 2022 and the pilot card was not signed by the pilot. The ves sel later sent to the Board another format of the pilot card on October 13, 2022, and this one was signed by master and pilot,” the report declared.

“The ship’s Bell Book records for October 8, 2022, are at variance to the VDR retrieved from the ship’s bridge. The second officer indicated that a scrap was kept on board the ship dur ing transit which is later transcribed into the Bell Book. This strongly sug gests that there was tamper ing of the records.”

In the report released on Tuesday, the BOI de termined that the cause of the hit to the DHB was due to a number of reasons including the bridge team’s exclusive reliance on the contract pilot’s incorrect navigational direction, the

bridge team’s total reliance on looking at the Harbour Bridge and disregarding the alarms of the electronic equipment on the vessel as the vessel approached the bridge, and the bridge team’s failure to use all available navigation tools to verify the safety of the vessel’s course.

“Had the captain looked at the equipment (or the second mate informed him of his observation) it could have provided ample infor mation about the Demerara Harbour Bridge’s proximity and the vessel’s position in the waterway relative to the transit channel,” the report said.

“The contract pilot and Captain failed to effectively utilise all navigation tools, for the safe manoeuvra bility of the vessel. The Tradewind Passion Safe ty Management System (SMS), although imple mented, was not effectively managed on board the ves sel to safely navigate the vessel, and avoid the alli sion,” the report continued.

That was notwithstand ing the ship being repeat edly warned by the DHBC that it should “turn around” and not “come through” the cluster piles, since the ship was coming at the Bridge from the wrong angle.

At the time and date of the allision, the vessel was manned by an 18-member crew led by Captain Freddy Olarte Mendoza, the Mas ter.

All crew members are of Filipino nationality. A Guyanese contract pilot, 66-year-old Kenneth Cort was also named.

Cort was administered alcohol, vision and hearing tests. All of which came back with positive results.

However, the “arrogant disposition” of the contract

pilot and the Master of the Tradewind Passion, which affected the ability of the crew to communicate with them, is also said to have contributed to the resulting situation.

The Second Officer was tasked with care of the navi gation equipment, maintain ing a portfolio of charts, and preparing passage plans, his duties as watch officer when a pilot was on board also included checking the vessel’s position, and mak ing sure navigation equip ment operated satisfactorily.

He stated that he ob served that the vessel was not in the correct position but “he cannot tell the Mas ter that as that is the captain and he cannot tell captain that the vessel is not in the right position.”

The investigation also found that the vessel had a defective bow/manoeuvring thruster which had not been operational for nearly three years. It was noted that the vessel’s owners were noti fied.

“An operational bow thruster could have avoided the impact or lessen the im pact of the allision with the Demerara Harbour Bridge,” the report explained.

“The final cost of the damages is estimated at $US5million and continu ing,” the report established

The BOI made 21 rec ommendations, including the suspension of Captain Cort for at least 24 months. Another proposal was made for the River Pilotage Ser vice to be placed under the Maritime Administra tion Department (MARAD) with immediate effect.

Additionally, the in vestigating body recom mended that staff at the Light House support with monitoring vessels ap proaching the bridge

The extent of the damage to the Demerara Harbour Bridge

The stone Tory builders refused has become Britain’s head cornerstone

‘Rishi Raj’

By Earl Bousquet

THE accession of Rishi Sunak to the ultimate throne of British politics at Number 10 Downing Street as the UK’s third prime minister in as many months, was smooth.

Selected by fellow Conservative (Tory) Party parliamentarians in the House of Commons, Sunak was the second unelected UK PM in two months, crowned -- but without a coronation.

Britain’s third woman prime minister Liz Truss was appointed (through the same route) by Queen Elizabeth II, just two days before she died, but was booted out of office six weeks later, rejected for the same reason she was select ed to replace her predeces sor, Prime Minister Boris Johnson – further damaging the party’s image at a time it’s already in tatters.

But the process of changing UK prime min isters and cabinets without facing the polls – from Johnson to Truss to Sunak –also brought to the fore all the interesting features that make Westminster politics the most demonstrable ex ample of the elasticity of democracy.

Johnson had led the To ries to their biggest election majority win in 2019, but the moment the public polls started saying he may not be able to do it again, he got marching orders from members of the powerful centenarian 1922 Com mittee.

But Johnson had also ended his final address from Downing Street with the Latin phrase ‘Asta la vista!’ (‘Until we meet again’) -- a promise he’d keep by flying home from a Caribbean holiday in the Dominican Republic last week, to announce he was in the race to return to Number 10.

The markets reacted negatively at the mere thought of Johnson making a comeback, but he insisted he had the required num bers in parliament to beat Sunak, who was actually leading – by far – in the ultimate first-past-the-post electoral horserace.

Sunak was always in the lead, but even after Johnson pulled out, his team said

they were “taking nothing for granted”, as Tory Par liamentary Leader Penny Mordaunt was still in the race – and last time around he’d been defeated by Truss after victory was already in clear sight.

