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Friday Oct. 08, 2021

ONLINE DAILY NEWSPAPER

EXXONMOBIL DISCOVERS MORE OIL RESOURCES IN THE STABROEK BLOCK

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GNBS LAUNCHES SPEED GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES Pg3 GUNS VERIFICATION SERVICE CUT IN EXCISE TAX ON FUEL

Friday Oct. 08, 2021

GUYANA, SURINAME MEET ON CANAWAIMA FERRY SERVICE … estimate increased to approximately 10 Billion Barrels

E x x o n M o b i l announced on Thursday, that the company increased its estimate of the discovered recoverable resource for the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana to approximately 10 billion

oil-equivalent barrels. The updated resource estimate includes a new discovery at the Cataback-1 well, which brings the total significant discoveries to more than 20 within the Stabroek Block.

The Cataback-1 well encountered 243 feet of net pay in highquality hydrocarbonbearing sandstone reservoirs. It is located approximately 3.7 miles east of Turbot-1 and was drilled in 5,928 feet

of water by the Noble Tom Madden. President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, said recent discoveries and ongoing projects continue to contribute to the advancement of

the Guyanese economy. With the arrival of Unity FPSO later this year and its start-up in the first half of 2022, ExxonMobil Guyana expects to increase the current production capacity within the

also stated, “The GNBS, with support from the Government of Guyana, will continue to identify areas for collaboration, and support stakeholders providing key measurement services to Guyanese.” The launch followed a two-day training on the Commissioning & Use of the MultaRadar Equipment and Compact Device for Inspectors of the GNBS and Ranks of the Guyana Police Force, who will be the direct, if not the sole beneficiary of this service. The training was conducted by Solutions Architect Manager

Mr. Corlan McDonald of JENOPTIK. He noted that the training included not only “a hands-on” approach to using the verification equipment but also its setting up installation and configuration. Mr. McDonald further stated that the device is used across the world in various conditions. On Wednesday, the new verification equipment was also tested at the South Dakota Circuit to verify one of the speed guns used by the GPF. Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Ramesh Ashram welcomed the new service. He said the

Stabroek block, realising even greater benefits for Guyana. R o u t l e d g e highlighted the gasto-energy project as another avenue for significant benefit including the availability of hundreds of jobs during the construction phase. The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometers). ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is an operator and holds 45% interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30% interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25% interest.

GNBS LAUNCHES SPEED GUNS VERIFICATION SERVICE

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, launched a new service to verify the speed guns used by Traffic Ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF). Using its newly acquired MultaRadar Equipment and Compact Device, the GNBS, as the

National Measurement Institute, will be verifying speed guns submitted by the GPF to ensure they are delivering accurate readings. During a press conference held at the South Dakota Circuit to launch the service, Executive Director (Ag) of the GNBS, Ms.

Ramrattie Karan, said that accuracy is key when using a measuring instrument. She noted that the acquisition of the equipment followed several complaints that the speed guns used by Police Officers on the roadways, may not be delivering accurate readings. The Executive Director

GPF is looking forward to working with the Bureau of Standards as it relates to further calibration of its current speed guns, new guns that will be acquired, along other equipment relating to policing in Guyana. The GNBS, earlier this year, procured a Breathalyzer Test Bench, capable of verifying a wide range of breathalyzers used by the GPF and other companies to test the alcohol levels of drivers and employees, respectively. GNBS Inspectors were trained to provide the verification services by the supplier of the breathalyzer equipment and by the Measurement Institute of Argentina (INTI). In addition, over the past two years, the Bureau has trained 239 Police Officers in the use of speed guns and breathalyzers. The Bureau looks forward to working with the Police to ensure reliable measurements are made when administering the law.

Friday Oct. 08, 2021

GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES CUT IN EXCISE TAX ON FUEL Prices at pump expected to reduce

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, has announced that Government will be further reducing the excise tax on gasoline and diesel to ease the domestic impact of the continuous rise in the world market

price for fuel. On February 17, last, of this year, the government reduced the Excise Tax rate on both gasoline and diesel from 50 percent to 35 percent. Since this time, oil prices have continued to rise steadily on the world market, moving from over US$60

lowering the excise tax rate on both gasoline and diesel from 35 percent to 20 percent with immediate effect. This reduction will aid in cushioning the impact on domestic consumers, particularly the travelling public as well as those productive sectors for whom fuel is an important input. The prices at the pump are expected to also be reduced with immediate

unveiled its GTT Fibre service as a major upgrade to the former Blaze service, offering significant increases in upload and download speeds and reliable connectivity at reduced rates. GTT’s Chief Operations Officer for Home Solutions & Fixed Services, Eshwar Thakurdin, said it is a proud moment for the company to deliver its fibre optic internet service to Lindeners. “We are extremely pleased to add Linden to the growing number

implement to cushion the domestic impact of world market price fluctuation. He said that implementation of these measures is in keeping with President Irfaan Ali’s commitment to ensuring that Guyanese consumers continue to be protected from an escalation in fuel prices on the world market as far as possible.

