Kaieteur News

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Environmentalist says...

AIETEUR EPA issues Sunday Edition NEWS Yellowtail permit like a 'thief in the night' April 03, 2022

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Guyana may not steer

clear of failure with oil if fatal flaws in oil - Int'l deal not corrected Analysts Guard against 'watered down' language that weakens oil and gas insurance rights - Former EPA boss warns Over $3B in contracts inked to upgrade 32 hinterland bridges to 'international standards'

Exxon argues Govt.

Don't be fooled empowered to modify by rising GDP law in favour of contract - Oil already widening gap between rich and poor - Int'l Economist to grant tax waivers Glenn Lall vs. State….

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Kaieteur News

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Sunday April 03, 2022

Don’t be fooled by rising GDP ...Oil already widening gap between rich and poor – Int’l Economist

By Kiana Wilburg The Government of Guyana has boasted that the oil sector which has experienced an increase in oil production from 120,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) to 340,000 bpd is poised to drive Guyana’s growth to historic levels.

In fact, Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh had disclosed during the reading of this year ’s GY$552.9B national budget that Guyana’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected to grow by 47.5 percent. It is a level of performance no other country in the world is forecast to achieve in 2022.

While Guyanese should feel justifiably proud of the fact that their country’s GDP has been growing the fastest, and will continue to do so, Te r r e n c e Y h i p , a n economist, says citizens must not get carried away just by the sheer size of such

International Economist, Terence Yhip

figures as they, in isolation, are not an accurate reflection of the country’s wellbeing, and more importantly, the wellbeing of citizens.

Indeed, “Income disparities persist across the land, and

the problem is severest amongst Amerindians in the hinterland.”

Yhip explained in a note to this newspaper that GDP tends to spike for countries which are starting out with a

low GDP base, blessed with high-valued natural resources, (e.g. copper, oil and gas) and choose to do rapid spending or investments with the earnings made.

“For

example, Nauru (a tiny island country in Micronesia, northeast of Australia) is a good example of a country where high income inequality exists but where a natural resource

bonanza caused income per capita to surge from a few hundred US dollars to more than US$27,000 from the export of phosphates after 1982. Nauru had become the richest country in the world for a short while.

Unfortunately, however, not every Nauruan man, woman and child received that amount of spending power.”

The economist further noted that several other countries had embarked on ambitious investment projects between 1975 and 1978 after oil prices spiked in the early 1970s and created a windfall. “As you can see from the chart (attached to this article), in all cases, GDP growth per capita worsened after the big push (of oil money into the economy). Growth per Continued on page 3

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 03, 2022

PAGE 03

Glenn Lall vs. State….

Exxon argues Govt. empowered to modify law in favour of contract to grant tax waivers Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall

By Rehanna Ramsay

E

xxonMobil's Subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), is arguing strongly that the Government of Guyana has the right to modify the law in favour of the contractual agreement which provides the company with broad tax waivers.

This contention is raised in the company's affidavit submitted to the Court this past week, in opposition to the case filed by Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall, over the Government's decision to grant Exxon and its subsidiary expansive tax exemptions. EEPGL was recently added as a respondent to the case.

According to the court document, signed

by President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, EEPGL holds the view that the arrangements made between the oil company

and the Government of Guyana are based on a simple contractual agreement.

Under that agreement, the Government, represented by the Minister responsible for petroleum, accepted their share of profit oil (crude petroleum) as satisfaction in full of the contractors' respective shares of income and corporation tax payable in respect to the petroleum operations.

Further advancing its contention, EEPGL said that the Minister is provided with the contractors' tax returns and submits these to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), which then issues tax certificates certifying that the sums represented on the certificates have been paid as income and corporation tax.

To buttress its argument, the company cited Section 51 of the Petroleum Act which states: “The Minister assigned responsibility for Finance may, by order, which shall be subject to affirmative resolution of the National Assembly, direct that any or all of the written laws mentioned in sub-section (2) shall not apply to, or in relation to, a licensee

Don’t be fooled by rising GDP From page 2 capita dropped sharply in Trinidad and Tobago and Ecuador, whilst output per capita even dropped in Venezuela, Nigeria and Bolivia in the period following the investment booms,” the economist said.

He added, “Venezuela spent 40 percent of the windfall on public investment. Nigeria stands out because it invested so heavily, saw paltry results during the boom but a big decline after that. Bolivia’s investment drive was equally a disaster. The country suffered its first major economic crisis in 1978-1986 that started with external debt default in July 1978. What were the causes of the failures, not only in the 1970s but also in every decade after?”

In answering this question, Yhip noted, in summary, that the scale and pace of public investments were simply beyond the ability of the country to properly absorb same in an effective and efficient way.

He said too that difficulties in managing the economy and controlling corruption also made matters worse.

Turing to Guyana, he noted that there are some critical facts readers ought to pay attention to. For most

households across the country, Yhip articulated that it is still a struggle for families to make ends meet.

In fact, he noted that income inequality continues to be a major area of concern while adding that it has worsened over the many years. He explained that one way of measuring the gap between the rich and poor is the Gini Index, a number that ranges from 0 percent to 100 percent.

Higher values mean higher inequality. With this in mind, the economist pointed out that Guyana’s Gini Index rose from 46 percent in 2006 to 52 percent in 2019 (World Bank data).

In simpler terms, it means that the gap between rich and poor widened in 2019.

In concluding, Yhip said, indeed Guyanese should feel justifiably proud of the fact that their country’s GDP has been growing the fastest, and that Guyana is one of a few bright spots in the world. In fact, he highlighted that GDP per capita will reach an estimated US$14,000 in 2022 and US$20,000 in 2023 (at current exchange rates).

The economist warned, “But one must not get carried away by these large averages. Every Guyanese man, woman and child of every household will not be

getting these incomes. The oil money will not erase absolute poverty, nor will it reduce income inequality overnight.”

The industry expert continued, “Reducing income inequality will require increasing employment, wages and transferring income.

Experience has shown that the most effective and enduring remedies are a vibrant economy that generates high paying jobs, facilitates workers’ mobility across jobs and sectors, with policies in place for improving labour skills.”

Yhip said transferring income does have a role but the programmes must be well designed and delivered or they can become a dependency and a heavy burden on government budgets.

In this day and age when information is at one’s fingertips, Yhip emphatically stated that it would be unforgivable if Guyana were to commit the very same errors that so many failed oil-rich countries have made. By contrast, Yhip said Guyana can adopt best practices of relatively successful naturalresource rich countries, such as Chile and Botswana, and beat the odds.

where the licensee has entered into a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with the Government of Guyana.”

Further, the EEPGL noted that paragraph three of the Section 51 order provides: “For the purpose of giving effect to the Petroleum Agreement if so required by those provisions, any or all of the written laws mentioned in section 51(2) of the [Petroleum] Act shall not apply to the Licensees [EEPGL] or, as the case may be, shall so apply to the Licensees with all the adaptations, exceptions, modifications and qualifications to those laws as, at the date of the Order, as set out in the agreement.”

This, the company said, is to be interpreted to mean that the

President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge Government of Guyana is legally empowered to modify or adapt the usual process referred to by which tax is paid to the CommissionerGeneral of GRA. The added respondent, EEPGL, noted, too, that part of the amendment to Section 51 Continued on page 8

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Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Falling apart who does that cap fit?

E

ach new day brings new mysteries to Guyana.

The mysteries put out by clever Guyanas political leadership, that is. This is what came to light in a press conference held last Friday, as covered under our caption, VP Jagdeo maintains oil-dependent Trinidad is falling apart -insists that Guyana will not follow in its footsteps” (KN March 27). We are amazed at this piece of local leadership effrontery, which compels to the recognition that, indeed, things are falling apart. But as to whether it is in Trinidad, or right here in our own backyard of Guyana, is both concern and focus.

For here we have a national leader kicking up a storm about the business of a neighbour, but who is paralysed in saying anything about what is happening with this oil of ours, and his management of it, what we will get from it.

All that the tiny independent press has to do is raise its hand and ask one honest question demanding an honest answer on oil management, and it is the same VP who is fleeter than that world-breaking Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt. The VP races out of sight to get out of any probing light. He has no answers then, has no time also, but he has both answers and time to speak of the state of affairs in oil-dependent Trinidad.

We will agree readily that Trinidad did not do well by its oil wealth, lost out with its riches.

But as to what the VP is doing in Guyana to manifest that he is charting a different course with our oil, only he knows the real game that he is playing.

He knows other peoples business, but not his own primary ones that stare him in the face right from his front lawn. He puts his mouth, as Guyanese would say, in other peoples story, and looks the worst for it, so pathetic he comes across in how he glows. To assist Guyanese to understand what is there to be understood, and how the VP comes across in almost all of the things he does, we now take a closer look at the VPs standard mode of operation.

We have noticed for a long time that when this former President, this current Vice President (dont be fooled by that title switching, it is one and the same thing) is pressed for answers, which he may have, he resorts to set practices that have become a constant of his leadership and oil stewardship. We believe that he has some answers on oil, and what needs to be done.

But, by the same token, we believe also that he is afraid to share because those answers will expose his weaknesses, his many follies and the failures that come from them.

The first thing that the VP does when question about oil surface, is that he disappears. He lies low and waits for things to cool down, to be forgotten by Guyanese heavily stretched to make an honest living, get by from day to day. When that proves to be less than what he expects, he runs away from the hard charging mainstream media, and engages in what is best described as a press circus.

The VP has his own handpicked media people to lob him softball questions, for which he goes armed with prepared scripts. It is part of the charade where the VP is circus master and lion tamer.

The media lions that he is most at home dealing with are those at which even weak dogs would chase out of their neighbourhoods, so pitiful they are also.

This is how Guyanas VP, its main man of oil, has expensive fun to the disappointments of hopeful citizens, including his own supporters, the poor ones.

But Guyanas VP is resourceful, if anything, for he still has a third card up his sleeve, and it is a marked one that is well-used by him. The VP works smartly to divert the attention of Guyanese with distractions.

On Friday, he distracted Guyanese by bringing up the plight of Trinidad. Guyanese have this saying: nah every big head get sense. The VP should know that by now Guyanese see right through him.

Sunday April 03, 2022

Fourth oil project was a foregone conclusion DEAR EDITOR, I dont know why, but some Guyanese seem surprised that the Fourth oil project - aka Yellowtail - has been given the go ahead. It was obvious that after all the noise, objections, wranglings that it was going to happen, regardless of who said what, or what kind of reasoned representation, or who stood up and publicly damned any favourable consideration of the project to kingdom come.

As I saw it, this 4th oil project, the biggest to date, was a foregone conclusion, a done deal, other than for the public announcement, smiles, handshakes, and self-congratulation of the President and the Vice President.

With Guyanese leaders of their uneven stripe, it could not have been anything but approval, and that was from the moment it surfaced, notwithstanding all the fooling around, the gimmickries. It is

why I appeal to my fellow Guyanese: cut the crap, get on with life, recognise the environment and the national betrayals that we have for leaders, who celebrate another collaboration that enriches Exxon and its shareholders, as well as selected Guyanese cronies of this PPP/ C Government and its leaders.

Guyanese must move on, as they have always done. That is, unless they find it in themselves to move on the people who sell them out, by getting in their faces, and blocking their way. I have my doubts.

Editor, this is the story of our oil, of Guyana itself. All the wealth we have, and the lessons that we should have learned from the mistakes made along the way are for nothing. Remember that one? And how this 4th project could be used for leverage, through astute leadership strength, and wise bargaining? It was all a waste of

time and breath, a joke if you ask me. The deed was done, and the deal was sealed from day one, it was just going through the motions, the farce of Vice-Presidential communications (he is very good at that), the pretense of public consultations (another sham), the mockery of useless stakeholder involvement.

Stakeholders, which ones?

The only ones that counted are the foreigners doing their best publicly not to smirk and gloat, drool and dribble, so overcome they are with the patsies and pushovers.

Because of their absolute lack of principle, ethical rot, bankruptcy of standing, or any love for this country and its peoples, other people are rapturous with delight. The people at Duke Street must be overjoyed, though it was foregone for them, and despite them working diligently to appear disconnected and neutral. Similarly, those in

Texas and Washington would be ecstatic with delirious joy at the prospects of the ripe young maiden that is Guyana and its oil to be ravaged some more. This is how our national leaders pimp themselves and prostitute this nations innocence, its proven oil allures.

It is why the predators love them and protect them.

I study how long that will stay intact.

Meanwhile, in the ghettos of Guyana, the barrios of Agricola and Albouystown and Aishalton, they will send a young man from the biggest slum in this country (parliament) with money so that depressed residents can buy a smoke or a shot and be contented for a time. The President will do better and massage minimum wage toilers with an open-air market temporarily to soothe their wounds. The Vice (Continued on page 5)

Sunday April 03, 2022

Crisis at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs DEAR EDITOR, There is a crisis of great magnitude at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. There are a number of cases where the rights of Indigenous Guyanese have been, and continue to be violated. There are cases where the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Honourable Pauline Campbell Sukhai, M.P stands accused by residents of Indigenous Villages of improperly handling their complaints and even being (partly) the reason for the complaints. These issues have arisen in the Villages of Wikki/Calcuni and more recently, Hururu. The residents of Hururu allege that the minister and/or her representative(s) failed or refused to approve their budget for the past three (3) months. The residents are saying that, the money is theirs and is required to pay wages to Village employees and to cover other expenses.

Employees remain without wages/salaries for three months. This situation reportedly remains unattended and the villagers are unhappy.

Within recent times the ministry which is managed by Ms. Pauline Campbell Sukhai, M.P, has declined in human resources. Employees say that the ministers attitude and her treatment of staff are responsible for senior employees exiting the ministrys employ.

The following officers have resigned: · One Senior Personnel Officer · One Senior Social Worker

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· Two Management Development Officers · One Senior Administrative Officer · One Projects Officer There is also the case of one Permanent Secretary (P.S) who was reassigned and replaced by the Ministers chosen candidate. It will be recalled that, the new P.S was placed before the court charged with an offence allegedly committed in the course of her duties. The security service at the centre of (making) the allegation has reportedly lost its contract. That P.S remains on leave. It is the hope of many interested persons that, the Office of the Auditor General may soon address the ministrys expenditure, particularly those related to the purchase of tractors. It will be recalled that, media reports covering budget 2021 indicated that money was paid to a supplier before the tractors were even sourced, much less supplied.

A report from the State Audit Department with respect to the purchase of these tractors will help to clear the air regarding compliance with the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA) Chapter 73:02 of the Laws of Guyana. Such a report will also serve to establish whether or not the tax-payers dollars utilised for these expenditures have all been properly accounted for.

Yours faithfully, Mervyn Williams

Corruption benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor.

Say no to it.

Big projects have potential to transform economy DEAR EDITOR, Some critics of the government are totally opposed to the proposed big economic projects (hydro power generation, gas to shore, Wales Industrial Complex, etc.) announced by Vice President Jagdeo. Those of us who study economics would know that big projects have high level economic objectives and regeneration of an economy. This is not to say small projects should be ignored or that they are not at-

tractive and are not important to an economy. In India, for example, small projects have performed better in rates of returns than some big projects. But big projects are critical to a rising economy.

They have been known to transform an economy — creating jobs, boosting GDP, and raising standard of living. Infrastructure and health are basic requirements to attract private investments. Jagdeo understands this principle in economics and set out to

Fourth oil project...

From page 4 President will slink away to some dark media hole to beat his breast proudly, and speak boldly about how well he is doing for Guyana with this oil.

Really sir! This is how much Guyanas leaders have lost touch with reality and the dreams of the people.

The President and Vice President bend over backward, sprawl themselves in total prostration, for the corporate barbarians that come here to pillage this land, and sow salt in its soil and prospects, just like they did in Carthage millennia ago.

They are not demonised as destroyers anymore; partners they call them.

It should be noticed that I totally dismiss the Hon Minister of Natural Resources for he doesnt count (poor fella), other than for photo ops and to

do baggage duties.

Now there is a Fourth oil project, and it is tally ho and cheerio and bottoms up.

This is the upside-down world that is Guyana, and we are supposed to love it, and dance on our heads for it.

Welcome to Americas 51st state.

Guyana is now confirmed once again as wholly owned subsidiary of Exxon.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

achieve them during his presidency. Time and funding did not allow for their implementation. And suddenly, oil has been found in Guyana waters, providing resources to revolutionise infrastructure and the economy.

Guyana was desperately in need of some big projects (hydro power, new highway, specialty hospital, among

others) over the last decade that would have transformed the economy. The PPP administration lost its majority in November 2011 and power in May 2015. Instead of giving consideration to and approving some projects (in infrastructure and health care) as proposed by Jagdeo and Ramotar presidencies, (Continued on page 6)

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Sunday April 03, 2022

Kaieteur News

The auspicious festival of commemorating nine nights DEAR EDITOR, Once again, Hindus, devotees, lovers, friends and followers of Hinduism throughout the world, including Guyana, are proud and lucky to ha v e t h e golden opportunity of c e l e b r a t i n g Va s a n t o r Chaitra Navratri. Navratri, the auspicious festival of commemorating nine nights/days of the nine forms of Divinity of the Universal Mother, Durga Mata, is observed twice per year, in Spring (March/April as per the Gregorian calendar), and in Fall, October/November (Sharad Navratri). With the repercussions of the deadly disease of COVID-19, this pandemic has certainly taken a heavy toll and many people have suffered losses of their dearly ones. As we observe Vasant or Chaitra Navratri, our thoughts and prayers are with the departed souls as we remember them and miss their loving pres-

ence. This year, Navratri commences on April 1st and concludes, as usual, with the grand culmination of Ram Navami on April 10th.

While most of the customs and rituals are fundamentally the same for both seasons, traditions and practices may vary as per the different ways and means practiced in the different parts of India and inherited by the descendants who migrated and settled in various pa r t s o f t h e w o r l d . I n Maharashtra, for instance, the first day is called Gudi Padwa and in Kashmir, it is known as Navreh.

The first day of Chaitra Navratri falls during the full moon phase, which is known as Shukla Paksha phase, marking the first day of the Hindu calendar.

Ghatasthapana is one of the significant pujas during Navratri and it marks the beginning of the nine days of festivity.

This is the invocation of Goddess Shakti and must be performed as per the stipulated rules and guidelines of the scriptures.

Nav (nine) Ratri (night), is a dedicated period to specifically revere the Divinity of Mata Durga, who is the Universal Mother. In Shaktism, the word Ratri (night) is symbolically derived from the root ra, “to give,” and is taken to literally mean “the giver” of bliss, peace and happiness. This is a time when Hindus go the extra mile to prepare themselves mentally, spiritually and physically to undergo this period of penance to include cleansing, fasting and praying in order to seek the blessings of Mata Uma. Attention is also paid to the surroundings for cleanliness and the restriction of anything sacrilegious or the consumption of anything considered unholy.

Under normal circum-

Big projects have potential to transform...

From page 5 the succeeding Granger administration killed them.

The Granger led APNU+AFC coalition apparently did not understand the benefits of big projects or “bigness as it is called in economics.

There are negatives in bigness; but during 2010s, Guyana desperately needed some major projects for job creation and raising GDP. These were missing during the Granger presidency, resulting in rising disenchantment even among PNC supporters.

This factor, among others like raising taxes, squeezing businesses leading to closures, terminating thousands of workers without replacement jobs, and racial discrimination, contributed to the coalitions defeat in 2020.

Voters overwhelmingly gave negative ratings on the coalitions handling of the economy between 2015 and end of 2018, describing it as no match for Jagdeos handling of the economy when he was Finance Minister and President.

Unlike those who ran the economy during the coalition, Jagdeo is a master politicoeconomic strategist.

He looks for projects that will develop the economy and that can also be considered as vote winners.

The coalition is doing everything to lose votes.

Jagdeo was pursuing ideas to win votes.

He understands the value

of big projects and recognises the importance of low taxation, cash grants, and keeping workers on the payroll.

He would not have closed down sugar estates without first finding alternative means of employment.

Sugar has its problems.

But one cant simply shut down estates when some 40,000 families are tied to them.

That is why Jagdeo has proposed big projects that will transform the economy tied to infrastructure that would attract private investors.

Big projects, the world over, result in boosting productivity, restructuring economies.

Once properly thought out, with cost benefit analysis and appraisals by experts, offering value for money spent, they will boost an economy with job creation, increased tax collection, GDP g r o w t h , a n d higher standard of living — as observed in my travels to and studies on China, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London, India, Singapore, Malaysia, etc.

Big projects especially in infrastructure stimulate the macroeconomic aspects of the economy.

Revenues invested on such projects result in a circular flow of money that benefits the entire economy with job creation and rising standard of living.

There would be ancillary

benefits like private investment near accessible roadways, rise of markets, imports and exports, and maybe a shift in trade with Guyana experiencing a surplus balance that would give stability to the local currency as well as the entire economy.

Big projects are not cheap and some of them proposed by the Vice President amount to several billions in American dollars.

Guyana lacks that kind of money when total budget is barely $2.5 billion.

Funding for such significant spending on big projects will, therefore, have to be financed by debt. Guyana can afford the debt for now without serious long-term consequences.

With the country earning increasing amounts of revenues from oil, it can afford debt that is within its ability to repay.

(We should learn lessons from Burnhamism and dont over borrow).

For the next two decades, once oil prices remain relatively high and oil keeps pumping out of the sea bed, the debt would have limited effect on the economy.

The country would be able to manage fiscal deficit and debt burden to finance infrastructure projects.

Big government projects should be encouraged.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram (PhD)

stances, devotees would flock all the Mandirs throughout the country, but the pandemic has placed restrictions and although the protocols require limiting the seating capacity and free flow of movement and participation has been lifted, there is still a degree of reservation to attend. In our prayers, we ask and beg Bhawani Ma to bless all those who are no longer with us and give them peace and bliss as we seek solace and refuge in chanting Her prayers, serenading her numerous names and glorifying her heroic stories. As we request Amba Maa to satisfy our quest for Her to shelter us under her umbrella of protection and shield us from any form of endangerment, we specifically bequest Her to sanitize the universe in order for this virus to be eradicated completely from the environment, and, the earth will be free of this deadly disease so that, people can be restored to an orderly life style once more as fast as possible.

Durga Maa enjoys being addressed by 108 names with each adorned with its separate significance. As the Trinity of Parvati, Lakshmi and Sarasvati, the divine mother blossomed from the attributes of Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and

Shiva and gifted with the presents of all the deities and devas. Identified as AdiShakti (Primal Power), the goddess of war, her manifestation centers around combating evils and demonic forces that threaten peace, progress and prosperity. The triumph of good over evil to restore faith in confidence and restore Dharma over Adharma, provides the pinnacle for the essence of Navratri.

And so, the first three nights are dedicated to the feet of Durga Ma, the protector of mankind who was called upon to reveal Her prowess in her nine Avatars to battle the forces of physical and psychological negativity. The second three nights are exalted to the devotion of Lakshmi Mata, the bestower of health, wealth and prosperity, whom we beseech for material growth for sustenance and survival to provide the convenience of comfort. The last three nights are lauded to extoll the praises of Sarasvati Ma, the provider of knowledge who removes nescience and paves the path of acquiring intelligence so that we function responsibly in society and maintain moral up-righteousness. In as much as the joy and fervor remains enthusiastically in-

clined for devotees to celebrate in all its pump and glory, amid this pandemic, socializing freely becomes challenging and many may be confined to domicile at home rather than visiting the holy places or mandirs.

The season may again be observed in a low-key manner.

Nevertheless, this is the ideal occasion to learn about all The Universal Mothers features, characteristics, significance, purpose and scriptural history while staying indoor. One can read, look at virtual programs, recite the scriptures, observe fast, look at religious films, listen to bhajans, pray and also give to charity. This doom and gloom will eventually dissipate as more and more are being vaccinated and the protocols are observed. Prayers and praises of the Mother, practice and protection as mentioned, perseverance and performance as mitigated, all these elements when factored together will restore a belief that better days are ahead with the intervention of the Divine Mother. May Ma Durga blessings be showered on all to enjoy peace, bliss and happiness. Shubh Vasant Navratri.

Respectfully, Jai Lall

Callously neglected payment of NIS pension DEAR EDITOR, I am a 79-year-old pensioner who, in order to minimise the opportunity to contract COVID-19 or its mutated variants, I applied, in January 2021, to the NIS requesting that my pension be paid into my Bank Account. I am writing this letter to illustrate the lack of concern/empathy from the Management of the NIS. I was advised that the pension payment into my bank chequing Account would commence in April 2021. Unfortunately, due to some persistent Medical issues, it became necessary for me to seek attention overseas not at the expense of the NIS. As a consequence, I neglected to check the state of my account. However, as is required, I submitted my Life Certificate for July 2021 and, on returning to Guyana, at the end of December 2021, I submitted my Life Certificate for January 2022. Fortunately, the member of NIS staff, who processed my Life Certificate, mentioned that my pension

was not being paid to the Bank because the Bank did not recognise the Account Number used on the Payment Voucher from the NIS. I asked who in the NIS I should speak to, in order to ascertain what needed to be done to correct this situation. I was given the telephone number for the Finance Manager and, as a consequence, made several calls to that number which was always either engaged or busy.

I, therefore, accessed the NIS website and called the office of the CEO but once again the phone numbers were either engaged or rang out. Even if I went to the always very crowded head office, I was uncertain who I should speak with. Fortunately, at the beginning of February 2022, I was able to speak with a Considerate Individual for Assistance (CIA) who was able to ascertain the incorrect Bank Account Number that was used by the NIS on the payment voucher that was submitted to the Bank to initiate the pension payment in April

2021. I immediately contacted the Bank and asked that they write to the NIS giving the correct number for my Bank Account. This was done by the letter from the Bank, addressed to the NIS Pensions Officer, dated 8 February 2022. Editor, the Application Form which I completed and submitted to the NIS asked for MY HOME ADDRESS, MY LAND-LINE NUMBER, MY CELL-PHONE NUMBER AND MY E-MAIL ADDRESS. The NIS, therefore, had all the information needed for them to contact me, when the Bank rejected their payment voucher, so that I could assist with ensuring that the matter was resolved. Yet, as of todays date, a year after, I was informed that the payment of my Pension into the Bank would commence, the management of the NIS has not found it necessary or desirable to contact me.

Yours Faithfully, Mr E. Lance Carberry, AA.

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Sunday April 03, 2022

Kaieteur News

Fact: The people of this country are blessed with enormous wealth.

Fact: Our leaders, who were chosen to govern responsibly, have been allowing foreigners to ship out our God-given wealth by the boat loads.

It is ludicrous that leaders would much rather negotiate deals in the best interest of foreigners rather than the people who they were elected to SERVE. Guyanese, your leaders are not keeping their end of the bargain, so we must fight for a Guyana that has Guyanese best interest at heart.

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Sunday April 03, 2022

Exxon argues Govt. empowered to modify...

From page 3 of the Petroleum Act was specifically amended to refer

to a “Production Sharing Agreement” and it was P a r l ia m e n t ' s in t e n t to

recognise “this modification and adaption as is consistent in PSA agreements throughout the world and common practice in the oil and gas sector.”

EEPGL noted, therefore, that Section 51 of the Petroleum Act does not contravene section 6 of the Financial Administration and Audit (FAA) Act as alleged by Lall.

The company held that “…Both the Petroleum Act and the FAA Act are statutes of equal or concurrent jurisdiction, and so a provision of one cannot be deemed to 'contravene' the

other as the Applicant is alleging, even if they are inconsistent with each other.”