Sunak was also mindful of his deep unpopularity among rank-and-file Tory supporters, who continued to blame his resignation for the party’s latest woes.

He wouldn’t have want ed to place his only chance of becoming the next UK PM in the hands of the same party base that had rejected him for Truss.

Britain’s fifth consecu tive Tory PM in 12 years, Sunak was selected against the background of the UK faring worst-of-all among the world’s seven richest countries, the G7.

But while he was be latedly acknowledged as having ‘led Britain through the COVID pandemic’ as Chancellor, leading Britain out of its worst recession in four decades and one of its coldest winters, ahead of a global recession, is another kettle of fish.

PM Truss baulked at and poured cold water over the stern advanced warning on October 5 by the UK’s power regulators of a pos sible ‘worst case scenario’ that could see Britons face at least three hours of daily blackouts during the com ing winter.

With energy bills in creased by 80 per cent as of October 1, Truss took steps to help citizens pay but only up to April 2023, to tap more North Sea oil and return to fossil fuels, reverse previous bans on or planned reductions in use of coal – and tap nuclear power into the national grid.

But what of Truss’ poli cies will Sunak keep or dump?

He passed his first test in office by calming the markets and tried hard to present himself in a bet ter light to the millions of voting Britons who sim ply don’t know him well enough to give him the trust they never gave Truss.

After thanking Truss and accepting her resigna tion, King Charles III gave royal permission to Sunak to form the second British Government of his brief pre-coronation reign, fol lowing which senior Tories loudly boasted their party’s ‘ethnic diversity’, pointing to its selection of ‘The First British Prime Minister of

Colour.’

However, during all the Tory leadership campaigns involving Sunak and ap pointment of Persons of Colour to top posts in the Truss government, the top non-white Cabinet minis ters were seen, treated and regarded in a very differ ent light by many of the Black, Asian and Mixed ethnic minority, referred to through the mainstream and online media as belonging to the privileged and exclu sive billionaire class of UK politicians -- and therefore, ‘They’re not representing us…’

Others have been bel lyaching about the new PM not having sought or got a mandate from the voting public, with the Opposition Labour Party trying hard to force a premature General Elections (not officially due until 2024).

But as Opposition Lead er Sir Keith Starmer and all others pressing for ‘Elec tions Now!’ also very-well know, that’s not how poli tics works in a Kingdom ran by a Queen for seven decades -- and which has never had a national Con stitution.

Not surprising, the unwritten rules and con ventions that have guided British politics forever at and from Westminster, also allow for easy execu tion of otherwise compli cated regime change exer cises that aren’t impossible in republics, but rarely happen.

Sunak became PM by safely and successfully skirting the two most dif ficult routes – seeking a mandate from the national ballot box, or through a poll of party members na tionally, as his short-lived predecessor just did.

Interestingly, Truss be came PM on September 6 and Queen Elizabeth died two days later; the world celebrated International Democracy Day seven days later on September 15; and one month later, PM Truss started feeling the sharp edges of the long knives that has stabbed Johnson and Sunak, at her back.

In his first public statement on Tuesday, PM Sunak acknowledged Truss had taken difficult decisions during her short reign, but promised more difficult ones are also coming; and he pledged, in what sounded like a jab at Johnson, ‘to serve with integrity’.

21-year-old among scores receiving leases for agricultural purposes

THE Ministry of Agricul ture’s Mahaica Mahaico ny Abary – Agricultural Development Authority (MMA – ADA) hosted its annual Open Day activity at its Onverwagt office during which some 128 leases were prepared and issued to farmers from Region Five.

The issuance of leases for lands for agricultural purposes is usually the highlight of the Open Day, which was hosted for the first time in two years due to restrictions brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic, a release from the Ministry of Agriculture said.

Minister Mustapha, while speaking at the event, said since taking office the government has been steadfast in its efforts to restore operations within the MMA Scheme. He also

said that the government will continue to provide the necessary support to increase production in the area.

“We have to increase production. Our farmers have to make that hap

pen. That is why the gov ernment has been making the necessary resources available to farmers. We will ensure the necessary infrastructure are [sic] in place and that the neces sary resources are given, so

that you, the farmers, can produce. This is why we are here today; we know that for Guyana to increase production, more lands have to be made available to our farmers. If we con tinue with these efforts, we will be food-secure,” Min ister Mustapha said.

The minister, according to the release, also said that the government was work ing to have more young people involved in the ag ricultural sector.

“We have to encour age young people to get involved in agriculture. Many young people who have diplomas and degrees in agriculture are not ac tively involved in the field.

We have to change that. This is why the His Excel lency, President Dr Irfaan Ali developed a company where hundreds of young people are now involved in the cultivation of highvalue crops such as carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower.

Through the Ministry of Agriculture, 300 shade houses will be constructed around the country as part of this project,” he added.

Many farmers who re ceived leases said that they have applied for some time and expressed thanks to the government for putting an end to their wait.

