Kaieteur News

Capping stack to plug leaking oil well can take up to nine days to reach site

On November 9 2022, reaches the location, in such including the cost and t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l an unfortunate event. The benefits of each such Protection Agency (EPA) Yellowtail project is system.” issued its fourth Permit to expectedtoproduceasmuch FormerHeadoftheEPA, Esso Exploration and as 250,000 barrels of oil per Dr VincentAdamsduringan Production Guyana Limited day Alliance For Change (AFC) (EEPGL) - ExxonMobil The Permit at Section press conference last week Guyana- to conduct 9.14 explains “The Permit told the media that while production activities at the Holder shall maintain access Vice President Bharrat Yellowtaildevelopment. to at least one (1) Jagdeo claims to have

The Permit, for the first subscription service, in a tightened environmental time, required that a capping location outside of Guyana, provisions in the Permits stack be procured and stored to allow mobilization of a granted to the oil company, in country to be used in the capping stack to the its position on the Capping eventofaspill. Yellowtail Project location Stack arrival to a blown-out

Acappingstackisusedto withinnine(9)calendardays wellprovesdifferent. cap a blown-out well. It is a or less of an uncontrolled “The Vice President heavy piece of equipment wellevent.” keeps going around saying that was engineered Similarly,thenewPermit that they tightened the subsequent to one of the granted by the regulator for e n v i r o n m e n t a l world’s most devastating the oil giant’s fifth project- regulations that capping spills in the Gulf of Mexico; Uaru- also makes provision stack was created by Dr where a blown out well forthecappingstacktobeon BynoeundertheDepartment continued releasing oil into site within nine days. This of Energy and we supported theoceanfor87days. can be found at Section 9.13 him. We demanded that that

This tool is used to stop of the document, which was capping stack has to get to or redirect the flow of signedonApril27,2023. the site within three dayshydrocarbons, allowing Exxon’s Uaru project is that’s what’s in the Payara. engineers to permanently designedtoproduce250,000 Do you know what they did? sealthewell. barrels per day on an annual They took that out of the

According to the average, according to Payaraandputninedaysinto Yellowtail Permit, Exxon Environmental Impact Yellowtail which is the will have up to nine days to Assessment (EIA). It can Permit that they wrote,” he ensure that the capping stack however produce up to argued.

263,000barrelsofoiladay It must be noted that the

The Payara Permit- for while there is likely to be Exxon’s third project- extreme damage from such however required that the an event offshore, there is Capping Stack be deployed still no evidence of full within three to four days - liability coverage from the less than half the time now parent company This means requiredattheotherprojects. Guyanacanbelefttofootthe

Thedocument,signedon costs of cleanup, repairs and September 24, 2020 states at compensation if these costs Section 8.10 “Within thirty are not covered by the (30) days of the date of the limited US$600 million Permit, the Permit Holder insurance. shall submit to the EPA for Besides the insurance, approval, terms of reference EEPGL has about US$9 for a study detailing the billioninassetswhichtheVP implementation of a system says could be seized to pay that allows for deployment for the damages. Dr. Adams of a Capping Stack and also believes that this is Debris Removal Systems merely a band-aid to the within three (3) days and wound as these assets are four (4) days of an paid for through cost uncontrolled well event, recoverybyGuyana.

A Capping Stack is placed over a blown-out well to limit the damages of an oil spill

Guyana’s oil helped Exxon secure highest first-quarter profits in 24 years - US$11.4B

Stabroek Block partners now racing towards year-end approval for 6 oil project th

E x x o n M o b i l

date forward from 2024 to Corporation’s Chairman and 2023 and expect the project Chief Executive Officer to be up and running in the (CEO), Darren Woods fourthquarter disclosed yesterday that the

P a y a r a , a s t h i s American oil giant secured a newspaper understands, will record breaking first quarter add another 220,000 barrels earnings for 2023 totalling of gross capacity and will be US$11.4B. Woods said this the third consecutive FPSO was no doubt boosted by to start production ahead of prime oil projects in Guyana schedule. It will also work andtheUSA. alongside the Liza Destiny

After receiving the oil will also be stored in relevant government cargo tanks inside the FPSO approvals this week for its hull which have the capacity fifth project at the Uaru field to hold approximately 2 in the Stabroek Block, million barrels of oil. During ExxonMobil and its partners p e a k p r o d u c t i o n , now have their eyes fixed on approximately every three to securing the blessings of the six days, the oil will be relevant regulators for their pumped from the FPSO to a sixthoilproject. conventional oil tanker,

He also said the strong andLizaUnityvesselswhich financial performance is a areproducingapproximately reflection of Exxon’s lean 380,000to4000barrelsofoil cost and execution perday efficiencies.

Taking the foregoing

During his company’s data into account, Woods earnings call, Woods said, said, “You can see that our “Following a record year, ships are in operationas well underlying performance ExxonMobil delivered the as increased production in remains rock-solid, and well highestfirst-quarterearnings thePermianBasin. ahead of our competition, in our history even as energy Hesaidtheincreasemore reflecting the many prices and refining margins than offset divestments and improvements we’ve made moderated from the fourth the expropriation of overthelastsixyearsand,of quarter This ongoing Sakhalin-1 well operations course, the hard work of our success reflects the hard in Russia, which it no longer people.” work of our people, accounts for, but which, Woods added, “I’m executing our strategic importantly, remains part of extremely proud to lead a priorities, and fully globalsupply company made up of so leveraging our competitive In Guyana, Woods said many talented men and advantages.” he was pleased to announce womencommittedtofinding

Through investments in that the company reached innovative solutions, advantaged assets such as final investment decision for meeting society’s greatest Guyana and the USA and Uaru, the fifth offshore needs As our results c o s t a n d o p e r a t i n g project, which will bring on demonstrate, we’ve built a discipline, Woods said his even more production from strong portfolio of company was able to deliver this low-cost, low–carbon advantaged businesses that the structural earning intensity resource. He said are better leveraging the improvements outlined in its Uaru will provide an synergies of our integrated Corporate Plan Update last additional 250,000 barrels businesses, our scale and, December, and expand the per day of gross capacity, increasingly, our unique energy supplies needed to with startup targeted for technicalcapabilities.” meet growing global 2026. That project is also When combined with the demand. expected to cost some strength of its balance sheet,

Compared to the first US$12.7B. Woods boasted that Exxon quarter of 2022, Woods said He also noted that the has the capability to win the company added about floating production, storage, across a wide variety of 300,000 oil-equivalent and offloading vessel for market conditions and barrels per day to global Payara is on site, and well deliver strong returns while supply, primarily from a ahead of schedule. He noted meeting the evolving needs 40% increase in production that last year, the company ofsociety,includingtheneed from Guyana where two pulled the Payara start-up toreduceemissions.

In fact, Hess Corporation which is owned/operated by which has a 30 percent third parties. The tanker will interest in the block said thenexporttheoiltobuyers. recentlythat“thepartnership EEPGL was also keen to is on track for final note that it will utilize submission of the field onshore support facilities to development plan to the support drilling the wells, government of Guyana later installing the offshore this year.” Chief Executive production facilities, and Officer (CEO), John Hess This sixth project which operating the offshore said the approval for the i s b e i n g l e d b y production facilities This sixth project is also expected ExxonMobil’s affiliate, Esso willincludebutisnotlimited bytheendoftheyeartoo. Exploration and Production to shorebases, warehouses,

The Hess boss was in Guyana Limited (EEPGL) storage and pipe yards, high praise of the Guyana will seek to develop massive fabrication facilities, fuel Government as he noted that amounts of oil from the supply facilities, and waste the approval process, while Whiptail discovery field in management facilities in rigourous, is one that is theStabroekBlock. Guyana. working in the interest of Oil production from the Helicopters and supply bothparties. project is expected to last boats will also be needed to

During his company’s approximately 20 to 30 support the Project. At peak, first quarter earnings call for years. EEPGL will drill EEPGL said it will be 2023, the Hess boss said, approximately 40 – 65 wells supported by approximately “The Guyana government is offshore to support 1,200 offshore personnel veryrigorousandoverseeing extraction of the oil from during the well drilling and the government and below the sea floor A oil production installation regulatory approvals. I think m a s s i v e F l o a t i n g stages. This number will there’s a very good working Production, Storage, and decrease to less than 200 r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h Offloading vessel (FPSO) personnel during the ExxonMobil as operator and will also be moored on production phase. A smaller thegovernmentitself.Ithink location in approximately number of personnel will be the approval process is 1,700m of water depth and utilized at the onshore appropriateforbothsides.” will remain there throughout supportfacilities.

Hess added, “The theproductionstage. The sixth project is government obviously has The FPSO will have a e x p e c t e d t o c o s t their own priorities and the peak capacity to produce up approximately US$12B, ExxonMobil as operator to approximately 220,000 given its similarities to addresses those. So I’d say barrels to 275,000 barrels of EEPGL’s fifth project at the the approval process oilperday EEPGLwaskeen Uaru project. EEPGL had continues to be one that’s to note that these estimates said the Uaru development diligent and thoughtful for are preliminary and are would cost Guyanese bothsides.” subject to change. Processed US$12.6B.

Hess Corporation’s CEO, John Hess

ExxonMobil Chairman, Darren Woods

Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: DR. GLENN LALL - TEL: 624-6456

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

BAR OWNERS AND BOOZING

Guyanesebarlicensedholdershaveaheavyduty,atough job. Ithastodowithboozingcustomers,andwhenenoughis enough. Or,topresentthismoredirectly:whenitistimeto stopsomeonefromhavinganotheronefortheroad. Theroad iswherethetroublelies,inthatothercitizenssoberlygoing about their business can be fatally or seriously injured. Drinking above the legal limit and driving can be a lethal combination, and this is what places licensed holders in a roughspot.

The more they sell, the more quickly they clear their overhead, the more money they make. Also, some of their customers may be their friends, as well as longstanding drinking partners. There is both challenge and hardship to holdeithertotheline,meaning,nomoredrinksatthisliquor establishment. Regardless, licensed holders have an obligationfirsttobesoberthemselves,andtoactinasensible manner,andfromwhichonlytheconstructiveusuallyresults.

Amendments impacting Guyana’s Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act and the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Act went into effect in 2022. Existing obligations, as they applied to licensed holders, were expanded. The obligations that are vested in a licensed holder also apply to “any servant” of such holder, which normallymeansabartender,waiter/waitress,andothersuch employees.

The law requires the licensed holder to post signs in prominentplacestodiscouragedrinkinganddriving. Itisnot forshowonly,butmustbefollowedinbothletterandspirit. Clearly,therearetimes,whenapatronhasimbibedtoomuch, withsignalspresent. Thesecouldrangefromslurredspeech tounsteadygaittoaggressiveandotherunacceptableforms of behaviour There are times when it is apparent that a drinker is an obvious danger to himself and others, which mustbecombatted.

Weliveunhappilywithnumerousconsequencesofdrunk drivingthatendedupinbothonandofftheroadhorrors. On the roads, there have been dead or broken bodies, and wrecked vehicles, while away from the roads, there are our hospitals and workplaces dealing with the fallouts. But the worsttraumasofallthatattenddrinkinganddrivingarefelt byfamilieslefttocopewithnewcircumstances.

Licensedholdershavetheirroletoplay,anditisaserious one. Though difficult, the standard has to be, not another drink, not here, and definitely not at this time. Moreover, licensedholdershavetobeonthealertforthose‘partners-incrime’ who seek to circumvent restrictions placed on intoxicatedpatronsespeciallydriversbysteppingforwardto buy more drinks for them. Designated drivers also must comeunderthegimletgazeoflicensedholders,sothatthey are held to the same rigid standard, if only to protect the drinkers themselves, and the wider public. A growing element to the dangerous drinking culture in Guyana is underaged drinking. In every instance that we have identifiedlicensedholders(andtheirworkers/servants)must bevigilantandactwiththegreatestprudence,withthepolice appropriatelyinformed.

Itisbettertobesafethansorry,andasmuchasdrinking likeamanhaslongbeenthecultureofGuyana;toomuchofit hasbeendestructive. Thelongtrailofdeathsandinjurieson local roads furnishes its own confirmation. In the final analysis, drinking to excess, beyond the legal limit, and drivinghavetoooftenprovedtobetheworsecocktailever,a totally lethal one. The experts advise that two drinks wellspacedoutareborderlinerelativetosobrietyandsafety,but fewarethelocaldrinkerssatisfiedwithtwoofanything,be theybeersorhardliquor

Undoubtedly, licensed holders and servants have significant challenges before them. Some can drink like a fishandshownooutwardsigns,aresteadyasastoneontheir feet, and showing no change in speech. Then again, some drinkers may have started their festivities at another establishment, which makes a demanding job more demanding. Notwithstandingalltheseaspects,barlicensed holdershavetheirobligationsunderthelawandfromthose theymustnotshrink. Itmakesforasafer,healthierlocalroad system.