Added to this, EEPGL submitted that it is the Minister responsible for Finance who was specifically empowered by Section 51 of the Petroleum Act to make the Section 51 Order, effecting the changes to several specific tax Acts. “…Part VI Section 51 of the Petroleum Act provides that (1) The Minister assigned responsibility for Finance may, by order, which shall be subject to affirmative resolution of the

National Assembly, direct that any or all of the written laws mentioned in subsection (2) shall not apply to, or in relation to, a licensee where the licensee has entered into a PSA with the Government of Guyana,” was outlined.

According to EEPGL, the written laws referred to in the subsection relate to the Income Tax Act; the Income Tax (In Aid of Industry) Act; the Corporation Tax Act; and the Property Tax Act. The respondent noted that in fact, PART VI of Section 51 (of the Petroleum Act) is headed by the

caption: 'Modification of Tax Laws'.

“Part VI makes provision for the Minister responsible for Finance (not petroleum) to make subsidiary legislation (orders) exempting the application of 4 (four) substantial “Tax Acts” – namely the Income Tax Act, the Income Tax (In Aid of Industry) Act, the Corporation Tax Act and the Property Tax Act,” the company stated.

As such, the added respondent believes that the law can exempt certain persons from the application of a tax Act.

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 03, 2022

Guyana gat boys seh... its own Putin Dem

Some people following de war in Ukraine as if is a boxing match.

Dem covering de war like if dem bin commentating pun a fistic slugfest.

Dem noting every missile dat fire, every salvo dat launch.

Dem counting every war tank dat get destroy, every helicopter dat get shoot out de sky and every building dat get destroy.

Dem know how much people running from de war and how much people dead fighting in de war.

Dem getting dem information from Western sources and suh dem onesided.

Dem however nah know dat information done leak out dat less bombs drop pon Ukraine over de past month dan de amount drop in the first night of America bombing of Iraq.

Dem nah had all dat social media at dem time.

Nobody didn't carry de Americans to the ICC for crimes against humanity.

But dem doing suh now dat Russia invade Ukraine.

Yuh know how much innocent people get killed in de Gulf War. Yuh think America bin concerned about human rights when dem bin bombing Iraq.

Yu h t h i n k i s o n l y terrorist getting kill by dem

American drones.

Nuff innocent people getting killed but dem reports nah reach you and me.

Is like some ah dem media houses in Guyana.

Dem does only report wah dem want you to report.

But nuff ah dem does prefer political loyalty to professionalism.

But G u y a n e s e buying de western media accounts, hook, line and sinker.

De Americans trying fuh paint Putin as de reincarnation of Hitler.

But dem forget dat dem had dem own Putin until recently.

Talk half. Leff half.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday April 03, 2022

Sunday April 03, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Sunday April 03, 2022

Kaieteur News

Guyana may not steer clear of failure with oil if fatal flaws in oil deal not corrected - Int'l Analysts

By Kiana Wilburg

W

i t h t h e monetisation of its 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent resources, Guyana's leaders hope to raise the standard of living of its people, cut the nation's debt, and have significant deposits made into the Natural Resource Fund (NRF). But the unfortunate reality that confronts the new oil producing state is that it is in a weak position to accomplish these goals.

This is according to Tom Sanzillo and Gerard Kreeft, two financial and energy advisors attached to the

Institute for Energy Economics and Financial A n a l y s i s ( I E E FA ) .

To cement their argument, Sanzillo, IEEFA's Director of

developers for the last 25 years and is a cautionary tale for nations hoping to cash in on oil and gas development.

In providing some historical

global presence.

They said that major oil companies including Total, ExxonMobil, BP, ENI, Chevron and Equinor have

Angola rank 15th in the world of top oil producers while adding that President Joao Lourenco is trying to increase production with a new round

Financial Analysis and Kreeft, IEEFA's Energy Transition Advisor, urged all Guyanese authorities to consider the case of Angola, which has hosted world oil

context, Sanzillo and Kreeft noted that oil was discovered in Angola in 1955. They explained that in the 1990s, deepwater exploration took off and Angola became a

successfully drilled for oil in working through Sonangol, the nation's state-owned oil and gas operator.

Both noted that the country produced approximately 1.4 million barrels per day last year, down from peaks of 1.9 million barrels per day.

Given its vast resources, the advisors highlighted that

of offers to the international o i l c o m m u n i t y.

Despite its resources, however, the two advisors said that “four decades of oil production have created neither prosperity nor fiscal stability for Angola.”

At the end of 2020, for example, they pointed out that the national debt stood at approximately US$76

billion.

They said, “With the assistance of the IMF, World Bank, African Development Bank and others, Angola has managed to juggle its yearto-year obligations with a combination of refinanced or forgiven debt.

Angola recently entered the G-20's Debt Service Suspension Initiative, designed to assist financially distressed countries.”

What is also shocking about the country that is so rich with oil, is the fact that one in three Angolans lives below the poverty level, and more than half live on less than U$1.90 per day.

Sanzillo and his colleague noted that an unbalanced economy and corrupt government are cited as major factors driving the economic (Continued on page 18)

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 03, 2022

PAGE 13

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY! In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes SUNDAY “Guyana, Guyana, this fair land of ours, has broken the bondage of far distant powers…”

These words are from one of our national songs 'Guyana the Free' which was c o m p o s e d b y Va l e r i e Rodway.

Indeed, this was to emphasise that Guyana was emancipated from outside powers.

But the oppression of yesteryear has evolved.

Instead of 'distant powers', our leaders are the ones who are positioning us for a lifetime of oppression, evident by some of the deals they have entered into that will indebt this nation for generations to come.

Guyanese, it is clear that the struggle continues for a truly liberated Guyana.

MONDAY For the Sake of oil money The PPP/C Government has no doubt made commendable strides by strengthening the legislative framework for the oil sector with the Local Content Law and the Natural Resource Fund Law. But there are several other areas of the sector that need urgent attention. We cannot escape the indisputable fact that without a renegotiation of the Stabroek Block deal, every man, woman and child is robbed of their fair share.

Left unchanged, the Stabroek Block deal with its unthinkable loopholes for revenue leakage and abuse will forever represent one of the greatest affronts to Guyana's sovereignty. For how long will Guyanese put up with this for the sake of oil money?

TUESDAY After telling the nation “it's up to you” as it relates to adherence to COVID-19 measures, the Health Minister is now concerned that both testing and vaccination rates have declined.

In fact, the Minister is worried that Guyana could be faced with a “problematic” situation if citizens continue to refuse to be vaccinated for their own safety.

Mr. Minister, you and your government were elected to properly manage the affairs of this country towards the betterment of ALL Guyanese.

As such, please refrain from guesswork and employ the services of visionaries who can properly guide the way forward.

WEDNESDAY It is said: Don't take the speck out of your neighbour's eye and leave the beam in your own.

This well known Proverb has found itself directly linked to the recent utterances of Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.

Just days ago, the former Head-of-State came under fire for making some disparaging remarks about the economy of fellow CARICOM oil producer, Trinidad and Tobago.

T h e Vi c e P r e s i d e n t basically said, in no uncertain terms, that the oil dependent economy of our sister nation is falling apart.

While Mr. Jagdeo's observation may not be completely without merit, one must ask: Is he oblivious to the damning prospects of Guyana's oil wealth given the lopsided contract that favours Exxon?

Must he be reminded that in every other major sector, foreigners, complete with concessions galore, have been carting off huge chunks of Guyana's resources, while Guyanese struggle to hold their own.

So in what way, Mr. Vice President, are Guyanese better off than Trinidadians?

THURSDAY Room for civil society No government or elected body is answerable to itself. Civil society makes up citizenry from all walks of life.

They ask the hard questions that ensure politicians keep to the straight and narrow. Civil society is generally the group that will conduct the peerreview assessments that lets citizens know what their leaders have been up to.

It is their job to be informed and to keep others informed. So, when a country votes a government in place, it expects that government will respect and provide space for the concerns of civil society.

It expects that civil society will not be shut out from information classified as valuable, while the majority of citizenry sits ignorantly and with mistrust.

The Guyana Government cannot use confidentiality and value to shut citizens out on information that ultimately determines their future, that of their children, future generations as well as that of the country. The government of the day does not have the full confidence of all the people and is not

in our country, our publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about onafforded the luxury of leading without oversight.

FRIDAY Addiction, we all can agree, is a major problem that our society, like many others, faces.

While there are many in our society who struggle with substance abuse, there are those who are addicted to greed.

This is especially worrying when the greed is directed to our God-given wealth.

In the same way those with substance abuse problems need help, we at this publication believe that those who thrive on greed are also in dire need of help.

Indeed, Kaieteur News has already taken up the mantle to help those suffering.

By exposing instances of greed, we believe that the culprits will eventually be rehabilitated to the point of doing right by this nation.

Our only motivation is to set

going indecency in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation. the pace for a progressive and prosperous Guyana for generations to come.

SATURDAY Every citizen has a right to stand up to their leaders when they see injustices being committed on their fellow brothers and sisters.

It is therefore understandable that when oil contracts are awarded with massive loopholes for abuse and revenue leakage and provisions that infringe on

our nation's sovereignty, citizens have a right to challenge them. It is the birthright of every Guyanese to defend his or her country when the leaders fail in such circumstances.

Guided by this philosophy, Kaieteur News will remain unceasing in its fight to defend the rights of current and future generations, of this beautiful land, to be given their fair share for the exploitation of their natural resources.

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 03, 2022

GTT helping Fire Service track prank callers GTT has collaborated with the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) to modernise its calling and reporting infrastructure through the donation of four phones equipped with caller ID and recorders.

Revealing that the GTT Business Solutions team is committed to a continued partnership with the Fire Service, Sales Lead of GTT Business Solutions, Vishwanath Ishwardin, in a release noted that in addition to the phones, GTT will also be providing a monthly report of all inbound calls to the 912 line to help track prank callers.

It was noted that it is unlawful to perform a prank call to an emergency service, a practice that has increased in the past few years and hampers the GFS' ability to effectively perform its duties.

“GTT Business Solutions is elated to provide this solution to the Fire Service and by extension, all in Guyana, bolstering our commitment to the customer to strengthen the community,” Ishwardin explained.

Stemming from a commitment made during a meeting in February last, this initiative will improve the

capacity of the Fire Service to provide timely responses to fire reports. According to Fire Chief (ag), Gregory Wickham, the phones will allow the Service to see a reduction in the prank calls being made to the Fire Service through the Caller ID capturing and conversation recording functionalities.

“I am grateful for this seasoned partnership and look forward to more support from the GTT team to help improve our work and operations. These phones will make the Service more efficient,” the acting Fire Chief added.

Business Solutions Sales Lead, Vishwanath Ishwardin (left) handing over one of the phones to Fire Chief (ag) Gregory Wickham

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 03, 2022

PAGE 15

Guard against 'watered down' language that - Former EPA weakens oil and gas insurance rights boss warns

By Zena Henry Former head of the local Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams, has warned that Guyana must safeguard itself against what he described as “watered down language” that could possibility weaken the country's abilities to hold oil companies operating in the Stabroek Block, from fully accepting their responsibility in the unfortunate event of an oil spill or other negative environmental occurrences.

Dr. Adams was referring directly to the recently granted EPA environmental permit to ExxonMobil's subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), which clears the company for operations at its Yellowtail well set for production startup in about two years.

Adams has pointed to language that he is convinced could diminish the country's legal powers to ensure ExxonMobil and its subsidiary adhere to their responsibility.

The former EPA boss said that based on his perusal of the recently granted environmental permit and recent utterances by Exxon's President, Alistair Routledge, on the matter of “legitimate cost,” government needs to flesh out the details behind what is meant by legitimate cost and who determines what legitimate cost is. He said that with talks about full coverage, parent company guarantee and insurance, it would now appear that the company wants to be the one to define what it sees as legitimate and what's not.

“Everything is legitimate,” Dr. Adams said, “any cost that is associated with the spill has to be covered because if a spill did not occur you would not have had damages, so it is all associated.” Adams related that he is unaware as to why there should be a differentiation between what is legitimate when the cost would be arriving from the actions of the oil companies that would have caused the spill during their operations.

“But that is the kind of trickery that they try to play.

So we need to hold their feet to the fire,” Adams suggested.

He said that Exxon and the government really didn't have a choice and had to ensure the applications in the

permit given the pressure that came from civil society.

“But this whole thing about what is legitimate cost, it now needs to be another topic of contention.

They should not be differentiating as to what is legitimate. All cost associated with a spill is legitimate cost that they have to cover it.”

Adams accused the oil company of playing games because now, he said, “they are trying to finesse what's in the language to get out of it (full responsibility) and we should not be allowing it.

They are to know that the same set of people, civil society, the newspapers and ordinary citizens will keep after it to do what is right for Guyana.”

On Friday, the EPA announced that it had granted EEPGL its Yellowtail permit.

Yellowtail is its fourth development at the Stabroek Block. Section 15 (1) and (2) of the permit says that, “The Permit Holder is liable for all costs associated with the cleanup, restoration and compensation for any damages caused by any discharge of any contaminant including the cost of all investigations into pollution incidents or discharge of contaminants, conducted at the instance of the Agency.”

It provides further that, “The Permit Holder shall provide and/or declare within reasonable time upon signing of this permit a combination of the following forms of financial assurance to cover all its legitimate liabilities under this permit…”

Routledge had said during a briefing held with reporters last month that, “The value of insurance will not limit the company's ability to respond to an (oil spill) event, and response activities would certainly not be delayed by discussions with insurers. We have the financial capacity to meet our responsibilities for an adverse event and we are committed to paying all legitimate costs in the unlikely event of an oil spill.”

ExxonMobil had sought to give assurance, stating that the technical and financial resources are in place in the unlikely event of an oil spill.

The company said too that it adheres to an internationally accepted tiered response system used to determine the requirements of response personnel and equipment and that that system remains aligned with the principles of

the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation (OPRC), the Caribbean Island Oil Pollution Preparedness Response and Cooperation (OPRC), and the National Oil Spill Response Plan of Guyana to provide an efficient framework to build preparedness and response capabilities matching the oil spill risks from all types of operations.

As it stands Exxon's subsidiary EEPGL has a $2B sum to address oil spill response.

However, particularly civil society believes this sum is inefficient and has been demanding that the government ensure the oil company's parent company put into writing assurances that it will step in beyond the $2B sum to rectify the effects of any possible environmental hazard.

Former EPA boss, Vincent Adams tells Guyana to watch Exxon and its language.

PAGE 16

Sunday April 03, 2022

Kaieteur News

Over $3B in contracts inked to upgrade 32 hinterland bridges to 'international standards'

By Allyiah Allicock At a simple ceremony on Friday, the Ministry of Public Wo r k s a w a r d e d approximately $3.19 billion in contracts to several contractors to execute the upgrade of 32 hinterland bridges to international standards – stretching from Kurupukari to Lethem.

The signing of the contracts, which occurred at the Ministry's Kingston office, saw out of the 36 contractors, who placed bids at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office, six being contracted to do the job.

Kaieteur News had

reported that the projects have been divided into six lots and would see places like Iwokrama, Pirara, Surama, Camudi Bash, Annai, Yararinta, Genip Landing, Massara Junction, Point Ranch and Hunt Oil where the bridges will be built.

This publication was told that the Ministry is not fixing these bridges because they are in a poor state but rather to upgrade them to “international standards.”

International standards, this publication was informed, means reconstructing the wooden structure bridges with concrete. Upon completion the bridges would have the capability to accommodate heavier

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill along with the contractors on Friday. (Photo Credit: DPI) vehicles which usually traverse the Kurupukari to Lethem trail.

In this year's budget, the government allocated the

sum of $4.1 billion for the reconstruction of several bridges along the Kurupukari to Lethem corridor, noting that it will support the phased

construction of the Linden to Lethem highway.

The Ministry in a press statement stated that Minister of Public Works, Juan

Edghill told the contractors on Friday that this is the vision of the President to see development take place not (Continued on page 18)

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 03, 2022

PAGE 17

2 detained in connection with truck driver's death

By Shervin Belgrave Region Seven investigators are currently questioning two persons in connection with the strangling of a 69-year-old truck driver at his BK Quarries work site, located in the Region Seven District.

Police believe that the BK Quarries employee, Pitamber Sharma of Independence Street, La G r a n g e , We s t B a n k Demerara (WBD), was strangled sometime after 18:00hrs on Wednesday, March 30, last and his body dumped into the Mazaruni River soon after.

Confirming that two persons are in custody in relation to his murder was commander of the Region Seven District, Dion Moore.

Sharma had left his home earlier on Wednesday for work duties at the Region Seven location and had arrived there close to 18:00hrs. He reportedly called his family and told them that he was safe. That was the last time his colleagues had seen him as well. The following day his body was found around 07:20hrs in the vicinity of his company's security base.

It was initially suspected

that he had fallen into the river and drowned but an autopsy conducted on his body proved otherwise.

As Region Seven investigators continue efforts to crack the case, friends and family of the dead man told Kaieteur News that they want justice for his death because he was a good man.

One of his friends, Mani Singh, even made a Facebook post about the late Sharma.

Singh posted that he had known Sharma since the mid 1970's. Referring to him as “Bram”, Singh said that he

was a member of the Hindu Society at Coverden on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

He recalled that Sharma was respected and loved by everyone from that community and described him as a talented individual with musical abilities.

Sharma reportedly played the Dholak (drum) for Chowtal singing and was also described as a “great Taan-style singer”.Apart from that, Singh remembers him as a dedicated and hardworking man who specialised in the operation of heavy duty machines.

Strangled at his work place, Pitamber Sharma

PAGE 18

Over $3B in contracts inked...

From page 12 i n e q u a l i t y .

Considering the foregoing, both analysts agreed that oil development surely led Angola into a series of traps that include budget deficits, foreign indebtedness, corruption, and oil exploration and development contracts that have benefited corporations

Sunday April 03, 2022

Kaieteur News

at Angola's expense. And despite the current struggle to introduce new reforms and combat corruption, Sanzillo and Kreeft noted that the lack of economic diversification leaves Angola poorly positioned to handle changes brought on by the energy t r a n s i t i o n .

Taking the case of Angola into account, the IEEFA

advisors alluded that it may not be possible for Guyana to steer clear of a similar fate, especially when it continues to cling to a one-sided deal that favours the three companies (ExxonMobil, H e s s , a n d CNOOC/NEXEN), creates obstacles to growth, and threatens to leave Guyana deeper in debt.

Guyana may not steer clear of failure with oil if fatal flaws...

From page 16 only in the coastal areas but in the hinterland regions as well.

The Minister said that there is need for great communication and cooperation between contractors since the works have been divided into lots and that they are sometimes inter-connected.

He also encouraged the

contractors to ultilise the skills and labour from the communities which they will be carrying out works.

Also signed on Friday were over $1.5 billion in contracts for hinterland roads, $740.1 million in contracts for farmto-market roads and $139.1 million for the upgrading of bridges on the

coast.

Kaieteur News had reported that the Ministry's budget allocation which was passed in the National Assembly in February would see the spending of $3.4 billion for hinterland roads and $15.2 billion for the construction and rehabilitation of urban and community roads across the country.

Sunday April 03, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Sunday April 03, 2022

Kaieteur News

Tamara Prince

Sunday April 03, 2022

This week’s beauty is the charming Tamara Prince. This ambitious 20-year-old is the owner of Beauty Plus Brains – an online beauty supply store. Ms. Prince is always engaged in activities geared at making her enterprise better. As such, she loves making candles and spends a lot of time making lip gloss and lip scrubs for her business. In her leisure, the young entrepreneur indulges in shopping, travelling and trying new and interesting cuisine. She is a firm believer in the statement: “You can achieve anything, once you put your mind to it.”

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Kaieteur News

PAGE 22

Sunday April 03, 2022

IVERSITY… LEADING THE CHARGE OF GUYANA’S NATIONAL UN UG’S 1ST FEMALE VICE-CHANCELLOR,

Prof. Paloma Mohamed Martin ’

IS A ‘SPECIAL PERSON

Memory: A very young Paloma Mohamed Martin with her parents and siblings.

By Rehanna Ramsay This year, the theme of International Women’s Day (IWD) was breaking the bias. Though IWD is observed on March 8

annually, every day is worth celebrating the women and girls who challenge the stereotypes and find the courage to break the proverbial glass ceiling.

This week’s Kaieteur

A younger Paloma Mohamed Martin makes a presentation on stage.

News’s ‘Special Person’, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin Ph.D., falls into that e x a c t c a t e g o r y. P r o f .

Mohamed Martin is the first female Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Guyana (UG), the nation’s apex tertiary institution. She has perhaps been challenging stereotypes since she could walk—having been enrolled in school at about the age of one.

In fact, in her capacity as VC, Prof. Mohamed Martin is also the first woman to be appointed Vice -Chancellor at any university in the Anglo-phone Caribbean.

Her role at UG requires inter alia, oversight of an institution that facilitates studies for approximately 11,000 students, employs 1000 staff, and has eight campuses with hundreds of partners and associates. This is even as she responds to state and other interests.

Reflecting on her journey from where she now sits, Prof. Mohamed Martin told Kaieteur News emphatically “…I don’t feel special. I feel blessed to be able to do what I do.”

Prof. Mohamed Martin had returned to Guyana in 2007 only for a brief spell but stayed for 15 years. She has

led the University of G u y a n a ’s Tr a n s i t i o n a l Management Committee as its Second Chair since August 2019. She has also b e e n D e p u t y Vi c e C h a n c e l l o r f o r U G ’s Philanthropy, Alumni, and Civic Engagement PACE department which she founded in 2016.

As explained in her brief bio, UG’s 11th ViceChancellor has worked on several multi-million dollar multi-university research projects and has been highly successful in resource fundraising for UG, having developed specialties in strategic energy issues, complex analysis, and highlevel negotiation. As a result, she has been awarded two Presidential Medals in 2012 and in 2015 as well as A City of New York Award for Culture in 2013.

In 2014, Prof. Mohamed Martin was named by the US Embassy in Guyana among the top five most influential women in the country. The following year, she became the first woman Caribbean Laureate for Excellence in Arts and Letters, which is considered the Nobel Prize of the Caribbean.

In addition, Prof.

Mohamed- Martin has authored over 20 books and produced 15 films. Amongst many other regional and international bodies, she is a member of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and also an Executive Board member of CARICOM’s Council for Social and Human

Prof. Paloma Mohamed Martin Development (COSHoD).

To her students, she is a beloved Professor and Humanist. Many of her peers and loved ones referred to her as a “servant leader” and a “titanium butterfly,” because of her strong yet sociable persona.

EARLY INFLUENCES It is likely Prof.

Mohamed Martin developed those attributes from being born into a household of three younger siblings – all boys.

She told Kaieteur News that her parents were divorced by the time she was eight years old. She explained that her mother, Marie Mohamed, a prominent nursery school teacher, worked outside the home for most of their lives and, as a result, she was left to care for her younger siblings.

Prof. Mohamed Martin stated, “After my parents divorced, I basically assumed the role of mother for my younger siblings,

because my mother was always very busy with work, taking care of other people’s children, so I was taking care of my brothers [twin] since they were about a year old. I took them to school and basically looked after them for a long time.”

The VC recalled that having a mother who was absorbed in her work as a teacher, fairly influenced her professionally. She said that because of how her mother sacrificially worked to ensure her students were taken care of, often sharing the little the family had to help other children; she strongly resisted the urge to follow in her footsteps.

“As I said before my mother was extremely busy either helping other people’s children or raising funds for the schools she worked at; it is what basically absorbed her life …I never wanted that to be me, so I ran from teaching, I never wanted to teach, but when I got into it I Continued on page 60

Prof. Paloma Mohamed Martin receiving an award from State of New York for her work in Culture and Film in Caribbean and Guyanese Community.

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 03, 2022

PAGE 23

Workplace sexual harassment is pervasive M

any years ago, I h a d a conversation with a friend who had migrated to the United States. He related an incident in which he had to fire an employee over sexual harassment complaints made by a female member of staff.

The employee badgered the girl about going out with him. In the old days that would hardly have been considered as sexual h a r a s s m e n t . B u t n o w, persistence in asking a coworker out on a date constitutes sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment is considered as “an unwelcome sexual advance, unwelcome request for sexual favours or other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature which makes a p e r s o n f e e l o ff e n d e d , humiliated and/or intimidated, where a reasonable person would anticipate that reaction in the circumstances.”

Unwelcome touching of persons is now considered as sexual harassment and

even sexual assault. So all those men who like to touch females when they are speaking to them, had better be on their guard.

The PPP/C once had a minister who when he saw a female would stare at the person, moving his eyes deliberately up and down her body. Staring or leering at persons also qualifies as sexual harassment.

Others acts, which are considered as sexual harassment, include sexual comments or innuendos, probing questions about a person’s marriage or sexual life, comments about the person’s attractiveness or sending sexually explicit messages and mails.

Many Guyanese do not yet fully appreciate that much of the behaviour which they consider as being ‘wicked’ actually is now branded as sexual harassment. And this includes comments even private conversations and light exchanges.

Sexual harassment is rampant on social media.

Last month, President Joseph Biden issued a

proclamation on sexual assault. In that proclamation, he noted that one in every three women, below the age of 35, were subject to sexual harassment online.

Sexual harassment is pervasive within Guyanese offices, including within the government. And the harassment is not confined to the demand for sexual favours by those who exercise authority over their subordinates. It is also to be found in the ordinary exchanges of conversations between the opposite sex and which often are laced with sexual innuendos.

A co-worker may simply be making a compliment. But depending on what was said and how it is said, it may now be deemed as sexual harassment.

If a young lady upon entering an office is greeted by a co-worker with the words, “Good, morning, you look sprightly today.

Like you get something last night”, this is considered as sexual harassment. But years ago, it would have been

inconceivable for anyone to file a sexual harassment complaint over such a statement.

Addressing the problem of workplace sexual harassment is not going to be easy. Those who are committed to the eradication of the problem recognise the need for a complete overall of the workplace culture and environment and for clearly defined and implemented regulations on sexual harassment in the workplace.

Guyana is far from near when it comes to taking action to curbing workplace sexual harassment. While the laws of Guyana provide that sexual harassment constitutes unlawful discrimination, the definition of sexual harassment, under the P r e v e n t i o n o f Discrimination Act, is limiting. Unlike the laws in other developed countries’ jurisdictions, sexual harassment is defined under that Act as, “unwanted conduct of a sexual nature in the workplace or in

connection with the performance or work which is threatened or imposed as a condition of employment on an employee or which creates a hostile working environment for the employee.”

Guyana must pass a separate Sexual Harassment Act which would update and outlaw all forms of sexual harassment including harassment contained in electronic communication. There is equally a need to ensure that homophobic comments are designated as sexual harassment.

W h a t e v e r t h e limitations of our sexual harassment laws, the government has a duty to act upon allegations of sexual harassment. It is disappointing to have read the comments attributed to the President of Guyana concerning allegations made against one of his Ministers.

Regardless of whether an allegation is criminal or not, and in spite of the difficulties of establishing the jurisdiction in which the alleged harassment took

place, the President has a duty to investigate and to take appropriate action.

During the era of Cheddi Jagan a contractor signed over a motor vehicle to the son of a Minister. No criminal act was established. The minister said it was a sale. Cheddi did not sweep the matter under the carpet. He investigated the matter and determined that the transaction was improper. He ordered that the vehicle be handed back to the contractor.

If the President is not prepared, at the minimum, to investigate the allegations which are now in the public domain, the complaint should be forwarded to the foreign embassies.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Kaieteur News

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Sunday April 03, 2022

How serious is the Caribbean about reparations?

By Sir Ronald Sanders On March 25, the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro,

publicly pointed out that “only six of our 34 active member states have ratified the Inter-American Convention against Racism, Racial Discrimination and

Related Forms of Intolerance”.