a barrel to over US$80 a barrel at the close of trade on October 5, 2021. This steady rise in the world price has had a resultant effect with prices rising on the domestic market also. Minister Singh announced that the Government will be

GTT expands Fibre internet service to Linden

Residents and businesses in Ameila’s Ward, Linden will become the latest in Guyana to access GTT’s Fibre internet service. The company is expanding broadband technology to Region Ten. The Ameila’s Ward, Linden roll-out keeps GTT on course to achieving its goal of “Reliably Connecting our Customers” by delivering GTT Fibre to 10,000 new homes in 2021, providing subscribers with more bandwidth over a greater distance and better prices. The company recently

effect, with gasoline prices expected to reduce from $213 per litre to $198 per litre, and diesel prices from $200 per litre to $185 per litre. Minister Singh explained that the adjustment in the excise tax rate on fuel from time to time is part of the measures that the PPP/C Government will

of residential and commercial districts in Guyana now benefitting from GTT Fibre. GTT Fibre offers fast and reliable internet for all communication needs whether it be for education, entertainment, or supporting you in developing your careers and businesses, even in a pandemic” he said. “We have been working since the beginning of this year on this expansion. The current global challenges in acquiring vital equipment and resources to make this happen did affect us but did not deter us. Today, we are happy to deliver on our promise of reliably connecting our customers in Linden,” he added. Chief Executive Officer of GTT, Damian Blackburn, said the company is happy to deliver on another promise. He reminded me of the company’s continued investment to bring its 21st-century highways vision alive.

With the new residential plans of Fibre50, Fibre100, and Fibre150 providing 50 Mbps, 100 Mbps and 150 Mbps download speeds respectively, customers in Linden can apply for the service at $8,999, $10,999, and $12,999 respectively. Each service also comes with a fixed voice line included. Business customers will also benefit from the BizFibre service with plans ranging from Biz50, Biz100, and Biz500 at reduced costs, starting as low as $14,999. The company is also making provision for all customers remaining on DSL service in the interim, by providing free speed upgrades to most DSL customers, while reducing DSL costs to those where upgrades are not possible. This upgrade is ongoing and will be completed by November. Customers will be contacted directly to be informed of their upgraded speeds or prices.

Woman hangs self in GPHC ward

At approximately 11:05 a.m. today, Thursday, October 7, a Georgetown Public Hospital staff member discovered the body of a female patient hanging in the ward’s washroom by one of our staff. The Guyana Police Force and the family of the patient were immediately notified by members of the GPHC’s Management team. A team from the GPHC has been identified to

support the family of the patient and provide all the necessary information to assist the GPF in their investigations. “As a hospital dedicated to providing the very best care to the most acutely ill and injured patients, we are deeply saddened that this death occurred and are taking action to prevent this type of event from ever occurring again,” the GPHC Management said.

Friday Oct. 08, 2021

LOWER FUEL PRICES COMING Motorists are expected to have some relief at the gas pump soon. The government has announced that there will be a further reduction on fuel taxing that will automatically see fuel importers reducing their retail prices. The price on the world market has been rising. The announcement was made by the Minister within the Office of the President Responsible for Finance, Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, Wednesday evening.

Mr. Singh explained that the excise tax on both gasoline and diesel will be reduced from 35% to 20% percent with immediate effect. The reductions are said to be the second one for the year when excise taxes were moved from 50% to 35%. Due to COVID-19 and other issues, oil prices have continued to rise steadily on the world market, moving from US$60 a barrel to over US$80 a barrel.