My son was not traveling with Mae Thomas

DEAREDITOR,

Iamwritingtoprovideacorrection to an article published in your online edition on April 27, 2023 titled “Permanent Secretary (PS), Mae Toussaint Thomas visa revocation, ‘roughing-up’wasa“normalroutine”PresidentAli.”

The article erroneously stated that

my son was part of the delegation that wasinvolvedinthetemporarydetention of PS Thomas at Miami International Airport.

I want to clarify that my son was not part of the delegation, nor was he traveling to China on the mentioned date, after, or has ever traveled to China

Iappreciatetheopportunitytomake thiscorrection,andIhopethatyouwill publish this letter to ensure that your readershaveaccurateinformation.

Sincerely,

VirjanandDépoo Ambassador

of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to the Republic of Suriname.

Elections 2020 COI, a tool used by the PPP/C to sell itself, and attack PNC

DEAREDITOR,

Having spent millions of dollarsonaPresidentialCOI into the 2020 elections, the big question is what exactly it achieved. The COI was clearly a PPP/C campaign script for future elections. All that was said and recommended is known for years and it was the PPPC thatneveractedonit.

W h o v o t e d f o r Lowenfield to become CEO at GECOM? It was the P P P / C G E C O M Commissioners themselves who supported and even extended Lowenfield employment. As such, they allshouldresigninshamefor choosing a candidate that eventuallywentrogue.What has the PPP/C done substantially to make GECOM apolitical? The answer is nothing. Now it’s worst since all three top candidates are PPP/C supported officers, namely ACEO, DCEO and CEO. What has the PPP/C done through its Commissioners for Election finance laws over the two decades it has beeninpower? Nothing. GECOM is a puppet to whichever party is in

government. The following isanextractfromtheGuyana Chronicle news on 12th February 2023, under the headline,“Independentlegal adviser, management trainingneededforGECOM Chairperson”

“BASEDontheevidence submittedtothePresidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into events surrounding the 2020 General and Regional Elections, Senior Counsel, Sophia Chote, has signaled theneedfortheChairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to benefit from an independent legal adviser and to undergo managementtraining.

According to Chote, the Chairperson of GECOM, Justice (ret’d), Claudette Singh, based on what she said during her testimony, appearedtohavedroppedthe ball on serious issues in the aftermath of the elections. “Cansherelyon…allofthe commissioners as a resource?AndIwillsayNo! Becauseonpartisanmatters, they will be split The chairman perhaps needs to have an independent legal a d v i s e r , ” C h o t e

saidSurprisingly, none of this was captured in final report What can ask reasonably ask why? This leadstolotsofspeculation.

The current DCEO and the issue of procedure relating the hard drive attractedmuchattention,yet nothingwasmentioned.This puts the impartiality of the Commissionunderquestion. Clearly,thisCOIfocusedon what the PPP/C wants. One islefttoseeifthisdocument willbepresentedinthecourt to bolster the current case, thereby playing well into PPP/Cgameplan.Itcontains the exact language PPP/C wants and incriminate the exactpersonsPPP/Cwants.

Thereisnodenialthatan attempt was made to rig the 2020 elections The procedures laid for justice wasfollowedandintheend, a new government was swornin.

The system worked. The PPP/C is no saint in this fiasco.Whoaretheoneswith fake signatures on the backers list for LGE 2023? Who squatted on AFC seat for Linden following the 2006 elections. It was the PPP/C? Whoproroguedthe

Parliament in 2015? It was thePPP/C.

Both sides are culpable of rigging and should halt this back and forth blaming. This country is in a serious governance crisis, abuse of state resources, harassment of media workers, lack of transparency, high nepotism and cronyism, Mae’s embarrassment, while oil revenue is squandered on baseless projects This matters to Guyanese now, how is the PPP/C fixing theseall?

It’sevidentthatGECOM needs fixing but who will, becauseanunfixedGECOM benefits the ruling government.

The COI is another pageant show for PPPC to ‘gootay’the past, something that everyone knows about. Moving forward, how different will the PPPC be anddofromAPNU?It’sleft to see what changes will be acted upon and changes to make GECOM better, c l e a r l y t h e C O I recommendations are insufficient to effect real change.

Regards,

H.John

Why hasn’t Guyana joined the list of 142 countries fighting tax evasion of multinational companies?

DEAREDITOR, T h e O E C D / G 2 0

Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit

Shifting (BEPS) is implementing a landmark reform to the international tax system, which will ensure multinational enterpriseswillbesubjectto a 15% effective minimum tax rate. The details can be found here, via this link https://www.oecd.org/tax/be ps/. Domestic tax avoidance b y B E P S d u e t o multinational enterprises exploiting gaps and mismatches between different countries’ tax systemsaffectsallcountries. Developing countries’ higher reliance on corporate incometaxmeanstheysuffer f r

together in the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS, over 142 countries and jurisdictions are implementing 15 Actions to tackle tax avoidance, improve the coherence of international tax rules, ensureamoretransparenttax environmentandaddressthe tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the economy Importantly, the minimum tax rate of 15% will apply to large multinational enterprises with annual revenue of at least USD 750 million, whereby the minimum tax ratemustbereachedineach jurisdiction Hence, if a jurisdiction fails to implement the 15% minimumtaxrateotherscan claim those taxes for

themselves.

Where does Guyana stand on the issue of base erosionandprofitshiftingby multinationalcompanies?To date, Guyana has failed to join the list of countries of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS).

Interestingly, the list includes most CARICOM members, includingAntigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Domenica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, St.Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad andTobago.Furthermore,all associate CARICOM members including Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, and the Cayman Islands, many known as tax havens, are also on board. Most notably however

Guyana is absent. For unknown reasons, the topic of fighting tax evasion of multinationalcompanieshas failed to date to gain any attention of President Ali, Vice President Jagdeo or FinanceMinisterSingh. Which multinational enterprises operating in Guyana would be subject to theglobal15%minimumtax rate?

The most obvious companies fitting the multinational enterprises category are Exxon and its partners Hess and CNOOC, which are developing Guyana’s offshore oil resources in the Stabroek Block. They are operating under a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), which guaranteeseffectivetax

(Continuedonpage6)

DEAREDITOR,

The APNU’s allegations totheeffectthatinthecourse of the submission of lists of candidates and nominators, a c t s o f f o r g e r y , impersonation, intimidation and threatening behavior were committed, is reminiscent of similar allegations made in the aftermath of the 2020 elections.

The APNU must know that such acts, once proven, arecriminaloffencesandthe right thing to do is to take those allegations to the appropriatelawenforcement body along with the evidence they may have, should they be desirous of having their allegations addressed.

GECOM is not criminal law enforcement body, it is not staffed with a crew of investigators to pry into alleged criminal behavior; and even if it were to do so, the fundamental question to be asked before any investigation is launched wouldbetowhatend?

The APNU’s call on GECOM to investigate its allegations is an attempt to push GECOM to act unlawfully, as though it is a courtoflawtoadjudicatethe spurious claims that party has been bellyaching about. Itispreciselyforthisreason that the chairman of GECOM has advised the APNU to either appeal to a magistrateorfileanelection petitionafterLGE2023.

GECOM’sconstitutional role is very clear and

Arrival Day: cease with lumping business, let it be IndianArrival Day

DEAREDITOR,

unambiguous; to give general direction and supervisionoftheconductof General and Regional elections as well as Local Governmentelections.

To call on that body to investigate the APNU’s allegations about “tons of names of persons who are notliving”incertainareas…

“but their signatures are there.” is to trample on the Criminal Investigation Department, the only legal body vested with the authority to act on such matters.

For Commissioner Alexander to now claim ‘he is seeking legal advice’ on the matter going forward, is not only duplicitous, it is disingenuous on his part sinceatthestatutorymeeting of GECOM held last Thursdayhepretendedtobe anAttorneyatLaw,whenhe proffered legal advice and interpretedthelawtosuithis party’s political agenda as regardstheroleandplaceof a Returning Officer in accepting lists of candidates from parties, community groups and independent candidates In so doing, Commissioner Alexander openly challenged and rejected the learned Judge’s andGECOMLegalOfficer’s legalopiniononthematter

The APNU’s threats to stop the LGE if their allegations are not resolved, resonates perfectly with the persistent shenanigans and filibustering tactics used from the outset by APNU C o m m i s s i o n e r s a t

GECOM’s statutory meetings under the pretext that they are doing so to ensure a ‘free, fair, credible localgovernmentelection.’

This posture is unbelievable if not mind boggling considering their attempts to steal the results of the 2020 General and Regionalelections.

The APNU is upside down in its claim that given ‘the totality of powers that GECOM has it can investigate fraud in respect to forgeries, impersonation andintimidation.’

This is just a feeble attempt by that party to divert the public’s attention away from the infighting within its ranks whether it should or should not contest the LGE and to camouflage the fear of losing dramatically what they now desperatelyhangonto.

In the circumstances, it would come as no surprise were the APNU to continue playing the guessing game withitssupportersandatthe same time signaling the threatthat,that‘allofitison thetable;noneofitisoffthe table.”WhileGuyanesehave grown accustomed to the chicaneryoftheAPNU,they are tired with their pretense at calling for free and fair elections and their unashamed attempts at pressuringGECOMtoadopt baddecisionsinlawthatcan provedisastrous!

Yoursfaithfully, ClementJ.Rohee

C o m m i s s i o n e r @ GECOM

Roughing up the answers - RE: PS’s phone

DEAREDITOR,

Not on official government business but stillthegovernment’simage is seemingly tarnished. The lukewarmexplanationsfrom

all sides have done nothing to dispel the feeling there is more in the mortar than just thepestle.

This matter will not be put to rest. It demands a

The naming of May 5th as Arrival Day is an act of gross disrespect to all the peoples who came to G u y a n a . T h e P P P Government did not name May5asIndianArrivalDay even though it was on this verydayin1838thatthefirst Indian Immigrants set foot on this mud flat. According to historian Tota Mangar“Within recent years, the meaning of the day has certainly broadened, both in context and scope, to fittingly include all ethnic groups which came as indentured labourers ” G.C.05/05/2021.

Something has to be fundamentally wrong with any historian who is au fait with this insult as are the personswhointhefirstplace decided to make May 5 an occasion to “include all groups who came.” Indians alone arrived on May 5, so how does that translate to include“all”others?Thisisa slap in the face of Indians and also to “all” the other ethnic groups of Guyana. What this Government comesacrossassayingtothe other Ethnic groups is that YOU ALL ARE NOT

DEAREDITOR,

As I noted a year ago, I a m d e l i g h t e d t o acknowledge Black History Month in February and observe Amerindian Heritage Month in September

IMPORTANT ENOUGH to have the day that your ancestors first set foot on these shores as a holiday. Andinour(P.P.P)view,your contributions to Guyana from then to now is UNIMPORTANT to have a specialdaydedicatedtoyou. And to the Indians whose ancestorssetfootonthisland onMay5,theP.P.P istelling them that YOU ARE NOT IMPORTANT enough to have your Arrival Day dedicatedtoyousolely The INSULT of making May5ArrivalDaydedicated toALLethnicgroupsandnot to Indians is an affront. Those with a modicum of self-worth and are silent about this insult by the very people who will not be enjoying the powers that they are wallowing today; are equally guilty In fact, had the descendants of the peoplewhoarrivedonMay5 notvotedfortheverypeople who cannot recognise their value (their own to besides) isbeyondneemakharami.

That the other ethnic groups are silent to this shameful act towards themselves and their ancestors too is beyond comprehension. Apartfrom

the First Peoples (they too came from other places, according to People Who Came), all of us came from somewhere. Africans came as Indentured Servants even beforetheyarrivedasSlaves andlatermorecameagainas Indentured So even the descendants of these people who may be chortling at the rest of us because they have Emancipation Day specially dedicatedtotheirancestorsthey have also been lumped in with the rest of us descendantsofotherraces! AsanotherMay5comes onceagain,itistimethatthe citizensofGuyana,letthose whotraversethecorridorsof Parliament and State House, be aware that they cannot continue to insult the very people who put them there. And also remind them that while they (the P.P.P) have forgotten their ancestors, that it is because of their ancestors’ sacrifice that we can all enjoy what we have today It is time that the people make these politicians aware of their d u t y t o r e s p e c t elders/ancestors as they seemtohaveforgotten.

Sincerely, N.Sahadeo

Day

of Brother Tacuma

Ogunseye, for this proposition, for which I am grateful. I have read that the PNC is also giving their supporttothecause.

Also, I concur with the cacophony of voices to declare May 5 as Indian ArrivalDay.

Yourstruly, Dr.DevanandBhagwan

roughingupofanswersona verytorridissue.

No less would be acceptable.

Sincerely, ShamshunMohamed

I feel that the largest ethnic group in Guyana ought to have a month to celebrate their history and presence.