Almagro was speaking at an OAS meeting to commemorate the victim of the trans-Atlantic slave

trade. Poignantly, he asked why 28 states have not ratified the Convention. He emphasised the relevance of his question by inquiring further: “Do we not agree that every human being is equal under the law? Do we not agree that every human being has a right to equal protection against racism, racial discrimination, and related forms of intolerance”?

The Secretary-General’s questions have great significance for the 14 CARICOM member states of the OAS, because only one Caribbean state Antigua and Barbuda – is among the six hemispheric nations that have ratified the treaty. Yet, the Convention has been open for signature and ratification for nine years since 2013.

The Convention is the only international treaty that specifically identifies “people of African descent” as “victims of racism, racial discrimination, and other related forms of intolerance in the Americas”. For that reason alone, Caribbean states should have signed and ratified the Convention, especially as, in arguing for reparations for slavery, Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have declared that the region “continues to suffer from the effects of slavery today”.

The Convention was not easily achieved. Its adoption took years of hard negotiations during which many member countries of the OAS, including the United States (US) and Canada withdrew from the process. Today, apart from Antigua and Barbuda, the other five countries that have ratified the Convention are: Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico and Uruguay.

The fact that CARICOM states, other than Antigua and Barbuda, have not ratified the Convention is rightfully a bewilderment for other OAS nations. This oddity has gained greater importance over the last nine years when blatant and fatal discrimination have been meted out to people of

African descent, giving rise to the movement which asserts that “black lives matter”.

While it is true that acts of racial discrimination within a state are matters for the jurisdiction concerned – even when they are fatal, as in the well-known case of George Floyd in the US, Conventions such as the one being discussed here, provide the opportunity for intervention without accusations of interference in the internal affairs of a state. CARICOM states can raise their voices when specific acts of discrimination occur. One of the overarching principles of the Convention is the c o m m i t m e n t b y participating states that: “the individual and collective experience of discrimination must be taken into account to combat segregation and marginalisation based on race, ethnicity, or nationality, and to protect the life plan of those individuals and communities at risk of such segregation and marginalisation”.

The fact that Caribbean countries have not signed and ratified the treaty provides an excuse for other states to do likewise.

Caribbean countries can hardly call for the Convention to be ratified and upheld when they have not done so themselves.

Many regard the absence of the majority of CARICOM countries from the nations that have ratified the Convention as weakening the quest for reparatory justice from the racial discrimination that is a part of slavery’s legacy.

And that is perhaps the greatest danger for the Caribbean.

In its statement to the OAS meeting at which Secretary-General Almagro asked his pertinent questions, the Antigua and Barbuda delegation said the following: “CARICOM countries where Afro-descendants are the majority, and occupy all levels of business, government, and society have a moral obligation to insist on the same rights for Afro-descendants everywhere, particularly those in jurisdictions where their rights are routinely and structurally denied”.

Antigua and Barbuda praised an earlier public call

by Almagro for “reparations to begin now” and supported his position at the March 25

Sir Ronald Sanders meeting that “to overcome the consequences of slavery, which, even today continue to haunt many of our societies; we must open the dialogue for reparations”.

The OAS is the second inter-governmental organisation in which the matter of reparations for slavery has been raised, although not formally placed on the table for discussion.

The first was the United Nations where several Caribbean leaders have called for reparations at meetings of the General Assembly. The difference between the UN and the OAS is that the latter’s Secretary-General – its Chief Executive Officer has associated himself with the advancement of the matter.

Caribbean countries have an opportunity to advance the reparations cause in the OAS. It might be an uncomfortable discussion for some nonCaribbean countries, but it is one that should not be avoided.

The task of advancing this cause falls to CARICOM countries.

It requires unity of purpose and a clear and realistic understanding of what is meant by “reparations” and the form it should take.

One of the first meaningful steps in showing that they are serious about moving forward the discussion on reparations is for Caribbean countries to ratify the only InterAmerican Convention that specifically identifies “people of African descent” as “victims of racism, racial discrimination and inequality of treatment”. If not, the question will be asked: how serious are Caribbean states about reparations?

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS. He is also Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto.

The views expressed are his own) Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 03, 2022

PAGE 25

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

THE NIGHTMARES NO ONE TALKS OR WRITES ABOUT There is no reason why a country given Independence in 1966, continues with formal ways of doing things that are long gone, never to return. But more frustratingly, it is the lack of human consideration by organisations in Guyana that seek to speak on behalf of people but they do not.

No one knows how many organisations that purport to speak on behalf of the citizenry, this country has but there are plenty, really plenty and the citizens only know about them when it is convenient for them to be visible.

I will always remember in 2012, the government announced that it will give financial assistance to African-oriented groups to celebrate Emancipation Day. More than two dozen of these groups emerged. The first thing that crossed your mind was where they were all this time.

This country is a backward place that tears away at the soul of ordinary people. Here is evidence why ordinary people go through hell in this place. I was part of a television panel that included prominent engineer, Marcel Gaskin. I brought up the hassle people endure at GRA and other places for very, very simple things.

Mr. Gaskin said he was sympathetic but he never experienced those things because he doesn’t do those things for himself. The man

was being honest but his little words tell a large story of what Guyana is. Many resourceful persons have office attendants that would do these chores. For example, a boss would not go to the police station for certificate of fitness. He sends the driver with the car. It is the driver who experiences the nightmare.

This column was motivated by a complaint I read in the newspapers by a well known attorney. Once more the pen and voice of national organisations are missing. He wrote that he doesn’t understand why when you are conducting business in the GRA, the relevant official would ask to see your TIN certificate (TINC) when the GRA has that very document in its data base? He observed that a judge made that identical inquiry in a court case.

He is absolutely right. If I go for compliance, there is no need to produce a TINC because with my ID, they can follow me through their data base. The NIS now has a policy where through Whatsapp you can submit your pension claim. The official speaks to you, sees you, then you produce your NIS card and ID. But you still have to fill in a life certificate form (LCF) which you must get from the NIS. This defeats the purpose of making life easier for the pensioner. It is simple. And it

goes like this. After the Whatsapp transaction, the official then enters the submission for that period into the data base.

It cuts out the hassle of travelling to the NIS to get an LCF. A driver’s licence should be renewed in five minutes. Your details are in the data base.

On producing the old licence, the machine prints another with the change of expiration date. Why is a driver’s licence not as permanent as an ID card? Each morning I go on the seawall, I see the long and winding line at Eve Leary for police clearance. Embassies, employers, etc., require it. It is an important paper. Why should it involve a hassle to acquire it? Each morning I go on the seawall, I would see the nightmare outside the passport office.

Research done the past 40 years would reveal a commonsensical fact – no road accident or road fatality was caused by an old car that did not have certificate of fitness (CF). I am bold enough to emphasise it – no old car has caused a road fatality because of the vehicle being unfit to be on the road. Yet each year, thousands have to line up to get a CF. After 55 years of Independence, only seven, I repeat seven categories of people can sign a UG pension form or an NIS form. We inherited that in early colonial days. We left

c o lo ni al Frederick Kissoon is m 5 5 years ago. Commercial banks want to see proof of address on a bill only from GPL or GWI. In the digital age, those bills are outdated. You receive notice online to pay and you pay online.

All these nightmares that people go through are ubiquitous in Guyana 55 years after Independence. But here is the most tragic thing about this country. We have a plethora of organisations, associations, institutions, groups and entities that say they are concerned about wrong things that occur all the time in Guyana. But they never, I repeat never, address these nightmares.

“God is dead, Marx is dead And I’m not feeling too well myself.”

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily

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Sunday April 03, 2022

PAGE 27

Gluten sensitivity: IT MAY BE THE HIDDEN CAUSE FOR YOUR SUFFERING

A

r e y o u constantly suffering from indigestion and fatigue but cannot figure out why?

Well, there are a few obvious causes that can be ruled out by most physicians but, there is one in particular that is often not detected and seems to be a more common occurrence than previously thought.

Non celiac gluten sensitivity, or better known as gluten sensitivity, is now being seen by experts as a common cause for indigestion issues that was undetected previously.

Experts estimate between 0.6 percent – 13 percent of the general population may have this condition.

The reason why I have decided to enlighten you about it, is that I have been seeing many patients with indigestion issues here and some have improved when they avoid gluten products.

Gluten is found primarily in wheat-based products which tends to be part of our regular diet.

So, it may be the undetected cause of the suffering for some but has been ignored because of the lack of awareness around it in the medical world.

What are symptoms of gluten sensitivity?

Gluten sensitivity is often undetected because the symptoms are often subtle in some and may not peak if someone occasionally eats a gluten-based diet.

It tends to become more obvious in those that consistently eat a glutenbased diet. It may therefore be missed in someone who probably eats a glutenbased diet once or twice a week but will be obvious in someone whose diet is gluten based on most days.

The following are symptoms of gluten sensitivity: · Bloating, gas or abdominal pain · Diarrhea or constipation · Nausea · Acid reflux · Headache · Brain fog · Joint pain · Neuropathy · Fatigue · Abdominal Pain · Skin Problems resembling allergies · Depression These symptoms vary according to the individual and the levels of gluten in their body on a given day.

Gluten intolerance vs.

Gluten sensitivity Gluten sensitivity is d i ff e r e n t f r o m g l u t e n intolerance which is a genetic condition with symptoms more obvious and worse.

Persons with gluten intolerance have a genetic anomaly that prevents them from tolerating gluten at all and they will have more serious symptoms as soon as they are exposed to any food with gluten.

Those with gluten sensitivity, can tolerate a diet with gluten and will develop symptoms of exposure when they continuously ingest gluten foods within a short period. The symptoms, for those with gluten sensitivity, tend to be shorter and less severe but are more severe and protracted in those with gluten intolerance.

What foods are high in

Gluten?

Gluten is present primarily in wheat (flour) and similarly related grainbased products. The following are common foods that will have gluten in them: · Wheat · Spelt · Rye · Barley · Bread · Pasta · Cereals · Beer · Cakes, cookies, and pastries · Roti · Crackers and biscuits What can you do if you suspect you may have gluten sensitivity?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a specific test to diagnose g l u t e n s e n s i t i v i t y.

Eliminating gluten in your diet and seeing your body’s response is currently the best

w a y t o determine if you have gluten s e n s i t i v i t y.

Improvement in symptoms related t o g l u t e n

By Dr. Zulfikar Bux sensitivity can be Emergency seen within days Medicine Specialist to a week of · Fats, such as oils and initiating a gluten free diet. If this happens to butter · Rice you, then you most likely · Oats have gluten sensitivity. · Quinoa The following are If you have gluten common healthy gluten free foods that you can thrive on sensitivity, it doesn’t mean i f y o u h a v e g l u t e n that you cannot eat gluten at all; it means that the more sensitivity: gluten you consume, the · Meat more you will develop · Fish and seafood symptoms of sensitivity to it. · Eggs You can, however, adjust · Dairy products your diet to avoid gluten so · Fruits that you do not have to suffer · Vegetables constantly from symptoms · Legumes that can lead to long term · Nuts complications. · Tubers

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SUNDAY AS GUYANA INCREASES PRODUCTION… OIL PRODUCING COUNTRIES URGED TO CUT OUTPUT IN NEXT 8 YEARS TO REDUCE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE - RESEARCHERS EXPOSE EXXON’S SUBTLE AND SINISTER FORMS OF FOOT-DRAGGING Because of the threat of climate change, it is imperative that the world cuts its oil production by as much as 88 percent in the next eight years if global warming is to be limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

In fact, the situation is so dire that researchers at England’s Manchester University’s Tyndall Centre for Climate Change are now saying that the world has 28 years left to cut crude production all together if the world is to reduce the effects of a hotter planet, rising sea levels and poor air quality, among other issues accompanying climate change.

This, however, has not stopped oil producers from pushing production levels.

Right here in Guyana ExxonMobil is geared to ramp up oil production at the Stabroek Block’s Liza Field.

The Russia/Ukraine conflict has impacted global oil supply and as western nations reject Russia’s crude because of its invasion of Ukraine, high prices could encourage increased production in the search for alternative sources. This year, Guyana’s crude is expected to make a rare voyage to Europe as global market suppliers seek alternatives to Russia’s oil.

Greg Hill, Hess’ Chief Operating Officer disclosed that optimizing Guyana’s first floating, production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO), Liza Destiny, could see production up from 140,000 barrels to 150,000 barrels of oil per day. It is currently operating at 120,000 barrels of oil per day. The second FPSO, Liza Unity is also set for optimization to reach nameplate capacity of 220,000 barrels of oil per day by month-end with a 15 percent increase after.

The CEO said that Guyana’s third development on the Stabroek Block at the Payara Field, utilising the Prosperity FPSO, will see production startup next year with a capacity of 220,000 gross barrels of oil per day.

The year after that, the fourth development, Yellowtail, is expected to come on stream with a

Sunday April 03, 2022

Kaieteur News

production capacity of some 250,000 gross barrels per day.

The Hess official posited that the potential of six FPSOs in Guyana’s water will see the production of more than one million gross barrels of oil per day at the Stabroek Block by 2027. In fact, there is potential for up to 10 FPSOs to develop the gross discovered recoverable resources currently estimated at more than 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

In the meantime, climate change observers are pushing rich oil producing countries to end production in the next 12 years while, poor countries are being encouraged to do so in the next 28 years. The Tyndall report, by Professor Kevin Anderson and other researchers at the Climate Change Research Centre, is warning that, “There is no room for any nation to increase production.” They say that significant cuts to oil production must to be made this decade to resist global warming.

“The richest (countries), which produce over a third of the world’s oil and gas, must cut output by 74 percent by 2030; the poorest, which supply just one ninth of global demand, must cut back by 14 percent.” The report proposes different phase-out dates for oil and gas producing countries.

Considering countries’ differing levels of wealth, development and economic reliance on fossil fuels, the report says the poorest nations should be given until 2050 to end production although they would need significant financial support to transition their economies.

Richer countries are urged to quit producing crude by 2034.

In signing the United Nation’s Paris Agreement on climate change, coal power generation was also up for discussion and wealthy Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries were called upon to end this type of energy supply by 2030, with the rest of the world following by 2040.

Calls are intensifying for global leaders and influencers to up their climate change resilience by doing away with heavy carbon contributors, but some oil companies and those that make big bucks from fossil fuel, have been bent on keeping their status quo by resisting climate change action.

Last September, the Harvard University’s news site, Harvard Gazette published an article that focused on deliberate attempts of big oil companies

to influence people’s mind against the seriousness of climate change. Under the title ‘Tracing Big Oil’s PR war to delay action on climate change’, the article pointed out that the U.S. House of Representatives’ Oversight Committee had earlier that month widened inquiries into Exxon’s role, in fostering doubt about the role of fossil fuels in causing climate change.

A letter from the panel that was sent to Darren Woods, ExxonMobil’s chief executive, said that lawmakers were “concerned that to protect… profits, the industry has reportedly led a coordinated effort to spread disinformation to mislead the public and prevent crucial action to address climate change.”

The Gazette said it had spoken with Dr. Geoffrey Supran, a research fellow in the History of Science, who, together with Naomi Oreskes, the Henry Charles Lea Professor of the History of Science, published a series of studies in recent years about Exxon’s climate communications.

He said a key contribution of the research work demonstrated systematic and statistically significant bias of ExxonMobil’s public communications toward denial and delay. “In our most recent work, we’ve had to rely on statistical techniques from computational linguistics to uncover patterns of speech hiding in plain sight. These include a systematic fixation on consumer energy demand rather than on the fossil fuels that the company supplies

and the systematic representation of climate change as a “risk” rather than a reality. These are subtle patterns that, we’ve now realised, have been systematically embedded into climate discourse by ExxonMobil and other fossil fuel interests.”

“That’s particularly discomforting,” Supran charged, “because when you start to pull back the curtain, you see just how sophisticated the oil industry’s propaganda machine has been, how easily their rhetoric has snuck into people’s consciousness and biased the way the public thinks about this.”

Supran continued, “ExxonMobil’s vice president and pioneer of PR in the ’70s and ’80s literally talked about what he called ‘semantic infiltration’.” He called it “the process whereby language does the dirty work of politics.” And he said that the first “general principle” of PR was to “grab the good words…while sticking your opponents with the bad ones.” Our research now shows that’s exactly what they’ve been up to for decades.”

Supran said that from the mid-2000s through to the 2010s, ExxonMobil and other fossil-fuel companies gradually “evolved” their language, in the words of one ExxonMobil manager, “from blatant climate denial to these more subtle and insidious forms of delayism.”

“So, while their outright denial has tapered off, their propaganda hasn’t stopped.

It’s in fact shifted into high

gear and is now operating with a sophistication that we’ve never seen before,” Supran said.

Last year, it was widely reported that Exxon lobbyist, Keith McCoy had been caught on camera explaining how his company was trying to influence American President Joe Biden’s interest in tackling climate change.

McCoy, a senior director in Exxon’s Washington DC government affairs team, admitted that the company was working with “shadow groups” against climate change action, that they fought against science proving climate change, among other things, and that the company was looking out for its investments and shareholders over climate change issues.

MONDAY GUYANAYET TO IMPLEMENT OVER 100 SAFEGUARDS TO PREVENT CORRUPTION, REVENUELEAKAGE IN OIL SECTOR Approximately six years ago, agencies such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank, provided Guyana with advice on over 100 safeguards it must have in place to insulate the oil sector from damning acts of corruption.

Today, many of those safeguards are yet to be implemented. The IMF for example has been one of

Guyana’s key partners in developing the technical capacity that is needed to properly govern the oil and gas sector. In addition, the financial institution has been at the forefront of highlighting many loopholes in Guyana’s oil deals as well as its legislative and regulatory framework, which can aid in mitigating significant value loss. In this regard, it has produced several reports between 2015 and now which offer critical recommendations that should be adopted.

In spite of the prudent advice it has offered in these documents, there has been no significant progress by Guyana’s political leadership on this front. For example, on numerous occasions, the IMF has appealed to Guyana to strengthen its petroleum fiscal regime through the revision of the Petroleum [Exploration and Production] Act 1986 (PEPA), the Petroleum [Exploration and Production] Regulations 1986, as well as other tax laws and sector regulations. The IMF has been keen to note that while the PEPA gives the government broad powers to grant petroleum prospecting and production licences, and to negotiate oil contracts, it is silent on processing and refining of petroleum products, pipelines and other modes of petroleum transportation, as well as how petroleum marketing arrangements are to be observed. In spite of this loophole, the government has been pushing ahead with the marketing of its oil and plans to bring gas to shore.

Additionally, with regard to the lopsided oil deal signed with ExxonMobil for the Stabroek Block, the IMF has expressed alarm about the opportunities Guyana gives ExxonMobil and its partners to be abusive in the way they add interests to its expenses, all of which would be recovered in full. Left unchecked, the IMF said that this can have a detrimental effect on the oil profits left to share. In one of its reports, the IMF said it is a wellestablished industry norm to have limitations on how much interest can be charged and deducted on loans by oil companies.

Furthermore, it has noted that some countries disallow interest expenses or limit the amount of debt permitted for cost recovery purposes through caps.

Other countries, it advised, go the route of prescribing that interest may be deductible only on borrowing to fund development costs or a maximum percentage of such (Continued on page 29)

Sunday April 03, 2022

From page 28 costs. Interest on loans to finance exploration is not allowed. Considering the dire consequences this loophole in the contract can have for Guyana, the IMF said it would be appropriate for Guyana to limit the amount of debt for cost recovery purposes or disallow interest expense altogether.

Further to this, the IMF has called on Guyana to close other fiscal loopholes in existing Production Sharing Agreements; undertake a policy review of fiscal terms contained in existing PSAs to ensure that these are implemented appropriately, and assess areas of improvement for future investment; design a new generally applicable fiscal regime for upstream petroleum projects that increases the government’s take and limits the scope for individual negotiations; introduce a revised production sharing mechanism for new PSAs that provide the government with a higher share of profit oil as the profitability of projects’ increases; and publish a model PSA that includes the minimum fiscal terms accepted by the government for future contracts. The IMF has also called on Guyana to apply tighter ring-fencing arrangements to contracts so that oil companies would be unable to deduct the costs associated with exploring other wells or developing other projects from another field that is producing oil.

The foregoing represents a mere fraction of the IMF’s recommendations which the nation’s leaders have failed to implement, yet continue to tell the nation that every possible measure is being put in place to protect the oil sector.

UNDP RECOMMENDATIONS In response to a request

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in 2016 to help Guyana arrive at good legal, regulatory, contractual a n d f i s c a l measures needed to keep c o r r u p t i o n a t b a y, t h e United Nations Development Programme had commissioned an analysis to be done on the s t a t e o f t h e n a t i o n ’s governance systems. The subsequent report on the review was titled “Rapid Analysis of the State of R e a d i n e s s o f G u y a n a ’s Hydrocarbon Regulatory Framework.” It was produced by Trinidadian energy strategist, Anthony Paul.

But, after six years of being in possession of this document, which proposes close to 100 critical recommendations on how Guyana must safeguard itself, nothing had been done.

That document, which was reported on for years

by Kaieteur News, was keen to note that the requirements and expectations of government to manage the sector, especially when one considers the magnitude of the resources discovered, are enormous. It notes that requests for new licences and exploration have accelerated, in spite of the drop in oil prices. In light of this, Paul noted in his analysis that reviewing, approving, and overseeing the implementation of the field development plans for oil projects and subsequent production will require very significant human and other resources.

Paul pointed out, however, that Guyana has a very limited capacity in this area, while adding that its laws, contracts and institutions are outdated and under-resourced to meet the demands of upcoming

activities.

The industry expert was keen to note that improving the foundational components of the country’s petroleum governance system, that is to say, its legal and institutional frameworks are fundamental to managing oil money successfully. If the country fails in this regard, Paul noted that Guyana would be left wide open to risks of corruption and abuse as well as losing very significant value.

Among his many recommendations was a call for the frequent use of Guyana’s parliamentary sectoral committees on natural resources and economics. Paul stressed that these committees can be effective regulatory tools for the sector.

In capturing value, Paul said that Guyana needs to implement systems which will allow it to make the proper decisions on various issues such as the right rate of production and depletion of the resources, getting the best possible contract terms for Guyana, ensuring the actions of companies are done in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, and ensuring there is maximum capacity development among locals to enable their participation.

In managing revenue, the Trinidadian Strategist said, Guyana would also have to put mechanisms in place urgently, which will allow for the effective collection of all oil revenue due to the State, while ensuring that there is prudent spending by enhancing infrastructure, services and capacity for future sustainability along with ensuring savings for future generations.

Further to this, Paul was keen to note that the authorities of the day must make every effort to ensure that it is informing Guyanese of how and when they are making decisions about the oil resources. He said that it is required of the citizenry to make sure that these decisions are in their best interest.

He said, too, that Guyanese must demand that the government implements systems to ensure transparency and accountability for each institution tasked with spending the oil money and regulating industry performance.

Overall, Paul’s report highlights the need for Guyana to make urgent reforms, otherwise, the nation stands to lose billions more,

and that is outside of what is already lost by way of the lopsided Stabroek Block deal.

TUESDAY WITHOUT PROPER SYSTEMS, EXPLOSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF OIL RESOURCES NOT IN GUYANA’S BEST INTEREST - SOMEONE NEEDS TO DEFEND COUNTRY BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE -T&T EXPERT With the blessings of the government, American oil giant, ExxonMobil, is hellbent on monetizing its 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent resources to the benefit of its shareholders via a suite of development projects. In fact, the company hopes to have as many as five floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels operating offshore Guyana by 2026.

But is this explosion of development in Guyana’s interest? In the eyes of Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy Strategist, Anthony Paul, the answer is an emphatic “NO!” The industry specialist was quick to highlight two examples to cement his argument. In one case, he showed how an oil producing country was able to save significantly by having the right depletion guidelines in place while another lost out substantially in the absence of rules.

In relation to the former, Paul noted the case of Ghana.

He said, “This African country had two adjacent fields. Field A had a FPSO working round the clock, extracting the oil. Now, when it came to Field B, there were plans to bring in a second oil ship. But the country’s authorities told the oil companies, “No, let us wait and use the Field A FPSO on Field B instead of having to increase costs and shorten the lifespan of the sector.”

From this example, Paul said the question Guyana needs to ask itself is: What is the right pace of depletion for the Stabroek Block so that it benefits the citizenry and there is no value leakage? And more importantly, what is the right order of depletion for the various fields? Also, how can this be done in a way that maximizes benefits for future generations? He said the answers to these questions allow for the proper formulation of rules to which citizens can hold the oil companies accountable.

Turning his attention to his next case, Paul was keen to note that Trinidad holds some key lessons that

Guyana should not ignore. He said that as a result of not having a proper policy in place for the development of natural gas, Trinidad and Tobago possibly left billions of US dollars in gas resources behind in the ground which it cannot go back and remove.

This is due to the fact that the CARICOM State allowed companies to dictate the pace of development.

Expounding further, Paul said, “In T&T, companies take out the gas from the ground at high pressure, put it in high pressure pipelines, and send it to shore. But once the pressure in the reservoir drops below a certain limit, the oil companies close up and move to another reservoir. By operating in this way, they leave a lot of gas in the ground.”

Paul continued, “…In reality, we should have had a policy in place which demanded that all the gas be produced. We didn’t have that and the oil companies knew that if we had forced them to do that, they would have had to put systems in place to ensure that is done.

That would have meant spending more money. And more money means fewer profits for their shareholders…”

With the foregoing example in mind, Paul stressed that a country essentially loses significantly without a proper depletion policy. He said that Guyana needs to understand that managing these resources is technical business and would therefore require strong capacity to manage it and negotiate with the oil companies in the best interest of the country.

“You must have this big picture in mind and someone has to be looking at it because if you leave it to the companies, they will manage it in a way that yields the best results for them. These companies do what is best for

their shareholders, always. So someone needs to defend Guyana’s case before it is too late,” the T&T Expert concluded.

OGGN SEEKS BAJAN PM’S INTERVENTION IN WAKING UPCARICOM TO GUYANA’S OILAND GAS INADEQUACIES The Guyanese led Oil & Gas Governance Network (OGGN) has written to influential Barbadian leader, Prime Minister Mia Mottley, seeking her intervention in heightening Caribbean leaders’ concern over oil and gas operations in Guyana.

The US-based group is adamant that given the limited capacity of regulatory bodies to exercise oversight in the local oil and gas sector, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) should be paying more interest, given the environmental threat that ExxonMobil’s oil operations pose to the entire bloc.

OGGN said that Guyana’s massive offshore oil reserves have introduced new and existing issues relating to fossil fuel exploration and their relationship to climate heating. The body noted that in the lead up to the Paris Agreement of 2016, Guyana and CARICOM had argued for a sustainable path and called to end industrial activities that would push temperature increase beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius.

However, the oil reserves in Guyana have brought on a more urgent concern for CARICOM, OGGN said. The non-governmental organization (NGO) noted that the subsea drilling for exploration and extraction wells in Guyana extends two miles, beneath a mile of water with 158 wells expected to be drilled by 2030.

Researchers, they claimed, have expressed (Continued on page 30)

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From page 29 worry that Exxon’s operations may lack the appropriate preparation or planning to head off a deepwater blowout and major oil spill.

While various experts and researchers within the oil and gas arena have repeated concerns on Exxon’s operations, OGGN said that there seem to be little advances in avoidance, control and mitigation methods for oil spills in the following decade.

The NGO pointed out that based on documents reviewed by Robert Bea, one of the world’s foremost forensic engineers’, he has expressed concern that Exxon has not kept the risks of a blowout or oil spill as low as “reasonably practicable”.

OGGN has thus urged the Barbadian PM to rally CARICOM leaders in assessing the danger behind Exxon’s operation. “We urge you to take the lead in convening CARICOM leaders and experts in assessing the scale, intensity and risks posed to the entire Caribbean by the reckless pace of oil exploration and production taking place in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).”