Vevekeanand Ramnar ace, a 21-year-old student at the University of Guy ana, was one of the persons who received leases during the activity. Although he didn’t study agriculture, the young lessee said that he has always had an interest in agriculture, more so rice cultivation, due to the fact that he grew up seeing his father in the fields planting rice to take care of their family. He said that he will utilise his two 18-acre plots to plant rice and continue in his farmer’s footsteps.

When the government took office in August 2020, Cabinet approved some $90 million to carry out emergency works on criti cal infrastructure in the MMA scheme, the release

said. While speaking on this, Minister Mustapha said the government upon assuming office worked to reverse the unfavourable measures that were im plemented by the previous administration.

“We’ve been working to restore this scheme, the MMA Scheme. We’ve worked to ensure it is once again viable and able to function effec tively. Before this gov ernment took office there was a period where we saw a rapid decline in production in the MMA in all the sectors. This was due to the unfavourable conditions and measures that were implemented by the previous government. These systems were not conducive to the develop ment of agriculture in this country. This government under the leadership of His Excellency President, Dr Irfaan Ali recognises the importance of agri culture. We saw and took note of what took place in the world during the pandemic. Many coun tries had money but were unable to purchase food because of global short ages and import restric tions. Guyana produces 60 per cent of the food we consume, but we want to produce more,” he added.

Man pleads guilty to manslaughter after retrial

THIRTY-EIGHT-YEAROLD Orin Jerrick ap peared before Justice Brassington Reynolds in the High Court, on Tuesday, charged with the 2014 killing of Plaisance minibus driver, Gavin Fiffee.

Originally charged with murder, Jerrick opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

The indictment read that on July 31, 2014, at the Plaisance mini-bus park at Regent Street and Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown, Jerrick murdered Fiffee.

Justice Brassington ad journed the matter until

Orin Jerrick

November 15, 2019, for sentencing.

In 2016, Jerrick went

on trial before High Court Judge Navindra Singh, who had imposed a 28-year jail term after a 12- member jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

However, his attorney successfully appealed the conviction and sentence on his behalf at the Court of Appeal.

The attorney had argued that Justice Singh failed to adequately put his client’s case of self-defence to the jury for consideration.

In 2020, the Court of Appeal had set aside the conviction and sentence and ordered a retrial for Jerrick.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha presents Vevekeanand Ramnarace, 21, with his lease at the Open Day

Norton attacks media, dodges questions

LEADER of the Oppo sition (LoO) and head of the People’s Nation al Congress Reform (PNC/R), Aubrey Norton is back at it again, using attacks on journalists as a smokescreen to avoid giving direct answers to questions posed to him.

The Guyana Chronicle was the latest media house to be at the receiving end of Norton when he was pressed for clear answers on his calls for a clean vot ers list, among other topical issues.

During his weekly vir tual press conference on Tuesday, Norton was ques tioned about claims he made of a poll that was taken and shows that the APNU+AFC party was leading in popularity and will win the next Local Government Elections (LGEs).

Norton, who had claimed that the

APNU+AFC is in pos session of the Statements of Poll (SoPs) that shows that the coalition won the March 2020 General and Regional Elections but is yet to reveal it, dodged questions that were posed to him on the ‘mysterious’ poll he claimed to have.

According to Norton, the poll was given to him by PPP members and he

cannot talk much about it because it will expose the PPP members who gave it to him. Several members of the PPP have indicated to the Guyana Chronicle that Norton is either relating a dream or gaffing at his press conferences.

Norton was also pressed about his party’s refusal to give a clear cut outline of the steps that can be taken

to achieve the clean voters list that the PNC/R has continuously been lobby ing for.

Here, the Opposition Leader also dodged an swers posed by the Guyana Chronicle.

“We will discuss it and continue to discuss it with those [entities] who have an interest in a clean vot ers list. We don’t see [the Guyana] Chronicle as one. I don’t see it as an agenda of attempting to get to the bottom of a critical issue. We are going to continue to discuss with civil society, diplomatic community,” Norton declared.

Over the past few weeks, Norton and other members of his party have been aggressive with re porters from the State me dia, particularly the Guy ana Chronicle.

Norton has also had contentious encounters with other media person

nel as he often side steps questions instead of pro viding direct responses to them. Back in January he went at it with journalists from the Stabroek News and Newsroom when ques tioned about a leadership confusion in the party.

Norton as the Opposi tion Leader, PNC/R Leader and Chairman of the APNU has also been evasive about the Coalition’s participa tion in the upcoming Lo cal Government Elections (LGEs).

He said he will not be speaking on the issue of the APNU’s participation and is instead focussed on a clean voters list. But he is stringently refraining from giving clear cut answers on how this will be achieved.

Much uncertainty exists with regards to the means by which Norton’s call for a “clean voters list” will be achieved, since thus far Norton’s call for names to

be removed from the list, is illegal given a ruling by the Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George.