I suggest that May be declared Indian Heritage Month.Ihadthefullsupport

APNU barking at GECOM is aimed at the wrong tree, direct such at the CID

Let’s have it: May 5 must be renamed IndianArrival

Eight characteristics of good governance

DEAREDITOR,

In a recent conversation onthetopicofpoliticswitha group of young people and three elderly women, a young man angrily exclaimed,“Politicsisavery dirtyprofession!”Oneofthe elders immediately rebuked him,saying: “No son, it is a very honourable profession with many dirty, dirty people in it ” Following those remarks, I contemplated for some time on the two individuals’perceptions and decided to share my views on the topic with readers of your newspaper My views, however,areprimarilybased on Politicians and Politricksters, especially those within the Caribbean region.

Politics, as defined by Dictionary com, is “the practice or study of the art and science of forming, d i r e c t i n g , a n d administrating states and other political units” It defines Politician as “ a person who is experienced or skilled in the art or science of politics, g o v e r n m e n t , o r administration”. But what about Politrickster? In local parlance, politrickster is defined as ‘a devious or dishonest politician who does not keep his/her promises’ Themajorroleof politiciansistorepresentthe people.Whenpeoplevoteto have a particular party in

government, they expect good governance, which speaks to the proper utilization of the country’s resources for sustainable development.

Mohit Bhattacharya

(2013) posited that good governance needs to be discussed beyond the World Bank and other funding agencies. He said: “A more creative approach would be to treat the issues as new opportunities to have a fresh look at state-civil society relationships in today’s c o m p l e x w o r l d o f governance.”

Listed below are eight characteristics of Good Governance posited by Bhattacharya:

1Participation

The participation of citizens in the process of governance is the key characteristic of good governance. The aims and objectives of the political rights would be fulfilled by the greater participation of thepeopleinthesociety.The legal framework represents theruleoflawwhichensures impartiality in terms of participationinthedecisionmaking process of governance.

2.RuleofLaw

Another important characteristic of good governanceistheruleoflaw

It needs a fair legal framework to establish the rule of law in society The

rule of law ensures impartiality which helps to protect human rights, particularly for those most marginal in society The independent judiciary system, its impartial nature, and an incorruptible police forcearethekeyelementsto ensuretheruleoflaw

3.Transparency

Governance needs transparency for the fair delivery of services to the citizens.Itensuresabalance between policymaking and its enforcement following properrulesandregulations. It enables the citizen to access governmental information regarding various policies and their implementationfreely

4.Responsiveness

Responsiveness can m o t i v a t e t h e interrelationships between administrationandpeople.It requires sufficient services to the people within a specifictime.

5.ConsensusOriented Governance depends on the consensus of people in society to make it good. It could fulfill the interests of the people as well as the community It helped to achieve the long-term perspective of human development.

6 Equity and Inclusiveness

Anequitable,justsociety must be established for ensuring good governance.

Society’s well-being dependsonhowitsmembers feelaboutit.Itrequiresallits members to feel that they haveastakeinitandtheyare not excluded from the mainstream in the governance.

7. Effectiveness and Efficiency

Effectiveness and efficiency ensure the outcomes of the institutions tomeettheneedsofsociety

Proper utilization of society’s resources for the establishment of sustainable development is the key to good governance. It also ensures the sustainable use of natural resources for the p r o t e c t i o n o f t h e environment.

8.Accountability

Accountability is one of the most important characteristics of good governance Good governancedependsonhow accountable Governmental, aswellasprivatesectorsand civil society organizations, are to their people and their institutional stakeholders. Without transparency and t h e r u l e o f l a w, accountability cannot be established.

These characteristics, if practiced by all sitting ministers of a government, will make it difficult for the oppositiontogetthemoutof office.

But is this form of governance being practiced

in every territory within the Caribbeanregion?

TheanswerissurelyNO! NO, because we have seen many governments come and go because of failure to a d h e r e t o t h e s e characteristics.

Ontheonehand,during election seasons, many politicians will visit your town or village dressed in angelic garments and, with ochro-slime-laced tongues; promisingyouthemoonand thestarsifsupportisgivento their party Many of those promises will also be boldly written in their manifestos. While driving, they would even stop their vehicles and cajole you to vote for them. But when they get into the office and see you while driving in their posh vehicles,theywillaccelerate and turn their heads in the opposite direction, pretending they did not see you,becausethosepromises werealreadyforgotten.

Also, after being v i c t o r i o u s , s e l faggrandizement is the order oftheday

They intend to fill their pockets before the end of their first term in office. They will be very selective inwhotohelp!Family,close friends, and associates will benefit, as well as the wealthywhohadfinancially supportedtheparty

They are also known for n o t p r o v i d i n g

advertisements to those media outlets that were either not in support of their party or were outspoken in theirreportage.

Thosearethepoliticians categorizedasPolitricksters.

Ontheotherhand,there are politicians who work assiduouslyforthebenefitof the people. But they are few innumber Thoughtheymay not practice all the r e c o m m e n d e d characteristics of good governance, most would be adheredto.

H o w e v e r, m a n y Politicians and all Politrickstersseethemselves as lords and masters and the peopleasserfs.Theyalsoact as though they were ordained to be in office. They are the highest paid among those classified as Civil Servants/Public Servants.

A lot of power is vested inthem.Theyareprivileged individuals with numerous benefits. But it is the taxpayer who provides their salary and allowances.They must be constantly reminded, through nonviolent means, that the people’s votes elected them to office. That is the only way a nation will see a government adhering to the eight recommended Characteristics of Good Governance.

Regards, StanCameron

Why hasn’t Guyana joined the list of 142 countries fighting tax evasion of...

Frompage4 exemptionfortheentireterm of the contract. The PSA stipulates that the GovernmentofGuyanapays the taxes owned Exxon, its partners and subcontractors to the Guyana Revenue

Authority, and then (astonishingly!) issues certificates of paid taxes. This enables Exxon and its partners to claim tax credits in their home countries. For 2021,Oil&GasGovernance

Network (OGGN) has recently estimated that Guyana has forgone at least USD 397 million in taxes to Exxon and its partners. By contrast, the closing balance of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF), Guyana’s sovereign wealth fund, was at USD 608 million at the end of 2021 as reported by theMinistryofFinance.The NRFisfedbyrevenuesfrom Guyana’s oil sales and royalties paid by Exxon and

its partners, since the onset ofoilproductionin2019.In other words, the tax exemptionsgrantedtotheoil companies in 2021 alone amounted to 65% of Guyana’s total oil revenues earned between 2019 and 2021.

W h a t a r e t h e consequences of Guyana’s a b s e n c e f r o m t h e

OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS)?

First,Guyanaislosingouton taxing its largest contributors to its rapidly growing economy A c c o r d i n g t o t h e International Monetary Fund, the oil and gas industry is expected to accountfor60%toGuyana’s nominaldomesticproductin 2023. Second, failure to tax Exxon and its partners, means that Guyana’s ability to build up foreign currency reserves, primarily in US dollars, is seriously undermined. If Exxon were to pay taxes in Guyanese dollars, they would have to exchange millions of US dollars at the Bank of Guyana to meet their tax duties. This would rapidly increase Guyana foreign currency reserves. Finally, any taxes on multinational

enterprises not claimed by Guyana will be claimed by other jurisdictions, such the UnitedStatesandChina.Not taxingExxonanditspartners inGuyanaistothebenefitof others.

Tax exemption clauses are an important tool to attract foreign companies to set up operations domestically, but they need to be issued with strict term limits,suchasamaximumof ten years. Guyana has failed to do so with the Stabroek Block PSA signed in 2016.

The current PPP-led administration has to date rejected calls to lift the indefinite tax exemptions granted to Exxon and its partners. Overall, failure to tax multination companies operating on Guyanese soil is reckless and a bad governancepolicy.Howcan a government expect simple citizens to pay their taxes, while the big fish remain exempt from taxation? This policy is unsustainable and will be a hard sell for any

partyplanningtocontestthe upcoming general elections in2025.

As a first step to fix the unfair taxation regime of multinational companies, Guyana needs to join the OECD/G20 Inclusive FrameworkonBaseErosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS). Secondly, it needs to implement a minimum 15% corporatetaxrateforallnew production sharing agreements Finally, the Government of Guyana needs to renegotiate the Stabroek Production Agreement on the basis of having to comply with the OECD/G20 Inclusive FrameworkonBaseErosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS). ThisisastrategythatExxon and its Stabroek Block partnerscanhardlyreject.

Yoursfaithfully, AndreBrandli,PhD Professor, LudwigMaximilians-University Munich on behalf of OGGN (www.oggn.org/about)

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ROAD DEATHS

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More roads mean more speeding.

More speeding results in more road deaths.

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So far in 2023, 34 dead on the roads, including 1 child…

Guyanese are either killing themselves, or killing others!

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The first irony is that we are so aggressive on the roads…

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The second is that Guyanese are so passive on their own prosperity!

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Current generators will not be shelved for gas plant - VP Bharrat Jagdeo

…says facilities will function as backup supply, augment future demand

Key spokesman f e a s i b l e investment in the energy needed as a backup power on national https://www kaieteurnewso sector over the years have supply energy issues, nline com/2023/04/22/govt- resulted in the current state

In addition, he noted that

Vice President discarding-us450m- of affairs. In clarifying his periodically, the gas-fired Bharrat Jagdeo has clarified investment-to-push-wales- position, the VP noted, “Our power plant will be turned thattheinvestmentincurrent gas-project-daivd-patterson/ peak demand is close to off for maintenance, which power generation facilities Contrary to the belief of installed capacity- that’s underlines the necessity of will not be wasted as these the Opposition Member of why every time you lose one thereserves. will be used alongside the Parliament (MP), Jagdeo unit, you get blackout

As such, he said it is upcoming300-megawattgas explainedthatthegenerators L e a v i n g o u t t h e “total nonsense” for the fired power plant as a back- will be used as reserves. He transmission,I’mnottalking former Minister to upmechanism. said, “Right now we don’t about transmission yet I’m perpetuate that the

The VP, during a press have reserves, that is why justtalkingaboutgenerator.” investment into the predicts that the country’s percent, those people are conference at Freedom you have blackout. Most In this regard, Jagdeo generators will be wasted. power demand will be gonna stop generating and House on Thursday, was at utilities in the world, they c o n t e x t u a l i z e d t h e While debating the cost of increased when the gas-fired they are gonna come on to the time responding to have about 75 percent of importanceofthegasproject the equipment currently in plant kicks off, as the cost of the national grid because it’s former Minister of Public their installed capacity is and particularly the power operation, Jagdeo added that power will be reduced cheaper,”hesaid. Infrastructure, David reserve, so that in case you plant component being the demand for electricity significantly “We were This means most of the Patterson, who in a public have a problem with pursued He said if will also grow in the future, planning on a demand power generated will be missive indicated that some installed capacity you can government were to start up as he substantiated his point profile that would see nearly utilized the VP reasoned, as U S $ 4 5 0 m i l l i o n i n putonyourreserves.” the gas project now, “a lot of of keeping the equipment on 500 megawatts- remember the industry sector is also investments will be wasted TheformerHeadofState the units can go into reserve. you have to bring on all the expanding. to make the gas project argued that the lack of reserves” as these will be In fact, the leader private demand that is self- With the national grid generating- so on GPL now expected to service a likely we have maybe 150 500-megawatt power megawatts being supplied, demand in the future, butyouhavemaybeover100 Jagdeo assured that solar megawatts being self- and hydro-electricity will generated. Now when those be utilized to supplement people (see) the price (of the energy needs of the power) comes down by 50 country

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

RIDDING OURSELVES OF THIS DANGEROUS COMPLEX

Is it that Guyanese have low selfconfidence and is that why more than ten of themwouldsitinaspeeding minibus, placing their lives at risk and not utter a single syllable demanding that the driver step off the accelerator?

No,Idonotbelieveitisa matter of low self-esteem, whichallowsGuyanesetosit silently in the presence of dangertotheirlives.

The real explanation has todowiththefactthatmany of us have not yet acquired that level of assertiveness, which could save so many lives from being lost on our roadways because of accidents involving speedingvehicles.

Whiletheproblemisnot low self-esteem, I believe it is directly related to a complex that we have developed and passed on to our children regarding those thatprovideservicestous.

Thatcomplexisonethat sees the person providing that service as being in a superior position and thereforewefeelinferiorand dependentonthatpersonand are thus reluctant to assert ourrights.

We have come to see those who provide services tous,servicesthatironically, we pay for, as doing us a favour,thattherewasatime in this country when some young women used to go crazy for minibus drivers andconductors.

Itwasabigthingtohave a boyfriend who was a minibus driver and many a young lady could be found boasting, “My man is a minibusdriver.”Itisnotthat thesegirlsthoughtsolowof themselves that they w o r s h i p e d t h e s e transportation providers.

Rather, it is they thought –andmanystilldo—highlyof these guys especially those with the ‘ready rides’ who driveasiftheywishtobethe successorsofEvilKnievel.