OGGN noted too that for the past four years, Guyanese and global citizens have detailed the one-sided nature of the 2016 Petroleum Agreement signed by the Government of Guyana, but are unable to get the necessary responses. They said that during the recent International Energy Conference and Expo, which Mottley had also attended, there was an absence of opportunities for interaction between the oil companies, their contractors and civil society; following a pattern that Exxon and its Environmental Impact Assessment contractor, do not answer questions from civil society but engage only with high levels in government.

“Honourable Prime Minister, we appeal to you, cognizant of your special relationship with the Government of Guyana. We hope that you will urge the governments of CARICOM to evaluate the scale, intensity and risks posed to the entire Caribbean by the ongoing high velocity oil exploration and production in Guyana’s EEZ.” The NGO related that so far, a map prepared by ERM, the consultancy firm doing Exxon’s Environmental Impact Assessments in Guyana has shown that northwestern currents of the Guyana territorial sea would push even a small oil spill to the southern Jamaican coast. “Even a small oil spill would despoil the Caribbean Sea and threaten the livelihoods of fishers and the tourism industry, not to mention the harms to marine life and ecosystems,” OGGN insisted.

They said that its hopes is that an assessment of, “the deeply inequitable and neo-colonial arrangements” between the Government of Guyana and petroleum companies will also be assessed in which the public wealth of Guyana is privatised and negative environmental harms to both Guyana and the Caribbean are

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Kaieteur News

socialised.

The OGGN letter was signed by activists Alfred Bhulai, Janette Bulkan, Dennis Henry, Jerry Jaillal, Darshanand Khusial, Mike Persaud, Joe Persaud, Ganga Ramdas and Charles Sugrim.

WEDNESDAY CGX’S NEXT OIL WELL IN CORENTYNE BLOCK PEGGED AT US$93M - DRILLING SCHEDULED FOR MAY-AUGUST PERIOD CGX Resources Inc. recently disclosed to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it proposes to drill the Wei-1 exploration well in the Northern portion of its Corentyne Block in the May to August 2022 period. Wei-1 is pegged to cost approximately US$93,000,000. This sum would be recoverable should CGX move to production on the heels of a commercial discovery.

The site of the proposed Wei-1 well is approximately 200km from Georgetown in a north easterly direction in the Atlantic Ocean. The area is bordered by the Stabroek and Kanuku Blocks on the north and west, respectively and Suriname on the east.

Kaieteur News understands that the Wei-1 well will be drilled as a vertical well utilising a semisubmersible rig. CGX said it secured an option to use semi-submersible rig Maersk Discoverer, a mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) from Maersk Drilling.

The Canadian explorer said the Maersk Discoverer was selected because of its potential to drill Wei1 effectively and safely. It explained that the rig is designed to sustain extreme environmental conditions and is certified for offshore operations. Additionally, it is fully equipped to handle all the drilling operations as its blowout preventer (BOP) and well control systems exceed all well control requirements.

CGX also told the EPA that the project will involve onshore facilities and marine/aviation services in Guyana to support the exploration, drilling and decommissioning activities. Laydown areas, pipe yards, warehouses, fuel supply, heliport, and waste management facilities are planned to be part of the support. The company said it will consider Trinidad and Tobago for back-up service activities if not available in Guyana.

It was noted that CGX is in discussion with G-Port Inc. for standard offshore Rig support logistics, PSV mooring and other Shore base services in Georgetown.

The company is also in discussion with Tiger Rentals Guyana for nonhazardous and hazardous waste management disposal services and PSV mud tank cleaning services at the GYSBI Inc. location at Houston, Guyana.

Furthermore, CGX said a “Cradle to Grave Waste Analysis” is being prepared for the project and will include waste profile generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal process stream

diagrams, associated volumes, related safety data sheets (sds), and other applicable waste profile details.

It was keen to note however, that there are challenges facing the country regarding waste management and therefore committed to delivering the most practical solutions with the most up to date available technologies. It noted in this regard that it is committed to ensuring the minimisation of the amount or hazardous nature of waste entering the waste streams.

Kaieteur News previously reported that the prospect Wei is named after the tallest and hottest mountain close to the villages of Paramakatoi and Kurububaru in the Pakaraimas. Wei mountain has commanding visibility over all the surrounding terrain, so it was used as a sentinel post by the Patamona people to guard against attacks.

Wei-1 is also the second prospect following Kawa, currently being drilled (September-December 2021), that has been identified in the Northern Corentyne area for exploration drilling.

Kaieteur News previously reported that CGX is an oil and gas exploration company headquartered in Toronto, Canada and was incorporated in 1998 for the primary purpose of exploring for hydrocarbons in Guyana, South America. In partnership with Frontera Energy Corporation, CGX holds an interest in three Petroleum Agreements (PA) known as the Corentyne, Berbice and Demerara Blocks, covering approximately 11,005.2 km2 (approximately 9,748.2 net km2) offshore and onshore Guyana.

The original Corentyne PA covered approximately 11,683 km2 under two separate Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPL). The Annex PPL (4,047 km2) was held 100 percent, as was the offshore portion of the Corentyne PPL (6,070 km2), while the onshore portion of the

Corentyne PPL (1,566 km2) was held net 62 percent by CGX through ON Energy, its subsidiary.

The original Corentyne PA was awarded to CGX in 1998, following which the company began an active exploration programme consisting of a 1,800 kilometre seismic acquisition and preparations to drill the Eagle well. The Eagle drilling location in 2000 was 15 kilometres within the Guyana-Suriname border. However, a border dispute between Guyana and Suriname led to the company being forced off of the Eagle location before drilling could begin.

As a result of that incident, all active offshore exploration in Guyana was suspended by CGX and the other operators in the area, including Exxon and Maxus (Repsol, YPF).

On September 17, 2007, the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (“ITLOS”) awarded a maritime boundary between Guyana and Suriname. In the decision, ITLOS determined that it had the jurisdiction to decide on the merits of the dispute and that the line adopted by ITLOS to delimit the parties’ continental shelf and exclusive economic zone follows an unadjusted equidistance line. The arbitration was compulsory and binding. CGX had financed a significant portion of Guyana’s legal expenses at a cost of US$9.8 million.

The decision was beneficial for CGX, as it concluded that 93 percent of CGX’s Corentyne PPL and 100 percent of the Georgetown PPL would be in the Guyana territory.

Because CGX was prevented from gaining unhindered access to a portion of the original Corentyne PPL area during the seven-year resolution, the term of the contract was extended to June 2013. In 2008, CGX was the first company to commit to acquire 3D seismic in Guyana when the Company acquired a 505 square kilometre 3D seismic programme to enhance its interpretation of its newly defined Eagle Deep prospect, a large stratigraphic trap in the Cretaceous.

The cost of the seismic programme was approximately $8 million.

Processing and interpretation of the 3D seismic was completed in 2009.

Based on the interpretation of the 3D seismic volume and concurrent activities on both sides of the Atlantic margin, CGX interpreted numerous prospects on the Corentyne PPL. One significant prospect was a Turonian sand at approximately 5,600 metres. Because the offset Jaguar-1 well on the Georgetown PPL was testing another Cretaceous Turonian prospect, the Corentyne commitment well was targeted to 4,250 metres to test the Tertiary Eocene and Cretaceous Maastrichtian trend.

The Eagle-1 well spudded on February 13, 2012 and was initially budgeted for 60 days of drilling, but experienced weather delays and mechanical issues which extended operations to 107 days. The initial cost estimate for the Eagle-1 well was US$55 million. However, due to additional time for drilling and additional logging of potential reservoir sands, the final costs associated with the Eagle-1 well were approximately US$89.4 million. In May 2012, the company completed the analyses of the results of its Eagle-1 well on the company’s 100 percent owned and operated Corentyne PPL, offshore Guyana.

The well was declared a dry-hole after encountering hydrocarbon shows in three formations, but the potential reservoir sands proved to be water-bearing. The company recognised the total cost of Eagle-1 well as a dry hole expense in the financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

As of March 19, 2013 and effective December 31, 2012, an Independent Resources Evaluation was completed by DeGolyer and MacNaughton of Dallas, Texas, USA (the “D&M Report”). In the D&M Report, the total best estimate (P50) of Prospective Resources for (Continued on page 31)

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From page 30 six oil and gas prospects within the Corentyne PA are 779 MMbbl of oil, 743 MMbbl of condensate, 6,943 Bcf of sales gas plus 696 billion cubic feet of solution gas.

The D&M Report has been filed on CGX’s website at www.cgxenergy.com. The D&M Report was prepared in accordance with the requirements of Section 5.9 of National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities. On November 27, 2012, the Company received a new Corentyne PA, offshore Guyana, renewable after four years for up to six additional years. That New Corentyne PA applied to the former offshore portion of the Corentyne PPL, covering 6,212 km2.

On December 15, 2017, the Company was issued an addendum to the November 27, 2012 PA. Under the terms of the addendum to the new Corentyne PA beginning November 27, 2017, during phase two of the first renewal period the Company has an obligation to drill one well.

That well was drilled last year August with Kawa-1.

Additionally, the addendum to the New Corentyne PA resulted in a reduction of acreage to 4,709 km2.

THURSDAY ONE MONTH LATER… MINISTER BHARRAT MUM ON US$9B PAYARAAUDIT Despite time running out on Guyana to conduct the audit into ExxonMobil Corporation (EMC) subsidiary, Esso Exploration

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and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) US$9 billion Payara exploration cost bill Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, is silent on the government’s progress of auditing and possibly rejecting unreasonable charges if found.

Notably, if the two-year deadline as prescribed in the Stabroek Block Agreement, passes and Guyana fails to audit ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, cost recovery bill, the country has no choice but to allow the oil company to recover US$9B for its Payara Development Project in the Stabroek Block, without making any objection.

In fact, Guyana has already failed to audit the Liza 1 and Liza 2 [post-2017 audits], which resulted in the oil company being allowed to recover the sum totaling US$9.5B. Therefore, the Payara audit is the country’s only chance of staving off the possibility of having to pay another multi-billion dollar bill from the American oil giant if unreasonable charges are found for those occurring from 2019 onwards.

Due to the seriousness and importance for Guyana to conduct an audit into the precontract spending of the oil company, Kaieteur News had first reached out to Minister Bharrat, on February 25, 2022, in relation to the progress of the audit. During the first interaction over a cellphone call, the Minister noted that he was in a meeting at the Office of the President, but contact can be made with him later that day [14:00hrs] for an update. At 14:30hrs, this

publication made several calls to the Minister but all went unanswered.

As such, Kaieteur News then contacted Minister Bharrat via WhatsApp. That message read, “Good afternoon Minister Bharrat, this is [name provided], a reporter with Kaieteur News.

I contacted you earlier in relation to an update on the auditing of the US$9B Payara project. Is the update available?”

The Minister responded shortly after stating: “Will ask my PR people to do a short release.” Kaieteur News then responded to the Minister by inquiring if the press statement will be released on that date. However, the Minister did not confirm or deny if the statement will be available on that date but replied, “working on it,” and Kaieteur News responded “okay thank you.”

However, on that day, no press release on the audit was provided by the Minister nor did the Minister respond. As such, at 09:33hrs on February 28, 2022, this media house contacted the Minister again.

That message read, “Good morning Minister Bharrat, this is [name provided], a reporter with Kaieteur News.

I’m just checking back on the press release you had promised in relation to the update on the auditing of the US$9B Payara project.”

Minister Bharrat responded at 21:17hrs. In his first message, he said “ok” and the second message was a document. Kaieteur News responded, “thank you” to which the Minister said, “Look at this” and “And I will provide the information later.”

The document that the Minister had sent was not on the US$9B Payara Audit but in fact, a press statement dated February 28, 2022, by ExxonMobil Guyana on oil spill insurance. This media house then responded to the Minister by informing him that this publication has already read the document since earlier that day.

Minister Bharrat replied, “Ok” and Kaieteur News replied, “Will the update on the audit of the Payara project be provided?” The Minister then replied, “Yes…” and as such, this publication asked, “Anytime soon?” to which the Minister never responded.

On Wednesday afternoon, one month and five days since Kaieteur News first reached out to the Minister, this publication contacted the Minister via WhatsApp and stated, “Good afternoon Minister Bharat, this is [name provided], a reporter with Kaieteur News. It has been

an international group…”

CLARITY NEEDED ON GAS GENERATION CAPACITY OF STABROEK BLOCK –INT’L CONSULTANT - CHRIS RAM SAYS ASKING QUESTIONS NOT ANTI-PROJECT

more than a month since you promised a press release on the update on the auditing of the US$9B Payara project.”

Minister Bharrat responded shortly after saying, “Sorry…got caught up with other matters,” Kaieteur News replied, “Can you say when will the update be provided?” but at the time of writing, the Minister has not responded nor has he provided an update on the US$9B Payara Audit.

Moreover, on January 24, 2022, Minister Bharrat had disclosed to the National Assembly that under the APNU+AFC regime, limited work was done on the audit of the US$460M pre-contract costs ExxonMobil incurred from 1999 to 2017. The Minister had described the extent of the work done as “alarming” while noting that efforts are currently underway to iron out some of the questionable details uncovered with ExxonMobil.

The Minister’s response was noted as part of a series of written responses to questions posed by Opposition Member, David Patterson regarding the state of the audit, which had commenced in 2019 after being awarded to British firm, IHS Markit – the contract cost to conduct the audit is US$460M. It was reported that the Minister responded to Patterson’s query by saying, “The Government of Guyana, when we took office was

alarmed at the limited work done in this regard by the previous administration and immediately commenced with international consultants and local agencies to have a number of shortcomings addressed.”

He then added, “Currently, the government is working to answer every questionable detail with the operator and the auditor to ensure that all expenditures are justifiable and accounted for as per the terms of the agreement.”

Notably, during a 2021 press engagement, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo had said that the government is disappointed that it has not been able to push through with the critical post-2017 audits. Expounding further, the Vice President had said, “We have been very disappointed that we have not been able to select a group to do the audit of the post-2017 expenditure by Exxon. The reason is that we didn’t have strong local content. We had two groups, two local groups that came in but they were not strong enough. We want to build the capacity in Guyana to do this audit. We think that our people have enormous skills, forensic skills and auditing capacity.” He noted too, “…we’re looking to see if we can’t have an arrangement where we have a consortium of our local people to come together to do part of this work while working alongside

With little information available to the public on the gas-to-energy project which is now pegged at US$1.3B, Co-Director of Energy at Americas Market Intelligence (AMI), Arthur Deakin, on Tuesday night during a panel discussion on the project was keen to note that while there is need for the project to come on stream, clarity is needed on the gas generation capacity of the Guyana’s largest oil reserve, the Stabroek Block.

Other panelists on the OilNow gas-to-shore discussion were Chartered Accountant and Attorney-atLaw, Christopher Ram, and financial analyst, Joel Bhagwandin. Deakin first stated that he is aware of the negotiations ongoing between the Government of Guyana (GoG) and American oil giant, ExxonMobil, on the price of the gas and who is going to build the actual power plants. While noting that he believes that it was determined that Exxon would build the pipeline, Deakin pointed out that there still needs to be a Request For Proposal (RFP) for who is going to build the power plant and the liquids facility.

He added that at this point, in terms of energy security around the world, it is more important than ever to have the gas-to-shore plant come on stream as quickly and as safely as possible.

However, while making further comments, Deakin highlighted that there is still no clarity on the amount of gas that has been found in the Stabroek Block.

“There are estimates, you know, 20% of it is supposed to be associated gas, but I think we need more concrete figures to know exactly what is realistic in terms of the generation capacity,” he added.

Deakin pointed out that it has been said that the power plant will produce 250 megawatts, but what is not known is how much of the gas that can be piped out from the Liza 1 well to shore. As a result, he emphasised the importance of greater clarity on the issue, which he stated must be addressed.

Another panelist, Christopher Ram, while speaking on the gas-to-shore project, noted that while there (Continued on page 32)

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From page 31 is no doubt about the benefits of the project, he pointed out that asking questions about it does not mean that you are anti-project, but in fact, means that there should be a more informative discussion.

In fact, Ram said, “So in speaking about the project, we can all say yes, it certainly has benefits…the devil as they say is in the details.” The chartered accountant also pointed out that while it is being said that the project will cut electricity cost by half, when the aforementioned will be possible is not known.

Moreover, Ram stated that there is no question that any country should be looking at reducing its electricity generation costs as well as reducing its carbon footprint. However, he noted that it is not necessary for a long-term solution, but in terms of an energy mix, it should be done.

According to reports, the gas-to-shore project was first touted as a US$900M inclusive of a gas pipeline, a gas fired power plant, and related processing facilities, Budget 2022 has confirmed this to be untrue and has in fact now confirmed a new price tag in excess of US$1.3B. The government has committed to providing some $520M in total, towards the gas fired power plant and has since allocated US$20M towards the project.

FRIDAY EXXONMOBIL’S SPENDING ON OIL PROJECTS SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC - CITIZENS MUST BE EMPOWERED WITH ALL INFO TO HOLD GOVT. ACCOUNTABLE – EXPERTS SAY When a commercial discovery is made, one of the next crucial steps for an oil company seeking to produce and sell the resource involves defining a Field Development Plan (FDP). This document provides key information about the geology of the field, the commerciality of the oil find, steps to be taken to prevent a blow out or similar mishap, along with all the associated costs to extract and produce that oil.

Various arms of the government such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) examine this document and ensure that the requisite protective measures are in place, that the data provided is accurate and the costs for production as outlined are not inflated.

Often times, the government hires an expert to provide assistance in this regard.

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This was done in the case of the projects pursued by ExxonMobil and its partners Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, in the Stabroek Block.

Currently, the oil companies are well on their way to producing oil from the Payara field. This is in addition to the operations ongoing at the Liza Phase One and Liza Phase Two Projects which are producing in total, 340,000 barrels of oil per day. The company is also in talks with the government for its blessings on the Yellowtail Project, the fourth to be developed in the Stabroek Block. FDPs were provided

by Exxon to the government for each of these projects. But despite the plethora of information they contain which would assist citizens in being better informed about the project, none have been released for scrutiny.

Local Content Expert, Anthony Paul has told Kaieteur News on more than one occasion that in the interest of transparency and accountability, these field development plans should be made public, while noting that Norway, in particular, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, publishes this type of information. Paul categorically stated that the information contained in these documents allow citizens to be more informed about their resources and empowers them with the data they need to hold the authorities of the day accountable.

Former University of Houston Instructor, Tom Mitro was also in agreement as he noted, that citizens ought to know what the associated costs for the project are and be able to

question whether they are economical.

He said, “…But unfortunately in most cases, they aren’t. Companies tend to argue that they contain geological or engineering data and analysis that is proprietary and could benefit competitors. But since the planned development can have such a large and wide impact, public interest should override the company concerns.”Mitro who has over 30 years’ experience in the industry added, “They could always separate any competitively sensitive information if needed.”

Also in agreement with Mitro was Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram. He opined in a previous interview with this newspaper that if the FDPs have proprietary information then indeed, he can see how this would be an issue for the companies as well as the government. Ram noted nonetheless, “But I don’t see how it can (have proprietary information). I do believe that these plans should be made public. The government should be insisting on it and the people should be demanding it, because it has environmental implications while giving you an idea of the costs.”

GUYANAMUSTADOPT INT’L STANDARDS, BEST PRACTICES TO GUARD AGAINST OIL SPILL RISKS - US AMBASSADOR URGES - SAYS EACH COMPANY IN THE USA HAS VERY STRICT RULES TO FOLLOW ABOUT WHAT INSURANCE THEY CARRY Given the government’s

intention to develop the Stabroek Block’s significant oil resources, US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch advised that the authorities adopt international standards and best practices to guard against the risks associated with unmitigated oil spills.

Her sage remarks were delivered on Thursday afternoon at the Ramada Princess Hotel which facilitated the Annual Meeting for the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA). Following her featured address at the event, Kaieteur News asked the US Envoy for her advice on how Guyana can mitigate some of the risks associated with oil spills in the oil sector, taking into account the experience of her homeland in this regard.

Ambassador Lynch said appropriate mitigation measures would entail looking at international standards and best practices and trying to adopt them. She said, “Guyana is not only on the regional stage but also on the global stage and I think the country that I know wants to set itself up for success, how you do that is looking at these best practices and getting educated on them, and it is going to take some time and hard work.”

With respect to this publication’s question on how Guyana can go about demanding insurance for oil spills, drawing on the lessons of the USA, the envoy said every company has its own rules and regulations, as such; it is hard to give a generalization there. Be that as it may, she did note that each company in the USA has very strict rules to follow about what insurance they carry so should something happen in their industry they are covered. “But in terms of the level of insurance and how they get that I would have to defer to the different companies,” expressed Ambassador Lynch.

In the meantime, she did note that the USA is doing its part by helping Guyana get the training it needs to properly respond to oil spills.

In this regard, the Ambassador said, “Yes we definitely think this is important and we know there are others working on this including within the industry and our goal, what we are providing is some assistance to the Coast Guard and helping them become better prepared to identify and respond to the potential for any one spill.”

The official added, “It is certainly is prudent I think for Guyana, the government and

whoever else is involved such as the private sector to improve the ability to respond, their skills, get the right tools (for response)…”

GUARANTEE FROM EXXON While the US Embassy has been integral to providing key training sessions for Guyana in oil spill response, civil society groups have called on former and current administrations over the years to give equal attention to securing full coverage insurance for the Stabroek Block.

In this regard, citizens have said that ExxonMobil, the parent company of Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) which operates the block, should be made to cover any oil spill costs that cannot be handled by EEPGL. Since 2015, ExxonMobil Corporation has steered clear of being tied to such an arrangement. Instead, it has placed only its subsidiary (EEPGL) on the hook if such an eventuality occurs offshore. This is the state of affairs with its Liza Phase One, Liza Phase Two and Payara Projects. Following in its footsteps are Hess Corporation and CNOOC Limited, the other two joint venture companies in the Stabroek Block.

The government has since disclosed that it is conducting talks with ExxonMobil to provide a parent guarantee for the Stabroek Block. The value of this however, has not been revealed but Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had said more information would be released on the conclusion of those discussions.

SATURDAY EXXONMOBIL GETS GREEN LIGHT FOR FOURTH PROJECT The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

announced on Friday that it approved the Environmental Authorization for the US$10B Yellowtail Development Project. The Environmental Permit was granted for a period of five years to ExxonMobil subsidiary and operator of the Stabroek Block, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) to undertake the requisite construction and operation of production facilities.

The approval comes after the EPA considered public inputs during all statutory periods for public consultations and review.

The EPA was keen to note that it took into consideration, the technical review and recommendations from a team of Independent International Experts, and the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB).

The permit contains several key provisions which speak to flaring, oil spill response and financial assurance and monitoring. It also includes a new provision on receipt of grievances.

On the matter of flaring, the Permit strictly prohibits routine flaring and venting, and specifies that it is only permissible during commissioning, start-up and special circumstances. The Permit also goes further to maintain payments in instances where flaring is conducted beyond permitted durations. Kaieteur News previously reported that EEPGL would have to pay US$45 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent, which it is permitted to flare.

Among its other notable conditions, the permit requires EEPGL to procure a Capping Stack to be maintained, tested, and stored in Guyana. A capping stack is a large well closure device that connects to the top of the blowout preventer (Continued on page 33)

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From page 32 (BOP) and is capable of sealing off a well. It is a form of modern technology (available post the Gulf of Mexico, Macando incident) to cap a well in event of a loss of well control, and failure of the blowout preventer (BOP).

Additionally, EEPGL must maintain access to at least one (1) overseas subscription service, to allow mobilization of a Capping Stack to the project location. This serves to fortify safety and emergency response efforts since wells would be swiftly capped in the event of a well blow-out.

Importantly, the Permit also ensures that EEPGL is held liable for all costs associated with clean up, restoration and compensation for any pollution damage, which may occur as a consequence of the project. EEPGL is also required to have financial assurance which includes a combination of Insurance

which must “cover well control, and/or clean up and third-party liability on terms that are market standard for the type of coverage.”

It also requires a Parent Company/Affiliate Guarantee Agreement which indemnifies and keeps indemnified the EPA and the Government of Guyana in the event EEPGL and its CoVenturers fail to meet their environmental obligations under the Permit. Further, the Permit states that the financial assurance provided “must be guided by an estimate of the sum of the reasonably credible costs, expenses, and liabilities that may arise from any breaches of this permit.

“Liabilities are considered to include costs associated with responding to an incident, clean-up and remediation and monitoring. In seeking to ensure EEPGL meets its obligations to prevent and mitigate environmental harm, the Permit imposes comprehensive requirements

for monitoring and management of any impacts affecting biological, physical, and socio-economic resources within the Area of Influence of the project, including targeted and updated environmental baseline studies.

The permit also requires EEPGL to submit safety case information, including a risk assessment prior to drilling and development of wells.

Further, EEPGL is also enjoined to establish and maintain a Grievance Mechanism in keeping with the World Bank’s Approach to Grievance Redress in projects, to ensure that complaints from individuals and communities who may be affected by the project are received and addressed.

There is a requirement for reporting same and what actions were taken to address the grievances to the EPA. The full text of the Yellowtail Permit is available for download on the EPA’s website at www.epaguyana.org.

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>>> ENCOURAGING EVENTS, DISTURBING DEVELOPMENTS <<<

Guarantee and full indemnification, 30-year wait for oil spill compensation

T

he two areas focused on today represent talking the talk, and then realworld reality. There is some encouragement first, a stirring of hope second.

Regarding full oil insurance coverage, (allowances given for caps, deductibles, and such), I am guardedly encouraged by promises of working for a ‘guarantee’ of some sort from Exxon (the almighty VP), and full indemnification in the event of an oil spill (the besieged EPA honcho); either one in its most comprehensive documentation from the parent company could be the game-changer that is acceptable.

But when these fine Guyanese speak, I have learned to be careful with their tangled webs.... Go slow is the motto.

For, like the President, it is not what they say in very grand terms, which may convey ideas of positives, but of what they really mean, in which there is big trouble concealed. To say this differently, it all lies in the definition and expansiveness of

meanings attached to ‘guarantee’ and ‘full indemnification.’

To elaborate a tad, what is the breadth of this suddenly emerging ‘guarantee’? Who and what and where is covered?

To what monetary maximum? What is left out of such a guarantee? And, regarding that epiphany from the EPA head, how full is full? How much is Guyana indemnified for, and against what, from which sources?

All of this must be laid out in the most straightforward language, written in stone, meaning, irrevocable, hence non-negotiable, not appealable.

To emphasise these nationally vital concerns, I point out that Exxon has more attorneys at its beck and call than we have in Guyana and in the region.

They are not of the ambulance chaser and mortuary variety that populate the local fraternity. As I move later to Nigeria, this should become headlight bright, with how another oil power ‘lawyered’ its way for decades.

As all Guyanese should know by now, I place little trust in most

things presented by the Hon. VP, and the EPA Head is in the same leaky boat.

Both have earned this lack of trust with distinction, through the products of their fevered minds.

They search diligently for ways to misrepresent oil-related matters and mislead this nation, through concealments and dodges.

What is interesting is how the big one could be a tower of power in beating down brown and black locals objecting to his follies, but how sickly and cowardly he is when dealing with the powerful white brothers from America.

We need to know the whole story on what ‘guarantee’ and ‘full indemnification’ represent. Hope it is not another politicalcommercial conspiracy drummed up by the VP and Exxon. Now to Nigeria.

The poor coloured natives of Nigeria were held hostage for 30 years Royal Dutch Shell and others after an oil spill. Harvesting Third World riches and collecting billions from those societies is exciting for oil companies; but paying out when problems come

(and which they are responsible for) is considered a tragedy.

Oil companies go on a war footing.