In 2019, the High Court ruled that the removal of the names of persons on the list of registrants, and who were not, or have not been, or are not registered in the current house-to-house reg istration exercise would be unconstitutional.”

Hence, even if a house-to-house registra tion process is done by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), it is barred from remov ing the names of anyone from the National Re sister of Registrants, ex cept in the case of death. Though Norton frequent ly complains about the need for a clean voters list, the Coalition refused to participate in the re cent Claims and Objec tions period to sanitise the list.

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton

BVI Registrar General, with Guyanese roots, passes

By Cindy Parkinson

THE close-knit society of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) is in a state of shock and mourning as the Reg istrar General of the Civil Registry and Passport Of fice, Mrs. Stephanie Benn, passed away on the Oc tober 24, 2022 in Puerto Rico.

Stephanie Benn was wel comed into the world on November 29, 1962 by her father, Joseph “Joe” Black, a Guyanese native who hailed from the county of Berbice, and her mother, Christalita Potter Black, a native of the British Virgin Islands.

Mrs. Benn was a promi nent individual who had made a name for herself through her profession as the Registrar General. She served as Past-President of the Rotary Club of Road Town and was also an active member of the Rotary Club of Tortola.

Stephanie was often re warded for her exemplary performance in adherence to the policies, procedures and rules of the public service.

In April 2022, she was pre sented with the Governor’s Group Compliance Award by His Excellency the Gov ernor, Mr. John J. Rankin.

She was a very assertive woman who has worn many hats and has left an imprint on “Nature’s Little Secret.” Her tough exterior shielded her delicate and humbling personality. She will cer tainly be remembered for her willingness to help others in a time of need.

Stephanie quietly ad vised and helped many in dividuals throughout the territory, especially those in the Guyanese community, whom she felt were close to her roots.

Her kind gestures were done without any expec tations of it being in the spotlight. Like her sense of fashion, Mrs. Benn loved traveling, and her father’s native land, Guyana, was one of her favourite destinations. She even had a special con nection to Guyanese cuisine.

Dr. Natalio Wheatley, the Premier of the British Virgin Islands, remembered Steph anie Benn as “one who was

committed to what she be lieved in and [one who] was a key driver of innovation.”

He also stated that Steph anie “saw trends in her field, for example, the automation services, which she did not hesitate to introduce to her department to provide quick er and more professional services for the people of the Virgin Islands. I appreciated her service, and we will all miss her,” said Wheatley.

Governor John Rankin also expressed his heartfelt condolences to Stephanie’s family on behalf of himself and the staff at the Gover nor’s Office. He also added that she was “highly re garded by her counterparts in the other overseas terri tories and the Home Office in the United Kingdom for her work on nationality and other civil registry matters.”

Stephanie Benn will be remembered for many things, but she was most admired for always being

impeccably dressed in fash ionable outfits accessorised with the most beautiful piec es of jewellery.

Added to that, her unique hairstyles complemented her vivacious personality. She gave a new meaning to what grace, beauty and brains looked like as an independ ent woman.

Benn was never afraid to push the envelope for what she believed in and, without debate, she performed excep tionally as a public servant, department leader and a role model for women, especially young girls in the territory and across the region.

Mrs. Stephanie Benn has made a lasting impres sion for over fifteen years as the Registrar General of the Civil Registry and Passport Office and has left a legacy for many to emulate.

She leaves behind her husband, Lorenzo Benn, her five siblings and those whom she has touched.

Mrs. Stephanie Benn - Registrar General of the Civil Registry and Passport Office

Guyana leaps from 53rd to 35th for gender equality globally

IN the 2022 World Econom ic Forum (WEF)’s Global Gender Gap Report 2022, Guyana has made major progress over the last year to achieve gender equality compared to other countries in the world.

Now ranking 35th glob ally, Guyana is now in second place for CARICOM coun tries, falling behind Barbados, and has also performed better than developed countries, Australia, Italy, and Poland.

For Latin America and the Caribbean, the report noted Guyana as one of three coun tries that has “improved their gender parity scores the most” from 2021 to now.

More specifically, the global gender gap index is assessed through examining economic partnership and op portunity, educational attain ment, health and survival and

political empowerment among the genders.

Guyana ranked 105th for economic participation and opportunity in 2021 and 53rd in 2022, climbing 52 places.

For educational attain ment, the country moved 39 places from 91st in 2021 to 57th in 2022.

As it relates to health and survival, 2021 saw the country scoring 1st with other coun tries and maintaining that position in 2022 with 27 other countries placing 1st.

Last, for political empow erment, the country moved up two places from 44th in 2021 to 42nd in 2022.

A total of 146 countries were assessed for the report from the Geneva, Switzer land-based organisation which has been tracking progress on closing gender gaps globally since 2006.

The data represents sta tistics extracted from interna tional organisations globally among other sources.

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira, in an interview on Wednesday following the cir culation of the report, said that the report has helped countries and regions to visualise where gender gaps are located, even as the United Nations (UN) recognises that bridging the gender gap in some countries would take more than 100 years.