This complex has its roots in the food crisis that afflicted Guyana in the seventies and the eighties whenGuyaneseusedtohave to stand in line for hours on endforbasiccommodities.

In those days, when an itemwasshortandwasbeing rationed, which was most of thetime,personswouldhave to make some purchases at state-owned or operated outlets and then depending on the generosity of the cashier to decide whether howmuchofthescarceitem youwouldget.

If you were leaving Guyanaonaholidayinthose days,yourequiredataxexit certificate. When you went to apply and uplift this from the tax agency, you had better be respectful or else yourfilecouldbepulledand you could be denied an exit certificate.

Here again, the public was intimidated by those providingthisservice.

It was the same in many other areas of life including when a traffic cop stopped you on the roadway If you did not have your licence with you, you could bet that nine times out of ten, you wouldnotbeallowedtimeto presentthis.

Youfacedthepossibility of being issued a ticket for not having your licence on yourperson.

In the private sphere, it was the same. Flights out of Guyana were limited but if you had the contact in the travel agency, you stood a chance.

In the markets, you needed to be on good terms

Dem Boys Seh...

with whomever you made your purchases from so that thepersonwouldkeepsome of the scarce item for you, even if you were paying an inflatedpricefortheitem.So over time, we developed in Guyanaanesteemedopinion of those providing services forus.

When, for example, we wenttothebutchershopand themangaveusfiftypercent of the weight in bones, we could not complain because the next week, he could refuse to sell us and that would mean that we would have to do without. In hard times, this was not an opinion many people relished.

Today things have changed, competition is increased and customers do not have to accept substandard products. They candictatewhattheywant.

However, this same approach is taking time to filter down to other areas such as the transportation sector

This is why when three personsarealreadysittingin a seat in a minibus which caters for three and the conductors demand that a fourth be accommodated, it is not out of sympathy that most persons comply, it is simplybecausetheyfeelthat theycanasserttheirrightsto refusebecausetheyfeelthat it is his bus and that he can putthemout.

Public commuters fail to insistthattheyarepayingfor aserviceandthatthisservice places them in the superior position whereby they shouldinsistoncomfortand safety, rather than accepting whateverisdonetothem.

Theproblemofdeathson ourroadwaysisnotgoingto be changed by placing more trafficcops on the roadways

Ole people running things again

De army gat a new head. And some people happy and some people vex. If yuh knowwhatahmean.

But why Guyanese gat to be like dat? Why all of we can’t be happy when somebody get a deserved promotion? Why demgattobeotherconsiderationswahdoes mekwehappyorsad?

WhendeOppositionwasinpower,dem used to be critical of de HapNU+ Hay Eff See employing too many retired army persons.NowwelearningdatdePeePeePee Cee government gan be finding jobs fuh some of dem persons wah retired from de army Sowhatdatmean?

Dem nah gat no young person who can dodejob?

DemrecentlyhadprotestinParisoverde fact that de government reset de retirement age.Somepeoplevexbecausedemsehhow it mean dem gan retire later than dem

planned and dem want enjoy dem last days andnahgattowuk.

But in Guyana is de opposite. We gat people wah working till dem could hardly walk, see or lose dem memory And both governmentsdoingdis.

It remind dem boys of de man wah turn 75 and decided he can’t play golf anymore becauseheeyesightwasfailing.

He wife advise him to take along her brother since even though he was 85 years old, he had perfect eyesight. The man decidedtodothatandafterthefirstshot,he turned to his brother-in-law and asked him, “Didyouseewheretheballwent?”

“Sure!”saysthe85yearoldbrother-inlaw

“Wherediditgo?”askedtheman

“Ican’tremember,”saidthebrother-inlaw

Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

or undertaking increased road traffic campaigns Technology rather than the police will make a greater difference.

But the problem can be

improved when all commuters who have to use public transport assert themselves and demand better because they are payingforit.

No minibus driver is

doing anyone a favour

Those who travel by public transport are paying for a service and they should insistwhentheyseeavehicle speeding that the driver slowsdown.

Unless we can have this change in thinking, we will not end the terrible carnage onourroadways.Youcannot heal the body without healingthemind.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

Women-owned businesses in Guyana receive limited access to financial products and services - Study reveals

Resultsofarecent s t u d y undertaken by WEConnect International reveal that women-owned businesses in Guyana receive limited access to financial products and services.

T h e s t u d y w a s conducted in six countries, includingGuyana,aspartof the WE3AProject currently beingrolledoutnationally

W E C o n n e c t International is a partner of the project and works to connect women-owned businesses to qualified buyers around the world. The WE3A Project is an initiative aimed at strengthening womenowned businesses and fostering their participation in corporate supply chains.

The name WE3A derives from the initials Women Entrepreneurs and the 3A refer to the three pillars of theproject:womenbusiness owners/leaderswhoAspire, ActivateandAccelerate.

The study showed that despite its harsh effects on small and medium businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic has also opened new opportunities for growth and expansion into new business areas and commercialization formats. The study focused on the challenges and needs women-owned businesses face in Guyana, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Ecuador, to participate in global supply chains.

According to the NGO, today women own approximately 30% of businesses worldwide but receive only 1% of public procurement and corporate spend. For Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)

Lab and the World Bank’s We-Fi, financial supporters of the WE3A project, it is crucial in the region to empower women-owned businesses(WOBs)tofoster nationaldevelopment.

It was stated that in Guyana, the two main challenges for WOBs are restricted access to capital funds for business projects and lack of training and education on business management. On the other hand, the most pressing needs are linked to the challenges.Itwasexplained

thatWOBsrequirefinancial productsandserviceswhich are designed for the scale andtypeoftheirbusinesses. They also need specific capacity building and training, which considers the specific needs, interests and peculiarities of women entrepreneurs and business womeninGuyanaandmore accelerators and incubators to strengthen their businesses would also be welcome.

It was stated that the mainopportunitiesareinthe hospitality sector and the export sector mainly horticultural production, handcrafts and processed foods.Intheoilsector,most of the opportunities are in provision of indirect services, like accounting, services for expatriates or events (organization, catering, etc.). Notably, WeConnect International was hired by the project’s implementing institution,

needs WOBs face, which is vitalfortheWE3AProjectto provide a better-suited training and networking events, as well as to inform the project’s efforts to increase awareness and sensitize corporate buyers

array of opportunities for furthertrainingaswellasfor n e t w o r k i n g w i t h corporations and other WOBaroundtheworld.

About WEConnect

International

W E C o n n e c t International is a nonprofit global organization that facilitate networking between large corporations, multilateral organizations, and public institutions with qualified women-owned

businesses around the world. It works with over 180 organizations that togetherrepresentmorethan USD $3 billion in annual purchase power, that have committed to having more diverseandinclusivesupply chains,byallowingwomenownedbusinessesfromover 130 countries to bid WEConnect International identifies,train,registerina globaldatabaseofmorethan 16,000businessesownedby

women, and provides the Women-Owned Business certification to those companies that fulfill the international standard of at least 51% of ownership by one or more women WEConnect International hascertifiedWOBsinmore than 50 countries. These countriesenglobemorethan 70% of the world p o p u l a t i o n https://weconnectinternati onal.org/.

Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University, to conductecosystemmapping researchandsurveysamong different stakeholders to understand the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has hadonWOBs.

The ecosystem mapping researchhadseveralphases: documentation, stakeholder mapping including WOBs, large private corporations, and business support organizations (BSOs), stakeholder consultations and roundtables It was noted that this way it was possible to maximize the amountofdatacollectedand toverifyit.

T h e C O V I D - 1 9 pandemic had a negative impact on most WOBs surveyed in 2021, mostly due to a sharp decrease in sales.Thesituationpersisted ayearlater,accordingtothe resultsfromthe2022survey

The results from the ecosystem mapping and the COVID-19 surveys provide more than an overview of Guyana’s market – it also provides an understanding abouttherealchallengesand

andotherstakeholdersabout the importance of empowering WOBs and promoting their access to globalprocurementchains.

The NGO also quoted Nelson Mandela saying, “If you want to change the world,helpwomen.”

It was explained that women-owned businesses confront many challenges. As such, it was stated that this is why the WE3A Projectisofferingtrainingto close the existing gaps that prevent them from participating in global markets In order to strengthen the network of women entrepreneurs, the project offers free r e g i s t r a t i o n i n t o WECommunity, part of WeConnect, which opens opportunities for WOBs to be seen and considered by large corporations Additionally, to those business women who graduate from the Accelerate component, the project offers to be certified atnocostforthefirstyearas WOB by WEConnect

E-payment bill to be laid in National Assembly soon

DPI – The Electronic Communications and Transaction Bill will be tabled at the next sitting of the National Assembly, as part of its continued implementation of legislation to reflect Guyana’s rapidly advancing and expanding economy, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC said on FridayThe proposed Bill intends to promote the developmentofthelegaland business infrastructure necessary to implement secureelectroniccommerce. Nandlall,wasatthetime delivering remarks at the L a w W e e k 2 0 2 3 symposium, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) The Attorney General said the Bill will formally introduce etransactionsande-payments across central government and the state apparatus % a measure that is necessary in light of Guyana’s transition

tomodernisation.

Hesaid,“Thiswillallow for easy conduct of transactions involving the modern methods of communications and payments.”TheBillseeksto ensure that electronic communication is recognised by law and acceptable for business and governmenttransactions.

In January, the AG announced that the Bill was on the docket for 2023, along with others including the Petroleum Bill.These efforts form part of the government’s legislative a g e n d a , a i m e d a t i m p l e m e n t i n g t h e corresponding legal framework and institutional capacity to sustain the country’s large-scale d e v e l o p m e n t s “ A comprehensive review of a large body of our statute laws is requisite in order to bring them in consonance with a modern Guyana,” MinisterNandlalladded.

He stressed that the government’s vision for the legislative agenda also entails an aggressive approachtobuildinghuman capacity and strengthening legalinstitutions.

Guyana is looking to become one of the top petroleum-producing countriesinLatinAmerica.

Further, the Attorney General noted that the governmentwillcontinuein its endeavour to amend and reform the country’s legislation, as a complete review of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act has been completed and the amendmentbillsettobelaid in the National Assembly soon Moreover, these reforms are implemented to match the futuristic and technological society, as acrossallsectors,legislation is being introduced to aid in the expansion of these sectors These sectors include health, agriculture, andoilandgas.

The table shows a comparison of the order of the top-three needs mentioned by WOBs in each of the countries where the study was conducted. It is evident that access to financial products and services makes the top three requirements in all six countries.

Govt. grants Exxon production licence for 5th oil project

The Government of and Uaru reservoirs were processtookover11months. GuyanathroughtheMinistry presented.

The ministry explained ofNaturalResources(MNR) K a i e t e u r N e w s that the Uaru development on Friday announced the understands that the pre- benefits from EM’s “Design approval of the Uaru Field submission engagements o n e , b u i l d m a n y ” Development Plan (FDP) amongst MNR, GGMC and philosophy,whichallowsfor and the issuance of the Uaru Exxon were not a pre- more efficient project Petroleum Production approval mechanism but i m p l e m e n t a t i o n b y License to ExxonMobil’s servedtooptimizealignment leveraging similarities affiliate, Esso Exploration with legislative frameworks betweenblackoilprojects. and Production Guyana and international best

The project is expected Limited (EEPGL) and its practices. to produce 812 million partners, Hess Corporation The ministry further barrels of oil equivalent and CNOOC Petroleum noted that the November 1, resources in the initial 20GuyanaLimited. 2022 submission of the year licensed period through

The ministry, with p r o d u c t i o n l i c e n s e a total of 44 wells – 21 support from the petroleum a p p l i c a t i o n a n d producers and 23 water and division within the Guyana accompanying Field gasinjectors.

Geology and Mines D e v e l o p m e n t P l a n

The floating, production, Commission (GGMC), said underwent a rigorous review storage and offloading it worked alongside processbyMNRandGGMC (FPSO) vessel, Errea Wittu, ExxonMobil Guyana from staff, supported by an which will be built by May to November 2022. As independent consultant JapaneseFPSO-buildingand part of this, it explained that procured through the World operating company, various technical and Bank The FDP review MODEC, will produce 250 financial scenarios for process took over four kbdatpeakproduction. developing the Snoek, Mako months while the overall First oil is anticipated for

Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat hands over the President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Mr. Alistair Routledge, the signed petroleum production licence for Guyana’s fifth offshore development, Uaru. They are joined by Production Manager of CNOOC Guyana Mr. Xu Xiangdong (far left) and Hess Corporation’s Vice President of Exploration, Appraisal, and Developments for Guyana Suriname, Mr. Tim Chisholm. They represent the two other oil majors comprising the Stabroek Block consortium.

the second quarter of 2027, perday company responsible for the thereby boosting Guyana’s Additionally, MODEC first four projects in the overall production rate to will now compete with SBM StabroekBlock.Notable over 1,100,000 barrels of oil Offshore, the Dutch-based (Continued on page 14)

Venezuelan woman jailed for trafficking in persons, operating brothel in Bartica

A Venezuelan woman was on Wednesday sentencedtosixmonthsinprisonfortraffickingin persons and operating a brothel in the mining townofBartica.