Oil companies raking in cash for decades get mean and stingy. But there is a larger lesson for Guyana, which was well said by the Nigerian community attorney representing the poor farmers. “They ran out of tricks, decided to come to terms.” This is what we must watch out for – tricks.

Our political leaders are full of tricks when dealing with Guyanese, but they are nonstarters in the trickery department when compared to monstrous Exxon. I would assert that Exxon is even trickier than Royal Dutch Shell, and particularly when dealing with coloured people.

In case anyone is wondering why I persist with describing this as a ferocious battle between white and non-white parties, I invite fellow citizens to revisit

By GHK Lall history. Go back a little to what happened to the Aztecs; then study the early years of the Arabs and their ongoing fights for oil fairness; next, touch Africa, and it is the same saga of Caucasian rapacity waged endlessly against people of colour, lesser life forms in their eyes.

Now it is Guyana’s turn. And if de Vee Pee tink dat Exxon is he fren, he is worse than thought of, in a bad place.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

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110 West Regent Street, Lacytown, Georgetown, Guyana Tel: 592-227-4754

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Lessons from a Lashpreneur!!!

Eyelash mistakes you’re probably making

By Latoya Zephyr Hey lash babes,this week we’re gonna look at some eyelash mistakes you’re probably making....without even realizing.

If you’ve been critical of your lashes, thinking they’re less than phenomenal, and have started considering ways to beef them up, you’ll be happy to know that you can actually enhance them without any special treatments.

And, even if you’ve already tried out extensions or other lash enhancements, you can still benefit by making a

few simple changes and correcting some common lash mistakes.

Here’s how.

1.Sleeping in your mascara Even if you’re diligent about removing your foundation and lipstick before climbing into bed, you might not be as fastidious about removing your mascara.

You may not even think much of it, but some pretty nasty things can happen if you don’t remove the cosmetic from your lashes. significant eye irritation can occur if mascara gets into your eyes while sleeping.

Leftover mascara can also result in clogging of the tiny hair follicles and oil glands on your eyelids.

When clogged, bacteria forms and inflammation follows.

As a result, small bumps called styes or hordeolums can form. It’s better to play it safe and properly remove your mascara before hitting the hay.

2.Going too big with your extensions Go big or go home, right? Well, not when it comes to your eyelash extensions. If you’re considering extensions, you are obviously look-

ing for fuller, longer lashes.

Nevertheless, you have to be careful. Professional lash techs typically refuse to put on a lash extension that is too heavy or too long for a natural lash.

The risk of overly long lashes apparently far outweighs the reward. “You can cause permanent damage to your follicle or cause the lash to prematurely fall out.

But don’t freak out.

This doesn’t mean you should totally fear getting extensions and write them off forever. By doing your research and visiting a repu-

table lash tech, you can avoid having the wrong type of lash applied and thus avoid having any kind of damage done to your natural lashes.

3.Wearing expired mascara How long ago did you open that tube of mascara you’re wearing? If it was during a different season or worse, if you can’t even remember when it was,throw it away! Mascara has the shortest shelf life of all beauty products and should be discarded two to three months after opening.

Depending on the brand, mascara can be quite expensive which only makes it harder to toss before you’ve finished the tube. Still, there are some very real health risks if you continue using your mascara past the expiration date.

You use mascara near your eyes, it’s liquid which tends to grow more bacteria and you double dip every time you re-insert the brush into the tube, all of which increase the risk of eye infection.For every day you go past that two- to threemonth mark, you’re just coating your eyelashes in more and more bacteria.

4.Rubbing your eyes If your morning routine involves rubbing your eyes, you’re actually doing a disservice to both your eyes and your eyelashes.

Just like whiskers on a cat or a dog, lashes can help us sense if anything is too close and incite a blink if necessary.

Lashes also work to prevent dust and debris from coming into contact with our eyes. If you rub your eyes, though,

you’re basically undoing all of your eyelashes’ hard work.

Plus, if you’re someone who suffers from allergies, you might just be putting what you’re allergic to like pollen directly into your eyes. Not exactly the most pleasant experience.

5.Always wearing waterproof mascara Waterproof mascara is a pretty nifty invention and one that is definitely appreciated during weddings, beach vacations, and sappy movies. Even though you might not be able to predict when your next cry will be, waterproof mascara isn’t a good choice for everyday wear.

What makes the waterproof mascara so great also happens to be its downfall: staying power.

As you likely know from trying to scrub this cosmetic from your lashes, waterproof mascara is incredibly difficult to remove.

Over time, vigorous removal can tug and pull on your lash line, causing them to weaken and break.

While it may be great not to have to worry about crying muddy black tears, it’s certainly better than dealing with broken lashes from trying to remove your waterproof mascara. Instead, opt for a tubing mascara containing flexible polymers which require only warm water to remove. Vacancy exists for 1 manicurist Requirements: 2 years experience with 2 references.

Interested persons can contact Glo Guyana on 6785615.

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Can drinking more water really lead to weight loss?

W

hile no one’s saying you’ll wake up lighter simply by sipping water before bed (or any other time of day), evidence supports the water–weight loss connection: After all, 60% of your body is composed of water, meaning that the clear, calorie-free liquid plays a role in just about every bodily function. The more hydrated you are, research suggests, the more efficiently your body works at tasks that range from thinking to burning body fat.

Science suggests that water can help with weight loss in a variety of ways. It may suppress your appetite, boost your metabolism, and make exercise easier and more efficient, all of which could contribute to results on the scale.

While countless factors, behaviors, and predispositions can affect your body weight, if your goal is longterm, moderate weight loss, making sure you’re hydrated could be a good place to begin. Seven reasons drinking more water may help you lose weight: 1. Water may naturally suppress your appetite.

When you realize you’re hungry, your first impulse may be to find food. But eating may not be the answer.

“Thirst, which is triggered by mild dehydration, is often mistaken for hunger by the brain,” says Melina Jampolis, an internist and board-certified physician nutrition specialist. “You may be able to decrease appetite by drinking water if you are, in fact, low in water not calories.”

What’s more, drinking water can promote satiation because it passes through the system quickly, stretching the stomach. “This sends messages to your brain signaling fullness,” Jampolis says.

Elizabeth Huggins, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Hilton Head Health, adds that though the results are temporary, “consuming water shortly before eating may help decrease food intake.”

Research supports the theory: People who drank two glasses of water immediately before a meal in a small 2016 study ate 22% less than those who didn’t drink any water prior to eating.

About two cups should fill your stomach enough for your brain to register fullness.

2. Drinking water may stimulate your metabolism.

It’s possible that drinking water stimulates your body’s metabolism and energy expenditure, ultimately helping with weight management, according to Huggins.

In an eight-week study

published in 2013, when 50 girls with excess weight drank about two cups of water half an hour before breakfast, lunch, and dinner without any additional dietary changes, they lost weight and saw reductions in body mass index and body composition scores.

It’s not magic: Drinking water appears to stimulate thermogenesis, or heat production, in the body, particularly when it’s chilled. The body has to expend energy to warm the fluid to body temperature, and the more energy expended by your body, the faster your metabolism (the process by which your body converts what you eat and drink into energy) runs. Specifically, drinking about two cups of 71°F water led to a 30% average increase in the metabolic rates of 14 healthy adults in a small 2003 study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Before you fill your glass and load your plate, though, keep in mind that the effects of thermogenesis probably won’t create substantial calorie deficits that result in weight loss. “Even if the effect is negligible, it is important to stay hydrated,” Huggins says, noting that there are few, if any, downsides to drinking more water.

3. Drinking water could help reduce your overall liquid calorie intake.

Because water contains no calories, filling your glass with H2O instead of higher calorie alternatives such as juice, soda, or sweetened tea or coffee can reduce your overall liquid calorie intake.

Choose water over the standard 20-ounce vending machine soft drink, and you’ll drink 250 fewer calories, Huggins points out.

As long as you don’t “make up” for those calories—i.e., walk out of the coffee shop with a muffin and water instead of your usual flavored latte—the calorie savings can add up quickly, she says.

Also interesting: Although diet soda contributes no calories, replacing diet beverages with water may be a factor that contributes to weight loss in certain groups of people. Overweight and obese women who replaced diet beverages with water after their main meal showed greater weight reduction during a weight-loss program in a 2015 study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The researchers noted that the extra weight loss in those who drank water could be attributed to consuming fewer calories and

carbohydrates, but more research is needed. All that said, since many diet beverages still hydrate and reduce calorie intake when used as a replacement for sugary beverages, they may help certain individuals lose weight.

4. Drinking water helps during exercise.

Water is essential to the body during exercise: It dissolves electrolytes—minerals that include sodium, potassium, and magnesium—and distributes them throughout the body, where their electrical energy triggers muscle

tigue, which can allow you to work out longer and burn more calories.” That’s why it’s so important to hydrate before and throughout your workout, not just when you start to feel thirsty.

5. Water helps the body remove waste.

Drinking water facilitates the production of urine, which is largely made up of water, and the movement of feces, since water keeps stools soft.

In other words, the more hydrated you are, the easier it is for your system to move things along and the less

contractions required for movement, Jampolis explains.

An electrolyte imbalance can lead to cramping, but that’s not the only side effect of drinking too little.

“When muscle cells are dehydrated, they break down protein (aka muscle) more quickly and build muscle more slowly, so your workouts are much less effective,” she says.

What’s more, the body loses fluids more quickly during exercise because it generates heat that’s shunted to the skin’s surface, where perspiration and subsequent evaporation (a cooling process) help with temperature regulation.

Staying properly hydrated also helps maintain your blood’s volume, so you can optimize the expansion of blood vessels at the skin’s surface to release heat, Jampolis says.

“If your body can’t dump excess heat via sweating, you’re setting yourself up for heat exhaustion or worse,” she says. “Being adequately hydrated can improve your workouts by decreasing fa-

likely you are to suffer from constipation and bloating.

In addition, adequate hydration promotes kidney function, flushes harmful bacteria from the urinary tract, and prevents kidney stones, which can occur with more concentrated urine, according to Huggins.

6. The body needs water to burn fat.

Upping your water intake may increase lipolysis, the process by which the body burns fat for energy, according to a 2016 mini-review of animal studies published in Frontiers in Nutrition. “We’re not certain of the mechanism, but mild dehydration decreases lipolysis, which may be due to hormonal changes,” says Jampolis, who was not associated with the review.

Another theory posed in the animal studies: Water expands cell volume, which could play a role in fat metabolism. However, it remains unproven among human subjects.

7. Water may improve motivation and reduce stress.

When you’re dehydrated, you may experience symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and confusion—and who makes healthy decisions under those conditions? Dehydration, the researcher of the 2016 mini-review found, also may be linked to sleepiness and reduced alertness.

And another study, published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine, found that dehydration increases your body’s production of cortisol, the stress hormone.

“These symptoms could affect your motivation to exercise, cook at home, and make better food choices,” Jampolis says.

Other health benefits of drinking water Remember, your body is made up of 60% water, so weight loss isn’t the only bodily process affected by proper hydration. These are just a few examples of what else water can do: Water keeps your skin bright.

Scientists still don’t know the exact mechanism, but given water’s important role in the majority of your bodily functions, it makes sense that it would be instrumental in skin health, too. In a 2015 study published in the journal Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, researchers found that increasing water intake would affect the skin the same way as a topical moisturizer and could positively impact normal skin physiology, including elasticity (the loss of which is related to sagging and wrinkles).

Water boosts your brainpower.

Just like the rest of your body, your brain depends on H2O to work most efficiently—water actually composes 73% of the brain. Even slight levels of dehydration (as little as 2% water loss) impair your performance in tasks that require attention, cognitive functions, physical movement, and immediate memory skills, according to research published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.

Water regulates blood pressure.

“Water plays a major role in keeping the blood flowing effectively,” Huggins says.

“When you’re dehydrated, the plasma/blood cell ratio changes in a way that makes the blood thicker and more viscous. This makes it tougher for blood to flow where it needs to flow, increasing the stress placed on the heart.”

In addition, when your body’s cells don’t have

enough water, the brain secretes a chemical that constricts the blood vessels, which can lead to hypertension or high blood pressure, which in turn can increase the risk of stroke and heart disease. Staying hydrated keeps your blood vessels from constricting so blood can flow normally.

How much water should you drink?

You’ve probably heard the common “eight 8-ounce glasses per day” rule, but the reality is, the amount of water needed varies greatly depending on age, gender, health, physical activity, tendency to sweat, and more.

The majority of healthy people adequately meet their daily hydration needs by letting thirst be their guide, according to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, or NASEM. The average American adult drinks nearly five cups of water a day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The general recommendation from the NASEM is approximately 91 ounces (about 11 cups) of water each day for women and approximately 125 ounces (about 15 and a half cups) for men.

About 80% of the recommended fluid intake comes from drinking water and beverages, while the other 20% comes from water-rich foods.

One way to determine whether you’re drinking enough water is to peek in the pot after you pee. “It’s best to go by the color of your urine,” Jampolis says. “If it’s dark yellow, you aren’t drinking enough. Aim for light yellow.”

The upshot: Water and weight loss The science does show that drinking water may facilitate weight loss and encourage other positive health outcomes. “Water is critical in every cellular activity of our body from head to toe,” Huggins says. “Staying hydrated helps the body run more efficiently and helps us feel better.”

But drinking more water should be only one small part of your wellness journey.

“Drinking water is not going to have a huge weight loss effect, and without calorie restriction and/or exercise, just drinking water is not likely to lead to significant weight loss,” Jampolis says. As always, she says, it’s important to embrace a more comprehensive and sustainable approach. (https://hub.jhu.edu/ at-work/2020/01/15/focuson-wellness-drinking-morewater/)

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Junior page

WHY THE EASTER BUNNY BRINGS EGGS

Image Source@ www.istorybooks.co

A European Folktale, adapted by Jean Warren Once upon a time, there was a King who had a very powerful magician at his court. One day, the magician gave the King a hen that laid beautiful eggs for a present.

The king liked the eggs but he was greedy and he told his magician that he would like the hen better, if she could lay eggs of gold. So the Magician worked another magic spell and sure enough the hen started laying eggs of gold.

The king was delighted.

He became very rich and the envy of the other kings. He kept his special hen in a

golden cage next to his thrown.

He knew that someday, someone would try to steal his hen, so whenever visitors came, he would have his magician come and hide the special hen and substitute an ordinary hen in the cage.

Sure enough, one day someone ran off with the hen in they golden cage. The king was glad he had had his magician switch the hens.

He sent word for the magician to bring back his hen. But the next day, when the king looked in his golden cage all he found was a white rabbit. “What's this!” said the King. “Little rabbit, how

Sunday April 03, 2022

Easter Crafts using pipe cleaners and eggs

did you get in here? The King opened the cage and had his footman take the rabbit back out to the woods where he belonged. Then he called for his magician.

“Where is my magic hen?”, asked the King. I told you to bring her back. “I did bring her back,” said the magician. “I put her in the cage”, I just didn't have time to change her back into a hen.”They never did find the little white rabbit, but from that day forward, children found colorful eggs hidden all over the kingdom. And some say, that every once in a while someone found a golden one.

A. Pipe Cleaner Eggs If dipping and dyeing isn't your thing, try this lessmess decorating idea. First things first: Make sure your egg is completely empty and clean, or just go with a faux craft egg instead. Then attach one end of a pipe cleaner (you'll need 3 to 4 in the same color) to the top center of the egg with a small dot of hot glue and let dry.

Carefully coil the pipe cleaner around the egg, adding small dots of hot glue as you go.

Snip off any excess pipe cleaner once you have reached the bottom of the egg and secure the end with one last dot of glue.

B. Pom-Pom Bunny Eggs Breathe some life into your home by scattering an adorable colony of fuzzy rabbits. To make, cut a 6” piece of pipe cleaner and fold it in half twice to create an "M" shape. Then twist the two ends of the pipe cleaner together to create bunny ears. Using craft glue, attach the ears to the back of a pompom to create a bunny head.

Once dry, attach the pompom to the narrow end of an egg and let dry. Customize your bunny by adding a small bow tie with the ribbon of your choice.

C.Bunny Ears Headband Make yourself the perfect Easter Sunday

accessory: floral bunny ears!

If you want to cover the headband with ribbon, attach one end of ribbon to the bottom of the headband with hot glue and wrapping the headband until it's completely covered, adding small dots of hot glue as you go. To make the bunny ears, cut two lengths of pipe cleaner, about 20" and gently fold each in half.

Twist the ends together and using hot glue, attach the twisted ends to the head band.

Fill out the crown with an arrangement of faux flowers, hot glueing them in place.

You can use cracked egg shells as flower replacements (ensure you wash them properly before using) ; feel free to paint and decorate the shells.

FUN WITH POETRY

One thing at a time Sometimes I find, when doing something, That I try to do another, Like when I am at homework, I want to play with my brother.

I even know when I am at school, Doing some work for my teacher, I stop to chat with some friend, And then cannot finish whatever.

So I now see that whatever I am doing, I must put my whole mind to it; This is the only way I can do my best, And so make the most of any effort.

This is also true of everything else, That I have to do each day, Whether eating, bathing, or any work at home, It is one thing at a time always.

by Uncle Roy

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TEEN TIME

I

t is a fact that when students are preparing for some examination they tend to concentrate on getting their mind to absorb as much as possible so as to accomplish their best in the tests.

At the same time they neglect to look after the other aspects of their lives, and so fail in getting the best out of themselves at this most important occasion.

Every human being is made up of various characteristics, all of which must work together in harmony if we are to get the most out of our natural resources and the effort we make towards achieving some objective.

These are our body, mind, emotions and spirit, and we have to try to keep each of these in good shape if we are to be operating at our maximum potential.

It can be clearly seen then that, if we are to produce our best in any of these, we have to ensure that the others are fit and ready to join in the effort.

If we intend to engage in any spiritual exercise, for example, we will need to ensure that the other aspects are healthy.

Otherwise we will be distracted by problems with our physical health, our

mental faculties and our feelings, and not be able to focus as deeply as we would want.

With respect to our original position, if we are to do our best at any mental work, we should at least take care to keep our body fit, especially as our brain is a part of our physical structure and has a direct effect on our mental processes.

We all know of what

we need to do to keep our body healthy and working at its maximum – regular exercise, a healthy diet, rest and relaxation, moderation in our habits, and avoidance of harmful substances.

When we take the time and trouble to ensure these, then we will go a far way towards the efficient working of our whole self and be moving towards the best we can be, not only in our work at school and home, but also in any occupation we are involved in.

Start to think deeply about how you can keep each part of your personality fit and free from any obstacles which can lessen the effort you have to make towards anything you are working on, and try to ensure that you try your utmost to keep these working at their best.

Masyu Puzzle The finished puzzle will contain a loop made of horizontal/vertical line segments that connects all the white and black circles. The line going thru a white circle must be straight.

However, there must be at least one corner made on the dot immediate preceding or immediately following the white circle (or on both dots). The line going thru a black circle must

turn a corner on the black circle.

Both of the lines emanating from this corner need to go straight through the next dot before making any more turns.

The Awesome Power of our Mind

by Uncle Roy We all have within us a storehouse of power, Which we can use to pursue any endeavour; Our mental faculties can accomplish all we want, We only need to tap its resources so abundant.

Consider all that the human mind has conceived, Enabling mankind in the amazing things achieved; Men have perfected so many inventions, That have given life so much satisfaction; We observe, reason, and so make our lives better, We use our memories to recall all things of yester; The potential is ours to imagine and create, And invent so many ways to communicate; We can store up knowledge, experiences and ideas, To bring up when we need to resolve our dilemmas; Our subconscious can help us with any problem, You just need to ask, and it will readily solve them; When you direct all your questions inwardly, Soon the answers will come up brilliantly.

So make the most of this tremendous power, And apply it to improve life for yourself and others; Then thank your Creator for this fantastic gift – A mind that keeps us ever enlightened and uplift.

See the need to try to keep each faculty working at its best so as to get the most from any endeavour.

TELL IT TO UNCLE ROY I would like to inform our readers that the Uncle Roy email address is temporarily unavailable. So please send any contributions you would like to make to this page to roypaul2002@yahoo.com

Solutions to last week’s

Kids word search

Jigsaw sudoku

Hint

Keep all your Faculties working at their best to make the most of any effort you make

PAGE 52

How to get rid of dark spots on the face Dark spots on the face can result from hyperpigmentation, which is a common skin condition that occurs when the skin produces too much melanin. Hyperpigmentation can be due to sun exposure, scarring, aging, and more.

Do home remedies work for dark spots?

Many products and online sources claim that various home remedies can fade hyperpigmentation. Some examples of these include: *aloe vera gel * beta carotene * green tea * licorice root * pomegranate extract * soy milk * tea tree oil * turmeric * lemon juice However, there is limited or no evidence to back up most of these claims.

Some home remedies for dark spots can be harmless, but others may cause damage to the skin.

For example, lemon juice is very acidic and too harsh to use undiluted. Similarly, people should not use undiluted essential oils on the skin.

Things to avoid Some skin-lightening practices can be dangerous. For example, the AAD warns against using liquid bleach on the skin. This can cause serious burns.

Some skin-lightening products can also contain unlisted ingredients, such as steroids, which people should not use without medical supervision. Others can even contain mercury, which is highly toxic.

Mercury may appear on ingredient lists as: * mercuric * calomel *cinnabaris * hydrargyri oxydum rubrum * quicksilver People should always purchase products for hyperpigmentation from reputable companies and online stores. Alternatively, they can obtain safe products from a dermatologist.

Even with safe products, it is important to follow the instructions on the label unless otherwise instructed by a doctor. People should not use the product more often than the instructions state.

If side effects occur, people should stop using the product immediately and speak with a dermatologist.

Summary In many cases, hyperpigmentation on the face will fade on its own with time. OTC and prescription treatments can safely fade areas of discoloration. A dermatologist can advise on the best approaches depending on a person's skin type and tone and the cause of their hyperpigmentation.

It is important that people contact a doctor straight away if existing dark spots grow, change, or multiply.

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MEDEXES - ACCORD...

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THE

Sunday April 03, 2022

Causing death by dangerous driving

Court Journal

By Renay Sambach Driving recklessly and causing the death of someone is an offence that carries up to five years jail time. For the month of March, three persons including a police officer, were charged for causing death by dangerous driving.

As a result of those three incidents seven individuals lost their life.

The first matter is that of a teen who was charged for killing three men during an alleged drag race last week and was on Thursday last placed on bail.

On March 24, last the unlicenced teenage driver of a speeding Spacio car that caused the death of three persons, on the De Willem Public Road, West Coast Demerara, was placed on $1,500,000 bail for the offence.

On March 11, 2022, when the defendant, Matthew Ambedkar, 19, of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) made his first court appearance in the Leonora Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Zameena Ali-Seepaul, he was remanded to prison.

However, on his second court appearance, the charge was re-read to Ambedkar after the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) was applied and the teen was subsequently placed on bail.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleges that on March 7, 2022, at De Willem Public Road, West Coast Demerara, he drove in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the deaths: 46year-old Kiran Rampersaud of Zeeburg, WCD, and 44-year-old Ayube Mohamed of Meten-MeerZorg, and Carlito Kissoon Gobin of De Willem Village, WCD. Attorneys-at-law, Dexter Todd and Dexter Smart, who are representing the teen made a bail application to the court for their client. As such, Magistrate AliSeepaul granted bail in the sum of $500,000 on each charge with the condition attached that Ambedkar

Charged, Mattew Ambedkar

Dead, Toney Lakeram (From left) Dead, Ayube Mohamed; Carlito Kissoon Gobin and Kiran Rampersaud.

Charged, Vivendra Ramdharry lodge his passport. The matter was then adjourned to April 26, 2022, for statements.

It is alleged that around 21:35hrs on the day in question, Ambedkar was the driver of a speeding car that ploughed into a parked SUV and a group of individuals in front of a bar located at De Willem Village, killing three of them.

It is also alleged that the unlicenced teen driver was involved in a drag race with another vehicle. Ambedkar reportedly lost control of the car, which careened off the road, crashing into a SUV which was parked in front of the bar along with the victims. He was also severely injured as a result of the accident and had to be hospitalised for a few days.

In another matter, the driver who was involved in the fatal hitand-run at Number 70 Village, Corentyne, East Berbice, Region Six was on Tuesday March 22, last remanded to prison.

The defendant was identified as Vivendra Ramdharry, 37, of Number 69 Village, East Berbice Corentyne. He appeared at the Springlands Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Alex Moore to answer a number of charges.

Ramdharry was charged on two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, two counts of

Dead, Christopher Bhagwandat and his girlfriend Sheereda Persaud.

Charged, Lawrence Carmichael

Dead, Felicia Fernandes failure to render assistance and one count of failure to report the accident.

He is accused of causing the deaths of Tony Lakeram, 20, of No.71 Squatting Area, Upper Corentyne and Felicia Fernandes, 28, of Lot 14 Coveden, East Bank Demerara by dangerous driving.

The duo was reportedly struck

down by Ramdharry's car around 23:30hrs, while walking along the Number 70 Public Road.

The accused was not required to plead to the indictable charges of causing death by dangerous

driving. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the other charges. He was represented by Attorney-at-law Bernard Da Silva who requested bail but it was refused and (Continued on page 69)

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 03, 2022

PAGE 57

==GNBS IN FOCUS==

USING THE METRIC SYSTEM – BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES The Metric System, which has been the legal system of measurement in Guyana since 2002, conforms to the International System (SI) of Units including the kilogram that is used to measure mass or solid items. As the organisation mandated to ensure accurate measurements in trade, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has been encouraging the use of the SI Units.

The Bureau has made inroads in this regard, however, stakeholders, especially those in retail trade and some consumers continue to shy away from fully adopting and using the SI (Metric) system.

For many years now, the metric system has been the universal system of measurement, utilised by almost all the countries in the world, particularly in areas of scientific research, manufacturing and trade.

Research shows that only the United States of America, Liberia and Myanmar still o ff i c i a l l y u t i l i s e d t h e Imperial System of Pounds and Ounces while many, including Guyana, grapples with a combination of both measuring systems.

Locally, the use of both systems (Metric and Imperial) poses many challenges which include sales in imperial quantities from metric instruments which may result in questionable conversions and measurements provided in the trade goods. This puts

consumers at a disadvantage because they become doubtful of the accuracy of their measurements.

Additionally, our youths are sometimes placed in a dilemma when they are rightfully taught in school to use the metric system of kilograms, litres and metres and at home they are sent to make purchases in pounds, gallons and yards. Further, the GNBS does not verify imperial measuring instruments in commerce and hence those in use may be providing questionable quantities to unsuspecting consumers, even as efforts are made by Inspectors of the Bureau to remove such illegal instruments from the marketplace.

Notwithstanding the challenges, using the metric system has proved to benefit users across many sectors.

Because of its decimal nature, calculations using the metric system are easier and faster when compared to the alternative system of measurement. It has also allowed for greater accuracy.

Adopting the system has also aided consistency of measurements across local sectors and trade across our borders.

It is imperative that Guyana continues to embrace the metric system which is critical for international trade, sports and communications. We cannot afford to be left behind while others are advancing their measuring systems based on the SI Units.

The GNBS will continue to educate all citizens to use the Metric system to yield more positive outcomes.

Work will also continue to verify instruments used in trade and ensure they are metric.

Consumers, you are urged to start requesting solid

goods such as rice, peas, onions and potatoes in grams and kilograms.

These units should also be used to weigh solid hardware items such as nails, putty and glues that are sold by weight. These goods can be easily and accurately weighed on verified metric

devices used in the marketplace.

Finally, wholesalers and retailers have a significant role to play by packaging and selling their solid goods in metric quantities. The GNBS encourages these stakeholders to advertise their goods and prepare and

display pricelists in metric quantities. If everyone does the same, the transition will fully occur.