“We’ve done well!” Min ister Teixeira said, underscor ing the amazing achievements of the President, Dr Irfaan Ali-led People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) gov ernment within the last year alone.

Teixeira said that com ments made about Guyana

can sometimes misrepresent the realities of the country, and those misrepresentations are countered by reports like the WEF 2020 gender analysis based on data from the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Inter-Parliamen tary Union (IPU), and other international organisations which collect data.

Raising a point of inter est, Minister Teixeira said the report noted that access to financial services, and lands and non-land assets, there was near-equal rights for women in Guyana.

She noted that this is not so for some countries as there are states where women can not own assets unless it is in the name of a man.

Additionally, “it is con sidered that Guyana has equal rights as regards to access to justice,” the parliamentary af

fairs minister continued.

The gender gap can be addressed through legislation, policies and programmes, Minister Teixeira noted, but there are instances where women can still experience violence at the hands of men.

The minister noted that the housing programme, the WIIN programme, the Gov ernment Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme, and the 1,000 Men Programme which will be launched on Friday, are all initiatives of the government

which, once examined as a collective, help to improve the lives of Guyana and also improve gender relations.

Minister Teixeira noted also that the progress made by the current PPP/C gov ernment should be assessed from the work which was done after the return of de mocracy in 1992, and after the disruption to the devel opment of Guyanese from 2015 to 2020 during the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira

Guyana Chronicle among awardees for creating job opportunities

By Cassandra Khan

THE Ministry of Labour’s Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA), on Wednes day at the Roraima Duke Lodge, held its annual award ceremo ny for organisations that help make em ployment opportunities available for the public.

Giving the feature address at the ceremony, Minister of Labour, Jo seph Hamilton, said that schooling and learning in Guyana needs to be reassessed.

He noted that the ed ucation system is geared towards celebrating only persons who have excelled in academics.

Minister Hamilton said that young people entering the workface should set aside con versations about ‘clean’ jobs and ‘dirty’ jobs.

He also said that there should be more praise for those excel ling in Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET).

Turning his attention

to women’s participa tion in the labour force, Minister Hamilton said women should not be excluded from any pro fession.

He said that as of 2012, 51 per cent of Guyana’s population was women. He said that provisions must be put in place to ensure that the majority of the population participates in some type of trade skill.

Jairam Petam, Chair man of the Consultative Association of Guya nese Industry (CAGI), said that Guyana is ex periencing an expan sion not only in the oil and gas sector but an incremental increase in the manufacturing, agriculture, mining, and forestry.

With that expansion, he noted, the required skills may not all be present.

Citing statistics from the International Or ganisation of Migration (IOM), Petam said that out of Guyana’s cur rent population, 40 per cent make up the labour force. He noted that 60

per cent of the popula tion are either students or retirees.

He explained that out of the 40 per cent, there are about 60,000 discouraged employees, which are persons who gave up on seeking em ployment.

“We as employers should ensure that we sustain a stable work force… [and] look at how to create an en vironment that satis fies our existing work force,” he said.

He said that the government’s recruit ment agency can help to build technical skills and make persons em ployable, but employers must ensure that staff are taken care of.

The 25 organisa tions which collect ed awards were At las Security Service, Bettencourt Homestyle, Carnegie School of Home Econom ics, DeSinco Trading, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Dr. Balwant Singh Hospi tal, Edward B. Behar ry Group of Compa nies, Food for the Poor

Inc., Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Guy ana National Bureau of Standard (GNBS), Guyana National Newspapers Limit ed (GNNL - Guyana Chronicle), Guyana Post Office Corpora tion (GPOC), GUY

BISCO International Inc., MK Cleaning & Janitorial Service, R & M Bhaichandeen, Resh Gift Centre & Variety Store, Ster

ling Products Limited, Summerson Furniture Store, Toolsie Persaud Limited, Unicomer

(Courts Guyana), Vol unteer Youth Corps (VYC), WB Cleaning and Janitorial Ser vices, Wieting and Richter, and Wings Aviation. One individ ual, Neberth Fordyce, was also named as an awardee.

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton and representatives of awarded organisations (Elvin Carl Croker photo)

CAGI Chairman Jairam Petam hands over the award to Administrative Manager (ag) Colin Alfred of the GNNL – Guyana Chronicle (Elvin Carl Croker photo)

Man denies involvement in ex-girlfriend’s murder

A MIXED 12-member jury was on Thursday empanelled before Jus tice Simone MorrisRamlall at the Deme rara High Court for the trial of Lucri Fiffee, who is accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend in 2018.

Fiffee denied killing Rosemary Rudder on March 31, 2018, at his Westminster, West Bank

Demerara (WBD), home.

His trial is expected to commence on October 31.

Attorney Muntaz Ali is representing the state, while Fiffee is being rep resented by attorney-atlaw Dexter Todd.

A post-mortem per formed on the remains of Rudder suggested that she died as a result of a

compression to the neck compounded by blunt trauma to the head.