The woman was identified as 41-year-old Mayelin Cordova. Cordova appeared at the Bartica Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to the charge read under the Trafficking in Persons Act.

AccordingtotheMinistryofHumanServices and Social Security two victims were rescued at thetimePolicebustedCordova’soperation.

The Venezuelan national is reportedly the third person convicted this year for trafficking victimsinthesextrade.

Jailed: Mayelin Cordova

Full CourtallowsGranger’sappealagainstjudge’s decisiononpre-trialreviewin$2.6Blibelcase

The Full Court on judge pointed out that a PTR Thursday allowed former is really concerned with President David Granger’s issues surrounding potential appeal against the decision settlement and case by High Court Judge management protocols, but Navindra Singh to waive a thatwhathadbeenidentified pre-trialreview(PTR). as PTR issues in the claim, In 2021, Granger had are really evidentiary issues filed a lawsuit against Public which are properly to be Relations Consultant, resolvedattrial. C h r i s t o p h e r ‘ K i t ’ On Thursday, Full Court Nascimento and three Justices Damone Young and newspapers, Kaieteur News, Gino Persaud ruled that in Stabroek News and Guyana the circumstances, and for Times claiming $2.6 billion the reasons set out, that the forlibel. appeal is allowed, that the Last June, former case be referred to the Hon. President Granger had stated Chief Justice Roxane that he did not want Justice George-Wiltshire for a judge Singh to conduct a PTR into to be assigned to conduct the the matter and to also not PTR and for the CPR be preside over the trialand had compliedwith. written a letter to the judge. It was also ruled that at At the time, Justice Singh the conclusion of the PTR, saidthatwhileinaccordance that the matter be remitted to with the Civil Procedure Justice Navindra Singh for Rules (CPR), he could trial. No cost was awarded understand why the and the justices also Claimant is objecting to him discharged a previous ruling conductingthePTR,nobasis bythecourtinthematter. had been provided for why Granger’s $2.6 billion he should not conduct the lawsuit is aimed at Stabroek trial. News, Kaieteur News and

Following discussions the Guyana Times, which he with Senior Counsel Forde, says have all besmirched his Grangerandothercounselin character through letters the matter, however, the which they published by Kit decision was taken that the Nascimento.

PTR would be waived in In his action, Granger accordance with the CPR, as said that Nascimento the issues which were accusedhimofattemptingto identified to be canvassed defy the will of the people in under the PTR are properly the March 2nd, 2020 to be resolved at a trial. The Elections.

Govt. grants Exxon production licence for...

From page 12

changes in the FPSO design compared to previous projects include using a combined-cycle gas turbine for power generation and a closed-loop flare system, reducing greenhousegasemissionsfromtheproject.

Certain conditions that are applicable to the Yellowtail project were excluded from the Uaru PPL since they were deemed to have been sufficiently addressed by the Yellowtaillicenceconditions.

SimilartothePayaralicence,theUaruPPLboastsaUnit Development component, covering four of the Uaru field reservoirsthatextendintotheLizaproductionarea.

The ministry was keen to note that the reservoirs are not being tapped into by Liza developments and are instead coveredbytheUarulicence.TheUaruprojectisbudgetedto cost US$12.683 billion and it is subject to cost recovery undertheStabroekBlockPetroleumSharingAgreement.

Importantly, the cost reporting condition was strengthened to include annual synergy reporting, acknowledging the shared facilities and personnel between theseprojectsthatresultincostsavings.

Additionally,aCappingStackconditionwasincludedin this licence to ensure compliance with the commitment to have the Capping Stack in-country as required by the Yellowtail licence. In summary, the approval of the Uaru FieldDevelopmentPlanandissuanceoftheUaruPetroleum Production Licence marks the fifth approved production operation for offshore Guyana within the prolific Stabroek Block.

The Uaru project is expected to significantly contribute to Guyana’s oil production and highlights the benefits of leveragingsimilaritiesbetweenblackoilprojects.

Christopher ‘Kit’ Nascimento

Justice Gino Persaud Justice Damone Young

Former President David Granger

$170M restoration works at Friendship Water Treatment Plant moving apace

The Friendship shortestpossibletimeframe. groundwater with high iron Water Treatment The newly installed content to meet the World

Plant on the East filters will be linked to the Health Organization (WHO) Coast Demerara (ECD) is plant’s storage tank and are standards. currently undergoing expected to produce This will provide muchrestoration works worth approximately eight needed relief to the residents $170M. megalitersofwaterperday served by the treatment

As part of the project, This will benefit about plant. GWI has launched a seven new filters have been 7,000 residents from l a r g e - s c a l e w a t e r installed by the Guyana Annandale to Strathspey, programme, which includes WaterInc.(GWI)toincrease includingthoseresidinginthe the construction of 12 new the treatment capacity of the new housing development water treatment plants and plant.Recently,GWIProject southoftherailwayline the upgrade of another 12. Director, Lt. Col. Marlon GWI technicians are The Government of Guyana Daniels,andEngineerforthe w o r k i n g o n t h e aims to increase the Friendship Project Amanda interconnected pipes, which coverage of treated water on Ramgobind inspected the willbefollowedbyelectrical the coastland to 90 percent site to review the progress works to commence the by 2025, and the restoration madesofar restorationproject. of the Friendship Plant is

The project is being The new filters and other expected to bring GWI five expedited to ensure it is works carried out by GWI to seven percent closer to completed within the will enable the processing of achievingthistarget.

Human Services Ministry to provide counselling for children of murdered Sophia woman

at

Murdered: Lisa George

Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud consoling relatives on Wednesday

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has committed to providing counselling for the two children of murdered Sophia woman, LisaGeorge.

George,age31,waskilledonTuesday morning by her 23-year-old boyfriend, Meshack Benjamin, in her bedroom. According to reports, her screams awakenedher12-old-sonandherantothe room only to witness the horror of the suspect plunging a knife in his mother’s body His six-year-old sibling was also at homeatthetimeofthegruesomeact.

Subject Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud visited the children on Wednesday.

“The Ministry of Human Services’ Child Care and Protection Agency (C&PA) and the Difficult Circumstances Unithavealreadycommittedtoproviding assistance in the form of counselling and assistance with funeral costs among others”, a statement from the Human ServicesMinistrysaid.

The man allegedly responsible for the woman’s death has been arrested by police.

A worker looks

the pipe work on the filters installed at the Friendship Water Treatment Plant

Another view of the filters installed at the Friendship Water Treatment Plant

students emerge winners of 2nd Guyana -

China Friendship Youth Leadership competition

TMinister of Education, Priya Manickchand and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Guo Haiyan alongside the winners of the 2022 China-Guyana Friendship Youth Leadership Development Competition. (Photo courtesy, Ministry of Education) w e n t y - t w o young men and women to He noted that over 300 engage the officials from the a work of art and a physical seeks to develop leadership students from develop them as young applicantswerereceivedlast hinterland areas on how the fitness challenge which are competencies at the youth

various schools leadersforthefuture. yearandfromthateightwere competition is being helpful to deepen the self- level so that they can emerged as winners as the K a i e t e u r N e w s selectedforeachDistrictand conducted.

a w a r e n e s s o f t h e transition from just good second edition of the China- understands that the ultimately two were selected “ O v e r a l l , t h e participants. She told the students to quality leaders Guyana Friendship Youth competition is done in each as winners. According to competition was an exciting winners that she believes the who will work towards the Leadership Development of the 11 education districts Braithwaite, during the one, learners were very competition serves as a new enhancement of their C o m p e t i t i o n 2 0 2 2 with two participants from competition, many skills happy to be engaging in the starting point for their self- communities. concluded. each district emerging as were exhibited by the competitions and the face- awareness and self- “It is suggesting that The students were on winners The competition students He said the to-face modalities for the realization. She said that the through this competition, we Friday recognized for their focuses on three areas: a students were able to first time after the COVID other reward is the arehopingthatwecancreate participation in the community-based project, showcase their ideas on how pandemic had taken us back appreciation of another fine leaders, not only people competitionduringanaward critique of a work of art and t h e y b e l i e v e t h e i r to our homes. During that civilization. whowouldliveandlivewell ceremony which was held at participation in sports communities could improve competition, we saw many The Ambassador shared for themselves but people the Embassy of the People’s activities such as athletics, aswellashowtheirthoughts skills being exhibited by our that this year marks 170 who would live and would Republic of China, gymnastics, dance and couldbeputintoaction. learners, they were able to years of Chinese arrival in want to serve others and to Georgetown. swimming. The Administrator showcase their ideas as to Guyana and that last year serve is always an enviable

The China-Guyana Giving a brief overview shared also that the Unit and whattheywanttoseeintheir marked 50 years of task,” the Permanent F r i e n d s h i p Yo u t h of the second edition of the the Regional Educational communitiesaswell,andwe diplomaticrelationsbetween Secretarymentioned. Leadership Development competition yesterday was Departments experienced were able to see their vision GuyanaandChina. At Friday’s ceremony, Competition which is in its Administrator of the Unit of many challenges because of are for Guyana moving Permanent Secretary of each winner was awarded second year since having A l l i e d A r t s , K u r t the restrictions imposed by forward,”hestated. the Ministry of Education, trophies by Minister of been established in May Braithwaite who noted that theCOVID-19pandemic. In her brief remarks, the Alfred King stated in his E d u c a t i o n , P r i y a 2021, is a programme which the competition began in However, via other Chinese Ambassador to remarksyesterdaythatwhile Manickchand and the develop the cognitive, March last year under the means, such as online Guyana Guo Haiyan said the programme exposes Chinese Ambassador Each social, emotional, physical theme: 50 Years of meetings, phone calls and thatthecompetitionincludes participants to the Chinese awardee also received and civic capabilities of FriendshipandCooperation. emails, they were able to a community-based project, way of life and culture, it US$1000.

Only President has power to ‘hire and fire’

Permanent Secretaries -HomeAffairsMinister

Minister of Guyana”,Bennsaid. Home Affairs, Thomas had her cell

Robeson Benn phone confiscated and in a press statement sent out United States Visa revoked on Friday made it clear that while detained at the Miami he cannot fire MaeToussaint International Airport on Jr.Thomasfromherdutiesas April 8. She was reportedly Permanent Secretary (PS) of travelling to China as part of theMinistry. the People’s Progressive

“The Minister of Home Party Civic’s (PPP/C) Affairs, Robeson Benn, delegationfortraining.

M.P., herewith advises that US Ambassador Sarah Permanent Secretary, Mae Ann- Lynch has declined to Toussaint Jr Thomas is the comment on the PS’s Permanent Secretary of the d e t e n t i o n a n d v i s a Ministry of Home Affairs revocation calling it “a and that the appointment of matterofprivacy”.

Permanent Secretaries is PresidentIrfaanAliwhen solelyatthediscretionofHis questioned by reporters this Excellency Irfaan Ali, week said that the Toussaint President of the Co- Thomas’s experience is part operative Republic of ofnormalroutineinspection.

$60.5miilionincontractssignedtorehabilitate Karaudarnau&MaruranauprimaryschoolsinReg.9

To ensure students are and extension of Maruranau Karaudarnau,ApollosIsaacs properly and comfortably Primary School, while told Kaieteur News that the accommodated to be taught, Beerdat Harrinandan was primary school in his village the Regional Democratic awarded a $23,082,420 for is an old building and it has Council (RDC) of Region the rehabilitation of deteriorated due to “natural Nine on Thursday signed Karaudarnau Primary wear and tear over the two contracts valued $60M School. years.”Accordingtohim,the to rehabilitate Karaudarnau At the signing ceremony school’s building was and Maruranau Primary too, Beerdat Harrinandan renovated since 2005 and Schools located in South was awarded another that currently approximately Rupununi. contract worth $37,547,040 195 students attend the

The two contracts which for the construction of a school. He disclosed that the amount to $60,519,800 was H e a l t h T r a i n i n g roof leaks, there are rotten signed between the region’s Complex/Administrative wooden materials in the Regional Executive Officer OfficeinRegion9. rafters, cracks in the floors (REO) Karl Singh and No timeline or the scope and walls and broken contractors Gormain of works was stated in the windows on the school D’Aguiar and Beerdat Office of the REO but building. Harrinandan. information reaching this

“Our students deserve a

In a statement posted on publication revealed that the comfortable and presentable itsFacebookpage,theOffice rehabilitative works slated learning environment. There of the REO shared that for the schools are long isneedforsmartclassrooms, Gormain D’Aguiar was overdue. proper ventilation and awarded a $37,437,380 to Inaninvitedcommenton division of classroom for complete the rehabilitation F r i d a y, To s h a o o f different grades and appropriate space for learning to be conducive for excellence,” the Toshao despite our location and Karaudarnauwillbekeeping school “Last year, four explained. remoteness,wecanstillhave abreast with the progress of classes were outside using

He added that over the projects of this magnitude thiscontract.” tents, where students are years, students have been being considered for our Meanwhile, Toshao of doing their school work excelling lately in National c o m m u n i t y b y t h e Maruranau, Ambrose Bento there. So that is why the Grade Six Assessment Government of Guyana,” he shared that that primary primary school needs (NGSA) examinations and it commented. school is also in dire need of extension,”heexplained. is notable that despite the Withworksslatedtostart repairs.Bentosaidthatsome It was reported that with structure,theteachersstillgo soon,theToshaosaidthathis sections of the building has its $94.4 billion budgetary above and beyond to ensure village is looking forward to cracks,andthedoorsareold. allocation, the education students excel. Isaacs noted having a spanking new He said too that the sector was allocated some that having a rehabilitated schooland“weareconfident building is small for the $12.4 billion towards the school would further that the contractor awarded increasing number of construction, rehabilitation, motivate the students to do t h i s c o n t r a c t i s students going there extension, and maintenance better knowledgeable and the Currently, there are 242 of educational facilities

“We’re happy that v i l l a g e c o u n c i l o f students attending the acrossthecountry

The Karaudarnau Primary School which is located in South Rupununi, Region Nine. (Photo courtesy, Karaudarnau Village Facebook page)

Some of the deteriorated sections of the Karaudarnau Primary School.