Businessman loses SUV, cash, documents A businessman is now counting his losses after his SUV worth $5M along with $500,000 cash, several land documents (transports), several copies of agreement of sales for land and other items, are not gone after thieves drove away with his car while the keys for the car was in his ignition. He had made a shop to pick up his Chinese Food. In a statement from the Police on the matter, it was noted that the incident occurred in Alexander

Street, Kitty just around 21:00 hours yesterday. At the time the businessman whose name was not disclosed was heading to the Chinese restaurant in the area to pick up his food. He parked his vehicle, with the keys in the

ignition. On returning to his surprise his $5 M white SUV Volkswagen motor-van, PYY 7703 was gone. Checks were then made in the surrounding area and nothing was found. A report was later made to the police

Querying the convening of PNCR Congress Dear Members, Since this is the first time during the term of this Executive that I am officially receiving a copy of an e-mail to CEC Members on any matter, albeit, an invitation to our Party’s anniversary, allow me to say formally that I concur with the concerns of Cde. John Yates. I have followed with great concern the debate and reports in the media about our Party’s next Congress and related matters. Regrettably, for reasons already stated I considered it inappropriate to offer any uninvited comments as by now it is obvious that my counsel was not needed.

On reflection, however, it may be a grave dereliction of my duty as a former leader and as a COVID-19 survivor, still suffering from the longterm effects of the virus one- year after, to remain silent. I have, upon my specific request a few days ago, received and read a copy of the official proposal for the “Virtual Congress”. My observation is that there will be nothing virtual with the Regional assemblies, save and except, virtual participation with other Assemblies. The challenges facing those Regional Assemblies of ensuring

COVID-19 protocols are observed, will be the same, or, more than those which faced the organizers for the National Congress Assembly in Georgetown, which caused the decision to have a “Virtual Congress” to be made and not follow the traditional practice. It is also noteworthy that the cost of regional participation may be the same or more than a traditional Congress: e.g., factor in the cost of internal regional travel to the selected venue, meal preparation, and technical equipment and logistics for the virtual participation. Unless that is

the intention, real participation of delegates to the deliberations would also be limited/restricted. Even large international bodies with resources, such as CARICOM or the UN, would have difficulties in hosting such an event, even though participation at those bodies is in many cases limited to one or two speakers per delegation. In the absence of careful planning, including identification of venues and satisfying all the required protocols at each, (and I’m not convinced that we have the capacity at this time to do so), the Party’s leadership will have to

take full responsibility for knowingly contributing to the ill health of its members. Like Mr. Yates, I am not encouraging responses to my observation. I am just bringing my observations to the attention of the Leadership, of which I am not a part, at the first opportunity formally presented to me. Let’s hope that wise Counsel may still prevail and this proposal will be reconsidered objectively by those who have been elected by our members to safely and competently manage the affairs of our Party between Congresses. I am also not unaware

of the other issues that are of concern and which have been raised during the above-referenced public discussions. I find it difficult to accept, however, that our Party, with all its history, cannot find another way to advance its mandate during this difficult period, putting other agendas and interests aside for the benefit of our thousands of members and supporters who are depending upon the PNCR, and, for the sake of Guyana as a whole. Thanking you for the opportunity to share my thoughts, whether they are accepted or not. RC

Faulty electric point causes fire scare at NIS head office

Days after the Brickdam Police Station went up in flames, National Insurance Scheme (NIS) went on high fire alert and called in the Guyana Fire Service after an overloaded loaded switch started to smoke on Monday.

operations started to change the damaged points. Later when everything was under control, some staff operating in the affected area were told to take the rest of the day off, as power was expected to

The NIS was said to be the third fire emergency call for the day. There was another at the Guyana Post Office. Speaking to the media after the incident, the Divisional Commander of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), Hemchandra Persaud, said that with such high fire risk the GFS remains on high alert also. “We have seen an increase in calls especially from (Monday). We had three calls. We would have responded to the GPO, NIS, and a bridge in Campbellville where there was a rubbish fire lit by someone.

that GFS due to the high risk has also shifted its approach due to high-level risk. “We are going to raise the level of preparedness; we are at the drawing board right now with senior officers knowing that we had a serious fire at the Brickdam Police Station. Of course, in life, we have to go through the vicissitude of life and there are always changes that we have to adapt to. “So, we are working as it is right now to look at our resource and to see what necessary we need, especially in this point in time, when we

According to the Guyana Fire Service, just before midday, in the Office of the General Manager, Holly Greaves, an electrical point started to smoke. The fire service responded with three fire trucks, an ambulance, and the ranks from Guyana Police Force. On arrival on the scene, firefighters explained that a point in the room was indeed smoking. With the aid of the policemen and women, the building was cleared of staff and others. With smoke still emanating from the point, prompted the shutting off the power to the building, they quickly tackled the affected area and the situation was quickly brought under control. The police also indicated that later the NIS Electrical Engineer quickly took over and

out for some time. The police advised the NIS to check the entire power supply chain to ensure that the problem does not occur again. The police also with safety in mind, to avoid a recurrence of the Brickdam Police Station fire a fire tender was left on standby.