For further information, please contact the GNBS on Tel: 219-0062, 219-0065, 219-0066, 219-0069 or visit t h e G N B S We b s i t e : www.gnbsgy.org

PAGE 58

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 03, 2022

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 03, 2022

g tin s... s re re te atu n I re C

Rainbow boa water, and are considered capable swimmers.

Captivity The most common type of rainbow boa found in the pet trade is the Brazilian rainbow boa, E. c. cenchria.

During the 1980s and early 1990s, substantial numbers were exported from Suriname. Today, however, far fewer are exported, and most offered for sale are captive bred. With good care, a captive Brazilian rainbow boa can be expected to live for up to 30 years.

E

p i c r a t e s cenchria is a boa species endemic to Central and South America. Common names include the rainbow boa, and the slender boa. A terrestrial species, it is known for its attractive iridescent/holographic sheen caused by structural colouration. Five subspecies are currently recognised, including the nominate subspecies described here.

Distribution and habitat Epicrates cenchria is found in lower Central America (Costa Rica and Panama), and farther south

into South America it occurs east of the Andes roughly reaching northern Argentina (in the provinces: Chaco, Córdoba, Corrientes, Formosa, Salta, Santiago del Estero and Tucumán).

The rainbow boa’s habitat generally consists of humid woodlands and rainforests, but it can also be found in open savannas.

Behaviour Rainbow boas are nocturnal and most active in the middle of the night.

This species is semiarboreal, spending time both on the ground and in trees.

They are also known to spend time in bodies of

MMG+ aims to improve M&CC tax payment experience

MMG+ General Manager, Bobita Ram Consumers paying rates and taxes to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) through MMG+ can now benefit from a new feature that will allow them to easily receive their payment receipts.

As such GTT in a release announced that effective March 4, 2022, when making payments to the M&CC using MMG+, taxpayers will be asked to optionally provide their email addresses or What’sApp number. Once provided during your MMG+ transaction, a receipt of payment will be provided by the M&CC via that email.

“As part of ensuring optimum customer experience when paying with MMG+, we were delighted when the [M&CC] asked us to add an additional field so that when they receive the transaction details, they can provide the receipts to their customers,” explained MMG+ General Continued on page 63

PAGE 59

PAGE 60

Kaieteur News

...Prof. Paloma Mohamed Martin

Sunday April 03, 2022

For her, it was not an ambition not even a From page 22 started to do basically the same things. I profession, but a mission. She asserted, understood why my mother was the way she nonetheless, that “becoming ViceChancellor or even first female Vicewas and I ended up loving it,” she added.

But before she could venture into a career Chancellor was not a path that I consciously as a beloved professor, Prof. Paloma- took. I was reluctant.” And like the biblical Mohamed recalled her first job was in figure Jonah, she said, “I tried everything to broadcasting. She was about 16 years old escape but…I was brought back to it every and had just completed her high school time.”

“I didn’t consider being VC at all, but in education at Queen’s College when she l a n d e d t h e c o v e t e d r o l e o f late 2019, I was convinced by several broadcaster/producer at the national radio individuals that I had to give it a shot. And station – Guyana Broadcasting Corporation when I considered the consequences of not (GBC). By then, she had already moved from doing it, I knew…it was not going to be about her family’s William Street, Kitty, me. It was about stabilising UG which is of Georgetown home, and went to live with her such strategic importance to our beloved aunt Dorothy and uncle Loris Smartt in country,” Prof. Mohamed Martin related.

BREAKING THE MOULD Subryanville, Kitty.

Prof. Paloma Mohamed Martin receives a According to Prof. Mohamed Martin, The VC noted that the move was Presidential Medal of Service Award (Guyana) in 2011. significant since it was caused by the fact that once she decided to take the course, the the family lived next door to a known process was 12 months, and “long spearheaded. She explained that Blueprint various change projects going on now to pedophile. “We had a known pedophile who treacherous, exceptionally rigorous and 2040 was created to ensure the institution meet our targets in the first phase of our moved in next door so the move was to keep brutally competitive.” meets the challenges that would face Guyana B l u e p r i n t . I n s p e c t i o n s , a p p r o v a l s , “I was competing against three wellme out of harm’s way,” she said. mediations, planning, budget processes, and the planet over the next 20 years.

This she noted, “…informed my own respected and much older men. I was According to the VC, UG’s 2040 leading young projects, fundraising, sense of social justice and protection of the younger by about 25 years on average and I Blueprint is structured in four, five-year technical support…speaking engagements vulnerable. All my life people have protected was a woman, I had no female peer or phases and four overarching aspirational and teaching every once in a while are all part predecessor, no special sponsor that I knew me. I have been blessed.” of my routine.” goals. of, only the overwhelming support of the ACADEMIC THRUST Outside of her very busy schedule, Prof.

“We are in phase one now – 2020Under the watchful eyes of her various university and significant numbers of people 2025…the aspirational goals are: (1) to Mohamed Martin still tries to cook at least “moms”, the young Mohamed Martin was who knew I would do my best out of my love produce at least one graduate per household, one meal a day for her family. always urged to take her academics for UG and because I had been doing that for She said, “I try to cook most nights or (2) to be a world leader in specific seriously. “I remember after I got my first over a decade.” disciplines, techniques, and technologies early in the morning and take the kids to On top of that, two days before she began job, my mother insisted that I go to whether in agriculture and aquaculture, school since it’s the only time they might get university. I think that changed my trajectory her first interviews for the VC job, Prof. energy, entrepreneurship, climate, and other to see me for the day. So, I try to at least do significantly and doubled my chances of Mohamed Martin faced a tragedy in the sectors, (3) for (UG) to be a centre of that.” becoming Vice-Chancellor because to be family; her sister-in-law died and left her STAYING MOTIVATED excellence in research and policy responses Vice-Chancellor you must have a strong three small children behind. Naturally, Prof.

Speaking about motivation, Prof. to Guyana’s grand challenges, (4) to be an a c a d e m i c b a c k g r o u n d , ” s h e s a i d , Mohamed Martin, already a mother of three institution fit for rapid evolution and that is Mohamed Martin said, “what brings me joy emphasising that she went to school at a very (one biological and two adopted), assumed and keeps me focused is that I know every future-focused,” she explained. responsibility early age.

At present, she said, her focus day I can be part of a team and a great “I think I was is on “staff and student-citizen tradition of changing lives for the better... around one (yearsuccess and resourcing the And knowing that what I do every day e old) when I went to to God and to those who lov se under-nourished university, matters to many, many people. So, I must get clo tay “S teacher Tina’s preties ni rtu po op e ar building the IDCE and Berbice up. I get up and try to stay focused.” s ge en all Ch you. school. Then I went on cti Even so, Prof. Mohamed Martin revealed Campuses, apart from dealing rfe pe at th ow Kn to the Holy Mary embedded in life. that her career remains mission-directed. She ll wi e nc lle ce Catholic School and added, “I never really know what I will need will never be attained but ex then Rama Krishna and learn e nc lle ce ex for to do next but I always know when I get to it, I go so it, te imita Primary. I spent two a m fro t ac will be able to handle it.” to try ys wa Al years at North from failure.

Continuing, she said, “What I’d really ” rs. tte ma y rit Georgetown and at place of love. Integ like to see is those institutions that I care Q u e e n ’s C o l l e g e about, work for, and which matter in this where I did both ‘O’ country, really thrive in the near future. And level and ‘A’ levels. I then I would like to retire gracefully while I d i d m y still am well enough to enjoy it.” undergraduate at UG, postgraduate in The VC underscored the fact that her life Communications at Harvard, PhD from has been filled with generosity and love from UWI Behavioural Science—where I did many people – “all kinds of people and I am my Dissertation on Power and Change. I very thankful for this—eternally so.” completed my post-doctorate work at the “So, if anything, I am returning what was Centre for Addictions and Mental Health poured into me by others. This is what I think in Canada.” is powerful about where I am now and what To this end, Prof. Mohamed Martin is that enables me to influence,” she said. convinced that when it comes to her career The VC is quite optimistic about the she did not choose it, it chose her. She future; she looks forward to it and everything explained that after completing her studies, Prof. Mohamed Martin uses her much needed that she still hopes to accomplish. In the she was headed to work with the United down time to swim with the dolphins. meantime, her advice to women in similar Nations (UN) or one of the international leadership roles is to be positive, kind, good institutions. listeners and fearless communicators, when However, a detour brought her back to for the other children. with the massive challenge of COVID-19 necessary.

Guyana in 2007. It was supposed to be only But despite the challenges, Prof. and putting the old paper-based, chalk and She noted that while being a woman is for three months but as fate would have it, 15 Mohamed Martin was successful in her talk university,” online rapidly. wonderful, being human is better because all years later, she is still here.

Prof. Mohamed Martin told Kaieteur people matter. “Be like a proton –always quest, and in June of 2020, she was appointed “I started to teach some students at UG as the 11th VC of UG, ending a year-long News that her role as VC, though highly positive!” she said, adding that “find your who had been waiting to graduate…One process and breaking the institution’s 57 impactful and rewarding, is gruelling and centre and do what helps you to stay there is thing led to another. Fifteen years later, I am years mould of having mainly foreign males typically calls for long days. key.” still here, doing the same thing in different occupy that position since UG became She explained that “ the VC is expected to She advises, “Stay close to God and to ways,” she shared. be everything, to everyone at any time… I those who love you. Challenges are operationalised in 1963.

Even as she accepted her role in the usually work till 2am on any day; some days opportunities embedded in life. Know that OPERATION BLUEPRINT academic world, Prof. Mohamed Martin said Today, Prof. Mohamed Martin is later… There are days of back-to-back perfection will never be attained but that she did not realise, at first, that it was increasingly focused on operationalising meetings with sometimes external visiting excellence will imitate it, so go for preparing her for something much bigger – UG’s Blueprint 2040. This is a 20-year delegations, early morning debriefing with excellence and learn from failure. Always try her role as VC. t r a n s f o r m a t i o n a l p l a n w h i c h s h e different staff members, working on the to act from a place of love. Integrity matters.”

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 03, 2022

PAGE 61

9 companies bid to rehabilitate Ekereku Bottom, Karisparu airstrips

I

n response to the Ministry of Public Works invitation for bids (IFB) to rehabilitate two hinterland airstrips which is estimated to cost $650 million, nine companies have applied to execute the works. This was revealed during the opening of tenders on Wednesday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office.

The airstrips the Ministry is moving to upgrade are the Ekereku Bottom Airstrip in Region Seven and the Karisparu Airstrip in Region Eight. It was stated in the Ministry’s IFB that $316 million is estimated to rehabilitate the Region Seven airstrip while $334 million was projected to fix the airstrip in Region Eight.

The companies, which offered bids for the contracts, are International Import & Supplies which tendered $385,573,951 for the Region Seven airstrip and $420,927,588 for the Region Eight runway; Ideal Engineering Services Inc.

Ti m b e r s a n d G e n e r a l Supplies tendered $305,553,150 for the Ekereku Bottom airstrip and $301,351,850 for Karisparu; KP Thomas and Sons Contracting Inc. tendered $315,890,138 for the Ekereku Bottom airstrip and $365,874,275 for Karisparu; and the Orlando Charles Fundation of Hope offered $308,034,237 for the Region Seven airstrip and $318,786,678 for the one in Region Eight.

Kaieteur News understands that the Ministry’s plan is to upgrade the airstrips to concrete structures since they have been in poor conditions for some time which pose a danger to aircrafts and passengers utilising them.

It was explained that the Karisparu Airstrip, which has a sand-gravel surface, would become waterlogged when it rains therefore rendering the structure inoperable for takeoff and landing of flights. The source told Kaieteur News that the surface is equally

The Karisparu Airstrip in Region Eight.

slated to be widened from 40ft to 50ft to be compliant with Guyana Civil Aviation A u t h o r i t y ’s ( G C A A ) regulation.

This newspaper was further told that restrictions have been implemented on the weight of the cargos being transported to these locations, as a result of the state of the runways. To this end, the Ministry is planning to rehabilitate the airstrips from sand-gravel to concrete surfaces to better facilitate

The present condition of the Ekereku Bottom Airstrip in Region Seven.

which tendered $301,302,750 for the Ekereku Bottom airstrip and $314,421,450 for the Karisparu airstrip; William Contracting which tendered $274,461,810 for the Ekereku Bottom and $291,269,895 for Karisparu; H. Nauth and Sons which tendered $315,270,900 for the Ekereku Bottom airstrip and $363,251,175 for Karisparu; BDE Recycling which tendered $289,553,150 for the Ekereku Bottom airstrip and $351,520,050 for Karisparu; and Deodat Singh Construction which offered $ 3 11 , 6 4 1 , 0 5 0 f o r t h e Ekereku Bottom airstrip only.

Meanwhile, R&M

dangerous when dry as it becomes loose and therefore affects the performance of aircraft.

As a result of the poor condition, there are limited flights to this location and the community is highly dependent on air travel because of the absence of efficient alternative modes.

Similarly, this publication was told that the Ekereku Bottom runway has a bituminous surface treatment, which has potholes. The Ministry had previously conducted repairs to the airstrip but the structure has reportedly deteriorated and poses danger to the landing gears of planes.

This specific runway is

the users.

I n J a n u a r y, S e n i o r Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh said, during his presentation of this year’s budget, that the government had expended $345 million in 2021 for the rehabilitation and maintenance of several hinterland airstrips including at Baramita and Paramakatoi.

This year, $600 million has been allocated for the rehabilitation and maintenance of hinterland airstrips at Eteringbang, Karisparu, Paruima and Ekereku Bottom.

“The interventions to be undertaken on the airstrips earmarked for this year are intended to make them

compliant with the GCAA’s minimum engineering standards. Moreover, this will improve the safety for

travellers, aircraft and personnel using the airstrips.

This subsector has been allocated $2 billion

including $927 million for CJIA,” Singh had told the National Assembly.

(Allyiah Allicock)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 62

Sunday April 03, 2022

>>>Young Entrepreneur on the Move<<<

…taking customised sneakers to another level

By AllyiahAllicock

D

riven by a flair for uniqueness, 26-year-old Shumaul Hutson decided to embark on a journey to offer his exceptional talent to members of the public, a decision that sees him customizing sneakers under his own brand – ‘Street King Designz’.

Hutson, who resides with his grandparents in Campbellville, Georgetown, said that from long as he can remember he always had a passion for art. It is with this passion he was able to bring forth the business he now owns today.

But how really did it all get started?

In a recent interview with Kaieteur News, the 26-year-old artist related that his business is something that has been about since 2015. “I started to change the factory colour of my own shoes because I like to be unique, I don’t like to wear the same things everyone is wearing,” he said.

He recalled that the first time he wore his customised sneakers out in the public it caught the attention of a woman and her daughters who had asked where he got them from.

“The first time I ever wear my custom sneakers out, every one was watching my sneakers. To myself I was like they don’t like them, but later that same night I was approached by a young lady and her two daughters and she told me that her daughters keep pointing at my shoes and that they like them. So she asked where I got them from and I told her that I did it myself and she was amazed and told me to keep up the good work. That inspired me to actually do it as a job,” Hutson said.

The young man, who now operates his business with

his younger brother, Shermarke, said that since joining the local fashion industry, people have grown to love his work and demand his services even more.

Hutson noted too, that his support system has been nothing more than great over these past few years. Clients he said have not only been pleased with his services but would oftentimes recommend his works to others. “When they come, they actually bring in more people. I love my supporters and I really appreciate everyone that continue to support me,” he added.

But there have been challenges.

Among them, he shared, was finding customers, at the start-up phase, who wanted their footwear customised.

Another difficulty, too, was limited financial support. “So I used the money I was getting to do the sneaker and used it to buy paint and other materials. I wasn’t making any profit for the first few months or year… I overcome some of the challenges by wearing my own work so people can see my work.

When I wasn’t doing that I was posting step by step photos and videos to social media platforms to build a base to showcase my work to get more recognition,” he noted.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic also proved to be a challenge as well. When the government had imposed a number of restrictions on social activities, he had noticed a decrease in the number requests for his services. As such, he said, it was a hard time for his business.

The talented, Shumaul Hutson owner of ‘Street King Designz’ displaying one of his customised footwear.

Hutson, however, was not prepared to give up. In fact, he revealed that he used his time to improve his craft.

Noting that “this is only the beginning phase of an amazing journey in the business world,” Huston stated that his ultimate goal is to one day own his own store, through which he will sell his own merchandise, including clothing.

eurs play a “Young entrepren because they big role in society eople and provide jobs for p ons looking to give hope to pers siness.” own their own bu A part from that, he hopes to one day share his knowledge with younger artists, like his brother. Not only does he plan to be an influencer but, according to Hutson, he wants to “give back more to the young ones trying to follow in my path.”

Hutson is of the view that “Young entrepreneurs play a big role in society because they provide jobs for people and give hope to people looking to own their own business.”

Huston is convinced too that there is need for more support from the relevant authorities to enable young entrepreneurs to flourish.

Persons can contact Hutson on Instagram, TikTok, Youtube and Facebook @streetkingdesignz, or via WhatsApp on telephone number (592) 630-9016.

Some of the young man’s work.

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 03, 2022

MMG+ aims to improve M&CC tax payment...

From page 59 Manager, Bobita Ram. “If I make a payment to M&CC today with MMG+, they process it and add the payment to my account on their side, and then they issue a receipt once the payment is confirmed to the email address.”

She said too, that “Our ongoing partnership with the M&CC forms part of our commitment to innovate for all in our country.”

This addition, according to the release, is especially useful for consumers, who will be able to access all receipts going forward for records and queries and forms part of the continuation of the modernisation of the mobile payment landscape.

City Treasurer, Edwana

Miller, noted that “the addition of the contact email which allows taxpayers to input their contact details will assist the Council in encouraging them to pay their taxes on time, in a convenient manner and avoid interest on late payments.”

Miller further explained that “As the Council continues in its efforts to provide services to the citizens of Georgetown, we are pleased by this collaboration with MMG+ and look forward to further partnerships.”

Consumers can pay their rates and taxes through the MMG+ app, which is available for download on all app stores. Alternatively, you can dial *123# to access your MMG+ menu.

PAGE 63

Causing death by dangerous...

From page 56 Ramdharry was remanded to prison until April 14, 2022.

According to reports, investigators were able to find Ramdharry after a description of the vehicle was provided to authorities.

Ranks were able to locate the vehicle the day after the accident in a yard at Number 69 Village.

With the vehicle in their possession, investigators found that it belonged to R a m d h a r r y a n d subsequently arrested him in Kitty, Georgetown.

Two weeks prior to Ramdharry being charged, the police lance corporal, who was behind the wheel of a police patrol pick-up that was on February 2, 2022 involved in a horrific crash that claimed the lives of two teens, was on March

3, 2022 charged for allegedly causing their death.

The policeman, Lawrence Carmichael, who is attached to the Mahaicony Police Station appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate's Court where he was charged with causing the deaths of Christopher Bhagwandat, 21, and his 16-year-old girlfriend, Sheereda Persaud.

Carmichael was arraigned before Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

According to a police release, Carmichael was not required to plea to the charge and bail was opposed but the magistrate did not agree and granted Carmichael bail in the sum of $1.5M. While Carmichael was being charged inside the court room relatives of the

dead youths protested in front of the court house demanding justice.

Bhagwandat and Persaud were reportedly heading to Mon Repos on the East Coast of Demerara in a car at the time they were killed in the accident.

Bhagwandat, the driver of the car, had reportedly picked up Persaud from her home at Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice (WCD) and was taking her to his mom's birthday celebrations at his home in Mon Repos.

In fact, according to reports, he was taking her there to surprise his mom because she had never seen her future daughter-in-law before.

On their way there, they were pulled over at a police road block along the

New Zeeland Public Road in Mahaicony, Region Five.

Bhagwandat had initially pulled over but according to p o l i c e , a s a n o ff i c e r approached, the car suddenly pulled off.

The ranks at the road block alerted their base and a patrol vehicle which Carmichael was driving responded.

The corporal decided to chase Bhagwandat's car.

The high speed chase ended tragically on the Mahaica Bridge after both vehicles ended up crashing into a canter truck.

Bhagwandat and Persaud were killed on the spot and ranks in the police pick-up were injured.

An investigation was conducted and it was advised that Carmichael be charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 64

Sunday April 03, 2022

EPA issues Yellowtail permit like a ‘thief in the night’ Environmentalist says...

the public comment period, had fallen on deaf ears.

Considering all the deficiencies and the flawed process, the group submitted that the EIA comment process had been miscarried and called upon the EPA to: “declare it null and void and reset EEPGL’s application for Environmental Authorisation”.

The EAB never responded publicly, or as this newspaper understands, directly to any of the entities that made submissions on the substance of their submissions.

Its only response was to direct the EPA to publicly disclose the Terms of Reference for the study, which happened at the end of the 60-day comment period, leaving the public without any opportunity to scrutinise the EIA document against the terms of reference and participate in the statutory comment period as intended A clip of the Yellowtail Permit, signed on March 30, 2022.

By Davina Bagot

A

thief comes when one least expects. In like manner was the environmental permit issued for ExxonMobil’s fourth project – the Yellowtail development.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an environmental permit for the Yellowtail development on March 30, along with a public notice, with a copy of the revised Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) document two days later, April 1.

ExxonMobil plans to extract up to 250,000 barrels of oil per day in the Stabroek Block of Guyana’s rich Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) through its subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), which plans to kickstart production in late 2025 or early 2026.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for Yellowtail was severely criticised for its deficiencies. Neither the EPA nor ExxonMobil ever disclosed the Terms of Reference for the study the entire statutory 60-day period that the EIA study was available for public scrutiny and comment.

The EIA study was conducted by Exxon’s consultant, the Environmental Resources Management (ERM). Many

organisations and environmentalists in Guyana and the Caribbean submitted written objections to the Environmental Assessment Board on gross deficiencies that were in the study which was hurriedly cobbled together a mere two months after the EPA had issued the Terms of Reference for the study.

Chief among the issues highlighted were the failure of ERM to deal with the socio-economic risks to Guyana and the Caribbean’s marine life and fisheries sector, as well as failure to adequately assess impacts of hazardous waste offshore and those transported for treatment and disposal onshore.

Submissions outlined deficiencies, including the lack of basic baseline scientific data on where offshore reefs and fish nurseries were located r e l a t i v e t o E x x o n ’s production areas and current flows, and noted that the study was extremely poor and prejudiced in downplaying impacts on Guyana and Caribbean nations that could be affected by an oil spill.

Submissions to the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB) also questioned whether ERM met the criteria as an “independent” firm under the Environmental Protection Act, as it has been the only firm selected to do

all of ExxonMobil’s studies since Liza 1 approval back in 2015, reflecting a long-term relationship between the two companies.

The legality of ERM’s selection was also questioned by specialists, who are of the view that EPA did not follow the procedures under the Environmental Protection Act for shortlisting eligible consultants to conduct EIAs. Section 3 (a) of the Environmental Protection Act requires the EPA to “compile and amend from time to time with the assistance of internationally recognised environmental groups a list of approved persons who have the qualifications and experience to carry out environmental impact assessments.” The EPA did not engage internationally recognised environmental groups in screening ERM. In a letter to the EPA, that was seen by Kaieteur News, experts and citizens: Simone Mangal-Joly, Alfred Buhlai, Vanda Radzik, Janette Bulkan, Denuta Radzik, Jerry Jailall, Alissa Trotz and M a y a Tr o t z , w h o a l l participated in the virtual consultation meeting held on November 11, 2021, to discuss the EIA, said that not only were their questions not answered by ExxonMobil’s Consultant , but also their recommendation for the firm to provide answers in writing, before the closure of

by the Environmental Protection Act. This publication was told by the Executive Director of the EPA, Mr. Kemraj Parsram, on February 28, that the Environmental Assessment Board which is tasked with reviewing EIAs, and considering submissions made by independent observers, had made the decision for the EIA to be revised.

Parsram did not give specific details concerning what aspects of the EIA had to be modified, or a timeline for the adjustments and public disclosure.

The EAB never disclosed what they asked the ERM to fix in the study, and neither the EAB nor the EPA ever disclosed the revised document for the public to see before the EPA issued the permit.

The revised EIA document was published on Friday with the public notice

that the permit had been granted.

In a brief comment to Kaieteur News, environmentalist Simone Mangal-Joly, who had called out the technical deficiencies in the EIA that ERM had submitted said, “We were hopeful when we saw efforts to get an independent review and revision of the EIA. We were expecting the EPA to disclose the EIA revisions to the public and honour the intent of the Environmental Protection Act for public scrutiny of the study before making its decision on the permit. When I was told a permit was granted, I thought it was an April fool’s joke, because I have to say that I expected better of the various actors involved in this process. Instead, the EPA acted like a thief in the night, swiftly and silently, with not even a pretense of good governance or respect for the rule of law.”

9 new COVID-19 cases, 4 still in ICU The Ministry of Health, via its latest dashboard, revealed that within the last 24hours it recorded nine new infections across the country, with four patients still admitted in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The new cases were detected in Region Three which recorded two and Region Four which recorded seven, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to

63,267.

A breakdown of the number of confirmed cases shows that 34,133 individuals are females and 29,134 are males.

The dashboard data also shows that seven persons are in institutional isolation, 68 are in home isolation and 10 are quarantined institutionally. To date, a total of 61,962 persons have recovered after being infected with the virus.

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Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox Is it fair to blame David Granger?

DEAR EDITOR, Is it fair to history to blame/accuse David Granger, Representative of the List for the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, as the one responsible for the non-appointment of parliamentarians to replace M r. J o e H a r m o n a n d Nicollette Henry PhD who resigned with effect from March 15th and March 31st respectively? The facts are: 1. Resignation takes effect from the date stated not the date it was written or received.

2. As per the law, the National Assembly advises the List Representative of the resignation.

3 . T h e L i s t Representative has to await notification from the National Assembly before activating the process to replace those who resigned.

All other notifications are merely for information

purposes.

4. Stabroek News (March 31) made contact with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Manzoor Nadir presumably to get a sense of whats happening. Reportedly, “[w]hen asked if he has written to former President David Granger, who is leader of the list of candidates for the APNU+AFC, Nadir replied in the negative.”

5. As per Stabroek News, (April 1): “Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs yesterday [March 31] told this newspaper that Parliament h a d d i s p a t c h e d correspondence to the APNU+AFC Representative of the List, former President David Granger, informing him of the need to fill the two vaccines.”

6. Demerara Waves, (April 1 @ 14:42 hours) r e p o r t e d : “ M r. D a v i d Granger said that at 14:00

hours on Wednesday 30th March, 2022 [he] received two letters from Hon. Manzoor Nadir, Speaker of the National Assembly.

These letters informed him, formally, that as a result of the resignations of …Harmon …with effect from 15th March…and Henry, with effect from 31st March, two vacant seats had arisen in the National Assembly.”

7. In said Demerara Waves (DW) report: “The Representative of the List has also informed …[GECOM] of the present development.”

8. All are further advised by the said DW report that: “The Representative of the List has since written to Mr. Aubrey Norton, Chairman [APNU] and Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, Leader [AFC], requesting their meaningful consultations on the nominations of candidates to fill the vacancies.” Evident by organisation and legal

procedures the issue is now before the coalition leaders, who are required to follow a procedure, and adhere to few more, before the two seats could be filled and a new

Leader of the Opposition elected. No doubt the media will continue to track the process to finality.

That being said, the information presents an

opportunity for objectivity in understanding how the process works and likewise where blame, if any, should be directed.

Minette Bacchus

Let us move forward in unity and stop the pernicious nonsense Dear Editor, I have no time with nonsensical machinations or will I pay attention to spiteful political behaviour. My concern and only concern is to see the desires of our party members and supporters satisfied. In a democracy, and the PNC/R practices democracy, there will always be a few dissenting voices but it is the will of the majority that must be respected.