Some of the deteriorated sections of the Karaudarnau Primary School.

…Charges Force to remain non-partisan, serve with distinction FormerChief-of-Staffpassesonthemantle

Brigadier Godfrey Bess tosuch”. Hesaidwhenhewastook expressed confidence in the officially handed the the helm as Chief-of-Staff on July leadershipofBrigadierOmarKhan reins of the Guyana 1,2020. terming him “my close friend and

Former Chief-of-Staff, Godfrey Bess making his final speech at the helm of the Force.

Defence Force (GDF) “Guyana and the GDF were brother-in-arms for more than 30 to Brigadier Omar Khan during a going through one of the most years”. He said Brigadier Khan has Change-of-Command parade at difficult periods in this country’s been an invaluable member of the BaseCampAyangannaonFriday history Force’s leadership team over the In his farewell address, “Hesaidduringthatperiod,the lastthreeyears.

Brigadier Bess called on members

GDFhadtocombatthecontagious, “When I leave today, I know ofForcetoremainnon-partisanand and at times deadly, effects of the that I will be leaving the Force in toserveGuyanawithdistinction. COVID-19 pandemic, while very capable hands. From my

“I want to take this opportunity simultaneously dealing with the various encounters with Brigadier to remind and assure everyone like uncertainty that existed after the Khan, whom I have known for 31 IsaidwhenItookcommandalmost March 2020 General and Regional years, working beside each other, I 3 years ago, the GDF is not guided elections “Yet, the GDF know him to be a very intelligent by circumstance but by the successfully overcame both and innovative Officer with a ConstitutionofGuyana. TheGDF challenges impeccably,” Brigadier passion for mind mapping and will always be a professional and Bessstated. strategizing. non-partisan organization. Even as

Bess who served the Force for Further, his tenure at the we acquiesce to the civil rule of the 33 years said one of the significant National Intelligence and Security military, the Constitution of accomplishments achieved that he Agency would have equipped him Guyana will continue to be our government, Speaker of National the values of the Guyana Defence values“isthatforthefirsttimeinits with strategic awareness of the guiding North Star The Guyana Assembly Manzoor Nadir, Heads Force, which are duty, discipline, history, the GDF deployed female c o n t e m p o r a r y s e c u r i t y Defence Force is ever mindful, that of Services, Members of the identity, integrity and loyalty I soldiers on the border to serve environment and the various should it ever be evidence of being Diplomatic Corps and Defence charge you to live by the Force’s besidetheirmalecounterparts.” security challenges that the GDF partisan by civil society, we, its Attaches, international and creed, “I am a professional in the “This initiative derailed some must prepare for I have every members, will lose our impact and regional counterparts and Guyana Defence Force service is of the negative stereotypes confidencethatyouwillcontinueto respectandbyextensionourability representatives, Retired Chiefs of my motto’. Continue to serve with associated with our females and ensure that the GDF is welltoserveandinfluencechangeinour Staff, Officers of the Regular and distinction and wear your uniform continues to bear dividends to date. positioned to provide the stability country,” the former Chief of Staff Reserve, Force Sergeant Major, withprideanddignity.” Itismyhopethatthesuccessofour necessary for development,” he said. Regimental Sergeant Majors, Speaking of his years of females will go a far way towards said.

Brigadier Bess’ farewell S e n i o r & J u n i o r N o n -

service, the former Chief of Staff supporting the fight for diversity, Brigadier Bess thanked his address was made in the presence Commissioned Officers, Soldiers said when he took the oath to serve equity, and inclusion,” he stated wife Shandelle, his parents, of , President Irfaan Ali, Prime andCivilianemployeesoftheGDF, the people of Guyana without fear while making his final address at children Godfrey Junior, daughters Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark family members, friends, well- and favour affection or ill will, he the GDF Tarmac at Camp Lushonn and Belinda and his Phillips, and member of the wishers. realised that there was no shortcut Ayanganna. grandchildren for their unwavering Defence Board, Ministers of the He charged ranks “to maintain to service and ”dedicated all I had Meanwhile, Brigadier Bess supportovertheyears.

Diamond, Tuschen residents to benefit from recreational parks

DPI-TheGovernmentof FirstLady,AryaAli,who So,we’rehopingthatwhenit food courts, and play areas. communitiesnationwide. Neighbourhood Democratic Guyana, through the Office was accompanied by isdone,youbenefitthemost, They will also be equipped “Let’s hope that all of Council (NDC), Indrani of the First Lady, will be M i n i s t e r o f L o c a l your children benefit the with lights and benches, you are also going to come Ramnarine welcomed the establishing a Multipurpose Government and Regional most, our elderly benefit the amongotheramenities. out and support the First new development, noting Recreational Park in Development, Nigel most, persons living with Persons will also have a Ladyinmakingsurethatthis thatitisthefirstofitskindon Tuschen, Region Three, and Dharamlall, launched the disabilities benefit and of chance to gain skill sets in project is executed properly theEastBankofDemerara. another in Diamond/Grove, twoprojectsonFriday course,it’sasafegreenspace various areas, as a and is maintained and “We are very grateful for Region Four The projects At the simple launching for all of you,” she multipurpose hall will be sustained and to the benefit this.Wecan’twaittoseethis which are aimed at creating ceremony, the First Lady expressed. She also urged establishedatthepark. of the people of Tuschen, become a reality and I safe spaces and enhancing encouraged residents to residents to ensure the Minister Dharamlall Uitvlugt and across West promise the First Lady that the aesthetics of the make the most of the facility is properly remindedthosegatheredthat Demerara,” the minister we will maintain this by communities that fall under facilities. maintainedwhencompleted. these developments align stated. showing and giving the National Beautification “This multipurpose

The facilities will with President Irfaan Ali’s Meanwhile, Chairperson ownership for it,” she Project. facility is for you the people. comprise exercise areas, vision of enhancing of the Diamond/Grove assured.

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the Petitioner/Applicant was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News, a daily newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

LEGAL NOTICE 2

Applicant in person: Gail Ann Williams nee

Marshal Address: Lot 68

Adelaide Charlestown

Georgetown

Tel#:614-8769/ 2311263

2023-HC-DEM-CIVFD-553

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE

FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION

FAMILY DIVISION

PETITION NO. FD-553

and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirty- five) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Monday the 19th day of June, 2023 at 9:15 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Sandra Kurtzious via Zoom Meeting ID: 648 779 9256 and Password: 5hRiHf.

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LEGAL NOTICE 1

Filing Attorney: MS. MICHELLE MATTHIAS

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185 Charlotte & King Streets, Georgetown, Guyana. Tel: 225-9238/ 225-9246

Email: legalaid@networksgy.com

2023-HC-DEM-CIVFD-368 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE

FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION

FAMILY DIVISION

Petition No. FD-368

Between: -

(MAJEED) NATASHA nee BARRAT Petitioner/Applicant

-v-

(MAJEED) ALFAZ SHAHBUDDIN Respondent

TO: ALFAZ SHAHBUDDIN

MAJEED

Address Unknown

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (Thirty-five) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Thursday the 9th day of June, 2023 at 9:30 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Sandra Kurtzious. Via Zoom meeting ID: 648 772 9256 and Password: 5hRiHf

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

BETWEEN:(WILLIAMS) GAIL ANN nee MARSHALL Petitioner -and(WILLIAMS) EMIL A/ K COSBERT Respondent

TO: EMIL A/K

COSBERT WILLIAMS

Formerly of Lot 34 Lynk Street Charlestown, Georgetown

TAKE NOTICE that on the 30th day of March, 2023 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by GAIL ANN WILLIAMS nee MARSHALL the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 13th day of April, 2023 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News, a daily newspaper printed, published and circulated in an around the Republic of Guyana.

AND FURTHER TAKE

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce. The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 21st day of April, 2023.

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TAKE NOTICE that on the 2nd day of March, 2023 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by NATASHA

MAJEED nee BARRAT the Petitioner/ Applicant in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara. AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 30th day of March, 2023

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 31st day of March, 2023.

NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgment of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer

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Electronic Line Calling to be used across ATP Tour from 2025

(Reuters) - On-court line judges will be a thing of the pastwiththeATPsettoadopt an Electronic Line Calling (ELC) system across all its events from 2025, the men’s tennis governing body said on Friday

The Tour has operated with a combination of ELC Live, ELC Review and oncourt line judges at its events but ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said removing line judges altogether would give moreaccuracyinofficiating.

“This is a landmark momentforoursportandnotone we’ve reached without careful consideration,” Gaudenzi said in a statement.

“Tradition is core to tennis and line judges have played an important part in thegameovertheyears.That said, we have a responsibilitytoembraceinnovationand new technologies.

“Our sport deserves the most accurate form of officiating and we’re delighted to be able to deliver this across ourwholeTourfrom2025.”

ELCLivehaditsfirsttrial attheNextGenFinalsin2017 buthasbecomemorepopular since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the Grand Slams, theU.S.OpenandAustralian OpenhavehadELCinrecent years but Wimbledon has re-

Saturday April 29, 2023

ARIES (Mar.21–Apr.19)

A heightened level of intuition and understanding of othersmightcatapultyouto the center of attention at a gathering,Aries.Knowledge combined with experience results in wisdom today

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Communicationwithfriends who have traveled widely couldhaveyouhankeringto makeafuturevisittoadistant place that you've always wantedtoexperience.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Dreamsorvisionscouldput you in touch with deep feelings that you may not have beenawareofbefore,Gemini. This could enable you to releasetraumasfromyourpast and give you a new sense of lightness.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Relationshipsofallkindsare likely to be strengthened by an increased level of understanding today, Cancer Your thinking is greatly enhanced by your emotional intuitiveness.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Today your emotional intuitionintensifiesyourmental abilities, Leo. Friends and familymembersarelikelyto grow closer to you.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Relationships with those closest to you, particularly friends and love partners, should be enhanced by an increased understanding of theiremotionalworld,Virgo.

sisted change and stuck to tradition with human line judges.

French Open organisers were also not in favour of replacinglinejudgeswithtraces left by the ball on clay helping referees check line judges’ decisions.

“Multiple suppliers are currently approved to provideELCLivetechnologyon hardcourtandongrass,while final testing is underway for clay,” theATP said.

The technology has been welcomed by players, however, as it saves them the trouble of challenging a potentiallyincorrectcallandreduces human error

CobraT/20settobowloff inWakenaamonSunday

General view of a tennis ball during the round-of16 match between Austria’s Dominic Thiem and Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov. (Reuters)

The Wakenaam Cricket Committee will resume its cricket in the form of a T/20 competitionsettobowloffon Sunday 30th April at the wakenaamcommunitycentre ground.

The competition is being sponsored by captain of SansSouciJaguarsandBusinessman Siddiq Mohamed in honor of his father former Wakenaam fast bowler

Zulfikar“Cobra”Mohamed.

Secretary of Wakenaam Cricket Committee Nazeer Mohamed informed that the competition will involve seven clubs on the island which will be played in two zones.

He further informed that the winner will pocket one hundred thousand dollars while the runner up , man of

Marco Giants capture10th

From page 29

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Dealing with the ups and downsofotherfamilymembers could be easier for you today than usual, Libra. You're less inclined to be logicalandmoreapttoidentify with what other people feel.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

Todayyourmindisstrongly influenced by feeling and intuition, Scorpio, so you'll be able to communicate especially well with others. You might sense what they need to hear before.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

You generally like to think ofyourselfassomeonewho faces life logically and rationally, Sagittarius, but today your intuitive side could prove a valuable resource.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Yourintuitionisusuallyvery strong, Capricorn, and your level of empathy enhances your relationships. Today, however, a burst of logic could enable you to see many things.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Yourintuitionisheightened almosttothepointoftelepathy today Aquarius, you may be able to sense what others want and need even before they know it themselves.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Getting in touch with your closest friends could bring aboutsomeintensecommunication, with many revealing some of your deepest concerns, Pisces.