The Guyana Chronicle had previously reported that on the day in ques tion, Fiffee and Rudder were involved in an argu ment while at his West minster home.

It is alleged that dur ing the fight the woman was choked and died.

Man gets 10 years for killing workmate

FORTY-FIVEYEAR-OLD Phil lip Solomon, was, on Tuesday, sentenced to serve ten years in prison for fatally stab bing his workmate in 2018.

Solomon of Ice House Road, Timehri, East Bank Demerara, was sentenced by Jus tice Brassington Reyn olds at the Demerara High Court.

He, however, or dered that the prison authorities deduct, from the sentence, the time Solomon already spent on remand since 2018.

Earlier this month, Solomon was arraigned for the capital offence of murder but opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of man slaughter.

He admitted that, on October 24, 2018, at Timehri, East Bank Demerara, he unlaw fully killed 51-year-old Vernon Cummings.

According to re ports, Cummings and Solomon were known to each other, and worked as labourers on the Timehri wharf, where they would usu ally consume alcohol and get into arguments.

On the day in ques tion, the men were drinking and had a mis understanding which

Phillip Solomon

led to an argument and subsequently a scuffle.

It is alleged that Cummings armed him self with a piece of iron and the accused with a wooden paddle. They subsequently began hit ting each other.

Solomon’s broth er, on being informed about the fight, rushed to the scene to make

peace.

It was after he (the brother) took away the iron from Cummings that the accused dealt Cummings a lash to his head, causing him to fall.

Cummings was rushed to the Dia mond Public Hospital where he died while receiving treatment.

Lucri Fiffee

Rosemary Rudder

South Africa Racing Tips

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English Racing Tips

Worcester 08:20 hrs Kazontherazz 08:55 hrs Blorie D’ath0n

09:30 hrs Couldbeaweapon

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10:40 hrs New Beginnings

11:15 hrs Punxutawney Phil

11:50 hrs Biowavego

12:20 hrs Iberio

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09:40 hrs Templehills 10:50 hrs Gitche Gumee 11:25 hrs Bebraveforglory 12:00 hrs Samatian

Lingfield

08:0 hrs Idoapologise 09:15 hrs Pherenikos

09:50 hrs Liberty Mountain 10:25 hrs Darmoiselle

11:00 hrs Internationalangel 11:35 hrs Street Kid

12:05 hrs Lenny’s Spirit

‘You have our support’ – President Ali to athletes

- asks Sport Minister to open dialogue for ‘minimum standard’ of touring contingents

By Stephan Sookram

MOVED by ‘a number of calls from sportsmen and women,’ President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday asked Minister of Sport Charles Ramson Jnr, to open dialogue among his Ministry of Sport and national associations and federations.

The president, via a so cial media video posted on his page, spoke to greater co-operation between his Ministry of Sports and these federations and as sociations to come up with ‘minimum standards’ for sporting contingents that will represent this country on the international stage.

“It is time, I think from a national level, and I’ve had a discussion with the Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture and I’ve asked him to engage all the sporting bodies and the athletes in en suring that we set a min imum standard. A team going to represent Guyana with all the sporting dis ciplines, whether it’s the South American Games or whatever games there, whether it’s organized by the Olympic association or whomever, there must be a

minimum standard that is set,” he said.

In his eight-minute long video, the president stood in solidarity with those athletes who had complained of lack of resources and personnel when travelling for inter national engagements.

“To all the athletes, I share your pain and I want you [to] know that you have our support. We can’t ask our athletes to give us their best and to perform at an optimal level when we don’t support them to do so,” the President said.

The President’s address came in light of Olym pian and boxer Keevin Allicock’s call for better treatment of athletes fol lowing his health scare at the recent South American games held in Paraguay.

In a social media post, Alicock related his or deal where he took ill during competition and was later diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, garnering assistance from another country’s medical team in the absence of his coun try’s own.

The Guyanese boxer cited the fact that there was no suitable medical personnel touring with the

team, a fact later echoed by National Squash star and Olympian Nicolette Fernandes.

The Guyanese head of state did not mince words, saying, “For example, a phyisotheraphist, basic medical personnel, those persons must be assigned to teams when they are leaving to represent Guy ana, so that our athletes can be treated with dignity and have the assurance of some sort of medical support.”

And while it remains the responsibility of the federations and associa tions to appoint necessary personnel, the president reminded that when on international duty, those athletes and contingents become ambassadors for Guyana and as such should have at least the minimum standard of resources.

The president was also quick to point out that while there have been major investments in the infrastructural aspect as it relates to sport, he re mains cognizant that there must also be investment in athletes well-being both in and out of the country.

“I believe strongly in sport. We are putting

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Thursday October 27, 2022)

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Kamran Akmal-9 dismissals (3 catches; 6 stumpings – PAK)

(2) 166 for the second wicket - Mahela Jayawardene & Kumar Sanga karra (Sl vs WI, Bridgetown)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Which two Group A teams have qualified to play with the top na tions in the 2020 T20 World Cup?