I have no concrete information or evidence that the Leader of the List will make a decision that excludes PNC/R Leader, Aubrey C. Norton from entering Parliament.

But it is the unanimous request by our members and supporters to see him there with the expressed purpose of him assuming the position of Leader of the Opposition. Any attempt by a strategically placed few who have outlived their usefulness or uselessness and have been relegated to the dustbins of obscurity when it comes to our partys leadership, will come face to face with robust

and embarrassing opposition. The party will not break up or be divided but the few involved in unwanted interference intended to undermine progress will be forcibly removed. I will say this only once!; any attempt to undermine the PNC/R internally is a deliberate act to see our supporters continue to live in a Guyana that does not cater for their wellbeing.

I therefore urge us to let good sense prevail and let us hasten to strengthen our resolve to focus on the enemy of the Guyanese people. That enemy is the PPP. I conclude by wishing Mr. Granger a speedy recovery and good health and my genuine best wishes to his family who have been a First Family in recent times. Let us move forward in unity and stop the pernicious nonsense that will only result in hurting all of us.

Aluta Continua!

Norman Browne Social and Political Activist

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Prepare for sexual harassment law, Grange urges companies FOR RENT

VEHICLE FOR SALE

Furnish & unfurnish one,two & three bedroom apartment in Providence & New Road Vreed-en-Hoop West Coast.

604-6604/682-6238.

VACANCY

One Honda CRV,fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage 3.3M negotiable.

Contact:649-0956.

LAND FOR SALE

SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design,Advertisements, Wedding decorations & Elderly grooming: Hair,Nail etc.Tel:626-7040.

Specialized repairs/service refrigerator, washing machine, pressure pump, stove, treadmill,dryer, filteration system, deep fryer.Call:6949733.

Autobody work, equipment spray paint.Tel:663-2026.

FOR SALE 2-1 acres land@ blankenbu rg W.C.D. Contact:650-0402/ 652-0251.

48 acres of transported rice land situated in Goodhope, East Bank Essequibo. Contact:1-917-807-6424/688-9077.

PROPERTY FOR SALE PFS between Hadfield & Smyth.Contact:667-7659.

1-(2) story house 3 1/2 bed room,9st Cummings Lodge.

Tel:622-8748/652-3158 negotiable.

WANTED One office assistant. Call: 2332725.

Minibus driver for 40 route.

Contact:683-0558.

One (1) welder to do grill work. Call 625-5763.

Furnish house and land for sale on Ferry Street , New Amsterdam, Berbice 6792497.

Supervisor/counter clerk, preferably live in(female 2540yrs) for bar & shop. Tel:6103974.

Maid wanted. Monday, Wednesday & Friday. Conta ct:618-1802 between 14hrs & 16hrs.

Bobby’s RealityFor Sale or rent, good for business– 4.018 acres of prime land in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Reduce Price.Call 679-2497.

Bobby’s RealityLarge Property with Huge Concrete Bond, Prime Location Cumberland, Canje. Ideal for Business. Sale or rent. Reduce Price.Call 679-2497.

Prime Business spot to rent,Vreed-en-Hoop Junction. Preferably pharmacy, bookstore,potstore etc.

Tel:600-1559.

2 bedroom,1 bathroom downstairs for 60k.Call between 912am or 1-5pm Mon-Sat. Call: 227-5196.

One excavator operator and one grader operator to work in Diamond.Contact:6321118/647-4161.

Experienced roti/puri cook, kitchen assistant, cleaners.

Apply at Hack’s Halaal Restaurant,5 Commerce st.

Cashier,supermarket helper at Nirva Superstore.Send application at 49 Sheriff & Craig st tel:227-5771.

One female cleaner.Apply in person at Alabama Trading,65 Robb St. Vacancy exists for Water Delivery Driver and Porter for E.C.D.Tel:676-1363/692-6768.

Billing clerk & Porters, location Stabroek Market. Experiences is an asset. Contact: 661-1000,226-9800.

Maintenance man & room attendants,30-50 yrs old.233 South Road Lacytown or 2252304.

1-40 acres land@Linden Highway.Contact:650-0402/ 652-0251.

FOR RENT

Gender Minister Olivia Grange is urging organisations to prepare for the implementation of the Sexual Harassment law.

Under the law, workplaces

Female to take care of an elderly male between the ages of 25 to 40. Accommodations provided.Call or WhatsApp 1-868-683-1528.

Experience Carpenters and Mason for West Bank & East Coast.Contact: RJD Construction 614-7669/ 628-5738.

1 child friendly female to assist with kids and household chores.Contact:653-7776 preferably from E.B.D. Dried carilla bush,soursop leaves,lemongrass,mango leaves (anyquantity). Call: 609-8281/693-3003.

Motor Lorry drivers needed and Porters. Tel:627-1835/ 626-4691.

Accounts Clerks.Quickbook knowledge & accounting experience.Survival Shopping Complex,173 Sheriff St,Camp belville Georgetown. Tel:6092995.

Inventory Clerk.Survival Shopping Complex tel: 6092995,email:surviv al. human re sources@ gmail.com.

Western Union CSRS. Experience will be a plus,tel:6092995,email:sur vival.human resources @ gmail.com.

Valid Drivers License(with motor lorry & van).Tel:6092995,email:surviv al. human res ources@ gmail.com.

Qualified individuals,22 years and above to work with a reputable organization. Attractive benefits.Call 6792497.

One domestic-cook,clean & wash.Must live in Mahaica/ Mahaicony area,$60,000 per month 5hrs per day.Call:6159112.

Male Clerical Asst,age 25-30 yrs.Must have Secondary Education & license is required. Tel:225-8131/2236488.

One salesman,able bodied porters.Experience in writing bills,stocktaking & cashing.

Keyfood Trading,Mc Doom village.

Pitmen,Serviceman,Hauler Operator for interior location.

Applicants must be experienced. Call:231-2250.

and institutions are required to issue sexual harassment policies and bring those policies to the attention of workers.

The policy should advise workers, clients, students, residents, wards, and members on how complaints of sexual harassment should be reported and addressed. “Although workplaces and institutions will have 12 months from the implementation date of the law to put their policies in place, it is critical that the work begins now,” said Grange. She said she has mandated the Bureau of Gender Affairs to intensify sensitisation on the sexual harassment legislation and to help organisations to develop their policies. The minister said she was awaiting the completion of the administrative arrangements for the establishment of the Sexual Harassment Tribunal and the Sexual Harassment Unit before announcing the date on which the Sexual Harassment (Protection and Prevention) Act, 2021 comes into operation. The Tribunal will hear and determine complaints of sexual harassment at the workplace and other institutions and adjudicate complaints by a worker of the employer’s failure to act on

Gender Minister, Olivia Grange

complaints. The Sexual Harassment Unit will help in the investigative work and other statutory requirements to support the proper functioning of the tribunal.

“We are advanced in appointing the tribunal as well as the training and re-

cruitment for the Sexual Harassment Unit which are needed to bring into operation this important and well-needed law to protect the many women and men who are suffering the harmful effects of sexual harassment across our country,” said Grange.

North Korea condemns South Korea’s remarks on military ability, warns of destructive action (Reuters) - North Korea on Sunday condemned the South Korean defence minister’s remarks about its ability to strike against the North and warned it would destroy major targets in Seoul if the South takes any “dangerous military action” such as a preemptive strike.

Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said in a statement that the South Korean defence minister’s remarks “further worsened the inter-Korean relations and military tension on the Korean peninsula,” according to state news agency KCNA. That comes a f t e r the South Korean minister, Suh Wook, said on Friday that his country’s military has a variety of missiles with significantly improved firing range, accuracy and power, with “the ability to accurately and quickly hit any target in North Korea.”

Suh also said the ministry will actively support the military to ensure it has the capability to respond overwhelmingly to North Korea’s missile threats.

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un REUTERS/ He called the north its “enemy.” Kim, the vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, also said the country would “reconsider a lot of things” and that South Korea “may face a serious threat” due to such remarks. In a separate statement on Sunday, Pak Jong Chon, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, said the North “will mercilessly direct all its military force into destroying major targets in Seoul and the south Korean

army” if the South Korean army engages in a dangerous military action such as a preemptive strike.

The north, however, did not elaborate on where it saw as the major targets within Seoul.

Tensions in the Korean peninsula have sharply escalated in recent weeks after North Korea tested two ballistic missiles on Feb. 26 and March 4 that involved a new ICBM system that the country is developing, and as it conducted a full ICBM test the first since 2017 last week.

Following the tests, the United States on Friday imposed sanctions on five entities it accused of providing support to North Korea’s development of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs. Tensions may rise further as South Korea’s President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is set to take office next month, who has said in the past that preemptive strikes may be the only way to counter North Korea’s new hypersonic missiles if they appear ready for an imminent attack.

Sunday April 03, 2022

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WDCA to launch Boldon says Thompson-Herah and Fraser40-over tourney Pryce can challenge 100m World Record The West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA) will be launching a 40overs competition sponsored by Odyssey Sightseeing Tours Guyana Inc., shortly. The association is asking for all clubs that have access to a cricket ground to get those in playing condition. The proposed date of commencement of the Odyssey Sightseeing Tours Guyana Inc. 40overs competition is 10th April, 2022 weather permitting.

Cricket Clubs are asked

to submit their list of players and managers that will be representing your club on or before 05th April, 2022 to the WDCA via the following personnel listed below: Mr. Avinash Ganesh – Treasurer – Cell: 592- 6449898 Email: avinashganesh10@gmail.com Ms. Navita Singh – Assistant Secretary - Cell: 592-621-7400 Mr. Avishkar Ramgobin – Public Relation Officer – Cell: 592-679-9118 Email: a v i s h k a r r a mgobin@gmail.com

(SportsMax) - Four-time Olympic medallist for Trinidad and Tobago Ato Boldon believes that Elaine Thompson-Herah and ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce can both challenge Florence Griffith Joyner’s 34-year-old 100m World Record.

Currently the coach of young Jamaican sprinter Briana Williams, Boldon has tipped the Olympic gold and silver medallist from the 100m at last year’s Tokyo Olympics to challenge Joyner’s mark of 10.49 which she did at the US Olympic Trials in 1988.

“I think they’re both certainly capable,” he said in

Sunday April 03, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You could be teetering between the real world and a fantasy realm. The fantasy world is more than likely the one that wins out, but that doesn't mean you should lose all touch with reality.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Nurture your loved ones.

Tonight feel free to escape into a fantasy world with the object of your desire.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Regardless of your situation, you'll want to take the easy way out. There's a laziness sweeping over you, and you could be trying to find a way to sneak out of some responsibilities.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You might be frustrated with romance because it seems to be causing more tension than relaxation, Cancer. No one said love was easy, but it doesn't have to be miserable.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your imagination is your best friend, Leo. You aren't about to let anyone disturb your fantasy world. You have fit love and romance perfectly into this place, and everything is wonderful in your head.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Aggression in your world of romance is likely. Whether coming from you or your close partner, the tension is there and can't be ignored.

Keep in mind, however, that it's possible that much of it stems from something that isn't even true.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You're anxious to make a bold move toward the love of your life. Love and romance are most certainly in your favor right now. It isn't surprising that you feel brave.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Although you generally like to keep both feet on the ground and proceed in a stable, organized manner, Scorpio, there's a strong force encouraging you to spread your wings.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You might be pegged as the wise guy who's unable to take anything seriously. Regardless of the situation, you can turn it into a joke of some sort. Your humor likely lifts the spirits of everyone around you.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) One whiff of a familiar scent is likely to send your imagination running wild, Capricorn. Perhaps you're suddenly transported back to when you were dating someone you adored.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You could come into conflict with someone who has a very inclusive attitude.

Perhaps he or she encourages a humanistic approach that you find unrealistic and even a bit offputting.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Take care of your friends by supporting their ideas, Pisces. Be careful that you don't automatically encourage a plan or viewpoint that you know is wrong or doomed to fail.

an interview with Athletics Weekly before going on to outline that he thinks Thompson-Herah may have a better chance at the record.

“I don’t know if anybody else in the immediacy can do that but I’d give Elaine a better chance just because of her form. She is so much better at 200m than so many others. I also don’t think you can look at her 10.54 at Hayward Field last year, considering she was kind of fatigued after coming off three gold medals in Tokyo, and not think there’s another five hundredths of a second somewhere to tie the 10.49,” he added.

As he mentioned, Thompson-Herah, who is 29years-old, lowered her own personal best to 10.54 at the Eugene Diamond League last year leaving many, including Boldon, anticipating a recordbreaking performance from her in the near future.

“I would probably be surprised if 10.49 survives

Elaine Thompson-Herah (left) and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Elaine Thompson-Herah’s career,” he said.

Fraser-Pryce, now 35years-old, also had a stunning season in 2021, lowering her personal best to 10.60 at the Lausanne Diamond League in August.

“I don’t know how long Shelly-Ann has got left but I don’t think Tokyo was her last Olympics and I think she’ll go out after Paris in 2024. She has the talent as well. I mean, she ran 10.63 in April so anything is possible,” Boldon said.

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UCI can stop transgender cyclist from competing even if she meets eligibility criteria (BBC Sport) - Cycling’s world governing body has the power to prevent transgender cyclist Emily Bridges from competing in women’s events, even if she meets their eligibility criteria.

UCI regulations require riders to have had testosterone levels below five nanomoles per litre for a 12-month period prior to competition.

However, those same regulations state that the UCI must establish conditions that “protect health and safety” and “guarantee fair and meaningful competition that displays and rewards the fundamental values and meaning of the sport”.

It is understood that senior figures in cycling believe these discretions are relevant in 21-year-old Bridges’ case.

The UCI regulations go on to say it wants athletes to be “incentivised to make the huge commitments required to excel in the sport” and

“does not want to risk discouraging those”.

Meanwhile, British Cycling performance director Stephen Park believes the inclusion of transgender athletes is currently the “single biggest issue for Olympic sport”.

“It’s important to have the discussion and to understand the challenges sport faces,” he said.

Bridges had been scheduled to take part in the National Omnium Championships in Derby on Saturday - her first women’s event.

However, British Cycling said on Wednesday it had been informed by the UCI that “under their current guidelines, Emily is not eligible to participate”.

The UCI told British Cycling that because international ranking points are allocated at national championship events, Bridges’ participation could only be allowed once her eligibility to race in

Action shifts to GFC tomorrow...

From page 79 and fourth $100,000 on offer. Mid Atlantic Oil and Gas Company is the sponsor for the winning purse of $600,000.

Among the business entities lending sponsorship support are: IPA, DDL, Digicel, Johil, John Fernandes, General Equipment, Busta, GTT, Namilco, Macorp, New Thriving, Sattar Gafoor, B. Megan, Pritipaul Singh, Ready Mix, Eddie Bobcat, S i l v i e ’s , C a r i b b e a n Containers, E Networks, Super Bet, Cummings Electrical, China Trading, Dave Lumber yard and Schlumberger.

The rules governing the tournament includes the no

offside rule and teams are allowed five substitutions.

The games are of two 20minute halves for a 40minute duration. The tournament is a straight knockout one with no extra time being played. A tie at the end of regulation would result in the teams dueling in the dreaded sudden death penalty shootout.

All other FIFA rules apply and the Referee is the sole authority of these games. Teams showing up late beyond a reasonable time determined by the organisers will be disqualified and their game forfeited via the walkover route. The next playing date is Sunday April 10 again at the GFC ground.

international competitions is confirmed. That process is currently ongoing.

But on Friday, Bridges who began hormone therapy last year as part of her gender dysphoria treatment - said she had received “little clarity” around the finding of her ineligibility.

BBC Sport understands that prior to her being ruled out of Saturday’s championships, discussions were taking place among British riders about taking action against Bridges’ inclusion, but they feared voicing their opinions would be interpreted as transphobic.

It is also understood that safeguarding officers from both British Cycling and Welsh Cycling are in regular contact with Bridges.

Despite her absence, the only form of protest in Derby against Bridges’ once potential inclusion were three banners displaying the words ‘save women’s sport’ held up during the women’s races.

Professional women’s cycling union the Cyclists’ Alliance (TCA) said both British Cycling and the UCI

have “demonstrated unfairness by not adhering to their own eligibility criteria” and called for “transparent clarification” on the decision to bar Bridges from competing in Derby.

Earlier in the week, UCI president David Lappartient told BBC Sport the rules regarding permitted testosterone levels in transgender athletes is “probably not enough”.

TCA said it agreed with Lappartient that the “existing UCI transgender guidelines are insufficient and need to be addressed”.

Bridges previously set a national junior men’s record over 25 miles and was selected to join British Cycling’s senior academy in 2019. She first came out as transgender in an interview with Sky Sports in October 2020, and has spoken about wanting to change the culture and representation in elite cycling.

While having hormone therapy, Bridges continued to compete in men’s races.

In May 2021, she finished 43rd out of 45 riders in the elite men’s criterium at the Loughborough Cycling

Emily Bridges previously set a national junior men’s record over 25 miles and was selected to join British Cycling’s senior academy in 2019 (Andy Jones CW)

Festival and in September she was second to last in the Welsh National Championship road race, a 12km lap behind the winner.

In February, Bridges won a men’s points race at the British Universities Championships in Glasgow her final men’s race.

“No-one should have to choose between being who they are and participating in the sport that they love,” she said.

“I am an athlete and I just want to race competitively again. I hope that they will reconsider their decision in line with the regulations.”

Pakistan v Australia: Babar Azam dominates as hosts win ODI series (BBC Sport) - Babar Azam scored his second century in two matches as Pakistan beat Australia by nine wickets in the third oneday international to win the series 2-1.

The Pakistan captain f o l l o w e d T h u r s d a y ’s impressive 114 in the second ODI with an unbeaten 105 on Saturday.

Australia were bowled out for 210 in the first innings, with Alex Carey top scoring on 56.

The hosts lost Fakhar Zaman for 17 before Babar and Imam-ul-Haq shared a 190-run partnership to seal victory.

Following their excellent win with six balls remaining to level the series in the second ODI, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first.

That decision was quickly rewarded as Aussie

Babar Azam (left) and Imam-ul-Haq shared a stand of more than 100 for the second game in a row as Pakistan won the series against Australia (Getty Images) openers Travis Head and Aaron Finch both fell for ducks.

Carey and Sean Abbot (49) offered some resistance but the hosts were bowled out with more than eight overs of their innings remaining.

Marnus Labuschagne took a terrific diving catch to remove Fakhar off the bowling of Nathan Ellis before Babar and Imam picked up where they left off from the previous game.

The pair shared a 111-run partnership on Thursday,

with Imam also scoring a century (106), and it was more of the same in this series decider.

Imam made an unbeaten 89, with six fours and one six, while Babar hit 12 fours as Australia failed to find the breakthrough.

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NBA roundup: Clippers set franchise single-game scoring mark (Reuters) - Robert Covington scored a careerhigh 43 points thanks to 11 3pointers as the visiting Los Angeles Clippers routed the Milwaukee Bucks 153-119 on Friday night to snap a four-game road losing streak.

Wi t h f o u r o f L o s Angeles’ starters out, Covington added eight rebounds and shot 15 of 24 from the field to hand the Bucks their first home loss since Feb. 26. His 11 3pointers are the most in a single game in Clippers franchise history.

Los Angeles’ 153 points were also the most scored in a regular-season game in franchise history, breaking the previous record of 152.

Amir Coffey finished with 32 points and Luke Kennard put up 23 points for the Clippers.

Jordan Nwora paced Milwaukee with 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting. Bobby Portis supplied 25 points and eight rebounds for Milwaukee, which lost for just the fourth time in 16 games.

Grizzlies 122, Suns 114 Dillon Brooks collected 30 points and seven assists as short-handed host Memphis won its seventh straight while ending Phoenix’s nine-game winning streak.

Ziaire Williams scored 19 points as the Grizzlies received double-digit scoring performances from seven players to win their ninth straight at home.

Memphis opted to rest several players after clinching the Western Conference’s second seed following its 112-111 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

Memphis held a decisive 16-2 edge in offensive rebounds and took advantage of 20 turnovers by Phoenix. Devin Booker scored 41 points on 17-of-28 shooting for the Suns, who shot 54.7 percent from the floor.

Raptors 102, Magic 89 F r e d Va n V l e e t a n d rookie Scottie Barnes paced a balanced scoring effort with 19 points apiece, Pascal Siakam posted a doubledouble and Toronto extended its winning streak to five games by defeating host Orlando.

Siakam contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds.

VanVleet also had five steals, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

Orlando, which committed 21 turnovers that resulted in 32 points for the Raptors, was led by Mo Bamba’s 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Spurs 130, Trail Blazers 111 Devin Vassell scored 22 points and Keldon Johnson added 21 to lead a balanced attack as host San Antonio produced a huge first half and rolled past Portland.

Zach Collins added 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench for the Spurs, who won for the fifth time in six games.

Keon Johnson had 20 points and led eight players who scored in double figures for the Trail Blazers, who were eliminated from postseason consideration after their sixth straight loss and 16th in 18 games.

Timberwolves 136, Nuggets 130 Karl-Anthony Towns had 32 points and nine rebounds, D’Angelo Russell scored 24 points and visiting Minnesota beat Denver.

T h e Ti m b e r w o l v e s ’ Anthony Edwards had 18 points, Taurean Prince scored 16 and Malik Beasley finished with 15 points in his return to the lineup after missing two games with an ankle injury. Minnesota won for just the second time in six games.

Nikola Jokic had 38 points, 19 rebounds and eight assists, Aaron Gordon scored 24 and Monte Morris had 23 for the Nuggets, who had a three-game winning

LA Clippers guard Terance Mann (14) drives for the basket against Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton (24) in the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports streak snapped.

Wizards 135, Mavericks 103 Kentavious CaldwellPope scored a season-high 35 points, Kristaps Porzingis added 24 points, nine rebounds and four assists against his former team, and host Washington cruised past Dallas.

The Wizards never trailed and led by as many as 34 points en route to the fourth win in the past five games. Washington shot a blistering 17 of 33 from beyond the 3-point arc, part of a 54.4 percent shooting effort from the floor.

Luka Doncic was responsible for five of the Mavericks’ 13 turnovers, although he led all scorers with 36 points. He also recorded seven rebounds and six assists. Dallas’ Jalen Brunson added 21 points.

Kings 122, Rockets 117 Harrison Barnes scored a team-high 25 points while Damian Jones and Chimezie Metu recorded doubledoubles as visiting

Sacramento beat Houston for the second time in three nights.

The Kings rallied from a 19-point deficit in the finale after eking out a 121-118 win Wednesday. Jones posted 17 points and 17 rebounds while blocking six shots, and Metu added 18 points and 13 rebounds off the bench.

Donte DiVincenzo finished with 19 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for Sacramento.

Rockets rookie Jalen Green scored a career-high 33 points, while Kevin Porter Jr. added 27 points and 11 assists. Garrison Mathews scored 22 points and matched his career high of six 3-pointers.

Celtics 128, Pacers 123 Jaylen Brown had 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting and Jayson Tatum added 31 points as Boston held off visiting Indiana.

Six of the eight players who took the floor for the Celtics scored in double digits. Al Horford posted 17 points, 10 rebounds and six

assists to help Boston break a two-game skid.

Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 30 points despite fouling out with 8:13 left.

Oshae Brissett and Jalen Smith added 17 points apiece for Indiana, which has lost six straight games.

Pistons 110, Thunder 101 Killian Hayes and Frank Jackson scored 26 points each to lift Detroit over host Oklahoma City as several players from both teams played sparingly or not at all.

The Pistons won their second game in a row. The Thunder lost for the 13th time in 15 games to move within a half-game of Detroit for the third-worst record in the NBA. The bottom three teams in the league have the best odds to win the first overall pick in this summer’s NBA draft.

Theo Maledon scored a season-high 28 points and Lindy Waters III and Isaiah Roby each contributed 16 points for Oklahoma City, which had just eight players available for the second

game in a row. Three Detroit starters — Cade Cunningham, Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart — checked out for good by the time there was four minutes left in the first quarter.

Pelicans 114, Lakers 111 CJ McCollum scored 32 points and Brandon Ingram added 29 as visiting New Orleans helped its play-in tournament cause with a victory over Los Angeles.

J o n a s Va l a n c i u n a s added 17 points and 12 rebounds as the ninth-place Pelicans moved three games ahead of the 11thplace Lakers and two games ahead of the 10th-place San Antonio Spurs.

Despite the return from injury of both Anthony Davis and LeBron James, the Lakers lost their fifth consecutive game as their hopes of playing at the conclusion of the regular season continued to fade.

Davis produced 23 points and James compiled 38 points and eight rebounds in 40 minutes.

Kaieteur News

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Sunday April 03, 2022

Miami Open: Swiatek beats Osaka in final to claim 17th straight win (BBC Sport) - Iga Swiatek maintained her dominant form in 2022 by beating Japan’s Naomi Osaka in the Miami Open final.

The Pole already knew she will become the world number one on Monday and came to Florida after winning back-to-back titles at Doha and Indian Wells.

And the 2020 French Open champion cruised to a 6-4 6-0 victory over Osaka to make it 17 consecutive wins.

The 20-year-old has also become the first female player to win the first three WTA 1,000 events of the year.

She is just the fourth woman to win at both Indian Wells and Miami in the same season, after Steffi Graf (1994, 1996), Kim Clijsters ( 2 0 0 5 ) a n d Vi c t o r i a Azarenka (2016) - and is the youngest to win the

‘sunshine double’.

Having won as a teenager at Rome last year, Swiatek has now won four of the past six WTA 1,000 events overall. “These weeks were so intense, I didn’t really know if I would able to keep up with the streak that I have,” said Swiatek.

“It’s amazing for me that I could show mental toughness because my whole life I thought I could do more and sometimes I was losing and I didn’t even know why.

This season I feel like everything clicked so it’s great and I am really happy.”

Osaka was brought to tears by a heckler as she lost at Indian Wells last month, but in Miami she managed to reach her first WTA 1,000 final since 2020, when she could not face Azarenka for the Cincinnati title because of a hamstring injury.

Osaka, whose family

Swiatek will be the new world number one, while Osaka last topped the rankings in 2019 (Getty Images) moved to Florida in 2006, told the crowd afterwards: “I know this isn’t the outcome that you guys wanted but I’m having a lot of fun up here.

Just to be in a final again means a lot to me.”

She also thanked her team, saying: “They’re the ones that keep pushing me forward after the things that

Karim Benzema scores 2 penalties in Real Madrid win Karim Benzema has scored 24 La Liga goals, putting him 10 goals clear of anyone else in the golden boot hunt (Reuters)

(BBC Sport) arim Benzema scored two penalties and had another saved as Real Madrid beat Celta Vigo to go 12 points clear at the top of La Liga.

Benzema gave Real the lead after Nolito clipped Eder Militao before Celta’s Thiago Galhardo had a goal disallowed.

Nolito levelled from close range but Real won another penalty when Jeison

K

Murillo fouled Rodrygo and this time Matias Dituro denied Benzema.

Benzema scored soon after when Kevin Vazquez fouled Ferland Mendy.

He is the first player to score two penalties and miss another in a La Liga game since 1951. The last time a team won three away penalties in La Liga was 1996.

He has scored 34 goals for Real Madrid in all competitions this season, the

best club scoring campaign of his career.

He moves joint-third alongside Alfredo di Stefano (216) in Real’s leading La Liga goalscorers, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo (311) and Raul (228).

It was the perfect response from Real to bounce back from their 4-0 Clasico home defeat by Barcelona before the international break.

Barca host secondplaced Sevilla on Sunday.

happened two weeks ago, they’re the rock that stays by my side.”