“That fire was extinguished by the Campbellville units at GPO because it’s a high-rise building, it’s a Government building with lots of occupants. We would have sent a full response so that nothing got out of control,” Mr. Persaud explained. Mr. Persaud added

have a very hot weather and of course what is unfolding currently we have to first start thinking ahead and anticipate any eventuality.” This comes as the President, Mohammed Irfaan Ali blasted the GFS on its preparedness for the Brickdam Police Station fire.

Guyana to release CSEC, CAPE and NGSA results by Oct. 15.

The Ministry of Education announced on Saturday, that the Caribbean Examination Council has chosen Guyana as the host country to ‘release’ this year’s CAPE and CSEC results on October 14, 2021. In addition, NGSA is expected to be released on October 15; with raw exam scores coming from Barbados. The Caribbean Examination Council’s (CXC) Caribbean Secondary Education Certification (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) were written during June -July this year. The examinations were written at a later date this year due to the effects, consequences, and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Caribbean and the world. The Ministry of Education announced on Saturday, that the Caribbean Examination Council has chosen Guyana as the host country to ‘release’ this year’s CAPE and CSEC results on October 14, 2021. These results will be available to candidates on the CXC’s online portal from October 15, 2021. The National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) was equally affected by the pandemic and was written on August 4-5 of this year. Since 2016, CXC was contracted by the Government of Guyana to develop, administer and mark this examination/assessment annually. This year to further

advance the transparency and integrity of the examination/assessment, CXC’s responsibilities were extended and increased to include verification of raw scores. Additionally, to conduct and manage all reviews or appeals after the results are published and further to present the data and analysis of each year’s assessment. The Ministry of Education has been informed by CXC that the raw scores will be ready and sent from Barbados to Guyana by Tuesday, September 28, 2021, after which the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) will standardize the scores and offer placements according to the scores, and print results’ slips. In addition, from this year: 1. NGSA candidates will NOT be penalized with their raw scores because they were older than 12 years 6 months at the end of March of the year, the examination was written. 2. The standardized scores per subject will be rounded up to the nearest whole number and the TOTAL score will be given as a decimal number thereby offering candidates more fairness. The Education Ministry also encourages this year’s NGSA, CSEC and CAPE candidates to return all textbooks and resource materials to their respective schools. Failure to do so may result in being unable to access results

Temporary home for Brickdam police up and running close to the lockups. When they arrived the fire seemed coming from the sections close to lockup. The fire, however,

Following the fire which destroyed 80 percent of the Brickdam Police Station Commander of the Division, Simon McBean, has noted that despite the setback the force is ready to serve the community. This response comes as ranks of the division, particularly from the Brickdam Police Station, are affected in terms of accommodation after Saturday’s fire took out most of the complex, destroying files, offices, properties of civilians, and the force. The Brickdam police are relocated to St. Stanislaus

College where they will accommodate the public and by extension ensuring that the laws are upheld. Commander Mc Bean has insisted that the police are now up and ready to serve the community from all various departments. “The inquiries department is up and running, traffic service is up and running, the Criminal Investigation Department is up and running. Those are our primary areas of operation. The patrols are out in full force,” Mr. Mc Bean said. He added, “All of our services are up and

quickly spread with the aid of wind to other sections of the building. At the scene, members of the force were seen saving what they could

running. We are trying. There are some minor works going on to get the ranks comfortable The Commander’s office will be fully operational.” Commander Mc Bean says while the space may not be adequate it remains workable. The ranks are now getting comfortable in their new spaces. Just Saturday the Brickdam Police Station went up in flames leaving nothing but two buildings in the compound. According to the Guyana Fire Service, the fire started just before midday around a section

Another fire threatens a government building

The building that houses the Police and Public Service Commissions has become the fourth government building in four days under fire watch after an overloaded wire called for the presence of the Guyana Fire Service(GFS). Following the fire, which ravaged the Brickdam Police Station, a fire scare at the Guyana Post Office (GPO) and at the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) in the past few days, the fire service was once more on high alert, today, as the smell of smoke emanated from the PSC building. According to reports, it was just around midday, when the staff of the Local Government and Regional Development building, who share a compound with the PSC said that info@guyanapostonline.com