(2) Which two Group B teams have done so?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

more investment into sports and its facilities but we also need to put investment and time

into the governance institutions and ensuring that minimum standards are set and

adhered to when ath letes represent us as a country and as a peo ple.”

New Zealand, Afghanistan settle for point each in rained-out fixture

(ICC) - New Zealand and Afghanistan had to settle with a point each as their Super 12 encounter of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup at the MCG in Melbourne got washed out by rain yesterday.

The Kiwis were com ing into this contest on the back of a massive 89run win against Australia while Afghanistan suffered a five-wicket loss at the

hands of England in their opening encounter of the tournament.

This is the second Su per 12 encounter that had to be abandoned due to rain. Earlier, the match between South Africa and Zimbabwe on Monday also got called off due to frequent interruptions caused by rain.

It was important for the Afghans to notch up

a win after their loss in their opening encounter, but they had to settle for a point and that leaves them with a lot of catching up to do in the upcoming matches.

New Zealand, on the other hand, are cur rently sitting at the top of Group 1 with three points to their name and a massive NRR of +4.450.

Ireland overcome England on DLS

hit speeds greater than 150km/h and his matchup against David Warner, Aaron Finch and Co to morrow will be pivotal to the outcome of that clash.

WHERE TO NOW?

While the loss by England was the major talking point to come out of the match, it would be unfair to Ireland not to mention how they now sit on their own road to a possible semi-final berth.

Inter demote Barcelona to Europa League next season

(ICC) Ireland have caused one of the big gest upsets in the history of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup by regis tering a five-run victo ry (DLS method) over England in Melbourne yesterday.

England were unable to gather much momen tum during their chase of Ireland's decent total of 157 and will rue the fact they were five runs short of the par score when the rain hit late at the MCG.

The equation was 53 required from 33 deliver ies when the players left the field and both teams would have been thinking they were well placed for victory when the heavens opened.

Classy all-rounders Moeen Ali (24*) and Liam Livingstone (1*) had just started to find

the boundary with ease, while Ireland knew they were well placed and only had to hold their nerve to prevail.

It was a well-deserved victory for Ireland and skipper Andy Balbirnie has to take much of the credit following his quickfire 62 from just 47 deliv eries and some inspired bowling changes in reply.

Perhaps on a high after his brilliant half-centu ry, Balbirnie rotated his bowlers expertly and En gland's top-class batting line-up was never able to gather any momentum.

Pacer Josh Little (2-16) did the damage with the new ball by re moving both Jos Buttler (0) and Alex Hales (7), while Fionn Hand (1-17) bowled well in his first appearance at the tourna ment.

STILL HOPE FOR ENGLAND

The good news for England is they can still recover and reach the semi-finals, but the bad news is they are likely to have to defeat reigning champions Australia at the MCG tomorrow, if they are to do so.

Tomorrow's game looms to be a crucial encounter that will help shape the make-up of the final four and England will be hoping for an im proved performance with both bat and ball.

None of their bat ters handled the MCG pitch well, while Living stone (3-17) and fellow all-rounder Sam Curran (2-30) were arguably the pick of the bowlers.

Speedster Mark Wood (3-34) was expensive early as he consistently

Ireland's net run rate is poor (-1.068), but the improving European side are now level on points with England and still in contention to pick up their own spot in the final four.

Their next game is against Afghanistan - also at the MCG tomorrow - and that is a winna ble contest for the Irish should they play with the same conviction they showed yesterday.

Ireland: Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie (c), Lor can Tucker (wkp.), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Ga reth Delany, Mark Adair, Fionn Hand, Barry McCa rthy, Josh Little

England: Jos Buttler (c, wkp.), Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Cur ran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

(BBC) - Inter Milan secured their place in the Champi ons League knockout stage and sent Barcelona into the Europa League with victory against Viktoria Plzen.

Barcelona's fate was al ready sealed before Xavi's side lost 3-0 to Group C win ners Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp.

Substitute Romelu Lu kaku marked his return from injury with a late goal as Inter comfortably secured the win that sent them to the last 16.

Edin Dzeko scored twice after Henrikh Mkhitaryan's opener in the 4-0 win.

It means Barcelona are guaranteed to finish third and compete in Europe's sec ond-tier competition for the second successive season.

The Spanish giants were unable to improve the mood among the home support in their final home group game as first-half goals from Sa dio Mane and Eric Maxim

Choupo-Moting put Bayern on course to maintain their perfect record in this season's Champions League.

Barcelona thought they had been given a lifeline before half-time but referee Anthony Taylor overturned his initial penalty decision after being sent to review Matthijs de Ligt's challenge on former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski on the pitchside monitor.

Serge Gnabry's curled finish was ruled out for off side after the restart, but the German registered three as sists on the night as substitute Benjamin Pavard added to Barcelona's misery in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Although many home supporters began leaving long before the final whistle, a group of fans did stay be hind and applauded as their players returned to the field at the end of a dismal night for the club.