The four-time Grand S l a m w i n n e r, w h o i s currently ranked 77, was unable to force a break point on Swiatek’s serve.

The former world number one, 24, saved two break points in the opening

game, but Swiatek later broke to go 3-2 up at the Hard Rock Stadium.

Osaka, playing in just her fourth event since taking a break last September, saved another break point in her next service game, only for Swiatek to close out the first set.

And Osaka was unable to

hold her serve at all in the second set while claiming just five points on Swiatek’s serve.

That ensured the Pole, who will top the world rankings as a result of Ashleigh Barty’s retirement, has won her past six finals since losing her first tour final in 2019.

Espargaro claims maiden pole for Aprilia at Argentine GP (Reuters) - Aleix Espargaro claimed a first-ever MotoGP pole for Aprilia as the Spaniard held off a late charge from Pramac Ducati’s Jorge Martin to earn top spot in qualifying at the Argentine Grand Prix on Saturday.

The two were joined on the front row at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit by Luca Marini of VR46, the team owned by former world champion Valentino Rossi.

Pol Espargaro finished fourth on his Repsol Honda while Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales was fifth and world champion Fabio Quartararo of Yamaha sixth.

Aleix Espargaro dominated Saturday’s practice, which was delayed after the air freight failed to arrive in time from the previous race in Indonesia, and took that form into qualifying to claim a first pole since he

was a Suzuki rider in 2015.

“I’m very happy, I think the word is proud,” said the 32-year-old. “We have been working very hard for the last five years. We are improving day by day and getting close to the best bikes in the world. This is an extra boost for tomorrow.”

Martin, whose lightning fast final lap briefly pushed Aleix into second, will be bidding for his first win of the season.

“Super confident for tomorrow. The pace is good and fast. We are ready for everything,” he said.

There was disappointment for championship leader Enea Bastianini, who won the season opener in Qatar, and 2021 runner-up Francesco Bagnaia as both failed to make it out of Q1, occupying 13th and 14th on the grid for Sunday’s race.

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 03, 2022

PAGE 75

CWI contribute bowling machines to ICC U19 World Cup host countries (CWI)

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ricketers in host countries for the recent ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 are set to benefit from a donation of 15 bowling machines which were purchased by Cricket West Indies (CWI) for the sixteen participating squads to use in their World Cup practice sessions.

CWI has donated four bowling machines each to Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago, with three donated to Antigua and Barbuda.

The bowling machines have been distributed among territorial cricket boards and cricket clubs, in accordance with CWI’s pre-tournament objective of enhancing cricketing infrastructure in the host nations for the ICC U19showpiece.

The ICC U19 World Cup

was held from January 14 to February 5, 2022, and concluded with India beating England in the final at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

“We talked about the valuable legacy for the West Indies in hosting the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, and this is a tangible example of how our regional cricket will be impacted positively,” noted CWI President Ricky Skerritt, presenting the four bowling machines in St. Kitts to President of the St. Kitts Cricket Association, Dennis Phillip.

“Our young cricketers, as well as club players and those in high-performance development programmes, will have the opportunity to fine-tune their batting skills with these high-calibre machines. Cricket West Indies has a vested interest in helping to improve the

standard of cricket in all our member territories, and thereby the standard of West Indies cricket.

This donation further underlines CWI’s commitment to one of our most important stakeholders – our players.”

“We want to ensure our cricket boards and clubs are in a better position to respond to players’ needs by having the appropriate facilities and equipment to propel cricket development, especially among youth. It is also a gesture of appreciation for the priceless support which CWI received from the host governments, as well as from local cricket authorities and clubs. It’s been a wonderful partnership,” elaborated Skerritt. Additionally, the President Skerritt stressed the importance for local cricket clubs “to maintain

CWI President, Ricky Skerritt, makes the presentation to President of the St Kitts and Nevis Cricket Association, Dennis Phillip (left). certain minimum standards and a state of readiness to

host matches, in case opportunities arise to be

involved in more global tournaments”.

Manchester City cruise past Burnley to reclaim top spot (BBC Sport) anchester City made an instant return to the top of the Premier League with a comfortable win over struggling Burnley.

Liverpool’s victory over Watford earlier on Saturday had knocked the defending champions off the summit for the first time since 4 December, but Pep Guardiola’s side responded in impressive style at Turf Moor.

It took only five minutes for City to take the lead when Raheem Sterling knocked Rodri’s cross into the path of Kevin de Bruyne, who time to pick his spot and fire into the roof of the net.

Sterling and De Bruyne combined again for the second goal, but this time it was Ilkay Gundogan who provided the finish - a cool volley past Nick Pope after Sterling found him in space inside the area.

By now, City were in complete control and could afford to see Sterling, Jack Grealish and substitute Gabriel Jesus waste excellent chances because Burnley never looked remotely capable of mounting a comeback.

The home side finally managed a shot on target after 75 minutes, when

M

Gundogan, Manchester City’s top scorer in the Premier League last season with 13 goals, has netted six this term (Getty Images) substitute Jay Rodriguez brought a diving save from Ederson, but they can take few positives from a fourth successive defeat other than the fact they avoided significant damage to their goal difference.

Burnley remain rooted in the bottom three, while City can head into next Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash with Liverpool knowing they will

stay in first place if they avoid defeat.

Liverpool wins to main title pressure Liverpool beat struggling Watford to complete a remarkable, albeit short, return to the top of the Premier League.

The Reds trailed Manchester City by 14 points on 15 January, but a 10th straight league win in

the early kick-off at a raucous Anfield took them above Pep Guardiola’s side, whom they meet on 10 April.

However, City won 2-0 at struggling Burnley later on Saturday to restore their one-point lead with eight games left.

Diogo Jota’s 20th club goal of the season and his third in as many appearances

in a Liverpool shirt - 34 seconds after Alisson made a huge save to deny Juraj Kucka - helped seal a tense win.

Portugal forward Jota jumped between two Watford defenders to meet a cross and head past Ben Foster as Joe Gomez marked only his second league start of the season with an assist.

Fabinho’s late penalty after Kucka’s rugby-style challenge on Jota - secured the points.

Despite sealing a potentially significant win, Liverpool were not at their fluent best.

Joao Pedro wasted a glorious chance to equalise in the second half as Watford remain third from bottom, three points from safety.

Kaieteur News

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Sunday April 03, 2022

CWI Coach Development Programme helps equip Barbados coaches to inspire next generation of cricketers

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RIDGETOWN, Barbados – C r i c k e t We s t Indies’ (CWI) Coaching Development Programme, in conjunction with the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and the University of the West Indies (UWI) delivered a series of face-to-face Coach Development events in Barbados from March 25 to 27.

The events were aimed to upskill, assess and accredit local coaches and coach developers from the CWI Level 1 to Level 3 coaching programmes to support the We s t I n d i e s C r i c k e t Pathway.

In its promise to lift coaching standards, over the past three years CWI has delivered 552 new coaching certificates across eight Caribbean countries – 93 at Level 2, 129 at Level 1, and 330 at the Foundation Level.

16 CWI Coach Developers have also been trained to deliver Level 1 Courses locally.

A total of 25 participants took part in the face-to-face components of the CWI Competition Coaching Course (Level 1) and the CWI Representative Coaching Programme (Level 2) which were held

concurrently at Kensington Oval. Among the coaches who completed the courses were West Indies players Dwayne Smith, Kirk Edwards, Shane Dowrich, Shayne Moseley and Charlene Taitt with a total of five female coaches participating along with several current and former first-class players.

Both cohorts participated in separate online modules throughout March covering theoretical aspects of coaching in preparation for the face-to-face part of the programme which covered practical modules such as biomechanics, skill acquisition, applied coaching and game sense.

C W I C o a c h Development Manager, Chris Brabazon shared his thoughts on the events.

“Initiatives like this are part of the CWI strategy to make Coach Development opportunities more accessible and inclusive for anyone who would like to learn more about coaching and then use that training to actively grow the game in their communities.

The BCA did a fantastic job in promoting the courses and assisting with the delivery. In particular Coach Developers Rohan Nurse,

Chris Brabazon conducting the coaching courses at Kensington Oval.

Robin Paris and Hendy Springer who are now able to present future Level 1 courses around Barbados as required.

Also, the support from our UWI Coach Developers continues to be excellent in the development and delivery of our Level 2 and Level 3 coaching Programmes,” he said.

Dowrich said: “The

course was very productive.

I learnt a lot over the last couple of weeks, which included the online modules.

It has been very interesting and opened my mind to a lot of things I haven’t been thinking about as a cricketer.

It’s good to have the theory side and also looking at how to apply that to the practical side, which we did here at Kensington.

The education in this programme is critical and will help to improve cricket in the Caribbean.”

Brabazon was also able to observe local coaches who are taking part in CWI’s first ever locally delivered Level 3 Coaching Programme.

Jamal Smith and Corey Yearwood are taking part in the ongoing 12-month programme and were

observed during their respective coaching sessions at Kensington Oval and Pickwick Cricket Club.

To find out more about CWI’s Coaching Development Programme and getting involved in coaching and to request a coaching development information pack from CWI, p l e a s e e m a i l cwi@cricketwestindies.org

Angostura® Chill refreshes partnership with Hero Caribbean Premier League

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ngostura® Chill is proud to announce that the brand has signed a further three-year deal to be the official Refreshment Partner to the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) tournament.

For the 2022-2024 seasons, Angostura® Chill will continue to refresh fans at Refreshment zones at all T20 matches and all drinks breaks will be named Chill breaks in honour of Angostura® Chill.

Angostura Chill® is the only soft drink in the world made with the legendary Angostura® Aromatic Bitters. The sponsorship of CPL, which attracted over half a billion viewers in 2021, was instrumental in driving visibility and awareness of the rebrand from Angostura® Lemon Lime and Bitters to Angostura® Chill and provided a global platform with the vast international viewership which spans cricket fans from US to UK, Australia to India.

This sparkling non-alcoholic twist on the expected refreshment is made in Trinidad and is very much a Caribbean brand which celebrates

Pete Russell, CEO of the Hero CPL, and Kathryna Baptiste Assee, Corporate Secretary at Angostura Ltd celebrate the signing of the new agreement the best the home of carnival, tropical forests, beaches and like much of the Caribbean, it is home to a good cricket team with the Trinbago Knight Riders.

CPL Commercial Director,

Jamie Stewart commented, “Angostura is one of the region’s great brands, proudly Caribbean but truly global. The innovative Angostura ® Chill products have delighted players and fans alike for

the last three years, and it is with great pleasure that we continue this partnership for three more. We look forward to more delicious refreshment from Angostura ® Chill, as together we enjoy the

biggest season yet for ‘the biggest party in sport’.”

Kathryna Baptiste Assee, Corporate Secretary at Angostura Ltd comments: “Angostura Chill® is a brand from the Caribbean that celebrates the best flavours, energy and attitude of the Caribbean. And, if there’s one thing that unites all of the Caribbean islands - it is a deep passion for cricket and a good lime.

The CPL T20 is often called the Biggest Party in Sport – it is a vibrant, colourful, inclusive expression of our collective Caribbean heritage and therefore is such a natural fit for our Caribbean brand - Angostura® Chill which is open to all to enjoy.”

“As we extend the Angostura® Chill range beyond the classic zesty Lemon, Lime & Bitters and tangy Blood Orange and Bitters into other exciting flavours, we’re also expanding the international footprint of the brand. This CPL partnership puts Angostura® Chill on the world stage and will make the brand synonymous with the upbeat, collective energy of Caribbean T20 cricket.”

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 03, 2022

PAGE 77

GBA fires off GUMDAC Easter Badminton Tournament

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he GUMDAC E a s t e r Badminton Tournament got off to an exciting start Friday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with players competing in A, B and C Division single games.

The men’s A, B and C division saw heated games between the players as they competed in the first tournament of the year.

The women’s B and C division games were equally exciting. Results from the first night are listed below.

A - D i v i s i o n M e n ’s Singles: Akili Haynes defeated Anthony Stephens 21-9, 21-15; Marlon Cheung defeated Matthew Beharry 21-14, 21-11; Avinash Odit defeated Marlon Cheung 2118, 21-8; Tyrese Jeffery gained a walk over Haymant Ramdhani, Chet Bowling defeated Jaurel Hendricks 21-12, 21-7, Jonathon Mangra defeated Chet Bowling 14-21, 21-12, 2111 . B - D i v i s i o n M e n ’s Singles: Matthew Beharry, Andrew Browne and Andrew Akeem Brown gained a walk over victories.

Ajave Singh defeated Jason Stepheny 21-15, 21-7; S.

Malampattie defeated Jonathan Debidin 21-14, 215; Anthony Stephens defeated Raah Russel 21-9, 2 1 - 1 0 ; Va r e n d r a Bhagwandin defeated Jonathon Robinson 21-20, 21-13; Jedidiah Uwagboe defeated Andrew Browne 2 1 - 1 3 , 2 1 - 11 ; J a u r e l Hendricks defeated Matthew Klautky 21-7, 21-14; Matthew Beharry defeated Andrew Akeem Browne 213, 21-3; Ajave Singh defeated S. Malampattie 219 , 2 1 - 6 ; Va r e n d r a Bhagwandin defeated Anthony Stephens 21-19, 21-12; Jaurel Hendricks defeated Jedidiah Uwagboe 21-9, 21-6.

B-Division Women’s Singles Anna Perreira defeated Melissa Dow Richardson 21-10, 21-11 Priyanka Shivnauth gained a walk over Shivanie Persaud Mishka Beharry defeated Jayde DaSilva 21-10, 21-10 Ayanna Watson defeated Deandre Assing 21-7, 21-8 Anna Perreira defeated Priyanka Shivnauth 16-21, 21-19, 21-7 Mishka Beharry defeated Ayanna Watson 2117, 21 15.

C - D i v i s i o n M e n ’s Singles: Jason Stepheny

defeated Diarra Thomas 2112, 21-10; Nkosi Defeatedon defeated Jonathon Debidin 21-15, 21-19; Aiden Bhagwandin gained a walk over from Dave Rojas; Haresh Persaud gained a walk over from Manav Sharma; Matthew Klautky defeated Nathan Singh 2113, 21-7; Samuel Haynes defeated Andrew Browne 21-18, 21-15; Zachary Persaud defeated Jonathon Robinson 21-11, 12-21, 2111; Andrew Akeem Brown gained a bye; Nkosi Beaton defeated Jason Stephney 2114, 21-15; Matthew Klautky defeated Samuel Haynes 2116, 21-16.

C-Division Women’s Singles Priyanka Shivnauth gained a bye Alimah Eastman defeated Melissa Dow Richardson 21-8, 2117 Deandre Assing defeated Akeelah Eastman 21-10, 2111 Marcia Sharma gained a bye Neishauana Harnarain gained a bye Priyanka Shivnauth defeated Alimah Eastman 21-14, 21-6 Jayde DaSilva defeated Neishauana Harnarain 2110, 21-14.

T h e To u r n a m e n t continued on Saturday same venue with games in the

Finalist Dr. Anna Perreira (left) and Priyanka Shivnauth (right) competed in the B-Division Women’s Singles women’s A-division along with semi-final and final

games in other division.

Refreshments for the players

were generously donated by the Haynes family.

IPL 2022: Titans beat Capitals Rain wreaks havoc on cricket in the City - Washed out games to be replayed by 14 runs

Rovman Powell produced an entertaining cameo in vain (SportsMax) - The Gujarat Titans made it two wins in as many games with a 14-run win over the Delhi Capitals in their Indian Premier League encounter in Pune on Saturday.

The Rishabh Pant-led Capitals won the toss and decided to field first and were rewarded almost immediately when Australian Wicketkeeper batsman Matthew wade was dismissed for just one in the first over. His opening partner Shubman Gill displayed maturity as he anchored the innings before being dismissed in the 18th over for a top score of 84 off 46 balls including six fours and four sixes.

Captain Hardik Pandya (31) and David

Miller (20 not out) were the other chief scorers as the Titans closed their innings on 171-6 off their 20 overs.

Pacers Mustafizur Rahman (3-23 off four overs) and Khaleel Ahmed (2-34 off four overs) were the best bowlers on the day for the Capitals.

Delhi’s reply never really got into motion as they lost wickets at crucial times throughout.

Pant (43), Lalit Yadav (25) and Rovman Powell (20) all tried their best but it wasn’t enough as the Capitals ended their 20 overs on 157-9 thanks to a match-winning spell of 4-28 off four overs from New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson.

Torrential showers which began overnight and continued intermittently throughout the day severely affected all the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) matches set for Saturday including the Noble House Seafood Second Division Two-Day Final which was scheduled for the Everest ground.

Very strong gusts of winds stormed in from the Atlantic Ocean accompanied by heavy rain that battered the branches of the Coconut trees around the ground, forcing the Umpires to call off play on the opening of day of the contest between the host team and the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC). This was after the rain had subsided and start time set for 14:00hrs. An early lunch was taken before the showers returned with even greater intensity.

It was a similar situation at the Police ground at Eve Leary where day one of the two-day GISE, Star Party Rental & Trophy Stall First Division battle between Malteenoes and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was scheduled to be played.

Both games are scheduled to continue today but could be again be affected by the adverse weather.

The NBS 40-over second division semifinals at Bourda between GCC and Police was also washed out as the GT X1 against MSC in the Ramchand Auto Spares, Survival Group of Companies & Trophy Stall U-19 50-over match at the Transport Sport Club

Alivin Mohier ground.

The other U-19 game at the Queen’s College ground, Transport Sports Club’s Alivin Mohier made a solid 71 as his side reached 181-5 in 31.3 overs before rain washed out the game against Bel Air. According to chairman of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Competitions Committee, Shawn Massiah, if no ball is bowled in any of the matches set for this weekend, the games will be replayed. (Sean Devers)

PAGE 78

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 03, 2022

Covent Garden Secondary are East Bank Demerara Janet Jagan Memorial girls Windball Cricket champs Covent Garden Secondary won the National Sports Commission/MCYS East Bank Demerara final of the 2022 Windball season opener, Janet Jagan Memorial Schoolgirls Windball Cricket tournament organised by Sports Officer A. Munroe, defeating rivals Diamond Secondary in a close battle.

Covent after winning the toss and inviting Diamond to take first strike saw them make 104-2, with Odessa France 54 (6sx8), Amelia Leal 24, Shemica Lewis and Alzura Fernandes scoring 14 runs apiece.

Covent Garden in reply, hit 108-0 from 4.3 overs with Shamaya DaCosta (6sx7, 4s x2) and Latifa Dublin (6sx7, 4sx2) both hitting 50 to see their team to victory.

Friendship Secondary finished in 3rd place.

Odessa France

Shamaya Da Costa and Latifa Dublin

Rooplall (201*) highlights third round in ESCL over-40 competition

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ugnacious opening batsman Patrick Rooplall struck an unbeaten 201 for Caribbean Cricket Club (CCC) in the third round of the Essequibo Softball Cricket League (ESCL) over-40, 20-overs competition last Sunday at Affiance ground, Region Two, Essequibo Coast (PomeroonSupenaam).

The right-handed Rooplall hit 23 sixes and six fours as CCC amassed a massive 2833 from the 20-overs against Sunrisers Masters. Kumar Boodram played second fiddle to the flamboyant Rooplall contributing 36.

This is Rooplall’s second double-century in this year’s edition.

When Sunrisers Masters batted, they made 138-7 at the expiration of the 20-overs losing by 145 runs.

Latchman Persaud offered a fight with 35 as Yaseer Mohamed and Ekie Baksh claimed three and two wickets respectively.

At Hibernia facility, Ravens Sports Club whipped Hibernia Strikers by 197 runs.

Ravens set up a formidable 262-5 from the 20-overs while Strikers only responded with 65 all out in the 16th over.

Punraj Singh led the way for Ravens with 109 while Vishnu Haripaul supported him with 68.

Glendon Smith grabbed 5-25 of his maximum four overs bowling for Ravens while Singh proved his all-round capability by snatching four wickets for 29 runs off four overs.

And in the other game also at Hibernia ground, Queenstown Tigers defeated Devonshire Castle by a thrilling two-wicket margin.

Devonshire Castle tallied up a respectable 207-6 from the allotment of 20-overs while Tigers responded with 209-8 in the 18th over.

Motielall Deepnarine scored 50 for the

IPL 2022: Buttler blasts Royals to another win (SportsMax) os Buttler’s second Indian Premier League century helped maintain Rajasthan Royals’ winning start in 2022, setting the stage for a 23-run defeat of Mumbai Indians.

The Indians put their opponents in to bat first but no doubt soon regretted that decision as opener Buttler plundered 100 off 68 balls.

That knock did the heavy lifting in the Royals’ 193-8 – a total that proved comfortably beyond Mumbai, despite the best efforts of teenager Tilak Varma (61).

Buttler had 26 runs in a dizzying fourth over alone and later put on 82 with captain Sanju Samson (30) for the third wicket in the biggest partnership of the match.

Shimron Hetmyer (35) played his part and the Royals were moving at a blistering pace up until his departure, collapsing from 1 8 3 - 3 w i t h 11 b a l l s remaining.

That shaky finish looked like it could prove costly when Varma joined Ishan Kishan (54) in the middle, but Ravi Ashwin finally got the better of the 19-yearold.

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Patrick Rooplall winning combination and 31 from the consistent Lloyd Innis. Wayne Moore collected 2-42 from four expensive overs.

In Devonshire Castle’s innings, Darshanan Lall hit 75 while Anil Persaud made 31.

The action will continue on Sunday with three more matches at Zorg Beach.

Ravens will tackle Sunrisers Masters while Queenstown Tigers coming up against Hibernia Strikers and CCC facing off with Devonshire Castle.

Jos Buttler hit the first century of the IPL season

Yuzvendra Chahal (2-26) then set about tidying up the rest of the middle order, getting Tim David and Daniel Sams from cons ecu tive deliver ies before creating a hat-trick chance with his ball to Murugan Ashwin, only for Karun Nair to fluff the catch, if not his team’s ultimately routine win.

Bumrah bests Buttler after brilliant show One of the great limitedovers batsmen, Buttler’s tally of a single hundred in 66 prior IPL matches was on the light side.

He was well on the way to his second century within four overs, though, with 38 runs off 20 balls at that stage.

T h e E n g l a n d wicketkeeper hit five boundaries in succession –

two fours and three sixes – in that fourth over. Although that pace then slowed a little, it still required an elite bowler to eventually get Buttler, with a Jasprit Bumrah beauty among three wickets in the 19th over as he finished with 3-17.

Varma could not join Buttler on three figures, but this was a first fifty and will surely not be his last. It said a lot for Varma’s performance that he earned a send off from Ashwin, having sent him for six with a reverse sweep from the previous ball.

Unfortunately for the Indians, already slightly behind in the game, their next boundary did not follow for almost three overs – during which time Chahal took his two wickets.

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 03, 2022

Khan leads Enmore CC to victory

Amir Khan

PAGE 79

Speedy Promotions dominoes commences tomorrow in Linden

A fine all-round performance from Amir Khan led Enmore CC to a 78-run win over host Enterprise SC when the East Coast Cricket Board 50-overs tournament continued on Sunday last. Batting first, Enmore posted 245-7.

Khan struck 100 while Chaitram Balgobin made 81 and Navin Gobin 20 not out. Enterprise responded with 167 all out.

Rajendra Chandrika stroked 101 not out as Richard Chatura claimed 3-29 and Khan 343.

Annual Mayor’s Cup 9-a-side Inter Ward/Village KO Football

Action shifts to GFC tomorrow as city teams look to make their mark City teams will be showcased tomorrow when play in the Annual Mayor’s Cup 9-a-side Inter Ward/Village Knockout Football tournament continues as play shifts to the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground starting at 5:00pm.

Leading the charge to make their mark are the impressive Sparta Boss who are down to battle the upset minded Belle West Stars in the sixth scheduled game of the evening. Sparta known for their tenacity and ability to dominate tournaments will feature Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, Eusi Phillips, Job Caesar, Ryan Hackett, Jeremy Garnett, Nicholas McArthur, Jermaine Junor, Sheldon Sheppard and Devon Charles. Belle West will hope to spring an upset through the efforts of Andre Williams, Paul Singh, John Anthony, Andre Jose and Navin Derga among others.

However, the night’s action is set to open with Charlestown being led by Jamal Cozier and Keron Solomon battling Club 45 who will be boosted by the likes of Steven King, Lakina King, Ray Stanton and Quacy Price among others.

Following on pitch are Campbellville versus Lilliendaal with the former side having Lamar Lord, Jason Williams, Shane Jones, Marlon Bethel, Shane McBean and Ritchie Richards down to carry their fight. Lilliendaal will look to

Job Caesar

Gregory Richardson

The organisers and sponsors with some of the prizes.

S

peedy Promotions dominoes competition is set to commence tomorrow at the Supervisor club in Linden from 15:00hrs.

The competition will continue April 6 at Tropical Reflections at 16:00hrs, on April 13 at Pensioners Club at 16:00hrs, while the final will be played on April 24 at Speedy Juice Shop.

Entrance fee is $15,000 and the winning

team will take home $100,000, runner up $50,000 and third place $30,000.

The most valuable player, the player that share the first love and first sir love, best female player, best male player, most improved player and the best dressed team will received prizes.

For registration and more information teams can contact the organisers on 6875300.

GFF confirms ticket agents for Lady Jags World Cup Qualifier MVP Sports has been selected as one of the ticket agents by GFF.

Jeremy Garrett

Trayon Bobb

the skills of Deon Alfred, Akeel Pinero, Otto Jones, Rondell Peters, Lennox Young, Kellon Blue and Kelly Blue to negate Campbellville.

Mocha then challenge Annandale with Eon Mars, Cappel Daniels, Steffon Ramsay and Teon Jones in the Mocha line-up.

Bourda All Stars featuring Deon Alfred, Lennox Cort, Raphael Edwards, Ravie Corts, Daniel Ross and Kevin Baptiste taking on Kuru Kururu who will depend on Kevon Walker, Michael Charles, Christopher Alleyne, Sherwin Henry and Anthony Roberts to carry their fight.

Road Warriors take on Agricola with Joel Yapp, Cecil Jackson, Jermaine Beckles, Darren Niles, Brando Solomon and Akel Clarke turning out for Road Warriors. Agricola will see Kacy John, Linden Pickett, Gordon Grant and Collis Samuels leading their charge.

Four other games are scheduled featuring the winners of the preceding games battling to see who advances in the tournament.

These teams are battling for attractive prize money and the respective trophies with a first prize of $600,000, second prize $300,000, third $200,000 (Continued on page 72)

F

ans can snap up in-demand tickets for the Lady Jags crunch home FIFA World Cup and Concacaf W Championship qualifier against Nicaragua from MVP Sports, West Indian Sports Complex, High Rise Media, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Secretariat and the Bartica Football Association Office.

The Guyana Senior Women’s National Team, top of Group F on goal difference, take on its Central American rivals in a

crucial penultimate qualification game at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 8 at Leonora National Track and Field Centre.

With only the top teams from each group set to progress to the Concacaf W Championship, the GFF are calling on fans to come out in huge numbers to support the team.

The Lady Jags face Trinidad and Tobago in what could prove to be the deciding match on Tuesday, April 12 in the twin island nation.

“We are calling on all

football fans to come out and show the Lady Jags the support of our entire nation as they continue this incredible journey,” said GFF President Wayne Forde.

“We are so close to writing an incredible story out of an extremely tough group. I would encourage fans to buy their tickets in advance through one of our ticket agents as we expect a big crowd.”

The following outlets have been selected as official ticket agents for the tantalising clash against Nicaragua.

Covent Garden Secondary along with their teacher.

Spo

rts

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CWI contribute bowling machines to ICC U-19 World Cup host countries

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