Shivanandan United got the better of Anesa Rebels by a resoundingeight-wicketmargin.And Marco Giants made light work of BAC Kings by ten wickets.

Atthepost-matchpresentation ceremony, Austin was chosen as the Most Valuable Player while he copped the best-batsman prize as well.Rooplallcollectedatrophy too for being the topbowlerandNarineforhitting themostsixesoftheday(10).

The best-catch trophy was awarded to Austin and also the most impressive fielder.Captainofthevictorious side Bridgelall Lall took home a trophy for adjudging thebestwicketkeeper

Meanwhile,mainsponsor of the event Rovendra Mandolall, the eldest brother of Shivanandan, expressed elation of another successful day. Mandolall, like Shivanandan, represented Guyana at the youth level, also mentioned that the Mandolall’s family was indeedthrilledtorunoffanother one-day cricket action to rememberShivanandan.Hefurtherthankedtheteamsandall theplayersfortheirparticipation again.

A guest speaker and former senior Inter-County Essequibo player Elroy Stephney told the gathering that Shivanandan had contributed a lot to the game and his career was undoubtedly glittering.

BothfinalistcaptainsLall andTrevisSimonsharedsimilar sentiments of Shivanandan’s cricketing stint which was cut short but revealed he was an amazing talent. They also thanked the Mandolall’s family for hosting the event. Shivanandan died at age 30 in 2013 owing

Siddiq Mohamed the match in the final, best bowler and best batsman in the competition will be presented with trophies.

Siddiq Mohamed said he is pleased to sponsor the competition and wished the teamswell.

Shivanandan...

to Malaria. He left two children (Anesa & Marco) behind.

RovendraMandolallcommented that the next edition is set for September, 2024 as thefamilywillcontinuetore-

member his sibling on an annual basis.

Thefamilyexpressedtheir gratitude to the Reliance Sports Ground Development Committee for the facility as well.

IPL 2023: Stoinis, Mayers star in LSG’s performance for the ages

(Cricinfo) - Punjab

Kingsfoughthardtogetpast 200 themselves, with Atharva Taide slamming a 36-ball 66, but they were never really in contention to reach an improbable target.

SuperGiantswonby56runs intheend,andtheirnet-runrate boost lifted them from fourth to second on the pointstable.

LSG’s hitting was aweinspiring: their batters combinedtohit27foursand 14 sixes, ensuring the statisticianshadabusynight. Mayers gets the party started The entertainment beganwhenMayersclubbed Arshdeep Singh for four fours in the second over Next over, he deposited a free hit from debutant Gurnoor Brar for six over midwicket When PBKS introduced spin, Mayers went 6, 4, 6 off Sikandar Razainthefifthover Hewas dismissed with one ball left

inthepowerplay,butbythen he’d already scored 54 - the most by a batter in the first six overs this season. LSG endedthatphaseat72for2.

UnstoppableStoinis

In seven previous innings this season, Stoinis hadbeendismissedfor21or less five times, including a duckinhislastgameagainst Chennai Super Kings. But when he’s got into his groove, LSG have prospered.He’dslammed65 off 30 in a successful chase of 213 against Royal Challengers Bangalore, and here in Mohali Stoinis was similarlybrutal.

It began with a free-hit off the second legal ball of the eighth over, which Stoinis flicked for six off Gurnoor The next ball was driven for four, and Stoinis was away In the tenth over, he guided Sam Curran for four behind point; and when the bowler tried a slower

delivery, he put him away withashort-armpull.

There was a life in the 13th over when Liam Livingstone’s left foot tickled the rope while he caught Stoinis on the longoff boundary, off Rahul Chahar Stoinissoonreached fifty from 31 balls, his innings of 72 eventually featuringfivesixes.

Badoni and Pooran keep thefireworksgoing

The bowlers had no respite when Stoinis was off strike. Badoni put on 89 for the third wicket with Stoinisk and struck three fours and three sixes while rushingalongatastrikerate closeto180.Hisdismissalin the14thoverbroughtPooran to the crease, and he immediately hit Liam Livingstone for three successivefours.

Pooran’s 45 off 19 featured just a solitary six, a swivel-pull that sailed high

over fine leg, but there were seven fours, most of them timed beautifully through gaps in the outfield, with a late squeeze behind point of Arshdeepstandingout.

Taide fights, but PBKS fallwellshortSentinatNo.3 after Shikhar Dhawan departed in the first over, Taide kept ticking along as his partners came and went. Taidemade31ofthe47runs PBKSscoredinthefirstfive overs, including five boundaries, including a legsidehoick,adrivepastmidoff, and a slap through point offoneAveshKhanover,and hefollowedupwithabigsix off Amit Mishra soon after thepowerplay

Taide got to his halfcenturyfrom26deliveriesto start the tenth over, but by then PBKS’ required rate was already threatening to touch 16 an over And when Taide departed after miscuing a slog-sweep off

Ravi Bishnoi, PBKS needed a near-impossible 131 from sevenovers,withsixwickets inhand.Livingstone,Curran and Jitesh Sharma kept the

boundarycountrising-there were67inall,eventually,the joint second-most in an IPL game - but the contest was doneanddustedbythen.

Nicholas Pooran pulls one away. (BCCI)

Allicock, Amsterdam impress in training ahead of IBA World Championship

With the May 1

14 IBA

Men’s World Boxing Championships drawing near, Coach Terrence Pool said he’s pleasedwiththepreparation o f t h e c o u n t r y ’s representatives – Keevin Allicock and Desmond Amsterdam. The duo and Poole arrived in Tashkent, Uzbekistanthisweekforthe prestigious International Boxing Association (IBA) event,wherethey’vebeenin full preparation mode, hoping to bring home the country’s first world championshipsmedal.

In an invited comment, Poole said the boxers are “getting a lot of high-level sparring, which is good for theirimprovement,andthey lookfocusedandaretraining hard.” While Allicock will battle in the featherweight division, Amsterdam, Guyana’sSportsman-of-the-

year, will touch gloves with thebestmiddleweights.

AllicockandAmsterdam will join boxers from 104 countriesattheHumoArena, where more than 640 boxers will participate in 13 men’s

weight categories in

Uzbekistan’scapital Seven defending World Champions are among those who will fight for glory in Tashkent, including Sofiane Oumiha from France,

Tomoya Tsuboi and

Sewonrets Okazawa from Japan, Loren Alfonso from

Azerbaijan, Saken

B i b o s s i n o v f r o m

Kazakhstan, Yoenlis

Hernandez Martinez and Julio La Cruz from Cuba to shine in the ring again

Boxers winning gold will receive $200,000 USD. For runners-up, the prize is $100,000, and each of the third-place boxers will be awarded $50,000. (Rawle

Toney)

W. Rambaran Services Inc supports GBF National Women’s 3x3 c/chip Rambaran

…tournamentsetfortoday

Prominent local transportation, liftingandlogistic services provider W RambaranServicesInccame to the aid of the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) ahead of today’s inauguralNationalWomen’s 3x3tournament.

TheBurnhamBasketball will play host to the roundrobin format tournament, featuring the University of GuyanaTrojans(twoteams), President’s College (two teams), Kwakwani (two teams),andLinden.

Rebecca Ganesh, the company’s Executive Assistant, made the presentation to GBF Vice President Rawle Toney and pointed out that they’re always happy to support basketball, but this time around, it’s even more special since it’s a tournament that will see participationfromfemales acrossthecountry

Toney thanked the company on the GBF’s behalf while pointing out the importance of

corporate support towards thedevelopmentofthesport ofbasketballinGuyana. The GBF Vice

President said the women are all eager to play and is promising an action-pack day, starting from 10:00 am

WithGuyana’swomen’s sidequalifyingtocompeteat

the June 23 - July 8, Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in El Salvador, the tournament is being held as part of team selectionandpreparation.

The tournament was slated for last weekend in Linden, but the event was rained out, forcing the GBF toreschedule.

Cricket icons Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar have been honored with gates at the Sydney Cricket Ground. All visiting cricket teams will enter the playing arena through the Lara-Tendulkar gates in the future at the iconic Australian venue, CricketAustraliaannounced earlierthisweek.

Lara played 131 Test matches forWest Indies and his 400 not out against Englandin2004remainsthe highestindividualscoreever inTesthistory

“I’m deeply honored to

be recognized at the Sydney Cricket Ground, as I’m sure Sachin is. The ground holds many special memories for me and my family,” Lara saidinastatement.

His daughter was named Sydney following his maiden Test century. Lara’s 277 at the SCG in 1993, his fifthTest was the first of his 34 Test centuries. The lefthander averaged of 54.85 in fourTestsattheSCG.

The gates were unveiled on 24 April to mark Tendulkar’s 50th birthday Tendulkar averaged 157 in

the five Test matches he played at the SCG and said it’s his favorite ground outsideofIndia.

“I have had some great memories at the SCG right from my first tour of Australia in 1991-92. It is a greathonortohavethegates named after me and my good friend Brian, ” Tendulkar said in a statement.

Tendulkar played 200 Tests, scored 15,921 runs at an average of 53 78, including three of his 51 centuriesattheSCG.

Terrence Poole, along with Keevin Allicock and Desmond Amsterdam following a training session in Uzbekistan.

Lara and Tendulkar honoured with Gates at SCG

Premier League title race not over, says Man City’s Guardiola

(Reuters) - Manchester City are on the verge of moving to the top of the Premier League as they will leapfrog title rivals Arsenal if they beat Fulham on Sunday but manager Pep Guardiola is taking nothing for granted even though his side are now favourites to win a third successive top flighttitle.

City travel to Fulham havingwonnineoftheirlast 10 league matches, most recently a 4-1 win against leaders Arsenal on Wednesday A win against the London side would lift CityapointclearofArsenal withagameinhand.

The Spaniard said the titleraceisnotoverandCity will be wary of the threat posed by 10th-placed Fulham.

“People are saying it is over-itisnot.Itwillbeover when it is over, but it is not over We still have seven games,wehaveto(play)our game.NowwegotoFulham against an incredible team,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday

“We are in games where everyone is fighting for something... Fulham have a special stadium and an organisedteam.Wewilltake nothingforgranted.

“We’rehappyforthelast

game and the performance butthatisall.It’snotover.”

Kevin De Bruyne’s performance stood out against Arsenal, with two goals and an assist, and Guardiola praised the Belgian midfielder, saying heisan“exceptionalplayer” with high standards despite hislongevityinthegame.

De Bruyne was denied a hat-trick when he was substitutedinthesecondhalf and Guardiola said the ‘exceptional’ 31-year-old needed to be looked after amidahecticschedule.

“We cannot demand every single player during a period of 10 years with a

Lim, Hamer strike gold for Jamaica College at Penn Relays

Competing for Jamaica College, Guyanese duo Gabriel Lim and Trevon Hamer won their respectiveeventsontheopeningdayofthe 127th Penn Relays at Franklin Field, Philadelphia,Pennsylvania,USA.

Lim, a former student of President’s College,wontheBoysHighSchoolJavelin event,throwingaPersonalBestdistanceof 16.24metres.

Bronson Krinak (60.31m) of Danville High School in Pennsylvania and Joseph Reed(59.26m)ofRiversideHighSchoolin Virginia finished second and third, respectively

athlete in the triple jump to go over the 15.00mmark,wonwithaleapof15.17m.

Ty’heak Buie of Potomac High School in Virginia claimed second with 14.88m, just ahead of third place Javar Thomas of KCwith14.81m.

HamerwontheTripleJumpbronzefor Guyana at this year’s CARIFTA Games, competingintheBoys’U20category

Lim and Hamer are among several athletes through the King Medas Pansy Adonis (KMPA) Foundation that received track and field scholarships to Jamaica

game every three days, 11 months in a row, rest three weeks and come back for pre-season... to be on the up allthetime,”Guardiolasaid.

“So sometimes sitting and not playing is good. It’s not to punish him, sometimes you have to realise and refresh your mind. His standards are so, so high and you’ll have an opportunity to show how happy you are playing football.”

Guardiola said Dutch defender Nathan Ake is improvingafterpickingupa hamstring injury against Bayern Munich but is yet to returntoteamtraining.

Durant signs ‘lifetime contract’ with Nike

(Reuters) - Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant has signed a ‘lifetime contract’ with sportswear giant Nike, the NBAstar said on Friday, following in the footsteps of greats Michael Jordan and LeBron James as the only basketball players to havelifetimedeals.