they smelled something was burning. In the midst of taking precautionary measures, the fire service was called in. Also turning up was the Guyana Power and Light (GPL). On arrival, fighter fighters and the GPL staff later identified the fault and quickly moved to cut power to the building. After accessing the situation, it was found that an external wire that leads to the PSC building was overheating and required immediate attention. The worker from the GPL then changed the faulty wire, as an overassessment of the entire electrical grid is expected to be done to ensure that issue does not occur again. The copper of the wire was seen burning and it was removed from the

building. This happened after over 80 percent of the Brickdam Police Station was allegedly set by a Lodge resident, Clarence Greene, and small electrical fires at the GPO and NIS. Divisional Commander of the fire service, Hemchandra Persaud, said on the heels of the fire at the NIS building, there is a need for an assessment of the building with the old electrical set, to prevent any fire.

have. The fire continued to travel, burning several shops nearby and an old gas station on Hadfield Street, aback by the police station.

SHUNNING PROFESSIONALISM FOR POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY

Adam’s

note book

Guyana is probably the country with an abundance of talented people. The reality is that the man in the street does not see these talented people. In fact, older people are now wondering whether it would not be long before mediocrity becomes the new norm. The government must have determined that there was more than enough talent to keep the wheels of the country turning because it quickly removed some of the talented people who were in the system. It then set about replacing them with people it feels comfortable with. Of course, some of these new employees are the beneficiaries of elections promises. I listened to the former head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Vincent Adams, talking about his removal from office. Undoubtedly, he has been the most qualified head of the EPA. He resurrected a dead agency at a time when Guyana is preparing to become an oil-producing nation. He spoke of the EPA is a revolving door info@guyanapostonline.com

for staff members who simply wanted a stepping stone. The result is that precious little got done. In fact, the EPA was largely ignored by all and sundry. It was merely required to rubber-stamp certain government pronouncements. Vincent Adams changed that to the point where the EPA began to make an impact on national life. It challenged Exxon Mobil to do the right thing by paying for its indiscretions in the industry. It flared gas to the extent that the environment was threatened. The Vincent Adams-led EPA made the company pay. It even threatened to take the company to court for some other indiscretion. That has changed. I am left to wonder whether Dr. Adams’s removal was due to pressure on the government. Of course, the government claimed that Dr. Vincent Adams was a political appointee. It did not stop to consider that Dr. Adams had responded to an advertisement for the job, that he was interviewed by a panel,

and that he was the most qualified applicant. There is a new Director of the Environmental Protection Agency but the EPA is once more a toothless poodle. In fact, it has lapsed into obscurity and the government seems content. At least it does not have to pacify Exxon Mobil. It is the same in numerous other areas. In the field of communication, English has all but disappeared. There is no relationship between subject and verb, no question of tense, and of course, pronunciation is no more a sign of knowledge. There are new heads in radio, television, newspaper, and public information, all chosen by the government. The COVID-19 situation is horrible. I am not sure whether it is due to the absence of a national plan or simply a case of Guyanese bad luck. Not so long ago I complained that people were no longer dying by the twos but by the fours. I should have shut my mouth. People are dying in droves. More than 100 people will die this month. The irony is that the government is linking the deaths to the vaccination. You die if you are unvaccinated. But people also die if they are vaccinated. That is when the government talks about underlying conditions. The records will show that about 60 percent of the population is either diabetic, hypertensive, or both. Most of us have underlying conditions. So vaccination or not we are likely to die if infected. At least the Minister of Health said as much when two fully vaccinated people died from COVID-related illness.

Yet, there is the drive for everyone to be vaccinated. I am vaccinated. There is talk about herd immunity. There will be no herd immunity because the variants are different from the original virus. But we can only hope that there will be some protection against COVID. The authorities are saying that wearing a mask, washing hands, and social distancing is not enough. There is another issue that I find worrying. There was the COVID relief distribution. Some people got and many did not. Both President Irfaan Ali and the Opposition Leader called for an audit. The AuditorGeneral has come back to say that COVID has impacted his ability to audit the distribution. So as long as there is COVID-19 there can be no successful audit. Many dishonest people would be able to escape. However, this should not be the end of the audit. My belief is that even if the auditors take two years, they must complete this audit. A lot of money was voted for the relief. It is now the same thing with the flood relief. A lot of money has been set aside. Some people are complaining that they have been badly assessed. If indeed COVID is a limiting factor, how could anyone be successfully assessed? But the Agriculture Minister says that he would correct the situation. Would he go into the fields to visit every affected farmer despite COVID? He may wish to take the Auditor General with him.

Guyana to release CSEC, CAPE and NGSA results by Oct. 15.

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