Kane Williamson looks up at the skies (ESPNcricinfo photo)

George Dockrell and Lorcan Tucker get big hugs from the crowd. (ICC via Getty Images)

Romelu Lukaku scored less than four minutes after replacing Lautaro Martinez in his first appearance since August

Shepherd stars in final warm-up match for GHE

WEST Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd had a fine all-round perfor mance in the second and final practice match for the Guyana Harpy Ea gles (GHE), played under lights yesterday at Prov idence.

Shepherd continued where he left off in the recently concluded Senior Inter-county 50 overs tour nament in which he was named MVP. He struck an

explosive 61 not out off just 20 balls then returned with the ball to claim 4-7 as Johnson’s XI made light work of Permaul ‘s XI.

Batting first, Johnson’s XI were led by half-cen turies from Tevin Imlach who top-scored with 80 (95 balls) while GHE captain Leon Johnson stroked 56 (78 balls) and Rutherford smashed 53 (34 balls) as their team amassed 336-6 off 50 overs.

Bowling for Permaul’s XI, Guyana Amazon War riors (GAW) off-spinner Junior Sinclair had figures of 2-63 and GHE reserve pacer Shamar Joseph took 2-77.

Shepherd returned with the ball to rock Permaul’s XI batting line-up as they were dismissed for 160 off 30.4 overs. GHE reserve Askaya Persaud made an unbeaten 65 off 79 balls while newcomer Quentin

Sampson smashed 55 off 27 balls with 6 sixes. GHE vice-captain Veerasammy Permaul took 3-39 and West Indies off-spinner Kevin Sinclair had 2-44, bowling for Johnson’s XI.

The GHE team de parts Guyana today for the CG Insurance Region al Super50. GHE will play their first match against Windwards Volcanoes at the Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad on Monday.

Saints Snipers, GCC Spice register wins on opening day

THE Bounty Supermar kets National Indoor Hockey Championship kick-started at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with both the Saints Snipers and GCC Spice recording wins.

The opening match of the night saw GCC Pitbulls and Saints Superstars play to a 1-1 draw while in the following second division match Saints Snipers defeat ed Hikers Cadets 4-1.

J. Fausette led the scor ing for the Saints side, scor ing 2 of the 4 goals while the lone Hikers’ goal came off the stick of Sherwyn Caesar.

In the Ladies’ division

GCC Spice defeated the youthful YMCA Old Fort Igniters 4-2 with Abosaide Cadogan netting 2 goals for her team while Tricia Fiedtkou and Sonia Jardine added one goal each.

Carolyn Dean, the cap tain of the Igniters, scored both goals.

Woodpecker Hikers La dies came from behind a 1-0 margin and edged the Saints team with a 2-1 win.

The Saints girls brought immense energy to the game but it was the young Jasmine Assanah who took a moment to stop and flick the ball past the goalkeeper to seal the deal for the Hikers.

In the Vets division, GCC stalwarts lost to the more youthful Hikers in a nail-biting game, as the national captain Robert France, who is a newcom er to the Veterans division barely managed to upset the experienced stalwarts of the GCC team, who gave Hikers a good fight. Both France and Devin Hooper scored a double for their team and Devin Munroe and Kevin Fogenay, with one goal each, edged Hikers to a 4-3 victory.

Matches continue nightly from 17:00hrs at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall until Sunday’s final.

Government to contribute $10M to GKC development

HIS Excellency, Dr Irfaan Ali, said that the Govern ment will contribute a further $10M to support the development of ka rate in Guyana through the construction of the Guyana Karate College (GKC).

The Head of State made the announcement while de livering the feature address at the GKC Charity Gala Dinner and Awards Cere mony at the New Thriving Restaurant in Providence on Tuesday night.

Of the funds, the Presi dent said that $5M will be made available this year and the other $5M in 2023. He emphasised that the

Government is committed to the development of ka rate in Guyana.

“One can describe ka rate as a tradition - but a tradition that spans many generations, a tradition that goes beyond culture and boundaries, a tradition that opens up the mindsets and thinking of people.”

He praised the “art” for developing discipline, fo cus, commitment and other positive attitudes in people, especially in children from a young age.

“Karate is not teaching someone to fight, it's an art of self-defence.”

The Government, Presi dent Ali added, is focusing

heavily on the develop ment of youth, sport and culture. He reminded that his administration has been working to resuscitate and rehabilitate grounds and sport venues, while build ing new sport facilities across the country. This, he said, is aimed at providing the necessary infrastructure to help all athletes in the country perform at their best.

Meanwhile, the Presi dent was made an honor ary 8th Dan by the karate college.

The Minister of Cul ture, Youth and Sport, the Hon. Charles Ramson was also at the event.

Romario Shepherd Tevin Imlach

President Irfaan Ali collects an honorary belt from the GKC president, Sensei Frank-Woon-A- Tai

Randy Hope of Hikers attacks