Durant, 34, has been with Nike since he made his NBAdebut in 2007 the season he won the Rookie of the Year award and has released 15 different pairs of basketball sneakers. “When I first signed with Nike, I couldn’t have dreamed of how far we’d go in this partnership We’ve done amazing work creatively and philanthropically,” Durant, a twice NBA champion and 13-times All Star, said in a statement viaBoardroom.

“We’ve traveled the world together and built a business that will now last forever I’m excited for the future and honored to be in rare company with this deal ” Nike has supported Durant’s involvement in grassroots basketball by helping refurbish courts in communities across the world through the Durant FamilyFoundation.

Apart from creating history by becoming the first Guyanese to win the javelin event at the Penn relays, Lim’s throw also saw him extending Guyana’s JavelinJuniorNationalrecord.

Meanwhile,Hamer,whowastheonly

The Penn Relays, also known as the Penn Relays Carnival, is the oldest and largest track and field competition in the United States, hosted annually since April 21, 1895 by the University of Pennsylvania at Franklin Field in Philadelphia (RawleToney)

Sir Andrew Strauss to leave ECB roles in May

(BBCSport)-Duringhis spellasmanagingdirectorof men’s cricket Andrew Strauss, appointed Trevor Bayliss, who led England to success at the 2019 World Cup

Sir Andrew Strauss will stand down as a strategic adviser to the England and Wales Cricket Board and as chair of the performance cricketcommitteeinMay S t r a u s s l e d a performance review after England’s 4-0 Ashes defeat in2021.

But plans for fewer County Championship matches and dedicated windows for white-ball tournamentsfailedtopass.

“Having recently taken on additional external responsibilities,Andrew has decided it is time to step awayfromhisECBrole,”the ECBsaid.

ECB chief executive Richard Gould said in early April that the proposals put forwardbythereviewtoalter the structure of domestic cricket “are dead in the water”. Strauss said: “I’ve reallyenjoyedmytimeatthe ECBandamproudofhaving contributed to a successful period for our England teams “With increasing commitments outside of the organisation, sadly I’ve decidedit’stimetostepaway frommycurrentrole.”Chief operating officer David

Mahoney will also leave the ECBon1September

The ECB was able to adopt 15 of the 17 recommendations made in the performance review, but changes to the schedule neededapprovalfromatleast 12ofthe18counties,andfell shortofthatthreshold.

Strauss, who was a twotimeAshes winning captain, joined the board in September 2020 and also stoodinasinterimmanaging director of England men’s cricket between February andMay2022.

The 46-year-old had previouslyservedasdirectorof Englandcricketforthree-and-ahalf-years until resigning to careforhislatewifeRuthin October2018.

ECB chair Richard Thompson said: “Andrew has given outstanding service to English cricket over many yearsinanumberofdifferent roles. “I’ve greatly valued the advice and expertise he has provided in my time as chair,

and have enjoyed working withhim.

“We are currently implementing the vast m a j o r i t y o f recommendations from his i m p r e s s i v e h i g h performancereview,whichI believewillhelpourEngland men’s teams to sustain their success.“Ihavenodoubthe hasmuchmoretocontribute tothegameandhopehewill returninthefuture.”

Penny Avis, Baroness Zahida Manzoor, Jennifer Owen Adams and Gareth Williams have all been appointed as non-executive directors The three-year appointments follow the death of Brenda Trenowden and the departures of Barry O’Brien, Jim Wood, Lucy Pearson, Valerie Amos and MartinDarlow

Theappointmentswillbe ratified at May’s annual generalmeeting.Twofurther appointments will be made “in due course”, the ECB said.

Andrew Strauss with Trevor Bayliss during an England training session. (Getty Images)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (Reuters)

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (USA TODAY Sports)

2023 ExxonMobil Boys & Girls U14 Football Championships launched - Fourth edition kicks off May 13

The2023editionof t h e P e t r ao r g a n i s e d

ExxonMobilBoysandGirls

Under-14 Football

Championships was officially launched yesterdayatCaraLodgeand is scheduled to kick off in two weeks at the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Ground,CarifestaAvenue.

This year’s tournament willfeatureacombinedtotal of 42 teams; 24 male teams will be in action while the female competition will feature 18 teams – an increase from the 32-team pool from yesteryear’s event.

ExxonMobil has also made an increase in sponsorship, injecting over GYD$13 million into the programme’sfourtheditionanother increase from the GYD$6millionthatwasput forthbythesponsorin2022.

Atstakeforthevictorsin the two categories are the championship trophies alongwith$300,000towards a school project, while the second, third, and fourth

place finishers will have to settlefor$150,000,$75,000, and $50,000, respectively, all for a school initiative, along with the respective trophy Charlestown

Secondary, the defending champions of both the male and female categories, will belookingtofollowuptheir historic feat when their campaigns commence on Saturday,May13.

In 2022, Charlestown defeated Ann’s Grove on penalty kicks to win the B o y s t i t l e w h i l e Charlestown’s female unit reigned supreme against EastRuimveldtinthefinale.

During yesterday’s launch, attended by Petra

C o - D i r e c t o r Tr o y

Mendonca, Exxon’s Community Relations Advisor Ryan Hoppie, Ministry of Education’s Deputy Chief Education Officer Marti DeSouza and GuyanaFootballFederation’s Technical Director Bryan Joseph, it was also revealed thattheorganiserwillalsobe usingtheMoEvenuetohosts matchesforthetourney

Mendonca, whose remarks were brief, disclosedtothesponsorthat theirinvestmentiswellplaced since it has bore fruit in an effectivemanner,whichaligns with Petra’s mandate of helping to develop grassroots football

H o p p i e s a i d , “ExxonMobil is pleased to be investing in the community through one of our corporate social responsibilityfocusareas

Ibelievethatsportsplaya vital role in shaping the characterofyouth Ihopethat thetournamentwillserveasa platformforyoungathletesto develop their talents, build lifelong friendships and cultivate a sense of pride and achievement for their schools andcommunities”

“For us at ExxonMobil, establishing meaningful relationships that benefits communities are an integral part of our global social enhancements efforts. Our ongoing social investing in communities and directing our sponsorship in strategic areasarepartofoureffortsto

make positive contributions in Guyana; contributions that will be of value to your communities,”headded.

The teams participating hailfromRegions3,4,5,6,7 and 10; the teams that will participateinbothcategories are: West Ruimveldt, East Riumveldt, Institute of Academic Excellence, Charlestown, Vergenoegen, NewCampbellville,Carmel, MarianAcademy,Waramuri Top, Patentia, President’s College, Cummings Lodge, Ann’s Grove, Dora, Mackenzie High, New Amsterdam High and WoodleyPark.

Theotherteamsthatwill be involved in the Boys division includes North Ruimveldt, Dolphin, St Cuthbert’s Mission, Friendship, Leonora,

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, makes a point during the launch of the event.

Freeburg, Brickdam, Bishop’s High, Chase’s Academic Foundation, Fort Wellington, Tutorial High, St Winifred’s, Vreed en Hoop, Manchester, Annandale,BushLot,Hope, B a r t i c a ,

Christianburg/Wismar,West DemeraraandCanje.

This tournament is sanctioned by the GFF with supportfromtheMinistryof Education, Ministry of Culture,YouthandSportand MVPSports.

Marco Giants trounced

Shivanandan United by ten 10 wickets to cart off the 10th Shivanandan Madholall’s memorial trophy last Sunday at Reliance Sports Ground, Essequibo Coast, Region

T w o ( P o m e r o o nSupenaam).

Giants won the toss and opted to field. Shivanandan

United raced to a competitive 211-6 off the allotted 15-overs while Marco Giants, in response, safelysurpassedthetargetin the17thover

Flamboyant batsman

PatrickRooplallslammed95 while Mark Austin was equally belligerent by making94.

Rooplall clobbered

seven sixes and five fours while Austin hammered eight sixes and four fours duringtheirrecord-breaking partnership.

Captain of Marco Giants Bridgelall Lall, left, receives the trophy from Shivanandan Madholall’s daughter Anesa Madholall

veteran softball player R

a

fours. Rooplall proved his all-round capability by snatching three wickets for 40 runs from his maximum threeovers.Inthetwosemifinalencounters, (Continuedonpage25)

Marco Giants capture 10th Shivanandan Madholall’s Memorial Trophy

Headley/Weekes Tri-Series…

Mckenzie 209*, Wickham 104*lead breathtaking fightback for WI-A - trailTeamWeekesby23runs

In-form batsman Kirk Mckenzie slammed his maiden double ton while Kevin Wickham’s first unbeaten century, kept West Indies-Ainthegameasthey head into Day 4 of the ongoingmatchatCoolidge.

Team Weekes posted a huge 401 all out in their 1st innings but WI-A replied stronglytoendday3on3784, thanks to twin hundreds fromtheduo.

The pair revived their team from 142-4 to help carry their side to a position of comfort, despite having much to do. Mckenzie, who battedallday,endedon209* (25x4 1x6) and could do furtherdamagecometoday

Wickhamtoowasfullof class,scoringagritty104off 223 balls (8x4 1x6) not out.

Team Weekes bowlers sufferedonaroughday,with off-spinner Kevin Sinclair being the lone wicket-taker with 2-71. Mckenzie never lost his touch from day 2, battingcarefullytoreachhis

100 after resuming an even fifty, after anchoring his teamonThursday

Akeem Aguste hung around for 21 runs while centurion from the previous game, KevlonAnderson fell tohisGuyanesecountryman Sinclair,for26.

The left-hander remained calm as WI-A crept closer to their target.

‘Multi’ and New Silvercity clash today in ExxonMobil/New Era Ent. School’s Football finals

ExxonMobil (Guyana) Community Relations Advisor, Ryan Hoppie and New Era Entertainment –Kenrick Noel, Aubrey Major Jr and Shareef Major.

Mckenzie continued to controltheafternoonsession andfoundgreatsupportfrom Wickham.

After almost an entire afternoon session of a battingmasterclassfromthe pair, both youngsters reached their respective milestones,afewoversprior tothecallofplay Actioncontinuestoday

A mouth-watering clash between Christianburg WismarSecondaryandNew Silvercity Secondary will bring the curtains down on this year’s ExxonMobilsponsored New Era Entertainment Inter-School footballtournament. TheWisburg Secondary

School ground will host today’s colossal clash from 3:00 pm. Before the finals kick-off, Mackenzie High School and Linden Foundation Secondary will setthetoneforthedayinthe third-place game from 1:00 pm. Thewinningschoolwill receive$400,000,whichwill

go towards a project at their institution, equalling the first-placepurse. Second place will receive $200,000, and the school coming in third will collect $100,000, with all prizemoneygoingtowardsa school project (Rawle Toney)

Kirk Mckenzie notched up his maiden unbeaten double ton

WestIndiesFullboreShootingChampionships2023… Secure Innovations and Concepts and Inc. sponsors two GNRA members

With just over a week before thetargetsare pulled and the usual announcement, “Five minutes to message one,” rings out, the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) was further boosted yesterday when Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc. handed over sponsorship for two more shooters.

On hand to receive the timely contribution which will further boost the confidence of Team

Guyana, was Fullbore Captain, Dylan Fields and the two sponsored shooters, reigning West Indies Fullbore Shooting

Council Individual Champion, Lennox

Braithwaite, and emerging young shooter, Roberto Tiwari

Denzel Hopkinson, Secure Innovation and Concepts Inc Aviation

Security Managerin handing over the cheque to Fields, reminded him that the company has for many years been very s u p p o r t i v e of the GuyanaNRAFullbore and Smallboreshooters.

“We are well aware of the exploits of our shooters in the Caribbean and beyond for many years now, so it was not a difficult decision to make w i t h r e g a r d s t o supporting you once again

We know that Mr Braithwaite will go and do his best to defend his individualcrownandweare also aware of the talent that Mr Tiwari, still a young shooter,possesses.”

Hopkinson took the opportunity to wish the entire team every success in Antigua and Barbuda where this year ’s championships would be hosted from May 7-14, next at the Crabbs Rifle Range

Given thatAntigua does nothaveaLongRange,only t h e S h o r t R a n g e Championship along with the Individual competition would be held Guyana would be going all out to recapture this prestigious trophy having narrowly lost to Jamaica in the Land of WoodandWater,lastyear

Captain Fields in expressing the gratitude of the GuyanaNRA to Mr Hopkinson, posited that Secure Innovations and Concepts has been a wonderful partner in shooting over the years, and has made and continues to make a sterling contribution tothesport.

“We are very thankful for this continued relationship with your companywhichweknowis

verystrong.

It’s our intention to continue to be the best shooting nation in the Caribbean and this has not been done by ourselves alone, it is with the committed support of companies like yours thathave propelled us to beingthebest.

We assure you that y o u r c o n t i n u e d commitment is well appreciated ”

SICInc. Aviation Security Manager, Mr. Denzel Hopkinson (2nd left) hands over the cheque to Captain Dylan Fields in the presence of Lennox Brathwaite (left) and Roberto Tiwari.